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| Photo: www.terrakatephoto1.com |
Sage could feel a breeze whipping her brunette bangs across
her face. She felt as if she was falling, almost like swimming through the air.
Her thoughts were hazy and jumbled as if waking from a dream. The world around
her looked familiar but she couldn’t quite put her finger on the uncomfortable
feeling she felt. Her words dangled on the tip of her tongue driving her mad as
her mind tried to make sense of what was happening. Beads of sweat rolled down
her skin, which felt like it was on fire. A pain in her chest felt as if
someone was trying to pry out her heart. No matter how hard she tried, her voice
hung suspended in her throat as she tried to scream. A white light was starting
to shine in front of her washing away everything in its brightness. The warm light
shined with a warm welcome offering a misleading sense of peace. Reaching out
with trembling hands she tumbled into the blinding light. A soft humming sound
danced around her ears as the world came back to her through the haze. She felt
leather straps wrapped tight around her ankles and wrist. The source of the
light hung from above and a shadowy figure stared down at her. “Welcome back,
Sage. I know you feel like the world is spinning around you, but this will
pass.” The voice came across as soothing. Offering her some sense of comfort
during her mental break down. “Where…” Sage’s voice was dry and cracked. “Where
am I?” The man leaned over Sage again, but the light distorted any features of
his face. “Why you are in your old research lab, sweetie. I know somewhere in
here is the information I need to fix the serum. I need to know how you prevent
the biological break downs in the body.” Soft metal chimes and clinks came from
the metal tools the man was setting one by one beside her on a tray. “You see
I’m running really short on time and decided this whole ordeal can go one of
two ways. Either you tell me where you stashed away your research or we go to
the hard route. If you don’t want to corporate then I will take these little
tools her and cause you so much pain you will have no choice but to tell me.
Your choice beautiful.” Gabriel pushed the light out of Sage’s eyes and a sense
of panic started to set in. Tears streamed from the edge of her eyes causing
little wet spots on the sheet beneath her. “You know they are going to kill you
right? They found me and they will come kill you.” Gabriel let out a deep
laugh. He took a scalpel that glinted in the light brushing the dull side
across her check. “I think your precious Bartle Four will have their hands full
when they meet my men. So if, and I stress if, they get pass them you better pray
they still can recognize this beautiful face.” Gabriel's face contorted in a dark
rage sending drops of spittle through the air as he yelled. “Now tell me where
the fucking research is.”
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| Photo: http://www.number27.org |
The Vacant crawled across the gore-covered floor clawing
itself over the lifeless bodies that blocked its way. Its goal was only a few
feet away. Empty bullet casings danced around the foot of the man it was trying
to reach. Spades brought his foot down with an immense pressure splashing the Vacants
brains across the already filthy floor. “There doesn’t seem to be an end to
these things” Spades mumbled under his breath. The Bartle Four stood in a tight
circle shooting any Vacant getting to close he group. Making slow progress they
worked their way down the hallway that Gabriel had retreated down. “ Shoot only
those too close for comfort and conserve your ammo. We have to be running low
by now.” Spades directed the men through the M.A.C. system built into their
mask. “About another twenty feet and we cut to the right." The men were
all silent, listening to the orders as they came. This had been the most Vacant
any of them had been up against at one time. The things poured from every dark
door way and their arms reached violently through the boarded up windows hoping
to snag any passersby. Heartless took his combat knife and drove it deep into
the forehead of a Vacant who scratched at his armor. The knife made a dull
suction pop as it slide out spilling the cerebral goo from the gash. “Five feet
and then we make the turn.” The Bartle Four pressed on like seasoned warriors
laying waste to any unfortunate soul that crossed their path. Reaching the
corner the men turned to find a large open lobby, which probably at one time
was a show room for researchers to show off their most prized findings. The
room was dimly lit, but the men could make out the plaques hanging on the walls.
Glass cases displayed across the floor kept safe dusty water purification
systems that had detailed descriptions of their functions beneath them. The room
was nothing more than an ancient trophy room that once held great ideas designed
to fix the damage people had caused the world. Now the world belonged to the
Vacant. Heartless threw his hand up in a fist signalling the group to stop. “Did
you guys see something move?” Spades busted a flare sending red light and long
shadows across the room and chucked it into the center of the lobby. The light
revealed ten well-armed men, resembling S.W.A.T., pointing various types of
guns in their direction. Spades dove behind one of the various displays and
screamed, “Get the fuck down.”
