by Maxey, Phil
“You did the right thing.” He looked at Zelma who nodded then walked forward, waving at those inside the vehicles to come with her. As the children made their way into the large house, he walked closer to Marina. “Joel is here?”
“No. But he’s on his way.”
Hector walked with Layla. Marina spotted Alfredo’s reaction to the girl, and wanted to ask why, but Hector approached and said something in Spanish to the archeologist, who nodded and Hector and Layla continued past and into the hallway.
The others quickly followed. Zelma led the children and Hector up the wide stairs, while everyone else followed Alfredo and Marina into the study. Kizzy sat heavily in a chair.
Dalton sniffed towards Alfredo. “You’re a hybrid…”
Alfredo smiled. “I never could hide my true self from your kind. I am.”
“He’s the fourth king…” said Marina.
All eyes landed on her, then Alfredo.
“What?” said Anna.
“My birth name is Freon…”
Kizzy got to her feet and walked to a few inches of the ancient king, making him lean back slightly. “You don’t look that old.”
“It’s him,” said Marina.
Anna took a step forward, placing her rain socked backpack and her rifle on the ground near the door. “So, the last tomb was here? And they released you?” She looked around the room.
“I left the tomb a long time ago and made Puerto Rico my home. I traveled across every inch of this planet since then, but I always return.”
“Umm… there’s something else you need to know,” said Marina.
“More?” said Anna.
“We have a way to end the scourge…”
For a fraction of a moment Anna contemplated this last piece of news was a joke. But she knew the woman in front of her well enough to know it wasn’t. Somehow it was true. She reached for the nearest chair and sat near Corine.
*****
Rynon stood on the bow of the Helios and looked out a landscape broken by his will. A sea not of crashing waves but of obedient blood thirsty slaves filled every street, park and plaza. The seething mass stretched for miles before being swallowed by a wall of gray.
“We have enough of them now brother to end this,” said Eltir. “Why wait?”
The wind and rain battered the two kings standing on the almighty ship that was now one with the coastline, but Rynon stood proud. “What will happen to this island, brother, will serve as a lesson to any that might come after. Any remaining humans, wherever they are on this planet will look upon the devastation we have brought to this place and realize their only use is to serve us. I want the contents of every last one of the containers emptied, before the march east.”
“The longer we leave it, the greater the chance they will know we are here! They have modern weapons as well, brother. They may attack first.”
Rynon looked back to the older king. “That is why we have the vehicles that launch missiles. Iona informed me they will be quiet affective at softening the enemy, rendering much of their weaponry useless. And then our children will arrive at their gates and devour what is left.”
Eltir sighed. “We cannot be sure of where the tablets are. What if the missiles destroy them?”
“They will be well protected. Probably underground. And you know as well as I brother, that they were made by the gods. Man made fire will not be able to damage them.” Rynon stepped to Eltir, placing both hands on his shoulders. “This is a day of celebration! We will honor Tyror, by wiping from history those that took him from us. A thousand years from now there will be statues of us brother, but no one will remember the names of those we defeated. It will be as if they never existed! But we, brother… we will be eternal. Like the gods that gave us our gifts all those eons ago. Do you remember what the villagers used to say about us?”
Eltir sighed, looked away. “I remember.”
“And now we are on the verge of ruling over this kingdom, the one they called the United States.” He looked back as another container was dropped heavily to the ground. “And then we will move on to another, until we rule them all.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Evan walked alone in a heavily forested part of the base as the watery sun was almost gone from the gray sky. The density of bark and branch meant the storm only threatened to lift him from the ground, without actually achieving it. Shannon wanted to come with him, but he was out the door of the apartment before she took a step forwards him, leaving her with Anna, Sasha and the others. He needed to be alone. To think how he would fit in on an island run by a traitor.
What would my grandfather say? he thought, as he trekked across the sodden leaves and fallen branches. But he knew the answer. He would tell him to leave the base.
That’s because he was human…
There’s no way he would have been happy with Galloway running things after they learned she had been playing both sides.
He was killed by my kind…
A well of emotion erupted from somewhere within, and his eyes became as dark as the deepening shadows. He slashed at a nearby tree with extended claws, again and again as it creaked then fell to the ground, close to others already brought down by the storm.
He stood, back in human form, panting, when he heard the whooshing noise coming from the west. At first he wasn’t sure if it was just another gust of wind, but this was constant, regular and was growing gradually louder.
Up ahead the dark triangular form of one of the old bomb shelters was visible in the gloom. He ran between the trees then leaped up the sloped back of the building, grabbing hold of vines until he was perched on its roof, just slightly above the forest around him.
Scanning the western horizon for the source of the noise, he quickly picked up on a series of sparkles within the gloom.
Helicopters?
He chastised himself for not bringing some binoculars, then strained to see any detail amongst the coming night.
A siren broke through the sound of the wind and rain. A wail which could only mean one thing. They were under attack, and then in an instant the sparkles became larger and scorched the sky above him, one of which slammed into the forest and his world became one of heat and flame.
