Edge of Instinct: Rabids Book 1

by Amy Cook

  “I don’t know about before our little adventure, but her exorcist moments have happened twice in as many days. Even had to tie her to a pole last night to keep her from throwin’ herself through the field. But she don’t remember a thing about it.” He slapped Amiel on the back, laughing. “Honey just likes herself a fight, apparently.” Amiel’s eyes had rounded to saucers.

  “Are you telling me…” She swallowed hard. “Are you telling me that I fought Rabids?” She held the knife up awkwardly, between her thumb and pointer finger. “With this?”

  Tandy smirked down at her. “Guns and a helmet may have been involved as well.”

  “A helmet?” Her dubious question only earned a silent chuckle from her guide. Alexander finally took pity on her and approached. His short cut light brown hair glistened with sweat in the lights of the rest area. Crossing his arms over his broad chest, his blue eyes met and held hers with intensity.

  “It’s your turn to answer some questions, Amiel. Your travel agent tells me you are going to Dallas. Why?”

  “I’m taking the advice from you and Jaron. I’m getting away from my mother.”

  Alexander’s eyes widened. “So you came to one of the most screwed up cities in the country, on the back of a motorcycle? That was a dangerous plea for freedom, don’t you think? Not exactly what Jaron or I had in mind.”

  She frowned, before looking down at the knife still in her hands. “So, you didn’t mean it when you said that I could come to you for help if I ever needed it?”

  “No, of course I meant it! I just didn’t think…”Alexander paused uncomfortably, rubbing at his shoulder. “Well, I didn’t think it would happen so soon- or that you would come here of all places.” He looked at her imploringly. “Dallas is the last place Jaron would want you, Amiel.”

  “I know Jaron told you stories about our life growing up, so you know how determined my mother can be. She would find me if I had stayed anywhere nearby. She still may find me, even in Dallas. My life would never have been my own. I couldn’t stay there.”

  He watched her for a long moment, then shook his head. “We’ll take you the rest of the way to Dallas, to make sure you arrive safely.” He motioned to the tags around her neck. “And just so you know, the trip out here was a dangerous proposition, but those are quite possibly more dangerous, Amiel.” Amiel had already found out in some ways that they were dangerous. But Greysen’s statement brought her hope. Maybe Alexander would finally have some answers for her. Tandy’s brow scrunched, leaning closer.

  “How are dog tags dangerous?” Greysen stood silent. Amiel moved forward, grasping his arm, pleading.

  “Alexander, please. I need answers. I know these tags aren’t normal. What can you tell me about them?”

  “They aren’t your typical dog tags, that’s for sure. I don’t know what I can tell you about them really. Jaron never talked about them, or where they came from. But after he got those tags…” He shook his head. “Tonight, seeing you out in the desert, it was like an instant flash back. It was like I was watching the female version of Jaron out there, kicking Rabid butt.” Despite the seriousness of the situation, she felt a conflicted sense of pride. She had no idea what she had done, or what it meant to her future, but anything that made her resemble Jaron in a small way made her happy.

  “I have no idea how to fight. I’ve never so much as thrown a punch in my life. Well, not consciously anyways,” she added, glancing guiltily at Tandy. Tandy grunted, arms folding over his chest as he stared down Alexander. Apparently Amiel wasn’t the only one wanting answers.

  “Which is exactly why it is so dangerous for you, Amiel. I don’t know exactly what those things do, but I’ve seen their effects often enough to know they make a person crazed. Jare would be fine one minute, and then the next he would start yelling like he was gutted and switch completely into killer mode. It scared the ever loving daylights out of me the first few times. He never hurt one of us, his rage always seemed wholly focused on the Rabids. But there was no getting through to him once he was in that zone.”

  Tandy nodded emphatically. “That’s exactly what she does! And her eyes get kinda…” He paused trying to describe it. “Goofy.” Amiel raised a brow, and Tandy offered a shrug. Alexander gently grasped her arms, turning her to face him. She bit her lip, but met his eyes.

