Whispers From the Past

by L. S. O'Dea

  She glanced around but there was nowhere to hide and nowhere to run. So, this was it. The Guard was going to have to kill her because she wasn’t letting him capture her. She couldn’t allow herself to be used as a weapon against Hugh, against their cause. She exposed her claws. As soon as he got closer, she’d attack. A feeling of calm washed over her. This wouldn’t be a bad way to go. She’d die with honor, fighting for what she believed in and those she loved. Gaar was right. Everything died eventually.

  CHAPTER 57: HUGH

  HUGH, JACKSON AND Tim moved down the hallway of the Council Building and positioned themselves, waiting for the Guards. According to Jackson and Tim, there were a lot of scents in this hallway—Guard, Servant, Almighty, fear and gunfire. They wouldn’t have to worry about their odor giving them away.

  Tim was hiding, not too well, under a small table. Hugh was behind a window curtain, praying no one saw him from the outside and warned the Guards and Jackson was around the corner, just in case someone got past Hugh and Tim. There were footsteps and then a Guard appeared. He was young and solid, definitely a protection Guard.

  “Not too good of a hiding place, Servant.” The Guard nudged Tim with the muzzle of his rifle.

  “Don’t shoot, please.” Tim stuck his hands out from under the table.

  As soon as the Guard shifted the gun so Tim could crawl out from his hiding spot, Hugh slipped from behind the curtains and smashed the butt of his gun against the Guard’s temple. The Guard crumpled to the ground.

  “Jackson,” he whispered.

  Jackson peeked around the corner and jogged over to them. The two of them stuffed the Guard inside an empty room.

  “You should tie him up,” said Tim.

  “I would if we had rope,” he said.

  Tim grabbed the cord from the curtain and cut it with his claws. “You do now.”

  “Thanks. I need two more pieces.” He tied one strand around the Guard’s hands, another around his ankles and the last he used as a gag. He searched the Guard’s pockets, taking all the ammo he could find and then closed the door behind him. He picked up the Guard’s gun. “Either of you know how to use one of these?”

  Jackson and Tim both shook their heads.

  “Great.” He handed the gun to Jackson. “Aim this part.” He tapped the muzzle. “And pull this.” He pointed to the trigger. “Be careful, a little pressure and...boom.”

  Jackson’s eyes were wide as he stared at the gun in his hands.

  “Aim for the chest. Bigger target. Harder to miss.”

  Tim glanced down the hallway. “Someone’s coming.”

  They went back to their hiding spots. This time, however, there were two sets of footsteps. He prayed Jackson was able to discern that from his position around the corner. When the Guards stopped next to Tim, Hugh stepped out like the last time, raising his gun, but he must’ve made some sound because the Guard, who he’d been about to bash in the head, turned and ducked, reaching for his gun. He threw himself at the Guard and they hit the ground rolling and punching. The Guard was large and strong but Hugh was determined and he knew how to take a beating and keep fighting. The Guard landed a solid hit to Hugh’s stomach, making the air whoosh from his lungs. He pushed the pain aside, continuing to pummel the Guard as they rolled over. The Guard was on top now and Hugh slammed his fist into the Guard’s gut, but the guy only grunted and then the Guard’s huge paws were around Hugh’s throat, squeezing. Hugh hit harder. He had to break free before he passed out and then the Guard fell forward, collapsing onto him. He shoved him to the side.

  A young, familiar looking Guard stood over him, one hand extended as he shook his other one. “That guy had a hard head...well, face.”

  “Thanks.” Hugh grabbed the Guard’s hand and was pulled to his feet. He knew this Guard, but he wasn’t sure from where.

  Jackson was dragging the other Guard, who someone had knocked unconscious down the hallway. Tim stood near the table where he’d hidden, brushing the dirt off his clothes.

  The young Guard bent, grabbing the other unconscious Guard by his arms. “Follow him?” He nodded at Jackson’s retreating form.

  “Yeah. I’m sorry, have we met?”

