Grabbing hold of my arm and pulling me away from Cropper, Quint leered down at me and said, “I don’t want to. That’s why.”
“Just leave him, Kassidy!” hissed Raven, peering around the side of Quint, her eyes wide and fearful. “If we hang around here any longer with that evil, dead thing screaming and moaning, it won’t be long before the Cleaners find us. Leave him!” Raven turned away and began to follow Jude.
Before I could protest any more, I was cut short by voices coming from within the fog. I spun around, unsure of what direction they had come from. And as I continued to peer through the mist, I saw people crawling toward us, dragging their broken bodies across the ground. They cried out, ashen faces contorted as if in pain. Desperation filled their eyes as they peered up at me, hands held out for help. I shut my eyes. Visions of Cruor Pharma flashed behind my closed eyelids again. I froze to the spot and felt the world spin. “I don’t want to hear it. I can’t… stop it!” I could feel myself sway as the dead continued to cry and plead for help. Throwing my hands up to my ears, I screamed, “Leave me alone—go away!”
“Kassidy!” a voice in the distance cried out.
I shook my head. No. I must have imagined it. I wasn’t thinking straight. I was too caught up in this nightmare—my brains not functioning right.
“Kassidy?!”
“It’s Max!” cried Raven.
I opened my eyes. Was it Max? Had he heard me scream out into the fog?
Raven spun around and called, “We’re over here, Max—over here…” And then she stopped and screamed. Looking down at her legs, Raven flung her arms up into the fog as she realised that the dead were clinging onto her. They were pulling themselves up and dragging her down with their weight. “Help!” Raven flapped her arms about and tried to move her legs. But she was stuck. The dead held on firmly.
I stared, unable to move. The rhythm of my heart pounded like a drum. I was motionless with fear. But as I looked down at the dead as they slithered over the ground like a tide coming in, I realised it wasn’t just fear that kept me grounded; the Cleaners’ victims were reaching up and grasping at my limbs. I stumbled forward, but regained my balance. Cropper shuffled nearer and reached out to snatch at me. Looking at Jude, I could see him trying to pull the dead from Raven.
“Ben,” I cried out, staring at Quint as he shook away the dead grasping at his ankles. Quint turned his head, black eyes peering straight at me.
“I want Ben—give me Ben!” I ordered, fearful that this was it. This was the end and I might never see Ben again. In a blink of an eye, Ben came back.
With eyes wide like he’d suddenly been thrown into this nightmare, Ben stared about him.
I called out, “Ben… I can’t… I can’t move…!” I fell forward and landed on my knees. The dead pawed at me, their anaemic bodies cold and icy as they continued to pull me down like I was drowning in a swamp. Their dead weight yanked on my arms as I tried to reach for Ben. The fog swirled in a frenzy and began to thicken up. I began to lose the fight to stay on my knees. I had lost sight of Raven, and all I could see of Jude was the back of him as he tried to dislodge a pile of the dead. Raven was under them—she must be. And as I slowly succumbed to the victims in the fog, I caught a fleeting glimpse of Max and Robert as they appeared through the mist.
“Help them!” cried Max, fear evident in his voice. He took a step back as the dead crawled toward him.
As my view became less clear, I strained to see through a gap in the bodies as they continued to pile their weight on me. My teeth chattered as cold hands and fingers snatched at my body and yanked on my hair.
“Ben!” I called out, gasping for breath. I forced my arm out between the icy bodies, desperate to feel Ben take hold of my hand. Was this it? Was it the end? “Let me go!” I pleaded, my right cheek pressed up against a waxen face. Its eyes peered back at me, tortured and hellish. “Why… why are you doing this? Can’t you see you’re sending us to the same fate that you have suffered?” I pushed against the grey body, frantic to be free.
“Help me,” it begged, “I tried to help you!”
The words stung me as I peered into the victim’s face. “Nurse Jones,” I gasped, shuddering inside. I gagged at her limbless torso and the memory of her being dismembered by the Cleaners. And then, as quick as she had appeared, her face seemed to melt away and was replaced by another victim.
