Maybe they weren't so bad. Yes, they were confusing as all hell, but at least they had a sense of humor. It had been so long since Animal had laughed. Infuriating they may be, but as long as they had a sense of humor, she could stand them.
She walked out of the house, the two following her. Their injuries weren't really that bad, and they would probably be able to kill again sooner than what she had anticipated.
A sound echoed through the air, and she froze.
Moving slowly, she turned to face the noise, finally seeing what she was looking for. Damn it, how had they found her already?
Struggling to clamp down on a wail of fear, succeeding in producing a high-pitched whine instead, she threw herself backwards and behind the nearest object, not caring what, or who, it was. In her fear, she could only tell it was one of the brothers, but her focus was on the creature before her. It watched the three of them with cold green eyes, filled with the evil forces it carried.
Crying out again, she hid her trembling self behind the brother, moving out of the creature's gaze. Memories flashed through her mind, of being attacked by one when she was younger, and she let slip another whine. She was terrified, unable to move.
She was helpless.
Murphy and Connor followed Animal out the door, still laughing to themselves. Animal had even smiled, which they had not thought possible a few minutes before. They were in good spirits as they left their temporary shelter, which was why they were so startled when Animal suddenly cried out in fear and hid herself behind Murphy.
They blinked and tensed, but could see nothing. Confused, Connor looked at the trembling Animal currently clinging to Murphy like a rock in the middle of an angry ocean.
"Oi, what the fuck's your problem? There's nothing here."
"They found me. How did they find me already?" Animal only mumbled to herself, pressing even closer to Murphy's back.
"Hey, what-"
"Oi, it's a fucking cat!"
Connor blinked and looked where Murphy's finger was pointing, seeing the orange and white cat sitting on the lawn in front of them. Its tail was wrapped around its legs, and its green eyes watched them in the scrutiny of a cat.
"…..Are you scared of the fucking cat?" Connor finally asked, turning to look at the shaking Animal, trying to stop himself from laughing. Murphy was shaking with repressed laughter, one hand covering his mouth to stop chuckles from escaping.
She only peered around Murphy with wide eyes, trembling like a leaf, to watch the feline.
Connor, still trying to repress his laughter, merely picked up a rock and flung it at the cat, missing but succeeding in scaring it away. The cat hissed as it ran off, and Murphy could feel her flinch behind his back, and was busy trying to keep a fresh wave of laughter from escaping.
"Alright, the fucking cat's gone. Now do ya' mind telling me why you're so scared of the damned thing?"
"Cats are the servants of death", was all she hissed, verifying the cat was gone before stepping away from Murphy, who was bent over double trying to stop laughing. Her face was red in shame, and she looked only at the ground as she walked by them. Murphy, somehow succeeding in biting back his laughter, gasped for breath as he leaned against the porch railing.
"I can't believe that the Animal, murderer of seventy people, is terrified of fucking cats", he said, looking at his brother with a wide grin. Connor chuckled in return.
"Neither can I, but it's probably best if we don't let her hear that, eh?"
Animal was ashamed. She had always been terrified of cats, but now that those two knew, it was tormenting. She couldn't remember why she was scared of them, all she knew was that they always caused her heart to race and her body to shake. They were just EVIL.
She followed a few steps behind Connor and Murphy, listening idly as they made plans with one another. She knew that they found her fear amusing, but she couldn't quite blame them. It was a stupid fear, but one she couldn't eliminate. She was fine unless there were cats nearby.
She kept watch as they walked down the streets, realizing that the brothers didn't think to do it themselves. They had probably never had an experience with a pick-pocket before, and there were plenty in Albany.
Seeing a boy standing in a doorway with his hands in his pockets, she lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. She kept eye contact for a few seconds, just long enough to warn him that she knew what he was, and he'd better not try anything. He nodded lightly in return, then turned his gaze to watch another potential victim. Even the thieves here had their own code of honor, and she had long ago learned it. Most here knew who she was, and they didn't mess with her as long as she didn't mess with them. The arrangement suited her fine.
