Whispers From the Past

by L. S. O'Dea

  “Not alone.” Tim ran across the corridor and leaned against the other wall, raising his gun.

  He sighed. “Remember, aim for the chest.” He appreciated the gesture but Tim was going to get himself killed.

  Tim nodded, fear in his eyes. Sassy hovered near Hugh’s back.

  “You should get in the room,” he said to the Guard.

  “And miss all the fun? Not on your life.”

  “Just don’t shoot. I’m in front of you.”

  “Promise.”

  The minutes ticked by. If only he could hear the footsteps but his hearing wasn’t worth a damn and he didn’t dare ask Sassy because more than likely it was Guards approaching and he didn’t want to give them any hint that an ambush was waiting. He signaled for Tim and Sassy to wait, motioning until Tim aimed his gun down. He crept forward and peeked around the corner. The tension fled his body. “It’s Trinity and the others.”

  The three of them slipped around the corner. Trinity and her group saw them and picked up their pace. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but there was something wrong. It was written all over her face.

  “Where’s Bruno?” Sassy glanced behind the others, fear and confusion in her large, brown eyes.

  Trinity shook her head. “I’m so sorry.”

  “He was a good man.” Hugh’s gut tightened. So many had died today. So many lives wasted because of arrogance and elitism. Right now, he hated his kind.

  “No. No.” Sassy shook her head, backing away from them.

  Indy moved over by her and touched her shoulder.

  “Don’t.” Sassy slapped his hand. “What happened?” Her voice was brittle like fall leaves.

  “A Guard came out of nowhere,” said Jackson. “Bruno got off a shot but so did the Guard.”

  “I’m so sorry, Sass.” Trinity pulled the other female into her arms.

  Sassy jerked free, her eyes hard. “Where’s his body?”

  “I’ll take you later,” said Indy.

  “I’m not leaving him there like garbage.” Hate marred Sassy’s normally friendly face.

  “Of course not.” Hugh kept his voice calm. This wasn’t over. He had to make sure they stayed together. “We’ll go and collect him. He’ll have a hero’s burial.”

  Sassy nodded, some of the tenseness slipping from her shoulders.

  “But first we need to finish securing the building. We need to finish this war”—he held up his hand, stopping her outburst—“or we won’t be able to do anything for him. If we lose, he’ll be cremated in a mass burial and you know it.”

  “Then let’s get this done.” Sassy stormed off down the hallway.

  Indy trotted after her.

  “Are you okay?” He took Trinity’s hand.

  “Sassy’s right. Let’s finish this.”

  “Where are the Guards?” asked Jackson.

  “Not sure. It was like this when we arrived,” he said.

  “I smell a trap,” said Jackson.

  “So, let’s spring it.”

  They caught up with Indy and Sassy and moved as a group, checking each room, closet or anywhere big enough for anyone to fit but the only creatures around were a few Servants who’d been hiding. They locked them in rooms and continued their search. They’d find the Almightys and the Guards soon. There weren’t many more places to hide.

  “Where would the Almightys go?” asked Jackson. “The Guards probably fell back to protect them.”

  “Good point,” he said. “There’s a small, council chamb—”

  “Where do they keep the guns?” asked Trinity.

  “Better point.” His heart skipped a beat. This could get ugly fast. “Find the guns and we’ll find the Guards and Almightys.”

  They continued to search, several of their troops from outside joining them which was great because it gave them enough bodies to cover all the windows. He stationed a Servant at every other window. His soldiers couldn’t shoot, but they could see, hear and smell better than the Council’s Guards. They’d be warned well before Cal and his soldiers arrived. He also sent other teams to help look for the guns. They were instructed to bring all the prisoners into the Hall of Truths. It was the largest open area. It was easy to defend with few places to hide.

  Hugh waited in the vast hall, ordering his soldiers to search the building in quadrants. He sent a large group to the nearby jail to make room. They had a lot of prisoners to house until he could hear each one’s tale. Most would be victims of circumstance, not able to choose which side to support. They wouldn’t be punished, but others would be.

  Trinity touched his arm. He glanced at her uneasily. He’d convinced her to stay with him. It hadn’t been easy and he wasn’t looking forward to round two of that discussion.

  “What are you going to do with all of them?” She nodded at the House Servants and Guards who huddled together in small groups in the Hall of Truths.

  He almost sighed in relief. They weren’t going to argue. “Most of them will be set free. They just work here.” He took her hand and kissed it. It was almost over.

  “You’re a good male, Hugh Truent.” She smiled and brushed a strand of hair off his forehead.

  “I’m your male.” He moved a little closer to her, drawn like the sea to the moon.

  “Yes, you are.” She grinned and then her eyes clouded with worry. “I need to find Gaar.”

  “No. Stay here.” He grabbed her arm. Out there on the street was worse than searching inside. The soldiers would arrive soon.

  “I told you he was shot. I have to find him.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. If he didn’t think of something quick, she’d go. There was no way he’d stop her.

  “We’ve got the rest of them.” Jackson and his team burst into the room, shoving eight Guards, the Supreme Almighty and the council members into the hallway.

  This would buy him some time.

  Jackson strode toward him as his team moved the group over with the others, the Almightys clustering together away from the Servants and Guards. He shook his head. Always separate.

  “They were hiding in a back closet.” Jackson grinned. “All of them scrunched together in this tiny room.”

  His gaze roamed over Jason and then each council member. He knew them all by name. He’d had dinner with all of them, had been to their homes and they’d ordered his conviction and execution. Fortune had changed. Most squirmed under his perusal, but Conguise stood tall and defiant.

  “The Guards were in the room with them?” That’d be unlikely unless the Almightys had thought his soldiers would shoot through the door.

  “No. They were in the weapons room.” Jackson’s face sobered. “You should see all the weapons. It’s a good thing we weren’t a day later.”

  Yes, the end would’ve been completely different if they’d arrived after the weapons had been distributed. As it were, they’d lost too many. “We need to lock up all the prisoners until we can hear their stories. I’d like you to sit in on that with me.”

  “I’d be honored.” Jackson tipped his head.

  He turned to invite Trinity too, but she’d wandered across the room toward the door. “Shit.” His time was up. He had to stop her from leaving to find Gaar.

  The AC Guards and Producers near the door parted, leaving a wide opening. Mirra moved into the hallway, Gaar leaning on her with Curtis on his other side.

  “Gaar!” Trinity raced across the room.

  “Thank you, Araldo.” He made his way toward Gaar and the others, Jackson and Tim following him, one on each side.

  CHAPTER 61: CONGUISE

  “NOW,” WHISPERED CONGUISE as he pulled a revolver from the table behind him. He slipped it into Jason’s hands. “You’re a better shot than I am.”

  Jason took the gun, moving toward the front of their group. The Guards assigned to watch them were busy laughing and telling tales of their bravery as more of Hugh’s army entered the Hall of Truths.

  Jason pointed the gun at Trinity and then
his hand veered toward Hugh whose long stride had carried him away from the Guard and House Servant who surrounded him like a book jacket.

  “What are you doing?” Conguise glanced around. Jason needed to shoot now. Someone would see them soon.

  “I can get Hugh,” whispered Jason.

  “No. Shoot the Producer. I mean the Servant. Just shoot the female.”

  Jason steadied his arm, gun pointed directly at Hugh.

  “Listen to me for once. Shoot the Producer.” Conguise’s hands trembled at his sides.

  Jason kept the gun pointed on Hugh. He couldn’t let this happen. He wouldn’t lose his chance at vengeance again. He grabbed Jason’s arm and a gunshot rang out.

  CHAPTER 62: TRINITY

  TRINITY HELPED GAAR to a chair and began fussing with his bandages.

  “I told you to stay,” grumbled Gaar. “Why I’m surprised you didn’t listen to me, I don’t know. You never listen, you stubborn, little fool.”

  “He’s still bleeding.” She ignored him, speaking to Curtis.

  “I think the bullet is still in his leg,” said the Guard. “I wrapped it the best I could but we’re going to have to remove the bullet.”

