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I chuckle at the thought of taking both of the monsters down. Then I consider the plan seriously. It's unlikely that I'd be able to get to Owl Man. And it's possible he'd use his hold over me to stop me from killing Dan-Dan. But if he didn't think there was a threat... if he wasn't expecting me to sacrifice myself... | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.707036 | 7.1 |
I'm sure Dr. Oystein wouldn't approve. The world's full of vicious killers. We'll never be able to get rid of them all. The subtraction of a single piece of scum won't make much of a difference one way or the other. Revitalizeds on the other hand are a very limited commodity. In his eyes I'm far more important than a creep like Daniel Wood. He wouldn't see the child-killer as being worth the price of one of his Angels. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.707889 | 7.1 |
But I haven't had a high opinion of myself since I came back to life. Dr. Oystein sees more in me than I ever will. And I'm the one who would have to live with the guilt every time Dan-Dan killed. Every life he claimed would be traceable back to my decision to set him free. Dr. Oystein can cope with that sort of burden. I can't. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.708742 | 7.1 |
"He's going to be mad at me," I tell Mr. Burke. "He might not understand why I did it. But you would have. You might have tried to talk me out of it. Maybe you'd have found a way of making things even out. But, with no better plan on the table, and the choice a simple one between letting Dan-Dan carry on killing or putting a stop to his wicked ways... | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.709595 | 7.1 |
"You always told us to listen to our hearts, and mine is telling me to ignore the doc, take matters into my own hands and end this today. Well, I don't have an actual heart, but you know what I mean, don't you?" | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.710448 | 7.1 |
The zombie doesn't respond, but I pretend that Billy Burke has given me the thumbs-up. "Thanks, boss," I grin as I let myself out. "That's what I needed to hear." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.711301 | 7.1 |
And that marks the end of B Smith toeing the party line. I'm back to going it alone, trusting my instincts, dealing with the world in my own crude fashion. It's probably not the wisest move I've ever made. And it will almost certainly be my last. But you know what? I don't care. Because at least I'm taking my destiny in my hands and deciding my future. Besides, if this is such a wrong move, why do I feel so damned _good_ about it? | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.712154 | 7.1 |
Watch out, Dan-Dan, here I come! | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.713006 | 7.1 |
I'd like to go to my room, change out of my filthy clothes, bid farewell to Ashtat and the others—they've been good friends and I hate the thought of just cutting out on them. But they'd ask questions. They'd want to know where I was going. If they guessed what I was planning, they might rat me out to Dr. Oystein, not to spite me, but because they wouldn't want to see me throw away my future like this. They're a solid crew. I'll miss them. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.714712 | 7.1 |
I have my wide-brimmed hat and a replacement pair of prescription sunglasses for those I lost in New Kirkham and, although my clothes are on the tattered side, they'll protect me from the sun. A quick visit to the kitchen where Ciara stores the brains, a munch to ensure I'm at my physical peak, then I'm good to go. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.715565 | 7.1 |
I slip out of County Hall and head west along the Albert Embankment. It's quiet, not a single zombie on the prowl. The Thames is calm, no bodies floating past today. A lone pigeon flaps by overhead. A rare survivor. It must be one of the more cunning of its kind. Most have had their heads ripped off by zombies. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.716418 | 7.1 |
I consider where to plant myself. I have to hook up with Rage and his team before they get to the power station. I don't dare do it too close to Battersea, as I'm sure the others will argue with me and it's best not to have a shouting match in front of a load of gun-toting Klanners. But equally I don't want to give Rage too much time to think about it. His first reaction will be to turn back and report me to the doc. He'll be less likely to do that if he has to make a trek. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.717271 | 7.1 |
Battersea Power Station isn't that far from County Hall, an easy three-quarters-of-an-hour hike. I'm surprised none of us swung by before and noticed all the hooded figures that had made themselves at home. Although now that I consider it, our official scouting orders always directed us away from that area. Dr. Oystein and Master Zhang weren't obvious about it. They just never sent us anywhere close. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.718124 | 7.1 |
I'm sure some of the Angels have passed by regardless and clocked the activity within. But they would have told the doc or Zhang, who probably asked them to keep it quiet, so as not to disturb the rest of us. In fairness to the cautious pair, I wouldn't have felt so at ease all these months knowing that our enemies were camped nearby. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.718977 | 7.1 |
