Apocalypse Cult (Gray Spear Society) (7 page)

"We need a lot more information about the Church of One Soul," she said, "and the most convenient source is Brittany Waters. Where is she?"

"At her parent's house, but the poor girl is traumatized. She's been home for less than a day. I can't imagine her parents would let you talk to her."

"They might let
you
see her. They trust you."

"But I'm not part of your secret society," he said.

"Aaron, we need your help." She looked at him intently. "I know this is coming at you fast, but it's extremely important."

"What is the real threat? What can this cult do?"

"They are an abomination unto God, unfit for His world."

He gave her a skeptical look. "Huh?"

"Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? Destroyed by brimstone and fire. Chicago could get the same treatment if we don't fix this problem quickly."

Chapter Five

Aaron and Marina stood at the front door of the Waters residence.

Marina had insisted they change clothes on the way. They had stopped at a department store where she had purchased new outfits for both of them. Aaron now wore a blue business suit made of polyester, which trapped his sweat and made him itch. She wore a long blue skirt and blouse with a deliberate coffee stain. A steel pin held her hair in a tight knot.

"What's my name?" Marina asked.

"Gretchen Stableford," Aaron said.

"And who do I work for?"

"FBI."

She nodded. "Don't slip and use my real name, ever. Go ahead and knock."

He knocked on the door.

A short while later Frank Waters answered. "Mr. Glade? What are you doing here? We're eating dinner."

"Sorry to interrupt your meal," Aaron said. "This is Ms. Stableford from the FBI. We would like a few minutes with Brittany, please."

Frank looked at Marina curiously. "Why?"

"The Church of One Soul might be violating federal laws," she said in a crisp, professional tone without any hint of her Russian accent. "We're hoping your daughter might have information about the church's activities."

"I don't know. Brittany... isn't well." He shook his head. "Come back later." He began to close the door.

She quickly blocked the door with her foot. "I understand your concern, Mr. Waters. I'm sure her experience was horrific. We'll try to be as quick and gentle as possible."

He frowned.

"If you make me get a subpoena, I'll have to take her downtown for a real interrogation," she said. "I might have a few questions for you, too, while I'm at it. None of us wants that, right?"

He reluctantly led them inside the house. The interior was small, and hundreds of knick-knacks on shelves made the space even tighter. The yellow walls had odd stains in places, perhaps the result of water damage or smoke. The group went down a hall to a door with a padlock on the outside.

"She keeps trying to run away," Frank explained apologetically. "We had no choice." He opened the lock with a key.

When he pushed open the door, the odor of urine made Aaron wrinkle his nose in disgust. Brittany sat on a bed in the center of an otherwise barren room. The windows were broken, and there were security bars on the outside like a prison cell. Brittany wore only a white, sleeveless nightgown.

"We're still trying to get a doctor to come help us," Frank said. "She wrecked her own furniture. When you rescued her, did you notice her arms?"

Aaron walked into the room. Many scars marked both of Brittany's forearms, some old and pink, and some so fresh they were still red. The scars were perfectly parallel, like the ties on railroad tracks.

"She was wearing long sleeves before," Aaron said. "Brittany, who cut you?"

"I did it for Simon," she said proudly. "These scars are badges of love."

He sighed.
Poor girl.

Marina knelt in front of Brittany and said in soothing tones, "Hi, Brittany. My name is Gretchen. May I ask you a few questions?"

"May you go fuck yourself?" Brittany said.

"A pretty girl like you shouldn't use language like that. I just want to know more about Simon. He sounds like a wonderful man."

"He's not just a man. He's the Messiah!"

"Why do you say that?"

Brittany switched into a sing-song pattern of speech. "On five occasions Simon was visited by the angel Sraosha. The first time he learned the true nature of the Earth. The second time he learned the true nature of the heavens. The third time he learned the true nature of plants and animals. The fourth time he learned the true nature of love. The fifth time he learned the true nature of man. He created the Church of One Soul so that we may partake of his wisdom and deliver it to the world."

