Ollie was alarmed to realise that Euan was walking right up to them. ‘Euan,’ she muttered.
Euan glanced down at her. ‘No worries, lassie, they’re Bràithreachas. They owe their allegiance to Matrix and therefore to you. Think of yourself as their queen.’
She looked at him, startled.
They came up to the group. When they saw him they all jumped to their feet. Most thumped their chest with their fists. Euan turned to Ollie. ‘They’re giving me the Matrix Salute,’ he explained. ‘Where’s the Captain?’ he asked one of the women, who stood to attention looking curiously at Ollie.
‘We found some discards, sir, in a small pod over there,’ she said, pointing to a building across to her left. ‘All but one - dead.’ She grimaced. ‘We got the bastard who killed them. The Captain took the discard to the mosque down the road. He told us to wait here. We’ve got orders to move south as soon as he returns.’
Euan nodded; that didn’t surprise him. ‘I’m taking this young lass to the mosque,’ he said. He walked across to a large motorbike. ‘Get on,’ he said to Ollie.
‘I’m not riding that!’
‘Yes, you are,’ he said, mounting the bike.
‘Shouldn’t I wear a helmet or something?’
‘Aye, you should.’
She waited and looked at him. He sat patiently on the bike looking at her.
‘Will I be safe?’ she asked.
‘I will guard you with my life,’ he said. He held out his hands. She grasped them, and he helped her on. She sat astride the bike and wrapped her arms around him. He suddenly felt the safest person in a large, dangerous world. He patted her one hand. ‘Trust me,’ he said. ‘You’ll enjoy it.’
She did trust him and she loved it.
**********************
The mosque was buzzing. It was full of discards. The open area had been transformed to create a huge hospital and sleeping quarters. Beds had been made up and were laid out in rows. People were lying down, sleeping, reading, playing games. Some sat around talking to other discards. Medics from the local hospital were wandering amongst the beds, working with their patients, administering drugs, checking drips, applying bandages to bloody wounds, even carrying out minor operations. The place smelt of antiseptic. It was warm too despite its size and, although it was obviously hectic, it was also strangely calm. People felt in control. There was no sign of panic.
However, Ollie noticed straight away that there was suffering. She heard groans and cries of anguish from several of the discards, some of whom were asleep and reliving their nightmares. But they were rarely alone. Dark skinned men in traditional Muslim dress sat reading, talking or holding hands with those who needed comfort. Other discards were clearly in physical pain, with fresh wounds which still caused distress. It may have been a place of healing, but some of the patients were still at the beginning of their journey to comfort or health. She stared in amazement.
‘This is our sanctuary,’ said Euan. ‘It may look and sound alarming, but there are people here who’ll care for you. They won’t let anyone hurt you again.’ He felt her hand squeeze his harder and, with it, he felt her fear. ‘Would you like something to eat?’
She nodded.
He led her through the people, down past the rows of beds, amongst the watching eyes. And on face after face, she saw the same mark on the left cheek, and the same smile of broken yellow teeth. There were some who reminded her of Euan, men and women who wore Matrix Bands and who gave the Matrix Salute to them as they walked by. Her grip on his hand became, if anything, tighter. ‘Don’t leave me, please,’ she whispered.
He looked down at her. ‘Aye, for a wee while,’ he said.
She laughed.
‘But only if you promise to stop laughing at me,’ he said grinning at her. She grinned back.
He headed for the cooking smells and found the kitchen tucked into a small room to the side of the main area. He found the cook as well, and felt a surge of pleasure. ‘Caliph!’ he cried.
Caliph turned round. ‘Azrael!’ He leapt forward and they embraced.
‘Well done with the Media Station,’ said Euan.
‘I hear you got Cooper.’
‘Matrix has Harrison.’
‘Paula’s dead, the bastard, after putting Max in the irons!’
‘So I heard.’
They talked loudly and at speed. Ollie watched them open-mouthed. Then Euan remembered her. He stepped back. ‘I have a special guest for you,’ he said. ‘One who’s very hungry.’ Caliph looked at her with interest. ‘You’re lucky,’ said Euan to Ollie. ‘Caliph is famous for his cooking.’
