Chapter 9: Ambush

Ian

We were in this warehouse for a couple of hours, but Howe wanted us to get a few more things before we go. Even though the main square was far away, the fact that the rest of the streets were silent made us hear the ovations from the locals. The celebrations were not gonna end soon.

After I put the last box in the van, I went inside to look for Wanda, because she was not back yet.

I found her in the water section, trying to reach for the bottles of mineral water, probably something Doc requested. But she was so tiny now that she could not reach it.

I smiled, and quietly approached her, put an arm around her waist and took the bottle out with the other hand. When I gave it to her, I kissed her in the back of the head. She felt a sudden shiver, I could tell.

She turned and then smiled. Her eyes, there, in the darkness, looked glowy, like two tiny stars in the night sky.

- Thank you, Ian. - She whispered.

I caressed her arms, and then leaned foward, kissing her forehead. - You welcome, my sweet.

She smiled.

- Are you ok? You have been nervous since we started the pick up...

- Yes... I... - she hesitated - the fact that our queen is here... so close to the human resistance, makes me nervous, I guess.

I nodded.

- It all went ok. - I smiled. - Now, we go home - I started playing with her hair - take good, warm baths, eat a nice meal and then... - I started kissing her shoulder - we rest up. What you think?

- Sounds more than perfect. - She answered.

- Let's go, then - I held her hand and started going ahead, to the exit doors.

- No, stand still.

I froze, holding my breath, because that voice was not hers or Howe's. It was a woman's voice.

A light came from a few steps fowards, and a black silhuet appeared. I could see the gun, directly pointing at us. I shielded Wanda with my body.

- Hands where I can see them. If you cooperate, we will show mercy.

We. More than one. Did they got Howe?

- Wanda - I whispered - get ready to run!

- Hands up! - The other Soul yelled. She lowered her flashlight. She was brunette, wore tight leggins and a leather jacket, her heeled tenis shoes were silent when she moved her feet.

The noise of the van's tires made the seeker look away for a second. Howe, probably escaping the others.

- Go! - I yelled, and immediately we, still holding hands, started running back, so we could hide in the other corridors.

Just after we reached the end of the corridor, we heard the snap of the bullet, a few moments ago, Wanda was in that spot. The bullet hit the wall.

We ran until we saw that she was gonna spot us, then another shot. We split up, because we both flinch. Now, both me and Wanda were in a corridor, trying to reach the end of it before she could get to us. I heard both their footsteps.

Then another shot, and Wanda screamed.

A froze for a second, my blood becoming cold inside me. Wanda? Did she got hit?

I started running faster. Going around the section. I still heard two sets of footsteps. But...

- Get back here, little animal! - Said the seeker, with disdain.

I ran faster.

When I reached the end of the corridor, I stoped to catch my breath and see what was in front of me.

Wanda was in front of the fishing counter, a big glass window making the afternoon sun shine behind her. And then, covered by my girlfriend's shadow, the seeker, pointing the gun at her.

I started to run, moving my arms to gain speed.

The seeker froze for a second. - You... are not a human!

That was all I needed.

I jumped on her, pushing her hard on the marble floor. The gun flew a few feet. Then I punched her, and the seeker stood still.

Gasping for air, I looked at Wanda, still in the same position. Then I stood up and took her in my arms. For a moment, we just stood there.

- Are you ok? - I asked, worried.

- Yes - she assured me, putting a hand in my face. - It's just a scrape.

So the other one did got her. A red string appeared in Wanda's white shirt sleeve.

Then, I heard the gun being prepped, but when I looked, it was too late.

I only had time to shield Wanda.

The first shot missed, hitting the glass behind us, and so did the second. But the third hit me, in the lowered back. With the shock, I fell, taking Wanda with me.

We fell off the window.

I recovered in time to turn, making her fall above me, so I hit the pavement of the parking lot.

First, it all went black, as the pain of the broken bones and teared muscles. Then, Wanda's voice made me open my eyes.

She was leaning above me, her cheeks filled with tears and her eyes were red.

- Ian! - She gasped.

I tried to speak and blood came out of my mouth. I coughed, but then, don't know how, I could speak.

- Go... Wanda, go, go find Jared...

- No.

- You need to go find Jared - I said, looking her straight in the eye. - Run!

- I can... I have to carry you...

The noise of a car behind us made me gasp in fear, but it was our van and it was Jared who was driving it. Trying to catch us in time to run. The seekers could not be far behind.

I joined our foreheads together with my left arm and looked at her in the eyes. My heart hurt when I realized that it was the last time I was touching her - I love you, Wanda. I love you. To the end of the universe and back, I love you...

And then she was taken from me. She struggled as Jared held her.

We looked at each other, and with my eyes I told him to do it.

He started running, taking Wanda with him.

- No! Jared please no!

Then Jared put an white piece of tissue in front of her mouth, and in a few moments she was unconscious.

I watched drive away at full speed. Jared almost ran over the seekers.

The pill was in a little pocket of my right arm. With a lot of effort, I moved my arm to take it out. I had to be quick they were coming.

The fist of the woman seeker came at me so fast and so strong, out of nowhere, that I only realized what had happened when she made my fingers open and took the pill out of my hand. I screamed, now in anger.

She stepped on the pill with her heel.

- We got one! - She yelled to the others.

And then, nothing. I lost consciousness.