We were at a bigger disadvantage than we ever thought. Not only did they outnumber us, they were thinking, planning. That made them more dangerous than ever.
38. SONNY
My head was pounding and I could barely move my neck after sleeping only two hours. It seemed as if every muscle in my upper torso had retracted. There was a lot on my mind, which explained the headaches. At least my hearing was getting better.
Our little prison camp community was looking for like a fort now. All night, we were on watch, ready and waiting. Although there wasn’t much I could do. I couldn’t even lift a rifle.
A fearful energy swept through the camp at the same time, as predicted, the Sleepers moved in.
Slowly, they headed our way, the stench of them carried in the wind.
We were on lockdown once again. Orders were shouted out, men were moving to positions. It certainly sounded like an imminent battle.
The Sleepers arrived like The Doctrines stated, though it remained to be seen if we would wait it out or fight.
I was in the library with Michael, going through The Doctrines. In the old version, the hit came on Grace, forcing us to move. But in the newer version that Randy brought, the attack on our camp came faster. Much faster.
In the first set of Doctrines, we were here at the new camp, it seemed for years.
“Maybe you didn’t write the first set,” Michael suggested. “We all believed Bill wrote those and made things up. Maybe this is the set of Doctrines you write because you took over when Bill died. Bill also may have had something to do with things.’
“Beck also died in the original Doctrines.” I ran my hand through my hair. “But we give no real strategic answer or details like what we did. I don’t understand why I would be so vague. It just says we battled.”
“No, there’s more. It mentions fire and weapons, injuries.”
“Like the Bible, I dealt more with lessons.”
Michael shrugged. “It was translated, interpreted, keep that in mind.”
I heard the click of the library door and looked up. Alex entered with urgency.
“Are you absolutely sure they don’t fight?” he asked with an edge.
“From what I see,” I answered.
“Then I don’t get this. Did you look outside?” he asked. “There are three times as many today. They come, stop, stand and stare.”
“We’re ready to defend, right?” I asked. “So we wait. We know what we’re doing tomorrow.”
“If we fight tomorrow,” Alex said. “Honestly, Sonny, there are a lot out there.”
“If The Doctrines were right yesterday, they’ll be right today,” Michael said. “If they don’t hit, all the Sleepers from this area will arrive tomorrow. If done right, we can eliminate a good number of them.”
“But what is causing this?” Alex said in frustration. “We aren’t that big of a dinner buffet or else they would have stormed.”
“They want something.” Michael said. “They’re being called.”
“Called?” Alex asked.
“Mike,” I said sternly.
That caught Alex’s attention. “Sonny, is this the information you have?”
“Doesn’t match. What I know and what is written doesn’t match.”
Alex looked at Michael. “Who is calling them?”
Michael glanced at me. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“Who is calling them?” Alex asked again.
“The antichrist.”
“Aw, Jesus.” Alex groaned. “No pun intended to you, Padre, but the antichrist? I thought you were gonna give me something viable.”
Michael shook his head. “The antichrist is symbolic for bad, for evil. The antichrist is calling them to come. To get him, to take us, to eliminate us so they can inherit the earth.”
Alex folded his arms. “Uh huh. And correct me if I am wrong, but The Doctrines say my son, Keller, is the antichrist, right?”
Michael nodded.
“I thought I read that.” Alex winked. “Sonny, what do the new Doctrines say?”
“Keller. But that’s not what you said.”
Alex cocked back. “Okay, then tell me what I said.”
I hesitated before answering. “Before you died, Alex, you said as a Sleeper you heard the call. You heard Phoenix.”
Alex laughed. “I got Mike here saying it’s Keller who’s the antichrist, and you’re telling me it’s Phoenix. No offense, gentlemen, but I can’t buy into the fact that either of them children are calling a war when they can’t even tell me when they have to use the potty.”
“Maybe…” Michael said softly, “maybe The Doctrines just imply the future.”
“Still doesn’t explain why Alex told me what he did.”
“Stop.” Alex held up his hand. “I will concede that someone or something is calling them, drawing them here. I don’t think it’s on purpose. Look through The Doctrines some more, see if you can read between the lines. Sonny, put yourself in the mindset of why you would write it like you did instead of what you wrote. I have hundreds of Sleepers out there ready for a fight.” He turned to leave. “This thing cannot be that complex, it started with a simple germ after all and…” His words trailed off. Alex stared for a second in thought, then he flung open the door and raced out.
“He thought of something,” I said.
Then as best and as quickly as I could, I ran out after Alex.
* * *
Alex moved a lot faster than I did so I missed whatever he said to Javier and walked in when Javier was asking him. “Are you insane?”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Sonny, what the hell? Can’t you be an invalid for crying out loud?” Alex huffed. “Jav? Is it true you created the virus and are not just familiar with it? I never brought this up. I need to know.”
I chuckled. “Of course he did, Levi told us.”
“No,” Javier slammed his hand on the counter. “I did not create a virus. My serum was not intended to be a virus that killed.”
