The Vengeance (22 page)

“I’ve got a little task for you,” Abraham laughed, sitting at the head of an ornately carved table, which closely resembled his cane.  Two hundred miles from Lee seemed like a safe distance to set his plan into action.

“An enjoyable one this time, I hope.”

“Yes, I think you’ll all find this rather enjoyable.”

Abraham glanced around the table at the group of mostly gruff looking men and women donned in blacks and grays. He had chosen fifteen of them: his prized warriors, the angriest of his clan, an eccentric group for sure. While they all dressed in similar colors, all appeared glaringly different.

Some maintained a clean cut appearance as others sported wild beards and sideburns. From leather to cotton, their clothing ran the gamut. Leather and denim topped with studs and metal decorated abnormally fit physical bodies.

The women proved equally intense. Ponytails mixed with dyed and spiked hair topped off bodies fit to do damage. Tank tops and black rimmed eyes looked up at their leader in admiration.

The only similarity amongst the degenerates at the table was the fury in their eyes and a shared desire to rule the world. They’d spent years training and testing their limits. They’d fought and some had lost, only building the thirst in the others for domination.

“There’s a man,” Abraham spoke, “who has wronged one of our own. He’s a Healer – and one of the strongest there are. He’s got power we haven’t seen the likes of and yet he is only one man. He tricked your kin Devin, murdering him without cause, before defiling his body and his memory for the sake of gaining a higher power. They discarded him like trash, breaking their own rules and the rules of our ancestors.”

The mutterings around the table started, brethren making pacts with one another to destroy anyone bringing dishonor to their family. The anger was palpable, fists pounding and rising heartbeats infiltrating the space among them.

“Quiet down,” Abraham cackled.

He slowly and calmly began his walk around the table while carefully looking each of his kin in the eye.

“I’m an old man now, as you can see. I’ve created you and cared for you; trained you and fed you. I have built an empire for you. I have found the necessary enemy and provided you with an opportunity to take the control that was stolen from our people so long ago. I cannot fight this battle; I need you to fight it for me. And when we rule, we rule together.”

He basked in the glory of shouts from the crowd.

“We’re in Father!”

“We will wage this for you, Grandfather!”

His smile spread even wider across his creased cheeks. The rally cries filled him with strength and built the adrenaline flowing through him.

“It is up to you, my children and grandchildren, to take down this man and take away the higher power of the Healers. He’s threatened by another Grim – a weak and peaceful Grim. This Grim is of no use to us. He has the potential for, shall we say, persuasion; however, I don’t think he will ever fully give in. He won’t cause us any problems. He wants this Healer out of his life as much as we do. This Healer, McCallister, has his guard up for the Grim, too. They both love the same woman. And we all know there’s not much that can make men hate each other more than the quest for the love of a single woman.”

Abraham closed his eyes, absorbing the strength of the whispers in the room. He fed off of the animosity.

“Combined with his doting upon a human female, the Healer is at a weak point of his own. He cannot destroy us alone. Put up a fight yes, but destroy no. He is focused on other needs right now, rendering him unable to build the army he needed to defeat Devin. Now, and only now, is our opportunity to strike!”

He raised his cane into the air and elicited yelps and hollers. Fists pounded the table and blood raced with desire for the hunt.

“He is vulnerable. He will feel us coming, of that I am certain. Distracted by the less than desirable Grim Robert and focused on the woman, we have an opportunity to rush him into a battle before he is prepared. We go in a few days. Rest up, feast well, and prepare for what lies ahead. We will not lose. We will prevail. And with the decimation of this Healer we shall move towards overtaking the Healers for good. Man will live in fear of what we can do and we shall rule the world with nary a weapon except the tips of our fingers.”

The cheers exploded and taunts filled the air as the crew obnoxiously toasted their leader. Abraham sat back and listened; pleased that after decades of assembly and waiting, his mission was finally coming to fruition
.

“She’ll get her voice back soon. Her throat needs time to adjust. Barring any swift changes in her health, I can’t justify keeping her here another night. All of her numbers are normal and there’s nothing more we can do at this point.”

“Thanks,” Gram said, turning her gaze back to her family.  “You can go home later today.”

Addie nodded and smiled. Her throat ached from the tubes. She wanted nothing more than to dismantle the wires and tubes surrounding her and leave the room which had held her captive for days.

“Rose, let’s go get some breakfast, shall we?” Gram wrapped her arm around Rose’s shoulders and led the girl into the hallway.

