Apocalyptic Proportions: Rescue Team Nine (Book 2)

Chapter 7

Red

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 7:17

Hugging the Styrofoam cup like it's my last lifeline, I wait as Thompson opens the door and motions for me to go inside. It's been a night full of nightmares and waking up to realize I'm still in the middle of my biggest one deserves the world's largest cup.

"I'll be back in thirty minutes to get you. Try to behave."

"Hey, I take offense to—"

My sentence cuts short when I notice Aimee bending over some paperwork. The red scrubs covering her body bring out the paleness of her skin and the color of her hair. Thompson leans in close. "Watch out for her."

There's something cold about his gaze, and I know he's too far gone. A sick feeling lands in the pit of my stomach. A comrade, a person who swears to serve and defend, is siding with a man who wants to kill innocent people. Play it safe, Red.

"Obviously, she's Todd Jackson's daughter."

We both glance at the young woman.

"Looks can be deceiving," Thompson whispers.

Clamping my mouth shut, I manage to keep my questions to myself. It seems there's some animosity there. He pats me on the shoulder and offers me a smile similar to the ones I've seen on other residents in the building. It's one of acceptance and servitude. My team will think I'm mental if I tell them a smile can say a thousand words, but I've seen evidence of it over the years. Unfortunately, this isn't my first run-in with a cult. Maybe it's the compound we're in, but my suspicions are heightened, and they are rarely wrong. I need to tread carefully, or I'll come up missing with the other operative. Thankfully, I'm spared from saying anything more.

"I'll be back. Behave."

Behave my ass. Okay, so maybe he has a point there. My reputation isn't squeaky clean. I forgot to mention one other addiction I'm guilty of. Sex. I'm not as outwardly obvious about it as my comrade, Dice, but I'm only human.

I watch him retreat.

"Dice, I'm telling you something is off with that man."

I'm whispering, but my partner gets the message.

"We're on it."

Focusing, I look around the room and notice no signs of surveillance. Centering my concentration back on Aimee, I make some mental notes while her focus is on the paper before her. She's the daughter of a man obsessed with a religion that will kill them all. In one way, I feel a kinship with the young woman. My life mirrors hers in that context. I clear my throat, causing her to jump.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

Long lashes shadow her blue eyes. She moves and quickly covers a piece of paper with her hand. My eyes narrow. She's hiding something. Ignoring it, I hold up the order Thompson gave me and grin.

"I'm being sent for a physical, they tell me."

She stares at the paper in my hand. When she looks up, she offers me a smile, but I can tell I've caught her off guard. Her hands shake, although she tries gallantly to hide it. But she can't hide the onset of hiccups that erupt. Turning away, she picks up a clipboard and motions to a chair in the corner. I smile because I'll be damned if this won't be too easy.

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Aimee

The hiccups can't be helped. A plague for all my life, it's a source of unease I've had to learn to deal with. That's what he gets for scaring the devil out of me. Berating myself for my stupidity, I reach for the paper in his hand.