Dead World Prequels, page 6
Morgan’s dark hair was long and in dire need of a trim. The shadow of a beard covered his firm jaw. There were cuts on his forehead and over his knuckles like he’d been in a recent fistfight. Maybe he had.
He cuffed him on the back. Kane stumbled forward.
“Sorry,” Morgan said. “I sometimes forget my own strength.”
It was okay because Kane sometimes forgot that his cousin wasn’t entirely human. Not anymore.
Kane’s gaze traveled over the rest of him to assess his condition. Morgan’s shirt had various holes dotting the front of it. The size and shape of the damage looked suspiciously like they’d come from gunshots.
“Are you injured?” Kane pulled his cousin’s shirt up. Faded scars marred his flesh.
“Not anymore,” Morgan said.
He’d been fighting on the front-lines. Kane knew that much, but he hadn’t heard a word from his cousin for the past six months. He had feared that Morgan would end up on his table, despite the genetic enhancements he’d acquired.
“Officer on deck,” one of the soldiers shouted.
Morgan stiffened to attention and saluted General Schneider as he strolled out of the command tent.
“At ease,” the general said, then stopped to talk. “Kane, your cousin here is a fine soldier.”
“I know, sir,” Kane said.
“He does the job of ten men,” the general said.
Morgan looked uncomfortable.
“I could use another like him on the front. Ever think about enlisting?” he asked.
Kane snorted. “I have enough to keep me busy here.” He glanced at the hospital for emphasis.
“Understood,” General Schneider said. “Let me know if you ever change your mind. Our side needs more men like Hunter on the front-line.”
“Don’t think I will,” Kane said. “But I appreciate the offer.”
They watched the general walk off.
“That was weird,” Morgan said.
“Yes, it was,” Kane said. “He normally goes out of his way to avoid me because I’m always bugging him about needing more supplies.”
“You do grow on people.” Morgan grinned.
“Yeah, like fungus.”
Morgan laughed.
“Welcome to my casa.” Kane pointed to the small tent he’d been issued. “I have a lot to tell you.”
“I had no idea that you were living in the lap of luxury, while I’ve been out getting my ass shot off.” Morgan laughed.
“You mustn’t have been hit too many times because it’s still there,” Kane joked, then sobered. “So how goes it on the front?”
Morgan glanced at him, his amber eyes shadowed. “The war’s turning in our favor.”
Kane arched a brow. It didn’t seem like it, if the number of casualties was any indication. “Really? Could’ve fooled me.”
“It’s true,” he said.
“Just not fast enough,” Kane said.
Morgan nodded, sending his dark hair into his face. He brushed it back.
“What are you doing here?” Kane hoped that Morgan said that he was here to stay.
“I had to give an updated report on the intel I uncovered to General Schneider and grab more supplies,” Morgan said.
“So you’re not staying?” Kane asked.
Morgan gave him a sad smile. “You know I can’t. We each have a job to do.”
He was right, but Kane didn’t have to like it. Morgan had always wanted to be a soldier. They each longed to save lives, but went about it in different ways. Somberness settled over their joyful reunion. This was no time to be maudlin.
“I thought by now that the Big Bad Wolf would’ve ended the war all by himself.” Kane joked, elbowing his cousin.
“Funny,” Morgan said. “I think you have me mistaken with Superman.”
Kane laughed. “No, he has a better suit.”
Like a lot of soldiers, Morgan Hunter had volunteered for an experimental genetic procedure that spliced his genes with those of everyday predators. They’d done so in the hope of ending the war before it destroyed what was left of the world. A final Hail Mary pass made out of desperation.
When Morgan chose to become part wolf, Kane wasn’t surprised. As children, they had always loved the story of Little Red Riding Hood, even going so far as to side with the wolf. They’d kept the book their uncle read to them, partly out of sentimentality, but also as a nod to Morgan’s new condition.
