The Decay of Humanity Series (Book 3): Demise of Humanity

by Dawn, M. K.

  “You said it was self-defense,” Archer repeated. “Did he attack you? Were you injured in any way?”

  “He hit Mia, threatened her. I did what I had to do to keep her safe.”

  Axel stood and peered out the window. “Why not leave, tell one of us what he did, what he was planning on doing?”

  Eli huffed. “Like you would’ve believed us.”

  “How would you know?” Archer shook his head. “You didn’t ask, and instead, you murdered someone.”

  “Murdered?” Eli straightened in his seat. “It wasn’t murder, it was self-defense!”

  “No,” Axel said in a low tone. “Self-defense is when someone attacks you and you defend yourself. Shifter had restraint marks on his wrist and a Children of the Apocalypse brand on his back.”

  Eli’s shoulders tensed. “I don’t know anything about that. Like I said, it was self-defense. I had to protect Mia from that crazy bastard.”

  Archer leaned closer. “Following someone and stabbing them in the gut after an idle threat is murder.”

  “Idle threat?” Eli’s face paled. “You saw Mia’s face! You know what he did to her!”

  Britney rolled her eyes. “What she said he did to her. There’s no proof, and now, thanks to you, no way to ask Shifter his side of the story.”

  Eli’s entire body shook. “I need to talk to Mia.”

  “Sorry,” Archer opened the door to the living room and called in the guard, “we can’t let you do that.”

  “Where are you taking me?” Eli asked.

  Britney was about to ask the same question. They’d never had a situation like this before.

  “The basement?” Archer suggested. “With only one way in or out, it would be secure.”

  Axel turned to Britney. “How do you feel about that?”

  A murderer sleeping a few hundred feet from her children, how could he even ask her that? “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that. Besides kids livin’ in this house, Rainey’s down there. She doesn’t have much time left and not sure if movin’ her would be the best thing considerin’ her frail state.”

  “You’re right.” Axel ran a hand over his forehead. “I guess...shit, I don’t know what to do with him.”

  “Shifter’s camper is empty,” Terrance suggested. He’d stayed quiet so long Britney almost forgot he was there. “Why don’t we lock him in there and have a couple of guards posted outside?”

  Archer nodded. “Sounds like as good of plan as any. Smith, in the hall closet, there’s a toolbox. Can you grab a black zip-tie for me, please?”

  “Yes, sir.” Smith returned a few seconds later. “Here you go.”

  Archer secured Eli’s hands behind his back and handed him over to Smith. “Grab a couple others on the way. I want one inside with him the entire time. Two others outside. Four-hour shifts.”

  “Yes, sir.” Smith seized Eli’s arm and led him away.

  Archer closed the door behind them. “Shit.”

  “He’s lyin’,” Britney said. “Shifter wasn’t killed in the shed. We found blood in his trailer and the knife close by. You didn’t even ask him about that.”

  Archer clenched his jaw. “You found a small amount of blood, not enough to prove that’s where the murder took place.”

  “He confessed to killing Shifter. Why would he lie about the location?” Britney asked.

  Axel balled his hands into fists. “Because killing someone in their own home doesn’t fall in line with his claim of self-defense.”

  Archer lowered his head. “We could talk to him again, try to figure out what happened in the trailer, but I’m not sure if that would change anything. He confessed to killing Shifter, and we have to act accordingly.”

  Britney couldn’t help but think there was more to the story than Eli let on, but Archer was right. A confession was a confession. It didn’t matter where the murder took place.

  “Sloan and Makayla should be back soon.” Archer took his seat at the table. “Then comes the hard part...figuring out what to do with him.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Why don’t you head back to your camper and get some rest?” Sloan suggested as she showed Mia to the front door. “You can take the painkillers every four hours, as needed. And try to keep the stitches clean. Last thing we want is for it to get infected.”

  “I will.” Mia gave her a quick hug. “Thank you for everything.”

  Sloan held the door open for Mia. “Stop by the clinic tomorrow for a quick exam.”

