by Ron Francis
He ambled past a small group of people when one of them yelled out, "Look, he's bleeding."
"I'm all right," he called back. "Just tripped, probably had too much to drink at the concert." He forced a smile and continued on. The crisp air was beginning to make him shiver and sweat was gathering on his brow. Pain erupted in his side when he took off his backpack and pulled out a dark blue tee shirt. He took off the white shirt and dabbed it at the bleeding wound, wincing each time before discarding the bloody shirt in a nearby garbage can. He donned the blue shirt in hopes of not drawing any further attention to himself. He slung his pack over his shoulder and stumbled into a pharmacy to purchase some bandages and a first aid kit. A woman wearing a red vest that signaled her as an employee greeted him with a smile. "How may I help you, sir?"
Thomas attempted to return her smile and replied, "I'm looking for some bandages and a first aid kit. I've had a slight mishap while fixing my car."
She looked at him holding his side, and saw the dried blood on his jeans. "Aisle three, halfway down, on the left." She gave him a dubious look and added, "You might want to get that looked at."
"It's no big deal," he replied. "It's not as bad as it looks." He didn't want to have to answer any questions so he hurried to the counter. "I'll just take a couple Ibuprofen and I'll be fine." he said.
The woman looked unconvinced, but she left him alone. The cashier rung up his items and said, "That will be twenty-two, ninety-nine."
Thomas handed her twenty three dollars and left without waiting for the penny change. He walked across the parking lot and hailed a cab. The cab took him to an Econolodge almost ten miles away. He hoped he was far enough away that the Dark Shifter wouldn't pick up his trail, and decided right there that his survival probably rested on him learning more about his people and their abilities.
He grimaced as he took a deep breath and entered the hotel. The lobby was decorated in light colors with paintings on each wall. There were three couches surrounding a coffee table, and the table was adorned with a plastic bouquet of flowers. He walked towards the checkin counter which was painted the same light blue as one of the walls, and there was a small bell which he hit to alert a staff member to his presence at the desk.
Thomas hit the bell with his hand and a voice called from the room behind the counter, "What can I do for you?"
Thomas looked and a small man with a limp approached the counter.
"I'd like a room for the night," Thomas replied.
"Just tonight?"
"Yeah, I need to head up North in the morning." He was holding a bandage against his side and all he could think about was getting to his room and taking care of his wound. The checkin process was quick and he left the lobby with a wave to the man behind the counter.
He stumbled around the outside of the building towards his room. He came upon an empty room, looked around to see if anyone was watching, and then forced the door open.
He took off his shirt and opened up the first-aid kit to begin the process of trying to clean himself up. He winced in pain with each move he made, and he was sweating now from the effort of getting to the relative safety of the hotel. He threw his shirt and jeans in a trash bag, and took some peroxide out of the first aid kit he had purchased. Relief hit him when he saw the needle and thread that would allow him to close up his wound. He had watched a documentary on how to do this a couple years back, and that would have to do for experience.
There was no way he could go to a hospital while Devlin's people were so close. He cleaned his wound, grimacing and even crying out a time or two when he poured more peroxide into the laceration. He further cleaned the wound with water, and then he began to stitch his wound closed. He hoped they would hold at least until he saw Abby in two days. After the excruciating, self-stitching process, he cleaned the area again and then covered it with several bandages. He held it all in place with some tape and an ace bandage, hoping he now had enough padding to keep from bleeding through anymore of his limited supply of clothes. He was already down two shirts, a sweat shirt, a pair of boxers and a pair of jeans. He would be able to replace those in New York tomorrow, and then, he would see Abby the following day. He put everything with blood on it in a garbage bag that he disposed of in the hotel dumpster himself. He then stumbled to his own room. His new name, Greg Jordan was attached to this room, so he couldn't leave a bloody mess that would attract attention. He wiped the sweat from his face, and then swallowed a few ibuprofen. It wasn't long until he drifted off to sleep.
He woke up almost eleven hours later and noticed it was after ten in the morning already. He cleaned up, changed his bandage and hurried from the room, hoping he could still catch the eleven o'clock train to Penn Station. He had already missed the bus he was planning to take. He was careful to take all of the bloody bandages he changed that morning to the hotel dumpster and then he checked out. He called a cab and it met him outside the lobby a few minutes later. The cab dropped him off at the train station with four minutes to spare. He had shaved, hoping to throw off any of Devlin's minions that may have seen him last night. He had also donned an Orioles ball cap and sunglasses to try and hide his identity as best he could. In reality, if that Dark Shifter were anywhere near him, she would already have his scent. He would need to keep alert and try to lose them in Manhattan if he had to. When the train began to pull out of the station, he checked his bandage, content that no blood had seeped through. He looked around the train and didn't see anyone that gave him the same bad feeling he had last night. He took a few more ibuprofen and put his bag between his legs. His mind protested as his eyes slid shut.
