Shadows of Deliverance

by Amy Hale

  He looked at Karen and she nodded just as alarms started blaring over speakers built into the ceiling.

  “Hurry,” said Julia as she led them down the hallway and to a dark metal door. She motioned for them to stand back, then she pushed a code into a keypad and it slid open. One guard sat in a chair inside.

  “Brandt, go down and help with the mess in the basement. I’ll keep watch here.” Her firm authoritative tone was a practiced skill.

  “But, ma’am, I think I saw movement on the east side of the building. I think I should …”

  She stopped him mid-sentence. “You aren’t paid to think. You are paid to do what I tell you to do. If that means wearing a tutu and standing on your head, you’ll do it. Do you understand?” She gave him a withering stare.

  He stood. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good, now get down there and help. I have this covered.” Julia shooed him away.

  He bolted from the room and almost knocked Karen over getting away from Julia. He didn’t even bother to look at Jane or Colt as he ran.

  Julia stepped inside. “Where is the rest of your gang? I’m assuming that was the movement he saw?”

  Colt nodded. “More than likely.”

  Julia panned the east cameras but saw nothing. “Well, wherever they are, they are well hidden now.” She turned to him and studied his face for a moment. “No wonder Jane’s so taken with you. You’re a cute kid.” She looked back at the controls and started flipping switches. “I’ve just unlocked all the doors. Grab your people and get out before anyone notices.”

  Colt shook his head. “I have to get all the kids out, not just my group.”

  Julia rolled her eyes at him. “Do we have a hero complex?”

  “No,” he said. “I do however have loyalty to friends, as Jane does. She wanted them out, so I’m getting them out.”

  Jane looked at him with a confused expression. “Me?”

  Julia waved her hands to shoo them out. “Fine. Take them all. I’m tired of this mess anyway. Most of them should be in the gym. That’s the emergency procedure when the alarms sound.”

  “Thank you,” said Karen.

  Julia looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. “Holy crap. He’s your kid. I can see it in the eyes.” She shook her head. “He ended up in this mess after all your efforts to protect him. I can’t wait to be rid of you all. Now go before I change my mind!”

  Colt grabbed Jane and Karen’s hands and ran down the hall to the staircase he’d used earlier. Once on the first floor he looked at Karen. “Where is the gym?”

  She pointed to her right and they took off down the corridor until they pushed through a set of doors. The entire student body had seated themselves on the floor, looking at each other with wide, terrified eyes.

  Colt ran to the front of the room and whistled loudly. All eyes shifted to him. “We need to get out of the building. Line up single file and calmly follow me.”

  He moved but the children only watched him. No one attempted to stand.

  Karen looked around nervously. “I don’t think they’ll listen to either of us. Jeremy has them pretty brainwashed.”

  Colt looked at Jane. “They’ll listen to you.”

  She turned her face to his. “They don’t know me. I don’t know them.”

  Katy appeared in the doorway. “What happened?”

  “We need to get them all outside. The doors are all unlocked, but they won’t leave.”

  Katy looked at Jane. “You have to tell them to leave.”

  She shook her head. “You all are crazy. They won’t listen to me.”

  Katy frowned and placed her hands on Jane’s arms. She closed her eyes and hummed. Jane’s body swayed a moment, then she gasped and pulled from Katy’s grasp. Her eyes fell on the room full of frightened children. “How did you do that? I saw myself talking to you, and I was on a stage talking to the children.”

  Katy smiled. “Good, that’s what I wanted you to see.” She turned to Colt. “Small glimpses of the old Jane may be breaking through.”

  Jane closed her eyes and inhaled deep breaths, then ran to the front. “Everyone, please listen. We have to exit the building now. Please line up and follow those people standing in the back of the room.”

  The children all fell in line and Colt led them down the hall and out the front door. Julia was waiting once they all got outside. She pulled Colt to one side and handed him a sheet of paper.

  He glanced down at the index of addresses and names listed before him. “What’s this?”

