After the Pandemic: The Enemy of My Enemy part 6: On the Streets of Jersey (1236 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: 2 on 30 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by TheCaes (View user info) at 2005-04-11 01:51:11 EDT
Brianna managed to get a few hours of restless sleep before her internal clock roused her just before sunset, a survival response acquired from years of waking at the crack of dusk. She looked out the window and saw the gray-orange hue of the twilight sky, Mother Nature's warning sign to humanity. The monsters were waking up.
For that brief, warm moment between the time she opened her eyes and the time she actually woke up, she had forgotten why it was so hard for her to get to sleep in the first place. Then she remembered and the butterflies in her stomach woke up with her. It hadn't been a dream. What happened was real. It was real and it was yesterday, but somehow the memory was foggy, as if it was a long time ago. She had been saved from juicehounds by a 1200 year-old vampyre from the Middle East, and now he wanted to conquer Manhattan. The thought of it was so ridiculous that she actually laughed out loud.
"What's funny?" a voice said.
Brianna jumped. It was only Rick. He was sitting in the corner; his bedroll already packed away, his hunting rifle propped beside him against the wall.
"Nothing's funny," though she said it with a smirk. "Nothing about this whole thing is funny at all." She stretched expansively, and even with her eyes closed she knew that Rick was checking her out. Rick was intensely mistrustful - which is probably why Anthony wanted him here for this - but it did not escape her notice that his skeptical stare frequently lingered on her longer than it did anyone else. At first, she thought he hated her. But she saw him watching Tyler once, and the look in his eyes then was clearly not skepticism, but jealousy.
It didn't really bother her. He was actually kind of cute, in a rugged and messy sort of way. At thirty-two he was only four years older than her, and even through his beard and tussled brown hair she could see he was handsome. He had a fire in him, something that felt dangerous and passionate in all the right ways. And you couldn't ask for a finer soldier. He had a necklace of vampire incisors; all taken from bloodsuckers that he had killed. There were eleven, one tooth from each. Brianna had never known anyone who had dusted that many leeches and lived to tell about it. Not Tyler, not the Chief, not anyone.
But he wasn't the man for her. Tyler might not be the soldier that Rick was, but he was smart, and he was passionate, and there was a strength in him. And he cared for her, truly and deeply. She felt it when he looked at her, and when he was inside her she was loved and safe and special.
"Where's Tyler?" She asked, suddenly reminded.
Rick blinked and his inspection of her faltered. He looked quickly at the nearest wall as if some fascinating pattern had revealed itself in the peeling paint. "He's at RV 4, with the rest. Left a couple of hours ago." He didn't mention that he saw Tyler kiss her on the cheek before departing. "Gus is on lookout, and Turner and Ferdy are in the other room, going over everything."
Brianna nodded heavily. She knew it was necessary for Tyler to head up the rest of the group, but had hoped he would wake her up before he left. Despite her trust in Khalid, she didn't know how this was going to end up. She might never see Tyler again.
Just like any other day, she bitterly reminded herself.
Just then, Anthony came in the room. "You two ready?" They both nodded. "Good. Brianna, you're with me and Ferdy. Rick, go to your lookout point, and keep your rifle ready. Radio us if you see trouble. Gus is going to be across the street with the detonator. If it's all copasetic, I'll radio you two in and we'll go from there."
"And if it's not?" Rick asked.
"If we're captured and don't get clear, Gus will light this place up. There's enough explosive here to wipe anyone out inside. If that happens, I want you and Gus gone. Go to rendezvous 7 and get in touch with the rest of the Cell. Tyler will be waiting for you. Understood?" They nodded.
"Dig in. He should be here soon."
*************
It was almost two hours before Khalid Ibn as-Saffah appeared, and though he came alone, he did not come without some baggage.
"For you," he said, dumping a clattering sack at their feet. Things were poking from the inside at all angles. "A gesture of good faith." He looked as he did last night, well groomed and rested.
Anthony looked at the sack like it was going to bite him. Ferdy, a skinny young man with jittery eyes and a disturbing sideways smile, grabbed it without hesitation and dumped it open. Its contents unceremoniously spilled out. There were two submachine guns, a glock, three knives, some blankets, a bag of onions, a compass, four flashlights (with batteries), and a fully stocked first-aid kit.
Not a bad haul, Anthony thought. "Where did you get all this?"
"These are just things I have been gathering for the past month or so. I use my own weapons, so none of it is of any use to me." Anthony saw some sort of hilt poking out from the opening in his cloak. A dagger perhaps, or a sword. "Did you bring the maps?"
