Venenosa

Venenosa

“Could just be coincidence; people get scars every day.”

“She has no memory of her past, her and Atif are not related by blood. I’m certain that if you were to put Kezonto in front of Autumn that their scars align.”

“That is a wild accusation. What are the chances of her even surviving the fall let alone the rapids cutting through the Azura Mountains. Just for us to run into her now.”

“It would explain why he was never able to find her body after all these years.”

“Yeah, because she got washed away by the rapids and taken out to sea. Come on Locke the probability is low, and I just don’t see it.”

brushing aside the foliage like Locke’s theory the two brothers, walking side by side took in the surrounding area. The early morning sun slowly rising over the treetops and the giant dam that towered over the two a distance away.

“That must be the dam that Haiden was talking about.”

He dropped the subject and instead focused on what the two were doing out there so early in the morning to begin with.

“I don’t see anyone on guard.”

“The crow’s nest is empty as well. “

“Something isn’t right bro, you think the village leader gave Haiden bad info?”

“That, or Something happened that the village leader didn’t know about.”

They looked at one another before turning back, returning in the direction they originated from.

***

Watching the embers of the fire slowly die, Haiden kicked at the ground surrounding the fire. Dispersing waves of dirt that cascaded over the dying embers. Around her, the ladies prepared for the last stretch before they reached Busaya. Adjusting the strap of her weapon, she secured the rifle snug against her back.

“You guys ready?”

“Yeah, just about, how much longer before Locke and Ki return?”

Autumn was still, while Atif assisted her by fixing her ponytail.

“that’s the best I can do for now Auttie.”

“That’s fine Atif, thank you.”

“The dam should be just north of here. If we start walking now, we should run into Locke and Ki halfway.”

approaching the two, Haiden adjusted the strap to Autumn’s top. Repositioning the tattered fabric so it rested correctly on her shoulder. Together they pushed forward, following the path Locke and Ki took some time before them. They transitioned from the grassy landscape amongst the trees. To the dry clay textures of a barren riverbed. The morning sun beaming rays of warmth over the ladies, unburdened by the forest’s ruby red treetops.

“Have you ever seen anything like this before Haiden.”

Looking upward in amazement Atif couldn’t take her eyes off the beauty of the trees. It was all new to her, the sights, the sound, she was taking it all in.

“Yeah of course, they are very common actually. I’ve even seen some that are white as snow.”

“What is snow?”

The two sisters questioned in harmony; Haiden stopped in her tracks and turned around to face Autumn and Atif. She cocked an eyebrow, bewildered by the two.

“You are kidding, right? You never seen snow before?”

“Look how they are dressed Haiden. You really think they know what snow is?”

Stepping out from the cover of the foliage lining the riverbed, Locke and Ki arrived. Autumn and Atif looked at one another, then at their attire. Haiden gazed over in the brothers’ direction and watched them descend toward the riverbed and start walking toward her and the others.

“You do have a point there Ki. So, what were you able to find?”

“Well, we found the dam, but somethings off.”

“What do you mean?”

Autumn and Atif looked at Haiden.

“No guards on duty, nobody tending to the gardens outside. Things you expect to see from a settlement.”

Locke went on to explain what the brothers had discovered. While Locke took over the conversation with Haiden, Ki gazed over in Autumn’s direction. Watching as her and Atif listened in on the conversation. Focusing on her scars, trying to see what Locke was seeing. She could feel Ki’s eyes on her; she looked in his direction narrowly making eye contact as Ki looked away.

“Nevertheless, we should investigate the situation further, through the dam is the fastest way to get to Busaya.”

Once a decision was made, the group in unison pressed forward. North, up the barren riverbed toward the dam. With Locke taking up the point and Ki bringing up the rear. The group emerged from the ruby red forest. Stepping out into the open, Autumn and Atif marveled at the dam. Still foreign to this region. Haiden had her rifle at the ready. Her finger resting along the trigger guard.

“Ease up Haiden. Autumn, Atif stay focused.”

Ki masterfully adjusted the group’s demeanor, not knowing what was ahead. Locke raised his arm, halting everyone’s advance.

“They weren’t here before.”

Looking ahead he took notice of a teenage male, a young girl and a dog accompanying them dog.

“I got six bullets, Jeremy and Blake are roaming the security checkpoint, if I take them out, I can make my way to the armory. Anne and Elaena should be in the classrooms. No, the kids.”

The teenager banged his revolver against his head in frustration. Tears and snot pouring over his broken facial features.

“What is wrong puppy?”

The hairs on the dog’s neck rose and it bared its teeth in the direction of Locke and the others. Snapping out of his trance the young man stood up from his rock. Brushing the young girl behind him, raising and waving his revolver in the group’s direction. Haiden didn’t flinch and raised her rifle. Unable to keep a steady aim with her shaking hands. Locke was quick to grab the barrel of Haiden’s rifle and directed it toward the ground. With his free hand, he urged the young man to show restraint.

