“You’ve found it Miss Giselle.”
“I’m listening to birds.”
“Where are they?”
“At the cottage, the summer house that we used to go to when I was a kid.”
“How far is that from here?”
“Twenty, maybe fifty miles south. Why?” Giselle opened her eyes and studied Toko.
“That’s where Jason is.”
“How do you know?”
“I don’t, but your heart does. Let’s get going.”
The two climbed out of the massive tree that they were in and gathered their gear. Toko headed towards the river to the south. Giselle proceeded towards a house in the distance to the north.
“What’s wrong? Where are you going Miss Giselle?”
“Getting a fucking car. That’s a long ass walk through thick brush.”
Toko stopped and searched the landscape for easier terrain and found none.
“You’re right. We should get some transportation.”
“But first I’m checking the house for something to eat. I’m starving!” Her stomach groaned in response.
“You just ate an hour ago. Are you really that hungry again?”
“I’m always hungry Toko.” Giselle jogged faster towards the shadow of a house, hidden in the woods just off the road, when she thought about food. Toko sped up to her and joined her B & E exploits.
At the front of the house was a screened in porch. Cheap green plastic AstroTurf decorated the steps and the floor of the interior porch. She pulled the door to the porch open causing the spring to whine as it stretched. Toko walked in with her and released the stress on the spring as he silently closed the door behind him. The smell of mildew was all over. Cluttered boxes, old lamps and books littered the porch area. A small maze walkway that didn’t have junk in the way led to the front door. It was cracked open and noises escaped deep inside. They both entered cautiously. Giselle aimed her pistol towards the noise while Toko covered her rear.
“Upstairs, I can smell it.” Giselle whispered.
She could smell an Azrael’s musk that lingered in the stagnant air within the old structure. Tacky wallpaper was peeling off the walls with a late seventies feel. The inside of the house was just as cluttered as the porch. Whoever lived there had a hoarding problem.
The two carefully navigated the clutter that decorated the downstairs and provided hidden alarms in the form of candy wrappers throughout the open walkway spaces. She stepped on one and the noise upstairs ceased. Giselle and Toko paused as well while listening for hidden threats.
“It stopped.” She whispered.
“Only one, maybe it’s an Awakened?” He spoke in a whisper.
“I guess we’ll find out soon, it’s moving again.” She aimed her pistol towards the top of the stairs. The entrance to them was on the bottom right of the back wall. A small wooden platform separated the stairs from the main floor. The wooden floor creaked and groaned above as whatever was up there moved towards the stairs taking slow and calculated steps. Something was off about the smell, its movements, and the whole set up. It waited at the top of the steps. Giselle closed her eyes and listened. Its heart raced, but at a normal human interval if it were afraid.
“It’s human.” She whispered and opened her eyes.
“Hai.” He agreed.
“We’re only here to scavenge for food. We don’t want trouble.” Giselle hollered. There was no response. “I know you’re up there. I can hear you.”
Suddenly, it ran deeper into a room upstairs. Giselle and Toko followed.
“Be careful Miss Giselle. It could be a trap.”
“I’ll keep an eye out.” She said.
Giselle stepped onto the wooden platform at the bottom of the stairs. She noticed fishing line on the second step. A faint twinkle of light reflected off it. She followed the line with her eyes and some cans were attached to it. Every other step contained a similar setup. She stepped over them cautiously, she didn’t know if they were connected to something more dangerous. The air still carried a rank odor of Azrael and it got worse as she moved upstairs. Once she reached the top of the steps, she triggered a motion sensor porch light that blinded her and Toko.
“Fuck! Are you kidding me?” She shut her eyes, turned away and focused on her other senses.
She travelled towards the back room where the footsteps ended with her eyes closed. She could hear its breathing and could smell its breath. As Giselle neared the door to the room, its breathing stopped. It was waiting for something, maybe another trap. Giselle paused and felt around for something out of place. Toko managed to disable the light and the room fell back into a manageable darkness for the two. Giselle opened her eyes and still had a bright haze in her vision. Although she could still see better in the dark than the human could. Unless...
A bat with nails in it struck her on the side of the head. Her left arm blocked most of the blow, but it still knocked her into the wall. Toko stepped in to protect Giselle. Flashes of light from a flashlight momentarily blinded Toko and he was struck with the bat on his side as well. However, he held onto it as the human struggled to take it back.
“Argh...” The girl grunted. “Let it go!” She urged.
“Why are you trying to kill us?” Toko asked while keeping a tight grip on the bat.
“Why are you following me? Thought you said you only wanted food?” The girl responded.
Toko quickly removed the bat from the girl, swept the feet from beneath her and placed the end of the bat on the girl’s chest keeping her from getting back up. She landed hard and the wind was knocked out of her. She groaned as she landed. She was wearing night vision goggles, a baseball catcher’s gear with shin and arm guards and knee-high boots.
“What the fuck!” Giselle walked over and aimed her pistol at the girl’s face. Toko knocked it away. “Bitch tried to kill me.”
“Enough Miss Giselle. There has been enough violence for today.”
