Vigo's Lament: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 3)

by Chris Yee

  Ella stood up and marched towards him. “Yeah you should have told us! That’s what friends do. They tell each other when their families are in danger.” Fiery rage engulfed her face. She walked up to him and swung her fist right into his cheek.

  Vince fell over. Blood flew from his nose and mouth. Rupert jumped to his feet and held Ella back. Vince held up his hand. “It’s okay, Rupert. Let her.” Rupert released her, and she stumbled forward. She glared into his eyes with intense anger. Her breaths were short, and tears ran down her cheeks. Without a word, she turned around and walked away. She knocked on the door to Alan’s cabin and let herself in.

  Vince turned to Rupert. His face was firm. Fred was hunched over on his shoulder, looking at the scattered bodies and quietly chirping to herself. Rupert walked up and patted his shoulder, averting his eyes, before turning around to join the others.

  Charlotte approached from behind, holding Izzy in her arms. “They’ll come around. You were put in a difficult situation, and you chose to go for Greene. I don’t blame you. I had no idea he was capable of such awful things. He was just as bad as Simon.”

  “No,” Vince said. “He was worse than Simon. Simon doesn’t hide who he is. Everyone knows he’s crazy, but they follow him anyway. Greene hid behind a mask. He lied to people to gain their trust, and when it was convenient for him, he cut them loose. Like us. He was just like Simon, but he kept it secret.”

  “That’s not the only thing he kept secret,” she said, looking down at Izzy. “How long did your father keep you up there, honey?”

  The girl shied away.

  Charlotte bobbed her up and down. “It’s okay. You can tell us.”

  “I don’t know,” she said softly. “For as long as I can remember.”

  Charlotte brushed the hair out of Izzy’s eyes. “You’ve been up in the Spire for your whole life?”

  She nodded. “Dad said it wasn’t safe to leave. He said people wouldn’t understand.”

  “Understand what?”

  She shrugged.

  Vince tilted his head to catch the girl’s eyes. “Who is your mother?”

  She shrugged again. “Dad never told me.”

  “Why would he hide his child from the world? What wouldn’t people understand?”

  “Maybe he thought it would hurt his image,” Charlotte suggested. “It would make him look soft. He had no time for love. No time for a wife or daughter. Whoever her mother is, he cut her loose as well.”

  “And she never said anything?”

  “Greene must have paid her off.”

  “But he kept Izzy?”

  She looked at the girl’s big puffy eyes. “No one could give up this cute little face. Not even Greene.” She poked Izzy’s nose with the tip of her finger. “She’s as sweet as a gumdrop.”

  “Okay,” Vince said. “So, what was he waiting for? Surely he wasn’t planning on keeping her a secret forever.”

  “Your guess is as good as mine. But that doesn’t matter. The past is the past. What does matter is what we do next. We can either stay here.” She surveyed the area, cringing at the sight of death wherever she looked. “Or we can go back to the City. You already know my vote.”

  “We’ll see what the others think, but we should let them calm down first. Before we go anywhere, we should have a proper burial for their friends and family. I met all of these people. They were good human beings. They deserve a little dignity in the afterlife. It will be good for the others as well.”

  Charlotte nodded and studied Vince’s face. “How are you doing? You haven’t said much since we left. Are you okay?”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure? Because if you want to talk about Saul, I’m here to listen.”

  He turned away. “Don’t worry about me. There are more important things to do right now.” He walked towards the bodies and stood over them. “We’ll take the night to rest, and tomorrow, we’ll bury them. We’ll hold a formal ceremony to show respect for those who have died. There will be no talk about future plans until after the burial.”

  Charlotte nodded. “Of course.”

  Vince waved her on. “Go check in on them and make sure they’re okay. I’ll start digging.”

  She looked at the line of bodies. “There are so many of them. It will take you all night.”

  “I want to do it. I owe them,” he said, head down. “They’re right. I should have told them. If I did, these people might still be alive. This won’t make up for it, but it’s a start.”

