Curses, Fates & Soul Mates

by et al Kristie Cook

  All I wanted to do was eliminate them and pretend they never even existed.

  Jet ducked when one of the metal containers zipped over his head, narrowly missing my side. After taking one Invader down, I swung around to cover Jet’s back, my gut clenching when Aqua Bombs smacked hard into two men’s chests right in front of me. They immediately dropped to the floor and began convulsing. I froze, suspended in horror at watching them drown from the inside out. Water began to drizzle from the corners of their mouths and I squeezed my eyes shut, willing away the image of my parents.

  “Skylla!” Jet’s voice exploded to my right, and I opened my eyes in time to dodge a sphere that had been flying straight for my neck. I raised my gun and began to fire again, counting three remaining Invaders. They were surrounding us, closing in, only Jet, me, and one other woman left standing. Jet took his aim at the two and I zoned in on the third, my heart plummeting into my gut when more Invaders began to pour in through the open doors.

  This was not happening.

  A chorus of shrieking, nails-on-a-chalkboard howls erupted around us, and the new pack of Invaders homed in on their targets, starting with the hysterical woman standing between me and Jet. A sphere spiraled past my head and clunked into her chest with a sickening smack. Her eyes glazed over for a second and then her whole body went limp; an Invader’s long, lanky hand curled outward to snatch her up before she hit the floor. The creature lassoed her toward its body, curling her beneath its arm, and then disappeared out the side door and up to the roof.

  “This is a sinking ship,” Jet shouted over his fire. “We have to jump!”

  I nodded but didn’t bother to wait for his lead. I fired a few more shots at the creatures in front of me, my eyes bulging at the sight of the round silver balls that whirled toward me with easy flicks of their wrists. I bobbed and weaved to avoid the weapons and made my move to the left door, shooting at two more Invaders as they pushed past the others to pile inside the car. I heard Jet shout to jump, and I made the leap, ducking my head to escape the grip of one Invader’s arm. It swiped out to catch me as its body dangled from the side of the door and I aimed to shoot, feeling a punch to my gut when I heard an empty click.

  “I’m out!” I yelled over my shoulder, shoving my gun into my holster. Jet fired for me and I leaped forward, out into the night, the wind hitting my cheeks and blowing my bangs clear from my face. My body slammed to the ground and I reflexively threw my arms around my head and torso, throwing myself into a high-speed roll. When I slowed enough to gain control of my body, I vaulted myself around onto my back and whipped the gun from my holster, aiming in front of me. I was out of ammo, but it was habit.

  Jet had taught me well.

  He’d leaped right after me, his body rolling now and heading straight for me, but that wasn’t what caused my eyes to widen as I leaned back to take in the horrific sight. The train continued to fly down the track, and each car was covered in them. Invaders were everywhere. Crawling up the sides, climbing across the top, and worse yet, hovering above in their submarine-like airships. The ships were keeping up speed with the train as the Invaders lowered themselves down metal ladders, jumping onto the train one by one, ants scurrying from an anthill.

  Jet’s thigh slammed into me as he came skidding to a halt, breathing heavily and immediately reaching for his weapon. He mimicked my position and rolled onto his back, pushing himself backward on his elbows to stare up at the alien ships with me. Our chests heaved and our guns were poised, gripped tight between our knuckles, while we worked to catch our breath.

  The blackness of the night distorted my vision, but I found myself mesmerized by the scene playing out before us. It was made visible by the incandescent quality of the Invaders’ lithe forms; their pliable skin gave off a faint glow, illuminating the area around us.

  Was this what our fate as a human race had come to? Running for our lives, nonstop, until one by one, we were eliminated? A small part of me wondered about everyone on board. The kind nurse, Julianne, who’d tended to Jet’s hip. The men who’d marked me in ways I’d never forget. Both good and evil were being eliminated on that train, right now, before my eyes. How could I both grieve the loss of the good and celebrate the loss of the evil? It was too heavy to carry all at once. It was all on board. Good, bad. Black, white.

