Surrogate - Chapter 16
NOTE: I JUMPED AHEAD - IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN BEING SPOILED - DON'T READ THIS!!!!
Title: Surrogate - Chapter 16
Author: Christine Collins
Genre: Supernatural Romance
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3787
Comments: Unedited
Chapter 16 - Dirt bike
“Nathaniel can we stop in Santa Ysabel? I want to get some bread at Dudley's.”
“Sure.” Nathaniel pulled the car into the parking space in front of the famous bakery.
“I'll be just a minute.”
“I'll come with you.” In a flash Nathaniel had her door open and was helping her out of the Land Rover. How does he move so fast!
Marie loved the smell inside Dudley's it was warm yeasty, cinnamony, sweet smell. She positioned herself in the massive line of customers while Nathaniel wandered between the two main entrances. He kept looking outside anxiously. He had seemed a little distracted since they'd left Allison's but she had just chalked it up to nerves.
Marie decided to get some Julian Apple Nut bread and Cinnamon Buns. Mmmm, yummy. Nathaniel materialized next to her as she paid for her items. She smiled at him as he took her bag. He was the old fashioned kind of man that thought a pregnant woman was made of glass. The perfect doting husband. Too bad he's not mine, she though bitterly. But as they strolled out into the fading autumn sunlight her good spirits returned. It was too perfect a day for her usual self depreciating thoughts. Even the hysterics of the previous night were forgotten.
As a matter of fact, for the first time Marie felt truly hopeful. Like the outcome was going to be wonderful. How could it not be? The baby was healthy, Allison and Will were ecstatic, and she was getting along great with Nathaniel. Rather than feeling awkward, the events of the previous night had actually cleared the air between them. Abby had been right, she had needed a good cry.
Her good mood held exactly the 14 steps it took to get front the door to the car because before she could get in she heard a voice she hadn't heard since the funeral.
“Marie? Marie Maher is that you?”
Marie looked up to see Bobby Kellogg, her friend since 7th grade, grinning at her.
“Bobby? What are you doing here?”
“Same as you looks like. I took my sister's kids apple picking up at Julian and I promised them if they were good I get them some Cinnamon Buns.” He held up his Dudley's bag for emphasis while his eyes wandered over Nathaniel, pausing pointedly at his possessive arm around her waist. Next he looked at her obviously pregnant belly and looked her in the face quirking an eyebrow in question.
Marie gulped and swallowed the lie down. She knew what she needed to say, “Bobby, this is my boyfriend, Nathaniel. We're expecting our baby in January.” But she couldn't do it. The slight frown on his face and the censure in his eyes cut her to the quick. She remembered sobbing on Bobby's shoulder at the funeral. She remembered all of the BBQs he'd been to at their house. The way he bantered with Jack and played with the kids. They way he joked that since he couldn't have Marie he was going to wait 20 years until her daughter was old enough to marry.
This was Bobby, her oldest friend. The boy she met when they were always thrown together because the school they attended had a penchant for organizing the kids by exact alphabetical order. Bobby Kellogg and Marie Kelly. They'd sat next to each other in every class, stood together for every group photo. Bobby was the only friend who stood by her when she got pregnant. He was the one who talked to her on the phone when she was in labor, scared shitless and waiting for her mom to get home.
What did it matter if Bobby knew the secret? Bobby would never hurt her. It was ridiculous to even think about.
“Bobby, I'd like you to meet Nathaniel Waters,” said Marie, pointedly taking a step away from him so his arm dropped away from her waist. “We're coming back from his sister's house. Remember how I was in the Shared Blessings Program. I'm his sister's surrogate. He was nice enough to drive me over there - you know how terrified I am of driving those winding mountain roads.”
“Yah,” chuckled Bobby, “you always were a horrible driver.” He glanced over to his Toyota 4 Runner and frowned at the antics of the children within. “I better get going. I'm definitely going to call you later to catch up, you hear?”
“OK Bobby, I look forward to it.”
Marie watched her friend get into his car and leave. As soon as Bobby pulled out a woman on a dirt bike squealed to a stop in the space he vacated. Marie frowned as she recognized her.
“Abby?”
Abby ignored her question as she strode up to Nathaniel and said, “They're on the move.”
~*~
The day had been going pretty well for Nathaniel. He'd woken up terrified that Marie would still be upset about the events of last night but when he joined her in the kitchen for breakfast she just smiled and said good morning. It had been strange not waking up with her this morning. He'd become accustomed to waking up curled around her warm body.
