Chapter 20. Cards on the table!

- "Sir! We managed to get the surveillance camera footage, I think you'll be interested to take a look at it". A man in an elegant business suit raised an eyebrow in surprise and pointed at a large screen built into the wall.

His subordinate, a gentleman with combed hair, also dressed in a three-piece business suit, inserted the disc into the slot, took the control panel and turned on the recording playback.

The video shows a young blond man breaking into the mansion and dealing with several trained armed men in a couple of seconds. After that, another guy joined him, he turned around, and the camera captured his face quite accurately. After untying the prisoner from the chair and giving him first aid, they left as quickly as they had come.

"That's enough. There is clearly some kind of defect in the cameras. A man can't move that fast, and what flew out of his hands?" Having extinguished his cigar, the man, whose habits and his whole appearance indicated that he was the "master of the situation" here, got up and walked closer to the screen.

- "We're dealing with it, sir."

- "Rewind the tape... Stop." - the recording stopped at the moment when one of the guys unknowingly looked into the camera – "Who is this?"

The second gentleman took out his notebook, opened it and reported what he had found out: "Dean Ashland, a professor of biochemistry at one of the colleges in Virginia, disappeared some time ago. We have his phone number, if it's still valid..."

Waving his hand, the "owner" returned to his seat, took out a glass and filled it to the brim with elite Metaxa EN brandy. "I don't care how, but find me these jerks. Get it out of the ground if necessary. These guys don't know who they've contacted yet..."

- "It will be done, sir. Sir, there is something else..." The gentleman paused, which interested his interlocutor. He turned around, intrigued, holding a filled glass in his hand - "We found an abandoned car near the farm. The theft was reported about six months ago. We also found footprints leading inside the quarantine zone. And yet, according to the military, on the same day, unknown persons destroyed the patrol... Some soldiers were shot in the head, while others appeared to have been mauled by wild animals..."

The man was even more surprised: "Interesting... However, it doesn't matter to me, deal with them and remove the unwanted witness."

Nodding, the gentleman put away his notebook and left the office.

Eva didn't know much about her predecessor. Laura gave fragmentary information. She knew that Sil was crazy, a murderer, a psychopath, possessed and other unflattering terms. Which Laura loved to reward her with. But the truth turned out to be completely different. What this woman had to go through... You won't wish it even on the enemy...

When Carroll returned home, it was late and Eve was already getting ready for bed. She could feel the anger and tension coming from her. Getting up from the couch and throwing the blanket aside, she entered the kitchen and saw Carroll pouring himself a whiskey.

Eva went and sat down on the other side of the table, she was wondering what plans she had for the Press and she decided to ask this question – "What do you think to do with it next?"

Carroll sat down and straightened her hair, you could read the irritation on her face and the fact that it was very difficult for her to control herself right now. – "I don't know"

Taking a second glass for herself, Eva put it in front of her - "You saved him, it's very... A strong act by a strong woman..."

Carroll waved her hand: "Fuck you... It's not noble. I just have a couple of questions that I want to ask him."

Eva – "And then what?"

Carroll poured herself another whiskey and sat down at the table – "We'll have to kill him, because he knows where we are and that I'm alive."

Eva drank her glass and thought a little. She had no warm feelings for this man, but she knew that he had strong connections and influence. Laura often talked to him on the phone, and Eva heard it perfectly well– "We could use him."

The brunette looked up at her in surprise with her emerald green eyes – "Why?"

Eva shrugged, it was just her speculation–"He could get us out of here. He must have a pass."

"I doubt piece of shit will turn us in at the first post." - in Carroll's voice, there was sincere contempt for the man they were talking about now.

Eva smiles sarcastically - "You're going to kill him anyway..."

Carroll drinks his whiskey – "But first I'll talk..."

Taking her chair, Eva moved closer to her interlocutor - "If it's not a secret that you want to hear from him..."

She clutched the empty glass and sighed heavily, "At least something... At least a fucking "I'm sorry."

Eva lowered her face– "Trust me, friend, it won't get any easier... I've often heard this phrase from Laura. After each experience."

Carroll's body began to tremble slightly, the glass fell out of her hands and shattered into pieces. She couldn't take it anymore. Covering her face with her hands, she choked, "I... I can't do this anymore… I wanted to leave... to run away... so that that life would no longer remind me of itself.…I just want to live without anyone interfering with me, and I won't touch anyone. Why did I go to that fucking store? I smelled him and followed him. I should have left him to that half-breed..."

Hugging her friend, Eva ran her hand down her back. She couldn't find the words to comfort him right now. It was a task with a large number of variables. And she had several solutions. She could only support and help in any way she could.

The morning doesn't start with coffee... but with an attempt to put another car on the wheels, which may be useful if they all have to get out of here urgently.

Dean tried to start the car again, but in vain. The engine started to gain momentum, but as soon as he released the ignition key, the car immediately stalled. Irritated, he slammed the edge of his palm against the steering wheel: "Damn it! Paul, where did you get this damn thing?"

The floor bent over the engine, was hidden behind the hood raised up. "I took the first thing that came to hand, I had no other options."

