The Artful (Shadows of the City) (17 page)

“I could go for a TV, though,” Michael said.

“A TV. Now that’s a thought, in’it?”

The cathedral came into view; it was beyond comprehension how something so enormous could last all these years. Towers and spires rose high into the heavens. Gothic windows with stained glass reflected a gentle moonlight, as if a higher power shone down its appreciation. The cathedral took up so many city blocks it was hard to say how massive it was. Someone could probably be lost on the grounds for months without seeing the outside world. The skeletal remains of a vast airship stuck out the back, the long deflated nylon balloon fluttering in the wind, creating an eerie hollow around the top of the church. I stared in awe.

“The Lord’s gift,” David said.

“What?” I asked, still taken aback by the airship.

“When Adam and Eve were children, they wandered the land, lost and confused. Some say they traveled for days with no food. They fought starvation and exhaustion and kept going, they begged and pleaded for a sign. Then they saw the airship. They knew it was a sign from God. It hovered low over the land, smoke billowing in the wind. They followed it, unaware where they went, their eyes held firm to the sky. Then it went down! Crashed right here, into the back of the cathedral. What more of a sign could you ask for!

“They walked up these very steps, one by one, all fear and hunger lost. Using what little strength they had left, they pried open the doors. Running through the great hall, they followed their instincts through endless halls and doorways until they came upon a doorway, which led into a garden, its roof caved in by the airship! The sun shone down from above. They say a ray of light led them to the ship’s fuselage. And what they found was a miracle, tons and tons of food, and medical supplies. There was no crew or pilot. It was empty, driven by God himself! And that’s when they knew. That’s when they realized they had found Eden.”

Really, it all seemed like a load of crap. I wonder how long it took them to remember their recruitment pitch.

“That is incredible!” I offered. “I knew I was right to come here!”

“As time passed, they started bringing other children in, offering them sanctuary and food. Always younger children, some they would find just as lost and confused as they were. Others they would lead away from parents who weren’t fit to raise them. That’s was the trick of it, to build a following of devoted Angels. They needed younger children, those who weren’t tainted by heretics, those who still had minds that could be open to the Lord. That’s how the Angels were born. After they amassed their following, they were able to spread out and offer sanctuary and peace to those who needed it.”

I knew the rest. They tried to recruit normal people. Most laughed or met them with violence. It wasn’t working. The Sons of Adam took to other tactics. They sought the scum of the earth. Criminals, scavengers, and hunters. Somehow they were able to convince them that they needed saving, and the only way was to join them. Now with a reliable amount of hands, hands that were willing to use violence and the threat of death to recruit, they were able to take their small group and build an army. It was a religion built on brainwashing and fear mongering. And there I was, walking up the cobblestone steps, into the heart of it.

Two Angels stood on either side of the massive oak door. Standing statuesque, they both rested hands on the hilts of huge broadswords, tips digging into the ground. They didn’t acknowledge us, no matter how hard Michael and David tried annoying them by looking under their robes.

“Come on,” David said. “Crack a smile!” They didn’t, and, with a sigh, Michael pushed the massive doors open. I followed them in, my heart pounding and my legs threatening to run off without me. But the truth of the matter was simple. At this point, if they were going to kill me, I was already dead. There was no escape; I had to play it through until the end.

nside was the Great Hall. Yellow light danced across the walls, lit candles decorated the expanse of the immense chapel. Beautifully pillars held up a ceiling that was arched so high, it was hard to make out the paintings that adorned it. Most of the sculptures and art work were fading. Yet still it all seemed impressive, majestic, a tomb that preserved time as best as it could. Rows of pews lined the left and right side, all leading toward a dais, where a crooked cross hung low, illuminated by the light of a candle chandelier.

Most noticeable were the two recliners that faced the pews and rows of praying Angels, heads held low in a placating manner. On the recliners sat the two figures I would have to sway. The two children who walked this same path so many years ago were now older, and seemingly bored. Adam leaned heavily in his chair, leg draped over the arm rest. Eve leaned in close on her knees, staring at me with a hunger that turned my blood to ice.

He was pale as porcelain, just as delicate. His hair was braided in long dreads threaded with different colored yarn. He was topless except for the bullet proof vest he wore, dented from failed attempts at his life. He casually sighed, cleaning lint from his finely pressed slacks.

Her red hair was cut short and tussled like she just woke up, glitter shining around her wide, dark eyes. Her lips glowed a glossy ruby red. She wore no protection, just a simple white dress, and it, too, was finely cared for. The contrast between the two was striking. She had an air of innocence about her, meanwhile he clearly tried to hide an edge. He caught my eye and sat up, frowning.

“Eyes to the floor,” David nudged me. “Sorry, forgot to tell you the etiquette. Don’t be rude.”

