Death’s child- Chp. 1

Four year-old Trevor Williams didn’t understand what had happened. He’d heard the screams, seen the pain. Now, he had no one. Or so he thought.

From the control room, fifteen year old Marcus Alexander watched one child in particular out of the hundred or so below him. “Lee, what’s that boy’s name?” Marcus asked his lieutenant, Lee Chen, also fifteen years old.

“Um…” Lee said, checking his roster of names. “He’s Trevor Williams, age four. Son of Josh and Angie Williams. His father was Delta Force.”

Marcus nodded. “Thanks.” He said, leaving the control room. He walked down stairs and moved to the common area where the younger children were eating with the older ones.

Marcus made his way to where Trevor was sitting. He recognized the lost, pained look on the boy’s face as he knelt in front of him. “Hi, I’m Marcus.” He said gently, extending his hand.

“How do you know my name?” The boy asked, without looking up.

"I'm the guy in charge. I'm supposed to know things."

"Do you know what happened to my mommy and daddy?"

Marcus swallowed. I hate this, He thought.

Marcus looked at the younger child, sympathy and shared pain in his eyes. "They're dead, buddy."

Trevor started shaking and crying. “No….NO! You’re lying! Get away from me!” Trevor yelled, jumping up and trying to run away. But Marcus was too quick and he grab the struggling child and carried him to his quarters. Trevor was still struggling as Marcus sat down on the bed with the child in his arms. Trevor fought until exhaustion over took him and he fell asleep.

000

Four hours later, Marcus was sitting in the chair at his desk, reading a tattered copy of George Orwell’s 1984 and thinking about the child he’d bonded with. Trevor stirred and Marcus put the book down. He wasn't ready to be a father. Shoot...who was he kidding he wasn't even ready to be a leader yet. But...something about this boy spoke to him, and he knew what he had to do. But first he had to see Megan.

“Hey, buddy, you sleep well?”

“Yeah.” Trevor smiled.

“Good.” Marcus said, nervously going to the bed. He sat down and looked at the boy.

“I need to ask you something.” Marcus said.

“Ok.” The child said, turning serious.

“Now, I know you don’t have anyone and I don’t either. So, I want to ask you this. How would you like me to be your dad?”

Trevor considered what he heard for a long time. “Could I still love my other mommy and daddy?”

Marcus thought he would break down right then but he managed to hold it together. “I think that would be ok.”

Trevor smiled. “Ok. Can I ask you something, Daddy?”

He sure starts fast, Marcus thought, smiling. “Sure, buddy. What is it?”

“Can I have a mommy too?”

Marcus smiled. “Sure.” He said, “stay here, I'll be back in a few minutes."

000

Marcus walked to the quarantine room and went over what he intended to ask Megan. Would she be willing to help him raise Trevor. It wasn't like he didn't have enough to do and he was a kid himself but... He stopped at the door and punched in the four digit key-code. He walked in and found her reading. "Hello, Megan."

She smiled. "Hello, Marcus. How are you?"

He laughed. "To be honest, I've been better."

She laughed with him. "Haven't we all? So, what can I do for you?"

"I have something to ask you and if you don't wanna do it i'll understand, but if you're willing..."

"Marcus! You're rambling."

"Sorry, I do that when I'm nervous. Ok, here goes. Would you be willing to co-parent one of the kids?"

Megan thought for a minute, then spoke. "Co-parent? How would I do that exactly? I'm locked in this box."

"He's a good kid, Megan. And to be honest, I'm just a kid myself. I have no idea what I'm doing."

She smiled. "Ok. But you know what this means, right?"

He smiled as well. "What?"

"I'm twelve years older than my husband. I'm now a certified cradle robber." She said, laughing.

"Ok, glad that's settled. We'll be back in an hour."

"We?" she asked, playing dumb.

"Our son's name is Trevor." Marcus said.

000

Meghan Rose sat on her bed, reading a novel. She wasn't really paying attention and she kept glancing at the door. Marcus had come two hours ago and explained Trevor’s situation. She readily agreed. The door opened and she dropped the book, standing and smoothing the front of her shirt.

Marcus walked to the intercom and pressed a button. “Hello, Meghan. This is Trevor.” He said, gesturing.

Meghan smiled. “Hello, Trevor.”

The boy smiled at her. “Hi, are you my new mommy.”

Megan swallowed the lump in her throat and knelt in front of the glass. "Yes, honey, I'm you're new mommy."

And so began a simple yet powerful relationship.