The Flames

Chapter Ninteen

Holy- I thought when the guards came to pick up the bodies of Jason and the other man, whose name was Jack. I didn't need to finish that thought, however, because Luke said exactly what was on my mind: "Holy shit!"

Uncle Rich, Jayse, and I watched the men who were carrying bodies silently. Ben refused to look. The cell stayed quiet even after they left. The air in the room was thick and the silence was almost unbearably uncomfortable. At one point I tried to say something, but all that came out was a strangled squeak. Uncle Rich put a hand on my arm and we sat against the wall.

We said nothing, and we didn't show any emotion. We aren't heartless, I promise. I believe we were stunned, numb, and out of tears. Too much had happened to us over the last few weeks. It was enough trauma and pain for a lifetime.

I have thought of home many times in the time I've known Jayse, and I did again while we sat in the still, silent room. My parents must be worried sick, as well as Luke's. It saddened me to think that no one was worried about Jayse except us with him. His foster mother thought he was safe with Mrs. Childs. We are the only few who know she isn't a real person.

I sighed. I wished more than anything that I could be back in my own room and that these past few weeks never happened. Then I felt bad for thinking that. If this hadn't happened and we hadn't met Jayse, he would likely be dead or an unwilling servant to It.

I felt a sudden urge to hug him. "C'mere, Jayse," I said, and pulled him close. I did the same with Luke and I felt his cheeks go hot. I looked at him confusedly, and he only looked away.

"Rich?" Jayse's voice was small as he squeaked out the words, "Why are they doing this? I'm scared," he whimpered.

"I don't know why, Jayse," he replied, "but know that I'm scared too. I've never been more scared in my life. But you'll be okay, because you're stronger than me. I know that for sure just from the time I've known you."

Jayse started to cry. I looked, disbelieving, at Luke, who now had his arms around the sobbing boy. I looked at Uncle Rich, who was staring at Luke with the same confused look on his face. This kind of thing was very unlike him. Jayse's cries soon died down to whines.

And who could blame the kid? I was on the verge of crying myself. Luke noticed. He hugged me tightly and whispered to me, "Be strong. For Jayse and for Ben." I nodded because he was right. But at the same time, who says we need to be strong all the time?

Luke read my mind. "We can have a crying session as soon as we're out of here and somewhere safe. Okay?" I agreed.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*

I awoke to pounding on the door. Confused, I looked expectantly at the steel on hinges.

"Police! This is the police! We're here to help!"

Still too dazed to move a muscle, I had to wait until he said it again to act. When I did act though, I was quick. I woke up Uncle Rich first. "What is going-"

"Help me wake them up!" I interrupted. He did as I told, and the others were up quickly.

"Found the keys, boss!" a male voice called from far away. Jayse shook with fear. I suppose it was reasonable to be afraid with all that had happened. I hugged the boy close and grabbed Ben. The door opened. Ben and Jayse clung to me tighter, to the point that it hurt. An officer rushed in. "Come with us. Now," he commanded. We simply nodded our heads and followed complacently like trained dogs.

We were lead silently to an ambulance where the women were being checked out. It was obvious they had been through the same thing we had, based on both the fact that there was now three women, where there had once been seven or eight. Or maybe nine... I can't remember.

A nurse motioned for me to come forward. I shook my head and gestured to Ben and Jayse. She and a male nurse led the boys to the ambulance. Jayse looked back at me with uncertainty. The child who was once so trusting is now fearing like an abused animal. I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. Soon enough, and with a bandaged Jayse in her arms eating a lollipop, the nurse called Luke and me over.

When we all finished an officer spoke to Uncle Rich. "Who are these kids, do you know them?"

"These're my boys," he answered, giving Ben and Jayse side-hugs.

She looked, scrutinizing, at all of us. With Luke's blonde hair, Jayse's black eyes, and Ben's dark skin, along with my frail build, none of us looked at all like my uncle. "Okay then," she said, and walked back towards the chaos.

Curious, I slowly and inconspicuously inched my way to the cave. When I got to the doorway, I looked inside. It was a single dark room. The hallways, cells, and the dining room had disappeared. "Oh man," somebody called from inside, "We don't need police, we need a priest!" I turned my head slowly to see what he was seeing. The walls were covered in words in hundreds of different languages, some human some not, all written in what looked like black paint. It was still dripping wet.

But the biggest thing, the thing that immediately caught my attention, was the words WE SERVE IT painted in bold red letters in the middle of everything. My breath caught in my throat in anticipation of what was to come.

Somewhere a loud boom sounded.

THE END.

Don't forget to read the epilogue.