Leech 01 Caleo Page 10

He caught on to what the man was talking about. The door would be hard to get into because it was metal, but the wall was made of drywall so it would be easier to break a hole through the wall large enough for the people to get out of. He took full advantage of the situation and let out all of his anger and frustration that had built up over the last few days on the wall.

  Within minutes, Caleo’s hands were hurting from the vibrations of the pipe, but he could see the group of people through an opening the size of his head. An older lady had a key chain flash light pointed at the ceiling that barely lit their faces. Caleo released more anger, creating an opening the size of a small child, leaving him exhausted and panting for breath.

  “It’s okay! We can get it now,” a short, fat man said, walking up to the hole.

  The man grabbed at the drywall and peeled it away. Soon the hole was large enough for them to squeeze through.

  “Thank you so much!” the fat man said gratefully, climbing through the hole and shaking Caleo’s hand.

  Even through the dim lighting Caleo immediately spotted the mark of the Leech on the back of the man’s hand and his heart started racing. Caleo wanted to run to get away, but he knew he couldn’t; he needed to help Jack.

  8

  “Boo!”

  Caleo turned back to the hole to see a little girl sticking her head through the hole. She giggled and disappeared back into the hole.

  “Mommy, I scared him!” the girl said.

  “Kylie! Go through and quit playing around!” Caleo heard a woman say.

  Kylie, a girl about three years old, with long, dark curly hair and a red flowered sundress reappeared as she jumped through the hole. She was followed by a slim woman with hair just like hers. The lady nodded at Caleo, then turned back to the hole and grabbed an infant, as it was passed to her from someone still in the room. Next out was a slightly overweight Hispanic woman, followed by a short, skinny Hispanic man. Then an old woman stepped through.

  “Thank you! Thank you!” she said to Caleo as she climbed through the hole.

  A man Caleo took for her husband climbed out after her. He was assisted by a man not much older than Caleo and about the same size. The last one out was a large man who had to nearly crawl out of the hole sideways, he was so big. Once out, he walked over to Caleo and stood at his full height, towering over Caleo’s five foot-nine by at least two feet.

  “My name is Nolan Roberts.” The man smiled as he shook Caleo’s hand. "And this is my friend Bradley.” Nolan pulled a short chunky man forward by the shoulder. “Thank you for coming to save us. Not too many people are brave enough to risk their life to save someone else. Especially when they didn’t know there was anyone down here to save.”

  What the man said made Caleo feel ashamed. I’m not the brave one. Caleo looked back at Jack. If it wasn’t for Jack, these people would all be dead. Caleo turned back and took in all the faces.

  “Okay, guys! Let’s get out of here. We can talk when we get out of this oven.” The short man led the way over to the stairwell door.

  “Hold on. I need help getting him out.” Caleo motioned to Jack.

  Immediately, the Hispanic man and the short man stepped forward to help, each wrapping Jack’s arms across the backs of their necks. Jack winced in pain, but followed their lead without argument.

  “Man, he’s sweating bullets,” Bradley said, looking Jack over as they assisted him up the stairs.

  “Well, it’s very hot in here,” Caleo replied, and then stopped in his tracks for a moment when he realized he too was hot and sweating - for the first time since the explosions had started. I think I just found my Energy limit, Caleo thought to himself as he climbed the staircase with the others.

  “The door is locked,” Kylie’s mother cried, trying to turn the doorknob.

  “Whoever the idiot was who bought these electric locks, I’d like to have a little chat with him,” Bradley said as Nolan pushed past him.

  “Well, it’s locked, but at least this time it’s a wooden door.”

  “It’s not locked!” the old man snapped from the back of the line.

  Nolan lined his shoulder up with the door to push, when Bradley said, “Hold on let me try something.”

  Bradley turned to Caleo. “Can I?”

  How did he know I'm a Leech? “I—” Caleo started to come up with a lie, but stopped when he figured that he must have known because of the fire. Caleo nodded, knowing that the man just wanted to use his energy like Steve had. Steve, saying the word Battery, echoed in his mind.

