Uprising: A Collide Novel Part 6

I look up to him and see the determination on his face. He's right. What am I doing? This isn't like me. I'm letting my human grief override my sense. Sitting here will do no good. I nod and grab his shoulder.

"Thanks, Danny. Ok. Ok," I answer quickly and close my eyes for one more try to Sherry.

Sherry, if you can still hear me, listen. We can't come look for you yet. There are Markers everywhere, I've never seen so many in all my years. At least fifty, all in one place. That's just...unheard of. It's still dark. But first thing in the morning, we're coming. It's right at 5:00 so about an hour and a half. Hang on, baby, I'm coming. G.o.d I hope you can hear me. I love you.

I can hear my real voice crack and strangle. Danny extends a hand to me on the floor as I open my eyes. We make our way downstairs to gather with the others. As I descend the stairs I see a sea of angry and determined faces. Our group is ready for news and ready to do damage. Jeff had filled them in on everything.

"You understand there are Makers. More Markers than you have ever seen before and I have no doubt there will be Lighters too. You understand how dangerous this is, don't you?" I ask. I need them to know what we're up against.

"This is Sherry, Merrick. And Cain. There's no question. As soon as the sun hits that horizon, we are going after them," Danny answers in a growl and crosses his arms to stop the shaking fury in his hands.

I can feel my head start to buzz with that familiar sting at his words. At him going out to fight and me not protecting him, but I try to push it down.

"Absolutely," Ryan agrees.

"Well, we've got to do something," Trudy chimes and they all start in on a plan, a course of action but I'm afraid there's only one way.

Hand to hand combat. A fist fight with evil.

We wait and plot and plan. Finally the times comes. We takes our stakes and irons and bats and whatever else we could find and head up the stairs in a precession of Keepers, Specials, and normals who have no freaking idea what to do but won't be told to stay put. Not for Sherry. I want to hug them all for their loyalty and then yell at them for their stupidity.

I see the sun and look to the sky, knowing I'll see it empty of Markers, and I do. I call to her once more.

All right, Sherry. We're coming. Tell Cain if he's there with you. You two hold tight wherever you are. Love you, honey.

But then I notice something else...Lighters. Like I expected. Two zoom past but don't touch anyone, don't even really get close. Pap fires off a shot and Jeff yells at him to conserve his rounds. I'm not sure what the Lighters are trying to accomplish. Then I scan the field. And see her.

My heart jumps. She's standing, that's a good sign. I can barely see her outline and Cain's way out past the field and almost to the old caves that are back there that Max told me about before. Aha! I bet that's where they were. But why?

Sherry!

One Small Step For Man.

Chapter 5.

All at once, a fleet of Lighters take center between us. A quick count shows eight. This is crazy. What are they all doing here? Can Lighters talk to each other the way Keepers do and they told the others I'm here? That we're here? This can't be about me. This is about us, being here. Too many of us together. If that was true, why didn't Crandle just come himself? Unless he's scared of a battle. Maybe he can be killed like the rest of them can.

They form a line to expand the gap between Cain and I and our rescuers. Red Rover Red Rover is all I can think about through the burning and throbbing pain in my leg and wanting desperately to get to Merrick and see Danny safe. I can see him now, across the expanse of field, standing with the others to fight. I swallow hard at the thought of that but I know Merrick will keep him safe, if he can.

The Lighters don't move, they must have had a plan of some sort because they seem to have formation and discipline to stand their ground. They watch, some facing us some facing the others. Then the one in the middle gets my attention by waving a few fingers at me in a menacingly friendly wave.

Phillip.

I gasp and recoil, pull myself back behind Cain out of instinct, fisting my hands in his shirt back. As much as I thought it didn't bother me, my almost rape, seeing him brings it all back in a flood of glimpses and flashes. Images of fists tugging, bruising hands, hard lips.

I start to shake, breathing heavy and close my eyes, trying to block the pictures from my mind. I can actually feel his hot sticky breath on my neck. The pain in my shoulders from my arms being over extended by his hard grasp. The jolt of flaming nerves in my back from being pushed into the counter edge. His hard, uncaring hands wrapped around my arms, bruising me. Kissing me, punishing.

It takes me a minute of near hyperventilation to regain my composure and to even realize that Phillip's body is really out there - with them. The Lighters. No longer one of us...and we are going to have to kill him.

I glance up to look for Mrs. Trudy but she isn't there and I send up a silent 'thank you' that she won't have to witness the death of her son.

Cain has looked back over his shoulder to check on me several times but hasn't spoken. Probably just thinks I'm scared of the ma.s.sive Lighter Battle Royale that is about to ensue, and I am. Scared out of my wits.

Cain has no idea about Phillip, who he was or what he did and I'd prefer to keep it that way so I don't explain. I just let him a.s.sume away.

I push all that old c.r.a.p aside, all the uncomfortable feelings and images and put the present right in front of me.

Sherry? You ok, honey? Wave to me if you're ok.