"Please, tell me more," Marina said.

"Simon's great lesson is that individuality leads to weakness, discord, and decay. Unity is strength. All of us must have the same goals, like the fingers on my hand." She raised her hand and closed it into a tight fist. "We will achieve nirvana only when all selfish thinking is eliminated."

"Who is we?"

"All of humanity. Every man, woman, and child on Earth. We must become a perfect social organism, like the ants or the bees."

Marina leaned forward slightly. "You want to be an ant?"

"They never question or complain," Brittany said. "They do not need money. They have no politics. To an ant, the purest joy is serving the colony." She looked up as if experiencing bliss.

"But a colony needs a queen."

Brittany nodded. "It is fortunate that Simon is the greatest leader the world has ever seen. He will guide all of us, including you."

"Why would we follow him?"

"He has devised a glorious plan to prove that he is the wisest man on Earth. This plan is proceeding as we speak, and even if corrupt governments conspire to thwart him, he will triumph."

"Interesting." Marina furrowed her brow. "What is this plan?"

"I'm too young to receive such profound wisdom. Only the innermost circle of his most loyal disciples is permitted that honor."

"Hmm. You mentioned an angel."

"Sraosha," Brittany said excitedly. "May she light my path with her divine flame of justice!"

"Have you actually met this angel?"

"Only Simon has the strength to stand before Sraosha. My eyes would burn, and my weak, feminine flesh would melt."

"Oh, I'm sure that's not true," Marina said.

The certainty in her voice caught Aaron's attention. Did she know something?

"It's true!" Brittany said. "Simon told us. He would not deceive us."

"Of course. When, exactly, did he meet Sraosha?"

Brittany smiled a little. "The angel comes on the summer solstice every two years. The last visitation was a year ago. These facts are in the writings of Simon." She looked at Marina eagerly. "Do you believe me?"

"I have a very open mind," Marina said.

"My parents don't. They never listen to me."

"Don't be too hard on them. I'm sure they're nice people."

Brittany sneered. "They're stupid, fucking assholes."

Frank grunted angrily and left the room. Marina closed the door behind him.

"Where is Simon now?" she asked.

"He might be at the sanctuary," Brittany said.

"Is that what you call the large compound in the woods?"

"Yes, where this evil man kidnapped me." Brittany pointed at Aaron.

"Do you think I might be able to talk to Simon?" Marina said. "I really want to meet him."

Brittany shook her head. "He sees only those who have proven themselves worthy. Others may seek him, but they never find him."

"That's a shame," Marina pouted.

"If you study his writings diligently and purge all selfish thinking from your mind, maybe you will some day."

"Do I have to cut myself, too?"

Brittany held up her arms. "These scars prove my courage and discipline. The markings on my face are signs of my true devotion."

"Impressive."

"When Simon's plan is complete, the Earth itself shall bear such scars." Brittany stood up. "He will mark the entire world as his own so that none can doubt that he is the leader of all mankind! He will create lakes of fire and blood, and those who have not learned to swim shall drown! Waves of terror shall wash across civilization. You have been forewarned. Join him now while you still have time."

"I'll think about it," Marina replied with a lack of conviction.

"And I will be his queen!" Brittany announced proudly.

"But you're just fifteen."

"He made me his woman several times. Age doesn't matter when there is true love."

Marina made a sour face. "You actually slept with him?"

"Our lovemaking was the perfect union of body and soul. He took me to a special place nearer the Heavens."

"Sounds great. I'm ready to go. Aaron, do you have any questions?"

Aaron shook his head.

They left the bedroom, and he closed the padlock. After saying goodbye to Frank and Caroline Waters, Aaron and Marina went outside together. The sun was setting, but the muggy air still felt like a warm towel hitting him in the face.

They walked on the sidewalk towards his car, a classic Ford mustang with a blue metallic paint job. The car was dented and rusted in spots, and the engine misfired sometimes, but it still ran well enough. One day, when Aaron had more money, he would get it fixed up properly.

