Sons of Dust
Page 36
Beautiful, Kate wanted to say. Bo you grew so beautiful.
Lucien struck her again and she knew he was trying to split her in two.
With the last bit of her strength, Kate lifted the chain, so heavy now, it weighed a thousand pounds and she pushed herself closer to Lucien. “Close enough to dance,” she whispered, blood running from her mouth in a bloody froth. She pushed herself again, almost into his arms, and still smiling, looped the chain around his neck a third time. “Third time pays for all,” she said and Lucien’s eyes narrowed, his lips pulled back in a snarl and he hit her again and Kate felt the world slip away.
There was no pain. Only lightness, becoming space instead of mass. Clearness.
Sweet. Sweet clarity.
Kate closed her eyes, grateful for the clear and the light and the grace of being blessed.
Chapter 46
Gina
The sky opened and water was pouring from the black clouds with an intensity that hurt. As they stepped into the rain, Gina stopped struggling. She looked her shoulder into the living room, saw Kate turn her head. Saw Kate smiling at them, and then Katie, with the calmness of Saints, moved closer to Lucien. She was bleeding, the cuts running freely, her clothes soaked red. The chain was in her hands and for a second it looked like she was going to embrace the horror, but she slipped the chain around Lucien’s neck with a touch that was almost gentle and Lucien roared, his screams splitting the night.
Gina closed her eyes, her heart breaking, breaking. She heard the door close behind them, felt the rain as it beat down from the sky. Marcus carried her, her body bouncing as they descended the steps and crossed the street.
He laid her on the grass in the Forest Field. The wind howled, blowing the burned ragweed to ash. The fire had scorched most of the field. Even with the wind and the soaking rain, Gina could smell the burning. Rain dripped from Marcus’s hair, ran down his face in narrow rivulets of water. The ground was cold and wet, her leg throbbed.
“Okay?” he asked.
She nodded, because she didn’t know what else to do. No, Marcus, I am not okay. I will never be okay again because I saw what evil is and what evil does and I don’t know how to be okay.
Marcus brushed the wet strings of hair out of her face. “I know how you feel, honey,” he said. “I feel the same way. But we did what we had to do.”
The lump in her throat hurt. She swallowed, her chin trembling as she tried to hold back the tears. If she started crying, she didn’t think she’d be able to stop. Marcus touched her face again. “I’ll be right back.”
“Wait!” she cried. “Where are you going?”
“Gina,” he said softly, “The wrath of God ends in fire, remember?”
Miserably, she nodded. “But he can’t get out this time.”
“Honey, we have to finish it. Once and for all. I’ll be right back, Promise.”
He kissed the top of her head and she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight against her. He hugged her back just as fiercely and kissed her again.
“I love you,” he said against her hair and the pain in her heart blossomed, growing so large it threatened to consume her. He pulled away and without looking at her again, started down the slope.
**
Marcus
There was a gasoline can in the alcove next to the porch. He’d seen it when they’d climbed the stairs to the front door. Please let it be full, he prayed as he made his way down the slope to the street. Let there be enough. Thunder cracked the night, lightening split the sky, but was it easing? Was the storm letting up? Marcus thought maybe it was.
He had to brace himself before crossing the street to Kate’s house. A part of him, a big part of him, wanted to go back to Gina. He wanted to sit with her in the Forest Field, in the grass they used to play in as children. He wanted to put his arm around her and hold her as they watched Kate’s house. He wanted to call the police, wanted to call someone, anyone—
Send lawyers, guns and money, his mind spoke up, the shit has hit the fan.
The stuff of rock songs, he thought, but in real life there’s never anyone to call, it all comes down to you.
The gas can was right where he remembered it. Red, rusted, the plastic tubing yellowed with age. He picked it up, saying a prayer of thanks as fluid sloshed inside. He took the stairs two at a time, the can banging against his leg. Grabbing hold of the front door knob, he went back in.
