Einundzwanzigste Kapitel: Das Zeichen

Scowling the recently demoted office crumbled the official letter from his Disciplinary Board Hearing, and although the stupid chit, who was responsible for his disgrace, was a no-show, the committee still felt it was necessary to punish him! And to add insult to injury, they were awaiting orders to transfer him to another base!

The transfer was not too bad, in his opinion, because then he could leave this godless country filled with slanted-eyed Japs. However, he feared that they would send him to another godless country with the genetic purity of an ape…

He stormed into his kitchen and poured himself a drink. It was only 1300, but since he was relieved of duty until his transfer came through, he had nothing to do… and God had been silent to his prayers… he paused as he looked at his drink. Maybe he had not heard God's voice that night… perhaps it was because he had too much to drink… that night… and the other night…

He was still trying to get his mind around it… he knew that the stupid whore would give some testimony as to how he had traumatized the stupid bitch… it was not like he had never seen a pussy before… after all, in his mind, they were all the same… caverns of deceit, lies and diseases… they were only meant for one night's pleasure and then to be disposed of… he did the world a favor by destroying the damned bitch… he had followed the dumb whore to that stupid bar… a mockery of American culture… he should burn it to the ground… yeah, that was what he was going to do later… burn it the ground… drug them too so that they could not run… drugs… he would need more… he had not expected to use almost all of what he had purchased from the dealer… he had not expected the beastly slut to have such a high tolerance… what a disgrace that they would allow anyone to join… a whore and a junkie… it annoyed him that he had to wait… he followed the damned cunt down the alley… the alley was dark… it was perfect… they would never suspect it was him once he was done… but then… she fought back… she dared to fight back! And reveal her true demonic face! She was a demon! A servant of the Devil! … He almost faltered but… he knew immediately… he knew then that the minions of the devil were trying to destroy him!

His hand shook, causing the ice to rattle and startling him from his memories. It was then that he noticed a small box on his kitchen counter. Placing his drink down, he picked up the simple box up and opened it to reveal a simple gold cross in it.

A gift for you, my Son. The familiar voice stated, causing him to tremble as he dropped to his knees in reverence.

"My Lord!" He praised airily, "I had feared that you had forsaken me!"

Foolish boy… The voice scowled, causing him to grovel lower onto the ground, Did you think I have forgotten your favor? Are you still not here, where you can carry out my work unimpeded? Do you still not retain a rank that gives you access to the wicked ones? Do not be so ungrateful, child, lest I should decide to remove my benevolence upon you!

"Forgive me!" He beseeched, "I am truly grateful! Grateful! I'll continue your work! I'll continue purging the wicked one from the Earth! I swear! I swear upon my honor and soul!"

I know. The voice cooed in pleasure.

"Thank you! Thank you!"

Enough! The voice commanded, The gift I just have bestowed upon you will help you find the Devil's minions. It will also protect you from their influence. It will empower you with the strength to destroy them!

"Oh! Thank you! My Lord, you're truly merciful!" The man groveled and praised.

"I think you get off by his groveling." The young man commented as the look of disgust remained painted on his face.

"Perhaps." The older man stated as he watched with satisfaction at his groveling pawn.

"You know that thing will alert him of our own brethren as well as the Two-Skins." The young man reminded his senior.

"Of course."

This caused the young man to look at his leader in shock.

"But why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" The young woman asked as she entered the chambers. The young man only glared, causing her to smile knowingly, "Anyone who allows a Two-Skin to live free deserves to be punished. Anyone who breaks away from the Covenant and is still permitted to live deserves death… the Council has grown soft over the years as has the Covenant… they both need to be purged of all weaknesses. Isn't that correct, milord?"

"You are very correct, my dear." The Lord replied.

"I see…" The young man replied, "I still believe we should have gone with someone with more strength…"

"No, he's perfect." The woman countered as her pretty face became contorted with an ugly smile. "His weakness makes him perfect to mold."

At this the young man grimaced as he realized what his female companion intended to do to her latest pet.

Walking down the aisle of produce, he stopped by the tomatoes and looked. He did not know why. He just did. He was originally heading to the Class Six, the base liquor store, when he had an overwhelming need to go to the commissary. To be honest, he had never been to the base grocery store. He had a housemaid, who did that for him. So why did he need to come here?

Slowly a hand reached up to the simple gold cross around his neck… was it a sign? Had his Almighty Lord guided him to the next dark minion? … Of course, even they need to eat… prepare a meal of human flesh with… with something… He reasoned.

"Excuse me?" A soft voice called, causing him to snap around.

The young woman gasped in surprise by his sudden movements.

"Are you alright, sir?" She asked with a small frown on her face.

"Of course, I am!" He replied arrogantly, which caused the woman to wrinkle her nose at his rude behavior, but she said nothing.

Instead she reached for a clear plastic bag and began examining the tomatoes.

He just stared at her. The young woman was comely with her short brown hair tucked behind her ears, and her hazel-brown eyes critically examining each tomato. She had either a late shift or the day off since she was casually dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt with Tinker Bell on it. Finally satisfied with her selection, the young woman closed her bag and began to walk away. And for a brief moment, she accidentally brushed against him.

He gave out a loud yelp as he felt a sharp, hot pain stab into his chest.

"What's your problem, jerk?" The young woman snapped, but walked away, not really caring about the rude man's issues.

He reached for his cross. Immediately he let go of the metal medallion as he felt it burn his hand. He looked at his hand as slow realization came upon him. That woman was one of them! The sign of his Lord would burn with his righteous fury when one was near! That woman was one of them! She had to be eliminated, purified!

Looking up, he almost lost sight of her as she went down another aisle. Quickly he followed, staying far away that neither she would see him nor that his cross would burn…

Pulling up to the driveway of the apartment complex, he parked his car and watched as she parked her own car and began unloading her groceries. Quietly he walked closer to the decorative fence and watched as she climbed the three flights of stairs. For a moment, he panicked, thinking that he would lose sight of her once she reached the top. But immediately he smiled when he saw her open her door… instead of the door swinging inward, it swung outward… backwards just like the rest of the country… revealing her apartment number.

4302

He smiled again then returned to his car.

Tonight…

"Ms. Pierce?" A middle-aged man called as he knocked on the door to apartment 4302.

But he received no answer.

"Knock again." Instructed another man with a frown on his face. He wore the traditional uniform of a military soldier, and normally he would have a casual smile upon his face. But today, his handsome face was marred by a frown.

One of his troops had failed to report to duty, which was odd for his troop. Staff Sergeant Lezlie Pierce was a stickler for punctuality. Hell, there have been times when she would scowl him for being late.

"I'm sorry, Sergeant, but she's not answering." The apartment manager said.

Master Sergeant Won frowned. This was not like his troop, and then there was that smell… it was faint, but he could still smell the rich odor of copper.

"Open it." MSgt Won ordered.

The manager frowned but obeyed.

The door opened, and the thick scent of copper attacked them. The manager reeled back at the smell while MSgt Won immediately closed the door. But it was too late… the smell was already in his nose and on his taste buds. Leaning against the door, and with a shaky hand, Won pulled out his cellphone and dialed.

"This is MSgt William Won." He said, not giving the desk officer a chance to speak, "I need units to Coconut Grove Apartment Complex. Apartment 4302... There's been… a… a murder…"