Exterminators Infected (The Exterminators Book 1)

by DeSantis, James

  “No...” he whimpered.

  “This thing inside of you. What is it?”

  “I don't know.”

  “It changes you, yeah?” Fred nodded. “Into what? You get claws. That much we figured out. Your eyes are red. What else?”

  “Oh this is horse s-” Aric began but Nick talked over him.

  “You change into something far stronger. Evil maybe? You aren't yourself.” Fred nodded. “Gada. Judges. This is Fred.” He pointed towards his friend. “This is the Fred I know who I fought with. This is the Fred, I know, who saved my life before. This is the Fred I know who I go to school with. This is the Fred I know who is my brother.” He placed his hand on Fred's shoulder. “The Fred that attacked Maria was not this Fred. It wasn't Fred at all. It was something else. A demon.”

  “A demon? Oh, come on now!” Aric screamed in disbelief.

  “Riven,” Carl said. The Gada looked at him. “He called himself Riven.”

  “Riven?” She questioned the name. It sounded so familiar.

  “You can't be buying this! Demons do not exist!” Aric was on his feet now.

  “We fight monsters that are made of rock. Wolves ten times the sizes they should be. Even dragons from what I've heard. And you question demons, of all things?” Nick got a few laughs out of that one from the crowd.

  “Sorry, if I'm not religious boy. I just find it absurd and convenient that you thought of a demon right now,” Aric grinned menacingly. “Do not believe this, judges. Demons do not exist. I've been hunting over twenty years. If there were demons out there, I'd know of it.”

  Nick watched the man fighting against every word he said. He wanted to transform his Rod and stick his spear through his head. Such violent thoughts were passing through his mind but he shook them off. “I'm not sure, but I've been studying up on it. Carl let me know about the name Riven last night. I looked back and there are stories of this thing. This creature that attaches itself to peoples bodies and lives in them till they decay like a parasite.”

  “And it just happened to fall on your friend?” Aric spat.

  “The wolf hybrid in the first hunt we ever went on. It attacked Fred, actually in a way it was almost playing games with him. It wanted to see how he reacted.”

  “So? Unknowns like to hunt. We've known that for years.”

  “What if it was checking to see if Fred was a suitable body for it? He or it, whatever you wanna call Riven, needed a new body. It's face was degenerating. The body was getting old.” Aric just shook his head and looked away. “This demon Riven from old stories is a terrible demon. It feeds off the body till the body gives out.”

  “So you're saying this demon is inside your friend right now?” Aric asked. “Well, then let's bring it out and see it.”

  “No,” Carl stepped in front of Fred. “Trust me that's a very bad idea. It's pure evil whatever it is. I hadn't had a chance to look up the name so I sent Nick to do it. I figured he might figure out a clue. This is the clue we needed. He is innocent.”

  “Gada, please tell me you don't believe this.” She looked at Aric. He was angry. Angry because he was proven wrong or angry because Fred might be set free, she couldn't tell.

  “I'm interested to hear more of this Riven demon. What else was said about it?”

  “I couldn't find a lot of information. It seems to cover its tracks quite well but it's quite possible this demon has lived hundreds of years. The thing that made me think, for sure it was a demon was the fact the Callers that night picked up a small signal. They even told Carl that. Yet, that wolf hybrid would not have given off a small signal. It's a heavy signal, that would require better trained Exterminators than us. So how come the Callers didn't pick it up?”

  “Are you saying...”she began.

  “It was already here,” he finished.

  “A trap?” she questioned.

  “I believe so. Peter has a theory that it might have to do with the Summoners.” The room erupted in chatter. The Summoners were a big subject around the Exterminators lately. Their actions were quiet, as of late, even though something was always brewing.

  Even Aric was listening to Nick now. Things have shifted and the threat was bigger than a simple betrayal. The Gada placed her back to her seat and rubbed her temple. The judges looked at her then back at the crowd. How to address the current situation was impossible with all the new information coming in.

