"I'm sorry..." he whispered.
"I know," she replied. "Me too."
A moment of clarity settled over him, accompanied by a wave of intense regret. This person, this woman would have been everything to him. Her brash charm, her subtle cunning, the simple fact of her mind and soul mirroring his own... and her willingness to sacrifice herself and all future happiness in the simple act of doing the right thing...
Rick realized he loved her. Not fondness, not lust, not anything small, petty, or transitory.
Love.
Their death was imminent, and nothing seemed more important in his entire life than telling her this one simple truth.
He broke the embrace, staring into her eyes. "Kaylee... I... I lo-"
"Nigel is your name, is that correct?"
Their spell, the tiny bubble Rick and Kaylee spent unknown moments in, shattered, and the remembrance of surroundings crashed in all around.
The crowd behind them remained silent, and quick glances revealed no small amount of wide-eyed fear. However, their focus was not upon Rick and Kaylee, the subjects of their redemption. They watched something else...
Rick blinked, finally noticing the presence of Desmond and Olivia, the schoolteachers having stepped in front of him and Kaylee.
Nigel retained his smug expression but raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Nigel is indeed my name. What do you want?"
"Introductions are always a very polite thing." Desmond smiled his soft smile, creasing lines across his face. "Don't you agree?"
Some of the satisfaction on Nigel's face slipped away. "I suppose, but what-"
"I heard about the little wall of leadership, so I'm sure you already know who I am," the schoolteacher laid a hand on his chest, "but in deference to politeness, I'll introduce myself. My name is Desmond. This is my lovely wife, Olivia."
More of Nigel's expression disappeared into wariness and light confusion. "Fine, I still don't-"
Desmond interrupted, clasping hands at his waist, "And you are Nigel, a man with a very intriguing reputation. Isn't that right, dear?"
Olivia, displaying the same lack of fear as her husband, said, "Oh yes, very intriguing."
Hints of anger began to show on Nigel's face. He opened his mouth for some manner of reply, but Desmond continued speaking.
"I apologize for interrupting, and I do understand your proposal was intended solely for Rick and Kaylee here. However, they appear to be somewhat taken aback, so Olivia and I decided to act as their advocates in this discussion."
Nigel's eyes narrowed. "There's nothing to discuss; they need to make-"
"A choice, yes," Olivia spoke, her voice clear and calm, as if she were discussing philosophy or the weather instead of life and death. "However, my husband and I saw an opportunity for a counter-proposal, if you're willing to hear it."
The cult leader's expression indicated no desire to listen, but the schoolteachers carried on before Nigel could object.
"What we have is a choice between a couple of lives and many," Desmond said. "This stands to reason that these two, their lives, have in some way equal value in your mind to the many."
Olivia continued the train of discussion. "What we propose is thus: two other lives, if considered important enough, could be exchanged for those of Rick and Kaylee."
Rick's insides clenched again. He opened his mouth to object, but Desmond waved him off with a subtle gesture. No, they can't. Please, I don't want them to...
The irritation Nigel displayed fell to wariness, perhaps even curiosity. "And whose lives would you consider equal. Yours?"
Desmond and Olivia exchanged glances, giving each other a quiet, loving smile. "Yes," they spoke together, Desmond continuing alone, "our pictures were on the wall. The two of us must feature some level of importance."
"Certainly," Nigel replied, "but I don't hold the same value for your lives as theirs."
"Ah," Olivia spoke up, "but what you haven't considered is a principle of greater reward, with inconsequential risk."
Nigel raised an eyebrow.
The conversation progressed in what felt like slow motion to Rick. A train wreck, a brutal, destructive force he had no power to prevent. He felt sick and weak, incapable of useful action. Kaylee appeared to be in a daze, her eyes unfocused and expression blank.
All the while, against anything Rick or Kaylee would ever have wished, Olivia and Desmond did their best to absorb the terrible fate.
"You have already related your goal of everyone eventually falling to you, correct?" Desmond asked.
