It was 0800 before anyone noticed Bruce and Buffy weren’t on the farm, long after they had started fighting. When Angela and Stephanie didn’t see Bruce in the Center, they called for him over the radio. It was when they called the third time, mission control answered.
“This is mission control and Big Daddy One went on recon at 0150 this morning with someone,” came a reply.
The entire command table looked at Bruce’s empty chair then at Buffy’s. Moving as one, they all stood up and ran toward the house. Danny was at the front of the pack as she flew through the door and ran upstairs, throwing open the door to Buffy’s room seeing a made up bed. Lying in the middle of the bed was a folded sheet of paper.
Danny grabbed the paper opening it up reading.
Danny I had to leave with Daddy. I couldn’t wake you up and tell you because I didn’t have time. He does not want me to come with him. I know you will think I’m crazy but Mama said I had to move and fast. I don’t know where we are going or how long we will be but I love you and will miss you. If I don’t come back will you be Julie’s friend for me, she really likes having a friend.
Love you Sissy
Buffy
Danny just dropped down to her knees holding the letter. The rest of the command group was yelling wanting to know what it said but Danny never heard them. Mike reached down and took the letter, reading it.
“Oh shit,” Mike said, handing the letter to someone and pushing through the group running to mission control.
One by one they read it, then ran to mission control. Mike already had two more UAVs taking off with two more getting ready by the time the rest of the command group came in.
“Where do you think he went and what for?” Angela asked running over to stand beside him.
“I don’t know,” Mike answered.
“Let me get the choppers up,” Steve said.
“No, they waste too much fuel and Bruce can hear them. He doesn’t want to be found that’s why he left in the middle of the night,” Mike said rubbing his face.
“Let’s go out and look for them,” Jake offered.
“Where? The world is a big place and if we start going off in every direction we’ll start losing people. Bruce is a big boy and can take care of himself. Let’s just keep going on and let the UAVs make wider and wider circles,” Mike told them.
“And if you find him?” Stephanie asked.
“I’m going to kick his ass,” Mike said, looking at her.
The command group went to start the day but returned frequently to check on the search. It was 2100 when Mike started bringing the UAVs home even though one had flown over Buffy and Bruce at noon but didn’t see them. Buffy had ducked down in the SUV to load magazines and Bruce had on the heat shield suit under his clothes. The flight crew just noticed a group of blues running, which they did all the time.
Everyone went to bed and managed to get to sleep. Most were awake by 0400 and went down to check in with mission control but there was no change. Filing in the center for breakfast at 0600, the mood was glum as food was served. Most at the command table just played with their food. It was almost 0700 when their radios went off.
“Big Daddy Two, we have Buffy on the radio asking for the gate to open,” an operator in mission control called.
“Open the gate and I want every person not on duty inside the Center until further notice,” Mike said standing up.
“Mike, control you temper,” Nancy told him.
“I’m going to kick his ass. If I see one person come outside and that includes you, I’ll shoot at you. If I hit you, it’s your fault,” Mike told her, standing up.
“They’re pulling up beside the Center now sir,” the operator told Mike.
Mike turned around and headed to the door and threw it open. Stepping outside he headed toward the SUV and saw Buffy walking toward him. Mike saw something in her eyes he had never seen before: terror. Seeing that look on her made the anger drain from Mike’s system.
“What is wrong Buffy?” He asked, but Buffy looked at Mike like he had two heads and continued past him. Mike turned around and followed her into the center.
Buffy ignored everyone heading straight to Danny crying. “What’s wrong Buffy?” Danny asked jumping up.
Looking up with tears running down her face, “I think Daddy wants to die,” Buffy told her. The entire table became silent.
“That’s not possible Buffy. That’s not Dad,” Danny told her.
Buffy reached down and took the magazine out of her rifle and handed it to Danny. “That’s all I have left. I used all of mine and all of his. He just pulled out his sword and started chopping. He kept telling me to leave and he’d follow. It was late last night when I told him I was getting out with my knife to help him when he finally jumped on the hood and told me to go. He wouldn’t get inside because he was covered in blue blood. We stopped and he stripped and washed. There are seventeen rounds in that magazine Danny, that’s it,” Buffy said with tears rolling down her face.
