Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Stepping into an alley, Shane changed his clothes. The last time he had to interact with guards, he wasn’t very official looking.

“What are you doing?” Rai asked.

“Shush. I’m concentrating,” Shane whispered back.

Slowly, his long-sleeved shirt became a jacket. Tight to his body, and brown in color. He tried to design it after the military jackets that he had seen as the world fell.

For his pants, he went with straight-legged, brown pants. They were a little showy, so he softened them with cargo pockets and finished with black boots.

“What was the point of this?” Rai asked.

“To look the part,” Shane said. “Do you want them questioning me in standard clothes?”

Sighing, he felt Rai shake her head. “Can’t we just go in, kill the guards, and burn down the warehouses?”

“Rai!” Shane laughed. “We can’t just kill everyone.”

Reginald laughed in his head. “I think the fox wants to bloody her teeth.”

“Yes, I do!” Rai agreed.

Groaning, Shane shook his head and stepped back onto the street. Already, kids were running around the slums, spreading news of what was happening. Those out in the market and around the city would be collected, but it would take time.

The warehouses were part of the old industrial sector, which was northeast of the market. Now that he considered it, it seemed the market was the heart of the city.

With that in mind, Shane walked upright and with authority through the crowds. People parted for him, eager to get away. He kept a burning anger in his eyes and tight lips as he pressed on.

“You’re really leaning into this, aren’t you?” Rai asked.

“I feel like I have to,” Shane said. “I have to admit, I hate how the Marked are seen. I’d much rather be seen joking and having fun.”

“And stealing,” Reginald grumbled.

Shane chuckled. “I wouldn’t be seen stealing.”

“Shane, we need to find you a better hobby,” Rai said. “Oh, I know! You can steal some rope, and we could—”

“No! Not while I’m in his mind!” Reginald boomed.

Laughter filled his head from Rai. Shane wanted to shake his head, but he was still putting on the air of annoyance and anger.

Skirting around the market, Shane picked up his pace as the crowd thinned. The supply wagons would be arriving before long, and he wanted the children out before they made it over to the warehouses.

“Shane?” Rai asked.

“Yes, my truest love?”

“Are you going to be okay if you have to kill someone?”

Shane paused, nearly missing his next step. “It wouldn’t be my first time.”

Rai seemed to nod in his head.

Letting out a slow breath, Shane picked up his pace again. He didn’t like remembering some of his past, but he knew that he was ready. It was a readiness that he didn’t like being prepared for.

***

The warehouses were massive. Easily a football field in length and over three stories tall. Four of them stood side by side, taking up a large portion of the industrial sector.

Behind them were towering plants with smokestacks that stretched high into the sky. An old coal power plant could be seen just outside the city walls that had run out of fuel. The water treatment plant was inside the walls, but the awful smell it once gave off had long since dispersed.

Factories for toys and candies were sprinkled throughout the area, with semitrucks left forgotten at docks. There was a chance they could still run, but fuel had run out long ago.

“This place is a graveyard,” Rai whispered.

“Most of the world is like this,” Reginald said.

“You’ve traveled more than me.” Shane could sense Rai frowning. Then she added, “Our future is going to hold a lot of traveling.”

“Really?” Shane asked.

“Yes. There are plenty of towns and cities we will go through to reach the capital. And even more abandoned areas that we will scavenge from.”

Shane nodded.

The third warehouse was just that—the third one in from the south. A big number three had been painted on it above the large doors, which were made from scrap. In fact, almost all of the warehouses had been damaged during the first days of the Descendance. Scrap metal and wood dominated the structures, hammered together from supplies that were no longer around.

“We did all of this, didn’t we?” Rai asked.

“I did my fair share,” Reginald said.

Normally, Shane would feel angry, but at that moment, he was just tired.

“Shane?” Rai asked softly.

Shane shook his head. “It’s nothing. I’ve spent most of my life in this city and grew up with the destruction. And it’s thanks to the Descendants that humanity can’t leave and rebuild.”

“I know,” Rai whispered. “My people are still angry. But not all of us are bad.”

“I have friends that will help,” Reginald added. “Your friends will be safe with them.”

“I hope so,” Shane muttered. Running a hand through his hair, he frowned. “I really need to cut this.”

“I’ll help you after this,” Rai offered. “Shane?”

“Yes?”

“I want you to know that I’m glad you were the one I bonded to. I would rather have died if it wasn’t you.”

Shane felt his chest tighten as he fought down his emotions. “Thanks, Rai.”

“Of course! Though, you owe me a massage.”