  “Ah...kind of.” He held out his hand. “Indy.”

  He reached for the Guard’s hand and stopped. “Jethro.” This was Jethro’s Guard. He’d been at their camp. He’d held Trinity’s arms behind her back. He grabbed his gun from the floor.

  “Wait, I can explain.” Indy held up his hands, glancing at Tim. “Tell him I’m on your side.”

  Tim checked his claws, ignoring the Guard.

  “You belong to Jethro.” He pointed his gun in the Guard’s face.

  “According to you, none of us belong to anyone.” Indy smiled a little. “Right?”

  That was true but he wasn’t going to argue semantics right now.

  Another Guard raced down the hallway toward them. This one was huge. He moved so he could aim at the approaching Guard while keeping Indy in view.

  “He’s with us, Hugh.” The large Guard slowed his approach. “Don’t shoot him. He’s annoying and it kills me to admit it, but he’s been helpful.”

  “Bruno? What are you doing here?” Hugh turned his gun back on Indy.

  “Glad to see you’re still alive, but you need to put the gun down. Indy’s been helping us.” Bruno pointed at Tim. “Didn’t the Servant tell you?”

  “Tim?” He lowered his weapon.

  “I was waiting to see how it played out,” said Tim.

  “You knew Indy was helping us?” He couldn’t believe Tim had kept quiet. Tim was never quiet.

  “I knew he saved you and that he was with him.” Tim nodded at Bruno, who kept glancing down the hallway in the direction he’d come.

  “You know Bruno is with us.” Just because Indy had been with Jethro and they’d seemed to be close, didn’t mean the Guard had been on Jethro’s side. Guards usually had no choice in their actions. They obeyed or were killed.

  “When you said he belonged to Jethro, I decided to let you beat the crap out of him.”

  “I had a gun on him.”

  Tim shrugged.

  “I could’ve killed him.”

  “Yeah.” Tim shrugged again.

  The two Guards bristled at the Servant. Great, now he had more Guard-Servant animosity to deal with. “You can fight this out later. Right now, we need to secure the building.”

  Jackson jogged down the hallway and over to the group. “We need more rope.”

  Tim sliced more cord from the curtains.

  “Where’s the other Guard’s gun?” Hugh bent and collected the discarded weapon off the floor.

  “Didn’t have one.” Jackson stuffed the makeshift rope into his pocket and then he and Bruno carried the remaining Guard to the back room.

  When the two returned he asked, “Do either of you know how to use a gun?” Indy and Bruno nodded. “Excellent.” He started to hand the extra gun to Indy and hesitated, glancing at Bruno. “Are you sure he’s on our side?”

  “Yeah, as unfortunate as it is.”

  “You love me, Bruno and you know it.” Indy accepted the gun from Hugh.

  Hugh turned and grabbed the other weapon from Jackson.

  “Hey,” said Jackson. “I was using that.”

  “That’s true,” said Tim, siding with Jackson now that he had other Guards to annoy. “He used it on the other Guard. Bashed him over the head with it, like a great big stick.”

  “It’s better if it’s used to shoot, not as a club.” He handed it to Bruno. “Let’s go.”

  “That’s how you were using it,” said Jackson.

  “I didn’t want to draw attention to us, but I know how to shoot.”

  Bruno glanced down the hallway, relief washing across his features as Sassy ran toward them.

  “Trinity’s in trouble.” Sassy’s eyes were wide. “Big trouble this time.”

  “Where is she?” The blood slowed in his veins.

 
“She’s trapped. Separated from everyone. A Guard is heading her way,” said Sassy.

  “That stupid, little shit.” He raced toward the door.

  “It’ll be faster this way,” said Indy. “You’ll be able to see what’s going on from up here and you’ll be able to shoot through the windows.”

  He skidded to a halt.

  “I don’t think we’ll make it to her in time going back the way I came,” said Sassy. “The Guard was close.”

  “I know this place,” said Indy. “And I know where Trinity was headed. Trust me.”