  “Amiel. Jaron loved you more than anything, and was always worried about keeping you safe. He had to feel that these tags were a bigger benefit to you, than they were a danger. But I feel the need to warn you on this.” She nodded in understanding. “Whatever those tags are, whatever they do, Jare could handle what they threw his way because he was trained to fight and kill. But you haven’t been. You need to take that into account, and realize that you could easily get yourself killed out here. Or worse. Not to mention, what would happen if you were infected. Imagine those tags in the hands of a Rabid.” The thought had never entered Amiel’s mind. If she were so dangerous and adept at doing something she’d never done before in her life, what kind of danger would she be to others with the infection in her system. A humbling thought indeed. With a deep breath, she lifted her chin, setting it defiantly.

  “Then I will have to make sure that I don’t get infected.”

  “You sure you are going to have that choice when the time comes?”

  “I made my brother a promise, Alexander. The tags stay,” she stated simply. Greysen watched her carefully before dropping his arms to the side, frustration clearly painted in his stance.

  “I get it. I do. I just pray I won’t have to be the one to take you down some day.” His stern expression melted into a tired one. “Just promise me one thing, alright? Find someone to train you. Take some sort of self-defense class, whatever it takes. I’d train you myself, but I’m always out here. I have a week of leave in a few months. I could come help you then, but please don’t wait that long, Amiel. And stop putting yourself in such dangerous situations.”

  She smiled, seeing the look of genuine concern reflecting from his eyes. “Deal. And thank you, Alexander.”

  His eyes squinted for a moment, before he chuckled. “Not used to people calling me by my first name. People usually call me Greysen, or just Grey. But I kind of like it when you use my first name. Reminds me of better times.” His smile brightened as he leaned closer, conspiratorially. “Better stick to Grey when these other louts are around though. I’ll never hear the end of it otherwise.” Alexander winked at Amiel, before turning to his fellow soldiers.

  “Alright, pack it up!”

  The last hour drive was uneventful. Alexander confided in her that the giant lights on top of the trucks were usually a strong deterrent to the Rabes as it hurt their eyes. But they only used the lights when carrying important cargo, considering their main job was to hunt and kill Rabes, not scare them away. Not to mention the lights made them bigger targets for Cut Throats.

  The others seemed to loosen up around her as the ride progressed, and she laughed right along with them at their jokes and stories, many of which centered around Jaron. It was nice to hear so many people that knew and respected her brother, people who missed him now that he was gone; People that, like Amiel, would never forget him. Eventually Alexander nudged her arm, and pointed ahead through a flap in the fabric on the truck cover. A huge bon fire could be seen in the distance, and extremely bright lights sat upon what she could only imagine were Dallas’ Outer walls. She was here. She had made it. Amiel smiled broadly, a feeling of peace settling over her like a warm blanket.

  “Your kingdom awaits, Princess.” Greysen smiled his toothy smile, and she found herself wondering just how many women he had clamoring after him, even with life’s circumstances being as they were. The truck pulled to a stop, still quite a distance from the wall. Then she noticed the huge line of people out front.

  “Are all of those people trying to get inside?” she asked Alexander over the sound of the truck engines.

  “You aren’t the only one that likes traveling dan
gerously, apparently,” he replied, helping to unload her bike. She grimaced at it. Someone had been kind enough to wipe down the gunk, leaving it smelling of the same antiseptic water she’d bathed in. But worst of all were huge scratches and several dents in its beautiful surface. Seeing her expression, Greysen patted her bike.

  “Battle scars. We’ve all got them.” She smiled up at him, enveloping him in a hug. He went stiff, before wrapping her in a gentle embrace. When she pulled back, she smiled at the flush spreading across his cheeks.

  “Thank you again, Grey. You guys are lifesavers. Please tell everyone else how much I appreciate their help.”

  “You just remember what I said. Find a trainer, and be careful. Jaron would be a hell of a ghost to have haunting me if something happened to you in our own city.” He shuddered, and Amiel laughed quietly in agreement.

  “Please be careful out there, too.” He gave her a nod before turning away. He paused, turning back and leaning in to be heard over the noise.

  “Still got our numbers?” She nodded, patting the duffel at her back. “How about giving me yours, so I can get a hold of you and make sure you are alright. And to let you know when I’m going to drop in for a visit over leave.” She quickly relayed the number to him, which he jotted down on the back of his glove with a thick pen. With a wave, he ran back to the truck, and they drove off into the dark. Tandy walked his bike to her side as the last sign of the truck lights disappeared.

