“What the hell’s your problem?” Tina marched directly into Annabelle’s face.
“Ok, break it up! Enough!” Elliot tried to get in between them, but they both nudged him back.
“You know what? I’ve had enough of you! Enough of your bullshit! You’re a psychopath, Annabelle! Everyone knows it. Heck, that’s why you and your mother split ways about five hundred times!” Tina scolded her back.
Like mother like daughter, Annabelle went to slap Tina, but Elliot instinctively grabbed her arm, “Don’t!”
Concurrently to this, Taylor appeared from around the corner. “Scott! Dawn! You guys have to see this… I’m so sorry…” He said with deep remorse, before running off again.
“What? Hey, Taylor!” Scott called out, and ran after him. Out of fear, Dawn grabbed his hand – What was Taylor’s apology for?
“Should we… Investigate?” Bertie suggested.
“Ah, no… I’ll go. Tina, why don’t you come with me?” Elliot rushed her away from Annabelle, desperate to prevent the two from blowing up at each other again. “Come on, let’s go!” Without giving Tina time to answer, Elliot rushed her away with him.
As Elliot and Tina stepped outside, they covered their gaping wide jaws with their hands.
“What… The… Fuck?” Elliot was at a loss for words. Several survivors from the camp stood alongside them, gazing across to the other side of the road; There were six crucifixes strung up, as the leaves on the trees eerily blew behind them.
The furthest crucifix to the left was the first one.
“Mum… Why? Oh god, why her!” Natalie wailed in despair, with a puffy red face, as she knelt in front of her mother’s corpse; she was nailed to the cross by her wrists.
“Nat’… C’mon… She wouldn’t want you to cry,” Xavier tried to calm his daughter with a hoarse voice, but still her tears continued to roll.
At the second crucifix, Dawn looked up despairingly, her face frozen in shock – it was her son, Eric. Like with Natalie’s mother, Eric’s corpse was nailed through the wrists, against the cross.
At the third crucifix, Scott was wiping his tears on his sleeve.
“I’m so sorry, Mar-Mar…” Using his sister’s nickname for the last time, he couldn’t help holding back the river in his eyes. He was too grief-stricken to even looked up at his sister’s corpse.
At the fourth crucifix, Taylor stood with his hands in his pockets. He wasn’t crying or shouting, he just stared into the grey deceased eyes of his old friend.
“Wish I’d never left you, bro…” He swallowed hard with a dry throat, looking up at Brett’s corpse on the cross.
Elliot gazed left to right across the first four crucifixes; and then, he saw the fifth one.
“Tina…” His eyes were wide, as he nudged Tina slightly, “L-Look…” His head jerked up and down, with watery eyes, as he slowly strode over to the crucifix. His eyes were fixated on the corpse strung up on the cross.
At the fifth crucifix, Celeste’s head tilted to the side. Her long blonde hair appeared to have been ‘ripped out’ – If it were scissors, the ends would have been a lot ‘finer’…
“God damn… Sorry buddy,” Elliot had no other words, and struggled to accept this situation, and therefore also the severity of it.
At the sixth crucifix, Tina had become motionless. Looking up at the final victim, she had no words.
Elliot looked over at the crucifix in front of Tina; There, Zach’s corpse had been, just like the others, nailed up by his wrists.
“Z…Zach?” Elliot could not believe what he was seeing; He wasn’t sure whether to be more upset by Zach’s death, or the fact that he had even seen Zach again. What were the implications of this? Did this mean that, others from Elliot’s past, were nearby? Was his mother somewhere locally too?
Tina was utterly heartbroken by the sight of Zach’s corpse, she laid back against the ground, and stared up into the early morning sky. Elliot did not what to do from here, he could not even react in the right way…
In the distance, the new recruit was watching the grieving refugee camp through her binoculars. She had a conniving smile on her face.
She lowered her binoculars, and turned around. The two robed figures behind her pulled their hoods down.
Both men were bald; It seemed as though they had shaved their heads as part of their cultist beliefs. The new recruit was not, however.
