Run Away Mad Dog

CHAPTER IV: The Future Meets the Past

CHAPTER IV

The Present Meets the Past

2037

The attack was only hours ago, the child with me now calls herself Claudia. She's someone from my past, but my objective now must be fulfilled for my past self to meet her in the future.

We sit as I write this in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by bushland and the creatures that own this strange, post-apocalyptic world. It feels familiar in a way which scares me.

Chloe Blackheart warned me of the confusing nature of time travel. She was the one who led me here and enlightened me about Jane and to not trust her...

"Can we please light a fire?" Claudia asked politely, her limbs visibly shaking from the cold winter air. She was covered only in old clothes, a heavy oversized Eclipse jacket, she huddled within its fabric to keep warm.

The Vulture looked up from the book he was reading, snapping it shut with one hand. As he did, his masked face, resembling one of Scarlett's men, with breathing tubes on the side of its cheeks released visible steam as his distorted voice spoke through the voice modulator. "No."

Claudia's face scrunched in disappointment, while the Vulture returned his gaze to the book, seemingly engrossed in its pages. However, Claudia wasn't deterred. She continued her plea, her fluffy blonde ears perking up as she spoke softly. "If I die, it's your fault. Getting me out of that place would have been a waste of time."

The Vulture snapped the book shut once more, tucking it securely under his armour as he stood up with a sigh. "Fine."

Claudia's gaze followed the dark figure as he walked towards the nearest tree. He reached for a low branch, and as he did, Claudia felt her skin crawl. Metallic wings, still stained with Eclipse soldiers' blood, began to emerge from the loose black hanging cloth on his back.

The mechanical joints extended down the Vulture's legs like intricate building blocks, fanning out to form the wings that resembled the terrifying sight she had witnessed in the lab. They rose from behind the Vulture, extending over his shoulders, and the cloth that concealed the folded-up wings was now packed away, revealing a back plate made of unknown materials, bewildering Claudia.

Her eyes widened as she witnessed the intricate movements of the wings. As the wings rose to the branch he held, their feathered edges slicing through the thick branches like a pair of scissors. Intrigued and filled with curiosity, she tilted her head, observing the wings spread to reveal the ends of small yet powerful pistons hidden within the covered back plate.

Her mind swirled with questions, and she couldn't help but voice one of them. "Are your wings alive?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.

The Vulture took a moment to respond, his wings continuing their chopping motion, causing larger pieces of wood to fall onto the snow while he caught the smaller twigs with his hands. "In a way," he replied cryptically.

Claudia, sitting on the fallen log, shivered, waiting as patiently as she could for the fire to warm her freezing body. Her feet were numb, tucked within the heavy jacket she wore. Seeking more understanding, she inquired further, "How do you control them?"

The Vulture remained silent; his attention focused on the control panel that operated his wrist-mounted flamethrower. He manipulated the controls with a series of movements, opening a little valve he let a mysterious fluid drip onto the sticks before flicking a switch sending the flames into an erupted fireball, towering above Claudia's height. The warmth washed over her, offering solace from the biting cold.

"You're welcome," the Vulture grunted through the voice modulator, sitting down on his side of the fireplace.

As the fire crackled, casting dancing shadows upon their faces, Claudia couldn't help but feel an urge to seek answers. She stared at the Vulture's mask, pondering her next question as she watched the steam release after each breath from the Vultures mask. With a mixture of curiosity and courage, she finally spoke up, "Why did you save me from that place?"