Chapter Twenty Three: Reason is Out of the Question

Conor James Callahan walked into his house ready for dinner.
Conor
Hi mom.
Conor’s mother turned around.
Mother
Dinners ready, go sit down. 
Conor sat at the table with his mother and father and little sister.
Father
How was school? 
Conor
It was odd. Everyone seemed dead. 
Father
Dead? How so?
Conor
No one really spoke.
Conor’s sister got into the conversation.

Sister
School was lovely today, quiet and nice.
Conor
So, yours was the same I see. 
Mother
I liked the silence at work. There were a few loud mouths, but they were taken care of.
Father
That’s good. Yeah, some guy at work today said the Anselia family are not Gods and we are pawns.
Sister
What a stupid guy, dad.
Mother
What happened to him?
Father
We took him out back, smashed his head in. 
Conor’s fork fell onto the plate. He did not know what was going on.
Conor
You did what dad? 
His father looked up from his plate.
Father
I said, we smashed his head in. 
Conor
Why would you do that dad? 
Father
He criticized our Gods. 
Conor
Gods? Dad, you killed a man because he didn’t believe what you believe? 
Mother
What we all believe Conor.

Conor
Are you guys insane? 
Mother
No, we’re fine. Is there something you’d like to tell us? 
Conor
Mom, what happened to those loud mouths at work? 
Mother
Nothing. 
Conor
Mom, you said they were taken care of, what did that mean? 
Mother
The police came and took them outside. A few gun shots later and it was over. 
Conor’s mouth fell open.
Conor
What is wrong with you all? Ever since that broadcast and you saw of those people, you’ve changed. 
Mother
No we haven’t. You have.  
Conor
I didn’t see it because I was outside writing, and you three did. So did many others. That’s why my school was quiet, that’s why you’re all quiet. 
Sister
What do you mean?
 Conor
You’re all under some spell! 
Father
Don’t you take that tone with me young man!
Conor
You all think they are Gods.
 Conor’s dad stood up.
Father
Are you saying you don’t?
Conor
I never believed in Gods period. Even now when I see those monsters with powers I know they’re not Gods. Even if they were, it wouldn’t matter. I don’t care.
Father
Honey, shut the doors. 
His mother got up to shut the doors in the house.
Conor
What are you doing? Mom, seriously? 
Father
Those who don’t believe in the lord, our savior, must die.

Conor
Dad, you’re kidding right? I’m your son! 
Father
And he is our God. If you are atheist about what is, then you are not worthy of my blood. 
Conor
Dad, you would do this to your own son? Just because I don’t believe in your God?
 Sister
Yes. Those who don’t believe in the lord must die. 
Conor
You guys, be reasonable. Mom!  
Father
Reason is out of the question.
Mother
The doors are locked.
Father
Good.

Roselyn
We must stick to the shadows. 
Arkain
Right. 
They made sure as they passed through the cities they were out of sight. Gears surrounded most of the area, At least two for every mile. They were running while talking.
Suri
You’re sure you know the way? 
Roselyn
Yes. I can feel the man Amros on the grass.
 Arkain
You know Amros? 
Roselyn
Yes. He is lady Amya’s brother. 
Arkain
Is Amya the one who tried to kill Mr. Romberg?
 Nicholas
Yes, that’s her.
Arkain
She is your leader, and she pulled that? Why?  
Roselyn
We don’t know.
Suri
Maybe she was playing you all. 
Roselyn
So it seems.

Arkain
She almost killed Mr. Romberg!
 Nicholas
It’s Nicholas, call me Nicholas. 
Arkain
She almost killed Nicholas!  
Roselyn
I am aware.
Suri
That’s crazy.
 Arkain
That’s crazy! 
Suri
Thanks for the echo. 
Nicholas
Thank you, Arkain. 
Arkain
For what?
Nicholas
Saving my life. 
Arkain
It was my pleasure, Nicholas. 
Roselyn
We’re 5 miles away. 
Suri
Good. Nicholas, you said something about a story, one your dad used to tell you. 
Nicholas
I did. 
Suri
What did you say it was about? 
Nicholas
The legend of the Sky Lords. The sky walkers. 
Arkain
Sky walkers? 
Roselyn
The children of the earth. 
Nicholas
Correct Roselyn. The Sky walkers is a story about children of the earth. They are the reason for the word angels. They are said to be the ones who created all this, the ones who watch over us.
Arkain
Like a God?
Nicholas
Yes, like a God. Except there are many of them, or at least I think. They watch over us, and at times they pick certain people to protect. 
Suri
It’s all just a story.
Roselyn
Stories can be true, just as they can be pretend, young Suri. 
Suri
So that would mean Arkain is a sky walker.
Nicholas
Yes, it would. These beings possessed powers so great, the world would shake. 
Arkain looked at his hands.
Suri
He can’t really do anything. 
Arkain
I can so!
Nicholas
Arkain just hasn’t realized his full potential.
 Arkain
Exactly!  
Roselyn
We can only hope he does. If you’re indeed a sky lord, you will be needed greatly in the battles to come. 
Roselyn stopped.
Arkain
What’s wrong? 
Roselyn
I heard a boy scream. 
They had now exited the city and many houses were visible from their position.
Suri
Are you sure? 
Glass broke from across the street.
Arkain
Lets go! 
Suri
Arkain, it’s none of our business.
Arkain
I’ll make it mine.
Conor was on the floor outside on the floor. His hands were bleeding from jumping through the window.
Conor
Not my best idea. 
Conor’s dad stepped outside the front door with a hand gun.
Father
This is the only way to cleanse you of your sins.
Conor
Dad, please!
Mother
You must die for your sins, Conor.
The gun went off.
Arkain
Guns shouldn't belong to lunatics.  
Arkain opened his hand and the bullet fell to the floor. From across the street, Nicholas turned to Suri.
Nicholas
That’s nothing? 
Suri
Lets go!
 Father
Arkain!
Mother
Arkain!
Sister
Arkain!Conor stood up behind Arkain.
Conor
Do you know my family? 
Arkain was in shock.
Arkain
No.
They charged him. The ground below moved and a giant wall of land appeared in front of Arkain.
Roselyn
Come, we must go. 
Conor
Can I come with you?
 Roselyn
We cannot afford luggage. 
Conor
Please? I have no one else. 
Arkain
Yes, you can come with me. 
They all ran away from the scene.
Conor
Thanks. 
Arkain
For what?
Conor
For saving me back there. 
Arkain smiled, he still wasn’t sure what he’d become.
Ilias
Got away? 
Father
Yes, they took him and left.

Iris
And you allowed it to happen? 
Sister
They had super powers.
Ilias
We are aware of this. 
Three giant Gears surrounded them outside the house.
Iris
You called us for no reason then. 
Mother
Please, we were only doing it because we are your loyal servants.
Iris
Time wasted cannot be replaced. Kill them.

Father
Wait please! We were only doing what we were told!

Ilias
And your point is? 
Mother
You’re our Gods, please show us mercy.
 Ilias
Mercy? That is not an act of god. 
Father
Please! 
He fell to the floor at Ilias’ feet.
Ilias
Pathetic.
Iris
I’m tired, lets go.
Mother
We’re only your followers!
 Ilias
And so we have the power to save you or kill you.
Sister
I will die gladly by your word, my lords.
Iris
That’s a good girl. 

The gears fired. Conor stopped running.
Arkain
What’s wrong? 
Conor
I don’t know. 
Roselyn
You wanted to join us boy, now run! We’re almost there. Your parents are most likely dead by now. Do you wish to continue with us? 
Conor
I got the reason.