Chance

“I screwed up, man,” Andrew groaned as he joined Uzziah at their lookout. They had stationed themselves on a small hill close to Peter’s home, so they could intervene if Charity and Leah needed help.

“You screwed up? I’ve been at the hospital for weeks and still can’t manage to have a single conversation with Leah. Could you imagine what she’d do if I even tried to tell her she shouldn’t go home to her apartment?”

“I told Charity I knew Rose,” Andrew confessed.

Uzziah turned to face his friend, “How much did you tell her?”

“Just what she asked. I didn’t know if the house was bugged, so I could only say what I knew wouldn’t end with an Elite at the door ready to tear out our insides. She didn’t take it very well,” Andrew sighed.

“Really? She struck me as the kind who would be excited about learning she had a long-lost childhood friend.”

“I didn’t tell her about that. Besides, she was three, and it was twenty years ago. She doesn’t remember.”

“So what exactly did you tell her?”

“That I knew Rose died before I met Charity in the office my first day,” Andrew muttered.

“Dang, man,” Uzziah laughed, “you did screw up.”

“It’s not like you would have done any better,” Andrew shoved Uzziah, who only laughed harder in response.

“It’s fine, man. It’ll work out,” Uzziah said reassuringly. “It’s not like they’re the first people to ever refuse to leave when they get warned the Elite are watching them.”

“It’d be so much safer for them if they would, though.”

“Yeah,” Uzziah shrugged, “but I think our odds are okay.”

Andrew turned his attention toward the storm crawling in from the mountain peaks. Their rescues lived and died by circumstance: the time of day, exact location, Elite position, and even the weather affected their odds. If the Elite chose to attack the girls, Andrew and Uzziah could only hope that the ideal circumstances were met, and they both despised the idea of having to leave so much up to chance.

Their best hope of survival is that the Elite choose to attack them in their home on a clear night. The clear sky makes it easier for himmelli to intervene if needed, and the home provides obstacles that can buy time and build distance between the Elite and the people. The worst case scenario, and one that Andrew prayed he would never have to experience, is attempting to do a rescue outside on a stormy night.

If a storm comes, himmelli would not be able to find them, and the combination of bitter cold and hard rain would slow them down, giving them an even greater disadvantage compared to the swift and skillful Elite. Andrew had never heard of a successful rescue mission on a rainy night, and he had no desire to become the first one.

Andrew's jaw clenched as he stared at the churning clouds. Please, he begged silently, not tonight.

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Charity sat alone on her father’s couch and had cried so much she was sure her body could not produce anymore tears. She felt confused, betrayed, and alone. Her mother was gone, she couldn’t recognize her father, and a person she thought she could consider a friend held secrets she was not sure she was ready to uncover.

She was scared. Scared of what may come visit her in her slumber tonight. Scared of what tomorrow’s sun may bring. Scared that Andrew may be telling the truth, and she may not live to see another tomorrow if some undying, all-powerful being was looking for her.

“What do I do?” She asked herself. “Mom, why did you leave me?” Questions burned in her mind, and no one was there to answer them. Who was her mother really? Was what Andrew said true? Did Charity really want to find out? What if the truth only hurt her more?

She heard her phone ring, but she chose not to answer. Instead, she listened to the soft pitter patter of rain falling against the window.

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“Did you see that?” Andrew asked Uzziah, pointing toward an ominous movement in the distance.

“Oh, no,” Uzziah mumbled.

“Grab our gear, and pray this sky clears,” Andrew said, “It’s heading straight for the roof.”

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“Hey, Chair. I was just calling to check on you. This weather is getting really bad, so a lot of people are calling out of work. The hospital needs extra hands, so I’m not sure when I’ll get off. If you’re lonely, you can always come here. Give me a call back when you can,” Leah’s voice rang through the house as Charity listened to the message.

Charity sighed and looked around the dark, empty living room. She wasn’t sure she could stay here another night, especially not alone. A loud thud echoed from the roof. She tried to tell herself it was just the rain, but a prickle of unease urged her to leave. More thuds followed, heavier this time, like footsteps. Her breath hitched in her throat, and her heart hammered against her ribs. She grabbed her jacket and keys and fled.

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Wind howled and nearly ripped the door off its hinges, and heavy rain pelted Charity as she ran straight to her car. The ignition roared to life, and she whipped her car out of her parent’s driveway. But the moment her car had just entered the winding road, crimson orbs illuminated droplets of rain, like glowing embers coming to burn Charity.

The cadaver-like creature came running toward her with inhuman speed, its malevolent gaze never wavering from Charity’s car. She screamed as she swerved her car, attempting to move away from the horrifying creature. The sound of crumpling metal echoed through the night as she crashed into a tree not more than a few feet away from her parent’s house.

Shattered glass tore her flesh, and a guttural cry ripped her throat as the creature yanked her out of the wreckage.

“Where is it?” It screeched, throwing Charity onto the road. She cried out in pain as her elbow shattered against the wet pavement. Freezing rain pelted against her body as she lay bleeding on the road.

“Where is what?” Charity could barely hear herself over the crackle of thunder.

