3 Hit the Road Jack

by Christin Lovell

  “Thanks for trying,” I smiled, gently disentangling myself from his tight hold.

  “You all should go. Will and I will stay behind and pack everything. I have an old friend who owes me a favor up the coast; I’ll call him in. I trust him,” Al offered.

  “Sure you’ll be ok Dad?”

  “I’m sure. Keep your eyes open though,” he warned.

  “Will, it’s time for you to get a little dirty. Borrow one of Kellan’s outfits if you need to because your buttons are about to be popped off. I need you to be more than just a sideline right now. I need you to step up your game and become more of a supporter than a cheerleader right now.” He frowned, already wrinkling his nose at the suggestion. “Help Al help us. Wouldn’t you like to write down a bit of what you did in that journal of yours?”

  He seemed to contemplate my words for a bit. “My role isn’t to be involved Lexi. My role is to manage; to assist you in staying on the right path. Nothing more.”

  “Well you can either help Al or pack your crap and go. I don’t need another body to watch; I need a soldier. You’re a freaking vampire Will. Don’t be snooty about this.”

  He took a deep breath, his eyes traveling the room. “Fine. I’ll help.”

  “Thank you Eislom,” I beamed overly enthusiastically. He rolled his eyes, a pout on his lips.

  “I’ve located an abandoned factory a few blocks away, heading back towards the marina,” Kalel announced.

  “Awesome. Let’s go. I can’t wait to kick each and every one of your butts,” I laughed.

  “Keep talking that crap, but we’ll see who’s still standing in the end,” Kellan bantered.

  “Right on mate,” Craig bellowed.

  “I definitely want a piece of your ass on a platter,” John growled.

  “I’m not going to read into that any further,” I replied.

  “Neither am I or else we might start fighting early,” Kellan stated dryly.

  “Kick his ass for me please Lex,” Gabi hollered.

  “I will.”

  “Tag teams then one on one,” Kai said. “It’ll help us to work as a group, but also be prepared if we’re caught alone.

  “Sounds good to me.” And it felt good too. I finally felt like I was back on the right track; like I was finally making use of all my resources. We’d be prepared for sure the next time Jack and his team came at us. I had enough emotional ammo to fuel a bomb that could knock half the world off the map.

  Chapter 25

  The factory still held all the manufacturing equipment in it. A few broken windows near the top of the thirty foot walls had allowed the salt from the ocean infused air to rust a lot of the pieces.

  “This is perfect,” I smiled, rubbing my hands together. The pieces were perfect for simulating a fight around real objects that very well could be in our way. We’d already fought in a hotel room; and before then in other locations that had obstacles to be aware of during combat too. We had to be prepared for anything; I was learning that slowly but surely. We had to be ready for anything at any time in any place.

  “Let’s start by breaking up into two even teams. Kai, Leka, and Craig; you’ll be fighting me, John and Kellan. Start out in opposite corners of the space, it’ll give us practice in hiding, keeping a low profile when approaching our enemy and also just maneuvering quietly in general.”

  “Get ready to be slaughtered,” I smirked, turning and heading to the other side of the factory where the belts began their assembly line roller coaster.

  “Sliggy worm is who I am,” Craig chanted.

  “Why a worm?” I saw Kai shake his head in dismay beside me, probably wondering why I even bothered entertaining Craig.

  “He’s the worm that lives in Bikini Bottom but is never eaten. He’s super smooth, super slick; he’s a super slug.” He added some sort of karate hand jab at the end of his sentence.

  “We need to focus. This could be life or death for any of us,” Kai said, quickly sobering us back to reality; a harsh reminder that this wasn’t a game.

  “Agreed,” I nodded. “Should we head around the perimeter or cut straight through?”

  “Both. Two of us can go down the center of the room while one person stalks the perimeter in case you two get caught head on or are converged in on.”

  “Based on your words, I take it me and Craig are heading straight into it as the targets.”

  “I have more experience and am more aware of my surroundings.”

  “Shouldn’t you be in the middle of everything then?”

