Their childhood was nothing but a blurry mess. May tried to keep them hidden from the world from a young age. She tried to do so much to keep them safe with herself. They survived off berries and herbs from the forest, the shack becoming more run down as time passed. No repairs were able to be made as one day she was taken in a flash of light. James and Angel were only three as they sat alone in the shack for a week. Drinking only rainwater that dripped through the ceiling. Both of them huddled together before something clicked for them. They were starving and needed to eat. They left the safety of the shack. Looking around for anything and everything edible, they trusted each other as they found a berry patch. Each time they grabbed a berry a thorn pricked their tiny fingers as they feasted on them.
As the two looked around they lusted for more. Weeks would pass as neither of them really ate more than berries and tree nuts. Everything in a three mile radius of the shack had been picked clean. The two of them watched how a hawk came by and swooped a rabbit. Fearing the hawk coming back they stayed the rest of the day inside. Looking at the fireplace that was long ashen and never lit. They gathered twigs and put it in there as they looked at it in wonder. The shack never was much more than their place. Each night they curled up in each other's arms, their warmth keeping them alive. The morning came as the two looked all throughout the shack for anything. All the random things all over the place had no use for them. They chucked them into the pile of twigs, heading outside to try and be like the hawk. They crept along quietly among the tree branches waiting to strike something.
A small rabbit stood next to a bush as Angel jumped down onto it. Her wings didn't make a noise as her feet dug into its back. Breaking its spine as James tackled it and looked at it. The two had an uncanny feeling as they sniffed it. It seemed more edible than the berries as they tore the legs off the rabbit devouring it, nothing but the guts and bones remained as they left it behind. They felt full, this feeling was amazing as they felt like they could do this more often.
A few years passed as the forest stayed quiet. Nothing changed, James and Angel grew just a bit taller than they were. But their skills were honed, Angel would commonly surprise their prey from above and paralyze them. While James went for the throat, ending them quickly and efficiently. Both were wearing nothing but old clothes with holes and tears as nights became even more difficult. Neither of them would give up, for as long as they had each other, they could live forever.
Willow was out in the forest with her mother. The two of them took bows and were hunting for their camp as Willow's mom tapped her on the shoulder. 'Take the shot, make the village proud.' Her hand extended pointing at a giant elk as the two of them hid behind a bush. Willow nodded slowly as she raised her bow, drawing it back and looking into its eye as she paused for a moment. Her eyes then darted around as she slowly denotched the bow. Pulling it down as her mom slapped her. The elk looked over at them. At that moment it was too late.
Angel struck at the elk's neck as it collapsed to the ground. The thud had both of them caught off guard as they saw nothing hit the forest creature. James slid in and opened its throat with his jaws. Bleeding the elk out as Angel landed softly and without sound next to him. They looked at the elk as they ripped off its front legs for themselves. Beginning to gnaw on them as Willow and her mom watched in wonder.
"Can we keep them? I'll feed them and care for them. I promise mom." Willow begged as her eyes darted from the scene in front of her and back to her mother that hunched over. Becoming in the same eye level as her daughter.
"No, we can't risk trusting their kind." She scolded her as she slapped her across the face. Willow didn't flinch and took it. "If you would have took the shot they would have been scared off and we would have had that for ourselves." Her mother snuck away. "Make sure to be back at camp at night time. I have to make up for your mistakes." She spoke low and harsh to her as Willow stood in the bushes watching the two. Their eyes were fixated on her. Willow didn't dare move as James and Angel watched them. Once the mother was far out of sight they began to eat again as Willow crept over slowly.
James and Angel watched as the two kept eating. Willow got as close to them as anyone in the last few years had. She sat on the other side of the elk as James and Angel kept eating on the other side. Silence filled the air outside of the occasional snapping of the bone and joints. None of them said anything, Willow doubted they could say anything. The sun slowly crested as James and Angel ate what they could. Standing up and slowly running back to the shack as Willow followed them, curious at where it would take her. Ignoring how much trouble she would be in when she returned to camp. They made it to the shack as the door was hardly on the hinges. The three entered as Angel and James curled up into a ball. They laid on the few blankets that weren't ripped to shreds from the mice.
Willow checked on top of the tables and in the cupboards for anything that could help them, or her to understand what these two were. A small little sphere had some weird writing on it as she put it on the table. Various rusty knives and utensils were apparent. She saw how there was nothing else really out as she looked to the fireplace. Digging through it as James slowly hissed at her. She continued regardless and found a few more of the metal spheres that she put on the table. Then the ultimate prize to make it through the night. It was a fire rod, she took out her pocket knife from her side satchel and struck it into the pile of twigs in the pile of stones. It ignited as the two uncurled and looked at the flame as Willow looked around. There were some larger logs next to the fireplace. "We have a winner." She slowly built the fire up as James and Angel moved closer.
