by Brandon Hale
“It’s open,” a gruff voice said from the other side.
Ellie shook her head as she opened the door. “Buck, this door should always be locked. Always.”
The balding, overweight man sitting at the front desk was the outpost’s only occupant. The rest of the troops had been deployed to the nearby town. Buck waved his hand dismissively. “I should also lose about twenty pounds, but you don’t see me rushing out to join a gym, do you?”
Ellie sighed as she walked into the station and locked the door behind her. Buck was the perfect example of a bad soldier. He’d worked at the Colorado station for the past five years. In all that time, the only action he’d seen was the paperwork he had to file when someone reported a vampire.
“There’s a battle going on a few miles from here,” Ellie said. “You really think it’s safe to leave this door unlocked?”
“I’m alive,” Buck said.
“It’s a damn wonder,” Ellie said.
Buck reached under his desk and pulled out a small portable TV. He placed the TV on the desk and started watching cartoons. “This is me not caring what you think, Commander.”
“You do realize that when my full transfer goes through, I’ll be your CO, right?”
“I realize I don’t care,” Buck said.
“I’ll remember that,” Ellie said.
Buck looked up from the TV. “Look, little lady. I work a shit job in the middle of nowhere. I’m not going to go crying in the streets if you fire me, and I’m not going to pretend I respect you just because your daddy was a war hero.”
“Yawn,” Ellie said. Buck was nothing new to her. From the first day she entered training, she had to deal with people who assumed she got special treatment because of her father. It didn’t really bother Ellie because, deep down, she knew they had a point.
She didn’t get an easy ride, but she did get special treatment. Most people didn’t even know Lily Baxter was alive, yet Ellie had the privilege of being trained by Lily personally. At the end of the day, Ellie didn’t care what they thought. She was a great soldier and she knew it. The rest was just politics.
“I’ll be at my desk if you need me,” she said as she walked past Buck and sat down at a small desk in the back of the room. She logged into the system, tapped a few buttons, then smiled as Carl’s image appeared on the computer’s monitor. “Made it, Pop.”
On the screen, Carl was still in the back seat of the vehicle. He had insisted Ellie contact him through the vehicle’s relay so he could get a video feed. “You look okay,” he said.
Across the room, Buck laughed. “Daddy had to check you for scratches?”
Ignoring him, Ellie asked, “Where are you?”
“Airport,” Carl said. “The vamps turned back when we hit the highway. Susan’s safely on the plane. I’ll tell them to hold off on the takeoff while I come and get you.”
“Nonsense,” Ellie said. “I talked to Lana on the way here. The town is secure and they have a prisoner. They’re on their way back now. When they get here, I’ll have a squad escort me to the airport so I can catch a later flight. You go on. I’ll see you in Virginia.”
“I could be there in an hour.”
“Dad,” Ellie said, “that’s dumb. When you came with me on this mission, you promised to make every decision as a soldier, not as my dad. There are vamps along the road. We know that. This outpost is the safest place for me and the best place for you is on that plane with Susan.”
On the screen, Carl nodded. “Okay. Stay at the outpost until dawn, then head to Virginia. That way, the roads will be safe. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll let you know what we find out from the prisoner,” Ellie said.
“No,” Carl said. “I don’t want you anywhere near that prisoner.”
“Why?”
“Think, Ellie. If he has a mental connection to the vampire controlling him, it would be like announcing your presence. We don’t know how much they know about us. If they recognize you as someone from the Virginia base, it could bring a full scale assault on that outpost. You can’t be in the same room as that creature.”
“You know,” Ellie said, “I really hate it when you say, ‘Think, Ellie.’ It’s just so condescending.”
Carl laughed. “I’ll stop saying it when you start thinking.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ellie said. “Get on that plane. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See ya soon, kid,” Carl said. “Stay safe.”
As soon as Ellie turned off the monitor, Buck said, “This is all a big waste of time. You realize that, right?”
