City of Twilight: Rise of the Hunter (The Vanguard Chronicles Book 1)

by Donald Stephenson III

  6

  ​James watched her on the crowded sidewalk. Through the dense crowd she stood out like a beacon to him in his mind’s eye. Although he didn’t know who she was, he instantly had recognized her face. It was her face that drove him to claw his way out of the building’s wreckage. Her aura was not only more familiar to him, but it was different than everyone around her. It was more alive. More vivid. One of the most overwhelming emotions was sadness, a unique form that echoed loss. It was becoming overpowered by another one however, one that was engulfing the entirety of her being. It was a feeling, a state that drove her. He realized what it was and he smiled. It was hope. She had hope, something that had been otherwise devoid in the crowd. Experiencing that mixed with the love that emanated out of her made him feel as though he wanted to break down. He fought his own emotions as he watched her. She was what he’d been searching for, even though he was unaware of it.

  ​He followed her from afar, concealing himself in the crowd. Even though he could never lose her as he watched her with his mind’s eye, he wanted to see her face again. The face that held itself in his mind. He knew he loved her, before he even knew her. He couldn’t remember her name, but he knew she was looking for him. She had called out his name, and he hid out of fear for her. She can’t know I’m alive, he thought, not yet. He followed her as she moved upwards through East District, walking with a pace that said she had a purpose.

  ​She eventually took another street, then another. After following her for about half an hour, they wound up at Vanguard University. She entered an apartment building near the university. He stopped and stared at the campus from across the street. It all seems so familiar, he thought. He wondered if he was a student. He had a moment of regret that he hadn’t asked Dr. Shepherd more questions about himself. He felt so distant from himself that he became frustrated. He felt the xeno in his mind, his emotions had stirred it. He felt he was shaking, and he looked down at his hands. They were claws. He focused his mind back on the creature in his head, commanding it. The metal shrank down and disappeared.

  ​He hoped his memories would return to him soon. He looked down at the ground, at the pavement underneath his feet as he stood there on the street corner.

  ​He thought about what Dr. Shepherd had said, and he knew that he’d never be free. The creature had remade them both so that they were dependent on each other. If we’re separated, we’ll both die. As he thought back the day’s events, he realized he could recall every single detail of each article he’d read at the library. He could remember details that he should have forgotten. It was as if everything he’d read sat there in his mind, waiting for him to recall. Could the creature have given me that ability, he thought to himself, or did I have it before?

  ​The girl was in her apartment now as he watched her with his mind’s eye. She had picked up a data screen and sat down on her bed, looking through it. It reminded him, and he pulled out the data screen Dr. Shepherd had given him. There were several small files. He walked over to a bench nearby a building and sat down.

  There was one file labeled “CP Hideouts,” which had several addresses in it. A few of them were in Old District. He tapped through some of the other files. A small bio of the mayor, Aldrich Callahan. There was another file, a list of known members of the High Council. There were only five names: Dante, Ares, Wolfgang, William and Medea. There were probably more members, but those were the only ones Dr. Shepherd had been aware of. A few of them seemed rather strange sounding to James. There was also an itinerary for the mayor, more a routine really. He saw the time, and compared it to the itinerary. The mayor would be in his office for the next three hours.

  ​His thoughts then turned to Capital District, where the capitol and the mayor’s office were. He needed more information, and he knew that man was probably going to be his best source.

  ​“It shouldn’t be hard to find,” he said out loud as he stood up, putting the data screen back in his coat. “Nothing is hard in this city. Not for me.” He looked over at the university. I have other things to do right now, he thought, recovering my memories will have to wait. He turned and ran down the street until he reached the nearest alley. Running in, he sprouted claws and started moving vertically.

  7

  ​Dante sat quietly in his small car. It was a rarity in this city; most cars were economical and basic. He had the luxury of being able to drive fast when he wanted to. It cost enough, using about as many power cells in a day that a city bus used. He was instantly recognized by the city, and by Civic Protection. His normal detail of soldiers followed him in their larger vehicles. He breathed silently in patience. The alley he and his men waited in was quiet, but large. Large enough to fit him and his soldiers' cars. Not to mention the car of the one they were waiting for.

  ​He felt nervous. It was the events of this morning. Seeing those slain soldiers in that alley had shaken him. He knew it had to be the xeno, but the real question was if it had found a host or was acting on its own. Maybe it could survive on its own better than they’d anticipated.

  ​Something about the conversation he’d had with Dr. Shepherd had lingered with him. The man’s eye had lifted when Dante had mentioned the dead soldiers. The man knew more than what he’d led them to believe, Dante knew that for sure. What did he know?

  ​He was still a little angry when he thought about how the man had stood up to him. He’d gone through a lot of effort to save Dr. Shepherd, believing he was still vital to the success of the project. Ares wanted the man dead, just like all the other people in that building. He’d called Dante sentimental, and weak. Dante always loathed Ares, and Ares knew it. They also knew that Ares was closest to Father. He was always looking for a chance to put that dig in with his brothers and sisters. None of them could stand up to him, however, because he was the strongest.

