Eden (Eden Saga) Page 16

  Koneh glanced over her shoulder at Marco and said, “Because people don’t know how to react. They’re unpredictable.”

  Marco rested his hand on his holster. “Step aside,” he said.

  “It’s all right, Koneh,” she said. “Marco, you’re not helping. Be someplace else.”

  After Marco walked away from them, Alexandra repeated gently, “It’s all right.”

  Koneh hesitated and then opened the door. Hundreds of soldiers, civilians and children filled the area outside the bunker. When they saw her face, some kneeled, some cried and others shouted.

  Chapter 16

  The crowd erupted into a cacophony of weeping, shouting and wide-eyed gasps.

  “There she is!”

  “Help us!”

  “My brother is sick-”

  “It’s her!”

  “I don’t believe it!”

  “Can you heal me?”

  “Please help my daughter!”

  Koneh reached his arm in front of Alexandra and grasped the door. “You see what you have done? Foolish!”

  She scanned the crowd. Soldiers and civilians alike pressed against each other to catch a glimpse of her. However, this wasn’t the first desperate crowd Alexandra had faced.

  Shortly after she made partner at her law firm, she was on the defense team for GreenTech - a biohazard waste corporation on trial for decades of environmental abuse. The people of Brackettville, Texas were poisoned for generations through the drinking water contaminated by the corporation.

  The courthouse was mobbed the day GreenTech settled with the residents. Alexandra walked down the steps with her client and was spat on by a man in overalls with a sign that read “Their REAL punishment starts in HELL!” The crowd on that day would have torn her apart if the National Guard wasn’t there.

  Now, a very different crowd inched closer to Alexandra, but it was no less dangerous. She stepped backwards into the bunker and Koneh closed the door.

  Why am I so terrified of them? She thought as she slumped against the door. I shouldn’t fear them!

  “We need to move on,” Koneh said as he glanced into her eyes and then walked to the rest of the group.

  Father Callahan said, “Well, I think it’s wonderful what you did for that soldier.”

  “She put herself in harm’s way,” Koneh said. “Again.”

  “It’s her destiny to help those in need,” Father Callahan said. “That much is obvious now.”

  “No,” Koneh said, “her path leads to Eden.”

  Marco joined the conversation. “Why don’t you two ask Alexandra what she wants to do? No? Perhaps she doesn’t want to go where you want her to go.”

  A fist pounded on the bunker door and Alexandra jumped.

  “Alexandra!” shouted General Ryan from the other side of the door. “I need to talk to you!”

  Alexandra grasped fistfuls of her hair with both her hands. “Everyone!” she screamed, “Back off!”

  “I’m coming in!” General Ryan said.

  Without answering, Alexandra locked the bunker door. The general rattled the door and said, “We just need to talk!”

  “Go away!” she said between breaths.

  “I can’t do that. Not now.”

  “Why doesn’t anyone understand?!” Alexandra said loud enough for the general to hear through the bunker door. “I’m not your Savior! I don’t know how I healed you! Just-just leave me alone!”

  She slid to the ground and buried her head in her hands. Tears poured from her eyes. Fear, confusion and frustration rushed through her thumping heart. Overwhelmed, she couldn’t sort through the information and emotion. Everything tangled together in her mind. She was lost.

  When Alexandra opened her eyes, Erzulie was at her side. The fallen angel’s unearthly eyes stared through her.

  “Quiet now, child,” Erzulie said with the usual singsong in her voice. “Save your strength.”

  Though Erzulie’s words carried little comfort, something in her voice soothed Alexandra’s nerves much like the sonic massage machines at the fitness center in San Antonio. As if her mind rebooted, Alexandra felt her emotions come back online and under control. Serenity returned and she wiped some tears from her cheeks.

  “Okay,” Alexandra said. “Let me think a moment.”

  “It looks like you won’t get the chance,” Father Callahan said as everyone turned to watch the back of the bunker fill with a dozen armed soldiers.

  “You left me no choice.” General Ryan said as he followed his men into the main room of the bunker. “We had to ensure your safety.”

