by Nelson, Kip
Ben and Jeff seemed like the only sane people in the neighborhood, which was why it hadn't been difficult for the two of them to come up with plans that would harm everyone. The water distribution system had everyone excited, and it filled Ben with secret glee to watch them all be disheartened. Finally, they knew something of what it was like to live like him.
But this only was the beginning. Jeff had the plans all laid out. They'd distract the community, then go after their real enemy, Tillman. It was perfect, and Ben was happy to play his part. He knew when to admit when someone could do something better than him. Jeff had a college degree, after all. He was the smart one. Ben was the stronger, and Ben was strong. Destroying the bases of the water distribution system had filled him with glee. Feeling the wood creak and snap under his blows was orgasmic, and he wasn't ashamed to admit that as soon as he had laid down in bed he had relieved the tension inside him. He felt as though he had reclaimed his manliness, and he was glad Jeff had given him the opportunity to capture these girls.
Ben didn't care much for Jessica. She was just a girl, and he wasn't some sick pervert. Morelle, on the other hand, there was a woman. Ben had noticed her for a long time, but never had had the courage to ask her out. Occasionally he saw her in town and she always smiled at him. She was as perfect as a summer's day. He couldn't imagine anyone more beautiful, with her milky-white skin and thick dark hair, her soft lips and that ethereal quality that made her seem not of this world, almost like a fairy child.
Word got around about her ex-husband, of course. He was a piece of work. Morelle clearly needed a good man to take care of her, and Ben saw himself as an ideal fit for the role. He figured she needed time, so he had given that to her, waiting for the perfect moment to make his move. Plus, he'd wanted to wait for Jessica to grow up. The idea of being a father didn't sit well with him. But Jessica was of an age now where she'd be taking care of herself, leaving Morelle with plenty of free time. Free time to make up for all the stolen moments they had missed out on.
For so many nights Ben had dreamed of being with Morelle. So much so that it had gripped his mind and seemed ordained to happen. It was the natural order of things, and nothing could stand in their way.
Of course, then her brother had to return with his stupid friends to ruin Ben's plan. That city guy Greg had stolen Morelle from him before Ben even had had a chance. Didn't he know the rules? Ben had seen her first, so he had the right. City folk just didn't have any respect.
Most of all, Ben felt sorry for Morelle. She was the victim in all of this. She had made a terrible error in judgment with her first husband and now she was repeating that mistake. Ben remembered what Javier had been like. The swarthy, handsome man was the type who women swooned over, but they always ended up hurt. They never went for nice guys like him, and now Morelle was making the same mistake again. All Ben needed to do was to show her she could do better, that he could treat her right and take care of her.
Jeff had told him he was deluded, that everyone had changed and Morelle was just another person standing in the way of his happiness. Ben didn't want to believe him. All he needed was a little time with her and she would see the light, of that he was sure.
He snickered to himself as he watched them walk away. Tillman was so focused on Jeff that he didn't notice Ben skulking in the bushes. Neither did the girls. Ben followed them until they were out of sight of Tillman. He crept up behind them and before they knew what was happening he'd clamped his hand over their mouths and waited for the chloroform to do its work. It had been a stroke of genius for Jeff to take it from the supplies that Khan had brought them. Jeff always was thinking a few steps ahead.
After that the plan was straightforward. Ben was to wait until a specified time, and if Jeff didn't show, then he was supposed to hurt the girls.
When Jeff first told him that, something hadn't sat right with Ben. In truth, it still didn't. There were some lines you just didn't cross, and Ben didn't like the idea of hurting girls, especially not Morelle. Jeff had tried explaining to him that the world was different now, that they weren't going to get in trouble for it, and they had to do things they weren't comfortable with to get ahead. Ben wrung his hands anxiously as he looked at their unconscious bodies. It still didn't feel right, but perhaps if he just frightened them that would be enough. Jeff might be disappointed in him, but Ben could handle that, especially if Morelle became convinced of what he knew to be true.
