Chapter 9: Saving
Everything went by so fast. All four of us ran in one direction, trying to find stairs that would lead to an exit or something. I stayed close to Rory who wore a face of concern and terror during the chase. All I could do was hold his tiny hand in mine as a desperate attempt to divert his attention from my companion who was not far behind.
We ran through hall after hall until a set of stairs came into our view. "The stairs! This way!"
McKenna dragged Rory by the other hand and I had no choice but to let go since McKenna was picking up the pace and I didn't want to slow them down unnecessarily. I could see Brackett struggling to keep up but I grabbed her shoulder and pushed her forward so I was the one in the back. I figured that if my companion was coming from behind, I might have a chance to stop this.
After reaching the top of the stairs, we believed that the threat was gone since neither of us could see or hear my companion. We took the time to catch our breath and think about what to do next.
"Alright. That thing wants his gear, then let's give it back to him."
I scolded at McKenna for that statement. "Geez. You should have thought of that before shooting at him!"
McKenna looked at me, eyes filled with rage. "He was going to attack Rory!"
"He has his gear! That's why he was targeting him but if we had given it back then none of this would happen!"
Although McKenna, being a man full of pride, wanted to continue on the argument, I noticed he diverted his attention to Rory in which he took a deep breath to ease his frustration. I believed that he was thinking about my words and agreed that I was right in some way. It was enough for me.
"Okay. You're right but what do we do now?"
I answered without hesitation. "We give it back and then he won't hurt us. It's that simple."
However, Brackett had to say something to gloom the entire conversation. I swore to myself in silence that I would find some way to get rid of her voice. "But we just attacked it. It's probably going to kill us anyway for that."
I puffed at her. "Maybe he'll kill you cause you strapped him on a table and begun experimenting on him. For this, he might spare us."
"But this technology could help us if—"
"If what!? You have no right to take something that's not yours! Shut up!"
I can sense in her eyes that Brackett was getting angry with me but not because of our current argument. We have been fighting since our first meeting and I can tell that she's getting tired of it. But now, it wasn't the time to tie up loose ends like this.
"Now that we have what he wants, we need to take the gauntlet off of Rory and I got the mask with me. Come on."
As soon as I turned to face Rory, he suddenly pressed some buttons on the gauntlet and with a clicking sound, a piece of it came loose as Rory grabbed in with his other hand. He takes one look at it before handing it to me. "This is what he wants."
I inspected it until I reached out to pull it from Rory, fiddling with it while trying to make sense. It was some kind of small device but Rory stated that my companion wanted this so I guessed that it was important. "You sure, Rory?"
He nodded back while McKenna patted his head as if he was proud of him, smiling down upon him. I couldn't help but envy them. They had a relationship that was unbreakable, no matter what came in their way. At the same time, my chest ached at the sight, reminding me that I wasn't so lucky. They have better lives than mine . . .
However, this moment was interrupted when I heard heavy footsteps coming in our direction followed by a shadow that belonged to my companion. There's no mistake. He's here.
McKenna and Brackett took their positions around Rory, creating a protective shield around him. I stood a little further away, hoping to catch a glimpse of my companion before McKenna and Brackett do. The shadow kept moving across the wall opposite to us until it disappeared entirely.
Shit! Where did he go?
We backed up around the corner, believing that he was coming towards our front. It was a mistake.
All of a sudden, my companion appears behind McKenna and whips him around, grabbing him by the throat and raising him a few feet from the ground. At the same time, he swipes his massive arm, knocking both Rory and Brackett. I gasped, hoping that at least Rory was okay but I also became concerned with Brackett. I didn't like her but I never wanted to wish anything bad upon someone else that didn't deserve it. But it might not matter in this case.
I turned to see McKenna struggling to breathe as my companion's grip grew tighter. He was lifting up McKenna like he was nothing more than a sack of potatoes. It made me realize that he was strong and with one little movement, he could crush McKenna. I have to do something!
I ran across the hall, ignoring McKenna's words as he tried to tell me not to come near. I didn't care though. If I didn't do something, it's going to get worse.
"Hey! Stop it! You don't have to do this!"
