Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 42

Blake answered with silence. In the years that passed, a thousand theories had flourished about the explosion that leveled the mountains, about the virus responsible for killing billions, even about the mutations that now were regarded as normal. No one knew the truth. Right?

"I was there," Marcus whispered, wiping away the water that dripped down his face.

"Where?" Blake inquired, the single syllable drenched in suspicion.

Marcus met his eyes, "Before the explosion, I was there at Ground Zero."

A harsh bark of a laugh escaped from Blake's mouth, his eyes snapping back to Marcus.

"You were there? At Ground Zero? The largest explosion in the history of mankind and you were not only there, but you survived?"

Marcus frowned, his left hand lifting to his face to once again wipe away the water, "Yes."

Blake rose to his feet, holstering his pistol and grabbing the rifle at his side, slinging in onto his back.

"Ya know, at first I wanted to believe you," He began, looking away. "I wanted to believe you were able to kill Kyle and maybe, just maybe, you were strong enough to kill Michael instead, because we both know you'd have an advantage, and end this bullshit colonial feud."

Turning back, he continued, "Not gonna lie, you almost had me too. The way you made that boat fly up into the air, but this? You're going to sit there and lie to my face?"

"So do you want to explain to him, because I don't think he's going to believe me," Marcus asked, Blake raising an eyebrow.

"Is that it? Are you just insa---" Blake began, his eyes growing wide with surprise and fear.

Marcus watched Blake's reaction as Kou began to explain, the words clear in both of their minds.

"Blake, you are skeptical for good reason. Your military training has taught your mind to be observant and to dismiss what others would succumb to, yet in this instance, the truth is far beyond what one could rationalize."

Rising to his feet, Marcus made no sudden moves, only observing Blake's reaction to the news.

"The young man before you is indeed responsible for killing Kyle Ravenport as he claimed. He is also a witness to the events that preceded the explosion that, many of you falsely believe, began this whole ordeal."

Blake mouthed multiple questions, Marcus catching "What..." and "Who..." amongst them.

"I am Un Fay Kou, and if you relax your mind, Blake, I can show you the truth."

A small nod and the all too familiar memories rushed through Marcus and Blake's minds. As they finished, Blake took a staggered step towards the barricade, sitting down with haste.

"You were right, in a way, Blake," Marcus offered, knowing it wouldn't help. "You've never seen someone with two abilities, and technically you still haven't. I have one, which is using water, and Kou has the second: telepathy."

Blake's face rose, the paleness of it making Marcus flinch.

"Aliens?" Was all he asked, already knowing, yet still processing.

Marcus nodded, stepping forward and offering his right hand, "I know it's a lot. It was for me too when I first saw them. Worse when I found out about the explosion and the virus, but we can't get hung up on that. Not now."

The color began filling back in, Blake's dutiful responsibility coming into play.

"The mission comes first," He whispered as he grabbed Marcus's hand and rose back to his feet.