“I can’t believe I have a brother.” Reggie grinned. “We look alike, too.”
“Very much.” There was a single knock on the tiny trailer door.
Marcus walked in. “Reg. Dinner.”
“Marcus.” Reggie took a step toward him. “Have you met Lil? Lil, do you remember Marcus?”
“Yes,” Lillian answered. “I delivered him.”
“Thanks.” Marcus held his hand out to Reggie. “Reg, my mom says dinner. Come on.”
“Okay.“ Reggie moved closer to the door. “I’ll bring Seth by later, Lil, so you can meet him.”
“Seth, your son,” Lillian nodded. “You didn’t tell me. Is he... is he Marcus’ son?”
Before Reggie could answer, Marcus did. “As a matter of fact,” Marcus said. “Yes. Seth is my son.” Impatiently, Marcus took hold of Reggie’s hand and pulled her. “We have to go.”
Once outside the door, Reggie pulled her hand from Marcus with a gasp. “You were rude.”
“How do you want me to be, Reg?”
“That’s my mother.”
“No.” Marcus shook his head. “That’s the woman who gave birth to you. Big difference. Have you spoken to Michael? He says she’s up to no good. He’s an angel. You think there could be some merit to what he’s saying?”
“Of course, Marcus, we’re battling evil. If she’s bad, why can’t I battle the bad in her in my own way? Maybe being with us will change her.”
“You really believe that?’
“I have to,” Reggie said. “She’s my...” She saw the glare Marcus gave her. “She’s the woman who gave birth to me. Enough said.” She took hold of Marcus’ hand but felt his reluctance to move. “Marcus?”
“Please don’t trust this, Reg. You’ve got a good heart, but please…”
“Marcus, really, she’s just one woman and a young boy. How much harm could they do?”
“That’s a question that screams ‘be afraid of the answer.’” Clutching tight to her hand, Marcus led Reggie back to the house.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Fort Knox, Kentucky
“To destroy all good things God has made,” Devante explained to Leonard.
“Yes,” Leonard said. “Unfortunately, Kyle Stevens has a radio broadcast that everyone in the world hears.”
“He may cost us lives, but he cannot stop it all tonight,” said Devante.
“Maybe we should have Lillian and Todd take out his broadcast booth.”
“No.” Devante shook his head. “That would give away their intentions, and the angel would waste no time removing them. Right now he is in a tough position, because Regina believes in her mother.”
“Can I ask a question? With all the lives that will be lost tonight. With all that’s going on. The destruction and such. If the angel wins, what would be left of God’s earth for them? Hypothetically, couldn’t you stop right now and still be victorious?”
“No. There are those who hide and are protected with pathetic prayers. We will never succeed in removing them all. We will only succeed if we win the final battle, then all those who are not on our side, they... become ours. But tonight…” Devante smiled. “We rain upon them.”
Seville, Ohio
Standing at Reggie’s bedside, Michael pulled the covers over her shoulders. He laid his lips at her ear. “I must go and secure our safety,” he whispered. “Gabriel will be with you.” Pulling away, he saw a smile cross her face. Michael huffed, backed up quietly and left the room.
He wasn’t tired, even though he knew he had to rest. The next day would begin a two-day, two-battle fight for his soldiers. Weariness would hit them; time and rest would be short. They could have chosen to have the battles days apart. But the prisons were so close to each other; and Michael felt a sense of urgency to acquire more men.
Kyle’s home was quiet. Everyone but Eliza was asleep. She knew she had to get sleep as well, but she was excited about her new responsibility: being a traveling nurse.
Michael spoke with her briefly before leaving. He knew exactly where he had to go. Guards were posted around the camp. Not so much to keep evil out, but to inform him if something should happen close to home. Keeping out the evil that lurked beyond the wall-of-cars was not where Michael’s concern lay, it was watching the evil that lurked inside.
He made his way to the small trailer of Lillian and Todd. He could hear their voices, laughter, and conversation. More than anything, Michael didn’t want them around. He wanted to take them out. But he couldn’t.
He kept hearing the words of James, saying how they were only spies. But the last thing Michael wanted was the devil’s eyes watching him. Devante knew enough already.
Tel Aviv, Israel
Six-year-old Samuel lay snuggled between his father and mother on the floor of the dark temple. A few candles provided a hint of lighting. Yet, unlike the many others that took refuge in the temple, Samuel couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t because of the chattering of the soldiers who guarded the room, but the steady knocking on the large wooden doors. Did the soldiers not hear? Did no one hear?
He was restless, and shifted his body back and forth. His irritated parents whispered his name several times telling him to settle. But he couldn’t. In switching sides, he heard his name again. He thought it was his father, but when his little brown eyes peered up, he saw his father was sleeping. With an easy turn, he lifted his body to sit.
“Samuel.”
Samuel looked around.
“Samuel. Let me in. Open the door. Please. I’m cold.”
“Papa.” Samuel shook his father.
His father grumbled. “Samuel. Sleep.”
“Samuel, let me in,” the distant voice whispered.