My companion flinched for a second but kept on ignoring me, determined to focus on McKenna. I became desperate so I finally reached out and touched him on the shoulder in an effort to turn him around. When I did, my world fell into the abyss again.
It was only a flash but I saw glimpses of my memories again. It was the same situation when I touched my companion back at the lab, when I fell into darkness, reliving my past.
We have to go sweetheart!
I don't want to! I want to stay with you!
I need you to live! You need to escape!
No! Not without you! Please, Mother!
I love you so much. Live your life. Be free!
Please! Don't do this Mother!
I love you . . .
NO!
Suddenly, I was pulled back and my vision returned but I also got a splitting headache that pierced into me. I was so confused as to what was happening to me. Why is this happening?
Unbeknownst to me, I looked up to see my companion turned back towards me and McKenna on the ground, gasping for air. What caught me by surprise was that my companion was gripping his head as if he was also feeling a headache coming on . . . like myself. Why is he in pain?
I shook my head, ignoring the pain and looked at his masked face. "Here. This is your gear, correct? Take it then."
I raised the small device in one hand while my other uncovered the mask from my jacket and raised it as well so that he would have a clear view of them. My companion stopped massaging his head and looked at his missing gear. I heard a sudden clicking sound and then a purr following afterwards. I didn't understand what the sounds he was creating mean but I guessed that it was good since he raised his hand, reaching for the small device in mine.
Out of the blue, the window behind him broke apart in millions of pieces while a huge arm reached out and grabbed my companion's shoulder, surprising all of us. My companion didn't have time to react when the arm pulled his back and through the window. I flinched and crouched in defense, trying to protect myself from the fragments of glass breaking off from the window. Next thing I knew, I heard an enormous crash coming from outside and my heart dropped.
Whatever that thing was, it must be huge to take my companion down with it.
Quick as lightning, I grabbed my jacket and placed it back on me and then raced towards McKenna who was trying to get up. Brackett and Rory soon followed and came behind me.
"What the hell was that?!"
Brackett yelled for an answer but I was just as stumped. I didn't know either but I had a feeling that it wasn't good. "I don't know but we need to get the fuck out of here!"
With no time to argue, McKenna grabbed the small device and mask that I somehow dropped during the confrontation. I wasn't even aware until now.
I raced back down the stairs with Brackett, McKenna, and Rory in pursuit. We reached back to the main entrance where the rest of the loonies were gathered on one side, ready with their guns but I saw the shock in their eyes. I turned to look at what they were seeing and the scene that was before me would give me nightmares for a while.
My companion was on the ground, struggling to get back up as I assumed his fall was a lot harder than I thought. When he got back into a crouch position, another, huge figure appeared before him and it shook me to the core when I caught sight of it.
This predator was even bigger than my companion. I guessed that it might be about 10ft or even more. He was heavy built like a tank and every part of its muscle was popping out from its skin. Even more so, I could see red streaks all over it like decoration but then as it approached my companion, it began to change colors. It shocked me that it could do such a thing but it was somewhat similar to a chameleon when it tries to blend into its environment. Either way, the dreaded feeling in my stomach told me that this thing is bad news.
When my companion got back onto its feet, the larger predator suddenly began to speak in a foreign language that was hard for me to translate. I got several pieces of its speech and with my limited knowledge, I understood what it was saying.
"Tell me where it is."
I couldn't understand what it was looking for but the larger alien looked down on my companion for answers. What does he have that the larger predator would want?
Within seconds, my companion shot his shoulder cannon in its direction but the larger alien turned so fast that it missed. It shocked me that something so big would be so fast.
My companion didn't like where this fight was going and he growled fiercely at his opponent, releasing his wrist blades from the gauntlet. I looked upon him in shock. Are you crazy!? That thing is going to kill you!
"Don't do it!"
My words fell on deaf ears as my companion charged at the larger predator with his arm ready to swing his wrist blades at it. The larger predator proved to be too fast for him as my companion tried to repeat his movements again and again. Finally, the larger predator had enough as I saw it grab my companion's arm, breaking his blades off from his gauntlet. This is bad! Very bad!
I was so distracted by the fight that McKenna grabbed at my arm, pulling it in the opposite direction. I snapped out of my mind and turned to see that McKenna was taking me to the trailer that Nettles brought back. "We need to get out of here while they are distracted. Let's go!"
