Fury Rising (30 page)

              Mason waved him off. He had to see for himself.  “Give me a few. If anything shows up, feel free to get out of here.”

              “We got what we came for.”

              “One more thing.” Mason propped the door open and stepped inside. “This is important.” The back room was empty except for a body lying on the floor. He bent down to examine it. A feral lay on his side. Blood pooled around his midsection from where Clementine had stabbed him. Dull eyes stared at the stack of dusty boxes piled up in the receiving area.

              “What are you doing?” Daniel came over and joined him. “Aren’t you the one who kept saying we don’t have time for this?”

              A crash echoed through the backroom and they both looked up, peering into the darkness. A few breathless seconds passed where they waited to see if something would jump out. But nothing lunged to attack.

              “Clementine told me something,” Mason whispered. “I need to confirm it. And don’t tell me not to bother. This is the one thing that might save her. She thinks she killed Michael.”

              “Fine, Tourist Boy,” Daniel said. “But if you get us killed, it’s not going to be helpful to anyone. And I’ll never let you forget it either.”

              “Fair enough.”

              Mason pulled out his pocket flashlight and turned it on. It wouldn’t let him see too far into the darkness, but enough for him to get further away from the loading doors. He moved carefully through the back, wondering how far he might have to go before he found his answer.

              “Blood there,” Daniel said.

              There were splashes of the red stuff on the floor beneath their feet. Mason used his light to follow the trail. They continued on several more feet before finding the second body. The feral lay spread out on his stomach. Mason bent over and turned the monster over. With its shirt pulled up, he could see the sharp slice above the bellybutton.

              A stab wound.

              Two Baggers. Clementine said she’d used the knife twice.

              Mason checked over the bodies again and couldn’t see any other weapons. That didn’t mean anything. A metal weapon could have easily skidded across the floor and underneath one of the pallets or behind some of the boxes.

              But it made him think that Clementine hadn’t killed Michael.

              Sadly, Mason knew that the information still wouldn’t make the pain go away. But at least she’d know. She’d have her closure.

              “Come on,” Mason said. “Let’s get out of here while we still can.”

              “Hold up a second,” Daniel said. “We’re here. Apparently still undetected. We should check out the competition. See what kind of fighters we’re up against. Maybe there’s a way to cut through some of the enemy line.”

              Mason glanced back at the loading doors, wondering how much time Raj and Jordan would give them before deciding to bolt. It seemed like an unnecessary risk, but when Mason and Daniel got together, they always ended up taking the dumb route. Sometimes it paid off. Sometimes it didn’t.

              If the ferals were going to attack, they would have already come. They must be too deep inside the mall to hear the car engine. The guys at the front obviously weren’t on lookout duty either. Did ferals actually fear anything enough to keep guard? Probably not.

They still had the element of surprise and Mason wanted to use it. Not only did he want to use it, but he needed it. The thrill of the hunt. He’d been locked up so long at the Plaza, he’d almost forgotten the rush. The way the adrenaline kicked in. The feeling of satisfaction he got when he took revenge on everything he’d lost.

              “Five minutes,” Mason said, unable to keep the grin off his face. “We take a quick look and that’s it. Let’s not push our luck. Remember what happened the last time. I just got out of prison, I have no desire to die before getting a decent shower.”

              “Or a kiss?”

              “Not from you.”

              Preparing themselves for a potential assault, they raced down the corridor until they found a set of swinging doors leading towards the store. It didn’t take long for Mason’s eyes to adjust to the darkness.

              “Lights off,” he whispered and Daniel obliged. The flashlights both switched off, plunging them into complete darkness. Mason peered through the door window, but couldn’t see anything dangerous. Darkened empty aisles. The ferals had been busy. Merchandise had been pulled from the shelves and all sorts of damaged products littered the floors. 

              “Someone’s gonna be pissed when they have to clean that all up,” Daniel said.

              “Should we?” Mason grinned, already knowing the answer.