I decide to wait by the gleaming glass buildings of Vauxhall, more than halfway along a road called Nine Elms Lane. I choose an open area and settle down. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.719829 | 7.1 |
I have to endure a longer wait than anticipated. An hour passes slowly. Another. Still no sign of them. The sun is starting to sink. I worry that they've decided to wait until morning or, even worse, that they took a different route. I can't imagine why they would have. This is the most direct approach. But maybe Dr. Oystein told them to go a roundabout way. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.720682 | 7.1 |
As I'm on the verge of deserting my post to check what's happening at the power station, I spot them skulking towards me. I'd know it was them even if I wasn't expecting them—there's no mistaking skinny Pearse in his beekeeper's hat, face hidden behind the mesh. And Conall and Rage have to be the biggest pair of teenage behemoths stalking the streets of London. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.721535 | 7.1 |
Dan-Dan is between Pearse and Conall, Rage just behind the trio. All of the Angels are alert, checking the doorways and windows of every building, pausing anytime a shadow flickers. Dan-Dan is silent. He doesn't look nervous, but definitely more somber than he was on our way back from New Kirkham. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.722388 | 7.1 |
Conall spots me while they're still a good distance away. He holds up a hand and they stop. I stand, take off my hat and slowly wave it over my head. They can't see my face, but they can tell from my gesture that I'm no ordinary revived. They have a quick confab, then Conall comes trotting towards me. He stops when he realizes who it is. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.723241 | 7.1 |
"What are you doing here?" he asks. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.724094 | 7.1 |
"Working on my tan," I joke. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.724947 | 7.1 |
"You're not supposed to be here. Dr. Oystein told you to stay in County Hall." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.7258 | 7.1 |
"Looks like I disobeyed him," I sniff. "You gonna court-martial me?" Conall stares at me, bewildered. "Just call the others over. We can sort it out between us." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.726652 | 7.1 |
Rage is furious when Conall fetches him. I've never seen him so angry, and he's someone who rarely passes for placid at the best of times. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.727505 | 7.1 |
"I'm gonna kick your arse all the way back to County Hall," he snarls. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.728358 | 7.1 |
"You'll have to," I tell him, "because I won't go quietly." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.729211 | 7.1 |
"What the hell are you playing at? Weren't you listening to the doc? You're a threat. Owl Man can turn you against us." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.730064 | 7.1 |
"I don't think he will." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.730917 | 7.1 |
_"Think?"_ Rage explodes. "If you were capable of rational thought, you'd have stayed where you were told. Get out of here, Smith, before I go to town on you." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.73177 | 7.1 |
"You and whose army?" I challenge him. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.732623 | 7.1 |
"I'm serious," he says coldly, stepping forward, fingers clenching. "I'll beat you to within an inch of your worthless, irritating excuse for a life." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.733475 | 7.1 |
"Bring it on, big boy," I retort without budging, never one to back down when put on the spot, even when faced with a foe who's packing way more muscle than me. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.734328 | 7.1 |
"Children, children," Dan-Dan murmurs behind us. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.735181 | 7.1 |
"Stay out of this, fat man," I snap, giving Rage the evil eye while I wait for him to take a swing at me. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.736034 | 7.1 |
"Believe me, I would like nothing better than to watch the pair of you duke it out," Dan-Dan giggles. "It would be a scintillating scrap, and I'm not at all sure who I'd bet on if I was to gamble. But you will draw unwanted attention. If you kick up a fuss, the undead will investigate. Not a problem for those of you who lack a heartbeat, but it would be a serious inconvenience for yours truly." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.736887 | 7.1 |
"We can deal with a few reviveds," Rage snorts. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.73774 | 7.1 |
"Not if they come in their hundreds," Dan-Dan says. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.738593 | 7.1 |
"He's right," Pearse mutters. "You can't do this here. It's too open." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.739446 | 7.1 |
"That's what she banked on," Conall says with disgust. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.740299 | 7.1 |
"I always was a clever girl," I snicker, then focus on Rage. "I'm coming." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.741151 | 7.1 |
"I need to do this. Vinyl was my best friend, and I think we'll have a better chance of convincing Owl Man to let the others go if I'm on the scene." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.742857 | 7.1 |
"I don't care." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.74371 | 7.1 |
"I won't go back." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.744563 | 7.1 |
