by M. B. Lewis
The ceiling continued to crack and crumble, its stability worried Duke. They needed to get out of there fast. Every time someone pulled the trigger in this underground cathedral, they created a cascading series of sounds, all of which deteriorated the structural integrity of the ceiling.
Duke checked Kadie and Brian. They still hugged the floor, though it appeared they were uninjured from this firefight. He couldn’t tell Brian’s condition, but it didn’t look like he was moving. The space shook with every shot fired in the underground church, which meant only one thing.
“Kadie, we’ve got to go!”
“We need the Scroll!” she hollered back.
Duke could see Patricia hiding behind the ancient pulpit; the Scroll still clutched in her hands.
Having failed to hit Duke, Curt changed his position to get a better shot. This left him briefly exposed, and Duke squeezed off a few rounds in his direction. The powerful 1911 spewing lead sent Curt back behind his cover. A glance at Patricia confirmed she had yet to move. Duke started to holler at Kadie when the floor vibrated. The floor to the cathedral rumbled, and treasures stacked in the pews tumbled to the floor as more chunks fell from the ceiling. His mind reeled at what was happening when a loud, roaring rumble ripped through the cathedral. That could only be one thing.
Earthquake.
62
Debris rained around them and Kadie shoved Brian under the bench as the floor shook. She knew exactly what was happening, having been in an earthquake in Mexico City at age ten. The feeling of helplessness was something she had never forgotten; the terrifying experience seared into her consciousness.
Patricia screamed as the earth made a giant ripping sound. Vast sections of the ceiling crashed to the floor around them. The entire section of the cathedral where Curt had been, was destroyed and the shooting stopped. A deep crevice lay in its place, filled with rubble.
When Duke’s head popped up above the stone pews between them, Kadie must have smiled because he grinned back at her before returning his attention to Patricia.
“She’s gone,” he said.
Duke stood and bolted to where the pulpit once stood while Kadie struggled to lift Brian off the floor. The poor boy was semi-conscious and couldn’t keep his eyes open. They clamored to their feet and limped to the center aisle, where Kadie sat Brian at the end of the pew. Kadie rushed to where Duke lay on his stomach, looking down into the crevice.
She reached the front of the church and glanced in the direction where Curt had shot at them from. He was nowhere to be seen. The massive crevice ran from his side of the cathedral to the front where Patricia had been. Peering into the giant crack in the earth, she found Patricia clinging to the side of the crevice. One hand tightly gripped the Scroll, the other, hung on to the jutting rock.
“Patricia, give me your hand.” Duke reached over the edge, straining to get closer to her.
“I-I can’t,” she cried.
Kadie knew Patricia couldn’t remain there much longer, particularly if there were another tremor. “Patricia, hand me the Scroll,” she said. “You need to use both hands to get out.”
The executive vice-president of GDI shook her head. The fool.
“Give me the Scroll so Duke can pull you out,” Kadie said, reaching deep into the crevice. Duke stretched for her, finally grabbing the arm that held the Scroll.
Huge pieces of the ceiling and the earth above crashed to the floor of the church. Duke pulled upward, and Patricia managed to get footing higher in the crevice.
“We don’t have time,” Duke said. Patricia was closer now, allowing him to grab her other arm and pull her up to the ledge. With Kadie’s help, they pulled her and the Scroll to safety. Another ripping sound above and more debris fell on the spot where Curt had shot at them. Duke rolled in that direction to check the damage, and suddenly there was Curt standing over him. The GDI security man aimed his pistol at Duke’s head, and Kadie screamed. Suddenly, a bright, white light burst through the darkness in the ceiling, blinding her.
Kadie screamed, and Duke shifted his focus from the pistol pointed at his head to her. She was looking toward the ceiling of the cathedral, but he couldn’t see what she saw in the darkness. There were more screams, and Duke turned back as Curt’s pistol fell to the floor. Curt shook violently as light emanated from his eyes and mouth as if his body cooked from the inside. The blood-curdling scream that Curt let loose was cut off, and the light became beams shooting out of his body, extending four to six feet in every direction. Static electricity raced around his body for a few seconds, then the beams stopped. Curt stared at Duke, his eyes pleading, the internal pain he experienced unbearable.