Dean went out and went to the toolbox, started sorting through the wrenches. "Either we have to change the engine or steal a new car. How did you even get her started last time?"

Paul – "I just connected the wires... Okay, let's take a break and then try again."

The press felt that the shaking had not yet passed. The night in the basement was just terrible, it was really cold. He heard the conversation in the kitchen and realized that his fate was literally hanging in the balance. In the morning, Eva opened the basement and allowed him to come out. Sil was gone for a while and he could stretch his bones a little and have a snack. She warned him that it was pointless to run. He took one of the chairs in the kitchen and covered his face with his hands. "Pull yourself together, rag, you need to come to your senses."

He sat there for about an hour, then the kitchen became more lively. Two young guys came in. They behaved like old friends, constantly making fun of each other.

- "Dude, this stuff needs to be taken back and get a normal car."

- "Take it easy dude, I'm sure we'll figure something out"

They each took a can of beer, sat down at the table and looked at him.

- "Will you have a beer?" - one of the guys, with short brown hair, dressed in an old sweater, handed him a jar of some cheap liquor from the supermarket.

The press shook its head, refusing the offer. The other guy, who looked thinner and paler, and also had ashen hair and bright green eyes, looked at him carefully, but without saying anything, took a sip from the jar.

"How's your shoulder?" - The press did not immediately realize that this question was addressed to him. Lifting his face, he nodded briefly, "Yes, nonsense. A couple of scratches."

The guy turned to him and looked at him with interest - "She's angry now and doesn't know what to do. It's been a long time since I've seen her like this. But it usually goes away quickly... What did you do to make her so angry?"

Press - "A long history..."

The guy shrugged and lazily sprawled in a chair, twirling the jar in his hand. "Did you know her before? She didn't tell me much about her life before I was born. Usually, everything was limited to a story about how epic she had escaped from the laboratory and a train ride to Los Angeles. She just loves the railways. We often used them for traveling. They usually climbed into some freight car at night, where there was a place. But sometimes it was possible to sneak into the compartment unnoticed and ride comfortably."

Dean and Paul clinked their cans and took a sip each.

The Press looked at them carefully, shifting his gaze from one to the other. - "So stop. I didn't hear something right now. Before you were born? She's yours... Mom?"

Paul - "Exactly, dude." He snapped his fingers and gave some freedom to his second form. His face became more hard and ribbed, and his eyes glittered.

The press took hold of his head in shock - "Holy shit. I think I've gone to hell... And I will be responsible for my sins."

The guys laughed together at his words.

Paul - "Yes, dude, but your devil is not here, so you can relax your buns"

Press - "She didn't tell you anything? About Arden, about me? About what happened there?"

Paul shook his head - "I asked her once when I was a kid and I was bored, what if I was going to have a brother or sister? Then she burst into tears and couldn't answer anything. And at night, when she put me to bed, she said that she would be happy to have two sons now. She also drank herself into oblivion... But that was a long time ago."

Dean lowered his eyes, Paul spoke in a low voice and it seemed that he felt the pain that his mother was experiencing.

Press - "I'm sorry. I am so sorry. If I... could change something... then I would have acted differently that night."

Paul shrugged - "I don't know anything, man. If you're guilty in front of her, then you shouldn't say these words to me, dude, but to her."

The press folded his hands on the table and cracked his knuckles – "Your mother and I were acquainted... Let's put it this way. When she escaped, a task force was formed to capture her. We were hunting for her, literally following a bloody trail. I don't want to say anything bad about your mother, she's probably a good woman now. But when I knew her, she killed everyone indiscriminately. She killed several men, one of whom didn't want to hurt her in any way, and she wanted to force him to make her a baby. There were others. She killed one woman as a competitor in the bathroom of a bar, and used the other to fake her death. Although these people were not to blame for anything. The latest victims were my friend Arden - he was a scientist, an anthropologist, I think. She... Anyway, she killed him and then we tracked her down in the caves... Then she gave birth to her first child there. We found a child on a ledge... we

They didn't want to hurt him. There was a guy with us, Dan, he was a psychic, or something like that. He reached out to help the boy, but the boy changed and attacked him. Dan fell and accidentally pressed the trigger of the flamethrower, the boy rolled and fell into the lake of oils and fuel oil, which was in the cave. He was burned alive. Sil tried to kill us, but I threw her into this burning lake. I was sure she was dead. Until yesterday. "

The press was telling this story in preparation for passing a death sentence on itself. He stared at Paul, imagining how he was going to start tearing him to pieces. The guy listened to the story to the end without saying a word, only casting sidelong glances at him. He slowly stood up and leaned against the sink, recovering from this confession - "Shit. I didn't know about all this. Fuck. Now I understand her..."

Press - "I'm sorry, man. If you kill me now, you have every right to do so."

Paul thought - "Is it a pity? You raised her in a bank and hunted her like an animal. You took her life. And then you say, "I'm sorry."

Press - "We were literally walking on a bloody carpet of the corpses of innocent people that she left behind..."

The guy turned on the faucet with ice water and lowered his head, letting the jets cool him down. He held up his finger, showing the Press not to make a sound. Finally, he sat down and opened the next jar.

