by Smith, I. J.
“They escaped!” Chambers told Miss Evans.
Her expression changed to anger, she grabbed a glass from the table and threw it. As it smashed she screamed out. “How hard can it be to kill one man?”
Chambers looked up. “This is just beginning, give me time and I will deliver both Mason and Jenkins?” He asked.
“One month!” She replied. “After that, I don’t care; I am just going to bomb the fuckers to hell!”
As she stormed off, Groves sat there smiling and said, “Welcome to the world of ‘The Reaper’!”
∞
Behind the walls, Samantha walked freely with Bray outside. The sun was shining down upon them. Samantha was explaining how they had left the Albion under heavy fire and made it to the cruise ship where the resistance was based. She told him how they had grounded the ship and settled in this town.
“I always planned on communicating with Jack when you all made it to MI5, but it never worked out.” Samantha turned to face him. “I am so sorry you all got involved.” Bray took her hand and asked, “Just tell me why?”
Samantha looked around, her eyes filling with tears. “Oasis recruited me after the Outbreak. It was simple; join or a bullet in the head. I needed someone I could trust and that was Jack Mason.”
“I am not too sure he had much trust for you!” Bray replied
“I know, there is a reason for that. I betrayed him. He hates me.” She turned to look over at the ocean. “Bray, tell me; did Jack ever tell you about his past?”
“Only that he was S.A.S,” Bray replied.
Samantha laughed. “OH GOD! He really does keep his past a secret. There is so much more to him. The last thing I could do for him, before I fled Oasis was wipe his file.” Bray looked her in shock. “The S.A.S was nothing compared to who he became. There is so much more to him!” Samantha finished.
Bray looked around. “Then we better go find him.”
“We will in a few weeks, first I am waiting for some scouts to come back. In the meantime, get yourself cleaned up, because you fucking stink!” She told him as she walked away.
Lisa approached to join Bray. He was sitting down looking out at the water. She quickly sat beside him.
“So, I guess you are staying a while?” She smiled and asked.
He looked at her. “This place is so peaceful, not many places like this anymore.”
“You had some rough times out there?” she asked.
Bray went silent. Lisa looked at his expression, it was one of pain.
“You know, sometimes telling a complete stranger helps!” She told him.
“Me and some people found refuge in a Fort, turned out it wasn’t. They killed a friend of mine and made the rest of us slaves.”
“They hurt you?” Lisa asked.
“A few beatings.” Bray replied.
Lisa could see the lies in his face.
“My mother was a tough old bird; she had this thing where whenever something hurt her. She would tell strangers.” Lisa told him.
He looked at her. “Just a few beatings; for not doing as I was told!”
She just locked eyes with him; a tear began to drip down his face. He tried to speak, but choked on his words. Lisa placed her arms around his shoulders.
“They took me and my daughter into a room, after I got into a fight with their leader.” He struggled to speak. “He, they...I had a choice, me or my daughter.”
“What happened?” She asked
“You know what happened!”
“You need to release it, you need to say it. Let it out!”
Bray began to cry. “They…..They raped me!” He said in tears.
Lisa cuddled up close to him; they stayed and sat watching the sun rise.
∞
Back at the Fort, Jack had been reinforcing the gates and making sure armed guards were posted all over the Fort. Jack was in the medical room. He sat on the bed that was next to Raven’s. She was beginning come around from her treatment.
Jack had his shirt off as Dr. Banks stitched the cut on his chest; there were glue patches all over him, where the shrapnel had been removed from his body.
“You look terrible!” Raven tried to speak.
Jack looked at her with an angry face. “Not as bad as you.” He replied. She frowned.
A sudden chaos erupted. Jacob rushed inside. “Jack, we have a problem!”
“You know one day, you lot will figure things out for yourselves.”
Jack stood, not even bothering to put his shirt back on. “Wait!” Banks shouted. Jack walked away.
Outside, people were gathered around the Army truck. They were trying to stop Ryan from grabbing weapons.
Behind Jack, Raven struggled to follow.
“RYAN!” He shouted.
