by Gavin Magson
“Hello, Rex, I've come to see how Jerry is doing. Do you mind if I come in?” asked Ajax.
Rex hesitated a moment before stepping aside to allow Ajax past. The room smelt of decay, it had been stronger back in the desert prison but the stench was far too familiar to Ajax. The smell evoked memories of corpses rotting in caves, injured prisoners dying from gangrene, and bodily waste making the floor slick with excrement. A shiver ran down his spine as Ajax thought of days not long past.
Jerry was in a bad way. His eyes were sunken in their sockets, his face ashen and forehead waxy with sweat. Ajax did not need to get any closer, he could practically feel the fevers heat enveloping the whole room. When Rex closed the door Ajax turned to look at the man. He noticed how Rex's clothes were hanging looser on his sizeable frame and were grubby from days of wear; the man had not eaten in days.
“Rex, you need to go downstairs and get something to eat, there is plenty for everyone. Keep this up and we will be two fighters down. I'll watch over Jerry while you are gone.”
Anger flared up in Rex's eyes, finally rekindling his extinguished passion.
“What are you trying to do, Ajax? Get me out of the room so you can kill Jerry, do you think that would save him? Or do you just see him as something that is slowing us down, something to discard so easily?” roared the man.
Ajax crossed the gap between them with two steps and landed a right cross that shook Rex on the spot and had him slumped against the wall in a heartbeat. Ajax waited for a three count then helped the man up off the floor and watched as the fire died in his eyes just as fast as it had appeared.
“If I came here to see him off to the afterlife it would be you I asked to help Jerry on his way; that is what friends do for each other. Go downstairs and get some food, don’t come back here until you are fed. Grab a shower as well, you stink worse than he does. I’ve got some supplies that might help him; Jerry will be fine with me.”
Rex thought to protest but his jaw ached too much, he knew that his skills shouldn't have allowed Ajax to land that punch so easily. Ajax was speaking the truth about him being in need of sustenance, the fact that he hadn’t noticed scared Rex. He walked out the room without looking back, hiding his injured pride from the man.
Alone at last Ajax went to work. Jerry had been left bare chested, just the thin covers to ward off the evening chill, with the bandage wrapped from his chest, around the shoulder and down his back. He crouched down at Jerry's side and began to slowly peel back the bandages. Ajax had to hold his breath as the bandages unravelled, the decay was extensive, spreading from the festering bullet wound and spiralling outwards in shades of purple, crimson, and grey.
What Ajax did next he had only tried once on a prisoner who had taken a knife to the ribs before Ajax could intercept the attacker. The wound had been stitched closed to the best of his ability yet it continued to bleed, when Ajax brought him back to the cave everyone had expected the man to die that night.
Ajax took his own knife out of its sheath and sliced open the tip of his right hands middle finger. He used the blade to skim off the green crusted scab on Jerry's shoulder, shut his eyes against what he was about to do and plunged his finger inside the man's shoulder.
It had been a last resort when he did this back in prison, they had nothing to clean the wound or properly dress it, nothing that might aid the blood to clot. The knife had plunged deep, using fire to seal the wound would have not stopped him from bleeding internally.
Ajax left his finger inside for a minute, all the while trying to concentrate on anything but what he was doing. When the minute passed he pulled out his finger and hastily wiped it on his trousers. He watched as the sliced finger stopped bleeding and the skin slowly tighten up, reattaching itself.
He knew that if his plan worked it would take Jerry awhile to feel the healing properties of his own blood, the nano machines that coursed through his veins would hopefully start to attack Jerry's infection and, if luck was on his side, save him in time. When used on the prisoner it had taken several hours for the wound to finally close, even then his recovery was slow, enough so to not raise suspicion.
It worried Ajax that Jerry had barely reacted to the incredible pain he must have endured, just a slight change in his facial expression was the only indication that his flesh has once more been torn open.