  “Okay.” Mia paused on the porch. “What’s going on?”

  “What’s wrong?” Sloan peered outside and spotted a group of angry people heading their way. “Why don’t you hurry back to your camper. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “They know what Eli did.” Mia covered her mouth as she whirled around. “Please, explain to them that he was only trying to protect me.”

  Sloan feigned a smile. “Go on. We’ll handle this.”

  Mia rushed out of sight before the mob reached the porch.

  “Where is she going?” Sam yelled. “Was she a part of this?”

  “A part of what?” Sloan asked, wanting to gauge what they already knew.

  Sam glared. “Shifter’s murder!”

  “Who told you about that?” Sloan asked.

  “Saw Smith carting away that good-for-nothing kid, Eli,” Sam said. “Had his hands tied behind his back. She didn’t want to tell us, but a couple of the other guards filled us in.”

  Sloan figured it wouldn’t take long for this to get out.

  “What are we going to do about this?” Sam demanded. “He deserves to be punished.”

  The others around him nodded in agreement.

  “I’m going back in right now,” Sloan gestured toward the house, “and will find out what’s going on.”

  “We demand justice!” Sam threw his hands in the air. “If the Council won’t provide us with that, we’ll take matters in our own hands.”

  Heat flushed through Sloan’s body. “I understand and will tell them as much.”

  “Tonight!” Sam barked.

  “What do you mean?” Sloan cocked her head. “You want an answer by tonight?”

  Sam narrowed his eyes. “No, we want to see him hung by tonight.”

  “Oh.” Sloan took an unsteady step backward unsure what to say.

  Sam waved to the mob. “Let’s head over to the RV camp. Keep an eye on the kid, make sure he doesn’t escape.”

  Sloan slammed the door behind her and threw the lock. This was worse than she imagined. She hurried back to the dining room, her heart racing.

  Archer jumped to his feet. “What’s wrong, Slash? Are you hurt?”

  “No,” Sloan shook her head trying to normalize her breathing. “Outside, Sam and a couple dozen others. They’re demanding we take swift and severe action against Eli.”

  “How swift and severe?” Axel asked.

  Sloan settled into her chair. “Tonight, and they want to see him executed.”

  “Fuck me,” Archer mumbled, running a hand through his hair.

  Britney drummed her nails on the table. “I mean...their anger is understandable. He admitted to killin’ Shifter. We can’t sit back and do nothin’.”

  “You agree that execution is the correct course of action?” Sloan asked, still unsure how she felt about the situation.

  “I don’t...” Britney sighed, “yes. He killed Shifter. I don’t know another way to handle the situation that’s...fair and just. Does anybody else have a suggestion?”

  “What if we just send him away?” Makayla asked.

  “Like we did to Jerry.” Axel laughed but there was no humor in his voice. “We can’t do that.”

  “Why not?” Makayla asked.

  “Because their crimes are on opposite ends of the spectrum.”

  Makayla stared down at her hands. “When Jerry and Barbara left, we provided them with supplies, a vehicle, their camper. Gave them stuff to survive. If we send Eli away witho
ut anything...”

  Sloan tried to picture this alternative, the reaction of the town. “I don’t think the people would be okay with that. They are going to want a more severe form of punishment.”

  “I agree,” Britney said. “He killed someone. Sending him away isn’t good enough.”

  Makayla gasped. “You want to execute him? Take someone’s life? You can live with that? Because I don’t think I can.”

  Britney averted her eyes but didn’t respond. Sloan’s stomach sank listening to Makayla put her sister on the spot that way, but the question needed to be answered before they moved forward. She hadn’t even decided for herself how she felt about the execution.

  “Maybe we should put it to a vote?” Axel suggested. “Unless anyone else has an opinion they’d like to share on the matter.”

  Terrance stared up at the ceiling. “Maybe we shouldn’t be the only ones voting on the matter.”

  Archer straightened in his chair. “What are you saying?”

  “What if we let the town vote? Let the majority decide. That way, the kid’s fate isn’t resting solely in our hands.”

