* * *
We headed north until the car stalled as if out of gas. Mason pounded the dashboard and got out to check the engine under the hood. As he and the other guys were outside trying to solve the problem, the same hummer from earlier pulled up. A few of the rugged men donned bandanas and shotguns.
“Need a lift?” The driver offered from behind his shades. His shaggy beard cropped his face.
“We have things under control, but thanks for the offer,” said Mason.
“Doesn’t look like it. There’s plenty of room in here. We can take you, folks, wherever ya’ need to go.”
Mason ignored his invitation, continuing to work on the minivan. The hummer remained parked on the opposite end of the road. The men sat there watching. I noticed a meat hook in one of the guy’s hands in the backseat and various other tools that looked as if they had just returned from a slaughterhouse. I gulped. The man who offered us a lift met my gaze and spit on the dusty road.
“Well, Well what do we have here, If it isn’t the most wanted person in the U.S of A,” the man said. I didn’t answer. “Ya’ know we could turn Maricel in and get ourselves a real juicy reward—they’re offering free meals and housing!”
Some of the men in the back of the hummer hooted, slapping hands.
“Surrender the girly, and all will be good…” he said. I scowled at them, my fist clenched at the sides. Mason gritted his teeth.
“She’s not going anywhere!” Mason shouted.
“It doesn’t seem you have much of a choice. You have nowhere to go,” the man said. I shook my head and gripped the door handle. My mother’s hand circled my shoulder. Shrugging her hand off, I emerged from the minivan.
“Maricel, wait,” Mason said, but I ignored his plea and walked across the road until I stood beside him. His broad grin revealed his yellow teeth. Without warning, he snatched me off my feet by the abdomen, squeezing my ribs tight. Two other hefty men hopped out from the truck and skulked towards the minivan.
Mason ran at them and picked one of the men upholding him over his head before throwing him. His bones cracking and he yelped.
Another struck at Warren. Warren jerked to the side, avoiding the punch. He raised his leg, sweeping it into the man’s chin knocking him unconscious.
The man tightened his grip on me. My ribs burned from within as if they had been set ablaze.
“We are going to need food for the road!” the man shouted.
From within the truck, two men inside the vehicle fired at the van. Hans and the women inside ducked as the bullets shattered glass, knocking the van on its side. Kevin and Erich shot back at them, crouching behind the overturned car.
The man slinked behind the hummer with me. He withdrew a gun from his holster and shot Mason in the arm.
Mason fell clutching his arm. I stepped on the man’s left foot. A yowl escaped his lips when I circled around, elbowing him in the abdomen. Reaching into my back pocket, I slit his jugular vein with a switchblade. His blood sprayed my hands and clothing. He fell over lifeless.
I stole the handgun from his back pocket and brandished it. All the gunshots ceased as empty shell casings lay on the dirt ground from the rounds that had been shot. A few men from within the truck took note their fallen leader and rushed out from to his aid as he lay there dead. They scowled at me.
Hans helped the women crawl out from the minivan. Mason, who held his arm that had been penetrated looked up at me with his mouth ajar.
“Give me your hummer!” I shouted, aiming the gun at the three others. They cowered. I instructed everyone to get in as they withdrew their belongings from the overturned minivan and placed them inside the hummer. The men watched standing back as we took their vehicle and I sped away, blowing smoke in their faces.
“You killed a man back there!” Mason shouted as I drove.
“It was self-defense.”
“I can’t believe you!”
“I saved our lives.”
“By murdering someone?”
“You didn’t have a problem taking those guys on with Warren, Kevin, and Erich.”
“That was different. Where did you get that knife from?”
“It doesn’t matter. And how is what I did any different?”
“Let’s see. If it weren’t for your impulse, this whole ordeal never would’ve occurred.”
“I trusted my gut, I wished I would’ve sooner back at the gas station rather than keeping silent.”
“And once again like that video you filmed with that rat, it was a stupid thing to do.”
“You of all people should be thanking me, Mason, I saved you.”
“It’s not your job to defend me, Maricel.”
“Even if you’re too prideful to be saved, five other people’s lives were spared.”
“He missed me when he shot. My arm is perfectly fine. It was a part of the act,” Mason said. I looked back in the rearview mirror and not a scratch or bruise marked his arm.
“I could’ve sworn I saw you bleeding.”
“I don’t bleed. That’s why you never should’ve killed him nonetheless listened to his outrageous orders.” I pulled over on the shoulder of the road losing the desire to drive. Mason got out exchanging places with me. I didn’t converse with him the rest of the way.
After another hour, we arrived in Destin. The once beautiful resorts had been demolished. Trash lay everywhere making it a dumping ground and buildings were engulfed in flames.
Mason drove to an open field and parked the hummer, getting out. The tall grass obscured him when he bent down.
Minutes later, he stood up and motioned for us to come over. We all got out and walked over to the open trapdoor. Mason climbed inside using the ladder.
Warren held the door helping everyone out while Mason received the belongings.
