by Justin Sloan
"He’s got his problems, sure. But he leads the pack, and each of the other six wives are as ferocious as me… Actually, at least one of them is certainly more so."
"Don’t go getting any ideas out there," Sandra said to Diego. "If I hear you decided to settle down and find yourself a few wives, I’ll have to settle for Diego Two, and make sure he tears you a new one."
"Diego Two?" his eyes narrowed, in confusion.
"My little buddy over there." She glanced at her sniper rifle leaning against the wall.
Diego followed her glance and chuckled. "Trust me, I don’t want you coming after me with that thing, and I’m not going to find someone else."
He stepped forward and took her hands in his. A tingling ran up his arms, at the warmth of her skin on his, as he looked her in the eyes, "But this is something I have to do."
"Ahem," Valerie intruded with a mock-clearing of her throat. "I don’t believe we’ve all agreed to this."
"There’s no other way," Cammie stated as she glanced at Diego with a hint of a smirk.
Suddenly, he wasn’t so sure going with her was the best idea. Did he imagine the mischievous glint in her eye? His level of trust for her wasn’t high to begin with, considering the way the two of them had been introduced was her beating the crap out of him.
And now she was kind of eyeing him like a choice piece of meat.
One glance over at Sandra showed he wasn’t the only one who had noticed. He was even considering saying something, when Valerie broke in, "Fine, it’s settled. Diego and Cammie will be going. When they return, we’ll have a new army of Weres. In the meantime, we have a city to fortify."
CHAPTER THREE
Enforcer HQ
Valerie paced before her window, shoulders tight with worry, as she watched Diego and Cammie walk off. Sandra stood rigid, arms crossed protectively in front of her, looking like someone had kicked her puppy. Ella had reported in with her brother Peterson, and his cop partner, Wallace.
"I want the city walls up at all times," Valerie commanded. "Day and night."
Ella nodded, but held up a hand of caution. "Just… what exactly should we tell the people of the city?"
Valerie looked at the former Enforcer, now wearing a cop uniform like her brother, and smiled. One who asks questions and thinks about repercussions, she liked that.
"Excuse my lack of knowledge about how the city works." Valerie paced and then stopped. She looked out to the west, where she could see the edges of the city. Or, at least where the working city met what she’d begun to term the dead city. That’s where the walls went up, only at nights, until now. "What is it we currently tell the citizens of Old Manhattan?"
Ella shared a look with Wallace that said she wasn’t sure, so Wallace stepped up.
"Mostly we blame it on the wackos and nomads." He had a way of glancing at Ella every once in awhile and did that now with a nervous smile. "Mostly we just enforce it, don’t really bother with what they know, because honestly… we didn’t know."
"I had a hint of an idea," Ella said. "I mean, I knew about the Weres and the hunting, so put two and two together.
"And she didn’t tell you any of this?" Valerie asked Wallace. "In spite of your… situation?"
He blushed, giving it away—she’d guessed right. Those looks were the type lovers shared.
"I wasn’t entirely surprised when I found out about you," he said. "Let’s just leave it at that."
She smiled, now understanding the little piece of information that had been bugging her. Her style wasn’t to ask about such things though, figuring they’d come out eventually. And in this case, it just had.
"Very well." She turned to Peterson. "What do you think we should tell them?"
"Well, ma’am…." He was more reserved than the other two, pulling at the edge of his pocket as if wanting to put his hands in there but knowing it’d be rude. "I suppose the wacko story would hold up during the day too, even though they’re known to mostly go out at night. Something about the drugs and how it hurts their eyes during the day."
"But?"
"But… I’d go with something stronger, to get the people in a defense mode mindset, in case something really does go down."
"Interesting, and a good idea" She nodded her approval. "Tell them a nomad group, larger than what we’ve seen before, is likely heading in this direction. If we’re attacked, the people will assume that’s what is happening and be up in arms to defend their city."