  “No, I’ll be better on the outside.”

  “I’m down mate,” Craig agreed.

  “I guess that works.”

  “It’s best to save your energy. Dodge their attempts until they get so frustrated that they get sloppy. Then hit them with a swift, straight blow to the chest, and never attack straight on from behind, they could easily turn at the last second and stab you head on.”

  “Well then. I guess let’s split up. See you on the other side,” I said. Kai nodded and sunk down, quietly inching along the back wall towards the right side of the room.

  Craig and I looked at each other, nodding in understanding that we were to watch each other’s backs at we entered the war zone. He jerked his head, signaling for me to go first. I ducked under a table-height belt, scanning the area as far as my eyes allowed in the darkness before waddling a few feet. I stood, pressing my back against a pass through, where something used to stamp, mold or cut the items that were on the line. Craig followed my moves, arriving at the post right when I turned and squatted to head further into the trenches.

  We maneuvered our way through the maze of equipment, slick and silent. When we neared the other end of the space without seeing the others I began to worry. Anxiety coursed through my veins. My body was on edge. I was anticipating an attack, someone springing themselves at me at any second, but the longer it didn’t happen, the more careless I became with my moves. I was inviting them to take advantage of my reckless behavior.

  I glanced to the right and found Kai approaching us, not even bothering to hide his movement. He must have hit the same impatient point I was at. We’d taken over ten minutes darting around the space silently. The second we all came together, I heard the whoosh of air above us. Kellan, Kalel and John flew down from an overhead metal walking plank. Crap. We didn’t look up!

  They all landed behind one of us, their arms making quick work of our necks trying to snap them. Kai, Craig and I held tightly to their forearms and sent them flying over our heads. Their bodies slammed into each other, launching off the limbs of another in their collision.

  They landed on their feet despite the mid-air fumble and came at us directly. Kalel came at me strong; John not going easy on Craig, and I heard Kai and Kellan going at it pretty harshly at my side. With that match up though, I think they’d been waiting for an excuse to really spar.

  At the last second Kalel darted right; thinking quick, I turned to my right so we would collide head on in the middle. I lifted my leg to kick him right as I rounded fully; he caught my leg and flipped me backwards, tossing me into the heavy metal of a nearby machine. I immediately leapt to my feet in one swift move. I launched myself at him, aiming slightly off center having a feeling he would move. He did, but I caught his left shoulder, taking him down to the cement floor.

  A struggle of strength ensued as we rolled over and under each other. He squeezed my knee cap between his muscular thighs, effectively popping it out of place. With my free leg I delivered a kicked straight to the back of his head with the toe of my shoes, catching him off guard with the move. He stumbled, letting go of his strong lower body grip. I took advantage of his weakness, sliding my hands down his chest, grabbing his shirt and sending him flying backwards. He landed on one of the belts, the metal below it creaking and cracking under the pressure.

  I popped my kneecap back in place and wasted no time with my onslaught again. He blocked my punch, catching my wrist and twisting my a
rm behind my back and upwards to dislocate my shoulder. I winced as the pain shot through my upper back and arm. Damn he wasn’t playing fair. Weren’t there lines we weren’t supposed to cross in simulated fights?

  I swung around and kneed his family jewels earning a gasp from him. His arms went out right as I ducked and punched his knee. I leapt up and over his jerk reaction as he kicked out at me. On the way down though he caught my chin with an uppercut that sent me flying into the air. I landed on my feet on a belt heading up at an angle towards the second floor line. I turned and ran up the track, reaching the top in no time. I looked below to find Kalel heading up another line across from me. I raced towards him, hoping to build more speed than him, which would give me more strength when I pounced.

  We launched ourselves at the same time; him doing a round kick, me springing straight towards his extended limb. I wrapped myself around his leg and bit hard into him. He hissed trying to flick me off as we landed with a loud thud on the cement floor, effectively cracking the concrete beneath us. Only then did I release him, but not without yanking a chunk of his pants and skin off.

