Laurient went over to a standing wardrobe and flicked through some clothes. She pulled out a blood spattered Gadsden Flag and unfurled it—
Mercy took a deep breath. “Last time I saw that was back in the early days,” she said. “When you and the Preacher were carving up your turf. There was a lot of blood spilt under that flag Laurient. Why are you taking it out again?”
“Unfinished business Mercy,” Laurient said. “Here I am laying my cards on the table. What I want more than anything is to kill the Preacher. I want to send that sick bastard to the afterlife. I want to own his death. He epitomises what men to do women under the banner of religion, the banner of lies. That is something I cannot stand for, this is what the Angels are all about, survival for women.”
Laurient wrapped the Gadsden Flag around her shoulders. “I’m nailing my colours to the mast, me wearing this flag is a declaration of war and you know it. War is a chance for players to take sides. And you Mercy Dawes are a player. So Mercy, what is it you want?”
Mercy knew opportunity when she saw it. “Laurient I want you to free Flynn, I want to live, I’ve seen the way things are changing with the tropes and now the skinnies. I want to leave Manhattan, get across to New Jersey. Things can’t be as bad there as they are here. That’s what I want.”
Laurient took a long pull on her drink drawing the Gadsden Flag around her. She sat on her couch and regarded Mercy.
“I’m about to declare war on the Preacher, you’ve come at an opportune time. I can release Flynn, but it’ll cost you. Nothing comes for free, you know that Mercy. I saved your life today, we’re even now, our understanding is up for renegotiation.”
Mercy knew this moment would come, she had thought about it before. “Renegotiation? What do you want Laurient? Spit it out—”
“I want you to join us, I want you to become an Angel for our fight against the Preacher. I want you to help me nail the bastard. I want you to fight by my side. What do you say Mercy Dawes?”
Mercy looked across the Hudson River, to Jersey City and freedom. “OK Laurient, I’m with you, I’ll wear Angel colours for this fight, but for this fight alone. I want to see Flynn now.”
Laurient punched her fist in the air. “Good job, Dawes. Correct answer, we have a deal.” Laurient stood and walked over to Mercy, her hand out.
Mercy shook Laurient’s hand and met her gaze. “We have a deal. Now take me to Flynn.”
Laurient smiled. “With pleasure Mercy, I knew we could do business.”
There was a knock on the door, Laurient snapped her head up, her mask back on. “Come in.”
Tawny and three others entered the room. Their eyes widened when they saw the Gadsden Flag.
Laurient stared them down. “It’s time sisters, it’s time to take on the Preacher. Time for us to be rid of his poison, he’s worse than the tropes, the freaks, the dead. He and his kind are the true evil hiding under their flag of love. It’s our job to cleanse the earth of his death cult. Are you with me? Are you with Laurient?”
As one Tawny and the others raised their arms in salute shouting support. Excitement and questions filled the air.
Laurient raised her hand, “Yes, yes, there will be questions. I have answers, we all have answers. But first, Dakota take Mercy to the prisoner. Spread the word, Mercy Dawes is one of us, she’s an Angel now, with my full protection. Anyone who speaks out against her speaks out against me. She is our sister and an equal, she will be treated as such. Understand?”
Tawny and the others stared at Laurient then at Mercy.
Tawny was the first to respond. “Yes Laurient, of course.” She looked at Mercy, “Welcome to the Angels sister, welcome to our family. Dakota what are you waiting for? Show our sister to the prisoner.”
Dakota moved towards Mercy, “It’s all good. Mercy, follow me.”
Mercy nodded at Laurient and followed Dakota. The others went to join Laurient who had moved to a table covered with maps. Dakota led Mercy in silence. Mercy took in Dakota’s dreadlocks, intense hazel eyes and the Civil War sword at her side.
They descended two flights of stairs to a basement. It was dark and damp, they were close to the river. Mercy’s heart was thumping, why did she feel this way? She desperately wanted to see Flynn, to know he was safe but part of her was screaming warnings. Don’t open yourself, don’t let your guard down— you’ll be hurt.