He woke up just as the train was arriving at Penn Station. He hadn't intended to fall asleep, and he glanced around to make sure his area was secure. By this point, his whole body was aching and he knew he needed medical assistance. I have to get to a doctor. But how can I risk it? Maybe it can wait until Abby is with me. At least she can watch my back. The thought of being with Abby made him happy in spite of his pain. He checked his stomach and still, no blood, although he would need to change his bandage again soon. He navigated his way through the busy transportation hub and exited into Madison Square Garden. There was a large poster advertising a game against the Dallas Mavericks tomorrow night and Thomas thought about the irony. He felt a stab of guilt at not having been in touch with Lucas for the last two weeks. Luke was aware that he could have been in trouble, so Thomas was hopeful he wasn't too mad at him. When this was all over he was going to have to buy his friend a lot of beer to make up for it. Unless Lucas was just another Ethereal spying on him, then all bets were off.
While he walked through the city he was amazed by most of what he saw. The buildings were all tall. He almost felt like he was walking through a canyon. The streets were crowded and there were plenty of car horns blaring. He could see the Empire State Building rising majestically above the other buildings, and he wished he could see the city from the top of it. If his situation weren't so dire, he would have enjoyed taking it all in. He kept walking and thought, If there was ever a place to lose yourself, this might be it. Still, he knew he needed to get off the street. He stopped to purchase some new clothes to replace the ones ruined by his blood. Content that he had what he needed, he continued on. While he walked, his nose picked up the aroma of cooked garlic, and it made him stop and look around. He discovered the scent was emanating from the food truck of a street vendor, and he realized that he was hungry.
He approached the food truck and was greeted by the words, "What do ya need, guy?"
Another person lined up behind Thomas and began tapping his foot impatiently while Thomas made his decision.
After about twenty seconds, the man said, "Ayyo, you only got three choices! Hurry up! I have to get back to work." Thomas thought it was almost funny that the man finished his statement by mumbling the words, "Stupid tourist!" under his breath.
Ignoring the slight, Thomas said to the vendor, "I'll have a Gyro and a bottle of water."
"That'll be nine dollars," he replied. Thomas handed the man a ten dollar bill and was handed back a dollar. Almost a minute later, the vendor was handing him his order. He gave an almost shooing wave, and he shouted, "Next!" Thomas ate as he walked, and the gyro left a pleasant garlic taste in his mouth. He then drank his water and continued towards a hotel. After checking in, he made his way to the elevator, he was growing tired again. He hoped that his room could drown out the rhythm of the city. Tomorrow morning, I will finally be going back to Staten Island, and Abby. He beamed in spite of his pain as Abby's face once again dominated his thoughts.
He hadn't been on Staten Island since the day his parents were killed. He knew they weren't killed on the island because he remembered taking a couple bridges to get to wherever their secret Ethereal meetings were held. He also remembered walking through the park with his mother earlier that day, unaware of the fate that awaited them.
Thomas sat on his bed, studying the route he would take in the morning to get back to Abby. Not having her here with him hurt more than the wounds on his stomach. He concentrated on the different maps of all the sections of New York City. The locals called them boroughs, he called it confusing. After fifteen minutes, he had worked out that he would take the One Train to the Staten Island Ferry. When the ferry reached Staten Island, he would then take any bus that left platform A. Each of those buses would stop at Clove Lakes Park along Victory Boulevard. He would need to find the swings and then he would be with Abby. He hoped there was only one area with swings in the park. He had begun shivering even though it was a pretty nice day for November and then he noticed he was also sweating. I can't be getting sick, he thought. I have to see Abby tomorrow.
Chapter sixteen
Abby's bus pulled up to its stop in Roanoke, Virginia. She was weary as she exited the bus holding her backpack. She looked around and noticed she was in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She inhaled the crisp, clean air, and she could smell nature all around her. She could see blueberry bushes near the bus stop, and hear the birds chirping in the wind-blown trees. She decided that this wouldn't be a bad place to live. She waved to the driver, then stretched her tired arms and legs. She was now one step closer to TJ. To her dismay, the bus station was nowhere near the car rental offices. She was, however, happy to see some cabs waiting to pick up fares from arriving buses. She walked over to the row of waiting cabs and asked the second driver, "Can you take me to the nearest car rental establishment?"
He took his time looking up from his crossword puzzle, giving her the impression that she had disturbed him. He looked at his young passenger, and as soon as he saw her green eyes and perfect figure, he straightened himself up, smoothed his shirt and looked back up at her like he had just won something. "I certainly can, sweetheart, hop in," he replied.
She decided she didn't like this man and she was thinking of choosing a different cab when she recognized one of Asa's Paladins. Her eyes went wide, and she hurried into the cab. She hoped she wasn't noticed, and then she said, "I need to get there fast, there's an extra ten bucks in it for you if you can make that happen."
"Yes, ma'am," The driver said and hit the gas pedal hard to accelerate. Abby had her eyes glued to the bus station, hoping she got away clean. Her hopes were dashed when she saw the Paladin get in a cab and take off after her.
Abby pushed an image of her in a desperate situation into her driver's head before speaking. "There's another cab following us with my ex-boyfriend in it. He's been stalking me all over the country and I don't know how he found me here. He's very dangerous, do you think you can lose him. There's another fifty in it for you if you do." She managed to do a convincing damsel in distress routine. She knew she could take the Paladin, knowing Asa wouldn't waste someone powerful at a bus station in Roanoke, Virginia, but she didn't know how many others would be close by, so she had to lose him.