  He narrowed his eyes at me, growling fiercely as I wiped his blood from my mouth with the back of my hand. His chest puffed in and out as he watched me. I knew he was calculating his next approach, but I couldn’t help but think something else flashed through his mind as well.

  Abruptly, I caught sight of movement overhead. I instinctively jerked my head in that direction. Kalel cocked his head in front of me. I pointed a finger upwards. He stepped in front of me, withdrawing his dagger. Without warning he took off at top speed, racing up the maze of belts. Before he reached the top a ninja dropped out in front of me.

  “Guys!” I yelled as a flood of them flew down from overhead. “Holy sugarplums.” I knew my eyes were wide with horror. There were at least eighteen of them.

  I tackled the closest one to me, flinging two off me as others came at me from behind. I was barely missing their attempts as I ducked and jumped, spun and twirled in and out of their three against one slaughter. I got lucky and two attacked each other when I escaped at the last possibly nanosecond, leaving me to handle the one.

  A flash of silver in the moonlight caught my attention. “John!” Ignoring the ninja in my way I raced full force, with all my heart, soul and strength. I’d be damned if these guys got another one of my family members or friends. John heeded my warning blocking the downward stab with his forearm.

  Adrenaline screamed from within my veins. These guys were pissing me off! I was tired of their freaking herbal elixirs delivered with a fast, harsh blow. I’d lost so much already and I didn’t deserve to lose anymore. I shouldn’t have to lose any more. It was time Jack felt what it was like to lose.

  I arrived in front of the ninja John was holding back, my anger palpable in my every move. I reached out without thinking and ripped the neck off the ninja. It was so quick that blood didn’t even spray out immediately.

  “What the fuck?!” John exclaimed. His eyes wide as he glared at me, taking a few steps away from me.

  “What?” I looked around to find every ninja in the room had stopped and were starting to back out of the space. I sought Kellan. “Kellan?” I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he looked me up and down.

  I looked down and gasped, immediately finding what had stopped them dead in their tracks. My veins, the blood coursing through my veins, was glowing, like a toxic river running beneath my skin. I held my hands out in front of me watching the steady lamination; trying to hold onto my sanity when I just wanted to lose it. “What’s wrong with me?” I cried. “Oh God,” I shuddered.

  My breathing became erratic as panic began to set in. I pushed down on my skin, but nothing happened. The light flexed beneath my pressure, but didn’t dwindle. I looked around at each of them helplessly, pleading for an answer.

  Like my Savior coming forth, Kellan walked right up to me and pulled me into his arms. “It’s ok babe. Nothing’s happening beyond a neon light show. I’m here, and I’m not leaving you,” he soothed, rubbing his hand up and down my back. I wrapped my arms around him, pressing my face into his chest.

  “Holy shit,” John stated. I pulled back and looked at him, unsure how it could get much worse. “When he touched you, it… it went away. It’s like he’s your bloody light switch,” he gawked.

  I looked down at my skin, relief washing over me the second I saw I was back to normal. I exhaled, letting out a shaky breath.

  “Damn, that Sir Staten fellow was no joke,” John harrumphed. There was a bit of awe in his voice, but no reverence. He was impressed by the power, but didn’t respect the idea of it.

  “We need to get out of here,” Kai bit out, stalking towards the door.

  “I’ll send someone in to clean up this mess,” John offered.

  “Thanks,” Kalel said, heading after Kai.

  “They left a note for you Leka,” Kai called as he pushed open the door. Dread settled in the pit of my stomach. It’d been one heck of a night already, and it hadn’t even been five hours since Jack delivered his last note.

  I took it from his hand, walking outside as I opened it, trying to brace myself, but lacking preparation time.

  You’ve slain eighteen

  Now you must slay me

  No second chances Lexi

  See you in El Yunque

  -Jack

  “Where’s El Yunque?”

  “Puerto Rico,” Kai answered.

  “I guess we’re going to Puerto Rico,” I sighed. Kellan read the note and passed it around to everyone. “At least the end is near; whether it’s good or bad doesn’t matter. At least it’s near.”

