Beasts Of Pennsylvania - | The Nature of the Beast |

24.

Charlie raced downstairs as quickly as possible to the holding cells in the basement. He ran so quickly, he passed by the cell Anderson remained in. He didn't realize it and his attention was taken off of Anderson when he heard the voice of another.

"What could you possibly be looking for in a time like this?" A feminine voice spoke. Charlie turned to his right, finding Marina sitting in a chair with a bored expression on her face, and a cigarette in hand. His lip curled at the sight of her, not expecting she'd be the one he'd find down here. He didn't bother hiding his distaste for the woman. Charlie could admit that he at times was annoying, whiney, and maybe even bitchy. But deep down, he believed there was no one as annoying, whiney, and bitchy as Marina.

"Nothing of your concern." Charlie spat.

"I was just trying to help! Also, why aren't you upstairs defending the compound and fighting off those mutant freaks?" Marina asked, pointing above them.

"Because, I need to find something. And, why aren't you up there fighting them?" Charlie asked in an irritated tone. She then scoffed at him.

"Because, I pay very good money to get my talons done weekly and I am not going to mess them up for something as little as this." Marina responded in an obvious tone. Charlie bit the inside of his cheek. He couldn't believe her. Their situation wasn't little. In fact, for the first time in a long time, he was terrified of what the outcome would be.

"We're at war, Marina! This is much more serious than all of the disputes we've had over the years with witches and ghouls! I am in danger, you are in danger, and The King is in danger!" Charlie exclaimed but Marina didn't budge, knowing of the situation they were all in. She simply didn't care.

"Excuse me, but I don't think you are worth ruining a perfectly good set of nails!" Marina exclaimed. Charlie huffed.

"Well then, what about yourself, huh? Or Dean?" Charlie asked. Marina pouted her lips as she sat there in thought. She didn't want anything to happen to herself nor to Dean. While she knew she didn't like Dean, romantically speaking at any point in their time together, she did grow fond of him despite him not showing much interest in her. She could recall very few times Dean actually let her in and let her see who he really was. She knew that Dean was someone worth fighting for.

"Who'll watch Anderson?" Marina asked, seemingly agreeing with fighting in the war. Charlie frowned before taking a few steps back to find Anderson in one of the holding cells. Anderson sat with a bored expression, waiting to be noticed. Charlie opened his mouth to speak to him when he heard footsteps headed their way. He quickly sped over to Marina, took her in his arms, sped the two of them behind a corner of another hallway, and covered her mouth with his hand to keep her quiet. She rolled her eyes at him but allowed it. Charlie listened closely, trying to make out voices, breathing patterns, footstep patterns, anything. Whoever was approaching them made sure to be dead silent, letting Charlie know they were experienced. Charlie mentally prepared himself before speeding over and tackling the first individual he saw to the ground.

"Ow, Charlie! That hurt!" Davina grunted from beneath Charlie. Catrice, who formally stood beside her, snickered.

"At least it wasn't me." Catrice spoke. When Charlie realized the person beneath him was his dearest friend, he didn't bother getting off. He instead wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Davina gasped softly, not expecting Charlie to hug her. She then patted him lightly on the back a few times with one of her hands, but used the other to wedge between her and Charlie.

"Okay, okay, I get it. You've missed me. Please get off of me, now." Davina begged. After a moment, Charlie complied before helping her up off of the floor.