Chapter Twenty

Michael’s voice enraged Vincent. With his gun aimed at Justin, he crept backwards toward the house but stopped when he reached the car. Allison ducked down in the seat and Justin yelled for him to back away, but Vincent roared as he lifted up his cane and smashed the front headlight.

“Show yourself!”

The female clone remained unconscious, but the gun resting at her fingertips slid across the ground and into the shadows of a nearby magnolia tree. Vincent swung around and fired two shots at the tree before turning his gun on the female clone and pulling the trigger. Paige screamed and buried her head in the professor’s chest. Justin held his aim.

“That’s enough bloodshed!” he shouted. “Come on, man, he’ll disarm us any minute! It’s over! We’ll lay them down on the count of three.”

“Duh hell we will! Show yourself!”

Vincent’s gun flew out of his hand and landed in the fountain as Michael stepped out from the shadows of the tree.

“You can keep your cane,” he said, “and if Justin behaves, I’ll let him keep his gun.” Michael smiled and stood before his father with a revolver pointed at his head. Drops of blood covered his boots but his once ashen face beamed with color. He appeared taller and his bright green eyes gleamed in the night as he glanced at Paige and winked. Professor Faraday smiled and shook his head. Vincent stumbled over his cane.

“See yuh took my medicine,” he said, regaining his balance.

Michael laughed and dropped the gun to his side, “That all-seeing-eye has 20/20 vision.”

“Regan give it to yuh?” Vincent asked. “Course she did. Go on boy, yuh gonna shoot me or not?”

“Probably not,” Michael said, “unless you give me reason. I planned on killing you, but Regan talked me out of it. I should kill you and bury you next to Alain.” He sighed and took his place next to the professor and Paige. Justin held his aim, targeting his old friend.

“Dat’s what I thought,” Vincent said. “Michael ain’t gonna shoot me. If I fall, you fall too. We all fall down, don’t we boy?”

“Not anymore,” Michael said, fishing out the piece of paper from the professor’s pocket. “You gave us the recipe, remember?”

“Yuh gonna cook it up?” Vincent asked. “Ain’t heroin, boy, none of you gonna figure out how tuh make it. Recipe won’t do yuh no good.”

Michael shrugged and nodded, “I thought about that. I’m hoping Justin can figure it out.”

Vincent snorted and shifted his weight, “Good luck.”

Rapid gunfire sounded in the near distance. Paige and the professor ducked down behind the van while Justin crouched on the ground, but Michael and Vincent didn’t budge. They faced each other, silent and suspended in the moment, they absorbed each other until the male clone lifted his head and slowly stood from the ground. Michael held him at gunpoint.

“Here’s what you’re going to do,” he said, “run off and tell the others to disobey orders. You’re no match for us. We don’t want to kill you, but we will if we have to.” The clone stood in place, motionless and vacant-eyed.

“Ain’t no use, boy, dey only listen tuh me. Remember now, I quit handin’ out free will. Might as well go ahead and shoot.”

Michael scrutinized the clone, studying his face and looking him over from head to toe, he dropped the gun to his side. “He has my bone structure,” he said. “My lips, my eyes…make him go away.” Vincent smiled and ordered the clone to go inside. Michael watched him leave observing his robotic movement as he climbed the pillared porch.

“What’s wrong, boy?” Vincent asked. “Didn’t have a problem takin’ em’ out with dat fire ten years ago. Dey duh same type, ‘xcept dumbed down a bit.”

“Is this your idea of the perfect race?” Michael asked, glancing down at the dead female clone.

“Nope, dis my idea of duh perfect slave,” Vincent replied. “I quit tryin’ tuh create duh perfect race, daz Dr. Faraday’s dream, not mine.”

“Well congrats,” Michael said, “you’ve discovered the answer to Frankenstein’s monster, remove free will. Way to go, Dad.”

“Thanks, shoulda removed yours. Now den, where we goin’ from here? Where’s Regan an Ashley?”