Ajax tore open a sachet of blood cleanser, which from the description claimed it removed infection when applied to wounds, and poured a generous amount into Jerry’s wound. He then grabbed some fresh bandages from next to the bed and carefully tied them in place in the hope that Rex would not see what he had done to Jerry. Rose’s advice still rang in his head; if others saw the power of his augment they would coveted it. Some might bring the sick or wounded to him in the hopes that Ajax could revive them, others might seek to kill him and harvest the technology for themselves. He had to keep it secret and himself safe, there was only so much he could do for others before the machines were used up.
With the bandages fastened in place Ajax gathered up everything he had brought and quietly left the room; the fresher air felt so good after suffering the putrid stench for so long. Ajax headed downstairs, all the while he could smell the first tantalisingly aromatic meal in so long.
As he ducked under the basement stairs' beam Ajax saw Rex sat at the table powering through whatever dish Katherine had served up. Without stopping Ajax crossed to the sink and quickly washed his hands, hiding the dried blood from the three others.
“I'm glad you took my advice, Rex, you look like that meal was really needed. You have got a little something caught in your beard.” said Ajax, wiping at his own chin.
Rex cursed at him but managed to smile whilst wiping away the stew from his matted brown beard.
“I’ve changed the dressing on Jerry’s wound, and I’ve applied a blood cleanser that came with the medical supplies I ordered earlier. I don’t know if it will do much for him but it is worth a try.” said Ajax.
Rex looked up from the bowl, his steely expression absent for once. “Thanks for doing that, Ajax, you’ve done a lot for him already. Hopefully it will be enough to fight the infection. Mind if I look at the rest of your supplies?”
“Feel free to. Just come up to my room when you need them and I’ll show you what came through.”
Angelica vacated the other seat as Katherine presented Ajax with a bowl brimming with something mouth-watering; he thanked them both and sat down opposite Rex to eat his meal.
After the first spoonful Ajax knew that Katherine had a real talent for concocting delicious meals, if given the right ingredients. He powered through the meal and had to use all his willpower to restrain himself from eating quick enough to choke. Through a mouth full of food Ajax said, “This is the best meal I have had in a long time, Kathy, no doubt about that. It's amazing what you can do with some fresher ingredients.”
“Cheeky bastard, all my meals are excellent, no matter what goes in them.” Katherine's words were met with harrowing silence. Angelica cracked first and began to laugh, shortly followed by the two men as Katherine glared at the trio menacingly.
Ajax returned to what little was left of his meal, blocking out the whispered bickering that was going on between the sisters. He heard something about protecting feelings and smiled, he knew exactly what Angelica had been doing this entire time; no one had had the heart to tell Katherine that her improvised meals were severely lacking in taste.
Ajax tore off a chunk from the bread Katherine had produced several days ago that sat at the tables centre, Rex smiled as Ajax strained to break through the stale crust. It left his jaw aching, yet the bread complimented his stew well when he finally wore it down. He mopped up the succulent juice of the stew, which softened the bread up just enough to chew through without chipping a tooth.
When his bowl was clean Ajax picked up his and Rex's, then took them over to the sink and began washing the bowls. Both women were still having a heated debate and Rex was done enj
oying the show, he pushed back his chair and left the cellar whilst muttering his thanks. Ajax placed the clean bowls on the worktop and turned to the arguing women.
“Once you two are done fighting like children I have a full bottle of melt your eyebrows spirit waiting for us to celebrate.” it was like magic how their temperaments changed almost instantaneously.
“Alcohol and fresh food? Who are you and what have you done with the typical scum bag merc we've been dealing with all this time?” asked Katherine, an expression of mock surprise on her face.
“I'm just a guy who wants to repay your hospitality, and I am no scum bag, thank you very much. Shall I go grab the bottle then?” he took her silent nod as confirmation and left the room with haste.
By the time he returned someone had dragged through the chair Angelica sat in when she kept watch, though it had been left vacant for Ajax. Three clean glasses sat at the table, along with a pitcher containing several sliced pieces of fruit mixed with water and ice. The two women each wore infectious grins and radiated pure excitement when he stepped into the basement.
