Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 275 - Think about tomorrow.
Zeta's POV, Three hours later.
I was beaten and broken. The storm took out nearly half the city and Raptor's trail. We followed it for hours till we reached a depot. Another building that was clearly taken down by a mass attack of some degree. Barely anyone was out on the streets, apart from G.U.N who was taking care of business. So far the rebellion hasn't been an issue. A soldier here and there, but those who showed themselves were quickly apprehended by G.U.N. The city was taken and it wasn't even a battle to remember. Archer really didn't have an army. Those he did have died here it seemed.
Pepper and I were both shulking because we couldn't find a trail any further than the main gate. It vanished and by now there was too much bad air around to smell anything else. Cody on the other hand was doing his best to talk to anyone he could. Looking for witnesses and at the moment word on the radio from Hoffer and Linnen was to secure the borders and the areas of importance and nothing more. That included the capital, this depot, a few fueling stations, and a very select few government buildings. It wasn't official to the public yet that the war was over, but as soon as this mess was cleaned up I'm sure someone would say something. Yet none of this was helping me right now. I couldn't think about anything other than Raptor. I had to see a body if he was dead. Archer wasn't fucking here so for all I know he's dead too or he ran. I don't fucking know.
"Zeta?" Peek came to my side by the truck. His eyes looked hopeful as he informed me and my sister.
"Cody is talking to some chick over there by the gate. Claims she saw Raptor."
Pepper widened her eyes along with me and together we collected our gear and ran for it. By the time we got there Cody had seen us coming and turned to direct attention our way. The girl he was with was a hedgehog. White and black quills and her face and hands covered in blood. She was also wearing rebellion gear. No patches but it was still the gear. In confusion, I asked her as I stopped moving.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Freemen. I used to be a captain with the rebellion before…...well before all this. I'm one of the people in charge of the resistance and before G.U.N arrived I was fighting alongside Commander Voltz."
"What?" I questioned as Pepper asked her a more laid out question so she could go off more than what I said.
"You were together? How long ago?"
Looking at her she replied.
"About four hours ago. He was with some of my people and together they broke in here and attacked Archer."
"Wait? What's the story here?" Peek wondered as Freemen quickly replied to quil the confusion.
"Story is this. Voltz attacked the capital and from what I know from some of my men, he was here to rescue G.U.N commander Drake Linnen and President Hecan Moore. Now we saw those two get out safe thanks to him, but by then Raptor had gone after Archer himself. Burning down the capital in the process. Archer ran before things got out of hand; with what little men he had left, to this depot. Raptor went after him on foot and was attacked on the way by more rebels. That's when my people got to him. From there they worked in tandem to attack the depot. I came in late with reinforcements but things got out of hand real fast once we breached the building. Archer had men in heavy gear holding back our approach, but from what I know Raptor still managed to get to Archer."
"Where did they go?" I asked next as the hedgehog calmly replied.
"I'm not too sure. I was outside with the wounded when it happened. I don't know the whole story because a few of my men are missing. I don't know yet if they got killed by what happened here or if they ran, but the depot went up in flames. There was so much inside that building that a stray round was all it took to set it off for good."
"The whole place blew up?" Cody questioned as Freemen nodded and replied.
"Again I don't know what happened. I felt a rumble and then next thing we knew the whole building went down."
"What about Raptor?" Pepper asked her next as she calmly pointed behind her.
"Archer and him took a pair of drifters and before I knew it they were out of the perimeter."
Looking back at my sister, I said to her with a burst of new found energy.
"Explains why we couldn't find the trail once we got here. We need to figure out where they went."
Nodding Pepper urged Cody and Peek.
"Stay here and let us know if you guys learn anything else. We're going to take the truck."
"They could be anywhere. You guys are wasting time. The storm is over. My radio just came back online. Why not try to hail him?" Freemen asked us as I was already making my way to the truck. Pepper held back a few seconds before replying.
"We'll try on the way, but they aren't going to be here. Thank you Freemen."
The woman nodded and together we left her with the boys. Once in the truck, I started the engine and went for my radio.
Raptor's POV.
"Sniff! Sniff!"
My eyes were slow to come back on, but they managed to open just wide enough for me to get a glimpse of the night sky above my head. It was freezing, but I didn't care. I was without much power. I couldn't even feel my legs at this point and I didn't know if that was from them being numb or just a lack of strength.
"Sniff!"
