“Secure for now,” Foster said.
“Where are you these days?” Black asked. “On second thought, don’t tell me.”
“Why?”
“Plausible deniability. If your talk with the lieutenant goes badly, then he can’t send my team and me to drag your sorry asses here.”
“Is that a possibility?”
“Never say never,” Black said. “A member of my team might have been playing cards with several off-duty soldiers. Over the course of several hours of poker and far too many glasses of whiskey, one of the soldier boys might have let it slip that their commander is thinking about conscripting any able-bodied shooters they find.”
“Oh, hell. It’s one thing to voluntarily join the military. It’s another to be forced to do it.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Black said. “I’m sure you don’t want to lose anyone from your team right now.”
“That would be correct.”
“Look, I can’t tell you what to say,” Black said carefully. “As much as it pains me to say this, maybe the less you share about your group, the better.”
“Do you think I should cancel the meeting, then?”
“Absolutely not. If it’s true about these Reapers being deathly allergic to silver, then you need to tell as many people as possible about it. Alerting the military could be a big help to them.”
“You think the lieutenant will take me seriously?”
“I’d like to think so.”
“What did you tell him about me?”
“Just that you tucked tail and bolted from the city and that you’re a serious pain in the ass.”
“Black,” Foster warned.
“I’m kidding,” Black answered. “I told him you evacuated the mayor and a bunch of civilians out of the city. And that you discovered the Reapers’ major weakness. He got excited when I told him and wanted to speak with you.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you this relaxed before.”
“Being able to sleep without worrying about something eating your face helps a lot.”
“No Reapers there?”
“Nope. We’ve seen some on the mainland shorelines, but that’s as close as they have been able to get to us. Looks like the rumors that they won’t cross large bodies of water are true. I’ve read an action report that there’s a bunch of military and civilians holed up in the old prison on Alcatraz Island, too.”
“That’s encouraging. Maybe establishing a bunch of offshore operating bases will be the best way to fight back.”
“Yeah, maybe. Listen, the lieutenant just showed up. I’m going to turn the phone over to him. Stay frosty, Foster.”
“Thanks, Black. You too, man.”
There was a fumbling sound over the sat phone, and then a new voice sounded out.
“Malcolm Foster?” a man’s voice asked.
“Speaking,” Foster answered.
“This is Lieutenant Abrahams,” he continued. “Where are you reporting from, soldier?”
“I’m not a soldier,” Foster said. “And for right now, my location is secure and not to be disclosed.”
“Really? And why is that?”
“Because I don’t know you from the man on the moon,” Foster said. “For right now, it’s the best option to keep the civilians with me safe.”
“You do realize that I have several different tracking measures at my disposal to locate you if I really wanted to?”
“Yup. I figure you’ll probably do so before we even end this call,” Foster said. He paused before saying, “That’s why I’m taking the battery out of this phone and leaving this location as soon as we’re done talking.”
“Okay, hold on. I think maybe we’re getting off on the wrong foot here.”
“I’d say so.”
“Right. Let’s start over, shall we? I’m Lieutenant Tom Abrahams. 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.”
“You’re a long way from Fort Benning, Lieutenant.”
“Yes, we are. Of course, Rangers are always ready to deploy anywhere in the world within eighteen hours. We’re currently calling Hope Island our Forward Operating Base. What’s your story, Foster?”
“I was an active Philadelphia police officer until the Reapers invasion began. I led a group of civilians out of the city, including the mayor.”
“I see. Is the mayor still with you?”
“Unfortunately not. We were attacked outside the city, and Mayor Watkins didn’t make it,” Foster said. “I miss him. Watkins was the only politician I ever met where you shook his hand and didn’t feel like you needed to wash it off afterward.”
Abrahams chuckled. “They do tend to be a slimy group at times,” he said. “Sergeant Black tells me you have some information which might be of interest to us.”
“I do. What are you prepared to trade?”
“It depends on how good your intel is. It could be anything from some additional supplies to entry into our secure location.”
“Our information is on how to kill the Reapers instantly. I’m not talking about shooting them in the head. And yes, it’s been confirmed.”
“Then I’d say your information, if proven to be credible, would warrant something closer to entry to Hope Island.”
“How did you wind up stationed outside Rhode Island? Because from where I’m standing, asking a bunch of special operations and elite light infantry soldiers to babysit a bunch of civilians is like driving a Porsche and never taking it out of first gear. There’s a whole of power being wasted.”
“You’re not the first person to wonder that. Let’s just say it’s a long story. I’ll give you the short version,” Abrahams replied. “As soon as the Reapers invasion began, your lieutenant governor has used his political connections to have my platoon deployed to secure this location. Black and his men showed up shortly thereafter with a bunch of other civilians, including the lieutenant governor’s daughter.”
“Interesting story indeed,” Foster said. “But isn’t there a bridge connecting Hope Island to the mainland?”
