The Awakening
Page 28
largeblackeyesthattwinkledwithdelightashespoke.Whathelackedin
sizehemorethanmadeupforinenergy—everythingabouthimoozed animation,fromhisspikyblackhairtohisflamingorangesweatshirt.His
mindseemedtoberacingjustasswiftlyashissmallgolden-brownhands,
whichcontinuedtomanipulatetheredlighterthathadhimsoentranced.
Jasonchuckled,“He’skindofapyro.”
“Ilovefire,”Sanchoproudlyproclaimed.
“Helovesexplosions.”
“ILOVEEXPLOSIONS.”
“He’smajoringinmechanicalengineering.”
“Iwanttomakethingsthatmakeotherthings explode.”Hiseyesgrewlarger andlargerashespoke.
Percyrolledhiseyes.“Sanch,tellherhowyougotexpelledfromhigh
school.”
“Youmean acceptedintoBillington?”
“Whatever.It’sthesamestory.”
Jasonsteppedinasiftomediatetheirbickering.“Sanchobuiltapipebomb
andentereditintohishighschool’ssciencefair.”
“It wasn’t apipebomb,”Sanchoinsisted,franticallywavinghishands.“Itwasa highlysophisticated,mildlydestructiveexplosivedevice.”
“Stillabomb.”
“Percydoesn’tunderstandmygenius,”Sanchoaddedwithhisnoseintheair.
“Theysaythere’safinelinebetweengeniusandinsanity.”
Sanchoscowled.“Myhighschooldidn’tappreciatemypioneeringways,but
Billingtondid.Thathighlysophisticated—”
“Bomb,”Percyinterrupted.“He’stalkingabouta bomb.”
“That bombgotmeintoBillington—fullscholarship,livinginRutherfordHall witha celebrity.”
Jasonlaughed.“Celebrity? ”
“Yeahman,you’reonHVallthetime!”
“Forbeingkidnappedbyaliens.Thatdoesn’tmakemeacelebrity,Sanch.”
“Well,I’musingit.Girlslovefriendsofcelebrities.”
Jasonrolledhiseyesandrefocusedhisattentionontheirthird,strangelyquiet
comrade.“Thisis…”Hepausedandlookedathisotherfriends.“Um,
whoisthis?”
“Oh!ThisisGary.He’sinmydraftingclass,”Sanchochirped,leaningin
towardJason.“WhenItoldhimwewereallplayingpokertonight,hewas
dyingtocome.Ithinkhe’sabigfanofyours.”
Garysatstill,hischubbyhandsclaspedtogetherashestaredatJason.Hiscurly brown hair was like frizzy springs, and his skin was pale and oily. He began sniffingloudly,hisnosewigglingwitheachinhalation,andhesuddenly
turnedhisattentiontoEve.
“Yousmell.”
“Wow,”Evemuttered.“Thatwas…tactful.”
“Yousmellgood,”headded.
“…Thanks?”
“Reallygood.”
Eveforcedanawkwardsmileandturnedherattentiontotheotherthree
boys.“So,arewegoingtoplaypoker,orwhat?”
“Mykindofwoman,”Percyquipped,grabbingthedeckofcardsand
slappingitagainsthispalm.
“Wait,notyet!”
Percysighed.“Sanch,I’mhalfdrunkandwehaven’tevendealtthecards
yet.”
“Jasonhastoshowussomething.”
Jasonfurrowedhisbrow.“Something?”
“Thegift!”Sanchochirped,hiseyeswideandfiery.“You’reachimeranow
—”
“Iwas alwaysachimera,Sanch.Ijustdidn’tknowit,”Jasoncorrected.
“YouknowwhatImean.Doatrick.”
“Comeon,man,noonecares.”
“Icare!Percycares!Right,Percy?”
Percyshrugged.“I’mseeingshitfloatanyway,mightaswellbereal.”
“Garycares,too,right?”
Garyremainedsilent,hisblankstarestilllockedonEve.
“See?Hetotallycares.”
Jasonshookhisheadandtookanotherswigofhisbeer,ignoringSancho’s request.
SanchoturnedtoEve.“Haveyouseenit?Haveyouseenhimusehisgift?”
Asmallsmilespreadacrossherlips.“Actually,Ihave.Quiteafewtimes.”
“Jason,stopholdingoutonus!”
“That’sdifferent,”Jasonmaintained.“Shetaughtmehowtomelt.”
