Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 148 – Just how cold am I?
Pepper's POV.
I kept on the main roads for now. I knew this was my best bet to avoid attention. People were all over the fucking place now that word got out a chopper went down. I even saw Syrian military making moves towards the site as I kept my focus on just reaching the border. As I drove I could feel my AK laying on my lap. I kept it at the ready just in case. But at this point I doubt Maxwell will make another move. Not till they get regrouped and out of the mess their in now that they lost their eyes in the sky.
As I kept moving time soon faded. Maybe fifteen minutes went by when I soon found myself near the end of the main road. Turning off onto a more lax backstreet, I took notice to where I was. More residential. Houses and small businesses littering the place and not nearly anyone walking around at this hour. However I noticed people were still awake. Lights on in most places and through some windows I could see people. Just families and friends enjoying the night. Kept me hopeful that I was in the clear as I neared a stop sign.
Bringing the car to a slow stop and looking both ways as I had to cross an intersection, I got the van rolling back up and glanced up at my mirror for maybe a second. But it was enough to take a double look when I saw a car behind me maybe a hundred feet back down the road I came. Starting to get back some speed, I kept the drive straight and continued to watch from the mirror as the car drove through the sign. Instantly my eyes widened and I turned up the speed at which I was driving. There was no way someone was tailing me. Not this soon. It can't be Maxwell. I thought to myself as the car behind was keeping up. Still a fair distance behind me, I began to focus on where I was going. If I was being tailed then there had to be someone else further up ahead waiting, and with god as my witness that's just what was happening here. Cause as I neared a small shopping center I saw an SUV pulling out just to my left. My eyes tried to get a good look in the car as I approached going now a good thirty miles an hour.
"Who the fuck is...?!" It was like lightening had struck. When I turned my head to look something came through my window. Only reason I kept my head was because I saw it coming. As my eyes went to look at the driver; the windshield to the car had shattered. Triggering me to throw my head back against the seat I was in.
"Jesus Christ!" I shouted as I flicked my head to the right to see a hole in the glove box in the next seat over.
Quickly looking back at the mirror, I now saw the SUV and smaller four door together and pushing the speed limits. They were gaining ground and I knew I was in trouble at this point in time. Hitting the gas for all this van had, I soon found myself driving down another street full of more houses.
"Toof! Crack!" Ducking my head to the sound of more glass breaking, I panicked and looked up as the radio in front of me got hit. Looking back, I found the back window was also now missing. Exposing the vehicles behind. With glass all over the front seat and on my lap, I shook it off my duster and looked back around to see something in the road ahead waiting for me only feet away. I was unable to react in time. Everything was happening so fast all the sudden. All I knew was that whatever it was popped my tires as I ran it over. Unsure I questioned out loud while glancing back at the truck and car.
"Road spikes!?"
My control over the van was now gone. I had to pull over and soon. Otherwise I would risk flipping this tank over going further at this speed.
"Fuck!" I shouted as I threw everything to the wind and hit the breaks while spinning the wheel right.
The van almost tipped. But thankfully I managed to slam into another car before then. All I had to deal with was the impact as I felt by whole body thrash into the door from the hit. Fixing my hat and picking up my AK from my lap; I undid my seat belt and jumped into the back of the van. Grabbing my duffel, I then kicked open the back doors and aimed my rifle out at the incoming SUV which was out in front and still coming fast.
"Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Pop!"
Sending rounds at the front right tire to the truck, I widened my eyes as the SUV spun out and over onto it's side. It was coming so fast and at that moment it came right into the backdoor of the van I was hanging out in. I fell back from the force it collided with and watched from there as it rolled over the roof and began to roll a good twenty feet passed me.
Immediately I got back to the exit and looked back the way I came to see the car forcing itself to a halt at the sight of me taking aim.
"Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof!" Emptying another burst at the car, I jumped out and broke towards the nearest house. Lights all on as I reached the front door to kick it in.