The fire crackled and sparked as James and Angel watched it. Moving their makeshift bed closer to them as Willow came in and out with some more logs. She smiled as she put them next to the fire. She put the orbs into a side bag as she had the bow and arrows rest next to the door as the three of them watched it into the late hours of the night. Not a thing stirred as the three slowly fell asleep in the warm embrace of the flames in front of them. The morning sun rose as birds chirped and the fire was reduced to embers. Willow woke up first as she held her hands on the two next to her. She heard footsteps outside as she shook the other two. "Wake up. Quickly." She shook them as James and Angel popped up and looked to the door.
"Look at what we have here." A man stood in the doorway as he was dressed in a full black uniform. His face was smooth and silky as his spiky white hair was uncomforting for them. "Two rare hybrids and a human girl with them." One of the orbs lightly vibrated in Willow's pocket. "Now we can get a high price for you all dead or alive." A second man with a bushy black beard busted in the window as he looked inside.
"Preferably we take the girl as ransom or for ourselves. And kill the little feral beasts." The bushy man roared as three more people formed behind the door. The ball in Willow's pocket almost busting out of the bag as it kept shaking. They all became fixated on that as the ball was released by Willow as it hovered in midair for a moment before it hit the ground with a thud. They all busted out in laughter as Willow stood up in front of the kids.
"What about killing the feral beasts?" The orb spoke as a robotic voice came from it. They all froze as they stood in the shack. Cornering the three next to the fireplace. "You shouldn't mess with them, they will kill you without mercy." They laughed as they kicked the orb at the kids. It floated upward as a suit of robotic armor appeared in front of them. "Command. Execute kill order." the robot rattled off as it crushed the skull of the bearded man first. The rest all held themselves in fear as the robot beheaded them, turning their skulls into mist. "Children, run far away from here. As far as you can. Tell no one." The robot turned into an orb again as James, Angel and Willow sprinted out of the shack.
They ran for miles, their legs turned over as they made it back to where Willow's family had camp set up. Or at least where it was, there was a carving in a tree as it pointed an arrow deeper into the forest as both James and Angel looked at the tree in confusion. Willow nodded and started walking in that direction as the twins followed her. They kept trudging forward as the sun crested above them. Willow looked up as the two behind her started to pant from exhaustion. She dug into her bag and grabbed a gourd of water, the two stayed back as they awaited to see what was inside. She poured a small amount from it into her hand and let them see what it was before she poured some into her mouth. They watched with wonder as she passed the gourd to Angel.
Angel poured a bit of the water into her hand and then into her mouth being refreshed and satisfied from the water as James snatched it from her. Drinking from the bottle without pouring it in his hand. Angel slapped him as he pushed her over. Willow chuckled lightly as she walked over and took the gourd holding it up. "We should keep moving." The two looked distraught as their eyes begged for more water. "Once we reach my family, we can have more water. For now we need to conserve." Angel and James looked at each other with no recollection of what was said. Willow let out a sigh as she slowly ran forward and followed the sun as James and Angel chased after her with the water still in her hands.
An hour passed as the three heard fire crackling in the distance. They sprinted at full speed as the three tumbled into the center of the camp in front of the fire. Sitting up and smiling as they made it back home. Willow looked around as she spotted her mother who's stern grin of approval shone through. "So you made it back with the little ones, were there any complications?" Willow nodded her head no as her mom laughed. "It was a valuable lesson you learned, being able to be by yourself for a full night in the wilderness is something that few can do around here. Congrats baby." Willow had her mom pat her head and ruffle her hair. Everything was quiet for the rest of the day. Willow gave in and handed her bottle of water over to James and Angel. As they finished what was left and went back to Willow as she went over to a giant barrel of water and refilled it. Handing it back to them as they smiled. They found a new home with people who would care for them. The night ended with Willow sleeping on her mat with James and Angel at her feet.
A few years would pass as Willow slowly started to teach James and Angel how to speak, as did many others inside of her family, their traveling lifestyle led them well and kept them safe from threats who would hunt James and Angel's kind for sport. James adapted better than Angel did. His general aggression was better for hunting rather than the take down ability of Angel from above. Both had their merits and moments where they excelled for the family. Neither would be put on guard watch to keep the family protected from any peculiar people. They were destined for more from the moment they were found by Willow.
In the dead of night, with nothing stirring the bushes outside of a few crickets chirping, everything seemed fine. Night watch was going as expected until James jolted awake. He looked over to Willow and Angel as they were both still sound asleep. He spun in a circle and laid back down but kept his ears up as he heard soft footsteps. Hands opening and closing. Something terrible was about to happen as he stretched out his body, arching his back as his tail flicked around. Looking to the left and the right inside of the tent. There were no shadows, just silence. James shook his head as he thought he was just imagining what was happening around him. The sound of a horn being blown from outside made it all the different. Willow and Angel popped up as they looked to their sides. James had a spear in his hand as he looked at the doorway. The slashing of a knife opened the sides as James thrusted his spear forward. Same hunting style, just a different prey.