Brianna nodded and held them up.
"Excellent. We had best get started."
"Wait a minute." Anthony said. "Where are we going?"
"There is an acquaintance of mine who makes his home near Braddock Park, north of here. He is a...record keeper, of sorts. He will have information that we need to find my kind and to gain access to Manhattan."
"Bullshit." Ferdy spit out. "Ain't no way to get to Manhattan." Khalid's dark eyes fell on him like a child who had spoken out of turn.
"Ferdy." Anthony cautioned.
"It's all right, Turner. He is merely afraid. There is a way into the island that few know about. You have my word on this."
"Man, I ain't afraid a no one, 'specially not yew." Ferdy looked quite ready to prove it.
"Of course not." Khalid indulged. He looked at this thin man, with wide, wild eyes and a not-quite-right smile, and believed it to be so. Centuries of searching the eyes of men had made him skilled in reading what lay in their hearts. And this man's fear was gone, replaced by something else. Something that twisted him a little, something that makes him laugh at funerals, that makes him perfect for war. Khalid understood why Turner had brought this one along.
Anthony brought his walkie-talkie up to his mouth. "Rick, we're moving out. Meet us down the street. Gus, head back. We'll check back in an hour."
**********************
They kept to the back streets and alleys, avoiding open spaces. Traveling at night was no small risk, but leech activity had been light in this area, so Anthony had agreed. The humans moved together, with Rick bringing up the rear. He spent more time looking behind him for tails and ambushes than he did ahead. Anthony put Ferdy in the middle with Brianna, so he'd be less likely to shoot at something that caught his eye. Khalid was far ahead of them, scouting their path.
Anthony's curiosity had taken hold of him firmly now. If this was a set-up, it was a really elaborate and pointless one. Khalid could have led them into an ambush or taken them all out any time since nightfall. Could this guy be for real?
Anthony's doubts about Khalid's background lessened a little more each time they passed by a freshly killed leech that had been dragged behind a dumpster or hidden in the shadows. Four of them so far, mostly with broken necks. One had his head turned so far around that he ended up looking forwards again. His neck looked like a tightly twisted towel. Brianna grimaced a little when she saw him. Ferdy giggled.
At one point they came across two headless leeches clad in business suits. Lying nearby was a human corpse. His skin looked pallid and drained. He wore a collar that was leashed to one of the vampire's hands. The man was well dressed and well fed, seemed like he led a reasonably healthy life. His neck and arms were covered in pairs of scars from small puncture wounds about an inch and a half apart. On his neck there was a fresh one.
"Looks like yer leech boyfriend got hungry," Ferdy said.
"That thing isn't her boyfriend." Rick snapped, before Brianna had a chance to respond.
"Whatever. Doesn't matter anyway. Fuckin' donors. Got what he deserved." Ferdy kicked the man's lifeless face. It snapped back, then rolled into its original position, limp and oblivious. A flap of skin hung off his cheekbone where Ferdy's steel-toed Doc Martens had hit.
"What the hell, Ferdy?" Brianna said sharply. None of them had much love for any Immune who would willingly submit to the leeches like some human drinking-box, but beating up a dead guy was just too creepy for her.
"Bree. Ferdy. Be quiet and keep moving." Anthony admonished. Ferdy gave Brianna a manic, crooked smile. Brianna rolled her eyes and walked away.
They walked for about an hour without incident. They had just approached Pallisade Ave and 77th street when they heard a quiet hiss. It was Khalid, standing not five feet away from them, his finger to his lips. They had almost walked past him without noticing.
"There, just up the street." His whisper came out like a low rumble. "Third building from the corner." He pointed at an old brownstone that was clearly worse for wear. It looked like a scuffed-up shoe.
Anthony nodded and motioned for his team to follow. Khalid went first, staying in the darkest areas possible. Brianna marveled that he resembled nothing more than a shadow. They followed his path and wound up in front of the building without incident.
Khalid looked at them. In the dim light, his expression was more hawkish than usual. "Follow, but stay behind me. Take no action, no matter what happens." He turned the handle, whisked through the door, and was lost in the darkness. Anthony looked at the door's open maw and hesitated. If this were a trap, this would be when the hammer came down. Right here. They could walk through that door and be face-to-face with enough bloodsuckers to drain a clinic.
No turning back now, he thought, and plunged in, leading his team into uncertainty.
User Reviews
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-04-06 10:47:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-08-28 10:32:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Finally got back to reading these. Hoping there'll be some action in the later installments.
