Somewhere in the crush of bodies, Xavier appears, his arm wrapped protectively around Mom’s shoulders. I let out a ragged breath. She’s alright, at least for now.
Xavier drags her through the frantic press of bodies and demons. There are so many people in a frantic rush, no one seems to move at all. A group of Senators struggle to press through the main exit, their bodies stuck as everyone ties to leave the chamber at once. Raising its massive arms high, a Manus demon smashes through both the Senators and the granite wall, creating a larger exit. Mom and Xavier squeeze through the new doorway and race down the marble corridors beyond. Tim follows closely behind.
I watch my father scurry behind my mom and Xavier, my upper lip twisting with disgust. When Mom needed him, Tim was nowhere to be seen. But now that she has a way out, he’s the first to follow behind. It’s humiliating to share DNA with this worm.
Mom, Xavier, and Tim race down the corridor as portals open all about them. Manus demons and ghouls stream into the hallways, attacking every quasi they can find. The air rings with thuds and screams. Xavier turns down a quiet corridor and presses on the marble wall.
“There should be a panic room somewhere around here.” A marble panel pops open, revealing a small dusty space behind the wall. Xavier pulls Mom inside.
“Wait for me!” Tim squeezes in behind them.
I grit my teeth. What a douche-move from Tim.
Xavier slams the marble door shut. “You’ll be safe here for a while.”
Mom grips Tim’s arm. “My family’s waiting for me outside the cloak room. Can you portal to them and get them out?” Demon roars echo through the air. All the blood drains from Mom’s face. “Hurry.”
An image appears in my mind’s eye: the smiling Lewis faces from Mom’s swearing-in ceremony. My heart sinks. Of course, they’d be here today, supporting her through impeachment. There must be some way to save them. Mom’s family can’t die here.
Tim closes his large black eyes. “Our Group Think has changed. New voices claim to be the Oligarchy.” His forehead lines with thought. “Demons are overrunning Purgatory. All the Senators and their families are being killed.” His eyes slowly open. “I’m not authorized to open portals anymore.” The Manus howls grow louder. The walls and floor shake as they prowl and attack. Tim steps toward the wall, his lower lip trembling with fear. “I’m sorry, Camilla.”
I have the unladylike urge to spit at him. Coward.
“Fine. I’ll get them.” Mom turns to the marble door and starts prying it open with her fingernails.
Xavier wraps his arms around her shoulders, pulling her back. “The hallway’s crawling with demons. You can’t go out there.”
“But I have to help my family!” Mom writhes under Xavier’s grip. Her eyes are wild and brimmed with tears.
I hug my elbows. Pangs of sadness strike my body like so many stones. There’s no way to stop this. Soon, Mom’s family—my family—will be destroyed.
A young girl’s screams echo in the outside hallway. Mom claws frantically at the door, her irises flaring red. “Dani!”
I remember the little wisp of a girl who was Vice President of Fun for the Lewis Family. The weight of my grief presses in harder and heavier, crushing something deep within me. Please, no.
Xavier wrestles Mom away from the door. “Camilla, you can’t go out there. You’ll be killed.”
“That’s my niece. She’s just a child. You have to let me go!”
Dani’s screams grow louder, then fall silent. The pounding and howls of the Manus demons fade.
Mom collapses onto the floor, sobbing. “They came here to support me through impeachment. What have I done?”
I grip my elbows so tightly, I’m surprised my bones don’t crack. My arms ache to reach into that past reality and hold her close, whispering I’m sorry, Mom, so sorry. I never could have imagined the horror of Armageddon’s war.
Xavier kneels beside her, his hand gently rubbing her back. “It wouldn’t have mattered where they were. You heard Walker. Demons have overrun Purgatory. All the Senator’s families have been targeted.” He rises to his feet, setting his hand on the marble doorway. “My heart goes out to you, Camilla.”
Mom looks up at him, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Where are you going?”
Tim cowers against the wall. “They’ll kill you too, Xavier. You’re a quasi sympathizer, an enemy of the new state.” His voice breaks. “We’re all enemies of the state now. I hear it in Group Think.” His fingers shiver as they grip his robes.
I watch my ghoul-father tremble and realize that Tim did a brave thing in working with Mom. Most ghouls don’t consider quasis a legit form of life, let alone a potential boss. He took a risk because he cared about her, and now his life’s in danger.
Xavier presses his ear to the marble wall. “I helped build this place, remember? I know ways to leave without being seen. I’ll go to Armageddon and see what can be done.”
Mom looks up, her bottom lip quivering. “You mean the angels, right?”