Exterminators Infected (The Exterminators Book 1)

by DeSantis, James

  “Yeah, we have to talk.” She was still looking at her hands.

  He sat down next to her. “What's wrong?” he asked. He felt something terrible in his stomach.

  “It's about us.”

  He felt his stomach turn. “What's wrong? Did I do something? I know I've been training as of late but it's just been helping me deal with the probe-”

  She put her hand up and looked at him. “It's not that. I need to know how serious you are about us.”

  He looked at her confused. “What are you talking about? I told you I loved you. You know how much I care about you.”

  “I know...I just need to know that you'll always be there.”

  “Of course I will.” He put his hand on her cheek and rubbed. “Why would you think I wouldn't be?”

  “I just need to know you'll always be by me.”

  “Always.”

  “When I'm hurt or sick.”

  “I will.”

  “If I ever got fired from a job or failed school.”

  “Yes baby, of course!” he laughed.

  “If I was pregnant?”

  “I'd be here for you. No matter what,” he said smiling.

  “Good, ‘cause I'm pregnant.”

  “What?” he said, his voice cracking half way through the word.

  “I just took two tests.”

  “What?”

  “I didn't want to tell you right away.”

  “What?”

  “I've been trying to gather money to take another test, just in case.”

  “What?”

  She slammed her hands down on his legs. He jumped up. “Stop saying what! This is important! Talk to me!”

  “I...” He didn't know what to say. The jokester was out of jokes. The fast talker couldn't even speak. “I got nothing.”

  “What?”

  “I don't know what to say, baby,” he said truthfully. His heart was pounding faster than it ever had before. “I'm trying to grasp the situation here.”

  “I know it's scary, but I'm scared too. Please talk to me. And don't just ask me what over and over again.” She was on the verge of crying.

  “We'll figure this out. I'm not going anywhere. Like I said, I'm here for you.” He gave her a kiss. It was a long and strong kiss. He could taste the salty tears falling in-between their lips. They separated and looked at each other in silence. They now had to work together as things were about to get a lot more complicated from here on out.

  “And you thought dealing with Unknowns was going to be tough,” she giggled.

  “Not funny.”

  “Too soon?”

  “Yeah,” he said smiling. He put his forehead against hers, feeling her warmth, trying to figure out their future.

  Chapter 31 – Moving On

  End of May finally came. Graduation had passed three days ago. All three boys were completely done with school. They all passed. Peter scored mostly A's and was guaranteed to be accepted into just about any college. Nick got his grades up quite a bit, snagging a few B's along the way. Marshall did just enough to pass. He was focusing on other ventures besides college.

  They had posters all over the school for the missing boy, Fred. The boys knew what had happened to their friend, but no one else did. They brought him up at the acceptance speech. Congratulating him and hoping he'd return home soon. Many of the students even cried some. Fred wasn't well known but due to disappearing out of nowhere people still seemed to care. Either that or they worried it might happen to them, too.

  Marshall spent his time filling out job applications and running around town trying to find work. He had to prepare for the baby in a few months. She'd been pregnant since March, meaning the baby would be coming around in November. He wasn't ready, but he forced himself to be. He went on a major job search, hoping to obtained one. In the mean time he set up to go to Florida in a few weeks with his brother. Lucy was now tagging along on the fun, little get-away.

  Nick was getting ready for the two month vacation with his father. They would head to Pennsylvania for a few weeks and have some time to themselves. Carl warned him if signals were close he would still have to do his job. Nick didn't mind. The hunts became a part of his life recently. He didn't even need to be told to do them. He felt obligated to.

  Peter still focused heavily on training. He wanted to become the strongest; it was his determination that pushed him. Yet, he began building other parts of his body. Running more than he had before. Push-ups and pull ups to strengthen his body. He needed to be ready for whatever circumstances he was put under. Due to his ability of not having too many emotions, he was able to handle losing Fred faster than the others. It gave him a slight edge in enhancing himself even more.

