by Anne, Melody
The two girls looked around for any sign of threat, but it looked as if the danger was over. Scott had his hand on Leah’s shoulder, trying to comfort her. Phoenix knew no amount of comforting could take the image before them from their minds. It was so brutally horrible they couldn’t imagine anyone would be so cruel as to commit such torture.
“Phoenix, Sadie, take Leah and go around the building. We’ll take care of this. You shouldn’t stay,” John said as he stood behind them. Phoenix wouldn’t allow herself to fall apart. She’d already seen horrible things, and she wasn’t going to be the girl who needed sheltering. She was going to be strong and give the victims their due respect.
“No, we’re going to help,” Phoenix said. Sadie’s eyes widened, but she pulled herself together and took Phoenix’s hand. They walked forward.
Phoenix’s heart was pounding as they stepped into what had once been a park. Sadie was looking to the ground, but Phoenix refused to put her head down. She felt no sympathy for the disgusting soldiers lying at Brian’s feet. They were dead, blood pooling around them, and they deserved it. They’d had a much quicker death than their victims.
“We had to shoot them. We caught them as they killed the final person,” Brian said in a choked whisper as he looked at the enemy soldiers sprawled on the ground. They were the worst kind of filth imaginable.
“You really should leave. We have to take care of this. Please, take Leah and wait around the corner, out of sight,” Devon asked. It wasn’t a command, it was a plea. Leah was shaking so hard she was having a hard time getting oxygen. Phoenix looked around at the bodies — there had to be at least twenty of them. Men, women, and children were dangling from the trees on ropes and tied to the playground equipment. Their bodies were slashed and bruised. It looked as if some had died quickly, while others had been tortured for hours, maybe even days.
A small child, no older than ten, lay on the merry-go-round, his eyes still open. Bruises covered his soft cheeks. With great trepidation, Phoenix approached him and caressed his once vibrant face. She gently closed his eyes, then brushed his hair from his forehead. Only monsters would’ve chosen to hurt such a precious child. He must have been their last victim as he was still warm to the touch.
“Why, John? Why wouldn’t Josiah and his team stop this?” Phoenix asked. Her eyes never left the angelic boy’s face. He appeared to be sleeping. His mom or dad could be among the victims hanging from the trees. It was too horrific to comprehend. She couldn’t have endured seeing her parents die. She would’ve prayed for her own death first.
“I can’t answer that, Phoenix. I don’t know. I just . . . it’s so bad . . . I don’t know why,” John said, his voice cracking.
“When is Josiah going to step forward and stop this from happening?” Sadie demanded.
“He is stopping it, Sadie. It doesn’t seem like it, but he is helping. We’ll save many lives. We didn’t get here in time. It’s hard to fathom right now, in the face of all of this, but they will pay for their deeds — they will be judged,” John said quietly.
“It shouldn’t have happened,” Brian said. “Please, Phoenix, can you take Leah and Sadie around the corner? These people need buried.” Phoenix wanted to run away. She wanted to take his offer and hide, but she wouldn’t.
“John, were there shovels in that store?” she asked instead.
“Yes,” he quickly replied.
“Come on, girls. Let’s walk to the store and get the shovels while the guys take the bodies down,” Phoenix said. The strength in her voice pulled Leah from her grief-stricken state and she stood with Scott’s help.
“Okay,” she said, her face so drawn and pale that Phoenix thought she might pass out. They said nothing as they walked arm-in-arm around the corner, toward the store. Once they were out of sight of the park, Phoenix stopped and dropped to her knees, throwing up on the sidewalk. She puked until there was nothing left in her stomach. Sadie and Leah rubbed her back and held her hair away from her face.
When she was finished, she shakily stood. She was done. She wouldn’t allow herself to fall apart any more than that. She couldn’t get that sweet boy’s face out of her head and she wanted to lay him to rest. She needed to do that or she feared she’d never sleep again.
