Chapter Seven: Through Ash and Flame Part One
Emilien makes no further attempt to wipe away the remaining blood off him. The rest do not seem deterred by this and act as though he is not covered in the blood of someone's throat he just slits.
"Sorry for what you just saw ma'am. He had fulfilled his purpose and was no longer needed." He apologizes.
You're still processing what you saw. You have seen death today but not one as gruesome as this. This one was not as quick as the others yet no matter how you felt you could not deny it got the job done. But this was not good for Max. This notion further strengthens your resolve.
"Since we're done here," you say as you glance at the lifeless and bloody cadaver, "what's the next course of action?"
"We leave." Emilien comments.
Following the information given, you come to a nearby patch of grass big enough to conceal the whole team which you did not expect in the slightest, and see exactly what the man said. Just out the main gate sits a few armored vehicles with an insignia depicting a nail into a skull that is flanked by bony wings. A few men idle around the cars while some seem to have all their attention focused on the entrance.
"Just how are we going to get through all that?!" You whisper worriedly to no one in particular.
It seems lady luck is no longer on your side as no matter what you come up with it doesn't seem to go down the path you want. As you discuss possible solutions with the rest you hear a yell before a hail of bullets, set ablaze in pale yellow tear through the men. The unfortunate ones were immediately riddled with bullets and the onslaught only seemed to intensify as time went on. The lucky ones immediately took cover and frantic commands could be heard. The sounds of bullets ricocheting off various parts of the cars and breaking glass fills the air. Instinctively you pull Max closer to you, shielding him as best as you can while trying to remain hidden.
A few dared to take a quick peak from behind their cover but were immediately killed. Multiple small cylindrical objects were hurled into the already disorganized groups. Multiple mushroom-shaped clouds quickly form from the numerous explosions as multiple cars burst into flames. Individuals caught in the flames frantically try to extinguish the flames but are gunned down, and their screams of pain quickly die with them. Others who were still fortunate enough to be alive were fired in response.
"Masks off! Now!" Emilien suddenly orders.
The salvo of bullets continues to rain down upon the intruders for the next minute or so. Even after there is no more return fire from the group the onslaught still continues. Suddenly the gunfire stops and a member of the house guards step out into the open, his eyes darting across the place, the barrel of his gun still smoking from what just happened.
"Friendly!", Emilien suddenly yells as he steps out. He holsters his weapon and approaches with his hands raised.
The man turns towards him, weapon raised before he lowers it.
"Chief!" The man salutes as Emilien approaches.
"At ease," Emilien responds and motions to the rest of you to step out.
"You were right. Pardon me for asking but how did you know?" The man questions as more guards step out of the house, all looking worse for wear. They all seem to hold Emilien and his men in high regard.
"There goes our only means of escape." You say as you look at the burning wreckages and bodies.
"Mom?", Max tugs at your hand, his expression is one of worry, "how are we gonna get out of here now?"
"The sub garage," Quincy answers as he takes a seat on a nearby ornamental figure.
"Sub garage?" Your question.
"Sub garage or as the full name goes, subterranean garage is a backup garage designed by the boss in case something like this should happen. It still amazes me how he has so many contingencies, even having contingencies for contingencies. The garage has a variety of ATVs with some being of military-grade value. But there are rumors of there being a vehicle specially designed for Doomsday situations and an armory full of experimental weapons. " Emilien explains.
"The entrance can only be opened by three people, Arno, you, and your son." The man adds.
"So that explains why they were looking for you and your son." Andre chimes in.
"Do you know where the entrance is?" You ask the group. No one answers for a few moments before you realize why.
"None of you know, do you?" You ask.
"Only he knew where it is," Julius says.
This new information changes everything. The attack, 'Jacques', and the consistent goal of capturing you and Max were all to get access to the garage. But how did they know about it? Someone must have tipped them off. Could it be Jacques?
"Mom?" Max calls, snapping you out of your thought train.
You hum in response.
"I think I might know where the entrance might be." He says, catching everyone's attention.
"And I think you do too." This catches you off-guard.
"What?"
"Yeah, I think he told you without actually telling you." He explains.
You begin to reflect on your time spent with Arno. He was quite the charmer when you first met. You were part of a task force investigating a suspicious group of drug dealers and you met him in a joint force operation on their main base. One thing lead to another and you had Max six years ago. You look at him for a brief moment. He's been through a lot in the last hour. You're surprised he can still smile yet you feel a sense of shame for allowing all this to happen you feel your eyes begin to tear up.
Suddenly something crashes into you.
"It's gonna be alright," Max says as he tries to comfort you.
"That's my role." You say in between quiet sobs.
"I know." He responds quietly.
A moment later and you collect yourself and try to work out what Max said about Arno telling you without directly telling you. Maybe a song? No that can't be it.
"Could it be a phrase of his?" You ask Max.
"Probably. But which one?" He speculates.
"A phrase? Didn't boss have one he said all the time?" Quincy speaks up.
"The dead rest with the knowledge they know," Andre answers.
"I thought it was 'When the sun touched the land.'" Max says.
You ponder over these two. When you first met Arno, he had an unorthodox way of saying certain things. One was cryptic sayings. The cogs in your mind begin to turn and after a while, it clicks.
"I need a sheet of paper and a pen!" You suddenly yell.
Everyone stands there motionless until you reiterate that eventually they're handed to you. You write down the first phrase, then the second, and take a step back to see if there's anything amiss. Emilien stands next to you and looks at the paper with an intense gaze.
"Do you notice something about these two statements?" You ask without taking your eyes off the paper.
"It is clear that these two are clearly connected but I can't seem to find just how?" He answers.
You think about the first one. Could it be a reference to a graveyard? That can't be it. A final resting place no doubt. Then you focus on the second phrase. Could it be referring to daybreak? It has to be. A few minutes later and you're still no closer to finding out the meaning of these two phrases. In the meantime Emilien, seemingly the head of security ( which explained a lot ) orders the rest to search the area in case any of the intruders were still alive or hidden. Apparently, the remaining intruders had been taken out by the guards albeit they took casualties of their own. Max walks over and gives his thoughts as well.
Suddenly you have an epiphany and rearrange the phrases and it read;
'When the sun touched the land, the dead rest with what they know.'
"Now what?" Max asks.
"Schematics," you reply while gesturing for Emilien to find you schematics for the entire area and soon enough he hands you one.
The layout resembles a horseshoe from above. The center is empty yet your gut tells you that there is something there. You pull out a flashlight and shine the light on that particular spot. Nothing happens. You look around, perhaps there's something that you're missing.
'Sun…' You pondered. But there's sunlight unless it needs to alter in a certain way.
"Andre," you call, "your scope please."
He gives you a questioning look before he unslings his rifle and detaches the scope before handing it over to you. Now, time to find out what Arno left for you.