Dakota led Mercy round a corner and shone a torch into a dark corner. Mercy heard cursing and saw movement among the shadows.
“What now? Come to taunt me again? Just get it over with, kill me—” Flynn’s voice echoed in the space.
Dakota looked at Mercy, raising her head.
Mercy stepped forwards taking the torch from Dakota. “Flynn, it’s me, Mercy. Sorry it’s taken so long, I’ve been— delayed,” her words sounded ridiculous, but at least she was able to speak. “It’s OK, I’ve spoken to Laurient. You’re free, we’re free. It’s OK. Do you hear me Flynn?”
The air stank of human waste and filth.
Mercy stepped up and put her hands on the bars, her body full of anticipation. She saw movement at the back of the cell. A form detached itself from the floor and came towards her.
Flynn’s face appeared before her. Worse for wear, bearded, bedraggled, stinking. Mercy looked into his eyes and felt the same rush as before.
“Flynn—” she said.
“Mercy, where you been girl? I’ve been waiting for you—” Flynn answered, his voice cracking.
Chapter 16 Amber Flush
“Maggie, kneel and pray to the Lord, He is waiting for your prayers,” Lady Magdalene was irritated by the young girl before her. It had been hard enough applying make up to her face what with her shivering and fidgeting. Coming off amber always did this to the Daughters of the Lord.
“Why can’t I have more amber?” Maggie complained, her teeth chattering.
“You know the rules child, you need to be free of amber before you make the leap to the next life, amber brings you closer to God but to make the leap you need to be fully present. Believe me, when the amber has left your system you will want to die, you will choose death to leave this world of pain, this world of original sin.” Magdalene reflected on her words, she had given this pep talk to five of the Daughters over the last six months. The Preacher had the Lord’s work to do and every so often the Lord demanded a sacrifice.
“I will miss you Maggie, you have been a ray of light here. The Preacher has always praised your gifts saying you are exceptionally devout. Tell me, have you seen God, or heard His voice in the presence of the Preacher?” Magdalene asked.
“I don’t remember, my lady. The amber keeps me warm and safe, the Preacher holds me when we pray, he used to hold Bird too but she’s in God’s light now— can’t I have just a little amber to keep me warm? Please—” Maggie pleaded.
“You know the answer to that child— no. Remember when they give you to the charging bull you need to scream as loud as you can, the louder you scream, the more you move, the quicker you will bask in the Lord’s presence. You know Maggie I envy you, you alone have been chosen for this honour. You will see the Lord’s face before this day is out,” Magdalene said, brushing knots from Maggie’s hazel hair.
“Yes, Bird screamed loud didn’t she? She did a good job. She was frightened though, I’m not frightened I just feel ill,” Maggie said trembling as Magdalene combed her hair.
They spent some time in front of the mirror in silence. Magdalene loved these precious moments with the chosen, she was the only one allowed to prepare them. She felt honoured to do this work for the glory of God.
Maggie looked at Magdalene in the mirror, their eyes met.
“What is it child?” Magdalene asked.
Maggie turned away then returned her eyes to the mirror. “Do you remember your life before the Fall? The amber— I can’t even remember much of yesterday.”
Magdalene’s face was expressionless. “No dear, the amber washes the mind of the past, i
t cleanses the old pain allowing God’s light in. All you ever need is now, this moment, amber gives that to you. The Professor also makes amber for me, he is a most saintly person— the Preacher may even invite the Professor to your ascension ceremony. It will be beautiful, you will be beautiful.”
Maggie’s voice became soft, almost a whisper. “Sometimes a face comes to me, the face of a girl like myself, she is trying to reach out, to comfort me, protect me.”
“Ah, that will be your Guardian Angel my darling. We all have one, yes I am sure she is protecting you, I’m sure she’s close and looking after you right now,” Magdalene’s voice sounded pleased.
Another rigor passed through Maggie’s body followed by a wave of nausea. Her Guardian Angel’s face came to her plain as day.
“Rose, Rose is that you?” Maggie whispered to the angel just before she passed out.
~
“What now Rose?” Arabella asked in the darkness.
“Well, there’s no going back that way, those tropes are out for our blood,” Rose said.
“Well we made it, we’re here in one piece,” Arabella replied. “Well almost,” she added.
“What do you mean? Are you OK?” Rose asked.
“I’m OK but you were holding your side earlier, tell me they didn’t bite you Rose—” Arabella said.
“No, I’m good just pulled a muscle getting up the elevator shaft. I’ll be fine,” Rose replied. She checked her side feeling her ribs, nothing broken just bruising. “OK it’s dark so we’ll move slow, feel your way along the wall. I’ll go first, I’ve got the pistol.”
“Right behind you,” Arabella replied.
They progressed along the sewer wall. Rainwater had cleansed the sewers in the years after the Fall. Rose had orientated herself using the landmarks above ground. They headed south, undetected, into Battery Park under the Preacher’s defences.
Thirty minutes later Arabella’s voice pierced the darkness. “Hey, is that light up ahead?”
“Yeah it sure is sister. Reckon we’re somewhere between the two museums, let’s take a look,” Rose answered.
As they neared the dim light the sewer branched off left and right. Rose kept to the main channel, they came to a shaft similar to the one they had descended. An extendable ladder hung above them.
“You ready for this Bella?” Rose asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Arabella replied.
Rose reached up and pulled the ladder down, it grated as it descended. She tested it with her weight and climbed up with Arabella following. Strips of light filtered through the manhole cover above.
“Must’ve been overlooked by the Preacher’s men just like the other one. Let’s have a listen and see if we can get out,” Rose whispered. She reached the top of the ladder and waited for Arabella to catch up.
“Birds are all I can hear,” Arabella said. “Go on give it a go, see if it’s open.”
Rose placed her hand on the metal cover and pushed. It didn’t move, she tried again without success. Arabella climbed up beside Rose, they tried together but the cover would not budge.
“They’ve not overlooked it, damn,” Rose said.
“Probably welded shut— bastards,” Arabella replied. “We’ll have to find another way.”
“If we keep heading south we should come to the Bay wall, we may be able to get out there,” Rose offered.
“Worth a try,” Arabella agreed.
They descended the ladder and continued south along the main sewer. They were in total darkness again and had to feel their way. Something snapped under Rose’s boot, a second later a loud crunch came from beneath Arabella’s shoe.
“Sounds like bones,” Arabella said her voice nervous.
“Don’t mention gators,” Rose said. “Just joking.”
“Bad joke Rose,” Arabella replied, her voice strained.
They continued and after another thirty minutes reached a T junction. Rose turned left and pressed on, twenty minutes later she felt a draught. “Feel that Bella? Fresh air.”
“Keep going,” Arabella urged, “I’ve had enough of this place, it gives me the creeps.”
Rose moved another ten yards, light appeared off on her right. She squinted, it came from a smaller side tunnel. They entered the tunnel and crawled towards the light. Rose reached a metal grille and looked out. “The Bay, we’ve made it Bella, come here, give me a hand.”
They pushed at the grille and managed to loosen it enough to wedge in the wheel brace. They pulled on the brace and levered the grille away from its frame. Metal snapped on the outside, the grille fell into the water twenty feet below.
“Must be an overflow,” Rose peered over the edge. She turned her head to look up. “And there’s a ladder to the top, thank goodness. All good Bella?”
“Go, go, go, I just want to see sky and sun,” Arabella responded.
Rose climbed onto the ladder focusing on the rungs immediately above her. She reached the top and raised her head over the edge.
Corn?
Rose knew the Preacher’s followers had turned Battery Park into a walled garden and grew their own food, but was still surprised to see an expanse of corn stretching out before her. She waited, listening, then hauled herself over the edge. She turned and reached a hand down to Arabella helping her up.
They both lay on the ground staring at the sky catching their breath.
After a moment Arabella spoke, “You ought to see yourself Rose, you look like shit.”
“Damn you Bella, I wanted to say that first,” Rose smiled. “We’re in, we’ve got to be extra careful now. Let’s go see what we can see.”