“By the sound of it,” Michael said, “Ashley’s taking out your sniper slaves. Regan’s in the morgue consoling Kendal. As for where we go from here, I’d like to engage your diseased mind.”

Another owl swooped in and landed on the horned statue. Vincent squint his eyes, stretched out his neck and looked past Michael trying to steal a better view. Paige and the professor remained crouched behind the van while Justin stood by the car holding Allison’s hand through the window. The owl watched them with its yellow eyes, ducking and spinning its head at the slightest sound.

Pointing at the owl with his cane, Vincent commented, “Daz duh real deal right dere. Great horned owl, looks like. Dey almost extinct now.”

Michael glanced at the owl and then at Vincent again, “If you’re done bird watching,” he said, “I’d like to ask a few questions.”

“Fire away, boy, what’s on your mind?” Vincent asked.

A small dimple appeared on Michael’s cheek, “Interesting choice of words,” he said. “I want to know about mom.”

Vincent removed his hat and bowed his head. Justin released Allison’s hand and stepped closer. Paige and the professor stood against the van, huddled together, on edge and prepared to take shelter. The owl observed them with its yellow eyes.

“Your mother was a heroin addict,” Vincent said. “Just like you, just like Ashley, just like Gabriel. She struggled with depression, threatened suicide more dan once, finally succeeded. Now, daz duh truth, ain’t no conspiracy, ain’t no foul play, just a tragic end to a tragic woman.”

Justin rubbed his eyes and turned his back to Vincent. Walking back to the car, he lifted up the door handle and commented, “You might as well have pulled the trigger. You drove her to suicide.”

Vincent popped on his hat and replied, “I know, Justin, it’s all my fault. Ain’t nobody here done nothin’ wrong but me.”

“You probably purchased the bullets,” Michael said, glaring at his father.

“Go on an blame me, boy, you’ll be back in her arms before yuh know it.”

Michael averted his eyes and looked to the owl, the gun at ease by his side and the moon overshadowed by his crimson glow. “I could never quite figure you out,” he said, holding the owl in his sight, “but playing God has certainly taken its toll.”

Vincent crossed one leg over the other, “God ain’t got nothin’ tuh do with it.”

“You’re right,” Michael said, turning away from the owl, “you’re absolutely right. Pay the devil his due, Dad, lay that fiddle down.”

Vincent laughed until he coughed, his yellow wool suit wrinkled by the humid air. “Devil in duh house of duh risin’ sun!” he exclaimed. “Sides, even if duh devil seeks it otherwise, I do what I gotta.”

Justin pulled open the door and gestured for the professor and Paige to get in the car, but Professor Faraday stood his ground, and Paige remained glued to his arm. Justin shut the door.

“Get on outta here, Justin!” Vincent yelled. “Ain’t needed! Paige gonna stay. Gonna help bring Gabriel back.”

The infant’s phantom cry pierced the night and Paige felt the professor flinch against her arm. He stroked his beard and turned to the side, gently moving his lips and nodding accordingly. Fixated on his father, Michael cleared his throat and asked, “Why bring him back?”

Vincent hesitated.

“The truth now,” he said, waving the gun.

“I loved Gabriel,” Vincent answered, his boney hand covering his chest, “but dey tied my hands, woulda killed him regardless. I told Alain tuh make it an overdose, didn’t mean for him tuh collapse like dat in public, told him tuh do it while duh boy was sleepin.”

The crimson glow surrounding his son darkened.

“I can help him. I’ll have duh newest version of my medicine, if Paige takes duh recipe, that’ll give me leverage, an den I can help him.”

“With?” Michael asked.

Vincent pulled out a flask from the inside pocket of his jacket, unscrewed the top and took a quick swig. “I can save him from himself,” he said, wincing and shaking his head.

