by Tara Ellis
“What am I doing?” I repeat, incredulous. “What do you think I’m doing? I’m getting out of this insane asylum. Someone has to stop you lunatics.”
Chuckling, he crosses his arms and regards me with disdain. “You just don’t realize whose side you’re actually on yet, Alex. You don’t have a choice. There is no stopping this. It’s already done. The Nephilim are coming back soon, and when they do, we will be the only ones to survive it. It’s our heritage, Alex. Yours.” As he says this, he comes closer to me, closing the gap.
Refusing to believe him, I stand and bring the gun up with me, audibly racking a round in the chamber. “I … am … leaving,” I say hoarsely, my throat constricting.
“Well then,” he continues, his eyes never leaving mine. “You’re going to have to shoot me.” I hesitate for just a moment, struggling with the thought of looking into his eyes while I kill him. It’s all he needs.
He suddenly dips to his left and steps towards me, bringing his arms up under my extended ones at the same time. I fire a fraction of a second too late, the bullet barely grazing his right shoulder. He continues his momentum up and into my chest, hands now clasped around my wrists. As I hit the ground with him on top of me, he focuses on squeezing my wrists together, forcing my hand to open and the gun to fall free.
It all happens so fast that we are both pushing away and springing to our feet before the gun even stops smoking. Fortunately the weapon has a built-in suppressor so it hardly made a sound. Seth kicks it away as we face each other. I’m too valuable for him to kill, but not to hurt.
He lunges for my legs like a wrestler, but underestimates my skills. I easily evade him and make a dash for the fence. I only get a few steps away though before I’m hit hard from behind and again taken to the ground. It would have made a football coach proud. Gasping for the air, I twist around to try and break the choke hold he is attempting.
I know that I’m stronger than before, but even I am surprised at my ability to push his arms apart. So different from just a few nights ago when I was helpless beneath him, I am now the one in control. His expression is priceless as I gather my legs up under him and planting my feet, push away at his chest, sending him flying.
As he rolls away and then slowly gets to his feet, I make the decision not to run. Instead, I’m going to fight.
He must sense the change in my demeanor from the hunted to the hunter, because he immediately crouches down, ready for an attack. We circle each other, barely distinguishable shadows under the faint moonlight. I wonder how well he can really see me.
Trying to keep ahead of me, Seth makes the first move. It doesn’t matter. Once again, I am way too quick, and as he stumbles past me, I drop down and sweep his legs out from under him. I’m on him before he hits the ground.
Stealing his move, I wrap my arm around his neck and lock my arms. When he rolls to his back, trying to knock me off, I hold firm. Knowing he is at a disadvantage on his back with me under him, he frantically turns back to his stomach and then rises to his knees. I am much lighter than he is, but even though he is throwing me around like a doll, my grip is a vice. There is no shaking me.
I wrap my long legs around his waist before he can flip me over his head, and he starts to get desperate. Clawing at my arm, he staggers to his feet and in a last attempt, falls backwards with all his weight. The wind is knocked out of me, my right forearm is scratched and bleeding from his blunt nails, but I don’t let go.
“I’m not one of you,” I whisper in his ear as he loses consciousness. I keep the sleeper hold in place for a second longer to make sure, and then push his limp body off of me. He isn’t dead; just out. Dad taught me that move years ago. He’ll be okay. As much as I dislike him, I am not a killer.
I have to move fast. There’s no sign of anyone else yet, but that won’t last. I grab him under the shoulders and drag him behind some nearby wooden pallets by the fence. He’s already coming around but is confused and disoriented. Yanking his boots off, I strip him of his pants and use them to tie his hands and feet together behind his back. Leaving him half-naked, hogtied and face down, I feel some justification as I run to pick up the gun.
ELEVEN
I have too much time to think. After easily scaling the chain-link fence, I race through the woods in the general direction of the town. I find the well-used nature trail that runs from the city park near the library, back behind the old mill and up to the park where we originally watched the Holocene meteor shower. My cross country team would often use this because it is almost exactly a five mile round-trip.
