‘This sun is hot, actually,’ Drew agreed, peering up at the sky. ‘You wouldn’t even know its winter here.’
‘Which reminds me, add sunscreen to our list of things to buy in the next town.’
‘Buy?’
‘Come on, we can’t just steal everything!’
‘Fine, fine.’
Laura slowed as they approached the farm. ‘Do you think anyone’s home?’ She asked, looking around at the quiet homestead. No animals, no sign of life. The place looked a little rundown in fact.
‘Wait here with our stuff, I’ll go take a look around.’ Drew said, his face completely serious.
He unloaded the bags and took off at a jog, kicking up sand under his heels. Laura placed the bike on its stand and began emptying her boots one at a time. She was just lacing the second one back up when Drew returned.
‘No one’s around, there’s a car with some fuel still in it in that shed over there. It should be enough to get us to Orrica.’
They hurried to the shed, and after some searching, Drew found a funnel and they began filling the bike. They were just screwing the cap back on when Laura heard the sound of something roaring to life. She frowned, edging towards the shed’s door and peeking through.
It was a chainsaw. Held in the hand of a large man with a face ready to kill. He was staring down at the ground, at the tracks that lead to the shed. Their tracks.
Chapter Fifteen
Escape
Laura eased back through the door, petrified.
‘What is it?’ Drew whispered, catching sight of her ashen face.
The sound of the chainsaw was growing louder; he was approaching the shed. Laura’s breath quickened as a million different images, all ending with her brutal death, flashed through her mind.
Drew didn’t repeat his previous question for Laura could see he’d come to understand exactly what was happening. He took the handlebars of the bike and pushed, easing it further behind the car to hide it from immediate view. He then gestured at her to duck down behind one of the cabinets in the dark corner furthest from the door.
Laura gasped, unable to control the mess her thoughts had become. She was terrified; sick to the bone. Drew reached out a hand, resting it on her arm, and she realised what he was trying to tell her. Drew was a trained fighter, he was an Enchanted, and he’d battled worse enemies than a crazed man with a chainsaw. His sword was already in his hand; he was ready.
The man’s shadow appeared in the doorway, eerie and silent, despite the roaring of the chainsaw.
‘I know you’re in here. If you come on out, no one’ll get hurt.’
She felt Drew shift beside her and realised he was preparing to fight.
‘Do you think you could use your power on him?’ Drew whispered into her ear under the cover of the chainsaw.
Laura’s eyes widened and she shook her head immediately. ‘I don’t know how to control it! I don’t even know how to make it work, how to bring it on.’
‘What if-’
‘Come out, come out.’ The man shouted, interrupting Drew’s response.
They heard the man step into the shed and the sound of the chainsaw increased, echoing throughout the room. Laura expelled a deep breath as she felt a hand grasp her own, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Then it let go, and Drew rose from his hiding place, his sword concealed by his body. Laura eased her own sword from her scabbard which remained strapped to her bag and stood.
The man, their hunter, grinned widely, and Laura forced the shivers wracking her body not to reflect in her face. He was unremarkable; grey hair, a long beard, leathery skin, and dark, dark eyes. He was stooped over slightly, a clear indication of his age.
‘Ah, stealing from a lonely old man are we?’ The man inquired, his voice quiet, squeaky, eerie.
‘More like… borrowing.’ Drew countered.
The man raised a single grey brow. ‘What were you intending to borrow?’
‘Fuel.’
The man cackled and goose bumps appeared along Laura’s arms.
‘And how were you planning on returning my fuel?’
Drew flashed the man a grin.
‘So you’re not only stealing from me but you’re also lying straight to my face.’ The man tutted at Drew.
‘If that’s how you want to look at it,’ Drew replied with a shrug.
Laura couldn’t understand how Drew managed to keep his voice even nor how he remained so calm. Then, she recalled the memory of herself facing Erebus only weeks ago; of how she’d been frightened to the core, but knew she couldn’t show weakness; knew she had to appear indifferent.