  Carl focused on getting better himself. He cleaned up his entire apartment, threw away all his bottles and made sure to focus on the boys. He began to get back into training himself as well. His famous fist and push fighting style never failed him. He was powerful with just about any weapon he used, yet he wanted to get back to his original state as being one of the only unbeatable Exterminators to ever live.

  Jin. Jin still wasn't sure what he was doing.

  Jin sat at the end of the table looking at his master. The blond man was writing down something quickly, eager to finish like he was racing an invisible clock. Jin knew this man as the one who had saved him years ago. He wondered if it was the same man sitting before him now. The blond man seemed intent on revenge; on destroying the boys with whom Jin had become friends with. This wasn't the same person that rescued him years ago.

  A sharp slap on Jin's back startled him as another guy walked into the room. He sat down next to him, took a sip of his drink, and laughed. “Haven't seen you around lately. You turning Exterminator on us?” He was a bit older than Jin, in his mid-twenties, spiky dyed red hair, and green eyes. Quite an odd looking man, even goofy, but he was anything but that when it came to business.

  “No, just been busy doing my job. How have you've been Cole?” Jin looked his old friend in the eyes. Cole had been one of Jin's sparing partners before he went undercover in the Exterminator base. He taught Jin a lot of the beginners stuff. How to use a Rod, the power is possess’, when to call your limits and so on. He was a great trainer but also a crazy man at heart. He never really put limits on himself.

  “Wonderful! I went out last night, got messed up, took a girl back, then left before she woke up. So I'm doing A-Okay. Just another wonderful day. How about you, boy?” he asked while chugging more of his drink.

  “Good. Keeping to myself yet getting as close as I can.”

  “Ah the trickster you are. I always thought you'd do great undercover. Still with that chick, what's her name?”

  “Emily,” he quickly said.

  “Yeah. Cute ass on that broad. Bet you show her a good time, you trickster you!” Cole slapped him on the back, laughing harder than before.

  “Will you kindly shut up?” the blond man said, annoyed.

  “Sorry boss man.” Cole looked back towards Jin. “So how's everything else? Anyone bother you at all? Remember if you get too close just pull out. We'll handle the rest.” Cole spoke in a much softer voice. Trying his best to not annoy the boss.

  “I'm fine. I know my mission, don’t worry.”

  “Hey, I'm not worried. I know you could handle it, kid. You are like my prodigy after all,” Cole grinned.

  “I think I far surpassed you by now. Thank you very much.” Jin let a smile sneak out.

  “Oh boy. I'd love to test that theory one day,” Cole laughed. He got up from his seat and looked towards the blond man. “All right boss I'm out. Gotta grab a few hours more sleep. I'll be back tonight to discuss more of the plan.” He looked down at Jin. “You owe me that fight too. Don't forget.” He walked out the room and down the stairs.

  Jin looked back towards the blond man. “The Boss” they called him. Yet, Jin preferred real names. “David, I've come to talk,” he announced, just loud enough to be heard from th
e other end of the room.

  David, the boss, looked up. “Calling me by my first name. This must be important. What's wrong, Jin?”

  “Nothing is wrong. I just...I need you to agree not to hurt these kids.”

  “I already said I wouldn't, didn't I?”

  “Yeah, but you said that before. Then Riven came into the picture.”

  David put his pen down and wiped his face with his hand. He made a moaning sound, as if to say he was bored. “You asked me not to hurt the kids. Months later the kids are fine and dandy. Did I not keep my promise?”

  “Down the line though,” Jin pushed. He had to make sure his new friends weren't in any type of danger.

  “If it comes to the War, then it's up to them. If they side with the Exterminators, despite how foolish it would be, that is their choice. I made mine. You made yours. They will make theirs. Simple as that.” David smiled at Jin. A soft yet sinister type of smile. “You worry too much. Anyone ever tell you that?”

  “All the time.”

