Brigends (The Final War Series Book 1) (21 page)

She relaxed her arms and let them naturally sway while they strolled through the passages with her hand nonchalantly brushing his. He didn’t perceive exactly when their fingers ended up intertwined, but he didn’t pull away when he eventually noticed. There was a connection developing between them and he didn’t know exactly what to label it.

What was it about this irritating woman that bonded them?

It wasn’t her attractiveness. In fact, she was in phenomenal shape for a woman her age, and she could be charming when she wasn’t acting like a dink. No, the bond was more like that of a sibling or maybe an aunt. The innocence of walking hand in hand was the most relaxed he had been in a long time. He accepted there was nothing awkward about it whatsoever.

He wiggled his hand. “You doing better, old lady?”

“Yeah.”
“Wanna talk about it?”

“Yes... and no. There’s something I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know how to bring it up or how you would take it.”

“What is it? Tell me.”

Having to say what needed to be said scared her. How would he react? She couldn’t avoid it any longer, she had to make the leap of faith. “Max, I’m —”

“Have you told him the truth?” Emil interrupted, catching both of them off guard.

“What?” she responded, dazed by his sudden appearance.

“Did you tell him about Patti?”

“What about her?” Max asked.

“He has a right to know.”

“What the muck is he talking about?”
She held on to his hand, even as he tried to break away. “Max, I’m sorry. The only reason we made it here safe is because Patti —”

Max ripped his hand from hers. “What are you saying?”

“Max, please listen to me. Okay? Let me explain.”

“Chacon! What happened to Patti?”

“She lured the assassin away from your trail, kid,” Emil cut in. “She tricked the Zolarian into coming after her instead of us.”

Zoe wanted to punch him in the face. She reached for Max, but he wouldn’t let her near him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean —”

He ran, refusing to listen to her. The walls were moving. His heart raced.

I gotta get out of here
!

Every damn corridor looked the same. He twisted and turned, trying to remember how he got there. He eventually picked a route and headed in what he hoped was the way out.

Halfway, he crossed Tank’s path. He shot his old friend an ugly stare.

“Hey, what’s the problem?” the giant asked, oblivious to the commotion.

Max stopped and got in his face. “Why didn’t you tell me about Patti? I thought you were my friend.”

“I’m sorry. I promised her I wouldn’t —”

“Save it! Everyone lies to me... even you...” He ran.

Zoe caught up, but he had already disappeared. “Max?”

Tank grabbed her arm. “Let him go. I know how he gets. He ain’t listening.”

She pushed his hand off and was about to give chase, but the Old Man appeared and blocked the hall.

“Zoe,” he said. “Let him go.”

“No, I won’t!”

“You have to. What he chooses to do now is up to him.”

Looking at her friends gathering, she struggled to heed the advice. Emil approached and her rage found its mark. “You son of a bitch!”

Tank held her firmly, but the small woman was too strong for him. “Whoa. Calm down, Chica.”

“You did this!”

The General had no defense. He realized too late what he meant to do by stirring up turmoil. Seeing her spitting his hatred back at him knocked a little compassion into his stubborn head.

“I’m sorry. I was out of line.” The apology was genuine.

She didn’t care. She shoved past the giant and put as much ground between her and Emil as she could.

The drama died and everyone went their separate ways. Everyone that is, except for Emil. He didn’t budge.

The Old Man found him in the last place he looked — near the main gate. The boy had tried to leave, but the sentry blocked him. Not in the mood for a fight, he opted to sit on the edge of the field, staring at nothing in particular while fiddling with the nape of his hair.

“Pardon me, young man, but can you tell me where I might find the infirmary?”

Max shifted and pointed in a general direction just so he could be rid of the interloper’s distraction.

Ancient eyes squinted, pretending to search where the kid was directing. “Do you mean over there?”

“No,” he said annoyed. “I think it’s down those stairs. You see that thing over there?”

“Hmm — no. Would you mind showing me?”

Max rolled to his feet. “It’s over here. Come on.”

“Oh bless you.” He followed the youngster on the cobblestone path, limping and grunting more than he should have while trying to keep up. Max heeded the discomfort and slowed his pace.

When they got to the bunker, the Old Man chimed, “I hope I’m not bothering you. Back there you looked so serious.”

“I got a lot on my mind.”

“What would someone your age have to worry about?”

“Same old crap.”

Max offered an arm and they took the steps one at a time.

“I get it. Girl problems?”

“In a way.”

“Want to talk about it? I’ve been told I’m a great listener. Don’t let this wrinkled face trick you. In my day, I was quite a lady’s man.” It was an obvious fib.

They made it to the bottom. “I’m probably the only guy with this kind of girl problems.”

“Every man says that sooner or later. Trust me, you haven’t seen how bad it really gets.”

“How about this? I’m surrounded by women who are driving me crazy. Three of them.”

“Poor you. What I would’ve given to have your problem when I was your age. How bad can it really be?”

“Bad.”

“Oh?”

