Chapter 14: Miguel

Miguel didn't want to believe his family was gone. He sat at the kitchen table, head in his hands, refusing to look at the empty darkness, to listen to the unfamiliar quiet. He heard Manuel moving about, caught a glimmer of light out of the corner of his eye as his brother found the flashlight, but remained where he was, an unwilling participant in what was turning out to be the worst day of his life.

Manuel came back after a short search, the light in his hand distorting his features and making him look monstrous. "No one is here," he said in his deep, gravel-rubbed voice.

"You don't think I know that?" Miguel snapped at him, finding his feet and his heart again only because his brother offered a target for his anger and fear. "You don't think that much is obvious?"

Manuel remained silent as he often did when Miguel took his temper out on him. It was most unsatisfactory. Miguel needed to vent, but doing so at his brother was like shouting at a brick wall.

Miguel nearly stomped away from Manuel to find something to damage to release his fury and fear. But he froze. Manuel held something in his free hand, something round and fluffy, seeming so tiny in his clutches. Miguel went to him, wanting to see, but afraid, reaching out with slow fingers. He took the soft, brown bear from his brother and held it to his chest as a bitter, hot wave bowled him over and sent him down into a chair. His whole body trembled as he cuddled the bear. It had been his baby sister's, little Angel of the lovely laugh and the warm porridge.

Manuel's hand fell on his shoulder. Miguel felt his brother's steady strength filling him. He opened his eyes and set the bear on the table, trying to get it to sit up. But despite his best efforts, the sad little thing just kept falling over.

"We have to find the others," Manuel said. Miguel was surprised at how much his brother had spoken. He had been known to be silent for days, even weeks at a time. Miguel questioned him about it before, but Manuel only shrugged with nothing to say.

Miguel followed his brother from the house, also a rare thing. He was willing, eager even, to let Manuel take the lead for once. Miguel had never felt so lost, so abandoned by his own cleverness. He was sure there was an answer to the problem if he could just come up with a plan. But his usual method of retreating within to make it all better slipped away from him with every step he took.

Miguel heard Minnesota shouting from the moment they emerged onto the porch, but was so distracted by his own pain he didn't bother listening. It wasn't until Manuel physically shook him gently, but with great insistence, that Miguel looked up and focused.

"What?" He felt slow and stupid. He wondered if this was what it was like to be Manuel. "Something's coming," Minnesota yelled, little face frantic.

"Where?" He couldn't comprehend it. What was she talking about?

Quinn, grim and shaking, hauled Miguel from the porch and to the ground. He spun him around, forcing him to face to the east. As he did, Manuel stepped up beside him and Miguel felt his brother tense.

A glowing, flaming ball was heading directly for them.

"They're coming for us!" Miguel's panic gripped him, erasing all reason.

"We have to get to the watch tower." Minnesota shouted, but Miguel was already lost.

He tore away from Quinn and ran, deep in panic, toward the weapon platform. He had no thought but survival, no hope at all for that, just the pure instinctual need to live. He raced up the platform, throwing himself into the seat at the top. The main switch answered his shaking hand, power surging to life. It was on its own supply, intended for protection against asteroids not attacking ships, but it was always kept ready just in case, and had somehow avoided the power drain that left the colony in the dark. His mind knew all that. He snuck up and played in the turret often enough as a child. Knew all the systems and how to run them.

Knew the beam weapon would slice the bastards who took his family away into shreds.

Someone shouted at him. He locked the door to the turret, keeping himself intent on his target, bringing the giant gun around. Miguel locked the blazing object in his sights. His thumbs flipped back the covers for both buttons, activating the beam. The power whined to its peak, ready to reach out and destroy his enemies.

He knew someone else was with him, but they were too late to stop him. Miguel heard his own hysterical laughter as he pressed the triggers.

***