by S. E. Meyer
“Did you really think we would leave this room unguarded?” he asked with a smug expression as John dangled. The blasts from Traedon had weakened him and he was barely able to hold on. Traedon stared at him for a moment and then added. “Hmm.” He walked back towards the entrance of the room and barked at the five guards still standing. “Bind them and bring them down below,” he ordered. Traedon exited the room and met four more guards in the corridor running up to meet him.
“Sir, we found three more,” the first guard said in between breaths.
“And they are contained?” asked Traedon as he raised an eyebrow.
“Yes sir!”
“Good, bring them down with the others,” replied Traedon.
John was lifted over the rail by two of the guards and bound with a material John had never seen before. It glowed with a faint electric blue and felt heavy around his wrists. Ninti and Ben were bound with the same material and they were escorted down several levels. They stopped at the end of a corridor in front of two large doors. John recognized it as one of the execution rooms where he watched dozens of people burned into dust. John was beginning to regain some strength. He reached out with his mind and his heart sank. The two guards in front of John began to swing the doors open, but he already knew what he was about to see. Sitting in the middle of the room, with their hands bound behind their backs, were Jason, Frank and Jennifer. No, John thought. No, No, No! He was growing angry and turned to face Traedon. “Don’t do this,” he begged. John continued to plead as they were escorted inside and made to sit on the floor next to Jason, Frank and Jenny. “Don’t do this Traedon!” John yelled again and then tried to attack Traedon’s mind. He wouldn’t like this you know. He wants Jenny. He’ll probably kill you for what you are about to do, John manipulated.
“Enough!” Traedon boomed forcing John from his mind. One of the guards that had opened the doors looked at Traedon.
“What do we do with them sir?” he asked.
“Burn them!” Traedon roared. “Burn them all!”
Traedon left the room, followed by the guards, and John watched as the two heavy doors began to close.
“Well this is just great isn’t it?” asked Jenny as soon as the doors came to rest with a deafening clang. “What the hell are we going to do now John? Everything just went to hell in a hand basket,” she said.
“Literally,” added Frank.
“Just give me a minute,” John replied and then looked over at Frank. “Frank, maybe we can do this together. I need you to concentrate with me. Focus as hard as you can on destroying those electrodes above us,” he explained.
“What good will that do?” asked Jenny. They’ll just bring us somewhere else and do it again,” she complained.
“It’s a place to start,” answered John. “Now just let me think.” John focused on the electrodes as his eyes flashed blue. He could feel Frank’s strength combine with his own as they both tried to destroy the machine and its components. “It’s not working,” John said after several minutes. “Traedon is blocking me from doing anything somehow and I’m still weak from the encounter in the control room,” explained John.
“It couldn’t have been much of a fight. Traedon was no worse for wear,” said Jenny.
“What the hell is the matter with you? I’m trying here, okay?” replied John. “Why are you being so mean?”
“Because John, I’m tired okay? I’m tired of being chased around the world in fear of my life. I’m tired of feeling guilty. And I’m really getting sick and tired of everyone wanting to burn us alive today. Okay?” she complained in an exasperated tone. John just stared at Jennifer as she took a deep breath and continued her tirade. “Oh yeah, great idea John. Come down here and save the world right?” she snarled sarcastically.
“Well what else were we supposed to do? Wait around up there until we all died?”
“Would have been better than dying down here. Maybe we would have at least had a chance.” Jenny shouted.
“I had to come back to save your brother remember?” snapped John.
“Who never would have even been down here if it wasn’t for you,” Jenny accused.
Frank shook his head in irritation. “Oh Lord, kill me now.”
Jenny snapped her head around. “You’re about to get your wish Frank!” she yelled. “In fact, if it wasn’t for you getting us into this mess, we wouldn’t be down here at all.”
“Jen, if it wasn’t for Frank we all would have been dead a long time ago,” John chided.
“Why are you taking his side?” screamed Jenny as her face turned red with anger.
