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Chapter -7-

Showmanship

Thursday January 25 2024 - 2:04pm CST (4:04pm AST) Texas / New Mexico state line, Interstate - 10

** Reno craned his head a bit, glancing over at** Evan. "I can charge up the capacitor and we can use that to run the engine if you wanna drive for a while."

Evan's eyes widened. "You'd let me drive your car? Your dad's car?"

"You helped re-make it, man. I'm not stingy. I'll just charge up that big ass thing in the trunk ... er, that big ... uh ... 'darn' ... thing in the trunk. Anyway."

"Yeah. So how do we get there?"

Nevada ran his left hand up over his hairless forehead then shrugged. "Well, we've already made our way south, down to Interstate 10. This is the easy part. We just stay eastbound on I-10 until we hit the Atlantic Ocean. I think it dumps out in Jacksonville. Then we take I-95 south to Miami. I've booked ahead for hotels in Houston and Jacksonville. Then the last day of driving will feel like a breeze, just a few hours to Miami. No problem. We'll switch whenever the driver feels tired or whatever. Long drives can mess with your head. I had a buddy in college who used to pop Adderall to stay alert on long drives like this. I never could get into the whole drug thing. Don't ever consider it."

Evan smirked. "I don't even like cussing. You think you have to warn me about drugs? Heh. It's not my scene."

"Good to hear. So. Karla wanted you to train me at becoming a 'superhero' and not the other way around?"

"Yup. Been doing it way longer and with a lot of success." He paused then added, "New Mexico seems so short compared to Arizona."

"That's because we came down through Arizona from Nevada. The city of Reno was way up on the map. We shoulda' came through Vegas and dropped Johann off there. But you know me; I wanted to get out in the desert so I could see how fast this car can go. But oh well, it's not like we're wasting gas. And you're right about New Mexico. We're just going through a teeny-tiny bottom corner. Texas will be the big one."

"So I've heard."

"Should be a solid twelve-to-sixteen hours to cross Texas. Depends if we hit rush hour in the cities. I plan on opening it up every now and then. It's pretty flat and straight in a lot of sections. Don't worry, that's why we're driving those parts at night. It's easy to see taillights in the dark and there will be a lot less people on the road. Hmm, I wonder if I can teleport the whole car through a section of traffic. That'd be pretty awesome."

"Let's, uh, not practice that until we're alone and at a stop. Or better yet, you can try it out when you're alone in the car."

"You're no fun," Reno chuckled.

"I'm more worried about you teleporting in a bolt of lightning about a hundred feet forward ... without your car, then getting creamed by it."

Reno laughed at the mental image. "If the average-Joe had powers like this, there would be hundreds of idiots doing that sort of thing to themselves on a daily basis. Scary thought, huh?"

"You're in a good mood."

"I'm going to see my kid brother in person for the first time in seven months. If Nichole is still alive, she'll be out there in that thing, whatever it is, beneath the Atlantic Ocean. I'm ready to do this, man."

"So we really just stay on I-10 the whole way to Jacksonville, Florida? It's really that easy?"

"Yeah, kiddo. Although, if we want to shave off a little time, there's a section of one of the southern states, I think it's Louisiana, where there's a bypass. If I remember correctly, it's I-12, then it dumps back onto I-10. It'll be labeled, though. It'll have a sign that says, New Orleans and a sign that gives us options for heading east. Something akin to 'Biloxi, Pensacola, Jacksonville,' and all that crap. I only glanced at the map briefly."

"How do you memorize all the states' capitals like that?"

"Well, Jacksonville isn't the capital of Florida. Tallahassee is." Reno grinned. "Remember that cartoon when we were kids? Well, it was in reruns by the time we were kids, really ... 'The Animaniacs.' They had this song that helped me remember the states in alphabetical order. I passed a social studies test because of that song."

"Educational TV at its finest."