I estimate that I’m half-way to the city, keeping a much faster pace than is my norm. Once my legs fall into a natural rhythm, all I am left with are my thoughts. I’ve been doing a fairly good job of keeping all my fear and anxiety about my family at bay while being held captive. It was easier to do when I knew they were out of my reach. It all comes rushing at me now.
What if they’re gone and I can’t find them? What if they don’t believe it’s me and refuse to go? The confidence I felt only a few minutes ago is rapidly evaporating. What good are all these abilities if they cause me to lose my family and the people I love?
“It will be okay,” I gasp out loud. But I can tell that my gait has changed, slowing down as my apprehension drains my energy. This is not acceptable. Pushing myself harder, sucking in more air and driving out all harmful feelings, I fly over the path. I concentrate on the face of my brother, on the disappointment he would feel if he ever knew that I gave up, that I didn’t give everything within myself to get to him. Completely disconnected from my legs now, I’m propelled ever faster ahead.
Almost in a trance, I stumble through the markers at the trailhead, not believing that I’m already here. But there’s the library to my left, the post office on the far side of the small grassy area to my right. I’m not even out of breath. Skirting around the two picnic tables in the open area, I avoid the street lamps and aim instead for the shadows. It’s hours past curfew. There aren’t many patrols, but even one is too many. There’s no doubt that if they haven’t been alerted to look for me, they will be shortly. The Mudameere may not be an actual part of the military, but they’ve got to have some serious connections in order to run that operation.
Chris’s house is just a block away, so I head there first. My own home is on the southern end of town, a good six blocks from here in the opposite direction. I break out in a cold sweat two houses away. I don’t know how I’m going to do this.
Creeping down the narrow alley behind his house, I only hesitate for a moment. I don’t have time to worry about things. The gate creaks when I push it open, causing the neighbor’s dog to bark twice and then fall silent. I know where they keep the spare key on the back porch and quickly let myself in.
To my surprise, Nate and Kyle are asleep on the floor in the back family room. This is convenient. Without making a sound, I effortlessly step nimbly around them and head for the first bedroom. The door is ajar, and I slip inside.
I can hear the steady, rhythmic breathing of deep sleep. Feeling for the wall behind me, I click on the light and then close the door. The single lamp in his room is on a small table next to his bed, and I kneel down in the glow it casts. Chris is slow to wake, but once he does, he sits up suddenly, immediately aware.
“Chris, it’s okay. It’s me, I’m back.” I reach out to him as I’m talking and he gathers me close before I finish. “I escaped, but they’ll be here soon. We need to go.” Nearly crushing me in his embrace, my words are smothered in his neck and thick hair.
“Alex, I was so afraid you were dead. Or worse, a Shiner.” Slowly drawing back, our cheeks rub against each other, leaving a hot trail on my face. I don’t know if it’s because of my improved skin, but wherever he’s touching me feels like it’s on fire. His lips hover over mine and just as I’m sure he’s about to kiss me, I look into his eyes. The reaction is instant. Shock and horror cloud his handsome face, and he pushes me away with repulsion.
/> Falling away, my back crashes into the wall. Drawing up my knees, I choke on the sob ripping from my chest. My skin still burning, I beg him to listen to me.
“Chris, please. You have to believe me! The professor’s pill worked. They infected me with the new virus, but I didn’t change! Well, obviously some things were affected but not my ability to think for myself. Please, Chris. I can’t do this by myself. I need you to trust me.” Crying now, I just stare at him, trying to gauge his reaction. I imagine how I must appear to him: my complexion too perfect, my hair too glossy and these stupid, glowing violet eyes.
His expression softening, Chris seems to come to a rapid conclusion. Kneeling in front of me, he reaches out and wipes a tear off my flawless skin. “I guess I can’t call you tiger eyes anymore.” He smiles at me and I’m so very grateful for his ability to grasp things so fast. I don’t know what I would do without him.