  Julia pointed to the paper. “A list of all the other organizations across the country. They can help.”

  “What?” barked Colt. “There are more of you psychos out there?”

  She frowned. “Not exactly. We are the only organization like ours. The rest are actually schools, started by older students that wanted to teach kids how to harness their gifts, not weaponize them.”

  Colt stuffed the list into his pocket. “Thanks.”

  Julia shrugged. “I figured if I’m gonna defect, I might as well go all the way.”

  He cocked his head in acknowledgment of her confession, then turned to survey everyone before him. He didn’t see Rachel or Wes. Where the hell are they?

  He jogged over to Katy. “Where are Rachel and Wes?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. When the alarms went off they left me to find you and Cameron. Rachel insisted I get out, but I knew I couldn’t leave without making sure everyone had escaped too.”

  In the distance, Colt saw Brett, Blake, Jocelyn, and Kyler step out from the trees and run toward them. He jogged to meet them just as they reached the group of students milling about.

  Kyler frowned. “Cameron told us that you’d found Jane and were getting her out. He also said he was downstairs with Jeremy and Gregory. I guess they are fighting and Cameron took that opportunity to pull the alarm. He stopped communicating after that. I don’t know if he’s okay.”

  Colt didn’t like that scenario at all. Cameron could handle himself just fine, but Jeremy and Gregory made a ruthless team; the fight would hardly be fair.

  Jocelyn appeared worried as well. “Maybe I should go see if he needs help.”

  “Not by yourself,” replied Brett.

  She ignored him and kept her eyes on Colt. “I could attempt the x-ray vision thing again. Maybe I could see something without them knowing I’m there.”

  Kyler shook his head. “Rachel and Wes are still in there too. We don’t need to have to rescue all of you.”

  She turned her glare on Kyler. “Hey, I’ve saved Cameron before, remember?”

  Blake put his hands on his hips. “How? You never exactly explained that.”

  She sighed. “He was being attacked by two guys. The tallest had him on the ground, beating the living daylights out of him. I assumed they jumped him or he would have thrown up a shield at the least. Anyway, I snuck up behind them and placed a hand on both of them. Somehow, they saw what I saw. They both saw their future, and let’s just say that career criminals don’t usually get a happy ending. Their deaths will be gruesome when the time comes. As expected, it freaked them out. While they were wigging out I hit them both over the head with a pipe and knocked them out cold. Then I got Cameron to safety.”

  Blake arched an eyebrow at her. “Really.” His skepticism made her wince. “Two guys jumped Cameron.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Okay, it didn’t help that he’d been pretty drunk. But no matter why, I still stopped them and got him out of the alley where he could safely sleep it off.”

  “They saw what you saw, but you’ve never had that happen before or since?” asked Kyler.

  She nodded.

  Brett frowned. “So, what you are saying is that your gifts are unreliable.”

  She tried to argue her point. “No! I’m saying that something seems to happen when I’m under pressure. Maybe this situation will be the same.”

  “Guys,” said Colt, “we don’t have time
to argue about this.”

  Brett crossed his arms. “Fine, I’m going with you.”

  “Whatever, just don’t get in my way. I need to concentrate if I’m going to push myself to this limit.” She started walking toward the building without waiting for Brett.

  Colt grabbed his brother’s arm. “Are you sure about this? I mean, there is no telling what you’d run into in there.”

  Brett nodded. “I’m certain. Rachel is still in there. No way in hell I’m gonna wait out here.”

  Colt fully understood. “Okay, here.” He handed Brett his handgun. “Use if you have to.”

  Brett tucked the gun in the back of his waistband and gave Colt a fist bump. “I got this.” Then he turned and chased after Jocelyn.

  Jocelyn entered through one of the side doors. She felt Brett’s presence behind her but she ignored him. She knew he meant to be helpful, but she felt like they didn’t trust her, or they didn’t think her capable. She may have spent most of her life on her own, but she did have feelings. She cared about this group of people and wanted to be useful to them.