Turning back to keep listening to the brothers, she shoved her hands in her pockets and stepped closer.
"It's only about a five hour drive from here to Boston. Do ya' want to eat her, or eat on the road?"
"I don't fucking care! Let's just get the stupid car and get out of this city. The sooner we get back to work, the better."
"Fine then!"
Connor led the way into a rental building, and Animal followed Murphy in. She had walked behind them the entire time, and they had noticed her gaze flicking about, watching everyone that was near them. They had purposely made themselves targets, to see what she would do. In keeping watch, she had done beyond their expectations, and they knew that at least she would never be caught off-guard when she was working with them.
"Hello, how may I help you?"
Connor looked at the representative, noting the usual things: looks, teeth, hair, and personality. The results: too pretty, too white, dyed, and fake. Sighing mentally to himself, he smiled and turned to ask about a rental vehicle.
Animal was wandering around the lobby, looking through the glass at the cars they would have a choice from, and Murphy kept an eye on the only other woman in the room, who was looking at Animal oddly. Thankfully, the light was coming from the wrong angle to reflect off her mirrored eyes, but the large gash on the side of her head wasn't helping with camouflage. Huh, how had they missed that earlier?
"Well, if you would like to pick out a vehicle, we can fill out the paperwork. How long do you think you'll have the vehicle for?"
"We're not really sure. Can we pay by the day?"
"Sure, but we'll need to know where you're going."
"Boston. Hey, Murph, why don't you go pick out a vehicle?"
Animal turned around and looked at Connor. He paused, then sighed.
"Alright, you can pick it out."
In a flash, she whirled around and vanished into the lot.
"It'd better not be gay-looking!" he called out after her, and earned a chirp in response. Grumbling to himself, he followed the representative back to her desk, and Murphy watched Animal through the glass as she walked from vehicle to vehicle, until she vanished among all the chrome and paint.
Suddenly, she reappeared from among the vehicles, heading back toward them with a paper slip in her hand. She walked back through the door and handed the paper to the representative, and the brothers could read the numbers F-32 on the card.
"Alright, for this vehicle it'll be two-hundred a week."
"Um, what one is it?" Connor asked, and the representative pointed through the glass at one of the vehicles being driven up.
They both blinked in shock, then looked at the happily-grinning Animal. The vehicle she had picked out was a giant blue double-cab Toyota Tundra, a cap covering the bed, and the windows were darkly tinted. The same thought ran through their heads at the same time: Holy shit, that thing is a tank.
"Let me guess, they were out of Hummers?"
She only grinned wider, and a dry laugh escaped her throat. Shaking his head, Connor turned back to the representative.
"We'll take it."
Later, as Murphy somehow manipulated it onto the streets without running over anything, Connor turned to look at Animal, who was sitting in the spacious backseats.
"That is the LAST time I let you fucking pick out anything. You could have picked a car, or even a small truck. Instead, you choose the only fucking tank in the lot. What were you thinking?"
"I like big trucks", she rasped, and Murphy started laughing.
"Well, at least we don't have to worry about staying anywhere. Just put a couple air mattresses in the back, and we'll have our own house."
"That's what I was thinking."
"Oh, shut up!" Connor snapped at Animal, and she grinned and leaned back into her seat, looking out the dark window at the streets. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Murphy spoke up.
"Oi, anyone want to listen to music?"
Without waiting for a response, he began flipping through the radio stations, looking for anything that sounded good. He used Animal's growls to judge whether she liked the music or not, and finally settled on one that she seemed to hate the least. Needless to say, none of them liked it.
"What the fuck is this shit?" Connor grimaced, looking with distaste at the radio. Animal growled in agreement, and Murphy winced. The music sounded something like a dog being kicked repeatedly, with strange wailing for lyrics.
