Greg was the puppet master.
Greene was one-half of the showcase.
“I was able to hide in a closet. Underneath an overpass. It’s a relief to find you,” he answered, Reyes was nodding his head in support. The soldier assumed the big brother role over Greg. Someone like this would benefit the odds of his survival. “I need your help.”
“Me?” Conrad was shocked. There was irony in being asked for help by someone whom Conrad attempted to kill. There should be a debt between Conrad and Greg. After all, Conrad was the man who piloted the initial mission to blow up Salt Lake City.
“You attacked Salt Lake City for a reason, didn’t you?”
“Who—”
“You found an enemy you didn’t understand, and you took drastic measures to fight back. Those measures killed my group. I understand your decision, but now I need your help if we’re going to fight back against them.”
“Where are you?” Conrad asked. It was easier than Greg anticipated.
“Headed to DC.”
“I’ll send alternative coordinates to Reyes. DC isn’t safe…” Seconds passed. “I’m sorry. There is nothing I can say to make it right, but I’m sorry. Reyes is going to protect you. Do not stop in major cities or busy gas stations. I… I have to go to DC and speak with the President.”
“Please, don’t tell him. I don’t trust him. After what Reyes has said about Marshall and the events of Omega, I can’t trust anyone other than you and Reyes.”
“Son, the President isn’t a threat. But I will honor your request, for now.”
“Thank you.”
“However, I need to go to DC, have you seen any other soldiers? We sent a large convoy of men into the city to fight back against—”
“They’re all dead.”
“How do you know? Did you see—”
“No one survives them. Anything you believe about the enemy is an understatement. They are far stronger and more dangerous than you could fathom.”
There was another long silence on the other end. Greg enjoyed playing with Conrad’s emotions. It wasn’t in a sinister, cruel manner, but rather Greg relished in the control.
Finally, Conrad spoke, “I need to speak to Reyes.”
Greg handed the phone over and nodded to the soldier. This was operating more smoothly than anticipated.
“Sir?” Reyes said. “Yes, sir. I always keep an extra credit card on me. It’s not military issued, it’s personal… No, sir, it’s not in my name, I’m not an amateur… yes, sir, I’ll be sure to keep him safe…. Sir… sir… yes, sir.”
Greg wished he could hear what was being said on the other line. He could learn a lot about these two if he could peer into both sides of the conversation.
Reyes admired his superior and spoke like a son to his father.
“Sir, be careful. Marshall labeled you a target in Omega. He’s not making decisions without Watt’s approval.”
Greg liked Reyes. He particularly appreciated learning the story of Reyes leaving Chatra to die because he believed Chatra’s death was inevitable. Reyes felt guilty about it, but such an emotion will pass. The world was becoming a different place, it was good to have a man like Reyes on his side.
*******
Jenna
Unknown
Unknown
Jenna didn’t know how long she blacked out, but enough time passed where the sky became dark. The mountains were gone. All she could see was a starry sky. If she wasn’t in so much pain, she would think it would was beautiful.
She tried to rub the tender lump on her head, but her hands were tied behind her back. The realization of being a prisoner, again, caused her to cry out. She was in pain, she was trapped, and she was alone. The van rumbled down the freeway. Jenna’s heart raced as she saw Marshall was missing too. Pressure came into her chest. Cold sweat tickled her brow. She couldn’t breathe.
How are you alone here?
A bright light came into view, the shining hurt her eyes.
Jenna looked out the window to see a sports car drive beside the van. The light inside the car flashed on.
Robert.
He was driving.
Jenna’s dead boyfriend was driving, it was the same car they drove through Salt Lake City when he was trying to save her.
He’s not here to save you.
The cobwebs were heavy in her skull and made her wince in pain. He looked back and smiled.
Blackness ran down his mouth.
He’s not here to save you.
Jenna looked away from Robert.
Marshall appeared, whistling in the driver’s seat. Another man sat beside him; he was looking at her, Jenna only saw a faint glimmer of his eyes underneath the balloon-like swelling of his bloody face. If it weren’t for the Mohawk, she wouldn’t have recognized him.
Get out.
Her arms were free. She pulled against the door handle, but it was locked.
Use the trunk.
She knew this wasn’t going to work. Nothing was going to work.
She couldn’t look away from Nino, his eyes hypnotized her. As she reached into the backseat, her hands slid against a hot surface. The heat quickly burned against the insides of her fingers and caused her to jolt back. Bright, blue flames burned all around.
It was the other soldier, Jordan, and he sat in the backseat on fire.
The mangled version of Nino smiled. His lips formed a long line from his cheeks to his ears. His teeth crept out into view as blood seeped out of the lines.
His jaw fell off his face, and onto his lap.
Robert’s car veered into the van. Marshall continued whistling as Robert’s front end crashed underneath the van and lifted the entire right side off the ground. In a split-second, the van tipped over.
Glass exploded everywhere.
Jenna’s neck pulled against the momentum.
Sparks flew.
Jenna was tied down into her seat as the van was fully resting on the left side.
Out her window was the dark night sky looming over.
Jenna looked around as the van continued to slide.