Just want to see Khalid ruin somebody's shit. Big time.
Submitted by notyou (user info) at 2005-07-05 18:40:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-06-30 20:30:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
duh dun..........duh - dun............duh-duh....duh-dun....duh-dun...duh-duh..duh-dun..duhdundudnudddudhdnduhd
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2005-05-25 14:13:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Okay.. here's some criticism...
I feel as if you're losing touch with your characters in this post, and the previous. You are focusing on the action, and all character refernce seems forced.
Now, dont get me wrong... it's still fantastic.
Submitted by Jungle_Jimanee (user info) at 2005-05-16 12:45:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Gripping
Submitted by nrduncan (user info) at 2005-05-12 17:57:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have just got done reading these all and I have enjoyed them all. Great work everyone, +2's for all!
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-04-15 20:05:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2005-04-15 10:18:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Looks like I have some catching up to do, this looks like an incredible series.
Submitted by tlozoot (user info) at 2005-04-13 00:01:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-04-12 23:29:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Damn it. I read this with my coffee this morning and forgot to rate.
Good stuff, as usual.
Jesus... what the hell are we gonna do when interest in the ATP world withers away?
Hmmm...
Dinosaur World.
Nuclear Mutant World.
Bare Naked Sexually Frustrated Remarkably Humanoid and Incredibly Endowed Alien Invader World.
Hillary World.
OK, time to stop. That last one is gonna give me nightmares...
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-12 23:12:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2005-04-12 21:37:58 (#)
Ranking: 2
Phoenix/volklcess is the Queen of the cliffhanger. I think you may be the King.
**************************
ALL HAIL KING ME!
Wait, I mean, King Caes!
Thanks, internet trophy wife! Now put on that dress I like so I can show you off to all my friends. ;)
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2005-04-12 21:37:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Phoenix/volklcess is the Queen of the cliffhanger. I think you may be the King.
And by the King, I mean Elvis.
Ain't nuthin' but a hound dog.
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2005-04-12 20:30:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
6 outta 15 mothafucka
Submitted by hcp28 (user info) at 2005-04-12 10:02:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-12 00:50:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I thought the leeches could only pass it on by infecting a human with their own blood...otherwise their food source would dry up mighty quick. Hopefully I got that right from Jack's intro -- if not, whoopsy doodle. No going back now!
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-04-12 00:36:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Great. But don't the leeches pass on the virus by biting people? I mean, I was under the impression that a bite guranteed infection. *shrug* Whatever.
Submitted by Benny (user info) at 2005-04-11 23:12:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Another quality instalment. I love reading your work.
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2005-04-11 13:01:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Kicker of all ass!
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-04-11 12:56:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
excellent. I am so glad this is being continued.
Submitted by mbstateside (user info) at 2005-04-11 12:02:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Caes,
May I just state for the record that this series has in no way been getting the kind of attention it deserves. Sorry I feel I need to repeat that.
THIS SEREIS HAS IN NO WAY BEEN GETTING THE KIND OF ATTENTION IT DERSERVES.
Please, Please keep going I've been with them from the start and they are excellent.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-11 11:18:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
You guys are great...as far as how long this series is going to end up, it might actually stretch to 15. Every time I sit down to write one installment, it ends up being so friggin' long I have to break it up into 2.
I'm glad you guys are enjoying these...there hasn't been much action in the last four parts or so, and I worried that it would get boring.
Submitted by Spam (user info) at 2005-04-11 09:58:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm so glad I had the oppurtunity to catch up with this.
brilliant as ever.
Submitted by Professional_Peon (user info) at 2005-04-11 09:24:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by DavyJones (user info) at 2005-04-11 02:22:35 (#)
Ranking: 2
Bastard of you to end right there.
--------
Longer! Longer!
Submitted by Fabit (user info) at 2005-04-11 07:02:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Enjoying all of these. Drag it out as long as you like, i love every minute of it!
Submitted by Viper_04 (user info) at 2005-04-11 04:29:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
When does it end?!?!?!
Damn you are a tease....
Submitted by DanielH (user info) at 2005-04-11 04:27:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Gotta catch up on this series. +++
Submitted by Saxon (user info) at 2005-04-11 03:02:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You are now officially a must read. Good work.
Submitted by whiskey_jack (user info) at 2005-04-11 02:25:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Plus funkin 2! Bravo. Keep them coming.
Submitted by DavyJones (user info) at 2005-04-11 02:22:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Bastard of you to end right there.