From behind him, everyone had already exited their vehicles to find out what was happening. Chelsea stood behind Lisa, holding on to her leg, wide-eyed and mesmerized by the kids and costumes. Melissa hung back with her parents, wanting no part of it.
“What’s the story?” Jade asked as she pulled up next to Mace. She nodded towards the older woman. “You have quite a brood of kids running around. I’m dying to hear the story.” She looked around quickly then added, “I’m assuming it’s pretty safe around here?"
The old lady chuckled again. “It’s safer for you now that I’m here. Why don’t we go inside and I’ll explain everything and put out some food.”
“You have food to feed all of us?”
“We are bountiful. Not to worry.”
"Actually, I think we should just get going," said Mace. "It will be getting dark soon."
"You could always just stay here for the night. You're more than welcome and believe or not, we do have the room."
Mace was about to make an excuse why they couldn't when Jacqueline walked in front of them, cracking up at the children. “Look at Spiderman here! What’s your name, sugar?”
The kid stayed silent and just stared.
The old woman said, “They won’t open up until they feel comfortable. With all the adult zombies and other assholes we’ve dealt with they aren’t very trusting of any adult other than me.”
As Jacqueline and the old lady talked, Jade looked at Mace inquisitively and said quietly, "Part of me doesn't want to leave until I'm sure these kids are okay. Do you really think we should go?"
Leaning in so he was sure he couldn't be overheard, he said, "There is something here that just isn't right."
"All the more reason to stay, then," she said, locking eyes with him. "I just want to make sure. We can't just walk away from this one."
The old lady finished her conversation with Jacqueline and said, "Please, follow me," leading them through a few yards until they reached a long driveway that led to a huge ranch-style home. She turned and spoke to them as they walked. "It was pretty tough at first but the children and I managed to get through the worst of it."
The children all took up the rear, silently following, with Chelsea constantly turning around to gape at them. Jade picked up her pace to catch up with the woman as Lisa gently tugged Chelsea along, grinning at her infatuation with the kids.
"Were all these children with you when it happened?" Jade asked as she matched her pace.
"Not all of them," the old lady said, not looking at her as she walked briskly towards the house. "We found a few and added them to our family." Turning her gaze towards Jade, a sparkling smile spread across her face. "We are just one big happy family, you know. I've always loved kids and believe that God has given them to me for a reason."
Jade looked up at the house, somewhat awed. "This is just a gorgeous house."
"Over 5,000 square feet, eight bedrooms, although three were converted, four bathrooms, a barn, pond in the back and some horse stables. It's been in my family for generations."
She smiled at Jade as they walked to the front door. "I bet you'll love the inside. It's not as dirty as you think it would be with all these kids. Not all of them stay in the house. Some sleep in the barn and some in the stables."
Jade was shocked. "Doesn't it get cold and isn't it dangerous for them to be exposed like that?" It was maybe 60 degrees out and dipping into the 30's at night.
"Not at all. There are plenty of blankets and they can definitely take care of themselves. It's their choice to stay there."
They reached the front door.
"Oh my God, I can't believe my manners. I'm Evelyn, by the way." She reached her hand out and Jade shook it, saying "I'm Jade." Before Evelyn could open the door, Jade turned around and introduced her to everyone else. "Evelyn, this is Mace, Lisa, her daughter Chelsea, and that's Jacqueline and Hannah. The large black man behind them is Shawn, that's Jim next to him with Yvette, and to the right of them is Mike and the older gentleman is his father, Bill. The family behind them are Paul and Noreen and their daughter Melissa." She took a deep breath and said, " Are you sure you want to feed this group?"
"Please," Evelyn said, "I haven't had any adults to talk to in some time. I'd be beside myself if you just up and left now. Besides, we have plenty of food."
"How could that be?"
"We've just been very lucky and resourceful. Come on in, let me show you my home."