Marshall sat up front with his hands still on the steering wheel. He craned his neck around to look back to Jenna, as his mouth opened Jenna could see a knife lodged underneath his chin through his tongue and the top of his mouth. The sparks shined against the silver of the blade and his white teeth. Blood ran down his chin.
The sparks were orange and yellow with little tails on each end. They stung against her cheeks. It tickled and hurt at the same time. She reached her hand out to deflect any from going in her eyes, and felt their snaps of heat against her palms. She looked back up to the night sky and saw the hideous clouds hanging above.
The snaps of the sparks turned into flakes, Jenna looked back down and saw the van’s friction against the concrete creating ash. It floated into her hair and eyes. The stale coolness stuck against her.
From behind her, Jordan shouted, the fire changed his voice, “So many numbers. Only zero. Bring them together. He brings zero. You’re stronger than you know. You have the Pulse. Be the lighthouse. Bring them home.”
What is he talking about?
She turned back to look, sparks and ash stuck against the van walls and floated through the air. There were no flames. No burning man. Jordan was gone.
Turbulence shook the van. The strain in Jenna’s neck eased.
Her body felt jerked back. Her mind felt clear. Her hands were still tied, but the panic was gone. All she felt was the tender bump on the top of her head.
It was a vision. Similar to the one she felt in Salt Lake City when Toppy took her hostage. Back then, the vision came to let her know about Mona. How Mona was coming to save her. This time, it was a different message, this time she learned how the three soldiers were going to die.
At least, that’s what it felt like.
A completely healthy Nino was staring at her. “You’re awake, learn your lesson?”
“I learned a lot, th
ank you.” Jenna answered.
Hopefully, you get to watch him die.
********
Jake Oberhausen
No idea
Brigham City, UT
“Excuse me, can I help you?” the girl said, opening the door. She noticed Jake’s bloody outfit and defeated demeanor. Her painted-on eyebrows squinted to show her confusion. Jake felt instantly exhausted by her presence. The long night caught up to him, despite his concussioned sleep, he was worn down. “Where’s Johnny?”
“Sorry, ma’am,” Jake said. It was disarming to regard a girl who could be his daughter as ma’am. Jake tried his best to be a gentleman to everyone, and right now it would be better if they started out on the right foot. As the words came out of his mouth, her shoulders seemed to lose tension. Elizabeth always said kindness is a massage for the heart. Jake continued, “I don’t even know where to start, but I don’t think he’s up there.“
“He no showed for work this morning.” She knocked over a little pile of dust. “And so they made me fix breakfast and lunch. If he doesn’t come now, I’m totally going to freak out. This has been the worst day of my life. Where is he?”
“I don’t… I don’t know.”
“Uncle Johnny hasn’t missed work in, like, twenty years. Who are you?”
“I’m a friend. We were attacked… I… who are you?”
“Attacked? Who attacked you?” Her face went from annoyed to afraid.
“I don’t know.” Jake shook his head. Last night was complete insanity. He couldn’t explain it in his own head, let alone to her.
Her annoyed expression came back. “Yeah, well, neither do I. All I know, I get a phone call this morning from The Blue Tree saying I was the only one who knew how to manage the kitchen other than John. I’m just his niece! He has to come in! I can’t do this.” As she walked closer, Jake saw her eyes were blood shot and her makeup was runny. The poor girl looked haggard. “I’m not a chef. I can’t do it.” She giggled and wiped her nose. “Sorry, I’m totally PMSing.”
Jake laughed. It wasn’t funny, but he appreciated her loosening the tension. “I’m sorry, I don’t think John is here. Last night, oh man, this is going to sound crazy, so bear with me… last night John’s house was attacked. There was about a dozen or so people who broke into the house. Some of our friends were murdered. John and Karl and I, we were able to fight back, but then I got knocked out of a window—“
“Stop. Wait, stop,” she said, looking up to the broken window. “That window?”
Jake nodded.
She looked skeptical. “How aren’t you dead?”
Jake sighed. “Someone broke my fall…” His words trailed off, he sounded ridiculous.The front door was off the hinges, there was a broken window, but other than those two things, there was no signs of last night’s chaos. Nothing that he could say would make sense. “I’m sorry. I just—”
“You keep saying you’re sorry. Stop. Where is my uncle?” She didn’t sound like she was interrogating him. It was an honest question. This girl believed him, despite the lack of a legitimate story.
“I think he left. But you’re welcome to go inside. After that, I would like you to take me to the police. If you don’t mind.”
“Police? The police are gone. How don’t you know that?”
“Why do you say that?”
“All that’s left are the soldiers. The police were removed last night. They went north.” She noticed Jake’s confusion. “Wait, you didn’t know?”
“This is the first I’m hearing about it,” Jake said. He didn’t understand who would send the police out, but if they were leaving, this couldn’t be a good sign.
“The military took over all police responsibilities last night. Apparently, they’re going to be super strict about everything. Everyone from the relocation has strict rules about where they’re allowed to go, everyone who lives here isn’t allowed to miss work. They even announced a sunset curfew. Do you think that means it’s almost over? Maybe you guys can go home soon.”