Ben interrupted. “If you both don’t shut up I’m going to figure out a way out of this room and go flip the switch on this machine myself,” he said and then paused shaking his head in irritation. “Can a guy get a moment’s peace before he dies?”
“Fine!” Jenny growled.
“Whatever,” John replied.
Just outside the room, Traedon pressed several buttons on a small control panel. A humming sound ensued that continuously grew louder. Finally I can rid us of these troublemakers. They’ve been nothing but a menace since we first me, Traedon thought as he reached down and pulled the switch. He anxiously licked his lips as the incinerator energized to fire.
Something To Eat
It was dark and quiet in the street level apartment just down from third Ave. The windows had been covered up with wood, but there was a small crack between two boards where a trickle of sunlight was shining through. The small beam of light reflected off the mirror on the other side of the room. It refracted against the chandelier in the center of the dining area and redirected through a keyhole, displaying a full rainbow on the bedroom floor. Aurora watched the vivid colors as they danced along the strips of hardwood in front of her. They playfully waltzed back and forth as the light draft coming through the window amused itself with the teardrop shaped piece of crystal in the room next door.
“Mommy,” Aurora whispered as she tugged her mother’s arm. “Mommy look. I see a rainbow.”
“Go back to sleep honey you must be dreaming,” Barb replied and pulled her daughter closer without opening her eyes. “There can’t be a rainbow without sunshine silly.”
“But there is mommy,” objected Aurora and pointed to the floor. Barb opened her eyes and looked to where Aurora was pointing.
“Oh my, you’re right honey. There is a rainbow,” Barb said as she yawned while stretching, and then winced in pain. Her wounds had started to heal, but she had to move gingerly to keep them from re-opening. “Where is it coming from honey?” asked Barb, but didn’t expect an answer. She carefully got out of bed and walked to the door. “I think it’s coming from the other room,” she said, then turned the knob and opened it. James jumped off the couch as soon as Barb came through the door.
“What is it? Is everything alright?” he asked while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“Yes, everything is fine James, but look,” Barb replied while pointing to the light coming through the window. “The sun is out!” she said excitedly. James walked over to the window and peered through the crack in the boards.
“Well I’ll be damned. Your right!” said James while squinting.
“The sun woke up mommy!” Aurora said with a look of excitement.
“Yes honey, I think it finally woke up,” replied Barb and placed her hand on her daughter’s long curls. Aurora let out a little sigh.
“Whew, that sure was a long nap mommy.” Aurora shook her head and then cocked it to one side. Her eyes lit up. “Can we go outside and play?”
James turned his gaze away from the crack in the window. “I’m afraid not honey. We’re going to have to play inside games today,” he explained, and then gave Barb an apologetic look. He changed it to a smile. “How are you feeling? How’s you back?” he asked.
“It feels a lot better James. Thank you for taking care of me last night,” she replied.
James moved closer to Barb and pla
ced his hand on her forehead. He then leaned in and placed his lips just above her nose. “Feels like the fever broke. That’s a good sign,” he said.
Barb looked up into James’ eyes and smiled. She lingered a moment and was about to pull away, and then buried her face into his chest. “Do you think they’re okay?” she whispered.
James bent his head as he hugged her. “I hope so Barb,” he whispered into her ear. Barb hugged him back and then turned to look at Aurora. “She’s probably getting hungry,” said James and then bent down on one knee in front of Aurora. “Are you getting hungry?” he asked her.
Aurora nodded and then smiled. “What can we have to eat?” she asked.
“Well let’s see,” replied James as he grabbed one of the packs off of the floor and began rummaging through it. “Looks like we have beef jerky, or... beef jerky.” Aurora wrinkled her nose. “Wait a minute, I have some granola bars,” he added.
“What kind?” Aurora asked.
“They’re dipped in chocolate,” coaxed James.
“Chocolate for breakfast?” Aurora asked and then looked at her mother for approval.
“It’s okay honey, you can have some,” Barb assured her with a smile.