Paige pushed the professor aside and stepped forward. “You want to control him,” she said, pointing her finger. “I know your plan. You want him dependent on the medicine like Michael. You didn’t love him, you just loved showing him off. He never wanted to be an idol.” The owl ruffled its feathers and spun its head at the sound of rustling leaves. Vincent enjoyed another swallow and placed the flask inside his jacket.

“Dose are some harsh words,” he said, “but yuh got it all wrong. Gabriel enjoyed his status. He enjoyed hangin’ with duh big boys, just like me. See, I can help cuz I know duh game he played. I played duh same game.”

“Know your enemy,” Justin commented, standing beside the car.

Vincent nodded, “Daz right, ole friend. Gotta know duh enemy tuh win duh fight. He showed his hand too soon. Yuh gotta know when tuh hold em, an know when tuh–”

“Enough,” Michael said. “You are the enemy, and Gabriel planned on taking you down along with the Faradays, that’s why you had him killed. Paige is right, you loved him like a work of art.”

Vincent smiled and stepped closer to his son, “Dat boy was a link tuh absolute perfection, just like his sister over dere. I love dem both, love you too,” he said, steadying his wobble, “but yuh gotta have ramification when yuh done wrong. You know dat, he knew dat, everyone know duh law. Can’t go round tellin’ secrets. I did what I had tuh.”

The owl swooped down and circled the courtyard, casting an immense shadow on the ground with its long wingspan. Paige gasped as it climbed higher into the air and disappeared behind the rooftop of the house. Panic churned the pit of her stomach. She feared being stuck in a world she didn’t know but in the same breath, if she did return, she feared reliving Gabriel’s death. Anger scorched her face as she rolled up her sleeves, defiant to the cold air until the sugarcane shivered in the wind and sorrow burdened her heart. Michael’s voice brought her back, don’t mourn him yet. Brace yourself, things are about to explode. His mouth curved and then straightened as he pointed to the cottage with his eyes. Professor Faraday stood with his long hair stuffed under his ski hat and both hands balled into fists. His emerald light soothed Paige’s troubled mind. She turned to see a figure standing on the outskirts of a small cluster of trees. Michael winked and turned to his father.

“Have another drink, Dad, you’ll need it.”

Professor Faraday motioned for Justin to get in the car before grabbing Paige and pulling her back. An explosion shook the trees and Paige screamed out, shielding her eyes as fire engulfed the cottage. Orange flames shot out through the windows and warmed the winter air as debris showered down around them. Paige wrapped herself around the professor’s waist, and Regan and Kendal appeared on the long pillared porch before ducking back inside. Vincent fell to his knees.

“What have yuh done!” he cried. “What have yuh done tuh my laboratory?”

Ashley stepped forth from the shadows, his jacket and tie missing from his suit and his ripped shirt stained with blood. He stood next to Michael with a semi-automatic rifle strapped to his back and a revolver in his hand; vengeance poured from his eyes. The fire crackled and a whirlwind of sparks spiraled through the updraft before disappearing into the night sky. Using his cane, Vincent pulled himself up from his knees, adjusted his hat and dusted off his wool suit.

“Ain’t dis somethin,” he said. “I knew you were lurkin’ about somewhere. You wearin’ Michael’s blood or Alain’s?”

“It’s about to be yours,” Ashley replied.

Vincent scoffed and took another swig from the flask.

“If we had the time,” Ashley said, “I’d lock you in that attic just like you did to Michael. I’d torture you to death, give you the medicine and then do it again. I’d have you endure eternal pain.”

Vincent coughed and shook his head, “Yuh gonna shoot me, Ash? Won’t bring Gabriel back. Yuh take me out, he gone for good.”

Ashley kicked the cane out of Vincent’s hand and pressed the gun against his forehead, “You’ve got five minutes before I pull this trigger.”

Paige clung to the professor’s waist as the orange glow from the fire emblazoned the sugarcane field. Smoke clouded the courtyard as Regan and Kendal, loaded down with three heavy backpacks, appeared on the porch again. Vincent turned pale as he watched them slowly descend the stairs, toss the bags into the van and stand next to Michael and Ashley. He backed away and took another drink.