"AHHHHHH!" The second the door went in I aimed up at a tall white human who was on a staircase leading up further into the building. I wasn't taking any chances. Immediately I sent three more rounds out of my rifle leveling her in the chest. As her body rolled down the stairs; I flicked back at the SUV and the car out on the road. No movement came from the SUV, but doors shot open from the car and I widened my eyes as four men in all black combat rigs popped out to aim at me. They each had rifles it seemed and each of them wore bandanas to cover their faces. Mix of wolves and foxes I picked up on as well as I backed up from the incoming fire.
The guns were all suppressed as well. With rounds nailing the door and a nearby plant pot, I turned to run into a living room. My rifle flicked to the kitchen as a man rounded the corner with a knife. He wasn't one of those men out there. If I had to guess it was that lady's husband. His eyes went cold when I emptied what I had left in the chamber into his chest sending his whole body tumbling back over a table.
"Out of the way!" I shouted as I pushed passed to head for the back which held a glass sliding door leading into the backyard. Using my offhand, I flung it open and ran for it. I had to jump a small fence the second I got out there, but I had enough time now to reload my weapon.
"Son of a bitch!" I shouted as I flicked the empty clip and reached under my duster to pull another out from my body harness. Moving as I did, I got the gun loaded and ran as fast as I could into the next yard. This time I just shot open the backdoor and ran inside. This time no one was waiting for me with a knife and I was just able to exit through the front and back out into the street.
Running onto the road I looked everywhere for any sign of trouble. No one was on my tail it seemed and with that as my queue, I just kept going. My rifle stayed in my hands as I gave it my all to find a way out of this the further I ran. Soon I approached another intersection and coming at me was a small four door blue sedan. Stepping out in front, I aimed my rifle at the driver as he came to a direct stop only feet away. His hands came up from the wheel as our eyes locked.
"Get out!" I ordered him as he had the window down. With my rifle pointed right at him I kept aimed and glanced right to see that car turning out from the street I crashed down. Looking back at the scared man, I stated while pulling the trigger.
"I don't have time for this! Toof!"
Blood splashed the seats as I sent a round through his ear. Unlocking the door with my offhand and opening it up, I reached in and pulled him out by the neck. Tossing him out on the ground and getting myself in, I shut the door and hit the gas. At the same time I turned around the car and began to drive as fast and as far away as I could. Those mercs still kept up however as it was clear I wasn't going to gain much distance.
"Okay okay okay! You want to follow me huh!?" I asked out loud as I reached down to my belt to grab onto one of my grenades. Using the back mirror to line up, I pulled the pin using my teeth and reached out the window to drop the grenade. Hitting the gas I stared into the mirror to watch as the grenade went off right under the car behind me. In nothing more then a second the car went up in flames and even off the ground. Adrenaline was flowing through my veins as the car went clean off the road and rolling into a nearby house. Letting out a laugh I shouted to my windshield.
"Hahah! Eat that shit you motherfuckers!"
With a smile drawn right on my face as I was nearing eighty miles an hour, I widened my eyes when all the sudden a bright white light came barreling from the right. I had maybe a second to try and see what it was and that wasn't enough. My whole body snapped to the side as the car I was in was hit right in the side. Both the passenger door and back caved in and I felt my hands and body leave the seat as the car I was in began to roll.
Trance's POV.
"Oh hahahah! Shit!" I shouted as I sat passenger side in this pickup truck. Watching as the car we just ran into was sent off the road and into a nearby house. I had to sit up out of my seat to get the complete fill of it all though. That bitch had to have gone over on itself like ten times before it went through the building. Looking to my left at one of my men who just stared at the damage, I ordered while opening my door.
"Get your ass in there retard! See if she's alive! We don't have long till the heat gets here!"
My buddy proceeded to jog his way onto the lawn as I stepped out to see more of the guys pull up behind us. Two four doors we managed to get on the way here. All doors opened and I kept pinned along the truck as eight of my guys got out to look at me and the wreak ahead. With them all barely moving, I smiled and reached into my vest to grab onto a cigarette I had in the pouch. With them all having their rifles down, I put the cigarette in my mouth as one of them asked.
