I sighed. “You’re so wrong, you know. Wasting time trying to track this innocent kid when she isn’t even the one you should be worried about.”
The man’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”
“Because I’m the one you should be afraid of, not her,” I replied, only half bluffing.
The woman’s eyes widened. “What are you saying?”
“What do you think I’m trying to say?”
“Don’t listen to her,” said the man. “She’s full of it.”
“Are you sure?”
The couple glanced at each other.
“If she is supposed to save the world, wouldn’t she be older?” I said. “I mean think about it - how could such a young child stop a demon from ruling the world?”
“We are to stop the baby before she grows up,” the woman stated. “Thus the zombie apocalypse. This whole thing was set up to make it easier for us to find and stop her.”
My eyes widened. “Are you saying that Travis is responsible for the zombies?”
“Not him. Abaddon,” she replied.
“Enough,” said the man. “You’ve said too much.”
“Who cares,” replied the woman. “She should know how powerful he is. She should honor him, as we do.”
“Where do I find this Abaddon?” I asked, hoping that I had a chance to show this character how I really felt about his zombie apocalypse. Because of him, my parents were dead and so were most of my friends and family. If anyone needed to pay, it was obviously that guy.
“Don’t worry,” she replied. “You’ll be meeting him soon enough.”
Chapter Eighteen
Bryce and Company
“You’re shitting me,” said Henry. His cheeks turned pink. “Oh, forgive me, Father. I’m just shocked, is all.”
The priest smiled. “It’s quite all right. Given the circumstances, I understand your particular choice of words.”
“When are they coming?” he asked, staring back into the dark hole.
“Well, you’ve all probably seen the first signs,” he said solemnly. “The storms, the earthquakes, the blood in the water, and now the darkness that has settled upon us.”
“That’s why the sun hasn’t risen?” asked Paige.
“Yes.”
“Uh, about this bridge to Heaven,” said Justice, peering over the edge. “Is that really at the end of this hole?”
“I’m not exactly sure how it works, but there is indeed something on the other side. Did you feel the vibrations in the floor earlier?”
“Yes,” replied Kristie, slowly moving towards the hole. “What was that, exactly? Oh… wow… that’s deep.”
Paige walked over and looked down. “That doesn’t look like a bridge to Heaven to me.”
“I agree,” said Kristie, backing away. “To me it looks more like something out of a horror movie. And that thing that flew out of the hole… that definitely wasn’t an angel.”
Paige turned to the priest. “Did you happen to notice the over-sized bat flying around the mall? The one with twelve inch fangs and beady red eyes.”
“No,” said the priest. “I’m happy to say that I didn’t come across such a thing.”
“If this is a bridge between Heaven and earth, why would it unleash something that tried attacking us?” asked Henry.
“You’ve heard the old fables about the ‘troll’ bridge?” asked Father Brambati.
Paige snorted.
“It’s my understanding that the bridge has many guards, not all of them friendly,” he said.
“Makes sense to me,” replied Bryce. “As crazy as it sounds, it does make sense.”
“Unbelievable,” said Paige. “It took a bat out of a hole to make you believe this stuff?”
“And a priest,” he replied.
“What’s going to happen next?” asked Kristie.
“Well, we need to find the child, quickly.”
“You’re talking about Adria, right?” asked Tiny.
He smiled. “I’m not sure of the child’s name. Tell me about Adria.”
Tiny explained how they’d found the baby. “And the guy, or demon, whatever the hell he was… sorry Father, he believed that she was the ‘Chosen One’.
He rubbed his chin and nodded. “Well, he could probably sense that she was special and a threat. Where is Adria?”
“We don’t know,” said Kristie. “Somewhere in the mall.”
“Let’s start searching,” said Tiny, picking up his gun. “Kristie, you and Paige come with me. We’ll take the top level. Justice, why don’t you and Bryce start at the bottom and we’ll meet in between.”
“I’m coming too,” said Nora.
“You’ve been through a lot and I think you should stay here with Henry,” replied Tiny. “In case the kids come back this way.”
“Whatever you say.”
***
They split up and Paige followed Tiny and Kristie up the motionless escalators.
“I’m thankful that the lights are working, but these escalators are killing me,” she said, after they reached the highest level of the mall.
“I’m surprised that there are lights,” said Paige. “They weren’t working last time we were here.”
“Somebody must have switched on the generators,” said Tiny.
“So, mom… did you notice that Nora’s acting weird?” asked Paige.
“Nora has always been weird,” said Kristie. “Hate to say it.”
“Well, something is up because normally she isn’t so agreeable with everything,” said Paige.
Kristie sighed. “All jokes aside… she’s been through a lot in the past few days, Paige. She found her dad’s body and a demon possessed her boyfriend. That’s a lot to digest, you know? I think it’s safe to say that Nora has earned the right to act a little weirder than usual.”
“I suppose,” she replied. “It’s just that…”
“What?” asked Kristie.
She hesitated.
“Tell us what’s on your mind,” said Tiny.
“Well, what if the demon jumped out of Billie’s body and into Nora?”
Kristie stopped walking. “Don’t say that.”