Frowning, Nigel nodded.
"It stands to reason then that Rick and Kaylee, as well as all of these other fine individuals, will die at the hands of you and your people," Olivia spoke, her voice without pleading or concern.
This drew another nod.
"Another aspect we believe we understand is the importance of fear, of abject terror in your ritual," Desmond offered. "Possibly a means of enriching the blood, which also seems quite important."
The married couple appeared to be alternating, switching back and forth with each facet of the discussion. Had Rick retained presence of mind, he might have seen their lucid argument and rotating style as a means to keep Nigel off-guard, perhaps a bit confused. If he'd held said presence of mind, Rick also may have noticed its success.
"In any case," Olivia continued, "we come back to risk versus reward." She motioned to her husband.
Desmond swept a hand. "Each individual here is not yet at the pinnacle of fear they can experience. I'd wager, considering Rick's initial aggressive reaction, that he and Kaylee are not yet there either."
Olivia set a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Allowing Rick, Kaylee, and all of these others to live provides an opportunity to allow greater enrichment of what you seek. They will grow more and more afraid, especially after the events of this night."
The silence of the crowd abated, slipping into a murmur.
"We can strongly assure you," Desmond said, gesturing to himself and his wife, "the two of us are at the absolute pinnacle of our disquiet over your influence. Thus..."
"Thus you are best served to take those ready for harvest, allowing the others to ripen further," Olivia said. "It poses small risk considering the certainty of your eventual success."
Rick recovered small portions of concrete thought during the period of silence which ensued. A deep, unwavering gratitude accompanied by crushing guilt assailed his emotions. "You shouldn't do this," he said in a murmur, barely moving his lips. "It's not right."
Desmond, not having taken his eyes away from the in-consideration Nigel, smiled. "Of course we should," he replied softly. "For reasons too numerous to count."
"Why?" Kaylee whispered, her entire body corded with tension.
"Youth versus age seems obvious," Olivia half-turned her head, cocking an eyebrow. "Pardon the romantic in me, but young love is something to protect and cherish as well."
Rick scowled, making less effort to hush his tone. "That's just stupid. We want to survive as much as anyone else, but we-" He stopped, casting a nervous glance at Kaylee. She gave him a firm nod. "We aren't worth it."
Nigel remained in thought, rubbing his chin and not speaking. A few individuals were now pressing forth with fearful questions about what was going on, who was shouting, if they were in trouble, what Olivia and Desmond were doing, and so forth. Rick, anger providing recovery to his muddled thoughts, opened his mouth, intending to re-volunteer himself for the terrible death.
"Don't be an idiot," Quinton's growling tone spoke from beside him, the old man having moved forward. Cass was next to him, her face white with terror, but she didn't seem capable of speaking.
The old man continued, "If you don't consider your youth and status as worth something, use your head. Between them and you," he motioned to both couples, "who's got the better shot at keeping these folks alive?"
Rick opened his mouth to answer something like, They do, of course; they've done it all these years, but
Quinton frowned at him, creasing lines on his face.
"You know better," was all the old man said, and it held true. Intelligent survivors who managed a community was impressive, but they never had to deal with much in the way of direct conflict.
"You two are better at this leadership crap," Rick replied, feeling lame.
"Some things, certainly. Survival in these conditions?" Desmond finally turned toward Rick. He waved a gesture at Nigel. "He'll return for the rest; I'm sure of it. Will you be ready? Will you allow him to do as he says, to take all of the others?"
A lump of emotion rose up in Rick's chest. That's where it is. I'll have to fight Nigel's horde... again. What could Desmond and Olivia hope to do against him? For that matter, what hope do I have?
Rick wasn't quite ready to let it go. "The kind of hell you're facing... I can't let you do it."
"There's no allowance or otherwise; no best choice." Olivia touched his arm. "Our usefulness to the cause has run its course. It's up to you to save them, to lead them out of this place. What we may suffer is tiny compared to the hope you bring of a better life for these people."
