There’s nowhere left for me to go.
Everyone out of the vans and into the circle.
He was holding a rifle now, prodding people as they filed out.
x1klima
Remove any hats, bandages, glasses anything which obscures your face.
Nobody is leaving here until I get a chance to look at their eyes.
He had to be looking for signs of the treatment.
The bearded man I had saved was still in the back of our van with me.
He looked so thin and weary I wonder how long hed been down there.
I caught his eye, and the pure white orbs looked back with helpless pleading.
We both flinched as a gunshot echoed throughout the caravan.
Then three more shots, one right after the other.
Just die already, Francisco said.
Three of us were left in the van: the driver, the haggard man, and me.
I was about to step out when emaciated probing fingers clutched desperately at my shirt.
I only did what they told me to do.
The driver pushed past us to exit in front.
If it hadnt been for Nathans interference, I would have had my first treatment today.
Besides that, I still wanted more answers.
The people who had been feeding it must know as much as anyone what we were up against.
Anyone like Francisco who sought to divide us had to be labeled as an enemy too.
I saw the car keys poking out of the drivers back pocket as he climbed out of the van.
I snatched it, applying pressure to his back to distract him.
Hey, what the hell man?
the driver was loud.
All eyes fell on me.
Thats the guy who helped Nathan!
I launched the van door shut just as he was raising his rifle.
the bearded man shouted, practically flinging me through the air and into the driver seat.
The van roared to life, smashing into the adjacent van to make enough space for us to escape.
More bullets were raining through the wall, and a spiderweb of cracks filled the passenger side window.
It must be bullet proof glass, but it still wouldnt hold up for long under this assault.
I asked the man.
Itll take more than that to slow me down, so dont let it slow you either.
Not until we reach the plant.
Thats the first place theyll look, I said.
Theyve all had rounds, and that makes em targets now.
We have to save as many as we can.
How do you know about that?
Dillan, I used to be called.
Dont seem right to call me that anymore though.
Not much of Dillan left.
We didnt have long to compare notes before I reached the plant.
Two of the other vans were close on my heels the whole way.
I didnt slow as we passed through the checkpoint rammed straight through the automated gate.
A bullet skipped by the ground near my feet the second I opened the door.
I thought I had gained some ground on them they couldnt be here already.
Another bullet this was coming from inside the building.
They must have begun clearing the plant before I even got there.
Dillan pulled me from the van and covered me with his body as we sprinted through the building.
I saw him take two more bullets, both rattling to the ground after impact.
Every room we passed was already strewn with bodies.
Elijah, Megan both have been decapitated.
Theres nowhere left for me to go.
Theres a few hanging on, Dillan pointed at one of the screens.
Dillan showed no hesitation, already bounding out the door as though he knew the way by heart.
I started to follow, but he was quick to terminate the door behind him.
You stay hidden, he said.
Ive been down there too long.
That thought was vivid enough for me to stay put.
I watched him on the security feed as he dashed through the hallways with inhuman speed.
Shit, I dont know, maybe Id even better off joining Nathan and the thing in the pit.
Even thinking that felt wrong though.
I was just about to make a run when the door was kicked open.
Francisco stood alone with a bloody machete in each hand.
His eyes were wild, looking even less human than Dillans vacuous stare.
I backed up against the wall, but I was cornered.
Nothings been done to me, I said.
You dont have to do this.
I didnt have to kill the others either, he said.
The moment they were plugged into those machines, they were more beast than man.
Were both men though were both on the same side.
I picked up the office chair and brandished it at him, but he only laughed.
Think again, smart-ass.
I hurled the chair into the surveillance screens and watched it smash them to pieces.
Franciscos smirk twisted into a snarl.
I know where the others are, I said.
You wont find them without my help.
Not before they escape.
Fine Ill let you live, he growled.
Just tell me who is left.
Not good enough, I replied.
I want to know whats been going on.
I want to know everything you know.
Theres not enough time -
Then stop wasting it.
He glanced at the broken monitors, then again at the long track of hallway where he came from.
Francisco expelled an irritated sigh, propped the chair up, and had a seat.
Thats when I finally got the whole story.
The valley had been the result of a primal asteroid smashing into the Earth.
The government deployed a mining expedition, looking for clues as to the buildup of pressure.
The mining further served to disturb the being, and its increasing activity threatened its pending escape.
The only method which seemed to slow the being down was crudely refereed to as sacrifices.
If there was more to the story, I didnt get a chance to hear.
Francisco was getting impatient, and I didnt know how much more time I could buy.
Luckily, I didnt have to.
Dillan returned during the recounting, and while Franciscos attention was still distracted, he pounced.
I say pounced, because only an animal could have flown through the air like that pale eyed Demon.
I would have been grateful if it hadnt been for what happened next.
Dillan bit deeply into Franciscos neck while his limp form was still convulsing in Dillans arms.
Even with human teeth, Dillan was able to rip out great chunks of flesh from the man.
I didnt say a word.
I didnt look away.
I just let it happen.
After Dillan finished, he gave me a sloppy grin before leading me safely through the building.
Dillan had saved the other three people though, and I owed him my life as well.
Thats how I learned the last part of the story that Francisco had left out.
The people hooked to the machines they werent just feeding the thing.
Hes right though, I shouldnt call him Dillan anymore.
Dillan died a long time ago.
As soon as I was out to freedom, I parted ways with the subjects.
I got in my car and I drove as far and as fast as I could.
I dont know that he can be killed dont know that he can be stopped.