"Aw c'mon, that show was funny as hell when I was a kid. I remember, as a teenager, walking into a hospital to get my broken finger x-rayed. The tech was super hot, and I was like, 'Helloooo Nurse!' Seriously. She was smokin' hot."

Evan shook his head with a wan grin. "Sounds like you kept her in your teenaged spank-bank for a while, huh?"

"Oh real nice. Yeah, as a matter of fact, in my mind, she's one of those supernatural babes that don't age. Now I'm old enough to hook up with her. Ber-chicky-wow-wow."

"Good grief."

"Oh, hey, Charlie Brown, look. There's the Texas line."

"Are you going to beep your horn like a lunatic again?"

"It's something Nichole and I did together whenever we crossed state lines on road trips." Reno put his hand on the steering wheel, ready to beep. As soon as they passed the Texas sign, Reno laid into the horn.

Two white vans pulled onto the road and moved into formation alongside the Chevelle. Reno glanced into the rearview mirror. "Who the hell are these clowns?"

Evan looked over his shoulder. "Heck works just as well, Reno. They're not cops."

"Well, no kidding. I could'a told you that much. You wanna outrun'em?"

"It's not one of those flat areas you're looking forward to." Evan glanced at a road sign then back at the two vans behind the car. "I guess we can thank the Franklin Mountains for that. Plus we're in a town. The sign said Anthony. What about defensive weapons, if necessary? What're our options?"

"Being in a town is a good reason why not to fight or use the weapons in this thing."

Evan nodded. "Okay. You're right about that."

"It's going to be town after town all the way to the Rio Grande. Hey, when we get to El Paso, we can lead'em into Mexico, blow'em up then come back up ... wait. You don't have a passport do you?"

"No. I've never needed one."

"Evan, geeze, man. If you're going to be a superhero of international fame and such, you need a passport." Reno paused then said, "These guys are getting a little too close for comfort. So, hey, as we come down I-10, you'll be able to see the Rio Grande and Mexico. We'll drive southeast a little longer until San Antonio, then we'll even out and head east all the way until Florida. Dammit, these guys are practically on our bumper. You wanna pull over and talk it out with them man-to-man?"

"Due to our proximity to Mexico, we should probably refer to it as 'mano-y-mano.' And to answer your question: No." Evan watched the two vans directly behind the Chevelle's rear bumper. "Like you said, we're in a town. No need to cause a big mess. So, uh, how long until we get to the next hotel?"

"We're about ten hours from Houston if I drive the next seven hundred fifty miles at the speed limit. Which ... I won't." Reno eased into the accelerator. The vans began to fall behind.

"Reno, gun!"

One of the passengers of the two vans shot a pistol out the window. It struck the rear windshield, leaving a round pockmark. Evan climbed into the backseat and touched his finger to the mark in the glass. Several seconds later the glass was unmarred once more.

Evan climbed back up into the front seat again. "Reno, if they're going to start shooting, we're going to have to deal with them because they're endangering innocent people."

Nevada shook his head, glancing to the rearview mirror again. "If we stop, we put ourselves at risk. If we can somehow manage to get these guys while moving, we can make it a simple automobile accident. Of course, they had to attack during rush hour traffic."

"Now what?"

"Strap back in. It's time to see what this car can do. I hope we get those run-flat tires soon, though. I'll have to talk to Karla about getting some for us."

"I thought we have run-flat tires!"

"Well, yeah, but Bridgestone run-flat tires aren't nearly as awesome as the ones the Secret Service uses. I want a pair of those bad boys. Evan, can you create something glass for them to run into?"

"Nothing that would stop them. At least not without a lot of sand available - or something close I can turn into sand and recycle. Plus, we'd have to stop moving so I can erect it in an upstanding position. I guess you're right. It's time to see what this car can do."

Reno nodded firmly. "Let's lure them a little further south, first. At the very least, let's find a spot where traffic thins out." Reno eased onto the shoulder and began picking up speed again. He passed several cars. The two vans followed. "Persistent aren't they?"