Paul - "I need to calm down. She didn't open that door for me, and now I understand why. I expected different things, but not this kind of tin. It's too much for me..."

The press shook his head slightly, realizing that it really was hell - "Then do it and be done with it."

Paul thought about it and his eyes began to exude rage and anger. He was really talking about just killing this man who had caused so much suffering to his family. The temptation was too great, but still he was able to pull himself together and begin to reason - "I shouldn't judge you. I wasn't there then, and I didn't know what was there. Are you saying she killed people for nothing? I didn't know about it. Shit. You know, if she's preparing a special execution for you, I wouldn't be surprised... After that... I don't understand why she saved you..."

Press - "I'd like to know that too"

Paul leaned against the table and stared into the mercenary's eyes. He was also struggling with himself now- "I'll talk to her, it seems it's time to start putting all the cards on the table. I want to hear her version of what happened. I don't want you to think that I'm a fucking peace pigeon. But if you're not lying to me, and she really killed innocent people before, then you're even and revenge doesn't make sense anymore."

The press looked at him-"I thought you were just going to tear me to pieces, man." He exhaled noisily.

Paul took a can of beer and put it in front of him. His hand took on its alien form-"But if you lied to me, then pray that she gets to you first."

The Press wasn't looking at him, but Paul could smell the sweaty fear.

Dean, seeing all this, became terribly nervous, but decided to try to defuse the situation anyway: "Press, it seems Abbott mentioned something about you. Were you a government mercenary or something?"

Press - "Initially, I served in the green Berets, I had to visit many places: Grenada, Chile, Laos, Cambodia, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Guatemala... In short, wherever they say, I shot there. Then I joined the CIA and did operational work there. In fact, everything is the same, only more freedom and authority. Now I have retired and am just the owner of a private company. We provide protection services for various important people. Sometimes, however, the government asks me to solve their problems. Let's just say when they don't want to get their hands dirty with blood and cast a shadow on their democratic ass. "

Dean - "A few days ago, I had to kill a man for the first time. It feels like shit."

Press - "Who did you kill, if it's not a secret?"

Dean - "A friend of mine got into trouble. He was kidnapped by some gangsters at the behest of his former boss. And when we left, we met a military patrol. Damn, I saw that guy's eyes when I pulled the trigger."

Paul came out of the kitchen at that time and went back to the garage – "Fuck you all..". They watched him go and sat in silence for a while.

Press- "Yes, it's always shitty, the first time. Then you start to get used to it. Just trust me, if you hadn't done that, they wouldn't have hesitated to put a bullet between your eyes. I was in the military myself and I know what it's like." - he pointed a finger at his forehead.

Dean waited until his friend left - "I could feel it right there. It's like death is standing right in front of you."

The press nodded and leaned back in his chair - "This is not death yet, I'm afraid I won't survive this evening..."

A voice from the garage called him to help with the car and Dean got up, slapped the Press on the shoulder and went to help his friend. The press sat for a while longer and decided that he needed to go back to the basement so as not to meet Sil, who could come at any moment. They didn't give him a place to sleep, so he'll have to sit in the basement for now. When he entered the living room, he saw Eva and the boy sitting on the couch watching the Formula 1 broadcast.

Press- "Where can I get a mattress and a blanket?"

Eve turned to him and pointed to the second floor. "Alas, all the rooms are occupied. But I saw a folding sunbed somewhere upstairs in the pantry."

Press - "Yes, I'll put it in the basement. I don't want to be seen."

"I heard your conversation. Are you really sorry?" - She stared intently, as if reading the truth - "I see. You're not lying. Then I think you have a chance to stay alive. Just be careful what you say. By the way, I was wondering how you ended up in this city?"

The press thought about it and folded his arms: "Actually, I was offered another job, and I almost agreed to their offer. It's nothing. A businessman from New York asked me to provide security for his convoy. He had fears that there might be an attempt on his life. But Carl called me and asked me to come here and help him investigate a series of crimes. He's been an old friend of mine since the army. I couldn't refuse him."

Eva chuckled, "Are you probably already regretting that you didn't agree to that businessman's offer?"

The press took this sarcasm- "Huh. In fact, fate has decided that it's time to end my life. They hired the security company of our competitors. And now they're all dead. Every single one of them. There was a bloody massacre. No one survived."

Eva leaned back on the sofa with a grin and relaxed- "I think this is a sign of fate." You need to change something in your life."

Nigel - "Have they been caught?"

The press only now noticed the child and was surprised - "No, man, he just disappeared into the crowd like an Assassin. Wait a minute, I seem to remember you. Grow and I came to see you."

Nigel hid again, trying not to look in his direction.

The Press uncomprehendingly began to move his hands in the air - "That is, everything you told us was not true. Have you known them for a long time?"

Nigel - "I told you the truth. Sarah saved me. I didn't know them all then."

Press - "You know who they are, right? Aren't you afraid to be alone with them?"

Eva decided to cut into their dialogue-"Oops. I just missed it. Do you know each other? That's right, you told me then. The guy came here alone to warn his friend about the danger." - The last words were addressed to the Press.

