Leech 01 Caleo

by James Crawford

  

  Caleo stared at the blank wall for hours, counting the seconds between Nolan’s breaths before he was convinced that Nolan was fast asleep. Silently, Caleo rolled over and grabbed his keychain flashlight off the nightstand, cringing as the keys chimed together. He shoved them under his pillow as he saw Nolan start to fidget. When he settled, Caleo went to work disconnecting the light from the rest of the keys, the sound muffled under the pillow. Okay, now how am I going to look for a mark with the blanket over him? Caleo thought of using his powers and smiled at the thought as the old story of the wind and the sun popped into his mind, making him realize his power would only hurt and not help in this situation. I guess I can just lift up the blanket and look quickly, Caleo thought, sitting up in bed.

  The keys under his pillow clanged together causing Nolan to stir in his sleep. Caleo quickly lay back down, closed his eyes, and pretended to be asleep. After a few minutes, Caleo opened his eye and sat back up. Taking his flashlight, he pointed it towards the floor under Nolan’s bed, slowly raising it. He got up, letting the light fall on Nolan’s thigh down to his shin. When he didn’t see the mark, he let the light drift up Nolan’s back while he continued searching. When, again, he found nothing, he decided to check out what he couldn’t see, the parts still concealed under the blanket.

  He went to the bottom of the bed and pulled on the blanket as slowly and steadily as possible so it flowed off of Nolan’s skin, exposing his entire body to the moonlight. Caleo ran the light over Nolan again. He looked carefully at the spots that he knew he wouldn't get another chance to see later. Damn, Caleo focus! Caleo thought, closely inspecting Nolan’s naked body, but still finding no mark. Nolan started to stir and Caleo ran for the bathroom, pretending like he was just on his way to pee. Standing in front of the toilet, Caleo looked over his shoulder only to find Nolan walking up behind him feeling his way around in the dim room. His arms outstretched, searching for anything he might bump into in the dark.

  Caleo turned his flashlight on and walked towards him. Nolan seemed oblivious to the light pointing right at him and kept feeling his way towards Caleo. Caleo stopped right outside the bathroom door, his light pointed right at Nolan’s naked body as he continued his mission to find the mark of the Leech on Nolan who was getting closer. What's up with this guy? It’s not that dark and I have a light pointed right at him. Caleo turned his head, following Nolan with his eyes as he walked right past. Caleo tiptoed back to bed and lay down. The bed creaking under his weight, the sound of Nolan peeing stopped in mid-stream and he turned his head as if listening for movement; Caleo panicked and closed his eyes, hoping Nolan would just think he rolled over in his sleep. Caleo relaxed when he heard Nolan finishing his business. He peeked out as Nolan felt his way back to the bed and lay back down. Caleo, convinced that Nolan didn’t have a mark, laid in bed, and waited for sleep to come.

  10

  Caleo sprang awake as the sound of Steve’s voice intruded on his dreams. “Caleo, wake up! We have to go. The Blessed are on their way here!”

  Caleo let out a groan as he rolled over, covering his head with his pillow. Then a thought hit him and he flipped over, looking at the now empty bed beside him. Confused, Caleo glanced around the room until his eyes locked with Steve’s who was right in front of him, dressed in a pair of tight black jeans. He had an arsenal of weapons on his chest and back that nearly hid the t-shirt he had on, and a gun that hung loosely at his waist.

  “The explosions were the Blessed. They caught wind of Thorn watching you and have come to kill him and you. They sent the first team to destroy any resistance that Thorn might have had here; then they sent a second team to capture or kill any Leeches or Normals that survived, enslaving them or killing them for the greater good. It’s like they're doing a nationwide cleaning. Yesterday, they started in Texas at an army base; and in D.C., I was told the first attack was at the White House. From there, they worked their way out in different directions, burning everything. New York is gone, the whole city is flat. I've never seen so many powerful Leeches,” Steve said, sounding more hyper than upset.

  Caleo stared at Steve for a moment, trying to choose his words carefully. “Steve, why were you on TV?” Caleo stopped when his words came out more blunt than he was hoping for, but decided to go with it. “Did you blow up the city?”

  “I was on TV in New York. I just now got back.”