I could see everyone getting into the trailer so that they could escape to somewhere safe. Nebraska stayed by the door of the trailer while Brackett and Rory were the last to get in but still waited for me and McKenna.
Nebraska yells out to us. "Come on you idiots! We need to get out of here!"
McKenna kept pulling me with him but I could only turn to look at my companion who was losing the fight. The larger predator grabbed him by the throat, suffocating him before throwing back down onto the ground. Next thing I knew, the larger predator grabbed him and whipped his over his head before slamming him hard onto the top of a car nearby.
I could feel the impact of my companion slamming down onto the car and I froze in place, completely afraid for him. It had been so long since I felt this way and I couldn't bear to just watch as he was getting pounded down. I needed to do something.
"Why are you stopping? We need to go!"
McKenna kept trying to pull my arm. So much so that I believed he would pull it off completely from its socket but I didn't budge. I turned to look at him with my eyes filled with determination. When he saw that, his own eyes reflected stupidity and concern at my behavior. "You are crazy if you think that you can fight against that? Plus, the other thing is on its own!"
I didn't want to hear his words but more like I didn't want to believe them. "He needs my help and if I don't do something then he'll die."
McKenna couldn't understand my behavior and why I was doing this. "Why are you even helping him?"
"Cause he's my friend. He needs me."
The shock on McKenna's face says it all. He didn't understand what kind of relationship I had with my companion but I knew that there was no going back. Before McKenna could get a grip on himself, I ripped from his grasp and twisted around, going at full run pace towards the fight. I could hear McKenna's protest but I zoned it out of my mind. I was on a mission and that was to save my companion.
I grasped for my knife and gripped it hard in my hand, ready for an attack. I ran as far as I could and when I saw the larger predator rip off my companion's mask, I feared that if I didn't make it, death would come for him.
Without hesitation, I leaped into the air just as the larger predator lifted a fist into the air, ready to slam it back down on my companion. Before it could have a chance, I landed onto its back.
Once it realized that I was on him, the larger predator swung his large fist at my direction but I moved to the side a little so that it landed on its shoulder, making it grunt loudly. I grabbed on its dreadlocks for support and the larger predator stepped back a little, still trying to reach for me. I wasn't going to give it a chance.
As soon as it stopped moving temporarily, I raised my knife into the air and plunged it at its head. However, the larger predator saw that and tilted its head so that it would miss but my attack wasn't a total loss. The knife did miss its head but from the swing, it sliced its lower mandible clean off and finally plunged into its shoulder. Its cry of pain screeched throughout the area, piercing my ears and giving me great pain as I shrieked from it.
As a desperate attempt to get me off, the larger predator bent down fast and swung me off of its back, making me land hard on the hood of the car, knocking the wind out of me.
The pain on my back was horrid. Every vertebrate in my spine was pulsing and my limbs were numb all the way to my fingers and toes. The headache that I had earlier came back with a vengeance, beating hard as if it has its own heart. My body was just a ball of extreme discomfort.
As I tried to lift myself off the car, a searing pain in the lower side of my abdomen caused me to cry softly and I placed myself back on the hood. I looked down and saw a huge piece of metal sticking out of me, which was also keeping me pinned down. However, it didn't shock me as much as what was flowing out of my body from the wound. Instead of the usual, crimson, red color like other humans, the blood that flowed out of me was that of a bright, green color.
I couldn't fathom why this was happening. I've never seen it like that before and it scared me to death. When I looked up from my wound and towards the larger predator that was still crying out in pain and holding it face together, the same green blood was flowing out of it too. The same as the blood flowing out of me.
What the fuck!?
My breathing began to go faster and my heart beating louder than I've ever heard it before. The only thing I could do was look up and see my companion lying next to me. He groaned and barely moved from his spot as I imagine that he still was aching with agony from being tossed around. A split second passed before he was able to crack his eyes open a little bit and gazed into mine.
His eyes still amazed me but unlike before, the golden color that radiated from them was dull and he still looked dazed, unable to comprehend anything except for me. The strangest thing was that when I looked closer into his eyes, I could see my reflection in them. My dark, blue eyes were staring right back at me and all I could see in them was fear.