The Press pretends to clap their hands - "Bravo guy. Well done. Alien Savior, Congress will give you a medal."

The blonde tilted her head, looking first at the boy, whose face was flushed, then she looked at the man, who folded his arms on his chest. After a moment's thought, she decided to respond to his sarcastic joke: "If I were you, I wouldn't sneer now, but take note of it. What he did is called friendship."

Carroll was sitting near the house by a large tree, with a bottle of brandy in her hands. Coming closer, he sat down next to her and took the bottle from her and put it aside. - "Hey, give it back!"

Paul - "Mom... We need to talk."

She turned her face to him, it was obvious that it was hard for her now, but she knew that sooner or later this moment would come. Paul hesitated for a second, "Tell me what happened there... in Los Angeles?"

She wanted to say something, but the treacherous tears began to flow down her cheeks again. She wrapped her arms around her knees and buried her face in them. He shouldn't have seen her like this. She must be strong, she is a mother, she is a defender, she has no right to be weak.

He gently touched her shoulder, "Mom, I want to know this. Know that whatever happens there, I will be on your side anyway."

She slowly rested her head on his shoulder, "I wasn't as good as Paul is now... I... I did a lot of bad things, yes I admit it. Actually, I don't know what to do with it yet... Maybe I finish him off after all. He deserved it anyway... I know more about him than he thinks."

Paul gently touched her with his forehead - "I talked to him today. There was an accident, I saw remorse in his eyes. He seemed to me... not such a terrible person.

Carroll jerked away from him and grabbed his arm, squeezing hard. Her eyes are red from crying–"An accident? My child was burning alive in front of my eyes. I saw him screaming, felt the fire devouring his flesh, blood, organs. He was like that... little... He was just scared of these people... and they burned him with a flamethrower like some kind of animal. So yes, Paul. It really was "Just a fucking accident.""

They were silent for a while. Paul felt his anger simmer again. His parent's pain was transmitted to him and turned into rage, he felt he had to protect her now. His other side began to show, his knuckles hardened, his fingers began to lengthen. An inhuman sound broke through his teeth – "If you ask, I will kill him."

She hugged him, seeing how much he had already changed. His anger was so hot, but she didn't want that right now. They both need to come to their senses. After a while, they sat more relaxed and continued the conversation.

Paul– "Answer me one question, okay?"

Carroll – "Anything"

Paul took a deep breath, "Is it true that you killed people for nothing?"

She hesitated a little, this question was unexpected. This damn mercenary does not know how to keep his mouth shut - "You know, I recently met a girl, her name is Irene. She told me this phrase: "It doesn't matter who we were before, it's important who we are now." I didn't want to kill their friend. It's just him... He wanted to stop me. He took out his weapon and ... I had no other choice."

Paul – "And other people?"

Carroll said nothing and looked down. Paul nodded and hugged her tighter. "Do you want to talk to him first?"

Carroll – "I want to know something. And then, I'll think about it."

Paul sat in silence for a while and added - "Today he said he was sorry for what happened. I looked into his eyes, he's not lying."

Carroll - "Good... I'll think about it all. Now go inside... I need to be alone..."

Taking the bottle, she took a long sip and fell on the grass enjoying the view of the sunset sky and the orange disk of the sun that was about to set over the horizon…

Dean found Sarah walking in the woods near the house. It was getting colder now and the light evening fog made this forest more gloomy and it was quite difficult to see a lone figure in a hood. She was leisurely strolling among the trees with her arms folded and her face hidden. Standing at one of the trees, Dean looked at her, still deciding to come up and start a conversation. It's been getting colder between them lately, and he feels it too. Paul's words did the trick, too. He really should be more attentive to her. They have a lot in common, but also a lot of things that separate them... It seemed like there was a gap between them that he didn't know how to bridge.

- "Not to sleep?"

Sarah slowed her pace and looked at him a little from under her hood-"I don't want to wake the guy up."

Dean narrowed his eyes and replied with incomprehension, "Which guy?"

Smiling, she continued to walk in a circle between the trees, "A little guy who has more courage than you. We ate lasagna in my room and watched a movie. And then he just fell asleep, I didn't want to wake him up anymore. So I decided to take a walk."

Dean smiled and decided to come closer, "Actually, I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time."

Sarah stopped and turned around abruptly–"Really? I already thought you'd forgotten about my existence."

Dean stopped a meter in front of her–"Don't say that. It's just, you know... Everything has changed so dramatically... It was just hard for me..."

Sarah interrupted him, "Was it easy for me? John's death, then I was worried about losing you, then Eve, then running away, meeting with Carroll, now this quarantine and everything else... Do you think none of this matters to me?"

Dean lowered his face, not knowing what to say, he really was too fixated on himself lately.

Sarah turned away and walked away–"And at that moment I needed to... To have someone around..."

Dean carefully walked to her from behind and gently put his hands on her shoulders – "I'm sorry... I just... Is there any way I can make it up to you...?"