She'd scared the hell out of him when she started screaming his name and he was so relieved to find that she was safe that he didn't comprehend the wonderment of the baby moving beneath his palm at first. But when it sunk in he was awed. This was it. This was the reason for all his hard work and sacrifice over the years. This was the reason those other women died. It was the first time he ever felt a child move in the womb. And he was hard pressed to think that it would have been any more special an event if it'd been his own. He was so shocked and elated over this experience that he against his better judgment he agreed to take her to Allison's.
But no one seemed to suspect anything. Even Abby had acted normal although Nathaniel was sure that she had to know that something was amiss after the hysterics of the previous night. But she squealed in excitement when Marie told her and congratulated them like they were truly the happy parents that they pretended to be.
No one thought it strange that they wanted to go to Allison's, of course Nathaniel wanted to share this experience with his sister.
His scouts went quietly ahead to make sure the coast was clear. They were so good Marie still hadn't noticed she was being watched. She didn't know that either Abby, T.C., or Annie followed her whenever she went and studied her every move. If she went into town to get something from the store, someone always went ahead (if possible) or followed closely behind her. Even when she was with Nathaniel there was always one of them close by.
Everything was going fine until they were finishing up their visit with Allison and Will. Annie called him on his cell phone and told him that some of Mother's operatives had been sighted in the area. Nathaniel immediately tensed up. Damn, why now? What was different? And why did they have to have the bad luck to be in Julian when they got the news. It was too secluded. He needed to get Marie home fast.
He could tell Marie was puzzled by their abrupt departure. Allison looked questioningly his way and he sent her a silent one word reply.
Mother.
He hurried Marie into the Land Rover knowing that Will was already making plans, calling up the rout, assessing the situation. Nathaniel checked with Annie and was relieved to know that the enemy scouts seemed to be just observing. They were making no aggressive moves and they had come without their companions. That in itself was unusual. Nathaniel occasionally had to travel without Seraphina but he would certainly not go into enemy territory without her. Maybe they were just doing a routine check on Allison. Maybe it had nothing to do with him and Marie at all.
Yah, and maybe Mother herself has come with warm wishes, love and forgiveness for Allison.
By the time the got to Santa Ysabel he was feeling a little better. All of the enemy scouts had stayed in position around Allison's. They did not seem to be paying any attention to Nathaniel and Marie. When she asked to stop he almost said no but he didn't want her tense and out of sorts in case they were under observation. He wanted to stay in character.
While Marie browsed the shop he kept watch by the door and remained in contact with Annie and the others. Nathaniel glanced at the Land Rover and thanked goodness he had insisted upon the armor plating and bullet proof windows. It had cost a considerable amount extra but it was worth it. Annie, Abby, and T.C were patrolling nearby on dirt bikes. They kept close enough to communicate with him telepathically.
Marie was finished and he escorted her to the car. They were almost safe, almost home free. All he had to do was drive home and get her inside. It would be alright. That's when all hell broke loose.
Nathaniel had never meet this 'Bobby' person in his life but he wanted to kill him. Actually he wanted to kill Marie. What possessed her to blurt out the truth at that moment. Of all the situations they'd been in with Spencer, meeting Marie's mother, even with the obstetrician she'd kept her cool. But now the truth was out. For a brief, hopeful moment Nathaniel thought that Marie's transgression had gone unnoticed. He thought maybe they were still OK but then Abby screeched over on her bike and confirmed the worst of his fears. They were on the move. They were coming. For them.
~*~
“Who's on the move,” Marie asked at the same time Nathaniel growled, “Fuck!”
She looked over at him in surprise. Nathaniel never cussed, ever.
Abby ignored her question and said to him, “We thought there were only 4 of them but it turns out that there are more west of here. I think they are trying to cut off our route to Ramona.”
“How many?”
“Another 3 or 4, maybe more.”
“God DAMN it!”
Now Maire was really stunned. Nathaniel cussing was strange, Nathaniel taking the Lord's Name in vain was preposterous!
Finally someone seemed to notice her again as Nathaniel turned to her, grabbed her by the arm and started dragging her over to the Land Rover.
“Get in.”
“But...”
“Just get in Marie.”
Stunned she got in. Nathaniel slammed her door, walked around to the drivers side, wretched his door open and slid smoothly into the drivers seat. He barely had his own door shut before he turned the car on and put it in gear. Squealing the tires he pulled out of the space but before he got out of the parking lot turned the car into another parking space. The car came to a shuddering halt and he began pounding the steering wheel in frustration.
“Nate..”
