Fallocaust (The Fallocaust Series) (126 page)

I howled with laughter as Perish shrieked, doing a full body spasm away from the chain link fence. I started laughing so hard I had lean up against the wall to support myself.

I heard Matt and Sadii in their posts muffling their own laughter. When I managed to compose myself I faced a very embarrassed Perish, who had his hands stuffed into his pants and his head down turned.

“Teach me how to do that,” I said, I wanted to be in his good books for when the assholes came to claim him. “Is that how you developed that switch that made the deacon human go mental?”

Under his slunk head, he glanced up at me and nodded. “I didn’t think you would be able to hear it, but yes, that’s right. We did try and give you those enhancements.” Perish pursed his lips together slowly and started blowing the air out of his mouth. Too bad I already knew how to whistle, but at least there didn’t seem to be an obvious trick to it. “Just whistle up and make it vibrate your tongue.”

And this guy used to teach?

I tried it though and to his credit once I attempted to do it I knew what he meant by whistle up.

“Oh look the dog got away.” Perish stopped several minutes into our teaching lesson. I looked to where his eyes were and saw Deek tilting his head back and forth at me with his tongue hanging out.

“You’re suppose to be guarding Killian,” I said to him. “Oh well, you can have another go at Nero if things get bad.”

I had hidden Killian and Reno in an abandoned office building a few blocks away. I had given them both grenades, knives and guns, and also supplies on an awaiting quad. I had a radio on me and so did Reno, if I so much as clicked it on for a few seconds Reno would take Killian and make a break for an abandoned gas station a few miles away.

I pointed towards where Hollis and Redmond had been standing. “Go see Redmond, and stay,
stay put
.”

It always amazed me how he picked up those keywords and put them together in that peanut sized brain of his. Without a second glance he trotted off towards Hollis and Redmond.

It was then that my ears picked up the plane off in the distance. A low toned buzzing that made my pulse race and made my joints stiffen. I pushed every single ounce of nerves into a bottle in my brain and blew it up. I steeled my face, turned towards the north gate and looked forward.

Even with the plane passing low over head I did not move. My poker face would be my ace in the hole this time. My emotions would not betray me. If there was one credit to Silas befriending me and getting to know me personally; he knew I didn’t fuck around.

I remembered Reno’s words, he didn’t realize it, I had laughed off the realization, but it had stuck. I was a chimera, I was a genetically engineered human, probably created to murder and kill. I was the end result of years of research. I was better then all of them.

My fists clenched, but slowly I forced them to stay relaxed at my side. I took a cigarette out of my pocket and lit it. My hands were as still as a hot July day.

“Sometimes, I pretend I am a dinosaur,” Perish whispered, he was beside me. Also staring forward. I looked at him and blinked in confusion. Before I could ask him what he was on, he continued. “When I feel too much, I say... velociraptors don’t feel anything, it’s impossible for them to be scared.” He looked at me, his blue eyes, the colour of ice but as warm as fire, brightened as he gave me an encouraging smile.

“In Latin Reaver means raptor.” I saw his eyes glance at the plane above us, mine did too. “So when you feel too much, remember... raptors don’t feel anything, it’s impossible.”

Give a fucking monkey a typewriter...

Not one but two planes landed, one landed out side of the north gate and one landed right in the middle of the north road. Blowing grey ash and dirt onto every one who wasn’t smart enough to take cover.

I wish I had been able to enjoy seeing my first plane, in all respects it was a beautiful piece of machinery. It flew like a plane but it took off and landed vertically like a chopper. When I had heard it last night Greyson had told me it was called a Falconer. Only several of them existed and all of them were of course owned by Silas.

The air fell to an uneasy silence as the engines waned and died. What had been a normal silence before hand quickly re-emerged as deafening and thick with apprehension. Like an invisible blanket was slowly smothering my body with each passing second.

As the doors slid open, its stifling weight only pressed on my frame further.

I put the cigarette to my lips and inhaled, I didn’t even taste the sharp tobacco, and I didn’t even pay attention to the exhale. My eyes were fixed on the open doors on either side of me.

