CHAPTER SEVEN
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE
"Captain," a whisper wakes him into the living nightmare.
Rayne opens his eyes; both hands firmly on his rifle.
He is ready. A soldier must always be ready. There is no room to make mistakes for second chances scarcely come... if they come at all.
Akira extends a helping hand to pull him up.
Rayne quickly surveys the situation. Davenport and Big George are watching the perimeter behind the cover of some trees.
Akira and Rayne run to them.
"What's the status?" Rayne asks.
"Apparently we are in a forest now," Davenport says as he shrugs.
Around them lies a plethora of tall trees standing on thick emerald fields of grass illuminated by a faint red dusk light of the night sky. Around them are mountains covered in green, here and there.
"A forest?" Rayne blurts out, trying to make sense of everything.
"Maybe we should just end it?" Akira says as he cocks his pistol.
"I didn't take you for a kidder, Akira," Davenport adds, almost proud of his serious comrade for finally making a joke.
"I'm not," Akira says with a stone-cold expression.
No one says anything. The thought did occur to them considering everything they've seen and experienced. In this place, it seems like death isn't the worst way to go. So why not end it? There are no valid reasons.
NO! These are my men! And it is the job of a commanding officer to watch out for his men, Rayne rallies himself with his inner voice.
"Because we have a mission to accomplish, soldier," Rayne says, confidently.
"We are in hell. We move from one place to another like some kind of fever dream. We listen to some kind of creature we do not know or understand. And we fight things made of nightmares," Akira says, losing composure. Intertwined weakness and sweat drip from his forehead.
Davenport and Big George silently listen as their complexions turn a shade pale. They do not allow fear to show but it sips out from the tiniest cracks like water.
"It's okay. It's okay." Rayne says as he places his hand on his shoulder; staring him in the eyes.
Akira evades eye contact realizing his shameful demeanor.
"You two don't seem fazed," Akira adds as he looks in Davenport and Big George's direction; still avoiding eye contact.
"Are you kidding? I've pissed myself," Big George says as he grins.
"Only once? I've done it two times," Davenport says as he laughs.
Hearing about their embarrassing mishap Akira laughs. Somehow it feels better knowing you are not alone. The three of them join in on the laughter.
Rayne takes a breath of relief.
"You know, Rayne, we've been in a lot of situations together and in all those times I've never seen you falter," Big George says.
"It's how a commanding officer should act. You know you have to stay strong and stuff for your unit," Davenport explains.
"What's your secret?" Big George asks.
The members of Fang Two turn to Rayne not really expecting an answer to their rhetorical question.
"When I was a kid I used to get picked on a lot," Rayne says.
The shocking revelation of weakness in their stalwart captain abruptly stops their jolly laughter.
"You were beaten?" Big George blurts out, dumbfounded.
"No. I wasn't beaten up because I always ran away. I was quite fast. But I might have been fast enough to escape their fists but not fast enough to escape the shame. I could never escape that." Rayne explains as he takes a deep breath, "One day I went on a trip with my parents to visit some cousins. Their son had a snapping turtle as a pet. And it was a big one. He fed a live frog to it. I saw the turtle bite the frog's leg. The frog tried to escape but it couldn't. The turtle had it in its grip. It started mauling it with its claws and biting. The frog still tried to escape. Slowly it tore its flesh apart. Half of the frog's body was devoured by the turtle, its insides were outside. I think it was a lung or something that was sticking outside its body like an inflated balloon, and some weird yellow spaghetti-like organs were flailing around. But the frog still tried to escape. Its will to live was that great. Blood covered the water tank while the half-devoured frog struggled. It must have lasted for at least 7-8 minutes. Then... it died. It was morbid but there was something in it. In its tenacity. I made myself a promise to be as tenacious as that little frog. I never ran again. There you have it. A frog eaten by a snapping turtle is my secret," he explains.
Big George, Davenport, and Akira speechlessly stare for half a minute. Still trying to conclude what the hell did they just hear.
"I'm not sure how to take that story. It's 50% inspiring, and 50% depressing," Akira says.