"Is she alive boss?"
With my eyes locked on him as I reached for my lighter in my pant pocket, I smiled when we all heard from the building.
"BANG! BANG! BANG!"
All my guys widened their eyes as I just chuckled and replied.
"Guess not. You guys might want to get in there before she starts running again."
With that I watched as they broke out into a sprint by me. Lighting my cigarette and watching them as they reached the rubble in a matter of seconds. I leveled myself with the truck and just took a puff. Lowering the cigarette with my right hand, I kept my smile and watched when the closest man got dropped on his back with rifle fire from inside the house. All the others started to return fire as I just said to myself.
"Dumb sons of bitches. I give them two minutes."
With my shotgun leveled on my chest, I just waited as the fun was just getting started.
Pepper's POV.
"Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! AGHHH!"
Limping back into what was left of the kitchen, I managed to take out another one of these mercs who tried to get over the car wreak I crawled out of just moments ago. The second he fell over with his other dead friend; I widened my eyes and ducked behind the fridge as my whole position began to get bombarded with bullets.
"Fuck me!" I shouted as I sat down to look at my right foot. My whole mind was shaking as I saw my foot was dislocated from the crash. Flicking my view back to the living room when the fire started to slow down, I raised my crossguard up from my belt and waited as another soldier came running through.
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
His whole world went dark when two of my rounds hit him right above the chest and the upper part of his right eye. Rolling over himself, I looked back to my foot and pulled up the strap to my rifle to place it in my mouth.
"Pop smoke!" Looking back as I bit down on the strap, I began to see three smoke grenades get thrown in. One landed right alongside me as I looked back to grab the top and bottom of my boot. I didn't have a choice. Using all I had; I turned the whole thing to the side. I had to shut my eyes as I heard nothing but the bones snapping back in place. After however, I released my mouth on the strap to my AK and quickly began to try and move it side to side. It hurt like a bitch but I could go now at least.
"Ahhhhh! Ahhhh!" With smoke starting to reach me, I stood back up and looked towards the back of the kitchen to see a window. Aiming my crossguard, I fired off a round forcing the glass to shatter. With my pistol dry, I made a run and jumped out into the backyard. Rolling through the grass I widened my eyes as I got to my knees to see two armed mercs running to the window. Raising my weapon I emptied half my rounds managing to hit one of them in the head before they could rethink their angle. The second the other ducked however; I lowered my AK and ran for the side of the house.
"She's coming around!" I heard the guy inside shout as I raised my gun back up just in time to rest my sights on a tall wolf who already had his gun up and ready for me.
"Toof! Toof!"
"Toof! Toof! Toof!"
Both of us fired at the same time. However my rounds hit nothing but his chest and throat as his managed to clip my vest and arm. The second round sliced right through my shirt as I watched him fall back and over into a nearby bush that was lined along the house. Flicking back to the spot where my car went through the house, I pulled the trigger on another two trying to hop back outside.
"Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Toof! Click!"
With both of them falling around the wreak, I widened my eyes when the last guy came from behind me with his gun already aimed at my back.
"Toof! Toof!"
The second he shot; I jumped forward towards the wreak, leaping on top of one of the men I killed and picking up his M4 in the process. Caught off guard by the move, the soldier tried to retake his aim but was too late when I had already held the trigger down sending everything into his chest. I counted ten rounds hitting him before he fell over. At that point all I could do was breathe when I realized I wasn't dead somehow. With no movement coming from the house, I lowered the M4 to hear from towards the street.
"Well would you look at that!"
Instantly I snapped to the street to spot a white hedgehog standing by a large truck. Cigarette in his mouth and a M1014 shotgun resting on his chest as I pulled the trigger to the M4.
"Toof! Toof! Click!"