"Can we please find a Wal-Mart or something? This music is going to make me insane."
"Agreed", Murphy said, snapping off the radio, and Animal sighed in relief. All three of them went on the lookout for some sort of store that looked like it would sell CD's, and Animal growled and pointed at a sign for a Wal-Mart. Murphy again miraculously drove into the narrow entrance without causing an accident, and parked the truck, taking up two spaces but unable to help it.
"Connor's right. You are NEVER choosing a vehicle again."
Animal ignored Murphy and started walking in, and the brothers followed her. There were a few things that were needed here.
"Okay, I'll go with Animal and grab CD's and air mattresses, and Murphy, you can go get us some new clothes. I could use a clean shirt."
"Oi, I don't know what fucking size clothes she wears!"
"Don't need any. Already have some."
"Problem solved. Grab anything else you think we might need."
Murphy rolled his eyes but walked off, glad he wasn't stuck with Animal. She still creeped him out, even though he was starting to like her. Besides, with all the lights in here, her eyes would be glowing like mad, and he didn't envy his brother for having to cover for her.
Seeing Murphy walk away, he turned and led Animal into the electronics section, the closest to the door. She brushed past him and turned into the CD's with obvious ease, scanning through the titles swiftly. Connor watched her for a brief moment before looking himself, picking up two that both he and his brother liked. He turned to Animal, and saw she was holding a band he didn't recognize and was looking at another that was unfamiliar.
"….Is that fucking German?"
"Yes."
"….Okay."
She looked at him, eyes flashing in the bright lights of the store.
"I like them. You might too."
She returned the disc she was holding to the shelves, and he looked at the band name. Korn. Okay, not one he recognized, but that one didn't sound German.
"What one do you have?"
"E-Nomine."
"And they are?"
"A Catholic German band. Like I said, you might like them."
So, she had heard them saying their prayers the past two days. They weren't sure if she would or not, so they had been quiet, but she had heard. Oh well.
"And what one are you holding now?"
"Rammstein."
A younger teen that had wandered near looked at them when she spoke, seeming uneasy when he heard the dry rasp that was Animal's voice. He edged away, then walked back around the corner he had come from. Hmm, smart boy.
"Almost done?" he asked when she decided to keep the disc she was looking at, and she stood and nodded. He winced when the glare off her eyes sent a beam of light flashing across the shelves, and she caught it and looked down, ending the beam.
"Sorry. I can't help it."
"Do you know why they do that?"
She looked around them, and shifted uneasily when she saw the number of people around them.
"Later?"
"Okay."
She led him out of the electronics sections, and he wondered at her sudden shyness at explaining her eyes. Maybe it was just that she didn't want to be overheard.
Feeling puzzled, he followed her into the camping section.
Murphy was hopelessly lost. Somehow, he had ended up in the baby section of the store, and it seemed that wherever he turned, there were more bottles and diapers. No matter what way he went, there were more baby supplies.
"There is no way the store is keeping me captive", he mumbled to himself. "I just need to walk until I find the end of this row, and then look around for a sign to anywhere."
Just as he prepared to perform his plan, he heard a pleasant female voice behind him ask, "Can I help you?"
He turned and looked at the person, and made a mental checklist. Face, pretty, with a small scar on her cheek that gave character. Teeth, straight, except for one crooked tooth on bottom that added to her charm. Hair, plain, mousy brown that gleamed healthily in the light. Eyes, pale green and NOT shining. Weight, average but toned. All in all, she was very attractive.
He sighed, knowing that it would not be smart to hit on her. He killed people. Somehow, he doubted that anyone would be interested in a murderer, no matter how clean they tried to keep their actions.
"Um, yes, I seem to have gotten lost."
She laughed, and he groaned mentally.
"Surprisingly, people do it all the time here. Where are you headed?"
"Men's clothing."
"Just head that way. It's just past children's."
"Thank you!"