He lit a fire and warmed his hands in the dark forest. He tried not to think about the stories he'd heard as a kid, but his eyes darted around furtively, afraid of what may be lurking in the shadows. A cold shiver crept over his skin and he shrugged to shake it away. Something nagged at the back of his mind, and he was convinced that someone was watching him.
“Stay back, whoever you are!” he cried out, but nobody answered, and everything was silent. He cursed under his breath, telling himself he was losing his mind. He checked his watch and wished that time would move more quickly, for he was getting restless.
As he looked at Morelle, Ben was annoyed that he was so close to her yet didn't have the opportunity to talk to her. If he did nothing this golden chance would slip away, and he'd never forgive himself. He'd spent his life waiting and being patient for exactly something like this to happen, and he wasn't going to waste it.
He had a bottle of water. He splashed some on Morelle's face. Then he tapped her cheek a little. She blinked and groaned. Her eyes looked groggy. When she looked at him her face twisted in horror and she went to scream. Ben quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, suffocating the cry for help.
“Morelle, it's me, Ben. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. But I can't let you call for help. I'm sorry. If you cry out, I'll have no choice to hurt you...or your daughter.”
Morelle's eyes looked across at Jessica, who still was lying unconscious on the ground. The strength left Morelle's body and she nodded. Ben slowly took his hand away from her mouth and seemed satisfied when she didn't scream.
“What do you want?” she asked. Ben seemed a little hurt by her tone.
“It's not really you we want. It's Tillman, really. Jeff is dealing with him. But I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you I've really been looking forward to speaking to you alone. It seems as though over the years we've always had these near misses. Maybe it was my fault for not being more forward, but I've always liked you, Morelle, and I just wanted to tell you that. I've always felt as though we had a connection, and you know that in this world we have to take a few risks now and then. This is my risk. I know you've started something with this Greg guy, but it's still early so it can't be serious yet. You and I have known each other for years. We have a history, and I want us to have a future as well. Once all this is settled I'd like for us to get to know each other a little better, what do you say?”
Ben stared at her with a dumb grin, her face was twisted in confusion.
“Are you crazy?” she asked.
The grin fell from Ben's face.
“No. Morelle, you know this is meant to be. Surely you can feel it the same way I can?”
“The only thing I feel is horror. What the hell are you thinking?!”
“You mean you don't like me?”
“I don't even know you!”
“But don’t you want to?”
“Not right now. Ben, what did you think was going to happen? You've just dragged me and my daughter out to the middle of nowhere and you think now is the right time to ask me out? What is going through your head? And I wouldn't go out with you anyway. Anyone who destroys what we've worked for isn't worth anything. You should be ashamed of yourself. Now untie me and take me back to Tillman.”
“That won't be possible. Jeff is dealing with him,” Ben said morosely, turning away from Morelle. He hung his head and exhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You're just like the others you know? I thought you were different, but you're just the same. You don't see what I can offer you. Y
ou don't even want to give me a chance. I wish things could have been different, Morelle. Maybe Jeff was right...” Ben said.
It was disappointing to have his hopes dashed like this. He searched his mind for the right thing to say, the perfect string of words that would convince Morelle of his love. But he never got the chance to say anything again. At that point there was a loud rustling and Khan emerged from the trees. It was the first time Ben had seen the man up close, for he had kept his distance when Khan had been in the neighborhood before.
Ben was at a loss for words. His mouth hung open. Khan was massive, a titan. Ben wasn't sure he'd ever seen a man that large. Ben raised his fists, ready to defend himself, ready to defend Morelle. Khan was a monster. Ben never had agreed with Tillman's idea that Khan deserved a second chance. Now that he was up close with Khan, Ben was even more sure that Khan lived without caring one way or the other. He was about to tell Khan to go to hell, that there was nothing for him here, when suddenly Khan whipped out a gun.