James gave Aurora two bars and then stood up. “Where’s Nathaniel?” he asked.
“Must still be sleeping. He’s in the other room,” replied Barb.
James walked to the other bedroom and lightly knocked on the door. “Father? Are you up?” he whispered.
There was no response for a brief moment, and then James heard Nathaniel’s voice from the other side of the door. “Yes, yes. I’ll be out in a minute.”
The three of them sat in the living room and quietly finished breakfast. Everyone was happy to have Aurora around. She did most of the talking, which was a welcome distraction since no one else felt much like talking anyway. James found a few board games in a back closet and Barb found a deck of cards in a kitchen drawer. The four of them sat with Aurora for hours, keeping her occupied with games. They had a light lunch and Aurora chose a can of peaches over jerky. It wasn’t much but it eased the hunger and was enough to help Aurora take a nap on the couch. James walked into the kitchen where Barb was playing solitaire at the table. He placed his hand on her shoulder. “We should probably change those dressings,” he whispered. Barb nodded in agreement and followed James into the bedroom.
She turned away from him and took off her shirt with a feeling of apprehension, along with a small amount of embarrassment. “Sorry James, but it hurts too much to were a bra. The strap digs into the sores back there. She kept her back to him and got onto the bed face down.
“Don’t worry about it Barb. I’m a doctor remember?” replied James, smiling as he sat down next to her on the bed.
“I thought you flunked out?”
“No, I quit. There’s a big difference, and I actually did graduate from med school.” James replied as he gingerly peeled the bandages from her back. Barb trembled at his touch. “I’m sorry are you okay? Did I hurt you?” he asked.
“No I’m fine,” replied Barb. It wasn’t her wounds making her skin quiver. James took fresh gauze from his pack on the floor beside him and began to apply them to Barb’s back. “You know James, it’s too bad you never came around much. You know before all this happened. Jenny told me that John had a brother, but I was always surprised that you never came to visit.”
James sighed. “Yes well I guess I had my differences with my parents. They didn’t like the choices I made, and John used to come see me once in a while so I guess I never bothered to make the trip very often.” He finished replacing Barb’s bandages and gently patted her on the shoulder. “Okay, there you go. The cuts are looking really good,” he added.
Barb kept her back to James as she got up. “It just would have been nice to have met you, and maybe even got to know you a little better before now,” Barb said as she put her shirt back on. She turned around as soon as she finished with the last button. “Thanks again for taking care of me James,” she added with a smile.
“You’re very welcome ma’am,” James charmed with a bright smile.
As they made their way back into the living room everyone heard a loud thump from the floor above them. Nathaniel looked up from his game of crazy’s eights he had been enjoying with Aurora. “What was that?” he asked. There was another rumble from upstairs and James strained to listen.
“Is it another earthquake James?” asked Barb.
“No I don’t think so,” whispered James. They heard footsteps coming down the hall. James grabbed his handgun and cocked it. He moved into the middle of the room and pointed it at the door. “Father, grab that rifle. Everyone be quiet,” said James under his breath. The footstep grew louder and stopped in front of the door to the apartment they were in. There was silence and then James heard voices coming from the other side of the door.
“Are you sure it was this one?” a man’s voice asked.
“Yes, I’m sure. I know I heard voices in here a few hours ago,” another man replied.
“What should we do Cliff, knock?” the first man asked.
“Are you crazy Chad? We can’t just knock,” Cliff replied and then burst into a fit of laughter. James looked over at Nathaniel with a quizzical expression. Nathaniel just shrugged, but kept the rifle he was holding trained on the door. James motioned for Barb to take Aurora into the bedroom.
“Yeah, I suppose knocking would be a bad idea,” replied Chad, once Cliff’s laughter died down. “I guess we could kick the door in,” he suggested.
“Yeah let’s do that,” replied Cliff. “On the count of three.”
