"Why tell me this?" Marcus asked.
"The Duncans are close now, Mr. Kline. There's a few ways this could go. But it's unlikely you will make it beyond tonight, I'm sorry to say," Callahan said as he folded his hands on his bent knee.
"So I won't be able to tell anyone what I know now," Marcus commented.
"That is the idea," Callahan agreed.
Silence fell between the two of them. Marcus searched his mind, trying to think of any way to get a message to the Duncans. They all knew they were facing a tyrant, but he wanted them to know how crazy the larger picture truly was. It was confirmation that 'The Suit' and Callahan were in together in this government faction. Despair for the Duncans entered his mind. He knew he was done for, but he wanted the family to survive.
A knock had Callahan standing and going to the door. He held a murmured conversation before turning back to Marcus.
"I'm sorry to see things go this way, Mr. Kline. You could have been a valuable addition to our outpost. We need to keep all the living we still have," Callahan said.
"If that was the case, killing the Duncans wouldn't be on your agenda."
"That is regrettable as well. They are strong. But, perhaps it's dangerous to be too strong. They could be the largest threat to the new government that exists currently," Callahan said.
With one last glance, Callahan walked out of the room. The door stood open for a moment before soldiers came in with items in their hands. Roughly they pulled what looked like nurses scrubs on Marcus, covering his exposed skin. They yanked him to his feet, but Marcus immediately collapsed with his broken ankle losing any mobility. The soldiers had an angry conversation between themselves, that Marcus had a hard time tracking. Before he knew what was happening, a wheelchair appeared at the door. He was then shoved into it and his wrists were zip-tied to the handles.
Once the soldiers were happy with their work, they waited by the door. Whatever signal they were waiting for must have come, because the next thing Marcus knew, he was rolling down a dark corridor. When the door at the end swung open, he was pushed out into the night. There were too many lights nearby to see the stars, but Marcus strained to look up. He wanted to remember what it looked like on the compound at night. The beauty of the black sky with the reminder that you were only a small speck in a much larger picture.
He then turned to focus on the direction the men were taking him. Marcus knew this was likely the dead man walking scene in his final moments. They pushed him toward the lights he could see behind another building. Once around the corner, he could see the spectacle. In the center of a large open area, a stage had been built. Floodlights glared, causing Marcus to squint his open eye. The brightness also lit up lines of soldiers standing at attention. In the center of the stage was Callahan, waiting for Marcus.
Chapter Twenty-Five
"They just don't seem worried about the infected," Rafe murmured. He looked through the viewfinder of his DSLR camera. After coming home from his time in the mountains, Rafe didn’t leave the compound often without his camera. He was always trying to gather information on what was happening in the world. Now that they were outside of the Callahan compound, he snapped photos hoping to find a weakness in the layout.
"Fletcher clearly wasn't concerned either, watching us like he did. Maybe they have controls in place?" Alex replied. She held binoculars to her eyes studying the perimeter of the fencing.
The Duncan siblings, along with Griffin, Cliff, and Mateo crouched on the top of a three-floor apartment building. They were less than two hundred yards from the edge of the facility. Their recon hadn't garnered much hope, as they couldn't find an entrance on any side. The area where Max had escaped before had been fenced again, as well as adding barbed wire to the top and middle of the fence. Callahan hadn't wanted to take any risks after that mistake.
Suddenly, flood lights flared to life in the middle of the outpost. The brightness caused Alex to look away for a moment, her adjusted night vision going slightly haywire. When she finally could look back she pressed the binoculars back to her eyes and she was shocked at what she was seeing.
"Is that really a stage?" Alex asked.
"Looks like it," Rafe replied.
"Let me see," Max demanded, grabbing the binoculars from Alex. After looking, she handed them to Griffin, before they came back to Alex.
"That definitely wasn't there a few months ago," Griffin said.
"So, Callahan needed a place to be put on his pedestal," Max replied.
"Something is going on," Rafe said.
