# Mercer, Mercy, Me

Author: GreyKobold
Tags: Are, Aren't, Battle, Fanfiction, Human, M/F, Mutation, No-Yiff, Transformation, Violence, fun, play, prototype, virus, with

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The shores lapped at my feet, and I stared up, into the sky.&nbsp; The world was silence, but for the gentle wash of the surf, and the ringing in my ears.&nbsp; My ears had been ringing for the last ten minutes, and made me confused, unsure of what I was doing here.&nbsp; My head ached with a thousand voices, a thousand sights and sounds and words that made my thoughts agony.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The water cooled my feet, and I felt hot.&nbsp; The water soothed the tingling burn that touched my body, and made my head ache with thoughts that were not my own.&nbsp; I touched the back of my neck, sticky with blood, and gazed down at my fingers, the black hoodie stained, but drying slowly.&nbsp; It looked like it was soaked with blood, but my arm didn't hurt, letting me ignore it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The great city of New York was some five miles to the north, and I continued to walk the shoreline; touched with oil and dead fish.&nbsp; I paused by one, and bent down to lift a large salmon up.&nbsp; It was beautiful, though it had no life to it.&nbsp; I sniffed once, it was freshly killed, perhaps no more than an hour dead, perhaps minutes in the sun.&nbsp; The fish was warm from radiation, and it made my flesh ache, feeling familiar.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was suddenly hungry, I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten, last time I'd had the chance to enjoy a meal.&nbsp; It felt like months, long months.&nbsp; I gave the fish a hungry look, before my fingers slid in deep and broke the scales, sinking into the meat.&nbsp; I suddenly felt refreshed, as my hand swelled, and the fish's bones snapped, broken, and the flesh was drawn into my hand.&nbsp; I felt sated.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I screamed, trying to dislodge it from my hand, but it was gone in seconds, leaving no hint that it had been there.&nbsp; I shook, I retched, my brain starting to throb with flashes of thoughts, of the water and the burn of a sun beneath the waves.&nbsp; I shook out again, the dizziness leaving, while I walked on again.&nbsp; I didn't think about what had happened, I didn't want to think about it.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I walked until the sun set, and rose, and set again while trying to avoid the fish.&nbsp; They sated me, just walking past I felt my flesh stretch and grasp, engulfing the flesh, even without my consent.&nbsp; I had to have it - and each time my head felt a little less painful.&nbsp; I let the pain leave with each one taken up - to my disgust.&nbsp; It felt good, and I enjoyed the thoughts of water.&nbsp; The more I fed, the more I wanted to swim.&nbsp; But I ignored it, I had to keep walking.&nbsp; I had to keep moving, even with the sunlight glowing in the distance, threatening to break with sunrise.&nbsp; I shielded my eyes and felt the heat starting to grow.&nbsp; I took a deep breath, and continued, until I came across an old road.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The pavement was cracked, and in bad need of repair, and I felt it creak beneath my step.&nbsp; I ignored it.&nbsp; I felt the rain start to fall, the air speaking of it being winter.&nbsp; I wasn't sure if it was winter completely, but the air felt like it.&nbsp; The angle of the sun did too.&nbsp; My head hurt thinking about it.&nbsp; I continued my walk, not sure which way I wanted to go.&nbsp; I went south.&nbsp; South felt right.&nbsp; The shore was twenty meters away, and I wasn't hungry for fish any more.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The hum of a 232 horse power vehicle caught my attention, and I turned to look at the vehicle that drove on.&nbsp; It was cherry red, the windows dark tinted, and the female driver slowed to drive around me.&nbsp; She fit the vehicle well, both being curvy and filled with a graceful nature that made me think of a purring puma.&nbsp; I shook the thought out, and the vehicle slowed down, as well as a window sliding to reveal the light-bronze skin.&nbsp; She was a Latino, perhaps half native, half Spanish.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Consequir un paseo?"&nbsp; I asked, the words tingling my tongue.&nbsp; It felt odd, I wouldn't want to speak it again.&nbsp; She lifted her brow up and coughed politely, shaking her head.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Going my way?"&nbsp; I said, forestalling her from talking.&nbsp; She looked at me, down the way I walked, then up at the rain.&nbsp; I was soaking wet.&nbsp; The cold air didn't penetrate my hoodie.&nbsp; She gave a bit of a shrug and pushed the door open with a click of the lock.