Deluge: The Conqueror Worms II

CHAPTER 55

They sat in silence for a moment as the enormity of what Simon had said weighed on them. McCann sniffled and turned away. In the flickering firelight, Gail thought she saw tears shining on his cheeks. Novak simply stared into the fire. His expression was sullen. Finally, Gail cleared her throat and spoke.

“But when we first found you, Simon, you said you could help us get rid of the things outside. You said that if we didn’t act soon, our actions might be the last thing any of us do.”

Simon nodded. “Right before you freed me, Mr. McCann stated that he wanted to know where the creatures had originated from and how we could get rid of them. I advised you that I could answer those questions for you if you freed me, and now I have. I’ve told you where they came from. Sadly, at this stage, there’s no way to rid the Earth of them. Our planet is finished.”

“Turning into water,” Novak said. “Getting sucked into this other dimension—this… What did you call it?”

“The Great Deep.”

“Yeah. That. So what you’re saying is that we’re pretty much fucked.”

“At this point, I’m afraid so. There are still individuals out there who are valiantly trying to save the planet. A biochemist named Steve Kazmirski, for example. He has a theory about how to reverse the White Fuzz. He believes that if he can obtain a pure sample of a protein that is essential in the machinery that replicates the White Fuzz’s DNA, then he can stop it with drugs. If the DNA can’t replicate, the fungus can’t grow, and therefore, will stop liquefying everything it touches.”

“Is he right?” Gail asked.

“I don’t know. The White Fuzz is supernatural in origin, but his theory is scientifically sound. Sadly, Mr. Kazmirski will never get a chance to learn if it would have worked, because it’s already too late.”

“At least he’s trying to do something.”

“My group were trying to save the planet, as well. Black Lodge defends humanity.”

“You did a hell of a job,” McCann muttered.

“As I explained to Gail earlier, we ended up divided. Half of Black Lodge wanted to enact an old ritual that called for the sacrifice of a human infant. Summoning Leviathan and Behemoth—opening a doorway for them to enter our world, required the sacrifice of an infant. A number of our members believed that banishing them and closing the doorway would require the same thing. They learned of several surviving infants—one in Australia, one in Illinois, and one or two elsewhere, and went in search of them. The other half of my group labored to stop them. We were convinced that there was another way to banish Behemoth and Leviathan, seal the gate, and undo the damage caused by the cultists. Regrettably, we wasted too much time in-fighting when we should have been acting together, and now it’s too late. Behemoth and Leviathan have both moved on to another version of Earth—another level.”

“I can’t accept that,” Gail said. “There has to be a way. Thousands of years of human history—all of our struggles and achievements. It can’t just be over!”

Simon’s smile was sad. “The planet is already destroyed. It’s already being absorbed. I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do.”

“But you said you could save us! Were you lying, just so we’d free you?”

“No, I told the truth. I can save us. I just can’t save the planet.”

Gail scowled. “You’re not making any sense.”

“I told you before that there are other realities—other versions of Earth. The cult in Baltimore opened the doors to other dimensions and brought both Behemoth and Leviathan through. I can do the same. We can escape to another world. A version of Earth where this hasn’t happened yet. But we’re running out of time.”

“Why?”

“Because opening a doorway into the Labyrinth isn’t my forte. There were some in my organization who were quite adept at it. I was not one of them. But there are certain places on Earth—places of great power—and in those areas, my skill won’t matter. In those places, on spots such as Stonehenge, the great Serpent Mound, and the area known popularly as the Bermuda Triangle, the doorways already exist. All we have to do is go through one of them.”

“Are we near one?” Novak asked, looking up from the fire.

“Not near, as in, close by. But I can guide us to the nearest one, yes.”

Gail leaned forward, staring at Simon intently. “Where?”

“An area in Central Pennsylvania called LeHorn’s Hollow. It is undoubtedly under water by now, but the doorway should still be there. All we have to do is reach it.”