Willow and Angel grabbed their bags they had for hunting as the horn blew once again. "Kids!" Willow's mom shouted through the camp as she was fending off someone in a black jumpsuit with a black facemask. "Run to the north, there will be help for you in that direction!" She was stabbed by a knife from the man as the three started to run north, fear filled their bodies as they wanted everyone to stay safe. Staying and helping were the farthest thing helpful for all of them. They ran with great speed amidst the chaos, none of them noticed the three leaving.
Their bodies blended into the background as the trees slowly faded into a field of tall grass, the three knew that they would be fine and hopeful to stay with each other. The rustling of the grass next to them kept them going for each other. Hours passed as it became dawn, the sun crept up the horizon as Angel, James and Willow made it through the last bit of the tall grass before they halted on the edge of a cliff. They paused as all three of them nearly ran off the edge. James sat for a moment as he looked forward. "There is no more north to go." He sat down and looked down in defeat as both Angel and Willow joined him.
"How long until they get us Willow?" Angel asked gently as her voice wavered. Willow sighed as she didn't want to hurt the poor girl. Then her eyes darted over to something that didn't match the rocky bluff. A blue steel boat sat in the water calmly with the waves.
"They won't come get us, they have trained me my whole life to be alone." Willow curled up into a ball as she was immediately hugged by Angel. "But we can also escape from those who attacked us. No matter what, we will stay together." Willow slowly stood up as they all looked at the boat.
James looked along the cliffside. "There has to be another way down than jumping, right?" He glanced back and forth as Willow sighed. Angel flapped her wings as she was ready to glide down. The others chuckled lightly. "Climbing it is." James tightened his bags and smiled. "Angel, just be ready to catch us if we need it." He reached his hand out as he ruffled her hair. She nodded as James began the slow climb down.
Willow watched from above as she began to look at his pathing. Noting every step and notch he stuck his hands and feet into. On the climb he didn't slip once, he looked to the rocky shoreline as he jumped from the cliff with twenty feet to go. Sliding down a rock on his way down, touching the sand felt so satisfying for him as he began to roll around in it. Willow looked weary of his jump as she turned around. Men in black peeked through the tall grass. "How did they catch up so fast?" she muttered to herself as she jumped forward.
Angel watched as she swooped into action. Catching her hands and slowing both of their falls as they slid down the same rock James did and onto the sandy beach as Willow motioned them to the cliff face. "We need to hide for a moment." She waved her hand over to the wall as both James and Angel rushed to the wall and hid along it.
"Well boss, the trail ends here, either those kids flew off the cliff or they climbed down." The man's voice echoed into the sea as his clothes were stained with blood. He looked down the bluff and saw no imprints of the three.
"Well, the bounty put on their heads is quite large, we better find them soon. The Cotton's want revenge from that lady, and her kids. Quite unmissable traits." A man standing farther back scolded him. His dark uniform is clean from any battle signs.
"Well, they aren't here. We can beat them to the northern shore if we get back to base quickly enough." A third man looked at a map on a small tablet. "We head thirty clicks west and we reach the port city of Nepo. From there we can rent a fairy across and beat the kids there. They could still be swimming for all we know."
"Tanner who gave you permission to speak?" The boss growled at him. "We will head west and take a helicopter and hover over the water. Move out." Tanner groaned as the stomping of boots began yet again. They slowly got quieter as the three kids looked at each other in worry.
They waited an hour as they sipped water and ate jerky. None of them spoke before Willow pointed to the boat. "We should get going. We only have so long before they reach the city." Willow walked over to the boat as it had an anchor with a roll of rope, and two orr's. "Well, this is underwhelming." The three threw their bags into the middle of the boat as they pushed it off the shore and began to sit adrift in the boat. Willow set up the orr's as Angel sat on the tip of the boat.
Another hour passed as the three of them stayed quiet. The only sounds being the rowing of the paddles as the waves crashed onto the side of the boat. They didn't see any land anymore as Willow sighed. "We need to make it there faster." She spoke out loud to them as James and Angel both looked at each other in confusion. "At this rate we are going to get caught. I have no clue what will happen if we are caught and I'd rather not find out. James start rowing for a moment while I help Angel with something." James nodded as Willow moved forward a seat and cut the rope to the anchor and dropped it into the water. "Angel, how comfortable are you with flying?"
"The wind is blowing to the north, with the current speeds I should be able to fly without issue." Angel smiled as the wind filled her face. Willow tied the roll of rope to the front of the boat and to Angel's ankle. "Why do you want me to fly?"
"If you are helping pull the boat along it may make us faster." Willow smiled as she sat next to James sliding him over to one orr. "It could be the difference between us making it where we need to go and us being caught." Angel giggled as she jumped upward and spread her wings. She felt the wind lift her up as she started to flap her wings.
The speed became noticeable with each row of the boat pushing them farther northward. Hours passed as it became dusk. No land or end in sight as they were becoming weary. They pushed onwards without a choice in fear of what could happen to them. Not ready for what would become of them next.
