[Adam Wilson Pov]
Porter and I crept through the dense forest around Fairlake, careful not to disturb the underbrush. Our footsteps were quiet on the layer of leaves and twigs beneath us. The urgency of our mission was clear, but I kept my emotions in check.
As we walked, I glanced over at Porter, who was fidgeting with his gear. "Give me your gun." I said, my tone steady but firm.
Porter looked up, his face a mask of confusion. "Wh-what?" he stammered, clearly taken aback by my sudden request.
"We need to hide it in my inventory." I explained, trying to keep my tone calm and patient, despite the tension that was simmering beneath the surface.
Porter still looked puzzled, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of what I was saying. "What do you mean? Are you trying to do something crazy?"
I couldn't help but smirk at his confusion. To illustrate my point, I summoned a small bag of weed from my inventory, holding it out for him to see. The look on his face was priceless—his eyes widened in shock, and he took a step back.
"Are you nuts?... Are.... you...trying...t...o make... us criminals? Do.. yo...u wan...t to.. go to... jail or...some...thing?" Porter blurted out, his voice tinged with panic.
I waved his concern away with a dismissive hand. "Relax. It's part of the plan."
Porter sighed, clearly not convinced but willing to go along with it for now. "O-okay, if... you say so."
He handed me his gun, his expression still one of bewilderment. "Why do you need to take my gun? What does it matter?"
I looked at him like he was missing the obvious. "Seriously, man? Guns? Police? Do you get what I'm saying?"
Realization slowly dawned on Porter's face. "Oh! I get it now. You want to hide the guns in your special or spatial abilities so that cops won't confiscate them."
I nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of my mouth. "Now you know, smart guy."
"Heheh, sorry I didn't catch on at first" Porter said, his voice sheepish.
"Whatever," I said, shaking my head slightly, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice. "Let's go!"
With the guns safely stashed away in my inventory, we pressed on through the forest. The path ahead was uncertain, and It feels like the road seemed to grow longer as we moved deeper into the woods. My mind raced with thoughts of Alpha, his red eyes and red hair a constant presence in my thoughts, driving me forward with a singular purpose: to stop him once and for all.
As Porter and I moved in silence for a while, the only sounds being the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional rustle of wildlife in the underbrush. Every now and then, I would glance over at Porter, making sure he was still with me, still focused on the task at hand.
"Alright," I said, breaking the silence. "We need to find Alpha's hideout. Keep your eyes peeled for any signs."
Porter nodded, his expression serious. "Got it."
Then we moved forward, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, that somewhere in the shadows, Alpha and his minions were waiting for us. But I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the mission, on the goal. We would find Alpha, and we would stop him. No matter what.
With that resolve burning in my chest, I led the way deeper into the forest, Porter close behind. The hunt was on, and we were ready.
.....
Meanwhile
Julian Jones, Billy Brolin, Lita Marquez, Cruz Wilson, and Gus McKaley were packed into Billy's car, heading towards the festival. Billy was at the wheel, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his eyes on the road ahead while raining. Gus sat beside him in the front seat, while Julian, Lita, and Cruz were crammed into the back.
Gus turned up the radio, grinning. "Got to turn this up. There's supposed to be about 20 bands there."
Lita and Cruz laughed, the excitement palpable.
"Oh, who's playing?" Lita asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Gus's smile widened. "The Cheetah Whores."
Cruz looked at Lita, puzzled. "Oh, who are they?"
Lita chuckled, reaching over to pinch Gus's cheeks affectionately Gus said. "An all-girl band. Freaking awesome."
"Yeah, Gus's favorite band." Lita teased, earning a grin from Gus.
Cruz smiled, intrigued. "If they're so awesome, why haven't I heard of them?"
Gus shrugged. "Well, you're from the West Coast. They don't play there."
Lita turned to Cruz. "When are you going back, by the way?"
Cruz sighed, glancing at Billy. "June. But just for a month to see my parents." She smiled at Billy. "Billy is coming with me."
"Yeah." Billy confirmed, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Nice." Lita said.
"We are going to have an epic time." Billy added.
Julian, who had been quietly enjoying the ride, piped up. "Meeting the folks? That's getting pretty serious."
Billy laughed. "Who? Me? Serious? Never."
The car was filled with laughter, but the mirth was abruptly cut short when Gus shouted, "Look out!"
Billy swerved, trying to avoid hitting an elderly man who had suddenly appeared in the middle of the road. The car skidded off the road and crashed into a tree with a sickening crunch.
As the dust settled, Billy quickly checked on everyone. "Is everyone okay? Is anybody hurt?"
Gus groaned, checking himself for injuries. "I'm all right."
Lita, her face pale, nodded. "No, we're okay."
One by one, they all climbed out of the wrecked car. Billy surveyed the damage with a sigh. "Oh, shit."
Julian, clutching his chest, echoed the question on everyone's mind. "Where did he come from?"
Billy shook his head, bewildered. "I have no idea."
Julian glanced around, still shaken. "Well, we should see if he's dead."
Billy nodded grimly. "You guys, stay here."
As Julian, Billy, and Gus approached the old man lying in the distance, a sense of unease settled over them.
"Goddamn it." Gus muttered under his breath.
