Author's Note: So we're paying a visit to Tate this week. We haven't heard from in a long time. Well, I'm here to change that. Well, we get a little bit more about Tate and Cricket's relationship. Why does Cricket hang around him so much? I want to explore their relationship a little bit more. (I'm sure that there are Tate + Cricket fans out there. Think of this as a little treat for you.) You will get to see Tate again for the Halloween special this year. Stick around for that in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, we might be going back to the Tower or the Ecaspe Crew next week. I will have to see how I feel. For now, enjoy this week's key.
Key Six: Tate:
He does all of this to survive. He doesn't remember how or when he turned out like this. All that he knows is that he has to keep going. It's gotten him this far to survive. The way he saw it, that wasn't going to change. However, there is someone else that he has to look after as well.
Cricket leaned over his back. Tate lightly pushed him off.
"Oh, it's you," he said. Cricket took a step back.
"Sorry about that," he muttered.
"What do you want?" Tate asked. Cricket shook his head. The other angel frowned. They always do this. Why couldn't Cricket just spit it out? Tate gave up on asking why.
"I just wanted to stay in here for a little bit," the smaller angel said. Of course, he does. But Tate doesn't complain. He was better company than the others. Tate didn't say a word as Cricket sat down next to him. They looked out the window.
"Is something happening to the city?" Cricket asked.
"What?" Tate asked.
"I don't know," the smaller angel said. "Something just doesn't feel right."
"You're thinking too much again," the leader said.
"Am I?" Cricket asked. Tate didn't get him sometimes. That weird Irish boy might as well be speaking gibberish. Still, he would rather have that than the other angels talking his ear off. And to be honest, Tate started to feel it too.
"Yes," he said.
"Hm?" Cricket asked. Tate nodded.
"There is something coming," he said.
"Well… what is it?" Cricket asked.
"I don't know," Tate said.
He wasn't an idiot. He can tell when something isn't right. Tate had been smelling it for the past few days now. However, he never said what he was thinking. He didn't have a real reason for that. Cricket tried to figure out what he was thinking but Tate wouldn't let him in.
"Do you think it's time to leave?" Cricket asked. Tate glanced over at him.
"Leave?" he asked. "And go where?"
"I don't know," the smaller angel said. He's trying. Not very good, mind. But trying, nevertheless. Tate patted him on the head.
Today was going to be no different. Why would it be? This city was their version of hell. They might not have asked for it, but they couldn't escape from it either. Somehow, it was about to get worse. The question was what was the first sign?
It's been quiet in the city. Too quiet. Tate doesn't like it. Maybe Cricket might be right. There was a rumor of a group of angels trying to escape. What the hell were they thinking? No one has ever tried to escape and has been successful. However, they might be onto something. The stories were starting to spread. Some angels are thinking about escaping themselves. Tate shook his head.
"Ridiculous," he muttered.
"What?" Cricket asked. Tate looked over at him. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Yeah?" Tate asked. He and Cricket watched the door slowly open.
"Boss, we found some new meat," another dog in the group said. Here they went again. Tate rose to his feet.
"Time to go," he said. Cricket stood up next to him. The other angel moved away from the door. Tate and Cricket followed behind.
Tate uses them all. There was no secret behind it. His group didn't complain. Cricket didn't complain either. They used him too. That's just how it worked. Everyone was just using everybody to survive. Even Cricket was using him. The angel was really small. He can't exactly fight too well. Though, Tate could exactly get his little constant companion.
"Why me?" he asked. "What have I done to deserve to be graced with your presence?" Cricket gave him a little smile.
"Because you let me," he said. Did he have to look so innocent? Tate rolled his eyes.
"Fine," he said.
Today, Tate walked up the hill. He looked down the pathway. Nothing but sand as usual. Like he was expecting anything else. He closed his eyes and took a sniff of the air. There is blood, but it's more than usual. Tate frowned to himself.
"I don't like this," he said under his breath.
"Boss! What do you see up there?" one of his dogs asked. Tate opened his eyes and turned around.
"There is prey there!" he shouted. "I can smell the blood nearby." That was all they needed to hear. They started running up the hill. Cricket tried to keep up with them. Tate began walking down the hill. This was the only highlight of his day. They hadn't had any good kills lately. Most of the other angels in the city tried to stay out of sight. Maybe this latest target didn't get the memo?
However, the boys were in for quite a surprise.
They stood in a huddle looking down at the sand at their feet.
"What the hell is that?" one of the dogs asked. They were looking down at a bloody mass curled up in a ball.