"Maybe 30% inspiring, and 70% why. To be honest I wish I hadn't heard it," Davenport adds as the others nod in confirmation.
"Anyway, what do we do now?" Big George asks, switching the topic.
They look around to see if the perimeter is secure.
It's not quiet. It's mute. So much so that not even a breeze of wind, nor a single animal cry can be heard only their voices and every breath they take. There appears to be nothing here only them and nature.
Maybe they won't encounter anything? Rayne smirks.
A foolish notion, he thinks as he removes himself from the happy delusion. There is definitely something there.
"We carry on like we've been doing so far," Rayne says.
Big George, Akira, and Davenport turn to him, unsure of his meaning.
"We wing it and if something shows up we shoot it," Rayne explains as the others nod.
"Kill the hell? Right, Sir?" Davenport grins.
The Fang Two unit readies their weapons, ready to move.
Confidence and determination overwhelm anything else.
Cracks appeared but they did not break them. They made them stronger.
Rayne looks at his men.
If there is anyone to go through the thick and thin it is them, Rayne happily concludes.
"There is nothing to worry about. I'll get you guys back home safely. I promise." Rayne says, "Fang Two move out," he orders.
There is no doubt in their mind that making promises of such nature is nothing more than pure stupidity. After all, no one can know what the future will bring. Yet somehow, despite their better judgment, they believe him.
The trail of grass ends as a black boot steps on soft earth. Amid gargantuan sequoia trees, a small path surrounded by a rustic wooden fence leads deeper into the forest. It's getting darker but the luminescence from the youthful dusk and resonant starry night endures. It guides them forth into the unknown.
For the first time, a gust of wind upsets the deafening silence as leaves shake in unison. The Fang Two unit members turn around to the singing leaves with guns at the ready. There is no time for relaxation even amid tranquility.
Rayne lowers his rifle for a second as his tense shoulders relax. But only for a trifle. He proceeds forward as Akira, Big George, and Davenport follow- ever-vigilant.
Somewhere amid the highest point of a sequoia tree, a shadow looms.
Its slow movement treads carefully not to disturb the thick cluster of leaves as it creeps closer and closer. A black pupil surrounded by a green iris opens as it whispers a rustling melody.
Down on between the wooden fence, the Fang Two unit moves forward. Davenport looks around.
"Hey, guys, I'm kinda confused," Davenport adds as he scratches his head.
"What else is new," Akira remarks. Big George grins.
"No, I'm serious. Look!" Davenport says as he points up in the sky. The others look at him, unsure at what exactly is he pointing at.
"What is he pointing at?" Akira asks.
The others look.
"That is a tree, Davenport. A T-R-E-E," Big George jokingly spells it out.
"No, man," Davenport says.
"He is right." Akira says as he pauses, "It is a tree," he adds.
"For fuck sake. Captain, look, up in the sky. It's dusk! Dusk, man!" Davenport says, slightly frustrated at not being taken seriously.
"So?" Big George asks, unsure about the relevance of this information.
"When we were at that chapel it was daytime," Davenport explains.
They pause for a moment to think about it.
"Was it day? There was that big whirlpool in the sky so it was impossible to... a big whirlpool in the sky," Akira explains as he realizes something.
There is no whirlpool in the sky!
They take another look up. By all accounts, they are outside the Entity.
"Did we escape? Are we out?" Big George happily blurts out.
Davenport and Big George glance at each other as they high-five and laugh. Akira almost smiles but something interrupts.
"No," Rayne says as the others turn to him.
"Captain?" Davenport blurts out.
"When we entered this place we fought our way to the roof. Right? And after that, we all got transported to different places. I was at the local school with Doctor Newton. When we looked outside the windows there we saw people and children walking around without a care in the world. There was also no whirlpool in the sky there," Rayne explains.
"What happened, Captain? Did you talk to those people?" Akira asks.
"No. The people couldn't hear us and we couldn't get out. We only managed to escape after we killed something. A creature. No, I don't think that is accurate. I think we were let out by that Child when we've done what it wanted," Rayne explains.
