The Mutation Wave

Chapter 22: Panic In The Motel

William fidgetted uncomfortably, trying to shake off the numbness in his calves. He was never good at doing the Asian squat, despite being of Asian heritage himself. He glanced over to Brett, who was looking way too comfortable in his half kneeling position. Masako squatted conspicuously beside him, engaging in lively conversation.

"That's odd. Why's there so much activity?" William muttered, looking in the distance with his binoculars.

"You know what I think is odd?" Yuxia said. "The fact that an ordinary bandit group has a whole motel building to themselves in the first place. Most of them usually occupy abandoned warehouses."

"We're going closer to hear what they're saying," Brett stated, before moving from their hidden position. He weaved between the trees and tall grass expertly, his clothes blending in almost perfectly with the surroundings. Masako followed behind, sticking out even more with her awkward movements.

"Since when did those two get all buddy-buddy?" William raised an eyebrow.

"Since last night, apparently," Yuxia replied absent-mindedly. "He was showing her how to craft a bow in the dining hall. Pretty romantic gesture, if you ask me."

"How'd you know-"

"They're on high alert," Brett's voice interrupted him in his earpiece. "Apparently all of their kidnapped children somehow escaped. Can't really make out what else they are saying though."

"You might want to move," Yuxia stepped back, shooting a grappling hook from her palm and leaping away onto a nearby tree.

"What- WOAAH!" William gasped as a black truck suddenly appeared from his side behind the tall grass. He scrambled backwards from the large automobile but its engine cut off suddenly. The vehicle slowed to a halt just before it hit him.

"You're welcome." Masako appeared out of nowhere and winked at him. She opened the back doors to a small group of teenage girls huddling together. Their faces were blackened with dirt and some of their clothes were torn. The girls stared at both of them, shivering in fear.

"Uhm... hi." William smiled and waved awkwardly. "Do you happen to come from that motel by any chance?"

They continued staring at him, refusing to utter a word.

"Masako, a little help here," William called out.

"Brett, come back. You might want to see this," Masako spoke with a finger to her ear.

"It's okay, we won't hurt you," William said as gently as possible, but they still ignored him. Sarcasm laced his tongue as he started to lose a little patience. "I didn't know bandits are into deaf children these days."

"Don't be so mean." Masako put her hands on her hips. "Can't you see they're afraid?"

Brett scurried to the back of the vehicle. "What is it, Hayashi san- Ceci!"

"Brother!" Ceci jumped out from the truck and ran into Brett's arms.

"Oh thank god! Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"

Ceci shook her head, burying her tear streamed face in her brother's shoulder. Yuxia jumped down from her tree and landed in front of them, causing a few girls to flinch at her inhuman looking suit.

"Are these the captives?" she asked.

"Yeah, you wanna take off your helmet to say hi? I know it's all new and shiny, but it does look kinda scary," William said.

"Says the guy who designed and made it," Yuxia said in a dry tone. "Besides, the sun is still up. In case you forgot, people like me can't expose our skin to the sun."