Stopping what he was doing, Ryan looked towards Jack. “You coming?” he asked.
“Me, fuck that. We just got our asses handed to us.” Jack replied.
“So, what are you going to do?” Jack asked.
Ryan looked at Jack with anger. “I’m gonna kill them!”
Jack laughed aloud. “Stop it! You’re making me laugh.”
Ryan stepped forward and asked, “Something funny Jack?”
“Oh yeah! I am still trying to figure out what Zoe saw in you.” Jack replied.
“Jack!” Raven shouted.
“Oh come, you’re a fucking coward. You tried to actually pull children off a rescue chopper to save yourself.” Jack carried on talking.
“I’m warning you Jack!” Ryan says.
Jack reached his arms out. “Go ahead big man!” Jack smiled. “Maybe I should of have taken an interest in Zoe, then maybe she would still be alive.”
Ryan rushed at Jack. With one punch, Jack hit Ryan in the throat. He fell to the ground choking. Jack laughed. “You think I am good? The Black Angels are better.” He walked around Ryan and stamped on his shoulder; the sound of a crack echoed out. “In fact, any of you idiots think you stand a chance; then please leave.”
As Jack walked past Ryan he stamped twice really hard on his leg, the sound of his leg breaking could be heard. Jacob grabbed Jack from behind; Jack turned and head-butted Jacob, breaking his nose.
Jack walked away from everyone, as they muttered behind him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THREE WEEKS LATER
Life in The Fort had become unbearable. The dark clouds had settled over the Fort and never cleared. Jack was a different man, every day he would travel outside alone. Every time someone suggested coming with him, they were met with abuse.
Sitting at a table outside, Jack sat with his gun on the table and eating the fresh made bread. As he tore at the bread, Jacob and Sarah approached.
“Unless you have some jam, I don’t wanna hear it!” Jack snarled.
Jacob and Sarah stopped; as Jack looked up and gave them a smile. “How’s the nose?” he asked Jacob.
Jacob touched his still swollen nose, it hurt. “I owe you for that!” Jacob stated.
Jack swallowed his bread and with a slant of his eyes he looked at Jacob. “Anytime!” He muttered.
Sarah grabbed Jacob’s arm and led him away, as Jack watched them. “We need a meeting with the others,” Jacob says. Sarah stopped and tugged Jacob to a stop. “A meeting about what?” she asked. Jacob glanced back at Jack. “About him!” He stated.
Dr. Banks came and sat down next to Jack. “Thought you would want an update?”
Jack simply nodded his head.
“Raven, is doing well.” Dr. Banks stopped for a moment. “But Adam, he woke up this morning and…” there was a long pause. “He cannot feel his legs, I fear he is paralyzed.”
Jack looked at him. “Is that all?”
“Ryan,” Dr. Banks simply stated.
“Go on.” Jack told Dr. Banks, while rubbing his head.
“His shoulder is broken and he had two clean breaks in his right leg. He won’t be moving around for a while.”
Jack stared at the children playing in the corn
er of the Fort, lost in his thoughts.
∞
Meanwhile, the Black Angels were driving around the streets of the town. For the last few weeks they had been ordered to stay clear of the Fort. This had annoyed Chambers, but it was made clear to him that their spy inside; was too important to compromise and that Jack was now a second priority.
Chambers was angry. All they were doing was looking for survivors to use as labor, something he felt was a complete waste of his time.
As they drove along a quiet road in the town, Sara Backhouse noticed something strange. “There are no cars, no wreckage.” Chambers leaned forward, she was right. This area looked nothing like the rest of the town.
The 4x4 suddenly slid, Chambers knew immediately they had driven over spikes. The car slid for a short distance, but came to a full stop. “Reaper!” Chambers muttered.
Chambers, Sara, and Mann stepped out from the vehicles.
Chambers stretched. “Oh yes, this is just what I fucking needed!” he shouted.
“Well, come on out Reaper! The Butcher is waiting!” Chambers teased.