  They had no choice. His heartbeat slammed in his ears as he followed Indy around a corner and up a flight of stairs.

  “Was Trinity with you?” Tim eyed the Guards suspiciously.

  “Yeah,” said Sassy.

  “What happened to Gaar and Mirra?” He trusted Bruno and Sassy, but there was something off about this.

  “Don’t know,” said Sassy. “When Bruno and I first saw her, she was standing on a carriage jumping up and down to get the attention of the Guards who were shooting.”

  “I’m going to kill her.” He shoved Indy. “Move faster. I have to save her so I can kill her.”

  “How did she get separated from the rest of you?” asked Tim, still suspicious.

  “She took the most dangerous route,” said Sassy. “She drew the fire so we could get to the entrance to...”

  “To do what?” Dread settled in his stomach like a slice of Gaar’s bread.

  “To help you.” Sassy’s voice was low.

  “That stubborn, little fool.” If she were hurt or...No, he couldn’t even think of her dying. He couldn’t go through that. Panic threatened to take over, but he had to remain calm. He wouldn’t be any use to her if he lost control.

  “Quiet now,” whispered Indy as he peeked around a corner.

  He leaned around Indy. There were ten Guards, all armed, stationed down the hallway at the six windows. He and Indy pulled their heads back around the corner.

  “Shit. I thought there were only six.” Indy rubbed his hand across his chin. “We should go back down. We’ll never—”

  “We won’t make it in time,” whispered Sassy. “We may be too late already. I don’t think they’ll kill her right away, do you?” Her worried eyes met Bruno’s.

  “Nah, she’s too valuable.” Bruno wrapped his arm around Sassy and pulled her to his side.

  “That’s right,” said Indy. “They won’t kill her unless they have no other choice. She’s worth more alive.” At Hugh’s furious face he added, “She’ll be fine. We can save her later.”

  “Last time she was a captive, she was almost raped,” said Tim.

  Indy snarled. “If that’s what she’s telling you, she’s lying. There was no force...”

  He didn’t have time for this. He stepped into the hallway, his fear fading as time seemed to stand still. A hand grabbed for him. Indy? Jackson? He didn’t know and didn’t care. He dodged the grasp and strode down the hallway.

  “I recognize that female Servant,” said one of the Guards. “I was with Cal’s regiment when they captured her. She’s one fine looking female, even for a Servant.”

  He must’ve made a slight noise because the closet Guard turned toward him. There was shock on the Guard’s face and then nothing but blood, as he smashed the butt of his rifle into the Guard’s nose. As the Guard crumpled, he yanked the hand gun from the Guard’s holster and aimed it down the hall. All his training came flooding back as if it hadn’t been years ago—thousands of afternoons with his father, trying and trying but never being good enough no matter how many heart and head shots he’d made.

  The next closest Guard was no threat, at least not at the moment. He was scared and clumsy. Hugh aimed farther down the hallway. The other Guards were turning his way. He pulled the trigger. One. Two. Three. Four. Another Guard fell before he could shoot, probably Bruno or Indy’s doing. His bullet hit another Guard square in the chest. A Guard ran. He stopped him with a shot to the head. The last Guard and the clumsy Guard dropped their weapons and raised their hands.

  His finger caressed the trigger.

  “You don’t have to kill them.” Jackson grabbed his arm, pulling the gun down.

  “Tie them up.” He dropped his weapon. It was probably empty anyway, and picked up the clumsy Guard’s gun from the floor.

  Bruno and Tim ran to the Guards and used the curtain ties to bind their hands behind their backs.

  “We can’t stay here long,” said Indy. “Those gunshots will have been heard.”

  “Won’t they think it was their Guard’s firing?” asked Tim.

  “Maybe,” said Indy. “But it sounded different in here than when I was outside.”

  He moved to the window. Right now, only Trinity mattered. The breath rushed out of his chest. She was pinned against the wall of the building, a large Guard approaching her, weapon raised.

