Technomancer 35: Sanctuary

*Guns, mass shooting, romance, faith, survival*

Arion moved forward in the line, and Cassie’s curves pressed into his back. He turned, grinning, and captured her small hand in his; her hands rough from her work as a waitress. Just the way he liked it. She returned the smile; her caramel cheeks flushed beneath the dark coil of her curly hair. Her dark eyes bore deep into his; her lips beautifully curved and a match for her heart-shaped face.

He leaned in for a kiss when Alejandro, her father, scowled from directly behind her. Arion hesitated and backed off. He was determined to play the long game for Cassie, and that meant earning her father’s trust. His time working in the diner had not done it yet, but he would win eventually. Her love made the wait bearable, and she was all that mattered to him.

The line inched ahead, dissolving into the military tents that scarred the now dry expanse of the old golf course. Beneath his feet, the long-dead grass pressed into the sand and rock. The smell of the sweat in the crowd was overpowering in the dusty air; those who were fairer bore the hallmarks of sunburn across their cheeks. The low hum of bored chatter drifted through the crowd. The city's loudspeakers had announced the previous night that it was a precautionary measure against a plague spreading from the war in the East. From what he heard from the customers at Alejandros' restaurant, there were hundreds of stations like this all over the city.

Arion's gaze swept across the crowd. Soldiers guarded the tents, yet none were managing the lines or the crowd. He began to grow nervous. Were they so shorthanded at the base that they lacked sufficient soldiers for this task? So many things could go wrong.... His hand tightened on Cassie's. She had been discussing restaurant supplies with her father, and their conversation had naturally drifted to the war, as it often did.

"Arion? Have you heard anything?" asked Cassie. "I hope Leron is okay. I was hoping to hear something from one of the soldiers, but I've heard nothing. Why aren't they saying anything?"

Arion clenched his free hand into a fist, looking away to hide his jealousy. "They don't want a panic," he said, the words coming out icy and dismissive. He hadn’t meant to betray his feelings.

"Don't be that way," Cassie whispered, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against his back. Her presence calmed him. "You know you're the only one for me. You're always so stiff."

He turned, wrapped his arm around her, and, ignoring her father's continued scowls, kissed her anyway. He ran his hands through her hair, feeling her hands brush along the base of his back.

"Knock it off, you two," Alejandro growled. "Cassie, mija, you know better than to behave this way in public. Besides, I told you he doesn't have a job or a good family."

Arion studied the older man. His rigid stance and quiet focus hinted at military training, but he had not spoken of it. He had remained silent, hidden in the back of his well-ordered restaurant kitchen. Whatever training he'd had was long faded beneath the hunch of his shoulders and his greying hair, but the intensity of his dark eyes remained.

Cassie pulled Arion close. "Papa, you need to let this go. I intend to marry him. We'll be his family."

She what? Arion went rigid. Marriage? The way she said the word evoked images of ceremonies, gowns, and endless commitment. He wasn't sure if he was ready for that or if he would ever be prepared for it. When he had tossed it around with Masa, he had only recommended it to protect her. He loved Cassie. What if it didn't work out? What if she decided she preferred someone else? He wasn't sure he could handle the possibility of being alone again.

"Arion?" Cassie's words sounded distant. His thoughts consumed him, trying to get out of the position he suddenly found himself in, without hurting her.

"Would you hurry and move up?!" yelled a man from behind.

Arion stepped toward the tent, and Cassie pulled away, hands planted firmly on her hips. Her eyes brimmed with anger. "Arion Florez?"

Laughter rippled through the bored crowd, who appeared to be enjoying the entertainment.

He needed to de-escalate the situation and fast. "Cassie, I want to be with you for the rest of my life, but I need time to think about this. Marriage is..."

Her shoulders fell like he hit her, and her eyes drifted downwards to hide the growing redness in her cheeks. She whimpered and turned to her father.

Arion moved forward in the line again, unable to think of anything to say. She was all he wanted, yet he was afraid to say anything. Why? Rubbing the lower half of his face, he wished it hadn't been pushed on him. He could hear Alejandro behind him consoling Cassie, and all he wanted was to go back to her and take it all back. Cassie didn't deserve this; she was so caring and loved those around her. She always took care of her customers and was surrounded by those who called her friends. Why did she have to draw the line now in front of all these people? He shook his head, struggling to make sense of the turmoil within.

"That was a mistake," the man in front of him whispered without turning to face him.

Perhaps it was, but did he have to make such a decision now? Before he could process the question, the air was ripped open by a barrage of gunfire. Screams exploded across the crowd, and the lines dissolved as people ran in every direction.

Arion pulled his gun and spun, desperately searching for Cassie and Alejandro. He spotted them, dragged along by the collapsing crowd. He rushed after them, throwing people out of his way until he reached them, planting himself to block the mob that slammed into him.

