“Oh, well, then you're in big trouble.”
“This is serious.”
“Okay, serious face on!” Marshall moved forward. Nick grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him back. “What's the deal man? Let's go kill that little thing. My dogs’ bigger than that.”
“We don't know how strong it is. It could turn into a huge hulking monster the second it goes into fighting stance. We have to be careful. Not to mention only you have a Rod. Meaning all our hopes are pinned on you.” Nick took another look at the creature. It stopped hitting its head and began sniffing the air.
“Listen dude, we won't find out just standing here. Let's go kick this things ass!” Marshall pushed Nick off and began walking forward. Nick trailed behind, cautious every step. Marshall held the Rod tight and looked at the beast as it turned left to right, looking for something. “Hey, little ugly rock-looking monster.” It heard Marshall and quickly turned. It sniffed the air. “Yeah, now you hear me. I'm an Exterminator. I was sent to kill you. Can you kindly just stand there while I do that?”
The creature stepped backwards. Then its front temple grew a large horn over a foot long. Its whole body began to tremble and pieces of its rock skin chipped making its body more ragged. Its whole body filled with sharp rock piercings, going into a defensive-type body mode. It began to growl at the boys.
Marshall and Nick stepped back. “It grew a horn? Talk about growing pains. This was a very bad idea!” Marshall screamed as the creature began to charge at them.
Chapter Eleven – Hard Case
Marshall jumped on top of one of the cars. Nick did the same across the street from him. Before Marshall could fully turn around to face the creature it smashed its face into the front of the car. Marshall slipped and smacked his left hand on the roof. He was about to fall off but he grabbed the other end of the roof with his right hand, catching his balance. Letting a few curse words slip out as he hung on.
The beast backed away from the car. It growled and shook its head. It was in a fury, wanting to smash everything that was in front of it. “This thing is crazy! It's like a miniature bull!” Marshall was shouting, positioning himself on top of the car.
Nick stood on top of the car now looking around the area. The block was still empty. “Good, don't need any innocents getting hurt.” He looked to Marshall trying to regain his posture. “Hey, we gotta stop this thing. Grab your Rod, we're gonna have to use a weapon that's strong enough to break rock...or stone. I guess rock. I don't know what this thing is but make something really really strong.”
Marshall nodded. He looked around the roof of the car. “Uh, we've got a problem.”
“Of course we do!”
“Dropped the Rod. I didn't even notice I did,” Marshall said, with a slight laugh. “This is bad.”
“Yeah, real bad. Find it. I'll think of something in the meantime.” The beast growled right before shoving its head into the car again. Marshall tipped over but was able to keep most of his balance. The car's whole left side was broken in. The front door barely hanging on.
“Please hurry up with that plan,” Marshall cried out.
Ryan's first friend grabbed Peter by the shoulder. He tried backing up but Ryan's other friend was already grabbing his left shoulder. They threw him against a pole while Ryan slowly walked forward. Peter felt nothing. He just focused on his cell phone. “Is it a mission? Is it Nick? Fred? Carl? I need to find out as soon as possible.” Peter's mind kept jumping places. What kind of situations his new found teammates could be in.
“You really are a weirdo, kid. Pay attention when someone’s about to beat you senseless,” Ryan said smiling. He pulled his hand back and Peter braced himself. He's been hit before, a lot, so he knew how it felt. Still, nothing prepares you for the first strike. It came hard, right across Peter's face, and he almost immediately fell to the ground. He let the pain sink in.
“It wouldn't be Carl. It has to be Nick or Fred. Fred wouldn't be in danger though so he wouldn't call more than once or twice. The phone vibrated four or five times. Meaning text messages and not calls. So it must mean-” Peter's thought process was interrupted by Ryan kicking him in his side. He rolled over, holding it. “But if it's Nick could this mean he's alone in the hunt? Fighting whatever is coming to our realm? Did he let Marshall tag along?”
