“No! No! No!” Ron pleaded. “Goddammit, hang on, Dante.”
Even with the world fading to darkness, Dante could still hear the panic in Ron’s voice, knowing there was nothing either of them could do. Ron crouched over Dante, pulling off his jacket and attempting to wrap it around the oozing throat. He wanted to tell Ron to stop and turn around, but his throat would never allow another word to leave his lips.
The last thing Dante saw was the grinning Exall, standing over Ron with a bloody butterfly knife raised in the air. The Exall held up a gray finger to his lips, mocking Dante.
A warm tear streamed down his face as he witnessed what he believed to be the start of a new war.
17
Chapter 17
Kyle Wells never imagined he’d meet the president of the United States. During the week after he completed the test for his official designation as a Crew member, a panel of the highest-ranking members reviewed Kyle’s test results, and discussed whether to accept him, or if he needed to return to the training program.
It was Friday, September 4th, and the previous evening Colonel Griffins had pulled Kyle into his office to let him know he had passed the test, leaving the final step of the process to meet with the president for final approval. Kyle tensed up at the thought, but was assured that every Crew member went through this same approval since Kennedy officially started the organization.
A president had never rejected an admission before, leaving it as more of an honorary event and symbolic swearing-in ceremony. The president would have an official contract that required both his and the new Crew member’s signature.
Since Kyle was still a minor, one parent was required to sign the contract as well, and Travis volunteered to fly out.
Kyle sat in the back of a town car with Colonel Griffins, leaving the Pentagon en route to the White House.
“Nothing to be nervous about,” Colonel Griffins assured Kyle, but he still trembled in anticipation.
Kyle kept to himself, gazing out the window as he tried to relax his thoughts. Not only was he meeting with the leader of the free world, he was also going to see his dad for the first time since leaving home. What would his dad think of this luxurious lifestyle? Did he still support Kyle’s decision to move forward with life as a Crew member?
The car pulled up to a security checkpoint where a soldier poked his head into the car and nodded to Colonel Griffins in the back. A few seconds passed and they were waved forward.
“We get to enter from the back entrance,” Griffins said as the car turned onto a pathway that circled the White House’s South Lawn. Kyle’s eyes bulged in amazement as the White House came into clear view after they broke out of the trees that covered the driveway. All his friends were back at home learning about the White House in school, and here he was about to experience it first hand as an employee of the United States government.
His mouth hung open and he forced himself to close it.
“Your dad should already be inside waiting for us. He landed about an hour ago and we had him brought straight here.”
The car pulled up to the curb a few feet away from the back entrance where two Secret Service agents stood in suits with a bullet-proof vest covering their chests. The pathway to the door was covered by an elongated white tent. The only thing missing was a red carpet.
Their driver, who had remained silent the entire trip, jumped out of the car and ran around to open the door facing the curb. Colonel Griffins slid out, followed by Kyle.
“Good morning, Colonel,” one of the agents greeted, his stare forward, off into the distance while his eyes remained buried behind his sunglasses.
“Good morning, Collins. How’s the family?”
“Doing great, sir, thank you for asking.”
Collins spoke like a robot and refused eye contact with anyone.
I’m really here. This is the real Secret Service. They just stand here all day waiting for someone to try something.
“That’s great to hear,” the colonel said. “Are we cleared to enter?”
“All clear, sir.” Collins nodded before Griffins and Kyle disappeared down the walkway and into the White House.
They entered the building, greeted by a massive chandelier and more agents. The floors glossed in crystal clarity as they passed through the entryway and took a left to climb a short flight of stairs to the main level. They stepped out of a side door and into the middle of a passing tour. All the tourists gawked at them for a brief second, then quickly looked away when they realized Kyle and Colonel Griffins weren’t famous.
They waited for the group to clear out before starting down the long hallway where Travis waited, studying a portrait of President Kennedy.
“Mr. Wells,” Colonel Griffins called out.
Travis spun around and started toward them, a wide grin on his face. “This place is so cool.” He stuck out a hand for the colonel before wrapping Kyle in a tight bear-like embrace. “How have you been, son?”
“I’m good, Dad. Apparently ready to move on with this group.”
“I knew you would be. My mom tried to do the same thing with me when I was a kid, but gave up after two summers. Never did explain to me what I did wrong, but oh well. Guess I’ll have to live vicariously through you.”
“I know this is quite the reunion for you two,” Colonel Griffins said. “But we really need to get to the Oval Office. The president stays on a strict schedule, as you can imagine.”
Travis raised his eyebrows. “The Oval Office? Well then, if you insist.”
Colonel Griffins led them quickly down the main hallway that connected the east wing to the west wing. Portraits of past presidents decorated the walls the entire way, giving Kyle a brief outburst of gooseflesh as he thought about all of the history that had taken place in these very halls.
Kyle’s palms started to slicken with sweat as they passed into another hallway, more guards nodding them along. Not even of voting age, he didn’t care much for politics, finding most topics well above his understanding, but it was no surprise the current president sparked strong emotions from both sides of the spectrum. He was perhaps the most controversial figure in American history, and Kyle was a few seconds away from meeting him.