“I don’t think so, ma’am.” Jake thought about the possible ramifications. One way or the other, if they were bringing forward more rules, it didn’t look good. “But I still want to go to the police. Something happened last night, and I have to tell someone.”
“Ooookay. If you want to, but I’m checking inside first. Oh, and, um, my name is Molly.”
*******
Conrad Greene
6:35 p.m. (Eastern time)
Washington, DC
Rows of cars blocked the White House private parking garage while people flooded the front lawn holding picket signs. It wasn’t freedom fighters ranting their politically correct agendas and weak-minded motivations. These were entire families carrying emotions with white knuckles and wide eyes. They weren’t self-righteous or self-gratifying, they stood together afraid. They were united because of the United Nations and Ban’s twenty four hour decree.
Conrad was beginning to think the decree was a good idea. Ugo Ban could be an instrument used to fight back against the enemy. What sounded like a slap in the face mere hours ago, now sounded like intelligent strategy.
Seth said the Subas were more powerful than any enemy faced before. Why not use one enemy against the other? Conrad spent his drive to DC considering possible avenues to pit these two forces against one another. It was a long shot, but President Watt possessed the ability to think outside the box to bring the stateside and unpredictable Subas to war with the distant and rigid United Nations.
Conrad parked his car in the middle of the street and walked towards the parking garage. He passed the front lawn and purposely didn’t make eye contact with anyone. He didn’t want to be identified or forced to become a reluctant spokesperson. Despite the clamoring for Conrad to be considered a Presidential candidate, the American people did not want to hear what he would have to say.
The parking garage was heavily guarded and barricaded. The Secret Service guards looked annoyed as Conrad approached. Their black sunglasses could mask the anxiety from civilians, but Conrad noticed the unsteady hands of the four men. Men in this career field typically ranged from former soldiers to highly skilled police officers. Some saw battle, most did not. None of them ever expected to see a mob outside the White House. Especially not during Uriah Watt’s presidency.
“Authorized personnel only.” The guard put his left hand on Conrad’s chest, while his right hand hovered over his pistol. He was the only agent without a semi-automatic rifle.
“Do you know who I am?” Conrad asked. The surrounding soldiers searched the parameter as if expecting Conrad was leading a potential ambush.
“No. But even if you were the First Lady, I’m not letting you in.”
“Good luck keeping her out,” Conrad quipped.
This seemed to lessen the tension in the air. The agents all loosened the grips on their rifles and smiled a little. The First Lady was always disarming, even when she wasn’t present.
“My name is Conrad Greene, I am the Constitutional General of the United States Military.” He handed over his White House Identification Card.
“I’m sorry, General Greene, sir,” the agent looked back to the others. “But we can’t let you in.”
“Call security and have them add me to the guest list.” Conrad was trying to be patient. He understood the value of orders, but Arthur Hale was clearly the one behind this. It had his stench all over it.
The lead agent shrugged. “We can’t, sir.”
“Young man—”
“You don’t understand, sir. Our earpieces are turned off. We have no supporting communications, Secretary Hale told us to keep all visitors out. With Ban’s threat, the White House is on lockdown. All I have is the list of current attendees.”
Arthur Hale was more than a hindrance, he was a thorn in the side of the United States. Conrad was no longer willing to deal with his schemes and short-sighted planning. Today would be his last day blocking Conrad’s path. Conrad was going t
o demand Hale’s resignation before he left the White House.
“I apologize, General Greene. I can’t do anything.”
“Where is the list of attendees?” Conrad asked.
“Sir, I cannot add your name to the list.”
“Of course not, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure I haven’t been on site this entire time, does it?”
“No, sir.” The lead agent pulled out a small electronic tablet from his left pocket and searched. This action seemed to have put the other agents on notice, as they were now holding their rifles just below shoulder height. They were not fully engaged, but they were prepared.
“Constitutional General Conrad Greene. You checked in this morning with Sarah Francis, what are you doing outside?”
“Of course, and now I should probably get back to Ms. Francis.”
“No sir, she checked out two hours ago.”
“Oh she did?”
“She left with…” the agent’s face displayed confusion. “It says she left with Joseph Beck. But he died last night.”
Conrad wouldn’t comment. He didn’t know. But he was going to utilize the door Sarah Francis opened and make his way up to President Watt. Every step afterwards would be deliberated between Watt and Greene. He wasted no more time speaking with the agents and walked inside.
*******
Harry
Who knows?
Who cares?
This wasn’t a part of the plan. These men, these poor excuses for American soldiers, were causing more harm than good. Harry’s group was supposed to be the ones to save the world, that’s what Mona said, Harry remembered it clearly. Yet, they can’t save themselves if they’re all tied up and Asher is sitting in the corner being a pansy. These soldiers didn’t know what they were doing, but they didn’t give anyone the chance to speak either.
Instead, Harry was stuck laying in the van’s trunk area with Tink, wishing he was back in the bomb shelter. It would have been better if a bunch of Wolves would’ve been the ones to find them. At least then, Asher might step up to the plate and use his freak abilities to save them.
Dark Divide (Shadow and Shine Book 2) Page 16
