The Cleansing

by Shane Crosby

  “Call him now. I’ll do what I can to keep Mase and myself alive.”

  “Do more than that. I’ll call you back.”

  “Will do. I’m counting on you.”

  “Easy mission. No worries.”

  TRAPPED

  BERLIN

  Dub

  I’m walking around in my brother’s hospital room feeling like a caged animal. Due to Mase’s current medical condition, my next move has to be a well-planned calculated one. They’ve already shown us some of their hand. I won’t sit here and wait for them to build a winning hand, ending with us being dead. I’m going on the offensive and move Mase to another part of this hospital. I just have to pick the right time to do it. Which means, I’m in this room planning, strategizing and scheming up on a way to get us out of here breathing without the aid of machines.

  Knock at the door....

  When you’re hiding from the enemy, a knock at the door is the last thing you want to hear. I get up and go stand behind the door with my weapon ready.

  “Who is it?”

  “Dr. Jordan, sir. May I come in?”

  “Sure.”

  I stepped to the side and put my weapon down all the while at any minute, I’m ready to tap into my training.

  “May I help you?”

  There’s a lot of running and scurrying about in the hallway.

  “What’s going on?”

  “That’s why we’re here. There’s been an explosion on the highway. Apparently, a truck full of diesel fuel derailed and caused a major accident. We’re going to have a lot of casualties coming into our hospital. We just wanted to make you aware so you’re not wondering. If at all possible, please stay in your room. If you need something or your brother needs aid, make sure you get the attention of a nurse or doctor. You’ll be fine here. Don’t worry. We may not be as accessible as we’ve been, but your brother is in the best place. Is there anything your brother needs?”

  “Antibiotics and some pain medication, please. Oh, and I think he needs his wound cleaned and redressed.”

  The nurse goes to check his IV and realizes it’s low.

  “I’ll return with the medication. It looks like he does need his wound redressed. I’ll handle the wound now and return with the medication.”

  “Thank you.”

  While the nurse and doctor were in the room, I don’t know if it was my curiosity or paranoia. I couldn’t help but look out of the window. There, I could see the stream of emergency vehicles barreling into the hospital entrance. Where Mase was located, I had a pretty good view of the goings on outside our window. I noticed an emergency personnel driver exiting an ambulance. It made my Spidey senses start to tingle. I couldn’t take my eyes off this driver. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was something off about him. Being a Black OPS CIA operative, you’re taught to be observant. Above all others, this one skill could save your life. We practiced it day and night. If we didn’t get it right we were tortured more until we finally dropped out or got it right. I hated it, and frequently planned to kill each instructor, but they would say, they’d rather us drop out then to be killed in the field.

  As I stand here now, I find myself thanking them for all that they put us through. Why you ask? I’ve never seen an ambulance driver where steel toed boots, a scruffy face, disheveled hair and not to mention a tattoo on his neck and his skin looks tough like he smokes. Damn it little brother. You picked the wrong time to be injured. I was getting ready to roll Mase out of the room when the nurse walked in.

  “Hi Mr. Darren. Here’s a new IV bag. I’ll hang it now and give him his pain medication.

  “Thank you, but could you not give him the pain medication now? I’d like to wait until he really needs it.”

  “I can wait, but we’re having a buildup of emergencies out there already. I don’t know when I could get back to give it to him. I can’t leave it.”

  “Uh, okay. I understand. I’ll just have to run someone down.”

  “Yeah, sorry. Federal regulations.”

  She put the syringe in her pocket, hung the new IV, cleaned and changed Mases’ wound. As she was leaving I casually bumped into her and removed the needle from her pocket. I was glad I paid attention in pick pocket class as well.

  “Okay, little brother. We’re going to have to leave this camp.”

  Inside Mase’s room it was quiet and we were shielded from what was going on outside. When I opened that door, it was like we left tranquility and entered a planet called chaos. There were doctors and nurses everywhere trying to get equipment to help the injured, half dead and near dead. This created enough of a distraction for us to go undetected. I entered the hall and kept pace with everyone else.

