Chapter Sixteen:
Peter dragged Arynn by the arm towards a decrepit part of the cave. It was likely that no one had been on this side of the structure since its inception. As Arynn looked around trying to remember every inch of rock and sediment, her eyes fell on the group of creatures that followed closely behind—some walking upright—others eerily crawling along the wall.
"What are they?" Arynn struggled to say.
"I call them Stalkers." Peter said.
Arynn looked on in wonder and fear at the sheer stature of these individuals—broad shoulders, firm skin, tight abdominal structure and unusual chest cavity. Their build was precisely chiseled; every muscle seemed to be highly developed. Although human in appearence—their bodies were equipped for maximum agility and range. Not only could they catch their prey with their abnormally elongated arms but they could also rip the poor souls to shreds with talons almost as long as their forearms.
"Stalker is an appropriate name, don't you think?" Peter said with a small laugh. "They are the ultimate hunters, well-endowed for any terrain and highly intelligent." The ex-researcher continued as he held onto Arynn's arm. "They can detect anyone…anywhere." He whispered.
"The military will never invest in something like this," Arynn blurted.
"You don't think so?" Peter said softly stopping and letting his liquid face ooze down to hers. "I already have orders as far as North Korea. You'd be surprised what the world's most top militaries want."
He pulled her passed double doors into an open room and tossed her onto a nearby leather seat. He turned to face a few of the Stalkers.
"If anyone tries to open these doors, kill them…" He commanded.
The creatures looked at him as if trying to decode the meaning of his sentence and then all at once they understood. One of the creatures snarled at the man softly. Peter smiled.
"Do you see the limitless potential of their learning, Arynn?" he called to the woman, "They've already grasped the complexity of the English language in a matter of minutes—no other newborn can do that at this stage of life…"
"Don't even try to equate these monsters to newborns!" Arynn blurted, "They are not God's creations!" Arynn replied as she folded her arms.
Peter shut the doors and locked them from the inside.
"That's where you are wrong, Arynn," Peter hissed as he slithered towards her. "We birthed them into this world, full and ready. We created them just like human parents create their offspring."
"They are not my children!" Arynn shouted spitting in the mutated man's face.
He hesitated then slapped her. She stood her ground as the shock of the sting subsided. Giving the man no satisfaction in the violent outburst, Arynn just simply sat back in the chair and stared hard into the abyss that used to be Peter's eyes.
"Denial is not one of your strongest qualities, Arynn." Peter said as he frowned. "Let's get this over with, shall we?"
Arynn closed her eyes as she could feel Peter's face close in on her neck. His teeth were sharp and menacing. His mouth opened up and she could hear his jawbones unhinge. He wasn't just going to take her blood; he was going to devour her flesh! She gasped immediately. Her arm was shaking from the mutated man's weight but she continued with the plan. Just a few more inches and she would be able to inject him. Arynn felt a tremendous surge of nervousness as her grip tightened around the syringe.
From outside the room, Tripper caught sight of a few lingering Stalkers. His sprint was light and swift as he rushed towards one of the creatures, knocking it down to the ground and snapping its neck. The other Stalkers turned around and growled at their comrade's demise. One of them ran toward the Lead Commando with such inhuman speed that it seemed to vanish! The O-virus's effect on Tripper had not fully subsided and he found himself dodging the Stalker's advances. They seemed to dance around the hall in unison, the predator and the prey. The others looked on hoping to get a chance to claw at the soldier.
Hernandez came to a halt as he watched Tripper take the defense against one of Peter's maniacal experiments.
"Damn…" the soldier whispered as he looked on in awe. He couldn't understand the sheer agility of Tripper or the cunning advancement of the creature. Both man and mutant were evenly matched and locked into a dangerous game of death. Hernandez looked away from the fight and saw the other Stalkers watching at the opposite end of the hall. He flashed a slick smile as he stealthily ran behind leftover stasis tanks towards the monsters. As he appeared behind one of the Stalkers, he took out his shotgun and fired straight for its head. The creature went down without uttering a word. The remaining two Stalkers hissed in rage and went for the soldier. He cocked the gun and took a shot. Both creatures dodged the bullet with ease and Hernandez's eyes widened in wonder. "These guys must be twins or something," He whispered. He fired again unsuccessfully.
Tripper jumped off one of the walls and landed on his feet moments before the Stalker came crashing down sending him reeling. The Lead Commando avoided the creature's sharp nails and kicks. He grabbed the monster by both arms and head butted its face. The creature fell back screaming. "I thought you things had skulls made of iron!" the soldier shouted. He took the injured mutant by the throat and snapped its neck. "Guess not…" he said.
"Joe!" shouted Hernandez, "I need your help over here!" the soldier yelled as he ducked one of the Stalkers' claw swipes but remained cornered. Tripper immediately ran over.
One of the creatures caught Hernandez by the neck and proceeded to strangle him.