  “We need Fred. He's the link to finding out exactly what the Summoners are up to. This demon that invaded him seems to be sleeping for now. I believe as long as Fred is out of danger we can keep it that way.” Nick wasn't really sure if any of that was true. He was just giving his best efforts to keep his friend alive.

  “Fair enough,” the Gada said looking side to side. “I think we can agree for now to keep Fred in containment until we figure out what's going on. There's no need to execute anyone if they are innocent. We will figure this out and we will pass judgment after all the new information has been processed fully. Lead Protector Aric, I'd like to see you in chambers.” Ross got up and the judges followed her lead as she left the way she came.

  Aric got up and looked at the Exterminators. “Figure this out. Get that demon out of the boy. ‘Cause if this is a plot on the Summoners part we're in for something nasty,” Aric said fiercely. Carl nodded and Aric took his leave.

  “That was quick thinking, boy,” Carl noted.

  “I watch a lot of “Law and Order”,” he smiled.

  “Thanks man,” Fred said softly. He felt a sense of relief he had missed for so long.

  “Any time. Let's get out of here. I got some things to tell you, Carl.”

  “I'll meet you in my office. I have to take Fred and lock him up for now. He'll be safe, just away from everyone else for a while.” Fred nodded and Carl helped him up. Jin, Marshall, and Peter ran down from the steps towards them.

  “Dude, you were like one of those badass lawyers on a TV show. Nice job!” Marshall was beyond excited. He punched Fred softly on the arm. “Had me scared for a moment. Thought they were going to chop your head off.”

  “Not funny man.”

  “I'm glad it turned out this way,” Peter smiled. “I'm also sorry Fred.”

  Fred looked at him puzzled. “For what?”

  “For-” None of them knew he sold out Fred for his own gain. “-not being there when I should have been.”

  “You were here now. That's what matters.” Fred waved and went along with Carl.

  “Seriously dude, that was awesome.” Marshall was still super excited. Nick nodded and thanked him. “Also...thank you. What you did was something I can never thank you enough for. You saved my best friends life. I...” Marshall tried to find the words. Something stronger than a thank you.

  “You’re welcome.” Nick smiled. Marshall laughed and placed his arm around his friend.

  “Let's get back on the pods!” Nick grunted. They all laughed.

  Marshall dropped on to his bed. He could feel all the stress he was holding onto slip away. Lucy crawled onto the bed next to him and began rubbing his back. For a few minutes they laid there in silence. She could sense he was tired, exhausted, and wanted to be left alone. The peacefulness that filled the room was nice. It had been a while since he had that. He absorbed it as much as possible, letting the stress disappear.

  “You okay, hun?” she asked softly. He shifted to his side and looked at her.

  “Was a rough day.”

  “What happened?” She laid her hand on his knee and rubbed, trying to relax him as best she could. Sensing he was beyond tired; mostly mentally.

  “It was Fred. He was put on trial.”

  “For what!?” Her voice was loud. It shocked him a bit. He sometimes forgot how much she knew about the Exterminator life. How serious and violent it could get.

  “Basically, he hurt someone. It wasn't really him, though. It was some type of demon. At least that's what we've gathered so far.” Marshall laid his hand on her cheek, rubbing it
softly. “Nick was able to convince them of that. Meaning he was spared.”

  “Spared? As in if Nick didn't have anything to say he'd be-” she began but couldn't finish.

  “They probably would of killed him.” She gasped. She knew of the dangers but not how serious they could be.

  “But...he's one of them.”

  “Not when he almost killed one.”

  “Then they really will execute you if you go against their laws?” She sounded scared. He knew what she was thinking.

  “They'll never find out about us.”

  “But if they do.”

  “They won't.”

  “But what if they do?!” She slammed her hands down. “Then what? What are we going to do!?” She sounded almost hysterical. He had never seen her flip out so bad over anything. They discussed it before and he went over it a lot.

  “Baby, we're fine. They won't find out. Even if they do I won't let them hurt you. Stop worrying and calm down.” He placed his hand on her stomach and rubbed. “Let's get some sleep. No need to worry. We are fine. Trust me.” She trusted him. She wanted to trust him. The Shadow that hovered over her was still glaring, wanting more.