&nbsp; The door swung up, proving the vehicle to be far more fancy than I'd guessed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sure.&nbsp; Hop in."&nbsp; I did, the vehicle shifting under my way with a groan.&nbsp; The steel frame held though, even though the engine would have to work hard to keep up with it.&nbsp; I'd devoured many fish, but was still hungry.&nbsp; I needed to eat more, but could wait.&nbsp; For now.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The oil was low, the tank was half empty, and the miles were less than twenty thousand, but in need of a tune up.&nbsp; The purring growl was slightly off, almost unnoticeable, but told me one of the gears was sticking.&nbsp; I grunted, but decided not to say anything about it.&nbsp; I looked over at the gear gauge, then up to the girl.&nbsp; her eyes were dark and her skin looked pale, her scent was off.&nbsp; I couldn't place my finger on it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Where are you headed?"&nbsp; She asked.&nbsp; I tore my eyes away from her own, they glistened like freshly turned earth beneath the rain.&nbsp; They were distant, as though in thought of something else.&nbsp; I gave her a smile.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "South.&nbsp; I think I'm going towards Georgia.&nbsp; Or Alabama."&nbsp; I gave a shake of my head.&nbsp; Alabama would be cool when I got down there.&nbsp; I had to get down there.&nbsp; I wasn't sure why.&nbsp; It'd be good to go.&nbsp; "Maybe I'm going towards Texas.&nbsp; I don't know yet."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Drifting?&nbsp; Sounds fun.&nbsp; I'm going home to see some family."&nbsp; I gave her a look, she was lying.&nbsp; I could smell it on her.&nbsp; "You have family?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I have a sister."&nbsp; I replied automatically.&nbsp; I thought about it, my memory was hazy.&nbsp; I couldn't remember all of the words, or give words to the shapes that displayed.&nbsp; She was reaching for me, calling to me.&nbsp; I saw a bed, she was hooked up to machines.&nbsp; "She's sick."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm sorry to hear that."&nbsp; She said.&nbsp; The music was Gaga, something prattling and annoying.&nbsp; She wasn't listening to it; I wasn't listening either.&nbsp; I reached down and flicked my fingers, turning the music off.&nbsp; The rain clattered upon the roof, upon the glass, the wipers squeaked with the rain washing over the view.&nbsp; THe road was empty.&nbsp; "At least she has someone who cares about her, right?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I love her.&nbsp; She's wonderful."&nbsp; I felt my cheek tug up.&nbsp; "She's the only family I have left.&nbsp; She's sick, but she's a good person,.&nbsp; Very good person, most loving person I know."&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I looked out the window, my hand slid across the glass, leaving no streaks.&nbsp; She glanced at me.&nbsp; I felt hungry.&nbsp; I reached down, into a pocket in my pants, and felt the warmth of flesh.&nbsp; I grunted, squeezing and searching for the leather lump - and found it with a moment of thought.&nbsp; A wallet.&nbsp; I opened and looked inside, the leather slick, like water had soaked it.&nbsp; I opened and gazed at the inside, and saw my face looking back.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "My name is Alex."&nbsp; I said.&nbsp; The wetness made a lot of it blurry, but I knew my name.&nbsp; I shook it a bit and tried to reach for some money.&nbsp; The wallet was sealed shut, and I put it back into my jacket.&nbsp; I had no money.&nbsp; I couldn't afford food.&nbsp; I was so hungry.&nbsp; "Alex Mercer."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alex Mercer?"&nbsp; She asked.&nbsp; "I'm Celestina Savatorre."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, it's nice to meet you.&nbsp; I think I can take you a while, but you'll have to pay for gas beyond that." &nbsp;She smiled a bit, half serious, half joking.&nbsp; I reached up and scratched at the back of my head through the hood, and gave a shrug.&nbsp; I didn't know what to talk about.&nbsp; My mind was racing with half remembered thoughts.&nbsp; "I'm hungry.&nbsp; You look hungry.&nbsp; There's a restaurant about thirty miles down if you'd like to eat?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I nodded again.&nbsp; It sounded good.&nbsp; I ran my fingers along the leather interior, it was comfortable.&nbsp; It creaked.&nbsp; It felt good.&nbsp; I wanted to like the vehicle.&nbsp; It spoke of wealth.&nbsp; It spoke of esteem.&nbsp; My head started to throb again.&nbsp; I rubbed my temple and grimaced.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hunger headache?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You have no idea."  