  “I’ll put in a good word for you,” she said, walking past him. She covered Izzy’s eyes as they passed by the bodies.

  Vince took a deep breath and surveyed the land. A night of digging would be exhausting, but it was something he felt he must do. It was something he wanted to do. He walked to the supply shed to fetch a shovel. After everything he put up with over the last two hundred years, one cold night of digging did not sound so bad.

  FIVE

  TRISH BUZZED UNIT Three of Building Twenty-Six and turned around to watch the street while she waited. Ever since the Spire fell, the streets were more crowded than ever. Former Spire workers roamed about with no place to go. They were forced to sleep on the outside. Trish was one of the lucky ones. She did not have any family, but was fortunate enough to know Warren and his wife, Dana. They welcomed her into their home with open arms.

  Not many home dwellers were willing to help the homeless, now that Greene was dead and Simon was in charge. Anyone from the Spire or associated with Greene in any way now had to watch their back. Trish was convinced that Simon was on a mission to eliminate every last one of them. Now that he was in control of the Spire and the surveillance systems, that mission was hauntingly reachable. She spun around to buzz again, but the door swung open before she could.

  It was Dana. “Trish, please come in.” She leaned in to offer a hug and then led her up the long flight of stairs. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Warren has his hands full with dinner at the moment.”

  “No worries. I think waiting outside for a few minutes is the least of anyone’s problems nowadays.”

  “How bad is it out there?”

  “Pretty bad. And it’s getting worse.”

  Dana shook her head. “There’s nowhere for anyone to go. Everyone’s too afraid of Simon.”

  They passed unit two and twisted around with the staircase. “I’m afraid of Simon. Aren’t you?”

  Dana shrugged. “I suppose.”

  “I hear the news stories from the Eastern District. He’s been attacking neighborhoods. Wiping out anyone who’s ever worked for Greene.”

  “They say he’s looking for a girl. I don’t know who this girl is, but she’s the reason for all of this madness.”

  Trish lowered her head. “Yes, I’ve heard that too. He’s never going to find her, though.”

  They reached unit three and Dana opened the door to a room filled with a fresh garlic scent. “She’s out there somewhere. They’re bound to find her eventually.”

  “No,” Trish whispered to herself. “They won’t.”

  “What are you two going on about?” Warren said from around the corner.

  Dana entered the kitchen and pecked a kiss on his cheek. “We’re talking about that girl Simon’s looking for.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t understand why that girl is so goddamn important.” He looked to Trish. “You got the vegetables?”

  She handed over a bag. “Chopped up and ready to go.”

  “Perfect timing.” He poured the chopped vegetables in and stirred. The pan sizzled with an alluring scent. “I’ve seen the posters blowing around the streets. There are so many of them. Is the girl really worth all of this trouble?”

  “She must be,” Dana said. “Otherwise, he would let it go.”

  “We don’t even know who she is,” he said. “She’s a mystery girl. What, is she like Simon’s daughter or something?”

  Trish hesitated and decided not to respond.

&nb
sp; “Whoever she is, I hope they find her soon. Too many people are dying because of her.”

  “Amen,” Warren said, pouring the veggies onto a plate, next to a pile of chicken and rice. “Let’s eat.”

  They carried the food to the dining room and sat around the table. Trish scooted her chair up, admiring the food. “I’m starving. Everything looks wonderful. You’ve really outdone yourself, Warren.”

  “That’s my man,” Dana said. “He may be getting old, but his cooking only gets better.”

  “Who’s getting old?” Warren said jokingly.

  “Oh come on, honey. You’re not fooling anyone. Those hairs are turning gray whether you like it or not.”

  They laughed before digging into the food, piling large servings onto individual plates. They were so hungry that they took a break from conversation to enjoy the food.

  A few bites in, Trish sipped some water and turned to Warren. “So what were you going on about this morning? You said something about a ceremony.”

