“Tom, what the hell are you doing?” Regent Landry’s voice blared over the compiece in his ear. “Drag the information out of him, or I’ll send in someone who will!”
“Okay, I’m done with you, Calan. Either tell me where UnderHisWings is, or I’ll have no choice but to order your execution.”
Calan smiled. “Do what you must, Thomas. I’ve done what the Lord asked of me. I’ve finished my race. Now I’m ready to die for my King.”
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4
Chapter 31
Thomas could hardly believe he was, once again, witnessing the brutal execution of a friend. Not that Calan was a good friend, but he was a friend of Tori’s and a man who had risked himself for Thomas, a good man by all observations.
So, with a heart as heavy as a brick, he limped into the observation room and was not at all surprised to find Sergeant Cruz there, along with Regent Landry. They both had advocated to crucify Calan, make a spectacle of him for other Deviant leaders to witness, but Thomas had been able to talk them down from such an agonizing death. From his experience, it only emboldened the Deviants, impassioned them to continue with their cultish beliefs in order to make the martyr’s death count for something. Or so he argued.
Thankfully, though Sergeant Cruz protested, Landry had agreed, and now Calan was to be beheaded. At least it would be quick and painless.
Yet when Thomas turned toward the one-way window and saw Calan enter the room held up by two guards, he realized the painless part was only a dream. One of Calan’s eyes was swollen shut, a gash slashed his left cheek, blood dripped from a wound on his head and from several deep cuts on his arms, and the nails had been ripped from his fingers. In addition, he limped and pressed a hand over his stomach as if he’d been punched. Several times.
Thomas faced Landry. “Who ordered this?”
Sergeant Cruz chuckled. “Told you he cared about this Deviant.”
Landry leveled a hardened gaze at Cruz, silencing the lad, before he turned to Thomas. “I did. His arrogance needed crushing, and I wanted one last chance to get some information out of him. Even gave him some drugs to make him talk. Nothing worked.” He huffed. “He’s a strong one.” He faced the window again. “Your time with the Deviants has made you soft.”
Tightening his jaw, Thomas withheld a growl. He had to be careful, or he’d be the next one led to the guillotine.
Calan glanced up at the window, knowing he was being watched. A slight smile curved his bloodied, swollen lips as the guards shoved him forward. He fell to his knees, crying out in pain.
Thomas clenched his fists.
Yanking him to his feet, the guards positioned him before the guillotine as the executioner read Calan’s list of crimes—treasons against the NWU, spreading lies and insurrection, belonging to an illegal cult. Thomas had heard it all before. Many times, in fact, for the many Deviants he’d sent to their deaths.
Through the reading, Calan merely stood, calmly, serenely, as if he were waiting in line for coffee.
Just like Daniel had done.
“I give you one last chance to save your life,” the executioner said. “Reveal the location of the Deviant hideout, deny Jesus, submit to Lord Aali, and take his mark of allegiance.”
Calan chuckled, or at least it sounded like a chuckle as a mixture of spit and blood dribbled from his mouth. Thomas moved a little to the left for a better look at his expression.
Hewassmiling!Just like Daniel had been.
“Can’t do that,” Calan said. “Jesus is the one true God, the only way to eternal life. Why would I trade that for a Mark that leads to hell?”
Frowning, the executioner shook his head in disgust. “You are all alike. Fools!” He nodded for the guards to force him back to his knees and place his head in the guillotine block.
“I forgive you!” Calan shouted. “I forgive you, Thomas and Kyle, and all of you!”
The guards laughed. The executioner snorted.
Landry shook his head. “Good riddance to this Deviant.”
Grinning, Kyle crossed arms over his chest.
A sour taste rose in Thomas's throat. Along with a suffocating clump of confusion and horror.
“Receive my spirit, Lord Jesus,” Calan said. “I am coming home.”
