29 Chapter 29

A month and a half of perfecting the wolf form and I am read to kill Laith. Maybe its because im in a Canidae mammal form oppose to a Felidae mammal which is big cats etc.

But Laith right now is training me even harder to transform and practice my agility in wolf form. This morning at 5am I was sure I was going to pass out if he made me do anymore interval runs and jumping like some show pony. He is adamant I must perfect my wolf form for the mission but I cant force my body to improve and plus I cant even howl yet it sounds more like im dying. Or thats what Varian kindly stated in practice.

Right now I am sitting with Aibek waiting for Varian and Will to go on a new Flighter mission. Since the mission with the entity things for us have been uneventful so the days goes quickly and with next to no blood spilled. Unless you include me and Varian scuffling from time to time.

The hall ways are chaotic as everyone is busy preparing the warehouse for more guests. The kitchen it busy growing plants so our meals have been simple things like stew. The experimenters are adamant they need all nighters to generate electricity. Water is fine due to the UK's refusal to stop water even if one does not pay as its a 'human right'. Funny how thats a human right but using people with powers to deduce their population isnt considered a breach of human rights. How taking peoples children and disposing of those who refuse to isnt. Or how about having institutions which are prisoners for powered soldiers. Oh how about having people head the institutions like that prick James Collings who take pleasure in torturing those with less rights. Heat flushes through me. Muscles are as tense as rocks. My mouth dries. My anger is filling me. I breath deeply for a few minutes which slows my heart rate to a healthy amount of beats per minute.

Aibek who has his feet up on a wonky table meets my eyes and calls me over. Due to our lack of interaction since I joined my curiosity takes over. I look both ways before crossing to his side of the hallway, upon my arrival Aibek hands me a comic. Animal Man the title states.

'The man can borrow an animal's ability due to be exposed to extra terrestrial exposure. Similar to you.' Aibek coats the words with his accent leaving me entranced. Every word sounds like a song.

I smirk. 'Sure is except I transform physically too.'

Aibek white eyes have no expression, although that may be from the lack of pupil.

'Bet it would be easier to have his power no? Less pain.' Aibek offers.

For someone who never sleeps Aibek always seems content. His brown ochre skin always looks smooth.Never any bags due to his power of high serotonin levels in his system. God I wish I could look so put together.

'Dont you feel tired?' I ask before I can stop myself.

Aibek's smile dims . 'All the time.'

'I feel the same.' I confess.

'You have a big burden. So you will.' He adds.

'Big burden?'

Aibek hands me the comic.

'A big burden because many rely on your strength alone. Physical for your power. Mental for your leadership. Emotions no one has time for. Here read this, it may take the edge off.'

I grasp the comic and admire the shiny cover before sitting down on Aibek's desk and reading.

Before I knew it i was sucked in. I felt for animal man. He had to borrow powers off animals and fight for humans who didnt give a damn about E.T past. Damn. But Aibek was right by the time I handed it back I was at ease.

'Thanks that really helped.'

Aibek nods and takes the comic back. I turn as I hear Varian's voice from the corridor.

Varian was wearing combat trousers for one but with those damn converse from our first meeting. On the hand Will was in combat trousers as always with combat boots. Varian's hair had been cut by force by will so his fringe was no longer 'emo style' as Laith stated it now shaped his face on both sides giving more view to his emerald eyes. Will on the other had his curls pulled back into a 'man bun' allowing him to look older.

Just by looking at them I had a feeling this mission today was not like the others. In the whole time I had known Varian combat trousers were not his 'style' so if he abided rules for once that must mean Laith was serious.

'You ready E?' Will peers over his shoulder as he moves towards the door.

'Ready for what?' Unease pools in my gut.

'The mission durh?' Varian adds with his usual bored expression. Jackass.

I hurry after them. 'Whats different about it?'

Outside the warehouse Lin sits in the same van I met her with, only this time there is daises painted around the peugeot symbol. Typical Layla and Katie who now have a habit of painting everywhere and anywhere. My poor room got wonky trees all of it.

