Jeremy Chikalto and the Demon Trace (Book III of The Hazy Souls) by T.S. DeBrosse Page A

you,"
said Jeremy.
    "I'm sorry," said the man. "I'm sorry about
your people."
    His people were doing pretty well. Supplies
were just running low. "Thanks," said Jeremy. "I'm sorry about...
your people too. If there's anything you need, like a specific type
of sandwich or shoes or something?" Jeremy cringed at his
words.
    A siren rang loudly throughout the compound.
Jeremy and the pharmacist covered their ears. Jeremy looked out the
window. "I guess that's my cue." But he could see now that the
siren wasn't meant for him. The fence had been breeched. The side
behind the Ear, Nose and Throat residence had been flattened and an
army was running through the compound. In the daylight, the
invaders looked like ghouls, gaunt with sallow skin and tattered
clothes. Behind the front line were families, mothers carrying
babies. Jeremy withdrew from the window. But a new round of shots
made him leap up again. "What are they doing?"
    “Oh God, they're here!” cried the
pharmacist.
    Without thinking, Jeremy pulled through into
the Haze and then wove in and out of the sky above the army, just
as he had back at his own compound. He emitted a brilliant
aura.
    "Listen to me!" he bellowed.
    The shots trailed off, and there was
screaming and crying. Then everyone cowered. A pregnant silence
followed.
    "You will all stop this senseless death.
Whatever you need, I can provide it. Food for the hungry. Medicine
for the sick." Jeremy allowed a blue light to emanate from his
eyes. "Don't hurt these innocent children." He hovered to the
ground, flickering in and out of the Haze, the air crackling, and
the crowd parting before him. He landed softly and walked to a
woman cradling a toddler. "What do you need?"
    She cried and hugged the child. "I need
food.”
    Jeremy squatted beside the woman and brushed
his hand across the girl's face. He disappeared into the Haze, and
the crowd murmured. A minute went by, and people were shouting now.
But then Jeremy flashed into sight again, and everyone was quiet.
He handed the small child a plum, which she began to devour.
    Jeremy found the power in his voice. “Follow
me, and I will provide what you need. You are all brothers and
sisters now, and a man who kills his brother will be exiled.”
    Then he pulled through to the hospital and
broke into a vending machine, spilling its contents out onto the
floor. He grabbed a nearby tray, scooped up the snacks, and then
reappeared outside. "Here," he said handing the woman cookies, two
fruit grain bars and two water bottles. "And here," he turned to a
father and his daughter and handed them crackers, fig bars, and a
soda. Jeremy continued to place food and drink into the now
outstretched hands until he ran out. "If anyone spills a drop of
blood while I'm gone, they'll answer to me." He crackled in
emphasis. "Be patient."
    Jeremy went back and forth into the
barracks, feeding those with outstretched hands, raiding the
pantries of houses, until the dark of night crept into the sky. But
his work wasn't done. He gathered his constituents together.
    “From now on, you'll all be responsible for
more people. Family will be paired with family, and they are your
new charges.” And he went into the people and paired the strong
with the weak, so that the whole of every group was greater than
the sum of its parts. Then they all took an oath that they would
protect their new siblings.
    Jeremy arrived exhausted back at General
Forero's compound, to find Maren waiting up for him. She was
sitting out on their balcony, her keen eyes set on the gate at the
front of the compound. Jeremy sighed then tapped her on the
shoulder.
    "Hey,” she said. She pulled her legs to her
chest and wrapped her arms around herself.
    "It's pretty bad out there." Jeremy drummed
his fingers on the table. “People need my help. If I could just
harmonize this one microcosm, maybe the rest of the world will
follow.” He straightened. “Get your ass out of here, Maren, before
I spank it.”
    “I thought you