‘You know what the penalty is for stealing in some countries?’ The man inquired, revving the chainsaw.
‘Community service?’
The man clucked. ‘I like you kid. But no, it’s death.’
‘Yeah in, like, the sixteen hundreds. We’ve progressed a little since then. There are worse crimes deserving of death.’ Laura snapped, clenching her shaking hands.
‘Ah, she’s got a sharp tong. Girlfriend?’
‘What is this, school recess?’ Drew retorted. ‘Hurry up and kill us. Let’s get this over with.’
‘Oh right, yes, no worries. Well, don’t move, it’ll just hurt more.’ The man said, starting towards them. He cocked his head to one side, ‘well it’ll probably hurt regardless.’
Drew stepped out from the darkness, raising his sword.
‘Oh, I forgot to tell you, I have a weapon too.’
The man hesitated at the sight of the silver sword, though it was only for a moment.
‘You really think that’s a match for this?’ He asked, revving the chainsaw louder.
Laura lifted her own sword higher for the man to see. ‘I wouldn’t doubt him sir.’
Their hunter frowned, unsure as to what was going on, however he didn’t allow that to halt him. He launched himself at them, cutting the chainsaw in an arc through the air. Laura spun away, turning in time to watch as Drew ducked to the left and slammed his sword down through the man’s arm, severing it from the rest of his body. The chainsaw stopped the moment it hit the ground and the man screamed with rage and pain. He stared at where his arm and been, shock clear on his face. He stumbled and fell, tripping over his own feet, and crashed to the ground, knocking himself out cold.
Laura stared open-mouthed at the unconscious man bleeding out all over the ground.
‘Well, I guess we better not steal anymore.’ Drew muttered startling Laura from her own stunned trance. ‘Come on, let’s go.’
She hurried to the bike, jumped on behind Drew, and grasped a hold of him as he took off through the shed door. Drew clicked the gears higher and higher until they were roaring off down the road, and Laura felt the dread and fear slowly subside, relieved to be alive.
~
Grace touched down moments before Logan did and she quickly slid from the birds back, spinning to watch Logan as his feet hit the ground.
‘Beat you!’
‘Not by much.’ Logan grinned.
She turned to unlatch her bag from the bird’s feathers, however paused when Logan unexpectedly grabbed her by the waist, whirling her around to face him. She smiled up at him and he lent down, planting a soft kiss on her lips.
‘Ew. Come on guys, there’s people around.’ Gemma retorted, and Grace pulled away giggling.
She focused on securing her bag on her back then tying her spare rope gently around the bird’s neck. It was snowing in Mandra, and the group had paused to rug up when they’d first entered the country.
‘So where’d they say these bodies were turning up?’ Gemma inquired, directing the question at Robin.
‘Most towns close to the Mandra Mountains.’
‘The mountains are only an hour’s walk that way, though you can’t really see them through all this fog and snow.’ Mitch told them. ‘I know there is a small town that way.’ he added, nodding to the right of where the mountains apparently were. ‘We should head in
that direction and ask around.’
‘What, just approach random people and say ‘hey! Have you come across any dead bodies lately?!’’ Gemma asked, raising a brow.
‘Well, not quite so bluntly, but yes.’ Mitch responded, setting off in the direction of town.
‘We better get some snow boots while there. Ours won’t last long nor will they keep the frostbite out.’ Logan suggested, sidling up beside Grace.
‘And thicker coats.’ Grace added quickly.
‘Agreed.’ Mitch responded over his shoulder.
They advanced on the town slowly, pausing to conceal the birds under the shelter of a small forest far from the road. Then they entered the snow covered streets of the small bustling town.
People wandered along the paths, some shovelled snow off the roads so cars could pass, others pushed trollies filled with bags to their vehicles, and a few simply played about in the snow.
Despite the mass of people that were out and about, Grace could feel a sense of underlying urgency. Parents who sat in the park watching their kids were constantly searching the streets; everyone walked in twos at the least; and those moving purchases to their cars hurried.