“Nothin’ but thieves,” he said, wincing after he swallowed. “Go on an take my medicine, yuh all dead tuh me now anyhow, standin’ dere actin’ so smug. Beauty, talent, youth, I gave yuh dat, fare well keepin’ it in mind.”

“Two minutes,” Ashley said.

Michael clasped Regan and Kendal’s hands and pleaded with his father to say his peace. He urged his father to show a semblance of humanity, an ounce of compassion, but Vincent only scoffed and exploded into a tyrannical rage of indignity.

“Don’t talk tuh me bout humanity, boy!” he yelled, stumbling over to fetch his cane. “I’m duh victim here! I’m duh one keepin’ us alive! I gave yuh eternal youth! Immortality! I’m duh reason we exist! An now I’m supposed tuh suffer for it?”

Michael gently pushed Ashley’s arm down and stepped closer to his father. Speaking in a low voice, he answered, “You abused and tortured me. You killed me. Yes, you’re supposed to suffer for it.”

“I been nothin’ but loyal,” Vincent replied, stuffing his hand into his coat pocket. “Sides, yuh had demons, been keepin’ yuh company since you was eight. Now, dat’s my fault, but I tried tuh–”

“He’s got one minute, Michael,” Ashley said, raising his arm again.

“I tried tuh rid em,” Vincent continued, “had tuh kill yuh first. Couldn’t kill my boy, had tuh wait, kill duh man. Ash, he remember duh change when we brought yuh back. He knows. Justin knows too.” Michael and Ashley glanced at each other before Ashley stepped back and stood down. Michael’s amber-green eyes danced with the fire.

“You kept me locked in the attic for five years as a child,” he said. “As a man, you didn’t just kill me, you tortured me for a week before I finally died. You had Alain poison Gabriel. As far as I’m concerned, a bullet to the head would be a mercy kill.”

Set ablaze by the light of the fire, Vincent’s frame expanded and grew taller as his shadow extended across the ground. His black eyes twinkled. “I protected my flock,” he said. “You were a junkie before duh rebirth. I saved yuh. Plan on doin’ duh same for Gabriel. He was on duh same course, but duh others? Dey wanted him dead. You an me, we don’t need tuh be fightin’ each other, got bigger fish tuh fry. What’s say, Justin? You agree?”

Standing beside the car, his hand clutching the top of the open door, Justin sighed and looked away. The ache in his lower back had disappeared, his reading glasses were made obsolete and the constant need for a nap was replaced by boundless energy. Nodding, he replied, “You’re right, old friend. My father wants to erase us from existence. This in-fighting will destroy us.”

Ashley glared at his father. “Surprise, surprise!” he exclaimed. “Step right up, Dad! Come stand next to Vincent. Two birds with one—”

“Stop it!” Paige yelled. “I don’t care about any of this! I just want to go home!” Justin ordered her to get in the car but Paige refused. “Not with you!” she shouted. “I want to go back to… to where I belong.” A cloud of white mist materialized and drifted across the courtyard. Paige felt the necklace burn against her chest and turned to see the translucent haze take on a purple tint. Vincent checked the time on his gold pocket watch.

“I’m duh only one who can help, girl. Come with me, we gonna save Gabriel. We gonna change duh future.”

On the verge of collapsing, Paige clung to the professor while he reassured her they had a plan to send her home. Her mind absorbed his silent words and she tried to calm herself, anchored into her cold wet shoes. The stench of burning chemicals invaded the sweetness of the southern air, contaminating the smell of fresh pine and chimney smoke. Embers retreated from the fire and disappeared into the night as Paige turned to see the purple mist transform into a solid mass. Squeezing the professor’s arm, she trembled as a beautiful young woman of Haitian descent appeared before her wearing a red dress.

