WARNING: contains very strong language and mild drug references. This chapter doesn't really go anywhere and could be viewed as rather odd and dull. The title is hard to justify but I liked it and there is a very, very, very slight relevance if you study hard enough. Also, do not worry kiddies; I am considering toning down the language and violence to acceptable levels in the future or maybe I will create an edited version hmmmm...nah! Hope you enjoy, let me know what you think...am I forgiven for killing Logan yet, I mean look...he's alive! Hoorah!
Chapter 3: Rabbits in Holes
Evening had set in by the time Logan finally pulled the car within the boundaries of Seattle. The tall glass buildings that lined the busy roads appeared on fire as the radiant glow from the husky red and purple horizon spilled its light across the land, clashing with the reflective surfaces. Max was shocked as she adjusted to the regular city sights. There were so many people: rushing out of shops, hanging around dingy markets, conversing over outside dining tables soaking up the tea-time warmth, strays wondering aimlessly, other vehicles clogging up the road and slowing their progress. There were drunks, businessmen, everyday teens, and kids in prams, mothers, fathers, uncles, grandparents, and shady looking gangster types. Junkies, nobodies, the beautiful ones whose presence on the streets commanded immediate attention, skaters and bikers, hookers getting ready for a hard nights work, pimps, shoppers, wonderers, dealers, and then there were cops attempting to oversee this diverse wealth of human life. Jesus – there are so many goddamn people and they're all relying on me, Max thought as she focused her sight onto a collection of youths hovering round an 'oriental herbs' stall set up amongst countless others, each with their own brand of cheap tat to sell.
Max let out a soft groan as her heart yearned to be back in her secluded paradise, far away from this tightly packed, run down and over-crowded focal point of human congregation. The car came to a sudden halt and Max found herself dragged away from her thoughts with a sudden jolt.
"Sorry," Logan said while cranking the gear stick back to neutral.
"God I hate this place..." Max muttered, resting back into the dent formed in her seat from the constant hours on the road.
Logan turned and cast a doubtful glance Max's way. "I though it was home."
"It is... but that doesn't mean I have to like the stupid place. I mean look," Max held up her hands and gestured to the compact row of cars that led up to the overhanging traffic lights a fair distance ahead, "traffic; can there be anything more annoying. What could be worse than being stuck in a stuffy car, waiting for a bunch of idiots to move their hunks of metal just so you can go another few meters only to stop again. It's just so..." Max growled as though she had just caught a sudden chill.
"Crap – I know," Logan laughed.
"It's not funny, it's soul-destroying." Max said, huffily crossing her arms.
She was obviously cranky from the long trip, Logan figured, allowing himself a brief smile before attempting to make things appear better. "You know if you wanted to, you could get out and shift every one of those idiots in our path, we'll be home in no time."
"Don't tempt me," Max replied, letting her lips close into a full-blown pout. She felt Logan's eyes wondering over her and sensed he was fit to burst with laughter. She was being ridiculous, probably looked ridiculous as well, and Max tried very hard to hold back the laughter that climbed up her own throat. It was no use and the sound came, firstly in uncontrolled bursts and then she let go and it gushed out her mouth in a cute little roar. Logan began to chuckle and put a hand on her cheek.
"Isn't that better?" he inquired.
"No..." Max lied. "Well...maybe a little – but it doesn't change anything. This place is still a dump."
"Yes but it's our dump."