Before Danny could speak, Buffy started again. “I asked him when he got in what was wrong. He told me that he had done what mom asked him not to do. He had shown us hate and how to enjoy it. He said he didn’t deserve us. I told him yes he did but he wouldn’t listen to me Danny,” Buffy wailed as Danny hugged her.
“I’m going to kick his ass,” Danny said pushing Buffy back.
“I’ll help,” Jake told her.
“Sit down you two,” Mike told them calmly.
“Don’t get in my way,” Danny warned.
“Oh I won’t but if you step out that door I’ll tell your Dad that you attacked your mother,” Mike threatened. The color drained from Danny’s face as she looked at Mike. “Jake, I know plenty about you as well,” Mike warned.
Mike turned to Nancy and smiled. “I love you baby, but no matter what happens don’t let anyone out of this building. One way or another we get Bruce back. I know what Debbie meant now, that I would know when and a life and soul were at stake. If I don’t come back, live for me,” Mike told her hugging her.
“Mike,” Nancy gasped as he hugged her.
“If you have ever loved me, don’t come out and keep everyone inside,” Mike told her, kissing her then walking towards the door. Before reaching the door Mike dropped his vest on the floor as he went outside.
Danny looked down at Buffy when the door shut, “Buffy, Mama talked to you?” she asked.
“Yes in my dreams, but yesterday morning was different. I heard her on the outside of my head and felt her in the room waking me up. When I sat up, I smelled her Danny. Please don’t think I’m crazy,” Buffy said.
“Why hasn’t she talked to me?” Danny said in a hurt voice.
“Mama said she would in time. But said she woke me up with enough time to get in the truck. She said you would’ve listened to Daddy and even stopped me from going. I’m sorry Danny but I wanted to get you but I couldn’t,” Buffy told her, wrapping her arms around her.
Danny knew in that instant Buffy was telling the truth. Daddy would’ve been able to stop her. Danny hugged Buffy, “She was right Buffy, Dad hasn’t totally converted you yet. Will you tell me what else Mama said later?” Danny asked and Buffy nodded her head. Danny keyed her radio. “This is Danny, I want the monitors in the Center put on the cameras on the east side of the hall. Focus in on the truck,” Danny said, turning to the monitors.
When Mike stepped outside he looked up saying a prayer and said, “If I have to, I will.” Walking over to the SUV he saw Bruce in the driver’s seat listening to music.
“Hey brother,” Mike said walking up to him.
“Hey brother,” Bruce said with his eyes closed. “It still smells like her Mike,” Bruce told him.
“I’m sure it does Bruce, will you get out so we can talk?” Mike asked. Reluctantly, Bruce climbed out. When he was out of the truck Mike reached over and took out Bruce’s pistol chambering a round. Holding the pistol by the barrel, Mike put the suppressor to his h
ead.
“Pull the trigger Bruce, do it for me if you want to die,” Mike told him.
Bruce grabbed the gun out of Mike’s hand, “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Bruce yelled.
“You Bruce,” Mike said. “You’re acting like a whinny bitch,” Mike told him.
Anger flared in Bruce as he punched Mike in the face, knocking him down. Getting back to his feet, Mike wiped the blood off his face. “Hit like a bitch to,” Mike told him as Bruce hauled off again hitting Mike again dropping him to the ground.
Mike stood back up shaking the cobwebs out of his head. Bruce dropped his vest and threw the pistol on it. “Fight back,” Bruce told Mike.
“No Bruce. Debbie died for us because she loved us. You want to die for no reason, pissing on her sacrifice. She said without you, we die,” Mike said reaching down picking up the pistol and pointing at his head again. “I don’t want to watch my family and friends die and suffer. Kill me first unless you lead us like Debbie asked. Not wanting to love the family because it makes the hate go away. If that’s the world you want to build, I want no part of it,” Mike told him.