Do you see her? she thought.

See who? the professor asked.

Paige wiped the fear from her eyes and stood transfixed. Although not as solid as Gabriel had been, the woman’s bright green eyes and smooth mocha skin were as well-defined and prevalent as her son’s. Incandescent and magnificent in her red silk dress, Michael’s mother lingered behind Vincent and gazed upon Paige with a devious grin.

“What’s it gonna be, girl?” Vincent asked. “Yuh comin’ or not?”

Paige shook her head.

“Den yuh best hand over dat recipe an be on your way.”

Ashley stepped forward with his revolver and pushed Michael and his sisters out of the way. “Time’s up,” he said. Before Vincent could respond with even a tip of his hat, Ashley pulled the trigger. The gun clicked, but the shot never came. He checked the chamber for bullets and took aim again, pulling the trigger a second time. The gun clicked but no shot. Vincent shifted his weight and enjoyed a long drink from the flask before pointing at Ashley with the empty container.

“Got a lot of nerve, boy. Dis my property, my family, but you Faradays all duh same. You killed my son tonight, an he killed yours, score’s settled.”

Ashley lunged forward and pressed the gun against Vincent’s forehead, repeatedly pulling the trigger and screaming out in aggravation as a series of clicks followed.

“Just let him go,” Michael urged, “we don’t need to kill him.” Ashley tossed the revolver on the ground and reached for the sniper rifle strapped to his back. Kendal pleaded with him to spare her father’s life, and Justin supported her effort as he attempted to reason with his son. Paige remained distracted, petrified as the woman in the red dress spoke in a stern French accent.

“Let him see me, Paige, I want my husband to see.” Gripping the bulky jewelry around her neck, Paige took off the necklace and held it out for Vincent to take. Ashley yelled for her to get out of the way, but Vincent tilted his head, reached out and grabbed the homemade offering.

Paige stared into his black eyes. “Turn around,” she said.

Slowly turning his head, Vincent flinched and backed away, mumbling incoherently under his breath and stumbling over his cane. He pinned himself to the front of the van and clutched the necklace as his wife moved closer, visible only to him.

“I know you from another time,” she whispered. “You offer fool’s gold. You play the fiddle where the strange fruit grows.”

Vincent rubbed his eyes and shook his head, “Ain’t real,” he said, “a hologram, daz all, one of my holograms.”

She moved in closer. “You follow the moon with a hidden eye. Gabriel ain’t supposed to die.”

Vincent fell to his knees and removed his yellow fedora hat. His glossy cheeks glistened from the light of the fire. “My sweet angel,” he whispered, “my sweet angel, please, forgive me. I am a tainted man. Please, I, I tried tuh save yuh, but yuh left me. Yuh hear me now? You left me!”

Valley threw back her head and screamed as she tugged on her red silk dress and kicked at the gravel. Wide-eyed with his mouth agape, Michael glanced at Paige before reaching out and feeling the open air. His mother ducked away and pointed at her husband.

“You make this right. You give ‘em that gold hiding in your pocket.” She whipped around and lingered beside her children, her slender hand caressing Michael’s face as a vivid shade of violet light illuminated her transparent frame. She turned to Vincent one last time and blew him a kiss before thrusting across the courtyard and vanishing into the dying flames. Vincent remained on his knees kissing the ground.

“I am tainted man!” he shouted at the scorched cottage. He held his hat to his chest and cowered on the ground. “I see yuh, all of yuh, comin’ up from duh pits, hangin’ from duh trees, but dat ain’t my fault!” he cried. “You’re my blood! My kin!” He trembled as he wept, apologizing to the restless spirits who toiled the land in a gruesome past. “I’ll leave yuh alone!” he cried. “I’m sorry! I’ll leave yuh be! I’ll leave yuh be!”

