Fury Rising (2 page)

No, that was going to change. Right now. He smiled at the Baggers, ignoring the weapons pointed at him. They’d be handing him keys to his own private residence soon enough. All he had to do was deliver the goods.

He’d gotten up early that morning and snuck out of the campground before anyone else woke up. Slipped past the kids who were supposed to be on guard. Stupid idiots couldn’t spot a person sneaking through the woods unless they wore a bright clown suit and screamed at the top of their lungs. He’d gone down to the water where they kept the boats, pulled one of the kayaks free and headed out before the sun even began to rise. The water had been a bit rocky, but nothing he couldn’t handle. After about an hour of paddling, he’d touched down on the shores of Second Beach. After that, he’d basically headed straight down Davie towards the Plaza of Nations. It felt good to walk in the middle of the street after spending so many months creeping around in the shadows. He had nothing to hide. If the Baggers found him first, he knew they’d be more than happy to escort him the rest of the way.

By the time he got to the Plaza of Nations, the group of prisoners had started to stir. The compound wasn’t nearly as overcrowded as before, but there were still a decent number of people behind the barbed wire fencing. Aries and the others had done a failed rescue mission a few months back. They’d freed a bunch of people, many of which now lived with them in the park. But some hadn’t escaped or the Baggers had rounded them back up. Also because of the raids, there were always new victims to find.

As horrible as Aries’ reign might be, Colin had to admit this was worse. Stuck in the dirty concrete area, their own urban campground, several people huddled together under an open tent where a few were cooking breakfast. The majority walked around in filthy clothing. They washed their faces from a bucket where the outdoor stage stood. He could smell the stinking port-a-potties from across the compound. The ground was muddy and garbage covered everything. Even in the corner, where they’d attempted to plant vegetables, the pathetic green plants looked withered and on the verge of death. Colin frowned as the smell of burnt oatmeal wafted through the air. He scanned the crowd, pausing for a moment to appreciate a blonde girl who might have been pretty if she wasn’t covered under a layer of dirt. She caught his eye before glancing away. Colin smiled before moving on. He was looking for Mason and maybe the freak, Daniel. As far as he knew, Daniel was still hiding out somewhere in the city, but Colin could always hope. He didn’t spot either of them and that made him slightly depressed. He would love to see the look on Mason’s face, the exact moment of realization when Mason would learn that Colin was about to betray them all. Sweet justice.

The Baggers met him at the gate. Surprised and suspicious, they raised their weapons, maintaining a reasonable distance. Colin didn’t blame them. Surviving humans didn’t exactly show up on their doorstep without being dragged and beaten first.

“I have information for you,” Colin said. “I want to see the guy in charge.”

The Bagger looked him up and down before turning his head and spitting some tobacco juice at the fence. “What makes you think Leon’s got time for the likes of you? Why don’t I just save you the trouble and kill you instead?”

Colin stood up straighter, ignoring the urge to run. “Because I have news for him. Something he wants to hear.”

“Tell me.”

“No. I want this Leon guy.”

The Bagger spat again. “Look you little pissant. You’re gutsy, I’ll give you that. Either that or you’re really stupid. You got some nerve coming up to the gates like this. I’ll give you a hint. You don’t look like you could even lift a box of tissues. You’re not even worth the time to bring into the camp. I’m in a good mood this morning and feeling lazy. Now bugger off before I change my mind and shoot your ass.”

The conversation wasn’t going at all the way Colin planned. The very thought that a Bagger might be too lazy to kill him wasn’t something he’d even considered. Once he got over the shock, the anger set in. How dare this little lap dog think Colin wasn’t a threat? Sure, he may not have the dexterity that Daniel had, or Mason’s strength, but Colin wasn’t someone to be overlooked.

“Look,” Colin said. “I want to talk to Leon. Now go get him for me. I have what he’s looking for.”

The Bagger leaned forward and sent a big glob of tobacco stained spit onto Colin’s shoe. Bringing his gun around, he pointed it straight at Colin’s chin. “And what exactly is that?”

Colin stepped forward until his skin pressed up against the metal. “Tell him I can give him Aries.”