The living room was quiet.
He didn’t see Kate or Lucien. The room was dark. Steeling himself against the fear that lodged like a pellet in his heart, he walked to the living room. It took a second for his eyes to adjust to the light. The candle was flickering, the scent of burning wax strong in the narrow room. His eyes traveled over Vinny’s body, lying on the couch, covered with the afghan, moved across the room, at the broken furniture and shards of glass, came to rest finally on the figures slumped against the fireplace.
Kate.
Lucien.
Kate’s body was canted at an odd angle. Her head rolled to the left, her arms open, palms up. The chain still snaked across her hands. He closed his eyes, swallowing the pain as best he could. Bit off more than we could chew, he thought.
Except that wasn’t really true, was it? They’d chewed on it just fine.
Bo.
Alex.
Kate.
Vinny.
Gina.
All of them.
Marcus walked into the living room, the gas can banging his leg. He watched the humped figure sprawled on the floor, but Lucien didn’t move. Setting the can next to the couch, Marcus bent over, touched Vinny’s neck. A thread of a pulse. But there. There.
Marcus slid his arms under Vinny’s body, lifting him easily. The blanket trailed down to the floor. He carried Vinny outside, leaving the front door open behind him and ran, as fast as he could, to the Forest Field. Breathing heavily, he put Vinny down amid the weeds and broken glass. He could make out Gina’s figure, in the grass above him, but he didn’t carry Vinny up the hill. There wasn’t time.
The sense of urgency grew greater and Marcus didn’t hesitate this time. He ran back across the street to Kate’s house, not pausing at all as he rushed through the hallway to the living room.
The can was where he left it.
Marcus uncapped it, the fumes cloying and thick. He turned back toward the figures sprawled on the floor and his eyes widened in shock.
Lucien was gone.
Before Marcus had a chance to get beyond the surprise, there was a roar behind him and Lucien was on him. Marcus screamed as the claws dug in, he screamed and twisted, splashing gas in an arc. On the floor, Kate’s eyes opened. Alive, he thought madly, she’s still ALIVE!
The gasoline can jerked upward as Lucien struggled, soaking Marcus’s clothes with the fluid. Dimly, he was aware of Lucien screaming. He tore away from Lucien’s grasp, splashing gasoline on the walls, the floor. The smell gagged him. Lucien roared and rushed forward…and was jerked back. He was chained. The links wound from his neck to Kate’s waist.
Magdalene, Marcus thought, she chained herself to him like Magdalene.
Lucien tried to struggle, but the chain held him tight. His face was a mask of fury and rage. Shaking, Marcus reached into his pocket for the matches.
“You’ll die!” Lucien hissed. “If you light it, you’ll die.”
Marcus hesitated, the match in his hands. He knew Lucien was right. His clothes were soaked with gasoline. He’d be a human torch.
“Why would you kill yourself?” Lucien’s voice was so soft it was a shock. Lucien was watching him, his lips curved in a smile. “Why do it?”
“Why?” Marcus repeated hoarsely. “Because I loved her, you stupid fuck! She was my life!”
Lucien opened his arms. “But Marcus, killing yourself isn’t the answer. It isn’t going to solve anything. It won’t bring Bo back.”
The book of matches was shaking in Marcus’s hands. “At least I’ll get rid of you.”<
br />
Lucien smiled wider. “Are you sure?”
Marcus froze and doubt flooded him. Was he sure? Was he sure about anything?
Yes, Bo said in his head. Yes, Marcus, you’re sure. Reach deep inside yourself and feel it. Don’t let Lucien trick you into doubt. You’re sure that I loved you, as you loved Teddy and Alex…as you loved me. And with that kind of love comes power, Marcus. You can stop him. You just have to believe it.
“Burning to death isn’t an easy end,” Lucien’s voice was like silk. “It’s going to hurt, Marcus. It will hurt like hell.”