Bruce just stepped back and Mike stepped forward. “Please Bruce for me, if that’s the world you build, take me first, I can’t do it myself. Let me tell Debbie I’ve failed her and you. Then I’ll sit and wait on my family,” Mike told him.
Bruce’s vision started getting blurry as he listened to Mike. He started wobbling on his feet and focused on Mike’s face. Mike stared at Bruce, “Bruce, we love you here. Debbie gave it all and knew it was coming. She told me and made me promise not to tell you. Bruce please, she loved you, don’t do this to her sacrifice,” Mike pleaded.
Staggering back Bruce fell to his knees and looked up at the sky as tears started rolling down his face. The tears he wanted for so long finally came as he wailed out holding his arms up to the sky. Mike watched as the tears slowly started then came in a flood. Then Bruce cried out letting the hate in his heart go.
Mike dropped the pistol and hugged Bruce, knocking him down and crying with him. The family all ran to the door and headed over to them. They all stood in wonder looking at Bruce crying, holding Mike. They all ran and joined them holding each other crying that the family was whole again, Bruce was back. Laying in the morning sun they all cried for hours in joy and loss.
When Bruce had no more tears he stood up hugging each one, then hugged Stephanie and Angela again kissing them both. Stepping back Bruce looked at them and thought of the past months. Just the thought of the joy he received from hurting others made him want to puke.
Looking at his family he smiled, “Thank you for staying with me. I’m sorry I put each of you through it and I can never repay that debt,” Bruce told them.
Stephanie and Angela ran over and hugged him. “What debt Bruce? You’re a part of us so we either saved you or joined you,” Stephanie told him.
“What she said,” Angela sobbed out. Then everyone group hugged then released, looking at Bruce.
“Guys if you don’t mind, I’m going to sit by myself and get drunk, then start tomorrow as a new day,” Bruce told them as they all nodded. Bruce headed to one of the storage bunkers as the group headed into the Center. Everyone had left to start the day.
Darrell walked over to Marcus, “So that means Bruce won’t be going out kicking ass anymore?” he asked.
“No son, he just won’t be doing it for pleasure. That’s the difference between good and evil. Good fights because it has to, evil fights because it wants to. Bruce won’t be any different to his enemies but he’ll be different to us,” Marcus told Darrell watching Bruce head to the storage areas as the family grabbed his gear.
Bruce could smell the blood from a torture session and hear the screams and his responses. “Not yet, give me a little time, then I’ll pay my price,” Bruce said as he stopped, taking a deep breath.
With his head clear, Bruce headed down into the storage area that held the booze. Reaching the bottom the air was much cooler than the July heat wave outside. Heading to the back, “Bruce,” someone said and he turned around.
“Yes,” he said but didn’t see anyone.
“Bruce,” he heard behind him and he spun around not seeing anyone again. Reaching for his pistol but he didn’t have on his vest. Bruce moved his hand to the small of his back as he felt someone close.
“I’m not amused and getting pissed off,” Bruce said as his hand closed on his back up pistol.
“Sir, do you need something?” a girl asked stepping out of one of the containers carrying a clipboard. Bruce spun around pulling his pistol, dropping down to his knee aiming it at her making the girl let out a scream and drop her clip board.
“What do you want?” Bruce asked the girl not lowering his gun feeling more than her near.
“Nothing sir, I’m just doing inventory I promise,” she told him in a quivering voice.
“Damn it Bruce! Quit it!” he heard behind him. Bruce dropped down and rolled coming up pointing behind him.
“Little girl doing inventory, leave, someone wants to play games with me,” Bruce said looking behind him. Three of the containers were open at the end of the unit and the one behind him that the girl was in. Bruce couldn’t tell which one the voice came from. The young girl took off at and a dead run leaving the crazy man alone.
“Your friend is gone, so come out,” Bruce said toward the open doors.
“Bruce, sometimes I really wish I could kick your ass,” the voice told him.
Bruce dropped the gun on the floor coming up on his knees, “Debbie?” he asked.