                                                        *              *              *

They brought him into a large room on the second floor of what used to be the casino. It was a nice set up. Black leather couches spread out across expensive looking rugs. Paintings covered the walls, fancy stuff, pictures of the Vancouver skyline lit up at night. Granville Island during the day. The ocean at Stanley Park with a beautiful pink and orange sunset in the distance. A signed Vancouver Canucks jersey framed behind glass. Colin sat down on one of the couches and put his feet up on the glass table, kicking aside some magazines. It was like he was waiting in a talent agent’s office, about to be offered a major role in a movie. All that was missing was the sexy receptionist sneaking peeks at him from afar.

In this room, Colin could almost close his eyes and imagine things were back to normal. He smiled to himself. This was how things were supposed to be. He’d had so many ideas. After graduation, he’d planned on going to acting school and making a name for himself. Getting a role on a major television show or movie. He had been talented. A good actor. Everyone always said so. He’d even had a line in a local commercial. He could have been somebody.

Yeah, he was doing the right thing. Once he talked with the head Bagger, he’d get his condo. A fancy penthouse suite that came with a hot tub on a rooftop patio. He pictured himself soaking in a huge bath with jets massaging his feet while drinking champagne. He would sleep in a king sized bed with satin sheets. And there would be a big screen television playing movies in the background while he lounged about. Now that would be living! Colin thought back to the group of people he’d walked past when the Baggers escorted him into the casino. He’d drawn a bit of attention. There had been that girl, the pretty blonde one who needed a hairbrush and a bar of soap. Maybe they would give her to him if he asked. Colin was certain that any girl would be more than grateful to show their appreciation if he managed to get them out of the Plaza and into his warm condo. Maybe he could have two or three. Hell, it was a big crowd, he could have a new one every week. He’d have to stock up on soap and pick up some clothes from Forever 21 and Victoria’s Secret so he could pretty them up first.

The door opened and a few Baggers entered the room. Colin immediately scrambled to his feet, annoyed himself for being so jumpy. But it wouldn’t be good to get caught sitting down, not when he needed to be on his guard. He studied the men. The one in the middle had to be Leon. The Baggers surrounding him were the kind that must have been military or bouncers in a past life. They were big; one of them had to be at least six and a half feet tall. Colin knew the type. They were men who took orders well, grunting all the while. But the one in the middle, the one named Leon, he was interesting. Clean cut and a bit on the shorter side, he wore a pair of jeans and a nice dress shirt. His face had a soft pleasant look, back before the world ended, he had probably been the type of guy that guys liked and girls only friended. Nodding at the grunts behind him, he moved towards Colin while the bigger apes guarded the door.

“It’s a very brave move to come here by yourself,” the man said. “I am to assume you’re alone?”

“Yeah,” Colin said.

“Very brave,” the man said with a nod of his head. “I can’t think of any human who would do such a thing. Not with what’s happened.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Most of you are frightened of us. I must say, while our reputations aren’t the best, they’re not exaggerated either.”

“You won’t hurt me,” Colin said.

“You’re certain?”

He wasn’t, not one hundred percent, but Colin knew that showing fear wouldn’t get him anywhere. No, he had to display confidence if he wanted to be taken seriously. It wasn’t like he’d gone to the Baggers without having some sort of plan. He’d been thinking about it for weeks.

“I’m sure,” he finally said, pleased that his voice didn’t crack or show emotion.

The man smiled widely. “Well, color me intrigued. Won’t you sit down?” He paused, waiting.

“Colin.”

“Colin.” The man repeated the name, the smile not leaving his face. “Please take a seat. Put your feet up. I promise not to be offended. You can call me Leon. Shall we continue with our first name basis?”

Colin moved back over to the couch but didn’t sit. He waited until Leon gracefully planted himself on one of the leather chairs beside the coffee table. The bouncers stayed by the door, their eyes watching Colin intently.

“Can you call off your goons?”

“Who them? Ignore them. They’re just here to make sure you don’t try and hurt me.”

“Hurt you?”

Leon smiled. “But of course. We don’t know you. You could be hiding a weapon. I have a right to be protected too. There are a lot of people who want me dead, wouldn’t you agree?”