"Uhm ... yup. Hey, uh, do me a favor? Get me back to Patience in one piece, please."

"Yeah, yeah. I was a cop, man. My driving skills rock. Just hold tight." Reno grinned.

Evan straightened his back in the seat and sighed, feeling helpless. "So, uh, what's the difference between our run-flat tires and the ones used by the Secret Service?"

"Oh, well, you can travel about a hundred 'n fifty miles further, flat, with the ones used on the Presidential Limo. Maybe more. Never seen'em. The specs aren't online. The most I know about them is what was briefly mentioned on a History Channel documentary. I don't know if they use a support ring, if they're self sealing, or all of the above." Nevada grinned and reached for the radio. "We need some jams if we're going to fight." He pressed in on the knob but his electrical charge caused interference. "Man, I need an MP3 player. I keep messing with the signal and..."

A voice came over the station. "Don't mess up that car! It's a sixty-six; it's worth more in good condition. Just corner them, box them in, make them pull over, get out then kill those two idiots. Don't get blood on that Chevelle!" The voice faded; Reno and Evan were unable to make out the reply.

"No way," Reno said with a chuckle. "They're just organized car-jackers; and here I thought these guys were some of Falcon's goons or something. So, what's your super training say about fighting organized crime?"

Evan smirked. "Taking them down protects the innocent. Let's do it."

"Let's get them somewhere in the open, first." Reno grinned.

The voice returned over the radio. "I've called in the boys to come help, so you can box these idiots in. Then slow down until you force'em to stop. I don't want a scratch on that thing. It looks like it's fresh off the showroom floor, despite that crazy hood scoop. I want that car." The signal distorted. Reno moved his hand around the radio but nothing changed. He increased the raw voltage in his palm but it didn't seem to help. Upbeat traditional Mexican music crackled through the station.

"Damn. Guess that's all the intel we're going to get." Reno shrugged then said, "Take hold of the bar." He pointed to a handle mounted on the passenger-side dash. "Keep your feet on that pad," he added then pointed to the slightly off-color square on the floor beneath Evan's feet.

"Yeah, yeah, I helped rebuild this car," Evan said in a firm tone as if to remind Reno not to treat him like a kid. "I know it will keep me grounded so I don't get electrocuted by you."

"Yeah, yeah, sorry. As Samuel L. Jackson said in Jurassic Park, Hold on to yer butts." Reno floored the gas pedal.

X

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X

January 25, 4:06pm AST Bermuda...

** Karla tapped a fingernail ** against her lower lip. Her other hand remained extended towards a group of gunmen. Her palm glowed with a soft pink luminescence. Bullets struck a telekinetic shield and dropped to the alley.

She shook her head at Rufus with a sigh. "These guys are really upset, huh? I blame you, wolfie. You're the lowest man on the totem pole, babe. So it's your fault by default," she explained with a playful tone and a giggle.

"Oh, yeah? Cause I was late to the party? Y'know, sugar, I had my own party at SeaLand with out'cha. And, for yer information, tuits, saying that I'm the lowest man on the totem pole is actually a compliment." He smiled then added, "See, the closer to the earth, the more respect you're given. That's how it works. You're jus' culturally ignorant, dollface."

"No, silly, it's not that you're late to the party. I'm just being mean to the family dog," she teased. Shots continue at a broken rhythm.

Rufus roared with laughter. "Family dog?! Ha! Haha! Begging for scraps at the table, huh? That's me?" He brought his E-cigarette back to his lips, took a deep puff on it then put it back into the front pocket on his flannel shirt.

"That's your ability, babe. You turn into a dog. You even follow us around like a faithful pet. It's cute really."

Rue shook his head, laughing through her explanation. "Yeah, yeah, princess. I'm a parody of a Police Song: Every snack you make, every meal your bake, every bite you take, I'll be watching you, princess."

"We're on the same page at last, Rue-bear."

