CHAPTER 112: A Swan’s Song
It was unbelievable. It had been one unbelievable thing after the next; invasions, aliens, the fall of humanity. Things hadn’t started scary, but as the people of Thompson’s Station had been dragged off in groups, the terror had truly started.
Huddled in that closed room with barely any food or air flow, having to keep the children calm and quiet when inside, Swan had been constantly panicking. They had to drink dirty water and rely on magic to survive. Any sound could have meant they would be found, and Carson wouldn’t stop sneaking out to go exploring.
Then Nick and Lamar found them. They battled monsters, showing that the two of them were capable. Except Swan had seen the end of the world on the news. She had listened to the end of her own town and people. There was nowhere to go and nothing to be done.
When Lamar had come, he was seriously injured and the two were on the run, that much was obvious. They said they fought the invaders. They claimed to have an army at their back. That they were fighting back behind some mighty leader.
She might have wanted to believe their claims, but she didn’t. They were dirty and bloody and seemed more like scavengers than anything. Taking the children with them just left Swan thinking of what they really wanted and where they were going. Were they being taken to more invaders? Were they going to be abused by other humans. The thoughts of doom wouldn’t stop.
If not for Nick forcibly throwing the kids into the truck in a panic, Swan never would have gone with them. She was useful as a healer, which she assumed was why they got her more levels, and might be able to survive whatever horrible people took her, but that couldn’t be said of the children. In a world without steady food and water, more mouths to feed were a problem.
For a single day Swan had been acquainted with the two vagabonds. The slow death while hiding had turned into a rush for their lives, riding in a truck at barely controllable speeds with monsters chasing after them all. Suddenly she missed the dark, suffocating room and their dirty water. With unchristian like words, she cursed the appearance of the first humans to arrive since the end of the world began.
That was why she had been unsurprised when Nick jumped, claiming he would slow down the monsters. Lamar acted like he believed the scumbag. Swan saw it for what it was, shedding the dead weight to sneak away. A self-serving man to the end.
While Lamar had spoken with more respect and nobility, that just meant he was a better con man than Nick, no matter how good looking and well-mannered he was. In another age, where the world wasn’t being threatened, she might have been interested in him. Getting to know him at the least, but it wasn’t that kind of world anymore. Trust was gone, along with most of the people.
She was waiting for him to bail on them too. Maybe the entire ploy of getting her and the children on the road had been a distraction for the invaders, to buy the two of them time to run. It’s what she would expect from the unholy when the morals of society were no longer backed by law enforcement.
Unfortunately, at no point was Swan able to say no to them. They were strong. Nick had demonstrated that when he caught her so easily. They were also familiar with violence. There was no way to fight back when she knew the kids would be the ones to suffer the most. Since coming out of that church to try and protect the kids, Swan’s fight or flight was as high as could be. An adrenaline panic that wouldn’t calm down.
Then more cars showed up. The vehicles were all mish mashed, but that didn’t matter as they drove fast and with a purpose, coming right towards her. That was when she knew it was the end. When she knew that Lamar was ready to run. He even climbed out the back of the truck and waved to the other cars, telling her to sacrifice herself for him, to keep driving towards them.
Except that wasn’t what happened. She watched in the rearview mirror as Lamar did what even CGI and Hollywood magic would have a hard time coordinating, and he did it effortlessly. The jump off a car going 70 mph, rolling to his feet, and then attacking the enemies. It was heroic and amazing on a level that outdid most action movies.
Quickly she lost sight of him as she drove through the path opened by the cars and trucks. Two motorcycle riders pulled on either side of her and brought her to the back of the crowd of vehicles, then indicated for her to stop. The one who spoke to her made sure they all stayed with the group, briefly explaining that they didn’t want to get separated if more invaders were around.
The next time she saw Lamar, he was carrying an injured Nick to where three healers, at a much higher level than her, waited. Hundreds of people milled around. They took up positions around the group, setting a perimeter. They checked the condition of the vehicles. A few dragged the invaders and their mounts, including some from the woods that apparently Nick had killed, within the group’s protection to loot and cut apart.
Quite a few people also came forward and tried to care for the kids. The children and the truck were cleaned of the vomit from the flight using water magic. Snacks, preserved food, and clean water were offered to them. A few men and women were even reassuring and cuddled the terrified children.
Swan didn’t know what to think. Lamar had told her the truth. He did have an army at his back, and every man and woman wore the same symbols, no matter what type of armor or clothing they had. There was an Earth over their hearts and a man holding a hammer on their chests.
“You did well,” Lamar said coming over to her.