‘Do you see it too?’ Logan asked quietly.
She glanced at him and nodded, ‘I think we’re in the right place.’
Mitch halted by a worker as he planted a shovel of snow in the gutter. ‘Sir, might I ask where the closest police station is?’
The man, dark skinned, middle-aged with a greying hair peeking out from under his beanie, turned to the group. ‘Uh, yeah, it’s just up the street there, on the left.’
Mitch gave a nod of thanks, showing no surprise that the man could speak the Western Language, despite the fact that they were in an Eastern country.
‘Why you looking for the police?’ The man asked as they were about to set off.
Mitch paused, feigning surprise at being pulled up. Grace knew better; that was exactly what he was hoping the man would ask.
‘Out of concern. My friends and I were to hike up the Mandra Mountains, however after the rumours we’ve been hearing, we’re not sure if it would be safe. We thought it would be best to hear what the police had to say.’
The man was already shaking his head. ‘I can tell you right now, it isn’t safe to be going anywhere outside of the towns. Even those living on farms have moved into town, some leaving the country all together. There’s a gang of killers out there, taking innocent people and dumping their bodies all over the country. I suggest you stay at the inn tonight and get a car to take you to the airport tomorrow.’
Mitch frowned with uncertainty. ‘I was afraid of that.’
Gemma stepped forward then. ‘May I ask, and I’m sorry if this a sensitive topic, but have any bodies turned up here?’
The man’s head dropped ever so slightly. ‘Three in the past week alone. That’s the rate these killers are moving at. And that’s only our town. I just hope someone finds them and stops this before it gets much worse.’
Gemma placed a hand on the man’s shoulder sympathetically. ‘I do too.’
‘Did you happen to know any of the victims?’ Logan asked gently.
The man sighed, ‘one was an old neighbour, went missing a week ago and turned up in the river. Couple of kids had been ice-skating and found him. They police had to cut through the ice to get him out.’
‘That’s awful!’ Grace exclaimed.
‘It is indeed. He was all burnt up too, right to the bone they said.’
Mitch’s expression tightened at the confirmation they’d been searching for. ‘I’m sorry for your loss. We won’t take up any more of your time.’
‘No worries. Keep safe you lot. I don’t want to see any more innocent’s lose their lives.’
‘We will.’ Grace replied kindly.
‘We’ll have to wait until night, but if we can sneak into the morgue at the hospital then we might be able to check out one of the bodies.’ Mitch whispered as they made their way further up the street.
‘How do we know if they’re still keeping them? The Enchanted might have already come to pick them up.’ Grace countered.
‘That’s entirely possible, but it’s worth checking.’
Gemma nodded. ‘I agree. The quicker we can see a body the quicker we can begin to solve this problem.’
The group opted to relocate the birds to a small deserted barn on the outskirts of town, which held both troughs of water and grain inside. Then, they sought out the only store that sold snow gear and stocked up on coats, boots and gloves. Finally, they managed to rent a room at a large Inn, and, after performing a thorough sweep of the area to ensure no Enchanted were about, they settled in their room to wait for nightfall.
~
Drew was relieved when they finally reached Orrica, one of the few desert towns that suffered from severe earthquakes. He pulled up at a fuel station and set to filling up the bike, eyes flickering to Laura who remained seated, staring off into the distance.
Drew realised, as he watched Laura, that he was growing immune to the horrors she still faced when it came to death, and it shocked him to the core to think that. It didn’t feel right, yet at the same time, that man, he’d been a killer, and Drew couldn’t conceal the part of him that believed people like that deserved their fate.
‘Hey, how you doing?’ Drew asked.
‘It doesn’t seem to be getting easier.’ She mumbled, eyes glassy.
Drew’s gaze dropped to the tank, and he watched as fuel pumped into the bike.
‘We don’t know that he’s dead. He could still survive.’ He reasoned.
Laura sighed, and Drew knew it was unlikely considering where he lived and his injuries.
‘Ace, it was kill or be killed.’
‘I know. I get it. But I still don’t have to like it.’