  Alexandra stood and said, “I assure you, I’m safe.”

  General Ryan nodded and said, “I’d feel a whole lot better if you just came with us and away from the demon.”

  Koneh stepped in front of Erzulie and Alexandra. Recalling the encounter with the thugs on the hill, she decided she didn’t want to see a repeat performance.

  “I’ll handle this,” Alexandra said as she touched Koneh’s shoulder. “It’s all right.” After a moment, Koneh stepped aside and crossed his arms.

  “You should come with us,” General Ryan said.

  Alexandra shook her head. “Not going to happen, General. We were just leaving.”

  “What? Why?” he asked as if her words injured him.

  “Because we have other places to be.”

  “You’re safe here. I won’t let any harm come to you.”

  She sighed. “Then tell your men to leave.”

  After glancing at the soldiers, General Ryan said, “Green team. Dismissed! Standard perimeter.”

  With practiced precision, the soldiers fell back into the showers and out of the bunker.

  “Well, how can I convince you to stay?” General Ryan said. “We need you here-”

  Alexandra approached him and said, “There’s nothing you can do or say that will convince me to remain here. Listen, I’m not who you think I am. I don’t understand it all yet, but don’t put your faith in me. I know myself and I’m not… Well, I’m not anybody’s savior.”

  “You healed me. And Benjamin,” he said. “You saved my life.”

  She smiled. “You’re welcome.”

  “You know, I can force you to stay.”

  Alexandra’s smile retreated from her face. “You can try,” she said. “But I think we both know you wouldn’t follow through with that.”

  General Ryan’s eyes fell to the ground and the lines around his eyes and mouth creased. “Where are you going?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” she said. “Besides, the less people who know, the better.”

  “Very well,” General Ryan said, seemingly resigning himself to defeat. “What can I do to help? I still feel I owe you... well, my life.”

  “I think I’ll let you talk with the good Father here,” she said as she motioned to Father Callahan. “He was once a military man and probably knows better than me what we need to survive our trip.”

  As the priest and general discussed sundries, Alexandra packed her borrowed duffel bag. The bunker was comfortable and safe, but she felt uneasy when she considered making the base her new home. If Eden waited for them, then she was determined to find it. Perhaps Eden held answers. Maybe she could find peace, or a clue to what was happening to her.

  When Alexandra finished packing her bag, Erzulie approached. “I want you to carry this,” the angel said as she unbuckled her sword from her waist. “May it serve you better than it has served me.”

  “Won’t you need it?” Alexandra asked.

  Erzulie smiled. “Your safety is paramount. Besides, I have other tools at my disposal.”

  Alexandra nodded and kept the sword secured in its scabbard as she fastened it to her duffel bag. During her first lesson, Koneh told her to never draw the weapon unless she meant to use it. Something in his voice warned her that he was serious.

  For the first time since the bus had flipped, Alexandra felt like she was in control – at lea
st somewhat. She decided it was time to take charge.

  “Okay everyone,” she said. “This trip has been haphazard thus far. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right.”

  Her gift for organization was one of the qualities that made her into her firm’s top trial attorney. If only she had her digital data assistant, then she could have whipped together some charts and schedules. She missed her spreadsheets.

  “Father Callahan is in charge of provisions,” Alexandra said. “Father, get what you need from the general and let me know when we are two weeks away from running low.”

  Father Callahan disengaged from his conversation with General Ryan and smiled. “Yes, ma’am!”

  “Santino,” Alexandra said as she turned to the Spanish-American truck driver, “are you still interested in going home to Brazil? Or would you prefer to stay here?”

  “I go with you, si?”

  “Great. The rig is your responsibility. Get what you need for gasoline, oil and such. We leave in two hours.”

  Santino finished stuffing a blanket into his knapsack and nodded.

  Alexandra faced Marco. Looking into his eyes, she wondered if he betrayed them to the demon, Lilev, or if he really was what he seemed – a miserable survivor from a ruined city. Whatever the case, Lilev didn’t get what she wanted and Koneh kept everyone safe. Besides, Alexandra wanted to reconcile with her guilt over abandoning the people of Tampico. She couldn’t desert the sole survivor.