I felt this weird sensation hit the back of my neck. I was unsure what it was at first, but it didn't take long for my mind to register it. Once I felt a snout graze the back of my head, I thought to myself how unlucky I was. For the second time in my life I was among the wild and a tasty snack for its inhabitants.
"Sniff! Sniff! Woof!"
My focus shifted as the bark echoed throughout the dunes. I was then able to look back to where I remember leaving Archer. There I found a large pack of dogs all taking turns at the body. They must have been at it for the last hour. All of Archer's clothes and all his gear was ripped apart. Scattered around the dune as pieces of flesh were being gnawed at one at a time.
"Braf! Braf!"
I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I couldn't move too much for starters. A broken leg and a broken arm made sure of that. Yet I couldn't move because I was mainly scared how the dog would react. He had to think I was dead by now if he hadn't already gone for my neck. Yet as his barking grew so did the attention.
In about a minute, two more found their way over to where I was and together they began to sniff me. I couldn't do anything and yet even if I could part of me still wanted to die after killing Archer like I did. I had no intentions of fighting anymore and with that in mind, I didn't panic as one of the dogs began to bite down on my broken leg. The pain thankfully wasn't fully there. Yet after a few seconds of tugging and pulling the dog behind me went and wrapped his jaws around the backside of my neck. With it I groaned slightly and reopened my eyes as he began to drag me through the sand going as slow as a turtle would running.
It took a few seconds for my mind to accept this was happening, but in time I grew comfortable with the idea and allowed my arms and legs to relax as the other dogs began to follow. One of which kept trying to eat my leg. I felt a few nibbles every now and again, but it didn't really matter. I had no idea where I was going and with the storm gone and the night shining above, I just enjoyed what time I had left.
Hecan's POV, Iraq capital.
"Ahhhh…...can't you be gentle?" I asked the doctor as he finished wrapping up my missing finger.
This was one of Raptor's men it appeared. Been with the rebellion since the beginning and his name was Marx. He seemed indifferent about helping me however. I was expecting him to frown at least. Yet he was pretty calm and happy as he replied.
"Sorry I can't. Gotta make the wrap tight. Last thing you want is an infection to slip in there."
I nodded as Drake was busy finishing up with Hoffer and some of my men. Pierce was at the front asking the questions, but it was all made pretty simple. Afghanistan was ours as to be expected and thanks to a severe sandstorm it's now halfway covered up. We'd spend the first few weeks just cleaning up now, yet one problem remained. There was nothing official yet about Archer or even Raptor himself. Radios have been cut off but I'd expect hails to start heading out as soon as someone decides to. Yet for all we know Raptor could be dead somewhere and Archer ran. It was hard sitting here and waiting for something to change. Yet I had faith we'd learn something soon. Zandro was putting together some sort of rescue unit if no one over there now could get us an answer to our questions. I don't even know how'd you begin tracking them down. Any trail had to be lost thanks to the winds.
"Sir?"
Breaking out of my train of thought to see Drake standing next to my bed, I listened as he told me.
"Afghanistan has been secured for the time being. No resistance from anyone in the rebellion and those from the anti-rebellion have stepped forward. Currently our men are aiding them. They had a part to play with Voltz's disappearance and our disclosing the information in exchange for medical treatment."
"What about Voltz then? What do we know?" I asked him seriously as he carefully put his words together.
"All we know as of right now is he chased after Archer on some drifters and since leaving the depot no one has seen where they went or what might have happened. We're still in the process of taking control of the border, but hopefully in time we can get some camera footage up and running. Not saying they did, but Archer might have driven out of the city with Raptor on his ass like he was."
"Yeah but if they're out there Drake, we won't find them. The storm tore those dunes apart and any sign of a trail will be long gone or blown over. Focus your efforts on securing the border checkpoints. When you have them under lock and key, I want someone to go through that footage. Find me an answer."
"Yes sir." He replied as I then begged him.
"Can you do me a favor and hand me my phone? I need to call the wife."
Drake nodded his head and went right on over to my jacket which was laid out over a small chair in the corner of the room. I watched as he got my phone out from the pocket and as he brought it over to me. Once in my hand, I found my wife's number and hit call. Hopefully she wasn't too attached to my fingers.
Pepper's POV, an hour later.
We were getting nowhere. Every place we thought of; they weren't around or even seen by others. Raptor was without a doubt lost to us, yet Zeta was determined to find something at this point. Our noses were the best out there but the odds were agonist us.