Samuel spotted the soldiers by the inside doors. They sat, their guns perched between their legs, talking amongst themselves. The whispering, the knocking, caused Samuel to crawl on his hands and knees away from his parents.
He scooted unseen from the lines of people that slept on the floor, to the far corner of the temple. Small and shadowed, Samuel was not spotted by the soldiers. He went to the far right door, opened it slightly and slipped into the front portion of the temple.
The knocking there was loud. Looking back one more time to the soldiers, Samuel pushed on the temple doors. Outside stood an old man.
“Samuel,” he spoke softly. “May I come in?”
“Yes.” Samuel opened the door wide.
The old man smiled and walked in. “Thank you.” The moment he said it, he showed his true form.
The two soldiers stopped talking immediately when they heard the short shriek of a child. They turned on their flashlights as the room stirred.
“Samuel!” Samuel’s father called out. “Samuel!”
The inner doors to the temple flew open, and Samuel’s limp and bloody body was thrown in. Amongst the screams, the soldiers had no time to react. The beast had entered. Like a dragon with horns, he moved on four legs. Before he could be fired upon, he opened his jaws. An ungodly fire roared from his mouth, filling the screaming temple, charring the occupants into silence.
SANITY…
I cried last night.
It was during a dream, and it had been a long time since that had last happened: I was a child of fourteen, and I dreamt of my grandfather’s death. My grandfather passed on two weeks later. I never told my mother of the dream, nor my father. In their eyes, I was strange enough.
Through this entire thing, from the conception of the clone until birth and even after, I was plagued by what I’d call prophetic dreams. I didn’t understand them until after the fact. I suppose the dream I had last night would be the same. Its meaning would be lost in the sea of all that is going on.
I dreamt of blood. Lots of blood. Whose blood, I don’t know, but it covered my hands, my face, my heart. It made me weep and scream out a name. I wish with all my heart I could remember that name. If I could, I’d watch that person, protect that person, and do what I could. But more than that I
hope and pray that it was just a nightmare. No more, no less. A nightmare.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Seville, Ohio
Kyle finished off his relit cigarette and weak coffee as he made his dawn broadcast. He sent out condolences, and words of strength. He begged for prayers for the two battles that lay ahead.
There wasn’t much excitement, or fanfare, and Kyle forewent the typical, post-broadcast country music. There was a sense of looming sadness, and nothing was going to brighten it.
Along with the little bit of coffee in his cup, Kyle carried something else as he left his booth. Concern.
Reggie worried him. Not because she was leaving for the fight, but because she wasn’t well. At least that was the sound that Reggie projected.
Reggie never vomited quietly. Kyle attributed that to a childhood habit she developed to get attention. The sounds of Reggie’s regurgitation in the porcelain toilet echoed through the quiet morning house.
Kyle knocked lightly, and pushed the bathroom door ajar. “Reg? You OK?”
Reggie leaned drastically into the bowl and reached up to flush. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” She stood and moved to the sink.
“Did you eat something bad?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s nerves.” She washed her face. “I just woke up like this.”
“Maybe you should tell Michael you aren’t feeling well.”
“I’m fine. I feel much better.”
“Can you be pregnant?”
The door flung open.
“Daddy,” Reggie snickered. “Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?”
“Yeah, well, you never know. Reg, if there’s the slightest chance you’re pregnant, you can’t go out and do this.”
“I’m not pregnant.” Reggie stated. “I’m not. It would be next to impossible.”
“Stranger things have happened.”
“Like what?”
“You have to ask?” Kyle laughed. “We’re fighting the devil, born by way of a clone.”
“It’s just nerves, that’s all. It’s just…” Reggie spun, and slammed the door behind her.
Kyle listened and shook his head. “Nerves.”
<><><><>
Marcus glanced at the two waiting buses with a glum expression.
“Marcus,” Reggie whispered.
“Go... go say goodbye to Seth. I’ll wait,” he spoke sadly.
“I’ll be right back.” She touched his arm.
Marcus nodded. He didn’t look until he knew she was walking away, and then he watched her.
“Please do not lay heaviness on her.” Michael approached Marcus from behind.
“I’m sorry.” Marcus turned around. “I can’t help it. I’m worried. When I went to the first battle with you, I was fine. I was there. I don’t know if I can wait to I hear from her.”
“You will because you must. You have far too much to deal with here. Marcus, you are my replacement. You are the protector of this camp.”
“You know,” Marcus held up a finger. “That’s an awful big responsibility.”
“It does not rest entirely on your shoulders. I have left men with you. Kyle is here as well. You will not be harmed; therefore, those who are with you are safe. And you know where your priority lies.”
“With Seth.”
“Yes. There are so few children left. We must preserve what we have. Seth is very important, not only to this world, but to you and Reggie as well.”
“He’s why you’re leaving me behind?”
“Yes. Devante goes after the innocents. Their naiveté. We must block any attempt he might make in my absence.”
“You’re worried.” Marcus glanced over to Reggie and Seth.
“As you are.”
“I’ll be fine. Just make sure Reggie comes back and... and my mother.” Marcus tilted his head. “Why are you taking my mother, anyhow?”