I ignored the twin men walking out with Elish and his slave pet behind him, I turned my gaze to the plane outside the gate hoping to see a glimpse of them.

My heart hammered with anticipation, I tried to silence it with a mental warning but it defied my orders and kept its rapid beating.

Then he stepped out.

In full daylight. I saw the king in the glory he had tried so hard to hide from me. His auburn hair now feathery locks of gold spun silk, his lips even more pink then before. Even the emerald in his eyes seemed to shine brighter against the backdrop of pearly skin. I was surprised he wasn’t wearing a crown.

Though even without a golden wreath his regal standing was obvious. Silas was of course dressed in clothing to show off how rich and better he was than us waster rats. No longer garbed in the greasy raticater outfit he was now clad in a tight red t-shirt and a leather jacket above black leather pants. Nothing had dust on it or any wear, it was all brand new clothing obviously tailored for him. It fit him perfectly and hugged every curve. I was beginning to think that dressing like a slut was a Skyfall thing, or at least his thing. Silas’s minions dressed normally, save the chained pet.

“Is this where they roll out his fucking carpet?” I growled in the back of my throat.

“Shh!” Perish’s voice was a nervous whine. I didn’t turn my gaze but I saw him wringing his hands in distress.

Silas saw me and immediately his eyes brightened with a cruel bordering on sadistic hunger. The cocksure smirk fell onto the face I so dearly wanted to slice. I stared forward, not letting the thoughts tearing my mind apart show on my face.

I am a dinosaur.

Fucking hell Perish...

A machine, not a dinosaur. I am a machine.

I could hear the scientists heartbeat quicken as Silas walked towards us, I lifted up one hand and grabbed onto his shoulder to hold him still. He jittered back and forth like a dog being forced to stay when his master was near.

My blood turned to acid in my veins as he got closer, smart ass quips I knew I could never say out loud crawled on my lips like worms. I felt my shoulders tremble as I made out every curve of his face, every sway of his overly exultant walk.

King Silas was Asher alright... I had known that for days now but seeing him with that golden hair, surrounded by his chimeras made it a reality to me.

I had trusted him, I had killed with him... I had liked being around him.

Even my heart didn’t dare betray my mind as I pushed every single ounce of mental power in controlling its feeling of betrayal. My wounded pride had no place in this present moment. There was no use splitting open that wound. That’s what Silas would be looking for. I wouldn’t let myself show him anything. Silas was an abomination from a different part of the world and he was nothing to me.

He created you, his DNA is in you.

I ground my teeth and swallowed the burning ache in the back of my throat.

Silas stopped a few feet in front of me and gave me a bow soaked with derision. When he lifted his head, and righted himself he opened his arms in a boastful manner. As a cue his family rallied behind him.

“Amor Meus, meet some of your family,” Silas smiled, turning his head to the right towards Elish, the pet and the two identical big ones; then to the left towards Nero, and a kid my age with eyes like new metal.

“Where is Greyson and Leo?” I didn’t hide the dismissive tone in my voice. I tightened my grip on Perish, who was now making choking noises at seeing his family. I thought his jittering had been excitement but judging by the clammy feeling I was getting under my grip and his racing pulse... I think he was scared of them.

The man I had known for months as Asher continued to hold his smile, un-wavered by the sharpened tones of my voice. For a moment I felt angry, realizing that this man knew me on a level no one else but my circle did. The man who had the men I now considered my fathers. He had my balls in a vice, where as I only had a disposable fuck toy in mine.

I had the same problem last night, even the fuck toy part was the same. I had been strangling the pet and Silas just laughed at me. The covetous look in his eyes told me he wanted to see me kill him.

I shot a sideways glance at the pet, his neck was bandaged, the same with his arm but he was still standing, leashed by his master. I wondered if he was a prisoner as well, a disposable animal waiting for his master to bore of him.

Unfortunately I had my hands full, the cat eyed whore was on his own.

“Do you not wish to talk? It’s been awhile since we got the chance.” Silas’s voice was as sweet as antifreeze and just as deadly. I swallowed my biting retort and squared my shoulders instead.

“If you want to drop by and catch up you’re more than welcome, after we’ve done our trade,” I said in a level tone.