Akira, Davenport, and Big George pause for a moment as their joyfulness returns to apathy. Without saying another word they raise their weapons and continue forth.
After walking for a bit Rayne notices the disheartened looks on his teammates.
"Why the frown?" Rayne asks as they move, "We just have to kill something. That is our specialty," he adds, confidently.
Davenport, Big George, and Akira stop at the unexpected remark. They nod and grin amid themselves. Sometimes only a few words are enough.
Revitalized by simple words the Fang Two unit moves between the gigantic sequoia trees. Somewhere between the countless steps, a melody of serenity encompasses them. Slowly. Bit by bit they lower their weapons, bit by bit their tracks dawdle as every breath becomes deeper whilst absorbing more of the immaculate air.
"I've been thinking about it for some time now. But isn't this Sequoia National Park?" Big George asks while looking around.
Akira and Davenport shrug wordlessly silently stating that they were never there.
"So, are you saying we are in Oregon?" Davenport asks.
"California," Akira adds.
"What?" Davenport asks as he turns to him, confused.
"Sequoia National Park IS IN California, not Oregon," Akira explains, shaking his head.
"How would you know? You weren't even born here," Davenport remarks, unjustifiably proud of his comment.
"First of all, I was born here. I'm from Baltimore. And to answer your question about how I know. It is quite simple." Akira says as he approaches Davenport at a whispering distance, "I'm not a DUMBASS," he says.
"You don't have to shout, man," Davenport says.
Another gust of wind passes as it shakes the infinite leaves.
Rayne still looks around trying to discern whether they are in California or not. Sometimes it's hard to convince yourself of something if you want something else to be the truth, sometimes.
"No." Rayne says as he turns to his men, "I've been there before but this isn't it. It looks like it but it isn't," he adds.
Big George takes a moment.
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right. I've been there three times with my little girl but something about this place just doesn't sit right. It's like if you dream of a place, you know? It's similar but it's not like that," Big George says.
"Okay? What exactly..." Davenport interjects but something cuts him off.
A loud murmur atop the trees. And this time it isn't the wind.
The Fang Two unit stands in full alert; weapons raised and fingers on the triggers.
Even amid the gentle night, a shadow falls covers them for an instant. They turn their attention above. Carefully inspecting the trees through cold iron sights.
"What was that? You guys heard that, right?" Davenport asks, panicked.
"We have. There's something here," Akira warns as he keeps eyeing the trees.
"Cut the chatter, and stay alert," Rayne says.
Numerous tightly packed sequoia trees surround the earth path between the wooden fence. As the soldiers turn around they make sure to stay vigilant. Rayne takes a step back as his back hits the wooden fence; looking at their position he concludes it is not ideal for confrontation due to the lack of maneuverability.
"What now, Cap?" Big George asks.
Rayne points in front with a single finger, then point with two fingers at the front and two at the back.
"Double time," Rayne quietly adds.
Rayne and Big George turn up front as they quickly move. Akira and Davenport follow moving backward while watching their rear.
Every step is preceded by an aimed weapon; iron sights first, eyes second.
And they watch with prejudice.
They push on whilst watching for shadows. Paranoia or caution?
It's hard to tell. But it's also hard to see shadows under a dim night sky.
Another tree shakes, vehemently!
This time closer to them. They turn their eyes to it. As they watch the tree while moving backward its leaves shake. Their eyes shift from the trunk to above. A shadow blots the sky as it moves to another tree. A loud thrash welcomes its landing.
"What, the fuck, is that?" Davenport yells in panic. His hands lose their steadiness.
"Another demon!" Akira adds, pouring fuel to fire.
Big George fires a random shoot at the tree. Davenport and Akira fire a few rounds led by example.
"CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE!" Rayne loudly and clearly orders.
They MUST keep a cool head.
Yet sometimes things are easier said than done.
"Akira? You have any bullets left in the sniper?" Rayne whispers.
Akira raises one finger. Rayne points at a tree at their flank. Akira nods and carefully walks away to the position. Big George, Davenport, and Rayne watch the now silent tree, barely even blinking.