Max paused to consider this. She thought about everything that had transpired here. The people she had met and lost, the good times and the bad times. The past was everywhere, surrounding her like a comfort blanket, reminding her that her memories were real and not just some vivid dream. Memories of Jam Pony surfaced; memories of delivering packages and complaining constantly to their boss, Normal, about having to do it. Max's mind continued to wonder and gathered up images of Crash and all the nights she had spent there: chilling, drinking, pining, pondering and just generally having a good time. Then there was Terminal City and the infamous massacre that had claimed the lives of two of her closest friends; Sketchy and Original Cindy – god how she missed them. Echoes of her battle with Gray resonated through her distracted mind. Her psychotic and ultimately evil twin brother had come to kill her and ended up destroying her entire life. Of course she had killed him but not before she had lost everything, including Alec and Logan
Max shivered; she hated thinking about Gray, it made her blood run cold and her stomach curl into knots. He would forever be a part of her for it was his blood that had completed her; made her into the supercharged transgenic she was today. Sometimes she heard his haunting voice snake into her dreams and she would wake up screaming believing she was back on top of that building, holding a dying Logan in her arms. There was indeed a dark side to Max and she like to call it Gray; her brother would forever live on inside of her, she carried him in her blood.
"Max?" Logan was looking at her with a little worry creeping over his blue eyes.
Max shook her head, her mind awakening from the consuming thoughts of the fallen: Gray, Sketchy, O.C, Alec, Asha and so many more whose names were lost to her. "Sorry," she said, "I was miles away but yeah...it is our dump." She managed a slight smile as she slouched into her chair and watched the traffic lights scroll down to green. Logan put his foot down and the car lurched forward. They managed to crawl down another couple of blocks and then there came another set of lights and another tedious but necessary wait.
"You see," Max exclaimed, "traffic is so annoying!"
Logan laughed before his features fell and he turned to Max with a serious look scrawled upon his slightly bearded face. "Where exactly are we going? I mean...we don't really have anywhere to go. I sold my place before we left and we have no idea where Jess could be."
Max started to answer but stopped as she realised he was right. They hadn't really thought this through. She knew from the information passed onto her last year by Sandeman that The Coming would seek her out and so it wouldn't matter where she went because eventually it would find her. For some reason she had just figured it made sense to return to Seattle, that was where all the bad stuff had gone down in the past. However, Seattle was not really her home anymore and there really was nowhere to go. The most logical thing to do would be to find Jess but then where to begin; she could be anywhere. Max had gotten the impression last year that the elegant blonde was a bit of a nomad and so no place could be ruled out, as she would prefer to move around.
"Shit," Max hissed as the lights switched green and Logan pressed the car onwards. "You're right."
"So what should we do?"
Max massaged her chin and mulled their predicament over in her head. This was so ridiculous. "How about dinner?" she said at last.
"Max...I don't think now is the time for..."
"Oh come on, it makes sense Logan. We've been holed up in this stupid car of yours for the past decade, it will do us good to get out and refresh ourselves. Then we can sit down and plan shit out while eating some luxurious delight. I feel like cake, how about you?"
Logan paused, his concentration fixed on the road ahead. "I guess it does kind of make sense. Alright, but on one condition."
"What would that be?"
"You take back your criticism of my car, it is not stupid."
Max smiled. "God, men and their toys. Ok, I take it back; your car is not stupid in fact it is the greatest hunk of metal I have ever had the pleasure to ride in. There, happy?"
"Oh yes...although I do doubt your sincerity."
"But I mean it, every word. I wouldn't lie to you would I?" Max unleashed her most convincing innocent smile and batted her long lashes.
"Yeah...hey, look there's a coffee shop over there. I bet they do cake." Logan nodded to his right and Max followed his gesture to see a rectangular shaped building with the name 'Bannatyne's' plastered overhead in red neon letters.
"Seems nice enough, ok lets go."
Jess sat staring blankly at the TV screen as it flashed various colours and made sounds that didn't really register with her brain. It was some topical show where people would come on and debate current issues affecting Seattle. Lately the most popular topic was the transgenic threat and most of the guests had nothing but bad things to say. Jess had heard it all before – they are an affront to god and must be wiped out if any of us are to stand a chance of getting into heaven – and so felt no need to pay any attention to the little gibbering man twiddling on to some overly tanned host.