Kane hadn’t always been supportive of Morgan’s decision to have the procedure. He’d feared that if the process didn’t kill his cousin, it would change him into something Kane wouldn’t recognize.
It was only after he’d visited Morgan in the hospital that Kane had realized his fears were unfounded. Morgan had changed, but he was still the same man that he’d grown up with. His sly humor remained intact and so had their attachment.
Every man and woman who’d entered the program were given a choice of what animal they wanted to be joined with. Most had chosen a big cat, canine, or bear, but a few—ones known to have some psychic ability—had gone a different route entirely.
They’d had their DNA scrambled. By the time the geneticists finished with them, they’d been altered into something monstrous. The new species called themselves vampires after the mythical creatures, but they were so much more. Kane had only encountered one and he hoped he never encountered another.
Morgan pulled a flask out of his back pocket. He unscrewed the cap and passed it over. Kane sniffed. The scent of Scotch filled his lungs. He closed his eyes, reveling in the sweet, peaty aroma, then took a swig.
The amber liquid burned his throat and made his eyes water, but still tasted like heaven. Kane handed the flask back to his cousin. Morgan tipped it to his lips and took a drink, then they sat down on Kane’s cot.
“So what did you want to tell me?” Morgan asked.
Kane grinned. “I’m engaged.”
“What! To who?” he asked. “I mean that’s wonderful.” So many emotions played across his face that it was hard to track them all. “Congratulations.”
Kane laughed. “I didn’t mean to drop that on you. I’d planned to break the news to you, then ask you to be my best-man.”
“I’d be honored.” He smiled, but Kane noticed the sadness in his eyes. Without conscious thought, Morgan rubbed the gold ring on his left hand.
He should’ve thought this through. It was cruel to throw this at Morgan after he’d lost his family. Kane mentally kicked himself. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Morgan interrupted him.
“So who’s the lucky lady?” he asked.
Kane hesitated, then said, “Her name is Megan Richards. She’s my surgical nurse. She’s a wonderful woman. You’d like her.”
“No doubt,” Morgan said. “How long have you guys been seeing each other?”
“Not long, but long enough,” Kane said. The war had taught him to not put important things off. That’s why he’d proposed the moment he knew that Megan was the one.
“That’s wonderful, buddy,” Morgan said. “So when’s the big date? Do I have time to throw you a bachelor party?”
“You have plenty of time to plan,” Kane said. “We don’t want to get married until this mess ends.”
Morgan’s false enthusiasm waned. “That might be awhile. Sure you want to wait?”
Kane thought about the number of casualties pouring into the camp. “So how bad is it out there?” he asked.
Morgan was quiet.
For a moment Kane thought he might not answer.
“Bad,” he said softly. “We’re not just running out of supplies. We’re running out of soldiers, too. Pretty soon they’re going to start grabbing old ladies off the street and shoving guns in their hands.” Morgan laughed, but there was an edge of seriousness to his statement that made Kane uneasy. “It’s good to see you.”
Kane squeezed his shoulder. “It’s good to see you, too.”
“How are you holding up?” Morgan asked.
“Fine,” Kane said. “Better than you.”
“You don’t look fine,” he said.
Kane shrugged. “I’m doing my best. It’s hard to keep up with the number of casualties. I lose a lot of good men.” He reached for the flask and took another drink. “Too many.”
Morgan stared at him. “You save more.”
Kane nodded. “Just not enough. We’re running out of medical supplies. We’re running out of supplies period.”
“Yeah,” Morgan said. “I know.”
“I’ve spoken to General Schneider, but he can’t give me what he doesn’t have,” Kane said.
Morgan’s eyes drifted shut.
“How long can you stay?” Kane asked. He didn’t want Morgan going back to the front. He might be stronger and faster than the average man, but he wasn’t invincible. And if he was as exhausted as he looked, he was bound to make mistakes. Mistakes that could cost him his life.
Morgan opened his eyes and gave him a weak smile. “I have to ship out tomorrow morning.”