"We need to get out of here," he shouted, helping them to their feet, pushing them forward towards the far side of the field from the fighting. They reached the edge of the field, only to see a line of men emerge from the brush. Black vests covered their green fatigues, their eyes concealed beneath black lined goggles, and their hair hidden under dark helmets. They aimed their rifles.

"To the ground!" Arion screamed, throwing Cassie and Alejandro onto the dirt. Gunfire tore over their heads.

Cassie buried her head into his side, curling into the fetal position. He pulled her into his arms, desperate to protect her. Her hot tears dampened his shirt. The smoke from the gunfire stung his eyes.

The gunfire stopped.

Around them, people cried and wept; those who remained alive stayed still. Arion's ears still rang, and the stench of sulphur drifted upon the air. "Cassie, stay with me. I won't let them hurt you." She nodded, burying her head deeper. If they made it through this, maybe he would tell her yes.

Two soldiers stood nearby speaking in a long, drawn-out conversation. One paused and picked something from the ground. It was his discarded handgun. "Huh? Ognestrel'noye oruzhiye?"

The other soldier shrugged, and the first pocketed it and continued their conversation.

Alejandro's brow tightened.

"You know what they are saying? How?" Arion hissed.

"I fought in the Syrian war and was taken captive," Alejandro whispered, his face tight with focus. "I had to learn to survive the gulag. I think they are saying they used the forced vaccinations as an opportunity to take the city. They can't hold the golf course with the base so close, so they are retreating. They fired to cut down the number of hostages."

Cassie lifted her head. "Papa? You never told me."

"Stay down." Arion forced her down, but it was too late.

"Tshina. Vstavay," growled the Russian, kicking Arion in the back.

Groaning, Arion was pulled away from the other two, his hand forced behind him and bound with a zip-tie. While they restrained Cassie and Alejandro, he could see others in the same position across the field. They stood amidst the enemy soldiers. Bodies were everywhere.

*****

"Otvedite ikh na bazu!" yelled one of the Russians, banging on the side of the truck they were loaded into after being marched to the road.

"He wants to take us to their base in the slums," Alejandro whispered.

When the truck lurched into motion, Arion forced himself onto his knees, watching the golf course vanish through the wooden planks surrounding the truck bed. They passed by the highway entrance ramp. The highway must be in chaos. In his head, he mapped out the shortest route through backstreets and began searching for a way to escape before they arrived at the slums. Women did not fare well in the slums, and he had sworn to protect Cassie.

"What are you doing?" she asked, amidst the rumble of the truck and the wind rushing across the truck bed.

"Searching for something sharp."

Cassie fell silent, her cheeks reddening. "I have something. There is a knife strapped to the top of my leg. I keep it to defend against anyone who would try to take advantage of me."

Arion's heart hammered. The thought of being permitted to... he immediately clamped down on his thoughts before they could develop any further. He had hurt her once already and wouldn't risk her trust again. "Alejandro? Can you get Cassie's knife? It's strapped to her thigh."

Cassie scowled at him, which was not the response he was expecting, but part of him liked that she had wanted him to do it. He struggled to keep his mind in focus and looked away, watching the buildings drift by. He recognized several along the road leading to the side street where the church Masa had been staying was located. If they were going to escape, this would be the time, and they would have a place to go. When his eyes returned, Alejandro had the knife between his teeth. Cassie, free from her bonds, retrieved the knife and began freeing the other prisoners.

"Stay low," Arion said, rubbing his wrists once they were free. "When the truck stops, everyone, stay still."

There were a few objections, but all fell silent.

Arion took the blade from Cassie and crawled to the edge of the truck. With the blade clenched between his teeth, he crept over the side and clung to it. Fighting the wind, he reached down and slashed the tire. The truck swerved violently, threatening to throw him off before it ground to a halt. Arion dropped to the ground below the bed, hiding behind the flat tire.

The truck door slammed, and two sets of voices approached, speaking quickly and angrily in Russian. He tightened his grip on Cassie's knife. One of them knelt to check the tire, placing his rifle on the ground.

Arion slit his throat, spinning and picking up the rifle from the pavement. He fired at the second soldier, dropping him to the ground. "Let's go!" he screamed, banging on the back of the truck. "Everyone, follow me to the church." He waited, helping Cassie and Alejandro from the back of the truck, and they ran back to the side street. Some of the people ran in other directions, but most stayed with him. Ahead, the church grew closer, its spires towering above them.

He beat on the heavy wooden door. "Help! We need help!"

The door opened, and Arion saw the familiar greying hair of Father Ambrose. "Come in, my son."

Arion gave him a nod of thanks, pushed past him, pulling Cassie in behind him. The others streamed into the church, collapsing onto the floor, panting and in shock. He counted sixteen, including himself.

