Sorry for delay. I had some internet problem. If you're still interest next chapter can be posted sooner than this one.
Chapter 2
Young woman looked herself in a half broken mirror in her half broken apartment. She was tall, slim built, around twenty, but she couldn't know for sure. Voluminous, dark, almost black hair framed her beautiful face. She put some gloss on her full lips and dressed her best black jeans and leather jacket, preparing herself for a date. She had been going out with this Charlie guy for four months now.
He came in the bakery where she worked, one day, with his split lip and messy appearance, ordering some rolls.
Tinga looked him up and down, while putting his food in paper bag. -Got in a fight? -she asked with raised eyebrows.
He smiled mysteriously. -Something like that.
Looking into his eyes she caught something very familiar, that his eyes held. Some knowledge and experience, too old for him. The same look those old generals in the army, that everybody respects, have. The same look Manticore soldiers have.
She couldn't break the gaze, finding it comforting and familiar.
After paying for his rolls, he left. But only to come the next day. This time his stubble was no longer there, his clothes were tidy and his hair clean. The only indication that he was the same men from yesterday was a swollen lip. He smiled as much as his injured lips allowed him and asked her to go with him on their first date. And the second. And the third. The same thing continued for months now. Tinga knew all his favorite movies and food, what made him happy or sad, his little rituals in the morning and weird habits in the evening. But she also noticed how often he had to leave her without an explanation or how he wasn't always reachable. Also weird bruises, cuts and some old scars that strangely reminded her of bullet holes.
As much she knew he hid something from her, something big, she also knew he wasn't the only one. So she let it slide. For now.
She came at the front door of some dining pub, where he was supposed to meet her. She glanced at her watch figuring she was a few minutes early.
A strong hand grabbed her upper arm and she spun with inhuman speed ready to attack. Or defend. Whatever was currently necessary. It turned out, nothing of above. Charlie stood in front of her and she smiled, but he didn't return it. His eyes franticly looking their surroundings. She put her palm on his chin.
-Charlie? What is wrong?
Finally his gaze landed on her. -We need to go. Now.
-What are you talking about? Charlie, you're scaring me.
He looked her in the eye, sincerely. -I love you Penny. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you.
She smiled a little. -I love you too.
-If I told you we had to go. Leave this place forever. Would you go with me?
Tinga stood still. She was very familiar with leaving and never looking back. But what was his deal?
-I'm gonna need more than that Charlie.
-I will explain everything on the way. Just come with me.
At first she just stood there, not knowing what to do. Finally she reluctantly nodded her head. -I need to know you will tell me everything. No more secrets.
His smile kept some of the concern that was evident since they met today, but the smile was genuine.
At that moment Tinga heard the first whooshing sound, instantly recognizing it as the sound of the bullet. She jumped forward and both of them fell to the ground. Both reaching for their gun, not even noticing the other one did it too.
Max hobbled to her apartment door, carrying most of Ben's weight. His eyes were glazed and he stared somewhere in the distance. They barely managed to escape and all that time it took them was taking it's piece on Ben. She stole some car and drove him to her home. Later, when Ben is safe, she will have to get rid of the car because she knew they would be looking for any sign of a stolen viacle in that area, and where it appeared later.
-Ben. Ben? -she tried to gain his attention, but his stare was unfocused and he wasn't hearing her. The pain was excruciating.
Max lowered him gently on her bed, watching not to move his leg too much. She quickly went to the bathroom and picked up first aid kit and the glass of water.
-Here, Ben. Take this. -she gave him some painkillers and started working on his leg.
Once she set it in it's right position, he lost consciousness. She looked at his face and gently stroked his hair. He looked so peaceful in his sleep that she couldn't but wonder what could have happened to him, to make him do all those stuff he did. Figuring that he won't wake up any time soon, she sighed and left the room. She still had some work to do. Starting with a phone call to Logan.
Charlie grabbed Tinga's hand and they ran toward his car avoiding bullets. When finally seated, Charlie pressed the pedal with all his might and they sped away. First couple of minutes there was complete silence.
-So... you have a gun. And you know how to use it. -Charlie said, not really looking at his girlfriend.
Tinga just laughed nervously. -You go first.
-What happened to that saying ladies first?
-I'm no lady. -Tinga said cheerfully, both horribly uncomfortable.
-I made myself some mob problems. My family owes them some money. That's why we had to skip town. -he said the words too lightly.
-My father taught me how to shot. Said a girl was never safe enough in this horrible world, not without the gun. -her smile was fake.
They both lied. And they both knew that.
By the time Ben opened his eyes, it was some time in the night. He sat abruptly, in unfamiliar bed, but dull pain in his leg reminded him of yesterday's events. He awkwardly got to his feet and tested his injured leg. It felt much better than yesterday, although it still hurt. He made slow progress toward the door and opened them. He could hear quiet voices from the tv and someone's light breathing.