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The restaurant was small, a diner.&nbsp; The waitress was old, she had a wig, it didn't match the eyelashes.&nbsp; She had too much makeup on.&nbsp; I wanted to wash it off, it made my skin itch.&nbsp; I gave my head a shake, and looked down at the plate full of food.&nbsp; Fried chicken and potatoes and coleslaw.&nbsp; It looked good, and I ate quietly.&nbsp; The music twanged, country.&nbsp; I liked it.&nbsp; I hated it.&nbsp; I ignored it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "These dinners usually have the best food, and lower prices than fast food.&nbsp; I mean, it's greasy, but no one is going to live forever, so why bother?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She wasn't eating healthy herself; it being a large hamburger and seasoned fries.&nbsp; The meat was medium-rare.&nbsp; I licked my lips and sucked the oil off my fingers, then dug back in, eating the meat off, and leaving the bones.&nbsp; I wanted the calcium, but something told me no.&nbsp; The meat helped me relax.&nbsp; It killed the headache, even if it didn't taste that good.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I agree.&nbsp; It beats rations."&nbsp; I made small talk, my thoughts becoming a little more clear, a little more open to remembering.&nbsp; I remembered New York, standing high on one of the great buildings.&nbsp; I felt free, running across one and leaping to another.&nbsp; Parkour.&nbsp; I practiced parkour?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You were in the military?"&nbsp; She asked, working through the first half of the overly large burger.&nbsp; "How interesting.&nbsp; I had a brother who went into the marines.&nbsp; I haven't heard from him in a few months, I think he's out in Iraq.&nbsp; He's a good kid."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Semper Fidelis; always Faithful."&nbsp; I said, bringing a hand to my heart.&nbsp; I grunted, and lowered my hand down into my jacket.&nbsp; I took another bite of the fried meat, and then started to finish my vegies.&nbsp; They were good, sweet.&nbsp; I could get plenty of fiber from them, fiber that helped me heal.&nbsp; But, it wasn't meat, it wasn't fat.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thank you for your service.&nbsp; Consider this dinner my treat, then."&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I looked out over the empty diner.&nbsp; It was late; the rain continued to fall, intermittent with hints of snow.&nbsp; It was cold outside, but I didn't feel it.&nbsp; I gave the window a tap, it shook.&nbsp; The wind was going to get hard and fast, I wouldn't want to walk in it, but, I probably didn't have a choice.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thank you.&nbsp; Is there a place to sleep around here?"&nbsp; I asked of her.&nbsp; She gave a smile, and a shrug, before taking up her drink and downing it - nothing alcoholic.&nbsp; I saw her remove some pills from her purse and furrowed my brow curiously, but again, said nothing.&nbsp; She took one and swallowed it down.&nbsp; She winced.&nbsp; I could tell the flavor wasn't that great.&nbsp; She smiled a bit, and gave a shrug.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Astavin.&nbsp; It's buying me a little more time."&nbsp; She looked at the pills, showing me the label.&nbsp; Her smooth fingers stroked the edge of it, before putting the bottle back into her jacket.&nbsp; "It helps me control my tumors, giving me a little more time."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Time for what?"&nbsp; I asked.&nbsp; I regretted it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I have a brain tumor.&nbsp; I've got about two months before it kills me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was speechless.&nbsp; I tried to think of something to say, but nothing felt right.&nbsp; My head hurt, and I gave her a pained look.&nbsp; I wanted to comfort her in her moment, but she was staying strong.&nbsp; No.&nbsp; It was better to continue on, letting her face it at her own pace.&nbsp; I placed my hand on hers, and gave a squeeze.&nbsp; She stiffened her breath catching.&nbsp; I was not going to hurt her, I wouldn't want to hurt a friend.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She was a friend?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I felt confused, and looked away.&nbsp; The lights flickered outside.&nbsp; I watched a military hummer drive past, and tensed up with a sudden grunt.