"Then I'll tie you up and leave you here." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.745416 | 7.1 |
"Not without me making the mother of all rackets." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.746269 | 7.1 |
"You wouldn't," he says, but I can tell by his expression that he's not sure. My presence has thrown him. He wasn't expecting this. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.747122 | 7.1 |
"I won't interfere," I promise, lying through my teeth. "But I can't sit by and do nothing. If something goes wrong–if they try to trick you, or if you're attacked on your way back–I'd spend the rest of my days wondering if I could have made a difference." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.747974 | 7.1 |
"B," Rage says softly, a rare use of my favored name, "don't put me in this position. Dr. Oystein tasked me with ensuring this goes smoothly. Let me do my job. You can wait here for us if you want, help escort Vinyl back from this point. And I'll do everything I can to have the other humans released too. How does that sound?" | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.748827 | 7.1 |
"Like a fair compromise," I nod. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.74968 | 7.1 |
Rage starts to smile. Then he catches my smirk and curses. "You never were one for compromise, were you?" he says gruffly. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.750533 | 7.1 |
"Not when I was alive. Definitely not since I died." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.751386 | 7.1 |
"You're going to regret it if you come," he warns me. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.752239 | 7.1 |
"Maybe. It won't be the first time I've ignored sound advice and gone on to rue the day." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.753092 | 7.1 |
Rage hesitates, weighing up his options. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.753945 | 7.1 |
"We can return to County Hall," Conall suggests. "Tell Dr. Oystein. Leave it to him to sort her out." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.754797 | 7.1 |
"Then you won't be able to bring Dan-Dan back today," I note. "And I'll still be waiting in this spot tomorrow." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.75565 | 7.1 |
"Maybe we won't swap him at all," Pearse jeers. "Vinyl's your best friend, not ours. If you're going to be a stubborn fool, maybe we'll just let them kill him and take care of Dan-Dan ourselves." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.756503 | 7.1 |
Dan-Dan blanches. "Easy, young fellow. Let's not do something hasty that we'll all regret later." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.757356 | 7.1 |
"Last chance, B," Rage says. "Wise up and keep out of this." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.758209 | 7.1 |
I shrug helplessly. "I can't." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.759062 | 7.1 |
"Okay," he says. "If you're that damn keen to tag along, on your own head be it. I'll lead. Fall in behind and cover the rest of us. You might as well make yourself useful." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.759915 | 7.1 |
"Anything you say, boss." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.760768 | 7.1 |
Rage shoots me a dirty look and moves forward. I slip to the rear of the group, relieved and surprised that it wasn't more difficult than that. Pearse and Conall take up their positions on either side of Dan-Dan. Rage looks back, makes sure we're all where we should be. Then he jerks his head, points a finger and we advance. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.76162 | 7.1 |
As we're turning off Nine Elms Lane, Rage pauses and looks back. "Change places with me." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.763326 | 7.1 |
"Why?" I ask suspiciously. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.764179 | 7.1 |
"I want you to push ahead, so if there are any traps, you'll trigger them first." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.765032 | 7.1 |
"How considerate of you," I snap. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.765885 | 7.1 |
"Hey," he says, "I don't want you here. If you'd rather back out, be my guest. Otherwise take the crap job and be thankful we're letting you be part of this at all." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.766738 | 7.1 |
I give Rage the finger, but slip ahead of the group as ordered. I edge along, ready to throw myself aside if I get the slightest scent of a trap. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.767591 | 7.1 |
I negotiate the road without any problems and come to the area surrounding the power station. Any buildings that were here have been leveled to create a stretch of flat, arid wasteland. The second I spot the four famous chimneys, there's an ear-shattering screech and I crash to the ground with shock. Yelping with pain, I drag myself back into the shadows. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.768443 | 7.1 |
Rage is doubled over laughing. Pearse and Conall are smiling too. Dan-Dan is shaking his head and tutting gently. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.769296 | 7.1 |
"Jerks," I snarl, getting to my knees and waiting for the ringing in my ears to fade. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.770149 | 7.1 |
"That place is packed with living, juicy humans," Rage chortles. "It'd be a beacon for every zombie within a five-kilometer radius if they didn't have a suitable deterrent in place." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.771002 | 7.1 |
