The blaring voice continued. Memories of the past few days barged into his peace like MMA fighters, knocking out all hope and joy.
Thomas opened one eye to see Tori, open Bible in her lap, head bowed in prayer.
The racket continued.
Baby Callie began to squeal.
“Citizens, the latest NWU WHO vaccine is now available. This will protect you from the Apollo Variant rampaging the world, along with a host of other contagions. All citizens must receive this vaccine. For a list of NWU Medical Centers near you, go to the NWU website for your region.”
A messenger drone! And it was close. Surely it knew where they were hiding!
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Revelation 13:16-17
Chapter 14
Thomas rose slowly and made his way to one of the windows. He couldn’t remember when he’d fallen asleep, but it couldn’t have been more than a few hours ago. Every inch of him ached, and the thought of having to run from some armed drone made him hurt all the more.
Tori dashed to his side.
“Don’t worry, it’s just a messenger drone. They don’t know we are here.”
She said it with such confidence, he allowed a wave of relief to sweep through him.
Brianna joined them at the window, jostling Callie in her arms. “Another vaccine? When will it stop?”
“When they implement the Mark.” Tori brushed hair from her face.
“What Mark?” Thomas asked.
Callie began to fuss, and Brianna excused herself to nurse her.
“The Mark of the Beast.” A ray of morning sun alighted upon Tori, causing her green eyes to sparkle with a joy he could not understand. Her black wavy hair was a mess as usual, but he’d always loved the wildness of it, like the woman herself. He’d come to believe that religion stole the freedom and fun out of someone’s soul with all its rules and regulations, but Tori seemed so full of life and light even in the middle of such darkness and death.
A moment passed as their eyes met, hers searching his…and for a brief second, he saw the old Tori behind her gaze, the way she looked at him with such care and affection. Against his better judgment, he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. She blinked, confused, but allowed his touch… before she backed away.
“You look better this morning,” she said, hugging herself.
“Still have a fierce headache and the shakes, but yeah, a little.” What he wouldn’t give for a mirror. If he looked anything like he smelled, he wondered why Tori could tolerate his presence.
“Good. I need your help with Sara. That is, if you’re staying with us.”
He shrugged. “Where would I go? They want to catch me just as much as they want you. Probably more.” Saying the words out loud made it more permanent, and a weight fell on him so heavy, he nearly sank to the floor. The life he knew was over. He’d do anything to get it back, to return to his position of power and wealth. But he knew the NWU. Even people they only slightly suspected of being traitors mysteriously disappeared, easily replaced by eager, ambitious, obedient upstarts.
She must have noticed his sorrow. “Listen, you don’t believe like we do, and as much as I want you to, I can’t force it. It must be hard to hang out withDeviants.”
She spat the word with hostility, even as her eyes flared in anger.
He couldn’t blame her. But he had nowhere to go, no friends he could rely on to hide him and not turn him in. Which was sad, actually. Still, a part of him longed to stay with Tori, no matter how wrong her beliefs.
“Trying to get rid of me?” He smiled, hoping to alleviate the tension between them. “Besides, our bet is still on, right?”
She cocked her head, studying him, suspicion etching across her eyes.
He took a step toward her, longing to take her hand in his, but didn’t dare. “I will never betray you, Tori. You can trust me.”
Her eyes shifted between his for a moment before she nodded. “Yes, we still have a bet that I intend to win.” Then turning, she went to rouse Sara.