Paige wiped tears from her face as she clung to the professor and felt unwanted sympathy for Vincent. No one spoke as he pleaded with the open air and begged for forgiveness. Justin and Allison embraced each other by the car while Michael wrapped his arms around his two sisters and pulled them close. Ashley stood alone, his sniper rifle aimed at a weeping man.

“Eye for eye, Vincent.”

Catching his breath, Vincent wiped his cheeks and replaced the hat on his head as he used the cane to help him off the ground. He braved the eyes of his executioner. “Somethin’ yuh need tuh see, Ash,” he said, holding out the necklace. Ashley glanced at Michael and then yanked the jewelry from Vincent’s hand. His eyes darted from left to right as he clutched the necklace and scanned the vicinity, hesitating before turning around. A whimper escaped his lips. He dropped the gun to his side and crept closer to the fountain.

“It can’t be,” he whispered. “It just…it can’t be.” He stepped closer. “Gabe? Is that you? Gabe?… Wait…come back!” The necklace dangled from his hand as his fingers grazed the open air. He stumbled back and jerked his head around, frantically searching the grounds, the trees, the house, the pits; he shouted at the heavens, sobbing for the return of his deceased son. The crackling sound of the dying fire filled the void as he covered his mouth and silenced his anguish. The semi-automatic took aim as he held down the trigger. Stone fragments sprayed through the air as the fountain’s statue fell victim to his rapid-fire rage and Michael raced to his side. Ashley screamed into the night before dropping his gun and collapsing into his friend’s arms. Vincent dabbed his eyes and pulled out the gold pocket watch.

Clearing his throat, he shouted, “An angel stood before me tonight, showed me duh error of my ways! She gonna hold my hand across duh threshold of death, though I don’t deserve such grace!”

Ashley broke away from Michael and charged at Vincent, but stopped when he met him face to face. He laughed. Hysterical laughter, awkward and irrational, he held up his arms and shouted at the sky, “Well hallelujah! An angel you say? Tell us more, Vincent!”

A brief smile passed across Vincent’s lips. “Take your shot, boy.”

Lowering his voice, Ashley answered, “Truth be known, I’m more likely to put this gun to my own head.”

Vincent nodded, “You an me, we got dat in common.”

Ashley jabbed him with the long-barreled rifle, “You and me, we’ve got nothing in common.”

“Go on an bask in dat anger,” Vincent said, “I been dere. I know how yuh feel, but tonight, I found my peace. Tonight, I return my soul tuh God. Tonight, I am a changed man.”

“You’re an evil man,” Michael scoffed.

Vincent closed his eyes and began reciting a prayer, “Yea, though I walk through duh valley of duh shadow of death–”

“Shut up,” Michael hissed.

“I will fear no evil for thou art with me–”

“Shut up!” Michael yelled again before lowering his voice. “You’re no man of God. You worship lesser gods. You worship yourself. You already sold your soul, remember?”

Vincent ignored his son and continued praying.

Paige looked out at the green field where a layer of smoke coated the tall stalks of sugarcane. She imagined the spirits of the grounds, Gabriel and Valley and all those tortured souls, careless and forever at play running and hiding between the rows. The shadow of death surrounded her, it enveloped Shady Oak with the crushing arms of sorrow, regret and revenge, but she saw the beauty hidden underneath its ugly face. Vincent cheated death, he beat it down and ran from it, as did Michael and her parents, but the hands of time always catch up. Sorrow, regret and revenge take their toll until eternal sleep is the last and final saving grace. Paige looked down at the female clone, her dark hair tangled and soaked with blood, and said a prayer to whomever was in control. She hoped they did have souls. She prayed their vacant eyes would come to life after the shadow of death released them.

Michael and Ashley glared at Vincent as he dipped into his yellow wool suit, pulled out a cigar and held a lighter to the tip. “We got some pressin’ business tuh tend,” he said. “Paige, got another gift for yuh.” He held up the gold pocket watch and motioned for her to come closer. “Hold out your hand, girl. Palm up.”

