Free Nighthawks (Children of Nostradamus Book 1) by Jeremy Flagg Page B

the man’s chest and pushed off, launching herself backward along the floor. The soldier reached up to pull the spike from his eye as he started to wail. Alyssa averted her eyes from the screaming man falling to his knees. She stood up while Dwayne clambered next to her. The soldier stopped moving on the ground. Alyssa eyed Dwayne’s charred shirt and pink skin peeking through.
    “We good?”
    He looked back to the door, still firmly shut. “That should have given him plenty of time to get out of here.”
    “Now for us,” she said.
    As Dwayne stepped forward, a group from the party rushed past him to the door, looking back in fear. He stepped over the glass of the bay window leading outside and helped Alyssa step over the remaining shards. The street had mostly cleared; some spectators hovered to see what was going on. He could only assume the mob had vanished as the Corps soldiers arrived. Even the most passionate protestor wouldn’t risk the wrath of the machine men.
    “Dav5d has a car ready for you,” said a woman’s voice.
    Across the street, a car’s engine turned over and the driver’s side door opened. Dwayne checked both directions as he crossed the road. Dav5d had chosen a high-end speedster. Dwayne looked back at the destroyed art gallery. He didn’t fully understand why he was needed, but he sensed pieces were beginning to fall into place.
    “We’re heading home, Vanessa.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    December 1st, 1992 9:02AM
     
    Mark removed his lanyard, tossing it to the floor in a rush. The nurse pointed to the sink, telling him to scrub up. He threw his blazer next to his lanyard and began washing his hands. He rolled up the sleeves on his dress shirt and continued furiously scrubbing. He washed off the soap and the nurse patted down his arms and pushed open the door into the room.
    The scream that ripped through the air startled him, causing him to freeze in his tracks until it subsided. The woman lying on her back, her legs firmly secured in stirrups, made eye contact with him as her back arched. Another scream filled the small room. She had seen him; there was no escaping now, he was in this to the end.
    He rushed by her side and gripped her reaching hand. She had taken off her wedding and engagement rings when she began to put on the baby weight. He was thankful as her grip threatened to break his finger. He gripped her bloated hands while brushing away hair blocking her vision.
    “You’re doing fine, hon,” he said, giving her hand a light squeeze.
    “You’re never having sex with me again.” She half-laughed as she gritted her teeth.
    A nurse on the other side of the bed took her hand and began making breathing sounds. Mark realized he hadn’t started the breathing they learned in Parents 101. He started the hissing noises and his wife let out a deep sigh as the contraction passed.
    “You sound ridiculous.” She laughed again.
    She was the funny one. She was the lighthearted one. She was the better half of their relationship. He was the worrier, the one who pored over bank statements and focused on future goals. She was the reason they were having a baby. On their first date he told her, “Your laugh is the most beautiful sound.” She said the baby was going to fill their house with same joyful noises.
    “I love you,” he said, basking in the start of an amazing journey they were embarking on.
    The doctor stepped up to the table and smiled at the young couple. He pulled his mask over his face and sat in front of the stirrups. “So I hear we’re going to have a baby today.”
    “And stop the fun?” She started screaming before she could give him the signature half-laugh she was known for.
    The doctor began talking to the nurses. Mark ignored the man as he focused on his wife. His wedding ring was going to leave a mark as she clenched his hand with a vise-like grip. He only froze as the word “complication” left the doctor’s mouth. His wife