“Not now Marie, I'm trying to hear.”
Marie began to ask, “Hear what?” but the look on Nathaniel's face shut her up. It was a look of intense concentration mixed with pure terror.
Marie was so intent on deciphering his expression she was startled when someone opened her door. She let out a terrified shriek and cringed as close to Nathaniel as she could get and was relieved to see it was just Abby. She turned to ask Nathaniel for an explanation again but he was already out of the car and headed over to her side. Abby stepped aside as he reached them and he helped Marie out of the car just as T.C. and Annie pulled up next to them, also on dirt bikes.
“Is it true?” T.C. asked.
“Unfortunately,” replied Nathaniel. “Will confirmed it. He heard it on his police radio.”
“Maybe it's just a coincidence,” said T.C. hopefully. “They wouldn't really block the 78 would they?”
Marie frowned at this statement. She looked up and noticed the large volume of cars driving east on the 78. Most of the cars pulled into Santa Ysabel and several people were on their cell phones.
“The 78 is closed?” she asked not expecting an answer.
But Abby replied, “Yes it is, Mieja, but we'll get you home safe. Don't worry.”
“Safe? Why wouldn't I be safe?” Marie asked in alarm, but once again no one answered.
Just then Will's Hummer pulled up beside them and Will, Allison, Harland and Darrell piled out. The newcomers quickly joined them and what followed was the most strange and frightening conversation Marie had ever heard. She couldn't understand half of what they were saying, and strangely enough part of the conversation seemed to be taking place silently but the mystery of it only made Marie more scared.
“What now?”
“Back to Al's”
“No - to secluded.”
“Stay here?”
“It'll be dark soon.”
“How far to Ramona?”
“30 minutes on the road.”
“Off road?”
“Hard to say?”
“What does Sera say, Nate?”
“Still no companions.”
“Odd.”
“Odd as fucking hell.”
“Split up?”
“I don't like it but it's the only way. We've got to get Marie home.” This was from Nathaniel who then turned away from Will and started barking orders, “Abby, you and T.C. back on the bikes. Annie you want to double up or run?”
“I'll run.”
Run? What the hell did she mean by that?
“Al, you coming?”
“Yah, I'll join Annie and the guys.”
“No, Allison,” protested Will. “You should go back home.”
“If you think I'm going to let it get this far and then wait at home to find out about my baby's fate then you are out of your mind!”
“But Allison...”
“No buts, I'm going.” They glared at each other for a moment and once again Marie got the feeling that they were silently communicating somehow. After another minute Will finally looked away with a deep sigh.
As odd as the conversation was, it was soon over and Will hoisted Marie on the back of a dirt bike behind Nathaniel. She barely had time to catch her breath before Nathaniel had it kicked to life.
“Wait!” Abby shouted ans she ran over to some motorcycles left unattended in front of Dudley's. Apparently their owners had taken advantage of the road closure to get a bite to eat. With a flip of one hand she wrenched open the helmet holder on the back of one. The lock popped with a loud snap. She grabbed the helmet and ran back to them.
“Here, Meija, put this on.”
As Maire put it on with Abby's help she couldn't help but wonder. How the hell did she do that?
Then they were off. With a squeal of the tires Nathaniel spun out the motorcycle and headed out of the parking lot. He pulled onto the 78 going west. They rode on it for a little while but a few miles out from Santa Ysabel the saw the traffic starting to back up. Nathaniel pulled the bike onto the shoulder and rode for a few hundred feet. When they came to a dirt road he pulled off onto it.
Suddenly a golden blur came racing up on their left. Marie was so busy holding on that she didn't notice it at first. She squinted through the helmet trying to figure out what it was. It looked like some kind of animal, maybe a coyote. But coyotes can't run that fast, thought Marie, we must be doing 70!
The coyote, or whatever it was, turned sharply and ran straight towards the barbed wire fence they were racing alongside. Marie flinched as she expected the animal to collide with the barbs at full speed but with a swipe of it's claws it severed all 4 rows of barbed wire from top to bottom. Marie barely registered this amazing feat before Nathaniel spun the bike to the left to dart through the opening.
The rest of the trip was a mad rush. Marie was trying so hard to hold on that she almost didn't have time to be sacred. Almost. The mysterious coyote raced ahead of them, severing the barbed wire seconds before they raced through. Occasionally Marie caught glimpses of other shapes that loped alongside them in the distance.