“As you’re holding a bat with nails on top of a girl on the ground? Great ambassador of peace you are.” Giselle retorted.
Toko tossed the bat behind him and it rolled down the steps activating every trap that was attached to the fishing line. Sharpened sticks, arrows and a spray paint torch assaulted the stairs and the bat.
“Holy shit! Overkill?”
“The Azrael...they... don’t die easily.” The girl grumbled and pulled off her night vision goggles. Toko reached out to the girl.
“We should talk.” He asked. She knocked his hand away and pulled herself up. She reeked of Azrael and fidgeted with her goggles.
“How did you know I wasn’t one of them?” She asked banging the glasses against her left palm.
“We’re not your typical scavengers.”
“I’ve noticed.” She attempted to toggle the goggles on but they didn’t work anymore. “They’re busted, thanks asshole.” She complained.
“Maybe I can fix...”
“That’s okay. I’ll figure it out.” She cut off Toko and shoved it in her bag.
“Why do you smell like them?” Toko asked.
“I can get by them undetected most of the time.”
“When it doesn’t work?”
“I’ve been lucky so far.” She answered while rubbing the back of her neck with her right hand.
“So, what are you doing here?” Giselle asked as she investigated the place. She was about to open the window. The girl ran over and stopped her.
“I wouldn’t do that?”
“Huh?”
The girl removed a fishing wire and relocated it to a nail nearby.
“Another trap.” The girl admitted.
“Jesus, what’s so important here to protect?”
“Me.”
“You live here before?” Toko asked.
“No, just found the place about two months ago. Been bouncing around since it all happened. Once I’m discovered, the traps stop, slow or kill whatever found me and I relocate. Like now, you’ve used u
p all of my traps and now I’m moving on.” The girl walked past the two and headed downstairs.
“You can come with us.” Giselle blurted.
Toko craned his neck at Giselle, dumbfounded at her statement.
“I’m fine. I’ve made it this long by myself.” The girl declined.
“You wouldn’t have to be alone anymore. That’s not a bad thing.”
“I’m swell ma’am. Other people just complicate things.”
Giselle followed her downstairs. The girl stopped at the bottom of the platform.
“Is there softball where you come from?”
“Uh, no. There aren’t any games like that anymore.”
“Then...why do I need to be around other people?” She smiled. “Thanks, but no thanks.” She continued towards the front door. Giselle hurried down the steps. The girl left and ran through the porch door causing it to slap the frame twice.
“Wait!” Giselle called out.
“Let her go Miss Giselle. You provided the invitation and she declined. Let her go.”
“How? How can you let some young teenage girl be alone out there? It’s too dangerous for her.”
“She’ll be fine. She’s smart, tough and inventive. Maybe she just needs time to piece things together.”
“It’s wrong Toko.”
“Is it? We’re giving her a chance to develop better survival instincts. Using Azrael blood as a masking agent is pretty inventive don’t you think?”
“Yes, it is. Smells awful.”
“But it works.”
“It does. Well, I guess we should see if there’s anything to eat here before we go.” Giselle suggested.
“It’s the girl’s house.”
“Not anymore, you heard her. She’s moving on.”
The two searched the kitchen and located seventeen unmarked canned goods. The paper was torn from them. After a thorough investigation, they determined that the cans were not tampered with. They stayed and ate for a few hours. The two grabbed the cans that they didn’t eat and tossed them into their bags.
“Let’s go find a car.”
“Hai.”
Outside, behind the house in a run-down garage, a car sat in decent condition. It had a half tank of gas and keys were in the ignition. After recharging the battery from a tractor nearby, they moved out.
Chapter 8
Taliah’s Room
The steady drumming of the raindrops hitting the roof and the side of the windows brought a moment of peace to Taliah. She laid on her stomach in her bed writing in her journal. Samson lay next to her with his head on the bed listening for threats. His ears fidgeted as his senses focused on noises beyond her room. He growled as the doorknob turned.
“It’s okay boy. Someone just forgot to knock.” Taliah scowled and comforted Samson by scratching him behind his ears. He continued to growl but a bit quieter. The door opened and Samson barked ferociously.
“Whoa there boy, just bringing in some breakfast. My hands were full. I’m surprised I got the door handle to turn with my forearm.” Jimmy Cleese, an American member of the Veil of the Five Daggers, entered her room carrying a tray full of pancakes, eggs and a large glass of orange juice.
“That smells amazing Jimmy. Did you make all of that?” Taliah asked while closing her eyes and breathing in the aroma that rushed into the room. Samson licked his chops and barked.
“I got you something too Sammy.” Jimmy placed the tray on the table next to Taliah’s bed and hurried out to grab Samson’s breakfast. He returned quickly with a bowl of dry dogfood with chopped up pieces of sausage on top of it. He placed the bowl on the ground. Before he could remove his hand from it, Samson was digging his snout into the metallic container pushing it around the room.
“No, well I did make the eggs but the staff made everything else.”
“Figured. You should let me cook one day. I like making breakfast.”
“Wish I could let you. Mr. Fukashima wants you to relax and enjoy your stay while the Highwaymen sort out the Tricon situation.”