And there she was, lying on the couch, sleeping, with blanket rumpled under her feet. Ben's night vision combined with the one coming from the tv, he saw dark bruises on her face and arms and instantly felt horrible shame because of his actions. He hobbled closer to her and pulled her rumpled blanket all the way to her chin and then sat down on the floor beside her, watching night program.
As much as he wanted to escape his thoughts, they were catching up with him. At the same time he wanted to run back to the priest to finish his job for the Lady, and stay right here with Max. He turned his head toward her, looking at her beautiful face. He knew transgenics were supposed to be perfect, but there was something special with his Maxie. He also wondered if she was right about the Lady. He felt like he was betraying her, just thinking those black thoughts, but the fact was, she didn't protect Jack or Eva, nor did she stop Maxie's, Jondy's and Kavi's seizures.
He stayed this way until the morning when some beautiful black girl entered their apartment. As soon as the door swung open, Ben jumped to his feet and OC shrieked in surprise. Before they got the chance to do anything, Max was already between the two of them. She looked kind of embarrassed, but composed herself rather quickly.
-OC this is Ben, he was a part of my unit back in old M. Ben, this is my roommie Original Cindy.
They both just looked at each other suspiciously. This OC girl knew about Manticore?
-Boo, not to be rude, but what's this male ass doing here?
Ben raised his brows and Max barely suppressed a giggle. OC sure was much to handle, when first meeting her. -I was wondering if he could stay with us. Just until he gets back to his feet.
OC stared at him, with pursed lips, looking him up and down. Ben shuffled uncomfortably on his feet.
-Aiight boo. He can stay. As long as he behaves. -he turned toward Max -We're already late and Normal probably canned our asses a few times so far. You coming or not?
Max looked at Ben and then back at her friend. -Tell him I'm having family emergency.
OC nodded her head. -Aiight. You know I gotch your back, anytime boo. -with that words she picked up the stuff she came home for, and left, leaving Ben and Max in uncomfortable silence. Max stared at him for a moment, trying to decide his mental state.
-I think we need to talk. -she finally said seriously and Ben just exhaled loudly. He knew this moment will come. He just hoped it'll be later rather than sooner.
Max started making coffee while he composed his thoughts. She turned toward him with filled cup. They sat on the window bench, looking on the street below. It wasn't as high as they would love, but it gave them some comfort. Probably one their feline DNA's weird needs.
-What happened to you Ben? -she asked quietly.
He looked at her with his lost, hunted eyes, once again noticing all the bruises he caused. -I'm so sorry Maxie.
-Why were you doing those things?
-I know it's hard to believe, but I was really doing it for you. For all of you. Blue Lady was supposed to take care of us.
-But she doesn't exist Ben! -Max was getting both desperate and angry.
- You don't think I have doubts? I do. Some days all I wanna do is stop. Stop killing and stop hurting. But it's stronger than me. Every time I try to stop I get this horrible feeling that something bad is gonna happen to one of you. And it's overpowering Max! -he made some strange noise between growl and sob -And what is so bad about killings after all, ha? That's what we were made and trained to do. -he said the last sentence, more from pure need to come back to familiar territory, away from real problem and emotions, than real belief in the words he spoke.
And in that very moment Max recognized what was wrong with him. Although they were all screwed somehow by Manticore, this was just another disorder she was familiar with. It all made sense now. Caused by early childhood trauma- the day when they killed that convict, associated with a story he told them that night. Irrational need to for certain actions in order to reduce the fear of certain things. Even the average age of occurrence of the disorder fits in Ben's profile. It was so simple, Max wanted to laugh. He had just another case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Manticore kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the therapy was the same.
Silent tears started to leak from Max's huge brown eyes. Ben watched her in horror. He put his cup down and came closer to her, hovering over her, not knowing what to do. He wanted to wipe that tears away and hug her. Promise her he will stop. But he didn't know what her reaction would be. He didn't think he could handle her rejection.
He finally decided taking step by step. He used his thumb to remove those tears from her face. Tears that he caused. When she closed her eyes, he moved closer and put his arms around her lithe form. She leaned into him and he sighed with relief.
-I'm so sorry Maxie. I promise I will do my best to stop this. The last thing I wanted to do was make you cry.
She made some strangled sound that sounded like something between laugh and sob. He rubbed her back comfortingly, holding her very close.
-You need help Ben. -she said, but her voice wasn't accusatory, or chiding. It was a simple statement. She removed herself from him, but kept her hands over his. -And I know exactly what you need. I just don't know where to find a therapist that could be able to listen the whole truth.
-What are you talking about Maxie?
-You have some screwed up Manticore kind of OCD.
He knew that all those thinks that he did weren't normal. But she was saying that he was insane. One part of his brain agreed with her. Probably the sane part. But the other was already mad at her. Ben jumped to his feet and started pacing around her apartment with furious face.