“That many years together and it took you that long,” Debbie said all around him.
Bruce leaned his head back smiling as he felt her near. Breathing in deeply he could smell her the way he always remembered. “Baby, I miss you,” Bruce said with tears he didn’t think he had anymore of, rolling down his cheek. Closing his eyes Bruce smiled.
“I know you do baby, I’ve never left you,” Debbie told him and Bruce opened his eyes.
“I’m sorry baby, I really am for letting you down,” Bruce told her, feeling his heart break more and closed his eyes again.
“You never let me down baby. You faced your demons and chose life, I’m very proud of you because I know how hard it was. You made your choice,” Debbie told him. Bruce smiled, feeling a hand on his face, that he knew was Debbie’s but didn’t open his eyes so the dream would continue.
“What choice?” he asked.
“You didn’t kill Willie,” Debbie told him and Bruce held his breath. “That was your first test and you passed. If you would’ve killed him in hate, your teammate, you would’ve been consumed by it and slowly became what you fought,” Debbie told him.
“You’ve talked to Buffy,” Bruce stated.
“Yes several times, out of everyone she was the only one I could reach. She was the only one who hadn’t let the hate build in her. When she was calm and relaxed I could talk to her in her dreams. Granted I told her not to let the hate build before I left,” Debbie told him.
“You could’ve come and talked to me,” Bruce told her.
“No Bruce, when you surround yourself in hate, I can’t be close to you. Hate is so far removed from where I’m at, even the memory is hard to recall,” Debbie told him.
“It’s that good?” Bruce asked in wonder.
“Bruce, it’s so much better than words can describe and we will be together here, forever baby. But you have a lot of work to do first. You have many decisions to make, for better or worse,” Debbie told him.
“That’s going to be hard baby,” Bruce told her feeling a hand rub his shaved head.
“Bruce, you can fight a war without wallowing in hate,” Debbie replied.
“That’s not what I mean, I did some real medieval shit and I can feel it coming on me. This may drive me insane but I’ll fight it for you and the others as long as I can,” Bruce told her feeling a chill over his heart.
“No baby, that’s one
thing I asked for. No one with the task that’s put before you should have to carry that burden. My gift, to my true love, just don’t go crazy with it,” Debbie told him. Bruce felt his body get warm then his worries seemed to fade away. The joy of the hate left his body.
“Thank you baby,” Bruce told her smiling.
“You’re welcome baby. Now, quit being a pain in the ass to Angela and Stephanie. I thought they would never stop crying last night,” Debbie told him.
“I did apologize, sugar mama,” Bruce said.
“I know you did but they’ve gone way above and beyond for you. Bruce, if you would’ve followed the other path, they were coming with you. Not only them but the whole family was going to follow you. Man’s description of hell pales in comparison to the real thing,” Debbie told him.
“I’ll make it up to them,” Bruce promised.
“Just love them,” Debbie told him.
“They know I love them,” Bruce replied.
“Oh I know, they asked you while you were real tired,” Debbie informed him.
“If you wouldn’t have told them every secret about me, they wouldn’t have known to do that,” Bruce replied.
“I’m sorry but I was short on time and had to train them fast. Bruce, I really think the only reason you didn’t shoot Willie is those two kept you so off balance. They wanted to prove to you they loved you, never knowing they were doing it,” Debbie told him.
“You’re so weird. Still trying to pawn me off and yes they did keep me off balance. They’re going to drive me crazy with this newly wed stuff,” Bruce replied, grinning.
“Hey buster, when they come after you, we’ll spend eternity together and guess what? You won’t even be able to throw a temper tantrum,” Debbie popped off.
“I’ll do whatever you want as long as you’re there,” Bruce told her.
“Yes stud muffin I’ll be here with you. Now I know the questions you want to ask and I have answered most in the red notebook. I don’t have long,” Debbie told him.
“I’ll get to talk to you again won’t I and not in my dreams?” Bruce asked needing to know.
Blue Plague: Rage Page 36