Chapter 34
A quiet, almost reverent hush had settled over the infirmary by the time Cory swung the doors open and entered the darkened corridor. Holly and Dude, who had been stationed to keep the unit secure, immediately greeted him.
“What’s up?” Dude asked, trying to hide the fact that he had been holding Holly’s hand.
“The bishop…” Cory began, his voice strained and weak.
“What happened?” Holly asked, moving close enough to see Cory had been crying.
“I’ve just checked…he’s dead.”
Remy suddenly emerged from the shadows, overhearing what Cory had said. “Who Cory? Don’t tell me there’s been another murder.”
“No…no…Christine’s dad…it looks like he just slipped away in his sleep.” A new trickle of tears rolled down Cory’s cheeks, emotionally setting the others off as well.
“Christine will be devastated,” Remy noted. “She’s sleeping…perhaps we shouldn’t wake her. It might be better to deliver the news once she’s a bit stronger.”
“Yeah…I think you’re right,” Cory agreed. “I know she’s been preparing for this moment. He’s been so sick for such a long time…but it doesn’t make it any easier.”
Remy nodded his understanding and patted Cory on the shoulder. “Do you want to see Christine?”
“Yes…for just a minute – if that’s okay.”
“Of course. Let me show you where we’ve got her.”
Before leaving, Cory reached out and placed a hand on each of the youngsters’ shoulders. “Where’s Boob?” he asked.
Dude answered, his voice hushed and unmistakably sad, “He’s been sitting with Brandi all night.”
“That’s fine. I appreciate all of you hanging tough today. You’ve been a big help and I know you’re tired. In a few minutes somebody should be here to give you a break. When they do, go to your rooms and get some sleep. Heaven only knows what tomorrow will bring…and take Boob with you. You got that?”
“Yeah, no problem,” Dude quipped.
“Great. Come on Remy, let’s find my wife.”
A minute later Cory tiptoed to Christine’s side and took her hand. He turned to give Remy thumbs up, but found him nearly in his hip pocket.
“You know she’s going to be fine, right?”
“Yeah…yeah. She’s got you taking care of her. It’s not tonight that worries me…it’s tomorrow and the day after.”
“I hear ya,” said Reynolds, knowingly.
“Do you have any doubt something…something bad is about to descend upon us?” Cory asked, his eyes quickly turning to take in the sleeping face of his precious wife.
“Nope, but we’ve known for years we were living on borrowed time. I guess we can be grateful for one another and the time we’ve had.”
“That sounds a little defeatist, Doc. You ain’t givin’ up I hope.”
“Oh, hell no. The Ward is my home and these people are my family. Nobody’s going to take any of that from me without getting bloodied.”
“That sounds more like the Remy I know. Listen, I’ll just be a few minutes. I’ve got something I need to tell Christine and then I’ll be on my way. Clayton and I have some stuff to take care of.”
Remy recognized Cory’s oft-used tone and furrowed his brow before replying, “I’m not going to go there, but remember Christine needs you.”
“She’s the reason I’ve got to go,” Cory replied.
“I wish I could understand that logic, but I trust you know what you’re doing. Be careful and come back safe.”
“If I’ve not returned by the time she wakes, will you tell her of her father’s passing? I’d rather it come from you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure you’ll be back but I’ll help, should she need me.”
“Thanks, Remy. I won’t be long.”
In the dim, almost non-existent light of the tiny, makeshift hospital room, Cory bent and kissed his wife’s cheek. Her hair smelled of soot and smoke, a testament to her labors of the day. He smiled and cocked his head to take in her familiar features. His heart swelled within his chest, remembering the countless moments of their lives and the innumerable trials that had welded their souls so firmly together.
“Christine, I’m sorry. I know how sad you’re going to be…but he’s free and happy…just like you said. I’ve got something important to do tonight and it’s probably better that you’re here. I’m going hunting…but don’t you worry,” he said softly. “Clayton’s got me covered. Before we head out, I need you to know…if something happens and I don’t make it back…I love you. You’re my everything. I just needed to say that.”