  “Ready? Looks like we’ve got a long wait ahead of us.” Amiel nodded, and together they steered their bikes to the back of the line. It took a good half hour before they drew close enough to the gates to see the entrance. The bonfire was giving off a putrid smell, and Amiel was afraid to know what was burning. The giant lights on the walls swung back and forth, splitting the darkness like a hot knife through butter. Guards stood along the tops of the walls with weapons, and many more stood at the base, sternly watching the darkness. A few others stood at the gates, going through the admittance process.

  Amiel watched carefully as a woman approached the gate, nervously extending her arm. One of the guards pressed a hand held device to her arm. The device let out a loud beep, and the woman was ushered through the gates. A young man was next in line, extending his arm to go through the same process. Only this time, the device let out a shrill whistle. The young man’s eyes widened and he instantly fell to his knees, begging for mercy. The guards showed none, hoisting him to his feet and dragging him away. A sick feeling nestling in the pit of her stomach, Amiel turned to Tandy.

  “Tandy, what happens if they won’t let us back in?”

  Tandy grunted and shook his head. “Bit late to be askin' that question ain’t it, honey?” The fear in her stomach must have been evident in her voice, because when he finally turned to her, his face grim.

  “If they don’t let us in, that means we’re infected. And if that’s the case, you don’t gotta worry about gettin’ inside them gates, ever again.” She opened her mouth to ask him what that entailed exactly, when a gunshot echoed through the stifling air. Jumping so hard her bike rattled in her grasp, Amiel turned in time to see the young man’s lifeless body crumple to the ground, blood rushing from the bullet hole in his skull. Her heart jerked painfully in her chest, and for a frightening moment the world spun around her. Tandy’s firm hand on her arm kept her upright, grounding her to reality once more.

  “This life ain’t for the weak of heart, honey. Use what you just saw to make ya stronger, that’s all,” he muttered, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Giving her a moment of comfort before urging her forward in their progression of the line, he stood solid and silent once more. Six people stood between them and the gates to her new life. The feeling of safety she had felt upon seeing the city in the distance was thoroughly decimated. The line moved forward unerringly, and with each person that safely entered the gated city, Amiel found herself both yearning for and dreading her turn. Five people. Men dressed in hazmat suits came forward and tossed the lifeless body of the young man into the bonfire, explaining what was causing the nauseating odor in the air. Forcing the bile back down her throat, Amiel turned back to watch the process of getting through the gates.

  “What is the wand for?” she asked Tandy, voice cracking.

  “It draws blood from each person. The blood is measured for infection. Like the one them soldiers back there used on ya. Only more advanced, accurate. A beep means y’all are clean. A whistle means ya ain’t. After each person passes, the monitor’s needle heats white hot to burn off any infection that might’ve been left behind. Which of course means it ain’t quite cooled down yet for the next person in line.” He pulled up his sleeves, and Amiel’s mouth dropped at the sight of hundreds of circular red burn scars that dotted the expanse of his arms. “When y’all work in my line of business, ya tend to go through the treatment a lot.” Amiel nodded wordlessly, eyes shifting back to the gates. She was about to earn her first burn scar.

  The line moved forward. Three people ahead of them, now. Two people. In what seemed the matter of a few frantic heartbeats, it was their turn. Tandy stepped forward and the wand was pressed to his skin, monitoring his blood content. Her eyes strayed back to the puddle of blood left on the ground from the poor guy unfortunate enough to be infected on his way to the city. Or should she consider him one of the fortunate? Had they not shot him, he would have turned into a raging Rabid, killing and infecting others without a trace of regret. Amiel knew she would rather take a bullet, than live that kind of life. But if that moment came, if she were ever infected, would she be strong enough to face it with dignity? Or would she too plead for mercy as the man had?

