Free Babel Found by Matthew James Page B

to pick up and the two available attack choppers were under strict orders to protect those connected to it if at all possible, and since Todd was the only one left standing in Abe’s path…it wasn’t a hard thing to do. He, like the statue, was easy to spot.
    Killing two birds with one stone. Stop the golem and save me.
    Understanding of the situation was evident as the helicopter’s pilot quickly sent two small missiles right into Abe’s midsection, blasting craters into his gut. Stone went flying as they instantly unloaded two more into the president’s legs, shattering the right knee. It toppled to the ground but immediately attempted to right itself.
    Hands cupped over his ears, Todd watched as the monster picked up a car and flung it at the chopper, missing wide left. Sneering, Abe then hurled its broken leg skyward, intent on destroying the aerial defender anyway it could. The leg fell short, however, not even making the aircraft maneuver out of the way.
    But the seemingly feeble attack wasn’t meant for the AH-1Z.
    It was for Todd.
    He just stood there, waiting for death, unable to move. Shock had taken over, locking up his body and mind, freezing him in place. But as he waited for his own demise, something happened to the earth under his feet. It bucked and lifted, throwing him to the right, sending him flailing into the central lawn of the National Mall.
    Just as his feet cleared the area, the Lincoln Log crashed down and slid, taking out two very expensive looking sedans.
    But Todd didn’t see the destruction unfold behind him. As he tumbled he witnessed the helo land a well-placed projectile dead center in Abe’s forehead, obliterating the priceless effigy.
    It wasn’t the only thing he saw, however.
    Standing off to one side and currently zoomed in his lenses, was the Italian woman from the Castle, Terra. Terra firma, he thought. Now the spelling made sense. She could control the earth or anything made of its elements.
    Like, Abe.
    She had one hand pointed to the now lifeless golem and the other to him. She had been the one controlling the marble statue—just like Coaxoch in Mexico.
    But she also saved me…
    He didn’t understand why she would try to kill him—only to immediately come to his rescue moments later. What was her endgame? What was her—it’s then he saw it. Her face softened just a little upon seeing that he did, in fact, survive the devastation.
    All he could do was stand and stare.
    She did the same, meeting his gaze for only a second.
    Then, the ground opened up and swallowed her, no doubt acting as some high-speed getaway vehicle.
    “She saved me.”
    “What?”
    Todd flinched at the sound of Ben’s voice in his ear again. It had been so loud around him that he didn’t realize they were still connected.
    “Terra,” he said, “she saved me.”
    “Who’s Terra, Todd?”
    Who was she exactly? That is what he’d like to know.
    Todd did know one thing…
    “I have no idea, Ben…” he grinned.
    He then continued in his own head. But I think I’m in love!

10
    Djanet, Algeria
     
    Ben’s topless Jeep went airborne as he launched it off the slightly raised desert sands, landing hard on the small town’s uneven paved road. He cringed as he felt his spine compress and twist, sending a wave of pain through his body. He needed to find cover before he was sucked up by the incoming twister.
    I seriously doubt these homes have any type of basement too.
    The skidding vehicle’s horn blared as Ben slammed his palm down atop the steering column, doing his best to entice the people of the village to scatter. He didn’t want to bring the storm this way if he could help it, but he needed to get back to civilization and this was the only usable road within miles.
    As he swerved around a small group of rogue dogs, he thought back to his last conversation with Todd. Another stone golem had attacked their team, this one in the heart of Washington.
    I can’t believe the statue was