Varian opens the van door and ushers me in. Will hops in the front with Lin. As soon as the door slams Will turns round ready to explain.

'This mission isnt a normal flighter mission like the others. We are scoping out the institution today because in one month from today we complete it. That makes it the 7th of August 2021.'

Panic travels up my throat and succeeds in stopping my breath. I gasp for air and its not until Varian slaps me hard on the back that I have a chance to bring some oxygen into my lungs.

'Ok...but whats the plan? This is dangerous as hell.' My voice stutters merely betraying a fear deep rooted within me. I have to see that place again after roughly a year of hiding but I dont have any other choice I have to be ready.

Varian clears his throat. 'The plan is scouting. Your hawk form and wolf form will be needed. Will may try to get close enough to hear their thoughts if its not too risky. But the main centre piece is you. We need a lay out of the grounds as they could of remodelled since Laith was there or you. Get it?'

'I get it. But my wolf form is easier to hide plus I cant howl yet.'

Varian looks irritated but answers anyway. 'I will release my power to meddle with the guards minds hopefully they wont notice you. But if they do howl and we will get you. Now before you say anything if your life is on the line then howl like you mean it.'

I close my mouth feeling thoroughly reprimanded. Great.

I wonder how far we are from the place ever since I escaped I still have no idea how long I ran for that night.

'An hour by car but by foot even with your powers around 11 hours from Hempstead to London.' Will helpfully answers by not helpfully rummaging round in my head.

'11 hours? Christ no wonder I was knackered.'

'You must of been pretty scared to have run so far Erza.' Lin speaks up.

Scared? That was the least of it. I was wrecked. I think of Cat and her hazel eyes as I force the tears back.

'I was devastated. A comrade of mine from a different team got killed called Cat. After that I went off the deep end and couldnt face entities well if it wasnt for Peter in my team i would of died on the mission that day.' I confess.

'Cat? You never mentioned her before.' Will inquires.

Cat and her ice sculptures. Her natural blonde hair with golden highlights running through.

'She wasnt on my team. I merely knew her from sleeping next to her in bunk rooms. She was kind and funny. Every birthday I was there she would made Ice sculptures for me about what animals I may be able to transform into. When she died it was the first time death had felt so close. Thats when I knew my fate if i didnt get away.'

'Fuck man. No wonder you were a mess.' Lin sympathises and her expression in the mirror is grim, she is probably thinking of Katie.

I have no words so remain silent for the journey. Varian's face is tight and his eyes downcast. Probably thinking of his father.

The hour passes quickly and all too soon we have arrived at Hempstead woods. The same woods I escaped through some time ago. They look no different.

Lin pushes the van off road and with every stutter and twist my heart does the same. Fear has taken ahold of me and even though I will complete this mission I cannot ignore the fact that I still feel like the 16 year old who abandoned her friends.

'Your not that girl anymore. Erza. You are the Purple Streak of hope. Dont let your head take away your hard work.' Lin's stern voice reaches me and I force the darkness in my head at bay before smiling gratefully at her.

Lin stops after ten minutes of travelling through the woods. She turns the ignition off before yanking a paper map from god knows where.

Will takes it and hands it to Varian who spreads it on the van floor.

'This is where we are and the institution is here. If you go wolf form and travel you can make it in 30 miles that way. However me and Will could take longer to get there.' Varian instructs.

'No I will take Hawk form. They fly faster than I can run as a wolf and a birds eye view gives me a bigger perspective from the sky. I can handle it till you get there.'

Varian purses his lips at me countered but nods resigned.

'If anything happens before we get there Howl as a signal. Then we will know what to do. From here we are 10 miles away which is approximately 16km away. Be safe. Dont get too close until Varian arrives.' Will almost pleads.

'I will. I can do this.'