  “You should listen to them.” David dropped the smile and picked up his pen. “Do yourself a favor and take a break. You'll need one. Soon you won't ever see one.” He went back to writing. Jin sat there, satisfied some, yet still worried.

  Marshall walked into the gym. He saw Peter and Nick sitting down. Next to them were Daryl and his group. “Today you tell them. These are your friends. They deserve to know you're gonna be a daddy. A daddy. That's so weird.” Marshall smiled without realizing it. “Hey creepy smile, how's it hanging?” Nick asked, everyone laughed.

  “First off it's not creepy, it's sexy. Second off, I'm fine. Thank you very much. Hey Daryl, Sam, Rachael, weird other guy.”

  “My name is Ali.”

  “Yeah, like I said. Weird other guy.” Marshall sat down next to Nick.

  Peter sat next to Rachael. They were talking about different elements. How to use them in different ways. He was especially excited to tell her about the grass vine one, in which he could create vines from the ground to grab on to things. She never thought of it, so she was very grateful for the information. He wasn't really getting the concept that she was interested in him. He didn't get that even though he felt the same for her. He wanted to know so much about her, not fully understanding that he already liked her.

  Nick talked to Daryl more about the fighting styles. Nick had been watching some videos on boxing. Trying some daily training routines that boxers do. He also began hitting the punching bag more as of late instead of relying on the Rod alone. To be stronger and better with a weapon means you must become strong with your own fist. That was what Daryl told him.

  Sam looked at Marshall. He looked at her, then away. He felt bad whenever he was checking out another girl. Especially knowing he had Lucy at home. Even more so, now that she was pregnant. “I'm sorry,” she said to him. He looked back to her, confused. “About Fred. He seemed really nice.” He felt a sharp pain in his chest. It wasn't as if he forgot, he just learned to accept the passing. It still hurt when someone brought up his name though.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  “Welcome,” she looked away.

  The doors opened. Carl and another person walked in. Next to him stood a tall bald person with an ugly robe-type uniform on. Marshall stood up and laughed. “Look, it's the guy from Star Trek!” He pointed at the bald person next to Carl.

  Nick grabbed his friend. “Sit the hell down moron, and shut up!”

  Marshall sat down but pushed Nick off. “I'm just saying. It looks like him.”

  “Kind of does,” Sam said laughing.

  “Please, Star Trek people are much better dressed,” Ali said waving his hand.

  “That's our Bora. His name is Scott. Be respectful,” Daryl said loud enough for everyone to hear.

  “Sorry. Gee, always so serious.” Marshall sat back, arms crossed.

  “Hello Carl's unit. Nice to meet you.” Scott gave a short wave. “I've come here today, with Carl, to announce your ascension.” The boys broke into a mutter. The girls gave each other a high five.

  “What's an ascension?”

  “What do we get?”

  “What's that?”

  Carl put his hands up. “Everyone listen up. You will be getting your second Rod today.” Everyone muttering broke into a cheer. They all began shouting in excitement.

  “Now the reasons behind you getting these second Rods are because of the way you dealt with those large signals. Cyclops and Dire Wolves are nothing to take lightly. Both are very dangerous Unknowns. You did very well under very tough circumstances.” Scott tried to simmer down the shouting but everyone was too excited. They all knew they would eventually get a second Rod, they just never knew when.

  Peter was the first to walk forward. This is what he'd been waiting for. He'd been trying new strategies with his elemental glove. He was fully prepared to use two Rods now. He walked up to Carl, with his hand out. “I'm ready,” he said. Voice as plain as day.

  Carl nodded and grabbed a small case. It had a big silver P on it. He handed it to Peter and smiled. “You are ascended. Use the Rod wisely; it is now a part of you.” Peter nodded and walked away. He felt himself disconnected from the world more as of late. Except when he was around Rachael and Jin. Even Nick and Marshall, he seemed to have drifted away from. Training lessened with them. He avoided Carl at all cost. He felt they blamed him. He decided to stay away until he was powerful enough to prove he was a worthy part of them. Or even above them.

