Creatures of God

Not Even Human

"Final call, everyone!"

"Finish packing!"

"Leave whatever cannot be transported!"

The next twenty-four hours were critical for the Science Center community. They did not know what to expect from the Canines. Sometimes canines would avoid conflict, but more predictably, they would fight to protect their territory and their young. In this case, however, the situation was different, even dire. There was a new presence within the human ranks; a noxious being waiting in the background. The situation had left the Canines feeling threatened and cornered, ready to fight. A second assault on the Center loomed as soon as the next nightfall.

In the meantime, evacuation efforts from Anderson continued. Many people had already transferred to Corvin Mines, the newly designated center of operations. Others moved to the surrounding shelters. The mass migration had drawn the attention of the other animal species, but the humans' travel routes were not new, and the destinations were not threatening. Plus, the transfers were brisk, without time left for contention. The exodus, thus, had been successful.

The boulder remaining in the room was the humans' reason for leaving Anderson in the first place — the mongrels' true interest — the existence of a monster named Alessandro.

"Who is Alessandro? Why is he staying with us?"

"Where did he come from?"

"What does he want?"

The very thought of a "monster" living amongst the humans was causing discord.

"He's dangerous! That flying freak is the cause of all our problems!"

"If the Canines want the boy, we should just give him to them!"

"We can't protect him anyway!"

Alessandro was drawing too much notice. It was controversial for him to live in any of the human communities.

"The boy is not human."

"But he saved those boys from the snake, remember?"

"And he saved us from the Mongrel King, too!"

Alessandro was a vampire, but he was also human. And, he had never shown ill will toward the human race.

"That boy is the only one who can save Renderton!"

"Should we stay and fight?"

"Freedom! Freedom!"

The debate ranged, with Alessandro in the middle.

"We are not the HPU! We are scientists!"

"Violence only begets more violence!"

"If we fight, the world loses more than our human lives."

The bickering was tearing the humans apart.

"I'll go."

Alessandro understood why he had been sent to the forsaken world.

"I will give myself over to the Grey Wolf King," Alessandro announced.

"Why?" Mimi asked. "Why would you do that, Aless?" She had followed the young man into the Center's library.

Alessandro skeed away, through reference and resource, passing an area filled with unattended tables and chairs. His speed was unmatched, but in this case, the goal was not to escape. Behind him, Mimi chased, the two of them swerving past displays and exhibitions, like a pair of electrons flowing down a path of least resistance. They propelled themselves forward, their steps corresponding like tab-and-groove. Stride for stride, the pursuit continued until, at last, the two reached an open area, distant and isolated. At that, Alessandro slowed enough to be caught by the girl.