“Was. We detonated multiple explosives and eliminated it. Nothing is going to cross there and get onto location,” Abrahams said. “Even so, we take our base security very seriously. Between my men and Sergeant Black’s, we have round-the-clock security patrols.”
“Sounds promising, but I have to be honest. Even with a platoon of Rangers, you have to be stretched pretty thin there.”
“You’d be surprised what forty highly motivated ass-kickers can accomplish.”
Foster chuckled. “I don’t doubt it,” he said. “My concern is you might decide to start conscripting civilians to bolster your numbers.”
“I can’t rule it out as a future possibility,” Abrahams said slowly. “But until I’m ordered otherwise, I am considering it as a last resort only. I’d love to have more volunteers like Sergeant Black and his SWAT team. But I’d prefer not to force anyone to join my command.”
“Fair enough.”
“Tell me about your group.”
“It’s composed of about a dozen men, women, and children.”
“Care to tell me any skill sets they may have to offer?”
“Not at this time.”
“Come on, Foster,” Abrahams said. “Are we back to talking in circles again?”
“I think it’s prudent if we both limit technical details right now. Especially when it comes to unit strength and skills.”
“You’re a little on the paranoid side, aren’t you?”
“If you knew what we’ve been through, you’d wonder why we weren’t even more.”
“That bad, huh?”
Foster said nothing.
“Okay, I’ll take your word on it. Black talks highly of you and your group. Do you have a way to reach our location?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, here’s what I’m willing to propose,” Abrahams said. “You bring your group here. They will be quarantined until we’re sure everyone is infection-free. You and I wil
l talk in person. If your information checks out, then we will welcome your group on our location. But if your information is bullshit, then you will be escorted back to your boat and you will be sent on your way. No do-overs, no second chances. You don’t waste my time, and I won’t waste yours.”
“Deal,” Foster said. “We have two confirmed methods for killing Reapers. We’re planning on testing another one in the near future. If that works as well as we think, then we will have three distinct breakthroughs to share.”
“Besides shooting them in the head?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then it sounds like we have a deal, Officer Foster,” Abrahams said. “What’s your estimated time of arrival?”
“Soon. There’s a few things I’d like us to wrap up here first, including that additional testing. I’ll call Black on his sat phone once we have a more accurate timetable.”
“Excellent. Stay safe, Foster. I look forward to meeting you in person.”
“You too, Lieutenant.”
Chapter Forty-Three
“Yes, what is it?” Ezekiel said impatiently.
“We have some new candidates,” Joseph said with a practiced calmness.
“And?”
“And they have some reservations about joining. They want to meet you first.”
“What did you tell them?”
“That you’re an extremely busy man,” Joseph said. “You have a lot of congregation members to worry about.”
“But they still want to see me.”
“Yes.”
“Tell them I can see them in about an hour,” Ezekiel answered. “I have some other things to attend to first. Tell them I will send word for them at my first opportunity.”
“What would you like me to do with them in the meantime?”
“Let them enjoy a meal and some wine in our community dining area. Perhaps some food in their stomachs will help ease some of their concerns.”
“Yes, Ezekiel.”
“Anything else?”
“Not at this time.”
“Then please leave me. I need a few minutes to take care of some other things.”
Ezekiel waited until his followers left the room. He silently counted to fifteen before getting up from his desk. He moved cautiously to the window. He opened the shutters and carefully clipped a Harley Davidson bandanna to a thumbscrew inserted in the top of the window frame. The metal bolt had been carefully positioned to not be in plain sight. He closed the shutters once more. Now all he needed to do was wait for Giles to respond to his signal.
Eighty minutes later, Ezekiel was satisfied everything was in place to receive the new candidates. He ordered Joseph to bring the people to his office and waited patiently for them to arrive.
There was a knock at the door, and Ezekiel said with a practiced voice, “Please come in.”
He watched as Joseph steered seven people into the room. There were three men, two women, and two young children.
“Welcome,” Ezekiel said with his voice that he thought made him sound warm and welcoming. “Perhaps we should talk with the children out of the room.”
“No way,” a man spoke up. “We’re not letting our kids out of our sight.”
“David,” one of the women warned.
“What?” David countered. “For all we know, they’ll use our kids like hostages and force us to do what they want.”
“I assure you, your children are perfectly safe,” Ezekiel said. “No one in my congregation would ever hurt a child.”
“Well, that’s good to know,” David grumbled. “But if it’s the same to you, we’d rather keep our children with us while you give us your sales pitch.”
Ezekiel studied the man. It was obvious this man was going to be the one who gave him the most trouble. There was often one in every group of candidates, and Ezekiel knew how to handle these types of troublemakers. He clasped his hands in front of himself and said, “Joseph tells me you’re considering joining our community.”
“We are,” a woman said. “But we have some questions, Ezekiel.”
“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage,” Ezekiel said smoothly. “Joseph hasn’t told me any of your names.”
“I’m Sarah,” the woman said. “This is my sister Theresa. Her husband Jacob. Their children, Eva and Taylor. You’ve already met my boyfriend David.”