  Chapter 26

  Back at the new hotel we all showered and changed, agreeing to meet in Kalel’s room as usual. This hotel had an actual living room in each suite. I curled up on the loveseat, tucked into Kellan’s chest in my Juicy Couture velour outfit Aunt Claire had given me for my birthday. Gabi was getting around just fine now, and while Aunt Claire had regained consciousness, she needed to be seen by the doctor and under a watchful eye as she recovered. I tried not to let the guilt consume me, but couldn’t help my conscience which was adamantly blaming me for the entire experience. I’d broken down and called Auggy when we returned. We were leaving for Puerto Rico soon anyways, so it wouldn’t matter if he knew our whereabouts at the moment. He’d agreed to come out himself though, which was surprising.

  I heard the thud on the hotel room door and knew it was him. He’d been in Scotland and had agreed to charter a flight right away. I didn’t know what to make of it truthfully. One minute he was helping us, the next hindering. I was on the fence about him entirely.

  “What took you so long to answer?” he grumbled the second I opened the door.

  “Don’t start with me. I’ve had a hell of a day no thanks to you.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” he pressed, walking in behind me.

  “Who knows about this mission Augustine?”

  “I take it by the use of my full first name you think I’m to blame somehow.”

  “Kiss that brain!”

  “There’s no need to be a smart ass. That’s my job. Now just what in God’s name do you think I’ve done?”

  “First off, I didn’t appreciate being thrown to the wolves at the vampeen headquarters.”

  “Cut the shit Lexi. You’re the first and only vamp to ever mouth off to me. If you could do that with me, I knew you could handle a room full of sharks.”

  “What all did you tell them prior to this meeting of the wolves?”

  “That you were going after Jack. Nothing more and nothing less. I told them all questions had to go through you, that I wasn’t saying anything else.”

  “Then who the hell leaked our location every time?”

  He narrowed his eyes as he thought for a bit. “Did you use credit cards or cash for all your purchases?”

  My face blanched. “Crap.”

  “Uh huh. I won’t bothe
r to ask for an apology. Now where is that aunt of yours?”

  “Resting in Al’s room.”

  “What’d they hit her with?”

  “Al will tell you everything. I don’t really want to talk about it.”

  “Fair enough. For what it’s worth, you’re doing a hell of a job so far. You’ve surprised me, which is hard to do. John’s been relaying.”

  I cut my eyes at John who didn’t even have the decency to look sorry. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “You’re gone mister!” I declared.

  “Suit yourself. I was getting tired of having to fight off your advances anyways.”

  “My what?! You are such an egotistical-“ He shut me up with a kiss. One second his lips were pressed to mine and the next he was across the room pinned to the floor by Kellan. “He’s not even worth it Kellan,” I huffed.

  Kellan jerked him up off the floor by the throat for good measure and leaned into his space. “Lay even a finger on her again and you’ll be nothing but ashes.”

  “Whatever man,” John laughed. Kellan tossed him away. John walked towards Auggy, still cocky as ever. “I would say it was a pleasure, but I’d be lying. Lexi, if you ever decide to leave this punk, give me a call,” he winked, choosing the American accent for his goodbye. I rolled my eyes, shaking my head.

  “Don’t mouth off to the lady,” Auggy yelled, smacking John in the back of the head.

  “I’ll take you to Al’s room,” I offered. He was just two doors down, but it felt like a world away.

  I hesitated at the door before knocking. I had avoided seeing her because they said she wasn’t exactly doing great. I knew I was being a coward when she needed me the most, but couldn’t muster the courage to face my fears.

  Al promptly opened the door, stepping back inside as he motioned us in.

  “Hey Aunt Claire.” I tried to sound as cheerful as possible, but sounded flat even to myself. She smiled up at me, weak as it was though. She didn’t look nearly as bad as I’d talked myself into believing she was. “Aunt Claire, this is Auggy. He’s one of the High Authorities. He’s going to take you back to one of their bases so you can recover.”