Kane handed him the flask. “Then I guess we’d better enjoy this while we can. Have you eaten?”
“No,” Morgan said.
“Then let’s get you something to eat.” Kane pulled out his military locker and opened it. He grabbed two sets of MRE’s and handed one to his cousin. “Bon appetite.”
Morgan laughed and ripped the first can open. He took a bite. “Yum! Just like mom used to make.”
Kane chuckled. “If that’s true, it’s a wonder you’re still alive.”
They spent the rest of the evening reliving childhood memories and avoiding talk of the war. It felt good to recall happier times. They talked and laughed into the wee hours of the morning until they could barely keep their eyes open, then Morgan bedded down next to Kane’s cot and they went to sleep.
A few hours later, Kane woke to the sound of shuffling. He opened his eyes and saw Morgan rolling his blanket up. “What time is it?” he asked, his brain swimming from lack of sleep.
“Early,” Morgan said. “Get some more rest.”
He glanced at his watch. It was five in the morning. “What about you?” Kane sat up in his cot.
“It’s time for me to head out.” Morgan held up a set of new orders.
Would this be the last time he saw him alive? Kane’s heart clenched. He couldn’t bear the idea of losing Morgan.
“Cousin…” Kane’s voice trailed off.
“I know,” Morgan said.
Kane climbed off the cot and grabbed Morgan in a bear hug. “Be safe. I’m going to be pissed off, if you end up on my table.”
Morgan snorted. “I’ll keep that in mind. Watch your six.”
“Don’t need to. I’ll be here for the rest of the war, unless they make us move back again,” Kane said.
“Watch it anyway.” Morgan winked.
“I will,” Kane said. “You watch yours.”
Morgan moved to the tent flap. “I always do.”
“And cousin…”
“Yeah.” Morgan paused.
“Come back in one piece,” Kane said.
He nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
2
The days after Morgan left blurred into a sea of blood and guts. Kane hadn’t thought it possible, but the casualty numbers had steadily increased.
Every time a new soldier came across his table, Kane expected to look down and see Morgan. And every time he didn’t, he sent up a prayer of thanks.
If only praying would alleviate his fears.
Just when Kane thought he’d drop from exhaustion, a truck arrived carrying three new doctors. Their advanced age indicated that they’d been pulled out of retirement. Kane didn’t care. He welcomed the help. Anything that would save more soldiers was a blessing.
“Go catch a few hours,” the officer in charge of the hospital said.
Kane didn’t wait to be asked twice. The sun was setting by the time he walked out of the tent. He wasn’t even sure he’d stay awake long enough to eat. It didn’t matter. Kane wasn’t hungry anyway. His body had gotten used to living on very little nutrition.
As he walked to his tent, three jeeps came barreling into the compound. They slammed on their breaks, then soldiers and commanding officers piled out of them and rushed toward the intelligence tent.
Something big must be going down, Kane thought.
He looked to see if Morgan was among the men, but he wasn’t. Kane reached his tent and stepped inside. Megan was curled up on his cot, sound asleep. He zipped the flap behind him, then sat down beside her.
She woke up and smiled at him. “I tried to wait up,” she said. “What time is it?”
“I have no idea.” He laughed.
Megan glanced at her watch and sighed. “I have to get ready. I promised Shelly that I’d take a few hours from her so she could spend time with her boyfriend.”
Kane kept his disappointment in check. He’d been looking forward to holding her in his arms, but he couldn’t call foul since Shelly had switched hours with Megan occasionally to give them more time together.
“I’ll be here when you get back,” he said.
“I’m counting on it.” She kissed him.
Before she could pull away, Kane deepened the embrace, lingering on her lips, savoring the exchange. “Hurry,” he said, and released her.
Megan was a little shaky, when she climbed out of the cot. She reached under the pillow and pulled out her bra, then got dressed. “See you soon.” She kissed her palm and blew it to him.
Kane caught the air kiss and brought it to his heart.
Megan smiled and slipped out of the tent.
