Chapter 6: No Second Chances

Carter and I drew our weapons and rushed out. Possessed monsters poured through the gates. Carter’s men tried to fight, but they were slaughtered. “Demons can’t be fought! We gotta guard the President and fall back!” I yelled.

Carter grabbed the President, ordering his sons to protect him—though really, he just wanted them close to safety. I saw through it but said nothing, fighting at Carter’s side as we gathered the last soldiers for a breakout.

[Rule Two: When someone becomes possessed, do not refuse any of their requests.]

[Rule Three: The President’s side is absolutely safe. He is the only hope.]

On the battlefield, I finally understood these rules. You couldn’t refuse the possessed, but within a hundred yards of the President, they were sealed by some mysterious force—unable to speak, unable to command. Without the rules, they were just flesh and blood. The Tiger and Wolf Brigade fought like hell, and together we had a chance.

I speared a demon, fighting for my life. Suddenly, shouts erupted behind me—a pack of demons broke through the guards and lunged at the President. Their leader grinned, fingers closing around the President’s throat. The President’s face turned blue, his struggles fading. With a snap, he went limp, crumpling to the floor.

Shell casings rattled on the marble, the air thick with gunpowder and the screams of men who’d seen too much. Somewhere, the Star-Spangled Banner played softly—maybe in my memory, maybe on an old radio in the ruins. It cut off suddenly, leaving only the pounding of my heart and the echo of a nation’s last hope shattering. I looked down at the President’s body—still warm. Outside, the demons howled. There would be no second chances.