Phoenix found water and rinsed her mouth. They went in the store and gathered food, drinks, and sheets, then grabbed shovels. It was going to be a very long day and they’d have to try to keep their energy, even if none of them felt like eating ever again. They wouldn’t leave bodies lying in the park. They weren’t monsters like the soldiers who’d killed them.
The girls returned to the park, relieved the guys had all the bodies in one place. Phoenix stepped forward, with Leah and Sadie behind her. They shook out the sheets and covered the people.
No one talked as they spent the day digging a large grave. There wasn’t time to dig individual resting places, nor could they go as deep as they should, but it was much better than leaving them in the weather. With the large hole dug, the guys gently laid each body inside, using the sheets to separate them.
They spent a couple more hours covering them. Sadie jogged to the end of the park, where she saw a rose bush growing. She picked a long white rose and came back.
“I know it’s not nearly enough, but we’re sorry. We are so sorry we weren’t here sooner to save you. We’re sorry for the pain you suffered. We promise to make this world a better place, and if you have loved ones out there, we’ll find them and take care of them. Rest in peace,” she whispered as she placed the single rose on the large area. No one had a dry eye. They bowed their heads for a moment of silence before turning and walking away.
Phoenix wanted to turn around and look again, but there was nothing she needed to see. It was a tragic place, where horrible things had happened, and she was much better off looking forward. She couldn’t break down. She was sure that was only the beginning of the horrors she’d see over the next few months, maybe even years. Had it hit her so hard because that was a family park, a place of sanctuary? She’d seen some horrible things in the prison camps as well, but she’d been prepared for that. She hadn’t been prepared to stumble on a park where a massive genocide had just occurred.
They loaded into the truck and drove it back to the market where they gathered more supplies. Phoenix didn’t try to get up. She was spent, so she lay against the bed of the truck, shivering and on the verge of breaking down. She barely managed to hold it together, berating herself to stay strong. Leah was wrapped around Scott, and Sadie nestled herself up front with Brian, needing the comfort of his touch.
The other guys ran in the store and quickly cleared all the supplies they could. It would feed them for a couple weeks if they didn’t find more on their route. They climbed into the truck and continued on with their mission.
Phoenix kept shaking underneath the warmth of her quilt. She felt Devon crawl under the quilt with her and didn’t protest when he wrapped his arms around her. She turned around, burying her head in his neck. She could hear the grumble from John, but chose to ignore him. She didn’t care if he didn’t like it, she needed the comfort.
Devon raised his hand and ran his fingers through her hair, traced her face, then moved to her neck, and pulled her even closer against his side, his breath warming her skin. Her shaking subsided and she relaxed in his arms. Her eyes grew heavy, thankful that sleep would be her escape. When she was between sleep and reality, she thought she felt the brush of his lips against hers, but dismissed the thought, knowing there was no way he’d kissed her — he knew she was in love with Jayden.
“You realize you’re heading for heartbreak, don’t you?” John asked Devon. Once Devon knew Phoenix was asleep, he sat up. Phoenix whimpered softly, and he continued to gently stroke her head, which seemed to settle her.
“She cares about me,” Devon told John defiantly.
“She does care about you, Devon, but she loves Jayden,” John said. “He’ll return, and when
he does, she’s going to be torn in two, not knowing what she should do. You should be her friend, and only her friend, otherwise you’re going to rip her apart when she has to make a choice. She might be slightly in love with you, but she is completely in love with him. He’s been gone a long time, but love like that doesn’t go away.”
John wasn’t rude or mean-spirited. He only wanted Devon to understand.
Devon’s shoulders slumped. He knew John was right. He’d known all along she could never truly be his. He hated to admit it, even to himself, but he hoped Jayden didn’t return. He knew it was wrong to feel that way, but it was too late for him. He loved Phoenix. He’d do anything for her. He’d protect her, even to his own death. He couldn’t stand to see her tears or feel her heartache. He wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms, kiss her, caress her, and make her think of none other than him.
