author's note: i am such a moron. if you were wondering why there was a strange jump between the last two chapters you read, it was because i forgot to post a chapter in between. so go back and read chapter 33, it is actually the new chapter. sorry, it would have been a lot more suspenceful if i had posted it in the right order... :)
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Donovan lowered his gun and watched his bullet shatter the glass of the apartment and hit his target dead on. There was no pain, his aim was true. He watched, a small smile forming on his face, as the lifeless body of his target crumpled and fell.
But it did not hit the ground. There was a blur and then a blonde haired man caught her in his arms. The man was covered in blood and cradled the fallen woman like a loved one, holding her to him tightly. He had screamed out a name, but names were of no concern to Donovan. The objective was complete and that was all that mattered. Yet Donovan found himself staring at the curious man across the way. He wanted to know how it was possible to run so quickly as to become a blur.
Then the man lifted his head. It was him! The man from his visions. For a moment Donovan stood still in fear. Not of the man but of the pain that would return once more. When, to his delight, it did not, he was still held in place by the man's silver-blue stare. It was as though the man could see him, even across this great distance, and that somehow the man knew who he was. But for a normal human that was not possible.
After, with frightening speed, Donovan dismantled the rifle and returned it to his knap sack he dared the pain and focused his eyes further on the man's face. It was then that he saw the man's pupils were dilated, just as his own did when he was looking at far distances. Was this man from Manticore? Is that how he knew him?
Again a shock of pain ripped through his skull and he clutched at his head, grinding his teeth all the while trying to keep his balance. The pain was worse then all the times before.
He remembered the long ride from his home on the motorcycle with this man.
He remembered bursting out from a pile of cardboard to leap at this man.
He remembered being strapped to a woman's back as she walked away from this man, his blue eyes sad yet strong.
All of them memories from what seemed to be someone else's life.
As quickly as the visions came, they disappeared, along with the pain, but Donovan's breathing became heavy and he could feel a cold sweat develop on his brow. Looking up again he watched as the man lay the woman down and stand tall, still looking out the shattered window directly at him. It was a chillingly strange staring contest.
There was something about that gesture that felt threatening, and despite himself, Donovan took a step back. As if that were the cue, the man became a blur once more and ran out of the room. Off guard and confused, Donovan himself bolted to the stairwell.
*****
Zack saw as his son grab his head in pain. What was happening to him? What more had those bastards at Manticore done to his son? He tenderly lay Alyssa back down on the carpet, never once taking his eyes off Cole, and stood as steadily as he could on knees that felt so weak with grief.
He didn't know what he was going to do. He wanted to run over to Cole, but he didn't know what he would do when he got over there. Talk to him? Try and reverse whatever brainwashing they have put him under?
His mind was still in disarray when Cole took a step back. It was a trigger, and though he did not know what he would do if he got to his son, he wouldn't just let this opportunity get away.
Sprinting out the door, Zack wasted no time running to the stairs, leaping down through the middle taking it four floors at a time.
*****
Donovan was about ten floors down when his headache returned and he misplaced his foot. He stumbled forward toward a wall and turned his shoulder at the last moment so it, rather then his head would take the brunt of the impact.
Images of the woman he had killed in the forest flared once more in his mind and vanished again.
Quickly he was back on his feet, shaken by the haunting images that lingered with him now, and was trying almost desperately to get to the main floor and back to the Manticore base. He did not want to meet this mysterious man.
*****
Max and Raven were in the lobby waiting for the elevator when Zack came running out of a doorway off to the side. He didn't even notice them as he ran past.
Both were shocked to see him covered in blood both dried and fresh.
"Zack!" Raven yelled, but it was too late, he was already out the doors and on the street. They only hesitated a moment before they ran out after him.
*****
Donovan flew out of the doors. Across the street the man was there again. Taken by surprise, Donovan's feet seemed stuck to the ground. How was that possible? No human…
Just then, behind the man, the doors opened again and two females stepped out. The older of the two drew his attentions first. She was the brown haired woman from his painful visions. First the apartment and the man with the messy hair had triggered memories. Then memories of the blonde haired man as well as this brown haired woman were buried somewhere in his mind. That could not be a coincidence. And what did all these people have to do the intruder he had killed at Manticore?