A small boy with black hair, a leather jacket and two toned jeans was running around the harbor. Looking for fun looking for hiding spots. He laughed as he ran around everywhere and pointed out new spots for the future as he slipped past all the guards and hid inside of a barrel labeled; do not move. He placed this forever ago to hide in. The guards began to look for him as a game. The lights shining bright on the docks as darkness filled the air. Dante giggled inside of the barrel as the guards walked around in flashlights ignoring the barrel with the sounds coming out of it.
"Sir, we have a strange ping on the radar, a small vessel of about twenty feet long is approaching. What should we do?" One of the guards leaned on Dante's barrel as his giggling turned into laughter.
"Weird, none of our boats are out. Nothing is scheduled to come in. I would just let them be. Therefore if they do come in, please detain them, I would love to see who they would be." The man was working on paperwork in an office of a warehouse, so much had to be prioritized for help across the country and the colonies they had they had little room for error.
"Copy that Mr. Lark, sorry to bother you." The guard lifted the lid of the barrel. "Hello Dante, we found you." Dante's laughter stopped as he popped out of the barrel. "Go back to the warehouse, I'll be there shortly, fire up the game console." Dante nodded as the guard sat on the edge of the pier.
A few minutes passed as the guard swung his legs on the edge of the dock. "Heh, another quiet night and more babysitting. I feel kinda bad for the old man." He looked over to the warehouse before glancing back into the sea. "The radar couldn't have picked up a random thing, could they have?" He thought of all the creatures that could set it off. Checking the radar systems as it was coming in just as fast as before. Close enough to the main sensors that he could try and look for them.
He opened up a small satchel on his right side as he pulled out a set of binoculars. Resting them on his face he looked in the direction where the three kids were. It was too difficult to see anything as he waited longer. Something else was on the horizon much farther out than the boat was. Coming from above was a searchlight from a helicopter. "Boss, we got major issues coming from that blip on the radar. Someone is looking for them. I don't know who they would be chasing after. We haven't had any alerts from the authorities, right?" He waited a second to get a response as there was nothing that came back for him. 'Out cold again, when will he learn to care for himself? Tough work.' He stood up and walked down the extension to get a closer view.
Dante had the game system booted up as he sat and looked at the screen. The volume was low as he looked out the window. The guard was saying something as he watched him stand up and walk farther away. "But, we were supposed to play." Dante sat on the couch as he grabbed the controller and started to play the game by himself for a moment. He paused, pulled the controller from the console and ran outside after the guard.
His eyes were locked into his binoculars as he looked and saw the helicopter. It was gaining faster on the boat in the water. But would they close in on the shoreline in time? "Hey lighthouse seven, shine your lights directly south from your position, directly straight, something wants to catch our guests." His eyes darted up and down as he watched the helicopter fly into the beam of light. He looked below it to see two kids and a bird. "So the bird is leading them to shore? Due north? Something is wrong." He blinked as he looked closer. "That's one large bird." He shook his head and dropped his binoculars on the dock as Dante picked them up. "It's not a bird, it's an owl hybrid." Dante tapped his side with the binoculars. "Get your dad and run. Fast Dante, you are going to have the chance to save lives."
Dante looked at him confused for a moment. A gentle nudge from the guard caused him to start running as fast as he could. He moved like the wind as he charged through each doorway to get to his dad's office. He slammed the door open as he looked at his asleep dad, deep inside of paperwork as he grumbled. "Dave, take Dante home, it's another late night for me."
"Dad, Dave sent me to get you." Dante whispered as he jolted awake and looked into his son's eyes. He turned to his monitors and looked at the radar. There were now two flying objects making appearances on them.
"Speak to me Dave, what do you have and why?" Mr. Lark twisted into position as he laughed. "Prison break with a dove? Escapee's from the southern tribe?"
Dave clutched the radio on the dash of the boat. "It's those rumored hybrids. The ones with white traits, one of them have wings, that's why our radar is picking it up. The helicopter that's following them is going to catch them soon. I'm on a boat to help them." He was speeding to them as fast as the boat could. It's engine roared as he had no other goals.
"The hybrids of the man that destroyed that facility? That's a fake rumor, its a myth, no one has spotted them in years." Mr. Lark laughed into the radio. He looked over to Dante. "Is this a prank you two are pulling on me?" Dante shook his head no as he clutched the controller tighter. He watched as his face went from humor to worry. "All lighthouses. Turn the darkness into sunshine, keep that bird away from the shore." The lighthouses began to raise their beams into the air out into the sea.
The helicopter pilot hovered for a moment as he looked over. "It's becoming too unsafe for us to fly, someone really doesn't want us to get to whatever you're chasing." He saw the hate on the face of the man next to him. He slowly crept forward, knowing it would become more trouble than it's worth.
Dave got behind the kids as he looked up to them. "Hey, do you guys need some help?" Angel froze in midair as she landed back into the boat. Willow and James stopped rowing. They were caught, they couldn't escape. "Get in here before our light support gets cut." He waved them gently over as he pulled up next to them. They looked at him with doubt as he motioned with his hands for them to get in. James tossed over the bags as Angel stepped in with a doubt.