“Anyone would think that neither of you have drunk before.” said Ajax, lowering himself into the chair. He was surprised by just how comfortable he found it, a rarity among the guest house's furniture. It made sense now why Angelica was more than happy to spent hours sunk into it, with that double barrelled shotgun resting in wait for an intruder.
His fingers had barely left the bottle as he set it on the table before Angelica snatched it up, Katherine's fingers swiping at air a split second later. He smiled at the sibling rivalry and watched as Angelica poured out three generous measures into the glasses. She mixed in the fruit infused juice with the alcohol and passed a glass over to him. Ajax was not the type to dilute alcohol but he couldn't deny that it tasted nice, in a feminine way that he would never admit to a living soul.
The girls grimaced as they tasted the concoctions, though neither vocally complained, both continued to force down the drink. Ajax enjoyed the silence, relaxing back in the padded armchair until he was interrupted.
“So why are you here, Ajax? What is so appealing about your job that you just can’t stay away from it?” asked Angelica, diluting her drink some more.
“It's not something that either of you are likely to appreciate, it is stereotypically a man's job for a reason. To be honest with you I don't know how to do anything else, and I really enjoy my occupation. Might sound a little messed up, but there is nothing like it for the thrill and exhilaration; knowing each day could be your last is a buzz you cannot get any other way. Holding the life of another in your hands is empowering beyond belief.”
The reaction off Angelica was what he expected, the look of terror mixed with fear in her eyes; it was not the first time he had seen it when asked that question. Despite being her sister Katherine was visibly intrigued by the words he spoke.
“Do you enjoy killing people?” asked Katherine.
“It's not that simple,” he said, picking up the bottle to pour his own refill. “I pride myself on only killing those that deserve it. When I kill someone it is for a reason, sometimes that reason is to protect myself or others, never is it simply out of a desire to kill. I have not killed someone who is innocent, every death has been deserved in my eyes; every one of them steeped in their own evil. Extinguishing life is not an easy thing to do, nor something to be taken lightly.
“There are times when the blood lust swells within me and I cannot stop the killing, it's like a fever than I am powerless to resist. I try my best to keep it at bay, but I am always aware of the monster inside, straining at the chains. So far I have done well to prevent myself losing control whilst there is the possibility of harming innocent people in the crossfire.” He took a long swig of his neat drink, enjoying its harsh after-taste. “Back in prison the inmates had a nickname for me, Blood Shadow I believe. It's not too far from the truth.”
“What's wrong with you, Gel? You look like you've seen a ghost or something.” Katherine said, looking at her pale, silent sister.
“It's nothing, I'm just not feeling well; maybe the alcohol has gone to my head. I think I will get an early night, thanks for the drink, Ajax.”
Katherine moved to stop her sister, Ajax's slight shake of his head halted Katherine in her tracks. Angelica almost ran up the cellar steps, her rapid footsteps only briefly heard before she hit the stairs and was gone.
“Why did you stop me?” asked Katherine.
“You could not have made her stay, nor should you try to. Angelica reacted like most people do when they ask me about my job, I have come to expect it of them. She is probably terrified of me right now, it's what I have experienced time and time again. Your reaction has surprised me though, if anything you actually looked thrilled whilst I was answering your questions.”
The way Katherine tried to avoid his gaze was just confirmation to what Ajax already knew, she actually enjoyed the idea of the mercenary lifestyle. “And I thought it was your sister who would be most suited to my line of work. Perhaps this is something you have been considering for a long time?” asked Ajax.
“No, I don't have any desires to be a killer; perhaps it's just the idea of danger that excites me. It may not make sense to you, since the constant threat that my family suffered left me on edge all through my childhood, but the mundane life of running a guesthouse rarely involves any form of excitement. Gel doesn’t know but I actually relished this war, the mercenaries that stopped here always had tales, even if they were tall ones, of their exploits. I enjoy hearing about the threats, the deaths, the action, more than I can enjoy looking after this.” Her arms waved theatrically above her head to take in the cellar and all within it.
