Chapter 9: Chapter 6: Third Flashback

One Year Ago

There was no doubt, her body would be sore all week. But for now that wouldn't stop Keri Pryde from watching the last of the fights. The competitions lasted well into the night following her fight with the Butcher, and Jonathan helped her out of the stadium when the final match had ended. At that point exhaustion was too kind a word to describe how she felt. Her hand was swollen, her cheeks were blue, and the bulk of her body hurt every time she moved. Still though she could walk, and refused to be wheel chaired home. She might have giant swabs up her nose, but she wasn't going to act like that bothered her.

"I Didn't think you would get that close," Johnathan had apparently placed a bet on her lasting to the sixth round. He was reluctant to mention if he placed a bet on her actually winning; his avoidance to elaborate seemed to be an answer onto itself. Never-the-less he had won a nice purse seeing as she got all the way to the eighth.

"You doubted me? Some teacher you are," Keri noticed him blushing slightly.

"I never doubted you Keri, in fact I was among the only ones who believed you could get that far!" He had to slow down so he didn't get too far ahead of her as they walked outside. The air was crisp and cool. The buildings casted an eerie blue glow that reached the clouds above. The sudden drop in temperature gave her goosebumps which only irritated her sore skin more.

The pair strolled down the avenue, avoiding the overcrowded sidewalks and party buses. It was rare for there to not be crowds of drunken city dwellers prowling about. For some reason she could always see a little clearer in the dark than during the day making it easier to make out the street signs without the glare of sunlight.

Even in her state she somehow outpaced the fool at her side. He caught up as if afraid he would lose her. It must have been weird seeing a pair strolling down the sidewalk while she looked beaten up.

Their hands met, their fingers intertwined. his palm felt warm but not sweaty. Is this really happening? she thought to herself as they navigated the crowd. She didn't know it but she was blushing.

They hadn't walked five minutes longer before a general announcement bulletin replaced the standard cheap advertising on all the electronic billboards and news monitors.

The report was spine chilling, it was a skitter warning.

It was half a century ago when the world changed forever with the coming of the 'long night.' For a decade the sun had grown dim, the moon burning red. Her grandfather told her of the world that was, and how everything fell to pieces as the sun went dark. He would reminisce about towering sky scrappers and endless lightning fueling all appliances. One could travel anywhere, even other countries if they desired. And people cold speak openly to their hearts contents without fear. All of that died with the sun, and the things that emerged from the night. These nameless horrors stalked the earth well into the end of this terrible time.

Even when the long night ceased, it didn't bring an end to these abominations. These horrors had become a remnant of the past that didn't want to let go. Some called them the soulless, for they drained the life from their victims. Officially they were labelled as 'skitters' for the odd sounds they made. Whatever they were, they were crafty and intelligent. Finding ways to sneak into the city walls to their pivotal hunting grounds and often wore the skins of their victims to hide among the masses...or so she was told. Truth be told Keri knew little about them, there nothing official other than they were dangerous and murderous killers.

They were one of the reasons people fled to cities and built massive walls around them. The nations of the old world were dead, to be replaced with these collections of city states. Nova Nash was one of the city states that existed in what used to be known as the 'United States of America'. It's construction surrounded by hills and farm land. In the fifty years since the long night the city had expanded and grown but the hulking remains of older towers remained to haunt them.

In her lifetime Keri had lived through two other warnings, each resulting in sweeps in the lower and middle tiers for days. She and her father would stay up late each night until fireworks lit up the skies signifying the threat was eliminated. People would celebrate outside and slowly get back to their normal lives.

"Damnit, how did another one get through!" Jonathan took a step in front of her as if awaiting an ambush to come out of nowhere. It humored her that he instinctually moved to irrationaly protect her. Then again its not like she could protect herself in her current condition.

"We should get off these streets, lets take sloan alley. Its a straight shot to your apartment isn't it?" He wasn't wrong it would be the fastest route but she always hated it. It was never properly lit at night, and open sewer lines made it reek. It was better to continue down the main avenue until they reached daemon street and cut over there. But that would take some time.

Keri shrugged her shoulders and felt the weight of her arms drag her down, "Yeah I guess. But it's a bad idea."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, "Haven't I taught you anything? Don't drag the fight out, best to finish the fight as quickly as possible."

"How does that apply here?"

"Theres a Skitter on the loose, this is now a fight for survival!" He was trying to sound serious but instead sounded obnoxious.

"Aren't you being dramatic?" The second she said the words a siren rang in the distance. The Skitter warning klaxons were long and drawn out, they were meant to draw alarm and instill terror without causing panic. It always made the hair on the back of her neck stand.

As if it proved his point Johnathan held her hand tighter and gently pulled her in his direction, "lets just hurry and get you home. Get you in a hot bath, then wrap up in a warm blanket and watch the news…"

Keri couldn't help but chuckle at his suggestion, "Watch the news huh? My father would kill you, you know that!" Of course he did, but he just couldn't help himself. He had been flirting with her more often over the past few days. At first she thought he was just trying to get in her pants, but if he was willing to keep it up this long maybe he wasn't a lost cause.

"I'm willing to risk it," he gloated as she reluctantly followed him down the alley.