In a beat I have opened the van doors and transformed into hawk form. My purple feathers bristle in the wind current before I lift into the air. I flap my wings and head North as the map stated. I outstretch my wings and twist as the wind pulls me. As I flap faster my speed quickens, in my estimation at my top speed I can make 28 mph. That means I can make ten miles in under half that time. My talons are curled below my body as I fly and I pin them back. The velocity shoots me forward as I were an arrow being fired and right now I feel like that. I am Laith's arrow and he is firing me at Collings institution.

My lilac and mauve feathers flutter with the wind and my eyes scower the sky for any intruders. I blitz above the trees and apart from frightening some squirrels all is peaceful. I find it funny that the woods around the institution is full of peace yet the building itself symbolises war. A war between freaks and the authorities. A war between entities and humans. A divide between humans and freaks. Even a war between humans and authorities that they dont even know about.

The white building towers over nature. A disagreeable sight amongst the beauty of nature yet here it stands. I am sure the locals would complain if they didnt thing the people running it were dangerous. Out of sight out of mind they say.

I flap my wings to avoid the thick gold fences they have surrounding their land. A new addition from when I was here. But Im sure they replaced them due to my escape since I clawed those fences to get out. Bloody flimsy they were.

I soar over and see the short grass and thick concrete path that leads to the sickly white building. The building still looks foreboding as ever, parked outside our trucks that go for miles and guards at every door. However,where the gold gates open there is no guard suggesting it an automatic gate on the West. I swerve left and note the isolation cells are still there in an outbuilding. The only building detached from the main structure is on the East when the time comes that will be the place to check first for the rest of Insurgo.

The flap harder and go higher until I am directly above the roof of the building. Guards are stationed at every corner with weapons in hands. So much for the no gun law in England huh?

Compared to the map 631 acres (2.55 km2) is huge. When I was here we werent allowed outside much unless training required it so I didnt see the land from up here .But Jesus just how many people do they have trapped in there. We have to get them out.

Cameras at every corner. Guards with radios. Guns. Tasers. Batons. This wont be easy so Laithbetter have a damn good plan if he expects us to draw them off. I dont want to die yet.

A flash hits my eye causing me to swerve. I regain my form in the air and peer down. Ah. Will. In the bushes a bright light signals and its time for me to meet them down below. I swoop down and close my wings, sending me shooting to the ground as a missile does. Before I reach the ground, I outstretch my wings which catch me as a parachute. Even Varian looks impressed by my technique which causes me to keeeeeear in cockiness.

Will's look of dissapproval intensifies which makes me focus on the mission quick time. He is right I have to focus.

'Erza give me a quick run down.'

'Auto gates at the front to the west from here. Guards at every corner after that as well cameras. However, to the East there are isolation cells where the fence is less guarded. On the roof men with guns at every corner. Although I dont know how you are going to get over the fence as its solid gold now.'

'Gold? Fuck.' Varian facepalms.

'Its okay. Erza can fly us over right?' Will smirks.

Wait what.

'Hey no one said anything about that. Who knows if i can even carry you two in my hawk form.' My wings flap in protest as if instinct is kicking in.

'Oh come on. You once turned into a five foot fox. You can send more power to your wings and make them bigger?' Will teases. Varian frowns at that.

Ugh.

'I can damn try but I wont be able to get you out in wolf form.' I warn them.

'Thats fine just get us in.' Varian's smug look is back and his eyes are mischievous.

I call on my power and noises force their way out as my bones enlarge and muscle breaks and repairs all over again. Pain travels under my skin and has me wincing in annoyance.

Varian looks disgusted and Will baffled.

'I had no idea how much physical change took place let alone the pain.' Will murmurs.

'Well now you know. Now move so I can grab you.'

Will proceeds and I grip his shoulders with my enlarged tallons. My wings crack and click as I force us into the air. I manage to get Will past the gate but dump him harshly on the ground as my wings lose their strength.

Will rolls back up and dusts himself off. I wheeze through my beak and wish my mouth could be back just to get more damn air. After my strength returns its Varian next. I grip his shoulders and do the same thing before fluttering out of the air and landing in Will's arms. Will lays me on the grass.

'Well done Erza. You did awesome. Rest a second then we will go.'

