After driving for days on end, the girls pull to the side of the road to take a break.
Naiomi "Alright stretch your legs, take a breath, do you. We are wheels up in ten."
Dr.veritas stretched her arms above her head, pulled out her cigarette box and lighter, popped what appeared to be a cigarette in her mouth, lighting it and taking a long slow drag.
Shawnte "What is that smell?"
Dr.veritas "The best shit for the next five hundred miles."
Shawnte "You did not!? You can't be doing that out here."
Dr.veritas "If you shut it and don't tell goodie two shoes over there. I'll let you have a lil."
Shawnte "I don't know. Smoking is bad and leads to cancer."
Dr.veritas "This is the finest and freshest shticky-icky this side of the gate to Gehenna vally. Come on, trust me, it's nothing like blu-skye. Well, almost...I'll be honest. You will get a feeling but you won't turn into a demon."
Shawnte "Then why are you doing it."
Dr.veritas "Some of us don't like taking medication that makes us dead inside. Those pills put our programs to sleep. Basically making us completely defenseless while calming us down. We become trapped in feeling nothing. No joy or pain, no up or down. Just mere existence, plus it makes coitus pretty difficult for me personally. This right here helps me shut the voices out so I can focus and sleep. If it does the same thing, I just prefer a natural remedy over a synthetic one."
Shawnte "Maybe...Maybe just a little."
While Dr.veritas and Shawnte shared the mini cigar between the two, Naiomi was taking a bath in a nearby lake. The clear cool waters making her shiver as she dips her toes in, slowly allowing the rest of her body to fall under the water's surface. The water relaxing her mind just enough for the thoughts she was holding back to leak through.
Naiomi "Ugh...Why does he have to be so stupid?"
Tomoe "Heartbroken summer. A true, dying love living in spite of the hate."
Naiomi "Disable poem function. I just need someone to talk to right now."
Tomoe "It seems like you need more than simple conversation ma'am."
Naiomi "YES! I need love. It's so hard knowing that someone loves you and you love them but they don't realize it yet."
Tomoe "Patience, I'm sure he will come around eventually."
Naiomi "But what if he doesn't?"
Tomoe "You are looking at the possibilities too much. He wasn't the only one you were fated to marry."
Naiomi "I guess...but when I fought , it just didn't feel right. We flowed beautifully and I'm sure I would've been happy but he doesn't seem to want me."
Tomoe "Charles? How about Justin and Dexter?"
Naiomi "IT'S NOT THE SAME TOMOE! They won't love me like he will. They won't give me a child either."
Tomoe "You really love him, don't you?"
Naiomi "If he is the one I marry, shouldn't I?"
Dr.veritas "Marry? Whose getting married?"
Naiomi "Ugh...What do you want?"
Dr.veritas "Well our friend here is up on cloud nine and I hoped you'd be able to help her but...how can I ignore a fellow girl in the turmoil of love."
Naiomi "What did you do?"
Dr.veritas "Nothing I promise…"
Naiomi rushed out of the lake, snapping herself to a time after she was dry and clothed while rushing over to Shawnte to find her high and talking to a ladybug. Naiomi couldn't help but laugh at what she saw before her eyes. Placing a hand on Shawnte's forehead, still hysterically laughing, Naiomi sobered her up.
Shawnte "What happened? Everything is kinda hazy. Anyway, like I was saying this ain't shit. I don't even feel high."
Dr.veritas "Sure thing kid."
Naiomi "We have to get on the road anyway. The comms show they are getting close to our location...Actually they are circling our location as we speak...FUCK...FUCK. Who the hell set off the silent alam?"
Dr.veritas "Must've been shawnte when she was high. Not like it's a big deal right? We will just go before they get here."
Naiomi "Once the silent alarm goes off a tracker activates and it can only be turned off at the aristro-district. It was our only security detail we can afford...Shit, this was a waste of my allowance. Happy now! GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER SHAWNTE JONES. WE ARE ON MISSION! IT'S NOT TIME TO PLAY SPACE CADET."
Shawnte "Imma give you one more time to talk to me like that and Imma smack the respect into your white teeth. Keep playing with me."
Shawnte got into naiomi's face, breast to breast, and instantly regretted her decision. The air around Naiomi started to vibrate as she slightly lost control over herself. Naiomi's face drawing a blank expression, her ice cold demenor now tangible to everyone around.