The Bartle Four took cover the best they could as bullets
rained down onto their position. Diamonds slid across the floor dodging
bullets by inches. Little showers of sparks skipped across the ground as
bullets that missed their mark ricocheted off the tile floor. Diamonds propped
himself up against one of the display cases. “ I counted eight men. All well
armed and they looked well trained. I think…” A shotgun blast tore a chunk off
the side of the box showering Diamonds in splinters of wood. Heartless flipped
around the corner of his cover and unloaded both Rugers into the direction of
the mysterious soldiers. The bullets flew frantically across the room catching
one of the men in the throat. A jet of blood sprayed from the soldier’s neck as
he clutched at his throat drowning in his own blood. “ Make that seven.” Clubs
ran across the room to hide inside of a doorway barely dodging bullets as he
went. Spades tried to over some cover fire and managed to hit one of the
soldiers across the room. The wounded man fell and tried to crawl back behind
cover, but Spades put a bullet in the base of his neck and the man fell limp.
The remaining six soldiers started to fan out across the room forcing the
Bartle Four to retreat back. “Umm guys we have some unwanted company.” Clubs
was looking across the room when he noticed Vacant started to approach from
both side of the room. It seemed that the blood and gunshot were attracting
them. The S.W.A.T. geared up men didn’t
seem to notice the approaching Vacant and two of the soldiers got attacked. The
first had a Vacant pull back the man’s head by his helmet and sunk its teeth
deep into his neck. The Vacant shook its head like a rabid dog tearing away
flesh and tendons. Gargled screams filled the room as blood poured from the
gory gash. The second man was grabbed around the leg and bitten in the ankle.
The snap of the Achilles tendon caused the man to fall as his leg went limp.
One of his partners shot the Vacant in the back of the head. The bitten man
begged for mercy as one of his fellow soldiers put the muzzle of his gun
against his temple ending his life with a flash. Spades shot two Vacants
approaching from their side splattering the walls with decaying brain matter.
“I think there is only four of them left.” Clubs peeked out from behind the
doorway and his head snapped back on his neck. The young boy fell to his knees.
His mask was cracked across the top and bright red blood pumped out of the
fractures in his mask. He tumbled to his side twitching as the life drained
from his body.
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| photo: http://gallery.mobile9.com |
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| Photo:www.elmergates.com |
Once they reached the double doors Heartless kicked the
doors open to find a quarantine area leading into the research lab. A thick
glass protecting the valuable lab equipment surrounded the research lab. The
lab was still in pristine condition and looked like it had been well maintained.
In the middle of the lab was Sage restrained to a table with leather straps.
Gabriel was running a scalpel across her leg opening a deep cut that spurted
bright red stream of blood. Heartless went into a rage and ran pass the
quarantine doors straight into the lab. Red lights and sirens began to buzz as
soon as he passed through the bio-scanners and a robotic voice began to shout
over the intercoms. “Contamination detected, quarantine protocols engaged.
Contamination detected, quarantine protocols engaged.” A large door made of the
same thick glass slide closed behind Heatless trapping him in the room with
Gabriel and Sage. Spades and Diamonds walked to the edge of the door and stared
helpless at the events inside the lab. Gabriel took the scalpel and placed it
against Sage’s neck. “One step closer and I slit her fucking throat.”