I wrap my arms around him and am relieved when he doesn’t pull away. “You can call me whatever you want,” I say, standing again and feeling more pressure than ever to get moving. It was crucial to convince Chris, but we don’t have time for any other pleasantries. Time is slipping away.
“I will explain everything later, but right now we have to move. Fast. They could be outside right now, Chris,” I explain before he can ask any questions. He appears to understand and is out the door before I finish. Nate and Kyle are already awake. They probably heard me hit the wall.
“Can’t talk right now guys, but it’s go time. Grab your stuff, run for the rendezvous point.” Chris barks the orders as he opens a small hall closet and starts throwing backpacks out. Lisa emerges at the end of the hall and then runs back to her room.
Turning back to the guys, I see that Nate and Kyle are still frozen in place.
“Uh, dude you know her eyes are glowing, right?” Kyle asks Chris, pointing at me. Nate’s blue eyes are wide with fear, his red hair sticking up in such a way that he reminds me of one of my old dolls. When my brain starts throwing math figures at me based on the angles of these bright tufts, I lose it and start laughing.
Confused, they look back and forth between me and Chris. “She’s fine,” he says gruffly. “A bit different, but obviously still Alex.” The duo seems to visibly relax and start picking up bags, but keep their distance from me.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Alex.” I turn to find Chris’s mom back and dressed. She has a backpack on and seems ready to go.
“Thank you, Lisa. Trust me, no one is happier than I am! We’ve got to run now.” I say, turning back to Chris. “I’ve been here for too long.” It has to have been close to half an hour since I left Seth. We still have a long ways to go before we’re safe.
“I’m much faster than you guys now,” I explain, heading for the back door. “I’ll try to get Mom and Jake ready by the time you get there.”
“Wait.” Chris stops me as I pass by and he retrieves a pair of sunglasses from the kitchen counter. “You’re going to want to put these on. It’ll make your reunion a little less dramatic.”
Smiling, I take them gratefully. “Thanks. Stick to the alley for as long as you can,” I tell the group, and then run back outside.
It takes just a few minutes to get to my house. The alleyway ends two blocks short, so I’m forced out in the open. Luckily, I don’t see anyone. The house is dark and quiet as I approach, and, for a moment, I’m terrified that I’m not going to find them inside.
I silently go through the side gate into the backyard, and approach Mom’s bedroom window. I figure the best way to do this, since I don’t have a way in, is to just tap on the window. It takes a few tries, but as I’m considering other options, I hear the sliding glass door to my right fly open.
“Alex!” Mom and Jacob both yell at once.
“Shh!” I hush them as they throw themselves on me. I struggle to hold back my intense, walled up emotions. I can’t let it out yet. No time.
“I love you guys and you have no idea how incredible it is to be back here,” I say, pushing them gently off me. “But unless you want to end up in a Shiner’s Only club, we have to go now.” My statement has the desired effect and after one more quick hug they race inside to get our things.
It’s then that I notice Baxter. He’s come to join us in the backyard, but is not sharing our enthusiasm over the reunion. He is sitting quietly by the door, staring at me. Only it isn’t with his normal look of adoration. There is no lolling tongue and sparkling brown, happy eyes. Rather, he has a very uncharacteristic somber demeanor, as if all regular doggy behavior isn’t necessary at the moment. He knows.
Kneeling down, I hold out my hand to him. “Baxter, you’re right. They infected me, bud. But it’s still me, I swear. Come on Baxter, come sniff me. You’ll see.” He’s having none of it. My heart is close to breaking as one of my most loyal friends turns his back on me and walks away.
TWELVE
There are so many questions. I was able to avoid them for a while, because I ran ahead to get Nate’s truck. Thank goodness we planned this part of our escape well. During those weeks that we were stuck here in town, we made use of what freedom we had.
About halfway down the trail behind our house that leads to the fishing hole, we had made a new, smaller path. It would be hard to spot if you didn’t know it was there. Branching off to the East, it winds through the dense woods. After a rather short distance, it emerges on one of the many backcountry roads that surround the town. It happens to be the one that leads up to the trailhead that Chris and I used when we discovered the crystal skull.
