Apocalyptic Proportions: Rescue Team Nine (Book 2)

Chapter 23

Red

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12

I see her sitting next to Jackson. Her eyes dart back and forth between Thompson and an object behind her. I release the breath I've been holding. She looks worried, but other than that, no marks mark her body. I'll kill Thompson and Jackson if they laid a hand on her.

"What do you think she's doing?" Bear whispers.

We notice it then. Following her gaze, there's a red box with a switch inside. Bear smiles.

"I would say your perceptive nature has rubbed off on her."

Pride swells inside my heart. "She is my wife after all."

"That's not good."

Striker's whisper catches our attention.

"What?"

"That's not just a waterspout for putting out fires. See that mechanism next to it? The blinking light near the corner signals another hidden device. We saw many of those on the bomb squad unit I was in in the army. It'll do the job she thinks it'll do, but she's about to open a whole new shit can of worms."

Bear and I share a look. Fuck. This just got more interesting. The residents lower their heads in prayer while I lean over and whisper some rushed instructions in Striker's ear. We can't avoid her pulling that lever, but we can stop it from destroying the compound. He nods before darting off. Signaling the other men, I begin to move.

"Come on, we have to hurry."

********************

Aimee

I'm inches from the box when I feel his breath behind me. I don't care if Thompson catches me as long as I complete my mission. Flipping the box over, I pull the switch and stand back. There's a popping noise before the water comes rushing out. It's cold when it hits me, and I'm soaked in seconds. Screams erupt as people jump from the tables and take cover underneath. Jackson holds his hands out and upward.

"My children, today is the day to rejoice and be glad."

Jackson calmly addresses the crowd. It's not long before he has their attention. The mess hall gets quiet. The sound of the water falling is hypnotic, like an afternoon rainstorm. I'm confused. How can my father be so calm? The water washing over the food has eradicated his plan. The meal is destroyed.

"Our father has shown me the way and has decided today is our Redemption. We will be in our father's arms in a few minutes."

He raises his arms, and it's then that I notice the clock on the large digital screen in the front of the room. My eyes widen. It's the screen used during praise times, but not today. Today, it has a whole new purpose, and they know it by the fear on some of the residents' faces. A lot of them are realizing they have more to live for. The number 10:00 is flashing, but it's not long before the number starts to descend. The residents that aren't scared throw up their arms in praise while the rest continue to look terrified.

"It's ironic, don't you think?" Thompson whispers in my ear. "The girl who wanted to save them is the one who kills them."

Fear strikes my heart. "I don't understand."

I know what he means, but hearing it makes it real. Tearing my gaze away from the numbers, I glance at Thompson. He's staring at the screen.

"That lever served more than one purpose."