The gunfire concluded. The gunmen began reloading but it was evident by the looks on their faces that they knew the weapons were worthless against Karla's telekinetic shield.

Rufus stuffed his hands into his denim pockets. "Watch this." He walked closer to the group of gunmen until the leader's pistol was pressed against his chest. "It won't kill me unless it's a silver bullet," he lied. "You got one of those?"

"Say what?"

Rufus, unbuttoned the bottom two buttons of the flannel so that it was completely open. He pressed his chest against the muzzle of the pistol so that it created an indentation against his tank top. He grinned then reached down and unfastened the button of his jeans.

Without a word, he began a rapid transformation into his wolf form. The ears sprouted from his dark hair, his jaw pushed into a wolf maw, his hands became enormous paws with claws in place of nails.

He towered over the gunners in ripped jeans, a torn wife-beater and his oversized flannel shirt. The werewolf's tail swayed from left to right.

"I asked," he said, moving his canid mandible in a way that defied normal logic or reasoning, "Do ... you ... have ... a ... silver bullet in that there gun of yours?"

The group of men backed away slowly. Their eyes held a look of terror, shock and confusion.

Rufus licked his pearly chops then offered a Cheshire smile. "Just pull the trigger and waste your bullet so I can show you that I ain't gunna do nuffin but laugh about how you wasted a perfectly good bullet. C'mon, now."

"Fuck this!" the leader of the group jabbed his gun forward and fired. Karla teleported the round, telekinetically stopped the bullet's inertia, and then teleported the round again, placing it into Rue's paw.

Rufus looked down at his velvet-padded palm then he lifted it to the gunman. "You lose this, junior?"

The three men turned about and ran. They bumped into a woman in a red jacket on their way out of the alley.

The girl whirled about, watched them leave then turned back to Rufus and Karla. "You. I've been looking for you two. Teenage girl, and dog. You're coming with me back to the nest."

Rufus glanced over his shoulder to Karla just as she appeared within arm's reach of him. He looked back at the woman and shook his head. "Say again? Do I know you...?"

"Andrea Monroe. The man they were about to kill is the head of my security team. I appreciate you letting him go. So I'll go easy on the two of you."

"Are you for real?" asked Rufus. His whiskers laid back along the contour of his svelte wolfish muzzle. His ears eased back, flat, atop of his head. His nose twitched, sniffing at the girl. "Fearless little thing, aren't you?"

Karla added, "You're related to that stupid bartender chick that made everyone's life a nightmare, huh?"

"Yes. I'm here to prove a point. I'm not some weakling who has to hide behind her sister. I've worn blinders for far too long. Now I'm taking matters into my own hands and the group of you are quite possibly going to get in my way. I'm sorry. But I have to stop you from trying to stop Aris Falcon and not for the reason you probably think. Things are difficult to explain right now."

"Like I told those other guys," Rufus said with a chuckle, "Unless it's a silver bullet ... that fifty caliber action express you're holding ... it won't do much. I mean, don't get me wrong. It'll make your hands fly up above your head, and you'll land on your butt. However, it won't hurt me."

Andrea backed away, falling into his bluff. "Things are about to turn rather complicated. We're going to have to take you back to The Nest."

Rufus laughed. "By 'nest' do you mean underwater dome? 'New Atlantis' according to the street signs down there."

The woman's eyes widened briefly then narrowed sharply. "How do you know about that?"

Rue smiled. "Been there, done that, got the T-shirt ... and the burger. Awesome burger."

After a brief blank stare she said, "I ... I was told only one person got in and we captured him. He's frozen in cryogenic stasis." Andrea withdrew a small radio receiver from her belt and spoke into it. "We've got the dog creature."

"Oh. Darlin, you're mistaken. Lycanthropy, sweet-thang. I'm a wolf. Bigger, meaner, more majestic. I eat grannie's and little girls in red hoods." He reached a large paw forward and gave a tug at the woman's red windbreaker. "This is the part where you compliment my eyes, and the size of my teeth."

