It was a tricky situation. One false move and Sydney and Kenzi would be dead. Fifteen military commandos versus the two of them were not good odds. It seemed hopeless. But it wasn’t. Hope had endured. They had come so far, and mow, for nothing? No this was not how it ended. They had destroyed the experiment; this was supposed to be a victory. But Thompson had twisted that against them, this was just another one of his experiments, a test to see who was more powerful. Why did so many have to die too prove something to this sick animal, this slave of science? Thomas wanted to kill him more than anything in the world.

Thomas stood. Nobody moved. It was a standoff. Thompson could not understand why Jon would not go over to his side, it would mean a better life for everyone, he said. But Jon knew better. How long would this go on, Thomas wondered. Then he heard marching feet. More military men, carrying night sticks. This was bad very bad. Then something flew out of the air and stuck the commando holding Kenzi in the head, he toppled over. Thomas Reacted quicker than anyone would have thought possible. He went leapt over the head of two commandos grabbed Kenzi and flung her bodily over them. He killed the one holding Sydney and threw her over them before he was mobbed by them and borne to the ground. Then Jon entered the scene he flung them sky high and snapped their necks with his mental powers. Mister Thompson was behind the line of soldiers. Thomas lay there on the ground, too winded to move for a while. He looked up and saw a line of people moving towards him. But it was from the opposite direction of the soldiers.

The message had been sent, and the people had taken it upon themselves to stop this. They armed themselves with everything from kitchen knives to shotguns to lead pipes. And now they moved forward to stand over these mutants, these castaways, to protect them. Politicians had said it was time for action and the people had heard. They had seen the pictures and video of this place, and now they marched to stop it. Through the pouring rain, through the forest. Till this, the confrontation. The sergeant from the ranks of the military now outnumbered ten to one by the civilians ordered the mob to stand down. No one moved. He gave the order again. “We will kill you if you touch them!” Someone shouted.

The military moved forward, and the civilians held their line. They were tired of being used, looking the other way to acts of atrocity, and being held in the dark to what was really going on. It was going to end. The sides collided. Night stick clashed with pipe. The soldiers were better trained but out numbered. When they struck one down, two more jumped up to take their place. Eventually the soldiers were beaten. The people had them encircled. Thompson was looking this way and that for a way out but found none. Thomas and Jon stepped forward. He thrust his fist into the air. The people mimicked him. He let his hand drop, and turned back to Thompson. The people dispersed.

Thompson stood the shoddy remains of his government in his hands. “I do not understand, they are too weak to grasp this concept.” He muttered.

Thomas screamed into his face. “You don’t get it do you! You don’t understand! All you are is equations and numbers. Well think of this, your mystery variable, it’s the human variable. You can’t pin it down. They aren’t weak; they’re stronger than you are! Because they have the capacity to love! And you don’t!” to this Thompson made no reply. He simply pulled out a small green syringe and stabbed it into his forearm, hitting an artery, and pumping the contents into his bloodstream. He fell over. Thomas ran over and leaned over him. “You wanted to know my name?” Thompson asked with faltering speech. A bubble of blood burst on his lips. Then with his dying breath he said “My name is Bluud.”

Thomas knelt next to the great rend in the earth where the Cole project had come up from the depths of the research lab. But now both the experiment and the creator were dead. The explosion had completely destroyed the facility, so there were no bodies to recover. He stood and lifted Thompson’s body and tossed it into the smoking crater.

They had constructed a monument to all who had died in the research facility. Thomas after the ceremony Thomas walked off alone in the tall waving gold grass. He heard someone behind him. “Hey Sydney.” He said quietly.

“Hi” She said in return.

“What are you doing out here?” He asked.

“Oh just looking for some flowers for the monument.” She said, and at that moment Thomas saw the most beautiful flower right behind her.

“Tell you what” he said and she raised an eyebrow. “Close your eyes, and no peeking.” She closed them and put her hands over them. He moved swiftly and silently behind her and picked the flower. He whispered. “Thanks Rachael.” and stood up again. “Okay, open up.” Thomas said. She opened her eyes, and they got wide when they saw the flower.

“Wow” She said “It’s so beautiful, where did you find it?”

“A magician never reveals his secrets.” Thomas replied.

“Well mister magician, close your eyes and let me give you something.” He complied never expecting what was going to happen next. She leaned up and kissed him.

Jon and Kenzi had gone for a walk, and it had felt more like a run. He kissed her softly. This was how it ended. Truly. They put their clothes back on, and headed back for camp.

Thomas pulled away. She stood their, surprise and shock in her eyes. “What’s wrong?” She asked.

“It’s complicated.” He said. And all of a sudden he just felt sick of it all, sick of life. And it all bubbled over the surface, and tears coursed down in face. She sat down next to him, concern in her eyes.

“You do not want to let her go, and with good reason.” She said, her big brown eyes looking into his.

“If only I had something, a sign, that made it feel, acceptable to love somebody else, I could,” He stopped in mid sentence.

She smiled and held up the flower. “She has already given you one.” And without saying anything, he leaned over and kissed her. The flower fell to the ground as she put her arms around him.

The flower now rested on the monument, encased in weather proof glass, so that all generations would see it. Thomas stood, and remembered, with Sydney holding his hand. He remembered the day he and Jon first met. He remembered the deaths of five people he had grown to love. Then he remembered all the times he had spent with Rachael. Sydney held his hand and let him slip into memory. There had been death and there had been loss, and things one so young shouldn’t have seen, and things ones so young shouldn’t have done, but his was how it ended. With loving caresses in his hand, and he knew Jon was in love as well. Bluud was no more. He turned to Sydney. “I have my sign. And I love you.” He leaned forward and kissed her.

THE END

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Well boys that’s all I got…………. Hope you liked it.

Death has never been so beautiful.

Thomas

P.S. look for Bluud 2 coming whenever I feel like writing it.