  “I think that’s an excellent idea.” A sudden lightness washed over Sloan. “Shifter’s murder affected all of us. Why not allow each person to have a say in how Eli is punished?”

  Archer rested his hand on top of his head, fingers laced, and groaned. “How do you see that going?”

  Axel folded his arms over his chest. “Like a fucking disaster.”

  “Why do you say that?” Britney asked with a frown. “I think it’s a great idea. Why should we have to make this choice? And live with the guilt? We’ve already made too many decisions for this town and how do they repay us? By demanding we step down! I say let’s give them a taste of what it’s like to make the hard decision. That way, they have nobody to blame but themselves.”

  Sloan also hated how the town continued to blame the Council for everything that had gone wrong.

  “Let’s vote.” Archer pinched the bridge of his nose. “Because I’m sick of dealing with all this shit and want to get it over with as soon as possible.”

  Axel banged the back of his head against the door frame. “The problem, like Sloan said, is that the people are angry. Do you really think they are in any position to make life and death decisions?’

  “I’m pretty damn angry, too,” Britney snapped. “Everyone is! So why is it okay for us to decide his fate and not them?”

  “Because the town appointed us to do so,” Axel retorted.

  “As Archer said, let’s vote.” Sloan didn’t want this to turn into a fight between the newlyweds. “All in favor of allowing the town to decide the fate of Eli...”

  Britney raised her hand and muttered, “I thought that was my job.”

  “Would you like to call for the vote?” Sloan mimicked the irritation in Britney’s tone.

  “No.” Britney rolled her eyes. “Please continue.”

  Sloan fought the urge to argue. “All in favor?”

  Five out of six raised their hands; Axel being the odd man out.

  Britney glared at him. “Really?”

  Axel jammed his hands in his pockets. “What? I think it’s a bad idea, but I also realize that the majority has the final say.”

  “And you’re okay with this?” Sloan thought it would be better if the decision was unanimous.

  “As always, I promise to support the majority. I just want to make sure it’s known that I oppose.”

  Britney sneered. “Known? By who?”

  “Relax, Brit.” Axel patted her hand. “Just by the people in this room. I’m not trying to start anything. We have enough problems as it is.”

  “But you don’t agree with us!” Britney practically shouted.

  Axel shook his head. “Would you feel better if I changed my vote? Not that it makes any sort of difference.”

  Britney breathed through her nose. “It would be nice to know we’re all on the same page.”

  Archer dropped his head. “Let’s move on. You two can figure this out on your own time. There are more pressing matters we need to go over.”

  Makayla shifted in her chair. “What else do we need to discuss?”

  “The method of execution.” Archer’s nonchalant attitude came as a surprise.

  “Lord have mercy.” Makayla’s eyes filled with tears. “Do you really think it’ll come to that?”

  “Yes,” Sloan said without hesitation. “If Sam and his group are any indication of the mood of the town, then I believe execution will be the majority’s decision.”

  Terrance grasped Makayla’s trembling hand. “You don’t have to stay.”

  Makayla wiped the tears from her cheek. “I’m okay. This is just such a difficult position to be in. My entire adult life, I’ve done nothing but try to save people. Talking about taking someone’s life—no matter how terrible the things are that he’s done—feels wrong on so many levels.”

  “Then vote against execution.” Britney waved her hand in the air. “I’m sure there are others that will.”

  “But not you,” Makayla said.

  Britney scrunched her nose. “Not me. Shifter was a friend. He walked me down the aisle. I can’t...I won’t be okay with Eli getting away with nothing more than just a slap on the hand.”

  “Again,” Archer interrupted, “not to be rude, but we really need to stay on topic. If execution is the decision, how should it be done? And who will be the executioner?”

  Sloan hadn’t thought about that. Passing the sentence would be the easy part compared to seeing the punishment through.

  “Any idea?” Archer asked.

  Axel blew out a weighted breath. “Fine. There’s a firing squad, hanging, beheading...not sure what other methods could be used. Not like it’s going to be pleasant.”