“Hey freak, you gonna defend yourself or just lay there?” Ryan was standing above Peter. Peter watched the bully but didn't move. He was trying to adjust to the situation. He might not have felt too many emotions but he felt pain. He let go of his side and slowly got up. “You're taking too long,” Ryan said. With that he let another fist hit. This time connecting with Peter's cheek. He stumbled to the side, then fell. “Come on, fight back!”
“I found it!” Marshall pointed to the Rod on the back end of the car. “It must have rolled over when I got on top of the car,” He said. Then another crash, the front door fell off. It growled. Not because it was hurt but because it was getting fired up. “Okay, do you have a plan now? This thing is getting really pissed!”
Nick jumped off the car. He slowly made his way to the front of the car. He grabbed a few pebbles and began launching them at the creature. At first the rock Unknown didn't notice. It just kept shaking its head, getting ready to smash into Marshall's car again. Nick then grabbed a bunch of pebbles and threw them all at once. It rained on the creature making it turn around, fast. Nick sprinted the opposite way as the beast began to give into the chase.
“Brilliant idea!” Marshall hopped off the car. He grabbed his Rod. “Now what do I do?”
“Are you kidding me!?” Nick threw himself to his left. The creature missed but kept going. Once in motion it wasn't about to stop. It hit the light post, its horn ripping right through the metal. Nick crawled away before launching himself back up. “Seriously dude, concentrate on a weapon. Anything. Something that can stop a rock-made creature. Something really, really strong.” The beast ripped itself away from the pole. It turned again and began chasing towards the sprinting Nick. “Think fast, this thing is really going to kill me!”
Marshall held on to the Rod. He tried thinking of something. Something powerful. Something massive. “A tank,” he thought. He concentrated, trying to block out all sounds. After a few moments he let out a sigh. “This isn't working.”
“Are you serious!?” Nick jumped on the back of an old truck. He launched himself in right as it slammed into the back of the truck, the horn completely destroying the license plate and nearly going through the back of the truck where Nick was laying. “Do you know the meaning of concentrate!?”
“Maybe I should let that thing stick its horn right up your-”
“Listen man, think of something fast,” Nick interrupted as the beast backed his body off the truck. “Think of some way to stop this thing ‘cause it's going to kill me at this rate.” Nick backed up and reached for the top of the roof, pushing himself on top of it. It was very small and he could only put half his body on top. Legs dangling off the back end.
Marshall closed his eyes. “Something strong. I need a body. A steel body. Yeah, make me invincible!” The Rod began to light up. Its shine got the attention of the beast. Nick looked over, covering his eyes, trying to see what Marshall was making. The Unknown growled and went charging at the light.
“Marshall! Watch out! The thing is coming right for you!” Nick shouted. The beast was in full charge just a few yards away from the light. “Marshall!” Nick shouted. He slid off the top and landed heavily on his feet. He hadn't fully recovered from the night before. He felt his body weaken for a moment. He glanced up quickly.
Marshall threw his hand out; open palmed, and grabbed the horn. He did it with such ease, lifting the creature up by it, and flung it across the street into the damaged car he was once hiding on. Nick looked at Marshall, watching as this metallic looking material was riding up to Marshall's right elbow. Marshall's whole arm was nearly encased in a steel looking armor. “Let's see who hits harder now,” Mar
shall said grinning.
“I think he's had enough,” one of Ryan's friends held Ryan back. Peter's face was a bloody mess. Punched four or five times, open wounds showing on his cheeks. “We don't want him calling the police or anything.”
“I'll say when he's had enough.” Ryan replied, pushing away his friend. He lifted Peter. “You've had enough freak?”
“How do I act? Don't act mad. Act upset. Like you want to cry. It hurts, so act it.” Peter frowned. He felt pain but didn't know how to fake being sad. So he bit his lip and shut his eyes. “Please, I can't take anymore.”
“That's more like it. Now give me those three dollars.” Ryan ordered, tightening his grip on Peter's shoulder.
