Innocence Lost

Chapter 72

Eric's POV

Three hours earlier. . .

The sky is black.

We exit the trucks silently, weapons drawn and ready to go. We'd left on time, Harrison and I both arriving with an unhappy scowl and both immediately agreeing to split up. He didn't want to be around me any more than I wanted to be around him, fucking old man. I don't even know why he volunteered to come on this patrol. Probably to throw in my face that he had more authority over me.

He ended up driving the other truck and the men split up evenly between us. I'd warned mine to be ready, not at all in the mood for anything to go wrong. They follow me silently as Four gestures to an abandoned building that's been decaying over the years.

"This is where the last sighting was" Dylan says and Four nods in agreement.

"We believe they're gathering in increasing numbers, preparing for something. An attack. Maybe some sort of ambush" Four addresses us as his eyes survey the area carefully. He doesn't sound nervous, but rather sure of himself "We've run a few scans of the area. Be on the lookout for any activity, no matter how minor"

"I suggest we split up. Each take a group on each side. Refrain from going inside unless you see or hear anything and as always send an alert out first. They shouldn't be expecting us, but at the same time, act like they are. They definitely know we're watching them" I command sternly.

Dylan came with me since he knew the surveillance. Even though the night was dark, we're lit up by sporadic, dim lighting meant to make the streets drivable. Despite being the ones sent to investigate, we're sitting ducks out here and it would be easy to open fire on us. I have the sneaking suspicion the factionless are up to something bigger.

Four had agreed about this in private, but his hesitation on the subject was suspicious. He'd looked away when we'd discussed how they could be armed and he'd gone silent when asked if he'd seen them with any sort of weapons on the security feed. He'd shaken his head no and I made a mental note to check the tapes myself. I didn't trust the Stiff.  He had all sorts of things he liked to keep to himself, his controlling nature oozing through anytime we asked for something from his area of work and I had the nagging feeling I'd find what I was looking for when I watched it myself.

"Alright everyone, head out"

My group takes off in the opposite direction as Four's. Dylan leads the group as I lag behind with Jesse not too far ahead of me. I make it a point to observe Four carefully, making sure he goes where he says he is, until I see his tiny little head disappearing into the group. He waves his team around the side of the building and once I'm satisfied they've all gone, I follow after mine.

We walk everywhere there's been activity, check the parameters sent in by Zeke and double check the last sightings. We find nothing. Rubble. Broken doors. Shadows that could be something but never are. I find myself paying less attention to what's going on, idly observing as a few of the members take the lead. The next few hours are boring as fuck. I start thinking about Kate and how I treated her last. She has my back more than once and I was a dick to her. I couldn't help it at times, that's just how I am. How I've always been.

I admit I did miss her some nights. The feel of her naked body under mine, her skin so soft and silky. The way her pussy tasted, so sweet. The face she made whenever she would cum by my mouth made me want to cum in my pants right now. I missed being inside of her most of all, she was so warm and tight. The best pussy I ever had. I think about all that, right as a bullet hits my leg.

"FUCK!" I yell loudly, completely caught off guard.

I whirl around, both livid at myself for not paying attention and furious at the bullet that's pierced my skin. The sensation is unpleasant: hot and burning, and fiercely itchy, and there is a burst of heat with every step. I double back, aiming my gun wildly, and firing at the first man I see.