The Eve of Abounding Wickedness

by Mark Spaid

  “In here,” her mother said from the living room.

  “Mom, tell me you know something has changed since yesterday. Tell me you felt that surge through your body or whatever it was.”

  “Oh, I felt it and there’s definitely something wrong…very wrong.”

  “My assistant, Jean, has no idea what happened. To her we’ve always pledged to the Nazi flag. Mom, what’s happening?”

  “I know, baby, Eloise, my best friend, next door, has no idea as well. I can’t understand it. She’s spent many a time telling how her dad died at Iwo Jima and she and Paul had an American flag on their front porch every day since they moved in thirty years ago.”

  “What does dad think?”

  “He’s as perplexed as I am.”

  “But he knows something happened.”

  “Oh, yes, he came running in the house when he saw all the Nazi flags on our block…including ours.”

  “Ours”?

  “Yes, somehow it switched after that surge. It’s as if we’ve been flying that thing for years. I checked a history book I had in college and we won the war not Germany.

  “Mom, what’re we going to do?”

  “I don’t know…here comes your father.”

  “Daddy,” Claudine said and ran to hug him.

  “Hello, sweetheart.” They sat down at the kitchen table.

  “What happened?” Claudine asked.

  “No idea. I talked to Frank Wells and he’s at a loss as well. Then I saw Avery Hazeltine and he doesn’t think anything happened. He’s wearing a Swastika pin on his lapel. His dad hit the beaches on D-day. I don’t get it.”

  “None of us do who felt the surge. Most of the teachers at school, don’t think anything happened. I’m scared, Daddy, Mom.” He reached out and put his arm on his daughter’s shoulder as she lowered her head.

  “Well, for now, we need to play along. I was downtown and the SS are everywhere. They’re arresting people right and left. I guess there was an attack on an SS station a few nights ago. Frank saw them shoot three people in cold blood on the street this morning.”

  “This is Friday…can I stay with you guys this weekend?”

  “Of course, Baby,” her mother said. “Come on and we’ll make up your bed. Everything’s still where it was when you moved out.”

  “Even my dolls?”

  “Even your dolls.” They went upstairs as her father stood at the picture window and watched the neighborhood where he and his wife raised their daughter. It was not the same place anymore.

  * * *

  “Tom, come here,” Captain Shellhause said to Detective Westfield as Tom walked past the Captain’s office.

  “Yeah,” Tom said as he stepped inside and closed the door.

  “Did you feel it?”

  “I did and I read that packet they gave me.”

  “Me too.”

  “Does anyone else know what happened?”

  “Not one person has said anything to me. Charlie West runs to me if the toilet paper is just half a roll. I walked past him this morning and he said high and kept working. No small talk about his dog or his mother-in-law. He just kept working at his desk.”

  “Same here...I’m used to a wellness report but today nothing.”

  “Yeah and I’m thinking you and I are the only two in the station who know what happened.”

  “I saw the Nazi insignias everywhere. The front of the station, the walls, the stationary,” Tom said.

  “Yeah, and I got the Nazi salute from a few officers this morning. My grandfather was with a group that liberated Dachau. He told me some stories that’d turn your blood cold and now I have to see the Swastika everywhere. I hate it.”

  “What do we do?”

  “We go along with them and wait until we hear from our friends and when to go back and correct this mess…and, Tom, I’d like to go along if you don’t mind.”

  “Fine with me; we could use an expert marksman.”