Max sensed his distress and stood in front of him, looking straight in his hazel eyes. -I can't make you do anything Ben. But it would make me very happy if you tried. For me? -she asked in that little girl's voice she always used when she wanted something from him. Whether it was to tell a story, or give her some unusually good part of the breakfast.
He rolled his eyes at her cheap attempt but also gave her a small smile. -You know I'd do anything for you Maxie.
Charlie pulled his car in front of some old run down house in the middle of nowhere. He walked through the bushes and Tinga followed in the silence. Once inside, he went to the basement with some flashlight and soon old lights came to life. He came back with his hair full of spiders and Tinga laughed at him, taking it all out. The situation between the two of them has been weird the whole trip. Tinga just didn't know where she stood with him. She knew she loved him and was very sure he loved her back, but they both, obviously, had some major trust issues.
He took some woods from spare room and lit a fire in the fireplace. She came closer carrying some old dusty blankets, but that was the best she could find. Sitting next him, she looked him in the eyes.
-What now? -she asked quietly.
-We needed a place to stay over night. Tomorrow, we can go where ever you want.
She nodded her head and snuggled closer to him. Soon she fall asleep in his arms, only to be abruptly awoken by crashing of windows all around the house. She felt Charlie's hand on hers, while he dragged her behind very huge closet.
-Listen to me Penny. These are some bad guys. You sit her until I give you a sign and then run as fast as you can okay? I'm so sorry I put you in the middle of this.
He was about to say something more, but Tinga rolled her eyes at him. She wasn't some delicate piece of pottery. And it was about time he finds out about it.
-Cover for me hon. -she said and run on the other side of the room. He barely had the chance to react, but he stated shooting at them, as soon as the first bullet went toward his girlfriend.
Tinga crouched behind the nearest wall and started shooting at the opponents. She looked at Charlie and caught his attention. She signed him to meet her in the room on the second floor. Running and shooting, they went in separated ways until the both reached the meeting place. They shot two more attackers and Charlie started lowering himself from the window, holding for the pipes. Tinga just jumped, figuring she will have to tell him everything now. Ignoring his surprise she just continued walking. They run toward the nearest car and she punched the driver in the head, dragging him out of the car.
As soon as they were both inside, they drove away. Tinga was the first one who started yelling.
-What the hell was that?! A mob? A mob, Charlie? Since when do gangsters have well trained Spec Opps units?!
-You really gonna ask me about that when you, who work in the bakery, just a ordinary girl, know military signs, can recognize Spec Opps units and jump from the second floor, for Christ sake!
-You first! It's your fault we found ourselves in this situation in the first place!
He exhaled loudly and pulled by the side of the road. -You drive, I have to take out my tracker first.
-Your what? Why the hell didn't you do it first? Now they know where we are. That's probably how they found us.
-Yes, I'm sorry. I had a jammer in my pocket, but that house has one of it's owns so their signals must have conflicted with each other, making me visible.
Tinga rolled her eyes once again, but sat at the driver's place. He made a small cut at his hip and started digging around it, removing his tracker.
-You might as well start talking. It will distract you from the pain. -Tinga said semi gently.
-I can handle the pain. -he said through the gritted teeth, but decided to talk after all. -There's this black opps agency. They call themselves Zhar. They recruit people from armies, mobs, computer companies, sportiest, you know like boxing, taekwondo, judo, etc. Those people that are the best at what they do. Once inside of the program, they delete every trail that you ever existed. With special lasers they even change our fingerprints. Then, they train us to become even better. It's a Russian project. Zhar means light. It works all over the eastern Europe. After the pulse they spread to the America. There are only two facilities. One is somewhere in Siberia, and one close to Spokane. It's all about economy, espionage, wars and who's the best county in the world. Bla-bla. The problem is, they don't tolerate relationships. So, once they found out that I fell in love with you, they decided to get rid of you. That's why we're on the run right now. -he looked at her once he patched up his wound and threw his tracker through the window.
Tinga just stared at him with wide eyes. She looked back on the road. -My name is Tinga. -she said in quiet voice.
-What? -he looked surprised, but encouraged her to continue speaking.
-I was part of American military project. They wanted to make a perfect human, with enhanced abilities, such as speed, strength, sight, hearing and stuff. So they hired the best genetics who used human DNA and combined it with animal. Then, those children, made from that DNA were trained in special facilities, to became soldiers, operatives, spies, agents, assassins, shortly, whatever was necessary for this country to be the best. The problem was, they didn't treat us like humans, we were just a tool for them. When someone wasn't good enough, they would kill him. One day it became too much and my unit's CO organized an escape. I was eleven at the time. Since then I've been on the run. -she finished quietly.
They were both staring ahead at the dark road. -So...your DNA is not human.