  And so much gray.

  The soberness of it all slammed into my chest as I continued to watch, watch while these fascinating creatures tore it all to shreds. Everyone—and dare I say everything—on that train was out for survival of some kind. Trading was paramount, a way of life now. Morality was blurred. Lines were crossed. All because of a fight for existence. All because of fear.

  The train finally disappeared down the railway and chugged off into the distance. Jet and I looked away, only to have our gazes snapping back toward it seconds later. The Invaders’ airships sent strikes of rapid fire from above, firing down onto the cars, obliterating the train in one elegant, efficient swoop. Gone. Poof. Nothing.

  Warmth from the fire spread and heated our cheeks, the hazy orange radiance casting us in its sharp flash of light. It fizzled out and Jet shifted next to me, flinching as he pulled his knees up to his chest.

  “They killed their own kind,” I whispered, still frozen from the spectacle.

  “Don’t sound so surprised.”

  “They’re not much different from us, after all.”

  “That’s still debatable. Come on.” He grunted to his feet, bent down and took my hand. “Let’s find out where we are and try and hunker down for a bit. We need to clean up those cuts.” He glanced at my jeans. They were shredded at the knees, and though I couldn’t make out the red color, I could feel warm blood pooling over the ripped skin there. “And you need to wash up.”

  I searched for his gaze under the moonlight, only able to make out the silhouette of his face. I could read the implication of his words in his soft tone.

  “Yeah, okay,” I said. Because he was right. I did need to wash up.

  * * *

  After a few hours of restless sleep, morning came. Jet and I had taken shifts, him sleeping while I kept watch and vice versa. We weren’t lucky enough to make it to another Black Hole after ditching the train. According to the map, we had at least another fifty miles before we were in range of one, and like many of the others listed, there was no guarantee it would be intact when we made it there. The train had carried us through Louisiana, and had we been able to stay on it, we’d be somewhere in West Texas by now. That’s where the red line for the railroad track ended on the map, and while it wouldn’t have taken us all the way to California, it was better than nothing.

  So, one little lift from the train and one ambush later, we were back to square one.

  I lazily paced back and forth in the small kitchen, studying the sunrise’s light out the grimy window as I moved. My finger rested near my gun’s trigger, and Jet was huddled in the corner on the floor against a refrigerator. His snoring was soft and even, one leg sprawled out on the ground, the other pulled up to his chest while one arm hung loosely over his knee. I was happy to see him fall asleep so soon after I’d awakened to keep watch.

  We’d stumbled across this abandoned Cajun-style restaurant about an hour west of Baton Rouge. It was once a cozy mom-and-pop joint, complete with French Creole art and menus that still hung on walls near the entryway. The potent smell of mold permeated the air, and I dared not open the refrigerator for fear of what I’d find inside. But that didn’t keep me from sifting through the cabinets, pantry and drawers.

  My tired body dragged my just-as-tired mind back and forth in front of the window, my eyes trained on the golden sunlight as it flickered and danced across the windowpane. Sauntering, no matter how monotonous it was, kept me moving. I needed to keep moving. And staring directly at the sunlight, as much as it hurt my eyes, kept me focused on the light. I needed that, too.

  Anything to keep the monsters at bay.

  Pushing my thoughts away from m
y desperate need to find more water so I could wash up, I stopped pacing and decided to rummage some more for food and supplies. My weapon had been reloaded after the train ambush, thanks to one last ammo supply we’d tucked away in the backpack, but we were still running dangerously low. It would be only a matter of time before we were unarmed. I doubted I’d stumble across any here, but it was worth a look.

  I pushed my way into a small utility closet around the corner from where Jet slept. It was jammed shut by something heavy behind the door. I bent my knees and shoved my shoulder into it, giving the door all my weight. “Damn it.” No luck.

  “Looking for something?”

  I swung around to aim, but my gun was knocked from my grip and I was thrust backward before I could blink. An arm shoved me tight against the closet door.

