Virals(68)

CHAPTER 49


Leaving the library, Hi and Shelton began the fifteen-minute hike to the marina.

"I hate walking through town at night," Shelton said. "There's hardly anyone else out here."

"It's barely ten o'clock and we're in the tourist district," Hi replied. "You afraid of getting mugged by a granny from Jersey?"

"It's dark. I'm just saying."

"I'm not worried." Hi gestured to the storefronts. "I think it's safe between Abercrombie and Lacoste."

A half block up the streetlights died, drowning the sidewalk in gloom.

"Okay," Shelton whispered. "How about now?"

"Keep moving, wimp."

Hi picked up the pace. Seconds later, he spotted two men idling at the corner of King and Hasell. Both wore tight black clothing. Neither spoke.

Without a word, both boys stopped.

"Shelton." Hi's silent alarm was blaring. "Something's not right here."

"So not right."

"Let's go another way."

"Another way sounds great."

They crossed King and headed east up Hasell Street. The wrong direction, but neither minded the detour.

"My temple is up ahead," Hi said. "We can cut over on the next block."

At K. K. Beth Elohim, they turned and checked the murky darkness at their backs. The street was empty.

"That's what I get for making fun of you," Hi said. "Now I'm spooked for no reason."

Shelton laughed. "Yeah, we're not exactly Jason Bourne, are we?"

Feeling foolish, the boys turned right. Two blocks south, they arrived at the old marketplace. In the dark the structure looked like a giant sea serpent running down the center of Market Street, creating narrow alleys along both sides.

"Crap," said Hi.

The two men now stood on the opposite side of Market. One was smoking. Both were watching Hi and Shelton.

"Holy buckets," Shelton whispered. "Haul ass!"

The boys fired down the alley to the north of the market. After they turned, the structure blocked the shady duo from view.

"We're going the wrong way!" Shelton's voice wobbled with the effort of speed-walking.

"I don't want to pass those guys. Do you?"

Shelton didn't bother to reply.

They continued east past the market's older portion, now dark and abandoned for the night. At the next cross street, they stopped to look over their shoulders.

And nearly wet their shorts.

The men were in the alley skirting the market's south side. Watching like predators tracking a meal.

"Move," Shelton whispered. "Keep going."

"Bay Street," Hi said. "We'll go all the way around."

Footsteps bounced off the cobblestones. Both boys turned.

The men had crossed to the north alley and were moving toward them. The distance was closing fast.

Hi and Shelton looked at each other. Fight or flight? No contest. They tensed, ready to bolt.

The world receded.

Darkness.

Falling.

SNAP.

Voltage slammed through Shelton and Hi. Their surroundings sharpened into crystal clarity.

The footfalls quickened to a trot. Their pursuers were closing in for the kill.

"Run!" Shelton screamed.

The boys streaked like greyhounds. Feet hammered behind them. The chase was on.

Hi's eyes now pierced the darkness like night vision goggles. Inside the market, he noticed a darker patch among the shadows.

Grabbing Shelton, he veered right. Shelton changed course with ease. As one, they slipped into the pitch-black structure. Crouched behind an overturned table. Held their breath.

Their pursuers paused just outside the opening. Their panting sounded to the boys like roaring wind. They could smell sweat, sense agitation.

"Where the hell are they?"

"Damn! I'll cover the street; you check in there. Don't let them get away!"

The footfalls divided. One pair pounded east. Receded.

The other pair crept toward them, gravel cracking beneath leather soles like exploding popcorn.

Then silence.

Hunkered down, Hi and Shelton saw their pursuer stop. To allow his eyes to adjust to the dark?

"Come on out." The voice was high and whiney. "We just want to talk."

The man moved one foot forward.

A soft click cut the stillness.

The boys' hyper-human ears registered the noise.

Their eyes met. Gold haloed their pupils.

They knew.

A gun had been cocked.

"I'm not going to hurt you." The voice now came from the darkness to the right. They could see its owner clearly. Tall, arms and legs sinewy inside the tight black fabric.

The man inched forward, unsure of the footing. One hand was outstretched, feeling its way. The other clutched a gun.

Shelton and Hi shared the same understanding. Our enemy can't see. We can. They scanned their surroundings, eyes shining. Looking for weapons.

There.

Two brooms stood angled against the wall behind them. Each had a stout wooden handle.

Moving silently, the boys armed themselves.

Wait.

Wait.