“It is strange to see just how close Ava had gotten with her research. With perhaps little more than a few adjustments in specific carbon chains, HBRS would have been ready for human trials. Just a few atoms moved around is all that stood between the death of mankind and its salvation.”
–Mother, “Notes on HBRS-15.21”. 6 Years After.
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Was this how it ended?
Liam watched the streets of Pandemonium with apprehension. So many hollows had gathered just beyond the Styx, and those residents inside were either bowing out of the way of the Beholders, or had been converted into their ranks. Crosses arose where vendors once conducted business, and a grim silence sat in place of the usual cacophony. Even devoid of the neon lights did not make this place any more humble.
It only became lifeless.
He clutched his daughter tight as she clung onto Hungry. So long as they were reunited with Evelyn, their family would be made whole.
Nothing else mattered. Not to Liam. Whether the Beholders sought to build some glorious kingdom or burn the bloody place down, he could care less. He’d lost one family before. Well over a decade had been spent agonizing over their absence. He had even traversed the better part of the Pacific Ocean to see them yet again, followed by an ever-more arduous land journey. In the end, that did not make the slightest bit of difference. His family had vanished when the Hollowing began, and nothing could be done to undo that loss.
But this one still had a chance. If Liam learned anything from his time with Ezekiel, it was that if he was willing to set aside his differences and reconcile, Evelyn would never be lost forever. They were creatures of love and compassion, after all, and if they had any purpose in this world, it was to give it to each other.
What was God’s love when compared to that?
The truck drove into the parking lot of Elysium, with a group of Inquisitors keeping watch. They got out of the car and went up the stairs.
Candles lit the walls, Beholders bowed out of the way, and their footsteps echoed against the linoleum floor, but Liam could not help but feel the hairs rising on the back of his neck. Oh, how he wished that Ezekiel was with him right now. He might have had assurances aplenty, but without his mate’s presence, how strongly could he trust them?
But then they entered another chamber and forgot all else.
Evelyn was there. Clothed in the white cloaks of the Beholders and with heavy bags below her eyes. But she was there. Still alive and moving.
Her jaw dropped. “Liam?”
“Evelyn, my love…” He set Leah on a nearby bed and rushed over. The two wrapped each other in their arms. “I missed you so much.”
Her voice cracked, somewhere between a chuckle and a sob. “Same. I was starting to think you weren’t coming back. What took so long?”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
He kissed her cheek. “Ah, a bit of a flat tire situation on the road. Nothing a little hike couldn’t fix. Our daughter got quite the tan too.”
“Right. Let’s get her back to Mommy.” She shifted in place, then stiffened. “What are you doing!?”
Liam looked over his shoulder, only to realize that one of the Beholder maids had entered the chamber and moved for Leah. By the time he realized what she was up to, she’d already grabbed their daughter and made for the exit, leaving Hungry behind. Leah cried out as the two scrambled to their feet, but the door shut with a slam before they drew close.
“Oy!” Liam shouted. “Hand her back, right this instance!” He inched back and forth, trying to see beyond the small, plastic visor indented in the door’s body.
Evelyn pounded the wall beside. “Dammit! This wasn’t what you promised!”
He froze. “What do you mean, what they promised?”
She kept pounding. “I know you’re out there, Abraham. You give us back our daughter, or I swear to God, the next time I get out of here, I’m purging you on the spot. Even if I do it with my bare hands!”
Another stepped in front of the plastic visor. This was the man whom Ezekiel bowed down to, and looked different than the rest of the Beholders, with a priest’s collar above a black dress shirt and trousers. He smiled wide, his violet eyes bold and bright.
Evelyn shoved Liam aside. “You promised, Abraham. You looked me in the eyes and said that all I had to do was behave, and you’d let me see her.”
“And you have,” he said, his grin unwavering.
“Bring her back!”
“But there is so much work to be done.”
Liam pressed back. “Listen, mate. I don’t know who you think you are, but we have a right to see our daughter.”
His eyes flicked his way. “Blessed Father, I understand that this must be difficult to understand for an atheist like you, but we all have our roles to play now that the end has come.”
“Yeah? Well, from what your friend assured me, you lot cared for our well-being above all else. I won’t be well until my daughter is back in my arms, so you’d better do the right thing or else Ezekiel will put a stop to this.” He squinted. “In fact, I’d like to speak with him and let him know how difficult you’re being to God’s Chosen family!”
Abraham merely watched back. “Brother Ezekiel has been struck down by God’s wrath.”
Liam recoiled a foot. “He what?” They’d just been together less than twenty minutes ago…
“Ezekiel did not speak on behalf of the Lord. He is the source of the evils that befell your departure, and whatever words he said to you were no doubt poisoned by Satan.”
“He saved my life!”
“Did he now? Or perhaps the Devil has obscured your vision as well, Blessed Father. Do not forget that evil led you both astray before. Even when we came to your bunker with open arms, you brought harm to many in my congregation.”
Evelyn grit her teeth. “I’m so fucking sick of your bullshit, Abraham! Stop hiding behind God. You’ve always been in this for nothing more than to control everyone else.”
“Is that your sincere belief?” he asked, suddenly offended. “After all our conversations on scripture, have you come to doubt my faith as well?”
“I’m not falling for any more of your lies.”
He shook his head with a frown. “Then I suppose the only comfort to give you is the truth as it occurred. Whether you’ll believe it is your own choice…”