“You made a good call, sister,” One of the men congratulated her, he spoke with a ‘slither’ in his voice.
“I’d been tracking the deluded this entire time,” the new recruit explained, “And it looks like all that effort paid off. It’s just a shame that we couldn’t reach targets B and K,” she was desperate to exact revenge on members of her ‘old crew’.
“We shall get another chance, sister,” the other man spoke. “They will head to Prague, predictably, and there, we shall be… Waiting, for their arrival,” he laughed lowly and sinisterly.
“Yes, yes we shall,” Once again, the new recruit resumed her sinister smile. Evidently, her true identity, was Sonia, former Head Scientist of the Space Station Gemini…
Epitaphs
Helena was a good soul. That’s why I married her. I saw nothing but goodness in her eyes, from the moment we first met. I had never expected a man like me would outlive her… Especially not with such a decomposed and impure soul. Even after my jail time, Helena still loved me for who I was. I became that man again… But it still wasn’t enough. In the end, she still died. But at least, she fulfilled her purpose. Our beautiful baby girl, Natalie, was born into a different world. But now, she has been bred with the times, and turned into a fighter. I’ll continue to love and raise her, my dear Helena. Thank you, for being my light. Amen.
-Xavier
My son… Eric… I don’t even know what to say. He was just so wonderful. He got me this far, he taught me how to survive. I don’t know if I can live without him. Oh my dear lord, I don’t think I can. Eric, he… He’s dead? Really? No, it cannot be so. He was wonderful. Yes, he taught me how to survive. Oh my dear lord, Eric… Are you really gone?
-Dawn
There are no words. I don’t know what to say. Maria was, in truth, the ideal sister that any man could have. She was so kind, and generous, and thoughtful. Whenever our parents would fight – and they fought, a lot, seriously – I would’ve, by tradition, have been expected to be the ‘brave’ one. But I was hardly a big brother, more of a big baby, actually. It was Maria who comforted me. My little sister, who always hugged me and said, ‘Don’t worry ‘S’, everything will be alright, I promise’. I believed her, every single time. Because Maria, she was always right. Love you, sis’.
-Scott
Dammit man, I’m really sorry I left you. Honestly, I wish I’d come back for you, now more than ever. Perhaps if I hadn’t had been selfish, then maybe you’d be the one penning this epitaph… Whilst my corpse was strung up to a cross. If I could repent, then I would. But in this world, you and I both came to one conclusion independently: Our sins will never be atoned for, so you can safely fuck up as much as you like… You would’ve laughed at that. Maybe you still are, just in a different place.
-Taylor
Gosh, you really drove me around the bend sometimes, Celeste. Your inability to grasp English was just so frustrating. I’m joking, obviously. Well, not entirely. I remember when we lived in that mansion, Erica and I would spend endless evenings just teaching you the basic pronouns. Then we moved on to verbs, and tenses, and then we even got you to write essays. You seemed so happy to do them. I wish I understood back then why that was, but I get it now: You were eager to be a part of something, to be a part of our group. I’m glad you became one of us. Your beautiful French accent, your electrifying smile… Honestly, without you, I don’t think any of us would’ve had the will required to make it this far. Thank You, Celeste.
-Tina
Hey buddy, it’s me. You really saved my life quite a few times, didn’t
you? I don’t think I can really count just how many on my own two hands. You started out as a daring little teen, but you became a strong independent young man. I saw that spark evolve inside of you. Perhaps Pierre’s death was the driving force behind that. You’ll have to forgive me for saying this but, I’m glad the apocalypse happened. Why? Because it meant I met you, Zach. Honestly, you were one of my best friends. You and Reed, I loved you two like my own brothers… I hope you’re taking care of each other.
-Elliot
Chapter 24: A Quest for Vengeance
One stroke…
With foamy hands, and a face smothered in shaving cream, Elliot drew the razor across the left side of his jawline.