&nbsp; I didn't like that.&nbsp; I stared out, my vision shifting into the heat of the engine, as the hummer turned into the parking lot.&nbsp; My fingers tensed beneath the table, and I felt the wood start to bend and creak.&nbsp; I withdrew my hand and glanced down.&nbsp; They had taken the shape of blades, and withdrew, reforming into hands.&nbsp; I wanted to panic.&nbsp; I kept calm.&nbsp; Nausea over-whelmed and faded.&nbsp; I looked back at her, smiling.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Make the best of life while you have it?" I asked, hesitant about what to say.&nbsp; I kept track of the four soldiers who came in, dressed in fatigues.&nbsp; The small door gave a 'ding' up over the door frame, and I avoided looking at them.&nbsp; "You are a beautiful woman, you've got some time to do something."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Fucking easy for you to say."&nbsp; She muttered.&nbsp; She was not angry.&nbsp; Upset, maybe, but not angry.&nbsp; "You aren't going to be dead in sixty days."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I remembered fire.&nbsp; A sudden rush of heat and the crumpling of metal, and the explosion of jet fuel and the lift of a helicopter before thrown into the air and licked by atomic fire, these images fell into place, into thoughts.&nbsp; I held a hand to my neck and rubbed slowly, feeling disquieted about it.&nbsp; Afterwards was the shore, the water, the feeling of the sun upon me.&nbsp; My head hurt.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sorry.&nbsp; I don't know what to say about that.&nbsp; I mean, I've never..."&nbsp; I trailed off, and she looked down at the table.&nbsp; The soldiers sat near the door - it would be trouble.&nbsp; I looked about again, then spied the bathroom.&nbsp; "Are you ready to go?&nbsp; Or, would you like to leave me here?&nbsp; In either case, I've got to use the restroom."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm ready to go if you are; I think it'd be good to get onto the road.&nbsp; I'll go pay and head on out to the car, see you in ten?"&nbsp; She stood and made her way out to pay for the meal.&nbsp; I finished my coffee, and my hand pushed onto the plate to suck in the bones, and the rest of what she hadn't taken.&nbsp; The plates were clean after absorbing it through a quick dash of black tendrils shot from my arm.&nbsp; No one noticed.&nbsp; I was glad.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I stood up and turned to walk into the bathroom, and bent my head to wash my face and hands.&nbsp; It was a ritual, more than a need; there was no oil on my fingers or lips, having been absorbed with chicken, the burger, the drink.&nbsp; I licked the water off my hands.&nbsp; The water tasted good, I could feel iron inside of it.&nbsp; It would wash out.&nbsp; I let the water run, my fingers underneath, before pushing them up, and feeling the inside of the faucet.&nbsp; I stretched my flesh and pushed deep inside of it, and withdrew my hand - the fingers having merged into a long, black and red tendril.&nbsp; I lifted it and gazed at it in the mirror, before fingers reformed, then back again.&nbsp; I forced it to re-take flesh.&nbsp; I remembered this.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What was I?&nbsp; I could remember, on the edge of my thoughts.&nbsp; I reached, sorting for it.&nbsp; My memories were coming back slowly, it'd be a few days, I felt.&nbsp; Eating helped them return, so did the whispers of other thoughts, other minds.&nbsp;&nbsp; The mirror steamed from the flow of hot water, and I turned it off, to turn, facing a soldier, who stared at a hand, which was rippling, before shaping into long, black claws.&nbsp; He jerked back, as I lunged forward, and grabbed him about his throat.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Mercer!"&nbsp; He strangled out, his hand grabbing at the wall and kicking the door sharply.&nbsp; He had a gun, a pistol from his hip.&nbsp; He raised it, and I slammed my hand into his wrist, forcing it to discharge.&nbsp; That would alert trouble, trouble I didn't want.&nbsp; I slammed him into the wall and felt the plaster break beneath the force, as did the mans back.&nbsp; He groaned, sagging in pain.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I shoved my fist into his face, and felt the skull crack, before splaying my fingers into his head, and absorbed his mass, pulling his brain from his skull.