No Saints

Alaric II

As Alaric trudged into the gym, he complained loudly to his classmates about the dark clouds outside. "Ugh, why do we have to go outside on a day like this? Can't we just stay inside and play some video games or something?" 

He glared at the teacher, Mr. Johnson, who was trying to herd them towards the doors. The man raised an eyebrow, daring him to say anything else.

For a moment, Alaric considered it. He thought about pushing back, about refusing to go out in the rain. He loved playing soccer, but he hated getting wet and cold. And besides, he wasn't exactly looking forward to being out in public on a day when he could be playing video games with his friends. 

But something in Mr. Johnson's gaze made him hesitate. It was a warning, a challenge to back down. He stood staring down Mr. Johnson for a long moment, his jaw clenched in defiance. And then, with a snort of disgust, he crossed his arms over his chest and turned away. 

"Whatever," he muttered under his breath.

Mr. Johnson's eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything. Alaric knew that if he pushed his luck, the teacher would take him aside and give him an extra assignment or detention. But for now, he just shook his head and continued to lead the class out under the dark sky.

As they walked out of the school, Alaric felt a sense of unease wash over him. Although he'd hidden it earlier, the black clouds were foreboding. He hated the idea of being out under them. With a growl, he shoved past one of his classmates and headed toward the soccer field. His eyes lit up a bit when he saw Rita's class lined up on the far side of the field. 

He broke away from the group and headed to where his girlfriend was stretching. His eyes lingered on the exposed skin of her shoulders and praised the low cut tank top that she wore. When he met her eyes, he raised a shameless eyebrow. The laugh she let out in return brought a smile to his face. 

"Enjoying the view, Ric," she asked. 

"Better than Johnson's face," he said. 

Rita rolled her eyes. "Such a charmer. Is that how you sweet-talk all the girls?"

 "Nah, just the pretty ones in low-cut tanks," Alaric replied, his grin widening.

She laughed. Not a small giggle but a laugh that brightened her green eyes. He watched unable to look away when she took a small step toward him. 

She tossed a glance back the way he came to ensure their teacher wasn't paying attention. The man was still chatting with the class. 

"Well if you like it so much then maybe I'll let you take it off me when I win," she said. Her arms crossed and she looked up at him with a confident smirk. 

"Oh, and if I win," he asked. 

She leaned closer her nose almost touching his own. "Then I might let you take off more than the top." 

He threw his head back with a laugh. 

"Valentine! Griffin! Get over here," Johnson called. 

Alaric groaned but turned to head back to the rest of the class. The action was echoed by the roar of thunder. He froze and his hand locked around Rita's wrist keeping her from heading back to the rest of the class. For just a moment, the air was almost electric then a sweeping wind began to tear across the field. The air was filled with a strange, metallic aroma that caused his stomach to turn. He slapped a hand over his mouth before something warm and sticky landed on his shoulders. 

"Ric!" Rita tugged on his arm. 

He looked to where she held her hand out. Instead of droplets of water there was red liquid running off her hand. His eyes widened when the droplets began to condense in the palm of her hand. Blood colored rain sank into his hair and dripped onto his face but he still saw the moment that the liquid in her hand took on the shape of worm like creature. 

A jolt of panic rushed through his body and he slapped the creature out of her hand. All around them he could hear his classmates shouting in confusion, but he could only focus on pulling Rita toward the gym door. 

All around them, the droplets took on a life of their own. They writhed and squirmed on the ground, like tiny worms or snakes. And then, in a matter of seconds, they began to rise up off the pavement. Within only an instant one of those creatures had lunged at his classmates and latched onto their face. Chaos erupted as the kids panicked and tried to get away from the creatures. 

Alaric found himself running for his life, his heart pounding in his chest. He kept a tight grip on Rita's hand that didn't falter even when she tripped. The sharp cry that left her lips sent a new jolt of terror down his spine. He turned quickly and started to help her off the ground. The whipping wind ruffled their hair making it hard to see. He pulled her up only to be shoved down himself when Johnson rushed past them. 

He landed hard on the ground. Blood colored liquid stuck to his clothes and skin while he fought to push himself up. A long red body wrapped around his hand keeping him tied to the ground. He wanted to curse everything in the world then a hand landed on his shoulder. He looked up meeting Rita's eyes. 

Cold rushed through his body. 

"Come on Ric," she said. She tried to tug him off the ground only to loose her balance. Tears began to fill her eyes. 

"Run," he ordered. When she shook her head he growled. "I said run damn it!" 

"Fuck no!" 

She slammed her palms into his shoulder and shoved him hard enough to dislodge the creature holding him to the ground. They both fell to the side. Alaric sat up just in time for one of the creatures to latch onto his face. Pain stabbed through his body and he barely managed to keep his consciousness long enough to hear Rita scream beside him.