When I reached the surface of the bunker, my eyes grew wide at how spacious and furnished it was with a living room, kitchen, and several rooms. Along the walls were portraits where the window would be that emulated a warm sunny day, the next window showed an overcast sky. On the other wall, the pictures mimicked evening and night.
“Impressed?” Mason whispered in my ear as he stood behind me with his hands folded behind his back.
“It’s a good start,” I said, not turning to face him. I wanted to tell him that I was over with him. The fear of him spiraling into another rage trumped my desire to be forthright.
“Get used to it. I’m hoping God will be merciful and allow us to stay one step ahead once the tribulation starts.”
“I doubt anyone will be able to do that.”
“Perhaps it’s wishful thinking,” he said. Satisfaction was evident in the tone of his voice. I was unsure if it came from the fact Leo had been put out or that I was impressed with the place. Rather than answering him, I traveled to the kitchen area. Leslie and Caroline started preparing dinner. I moved to the fridge. It was more extensive than the one I had seen at the beach house. To the left of it were another row of refrigerators. It must have taken years for them to construct the place.
“Are you and Mason fighting?” Caroline asked. My blood ran cold as I turned to face her.
“We were, but…” Leslie lifted her brow at me. “I don’t think things between us are really working…”
“Really? I’m surprised. You two seemed so happy together, but it’s your call,” Caroline said.
“We’re far from happy with each other at the moment,” I said.
“Is this about Leo or what happened back on the road?” Caroline asked.
“Neither.”
“I think it’s about Leo,” Leslie said.
“No.”
“He threatened to kill Mason after you guys argued,” Leslie said. “If you don’t mind telling me what happened?” Although Leslie was my best friend, I was still too ashamed to tell her and Caroline my “perfect” boyfriend had shoved me on the floor.
“It’
s nothing.”
Both women exchanged looks. Neither asked me anything else about the incident. Instead, we turned their attention to preparing a meal.
* * *
An hour later, we served dinner to the rest of the group, everyone sat content.
“Smells good,” Warren said, putting his feet up on the table as I set down his plate in front of him.
“Feet down!” Leslie said. He laughed.
“Okay, mom,” he said. She rolled her eyes.
“I hope you enjoy,” I said. Warren smiled at me.
“You didn’t add anything Maricel because you’re a little loca.” He snickered. His laughter ended when he saw me shake my head and place my hand on my hip. The next person I set the plate down in front of was Mason. He beamed as if he had done nothing wrong earlier. I looked away and snagged a seat beside my mother.
“Thank you, Lord, for bringing all of us together and keeping us safe through the storm our country is enduring. You know if this is truly the end of the nation. Whether we are in modern Babylon or not, I pray that each and everyone at this table would survive without a scratch. Thank you once again. Amen,” Mason prayed.
When he concluded his prayer, my stomach and chest burned. How he was still questioning the legitimacy of the prophecy? How much more would it take?
“You girls really outdid yourself,” my mother said as she took a bite of the brisket.
“Thanks,” Caroline said.
“Can I marry you, Maricel, even if you’re loca when it comes to hacking the media and criminals along the road with weapons?” Warren said, glancing at my empty ring finger and heat rose in my face.
“She’s all mine,” Mason said. His words were a bitter reminder of how I needed to free myself
“Oh, my bad, Mason. I didn’t realize you two were together. I just joined the crew and assumed you two were good friends since you both aren’t overly affectionate.” His words caused Mason to scowl.
“Neither did I...,” my mother said.
“I’m sorry, I totally forgot to mention it to you, mom,” I said. Mason grunted and narrowed his eyes at me.
“Now that everyone here is aware, I just want to say it has been the best weeks of my life.” Mason grinned. My appetite was officially gone.
“Why are all the hot or nice ones always married or taken,” Warren said. I smiled.
“You’ll find your special someone out there, Warren. God’s got the perfect wifey for you,” Caroline said.
“If we all don’t die first.”
“Don’t talk like that,” Leslie said.
“Just calling it how I see it,” Warren said. “So what was up with the other guy?”
“That thug, Leo?” Mason said.
“Is that’s his name? What a total freak,” Warren said.
“You took the words out of my mouth,” Warren said. Mason and he burst into laughter. Kevin joined them. Leslie and Caroline stared at me while Erich pushed around the peas on his plate.
“He isn’t a thug,” I said. The table lapsed into silence. “He does what he has to do to get by.”
“You call stealing, killing, and lying just getting by?” Mason said.
“It was for a good cause,” I said.
“That’s what the devil does,” Mason said. I glared at him. My mother placed her hand on my back.
“If you excuse me, I need to have a word with my daughter,” she said. I followed my mother to her room.
“Maricel, what’s with you? I heard the argument between Mason and Leo, and then you just slit a man’s throat after placing yourself in danger.”
“I haven’t been the same since I left with Azazel.”
“How can anyone remain the same after being exploited by that monster?”