My eyes were focused as I hit him twice in the chest and instantly I widened them back open when it was clear he didn't budge. All he did was look down at his vest as he used his left hand to take the cigarette out from his mouth. Just calmly using his other hand to flick out the two lead bullets from his plate, he smiled and looked back up at me to ask.
"That any way to say hi?"
Dropping the empty M4 to my side, I stood up slowly as he took a step towards the sidewalk.
This guy was something else. I could tell just by the way he remained so calm approaching me. Taking another puff from the cigarette, I watched as he stopped on the curb to lock eyes back with me. Again lowering the cigarette, the hedgehog asked with nothing but a smooth tone to his presence.
"Could have at least waited till I introduced myself shit. You shot me faster then my ex girlfriend did when she found out I fucked her sister."
Remaining now at the curb I looked him over.
All I could tell was this guy was just another one of those guys I just got done killing. He had no special look to him other then he had the standard combat gear. Nice pair of black cargo pants and a dark brown shirt under a bulletproof plate carrier that had to be at least the same thickness as the one I was wearing. Beyond that he just had some shotgun shell ammo straps connected along his belt and what looked like a desert eagle in a holster on his right leg. Wearing a black snap back hat much like my own in style, he just kept staring at me. Staring and smiling with a pair of green eyes. His smile was uncomfortable as he noticed I wasn't going for another weapon. Taking another puff and only pulling the cigarette maybe an inch away from his mouth; he asked while pointing at me with his offhand.
"You out?"
This guy was crazy. I was picking up on his personality almost immediately. I've seen guys like him before. Just crazy fucks who were demented and just looking to try and scare me. What he didn't seem to know however was that I was the furthest thing from scared. I got off on fighting guys like him. Slowly smiling back at him I replied while reaching for my AK.
"Yeah. I'm out."
Using my right hand to pull out the empty mag, the hedgehog watched as I just dropped it to my feet. Slowly showing him my left hand and keeping it in the air, I reached down for my crossgaurd and did the same. Lowering the cigarette as I clearly told him I wasn't afraid by unloading all I had in front of him. The hedgehog chuckled and remained where he was as I tucked my handgun back in my belt. With his laughter the only thing going on I had to wonder.
"You all that's left?"
Keeping his smile wide, he replied while cracking his neck both ways.
"For now. But in this moment we got here? Yeah I'm all that's left."
This guy just kept on smoking as it was clear to me what this was going to be. With my hands going to my sides the hedgehog begged.
"Hey hey! No pointy objects allowed! I think that's fair."
"Fair? Haha!" I laughed as he questioned.
"What's so funny? I like jokes. You got jokes?"
All I could do was be amazed at this point. This dude was something else. Or at the very least he was insane. But I kinda like him. Keeping cool I replied.
"You want to talk about fair? What's fair is if you just let me go. That way I can keep doing my own thing and I don't have to kill you. You seem like a nice guy. So how about it?"
Instantly the hedgehog just started to chuckle to himself. After a few laughs he replied.
"Two things I have to say about that. Number one? I really do think it is fair you don't use that flagpole your carrying there at your hip. Mainly I think I deserve that much since I haven't used this cannon to send you halfway back to Russia where you came from." His offhand pointed right to his shotgun as I just kept a small smile going listening to his bullshit.
"Number two. You I know are smart. So take no offense when I question your ability to comprehend the problem your in right here. Look at yourself." He urged me as I lowered my gaze to my body.
"Your not looking to hot." He stated as I knew he was right. Besides my right foot barely wanting to move, I was cut all up from those rolls I went through back in that car. Gash on my arm, gash on my left leg, gash after gash on the top of my head. I could even feel blood under my hat as he went on to say.
"You're six million dead girly. Seven if I get you alive. Trust me when I say, this I want the seven. So let's make this easy so I don't have to rough up that pretty face of yours. Just lay down, hands behind your head, and let's go back to China for a bit. I get paid, you get...well shit I don't really know. But you understand what I'm saying here right?" He asked as I just nodded once to reply.