Alex watched as numerous soldiers seemed to scurry around, completing tasks. She had to agree something was up, as it was the middle of the night. It seemed none of the inhabitants of the outpost were actually sleeping. Soldiers that weren't assigned to some sort of duty started to line up in precise lines, facing the stage.
"This doesn't look good," Alex said.
"We'll have to wait, we can't get in with everyone running around like that," Max said.
Alex knew she was right. However, deep down, she felt like this show had something to do with Marcus. And if she was right, this much attention wasn't good. Callahan was doing something he wanted an audience for. A loud squelch suddenly could be heard and Alex had to look around at her companions.
"Do they really have speakers?" She asked, incredulous.
"Like I said, he doesn't seem concerned with the dead," Rafe replied.
They all waited with bated breath, as the soldiers continued to file in. The quiet click of Rafe's camera was the only noise on the apartment roof. The flood lights gave him all the illumination he needed to capture images. He wanted to take as much information with them that he could. They would study the photos later, look for more weaknesses to handle Callahan. After they rescued Marcus, Alex had reminded them. Everyone agreed of course, but she knew they still had doubts that he was alive. Despite Fletcher telling them that he was alive, there was really no way of knowing what had happened to their friend behind the walls of the outpost.
"Who's that?" Rafe suddenly asked, pulling Alex's attention back to the stage.
"Must be Callahan. He looks exactly how Max described," Alex replied.
Without saying anything she held the binoculars toward Max, who slowly took them. She then shook her head and handed them to Griffin. He kissed her head before putting them to his own eyes. Even in the small illumination of the flood lights, Alex could see red rising on Griffin's neck. It was the only indication of his anger, as he handed the binoculars back over to Alex. He looked Alex in the eye and nodded curtly once. The man center stage was Callahan.
Alex watched as Callahan spoke to some of the soldiers still on the stage. Each of them nodded at their instructions and ran off to complete whatever task their leader had given them. And all of a sudden things seemed to still, as Callahan held up a hand to quiet the crowd. The hair on the back of Alex's neck stood up as she realized something big was about to happen.
Movement next to her, had Alex putting the binoculars down. Max moved and brought Alex's Winchester bolt-action rifle to the edge of the roof. She pushed it toward Alex, looking back toward the stage.
"He's right there, Alex. You could kill him right now," Max said quietly.
She wasn't wrong. Alex was the best shot out of the three of them. When it came to long-range shots, Alex was in the ninety percentile of accuracy. Her .308 slug would fly the distance without question. As she readied the weapon, she thought about the repercussions of killing Callahan while he was on stage in front of his soldiers.
"He'll be a martyr," Alex suddenly said.
"So?" Max asked.
"Even if we kill him now, Marcus would easily be dead shortly after. They will all know who did it. They will come down on us with a force we can't fight on our own," Alex said.
"Alex, that man is a monster. He needs to be dead. We can deal with whatever comes after," Max exclaimed, louder than she should have. Griffin's hand found hers in the darkness.
"Max, she's right. We need to time this right. You know I want him dead too. But he's center stage. Whatever he's told these men, will all be proven right by one bullet," Griffin said softly.
Alex could feel her sister deflate next to her, all of her pain and need for revenge collapsing in on her. Alex wanted to avenge her sister. There wasn't a question of that. The vengeance filled part of her wanted to do it close, by hand, where she could see Callahan's eyes as the life left them. She had no way of knowing if that chance would ever present itself. She could see where Max was coming from, this opportunity was one they wouldn't get again. However, she couldn't be sure the repercussions were something they would survive.
Even though she wasn't sure she would take the shot, Alex wrapped the rifle sling around her arm and settled into position to use her scope to watch the stage. She could clearly see Callahan in her range and she could feel her finger itch to pull the trigger. She placed it outside of the trigger guard, to prevent any accidental shots. Rafe continued to zoom in and take photos of Callahan and the surrounding men. His gasp had Alex adjusting her view, trying to see what he was seeing.