  “But you said New York is gone.” Caleo watched Steve carefully as he waited for an answer but Steve made no attempt to explain himself. “Okay. Just give us a few minutes, and I'll have everyone ready.” Caleo slid on his jeans and ran for the door buttoning them as he went.

  “There’s no time. I came for you. Now let’s go.” Steve took two steps towards Caleo, reaching out his hand.

  “I’m not leaving my family here to get captured!” Caleo backed away from Steve.

  Steve maneuvered his way around the bed slowly, as if he was a predator waiting to give chase the second his prey bolts. “You don’t have a choice. I’m not letting energy like yours fall into the Blesseds' hands!” Caleo backed into his door and desperately fumbled for the handle. The second his hand touched the knob Steve ran at him.

  Panicked, Caleo yanked the door open and ran out, slamming the door behind him. Oh crap! He had only taken five steps before sliding to a halt, right before Steve, who had appeared at the top the stairs.

  “Not bad,” Steve said, but Caleo didn’t wait to hear what he was going to say.

  Turning on his heels, he took off running back to his room shutting the door behind him.

  Steve softly rapped on the door and whispered, “Come on, you know how this is going to end. Let’s just—” Caleo pushed his back to the heavy, wooden door so Steve could not appear behind him and take him by surprise. Caleo jerked his head towards the window when Steve’s voice finished his sentence on the other side of the room. “—get this over with.”

  “That’s the same line you used just before you dropped me down seven flights of stairs.” Caleo whipped his head around at the sound of Nolan’s voice, to see him standing in the bathroom doorway dressed only in a bathrobe, a gun pointed right at Steve.

  Where the hell did he come from? Caleo thought, slowly edging himself towards Nolan, keeping his back to the wall.

  Steve’s voice was playful as he smiled at Nolan “Oh! Hello brother!” Steve winked at Caleo as if to make a point. “You survived, did you?” He casually jumped off the window sill.

  “I did. One of your soldier boys broke my fall.” Nolan returned his smile. “Next time you drop me, you may want to make sure I hit the ground before you run away.”

  Nolan sidestepped towards Caleo, gun still aimed at Steve’s chest.

  “What are you doing with that thing? You know you couldn’t shoot me even if I couldn’t teleport, I’m your little brother,” Steve snickered at Nolan, then teleported only to appear standing on Nolan’s bed.

  “Polo!” Steve said mockingly before vanishing only to reappear back by the window. “Polo!”

  Nolan’s smile widened, “I was never very good at this game.”

  Caleo stood as still as possible, watching the exchange, terrified and trying to make himself unnoticeable. These people are crazy.

  “No, you always cheated, but I don’t have that problem now do I?” Steve drew a knife from his pocket and threw it in Nolan’s direction. Nolan didn’t even flinch as the knife flew mere inches away from his ear and embedded itself in the wall behind him.

  “Watch out!” Caleo screamed, knowing full well what Steve was going to do. But by the time he had said it Steve had teleported and was standing right behind Nolan, knife ready to slice through his throat. Nolan’s hand shot up and grabbed Steve’s wrist, keeping the knife from his neck. With a quick jab to Steve’s ribs with his left elbow, Nolan was able to catch Steve off guard and flip him over his back. He smashed him into the floor. Nolan quickly stomped at Steve’s head, but his bare foot only cracked the hard
wood underneath because Steve had vanished and reappeared on Caleo’s bed.

  “You want to go down a higher flight of stairs?” Steve snarled, as he rolled over and launched himself at Nolan.

  Nolan sidestepped out of the way barely missing Steve’s outstretched hands and bringing his fist down like a hammer to deliver a quick blow to Steve’s back in midair. Right before Steve slammed into the ground he vanished, reappearing from the ceiling right over Nolan’s head.

  Caleo fell to the floor and covered his head as the door burst open and Bradley rushed in, throwing his arms out towards Nolan and Steve.

  “Now this is great; you got the Carnie working for you. You must be so proud,” Steve said sarcastically. Caleo ventured a look and saw Steve hovering in a large, shiny bubble mere inches away from Nolan.

