27 Chapter 24 – Zack – Iteration 144 (2/2)

Zack shook his head. ”Everyone keeps saying that. But what makes us any different from them? Just because we don't die? That's not enough.”

”No, Hess. We are so much more than these creatures. Every particle of their matter is sustained by the Creator's essence. But we are more than that. We're not sent here to observe for the Creator, Hess. We are the Creator. Tiny slivers of the Creator embedded within the world to experience Our creation.”

”Don't do it, Ingrid,” Zack said. ”No matter what they do to me. No matter what I say. I don't want you to do it because of me.”

Erik's voice boomed from the barn door. ”Why all the whispering, Ingrid? Do you have secret business with Hess?” She strode inside, hard eyes skewering Ingrid. ”Here I was thinking Griff must be our rotten apple. Never considered the possibility that you organized this whole operation just to make sure we failed. Is that how things stand here?”

Ingrid sneered at Erik. ”Your mind is twisted from your hobbies. Remember the role I played last time. Ask yourself if it makes sense for me to betray the cause I started and championed. I still think you released Hess so that you wouldn't have to follow the rules we established. The reason I am whispering with Hess is I want him to tell me the truth of his escape.”

Erik looked back and forth between the two of them before settling her gaze on Zack. ”I'll get the truth out of him.”

”No,” Ingrid said, ”you will make him say the words you plant in him.”

Erik's hand drifted to the holster at her waist.

”Car coming,” Griff shouted.

”Get rid of them,” Erik said.

From outside, the sound of the approaching car grew louder. Erik scowled at him. ”Be very quiet, Hess. Things can always get worse. Always.”

The car's engine grew louder. Zack heard Griff's shouts for the vehicle to get off private property. The car door opened. Griff repeated his demand. A shot rang out. ”Shit,” Erik said. She pulled free her handgun and ran to crouch at the side of the open barn door. Ingrid ran to the other side.

From where he sat, Zack saw Bridgette emerge from the house, take a hit to her shoulder, and duck back inside. Quebec strode into view, handgun held at the ready, swiveling to point first towards the house, then towards the barn, then back again. Erik took aim.