“Where is Killian?” Silas looked past me, before he paused and clucked his tongue. “I didn’t drive him mad from my little game did I? He sure does sing a beautiful swan song.”

Inside I seethed, but on the outside I only smirked and took an inhale of my cigarette. I glanced at it as I blew the smoke out of my mouth and looked at him. “Killian is far away from here.”

He clicked his tongue again. “It’s too bad he smashed my recorder. I was having a brilliant time fucking to his moans. He moans like a virgin, and makes the cutest face as he cums.”

You will not provoke me...
even as I said this my grip on Perish’s shoulder clenched. My breath was short inside my throat though I managed to control my exhales.

“I would like to see Leo and Greyson.” My mouth formed the words, though my brain had already lunged at him. By the time I mouthed
Greyson
the inner video in my mind was pulling out his entrails.

I hissed my inner victory as I saw, for the briefest moment, his emotions betray him with the slight narrowing of his eyes. Obviously surprised at my restraint. He raised a hand and gave it a ‘bring them’ wave. The twins obediently turned around and headed for the plane outside the gate.

My stomach churned when I saw them.

My fathers were beaten bloody, Leo looking worse of all. The mayor I now knew as a chimera had to be dragged towards us. Though he managed to raise a head to see where he was going. Just one hazel eye scanned the area, the other was a bloody and broken in its socket. I clenched my teeth when I realized it was missing.

Greyson could walk but he was still covered in purple bruises and gashes. He had an arm clasping Leo’s hand, though as one of the twins threw him forward their grip broke.

Greyson fell to the ground hard, but as soon as he could he moved towards Leo.

My mind and my resolve lost its fight with my heart as I saw Greyson put his arms around Leo and tried with all his weakened strength to draw him close. Leo managed him a small smile through broken and missing teeth.

“What the fuck did you do to them?” The dam burst in my mind, the emotions I had done such a good job at hiding rushed through my body with the same ferocity as a tsunami. My hands clenched and my shoulders started to shake.

I felt my body brace like a cat ready to pounce when I felt Perish’s hand on my back. “It’s almost over,” his voice whispered. Some how I managed to hear it through the explosions of anger wreaking havoc on my mind.

It would be soon... I took Perish’s shoulder and pushed him towards Silas. Without another word I walked over and leaned down in front of Leo.

“Hey Dad,” I whispered. “Can you walk? Or do I have to carry your pathetic ass out of here?”

Leo’s split lips thinned as he gave me a small smile. “They broke your ol ‘man’s legs, I’ll need some help.”

I gave him a playful pat on the cheek, and looked to Greyson. “You owe me a beer after this.”

Greyson’s eyes were still hard, he hadn’t been beaten comatose like Leo had. The steely gaze wasn’t looking at me though, he was looking at Silas.

I turned around and saw Silas looking at us, a crooked grin creased the side of his face. His arms crossed over his new clothing.

“So you choose Leo then?”

I stood up, and flicked the ash from my cigarette. Though the hair on my neck was raising. His tone told me he was about to pull out his ace.

I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

Silas looked beside him. Perish was standing with him, his hands rubbing together and wringing one another. His head bowed but his eyes still flickering around; he seemed perpetually in a state of submission and fear. A dog beaten so many times it had forgotten what it was like to not be scared.

“Do you really think the life of this retard was worth your fathers? You say you never make the same mistake twice-” he let out a chuckle that turned every hope for a bloodless escape to cinders. “Oh bona mea... we are just starting.”

Perish’s face fell, his lower lip tightened and he stepped back with a hung head. “I’m not retarded, Killian says I’m smart.”

After seventy one years he still hadn’t learned what I had learned knowing Silas for two months. Sure enough Silas’s eyes flashed with annoyance. He glanced at one of the twins and nodded at him.

The twin walked up to Perish, as he did the scientist cowered down and shielded his face with his hands. The north gate filled with his screams as the twin dealt him several kicks to the chest and stomach. When he was done Perish was a quivering heap on the ground.

The whole scene made me sick. I might be a bordering sociopath, but I didn’t torment and bully innocent, unarmed people. Not without good reason anyways.