717 Words, this chapter
Chapter Ten, Bugged
"We need to get back," said Connor, "though and make the anti-venom."
"Right," said Matt. "I'll lead. Connor, you and Emily take Becker."
They nodded. Emily grabbed one of his shoulders.
"No," said Jess, pushing her aside. "I'll do it."
Becker laughed. "You're cute, but Emily...is...stronger," he said, having trouble breathing.
"Easy," said Abby. "Save your breath."
"And your strength," said Emily. "Jess, I agree with the Captain. I am better suited to assist."
Jess shook her head.
"You...save...self."
"No!" she cried, grabbing onto him. "I'm saving you!"
He laughed, giving in to the small but determined woman.
They moved out, Connor and Jess pulling and holding Becker. Emily ran alongside, certain Jess would not be able to keep Becker up.
But she did. And she moved fast. At times, Connor was struggling to hold up his side.
They dodged the swarms, stopping for cover when they could find it.
"I see the anomaly!" yelled Matt.
Connor nodded and they moved forward.
"We're almost there," said Jess.
Becker nodded.
They were a few steps from the anomaly when suddenly a swarm flew in from the side, blocking them from the ball of light.
"You're kidding," said Connor.
Matt looked at Emily and Abby and all three began to fire.
The swarm evaded them, but kept regrouping in front of the anomaly.
Jess sat beside Becker, collapsed against a car.
"He's fading in and out," she said to Connor.
He frowned. "Yeah, this stuff works fast."
Jess looked to Matt. "We have to get him through!" she yelled.
"We're trying!" cried Matt.
They all fired, but Jess and Becker.
Jess looked at him. She had to find a way to save him. "You took that sting for me." She sighed. "It's my turn."
She took her bag and looked at her 'gadgets.' She'd packed anything she thought she'd need: portable ADD, multiple flash drives, the latest technologies of tablets and notebooks. She accessed all the sound files she had.
"What are you doing?" asked Connor, even as he fired.
"Well, I thought, they buzz, right? Maybe I can distract them with sounds."
He laughed. "Trick them into thinking there are other giant, time-altered species of whatever the hell they are?" he asked.
Jess shrugged. "Maybe. I have a sound file here that says, 'sounds of a summer evening.' Maybe it includes present day wasps. Can't hurt."
"Actually, it can. It could backfire."
Jess heard very faint chuckling. "Connor...would...know," Becker said weakly.
Connor laughed.
Jess bent over Becker. She gently stroked his cheek. "Hey. You're back with us."
He smiled. "Yeah. You...OK?"
She giggled softly. "Don't worry about me now."
He chuckled. "Al...ways..." He fell into unconsciousness again.
Jess sighed, frowning.
"Jess," said Connor.
She looked at him.
He smiled. "The sounds. Go for it."
She nodded, held up her tablet, and hit the volume to max. Then she played the archived sound of 21st century wasps.
Suddenly the creatures stopped.
Jess smiled. She stood up and took a step away from Becker.
The creatures slightly moved.
She smiled again, moving more. They followed.
"What are you doing?" asked Matt.
She looked at Becker. "Get him out of here."
She saw Abby shake her head.
Then Jess ran.
"Jess, no!" screamed Emily.
Jess ran down the street, leading the things away from the anomaly.
Connor jumped up, supporting Becker. "Let's move!"
Abby ran over, taking Becker's side and they ran toward the anomaly.
"Jess!" cried Matt.
"I'm coming! Go on through!" she cried.
Matt hesitated.
"Becker needs help," said Connor.
Matt looked at him.
"Jess will be OK," Connor said.
Matt nodded. "Go,"
Connor and Abby, with Becker, ran through.
"Go, Em."
Emily looked at Matt, then the running form of Jess.
"Go."
Reluctantly she did.
Matt stood for a moment. "Jess!" he screamed.
She stopped. So did the wasps. She was far away, but not that far. She nodded to Matt and threw the tablet as far as she could. She prayed.
The creatures followed after the sounds.
"Yes!" she cried, running as fast as she could toward Matt and the anomaly.
They ran through together.
End of Chapter Ten