Orders have been given to step back and finish securing the city, but for how long? How long would we wait to hear back from Raptor? G.U.N would have to act. Raptor was the middle east. Without him everything goes to shit. No telling what could happen if he wasn't located.
Right now we were driving through what remained of downtown and the whole trip Zeta spent with her nose out the window hoping to get any scent that might lead us in the right direction. All I could do was drive and think. Where would they have gone? Could they have made it out of the city? Did they get that far and if they did were they still running after one another? I had no way of knowing but enough time to find out. With my sister going to her radio one more time, she asked over Raptor's channel that he was supposed to be on.
"Raptor, come in. It's Zeta. Are you there?"
I shook my head to myself as she asked the same question for the tenth time. If he was there he would have answered. The radio he had could be broken. God knows what he went through out here. Yet who was I to keep her from trying as I slowly drove down the road. With Raptor not responding, Zeta said next with almost a broken tone of voice to her face.
"Please Raptor…...please. Are you there? Say something. Please."
"He's not there." I told her as she ignored me and kept waiting for an answer.
With time passing by, we both widened our eyes as we got back static for the first time ever from his end of the radio. I stopped driving as it went on for much longer than I expected. Zeta had her head glued to it as I put the truck in park to listen. In time Zeta whispered.
"Raptor? Is that you? Come in please."
Static kept going as she cut her end to listen. I did my best to focus on the noise and with that I began to hear something else. It was hard to pin down, but Zeta heard it and asked me quietly.
"Do you hear that?"
I nodded and together we kept listening. Very soon we heard what sounded like a bark. A bark and a few growls. In utter confusion I questioned.
"What is that?"
Zeta had her eyes on me as she again whispered.
"Dogs?"
I gave her no response as I put that theory to test. Grabbing the radio from her hand I asked with a loud tone to back it up.
"Raptor? Can you hear us?"
Zeta was shaking as I got loud but it worked like a charm. It was indeed a dog we were hearing because the second I screamed for him we heard the barking get more spractic. That and it got much more clear as I said to my sister soon after.
"That's sure as fuck a dog. But it's not just one I think. You hearing me?"
Nodding Zeta questioned.
"Where could he be? A pet store?"
Cracking a small smile I replied.
"Get real. Ain't no fucking pet stores in this city."
"Then where?" She asked again as I handed her back the radio and got thinking of a reasonable answer.
All I could think about was those dogs. There had to be only a few places that could be and in seconds I widened my eyes and grabbed back the radio. Instantly she asked me.
"What? What is it?"
Keeping my mouth shut, I changed channels and asked among the airwaves.
"G.U.N patrol team seven. Requesting to speak with whoever is in charge of the border operation. Do you copy?"
In less than a minute someone replied.
"Patrol team seven, this is G.U.N forward team bravo 7-5 responding to your call. What is it you need to know? Status updates will be coming out within the next hour."
"Roger bravo team, but we aren't in need of a status check. I have a question for the men stationed on duty. Are all the entrances to the city currently covered?"
"Negative team seven. We still have four more gates to operate. Checkpoints seven, eight, eleven, and four. Should be manned within the hour."
"Understood. Team seven out."
Zeta was unsure of what was going on as I got us moving again, but this time with a new found purpose. Once I got us moving did she ask me.
"What's going on Pep? Talk to me."
With my focus on the road I asked her.
"What are the chances Archer had a back door ready for him in case he had to run? That friend of his said they went out on drifters right? I'd be willing to bet Raptor chased that man out of the city and one of those four gates G.U.N just mentioned has been left wide open. Question is which one now?"
Zeta understood my idea but quickly widened her eyes and stated in fear.
"Oh my god. Pep if they got caught by that storm…..they…..?"
"I know." I replied as she went on to mumble to herself out of more concern.
"Jesus Christ….those dogs could be wild. And if we're hearing them through his radio Pep…..?"
"I know!" I shouted at her as I was going as fast as I could.
Zeta was losing her mind. I could feel it as she shook in her seat. Thankfully I only had one thing left to fall back on to give her some hope back. Nearing checkpoint four I said to her calmly.
"He's a god. He's not dead. He's not going to be dead. He's gone through worse and right now you need to trust him. We're going to find him Zeta. Do you hear me?"
The wolf remained silent and just had her sights on the gate as we saw it was closed. Almost immediately, I spun the truck around and went for the next.
mT Shadow.