Purge: Book Three: Last Days Trilogy (14 page)

I’m still in a state of disbelief. It seems as if it all were a dream, like something out of a “B” horror film. The dark thundering sky, the castle in the background, forces of good and evil battling until good had won out and the skies turned light. I wonder what would have happened to the sky if we had lost.

It doesn’t end there. More is coming. I can’t even imagine what the final battle will be like. Will we have enough people? Enough will? God must be intervening in our fights. I, for one, never really trained, yet I frightened them all away. Michael and Reggie were phenomenal.

I also must have put some sort of fear into Michael. It’s true; I haven’t been my best with him. I blame him for the mental torture she’s been going through. I gave up time with Reggie because of his consumption and jealousy over any sort of intimacy between us. I think that fueled my resentment.

However, I lost a good portion of that resentment last night, and it had nothing to do with the battle. For the first time in a long time, he freely allowed Reggie to spend time with me. He didn’t linger or lurk, or burst in to make sure we weren’t touching. He trusted that we wouldn’t, and slept with certainty that his own threshold of intimacies with Reggie would not be breached.

I suppose I should feel some guilt over making love to her, but I don’t. I feel a gratitude, because I needed that more than anything. I needed Reggie. Period.

It gave me the strength to hold on, go on, and realize that there will be an end to all this. Michael insists that this might go on for years, but my instincts tell me differently.

It’s going to end soon, and though I am certain we will win, I am also certain that somehow, some way, this isn’t going to end all good.

Seville, Ohio

There was something familiar about the newcomer, Darryl. Reggie saw it; Marcus didn’t. Kyle figured out right away that Darryl was the same sergeant who stopped them at a roadside checkpoint before the world fell apart. En route back home, dressed in country bumpkin attire, Kyle and Reggie snuck Marcus over the line. Darryl let them through. Once Reggie figured this out, she developed a ridiculous determination to make Darryl remember them. Kyle beckoned, “Leave the man alone, he doesn’t remember,” but it didn’t settle her. Kyle was grateful that he was finally able to jar Darryl’s memory, because Reggie was on the verge of donning her Lester the Hick costume.

Before everyone went about their business after breakfast, there were other things they needed to discuss. Kyle allowed Reggie two repetitions of “What a small world,” then moved the conversation forward.

“A shield?” Kyle asked. “I don’t get it, Michael. Why have Marcus as a shield? It’s Marcus.”

“Gee thanks, Kyle.” Marcus shook his head. “But it makes me curious too. I’m no warrior. Why was I able to frighten the demons?”

Michael replied, “You did have something to do with it. But it had nothing to do with skill or frightening them. It had everything to do with the fact that you created Devante. There is a certain power in that. With me, you can make me bleed like mortal man. But as Devante’s creator, you are a father. Therefore, if he kills you, he ceases to exist.”

“Whoa-whoa-whoa.” Kyle held up his hand. “You mean to tell me, that if Marcus dies, this whole thing is over with?”

“Yes,” Michael answered. “That is why the demons fled from him. They are under orders not to harm him.”

“Why are we battling then?” asked Kyle. “Marcus, kill yourself.”

“Huh?” Marcus gasped.

“No. No.” Michael shook his head. “Suicide is not the answer, even if it is used to save the world. Marcus would have to take his life in desperate measures brought on by Devante himself. It is complicated, these rules.” Michael stood up. “But, who knows, suicide may be an option later.” He smiled. “I kid you, Marcus. Come, Reggie, we should train lightly today.”

“OK, I’ll meet you out back. Let me finish my cereal.” Reggie picked up her bowl.

Michael laid his hand on her back, and then walked to the door. The moment his hand touched the handle, it was as if he were hit with a bolt of electricity. Michael jolted and stumbled back. His eyes widened.

Kyle stood. “Michael?”

Michael peered around, lips sputtering.

Curious, Reggie stood as well. “What’s wrong?”

Michael shook his head. “Nothing. Kyle… keep a promise you made many years ago. Keep it.” Michael walked out, leaving the others in a silence of confusion.