The younger of the two had raven black hair and also seemed so familiar, though he didn't remember seeing her in his mind's eye as he had the others. Though now it didn't matter.
Donovan couldn't handle this stand off. His brain was throbbing this time, threatening to burst once more into flames. So he ran to his bike and yanked at the chain too hurried to bother unlocking it. The links of the chain yielded to strength and his bike was free. As he jumped on his only escape vehicle he saw the other man run into the alley beside the building, the two females quick to follow.
He did not want to know what they were up to. He just knew that he had to get out of there and back to the base now.
*****
"What are you doing?!" Max yelled as she ran at Zack's heels into the alley.
"That is Cole. What do you think I'm doing?" he said as he hauled his bike out from its hiding place.
"You can't fight him. You know you will lose." Raven did not want to sound so pessimistic but the truth had to be voiced.
"I have to do something. He is my son." His voice was oddly calm as he straddled his bike.
Raven stood in his path, trying to reason with him, "That's not your son. That's Donovan." He was going head long into a fight he was guaranteed to lose.
Max was confused for a moment by this reference to Donovan, but let Raven continue.
Zack almost seemed to falter but that was just good acting, he said no more as he revved his engine and but the bike into gear. Raven waited until the last moment before she dodged to the side.
*****
Less then a block away he heard an engine rev behind him, and looked briefly over his shoulder to see a black motorcycle burst from the alley. The man's blonde hair was whipped back by the momentum and the newly created wind.
A scant minute later he heard with his sharp ears another motorcycle roar to life chasing behind. Most likely bearing the two females.
Donovan pumped his legs faster and his bike darted with an incredible speed that rivaled what chased him now. Around him he could hear the people on the streets gasp as his bike whizzed by at an amazing speed.
Only ten minutes into the chase the pain in his skull came searing back. Again, reflexively, he pressed his hand against his temple, jaw muscles tensing. He tried valiantly to fight it off and shunt the pain away, as he had been taught, but black spots started to mar his vision. His pedaling became erratic and he leaned forward in pain. Before Donovan thought to balance himself he toppled over.
An onslaught of images once again plagued his mind. This time rather then a series of brief clips, it played out like a movie.
He remembered staying in the car with the spiky haired man.
Being drawn into the memory, Donovan could almost feel his skin itching with impatience not wanting to wait as he broke the glass in the back seat and ran into a building. Why he needed to was not yet clear.
When he arrived he remembered seeing a battle. Lydecker was standing and watching as Ty fought with the blonde haired man.
His name was Zack.
He remembered as the black haired girl approached him and attacked him.
Then the flood of memories suddenly stopped and his vision cleared, the pain, slowly receding back to an uncomfortable throb.
Donovan heard the sound of a motor close quickly on him and when he looked over Zack was already dismounting and approaching him.
Quickly his mind put two and two together. It made sense now. All of them were linked to the intruder at Manticore. The black haired girl had attacked him. Ty was fighting off Zack. These people must he his enemies. Enemies to Manticore. Donovan stood to face him, letting his back pack drop from his shoulders.
"Cole." Zack yelled, his run had slowed to a cautious walk.
Who was Cole? His name was Donovan.
*****
Zack didn't know what he was going to do when he actual reached his son. And now that the moment was before him, he found himself at a loss for words. He could only think of the basics. "My name is Zack. Don't you remember me? You have to remember…" he hesitated. There was recognition in Cole's eyes now, yet he looked as though he would attack.
*****
"Cole—" Zack began again, but Donovan cut him off.
"My name is Donovan."
But Zack was persistent "Cole—"
"You are the enemy." He leapt at Zack, aiming his foot for the side of Zack's head.
Much to his surprise the attack was blocked. But that did not discourage Donovan for too long as he attacked again, this time with several quick jabs to the man's face. The first few were blocked but Donovan proved too fast and he made good contact, sending Zack flying back to land in a heap. Donovan almost turned, thinking the battle was over, when Zack stood again.