"Poor kid," he said. "She is so messed up she doesn't even realize she was raped."

Marina stared straight ahead. "I'm sure she was one of many. Guys like Simon usually keep a harem."

"Should we report him to the cops?"

"No need. My team will deal with him." She smiled a little, but the expression was more cruel than happy.

"Oh." Aaron paused. "What did you think about that angel stuff?"

"Worrisome," she whispered.

"Why? It was just a story."

She grabbed his arm. "I have to go back to our headquarters right now. You can come with me if you want. Ethel already gave her permission."

"Sure," he said. "I want to see the place."

"Not so quick. You can go back to your apartment instead and return to your normal life. You'll never see us again, and if you tell anybody about us, we'll kill you. But as long as you keep your mouth shut, you'll be safe and free. You can get a real job, marry, have kids, and do all the usual stuff that people do. You'll be ordinary."

"Or?"

"Or..." She plucked a dandelion and examined its bright yellow flower. "You can join us forever. No trial period. No quitting. We expect absolute obedience and commitment. Only members are allowed to set foot in headquarters and live."

"I have to decide right now?" he said. "I thought I had 24 hours."

"Circumstances have changed."

"This whole thing is insane."

"It is what it is." She shrugged.

"You have to give me more information," he pleaded.

She furrowed her brow. "I'm sorry. I can't. All I'll tell you is that it's the best job in the universe, and maybe the most dangerous."

Aaron paced back and forth on the sidewalk. The cynic in him kept insisting he should just walk away and be glad he had escaped with his life intact.

On the other hand, his current life was no picnic. Unpaid bills and desperate loneliness waited for him back at his apartment, and his long term prospects were not great, either. The Chicago Police Department had stained his record with enough black marks that he could never work in law enforcement again, at least not officially. He wasn't interested in doing much else. He certainly didn't have the temperament or skills for an office job.

When he looked at Marina's beautiful face, the decision became easier. He wanted to be with her, even if that meant making insane, uninformed, illogical choices.

"I'm in," he said, "all the way."

"Congratulations." She shook his hand. "Welcome to the Chicago cell of the Gray Spear Society. Never speak our name to outsiders. Now, let's hurry. You drive, and I'll give directions."

They climbed into his car, which was parked on the street.

As he started the engine, he asked, "Where to?"

"Downtown, intersection of Lower Wacker Drive and Wabash."

Aaron drove off, excited that he would finally get some answers. Now that he had made his big decision, he felt more relaxed. Adventure lay ahead, and there was no turning back, so he might as well just enjoy the ride.
I'm in the Gray Spear Society, whatever that is.

"Can I ask questions now?"

"Not quite yet," Marina said. "Ethel likes to do the big introduction speeches, and she'll be mad if I steal her thunder. I'll tell you a few things though. As you already know, Ethel is your commander, and she runs the cell. Her title is
decurion
. Follow her orders and
don't
talk back. She hates insubordination. Victor, you, and I are called
legionnaires
. We do all the field work. We're like the secret agents."

"Are those words Roman?"

"Yes. We're an ancient society. Our cell also has some
caculas
or assistants, who you will meet at headquarters. Technically, they work for you, but I strongly recommend you treat them with respect. Some day you might need them to go the extra mile and a half to save your ass."

"Got it." He nodded.

"That's our entire cell. Don't talk about our business with anybody else, under any circumstances, period. Not your mother, your drinking buddy, or your ex-wife. If you break that rule, the consequences will be worse than you can imagine, and not just for you."

"Are there other cells?"

"The Gray Spear Society protects the entire planet. There are seven divisions, each commanded by a
legatus legionis.
We're in the North American division, which encompasses the entire continent. There are twenty-two cells in our division, and each cell is responsible for a specific territory. The Chicago territory goes from the top of Minnesota to the bottom of Illinois, including Wisconsin. We're responsible for roughly ten million people. Our tiny team has to protect them all."

This is huge.
Aaron thought. "Protect them from what?"