Page 118 of Monsters within Men
On Tobias’s signal, Moss and the rest of C started herding their captives into a corner of the attic.
“Wait. Keep Bates.”
Frankie, pressed up against him, gasped. “Why?”
Tobias laughed.
Zeke’s heart sank ever lower as Squad C squashed everyone else into a huddle, caging them with their bodies. Aoife was dragged kicking and screaming, until one soldier must have got bored with the noise—he hit her in the head with the butt of his rifle.
As Zeke watched Moss bind Noah and Lowenna’s hands, he fought back burning tears.He needs me to stay strong.
“Tobias,” Noah said, calm and steady. “Let Zeke be with the others,” he continued, as if it was a perfectly reasonable request.
“You never shut the fuck up, do you, Forrest?” Gone was composed Tobias, replaced with a beast that seemed to be quickly losing control.
Lowenna held her head up high. “If you want to be in charge, Tobias, maybe you could start by telling us the plan.”
“We’ll begin by you handing over your illegal recording device. I’ll also need a list of the names of who you’re working with. Then we’re going to blow this whole joint up.”
Every molecule in Zeke’s body froze. It now made sense why Newman wanted him. “I won’t do it,” he said, in more of a whisper than a declaration.
Tobias threw his head back and roared. “As if I needyoufor that. A five-year-old could detonate those bombs.”
Flinching away, Zeke fell backwards onto his knees, body limp. A low ringing began in his ears.
Tobias reached his hand out towards Lowenna and Noah, palm open. “Are we strip searching you or are you going to hand it over?”
Lowenna remained motionless, unblinking.
Pain exploded at the back of Zeke’s head, and he flew forwards from the force of a blow. Red and purple fireworks flashed across his eyes as his throat made a strangled noise.
He could hear Noah shouting his name, his voice broken and desperate. Rolling onto his side, he saw Moss was physically restraining Noah.
“Newman!” shouted Lowenna. “He’s just a kid. Take the fucking thing. It’s around my waist.”
Zeke pulled himself into a sitting position in time to see Tobias pull up her shirt to reveal a thin black belt bag. Unzipping it, Tobias held up a chunky black wristband, waving it in victory.
“Was that really so hard?”
“Now let everyone else go back to the vans,” said Noah.
Hot, wet blood streamed down Zeke’s neck as waves of dizziness kicked in.Don’t think about it. It’s not there. It doesn’t exist. Focus on Noah. Help Noah.
“Not part of the plan, I’m afraid.”
Lowenna gasped. “You’re going to kill all of them? For no reason? Surely Murphy doesn’t want that. She can’t afford the numbers.”
Tobias shrugged. “I’m not paid enough to ask questions. Moss, drag Bates over there with the rest of them, then give the signal to Penn outside.”
Penn and Williams. Standing by the gate, ready to shoot any of them that escaped down the ladder. The five dogs were with them. Would Tobias shoot Wolf, just out of spite, once he’d blasted them to shreds? He looked back at Noah, trying to say goodbye with his eyes.Thank you,he tried to say.You were everything.Noah met his gaze, his face twisted in utter devastation.
Moss pushed Zeke away, shoving him down in between Luo and Frankie, who rested her chin on his shoulder. “Well done,” she whispered.
“For what?” he said bitterly.
“For all of it.” Frankie kissed his cheek. “It’s been an honour.”
“We’re not dead yet, Frankie,” Vitt hissed from behind him.