Colin had to press down tightly on his lips to keep from laughing out loud. This was the guy that everyone was afraid of? The guy, who according to that freak Daniel, had tortured Mason repeatedly?

“Can I offer you a drink?” Leon asked. “Coffee? Tea? Juice? Something stronger?”

“Sure. Coffee.” For a moment he considered ordering something stronger. Why not? Little things, like the legal drinking age, no longer existed. But he needed to be clearheaded. He cautiously lowered himself onto the chair beside Leon, but he didn’t put up his feet. No, best to keep them both planted firmly on the ground.

“But of course.” Leon nodded to one of his apes and the man left the room.

A moment of silence passed. Colin shifted around, waiting for Leon to speak. Surely the man must be curious to know Colin’s secrets. How much should he give up right away? All of it? Or should he keep Leon on the hook, giving away bit by bit, reeling him in slowly?

“My men tell me you have information for me. I must admit, you’ve got me very curious. As I said, your kind does not willingly show up on my doorstep. I would say it’s very brave or very stupid. You took a very big risk coming here.”

“What can I say,” Colin said. “I like to live dangerously.”

Leon leaned forward, his hands resting on his knees. “So what sort of stories do you wish for me to hear? What is so important that you’d risk your life this early in the morning?”

Colin started to speak, but his voice cracked. Swallowing hard, he tried again. “Uh, I have information on Aries. I know you’re interested in her.”

Leon smiled. “Aries? That girl? What makes you think I care about the likes of her? She’s just a child and I’m a very busy man.”

“Oh come on,” Colin said. “I know you want her. Everyone knows. You sent that guy pretending to be Clementine’s brother. You’ve been holding Mason hostage. Good job, by the way. We don’t want him back. Feel free to kill him. Daniel too.”

He’d decided that the tough guy image was the role he needed to play. This would be no different than performing. He could practically imagine the movie cameras capturing his every moment as he recited his lines. The perfect character. A combination of tough guy and brilliant negotiator. Piece of cake.

“Okay, you’ve got me,” Leon said with another smile. “Yes, I find Aries to be a person of interest. But I feel that way about many people. Electricians. Carpenters. Plumbers would be a real bonus. Anyone who knows a trade. I would like to find doctors too. Healers have become an endangered species these days. Do you know of any?”

“Maybe.” A little bit of a lie. Larissa, the girl they’d picked up at the University of British Columbia had been studying to become a nurse. That was almost just as good. Colin did a quick mental breakdown of everyone in their current camp, wondering who else might be worth bargaining for. The more he could trade to Leon, the more powerful he’d become.

“Some people are far more interesting than others,” Leon said. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, of course.”

The door opened. A nervous looking girl with watery eyes came in, holding a tray filled with a pot of coffee. Her clothing was dirty, not that filth was any indication of being Bagger or human. Colin could tell by the way she moved that she was no Bagger. There was too much mistrust and fear in her eyes when she glanced at Leon. But she was pretty, gorgeous actually, maybe a few years older than him. Surely she wouldn’t mind a younger guy as her savior. Yeah, she’d make a great addition to his penthouse suite.

Leon nodded at her briefly before turning his attention back to Colin.

“If I am to understand you correctly, you are saying you know where Aries is? And you’re willing to bring her to me?”

“Yes and no,” Colin said. He watched while the girl filled two coffee cups from the same pot. She placed one in front of him before putting down some cream and sugar. He picked up a creamer, one of those tiny packages that they used to give out in restaurants and turned it over in his hands, casually checking to make sure it hadn’t been tampered with. “I will tell you where she is. You have to go get her for yourself.”

“And what do you want in return?”

“Comfort. A place in one of your condos. I want to join your side.”

Leon brought the coffee cup up to his lips, but he kept that annoying smile, even while he took a sip. Colin didn’t like it. Leon didn’t seem to be taking him seriously. He’d expected that, but the smug attitude was getting on his nerves. He’d expected the guy to be threatening. But this was more like they were negotiating over buying a new car. It unnerved him and Colin couldn’t explain why.

“Drink up,” Leon said, nodding in the direction of Colin’s cup. “I’m not trying to poison you. It’s not my style. I prefer a more direct approach.”