I lift my arm in a couple long swoops in the air and see him return it.

This is about to get really bad. I want you to listen. I need you to run like you've never ran before when the fighting starts. Do you hear me? And I mean it, Sherry. No playing hero. Wave if you hear me.

He commands firmly and I wave but I know I'm lying. There will be no running on this leg but there's no way to explain that to him so I lie with a wave and hope I get the chance to explain later. I hope I live long enough to get yelled at and berated for being so stupid as to come out here in the first place. I hope Cain doesn't die for it. I hope no one dies.

I hope.

I hope.

I glance at Cain and he has a furrowed brow and squinted eyes. I realize, someone is talking to him in his mind too. He looks frustrated.

"What is it?" I ask anxiously.

"Your hubby and Jeff won't stop talking to me at the same time. They are trying to tell me what they got planned. It's a lot of info, especially with Merrick threatening body parts if I don't get you back to him safely." He smiles at me sideways, obviously hoping to help calm me down with his joke.

Surprisingly it works. I smile despite our current condition. He continues on to tell me that they are gonna let the Keepers go first and in a fast, furious wave. Then the rest can come in all at once after a half minute to allow for time of surprise. Hopefully they'll all be engaged and won't be paying attention to the lowly humans.

"I'm gonna leave you here, Sherry, when I take off. You just stay here and stay low. I'll be watching to see if anyone comes close to you." He hands me the shotgun and says he'll grab another weapon from one of the others.

I don't like this idea one bit, especially Cain leaving me with his only weapon. But, I'm not in any position or mood to argue. I nod to suggest I understand and he waits for Merrick's signal. Then I hear someone else, someone not wanted. And though he's all the way across the field, I can hear him, just like he's standing next to me.

"h.e.l.lo, Sherry. Might I say you are looking ravishing."

The Lighter formerly known as Phillip. I realize that Phillip no longer resides in that body, but it's still too much to have that face staring at me.

"Who is that?" Cain asked turning a circle to look all around us.

"Lighter," I answer.

"We didn't come here for you but here you are. What a nice surprise. Come on out and meet us in the middle and we'll spare your little friends from a very painful and long death."

Oh, G.o.d, help me. He knows me somehow. He knows I'll do it even if I know I can't trust him. I can't take the risk, but I can tell he's lying.

Come on Sherry! There's only eight of them and a whole heck of a lot more of us. This will be a...piece of cake. Besides, Merrick will freak and lose his focus if you just stroll out there to him and then, get himself killed.

I must have caught him off guard, him thinking I would cave and obey easily and immediately.

"Sherry is actually thinking of saving herself? My, my. I have to say I'm proud of you and thoroughly impressed. Not at all like the sweet selfless Sherry that was in Phillip's mind. Though I have no use of you personally, you'd make a better ally than I ever thought possible. Crandle is going to be very pleased with your...what do you humans call it? s.p.u.n.k? You and him can raise those little b.a.s.t.a.r.ds of yours and live happily. Ever. After."

I flinch at the contempt and disdain dripping in his voice. I push back the memories.

"You know him?" Cain asked but I kept silent.

Kept focused on Merrick. I stand my ground and pray I'm doing the right thing. If someone were killed because of me, I wouldn't be able to handle that.

They'll kill them all anyway.

Then, as quick as that, the blurs of inhuman speed start. I can't tell for sure who moved first, Keepers or Lighters. I see a few figures go down, some not for long, I can't tell between them though.

I hear faint yelling and curses and grunts. Then I see the rest head in, weapons raised. Cain starts to move but hesitates and looks back.

"Sherry. Shoot anything that comes close. I'll be watchin-"

Before he could finish Phillip is there in a blur, hitting Cain with a rock over the head and pushing him to the ground instead of letting him fall.

He's squeezing a cold hand around my neck before I can think or move. He twists the gun from my grasp, making me cry out from the pain in my wrist, and pulls me closer to lick a long stroke up my cheek with his freezing tongue that is now black, from my jaw to my temple.

I shudder in disgust and try to pull free but he tightens his grip on me, forcing a choke and grunt from me, as he speaks against my ear and he tosses the gun aside.

"I only wish we could finished what you and old Phillip started that day, Sherry. Maybe we can remedy that now. Though Crandle probably isn't into sloppy seconds. Or would it be thirds now?"

He continues to nip at me and squeeze my arms and neck, degrading me with his filthy gestures. His sickening sweet breath on my face.

The amount of enjoyment the Lighter is getting out of my fear and pain is enough to make bile come to my mouth. Maybe Phillip's vile and vulgar nature added to the evil in the Lighter that consumed him.

I can't help but wonder what the point of all this is. What does he gain for breaking my spirit? Is that how Crandle needed me delivered? Broken and sobbing? Why doesn't he just get it over with and take me to the Taker.

"Oopsy. Look at that. Sherry's got a boo boo," he said, glancing at my leg and smiling widely.