Naiomi "Would you like to try?"
Shawnte "N-No…"
Naiomi "Oh...I thought you were to strike me? You were speaking awfully boldly for someone who is blessed due to luck."
Shawnte "How dare you!? I worked my ass off. Luck had nothing to do with it."
Naiomi "You were lucky not to have me as an enemy, and if you enjoy your life, you would do well to remember that."
Shawnte "Bitch."
Naiomi "Whatever you say weakling, because of you we have to walk. A trip that should only take less than a week is now gonna take that long just to get to the boundary."
Dr.veritas "Oh come on, don't be so hard on her. I'm sure we can find a ride somewhere."
Naiomi "It wasn't about the vehicle...it doesn't matter. You two aren't leaving my eyesight."
Dr.veritas & Shawnte "Aye aye captain."
The group began their journey now on foot, much to the aggravation and annoyance of Naiomi, however, it didn't matter now with the enforcers cascading down on the abandoned vehicle the distance. Soon after setting off Naiomi and Shawnte started arguing again and again, each argument getting more and more violent to the point even Dr.veritas was growing tired of getting in between the two. After traveling for days with little rest and even peace, spread the group so thin different members would pass out just from walking short distances.
Shawnte "Ugh! I'm not moving from this spot. It's insane we keep going and going. My legs hurt, my lungs hurt, and I'M TIRED...FUCK."
Naiomi "Maybe if you kept better watch over the car we wouldn't be here."
Shawnte "You are still on that? We have been over this already. Just drop it…"
Naiomi "I'll drop it when I drop off my report."
Shawnte "We are almost out of food rations."
Naiomi "Just go to the car and...Oh wait we can't...I wonder who messed that up."
Shawnte "It was a mistake."
Naiomi "You say that but it takes three confirmation codes for it to work."
Shawnte "Huh? You know what? I don't have time to deal with this. I'm going to find an animal or berries or something."
Naiomi "Don't get lost space cadet."
Shawnte shrugged as she slowly disappeared into the thick woods
Tomoe "Should we follow?"
Naiomi "Nah, she's fine…"
Tomoe "What if she gets into trouble?"
Naiomi "She is more than capable."
Tomoe "You spent the last few days saying she was weak and stupid."
Naiomi "Was I talking to her? I must've gotten those two confused."
Tomoe "I wonder what you got planned."
Naiomi "Nothing currently...We just have to wait."
Dr.veritas "Sooo now that it's just us two...You wanna tell me your boy troubles?"
Naiomi stared silently at the pile of sticks and rocks she was fashioning into a small campfire
Dr.veritas "Come on Naiomi, Can help you, even if it's just an lent ear."
Naiomi "I don't need YOUR help."
Dr.veritas "Is it because I'm a demon?"
Naiomi "No."
Dr.veritas "Of course not. It would be hypocritical of you."
Naiomi "..."
Dr.veritas "How is Cole doing? Is he adjusting well?"
Naiomi "How do you know his name?"
Dr.veritas "I know a lot more than I seem to know."
Naiomi "Cole is fine...He doesn't know when to quit but he is a hard worker."
Dr.veritas "That's good to hear. I was worried about him."
Naiomi "Nothing to worry about. Everything is peachy."
Dr.veritas "You aren't going to get him to love you like that."
Naiomi "How would you know what would make him love me? You don't even know him."
Dr.veritas "No, quite the opposite, you don't know him."
Naiomi "And what makes you the expert?"
Dr.veritas "Well I made him. Well his body. I was contracted by God himself about forty years ago to make a body that was capable of holding two archangels. To think he is still alive after all these years. He should've just gained access to his abilities recently too."
Naiomi "What. What are you talking about?"
Dr.veritas "So you didn't know...I'm gonna be in big trouble. I've said too much."
Naiomi "You might as well finish."
Dr.veritas "Fine, but this is just between us girls okay?"
Naiomi "I promise."
Dr.veritas "Cole is actually the only immortal in the world."
Naiomi "We are all immortal."
Dr.veritas "Yes and no. We live forever Cole, however, cannot die."
Naiomi "I've seen him bleed, even he feels he could die."
Dr.veritas "Yes, that's exactly what I mean, Cole is the seven hundred seventy seventh iteration of a long dead king. Each time he dies he 'wakes' up in a different body, his mind wiped clean, but that is through natural birth."