SanchostaredatEveinawe.“Youtaughthim?”
Evehesitated.“It’sreallynotthatbigofadeal—”
“Notabigdeal?”Jasoninterrupted.“Thisgirlis incredible.”
“OhGod,herecomesthemush.”
“Shutup,Percy.”
“Whataboutyou?”SanchoaskedEve,hiseyesstillhungryfor
entertainment.“Gotanytricks?”
“Whatastupidquestion,”Percymoaned.“She taughtJasonhowtomelt,of
courseshehastricks.”
“Dosomething!”Sanchobegged.“Please?”
“Guys,leaveheralone.”JasonturnedtoEveandrestedhishandonhers.
“Look,youdon’thavetodoanythingyoudon’twantto.”
“Eve,doyourthing,”Percysaid,wavinghisbottlearoundlikeamagic
wand.“Therearen’tanychimera-hatersinthisroom.Right,Gare?”
Garywasexpressionless,hiseyesunblinking,hishandsrestinginhislap.
“Doit,”hecommanded.
“See,evenGarywantstosee,”Percysmirked.
Evetookinadeepbreathandrelaxedhershoulders.Sheglancedaroundthe
room for a toy to play with and immediately found the perfect thing. With a quickmelt,shesenttheperfectlystackeddeckofcardsslidingacrossthetable, stoppingdirectlyinfrontofher.Sanchogasped,andshelaughed.Shefocused
her gaze on the deck, and the cards began shuffling in midair, jumbling and arrangingthemselvesoverandoveragain.Theentiretablewasspellbound.
Shesentthecardsflyingthroughtheroom,dancinganddivingintheairlike
cars on a roller coaster zipping across an invisible track. They spun through theemptyspace,racingacrossthewallsandontotheceiling,andthentheyfell
likesnowflakesfromthesky,twirlingwithimpeccableprecision.Finally,the
cards darted back to the table, forming a neat stack in front of Eve, and she dealtthemproperlytoeachplayer.
“HOLYBALLS!”Sanchosquealed,hardlyabletocontainhisexcitement.
“Thatwasthemost dynamicthingI’veEVERSEEN!”
“Now,therealquestionis,can youdothat,Jason?”Percychuckled.
“Notasgoodasshecan,that’sforsure.”
“Well,ournewfriendGarydoesn’tseemimpressed.”Percygrabbeda
fistful of chips and kicked Gary’s shin under the table. “You’ve been awfully quiet.”
Garydidn’tmove.HestaredatEve,hisgazealmosthauntingandgrim.
“You’reverypowerful,”hesaid.
“Wealreadycoveredthat,Gare—”
“Yourpower,”Garycontinued,ignoringPercy.“Icansmellitfromhere.”
“Sanch,thisguyisweird,”Percyjeered.“Why’dyouinvitehimagain?”
“I’vebeenwatchingyou,youknow,”headded,hisgazemorphingintoa
frighteningglare.“We’ve allbeenwatchingyou.”
“Okayman,you’refreakingusallout,”Jasonsaid.
Garystoodfromhisseat,hoveringominouslyoverthegroup.“Yourpower
is undeserved,” he intoned, his voice suddenly loud and forceful. “You have done nothingtoearnsuchagift.”
“Jesus,whatisyour problem?”Evespat,nowglaringbackathim.
Jason rose from his seat and folded his arms. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
Garydidn’twaver;hisbodybegantoquiverassweatpoureddownhis
colorlessface.Clearly,Sanchohadinvitedafanatic—amaniacwhowanted
nothingmorethantotormentEve.Shewasfamiliarwiththekind,though
somethingaboutGary—abouthisunblinkingeyesandboomingvoice—made
heruneasy.
“Youareunworthy.Bothofyou.”Sweatgusheddownhisforehead;hishair
was now plastered across his face. “We deserve it,” he howled, now walking steadily toward the pair. “We deserve what you have been so frivolously handed,andyouuseitlikea toy.”
Theentiregroupstoodtotheirfeetandbackedawayfromthetable.Only
Jasonremainedfirm;Evesawthathishandswereballedintotight,trembling
fists.
“Get.The hell.Out,”Jasongrowled.
Garyflunghisheadbackandforth,sprayingtheentireroomwithhis
profuse perspiration. Eve gasped as the beads of sweat splattered against her face and chest, the putrid smell perforating her nostrils. She wiped her hands acrosshercheeksandflickedthethick,disgustingliquidfromherfingersand
ontothefloor.Itwasstrangehowslimyandviscoushissweatfeltagainsther
fingertips.Thenshelookeddownatherhands,andherheartstopped.