"Besides," Desmond gave a soft smile, shifting his coat to reveal what Rick recognized as a couple of grenades at his belt, "we don't intend to make it easy."
Without waiting for Rick's response, the other man turned back. "Well, Nigel. It appears you've come to a decision?"
Nigel stood ready, waiting for them to finish the discussion with his arms crossed behind his back. "Yes, I have. Your proposition is interesting, and I have to say I had thought of nothing like it. All of your summaries are more or less true," he gave a wicked grin, "but lucky for you, you'll have the opportunity to understand what we do and why firsthand."
Desmond remained unconcerned. "Does this mean you agree?"
The cult leader nodded. "Yes. I don't doubt you've had a few last-moment, encouraging words for how to stop me or some other nonsense, but I don't care. This ploy of yours is well thought-out, but simple in so many ways." Nigel waved his hand. "You believe these two can help keep your pathetic people alive. I assure you they cannot, and I assure you that your sacrifice is meaningless."
Then why agree? Rick wondered, clenching his fist.
"All shall be mine, and I am not concerned about their little flight, nor will those surfacers whose skirts they'll hide behind cause any worry. I agree to your proposal for one simple reason. The two of believe you are as afraid as you can be? That you understand real terror and pain?" True malice shone on Nigel's face. "I wish to challenge that."
The pure, animal desire in Nigel's eyes, the anticipation and joy of causing harm... Rick's hand tightened on the revolver. I hope you get nice and close, asshole. I hope Desmond blasts you three miles past hell.
"I'll wait a while," Desmond said under his breath, showing no fear to Nigel's threat. "Give you time to get everyone out."
Olivia swooped in for a quick hug on both Rick and Kaylee in turn. She whispered in his ear. "I imagine Nigel will get pretty upset when we spoil his ritual, so move everyone quickly in case he comes back. Take care of our people, and take care of yourselves."
Tears streamed down Kaylee's cheeks, and she choked up, unable to speak. Though experiencing more anger than sorrow, Rick likewise couldn't find much for words. Gratitude seemed inadequate and stupid.
"We won't forget this," he finally said, grasping Desmond's hand.
"Good," the man replied.
A heavy scowl on his face, Quinton gave a sharp nod to the schoolteachers. The married couple smiled before turning towards Nigel.
"We're ready," Desmond said.
"Good," Nigel said. "Follow me. I assume you don't need restraint?"
The schoolteachers shook their heads. With a smile to his wife, Desmond offered his arm. Olivia took it, and as if on a romantic stroll, the two moved off without the slightest bit of concern or worry.
Nigel held the same wicked grin, one which promised terrible things. It made Rick sick to his stomach. Bastard's so eager to cause pain, he thought. Give 'em hell, Desmond.
The cult leader spared no further threats or time on the crowd of people or individuals in it. Rick, Kaylee, Cass, and Quinton simply watched as Nigel and the schoolteachers moved out of sight.
Few words were spoken; none gave comfort to any of the people left. Questions went unanswered. Eventually people took the dismal expression on Rick's face and his consistent silence to mean he wasn't planning on enlightening them, so in full mercy, they shut up.
No time to mourn, no time for anything but continuing on. God bless 'em, the people moved with purpose and few complaints, and before he knew it, the process of getting them to the surface city was well under way.
All the while, he listened to the horizon, waiting for a soft and distant boom! to signal the schoolteachers' end.
******
Desmond and Olivia held light conversation during the time which followed. No fear, no concern, no mild anxiety of any kind presented itself during the walk.
A few of Nigel's people melted out of the shadows, moving to flank their leader. The married couple watched, exchanging the occasional whispered analysis.
It was a good opportunity, though unfortunate neither schoolteacher would likely survive to tell anyone about how Nigel's cadre functioned.
They appeared as any other group of individuals with an elevated, near-worshipped leader. Instead of the fervor and insanity most often displayed, they talked and whispered as normal, rational people.