Cory gently brushed his lips against Christine’s, kissing her for what he thought might be the final time. Reluctantly he turned to walk from the room when he was stopped by the sound of someone moving just outside the door.
“Who’s there?” he asked, slipping his pistol from its holster.
“Just me,” Holly stuttered, seeing Cory’s weapon snap to attention. “I wanted to tell you our replacements are here, but I didn’t want to disturb your…you know, your moment with Christine.”
“Okay. Well, get your buddies and get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Will you?” the young girl asked coyly.
“For sure. I’ll meet you, Dude and Jeff back here just after sunup.”
“Alright. Goodnight then.”
Cory scooted past the somewhat shaken teen and hustled from the building. She watched and wondered about the things she’d overheard, which she immediately reiterated to Jeff and Dude.
“Are you sure, Holly?” Jeff asked. “He and Clayton are sneaking past security and…and…and…are doing what?”
“He said they were going hunting. I’m sure that’s what he said…going hunting.”
“Do you think we should tell your dad?” Dude asked Jeff.
“No. I don’t want to get them in trouble. They’re grown ups. They can likely do whatever they want. They must think the insider is somewhere lying in wait to do something else.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” Holly blurted out, as the three stood in the shadows superimposed over the sidewalk near the library. “What if we were to help?”
“You mean…what if we were to get in their way and get us all killed?” Dude asked sarcastically.
“Now, wait a minute, Dude. Holly makes a good point. Maybe they could use some backup. You know, kind of like what we’ve been trained to do. Where were they going, Holly? Where do you think we can find them?”
“He didn’t say, but he was headed north at a pretty good clip when I last saw him.”
“Okay, that’s it. Are you guys in?” Jeff asked.
“We’re already up crap creek so I guess it doesn’t matter if we do one more stupid thing – I reckon I’m in,” Dude said, regretting the decision as soon as he’d made it.
“Holly?”
“What have we got to lose?” the petite, little blonde replied, knowing the answer as well as her friends.
“Get some dark clothes on, round up your weapons and ammo, and meet me in the northwest corner of the parking lot. It’s the best place to sneak out without the sentries seeing us.”
“And how do you know that?” Holly asked.
“Oh, believe me, we’ve had our share of nighttime adventures,” Jeff said, with a broad smile. “If you run into any adults, make something up. Tell them you’re on an errand for Remy or something…anything but the truth. I think our parents will be busy enough that we won’t be missed until it’s too late for them to do anything about it. Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll think we’re sleeping at the hospital.”
“Okay, guys, it’s do or die time. Let’s go,” Dude slurred in his best western drawl.
Hurriedly, the trio broke as if from a huddle, and ran to their respective rooms, buoyed by a sense of youthful immortality that would soon be tested…and shattered.
Chapter 35
&nb
sp; A thinly crested moon hovered in the night sky, providing just enough light to make out shapes and shadows but little else. At the celestial orb’s lower apex a single star gleamed brightly, as if it were somehow attached and dangling from the moon itself. The lack of adequate illumination did not go unheeded by the pair of deadly stalkers.
“Not much of a moon,” Clayton said, pointing skyward.
“You ain’t kiddin’,” Cory replied. “I had a hard time making you out, even though you sounded like a freight train comin’ across the parking lot.”
“Not hardly…stealth is my name and death is my game,” the taller, lankier Clayton replied smugly.
“That’s odd. I’m pretty sure that’s my handle,” Cory chided.
“Not tonight, my friend. So, what’s the plan?”
“Well, I’m not quite sure. I’ve tried to put myself in the place of this saboteur and think like he’d think, which brings us here,” Cory said, pointing at the perimeter, north of where they stood.
“It’s the most porous?”
“Exactly. Clark and Rod have beefed up patrols, but this is still the easiest place around The Ward to get in and out without detection. If I wanted to cause anymore trouble, this is where I’d enter.”