  And so, the day went after The Time Influx. All over the city people reacted; some paid no attention because they believed that things were always that way but others knew something had changed and in a big way. Why did people have such a different perspective on events? There didn’t appear to be any middle ground. Either people knew things were always this way or they knew something bizarre had happened. It did appear that the percentage of those who didn’t see any change was about ninety percent. And that worked in favor of the Nazis as it diminished the likelihood of rebellion.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “It’ll be dark in a few minutes and then we leave,” Tatiana said. She was the designated leader of this ragtag group but she would’ve been elevated to that position anyway by her very nature. No, she wasn’t power hungry but her total lack of fear of anything and her innate skills at killing, to be frank, made her a natural leader. Little Wolf never aspired to lead anyone. He was a loner but his knowledge and ability made him the one that everyone went to for advice. If there was a Y in the road, Little Wolf would know which one to take. It was time to leave the safety of Ariel’s mansion for the simple reason that in this Time Frame it wasn’t very safe. No place was safe from the Nazis.

  “We’re ready,” Justin said.

  “I can walk, Mama,” Gabby said. Belinda was fiercely protective of her youngest daughter. All mothers are but Belinda well, perhaps a little more. Jozette on the other hand was all for Beth talking care of herself. She watched her and was as concerned as Belinda but she did it from a distance.

  “Okay but tell me if you get tired and Papa can carry you.” Mama and papa were passé these days but Belinda was old world Italian. She was third generation but her parents were Mama and Papa and she made it clear to Justin that it would be that way with their kids and Justin, who didn’t have any objections agreed…if he had objections he would’ve still agreed. It was just easier that way. Was he henpecked and fearful of Belinda’s tirades and angry stomping around? And, did he go along to avoid those moments? Partially, yes but also, he was a “choose your battles” sort a guy. He let Belinda win the rounds that seemed insignificant to him but if it was something big, he’d, dig in his heels and stand his ground. At those times he wouldn’t back down and Belinda finally would. She’d leave angry but return later sobbing and admit that he was right.” Their marriage was solid and they loved each other deeply but it wasn’t some fairy tale. No worthwhile marriage is. You live with ups and downs hoping to increase the ups and decrease the downs but whatever happens it’s a work in progress from the day of the wedding until death do you part. So, viva la marriage and viva la happiness but it’s important to remember that they’re not necessarily the same thing.

  “I will, Mama,” Gabby said in her frustrated voice. She was twelve going on twenty, having recently seen the beginnings of puberty. Yes, a little Belinda was about to be created and whether the world was ready, she was going to be there and so everyone around her was bracing themselves for another volcanic princess.

  “She’ll be fine, Lind,” Justin said as he put his hand on Gabby’s shoulder. “Won’t you, princess?”

  “Of course, Papa,” she said looking up at Justin and smiling.

  “You girls stay with me,” Paulita said. “Going through thick wooded areas in the daytime is one thing but at night it’s dangerous.”

  “We won’t get very far from you, Paulita,” Mallory said.

  “Keep the place humming, Theresa and Robert, but take some time to rest,” Ariel said.

  “Yes, Ma’am,” Theresa said. They were loaded with backpacks full of food, water, first-aid supplies, etc. They weren’t sure where they’d be staying or for how long. But they had to leave, that was a fact. They made their way to the cover of the woods behind Ariel’s house quickly.

  “We need to make it across the river then we can rest,” Tatiana said and they slugged their way through the brush, briars, brambles and whatever else was in their way. They moved slowly in the dark with Little Wolf and Julieta going a
head by a hundred feet to check for hazards.

  “There’s a briar patch ahead and it’s a bad one. Follow Julieta and me,” Little Wolf said as he came back to warn everyone. They did what he said and it was a safe path around the briars. They pushed on and around midnight they crossed the stream. Melanie needed help from Paulita and Gabby and Beth were carried over by Justin and Andy but they made it then sat down to rest. They were soaked and very tired but safe for the night. The one place they could be safe was deep in the woods. No one was going to check out there. In the morning they’d have to find a more permanent place. They found places to sleep, huddled together with Melanie in between Mallory and Paulita. Jessica and Dixie in each other’s arms, Little Wolf close to Tatiana so they could talk about tomorrow and Sol close to Dave so they could collaborate on the best way to send the team back to 1939.

  “What’s going to happen?” Mallory asked.

  “I’m not sure anyone knows yet,” Darcy said.