"Oh my god," Alex breathed.
Max now had the binoculars which she lifted now. They all easily found the figure strapped to the wheelchair being pushed up a ramp to the stage.
"If I didn't know they had him, I wouldn't even know that was Marcus," Max said. Alex could hear her swallow heavily.
"What have they done to him?" Alex said to no one in particular.
No one could really answer that. They could all see the injuries on their own view finders. Alex could barely make out the features of his face. It looked like he’d had gone twelve rounds in a boxing ring. One of his eyes was completely shut, bruising was blossoming all along his jaw and cheeks. His mouth looked strange and Alex imagined it was busted in a number of places.
"What is wrong with his foot?" Rafe asked from behind his camera.
Alex adjusted and tears sprang to her eyes. His foot was at an abnormal angle, his entire foot puffed up and swollen.
"I'm not sure Charlie could even fix that," Max whispered.
"Let's hope she can. We need to get him out of there," Alex said.
Suddenly Callahan's voice came across the speakers. His words were clear and understandable to the Duncans at their hiding place.
"Johnathan Marcus Kline, you have been found guilty of treason against the US Government. You have been found guilty of the murder of multiple US Government soldiers on sovereign ground. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Callahan held the microphone down to Marcus's face. Alex held her breath, praying that he was able to keep his sarcasm to a minimum.
"Uh, not guilty, your honor?" Marcus said.
"Ugh," Alex said out loud.
"He just can't be serious, can he?" Griffin said, his voice as exasperated as Alex felt.
"There is only one saving grace for you right now, Mr. Kline," Callahan said, moving on without acknowledging Marcus's comment.
"You are associated with the fugitives Alex, Rafe, and Max Duncan. If you can produce them and they give themselves over, you will be spared," Callahan finished.
"He has got to be kidding," Max said.
"Remember, he knows we're out here. Fletcher told him we were coming. This large spectacle is to get our attention," Alex said.
"We aren't going to surrender, are we?" Griffin asked.
"Of course not," Max replied without hesitation. She looked over toward Alex, when she didn't say anything.
"Alex, we are not all going to die to save one, right?" Max demanded.
"Right, of course, right," Alex finally replied. Max watched her, clearly not believing her sister's resolve.
Alex continued to keep her focus on Marcus. Callahan was motioning to some soldiers who came toward Marcus with knives. Her heart began to beat wildly until all the men did was cut the zip ties around Marcus's arms. He rubbed his wrists before he was yanked to his feet. He immediately held up the foot that was disfigured and his cry could be heard across the microphone. But Alex could see his face, see how he was trying to grit and hold the pain in.
"We will allow the criminal to stand to give us his answer. Remember, Mr. Kline, these could be your final words. Choose them wisely," Callahan said. He handed the microphone to a soldier that was holding Marcus up on his feet.
Marcus looked out over the soldiers that were standing in front of him. Alex wished she could call out to him, tell him they were there. They were going to rescue him. He didn't have to tell the maniac anything. But all of her thoughts were in her own mind and no matter how hard she tried to push them toward Marcus, she knew he couldn't hear her or feel her presence.
Finally, Marcus cleared his throat.
"In front of this large audience, I would like to say something," he said, before taking a deep breath. Then he began to shout into the microphone.
"Alex, do not come for me! Callahan will kill everyone! He knows there's no cure and no chance for a cure! He's trying to eliminate witnesses! He's trying to take over the country! RUN!"
Alex jerked back from the gun for a moment before pressing her eye back to the scope. Marcus tried to fight away from the soldiers holding him, but his foot was useless, and he was too weak. The soldiers kept him still and the yell from Callahan was all the warning they had before a gunshot sounded and Marcus’s head jerked forward. Blood sprayed from the front as he went slack. The men holding him stepped back, dropping Marcus's limp form to the ground. Callahan stood with his handgun still in the same position it was when he shot Marcus in the back of the head.