“What happened?” asked the padre.

“Russian soldiers attacked the park.” Arion leaned toward the man, "They are in shock and will need warm blankets."

Father Ambrose made the sign of the cross and disappeared in the direction of the hall. Those bloody American soldiers had better win. There is no way I can fight back with fifteen civilians. It was Laredo all over again. After this, there would be skirmishes in the street. Fighting, low food supplies. His hand shook from his PTSD - something he had long kept hidden, but he knew the signs. He rested his back against the wall, closing his eyes, but not daring to relax. The danger was far from over.

“Arion?” asked Cassie, sounding frightened. He felt her soft hand along the side of his face.

He opened his eyes, glancing downward. "I might not be sure about marriage, but I am sure that when I am ready, it will only be you." He pulled her into his arms, clutching her to his chest and breathing in the scent of spices in her hair.

Cassie's eyes shot upward, meeting his, and her smile set his heart pounding. Her brows knitted in concern, "I love you, too, you hulking idiot. Do you think we're safe?"

"I don't know." He edged toward the church window to watch the street. He knew they needed to set up a watch and defenses, but he needed to calm down. "You should get some rest," he said. "I'll watch."

"You don't give me orders." She pulled away, giving him a confident smile, holding his hand until it fell. "I'll go help the priest with the blankets," she said, and he watched her wander off and take a pile of blankets from the priest.

He heard footsteps and struggled not to jump.

"Thank you for saving us," said Alejandro. “Where did you learn to fight like that? What unit?"

“Mexican cartels.”

Alejandro scowled. "I can see how much you love her.”

"She is why I stay…I…"

"Knock. Knock. Knock."

*****

Father Ambrose gripped the latch of the heavy door, his gaze fixated on the young man from the diner, ushering the people into the back hall. It took him a moment to recall he was Masa’s friend from the restaurant, but it was him, and he had spoken of Russians. The injured had spoken of an attack in the park. What had happened?

The door shrieked open. Several men in black, rifles ready, stood on the threshold.

Ambrose tightened his grip on the wood, glancing back and relieved to see the empty church. "Can I help you?"

The man at the lead paused, his accent thick. "Ahh...people escape....come this way?"

Behind him, the soldiers began to argue.

A familiar burning guilt flared in his chest. The sin of pride had once separated him from God and cost him his place in the rapture. Since then, he walked the narrow path, vigilant against sin, careful to seek forgiveness. Now, a new kind of sin loomed. If the soldier spoke English, could he lie to them? If he told the truth, was he condemning the escaping people to death? Wasn't that murder?

Ambrose knew his choice. Life was more important on the narrow path. He forced his hands to be still. "No. No one is here. Do you need me to come with you?" He sent up a prayer for forgiveness.

The foreign soldier glanced behind him, speaking Russian, and an argument broke out amongst the soldiers. He turned back. "Ah...no? We would not be harming priests. Stay. Can we....ah check?"

Father Ambrose slowly opened the door, and when he turned, the people who were in the church had disappeared. He breathed a sigh of relief and hoped they were hidden somewhere safe.

The enemy soldiers spread out through the church, moving about. Static came over the radio, and one of them said something in a foreign language. He gave what appeared to be an order, and all but two of the enemy soldiers ran for the door.

Father Ambrose watched as the other two disappeared down the hall.

*****

Arian stood beside the kitchen door, panting, Cassie's knife clutched in his hand. It had not been easy moving so many people quietly, but they had succeeded. They were hidden behind the table, armed with whatever they could find. Two men held the captured rifles. The priest had bought them just enough time.

Footsteps fell just outside the door, and the tip of a rifle appeared through the opening.

Arion crouched, muscles taut. The rifle disappeared.

He raced after the soldier.

"Za Toboy!" cried another soldier down the hall.

The first soldier turned and fired.

Arion lunged, hitting the barrel upward and sending the volley into the ceiling. One cut into his shoulder, and he cried from the pain, pulling the first soldier close as the second soldier peppered his body with bullets. One cut into his leg, and he groaned, collapsing to the floor.

"Arion!" Cassie screamed, appearing above him, tears in her eyes.

"No, don't." Arion croaked, trying to stop her.

The second soldier appeared behind her and pulled her towards him, dragging her down the hall. Arion pushed the body off him and lunged, knife arcing for the man's neck. He thought only of protecting her. He aimed for the base of his neck, where nothing could protect him. The man fell beneath Arion's weight, dragging Cassie down, and the sharp blade sank deep.

Cassie's scream was a raw, terrible sound that cut through his very being.

Arion lay still, the pain too great, until Alejandro gently forced him onto his back.

Cassie gazed down at him, tears streaming.

Struggling against the pain, Arion reached up. He brushed the tear from her cheek with his thumb. "I will do whatever you want. Just don't do that again."