Evil Among Us

by J. K. Accinni

  He lifted her up to his waist and sank his erection inside as she wrapped her legs around his waist and moaned. “Oh . . . God, yes, Kane.”

  Kane’s face was a tight mask of pleasure as they both breathlessly forgot all of their responsibilities and grabbed for the exquisite pleasure their young bodies craved.

  *

  After they dressed quickly, Emma asked, a plaintive note in her voice, “Kane, do you think you could meet me after dinner tonight? We can sneak down to the bathing caves.” She ran her fingers over his chest suggestively.

  Kane put on his cotton smock hurriedly, all attention on getting back to work before he was missed. He pushed her aside as he tried to locate a shoe. “Come on, Emma, you know I gotta go.” He shot her a quick grin. “Besides, you know I need to be with Kenya tonight. Why ask such a silly question?”

  Emma took a deep breath. “I wanted to talk to you about something special.”

  Kane raked his long wavy blond locks back with his fingers. “Babe, you know that’s impossible. Besides, Scotty has something planned for tonight after dinner, a surprise for Echo. I promised Kenya and I would stick around for it.” He kissed her quickly on the forehead.

  “But—”

  “Gotta go.” And Kane was gone, leaving Emma dejected and mad at herself for losing control and not confronting Kane while she held the advantage. Damn. I’m just too weak around that guy. Promising herself the next time would be different, she hurried back to Netty’s kitchen to help with the chores.

  *

  That night seemed to be the same as any other night. Kenya set everyone’s nerves on edge before they had a chance to enjoy their sumptuous dinner, forcing Johno to step in as usual, which prompted Crystal to add to the melee, setting off Chance and the dogs.

  Echo perched as always near the fireplace, one arm stuck into the gelatinous wall for sustenance of her own kind. The crystal of her horns reflected prisms of light around the room, competing with the golden sparkle of her effervescent eyes. From time to time, a survivor would glance her way as they sensed the stroke of an aura in their mind, recognizing the tentative forays the minion made as she tested for other minds she deemed a possible fond connection. The other diners waited patiently for things to settle down and begin dinner.

  Emma poured tea as everyone socialized. She rolled her eyes at Bonnie holding court with her buddies, Dezi and Peter, obviously discussing the best way to clean elephant poop off their shoes. Gloria and Billy played kissy face at the table, reminding Emma to keep her eye on Kane who fawned at Kenya’s feet. For Heaven’s sakes! She quickly moved her line of sight away from the keepers’ table as she caught Elias’ intent stare. She glanced at the kitchen doorway to see Netty and Wil enter with Baby, late as usual. Other eyes followed them as they busied themselves, Baby toddling off to join Echo at the wall.

  Soon everyone settled down to eat, Salina’s anxious and solemn demeanor unnoticed by most in favor of the new confection she handed out for sampling.

  “I know this doesn’t look as appetizing as it tastes, but trust me, you’ll love it. It is just the latest new seed the kids will be growing. A gift from the Womb, I take it, Netty?”

  Everyone listened as Netty stepped up to reassure them about the grey fibrous lump with streaks of black matter that popped as you bit down. “This will be an important source of food for many of the herbivores that will populate this planet. That includes you. There will be no more human carnivores.” Netty’s gentle announcement caused a rustle among the survivors.

  “You mean to say we’ll never taste a nice juicy cheeseburger again? Or a thick T-bone steak?” Seth sat up straight, hands on hips, his incredulous face a reflection of many of the men in the crowd.

  Ginger Mae shouted out, “What . . . you’d have us eat some of the animals in our care, Seth?”

  “Well, why not? They’re breeding. And that’s what they’re supposed to be for.”

  A hush descended quickly on the crowd as Scotty got up from his chair so fast it tipped back, crashing to the floor. His tail escaped from around his waist to snap frenetically in the air. He loomed over Seth, forcing him to lean away.