"I didn't see him in the rain." Billy said, guilt etched on his face.
Julian crouched down, inspecting the old man. "Yeah, I think he's dead."
"But I didn't hit him." Billy insisted.
"You must have." Gus said, doubt creeping into his voice.
Billy cautiously reached out to touch the old man's shoulder. "Hey," he said softly.
The old man suddenly sprang to life, slashing at Billy's wrist with a knife. Billy groaned in pain, clutching his bleeding wrist. Julian kicked the old man's hand, sending the knife flying.
"Fuck you." Gus yelled, kicking the old man's belly. Julian joined in, kicking him repeatedly.
"You trying to fuck with us?" Gus shouted, his anger boiling over.
Billy, holding his cut wrist, kicked the old man again. "Get up" he demanded.
Julian, his voice filled with rage, added, "You piece of shit."
As they continued to kick the old man, the sound of an approaching car made them pause. A police car pulled up, and Sheriff Angela Carter stepped out, gun drawn.
"Freeze," she commanded, her voice authoritative and unwavering.
The trio looked at her in fear, realizing how bad this looked.
"Put your hands on your head." Sheriff Angela ordered.
"But he stabbed me-" Billy protested, holding up his bleeding wrist.
"Put your hands on your head now." she repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Reluctantly, the trio raised their hands, Lita and Cruz watching anxiously from a distance.
"Don't you move. Turn around and walk towards me." Sheriff Angela instructed.
"Shit." Billy muttered under his breath.
"Slowly." Sheriff Angela emphasized.
Julian, Billy, and Gus hesitated but then started moving slowly towards the police car.
Deputy Kevin Briggs kept his eyes on them as Sheriff Angela turned her attention to the old man. "I want everyone to wait together by your vehicle..... Briggs?"
"I've got them, sheriff." Kevin responded, moving to keep an eye on the group.
Sheriff Angela approached the old man, her gun still trained on him. "Don't you move," she warned. "Face down on the ground. Right hand behind your back."
The old man, now subdued and compliant, followed her orders. Sheriff Angela cuffed him, her eyes scanning the area for any further threats.
Sheriff Angela then called for backup on her walkie-talkie. "I need a wagon. Route 96, mile marker 30."
"Copy that. On its way," came the response.
"Great, thanks," Sheriff Angela replied, tucking the walkie-talkie back on her belt.
.....
Thirty Minutes Later
A van arrived, headlights piercing through them as it pulled up in front of them.
Sheriff Angela turned to Deputy Kevin Briggs. "Looks like backup is here."
Kevin nodded, then glanced at Billy's car. Spotting something suspicious, he reached in and grabbed a bag. "Hey, Sheriff," he called out, holding up the bag of weed. "Looks like we've got an entire pharmacy here."
Sheriff Angela sighed, shaking her head. "And the festival hasn't even started yet. It's going to be a long night."
The backup officers quickly took charge, securing the scene and taking statements from the group. Billy, Julian, and Gus were still reeling from the encounter with the old man and the sudden intervention of the police.
"All right, let's get everyone sorted," one of the backup officers said, directing the group towards the police van.
Sheriff Angela approached the old man, who was now handcuffed and seated on the ground. "What's your name?" she asked firmly.
The old man glared up at her but said nothing.
"Fine," she said. "We'll find out soon enough."
Deputy Kevin Briggs continued to search Billy's car, finding more paraphernalia. "This is quite a stash." he commented, showing Sheriff Angela the evidence bag filled with drugs.
Sheriff Angela looked sternly at Lita and Cruz. "You two, follow them," she ordered, her tone brooking no argument.
Lita and Cruz exchanged worried glances, their faces pale. "Wh-what?" Lita stammered.
"Follow my orders now!" Sheriff Angela repeated, more forcefully this time.
With a gulp and a sigh, Lita and Cruz complied, trailing behind the van.
Sheriff Angela then turned to Deputy Kevin Briggs. "Junior, can you stay with the car until the tow truck arrives? Until we get a proper search? I don't want to mess up the evidence."
Deputy Kevin nodded. "Sure thing, boss."
Satisfied, Sheriff Angela nodded back and walked to her patrol car, starting the engine. The van, loaded with the suspects, also roared to life. Both vehicles pulled away, leaving Deputy Kevin behind to keep an eye on the accident scene.
.....
Alpha watched from his hidden view point, a cruel smile playing on his lips. The rain had turned the forest into a dark, muddy maze, perfect for his plans. His red eyes glowed faintly in the dim light filtering through the trees.
"That old man really does have some good acting skills," he smirked, the sinister curve of his mouth making his disfigured minions uneasy. He turned to face them, his gaze sweeping over the group of loyal, grotesque followers—Three Finger, One Eye, and Saw Tooth were among them
"It's time for the plan." Alpha declared, his voice a cold whisper that sent shivers down their spines.
The minions nodded, each one understanding their role in the elaborate trap. They had practiced this many times, waiting for the perfect moment.
Alpha's eyes locked onto Deputy Kevin Briggs, who was standing guard by the crashed car, diligently waiting for the tow truck. "First, start with you, policeman." Alpha muttered under his breath, his grin widening.
To be continue