“Hold your fire we mean you no harm!”

Locke, keeping a cool head tried to navigate the situation as peacefully as possible.”

“New Aurora Uniforms, but, but you don’t look like soldiers.”

“Relax, young man we are not with New Aurora. We heard we could seek passage to Busaya through your settlement.”

The young man still emotionally distraught and inexperienced lowered his gun.

“You won’t be able to pass through here anytime soon. What the actual fuck, man.”

The young man resumed hitting himself, Locke motioned for the group to stay put while he advanced forward.

“It’s important that we pass through.”

“YOU CAN’T, ITS INFESTED WITH FERALS!”

Raising his gun at Locke, before quickly lowering it, collapsing to the ground, defeated.

“They are all infected.”

He didn’t have to explain any further, Locke and the others knew what he was talking about. That is when everything started to become clear. No guards on duty, no one tending to the gardens. Haiden’s posture eased and the sisters’ expression changed. Ki lowered his head and remained silent.
Standing up again as Locke approached, the young man’s demeanor pulled a one-eighty.

“Lily why don’t you take Buster for a walk.”

He wiped his tears and vacuumed his snot. Puffing out his chest, something Locke easily seen through. He let it play out, understanding the young man and his intentions.

“So, are you going to tell me what happened here?”

His eyes trailed to the side watching Lily and the dog walk off.

“My Guess is tainted meat. That may be the only reason why me and my sister didn’t turn.”

“What do you mean?”

“You see the last couple of days I’ve had the Aurorean Flu. So, anything I ate I couldn’t keep down. As for Lily, she is a picky eater and doesn’t like to eat certain beasts. Everyone else, well you know the deal if its edible we are going to eat it.”

he took labored breathes, hiccupping, gasping for air through tears.

“Now.”

He stared blankly at the ground, the grip on his revolver tightening.

“Now I have to do, what I have to do.”

Even through his melt down, the young man kept his focus. Understanding the mountain of a task that stood before him.

“Just go around the dam, leave this to me.”

“That will take too long, how about we help you instead?”

“No. This is my responsibility.”

“Then at least lead us through the other side.”

Locke was adamant about passing through the dam. Despite the young man’s dilemma.

“Leave someone here to protect my sister in the meantime. I don’t want her to see anything I’m about to do.”

He looked off in the distance at Lily, carefree playing with Buster. Oblivious to the tonality of the situation.

“Once I clear out the infected, we can come back for them.”

“I’ll do you better, only me and my brother will come. The ladies will stay with Lily in the meantime.”

The young man was skeptical, and the look he gave Locke was very telling.

“Trust me, they are capable. I believe in them.”

“Alright, let me talk to my sister, in the meantime you should arm yourself and talk to your people.”

Walking away from Locke, the young man approached his sister. Taking a knee, he explained what he needed from her. Returning to his group, Locke broke down the situation. Informing the others of the plan and their roles to play. Atif was upset and demanded that she should come and could be useful. Locke stood his ground, knowing this was best left to people a little more seasoned. Autumn and Haiden had no objection. Ki’s eyes shifted about gauging the groups demeanor, always ready to back up his brother.
Now with Ki, Locke advanced toward a steel staircase. Off toward their right, the young man walked toward the brothers. Crossing paths with Autumn and the others as they went to keep lily company.

“you guys are going armed like that?”

He was curious, looking over Locke and Ki. Noticing the pair had no weapons on them.

“Yeah, our two hands are all we will need.”

The name is Locke, and this is my brother Ki, what is your name kid?”

The three now climbing the giant staircase toward the service entrance that led to the dam interior.

“Russo, Johnathan Russo.”

The group stopped in front of a door atop the staircase. Russo looked back at Locke and Ki, holding his hand to stop them from moving any further. He motioned for the brothers to be silent, slowly turning the knob to the door and opening it with care. Locke gently took hold of the door from Russo. Allowing him to freely step through the opening to the dam, His revolver leading the way. First Russo, then Locke with Ki slowly closing the door behind him.

***

“This is bullshit.”

Atif kicked at the ground, creating a dust cloud and dispersing pebbles in various directions. Sitting on a rock, she crossed her arms and sulked.

“My name is Lily, and this is Buster.”

“Hey Lily, I’m Autumn, that is Haiden and the crybaby over there is my sister Atif.”

Buster with his tail wagging furiously nuzzled his head under Autumn’s hand wanting her to pet him. She granted his wish and gently brushed the hair on his head back. Occasionally scratching behind his ears.

“Wow, he must really like you. Buster is never this nice with strangers.”

Lily commented, witnessing Autumn easily befriend the otherwise overprotective dog.

“Probably because they smell the same.”

Atif poked at Autumn, all the while picking up a rock and whipping it in the dam’s direction. Autumn lowered her head. She should have known better than to badger Atif. Knowing she wasn’t one to hold back. Haiden choked back her laughter, trying to keep her wits about her. Surveying the area for any possible threats.