The moment that I had with him ended abruptly when the larger predator grabbed my throat and pushed me down more into the car. I looked back into its eyes but I glanced at the side of his face that was still bleeding out from its missing mandible, letting droplets of green blood fall onto my face. I could see the fury flowing out if its piercing eyes and I figured that it was angry at me for scarring its face. I couldn't help but smirk at him. Serves you right!
The larger predator didn't like that and squeezed my throat even harder, causing me to choke out as I attempted to breathe but it was no use. I widened my eyes as he lifts a fist in the air again, ready to slam it on me like he would have done to my companion. I realized that this might be the end and I thought that McKenna would have cursed at me for being stupid but I have no regrets. I did what I felt was right and if this was the results, then so be it.
As the larger predator was ready to deliver the final blow, a voice echoed loudly that the larger predator stopped and turned towards the voice. I did the same and was surprised when I saw Rory holding the damaged mask at it.
"Take this you piece of shit!"
All of a sudden, the mask activated and the cannon popped out from its side, shining a blue color before discharging a shot, which collided with the larger predator and sending him far away from us. It roared as it slammed into a tree and breaking it into two.
I was shocked but amazed at Rory's bravery but was still unsure why we would save us. In a split second, Rory rushed over to me, dropping the mask on the ground before attending to me. "Are you alright?"
Still trying to catch my breath, I nodded. "Yes, Rory. I'm okay but stuck."
It didn't take him long until he saw the metal sticking out of me. He tried with his little hands to pull it out but it only scratched his hands more. "Please, Rory. You would only hurt yourself more."
He protested. "I don't care. You're my friend. I will never leave you behind!"
His words gave me comfort and strength, which caused me to try and get back up while ignoring the burning pain coming from the wound. I grunted long and loud as I pushed through the pain but I couldn't budge. I realized that I was losing strength from the loss of blood. This is not good . . .
Thankfully, another person came into view and I saw that it was McKenna, pushing Rory to the side. "We got you. Just don't move until we can get this thing out."
I nodded and McKenna gripped the metal in his hand and with one pull, the metal came loose but it brought excruciating pain, making me scream for a brief moment. Once I was free, McKenna helped lift me to my feet and was proceeding to check my wound but I stopped him.
"It's alright, McKenna. I can take care of this."
I ripped off a part of my jacket and wrapped it around the wound. It's not that I didn't want him to treat it but I didn't want him to see the bright, green blood that was flowing out of it. I couldn't figure out why I had this type of blood so if McKenna or anyone else saw this, then there would be lots of explaining that I couldn't provide. It would be a total mess.
"Okay. Can you listen this time and get into the trailer? I don't know if that thing is going to stay down much longer."
Normally, I would have argued with him but with my injuries and my body weak from the fight, I nodded in agreement. "Okay but I have one request."
McKenna raised his eyebrow and sighed but gave me his full attention. "Fine. What is it?"
"Take him with us."
I turned my head around to direct my gaze at my companion who was still lying on the car. When McKenna followed my line of sight, he jumped up in fury. "Hell no! Are you fucking crazy!? That thing killed my men, other soldiers and almost killed me! Why would I do such a thing!?"
"Cause I saved your life when he almost did. Plus, he's injured and we can't just leave him behind."
"To Hell, we can't!"
Even though my body was still weak, I grabbed his shirt with my hand and shook him.
"Besides, he may know some things about our 10ft alien over there who is still alive and will hunt us down either way when it gets back up."
McKenna didn't interrupt me as I continued on with my speech.
"He would be invaluable but also he's my friend. He saved me more times than I could count and if you don't trust him . . . then trust me."
I could see the change in McKenna's demeanor as his chest slump on my fist. Although I didn't know if he was completely convinced, Rory dashed all my doubts aside when he spoke out.
"She's right, Dad. She also saved me from the dogs when we were attacked and she kept me safe. Please, help her."
The plea in his voice shook McKenna to the core and it was visible to me when his hands fell to the sides as if admitting defeat. With no other option, McKenna relents at my request.
"Fine. We can put him in the back but we'll need help in getting him in."
For once, I gave McKenna a small smile and he widened his eyes at my reaction. Savor it while you can. It's probably not going to happen again.