Caliph smiled at her.
Ollie moved deliberately away from Euan. She scowled at him. ‘Why did he call you that funny name? You said your name was Euan.’ He heard the note of betrayal in her voice.
Euan hesitated.
‘He owns both names,’ said Caliph. ‘He’s not just a Blood Brother; he’s one of the General’s own. He’s pledged personally to Matrix himself. They all have two names. If he’s given you the other name you must consider it an honour for he’s sworn to keep it secret.’
Ollie stared at both of them. She had entered a world she did not understand and she felt totally bewildered. ‘Perhaps some food would help,’ said a soft voice beside her. It was almost a whisper. She turned round.
‘Ramon!’ cried Euan. Ramon beamed with pride and gave Euan the Matrix Salute.
Euan solemnly returned it. ‘Perhaps you could look after Ollie for me?’ he asked.
‘Sure,’ said Ramon. He turned to her. ‘I can see they used the lock on you. We’ve some special food cooked by Caliph himself. Come on.’ He held out his hand.
Ollie glanced up at Euan. Then reluctantly she followed Ramon. She didn’t take his hand.
Caliph watched them go. ‘She’ll be fine,’ he said. ‘Ramon will look after her, explain things to her.’ He smiled. ‘She seems pretty keen on you.’
Euan shook his head. ‘I’ve been chasing her phantom for days now. It seems strange to let her go.’
Caliph moved in closer. ‘From what I understand, things are moving to a conclusion.’
Euan touched his connector. ‘I wait for the call and I pray,’ he said. ‘I can do no more than that.’
‘Try eating as well.’
‘Now that,’ said Euan, ‘is a good idea.’
Chapter 101
3 April 2040, 7pm
We walked through the smoking ruins of a warehouse. I could smell the burning; I could feel drizzle brush my face and a cool breeze move my clothes. Angus and Sonia walked with me. They’d hardly left my side since the beginning. They were probably as exhausted as I was, but they didn’t show it.
We could see small figures moving around the blackened ruins, pulling out bodies from beneath the rubble – some dead, some alive – sifting through the debris, moving slowly but with purpose.
There was silence, an unnatural silence.
A woman came up to us. She gave us the Matrix Salute, leaning forward to touch her lips to the swastika on my right hand. ‘Everyone’s arrived; they’re waiting for you,’ she said.
‘Are you one of Conor’s?’ I asked as we walked along. She was Salvation Army.
She smiled. ‘Yes. We have our report to give to you, sir.’
‘Please, don’t call me sir.’
‘No, sir.’
It was an impromptu meeting, but we’d managed to pull together leaders from the Salvation Army, the Quakers, Muslims and many other religious groups. As well as this, we had chieftains from Satan’s Children and Hells Angels, truckers, the police and some soldiers. It was an eclectic mix.
I spoke to them. I don’t remember what I said. It has become a blur. All I remember is that ruined building full of people all watching, listening and hoping. Their hope made the air tingle with tension.
When I finished speaking, I descended into the crowd and spoke to individuals. One by one they came up to me. Angus moved in close
on one side and Sonia on the other. I could feel their apprehension, their concern, as the crowd pushed in closer. They knew that this was when I would be at my most vulnerable. When we were planning the revolution, I remember Cyclops had warned me. ‘Beware of the crowds. Remember Mahatma Ghandi.’ Ghandi who had died amongst crowds. Those words came to me now. I knew they were foremost in the minds of my two bodyguards.
This was not the first time I’d done this, mixed with people, received their thanks and their allegiance, but it still felt strange. Each one took my hand and placed their lips to the swastika. Each one gave me the Matrix Salute. I spoke to every one of them. I received their salute and thanked them.
I was still smiling and thanking them when I realised Alastor was holding my hand. He pulled me to him and whispered in my ear. ‘Okay, Matrix, it’s time for some real justice.’