***

The dimly lit corridors of the dam echoed with a dialect unknown. The occasional sound of objects crashing against the floor, bodies banging against walls and the crashing of glass. The chamber cycled on the revolver, as Russo cocked its hammer back. He slowly crept forward, cautious of his feet placement among the mine field of broken glass. The brothers followed suit, observing their surroundings. Looking for any signs of movements amongst the stillness.

“Now, once I take out the two that are up ahead, we are going to have to make a mad dash toward the armory. So, stay on my heels I’m going to be moving fast. Once the first two shots go off, they are going to come running.”

Russo picked up a mug from a nearby table as he passed by.

“How many are we talking about?”

“Twelve total.”

Russo then chucked the glass mug right into the middle of the security checkpoint. The mug smashed and just as Russo expected, Jeremy and Blake emerged. Scrambling over barricades and crashing through anything in their path. He barely flinched, his eyes watering as he pulled the trigger not once, but twice. The first shot was clean, catching Blake in the head as he rose to his feet from tripping over a toppled chair. The second shot clipped Jeremy in shoulder taking him off balance. Not skipping a step, Russo rushed forward, pressing his forearm against Jeremy’s throat pinning him against a pillar. Jamming the barrel of his gun underneath Jeremy’s chin. A tremor ran down Locke’s spine as a third shot rang out. Russo kept pushing forward amongst the sounds of screaming feral closing in on them.

“This way.”

He cut a corner, only looking back once to see if Locke and Ki were there. As the group exited the corridor and entered the open space of the giant generator room the sounds of howls intensified. Unphased, they moved along the catwalks lining the generators. Russo couldn’t react in time, as a feral jumped out from behind a generator and tackled him. The feral furiously attacked Russo. Throwing a flurry of punches while it had pinned him to the floor of the catwalk. Throwing his arms up in defense was all Russo could manage as he struggled to regain control of the situation.

He didn’t have to wait long for a solution as Locke intervened. Throwing the feral in a headlock, he ripped the feral off Russo. Placing one forearm over the other, Locke tightened his hold on the feral. Flexing his muscles and using a small amount of essence, Locke twisted his upper body easily snapping the feral’s neck.
Russo rushed to get back to his feet, breathing heavy, heart pounding.

“That is Crowe.”

“Come on guys let’s keep it moving.”

Ki Threw a right hook, knocking one feral to the ground. Quickly throwing a haymaker into the gut of another and watched as it collapsed to the ground. Russo rushed over toward the ferals and quickly pulled the trigger. Shooting both in the head before they had a chance to get back to their feet.

“Antonio and Samantha.”

He mumbled to himself sprinting off, Locke and Ki looked at each other and pressed on after Russo.

“Just a little further.”

He cut another corner, then another until he reached the armory. Walking through the doorway, he frantically looked right, then left. The grip on his weapon tightened and his eyebrows scrunched together.

“Where is he? Damnit I only got one shot left.”

He figured the guard posted here wondered off and went about arming himself further. Reloading his revolver and stuffing it into his waistband. Grabbing hold of a rifle, Russo went over his weapon of choice and made sure it was ready.

“You going to have to go for the kill, no injuring or handicapping. You sure you guys don’t want a weapon?”

After witnessing Russo’s temperament, the brothers were reconsidering the offer. Sensitive to the situation Locke and ki never wanted the blood of Russo’s loved ones on their hands. Russo was right though, the two would have to go see things through and go for the kill.

“We are good thank you, we can watch your back and take them down. But it is only right if you’re the one to finish them off.”

Ki beat Locke to the punch reinforcing the decision he made subconsciously. Russo nodded, agreeing with their choice.

“Thanks Locke, you too Ki. I, I couldn’t have done this alone. I know that now...”

He wanted to say more, he needed to, he couldn’t. Crashing into the doorframe, another feral caught the group by surprise. Pushing Locke to the side Russo raised his rifle and fired a single burst of three bullets into the chest of the feral. The impact of the bullets sent the feral tumbling backwards into the hallway. Ki moved to the side, clearing Russo’s line of sight. Another burst of the bullets penetrated the feral’s flesh, its body bouncing against the wall before falling to the ground. Looking both ways before entering the hall, Russo with his rifle raised walked over toward the feral. Kicking the body over Russo took a good look at the face. His eyes watered a bit, but he took a deep breath and remained composed.

“Thanks pops, for everything you trained me well.”

The brothers joined Russo in the hallway, just missing his last words to the feral. He turned around to face Locke and Ki, wiping away the tears forming in his eyes.

“I appreciate you guys getting me this far. But the rest I must do alone. Now that I have this rifle and my revolver, I’ll be ok to finish the rest. Please go get your people and Lily, by the time you return the job will be done. Turning his back to the brothers he started to make his way down the hall.

“We want to see this through till the end. You don’t have to face this alone, regardless of if your capable of doing it.”

Russo stopped and looked back at Locke.

“What I’m about to do no one should see. I wouldn’t burden that on your souls.”