  “Remember, the Guard isn’t going to kill her,” said Jackson, close to his ear. “They’ll want her as a prisoner.”

  That wasn’t comforting.

  “She’s going to attack,” said Tim. “Look at her hands. Her claws are out.”

  If she attacked, the Guard would shoot. He took aim. He had one shot and it had to be clean—a kill shot. He steadied his breathing, waiting for the moment that felt good, right. He pulled the trigger. The Guard crumpled. He moved the gun and lowered his gaze. Trinity was staring up at him, her face pale and eyes wide. She smiled and the blood rushed through his body once again, red, hot and furious. “Get your ass up here! Now!”

  He didn’t wait to see if she obeyed. He just began shooting anyone between her and the door. “She’d damn well better do what I said,” he mumbled as he shot another Guard right between the eyes. “If she doesn’t get here quick, I’m going to toss her over my shoulders and bring her in here myself.”

  “Hugh.” Jackson’s hand on his shoulder brought him out of his haze. “She’s in the building.”

  He blinked. The street was empty, except for several dead Guards and a few live ones, hiding behind carriages or up against the building, but no Trinity. He raced down the stairs and skidded to a halt as she ran around the corner. She was filthy and there was blood on her face, arm and leg. He latched onto his anger because if he didn’t the fear would replace it and he’d crumple to the ground. “You little fool!” And then she was in his arms. His jaw clenched as he tried to stay strong, angry, but she was hugging him.

  “I think you mean, one, Little One.”

  He kissed her. She was warm and alive and in his arms and kissing him back. Nothing else mattered—nothing but her.

  Someone cleared his throat, bringing Hugh back to the present. He stepped back but kept a hold of her hand.

  “She’s still my daughter.” Tim was giving them a disgusted look.

  She pulled free from his grasp and hugged her father.

  “Where are Gaar and Mirra?” He’d ordered her to stay with them.

  The smiled faded from her face. “Gaar’s been shot. He’s okay. I think. He’s alive.” Her face paled. “At least he was the last time I saw him.”

  “He’s fine. I’m sure.” He took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “But I’m going to kill him. He was supposed to keep you with him, safe.”

  “We got separated and then he got shot and he motioned for me to stay where I was—”

  “But you didn’t listen.” His anger was returning full force. He was tempted to lock her in one of these rooms until this was over.

  She shrugged.

  “We need to secure the rest of the building.” Indy handed Hugh a rifle and a handgun.

  Everyone was armed with some kind of gun. They must’ve taken them from the Guards upstairs.

  “We should separate.” Indy glanced down the hallway. “Three groups would be best but we don’t have enough people. We need teams of at least three to even hope to succeed.”

  Indy was right. He could argue with Trinity later. Rig
ht now, they needed to finish what they’d started. “Which are the next two most heavily armed areas of the building?”

  “The back and probably the east side,” said Indy. “I was never stationed here during an attack, so I don’t know for sure, but it’s a good guess.” He hesitated. “Large teams of Guards were being assembled at the Protective Services base. We were going to head into the woods as soon as we were armed. By now, they’re sure to have heard of the attack. They’ll be coming this way.”

  “Do you have any idea how they’ll attack?” He needed a counter measure. His troops were scattered. Unless brought together, they’d never hold this building against the entire army.

  “Captain Cal’s an idiot, so they’ll probably march straight down the street,” said Indy.

  “Calvin Folgrant?” asked Hugh.

  “Yeah, do you know him?” asked Indy.

  “He’s not an idiot.”

  “Well, he couldn’t lead worth shit in the forest,” said Indy.

  “Cal wasn’t trained in forest maneuvers. Did you ever fight for him, besides in the forest?” He doubted it. They hadn’t had a battle in decades.

  “No.” Indy looked unsure for the first time.

  “Trust me. My father spoke highly of the man and Cal wasn’t even an officer then.” He ran his hand through his hair again. “We need to secure the building and capture the council members.” He pointed. “Indy, Bruno, Sassy and Tim...”