“When I was with him. I was crowned queen of Lemuria, that’s the kingdom he took me through the portal the day I left you,” I said. My mother gasped. “I fled on our wedding day as a consequence I saw more deaths than any soul could sustain. “When I slit the man’s throat. It wasn’t the first, and I’m sure it won’t be the last,” I said. She covered her mouth.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she said.
“That’s the thing. Mason will never understand what it’s like to carry this weight. Yet Leo understands as a former assassin.”
“It explains why you seem to have more chemistry with Leo than Mason even though he’s your boyfriend.”
“I feel stuck with Mason,” I said.
“How are you stuck with him? If you’re not happy with Mason, tell him and end things.”
“That’s what Leslie told me.”
“And she’s right so what’s holding you back?”
“Guilt.”
“You have nothing to be guilty about.”
“He’s done so much for me.”
“That still doesn’t mean you have to be in a relationship with him.”
“I originally hooked up with him to get back at Leo.”
“Maricel, why?”
“I thought Leo was betraying me.”
“That’s no reason to use Mason in that way. Look, as bad as what you did is since Mason is your friend he should understand.”
“I’m trapped in a bunker with him for God knows how long. I don’t need him giving me the evil eye every time I cross his path.”
“I see your point, but it’s obvious you aren’t happy.
The creeping howl of an air raid siren growing louder disrupted us. From outside the living room, we heard a commotion.
“Everyone get over here!” Kevin shouted from the living room. I scrambled out of my room to the television.
On scream, images streamed of miles of dark smoke from a nuclear attack on Kansas City, Missouri. My mother covered her eyes. Under the scrolling news ticker flashed warnings. Warren did the sign of the cross.
“Today, is one of the darkest days in U.S. history, not just for our country but for the world. The first nuclear bomb in history was dropped in the heart of this country. Millions lost their lives to the senseless terrorist attacks. As we face a ground invasion. Troops have been deployed to the eastern border to combat this crisis. Maricel predicted this would happen just hours before. Is she a doomsday psychic or a terrorist?”
The broadcast wavered cutting out. On camera appeared a man on the screen dressed in long dark clothing. His face was obscured by a matching face max. One arm was wrapped around the speaker of the house’s neck. The speaker of the house squirmed as the man pulled the trigger and blood splattered the screen.
“I have killed your president, your vice president, and speaker of the house. I’ll remove everyone in my way. I am your new leader,” the translated captions read.
“And to think if we wouldn’t have got here sooner,” Caroline said. “Mason good thinking.”
“No, thank God and Maricel. She’s the one that warned us,” Mason said. The room’s eyes shifted to me.
“I have to go up there,” Kevin said, standing.
“What?” Caroline said.
“I can’t just sit and watch a bunch of terrorists take over our country!”
“Kevin, remember what you said earlier about taking care of ourselves,” Caroline said.
“He’s right,” Warren said.
“I feel the same way, I don’t know much about fighting, but I’d rather die knowing it was for a worthy cause,” Erich said.
“Please don’t leave me down here, Erich,” Leslie said.
“Babe, it will be okay,” he said, giving her a peck on the lips.
“If you three are going to go then I’m joining you,” Mason said, adding himself in. The four men moved to Mason’s armory.
The men suited up with camouflage, bullet vest, and helmets. I along with their wives, stood in the doorway watching. Leo was right, he was always one step ahead. Even when being shot.
“You ladies stay safe and don’t for one-second rise above this bunke
r, you hear me?” Mason said. I nodded. “That includes you, Maricel, you aren’t exempt even if you’re able to defend yourself,” he said. Mason stared at me for a moment, not uttering a sound. In the background, the women embraced their spouses. Mason’s eyes remained fixed on me.
“What happens if you guys don’t return? Those are professionally trained men, not just little guys with guns. This is a home invasion a war that you’re injecting yourselves into,” I said.
“We will return,” Mason said. He leaned in, planting a kiss on my lips. My eyes opened as confusion and dizziness filled me with the withdrawal of his lips. Before I could get a word in he walked away, climbing the ladder with the other men. The air from the trapdoor opening sent a chill down my spine.
* * *
Days passed. Leslie and Caroline viewed the news praying their husbands were not among the casualties.
Despite the waring conditions, my longing to be above ground grew with the day. One night as everyone slept, I tiptoed around putting on my glasses, throwing a sweatshirt over my thin tank top and opened the cellar, taking in the aroma of the uncut grass and catching a glimpse of the Orion constellation with the Rigel star shining the brightest within it. A large orange moon loomed overhead as the rush of cool midnight grazed my skin. Strange how no one had predicted it.
I swung my legs over and climbed out. Planks of uprooted wood from the seaboard, beer cans, liquor bottles, and cigarette butts were scattered throughout the sand. Watching my step, as granules of sand filled my tennis shoes, irritating my socks as I plodded towards the crashing current.
A hand steadied my shoulders from behind, I spun around with bawled fist into Leo. I laughed as he caught me, taking my hand. Until now, I’d nearly forgotten the power of his grip—a feeling I’d missed. We ran with clasped hands toward the dark waves.
“You returned?” I said while the frigid water whisked around my ankles.
“I had to,” he said.
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