"Cole, I —"
"There is no Cole!" Donovan attacked him again. Zack jumped his sweeping kick but, while in the air, could not avoid Donovan's next back kick roundhouse combination that again sent him flying once more with a crash into some trashcans.
*****
Luckily this was all taking place on a relatively empty street and the few people that did pass by were too frightened to gather and watch.
Several blocks away both Raven and Max had a clear view of the father and son battle. Both were surprised as Donovan continued to attack and all Zack would do was block and dodge, never once raising a fist to fight back.
This may be Zack's fight, but they would not let him die. Both leaned low to try and get their faster.
*****
After being beaten down once more, Zack again stood up and said that name once more, "Cole, you don't—"
Why wouldn't he fight? Why was he just talking? Once more, Donovan cut him off, with a kick aimed to the chest. Zack caught his foot and flipped Donovan over. A toss from which Donovan easily recovered. Was this a joke? What kind of enemy was this?
Donovan charged again.
"Fight me!" Donovan yelled as he attacked, finishing a flurry of kicks and punches with an elbow across Zack's face. His lip split and blood dribbled down his chin.
"Manticore is controlling you—" Zack said, his voice still so eerily calm.
"Manticore is my home." He kicked and Zack dodged.
"No, you were stolen from me."
Donovan was taken off guard. Stolen? "What are you talking about?"
"I'm your father."
Donovan was quick to respond, so sure of this fallacy. "I have no father!"
Zack was trying to feed him lies that would turn him against his home and his family, and Donovan would not stand for it. This only served to feed Donovan's fury. He pushed aside any residual throbbing pain in his skull and attacked with an animalistic rage. The fists and feet, elbows and knees, were all too much for Zack to fend off.
Zack fell to the ground on his knees when Donovan was finished with him, this time so battered and beaten he could not stand again. Yet still he raised his head, blood pouring down the side of his face from a cut above his eye. Even then his face was filled with more sorrow then hatred.
And again he addressed Donovan by the strange name, "Cole. You are my son."
"I am Manticore's son!" Why wouldn't this man shut up? He needed to shut this man's mouth and end all his lies.
He lunged for his backpack and pulled out a handgun, releasing the safety and aiming it at Zack, who was still on his knees.
So blinded by rage, Donovan noticed nothing but his target before him. For the X6 and Manticore he would be rid of this foe. This was no practice. Donovan pulled the trigger.
But something hit his hand just as he shot. She was so fast, and he was so focused, that he didn't even notice as Raven lunged at his arm. But she was not fast enough to stop the bullet and it still left the barrel of his gun.
*****
As soon as Zack fell to his knees, Raven leapt from the bike and sprinted toward Cole. Through the streets she was more agile on foot and she would be able to maintain a run that fast for this short distance. Raven made it there just as Cole pulled out a gun.
Max could only watch from afar as the gun fired and Zack fell limp to the ground.
*****
The girl had a death grip on the gun and Donovan struggled fiercely with her. She was stronger then she appeared. Just like the X6. Despite his efforts she wrestled the gun from him just as he kicked her off. Again, just like an X6, she landed gracefully, the gun still pointed at his head.
She was strong, and with that gun trained on his forehead he analyzed the situation. It was not worth the battle. He would report this later and then he and a few of his siblings would be able to return and finish them off.
The other woman arrived now and ran to Zack's side, and the girl who held the gun level with his head was also inching back.
Donovan raised his hands in defeat and when she turned her head just briefly to check on Zack he ran to his bike and was off before they could react. He was astounded when there were no gunshots to chase him off.
*****
As soon as she saw Cole take off on his bike, Raven tucked the gun away in her pocket and turned to Max who was holding Zack. Despite Raven's timing the bullet had still hit his head. However, Raven had deflected the aim just enough so that it had ricocheted off his skull rather than shatter the bone and invade his body. He was knocked unconscious and bleeding profusely where the bullet hit.
But he was alive. Thank the gods he was alive.