  The clinic had a cabinet of medication. “We could perform lethal injection. We have several medications that when given in a high enough dose, would be deadly. At least this way, the method would be more civilized.”

  “He wasn’t civilized when he killed Shifter,” Britney said but quickly backpedaled when all eyes fell on her. “Not that I want to see him suffer. I’m just not sure we should use the little medication we have left on a murderer.”

  Terrance stared down at his clasped hands. “I think we should leave the method up to the people, too.”

  Archer sank into his chair and covered his face. “Jesus, I’m not sure I can handle the angry mob mentality. They’ll probably come up with something like stoning or dragging him through the streets by horses.”

  Terrance chuckled. “Maybe provide a couple of options: hanging or lethal injection.”

  “Public hanging.” Makayla shuddered. “I can’t even imagine.”

  A knock on the door paused the conversation.

  Archer pivoted around in his chair. “Come in.”

  Smith swung open the door, shoulders tight. “We have a problem, sir.”

  Archer jumped to his feet. “What happened?”

  “Sam and a few others tried to get to Eli. Things got ugly. One of the guys got hit and is in need of stitches above his left eye. We were able to settle Sam and them down, but they’re waiting for you all to show up.”

  “Where are the kids?” Britney asked.

  “Don’t worry.” Smith held her hands in front of her. “The new teacher took them to the schoolhouse and promised to keep them entertained. None of them witnessed any of the madness.”

  “Thank God.” Britney settled back in her chair.

  Smith smiled before turning her attention back to Archer. “Sam warned they won’t wait long. He’s got them all fired up.”

  “That fucking man,” Archer mumbled.

  Sloan squeezed his arm. “They’re scared. We’ve never dealt with anything like this before.”

  “I know.” Archer massaged his temples. As co-head of security, all of this fell on Axel and him; both hated it probably more so than they ever articulated.

  “
We’ll be there in ten minutes,” Archer told Smith. “Unless you think that’s pushing it?”

  “Make it five.” Smith blotted her forehead with a handkerchief. “Not sure how long we can keep them calm.”

  “Shit.” Archer groaned. “Let them know we’re on our way. Eli is going on trial for the murder of Shifter...actually, never mind. I’ll talk to them. Just tell them we’re coming. Then, you and a couple of others grab Eli.”

  “Yes, sir.” Smith hurried out the door.

  Archer rose from his chair, more dejected than Sloan had ever seen him. “Time to get this over with.”

  ***

  “Where is he?” Sam cried out. “Why isn’t he here yet?”

  Archer stood before the crowd of people as the rest of the Council took their seats. “Enough with the shouting, Sam! This angry mob mentality is getting old. Do it again and one of my guards will detain you and you will not participate in the trial. Do I make myself clear?”

  Sam puffed out his chest as if he were gearing up to argue but instead plodded into his seat.

  “That goes for the rest of you.” The vein in Archer’s neck stopped pulsating. “If anyone has a problem with how we are handling this, you know where the gate is.”

  Sloan had never heard Archer speak to the town with such disdain. It hurt her heart, not because she felt bad for the people but because she knew how much Archer hated having to be the bad guy.

  “This is how things are going to go today. Smith is on her way with Eli. I will share with you his side of the story as to what went down with Shifter. He will be allowed to say a few words. Then, we will put his punishment...sorry, his guilt to a vote.”

  Archer glanced back at Sloan, and she gave him a reassuring smile.

  He let out a heavy breath and continued, “There are rules. No calling out. No attempts at harming him in any way. No one will be allowed to address the group or try to sway them in any way. This is an individual vote. Majority has the final say. If you don’t agree to any of these terms, leave now.”

  The crowd remained quiet in their seats.

  “Good. Before we get started, are there any questions? Raise your hand.”

  Maria, a petite woman with long black hair, stood. Sloan had heard that she’d been romantically involved with Jesus. “What about mi amour, Jesus? The bullet that killed him and turned him into a monster...where did that come from?”