  “Dub, where we going?”

  “Some place safe, just hold on.”

  I was looking back every two seconds to make sure the coast was clear. One of the times I checked I saw the ambulance driver. He was giving instructions to his partner.

  When I got to the elevator I turned and there he was. There was so much chaos in the hallway of the hospital a nurse knocked him down with a bed. His weapon fell off his shoulder and the entire hospital erupted. It looked like a retail store on Black Friday and electronics are marked down to five dollars.

  I quickly ducked into the elevator and leaned on a frequent method used in battle, something that’s gotten plenty of soldiers home to their families, prayer. I prayed we’d live to fight another day. I took the elevator to the basement, got off and looked for a place to stash Mase.

  “Dub, what’s going on? Did they find us?”

  “Yes, but it’s ok. Scott called Arie. We just have to stay alive until they get here.”

  “You sound like that’s a piece of cake.”

  “Well, I guess you’re not as high as I thought you were.”

  “Not hardly. I can hold a weapon, you know?”

  “Good because you just might need to.”

  I handed him his weapon.

  “We’re low on ammo.”

  “So, that means once again, I’m thanking Uncle Sam for sharp shooting classes.”

  I smiled. “Exactly little brother, exactly.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CLOSING IN

  BERLIN

  Scott Ripley

  I hung up with Dub and started calling Trevor to get the alternative number from Arie. Don was on pain medication. He could barely remember his number let alone someone else’s. While I was coordinating help for Mase and Dub, the news started to become interesting. An accident in Berlin causing multiple crashes and countless injuries. Hospitals within the vicinity have been briefed to prepare for an influx of casualties. As I paid closer attention, I recognized the location of the crash. It was near the hospital Mase was in. They know where they are.

  The airport closures were a glaring sing that they were on their radar. Now, with the expressway being attacked, I knew they were closing in. They wanted to keep them in whatever location they were until they could locate them. They probably have people searching hospitals now.

  Calling Dub....

  “Dub. Little brother tell me you have good news.”

  “The opposite. They know where you are.”

  “Just figuring that out? The crash on the news, you saw it?”

  “Yes, you did to?”

  “No, medical staff came to tell us they’d be indisposed for a few hours.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Still in the hospital but hiding like a terrorists from a US drone.”

  “That’s pretty bad. I’m trying to get in touch with Trevor. Once I do, I’ll call Arie immediately.”

  “Hurry.”

  “I am. Dub.”

  “I know you are.”

  “Hey man, Stay alive.”

  “I’m on it.”

  (Click)

  I hung up the phone with Dub and frantically started trying to get in touch with Trevor. On my last attempt, I was successful. I promised him I’d fill him in w
hen I had a chance. He gave me the number for Arie and I made that SOS call pronto.

  Calling Arie...

  “Arie speaking.”

  “Arie! This is Scott Ripley. Don’s brother.”

  “Ah, yes Scott. If you’re calling me there’s trouble, yes?”

  “Yes and big trouble. I know there’s a lot going on today, but we need your help desperately. We have two brothers in the hospital in Berlin and we’re quite certain all of this was done to locate them.”

  “I see. I knew something was going on odd here. I’m sure I know the hospital they’re in. The main hospital correct?”

  “Yes. Can you help?”

  “Of course. I owe your brother my life. They’ll need air support because the airports here and Paris are closed.”

  “Yes. One of my brothers is hurt. He couldn’t last long in a fight.”

  “No worries. Do you know where they are in the hospital?”

  “I don’t. Knowing Dub, they’re probably in the basement.”

  “Good place to be out of view. They’ll need ground support, then. I’ll take care of it.”

  “I’m sure they will.”

  “Please tell them to stay alive until we get there. I’m sending my people now.”

  “Thanks Arie. I don’t know how we could ever repay you.”