"George," Rayne whispers as he nods at his waist.
Big George looks down and sees a strapped flashbang grenade.
He pulls out the pin.
"Behind the tree, 5 meters," Rayne says as he sighs with an I'm-not-so-sure-this-is-a-good-idea expression.
Big George steadies his arm as sweat drips.
He throws it behind the tree.
Packing an impressive 170-180 decibels the miniature non-lethal solution carries a potent bang, and as it explodes it releases 7 million Candela at once; it is not an over-exaggeration to say it is brighter than the Sun.
Akira hides behind the tree as he covers his ears; Davenport, Rayne, and Big George jump to the ground covering their ears.
The flashbang explodes bringing a loud buzzing noise inside their heads.
Somewhere amid the buzzing, a loud crashing sound intertwines. And then a haphazardly clamorous scream follows.
Without a moment to waste, despite the searing pain in their heads, the Fang Two unit springs back up ready for action. No time to lose.
In front of them, a creature maniacally twists and turns as it lets out high-pitched shrieks of pain. It's hard to discern its characteristics but all in all, it appears to be something like a spider. A very big spider!
But there is something else there. Something else unusual despite its size.
The creature stands on its eight thin legs covered in thin hairs as it recovers from the bright flash.
They can see it now as it looks at them-one giant black eye.
And the eye itself is attached to a headless, armless human torso in place of the monster's head. From the thighs are two erratically twitching claws.
In a moment of confusion, all the Fang Two unit members gaze at each other; then, they shoot.
Rayne and Davenport, armed with A-10s, forgo all reservations as they maniacally squeeze the trigger. Spray and pray. Big George supports them with pistol round fire.
The spider-like monster despite its great size of about a meter tall and 3 meters long with a thickness to match quickly sidesteps left and right evading most of the incoming fire. Most but not all. Green blood pours from its wound as it advances.
Rayne's rifle clanks without firing as it runs out of ammo; quickly, he drops it drawing his pistol.
Before Rayne can fire a shot the spider hits him with one of its legs.
Being in melee range the creature tries to split Davenport in two but the soldier clumsily but luckily falls and evades the ill-begotten fate.
Big George, a step away from the creature, quickly fires his five remaining bullets as the monster turns to take them at its side.
Davenport, lying on the ground, aims the rifle at the monster and just as he is ready to pull the trigger the creature kicks it away with one of its legs.
"Fuck!" Davenport blurts out as two claws approach him.
Then, from nowhere, a bullet blasts through the creature's eye; it unleashes a loud shriek as it stands on its hind legs, twitching.
Not wanting to lose this opportunity Rayne draws his pistol, Big George changes the mag, and Davenport picks up his rifle as they empty all their ammunition on it accompanied by loud yelling.
The creature falls to the ground as it twitches one more time before perishing.
"Fucking hell," Davenport adds as the Fang Two unit member approaches the carcass.
"I didn't think anything would surprise me anymore," Big George says as he watches the bullet-riddled cadaver.
"I know, man. How can it scream?" Davenport asks as he shrugs.
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Akira and Big George look at him, dumbfounded.
"It's got no mouth," Davenport adds and shrugs.
"Where's your sniper?" Rayne asks Akira.
Akira nods to their nine, "Out of bullets."
Rayne looks at only his remaining sidearm; their ammo is slowly depleting.
How long can we keep this up, Rayne wonders?
"What's our ammo status?" Rayne asks as everybody checks.
"One and a half pistol mag," Akira reports.
"Almost a full pistol mag and a full shotgun mag on the rifle," Davenport says.
"I'm out of everything... including Cuban's," Big George shrugs. Rayne sighs.
"Here take mine. I got two," Rayne throws Big George a pistol magazine.
"Any chance you got a Cuban stashed somewhere?" Big George rhetorically asks.
Their moment of victory is cut short by the shrieks in the distance. All too familiar shrieks.
"We need to move," Rayne says, urging haste.
"No need to tell me twice," Big George adds.
Somewhere in the pale night, a dozen shadows approach. The same spider-like silhouettes fly through the sky with their abdomens raised.