Varian crouches and with his two forefingers brushes my messy feathers into place. His way of thanking me I suppose.

Despite my fatigue and tiredness I pull myself up and call on my power. After ten minutes of whimpering and breaking myself; I am in wolf form. I stand on my four legs uneasily but I managed the transformation.

'Right lets go. Varian get your power ready. We depend on you now. Erza your the distraction for the other guards as we do this.' Will orders.

Excuse fucking me...distraction?!

'Distraction since when?' I demand.

'Since thats part of Laith's plan so we may as well see if it works now.' Varian comments arrogantly.

'Its fine for the guy who shoots poison out his palms your a long range fighter. Therefore less risk for you I am a short range fighter so I am literally in line of fire where there is guns.' I growl.

Varian goes to reply but Will jumps in too quickly.

'Listen E. I know your tired and scared but we need your help with this. I appreciate what your putting yourself through but me and Varian need to gather intel which we cant do without a distraction to allow Varian's powers to spread. One howl and we will go I swear to you.' Will practically begs on his knees.

For fuck sake.

'If i die I will haunt you.' I push off my hind legs and sniff the air. No guards around here yet.

Will and Varian jog behind. As soon as we reach the isolation cells I make the distraction, within ten minutes the discoloured building stands before. Will and Varian nod and head off West towards the main entrance and the path where as I carry on to the South side. As there are plenty of trucks to mess with and grab guards attention.

I sniff the air and find no trace of Varian's power which means they are waiting for me to cause a distraction. So without thinking I bolt from my hiding spot and run up to the first truck I see. I slash my claws against the tyres before to the next. The next truck I use a step to yank a side mirror off with my jaw. Another one I get under the bonnet and yank a bunch of cables out. In a second yelling is heard and foot steps increase. Twitching my ears I estimate forty guards are heading my way. I take in a gulp of air and growl as loud as I can drawing them closer.

'What the hell is it?' 'Did one of the freaks get out?' 'Kill it.' 'Sound the alarm.'

Basically I lore them out then attack them. Simple.

I spring off my hind legs from under the truck and trap a guards arm within my jaw. A sickening crack is heard and metallic fills my mouth as I release him. I feel shoved and I turn to see a guard behind me nudging me with his baton outstretched, I release a growl before aiming for his calf. I trap his calf in my mouth and whip my head back and forth forcing the skin to tear.

A bullet shoots past my ear and I look up to be circled by men and their guns, batons and goddamn everything. One guard even has a knife. The two guards I injured are screeching as they should, they deserve even more pain for what they let happen.

Anger slithers into my consciousness and I give into my instinct. I let the wolf take the reins and by god they do. The wolfs and snaps before ducking and doing the same to those behind him and guards back off in caution. The wolf swipes my paw at the weapons pointing at its throat and pounces taking three men down at once with its force.

The men are now scattering in fear and with one sniff of the air the answer is clear. God knows what Varian is making them see right now.

My instincts are high and without hesitation I howl. A howl echoes around the area and no doubt the woods. The pure predatory sound fills me with pride and I jump into a run. My paws hammering the ground.

I sniff Will and Varian out and rush to meet them where we climbed the fence.

'What now?'I yell.

'I dont know I didnt think this far ahead.' Will admits regretebly.

'Seriously Will? Now is when you dont think?' Varian screams. A panic ridden expression coated on his face.

I roll my eyes as much as I can in this form and start digging. I dig as fast as I can until I have created a hole big enough to fit in and so like a mole with so much less dignity as a wolf I make a hole to the other side.

Will and Varian follow without hesitation. Once on the side of freedom. We run.

We run as fast as our legs can carry us.

By the time we make it back to Lin its been 45 minutes of adrenaline running.

Now the adrenaline has worn off their is a collective thought we all have. As me, Will and Varian all meet each others eyes we grin. A grin of triumph. We did it. We managed it and with zero injuries.

Get ready Collings because we are coming.

We are coming and we wont leave till we get our people out of your hands.