Chapter 14 - Old Friends

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Chapter Fourteen – Old Friends

29th Apr 6:37 AM

“The Devil’s teeth gnash at our feet and demons walk the Earth,” the preacher yelled to all that would listen, “Repentance is the only way now; the Rapture has come and the righteous will ascend from this hell!”

He had taken to the front of his church, addressing the small crowd gathered outside. I paid him no attention, instead focusing on the task at hand. I was only a few blocks from Salazar’s house, and staying unnoticed was key. Even in the early morning Silverlight patrols roamed the streets, carefully watching for any possible Archaean activity.

I avoided them for the most part by staying in the open, casually sipping a cup of coffee from a vendor down the street. I wasn’t even thirsty, but the simple prop made me look a lot more ordinary when compared to the some of the shifty characters about at this time in the morning.

When there were so few people around the soldiers would be keeping their eyes open for a figure lurking through the alleys and backstreets, not a drowsy college student type on his way home from a night of partying. I pulled my jacket down slightly, covering the sliver of my armour that showed underneath.

Personally I wasn’t that fond of San Francisco; the whole episode at Alcatraz had spoiled it for me. Suburbia bored me, it was surprising that Salazar of all people had settled down. He undoubtedly still kept his guard up, but the thought of him living a normal life just didn’t fit. This made me think of my own life before the Argonauts, before Valhalla. Civilian life wasn’t all that bad, and admittedly having a few days where nobody wanted to kill you was nice. Maybe I would go back to it after all this was done, if we won. White picket fence and trimmed hedges; I shivered, that would take some getting used to.

A collection of four armoured cars rolled by, sticking out more than usual because of the scarce traffic. Tinted windows concealed the occupants, and as they rumbled closer I cautiously began to charge up for a confrontation. If Silverlight had found me, I would have to take them out quickly and race to Salazar’s place. Thankfully they continued along the road, completely ignoring me as I strolled along the sidewalk.

Their presence was concerning, but not imminently so. They would have no reason to come for me so long as I kept my head down and did nothing to attract attention. With luck I could get the reunion with Salazar over with without any bloodshed and be home by this afternoon.

I wrapped both hands around the coffee mug, expelling a breath that frosted in the early morning light. The scarf I had acquired last night to partially conceal my face tightened by itself, keeping me a little warmer. I hated scarves.

A grim-looking man waited on the porch as I walked across the lawn, he had let his hair grow out since I had last seen him.

“Hello Salazar,” I inclined my head, “long time no see.”

“Morning David,” he replied quietly, tucking both hands inside a leather jacket, “We should head inside.”

“As you wish.”

He stared at me flatly as the door swung open by itself, “Come on man, I live here. People will get suspicious.”

I shrugged apologetically, following him indoors, “Sorry, force of habit.”

He pulled out a seat for me beside the kitchen cabinet, and walked to the fridge to get a drink.

“So what makes you think Silverlight will come for me?” he asked.

“Just a hunch, nothing solid. They got Tanner the other day, but we got get him back. We thought we should warn you to lay low for a while; better safe than sorry I guess.”

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