  “Marco,” she said, “everyone else is invested in this journey. You are not. However, you are welcome to join us.”

  The former leader of Tampico grinned and took a step towards her. “If it’s all the same,” he said, “I’d be muy glad to join you.”

  Alexandra nodded. “Very well. Work with Santino to get some maps or something. We need a good route into South America with stops at some major cities for supplies.”

  Marco winked and said, “As you command.”

  Ignoring the intimate gesture, Alexandra turned to Koneh, who watched her every move. “And you.”

  “Do you have a task for me as well, oh leader of men?” Koneh asked.

  She nodded. “First of all, never call me that again. Second, you’re in charge of our safety. Though I’ve protested in the past, you have done a good job of keeping me alive. Guns, ammo. If the general will part with it, get us what we need.”

  “I am ready for your command,” Erzulie said as she stepped to Alexandra’s side and smiled. “What can I do?”

  “You can keep me sane,” Alexandra said.

  Though Alexandra knew the angel couldn’t express emotion, a look of confusion spread over her face.

  “I do not understand,” Erzulie said.

  “Never mind,” Alexandra said. “Your job remains the same. Watch the sky and alert us if anyone approaches. However, I want you to be more careful. I don’t want you hurt again. Stay safe.”

  “By your command.”

  The bunker buzzed with activity. After Alexandra gave the area one last glance, General Ryan approached her.

  “That was impressive,” he said.

  “I’m a lawyer.”

  “Oh, well… Yeah.” General Ryan laughed. “I guess you’re used to people listening to you. I mean, you know what they say about lawyers-”

  “Save the lawyer jokes, please,” Alexandra said, rolling her eyes. “And thanks for your help. We wouldn’t make it too far without it.”

  “It’s the least I could do,” he said. “And remember, you’re always welcome here.”

  “Thanks. That means a lot.”

  “Well,” General Ryan said as he inhaled. “I’ll clear out the courtyard so you can get moving.”

  “That would help,” she said.

  He opened his mouth to speak, but something held his words. Alexandra felt a connection to him, but she didn’t know if she was attracted to the man or if the feeling was something else.

  Without checking her words, she said gently, “I will return someday. I’d like to get to know you better.”

  He smiled. “I would very much like to get to know you better as well.”

  After the group secured their provisions to the back of Santino’s rig, they drove towards the gate of the military base. People gathered on top of buildings and pleaded for her to stay. Many of the faces bore confusion and some appeared angry. Alexandra watched from the back of the cab. She wanted to explain to them why she left, but she knew they wouldn’t listen. They were full of unrealistic hopes and expectations.

  As the main gate to the base opened, someone repeated “Stop!” several times. It was Benjamin Howell, the soldier Alexandra healed.

  “Wait! Stop!” Benjamin yelled as he ran to the side of the rig.

  Santino looked over his shoulder and Alexandra nodded. “Stop the truck.” She opened the cab door and put a foot on the step bar. “What is it?” she asked.

  The soldier looked to be in better health than when Alexandra last saw him. He wore green fatigue pants, a white tank top and a camouflage jacket. Benjamin’s dog tags jingled to rest as he stopped and looked at her.

  “I… um-” Benjamin fumbled with his words.

  Smiling, she said, “You’re welcome.”

  “No… I mean… Yeah, thanks,” Benjamin said. “I, uh, I want to go with you.”

  Marco pulled his motorcycle up next to the rig and asked, “Everything okay, Alexandra?”

  Alexandra nodded and then returned her attention to Benjamin. “Is General Ryan okay with your leaving?”

  “Yeah, um, after I asked permission, he reassigned me. To you.”

  “Reassigned?” Marco asked.

  “Yeah,” Benjamin said, “Alexandra… Err, should I call you by your name?”

  Alexandra nodded and said, “Please do.”