Laughing, Shane returned to his task.

The walk to the warehouse had him pass several guards. Each warehouse had a contingent of six men and women patrolling the perimeter or standing in front of the doors.

Every one of them carried spears and a short sword for close combat. Despite their weapons, they wore crude iron armor that looked to have been hammered together quickly.

Reaching warehouse three, he found over twenty guards patrolling the area. Whistling, he broke his composure for a moment.

Grabbing his chin, he cracked his neck a few times before steadying himself. What was going to happen next would either end with dozens of dead guards, or a clean getaway.

Walking with purpose, Shane strolled towards the front door.

“Halt!” a women called out.

“Out of my way!” Shane growled.

“No civilians may enter this warehouse,” she said. Lowering her spear, the guards gathered around and joined her.

Rolling up his right sleeve, he showed them the tattoo. “How many of you want to die today?”

Three of the guards lowered their weapons.

“He’s a Marked.”

“Maybe we should—”

“No!” the woman shouted. “Marked or not, we have our orders. Even with all of us, we can take down one man.”

“Want me to come out?” Reginald asked.

“Not yet,” Shane said.

Surveying the guards that were still gathering, he shook his head. “I appreciate you for doing your jobs. But don’t you all have families?”

“Yes,” one of the guards said.

“Richard!” another hissed.

Shane smiled. “Richard, wouldn’t it be nice to see your wife tonight?”

“Yes,” the man said with a nod.

“Have any children?” Shane asked.

“Not yet, sir. We are trying though.”

Shane clapped his hands. “Richard, you know me and my wife are trying as well.”

“You’re married?” the woman asked.

“Yes.” Shane laughed. “You all think us Marked are so much different than all of you. Yes, we have to be bossy and wave around our power, but what’s the point? Where’s the humanity in making someone a widow?”

The guards lowered their weapons. Only the woman still had hers raised.

“You don’t look like you’re married,” Shane told her.

“I’m not,” she admitted tersely.

“You know, my wife has a really fiery personality, but there is one thing she enjoys—being tied up.” Shane’s smile widened as he stepped closer to the guard. “You seem like the type that would enjoy taking advantage of that.” Grabbing her spear, he lowered it. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I can already imagine the things the three of us could do together.”

“Nonsense!” the woman said, but her voice was on the edge of breaking.

“Your hands running over my tattoo while I fill you with power. My wife watches from a distance, unable to satisfy herself.” Shane lowered his voice and met her eye. “Cuddling afterwards while you have a sense of belonging.”

“There are people around,” she growled.

“And they are going to be very jealous when I collect you tonight. All you have to do is give me your name.”

“Allison,” she said softly.

Pushing her spear down the rest of the way, he stepped into her personal space. “I’m not that different from you. We both guard humanity. Why are you putting this barrier between us?”

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“I…”

“Shh,” Shane whispered. “I want your thoughts filled with what we’re going to do after your shift ends. I bet my wife will just love you.” Turning her body, he placed himself through the guards and towards the door. Glancing at everyone, he added, “Do you all like to drink?”

“Yeah,” Richard admitted.

Shane smiled. “Good, because what I have to do here is going to require me to drink. I want you all to think about your families. Your lovers. And your future children. You have a responsibility to this city, but the dirty work falls to me. I don’t want any of you to see what is about to happen.”

Allison covered her mouth. “The children?”

“Yeah,” Shane said, bringing a tear to his eye. He wiped it away. “That’s what separates us in the line of duty. It was my duty to hunt down the man that escaped the city, just as it is my duty to handle this warehouse.”

The guards all stepped back.

“This isn’t right!” Richard protested.

“Do you have to?” another asked.

Shane held up his hands. “I do. This is a burden I’ll carry out without involving all of you. As for after this, we’ll get a few drinks, and then I’ll steal Allison away.”

A few of them laughed as Allison blushed all the way to her ears.

Turning, Shane grabbed the door and slid it open. Stepping into the dark interior, he closed the door behind him and let out a deep breath.

“That was different,” Reginald commented.

“Shane? What color was her hair?” Rai asked.

Frowning, Shane glanced back at the door. “I’m not sure?”

“How tall was she? Her eye color? Any perfume?”

Shane frowned. “What does this have to do with anything?”

Rai left his tattoo in a burst of light and smacked his arm. “You just led a woman on and didn’t even pay attention to her,” she whispered.

“I have you,” Shane said. “Why do I need to care about other women?”

Sighing, Rai leaned into him. “This is why I love you.”

Reginald appeared a moment later. “I thought maybe you would go the route of joking and throwing them off. But relating and making promises worked rather well.”

