Chapter 4

As White walked through the door into the main living quarters, he was surprised to see Gavings standing over one of his men. He lay on his back with a small amount of blood trickling from his cracked lips. White looked up at Gavings and also saw blood splashed across his knuckles.

Clicking his fingers, one of his own men left the quarters and came back shortly with a cloth. He handed it to White who then handed it to Gavings.

"I hope I am not disturbing you, I could come back later." White motioned for his men to leave. Gavings shook his head. The man on the floor slowly got up, bowed his head and quickly left.

"We have taken the first step, and made our presence known." He went and sat at one of the tables at the side of his room. "But my men were unsuccessful in capturing the anomalies." He signed before continuing. "It has been a long time for me and my men, we are out of touch with the world"

"Maybe you could now accept my proposal. Allow some of my men to accompany you next time, they have fought them before." White looked to his left and noticed one of Gavings men looking at him.

"I'm sorry, I want you to meet David, the son of my brother. He survived the attack on our headquarters, before we went into hiding." White stepped up to him and shook his hand. "He was also one of the men sent to capture the anomalies. He is my most trusted friend, like a son. He would never endanger us." White took this in.

"If he ended up in their hands,"

Gavings cut him off. "He has no tongue," White studied the younger man. He stood silently watching. "He was seriously injured during the attack, it was the only way". White nodded.

"I accept your proposal Agent White." White nodded. He bowed his head and left. Walking through the door, he was met by two of his men.

"Trusting fools, I have them right were I want them." Moving further down the hall out of reach from Gavings quarters, White stopped.

"I want you to put patrols at every sector. I want 452 and 494 found. Then you are going to lead Gavings to them, he can deal with them first. Once there, out of the way, they can move onto more of the freaks. Seattle should be clean in a couple of weeks.

***

Moonlight swam over her features and enhanced the shape of her face. Her long black hair rained over her shoulders, disappearing into the blackness beneath her sleeping body. Alec's tense muscles slowly unknotted as her body heat spiralled through him, warming his soul.

They had fallen asleep together, him first as he had woken with his head resting on her shoulders. She looked so peaceful. She had sympathised with him, she had soothed him, and she had allowed him to keep his dignity as they wept for loved ones lost. She deserved the comfort of sleep.

But sleep to him, was nothing more than a different way for forgotten memories to submerge and show their ugly faces. When there is no one in the darkness of night to pull you from those dreams, then sleep could be your worst enemy.

Feeling Max stir, Alec looked up at her from his resting-place. As she moved slightly, more moonlight poured in over them. But the darkness can't reach you here, because I'll protect you with my soul.

Hours later, slowly stretching her body, Max's first thought involved a leaking ceiling and too much to drink. She felt dizzy, yet alive, and a cold but gentle breeze fluttered over her face.

Please don't tell me the ceiling's fallen in. After a couple more seconds adjusting to the atmosphere, Max opened her eyes.

"Morning. God, for someone so small you sleep like a hound." Alec's irritating voice filled her ears. Max glared at him but decided not to throw a comment back.

"Are you o.k?"

Meeting his eyes, Max searched them for any signs of fear or helplessness. After finding none, she turned her gaze to the broken door.

"I'm always all right."

Alec stood up. About an hour ago, he had moved from where he had fallen asleep, to a resting-place against a wooden pillar. He had watched her sleep, unable to sleep himself. He hid his eyes as she tried to make contact again.

"What's Logan going to think?"

"What?"

"You spending the night with me."

Max shoved him against the wall before heading out into the morning sunlight. "God, you are such a jerk." She headed toward the main street. "The sun should be coming up soon. We should be safe during the day, they're not going to make any moves in broad daylight."

"So I guess this means you won't be coming to my place," Alec called after her. After hearing her mumble a few words he nodded to himself.

I'll protect you with my soul...

Stop the darkness from finding you...

"Keep away from me Max," Alec whispered into the morning breeze, allowing it to be carried to her. But when she turned around, he was already gone.

So in death I can protect you…

He wasn't going to let Max get involved, she deserved better than this. By pushing her away he could protect her. This cult was his problem. He'd deal with it alone.

To be continued…

Not one of my best chapters. I know what I want to write, but doesn't make sense when I write it. I'll write and post chapter 5 when I get more reviews.