"Yeah I get it. But take no offense yourself when I question your ability to comprehend the situation your in. I've been running for a long time. Handling all types of scum that come after that money. Thus far I've been doing a damn good job keeping it under control. Just cause I'm out of ammo doesn't mean I'll just lay down for a smooth talker like you."
"Smooth talker?" He questioned as he tossed his cigarette to the side now that he was at the end.
I just chuckled to myself as he stood up straight to wonder.
"Well can't be helped I guess. I get that a lot. Regardless I'm not about to walk away."
"And I'm not about to let you take me." I told him as he smiled.
"Then I guess this has to happen then." He replied as he reached for his shotgun. My eyes widened as he gently placed it on the grass in front of him. Keeping his eyes on me, the hedgehog asked with open hands.
"You wana go?"
Smiling wide I replied.
"Gladly. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"Ahhh it's all good." He stated as I shut my eyes to focus. Once ready I reopened them to see he was in position to fight. With my venom kicking in, I charged as he then announced.
"I like them feisty."
Without wasting another second, I sent a huge hook at him. The guy immediately ducked and sent a heavy right uppercut at me. Just about as fast as he did, I went to the side avoiding it. Then without another moment going by, I went to swing back with my left. Clocking him right in the side of the mouth; I watched with eager anticipation as he took a step back into the street with his hand going to his mouth to catch some blood that was coming up. Pushing for my chance to attack again, I sent another hook; as he muttered while going to back up another step.
"Damn aren't you something!"
Blocking my hook with his left forearm, I quickly followed up with a swing kick. My left leg came flying out as he ducked under and shouted.
"Should have took you seriously the first time!"
Going under my leg I widened my eyes when he threw a straight jab at my face. Catching it to my nose, I stumbled off my feet and widened my eyes as he raised his leg to try and stomp me into the ground under him.
The foot hit the pavement hard enough to crack it as I rolled through and got back up to my legs. Coming in fast, the hedgehog threw a straight right. Grabbing his fist as it came in, I pulled us together and sent my right knee forward into his stomach.
"Uggghhhkk!" He gagged as I then followed up with a headbutt.
Using all of my skull, I watched as he tripped backwards over his feet. But this time I just stood there and watched as he quickly stood back up to question.
"Why can't this be the other way around? God what I would have given to have a girl like you under my belt. What would it cost to convince you to just play nice?"
Throwing the kid a wink of my left eye, I kept myself in position for anything. Keeping himself calm and collected, he listened as I replied.
"A whole lot more then what you could ever offer."
"Problem with me?" He then asked as he took a step closer. Shifting back into his fighting stance, I replied.
"Besides the fact your trying to turn me in? Let's just say I wouldn't bend over for a guy who couldn't at least take me standing up. You feel me?"
With that the hedgehog lost his stance. This caught me off guard as he was clearly more focused on talking then fighting. Seems we both had two different ideas on what was going on. I remained in position however as he then asked.
"So that's how it is huh? Okay. Seeing as you won't bend over for me as a participation award, guess I just gotta quit fucking around with ya."
"I get the feeling that's not about to change." I stated as he chuckled and shut his eyes to reply softly.
"Yeah your probably right. But hey do me a favor before I shut your lights off will ya?" He said as I sensed something changing. Holding steady, I widened my eyes when his white fur turned completely black. It was instant. Like someone dumped a bucket of paint on him. Or the shift from the lights being on; then going off. It was that fast. Reopening his eyes, I felt goosebumps when the green I once knew were now nothing but two red orbs like my own. Still however the guy was smiling. Even though I got the feeling this was starting to look bad for me. Getting back into his stance, I fell silent as he urged.
"Just try to put up a fight. Make me work for it."