They raced though fields, past cows, horses and ranch houses. The terrain was rocky and unpredictable in places. Marie was soon hopelessly lost but Nathaniel drove them forth unhesitatingly. He seemed to know where to go. He knew how to get around obstructions like large patches of rocks and he found ways around every creek bed and culvert.
They had been going strong for about 30 minutes when Nathaniel screeched to a stop. Up ahead the path that they were on went through a narrow opening between two rocky hillsides. Perched on the top of each were the biggest coyotes Marie had ever seen. If it weren't for their distinctive sandy coloring she would have thought they were wolves. And even then they were huge. She counted 7 of them.
Their coyote guide had stopped as well and was growling towards the other ones. Marie saw that it was big too but not nearly as large as the ones pacing the hilltops ahead. Then up from behind another coyote came. Then another and another. Soon they had more then a dozen lined up next to them facing off the ones ahead. Marie gulped as she saw that a few of theirs were huge as well. Abby and T.C. had pulled up their dirt bikes and were facing off the enemy also. Marie didn't know how she knew that the other coyotes were the enemy but she knew deep down that they were.
Then, without warning, they attacked. They charged down the hill in a deadly swarm. For a moment the ones guarding them held their ground but then as one they surged to meet the onslaught. Marie stifled a scream as the two lines crashed together. Nathaniel seemed torn. Marie thought that he was going to jump off the motorcycle and join the fray but one of the coyotes turned towards them and barked. It seemed to be the signal Nathaniel was waiting for because they sped away through the gap.
They were through and it seemed like they were home free when Marie felt a searing pain in her right leg. One of the enemy coyotes had broken through their protectors and clawed her. Maire squealed as it pulled back to swipe at her again but it was taken down by another before it could strike.
She held on tight as they sped away. Dimly she was aware of Abby and T.C. racing along beside them. After a moment she spied their coyote guide running ahead them once more. Finally they crested a low rise and she saw Nathaniel's house in the distance. Now she understood it's solitary position on the mesa. She could see how what she had originally thought of as eccentric was really meant to be defensive.
The gates to the inner courtyard opened for them and they rode all the way into the middle before Nathaniel stopped. Abby and T.C. barely had time to dart their bikes in before the gates clanged shut behind them.
They were home safe. But safe from what?
~*~
As they zoomed out of the Dudley's parking lot Nathaniel's mind was a whirl with plans and strategies. They just had to get home. Nathaniel had designed his home as a veritable fortress. While the ride was a silent one for Marie for Nathaniel it was awash with chatter. Everyone was busy calling back and forth. Checking each other's positions and tracking the enemies movements.
Nathaniel mainly communicate with Sera. His companion raced ahead of them snapping the barbed wire fences so that they could ride through. She also guided them safely through the rough terrain. She didn't even need to tell Nathaniel the directions. He was attuned to follow her lead.
He kept the “spoken” communication for the others. He learned from Will that the enemy was attempting to out flank them and cut the off at the closer to home. The area was more hilly and rocky towards Ramona and there were ideal spots to attempt an ambush.
They were almost home when they made contact. Mother's operatives had set up their forces opposite the only path through a rocky gorge. As their dirt bike screeched to a halt Nathaniel cursed their circumstances. If only Marie had kept her mouth shut!
He called out silently to Will, How many?
They only have seven. With all of our companions we have 13 not including those of you who are still in human form. This should be an easy fight. There is no way they can win. What were they thinking?
I think Annie is right, replied Nathaniel. They were just scouting us out and decided to make the most of this sudden opportunity. I bet they won't fight to hard. Let's try and bust through. They won't put up more than a token resistance and count on getting a lucky shot.
Right, said Will, I'll alert the others.
No sooner than they made their plans then the enemy forces surprised them by attacking. Nathaniel knew he should be trying to get Marie to safety but he hesitated as the forces met. He wanted to join his companions in battle. He almost decided go and help when Sera barked.
Get going you fool!
Galvanized into action Nathaniel gunned the motorcycle to life and sped through the opening. He was so intent on escape he didn't see the claw swipe until it was too late. He heard Marie hiss in pain as she was cut. Nathaniel wrenched the bike to the left and gunned the engines. As the enemy hound reached back to strike again Will slammed into him and took him down with a vicious snarl.
Sera disengaged herself from the fray and ran alongside to inspect the wound as best as she could on the go.
How does it look? Nathaniel asked.
It's bleeding freely but not gushing. I think she'll make it until we get home. We better not stop now.
Nathaniel fretted the rest of the way home. Although Marie still held on tightly he heard her gasp at ever bump and jostle. It was with great relief that he pulled into the courtyard. As the gates clanged tightly shut he jumped down to inspect Marie's injury.