  ​Dante sat lost in his thoughts until he detected the nearby vehicle pulling into the alley. He opened his door and stood out, brushing down any wrinkles he’d gotten in his suit from sitting in the car for too long. He was always conscious of his appearance to the soldiers.

  ​His own soldiers simultaneously exited their larger silver car. They wore uniforms with no clear insignia. They watched in silence with him as the older, faded van parked near them in the alley. It sat running as a door opened and a medium height man stepped out. The man had dark hair and was unshaven. He had a plain face, with no specific features. The man took a step toward Dante and smiled.

  ​“I take it everything went smoothly?” Dante asked. He nodded.

  ​“Yes,” he said, “everything actually went better than I thought it would. I just don’t understand why you wanted to meet us here. I was under the impression you trusted me; I’m still a part of CP.” The man’s arms were crossed behind his back as he spoke.

  ​“Yes,” Dante said as he walked towards the man’s car, “but you’re part of the group people don’t like to talk about. People don’t like to know exists. The silent guardians over our city. People in this city are afraid of Civic Protection. They don’t know enough to be fully afraid of you. Your existence is a secret. So are your operations. We’ve had some issues recently,” Dante paused for a moment, “some leaks. People knew you were coming. They were able to get away before you could get to them. Plus the issue this morning.”

  ​“Yeah,” the man said, “four dead officers. I have some of my men looking into it.”

  ​“Good,” Dante said, “so do I. I just needed to see that I could trust you specifically, and your group. I know now that your cell is not the one with the leak.”

  ​“Was this a test then?” the man asked.

  ​“Yes and no,” Dante said. “What you have is still of vital importance. We’ve had our eye on this target for years. It was only now that we were able to act.” The man nodded, understanding. No one made a move without Father’s approval.

  ​The man turned and opened the door to the back seat of the car. He then stepped aside and motio
ned for Dante to look in.

  ​Dante continued walking towards them and bent, peering into the back seat. There was the figure of a small girl, bound with rope and a hood covering her head. She was breathing quickly, with fear. Dante only looked at her for a moment, and then stood up and shut the door.

  ​“It’s her,” he said.

  ​“Don’t you need to look at her face?" the man asked. “Or do you trust me that much?”

  ​“Neither,” Dante said, “I can tell it’s her. We need her alive until the High Council and Father decide what to do with her.” The man listened as Dante continued to speak. “I’ll contact you in a few days. If Father decides to keep her, then she may one day become one of us, or even a Civic Protection officer. Don’t let anything happen to her.”

  ​“What if you don’t need her?"

  ​“Well,” Dante said, “unfortunately we’ll probably have to kill her. She’ll be too dangerous to keep alive.”

  ​“What about her father?” the other said, “he’s an important man.” Dante chuckled.

  ​“He’s powerless,” Dante said. “This isn’t the first time the council has intervened in his life.”

  Dante heard his phone ring, and walked away from the man. He pulled it out of his pocket, putting the small device to his head.

  ​“Yes,” he said, “we have her. Tell Father soon there won’t be any Vanguards left.”

  8

  ​Capital District was appropriately named. Not only was it the wealthiest district in Dirge, but it was the district at the center of the city. At its center was the grand capital building. The only thing it had in common with all the other buildings of Capital District was that it was a massive skyscraper. The capital, however, was round, pointing upward as a giant reflective spire. It ended in a point at the top, piercing the ceiling of the sky. It was the tallest building in Dirge, and the most grand. On first glance the building just looked as if it were completely made out of a dark, glistening silver. All the windows were made to blend in with the rest of the building. People could see out, but no one could see in.

  ​James didn’t have any trouble seeing in. Not with his mind’s eye. People stood out more than ever now, each having their own colors and auras telling him everything he needed to know about them. He noticed that it was becoming stronger. The longer he used it, the stronger he could see people, and the more he could read them. Subtle things about their minds and personalities. The environment was easier to detect. He could tell the difference between steel and concrete in his mind’s eye. He didn’t even need to see the security systems, or the layout of the building with his eyes.

  He’d entered the building through a side entrance. The data screen Dr. Shepherd had given him had some codes to enter a few places, and fortunately this was one of them. He located the maintenance wing on the second floor, where he disguised himself as a custodian, hiding his clothes in an empty locker. He navigated the hallways with his head down while wearing a cap, making sure the cameras never got a full glimpse of his face. His mind’s eye made it almost effortless for him to avoid people and cameras.

  ​He walked into a restroom a floor above the mayor’s office, hiding in one of the stalls. He focused his mind’s eye on the floor below him. As long as he was close enough, it was like he was in the room with them. He watched their movements with his eyes shut, focusing on everything going on in the room. Callahan appeared to be fat, and not very tall. He was the color of cowardice in the realm where James could view his soul. James was a little surprised. This man was elected? Whatever Callahan had been a long time ago, that was now gone. All that was left was an empty shell of a person. Whatever this man gained in becoming the puppet mayor for this city, James thought, was not worth losing his soul.