She turned to Sandra and tilted her head, waiting.
"It’s smart," Sandra admitted. "I wish we could just tell the people the truth, but—"
"No." Valerie shook her head, irritated. They’d already been over this. "The UnknownWorld will stay hidden. I’ll see that this city is running smoothly and ready for Michael’s return. We won’t have that if we have panic and riots and people looking in the shadows for monsters."
"I have to agree with Valerie," Wallace chimed in. "Imagine the mass panic in the streets if everyone knew?"
"But the Enforcers knew," Ella said. "Strake knew, that’s for damn sure."
"And look how they turned on my kind," Valerie said. "Hunting us for our blood, killing us off when they were done with us. Those are not the type of conditions I’ll support."
No one had a response to that. The issue was settled, as far as Valerie was concerned, so she moved on.
"That being the case…." She looked to Wallace, taking one last moment to assess the man. They’d lucked out, coming across this cop when they’d first arrived. He was loyal and honest, as far as she could tell. At least so far, he’d proven himself. "Commander Wallace—"
"Uh, that’s Sergeant, Sergeant Wallace," he corrected her.
"Not anymore," she replied with a smile. "You’re getting a promotion."
"I—I don’t know what to say." He glanced at the other two, then back at her, sheepishly. "Are you certain?"
"There’s no one I trust more, and I need a regular human in the job, not someone a Were or vampire could sniff out. You’ll take charge of the police force, and there will only be the police force. I am the Enforcer, no others. Let’s work to restore order, quell all talk of the UnknownWorld, and get us back in shape—no, scratch that—get us in better shape than we were before. We need the people ready to defend their lives and this city when and if the time comes."
"You can count on me." He stood a little taller, beaming.
"I know I can because I trust you." She took turns looking each of them in the eye. "I trust each of you, and that’s why I’m counting on you three to weed out any bad cops. Find the ones that might have been on the take, or were considering it."
"And what, toss ‘em from the roof?" Ella scoffed. "If you do that, you’re no better than Strake."
"Watch it," Valerie warned. "First of all, you ever compare me to that asshat again, and I just might see if you can fly. Second, no, that’s not what I was going to say. Ella, you have experience in the matter. I want you to try and convince everyone you can, see if they’ll serve us loyally, and if not… Ok, what would you suggest?"
Ella went from pissed to intrigued in a matter of seconds, and Valerie knew this tactic was the right direction to take with this woman. Clearly, Ella wanted authority. Whatever she lacked in judgment, having gone over to the side of Commander Strake, she made up for in ambition and her willingness to stand beside her brother, Peterson, and her apparent lover, Wallace.
For a long moment, Ella jutted out her chin and considered Valerie, and then smiled. "Separate them out with cells alongside the ones who seem eager to join our ranks. The price of joining will be an extra day or two to act as if they haven’t made up their mind yet, but in reality be working to convince the others."
"Ok, I like that." Valerie laughed. "Peterson, why didn’t you tell me you had such a smart sister?"
"The whole being on the other side at first kinda occupied most of my mind," he replied.
"So…." Commander Wallace asked. "We’re
on?"
"Make it happen," Valerie said, then turned back to look out the window. There was no sign of Cammie or Diego now, but she’d have to trust they’d make it out of the city. Of course, getting out was the easy part. It was them having to go through the Fallen Lands that worried her.
Abandoned Streets Outside Old Manhattan
Cammie slid off the car she’d had to climb over to reach the designated exit point of the city, careful not to scrape herself on the rusty bumper. She looked back and then had to duck as Diego came leaping over her.
"For the love of God," she said, smoothing out her hair that his leg had messed as it barely brushed by.
"You really don’t have to call me that." Diego laughed, though his eyes showed his nervousness when he looked to the gate. "I prefer Super Puma."
"For the love of Super Puma," she said, playing along. She shook her head and scoffed. "Yeah, that’s not gonna work for me."
