Rapture r-1

by Phillip W. Simpson

  Sam shook his head.

  “Might have to use high-calibre hunting rifles on them,” said Adam thoughtfully. “The automatics were struggling to get through their armour.”

  Sam couldn’t agree more. Adam had a matter-of-fact attitude that impressed Sam. When he’d revealed his demonic heritage, Adam had been surprised at first but this was quickly replaced with interest. He’d wanted to know the whole story, so Sam told him what Hikari had told him so long ago, omitting nothing.

  After Sam had finished, Adam had whistled slowly through his teeth. “Well, all I know is that you kill demons and you kill them well. That’s good enough for me,” was all he’d said about the matter. That was it. Case closed. Sam had sighed inwardly with relief.

  Of course, Adam had said that he would have to consult with his senior lieutenants, but as far as he was concerned, Sam was welcome to stay for as long as he wanted. This type of attitude was new to Sam. It was surprising, of course, but also one of the nicest things anyone had ever said to him. If it weren’t for his mission, he would be happy to stay with Adam and the other survivors. He could see why all these people gave their loyalty and respect to this likeable, dependable man.

  “Ok,” said Adam. “I’ve seen enough for now. You two go and get some food and get your heads down for a bit.”

  “Don’t you want us to help fixing the palisade?” asked Sam.

  “No, but thanks anyway. I try to rotate my fighting and work crews. If you fight one night, you don’t have to work the next day and vice versa. Most of the folk you see working weren’t involved in the action last night. Besides, I can only fit so many on the fighting platform. If I put too many up there, they just get in each other’s way. I want you two fresh for tonight.”

  “And the meeting?” asked Joshua.

  Adam clicked his fingers. “That’s right. Almost forgot. Come to my office about an hour before sundown. We’ll see if I can swing the others around to my way of thinking.” He winked at Sam. “Don’t you worry, my boy. I can be pretty convincing when I want to be.”

  Sam certainly hoped so. Gabriel had obviously sent him here to help the survivors as well as getting aid in return. Without these people, he knew he would struggle to get to Los Angeles. And there was still a long, long way to go.

  Sam felt a little uneasy as he followed Joshua towards Adam’s ‘office.’ Convincing Adam of his good intentions, despite his demonic heritage, had been a surprisingly easy thing. Sam had a feeling that Adam’s lieutenants would not be so understanding.

  Josh’s watch had died a few weeks back so he had no idea what the time was. Fortunately, Sam had an unfailing sense of time due to the necessity of knowing when it would get dark, so he roused the other boy from his sleep long before the appointed time.

  Sam himself had not slept. He had meditated for a couple of hours, which was sufficient, but a few hours of real sleep would not have been unwelcome. For the last few years now, Sam had starting sleeping inside a pentacle to block the bad dreams that had become more and more frequent. The pentacle did, unfortunately, have a few serious setbacks associated with it, so he was not about to use it now. His dream avoidance technique was, as a consequence, very simple; since the Rapture, he had basically not slept.

  Earlier, the two boys had also eaten. Within the cave complex, there was a large cavern which served as a communal mess hall and living area. Once again, Sam had been impressed by the level of organisation that was apparent. The mess hall was lit by a series of hanging hurricane lamps. Long trestle tables had been set up where a good thirty or forty survivors were eating. The serving counter consisted of more trestle tables lined with gas burners. Pots bubbled on top of each, containing a variety of simple yet filling fare.

  He and Joshua had lined up with some others and when their turn came, they were served by an attractive teenage girl whom Joshua introduced as Georgia.

  “You boys fight last night?” she had asked.

  Joshua had polished up a grin while all Sam could manage was a crooked half-smile. “Sure did,” Joshua had replied.

  “Who’s your friend?” She looked directly at Sam with an intensity that had made him uncomfortable.

  “Where’s my manners?” said Josh, smiling broadly. “Georgia, this is Sam.”

  “I’d offer to shake your hand,” said Georgia, “but it’s covered in mushrooms. Want some?”

  Both Sam and Joshua held out their plates eagerly. Georgia ladled the dark mixture onto their plates and then looked around carefully. “I shouldn’t do this, but you did fight last night.” She gave each boy another ladle full and winked at Sam. “Don’t tell anyone, handsome.”