Paige obeyed. The gold watch dropped into her hand as Vincent placed the cigar in his mouth, stretched out his arms and reached for the full moon, closing his eyes as puffs of smoke clouded his face. Paige and Michael held each other’s stare until Vincent slowly brought his arms down and clutched the cane resting against his leg. Removing the cigar from his mouth, he smiled and whispered, “Free at last.”

Michael grabbed Paige’s hand and observed the gold watch. “Is this a joke?” he asked.

“Ain’t no joke,” Vincent replied. “Gotta wind it back every hour. Once yuh step on dat big white square, gotta push dat top button. It’s all set up.”

Paige examined the watch and looked for abnormalities or some kind of inscription or detail that made it special, but to her naked eye, it was nothing more than a gold pocket watch. “I don’t understand,” she said. “You’re just going to give it to me? What’s the catch?”

“Ain’t no catch.”

“And the recipe?” she asked.

“Got everythin’ yuh need, Paige. Even set duh clock back half an hour, give yuh more time, but don’t shake your own hand. I’m guessin’ it’s against duh rules.”

Justin and Allison gathered around Paige as Vincent removed his jacket and covered up the female clone. Picking up the jammed revolver, he checked the chamber and aimed for his cottage. A lone shot rang out.

“It’s okay,” he said, turning around, “Ain’t gonna shoot nobody, but I’ll tell yuh somethin, dose spirits, dey still helpin me out.”

Michael scoffed and rolled his eyes while motioning for Ashley to stand down. “You think the spirits jammed the gun?” he asked. “Get a grip. It’s an old gun that needs a good cleaning, when Ashley chunked it, it un-jammed.”

“Perhaps,” Vincent replied. “Talked tuh Alain, by duh way, he’s also tryin tuh make things right, but duh others, dey wise tuh duh plan. Alain gonna do what he can.”

“Alain’s dead,” Michael said, “and no one’s bringing him back.”

Vincent shrugged and puffed his cigar. “Dat’s true,” he said, “but duh spirits, dey move between realms, an duh others, dey mimic duh spirits. Ain’t dat right, Justin?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Justin sighed and nodded, “Yeah, so I’ve been told.”

Paige bugged her eyes and glared at her father as he offered his hand to Vincent. “Welcome back, old friend,” he said.

Vincent exhaled a cloud of smoke and stared at Justin. Popping the cigar in his mouth, he wiped his hand on his vest and finally honored his old friend’s grip. “You an Allison gonna need tuh take shelter soon,” he said. “Never mind duh useless eaters, duh others, dey comin for all of us.”

Justin nodded, “Thanks for the warning. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Vincent grinned and drew back his hand. “Dat’s Justin for yuh,” he said, tipping his hat. “Listen here, my clones, what’s left of em, dey gonna feed duh fire, dispose duh dead. Gotta clean up duh grounds. As for me, I reckon I’m done here.”

Apprehension drenched Michael’s face as he studied his father. Dropping his eyes, he wrapped his arms around his sisters and guided them to the van. Regan and Kendal peered back at their father and laughed as he removed his hat and tossed it into the air. Kendal blew him a kiss; Regan waved goodbye. Michael stood beside the van and sent Paige a private message before climbing into the driver’s seat. Gripping the gold pocket watch, she nodded and headed for her parent’s car. Before climbing into the backseat, she hesitated, turned around and attempted to read Vincent’s mind. His thoughts came through crystal clear and his muddy red shield diminished into a pale white glow. Tears clouded her eyes. With the gun dangling by his side, Vincent shuffled off, his gold-handled walking cane leading him into the flames.

“Meet us at Gabriel’s place,” the professor yelled before jumping into the back with Kendal and Regan. They peeled out of the courtyard with Michael at the wheel and Justin following behind, the long gravel road leading them away from the tall fields of sugarcane. Paige peered through the back window at the dying fire. A single shot rang out. The full moon trembled and closed his eyes.