"Dave, they are trying to cut the lights. You have thirty seconds. I can't defend the power like I used to." Mr. Lark was typing away on his computer as his fingers glided along. He knew his time was limited. Dave sighed as Willow and James got in. He banked right as the lights went dark.
"Please don't see us." Dave muttered to himself as he was going full speed to the docks. The searchlight from the helicopter was fixated on the now empty boat they were chasing. "When we get to the dock, someone will be up there with towels and blankets to keep you safe. More to hide your traits for the moment." They looked confused as they waited for him to say more.
"Go and run into that building. The man in there will keep you safe. I will follow you in with your bags." They sprinted away as Dave sighed. They were gone for a few seconds as he was hit with the spotlight from the helicopter.
"Halt. We are from the exterminators and we need to know where those kids just went." A voice boomed from a helicopter as Dave grabbed their bags. "We are warning you before we do a full sweep of the area and demolish several things in our path." The boss shouted into the speaker system as Dave stood on the end of the dock. Just holding the three bags.
"I don't know what kids you are talking about." Dave stayed still as the beam of light went all over the harbor, looking for a spot to land. "I wouldn't really tell you guys if I did, I make too much for that." He started walking inward to the warehouse as the helicopter landed in an empty parking lot as three men marched out.
The kids were inside as Mr. Lark and Dante were standing next to the doorway waiting for them. "This is my son, he will be with you guys until I give the all clear signal, watch how he wraps himself in his blanket." He handed each kid a blanket as Dante swaddled himself covering the top of his head, his back and the rest of his body outside of his legs. They all matched him flawlessly as Mr. Lark walked to a wall. Pressing it in a specific spot. The wall popped out as it revealed a small round room with a couch and a table. There were bottles of water everywhere as the kids sprinted inwards outside of Dante. "Hide in this room for a bit. I promise it'll be safe." They nodded as they went inside. Mr. Lark closed the door as his son entered.
Dave opened the door as he stood waiting for the three burly men to enter. "Ah, guests of honor, Lark, are you ready to say hello to our well established guests?" Mr. Lark laughed as the three men entered.
"Mr. Lark, we think your associate is hiding hybrids that we have been tracking, it has been a few days of a trek and they are worth a lot of money. One singular feather from them would be at least ten thousand dollars to the right bidder." The steam pressed suit in the middle stepped forward. His black cap and suit reflected his attitude. "Or else we may have to make this place look like an accident happened. And we wouldn't like any accidents would we?" The two men flanking him looked around the building, all that was on the main level was a bunch of shipping containers and a corner filled with basic living things, a tv, table, chairs and a microwave on a counter.
"I don't know what's funnier. The fact once upon an age I used to be one of you. That's how I got into the shipping business, or, just maybe. The tiniest bit. You think you are the ones walking out of here if there is an, accident." Lark cracked his knuckles as he smiled. "But, what do I know, I'm just a retired has been. I make a few calls and you don't come back, sound like a deal? The only kid that's here is mine. So what's that saying Dave?"
"Don't mess with a man that has nothing left to lose?" Dave smiled as he walked over to the table and set the bags down. Noticing one of the metal orbs as it whispered to him. He let it be for a moment as he sat in a chair next to it.
"I have a family that I am alive to protect. You wouldn't be able to stop me if you tried, you maybe could bully some tribal warriors. But taking on a professional. That would be a shame." Lark laughed.
"Who said anything about kids?" The man tipped his cap and set it to the side as the three associates flanked Lark from all three sides. "So, where are they, or this gets. Ugly." The metallic ball fell to the ground as the four of them felt the air turn tense. It rolled over to them and stayed still in the center. "Now what's your master plan? A fake bomb?"
"No, it's a real punch." Lark launched a right jab into the chest of the man as it shattered a rib. The man stumbled back as Lark pulled his hands in and tapped the inside of his coat. Spines appeared all on the outside of his back as the men grabbed onto him. Piercing their skin as they reeled back. The spines stayed as Lark reached into his coat and pulled on gloves.
The man stumbled forward. "You use their tactics and abilities against patriotic humans?" He stood taller as he pulled a blade out from his side.
"More like scum of the earth." Lark waited for him to get closer as he clapped. A shockwave of electricity filled the air around the four of them. Shocking the two men behind him as Lark ran forward. Each quick jab he threw disabled a part of the man's body with the electricity pulsing through his body. The man collapsed to the ground as the other two colleagues stayed on the ground behind Lark. "Now, do we have a change of heart? Or do I still need to make some phone calls? I can only imagine what their first question will be." Lark pulled a revolver from his side out as he cocked the hammer and rested it against the man's skull. "Are you a betting man? I'd wager they ask how much they need to clean up, and how much am I willing to pay."
"I will be back with an army." The man growled as a gunshot rang out.
"I don't think you will be." Lark lifted the revolver from the man's skull as his body twitched. He turned around as the men behind him had the spines in their bones as they were crawling deeper. "I can make the pain stop. Will you be like him and come back? Or do you want to suffer?" Lark smiled as both men spit into his face. "Dave get the mop. Oh, and which crate is open?"