  “Just to make things perfectly clear, Seth. These creatures are not here for our personal use. Their lives are their own, just as your life is. They feel pain and love just like we do. They were never here for us to eat.” Scotty slammed his fist into the palm of his hand. “We have plenty to eat. Our digestive systems were never made for a diet of animal protein and fats anyway. If there’s not enough food to feed humans, it’s because there are too many of us. The planet was not meant to be overwhelmed with humans or any species without it causing problems. The only food chain you need to concern yourself with is the one that puts us on the bottom. We are here to care for the animals until the planet is whole again. They will learn to care for themselves once we resurface. But let me assure you: This is our last chance. There will be a revised list of the Ten Commandments. And the first one will be: Thou shall not kill any creature for thine own pleasure. If that’s a problem for you I’ll be happy to give you a one-way escort back to the rock where we found you.”

  Clyde’s and Seth’s eyes bugged out. “Now, Scotty, there’s no need to get aggressive. Seth understands, don’t you buddy?” As Seth glared at Scotty, Clyde gave him a kick. “Scotty’s just a kid; he didn’t mean nothing by it.”

  With that remark, Wil rose, stretching his wings as wide as the room would allow. “Allow me to assure you that everything said by this young Elder is the law. I thought we were past this. Does anyone here need a further explanation about the purpose of the Hive and the lives that are harbored here?”

  Wil’s luminous eyes bore into the faces of everyone there, lingering on Seth. “You are welcome here, Seth, but only under the terms of the Womb. You will not like the outcome if you choose to test us.”

  The tension broke as Seth flashed a big grin and held his hand out to Scotty, who turned away a split second before. Seth brushed off the awkwardness. “Hey, hey. We’re all family here. All’s good.” He picked up the plate Salina set in front of him to spoon up the new dish. “Ummm, my compliments to the chef.”

  As he sat down and everyone resumed eating, Emma observed a spark of resentment quickly extinguished in Seth’s handsome face. Oh, hmmm, maybe we have a rebel on our hands. What a neat guy. She glanced once more in Kane’s direction to see if he was looking her way. Assured, she picked up her plate and paraded over to plop herself next to Seth, letting Kane get an eyeful as she slid her hand down Seth’s arm before she sat.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she barely noticed the scowl on Elias’ face as he stomped away from the keepers’ table to leave. With a toss of her hair, she reached over to Seth to dip her spoon into his plate, raising her utensil slowly to her mouth where she swallowed and licked her lips as Kane and a beaming Seth both watched. Kane shook his head and turned his attention back to Kenya, leaving Emma to congratulate herself on her small victory. Maybe I’m on to something, she thought as she resumed her flirtation with Seth.

  Dinner progressed uneventfully. Emma soon excused herself to collect the dirty dishes from the diners. As the plates were cleared and more tea offered around, Scotty stood. “As some of you know, today is my twentieth birthday. I’m going to celebrate it a bit differently this year. I knew since we’ve all had birthdays, Salina would make my favorite dishes. But for today I’ve asked her to try to make me a cake. This is a special cake. Like one I once had, so long ago.”

  Scotty turned to Salina as she uncovered a big round chocolate birthday cake from its hiding place to deposit it in front of Scotty. Scotty reached out his hand toward Echo, who had wiggled her way down from the wall. They just stared at each other as Scotty laughed. “Yes, Echo . . . cake.” Turning to the crowd, he added, “This is for Echo. I wanted to share my cake and my day with her, as I did so unknowingly when I was eight years old. Echo was just a little boy’s version of a wood fairy friend before I fell off that gr
anite rock and was injured.” He glanced with pride at Echo. “Remember that, girl?” Scotty turned back to the survivors to continue his story. “I would have died if she hadn’t healed me.”

  Clyde quickly shouted out, his words slobbering with indignation. “Hey, I thought they weren’t allowed to heal people. Why were you healed? What’s so special about you?”

  Netty raised her hand to calm him. “One of the exceptions is when a minion or Elder has caused the injury themselves.”

  Scotty explained further, “I brought a piece of my birthday cake to make friends with her. Unfortunately, I fell asleep on the rock in the warm sun while I waited for her to appear. When I awoke, she startled me, causing me to fall to the sharp rocks below where I was knocked unconscious with a head wound. When I came around, she was gone. I was healed and the cake was gone. Unbeknown to me, she’d taken the cake back into the Hive to remember me by. Poor girl, she was so lonely.”

  Scotty held out his arms as Echo tugged on his smock. He swooped down and raised her high in the air.