  Sam had felt himself blushing.

  “After our work detail tomorrow, me and some of my friends are going on a bit of a scavenge out in the woods. You two fancy coming with us?”

  Joshua nudged Sam in the ribs. “Of course we do. Look forward to it.” Sam had absolutely no idea what to say so just nodded blankly.

  She’d grinned brightly at them then, saving her brightest smile for Sam.

  Now, heading towards a meeting with Adam and his lieutenants, Sam couldn’t help but remember the look Georgia had on her face. It was the look that Sam had seen some girls give the handsome members of Jacob’s Ladder football team. He liked it. It made his stomach feel a little queasy; a feeling not dissimilar to the one he got just before he fought. Almost immediately, the feeling was replaced by guilt when an image of Aimi suddenly came into his head. She was the only one who had ever looked at him like that before. He peered around nervously; Aimi could be watching him right now from the heavens, and Sam suspected she wouldn’t be terribly pleased to see him flirting with other girls.

  They reached Adam’s alcove. The curtain was drawn so Joshua coughed loudly.

  “Come in,” said the unmistakeable voice of Adam.

  Joshua pulled the curtain back and led Sam into the tiny space. Besides Adam, three other figures were standing in the alcove. One Sam recognized: Tesara. Sam had never seen the other two before.

  It was crowded in the cramped space but Adam had managed to find six wooden packing crates which he had set in a small semi-circle before his work table.

  “Joshua, Sam, welcome. Take a seat, everyone,” said Adam. He took the centre crate, while the others seated themselves around him. Sam found himself sitting at the end next to Joshua.

  Sighing wearily, Adam ran one of his large hands through his greying hair. “Right, we’ll keep this short. We’ve still got a few things to finalise before tonight’s attack. For your sake, Sam, introductions first. You know Tesara of course. She’s my foreman and deals with all the defence works.” When Sam nodded, he continued. “This,” he said as he indicated the small older man to his left, “is Doctor Tim Eade. He’s in charge of all medical related matters.” Doctor Eade spared Sam a tight smile. “And this is Evan.” He gestured towards a tall, spare figure sitting next to Joshua. “He deals with the administrative side of running a camp this large. He’s also the quartermaster.” Evan took off his steel rimmed glasses and nodded at Sam.

  “I’ve already briefed them about you, Sam. Show them.”

  Sam did as he was asked, taking off his hood. He suddenly felt naked under the gaze of so many strangers. He saw a myriad of expressions amongst Adam’s lieutenants. Tesara looked thoughtful while Doctor Eade just looked surprised. There was no emotion of any kind evident on Evan’s face.

  Adam nodded. “We’ve all got a few questions to ask you first, Sam. Tesara, if you don’t mind.”

  Tesara tore her eyes from the horns jutting out of Sam’s unruly hair. “First off, Sam, tell us about the Rapture and the Tribulation.”

  Sam wasn’t expecting this but did what he was asked, regurgitating every lesson Hikari and Father Rainey had drummed into him about these events. When he finished, there was silence in the small alcove.

  “So let me get this straight,” said Adam eventually, leaning forward on his crate. “Jesus came back and
took all his righteous believers with him, right? Now the rest of us are stuck here for the next seven years while demons emerge every night to drag our sorry arses to Hell? Is that the gist of it?”

  Not trusting himself to speak, Sam nodded.

  “And the rest of us,” said Doctor Eade, “were not taken, presumably because we have no faith, no belief?

  Is that correct?”

  Sam nodded again.

  “We guessed as much,” said Adam. “There’s no TV or internet obviously, but we have got ourselves a short wave radio. We’ve been keeping in touch with other groups of survivors throughout the States and we eventually put all the pieces together. Most of us noticed that the only ones who disappeared were the god-faring types. What are your thoughts, Evan?”

  “It’s going to be challenging,” he said. “We have enough supplies in to last for a few months but we’re going to have to supplement our rations with other sources of fresh food.”