  “Leave it,” said Gaar. “It’s fine.”

  “No touch, Gaar-Mine.” Mirra growled at them, baring her teeth. “Gaar-Mine say he fine. Gaar-Mine fine.”

  “I’m leaving this to you.” Curtis backed away. “It hasn’t been easy bandaging Gaar and keeping my hands attached to my arms.”

  “Mirra, have you seen Sikka? Hugh said she was shot when they were by the statues at the front of the building.” Trinity pointed out the door.

  “Gaar-Mine okay? Mirra leave?” Mirra’s eyes darted between Gaar and the door.

  “Yeah, find Sikka.” Gaar sent Trinity a warning look. “But Little One had better listen to me.”

  “Of course, I’ll listen but”—she grinned—“like always, I’ll do what’s best.” She patted Gaar on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you something to dull the pain.” She headed toward a cabinet where she’d seen some bottles of alcohol while searching the room for weapons. She smiled at Hugh as he approached. He was so handsome and good and he was all hers. A small flash like sunlight on glass drew her gaze past him. Two Almightys struggled in the group of prisoners, a gun in their hands. “Hugh!” She leapt as a shot rang out, echoing through the building.

  “Little One, no!” screamed Gaar.

  She hit Hugh, knocking him to the ground as something slammed into her side. Someone screamed. Her body throbbed as she stared down at a confused Hugh. Her vision blurred. She touched her side and flinched. Her hand was warm and sticky, the metallic odor of blood overwhelming the scent of gunpowder.

  “Trinity?” Hugh crawled out from under her.

  She tried to smile but her lips wouldn’t work.

  “She’s been shot!” Hugh’s face turned ashen as he pulled at her shirt.

  She reached up to touch him, her hand and fingers clumsy and full of blood. She didn’t feel anything anymore, only cold and numb. “Hugh.” Her voice was barely a breath.

  “Hush honey, don’t talk.” He kissed her quickly while pushing against her stomach.

  She grimaced. That she felt.

  Gaar dropped to his knees next to her, dragging his hand across her hair in a caress. “You Little Fool,” he growled. “You’re supposed to jump away from the bullet not toward it.”

  She blinked at her friend, his face worried and pallid. “They...tried...shoot...Hugh.”

  Curtis pushed Hugh’s hands aside and pushed up her shirt. She should protest but she was too tired.

  “Stay with me, Trinity,” said Curtis. “You cannot go to sleep.”

  The Guard pressed against her side, but there was no pain, only blackness.

  CHAPTER 63: HUGH

  HUGH STARED DOWN at Trinity, squeezing her hand. She was so pale that if it weren’t for the beating of her pulse at the base of her throat he’d swear she was dead. That small movement was the only thing keeping him together.

  “She needs a doctor,” said Curtis. “I can’t fix this. I only know the little that Tammie showed me when I was recovering from my burns.”

  “Jackson...” His eyes darted around the room for the Guard.

  “I’ll get Kalper,” said Jackson from right behind him before disappearing in the crowd.

  “Kalper? We don’t have time to... Is there anyone here that knows what to do?” he yelled but everyone just stared at them. She was losing blood fast. She was going to die and there was nothing he could do.

  “Kalper’s here.” Jackson’s large hand landed on his shoulder.

  “Here? How?” The words just tumbled out. He didn’t care. It was a miracle and he’d take it.

  “I came when I heard about the fight. Figured I’d be of some use. Brought some of my friends too.” The doctor knelt alongside Hugh and examined Trinity.

  “Thank you.” The words were barely a whisper, panic still clawing at his throat, but now, she had a chance.

  “I’ll need to operate.” Kalper covered her wound.

  “Can she travel?” The floor was covered in her blood. She was losing strength with each moment. Kalper’s house wasn’t close.

  “No. We’ll have to do it here. I need a room and someone to assist.”

  “I’ll assist.” Curtis started to pick her up.

  “I got her.” He carefully lifted her. “You will not die on me,” he growled in her ear as he carried her toward a back room. “Do you hear me? If you die, who’s going to argue with me? Torment me? Disobey me?” She didn’t move, but her pulse still beat. He entered one of the empty holding cells and placed her on the bed.

