Double Helix

chapter twenty-six
~ miracle ~

Milly managed to drag Wolfwood behind a large outcropping of rocks just a few inches beyond the grass that carpeted the land surrounding the Geo Plant. She tended to his wounds as best she could, but knew that the damage done to his body was well beyond her skill. All she could do for him was try to keep him from bleeding to death, but he would still die if she didn't get him to a doctor.

She heard the very familiar echo of metal clicking against metal and knew that Eleandra was armed once more. Angry tears came to her eyes, mixing with her already shed tears of fear and worry.

Everything was falling apart.

Wolfwood would die if she didn't get him some help. Their mission to try to save Vash and Meryl was a complete failure. Legato was no where to be seen. The plant worshipers were starting to make their way toward Canaan and Eleandra was still trying to kill them.

They had failed, but she wasn't willing to give up while she still had ammunition. All she could do was take cover, try to fight back and pray for a miracle. Perhaps if she could defeat Eleandra she would be able to escape from Canaan before the plant worshipers got to them. Perhaps with the Cross Punisher in her hands she would be able to make that hope for a miracle become a reality.

The doorknob was surrounded by a white-knuckled grip. Vash hesitated as he peered into the room through the small, glass window in the door. His brother had his back to him and he was standing beside Meryl, pounding his fist against her chest. Vash felt himself jump at the sound of each hard thwack as his fist beat against her flesh, but he made no move to enter.

The scene before him felt surreal.

Meryl's bare feet were in stirrups. A sheet hung haphazardly over one knee, pushed aside for lack of need but kept somewhat in place for the sake of modesty. Violet eyes were open and unblinking as they stared in his general direction. Knives thumped his fist against her chest twice more and the jarring movement caused Meryl's head to bounce, giving her the appearance of a rag-doll.

It wasn't until he caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye that he became aware that a third person was in the room. A woman with slightly graying hair stood off to one side spectating, a bundle of blankets cradled in her arms. The free-born plant swallowed hard, knowing instinctively what the small bundle was.

He heard Knives' muffled voice order the woman to help him. Flummoxed, she held the bundle closer to her chest. Knives repeated the order and she moved swiftly to obey, the infant placed safely in the crib. Pointing at Meryl's still form, Knives gave her another command. He pointed as he directed the graying woman to position both hands over Meryl's chest to assist him in his resuscitative efforts.

It was then that the woman glanced up and noticed him.

Her face clearly showed her shock and surprise as her mouth moved in a whisper. Knives' head shot up and he turned his face slightly toward the door, but paused before looking at him directly. Vash opened his mind and waited expectantly for his brother's psychic voice.

'Knives?'

An oppressive silence filled him as Knives turned his attention back to Meryl. He didn't even offer him so much as a glance of acknowledgement. Vash's breath caught in his throat as he watched his brother position Meryl's head back and held her mouth open with his thumb. He leaned over the dead human, placed his mouth over hers, and gave her breath while the other woman pushed her intertwining hands against her chest and gave her pulse.

'Knives?'

Vash knew what Knives was doing when he first witnessed him pounding his fist against Meryl's chest. The twins learned first aid when they were children, but Vash still refused to accept what his eyes observed. There was no way that Knives would be performing CPR on a human. Even on a human he found 'useful.' It just was not possible. Knives did not value life the same way Vash did.

Didn't he?

Without thinking, Vash turned the knob, pushed open the door and stepped inside. The older woman glanced at him warily as she continued to count aloud. Knives ordered her to 'get the paddles' and the nurse responded automatically.

'Knives?' he asked, trying desperately to feel his brother's mind. 'What is happening?'

The silent treatment continued, but for some reason it felt painfully oppressive. Vash couldn't quite put his finger on why it felt that way, but he couldn't deny the strange sense of distance he felt from his own twin. Even when they argued and fought, he still felt their bond, but now... it just wasn't there.

A sense of panic and fear filled him. Something was terribly wrong. He could only watch in helpless silence as Knives continued to breathe for Meryl, his presence completely ignored. Seconds felt like hours and Vash heard the distinct sound of gunfire from outside the compound. Shamefully, Vash wished he was out there in the middle of a gun fight rather than drowning in oppressive silence.

"I have a pulse!" The woman announced a half-second before the sound of Meryl gasping for air filled the room.

