Sister Sarah walked out of the shadows. She looked at the burning semi and dead bodies then walked up to the nearest dead man. She picked up his weapon, checked the ammunition in the clip, slung the rifle, and collected any extra magazines she could find. She quickly searched through the small war zone, collecting all the arms and ammunition she could find. Anything she could not carry was hidden behind a dumpster in an alley. She withdrew from the street when she heard the sounds of trucks approaching. Two police pickups loaded with armed police stopped in the middle of the carnage. An unmarked suburban also stopped. Ranger Paulson and Agent Elizondo got out with other police.
“There's no turning back now is there?” asked Elizondo.
The Ranger looked at the surrounding chaos.
“No. Not anymore,” he replied.
Agent Elizondo's cell phone rang.
“Yes sir,” he answered.
There was a voice on the other side that could not be heard.
“Yes sir it's pretty bad. No, I think if we… Yes. I understand,” said the Agent into the phone.
Then he hung up.
“The Army?” asked the Ranger.
“Yeah. They're on their way,” replied Elizondo.
Elizondo's phone rang again. He stared at the phone number for a few seconds before he answered.
“Yeah?” he asked into the phone.
Another voice was on the opposite end. To Paulson it sounded female.
“Are you sure?” Elizondo asked into the phone.
“Okay, we’ll be there.” he said and hung up.
“Good news?” asked Paulson.
“Depends. We got a tip. I can't talk about it here, but I think you should come along,” said Elizondo.
Back at the church in Rio Blanca, Father Suarez stared out of his window. He shook his head at the glowing firelight coming from the center of town. His sorrow was interrupted by noises coming from inside the chapel. Someone was in there. He went to see who it was and then stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Sister Sara, laying out various rifles on top of the altar and sorting the ammunition.
“Sister, I was getting worried,” he said.
The nun continued to sort the arms without acknowledging the head of the parish.
“Do you think this is necessary?” Father Suarez asked.
She gave him a, what do you think, stare and went back to her work.
“Are those from where the fire is?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Is it bad?” he asked.
She nodded again.
A black SUV slowly pulled up to the front of Lozano's home. The gate was open and there didn’t appear to be anyone around. The trucked stopped in front of the house and Elizondo, Paulson, and three other Federales got out and drew their guns.
“Juan, you sure about this. Doesn't look like anyone's here,” asked Paulson.
“Yeah, I'm sure,” Elizondo replied.
Gunfire from the dark took out the Federales. Elizondo and Paulson crouched next to the SUV for cover.
“What do you think?’ Elizondo asked.
Before Paulson could answer, an armored truck plowed through the fence. A gunner fired on them from a turret on top of the truck.
“I think it's too late to say it's a trap,” said Paulson
He looked around the corner of the SUV to see if they had an opening to run. Then Elizondo hit Paulson on the back of his head, knocking him out. Paulson woke with is head hurting and the realization that he was tied to a chair. He was placed in front of the desk in what was once Lozano’s office.
“Were you impressed by El Monstruo? Lozano’s men got creative and had this truck built as a symbol of power. Seems like a product of typical male ego driven by insecurity, but it does appear to have its uses,” said Señora Ecsed.
“Where's Elizondo?” asked Paulson.
“I’m here, Roy,” said Elizondo, walking up to Señora Ecsed and standing beside her.
“Juan? What's going on?” asked the Ranger.
“Sorry, Roy. I didn't have a choice,” said Elizondo.
Paulson had no words.
“Ranger Roy Paulson,” said Señora Ecsed, holding his badge in her hand. “Juan has been one of mine for a while now.”
“Juan? This doesn't make any sense,” said Paulson.
“Like he said. He didn't have a choice,” said Señora Ecsed.
“You told me I would get her back if I brought him in,” said Elizondo.
“Get who back?” asked Paulson.
“His wife,” replied La Señora.
Señora Ecsed wiped her hands up over her face and hair transforming herself into Elizondo's wife.
“Hello my love,” she said to Elizondo in the voice of his wife.
“Sofia? Is that really you?” he asked, his eyes getting teary.
Paulson was stunned. He’d never believed in magic. But there was no way to explain the transformation he just saw.
