Rebels & Lies

by Brian Cotton

  ***

  Sullivan stood outside the apartment building. The high pitched sirens in the background filled his ears. He waited with his hand attached to his department issued Glock. He knelt down by a waist high bush when he saw two armed men walk at a brisk pace: it was them. He noticed the all black attire and black masks that hid their identities. He thought better of trying to take two of them down at the same time. The men started to race towards an armored USR van, just like the one the witness described to him earlier. He watched as two more run outside. Sullivan’s heart rate began to increase. Four on one weren’t terribly good odds. Then it happened. He almost couldn’t believe it.

  Kaspar walked out of the building, PSD at his shoulder, ready for anything. The sirens began to get closer. Kaspar hoped within himself that he could catch some of the Agents before they stormed the building.

  Sullivan waited for the last gunman to move past him. No way of knowing if he was the last one, but Sullivan didn’t have the time or the patience to wait and find out. He kept his upper body low, moved his feet quickly but with little sound, and his gun hand rested on his tailbone. The roar of the van’s engine filled the night air. Sullivan moved fast. His plan now became to take the man hostage. Those resistance cowards would flee for sure, eager to get away before the Calvary arrived. He made his move.

  Kaspar froze. He felt the barrel of handgun pressed against the back of his skull. He dropped his gun and raised his hands straight up. The sound of the sirens grew louder. They were getting closer.

  Not like this, Kaspar thought, not now.

  “Don’t you fuckin’ move!” Sullivan barked.

  Sullivan reached down Kaspar’s thigh, his hand moved towards the Beretta inside the holster. He started to unbuckle the holster as the van began to move. Sullivan had what he came for…

  A sharp blow to the head caused the Agent to fall to the ground, unconscious. Kaspar looked over and could tell by her height that Krys was his savior. She used the stock of her PSD to hammer in Sullivan’s skull.

  “Let’s go!” Krys yelled.

  He said nothing and followed her into the back of the van. They each grabbed a door in the back and slammed them shut as they entered. Kaspar sat down on the bench. The van, with Kilbourne behind the wheel, zoomed forward. After several long minutes, Paxton shouted from the front that they were clear.

  They had made it. Thanks to Krys, Kaspar had made it. The Andersons did not. Kaspar ripped the mask off of his head and threw it to the ground. He then slammed his fist into the side of the van. Thoughts of Mother filled his mind. He looked down at the yellow fabric and talked to her. He told her he was sorry, but his eyes were opened now.

  In that moment, he wished it didn’t take the life of a small girl to bring him back.