Somehow, Lucien’s words struck Marcus as funny and he began to laugh, weakly at first and then his laughter grew into a sound that echoed off the walls. Lucien flinched and Marcus said, “You should know, you son of a bitch, seeing as how hell is your home town.”
“You’ll die!” Lucien said again. “You’ll go with me!”
Oh fuck, Marcus thought, the measure of a man is found in what he can chew.
Kate looked up at him. She smiled, and gently, gently nodded.
“Chew,” he whispered.
And because doom is always certain and free will is a gift, Marcus lit the match.
Chapter 47
Gina
Gina waited. She stared at Kate’s house, watching for Marcus to come out. Waited. There was a flash of white light in the living room, a burst of yellow that flared behind the windows and then there was a sound – a whooshing noise – and the windows burst outward and flames shot through the glass. The night was split by a roar that defied all sound. The fire was alive. It roared and twisted like the beast Lucien was, consuming Kate’s house in red and gold.
“No,” Gina whispered, “No.”
The roar came again and the living room all but exploded and even from where she sat, Gina could feel the heat. The house doubled. Gina blinked and it came into focus again. She watched the door, praying for it to open, praying for Marcus to come running out. She prayed for him to appear, framed by fire, but untouched by flames. Whole. Alive.
The roaring grew louder. Flames shot from the roof. The whole house was engulfed. The sound of sirens was faint, but coming closer. Gina watched, barely daring to breathe.
It’s over honey, her father said, and she could hear his gentle respect. They done good.
The air was filled with the crackling sound of flame, the scent of burning wood. The edges of the horizon lit with the rising sun. The storm was almost over. The rain’s force had abated. The drops weren’t needles now; they were soft as mist.
You stopped him, Geenie. You did right and that’s all that matters in the end. Don’t you ever forget that, honey. Sometimes God asks you to pay a heavy price, but the reward is always bigger than the tag.
Gina stared at the house, feeling the grief wash over her, pull at her… but there was something else in her, too. Something under the grief and the pain.
It took a second her to recognize it.
Peace.
Gina lowered her head and wept.
Epilogue
Vinny
Gina’s heels tapped against the sidewalk in a rhythm that made him think, for no reason at all, spring. Maybe it was because she was walking lighter, a buoyancy in her gait, or maybe it was because they’d shed the heavy coats and hats. Whatever it was, Vinny noticed it and felt his own step slip into rhythm with Gina’s. They didn’t speak as they turned the corner to Congress Avenue, but Gina slid her hand into his. He gave her fingers a squeeze and crossed the street.
They hadn’t been to St. Stand’s since the night of the fire.
“It’s time,” Gina had said as they dressed this morning. He hadn’t had to ask what she meant.
He knew.
A crowd gathered on the sidewalk outside the church. Vinny, still holding Gina’s hand tightly, weaved through the throng. No one was moving and it took Vinny a minute to figure out why. The doors were closed. He stopped walking, turning to tell Gina they were early and a little voice spoke up beside him.
“Did the rabbit come to your house?”
Vinny looked down and saw a little girl of about four peering up at him. She held her mother’s hand, and the mother smiled at Vinny and rolled her eyes.
“Well, did he?” the child asked.
“The rabbit?” Vinny repeated dumbly.
Gina squeezed his arm and leaned forward, her face breaking into the soft smile he loved so much. “Yes, he did. Did he come to your house, too?”
The little girl nodded, curls bouncing with every shake of her head. She grinned, her eyes lighting up. “He brought me jelly beans and peanut butter cups and a humongous chocolate bunny!”
“Ohhh!” Gina said. “You’re a lucky girl.”
“And you know what else?”
“What?”
“Mommy bought me new clothes for church. I got to pick out the hat. I wanted to get a purple dress, but Mommy said it was too spensive cause we’re on a budget, so I had to get this stupid pink one.”
Vinny chuckled and Gina squeezed his arm again. “Your dress is very pretty.”