He sets me back down to the ground, but still holds my neck. All of a sudden he rears back a foot with a grunt and brings his boot bottom down square on the wound on my shin.

Now my leg is broken, I have no doubt. I crumple and scream, my ears ringing and he yanks me back up with his one hand, brutally on my neck.

I can't help but shake and writhe, trying to swallow the sobs that I know will only satisfy him more. He's holding me only inches above the ground now, letting me dangle from his grasp. I feel like I'm gonna pa.s.s out. The sky above turns gray and my eyelids start to flutter.

I reach out in one last attempt to free myself and feel my nails sc.r.a.pe across his face. Light trickles out of the wounds in spurts before his skin can close.

"Ah! You're gonna pay for that you little-" but he stops mid sentence and glances behind him.

Though the noise behind him starts to dissipate, I can't see around Phillip to see what's going on. Cain starts to stir and just as he gets up, he halts, c.o.c.ks his head like he's listening to something and then lunge forward, s.n.a.t.c.hing me with all his might into his arms, almost throwing us to the ground with his momentum.

Then a bright light that hurts to look at flashes and a quick blaze of fire and smoke and a rush of cold wind which is so strange combined with the flash of lightning that shoots up into the sky from the spot where a club went through the Lighter's body. I know Phillip is gone.

I see in Phillip's place now is Merrick, headless iron golf club in hand.

I can barely breath as I try to leap to him but my leg fails, I scream and tumble. Cain catches me up just in time to pa.s.s me to Merrick as he steps forward to accept me into his arms.

His arm immediately wraps around my waist to support me while the other hand goes to the nape of my neck, tilting my head back with his thumb. He kisses me with such force, roughness and desperation like he's never shown before in all the time I've known him.

I cry and cry, not able to stop the hot tears of pain and happiness and relief on my cold skin. Some sobs escape in between breaths but most, Merrick's takes into his mouth as he continues to hold my lips with his. Tasting the tears as we move I try to clear my mind and not think of the pain or what's going on behind us. I can hear the slight tings of metal hitting. The sand blowing furiously around us. But right now, Merrick is here and I'm safe.

The brutal kiss turns softer. All the love he has for me in so evident in this kiss. Then barely a kiss at all, just him moving his lips over mine, back and forth in a desperate motion. All I can think about is how warm and safe he is and I don't want him to let go. Ever.

He breaks away suddenly, gasping and glares at me, his face bright in the orange light of the dawning morning.

"Why don't you listen? I told you to run. You never listen! Don't ever do that to me again. I thought I lost you...for real this time," he whispers the last part against my lips, then pulls back to look me over, head to toe, then grunts angrily. "Sherry! What happened to your leg? And your neck?"

I say that Phillip did it and leave it at that, that's why I couldn't run. He can see my leg's broken and that's all that matters right now. I wasn't about to tell him I was attacked by three Lighters, so far.

He looks at me with a broken expression. One of hurt and pain on my behalf. He hates the fact that I'm hurt and he wasn't here to stop it. He touches my cheek softly with his hand and pulls back like he hadn't noticed me being cold before when he was kissing me.

"Gah, baby, you're freezing. Here."

He removes the jacket he's wearing and helps me shrug it on. It's so warm from him wearing it that I actually sigh out loud. Merrick doesn't feel the hot or cold like we do, and I'm so grateful that even with all the chaos, he still managed to remember my needs and bring a coat for me.

He lifts and cradles me in his arms and turns to walk back to the store and the waiting crowd. I don't speak and neither does he for a few minutes. I bury my face in his warm neck and continue to cry and breath heavy in pain. He is careful not to jostle my leg but it still hurts and throbs and my hiccup crying isn't helping anything.

He kisses my hair and rubs his scruffy chin over it murmuring to me.

"I've got you. You're safe with me."

Our peace doesn't last for long. Merrick quickly picks up the pace and I refuse to lift my eyes and look. My mind and stress level with lack of food and warmth can't possibly handle another a.s.sault.

He whispers to me.

"Hang on. I'm sorry, this'll hurt."

I know he's about to do the inhuman blur run, which won't feel great on my broken leg so I grit my teeth as I feel the wind pick up around us, cold sand blasting my face and bare broken leg.

Murmurs, shouts, clanging and grunts I can hear behind us and around us. I ask Merrick what's going on and he explains that a Lighter can only be killed by being completely run through. Light releasing on both sides from inside his body. So the ones we shot, didn't die and are now back for more.

A chill runs through me thinking about the Lighters running off to tell the others where we are. But they seem to be hanging around to finish the job instead.

Merrick feels me shivering.

"I'm trying, honey. I'm trying. Almost there," he whispers in my hair.

We reach the middle ground between the cave and the store. And then further still in a blur until I feel a slow descent of movement as Merrick pulls us to a stop but doesn't release me.

I hear more gunshots and Pap near us, yelling and shouting about 'gettin him some'. Actually sounds like he's enjoying himself, which grates on my nerves.

I can also hear and make out Aaron and Miguel yelling and grunting.