Chapter 21
Well, it seems like visions can tell the truth after all...
As the group walked out the door, we were still stunned by the mass of bodies that were piled outside. For some reason, people didn't disturb the area. I think it was because of the sickening stench that lingered in the atmosphere like a generation of mammals had decomposed here years ago. I tried to block my nose but it was no use: the smell was so overpowering. We walked towards Layla's car which was a very exquisite black army jeep with ALIRON labelled on the plate.
We all stepped into the vehicle which smelled like foreign berries and flowers.
"You have a specific spay for your car don't you?" I asked.
"Yes! But I don't care, it smells amazing!" She replied with a grin.
Surprisingly, it smelled intoxicating and I assumed everyone thought the same. Layla was in the front seat with Aanisah next to her leading the directions to the airport. Hazel and Elijah were cramped in the back seats with me in the middle which intensified my claustrophobia. Elijah placed his silver chain in his pocket which instantly caught my eye but I resisted waiting for the right time.
"Guys what if the airport has no aircraft? If you didn't know we were in the purge right now?" I explained. Elijah made a little giggle which I thought was childish.
"Thank you Jamie for the information we did not know! We're looking for a private jet that ALIRON had stored somewhere," she replied.
"Ok, so it's near John F. Kennedy International Airport" she pointed.
Layla gave her a nod and started to drive.
"Guys, this is going to be a long journey so just get some rest," she said.
Straight away, Hazel collapsed unconscious. Then Elijah was resting which was very irritating seeing as though he occupied both of our spaces. Finally, I slept a relaxing nap and only dreamed about Mont St Rosaire de Paris and the raw memories that had been installed within me. Four hours later, I woke up to see both Hazel and Elijah still sleeping peacefully.
"How are you guys doing?" I asked.
" It will just be another hour or so," Layla informed me.
I settled back in my seat when the chain protruding slightly out of Elijah's pocket summoned me. I slowly grabbed it from his pocket with little shuffles and gripped it in my hands. Next, I breathed in and allowed myself to be overwhelmed by a pool of memories. All these new memories started hitting me one by one.
Suddenly, I was transported to a different time zone. It seemed like the early 20s in what looked like Afghanistan. An elegant country that was destroyed to smithereens.
Elijah was there, dressed in camouflage on the ground with some other people. They all had rifles in their hands and were shouting commands to each other. Elijah looked frightened but wore a thin mask of bravery.
"GUYS WE CAN DO THIS LINE-UP AND ATTACK!" He roared.
Elijah and his comrades dashed towards a small construction and shot down many people. One by one, people collapsed to the ground with blood gushing out. What kind of world did I live in?
"FIRE AGAIN! KILL THEM!" Screamed an enemy.
One of the enemies brought out cannons and started aiming them at Elijah and his squadron who bellowed as they were hit.
Elijah ran like a predator with an immense desire to capture his prey, breaking bones and cracking necks. The enemy began to advance with a few retreating in sheer fright at the ferocity of this battle.
It was not enough.
Elijah was too powerful as if he had been gifted the power of a god. So much blood... to my surprise, I noticed a youthful boy. He held a bomb in his hand with intentions to detonate!! I tried my best to warn Elijah but wasn't able to speak.
"HEY!" Screamed the boy.
Elijah and his fallen comrades stared at the boy in bemusement.
"THIS IS FOR MY FAMILY!" He roared.
Elijah tried to run but the bomb already went off, blowing all of them to the ground. Dirt sprayed from the ground and the dust created a storm with the raging wind. Elijah stood up but mostly everyone was gone, their remains distributed around the battleground. He roared and walked towards the enemy trenches. All of them were dead but Elijah clutched a flag in his hands.
"I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE NO MATTER WHAT I HAVE TO DO!" He promised.
As he turned around I got a better look at the flag he'd seen. It was royal blue with a huge serif text saying 'ALIRON TELL DEATH!' At that moment, I was infuriated. But one question was being brought up. What the hell was ALIRON doing in Afghanistan in the early 20s?
As I exhaled, I was drawn back to the car still traumatised by the recent memories...