“Think about it. He obviously did it to Billie. Why wouldn’t he do it to Nora if he needed to?”
Kristie turned to Tiny. “What do you think?”
He sighed. “As far as I’m concerned, anything is possible at this point.”
Kristie closed her eyes rubbed the space between her brows. “Well, I think we’d better watch Nora closely. If Travis is controlling her, then…”
“Oh hell,” said Tiny. “I’d better warn Gramps and that priest, just in case.” He handed Kristie his gun. “You keep looking for the girls and I’ll be back up in a minute.”
Kristie looked at the gun uneasily. “Okay, but you know how I am with these things.”
He unlocked the safety. “Aim and shoot, babe, aim and shoot.”
“Okay.”
“And keep the gun down unless you actually have a target, mom,” said Paige, moving out of her way.
“Oh, sorry,” she replied. “Just get back up here soon, Tiny. I’m sure we’re being overly paranoid anyway.”
“Let’s hope so,” he said.
Chapter Nineteen
Cassie
“So, you’re saying that Abaddon, A.K.A. Lucifer himself is involved with the zombie apocalypse, because he’s trying to flush out the ‘Chosen One’ and destroy her… I mean,” I smirked. “Me.”
“Give it a rest, you’re not the one we want, sweetheart,” said the man, smiling coldly. “Now, unless you want me to shoot one of you in the head, you’re going to accompany us back to the hole.”
Since he had the gun and I had no other option at the moment, I decided to play nice. For now. “Fine. Just don’t start shooting people.”
“Do as you’re told and I won’t have to,” he replied.
“Where is the other girl, Allie?” asked the woman.
“We don’t need her anyway,” said the man. “We have the child.”
“So, um… where have all the zombies gone?” I asked, trying to distract her.
“Do you really care?” asked the woman.
“Yes. It’s weird.”
“If you really must know… Travis sent most of them into the parking lot and away from the hole.”
“Why?” I asked.
“So they don’t fall in. Their entrance into the other realm might anger him, should they somehow survive the fall.”
“Lucifer?” I asked.
“Of course,” she said. “Anyway, once he enters this world, zombies will be the least of your worries.”
I swallowed hard. “Enters? Uh, when will that be?”
“Once the child is sacrificed,” she replied, her eyes glittering.
I glanced at Kylie, who looked ready to bolt. I mouthed the word ‘no’ to her and she sighed.
When we were about to round the corner leading to the hole, the woman stopped abruptly and then shooed us back.
“What is it?” asked the man.
“There are two people with the priest,” she said. “I don’t recognize either of them.”
He walked around us and peered around the corner. “I don’t either,” he said, frowning. “Look, why don’t you go over and find out while I watch these two?”
“Fine, but this doesn’t feel right,” she mumbled, disappearing around the corner.
“How’s Adria?” I asked, while the man’s eyes shifted from me and Kylie, and then back around the corner.
“She needs a diaper,” replied Kylie.
“I’m sure,” I said, trying to decide the best way to disarm our captor. “I think we can find one for her somewhere in the mall.”
John turned around and smirked. “Don’t waste your time, kid. She won’t need a new one where she’s going.”
I clenched my jaw.
The guy was a real tool.
He seemed to notice and enjoy my irritation. He smiled even wider.
I tried to remain calm. “So, what’s going on over by the hole?” I asked, my eyes darting to his gun, which I knew would be mine soon enough.
He looked around the corner again. “Just some old man and a dark-haired girl.” His face darkened. “Shit, now who in the hell is that dude?”
With John’s attention diverted, I launched, getting him with a side-kick to his kidney.
With a loud grunt, he flew forward and landed on his stomach. He lost hold of the gun and it slid across the linoleum.
I ran over and grabbed it. “Get up,” I ordered, pointing the gun at him.
Wincing, he stood up slowly and then glared at me.
“Hands in the air,” said Kylie, now standing next to me.
I smiled. “You heard her.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Do it!” I hollered, glaring at him.
He raised them in the air.
“Okay, let’s go join the others,” I said. “Turn around and walk towards the pit. You try anything, John, and I’ll make sure you end up in that damn hole.”
Muttering something under his breath, he started moving forward. As we rounded the corner, I sighed in relief when I noticed Tiny, Henry, and Nora.
“Oh no,” said Kylie. “That guy who’s with them is friends with Billie, I mean Travis.”
“Father Brambati,” I said, nodding. “Yeah, I’ve met that guy. Something tells me he’s spewing lies to Tiny and Henry now.”
“They need to get away from him,” said Kylie, holding Adria closer. “He’s dangerous.”
“Guys!” I hollered, as we moved towards them. “Watch out for the woman and the priest! They can’t be trusted!”
Tiny stepped away from Father Brambati and Henry raised his gun towards the woman.
“Thank God,” said Tiny, grinning widely. “You guys are safe! Kristie has been worried sick!”
Henry smiled as I approached. “Well I’ll be damned. Somehow I just knew you’d make it here, Wild.”
I smiled grimly. “Apparently the mall was on the way to wherever that prick in the truck was headed. He practically dropped me off at the front door.”
“What happened to him?” asked Tiny.