"Aww f***!" The soldier murmured in a panic as he struggled to breathe.
Joe flew on top of the other Stalker, wrapping his legs around the creature's neck and flipping it down to the ground in a headlock. The soldier crushed its spine and ripped out its trachea. He then directed the shotgun still in Hernandez's arms and shot straight through the remaining Stalker's chest leaving a gaping hole. The monster dropped Hernandez immediately and grabbed at its chest putting its hands through the hole. It screamed in agony as it backed away.
The two men stood watching and waiting for the creature to go down but it only screamed out in pain. It didn't die. The wound started to show signs of regeneration.
"You gotta be kidding me!" Hernandez shouted. "Hell no!" He fired the shotgun at it but the creature didn't budge.
"Wait," Tripper said, "Aim for the head."
Hernandez fired and the creature went down instantly. He looked at Tripper and shook his head.
"Damn…" The Lieutenant said, "Did that thing even have a heart?
"I don't know." Tripper replied.
"You know, man," Hernandez said turning to his superior. "You say you don't know but I think you know something."
"What?" Tripper quickly responded, "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about ever since you came back, you've been acting strange." the soldier said.
"They did something to me…I don't know what but I feel it." Tripper said as he took a moment to lean against a nearby wall.
"No. There's something else…" Hernandez said watching the Lead Commando closely.
Tripper looked away and slowly paced the floor. He was deep in thought. Hernandez watched him from one end to the other. He tried hard to fight the uneasy feeling that loomed over him, but every time, he looked at his friend, he knew something was wrong.
"You're right," Tripper finally said. Hernandez's eyes widened with anticipation. "I haven't been myself. I just keep thinking about what happened…you know…back at Raccoon and it just gets to me. I'm sorry…" The Lead Commando said looking over to the soldier then looking quickly away.
Hernandez watched Tripper more closely now. He wondered if the man that he had confided to all these years could still be trusted. He wondered if Tripper had taken the wrong side in this. He wondered if his friend had changed somehow…
"I don't know what's really up with you, man," Hernandez started, "But look the f*** around you." He paused and watched the Commando look around the vacant ancient hallway. "You can't always go back to the past, Joe. What's done is done. We need to go kill this son of a bitch, get Arynn and get the f*** out of here. I don't care what issues you have with Ashford, I need to get back to Washington and put this s*** behind me. You understand that?"
Tripper stared down the dark barren hall. Hernandez had a point. As much as he hated admit it, Eddie was correct in more ways and than others. Sure Eddie at times was a hot head and quick to take anyone out, but when it came to friends and family, nothing could get passed him no matter what was going on in his life. As the Commando watched the Latino, he thought about the events leading up to the team leaving Washington and landing in ground zero. He thought about Marks and Patterson and he wondered how it would be if the two soldiers were still alive. He thought about how Hernandez would be if Patterson were still taking up the lead. Their deaths were a reminder that there was a mission to complete. Tripper closed his eyes and opened them slowly.
"I understand it." He said lightly. "but there's more going on here than you know."
"Alright. Well fill me in then," Hernandez blurted.
"Now's not the time." Tripper said leaving his fellow soldier and starting to walk.
Hernandez immediately got in the Commando's face. His muscles were tense and there was a sense of anger brewing within him.
"I don't get you, Joe. We busted our asses to get here. What the f*** is going on?" He asked clinching his fists.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Tripper said sternly seeing that Hernandez had balled his fists.
"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about!" Hernandez said.
"Listen, all I can tell you is Ashford's been working on something big…" Tripper said taking a deep breath and turning away from Hernandez.
"Enlighten me…" the soldier sarcastically answered.
"Ashford had other projects that he was working on when Umbrella pulled the plug on his research."
"Really…" Hernandez said sighing to himself and keeping his distance from the Commando.
"Eddie, listen to me," Tripper started with his voice lowered.
"I'm done listening." The soldier sharply replied.
Tripper started towards the man that he had known since boot camp; the only person that he could tell anything and could trust. Hernandez was right for a change; it was time that Tripper filled him in on some things.
"Look we can't let those things out into the streets." Tripper said.
Hernandez was silent for once.
"Ashford developed an altered version of the O-virus able to inflict massive mutation. Those things aren't just super soldiers, they're time bombs…"
"What are they then?" Hernandez asked.
"They're carriers. Anyone they touch or scratch will become infected instantly. The individual will die within a matter of hours."
"Wait," Hernandez replied thinking back to what Page told him in the jail cell room—Whatever you do, don't let those f***** touch you. "What does that mean for me, man?"
"Well you already came in contact with Dorus; you might've developed a kind of immunity to the virus."
"Well I hope you're right." Hernandez replied as they continued down the hall, turning a corner. "I am not dying down here."
"Eddie, trust me…" Tripper said as he took the lead. "Don't worry, man, I won't let that happen."
"Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to be volunteered for something…?" Hernandez said slightly fearful of his friend's intentions, "I died once; I don't think I can pull that off again." A small uneasy chuckle escaped his lips.
Tripper cracked a smile. "Loosen up, Eddie." He said playfully.
"You loosen up." Hernandez said under his breath.
Tripper turned quickly with a slight smirk. "I heard that," He said. "Now come on." He put his arm around the stocky soldier and shook him a bit.
The two continued down the hall cautiously and disappeared into the darkness.
"No, wait." Arynn whispered as Peter's abnormal mouth touched her face.
"What now?" He gurgled.
Arynn hid the syringe behind her back. "Is there another way?" she asked with a soft voice, stalling the mutated man.
She could still make out his facial expressions and saw that he was frowning and his eyes were narrowed. He was watching her, trying to understand her.
"There is no other way." He answered. "Now sit still."
"No, I'm not doing anything!" Arynn shouted as she gripped the syringe waiting for the right moment to attack.
"Fine," Peter hissed. "I wasgoing to be gentle…" He quickly rushed up to her and gathered her up in his arms. He squeezed her as hard as he could. Arynn felt as if a ton of concrete was surrounding her. He was weakening her. His mouth grew large and ready to suck her head in but she broke away and drove the syringe right into the delicate black tissue that covered the roof of his mouth. She injected the last of the viricide serum into his body, and then quickly backed away.
"You b****!" He sternly called as he pulled the syringe out. "What is this?" He shouted taking a closer look at the label. His eyes widened with rage. "You cannot defeat me!" He said flinging the syringe to the floor. The vial shattered upon impact. Arynn gulped. She stood waiting for his retaliation.
"No matter what you do, I'm always one step ahead." The mutated man said calming himself down.
"Yea are you sure about that?" Arynn quickly replied as she glanced around looking for the exit. She could see the mutated man shudder. He looked at her almost amazed at his body's reaction. He ignored it and walked closer to the dark skinned woman.
Peter followed her eyes and at once laughed. "You're making this too hard, Arynn," he said with a calmed demeanor. "Everything will be much better after this is done."
"You're not laying a finger on me." Arynn stated.
"Just think of this…" the mutated man started, "You can be at my side and all those miserable humans will bow at your feet or face death."
"I don't want any more death," Arynn said.
"But don't you see that we will cleanse this world of hatred and terror?" Peter recited, "Everyone will be immune and no one will die young...but it will come at a price. We will make those miserable a***** understand that if you want to be free of outbreaks and pestilence, you'll need to get your salvation from me...and only me."
"Are you sure that your father didn't drop you on your head as a child?" Arynn sarcastically called out.
"Say what you want, Arynn." Peter whispered, "We will be immortal and those f**** will all perish under my rule. "
"You cannot play God, Peter," Arynn said crossing her arms.
"Oh but yes I can," he whispered flashing the gray mutated teeth that still remained visible in his liquid mouth.
Tripper and Hernandez had followed a narrow pathway passed elder parts of the underground confinement until they reached the end.
"Damn how far did he take her?" Hernandez whispered.
"I don't know." Tripper answered, "There maybe other experiments down here. We gotta watch ourselves."
"Sure thing." Hernandez said under his breath.
An opening led them out to a large hallway and double doors.
"Where do the doors go to?" Hernandez whispered.
"I don't know," the Lead Commando whispered back.
They surveyed the surrounding area with caution and took a few steps towards the doors. Hernandez readied his weapon and realized that there were no more shells. He looked for more ammo in his pant pockets and chest pockets but there was nothing. Tripper looked at the soldier and Hernandez shrugged.
"Looks like I'm gonna have to use my hands on this one…" he whispered.
"Good luck…" Tripper said as he felt around on the double solid wooden door. He came across a weak point and motioned to Hernandez.
Both soldiers stood back and the Lead Commando counted off.
"You ready for this?" Tripper said between numbers.
"Damn straight." Hernandez quickly answered. "Let's do this."
With their combined strength, they went for the door and rammed it. The door didn't move. They tried again. As they collided with the door for a second time, the vibration of the noise rocked through both ends of the hall.
"One more, man," Tripper urged.
"The door isn't budging." Hernandez said trying to catch his breath. As he stepped away to collect himself, he saw something moving from the end of the hall. "Wait." He spoke as he took a moment to look closely.
Tripper stopped. The two men fell silent and watched ahead. Down the hall, eerie shadows ran alongside the walls and floor.
"Damn…" Tripper whispered, "We gotta get passed this door," he panted.
As the men started again, they heard a woman's scream come from behind the door. Tripper took out his combat knife and held it in a fatal position. He was sure it was Arynn and knew there wasn't any more time to waste. The Lead Commando clinched his fists.
"On my mark," Tripper said, "Let's get that bastard."
Hernandez nodded, "Alright, I'm ready." He shouted as he rubbed his hands together, getting pumped out give it all he had.
With one last strike, the door buckled and two soldiers pushed it open.