"And, like dogs, wolves are a pack animal. We separated you from your pack. I'm done playing around with you. How do you kill a wolf? You lure it away from the rest of its group. I heard you possess information that Dr. Falcon doesn't want anyone else to know."

"Is that all the information you got? Darlin', I memorized the coordinates to get back to Falcon's basement under the sea. C'mon, now. You keep getting all these half-truths. You seriously operate on shitty intel, Red Riding Hood?"

"Tranq him," she added into the radio.

"Step back, Karla. And for the record, I already knew you were pregnant."

"What?" Karla threw her hands up. "Did Fox tell you? Patience? Sinopa?"

"My nose. I can smell cancer; I sure as hell can smell hormones, doll. Now step on back and let me do my thing."

Karla folded her arms and disappeared. She reappeared atop of a recycling dumpster with a closed lid, sitting upon the gray top. "Go on. Show off for me."

Andrea grimaced then spoke into her radio receiver. "Take him down ... now."

Rufus reached beneath the open flannel shirt, where his belt still surrounded his waist, withdrew a canister and dove towards her. A noiseless flash illuminated the alley and thick vapor gushed from the canister.

After a matter of seconds, the foggy evanescence dissipated. The werewolf, whose fur was still moist from the rapid transformation, stood in the alley with Andrea in a headlock.

She struggled, unable to get away from him. Tranquilizer darts lay on the ground adjacent to the empty canister.

Rue carried her forward, picked up one of the tranquilizer darts, unbent the needle with his teeth and stuck it into her arm. He counted softly. Four seconds later, she slumped in his grasp. He tossed the cartridge back on the ground then said, "C'mon out, I got'cher girl. I counted a few seconds before it kicks in. If you shoot me, I'll snap her neck and bite her head off. I'm quick like that. C'mon out and we'll ... negotiate."

A fire escape ladder dropped from one of the buildings and a gunner came out onto the walk then down the ladder. Rufus eyed him then said, "Where's the other? Should have been ground level."

The man swallowed. Rufus shrugged and put his enormous muzzle over the side of Andrea's neck. The gunman's eyes widened. He shouted, "C'mon, Nick, get out here! He's gonna hurt her!"

"Yeah, that's right, Nick. Get'cher ass out here."

A man stepped into the alley from a doorway. He kept his hands outwards to show he was willing to comply. "Okay. Dammit, okay. I told you this wasn't a good idea, man. She doesn't know what she's doing."

"Shut up, Nick. She'd have come with or without us. I wanted to keep her from getting herself killed."

Rufus lifted his head and put a large paw around her throat. "There's a third gunner."

"No," said the man with no name, "Just the two of us and her."

Rue put his claws against her neckline. "Don't mess with me, kid. Lemmie tell you how sound works. Low, deep sounds can be heard from far away. High-pitched shit reflects off'a everything 'n separates from the low, bass stuff. I heard footfalls, then I heard the loadin' of a handgun off the walls. Someone ran away, loaded a weapon and headed for a vantage point. Sig Sauer, am I right?"

Nick blinked. "Jesus, how could you hear that? How could you know he uses a Sig?"

"Dog ears, dipshit. They're that damn good," he fibbed. "Where's yer pal? Call'em out here." Rufus grinned back at Karla and winked.

The other man shook his head. "I told you it's just us and her. You must have heard someone else. Someone might be watching us."

"Naw. I smell the adrenaline. Four scents in this alley. The third gunner moved into the wind. He's nervous now that I got these-here claws against her neck. More so than you two."

"Dammit."

"Okay, just don't hurt her," said the other.

Rufus pressed his index claw against her throat. "Hey! Other guy! If ya shoot me, I'll spasm! This here claw'll go right through important parts! I can feel'er pulse. C'mon out, son!" Rue looked back at the one named Nick and added, "I'mma need yer pants, sport." He clicked his tongue and cocked his head, adding, "Don't wet'em."