It had been a slow day and Jess hadn't really noticed the transition form afternoon to evening. She had awoken on her couch late in the morning, wrapped in an old blanket. Zack must have left during the night and she was grateful for the gesture, as it usually got very cold in her small apartment, especially at night. After breakfast she had decided to use the rest of the day for recuperation, sitting on her couch wiling away the hours watching countless shows that seemed so irrelevant. Thanks to her superior transgenic healing, the swelling on her hands was beginning to subside and she could feel the cuts on her face beginning to close up.
Jess stretched up and arched her back with a groan. Hours of sitting on the couch had stiffened her whole body and it felt strange as she got to her feet and shuffled over to the window. Feeling the blood beginning to pump through her legs, she looked out at the golden expanse of buildings that sprawled out beneath her. The sun was just beginning to disappear behind the horizon and a yellow burning had surged around it like some sort of fierce goodbye. Jess squinted and smiled, it was beautiful to look at but it also signalled the beginning of ugliness.
Tonight would be like any other night. The Familiars would be out on the streets like they always were, looking to eliminate as many transgenics as they could. Soon she would have to make her way down to Bannatyne's coffee shop for the standard meeting that always preceded a nights fighting. Zack would deliver orders or tasks to each individual in the group and then they would split up and complete whatever assignment they were given.
Jess ran her tongue over the crusted gash in her lip. Her mind began to doubt whether her body could sustain another night of unforgiving punishment. The Familiars showed no mercy, they were relentless in their pursuit and never seemed to stop until they had beaten every last ounce of life out of their victim. Every night Jess went out, she knew that her life was on the line. Knew that tonight might be the night she didn't make it back and her name would consequently be carved into the slab of stone Zack kept to remember fallen comrades. This life wasn't what she wanted, she wanted the chance to be normal, but perhaps she didn't deserve it. Past sins had shaped her destiny and she would forever be living on the edge, waiting for the end.
The dull ringing of her phone, jerked Jess back to reality and she fumbled through her pockets to retrieve the vibrating device. "Hello" she said, her soft voice marred by a tired sluggishness. It had been the first time she had actually used her voice today and her throat stung slightly. She hadn't eaten anything aside from the toast in the morning and now her stomach was beginning to complain as well.
"Hey Jess, it's Trick" came the deep voice on the other end of the line.
Jess smiled, she should have known it would be Trick. Somehow he always seemed to know when she was feeling blue. "Hi, what's up?" she said forcing her voice to sound more upbeat.
"Zacky boy told me to tell you that tonight's meeting will take place in one hours time. I'm already down here with Chloe and Ali having a smoke. You should get down here before captain terrific arrives, have a little fun before the serious shit begins."
"Yeah...I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make it tonight," Jess said, voicing her minds concerns over her welfare.
"Hey, you ok girl? You don't sound too hot."
"Rough night," Jess said, looking out the blurry glass of her window to see the sun slip out of view and a dull gloom sweep across the city.
"Yeah, I didn't have it so great myself. But hey, we wont let those bitches beat us down right? We are the baddest and meanest motherfuckers to come out of that whole Manticore fiasco, there aint nobody who can fuck with us and you better know it girl."
Jess chuckled, she loved Trick's over-confident and exuberant nature, and it was like a constant source of re-assurance when things appeared bleak. "I know it," she replied with a thankful tone of voice.
"You see, that's the way girl, just believe and we will persevere. Now come on mittens, get your fine ass down here."
Jess rolled her emerald eyes. "Jesus Trick, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that."
Trick laughed, the sound coming across a little distorted as the line crackled. "Ah come on it suits you, makes you seem...cute."
"Hey, I'm not cute; I'm a bad-ass bitch remember!"
Trick laughed again. "Yeah you are. Now come on, when can we expect you through this swinging door?"
"Be there in ten."
"Outstanding, I'll see you girl...oh and Jess..."
"Yeah..."
"Why don't you wear that lovely black cat suit, I could do with some cheering up myself."
