Dreams Ltd

  As soon as the man’s shadow appeared around the corner, Hulk jumped on him, gripped his neck from behind and prepared to slash the exposed flesh with a blade, but no such luck - the captive was not weaker than Hulk and in a split second, he deftly wriggled out and raised his hand, prepared to hit back.

  Hulk's caught it with the corner of his eye - everything was happening at the speed of light, but at the same time unbearably slowly - the physiological responses escalated to the limit and the adrenaline was raging in his blood.

  He managed to block the first blow, but the second one almost reached his jaw - Hulk barely managed to duck from it, bending to the side and kicked the opponent just below his knee, forcing him to step back. It was a good, professional, accurate and perfectly executed technique - if he had more time Hulk would savour this small victory. His own fist, with the knife clutched in fingers, was already flying towards the man’s body, in order to finish the unnecessary and unplanned battle, but it was easier said than done - Hulk’s rival avoided the knife, escaped from it beautifully, almost effortlessly, and was now aiming with a dagger in Hulk’s throat.

  A strike, block, counter-attack and another blow... Blocked again. A second later, the man fell on the ground. Was Hulk out shape? Or was it a worthy opponent?

  Hulk was looking at the tip of his blade, trembling a few centimetres away from his eyes, while pressing on the enemy's arms, trying to change the situation to his favour. The sweat was stinging his eyes, his wrists became slippery and covered with dust, and the body was throbbing with pain where it was hit.

  But his contender got no less - Hulk could swear that he recouped his losses, attacking every part that he could reach. Though the power was running out - in a short while he wouldn’t be able to withhold the pressure any longer, but a few seconds later it suddenly disappeared. Hulk was confused. What?.. Why has the attack stopped? Was that a trick? Then he suddenly realised that the man lying on top of him stalled.

  His eyes were wide open, as an image of someone familiar surfaced in the memory, causing his mind to become struck dumb. Such a moment could easily be fatal, but it wasn’t. When Hulk allowed himself to look properly at the enemy’s face for the first time, he was staggered at what he was seeing, and when he managed to open his mouth, he gasped in amazement, “Holly crap... Dell?”

  At the same time, the familiar voice growled, “Fuck! Is that you, Hulk?”

  Even if a real ghost appeared in front of his eyes, Hulk would not be any more surprised than when he saw his old friend in Tally. And then another one.

  Before they had time to get up from the ground, the second saboteur arrived, and it was none other, but Chaser - Mac, damn him - Allerton.

  They all spoke at once, “What are you doing here?! I can’t believe you are here...”

  “Erm, you found him really quick.”

  “Mac, he nearly stubbed me, can you believe it?”

  And then, they all went quiet just as abruptly. The night air filled with glee from the unexpected meeting. After a moment, Mac hugged a friend who he had not seen for three long years.

  “I thought we’d lost you. I’m so damn happy you are alive.”

  Hulk patted the man's shoulder tightened in camouflage, unable to put what he was feeling at this very moment into words.

  “I don’t believe this! How?!...!

  Dell said, “Let’s get out of here, we’ll talk in the car.”

  Hulk nodded, reserving his questions for later. That’s right; they can talk later after they’ve left the damn place. Following each other, with short dashes, they reached the main gate and slipped out, and only after that Dell chuckled, pressed Hulk’s head to his chest and ruffled his hair, “Damn! You almost stabbed me! I was beginning to think that if all the Tally’s guards are like that we’d better get out of there! But hell, I’m so happy!”

  “Did you really get into a scrap there?” threw Chaser in astonishment.

  “Hell, yeah! He almost broke my neck!”

  Mac grunted and preventing any new questions from being asked shouted, “The cars are in the forest! We’ll discuss it when we get away from here.”

  And the three men rushed to their friends at full speed, where cars and freedom were waiting for them.

  Hulk still couldn’t believe the fact that he was sitting in the car, taking him to the place, which he had not seen for several years - that place, glowing with the city lights, the place with the high-rise buildings mixed with small cosy cottages, where the music was pumping in the nightclubs, and where there was something for everyone at any time of the day; to the city, where his own house was left empty for three years. Did anybody take care of it? And what about his cars in the garage?

  Hulk grinned in the darkness - four cars, dammit!

  He also couldn’t believe that a few minutes ago he met two other friends of his, who came to help him to get out of Tally, and one of them was Dane - the sniper Hulk had been so worried about. Now he had a smile on face, thinking about it.

  He couldn’t believe that in this pale night, where the dim moonlight was coating the road, he was heading for his new future - away from the red mountains and the hateful heat; away from the ranch, from the ridiculous rules of the stupid clubs and even more idiotic laws; away from the faces wrapped by the suffering, from the eyes, full of bitterness. He was so fed up with it all!

  Now his ammunition was resting in the boot of the car, Hulk knew he could trust his life to the one who was driving the car without any hesitation.