“There’s this girl — a real star. She’s part of the reason I’m here.”

“Do you like her?”

“Well, yeah, she’s amazing. Nothing like any girl I’ve met before.” He was about to say something else, but chose to keep it to himself. “It doesn’t matter anyhow.”

“Is that it?”

“No. There’s also this woman. She’s my mother — just not my real one.”

“What’s her story? Why are you worrying about her?”

“I think something bad happened.”

“Why don’t you go and check?”

“I wish I could.”

“What’s stopping you?”

“There’s this other woman —“

“My gracious. Another one? Oh, that’s right, you said three didn’t you?”

“No, it’s not like that. This one is way too old. I didn’t like her at first, but now... I don’t know. She’s a real pain in the ass.”

Their feet never missed a step.

“I met her the other night. She hired me to do a job. The money was good, so I agreed to take it. But, I didn’t know what I was getting into. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not a bad person, but I swear sometimes I feel like hitting her.”

“And what does she have to do with the woman you’re worrying about?”

“I don’t know. I want to go and check on her, but it don’t feel right running off and leaving the girl alone here. She needs me more than Patti does. It’s crazy. Then, there’s the other one — you know the older chick.”

Max wasn’t conscious of the fact he was being led, not the other way around. They got to a part of the underground absent of people.

“I’m sure a grown woman can take care of herself long enough for you to go check on Patti — right? And, this girl you’re smitten with, she’s safe here. You could leave and no one would be the wiser.”

“Yeah, but I tried already. The craphead at the gate wouldn’t let me leave. So, I gave up. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing by running off.”

“What does your gut tell you?”

“My gut? My gut gets me in trouble a lot. Patti’s mad at me, because that’s all I do. She says I don’t think.”

“She sounds like a wise lady, Max.”

“I suppose — hey! How do you know my name?”

“There’s not much that happens here in Agarha I’m not aware of.”

They stopped. “You’re the old guy Zoe talked about, aren’t you?”

“I guess. How many old men have you seen here?”

“You’re like wise and stuff, right?”

“I’ve been called such back in the day, except always with
ass
at the end of it.”

Max laughed, easing his angst. “What do you think I should do? You know, about the women.”

“It’s not for me to decide. You have to make your own choices.”

“I can’t. Every time I do, I muck up.”

“Max, you’re a bright boy. I think your gut instinct is more about telling yourself what you need to do. You only get in trouble when you hesitate to question the reason why.”

“What about the other one? I don’t think she wants me to leave.”

“It’s not her choice, is it? It’s not like she’s your mother.”

“No, but she sure acts like it.”

“Make your choice. Zoe is a big girl. She’ll understand.”

“But —”

“Hey, I’m a smart old man, remember? If you can’t take my advice, who can you?” He pointed at a door. “You mind opening it for me?”

Max swung the door open to expose a long dark tunnel. “This isn’t the infirmary.”

“No. This route runs parallel to the way you came in. Halfway up it runs into the other one. Make your choice.”

He patted the boy’s hand and left him there to grapple with the insecurities that have plagued him his whole life. Max was more jumbled than ever.

What should I do
?

His gut said,
go
.

He hesitated, but for once he consciously listened to his instincts. Taking the hidden path to the surface, he prayed that he wasn’t too late.

Making a deal with the devil

A block from the brownstone, Max cut the bike’s engine and coasted to the front stoop. He knew better than to use the door. Just like with the Lounge, there was more than one entrance — some that were only known to him.

He entered through the secret panel under the staircase. The lights were off and the air passive. He detected a soft rhythmic thumping coming from upstairs. Not concerned for his safety, he flew to the second level.

In the partial darkness, he discovered Scar’s body on the floor just inside the doorway of the study. Lamplight from the room draped a pastel shroud over the corpse. Max stayed in the shadows as he checked for signs of life. The man’s death filled him with dread.

He couldn’t call out to her for fear of jeopardizing her safety if she was in hiding. He eased into the room, mindful not to disturb the dead. He went to the desk and enhanced the light. When he turned, he saw Patti splayed on the chaise. He fell to her, hoping beyond reason she was still alive.

“Patti! Patti!” he cried as he examined her. It was as he feared. Pulling her into his arms, he shook her body. “No.”

Blood-tears flowed.
This is it
.
There’s no making this right
.
What have I done
?

He held her close and collapsed into desolation. If he could have laid beside the evidence of his worthlessness and wasted away until joining her in death, he would have done so freely.

It was in this same room, on this same lounger, when he was a child in need of consoling, he could come and find her arms always inviting. He would lie with her and listen to her sing melodies to scare away the monsters chasing him. Patti’s comforting hug always did the trick. Those monsters never found him so long as he could rest his head on her bosom and hear her heart beat to the song’s tempo.

One big bright moon

shining in the room.

Hello there

Hello there

With two little mockingbirds

singing outside pretty words.

Tweety tweet

Tweety tweet

Above three cute kittens

licking their dirty mittens.

