Chapter 4: It Takes Three

Andy opened his eyes with a start and gasped for air. Where was he? He looked around the room, and two faces filled his vision as his eyes came into focus. Both people were dressed in black. One was a tall, slender, and handsome young man. He had dark hair and a genuine-looking smile that would’ve served well to cover his intentions had Andy not known what lay beneath.

Andy was new to the group, so he didn’t know the man’s name or the name of the woman with him. She appeared to be as young as the man, perhaps no older than eighteen. Her red hair flowed down her small face, causing shadows to create an illusion of dancing strings in the scant light.

“We welcome you to our little club, Brother Andy,” the young man said. His mature voice was at odds with his youthful face. His innocent smile was disturbing, but not quite as disturbing as the girl’s. Her grin carried madness, a deeply etched insanity that chilled Andy to the bone.

“For the time being, you shall refer to me simply as Ruin, and you shall refer to my sister here as Requiem.” They were odd names, but Andy didn’t press the point.

Andy looked around the room. It was some type of disused bomb shelter, dark, with row upon row of empty wine racks. He sat in a wooden chair with his feet resting on the gravel floor. The room was noticeably quiet—the only sound was the soft echo of their voices.

Andy had no recollection of how he’d gotten there. This was not the first time they had met, and it probably wouldn’t be the last, either. The pair of them had approached Andy that morning and asked if he was finally ready. After Andy had nodded yes, he’d lost track of time.

“Do you know why you are here, Andy? Why you have come to us?”

Andy inhaled and pushed back his fear. He had been reluctant to join them. It was the most dangerous commitment he had ever had to make. Yet he knew he had no choice. In the end, society made the decision for him.

“I am here because of my right, the one that God has given me. I am here because the three of us, as well as those that will join, will reshape the world.” Andy looked around at the unchanged faces of the two. Did he say the proper words?

Requiem was the first to speak. She slowly licked her bottom lip. Her madness did little to betray her beauty. “Excellent answer, Darling.”

Ruin nodded. “But before you can join us in changing the world, before you can possess the greatness we offer, you must first be cleansed.” Ruin’s smile grew until his teeth were visible.

“It is almost dark,” he continued. “Tonight, you must kill three people. Any three you wish. Bring to us something personal from each, and your admittance will be complete.”

A shudder spread throughout Andy’s spine. “Please, anything but that. I don’t know if I can just kill people.”

Requiem sighed and met his eyes. “What is the first tenet, Darling? What did we teach you above all other things?”

Andy’s eyes fluttered around the room before answering. “That we, as superior beings, have the God-given right to take life from any we please.”

“Correct. So why, then, does this disturb you?”

Andy thought for a moment. He didn’t want to kill anyone. He wanted to change the world, for sure, and he knew this would be asked of him, but now that it was all on the table, it wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be.

“Because, well … shouldn’t we kill people that deserve to die? I thought that maybe you would have a list of our enemies, or something.”

“Ah, but the people who deserve to die are the ones you pick,” Ruin said. “You have these abilities because you are great. Your strength gives you the right to choose.”

Requiem placed a hand on Andy’s knee. “Ah, my poor baby, you still don’t get it, do you? It is because you want them dead that they deserve to die.” A look of something resembling sadness crossed her fiercely beautiful face. “These gifts we have allow us to make choices that others cannot. And one of these choices can be made at this very moment. Are you a frightened sixteen-year-old boy? Or are you a great man, capable of great things? We will leave you to think on it, but I do hope you think quickly, Darling.”

Andy was entranced by the soft, soothing sound of her voice. Even with her madness, he felt an instant attraction towards her.

“I understand.”

“I knew you would, Darling. I knew you would.”

Ruin and Requiem stood up from their chairs then climbed the dirt-filled steps to the door.

“When night falls, go and accomplish your task,” Ruin said. There was a surprising touch of sympathy in his voice. “And know this. What we’re asking you to do, we’re not asking out of cruelty. This kind of business was difficult at first for us, as well. But while you’re out there fighting your guilt and having second thoughts, try and remember how everyone in your life has treated you. We understand. We understand more than anyone. Andy, you will be our brother now, and we will be the only family you need. But first, you have to prove to us, you have to really prove to us, that you will do anything to change this wicked world we live in. And for that, it takes three.”

Andy heard the creaking door open and close, leaving him alone in the dark room. One hour, that was when he would begin.