<><><><>

“Hell of a cross-stitch on that stomach, Paul.” Buzz stood at the front gate, smiling.

Paul looked down. “Yeah. Reggie did it. Maybe the quilting is why it healed so fast, faster than any stitches I ever had.”

“Doesn’t even look like you were cut yesterday.” Buzz peered closer. “Bet tomorrow Marcus can take those stitches out.”

“You think it has something to do with the fact we’re fighting for God?”

“I’d say that’s a pretty good guess.”

The other man on guard was called Hawk. He acquired the name when he was two. He was always able to see things others couldn’t. Hawk lived up to his namesake by spotting them coming from the center of town, three streets away. He initially passed off the two figures as demons, until they drew closer and he could see they were a man and a woman. “Buzz,” he called.

“Yeah?” Buzz turned around. The man and the woman were right there. Buzz gripped the handle of his sword. “What do you want?”

She stepped forward. “We’d like in. I’d like very much to see my daughter... Reggie Stevens.”

<><><><>

Marcus placed the final domino on top of the stack as Seth sat across from him at the picnic table, watching. Marcus tapped a finger on the top and they all fell down. “So simple,” he told Seth. “Newton discovered his theory of gravity, just like that. By accident. A simple falling apple. Simple falling dominos.”

“So everyone knew about gravity, but they just didn’t think about it.”

“Nope. And they probably wouldn’t have if he hadn’t brought it to their attention. So he got the credit for something that had been around since the beginning of time.”

“Sounds lame.” Seth leaned his face on his hand.

“Actually, it is,” Marcus stated. “I mean, look how hard I had to work, and you, Seth. Our founding fathers had it so easy. Because people were basically oblivious and ignorant to everything back then. You are much more intelligent and book-smart than, say, a man of thirty during the Revolutionary War.”

“Really?” Seth asked. “If you were around back then, when the country was starting, would you be famous?”

“Unfortunately not.” Marcus began to clear the dominos.

Seth helped him. “Marcus? I like all this time I get to spend with you.”

Marcus smiled. “I do too, Seth.”

“Pap said to get used to it because after the world is saved, you’re gonna be my father cause you’re gonna marry my mom. Is that true?”

“I hope so.” Marcus paused.

“I think it would be neat. You being my Dad. I never had one. My pap is a pap, but I never had a Dad. Do you want to be?”

“Your dad?” Marcus nodded. “Absolutely. I love you.”

“It’ll be easy. I knew you all my life. Not like when Billy Bear’s Mom married that guy. Billy didn’t know him and he had to get used to him. Actually, Billy doesn’t like him. He said he’s mean. Most stepfathers are. Do you have to be a stepfather?”

“What else would I be, Seth?”

“Just a father. That way I can just tell people you’re my father and not my stepfather. Then again, people might know anyhow, because we don’t really look alike.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Marcus winked.

Seth giggled, then turned serious. “Oh, no. What happens if Mom stays with Michael, then she can’t marry you and you can’t be my dad?”

“Seth.” Marcus reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “How about this? How about, no matter what, I just take on that Dad role, anyhow? I’d like that.” Marcus smiled, then raised his eyes when he saw Buzz walking their way. Buzz moved slowly and looked unusually confused. “Buzz?”

“Marcus.” Buzz’s voice cracked. “I came to you first. We... we have a problem.”

“Will ya’ look at this?” Kyle held up an ear of corn. “Is this the biggest ear of corn you ever saw?”

“No.” Eliza took it. “I’ve seen bigger.” She began to shuck it.

“But you have to admit. Amazing how these crops grow,” Kyle said. “What do you think the chances are they’ll stay that way after all this is...?” He lifted his head when the back door opened. “Hey, Marcus. Buzz.”

Marcus shut the door. “There’s a situation.” He moved closer to the table. “Brace yourself.”

“What’s wrong?” Kyle asked.

“Lillian is at the front gate with her son. They want in.”

Eliza watched Kyle’s reaction.

“The promise.” Kyle mumbled and then shook his head. “She wants in? We’ll just see about that. Michael said to keep the promise. I know what he meant.” He stormed for the door. “I’ll take care of her.”

