Chapter 14: Chapter 14: To The Rescue
The corridor is empty but for the fallen. I don't look down, don't have time to worry about those who won't rise again. I hurtle down the passageway, searching for my calm, but only finding rage.
It will do.
Two boys emerge from the dining room. I don't hesitate or pause, attacking them both. They go down in sprays of blood, my feet and hands reducing them to broken and unconscious masses on the floor. Three more erupt from another doorway up ahead and spot me. One of them knows me, as I know him. The skinny little kid, the one I saved from a beating. He points.
"There she is!" He shoves the one next to him. "Get her!"
This is my fault then. This invasion of Beckett's space, the destruction of his home, and Poppy's. My rage is replaced by despair, but it doesn't seem to matter. My body fights automatically, breaking bones, shattering teeth, bruising flesh and muscle. I tear through the two larger as if they don't exist and go after the smaller even as he runs from me, his terror clear.
I hear her voice before I enter the sleeping room. Poppy is screaming, but not in fear. I see her the moment I enter, perched on a window ledge, clinging to an exposed pipe while she swings a shorter piece at the two boys attacking her.
Beckett shouts her name. I turn in the same instant and spot him being held, beaten, while the rest of his people, Nico included, huddle in fear behind him.
I dive for Poppy as the dog leaves my side. I hear him growling, snarling, the shouts of the boys he attacks, the sound of battle. But I'm focused on her, only on her. I can only imagine how I appear to those two boys as they turn to see me coming for them, their expressions open 'O's of shock. They are slow, so slow. I almost pity them. Would, perhaps, if Poppy wasn't at risk.
They go down as I attack, first right then left in rapid succession, the sides of my hands striking their noses. The crunch of shattering bone is loud in my ears, vibrating up my arms. They fall together, clutching the ruins of their faces while I open my arms and Poppy leaps into them.
Shouting down the corridor. One glance and I know reinforcements have arrived to back up the attackers. Beckett is free, herding his people out a door only now exposed. The dog pants, blood on his jaws, but he is unharmed. I carry Poppy, the dog at my side, through the door and away.
Another corridor, this one dark and empty, quiet as the grave. Our running footfalls raise dust to tickle my throat and make my eyes sting. Twice we turn into empty rooms, Beckett far ahead in the lead, and twice we exit doorways through silent, gaping holes into more passageways.
When we emerge on the street, I'm almost stunned by the brightness of the sun, the clarity of the air. Beckett whispers hissing commands to his people who slink off into a nearby alley and hide.
His eyes meet mine as I stop and set Poppy down. She clings to me while her brother's gaze judges me.
"Thanks," he says.
"Don't thank me," I answer. "They were here for me."
He nods. "I know. But you came back, fought to help us. That counts."
I wish I could accept his gratitude. I look down at Poppy, feel my heart tighten before I remember what I've left behind.
"Where are we?" I shouldn't feel so frantic, I suppose. But I do. I have to go back for the puppies.
"Not far." Beckett is looking at me as if I've lost my mind. "Just the other side of the building.
I look at the dog. "Show me."
He turns and runs off and I go after him.
My fear grows, my terror increasing so much I can't find calm anywhere. What if they were found? Hurt? Woke and wandered? It will be my fault too, all my fault. Why I care so much I can't say, but if anything has happened to the puppies I will never forgive myself.
I fall to my knees where the dog comes to a halt, sobbing softly in relief. I lift the corner of my coat, see them sleeping as peacefully as I left them, my bag their shield. My eyes go to the doorway where I see Cade's people coming and going. I wait there until they finally leave, before scooping the puppies into my arms, still wrapped in my coat. The dog grasps my bag in his teeth and drags it along with us as we return to Beckett.
Poppy rushes forward to greet us, face full of curiosity as she eyes my folded jacket. I crouch and let her pull back the edge, smile as she gasps and claps her hands softly in delight.
"Can we keep them?" She reaches in, pauses. Looks at the dog. He just watches her, tongue lolling, my bag at his side. Poppy very gently strokes first one, then the other of the soft, warm babies.
Beckett stands over me, his shadow falling across them. "No," he says. "We can't." But his voice is sad and I wonder if she'll be able to convince him. Regardless, they are safe. I will take care of them after all.
I don't have time to say anything to that effect, to reassure Poppy. A second shadow joins Beckett's as Nico storms over. She lashes out at me, one hand striking my face. I'm so surprised by the blow I fall back, landing hard on the ground. The puppies whimper softly in protest as the dog surges forward, snarling, stiff legged, to stand beside me.
"This is your fault." Nico's face is a mask of hate. "You brought them here. You ruined everything." She turns to Beckett. "I told you. I told you! And now look at us." She gestures at the small group of kids who watch, desperate and afraid. "We're homeless, we have nothing. All because of her." She spits at me while the dog continues to growl.
Beckett shakes his head. "This happens all the time." His voice is low and angry. "All. The. Time." He turns to his people who watch him carefully, as if he is their only lifeline. "You know it. If it's not Cade's people it's the Crawlers. Or the Brights. Or the Shambles. The Howls." He turns on Nico. "We've gotten soft, stayed in one place too long. It's time we moved on anyway."
She is shaking, hugging herself, unrepentant. "She's not coming with us."
"Nope." Poppy hugs my arm. "We're going with her."
Nico just stares at her while Beckett sighs.
"The library." He meets my gaze.
"No!" Nico grabs his arm. "We should go to Genki. He has food, water. We can join his group. The library is too far."
Beckett hesitates. He's thinking the same thing, I can tell. "We'll talk to him," he says at last. "At least see if he'll trade for supplies."
Someone hisses and we all look. Two of Cade's people approach. They haven't seen us yet. Beckett's mind is visibly made up.
"Let's go." He turns his back on me while Poppy helps me up. I pick up my bag, awkward as it is, and follow her as she goes after her brother.
***
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone