Purge: Book Three: Last Days Trilogy (16 page)

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.

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 buses 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.

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.

“Yeah. And our injuries were minor, with the exception of Bart’s arm. Plus, we went into the prison with ease.”

“Too much ease.”

“You’re thinking the same thing, aren’t you?”

“Reggie.” Michael laid his hands on her arms. “We are one. We think alike.”

“No, we don’t. That’s impossible. Tell me what I was thinking about.”

“All right,” Michael spoke. “You are thinking this win was handed to us… a victory given to make us ill-prepared for what lies ahead.”

Reggie stared for a second, hesitated and sniffed. “Nope. Wasn’t what I was thinking.”

“It was not?”

“Well, yeah it was. I lied.”

“Woman!” Michael grunted. “You play these trick-games with me.”

“If we thought alike, you would know what I was thinking. Therefore, you wouldn’t be tricked.”

“Your words sometimes confuse me.”

“Point taken.” Reggie crossed her arms. “Of course I’d be less confusing if I had my own sword.”

“What does your sword have to do with speaking?”

“Nothing, really. I just needed to bitch. So, shall we join the others?” Reggie peered out. A distance far and wide, filled with demon carcasses, separated them from the others. With a slight shudder of disgust, Reggie started across, stepping on the remains like stones in a creek.

Fort Knox, Kentucky

Devante’s hands gripped the edge of the window as he leaned near the pane of glass, watching his protective dervans moved like a swarm of bees below him. “They arrived and won before an hour’s time had passed. Impossible.” He gripped tighter. “They gained.”

Leonard tried to stand up from the couch. “You have to...” he grunted and plopped back down to his seat when a dervan lunged on him like a dog. Kicking his leg to the side, the dervan yelped. “Why is this thing in here?” Leonard complained.

Devante snapped his finger. “Come here, George.” When the dervan arrived, Devante patted his head. “He is faithful. He stays here.”

Leonard muttered the word, “George?” then cleared his throat. “Is that General…?”

“What was it you were saying?”

Regaining composure, Leonard made his way to Devante. “You have to see this as a loss today.”

“It was nothing.”

“How can you say that?” Leonard asked. “It was a loss. How can you not see that it may be time to think about my plan?”

“Why do you push this so much?” Devante stepped from the window. “Is it the fear of battle that makes you dwell on this?”

“No,” Leonard answered strongly. “It is the hunger for the win. This will make us win.”

“This plan sends warnings off in my head.”

“It sends warnings off because you think it has to go down one way. It doesn’t. When the stories of the end battles were told, they were told from a small, old-world perspective. Things are different.”

“Not in war,” Devante argued. “Just as you have a plan, so do I. They will not win the next battle.”

“How can you be so sure? They took this one with ease. Quickly too, before we even knew they were there.”

“Exactly. Therefore, they grow confident. One must never be too confident. Especially when weary.”

“They plan on resting. They’ll go into the next battle strong.”

“Yes, but they will never be rested enough. They move with too much haste and power, and now, too much confidence.”

5
th
Sub-Basement, United States Steel Building

Pittsburgh, PA

Michael moved across the medic area. He glanced with pride at Eliza, working on Darryl’s arm. “How is it going?” he asked.

“Very well.” Eliza smiled. She peered up from her bandaging. “You look tired.”

“I tire in battle. More than I would like.”

“You battle hard, and with so much fury.”

“I battle evil. And that is the only way to do so. You do a fine job, Eliza.”

“Thank you.” She laid down Darryl’s arm. “You do too.”

“Thank you. I shall go to Reggie now. Have you seen her?”

“She’s with the children.” Eliza pointed.

Michael looked and smiled. “I will leave you to do your ritual kissing of boo-boos.”

Eliza chuckled and shook her head. “I won’t be kissing any of these. I’ll just clean them and do what I can. Make sure you rest.”

“I will.” He backed up.

“Michael,” Eliza called. “When you radio home, can you get me? I’d like to speak to Marcus.”

“Certainly.” Michael moved toward Reggie. She sat on a cot watching the children play around her. Her just-washed hair dangled in her face. She looked up, poking her blue eyes through the strands.

“Join me?” She patted the cot next to her.

Michael smiled at the children. “You find peace here. Tell me, Reggie. Is this the spot you have chosen to sleep?”

“No.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Rest for a while. Sleep, no. I’m taking in the kids.” Reggie folded her hands, leaning her elbows on her knees. “They’re so... oblivious.”

“Happy in any circumstance. That is what makes them so special. They heal and go on.”

“There aren’t many left, are there?”

“No. Unfortunately, they are small and easily preyed upon. It will be up to man to create many more.”

Reggie paused. She sat up and placed a hand on her stomach. “They will,” she whispered.