Sarah lowered her head and thought, turning around, she touched her face to his chest and gently wrapped her arms around him. Dean returned her hug and hugged her as well. Bending down, he took off her hood and touched her cheek. She appreciated the gesture and tightened her embrace, burying her forehead in his sweater. He ran his hand through her hair, the color of melted milk.

Dean - "I'm sorry for not paying attention to you for a long time..."

Sarah lifted her face and looked into his eyes, smiling affectionately, she pushed him against a tree and completely pressed herself against him. She put her hand on the back of his head and began to pull him towards her. Dean closed his eyes and eagerly went to meet her, preparing to kiss her for the first time in a long time. The phone call made them pause. Sarah squeezed her eyes shut in annoyance and clenched her palms. Dean quickly took out his phone and saw an unfamiliar number on the screen.

Sarah - "Turn it off."

Dean was surprised, he thought that communication was almost not working here anymore - "Maybe someone from college, I've probably already been reported missing. They hung it on the bulletin board next to Abbott and Turner." Sarah's face became impassive again, she clearly didn't want to hear his stupid jokes right now.

She looked at the phone, "I wouldn't pick up the phone... I don't like it."

Dean hesitantly put his finger on the reset button, but at the last moment decided to answer anyway - "I'm sorry, maybe it's someone important..."

Sarah took her hands away, watching as he tries to figure out who called him. Finally, he looks at his phone in confusion and puts it in his pocket. - "What nonsense. Why call and then drop the call?"

She thought for a moment and put her hands in the pockets of her jeans and came closer to him - "So what... Who was that?"

Dean came closer and made an attempt to hug her again, but this time Sarah did not share his desires and gently pulled away from him - "... Let's continue later, okay..."

Touching her hand, he stood silently for a few seconds and turned around and walked towards the house. Sarah sat down on the ground and exhaled noisily, closing her eyes, she again plunged into her thoughts so that no one could see how drops of moisture from her eyes trickled down her cheeks.

In the evening, the Press again decided to make a sortie from his makeshift room in the basement, smelling the pie.

Entering the kitchen, he saw an adult brunette in a green plaid shirt and tight jeans. He immediately realized who was in front of him, even though she was standing with her back to him now. The realization of this nightmare turned the Press cold inside. Carroll turned around and sat down at the table. When he saw her face, he felt his legs give way and his whole body was covered with icy perspiration. His heart seemed to stop beating and for a second the thought flashed through his head that "maybe now he's dead and in hell?". The one he thought was dead a long time ago, the one who came to him at night for a very long time after the incident. She was sitting right in front of him now. Dry lips could only squeeze out one word: "Sil"

The woman took the kettle and poured two cups of fragrant green tea and motioned for them to sit down at the table.

- "Have a seat, Press. Try the pie, I think you'll like it."

Unable to feel his legs, he sat down at the table and couldn't take his eyes off her face. There could be no mistake. I wanted to sink through the floor in this chair right now, just to end up in hell. He wanted to be anywhere but here. It was as if death itself had come for him.

The brunette took a sharp knife and cut off a large piece, put it on a plate right in front of him.

- "Eat the pie."

Taking a fork in his trembling hand and breaking off a piece, he thought about what he should do now. Is there a pie? What's in it? Poison or a stunner? Or Run Away?. Press looked around the room. The window? No, he won't make it. He doesn't have a gun with him right now.

As if reading his mind, she picked up her piece of pie and helped herself to a meal with a fork.

Press - "This is the moment... Where are you kill me? If that's the case, then I'd rather be hungry..."

Carroll covered her face with her hand, as if to show that the Press was behaving extremely stupidly - "Do you know what your biggest problem is? You have an overblown ego. Who the fuck do you think you are? You're a simple man... You're a tough asshole with guns, but you're nobody without them. I can stop all this at any second. Remember this..."

Breaking off a little with a fork, he immediately appreciated its taste. The pie was really delicious. Soft chicken, stretching cheese and broccoli. A really great combination.

Press - "It's very... delicious"

The woman nodded - "I don't cook often, but today... apparently a special day. My name is Carroll... That's my name now."

The press took another bite, still not getting the thought out of his head that he might be paralyzed now, or he would foam at the mouth-"I know it's going to sound too late... But know this... I am very sorry about everything that happened. We didn't want to kill your son."

"I've been thinking about it...Sometimes fate puts in too high a price for us" - Carroll's voice sounded like it came from hell. He noticed how the color of her skin changed for a second, but immediately returned back.

The press continued to eat, thinking about what might happen now.

Press - "You saved me. Why?"

"I sensed the half-breed and followed him. I hate these creatures. And then I smelled your scent... the burnt smell. Yes, I will not hide it, I had the idea to finish you off and remove another reminder of the past. But then I decided I wanted to ask you a few questions."

Press - "So can you finish all this right away?"

They sat in silence for several minutes. Carroll didn't take her eyes off the Press, as if drilling right through his head.- "Just tell me. What did the child do to stop you? For what? You hated me, that's good. I understand that. You killed me-burned me. But my son, he wasn't to blame for anything. I will never forgive you for this... Although I tried to forget my past like a bad dream."

