Siege At Freaktown Ch. 15

The young lieutenant was in deep frustration on the way back to the warehouse. Furball was the most upset who wanted nothing more than to put Bennett's head on the wall. Helena put a comforting hand on Carlos' shoulder while staring at the map, thinking over their next move.

"We'll find him," said Helena.

"It doesn't matter where he's hiding," said Carlos, "he's not going anywhere. He's the type that wants to finish what he started, even if it kills him."

"Yeah," said Furball, reloading his weapon, "and he'll be killed by me."

"We got a problem," said B-Man, receiving grim news from his phone. "I got word from midtown. The fires are out of control and Bennett's people are laying bodies everywhere. It's fucking hell out there."

"The man's no soldier," said No Face, "he's a fucking cold blooded murderer."

Stopping someone like Bennett turned out to be a difficult challenge, more challenging than the criminals Carlos had apprehended over the years.

"We need to hit back," said Furball, "and take him out!"

"We have to find him first," said Carlos, "midtown is a fucking war zone and we don't have enough people to penetrate his forces. We need to gather as many survivors as we can, bring them here, and put a weapon in their hands. We're not gonna win this if we keep losing people."

"We're going to be overrun," said B-Man, "and not everyone is fighting back."

"Then we need to plug up the source. Right there."

Carlos pointed one area on the map that grew everyone's curiosity.

"The terminal?" Helena asked.

"The terminal," said Carlos. "They've been using the ferries for transportation."

"The delivery van," said No Face, "that's how their numbers have increased."

"Exactly. They've been disguising their vehicles right under our noses. We need to go in there and shut them down."

"Including sinking those ferries?" B-Man asked.

"If it comes to that, we're gonna have to. Any other questions?"

The silence was answer enough, until Furball decided to step in and voice his opinion only he knew how.

"I got a question," he asked, "why you?"

"Why me what?' Carlos answered.

"Why should we continue taking orders from you, a mere flesher?"

"Excuse me?"

"You expect us to believe you're not in league with these humans? That you're fighting against your own kind? As far as I'm concerned you warned those assholes at the motel that we were coming."

"Right, I set it all up to get myself killed in the process."

"You said it, not me."

"You know, Furball, I've grown really tired of your bullshit. You've been on my ass from the beginning all because I don't look like you or anyone else in here. Be grateful I don't turn your furry ass into a rug."

The Catman wanted nothing more than to sink his fangs and claws into Carlos' flesh. Besides Bennett, he wanted to add him to his hit list.

"Furball, that's enough," said No Face.

"Why should I stop? Do you vouch for him? Do you know anything personal about this flesher? We lost good people today and I for one am not going to stand by and let a mere human lead us to our graves."

"I tell you what," said Carlos, "I'm going to do you a favor. I'm gonna go outside, take a breather, and forget about skinning your ass alive. Hopefully, by then you'll get your shit together so we can do our job. Does that sound good?"

"Yeah, that's right," he said, "walk away. Go far away, flesher. We don't need your kind infecting our minds with delusions of grandeur."

Before reaching for the door, Furball's continuous attacks stopped Carlos dead in his tracks.

"We were all fine without you," he continued, "and thanks to you our land has become one big graveyard. All you fleshers do is preach hate and violence. It's all part of your nature. You may have gained respect from some of us, but in the end you're nothing more than a walking, rotting, festering, piece of meat, that smells as bad as the shit coming out of my ass."

Carlos clenched his fist, fed up with Furball's mistreatment and lack of respect towards him. He wanted to fight him despite being outmatched in strength and quickness.

"You fuck," he said, turning around in anger, "I've just about-."

Carlos was unable to finish his sentence because someone else took the insults just as serious as he did. With one hand Helena held Furball off the floor by the throat, showing off her fangs and bright yellow eyes for him to gaze at. Not even his strength was enough to free him from her tight grip.

"I'm going to say this loud and clear as I can," she said, "anybody who has a problem with my man, has a problem with me. Is that clear enough for you?"

"Hel," said Carlos, "tone it down just a little."

"Give me a reason."

"We don't have time for this."

"Mr. Perez is right. Time is a luxury you all do not have."

The voice came from a black gentleman standing before the door, draped in a dark cloak, and sporting long Jheri curls. Many all around whispered his name; Count Vargas. They were well aware of his legendary status; the oldest vampire to ever walk the earth. Many have said he'd been around since the time of the Roman Empire or possibly longer than that.