His tone was darker. Almost fierce as we locked eyes. With sirens in the distance I widened my eyes when he suddenly took a burst forward. His arm went right by my head and with more speed then before, he sent an elbow right down onto the back of my neck. I felt the air leave my lungs from the power he had with his hits. Slamming down to the grass under his feet, I panicked when he reached down to grab me by the back of my neck. Tossing me forward onto the street, he shouted with that same smile to his face.
"Come on now! Don't tell me I got too much for you to handle! Seven million dollars Pepper Diskov! All that training! You ain't done yet from a little neck rub are ya!?"
Getting back to my feet, I took another long look at the guy in front of me. He wasn't on venom. Or at the least if he was it was something else. Something different then what I was on. He also had to be perfect like me. No effort was needed for him to switch into this form. It's something in his blood. The chemist in me wanted to know what. But I wasn't about to ask if I could sample him. This wasn't a question on if he could take me anymore. It was the question of if I could take him. He's fast. Really fast. Even with my venom kicking in I barely was able to see it coming. Not to mention his power. What was he? I wondered as I looked to the edge of the curb to see his M1014 still resting there only a few feet away. Quickly refocusing, I replied to the guy with my same cocky tone.
"Just getting a feel for ya. Seems you really are something special."
Instantly the guy replied.
"Awww thank you! Been a long time since I heard someone say that to me! Just so you know Pepper this isn't anything personal! Guy has to make a living!"
Nodding my head I replied.
"I get it. But a girl has to survive. I hold nothing against you for trying to do what you got to do. But the question has to be asked. Who you with? Maxwell? Up till now everyone who came after me has been hired thugs with some training. Much like those guys behind ya."
Stepping over his gun and onto the street the hedgehog replied.
"Those guys are just muscle. Maxwell has a habit hiring any old vet that can hold a gun."
"So you are with them." I stated as he moved his hand out to start shaking it at me.
"They couldn't pay me enough. Nah I'm my own business. Maxwell is just in need of some assistance lately. Mainly because they know you're file. You ain't no slump girl. After losing their chopper back at the harbor they've given me orders to step in. For good reason it would seem. You've been more then enough of a problem for them. Hell you killed half of the guys I flew down with already. Impressive work considering you're alone."
Rubbing my neck but keeping my eyes on him I replied back.
"So you're not with them then. Explains why you just watched up till now. But you still haven't answered my question. Who are you?"
Keeping his stance in front of me relaxed at best, the hedgehog then said.
"If I answer you're question will you answer one of mine?"
Smiling I then replied.
"Sure. Try me."
Running his hand to the rim of his pants, the hedgehog then stated.
"Name is Trance. I work for myself like I said once already. Much like your sister Zeta; I'm just out here making a living."
Widening my eyes I questioned.
"What do mean my sister?" Instantly he shook his hand again at me to reply.
"No no no. One question at a time baby. Keep this fair."
I bit my tongue as it was clear to me he knew more then he was leading on. He had information on Zeta. This wasn't about running anymore. This was about getting answers. Answers he had. But I need to make this work. I wasn't getting anywhere by not playing by his rules. Like it or not, I kept my emotions close and listened as he finished his statement.
"I work for myself. Maxwell just asked me to come help out in the effort of finding you in this fucking mess of a city. It took two months to get this all together and now that we're here I need to at least make sure I don't disappoint. Now on to my question." With a smile going wide across his face, he asked with a much quieter voice.
"What color underwear you wearing under all that?"
Instantly I lost my combat stance. That was the one fucking question I wasn't expecting to be asked by this guy. Everything in my head went upside down. Was he fucking serious? I asked myself as he waited for an answer. Utterly shook I questioned.
"What?"
"What color underwear you got on?" He asked again as I just felt the urge to smile slightly. Somewhat disturbed, yet somewhat shocked he would even consider asking a dumb question like that in a time like this. This guy really was fucking serious. With our eyes locked I replied.
"I'm not wearing any."
His eyes widened as I knew I had to act. Sirens were getting closer and without a better time to strike, I charged right at him.
mT Shadow.