  Hulk touched the cool leather of the rear seat, as if making sure that it was real, and not just a dream. And with his hands he was touching the leather, he nearly broke the neck of one of his best friends. Life truly is, very unpredictable! Again, the imperceptible smile in the dark, and a whole bunch of feelings – too many of them, were making his eyes water.

  “Tell me....” Hulk asked hoarsely.

  Dell, sitting next to the driver, looked at Mac.

  “You tell him, because it all started with you.”

  Chaser nodded.

  “We didn’t know where you were, otherwise we would’ve come earlier,” he began.

  “I know.”

  “And we would’ve been none the wiser if it wasn’t for one girl named Shereen. Do you know her?”

  A warm wave ran down Hulk’s spine as her name was mentioned. Of course, who else?

  “Yes, I know her.”

  “So she called me and told me that she knew where you were. She refused to take any money for this information and said that she needs our help to get you out.”

  Now Hulk had a big open smile on his face. He was overwhelmed by the feelings he had to supress for such a long time: tenderness, desire to embrace, to dishevel her hair, to put her on a bed and kiss her laughing lips; maybe, just to feel that she is by his side, at last. These enticing images swirled through his mind, but Hulk had to push the heady joyful thoughts away for now as he really wanted to hear the continuation.

  “So what happened next?”

  “Next? I visited her apartment. To be frank, I was quite sceptical about this call at first, but then I realised she was serious. So I brought her over to mine, gathered all the others and asked Shereen to tell everything she knew. After that we put our plan together and invaded the “Area 33” which I’d never heard of before...

  Hulk shook his head imagining what it was like for Shereen to face Chaser for the first time, especially if he was in a sceptical mood. This guy could frighten any man, let alone a woman, and as for the rest of the guys - Ren, Dane, Dell... She had, of course, heard of them, but had no idea who they were in reality. A timid person wouldn’t dare to attempt a meeting with these people, but Shereen wasn’t listed amongst the timid ones.

  He rubbed the seat’s leather with his fingertips again. Soon.

  Dell turned his head and smiled.

  “What were you doing by the gate? You weren’t waiting for us, were you?”

  Hulk grunted.

&n
bsp; “You were the last thing I was expecting to see there,” he paused, thinking about the last few days when he was planning his escape, and then about this morning (now yesterday’s morning) - it felt like it was ages ago. “I was going to escape. I got fed up with being in that prison. If only I’d known how everything will turn out.”

  Hulk went quiet, and his friends didn’t interrupt his thoughts, knowing that it will take him some time to let all those painful memories go, get over them and move on.

  “There was a point I stopped caring about the consequences it might cause. It was harder to stay there than to break another damn order.”

  They knew what he was talking about. And who.

  The silence deepened and became heavy and viscous. Only Chaser, who knew a little more than everyone else, remained calm and serene.

  “Do you know that because of me, you broke the law?” Hulk didn’t want to ask that question, but could not help himself.

  “We know.” snapped Dell seriously, “and we’ll sort it out one way or another. If Drake wants to punish us, he’ll have to fire half of the team.”

  Mac was silent.

  Hulk rubbed his chin and asked him, “Where did she get your phone number from?”

  “Soon you can ask her.” the driver smiled; his eyes sparkled in the mirror, but Hulk didn’t return his smile.

  “I may not have the time.” he thought that he can be captured at any moment now.

  “You will.” Chaser said confidently, “You will have time for everything.”

  And looking at the road, he smiled mysteriously again, but Hulk didn’t see it in the darkness.

  *****

  His arms were embracing and giving out so much warmth that it seemed like despite the autumn outside, summer suddenly blossomed in my heart. I still couldn’t believe that he was here; such a familiar smell and the gentle touch of his fingers, running through my hair. It felt like if he squeezes me a little tighter, my bones would snap, but I loved it. My chin, pressed against his shirt, was trembling and my eyes were full of tears.

  Hulk was here, in my hallway. It was as unreal as it was incredible.

  Yes, I saw the cars arriving on the driveway; I saw how they stopped by the entrance, because I had been standing by the window for a good few hours now, as if pinned to the floor, having neither the ability nor the desire to move, as if I was afraid that as soon as I walked away then something good might never happen. That happiness will fly off without noticing me behind the window pane.

  Was I worried? Probably more than ever. No other life woes could make me wobble inside as much as I was during these long minutes full of anticipation of the upcoming meeting. It felt like it would take years to untie all the knots formed in my stomach.

  I knew they were going to come back with Hulk, but yet I wasn’t ready to see him in the door of my apartment, no matter how hard I tried to stay calm and pretend that everything that was happening wasn’t such a big deal.