Then like thunder, the roar of powerful engines echoed around them. Within seconds they were surrounded by motorbikes. Big, powerful men with weapons strapped to their backs roared in cheers. Women rode past the Angels on their bikes. Their faces were covered in war paint; in fact, everyone had markings on their faces. In black body paint the letter M was painted.
Sara and Mann raised their machine guns ready for a fight. Chambers reached out and laughed. “How cute, it’s biker gang!” he laughed.
A large man with a badly shaven head stopped inches in front of Chambers.
“Damn, daddy should have taught you how to shave!” Chambers remarked.
One of the men jumped from his bike and approached Sara. “Hello sweetie, you like it rough?” Sara smiled at the large man and lowered her weapon, she moved closer to him. She placed her hand on his stomach and then lowered it to his groin. “OH, WE GOT A PLAYER HERE!” The man shouted. Sara smiled, “Oh, I do love to play!” She quickly pulled a blade from her belt and slid it across his stomach, his intestines dropping to the ground. As the man slid down her body, she licked his face and slowly cut both the man’s eyes out.
All the bikers readied their weapons.
The large man still sat on his bike in front of Chambers. “What’s your name?” The large man asked. People usually just call me ‘The Butcher’. The large man struggled from his bike; he had metal straps around his legs to keep him up. His arms also had metal supports around them.
“Fuck, what attacked you? A bear?” Chambers asked.
“A Demon. A servant of the devil.” The large man answered.
Chambers walked around. “So, wanna kill each other?”
The man smiled. “I don’t have time for you, I am looking for someone and each day that passes; he gets further away!”
“This Demon of yours must have really pissed you off?” Chambers asked.
“He destroyed my home, killed my family and buried me alive. When I find him, there will be NO Mercy!”
Chamber looked at the anger in the man’s eyes and asked, “What was his name?”
“I only remember him as ‘The Reaper’!”
Suddenly Chambers, Sara, and Mann all focused on the large man.
“What a small world! We too want the Reaper!” Sara said.
“MacLeod,” The large man says, holding out his hand in friendship. “Chambers,” replied as he shook MacLeod’s hand.
CHAPTER TWELVE
TRUTH
Bray had become a changed man. Behind the walls, he had once again found his strength. The sun was shining through the window as he lay in bed; he looked down to see an arm draped over him. Lisa lay next to him, naked and fast asleep. Bray was quietly trying to leave the bed; to get dressed. Lisa stirred long enough to ask him a question. “Bored already?” She said as she smiled; with her blonde hair covering her face. Bray stepped over, knelt down next to the bed and moved the hair from her face.
“That’s better!” He said, “Your beauty should never be hidden.” As she was about to kiss him; there was a knock at the door. Without thinking Lisa shouted out, “Come in!”
As the door opened; Lucky the black cat ran into the room. “Morning Phyl!” In walked the half-crazy woman, staring at Bray. “You still fucking him? YUCK!!” Phyl remarked. Bray kind of laughed. “Oh thanks!”
Phyl looked at him. “No offence, I just prefer mine big!” Then she spaced out for a moment. “Yeah, very BIG!”
Lisa clapped her hands. “Phyl come back to us; back to the real world!”
“Transport has arrived, we leave today!” Phyl told them.
Lisa stood up, wrapping herself up in the bed sheet. “You OK?” Lisa asked Bray.
“Thinking about my daughter; what do I say to her?” he replied.
Before she could reply Phyl spoke out, “Just lie to her, she’s only a child. Get her a pet, but keep your eyes off Lucky or I will cut your balls off!” With that, Phyl left the room, with Lucky running behind her.
Lisa laughed. “I love that woman!” Bray grabbed her around the waist and pulled her closer. “Well, she scares me,” he said before he kissed her; the bed sheet dropped to the floor.
Outside, Phyl stepped out into the sunlight, where Samantha Jenkins was talking to three armed men.
“While we are gone, no one leaves! This place is in lock down,” Samantha told the men.
“Can I come?” Phyl asked.