“Not really sure. He took off.”
Henry frowned. “Huh. Strange days indeed.”
“Tell me about it. Speaking of strange, have you seen Billie?”
“He’s gone,” replied Nora. “As in, dead.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Long story short,” said Henry. “Billie actually had been possessed by Travis, and he’s probably still falling down in that pit over there.”
“You got him?” I asked.
His eyes twinkled. “Damn right.”
My eyes went back to Nora. “I’m really sorry about Billie, Nora. Are you doing okay?”
“I’m a survivor,” she replied.
“Damn right you are,” said Henry.
I smiled.
“So what in the hell is going on with these three?” asked Tiny, eyeing them suspiciously. “You say they were with Travis?”
“Yes and they all want to kill Adria,” snapped Kylie.
Father Brambati’s eyes widened. “Goodness child, have I done anything to harm you or the baby?”
She glared at him. “No, but I heard you talking. You were okay with Billie sacrificing Adria!”
“Why, that’s ridiculous,” sputtered Father Brambati. “I’m a man of faith. I’ve devoted my entire life to the church and your accusations are ridiculous.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Of faith? I guess the real question is - with whom does your faith and devotion lie?”
“Child, you’ve got me all wrong,” he replied, his face turning red. “I had no idea that they’d planned on sacrificing the infant. No idea at all!”
I turned to the couple, who’d been silent. “From what these two told me, they’d planned on sacrificing Adria to let Lucifer into our world. Father Brambati is in on it, too. Just as Kylie said.”
“Wild, are you certain about this?” asked Henry, looking unsure. “Because that’s a mighty strong accusation to make against a priest.”
“Henry, we are not making this up,” I insisted. “He’s under Travis’s thumb, just like these two. Or rather, they were. You can’t trust any of them.”
“She’s right,” said Kylie, eyeing the couple suspiciously. “Especially these two.”
Henry paused. “Well, I’ve got to take your word for it. You, people, however,” he said, spitting out a wad of chew. “I don’t trust you as far as I can spit.”
Father Brambati took a step forward. “But Henry-”
“Save it,” he replied, cutting him off. “I’ve got no time for lies, especially from someone who’s dishonoring a position as a man of God.”
The priest glared at him. “You’re going to regret this. All of you.”
Henry smirked. “Why is it when someone says that, the only thing regretted is not pulling the trigger fast enough.”
Father Brambati’s eyes lowered to Henry’s gun but he held his tongue.
“Well, it’s certainly good to see you guys. How are you doing okay, Kylie?” asked Tiny, putting his arm around her.
She smiled up at him. “Relieved.”
Nora cleared her throat. “So… how is the baby?”
“Pretty good,” said Kylie. “Considering what we’ve been through.”
Nora walked over and smiled down at the baby. “If you’d like, I can hold her. I’m sure you’re just exhausted,” she said, pushing her dark hair behind her ears.
Kylie kissed Adria’s forehead. “No… she needs to have her diaper changed and my shirt is already kind of damp. I’ll just keep her for now.”
“Are you sure? Because I don’t mind.”
“Believe me, she’s really wet.” Kylie turned to Tiny. “Um, so where’s my mom?”
/>
He groaned and slapped his forehead. “Oh hell, I forgot. She’s looking for you. I’ll go round them up so that they know you’re safe. Hey, where’s Allie?” he asked, frowning.
“I left her in Nordstrom’s,” I replied.
He sighed in relief. “Good. I was almost afraid to ask. Well, I’ll go and round up the rest of the group.”
“Okay,” I replied as he jogged towards the stairs.
“Bryce is sure going to be happy to see you,” said Henry, his blue eyes softening. He chuckled. “In fact, I think he might be handcuffing you to his wrist from now on.”
I smiled. “I think I might actually let him.”
The priest began to cough.
My smile fell. “You okay?”
“I could use something to drink,” he said in a hoarse voice.
“We’ll find you something when the others return,” said Henry.
“Bless you,” replied the priest.
I refrained from rolling my eyes.
Henry waved his gun towards a broken fountain, a few feet away. “Why don’t you three sit over against that retaining wall, where I can keep an eye on you?”
The priest sighed. “Look, I am no threat to you, friend. Please… just hear me out-”
“My hearing is bad and my true friends know better than to try and pull the wool over my eyes,” stated Henry, tightening his grip on the gun. “So, unless you want to find out what’s on the other side of that bridge you were bragging about, I’d keep my mouth shut and sit your ass down like I told you!”
“That’s no way to talk to a man of God,” replied the priest in shock.
I snorted. “Really?” I said. “You’re honestly going to go there?”
“Just go and sit your ass down already,” said Nora, looking aggravated.
Father Brambati’s muttered something under his breath as he joined the others by the fountain.
Henry sighed. “By George, I think he’s finally understanding us.”
“I hope so,” I said in a low voice, looking at the trio uneasily. “But, I still don’t trust them. John was telling me that Lucifer was the one who started the zombie apocalypse. Apparently, he wants to kill Adria before she grows up and is strong enough to stand up to him.”
Zombie Games Book Five (End Zone) Page 12