  His arms were almost strangling me for some time now, but I wanted this moment to last forever. Then his fingers gently lifted my chin, and I got lost in the molten silver of his eyes full of adoration and affection. Another second, and his lips covered mine and his tongue penetrated inside so demandingly and eagerly as if its owner couldn’t survive in this world another moment. Hulk was drinking my love with this kiss, absorbing it and returning it back mixed with his passion and despair. Didn’t he believe that he’d ever see me again?

  “I can’t believe you're here...” I whispered, trying not to sob.

  He slowly rubbed his nose against my cheek, enjoying every centimetre of my skin, soaking up the knowledge that he is here at last.

  Hulk didn’t speak, but his deep stare was saying everything louder than any words.

  He was examining my face: forehead, eyebrows, eyes, lips; he was slowly touching them with his fingertips, and then kissing me - very gently or hot and demanding, as if proving something to himself. His fingers were pulling my hair almost painfully, but I was melting from his love. He was here, with me.

  “Tell me you love me. Say it! I want to hear...” was the first thing he finally uttered hoarsely.

  His thrust pushed me to the wall, my back pressed against the cool plaster, but I only felt the heat of his body.

  “Of course, I love you! More than anything in this world. I’ve been waiting for you for so long...”

  My fingers were squeezing and stretching the fabric of his shirt, wanting to touch his skin and caress his soul, to soothe his doubts, to make him believe my words.

  After my confession, Hulk exhaled noisily, pressed his forehead to mine and closed his eyes. He was slowly relaxing, though something was still tormenting him. I gently stroked his unshaved cheek.

  Did Chaser tell him or not? About Drake, about the freedom... Why did it feel like something was still oppressing him? I had to check and make sure.

  “Hulk, I...”

  He smiled softly, with his eyes closed, and pressed his finger to my lips.

  “Later. Don’t worry about anything, you did everything right.”

  After these words, I realised that Mac kept quiet. For some reason, he gave me the chance to confess everything myself. Maybe, he understood how important it was for me or maybe he didn’t have enough time. Although I doubted the latter. Either way, Chaser presented me with the opportunity to see that Hulk’s love, despite his "oblivion" about the conversation with Drake, didn’t decrease.

  I saw it and the wave of tenderness filled my whole body - never ever I’ll leave this guy. I loved him before now and I will always love him thereafter.

  “Aren’t you angry with me that I called your friends?”

  Hulk opened his eyes - grey, deep, serious and very warm.

  “Angry? I couldn’t live without you for another day.” he smiled and said confidently, “No matter what happens next, we will make it. We will, trust me.”

  My restless fingers kept on groping his shoulders, stroking his back, arms, neck... I almost forgot how big he was - and he was mine. Completely. I was besotted with this feeling. And of course, I trusted him - even if I’d never met Drake, I’d still trust Hulk wholly - if he says “we’ll make it”, I’d never doubt his words for a second.

  But yet, it was necessary to tell him about the meeting with his boss as soon as possible. After all, I’d seen everything I wanted to see, and it was unfair and cruel to keep him in the dark.

  As I was about to open my mouth, looking forward to one of the best moments of my life, that, one day will become a priceless memory, but before I could say a word Hulk’s mobile went off.

  “Yes, I’m on my way.” He said shortly and I tensed.

  I forgot everything I wanted to say, and the only nasty thought that raced through my mind was “He is going to leave now”.

  I swallowed. Please, not like that... What if he just goes, says something like “Alright, I have to run, I’ll call you tomorrow” or even worse “see you next weekend” and disappears?

  My mind, my logic, even my bum knew that it shouldn’t happen, but yet I felt shocked by this untimely image. Do beautiful stories ever end in such a banal way? Does it ever happen that once the prince overcomes all the obstacles on the way to the Princess Tower, suddenly decides that the princess isn’t actually that nice as he’d thought all this time, and that a stop at a nearby bar wouldn’t hurt? After all, since this lady has been waiting by the window for decades, why couldn’t she wait a little longer?

  Real life is not a fairy tale and a beautiful ending is never guaranteed. Reality may be very different: cruel, stupid or pointless and the logic of one person may not always be understood by the logic of another.

  I held my breath, waiting for what was to come next.

  Please, don’t tell me that you ought to go.

  And while my brain was running this horror movie, Hulk was looking at me, smiling gently and knowingly. Then he shook his head reproachfully.

  And I, silly me, forgot t
hat he is the Sensor...

  “Do you really think I could leave you now? Why would I rush here, ask the guys to drop me off at your place first? Because I wanted to see the most important person in my life, not because I wanted to leave after a short “hello”.”

  A feeling of relief swept over me and immediately washed all my worries. I didn’t answer, just hugged him tighter. How could I explain that sometimes I’m not as smart as I’d like to be, and that sometimes I am afraid for no reason? That all I want is to get lost in his embrace, feeling safe, loved and protected?

  “Let’s go, I’ll have to chat with the guys first and then we’ll go home.”