They headed back to Fogle towers, Max on her ninja, and Raven riding Zack's bike with Zack slumped over her shoulder. With a helmet over his head no one could immediately see that he was out cold and Raven was the one actually in control of the motorcycle.
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Donovan lowered his gun and watched his bullet shatter the glass of the apartment and hit his target dead on. There was no pain, his aim was true. He watched, a small smile forming on his face, as the lifeless body of his target crumpled and fell.
But it did not hit the ground. There was a blur and then a blonde haired man caught her in his arms. The man was covered in blood and cradled the fallen woman like a loved one, holding her to him tightly. He had screamed out a name, but names were of no concern to Donovan. The objective was complete and that was all that mattered. Yet Donovan found himself staring at the curious man across the way. He wanted to know how it was possible to run so quickly as to become a blur.
Then the man lifted his head. It was him! The man from his visions. For a moment Donovan stood still in fear. Not of the man but of the pain that would return once more. When, to his delight, it did not, he was still held in place by the man's silver-blue stare. It was as though the man could see him, even across this great distance, and that somehow the man knew who he was. But for a normal human that was not possible.
After, with frightening speed, Donovan dismantled the rifle and returned it to his knap sack he dared the pain and focused his eyes further on the man's face. It was then that he saw the man's pupils were dilated, just as his own did when he was looking at far distances. Was this man from Manticore? Is that how he knew him?
Again a shock of pain ripped through his skull and he clutched at his head, grinding his teeth all the while trying to keep his balance. The pain was worse then all the times before.
He remembered the long ride from his home on the motorcycle with this man.
He remembered bursting out from a pile of cardboard to leap at this man.
He remembered being strapped to a woman's back as she walked away from this man, his blue eyes sad yet strong.
All of them memories from what seemed to be someone else's life.
As quickly as the visions came, they disappeared, along with the pain, but Donovan's breathing became heavy and he could feel a cold sweat develop on his brow. Looking up again he watched as the man lay the woman down and stand tall, still looking out the shattered window directly at him. It was a chillingly strange staring contest.
There was something about that gesture that felt threatening, and despite himself, Donovan took a step back. As if that were the cue, the man became a blur once more and ran out of the room. Off guard and confused, Donovan himself bolted to the stairwell.
*****
Zack saw as his son grab his head in pain. What was happening to him? What more had those bastards at Manticore done to his son? He tenderly lay Alyssa back down on the carpet, never once taking his eyes off Cole, and stood as steadily as he could on knees that felt so weak with grief.
He didn't know what he was going to do. He wanted to run over to Cole, but he didn't know what he would do when he got over there. Talk to him? Try and reverse whatever brainwashing they have put him under?
His mind was still in disarray when Cole took a step back. It was a trigger, and though he did not know what he would do if he got to his son, he wouldn't just let this opportunity get away.
Sprinting out the door, Zack wasted no time running to the stairs, leaping down through the middle taking it four floors at a time.
*****
Donovan was about ten floors down when his headache returned and he misplaced his foot. He stumbled forward toward a wall and turned his shoulder at the last moment so it, rather then his head would take the brunt of the impact.
Images of the woman he had killed in the forest flared once more in his mind and vanished again.
Quickly he was back on his feet, shaken by the haunting images that lingered with him now, and was trying almost desperately to get to the main floor and back to the Manticore base. He did not want to meet this mysterious man.
*****
Max and Raven were in the lobby waiting for the elevator when Zack came running out of a doorway off to the side. He didn't even notice them as he ran past.
Both were shocked to see him covered in blood both dried and fresh.
"Zack!" Raven yelled, but it was too late, he was already out the doors and on the street. They only hesitated a moment before they ran out after him.
*****
Donovan flew out of the doors. Across the street the man was there again. Taken by surprise, Donovan's feet seemed stuck to the ground. How was that possible? No human…
Just then, behind the man, the doors opened again and two females stepped out. The older of the two drew his attentions first. She was the brown haired woman from his painful visions. First the apartment and the man with the messy hair had triggered memories. Then memories of the blonde haired man as well as this brown haired woman were buried somewhere in his mind. That could not be a coincidence. And what did all these people have to do the intruder he had killed at Manticore?