"Lot four, crate thirty seven." Dave nodded as he started to walk into the warehouse behind a few crates. There was silence in the air as Lark shook his head.
"I swore to my wife I was done from this life, me and my son could live in peace, now." He spun the revolver chamber. "You three have dragged me back into it. Austin, Andrew. Bring crate thirty seven from lot four, set it in front of the door. I need it to be opened before you put it down." He waited a moment as he had a confirming buzz.
"Take these needles out of us or I will kill you myself." Tanner shook on the ground.
"Nah, you'll die from blood loss by the time anything else happens." A thud was heard outside the door as Andrew and Austin came in to see the three men on the ground and Dave with the mop bucket. "Cool, you guys are getting bonuses today. You didn't see anything, now grab these two fools right here by their feet and drag them into the container. Your boss had to resort to some. Old methods." The two men laughed as their neon orange vests shined in the room as their navy blue jumpsuits underneath made them almost indistinguishable from each other, outside of one of them having curly hair.
Lark grabbed the officer by his feet as he tossed him in there first. Andrew and Austin followed suit with each of them. They closed the container door as the screams became muffled. "Won't someone hear those screams?" Austin asked.
"Ha, nah, they will be long dead before we drop them in the ocean. Just put it back on the top. Or bury them in lot four. I don't really care, oh. And the bonuses." Lark reached into his back pocket and pulled out one thousand dollars for each of them. "Thanks for the incredible work boys." His spines in his jacket went down. "And unless you want to end up like those fools. This doesn't leave the warehouse. Kapeash?" Both Andrew and Austin nodded as they exited the door. Returning to work and dropping the container off back at its spot.
Lark went outside to the helicopter, its blades were off as the pilot was sitting there humming. "How much for you to fly away and pretend this place doesn't exist?"
"What place?" The pilot laughed as Lark did too. "On a serious note, I need to get fuel for this bad boy, they stretched me thin, thank god I charge up front for rental time. They almost went over."
"How much do you need for fuel to get back?" Lark asked as the pilot put up two fingers. He sighed. "Tonights been expensive." he handed over the two hundred dollars as the pilot gave a thumbs up. He started his engines before he began to press a few buttons on his console to request fueling from the nearest airport. Lark walked back inside as the man lifted off and away. "To think what Martha would do in this spot. I wouldn't change a thing, and neither would she." He opened the door as Dave was finished mopping the blood from the concrete. "They are going to have hope once again, to believe my mission went from killing and collecting to now protecting and rebelling. God how long was the destruction of that base?"
"Twelve years ago? Man, feels like a blur, but those two years after that went down, that was fast timing it." Dave and Lark laugh as the two look to the safe room wall. "How much do you want to bet the four are all passed out." Lark chuckled. "My place is in the middle of nowhere, I'll live in the god awful building you call a home for a few months so they can run around."
"You'd do that for me, that's so sweet. We got so much to fucking do tonight, did you bring it tonight?" Lark looked up at him.
"Top right cupboard, its where I keep all the caffeine powder at. Just, like, don't go overboard." Dave looked at him with a straight face as they both broke into laugher. "Ah shit it sucks to become an old man." Dave and Lark both sat down in the chairs in the corner of the warehouse as they planned for what was to be next.
"Well, the kid's safety is what needs to be prioritized. I could do most of this from your home office if you can run the front here. Until the kids are old enough to fend for themselves enough to the point they don't need to be monitored on an hourly basis." Lark looked at the schematics they sketched. "Hell, we could allocate resources more efficiently than we are and both provide help to the hybrids who are in need of it, while also keeping Center City happy with export numbers. We can fudge the numbers and make things look fake." Lark wrote notes as fast as he could.
"I will take a two week 'vacation' to the hybrids, with the first shipment of goods to slowly rearm them and get them to the same standard we are all on. Once that happens, we then can tell them about the kids once they have our trust. I doubt they know of them." Dave wrote down a few more notes as he smiled. The door popped open as Dante walked out of the safe room.
"Dad, we need some food, they haven't ate all day." Dante drugged out as he stood next to his dad. He stood there still as he waited for a response. Dave looked over as he chuckled.
Lark smiled. "There is only one restaurant that is open at this time. I'll make the call, Alastos owes me a couple of favors yet." He pulled out his phone as he dialed a number. "Dave, do you want to walk with Dante and get the food?" Dave nodded as he could use the opportunity to stretch his legs. "Hey, I know its late. I hate to bother you, but if me asking for a favor is just me wanting some food, I think thats a fair trade off for what is owed to me." He spoke into the line as the other side of the line stayed silent for a moment. "I'll take double on all of this by the way." A groan was heard as Dave snickered. "I will take a chicken and shrimp rice bowl, chicken risotto, shrimp pasta, uh, shit what do the other kids want?" Dante shrugged as Lark looked over at them. "We will take two of each appetizer too. That should be enough." Lark held the phone father away from his ear.
