Chapter 30

30.1

The heat was building up. They'd reached the station and what remained was to just walk into the wide gateway. If they still had the courage, anyway. The station was busier than Ed expected, and seeing so many Qmalians standing or walking inside made him nervous. And then they had this Fionn who just wouldn't go her way. 'I'm just out for a walk…' she'd said, but now she'd stuck with them for over half an hour. And she seemed like she would walk with them right in.

"Fionn, we have been together long enough, it's time for you to go." Ed gathered the courage.

"Why you saying that, guys; I'm enjoying your company."

"We don't need you anymore." Bella came to his aid.

"You are chasing away the only person who can help..."

"You've already done your part, now please just go."

"Okay, it was nice meeting you," Fionn said, and started padding away. "Don't let anyone catch you in there, though; be careful." She now dashed across the road and vanished into the night traffic.

"I don't believe that just happened," Bella sighed. "That bitch was giving me the creeps."

"Thank God, she is gone." Ed agreed.

Hardly, though, had their troubles ended. There was a police precinct not very far from this station and who could guess where Fionn was going. A person like her, who just appeared from nowhere and then tried to be nice, could not be trusted. Wouldn't she want the reward money that Ishobad had put up?

Before they walked in, Ed surveyed the station's inside. There was a lot of movement of people boarding and deboarding. A single uniformed guard stood at the doors to the train platforms, but there could be one or two more somewhere. That didn't give a nice feeling.

"Ready to mix with the Qmalians?" he nodded at Bella, even as he fought to contain his uneasiness.

"I have the para eye in my bag," Bella shivered a little.

"Touch it; it might bring us some luck."

"Or render us invisible to the Qmalians," Bella forced a smile.

Ed grinned, realizing how Bella had stretched her wishful thinking too far. They'd had the eye all along, yet Fionn had been able to see them. And talk to them, even pretend to be a friend. "You are such an optimist." Ed cast her a patronizing gaze.

"I'm better that way, let's move."

30.2

Fionn crossed the wide pedestrian walkway and ran toward a taxi-cab terminal. She would bundle Ed and Bella into a cab before they disappeared, and then she'd drive straight to Ishobad's residence. Capturing and transporting them had been her plan all along, but unfortunately no cab had driven by as they walked. Indeed, all the way, she'd desperately scanned all passing vehicles for that illuminated taxi-sign but had seen none. What a stretch of poor luck, but now she was sure this plan would succeed.

By regulation, cabs could not drive in and park right on station pavement. They had their own pickup and drop-off area nearby. Several cabs were parked in the terminal. She approached the first one she got to. The driver was snoozing inside.

"I need your help, buddy," she tapped at the half-open window. "I need transport for myself and two special people who are in the station."

"Can't the two come over? You know I'm not allowed to drive in there," the driver pointed.

Fionn opened her handbag. Her gun was inside but she didn't mean to hold up this man. She instead brought out a neat wad of Qmalian kwachuus and waved it at the driver. "More than any fine you ever could be asked to pay," she offered with a pleading smile.

The driver sighed then took the cash. He unlocked his doors.

Fionn jumped in beside him. She was set, but it would help her more if she looked a tiny bit different. She took off her long coat, and folded onto her lap. Then she withdrew her yellow grinhya cap from her handbag and put it on. Bella and Ed would not be able to quickly recognize her when she was back; and then she could pounce more easily.

"Which part exactly are those two special friends of yours standing?" the driver swung his cab onto the driven part of the road.

"Please just drive on."

They had to follow behind a bus that was rolling ahead, its tail lights covered in wet dust. Fionn willed the clumsy thing to go fast or get out of the way but the bus crawled. She didn't want too much time to pass by. Someone could recognize the fugitives and call the cops, or station guards, and Fionn's plans would be imperiled. Even worse, the two runaways could succeed to board a bus or train and ride to another hiding location. It would be terrible if she missed them. Those two were her only brightest chance to get back with Ishobad.