“The only waste of time I see,” Ellie said, “is the time we spent training you.”
“Joke all you want,” Buck said, “but the Day Soldiers won’t be around much longer. The world just doesn’t need them anymore.”
“Tell that to the people who just died in that town tonight,” Ellie said.
“I’m not saying we don’t need people to hunt down the leftovers,” Buck said. “I’m just saying we’ve been at peace for a long time. No war is coming. Have you seen that new video from Topia?”
“Look, I’ve got things to do,” Ellie said.
“It’s a video from the president over there,” Buck went on. “He’s inviting people to visit Topia. Won’t be long until the people here want what the people there have. Hell, I’m considering moving there myself.”
“Please do.”
Buck chuckled. “Face it, kid. The Day Soldiers is an obsolete organization. In five years, you’ll be replaced by the Topian Protectorate.”
“Why the hell are you a Day Soldier?” Ellie asked.
Buck shrugged. “It’s a paycheck.”
“Once we find a good location for a base, I’m going to be transferred here,” Ellie said. “You should start looking for another job, Buck, because when I’m your commanding officer, you’re out of here. That’s not a threat, mind you. It’s me being respectful enough to give you a heads up.”
“If you can’t handle a little attitude,” Buck said, “you shouldn’t be a CO.”
“I’m fine with attitude,” Ellie said. “What I’m not fine with is a soldier who stands against the people he swore to protect.”
“Who says I’m standing against them?” Buck huffed. “Maybe I think the Topian way is the best way for them. No hunger. No poverty. No war.”
“No freedom,” Ellie said.
“Says who? We’ve not had a major battle in sixteen years. Nobody’s trying to force me into a cage.”
“You’re right,” Ellie said. “They’re using bait to lure you into it.”
Buck smiled a very condescending smile and shook his head. “Young people are so cute with their black and white world. A day’s gonna come, little lady, when you realize the world’s not as simple as you think. Sometimes the good guys are wrong and the bad guys are right.”
“That’s a view for philosophers,” Ellie said. “Not soldiers.”
“The best soldiers are always philosophers,” Buck said. “One day you’ll realize that, and on that day, you’ll have to make a very difficult decision.”
“Thanks for the info, Oracle,” Ellie said. “Now, if you’ll shut up for five minutes, I need to check on my team.”
Ellie was pretty sure the team was fine, but for reasons she couldn’t explain, she was suddenly desperate for Buck to stop talking.
Chapter 5
The Tomb of Travis
“Afternoon, Commander,” the guard said.
Susan was guessing it was a guard. She wasn’t sure because Carl had blindfolded her right after they left the Virginia airport. For the last hour and a half, she saw only darkness.
In that darkness, Travis continued to give her instructions. He was growing more excited with each passing minute.
“Afternoon, Kip,” she heard Carl say. “I’m assuming you got word that my guest is cleared to enter?”
“Roger that,” Kip said. “Good to see you back.”
&nb
sp; Susan heard what sounded to her like a large door opening. Carl took her hand and placed it on his shoulder. “Just keep your hand on my shoulder and you’ll be fine. I won’t let you trip on anything.”
“Thanks,” Susan said. “You’re a real gentleman.”
“I am sorry about this,” Carl said as he led her forward. “I hope you understand why we have to take these precautions.”
“I completely understand,” Susan said. “Trust me, after what I saw yesterday, I don’t want to know too much. I’m only here because I happened to marry a Day Soldier.”
“I’m also sorry about making you take off your clothes in the car,” Carl said. “I really thought you were bugged.”
“I’m just glad you didn’t find anything,” Susan said. “It would have devastated me to think that I brought you additional trouble.”
Now, that’s funny.
“Something still stinks about that whole thing,” Carl said. “I can’t figure out how he heard our conversation about the eye patch.”
As they walked forward, the smell and temperature changed. The air around her got significantly cooler. She smelled concrete, like in a basement or a storage building.