  “Why are we on the run?” Dixie asked.

  “Because of what Miss Tatiana, Julieta and Little Wolf did at that SS station,” Paulita said.

  “What is the SS?” Mallory asked.

  “They’re the ones that keep order and break heads,” Darcy said.

  “I thought police kept order?” Mallory offered.

  “They do too but the SS are in charge like they were in Germany during World War II,” Paulita answered.

  “They were bad, weren’t they?” Melanie said.

  “They were pure evil…they ran the concentration camps that killed over six million Jews,” Darcy said.

  “And, they killed your Daddy,” Jessica said. We feel terrible about that.”

  “I know you do…we all do and that’s why the Time Frame change must be reversed,” Darcy said.

  “And, now they want to kill Mr. Sol because he’s Jewish,” Mallory said.

  “Yes, and because things were changed, we never met Zara and I lost my sister too,” Darcy said as her voice cracked.

  “Darcy, with Little Wolf and Miss Tatiana going back, they’ll save the day,” Paulita said. Darcy nodded though she wasn’t as sure as Paulita was.

  “Papa, if a monster comes for me tonight, will you stop him?” Gabby asked.

  “Of course, I will.”

  “We need to find some kind of shelter for tomorrow night, Justin,” Belinda said.

  “Hopefully, we will.”

  “Andy, if they find us it won’t be pleasant. If they do then you cover Beth and I’ll do what I can to stop them,” Jozette said.

  “Jo, don’t be foolish, I’m not going to stand by and let you give your life away.”

  “There won’t be much time to decide what to do…it’ll be split second and we need to know in advance who does what.”

  “But, Jo…”

  “Promise me. You’ll do what I said.” He hesitated and sighed. “Promise me, Andy,” Jozette said and she wasn’t taking no for an answer.

  “Alright, I promise.”

  “Can you think of any place around here that might be deserted, Mario?” Janet asked.

  “I’ve been racking my brain for two days. I thought I remembered a place about ten miles south of Bloomington but I can’t place it now.”

  “Well, keep thinking…they’re right, we need shelter as soon as possible. We’re okay at night but in the daytime we’re sitting ducks. They’re plenty of people who’d turn us in to ingratiate themselves with the Nazis.”

  “Maiden, when Miss Tatiana and I leave, you’ll have to do the scouting and at night you won’t get much sleep. You’ll have to be on the lookout. Mom or Dad can help you but it’ll fall upon you. Your skills are much greater than theirs. Plus, Paulita can help too. She’s learning, Maiden, very fast. She has the knack just like you do

  “It’d make her happy to hear you say that.”

  “It would?”

  “Of course, she idolizes who, Brave. All the girls do.”

  “Admiration means very little to a Susquehannock. You white people need patted on the back constantly.”

  “Oh really…and just how white am I?”

  “Touché but you’re whiter than a Susquehannock. You grew up with all these white kids.”

  “I see, well do I pass your test for skin tone?” He put his arm next to hers and grinned.

  “I guess so.”

  “It’s a good thing I love you.”

  “Or what?”

  “You don’t want to find out.”

  “So, I guess I should quit while I’m ahead?”

  “Who says you’re ahead?”

  “I’ll say touché again and leave you alone.”

  “Good, because I need some sleep.” She turned over and he patted her on the head.

  “Good-night, Brave.”

  “Good night, Maiden.”

  “Little Wolf, we’ll need to start for town in the daytime…maybe Belinda should turn you into a white guy before we go,” Tatiana said.

  “Yes, but I was wondering if I’ll maintain the appearance after we go through the portal.”

  “Good question so, if it doesn’t hold, we better take the stuff with us.”

  “Right…I have several plexiglass knives to take with us. Getting weapons in America should be easy but taking them into Germany will be very hard if not impossible.”

  “Yes, we’ll have to go into Germany weaponless and find what we need there.”

  “That won’t be easy.”