“There are a ton of people at church today,” the little girl remarked. Vinny looked at the crowds lining the steps. “Mommy said its cause this is the first time the whole church is gonna be open, cause of the fire and stuff. Father Gilmartin is gonna delicate it today.”
“Dedicate,” her mother murmured.
The little girl rolled her eyes and sighed. “Mommy says Easter is a perfect day to dedicate. Are you having a baby?”
“Emily Ann!”
“Yes,” Gina told the little girl, her eyes dancing now. “I’m going to have a baby.”
“I love babies! My Auntie Rosalie is gonna have a baby, too. It looks like it’s gonna esplode right out of her belly any second.” The child cocked her head to one side. “I hope I’m there when it does. That’d be cool!”
“Emily Ann!”
“How come you walk funny?”
“I hurt my ankle,” Gina said. “I have a limp.”
“Oh.” The bright brown eyes settled on Vinny’s face. “Is he your husband?”
Gina smiled again. “Yes.”
“What happened to your face?” she asked Vinny.
Her mother’s face grew pink, her eyes widened in shock. “I’m so sorry,” she said quickly, “she just turned four and she doesn’t hesitate to say anything.”
“It’s okay,” Vinny said. “All people should talk like four year olds. More honest, you know?” He squatted down so that he was eye level with the little girl in the pink dress and white hat. “Well, Miss Emily Ann, I was hurt in a fight.”
“A fight?” the girl’s eyes grew wider. “What were you fighting about?”
“I was trying to help my friends from a bad guy. He was hurting my best friends.”
“I have a best friend. Jimmy Kenzie.”
“Well, Jimmy’s a pretty lucky boy to have a friend like you.”
The little girl giggled. “Jimmy’s not a boy, silly! Jimmy’s a girl!”
It was a beautiful day. The sky was a perfect blue, cloudless. A warm breeze stirred the trees, carrying the scent of flowers and fresh cut grass.
The heavy oak doors opened. Vinny saw the wink of blue and green as sunlight glittered on the stained glass. The crowds of people dressed in their best surged forward.
“C’mon, Mommy,” Emily Ann said. “I want to see if the angel is here yet.”
“The angel?” Gina asked.
Emily Ann turned toward Gina, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “There used to be a pretty angel by the doors. She’s all white and she’s hard and she holds a bowl that’s got stinky water in it. She got broken and she went someplace to get all fixed up.” The child lowered her voice, put a hand to the side of her mouth like she was about to tell a secret and whispered, “I think she’s magic. Her eyes follow you wherever you go.”
Emily Ann danced away, her Easter coat flying open as she skipped next to her mother. They reached the steps, an
d then Emily Ann broke away, running down the brick path to Vinny and Gina again.
“I forgot to say gratulations,” the child said breathlessly. “Good luck with your little baby. I know it’s gonna be cute.” And then she was gone, running back to her mother, her white patent leather shoes gleaming in the sunshine.
Gina turned her face up to his and Vinny was surprised to see tears in her eyes.
“You okay?” he asked, leaning close to her. Gina nodded and touched his cheek.
“I was just….remembering them.”
Will the pain ever go away? Vinny wondered.
Somehow, he doubted it. Things never worked out that clean in the end. Eventually, they’d stop having nightmares, and maybe there’d come a night when they’d be able to fall asleep without the image of Lucien tattooed behind their closed eyes.
But it would never be gone.
Maybe it wasn’t supposed to be. Maybe it was okay, even, that they didn’t forget.
They walked up the brick path slowly, and then Gina stopped, pointing towards the church door.
“The angel. Watch her eyes. They follow you wherever you go.” Gina’s eyes were still glistening, but she was smiling. Her smile. “It’s magic,” Gina whispered.
“Nope,” Vinny answered. “Not magic. Faith.”
Holding Gina’s hand, Vinny began to climb.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24