“Hell yeah, she did,” exclaimed Nick. “Do you know how hard it was to drive that truck that fast? She doesn’t even have our physical stats. Nice work, Swan.”
She was surprised by Nick’s praise. It was like he was a whole different person, with a huge boyish grin spread across his face as he watched the others performing their tasks. Even though he looked like hell with red blood on his face and armor and was shaking off a limp.
While she tried to reconcile what had just happened with her previous thoughts about them, giving herself permission to calm down from her hours of panic, one of the men came over to them.
“Unseen Death, Huntsman, sirs,” the man saluted them. Swan wasn’t sure where to put that. Those titles seemed over the top, but the way they were being treated made her concerned that they were actually a bigger deal than she realized. Even with their ease at dispatching a group of 20 lizard men, they had been so casual around her, like they had bumped into each other at the grocery store.
“What’s the situation?” asked the man.
Nick got serious before answering, once more throwing Swan’s perception of him out of sorts.
“We have an invader base. They sent at least three more squads like the one that we just faced, so we can expect incoming. Or a few invaders to hunt,” said Nick. The last bit earned a smile on the other man’s face. Swan went back to wondering how safe she really was with these people.
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“The invaders are the lizard men called Scyrric,” Lamar picked up the explanation. “They’re supremacists and captured the whole population of Thompson Station. They’re executing them to make a point to the Unseen Death and I.”
“Is a raid on them possible?” asked the man.
“We need more reinforcements for it. I don’t know how many invaders there are, but we need to act quickly,” said Nick.
“Understood. I’ll notify headquarters. What about the children and this woman?”
Lamar quickly jumped up, surprising Swan with how forceful it sounded. “She’s with me. Make sure she and the kids get to Jackson. They’ll be traumatized so get them some help.”
The man saluted again. “Yes, sir!”
***
That was how Swan found herself in an amazing condo in a building in the center of a militarized area. It didn’t take her long to know it belongs to Lamar. The man must have misunderstood something when Lamar said she was with him. Though when she thought about how heroic and amazing he had been…
About 50 men and women had escorted them back to Jackson. It had only taken about two hours. They drove at more reasonable speeds and the children were given a lot of attention, clearly by people used to finding traumatized survivors. She had made a note of that.
Upon arriving, the children had been taken to a facility together and Swan had been reassured they’d be taken care of before they led her here. What had surprised Swan the most was just the sheer number of people still living in the city, with no invader attacks so far. They expected them, and prepared for them, but had been safe so far.
During the drive Swan was regaled by one woman about how the Sentinel Army was helping everyone get strong. They were trying to make sure as many humans could fight and defend as possible, while the leaders went above and beyond even that. She heard tales of Lamar’s group, led by the powerful General. Over and over she heard from the fanatical woman how it was all thanks to him.
It turned out Lamar was also a big deal, as was Nick. They were the originals and the most respected of those who fought the invaders. The General had thought they were dead, and all those people who had rescued them had been sent out as soon as the General realized they were alive.
She didn’t want to be intrusive in Lamar’s condo, however she looked around the immaculate living area. There was only one bed, everything was clean, a well-stocked fridge, and a few pictures with Lamar or what was probably his family, and then an amazing shower. She didn’t care about being intrusive when she decided to make use of the shower, wondering how badly she smelled.
There was nice smelling soap and shampoo, and gloriously hot water. The rest of the world had lost hot water, but she was able to luxuriate in it. Needless to say, it was a very long shower.
When she got out, several pairs of clothing almost her perfect size were left nearby, as if a concierge service was trying to appease her. She put on fresh underwear, jeans, and a sweatshirt for the first time in six weeks.
Her mind was in shock, and the stress of the day had taken a toll. Exhaustion hit her even though she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Uncertain about what to do, honestly a little frightened to meet more of these people, and not yet hungry enough to go looking for food, she sat on the sofa and pulled a throw blanket up over her. Without meaning to, she fell asleep as soon as her head rested on a cushion.
***
Knocking sounded from the door. It was a solid sound without any echo. Swan roused on the sofa. As her heavy lids slowly lifted and took in the room, she suddenly panicked, forgetting where she was.
The knocking repeated after a moment. Not sure what to do, Swan walked over and opened the door. Outside it was a teenage girl.
“Hi! I’m Emily,” the girl said, without a care in the world.
“Hello, Emily. I’m Swan,” Swan spoke almost suspiciously. “Can I help you?”
“You don’t have to worry. I live in the building and heard you had a rough time before they rescued you. I’m throwing a party and thought you might want to get to know a few people around here, maybe ask whatever questions you have. Very little is kept secret,” said Emily cheerful.