  “Yes, girl. This cake is for you. It’s a celebration for you and me.” He paused as if listening. “To celebrate the day you saved my life. You’re the guest of honor tonight.” The crowd broke out in a show of applause as Echo preened in Scotty’s arms, clapping her hands together in delight.

  Voices from the crowd shouted their best wishes for the strange little creature they had come to love and respect.

  “What’d she say?” A question from the crowd.

  Scotty gave a snort and rubbed his temple. “She says, CAKE!”

  As the cake was distributed, Emma watched with envy. Echo touched Scotty’s face with her finger. They stared into one other’s mesmerizing eyes and spoke their special language. Then he tossed the creature in the air again to catch her and hold her tight. Echo turned to wave a leather hand to the crowd then threw her arms back around Scotty’s neck. Lucky Scotty had everything she wanted: a girlfriend to share his love with, a buddy like none other in Echo. And Scotty was special: an Elder. Emma was beginning to understand what they meant when some said he was “The One.”

  She smiled inwardly at the memory of the skinny, young boy back on Lily Pond Road. When they’d all first come to live together, he’d been quite a sight with his impetigo scars and his crossed eyes. No one wanted to play with him in school, but he was still like a brother to her. I don’t know why he couldn’t have fallen for me. She glanced over at Abby and Jose, remembering how they’d all grown up in the same household. Sighing at her feelings of loneliness, she returned to the kitchen sink to help Karen and Crystal with the dishes.

  *

  Later that evening, as they all prepared for bed, Scotty waited for Chloe and Barney, and Echo took the opportunity to sneak onto his dais, curling up together at the end of the stone bed. Scotty smiled down on Echo as he felt the familiar aura gently stroking his mind.

  “I am the guest of honor, is that not correct, Brother Scotty?”

  Scotty nodded wondering where this was going.

  “Have you ever been the guest of honor?”

  Scotty nodded yes, thinking of the delight he’d had with the birthdays Abby and his mother had given him.

  “Has My Barney ever been the guest of honor?”

  Scotty laughed. “No, I don’t think so.”

  “Does that mean My Barney has no honor now?” Echo’s aura swirled.

  Oh, boy. Scotty grimaced. He snapped his fingers, calling Barney to his side. Barney stood up and stepped toward Scotty then glanced back to Echo. Taking a few steps toward Scotty, he whined.

  “Come on, Barney. It’s okay.” He reached out to sweep the white dog into his arms, holding him close. Barney gave his face a sloppy kiss with his rough tongue then craned his neck to turn back to Echo. Relenting, Scotty released him so he could run back to Echo and cuddle up next to his best buddy who promptly curled his lion-like tail around the sensitive dog for comfort.

  “Echo, Barney always has honor. He is a fine, loving dog and an important part of our family.”

  The aura shifted in his mind. “Is Barney a guest?”

  “No, silly. Neither of you are guests. You are family. Guest of honor is an expression that’s used when it’s your special day. When everyone is extra good to you.”

  “A family member can have a special day? What do they get that is special?” Echo’s innocent aura quickened.

  “Alright, Echo. Spit it out. What are you getting at?”

  Echo stood and clasped her leather hands together. “I want my special wish. I want what I wanted when you were eight years old. I want what I always wanted.”

  Scotty rocked back on the dais, feeling the desperation of Echo’s aura. Concerned, he carefully measured his words. “Echo, I love you. I would do anything for you. You know you can tell me anything.”

  Echo’s aura brightened. “Anything?”

  “Yes, silly. Of course.” No sooner had his lips stopped moving than Echo and Barney bounced their way up to him, throwing themselves against his chest, then making a great fuss looking for a spot on the dais that brought them snuggly up against him, just like it used to be.

  “What are you doing, girl?” Scotty watched the twosome; joy in his heart and over-spilling with love.

  Chloe chose this moment to enter the room. “Oh, no. Hey, you two. Get down.”

  Echo’s aura rotated wildly in Scotty’s mind sending shoots out to Chloe, her fur raised and glistening as the mysterious light in the Hive dimmed, signaling the beginning of the survivors’ healing sleep.

  “I am family guest of honor. It is my time, Sister Chloe. You can go sleep somewhere else. I choose to sleep with my Brother tonight to commemorate. It is what I wanted to do when he was eight, and what Barney and I did when we all lived together, before you. You have made Brother Scotty not want us the same. Tonight he will want us the same. Go away.” With that, Echo and Barney turned their backs to Chloe and shut their eyes, leaving Scotty and his astonished girlfriend with their mouths hanging open.