  “Okay, well, you, Alexandra, are now my CO – my commanding officer. I now take orders from you.”

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” she said. “We have a long, difficult journey ahead of us.”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” Benjamin said. “Let me go get my stuff, I’ll be right back. Don’t leave without me!”

  As the soldier ran to a nearby jeep, Koneh said, “If he climbs into the rig, he’ll see Erzulie. Maybe it’s better to wait to make that introduction?”

  Alexandra glanced at Erzulie, turned to Marco, and said, “He’ll ride with you for now.”

  Marco nodded and revved his engine.

  After Benjamin secured his pack and guitar to the back of the rig, the group departed the military base. They traveled for the entire day on a lonely road through southern Mexico. The rig’s headlights speared the red-black darkness as they followed Santino’s route. If there was anything left of the towns they passed, no light betrayed their presence. Crumbled buildings, cracked roads and wrecked cars greeted them in an endless parade of ruin.

  Santino and Marco agreed to stop the group outside of Villahermosa for the night. They setup camp and Father Callahan passed out some MRE rations to everyone.

  As everyone ate, Alexandra approached Benjamin. “May I sit?” she asked.

  Benjamin nodded and said, “Yes, yes! I’m sorry. Let me clean up my mess.”

  “No need,” she said as she sat next to the soldier. “You already met Koneh. He’s a bit strange, don’t you agree?”

  “Yeah,” Benjamin said, “he kinda creeps me out. What’s with his eyes?”

  “I think he was burned by radiation or something,” Alexandra said. “But Koneh is a good man. He saved my life and I trust him.”

  Benjamin nodded in-between mouthfuls of pot roast from his MRE.

  “Well,” Alexandra said, “there’s someone else you haven’t met. She’s an angel. Well, a fallen angel. She’s my friend.”

  “Fallen angel?” he asked. “Like a demon?”

  “No, not exactly.” Alexandra turned her head to the sky and called, “Erzulie!”

  The campfire fluttered like a flag as t
he wind intensified. Moments later, Erzulie appeared from the darkness of the night sky and landed next to Alexandra. She eyed the soldier as she folded her black feathered wings against her back.

  “Benjamin, meet Erzulie.”

  The soldier gaped as he stared at Erzulie. A chunk of pot roast fell from his open mouth.

  Alexandra smiled, “Yes, she’s quite beautiful, don’t you agree?”

  The young soldier nodded once.

  “And she’s my friend,” Alexandra said. “Give her the same respect you would me, got it?”

  He blinked and said, “Yeah. Okay.”

  “Good. Now we’re all friends,” Alexandra said as she tore open her MRE. “Ohh, baked beans and ham. My favorite.”

  “I’ll trade you,” Father Callahan said. “I got ziti and meatballs again.”

  “Deal!”

  After they exchanged rations, Father Callahan turned to Benjamin and said, “So, do you carry around that guitar for a reason?”

  Benjamin nodded, “Yeah, I guess I’m okay with it.”

  Father Callahan motioned towards the instrument and said, “By all means. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed some music.”

  Everyone gathered by the fire as Benjamin strummed a tune on his guitar. Though she couldn’t explain it, Alexandra felt at home with the motley group. They were in the middle of a vast wasteland, with only the supplies on the rig to sustain them and Alexandra felt content. She looked at each of her companions as the music played.

  Marco and Father Callahan clapped along with the rhythm, wide smiles on their faces. Santino leaned against his pack and tapped his foot as he enjoyed a cigarette. Even Koneh bobbed with the music. Then, there was Erzulie – the only nonhuman in the group. After a few songs, she joined the guitar with a melodious humming. No words, just notes. She breathed the most perfect melody Alexandra had ever heard. The music was intoxicating.

  The next day of travel came too fast for Alexandra’s liking, but they had to keep moving. Santino and Marco agreed that they should press on to Guatemala. However, once they arrived, it was clear that nothing was left of Guatemala City – only sunken crater unsafe to enter. The group spent the next day picking through the skeletal outskirts for supplies and gasoline.