The Eden Projects (EDITING)

Chapter 33. Lord of Maggots.

- Kasper -

"Open the gate." Kasper wheezed. 

"Not until you tell me where you went-" The girl at the gate positioned herself bravely in front of him.

"Why does it matter." He shuffled Zak's arm back up and over his shoulder. He was swaying like a tree, threatening to fall any moment. They both were. "Move or I'll make you." Kasper leaned against the chain linking. 

Zak was either hurting or adrenaline fueled. He hadn't stopped shaking since they got into the truck and no matter how many deep breaths he took, nothing seemed to stop it. Kasper's jaw was clenched so tight, he thought it might never open again.

"Riley... Just let us in." Zak looked to her.

She stepped back, eyeing him, and then the gate that was locked between them. "I can't let you in here."

"Fine." Kasper stood up as straightly as possible, guiding Zak back to the truck and leaning him against it. "Stay here."

"R-ight." Zak threw a lopsided thumbs up.

"Get back." Kasper rolled up the sleeves on his damp jacket. "Now." His body was burning up. 

"What?" Riley took a step.

"Or don't." He moved quickly, taking hold of the fence. The cold chain links rang out under his muscled fingers. He tested its strength, giving it a nudge to the side. Shadows tugged at his vision.

...tear it apart...

In a whirr of crackling energy and force the chain locking the gate in place snapped in two, the fence slid quickly to the side with an ear bleeding whine. His chest ached from the motion. He had forgotten the bullet still housed somewhere in him. Kasper gave the gate one final shove and it slammed into its waiting partner. 

Riley took another step back. 

"I said move-" A chill spread down his fingertips and he felt his head swim. "-you always have to make this difficult..." He couldn't pass out. Not now. "Move..." His voice was less than confident. 

"Kas."  Zak shouted from behind. "-Don't." His voice wobbled closer. "It's not worth it." 

Kasper hesitated before reaching for her. Riley's eyes were wide. Who is she? What was his plan if he had taken hold of her...

"Not a good plan." Zak tapped him, pointing upward.

His eyes followed. Two winged people, just like Ace, sat with their legs dangling off the edge of a building. The shorter daring him to do something. They were posted high up, watching like two pigeons on a wire.

"Help me, Kas." Zak whispered.

"Okay." Kasper spoke low and for a moment, he searched for his friend's name. "Zak." He squinted when it came to him. That's his name. Zak.

"We're okay Riley. I promise. We just ran into an old not so friendly friend." Zak assured. 

The two shuffled quickly through the camp, each step only drew out more questions. Why had they come here, who were the two guys on the roof there, and where had Ace gone with all his knowledge. What did Ace mean by move. What's the next move? 

"That one." Zak pointed to a building just ahead.

Kasper nodded, hiking Zak up higher on his arm, nearly dragging him to the garage door. In one swift motion, he grabbed the metal handle, feeling its cold surface against his palm, and pulled it up He let himself in, letting the door slide closed behind him, leaving only a few inches open at the bottom to allow a sliver of the outside air to filter in. The unit settled into the stillness that often accompanied a sanctuary as Zak crumpled onto his mattress, the familiar creak of the springs sounding under his weight. Kasper lowered himself onto an old wooden chair that had seen better days, its form was rough against his aching body, as he positioned himself close enough for comfort to his "buddy". He watched as Zak began the slow, laborious process of unlacing his combat boots, his fingers moving with a mix of fatigue and determination, accompanied by short groans of desperate relief.