In the back of the pack, Melissa remained glued to her mother. The orphaned children were directly behind them. "They're freaking me out," she whispered to her mother, as she glanced back to see several kids in rubber masks trailing close by, staring at her. A young boy in a Freddy Kruger outfit clinked the razor fingers on his glove at her. "I want to get out of here," she whispered louder as they walked. "Please! I just want to go!"
"We'll go soon, I promise." Noreen looked backed at the children, giving them a look of disapproval. Their expressions remained blank. The kids in the masks just continued to stare. "Real soon," she finished.
Paul turned around, irritated by their lack of response and said, "Say something!" When they stayed unresponsive, he growled, "These little brats should be taught a lesson," a little too loudly. Evelyn answered swiftly from the doorway. "Provoke them and they may teach you one you'll never forget." Her tone put everyone at unease. A second later her smile returned. "Forgive me. I'm just very protective of them. They've been through a lot."
Jade watched her closely as they entered the house. She had the feeling Evelyn could be quite volatile if pressed. Looking at the interior of the house, her focus shifted and she said in amazement, "It's immaculate! This place looks like a museum! My God, How on earth can you keep it so clean with all these kids around?"
Evelyn's face beamed with pride. "The children do have rules, especially inside the house, which is why quite a few of them choose to live in the barn and stables."
The house was decorated in an old western style, with lots of wood and old west paintings and hundreds of knick-knacks scattered about. It appeared clean enough to pass a white glove inspection.
"I have a pot of meat stew on. Why don't you all get comfortable around the table and I'll have the children help me get everything ready." She turned her attention towards the children. "Those who want to eat at the table, come help in the kitchen. Those that will eat on your own, off to the barn with you. You know the routine when we have guests." Most of the kids scrambled out the door. A few immediately disappeared into the kitchen. None of them said a word.
"Can I help with anything?" asked Jacqueline. "It's been too long since I've been in a kitchen." As she moved towards the kitchen Evelyn screamed "No!" and blocked her path.
Everyone jumped at the outburst. Evelyn noticed everyone's shock and tidied her blouse, trying to regain her composure. Her smile returned, but this time it appeared more forced. "The kitchen is my sanctuary. Please, just let us serve you."
She immediately disappeared into the kitchen and they all looked at each other with the same expression. Something definitely wasn't right here. Chelsea clutched her mother's leg a little tighter.
"If I did go in there I'd probably smack her upside the head with a skillet" said Jacqueline to no one in particular, obviously offended at the outburst. "What is she cooking in there, anyway?"
The situation had just grown too bizarre to hold in. "What is up with these kids?" said Shawn. "They're almost zombies themselves and they don't say a word."
"And this house," said Lisa. "Nobody lives this clean, especially with a bunch of kids around."
Jade looked at Mace. "We have to find out what's going on around here. I don't like sticking my nose in other people's business but something is just wrong here."
"I'd go check out the barn but I think I'd probably get stoned by the natives," Mace said sarcastically.
A few minutes later Evelyn stormed out of the kitchen with a stack of plates in her hands. "Why aren't you seate
d for dinner yet? I told you it was almost ready!" She scrambled around setting the table. No children followed her.
Jade studied her carefully before responding calmly. "Evelyn, how do you have so much food? With all these kids and being as isolated as you are, I just don't understand it. Do you have livestock somewhere?"
Evelyn's face contorted for a second. "I offer you dinner out of the goodness of my heart and you stand here and question me? Really?" Her hands dropped to her hips and casually reached behind her back. A second later Jade saw the handgun.
"Why do you have a gun, Evelyn?" Jade said even-toned but alarmed. Everyone suddenly saw it dangling by her side.
A sneer crossed Evelyn's face as she stared at them. "We have an abundance of food because the children are so good at what they do," she said, ignoring the question about the gun.
"What does that mean?"
"It might be easier if I just show you." She lifted her hands to her mouth and yelled "Now, children!"
The front door flew open and the children piled in, slingshots at the ready. A few had changed out of their Halloween costumes and now had war paint on their faces.
