Acteon Syndicate

Chapter 5: Ground Zero

Allis took a deep breath as she sat on the roof.
"Why does he call you Uli? What are those things? Who is Diomedes?"
"Ever zipline before?" Annalee asked.
"No? You're dodging." Allis stood and faced Annalee. "What is going on?"
"Lissi: listen to me. I will explain everything at Ground Zero. Right now, you need to trust me. We've have been friends for how long?"
"Ten years."
"Exactly." Annalee took Allis by the shoulders. "Those creatures were Hell Shadows, and they're after you. I'll explain more later." Annalee turned and pulled a gun from her belt.
"What is that?" Allis asked.
"It's a grappling hook. Grab onto my waist, and don't let go. We're going to be going very fast and very high." Annalee shot a line of black cord toward a large building. She jumped, Allis gripping onto her waist, and glided along the line.

Allis opened her eyes and fell on the balcony when they stopped. Annalee winced and lifted her shirt. "Really? You left marks."
Allis apologized and looked out over the city. "Is this Ground Zero?"
"No. Now we climb." Annalee tied a rope to the balcony railing and rappelled down the side. Allis swallowed hard and followed.

"Now what?" Allis asked.
"Wait. Aristotle. I'm outside with Inise. No, I'm waiting on Diomedes." Annalee dropped her hand from her glasses and counted aloud. Suddenly, Diomedes landed between Allis and Annalee.
"Aristotle, we're a go. Open Ground Zero." Diomedes said. The ground gave way, revealing a metal ladder leading into a dark pit. "Diomedes, you go first, then Inise, I'll go last." Annalee ordered.
"I'm Allis, not Inise." She said.
"Inise is a code name, prep. Now, let's get a move on."
Annalee glared at him. "Diomedes, I am the leader of this team. You will stop speaking to her in that tone. Am I understood?"
"You are only doing this because you're her 'friend!' If it was anyone else she'd be a goner."
"Am I understood?!"
Diomedes groaned. "Yes, Uli."

Allis followed Diomedes down the ladder. He put a finger to his lips and lifted his gun, moving slowly through the sewer-like tunnel with water running under two metal grates. Annalee landed behind Allis, shaking the grates as she did, and sending a loud clang of sneakers on metal echoing through the tunnel.
"Shit." She whispered.
Diomedes raised his gun higher as Annalee did. Allis glanced around and followed suit.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Quiet and listen." Annalee instructed.
Three drops landed in the water. Allis flinched when a low growl echoed back.
"Run!" Annalee yelled. "Run!"
Diomedes took off down the tunnel, Allis directly behind him, her borrowed gun gripped in her hand. Moments later, a monster leapt from the ceiling, cutting off Allis. It had no eyes and it's mouth was wide. The creature's brown body looked as if it was melting, like a candle left burning for too long. It screamed and froze Allis in her tracks. It reached an arm out to her. "Be quiet." Annalee whispered behind her. "It's attracted to sound."
Allis glanced around. As the monster stepped forward she dove into the water. The creature circled its head and Annalee pulled a knife from her boot and slit the creature's throat.

As Annalee killed the creature, Allis swam forward. She surfaced near Diomedes, almost at the end of the tunnel. He stood, whispering into his watch. "Aristotle, I can't find Uli and Inise. I lost them in the tunnel.
"Psst. Diomedes. In the water." Allis called.
"Aristotle, Inise has been located."
"Prep, you're a genius!" Diomedes quietly cheered. "The water limits sound."
"I ran into six more on the walk here." Annalee said as she joined them. "Aristotle, I've joined Diomedes and Inise. Give us a way out."
"Aristotle likes your thinking, prep." Diomedes smoothly dived into the water. "Let's get the hell out of here."

A/N: Above picture is of Annalee as Uli