CRY FEAR

by Mike Morris

  "Keep moving," said Simon. "We're in no state to help anyone else."

  "He's right," said Lin.

  "Watch out, watch out."

  They all turned at hearing the sing-song voice, looking back down the way they'd come, into the dark shadows of the street. Fear seized Jack's heart. He knew what the voice belonged to.

  "You see anything?" asked Simon.

  "No," said Lin.

  "Come on," said Jack. "Simon's right. We keep moving."

  They picked up speed as best they could and shuffled faster toward Grolling Lane. Jack could see the narrow entrance to the street. It was ten yards away.

  "Run, doggy, doggy." They could hear feet pounding along the cobbles. Laughter floated through the night.

  Simon drew a pistol and pulled back the hammer. "We need to go faster."

  Jack didn't need telling twice. They reached Brendan's road and he used the wall to help propel himself along until he reached number twenty-seven.

  "I see it," said Simon. "Take Robert — quick!"

  Jack took Simon's place, but Robert's weight was almost enough to push him to the ground. He fell against the wall, nearly dragging Lin over with him. Simon moved off to cover their rear, pistol raised. Jack could see someone running toward them. He was a street away and coming fast. Moonlight caught a flash of skin, but it was gone again just as quick.

  They hurried to Brendan's door. It wasn't locked and they fell inside. It was a relief to be out of the cold and the wind, but the fear of what chased them remained.

  "Wait here," said Lin, drawing her sword before ducking back out into the street.

  Jack lay in the hallway, trying to catch his breath, straining his ears so he could hear what was going on in the street over his pounding heart. He wished he had the strength to help Lin and Simon but he knew he'd not make the door unaided. He'd only hinder them in a fight. As much as he hated it, they were on their own.

  26

  Lin

  Lin left Jack and Robert in the building's hallway and went back outside to join Simon. He had his back to her, watching the way they'd come, pistol in hand. "Do you see anything?"

  Simon shook his head. "I lost sight of him. These streets are too fucking dark."

  The priest wasn't wrong. Grolling Street was as narrow as they got in Brixteth. There was barely enough room to swing a sword. There were no street lights and the tottering buildings cut off what little moonlight there was. "Where are you, you bastard?" muttered Lin, more to herself than anything.

  There was the sound of breaking glass from far away, followed by a scream. Gunshots echoed out from elsewhere. The night wasn't even an hour old and it seemed like the monsters were already out.

  A stone dropped from a ledge above and Lin looked up. A pair of red eyes glared back. "Simon — it's above us!"

  The creature dropped from its perch, claws outstretched as Simon reacted. He got his pistol up and there was a boom as the Turned crashed into him. Blood and guts erupted from its back as the gunshot punched the creature off Simon — but it wasn't dead. It staggered back to its feet, clutching the hole in its gut and baring its fangs. Lin pushed past the Black Dog, hacking down with her stolen Nostros sword. She barely felt any resistance as the blade took the creature's head from its shoulders. It burst into ash as the blade passed through, leaving nothing but dust. She staggered back, shocked. "What the ...?"

  "Don't worry about it now," said Simon as he drew his second pistol. "Are there any more?"

  Lin scanned the shadows. "Not yet — but there will be. There always are. Let's get inside."

  Simon gazed down at the ash at their feet. "Where did you get that sword? I've never seen a Turned die like that except when sunlight hit them."

  "When I escaped from Grosnar, I killed a Nostros prince. This was his sword. I took it because I needed a weapon."

  "You've got something special there," said Simon, grinning. Then the sound of distant gunfire took the smile from his face just as quick. There were only going to be brief respites tonight. No victories. "Come on."

  They entered Brendan's building and found Jack waiting for them, torch in hand. "Thank God you're all right," he said.

  "Of course I'm all right," replied Lin with a smile. She was so glad he was still alive, still with her. She hooked her arm around Jack and helped him to his feet while Simon dragged a table to block the front door. "What floor's Brendan on?"

  "Third," said Jack. The bloody cuts across his face wrinkled as he spoke. He'd have scars by which to remember the night once it was over. If he lived through it.