Knives moved toward the crib, not once turning his attention toward Vash. "Attend to her," he ordered the nurse as he shielded the infant from Vash's view.

"Will... will she be okay?" Vash asked.

Knives ignored his question and said, "Leave, Vash."

Vash's brows furled together and he hesitated out of confusion.

"I said, leave," he repeated.

Confused, Vash said, "I don't... what is-"

"You are no longer one of us," his twin said. "You have been judged... by all of us. Excommunicated, Vash."

Vash stepped forward and Knives finally turned to face him, a strange look glinting in his eyes. "Do you understand what that means?" When Vash didn't immediately respond, Knives continued, "I do not like repeating myself. You need to leave. Now."

"There was a trial?" Vash asked. "Did you speak for me?!"

Knives glared at his brother and said, "You've attacked your own kind, Vash. You have been rejected."

"Me?!" he demanded, "I am the one being punished when you have killed thousands, millions!"

A familiar rush of anger filled Knives' mind. This argument was as old as it was tedious. "I acted in the best interest of our family, our flesh and blood... our future," he said, "Do you even know what you have done? The damage you have caused?"

"You put me in a cage," Vash said. "I did what I had to do to be free!" He stepped forward, intent on reaching his brother. He barely took three steps when Knives' arm immediately transformed into blades.

"Leave, Vash," Knives warned. "I don't want you to die, but it will happen if you don't leave. Now."

The air felt charged and Vash suddenly realized that it wasn't just Knives that was making a threat against him, but Gwen as well.

"Knives, why-"

"Leave!" his brother roared, "You are no one!"

"I'm your brother," he said. "Your twin..!"

The malevolent charge in the air suddenly doubled and Vash felt hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Then Gwen's voice filled his mind, 'You are no one!'

Vash swallowed hard. This couldn't be right. It was too extreme, too cruel. He only did what he needed to do to be free. 'Knives..?'

His skin tingled from Gwen's energy, dark and cold. He shivered, the first sliver of truth seeping into his heart. He really wasn't one of them anymore. They no longer recognized him as one of their own.

He had been rejected.

Knives watched as Vash's face grew pale as realization finally took hold of his heart.

"Do you understand now?" Knives asked caustically. "At least one member of your human family is still alive out there. The car you arrived in is still here. Take it and go."

The glare of the twin suns forced him to shade his eyes as he stepped out of the compound. He longed for his familiar red trench coat and sunglasses, but felt comforted with the knowledge that he was free. The air was thick with gun smoke and dust, but still smelled clean. His long confinement made him sensitive to the elements and he squinted painfully. The brightness of daylight was quickly giving him a migraine. The nearby booming sound of gunfire only amplified his pain.

Vash turned his attention toward the direction of the gunfire and did his best to ignore the pain in his head. Off to his right, he saw bullets kicking up chunks of grass and ricocheting off a concrete wall. Behind that wall, Vash caught a glimpse of Eleandra, who had just finished firing and appeared to be attempting to reload his weapon with only one arm.

The other shooter was hidden from Vash's line of sight. He knew by the sound of the weapon who was firing. Vash frowned as he studied the path of the bullets and concluded that Chapel must be injured. The shots were generally accurate, but they were nowhere near as precise as per Chapel's level of skill.

Vash wondered for a moment if perhaps it wasn't the Cross Punisher he heard, but something else. Then a flash of light glinting off steel further solidified his assessment. It was indeed the Cross Punisher. Vash continued to study the area around the boulder, speculating if there would be enough cover for him as well when he noticed part of the horizon moving.

The plant worshipers were coming.

Vash frowned and felt anger toward his brother spark within him. Once again, his brother had lied. He said he could leave in the car that he arrived in, but as Vash scanned the area around him, he didn't see the car anywhere. Searching for the automobile would prove fatal as long as Eleandra held a weapon. Vash could only guess how much ammunition the cross-dresser had left. By the time Eleandra was properly dealt with, the plant worshipers would be upon them and even more blood would have to be spilt.

It was a set-up, it had to be.

He was right about Knives. He had no regard for life. None.

Yet, the memory of his brother breathing for Meryl filled his mind and shook his resolve. Vash clenched his jaw angrily as he glanced at Eleandra and pushed the memory from his mind. The pair locked eyes for several seconds and Vash was certain that he caught the Gung-ho Gun smile at him just before he lifted his weapon and pointed it at the free-born plant. It was at that moment that Vash decided to sprint toward Chapel. Surely, the priest had an extra weapon for Vash to use.

