The Eden Projects (EDITING)

Chapter 31. Those we Keep.

Zak's chest rose and fell in gentle waves as Fog rose to stand.

Ace paused. "Is he alright?"

Fog kicked Zak's arm, it twitched and settled. "He went for the gun."

Kasper grimaced. There wasn't much he could say. Whatever pain the bullets were causing felt like jagged glass being pumped through his veins. Cutting up the delicate pathways with a self indulgent masochism. It felt good being torn apart in such an odd way... He grimaced and said nothing at all. 

"You know, they aren't nearly as nice as me. The humans. They don't exactly have the best track record." Ace patted his side. "This is the weapon of the future. Made to hurt US. Not humans." Ace turned. "This is what they use. If you're buddy there got shot with this, it would be nothing more than a normal bullet." He crouched ahead of him. "Are you hearing me?"

"He's not my buddy." Kasper said softly. Anything harsher would have pushed up the blood gathering in his throat.

Ace's brow rose impossibly high. He looked to Zak. "Whether you like it or not, he's the only person left that cares about you regardless of what you do... Or don't do. I'd call that a buddy. Wouldn't you?" He paused. "I care about what you destroy. Don't confuse the two."

Kasper looked to Zak's limp self. Laid out in the mud in a pathetic heap. His eyes were burning. 

"Take him to the camp up the road. There are two of mine there. They have orders to shoot if you kill anyone else."

 "I only want you." He swallowed hard. "I know you... I saw you somewhere, I know I did... tell me what happened. What did I do?" 

"Like I said, I only care about what you destroy. I wonder why I was there..." 

Kasper sat back on his heels with a wheeze. 

"There's nowhere else to go now. Nowhere you have to run. No more roadtrips to take. When it's time for the next move I'll find you. I'm done dealing with humans, the rest of my dealings will be with you directly."

"Wait-" He scooted forward. His name is Ace. "Ace." 

Ace sniffed hard. Clearing his throat. "There's this saying my father used to turn over. It goes like so. "A lion who eats other lions finds it hard to live among them. Especially when he knows what they taste like. Especially when they act like sheep too." What do you make of it?" Ace stood still for a moment. "It'll come to you in the same way it came to me. Then we can really talk, for now, learn your differences. Humans, us, there are similarities sure. That's nature, but then there's what we nurture. Learn that, and then I'll let you in on the secret." 

An odd buzzing rang in Kasper's ears. He watched the two winged ones leave. Tires screeching against the wet asphalt, kicking up debris. The scent of burnt rubber mixed with the sharp tang of gasoline and he could barely comprehend what was said as his senses heightened.

The truck disappeared down the road in a fading red blip and before he knew it, he was once again alone. 

Kasper tipped down. Listening to the rain patter against the loose gravel. He grimaced, his head rolling back against the damp surface behind him. His body followed suit, surrendering to the weight of exhaustion. All of him ached with a dull throb that resonated through his limbs and settled in the marrow of his bones. With a wheeze, he clawed at the bullet hole in his chest. He dug his fingers in, feeling the jagged edges of the metal fragment lodged in his flesh. When he finally found purchase, he steeled himself and pulled, freeing the sliver of metal with a sharp tug. "Ow..." The sound escaped his lips. His head throbbed painfully, and for a fleeting moment, his flesh let loose the hooks it had snagged on his soul.