Title: Surrogate - Chapter 16
Author: Christine Collins
Genre: Supernatural Romance
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3787
Comments: Unedited
Chapter 16 - Dirt bike
“Nathaniel can we stop in Santa Ysabel? I want to get some bread at Dudley's.”
“Sure.” Nathaniel pulled the car into the parking space in front of the famous bakery.
“I'll be just a minute.”
“I'll come with you.” In a flash Nathaniel had her door open and was helping her out of the Land Rover. How does he move so fast!
Marie loved the smell inside Dudley's it was warm yeasty, cinnamony, sweet smell. She positioned herself in the massive line of customers while Nathaniel wandered between the two main entrances. He kept looking outside anxiously. He had seemed a little distracted since they'd left Allison's but she had just chalked it up to nerves.
Marie decided to get some Julian Apple Nut bread and Cinnamon Buns. Mmmm, yummy. Nathaniel materialized next to her as she paid for her items. She smiled at him as he took her bag. He was the old fashioned kind of man that thought a pregnant woman was made of glass. The perfect doting husband. Too bad he's not mine, she though bitterly. But as they strolled out into the fading autumn sunlight her good spirits returned. It was too perfect a day for her usual self depreciating thoughts. Even the hysterics of the previous night were forgotten.
As a matter of fact, for the first time Marie felt truly hopeful. Like the outcome was going to be wonderful. How could it not be? The baby was healthy, Allison and Will were ecstatic, and she was getting along great with Nathaniel. Rather than feeling awkward, the events of the previous night had actually cleared the air between them. Abby had been right, she had needed a good cry.
Her good mood held exactly the 14 steps it took to get front the door to the car because before she could get in she heard a voice she hadn't heard since the funeral.
“Marie? Marie Maher is that you?”
Marie looked up to see Bobby Kellogg, her friend since 7th grade, grinning at her.
“Bobby? What are you doing here?”
“Same as you looks like. I took my sister's kids apple picking up at Julian and I promised them if they were good I get them some Cinnamon Buns.” He held up his Dudley's bag for emphasis while his eyes wandered over Nathaniel, pausing pointedly at his possessive arm around her waist. Next he looked at her obviously pregnant belly and looked her in the face quirking an eyebrow in question.
Marie gulped and swallowed the lie down. She knew what she needed to say, “Bobby, this is my boyfriend, Nathaniel. We're expecting our baby in January.” But she couldn't do it. The slight frown on his face and the censure in his eyes cut her to the quick. She remembered sobbing on Bobby's shoulder at the funeral. She remembered all of the BBQs he'd been to at their house. The way he bantered with Jack and played with the kids. They way he joked that since he couldn't have Marie he was going to wait 20 years until her daughter was old enough to marry.
This was Bobby, her oldest friend. The boy she met when they were always thrown together because the school they attended had a penchant for organizing the kids by exact alphabetical order. Bobby Kellogg and Marie Kelly. They'd sat next to each other in every class, stood together for every group photo. Bobby was the only friend who stood by her when she got pregnant. He was the one who talked to her on the phone when she was in labor, scared shitless and waiting for her mom to get home.
What did it matter if Bobby knew the secret? Bobby would never hurt her. It was ridiculous to even think about.
“Bobby, I'd like you to meet Nathaniel Waters,” said Marie, pointedly taking a step away from him so his arm dropped away from her waist. “We're coming back from his sister's house. Remember how I was in the Shared Blessings Program. I'm his sister's surrogate. He was nice enough to drive me over there - you know how terrified I am of driving those winding mountain roads.”
“Yah,” chuckled Bobby, “you always were a horrible driver.” He glanced over to his Toyota 4 Runner and frowned at the antics of the children within. “I better get going. I'm definitely going to call you later to catch up, you hear?”
“OK Bobby, I look forward to it.”
Marie watched her friend get into his car and leave. As soon as Bobby pulled out a woman on a dirt bike squealed to a stop in the space he vacated. Marie frowned as she recognized her.
“Abby?”
Abby ignored her question as she strode up to Nathaniel and said, “They're on the move.”
~*~
The day had been going pretty well for Nathaniel. He'd woken up terrified that Marie would still be upset about the events of last night but when he joined her in the kitchen for breakfast she just smiled and said good morning. It had been strange not waking up with her this morning. He'd become accustomed to waking up curled around her warm body.