**********************
Ollie followed Ramon over to where huge potfuls of stew sat simmering. It smelt wonderful. She breathed in the smells. She was hungrier than she had ever been; even in the pod she’d never been this hungry. Ramon took a ladle and dished out a generous helping. He was about to move away, carrying it carefully as he did so, when she pulled his sleeve. ‘I want bread as well,’ she said abruptly. He looked surprised but took a piece of bread for her. Together they moved across to a table already almost fully occupied by people eating. They squeezed in at the end.
She devoured the food, all the time watching the activity around her. Ramon talked to her as she ate, explaining how the sanctuary worked, some of the rules and who various people were. She hardly listened. She could see Euan in the distance. People were constantly going up to him. They treated him with deference.
‘He’s pretty important, isn’t he?’ she asked.
Ramon glanced across to where she was looking. ‘He is Azrael,’ he said simply.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘He is one of the Brothers.’
‘I know, he’s a Blood Brother, I heard.’
Ramon shook his head. ‘No, he’s more than that. He is one of the four.’ He could see she didn’t understand. ‘There are four Blood Brothers who count for more than anyone else,’ he explained carefully. ‘They were the first. They are closest to Matrix. They keep their names close to their hearts.’ He touched his own heart. ‘They are known as the General, Azrael, Cadros and the Doctor.’ He smiled. ‘Or The Four Brothers. So, yes, he is important. Having Azrael here is like having Matrix here. That piece of equipment he has around his neck means he is in constant touch with Matrix. They know what each other is doing at all times. Matrix will even know that you are here now.’ He smiled again. ‘And that he has met me.’
‘I don’t suppose this Matrix cares whether Euan has met you or not,’ she said scathingly.
‘You shouldn’t say his name!’ hissed Ramon. ‘He has given it to you as an act of trust and you must honour that and, as for Matrix caring about me, well, it was Matrix himself who released me from my captivity; so he does care!’ Ramon stood up. He was angry. ‘I have things to do,’ he said with dignity.
‘Don’t go,’ said Ollie, instantly afraid.
He hesitated.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I won’t say his name again, I promise.’
Still he hesitated.
‘I could do with some more stew,’ she said. ‘I can’t eat this bread. My teeth aren’t up to it.’
He grinned. ‘Bloody awful, isn’t it?’
She nodded.
‘They hurt me as well,’ he said. He watched her as tears fell down her face. ‘They hurt us all. That’s what we’re fighting for. When you meet Matrix you’ll understand.’
‘Why should I understand?’ she wailed. ‘Why should he care?’
‘Matrix is a discard,’ he said. ‘Didn’t you know? He understands because he’s one of us. He is fighting for us because he’s one of us and all these people know that. That’s why there is hope.’
He placed his hand gently against his chest, against the rough shirt he wore and pressed his hand in. ‘Matrix can see into my heart,’ he said. ‘Even though he’s not here, he can still see into my heart. He can see into all our hearts. If you have secrets that you want to keep close, never look into his yellow eyes because if you do he will see your secrets. If you have dreams that trouble you at night then all you need to do is whisper them to Matrix and he will steal into your imagination and take them away. He can give sweet dreams to people like us and terrible nightmares to the enemy. Even now he fights them because he can read their thoughts. They cannot win against the Dream Catcher.’ He smiled triumphantly.
Ollie stared at him. ‘You talk about him as if he were a God?’ she said incredulously.
Ramon nodded. ‘If you doubt me then ask Azrael, he will tell you. I tell you this because I know. I’ve met him. He rescued me. I am alive and free because of him - and so are you.’
**********************
3 April 2040, 8pm
We had managed to avoid Gray. Now we were at our helicopter with an uncertain Alex.
‘We need to go now!’ said Phaedo.
‘But what about Mr Gray?’
‘We don’t have time to wait,’ I said. ‘There are some Fabians in Manchester we must capture. We’ve just heard they’ve returned to base. We must get there or they’ll be gone.’