They stopped at a closed door where two more guards stood outside.
“Gentlemen,” Griffins said. “We have a meeting with the president.”
The man on the left checked his watch before turning and knocking on the door, waiting five seconds, then pushing it open enough to stick his head in. “Mr. President, your ten o’clock is here.”
“Send them in,” a raspy voice replied, and the agent pushed the door all the way open.
The three of them stepped in, Kyle and Travis immediately gazing around the room in shock. It really is shaped like an oval, Kyle thought, noting the golden drapes that hung over the windows to match the gold-colored chairs and couch centered around a coffee table in the middle of the room. Flags decorated every corner of the room: American, military branches, presidential seal.
Sitting behind the iconic Resolute desk was President Donald Trump, his lips pursed as he watched the visitors enter the room. “Good morning, gentlemen,” he said. “Please have a seat.” He held out a hand to the three empty seats across from him. His desk was bare, with the exception of two phone sets and a single stack of papers.
The president looked just as he did on TV every day: navy blue suit, long red tie, spray-tanned skin, and his famous slicked combover the color of chicken broth.
“Good morning, Mr. President,” Colonel Griffins said, shaking the president’s hand across the desk.
“Good to see you, Colonel. Glad to know we’re recruiting more for The Crew.”
“Indeed. This is Kyle Wells and his father, Travis.”
Kyle stepped up with confidence and grasped the president’s hand, savoring the moment.
“Nice to meet you gentlemen,” the president said. “Shall we get started?”
“Yes, sir,�
� Kyle responded as they all settled into their seats, Kyle in the middle with his father to his left and Colonel Griffins on his right.
“Colonel Griffins tells me you’re a bright star for The Crew,” the president said in his slightly raspy voice, his lifelong Queens accent ever present. “I’m told we’ve never had a minor officially sign on as a member. And he told me about your grandmother. A very amazing woman. A real patriot.”
“Thank you, sir,” Kyle replied with a grin. He saw his father out of the corner of his eye, also smiling at the compliment regarding his late mother.
“So tell me, Kyle, why do you want to do this?” the president asked.
“Well, sir, I didn’t know at first, but after spending the last three months here, I’ve grown to love The Crew. I enjoy our work and am honored to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps.”
The president leaned back, arms crossed as he nodded. “They told me you watched your grandmother’s death. Sad. I can’t imagine. Do you want revenge?”
Kyle smirked at the question. Of course he thought about killing Brian and any of the other Exalls he had watched on the monitors that day. He thought about it at least five times a day.
“I won’t be actively seeking revenge,” Kyle said. “But if the opportunity presents itself, I won’t look the other way, either.”
“I see. You know, I’m against letting you join,” the president said, sending a sinking pit into Kyle’s gut. “I don’t think a young man should be in any sort of combat until he’s an adult. How bad would that look for me if something happened to you, especially two months before Election Day? A big mess, believe me. Not a fun phone call to make to sad parents.”
The president paused as if gathering his next thoughts, but left his last statement to hang in the air between them.
He’s not going to actually reject me, is he? Kyle wondered, panicking. Why would they fly my dad out here to watch me be turned away?
“They tell me I have no choice in the matter,” the president continued. “But we know that’s not true. I am the final choice. They tell me you’re a tremendous young man, and I like what I’ve seen so far. If this is really what you want, then I’m not going to stand in your way. I’ll push over the contract right now for you to sign.”
The president glared down to the stack of papers, as if daring Kyle to try and snatch them from his desk.
“Yes, sir, it is absolutely what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
The president turned to Colonel Griffins. “And you’re sure about this?”
“Mr. President, I don’t think The Crew has been so sure about a candidate since Kyle’s grandmother. He didn’t break any records during the exam, but he did pass it in one attempt, something accomplished by only two percent of those who take it. That alone puts Mr. Wells in an elite category. His potential is through the roof.”
“Tremendous. Everyone loves a good story of accomplishment. It’s what this country was built on. Very American. Let’s sign some papers.”
The president pulled in the stack of papers, flipped to the back page, signed his name, and then pushed the entire stack across the desk. “Can you go through the contract with them, Colonel? I’m not too familiar with these.”
“Yes, sir.”
Colonel Griffins scooted his chair closer to Kyle and leaned over as he and Travis flipped through the thirty page document.
“This first page just covers the basics like your salary, living situation, and things of that nature.” Colonel Griffins spoke as if he had rehearsed this bit hundreds of times.
Kyle’s eyes went down the page and did a double take as he looked at his salary of $275,000 on top of free living within the Pentagon until he turned eighteen. The Crew would also cover all of his meals in their cafeteria that really was more of a five-star restaurant. He’d be given a new government-issued cell phone. He would be chauffeured to any location he needed, and given access to a private jet in case he had to return home for a family emergency. Essentially anything that was necessary in life was covered, leaving his entire paycheck to go toward extracurricular activities.