  "Great," said Simon, looking up. "Always the top. I'm going to need a hand with the big man."

  Jack managed to haul himself up while Lin helped Simon carry Robert. Even between them, it wasn't easy. He was a dead weight in their arms and caused them to stumble often. Whatever warmth he'd gotten earlier seemed lost now. If they didn't get him warmed up quickly, there would be no saving the man.

  Jack stopped outside a door and knocked. There was no answer.

  He knocked again. "Brendan, open up. It's me, Jack."

  Lin was about to suggest kicking it open when she heard shuffling from the other side. "Jack?" asked a wary voice.

  "It's me," replied Jack. "Open up. We need your help."

  "What's going on? I heard a gunshot outside," asked Brendan. The door remained closed.

  Simon gave Lin a concerned look but she shook her head — Jack would deal with it.

  "Brother, please open the door. I've got Lin with me, and Robert too. We've been hurt and need somewhere to rest," said Jack.

  A bolt slid back and a key turned. The door opened enough to reveal a crack of light and Brendan's face. His eyes, full of fear, flickered over everyone. Jack put his hand in the crack and pushed the door inward. Brendan resisted for a moment but then stepped back and allowed them in. They hurried inside. Jack hugged his brother but Lin noticed Brendan didn't hug Jack back. His arms just hung limp at his side.

  She smiled at him as she entered his rooms but he didn't seem to recognize her. His face remained twisted up with nerves. She hadn't seen Brendan since the raid on Grosnar and was shocked at how much he'd aged. Black bags hung underneath his eyes and his face was lined and wrinkled. He looked old enough to be Jack's father instead of his brother. His old black tunic, covered in grease and dirt and buttoned up to the top of his neck, made him look like a shadow of a man. He shut and locked the door the moment they were all inside.

  The room was simple, but it was good enough for what they needed now. There was no fire burning in the hearth but that was easily remedied. They laid Robert down in front of the fireplace and Lin quickly built a stack of wood from a dust-covered pile in the corner. Once it was ready, she took the torch off Jack and used that to set it alight. The fire leapt from the torch to the wood and almost immediately they could feel the chill lift from the room.

  Simon dragged a chair over from the window and Jack slumped down into it, stretching his feet out toward the fire.

  "Best get your wet clothes off before you get too comfortable," said Lin. "You'll warm up quicker."

  Jack nodded but Lin could've sworn she saw him blush. Under better circumstances, she would've teased him about it. Instead, she turned her back and busied herself with stripping Robert of his uniform. When she was finished, she took the blanket off the bed and draped it over Robert. "Do you have a pot I can heat some water up in?" she asked Brendan.

  She could almost see his brain trying to work out what she'd asked, such was the time it took him to react. He shuffled off to the other side of the room and rummaged around before returning with a kettle. His head twitched of its own accord as he handed it over to Lin. "What's going on?"

  "Has no one told you?" she asked. "Has no one come to see you?"

  "People knocked on my door but I didn't answer," said Brendan with a slight jerk of his head. "There were Black Dogs in the street as well."

  "There's a Master in the city," said L
in.

  "A Master?" Brendan looked from Lin to Jack and back again. "A Nostros? Here?"

  Lin could see the fear in his face and wished she could give him a different answer than the truth, but it was what it was. "Yes."

  "No." The twitch grew more pronounced. Almost violent.

  Jack, wrapped up in Simon's cloak, hobbled over to his brother. "Aye. I found a body after I left you. A small girl. Her throat had been torn open and all her blood drank."

  Brendan hugged himself as the shakes started. His head twitched from side to side. "No. No. No. No. No. I know. I know. Here. I know."

  Jack put his arm around his brother. "We're dealing with it. Nial has it under control."

  Somewhere, gunshots went off, revealing the lie for what it was.

  It was all too much for Brendan. His legs went from under him as convulsions racked his body. Lin went to help but Jack waved her away. He pulled his brother in tight and held him as best he could, stroking Brendan's hair and whispering that everything would be all right.