She'd scared the hell out of him when she started screaming his name and he was so relieved to find that she was safe that he didn't comprehend the wonderment of the baby moving beneath his palm at first. But when it sunk in he was awed. This was it. This was the reason for all his hard work and sacrifice over the years. This was the reason those other women died. It was the first time he ever felt a child move in the womb. And he was hard pressed to think that it would have been any more special an event if it'd been his own. He was so shocked and elated over this experience that he against his better judgment he agreed to take her to Allison's.
But no one seemed to suspect anything. Even Abby had acted normal although Nathaniel was sure that she had to know that something was amiss after the hysterics of the previous night. But she squealed in excitement when Marie told her and congratulated them like they were truly the happy parents that they pretended to be.
No one thought it strange that they wanted to go to Allison's, of course Nathaniel wanted to share this experience with his sister.
His scouts went quietly ahead to make sure the coast was clear. They were so good Marie still hadn't noticed she was being watched. She didn't know that either Abby, T.C., or Annie followed her whenever she went and studied her every move. If she went into town to get something from the store, someone always went ahead (if possible) or followed closely behind her. Even when she was with Nathaniel there was always one of them close by.
Everything was going fine until they were finishing up their visit with Allison and Will. Annie called him on his cell phone and told him that some of Mother's operatives had been sighted in the area. Nathaniel immediately tensed up. Damn, why now? What was different? And why did they have to have the bad luck to be in Julian when they got the news. It was too secluded. He needed to get Marie home fast.
He could tell Marie was puzzled by their abrupt departure. Allison looked questioningly his way and he sent her a silent one word reply.
Mother.
He hurried Marie into the Land Rover knowing that Will was already making plans, calling up the rout, assessing the situation. Nathaniel checked with Annie and was relieved to know that the enemy scouts seemed to be just observing. They were making no aggressive moves and they had come without their companions. That in itself was unusual. Nathaniel occasionally had to travel without Seraphina but he would certainly not go into enemy territory without her. Maybe they were just doing a routine check on Allison. Maybe it had nothing to do with him and Marie at all.
Yah, and maybe Mother herself has come with warm wishes, love and forgiveness for Allison.
By the time the got to Santa Ysabel he was feeling a little better. All of the enemy scouts had stayed in position around Allison's. They did not seem to be paying any attention to Nathaniel and Marie. When she asked to stop he almost said no but he didn't want her tense and out of sorts in case they were under observation. He wanted to stay in character.
While Marie browsed the shop he kept watch by the door and remained in contact with Annie and the others. Nathaniel glanced at the Land Rover and thanked goodness he had insisted upon the armor plating and bullet proof windows. It had cost a considerable amount extra but it was worth it. Annie, Abby, and T.C were patrolling nearby on dirt bikes. They kept close enough to communicate with him telepathically.
Marie was finished and he escorted her to the car. They were almost safe, almost home free. All he had to do was drive home and get her inside. It would be alright. That's when all hell broke loose.
Nathaniel had never meet this 'Bobby' person in his life but he wanted to kill him. Actually he wanted to kill Marie. What possessed her to blurt out the truth at that moment. Of all the situations they'd been in with Spencer, meeting Marie's mother, even with the obstetrician she'd kept her cool. But now the truth was out. For a brief, hopeful moment Nathaniel thought that Marie's transgression had gone unnoticed. He thought maybe they were still OK but then Abby screeched over on her bike and confirmed the worst of his fears. They were on the move. They were coming. For them.
~*~
“Who's on the move,” Marie asked at the same time Nathaniel growled, “Fuck!”
She looked over at him in surprise. Nathaniel never cussed, ever.
Abby ignored her question and said to him, “We thought there were only 4 of them but it turns out that there are more west of here. I think they are trying to cut off our route to Ramona.”
“How many?”
“Another 3 or 4, maybe more.”
“God DAMN it!”
Now Maire was really stunned. Nathaniel cussing was strange, Nathaniel taking the Lord's Name in vain was preposterous!
Finally someone seemed to notice her again as Nathaniel turned to her, grabbed her by the arm and started dragging her over to the Land Rover.
“Get in.”
“But...”
“Just get in Marie.”
Stunned she got in. Nathaniel slammed her door, walked around to the drivers side, wretched his door open and slid smoothly into the drivers seat. He barely had his own door shut before he turned the car on and put it in gear. Squealing the tires he pulled out of the space but before he got out of the parking lot turned the car into another parking space. The car came to a shuddering halt and he began pounding the steering wheel in frustration.
“Nate..”
“Not now Marie, I'm trying to hear.”