"They can fly now?" Davenport adds, half laughing from amusement the other from misery.
"Spider can't fly but they can float using silk," Akira explains.
"These ain't spiders, man," Davenport says.
"Cut the chatter and move!" Rayne urges as the Fang Two unit runs away from the approaching shadows.
The sky cries a symphony of shrieks and despair. They can only move forward as mountains block their way left and right.
They hurry forth away from the descending shadows in the distant sky. Every new step adds a slither of weight. In the beginning, they do not notice but the weight adds up, slowly but surely. Profuse sweating and heavy breathing betray them.
Somewhere along the path amid fleeing Rayne glimpses at something. Something he did not expect. A silhouette hiding in shadows. A silhouette of a human.
It's hard to see but the man appears to be in military fatigues and holds a combat shotgun.
Rayne and the other Fang Two unit members abruptly stop.
"Quickly, follow me," the unknown soldier says as he runs to the mountains. Almost unnaturally fast.
With little to no options, Rayne and the others follow.
"Where is he?" Davenport asks as the Fang Two unit loses track of him.
"Here," the soldier appears from nowhere as he springs again in godly speed.
"Is he an Olympic runner?" Big George add, catching his breath.
They follow in the same manner until they reach a side of a mountain.
There is an opening; a cave.
"Come inside. They won't follow us here," the unknown soldier standing inside the cave entrance says.
"Who are you?" Rayne asks.
"And why wouldn't they follow us inside?" Akira questions.
"How do we even know he is on our side?" Big George wonders.
"Yeah, man. He could be, you know, like a devil in disguise," Davenport says.
They hear shrieks in the distance. An eerie melody penetrates through the night.
"Do what you want. But I think you should decide quickly," the soldier says as he enters.
Rayne and the others glimpse behind. Somehow this decision comes easily. They enter.
The passageways of the caves are shroud in darkness. Rayne and Big George turn on their flashlights to illuminate the way forth. They make their way through the linear path. At its end lies a small makeshift space adorned only with one small lamp.
"Turn the lights off," the soldier warns.
They do as he says.
"Are we really safe here?" Davenport asks.
"You are." the soldier says as he sits down on the ground. "Please, sit down and relax," he adds, hidden behind the shadows.
Their way here was less than leisurely. The Fang Two unit members look at each other; they sit.
Sometimes it is hard to get the time to relax, best take advantage of any given opportunity.
They attentively watch the dark passage and listen carefully.
No one says a word in fear of alerting the monstrosities outside.
"I've told you, they won't come in here," the unknown soldier says.
There is no reason not to trust him but still it doesn't hurt to be careful.
They pry their ears and focus their eyes for a minute or so.
"I think we are okay," Rayne says and as the word "okay" leaves his mouth the Fang Two unit sighs in relief. With a deep breath, shoulders unwind as they turn from the previous stone-like stiffness. The small light of the lamp shines on the sweat-covered faces of Rayne, Big George, Akira, and Davenport. A little bit behind the lamp inside the dark sits the unknown soldier; the light illuminates only half of his face and some of his military fatigues.
"Who are you? Are you a soldier?" Rayne asks as the military fatigues draw his attention. He noticed them before but the circumstances were less than optimal.
Big George, Akira, and Davenport turn to him.
"Who am I?" the soldier murmurs, trying to find an answer to the question.
He thinks as the others stare at him, perplexed.
"He doesn't remember?" Davenport turns to Big George trying to ask him without drawing too much attention. Big George shrugs.
"My name... it's something short. Something that starts with a B... I think," the soldier says, reminiscing, "What is it? Why can't I remember?" he asks in visible discomfort.
"Ben?" Barry?" Davenport tries guessing his name.
"No," the soldier says as he shakes his head.
"Benedict, Bob, Bill, Billy..." Big George states a couple of names as he gets cut off.
"BILLY!" the soldier happily exclaims, "Yes, they called me that but my name is William, William Morris. And I am a soldier. I am Corporal William "Billy" Morris, US Marines," Billy remembers.