“Human, don’t play coy with me! Where is it?” The creature picked Charity off of the ground by her hair. She cried loudly and attempted to grab onto the creature’s rotting arm. The smell of death filled her lungs, and she kicked helplessly as her feet dangled in the air.

“Please,” Charity begged, “I don’t know anything. Please, let me go!”

The monster laughed, raising its free arm. Charity closed her eyes and waited for death, bracing herself for the devastating blow. Bang! Something slammed into the creature with enough force to release its hold on Charity. The pressure on her scalp vanished, and she plummeted to the ground with a resounding thud.Black spots danced at the edges of her vision.

"Charity!" Andrew's desperate cry reached her before darkness swallowed her whole.

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“Uzziah, she’s here!” Andrew shouted, running toward Charity’s still form His heart stopped, and fear turned his blood to ice. He scooped up her broken and bloodied body and released the breath he wasn’t aware he was holding when he heard a groan escape Charity’s bruised lips.

“Get her in the truck, and let’s get out of here before that thing gets up!” Uzziah yelled from the driver’s side of Andrew’s now totaled vehicle.

With as much speed and care as he could muster, Andrew got in the backseat with Charity. Uzziah sped away, the mangled truck protesting with every turn, and Andrew began to wrap gauze around Charity’s bleeding head.

“Hurry, Uzziah. She’s in bad shape,” Andrew’s voice trembled as he continued to clean the blood off of Charity’s face. The metallic aroma filled him with worry. You have to make it, he thought. There’s so much I have to tell you.

“I’m trying! This storm’s a nightmare, and I’m flying blind!”

“Hang on, Charity,” Andrew pleaded, his bloodied hand cradling her face. Every bump in the road sent jolts of pain through Charity, each one a fresh stab of fear in Andrew's heart.

Uzziah finally skidded to a halt among dense trees and underbrush that successfully hid their truck in the massive mountain forest. They scrambled toward the city’s hidden entrance as rain continued to pelt them. Andrew cradled Charity close, doing his best to shield her from the rain and jostle her as little as possible.

Their heavy footsteps echoed loudly as they entered the dark cave. Andre flicked on his flashlight, and the two continued to run. The air inside was cool and damp, and the scent of earth and stone filled their nostrils. The beam of the flashlight danced across the slick, uneven walls. Uzziah's jaw was clenched tight, and his eyes were focused on the path ahead. Andrew's gaze remained fixed on Charity's pale face. Neither spoke a word until the sound of the storm faded as they moved deeper into the cavern.

“How’s she holding up?” Uzziah asked.

“Still alive, but she’s lost a lot of blood and definitely has a few broken bones. I’m not sure about any internal injuries, but I’m sure there are some,” Andrew replied.

“Tsur!” Uzziah shouted, and the stone golem revealed itself.

“Hmm,” it said with a rocky groan.

“Hey, buddy,” Andrew said.

“A new one?” Tsur said when he saw Charity. “She does not look alive. Has she passed?”

Andrew grimaced, “Thanks, Tsur. Can you let us through, please? We’d like to help her look… more alive.”

Tsur nodded his rocky head and then moved out of Andrew’s and Uzziah’s way. The moment Andrew had enough room to pass the golem guardian, he ran into the city and didn’t stop until he reached the hospital, which was nothing more than a small storefront with two hospital beds that were typically empty.

“Andrew!” Cara, the only hospital attendant, said in surprise.

“Help her, please,” Andrew said. He gently lowered Charity onto a clean bed and backed away so Cara could work. His eyes never left Charity’s still body.

“I’ve never seen you look so concerned,” Cara observed as her hands moved swiftly to examine Charity. “Who is she to you?”

“Why does that matter?” Andrew asked coldly.

“It doesn’t,” Cara hesitated, feeling Andrew’s glare against her back, “I mean, it could. I’m just curious.”

“Please, just do your job, Cara,” Andrew groaned.

Cara pressed her lips in a thin line. She was pretty according to anyone’s standards. Her platinum blonde hair never seemed out of place, and it was neatly pulled back in a high ponytail now while she worked. She was a hard worker who always seemed to get what she wanted.

That is, until she wanted Andrew. Three years ago, not long after she had started working in the hospital, she became acquainted with Andrew. He was one of the only frequent visitors of the hospital, though it was usually because he was bringing someone who needed help. He was strong, humble, a good leader, and attractive. He was everything Cara wanted, and his constant rejections and disinterest only made her want him more.

“Her elbow and a few of her ribs are broken. There is a pretty severe laceration on her head and a few other cuts all over, but she’ll be fine. She just needs rest.”

Andrew sighed in relief. Cara looked up from her patient when she heard this and felt a tinge of jealousy, but Andrew had not even noticed Cara’s glance. He was too busy looking at Charity.

“You know,” Cara said, skillfully stitching the wound on Charity’s head, “you’re bleeding, too. I can help you.”

“I’m fine,” Andrew said. “I’ll be back after I clean myself up.”

He turned to leave, but Cara did not stop to watch him go. She continued doing her job while anger began brewing in her heart. “Who are you?” Cara whispered to an unconscious Charity.