In her mind, Travis spoke. What he said sent a chill dancing down the length of her spine.
I see you.
Travis was in the room. Susan could feel his excitement. As the soldier outside closed the door to… wherever she was, Travis’s voice grew louder in her head.
This is it, Susan. In a few seconds, he’s going to start punching a security pad to open a secret door. That will be your best chance. When I give the word, take off your blindfold. You’ll see a large cross hanging on the wall to your left. Grab the cross and hit him with it. Hit him hard enough to take him out, but try to avoid killing him. Carl’s an old friend.
Susan heard a few beeps. She reached for her blindfold.
Not yet! He’s not at the door. He’s just calling in.
“Welcome back,” an unfamiliar voice said from a nearby speaker.
“Howdy, Grung,” Carl said. “We’re about to enter the tunnel. We’ll be there shortly.”
“The boss is waiting,” Grung said. “Drop off the guest, then meet me in the rec room. Your kid’s got a new mission. I’ll fill you in and let you give her the details.”
“She’s not with me,” Carl said.
“I know,” Grung said. “We just got word that her plane touched down. She’ll be here in a couple hours. I just wanted to give you a heads up because… well… you’re not gonna like this mission.”
“Great,” Carl groaned. “We’re heading that way. See you in a bit.” Susan heard a beep that she assumed was him ending the call. “Susan,” he said, “you’re in for a treat. You’re about to meet a celebrity.”
“Lily Baxter?”
“Lily Baxter is dead,” Carl said quickly. “You’re about to meet the president of New America.”
“Neat,” Susan said.
Neat? What kind of response is that?
“Once we go through the next door,” Carl said, “you can take off the blindfold.”
This is it. When I give the word, it’s time for you to do your part. Your days of constant torment are almost over. After you take down Carl, you’ll have about ten seconds before the guard comes in. After you take him out, you’ll have about five minutes before more soldiers arrive. Make every second count, Susan.
Susan could feel her heart pounding against the inside of her chest. She felt absolutely exhilarated. She told herself it was because she was about to be cured, but deep down she knew better. Her excitement had nothing to do with schizophrenia or a cure. She was excited because she liked the idea of attacking Carl. Just like she had enjoyed killing her husband.
Maybe a lifetime of voices and paranoia had driven the humanity from her. Or maybe she was just plain evil. Whatever the reason, Susan was slowly beginning to accept that she was a killer.
A few feet ahead, she heard several beeps.
Now!
Susan ripped the blindfold off and dropped it to the floor. Travis had already told her his prison was a tomb, but she was mildly surprised to see he’d meant it literally. She quickly scanned the room and saw the large silver cross hanging on the wall.
That’s it! Hurry, Susan!
She pulled the cross from the wall. She held the short end of the cross like the handle of a large dagger. Carl’s back was to her as he pushed on the wall, opening a hidden door.
Susan, I don’t like the way you’re holding that cross.
Susan thrust the cross forward and stabbed Carl in the back.
NO!
Carl screamed as he fell to his knees. He tried desperately to reach the cross now stuck in his back. With a swift kick, Susan drove the cross deeper into his back while simultaneously knocking him to the floor of the tunnel on the other side of the newly opened doorway.
I said to spare him!
“Too risky,” Susan said out loud. “I’m not very strong. He would have taken me down. Now shut up so I finish this!”
She reached down and pulled Carl’s gun from the holster on his hip, then spun around and pointed it at the tomb’s main entrance.
The door to the tomb slid open. “Is everything okay in here?” Kip asked as he stepped inside. “I thought I heard someone scre—”
Susan shot him in the head.
She quickly scanned the room. Travis’s headless body lay on a stone slab against the wall. It was surrounded with rose pedals and garlic. She looked across the room and saw Travis’s head on a shelf. It looked ancient. The skin was white and stretched tight over its skull. It almost looked mummified.
Howdy.
