Chapter 35 A Mercy Burn
Slipping the letter into my pocket. I might need that number later. I held my knife out as I entered the last room. It was horrible. The sight and smell were nothing I have ever smelled before. I have heard how horrible it was to transform into a mutant. None of that prepared me for the horrible sight before me. My neighbor had to be near the end of her transformation. She was no longer herself. Luminous green eyes shifted to me. She opened her mouth, and a guttural screeching sound sounded inhuman.
This was so messed up. She was tied to the bed, but it didn’t look like she was going to stay tied down for long. I made quick work of putting her down. Who did this? Why did they do this? I paused in the room, looking at her, wondering about the possibilities. There is nothing I can do about it now. I had to remember my own mission. Maybe I could stop this from happening to others.
I was about to leave when the body began moving again, more mutant than before. Crap. I had to burn her. Before she breaks free. Thankfully, I noticed the candles on the counter. I grabbed the lighter and the cellphone on the counter. All just out of reach of my neighbor. Making quick work of turning on the gas stove in the kitchen and ran up to my old apartment and did the same. I took my only weapon, wrapping it in paper towels as I ran outside. I lit the dagger wrapped in paper towels on fire and made sure it was lit enough that it wouldn’t go out when I tossed it at the window.
Once the lit dagger exploded through the window, the whole building exploded. Hopefully, the mutant died, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I could never live with myself if others died from my lack of caution. Using the phone. I called the emergency line.
“911, what’s your emergency?” The female operator stated.
“A mutant was found in building 826 on Silva Street. The human was once Ashley Green.” I stated matter-of-factly.
“Where is the mutant now?” The operator asked as I could hear her clicking of the keyboard at her desk.
“Hopefully dead, I tried to put her out of her misery, but Ashley died, and it was the mutant that came back to life.” I couldn’t let feelings get in the way of what I had to do. It was the right thing. Sometimes the right thing sucks.
“What do you mean?” For the first time, the operator asked with a little emotion. She sounded confused.
“I blew up the building.” I stated.
“Are you still at the scene?” The operator asked. Still clicking away the information.
“No, I’m on a job.” I told her as I started to walk away. I shouldn’t linger any longer. Police and bystanders were sure to come and investigate what happened. The less people who knew the Fox was here the better.
“Who is this?” The operator asked. I had to think for a minute on how I wanted to respond. Only supers could leave a crime scene. I was left in a rock and a hard place so I answered the only way I could.
“Fox”.
And then the phone died, perfect, I thought. I don’t know if it was smart to say I was the Fox. Saying I was the fox and I was on a job was the only way I could. If my parents weren’t sure I was alive, they were going to now. My thoughts were starting to turn to the idea that they might actually be the bad guys in this, and what Ezra said might be true, but why?
The why is what I needed to find out. Maybe I was wrong, and all this evidence was planted against them, trying to make me turn on my parents. All I needed to do was figure out the truth. The actual truth.
As I made my way through the streets, I felt more determined to find the truth. What else was hidden from the world? Why did Ashley not finish turning until I killed her? Was it just a coincidence or something more? Something was going on, and I was going to get to the bottom of it.
About 30 minutes later, I made it to the trail in the woods that were on the outskirts of town. No car can follow us down this steep, winding pathway. A motorcycle might, but it would be extremely difficult for them to navigate while riding.
“What does a fox say?” I called out. A moment later, I hear.
“Yip yip yip!” I smiled at Cindy, who emerged from behind a tree.
“Why did you have to make it such a funny code word?” I asked with the biggest grin on my face.
“Do you know what a fox says?” Cindy lifted a brow.
“Haha no, I guess your yipping is fine.” I laugh.
She smiles. “Yeah, I was getting nervous, though.”
“I know, I am sorry… There was a situation at my place.” I admitted.
“What? Really?” Cindy questions.
“Yeah. I don’t know how to process it. My place was turned upside down like someone was looking for something.” I explain.
“Oh, jeez, that must have been scary.” Cindy gasped.
“I guess… but they didn’t find my stash, so I don't know what they could be looking for, that wasn’t even the worst thing.” I explain. Trying to think of a good way to bring up what happened to Ashley.
“What happened? You look pale?” Concern furrowed Cindy’s brow.
“My downstairs neighbor was turning into a mutant. I tried putting her down and out of her misery, but I guess it caused her to completely turn? It was weird.”
“What?” Cindy’s mouth was wide open.
“Yeah… nothing they taught us about how we can turn into mutants compared to what I just witnessed.”
“Oh man. I can’t even imagine. What did you do?”
“Blew up the building.” I blew out my breath.
“You what…?”
“I called it in with Ashley’s phone, but it died when I told them I was the fox.”
“Why did you out yourself?” Cindy asked. It was a good question.
“I think my parents already know,” I showed her the letter. It took her less than a minute to read the letter.
“What in the world?” She mumbled out, staring at the letter.
“Yeah…. something is up. I don’t like it. It feels wrong.” I tell her.
“I agree, I think it’s good you’re investigating.” She hands me back the letter.
“Me too.” I take it and put it back in my pocket.
“Oh! Here is the burner phone you asked for.” And just like that, Cindy’s cheerful expression was back.
“Thank you. I wish you didn’t have to be involved.”
“Honestly, if they found your apartment, they probably know we are friends.” Cindy was smart.
“True. I don’t like it.” I tell her.
“I know, but if we think what we think is true. This is all bigger than us. But I will be safe and play dumb if needed. Oh, I put it here.” Cindy had a point. I watched her move over to the tree. I looked at what she was getting ans asked.
“Put what?”
“My old motorbike. My dad bought it before he left because I wanted to transition.” Cindy tried hiding the hurt from that. I know there was nothing I could do. Some people can't accept change.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her instead.
“It’s fine, it was collecting dust in the garage anyways.” she shrugs.
“Will your mom notice?” I asked, not wanting my friend to get in trouble.
“I don’t think so. If she does ask about it, I’ll say I got rid of it when I got rid of all the male things.” She tells me. That made me curious.
“Why didn’t you get rid of it then?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Honestly, I forgot about it until we were talking about a plan of action. I don’t know if it works. I walked it here. So I would not draw unnecessary attention.”
“That was smart.” I tell her.
“See! Nothing to worry about! Hey, stop giving me that look!” She playfully smacks my arm.
“Sorry, I have never had a friend before and I am worried.” I replied with a giggle.
“Aww! Elizabeth.” Cindy gives a big, warm hug.”Hey! I have a random question... Is Elizabeth even your real name?”
“No, it's not, but to be honest, I have only been called Fox. Elizabeth was the nanny who cared for me. It was a way for me to remember her.” Tell her. Did I ever had a name other than fox? I wondered.
“Well you picked a good name.” Cindy smiles at me.
“Thanks.” I smile back.
“Remember this Isn't, goodbye, this is see you soon.” Cindy said and with one more hug, I said goodbye to my first real friend. And I hoped to see her again real soon.