He stared at me for a moment and then turned to Phaedo. ‘You promise me this is okay?’ he said. He obviously trusted him. Phaedo placed a reassuring hand on his arm. ‘It’ll be fine. This is important. These men are evil bastards; you must realise that by now?’
Reluctantly, Alex nodded his head. ‘Yes, I’ve seen the media screens. Even so ...’
Alastor moved up. ‘Take us there and then come back for Gray,’ he said. ‘No problem.’ He smiled. We all smiled.
Alex was finally won over and we boarded the helicopter – just me, Phaedo and Alastor. I was going to find Spider, Amos and hopefully Whitey. They were returning to their flat. It seems they had some merchandise to collect, and we were going to be there, waiting for them. I was about to murder the men who had abused and tortured me. I had dreamt of this moment for a long time. I may be famous for my forgiveness, but even I have my limits.
**********************
Gray found Angus working in one of our Salvation Army halls. He was playing doctor. Angus liked to practise his healing skills. He was actually quite good at it. In another life he would have been a doctor or a nurse. Now he was addressing the balance; he was healing and helping to save lives. He had placed his guns in his pockets and he was administering comfort and support. He was moving amongst discards and fallen soldiers and he was working his own magic.
Gray came up to him. ‘Where’s Matrix?’ he demanded.
‘You tell me,’ said Angus. He didn’t stop what he was doing.
‘What are you doing?’
‘What does it look like I’m doing?’
‘Why aren’t you fighting?’
Angus paused. ‘Everyone is entitled to a break,’ he said. ‘You may sleep. I heal. Do you have a problem with that?’
Gray had taken an instant dislike to the General. ‘Except, I don’t believe you.’
‘Now why would that be?’
‘Because you’re a murdering jock.’
Angus merely smiled.
Gray grabbed him by the sleeve. ‘He gets you to do his dirty work for him, doesn’t he?’
Angus said nothing.
‘I bet you were responsible for what happened at my station in Manchester,’ persisted Gray.
Angus spoke quietly. ‘They got what they deserved,’ he said.
‘Sure!’
Angus looked him in the eye. Gray shuddered. ‘I read his notes,’ said Angus. ‘He doesn’t know I’ve read them, but I did. His girlfriend stole them from him. I was the first person she showed them to. They make disturbing reading. You wouldn’t choose them as bedtime stories.’
‘So?’
‘He wrote it down. He wrote down in detail what your colleagues did to him. What they did to a blind man, bound and helpless, one who went to them for help. If you like I’ll tell you. I can remember it. I can remember every sordid detail.’
Gray simply glared at him.
‘I read those notes and I swore I would make them suffer. I would make them know what pain and humiliation felt like, and they would know why I was doing it. The message on the wall was not just written in their blood.’ He leant forward and hissed, ‘One of them wrote it,’ Gray went pale, ‘before he died,’ finished Angus. ‘And no, we never told Matrix – because he would have stopped us. He has this thing about forgiveness.’
‘Where is he?’
‘Visiting relatives,’ said Angus shortly, and went back to work.
***********************
I didn’t murder them.
I admit I came close. I came very close to staining my soul and that of those closest to me for evermore. I placed a gun against Amos’s head; I wanted to pull the trigger and end it there. For a brief mad moment I was sure that if I ended his life then I would end the nightmares. I would be able to sleep without ever returning to that room. As I stood next to him I thought his death would take away the memories that burnt my soul every night and every day. In short, I was sure I would find peace at last.
I was wrong.
Their death would not change my reality; it would only intensify it. I could not kill them. I could not take my revenge when I had denied the very same thing to others. It was wrong in every sense of the word. I knew it then and I know it now. I do not regret the fact that I held back, only that I considered it at all in the first place.
Anyway, Alex remained loyal to his calling. He never did trust us, even Phaedo, wise man.
Before he had even dropped us off, he had sent a message to Gray, and we were joined sooner than we expected by our police watch. Gray was there to ensure we did not carry out our own form of summary justice, just as I had requested.
The Dream Catcher Diaries Page 56