Rai nodded. “It did, but, uh, can we go back to you talking nonsense? This seriousness is confusing.”

“Why is that part of me confusing?” Shane asked. Furrowing his brows, he waited for Rai to answer.

“Let’s find those children,” Rai said, ignoring him.

Rolling his eyes, Shane walked further into the warehouse. “They should be nearby.”

Reginald closed his eyes for a moment. Shane felt a pulse travel through the ground before Reginald said, “I know where they are.”

Taking the lead, Reginald guided them through shelves and around crates. The warehouse was packed with supplies for the city, and only a dim light was coming from dirty glass panels in the ceiling.

About halfway into the warehouse, Reginald grabbed a large crate and tore it open. Inside were three children, emaciated as they sat in their own waste.

“Find the rest,” Shane growled. “Rai, it’s time you made an exit and started your distraction.”

“I agree,” Rai growled, the air vibrating with heat.

The children looked up at Shane as Rai walked away.

“Shane?” one of them asked.

“Neal,” Shane said gently. “Can you stand?”

Staggering to his feet, Neal helped the other two up. “Have you come to rescue us?” the boy asked.

Shane nodded, his throat tight with anger and emotion as the sound of more crates were tore open. “I’m going to get you out of here. Marge is waiting for us, and we’re leaving the city for a better life.”

Neal nodded. He was only nine years old, but his growth had been stunted from lack of nutrition. If Shane had shown up any later, he might not have made it.

“I need you all to be strong,” Shane said. Looking around, he found an intact crate that could hold the twelve children. “Find me some rope.”

Reginald nodded and rummaged through the warehouse. In the meantime, Shane knocked over a large crate and started lifting the children inside.

“Shane, you seem stronger,” Neal commented.

“I am.” Shane chuckled, letting the tension ease.

“Your friend has funny ears,” a young girl said.

Shane lifted her in next. “He’s my Summon.”

“You’re a Marked?” Neal asked with awe.

“That’s right,” Shane said happily. “And I’m taking everyone out of the slums so we can have a better life. We are leaving this hell hole.”

“You swore!” a boy giggled.

“I did not.” Shane flicked the kid’s nose lightly. “Just don’t tell Marge.”

Shane lifted the last kid in when Reginald returned.

“What are we doing with the rope?” Reginald asked.

“Making a harness and hooking it to the crate,” Shane said while grabbing metal scrap from a nearby crate. “They can’t walk for long, and we need a fast way out.”

Molding the metal into handles, Shane nailed them into the crate.

“You figured out my powers?” Reginald asked. Looping the rope into the handles, he started to make the harness.

Shane looked down at his hands. “I guess I did.”

“But you haven’t filled yourself with my essence yet.”

Shrugging sheepishly, Shane grabbed the rope.

Shaking his head, Reginald helped him fashion a harness and hook it up to the crate. As they were finishing, shouts could be heard from outside just as an explosion rocked the warehouse.

***

Rai bristled as she stalked away from Shane. Humans are despicable! Keeping their young locked in boxes!

Flames licked out from her hair and tail as she headed towards the north wall and towards warehouse four. She honestly didn’t care if anyone saw her, but for Shane’s sake, she would try to be stealthy.

Closing her eyes, she forced herself to calm down. She could feel her face relaxing when her ears picked up the sound of people walking outside.

“We’ll finally be done with this job,” a man said.

“The kids were dead anyways. Plagues on this city if you asked me.”

“Good thing we got the nice Marked. I heard some of them would have killed us for holding them up.”

Someone laughed. “Just like he’s killing those children?”

“Fair point, but we aren’t those children. I’ll be happy to live for another day.”

Growling, Rai felt her body extend as she transformed into her fox form. Crates were pushed away from her, and she did her best to minimize the damage.

Lifting her paw, she touched the wall and watched the metal melt away. Slag pooled on the ground as two guards stood wide-eyed, staring at her.

“Oh, shit!” one of them gasped out.

Rai lunged forward, pinning them both down. The weight of her body was enough to crush them, breaking their fragile bodies.

Good riddance!

Tossing the corpses to the side, she melted a hole through warehouse four. Flicking her tail, Rai sent embers drifting over the nearby crates. Smoke rose first, before the embers took hold.

Walking further into the warehouse, Rai found barrels of something that she assumed was oil. Where did they get this? Frowning, she sniffed the contents and sneezed. What are they even using it for?

Pondering the question, she heard footsteps pounding towards the warehouse.

Out of time in this one.