Naiomi "If he had an artificial body then his memories should stay intact."
Dr.veritas "That was the idea. It seems as if that's not the case."
Naiomi "Then everything is all good?"
Dr.veritas "Probably, probably not. It's more likely Cole's body would give out and he will die."
Naiomi "What do we do?"
Dr.veritas "You are already doing it. I thought he would come but apparently he still doesn't like me."
Naiomi "Explain…"
Dr.veritas "Well, I'm the family doctor. I was there since he was 'born'. Every bump and bruise, when he was captured I personally was his psychologist. I even make his monthly dose of blu-skye."
Naiomi "He doesn't take blu-skye."
Dr.veritas "He takes one 5,000 miligram in a slow burn pill every single month. I doubt even he noticed it. It's the reason why he couldn't use his magic properly."
Naiomi "He is suppressed?"
Dr.veritas "Constantly, even the slightest leak of his power scares the shit out of you people. Could you imagine if he was able to fully access everything? His words alone would be like nuclear bombs if he wasn't careful."
Naiomi "I see...Does the school know this?"
Dr.veritas "The only one I could think of who would be Malack."
While the ladies talked about Cole, Shawnte was angrily transforming into different animals and plants, trapping as much prey as her magic would allow. Rabbits, birds, foxes, and whatever small prey and berries she could find. Shawnte's boiling blood became ice cold during her hunt, as it often does when she went on hunts with her father. She spotted a strange pig eating some bugs in the dirt before recognising Shawnte's steps running into the bushes. Hearing the loud and boisterous call of her father, Shawnte ran after the boar.
David "WHAT ARE YOU DOING GIRL! CHASE AFTER IT! YOU ARE ON A HUNT!"
After finding the boar, Shawnte quickly sprung into action transforming into a large wolf. As her hunt began in the distance a group of travelers were setting up camp.
Alvin "Boss! HEY BOSS! Can we stop already? I'm tired and hungry!"
Chester "Quit yer yappin Alvin. We are on a mission."
Alvin "Who was talking to you stupid!"
Chester "I'm not stupid! STUPID!"
Alvin "You can't use my insults against me idiot."
Frederick "Stop it you two! Set up camp and shut the hell up! You'll get down time when you done and not a moment before."
Alvin and Chester quickly finished the camp with even enough time to setting up a medium campfire. After discussing for a while the duo decided on Alvin reporting to Frederick about the camp. Chester however, sat by stoking the fire. In a near by bush a small branch broke as a wild boar followed by a ferocious wolf, eyes bloodshot from the chase. Before Chester could react the wolf caught the boar and pinned him to the ground under the sheer weight of it's tail, preventing him from breathing let alone screaming for help. A loud pop echoed over the last squeal the boar would ever make. Foamy drool and blood dripped from the wolf's mouth as it turned to speak to Chester.
Wolf "What are you doing in this area?"
Chester "Like I would ever tell you!"
Wolf "Oh? So you have no business? You must be prey then."
Chester "Prey?"
Wolf "Yes. You will be my pre meal snack...maybe I'll start with the arms or maybe your juicy belly?"
Chester "You're gonna eat me!? Thats the worst you got?"
Wolf "Oh you aren't scared? You should be...Hehe Three tents...you aren't alone? Let the hunt begin….hehehehahahaha"
With one swoop of it's tail the camp fire faded to embers, the silent forest masking the silent pounces of the beast. Chester ran as fast as he could to alert the other but it was no use. Alvin was already gone and Fredrick was stuck in the corner with his machete and side arm on the ready.
Chester "SIR WE HAVE BAD NEWS!"
Frederick "We are gonna die! I didn't even see it coming."
Chester "Boss get ahold of yourself! I need you. We need you."
Fredrick "Pray, prey to mistress Jody and hope we survive."
Chester "Boss you can't be serious right now."
Frederick "Run! I will stand back and fight the beast."
Chester "What beast? It's just a wolf. Boss snap out of it."
Frederick "Boy! Now I've been alive for a few decades now, there is no way that is just a wolf. I'M NOT GONNA ARGUE, GIT!!!"
Chester ran away from the camp as fast as possible but it was no use. His steps were swallowed by the ear splitting thuds of the wolf's paws crushing the dirt beneath them. With each *thud**thud**thud* the steps getting louder and closer, Chester did his best to get away but like the prayers of his team who fell before him, he too was snatched up by the great beast. The rampaging barks turning into a deep growl.