“I’m pleased to meet all of you.”
“I heard you have some type of power over these monsters,” David interrupted. “Is that for real?”
“Our community has been blessed by our Lord and Savior in many ways,” Ezekiel pitched. “We have a bounty of food and drink. We have a safe place to live and gather. And we have been blessed with a connection to these tortured souls you hear about killing others.”
“Tortured souls, huh?” David said skeptically. “You’re talking about Reapers, right?”
“I think tortured souls is a more fitting description.”
“You can guarantee our safety?” Theresa asked.
“Absolutely,” Joseph said. “There has never been a single case of anyone in our community being injured, let alone killed by these tortured souls.”
“Uh-huh. It sounds too good to true,” David said skeptically. “I’m going to need some proof.”
“I had a feeling you were going to say that,” Ezekiel said. “Joseph, if you would, please.”
Joseph nodded once, walked over to the bookcase, and got a small cedar box. He placed it gently on the center of the desk and opened the lid. A small ornamental bell sat in a velvet cushion instead. Joseph stepped away from the desk, moved to another door, and opened it. An alleyway outside became visible.
Ezekiel picked up the bell and held it carefully for everyone to see. “I had a vision one day. Our Lord and Savior came to me in a dream. He told me this would allow me to call the tortured souls if we ever need their protection. I quickly discovered that they will also follow my word like it was our Savior’s own commandments.”
He rang the bell twice, paused, and then rang it twice more. There was a loud growl, and then the sound of pounding feet began to grow louder. A Reaper appeared in the doorway and began moving slowly into the room. Several people inside the room shrieked in horror.
“It’s okay,” Ezekiel said with a practiced motion. He turned toward the creature in the doorway and said, “I command you to stop.”
The Reaper froze in its tracks.
“That’s amazing,” Jacob said. “It’s a true blessing.”
“Oh please, that’s probably not even a real Reaper,” David protested. “I bet it’s some guy in a costume.”
Ezekiel turned toward the man. “David, I sense you are not a believer. I believe there is much sin clouding your soul,” he said. Ezekiel let his right hand drop loosely by his side. “This sin is affecting your judgment. You must repent your ways before it’s too late.”
“This is a bunch of bullshit,” David said.
“David, please,” Sarah pleaded.
“You know, I thought it was too good to be true,” David continued. “You kept begging me to give it a chance. Well, now that I’ve seen this with my own eyes, I’ve never been more convinced. This whole thing is a scam, Sarah. We should go, right now.”
“David, you must repent before it’s too late,” Ezekiel said, raising his voice with each word. He tapped his right leg twice. “Forgo your evil ways, before it’s too late.”
“You don’t get to tell me-”
A loud roar sounded out, and the Reaper sprung into action. The creature slammed into David, knocking the startled man to the floor. The monster quickly overpowered the man, latched onto its neck, and bit down.
The man screamed out in pain, and an immediate arterial spray shot out of his neck. His legs went limp.
“It’s not too late for the rest of you,” Ezekiel shouted. “Kneel before me now. Repent your old ways and pledge your souls to our community. We will use our Savior’s graces to welcome you into ou
r flock and keep you safe from the evils lurking outside our walls.”
The remaining survivors immediately dropped to their knees and began shouting their newfound alliance.
Chapter Forty-Four
“Tortured soul,” Ezekiel shouted. “By the power granted to me by our divine Savior, I command you to leave this premises.”
The Reaper looked up at the preacher and flashed a brief annoyed look before bolting from the room. Joseph, on cue, closed the door behind the fleeing monster, leaving the remaining humans alone with the newly dead David.
“I wish David had been able to cast aside his demons, but it wasn’t to be,” Ezekiel said. “I need a few minutes alone to cleanse this room and to help David’s soul ascend. Please follow Joseph into the chapel, where we will finish your initiation.”
Joseph opened the door leading to the chapel. There was a smattering of voices, and then the group moved as one to follow him.
Ezekiel waited until they had disappeared out of sight to close the door. He silently counted to five and then opened the door to the outdoors. Ezekiel was surprised to see there was nothing in sight. That wasn’t what was supposed to happen. He frowned and closed the door firmly.
As he walked back toward his desk, there was a loud click.
“Who is it?” Ezekiel said as a hint of fear crept into his voice.
The noise was coming from a third door. It was an exit that he’d deliberately had installed and hidden from view in his room. He’d learned a long time ago it was always a good idea to have more than one way to escape a room. Especially if your audience unexpectedly shifts from friendly to hostile.
Ezekiel slid the curtain aside, revealing the standard-size door. He picked up a nearby candlestick and hefted it in his hand. The base had a good weight to it and could serve as a decent weapon, if needed.
“Hello?” He called carefully. He waited until a mental count of three, then turned the knob and opened the door.
A Reaper was standing there, waiting impatiently for him.
“You're not supposed to be here yet,” Ezekiel scolded. “What if somebody else sees you?”
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