  She slipped along the edges of the first room, assuring that she stayed out of sight as much as physically possible. Brett followed her lead. She heard voices and squeezed between two bookcases against the wall while Brett ducked behind a chair. Jocelyn tried to see the men walking on the other side of the wall, but nothing happened. She frowned and waited for them to pass. Once well out of sight, she moved out of her hiding spot as Brett did the same.

  “Crap,” she muttered. “It didn’t work.”

  Brett gave her a sympathetic look. “Listen, I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad back there. I don’t always know how to say what I mean without sounding like an ass.”

  She shook her head. “Don’t give it another thought.” She tried to hide her annoyance at the situation. She walked into the next room, listening for anything that could help them find their friends.

  Behind her, Brett decided to continue the conversation. “I just want to make sure everyone is safe.”

  “And I don’t?” she hissed, making sure to keep her voice low.

  “That’s not what I’m saying. I’m worried … about all of us. And Rachel …” He stopped himself.

  Jocelyn smiled. “Ah, so that’s it.”

  “What does that mean?” His expression became passive.

  “You like Rachel, I get it. You wanted to be here to get her out.” Jocelyn poked her head down a hallway to assure the coast was clear, then continued on.

  Brett made a low grunting sound.

  “Oh, have you gone primitive now?” She let her arms drop to her side in a limp manner. “Me Brett. Me cave man. Me tough.” When he didn’t answer, she turned to see a very large man holding Brett by the shirt collar, his unconscious body hanging limply. She gasped just before Jeremy and Gregory came down the hallway with Rachel and Wes. Her friends hands were tied behind their backs.

  “Wonderful,” said Jeremy. “More annoyances.” He looked at Brett and chuckled lightly. “At least that one won’t be a problem.” He nodded his head in Jocelyn’s direction and two guards stepped around him to grab her. She managed to just slip their grasp and ran.

  “Get her!” Gregory yelled.

  She heard the guard chase after her as she rushed to get away, his footsteps not far behind.

  Jeremy watched the guard race after Jocelyn, then looked at Brett in disgust. He noticed something sticking out of the unconscious man’s jeans. “Turn him around a bit.”

  The guard did as he’d been told and Jeremy saw a gun. He removed it and checked the cylinder. His smile went from interested to devious. “How nice of them to furnish us with a loaded revolver.”

  He became distracted as he tried to decide where to carry the gun for easy access and Rachel took advantage. She slammed her head back into Jeremy’s and he stumbled backward.

  The guard holding Wes moved forward to help Jeremy. Wes slipped from his one-handed grasp and jumped, pulling his duct taped hands under his feet and then in front of him. The guard reached for him and Wes brought his arms up and back down. The tape tore just in time for Wes to kick the guard firmly in the groin. He fell to the floor in agony.

  Rachel yelled at Wes. “Go! Get back to them!”

  Wes nodded and ran.

  Gregory grabbed Rachel by the back of her hair and wrenched her head back painfully. He whispered hotly in her ear, his voice full of malice. “Don’t you dare try that again.”

  She flinched but refused to outwardly acknowledge his command.

  Jeremy had his hand over his nose, blood running down his lips and chin. He glared at her, then looked at the guard still holding Brett. “Put him down and run to the infirmary. Get something to stop this bleeding.”

  The guard dropped Brett and took off down the hall. Jeremy winced in an overly dramatic fashion. “Ow. That would have hurt, if he’d been awake.” He smiled at Rachel. “Not that you care, right?”

  She narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Well, we’ll leave Sleeping Beauty here while we go out and have a chat with Colt.” He pointed the revolver at Rachel. “I think he’ll be interested in what I have to say.”

  Colt saw Jocelyn run out of the front doors, practically slamming into the crowd of waiting students. She spotted Colt and bolted in his direction. She worked to catch her breath and moments later Wes came through the same door, helping a very disoriented Brett walk upright.

  Colt inhaled sharply. “Damn.” He jogged to where his brother leaned against Wes and put Brett’s other arm around his neck for support. “We got ya.”

