Sara had been anxiously waiting inside the dark confines of the shed when she heard the pop of the first gunshot, and a sickening feeling immediately washed over the girl. Despite the pain in her injured ankle, she used the 30.06 rifle like a crutch and climbed to her feet. She moved as fast as she could, but she was barely a quarter of the way across the courtyard when the second shot rang out, and, imagining the worst, Sara could not stop herself from screaming the boy’s name at the top of her lungs.
“Sawyer!”
The girl’s cry rose above the echo of the last gunshot, and as the sound of his name reverberated in the cool night air, the boy that Sara loved more than life itself suddenly opened his eyes.
For several moments, Sawyer did nothing but stare straight ahead. He did not move. He did not speak. He did not breathe. He could not believe what he was seeing. Lying on the ground only a few feet away from him was the body of Rebekah, her dead eyes wide open, the small pistol still gripped tightly in her hand. A single bullet hole was in the center of her forehead, and standing behind her, a smoking pistol in his hand, was none other than Edward. The man looked down at Sawyer and nodded one time.
“Hello, Sawyer. I can’t tell you how good it is to see you.”
The boy was almost too stunned to speak, but his instincts were still sharp, and he let his hand drift over to the shotgun resting beside him. He looked up at Edward and shook his head.
“I don’t understand. You saved my life? You killed Rebekah? But why?”
Edward stood where he was, the gun still in hand, neither one of them venturing a movement or a word. For a moment, they sat like two ancient sculptures, Edward tall and menacing, a weapon of death in his hands, Sawyer the fallen hero, his existence hanging in the balance. Ultimately, it was Edward who broke the long silence.
“You want to really know why I killed Rebekah? Well, the straightforward answer is because she deserved it. She would have killed you had I not intervened, and I simply couldn’t let that happen, not in good conscience. She gave me no other choice but to do what I did. So, I did it. Good riddance, if you ask me.”
He spat on the ground beside her body and winked over at Sawyer.
“The only downside is that the devil gets another bride, but at least we know she’s going to make his life a living hell.”
If Sawyer wasn’t in such pain he might have laughed at the man’s unexpected jest, but instead he simply let Edward keep on talking.
“Look, son. There’s something you need to understand. I’ve always been on your side, and I should have been honest with you since day one. Rebekah played us all. I always knew that she was hungry for power, but if I had even the slightest idea that it would come to this, to outright murder, I would have been the first to try and stop it. The fact is that she tried to kill us both tonight, and we’re sure as hell lucky to be alive.”
Sawyer hesitated another moment before finally speaking, not sure what to believe. His index finger had found the trigger on the Mossberg. The safety was already off.
“That’s not what Rebekah told me. She said that it was you. She said that tonight was your idea all along.”
Edward was unshaken.
“I had nothing to do with this, son. You know me, and you know her. Whatever she told you is just a plain lie. Not the first to come out of her mouth, that is for certain—but I think you know that already.”
Sawyer took a deep breath. He calculated that it would only take him a half-second to raise the shotgun and fire, but he was not quite ready yet.
“I know that Rebekah couldn’t be trusted, but I guess that can be true of almost anyone, don’t you think, Edward?”
Edward nodded. He looked down at the shotgun.
“I think that is true. But the real question here is whether you and I can trust each other. Am I right about that?”
Sawyer cocked his chin up and locked eyes with the man, answering the question with one of his own.
“You are right about that. So why don’t you give me a reason to trust you? First off, where did you get the gun?”
Edward looked down at the pistol in his hand and slowly ejected the clip. He cleared the gun and tossed the magazine over to Sawyer. Both the pistol and the clip were obviously empty.
“I’ve kept this pistol with only a single shot in it hidden from Rebekah since the beginning. I wasn’t sure who that one bullet was meant for, but now I’m starting to think that God had a plan all along.”
Sawyer tossed the empty clip back to Edward. The man re-inserted the clip and threw the gun a few feet away. Sawyer nodded and leveled the shotgun at the man’s chest.
“All right. I believe you, now why don’t you also tell me everything you know about the gold? Tell me the truth about the bunker at Pendleton? And about the Crows.”
The man allowed a small smile, the wrinkles in his face lining up one on top of another.
“So, it sounds like Rebekah’s been busy spinning yarns once again. I’m not surprised. But the real question is, did you believe her?”
“I don’t know. People say a lot of things when a knife is pressed against their throat. But then again, she was very specific. People also say the devil is in the details, and she gave me details.”
Edward pushed out his bottom lip out and nodded.
“Fair enough, Sawyer. I do have a story to tell, but you’re bleeding pretty badly from that gunshot wound, not to mention your arm. We should get you patched up, and then I will tell you everything that I know.”