No sooner did his body lurch forward to run did the air fill with the cacophony of gunfire once again. He could hear the sound of the stakes whizzing by as he came nearer to where he knew Chapel to be. Just as Vash dove for cover, he caught a glimpse of Milly. Bright blue eyes gaped at him in surprise and the free-born plant nearly landed on top of Chapel in the process.

"Vash!"

The plant in question rolled over and pulled himself into a kneeling position. His eyes darted from Chapel to Milly and back again.

"Oh, Vash!" Milly breathed, her voice cracking with hope. "I'm so glad!"

Crouched down, Milly hugged the Cross Punisher close to her body. Beside her lay a bleeding and unconscious Chapel. Milly's brows creased together in puzzlement when she noticed that Vash ignored Chapel as he moved around him, pushing his back up against the boulder.

In fact, he didn't even ask about him.

Or her.

"I need a gun."

Milly nodded curtly as she rested the end of the Cross Punisher in the sand. Reaching behind her, she pulled her .45 HK Mark 23 from its holster. She handed the weapon to Vash without a word.

"How many?" Vash asked as Milly wielded the Cross Punisher. "I only saw the Crimson Nail."

"There were three," Milly said, voice tight. She aimed the large gun, finger ready on the trigger, "but now it's just him. Legato and that blonde girl disappeared a while ago. I don't know where they are."

Vash nodded as he listened for the sounds of Eleandra reloading and preparing to fire. "Chapel's bleeding to death," he remarked offhandedly.

Milly looked at Vash sharply with a spark of anger in her eyes, "I know that."

The plant didn't seem to notice Milly's ire as he peered over the top of the boulder. "That bastard," Vash murmured, "I don't see it anywhere."

"What was that?"

Vash ignored her question as he wiped his brow, "There's a large group heading this way."

"I know. They said we wouldn't leave here alive."

"We need to move."

Milly nodded and bit her lip angrily as she let loose another round, her entire upper-body jerking backward after each shot.

"Where is Meryl?" Milly asked after the fifth round was fired, "She's still in there, isn't she-"

"She's dead."

A tremor moved through Milly and she bit her lip.

"Are... are you sure?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yes. Knives killed her."

Blue eyes blinked back tears as her mouth suddenly went dry. Her insides felt like jelly. The muzzle of the Cross Punisher dipped into the sand as Milly struggled for composure. The situation was certainly dire before Vash showed up, but now that Meryl was dead... she felt like giving up to the inevitable.

Heartbroken, Milly felt truly helpless and the will to fight dwindled into lament. She felt both helpless and hopeless. The sensation was crushing.

Vash said nothing as he watched the young woman grow slack with grief. What more could he tell her? If she continued with her goal to rescue Meryl, she'd be killed.

It was better this way.

It had to be.

"Milly..."

The insurance agent flinched at the sound of her name. She blinked and tears splattered on her thighs. The tidal wave of emotion welling up inside her threatened to consume her as she felt the sun beating down on her back.

Then she became aware of Wolfwood's strained wheezing.

Sniffling, Milly wiped her eyes. The tidal wave began to recede as she looked upon the fallen priest. He wouldn't want her to give up after coming so far, she was certain of that. Besides, Wolfwood was still alive. He needed her and she still felt able to help him, if not at least defend him.

A stubborn calm settled in Milly's stomach as she cleared her throat and hoisted the Cross Punisher up. Voice still shaky, Milly said, "Wolfwood will die if we don't get him to a doctor."

"I know."

Disturbed by the strange tone in Vash's voice, she peered at him more closely. The man kneeling beside her looked like Vash and sounded like Vash... but his aloofness was not him. It angered her to see him acting so detached from Wolfwood's plight, regardless of the animosity that existed between them.

Vash frowned at her as he returned her gaze before peeking over top of the boulder to fire at Eleandra. The gun shots never sounded.

"Something is happening," he murmured.

"What?"

"I'm not sure, but the Crimson Nail is gone."

Milly leaned forward to glimpse around the side of the boulder. "He is? Are you sure?"

"Yes. We need to move right now!" Vash said in a rush, already hoisting Chapel off the ground.