“Heard from who?” questioned Swan.
“My parents work for the Sentinel Army and often help with new arrivals,” Emily answered. It sounded reasonable to Swan.
Swan didn’t know how long she had slept but was still tired. She could probably sleep for two and a half days and still be tired. Yet the awkwardness of living in Lamar’s space got to her, so she agreed to follow the girl.
Once in the elevator, Emily took them to the top floor. Swan was still blurry with heavy eyes, not noticing the signs when they exited. She followed Emily into a place and stopped dead.
This was not some place she should be. This was a mansion in the clouds. Never would she have thought she’d be in such an amazing place. The kitchen had cooks, though they did frown at Emily and her rowdy teenage friends. There were video games, even with the apocalypse going on, and movies. Large hang out rooms with billiard tables and comfortable looking chairs. There was even a pool on the balcony.
This place didn’t belong to just anyone and it felt like she had just been dragged somewhere she shouldn’t be, especially as a 22-year-old surrounded by teens. She ate a bit of food, and the cooks gave her a sympathetic look, instead of the unhappy ones they gave to the teens. Swan was dreading when the owner came back.
***
A short while later, Swan was sipping on some juice, staying out of the way from the teens. She had very quickly decided she didn’t like most of them, though was unsure on Emily. The girl had spoked with her a few times, telling her things about the area and the people, though refusing to answer regarding who owned this place. The teens seemed like intentional troublemakers who knew they were causing problems for others and did it for that reason.
Then the door opened. In he walked.
Swan wasn’t near the door, but she had a clear view of it. In walked a boy…or a man. She wasn’t sure of his age. There was a weathered feel about him, as if he had been through more than most grown men should. He looked young but had three scars from his nose to jaw, as well as a few on his chin and cheek. His arms were also covered with painful looking scars.
He wore metal armor with rough leather coming out the edges and it was splattered with blood. All of him had blood on it. He was sweaty and dirty, as if just returning from a long military campaign.
The man’s face was alright looking except for the scars, though he wasn’t nearly as handsome as Lamar. Even Nick, Swan admitted internally, was much better looking than this man. Though his neatly cut and styled hair, that had held up to whatever had made him so filthy, made him look like an actor waiting to film his scene. However, there was a presence about him that chilled her to the bone.
A scowl was on his face as he looked at the party goers. He sniffed the air and sighed in disappointed. Slowly he looked around. Then his eyes caught Swan’s and they narrowed.
The intensity of his eyes, practically burning with fire, caused Swan’s breath to catch. Her terror had come back. She couldn’t breathe or move. He held her gaze.
Then suddenly she thought about what had led her to be in that church room. She practically relived her day with Lamar and Nick, zoning out so heavily that the memories were more than just vivid. She was reliving them. When she remembered Emily inviting her, it was as if a spell was broken and she could think for herself again.
The man was looking at her but no longer with the fury from before. Now he seemed like just some disinterested bloke waiting for someone else in a bar.
“Sorry. You’ve been through a lot, but I had to be sure,” the man said as he came over to talk to her.
“Sure of what?” asked Swan, almost scared to know.
“That you weren’t sent by the invaders.”
“You can check that?” she swallowed heavily at what that implied.
“Somewhat,” he nodded. “I’m just trying to keep people safe.”
“This mansion in the sky is your place isn’t it?”
“Yes,” nodded the man. “Emily is my sister. She keeps breaking in for parties to piss me off.”
“Sorry I’m here then,” apologized Swan.
“It’s fine. I could keep her out if it was too much of a problem,” he admitted.
“Why do you let her do this then?” asked Swan, feeling distasteful about it.
“To keep her focused on something safe. She’s angry at me, but she’s one of the reasons I do all this. To protect her. A little harassment isn’t enough for me to stop.”
“You’re him, aren’t you,” asked Swan with realization.
“Yes.”
“The General.”
“I’m Adam Clemens. It’s nice to meet you, Swan. Let us know if you need things. I’m glad Nick and Lamar were able to save you,” he said with a weariness, though his words seemed genuine. “And please don’t be too harsh on Nick. He was having a rough few days too.”
Swan swallowed hard. This man knew her thoughts and memories. That was as scary as anything else she had experienced.
“Now if you’ll excuse me,” Adam said as he started to turn. “Fido and I need a shower.”
“Fido?” Swan regretted it as soon as she asked.
Adam reached into a large pocket and pulled out a dozing three headed puppy that barely fit in his hand.
As soon as Adam was gone, Swan rushed back to Lamar’s room to huddle under the blanket. She might have felt like she was intruding in his condo, but that was way safer than intruding anywhere else she had been today.