"Nebraska! Coyle! We need your help over here!"
Right on cue, Nebraska and Coyle raced to our side and wondering why we needed them.
"What's up Boss?"
"I need you to help me lift this alien up."
Both of them looked shocked at McKenna's command and Nebraska tried to pull off the same thing as McKenna was doing earlier with me. "Are you fucking crazy!? Do you really—"
"Enough!"
Everything became silent like a ghost town but it was only brief when McKenna continued on. "Anya asked me to do this and I agreed. She's helped us a lot and we owe her. So, help me get this thing in the trailer."
Both Nebraska and Coyle hesitated but upon seeing both McKenna's and my facial expressions of 'do as you were told', they walked over to my companion and begun to pick him up but struggled a bit since he was a huge alien. McKenna came to their aid and got my companion on his feet.
I was surprised that my companion wasn't putting up a fight and not growling like last time. But upon inspection, I noticed that he was still dazed and not really sure what was going on. I wanted to help them but my body was still far too weak. The least I could do was take the mask from Rory and held it on my side, using it to cover my wound from sight. Rory had the wrist gauntlet on him but with the small device attached back on to it.
With Nettles' help, the trailer was moved to get closer to us, allowing the guys to open the back of it and slide my companion into it with a little struggle on their part. Once they had him inside, I slipped into the back with my companion, followed by Rory as I questioned his actions.
"Why are you coming here? You should be with your dad."
Rory shrugged his shoulders. "Because I want to and I think you need the company beside him since he's still out cold."
To confirm his words, I looked down at my companion and realized that his eyes were closed shut while his chest rose up and down in a calm matter. I couldn't blame him for that since he was taken down hard and I barely was able to keep myself awake.
I looked back at Rory and smiled. "Alright. Just make sure you don't wake him up. He needs rest."
Rory smiled back and walked to the far corner of the trailer, making himself comfortable for the long journey ahead. I glanced at McKenna who was eyeing his son in the corner but with a shake of my head, he took a huge breath.
"Alright. We're going to find a safe place to rest where your alien 'friend' can stay. Make sure he doesn't do something crazy and keep my son safe."
"You got it, Captain."
With nothing else to say, McKenna closed the doors behind him and the only light that was available was the moonlight shining through a small window.
I walked over to my companion's side and sat with my back on the metal wall across from him. I glanced over to where Rory was and saw that he was fast asleep with a blanket wrapped around him. When I checked that he was okay, I looked back to my companion lying in the middle of the trailer.
Out of curiosity, I crept closer to him so I could get a better view of him and saw that he had many scars on his forearms and legs. They looked old so I figured they must have been made a long time ago but it shows how many battles he has been in his life.
I wonder how old he is . . .
I reached out my hand to feel his skin on mine but the flashback of what happens every time I touched him stopped me in my tracks. I feared that I would have another glimpse into my past again that I didn't want to visit so I retracted my hand back from him. It stings me inside my chest for reasons I couldn't understand but I wanted to do something to make him feel comfortable.
With that, I took off my jacket and placed it over his body, making sure I avoid contact with him. At least this will keep him warm.
After that, I placed my back on the wall again and glanced into the moonlight from the window. So much has happened in just a few, short days but there were more questions than answers as I get more involved with this. One of those questions that had been itching at me was why my blood is the same color as that predator and maybe to my companion.
Nothing like this has ever happened to me, even when I was at the labs being experimented on. I didn't know what to think but the exhaustion from the recent event, along with my injuries, stopped all train of thought. I had to rest for a little bit until we make it to whatever destination McKenna decides.
So with my last piece of strength, I laid myself down on the floor, using my hand as a pillow and waited until darkness took over me and once it did, I fell into a deep slumber.
Hi Readers!
As promised, I provided the second part that was supposed to be in the last chapter but again, it was too long to put into one chapter.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter as Anya is now stuck with her 'companion' but new revelations are arising as well. What will go for Anya at this point?
I want to say thanks to all my readers for supporting this story and hope you keep following and reviewing it. The fires are still going near my home and are expected to get worse with the winds picking up again.
I wish everyone to be safe and stay in contact with family and friends.
Thank you guys very much! :)