  Bradley let Jack go and walked up to Caleo holding his left hand out as if to shake hands. Caleo examined it cautiously, wondering if it might be a trap, but decided that the guy wouldn’t start a fight right now, not while he was stuck in the basement. So he let him grab his arm and immediately felt the sting and a small amount of Caleo’s energy was drained.

  “Ok, try it now,” Bradley said. A moment later, Nolan pulled on the door and it swung inward without a problem, flooding the stairwell with light from the open door leading outside and causing them to squint.

  “Good thing the deadbolt wasn’t locked,” Bradley announced, looking back over his shoulder at the others.

  The man nodded at Caleo in silent thanks and let go of his arm. I wonder what his power is, Caleo thought, but before he could even think about asking, the man turned and went back to Jack’s side. Caleo was the last one out of the stairwell, but nobody had moved much past the stairs. When he walked through the door, he noticed what the problem was. The hole Jack fell through was blocking the way. It was too large to step over and too wide to walk around.

  Caleo looked around, but he couldn’t see anything with all the people. “Is there another way?”

  “No, there’s not. We’re trapped!” the old woman snapped at Caleo harshly. “If there was another way, don’t you think we would be heading that way instead of just standing here?”

  Nolan stepped between Caleo and the old woman, his broad form blocking the woman entirely from Caleo’s vision.

  “I found a way,” he said, a large smile stretched across his face as he looked back at Caleo.

  “And just where is it? The only way out of here is past that hole. I know. I’ve owned these apartments for seven years! I know every nook and cranny in this old building!” the old woman screamed at Nolan and poked him in the chest with her index finger.

  Nolan, who was twice her size, just smiled and looked straight ahead.

  “It’s right over there.” Nolan pointed at the wall right beside the hole and everyone turned with confused looks on their faces when all they saw was a solid wall.

  “That wall is solid brick! There’s no way through it. The only way out is over that hole,” the woman said, turning to face the hole as she pointed.

  As she did, Nolan grabbed her under the arms and tossed her head-long over the hole.

  “Great idea. Now, who’s next?” Nolan chuckled to himself as he turned to face the group.

  “You jerk!” the old woman screamed, climbing back to her feet and dusting herself off.

  The floorboards creaked under her feet and she slowly stepped backward from the hole.

  “You’re across, aren’t you?” His white teeth seemed to shine in the dim hall.

  “Nolan, play nice,” Bradley said, patting him on the shoulders.

  “What? I was only going through with her plan,” Nolan replied innocently.

  He turned just in time to dodge the old woman’s grandson, who was running head first at him. The grandson lost his balance and fell over the edge of the hole. Nolan grabbed him in midair by his pants and pulled him to an upright position, effortlessly setting the surprised young man gently on his feet before readjusting his grip and tossing him over the hole, where he landed flat on his stomach at his grandmother’s feet.

  “Okay, next? Be careful not to lose your footing everyone! The ground is dusty and you might slip. No need to run. Everyone will make it.” Nolan’s voice was so playful tha
t Caleo could almost feel him smiling at the old woman and her grandson.

  Caleo leaned against the door, trying to be as small as possible, but the door hit the wall with a loud thud and Nolan turned in his direction.

  “Well, that’s a much better idea!” He pulled a pocketknife from his pocket as he started for the door. “Do me a favor and unscrew the hinges from the door, so we can use it as a bridge.”

  He handed the pocketknife to Caleo, who fumbled with it for a moment as he fought to get the screwdriver extension open, then immediately went to work.

  “And why didn’t you think of that earlier?” the old woman asked sharply.

  “There really is no pleasing you, is there? Tell you what: when I come over there, I’ll throw you back across just so you can cross using this flimsy, cheap-ass door of yours as a bridge.” Nolan said sounding serious. “Oh, and by the way, I think my rent will be late this month,” he added simply, as if it was just a normal everyday conversation.

  “Nolan, I can’t get this one out. I did get all the rest though,” Caleo said.