There had been a heated debate over making a much longer trail that would take us all the way up to the small parking lot, or the shorter one to the road below it. It was decided that since there is rarely any patrol on these seldom used roads, it made more sense to go with the faster road. We could always duck into the woods if we saw lights coming.
It’s over a mile up the road to our destination though, so I’m again thankful for my increased speed. I’m also glad that Mom had thought to get my running shoes for me. I didn’t take the time to change out of the hospital scrubs, but my feet are at least comfortable.
By the time I get to the pick-up truck and head back down the street, they aren’t even out of the trees yet. I’m sitting there waiting in the dark for a couple of minutes when they finally arrive and quietly throw their things in the back.
It’s a quad cab like mine, so Mom, Lisa, Jacob, and Chris get inside, while Nate, Kyle, and Baxter join our gear in the back. As I pull away with the lights off, there is an uncomfortable silence.
“Alex, how come you can drive with the lights off? I can’t even see the road! And why are you wearing those glasses?” Jake’s voice is high-pitched and he is looking at me with such a weird expression that I can’t help but squirm. He’s seated in the front, in between me and Mom but, as he asks his questions he’s moving slowly away from me and into Mom’s lap. “Where were you? Did they do stuff to you? Why doesn’t Baxter like you anymore?” I’m trying to figure out what to say first, when Mom rescues me.
“Jacob, I’m sure Alex will tell us everything. But she’s been through a lot and I think we need to just let her explain things when she can. It might be hard to talk about right now.” I look at Mom with appreciation, even though she can’t see my expression of thanks. I’m thinking that maybe Chris told her what he knows, but obviously not Jake.
“It’s okay, Mom,” I say, taking a deep breath. We have just a couple of minutes until we reach the professor’s house, so this will have to be the condensed version.
“Jake, you remember that pill the professor gave me? The one that he said might keep us from getting sick again if the Mudameere release a new virus?” Jacob nods his head in understanding. “Well, I had to take it. The people that have been disappearing are being taken to the old wood mill, and then infected. It’s like they’re experimenting on them. They tried to do the same thing to me, but it didn’t work. They didn’t know I had the medic
ine and I tricked them into thinking I had changed. That’s how I escaped.”
He seems to think about this for a minute and then smiles at me. “I’ll bet that made them mad!”
I should have known that out of anyone, Jacob would be the easiest to talk to. “Yeah Jake, they’re probably very mad. That’s why we’ve had to hurry so much. They’ll be looking for me.”
“How did you trick them into thinking you’re a Shiner?” he asks, realizing that I still haven’t explained the glasses. He’s a smart kid.
“Well Jake, that part is kinda complicated. The pill I took kept my personality from changing. I’m still me, I promise. But there are some other things that were affected. Like my eyes. Don’t freak out, okay?”
“Okayyyy…”
Removing the glasses, I look over at him. At first, he gasps and pulls away. Mom is doing her best to be supportive of me, but I can clearly see the fear in her eyes. Slowly, he leans in towards me, staring into my alien eyes.
“Woah - ” He exhales. “Can you like, see in the dark and stuff?”
“Yeah. I can see in the dark, run really fast, and I’m stronger, too.”
“Sweet! We’ll definitely get away from those guys now. You’re like, super human!”
I sure love my little brother. Mom smiles now too, and Chris laughs from the backseat. The tension evaporates and the tightness in my chest with it. “You aren’t scared of me, Jacob?”
“Why would I be scared?” he asks. “You don’t act like a Shiner at all.” To have it put into such simple terms makes it easier for me to accept. He’s right. The only similarities are my eyes. At least, if you’re looking at me. For Baxter, I think that it goes deeper. He can sense the virus. He knows it’s in me and it’s going to take a bit more convincing with him.
We’re approaching the driveway to the professor’s, so I slow down and ease around the corner, then come to a stop still some distance from the house.