Jess laughed and winced with the sudden nature of the action, her ribs clearly weren't fully healed. "I don't think so Trick," she said sternly.
"Damn. Ah well, can't blame me for trying. I'll see you soon."
"See you..."
Jess hung up the phone and held it close to her heart. She had known Trick her entire life. They had grown up together at Manticore and had both been selected for the test-training program that had led them into the path of Gray. Trick had never trusted Gray, never quite saw eye-to-eye, and he often warned Jess to stay away from him. However, she had been seduced by the dark side and upon their escape, she and Trick went their separate ways. Then of course there came the years of destruction and the dismantling of her soul. She and Gray surged across the States, spreading their terror as they went. Jess often wondered what had become of Trick but had been too wrapped up in the pleasures of sadistic debauchery to really care. Then she had come to Seattle and there came her epiphany and the demise of Gray at the hands of Max. This had left a hole in her heart, an empty void of loneliness and self-loathing. She had found herself longing for the days when it was just her and the ever cheerful Trick, he had always looked out for her and the one time she had ignored his advice, she had been burned...badly.
Her wish had been granted the day Jess had joined Zack's little transgenic group and found none other than Trick amongst the ranks. He had actually apologised to her, begging forgiveness for leaving her behind after she had been shot during their daring escape. He blamed himself for letting her fall into the grasp of Gray and he wanted nothing more than the chance to make things right. Jess had protested that she was the one that was sorry and in the end, after constant arguing, they had fell about laughing and agreed they were both sorry. Ever since then, Trick had been her closest confidante and the two of them had grown even closer. He was always there for her and just hearing his words tonight did wonders for her mood.
With some of the weight lifted from heart, Jess grabbed her coat and made her way down to Bannatyne's coffee house. Maybe tonight would be a good one...
Their came a timid ringing as Max stepped through the swing door entrance to Bannatyne's coffee shop. Logan followed close behind her and slung an arm over her shoulder. Max closed her eyes and took in a heady dose of the warm atmosphere. She could smell the soothing aroma of coffee beans and the mouth-watering odour of freshly baked bread. The sound of rushing air from an air ventilator added to the relaxing nature of the nicely compact room.
"Come on, why don't you take a seat and I'll get us some drinks." Logan said
"Don't forget the cake, "Max added as she made her way to one of the numerous tables lining the right side of the poorly lit room. She sat on one of the padded chairs and rested her arms on the polished surface of the wooden table. Logan made his way over to the counter to wait for service.
Max looked around; there were only three other people in the room, all of them huddled around the stools that bordered the metallic service counter. One looked like he had been carved out of stone, with vein-coated biceps that threatened to burst out of his tight fitting black t-shirt. His skin was tanned and he had jet-black hair shaved round the sides with the long strands on top clumped together into numerous spikes that seemed drawn towards the ceiling. He was clearly handsome in that typical male model way; defined cheekbones, a hard jaw line, and dark smouldering eyes. A pencil line beard dragged from just beneath his lower lip, down to the end of his chin and he wore a crucifix around his bulging neck. He was busy talking on a mobile phone and Max could hear him as he spoke, his voice deep and commanding, his laugh gravelled and hoarse.
On the stool next to him there sat a spunky looking young woman. She was short, her feet barely reaching the red and white tiled floor as she sat on the high rise stool. Her face was young and pale with a slender nose and full lips. Her eyes were odd: one a wooden hazel, the other a grassy green. Her shoulder length hair was a vibrant shade of navy blue and she had swept it back in a ponytail that stretched the skin of her forehead. Dressed in a short tartan skirt and a revealing black vest with a black choker fastened tightly round her neck, she looked every inch the material girlfriend of the man next to her.