Duke wanted to jump to his feet and punch the guy, but whatever—or whoever—was killing him wanted him to suffer. Veins in Curt’s neck, face, and forehead abnormally pulsated. He moved a hand toward his head, his mouth open; attempting to scream yet unable, his eyes wide with shock. His hand started to disintegrate, the ash of what was once his body falling to the ground. He was being killed slowly and forced to watch it. Even worse, he was being forced to comprehend it. A fitting death for such an evil man.
Duke turned back toward Patricia, who experienced the same fate. The Scroll lay still at her feet and appeared to glow. Duke reached his hand out to grab it but jerked it back as the glow intensified. In a matter of seconds, the Scroll disappeared or disintegrated. He wasn’t sure of anything other than it was gone.
The walls of the cathedral seemed to peel away as the collapse of the structure increased. With no more time to waste, Duke pulled Kadie to her feet, the wound in his arm aching as he did. She froze when the second tremor ripped through the church.
“Kadie, come on,” he said. He rushed to the center aisle to grab Brian when he realized she wasn’t behind him. She stood frozen right where he had left her. He hurried back, grabbing her upper arms in his hands, and studied her face. It was if she were looking through him. “Kadie, are you okay?”
Kadie wrestled free, her fingers splayed and her hands in front of her. She shook her head, her eyes staring in the distance. “I-I can’t see.”
“I’ve got you.” Duke grabbed her hand and towed her to where Brian sat. She struggled to keep up with him, stumbling with every other step.
“The light—the light blinded me.”
Duke didn’t have time to argue—or judge. He didn’t know what light she was talking about. Maybe she was struck on the head or got something in her eyes, but it didn’t matter—they needed to escape now, or they would all end up dead.
“The Scroll?” Kadie said. “Where is it?”
“It’s gone,” Duke said. “We’ve got to get out of here. Wait here. I’ll get Brian.”
Duke knelt by Brian. The young man was unresponsive. Not wasting any time, Duke picked up Brian in a fireman’s carry over his shoulders, the pain in his arm making him groan out loud. Something sharp poked him in the shoulder, and he set Brian back down. The boy had the gold-handled knife in his pocket. Duke removed the knife and stuck it into his cargo pants, then lifted Brian back up in the fireman carry. Once Brian was on his shoulders, Duke realized the prayer shawl from the vase was missing. No time to search for it now.
“Kadie, we’re right in front of you. Reach out and grab the back of my belt.” He felt her grasp behind him. “Don’t let go. We’ve got to get out now.”
“Where is everyone else?”
“Gone.”
“They left?”
“No, they’re dead.”
Kadie paused as her grip tightened on his belt. “Can you see?” she said.
“Yes, let’s go.”
Duke led her along the center aisle, now littered with debris and fallen treasure. He talked her over and around obstacles as they went. They reached the tall, double-wooden doors, and a loud rumble again occurred behind them. In front of them was the pit that claimed two of GDI’s men. The ledge on the sides was big enough to walk by, but with him carrying Brian and leading Kadie, it w
as risky.
“Kadie, we’re approaching the pit outside the cathedral, remember?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’m gonna walk slow. We’re gonna stay as close to the side as possible. Take small steps and be careful.”
“All right.”
Duke shuffled cautiously along the side of the pit. It was about ten by ten feet. He tried to use his right hand to grab anything on the side of the cave. It didn’t help much.
He felt a tug on his back and a quick yelp from Kadie, then a greater tug.
“Ouch!”
He swayed as he started to lose his balance but managed to hug the wall. Kadie must have stepped off the ledge. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I slipped and smacked my knee.”
Duke took a deep breath. They were in a precarious situation. If she stumbled into the pit, she’d take him and Brian with her. There was nothing Duke could do to prevent them from falling in. “Take your time and try to stand back up. The ledge we’re on is about two feet wide. Let me know when you’re ready to move again.”
“Okay.”