****

Andy climbed the shelter’s steps, gravel crunching under his foot as he walked. Popping open the door, he stepped into the warm night.

I’m going to kill people.

He stopped short. The thought penetrated his mind like a dagger.

I’m going to kill people.

Andy tried to force it from his mind, to turn off his brain and continue on. But despite his best efforts, the words repeatedly entered his head. He could no more control them than he could his own crippling fear.

I’m going to kill people. This … this is really happening. What do they mean by “I have to cleanse my soul?” Who am I supposed to kill? Richard from school, he makes my life miserable. Yes, him for sure. But how do I pick two others? How can I simply kill people who have never wronged me?

The shelter led out into an abandoned construction site. Old broken vehicles, unusable wood, and other junk lay in pieces on the gravel. The area was completely desolate, making the site the perfect—if not a little creepy—place for a meeting ground.

Lost in thought, he walked aimlessly, anxious to leave behind the scent of burnt wood. The quiet of night amplified the crunch of gravel underfoot, the only audible sound.

After a quarter-mile of walking, he left the site behind him, returning to town and the comfort of light. The town of Elms was a residential area, with houses along most streets and parks at the ends of many blocks. The first thing Andy noticed was the pleasant scent of freshly mown grass.

As typical of larger towns, it had its own school district, plenty of shops, community centers, and a usually reliable transit service. To his left, Andy spotted a bus stop across the intersection of Oak Street and Cedar Road. He walked over to it and examined the small writing on the bottom of the sign.

Fifteen minutes until the next bus, but it goes in the opposite direction of my house.

Andy shook his head. He might as well take it. He had no clear goal—wherever the bus dropped him off would be as good a place as any.

A few minutes passed, and then the dark street brightened with the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. With a screeching halt, the bus stopped in front of Andy. He gave a curt nod to the driver then chucked whatever spare change he had in his pocket into the meter before heading to the back.

It was late, so there weren’t many people. To the front of the bus, a mother sat with an infant on her lap, bouncing and hushing him. Three college-aged kids mumbled amongst themselves in the rear, with thick textbooks on their laps and backpacks casually slung over their shoulders. Andy walked to the middle of the bus and took a seat across from an elderly woman staring absently out of a window.

He struggled to clear his mind but to no avail. He was aware that each person on the bus, each living soul, could have his or her life stripped away as if it were nothing. It was a disgusting, tainted feeling of empowerment.

Andy knew he had the power to end life, to deprive someone of their most basic right. But now that he had been commanded to do so, now that he would bloody his hands, Andy couldn’t help but feel the weight of it all on his shoulders.

Any one of these people—with a single thought, I could end them.

He released a breath he was unaware he’d been holding. He had to take life. It was not optional but demanded of him. Andy’s mind whirled in thought, his rational mind conflicting with his emotions. He knew the longer he delayed the harder it would become, and that if he waited too long, he would lose the will to go through with it. Each second saw a reinforcement of his reluctance, a growing distaste for the night’s dirty work.

“It’s such a warm night tonight, isn’t it?” a soft voice said.

Andy turned to look at the elderly lady sitting across from him, a kind smile upon her face, her silver hair dangling over her eyes. Andy returned the smile. “It is,” he said.

“I’m off to see my grandson. Tomorrow is his birthday, and I bought something very special for him.” She smiled. “His name is Tommy and he turns four.” Her face beamed with pride. She cradled a box on her lap—a remote-controlled helicopter.

“Wow, that’s nice of you, taking the bus this late at night to bring him a present. You must be one very special grandma.”

The woman nodded. “Well, I love my little Tommy. He’s my son’s child, but he’s still my boy. Whenever I come over, he runs to the door and yells ‘Grandma!’ He’s such a little angel.”

“He sounds like one. I’m actually heading home myself. I got held up in afterschool club activities, so I’m gonna be a bit late tonight. Here’s to hoping Mom doesn’t have a fit. I’m Andy, by the way.”

The woman giggled. “I’m Grace, and my, it is lovely to meet you, young man.”

“The pleasure is mine, Grace.”

Andy made idle chat with the woman for several minutes, until eventually she leaned over and pulled the yellow cord above the window to call for a stop.

“Again, it was a pleasure meeting you, Andy. I get off here, and I can hardly wait to see my little Tommy.”

The woman stood with a shaking leg and held the back of her seat for support. She grabbed her walking cane and slowly made her way to the front of the bus with the gift under her arm. Without realizing he was doing so, Andy followed.