“Reggie?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I was just saying, man will. I mean, there’s not much else they can do. There won’t be cable for a while. The world will be so boring.”

“I will regret missing that.”

“And I’m gonna regret you not being there.”

Surprised, Michael looked at her. “Really? You will miss me?”

“Big time. Actually, it’s gonna hurt to say goodbye to you. But I am grateful for our time together. I’ve learned so much from you.”

“And I have learned from you. Remember, I am an angel. I’m never too far from you.”

“Just a prayer away?”

Michael smiled and placed his face near to hers. “No. A breath away. Now… we were speaking of man rebuilding this world. I believe this world will come together again, easily and much better.”

“The good will remain,” Reggie said. “We’ll do it right this time.”

“I am sure you will.” Michael stood up. “However, I think that, as you sit amongst these children, you need to hear your son’s voice. Let us go.” He held out his hand.

Reggie stood. She took a moment to run her hand over a boy’s head as she passed him. Like everyone else, she was tired; her body felt restless. A radio call home would be just the dose of comfort she needed.

Seville, Ohio

Armed with his shotgun and a dagger, Kyle made his way to Marcus’ bedroom. The door was ajar, the light still on. Knocking once, Kyle pushed it open. “Hey,” he said softly, stepping into the room.

Marcus sat up, leaning against his pillows. He held a book as Seth slept, resting his head on Marcus’ thigh. “On your way out?” he asked Kyle.

“Yep. Gonna go sit watch Lillian and Todd like Michael wanted.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“So does that book.” Kyle pointed. “You bored my grandson to sleep.”

Marcus looked down at Seth with a smile. “He wouldn’t fall asleep on his own.”

“So you read him
Moby Dick
?”

Snickering, Marcus set the book down. “I relaxed him. When I was young, and hyper, my father would read something that he thought I would find boring. Actually, it wasn’t the story at all that made me sleep. I believe it was my father’s voice. Soothing. You know?”

“Comforting,” Kyle added. “You want me to carry him to bed before I take off?”

Marcus glanced at Seth. “No. Just let him stay here. He’ll be fine. I’d rather have him close.”

Kyle nodded with a smile. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. Anyhow, I’m off.” He took a step back and stopped. “It was good hearing from Reggie tonight.”

“Yes it was.”

“‘Night Marcus.”

“‘Night Kyle.” Marcus reached for his book.

“One more thing,” Kyle said. “I want to tell you something. I know I don’t act it, but I need you to know, Marcus, I am really glad you and Reggie decided to make a family for Seth. It’s about damn time.”

Marcus laughed. “Thanks.”

“And... I know it seems like I don’t like you or never have, and that you get under my skin, okay, you do, but... I’m very proud to have you as a son.”

Marcus couldn’t speak. He closed his eyes. “Thank you.”

“Yep.” Kyle cleared his throat. “Enough mush. I’m out of here.” He let out a breath. “See you in the morning.”

“See you in the morning.” Marcus watched Kyle leave. After peering down, Marcus leaned forward and kissed Seth on the cheek. Then, getting more comfortable against his pillow, hand on Seth’s back, Marcus picked up his book, and began reading again.

Fort Knox, Kentucky

“Did you come here to bow out?” Devante asked. He and the man they call James stood outside of the secured base, far from everything.

“I’m really not in the mood for jokes, but thanks for trying.”

“You annoy me.”

“I’m supposed to. I didn’t ask you to follow me out here.”

“Why did you come?” Devante asked again.

“To spy. That’s it. To find out what’s going on.”

“And yet you find out nothing.”

“I found out some.”

“Not enough,” Devante said. “I block you.”

“I’ll break it. I just haven’t tried, because I really don’t think you have anything worth seeing.”

Devante laughed with crossed arms. “That is what you think.”

“That is what I know. Yes, you have this plan of Leonard’s. What it is, I haven’t figured out. But even you scoff at it, so it must be bad.”

“It is not within the realm of this war. Of course you would not know this, because you, of the good, favor cheating so much.”

James laughed. “And you don’t? Fair is fair. You spy, I spy. You, Devante, use the world’s few remaining children for your benefit. It is your only choice. You are too weak and frightened to try the minds of men. Men who believe in God and hold faith. They will not break, and you know that.”

“They won’t need to. When I defeat Michael and his army, their protective walls will tumble. I will enter and their souls will be mine. I will have succeeded in doing what I set out to do: destroy everything your Father created.”

“And then what?” James asked. “Do you think that makes you the winner?”

“I’ve destroyed all of God’s things.”

James raised an eyebrow. “And what of heaven?”

“It’s next.”

James laughed. “You really think that’s possible? My father is all good. All powerful. And to speak in modern man’s terms, he’ll kick your ass in a heartbeat.”

“But his pathetic heavenly souls cannot.”

“You underestimate how badly they all want to see you defeated.”