There was a crack in the air and Ben felt a sharp pain in his throat. He tried to breath, but nothing happened. A sick, gurgling, seemingly unnatural sound emerged from his throat. He fell to the ground and then looked at Morelle. There was sheer terror on her face, and Ben's last thought was shame that he had failed to protect her from Khan.
Morelle gasped as she saw Khan appear and in the next instance shoot Ben. She hated Ben for what he had done, but to see him die so quickly and brutally was horrible. She turned away from Khan and begged him not to hurt her, or at least not to hurt Jessica. Khan seemed to find this amusing. He grinned at her and looked longingly at Jessica.
“How I wish I could...but I made a deal with Tillman, and I shall honor that. You are fortunate that he is here. I doubt anyone else in your little community could have made such a deal with me. You may not believe this, but I'm here to take you home. You might as well call me your hero.”
Morelle didn't believe a word of it. She shook her head in defiance. Khan sighed.
“I'm afraid I simply don't have time for this. I wasn't even here to save you specifically. I just happened to hear some talking and thought I'd come to investigate. I see that things have become interesting since my last visit. I actually need to see Tillman. So, you either can come with me or you can stay here. Either way, it doesn't really matter,” he said, and turned away.
Morelle considered her options. She looked around the forest at the dark shadows and shuddered. Then she looked at Ben's dead body. His lifeless eyes stared at her. She knew she'd rather be with a live Khan than a dead Ben. She called out to Khan and got his help to wake up Jessica. Then they returned to the community.
Chapter Ten
Tillman gathered the tools from the worktable, examining them one by one, making a show of it to Jeff. He whistled as he did so, acting casually, keeping Jeff off guard. Jeff had regained consciousness and now was moaning in pain. Although Tillman had dressed the wound, he hadn't given Jeff any painkillers.
“Where are my sister and niece, Jeff?” Tillman asked.
“It doesn't matter. Ben was told to hurt them if I wasn't there by a specific time. That's long past now. He's going to destroy them like he destroyed those water bases.”
Tillman strode over to Jeff and slammed a wrench against the water heater. It shook, and the loud clang rang in their ears.
“If that's the case, then I really have nothing more to say to you,” Tillman said, and brought the wrench up as if he was going to strike Jeff on the top of his head, cracking his skull.
Tillman roared vehemently. He may well have gone through with it had Jeff not at that instant crumbled and begged Tillman for his life. He told Tillman where Morelle and Jessica were being held. Tillman instantly unlocked Jeff's chains and hauled him up the stairs, dragging him through the neighborhood.
Tillman was making no secret about it, and Jeff was calling for help. Tillman reached his home and called out for help. Greg was the first one to come down the stairs. He looked at Tillman in shock when he saw Jeff looking the worse for wear.
“It was Jeff and Ben all this time,” Tillman said. “Ben has Morelle and Jessica. We have to go.” Tillman spoke urgently. Greg nodded. Tillman walked inside.
“Is this him?” Fernando said scornfully.
“It is. Something happened, though. I have to go save Jessica and Morelle,” Tillman said.
“I'll look after him,” Fernando said, relishing the thought of getting his hands on Jeff. Tillman smiled, knowing that Fernando wasn't going to be any easier on Jeff than he had been.
“I'm going with you,” Greg said.
“And me,” Anthony said.
He looked fresh-faced and scared. For a moment Tillman almost told him he couldn't come with them. Perhaps if it wasn't the end of the world Tillman would have told Anthony to stay at home, but at some point or another Anthony was going to have to learn how to fight. Tillman nodded, and Anthony smiled back.
The three men walked away from home, wasting no time. Tillman's heart raced, and he wondered who out of the three of them was more worried. Maybe it didn't matter. They all loved Morelle and Jessica, and they all were going to do everything they could to save them. Tillman only hoped they got there before Ben did anything stupid. If Morelle and Jessica were dead, Tillman wasn't sure life was worth living. There only was so much a man could lose before he couldn't go on any longer.