  “No problem. Tell your brother get better soon.”

  “Will do.”

  (Click)

  THREE HOURS LATER

  SNAKE EYES

  HOSPITAL BASEMENT

  DUB

  Mase wasn’t as bad as he was four days ago, but he’s not anywhere near fighting shape. He’s defenseless. I’m his only way out of here alive. I’ve always had the job of caring for my little brother. Giving him his bottle every now and then is totally different then keeping him out of a coffin.

  When the call ended with Scott, I felt like a big cat in the zoo. Locked up, unable to roam free like God intended. Nowhere to run, forced to pace back and forth waiting for the opportunity to strike out at his captors, hoping it’s successful so he can taste freedom again. Down here in this basement, silence is maddening. Any little movement and I’m ready to start firing off rounds. Up until now, it’s just been my imagination, then, I heard the elevator moving.

  “Mase. You hear that?”

  “Yeah. They’re coming?”

  “Yes. Get ready.”

  “I’m not dying today.”

  They’re coming. There’s nothing I can do to stop that but prepare myself for when they get here.

  A hospital is an excellent place to take a stance. There’s all sorts of flammable material down here. I used some alcohol bottles to make a cocktail bomb. The oxygen tanks, I tapped alcohol bottles around them. The problem with this strategy, I have to find a place to hide so I can shoot them. If they knew what was waiting on them, they wouldn’t step through those doors. Since, I know that’s wishful thinking, I found several steel carts, flipped them over on their side and hid behind them.

  Since Mase is a sharpshooter, I stashed him behind a large protruding piece of concrete sticking out from the wall. When they enter the basement and get far enough inside, he’ll make the shot to the oxygen tanks. Now, we sit and wait.

  Waiting on the enemies next move is more nerve wracking then waiting for test results after you’ve had unprotected sex. Then, the bell from the elevator interrupted the solitude. The doors slid open and footsteps are heard exiting the elevator. I crouched down and peered through the carts. I was halfway hoping they’d take a quick look and leave, but I gave up on fairytales long ago. I gave Mase the signal.

  “Now!”

  One bullet is all it took to create and explosion that shook the foundation of the hospital. I closed my eyes and waited. What was I waiting for? The sound of body parts splattering against the walls. I ran towards the elevator and leveled anyone left standing. We didn’t have much time. I was sure the entire city of Berlin heard that explosion.

  “Mase, let’s go. Get to the door. We have to get out of here. Can you walk?”

  “Yeah, I’m good. Let’s go.”

  There was a side door leading outside. I helped Mase hobble to the door. When we opened it, it was the best sight I’ve seen since we broke up a child sex trafficking ring in Thailand. Arie and his men were coming our direction.

  “I can tell by how you’re looking, you have to be the brothers of Don Cole, yes?”

  “Yes. Man are we happy to see you guys.”

  “Likewise my friend. Likewise.”

  “Hey, we have them. They’re alive.”

  We were put on a helicopter and flown to a landing strip in France and onto the states. Mase didn’t let on, but I knew he was in pain. When I tried to give him the pain medication I’d stolen from the nurse; he refused. The sweat running down his face would indicate that was probably a bad decision on his part, but, I admit, he held his own tonight. He’s a soldier through and through. If it hadn’t been for his sharp shooting things could’ve gone differently and probably would have. For that little brother, I’ll always be grateful.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  ONE MONTH LATER

  THROUGH THE STORM

  GOCHIAN

  Trevor

  Dub and Mase made it to the states without any more problems from our friends. Mase held it together as long as Dub needed him to fight. The doctors here could only explain his alertness in Berlin as adrenaline.

  Mase has a temperature that registered one hundred and three. His back had been ripped open and exposed to germs which caused an infection. The will to survive kept him clinging onto life. After Dub’s call, I rushed to the hospital in time to see Mase lose consciousness and rushed back into surgery. They repaired the hole in his back and he was ordered to stay in the hospital until his conditioned improved. Once he was stable, he was flown back to Germany to recover. Dub, forever the protector, flew back with him. Along with our brother Scott, they watched over Don and Mase until their recovery was close to one hundred percent.