James placed his finger on the trigger as he listened to the men count. The door burst open to reveal two scrawny looking men in their middle forties. They were both holding handguns and had them pointed at James. “Don’t move!” James yelled. “I will kill you.”
“Damn it, they have guns. Well now what are we going to do Cliff?” asked Chad as he looked over at his brother.
“I don’t know Chad, I didn’t expect them to have guns,” Cliff replied. He smiled and then put his hand up to his mouth. James’ first thought was that the man was going to throw up but he was apparently trying to hold back a giggle. Cliff sputtered a few times and then burst out laughing again.
“You guys need to just go away. Drop your weapons and leave now or we will kill you both,” demanded James.
“But we’re hungry. We need something to eat,” replied Chad. “And we could just as easily kill you,” he added confidently.
“We have no food for you, I’m sorry,” said James. “And the way that weapon is shaking in your hands I would be surprised if you could hit the broad side of a barn. Chad looked at the gun as it trembled in his hand.
“Well would you look at that, mine is too,” said Cliff, and then held back a giggle.
“Oh you have plenty of food,” said Chad.
“No, we only have a few cans of fruit.” James slowly reached down and pulled a tin can from the bag at his feet. “See?” he said and then lobbed the can at Chad. It hit Chad in the chest and he caught it with his left hand. “Just take it and go. That’s all I’m willing to give you.”
Cliff looked over at his brother and read the label on the can. “Oh I don’t think we want your peaches,” said Cliff. “We’ re looking for something a little um,” he paused a moment, “meatier,” he finished, and then once again broke out in hysterical laughter.
“Trust me, just take the peaches and go,” replied James. “Or this is going to end badly for both of you.”
The floor beneath James shook violently, throwing him to the floor. Nathaniel fell on top of him, dropping his weapon. “It’s another earthquake,” yelled James as he tried to free his weapon from under Nathaniel’s chest. He was hopelessly pinned under the priest. “Get off me Father!” James ordered.
Cliff and Chad took advantage of the situation and ran into the room. They were about to shoot James and Nathaniel in th
e head when they heard Aurora start to cry from the bedroom. “Oh, they have a young one,” said Chad. “I really like the young ones,” he said, then nervously licked his lips. Chad bent over and knocked James unconscious with the butt of his handgun. “Keep your gun on the old one,” Chad said pointing to Nathaniel. The room continued to shake as Chad went into the bedroom and dragged Aurora out by her hair. She was screaming frantically and crying out for her mother, who was following close behind.
“No!” Barb screamed. “Don’t take my baby.”
“Oh don’t worry pretty lady,” Chad replied. “You’re coming too,” he said as he shoved his handgun into the side of her neck. Chad stopped at the door and turned around. He threw the can of peaches at James. “Keep your damn peaches!” he said. The two brothers ran out of the apartment and down the hall.
Nathaniel picked up his rifle and chased after them as the earthquake subsided. He came around the first corner and heard a gun blast knocking him backwards. Nathaniel looked himself over in shock. “I’m hit, oh Lord I’m hit,” he repeated to himself then noticed a wound on his shoulder. The bullet tore a long gash through his upper arm and he was bleeding badly. He got up and ran back to where James was laying on the floor. “James!” he shrieked in panic. “James,” he repeated and slapped James across the face. “Wake up, wake up!”
James slowly opened his eyes and then rubbed the back of his neck. “Where are they?” asked James as he stood up.
“They got Barb and Aurora,” answered Nathaniel. “I tried to follow them, but they shot me,” he explained.
“We have to find them Father. We have to get them back,” hollered James as he picked up his weapon. “But first we have to dress your wound, you’re losing a lot of blood.”
“I can’t imagine what they might do to those poor girls.”
James moved closer to Nathaniel and tore open his shirt. “I know what they are going to do with them, Father. Did you see the way they were shaking and one of them kept laughing uncontrollably?” asked James. “They have a neurological disease.” James went and got some gauze, rubbing alcohol and suture glue from the bedroom then quickly returned.