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"Don't even joke about it, seriously you're pushing your luck." She couldn't help but give him a wink if only to antagonize him. She entertained the thought of being intimate with him more than once. She liked how humble he tried to be, and how shy he pretended to be. Deep down he was kind and motivated, and was completely incapable of hiding a lie from her. She supposed that if she had to sleep with anyone, if only to get it over with, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to choose him. He was fit and there was a random rumor going around about how...big... he was. Then again its not like she had any experience to compare his too if she ever did see it. One thing she never would admit to him though, when they held hands just before she felt butterflies in her stomach.

The two upcoming athletes were taking their time as they marched up sloan alley. Already the smell was getting to her. The sounds of the sirens were bouncing off the buildings to create an echo. Already windows were being boarded up and helicopters were streaming past overhead. They increased their pace, which was difficult for her.

Some say when a skitter attacks it sucks in the silence. That much had proven true. The attack came suddenly like a thief in the night. They didn't even see it coming as the shadow just manifested next to them. It was blacker than shadow, taller than most men, and it hulked over them like a twisted cane. At first glance she thought it was a ghost, it would have been easier to believe in ghosts than the horror above them. The air grew terribly cold and unforgiving; it robed her of her senses. She felt sharp beads of sweat stroll in between her shoulder blades.

"Tsk tsk tsk," the noises it made reminded her of rocks skipping the water. It was the last thing they both heard before its elongated arms scooped them both up. Keri was frozen in fear as she smelled its rank odor, like a decaying corpse. She struggled under its embrace, ignoring the shooting pain in her arms. Pure adrenaline was shooting through her veins, her fight or flight instincts taking over.

The soulless, or skitter, twisted its neck to look at her. It was sickening to watch its oily black skin twist. Its face was gaunt and surprisingly human like despite its corpse colored skin and sharp teeth. She writhed against its leather skin and it seemed amused by her struggle.  It opened its mouth wider showing off its grotesque oozing jawline.

Then it stopped!

It froze as if tasting something in the air that it didn't like. Its mouth closed slowly and its beady eyes studied her. Keri avoided looking straight at it, just the sight of it revolted her. She tasted the tears dripping down her cheeks as she awaited its judgement.

Why doesn't it just get it over with? She wondered to herself. A long silver tongue protruded from its lips and curled around her throat, its saliva coating over her clothes and bandages. She struggled harder against it, writhing under its thick fingers.

It's tasting me! An actual skitter is tasting me! She knew she didn't have much time. Suddenly the thing made a new noise, not the skittering click noise but a shriek. As if it found her palet distasteful. Its tongue sucked back in between its teeth and it spat a thick drool of spit onto the ground below them. It looked at her again, this time its eyes were dripping a dark oily substance.

Was it bleeding? She remembered something her father said to her once. About how she never needed to fear them, that her mother would protect her? She still didn't understand what he meant by that or why. Disgusted with her, the creature released its hold and she fell some dozen feet back to the ground. Meanwhile Johnathan was still pinned in its grasp.

Keri hit the ground twisting her leg against broken glass. She had instinctually attempted to block the fall with her good hand, but that made it worse. Her right hand cracked and bone protruded from her forearm! She felt the warmth of her blood pouring onto the pavement almost immediately. She howled in pain as both her arms and legs were throbbing! Her brain simply couldn't handle all the signals being released from all the pain sensors in her body.

"Tsk tsk tsk," The skitter repeated the noise as it looked down at her. Its eyes were giant pits holding small diamond embers that seemed full of loathing. Keri thought she knew hatred before, but seeing the pits of fire glaring down at her revealed the true meaning of pure undiluted malice.

"KERI!" Johnathan screamed as it gripped him with both arms, its long thin fingers began digging into his flesh.

"NO!" She cried out, although she could barely see what was happening as her eyes were filled with blood.

What followed was a sickening damp twisting sound amid a muffled scream. Snaps and crunching noises broke through as she felt a warm pool fall from above.

It wasn't long before Johnathan stopped crying out, but it was several minutes before the slick tearing sounds finally ceased.

It rained heavily soon after. Keri laid there in the pool of her own blood mixed with the skitters left overs.

She blacked out a few times, but eventually saw a shining light in front of her. She heard the stories of how one would see a bright light as they passed, she felt like she should follow it. But he legs refused to budge and she felt a shooting hot pain through her arm and shoulder as she tried to reach out with her left hand. The light stayed with her for what seemed like hours until finally she felt another hand hold onto it.

Her mind was half gone, and she could swear she saw Johnathan reaching to grab her hand. But it wasn't him, how could it be?

She faded away again just as his hand met hers.

When she awoke it just happened to be a week later. All four limbs were in a cast and she was dosed up on pain medications. Her father was practically pouring a river when he noticed she was opening her eyes.

Three days later the news cycle reported that a skitter had been killed in the wards. The soulless slayer was heralded by entire adoring crowds. She could hear people even celebrating in the halls beyond her room. Her legs were badly sprained, one arm was broken. It would take time before she could properly walk again. She didn't care about that, she buried what she saw in the back of her mind, along with the dying image of her longtime best friend Johnathan Willis, hoping never to have to relive it again. The sounds he made in his deaththrows would haunt her dreams almost every night since.

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