He waved as he walked away from her, and she smiled in return. Following her directions, he found his way out, past a pile of diapers he had walked by at least three times. He threaded his way past the small t-shirts he can't believe he used to be able to fit into, and walked into the men's clothing.
Animal swiftly grabbed two twin-sized air mattresses of the shelf and handed them to Connor before grabbing a battery-powered air-pump as well.
"What size batteries?"
"D."
"We'll grab them on the way out. Come on, let's find my brother."
She followed him out, and he led her into the other half of the store, looking over the racks to find his brother. He spotted him swiftly, then wove his way through the clothes to meet him.
"I'm all done. You?"
"I'm set. Come on, let's leave."
The three walked to the entrance they had come in from, Animal falling into her place behind them and keeping her eyes down to prevent the glare. On their way out, Connor snatched a package of batteries off a display and added them to the pile the held while they waited in line. When it was their turn to pay, he was forced to use a $100 bill, earning a suspicious glance from the cashier. All the money they had was what they had taken from the Russian mob years ago, and unfortunately, it was all large bills.
After the bill was checked out, they gathered their bags and left, heading again to the giant blue tank they had rented. Connor could only sigh when he saw it.
"We'll be attracting everyone's attention with that thing."
"No wonder. You could drive around a small army and no one would know."
They tossed their bags into the truck bed, shutting the flap when the last bag was in, then climbed into the vehicle, Murphy driving, Connor sitting in the passenger's seat, and Animal behind him. She set to work on unwrapping the CD's while Murphy cautiously backed out of the parking space, cringing when he narrowly missed crushing a small car.
"This is one of those vehicles where you get in an accident and they have to ask you what happened while they're picking metal pieces out of the grill."
"And you can just say you didn't see the car, and they'll believe it, this fucking thing is so huge."
"It's not that bad", Animal growled, handing them one disc while she worked on another one. Connor placed it into the disc drive and listened as the strange beat came up.
"What the fuck is this?"
"Just listen."
He looked at the case, seeing it was the E-Nomine CD, and flipped it over to see what the first song was titled.
"Middernajt?"
"Mitternacht. Midnight."
"You speak German?"
"Not well."
"….Is this German techno?" Murphy asked, giving the CD player an odd look. Animal had to pause.
"Not sure what they call it."
They were silent for a bit more, listening to the unusual song, before Connor remembered something.
"Hey, you said you'd tell me about your eyes."
Animal winced, then turned to look at him.
"What do you want to know?"
"Why they glow, for one."
"I'm not sure why they glow. They have since I was born."
"What does it do, exactly?"
"Depends. At night, it reflects light into my eyes, and gives me good night vision. During the day, they shift and reflect light away, to keep light from hurting them."
"Wait, how good is your 'night vision'?" Murphy asked, looking up into the mirror at her. Animal grinned.
"My mom used to say I could see as well as an owl. I'm not sure, though. From a distance of fifty feet, I can see old scars on skin. From one hundred, I can see facial features as if you were right in front of me. From two hundred, I can see a deer standing still in a forest. Farther than that, I have not needed to test."
"Do you see color?"
"Only grays. Color is hard to get at night."
They both thought a bit while Animal rubbed her throat, wincing at the soreness.
"I've never heard of anything like that, I'll admit."
"Neither have I. It's a birth defect, like how some are born with tails."
Murphy turned onto the highway, grudgingly admitting to himself that he liked the truck. The truck could move.
He set the cruise control at sixty-five and leaned back in his seat, listening to the song.
"Can you translate this?"
"Not as fast as they sing it."
"I kinda like it. The choral parts are good", Connor admitted.
"Most of their songs are like that."
"Hmm."
They sat in a comfortable silence, listening as the disc played, and an hour later Murphy glanced into the mirror to look into the backseat.
He grinned. Animal was sleeping.
"Oi, she's fucking sleeping."