  With all the drama surrounding us, this past month has been filled with hospitals, surgeries, injuries and worry. Now that Don and Mase are back on the mend, I can get back to my case.

  Uncle Frank came through. My warrant was delivered this afternoon. When it was delivered, that’s the first little bit of excitement I’ve had since we discovered the first body. The first thing I wanted to do is tell Jack we were in business.

  My partner, the best partner I could ever have. Jack is about five foot ten. Hair is completely white. I tease him and ask him if I can go skiing on top of his head. He’s not a big guy, but he’ll run up on the largest person in the room. He has a lot of heart. Grew up in Berwyn. A suburban city right outside Gochian. His entire family works for the city either as a firefighter, cop or public works. Jack has put in enough years on the job to retire, but he loves it too much to leave. He always says this is the only mistress his wife will allow him to have and he’s cheated on her their entire marriage. He knows that as you age you lose a little sharpness. You lose some dexterity. He’s aged, yes, but he’s still sharp as any thirty-year old coming on the job. I might be exaggerating a bit. I guess I’ll just say he’s nowhere near the retirement home yet. He’s not a muscle head, but you can tell he hits the gym. When asked why he works out every day, his answer, “I still like to look good in my clothes, kid. And, just in case my wife wants to start acting up I can still catch somebody else”. He gets a good laugh at himself afterwards. Considering he and his wife have been married thirty-five years and have six kids, that’s probably the best joke he could ever tell. She’s not going anywhere and neither is he.

  I’ve always felt like I lucked out in the partner category. I’ve learned a lot from Jack. None of the guys wanted to partner with a newbie, but Jack stepped up and took me under his wing. Time to show him I’ve been paying attention the past five in a half years.

  “Hey Jack! Let’s go.”

  “Where we going?”


  “I’ll tell you on the way.”

  “Hey kid, where the hell are we going? I can’t be getting into any shootouts. I have to protect this body. My wife likes to ravish it when I come home at night.”

  “Ewww, I don’t need that image in my head right before I go confront a suspect.”

  Jack throws his head back laughing. “Where the hell we going?”

  “Guess.”

  “Not back to that club?”

  “Yep.”

  “We don’t have a warrant.”

  I showed him the warrant. “We do now.”

  “Get the hell out of here. How did you pull that off?”

  “A lot of begging.”

  “What can we collect? Where can we search?”

  “We can only collect files. We’re confined to the offices unless we see something out in the open.”

  “I hate these days. When I was a cop back in my day we would just kick in the door take your shit and work out the details later. We solved more crime back then than any of you young bucks with your hand held computers and cell phone combined. Perps didn’t get off. There was no such thing as getting off on a technicality. Who heard of convicts having civil rights? Once you prove you aren’t fit to be a part of a humane society you forfeited your civil rights.”

  “Yeah, but during that time how many innocent people were wrongly convicted.”

  “Hey, everyone has his or her day in court.”

  “Jack, not everyone is capable of getting the best legal defense. So, yes, maybe you did get more bad guys but in this day and time we’re more likely to arrest and convict only the guilty. Whereas back then anyone could have been put in prison.”

  “Oh, you’re too soft kid. You wouldn’t have been able to survive back then. Your heart bleeds too much.”

  “Come on Jack think about it. Open your mind.”

  “That’s what’s wrong with this damn country their mind is too open. Letting all of these people in and we’re expected to change and accommodate them. Just take your ass to Mexico. Let me know if they start writing stuff in English just to make you feel better. If they’ll make an option for you to press one for English and they have the nerve to protest. See that’s when ICE needs to be out there arresting and deporting people. The United States is becoming a cesspool. Amending the Constitution to try and make what God says is an abomination appear to be right, liberals will send this country to hell watch and see.”