Its eyes were staring at her.
I’ve had better days.
Susan ran to the shelf and picked up the shriveled head. She walked to the body and placed it above the body’s neck. As soon as the head touched the neck, the skin began to fuse. It was already trying to heal.
The flowers, Susan. The flowers.
She quickly removed the rose petals and the garlic.
One last part. The best part.
Susan took a deep breath. She held her left arm over Travis’s face then drove the fingernails from her right hand into her own arm. She clenched her teeth and watched as the newly drawn blood dripped from her arm and fell to his lips.
Almost immediately, she saw color return to Travis’s skin. As more blood dripped onto his lips, the circles under his eyes began to fade.
He blinked.
A very subtle smile began to creep onto his face.
He tried to speak but couldn’t.
Move your arm down to my mouth.
Susan complied.
The thing on the slab sank its teeth into her wrist.
She felt herself growing weaker as the blood was continuously pulled from her body. She leaned against the stone slab to keep from falling. Her vision began to blur.
“Too much,” she whispered. She found herself struggling to stay conscious.
I have to drain you completely. That’s how the transformation works.
“I’m… dying…”
That’s how it works.
Susan was suddenly afraid. She tried to pull her arm away, but Travis’s hands grabbed her wrist and held it firmly in place.
He sat up, still drinking from her arm.
Susan couldn’t focus. Everything was a blur. More than anything else, she just wanted to sleep.
After what felt like an eternity, Travis released Susan’s arm. She fell to the floor of the tomb, barely conscious.
“Damn,” Travis said. His voice was hoarse from sixteen years of silence. “That hit the spot!”
He leapt over Susan and landed on the dead guard by the door. Susan couldn’t see what he was doing, but she could hear it clearly. He was draining the blood from the dead soldier.
After another eternity, he stopped drinking and walked back to Susan. He sat on the floor beside her.
“Y
ou shouldn’t have stabbed Carl,” he said. His voice was happy. Almost pleasant.
Susan tried to speak but couldn’t.
“Carl was my friend,” he went on. “He wouldn’t have admitted it, but we were totally friends.”
Susan summoned every ounce of energy she had left and said, “I did it for you.”
“Don’t lie to me, Susan,” Travis said. “You did it because your high from killing your husband was wearing off. You felt the power of killing and you wanted more. Trust me, I understand. I respect you for it.”
“Are you… going… to turn…” Susan couldn’t say more. She was too weak.
“Am I going to turn you?” Travis said. “What do you think, Susan? I gave you specific instructions. I gave you a roadmap to immortality, but you chose to ignore it. You killed my friend. Far as I’m concerned, as soon as that happened, all bets were off.”
“You… promised…”
“I know,” Travis said. “Believe it or not, promises are very important to me. Thing is, I didn’t break my promise. I told you if you did exactly what I said, I’d give you immortality. You didn’t hold up your end of the bargain. Sucks for you. Hell, it sucks for me. You’re a nutjob who understands the beauty of killing. We could’ve had fun together.”
Susan cursed herself for ever believing this monster. She’d made a deal with the devil and the devil had come through in glorious demonic fashion. Instead of horror, Susan was surprised to realize she was relieved. At least her suffering was about to end.
A faint cough from across the room interrupted Susan’s thoughts.
Carl.
“Well, what do ya know,” Travis said. “My boy’s still breathing. Looks like I’ll get my minion after all.”
Susan heard Travis get up and walk toward Carl.
As she drifted toward the nothingness of death, Susan had one final thought.
I don’t hear any voices.
It was a nice thought.
Chapter 6
Lily’s Mistake
Lily and Scott entered the tomb from the tunnel. On the other side of the room, Grung and Cooper came in from the door to the outside.
Several soldiers stood inside the tomb. They had been on duty in town so they made it to the scene first. Susan’s and Kip’s bodies were being carried out as Lily and Scott entered. Lily felt physically ill. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream.