Jeff getting dragged through the neighborhood, and now the three of them marching out to the forest again, began getting people’s attention. They looked out of their windows, and when they saw Tillman they flung open their doors. All of them had questions, none of which Tillman was happy to answer right now. Greg provided the explanation for all of them, and many of them joined the three men on their quest. The neighborhood was united, despite Jeff and Ben's efforts to splinter it apart. They were stronger than ever, and Tillman was confident there was nothing that could defeat them.
They were just about to leave the neighborhood when suddenly Morelle and Jessica appeared, alongside Khan. The titan’s appearance made everyone pause and gasp. At first glance, to most of them, it looked as though Khan was responsible for their disappearance. Some instantly believed Khan had convinced Ben and Jeff to do this, that he was the real person responsible, but if any of them actually looked at the three of them, rather than letting their own emotions drive their judgment, they would have seen that Morelle and Jessica looked relaxed. There was no sign of terror on their faces, and since Ben couldn't be seen. Tillman had to conclude Khan had rescued them.
Greg and Anthony ran up to Morelle, while Tillman went to greet Khan.
“Well, it's always nice to have a welcoming party,” Khan said, smiling widely, showing his baby teeth that never had matured into adult ones. “I thank you all for coming,” he said, raising his voice, “but this is not really necessary. Go back to your homes,” he said.
Tillman glanced back at everyone and nodded. Whatever Khan was doing here, he had a good reason, but they weren't in danger from him. The crowd dispersed, wanting to hear what Morelle and Jessica had to say about their ordeal. Tillman presumed that a lot of them would want to get as far away from Khan as possible as well.
“What are you doing here, Khan? I assume this isn't a social call?” Tillman asked.
“Oh, Tillman, it's all business with you, isn't it? I actually do have something important to talk to you about, but I need something from you first.”
“What's that?” Tillman asked, wondering what price Khan would try extracting for this information.
“Why, a thank you, of course! I did just save your sister and niece from a very troubling situation.”
“I was just on my way, but thank you,” he said, begrudgingly. “Now, what is this information?”
“It's about a new threat,” Khan said. Tillman's heart skipped a beat.
“Hold that thought. I need to assemble the council.”
“The what? Aren't you in charge here?” Khan asked.<
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“Not really. We decided that it was better to have a democratic process and to divide up the responsibilities of leadership. I have to get them all together for news like this.”
Khan looked at him for a moment and then barked with laughter, throwing his head back.
“I thought you were smarter than that, Tillman. Oh dear, this place really is in a poor state. You have people getting kidnapped, water systems being destroyed… Are you sure this style of leadership is working for you?”
“It has a few kinks, but we're getting there. There are good people here, Khan, and we're going to make it work,” Tillman said defiantly.
Khan's smile fell. “Yes, well, that might all change with what I have to tell you.”
Tillman and Khan walked around the neighborhood gathering the council members, then they returned to Tillman's house. Khan caused quite the disturbance. Most councilmembers were afraid of him, and they steered clear. Simon glared at him, but didn't say anything, Mr. Fox was astounded at his size, but didn't seem to show any fear. Jack remained stoic as ever, and Annabelle remained a few paces behind everyone else. At one point, Khan taunted her, but Tillman told him to behave himself.
When they reached Tillman's home they crowded inside. Fernando was standing in the kitchen with his arms folded, looming over Jeff. Jeff looked morose and defeated. Tillman walked in.
“This is the man responsible for destroying the water distribution system. He was working with Ben,” Tillman said.
“Who you don't have to worry about any more,” Khan replied.
“We have to do something with him while we meet,” Simon said.
“I'll keep watch over him,” Ana said with a spiteful glare.
Tillman almost felt sorry for Jeff. His mother had a real temper, and she wasn't going to go easy on him, considering he had put her daughter and granddaughter in danger. Everyone always thought Tillman had inherited everything from his father, but in truth there was a lot he had gained from his mother as well. And this darkness inside him, this festering anger, was a product of her own steely resolve to protect her family, no matter what.