  Everyone follow Peter's lead. They each went up and grabbed their case. They studied the second Rod. Feeling the raw power just like they did when they held the first one. All of them were thinking of different ways they could use the second weapon. They were chatting about their previous experiences with just one Rod and talking about plans on how to use the second, to incorporate it into their fighting style.

  After a while Scott took his unit back to the pods. They had to head home before it got too late. Everyone said their goodbyes and left. The boys were left in the gym talking to each other. Carl looked around the gym then grabbed the last suitcase. He walked over to Marshall and gave it to him. Marshall looked at him confused. The case had a silver letter on it. F.

  “What is-” Marshall began.

  “It's for Fred,” Nick said.

  Marshall took the case and looked at it. He nodded and tucked it under his arm. “Thanks. I got it.”

  “I'm very proud of you. All of you. You've come a long way. I know I've been ignoring my duties as a Bora. I promise you I will change that,” Carl announced. They all nodded in agreement. “Okay, go home. I'll see you guys soon.” Carl turned away. The boys did the same, heading towards the elevators.

  Once back outside they began walking down the block together. Marshall turned to both of them smiling. “So I got some news!”

  “We know, you somehow passed school,” Nick said quickly.

  “I've been meaning to ask how you did that,” Peter said. Nick laughed.

  “Nice!”

  “Okay enough of the let's-jump-in-and-make-fun-of-Marshall time. I'm serious.” Marshall wiped his forehead. The heat was finally building up in the city. It was already becoming hot and humid again. Just like when they had first met.

  “All right, what is it?” Nick asked.

  “Well...you know I'm dating Lucy right?”

  “Yeah dude, I saw her at the dance.”

  “Right, she's amazing.”

  “Okay...” Nick said looking at him strangely.

  “Well, we would, ya know, have fun when we were by ourselves.”

  “If you are trying to tell us about your sex life I'm not really interested,” Peter said looking away.

  “First off, it would be very interesting, seeing as you don't even have one. But no, it's something else.” Marshall looked away. He watched little kids playing hide and seek in a yard across the street.

  “Dude, what is it?” Nick asked impatiently.

  “Well, you'll
be the first ones to know...I'm-” he held it back for a second. No one else knew. Only him and Lucy. He was now about to tell his best friends. His only true friends. “-going to be a father!” Then it was complete silence. No one spoke. Peter look at him in shock, Nick had his mouth wide open. Marshall looked at them, waiting, sweating, needing some kind of a response. He could feel his heart pounding and his stomach turning all at once. “Guys! I said I'm going to be a father!”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Did you take a test?”

  “How do you know?”

  “Why?”

  The questions came in waves. Marshall put his hands up in a stop motion. “Wait! Listen! I just found out a couple of weeks ago. The baby is coming in November. It just happened. We didn't plan for it.”

  Nick was in total shock. Peter shook his head. “This isn't good. What about your Exterminator duties?” Peter asked.

  “I'll still do them,” Marshall answered.

  “Do you even have the slightest clue on how to raise a kid?” Nick asked, skeptically.

  “Lucy and I will figure it out!” Marshall responded.

  “You don't even have a job,” Peter pointed out.

  “You're eighteen man. She's seventeen. You guys just started your life together,” Nick added.

  “I get it. We are stupid. We should have been more careful. It's too late now though. We are having this baby.” The boys watched as Marshall defended himself. “I expected you guys to be a bit more happy for me or something. Maybe more supportive.”

  “It's not that,” Peter began saying. He wasn't really sure how to finish it.

  “It's that...we're worried. I think you'd be a great father. You're so young, though. It's not the most ideal time to have a kid either. With these crazy ass Summoners popping up.” Nick put his hand on Marshall’s shoulder. “But, you are my friend. I will be supportive one hundred percent. You can count on me to help you out the best I could. Not as a leader, but as a friend.” He smiled at Marshall. Marshall nodded happily.