  “Ah yes. The ceremony. In light of everything that’s happened recently, I think it’s a good idea to have a gathering. A way to honor those that we’ve lost the day the Spire fell. A way to honor Victor Greene.”

  “It’s a good idea,” Dana said, taking Warren’s hand in hers. “These last few days have been rough. Many have lost people close to them. They need a way to mourn. This will be a good way for people to support each other.”

  “Right,” Warren said. “And it will give us a chance to acknowledge Victor Greene as the great man he was. He helped so many people. He made the City a better place. You of all people should know. You worked closely with him every day. That’s why I want you to speak at the ceremony.”

  “Speak?”

  “Yes. Nothing too complicated. Say something inspiring. They need to hear from someone who truly knew the man. They need words of hope.”

  Trish considered his request. The ceremony was a good idea, but she was not much of a public speaker. “How many people will there be?”

  “It’s hard to say, but there’s been a lot of initial interest.”

  Trish peered out the window, watching the people wander the streets. “Hmm.”

  “It will be easy. Your words don’t need to be life changing. Just say something upbeat. Some of these people are at their worst, and you worked so closely with Mr. Greene. Anything coming from your mouth will cheer them up.”

  After some thought, Trish nodded. “Okay. I think I can do that.”

  “Great,” Warren said, jumping out of his seat with excitement. “The people really need this ceremony. The City is at its lowest. The Spire falling was the worst thing that could have happened. Simon’s too crazy to be in charge.”

  “I blame Vincent Vigo and Saul Shepherd,” Trish said. “Heroes of the Spire? They’re not heroes. They’re traitors. Greene gave them everything. He trusted them, and they stabbed him in the back. It puzzles me why they would ever choose to work with Simon.”

  “Because that’s what traitors do,” Dana said. “It’s impossible to pick their minds. Some people just do bad things.”

  “That’s right,” Warren said. “And we can’t change what they did to Greene, or what Simon did to the Spire, but we can change the future of the City.”

  Trish squinted. “Oh, so that’s really why you’re holding this ceremony.”

  “Correct. Don’t get me wrong, we will honor Mr. Greene. We will give him the respect he deserves. But this is the perfect opportunity to fire up the people. You’ll get up there and say whatever you have to say. They’ll be so inspired that they’ll want to rip Simon from his throne. Once you’re done speaking, I’ll take a list of recruits. Volunteers to join me in storming the Spire. With enough people, I know we can take it back.”

  “How? Do you have a plan?”

  “We’ll come up with something. The walls are already down, so it should be as easy as walking through the front doors.”

  “It can’t possibly be that easy. He’ll have guards everywhere.”

  “True, but not as many as you would think. You’ve seen the news. He’s got his forces sweeping the Eastern District and they only seem to be expanding. I’m willing to bet his guards in the Spire are limited.”

  Trish scooped up the last bits of veggies from her plate and popped them in her mouth. “That’s one hell of a chance to take. What if you’re wrong?”

  “Then I’m wrong, but at least we put up a fight. Sitting around won’t get us anywhere. If we wait too long, his troops will bleed over from the Eastern district and make their way over here. Once that happens, we don’t stand a chance.”

  “It sounds risky,” Dana said, “but it’s the only shot we have. We can’t continue to live in fear. You said it yourself. Simon is on a mission to wipe out anyone connected to the Spire. If we don’t do something soon, we’re as good as dead.”

  Trish peered out the window once more. She watched the people sitting on the streets without a home. Warren was right. If they did not do something, they would all die.

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll do my best. When I’m done with my speech, they’ll be lining up to fight.”

  Warren smiled. “Good. Now who wants dessert?”

  SIX

  RUPERT WOKE UP to blinding sunlight peeking through the cabin window. He had fallen asleep on the floor beside the bed. Ella and Alan lay next to him. Charlotte and Izzy shared the bed, snuggling close together. Fred was perched at the head of the bed frame. The smell of the wood panels filled his nostrils. The scent was comforting after their long absence. Outside he heard the sound of metal, wedging into loose dirt. He pressed his hands to his face and rubbed his eyes. Despite the hardwood floor, he had gotten a surprisingly refreshing night of sleep. It was nice to sleep in a place away from the Spire.