“But you created something to make people superhuman?” Alex asked.
“No. That was part of what the body did in mutation. It increases brain activity, so a normal brain could conceivably open doorways to telepathy. A part of the brain we don’t use. But let me assure you, Alex, that was not its’ intention.”
“They why did you create it?”
“So my son could have a normal life,” Javier stated sadly. “He was hit by a car when he was five years old and had severe brain damage. I created the serum to jumpstart brain activity so individuals like my son could function normally. It took years to develop, and I was allowed to test it on my son and others. My son regained use of his arms, then his eyes, words began to form and then… it failed. It, like many other viruses, mutated. It became deadly to the young and debilitating to anyone older than fifteen. Highly contagious. I dismantled the program and turned everything over. When they contacted me years ago, there had been an accidental release. That’s what they said. But there were not immediate reactions. That’s when I realized they were feeding a milder form of it into the public. They were scared first, and when no one got sick, they actually believed they were enhancing the race like they do with produce and livestock.”
“Who?” I asked. “Who released it?”
“Government?” Javier lifted his hands. “Who knows? But it all went bad and they wanted a cure.”
“So you know its makeup. Do you know what creates the immunity factor?” Alex asked.
“I do. And I am trying to find that cure.”
“Well stop. I need you to mutate the virus we have so that it goes that extra step that it did with the young.”
Was he nuts? I believed he had to be joking. “Alex, we have people in this camp that we love and trust that have the Sleeper virus in them.”
“Apparently there’s some sort of immunity factor in them now. I’m sure Javier can find it.”
I shook my head. “You want to wipe
them out by making them sicker. All well and fine, Alex, but it’s not just here. You can proceed to kill every Sleeper in the country, but it’s worldwide.”
“We have a military installation,” Alex said. “They can figure out how to touch base with other parts of the world.”
“Alex, I see where you’re going with this,” Javier said, “but this isn’t an easy or an instant fix. I have to finish getting blood from every person in this camp.”
“Start now. Everyone is grouped. Separate the ones with the Sleeper virus in them.”
“This could take years.”
“Start now.”
“Years, Alex.”
“I’m not needing a solution for tomorrow. I have that. I don’t need one for next week. We’ll figure that out. I need a big plan, something widespread.”
I asked him, “How do you know you aren’t asking to create the virus that wipes out half the children after they are born? The virus that killed Randy’s kids.”
“Because the Sleepers carried that one,” Alex said. “That virus is in the air. I’m not looking to give the Sleepers anything. I want to infect us. Have it be part of our DNA so we are poison to them. So they avoid us. They want to make us their future food supply, then let them die trying to eat us. Eventually they’ll avoid us and starve. It’s a long term plan, but it will work. This thing started with a germ, let it end with a germ.”
“What makes you so positive?” I questioned. “What makes you so sure there is something out there that will keep them from us, and not want us?”
“One word. All the proof you need,” Alex said. “Michael.”
39. MERA
“Look at me, Phoenix,” Ed said sternly.
I was looking through our supplies, trying to figure out what I would make the kids for lunch, maybe the soup and Spam, when I heard Ed desperately try to get Phoenix’s attention.
“Is he alright?” I asked.
“Yeah, he’s done for the day,” Ed said from the table where he was sitting with Phoenix. “Remember what I taught you. Practice with your brother.’
“I don’t need to,” Phoenix said. “He hears me fine. I hear him.”
“Yes, Phoenix, but others can’t. You practice so he can let your mom know and anyone else. Brother Phoenix, I taught you that word.”
“Okay. Can I go watch scary people now?”
Ed looked at me. “Can he go watch the scary people?”
“Sure, why not?” I answered. “Have you looked out there?”
“No, and I won’t.”
“I appreciate you coming in and helping, Ed.”
“I have the other block to do with the older kids. I’d rather be in here. I’m not a fighter.” He placed a book on the table. “After lunch, have the kids sit around and each take turns reading from this book. Have them read it to the young ones. Tell them there will be a test in two days.”
As he was just about ready to leave, Beck walked in. That surprised me.
“Beck? What are you doing here right now?”
“Just checking. Making sure you guys are doing okay.”
“Yes, we are. We’re trying not to think about what’s going on out there.”
“There’s a lot more today. I don’t understand this.”
“Beck, did you guys ever think that maybe the reason they are coming here is because there are so many people in this place?” Ed suggested. “Maybe they pick up on it.”
“Does it matter?” Beck asked. "One person, two hundred…what’s the difference?”
“Yeah, actually it does,” Ed said “Unless you walk right into them, they won’t come anymore. I spent nearly two years with a small group of people in a Nebraska town and we never saw one until we got a mile from Grace. Ever think maybe the key to protecting Mera and the lids isn’t an iron wall or fence, but rather… solitude?” He exhaled. “Just my thoughts. It’s the tension with them lurking out there and I apologize if I overstepped boundaries.” He walked to the door. “Mera, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Hi, Ed, bye, Ed,” Alex said, walking in with Michael. “Why was he here, Mera?” he asked after Ed left.