  Peter walked home with Jin. They kept quiet most of the way home. It was hard to discuss the events. Peter loved the fact he didn't feel the emotions others did. It was easier to cope with situations like the one he just did. He simply kept a blank slate and nodded and agreed with people. The whole time he sat there he felt like he was going to burst out of his seat. He didn't want to see one of the only people he ever called a friend be sentenced to death. If they did convict him he was pretty sure he'd jump from the seat and try to stop it. Luckily, it didn't come to that. He even got some of his guilt off his chest with an apology. Fred understood. That's what true friends do. They forgive. At least that's what he was told. Now, he believed it.

  “That was a close one huh?” Peter snapped back to the current setting. He looked over to Jin who was watching him.

  “Yeah, it was scary,” Peter tried to sound spooked. His emotions were completely empty at the moment. After his last one, happiness, subsided he felt nothing. He was eager to gain another, back yet nothing crawled back into him.

  “Nick has a sharp mind, that was perfect timing. I can't believe he kept that one hidden. If we didn't have that...Fred would have been found guilty.” Jin sounded sad when he spoke. “You guys are going through more then I'd imagine. I never thought it would get this messed up.”

  “Life gives us obstacles. It's our choice whether to beat them or fall to them. Today, we beat them.” Peter smiled. It seemed like the appropriate attitude to give. He wasn't really sure how to feel about it though. Did they really win? It didn't feel like it.

  “That we did. Now we just have to worry about Summoners.”

  “Do you think it's a new plan?”

  “It's something bad. That much we can gather. We just have to figure out what it is. As always the good guys are a step behind.” He laughed. “Together, though, we always come out on top. We are the good guys.”

  “I think you've watched too many movies,” Peter said dryly.

  “Always the downer, aren't you?” Jin shoved him playfully. “Sometimes being the happy one can get you further.”

  “I get pretty far just fine now. Thank you very much.” Peter winked.

  “Pete,” Peter now looked at him. “I think it's time we step the training up. Soon they'll reward you with two Rods. When you get them it's time to train with double gloves.” Peter got excited. He'd been waiting for more training, especially from someone experienced.

  “I like the sound of that!” he said happily. He could feel being happy, it was always strange yet rewarding.

  “Good. Because what's coming is going to be tough. I don't want any of you to be unprepared,” Jin said placing his cold hands into his pockets. “All right let's get home. It's freezing out.” They began picking up the pace. As they walked Peter imagined having the second Rod. Imagined what kind of elemental creations he could make. It made his blood run hot despite it being freezing cold out.

  Nick entered the office. Carl looked up, waved him in, and went back to writing his report. Nick closed the door and sat down. He gave a quick look around the room then back at Carl. “Today was...it was really, really close,” Nick said. He felt far less tense then before. He gave it his best shot and it came through pretty well.

  “Yeah, you did amazingly. I can't commend you enough.”

  “I did it ‘cause I had too. No need to thank me. This is my team. I don't plan on losing any of them. That's a promise.” Nick put his thumbs up.

  “Most kids would be too afraid to even talk to the judges. You stepped right up to the plate. You stopped a judgment that could have ended a life. For that you should be very proud. As your Bora, I couldn't be prouder” Carl smiled as he looked at his student. Growing so quick. A little goatee forming on his chin. His eyes were weary, yet determined. His face worn, yet ready to fight at any given moment. This was the true look of a leader.

  “Thank you.” It was nice to get noticed for his work for once.

  “Of course. Now you said you wanted to talk about this Riven.”

  Nick sat down. He rubbed his hands together as he held on to a terrible secret. “We have a problem.”

  “Seems we always do.” Carl sat back in his seat.

  “This demon, Riven, isn't just any Unknown. I don't even know if it's an Unknown.”

  “Not the most religious person right now. Are you saying it's from our world and not a different realm?”