“Of course it's me. Come closer,” she said.
“Juan! Don't do it!” yelled Paulson.
Agent Elizondo stepped close to his wife. They kissed and hugged.
“I thought I'd lost you,” he said to her.
Sofia reached behind her back and pulled out a knife just out of sight of Elizondo. Paulson was about to yell a warning but Ojo gagged him from behind. Sofia stared into Elizondo's eyes.
“You did lose me,” she said.
She moved the knifed hand behind his head and jammed the blade into the back of Elizondo's head. He fell to the floor. Paulson tried to scream and struggle violently against his restraints. Sofia licked her knife clean.
“You know, for a man, he doesn't taste half bad. His wife was so much sweeter though,” she said.
Paulson struggled to say something.
“When your friend is found dead, the Army will be all too willing to help me burn everything down,” said Señora Ecsed as Sofia.
She sat on Paulson's lap and transformed herself back into Señora Ecsed. Ojo held the Ranger's head back. She played with Paulson's hair and leaned in to smell his neck. She made a small scratch on his neck with the knife and licked the blood that seeped out. Ojo laughed.
“You know, you don't taste that bad for a man either. But…” she said, standing up. “We have a schedule to keep.”
Señora Ecsed walked out of Lozano's office with Ojo.
“Get Hijo, and go to the church,” she told Ojo.
“The church?” asked Ojo.
“You will find her there,” she said.
Ojo looked confused.
“Ojo, you may be my eyes, but I know people’s hearts,” she said.
“What do I do when I get there?” he asked.
“Tell her there is a truck on my hilltop needing rescue. Leave Hijo to keep her busy. I'll take care of the rest,” said Señora Ecsed.
“What about the Ranger?” asked Ojo.
“He'll be fine here,” she replied.
In the church, Father Suarez was kneeling before the altar, praying. Ximena walked in with the crow flying in behind her.
“Forgive me Father, for I have sinned,” she said jokingly.
The priest did the sign of the cross and stood to face Ximena. The crow landed on the altar, next to the guns.
“Why are you here?” asked Father Suarez.
“You know why,” said Ximena.
“No, I don't,” replied the priest “Why do you keep coming back to this church. You don't want my advice, you don't listen to me, so why do you keep coming?”
“I don't know. I guess I just like your company,” she replied, honestly.
“I know you’re not looking for me to convince you to stop killing,” he said.
“No, not at all. Vengeance from the grave has grown on me,” said Ximena.
“Clearly,” responded the Priest.
Sister Sarah walked by and began laying out more weapons. She looked at Ximena and rolled her eyes with a head shake. Then she started to perform function checks on the rifles. She waved a hand at the crow to get it off her guns. It just stepped aside.
“What's her problem?” asked Ximena.
“You. Or more accurately, all the trouble you stir up,” he replied.
Sister Sarah shook her head and began disassembling the rifles and putting back them together one by one when she was satisfied with what she saw. The crow cawed.
“Well I'm sorry to say that I'm far from done stirring,” said Ximena.
“Then your trip to the dark side is on schedule,” said the priest.
“What's the saying? Never underestimate its power,” she said.
“So much for the peaceful woman,” he replied.
“I was never given the option of peace,” she countered.
Father Suarez looked even more annoyed.
“No amount of killing will stop any of this! Even if you kill Señora Ecsed, someone else will pick up where she left off,” he said.
Ximena looked over at Sarah and the guns.
“You want to tell that to your nun,” she said.
The priest looked at the nun preparing the guns. Sarah stopped for a moment and began signing angrily.
“What is she saying?” asked Ximena.
“She wanted me to clarify. She doesn’t have a problem with you killing the witch, she just wishes you would get on with it already and stop screwing around. Or she’ll have to finish it for you,” said the priest.
“Really?” asked Ximena.
“I paraphrased. I won’t say aloud her exact words,” he replied.
“A cussing nun who wants to kill,” said Ximena with a laugh. “You need to keep her on a tighter leash.”
“I am not her keeper. She may have chosen to be a servant of God, but she is not bound to any vows,” said the Priest.
Ximena looked confused.
“Do you mind clarifying that?” she asked.