The younger of the two had raven black hair and also seemed so familiar, though he didn't remember seeing her in his mind's eye as he had the others. Though now it didn't matter.
Donovan couldn't handle this stand off. His brain was throbbing this time, threatening to burst once more into flames. So he ran to his bike and yanked at the chain too hurried to bother unlocking it. The links of the chain yielded to strength and his bike was free. As he jumped on his only escape vehicle he saw the other man run into the alley beside the building, the two females quick to follow.
He did not want to know what they were up to. He just knew that he had to get out of there and back to the base now.
*****
"What are you doing?!" Max yelled as she ran at Zack's heels into the alley.
"That is Cole. What do you think I'm doing?" he said as he hauled his bike out from its hiding place.
"You can't fight him. You know you will lose." Raven did not want to sound so pessimistic but the truth had to be voiced.
"I have to do something. He is my son." His voice was oddly calm as he straddled his bike.
Raven stood in his path, trying to reason with him, "That's not your son. That's Donovan." He was going head long into a fight he was guaranteed to lose.
Max was confused for a moment by this reference to Donovan, but let Raven continue.
Zack almost seemed to falter but that was just good acting, he said no more as he revved his engine and but the bike into gear. Raven waited until the last moment before she dodged to the side.
*****
Less then a block away he heard an engine rev behind him, and looked briefly over his shoulder to see a black motorcycle burst from the alley. The man's blonde hair was whipped back by the momentum and the newly created wind.
A scant minute later he heard with his sharp ears another motorcycle roar to life chasing behind. Most likely bearing the two females.
Donovan pumped his legs faster and his bike darted with an incredible speed that rivaled what chased him now. Around him he could hear the people on the streets gasp as his bike whizzed by at an amazing speed.
Only ten minutes into the chase the pain in his skull came searing back. Again, reflexively, he pressed his hand against his temple, jaw muscles tensing. He tried valiantly to fight it off and shunt the pain away, as he had been taught, but black spots started to mar his vision. His pedaling became erratic and he leaned forward in pain. Before Donovan thought to balance himself he toppled over.
An onslaught of images once again plagued his mind. This time rather then a series of brief clips, it played out like a movie.
He remembered staying in the car with the spiky haired man.
Being drawn into the memory, Donovan could almost feel his skin itching with impatience not wanting to wait as he broke the glass in the back seat and ran into a building. Why he needed to was not yet clear.
When he arrived he remembered seeing a battle. Lydecker was standing and watching as Ty fought with the blonde haired man.
His name was Zack.
He remembered as the black haired girl approached him and attacked him.
Then the flood of memories suddenly stopped and his vision cleared, the pain, slowly receding back to an uncomfortable throb.
Donovan heard the sound of a motor close quickly on him and when he looked over Zack was already dismounting and approaching him.
Quickly his mind put two and two together. It made sense now. All of them were linked to the intruder at Manticore. The black haired girl had attacked him. Ty was fighting off Zack. These people must he his enemies. Enemies to Manticore. Donovan stood to face him, letting his back pack drop from his shoulders.
"Cole." Zack yelled, his run had slowed to a cautious walk.
Who was Cole? His name was Donovan.
*****
Zack didn't know what he was going to do when he actual reached his son. And now that the moment was before him, he found himself at a loss for words. He could only think of the basics. "My name is Zack. Don't you remember me? You have to remember…" he hesitated. There was recognition in Cole's eyes now, yet he looked as though he would attack.
*****
"Cole—" Zack began again, but Donovan cut him off.
"My name is Donovan."
But Zack was persistent "Cole—"
"You are the enemy." He leapt at Zack, aiming his foot for the side of Zack's head.
Much to his surprise the attack was blocked. But that did not discourage Donovan for too long as he attacked again, this time with several quick jabs to the man's face. The first few were blocked but Donovan proved too fast and he made good contact, sending Zack flying back to land in a heap. Donovan almost turned, thinking the battle was over, when Zack stood again.