“Good point. So, do you just want to hunker down and watch to see if he returns?” Clayton asked, knowing Cory was not one to sit and wait for trouble.
“What? No way. We didn’t get greased up for a stakeout. I’m thinkin’ we sneak out, do a bit of a recon, and see if we can nail him.”
Clayton grinned, his white teeth standing out from his black-painted face like a neon sign. “I like the way you think.”
“Holy crap Clayton, keep them chompers covered up while we’re out or you’ll get us both killed,” Cory said, baring his own teeth to give Clayton a dose of reality.
“Yeah, I see what you mean.”
“You ready?” Cory asked, while placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“As I’ll ever be. Does this remind you of anything?”
“Yup. You’re thinking of the night we lost Mel, aren’t ya?” Cory asked in a whisper. Clayton did not speak, but nodded, and lowered his eyes in remembrance of that fateful night, so many years ago. “Come on Buddy, Christine tells me we’ve got guardian angels watching over us – let’s hope they’re on duty tonight.”
“Amen,” Clayton whispered, before the two ventured forward, pressed into a night of deadly service by love and the need to survive…yet again.
* * *
“Could you see where they went?” Holly asked, squinting to see beyond the few feet that separated the three, young friends. The teens were clothed from head to toe in black, including knitted caps, which were pulled low over their ears. A few strands of Holly’s straight, blonde hair had crept from underneath the beanie’s lip, but they were quickly tucked back into place by a knowing hand. Their faces shimmered ever so slightly, as starlight highlighted their cheekbones, painted black with shoe polish.
Dude pointed to an area of fencing that appeared to have been recently altered. “I think they slid through there. It’s the only place they could have gone under, and I’m pretty sure they didn’t go over – there’s too much barbed wire.”
“Agreed,” Jeff asserted. “Come on Holly, you go first.”
The girl slipped her semi-auto rifle off her shoulder and handed it to Dude. Next came her vest filled with ammo, which she extended to Jeff. It was heavy and rattled as he took it from her.
“How many rounds you got in here?” Jeff asked.
“Enough,” she said, coyly. “You said ‘come prepared’, and I’m not the one packing a bazooka.”
Jeff looked at the heavy machine gun cradled in his arms. “It’s not a bazooka. It was my dad’s and I thought it might come in handy, should we need a bit more firepower.”
“Well, it looks like it can do just that,” Holly noted.
“How’d you get that out of your apartment?” Dude inquired.
“Is this 20 questions?” Jeff replied, somewhat annoyed by the sudden barrage of meaningless questions. His friends remained silent, but undeterred for an answer. “Okay, I lied…same as you two. I said I was staying at your place and snuck the gun out when my mom wasn’t watching. Rod wasn’t home, but he’ll never notice it missing.”
Dude grinned broadly and nodded at Holly. “He’s staying at my place and what are you doing tonight?” he asked, winking at the young woman.
“I’m certainly not staying at your place. I’m at the hospital, keeping an eye on Brandi…of course.”
“Of course you are,” Dude confirmed in a whisper. “And myself, I’m sleeping at your place, Boob. So, all in all, we shouldn’t be missed. Does that sound likely to either of you?” he asked, his voice weakly audible above an incessant chirping created by a host of aroused crickets. The smaller teen carried on as if he’d not even asked the question, but rather bent down to push the fence aside for the girl to breach.
Seconds later Holly was flattened on the ground, trying to shimmy her way under the narrow gap between the fence and the cooling earth. Part way under, a jagged, metal barb snagged her shirt at the bustline, halting her progress. She tussled with the obstacle for only a moment, before she was free and continued on her way.
“That wasn’t so bad,” Holly said, as she stood on the opposite side of the fence to receive her gun and vest through the same opening she’d just outmaneuvered.
“Here, take ours and lay them someplace while we skinny our way underneath,” Dude prompted, pushing his rifle through the gap.
Once all three had cleared the fenced obstacle and were reunited on the northern part of The Ward’s compound, Jeff offered the following advice, “Okay, keep your heads down and fingers ready. I think C&C probably headed through the graveyard. Let’s find a good place to watch and listen for a minute.”