“Wish I could just talk to Mario or Simon to let them know I’m okay.”
“Until we locate the mole Tricon has imbedded within your city, we can’t risk your life or those around you.” Jimmy admitted.
“Don’t you guys have agents that can at least help them?”
“We lost a few to some dangerous missions recently, so our resources are slim.”
“Oh, Kyo and Vladomir?”
“How did you...?”
“I try to keep my ears open. Hard to trust anyone these days.”
“I see. Yes, Kyo and Vladomir were good friends and a huge loss to the Veil.”
“So, are you the last one?”
“No, there’s Toko and François.”
“Can’t they help?”
“Toko is on another mission currently and François, well, that guy’s on his own program.”
“What do you mean?” Taliah furrowed her brow and cut up her pancakes. Jimmy brought in air and released an audible sigh.
“He never really follows protocol or instructions. Frankie’s a danger to himself and to all others around him. He’s also a real douchebag.” Jimmy smiled.
“Real funny asshole.” François walked in. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. What Jimmy said wasn’t entirely true. He forgot to mention that I’m also a danger to other men with ambitions of winning over a woman’s heart.” He winked. “Now, that my friend is the truth.” François kneeled and kissed Taliah on the hand. His French accent was thick but enjoyable.
“You got those zombie eyes too?”
François removed his sunglasses revealing gray Azrael eyes. Yet, he still appeared incredibly charming despite those creepy eyes. He placed his glasses in his pocket.
“You are even more beautiful in person Taliah. The pictures don’t do you justice.”
“What pictures?”
“Uh...you’ll have to excuse Frankie. He’s forgotten his place.” Jimmy gave him a stern look.
“What pictures are you talking about?” Taliah continued, no longer amused.
“These.” François removed the pamphlet from the meeting when Taliah first arrived to Chicago.
“Oh, those. I was about twenty pounds lighter at that time.” Taliah patted stomach beneath her shirt. “Life was eh, a bit rough then. You could say.”
“I read. My intention was not to offend you and if I did, I apo...”
“No, no need to do that. Thank you François.” Taliah interrupted. He smiled.
“I’m just surprised that you still have that. Where did you get that anyway?” She asked while pointing at the pamphlet.
“Toko keeps track of everything. This is why he’s staying close to Giselle.” François admitted. Jimmy scowled at him.
“So that’s his mission, to spy on Giselle?”
“He’s working with Giselle to help her find her brother.” Jimmy added.
“Toko’s always willing to help a woman in distress. He may not be as beautiful as François, but his heart is in the right place.”
“Did you just refer to yourself in the third person?” Taliah asked.
“Oui.” François beamed.
“And here he goes.” Jimmy sighed.
“François was once a model before the world went to shit. I was surrounded by beautiful faces from around the globe every single day much like yours Taliah.” His perfect features and beautiful white smile caused Taliah to melt.
“Oh, thanks.” She blushed and her heart skipped a few beats.
“You do realize she’s only sixteen?” Jimmy asked.
“At sixteen you would have been married with children in my country, with a parent’s consent of course.” His thick French accent sang to her heart.
“But not in America. I’m sorry about that.” Jimmy was embarrassed.
“No, no it’s no problem. He’s cute. He can do what he wants.” Taliah batted her eyes.
“And this is why we have protocol,
Frankie.” Jimmy elbowed him in the side.
“Well, François will be taking you to the movies tonight. Unfortunately, there will only be a selection of the movies found at the theater at the time of the outbreak. A Sister’s Tears or A Hobo’s Revenge IV. I highly recommend A Sister’s...”François was interrupted.
“A Hobo’s Revenge IV please. I’ve seen the other three, they were pretty good.” Taliah blurted.
“Oui, it is your choice. A Hobo’s Revenge IV may have improved on the other three attempts at filmmaking.” François snorted and sighed with a scowl.
“Thanks François. So, where are you going Jimmy?”
“My. Fukashima has reassigned me to a new mission. Frankie will be taking care of you from here on out.” He patted François on the back. “Can I talk to you in private?” Jimmy whispered in François’ ear.
“Will you excuse us, please?” François leaned over and kissed Taliah’s hand once more before he stepped out.
“Sure, let me find something else to wear.” Taliah walked away giddy. The two stepped outside and Jimmy shut Taliah’s door.
“You got this?” He looked into François’ eyes. T
He hardened look of a war-torn veteran painted Jimmy’s face. François had been an excellent addition to the team due to his charm, athleticism and the will to live. However, he had never been in charge of someone as important as Taliah before. After the war in Afghanistan, about a year after Bin Laden was killed, Jimmy retired from the SEALS and founded his own private security business for important diplomats overseas. Several former acquaintances that served with Jimmy were hired and tasked with dangerous and sometimes extremely stressful jobs protecting those people. As gifted and lethal François was to the Veil, Jimmy wouldn’t have hired him to do a similar, less important job. Unfortunately, Jimmy knew that François was all that he had but knew when it came down to it François would do is job well. In that moment, despite his performance in Taliah’s room, François stared into Jimmy’s eyes with a determined and sincere reaction.
The Azrael (Book 4): Tricon Page 5