‘No. You don’t.’ He agreed.
He finished filling the tank then went in to pay. He returned moments later to find Laura still staring; looking but not really seeing.
‘Ace,’ he said. ‘Hey, look at me.’
He moved to stand in front of the bike, forcing her eyes to meet his.
‘This death isn’t yours to bare. It’s mine. Okay?’
She shook her head, ‘it doesn’t matter. I’ve still…’
Her head dropped and she took to playing with the hem of her shirt. Drew reached out, tilting her chin up until she was looking at him again.
‘There are no words I can speak to make it better. But you have to know, the Wicked, they would not hesitate to kill you. To kill off our entire race, and the Humans too. It’s our job to prevent that, and if it means we kill first, we have to do it. It’s our duty.’
She frowned. ‘It’s not my duty, I’m not one of you. I’m… I’m… not anything. Not Human. Not Witch or Warlock. I was born into a world where I was meant to protect people and grew up as someone being protected instead. I don’t belong anywhere. And now I’m killing people as if it’s my place to do so and it’s not!’ Her voice rose with each word and she paused to take a deep breath in attempt to calm herself. ‘I’m not like you.’ She finally whispered.
Drew felt his heart contract. He not only sympathised with her, but he truly didn’t know what he could say to help her. He was speechless in a time when words were needed most.
Someone tooted a horn and he realised they were still parked in the gas station line up. He jumped back on the bike and rode off down the road, stopping out the front of a general store, a motorbike shop across the road.
‘I’ll go get us some helmets. You want to stock up on water and food?’ He asked Laura.
She nodded, climbing from the bike and heading into the store. He hurried to find two helmets that would fit and made it back to the bike the same time Laura did.
The moment she reached him she began to speak. ‘Sorry about my outburst. I didn’t-‘
Drew stopped her before she could continue. ‘We’re allowed to feel things. You don’t have to apologise
for that.’
She gave him a glimmer of a smile and he felt better for it.
‘Where to next?’ She asked after a moment.
‘What about we get a room for the night? We can have a proper rest, and listen in on some conversations down in the pub, see if we hear anything interesting.’
‘Will it be safe though?’ She asked cautiously.
Drew glanced around then nodded, ‘I think so. As long as we keep to the shadows or stay in the hotel room.’
‘What about the bike?’
Drew shrugged, ‘we’ll find a place to hide it.’
‘All right lets go.’ Laura said, and they took to wheeling the bike down the street to the closest inn.
~
‘We’ll have to find out where the morgue is quickly once we get in there. Robin and I can cast the Invisibility Charm over us but we don’t want to be wandering around in there for long, it’ll drain us quickly otherwise.’ Mitch said as the group huddled by the hospital doors.
They agreed, then Mitch and Robin began the short process of casting the Charm. Gemma’s gaze came to rest on Mitch’s face as he closed his eyes she was struck by how handsome he was; his straight brown hair that fell in tangles down his forehead, his slightly stubbled chin, his smooth tanned skin. His jaw flexed as he grit his teeth with the effort of forcing the Charm out over them. Then, his deep brown eyes flew open, meeting hers across the snow covered steps.
She jerked back a little, shaking her head with the shock of what she’d been thinking, of what she’d been doing.
Staring, really Gemma? And at Mitch?! Stop it you pathetic excuse for an Enchanted! She shouted inwardly at herself.
‘Gemma, you coming?’ Robin asked.
‘Yeah, yep, I… yes,’ Gemma stammered, turning to follow the group inside.
They made it through the entrance without the receptionist noticing and snuck down the first hall on their right, ducking through the set of double doors at the end. The signs didn’t display the word Morgue on any of them, however there was one titled ‘Lower Offices.’
They chose to follow that arrow, which led them down another hall and into a second reception area. There was also an elevator, in which they swiftly piled into, pressing the last button on the wall as they went. It grew colder the further down they went, and Gemma realised that it was because they were underground.
The Sacrifice (Wicked Book 2) Page 18