  “Here, stand back and let me try.” Nolan patted the door as if looking for a spot to grab, then grabbed the edges of the door and ripped the last screw from the wall. He walked to the edge of the hole and laid the door over it, then tested it with his foot. Both the door and the floor creaked loudly under his weight, but it didn’t break. “Okay, who’s first to cross the bridge of death?”

  “I think we should get this young man across first. Throwing him might not be too good for his health,” Bradley said, leading Jack up to the door.

  “You’ll need to help him across there, Mr. Dawson,” Nolan replied, taking Jack under the arm and pointing at the old woman’s grandson, who stepped forward and stretched out his hands as he cautiously reached across for Jack.

  Jack stepped forward past Nolan’s reach and stumbled to his hands and knees as the door beneath his feet wobbled.

  Caleo started for Jack, but Nolan stuck out his hand stopping him. “It won’t hold both of you.”

  Caleo was forced to watch nervously as Jack slowly crawled the rest of the way. Once he was far enough, Mr. Dawson grabbed Jack and pulled him to safety, Jack screaming in agony the whole time.

  “Okay, miss. I think you should go next. Give your baby to Bradley while you cross, then we’ll hand her to you once you’re across.”

  The woman hesitated, but finally gave the baby to Bradley and turned to Kylie. “Kylie, honey. I want you to stay here and listen to the men until they tell you to cross. Okay?”

  The woman kissed her and stood up to walk across the door. The door creaked, but her trip across was uneventful. Kylie was the next to cross, followed by the baby, which Nolan had to step halfway across the bridge to hand to her mother. Next went the Hispanic woman, followed by, presumably, her husband. Bradley went next, the door cracking under his weight.

  Nolan turned to Caleo.

  “Okay, your turn.” Caleo sheepishly stepped forward, placing his foot on the door.

  “I’m coming as soon as you step off, so hurry up,” Nolan said, walking up behind Caleo who was staring at the cracked door over the hole.

  “It’s not like it’s a cliff, Caleo,” Jack teased weakly from the other side of the hole. Though in pain, he still managed a faint smile. Caleo glared playfully back at him for throwing his own words back at him. He went to take a step when he suddenly felt hands lift him off the ground. Next thing he knew he was flying over the door to the other side, where he landed with a thud on his hands and knees. The floor groaned, threatening to give way at any moment, and Caleo quickly crawled to the others hoping it would be safer ground.

  “Okay, make way. I’m going to have to run across. I don’t think it'll hold my weight.”

  The crowd walked further down the hall to clear a path, and the old lady and her family left the building all together. Nolan stepped back to the stairwell, then ran as fast as he could, jumping as soon as his foot hit the edge of the door. When he landed, just barely on the other side of the door, the ground beneath it gave way, dropping the door to the ground below, and sending Nolan stumbling forward awkwardly as he continued to run for more stable footing. With every step the floor around him seemed to groan in protest, cracking under his feet, and everyone ran further down the hall and out the door, with Nolan right on their heels. Moments later they were out of the apartment building, on what was formerly the main street of town, looking around in shock.

  There was no screaming, no talking, just silent tears over what was lost, and what was going to happen. No one could seem to form words over something so horrific. Minutes went by and the only noise that could be heard was from the baby whimpering.

  While the sun was setting, Caleo awkwardly looked at the crowd and said, “I’m going home. If you want to join me you can. There’s plenty of room for all of us.” Caleo helped Jack off the steps of the apartment and walked up the street, practically carrying Jack as he leaned on him for support as they traveled.

  The two of them slowly made their way down the street and started their journey home. The others followed behind, with the Dawsons reluctantly bringing up the rear.

  9

  Once out of town, the damage seemed to dissipate until it finally disappeared altogether, leaving the world looking like nothing had changed. It took them nearly three hours to get home, because no one had any form of light except for the small keychain Miss Dawson carried—which she kept pointed at her feet. The rest of them had to rely on the barely visible crescent moon peeking out from behind the clouds, which made finding the driveway to the house almost impossible. Everyone but Nolan seemed to be tripping over objects in the dark.