The station was a little busier than normal, and that slowed their progress further. Oh Jove, why were things going like this?

The cab however did make it inside. Fionn looked out and listened for any humans being captured but didn't see or hear anything. The only noise she heard was that of traffic, both inside and also farther upstreet. Absolutely no sign of commotion. That was good. Bella and Ed hadn't been caught. She still could steal them away herself.

"Where are the friends of yours?" the driver glanced at her with increased impatience.

"Just give me a minute. Isn't it I paid you?"

She scanned the left and right sides of the terminus. Several people stood on both ends. Others were walking toward the doors to the train platforms ahead. She didn't see the fugitives; where were they? Could it be Bella and Ed had entered, purchased tickets, and gone. How smooth and daring, the criminals.

With some hesitation, the driver ventured much deeper into the complex. Soon he had to come to a stop because the platform building was now right in front of him. Fionn could see hazily through the glass windows to the few people lounging inside.

"I might have to head back," said the driver, looking frustrated. "This is the farthest I can go. Where are your people?"

"Stay here and wait." Fionn jumped out.

She briefly held her nose. The air was polluted with too many scents—diesel exhausts, cooked fish, roasted chicken, and fried potatoes—it was hard to use her unique ability to good effect. Also, as if those common scents were not enough, there were the many love aromas of the young Qmalian couples here—a thing which made it even more difficult to isolate that specific one of Bella and Ed. She'd have to do a thorough physical check.

She ran toward the bus shelters to the right, but didn't see anything. She then tried the left—again no luck. Maybe Bella and Ed had gone in to the train platforms. She ran to the platform building doors and scanned through the glass. No, the pair wasn't to be seen. The taxi driver was now idling nervously and could depart. A guard was advancing towards the taxi. That could screw up things real bad. Why was the stupid guard enforcing the no-taxis law late at night when the station wasn't too busy? Fionn wanted to rush and jump him, but no that wouldn't work. She took in the air sharply through her nose again. The love scent was there, but there were too many others mixed together. The fugitives were still around somewhere.

Fionn thought to calm down and observe things more slowly. She needed to conceal herself behind something, too, so the fugitives would not be the first to see her. Luckily, close to where she stood, there was a concrete pillar that helped support the platform building's roof. She darted behind it. It was a nice spot. "I'll find them," she muttered to the concrete.

30.3

Seated on a bench not too far from the train tracks, Slasher shook himself out of a nap. A half-shot of Oxy he'd taken had dulled him and a snooze stole him. That was a real bad thing. Warriors never slept on the job, they always stood guard.

A loop of that Nsuka song still rumbled in the back of his head. It now could be sounding louder than normal, but Slasher wasn't sure of that. Maybe the drowsiness caused by sleep had amplified the sound, or it might be that anticipation was running too high in him. What the true fact was, though, didn't matter. Action was the only thing he was waiting for.

Just to be sure, Slasher flexed his shoulder and neck muscles. Oh yes, he was still fit for battle. And even though there was still that dull ache in his head, that wouldn't weaken him. If anything, it would actually make him more determined.

Where was the enemy, though? Were they still in their hiding location, or had they decided to move? Slasher was very positive they would not be putting up at the same place and very likely would try catch a train here and go somewhere else. It was getting late, however, but perhaps another twenty or thirty-minute wait would do no harm.

With Nsuka bubbling even more loudly, Slasher opened his tired eyes wide and swept the inside. The number of people waiting for the train had increased, but he couldn't see anything like Ed and his accomplice. Outside, there was still quite some movement. Two or three buses idled near the shelters. Commuters darted across the pavement to get tickets. It was still very possible to see action.

Oh Jove, why wasn't it coming fast, then. Slasher was getting really tired. He yawned lazily, and then thought maybe he could rejuvenate himself by walking around. Before he could stand, however, a flurry of frenzied movements happening outside caught his attention. A guard started waving at a taxi that had driven right into the station. A woman scurried by and then strangely hid behind a column. The woman wore a yellow cap and was anxiously glancing about. Soon she turned her head and peeked inside. Slasher recognized her. Fionn!

