The Death Factory (Jareth Hicks Thrillers Book 1) by Matthew Hattersley

Author:Matthew Hattersley [Hattersley, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boom Boom Press
Published: 2022-03-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

“Brother Leon? Time to wake up.”

“Huh?”

I blink into the darkness and mumble something even I don’t make out. A shadowy figure looms over me, but I can’t make out any features. As they lean closer I feel their hot breath on my cheek.

“Brother. Your time has come. Wake up.”

I prop myself onto my elbows and blink some more. Johnny Rainbow is sitting on the side of my bed. His long hair hangs down over his ears, and even in the darkness those intense blue eyes shine bright. I rub at my own. “What’s going on? What time is it?”

I peer up at the window and see its pitch-black outside. Explains why it seems like I’ve only had an hour’s sleep. Though maybe the chanting screwed with my head more than I thought, because for once my internal clock’s fuzzy and I can’t be sure how long I’ve been out

“Don’t worry about the time,” Rainbow tells me. “Time is a construct of their world and is immaterial here at The Miracle Factory. Now, please get up. It is time for you to step into the next Sphere of Growth. For you to meet The Steward.”

The words snap me awake. “Memphis? I get to meet him?”

A row of glowing white teeth spreads within the dark outline of his face. “Absolutely, my brother. The Steward is very eager to meet you.”

He gets off the bed and holds a hand out. I clasp it and he helps me up. He’s surprisingly strong for someone of his build and stature. On my feet, I remember the knife in my waistband and pull my shirt down over the top of it.

“Ready?” he asks.

I nod toward Paul, who’s lying on his back, snoring into the ceiling. “What about him? He’s been here a time already.”

Rainbow regards the sleeping man with a sigh. “The Steward feels this one needs more work. He is not your concern.”

“I get it. I’m sorry.”

A part of me wants to say more. To argue the poor bastard’s case, but I keep my mouth shut. If this means I’m getting into the flock, we could find Gwen and be out of here by tomorrow afternoon. Then once Reyes calls her buddies at the Bureau, they could have this place shut down in a matter of hours. Paul could be back with his beloved Ellen by sundown.

Rainbow takes me by the hand and we walk together toward the exit door and out into the cool night air. With no smog and pollution the night sky is starkly clear. Enough that I could pick out the constellations I learned as a child if I wanted to. But I drop my gaze to the ground in front of our feet. Afghanistan took many things from me – an appreciation of the stars is just one. Now a clear sky is only a vivid reminder of the night before the ambush; the night before everything changed. Maybe the stars are just as bright tonight and I should take that as a sign.

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