They walked toward the rusted metal gate that towered above them. Two police officers stood guard, one on each side. This was the part of the city that always had a gate and wall, because it was the most open to attack if left undefended. Cammie still remembered her time as a Bloodhound, working with the Enforcers to capture vampires. There’d been numerous reports of nomad groups or the drugged out wackos who'd try to get into the city by attacking the gate. Their lack of clear-headedness meant they didn’t consider stealth attacks or heading around to infiltrate the other side of the city.
But that didn’t stop the occasional Nosferatu making their way through. She’d been in on the city’s defense at that point, and had been glad the corporations had weapons that worked against the vampires. Now, she was on the other side.
Diego was walking with a small hop in his steps, and it was enough to drive Cammie mad.
"How the hell do you have so much energy?" she asked. "Are all Sacred Clan like this?"
"Just because I’m a cat, and have the whole Asian thing going on," he gave her an annoyed glance, "doesn’t mean I’m Sacred Clan."
"So you never were?"
"Not me, not really, but my parents were." He shrugged. "I’ve been curious, but with the stories I heard from my parents, I’m glad to have escaped when I did."
"Stories or the name Diego," she smiled, enjoying the fact that she was finally getting a chance to know this Were, "I’m not sure which to ask about first."
"Diego’s a weird name because I’m Asian? Come on, how many Asians in Old Manhattan are named Bill or Steve?"
"Good point," she admitted. "I guess it just feels different when it’s foreign."
"Or… you’re a racist."
"Hey, I’m not—" She caught the sparkle in his eye and realized he was messing with her, so she punched him in the arm. "Shut up."
"Damn, girl." He rubbed the spot where she’d hit him. "That hurt!"
"Girl, is it? Watch yourself, or I’ll hit you again."
This time he frowned for a moment before realizing she was playing with him. He smiled, hesitant as if checking her, and when she started laughing so did he.
"I think this’ll be a fun little road trip," she smiled, then shrugged. "You know, if we can get past the Fallen Lands with our heads still attached it will be."
That took the smile off of Diego’s face.
A cop called down a salute, and when they looked up he asked, "Are you them?"
"Diego and Cammie," Cammie said. "Is that what you mean by them?"
"Got the message not two minutes ago, said you’d be coming by." The cop paused, standing with his thumb in his belt loop, rifle resting on his shoulder. "Just wanted to check before you go. You two sure about this? About going,” he nodded over the wall, “out there? "
"We have no other choice," Cammie replied.
"New leader’s orders." Diego folded his arms and frowned. "We can go out this way or sneak out north, but I’d think she—"
"No, no." The cop stepped over to pull a lever. With a grinding of metal, the gate descended into the ground. It took long enough to be annoying, and left behind the smell of burnt rubber. "Was just looking after you is all. It’s dangerous out there."
"Yeah, we know, but thanks." Cammie said, leading the way out of the city.
It’d been a long time since she’d been out there. But those were the days she didn’t talk about anymore, the days when she’d been a lowly girl among nomads. It hadn’t taken her long to realize she didn’t need those bastards stealing food from her, and she could make it on her own much better.
Then had come the Golden City and a Were who’d taken her in, only to betray her. Such memories were best forgotten, and ignored. In the end, the path had led her to Old Manhattan, and now she stood at Valerie’s side—who’d have considered a vampire and Were, side by side.
It was almost like her old dreams, from the nomad days when she’d hoped to go off and befriend a vampire, find out if they really did exist. Except those dreams didn’t end in her wandering off into the Fallen Lands.
A cold wind blew and trash bags scattered in the wind, flying up and twirling, and then hitting an old street lamp. They fluttered like dying birds before breaking free and disappearing into the distance.
If she’d been hoping for fresh air out here, she’d certainly remembered it wrong. A strong scent of burning garbage carried in the air, mixed with an earthy, almost metallic scent.