Father Suarez looked back at Sister Sarah.
“Sister, do I have your permission?” he asked.
Sarah, not looking up, waved her hand in a dismissive and somewhat approving fashion.
“I believe she said yes,” said the priest.
“So what's her deal?” asked Ximena.
“Sister Sarah isn't really a nun,” he said.
“You don't say,” said Ximena, sarcastically.
“I found her dying in an alley some years back in Tijuana. Her throat was slashed and she was barely alive,” he said.
Ximena looked at Sarah. Sarah, still not looking up from her guns, pulled her collar down slightly revealing a part of the scar underneath.
“What happened?” asked Ximena.
“I don't know. She never said. To anyone,” said Father Suarez.
Sarah loudly pulled and released the charging handle on one of the rifles causing Father Suarez to glance back at her in annoyance.
“What I know is that she was a U.S. Marine. I assume she was on leave with friends and got separated,” he said.
Sarah began loading shells into a shotgun. Father Suarez looked back at Ximena.
“I carried her to a police station and then went with her to a hospital. I left when they said she would be okay. I didn't think I'd see her again,” he said.
“So, how did she get here?” asked Ximena.
Sarah began arranging magazines and pouches on a vest of body armor.
“Wish I knew. A few months later she showed up and refused to leave. Next thing I know she started wearing the habits of nuns long since gone. Albeit with a few alterations,” he said.
Sarah loudly pulled and released the charging handle on another rifle.
“I protested, but she just took up residence. Stubborn Jarhead. I don’t get much support out here so I just let her be. Now everyone thinks she is a nun. So, here she is,” he said.
The crow flew off the altar and cawed wildly. The doors to the church kicked open. Ojo and Hijo walked in.
“Greetings, amigos,” said Ojo.
Ximena got ready to pounce while Sarah stepped around the altar with a rifle up and at the ready. Father Suarez stood without fear.
“Leave this house. You are not welcome.” he said.
“We don't need permission to come or go. Anyway, La Señora wanted me to give you a message,” said Ojo.
“Which is?” asked Ximena.
“She wants to see how good you are. There is a truck on the tallest hill outside of town in the middle of nowhere. The people in the trailer will die unless you can save them,” said Ojo.
“That simple?” asked Ximena.
“Well, you got 15 minutes to get there before the truck disappears. And you got to get through him to leave this church,” said Ojo.
Hijo stepped forward.
“Adios amigos, and good luck,” said Ojo.
He turned and walked out of the church.
“Sarah? Would you be a dear?” asked Ximena.
Sarah fired three shots. Each connected center mass and passed clean through Hijo. He just stood there and stared.
“Any other bright ideas?” asked Father Suarez.
“Yeah, get him,” said Ximena.
Ximena rushed Hijo with Sarah close behind. Hijo spun a rapid kick, sending Ximena crashing through the pews. Sara dodged Ximena’s body and tried to land a kick of her own but Hijo sidestepped and caught her leg. He swung her up and tossed Sara over Ximena and into the church wall.
“Any other bright ideas?” asked the priest again.
“Get to the truck! I'll hold him off,” Ximena yelled Sarah.
Sara got up and ran past the alter grabbing a rifle and the vest. As she ran for the back door, Hijo tried to pursue but Ximena blocked his path. They traded blows as Sara disappeared outside. Hijo managed to grab Ximena by her throat with his gloved hand. Ximena reached for Hijo's throat but could not reach. Then she grabbed his arm and made contact with his bare skin. Then she saw a vision.
It looked like the lab in a university. Hijo was strapped down on a laboratory table, screaming. Señora Ecsed was sitting on top of him, carving into his chest with a scalpel, smiling. The vision flashed to Hijo standing over an open grave. A crow landed on his shoulder.
She snapped back to reality as Hijo tossed her, sending her into the large wooden cross behind the altar, splitting it in half. Ximena was knocked out cold. The crow swooped over Hijo's head and he snatched it out of the air. Hijo walked to the alter to finish Ximena but Father Suarez stepped in the way.
“Leave her be. In the name of God, I command you to leave this place now,” ordered the priest.
Hijo maintained a blank stare as he turned around and walked away.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycGEgjJm2r