Finding some courage, I pushed with all my strength. But the bodies kept coming. It was like I was drowning in an ocean of dead. I felt a hand take mine. It was warm, not like the cold hands holding me down. I could feel myself rising as the hand yanked on mine.
Pulling me to my knees, Ben, his face anxious, said, “I’ve got you… hold tight…” He continued to yank me up, the dead hanging onto his legs. “I’m back… but I don’t know for how long. Quint keeps pushing forward…” He stopped talking for a moment, took a deep breath as if to gain himself some momentum, and tried to pull me to my feet. “Listen carefully, Kassidy. If we get split up… don’t wait for me… just go.”
I started to protest. “No. I’m not leaving without you… I’m not—”
Ben spoke over me. “You have to go. You need to get to Broken Cove, and if that means leaving me behind, then so be it. You have to save yourself. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be all right.” He stopped talking and tried again to pull me from the dead.
“I don’t want to go without you.” I raised my voice. The screams and cries from the dead were getting louder. I could hear Max and Robert yelling. I looked over at them. Robert was trying to pull Raven free, and Max was swaying back and forth as the dead scratched at his legs.
I looked back at Ben as I felt myself sinking again beneath the bodies. “I need you,” I whispered, my voice beginning to shake. “I can’t do this without you.”
“Yes, you can… you’ve got this far,” said Ben, falling to his knees as the dead yanked him down. He shook their hands from his shoulders as they snatched and pulled at him. He struggled on his knees to reach me, clambering over their limbs.
Knocking fingers and hands that scratched at my face and blocked my view of Ben, I reached out—my arms open—and fell forward into Ben’s arms. Yes, I had got this far, and so had Ben, but now it seemed impossible. Now it seemed hopeless. The dead were holding us down in the fog, and although they weren’t hurting us, they were stopping us from escaping. The longer we stayed trapped underneath their weight, the sooner the Cleaners would take us. Even Ben and Jude hadn’t escaped the strength of the victims.
I clung onto Ben, his warm body soothing against the sharp, icy touch of the dead and the fear I felt at knowing that there wasn’t much longer left before the Cleaners took me and my friends. Thoughts rushed through my head—what would happen to Ben and Jude? Would their bodies be destroyed, leaving just Quint and Eras? Would I never get to see either of them again? Was I moments from losing myself? What would it be like to have a Cleaner inside of me? Would I actually be dead? So many questions and so little time to answer them. I pulled Ben close, feeling his body tight against mine, and stared up into his face. Our eyes met and he leaned down and kissed me on my lips.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered into my ear. “I thought I could get you out—I thought that having Quint in me would give me the strength to pull you from the dead. I…”
Before Ben could continue, the whiteness of the fog seemed to grow dark. At first, I thought maybe it was because of the endless bodies piling on top of us—blocking the light. But then the dead started to squirm and shiver. Their pleas for help changed to cries of fear. My heart almost froze as the darkness swarmed in. The Cleaners.
I held on tight to Ben. This was it. This was the moment I had been running from. I could feel tears run down my face as I looked up into Ben’s eyes and whispered, “I love you… I—”
The dark fell upon us. The dead slithered and crawled back into the veil of the fog, hidden from the terror that was coming. I braced myself for pain—for the torture I
knew would come from the Cleaners. I waited for death—my death. But my end didn’t come. Neither did the Cleaners. As I peered over Ben’s shoulder, expecting to see leather aprons and creaky gloves, I saw Eras. He stood over me and Ben—a dark aura, like ripples around him. His eyes were black and his face dark. He reached down and pulled me to my feet.
“Go!” ordered Eras. “Leave now before it’s too late.”
I took a step back, somewhat shocked by his appearance. I could still see Jude amongst the shadow of Eras, but he was faint—faded over by the sheer power that Eras emanated from his demon strength. I could sense the evil in him—the sheer wickedness that only demons possessed.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, and a voice speak my name. It was Robert. “They’re letting us go… at least Eras is. Come on. I don’t think Quint will be so willing.”
I hesitated, still on my knees, still wrapped in Ben’s arms. “Come on,” I whispered to Ben. “Let’s get out of here.” I glanced around at the fog. The dead had gone, frightened away by Eras.
