Night 63: Road to/from Doyleton

[dividedby]

[From here.]

But being outside was probably just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than it was being trapped inside the bus with that nurse.

Besides the many other deformed nurses that were roaming around here, Zero caught sight of numerous forms flying overhead, casting large shadows on the ground as they passed by. They looked like...eagles. But deformed and horrific-looking, just like the nurses. At first, they seemed content to simply circle overhead, screeching, like vultures swarming above a carcass. But then many of them suddenly swooped down and headed straight for some of the prisoners running in the street.

Kind of like the one flying at Zero right now.

"Kh--!" The once-Reploid barely managed to dodge the monster as it dived for him by falling to the ground and rolling back onto his feet. The bird flew upwards again, slowly flapping its wings, then circled around as if to try again, another eagle joining it. To avoid them, Zero quickly moved out of the open, where he was obviously a target, and circled around one of the buses, keeping his back to it for cover. But he knew he wasn't going to be safe here...not when there were nurses on the ground and so many eagles above.

Not since the night he had become temporarily stronger had there been so much visible chaos... And if that one prisoner hadn't started a riot, this wouldn't be happening right now...!

As he stood contemplating the best route for escape, Zero glanced around quickly, searching the fleeing prisoners for anyone familiar or anyone who might need help. He was defenseless, so protecting someone else would only get him so far (and he certainly didn't want a repeat of two nights ago), but they all might have a better chance of survival if they grouped up...

[Leanne, Lana, and Harvey, WHERE YOU AT.]

Comments

[age_of_kings]

It was mad chaos, but Tolten kept his hand firmly gripped 'bout Locke's. He held to the other man like a lifeline, something real and solid and unchanging. He needed that anchor.

And once they were beneath the dark sky - thank the ancestor he had a coat! - he was treble glad he had done so. He heard them before he saw them, though he was aware from the yelling and other outcries that outside wasn't any safer than inside. But he had assumed...they were so far from the institute itself!

"Locke..."

The young king rolled his eyes upward, a plaintive tone in his voice. The flapping of great leathery wings and the screech of raptors on the hunt chilled his blood in his veins. The things blocked out the stars, circling and calling above. All around the evidence of attacks were apparent, some other groups already engaged in battle with the things.

They had no choice to run, but where? They were in the open, and within a moment one of the things would have his scent....

[kings_thief]

Locke heard them and felt the change in the air before he even recognized what they were. "Shit!" They were out in the open, unprotected, unarmed, and the only reason they'd been able to hold off one of those ugly things before was because they'd had their powers back. They were completely vulnerable.

There were only two options Locke could think of: stand and try to fight...somehow, or keep running and hope they could get away with their lives. His first instinct was to protect Tolten, send him on and distract the thing, but that wasn't going to work in this case; the birds didn't want Locke, they only wanted his friend.

His hand tightened around Tolten's, hoping the contact would bring some sort of, small, comfort. "Just...Just keep running, we can't fight them. Don't worry, I won't let it get you!"

[age_of_kings]

No, Tolten thought to himself, Locke wouldn't let it get him. He gripped the other man's hand tightly and took off, squaring his jaw and circulating his breathing. There were ways to run without expanding as much energy. Gods he wished he had a sword! Or even the pipe! Anything other than just the speed of his feet!

But they had no other choice. The damned things were swooping and screaming and he swore he felt the brush of a fetid talon against his hair as they bolted away from the buses. At least one had taken note of him and was out for blood. The young king shuddered, the fear of being rent apart by raptorial rage spurring him to encourage his body beyond its limits.

"We have to get to town!"

[kings_thief]

This wasn't working. They were running as fast as they could and the damn things were still hot on their heels; they might as well have just been standing there, waiting. One came too close and Locke could swear he felt his heart stop for fear it was going to get Tolten and break the treasure hunter's promise. It missed and Locke could breathe again, but he knew it would be coming back.

He looked toward the town, willing it to suddenly be closer, as he had that sort of magic, and his mind raced with what he could remember of the town, trying to think of a suitable place to hide. "Anything with cover would work!" As he glanced back to his companion, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the bird-monster coming up on them, ready to slice Tolten open with one of it's talons.

Without a second thought, he released Tolten's hand and pushed the other man out of the way of the attack, putting himself in the line-of-fire instead. A searing pain ripped across his shoulder as the bird's talon grazed him and he cried out. One hand instinctively shot up to cover the wound as his diverted momentum forced him to one knee. He knew he couldn't stay here, had to get up. He had to protect Tolten.

[age_of_kings]

What was the matter with Locke? Of all the foolish, idiotic, thoughtless....

Tolten rolled off to the side of the road, tucking his body and scrambling to right himself. His hand closed over a rock and he held it as he rose, bits of dirt and dead leaves clinging to his coat and gloves. Never-mind cover, that would only leave him pinned and trapped! If running had failed, all they could do was fight.

"I'm over here, you great ugly pervert!" The young king angled his body, his right shoulder drawing back as he shifted the stone in his hand for a more comfortable grip. The foul beast, blood falling in fat droplets from its talon, screamed and whipped its head round.

Tolten paused for only a moment to take a deep breath and narrow his eyes. Then he surged forward, his arm curving forcefully and the rock flying from his head towards the creature's eye.

[kings_thief]

The sound of Tolten calling for the bird's attention brought Locke back into focus and prompted him to push the thought of the pain aside. They were still in danger, they needed to keep running. He looked up in time to see the rock sail towards the monster and hit it's mark causing the bird to reel back and screech.

That was their cue.

Locke ran over to Tolten, made a point to grab his hand with the treasure hunter's non-bloody one, and tugged on him to prompt him back into running. "Come on, while it's distracted. We can get there." There was a chance, anyway, he had to believe they could get to safety.

[age_of_kings]

Oh thank all the powers that watched over every facet of mankind!

Tolten didn't hesitate, throwing his body forward and clutching Locke's hand as they bolted once more. They would be alright, they could do this. He was sure of it! No matter how dark, things turned out alright in the end. The young king had to believe that!

And as soon as they found cover and proper shelter, he would see to Locke's wound. He had no magic, but he knew enough of battle training to dress and clean a wound. They would rest wherever they found shelter and perhaps be able to search for useful supplies.

Indoors.

[kings_thief]

As soon as he had Tolten's hand in his, Locke kept his focus on the town they were quickly approaching. His shoulder burned and ached, but he could still hear those monsters behind them, there was no time to think about it.

"We're almost there. We'll make it."

[To here]