Evelyn seemed to relax as they surrounded their guests. "We've survived by disposing of those that threaten us."
"Threaten you? Are you talking about us? When exactly did we do that?" Jade questioned, shocked but under control.
"When you were in here talking about how something was wrong with this situation." She stared hard at Jade. "Do you really think I would let someone in my house and not monitor them the whole time? You want to judge us because we have survived so well? You are just like all the others. Thank God your children won't grow up to be like you." She looked first at Chelsea and then at Melissa. "I have saved children from better than you. It is what God has planned for me. Don't worry though, your sacrifice won't be in vain. Your children will live because you will sustain them. Your flesh will feed their flesh. Your bodies will feed us all through the winter."
The horror of it all suddenly fell upon them.
"You're bat shit crazy," Shawn said repulsed, and she motioned towards Woody, who now donned an army helmet. His slingshot whipped and a rock smacked Shawn against the skull. He grabbed his head, cursing.
"That was a love tap," she said. "Believe me, he could kill you with one if I wanted him to."
"How many people have you had them kill?" asked Jade, growing angry. "How many children did you separate from their families?" She shook her head in disgust. "What child would willingly cooperate?"
"Willingly?" said Evelyn, bringing the gun up to point at Jade. "Children have no idea what is good for them. They must be taught. They must be broken before they can be freed."
"And you call this freedom!" demanded Jade, ignoring the threat. "Turning them into cannibal killers with no voice of their own? I haven't heard one of your precious children utter a word yet," said Jade sarcastically. "What kind of freedom is that?"
"They can't speak because I cut out their tongues!" yelled Evelyn, her eyes now wild. "They cannot learn if they never listen. Children talk without even considering what they are saying. This way they are like sponges, picking up everything easily because they have no voice as a distraction."
The children in the room were completely frozen. They had never heard anyone stand up to Evelyn before.
Chelsea trembled, frozen with fear, and Lisa picked her up, coddling her in her arms. She said bitterly to the old lady, "I'll be damned if you're going to separate me from my daughter. We haven't survived this long to be taken down by the likes of you."
Evelyn raised her eyebrows at the statement, moving the gun in her direction. "Exactly what is it you think you're going to do?"
Before she had even finished the statement Jade had picked up a knick- knack and whirled it across the room, striking the old lady in the face. Her head whipped back and the gun fired, putting a hole high in the wall as the orphaned children that surrounded them ducked, shocked by the turn of events. She fell down backwards and the gun slid out of her grip.
Mace and Shawn immediately had their own weapons out, checking the kids before focusing on Evelyn. The kids were so dumbfounded at seeing Evelyn hurt they just stared, not knowing what to do. Jade walked towards Evelyn as blood trickled down her forehead.
Evelyn got up off the floor and rushed towards Jade, screaming, "You whore!" Jade jabbed her with a straight left to the nose. Evelyn's head snapped back and Jade immediately followed with a right cross that sent her crumpling to the ground.
Jade turned towards the children, screaming orders. "You are going to drop your weapons right now if you know what is good for you!"
The kids dropped their weapons.
"You kids are filthy! I want you to go change out of your costumes and come back here with the cleanest clothes you have. You are all going to shower or bathe and you're sleeping inside from now on." Tears rimmed her eyes as she continued. "You are never, ever, again going to eat people. Do you hear me?"
Evelyn had crawled to where the gun lay, bleeding, and she grabbed it, swinging it around towards Jade.
Mace yelled, "Don't!" before firing a round that crushed into her chest. She flew against the wall, wheezing for breath as blood bubbled around her lips. Her eyes closed as she went limp and the kids all scrambled out of the room.
Jade turned towards Mace in exasperation. "She cut out their tongues! My God, this is a nightmare. What else are we going to find?"
All the children returned fifteen minutes later. Most of the Halloween costumes were gone. Dressed in regular clothes, they looked even dirtier than before. Quiet and tearful, they were a truly pathetic sight. They stood awkwardly in the living room, waiting for orders from Jade.
