Virulence

Chapter 11 - Rias Needs Something New

As I watched the man's life fade from his eyes I waited for the usual rush of adrenaline that followed killing one of them, but it never came. Why was it not happening? I cursed to myself as I tossed the new body into the pit and set it on fire.

I slouched into the chair, looking at the fresh cut on my middle finger. My source of release wasn't working anymore. I had a feeling this day would come, but I was still surprised by it. I sat in that chair for so long I lost track. If this didn't work, what was I going to use to keep the nightmares at bay?

I finally convinced myself to go home. I barely registered getting dressed and walking back. I was so lost in my own mind that I didn't see anything else. As I crossed the threshold of the cave, I was surprised at how quiet it was. Even this late in the evening, the others would be joking around with each other over drinks or a game. I entered the kitchen to see only Vega sitting at the table, reading a book.

"Wondering where everyone is?" Vega said without looking up.

I huffed in response before going to the refrigerator to get some water. I was curious but didn't want to let him know that I was. Sometimes I acted childish despite the fact that I scold the others for doing so.

Vega chuckled softly, "They are helping Lark down the mountain to South City. He is going to spend his recovery time there."

I was caught off guard by the pang of worry that struck me. I shouldn't give a damn about something like that. "At least he is out of our way. There is no use in a wounded assassin."

Vega nodded but I could see him smiling. Thankfully he didn't say anything more. I took my water and disappeared to my lookout hideaway. As I looked out across the darkened earth I couldn't keep my eyes from settling on the lights of South City. Why did I feel worried about Lark? He is an adult, he can take care of himself. I wasn't convincing myself.

I cursed before I sat on the ground with my back against the wall, looking up at the stars. Before too long, I had fallen asleep.

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I was sitting in the sand, watching the waves crash down around me as I soaked in the sun's warmth. A pair of hands covered my eyes as someone's lips pressed against my shoulder. I started laughing, leaning back against his body. His hands moved to my waist as he settled down behind me. I felt his chin rest on my shoulder as he started to speak. I couldn't understand the words, but the voice was familiar. Where had I heard it before?

The man moved to face me, but the sunlight enveloped him. All I could see was the silhouette. He cupped my face and pulled me closer. The details of his face became clear now. He smiled at me. His deep green eyes seemed to sparkle as he did so. He pressed his lips to mine and I let my own eyes drift closed, enjoying the feeling.

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When I opened my eyes again I was back at the lookout, the morning sun nearly blinding me. I stood and stretched, several joints popping loudly as I did. I hadn't slept that long before. Usually the nightmares would wake me after on an hour or so and I would refuse to try and sleep anymore.

Then I remembered who else was there in my dreams. Why had he been there? Why had I dreamed about kissing Lark? That beach was also where my mind escaped to when things got bad. Were the two supposed to be connected in some way that I wasn't seeing? I shook my head as I opened the trapdoor to the lookout. It was just a dream, no need to get worked up about it.

The others were already up when I descended to the cave floor, but they weren't as boisterous as I had witnessed in the past few mornings. Having Lark around must have been exciting for them. Now they all looked like they had lost their favorite toy.

This was ridiculous. I needed to get them refocused on something important. "Today we are going to run group drills. And we are not stopping until we are synced again."

No one said anything but I could tell that they were all annoyed with the idea. They knew as well as I did that this team was the best of the assassins, but I didn't want Lark's impulsive behavior to rub off on them.

For the next several hours we practiced eliminating targets as a team. In a nearby village of farmers and merchants, we practiced tracking by picking several civilians at random and tailing them without looking suspicious. Each member took a turn at eliminating the targets. But instead of actually killing them, we would slip a feather into their belt or pocket without them seeing.

No one said a word to each other, but we all knew what the other was saying. I was proud of them. They were truly talented assassins. When there was a job, we were unstoppable. After each of us had 'eliminated' a target for the twentieth time, I let them have a break.

We went to the village bar to get some drinks and food. The boys were finally allowed to relax and their true personalities emerged. Jax started chattering to anyone that would stand near him, Vega and Zade had a dart throwing competition with some of the locals, and Ward took great pleasure in nearly breaking a man's elbow in an arm wrestling match.

I leaned against the bar watching them and I couldn't keep the smile from my face. I know I gave them hell sometimes, but I really was proud of them. They were my family in a way. I found each of them in a bad place and brought them to the cave to train them. I guess it was my way of saving them.

Out of the corner of my eye I caught movement. When I turned my head to look I was caught off guard when Lark's face stared back at me. He was sitting on the bar stool with a drink in his hand, smiling up at me before shifting his gaze towards Zade and Vega. I had to force myself to breathe. He couldn't be sitting here, he was in South City. Right?

After a long second I reached out my hand towards his shoulder, surprised at how much it was shaking. Just when my fingers were inches away he vanished, in a blink of an eye. I froze there, my hand still in mid air and my mind reeling. What the hell just happened?

I was going to make them train some more, but after that sudden vision I changed my mind. They didn't need the extra training and I needed to think alone for a while. I was still confused about last night and my strange dream it seemed.

"Let's go home." I said as I straightened up and paid for our tab. The others separated from the crowd and met me at the door. As we walked down the busy streets toward home, I noticed a few of the villagers staring and whispering.

"Seems we weren't as stealthy as we had thought." Zade joked.

I stepped around a woman merchant that looked up at me with a mix of awe and fear on her face. "We stand out here. To them we look like the demons in their storybooks."

Jax barked out a laugh, "I don't know about you pontis, but I'm scarier than any demon."

We returned home after dark and separated off to do our own thing for the rest of the night. I went to my lookout and paced. What the hell was wrong with me? First a strange dream and now a hallucination?

What if my brain was trying to tell me something? I must have gotten more used to him being around that I once thought. I think I actually missed him now that he wasn't here.

"This is ridiculous." I muttered as I rubbed my face with my palms. "How could I let that little welp get into my head so easily?"

I stopped pacing as a new thought came to me. Today was the first day I had felt happy, or at least I felt better than I had in a long time. Having Lark here was helping me keep my mind off my nightmares. I never thought I'd say that about anyone.

I sighed as I leaned back against the wall. I guess these few days away from him will confirm or deny my suspicions. Unfortunately, I don't truly know if I want them to be true or not.