Eden's Gate

Chapter 28 - A ten-gallon hat of spurs, huh?

Gunshots, shouting and explosions echoed throughout the hotel grounds as we fought. My breathing was short and quick as I fought around, desperate to defend the Briggs. I ducked behind pillars, walls and the bannisters when an onslaught of bullets flew at me. Once they stopped, I fired my sniper at the attacking Peggies below. I pulled out a stick of dynamite and lit the fuse before throwing it at a small group of three Peggies. Boomer, Peaches and Cheeseburger were racing around, helping to reduce their numbers. My radio kept crackling to life as Eli informed me of any approaching Peggies.

Good, my warrior. Cull the herd. The voice in my head was clear and crisp... as if he was stood whispering in my ear. My breathing quickened. The gunshots, shouting and footsteps slowly started to become muffled, my vision turning red. The world seemed to move slowly.

Sacrifice the weak. My body was on autopilot as I shot my opponents with ease, my breathing slowing down. I felt trapped, watching as my body killed others. I fought for control over my body, my vision slowly returned. Everything sped up as I took a deep breath. I shook my head, forcing myself to focus on the fight, to not lose it again.

Soon the whirring of helicopter blades filled the air as I ran for one of the mounted machine guns on the balcony. Aiming at the two approaching helicopters, I let loose a continuous stream of bullets at one of the helicopters, watching it plummet to the ground after a while. I turned my attention to the remaining helicopter, sending it crashing into the lake behind the hotel. I ran down the stairs and out of the hotel, towards the lake where two speedboats approached the hotel's docks. I fired my assault rifle at the drivers, killing them quickly before firing at the others on the boats before they reached the dock. Grabbing some ammo from the fallen Peggies, I reloaded my guns and ran to the front of the house, hearing the revving of engines approach. Pulling out a small hand grenade, I threw it at the approaching trucks, causing them to erupt in a fiery ball. Soon the last Peggie drop, no more helicopters, boats or trucks came as it became deathly silent. Lowering the rifle from my sight, I let out an exhausted sigh, walking back into the hotel with Boomer, Peaches and Cheeseburger not far behind me. I walked around gathering any supplies I needed when my radio crackled to life.

"Helluva job, Dep. You're a Goddamn hero in my books. Things are lookin' real good for Briggs... Whitetails are on the way to pick him up." Eli said, a tired smile slowly filled my face as I collapsed on to the sofa. "Jacob won't be usin' the Grandview to fuck with anyone now... Goddamn, I'd love to see his ugly mug when he hears he lost his little torture chamber." My heart ached at Eli's words. My head ached as I closed my eyes and waited for the Whitetails to arrive. "You know, you proved everyone wrong Dep – everyone except me. Always knew you were the real deal, fighting against your soulmates, helping others. I'll see you back at the Den solider. Take care.

I'd almost forgotten... Eli's words reminded me of who I was fighting, what I was fighting. My headache increased, sending painful waves pounding through my head. Boomer and Peaches whined in worry, licking my hands to comfort me. I felt a stray tear escape my eye as the pain from my soulmate bonds rose up. It hurts...

My eyes slowly opened as vehicles pulled up outside, bearing the Whitetail's symbol on the sides. I smiled as Eli's people walked in and up to where Briggs was. Hauling my tired body up from the sofa, I walked out and back to the Death Wish, jumping in the driver's seat with my furry companions. I took a deep breath before tears streamed down my face. I clenched my eyes shut. I couldn't stop my tears as I remembered what had happened.

Why? Why did that happen? Whining caught my attention. I opened my eyes, my blurry vision watched as Boomer licked my hand, whining as he comforted me. Peaches and Cheeseburger joined in licking my cheek and head from behind the seat. I smiled, wiping my tears.