{Chapter 18}
The months seemed to breeze by, though Shawn barely noticed. His physical therapy had gone slower than he had planned on. Still he was grateful to be alive and reunited with his friends. Though it was grueling he was thankful that he no longer needed to be wheeled around in a wheelchair and could walk with the help of a cane. His hope was to eventually be rid of any kind of help walking.
“We come bearing gifts,” said London as he entered Punk’s apartment with Kendrick behind him.
“Ooh! So soon,” Punk said smiling. Shawn, who was sitting on the couch fiddling with his cane, quirked a brow at the younger men. “Remember I was tellin’ ya that Paul and Brian came up with a way to track the vamps while we’re in the field?”
“You guys done already,” Hunter said coming into the living room with a sandwich. Lashley was close behind him. “That was fast.”
“We figured you guys could use all the help you could get,” London said handing over the tracking devices.
“It’s the least we can do after all you guys have done to help us,” Kendrick added.
“Great,” Punk said taking the box and opening it up to reveal what appeared to be simple hollow point bullets. Once the bullet penetrated the vamp’s body the tip would embed itself there and act as a tracking beacon. “I just need to calibrate them with the laptops and we’re good to go.”
“Can’t wait to try ‘em out,” Shawn said itching to get back in to the field. Hunter opened his mouth to say something, but Shawn waved him off. “Relax, I know my limits. I’ll keep my ass in the truck with the laptop.”
“And I’ll be there to cover him just in case,” Punk said.
~~~~~
“Remember what I taught you,” Glen said leaning up against a tree. Thorn stood in a fighting stance. Marcus, who was now standing just shy of six feet five inches, also stood in a fighting stance.
“Begin,” Thorn said motion the younger man forward. Marcus charged at Thorn ready to attack, but Thorn quickly countered him, heel tripping him and knocking him on his back.
“You’re not concentrating,” Glen growled. “Look for his weakness and exploit it!”
“Again,” Thorn asked Marcus helping him up off his back. Marcus simply nodded getting into his fighting stance again. “Begin,” Thorn ordered once again. Yet again Marcus charged at Thorn and once again found himself on the flat of his back. He wasn’t quite sure what had happened this time until Thorn looked down on him with a small smile on his face.
Glen sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’re still not listening to me,” he said. “You need to find a weakness and exploit it.”
“I’m trying,” Marcus whined. “Kevin is just too damn fast.”
“Maybe you’re just too damn slow,” Thorn replied with a smirk. Marcus scowled at him. “You’re relying too much on your strength and speed. I’m not a timid little deer in the forest, Marcus. You need to be able to think on your feet and adjust in the middle of an attack.”
“One more time,” Glen said.
Thorn and Marcus got into their fighting stances once again and this time Thorn opted to do the attacking. He took off running and lunged at Marcus trying to spear him down. Marcus however managed to move out of the way at the last minute and spun around, heel tripping the older man. Thorn landed on his back with a thud.
“I did it,” Marcus exclaimed and began to dance around the felled vampire. It was then that Thorn grabbed his ankle and pulled him down to the ground, rolling on top of him and pinning the younger man to the ground. “Aw man,” Marcus scowled.
“Never assume you’ve defeated a foe until you’re sure he is no longer able to attack,” Thorn said getting up and helping Marcus up.
“All right,” Marcus said. “I think I got it now. One more time?”
Glen looked to the horizon and sighed. “I’m afraid it’ll have to wait,” he replied. “The sun is almost up. Kevin and I must get home.” He pulled Marcus into a hug. “You did really well tonight, kid. I’m proud of you.” He wore a wide smile.
“Uncle Glen, do you think I’ll ever meet my sister,” Marcus asked.
Glen froze, his smile fading away. “For your sake I hope not,” he replied and walked away leaving Marcus staring after him.
Since the incident with Randy she had grown deceitful and cruel. The young man seemed to have a bad influence on her. Though she had made up with her father somewhat his confession about never wanting her had hurt her more than she ever showed. While she loved her father, she never fully trusted him again. Now that she was the equivalent of a sixteen year old girl she had grown more and more defiant of everyone except Randy.
“Your sister has had a rough year,” Thorn said. “It’s made her make some questionable decisions.” Marcus nodded that he understood before Thorn walked away.
~~~~~
“Again,” Rose panted. Her body was coated in sweat as she pulled her loose hair into a messy bun. She quickly shed the running pants she was wearing leaving her in a pair of shorts and a sports bra.
Kennedy groaned. “Can someone else take over,” he whined. “I’m beat. She’s got too much stamina.” They had been taking turns sparring with her and one by one she had worn them all out.