Helena released Furball, leaving him to cough and gasped for air. She approached the old vampire, bending a knee, and bowing her head before him.

"My lord," said Helena.

"Rise, my child," he said, taking her hand to stand back up. "I've told you, the formalities are unnecessary in this day and age."

"Forgive me, force of habit."

"Understood."

Count Vargas had been responsible for turning Helena into a vampire when she was just nineteen years old. She chose the path of immortality to live and hunt down her enemies.. He taught her everything about being a creature of the night; to hunt, to feast, and not expose herself too much to the public or get caught. The old vampire reminded her that being immortal does not make her a monster.

The old vampire has had many lovers to last a lifetime. He once told her to love whomever but never form attachments. That would change once Helena met and fell in love with a human named Carlos Perez. Count Vargas thought of Helena as a daughter and would hate to see her hurt in any way. In time he learned to admire and respect Carlos because of his strong heart, courage, and the will to do anything for her.

"It's great to see you, sir," said Carlos.

"Like wise, Mr. Perez. You certainly have your hands full at the moment."

"I need more hands than I can handle. So, have you come to join our band of merry men?"

"Oh, you know me, Mr. Perez, I'm a lover, not a fighter."

"Of course, I forgot."

"But I am here to warn all of you about your situation."

"Great, I can use some more bad news."

"If I may?"

"By all means."

"My friends, may I have your attention?"

Everyone gathered round to listen to the wise words of Helena's old mentor. Instead his words would be of warnings instead of wisdom.

"May I have your attention?" He said. "My friends, I know you have fought so hard and you all wish to return to your daily lives, but the fighting will continue to be more challenging even as we speak. Upon my arrival, I conducted my own... recon."

Count Vargas smiled at Carlos when he used the word, and the lieutenant responded with a smile of his own and a wink.

"Out of the three fire houses," he continued, "two have been destroyed. The third has been taken over by the humans. I've also discovered one hospital is in flames, and the other two have been taken over. Only their wounded are being tended to and the other patients have either been forced to leave or taken prisoner."

"Damn it," said No Face.

"What do we do?" Helena asked.

"We need to help those who left the hospitals," said Carlos. "We need to organize and find them fast. Gather as many hardware you can so we-."

"Mr. Perez," said Count Vargas, "that won't be necessary. I took the liberty of alerting everyone to come straight to your location. They should be here any moment."

Several knocks was all it took to open the metal door, welcoming a large crowd of citizens bringing in food, supplies, first aid, medicines, tents, and cots. Doctors Rita and Lita arrived with a team of medics, bringing in patients on wheelchairs and stretchers. Arriving as well were the family of the recently deceased mayor. His first born son was armed and ready for battle.

"Permission to join the fight," he said, speaking to Carlos.

"Permission granted," he answered.

The young lieutenant noticed a few familiar faces belonging to his old precinct.

"Seta," he said, "I thought I lost you."

"You kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"I'm glad you're here."

Carlos was especially glad to see officer Tek show up, except this time he wasn't in uniform.

"Tek," he said, welcoming him with a fist bump. "I thought your ass left town already."

"I told you," said Tek, "I ain't going nowhere."

"I should have known. You're too damned stubborn to leave."

"Speaking of which, I brought along a few more stubborn officers who also refused to set foot on the ferry."

Humanoid police officers from the other bombed precincts had arrived to lend their support, bringing along firearms for the occasion. Also joining the party were Stax and some of Carlos' neighbors. It was all the help Carlos needed to boost morale and giving him the confidence to be a strong leader.

"Ready to kick ass, sir," said Stax.

"I guess, " said Carlos, "our little card game will have to wait."

"Maybe we can reschedule after the war is over."

"I hope so."

What Carlos couldn't do was shake hands with Stax or even hug him if he wanted to since he had no limbs.

Duncan and Dragona made their entrance, bringing in more weapons and ammo they were able to gather. Carlos greeted and thanked them for their arrival as Dragona translated for her husband.

"Thank you," Carlos said to Count Vargas.

"It was the least I could do for a friend," the old vampire said.

He watched Helena helping those in need and willingness to risk her life for them, making the old vampire feel like a proud parent.