Ben looked at Eras as he stood up. I could see an uncertainty in his eyes, but he nodded to Eras and then smiled at me.
“No… I can’t go with you,” said Ben. Taking my hand, he continued, “I have to let Quint take over. It’s time to bring him back… but not until you’ve left… not until you’re safely out of the fog.”
“What? What do you mean?” I asked, holding his hand tightly. “We can all get out of here together. The dead have gone… we just need to find the right way… you and Jude don’t need to stay behind.” I looked at Eras and continued my plea. “Please… we go together… all of us… why do you have to stay?”
“Because Quint and I have the power to hold the Cleaners back. But as Jude and Ben, we don’t. You saw how strong the dead were. They can hold Ben and Jude down just as they can hold all of you down. Human bodies are no match for the Cleaners. Only as our true selves can we fight back—give you all a fighting chance,” answered Eras. “Go now… before you’ve lost your chance.”
The shadow of Eras had faded a little and I could still see Jude. He looked back at me and whispered, “I promised… remember? I won’t let the Cleaners get you… even if you can’t forgive me.” He stopped for a moment, eyes downcast and then said, “I know you don’t believe me, but I do feel it… the hate… I hate what I am and what I’ve done. This isn’t Jude talking. It’s me… Eras…” Turning his back on me, he stepped away.
“Come on, Kassidy,” pushed Robert. He tugged at my arm. “We have to go, now.”
I pulled my arm away from Robert. Suddenly faced with saying goodbye to Ben and to Jude, I felt grief-stricken. I didn’t want to leave them. But staring at my friends, Max and Raven, their eyes wide with fear as they continued to peer into the fog, I realised I couldn’t let them down. I couldn’t let us die here in the fog because of the love and friendship I felt for two demons. Swallowing down the lump stuck in my throat, I took hold of Ben’s face in my hands and pulled him to me. Our lips met briefly and I wished that we could stay together like that forever. But it wasn’t to be. And if we were to stand a chance of ever being free, then I had to go on, without Ben.
“Promise me… promise you will catch us up,” I said.
Smiling, Ben whispered, “I promise. I’ll be there… at Broken Cove.” Then pulling away from me, he said, “Now run and don’t stop!”
Turning on my heels, I grabbed hold of Raven’s hand, and the four of us disappeared into the fog, leaving behind Ben and Eras.
CHAPTER SIX
Ben
Eras looked at me, his face full of contempt. I knew now that he and Quint had a dark past together, and the expression across his face wasn’t for me, but for Quint. I could only assume that Eras held Quint responsible, as did Doshia, for their demise. I had seen it, trapped inside Quint’s memories. Doshia had screamed out at Quint before he was shut away, still alive inside the coffin that was to trap him for years. He had sworn at Quint that he would destroy him. I guessed that Eras felt the same.
“Come on, Quint,” spat Eras, his shadowy figure appearing to grow in size.
I stared back in silence, waiting for Quint to come forward. The fog continued to swirl around us. I shrugged my shoulders at Eras when Quint failed to come forward. “He’s not here… he’s fallen quiet.” I frowned.
Eras took a step toward me, his dark eyes angry, and said, “Don’t be so fucking stupid. If Quint wasn’t in there then you’d be dead.” He pointed a finger at me and continued his rant. “I might be the soft demon…the dreamer, according to Langstone, but I know when someone’s trying to pull a fast one over me, Ben Fletcher, and if you’re working alongside Quint to fuck me over—think again.”
Taken aback, I shook my head and said, “As far as I’m aware, we’re on the same side, aren’t we? We both want the volunteers to escape. Kassidy? I think we both want to help her—don’t we?” I stood my ground and faced Eras. It was true. Eras was thought to be soft, but still, he was a demon and I had to be on my guard, at least until Quint decided to show himself.
Eras lunged forward, knocking me off my feet. I hit the ground hard. Stunned, I looked up as Eras came nearer.
“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to do that,” glared Eras. “Not just to pretty-boy Ben, but to you, Quint. You’ve always had your way. Always got what you wanted. Always the favourite. Well… what are you gonna do about it, Quint? Are you just gonna stay hidden inside that body and let me destroy it?”