              “Would be a shame not too,” Daniel said. “We’ve come this far.”

              With the feeling of adrenaline rushing through his veins, Mason shoved on the door and they found themselves in the deli. There wasn’t much there, most of the food had turned ages ago. Aside from the overwhelming growth of mold in the meat section, the area looked like it hadn’t been touched.

They moved across the floor and down an aisle filled with an arrangement of fruit juice and sports drinks. Although recently looted, there was still a large amount of product on the shelves. This was a huge shopping complex. How come no one had bothered to check it out over the past few months? Most of the shops downtown and on the north shore had been completely gutted. What was it about this place that made it special?

              Daniel pulled a juice box off the shelf and poked a straw through the aluminum foil. “Grape juice. I used to love this crap as a kid, but my Mom would never buy it. Said it was nothing but sugar water. Well, look at me now, Mom. Mountains of grape juice and no one to stop me.” He took another box and put it in his pocket for later.

              “Your mother would be proud.”

              “Not likely. I’m the one who killed her.”

              Mason looked into Daniel’s face, but in the darkness, couldn’t tell if he was joking or not.

              “You know what I am,” Daniel said. His voice had a quiver to it. Remorse.

              “I haven’t forgotten.”

              “But you’re the only one not treating me any different. Everyone else either hates me now or looks at me like they think I’m going to freak out any second and eat their heart. Why aren’t you scared?”

              Mason shrugged. “I don’t know.”

              “I killed a lot of people, Tourist Boy. Don’t you ever forget it.”

              “And if you change and come after me, I’ll kill you first.”

              “That’s a promise I hope you keep.”

              Mason reached for a juice box himself, picking one with a picture of strawberries and watermelon. The conversation wasn’t exactly making him uncomfortable, he was used to Daniel rambling on about the strange thoughts that went through his brain. At the same time, he didn’t really want to think about what might happen if his friend turned on him.

              It made him think about the kiss he’d shared with Aries. The way she pressed intensely against him, as if time was running out. That’s how everything was done these days, wasn’t it? Live each moment because a second chance might not be in the stars. He glanced casually at Daniel, wondering if something happened between Aries and him. They’d been very close at one point and Mason didn’t think Daniel being a Bagger would be something that would turn Aries away. If anything, it would probably bring them closer. Mason had been away from the group for too long. He was out of the loop on gossip. Whatever happened between Aries and Daniel, he wasn’t about to ask. Now wasn’t the time to be bringing up the ‘did you dump her or did she dump you’ conversation. No, there were more important things to worry about.

              “Do you think it’s weird that Leon let us come here? I mean, he had us all together and then he let us go.”

              Daniel paused to think it over. “He knows we’ll come back. He has Aries.”

              “And the others.”

              “Don’t fool yourself, he only wants Aries. And possibly you.”

              Now it was Mason’s turn to take a moment to consider Daniel’s words. “Me? Why me? I would have thought he’d be more interested in you. You’re the one who plays both sides. I’m nothing special.”

              “He see’s potential in you. A human who has successfully killed a ton of Baggers. Sure, you had my help, but you’re still doing the one thing that most people are too afraid to do. You fight back. You break the mold. Instead of hiding, you jump to the front of the pack and wave your arms.”

              “I’m only doing what’s right.”

              “Don’t fool yourself,” Daniel said as he pocketed another juice box. “You do it because you like it.”

              “You’re making me sound like a monster.”

              Daniel shrugged. “No. Just different. And I think Leon likes that. Come on, it can’t be that interesting killing all the time. Leon likes to study us. He wants to know what makes us tick. A pet project. Sometimes I think he’s never been human himself.”

              “You think he’s always been a Bagger? Is that possible?”

              “Could be. This darkness that made us. It’s been around for a long time. Before people even walked the earth. Who knows what it does for kicks.”

              They continued down the aisle past the Gatorades. Someone had opened all the Red Bulls and Monster Energy drinks and emptied them onto the floor.