“I hope you weren't lying to Gel, my opinion of you would be tarnished if you had ever killed an innocent person. I like the idea of a killer with a conscience, it seems to be a rarity among the men I have met of late. You are certainly a different breed of mercenary, rough around the edges but capable of appreciating logic and reason, when needs be.”
“To my knowledge I have stayed true to what I told you, every person I have killed deserved their death for one reason or another. I have killed with my bare hands in the ring and I have killed with knives and bullets, always it is the same outcome; they lay dead and I live to fight another day.”
Ajax was too busy staring at the surface of his drink, his eyes unfocused as he thought of darker times. He failed to notice Katherine's pupils dilate, nor the way she nibbled on her lower lip whilst he spoke. He was trying to remember the face of the first man he had ever killed, if the memory Joel had reawaken was true then he had probably killed before arriving on Konar. He had added a lot of bones to his personal graveyard since that fateful day.
Ajax could see the face of Rascas, he remembered how much terror the man's eyes had been filled with and that slight glimmer of hope as the gun jammed. Ajax smiled at the memory of what had happened to the man, the death he had deserved. The bodyguards were both faceless and nameless to him, just two thugs who died for a lousy wage because of their boss' mistake. The same kind of end that awaited him, should he die in service for Rine.
It disturbed him that only a few deaths could be remembered now, lost to him like the memory of his former life. Ajax closed his eyes and let his mind wander. He pictured himself on a throne fashioned from bones, stacked high on a mound of bodies in various states of decomposition. Only the freshest kills could be seen from his vantage point, their decaying corpses at the top of the pile. Far below him the dead were just outlines, vague and hazy; perhaps Angelica was right to fear him, perhaps he should fear himself?
He awoke with a start, Katherine gently calling out his name.
“...and you thought that I had never had a drink before, you have barely had two glasses and are already falling asleep on me.” she said, a childish smile stopping his retort in its tracks.
“I was just getting comfortable, it's quite warm in here and I haven't had the best nig
ht’s sleep in a while. What did you expect to happen?”
“Okay, sleepy, I won't call you a lightweight under such heart-breaking circumstances. Perhaps another drink and then it is time for bed? Can’t be having you sleep down here, you’ll freeze come the morning.”
“Agreed.” Ajax said, raising his glass to Katherine and watching in mock horror as she downed the contents.
One last drink turned into another, which neither protested against, until the bottle barely had a quarter of its contents left. The room had cooled down drastically, the stoves residual heat only lasted so long to stave off the winter weather, and Ajax could feel his fingers begin to numb.
“Why don't we head up to my room? I've got a heater that takes away the chill, if the temperature drops much more I'll be chewing my drink.” said Katherine.
“Sound like a great idea, lead the way.”
Ajax grasped the bottle with one hand whilst his other arm propped Katherine up, she swayed on each step of the stairs as he chided her. A key appeared from somewhere and they collapsed through a door, both almost tripping over the clutter on Katherine's bedroom floor.
Despite being heavily overpopulated with every object imaginable there were no chairs to be found in the room. Katherine headed for her bed, swaying dangerously with every step, and sat down, patting the opposite side for him to join her. Ajax did not need the invitation, her mattress looked to be brand new and rested on a real base; he had slept on the floor too long to pass up the opportunity.
Resisting the urge to jump on the bed Ajax sat down next to Katherine, who was concentrating on the two glasses she had carried up the stairs. They were now sandwiched between her thighs as she precariously topped up the drinks, the bottle in her hand weaving in the air as she did so. He had not seen her switch on the heater as he sat down, but soon hot air filled the room, so much so that Ajax had to remove his jacket before he overheated.
“Judging from what I have seen I suspect that you have the best room here. I wish I had known about it earlier, I might have stolen your bed.” said Ajax with a drunken laugh.
