The Corrupted Soul

Chapter 19

The snarling behind me died out ten minutes ago, but I was still running full tilt. I hoped I was running towards the city, if I wasn't I was truly lost deep in the wilderness.

I clutched Martian close to my chest still, as if letting go of him would make him disappear. In reality, I was running faster than what should be possible even for a Crawler, and him falling would result in severe injury if not death. I'm not letting you die a second time.

As much as I wanted to stop to let him calm down, I knew if I did I probably wouldn't be able to start going again. The scent of the city was barely coming to me, but it was there. The run that had taken me hours before had now only taken me twenty minutes. I was half afraid of my own speed, it just wasn't natural. I knew if I stopped I would be too exhausted to even hope to start again.

The splitting headache I had gained just after I started running hadn't let up any, but thankfully the black haze had retreated slowly but steadily since leaving their territory, and now there were just the fainted tinges in the corners of my eyes. I was put on edge by everything, as I thought back. The scream, the sudden burst of speed, the hallucinations? Flashes of the lab kept appearing in my vision and mind, and I hated it.

I was not a Lurker. The others had made sure of that, had they not? The long process of curing and re-infecting my body showed for it, and the faint scars on my temples and elbows from the spines and horns were a permanent reminder alongside the constant nightmares and avoidance of my triggers.

I had to remember the conversation Clem and I had after I had woken up though. The fact my body was technically dead when they had cured me meant it was quite likely some of the Lurker cells could still remain. Nothing had happened for two years, so we had more or less stopped being cautious. I'm sure this is just a bad coincidence...

Some of the tallest buildings in this side of the city were now visible through the occasional gap in the trees, even as they continued to thin out. Martian barked up at me, and I snapped my head down to look at him, I could swear there was an audible crack from my neck because not only did I feel the stiff joints finally move from being locked in place, but Martian jumped somewhat.

Staring at him seemed to force my instincts into hiding, or at the very least whatever was keeping me moving at otherworldly speeds. Almost instantaneously the strain from the sprint shot through my Crawler legs like white-hot needles down my tendons, forcing me to stumble to a halt with a sharp gasp.

I fell to my knees because my Crawler legs gave out completely, clearly pissed at me for abusing them like this, and now they were going on strike. I winced at the steadily growing pain, my Crawler legs were completely limp and refused to do more than twitch. I couldn't even find the energy to retract them.

I looked down at Martian, who promptly licked my cheek. I chuckled as I wiped my face, "Good to know you're okay buddy. I thought you were going to be more afraid after...that."

He stood on shaking legs, but his tail wagged furiously. Reluctantly, I released my grip from him and he shook his fur out vigorously. I sighed heavily, "I feel you there buddy, you're just coated in dirt and grime..."

I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, "I can't believe I almost fell for their trap. Or...whatever they were doing."

Martian whined and trotted back up to me, I pat his side, "Don't worry, if they come back, they won't be finding you."

I looked up at the city, it was still a ten minute walk away, I could have ran that in several seconds if only my limbs still functioned. I half growled, and half sighed as I stood up. My back felt heavy with the unretracted Crawler legs, but I at least was still able to walk.

Thankfully Matian knew to follow me and not go running off, I likely wouldn't be able to follow him like this if he had. I felt sweat rolling down my forehead though it was still freezing cold out here. I must have tired myself out more than I realized.

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As much as I hated the thought of explaining what happened to anyone, I knew it was inevitable. I also realized it was best to not go to Olive first for obvious reasons. Clementine would at least be the most reasonable and likely would provide some insight that hadn't occurred to me. On the other hand, I had no idea what time it was, and she might be trying to go to bed.

It was winter though, and the sun hadn't set too long ago if I remembered correctly, and that would mean it shouldn't be later than seven o'clock. The streetlights were brighter than I thought they needed to be, and the cracked sunglasses had come down as soon as I could see them. Thank God I remember Clem's address.

Her three cats were no doubt already hiding somewhere as I approached the building, being able to somehow sense a Crawler in the area was a talent felines always seemed to possess, so hopefully Clementine already had an idea of who was outside.

I rang the doorbell hesitantly and gingerly stretched my Crawler legs, which loudly protested the motion. I wasn't stupid enough to bring Martian here, I had gone to Olive's house and let him in before quickly coming here. Hopefully she wasn't home when I did, but I couldn't be sure.

Seconds ticked by painfully slowly, I had almost wondered if Clem decided to pull out some more overtime at the lab, before I finally heard footsteps within approaching the door. I heard a faint gasp and the door was frantically unlocked and opened, she must have looked through the peephole.

Her hair was somewhat damp and she still smelled of soap, she must have showered when she got home. Based on that and when her shift ended, it had to be around seven thirty. She stared at me with wide eyes, "What on earth happened to you?!"

My tone was exasperated and dry, "It is a long story."

"I assume you came to tell said story?"

I simply nodded as she stepped aside to allow me in. My Crawler legs still dragged against the floor behind me, she undoubtedly noticed. I saw one of her cats run from under the living room couch and down the hall somewhere to escape my presence in a grey and white ball. Even with the cat physically gone, I had to breathe through my mouth to avoid the bulk of the overpowering feline scent, "You really need to air this place out."

The door was once more locked when she walked towards me, "Well, I don't commonly have Crawlers as house guests."

I snorted in annoyance, "I'm hardly here by choice. After what I've been through I would much rather go to the treehouse and collapse."

She sat on the nearby couch, looking visibly concerned. This felt like a reversal of the time I had to convince her to go home, except this time the topic at hand wasn't overworking oneself, but instead why I went missing for a day and a half and returned utterly exhausted.

I again slowly tried to stretch out my Crawler legs with a shudder, "Okay, let me start from the beginning."