  Caleo instinctively turned up a path that led off the road into the woods.

  “Are we almost there? I need a drink,” Mrs. Dawson said grouchily.

  “Yep, this is the driveway.” Caleo smiled and quickened his pace, eager to get home, but when Jack groaned in pain he was forced to slow down.

  Caleo rolled his eyes as Miss Dawson whined, “This is no driveway. It’s dirt!”

  Five minutes later the porch light came into full view.

  “You have electricity?” Miss Dawson cooed, almost sounding happy.

  Caleo smiled, trying to come up with a witty comment, but his exhausted brain came up empty. “We have a generator.”

  Within seconds, Caleo was on the porch knocking at the door.

  “Grandma, open up! We don’t have our keys!” Caleo yelled through the door.

  A moment later, the door flew open. Caleo was embraced in a hug from his grandmother, who was in tears. Her hair was all out of place as if she'd been teasing it all day with a pick. When she went for Jack, Caleo said quickly, “Don’t! His ribs … ”

  She stopped and eyed the two of them for a moment. “What happened and where are your pants?”

  But before they could answer, she stiffened as she noticed the group of people gathered on the porch. A look of confusion appeared on her face as she saw all the soot and dirt covered faces. Then, she quickly masked her confusion with a smile. “Well! I’m sorry. Come in! I didn’t realize you brought guests home.” She ushered the people inside as she called down the hall. “Jillian, we have company! I want you to find them all a place to rest their heads for the night.”

  A moment later, Jillian appeared, wearing a full-length red flannel nightgown. Her pink slippers peeked out the bottom of the hem, and her hair was pulled up into a bun. She didn’t even look up as she navigated around everyone to her chair behind the main desk and tiredly said, “Okay, we have four rooms available.”

  “Jillian!” Grandma hissed softly, Jillian looked up slowly. Her eyes looked red from crying.

  “I’m sorry.” Jillian released a big huff of air, straightened her posture, and composed her voice into the over-happy waitress voice she always used when a customer was annoying her. “How many rooms would you like to rent?” After a moment of nobody answering, she quickly lifte
d up her red eyes, which darted from face to face, looking for a response until she saw Caleo and Jack standing behind the crowd next to Grandma.

  Jillian’s smile brightened and tears flowed from her eyes as she ran around the desk and gave Jack a hug. “You’re home! I was afraid—” she stopped abruptly as if the words caught in her throat.

  Jack winced in pain as he patted the back of Jillian’s head softly. “I’m alive, you don’t have to worry.”

  “What happened? I got worried when we saw Mr. Roberts talking on the TV. He said we were under some sort of terrorist attack by some group called the Blessed, and when you two didn’t come home after the explosions—” Jillian buried her face in Jack’s chest and began crying.

  “Jillian, can you please get our guests to a room for the night? They’ve had a long day and need some rest. The boys will explain once everyone is settled in.”

  Jillian separated from Jack and ran back behind the desk to hurriedly pass out the keys.

  “You three can have the pink room upstairs to the left.” She threw Kylie’s mother a key. “You two can have the purple room straight back through the hall.” She tossed the Hispanic couple the key to their room. “Here is a key to the yellow room. It’s down the hall on the right.” She shoved a key to the older couple, who nearly dropped it in the rush. “I have one room left. It’s the kid’s room, but it does have two twin beds in it.” She turned around with an irritated look on her face as she glared at the remaining three men.

  Bradley snatched the keys out of Jillian’s hand with a smile. “Me and Dawson will take it.” Caleo could see by the look in Mr. Dawson’s eyes that he was taken off guard by this.

  I wonder what he's up to? Why would he choose Dawson over Nolan, who seems to be his friend? Maybe it’s a ploy and they're trying to plan an attack on me. Steve said I was being hunted.

  “That just leaves you,” Jillian said, pointing to Nolan, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Bradley give a slight nod towards Nolan.

  “I can sleep on the couch,” Nolan suggested.