“He was teaching the kids.”
“Mera, we’re in a crisis, do we really need to worry about educating the kids at this moment?”
“Um, Alex, you tell me how else I’m supposed to keep them from focusing on the shit that’s going on out there? It’s hard enough to keep them away from the window.”
“They’re at the window? Goddamn it.”
“Why are you here? Aren’t you guys supposed to be out there protecting us?”
“I’m here doing that,” Alex said. “I brought the Padre too, and we all know he’s Sleeper repellent. Plus, no offense, but you have that Sleeper virus in you. I can’t take a chance; I need you deep in concrete.”
What was Alex implying?
“Beck, did you say anything at all about the plan, backup plan or actions in front of the kids?” Alex asked.
“No, why would I?”
“Just checking, and will you please get those kids away from the window?” Alex walked into the dorm room and whistled. “Hey, all of you, let’s go. Jessie, Phoenix. Get center. Keller…”
“He’s deaf, Alex,” Michael reminded him.
“Jessie, grab Keller,” Alex instructed. “I want all kids in this center section. Inside the concrete and run every electrical appliance you can.”
It was then I knew what he was doing and was implying. I felt my face grow hot and the second Alex came back into the community area to grab Beck, he noticed my demeanor.
“What, Mera?” Alex asked. “We have to go. What is so wrong?”
“They’re children, Alex. You don’t want plans said in front of them, you want to keep them behind concrete, away from the windows. Even Michael. You think they’re calling the Sleepers?”
“Mera,” Beck said calmly, “he’s just covering every avenue.”
“Why?” I asked.
“We have to go.” Beck kissed my cheek and walked to the door. “Lock this.”
“It’s wrong to think this way about the kids.”
Alex’s boots screeched as he came to a fast stop. “Mera, it’s a known fact that Sleepers in the future can communicate without speaking. I’m thinking in the infancy stage, right now, anyone with the virus in them has the untapped ability. Not saying they are purposely doing it, but they could be transmitters.”
“Then why Keller? He doesn’t have an ounce of Sleeper virus in him.”
“Keller’s worse, Mera.” He lowered his voice. “No untapped stuff happening there. He has that ability, so we need to watch him.”
“Fuck you, Alex. He’s two. You’re gonna feel really bad when you realize you’re treating babies like spies.”
“I’m also treating the padre like a spy and he’s the son of God. No offense, Mike.”
“Offense taken, Alex.”
“We have to go, Mera.” Alex laid his hands on my arms. “I don’t believe for a second the kids or Jessie or even Mike here is doing anything. But for now, the way these things are coming, I can’t take that chance. Okay?”
My mouth was open and I didn’t speak. Sheltered within the walls of a former juvenile detention center, I could only hear the sounds of the commotion outside.
I locked our door and decided at that moment, with the kids all in the center area, that shutting the cell doors and dorm room door was a good idea.
Conveying sympathy, I grazed my hand over Michael’s back and began that task. The dorm room was the last and just because I needed to know, I decided to take a peek outside.
It was the same as the day before, the single formation line of Sleepers that encircled or home.
As I peered out, I understood why Alex was behaving the way he was and why he was so tense.
So many. Too many.
Three Days of Death.
It was only day two, I feared how much worse it would actually be.
And the third day
became one those in New Eden would never forget. The battle was lost before it began. New Eden had exhausted their resources and The Palers, once completely gathered, attacked New Eden with such a vengeance, New Eden could only retreat.
The loss of life was many.
Within a concrete tomb, the residents of New Eden hid for one hundred and eighty-two days. Many starved.
—The Doctrines.
40. MERA
It had me wondering. So much so, that I grew angry with myself, but I couldn’t ignore what happened. On day two, the Sleepers gathered and no sooner had they all arrived, they dispersed and walked away.
Oddly enough, that was not even ten minutes after I pulled the children into the center area.
Coincidence? Maybe. But was it the shot fired on the first day made the Sleepers leave or the fact that the gunshot scared the kids away from the window? I couldn’t ignore it.
Again, school was cancelled and we kept the children in the block. On this day, though, the dreaded and predicted third day, a lot of people were moving into our block, hunkering down there and waiting it out. They started coming shortly after eight.
Jessie was being a sweetheart. I finished brushing her hair and she sang this strange counting song, I guess Ed had taught her. It was a variation on the ‘One, Two Buckle My Shoe’ song I was familiar with.
She wanted to sit on her bed for a while, and I didn’t see a problem with it. I wasn’t pulling them until ten o’clock.
“One by one, we all come run…” she sang softly.
“I’ll be back, Jessie. You have ten minutes, gather your dolls.”
“Okay, Mommy.” Jessie smiled, then grabbed her dolls, singing, “Two by two, we look for you...”
I stepped outside the dorm where Bonnie was placing a box on the table.
“This should hold us, and just in case those Doctrines hold true,” she said, “I brought extra food.”
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