Sawyer shook his head.
“No. You’ll tell me now. Besides, we’re about as safe right here as we’re going to get. Rebekah, and Benjamin, and all of her men are dead—all but maybe one of them. But that’s what we’re going to find out, aren’t we, Edward?”
Edward raised his hands into the air just as Sara pushed through the gate. She took one look at the boy and let out a lengthy sigh, her bottom lip beginning to tremble.
“Sawyer! You’re alive. I heard gunshots and I thought the worst. Are you OK?”
She hobbled over to Sawyer and helped him to stand up. Sawyer wanted nothing more than to grab the girl and kiss her a thousand times, but he kept the shotgun aimed at Edward.
“I’m all right, I think. At least for now.”
Slowly, the girl looked down at the body of the dead woman lying a few feet away. Her dark eyes went wide.
“Oh my god. Rebekah. She’s dead. What happened?”
Sawyer glanced down at Rebekah’s still open eyes and shuddered.
“She tried to kill me, but Edward stopped her before she could finish the job. I’ll tell you everything else as soon as I can, but right now I need some information.”
The boy took a step toward Edward.
“I want to know the truth about what went on at the base. I want to know everything about Rebekah, about the Cult, the bunker, and about your part in all of this. If I’m satisfied that you’ve been honest, then you have my word that I’ll let you walk away from here. If not, and I think you’re lying, you’ll never take another step again. Do we have a deal, Edward?”
The man nodded.
“Yes, Sawyer. We have a deal.”
“Good. I’m not going to lie, I’ve always liked you, Edward, but you better have a damn good story to tell.”
Edward took a deep breath.
“I feel the same about you both, and I do have a story to tell. What Rebekah said to you on that first night was true. We did meet on the base, but it was no happy occasion. Up until about a few weeks before the blackout, I was working at Pendleton as a civilian consultant, but as soon as I was identified as immune to the virus, everything changed. Next thing I know, they are testing me like some damn lab rat, and they threw me in with Rebekah and her flock. You heard that it was called ‘Paradise’, but it was far from it. Not long after that, the grid went down, and by the time the brass declared the whole mission FUBAR and abandoned the base, Rebekah was already in full control.”
Edward looked up at the sky and shook his head as if he were re-living every moment.
“You see, Rebekah had brainwashed her brother and the remaining survivors to believe that they were the chosen ones, and they controlled the food, the water, and the few guns that had been left behind. There were thirteen immune survivors at the beginning, but within a month, anyone who disagreed with Rebekah was either dead or disappeared somehow. The truth is, I was never one of her blind followers—she knew that—but unlike the others, I had something to bargain with. If not, Rebekah would have let her flock string me up long ago.”
“Let me guess. You used the gold and everything else in that bunker to bargain for your life?”
Edward nodded.
“I did whatever I had to do, but yes. That bunker, and the rumor of gold inside it, was the best bargaining chip that I had. And that’s what it was, a rumor—but it was one that people wanted to believe. Just after the base was abandoned, there was talk among the survivors that the military had secret bunkers stockpiled with greenbacks, weapons, fuel, food, vehicles, and even gold, all of it buried somewhere on Pendleton. Part of it was actually true, and I knew enough about it to make Rebekah believe I knew a hell of a lot more than I really did, and because of that, she kept me alive. Alive, but on a very short leash.”
Sawyer looked back at Edward, his eyebrows raised as he questioned the story for the first time.
“Rebekah kept you alive because of a rumor you told her? Those gold bars she gave all of us looked like the real thing to me. Where did those come from? And why didn’t you just walk away if life on the base was so terrible.”
“The gold bars she gave you were real, and there was always some truth to what I was telling her. The fact is, there is an underground bunker that was once filled with gold, and much more than just that, but it’s empty now. The military made sure of that before they left. As for not walking away, well, some might say that I didn’t have the courage to strike out on my own. Whether you believe it or not, Sawyer, not everyone can handle being alone.”
The boy nodded, but he knew there was more to the story, and he waited. Edward looked down for a moment as if ashamed, but he continued speaking.
“In the confusion of the first round of evacuations at the base, I had the opportunity to access that bunker several times in the weeks before I was quarantined, and I took what I could. It wasn’t right, and I’m not proud of it, but it in the long run it saved my life, and I was able to use the bars I took to convince Rebekah that there was more gold to be had—if only we could get inside the bunker, of course.”
“And she believed you?”