“Never been a problem for me,” Randy smirked.
“Then get your cute little ass over here and show me what you got, Orton,” Rose said smiling. Mickie, Melina and Kennedy all snickered. Adam simply rolled his eyes.
Randy casually strolled over to her, a cocky smirk on his face. “You already know what I got, baby,” he said wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him.
She smiled, nuzzling his neck. “You’re right, baby,” she said softly, nipping his neck. “I do.” With that she grabbed his hand and flipped him onto his back on the cold stone floor of the dungeon. “Apparently nothing when it comes to fighting,” she said straddling him. She knew it would drive him insane and he didn’t dare do anything about it with an audience.
Randy groaned as his pants grew tight. “Baby,” he whined. “Not here.”
“Oh for Christ sake,” Adam said throwing his arms up in disgust. “Would you two get a room.” With that he headed up the stairs to his room.
“What’s his deal,” Kennedy asked.
“Randy’s got what he’ll never have,” Mickie replied. Melina and Kennedy looked at her quizzically. “He wants Rose, but she doesn’t want him. Would it kill you two to pull your heads out of your asses some time?” With that she stormed up the stairs as well.
“Would it kill you two to pull your heads out of your asses some time,” Melina mocked. “I say we kill her now.”
“Seriously,” Kennedy said nodding. “She’s been a real bitch since Cherry died.” He then chuckled. “Ah, who am I kidding? She was a bitch before Cherry died. Just the good kind.”
Melina snickered and turned her attention toward Randy and Rose. “Should we turn the hose on them,” she snickered. Randy had rolled Rose onto her back and was now kissing her.
“Nah,” Kennedy smirked. “Let’s just go get a bite to eat.” Melina nodded and hooked her arm through the crook of his arm, which he had offered to her.
~~~~~
“Where’s Rosie and Randy,” a blonde asked.
“They’re…occupied, Beth,” Melina said smirking and wriggling her eyebrows at the blonde.
Beth smirked. “Jesus,” she snickered. “You would think they were breeders from the way they fuck constantly.” She nodded a hello to Mickie, Kennedy and Adam.
“Are we gonna do this or what,” an African American vampire grumbled.
“Calm your nerves Porter,” Kennedy said.
“Calm my…motherfucker I’m hungry,” Porter replied.
“Let’s just get this over with,” Adam grumbled. He didn’t want to hunt, but he had to eat to live.
The group split searching the streets for prey. Mickie had just locked her eyes on a man standing on the street corner. He was a little on the small side for her taste, but she could always catch another meal after this one. Licking her lips she crept up to him.
“Excuse me sir,” she said feigning innocence. “I was wondering if you could spare some change for the bus.” She pointed toward the bus stop he was standing by. “I’m a little short.”
“Sure,” the man replied reaching into his pocket. Instead of change he pulled out a gun and shot her. “Take that you fucking bloodsucker,” Kendrick growled as Mickie was knocked off her feet by the force of the blow.
“You son of a bitch,” Mickie growled, scrambling to her feet. She dug the bullet out of her shoulder and tossed it aside.
“Oh shit,” Kendrick exclaimed and took off running.
Meanwhile in the truck Shawn and Punk were watching the screen. A little red dot showed up following Kendrick’s blue dot. “Works like a charm,” Shawn said to Punk.
“Shit, Brian needs help,” Punk said picking up the walkie talkie. “Hunter, you’re closest. Brian’s got a bloodsucker on his ass.”
“I got him covered,” Hunter replied. With a smirk he pulled out his gun loaded with silver bullets and watched as Kendrick ran past him. He soon caught sight of Mickie following him and fired off a round. Mickie stumbled and rounded on him. He fired off three more shots before Mickie landed with a sick thud on the ground sputtering and coughing.
“Shit,” Lashley groaned coming over to where Hunter was. London was close behind him. “We could have used her to see if she’d lead us to Calaway.”
“He was saving my ass,” Kendrick said. “I was bait AGAIN, remember?”
“She’s not Calaway’s type,” Hunter replied putting his gun away.
“No, but I think I got someone who is,” London said smiling. I shot a blonde chick. Let’s go see what Punk can see on the laptop.”
They all made their way over to the truck and explained the situation to Punk and Shawn. Punk checked his data and rechecked it. Frowning he turned his attention to his friends and shook his head.
“The fuckin’ thing is defective,” Hunter said reaching for the laptop.
Shawn stopped him. “It’s not defective Hunter. All your beacons are working fine. This tracker was obviously a dud. It happens.” He sighed noting that it was almost sun up. “Let’s all go home and rest. Tomorrow is another day.” With that they piled into the truck and headed back to Punk’s place to crash.
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