Gabriel slyly looked at the remains of the Bartle Four and
smiled a half smile. “Well boys I have to give you credit. I guess you bested
my men but at some great cost. Where is the fourth? The young man from the
ship?” Heartless took a step forward but abruptly stopped as Gabriel applied
pressure to the scalpel. “How do you know that he was on a ship before he
joined us?” Gabriel smirked again. “Like I said, Heartless, I have been looking
for this serum for a very long time. After Oscar turned me into this… monster
that stands before you I swore I would kill him. Do you know how he showed me
gratitude for my loyal service? He forces me out into the wasteland for no reason,
destined to die from the poison in my veins. I knew that I would have to find where
he sent his research and claim it for myself. To answer your question, I knew
Clubs was from a ship because he used to sail on a vessel of mine. The
Hyperion. Captain Moore used to work for me as a hound dog. Going from each
rag-tag civilization to each rag-tag civilization taking what he pleased but he
always kept an eye out for any information on what I was seeking. In returned I
supplied his men with the necessary items to be a deadly force to be reckoned
with. The Hyperion never found any decent leads but it did point towards a
group of renegade fighters being assembled. The Bartle Four. Rumor of a man
going by the call sign of Spades was gathering people into a save heaven. This
is what ultimately lead me to your location Heartless ” Gabriel eased the blade
away from Sage’s neck. “I was so close when my team found you in New York. You
lead me straight to the man himself after he went underground but he slipped
through my fingers. Lost a lot of good men in that explosion but with any war
there will be heavy casualties.” Heartless jumped as a loud clink echoed from
behind him and a man started to climb down a makeshift ladder from the roof.
“Guess that means my ride is ready.
Every avenue I have tried somehow you Bartle Four have been there to
halt my progress but today I stand victorious. Our little beauty her gave me
the research information I needed to fix myself.” The man that climbed from the
roof walked beside the Gabriel and glanced down at Sage’s tear stricken face. “
The helicopter is ready sir.” “Very well.” Gabriel turned to look at Heartless
and laughed. “You have almost taken everything from me so now you get to watch
me kill her.” Gabriel started to apply force to the scalpel when suddenly his
head twisted unnaturally to the side. The man beside him had pulled a pistol
and placed a bullet right into the side of Gabriel’s head. The disfigured man
twisted as spurts of blood sprayed onto the thick glass. Gabriel fall slouched
over the table twitching. The man pulled back the black mask that concealed his
face. “Heartless, my name is Gerard and I have been looking for you for quite
some time.”
Gerard took his knife and began cutting away at the straps
restraining Sage to the table. Heartless rushed beside him eyeing Gabriel’s
lifeless body. “ Who are you?” “My name is Gerard and I have been sent by a
small military group that is accompanied by Oscar. I lost contact with them a
few years ago but my position in Gabriel’s personal army was to valuable to
seek what happen to them.” Heartless took some bandages and applied it to the
various cuts across Sage’s body. “How did you become part of Gabriel’s men?”
Gerard cut the last strap throwing it to the floor. “I meet up with one of his
search parties and claimed to be the last survivor of the Hyperion.
Unfortunately my joining his gang came at a high price. I had little to offer
so I told him the one thing he cared about. I told him the information about
Spades and his organization of fighters he was assembling.” Heartless scooped
Sage into his arms off the table and started to walk to where Spades watched
helplessly. “I have gone through a great amount of trouble to find you and have
important papers to give you from Oscar. I believe they may be his answer to
the nightmare we find ourselves in. Combined with her knowledge I know we can
take this world back.” Heartless nodded turning his attention to Spades. “We
got her. We got her and she is still alive.” Spades smiled and placed his hand
against the glass wishing he were able to touch her soft skin. Sage softly
smiles and reached her hand up placing gently next to Spades. “I’m sorry I ran
off Dad, but I had to do what I thought was right.” Tears filled Spades eyes.
“You don’t every have to apologize to me. I am just glad to see that you’re
okay.” The doors behind Spades and Diamonds burst open as Vacant began to poor
in. Diamond props himself against the wall and placed a well aimed bullet into
each of the approaching Vacants’ heads. Spades pulls away his hand leaving a
bloody handprint. “Go take her to the helicopter and get her out of here.”
Heartless looks around for any means of help. “What about you Spades? I can’t
just leave you behind.” Spades grabs Diamonds and turned towards the flood of
Vacant pouring through. “We are dead men walking. Now go!” Spades and Diamonds
burst back into the hall fighting their way through the small horde. Low on
ammo, the pair resorts to pushing the Vacant away causing them to topple over
each other creating a path. “Take me to the front lab. I want to try and see
the sun one last time before I die Spades.” The men continue down the hallway
and finally made it to the front lab. Once they enter the lab Spades closes the
door and slides against it hoping his weight will keep out the pursuing Vacant.
He checks his clip and sees he only has three bullets remaining. Diamonds
slowly walks across the room and sits on top of a desk to look out the broken
window. “It was one hell of a ride huh? We killed more of those sons a bitches than
anyone else I have known and that has to count for something right. We also
built Reverie and gave people hope.” Diamonds stares contently out the window.