“I get off here too. My house isn’t far from this stop.”

Despite her wrinkled face, Andy could imagine she had been quite beautiful when she was younger. With a quick “thank you” to the driver, he stepped with her into the warm, but temperate night.

“My son lives two blocks from here, over on Powell court,” she said.

“Wow, really? I live only a bit after that. Hey, I’ll walk with you.”

At that moment, as the sounds of their feet clicking against the sidewalk echoed in the night, Andy knew she would be the first. An ocean of guilt washed over him, and he fought not to be drowned underneath it. If he could just get it done, then he could worry about the consequences later. But if he faltered now, he would catch the next bus home and never work up the will to do it again. Not to mention there was no telling what the two creeps who ordered the killings would do if they found out.

“When I was a little girl, I used to love taking walks at night. But these days with my arthritis it gets to be just a little too painful.”

“That can’t have been very long ago,” Andy said. “You don’t look a day over thirty.” Grace laughed louder than Andy would have expected from such a small woman.

“Oh, don’t you go flattering me now. I’m not ashamed of my age.”

They turned left at the end of a narrow street onto a slightly wider one. Neat, ordered houses with freshly trimmed grass lined each side. Most had swimming pools and some had hot tubs, as well.

They were getting closer to the home, and Andy was running out of time. But with each step he took, he felt more despair. He wished he didn’t have to do this, and he tried to remind himself that he still had a choice. He could call the police and explain everything to them. He could beg for forgiveness and put all this nasty business behind him.

But would they believe a word he said? That there were people with these staggering abilities who could read minds and … change things? Andy was one of them, and even he wasn’t sure he believed it.

The woman paused. “What’s the matter, young man? Why are you crying all of a sudden? Don’t tell me some girl broke your heart at school.”

Andy hadn’t realized that his tears began to flow, but with small sobs, he knew he couldn’t contain them.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so very sorry.”

“I don’t understand. What do you mean ‘you’re sorry’?” The compassion in her eyes added another layer to Andy’s guilt. Without realizing it, Andy’s sobs turned into whimpers.

"They treat me so horribly. Every day they treat me like I am trash, like I am dirt. The pushing, the bullying, it never ends. I made a deal with the devil and now I can’t go back. I won’t be able to go back!”

“I … I don’t understand. Is there someone I can call, ah, your mother, perhaps? Why don’t you come inside? My son’s home is just on the next block, and I’m sure whatever’s bothering you I can—”

The woman panted. “Dear me, it’s become hot all of a sudden, hasn’t it?” She wiped her face with her sleeve.

Andy extended his arm, palm open. The woman’s eyes flashed with confusion. For a few seconds, she met his tearful gaze, and then came the screams.

“Something is wrong with me, with my face. My face is burning!”

She wiped away another trickle of sweat, only this time, her sleeve took with it a small strip of flesh, leaving behind a pink bloodied trail that ran across her forehead. Her screams intensified. Andy ignored them, focusing on the energy gathering within him.

“Young man!” she screamed. “Please, call for help. Something is happening to me!”

Andy heard her cries, felt them rip at his soul, but he pushed them aside. Her skin softened and then in pieces, small at first, fell from her face, revealing the dark red tissue underneath. Soon her screams became wails. She clawed at her face, furthering the damage, each swipe removing larger clumps of bloodied skin. Neighboring houses turned on their porch lights, no doubt curious about the commotion. Andy hurried the process.

He watched in horror as the last bits of flesh fell away from her face, revealing a terrible sight. It resembled something out of a horror film. Soon, even her screams were hushed, as her lips melted from her face.

As her last moan escaped her, and her lifeless body fell to the floor, Andy realized that his tears had dried. This was it—he had done it, and regardless of whatever pain he felt, Andy knew the next two would come easier, especially Richard.

Richard. The name echoed in his mind, replacing guilt with anger. He would die a dog’s death, far worse than the old woman’s. All of this was his fault, his responsibility. He forced Andy’s hand. He was the underlying cause of Andy’s misery.

Several people emerged on their porches, and Andy bent down to retrieve the box. He ripped it open and took the toy helicopter. With the toy firmly in hand, he turned to flee the block. No one could’ve seen his face, and even if they had, Andy hadn’t laid a single hand on the woman. There would be no evidence.