He looked in his rearview mirror and smiled, "I think I can do that for you." He noticed the other cab trying to follow him in a discreet manner, and he saw the other driver. He pulled out his phone and called him.
"What do you want, Jackson," the other man howled.
"Don't say anything, just listen, Richie. I got a young lady here says your passenger has been stalking her all over the country, and that she's desperate to get away from him. She also said he's dangerous. Could you let me out drive you just this once?" He winked in the rearview mirror, but all Abby could manage was a nervous frown.
"You got it, Jackson, don't forget: poker at Jerry's house at nine. I'll be leaving with all of your money again."
He grinned and said, "I think Richie went for it, we should be fine." Without warning, he hit the gas pedal and took off as Richie tried to keep pace.
"Forget the rental car; get me to a good truck stop." Abby said. I don't want to put my new identity to the test just yet. Maybe I could just hitch a ride with a trucker again.
Her driver took her a good forty minutes from the bus station and pulled up to a popular truck stop. "So where are you heading anyway, little lady?" he inquired while waiting for her to pay. "That'll be sixty-seven dollars," he added.
"I'm going to Michigan to find my fiancé. I owe you a big thanks and a big tip. Here's a hundred fifty, thanks again." She checked her hair in the mirror and walked into the truck stop as her cab pulled away. While she was entering the greasy spoon the truckers were in, she received a text from TJ. Her heart leapt as she read it.
Abby, stay out of Baltimore. It's crawling with Devlin's people. I managed to escape, but I took a pretty good hit. I'll be all right, I just had to warn you. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I love you.
She was worried after reading the text. It pained her to think TJ might be injured and alone. What did he mean he took a hit? She now found herself even more desperate to get to him. She went to the first table of truckers and asked, "Do any of you know anyone traveling north?"
They all looked at each other with approving nods. They acted as if this establishment had never had a more beautiful patron, and they all eyed her up and down for a while before answering. When they had finished eyeing her, she wanted to take a shower, but she toughed it out. She had to, for TJ.
"Well, I could take you, for certain um... considerations." One large man began with a laugh.
"Leave the girl be, Eric," another man chided. "Man you want to speak to is Earl; he's at the register now." He pointed at an older man paying his tab.
She batted her green eyes at the man and grinned. "Thank you kindly, sir." Then she was off to see if she couldn't get Earl to take her to the man she loved.
She caught up to him in the parking lot and said, "Excuse me, sir."
He turned around and said, "What can I do for you, young lady?"
"I'm trying to get home to New Hampshire and nothing has been going right. Anyway, the other gentlemen in there said you were heading north, I was wondering if I could hitch a ride. I could chip in some gas money if you'd like."
"Well, you just said the magic words, darling. You ready to go now?"
"Yes, sir," she replied and walked towards his rig.
"I can take you as far as Philly. I hope that's a good start. You gotta wait 'til night time to get the big rigs heading all the way up north."
She didn't think that sounded right, but she wasn't about to argue. "Philly will be fine, thank you, sir."
"Sir was my dad, you can call me Earl. I think fifty should cover your part of the gas, what do you say?"
"I say you're a lifesaver, Earl."
*****
"He's not going to like that, Trina. Where do you think he went?"
"I don't know, Antonio. Simeon got himself killed by charging the police with his sword. I had to try to take Archer myself, but he was too strong. I did injure him, but by the time I woke up he was too far away to track."
"I'll get some more men out to you within the hour. You go to Naomi and let her take a look at you. You're the most powerful Dark Shifter we have in
the Baltimore area. If he's still around there we'll need you on top of your game to help bring him in. I'll smooth things over with Devlin." When the call terminated, Antonio turned to see Devlin staring at him.
"Bad news, Devlin," he began.
"That would be obvious, since you have to smooth things over with me. What happened?"
"Trina and Simeon encountered Archer in Baltimore last night. Simeon attacked him with a sword in front of a crowd, and when the police confronted him, he charged them and got himself killed. Trina then tried to take Archer herself and he injured her before escaping. She did say she injured him, though."
"I want everyone we have to begin making their way to D.C., do you understand? It's time we put our final plan in motion. If Archer is anywhere near Washington, we will apprehend him and then we will either turn him or kill him. If he is untrained, it is most impressive that he was able to take out Trina. We cannot have that kind of power out there ready to oppose me. Uniting the Shadow Assembly will be hard enough. Then we will need to defeat the Council of Light. We don't need Archer in the mix as well."
Antonio nodded, and then left the room to carry out Devlin's orders. The thought of Devlin ruling the world and himself as Devlin's second-in-command put him in a good mood.
*****
"Abby Fitzpatrick is in Roanoke, or at least she was ten minutes ago. I tried to follow her, but she must have noticed me. Her cab lost my cab, but not to worry, Asa, I will find out the driver's name and have a chat with him." He pressed his gun a little bit harder into the Richie's throat while he spoke to Asa on his phone.