Samantha was confused on who spoke for a moment; until she looked behind her. “Why would you want to come?” Samantha asked Phyl, as Lucky ran off to play. “I’m bored!” Phyl simply replied. “OK, you can come.” Samantha told her. Phyl gave a big smile and rushed to hug Samantha.
Samantha stepped back and held out her palm. “Nope, not till you’ve had a bath!”
“The moment Lisa and Bray are ready, we will be leaving. So, get what you need for a long trip.” Samantha told Phyl.
“How long a trip?” Phyl asked.
“Bray told us some parts of the roads are in-passable; so, a good month, maybe longer.” Samantha replied.
“Hope he is worth it.” Phyl said.
Samantha turned to Phyl and told her, “If Jack Mason is still alive then he is worth it. I can promise you that!”
∞
Back at the Fort Jacob, had arranged a secret meeting with Sarah, Raven, Dr. Banks, Ryan, Kat, Tommy, and one of the Fort survivors, Lisa Ashdown. As Kat sat down, she noticed Jacob locking the door. “Wait, what about Jack?” she asked.
“Is he not coming?” Sarah asked, also.
Raven still in discomfort; looked concerned and asked, “What the hell is all this about?”
Jacob sat down next to Sarah and told them, “New leadership and the banishment of Jack!”
Tommy suddenly laughed aloud. “For a minute there, I thought you said banishment of Jack.”
“He did,” Kat replied.
“Come on, we have all noticed the changed in him. He is becoming dangerous to us.” Jacob answered them all.
Raven slammed her fist on the table. “How dare you, any of you? How many times has he saved us?”
“And we saved him also, so I think that makes us even.” Jacob replied.
“You bastard, you’re supposed to be his best friend!” Raven says to Jacob.
“Well when your best friend breaks your nose, it kinda makes you think.” Jacob replied to Raven.
Sarah could see the arguments were getting heated. “We can all agree that, since we returned from facing The Black Angels, Jack has been different,” She took a breath. “Look what he did to Ryan! Not only that we all heard what he said!”
“Oasis, they don’t have a problem with us. They have an issue with Jack. We will make sure he has supplies and weapons, but he cannot stay here. It is too much of a risk to the rest of us!” Jacob told them.
Lisa Ashdown sat there silent.
Dr.
Banks suddenly spoke to Lisa. “What do you think?”
Lisa looked around the table. “Jack saved us from the Preacher, but so did the rest of you. People have talked since his return. They’re all scared of him; including the children.”
Banks paused. “This could be because of the explosion!”
Raven looked at him through hate filled eyes.
“Jack had pressure on his brain, I treated it. Without constant checkups and scans, we have no idea what’s going on with him. The explosion could have caused even more damage. He may not even be aware of what he is doing!” Banks explained.
“So, we should throw him to the fucking wolves?” Raven asked.
“Dammit Raven, think with your head and not your heart!” Sarah shouted at her.
Tommy spoke up. “We all know how you feel about him Raven. But maybe it’s time to put that to one side.”
Raven shook her head. “And who is going to lead us? You Jacob?” she said pointing at him.
Jacob looked at her and replied, “No, we already voted. It will be you!”
Raven began to cry. “Just let me talk to Jack, please?”
“You can try.” Jacob told her.
They all watched as Raven rushed from the room.
Outside, Jack was walking across the grounds. The door opened behind Raven as Kat followed her out.
“JACK!” Raven called to him.
Raven rushed over to him. “I see you’re finally up from your injury. Happy to see you about,” Jack said.
“We need to talk!” She told him.
“What about?” Jack asked.
“In private, please!” She begged.
Jack smiled as he approached Raven, “Oh I see.” Jack replied as he looked around, “Yeah, I guess I could go for round two.”
Raven frowned at his words, at that moment realizing he had lied to her about remembering them sleeping together when imprisoned. “My place or yours?” Jack asked.
“Neither, this is about something else.” Raven replied
Jack moved closer, forcing her against the wall. He placed his hand on her thigh. “Oh, come on! I would love to taste that soft skin again.” Raven slapped him. Angrily, Jack grabbed her wrists and held her tightly against the wall.