Arabella nodded. They crawled forwards through the corn, the stalks rustling around them. The field was protected on two sides by a windbreak, they came to the edge of the corn. Rose looked at her watch, 7:35 pm. It would be dark within the hour. “We’ll stay put until sundown, you OK with that Bella?”
Arabella sidled up to Rose. “Yeah girl, anything to have a break. That was tough going in the sewer. I was convinced we were gator meat. I’m happy to chill here in the corn.”
“Result,” Rose said.
They lay in the swaying corn resting, shadows lengthened, the temperature dropped. Rose shivered.
“Hold on to me Bella, we’ve got to keep warm,” Rose sidled up to Arabella.
“Yeah, we’re havin’ a real adventure ain’t we? Trouble always comes knockin’ to me, my middle name’s trouble… my dad always used to say that, I was like a dose of belladonna he said. What do you think he meant?” Arabella’s voice was loud, her body stiff.
“Bella, Bella, relax, chill, you’re too tense, relax babe, relax. Shhhh… shhhh… it’s all good, it’s all good, just breathe, relax,” Rose said, concern edging her voice.
Something was wrong with Arabella, she wasn’t making sense. Arabella was practical, methodical, full of common sense. Now she was hazy, her thoughts wandering. Rose put her hand on Arabella’s forehead.
Shit, she’s burning up—
Rose considered the options as darkness descended. She looked out through the corn, thin slivers of light shimmered in the distance. She stared at the light her vision focusing; it was a fountain, its water dancing in the air, she marvelled at the sight. The Preacher, the vain bastard, had devoted resources to keep the Battery Park Fountain working. He had managed to do it, he understood people, their hopes and dreams. What better way to encourage dreams than to keep one foot in the past and one foot in the pesent.
Clever bastard—
“Know what, Bella babes? I think this game has moved to the next level…” Rose whispered in Arabella’s ear.
“Ooooooh…whaddya mean Rose? Whaddya mean girl?” Arabella replied, her eyes bright with fever
“Well, we originally came to get Maggie and Bird, right?”
“Right—” Arabella nodded.
“Well, now I’m thinking why stop there? Why not aim high, as my mom used to say— why not take out the Preacher? Why no
t waste the bastard, put these people out of their misery? What do you think Bella babes?” Rose said.
Arabella rolled onto her back and looked at the stars. “That’s pretty inspired Rose— that’s like,” her voice lowered to a whisper, “David and Goliath— like in the Bible. Do you think they’d write about us if we could pull it off? That would be cool, real cool. What about it Rose?”
“Shhhh, babes. I think we just found our destiny, tonight, here in the corn under the stars, we’re gonna come out shootin’, we’re gonna try for Maggie and Bird but our main target is the Preacher. That’s why we’re here sister, that’s why we’re really here. It’s just become clear to me now, so clear,” Rose answered.
“That’s just beautiful Rose, just beautiful,” Arabella replied her eyelids fluttering. A fine sheen of sweat beaded her forehead, her shivering had stopped. “I just need to rest a few minutes Rose.”
Two hours later Rose lay beside her dead friend, rage in her heart, she had seen blood poisoning before. A cut or abrasion was all it took, once infection hit the bloodstream it took off like a forest fire and without antibiotics it was fatal. It could have been the minefield or the sewers, it could have been anything— Rose cursed. The last rays of light disappeared in the west. Rose shivered, she wanted to bury Arabella but she couldn’t risk making noise. Arabella would understand, she hugged Arabella’s cold body.
“I’ll do it Bella, for you, for all of us, wait and see.”
Rose dragged Arabella deep into the corn. She returned to the edge of the field, someone had switched off the fountain. Lights from the perimeter wall and distant buildings glittered through the trees. She listened for voices, any sound of danger. The soft rustling of the corn was all she heard.
Where is everyone?
The Angels estimated the Preacher had close to two hundred followers. Rose looked around in the dim light. He had done all right for himself, he had people to grow crops, people to man the walls and keep the tropes out. He had the numbers.
The Angels were fewer.
Eighty four of us against two hundred of his, but every one of us is a fighter—Rose thought.
The Survival Chronicles (Book 1}: Mercy Kill Page 15