She glared at him. -Most part is! Look at me Charlie. I don't have tail or fur. I'm just a little...enhanced. -she laughed nervously, without real humor.
Charlie put his palm over hers and squeezed it lightly. -I guess we can be on the run together then.
His words were sincere, but she could still feel some reluctance from him. She knew this was a lot to take, but she loved him and hoped he could still love her knowing what she was.
Max opened the door of Logan's apartment, not bothering to be quiet.
-So, tell me who's this guy again? -Ben asked behind her.
-You'll see, just come inside. Logan? -she yelled.
He pushed his wheels and strolled from the computer to the door. -In here.
When he spotted the man standing by Max's side, his eyes became wide with surprise and some fear.
-What is he doing here? -he asked harshly.
Max called him yesterday and told him that she saved her brother who was now asleep in her apartment. He tried to make her see straight, that she should bring him back to Manticore so they could fix him, or better get rid of him. She yelled at him and they fought until she hung up. Now, when he heard her voice, he thought she had come to her senses, but apparently, no such thing happened.
-He's here with me. -she said coldly. -I need you to call Sebastian for me. He mentioned once that he has degree in psychiatry. Something about having too much free time. He also knows about us. I was thinking, he can help Ben.
Behind her, Ben scowled, not liking that she was talking about him being crazy, to this annoying man.
-You and I both know there's nothing Sebastian can do about Ben. -Logan answered getting mad at her.
-Let's give Sebastian an opportunity to decide about that. -Max glared at him.
-You don't know what you're doing Max!
-Please, just do that for me! He's the only person that I know, that can help him! -she yelled. Although Logan wanted to argue some more, there was some weird undertone in her voice. Something that sounded strangely like desperation. And that was something he rarely heard from her.
Finally he exhaled a breath that he didn't even notice he was holding, and returned to his computer, making a call.
-Sebastian, I need a favor.
Once they arranged a meeting with Sebastian, Max and Ben left Logan's penthouse and Max took him around the town, showing him her favorite places.
Since their escape, Ben had never felt this good. Maxie was walking by his side talking about her friends, and what she does in her free time, with a small smile. He couldn't but smile with her. She was happy with her life and at that moment he promised himself he will do anything to keep her this happy forever.
They bought some weird food in her favorite dining place and went to the Space Needle. She sat at the edge, her feet dangling from it. She was eating her food with gusto, and so did he.
-Have you met any of the others? Except Zack I mean? -Max asked in quiet voice.
-I met Zane. He had one close call with Lydecker and Zack drove him to my place where they spend a night.
Max's eyes lithe up. -What is he like? -she asked excitedly.
Ben laughed loudly. -Crazy! -then figuring the meaning of his words he blushed. -I don't mean crazy like me. He keeps pushing Zack's buttons. And so does Jondy. -he laughed once again. -Always some problems with the two of them.
Max laughed as well. -Yeah. They were always impossible.
Zane was second oldest in the unit, just after Zack, and Tinga and Eva followed the two of them, while Max and Jondy were the youngest. Just like Max was Zack's favorite, Jondy was Zane's and he always managed to talk her into doing something they weren't allowed. It was driving Zack crazy.
-So what did he do?
-He threw some huge party where he got in a fight with some gang member. Soon it escalated and he took them all down. It didn't take too long for him to get on Deck's radar. Zack was pissed.
-Do you know where Jondy is? -he could hear longing in her voice. The two girls were best friends their whole childhood.
-Zack never told me where any of you were, he just occasionally complained. -Ben laughed. -But I know she spent some time somewhere in Florida. You know her and the sun, how much she loved it. I also know Ty and Kavi stayed together. It always pissed Zack off. But he never told me anything about you. I guess he knew I would wanna see you.
-He's pissed at me for not leaving this town. He says I would be danger to you all if I knew an emergency number.
At that moment Ben jumped to his feet, very angry. -He left you here unprotected?!
-It's not like that Ben, he comes by every once in a while, to see how I'm doing, although he doesn't wanna admit it.
-Still, if something happens, how were you gonna get away if you can't call for help? -he was still pissed.
A small mysterious smile played at her lips. -Well, there's something you don't know about Logan. He's Eyes Only. He has connections everywhere.
Ben just stared at her, bewildered. -Uh... not what I would have expected. -he sat down by her side again. -And what if you needed men power? -he continued, his voice somehow absent. He was still thinking about Logan's secret identity.
Max just laughed at him. -I'm transgenic too, you know. I kicked your ass the other day.
Ben just rolled his eyes. -We are totally having a rematch when my leg heals.
She just laughed loudly and sat closer to him. He put his arm around her shoulders and his chin on her head. He could stay like this forever. There has never been the time that he didn't think about Blue Lady for so long. And it was all thanks to Maxie.
Let me know what you think. I will post next chap if I still have people with me. :)