“We should have told them we were coming,” Holly suggested, while taking an extra few seconds to snap her vest into place.
“They would’ve told us to go home. It’s likely nothing will happen, but they might really need our help if they run into trouble,” Jeff replied, trying to keep his voice to a veiled whisper.
“Yeah Holly, we’re just backup. Right, Boob?” Dude inquired.
“Exactly. So, let’s move out. You see or hear anything…use your hand signals.” As soon as Jeff had given the instruction, he had a second thought and continued, “Wait, screw that…we’ll never see each other. Use a cricket sound or something.”
Holly’s face was visible enough for Boob to appreciate the puzzled nature of her gaze and she replied, “A cricket sound or something?”
“Yeah, you know what I mean.”
“There’s a million crickets out here and I can’t…you know…do the cricket thing.”
“Then what?” Jeff asked, somewhat exasperated.
“Okay, how about a pig. I can do a pig,” she suggested.
“What?” Boob asked, quite sure he had not heard the young girl correctly.
“A pig…it’s the only animal I can do. You know how they sound,” and she did her best imitation, without taking the volume to realistic levels.
“Well, that’s better than I expected. I guess it will have to do. Okay then…to keep it simple, we will all use the ‘pig call’…the louder…the more urgent,” Jeff said, doing his best not to laugh at the absurd nature of the order.
“Sounds good. Lead the way,” Dude replied.
In less than a heartbeat, the teens scampered across Aggie Blvd, the established northern border to The Ward’s boundary. The wide road served as a natural break to the landscape and was a relatively easy obstacle to control. It ran east to west with guarded checkpoints at each intersection. Where buildings did not butt up closely to the road, an eight-foot fence topped with razor wire had been erected to keep troublemakers at bay. It had served its purpose well, but was not without flaws, as Cory, Clayton, and the other nighttime skirmishers knew…along with their i
ntended target.
* * *
Having failed to destroy the boy from his dream, the mole had eventually succumbed to the downside of the adrenalin rush that had dominated his actions the day before…and he’d slept. Hours later he awoke, rolled to his side and felt for his knife that had slipped from his fingers. It had fallen on the bed beside him, and without having to look, he thrust the blade into a scabbard fastened tightly around his upper, right thigh. While he sat on the bed’s edge, the killer wrestled with a mix of thoughts, emotions, and hazy memories, each strangely surreal, bordering on fantasy. In time he came to himself, putting the thoughts off as illusion as he focused on the tasks ahead.
The Harvesters – they’ll be coming. I better get in place, he thought.
Standing, he stretched and cracked his back with a bone-wrenching twist of his hips. He smiled as popping vertebrae aligned, freeing an uncomfortable hitch in his lower back. “Awe,” he said, feeling immediate relief.
Still, as quickly as his spinal issue had been resolved, another gnawing awareness suddenly hit him. It was not unlike the first, but this one centered in the pit of his stomach. The organ churned and rumbled, gurgling an array of gross, organic cries for help…but it would have to wait. Soon, he estimated, there would be plenty to satisfy the craving and so much more. For an instant he allowed his thoughts to turn to Brandi and the other Normals that would assuredly be his. They were fodder, nothing more…nothing less; simply resources to be used for his entertainment…no…her entertainment. The thought rifled through his mind as if fired at point-blank range…reminding him of his duty, and who had sent him.
Now fully awake and in control of his senses, the mole moved about the room with precision; gathering his weapons, checking his ammo, and camouflaging himself for a night’s work. He paused momentarily at the building’s backdoor before quickly pushing it open and lurching into the darkness. He was instantly cloaked in dense blackness, which slowed his progress but did not undermine his resolve. His eyes desperately tried to adjust but failed miserably. He concentrated on using his peripheral retina, knowing it might clean up the acuity, but even that was of little value given the moon’s token light.
The Lasting Hunger Page 23