"Cole, I —"
"There is no Cole!" Donovan attacked him again. Zack jumped his sweeping kick but, while in the air, could not avoid Donovan's next back kick roundhouse combination that again sent him flying once more with a crash into some trashcans.
*****
Luckily this was all taking place on a relatively empty street and the few people that did pass by were too frightened to gather and watch.
Several blocks away both Raven and Max had a clear view of the father and son battle. Both were surprised as Donovan continued to attack and all Zack would do was block and dodge, never once raising a fist to fight back.
This may be Zack's fight, but they would not let him die. Both leaned low to try and get their faster.
*****
After being beaten down once more, Zack again stood up and said that name once more, "Cole, you don't—"
Why wouldn't he fight? Why was he just talking? Once more, Donovan cut him off, with a kick aimed to the chest. Zack caught his foot and flipped Donovan over. A toss from which Donovan easily recovered. Was this a joke? What kind of enemy was this?
Donovan charged again.
"Fight me!" Donovan yelled as he attacked, finishing a flurry of kicks and punches with an elbow across Zack's face. His lip split and blood dribbled down his chin.
"Manticore is controlling you—" Zack said, his voice still so eerily calm.
"Manticore is my home." He kicked and Zack dodged.
"No, you were stolen from me."
Donovan was taken off guard. Stolen? "What are you talking about?"
"I'm your father."
Donovan was quick to respond, so sure of this fallacy. "I have no father!"
Zack was trying to feed him lies that would turn him against his home and his family, and Donovan would not stand for it. This only served to feed Donovan's fury. He pushed aside any residual throbbing pain in his skull and attacked with an animalistic rage. The fists and feet, elbows and knees, were all too much for Zack to fend off.
Zack fell to the ground on his knees when Donovan was finished with him, this time so battered and beaten he could not stand again. Yet still he raised his head, blood pouring down the side of his face from a cut above his eye. Even then his face was filled with more sorrow then hatred.
And again he addressed Donovan by the strange name, "Cole. You are my son."
"I am Manticore's son!" Why wouldn't this man shut up? He needed to shut this man's mouth and end all his lies.
He lunged for his backpack and pulled out a handgun, releasing the safety and aiming it at Zack, who was still on his knees.
So blinded by rage, Donovan noticed nothing but his target before him. For the X6 and Manticore he would be rid of this foe. This was no practice. Donovan pulled the trigger.
But something hit his hand just as he shot. She was so fast, and he was so focused, that he didn't even notice as Raven lunged at his arm. But she was not fast enough to stop the bullet and it still left the barrel of his gun.
*****
As soon as Zack fell to his knees, Raven leapt from the bike and sprinted toward Cole. Through the streets she was more agile on foot and she would be able to maintain a run that fast for this short distance. Raven made it there just as Cole pulled out a gun.
Max could only watch from afar as the gun fired and Zack fell limp to the ground.
*****
The girl had a death grip on the gun and Donovan struggled fiercely with her. She was stronger then she appeared. Just like the X6. Despite his efforts she wrestled the gun from him just as he kicked her off. Again, just like an X6, she landed gracefully, the gun still pointed at his head.
She was strong, and with that gun trained on his forehead he analyzed the situation. It was not worth the battle. He would report this later and then he and a few of his siblings would be able to return and finish them off.
The other woman arrived now and ran to Zack's side, and the girl who held the gun level with his head was also inching back.
Donovan raised his hands in defeat and when she turned her head just briefly to check on Zack he ran to his bike and was off before they could react. He was astounded when there were no gunshots to chase him off.
*****
As soon as she saw Cole take off on his bike, Raven tucked the gun away in her pocket and turned to Max who was holding Zack. Despite Raven's timing the bullet had still hit his head. However, Raven had deflected the aim just enough so that it had ricocheted off his skull rather than shatter the bone and invade his body. He was knocked unconscious and bleeding profusely where the bullet hit.
But he was alive. Thank the gods he was alive.
They headed back to Fogle towers, Max on her ninja, and Raven riding Zack's bike with Zack slumped over her shoulder. With a helmet over his head no one could immediately see that he was out cold and Raven was the one actually in control of the motorcycle.