  Simon raised his eyebrows in concern and all Lin could do was shrug. She'd seen too many like Brendan while she was a slave. The Masters had a way of doing that to a person. Not everyone could handle living in fear, and even the strongest had their limits.

  "I'll take watch at the window," said Simon.

  Lin nodded as she filled the kettle with water. There was a hook above the fireplace and she settled the kettle there. While she waited for the water to boil, she watched the two brothers. Despite how weak Jack was, he wouldn't let his brother go. Jack would never let anyone down. It was one of the qualities she loved about him.

  Not wanting to intrude, Lin left the kettle to boil and went to join Simon, squeezing Jack's shoulder on the way. He squeezed her hand back in return. A simple gesture, but it meant the world to Lin.

  "What's up with the brother?" whispered Simon as she stood next to him.

  "He spent six months as a prisoner of the Masters," replied Lin. "He was in a bad way when we found him. Looks even worse now, though."

  "Not many get a second chance once those bastards get you," said Simon. "You know that more than anyone."

  Memories of lost friends flashed through her mind. Truth was, it was a miracle she was still alive. Better people than her hadn't been so lucky. How long before her time came? Before Jack's? She looked out of Brendan's window at the street below. It seemed clear of any immediate danger, but she could hear the occasional gunshots in the distance. They were out there — the Master and his Children. Killing. Spreading death among those who didn't deserve it. She could feel the fear inside her murmuring away. Hated herself for it.

  The gunshots were growing louder and the gaps between them were becoming closer together. There was a battle going on somewhere. Then she spotted a glow in the distance. "Is that a fire? By the river?"

  Simon nodded. "That's not good."

  "Things are escalating quickly."

  "It'll only get worse until we find the Nostros," said Simon. "He can make more Turned faster than we can kill them. If we're not careful, we could lose the city."

  "Better it all burns to the ground first," muttered Lin. She'd not let the Master and his Children get away. Not if she could help it.

  "What did you say?" asked Simon.

  "Nothing." There was no point repeating it. She knew he wouldn't understand. "We should cover the window," she said instead. "The rest of the neighborhood is deserted. Any Turned will spot the light from here a mile away. We'll have them all swarming on us if we're not careful."

  Simon did a double take out the window, as if expecting to see a horde of Turned waiting on the opposite roof. "I hadn't thought of that. I must be tired." He dragged the heavy black curtain across the window.

  "Simon?"

  He looked up at her. "Yes?"

  "I just wanted to say I'm glad you're here." Lin paused, finding the words difficult. "I know I've not been the best company at times."

  Simon smiled. "Really? I hadn't noticed."

  "Yeah, really."

  "Don't worry about it. I'm glad I'm here too. No one should be in the shit on their own."

  "I'll go and check on the others." Lin left him, glad she'd apologized. The man had a knack for winding her up, but there was no doubt he was a good man to have on your side in a tight spot.

  When she returned to Jack and Robert, she touched Robert's forehead and was relieved to find some warmth returning. She took the kettle off the fire and found a cup to pour the water into. She passed it to Jack. "Drink this."

  He took the cup. Brendan lay in his arms, asleep. "Thank you."

  Lin nodded toward Brendan. "Is he ...?"

  "Only God knows." Jack sipped the water. He looked tired and old but at least he wasn't dead.

  "How are you feeling?" she asked for want of something to say.

  "Been better. But I'm alive — thanks to you."

  Lin brushed some hair from her face. "I knew you were. That's why I went looking."

  "When did you get to the capital?"

  "Last night. Seems a lifetime ago. Some lord called Willingham asked for me to come. He wanted to talk to me."

  "I met Willingham," said Jack. "They say he's the most powerful person in the country after the queen."

  "Yeah, well ... that doesn't make him a good person." Lin glanced over at Simon. "I don't trust him."

  Jack smiled. "Do you trust anyone?"

  "Fair point." Lin grinned back. "I trust you." It was true as well. She did. Jack had never let her down and she knew he never would. He didn't see her as an oddity or as someone in need of rescuing.

  Brendan stirred in Jack's arms and opened his eyes. "Jack."