She clenched her fists and it was obvious that it took a lot of effort for her not to lose face. The press put down the pie and folded his hands into a lock and began to crack his knuckles. He started rubbing his cheeks with his palms-"We didn't want to kill him... I would never harm a child. We were being chased And they came out to this ledge. Dan was the first to stumble upon him. He didn't want to hurt him. It's just that the boy, maybe from fright, maybe instinctively began to turn and attacked him. Everything worked out...so... suddenly. Sorry... I saw you screaming on that rock."

Carroll looked into his eyes and saw genuine regret. They sat for a long time, each thinking about his own.

Press - "Can I ask you a question? Yes, I am guilty in front of you. But you weren't an angel either, were you? Do you remember that woman in the car?"

Carroll smiled maliciously - "Yes, I killed. I remember everyone, some of them, but not all of them I mourn to this day. That girl who sincerely wanted to help me, I was at her grave. There I realized the horror of what I had done, I would have given anything to go back to that night and just run away, leave. I would never touch her. Yes, then I just used it... Simply... It's just..." she felt tears and pain start to choke her again. She remembered the night when she came wrapped in an old torn coat to the old Los Angeles cemetery and touched one of the slabs with her hand.

"I'm sorry... I... I'm so sorry." That's when a woman who turned out to be Marla's friend, Susan, approached her. They did not communicate for a long time, but it was enough for her to realize how bright and kind a person had become her victim. Her friend was so kind and nice to her. Even when she fell powerlessly on the grave and screamed hysterically that she wanted to die, even then she did not suspect anything and gave her some strong alcohol to calm her down. She remembers it all in great detail. That's where she took her new name. This kind woman treated her to cookies from her bag and comforted her as best she could. She didn't even know then that she was helping her friend's killer, a beast turned into human flesh, a beast that had recently lost everything and was reborn from the ashes. This kind and naive woman was dressed in a funny hat and a cashmere sweater on which the letters "Carroll" were embroidered in gold thread.

Press shook his head - "Marla, her name was Marla. She was the owner of a small flower shop."

Carroll nodded - "Yes, I remember. I met her friend. Her name was Susan. I lied that her friend helped me at the time. Damn, I still hate myself for all this... You think I wanted to survive that night... Yes, I grabbed Dan's leg to drag him away with me. It was my last outburst of rage, despair. But I didn't want to live anymore."

Press - "Do you know Susan? We talked to her. The government has paid all the expenses for the burial. We had to come up with a wildly idiotic story with a faulty car. I don't even know how she believed such nonsense. We also paid all the relatives of the victims quite substantial compensation."

Carroll - "Later, I managed to lie low and find all the necessary information. I even found the bank account number. And I transferred everything I had there. Every cent. Although I needed the money myself. Of course, this will not bring back her loved one, but at least it will help to improve her life and dull the pain."

The Press nodded and looked down, noticing how Carroll abruptly wiped away a tear-"And the others? Robie was diabetic and they said he was a good guy. What happened to him?"

Carroll looked straight at him without looking away - "I felt that he was sick and wanted to leave. He grabbed me and wanted to do it to me forcibly. I was forced to defend myself."

Press - "Okay, and that guy in the pool? The girl at the bar? The maid at the hotel? The conductor on the train? Homeless? You need to drop the contacts of their relatives"

Carroll slammed her fist down on the table as it cracked and almost fell apart. The press realized that it was time to bite their tongue. Her eyes began to emit a slight glow. The palm began to change its shape.

A throw and she grabbed his head, clutching it in the grip of her claws. The press did not resist, realizing that it was useless now. She just sat on his chest, clutching his head with such force that it seemed like she was about to flatten it like a fresh watermelon.

The press was already ready for everything - "Come on... Finish me off. That's all you're capable of."

In response, he heard a growl and saw her grin, as if she was fighting with herself, the desire for revenge and the realization of the futility of it grappled with each other like wild wolves.

The press did not take his eyes off, making it clear that he was not afraid of death now. Eva entered the kitchen and saw what was happening and froze in indecision.

Slowly, she took a step towards them.

Carroll- "Don't you dare come any closer... You won't stop me."

Press - "Yes, Eva, don't. Let the monster do its job."

Carroll grabbed the Press and threw it into the refrigerator, almost flattening it. The door buckled with a screech from the impact. The abs began to slide, feeling that the blow was too strong. Getting up from the floor, he stood in a stance. Carroll let out a wild scream as she prepared for the death throw.

Eva blocked her path and also began to change shape. She shook her head from side to side, "Calm down. He's not worth it. People, they are... They're always like that. It gets to them hard."

Carroll exhaled loudly and was still trying to control her rage. Eva came over and put her chitinous fingers on her friend's shoulders - "Sister..."

Carroll's eyes widened-"What did you just call me."

Eva gently pulled him to her-"Don't you feel it? I the same as you... We're like sisters. We were made from the same dough."

Carroll also lowered her face. It took a minute to recover and cope with the surging emotions. She hugged her sister back, "Thank you... Sister. Don't worry, I'm keeping it under control."

Eve bent down and ran her nose over the brunette's cheek. She smiled softly - "Me too..."