Peter handed him the money. “Now will you let me go?” Peter was eager to be released. He needed to find out who was trying to contact him. It was the only thing on his mind.
“Depends. Maybe I should beat you more so next time you keep that mouth of yours shut.”
Peter felt something. It was building up throughout the whole altercation, but now it was starting to reach its boiling point. “I really need to go.” His words were short. He felt anger. He was becoming livid. These three boys were stopping him from getting where he needed to go. He was done not feeling anything. He closed off his feelings too many times at home to let these three do the same to him. “I won't call the police. I won't tell anyone. Just let me go and I promise I'll never talk back to you again.” Peter held his fist tightly. He wasn't sure how well he could do in a fist fight but he was getting close to the point where he was going to find out.
“All right, good call.” Ryan let go. Peter could feel his anger subsiding quickly. “Get out of here freak.” Ryan walked back towards his friends, who laughed like they were on cue to. Once Peter was far away from the group of boys he turned a corner. He pulled out his phone and saw a slew of text messages. Most of them citing that Marshall and Nick were heading to a certain location. He then read the message that pointed out the location. Peter put the phone away and began running towards that location. He felt the same feeling he felt when Nick talked to him earlier today. The feeling of being wanted. It made him smile.
The beast was back on its feet. It shifted to the side, trying to sniff out its prey. Marshall watched it closely, letting his new metallic right hand hang in front of him. The weight of the hand was nothing. Still, he felt his energy drain slowly. He took a quick glance behind him to see Nick walking forward. “I think I'm getting the hang of this Rod thing. Just look at my hand. Pretty awesome, huh?”
“It's very awesome, but be quick.” Nick leaned against a car a few yards away. “Using the Rod as a weapon drains your energy. Soon you’re gonna feel yourself getting weaker. Kill this thing before that happens.” Nick felt dizzy. He didn't fully recover on top of little sleep. Not a good combination.
“I got it,” Marshall began walking forward, tightening his right hand into a fist. The beast caught the scent of Marshall and charged. Marshall whirled his whole arm around and struck the beast right in the side of the face. The horn caught the tip of Marshall's shirt and tore it. It slammed to the side and moaned. “I bet it didn't see that coming. Get it? ‘Cause it doesn't have eyes.”
“Yeah, I got it,” Nick answered rolling his eyes.
“Whatever. Trying to lighten the mood here.” Marshall took a step closer to the beast. It slowly got back on all fours, but was badly damaged from the hit. One whole side of the face looked cracked, black liquid coming out of it. “I think this thing is leaking.”
“It's dying. Finish it off.”
Marshall looked at the beast. Watching it try to recover from being hurt. “It doesn't look evil.”
“It doesn't matter!” Nick pushed himself away from the car. “These things are trying to kill us. Fred was almost bitten to death. I was almost clawed to death. Don't let it take advantage of you. Kill it quick!”
“But-” Marshall began but the beast was charging. Marshall threw his hand back but he knew it was too late. Instead he dodged to the right. The horn went through his left hand. Marshall could feel the force of the creature as it pulled him down. It dragged him a few feet, his hand still stuck on the horn, while Marshall screamed in agony.
Nick ran towards him. He grabbed Marshall's hand and quickly pulled it off the horn. Blood fell over the beast's face, making it growl at the new smell. It could smell someone else was close. Nick began to drag his friend to safety when the beast turned. It was ready to charge again.
“That son of a-” Marshall said, holding his bloody hand. He got up and stumbled forward. The beast let out a huge growl. Ready to strike as hard as it could. Marshall turned to meet the creature. “You wanna play like that. Fine!” Marshall walked forward.
“Marshall, your hand!”
“I'm fine.” Marshall winced. He never felt such pain before. However, he felt his blood boil. He wanted to finish this creature off by himself. “I've been in worse fights than this,” he lied.
Nick backed up to the car and watched. “Careful. You miss again and we're probably dead.”
