Candy pulls the trigger just as we hit a bump and the shot goes high. The second shot hits the Charger’s windshield.
“Nice work, Calamity Jane. Get back inside the car and wait for me.”
Traven says, “I believe that the Angra are in one of the parallel universes and that the changes in reality we’re experiencing have been going on longer than we think but have only become noticeable now.”
“With all the dreamers dying, I’m not surprised.”
“The breakdown of reality caused a crack in one of the membranes and a tiny piece of Lamia leaked back into this universe.”
“How did the Angra end up in another universe?”
“According to the alternate history, God tricked them. The Angra were already here when our God manifested Himself. When He made Himself known, He gave the Angra an offering.”
“What kind?”
“The books don’t say. But it was a trick, and exiled them beyond the edge of our universe.”
“And now they want back in to take what’s theirs. Which is everything.”
“I’m afraid so.”
We hit a deep gulley that rattles everyone’s teeth.
“And they’ll kill God to do it,” Traven says.
“That old man has more enemies than Stalin.”
The Charger accelerates. It comes around parallel to us. The road is getting worse. It rattles my bones and balls but it forces the heavy Charger to slow down.
“What happens to us if they come back?”
“The book doesn’t say. But there are other texts that talk about battles between Gods in other dimensions.”
“And?”
“In every one, the winner scours the universe clean and starts over.”
“Scouring sounds bad,” says Candy.
“Can we stop them?”
“I have no idea,” Traven says.
The Charger pulls up parallel again. Cairo climbs out the sunroof on top of the car.
“Look at the bright side, Father. When the Angra destroy everything, there won’t be a Hell for you to go to.”
“Every Apocalypse has a silver lining,” says Candy.
“That’s my girl.”
“Can I shoot some more?”
“Almost. When I get out, you come back here. If anyone in the Charger shoots at us or tries to get out, you shoot them. Don’t waste ammo. Unless Cairo looks like he’s going to win. Then spray the fucking car and kill as many of them as you can.”
“Neat,” she says.
I put my hand on Traven’s shoulder.