A third gunner came from a parking lot at the end of the alley and held his pistol firmly pointed at Rufus. "If you hurt her, you freak, I will put you down hard. You may not have been afraid of her gun, but mine is aimed at your forehead. It will mess you up."

"Oh boy, this'n here feller carries a big boy gun! Well that fixes everythin' now doesn't it? Does it shoot silver? Or are you gunna run away like you did earlier?"

The gunman continued a slow advance. "My intel shows that crap about silver is not true. I'll blow your head off. With lead. You're coming with us or you're going to die. You're letting her go or you're going to die. We're going to take you to meet your new frozen roommate."

Rufus snarled. "The only reason I haven't killed her is because y'all tellin' me that Collobulous is on ice, but he ain't been iced. I might jus' kill the three of you 'n let her live. Could use a hostage, after all, but I dun' wanna feed four mouths."

"Arm yourselves," said the man with the gun. "Flash suppressers." He reached into his back pocket, withdrew a barrel and waited for the other two men to withdraw guns and load them. Once they attached the silencers and aimed at Rufus, the first gunner screwed on his. "If she dies, dog, you'll be to blame. Not us. She rushed into this against our wishes. We'll go home and tell the boss that we were the hunting party that went to find her. We'll bring your body back and say we avenged her. We'll come back heroes whether she dies or not. The other option is ... you give up and let us tranquilize you. We'll put you into stasis with your friend. It's your choice. Killing you will please Krys. Bringing you back alive will please Falcon. Like I said. Heroes either way."

The enormous werewolf rolled his eyes. "Dayum, hush the fuck up, son. The other option is ... I kill the three of y'all. I take dis here girl back to my pals and we interrogate her and use'er as a hostage."

"Nick, Terry, this creature isn't leaving much of a choice. We'd better kill her."

Nick bit his lower lip.

Terry shook his head. "No. Not an option, Danny. You know I'm in love with her. I said I'm not going to let anything happen to her. This freak of nature isn't taking her. And if he hurts her, I'll rip his head off and shit down his neck."

Rufus broke into a belly laugh. "No, Duke Nukem, you'll do no such thing. Look at the three of you! Yer all practically kids!" He glanced back at Karla then said, "Okay, you two go on 'n get out of here. I'll meet'cha back at yer place, darlin'."

Karla looked up from filing her nails. She slid off the edge of the paper recycling dumpster and landed on her flats then waved her hand. Both she and the unconscious Andrea Monroe disappeared, much to the shock of the three gunmen.

"What did you ... what did she just...?"

"Aw hush. I just chased away a few dudes wit' guns. Now I'mma chase the three of you away. Go on, now, git."

The trio backed up several paces but kept their guns pointed at Rufus, somewhat in shock that Andrea had disappeared.

"Rufus!"

Rue blinked at the name and looked back over his shoulder. The voice belonged to Eric. "Aw, gee, man. You sound worried. What's wrong?"

"Uh, Sinopa said she felt a disturbance in the force or whatever. You know what I mean. Topaz and I split up to look for you." He glanced up the alleyway at the trio with weapons then back at Rufus. "What the hell is going on? And where's Karla?"

"What's it look like, bud? Foxy was right. Karla took our new hostage back t' base. You should go after her. We can get information out'a the new hostage chick." He motioned an enormous furred paw towards the three gunmen. "I'll handle these dopes."

Eric glanced from the trio back to Rufus then back to the three gunmen. "Rufus, if you gave up your hostage, they have no reason to spare you."

"So?"

"Rufus, if Karla took this person from them and left ... then the second I leave ... they'll shoot you," Eric repeated.

"I can handle the bee sting. I'mma man."

"You suggesting that I'm not?" Eric asked.

Rufus shrugged. "I dunno. Are you?"

"Shut up, both of you, and tell us where she's at!" Terry erupted.