“I bet you’re ready to go home,” AJ smiled, awkwardly moving away from the bed to the chair.

Addie shook her head yes and tried to force the word out. A squeak was all that managed to escape.

“Don’t talk. We have plenty of time for that. Robert will be glad to see you.”

She looked away. She didn’t want to see Robert. She loved him for being the father of her child
, yet somewhere in her unconsciousness, she had remembered what she had with AJ.
That
was what she wanted.

She looked back at him and attempted to speak again.

“Don’t… want… Robert.” She found it much harder to speak once the adrenaline had worn off.

“He’s a good guy, Addie. He can give you and Rose a family.”

“I want you. I remember now.”

“Addie, let’s not talk about this. We have plenty of time to talk. And we’ve already discussed this.”

He didn’t want to hurt her feelings or get her riled up. He wanted her to rest. Nothing had changed, not yet. If Benjamin came to town, he’d know that he had healed her and – even though he hadn’t meant to – his powers would be stripped, and then maybe he’d take the opportunity to tell her how he felt. Right now though, he just wanted her to be okay.

“No.  Talk
. Now.”

“Addie
!”

“AJ!” 

Her eyes said it all. She glared at him with eyes so wild that he began wondering if she’d changed while she’d been asleep.

“Fine. What do you want me to say?”

“You almost died for me.”

He sighed. He wasn’t going to win this battle. “I did, Addie.”

“You loved me.”

“I did that, too.”

“Did?”

“It’s not that easy. If you remember, then you remember why. My life isn’t simple and no decisions I make can be made lightly. Sometimes it’s not about getting what I want; it’s about doing what is right for the greater good. I love you, but I am meant to help a whole lot of other people. I feel like that’s what I should be doing, no matter how much it hurts to admit that.”

“I … love … you.”

“Robert can give you a home.”

“I … love …
you
,” she said again, more emphatically.

“Addie.” 

He buried his chin in his chest. The argument was pointless. Neither was going to cave and the argument was just going to cause more hurt feelings. He heard her sigh and looked over to see the tears staining her cheeks. The color had come back to her and they were flushed red from embarrassment. No one had ever turned her down.

“Addie,” he began.

“No … I know.”

She rolled over and faced the wall, unable to look at him again. She’d known it in her heart all along. She just wasn’t ready to admit that it was true. They’d never be together.

With discharge papers quickly signed and handed over, the group was on their way home. As the truck eased up the driveway to Addie’s home, the unmistakable figure of Benjamin loomed on the front porch.

AJ knew why.

He’d lost control.

He took a deep breath before putting the truck into park and opening the door. As he climbed down
, he nodded in Benjamin’s direction as the elder smiled and waited.

“Benjamin.”

“AJ. Hello Rose, Addie. Morning Marilyn,” he smiled in Gram’s direction.

“Morning Benjamin,” they replied as they saw him.

AJ walked to the other side of the truck to help lift Addie down. “Marilyn?” he mouthed to Gram. She smiled, realizing she’d never shared her real name with the Healer.

“Why don’t you take Addie inside?” Benjamin said. “I’d like to talk to AJ for a minute, if I might.”

“I know what this is about Benjamin,” AJ replied as he began walking towards the elder.

AJ noticed Max already on the porch. He’d obviously been with Benjamin prior to their arrival. He wondered quickly what Max might have been talking to him about. With all of the stories they were trying to keep straight, AJ wasn’t sure he’d say the right thing. And at this point, he figured it didn’t matter; his strength was about to be revoked.

Benjamin had been around for longer than he cared to acknowledge. He’d survived his share of combat, volunteering to serve his country at every step he could. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing the brave young men and women in the line of duty, putting their lives on hold and at risk for millions of people they’d never even meet. He’d tend to trauma victims saving those he could and serving as a friend and comfort to anyone on their way out of this life, when he was unable to use his gift. 

He’d have given anything to save them all
. He understood, however, his role in the world. Most people would have lost part of their soul after serving in a single war – let alone seven – but the soldiers never became just a number or a job to him. Each one was a beautiful individual with more strength and courage than any other. He was proud to have the opportunity to save even just one.

He’d seen all forms of love in his time: the love between two people hoping to spend their lives together; the love between brothers on the battlefield; the love of a parent to a child. All equally moving and all motivation for him to give up everyone and everything he loved
, just to ensure that others could experience what he’d willfully missed out on.