He stroked her hair as thoughts of her ran through his mind. John looked at him sympathetically, which angered him for some reason. He didn’t want John’s sympathy — he wanted his blessing to be with his sister. He knew John didn’t think he wasn’t good enough for Phoenix, he just thought her ex would return.
“I’m going to try to get a nap. Can you and Jacob keep guard on your own?” Devon asked, wanting nothing more than to lie next to Phoenix and forget about John’s stupid concerns.
“We’ll be fine,” Jacob piped up, obviously uncomfortable with the intimate conversation. Devon didn’t say anything else; he lay down next to Phoenix and pulled her close to him. She sighed in her sleep and he shook from the effort it took for him not to slide his hands over her body. He fell asleep surprisingly fast, considering all that was racing through his mind.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Phoenix knew she was dreaming. She wanted to wake herself but didn’t know how. Vyco once again stood before her. Behind him were two of the most hideous beasts imaginable. Their fangs were dripping with drool as they let out a low, guttural growl, pacing behind their master.
“I haven’t been able to reach you for a while, Phoenix. Your guardians are doing a fine job of keeping you unreachable. Is your freedom more important than your true love? Have you forgotten about him now that you have a new admirer?” Vyco taunted. She shouldn’t reply but she couldn’t help herself.
“I love Jayden. I’d trade my life for his, but you won’t set him free, even if you have me,” she said. Her voice sounded defeated, even to her own ears, but she was frustrated and hurt, knowing there wasn’t anything she could do.
“You’re wrong, you know. There is something you can do. You can save him, if only you’ll come to me,” he provoked her.
“You’re a liar, Vyco. You kill innocent people without a thought. For all I know, Jayden’s already dead. I don’t understand why my life is so important to you. I’m nothing but an ordinary girl,” she said.
“You’re wrong, Phoenix. You’re very special. I don’t want you dead. I’ve changed my mind on that. Don’t look so surprised, you’ll hurt my feelings,” he said with a mocking laugh.
“You don’t have feelings, Vyco,” she said, sick of his games.
“I have many feelings, Phoenix. I feel anger, lust, greed, desire,” he drew out the last word as he stepped forward. “All the good emotions,” he whispered, his voice causing repulsion to surge through her.
“Do you think I’d choose to be with you? Is that what this is about? You somehow think I’d be loyal and stand at your side? You make my skin crawl,” she said, her voice gaining strength. Her words angered him, and he brought up his hand, slapping her hard across the face. She felt her vision blur as her cheek throbbed.
“This isn’t real. I want to wake up now,” she said as she looked up. Vyco laughed at her little speech.
“This is very real, child. I’m not someone you want to anger, and you tend to do that often,” he said, once again gaining his composure.
“You can hurt me all you want, Vyco, but I’ll wake and you’ll still be unable to break me,” she mocked him.
His arm snaked out and he pulled her close. She struggled to break free, but his grip only tightened, making it difficult for her to breathe. He laughed, the sound echoing in her head.
“You’ll be mine. I’m glad you fight it. Your struggle gives me pleasure,” he whispered at her ear, his tongue darting out and sweeping across her skin. She fought him harder. “It looks like your rescuers are coming for you,” he grumbled, but his eyes glowed as he looked into her face. “Until next time, something to remember me by,” he finished before his cold mouth smashed down against hers.
She struggled against him, but his snake-like tongue pushed at her lips, thrusting inside her mouth, gagging her with his taste and smell. He was repulsive. She fought him until she was flying through the air and snapped her eyes open.
“Phoenix, it’s okay, you’re awake now,” Devon said as she kicked and pushed at him. She struggled a moment more before realizing where she was. Vyco was gone.
Her cheek throbbed, and she brought her hand up to gingerly inspect the soreness. She told herself it was only in her mind, but it really hurt. How could that be? He’d hit her in her dream. She shouldn’t be able to feel it once she woke.
“What’s wrong?” Devon demanded. His hand lifted to her face and she flinched, the touch hurting her more. “John, I need the flashlight,” he said. John passed the light and Devon flashed it at her face, making her squint from the sudden brightness. “What the hell?”