"It's like the system of high-pitched sirens around County Hall," Pearse says. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.771855 | 7.1 |
"Only Dr. Oystein told us theirs is far more effective," Conall adds. "Lots more sirens and way more powerful than ours." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.772708 | 7.1 |
"Nice of you to warn me," I huff, staggering to my feet, almost back to normal, though there's still a pain in my teeth, similar to how they used to feel after a trip to the dentist. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.773561 | 7.1 |
"That's the price you pay for being an interloper," Rage chuckles, then tosses me a pair of earplugs. "They're heavy-duty. They'd block out the noise of a plane crash. Once you put them in, you won't be able to hear. We won't either." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.774414 | 7.1 |
"That'll put us at a disadvantage, won't it?" I frown. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.775267 | 7.1 |
"Only for a while," Rage says. "The sirens are arranged in several rings, each attached to a separate generator to ensure they never lose the entire system at the same time. We figure they'll cut the last couple of loops as we get close, once they verify who we are, so that Owl Man can come down and chat with us." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.776119 | 7.1 |
"We're all going up to the power station?" | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.776972 | 7.1 |
"Yeah," Rage says, shooting the other pair of Angels a dirty look. "I wanted to take the Child Catcher by myself–the doc was in favor of that too–but these muppets insisted on accompanying me." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.777825 | 7.1 |
"If we've come this far, we might as well see it through," Pearse smiles. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.778678 | 7.1 |
"And what happens when we get to the front door?" I ask. "Do we invite ourselves in for tea and biscuits?" | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.779531 | 7.1 |
Rage scratches the back of his neck. "We'll see how Owl Man wants to play it. We've discussed different scenarios with Dr. Oystein, but ultimately it's Owl Man's call. We'll have to play along and try to make sure he can't pick us off too easily once the swap has been made." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.780384 | 7.1 |
"You'll need to keep back," Pearse says to me. "In case the owl guy tries to turn you against us." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.781237 | 7.1 |
"Nah," Rage says. "Better we stick together. She'll be a target by herself." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.78209 | 7.1 |
Pearse shakes his head, lips pinched together behind the shade of his mesh mask. "If you're willing to let her come with us, that's your call. But I'm not having her within easy striking distance of me." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.782942 | 7.1 |
"Me neither," Conall grunts. "No offense, B." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.783795 | 7.1 |
"None taken." I cock an eyebrow at Rage. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.784648 | 7.1 |
"You should stay here," he scowls. "You'll be vulnerable in the open, cut off from the team. They might mistake you for a stray revived." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.785501 | 7.1 |
"I can look after myself," I tell him. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.786354 | 7.1 |
"Okay," he mutters sourly. "If you're hell-bent on sticking your neck out, don't blame me if they chop off your head." He crooks a finger at Dan-Dan. "Here, little piggy. I'm gonna keep you nice and close on the way in." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.787207 | 7.1 |
"Be careful not to scratch me," Dan-Dan says as Rage pulls him in tight and lays a hand on his shoulder, fingers just a few centimeters from his exposed neck. I need to get myself into that position before we swap him, so that I can finish the job I came here to do. But for the moment I'll tag along, see how things play out. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.78806 | 7.1 |
"You'll be fine as long as I don't stumble," Rage cackles. "Right, are there any last-minute questions?" | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.788913 | 7.1 |
"What do we do if they shoot B?" Conall asks. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.789765 | 7.1 |
"Nothing. Leave her to rot where she falls. It'll be her own fault for sticking her nose in where it's not wanted." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.790618 | 7.1 |
"And if they shoot Conall or me?" Pearse asks. | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.791471 | 7.1 |
"I'll have a mass said for you," Rage snaps, then sighs. "Look, this is a high-risk maneuver. They can't shoot me for fear I'd infect Dan-Dan. The rest of you will be fair game. If you cross that wasteland with me, there's a better-than-average chance that you won't be coming back. You should wait here. I'm the only one who needs to be present to negotiate. The rest of you will have nothing to do, at least until we find out how the swap is going to be handled." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.792324 | 7.1 |
"You're not leaving me behind," I bark. "I'm coming no matter what." | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.793177 | 7.1 |
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he rumbles. "What about you guys? Do you want to wait for us here or are you as dumb as this stubborn bitch?" | Zom-B Clans - Darren Shan | 0.79403 | 7.1 |