"I want two separate lines. Boys on the left and girls on the right." Jade's voice was stern and forceful. She hated playing the role but figured it was what they had been accustomed to. If she was going to reach them, the transition would have to be gradual.
As the kids started to line up, one of the younger girls accidentally knocked a ceramic knick-knack off one of the tables. It shattered on the floor and her jaw dropped in fear. She looked at the other children for help. They all shrunk back, waiting for the discipline that awaited her. She started to weep.
Jade walked up to her and let a smile spread across her face before reaching over and knocking another figurine off the shelf. It shattered on the floor. She said, "It's okay, it's just a stupid figurine," before walking back to stand in front of them. They gawked at her in shock.
Woody, watching her intently, then stepped out of line and deliberately knocked a glass vase off another shelf. It broke into several pieces and he stood defiantly in front of her. Jade said, "Let's be careful of the glass," before moving towards the closest knick-knack. She picked it up and said, "I don't want to have to bandage anybody up after we break all this useless crap," and then held it out and dropped it, letting it smash on the floor.
All the kids stood frozen, unsure of what to do, until she said, "Well C'mon, what are you waiting for?" Reaching for another knick-knack she smiled wide as she picked it up. "You're not going to let me have all the fun now, are you?"
She dropped it on the floor and it started a chain reaction. The smiles were almost instantaneous as the kids grabbed for the nearest figurine or vase, knocking or throwing it on the floor. To her utter amazement, laughter starting filling the room and kids started squealing with delight as more knick-knacks were broken. Warmness filled her heart in a way she hadn't felt in months.
Chelsea ran into the room, dragging Lisa. "Please, please can I join them?"
Feeling apprehensive but inspired she let go of her daughters hand. "Go break something," she laughed. "But for God's sake be careful."
Chelsea ran into the middle of the foray, squealing with delight as she grabbed a small ceramic cow and chucked it on the floor. It broke into a million pieces and her eyes danced as she watched it.
"This is so wrong," laughed Lisa.<
br />
"I know," said Jade, grinning widely. "But just look at them!"
Their entire party now stood watching, amazed at how the simple act had transformed the entire room. When it was all finished, there were only three bandages necessary.
Chelsea looked up to the girl standing next to her, who looked to be about seven. "My names Chelsea. What's yours?"
To the utter amazement of everyone the girl answered her, timidly, but clear as a bell. "I'm Maya."
Jade looked at Woody, suddenly curious. On a whim, she said, "Tell me your real name."
He fidgeted around for a few seconds before saying barely above a whisper, "Phillip."
Everyone's shock was apparent. Filled with hope, she turned to the little girl next to him. "What's yours?"
The little girls eyes darted around with uncertainty. "Robin," she said quietly.
"They can speak!" she exclaimed with excitement.
As soon as the barn doors opened, the stench hit Mace and Shawn full force. "Good God," said Shawn, covering his mouth. The badly decomposed body of a girl sat tied to a chair in the middle of the barn. They opened the doors fully to try to air it out before stepping inside.
"Didn't she say the kids slept in here?" said Mace, horrified as he stepped towards the body.
The girls head had been pulled back by her hair, which was tied to a rope that bound her wrists behind her. Her mouth was open and Mace could see the missing tongue.
"She must have used her as an example," said Mace, leaning down to peer inside her mouth, his stomach twisting in knots.
Shawn shook his head sadly. "No wonder those kids didn't say anything. That bitch made them see this everyday." Walking behind the chair, he stared at the burn marks around her wrist from the rope. "This is some twisted shit."
They scanned the blankets that lined one side of the Barn, then noticed the open stable door.
"I am truly afraid of what we are going to find next," Mace said as he moved towards them.
Shawn trailed behind. "It can't be worse than what we just found."
Entering the stable Shawn heard Mace gag and he stopped in his tracks.
THE VALUE OF JADE (Mace of the Apocalypse #2) Page 9