X-TERMS

Chapter 8: A journey towards hell

Foxe looked at the shoddy building with its cracked windows and obviously barely hanging door and nodded acceptingly, this would do to keep them safe. It was hidden close to the gate they would go through but not close enough that any one would go into it.

"Foxe!"whispered Nox sharply,"You can't be serious! This hell hole is where we are spending the night!? Why can't we have a nicer place?"

"Because dumbass!"Foxe rolled his eyes,"We don't need Colt or his shitty friends finding out I'm alive and well..or mostly well."

As he said this he suddenly felt the weight of Alex's body on his still healing one. When this first started she was light as a feather and now it was like he had the whole world on his back now and it made his knees weak and he groaned softly.

"Fine! Fine!"groaned Nox,"Making me rethink kicking ass!"

Nox dragged him into the shoddy looking one story building got their room key and went straight to the room assigned. With the help of Nox he got Alex onto one of the bed in the room with a noisy creak of the springs. Nox then began to poke and prod at him gently, studying his wounds.

"God dammit Nox! Yes it hurts still!"growled Foxe and gently but firmly backhanded Nox in the chest.

"Ow asshole! I'm just doing my job! Now lay down and go to sleep!"snapped Nox as he lay on the other bed.

Rest..right that's what he needed badly right now. He lay down next to Alex and watched as she gently breathed and her eyes moved back and forth. He moved a few hairs off her face and then layer back and let sleep take him.

"Alex we need to be careful with Foxe,"said Nox's voice.

"He's not a child Nox and he's stronger than us both! Stop worrying we are here to have his back if needed!"came Alex's hushed voice.

Foxe tried to pretend to sleep but he knew that wasn't gonna happen as soon as Genovia padded onto his chest and sat down. He could feel her eyes on him and he hoped she wasn't going to anything.

"I know you're awake Nox now get up or I'll smother you,"She said suddenly jumping on his face and covering it with her belly.

"SON OF A BITCH!"Foxe yelled sitting up quickly which shot pain into his reset ribs and he gasped.

"Serves you right for being a sneak,"said Genovia holder her chin up to the ceiling proud of herself.

"I wished I'd had a dog instead,"Foxe growled at her.

Just as Genovia pounced at his face claws ready to rend his flesh Alex grabbed her and held her like a baby rubbing her belly.

"Now be nice Foxe, get up and get dressed. It's time to go."said Alex nuzzling Genovia.

Outside of the 50 foot gate were two guards. Nothing new to Foxe seeing as he knew that guards were placed at every gate for protection or as punishment. This was for protection this time seeing as the gate led to sector 67, destroyed by monster attacks.

He, Nox and Alex who held Genovia walked up the guards leaving their hoods up and both guards lowered they're staves at the group to stop them

"Hey back up! No one beyond this point except X-Terms!"growled a guard.

"Look Private we need to go this way and you are to tell no one,"Foxe held out his X-Terms ID,"No one! Not even the higher ups!"

The guards looked at his ID and immediately straightened into a salute,"Captain Leonard! Sorry, sir. Didn't recognize you!"

"Keep it down stupid!"whispered Foxe and slid both guard a grip of money,"Remember you didn't see shit or the next thing you'll be guarding is the gate to the afterlife!"

As quickly and quietly as they could the group slipped through the door in the gate and stepped out into carnage, removed their hoods and stared in disbelief. Crumbled buildings and constantly burning fires,most likely from Salamanders, still raged.

"Sweet gods above!"said Nox covering his mouth,"I knew the sectors were destroyed but this..this is just depressing! This place looks like a massive just exploded!"

"Foxe how long has this place been gone?"asked Alex holding Genovia tighter for comfort.

Foxe pulled out his guns and checked to make sure they were fully loaded he spun the clips and snapped them closed,"Two damn years. One of many X-Terms defeats. Now let's go we have a long and dangerous walk."

Foxe holstered the revolvers, readjusted his bag and took the first step on their journey towards the hell that waited for them. Nox looked at Alex and nodded, she nodded back and they followed after Foxe. No direction to follow and no knowing what waited for them.