Exile by Nathan M Farrugia

Author:Nathan M Farrugia [Farrugia, Nathan M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-5378-5096-2
Publisher: Anomaly Press

Chapter Nine

Las Vegas, United States

Dressed as US Marines, Damien and Nasira stepped into the elevator at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, which was now a USMC operational base. Damien stood in the corner while Nasira hit the button for Level 26.

Jay was their getaway driver, mostly because Nasira didn’t want him in harm’s way. Jay didn’t listen to Damien much but he listened to her. And she was right—Jay could barely breathe and walk at the same time. He was in no shape to be helping them spring someone from a fortified military operating base.

The doors slid shut, then stopped as a hand slipped between them.

Damien went for the USMC-made pistol in his holster.

The doors parted and a suited man joined them. He was tall and slender, with a weathered face and graying hairline. Under his arm, his jacket bulged slightly. He gave Damien and Nasira a polite smile before making a comment.

‘There’s nothing worse than missing an opportunity,’ he said.

Damien smiled, but decided to say nothing. The less, the better.

The man turned to the gold panel near the doors and selected his floor. But Damien had already pressed it. The man withdrew his finger and straightened himself.

‘Now there’s quite the coincidence,’ he said. ‘Saves me the trouble.’

The elevator doors finally closed.

Level 6.

The suited man’s hands, curled into fists with his thumb on the outside, an involuntary action that suggested a military background. Damien wondered what role the man filled now.

Level 11.

‘Half the city on high alert and marines every which way. But folks are still out there, playing the darn slot machines.’ The man shook his head. ‘Sometimes I get to thinking we don’t deserve the lives we’re given.’

Level 17.

‘Life used to be so precious,’ he said. ‘Now everyone thinks they can live forever. That they’re born to be stars.’ He adjusted his tie. ‘That we all have a great destiny waiting for us. We used to look down upon that kind of delusion.’ He looked over his shoulder at Damien. ‘Do you know what it is now?’

Damien shrugged.

‘Heck, now it’s a God-given virtue.’

Level 23.

In the gold panel, Damien watched the warped reflection of the man’s face. It seemed to shift. Damien tensed, ready to block the man’s draw.

‘There’s no lessons anymore, no consequence,’ the man said. ‘Just one big spear of destiny. You hear what I’m saying?’

Damien struggled for words, but Nasira was quicker off the mark.

‘There’s always consequence,’ she said.

‘Exactly.’ The man gave them a second glance, lingering on Damien. ‘You know, you look a mite familiar.’

‘You must be thinking of someone else,’ Damien said.

Hurry up, you piece-of-shit elevator.

Level 26.

The doors opened, but the man didn’t budge, blocking their exit. He stepped to one side and extended a hand.

‘After you,’ he said. ‘Your service to our nation is appreciated.’

Damien’s heart was pounding. Nasira thanked the suited man and stepped out. Damien followed. Nasira checked the numbers in the elevator lobby. She was quicker than he was to orient herself, which he wanted to put down to

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