Chapter 10
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Infinity gently helped Cameo up and he took her hand. He followed her out of the alley and into the bright sunlight. Police cars surrounded the building they had broken into, and Cameo nodded at them.
“Don’t we need a ride?” He said evilly. He tugged on Infinity’s arm, pulling her to the nearest black-and-white.
“You’re like a kid!” Infinity giggled. Cameo shrugged and dropped to his knees, backpack in hand. He pulled out the well worn lock pick wallet and began working the door’s lock. Barely a second later, he pulled the door open and slid inside, jabbing his thumb down on the unlock button at the same time. Infinity jumped on the other side, just as the engine roared to life. They pulled away from the building, engine screaming as Cameo laughed and said, “I‘ve always wanted to do this!” He floored the accelerator and smashed a few buttons on the ceiling of the car. The siren began to wail and the blue and red lights began to flash. Cars pulled over to let the vehicle through, and Infinity doubled over laughing at Cameo’s glee. He jumped onto the highway and cruised through traffic.
Miles, hours, cities later, Infinity’s phone buzzed. “Cameo, it’s Harley!” Cameo whipped into the breakdown lane and snatched the phone from her hand. He accepted the call, and Harley’s voice issued from the tiny speakers on the phone.
“Hey, Gizmo,” Cameo smiled, glad to hear from his cousin.
“Hi, guys,” the disembodied voice said, “Ethaniel’s on the mend, but I need to tell you something. Last night, he told me something he found out just before he met up with us.” Harley took a deep breath. “Jaiden isn’t murdering the teens.”
Cameo gasped. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
“No. Instead, he’s using P.U.K.E on them and using them to take over the world.”
“Ah,” Infinity said nonchalantly, “not so good. Well, what can we do about it? We’re just kids!”
“I know, but you have to go to Washington DC, and stop that monster Jaiden before it’s too late. The fate of the world rests in your hands,” Harley intoned. Grinning impishly, Cameo laughed.
“Don’t be so dramatic, Giz. We got this, right Fin?” He took her hand, making her blush.
“Right. Bye, Harley.”
“Bye, guys. Good luck.” Infinity disconnected the call. Cameo veered back into traffic, shaking his head in dismay.
“Almost out of gas,” he said sadly. “We’ll get off at the next exit.” She nodded and he slowly traversed across the few lanes. The off-ramp was suspiciously deserted, and when they pulled into the first gas station, there were no cars, no people, nothing moving, nothing stirring. A stray wind blew litter across the deserted blacktop, under a sign that said ‘Welcome To Yellowknife!’ in pale, faded, peeling letters.
“Nothing,” Cameo whispered, scared to disturb the eerie silence. “Where is everybody?”
“I don’t know, but I don't like it. Let’s get out of here.” Cameo nodded and jumped out of the car, hurrying around to the passenger side door. He opened it for Infinity and she climbed out.
“We need a new car. This one will draw too much attention.”
Infinity smiled. “How about that one?” she asked, pointing to an Aston Martin parked in front of a large, four-storied house.
“Right, like that won’t draw any attention, but whatever. I wonder what happened to its owner.” He hiked up the stairs and tried the door handle. The heavy mahogany door swung open on its hinges. He gasped at the scene of carnage inside. Blood spattered on the walls, seat cushions torn open and dragged along the floor, a glass chandelier cut down and shattered on the ground. Peering in, Cameo silently crossed the threshold. Before he got three steps in the door, he saw trails of blood across the floor and, following them with his eyes, discerned the prone shapes of human bodies. His arm shot out, preventing Infinity from entering the house of death.
“What? What’s wrong?” She asked, standing on her tiptoes, trying to catch a glimpse inside.
“Go to the car,” he said, voice tight. “No questions. Go!” He shoved Infinity down the stairs. “Get out of here!” She stumbled down the steps. Cameo staggered into the house, slamming the door behind him. He traipsed over to the bodies, intending to at least place them on a bed or a couch, but stopped short. The hand of the farthest body was propped up on the wall, resting beneath blood smears. He paled, gagging at the scent of decay, and his lips moved, mouthing the words plastered on the wall. Murdered by Americans. Can’t be trusted. He backed away, tripping over something he hadn’t seen before. It was a leg, or what was left of one. Glancing over towards the remains, he noticed that one of the bodies was lacking the appendage.
Black clouded his vision, and he fought to stay conscious. He kicked the leg away from him and scrambled into the next room. More bloody handprints, but no death. He threw open another door. A small girl peered up at him. He flew back, thinking it was another corpse, but the girl stood up on shaky legs. She held her hands out to him, mouthing “help”, unable to speak. Cameo carefully approached the girl.
“Are you okay?” He asked. The girl shook her head no. Her legs buckled and she pitched forward. Cameo caught her and carried her out of the house. Gently placing her in the Aston Martin’s backseat, he grabbed his backpack and produced a water bottle. He handed it to the frightened girl, who downed the entire thing greedily.
“Thank you,” the girl whispered hoarsely. “My name is Charisma. I’m not alone. Every kid in the city is in that house. You have to help them. Please.” Cameo glanced at Infinity, who had come over and was gaping at Charisma. He pulled her aside.
“I found her inside. Apparently there are more where she came from. We have to help them.”
Infinity nodded. “Where are her parents?” He turned his head. “Oh, Cameo. I’m sorry you had to see that.” She took him in her arms and he rested his head on her shoulder, burying his face in her hair. Unable to help himself, a few tears slipped down his cheeks.
“Is he okay?” In his distress, Cameo had forgotten about Charisma. Jerking away, he swiped the tears off his face.
“I’m fine. Do you think you could tell me how old you are?”
“I’m sixteen, thank you. All of the other children are also in their teen years. The government operatives killed my parents and the other children's parents as well. Please rescue them.”
“That explains things,” Cameo said. “All the teen children were hidden before the special ops arrived, and the parents were killed protecting the kids.” He turned back to Charisma. “What about the younger kids? What happened to them?”
“Taken to your Capital City where they shall be killed, presumably. I assume you are headed there to save someone you care for. A brother, perhaps?” Charisma looked at him smugly, knowing she had him.
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