Returning to the table, Eva took a piece of pie and took a big bite with appetite - "You're just an excellent cook, friend. Mmm, yummy."

The press hobbled to the table and took its place. Without raising her head, Carroll made another attempt to reach his consciousness - "Listen to me very carefully...I realized all this and now I am completely different. Sil is not my name, she died burned alive. She's gone. She really was a monster who knew nothing about life, who was raised like an animal in a slaughterhouse. My name is Carroll!" she got up and walked over to the Press. "If you forgot, I can remind you of something too. Guatemala. November 25, 1994. A secret operation. A group of mercenaries burned down an entire village with all the inhabitants to hide the traces of the fall of a top-secret satellite with intelligence. What do you think? You learned how to use a flamethrower very well there."

The press stared at her in shock-"How did you...?"

Carroll waved her hand viciously, saying with annoyance, "It doesn't matter...I've had a lot of time to study you all well. I know all about you. Of all your team, only Dan was a really good person. A harmless psychologist with psychic abilities. I heard he has his own practice in Boston. All the others... You weren't sinless either... A good team: a mad scientist, a microbiologist involved in illegal experiments, a pyromaniac mercenary, a pervert anthropologist."

Press - "Why?"

Carroll - "It doesn't matter. Just know... I believe that I have paid a sufficient price for a new life, even too much."

Carroll left the kitchen and went up to her room. Eva took her place and took another piece of pie-"You know, if I were her, I would finish you off and bake a pie out of your insides. If only you'd been so arrogant with me. What the fuck is wrong with you? You realize that once again you almost died because of your stupidity and self-confidence."

The press chuckled - "Huh, so what's the problem? Come on, Kamon. Get started."

Eva shook her head depressingly and, finishing her pie on the go, said, "Yes, you really are an idiot!"

A few hours later, they still couldn't get the car started. After that conversation in the kitchen, Paul was silent. Dean didn't touch him, realizing how hard it was for him right now. He learned the terrible truth about his mother and his dead brother. Abandoning fruitless attempts to put the wheelbarrow on wheels, Dean climbed out.

"Let's leave it at that… Tomorrow we'll go together and get another car."

Paul slammed the hood shut and sat on top, folding his arms and lowering his head down. Seeing him, Dean came closer and cautiously touched his shoulder with his fingers. "How are you?"

Paul - "I'm sorry..."

Dean sat down next to him in surprise – "For what?"

Paul - "For making you feel afraid. I saw that you were scared, don't deny it. It's just... it's just... when I heard that... something inside me turned over..."

Dean hugged his friend's shoulder, "Dude, I don't blame you… You handled yourself well. Please accept my condolences for your brother, I didn't know this story either."

Paul nodded, his face showing bitter resentment and pain. He was clearly out of his mind after everything he had heard, but he held on as best he could. It was already the middle of the night outside and the moon could be clearly seen from the garage. Dean, seeing how hard it was for his friend, wanted to cheer him up and distract him somehow.

- "Hey, look! It seems to be a shooting star. Make a wish!"

A silver dot in the sky was moving rapidly, falling from the sky. A thin thread of light followed her, as if escorting her on her last flight. There were noticeable little green sparks in Paul's gaze.

- "She's not a monster and never has been."

Dean - "Paul, you don't have to tell me that. I saw Carroll, she took us into her house.… She's risking herself for us. I never considered her a monster."

Paul looked gratefully at his friend and memories from his distant childhood surfaced in his memory.

A little boy with white hair and big green eyes tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. This cheap motel room on the outskirts of Seattle has been home to them for the past week. It was their life. Constant moving. They never stopped for long. His mother was always afraid of everything. The last time they fled the city, it was only because a passerby was looking at them too intently. A tall woman with dark raven hair and equally expressive green eyes came out of the bathroom.

- "Are you still awake?"

- "Are we leaving again?"

The woman sat down on the bed next to the boy and gently ran her hand through his hair – "Yes, baby. We need to leave… Are you sad?". The boy sat up and looked sadly at the woman – "Mommy, why can't I play with other guys?"

The woman gently took the child's hand – "We are different … You're going to grow up very fast, a couple more months and you're going to be a big boy..." she playfully poked his nose with her finger. A warm smile spread across her face.

- "I'm not like them... so no one will be friends with me" - the boy rubbed his eyes with his palms.

The woman wrapped her arms around him and hugged him to her – "Don't say that… You are my life, you are the greatest miracle in the universe, you are all that I have. We just need to be careful, people won't be able to accept us for who we are..." - her lips touched the boy's forehead.

"Are there others like us?" the boy looked curiously into his parent's eyes. He could feel her. When she's around, he's calm. She smells of milk, warmth, care. They are two of the most native creatures, the only ones of their kind. Her love for him is unconditional and boundless, she lost everything and rose from the ashes. She managed to do it again... to continue her line… And she will never allow her mistakes to be repeated.

"No, baby. We are alone…We are unique… Close your eyes and go to sleep…We have to get up early tomorrow," She continued to hold him in her arms, waiting for him to fall asleep.

The two-story brick mansion with faded letters "Hotel Meade" was located in the abandoned town of Bannack, Montana.