Purry purr

Purry purr

Inside four scampering mice

play in their cubby thrice.

Squeaky squeak

Squeaky squeak

Counting five gentle goodnights

for one sweet little kiddie

cuddling softly with a loving mommy.

Nighty night

Nighty night

The fond lullaby did not bring him solace, only more anguish. He rocked her in his arms and hummed the song.

Kroll waited in a black corner, quietly observing. Max’s torment was a concept he could not identify with; it was an unknowable mystery to him. Yet, he saw the boy’s pain as valuable.

Humans are easily controlled when they are at their most vulnerable.

His movements were fog and no average man would detect him unless he permitted it. He chose the right moment to reveal his presence.

Max rested Patti on the cushion. Fueled by wrath, he lunged. Anticipating the violence, the demon froze him with a slight gesture. Max knelt on the floor, unable to move.

“Typical human reaction, allowing emotion to guide you.” He released the boy from the psionic grip.

Undeterred, Max slammed him against the wall. With one hand clutching the throat, he lifted the villain off the floor with herculean might. “I’ll kill you!”

The assassin didn’t resist, allowing the fury to surface. If he had not formed an energy barrier against the crushing grip, he surmised the boy could have pulled his head off with one firm tug. But, hesitation restrained the vicious attack.

Kroll gasped for air. “Then do it... you are many... things, but you... not... a killer.”

Max’s fingers tightened around the windpipe. He wanted to kill, but the more he willed himself to destroy the murderer, the more his better angel held him back. He released the demon and stumbled to the desk, hating himself for not being able to avenge Patti. “Go ahead and get it over with,” he pleaded.

“I am afraid you misunderstand me,” Kroll said, massaging his throat. “Why would I waste someone such as you?”

“What?”

“You are a realist, Mr. Zander. That is a rarity in today’s society.”

“What are you going to do with me?”

“I believe you and I can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

“I’ll never make a deal with you.”

“No? Think. What is it you covet the most? A new life elsewhere? Wealth perhaps? Maybe freedom to go where you want without restrictions and to do whatever you desire?”

The temptations were not finding a buyer.

“All this I can give you. You are a man of no loyalties. These people who have involved you in their conflict mean nothing to you.”

Max wished it was true. He wanted to hate Pavel and Chacon and their damn crusade without remorse. He wanted to hate Zoe most of all.

“Are they worth your energy? Does your false bravado and chivalry matter to them? You have so much to lose by refusing my offer, yet so much to gain by helping me this one and only time. All I want is the girl. Would that ease your conscience?”

“Why do you want Marta?”

“She is a tragic pawn in this sordid affair. I am offering you a chance to correct your mistakes and receive compensation for it in return.”

Max dropped beside the chair and held Patti’s cold hand between his own, as if he could bring heat back to it.

“I understand the reluctance. You cling to an outdated notion of compassion. It is admirable. However, consider why you should stay faithful to those who have deceived you. Where was their loyalty? They never bothered with such steadfast principles themselves. When it came to you, they lived by the ambiguities of their falsehoods. Are these the people you wish to protect?”

The demon knew he had him.

“Did Patti share the same notion of honor as you do? I think not. She was pragmatic. She negotiated for both her life and yours, even going as far as to sacrifice others in the process. It is a shame I was too late to save her. The bounty hunters had extinguished her light before I arrived.”

Was any of what the assassin was saying true? He didn’t know what to believe. The world was upside down and turned inside out. Nothing made sense.

“Am I too late to help you, Mr. Zander? Or will you accept my offer and help save innocent lives?”

Max’s misgivings waged a bitter war. He tore at the emotional barricade forming inside him. Through the veils of grief, he acknowledged that this man stood before him with a hand outstretched, offering a way out of Hell. He rose to his feet with shame crippling his spine.

“Yes. I accept.”

“Very good.” The words sounded evil coming from that mouth.

Kroll touched Max’s shoulder, triumphant in the corruption. Through the jacket, he could feel the monster’s cold flesh. Patti’s dead body was warmer than this soulless creature.

He handed Max a small pen shaped device. “When you find the girl, activate this beacon.”

“What’s going to happen to the others?”

“They are criminals and justice will prevail. Why should you concern yourself with their fates? Your reward and absolution is worth this sacrifice.”

“And Marta? Will she be safe?”

“I give you my word; I will take care of her.” Kroll walked out of the study and into the shadows of the hallway. “I await your signal.”

Max returned to Patti. In death, she appeared at peace, and ignorant of his disgrace. He held her hand against his lips. He questioned if she would condone or condemn what he was about to do. She was many things in life, but who was she in the end? She died protecting him, that much was clear. But, who was the taker of her life? Were Cho’s men to blame? Or, had the assassin lied to him? No matter how he tried to spin it, there was no getting out of this mess with a clean conscience.

She wasn’t around anymore to chase away his monsters. He kissed her one last time and folded her hands together on her belly.

He left the brownstone by way of the front door. He got on the bike, looking back only once. He rode off, never to return.