I’m going to be a millionaire when I turn twenty-one. What the hell am I going to do with all that money?
Kyle suddenly grew uncomfortable with his dad by his side, reading over his shoulder. He suspected Travis never even made this much of a salary, but then again it didn’t matter, as Susan had left him millions in her will.
Kyle signed the bottom of each page as Colonel Griffins led him through it. After the first page, it was mostly a bunch of disclosures to not share government secrets, as doing so was punishable by death. He had to agree to have a tracking device implanted in his body so The Crew could always know if he was safe or in danger. Don’t harm civilians. Don’t discuss anything about the job outside of Crew business. Don’t mention anything about the underground world beneath the Pentagon to anyone. Et cetera. Et cetera. Et cetera.
Kyle had already known this, having it drilled in his mind by his grandmother during her last days, and reinforced by Travis following her death. This was clearly the biggest secret in the entire world, and they had managed to go several decades without a slip up. He wondered what would happen if an ex-Crew member lost their mind after a battle and decided to go on TV and tell the world the news. Of course that person would be executed, but would the world believe them? In these days of absurd headlines, probably not. But there was sure to be a group of people—even if small—who would pursue the matter until they found answers.
Then what? The world goes to war with an alien species that no one understands outside of The Crew?
The weight of bearing such a heavy secret both disturbed and excited Kyle. His biggest responsibility so far in his young life had been to complete his homework on time and make sure his room stayed clean. In the matter of four years, and accelerated over the past few months, he was now responsible for the livelihood of the entire human race. Kyle kept this thought at the front of his mind as he signed the bottom of each page, committing his life to The Crew. Between pages, he stole glances around the Oval Office, still in shock that he was inside the most famous office in the country.
And it felt right, like a long-lost destiny being fulfilled.
18
Chapter 18
Kyle was treated to a great surprise after he signed his contract to officially join The Crew. Colonel Griffins told him to enjoy the next two weeks off, and offered to book him a flight home if he wanted to spend the time back in Denver.
Kyle agreed and could hear his mother jumping and screaming for joy all the way across the country after he informed her that he would be home tonight.
All that was asked of Kyle was to remain in the tip-top shape he had worked so hard to achieve. He returned home with a clear mind and the burden of The Crew temporarily off his shoulders. His two weeks would be split between his mom and dad’s houses, but he would still have the opportunity to see both of them each day.
It was strange returning home after so many months, seeing the way life carried on for both of his parents, but also how everything stayed the same. His mother kept her house spotless as always, even tidying up Kyle’s bedroom, not a single item in his room being touched.
When Kyle first stepped into his old bedroom, an eerie nostalgia settled over him as if he had walked into a dead person’s room. The posters of Ariana Grande that lined his wall felt like a blast from the past. His desk had piles of sports cards and hand-written notes from Jessica, the kind with hearts above the letter “i” and written in some sort of glittery purple ink.
He had grown up in the last three months and didn’t realize it until he arrived home. He was still 17 years old, but he no longer found interest in memorizing sports stats, keeping tabs on pop stars and staying up until three in the morning to play video games. Instead, his mind often wandered to the fantasy of killing Exalls, and as he crossed the room to sit on his bed, Kyle felt all the innocence of his youth leave his body like exorci
sed demons.
He lied down and cried a silent sob, tears streaming from his eyes to his pillow as he stared at the ceiling. He missed being a regular kid, only having to worry about homework and teachers instead of 7 A.M. drills and aliens. He rolled over and saw the gold trophy from his middle school basketball team that had won the championship. That moment in life felt like another lifetime ago. The celebration at the school had been the day that changed everything, but leading up to it, life had still been normal. His grandmother was alive, his parents were married, and he had all of his friends by his side. That evening changed all of their lives, creating a sacred bond between them that they would all take to the grave.
Kyle’s mom entered the room and sat beside him, wiping the tears from his face. “What’s wrong, Ky?” she asked in the gentle, comforting voice only mothers seemed capable of.
“I just miss my old life. This feels like someone else’s bedroom even though I know it’s mine. So much has changed.”
“I know it has. You know, ever since you left, I’ve spent quite a few nights in here, lying right where you are, crying. I wasn’t ready to let you go—I’m still not—but it’s become a little easier. I think about you every day, and wish I could call you.”
“I should have more free time now, and they just gave me a special cell phone that works underground.”
“Thank God. I promise I won’t bother you too much.”
Kyle giggled, his emotions a trainwreck. “You don’t need to worry about me, Mom. I’m safe there. I live underground like an ant. I’ll be safe even if the world ends.”
“I know that, but I’ll still worry about you; it’s out of my control.”
Kyle looked back to the trophy, reminiscing on the day that had changed his life and led him to this moment.
“Why don’t you go visit your friends?” his mom asked. “I told Mikey you were coming home for a bit. He and Jimmy are just waiting for the call.”
Followed East Page 11