Duke held his breath as she tugged on the back of his belt. He sensed she was positioning herself closer to the wall, and he breathed easier when he heard her sigh.
“I’m ready,” she said.
“We’re halfway there. Try to hug the wall. I’m gonna go slow, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Let me know when you’re ready to start moving.” Duke hoped it was soon. The entire underground structure was shaking, and they didn’t have much longer.
“I’m ready,” she said.
They shuffled along the edge again. Slower than he wanted, but more cautious. After a few more seconds, they cleared the pit.
“Okay, we’re past it,” he said, and they picked up their pace.
Duke felt like Lot and his family racing out of Sodom, and he wasn’t about to become a pillar of salt. As they hurried through to the stone door that brandished the Chi-Rho symbols, it sounded like the entire ceiling of the cathedral collapsed. The force of the destruction blew dirt, dust, and debris out the doors, through the small holding area and stone door, past them and up the first ten steps.
Duke covered his face as the dust cloud engulfed them but continued forward. He kept his pace until he reached the first step of the stairs. Kadie still clung on to his belt, and he shifted Brian on his shoulders.
“We’re at the staircase,” Duke said. “I’m going to try not to go too fast.”
“I’m right here.”
His foot found the first slippery step, and he began his climb. After the first few steps, he grunted, the weight of Brian starting to take its toll. He tried to open his eyes every few steps. The dust cloud gradually decreased, and eventually, the light from the entrance outside beckoned him forward.
There hadn’t been any rumbling since the ceiling collapsed, but he feared another earthquake tremor. Were those even common in this part of the world? He struggled up the steps, past the landing, and finally reached the slight ramp that led to the entrance.
They reached the outside, and when the fresh air tickled his face, he smiled briefly.
“Thank God,” Kadie said. “We made it.”
Duke didn’t slow his pace. “We’ve got to get Brian to a hospital. You, too. You must have gotten some debris in your eyes.”
Kadie didn’t say anything as they picked up the pace along the trail in the forest. They stumbled continuously in the high grass, falling victim to dense roots and large branches alike. Five minutes later, they reached the Suburban.
“We’re here,” Duke said. “You can let go while I stick Brian in the backseat.” He felt Kadie release his belt, and Duke bent over to stand her brother up against the side of the SUV. The weight off his shoulders made him feel much better, but his arm was growing numb from the wound. Opening the door, he helped the semi-conscious Brian into the seat and buckled him in. He took Kadie by the hand and walked her around to the other side. She had a pleasant calm about her as if she’d accepted her condition. Duke opened the door for her, and she climbed in.
“I’ve got this,” she said as she moved into the seat next to her brother and buckled in. Duke grinned. She was a tough one, unwilling to let someone do something she could do herself, even when she couldn’t see.
He shut the door and hurried into the front seat. His eyes searched everywhere. Uh-oh.
“Do you have any keys?” Kadie said.
“No.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Improvise.”
Using the knife he found on Brian, he pried off the bottom cover to the steering wheel column. He worked quickly and with purpose. Once free, he found the bundle of wires and pulled them out. Separating the two he wanted, the knife severed both wires, and he stripped them. He used the two ends against each other to start the ignition, and the engine roared to life.
“You’ve done this before,” Kadie said from the back.
“Maybe once or twice.”
“You are a real commando.”
Duke grinned but said nothing as he put the car in reverse. He backed up, straightened out, put the Suburban in drive, and raced down the trail. Swerving around the damaged Range Rover, he accelerated and headed toward the main road. The Suburban bounced them around on the forest trail. Ten minutes later, they reached the paved road.
Duke checked the rearview mirror as they sped toward the hospital in Nis. Kadie held Brian in her arms and ran her fingers through his hair. Duke smiled and returned his focus to the road. His faith—their faith—paid off.
Epilogue
Birmingham, Alabama
The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital
* * *
Kadie sat in the waiting area outside the Neurology Center on Floor 2 at the Kirklin Clinic. The facility at the University of Alabama at Birmingham was one of the best in the country. Brian’s appointment wasn’t scheduled for another month, but after the incident in Serbia two months ago, the doctor encouraged her to bring him in sooner.