Alex didn't know she was screaming. She could hear it, but had no idea it was coming from her own mouth. Callahan's head swung in their direction, his eyes searching the darkness. Max was yelling at her while Griffin was packing up their supplies and throwing on his bag. Rafe was trying to shake Alex, but all Alex saw was Callahan through a haze of tears. Her finger was on the trigger and she squeezed once. She felt the kick against her shoulder and saw Callahan's hand fly to his shoulder as he fell.
"Shit, Alex, we have to go!" Rafe yelled.
He grabbed the rifle from her hands, preventing her from shooting anyone else. Her throat was raw from screaming. Tears streamed down her face. She could hear Marcus's voice echoing in her ears. His last words. He knew he was going to die. He used his last words to tell them the truth and to warn them. In his last moments, Marcus proved that he belonged with the Duncans from the beginning. He died protecting those he loved. Alex could never have loved him in any way more than a friend, but his friendship had become so important to her over the months since they had met. She tried to cover her mouth, to stop the screaming, to prevent herself from hyperventilating, to stop the vomit.
"Alex, you have to get up. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. But we have to run," Cliff's voice broke into Alex's haze. She tried to focus on his face, but she couldn't stop the burning tears. She put her hand out and Cliff grabbed it, pulling her off the ground.
The group ran down the stairs of the apartment building. Everything was a blurred nothingness to Alex, but Cliff held her hand and pulled her in the direction they needed to go. They ran all out until they reached the place they had left their vehicles. Charlie burst out of the van with a gun, but once she recognized them she ran to hug Rafe. He embraced her quickly before explaining that they needed to leave immediately. Charlie's face was full of questions, but no one had the words to explain what had happened yet.
In the truck, with Cliff behind the wheel, Alex cried as they sped away from Rapid City. They didn't want to go straight home, in case they were followed. However, getting away from the outpost was their number one goal. Rafe followed in his truck and Max drove the van that started the whole horrible nightmare for Alex. She would set that van on fire before it went anywhere near their home.
"Alex, it's going to be ok," Cliff tried to console her.
"Nothing is ever going to be ok," Alex said. Her voice
was raw and full of pain. She couldn't get the image of Marcus's head jerking forward as the bullet passed through it. His body being dropped to the ground like trash.
"They won't bury him. They'll just throw him out," Alex cried.
"Well at least you got one for us," Cliff replied.
"No, I missed the kill shot," she said quietly. Alex replayed the shot in her mind. She knew exactly where it had hit him. And it wasn't going to be fatal.
"What?" Cliff asked. He was clearly shocked.
"Callahan will be back."
Chapter Twenty-Six
An hour later Rafe turned sharply off of the main highway, swinging the caravan into a rest stop area. The weeds and grass had grown out of hand for months and the rest stop was completely abandoned. When Rafe pulled into a spot, Cliff and Max followed suit. Alex could see Charlie in the front seat of their truck, her eyes rimmed red from crying. Alex had to look away, to keep her own sorrow from flooding back. She laid her head back against the seat and closed her eyes against the world. Maybe if she didn't see any of them, they wouldn't try to talk to her.
Cliff had clearly gotten her message, as he carefully exited the truck and closed the door quietly behind him. Though the windows were all up, Alex could still hear the conversation between Cliff and her siblings.
"What do you mean she missed?" Max asked.
"She did just see her friend killed, Max. Give her a break," Rafe replied.
"Which is why she should have made the shot," Max shot back.
"I think it doesn't matter at this point. She needs to be home. And we need to figure out what to do now," Cliff said.
"Home? Can we even go home?" Max asked.
Alex grimaced at the question. She knew her sister's concerns were valid. Callahan knew who shot him. His men would know. And now the major would have no trouble getting the soldiers to follow his orders. They would come for them. And the Duncan compound couldn't fight an army.
Sundown Series (Book 4): Torment Page 30