  “Right now, I can say I’m pretty damn proud.” Nolan smiled, ducking out from under the bubble and walking over to Caleo. “Hold onto me, he can’t separate us if you have a hold of me.” He reached down and helped Caleo to his feet, but kept a tight grip once Caleo was standing.

  A moment later, there was a soft pop and Steve appeared beside the window once more.

  “So now what? Two against one?” Steve asked. “Over what, a boy who doesn’t even know his power?”

  Caleo tried to flex the circulation back into his hand, but Nolan wouldn’t loosen his grip. I know my power, I saved lives just yesterday. Caleo glared at Steve, wanting to shout his worth, but fear held his tongue.

  “Always the White Knight” Steve rolled his eyes and glanced out the window. “Oh well, you can have him for now,” Steve said quickly before he vanished.

  Caleo nervously looked around the room for any signs of Steve hiding.

  “That was too easy,” Nolan hissed.

  Bradley walked around the room, looking for any trace that Steve was still around. “At least he didn’t leave a grenade this time.”

  Caleo felt his heart beat faster. “A grenade? But my family!” Caleo pulled desperately to free himself from Nolan’s grip.

  “Bradley, we have company. Go look out the window.”

  Bradley ran for the window and looked out; his face drained of color as he turned to Nolan. “Blessed, and lots of them! It looks like they have passenger trucks, too.”

  “How far?” Nolan asked.

  “The convoy is stopped at the end of the driveway.” Caleo could hear the fear in Bradley’s voice and looked up at Nolan for his reaction.

  “We don’t have much time. Let’s go!” Nolan pulled Caleo out the door, his robe blowing back as he ran down the stairs. Nolan let go of Caleo as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

  “The Blessed are here, what do we do?” Caleo started for the kitchen, where he knew his grandmother would be, but stopped and turned around when he heard Nolan clear his throat.

  Cupping his hands around his mouth to help amplify the sound Nolan yelled, “Everyone, we need to get out of here!”

  Caleo’s grandmother came rushing out of the kitchen a dish towel in hand. “What is all this ruckus?”

  “The people who bombed the city are outside. We have to get out of here right now!” Nolan said.

  “They’re soldiers. Maybe they’re part of the relief effort.” Caleo turned to see Mrs. Dawson looking out the window blinds. “I knew it wouldn’t take long. John, go tell them we’re here so they don’t pass us by,” Mrs. Dawson said to her grandson.

  “No, John! We have to get out of here!” Nolan said. “If we run out the back right now we might make it.”

  “Oh, enough with this,” Mrs. Dawson snapped, waving Nolan out of the way so she could walk toward the door.

  Caleo’s grandmother eyed Nolan skeptically for a few seconds then said, “Everyone who doesn't want to take their chances with the soldiers come this way.” She trotted down the hall to her room with Caleo, Nolan, Bradley and Jillian on her heels. “Jillian, go get Jack and Miss Farns!” she said, keeping her pace. “You, Bradley, go tell that Mexican couple to get in here. You, big man, wrap that robe a little tighter! This isn’t a hippie resort; no one needs to see your little giblets hanging about like that! Be more respectful! And follow me; I need you to move my bed away from the wall. Let’s go!”

  From down the hall, they could hear Mrs. Dawson yelling to the soldiers. A few minutes later, the Mexican couple appeared with Bradley. The bed had already been pulled out away from the wall and Caleo’s grandmother was working at the screws to a large vent with her fingers.

  “I can’t fit in there,” Bradley said, noticing Caleo’s grandmother pulling the first screw off the vent.

  “Do I look insane to you? There’s a latch to a panic room right inside this vent. My father always told me if the button to get in wasn't hidden well then the room is useless,” she snapped. Caleo looked up from his spot near the window to see Jillian approaching, supporting Jack as best as she could. Kylie, and her mother, who was carrying the baby, were right behind her.

  “Well, stand back,” Bradley said, grabbing Caleo’s arm.

  Caleo stiffened as he felt the sting of his energy being Leeched. A split later he was released; there was a soft pop then a loud click. A large, two-foot square picture swung inward from its frame hanging right above where the bed had been.

  “Well, lookey there! But how are we all going to fit?"