"You jackass, this is what favor you ask of me?" The other side of the line was clear as Dave began to laugh. "Fuck you, fuck off, and it'll be thirty minutes." The man on the other side hung up as Lark joined Dave in his laughter. Lark wiped away a tear as he smiled.
"Cool, Dave pay it with the company card. I'll have it all laid out by the time you get back. Oh and you can take the cool car." Lark grabbed the keys from his inside jacket pocket as he tossed it to Dave who caught them. Dave walked to the doorway as he waved Dante to follow him. Dante waddled along as Dave walked next to him. The two entered the car as they drove off. Lark looked around at all the notes they had, the movement would have to be slow as he looked back where the metallic ball was. "I wonder what you are?" He lifted it from the ground as it felt weightless.
He brought it to the table as he pondered it and wondered what it could be. It cupped his hand as it pricked his thumb with an invisible tack. He dropped it onto the concrete floor as it shattered the ground. He saw in his mind what it wanted to create. Weapons catered to those who could use them in the darkest of moments. "You are an odd little thing. Can't let you get into the wrong hands now can we?" He picked it up and brought it upstairs to his office. Setting it on the printer, he walked away. "You seem like a smart thing. You'll figure out how to make them real."
He walked downstairs and looked at the safe room as all three of the kids were huddled together. "Martha, you would be so helpful, you knew kids weren't my strong suit." A deep sigh was let out as he jogged over and sat down in the doorway. "I can only think of what you feel like, and how you all feel neglected and left behind. So, I can only be honest. The world is a terrible and vicious place, they would happily take you from it and kill you two if they found you." He paused as he looked at Willow. "And you would die as collateral for protecting them." They all crept to the back wall as they felt cornered.
"My goal is equalizing the imbalance between hybrids and humans. It isn't my fault that the world hasn't moved past this." He paused for a moment. "Even my sin filled past can't bring me to admit my wrongs. So I want to do everything right from here on out." His body was animated as he smiled. "You two can't be older than what, eleven years old? Middle child, what's your name?"
"Willow Bijou." She squeaked out as she went back to wrapping her arms around the two. "You aren't going to hurt us or turn us in?" Lark scratched his head as it clicked.
"Kid, my past was full of killing, its my job from here on out to become a protector, for you, your friends, and for the rest of the world. Staining my hands in more blood is the opposite of what I will do. We are going to get you to the country side, and for about sevenish years, we will teach you what we can and train you as much as possible." He sighed. "I wish I was in my prime again, I could do so much more than just the behind the scenes actions. But until then I trust you three to learn and grow. My son Dante, he uh, is naturally like me, we will plan for things later. However, in the meantime." He slowly crept over. "I need to get you guys healthy." He stayed at their level, crouched down. His hand extended gently outward.
James bit it without hesitation as Lark reeled his hand back. "I should have expected that. Have any of you seen a doctor?" They tilted their heads in confusion as they looked at each other. "This is worse than I thought. So you haven't, no modern, nothing?" He talked to himself as he stood up and slowly backed away. "Stay, Dante will be back with food soon." They huddled next to each other as Lark instantly called someone after he left their earshot.
Dave and Dante walked into the front door into a corner restaurant as the neon sign above read "Alstofo's". Dave walked to the front register as he looked over and smiled. "Dante, some day, we will teach you how to play that game on the wall." The dart board stuck out as Dante's eyes glowed with excitement. "Ah, good old Al, what can I say other than thank you." He smiled as the fat stubby man with a black apron and black shirt stepped out of the back.
"I would have rather seen the man himself, no offense to the running mate for the best hunters I ever laid eyes on." Al started ringing in the order as he looked around. It seemed too empty for his liking. "Weirdly quiet night, full moon and everything, something amiss?" He looked at Dave as he shrugged.
"Weird night at the docks. Lark wasn't able to do all the paperwork himself. You know how it's been since the misses passed." Dave handed over the plastic card as Al swiped it through the register and handed it back. "Now we have a new project, lot larger long term than just a day to day operation." The doorbell went off as a large man standing at six foot six inches tall entered. A custom tailored suit still couldn't contain the weight of his muscles.
"Ah, there is the rookie hotshot. This guy might claim that greatest hunter title from you and Lark." Al handed over the food as Dave didn't grab it. He stared at the man as his eyes glowed with a fiery passion. "Stirring the pot, that's my fault."
"We retired because we are family men now Al. I won't tolerate you saying that quite yet." He motioned for Dante to grab the food as he lifted it down for him. Holding the appetizers in his left hand. "Quick thing to note kid. The glory, it's not worth the gore. Get rich, keep your morals. And get out. That's the one tip I'll give you." Dave walked past as he tapped the man on his back.
"No, I have a personal motive, not even to be the best. Those beasts took everything from me and my family years ago. I won't stop until they are eradicated." He grew a crooked smile. "Until those filthy animals are all euthanized. I won't stop." The man patted Dave's back as it pushed him out the door. Dante watched with curiosity as Dave whistled. Dante came running after him as they got in the car. Speeding back to the docks, everything that could unsettle Dave had, that man's ominous feeling lingered the entire car ride.