Kane barely got his boots off, before his head hit the pillow and exhaustion pulled him under. Within seconds, he was out cold, lost in a dreamless sleep.
Something tickled Kane’s mouth. He pursed his lips expecting to feel a kiss. The sensation came again but he was too tired to react. The light brush morphed into a steady pressure. Kane fought his way through the murky veil of sleep and opened his eyes. It was dark but there was movement in the shadows. A black blob stood over him.
At first, Kane thought he was still dreaming. He brushed at the darkness and collided with something solid. Kane was so out of it that it took him a moment to realize that someone had their hand clamped over his mouth. What was going on?
He tried to shove them away and get up, but couldn’t move. Kane strained harder and felt the bite of straps along his body. His eyes widened and the last of the sleep faded from his mind.
Had the enemy infiltrated the camp?
His eyes adjusted to the darkness. Kane could make out four men moving around him. How had they all fit in his tent? It was barely big enough for two. He glanced up and noticed the stars twinkling above him.
Kane wasn’t in his tent. He was outside and moving fast. Was he still in camp? He tried to look around, but the men’s bodies blocked his line of sight. The man closest to him removed his hand from his mouth.
“Where are you taking me?” Kane asked.
The man shoved a gag in his mouth and pulled a cloth sack over his head. The world went black and panic set in.
Kane tried to recall the moments before being awakened. They were a blank. His last recollection was when his fiancée left the tent.
Megan? His heart thundered in his chest. Had she come back while he was sleeping? Had they taken her, too? He hadn’t spotted her when he’d looked around, but he hadn’t been able to see much. What if she’d gotten in their way?
Fear made the sweat on his body freeze. Kane trembled. Had they harmed her? He’d never forgive himself if they had and he’d slept through the whole thing.
He heard the back end of a transport open, then he was lifted and placed onto a hard surface. The tailgate slammed shut and an engine roared to life. Kane felt the vehicle jerk and roll forward.
The transport picked up speed. It bounced as it hit the potholes in the road, jarring him out of his dark thoughts. Where were they taking him? And why?
Kane had no idea how much time had passed since they’d abducted him. Or even who had abducted him. The ride seemed to go on forever. Eventually the vehicle rolled to a stop and the men lifted him again.
“Get him into area B,” someone said.
This time when he came to a stop, his hood was removed. Kane blinked against the bright light shining in his face. Spots floated before his eyes. When he could finally see, the blood drained from his body.
He was on an operating table.
A man wearing a surgical mask approached him and removed the gag from his mouth. Kane opened and closed his jaw to alleviate the ache. The guy didn’t wear a nametag or anything else that might identify him. Kane stared into his cold gray eyes, but didn’t recognize the man or the room they were in. He had to swallow a few times before he could speak.
“Where am I?” Kane needed to find out where they’d taken him, if he had any hope of making it back to Megan and the base. There had to be something to identify his location. He scanned the room. White walls, white sheets, sterilized equipment. The surgery area was as generic as the man next to him.
“You’re needed on the battlefield.” The doctor answered a question that he hadn’t asked.
Kane shook his head. “The only place I’m needed is in the hospital. Soldiers are dying. You have to take me back.” He pulled against the restraints.
“You’ve already been replaced.” General Schneider stepped out from behind a privacy screen.
Shock stilled his tongue. Kane remembered the arrival of the older physicians. He’d thought they were there to help since they’d been shorthanded for months. “Sir, there must be some mistake. I shouldn’t be here,” he said.
The general gave him a hard uncompromising stare that made Kane whither. It was the same look he’d seen the man give to soldiers right before he sent them into battle.
“These people are following my orders,” General Schneider said.
Kane’s confusion deepened. “I told you that I wasn’t interested in enlisting.”
“And I told you that we could use another Hunter on the front-line.”
Was the general planning on sending him to the front to do combat surgery? Why would he risk losing someone with his skill set? “Does Morgan know about this?” Kane asked.