  “How did you … ahh forget it, just push the bed back in place and climb in,” Caleo’s grandmother said angrily, eying Bradley.

  The sound of a gunshot rang through the air outside, followed by a scream from Mrs. Dawson. Nolan heaved the bed against the wall and climbed on to it.

  “Okay, ladies first,” he said, extending his hand to Caleo’s grandmother, the Mexican woman, then Kylie’s family in turn as they all climbed into a small room no more than ten square feet wide and three feet tall.

  Each of them climbed to the back of the room and sat holding their knees to their chest to make as much room for the rest as they could.

  “Caleo, you and Jillian next, I will pass Jack to you.” They did as they were told, and soon everyone was in but Nolan who said, “I'll be right back.” With that he ran for the bathroom.

  Caleo stuck out his head to see what he was doing, but as soon as he did, he heard the bell on the front door chime to announce someone entering the house.

  “They’re in the house! Where is Nolan?” Caleo said, sliding the door of the picture frame closed a little.

  Nolan’s hand reopened it, and he climbed inside, a hint of a smile on his face. Caleo pushed the door closed behind him and turned the latch until it clicked into place. The room was uncomfortably tight, and within minutes everyone was hot, sticky, and uncomfortable. Caleo smiled as he thought about his power and how he could help the situation. He took a deep breath focused on cooling the room, but nothing happened. He tried again, but the second he took another deep breath, Nolan grabbed Caleo’s hair and pulled his head towards his own.

  “Not now! These people are trained to hunt you! If you use your power we're done for! They'll find us and kill everyone,” Nolan hissed in Caleo’s ear.

  Caleo tried to pull away, but Nolan held him firmly in place.

  “I need you to think about anything other than your power. Think about playing football in the yard or something.” Nolan let go of Caleo’s hair and placed his hand on Caleo’s shoulder. “Think about puppies.” Nolan pulled Caleo closer to him.

  The images of everything Nolan had said flashed through his head only to be replaced by the images of the people who had now, just taken everything away from him. Rage filled his mind.

  “Caleo, focus!” Nolan hissed. “Think about your family here. If you don’t focus they are going to find us!” he whispered, pulling Caleo’s neck so hard it made him fall forward into Nolan, his face landing on Nolan’s hairy chest.

  “You can’t use your power here, this is not the place!” Nolan whispered.

  Caleo regained his senses and struggled to sit up, but Nolan held him in
place in the dark room. A muffled voice echoed from just outside the door, and Caleo stopped struggling. Then another voice responded. I led them right to us! Caleo thought. What have I done?

  “Puppies,” Nolan whispered in a fear strained voice, shifting his weight.

  Caleo jerked his hand away when he realized how far up his hand was on Nolan’s thigh.

  “Now, that’s no puppy, but if it saves my life …” Nolan whispered, a hint of laughter in his voice.

  Great, he noticed. Now what? Embarrassed, Caleo tried to pull away, but Nolan would not let him.

  “Let go!” Caleo whispered angrily

  “Caleo, sit still!” Caleo’s grandmother chastised him in a whisper. Caleo rolled his eyes and placed his hands on the floor on either side of Nolan.

  Minutes crept by and the air in the room became more hot and stale. Caleo couldn't stop yawning.

  

  “Caleo, wake up!”

  Caleo opened his eyes to the sound of Nolan whispering and was disappointed when he realized the room was pitch black and he couldn't see a thing.

  “What?” Caleo whispered angrily, not lifting his head.

  “Can you move your head? My leg is falling asleep!” Nolan asked politely.

  Caleo pulled his head up from Nolan’s lap, his face sticking to Nolan’s flesh as he pulled away.

  “Sorry. How long have we been in here?” Caleo’s foggy mind struggled to make sense of what was going on.

  “About two hours. Hopefully the house is cleared out. We're running out of air. The ventilation wasn’t built for this many people to be in here. That’s why everyone is so tired. So if you would, turn the latch. I'll go check out the house.”

  Caleo turned the latch and pulled on the door slowly. As the door opened, fresh, cool air entered the room, and woke everyone up.

  “Is it safe?” Kylie’s mother whispered, looking around nervously as she pulled a sleeping Kylie closer.