Two strokes…
His grip on the razor tightened, with sheer vengeance clouding his mind and better judgement. He shaved the left side of his jaw again.
Three strokes…
He paused, and took a deep and disgruntled breath. He moved the razor to the right side of his jaw, and drew it across.
Four strokes…
His hand began to sweat, purely from how tight his grip on the razor was. He finished the right side of his jaw, and moved the razor down to his chin. He brushed his index finger across the tips of his ‘mini-goatee’ with his free hand.
Five strokes…
With perfect co-ordination, he shaved the cream off with the hairs on his chin.
Six strokes…
‘Reed is dead. Celeste is dead. Zach is dead.’ The thought of his fallen comrades circled in his vengeance-filled mind now.
Seven strokes...
Elliot grunted, as his anger caused him to press down too hard on his chin; he had peeled a chunk of his skin off, as blood instantly surfaced. Mildly cursing, he grabbed the flannel by the sink side, and ran it under the cold tap.
Annabelle, Bertie, and Tina had all pulled up chairs around Kristina’s bed side. They had broken the bad news to Kristina about Celeste; she was now awake, and looking much better as well.
“Are we sure about doing this?” Annabelle looked deeply into everybody’s eyes.
“Yes! I want revenge against the bastards that did this!” Tina clenched her fist, “Our Zach, and our Celeste, they’re dead now… And the fact that Zach’s corpse was even here? What if some of the others we knew are nearby?”
Annabelle retorted with a thought-provoking question, “And what if ‘the others we knew’ are actually the ones who killed Zach?”
Everyone looked at her confusingly, before she elaborated.
“Think about it: How long has it been since we saw any of them? The last time I saw my mum… She was already changing. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had gone completely insane. She was still mourning Elliot, in some way. Perhaps this is how her psychotic mind wishes to remember him – by executing people,” Annabelle’s self-awareness caused more confusion for Tina.
“Can I just say,” Kristina put in her two-pennies worth, “If I were in your position, I’d be exactly the same: I’d want revenge,” she agreed with Tina, shifting the subject back to relevance.
“Seriously, Kris?” But Bertie was far more resistant. “Whoever did this, they were able to sneak into this camp, take people from it, nail them to crucifixes, and string all those crucifixes up without anyone noticing! If they wanted to kill all of us, they could’ve done so with ease. The crucifixes: They are a warning. For us, specifically. I think Annabelle is right. What are the chances something like that would happen just after we arrive here? Obviously, we’ve been tracked. If it’s someone you guys know, then it’s clear to me they’re trying to scare you.” He cleared his throat.
Annabelle nodded at Bertie, impressed by his deduction, “They killed Reed. They killed Celeste. They killed Zach. Don’t you get it? Bertie is right! They’re after me, you,” she nodded at Tina, “And Elliot now. If we go after them, it’s exactly what they’ll be expecting.”
“Like you said, they could’ve killed us with the others if they wanted us dead, but they didn’t. If we go after them, there’s no reason for us to die by their hands. I say we eliminate them first, ask the questions later.” Tina still opted for the route of vengeance.
“Agreed,” Kristina raised her hand, wincing slightly, due to the stationary position it had been in.
“Nope. I disagree.” Annabelle had flipped her outlook, “They’ve killed half of us. Who knows why they didn’t kill us? Not enough crucifixes perhaps? Maybe not enough time in the night? Maybe someone spotted them? It doesn’t matter. The point is: We can die, and if we go after them, we will. If we stay here, at least there’s other people. Worst comes to worse: We let them die for us.” Though she hadn’t completely flipped.
“Ditto to everything you just said. Minus the last sentence.” Bertie sharply nodded, “We’re safer in here, than out there.
“Well, look at that, we’ve made no progress. I guess the final vote resides with Elliot,” Annabelle shrugged and pointed out.
Elliot laced up his boots, and took a rifle from the camp’s armoury. He checked the magazine, and fed it into the firearm. He took a revolver as well, loading a shell in all six chambers.