Marie began to ask, “Hear what?” but the look on Nathaniel's face shut her up. It was a look of intense concentration mixed with pure terror.
Marie was so intent on deciphering his expression she was startled when someone opened her door. She let out a terrified shriek and cringed as close to Nathaniel as she could get and was relieved to see it was just Abby. She turned to ask Nathaniel for an explanation again but he was already out of the car and headed over to her side. Abby stepped aside as he reached them and he helped Marie out of the car just as T.C. and Annie pulled up next to them, also on dirt bikes.
“Is it true?” T.C. asked.
“Unfortunately,” replied Nathaniel. “Will confirmed it. He heard it on his police radio.”
“Maybe it's just a coincidence,” said T.C. hopefully. “They wouldn't really block the 78 would they?”
Marie frowned at this statement. She looked up and noticed the large volume of cars driving east on the 78. Most of the cars pulled into Santa Ysabel and several people were on their cell phones.
“The 78 is closed?” she asked not expecting an answer.
But Abby replied, “Yes it is, Mieja, but we'll get you home safe. Don't worry.”
“Safe? Why wouldn't I be safe?” Marie asked in alarm, but once again no one answered.
Just then Will's Hummer pulled up beside them and Will, Allison, Harland and Darrell piled out. The newcomers quickly joined them and what followed was the most strange and frightening conversation Marie had ever heard. She couldn't understand half of what they were saying, and strangely enough part of the conversation seemed to be taking place silently but the mystery of it only made Marie more scared.
“What now?”
“Back to Al's”
“No - to secluded.”
“Stay here?”
“It'll be dark soon.”
“How far to Ramona?”
“30 minutes on the road.”
“Off road?”
“Hard to say?”
“What does Sera say, Nate?”
“Still no companions.”
“Odd.”
“Odd as fucking hell.”
“Split up?”
“I don't like it but it's the only way. We've got to get Marie home.” This was from Nathaniel who then turned away from Will and started barking orders, “Abby, you and T.C. back on the bikes. Annie you want to double up or run?”
“I'll run.”
Run? What the hell did she mean by that?
“Al, you coming?”
“Yah, I'll join Annie and the guys.”
“No, Allison,” protested Will. “You should go back home.”
“If you think I'm going to let it get this far and then wait at home to find out about my baby's fate then you are out of your mind!”
“But Allison...”
“No buts, I'm going.” They glared at each other for a moment and once again Marie got the feeling that they were silently communicating somehow. After another minute Will finally looked away with a deep sigh.
As odd as the conversation was, it was soon over and Will hoisted Marie on the back of a dirt bike behind Nathaniel. She barely had time to catch her breath before Nathaniel had it kicked to life.
“Wait!” Abby shouted ans she ran over to some motorcycles left unattended in front of Dudley's. Apparently their owners had taken advantage of the road closure to get a bite to eat. With a flip of one hand she wrenched open the helmet holder on the back of one. The lock popped with a loud snap. She grabbed the helmet and ran back to them.
“Here, Meija, put this on.”
As Maire put it on with Abby's help she couldn't help but wonder. How the hell did she do that?
Then they were off. With a squeal of the tires Nathaniel spun out the motorcycle and headed out of the parking lot. He pulled onto the 78 going west. They rode on it for a little while but a few miles out from Santa Ysabel the saw the traffic starting to back up. Nathaniel pulled the bike onto the shoulder and rode for a few hundred feet. When they came to a dirt road he pulled off onto it.
Suddenly a golden blur came racing up on their left. Marie was so busy holding on that she didn't notice it at first. She squinted through the helmet trying to figure out what it was. It looked like some kind of animal, maybe a coyote. But coyotes can't run that fast, thought Marie, we must be doing 70!
The coyote, or whatever it was, turned sharply and ran straight towards the barbed wire fence they were racing alongside. Marie flinched as she expected the animal to collide with the barbs at full speed but with a swipe of it's claws it severed all 4 rows of barbed wire from top to bottom. Marie barely registered this amazing feat before Nathaniel spun the bike to the left to dart through the opening.
The rest of the trip was a mad rush. Marie was trying so hard to hold on that she almost didn't have time to be sacred. Almost. The mysterious coyote raced ahead of them, severing the barbed wire seconds before they raced through. Occasionally Marie caught glimpses of other shapes that loped alongside them in the distance.
They raced though fields, past cows, horses and ranch houses. The terrain was rocky and unpredictable in places. Marie was soon hopelessly lost but Nathaniel drove them forth unhesitatingly. He seemed to know where to go. He knew how to get around obstructions like large patches of rocks and he found ways around every creek bed and culvert.