Shawnte "That was fun...hehe...you are fast."
Chester "yup thats me ole runner. Mmhmm..."
Shawnte "You aren't scared are you?"
Chester "Why would I be scared of an ugly bitch like yourself."
Shawnte "Yes…Maybe this form is a little scary. Especially for cowards such as yourself."
Shawnte's paws and fangs regressed back to normal teeth, hands, and feet. All but a black fluffy tail and a set of black with frost tipped, wolf-like ears poking out of her curly brunette hair. What little clothes she had on was torn into a crop top and a pair of booty shorts. Chester turned beet red as he quickly turned his head from the embarrassment.
Shawnte "Oh what's this? Are you embarrassed?"
Chester "NO!"
Shawnte "I see...You are interesting...How old are you?"
Chester "Fifteen."
Shawnte "How long have you been a demon?"
Chester "All my life...Why are you askin' so many questions?"
Shawnte "Just answer them. If you do, I might let you live."
Chester "Fuck you! Eden academy bitch. We don't follow you."
Shawnte chuckled as she slid her tail softly around the young man's neck. Chester putting on a brave face despite his circumstances, joins in on the laughter. Both teens just about competed in the loudness of their laughs until Chester's cackling turned into choking. His skin turned deep red, then blue, then purple as the grip around his neck tightened more and more. His frantic kicks slowing to match his breathing until his body went limp. Shawnte held on until she could see the last seconds of light fading from Chester's eyes.
Shawnte "How long you've been a demon?"
Chester "*cough**huff**cough* all my life. I was born this way."
Shawnte "What level are you?"
Chester "what?"
Shawnte "Demon level? Haven't you went to class? You were a student right?"
Chester "I never went to school…"
Shawnte "How fast would it take you to kill a room of ten?"
Chester "less than four minutes five if they are from your stupid annoying academy."
Shawnte "So only a level two huh? I'm guessing the other two are stronger than you?"
Chester "Yea…"
Shawnte "by how much?"
Chester "It's tough to compare us. We move as a unit."
Shawnte "No...You are lying aren't you?"
Shawnte leans in close to Chester, placing her head onto his chest. Chester's heart beat speeding up ever so slightly. Knowing the situation was pointless to escape Chester took a deep breath, letting out a heavy sigh, and gained a sudden conviction in his eye. Maybe because he thought his death was near, maybe he could win and his comrades were alive, maybe he was a fool for trying but he had no other choice. With his last bit of strength Chester bit down on Shawnte's tail as hard as he could making her recoil from the pain. The moment Chester moved to run Shawnte's tail wrapped around his ankle, slamming him into the ground.
Shawnte "Fight back already...huh...whatever. you comin' with me."
Shawnte tied up her bounties with a hearty conviction ready to head back to a peaceful camp, but it was anything but, there sat Naiomi and Dr.veritas talking about the next mission plans.
Naiomi "After the delays it's going to take us days to get there."
Dr.veritas "Well there's a shortcut."
Naiomi "NO."
Dr.veritas "Huh!? Why not? It'll be much faster and it will only take us a few hours of travel."
Naiomi "What you gain in reward, you also gain in risk, so choose wisely and gain patiently."
Dr.veritas "You can keep your self righteous proverbs you have tucked away in that silly little head of yours but I don't want to be stuck with a goody two shoes and a slug to slow on the draw for days let alone a few hours."
Naiomi "Firstly, it's going to just be us two. Shawnte radioed in a while ago saying she ran into some trouble hunting. We have enough supplies to last two people for exactly five days. That's enough time to get you there undetected and safe. After that I'll radio in for pick up and transport."
Dr.veritas "And what about our lil' getaway? Did you forget your dogs are chasing us down? What about them?"
Naiomi "Please without my guidance those idiots couldn't catch a fly, especially the more intelligent ones. The point was to put them on alert and to follow. If they think the situation is dangerous they are less likely to respond without force and massive coverage. If they are following and someone else is following us what do you think they will do to the person who is chasing their target?"
Dr.veritas "An enemy of an enemy is my friend huh? To take such a leap it's as if you knew."
Naiomi turning her back to Dr.veritas, and letting out a heavy sigh "I always do…"
Naiomi walked a few paces before Dr.veritas realized what was happening and followed suit shortly after.