"I can see why no one lives out here," Diego said as he came up alongside her. "Look at this place."
"Actually, some people might live out here." She pointed to a wall of one of the distant buildings—white, or at least, as white as white could be these days. "That one, for instance."
"You think there could be people in that one?"
"Most likely not." She shuddered at the memory of life outside of the city. "This close, the patrols would likely find them."
"Speaking of which…."
"Yeah, we better get out of sight."
They darted over to the nearest building and ducked in through a sheet metal door. They found the building, like many they’d come across, gutted and bare. Some of them would have makeshift beds in dark corners, the occasional whacko off on their own, but none of the trappings of the old days.
Looters from the early days of Old Manhattan would’ve seen to the scavenging of the closer buildings, nomad tribes the outer.
"What is it?" Diego asked as they weaved their way through the building, pausing a moment before moving on to the next.
Cammie realized she’d hesitated a moment too long, staring out at the slight decline on the other side of these houses that led to the water, and then past that, to ruins.
"It wasn’t always like this," she said. "When I first came to the city, many of those buildings were still standing."
"The corporations destroyed the place?" Diego asked.
"Don’t know, but could be, it makes sense. Try to leave as little cover for the enemy as possible." She nodded for him to follow and ran, crouched, using what rubble she could for cover.
They reached what appeared to have once been a shopping center. Next to it an old billboard was torn down and lying half-submerged in a large puddle left from last night’s rain.
A bird fluttered past, and Diego paused, watching it go.
The way the man’s eyes lit up at it, Cammie had to ask. "Not many birds in Spain?"
Watching the area where the bird disappeared, he answered. "Most died out in the chaos that followed the collapse," he admitted. "But it’s not just that—I mean, I’ve seen birds. It’s just that every time I see one flying free like that…."
"Yeah, I get it," she said. "Believe me. We might be safe in Old Manhattan, but at times the place feels like a prison."
She found herself staring at him, and when he glanced her way, then quickly looked away, she knew it had been too much. Ignoring the blush of her cheeks, she walked on, leading the way, now in silence.
They passed the shopping center and walked past several old shops that had
once had glass in the windows, but now were simply drafty ruins.
"It’s times like these when you really feel the collapse," Diego said. "You Americans always seem so sure you know everything. So…?"
"What, the collapse?" She shrugged. "Yeah, I mean, we hear stories. But who knows what really happened? Not me."
"What kind of stories?"
"The kind that are too unbelievable to warrant discussion," she said, a bit of a snap to her voice. The hurt look in his eyes caused her to continue, though. "But if you care to listen to fiction, stuff I heard mostly had to do with our kind turning against itself. There was Bethany Anne, she existed and was real. An all powerful vampire and savior from outside forces—though don’t tell the Weres I repeated that part—the government attacked her, or so the stories go. Only, she was smart, strong and prepared. The attack backfired in a completely unexpected way."
Diego put out a hand, "Wait, I’m still stuck at outside forces?" he scoffed. "Sorry, but if there were aliens, I think we’d all pretty much know by now."
"Meaning you don’t know, which is amazing in itself."
"Know what?" he asked, irritation creasing his brow.
"Where do you think vampires and Weres come from?" She wasn’t sure she believed all this either, but his close-mindedness was irritating her, like that itch on your back you couldn’t reach. "If our people are right, and what I’ve heard Michael told Valerie only confirms it I think, this is all due to some crazy nano-thingies-in-our-blood. We’re not creatures of the night, or fallen angels, or demons incarnate, or whatever else a person’s nightmare can dream up."
Diego frowned. "I’m not following you. What, like we’re all some kind of mutations?"
Cammie murmured, "Some would say we’re simply the next step in evolution."
"And people, including Sandra, are beneath us? Lesser beings?" Diego shook his head. "Shut the hell up with that,” he said as they looked around.
Somehow, hearing Sandra’s name bothered Cammie a little. Him telling her to shut up bothered her even more.