For the most part, anyway. There was almost a tangible reverence, and though neither Desmond nor Olivia could catch any of the conversation, it became obvious how important Nigel's word was.
"Strategy, you think?" Desmond whispered.
"Probably. I doubt they'll wait long before heading up to the surface." She gave his hand a squeeze.
In spite of their mostly relaxed attitude, both Desmond and Olivia experienced slight twinges of discomfort as a heavy stench of decay grew more and more prominent. Initially, they had wondered if Nigel would bring them all the way back to the red light district for the ritual, but the direction wasn't quite right.
Also, as opposed to sidestepping the dumping grounds for the above fallen, Nigel appeared to be leading them toward one. The married couple exchanged a look of mild distaste, but they both steeled themselves. Neither wished to give Nigel the slightest satisfaction.
The smell intensified, foul and nauseating. The analysis and conversation between the two fell to a minimum, their efforts focused upon not becoming sick. It couldn't have been much further, but still they wondered what purpose existed in this path.
Other of Nigel's followers came and went, seeming unfazed by the horrible stink of the area. Each messenger appeared to bring good news from the satisfied expression on Nigel's face. Such a thing would undoubtedly be bad for everyone else, but the married couple couldn't catch any details from the reports.
They reached their destination, and with the simple of act of gesturing, Nigel proved to Desmond and Olivia that their hearts contained room for shock, awe, and even a little more fear.
Neither schoolteacher knew what to say. The actions being taken by individuals standing atop a pile of deceased bodies were not grotesque but instead impossible. Desmond and Olivia had expected to see atrocities, to be paraded in front of the worst behaviors humanity could inflict upon one another. They expected to be threatened with such action and to thwart it with a noble death. They expected terrible things...
...not miracles.
The dead were piled high, and the odor they released overpowered the married couple's senses. They wondered at the depths of filth, decay, and disease this place held. Several of Nigel's followers crawled over the top or circled around it, watching and listening with great care.
As Desmond and Olivia observed, one of the cultists stepped forward and moved several bodies aside. Digging through the pile, Nigel's follower pulled one of the corpses out, except...
&n
bsp; The woman's eyes were open, and her mouth moved. Once free of the pile, the man knelt over her, murmuring softly. The woman drew rapid breaths, in and out, and her displayed confusion and fear.
Several minutes of this went by, and the woman began to weep. No obvious injury appeared present on her body, but she occasionally cried out. Whether from an emotional or physical source was uncertain; either or both seemed plausible.
At first, the schoolteachers considered several things. Was a survivor dumped like the rest of the dead by mistake? Had they assumed her injury to be fatal? Why the lack of a merciful death in such a case? How, then, did the already injured woman survive such a long fall? Why did she appear to be without any obvious wounds?
The questions remained unanswered for quite some time, until the cultists extracted a second survivor from the pile. Nigel stood, smiling with pure self-assurance while surprise in the schoolteachers continued to mount.
Time passed, and a third was brought out. Then a fourth.
Dead men and women were rising, being brought to new life. Impossible, yet it happened in front of them all the same. More bizarre was the tenderness shown by Nigel's people. Those with new life were not harmed or antagonized, far from it. The first risen woman had been led away by a cultist who offered his arm to assist with her unsteady balance.
"This is impossible," Desmond said, eyes wide.
Olivia squeezed his hand, her careful, calm composure slipping. "This is why they have so many people. They're..."
Nigel broke into a wide grin. "Yes. We have been granted the power to raise those who have been fallen, to give them new life and purpose. Soon, all shall know the glory of rebirth. All shall feel the sweet agony of life taken, cleansed, and returned."
He tilted his head. "The two of you will take considerable effort. Strong-willed individuals are reluctant to part with past lives, but several cycles of rebirth should dull those memories. You, like all others, will serve the Light."
Exodus (The Fall of Haven) Page 30