  “What do you want?” The guy pinning me to the door looked about thirty, his dirty blond hair untamed and wet. His brown eyes were on the defense, burning into mine.

  “Nothing, I—”

  “I said, what do you want?” he asked.

  I clawed at his hand, trying to force his fingers from my throat, but it was no use. “What does it look like?” I spat out, my nostrils flaring. “I’m looking for supplies.”

  “Well you better run along and look elsewhere, because this is my turf.”

  I continued to squirm, wondering why Jet hadn’t awakened and rushed to my rescue yet. “Your turf? You are aware the world is coming to an end, right? Property is relative nowadays.”

  “Well that’s bullshit if I’ve ever heard it. Now get out, and don’t think about coming back.” Before he released me, he leveled his gun at me, stepping back to give me room.

  “Did you own this restaurant?” I remained still against the wall.

  “That’s none of your business, is it?”

  “I’d say it is. If you weren’t the owner, you can’t claim this place as your own any more than I can.”

  He rolled his eyes and ran a hand over his stubble, shaking his head. “Unbelievable. I leave for one night and come back to this.” He waved at me, eyeing me up and down. His lean build was firm and strong, his biceps flexing with his movements.

  “I’m not here to steal your shit, okay?” I moved away from the wall, tucking my gun into my holster. Jet would be giving me the third degree right now. Where was he, anyway? Whatever. I didn’t get a bad vibe from this guy. There was an easy way about him, despite the fact that he’d just thrown me against a wall and held me at gunpoint. He was the guy-next-door type, with a youthful, carefree, albeit cautious look about him. And if there was anyone who’d recognize bad men on an instinctual level now, it was me.

  The faces of the men from the train and my attackers from the prison flashed hot in my mind, and I pushed them out, far from this room and my altercation with Mr. Guy Next Door.

  “You don’t have anything anyway,” I continued. “Even if you did, I’d only take it if this place were abandoned … which clearly, it’s not.”

  “Now that’s definitely bullshit.” He lowered his gun, studying me.

  A grin teased my lips. “Yeah, maybe a little.” I walked past him to start looking for Jet. “Guess I’ll be on my way.”

  “Wait a minute.” He blocked my path. “Where’d you come from? Let me see your hip.”

  “I just needed a place to get some sleep. I found this place with a friend.”

  “Oh, yeah? Where is this friend of yours?”

  “Right here.” Jet’s tall build loomed from behind. “Hand over the gun, or there’s a bullet with your name on it.”

  “Took you long enough,” I quipped.

  “Sorry, I stepped out back.” Jet returned his attention to the guy standing before us. “Come on, hand it over. Now.”

  “Without telling me?” I said.

  “I said sorry, okay?”

  My eyes narrowed, wondering where his attitude was coming from.

  The guy held at Jet’s will gritted his teeth, letting out a sigh. He raised his hands above his head, and Jet reached over and snatched his weapon, tapping his shoulder to spin him around. Jet shoved him, his gaze bouncing fiercely to mine. “You okay, Skylla? Did he hurt you?”

  “No, he didn’t. I’m fine.”

  “Look, we’re gonna walk out that door, and you’re gonna leave us the hell alone, we clear?”

  “What kind of supplies were you guys hoping to find?”

  “What’s it to you?”

  “Maybe I can help.”

  I laughed dryly. “Why would you do that? You almost took my head off for finding me in your closet.”

  “I don’t want any trouble, all right? That’s just a natural reaction when someone finds someone else rifling through their stuff when the world’s gone to shit. Can you blame me? My name’s Kale.” He stretched out a hand to shake. “Really, I don’t want trouble here.”

  “Answer her question,” Jet kept his aim trained on Kale’s forehead. “Why would you help us?”

  Something vulnerable flickered in Kale’s eyes. “You two look heavily armed. I don’t have much ammo left and I could use some allies. Could use the protection.”

  Jet scoffed in disbelief. “Allies? You think we’re offering bodyguard services, here?”