A slight smirk appears on his face.
"Do you know what happened to your unit, William? Do you know where we are?" Rayne asks, desperately looking for answers. Any answer at this point.
"Please, call me Billy. Only my father called me William. We used to hang out a lot when I was a kid but then..." Billy looks away with a sad smile, "I remember one time we went to the Sequoia National Park in California. I got lost in a cave. I was so scared. But he found me. Half of his face was angry and the other half was happy. It was just before he..." he explains but stops.
"Focus, Billy. What happened to your unit?" Rayne asks.
"My unit?" Billy wonders, "Yes! My unit. They were with me. We went inside a thing. The Entity they called it and then..." he remembers but abruptly stops.
"And then?" Rayne asks.
Billy tries to remember. Then, his expression darkens as his face turns pale.
"No! No, no, no, no," Billy maniacally repeats as he shakes his head and turns back to the dark.
"Billy, what happened?" Rayne asks but the distressed soldier continues his cries of desperation unable to calm down, "ATTENTION, SOLDIER!" he says as he stands.
Billy stops for a moment. He returns to the dim light with a pale lifeless expression. Worn and torn from a simple memory like an overused rag doll.
"Peter was killed by the faceless. They broke him apart like a child a toy. Morris was killed by the blue-eyed reaper. It laughed as it broke his neck. It was loud... the snap. Like snapping a twig. The creature's laugh echoed like a crowd of people mocking you. But we managed to escape, the three of us. Then... I can't remember but I found myself here," Bill says as he withdraws back to the shadows.
The Fang Two unit members don't say anything. What can they say?
They didn't suffer any casualties but hearing Billy talk makes them wonder. Considering everything it is not so much of a possibility rather than an eventuality.
Akira, Big George, and Davenport look at each other as if knowing what the other is thinking all but Rayne. For some unknown reason, he is the only one confident that his team will make it out alive.
It is not a rational thought by any means only a gut feeling.
A deep gut feeling that transcends all reason and logic as if he can somehow see into the future?
Unreasonable but unwavering.
"I have to say, it's a miracle you came when you did. Who knows what would happen if you didn't," Davenport says as he shudders.
"The timing was impeccable," Akira adds, staring cautiously.
"You can say that again, it was like in the movies, man. You know? When the heroes are saved in the last minute," Davenport says.
"Yes, almost too good to be true," Akira says as he squints wary eyes at Billy.
Rayne and Big George look at each other. They didn't think about it before but the timing was definitely too good. If he didn't lead them to this place who knows what would have happened outside with the creatures?
"How did you find us, Billy?" Rayne asks.
"Just lucky I guess," Billy says, dismissing the question.
"How long have you been here?" Akira asks.
"I don't know. A week or so," Billy answers as he tilts back and forth. His face vanishes into the shadows as he tilts back and as he tilts forth the lamplight illuminates it. Appearing and disappearing in an almost metronomic rhythm.
"You must be hungry and thirsty considering you've been here so long," Akira offers a flask of water to Billy.
"No-no, I'm good," Billy refuses, almost panicked.
"You're not hungry or thirsty?" Akira asks.
Billy shakes his head.
Akira puts back the flask; his hand slowly goes over his sidearm.
"What's with all these questions, man?" Davenport jests, unsure of the all-to-apparent suspicion.
Rayne and Big George look at each other as if they've figured out something. They have.
"How did you manage to stay alive for so long?" Rayne asks, continuing the inquiry.
"I've been hiding in this cave," Billy answers.
"You've been in this cave all this time? You must have left to scout the outside, try to forage some food or something?" Akira asks.
"No. I've never left the cave before today. Been here for all this time," Billy says as he laughs, "I guess I turned into a caveman," he laughs at his shoddy joke. Davenport looks back and forth in confusion from Billy to Akira.
"You know it smells pretty good here considering you never left the cave," Akira remarks.
"What do you mean?" Billy asks, unsure.
Akira draws his pistol at Billy.
Big George and Rayne instinctively do the same.
"What gives, man, he saved us?" Davenport says, unsure about what is happening.