Oh Jove, what was that harlot doing here? And why was she acting like that?

Slasher observed her further. Fionn didn't stop turning her head around freakishly. She then began to wave desperately at the taxi. This was crazy. Slasher could have gone to ask her what the matter was but had no time for it. He had his battles to fight and wouldn't waste his time talking to harlots. Maybe it was time he should be leaving anyway.

He stood up and flexed himself. He'd leave the building by the side door. But perhaps before giving up completely and heading back to his trike, he should give the bus shelters a quick once over…

30.4

"Rotten bastard," Fionn swore at the station guard who was forcing the taxi-guy to drive away. "Can't you just let him wait? It's an emergency."

She stayed behind the column observing the scene, and wishing the taxi-guy wouldn't budge. She still remained alert to other things, and knew she shouldn't let the taxi argument occupy her too much—because fugitives could use a chaos like it to sneak away. Every corner had to remain covered.

The station guard did not stop harassing the driver.

"Idiot," Fionn cursed.

The taxi began to move away. Desperate, Fionn thought what to do. She had her coat in there and didn't want to lose it. She could run and jump into the cab but where would the benefit be if she left Bella and Ed behind. Forget the coat, she decided, and of course the money, too. Ed and Bella were gold. She'd keep watching out.

The taxi was now reaching the exit, and Fionn saw its purple tail lights. Perhaps this had turned into a failure and she should give up. Just as she was deciding, a tall young human wearing a jacket with the hoodie pulled up walked out of the ticket booth. Ed, it was! Jove, when did he slip that hoodie on?

Ed held two small pieces of paper in his hands. 'He has managed to get tickets, I have to be quick.'

The taxi had gone, but another problem had surfaced. She couldn't see Bella. Where was she? Was a trick being played?

She could rush and pounce on Ed, but briefly Fionn kept her position. Ed strode across the pavement and then mixed with some Qmalians who'd exited from a bus. She then saw him emerge and then dash toward someone who was standing alone in the shadow of a lamp post. That was Bella. She had taken off the cowboy hat she'd been wearing and held it in her hand. "Uh," Fionn sighed. "I got you."

Bella and Ed walked together for a short while, and then appeared to separate again. What was their plan? She observed keenly. Oh no, actually they didn't separate; one just walked faster than the other but both were going in the same direction. They came to a halt near the same bus shelter. Surprisingly they didn't stand close to one another. They let quite a number of people in between them. 'Nice little trick.'

XV10 East, a sign on the shelter reflected.

Fionn's heart beat with expectation. The fugitives wanted to escape to the east side of town. This was the time to act. Could she go to the shelter and hold them up? Of course she could, but without a quick transport would the plan work? She possibly couldn't order them out of the station without the guards and other Qmalians getting involved. She needed the cab back. She looked up the road. The driver wasn't returning to get her. What a debacle.

As she furiously debated things, an idea hit her. Why not ride with the two in the bus and then act when a suitable moment came. That sounded good. She ran to the ticket shack.

"Give me one, fast," she handed the cashier a ten kwachuu note.

"Sorry lady, you know we don't make change," the agent looked mockingly at her high-value note.

"Bastard, can't you see I'm late." She nearly spat at him. "Keep the change."

The XV10East bus had arrived and people were starting to board.

The cashier took his time reaching for his ticket book. Fionn swore under her breath. Who did this bastard think he was, endangering her opportunity like this. After delaying for what seemed like a year, the agent finally tore a ticket from his book. Fionn yanked it away.

She wished to rush, but realized it'd be wise not to be seen by the quarry too early, so she restrained herself and ambled at a moderate pace.

'Vile earthlings,' Fionn felt for the outline of the pistol in her bag.