For five minutes he ran at a full sprint, until two blocks later he reached the corner of the street and doubled over, panting for breath. His emotions were a mess. He felt guilt, anger, terror, but oddly enough, also a creeping exaltation.

Struggling to catch his breath, Andy jumped when he felt a hand slide along his shoulder. He spun around and almost shrieked. It took a moment to register the girl in front of him. His mind scrambled to form words.

“You … What are you doing here?”

The madness was evident. Even a small child would feel unease by looking into those dark, yet hauntingly beautiful eyes.

“One,” Requiem said. She held out her hand. As if automated, Andy placed the toy in her soft palm. She turned around and walked back into the night.

Too startled to follow or call after her, Andy stood with a blank look on his face. Had she followed him? She hadn’t been on the bus, and he hadn’t seen her during the walk. She was the type to stand out.

When did she …?

He forced the thought from his mind. Maybe one day he would come to understand the two and perhaps shed some light on their secrets. But anything beyond his immediate mission was out of his control. He could only do as instructed, or suffer the consequences.

He gathered his strength and continued on. Richard would, must, be next. Andy had earned this.

“Incredible,” Paro said. He surveyed the room around him. The smell of smoke was thick in the air. Burnt desks and papers scattered about. The chalkboard had turned purple from the heat. “It’s amazing no one was hurt. This is far more damage than I expected.”

Paro could see he was not the only one surprised. Michael, usually cocky and self-absorbed, stood in silence. The room was destroyed, perhaps never again usable. The walls were ruined from the heat and the soaking they had received from the firefighters. Though horrific, Paro had to admit the destruction was impressive.

Sarah shook her head. “What does this tell us, Paro? Do you think this is the work of a mischievous kid?”

“I doubt it, Sarah. This was done by a Psych with experience and exceptional power. To be able to bring about this much destruction untrained, I can only assume it has to be one of the suspects we’re after, the Telekinetic, most likely. To cause this much friction, though. We’re dealing with someone very dangerous.”

Paro swallowed before continuing. “And being that it was done in this particular class worries me, as I’m sure it worries you all, too. The best we can do now is go through each name on the list, carefully and thoroughly, and see if we can find anyone who might be worth looking into. This punk is taunting us, daring us to find him or her.”

Kazou flipped through the pages of a file, pausing a moment to examine a name. “What about this kid? Richard Davins. He’s a known bully, frequently suspended, even has a criminal record.”

“Doesn’t seem likely. I’ve actually looked into him already, and he’s not a good match. Think about it. Here’s a kid who regularly vents his frustrations by torturing the people around him. Every whim or desire he acts out without regard for consequences. No, we’re looking for someone a bit more reserved, someone harboring years of rage. Whoever’s doing this isn’t likely to be the emotional sort. They probably have excellent control over their emotions and an even temper.”

Michael, apparently recovered from his lapse of disbelief, wore a toothy grin. “That hot little biology teacher we passed looked totally suspicious. Hey, I bet she knows something. I should go … investigate.”

With a massive crack, the sound of smashing wood resounded in the classroom, as Paro’s fist split a burned desk in two. “Be serious, damn you. Lives are at stake here.”

“Easy now, Paro—anything odd you do will have to be explained,” Sarah said.

Paro calmed down at the sight of her smile, ashamed at the sudden display of his temper. The desk collapsed with Paro’s use of inhuman strength. “Just say it was weakened by the fire.”

Sarah walked toward the rear of the room. She looked at the spot where math posters used to hang, only to see charred paper containing a blackened, incoherent slew of numbers.

“No matter how you look at it, this was a fortunate event. For one, no one was hurt. Now, for the first time in months, we have a lead on one or both of our killers. We have finally narrowed it down. Be thankful for their arrogance, because there are now thirty-two names in front of us, instead of thirty-two thousand.”

Paro nodded. “But still, Sarah, these kinds of things put us all at risk. It’s not easy to cover up. If this continues, then people will start to ask questions. At any rate, we’ll each have to look into these kids, at least as many as we can without drawing suspicion. I’m sure we’ve all got our own guesses as to which one or two are worth looking into. Pick who you think most likely and find out what you can.”

“In that case, I’ll look into this Richard.” Kazou looked to Paro for permission, and Paro returned a nod.

One way or another, all of this would come to an end. The fool that was taunting them would regret every life stolen. In the end, they were always caught, and nothing would change that now. There would be hell to pay.