Eliot Strange and the Prince of the Resistance

58) Fireworks

Human beings try to make sense of what is happening, and I try this, though God knows that making sense of what is happening in the world lately is a fool's errand, as my dad would say. What I think is happening is that Stuart, Virginia is on fire. I don't know why - could be munitions blew up or someone has engaged the enemy, but the noise and the bright sky are coming from that direction. It is far enough away that I feel safe driving in this direction, but still so close, that I feel nervous and anxious. I am gripping the steering wheel and looking for the turnoff because it is still dark.

"There it is," says Torin. He points to a road to the left, and I see what he sees - a knocked down sign that says:  Mount Airy  8 Miles. The sign is now pointing to the heavens, as if the only way to Mount Airy now is by way of rocket ship.

I make a hard left and only relax my grip on the steering wheel when we get a few miles down the deserted road. The noise and explosions are coming from behind us now, sort of over our right shoulders. Whatever is exploding is doing some damage because we can still hear the noise. I only pray that Jack and Carli are away, and the Agents Lancaster are safe or, at least, the cause of the destruction. I don't pray for my mom.

Torin is wide awake now. "Want me to drive?" he asks as he clutches his left hand and arm to his chest? "You look exhausted."

"Nah, I got it."

"What do you think is going on?"

"Dunno," I shrug. "I am hoping it is the real army or maybe the Resistance."

"Or maybe, Gus?" Torin speculates, "Although, that was not the plan."

"What was the plan?" I ask.

"Kill the general," says Torin matter-of-factly. He says it like - well, what else would the plan be?

"Kill the general? The professor? That's the plan?"

"Yes, kill him and end this."

I think about this. "Do you think it is that simple? He has a lot of followers. According to my dad, the One Nation Army is not the only threat. There are others. Other groups. Other home grown terrorists."

Torin thinks about this. "Eliot, your dad is probably right, but for right now, one threat at a time. And that evil man needs to go. Normally, I'm not a violent person, but he needs to go."

"Agree," I say, "but how was Gus going to do it?"

"Get close. It's all about trust."

"I don't think the professor is easily fooled."

"He isn't. But Gus has been working on it for awhile." Torin shifts his weight, and I can see that he is in a lot of pain.

"As soon as I can, I am going to try to stop and look at your finger. Find some meds for the pain and for infection." I give my best reassuring smile.

"It does hurt like a.... well, you know what it hurts like. We might need to find a doctor or a medical person or maybe a hospital with an X-Ray machine. Do you think that would be possible my lady. An X-Ray?" He smiles like he is making a joke.

"Well, this is gross to say, but if they cut it off, technically, it is broken, but I don't know how an X- Ray would help," I joke back. My joke is not funny.

While I try to watch the road and drive, Torin slowly unwraps his hand from the caked-in-blood bandage. I finally have to pull over to get a closer look. His pinky finger is gone at the second joint, and looks really painful, but it does look like someone tended to it and tried to make sure Torin didn't die of gangrene. It is not the finger that has my attention, it is Torin's hand. It is swollen to twice its size and purple and yellow with a touch of black towards the middle of his hand.