Huddled together, the group watched the entrance of the ship storage hanger behind a dumpster full of shrimp. Unlike the railroad warehouse, the hanger was located at the city’s docks, right beside the fish market. A smart place to hide if you already reeked of a rotting carcass.
“I told my pack to find the wendigo’s den then head back home. They might be stronger than the average Jericho-”,
“The hell.” Jericho interrupted.
“But they can’t take on a wendigo in their human form at least.” Caspian continued, completely ignoring the comment. “I don’t want to lead them into a slaughter.”
Diana nodded, “Agreed. We have no idea how many more are in there. Not to mention that we still have to deal with the alpha.”
“So what’s the plan? I don’t think storming the castle is the best plan.” Angie spoke up. “What if we try sneaking in?”
Diana shook her head. “Wendigos have a keen sense of smell. The fish might be hiding us now, but if we get closer I’m sure they will pick up our scent.”
“Then what do we do?”
Caspian drummed his fingers omg the barrel and looked at Zoran. “How well are your illusions?”
Zoran scoffed as if the question was a blow to his pride, “Excellent.”
“Then I might have something.”
~~~~~~
“Why are we doing this?” Zoran whined, “We should be with the Diana and Caspian.” Zoran was leading the way with Jericho and Angela, the trio started to sneak around the hanger, hoping to use the back entrance to enter the building.
“Technically we are with them.” Angela replied.
Looking back Jericho saw magical clones of themselves. Weapons drawn and battle ready. The plan was for Caspian and Diana to draw the wendigos out of the hanger with the help of their illusions, and while they are distracted, the trio would sneak in and rescue Marcus. Then have Jericho get Marcus to safety as the rest deal with the wendigos.
Getting in wasn’t a problem. The sounds of a battle echoed through the hanger. Loud howls and snarls gave the impression that Caspian transformed. As much as he disliked the guy he always wanted to see his wolf form. He bragged how cool it was constantly when Marcus wasn’t around. He said that he could spew fire and ignite his claws, but as much as Jericho asked to see them during a full moon, Marcus always put his foot down. He was sure the guy was full of crap until now.
The group searched for Marcus in a hurry, not wanting to leave them out there for too long with the horde of wendigos. After searching through the different rooms and levels, they did their best with a quick search, but soon they heard a booming voice, “You will not receive my mercy this time Keepers.” Jericho winced as a dog like yelp filled the night. He couldn’t dwell on it, he hated the guy but he felt responsible for all of this. If he had just waited for Marcus like he was supposed to do, this could have been avoided.
“That doesn’t sound good.” Angela admitted. “We need to get out there soon. I doubt the alpha would be fooled with the illusions.”
“Go. Help them. I’ll find Marcus. Meet us at the green house.” Jericho ushered, “He has to be on one of the boats. Go.” He didn’t wait for their answer as he made way for the closet fishing boat.
Once aboard Jericho heard a set of footsteps run out to join the fray. He was thankful for them helping the others. He was supposed to do this part alone anyway, but Angela wanted him to have an escort in case there was any trouble. Thankfully, there wasn’t any. The room was as empty as his facebook page.
Going down to the second deck, Jericho heard a quiet hum. “Marcus?!” He shouted as he ran towards the noise. The boat wasn’t on so it had to be him. Turning the corner into the room, he saw Marcus bloodied and still. His clothes were stained red and torn. His translucent blue scarf was wrapped around his arms.
“Nononono” Jericho rushed to his side, his body felt cold and stiff. His usual tanned skin was now pale and lifeless, “Please, god no.” Jericho fell to his knees and checked his pulse. He almost cried in relief as he felt a weak pulse. Grabbing Marcus by his shoulders. “Hey, Marcus. Wake up. C’mon buddy. Please wake up.”
Marcus twitched, and opened his eyes painfully slow. “Jer-Jericho… everything hurts…” Jericho saw the boy shiver as he wrapped his arms around himself.
Taking off his cloak, Jericho wrapped it around Marcus and carefully lifted him up bridal style. “I-I know. I’m so sorry Marcus.” His voice straining over each word. “I’m getting you out of here.” Jericho could feel Marcus push against his chest feebly. “Don’t fight me Marcus, I’ll get you out of this.”
“Run… please.” He got out, his voice was harsh and ragged.
Making his way up the stairs Jericho answered. “That’s the point.” He laughed nervously, hoping to cheer up the other’s mood. He was getting out, if it was the last thing Jericho did. “We’re gett-“ Jericho was cut off by a hooded figure. Before he could react, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He gripped Marcus tighter as his knees buckled and fell on them. Breathing raggedly he looked down and saw the hooded figure had stabbed him through with a sword.
Jericho coughed blood as the figure twisted his sword inside him before yanking it out. “You’ve become quite the pest human, I’ll give you that.” The hooded figure whispered loudly.
Wiping the blade with Jericho’s shirt, he walked behind him. “I spent so much time and resources just to find a willing nature spirit to take on the curse, and took twice as long attaining numbers for his pack.” He clicked his tongue and kicked Jericho over, making him drop Marcus. “It would have ended a lot sooner if I hadn’t stepped in that night in the alley. Didn’t realize it would only buy me a day though.” Jericho started to crawl to Marcus, ignoring his pain. He was about to make it to him when he felt a familiar pain.
“Hold this for me.” The figure dropped the blade into his back, pinning Jericho to the floor. “I just cleaned that too…” He sounded almost disappointed, kneeling down he stared at Jericho with slitted golden eyes, “Will you just die already? You cost me my wendigos, my chance at power….” He glanced at Marcus and started to pick him up, tossing him over his shoulder. “Least I have this. He will clean up the mess you made.”
Jericho glared at the figure. “Shut up already.” He strained. “Kill me now so I wouldn’t have to hear you monologuing.” He coughed and slowly reached down for his daggers.
The figure looked down at Jericho with cold, lifeless eyes. With one swift movement, he gave Jericho a kick in his ribs. “If you wanted to die faster you could just say so.”
With blurred vision, Jericho looked up and saw Marcus slowly move. The scarf fell to the ground with a metallic clink, which got the figure’s attention.
He held Marcus out like a child who threw up on him and asked, “Do you need more convincing to come with me quietly.”
Jericho wanted to yell and skewer him with his daggers, to rip his eyes out, but all he could manage was gurgled grunt. But as Jericho watched, Marcus started to change, from skin grew scales, his fingers elongated into black talons which sunk into the figures flesh. The hanger echoed with his screams as he dropped Marcus to the ground alongside with slabs of shadowy meat. It took Jericho a sickening moment to realize that it was the figures flesh.
Everything happened so fast after that. The boat capsized, toppling them into the cold, polluted water. Jericho couldn’t hold on to his conciseness, the wounds hurt, he couldn’t breathe, he felt cold surround him as he surrendered into darkness
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