Chapter 22 #4
Then he saw Blake. Over the alien’s shoulder, he was standing at the hole Tommy had created.
He was alone, unwilling to go through. Even from this distance he could see his expression—his hair sticking to his sweaty face, covered in blood, but still so beautiful.
Those eyes were bright, taking it all in. There was nothing he didn’t see.
And Gabriel didn’t want Blake to see him die.
He didn’t want him to carry that with him, not like Gabriel had carried his victims for so long.
It was a weight no one should have to bear.
After the zappy balls started falling, he told himself his mission objective had changed. His new mission was to keep Blake safe.
The mission wasn’t over yet.
Twisting, he planted one foot on the ground and jumped. He couldn’t go around the wing, so he’d go up.
The Monkey Cat swiped just as he got hold of a flap in the wing, and then he was on top of it, running up the angled wing like a ramp. Below him, the Monkey Cat paced beside him, silently. It was almost as unnerving as the Off Former’s clicking and whining.
He was slipping with every step, his boots desperate for some kind of friction on the smooth metal. The wing wasn’t stable, and it wobbled as he ran, but Gabriel didn’t stop. A plan was forming in his mind. One worthy of Blake.
The alien raced ahead and got below the tip of the wing, braced to jump up and knock Gabriel off. But he wouldn’t give it time. Pumping his aching legs, he thundered across the wing, raising his arm just as he got to the end of the wing.
Then he jumped.
Gabriel’s stomach dropped as he flew over the gap.
Bracing to catch him, the alien lifted its ugly face in time for Gabriel to land on top of its head, his knee striking one of its angular cheeks.
It screeched in surprise, stumbling and shaking its head.
Gabriel clung to one of its floppy ears, legs kicking to keep out of the Monkey Cat’s jaws.
Digging its claws into the road, the alien twisted, biting at Gabriel. He was close enough to feel the wind whipping off its jaws. Body swinging, he let go of the ear with one arm and aimed.
The cracked eyepiece was right below him. It was thick, but Victoria had chipped away at it. Just enough for him to gouge his crochet hook in.
It pushed past the crack and squished into something fleshy. The Monkey Cat shrieked as Gabriel pushed further, the curved head of the hook sliding deeper and deeper until he lost hold of the handle.
Shaking, the Monkey Cat threw itself to the ground.
Gabriel let go and landed hard enough for the wind to get knocked out of him.
Trying to catch his breath, he rolled away from the flailing creature.
It was screeching still, rubbing its bad eye against the asphalt, its long claws scraping the street.
With his good arm, Gabriel pushed himself to his feet. His breaths were shallow as he tried to run away. The Monkey Cat had completely forgotten him, too busy trying to claw its own eye out.
Blood poured down his arm, dripping off his fingertips to splatter onto the ground. He was feeling a bit dizzy, but he didn’t stop. Not when he looked up and saw Blake running back toward him, arms outstretched.
They collided hard, and Gabriel nearly collapsed into his arms. Blake hugged him tight, burying his head into his chest. He was shaking. Gabriel kissed the top of his head before taking his hand, pulling him towards the shaft of sunlight filtering through the hole in the wall.
“You’re bleeding,” Blake said, running beside him.
Yes, but Blake wasn’t. And that’s all that mattered.
They had to crawl on hands and knees to get through the rubble of the ruined wall. Gabriel made Blake go first, trying not to wince when he put weight on his bad arm. When they stepped through the other side, they were on the riverfront.
Expensive stores and restaurants were dotted along the river.
Most of them were intact, their tables and chairs set out like they were still expecting customers.
A thin chain strung between cement pilings was the only thing separating the street from plunging into the dark waters of the Potomac River.
Blake grabbed Gabriel, spinning him around so he could step into his space. He gasped, eyebrows raising when the medic reached for his belt.
“Calm down, hero complex,” Blake said as he whipped Gabriel’s belt out. Quickly, he cinched it around Gabriel’s arm until it hurt, cutting off the bleeding. He tested his fingers, checking circulation, before going to help Victoria with Judd as they moved toward the arena.
The cement turned to wood as they hit the marina, slipping down the narrow walkways until they were on the main pier. Several boats were missing, lines trailing into the water where someone had cast off in a hurry.
Tommy led the way, looking for a boat they could sail. There were a variety of boats still tied up. Many of them reminded Gabriel of the fancy yachts he saw in movies and magazines, but a lot of them were small craft. All of them had engines.
Finally, Tommy stopped at a boat called The Judge. It was white with burgundy trim and sleek mahogany finishes. The bow was tapered into a graceful point, and it sat low in the water. It looked expensive.
They all piled into the boat, where Gabriel was surprised to learn it was bigger than he originally thought.
Blake and Victoria took Judd down below to get him settled, while Tommy instructed Phin and him how to set off.
The EMT’s face was furrowed as he tried to remember what he was doing.
At this point, Gabriel was willing to row this boat out of the marina if they had to.
The sounds of fighting were distant, but he could occasionally still hear the explosions or an otherworldly scream. It kept him moving when all he wanted to do was stop and rest.
They finally set off, taking the lines with them in case they needed them. Tommy was leaning on the wheel to get the weight off his bruised legs. He’d waved Phin off when he asked if he was okay. Phin didn’t believe him and continued to hover.
Gabriel’s breath hitched when the sails snapped taut and the little boat gracefully pulled through the water. Tommy grinned and gave a thumbs up as they drew farther and farther from the marina.