The third person stood behind the counter and was bent over the side conversing with the blue haired girl while the other guy talked on the phone. This second guy was the complete opposite of handsome boy. He was tall and lanky with short carrot hair. The skin on his face was pale and had a peculiar green tint to it. His eyes were red and bleary and he was dressed in a white t-shirt covered by a grimy apron, he was obviously an employee of the establishment. As Logan came up to the counter, the man relented from rolling his 'cigarette' and shuffled over to offer his services.
Quiet an odd bunch, Max thought to herself as she lounged back in her seat and gazed out the window next to the table. Outside, darkness was fast covering the city and the sky had matured to a darker shade of misty blue. The street lamps began to spring into action and they bathed the street in an affectionate glow. In the distance, the high-rise buildings lit up in preparation for the night and a reddish haze hovered above nowhere in particular as the neon signs of clubs and bars began their duty of attracting customers. People still roamed around the sidewalks and cars still scuttled along the roads but no one seemed that interested in this particular coffee shop. Logan was right...this was their dump; Max thought as she marvelled at how little had changed in her absence. The place certainly had a familiar feeling about it and this feeling seemed to tug at Max's heart, reminding her that she once believed Seattle was where she belonged.
"Here we go," Logan said as he placed a cup of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake in front of Max. He took the seat opposite her and placed his own steaming cup down. "That guy was rather talkative, apparently his name is Ali."
Max peered across at the people huddled by the counter. The big guy had finished his phone conversation and was now sparking up the rolled joint. The distinct smell of marijuana drifted across the room and danced in Max's nostrils. "What do you think of hot boy over there?" Max asked, not averting her gaze from the three giggling stoners.
"Are you on heat?" Logan asked with his mug poised at his lips and his eyebrows raised.
Max turned to look at Logan. She tightened her eyes and shook her head in a playful manner. "No...it doesn't happen anymore, not now that I am complete."
"Well, in that case I think he looks like a thoroughly decent chap."
Max giggled. "Hmm...I don't know there is just something odd about those three. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something different about them."
"Maybe it's because they are smoking intoxicating substances," Logan offered.
"I don't think that's it...oh shit!" Max quickly jerked round to look at Logan just as the blue haired girl turned to look at them. "Did she see me looking?" Max asked in a hushed whisper, pulling a hand up to cover her face.
Logan took a sip of coffee. "Well if she didn't, I reckon your suss behaviour may have alerted her to your voyeuristic actions."
"Damn it!" Max straightened in her seat and Logan laughed as she adjusted her leather jacket and tried to appear casual. "Are they still looking?"
Logan casually looked over. "No, they're getting high."
Max breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank god for that
"Why, do you think they might be after us or something?"
"No...but it's not good to stare at people, well get caught staring at people...it's just so embarrassing."
"I see...and you were staring at them because..."
"Well there is something suspicious about them, they could be after us or something."
Logan spluttered into his coffee and continued to chuckle as he mopped up the beads of brown liquid that splattered his khaki shirt.
"It's not funny Logan. Remember: just cos you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you." Max protested
"Where did you hear that?"
"Can't remember, some song by some famous band from Seattle way back before the pulse."
Just then the bell above the door rung and a slender woman stepped through the door. She wore baggy jeans and a tight green vest with a black jacket drape over her slender frame. A hood hung over her face obscuring it in shadow. She stopped as soon as she clocked Max and Logan staring at her and in an instant she removed the head.
Max gasped as she realised who it was and a beaming smile spread across her lips. "Jess!" she cried, leaping to her feet and rushing over to embrace her.
"Whoa, not so tight!" Jess cried as she felt Max's strong arms squeeze all the air out of her and aggravate her cracked ribs.
"Sorry," Max said, stepping back and looking into Jess's face, scowling as she noticed the cuts, bruises and scars marring her soft flesh. "God, what happened to you?"
Jess sighed as Logan came up and gave her a greeting smile. "Well, I can't tell you how glad I am that you're here..."
"Why?"
"Cos believe me when I tell you that the shit has really hit the fan this time..."