The beast charged. This time Marshall already had his hand pushed back. He threw it forward, this time making direct contact with the horn. It was a loud clash, then the horn broke off and Marshall’s fist went flying into the temple of the creature. It roared in pain as it was swung backwards. It was laying on its back, moaning and crying. Marshall fell to one knee. He could feel the energy in his body leaving quickly.
“You did it,” Nick said. He was almost in disbelief his friend was even still standing. The wound on his left hand looked horrible, blood dripping from it.
“Yeah, well ya know. I always get the last swing in.” Marshall got up and walked to the creature. He laid his bloody hand on its belly. He could feel it was soft; rising up and down. The creature had no fight left in it. “I guess this is where it ends.”
“Ends? This is just the beginning,” Nick answered. Marshall looked at his friend then back at the fallen creature.
“I guess,” he said before lifting his arm and striking the beast in the stomach, eliminating it.
Chapter Twelve – Monsters
Jin walked up to the dead Unknown and bent down. He turned it over and shook his head. “I see you took care of this little one.” Marshall and Nick stood watching as the other two Exterminators behind Jin picked up the creature and walked away. “Great job. Without training, you guys are doing really well.” Jin offered his hand to Marshall. “My name is Jin, nice to meet you.”
“Doing really well without training, huh?” Marshall denied the handshake. Jin tilted his head while retreating his hand. “Are we doing well enough where one of our friends is in intensive care, not even able to get to class? Are we doing that well without our training?”
“Hey, Marshall chill man.”
“Nah, why didn't Fred get any training before his mission? Why didn't we get any training before this? Why are we fighting these things? I got questions and I want some damn answers!” Marshall slammed his foot on the ground. Jin took a moment before responding.
“I get that you’re upset,” Jin began speaking softly. “I know you want answers. I really shouldn't be the one giving them, though. We'll talk to Carl. He should be back to the Station in an hour. I think he'll do better with those questions than me.”
“He better. Just ‘cause you don't ask questions on why you do what you do doesn't mean I won't.” Marshall pushed past Jin and began walking towards the house above the station.
“He's a nice one isn't he?” Jin looked towards Marshall.
“He's forceful but,” Nick started then looked at Jin. “He's got a point. He's got questions. Hell, we've all got questions. I think it's time to answer some of them.” Nick began to follow behind Marshall with Jin coming along shortly after.
Fred looked to his side. All he saw was white. He looked to the ground. More white. He looked up, all white. “What is this?” He looked all around, everything is white. He was
trapped in some white room and couldn't escape. He felt locked down. A prisoner.
“This is our area. Our safe zone. No one can touch us from here.” A voice was so close, yet Fred saw nothing. He quickly looked in all direction but couldn't identify where the voice was coming from. “Do not be afraid. This is your new home. Here we could be calm. We can relax. There is no fighting. There is no death. This is the place you ought to stay. It'll keep you safe.”
“Who are you?”
“Well, I'm you of course.”
“What? What the heck do you mean you are me? That can't be. I'm me, you’re just some voice!” Fred barked. He was getting frustrated, not being able to find the exit or the voice in the room.
“This is your home. Why do you fight it?”
“This isn't my room. Trust me, it's never this clean.”
“This is where you belong. Take a rest here and I'll take care of your problems. Trust me young one, this is where you want to be.”
Fred could feel his body wanting to fight whatever was talking to him. Yet the words it spoke sounded so nice, so humble. To simply lie down and forget all about his problems. Something most people would gladly accept. “Sorry, I can't do that. I got to get better so I can fight with my friends.”
“Better? You are better. You aren't hurt.”
“Listen wannabe me, you should check up on me more often. I was just in a huge attack, with the thing nearly killing me. I mean us,” Fred spoke, almost laughing. “Am I really talking to some voice? Either I've finally gone insane or this is a dream. Can I realize I'm dreaming in my own dream?”
Exterminators Infected (The Exterminators Book 1) Page 9