“What is it?” John asked, kneeling next to them. He gasped when he saw the swollen handprint on her skin. “How?”
“Vyco returned in my dream. He hit me, but it was a dream, I shouldn’t have a mark,” Phoenix said, panic creeping inside her.
“I don’t understand . . . Cassidy didn’t tell me he could actually harm you,” John said, his voice filled with confusion and fear. Fear nearly undid Phoenix. It was worse than panic. Fear meant something bad. It meant John realized Vyco could actually make her never wake again, make her only a steady heartbeat in a comatose state to the rest of the world.
Maybe Vyco could kill her in her sleep. She didn’t know how much longer she’d be able to keep fighting him. She was so tired of it all. There was so much sadness and misery, so much pain. She wanted joy and laughter. Would she ever have it again?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“We need to leave. We’re running out of food and wasting valuable time,” Brian snarled as he paced the small room. The group was trapped in an abandoned home while the famous Washington rain raged outside. His words were followed by a clap of thunder, accompanied by a brilliant flash of lightning. The storm was right above them, and they knew it would be unsafe to travel in the small truck.
“I feel the same way, but we have to wait it out,” John said patiently for the hundredth time. Phoenix and Sadie were making soup over a hot wood stove. They’d been lucky enough to find a home with not only a fireplace, but plenty of wood. There had even been soup in the cupboards, but they’d been there for several days and the food was running out.
“How’s your face feeling?” Devon asked as he approached the two girls.
“I’m fine, I barely feel it now,” Phoenix said, lifting her hand self-consciously to the welt that was still on her cheek.
“I wish there was some ice for it, but at least they had a nice first aid kit to supplement our own,” Devon said. She smiled. He really was a sweet guy. She almost wished he was a jerk — then her heart wouldn’t be so torn.
“I promise you I’m fine,” Phoenix told him again. He shrugged, then paced to the window and looked out. It was hard for them to be stuck in one place when they were so close to the base. They wanted to move forward with their lives.
“It’s going to clear up soon. I can feel it,” John said. The others looked at him and rolled their eyes. He’d said the same thing for three days.
“We need to have the place secure so we can bring more people in. So what i
f we get a little wet? Maybe what’s most wrong in this world is how soft we all became before the attack,” Phoenix said.
John laughed. It was the first time she’d heard him do that since Cassidy had left. She glared at him. On one hand she enjoyed the sound of his laughter, but on the other, she didn’t like feeling as if she were being mocked.
“I completely agree with you that the world went too soft,” John said. “When people in the military were given cards to sit things out, that was a problem. But getting hit by lightning isn’t going to help anyone. There’s a difference between being soft and being safe,” her brother assured her.
She glared at him. “I know you’re right, I’m just frustrated. I’m so sick of feeling helpless.”
“We all are,” Brian said. “We’ve made it this far, and it sucks to be stuck. But we’re slowly getting there. And this isn’t a race. We need to stay on point and not make foolish mistakes.”
“I agree. We’re restless, but we have to do this right. They trusted us to secure this base. Let’s not let them down,” Sadie said.
Phoenix knew they were right. All of them had a difficult time sitting things out when they should be moving forward, but they had to get this right. They had to finish their first mission. There was no way they’d be trusted to do more if they couldn’t effectively accomplish the first.
And she’d promised her parents she’d stay safe. That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to ever be in danger, but it did mean she didn’t need to tempt the fates by playing chicken with lightning.
“Okay, we’ll wait. I miss the days we had a phone app to tell us when the storm would be over,” she said.
John smiled again. “I miss a lot of the conveniences of electronics. But there’s a lot I don’t miss about them either. I fell in love with Cassidy because there was nothing to distract us from getting to know each other. I remember in high school having girlfriends I didn’t know at all because we had so much stimulation around us we didn’t need to focus on each other. Some of my favorite moments with Cassidy were lying in a field talking all night as we looked at the stars. We’ve forgotten how beautiful the galaxy is when there’s nothing to block the view.”