Destroyer

Chapter 5

"This is so much better than walking but-don't you think the minigun attached is a bit overkill?"

Sharky was blasting who knows what on his "borrowed" car's radio with Nayeli sitting idly in the passenger's seat. She glanced to the back seat before outstretching her hand to rub the belly of the overgrown house cat that was sprawled out. Peaches purred approvingly.

"Oh, don't worry, that baby is state of the art, Peggie-ass kicking edition. Only fired it once but man, you should've seen them Peggie's run." Sharky laughed. Nayeli cracked a smile as she glanced out of the passenger window. They had left the County Jail a few hours prior, Sharky, Peaches and herself heading up north while Grace and Boomer headed back to the Valley to keep their ear to the ground for news on Hudson. They had just entered the Whitetail National Park, supposedly dubbed "Jacob's" when Nayeli began to feel a bit on edge.

Every hundred feet or so...there would be a body strung up in some god-awful form. Like it was a warning. It was hard to ignore, just how twisted these cultists really were. But that was theiractions, their zealous beliefs, not Jacob's. Or so she hoped. She reminded herself of their conversation in the cemetery when she accused him of following along with Joseph's crazy beliefs. He had his doubt, but his bond with his brother seemed to be stronger than any doubt he had.

Back to the matter at hand, however. Before leaving the Jail, she had sent out word to the Whitetails that she wanted to meet. Dutch would be pleased she was finally seeking them out as according to him, they were the best shot at defeating the cult. Nayeli picked up the radio's com, roaring with the sound of static as she switched it on. She tried turning the dials but nothing. Huffing, she took out her portable radio, trying to find a signal. Same thing.

"They're blocking communications." Because of course, what was she expecting? Jacob was ex-military. He knew the ins and outs of how to disrupt enemy forces. She placed the radio back in her bag, pulling out a map from her supply bag. Her fingers traced the roads before settling on one point.

"We're close to the rendezvous point. Maybe we should go by foot from here? Draw less attention?"

Sharky grinned, "I don't know if you've noticed Nay, but attention is my middle name."

Both Nayeli and Peaches groaned at Sharky's joke as he pulled off to the side of the road and proceeded to exit.

Their destination was a plateau some ways west. They marched for about twenty minutes when Peaches began to act up. Nayeli knelt down beside the agitated cougar, gently stroking her head. "What is it, girl?"

Nayeli jumped back as Peaches began to snarl, her eyes fixated on one direction where the treeline became dense. Sharky, standing beside her raised his gun in caution. Only until Nayeli saw movement in the trees did she draw her bow. The figures approached cautiously, their guns raised as they emerged.

Right away, Nayeli felt relieved. These were no Peggies. There were two women and one man in total. A woman with red hair spoke first, "Lower your weapons and identify yourself."

Nayeli stepped forward, as she glared at both Sharky and Peaches to stand down. "I am Junior Deputy Nayeli Lamb of the Hope County's Sheriff Department. These are my companions, Sharky Boshaw and...well-we just call her Peaches."

The man spoke next, "What are you doing in this area?"

"I am here to meet with Eli Palmer. We agreed to a meeting in an area near here."

The two that had already spoken looked to the other woman. She was a bit curvier than the other woman and had short dirty blonde hair. She must be the one in charge in this current situation. She nodded to the others, "We'll take you to him. But you must surrender your weapons and put these on. Can't risk anyone knowing the location of the Wolf's Den." She reached into one of the compartments on her vest and took out what appeared to be ski-masks and zip ties.