I stood up and took a couple of steps away from Eras. “Why do you want to destroy me? I’m not the demon. I’m just the poor doctor who had his body stolen and life ruined.”
He’s jealous of you, Ben.
I flinched as Quint suddenly spoke up inside my head.
Pretty-boy Ben, laughed Quint. I like it. Take a look at the green-eyed monster in front of you. He’s just pissed that you’ve got the girl, Kassidy, and he doesn’t.
Using my inner thoughts to communicate with Quint, I said, I think it goes way deeper than that. Whatever shit you pulled way back when you were alive… when you lived… that’s the fucking problem. And me? Well I’m caught up in it, thanks to you. I clenched my fists and stared back at Eras. Did my silence let on that Quint and I were talking? Did Eras know? Of course he did. He must have talked to Jude. Jude must have had many a conversation with Eras. I dropped my eyes and stared at the ground. It was no use. I couldn’t hide it. I couldn’t cover up that Quint was here.
“Finished chatting?” spat Eras. He took another step toward me, the white fog surrounding us, darkened by Eras and his shadow.
Holding my hands up as if to surrender, I said, “Look… whatever you and Quint need to sort out between yourselves needs to be put on the back burner.” I glanced about me. The fog was beginning to thicken again and I could sense the evil that lurked inside it. “We’ve stayed behind for a reason. It was you, Eras, who let the volunteers go… so they could have a chance to escape the Cleaners. We’ve stayed behind to keep the Cleaners here for as long as possible. But if all we’re going to do is stand here and argue, then I might as well leave and catch up with Kassidy and the others.” I turned to leave, but my feet wouldn’t move. I stared down at my legs expecting to see the dead back, but there was nothing there holding my legs still.
“Not so fast, Ben,” spoke Quint out loud.
“Finally decided to show up, Quint?” said Eras, his form growing bigger.
“What choice do I have?” replied Quint. “Your constant whining and moaning never ceases, does it? You were like it as a young boy. Always moaning… always complaining… yet, never have I turned my back on you. I put you first… every time… except…” Quint trailed off.
“Every time except…?” spat Eras. “Go on… say it… tell Ben how you fucked up everything. How you just couldn’t leave Etta alone. After all the warnings… after every plea from me… you still couldn’t leave her… you—”
“I gave up everything for you!”
shouted Quint. “If it wasn’t for me… you’d have had nothing. Who used to protect you from Doshia… from Trabek? I had your back every time, and just once… once… I chose to put myself first.”
“Well, I’m sorry I’ve been such a burden on you,” glared Eras, “but that once ruined us… ruined everything.”
“Ruined everything!” Quint sneered, his voice patronising. “We didn’t have anything! Our lives were a misery.”
“And what do you call it now?” asked Eras. “Wasn’t it a misery having our lives ended in those coffins?”
“We got out… eventually,” said Quint.
“Only to live in another coffin… a giant coffin called Cruor Pharma,” spat Eras. “And these bodies… look at them… their not even ours. My real body is nothing but a rotting corpse, and so is yours.”
I could feel Quint shrink back slightly inside of me. I could feel his feelings, his emotions. There was a sadness, and it wasn’t just because of the loss he felt for Etta or the loss of his own life. There was regret—a wretchedness he felt toward himself. A deep sorrow that ripped him up inside, and it wasn’t centred on him. It was for Eras. Quint knew he was to blame. He knew his past actions were the cause of Eras’ pain.
Unable to speak out for myself now that Quint had come back, I spoke to Quint from inside. Tell him. Tell Eras how you feel. Let him know that you blame yourself and then maybe…
Shut up! growled Quint from inside. What do you know anyway? You’re just a shell… you’re not you anymore… you’re me. I control you and I decide whether you live or die.
That’s not true… at least, not entirely, I pushed. I’m talking to you now. I still have some of me left. You haven’t been able to rid me away completely. Why? I know you have the power to eradicate me, but you haven’t. I don’t think you’re all bad, Quint. I don’t think you’re the bad demon you make out to be, really. I shuddered as I felt Quint push me down. He didn’t want to hear me. Didn’t want to hear the truth. Perhaps he didn’t want to admit the unhappiness and sorrow he felt toward Eras.
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