Billy aims his combat shotgun back at them in response. The friendly encounter turns to a hostile stand-off in a blink of an eye.
"W-W-What is happening," Billy stutters as he erratically aims his weapon from one Fang Two unit member to another, "Put your weapons down. PUT 'EM DOWN," he yells as his hands shake.
Why are his hands shaking? Isn't he a soldier, Rayne wonders?
Is it really right for us to aim our weapons at a fellow soldier?
"Everyone, put down your arms," Rayne orders.
"Sorry, Captain, but no can't do. Something is seriously fucked up here," Akira says.
"I concur," Big George adds.
"What is happening? I don't get it," Davenport adds, confused.
"I've saved your asses. And you draw YOUR WEAPONS at me?" Billy remarks.
"Yeah, man. Why are we doing this?" Davenport asks, trying to figure things out.
"Davenport can you be any dumber? He said he isn't hungry or thirsty. And according to his words, he's been in this cave for days. Also, there are no MRE remains in this cave. Last time I checked you can't eat and drink air. And smell that," Akira says.
Davenport turns around and takes a few whiffs, "I don't smell anything."
"Exactly. Wouldn't it smell like piss and shit if he was here for all that time?" Akira concludes.
"What are you talking about? I could have gone outside to do that," Billy says.
"You said you didn't leave the cave at all," Akira says.
"I mean that doesn't mean 100% of the time. Right?" Billy says as he moves his shotgun faster and even more erratic.
His voice quivers more with each new question.
"Captain, I don't buy it. Too many things don't add up. And then he leaves this cave for the first time and finds us? Talk about coincidence and I don't believe in coincidence," Akira explains as he confidently aims his pistol at Billy.
"You don't believe him? Do you?" Billy asks.
Rayne looks at the tense situation as he takes a moment to ponder things through. What Billy said can be true; there are many explanations to fill the so-called discrepancies. He could have cleaned up MREs. He could have been outside. Just because he said he spent all his time in the cave hiding doesn't mean he never went outside. There are many explanations.Rayne smirks. And with a simple smirk, all his doubts vanish. He's been in many situations with his unit. Through flame and dirt.
And they are still alive. They are alive because they relied on each other. You trust your brother to watch your back and in turn, you watch their back. That is the way it is.
"I do trust them, Billy. You are keeping something from us. What is it?" Rayne says as he draws his sidearm. Davenport follows his Captain.
Looking at four soldiers with their weapons aimed at him Billy reevaluates his situation.
"Okay, okay," Billy says as he slowly lowers his combat shotgun on the ground.
He takes a deep sigh.
"Look, I know how this is going to sound but I swear it's the truth. When we entered this place we were attacked. My unit managed to pull through but not without taking casualties. Three of us survived; we made our way to the port to take a ship and proceed to the research station. You know to retrieve the data? When we arrived there, something got me. Something pierced my stomach and lifted me. It hurt like hell but the strangest thing was that there wasn't anything there and at the same time there was. You know? It's like the thing was invisible. Like a phantom. I thought I was going to die but then I woke up in this place. I found this cave and hid. Didn't get hungry, or thirsty or anything. Felt really good," Billy explains his situation.
The Fang Two unit members look at him with doubt.
He wasn't kidding when he said we wouldn't believe him, Rayne thinks.
Billy pauses for a moment letting them take in the unbelievable story.
"Alright, you should have said so at the beginning," Akira remarks as he lowers his weapon; the others do the same.
Billy's barely visible face turns dumbfounded.
"You believe me?" Billy blurts out, confused.
"Considering what we've seen here this doesn't merit strange," Big George says.
"It's actually a little underwhelming," Davenport jests as he laughs.
Akira turns to Davenport with a shocked expression.
"What?" Davenport asks as his teammate stares at him, "What?" he asks again, unsure about why Akira is giving him this look.
"You said underwhelmed. That is probably the biggest word you ever used," Akira remarks.
"Come on, man," Davenport spouts out slightly offended.
Big George nods in confirmation. It probably is, Big George concludes.
