Chapter 7:
Jack trembled in fear as he watched the scientists crowd around the unconscious Caruso. He sensed the sudden presence of an evil power in the room as the scientists chanted. Jack’s ears were gradually oppressed by the disgusting, monotone sound of the Satanic chant. He stared in horror as a burgundy and black being entered Caruso’s body. When the chant finally ended, Jack sighed quietly in relief as his ears slowly returned to health. Jack saw one of the scientist bending down to Caruso, who was still motionless. Nothing had changed about Caruso’s body, which made Jack consider the worse. And his worries were confirmed by one sentence:
“He’s dead,” the other scientists sighed in disappointment, while Jack was filled with sorrow and grief. He did not feel anger, though. Jack felt his bitter tears flowing down his cheeks as his breathing pattern was disturbed. The scientists, hearing his quiet sobbing, turned to him and smirked. The scientist who announced Caruso’s death moved over to Jack and bend down before him.
“Are yer sad yer friend is gone?” the scientist asked rhetorically. Jack looked away from him and closed his eyes.
This must be a dream, right? Jack thought.
“No worries,” another scientist said. “We’ll put you out of your misery. If our master Satan decides you are unworthy of living your pitiful life.”
Then, a loud “Smash!” came from the entrance as someone slammed it open. Jack’s head rapidly turned to face the door to see a familiar face. He smiled.
“Just what do you fucktrumpets think you’re doing?!” Fox screamed, throwing herself at the scientists. She punched, scratched and kicked her way to freeing Jack. Blood splatters were everywhere, with the scientists' bodies dotted around the room in motionless position. When she was done with the scientists, she released Jack from his trap. Jack’s sight was fixed on the large streak of blood across Fox’s face.
“What’s with him?” Fox asked, gesturing at Caruso. Jack snapped out of his trance and was about to open his mouth to speak, but he quickly stopped himself and looked down. Fox knew what this meant. She wasn’t fast enough to stop the tears rushing out.
Two minutes later...
Jane sat on the floor inside the Captain’s cabin, leaning against the wall, with Dragon’s corpse hidden behind a stack of crates. She waited there patiently, knowing Fox should be returning any time now. She heard footsteps outside the cabin, but she could tell by their intensity that they did not belong to Fox. She drew her pistol and crouched in front of the crates behind the door, before the intruders entered. The second she heard the door creak open, Jane leaped out in front of the door and fired right at the people outside. The two soldiers fell to the floor with a loud thud. Jane looked at one of them; her eyes widened. It was the same Senior Officer who's army Dragon fought on the Shard. She dragged the corpses in, hid them in the same place as Dragon’s corpse, before swiftly closing the door.
She was about to settle down again when she heard more footsteps. But she could hear they were much softer than the last ones. She stood up, moving her right hand over her pistol. The door opened to reveal Fox and a cheetah-human hybrid, who Jane deduced to be one of Fox’s friends. But then she noticed: Fox said she had two missing friends.
“Fox,” Jane said. “You said you had two missing friends.” Fox looked down, so did her friend next to her.
“I came too late.” Fox admitted.
“I’m Jack,” Fox’s accomplice spoke in a deep voice and seemed quite intimidating. Jane looked at him, her eyes giving away a slight bit of fear. “I’m really not that intimidating, honestly. I guess it’s a defense mechanism.”
“Jane, nice to meet you.” Jane and Jack shook hands, though Jane's hand shook uncontrollably.
“So? Where are we to go?” Fox asked, looking out the front windows.
“I have a contact in Scotland.” Jack replied. Fox turned around and looked at him with a face which very clearly showed her annoyance.
“Scotland? Do you know how far that is?” Fox’s voice had a mixture of tones. Mostly discontent and reluctance.
“I know it’s far away, but we don’t have a better idea, do we?” Jane said. Fox was about to make a comment on Jane standing in for Jack, but she stopped herself.
“Fine then,” Fox sighed. “Jack, cut the ropes. We’re leaving for Scotland.”
They were in the open ocean, when Jack and Jane stood out on the boat together, looking out across the horizon. The sun was high in the sky, Jack could tell it was about 10:00.
“Were you always like that?” Jane asked.
“What? A cheetah?” Jack asked.
“Yeah.”
“Oh, no. I wasn’t. I used to be human.”
“Do you know why you became a cheetah and not something else?”
“Nope. Not a clue. I guess it’s kind of like a lottery. You either die, like Caruso, or you become an absolute monster.”
“I don’t think you’re a monster.” Jane moved closer, Jack felt his face going warm; it was his way of blushing.
“You- you don’t?”
“No, I think… You’re-” Suddenly, Fox leaped at them and held their heads with her hands, forcing them to face away from the boat and dead ahead into the ocean.
“Fox, what Tom Fuckery is this?” Jack asked calmly.
“Don’t look back.” Fox said slowly, her voice sounded like she was terrified. “Dragon… He…”
Author's Note: Haha! What a great ending, don't you think? I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I await your feedback! :)
Points: 31396
Reviews: 760
Donate