Shewascoveredincreamy,liquefiedskin.
“Holyshit!”Percybellowed.“Whatthehelliswrongwithyour face,man?”
EvelookedatGaryandfeltherstomachdroptoherknees.Hisentireface
wasdrippinglikegooeysyrup,pouringdownhisbodyandexposingagrey,
rubberysubstanceunderneath:asecondskin.Hebreathedheavily,hischest
throbbing with each inhalation, so much so that his knitted sweater began to tearattheseams.
“Oh,God.”Sanchopressedhisshakingbodyagainstthewallbehindhim.
“He’sexploding.He’sliterallyexploding.”
Garyletoutanearsplittingroar,hismouthopeningsowidelythathislipstore
attheedges.Heswattedatthetableinfrontofhim,sendingitcrashingagainst thewall,andthenhestretchedhisarmsandbackuntilhissweaterrippedinto
shreds.Withasinistergrin,heshookhisnownakedbody,sending
hislooseskinsplatteringacrosstheroomineverydirection.
Gary—thiscreature—liftedhishands,whichwerenowadornedwithtalons,
andwipedtheexcessliquidfromhislegsandchest—andfromthewingsthat
hadsuddenlysproutedfromhisangularback.Hisonceplumpfigurewasnow frail,grey,andmuchtallerthanbefore,easilyreachingsevenfeet,andhisteeth werelong,silver,anddrippingwithstringsofflesh.Evecouldn’tbelieveher
eyes—therebeforeher,insteadofapaunchycollegestudent,stoodanenraged
Interloper.
“SONOFABITCH!”Jasonshouted.“ThisisNOThappening!”
TheInterlopercrouchedlowtothegroundandraisedonelong,sharpened
talon,pointingitatEve.
“YOU,”hegrowled.“Mymissionwasforthemale,but youareafargreater prize.”Hisclawscurled,andheletoutadeepgrowl.“Faironwillbepleased
with my offering—with your power. He will be pleased with your inevitable death.”
Withoutanotherword,helungedtowardher,histeethandtalonsbared.
Therewashardlyanytimetoreact,tothink,to breathe—andjustashermind began to digest what was happening, Jason sprinted forward, charging at the Interloper.
“JASON,DON’T!”
Itwastoolate—Jasonflunghisweightintothemonsterandtackledhimto
thefloor,theirbodiesfloppinginapileoflimbsandwings.Jasonswattedat
thealien,poundinghimacrossthechinandsendinghisteethflyingfromhis
mouthlikemetalraindrops.Withoutrelenting,theInterlopergrabbedat
Jason’sshirtandslammedhimintotheground,pinninghimwithhis
incomparablestrength.AsJasonstruggledagainsthisopponent,thecreature smiledandlaughed.
Suddenly,theInterloperlurchedbackward,pulledfromJason’sbodybyan
invisible power—by Eve’s gift. She stood at the front of the room, her eyes focusedonhertargetashebarreledthroughtheairandcollidedintotheback
wall.Shepickedhimuponcemoreandthrusthimacrosstheroom,smashing
himintoeitherwalloverandoveragain,untilthesheetrockwaslitteredwith
massivecraters.
PercyandSanchoduckedasEvemeltedtheInterloperatthewallonelasttime,
andthen,withallthestrengthshecouldsummon,shelaunchedthe
creaturestraightintotheceilingandthenblastedhimbackdownontothefloor
witharesoundingthud.TheInterloper’sbodycrumpledandsettledinaheap.
“JesusChrist,woman,”Percysaid,hiseyeswidewithshock.
Stillness.Theroomwasquiet,andforafleetingmoment,Evethoughtthatthe
fightwasover.Butbeforeshecouldbreatheasighofrelief,theInterloper
leaptupfromthefloorandletoutagutturalroar,startlingherandsendingher stumbling to her knees. He then shot into the air, soaring like a torpedo, and landedontopofher,pinningheragainstthefloor.
Evestaredupintothecreature’sblack,glossyeyes;shecouldseeherown
frantic expression reflected back at her as if she were being forced to watch herowndeath.Withadipofhischin,theInterloperburiedhisfaceinherneck, takinginheraromaashedraggedhisnostrilsacrossherskin.
