Next Exit... Metropolis - Blurb (Edited)
4/28/04 - Laughing Chance
I had barely come to, finding myself in the back seat of
Royce’s age old Caddy when the hail started pounding the
car. Royce was focused on the road trying to see all he
could through this raging storm we were in.
As usual Jeremy was in the front riding shotgun and as
always he was rambling on about some “black op” he
once ran somewhere that seemingly had nothing to do
with our situation. He was looking over the new map we
had just acquired and continued with his story.
This time it was Belize. Thank God it wasn’t that damn
Siam story again. I think I’d rather open the door and
tumble down the highway then hear that one ever again.
Jeremy shot a glance back at me as we hit a pot hole
that nearly took out what was left of the cars suspension.
It did however crack the windshield in a few places and
perhaps a few of my vertebrae.
“Hey, are you okay back there kid?” asked Jeremy.
I answered with the obligatory “I’m fine…” while trying to
sit up.
“Well, hang in there kid… it won’t be long now” he responded.
I could hear the excitement in his voice. Royce was his usual
quiet self. What a pair these two made. How I ever ended up
mixed up with them I’ll never know.
We were barreling down some disused back roads type highway.
Royce is a first class wheel man so it didn’t bother me in the least
not even in this crazy weather.
My senses were slowly coming to me. I could smell smoke on my
clothing. A reminder of that burning house of horrors we had just
barely managed to escape from. As if I needed reminding, it was an
experience I will never forget.
I lifted the dressing slightly from my wound. Funny, it didn’t seem so
bad now. The wound nearly seemed entirely superficial and I was
feeling better and better.
The weather was getting worse. The storm was so bad I couldn’t
tell if it was day or night. Quite frankly after what we’d been through
I could care less.
“God, I’m starving…” I muttered. “I can’t remember the last time
I ate…” Royce thought it was a good sign for my recovery. It was
different though… I just knew I never knew a hunger like this that
was continually washing over me like waves on the beach.
Suddenly, Royce swerved around some construction barriers and
pulled on to some closed off exit ramp. It was just then a brilliant
flash of lightning hit nearby. That lightning had illuminated the basic
outline of a vast but darkened city.
Jeremy checked the clip in his Glock and told us to be ready for
anything. I felt like I was slowly changing inside and the hunger was
becoming ever more intense. The thought occurred to me... but was
he ready for me?