“Well, let’s just say that she definitely wanted to believe me. Rebekah’s entire world revolved around the idea of being chosen by God, and she saw herself as the only one who would rebuild his kingdom here on Earth. Not incorrectly, she recognized that gold would be the standard currency once society began to rebuild, and she was desperate to have that kind of power at her fingertips. Every day, I stayed alive by telling her that I was working to break the codes that we would need to access the lower levels of the bunker.”
“And let me guess—you never did?”
“No. I don’t know the first thing about code breaking, but neither did she, or anyone else, and as long as I scribbled numbers and algorithms in my notebook all day, she believed I was making progress. That worked for a time, but when our food and water started running dangerously thin, and things started getting desperate last summer, I knew that I was the next head on the chopping block.”
“How did you know that?”
“She told me as much only days before we came here. She said that if I didn’t get that bunker open by the end of the season, I was a dead man. But the next thing you know, we woke up to see a huge plume of smoke on the horizon, and just like that, she hatches a new plan. She never gave me any specifics, but I had no choice but to agree to come here with her. I’m a God-fearing man, Sawyer, but I’m no zealot, and Benjamin and the other men never trusted me. The fact of the matter is that it was only Rebekah, and her desire for the gold, that was keeping me alive in the first place, and I knew that if I stayed behind, one of those boys would kill me within the first hour that she was gone.”
Sawyer took a deep breath. He still wanted more information from Edward.
“How much of her plan did she share with you? Did you know she planned on trying to murder us?”
“No, and I never expected her to take it this far. I knew that she would try and convert you all and assume whatever power she could, but I couldn’t imagine that she would do something like this. I can only assume she must have sent her brother down to the base to collect those boys. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Benjamin in a few days—just long enough to make it there and back again.”
“OK. But that doesn’t explain why you didn’t warn us in the first place. Why didn’t you tell us the truth about Pendleton?”
“Well, I guess I was being selfish. Once I was here, I wanted to stay at the Mission, regardless of what Rebekah and Benjamin were planning. Think about it, Sawyer. If I were to have told you the truth—that Rebekah and Benjamin believed a holy war was on the horizon, and that they were hell-bent on converting you at all costs—would you have let us stay? Not to mention the fact that there were also three more brain-washed whack-jobs back at the base, just waiting for Rebekah to summon them here. Would you really believe that I had nothing to do with it? You would have thrown us all out, if not worse.”
Sawyer nodded, realizing that Edward was right as the man continued.
“I swear that I didn’t know they had planned to do any of this. In fact, I was sound asleep in my bed when they came, but as soon as I heard that first gunshot and saw Dawson and Jeb standing outside my door, I was up and out the back window within seconds. It was Jeb that came after me, but I lost him in the dark and headed straight downtown. I knew all about their secret meeting place behind the old theater—and I guess you did, too. I waited for them there, but you showed up first.”
Sawyer raised his eyebrows.
“You were there? But if you saw me, why didn’t you say something?”
“I wanted to warn you right then and there, but I was tucked into the bushes, and before I could move, Jeb and Jesse showed up. Next thing I know, Jeb is dead, and then you disappeared after Jesse into the trees. By that time, I knew better than to follow you into the fog and get myself killed, too, so I stayed where I was, not altogether surprised when you came trudging back instead of Jesse. Even then, I figured that it was no time to come jumping out of the bushes, so I watched as you dumped Jeb and waited for Rebekah. To be honest, I thought you would kill her right then and there, and I was very surprised when you let her walk away. I will not ask, or pretend to know, why you let her live, but I do know exactly how that woman thinks, and as quick as you walked away, she doubled back and came creeping up on you, that tiny pistol in her hand. I tried to catch up to her before she caught up to you, but she was a step ahead. I’m just glad I got there in time to put that single bullet in her head before it was too late.”
“So, you shot her only to save my life? Not because you wanted Rebekah dead yourself?”
Edward allowed another small smile to cross his lips.
“Well, I can’t rightly argue that last point, but my guess is that, under the same circumstances, you would have done the same for me.”
Sawyer thought for a moment before he answered.
“Under the same circumstances, yeah, I just might have. But let me get all of this straight. What you are saying is that the gold is gone, you had nothing to do with this attack, and that everything else that Rebekah told me is a lie?”
“Yes and no. I had nothing to do with this attack, that is fact, but the gold is something else altogether. Look, son, the story behind that gold has helped to keep me alive for all this time, but even Rebekah needed more than just a few bars to keep her satisfied. In the end, I turned over my entire stockpile to her: a leather satchel with fifty, one-thousand-gram bars in total. Rebekah did not trust anyone back at the base, and she had us cart it here with us when we came. I wish I could prove it to you, but to be honest, I don’t even know what became of it. I think she buried it somewhere outside the Mission, but I don’t have the slightest idea where.”