  Evan was inexplicably well-groomed. Even his clothes looked clean, in serious contrast to the others at the meeting. Sam pegged him as a fussy, uptight type. Probably an accountant by trade. Sam didn’t exactly warm to him.

  “That might be a little difficult,” said Sam. “On my way here, I didn’t see too many animals. The plants are dying; without plants, no animals.”

  Even looked at Sam without blinking. It was a little unnerving. “I have been experimenting with some varieties of fish that thrive in the dark. There are some pools in the deeper parts of these caves that will make excellent breeding ponds.”

  Adam smiled. “Good. Make sure you get onto that. What about water?”

  “There are deep springs here. They show no signs of being polluted with ash. Water won’t be a problem,” replied Evan.

  “That’s excellent news. At least we won’t die of thirst,” said Adam.

  “We are running short of medical supplies,” said Doctor Eade. The doctor made a much more favourable impression on Sam than Evan. The small man was quiet and composed, and looked highly competent; someone he would trust his life with. “With the growing rate of casualties, I’m going to need more space. And I could do with some more trained medical personnel.”

  Adam sighed. “You don’t ask for much, do you, Doc?” He held up a hand to silence any argument. “Yes, yes. I’ll see what I can do. I’ll tell the next search party to make sure they keep an eye out for your medical supplies. As for the other things; with the rate of demons coming at us, don’t expect the casualty rate to go down any time soon. You’ll just have to cope and pray that the good Lord drops a few more nurses or doctors in our laps. And I do mean pray.”

  “You don’t mean …” stuttered Tesara.

  “I mean exactly what I just said,” replied Adam, in a tone that would brook no argument. “I didn’t have much faith before, but I certainly do now. The Rapture changed everything for me. If that wasn’t proof enough for you that God and the Devil exist, check out the fighting tonight. If those aren’t demons we’re fighting, then I’m a twelve year old girl in a pink dress. I’m gonna start praying and I suggest the rest of you do likewise. It might be the only way we’re going to survive this mess.”

  “And what about him?” asked Tesara, nodding her head in Sam’s direction. “Surely it isn’t just a coincidence that on the night he shows up, so do a great flock of demons. And those big ugly horned brutes too.”

  “Sam?” asked Adam gravely.

  This was the key moment. The moment that Sam had been waiting for. It was when he knew they would turn on him. This always happened — it was only a matter of time. He lowered his head, unwilling to meet the accusing eyes of the others in the room.

  “I … I guess that might be true. I was sent to help you here, though.”

  “By who?” asked Tesara.

  “An Archangel by the name of Gabriel. You might have heard of her.”

  The others, with the exception of Joshua, looked stunned.

  Suddenly, Adam laughed in a deep boom that bounced off the walls. “Well, if that doesn’t beat all.” He chuckled low in his throat. “A couple of months ago, I would’ve kicked your arse out of here for lying through your teeth, but now, after all that I’ve seen, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jesus Christ himself sat down with me for a cup of Joe.”

  “What did this archangel want?” asked Doctor Eade.

  “She said you would need my help.”

  Adam raised his eyebrows. “That’s true. You certainly turned the tide last night. Without you, we would’ve been goners.”

  “It also turns out that I need yours.”

  “How so?” asked Evan.

  Sam suddenly looked a little embarrassed. “I don’t know how to get to Los Angeles. I’ve studied some maps but I haven’t got them with me.”

  “Why do you need to get to Los Angeles for?” asked Adam.

  Sam paused, unsure how this was going to sound. He shrugged inwardly. It didn’t matter; he’d told them most of it by now, what difference would this make. “I need to fight the Antichrist.”

  If Sam had thought he’d stunned them with the revelation of Gabriel, this was a whole new level of shock. Even Evan looked a little taken aback by this.

  “Fight the Antichrist? Whatever for?” asked Tesara, looking thoroughly bewildered.

  “Gabriel told me I have to confront him. For the souls of the innocents who remain behind.”

  “That changes things,” said Adam, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “So what you need are some supplies and a guide to get you to Los Angeles. Does that sound about right?”

  Feeling pleasantly surprised by how well negotiations were proceeding, Sam nodded again.