“Sorry.” I looked down. The tiled floors were beautifully shined.
I would like to see her face again
. She was breathtaking; there was something enchanting about her. Like a fairy from the stories we were told as children… magical, yet dangerous.

“Praise be the Son of Adam and Daughter of Eve!” David and Michael both said. There was silence, another nudge from David.

“Oh,” I said. “Praise be the Son of Adam and Daughter of Eve.”

“Who is this?” Adam asked pompously. Had I not known, I would have assumed he was a Tower Baby. “Most importantly, why do you bring him before us?”

“He seems delicious.” Eve sounded sweet, just as I imagined.

Adam took a deep breath. “Really, Eve? Can you not?”

“What?” Eve leaned forward, eyeing me up and down. “Look at him… he’s perfect.”

“Can you let me work without interrupting for once?” Adam pleaded. “And maybe, use your inside voice?”

“My inside voice is the voice of God; my outside voice is the voice of my heart,” she said.

“And back to David.” Adam held up a hand to silence Eve. “Who is this?”

“We found him on patrol. He’s traveled a long way to meet you. He seeks salvation. Verge of death, he was, when we found him.”

“Not even because we were going to kill him,” added Michael.

“And a great transgression that would have been, wouldn’t it? He’s an all right guy,” said David.

“Thank you,” I muttered.

David patted my back. “Don’t mention it.”

“So,” I could tell Adam was annoyed. “You took it upon yourself to hold recruits? Tell me, Eve, when did we make David here head of recruits?”

“I don’t know, when did we? Was it last week?” she scrunched her eyebrows together.

“No! It was never!” Adam yelled.

“If you know we didn’t, why did you ask?” she asked.

He rubbed at his temples. “Just be quiet.”

“I don’t see why you always have to be a jerk,” she added.

“David! Why would you risk bringing an outsider to the cathedral without knowing if he is a danger to us?” Adam continued.

“Well… I don’t know… I just figured―”

“You figured, you figured! Everyone is always figuring. No one is ever knowing!” Adam shouted.

“Don’t yell at David,” Eve told him.

“Sir,” I said. “With all due respect, can I speak?”

“No!” Adam shouted.

“Yes, please tell us,” Eve’s smile made me nervous.

Adam let the words crawl out of his mouth. “Tell us.”

I had to think on my toes. I knew how it worked. They recruited people who were an asset. Usefulness was more important than belief. It made sense. All these recruits were merely pawns; they had to be. So I had to sell myself, then I realized I didn’t have to try hard. Dodger and I were well known throughout; we were the Gutter Punks, the most known gang all over.

“It would help if I introduced myself. My name is Twist… I’m a Gutter Punk.” I expected them to gasp in disbelief, and be in awe of my reputation.

“That’s a silly name,” he said.

“A Gutter Punk?” Eve frowned. “Is that a band or something?”

“No, we are well known thieves. We break into towers and steal meds and supplies for the people who suffer underground… The Empire has a hit out on us.”

They both looked at each other in confusion.

“Wait, isn’t that Dodger’s crew?” asked David.

“You know Dodger!” Both Adam and Eve jumped to full attention. “Is he with you?” Eve asked.

“David, if you brought me Dodger, you are in for a promotion!” Adam was animated with life.

“No… Dodger isn’t here,” I said through grinding teeth.

“Oh, shame.” Eve pouted prettily.

“So, I’m tired of the life I been living… with Dodger. I’ve done so much wrong, corrupted by the idea that I was helping people. But, deep down, I realized I was just lying to myself to justify my actions. The Empire wants us; they want us bad. And, if they find us, they will kill us.” I tried to sound as pathetic as possible.

“So you want us to hide you? Is that it?” asked Adam.

“No, not at all. I have just realized that, if I die today, where does that leave me? I fear I won’t be welcomed into paradise. And that scares the hell out of me. If you want to turn me over to the Empire, so be it. But I only wish to have this weight lifted from my heart, so I may rise to paradise.” I laid it on thick, but I knew it had to be enough.

“Send a messenger to the Empire, tell them we have Tweet―”

“Twist,” David said.

“Twist! I really wish everyone would stop interrupting me! Hopefully we are entitled to some sort of reward once they use him as bait to fish out Dodger.”

“But, wait,” I pleaded. “I thought―”

“You thought wrong,” Adam snapped. “Put him in the dungeon!”

“We have a dungeon now?” Eve asked.

“The basement!”

David and Michael looked at me with a hint of sorrow. “Sorry, mate,” David whispered. And, with that, they dragged me away, into a side corridor, down a poorly lit hall, over countless stairs, through a kitchen, and into a backroom filled with sacks of potatoes, flour, and canned goods. “We really didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“My apologies,” Michael added.

They slammed the door. The sound of the lock clicking into place was final. The lights went out, and I was left alone in complete darkness. No tools to figure a way out of the room. My first venture without Dodger, and already I was trapped.