“She needs to feel purpose. She cannot spend all her time in this battle preparing meals. She is a strong woman and, as you are my replacement, she is yours. She said that she is qualified. How did she put it?” Michael scratched his head in thought. “She had kissed many a... boo-boo?”
Michael didn’t see the reason for Marcus’ laughter, but soon enough he was back to his anxious watching of Reggie.
Reggie’s fingers trailed through Seth’s hair as she placed her face close to his. “Be good and listen to Pap and Marcus.”
“I will,” Seth told her. “You be good.”
“You know it! Seth...” Reggie knelt down and laid her hand on his shoulder. “I love you. I really love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
“I just need you to know that. Okay? Just in case... just in case something happens.”
“I know.”
“You’re my life.” Reggie embraced her son tightly, nearly squeezing the life from him. She felt a hand on the back of her head and looked up to see her father.
“You have to go,” Kyle said.
Reggie nodded and stood up.
“You okay?” Kyle asked. “How’s your stomach?”
“Fine. You didn’t tell anyone, did you?”
Kyle shook his head. “No. Against my better judgment.” He exhaled. “You look worried. You’re not getting any bad feelings, are you?”
“No bad feelings,” Reggie said. “I just hate leaving right now, with all that’s going on.”
“You’re leaving so you can stop all that’s going on. Remember that.” Kyle kissed her on the cheek. “I love you. You be careful.”
“I love you, too.” Reggie took a deep breath then grabbed her son’s hand. “Walk with me to the bus, you two.” She headed toward the waiting buses, but slowed and released Seth’s hand when she spotted Marcus standing alone. “Dad, can you take Seth by the bus door? I need a moment with Marcus.”
Kyle complied with a sad smile.
Marcus and Reggie reached each other at the same time, stopping inches apart.
“Reg,” Marcus said with a cracking voice.
“Don’t do this to me. I’m thinking positive thoughts.”
Marcus let out a breath and moved as close as he could without touching. “Tell me you’re coming back.”
“I am,” Reggie said.
Marcus fiddled with her revolver strap. “Kick ass fast, and get home to me.”
“You got it.”
“I take comfort in knowing God wouldn’t have chosen you to be the other half of a great team, if he thought you would die early on.”
Reggie blinked. “Was that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Yeah.”
“It didn’t. Besides, I don’t worry about dying. I’m not. I’m good. I don’t have a sword of my own yet, but I’m good. I just hate leaving you guys.”
“Like any soldier off to war.” Marcus shifted his attention to Michael’s approach.
“Reggie, we must go,” Michael stated.
Marcus leaned to kiss Reggie but stopped. “Michael. Could I ask a favor? I know I promised you I wouldn’t show a certain kind of affection to Reggie. But, would you mind if I kissed her right now?”
“Would this kiss be one that bothers me to see?” Michael asked.
“Um... yeah,” Marcus answered.
“Since you have been such a jerk, I will turn my back.” Michael turned around.
Grateful for the moment, and not wanting to waste time, Marcus pulled Reggie tight and kissed her. He didn’t want to stop. But he knew he had to. Separating only slightly, Marcus trailed his fingers down Reggie’s face. “Victory.”
“Victory.” Reggie kissed him again, stepping back. She tapped Michael on the shoulder. “Ready.”
Michael turned around. “That was not too bad.”
“Not at all.” Reggie smiled, looked once more at Marcus and walked toward the bus.
Marcus closed his eyes for a second. He opened them to see Reggie say farewell to her father and Seth and wave once more before she stepped on the bus. His heart swelled as the b
uses began to pull away. Even though he felt certain they would return victorious, it was still no consolation for his worry, because Marcus knew what they had to face in order to achieve that win.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Clarion, PA
They came. They saw. They conquered. Those were the words Herbie reiterated over and over in the quick and painless battle.
In the aftermath and fulfillment of the victory, Herbie spoke in a high cartoon voice as he waved an amputated dervan-hand. “Hi Reggie!”
Reggie snickered and swatted him away. “Stop that.”
“Hey, Michael.” Herbie scratched his belly with the hand. “Let me ask you a question.”
“Could you...” Michael blinked. “Could you drop the hand?”
“Whoops. Sorry.” He tossed it away. “Anyhow. How come these things don’t shrivel up and disintegrate like the zombie that came to Seville?”
“They will. If we came back tomorrow, they would be gone.”
“No way.” Herbie smiled, impressed. “That’s helpful to know. Well, I’m gonna go help the injured. I’ve been putting it off ‘cause I ain’t found Bart’s arm yet.” His foot squished on something as he took a step away. After cringing, Herbie continued on.
Reggie looked at Michael. “Were we supposed to be looking for Bart’s arm?”
“I did not think we would find it.”
“Will it grow back?”
“Reggie.” Michael breathed out her name in disbelief. “Please, healing is one thing. Limb regeneration is another.”
“So he’s out of the battle.”
“Not really. He should be fine. He lost his right arm. He’s left-handed.”
“True.” Reggie paused. “Michael. Maybe it’s me, but something didn’t seem right today. We didn’t lose anyone. Thank God.”
“Thank God.” Michael lowered his head.
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