  “Yeah,” quipped Brett. “So did someone else. I never saw it coming.”

  Jocelyn reached his side and tears welled in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Brett. I didn’t see it. I couldn’t help, just like you said.”

  Brett shook his head and winced at the pain the motion caused him. “No. I was wrong about you. Please don’t blame yourself. This wasn’t your fault at all.” He pushed Colt and Wes away, standing on his own. He rubbed the back of his head. “If that leaves a scar I’m gonna have to grow a mullet to cover it up.”

  “A mullet?” Jocelyn’s voice held concern.

  Colt chuckled. “Don’t worry about him, Jocelyn. He’s being a smart ass, which proves he’s just fine. He’s only serious when he’s in bad shape.”

  A gunshot rang through the air and everyone froze. All eyes shifted in the direction of Jeremy and Gregory near the back of the lot. Colt clenched his jaw at the sight before him.

  Gregory smirked as he pushed the barrel of Colt’s gun against Rachel’s head. “I do believe we have their attention now, Jeremy.”

  The laugh that escaped Jeremy’s lips caused a chill to run down Colt’s spine. “I’m gonna say you are correct.” He raised his arms and his voice. “How did this happen? How did all of you get out here?”

  A young man that looked to be about twelve raised his hand. When Jeremy pointed to him, he spoke up. “The alarms went off and we followed Miss Jane.”

  Jeremy narrowed his eyes. “I know Cameron had been a distraction, but where is the rest of his band of merry men?” He looked at the many faces staring back at him. “I want the entire rescue party to step forward and away from the students.”

  When no one moved, he nodded at Gregory. Rachel cried out in pain as Gregory wrenched her arm behind her back with brutal force, the gun still pressed to her temple.

  Brett stepped forward. “Leave her alone!”

  Rachel’s eyes implored Brett not to interfere, and Colt knew she feared for Brett’s safety, not her own. He agreed. Brett was easily the most vulnerable of them all, not to mention he’d just been cold-cocked. He also often acted before he thought about it and Colt feared he’d make a move that would get himself hurt even more.

  Gregory and Jeremy gave each other a look, then Jeremy spoke. “Gotta give you Hendersons’ credit. You seem to be much tougher than you look. I would have bet a large sum of money that you’d
be out at least another half hour or so.”

  Colt had had enough of the games. He steeled his resolve and marched forward. When he cleared the crowd, he stopped and crossed his arms, giving Jeremy a bored expression. “I’m here, Jeremy. Let her go.”

  Jeremy’s eyes registered shock, and Colt knew exactly what he had to be thinking. Jeremy never really believed Colt would survive the gunshot, let alone one day stand before him in health and defiance. Colt snickered knowing that Jeremy would likely soil himself if he knew Colt not only had self-healing abilities, but super strength as well.

  “So, you survived and now you are back for more.” Jeremy snickered. “Well, that’s just adorable.”

  Colt just shrugged. “I guess I’m a glutton for punishment.”

  Gregory sneered at him, his words coming out like a hiss. “You’re a damned fool. You should have died quickly while you had the chance. This time will be slow and painful.”

  “How about you prove you’re both real men and let the girl go.” Colt put his hands on his hips and stared them both down. “We can settle this the old-fashioned way.”

  Jeremy laughed. “How about you tell me where Jane is. Maybe we won’t blow Rachel’s head off.”

  Colt closed his eyes. He didn’t know if Jane could handle any of this in her current state of mind. Not to mention she had no grasp of who her true enemies were in all of this.

  Jane spoke up. “I’m here. You don’t have to hurt anyone.” She stepped out from behind Karen, who tried to hold her back. She patted Karen’s arm in reassurance. “It’ll be okay.” Then she walked toward Jeremy. “What can I do?”

  He smiled. “Ah, there you are. I thought you’d abandoned me—your only true friend.”

  She shook her head. “I simply got the others out to safety. I’m still here.” She motioned to those around her. “They are still here.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I thought you said my purpose here is to help?”