They had been going strong for about 30 minutes when Nathaniel screeched to a stop. Up ahead the path that they were on went through a narrow opening between two rocky hillsides. Perched on the top of each were the biggest coyotes Marie had ever seen. If it weren't for their distinctive sandy coloring she would have thought they were wolves. And even then they were huge. She counted 7 of them.
Their coyote guide had stopped as well and was growling towards the other ones. Marie saw that it was big too but not nearly as large as the ones pacing the hilltops ahead. Then up from behind another coyote came. Then another and another. Soon they had more then a dozen lined up next to them facing off the ones ahead. Marie gulped as she saw that a few of theirs were huge as well. Abby and T.C. had pulled up their dirt bikes and were facing off the enemy also. Marie didn't know how she knew that the other coyotes were the enemy but she knew deep down that they were.
Then, without warning, they attacked. They charged down the hill in a deadly swarm. For a moment the ones guarding them held their ground but then as one they surged to meet the onslaught. Marie stifled a scream as the two lines crashed together. Nathaniel seemed torn. Marie thought that he was going to jump off the motorcycle and join the fray but one of the coyotes turned towards them and barked. It seemed to be the signal Nathaniel was waiting for because they sped away through the gap.
They were through and it seemed like they were home free when Marie felt a searing pain in her right leg. One of the enemy coyotes had broken through their protectors and clawed her. Maire squealed as it pulled back to swipe at her again but it was taken down by another before it could strike.
She held on tight as they sped away. Dimly she was aware of Abby and T.C. racing along beside them. After a moment she spied their coyote guide running ahead them once more. Finally they crested a low rise and she saw Nathaniel's house in the distance. Now she understood it's solitary position on the mesa. She could see how what she had originally thought of as eccentric was really meant to be defensive.
The gates to the inner courtyard opened for them and they rode all the way into the middle before Nathaniel stopped. Abby and T.C. barely had time to dart their bikes in before the gates clanged shut behind them.
They were home safe. But safe from what?
~*~
As they zoomed out of the Dudley's parking lot Nathaniel's mind was a whirl with plans and strategies. They just had to get home. Nathaniel had designed his home as a veritable fortress. While the ride was a silent one for Marie for Nathaniel it was awash with chatter. Everyone was busy calling back and forth. Checking each other's positions and tracking the enemies movements.
Nathaniel mainly communicate with Sera. His companion raced ahead of them snapping the barbed wire fences so that they could ride through. She also guided them safely through the rough terrain. She didn't even need to tell Nathaniel the directions. He was attuned to follow her lead.
He kept the “spoken” communication for the others. He learned from Will that the enemy was attempting to out flank them and cut the off at the closer to home. The area was more hilly and rocky towards Ramona and there were ideal spots to attempt an ambush.
They were almost home when they made contact. Mother's operatives had set up their forces opposite the only path through a rocky gorge. As their dirt bike screeched to a halt Nathaniel cursed their circumstances. If only Marie had kept her mouth shut!
He called out silently to Will, How many?
They only have seven. With all of our companions we have 13 not including those of you who are still in human form. This should be an easy fight. There is no way they can win. What were they thinking?
I think Annie is right, replied Nathaniel. They were just scouting us out and decided to make the most of this sudden opportunity. I bet they won't fight to hard. Let's try and bust through. They won't put up more than a token resistance and count on getting a lucky shot.
Right, said Will, I'll alert the others.
No sooner than they made their plans then the enemy forces surprised them by attacking. Nathaniel knew he should be trying to get Marie to safety but he hesitated as the forces met. He wanted to join his companions in battle. He almost decided go and help when Sera barked.
Get going you fool!
Galvanized into action Nathaniel gunned the motorcycle to life and sped through the opening. He was so intent on escape he didn't see the claw swipe until it was too late. He heard Marie hiss in pain as she was cut. Nathaniel wrenched the bike to the left and gunned the engines. As the enemy hound reached back to strike again Will slammed into him and took him down with a vicious snarl.
Sera disengaged herself from the fray and ran alongside to inspect the wound as best as she could on the go.
How does it look? Nathaniel asked.
It's bleeding freely but not gushing. I think she'll make it until we get home. We better not stop now.
Nathaniel fretted the rest of the way home. Although Marie still held on tightly he heard her gasp at ever bump and jostle. It was with great relief that he pulled into the courtyard. As the gates clanged tightly shut he jumped down to inspect Marie's injury.