"Where?!" Milly asked in alarm as Vash stood to his full height, revealing himself and Wolfwood to any shooters in the area.

Vash didn't answer as he began to move away from her. She stood and followed after him while keeping an eye out for any threat.

"Where are you going?" she called out to him, "The Body is coming after us! We won't be able to get very far if we have to carry Wolfwood."

"Just follow me and look for the car!"

Vash moved quickly, forcing Milly to scramble after him as she struggled to hoist the Cross Punisher against her shoulder. She kept looking around her, expecting to see Eleandra or Legato and that strange girl appear out of nowhere and shoot at them. She felt uncomfortable with Vash's decision, but she found herself trusting him as he half dragged, half carried Wolfwood.

"Vash, we have..." Milly's voice trailed off as she caught sight of a very familiar car partially hidden behind the rear of the building.

"Hurry up, Milly!" Vash ordered as he glanced back over his shoulder. He paused at the sight of his brother standing just outside the compound with Legato not far behind him. Milly saw him hesitate and looked back. The sight of both Knives and Legato filled her mind with anger and she immediately aimed the Cross Punisher at the pair.

"Milly, don't."

Milly never took her eyes off her targets, "What?!"

"Just go to the car, Milly."

She hesitated, the gun still pointed toward the pair, "He killed-"

"Milly," Vash said sharply as he turned to look down at her. "I said go. Do it now!"

"But-"

"Go!"

Vash waited until Milly finally did as she was told before looking back at Knives. Their eyes locked for several seconds and Vash felt crushed under the weight of his brother's stare. All this time he had tried to live his life the way he thought Rem would want him to. He prided himself on having never killed anyone, on doing his best to protect the weak and the defenseless only to discover he was as single-minded as his twin.

Guilt filled him and a sense of self-loathing bubbled up from within. They both failed Rem, Vash far more than Knives. At least Knives didn't fool himself into thinking he was something he wasn't. Knives knew what he was and what he wanted. In that way, he was pure.

Vash felt his heart sink when Knives turned his back to him and walked away. Now he truly was detached from his entire family and he only had himself to blame. Vash knew the next time he saw his twin they would be far more than rivals and far worse than enemies.

"Vash!?" Milly called out to him.

"I'm coming, Milly," he said, his voice thick.

He felt himself wither under her angry gaze. After all, in her eyes he'd let Knives just walk away after he killed her best friend. He couldn't tell her the truth. She'd just want to go in there and try to get Meryl. Knives would have killed her and the burden of guilt would be on Vash's head.

He had no choice but to lie to her for her benefit, didn't he?

He'd saved her life and she was still his friend, right?

But, for how long?

A chasm of silence filled his heart as they put distance between themselves and Canaan. His family had truly rejected him. He felt nothing.

Empty.

Vash glanced at Milly through the rear view mirror, noting the way she cared for Chapel. She spoke quietly to the unconscious priest, encouraging him as she did her best not to cry. Her words and tone reminded Vash of Rem.

He'd lost again, except this time he lost everything.

The tears flowed down his cheeks unchecked and his fingers strangled the steering wheel. His emotions were becoming overwhelming.

"Vash? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Milly."

The insurance agent eyed him for a long moment. Vash heard her fumbling around in her seat as she looked for something. Suddenly a feminine hand clutching a handkerchief materialized in front of him. He tried to show his gratitude with a smile, but the expression fell apart when he caught her eyes in the rear view mirror.

"I'm sorry, Milly. For everything."

Milly gave a slight nod as she focused her eyes on her hands in her lap. Minutes stretched out as the desert flew by.

Finally she spoke, her voice low and serious, "Do you believe in heaven, Vash? In God?"

The question caught him off guard and he stuttered, "No... I mean, I..." He paused, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know anymore."

"Well, I do," she said, pushing Wolfwood's hair off his forehead. "Meryl did, too and I know she is there. She's okay now."

The tears blinded him and Milly had to help Vash pull over to the side of the road. They switched seats and Vash sobbed as Milly drove as fast as she could to the nearest town and doctor. Soon his sobs died down to the occasional sniffle, but neither spoke as their destination slowly came into view. Vash watched the silhouette of the city fill the horizon as they approached with only one question repeating itself in his mind.

What will become of the newborn plant that Knives and Meryl helped bring into the world?