  “Maybe. If I gave you something you needed in exchange.”

  I was about to respond with the fact that we too were low on ammo, and probably wouldn’t be much help to him, but Jet’s gaze jumped to mine, and there was a warning there. “So you don’t just want weapons?” I asked instead.

  “No. This place was a temporary stop for me. I need to move on, and I’d prefer not to do it alone.”

  “What do you have to offer?”

  “Water, some aspirin … Black Hole locations.”

  Jet and I exchanged glances. We definitely needed water. Aspirin could no doubt be helpful after throwing ourselves from the train and having Jet’s hip stitched up. My legs and knees were sore, and I knew Jet was still tender from the infection. But the third offer was the one to catch our attention. The map had already given us locations, but it didn’t hurt to crosscheck that reference before we went out of our way to get to one of them, especially if the Invaders were cracking down on raiding them.

  “But you have to show me your hips first,” Kale clarified.

  Jet didn’t hesitate to lift his shirt. “Dug out my chip and had someone stitch up the wound. I was in service, but I’m clean now.”

  There was no trace of judgment on Kale’s face. He turned to me next. “And you?”

  I lifted my shirt without a word to expose my skin.

  Kale lingered on my hip. Jet cleared his throat. “Satisfied?”

  “Very,” Kale mumbled.

  Jet bristled. “If you know Black Hole locations, why aren’t you huddled up in one of them? And you show us your hip, too.”

  Kale didn’t hesitate to lift his shirt for us. “I have my reasons. So, where are you guys headed?”

  “Out west. But we can’t take you with us. We’ll trade for some information and some water, but that’s it.”

  “No deal, then. I’m not looking for ammo. I could find that myself. I’m looking for allies.”

  “Well then, our time is up. Skylla? Come on.” Jet started for the door.

  “Hey, wait a second. What do you have against one more person on the move with you? It’s beneficial for everyone.”

  “No, it’s beneficial for you. You’re a liability to us. We’re already a team.”

  “But I have valuable information.… I have water and medicine. You’re really going to pass that up? When there’s nothing here for miles but Invaders and patrol brigades? You won’t make it ten minutes.”

  Jet stopped and glared at Kale. “We’ve made it more than ten hours. You have no idea what we’re capable of. We’re done here.”

  “Wait, fine.” Kale sighed. “I’ll trade for weapons. What’ve you got?” A defeated look washed over his face, his shoulders sagging a bit. My stomach twisted. I
didn’t know this guy, but I knew what it was like to be desperate. And I was beginning to think he was most definitely bordering on desperate.

  “Jet, maybe we can bring him with us.”

  “Not happening.”

  The twist in my gut turned to anger. “Why, because you’re the only one who gets a say here?”

  His blue eyes flared. “Because he’ll get us killed.”

  “You don’t know that. Maybe he’s looking for something, just like you are. We’re no better than those things out there if we won’t help our fellow human beings.”

  “Are you seriously going to get all philosophical on me right now?” He stepped toward me. “This is not about helping out our race, it’s about staying alive long enough to find out how the hell to defeat those things. And to get to those camps on the coast so I can save my sister, and hopefully more children while I’m at it. That’s what I’m after, and every second I waste standing here, arguing about this, I’m wasting time I could be doing just that.”

  “You want to defeat them?” Kale interrupted, sounding astounded. Jet didn’t look at him, just held my stare. I waited, wanting the answer myself. I knew he wanted to find Hera, but this was news to me, too.

  “Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

  Kale laughed. “Well, then. I definitely suggest you rethink taking me along with you.”

  “Thanks, but if I wanted your opinion, I would’ve asked for it. My plans are none of your business. You’re not going anywhere with us. We’re either trading or we’re not. Make up your mind.”

  Okay, now I was starting to get pissed off. I understood Jet being cautious and hell-bent on finding his sister, but his temper was unnecessary. This guy Kale was being reasonable. And I had to admit, I liked the idea of having someone else with us. Having another pair of eyes could be useful.