“Itistrue,whattheysay—yourpowerissuperior.Farmoredivinethanthe
others.”Hesmiledsadistically,bearinghisteethliketrophies.“Iwillkillyour male,andthenIwillbringyoutoFairon.”Heletoutacackle.“Andhewillkill you himself.”
Thecreaturesuddenlyjerkedtotheside,twistingandturningasif
possessed.HisentirebodywasrippedawayfromEveandpulledintotheair,
onlytobeflungintothewallonceagain,crashingagainstthesurfaceandthen
collapsingontothesplinteredremainsofthepokertable.Evescurriedtoher
feetandlookedoveratJason,whoquicklyendedhismeltandrushedtoher
side.
“Youokay?”
Therewasnotimetoanswer.TheInterlopermarchedtowardthem,
undeterredanduninjured,eachstepheavyenoughtoshaketheentireroom.
Withoutwarning,Percyjumpedontothecreature’sbackandwrappedhisarms
aroundthething’sneck,sendingtheInterloperstumblingacrosstheroomlike
amassivewreckingball.Thealienroaredloudly,beatinghiswingsand
flinginghisbodyfromsidetoside,butstillPercyhungon,danglingfromhis
shoulders,hisfacereddeningashetightenedhisgrip.Withagrowl,the
Interloperstaggeredbackwardandrammedhisbackintothewall,crushing
Percyintothesheetrock.Hesteppedforward,thenagainhethrustPercy
againstthewall,finallybreakingtheboy’sholdandsendinghimdroppingto
thefloor.
Thealienlookedfranticallyfromsidetoside,searchingforEveandJason, onlytofindtheverysmallSanchostandingbeforehim,hishandsgrippinga
largeplywoodshard.Withagrunt,Sanchosmackedtheboardagainstthe
creature’s face and watched helplessly as it shattered into a million small pieces.TheInterloperwasunaffected;helookeddownatSancho,hislips
curling into an amused grin, and then he s
watted at the boy with his wing, sendinghimflyingacrosstheroom.
Again,hiseyesdartedacrossthespaceandthenlockedontohistarget—Eve
was huddled beside Percy, hoisting him to his feet. But before the Interloper couldmakeamove,Jasondoveontopofhim,slamminghimintothefloor.
Jasonpummeledhisfistsintothecreature’sface,thesheerimpactofhisblows
knockingmorelong,silverteethfromhismouth.Blindedbyfury,Jason
slammedhisfistdirectlyintothecreature’smouth,slicinghisknucklesopenas
theyskiddedacrosstheneedle-likefangs.Asbloodgushedfromhisshredded
hand,theInterloperthrewhimtotheground,effortlesslyshakinghimoffand
sending him rolling into the corner of the room. Jason staggered to his feet, but it was too late; the alien approached him, cornering him by the wall, his chestswellingwithrage.
“Iwillespeciallyenjoykilling you,”hesneered.
Thecreaturesuddenlylungedtowardhim,bellowingtheloudest,mostshrill
cryJasonhadeverheard.Jasoncringedandpressedhimselfagainstthewall,
holdinghisbreathwhileanticipatingtheworst:eitherindescribabletortureor
sudden death. He could feel the Interloper hovering by his cheek, could taste thefoulnessofhisdrippingskin—buttohissurprise,noattackwasmade.
Apprehensively,Jasonopenedhiseyes.Thealienwasleaningagainsthis shoulder,histalonsgrippingatacrowbarprotrudingfromhisstomach.
Lookingoverthecreature’sshoulder,JasonsawEve,clingingtotheotherend
ofthetoolshehadthrustthroughthecreature’sgut.
Evegrittedherteethandyankedatthecrowbar,rippingitfromthe
creature’sflesh.TheInterloperhowledandstumbledawayfromJason,
clutchingatthegapingholeinhisstomach,whichnowoozedacloudy,
mustard-coloredpus.
ThealienturnedtofaceEve.Shehadexpectedtoseehimfalltotheground,
hiseyesglazedoveruntiltheyclosedshutwithdeath,butinsteadhegrowled
andstompedtowardher,reenergizedandseethingwithrage.
“HOWISHENOTDEAD?”Evecried,staggeringbackward.
TheInterloperraisedhisclawandbackhandedheracrossthejaw,sending
her toppling to the ground. Jason dove forward, ready to melt the beast right off of his feet, when suddenly he stopped; the creature grabbed Eve from the floor,yankingherbythehairandpullingherclosetohisbody.