Two miles to the east Marina was pulling children to the floor of Alfredo’s dining room. One of the windows had shattered, showering her with tiny fragments of glass just before she managed to throw herself in front of Jess and Jasper, the boy who had remained frozen in his seat near the head of the table. Marina was on the floor, her back protecting the children who were crying. She turned and looked into the face of a terrified young boy, and started to try to ease Jasper’s fear when another window exploded inwards, taking a part of the building with it. Masonry smashed through glass cases and then interior walls, until the screams of the children were lost within the fury of the storm. Everyone huddled together when another explosion lit up the room once more.
Three miles to the south Joel and the others had seen the rockets come across and land on their destination. They had been too late and now the people on the base were paying for it. He accelerated up a small hill, across a junction and smashed through a gate without guards. His sole focus being to find Anna.
Warehouses flashed by on both sides, then one of them disintegrated as it took a direct hit, and a wall of heat hit the outside of the sedan they had been driving.
In the sky above, Copeland hovered, watching as the place where his child had been brought was turned into a vision of hell. Explosions continued covering every part of the base until the deathly rain stopped and only raging fires remained. One of the buildings, one which had remained untouched by the missiles appeared to be a source of movement, with soldiers running in and out. It was also the location that Joel appeared to be driving towards. He dived, landing at the entrance just as Joel skidded to a stop outside.
The hybrid ran inside and past injured soldiers to one busily talking into his headset, behind the large counter.
“I’m Joel Garret. Where is general Galloway?” The solider ignored him, continuing to talk into his mike. In a blur he leaned across grabbing the soldier’s lapel. “Where is she?” Rifles cocked, no doubt in his direction.
“Not here!” said the frightened young man. “She’s in a safe location!”
“I need to speak to her! The corporation has an army of vamps, and they’re on their way!”
The wide eyes of the soldier then looked past Joel, as the glass doors to the entrance shattered and the barrels swung in a different direction.
Copeland walked forward as soldiers scrambled out of his way. “Where is my son!”
*****
“She’s dying, Layla! Quickly!” said Hector in Spanish to the young girl who was already trying to heal the broken body of a boy. His leg had been shattered by part of the ceiling which collapsed on one end of the table.
“I’m trying!” she said in kind.
Their voices drew Marina back to consciousness and a weight on top of her. With a heave she pushed the table to side, then went to move again when a wave of pain cascaded along her spine. Ignoring it, she turned over and looked at Jess’s lifeless body a foot away.
“Wake up,” said Jasper to her. “Wake up!”
Blood seeped from various lacerations across Marina’s body, but she felt nothing other than blind fear. She scrambled forward, looking but not finding a pulse on the young girl’s body. Her head flicked to Layla. “Over here!” she cried out, hoping she would understand. The boy that had the broken leg scrambled backwards against the wall, healed, as Layla quickly moved to the girl near Hector. Blood was seeping from the child’s mouth that was laying in Hector’s arms but then let out a deep breath, as Layla laid her hands on the girl’s chest.
“Here! Come here!” shouted Marina again while trying to get air into Jess’s lungs.
Layla stood, wavered, then before Hector could stand to support her, walked quickly to the girl near Marina, kneeled and laid her hands again, but this time there was no movement in reply.
“Why it’s not working?” said Marina with panic in her voice, but the girl next to her just shook her head. “No… she… Try again!”
Masonry and wood fell to one side at the dining room’s door, Alfredo appearing and pushing through a gap. One half of his face was blood soaked and his shirt was the same. He looked in horror around the room then staggered forward to Marina who did not appear to know he was there.
Hector tried but failed to get to his feet, his legs being pierced by splinters. “The other children?” He shouted to Alfredo in Spanish. “How are they?”
“They are okay.” Alfredo looked at the woman fighting to save her child.
Marina grabbed Layla’s hand and pushed it onto her child’s fragile chest. “Again… try again!”
Layla squinted, then let out a breath. She spoke in Spanish then looked back to Hector, who looked down.
Alfredo placed his hand on Marina’s shoulder, but she brushed it off as Jasper started to cry and leaned forward to force air into Jessica’s lungs once more, but stopped when the young girl coughed.
Jessica looked up at the concerned faces, blinking.
Marina embraced her, tears flowing across her cheeks then quickly pulled back, checking her other limbs. “Does anything hurt?”
Jess coughed again. “My throat hurts. Can I have some water?”
Marina smiled then laughed, then threw an arm each around the two girls by her side. She whispered ‘thank you’ to Layla.
Alfredo looked at the young girl who had just saved the children’s lives. “I need you to come with me, there’s someone else that needs to be healed.”
Marina turned around. “I thought you said the children were okay?”
“It’s Zelma.”
Layla stood slowly, her eyes flickering.
Marina quickly supported her, allowing her arm to be held by the young girl. Hector said something in Spanish to which Layla replied angrily. Hector threw his arms up in the air, then started to pull wooden spikes from his legs.