The better part of the last hour, Kadie had paced back and forth toward the glass front, constantly checking outside by the large fountain in front of the building.
Brian had insisted on going in alone. For most of the tests, he would be alone anyway, but the doctor understood what he wanted. Brian wanted to be in control of something; it gave him a feeling of independence. So, he always went in by himself first, and the doctor would follow up with Kadie at the end.
Today, he was getting the full treatment: MRI, CT scan, X-rays. Based on the seizure and head injury he experienced in the cathedral, the doctor wanted to know exactly what was going on in there. Brian had X-rays done in Nis for his head injury, but they didn’t show anything abnormal. Kadie’s vision had slowly started to come back later that same day. She couldn’t explain why or what happened, and the doctors said she was perfectly fine.
They had quite the experience there and were grateful to be alive. Brian had the adventure of a lifetime and Kadie . . . well, Kadie found what she had missed most of her life: God.
And then there was Duke. Brian had become quite attached to the swashbuckling pilot. He was the male figure her brother needed since their parents died. And Duke sincerely liked Brian; the two genuinely got along. Duke had saved both of their lives that day, and that wasn’t the first time either. His bullet wound, courtesy of Patricia, was superficial at best and didn’t seem to bother him afterward.
They had stayed in contact for the first few weeks after they returned to the States, but that turned to a trickle until Brian’s appointment was changed. The last time they had seen each other was at Mac’s funeral over a month ago.
Brian had begged her to call Duke to come to the doctor’s appointment today. She was hesitant at first. Duke had his own life, and both had plenty of issues to sort out after the adventure involving Global Disease Initiative and the Pilate Scroll.
The Global Disease Initiative headquarters, of cou
rse, had plenty of questions for her before they lawyered up when she posed questions of her own. The government had plenty of questions for Duke as well, like, why did he use government call-signs to fly to Turkey, Italy, and Serbia? They accused him of illegally transporting firearms, but they couldn’t prove anything. And his company, of course, wanted their King-Air back. Duke had flown back to America commercial with Kadie and Brian. The King-Air remained on the ramp in Serbia.
The gruff pilot promised he would be here, but an hour after Brian’s scheduled appointment time, Duke was still a no-show. Her heart ached for Brian, who was clearly disappointed. But Kadie was lying to herself—she was disappointed too. She had grown quite fond of the pilot. If he didn’t have his health issues, maybe . . .
Her thoughts were interrupted when the elevator door opened across the expansive waiting area, and Duke walked through. He glanced around until he finally looked in her direction. She gave a subtle wave, and his eyes locked on her. Oh my, he looks good. Duke wore a suit and tie, which she could never have imagined. Clean-shaven, hair combed, and a radiant smile.
“Hello, Kadie.” Duke wrapped his arms around her. “I’ve missed you guys.”
They embraced in a hug, and she couldn’t stop the tears. She couldn’t explain them either.
Kadie sobbed. “We’ve missed you, too.” She pulled away and gazed at him. “Thank you for coming.”
Duke put his hands to her face and wiped away the tears with his thumbs. “I’m sorry, I’m late. There was a traffic accident on the interstate north of Montgomery. I was worried I wouldn’t make it at all.”
They caught up on what each had been doing for the last two months. Duke asked her about the incident in the cathedral that blinded her. The ceiling had collapsed, but it didn’t expose the cathedral to the outside. It had been dark, and no light had been present from the outside. She told Duke she thought she had died that day. The bright light . . . and a voice that said, “Welcome home, Kadie.” Duke explained what happened to Patricia, Curt, and more importantly, the Pilate Scroll. She struggled with the idea that they indeed experienced something supernatural. Even the earthquake seemed limited to the cathedral alone as no quake was felt anywhere else in Turkey that day. How did they explain something like that without being called crazy? They had mutually agreed that they would not mention the events of the collapse . . . for now. Mainly because they had no proof of their story except for the metal Chi-Rho clasp she had tucked into her pocket.