Chapter 31: Closing a Chapter

We gathered for the ceremony, anyone that knew Adam was invited as word traveled fast that he was dead. No one seemed to ask how he died or anything like that, it wasn't relevant to them. The more important issues among the scientists that showed up was what to do with the work that Adam had done and they realized what a great achievement it was…though us being the result made it a little awkward to be around. When I looked behind me I could see Ashlocke off a few yards away at a safe distance watching.

Jeremy picked up on my growl and looked in the direction but didn't see anything, "what's wrong?"

"I saw Ashlocke…he was right over there," I pointed.

"I didn't see anything, don't worry…he wouldn't dare show his face here."

"Yeah…your right, guess I'm just tired.," which was partially true; since Adam's death I had slept probably two hours…in four days. My eyes had never felt so sucked dry and body so lazy…well I could think of a time but I'd rather not go back there. Truth was reality was sinking in, my…our...lives before would never be the same again.

Of course we'd work together to rid of Ashlocke but what then? Was I being selfish? Was I the only one thinking about this? Then I thought about what Adam had said…he believed in me, so why was I so freaking scared like a coyote in the headlights? I wish I had Lucy to squeeze…but she was not allowed at the funeral. I don't know why…Adam got me Lucy; clearly she was not just a pet. I was tearing up again…from now on was everything going to remind me of him? Would I break down in tears every time I thought of him? So many questions….strange thing was I never had these thoughts when I found out my parents were dead or when I was told Jeremy had died. But I guess that was because I never spent so much time with them and in Jeremy's case I was still angry.

I held onto Jeremy's arm tighter as they started the ceremony; I was shaking but tried not to…that was hopeless. He seemed really understanding, and very detached…but that was Jeremy Danvers, when it came to real deep sad emotions he was cold and distant...must have been a coping mechanism. Sometimes he really annoyed me when he acted this way…but it was better to put up with that then argue at a really bad time. Staying quiet I listened to their words, learning more about the Adam that they knew as a young scientist eager to bring something good to the world. When they finished with their speeches there was some small talk before they put his casket into the ground.

That's when I smelled him…the thick stench of a maniac killer, "Ashlocke go away." Shalimar looked up hearing me, "He's here?"

"Don't you smell him too?"

She shook her head no.

'damnit he's toying with me…' I thought.

'Oh Valerie…you are a little puppy toy.' His voice interrupted my thoughts as he read them.

My heart raced and I looked around panicking, trying to find out where he was.

'Don't you just love a game of hide and kill? Guess who hides?' His laughter echoed painfully.

At the moment I wasn't up for this…I wanted time to get over Adam and be here.

"Jeremy…he's coming after me," I whispered to him as we separated from the others to talk. "I hear him in my head…I see him...I smell him...and now I'm hearing him? Jer he's got to be close by, this IS real."

He hugged me, "Don't worry, we'll be safe…we're leaving this country tonight."

I moved away surprised, "What? Tonight? But we can't…we have to kill Ashlocke, the others need our help we can't just run away!"

He sighed heavily, "We can't…that's the thing. Ashlocke is way more powerful and now knowing he's targeting you, that is just as good of reason as any, right? Val I'm not going to let him have the chance."

I looked back at the others, "but still…they're our friends, we can't do that to them. After we kill him okay? Then we can go and live our lives. That sound good baby?" I smiled taking his hands, "please?"

He smiled back, "alright...but I'm not letting you out of my sight for even a second." We rejoined the group but didn't mention to them what had happened earlier.

"Tonight…we're going to get this done," Brennan announced, "our allies will meet us and we'll get rid of him before he hurts anymore lives."

All of us agreed that giving him anymore time would not be a good idea. For the rest of the day we were to gather people that we trusted and ask them if they wanted to help us. I told Jeremy that we should go visit my friend Raphael; he was, after all, a feral too and just like a snake he carried deadly venom in his teeth.

Once the burial was over we all left in our separate cars and would prepare for the battle of our lives. I will admit it was hard leaving that cemetery; my canine instincts wanted me to stay and wait, but my human brain knew Adam wasn't coming back. Now my sadness was mixed with fear, with Gabriel Ashlocke lurking in the shadows I was a dead man. Just think about it…how many times has Gabriel been defeated, uh….none. My stomach was starting to hurt now more than it already did.

It didn't take us long to make it to a couple familiar mutant's houses to ask them if they wanted to join us. A surprising amount was agreeing till we told them who we were up against. I had no idea that many mutants were afraid of Ashlocke. We got one recruit, Raphael…I knew he would pull through for us. We left his house and headed for home after we told him the time and place to meet.

When we got up to the third story our door was wide open, "oh no…" Jeremy went in first fearing someone was still there but I shook my head, whoever it was had been gone for a while. When I walked in I almost threw up, "Ashlocke…his stench is everywhere. I wonder what he was looking for."

Jeremy looked pissed, no one went into his house, "I don't know…doesn't look like they took anything. Probably just trying to scare us…pack your things so we can leave quick when this is done with."

Quietly I did so, finding my clothes thrown on the floor with other stuff and Jeremy did the same. While I watched some television he made us dinner, "so….Where did you have in mind…for us to go? I take it you already bought plane tickets."

He nodded and swallowed before speaking, "Surprise…I can't tell you till we get to the airport."

I narrowed my eyes, "You're so mean sometimes! Do the others know about it and where it is?"

He nodded again.

"Can I guess?"

Jeremy laughed, "NO, 'cause you'll never figure it out and you'll just be wasting our time."

I poked at my salad in thought, everything was still unreal to me…like time was passing by and I was just standing there watching it.

"Adam actually…pulled some strings to get us the first class tickets," Jeremy whispered. "He did?"

"Yeah…he said by then we'd be back from the mission."

I started crying being reminded that it wasn't how things turned out.

"I'm sorry…" He apologized for making me cry, "I forgot…I didn't mean to." Jer came over and wrapped his arms around me, "let's get some rest before tonight."