He took long strides, as he approached the two medical beds. He walked past the first one, which was empty. Then, he stood tall at the end of the second bed, looking down at Kristina, and others around her.
“Did you come to a decision?” Elliot looked to each of them, as if he already knew the answer.
“Nope. Final vote is on you, brother.” Annabelle looked into his familial eyes; though strangely, there was no kindness, warmth, or mercy, left in his blue-shimmering irises anymore. All that Annabelle could see in them was fury, and a sheer lust for revenge.
“Gear up at the armoury,” Elliot’s eyes sharpened. “We’re moving out in fifteen minutes.” His position had been made clear.
Smiling evilly, Tina shot up out of her chair, and made her way to the armoury.
“Get me an SMG!” Kristina shouted out at her.
“Hey, wait, what?” Annabelle was shocked, for some reason, by this outcome. “Elliot, are you serious? Don’t you get it? We’re all gonna die if we go after whoever did this!”
“And if we don’t, then the deaths of our friends are nothing but dust blowing through the wind of history.” Elliot justified himself. “If we let these actions go unpunished, then one day, when the rest of us are gone, there’ll be nothing other than injustice in this world! That’s the one thing the apocalypse didn’t take away: Justice. Everyone gets what they deserve.”
“And if we try to take revenge, we’ll get what we deserve: Death!” Annabelle pointed out, Elliot duly noting her comments.
“Screw the vote: I refuse to help you get yourself killed! I’m staying right here.” She crossed her arms. Bertie nodded sternly in agreement; though Elliot cared very little for his judgement.
“… Fine,” Elliot solemnly accepted. “At least this way, you won’t die.”
This was not the outcome that she had anticipated.
“How’s it going?” Elliot joined Tina at the armoury.
“Not very well, to be honest. All these deaths, it just goes to show: Everywhere we go, Elliot, we just bring destruction. If we die going after these people, maybe it’s for the best. Just as long as we make it right, by taking them down with us.” She seemed to be regretting her vote ever-so-slightly, but not enough to go back on herself.
“Listen to me, Tina: We’ll get these bastards. Whether or not we know them, it just doesn’t matter. I’m willing to kill anybody right now… The question, are you?” Elliot tested her loyalty. “If Erica was the one who killed Celeste and Zach, would you be able to kill her in return?”
Tina shivered, and avoided the question altogether.
“I’ll get Kristina up. I’ll teach her the basics of a submachine gun, then we’ll move out.” Without another word, Tina walked off. Elliot felt no remorse for scolding her subliminally.
“Elliot,” Scott entered from the other end of
the armoury. He was followed by Dawn, then Taylor, then Xavier.
“We know what you’re about to do…” Scott continued, and looked at the others as they stood alongside him. “… We want in. We want to join you, on your ‘quest’. We want revenge as well. I want to do right by my sister.” Scott put his hand over his heart.
“And my son… I want payback!” Dawn had become stronger, rather than be broken, by her son’s death; though her epitaph for him suggested otherwise.
“My daughter no longer has a mother. My dear Natalie, she refuses to speak to me right now. I’m no stranger to crime, I’ll make this right by my own standards,” Xavier added.
“I left Brett a long time ago. I have to make up for that.” Taylor gave his reasoning.
“Excellent.” Elliot smiled in approval of their assistance. “Now, we’ve really gotten quite the ‘gang’ together, haven’t we?” He looked at each of them individually. “Gear up, we’re moving out in ten minutes.”
They all nodded, and headed over to their respective weapons of choice.
Elliot, and his ‘band’, all said their goodbyes to those staying behind at the camp.
“Please, do try to come back alive,” Annabelle joked with Elliot; though she meant this with severity.
“I’ll do my best, sis’. No promises,” Elliot joked back; though he, also, meant this with severity.
Xavier had hoped Natalie would see him off; though still, she was unwilling to speak to him. “I’ll be back, baby girl…” He mumbled to himself, gazing upon the small building, and the gazebo next to it, which made up the refugee camp.
Human Nature (Book 2): Human Nature II Page 13