There are many legends about this house. Ghosts, voices. A sense of presence behind your back. Sometimes tourists come here for the thrill. It was the same this time.

A pickup truck with a group of students stopped near the house. They laughed and exchanged jokes. No one suspected that they had already been smelled.

- "Wow! Carefully... Vikki, give me your hand!"

The door creaked open and they found themselves in a dark hallway, the walls of which were covered with peeling yellow paint, a gray staircase with carved railings led to the second floor.

The company moved towards the stairs, but the girl decided to stay at the bottom. She was scared, and initially she was against this stupid idea with ghosts and mysticism. Her college friend persuaded her to go with them.

Shining a flashlight, the girl began to examine the rooms on the ground floor. Everything was quiet. Surely all these silly ghost stories were stories for young children.

In one of the rooms, which had previously served as a kitchen, everything was covered with dust and exuded the smell of old age and decay. Something flashed in the beam of the flashlight... The girl retreated to the wall, shining around her. "Apparently it just seemed like it."

As she moved on, she felt a gaze on the back of her head. Someone was watching her. But when she turned around, she saw only an empty room. "Take it easy, Vicky... It's okay, it's just nerves. We need to get out of here."

Her knees were shaking treacherously, but she managed to reach the exit back to the common corridor. The dark corridor was illuminated only by the light of the moon peering through the window.

Now, in front of the window, there was a silhouette that looked like a man, but with unnaturally long arms and strange appendages extending from the shoulders. She couldn't see the face, but she could feel it staring at her.

- "Go away!" - a nasty hissing voice echoed down the corridor. For a second, the beam of the flashlight illuminated the figure, showing what kind of creature was standing there. Outwardly, it resembled a creature from ancient myths, green reptilian skin, eyes burning with emerald color, hair woven into bundles of dreadlocks, as if snakes were moving on the creature's head. Throwing down the lantern, the girl ran to the exit. When she reached the stairs, she shouted up - "Guys, let's go! Faster! Derek, Barry!"

The young men ran down the stairs and anxiously looked into the face of the terrified girl. Without explaining anything to them, she grabbed them and dragged them to the exit.

The creature carefully watched the back of the pickup truck until it was completely out of sight. Yes, of course, she could have just killed them all... Why didn't she do it? She wouldn't have doubted it before... But now everything has changed. This house was notorious. An abandoned place. The police won't come here. It won't be long now. She will leave this house soon. They will leave and disappear, as they always do.

Going down to the basement, she sat down next to a large cocoon hanging from the ceiling. The cocoon pulsed and seemed to breathe. He was almost ready... He will see the light soon. She closed her eyes and seemed to connect with him as one. She was comforting him. She would teach him everything she knew, he would be a strong warrior, a hunter... A man. Now she won't be alone. The waiting hours were rewarded with a guttural hum and the cocoon was actively moving. "He's ready." Having risen, the female with her claws helped to break the thin film that covered his body. She didn't let him fall to that cold wooden floor, her chitinous arms caught him across her chest and gently laid him on a pile of clothes and old bedding. He needs to gain strength, and they can leave here.

Two people came out of the mansion's door. A tall woman with black hair, wearing a gray hoodie and a leather biker vest. She was followed by a blond guy with a young face, dressed in a T-shirt and a green hoodie. They had backpacks on their shoulders.

They left the city and walked towards the hills.

Paul - "Mom. Where are we going next?"

The woman turned around and looked at her adult son with affection - "Where would you like to go? I want to go south through Dakota towards Texas."

The guy adjusted the strap of his backpack - "I'll go wherever you say."

Nigel woke up feeling someone lying next to him and looking at him. Her clear eyes were fixed on him, and there was a blissful smile on her face. Looking around, he saw that he had fallen asleep in her room. Slapping his face in frustration, he whispered, "Oh my God, I fell asleep right here."

After returning home after a walk, they sat in Sarah's room eating lasagna and watching cartoons. He hadn't felt so good in a long time. It was as if he was sitting next to his older sister or his best friend.

He felt warm and comfortable now. He didn't want to get up and leave, but he had to go back to his room.

Getting up from the bed, he went to the exit. "I'm sorry, I took advantage of your hospitality too much, I have to go to my room."

Sarah smiled and shrugged her shoulders. - "As you wish. Although seeing you sleep is so sweet."

Nigel blushed and pouted - "Sarah, I'm not a child."

The girl laughed softly - "Of course, but those cheeks are still too cute." - She held out her hands to him - "Come on, come to me."

Nigel crossed his arms and turned away - "Pfft, I don't fall for such tricks, I'm not that small..."

Sarah kept laughing - "Come on, don't be shy, I know you want hugs too."

Finally giving up, he came over and they wrapped each other in their arms. After sitting together for a few minutes, they finally went to their rooms. Nigel got into his bed and instantly fell asleep.

I have been thinking for a long time about the moment of the meeting between the Press and Carroll (Sil). What will they say to each other? It was very hard... I hope you will appreciate this work. Thank you all for the comments! This is important to me, I appreciate you, dear readers! Write what you think about this chapter, a lot of things really happened here.