  “Ok. We might be able to manage that,” said Adam. “I’ll have to go around and ask for a volunteer. Don’t be surprised if no-one puts their hand up though. It sounds like a suicide mission to me.”

  “There won’t be any need for that,” said Joshua, surprising everyone by speaking for the first time. “I’ll go with him.”

  Sam turned towards the other boy, gratitude welling up in his chest.

  Joshua waved off the others responses. “It’s fine,” he said. “I’ve driven there a couple of times with my uncle. I know the way.”

  “Good,”said Adam, clapping his hands onto his thighs. “That’s settled. Obviously, whatever has been said in this room stays between us. I don’t think the rest of the people here need to know there’s a demon in their midst. Now about tonight; I have a plan. Listen up, Sam, Josh. You’re probably not gonna like this … “

  It was well after dark when Sam heard the first unmistakeable sounds of approaching demons. He’d been sensing them for a while but now had no doubt that they were heading their way. Beside him, he saw Joshua shiver.

  “Don’t worry,” he said, sounding far calmer than he felt. “I’m sure this will go smoothly.”

  Josh grinned back at him but he could tell the other boy was scared. They’d sat together in the darkness for the last hour, just waiting. It was a comfortable silence. Conversation wasn’t something Sam did particularly well and Josh looked too frightened to speak himself.

  Sam still felt elated that Joshua had decided to come with him. It was the first time that he’d ever felt like he had a friend. He hadn’t realized how lonely he was; just being here in Black Ridge with other humans who accepted him was fantastic. But now that he had Josh, he felt like anything was possible.

  There was no moon tonight. Sam felt relieved by that. It wasn’t often that the blood moon was hidden by the swirling clouds. It would have almost been pleasant outside, listening to the wind rustling in amongst the half-dead trees, if it wasn’t for the impending threat of a demon attack.

  Glimpsed through the swaying limbs of the surrounding trees, Sam could just make out the killing ground, now brightly lit by arc light. Above the area, he caught fleeting shapes dancing in the warm upswells of air. One of them swept lower, revealing the massive form of an Astaroth swooping low over the trees. “No
t long now,” he said.

  No sooner had the words left his lips than he saw the first wave of Lemure surge through the outer tree line, heading directly towards the palisade. His heart sank as he saw a group of horned demons, towering amongst their lesser brethren. The survivors of Black Ridge had their work cut out for them this night.

  He and Joshua had positioned themselves carefully so that they had a clear line of sight to where Adam waited on the fighting platform. As the defenders opened up with their heavy machine guns, Adam turned in his direction and waved. The signal.

  “Hit it,” said Sam.

  Joshua turned the key on the jeep. A juddering, coughing sound emerged from the engine and then nothing.

  “Try it again.”

  Joshua turned it again. This time, with a splutter and then a great roar as the engine burst into life. Josh gunned it and they took off. They got about ten feet before they jerked to an abrupt halt. In the dim light, Sam could make out the trunk of a tree in front of them.

  “Turn on the lights,” Sam ordered.

  “Yeah, yeah,” said Joshua testily. He hit the lights, suddenly bathing the bare limbs of tree trunks in a wash of stark illumination. He reversed quickly and then accelerated down the dirt track.

  Sam felt rather than saw some of the Lemure and other demons suddenly swerve from their attack on the palisade and head in their direction. Adam’s plan was working. They were drawing at least some of the attackers off.

  Joshua drove on, far too quickly for the pock-marked dirt trail. The jeep bounced and juddered along, almost throwing Sam out. He had to release his grip on his longer sword just to hang on. To call what they were on a track or trail was an exaggeration. It was just a thin line of clear space in between the trees, still heavily overgrown. It had seen some traffic though — Sam could see tyre marks which Joshua was using to navigate.

  “Take it easy!” he shouted over the roar of the engine.

  “If you want to drive, be my guest,” yelled Josh.

  “I don’t know how,” Sam admitted.

  Josh took his eyes off the track for a second to give Sam an astounded glance. When he looked back, a massive shape had materialized in front of the jeep, blocking the path. It was a horned demon, easily recognisable in the glare of the jeep’s headlights. If they hit that, the vehicle was definitely going to come off second best.