  Chloe gave Scotty her evil eye, jettisoning her thumb in the air toward the doorway. Mouthing the words and pressing his hands together to beg, he conveyed a silent message to her.

  She stood with her hands on her hips. “No. Absolutely not.”

  Again he mouthed the words please, just for tonight. Sighing, she relented. “This is for you, birthday boy.” Coming close to the bed, she leaned in for a kiss from Scotty, her lips cool and tight with annoyance. Barney turned to give her a quick tongue flick as Echo turned to watch her every move. Scotty mouthed, thank you and kissed her back, knowing there’d be hell to pay in the morning.

  After Chloe left the darkening cavern to locate another dais, Scotty rolled over to relax, his day full and draining. His mind closed down, his gentle journey into slumber well underway.

  Echo’s aura pricked at his unconscious mind. “I will be patient, Brother Scotty. She will not live forever.”

  *

  Seth had a plan. Observing Clyde from under his eyelids, he pretended to sleep. He watched as the man tenderly stroked his granddaughter’s face, holding fast to her hand.

  “Good night, baby girl. Please come back to me.” He turned to Lorna, to kiss her goodnight. “My wonderful love. I knew you wouldn’t fail to get here. I’m so sorry I doubted. Never again. Promise.” He straightened his tall body up to glance at Seth and whisper a goodbye.

  “Goodnight, my special friend. You’ll never understand the extent of my debt to you. I praise the Lord for bringing you to our door.” And with that, as the light settled seductively into dusk, he took his leave.

  Shhheesh . . . Thank the Devil the dumbass is gone. Springing up quickly before he could be tempted to sleep, he approached Lorna. Soon, you old miserable bitch, soon. He reached out to squeeze Lorna’s pale scab-covered cheeks painfully between his fingers. She made no movement. You’re lucky or I’d have to do it now.

  He watched her pitiful chest rise and fall with each brea
th she took. Her breath sounds were smooth and hitch free. An improvement. He backed away from the abhorrent viscous webs that fed her. His time was drawing close. He calculated he had maybe a week or two before her health improved enough to be apparent to the others. A sudden death at that point would be too risky. Soon, he thought as he directed malignant thoughts to the vulnerable Lorna.

  That would leave the delectable Jennifer to worry about. Pondering the likelihood of controlling the pre-teen through intimidation, he acknowledged the probability she would blab all to her grandfather. He had no way of knowing how much she would actually remember. The possibility existed that she’d recall nothing.

  Slapping the palm of his hand rhythmically into the side of his thigh, he cast about for a plan. Hmm . . . Clyde. Yes. He’s the answer. If Clyde wasn’t here, she’d have no one to confide in. She’d be easy to control if he were the only familiar sight in this nightmare. Slowly, the makings of a plan emerged in his reptilian brain.

  He must search the Hive for the perfect location. As of yet, the topography shown to him would not lend itself to his plan. He crept to the doorway, casting a last glance at the two women. As far as he knew, no one ever mentioned checking on the women in the night. He listened carefully to the silence in the cavern hallway. To his surprise, he detected movement. Quiet and steady.

  Peering around the cavern wall, careful not to touch it, he froze as Tobi and her herd swept by, swift and silent. What the hell are they up to? Letting them pass, he eased his frame silently around the wall and into the corridor, just catching a glimpse of the hind end of the herd. Letting them run far enough ahead so he could avoid detection but not lose sight of them, he decided to follow.

  An hour later, he considered giving up as the herd continued their march. The rare pile of drying dung indicated their journey was a familiar one. It can’t be for water he realized, remembering how he tried to evade the almost mature piglets and their antics with the herd at the elephant baths.

  Every time he saw the pigs he was reminded of greasy pork and bacon. Who knew the animals were off limits for eating? Stupid ass rules if you ask me. His face burned with the memory of the snot-nosed punk Scotty lecturing him at dinner. If he didn’t have those wings and scary eyes and that damn tiger and the creepy little yellow monstrosity dogging him everywhere, he’d take care of Scotty the best way he knew. Nothing like a few broken bones and missing fingers to clean up a smart mouth.