Marcus stopped him. “She’s asking for Reggie. Should I tell her?”

“No. No, don’t,” Kyle said. “I made a promise many years ago she would never see Reggie again. I will keep that. If Lil is here, it’s for no good.” Kyle flung open the door. “She won’t be here for long.”

There was only a moment’s hesitation before Marcus, Buzz and Eliza all followed Kyle.

“No.” Reggie tossed her head to the ground and pounded her fist. “Where... Where’s my sword?!”

Michael chuckled, pulling her up as he sat next to her. “You dwell on this too much.”

“I want my sword.”

“Why is this so important to you?” Michael asked. “Can you not see? You pulled a dagger.”

“Go ahead.” Reggie held up her hand. “Toss that in my face once more and I will stab you with that dagger.”

“You will hurt me.”

“Like a paper cut.” Reggie bent her knees and buried her face in her hand.

“Reggie. It will come,” Michael explained. “Just be patient. There is a reason for the delay.”

“To piss me off.”

“I know of that term. I do not believe it is God’s intention to piss you off.”

“How would you know?”

Michael gasped. “Reggie. Do you easily forget? I am Michael the Archangel.”

“Yeah. And I am Reggie the swordless wonder.”

Michael leaned his face closer. “Yes, but a very good swordless wonder.”

Lifting her head, Reggie saw Paul approaching. “I must have done a good job with those sutures. Look how well he’s doing.”

Out of breath, Paul arrived. “Reggie. What’s taking you so long?”

“What do you mean?” Reggie asked.

“Your mom, she’s waiting.” Paul pointed backwards. “At the front. Didn’t anyone tell you?”

“My mother?”

“Yes. She wants to see you. She wants in.”

Michael’s eyes widened. Before he could get out a warning, Reggie had bolted toward the gate.

“And I’m telling you,” Kyle spoke, edgily. “I don’t give a shit what you say. I want you and this man you call a son to back up and go away.”

“You’re still the same,” Lillian said. “Bullheaded and stubborn. Well, Kyle Stevens, we heard this place is the safe place. It stands for good. You are not standing for good refusing to let us in.”

“There’s a reason why you’re here,” Kyle snapped.

“Yes, there is. The world is ending and I would like very much to make amends with my daughter...” Lillian looked over Kyle’s shoulder. “Reggie. Reggie!”

“Daddy?” Reggie hurried to the gate. “What’s going on?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.” Kyle sneered at Paul. “Who the hell told you to come here? Go back, Reg.”

Reggie turned to her mother. “What are you doing here?”

Lillian answered in fake relief, “Finding you. I came so far, Reggie. Your father refuses to let me in.”

Reggie faced her father. “Daddy?”

“Reg.” Kyle shook his head. “My gut tells me not to let her in.”

“Reggie,” Lillian spoke softly. “Let me speak to you, and then I’ll leave. Please?”

Michael made his way closer to the wall of cars. When he saw Lillian and Todd standing there, he called and raced forth. “Reggie! No!”

Too late.

The words, “Come on through” had already crossed Reggie’s lips, and Lillian and Todd stepped, invited, into the sanctuary walls of the camp.

Fort Knox, Kentucky

Devante chuckled as he strolled with Leonard around the protective grounds. “They are in. We shall know even more now.”

“It’s also good for the secondary plan I came up with,” said Leonard.

“As I told you earlier, it is too risky. Perhaps you devised it with haste.”

“It’s a good plan,” Leonard argued. “One you should think about to end this quickly.”

“It is war.” Devante stopped walking. “We have lost only one battle. That does not make a war lost. We forge ahead.”

“They plan.”

“And so do I,” Devante said. “My loss will not be without retaliation. My loss will never be a loss. Should I lose the final battle, I still do not lose.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You can say I have my own backup.”

“Are you going to hit their camp?” Leonard asked.

“Blasted human.” Devante started to lose his cool. “How many times must I tell you they are too well-protected? However, there are those they fight to save, those who hide… they are not as well-protected.”

“An eye for an eye?”

“No.” Devante smiled. “A soul for a soul.”