Speeding up, she headed over to the next wall and melted a hole through the metal and wood. The wood that she touched continued to burn as the flames flowed over the outer wall.

That’s more than Shane wanted.

Watching the flames for a moment, Rai smiled, baring her teeth in a toothy grin.

There wasn’t another warehouse on this side, so she ran to the back and looked around. Footsteps were gathering in the alley between the warehouses and when she peeked, she found that Reginald had blocked up the hole she made.

Smart man.

Dozens of guards were trying to smother the flames, but the dry wood was spreading rapidly. With a little prodding from her power, Rai urged the flames to grow and spread further into the warehouse.

I’d like to see them get that under control.

“Where the hell is the Marked?” Allison shouted.

“Do you really think he’ll bother with something this small?” another asked.

“You call this small?”

“It’s on my arm!”

“I can’t put it out!”

Rai watched with a smile as the guards trying to stop the spread caught fire. Serves them right.

Slinking to her human’s warehouse, she paused. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as something powerful approached.

Before she could find the source, the oil ignited and exploded, shredding the warehouse and killing half of the guards.

Shane’s going to yell at me…

***

Shane felt the warehouse shake as screams filled the air. Glancing towards the path that Rai took, he frowned.

“Did you do something that’s going to make me mad?” Shane asked.

Reginald snorted a laugh before hooking Shane up to the crate. “When you’re ready, chief.”

Shane grumbled as Rai refused to answer him.

Setting his feet, he started walking, dragging the crate behind him. Reginald moved out front, shifting boxes and crates out of the way.

“Shane? What happened to you?” Neal asked.

“Save your strength, little man. I’ll explain everything later.”

“Okay,” Neal said before sitting down.

To Shane’s surprise, his breathing was fine as he pulled a dozen kids in a large crate. What shouldn’t have been possible was rather easy.

Lost in thought, he almost didn’t notice Reginald’s head snap to the side.

“What’s wrong?” Shane asked.

Instead of answering, Reginald transformed into his bear form, knocking over towers of crates and shelves. Dust filled the air, causing Shane to wrinkle his nose and sneeze.

Reginald growled, his tone vibrating the air with power. Taking the lead, he didn’t wait for Shane as he burst through the back wall.

Shane hurried after him, pulling the crate as quickly as he could. The children were knocked down, but a wave of heat washed over the new exit, shifting the air visibly.

“Rai!” he screamed through their bond.

“Not now, Shane. A little busy!”

“Take down the summon first!” Reginald roared.

Frowning, Shane burst out of the warehouse to find the industrial district on fire. Rai was weaving around a giant wolf that was awfully familiar. A man was standing behind it, slashing a sword at Reginald.

“Stop playing with your food!” Shane yelled.

Rai growled and flipped her tail at him. A wave of heat pushed him over.

Shane got back to his feet to watch Rai’s claws tear deep grooves through the wolf’s flank. A pained yelp filled the air before Reginald left the Marked to bite into the hip of the wolf.

Shaking his head, he picked up the wolf that was already bigger than a car and slammed it down. Blood squirted from the wolf’s mouth just before Rai wrapped it in flames.

“Back off,” she ordered Reginald.

The bear distanced himself and went back to fighting the Marked. Claws met steel in a display of sparks. Shane wanted to join in, but Rai placed herself between him and the fight.

“You have the children,” Rai reminded him.

Gritting his teeth, Shane nodded. “Finish this quickly. We have to go before more come.”

“Reginald, spear him,” Rai ordered.

The ground shook before a dozen spears sprang from the ground and impaled the Marked. The wolf was just beginning to transform back into motes of light when his bond mate was killed.

The wolf’s body fell back into existence, dead for good.

Rai ran over to Shane and nuzzled him with her nose. “Follow me!”

“Right behind you,” Shane said before picking up his pace.

Reginald lumbered over and ran on Shane’s other side.

“What happened with the guards that knew our faces?” Shane asked.

“Dead,” Reginald said.

Shane grimly nodded.

They had miles to run before they reached the wall. All the while, the flames continued to spread from the warehouse. The Marked in the city were responding, their summons filling the sky and roaring in the distance.

“Have they found us?” Shane asked.

Rai glanced over her shoulder. “If they have, they haven’t come for us.”

Reginald only slowed the pace when they reached the wall. Focusing, the bear forced the ground to part for him. A tunnel formed under the wall, leading them to the outside world.

“Get through!” Reginald growled.

Shane didn’t need to be told twice as he pulled the children through. The crate shook and bounced, flinging children around on the uneven ground. Once he was out, Shane stopped.