"Everyone get ready we are moving out soon. No way in hell am I hiding in a cave. You too, Billy. You are joining Fang Two," Rayne orders as the other members of his team nod in affirmation.
"Wait! We can't leave. There are things out there," Billy remarks, slightly panicked as he vigorously shakes his head in negation.
"This is an order, soldier!" Rayne says.
Billy continues to shake his head as he retreats to the shadows.
"We don't have time for this," Rayne says as he steps forth and grabs Billy by the collar. As he grabs him he tries to yank him outside the shadows.
"I TOLD YOU I'M NOT GOING!" Billy yells as he pushes Rayne forward. Then, something pierces Rayne's stomach; a long red blade-like nail.
Rayne looks down as blood pours from his mouth. Billy retracts the nail as Rayne falls to the ground. Standing in the light they can fully see him. Billy's upper torso is human yet the lower half is something else. Instead of legs, he has two meat red limbs with knees that invert inwards and a tail with the sharp red nail attached to them. Seeing the inhuman sight Big George, Davenport, and Akira raise their weapons at him again.
"What the fuck!" Davenport blurts out.
"I'm sorry I pushed you. But I told you I don't want to go." Billy says as he looks at the downed soldier, blood spilling from his stomach, "Why are holding your weapons? I said I was sorry," he says, confused by their "overreaction".
"Shit!" Big George blurts out as he grabs Rayne and pulls him a little distance away before attending to his wound.
Billy looks puzzled as the Fang Two unit has him in their sights.
Rayne endures the pain as Big George puts pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding but blood still spills out.
"Fuck! Another demon, man," Davenport remarks.
"Do we kill it?" Akira asks, unsure.
"Where is it the demon?" Billy asks as he looks left and right in panic.
Rayne notices Billy's confusion.
Does he not realize what he is, Rayne thinks?
The answer is apparent from his expression.
"Billy, you are the demon," Rayne says.
Upon hearing those words Billy bursts out laughing as his red tail erratically moves left and right.
"You got me," Billy says as he continues laughing.
"Captain?" Akira asks waiting for permission to shoot.
Big George and Davenport also stand ready.
"Billy. I think you died when that phantom attacked you. And you started to change. That is why you haven't been hungry or thirsty all this time," Rayne says as he looks at the unfortunate soul.
Billy abruptly stops laughing. His expression turns serious, almost offended.
"Look, Sir, this isn't funny," Billy says with a loss for words.
"Look at your legs, man," Davenport interjects.
"What is wrong with my..." Billy says as he looks down.
He sees the unnatural skinless-like limbs and the tall with the sharp nail at the end.
"W-W-What is this?" Billy yells as he runs back to the shadows to obfuscate himself from the truth. But even as his monstrous half lies hidden he can still feel it as it creeps around him, envelops him, embraces him. The darkness is not dark enough. It's never dark enough. Then, rage takes over. A single scream in the dark.
"SO WHAT? Will you kill me now?" Billy appears in front of the Fang Two unit, menacing over them.
"Man, I thought you were a soldier?" Davenport remarks.
"I AM A SOLDIER!" Billy yells, eyes turning blood red.
"Soldiers are brothers. And brothers don't hurt their brothers," Akira says.
"I didn't hurt you. I saved you from those things outside. Without me you would be dead," Billy yells. His tail raises up high like a battle-ready scorpion.
"Look what you did to the Captain," Davenport says.
Billy turns to Rayne. He sees the man with the pierced bloody stomach lying on the floor. Billy moves his tail and the stinger in front of his face; there is blood on it.
I've done this, Billy wonders, shocked?
The realization brings him to his knees both figuratively and literally.
He takes a silent moment to remember.
"No. This isn't me. I was never a coward. I... I was a soldier." Billy says as he smiles, "Kill me. I'm just a monster," he says drenched in tears.
Akira approaches him as he places the pistol on his head.
"No. You are a soldier," Akira says. Billy's jaw opens at the unexpected comment.
“Thank you,” Billy say as he nods; no rage, no fear only determination.
Akira pulls the trigger.