After so much time in combat he was given a new chance; to serve as an elder. He’d been around for a long time and seen most of what the world had to offer. He’d maintained a good soul and a perfect healing record. Being an elder meant a new type of role within the race – the role of a mentor.

It wasn’t easy to step back from the healing aspect. At first he craved the rush he always felt when taking the bad from someone and replacing it with the good. As time ticked by however, he began to see a deeper appreciation in decoding the clan’s history and learning all that was possible through their gift.

His recent mission was to keep Healers in line. There were those that were downright nonchalant about their gift, forgoing the rules to do as they please. Not in malice, as far as he saw, but simply because they couldn’t bear the thought of a life lost that they could have changed. They didn’t think about the future repercussions, only the moment at hand.

Then there were others like AJ; those lost in a world where they were young with hundreds of years ahead of them and scared at the thought of the new normal they’d have to abide by. To choose the life of a Healer was a tremendous choice and one many just couldn’t handle. For a few, like AJ, it was a choice that would better the world for generations to come as they formed a new strength and hope for the future.

AJ cautiously approached the man, almost fearful that Benjamin would just reach out and zap him in an instant. AJ wanted to defend his deeds and to beg for another chance. Then again, another part of him wanted to beg Benjamin to give him a normal life.

There would be no winner no matter what he chose, because someone would get hurt.

“Relax AJ, I just want to talk. Is there somewhere we can go?”

Benjamin could sense the distrust oozing from AJ’s soul.

AJ signaled towards the barn near the B&B. No one had come with Benjamin this time and that alone sent a wave of calm rushing over him.

The old man was dressed in bright, clean clothes. Fresh khaki pants and a new-looking white button down. It stood out in a town of farmers who spent most of their days in clothes with at least a little dirt smeared on them.

AJ looked nervously over at Max who just smiled back, a look of encouragement on his face. They walked in silence until they were shrouded by the expansive side of the bright red barn.

“I know why you’re here,” AJ whispered. “Just get it over with fast.”

“I’m not here for anything. Yet. I’m just here to see about Ms. Addie and find out what exactly happened.”

“I have a feeling you already know.” AJ’s eyes met the elder and he was right; it was no secret to Benjamin what happened. “May I say something?”

“Anything.”

“I’m not one to defend a Grim, given my past experience with them. But Robert has the heart of the old clan. He’s strong and kind and unfortunately, a little more emotional than he should be. I don’t believe for a moment that he meant to hurt Addie.”

“You say this knowing that he wants the one thing you can’t have?”

AJ paused. “I do. I know my place. Or I knew my place, I guess.”

“And what do you plan to do? Step back and let them be a family?”

“That was my plan. He loves them, I know that much. And those girls deserve a normal life. But I also know you’re here to take my gift.”

“Now why would I do that?” Benjamin replied.

“Why wouldn’t you? I’ve broken the rules. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here. You know what happened with Addie.”

“I never said I was here for your gift, AJ. I’m here to assess the situation.”

“Can I ask you, Benjamin, why you didn’t take Rose’s memory?”

Silence again invaded the space surrounding them with even the gentle swaying of the grass lost in the openness. AJ kicked at the ground with his shoes as he wished for the anticipation of the moment to be over. In that moment, he heard the most terrified sounding cry he’d ever encountered followed by the word
help
. It wasn’t audible though – it was merely in his head. He momentarily wondered if it were real, until he noticed Benjamin had reacted to it as well. AJ was off running towards the house at a sprint with Benjamin following as quickly as his antique feet would carry him.

AJ sprinted up the lawn and to the front of Addie’s house, the screen door slamming as he arrived. Gram was just inside the door and quickly tucking Rose behind her. He felt the shroud of evil before he even arrived at the house. While the sensation of discomfort had been lingering with him since earlier in the day, he attributed it to Addie and Robert and now Benjamin.

“Who the hell are you?” he asked the imminent figures across the lawn, although he already knew.

How they’d gotten this far with no one even noticing was beyond him; the group of more than a dozen stood out by looks alone. No one else would have known they were Grims
, but the dark clothing and wild eyes would have been a good indication they weren’t friendly and had no place in Lee.

“Let me introduce myself. My name is Abraham,” the old man said as he stepped through the parting mass of bodies. “I’ve been
… well, let’s just say I’ve been keeping a close tab on you, AJ.”

“And why is that?”