“ I regret nothing. Spades I ask only one favor?” A violently cough over takes
Diamonds and he spits up a little blood. He reaches up and pops off his mask
and slings it across the room. “Take this and give it to my son. I might be dying but don’t let Diamonds
die. The Bartle Four is a beacon of hope that fights the monster haunting our
dreams. Tell him about me and hell who knows maybe he could be the next
Diamonds one day.” Spades watches his friend, his emotions torn. “Just do me
that one favor. My god I forgot how good a breeze across the face felt like.”
Diamonds started leaning a little to the side and coughed up some more blood.
Finally his weights pulled sideways off the desk and he landed with a loud
thud. Spades pushed the last three bullets back into his gun and waited for his
friend to turn.
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| Photo:www.squidoo.com |
Spades stared off into the distance wondering what was
happening at Reverie as he waited for Diamonds to turn. Was the geothermal
energy still functioning properly? How are the fruits and vegetables coming
along in the green house bio-dome? Spades smirked as he realized that even
miles away he still worried for the people of Reverie. A scratching noise from
Diamonds boot caused Spades attention to jump back to the situation at hand.
His friend was coming back as a Vacant and he no choice but to put him down.
Diamonds stared at Spades hungrily snapping his jowls with bloody saliva
dripping to the floor. The first shot missed by a few inches. Two bullets left.
Shuffling across the room Diamonds fell on top of Spades only a few inches away
from his face. Spades placed the muzzle against his temple and pulled the
trigger. The gun burst flashed and dark blood leaked out of the jagged bullet
hole above Diamonds' temple. Sliding Diamonds body to the side, Spades took the barrel of the gun and
placed it inside his mouth. The door behind him started to jump as something
pounded on the other side desperately trying to get in. The cold metallic taste
in his mouth scared Spades of what he was about to do. Warm tears streamed down
his face as images of Sage and his late wife danced through his mind. The
pounding on the door started to fracture the wood around the hinges. Spades
took a deep breath as embraced himself to pull the trigger. The door exploded
open and sent the gun and Spades sprawling across the floor. “Holy fuck. I
can’t believe he changed so quick.” Heartless took in the scene of his dead
friend lying next to his dying friend. “ Come on Spades. We have the helicopter
ready to go.” Spades started to laugh hysterically as he looked up at
Heartless. “I was this close to blowing my brains out.” Heartless bent down to
help Spades up grabbing Diamonds mask in the process. “Better luck next time,
but we still have shit to get done. So let's go.”
Heartless escorted Spades through a dark passageway that led
to the helipad. The light was blinding when the two emerged onto the roof.
Gerard was sitting in the helicopter cockpit fiddling with various switches and
buttons. Heartless hoisted Spades into the middle compartment and set him down
on the cot. Sage wrapped in a blanket laid her head in his lap and Spades
reached down gently brushing her check. “How you holding up their, beautiful?”
Sage looked lovingly at her father. “A hell of a lot better than you.”
Heartless slid the door closed and leaned into the cockpit. “Alright here is
the coordinates I need you to fly us to. This is a place we call home, Reverie.
Somewhere safe. We are taking Spades to get looked at then we will go find this
boy of yours.” Heartless plopped down in the chair adjacent from Spades and
released a heavy sigh. “ We are taking you two back to Reverie to get fixed up
by our doctors, but then we have business to attend to, Spades.” Spades looked up
from Sage. The helicopter rotor began to spin throwing up a cloud of dirt and
debris through the air. Heartless kicked his feet back and sighed again. “I
know this is soon, but we need to find replacements for the Bartle Four. Gerard
up there seems to have proven his worth today, but we still need one more.” Gerard
turned around in his chair and tossed a holotape towards him. “I stole this from
Gabriel’s personal belongings. This guy was his dirty little secret. His ace in
the hole in case his leads to Oscar’s research dried up. He could be a potential
member for your Bartle Four gang.” The helicopter jolted into the air heading
towards Reverie. Heartless tossed the holotape to Spades. Spades flipped the
tape in his hands when he noticed something etched into the side of the tape.
“Ezekiel.”
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