  “Wait outside.” Kalper pushed him aside. “You’ll only be in the way.” His face was stern but there was a kindness in his eyes.

  “Don’t let her die. Promise me, she won’t die.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her pulse, afraid that if he wasn’t watching, it’d stop and she’d slowly slip away from him.

  Curtis maneuvered him out of the room, shutting the door in his face. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder and he spun around. Gaar’s face was ashen and he looked like he was going to pass out.

  “Give me a minute.” He hurried into one of the other rooms and pulled two chairs into the hallway. He grabbed Gaar’s arm and helped him to a seat. How he’d walked this far with a bullet in his leg Hugh would never know.

  “She’ll be okay,” said Gaar. “She’s strong and young.”

  He sat, staring at the door. It should be him in there not her. Jason had been aiming at him. He stood and headed down the hallway.

  “Where are you going?” asked Gaar.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  The Hall of Truths was in an ordered chaos. Creatures from every class filled the room, some on guard and others helping their wounded who were being carted inside. The prisoners had been separated into smaller groups with more of the AC soldiers watching them. Jason and Conguise were together away from the others. Tim stood in front of them, hand shaking as he pointed a gun at them. Jackson was next to Tim, trying to talk the Servant into giving him the weapon. He strode over to them.

  “Thank Araldo,” whimpered Jason. “Hugh, tell this creature that I didn’t mean to shoot her.”

  “Tim, Hugh’s here. Give him the gun,” said Jackson.

  “No,” said Tim. “I’m going to kill him. He shot my daughter.” His voice broke.

  “No, Tim. You’re not.” That honor was his.

  “Thank you...Hugh?” Jason’s look of arrogant relief was quickly replaced by confusion and fear as Hugh slid the handgun from the holster on his side.

  “What are you doing? We can talk.” Jason glanced at Conguise. “I know things you need to hear.”

  The only thing he needed to hear was Jason’s skull exploding. He raised his arm and put a bullet between Jason’s eyes.

  There was one scream from a councilwoman and then silence fell over the hal
l. Jackson’s jaw dropped and Tim looked at him, a huge smile spreading across his face. There was no reason to smile yet. He wasn’t done. He aimed at Conguise who stared at him defiantly. There’d be no begging from the professor.

  “Sir, stop! Please.” A Guard hurried to his side. “That one was trying to get the gun away from the other one. I saw the whole thing from across the hall. I tried to get here, but it was too far and it happened too fast.”

  “That doesn’t sound like the professor I know.” He kept his aim on Conguise.

  Conguise continued to stare at him, hatred and contempt on his patrician features.

  “I don’t know anything about that, sir, but I do know what I saw and this Almighty fought with the other one,” said the Guard. “If he hadn’t, there would’ve been more injured. That one”—he nodded at Jason’s body—“would’ve had time to fire more than once, a lot more.”

  “Did anyone else see this?” His voice rang out.

  “I did, sir.” Another Guard moved through the crowd. “It’s like he said. That one”—he pointed at Jason—“was aiming for you when this one”—he nodded at Conguise—“grabbed his arm. They struggled something fierce but the fat one managed to pull the trigger.”

  There was something off about this story. He had no doubt Jason would try to kill him but Conguise trying to save him was more than questionable. Still, two of his Guards had seen the same thing and he didn’t have time to untangle the truth. He needed to get back to Trinity. “Lock him up. Lock them all up, but search them first. Search them and the rooms.”

  “How is she?” asked Jackson.

  “Don’t know. Not good.”

  “Go. I got this,” said Jackson.

  “Thanks.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Don’t forget about Cal and his army. They’ll arrive soon.”

  “I won’t.” Jackson gave him a slight push. “I’ll find you when I need you.”

  CHAPTER 64: HUGH

  TIM TRAILED AFTER Hugh, as he headed across the Hall of Truths, leaving Jackson in charge of the war. He needed to be near Trinity in case...His mind froze, refusing to go there. She wouldn’t die. She wouldn’t.