“It seems you’ve taken something from me. And since it can’t be given back to me, I’d love to do the honor of doing you the same favor. So my family here, we’ve come to honor our loved one Devin, by letting you experience the loss of something you really care about.”

“Devin,” AJ whispered. He sized up the crowd and it was by no means anything he could handle. He had incredible strength, yet he hadn’t needed to test it. He was sure, though, that this would be beyond even his capacity.

His mind darted to Gram, Rose, and Addie inside the house and he prayed that Max had enough sense to keep Helen and Matthew inside the B&B, away from the commotion. It was the second time in less than a year AJ looked out in front of him and realized he stood in possibly his last moments on earth; only this time, there wasn’t a group of Healers to protect him against a single Grim. He didn’t care how strong he had grown after defeating Devin. He knew he was not strong enough to beat the hostility braced in front of him. He looked at Benjamin and noted the calmness of the man’s face. Benjamin seemed completely unfazed by the group dynamic and simply nodded at AJ with a smile.

“Yes
, Devin. My son,” Abraham hissed. “Did you think that you could take a life and show it disrespect and have no repercussions?”

“There was no disrespect, Abraham,” AJ stated. “He challenged me and he lost. And in the end, we gave him a proper burial in a now-sacred field, complete with all the rights and prayers of our clans.”

“I find that hard to believe,” the old man snarled. “Don’t you agree, children?” he asked as he turned towards his crew and raised his cane in the air.

He knew the riled crowd wouldn’t believe AJ’s words
, despite the truth in them. They were too worked up and ready to fight.

“Do you think a Healer would take the time to properly lay a sworn enemy to rest?”

The group started in with shouting, encouraging one another and further provoking one another in the process.

“Believe what you want, Abraham. But no matter what you do, it won’t bring Devin back. All it will do is ignite a storm that you aren’t prepared for.”

“Not prepared for? How little you know, son. Do you honestly believe I’d come unprepared? I’ve only brought a small fraction of the army I’ve been building. You see, I’ve been plotting for generations. Not about Devin, mind you. He was simply a bonus casualty that is going to give my little group here a first taste of the larger battle looming ahead. No, no, we’ve been planning a mutiny of sorts for generations as we built an army to overtake Healers and become the more powerful group. How’s that for impressive, Benjamin? Even an old Healer like you can do nothing against me.”

Benjamin stood still and AJ grew slightly irritated at the look of calm upon his face. In the midst of what was brewing, he figured he may need to count on Benjamin to help. That didn’t seem to be a viable option now, he noticed as he sized up the old Healer.

“The elders won’t stand for this, and they’ll stop you before it begins,” AJ replied. He remembered his vision – Addie, Rose, and Gram at a funeral. His funeral, obviously.

“They’ll try, but I’ll be honest: that’s not going to happen. And just because I want to let you see what your people are in for, we’re first going to allow you the opportunity of watching your sweet Addie be the first casualty of war.”

A voice rippled into his mind again. It had never happened before and he wasn’t sure if it was a hallucination or something more powerful. Stranger things had happened and he couldn’t immediately cast doubt on the idea that someone was communicating with him this way.

“The three of you on the swing,”
the voice whispered.

He was reminded of an image he’d had while holding Addie’s hand in the hospital; he, Rose, and Addie on the porch swing years from now. That was a vision of the future and he had been in it. It gave him a new surge of strength to believe that somehow, he made it through today’s battle.

“She’s not mine,” AJ growled, stepping in between Abraham and the house. “I’m a Healer and I’ve chosen this life instead of a life of love. She’s not mine to take. I have nothing, quite frankly, and you’re welcome to one hundred percent of that.”

“I’m not sure about that either, AJ. You seem a little too defensive of this family. Not to mention your dear enemy
, Robert, has been kind enough to fill me in on exactly how much you love her. So much so, according to him, that he was willing to turn the other cheek, so to speak, to have you disappear so that he can have her all for himself.”

Anger rushed through him. He’d been defending Robert to the elder, encouraging everyone to leave the Grim alone
, and let him live the life he came back to live. Robert had betrayed him. AJ was angry for having opened himself to the notion that Robert was different, despite what had happened to Addie, and he’d been played. His breathing picked up as the adrenaline kicked in. His muscles flexed and revealed the physical strength housed in the Healer. While he’d always been in shape, the newfound powers combined with hours spent cleaning up the fields, had increased everything about him.

“I’m not going to say it again. Leave them alone.”