  “I honestly don't know. Like Aric was saying, He'd never fought one of them in all his years of hunting. Did you ever hunt one?”

  “No.” Carl placed his hands on the desk and fumbled with the baseball. He could feel this was about to get worse. “So let me hear it. What are we dealing with here?”

  “Through research I found that this demon has been around awhile. Hunting humans, possessing them. Usually it's quicker than it was for Fred. Usually friends of the host would document the changes. Soon after they would disappear or worse, ended up dead.” Nick let out a sigh. “Making researching this thing really annoying. Even online.”

  “So, we know it's a hunter. It kills without mercy, either. It's also pretty smart if it covers its tracks. It knows there are hunters out there like us. My bet would be it's an Unknown. A unique one though. I have never hunted a demon. Do we throw holy water at it or something?” Nick got a small laugh out of Carl's joke.

  “Well, that's the thing. From research I see only one way of stopping it.”

  “Well, let's hear it.”

  “Death.”

  “Death? Do you mean-”

  “We have to kill Fred...before he fully becomes Riven.” The room was complete silence. Nick had been holding the secret to himself the whole day. He finally let it out and his leader knew. He still didn't feel better about it. The end result would still be the same. He had to kill his friend in order to save him.

  Chapter 27 – Signals

  Marshall walked off the elevator towards the containment room. He was up early, way before he usually wakes up. He could barely sleep the night before. He needed to see his best friend. Make sure he was doing well. So he woke up around six, got ready, and was in the Station by seven. He wanted to make sure he could talk to Fred in case anything else went wrong.

  The Station was dark. Carl hadn't even gotten to his office yet. No one was in the gym either. He heard weird sounds from one room. He knew right away it was the Callers. They were searching to see if anything crossed over as of late. Luckily it had been quiet.

  He reached the room, placed his hand on the door and it slid open. He entered in. Inside were three separate rooms with huge glass shields in front of them. On the side was another sliding door which only opened from Marshall's side. It was to keep the prisoners in. The rest of the room had the same white painting as the entire Station.

  Marshall walked to th
e glass and placed his hands on it. He saw Fred sleeping on the bed inside the room. He knocked lightly to try to get his friends attention. Fred just groaned and turned to his side. Marshall knocked again, louder. Fred cocked his head towards the glass, only one eye open. “Hey dummy, wake up!” Marshall yelled.

  Fred yawned and got himself up. He felt terrible. All his worrying the night before took a heavy toll on him. He felt as if he had a hangover. “What are you doing here?” Fred wobbled his way towards the glass. He leaned against it, yawning.

  “How ya doing?”

  “Wonderful. I feel like I'm in prison.”

  “You kind of are.”

  “Thanks for the update.”

  “I'm sorry,” Marshall said looking down. Fred looked at him confused.

  “What's wrong?”

  “I should have stood up yesterday. I should have said something. Not just sit and wait. I'm...” Marshall felt his eyes getting watery. He couldn't even look at Fred since he felt so ashamed.

  “You did what you should have done,” Fred said lightly. “I didn't expect you to go all pro lawyer on me.”

  “Nick did what I should have done.”

  “Nick did it ‘cause he's our leader. You don't have to put that responsibility on your back too. You already did enough.”

  “I should have done something...” he let his voice trail off. Fred shook his head.

  “You didn't have to do anything more then you did.”

  “Yes I did! I'm supposed to be your best friend! I should of protected you!” The tears were now flowing freely but he didn’t care. “I couldn't even stand up against them. They had you pinned. What if Nick didn't have that information? You would have been sentenced to death. Then what? I watch my best friend die!?” He slammed his fist on the glass window. “I should have done something.”

  Fred placed his hand on the window where Marshall was standing. “You were there for support. That's the only thing a friend can ask for,” Fred said softly. Marshall was sobbing openly now. Putting all the blame on himself. “If you did something crazy yesterday you could have been put on trial, too. Then what? We'd both be sitting on death's door right now. What's that solve? Not a damn thing. You did just fine yesterday. I’m actually proud you didn't do anything stupid.” Fred smiled.