              Where the hell were the ferals?

              “This is weird,” Mason said. “Why’d they give this place up? There’s still plenty of stuff. They should all be in food comas and passed out in the bedding section. Where are they?”

              “Did you check the deodorant aisle? Or the baby wipes? If anyone could use some extra help, it’s them.”

              “I’d laugh, but you haven’t said anything funny.”

              “Maybe they decided to pick out some new clothes,” Daniel said. Frowning, he turned the corner to check out another aisle. There was no denying the place was empty. Wherever the party was, it wasn’t there.

              “Want to go further?”

              “Yep. Seems pointless not to.”

              They wandered over to the sports equipment where they were met with a meager supply. No baseball bats or anything useful for weapons. Mason grabbed a package of batteries and put them in his pocket. It would be nice to grab a cart and pick up a few things, but the whole thing seemed pointless. Anything they brought back would go straight to the Plaza of Nations and Mason didn’t want to help the Baggers.

              No line-ups at the checkout tills. Most of the racks had been tipped, dozens of out of date tabloid and weight loss magazines lay torn and trampled. Daniel bent over and picked up a couple packs of peppermint gum. He tore open a package and tossed a few white pieces in his mouth. He offered the package to Mason who shook his head.

              “Almost as good as a toothbrush,” Daniel said.  

              “Want to stop at the pharmacy? I’ll bet you can pick one up cheap.”

              “Gum is easier. It fits in your pocket and doesn’t collect lint.”

              “That’s disgusting.”

              “Toothbrush lint? Absolutely. Worst part about the apocalypse.”

              They stood at the front of the store and looked out. The mall split off into two directions. They could go forward or turn left. Both corridors were empty. Someone had pried open the security gates to the closest clothing boutique. Piles of jeans lay on the ground. The mannequins were all stripped and smashed.

              “These are nice,” Daniel said. He bent over and picked up a pair of strategically ripped jeans. He checked the price tag. “Cheap too. Not my size though. Looks like they might fit you. Want to try them on? Or are you holding out for brand name?”

              “What the hell are you wankers doing?”

              Mason spun around and found Raj glaring at them. Jordan stood off to the side, his rifle poised and ready. Neither of them looked especially happy.

              “Shopping,” Daniel said. “Need anything? Good bargains here.”

              “Seriously?” Raj reached out and knocked the jeans out of Daniel’s hands. “What the hell is the matter with you? We were waiting. Had no idea where you were. Thought you might be dead. And when we find you? You’re browsing for trousers?”

              “The mall is empty,” Mason said. “We didn’t mean to go this far. It just happened.”

              “You fancied a walk so you took a stroll? Jesus.” Although it was poorly lit, Mason could see a pink tinge growing on Raj’s cheeks.

              “Relax,” Daniel said.

              Those were apparently the absolute wrong words to say to Raj. He kicked a mannequin’s head and sent it flying into a security gate. The noise echoed down the hall, bouncing off the walls and making far more noise than Raj obviously intended. The chemistry major paused, his hands raised to his mouth in shock. They all waited in silence to see if they would finally hear the sounds of footfalls coming towards them. But the mall remained silent. She wasn’t giving up her secrets. 

              “Aries was right about you both,” Raj finally said. “And I’m not getting drawn into your stupid games. I’m not going to stand around and let you get me killed.”

              “What’s that supposed to mean?”

              “I’ve heard all about what you both used to do when you got together. Hunting Baggers. Searching them down and killing them. You may think it’s great to have a suicide pact, but I want nothing to do with it.”

              “That’s not what we were doing,” Mason said. “We were just checking things out. You don’t think it’s a good idea to find out what we’re up against?”

              “You already have that information,” Raj snapped. He turned to Daniel. “You’re the one who gave it to us. Hundreds of ferals. All bat-shit crazy. Killing everything that’s stupid enough to walk up to them. There was no need to go back. What’s worse, you put us all in danger, mate. That’s not cool.”