  He got to his feet, making sure not to wake the others, and tiptoed to the window. He glanced outside to see Vince digging a shovel into the ground. Dozens of holes were lined up along the side of the road. The bodies were no longer scattered about, but instead, were each carefully placed beside a hole. Rupert smiled. He stepped outside and quietly shut the door behind him. The brisk air hit his skin. It would take some time to adjust from the warm climate of the City. He pulled his coat around himself and stepped into the road.

  “This is good,” he called out. “They will like this.”

  Vince looked up and continued digging. “We should respect the dead.”

  Rupert walked up to one of the holes and glanced inside. “Indeed. These are deep. You must have been at this all night. Take a rest. I’ll dig for a bit.”

  Vince sunk the shovel down. “I’m not tired. But if you really want to help, grab an extra shovel.” He pointed to a pile to his right.

  Rupert walked over and picked up a shovel. “Is right here good?”

  “Move a little further down. They can’t be too close. The walls will cave in.”

  Rupert took a few steps over and pushed his shovel into the ground. “How are you holding up?”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

  “Saul was your oldest friend. It’s okay to be shaken up. We all are.”

  Vince threw a shovelful of dirt over his shoulder. “I’m not. He was going to die anyway, even if Simon hadn’t shot him. The bullet in his lung would have killed him.”

  “That doesn’t mean you can’t be upset about it. You knew him your whole life.”

  “And for most of that time, I thought he was a psychotic killer.”

  “But you were wrong. He wasn’t. He was a good guy. A decent human being. And he was your friend. You say to respect the dead, but what about Saul?”

  Vince stopped digging. “You think I don’t respect Saul? Of course I respect him, but that doesn’t mean I’m torn up about it. I’ve watched so many people die in my lifetime. He just adds to the count.”

  Rupert pointed to the cabin. “Those guys in there, they’re a wreck.” His voice wavered. “I’m a wreck. We’ve lost fr
iends. Family. We are not okay. That’s why Ella hit you. She knows you had a difficult choice. She doesn’t blame you for this. She just has emotions running through her veins. She needed to let them out, so she hit you. That’s normal. This,” he gestured to Vince, “whatever you’re doing, is not normal.”

  Vince continued digging. “I haven’t been normal in two hundred years.”

  Rupert sighed. “What I’m saying is, it’s okay to feel bad. To be depressed. Sad. Lonely. We all go through it, but we don’t stuff it down and hide it. We embrace it. And once it passes, because it always does, the good times are that much better. If you let it fester, only more grief can come of it.”

  Vince stopped digging again to glare at Rupert. “Trust me. I’m fine.”

  Rupert shook his head. “Okay then.”

  The cabin door squeaked open, and Alan stepped out. Ella, Charlotte, and Izzy followed. Fred wobbled along Alan’s feet as he stepped through the snow. They wandered over with curious looks. Alan peered at the holes and then at the people lying next to them.

  They were all familiar faces. A neighbor. A friend. A loved one. Martha. Horace. Mary. Tamara. Carl. Melinda. Melinda’s face was as beautiful as it had always been. Her hands were placed across her chest, covering her wounds. He knelt down and kissed her forehead one last time.

  Ella stood next to Vince, staring straight ahead. “What you did was wrong. I want you to know that. When I hit you, I meant it. I wanted to break your nose. I wanted to hurt you because you hurt us. I still want to hurt you.” She looked to the hole by her mother’s side. “But thank you.” She left his side and walked over to join Alan.

  A somber grin crept onto Vince’s face. He picked up his shovel and continued to dig.

  SEVEN

  THEY STOOD AROUND Snow Peak’s new cemetery, looming over the tombs that were now occupied. Izzy counted the holes and pointed to the one on the end. “There’s an extra hole. That one’s empty.”

  Vince shrugged. “I miscounted.”