"Dave, is that man going to be okay?" Dante asked as the entire car ride was silent until they parked back at the docks.
"No, and he will be a problem for many years into the future." Dave opened up the door as he grabbed all the food. "Now go tell your friends that you are here. I'll be right behind you." Dave wiped his forehead. A panic sweat. He hadn't had one since the jungles a few years back.
Fear filled his blood as he took deep breaths as he walked to the door, he noticed other cars in the parking lot rather than the few workers. He cracked open the door to see three people standing next to Lark as he took two steps forward as they turned to face him. He saw their faces and laughed. "Lark acting this serious since Felusia is definitely new." The three smiled as Dave set the food down for the kids to feast.
"Good to see you too Dave." The kids scurried around the woman as they looked at the styrofoam boxes with food. They grabbed the bags and ran into the safe room. Her red hair was tangled as her purple robe wrapped her. "Mario called about needing healthcare under the books. Didn't tell me it was them." She pointed to the kids as they devoured the food around them. "Once I arrived I was hooked. They haven't been still enough for us to examine them."
"They also bite if you get too close." Another lady raised her hand, crimson red running from it. Her long black hair dropped to her waist as her grey hoodie offset her silky white leggings. "The one who doesn't bite is Willow Bijou. Her records came back clean from one of the southern tribes." The lady held a tablet in her off hand. "She is thirteen in a few days. So older than the other two, however, this is where the tricky part was."
The third man was fully dressed up in his light blue scrubs, square glasses resting on his face as he still had all of his examination utensils in his bag. A white overcoat covered his body with a name tag that read 'Jefferson'. "If the story is right. After the plantation was freed by someone and the accident at the facility like you said Lark. Those kids should be about another foot taller than they are and twice the weight. I can't say malnourishment. But a lack of a full diet and spectrum. I will have something for them to start taking to boost their growth." The man looked into his bag as he pulled out a notebook and began to write meal times and plans.
"We should also get them home while its still dark." Dave mentioned. "Their features are a very telling sign. We can't risk even new hunters to find them. Let alone the few veteran hunters left. This new wave has this kid named Bane, dude is built like a brick house and will be in his prime. While these kids could be maybe eighteen, twenty at best before they face him." Dante popped his head out for a moment when his name was mentioned. They all nodded and agreed. "Lark you got plans?"
"After I called these three I went upstairs, that orb that rolled around had some impressive weapon blueprints, way beyond anything designed by anyone here, I think we build some, test alot. And hand them down when they are perfected. It has a type of weapon for every type of animal on there and synergies. Whoever had these kids, not only had to be the one to take the facility down. But is some otherworldly person with tech that is so far advanced than the rest of ours." Lark pointed up to the office as the light from the printer illuminated the room.
"You are shitting me, is that dude a myth or are you making that up?" The male doctor asked.
"We were on patrol when the facility was attacked. Someone used stealth tech and got inside of this government operation and testing house of the hybrids. Classified and black lined. We ended up stopping by and heard the commotion, there was someone, in a suit of armor that was bending light around it. And he had giant wings to protect him. He was just gathering information. The guards were then communicating to their headquarters about a detonation. We got out. By the time we left. Building was already being hit by mortar rounds, fake news was that it was a power plant that went up." Dave pulled up a chair and sat down.
"We waited for it to end. After it did, we helped who was alive. It wasn't many. Rubble and wreckage made any data retrieval impossible. But the government needed to shut everyone up with their experiments." Lark looked over to the kids as they were drifting to sleep slowly. "That's the day where I learned saving a life is better than taking them. We didn't quite quit then and there. Had to file the paperwork and nonsense, but the survivors are just put up around here for the lighthouse workers. They still can't believe what happened." An orb fell to the ground as Lark froze.
"Is that a different orb than the one with the blueprints?" Dave pointed to it as Lark nodded yes. "It wants us to see something, the knowledge of what was happening?" The orb glowed green as Dave looked over. "The kids are asleep, my power worked finally. Thank god for Dante keeping that controller with him."
"Allison, Amanda and Roger. Take the kids to Dave's house in the sticks. We need to uh. Do a lot of paperwork and get the lighthouse crew on board." Lark picked up the orb as a small slot allowed for a cord to be plugged in. "This night is never going to end will it?" Dave gave a light chuckle as both of them went to the office. Roger picked up Willow and Dante as each of the others gently picked up James and Angel, they moved through the night life of the city and drove for hours. Reaching Dave's home as they brought the kid's inside and carefully took measurements.
Roger left detailed feeding notes for Lark to follow. Allison and Amanda both recommended getting custom fitted clothes and to find a tailor who can keep secrets. Once they left the air became still. The kids slept together in a pile on Dave's bed.
Dave and Lark however reviewed every file, every image, and every text. It spanned more than seven hours of video alone. The two were overwhelmed with what they had to do and what could be done. They realized it was time to be the first lynchpin in something far greater than either of them could imagine.