Sawyer looked over at Sara. They were both surprised that Edward would mention the satchel so specifically, but the girl nodded as if satisfied. Sawyer looked back to Edward.
“But what about the Cult of the Crow? Was Rebekah telling the truth about them or not?”
Edward sighed.
“There is some truth in what Rebekah said, and the Crows do still exist in small numbers. I’ve seen them with my own eyes, and they’re not to be underestimated. Rumor has it that some of them were not naturally immune like us, that the military was involved somehow, but as for any war between good and evil, that’s something only the man upstairs can predict.”
Sawyer kept his eyes locked on Edward.
“So, what now, Edward? I believe that you’ve told us the truth, and I do appreciate what you’ve done for me, but I’m not sure what else there is to say.”
“Well, I did what I thought was right, but I should have never let Rebekah take it this far, and for that, I’m sorry. But before I go, there is one thing I might ask, Sawyer—something that you have every right to deny me, should you so decide.”
“All right, Edward. What is it?”
“The past is behind us now, Sawyer. Rebekah is dead, and what I want is the chance to make it all up to you. Truth is, I’ve got nowhere else to go, no one else to call a friend, and I’d like a chance to be a part of something that is real and good.”
“What does that mean, exactly? What are you trying to ask me, Edward?”
“I only want one thing, Sawyer. I want to remain here at the Mission. I want to stay here, until time, circumstances, or you say otherwise. I’m on your side, Sawyer. I always have been. I think you have something good going on here, and I would proud to be a part of it all. Please just consider it. I will respect your answer, even if it’s not what I want to hear.”
Sawyer stared deep into Edward’s eyes, and he saw nothing to make him question the man’s word. He looked over at Sara. She nodded at him one time, and he knew it was his decision to make. He looked back to Edward and lowered the shotgun.
“I appreciate that, Edward, and that respect is a major reason why I am considering taking a chance on you. But before I can do that, if you really do want to stay with us, there are two conditions, and they are both non-negotiable.”
“Of course, Sawyer. What are they?”
“First, I need to tell you something that I am guessing you don’t know. Jacob is dead. He didn’t make it out of the house before it collapsed, and Mason has run away. For now, it’s just Sara and I.”
Edward looked stunned and saddened. He looked over at Sara and bowed his head.
“I’m sorry to hear that. My condolences for your loss, Sara.”
Sara finally lowered her gun and nodded. Sawyer put his hand on her shoulder and looked back to Edward.
“This leads us to the first condition.”
“Of course, Sawyer. What is it?”
“Sara and I are not looking for someone to take over for Jacob. She doesn’t need a father figure, and I don’t need someone telling me what is best for me or for the Mission. I know that I’m young, but I’ve been on my own for a long time, and this place is my home. With Jacob gone, it’s my responsibility now. I need to know that you understand where I am coming from.”
Edward looked Sawyer square in the eyes.
“I completely understand, Sawyer. I only hope that I can serve as a resource for you when you need it, but otherwise, I will be happy to follow your lead, no questions asked.”
The boy took a deep breath and studied the man’s face for a moment before he spoke again.
“Good. That’s what I needed to hear.”
“And the second condition?”
Sawyer shifted his gaze up and stared into Edward’s eyes.
“Well, the second condition is simple, Edward. It doesn’t have to be today, or tomorrow, but promise me that someday before too long, you will tell me the real story about the bunker, and the gold.”
At that moment, Edward realized just how exceptional the boy truly was, and he could not help but crack a wry smile.
“Not much gets by you, does it, Sawyer?”
The boy shook his head.
“No, not much.”
“Well, that sounds like more than a reasonable deal to me, and I promise to tell you everything you want to know—in due time, of course.”
Edward stepped forward and extended his hand to Sawyer. Sawyer shook the man’s hand.
“Thanks again, young man. I promise not to let you and Sara down.”
The boy nodded and Sara looked up at Edward.
“And thank you, Edward. Thank you for saving Sawyer’s life.”
Edward winked at the girl and gave them both a look of genuine thanks.
“You are most welcome, Sara, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you both taking a chance on me. I sure as hell don’t claim to see the future, but with God as my witness, I see bright days ahead of us.”
Edward smiled, but as Sawyer looked over at Sara’s tear-streaked face, Rebekah’s dead body, and the column of smoke still rising from Jacob’s fiery tomb, the boy did not feel the same, and with the dappled light of the moon dancing in his emerald-green eyes, Sawyer looked up to the sky and sighed one final time.
“I pray to God that you’re right, Edward, and that our future is bright. Because right now, with so much pain, death, and destruction all around us, all I can see is another dark tomorrow.”