  “No, but you said you’re taking those plastic knives.

  “Yes, but if we start out killing people, we could draw attention.”

  “I’m sure we will but that’s why we’re going. We have to kill all four of those guys before they reach Hitler’s advisors.” Little Wolf nodded agreement.

  Now, we’ll land in 1939 Indiana, which should be fine, though I agree that the presence of a dark-skinned Indian might frighten the locals. When we get to Germany is when I’ll really need to be as white as possible.”

  “I’ll take care of that. I checked with Sol and Dave and we’ll go through three weeks before the four Nazis go through the portal.”

  “What about getting to Europe?” Little Wolf asked.

  “There’s a commercial flight to Paris. It leaves from New York three days after we land in 1939 Bloomington.”

  “That’s plenty of time to get there by bus or train.”

  “Agreed, I think we’re ready.”

  “But there’s always the X factor…the unknown event or circumstance that could foul everything up,” Little Wolf said.

  “You’re not turning into a cynic on me, are you?”

  “No just a realist.”

  “Fair enough…let’s hope for the best. Good night, Little Wolf.”

  “Good night, Miss Tatiana.”

  “Are we taking a chance sending our people through the portal when we’ve never done it before?” Dave asked Sol.

  “A huge chance and I’m very nervous about it.”

  “I wish Warren could be there.”

  “Impossible…you know that.”

  “Oh, I know and I know he’s in a very bad place. He could never get away from those guys. He’s being watched constantly by an army of security people and they’re armed to the teeth,” Dave said.

  “Look, Dave I’m confident we can run the device up to the voltage level we need. A million volts can be achieved in about five minutes or so. What concerns me is when will they arrive? Warren developed the chronometer based on the cyclical movement of time. The patterns are repeated frequently but I’m not familiar with the timing. He is and could place them in the very day he programs. But I could be off by days or even weeks.”

  “Then why not send them two months early or four months early,” Dave proposed. Sol thought for a minute.

  “It makes sense, Dave…the only reason we thought it wise to send them closer to the time of the arrivals of the others was to keep them out of harm’s way. The longer they’re stuck in Nazi Germ
any the more likely they’re to be found out by the SS or the Gestapo.”

  “I know and that’s why we cut it close but now I’m not so sure. If we miss and they get there too late then we’ve accomplished nothing. They’d have to get back to Indiana and come through the portal and do it again but we’re going to get one chance and only one chance,” Dave surmised.

  “It’s a conundrum for sure and I’ve changed my own mind a dozen times.”

  “Me too but I think we were right the first time.”

  “Okay, so we stick to the original plan and send them three weeks early.”

  “I think it’s best.”

  “Then it’s settled. We leave the day after tomorrow. Tatiana, Little Wolf, you and I’ll have to get back to Bloomington. We could use a mode of transportation.”

  “We’ll find one in the morning,” Dave said.

  * * *

  “Dr, Peabody, good morning,” Kleinschmidt said as he strolled into Warren’s office/lab.

  “Hello,” Warren said as he was hunched over some papers.

  “Hard at work I see.”

  “Yes, remember you said it was a necessity for me staying alive.” Kleinschmidt laughed out loud.

  “I did and I must say I’m glad to see you still have your sense of humor.”

  “Along with my sanity; I’m not sure which one will go first.”

  “There you go again.” Kleinschmidt laughed heartily as he sat down across from Warren.

  “I’m glad you’re so easily amused…I don’t get that much in my line of work.”

  “No, I wouldn’t think so.” Kleinschmidt stopped smiling and stared at Warren. Warren looked up and saw that his boss wanted some answers.

  “I can see by your expression that you’re anxious for some results.”

  “You’re very perceptive, Dr. Peabody.”

  “Well, you may be in luck.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m test firing today.”

  “When?”

  “In a few minutes…just as soon as I complete these calculations.”

  “Great, I’ll call my superiors.”

  “I wouldn’t do that.”