"What? No way", Connor said disbelievingly, twisting around in his seat to look for himself. "Holy shit, she is."
He turned to his brother.
"Well, what are we going to do?"
"About what?" Murphy asked.
"We can't just let an opportunity like this slide by, now can we?" Connor grinned wickedly, and Murphy had to laugh.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you, my dear brother?"
"You could stand to mention it a bit more."
Murphy playfully hit his brother, who responded with a mock cringe before laughing as well.
"So what are we going to do?"
Connor thought for a bit, then grinned again.
"Alright, here's the plan."
Animal was roused by the sudden silence. The CD had stopped playing, and through its absence, she could tell that the truck was no longer running and the two brothers weren't where they used to be. She couldn't hear any breathing.
Furrowing her brow, she sat up, peering blearily around her. The sights her eyes gave her were heavily blurred, the one flaw of the mirroring in her eyes. Normally, she could fare well enough without sight, using her other senses, but with the truck shut as it was, she couldn't tell what was outside the vehicle.
Listening as intently as she could, she tried to tell where she was, but the truck was too well-built for that. Feeling unsettled, she slipped her knife into her hand, and pulled on the handle, pausing a moment to listen in case she could hear anything. With the door opened a crack, she could hear vehicles driving by, muffled slightly, and guessed they were at a rest stop, and trees were in between them and the highway.
Tensing, she finally opened the door, staying inside for a second to see if she could hear anything else. Aside from the highway and birds chirping, there was nothing, which alarmed her even more. The rest stop had no sounds emitting from it, telling her it was long abandoned, since it would have been open in the daylight.
The hairs on the back of her neck standing up, she finally shifted to leave the vehicle, pausing when first one foot was out, then slowly let the other drop to the ground. She listened even more, and finally she could make out the faint sound of breathing.
In her panic, she was unable to tell who it was, and when she exited the vehicle and someone grabbed her and tried to pin her, she reacted.
In one fluid motion, she grabbed the hand on her arm and yanked it over her shoulder, bending and using her opponent's momentum against him. He flipped over her shoulder, landing with a pained "Uff!", and sprawled on his back in front of her. With her eyes funneling light away from her pupils, she was unable to see who her attacker was, and instead focused on the other one, who had grabbed her wrist.
Turning, she twisted her wrist out of his grip and executed a perfect roundhouse kick to his jaw, one her old sensei would have been proud of. The man grunted and stumbled backwards, shouting angrily.
It was then she recognized who her attackers were.
Her eyes widened in a combination of shock and a vain attempt to see, and she blurted out, "I'm sorry!"
She had attacked Connor and Murphy.
Connor groaned from his spot on the ground, the wind knocked out of him, and Murphy nursed his bruised jaw, looking down at Animal with reproach. She had seemed to be incredibly cautious in leaving the vehicle, and when they had executed her prank, intending only to frighten her, she had reacted in a way that was unexpected. She had surprised them with her swiftness and ferocity, and reacted to the prank by putting Connor on the ground and almost breaking Murphy's jaw in a few short moments.
"What the fuck were you doing?" Murphy growled, seeing as his brother was still trying to get his breath back. Animal cringed.
"I'm sorry! I didn't recognize you, and when you grabbed me, I panicked. It was an automatic reaction. I'm sorry", she repeated, and Murphy paused.
"What do you mean, you didn't recognize us? You flopped Connor right in front of you."
To his surprise, she suddenly winced and hesitated before saying, "I wasn't paying attention to who I was attacking. I just reacted."
Murphy narrowed his eyes at the obvious lie, but before he could say something, Connor spoke up from the ground.
"Holy shit, remind me not to fucking play a prank on you again", he wheezed, then accepted his brother's hand up. Distracted, Murphy forgot to ask what he was going to, and helped his brother to the truck. Animal followed them, and climbed back into her seat, looking out the window while every now and then giving Murphy a cautious glance.