  The first half hour of observing the man had been dull. Mostly Callahan had been working on a data screen on his desk. Eventually a phone rang, and he picked it up. The voice was muffled, but to James it sounded like it might have been Dante. The mayor mentioned the name Vanguard, apparently referencing a young girl. He seemed stressed. Dante was chastising him on the phone, and Callahan was assuring him that he wouldn’t let the girl’s father know. His conversation was interrupted by a buzz from the data screen embedded into the surface of his desk.

  ​“Mayor Callahan,” a woman’s voice called out, “Elijah Vanguard is here to see you. He says it’s urgent, and that you haven’t been returning his calls.” He quickly told Dante over the phone he’d call him back, hanging it up.

  ​“Send him on in,” Callahan said with a slight tremor in his voice. He was sweating, James could tell. Callahan glanced at a data screen embedded onto the wall of the office, which was active and playing a news media broadcast live.

  ​“...here’s a picture of Alicia Vanguard for anyone who has spotted her. She was taken from her private school today, which was under attack. Several guards were killed by the terrorists who kidnapped her. Her father, Elijah Vanguard, is offering a reward for anyone who has any information about her whereabouts.” As the reporter finished this sentence, the doors into the mayor’s office opened. A man entered, projecting confidence, anger and determination.

  ​Elijah Vanguard was a very imposing man. He was slightly above average in height and was thin, but in good shape. He had a presence, however, that made him seem stronger and bigger when he entered a room. James was impressed with the aura the man projected, an aura he had never seen before. It exhibited strength and resolve. There were also shades of the aura he’d seen from the beautiful girl he’d known from his past. Shades of hope, though not as strong as with the girl.

  ​He had brown hair, and intelligent green eyes which were angry right now. He walked at a quick pace, stopping over the mayor’s desk, and placing both his hands on it. He glared at the mayor silently. Callahan stared back, trying to ignore his overwhelming fear of the man in front of him.

  ​“I wouldn’t suppose,” Elijah said, “you would know anything about my daughter? She’s missing. Kidnapped. This wouldn’t have anything to do with the Civic Protection, would it?”

  ​“Eli,” Callahan said, “you and I both know Civic Protection is out for the greater good in our city. I don’t have any idea why they would take a little girl, especially your daughter. They’re probably related to the terrorists. You know we’ll do everything we can to get Alicia back.” James, using his mind’s eye, could tell Callahan was lying. It seemed from Elijah’s emotional response that he thought Callahan was lying, too.

  ​“I know you’ve had a lot of tragedy in your life,” Callahan said, “ but we need to be realistic about this. How many people get recovered when they go missing?” His face was solemn, and there was the slightest hint of sympathy.

  “In this city,” Elijah said, “people don’t just disappear. They’re taken. And not by terrorists.” Elijah was angry. It was a righteous anger if James had ever seen one before. Elijah turned and walked back towards the door. “You haven’t heard the last of me,” he said, storming out.

  James started to follow Vanguard, but he stopped when Callahan’s phone rang again. The mayor picked it up quietly. It was Dante on the line again.

  ​“Yes,” James heard him say, “he just left my office. Oh I told him, yes exactly what you told me. Yes sir. I know, it’s just that he’s a very important man. He even has connections to the network. I just saw them broadcasting a story about his daughter with mention of a reward. Oh, I’m definitely going to take care of who’s responsible for that. You... you want me to do what to them? I’m not sure if I can have them… I see. Well, I’ll wait for the officers then.

  ​“I still don’t understand why you needed to take her,” he said to Dante, “this could bring more attention to him, and to Civic Protection. I’m only saying, people are starting to talk. I’ve already had to take care of those rumors of the secret police in Old District. If you’re keeping the girl in that station then you may want to warn them to look a little less conspicuous.” The may
or started to bring up another subject, but James didn’t stay to listen. He’d heard all he needed to.

  ​As he exited the capital, he was barely aware that it was now evening. He ran across the street, into an alley. The anger, the frustration of Elijah Vanguard was too much for him. James put his hands on his face, trying to maintain composure. He didn’t know why they’d kidnapped that child, but he could see that Elijah was the first true good man he’d encountered. He didn’t deserve this. Alicia didn’t deserve this. James thought back to the soldiers he’d run into that morning, how horrible their souls had looked to him. He felt the fury overtake him, and he punched a nearby wall as he let out a scream. A sizeable fissure was left in the concrete where he’d punctured it. He became self-aware and started running. He ran as fast as he could, aiming to leave Capitol District, altogether.

  Soon, he realized he was in East District, and it was even darker now. He stopped and pulled out the small data screen Dr. Shepherd had given him. He pulled up the file with the addresses of the CP hideouts. There were three in Old District. He focused on the first address, and started running again. He almost didn’t notice he’d entered Old District.

  ​There weren’t many people left on the streets. And not many vehicles except the broken down ones on the curbs and the occasional CP patrol. The dark silhouettes of buildings passed him by as he ran, looking down over the streets like sleeping guardians. Many buildings in Old District had no power, although there was the occasional spot of light where a street lamp still worked. James stared into the darkness, seeing clearly as though it were day.

  ​Images flashed into his mind. Dante’s face, smirking. An angry young man with white hair. Faces without names, people he recognized but didn’t know. The face of the girl he’d seen earlier. It’s not fair, he thought, why can’t I know who she is? Who they all are?