“Everyone alright?” he asked.

Whimpers of pain were coming from the crate, but when Rai looked in, she shook her head.

“They’re fine. Bruises and nothing else.”

“Good,” Shane said as he started south. “Fill in the hole and let’s run.”

Reginald bounded through, the ground filling in behind him. Turning south, they started jogging. They had to get around to the other side of the city still and gather everyone else.

***

Jeremy limped idly through the streets. Marge had his arm around her shoulders, while Lin walked beside him.

“Daddy?” Lin asked.

“I’m okay, Lin. Your uncle made sure nothing bad happened.”

Lin sniffled. “Okay.”

Reaching down, he ruffled his son’s hair. His torn fingers wanted to make him scream, but he fought down the impulse.

“Give me a good bath, and I’ll look as good as new,” Jeremy told him.

“There are no baths, Daddy.”

“There will be where we’re going,” Jeremy said confidently. “If your uncle somehow cleaned up, I know he’ll let us do the same.”

Smiling, Jeremy beamed up at his father. “Uncle Shane is trouble.”

Laughing, Jeremy nodded. “Did your mother tell you that?”

“Mama always tells the truth. She said I should too.”

“She’s the smartest woman I know,” Jeremy said. “You would do well to listen to her.”

An explosion in the distance shook dust from the nearby buildings.

Marge turned Jeremy towards the source, and all three of them stared in awe as a fireball filled the sky.

“What the hell, Shane?” Jeremy muttered.

Marge shook her head. “That boy…”

“Did Uncle Shane break something?” Lin asked.

Jeremy laughed, his ribs aching him once again. “I believe he did.”

Turning back towards the wall, they picked up their pace as best they could. Children of all ages gathered around them, dirty, disheveled, and barely clothed. The stench of waste and their filthy bodies choked the air. Word had spread that Shane had a plan and that Marge would see them to safety.

“Nearly there,” Marge said.

“Thank you,” Jeremy said softly.

“Don’t be stupid,” Marge huffed. “You’re paying me back for helping you this far.”

Frowning, Jeremy glanced at her. “I’m not the one that stole your pie.”

“No, but you ate it all the same.”

Sighing, Jeremy shook his head. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

“Not likely.”

Chuckling, Jeremy looked around with one eye. Rachel was jogging over to them, sweating and out of breath.

“Honey?” he asked.

Rachel held up a finger as she caught her breath. Once she was ready, she said, “The slums are gathering at the west wall. Everyone is pulling out of the city.”

“You cleared the market and residential district of our people?” Marge asked.

“Yes. The adults and teens helped the most. We have nothing to bring with us, so it’s rather easy.”

Nodding, Marge helped Jeremy past the next street.

Rachel glanced back at the fireball that was still fading. “What did Shane do?”

“I think that was Railen,” Marge stated.

“Railen?” Jeremy asked.

“The fox girl. She had flames flickering over her hair.”

Jeremy glanced back. “Then who was the other guy?”

“Reginald. He’s a bear,” Marge said with a straight face.

“Shane has a fox and a bear?” Rachel asked. “How is that possible?”

“It’s Shane—nothing makes sense,” Marge said matter-of-factly.

Jeremy shook his head. “You should have heard him talk when he came for me. I’ve never heard his voice filled with burning hatred before. I honestly thought he was a normal Marked coming for my life.”

“Shane?” Rachel asked.

“Yeah,” Jeremy said softly. “Power rolled off him so thick that I could only shake and whimper. I thought if I tried to talk, he would simply kill me.”

“Our Shane?” Rachel asked again.

“I didn’t believe it when he finally toned down the oppression and checked me over. It was Shane, alright, but whatever he’s gone through has changed him.”

Marge shook her head. “He didn’t change. He’s always had that side of him. He just didn’t have the power to use it.”

“What’s going to happen to this city?” Rachel wondered.

“I don’t know,” Marge admitted. “But if I had to choose between staying here and taking my chances in the wilds with Shane, I will always choose Shane.”

Jeremy agreed. Glancing around, he frowned at the decayed structures and broken road. Soon this would all be behind him.

“Where is he taking us?” he asked.

“Don’t know, don’t care,” Rachel said. “If I could ask Shane for one thing, it would be to murder all of those damned Marked.”

“You may get your wish,” Marge muttered.

Howls in the distance preempted the flight of birds circling the industrial sector. Caws and shrieks followed, making Jeremy’s skin crawl. It would seem all of the Marked had responded to Shane’s attack. Hopefully his friend made it out.