  "Brendan."

  "Are we safe?"

  "For now," said Jack.

  Brendan looked at the covered window. He might not be able to see what was going on outside but there was no hiding the sounds of gunfire. It was obvious to everyone that somewhere, Black Dogs were fighting for their lives. "I need to get up," he said abruptly and staggered out of Jack's arms and onto his feet. He stepped back from the fire until he was in a dark shadow in the corner of the room. "You should all go."

  "We will in the morning," said Lin. "Your brother's not well enough to travel now — nor is Robert." She paused, and looked to the window herself for just a moment. "It's not safe out there."

  "No!" Brendan screamed the word out, making them all jump with its ferocity. "Get out. Get out. Get out. All of you. Now. I don't want you here. This is my home. My home — not yours. You need to leave. Leave me alone. I'm safe on my own. Safe. Safe. The Masters don't want me. Not anymore." Brendan jabbed a finger at Lin. "They want you. You! Not me. Not anyone else."

  Lin took a step back. "Me? Why would they want me?"

  Jack got to his feet and approached his brother. "Brendan, calm down. They won't find us here. We're all safe."

  "No. No. No. No. They know you're here. Of course they do. They know everything. Everything. Always watching. Always." Spit flew from Brendan's mouth and his eyes bulged. His head swiveled around as he looked for something. His body jerked as if prodded by a poker. Jack took another step toward him but Brendan ran to the side of the room and snatched his sword up. The hiss as the blade left its scabbard was frighteningly loud in the room. Lin couldn't help but notice the blade didn't shake. "You need to go now — or I'll kill you myself."

  Simon's sword came out in answer. "Put the weapon down," said the Black Dog.

  Lin held out both hands. "Both of you — there's no need for this. We're all friends." She needed everyone to calm down. She needed to find out what Brendan meant. Why did the Masters want her?

  Jack stepped between Simon and his brother, not taking his eyes off Brendan. "I know you're scared. We all are — but we're all better off together, helping each other."

  "Get out!" screamed Brendan. "They know you're here. They've been watching me. Waiting. They'll be coming now."

  "What do you mean?" asked Ja
ck. "They've been watching you?"

  Simon went to the window and peered out behind the curtain. "I can't see anything. Street's empty."

  "What have you done?" asked Lin, her hand clutching the grip of her sword.

  Tears ran down Brendan's cheeks. "The Masters have people everywhere."

  "Everywhere?" asked Lin.

  "In the Order, the government, the palace, in the very streets themselves. The Masters ..."

  "The 'Masters'?" repeated Jack. He glanced at Lin. Only she called them that.

  "My Masters. For now and forever," said Brendan. "You didn't free me. They just let me change my prison. Told me what they'd do if I didn't follow their commands. Can't have that. No."

  "Get dressed, Jack," said Lin. She didn't know what was going on except for one thing: trouble was on its way. "We're going to have company very soon."

  "There's nothing outside," said Simon. "The street's empty. It's ... wait ..."

  "Get out!" screamed Brendan. He raised his sword, took a step toward Jack.

  Lin didn't believe he'd attack his own brother, but she wasn't taking any chances. She moved quickly, grabbed his sword arm, pushed it out of the way, and then punched him square in the nose. Brendan dropped a second time, blood streaming from his nose, and Lin snatched his sword from him. She pointed the tip at him. "Stay down."

  "There was no need for that," said Jack, crouching down beside his brother.

  "I told you, you need to get dressed," replied Lin. "Simon, what's going on out there? What can you—"

  Something crashed against the building's front door. The table Simon had placed against it must've held because there was a pause, followed by another crash. It was louder this time as wood splintered and broke.

  "They're here," whispered Brendan and scuttled on his hands and knees into the corner of the room. His eyes shone in the darkness.

  Jack didn't need telling a third time to put his clothes on. As he struggled into his trousers, Lin went to Brendan's front door. She pressed her ear against it then looked back at the others. "They're coming up the stairs." She ran back, grabbed Brendan's chair and dragged it over to the door, wedging it under the door handle.