Eric ignored the gunman and glowered at Rufus. "What's that supposed to mean? You suggesting I'm not man enough to be what Karla wants or needs? Is that it?"

"Never said that, bud. But since you brought it up ... are you?"

The trio with the guns appeared confused. "What the fuck is going on? We have guns, you idiots! Shut up!"

Rufus rolled his eyes. "Don't mind them. That there's Danny, Terry and Nick. These dimwits won't shoot."

"I will kill you both and find her myself!" said Terry. "Bermuda isn't exactly a big island! You've got fifteen seconds!"

Rue shrugged and glanced back at Eric. "He talk'a good game, but all three of'em are rookies and since Falcon signs their checks, they want me alive."

"Great." Eric moved closer to the werewolf and shook his head. "Rufus, Karla and I ... we're happy. I know you two had some sort of history but I don't want that to make things awkward for us, okay? Same team."

"Look, pal. I'll make this easy fer ya." The werewolf turned his head to face Eric directly then pointed with his free paw at his large black nose. "See this? I can smell Karla. So I know, dude."

"Hey! That's my girlfriend you're talking about!"

Rufus groaned in frustration. "She's pregnant ya frickin' twerp! Dun be such a turkey. I done said I'm man enough to take a few bee stings. If you wanna stay and get shot ... that's fine. I heal. You don't. There's manly then there's crazy. If you wanna be crazy, fine. But the most manly thing for you right now is t' keep Karla safe and father that baby."

"Pregnant?"

Rufus stared at him for a moment then sighed. "Okay, you didn't know. She's undoubtedly keeping a lid on it. For ... reasons."

Eric winced. "Great. Now we have to find out who the father is."

"It's yer, kid. Congratulations."

"Yeah? Your nose tells you that too?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of the werewolf's muzzle. His whiskers lay back along the contour of his maw. His ears laid flat. "I don't exactly like your tone."

"Hey!" shouted the man with the Sig Sauer. "Shut up, both of you!"

Rue turned back to the trio, roared in their faces then reached for the two men on the far left and right. His enormous padded paws closed over their heads, crushing their skulls instantly.

The werewolf pulled the bodies together, striking the man in the middle with tremendous force, dislocating both of his shoulders.

The gunman dropped to the alley pavement. Rufus dropped both men atop of the group leader then leaned down over him. The wolf's tail flickered back and forth with irritation. "No. You _shut up. We got'cher girl. Both yer pals're dead. Unless you want me t' bite your head off your shoulders, I suggest you _SCRAM."

The lone survivor got to his knees, unable to move either arm. He couldn't hold his weapon, which fell to the alley. He stumbled to his feet then hurried away.

Rufus turned back to Eric and laughed. "That's what he gets for bein' a stupid bully with that stupid gun."

"Rufus..." Eric frowned then asked, "Why'd you let him go?"

"Cause I'm smart."

"Pardon? Why'd you let him go?"

Darken knelt down over one of the men and started removing his shoes then his pants. He shook the pants out then checked the tag and nodded decisively. "Cause I can track'em. He's drenched in sweat 'n adrenaline. I'll jus' follow the trail. Not only that, I want'em to tell all his pals to be afraid of us."

"Karla's really pregnant?"

"Ayup. And yeah, it's really yours. Now listen, kiddo. She hasn't told you yet. So act accordingly. Don't act like a dick. Act surprised 'n delighted ... happy 'n stuff. Act supportive."

Eric nodded then rubbed his face, pushing his hands up his cheeks until his fingers came to rest overtop of his temples. He wanted to apologize for acting rude. He wanted to say something appreciative for getting a heads up but, for some reason, Eric didn't know how to say the words. "I supposed we should get back to the boat."

"Ayup. Let me jus' change into somethin' a little more public friendly, y'hear? Watch the end of the alley for me, sport."

X

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Next chapter: https://www.sofurry.com/view/661726