As Alfredo helped Layla outside Marina looked back to Jasper and Jess. “Stay there! I’ll be right back.” They both duly nodded, and she followed the other two into the hallway, then a corridor which the wind and rain had made its own, treading across a half collapsed wall, and finally into a large kitchen that looked as if it had been frozen in time, around a hundred years ago.
“We are here! She can…” Alfredo rushed forward then dropped beside the body of the old woman, who was laying near a traditional iron oven. He felt for her pulse. “You can’t die…” His head flicked around to Marina and the child. “Please, you need to bring her back…”
Layla looked at Marina then with her help, walked forward and kneeled, placing her hands on a bloodied arm. She closed her eyes, her face becoming one of pain, then let out a breath and fell into Marina’s arms.
“Layla?” said Marina with no response. “I think she’s passed out…”
Alfredo gently shook Layla’s arm, his eyes red. “Please… Layla… She can’t die like—”
Children’s screams broke through the sound of the winds, and they both looked at each other. Alfredo was out of the room becoming a blur, with Marina doing the same once she had laid Layla down. They both sped through the corridor, skidding to a halt in the hallway, where a towering demonic figure had Hector dangling a foot off the ground, by his neck.
“Where is my—”
Before Copeland could finish Alfredo had transformed into his hybrid self and smashed into the body of the Drak, taking him and what was left of the entrance out into the windswept driveway. Copeland tried to take him into the air, but he was too quick and slashed a claw across part of Copeland’s wing, making him groan in pain. He swung the other wing around, which connected with Alfredo and threw him through the air, crashing into the building’s front wall.
“You will never have him!” cried out Marina as she sprinted forward, slicing Copeland’s arm. Anna had told her about Copeland, but she had remained silent throughout. She didn’t care what the former CEO wanted. He threw out a hand trying to stop her next blow, but it connected and he staggered back. Alfredo shook his head, then stood and sprang the ten or so feet, landing with a claw across Copeland’s face, knocking him to the ground, where he immediately raised his hands.
The two hybrids, their eyes full of hate and rage, drew back their claws.
“I just want to see my son!”
Marina blinked, her arm wavering, as was Alfredo’s.
“I came here with Joel!”
“I know!” said Marina. “But you’re not taking him from me!”
“He’s my son…” His words were pitiful amongst the howling gales.
Jasper was standing in the ruins of the stone entrance.
Copeland slowly lowered his hands, his eyes fixed on the young boy. “Jasper…”
Marina whirled around.
“You’re a monster!” shouted Jasper, then turned and ran inside.
Marina swung back to Copeland as Alfredo looked between both. The giant of an Alkron was on his knees, his head lowered.
“What’s going on?” said Alfredo, but Marina was too angry to speak.
The sound of a vehicle came into the street outside, then the driveway and a humvee skidded to a stop. Ayers got out, as did someone she hardly recognized.
Joel stepped forward as rain swiped across all him. “Marina… he’s with us…”
She shook her head. “I don’t care. How could you let him take Jasper from me?”
Joel went to speak, but the huge Alkron suddenly stood and despite the injury to his wing took to the sky, soon being lost within the dark monotone clouds.
“I wouldn’t,” said Joel. “But it’s complicated… Is Anna H—”
She spun around and ran back inside.
“Hello Joel, I am—”
The former FBI operator walked past the hybrid king towards the broken house. “I kn
ow who you are.”
“And do you also know I have a way to end the scourge…”
Joel stopped, then turned back around. “What?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
All Sasha could see was wall. Not a few inches from her eyes, but literal brick and cement infused into her skull. A few seconds after the air-raid siren wailed, her world turned white and she was falling. She felt pressure and instinctively became less than solid, then just a fine mist and passed out.
She tried to move in any direction but the density of debris around her was such that even in her transformed state she was unable to squeeze through any gaps. There was no air where she was, which was beneath a few thousand tons of cement and steel. She wanted to scream, and as her panic threatened to overwhelm her, she could feel pressure build once more as her body wanted to return to its more normal version, but couldn’t.
Stay calm, stay calm, stay—
A banging reverberated through the masonry. She wanted to respond, and tried to expand into any space she could, but there was only inches to contain everything that was her particle filled being, not enough for her to move anything around her.
I just need to stay like this… maybe I can find a way—
The debris that she was almost a part of shook and shuddered, then suddenly there was the merest of breeze and she knew she could escape. Allowing herself to flow through a crack in the compacted strata she rose higher and higher until there was light and then freedom.
Anna staggered back as a ghostly apparition appeared within the beam of her flashlight, spewing from the holes she had created in the mound of compacted cement blocks.
A naked Sasha reformed and immediately collapsed to her knees gulping for air.
Anna dropped to her side, trying to see any sign of blood or damage but couldn’t see any. “Are you hurt? Can you breathe?”
Sasha nodded while breathing slowly, then slowly got to her feet and stood looking down at fires burning amongst trees and buildings, their street now a series of blackened and scorched ruins. People with burned clothes staggered around what used to be their new homes, shouting for loved ones. She looked up at Anna. “Where’s Shannon? She was standing right…” She looked back at the ground, with Anna doing the same.