  “Step forward!” the guard growled at her, jerking Amiel from her thoughts. She glanced up and saw Tandy standing to the side, eyes speaking encouragement, reminding her to be strong. He’d passed his test, having nothing but another burn scar to add to his life story. Swallowing hard, Amiel lifted her chin, and stepped forward. Pulling back the sleeve of her jacket, she held the bare skin out for the device. The guard grabbed her arm, twisting it slightly in the light as though examining the smooth unmarred skin.

  “First-timer,” he grunted, shaking his head with a strange twist to his lips. Amiel wasn’t sure if it was a grunt of disgust or amusement. She chose not to reply, though her throat was so tight she probably wouldn’t have been able to make an intelligent reply even if she had wanted to. The device touched her arm, burning the skin as it did its job. She hissed in a gasp at the sensation, but held as still as possible while the needle punctured her skin and began to measure her blood. The seconds dragged by, and then the device beeped. Twice. Pulling back with a shaky sigh Amiel began to pull her sleeve down.

  “Wait!” the guard grunted at her, grabbing her arm again. Her eyes flew wide and she turned toward Tandy, whose face turned severe and thunderous as he glared at the guard. Their eyes met, and in that instant, she knew they shared the same thoughts. Had she somehow become infected after all? The soldier’s device had cleared her at the rest stop, but Tandy had said their device was less accurate than the gate devices. Maybe it was now catching what the other hadn’t.

  The device was pressed down to her arm, burning her a second time, yet she barely registered it as her gaze was once again drawn to where the pool of blood had once been. It was gone now, the guards must have done something to get rid of it. Would her blood be the next to mar the ground? Was this the end of her grand adventure? Suddenly, she felt the urge to cry, scream, or run. The strength she had thought she had held onto for most of this journey, all of that strength fled and in its place was a terrifying desperation. Her heart screamed a silent I don’t want to die! Not when I’ve had my first taste of freedom! It’s not enough! but her mouth was clamped shut so tightly the words couldn’t form, her body having gone stiff as a board. This was her moment. Dignity, or begging? She swallowed hard, forcing her chin high. When it seemed a whole minute had passed, the device gave a single, definitive beep. Grunti
ng the guard eyed her for a moment, before turning to the guard at his left.

  “Yellow,” he stated, dropping her arm. The other guard nodded, pulling out a tube that looked like a jumbo magic marker. Roughly grabbing her chin, he scrolled a thick line across her forehead before turning away and resuming his position. The guard at her side motioned her forward, towards the gates. Amiel stood on shaky legs, staring at the dispassionate man before her, blinking uncomprehendingly. Was she free?

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means you could be infected, you could just be dehydrated, or coming down with the flu. Hell, maybe you’re just having a bad day. The yellow warns those around you to be cautious. If you’re not infected, the yellow will fade away. If you are infected…” He shrugged. “You’re not my problem anymore, the City Guards can worry about it at the quarantine. Move on!” He gave a jerky motion toward the gate, but again she hesitated.

  “But when will I know? How long will it take for the mark to fade?”

  “Tomorrow. Now get out of my face before I change my mind and do something you won’t like!” She knew she’d pushed her luck far enough today, and quickly put her shaky muscles into the task of maneuvering the bike toward Tandy. When they were safely within the city, the gates far behind them, Tandy stopped. He kicked the kick stand on his bike, then hers. Taking her shoulders in his hands, he gripped them firmly but gently, until her shock hazed eyes rose to meet his. He studied her forehead for a moment, before looking into her eyes with a gaze of compassion and worry.

  “Ya alright, honey?” She nodded weakly. “Did one of them Rabids get ya? Think back on it, real hard. Try to remember.” She did try to think back, tried harder than ever. But her memory was still a black blank; useless.

  “I’m sorry, I just don’t know.” The tears threatened, brimming at her lids. Tandy pulled her close to him in a rough hug, and with his strong arms shielding her from the world, the dam holding her tears burst. She sobbed her fears out in great racking bursts, while Tandy patted her back awkwardly and spoke words he thought properly comforting to a teenage girl. Ignoring the looks of those around them as they gave them a wide berth, Tandy held her until her sobs diminished. Yet it was the gruff throat clearing behind them that finally pulled her away from his comforting gesture. A guard stood at their backs, gun held at the ready, a bored look in his eyes. Tandy patted her back once more, then turned her forward.