&nbsp; I kept my hand there, and felt my flesh ripple, pulling itself out of shape, and slamming into his body, and slid through his flesh.&nbsp; I sought and found his heart and silenced it, ending the spasms of his pain, and drew him deep, his flesh meeting mine, in a rush of heat and fire and blood.&nbsp; I absorbed him, and he was no more but for a whisper of his thoughts, his dreams, his memories.&nbsp; I felt a pang, but my mind cleared, just a little more.&nbsp; I remembered.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm sorry, Private Allan, you really did deserve better."&nbsp; I looked up at his face in the mirror, I saw the soldier looking back at me.&nbsp; I drew my hand up to pat my cheek, and sighed.&nbsp; The eyes stared at me with a look of guilt, before I retook my face, my form, the fatigues fading into my old outfit - a leather jacket and hoodie, and a dark pair of jeans, slightly stained.&nbsp; I washed at the stains, but they wouldn't come out, and the water was absorbed after a few quick moments.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They weren't clothes.&nbsp; It was my flesh, my body, a part and completion of who I was.&nbsp; I shook a thought out - and rubbed my temples.&nbsp; I stepped out of the bathroom, into the face of three guns aimed at me.&nbsp; Two were rifles, a third a pistol - leveled at my face.&nbsp; I stared back at them, and over at the waitress who held a knife and a phone up to her ear.&nbsp; She was calling the police, her voice a hushed whisper.&nbsp; I felt a pang of sorrow for what I was going to have to do.&nbsp; She was an older woman; a ring said she had family.&nbsp; They all did.&nbsp; I didn't need any more voices in my head.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You know who I am."&nbsp; I said, looking at the three.&nbsp; They were trembling.&nbsp; They had been in New York; I knew this just from their eyes.&nbsp; I had seen thousands of soldiers, and hundreds of thousands of people.&nbsp; I didn't want to add to the numbers killed.&nbsp; "Let me walk away, and we can let this go."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You killed Allan!"&nbsp; I heard one growl, the gun lifting to my forehead.&nbsp; My flesh began to darken, as my claws grew out from my fingers.&nbsp; I could move quick, I could kill them.&nbsp; I needed to protect myself, but they were no threat.&nbsp; I could take on a tank.&nbsp; I had taken on a tank.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I'd taken on worse things I didn't want to think about.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I've killed a lot of things.&nbsp; I don't want more people on my conscience.&nbsp; You don't want to have to make me kill everyone in this place.&nbsp; I don't want that.&nbsp; You don't want that.&nbsp; Just let me go, forget you ever saw me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I hoped they would let me go.&nbsp; One gun lowered, a second, but the third raised up, against my temple.&nbsp; The flesh hardened up to prevent any injuries from occurring; a single bullet would only shatter, especially of a lower caliber gun.&nbsp; I gave him a hard stare, my claws stretched almost two feet in length.&nbsp; I had sliced through steel, I had carved through the solid side of a tank and used the gun as a bat to strike the skull from a grand Hunter.&nbsp; I had done so much.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Let him go."&nbsp; The last gun lowered, even with a look of anger on that face.&nbsp; He stepped back, and jerked with his gun.&nbsp; "We can't do anything for Allan; and getting killed for him won't do shit.&nbsp; Plus, you saved my life from one of those Blackwatch Bastards.&nbsp; I say that's worth a twenty minute head start."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I nodded to him.&nbsp; Private First Class Bradley.&nbsp; I gave him a salute, and he grimaced, but gestured for me to go.&nbsp; He was angry, he wanted to kill me.&nbsp; Frankly, I didn't blame him.&nbsp; I walked out of the dinner, into the rain.&nbsp; Celestina gave me a glance, her brow up, curiously.&nbsp; She didn't know what had happened, and I didn't want her to.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Dahl Hotel flickered with a Vacancy sign, and the red Mazda of Celestina sat in front of our room.&nbsp; She sat on the bed, and I stood near the window, gazing at the outside road, and the small lights in the distance.&nbsp; I stared at the flickering lights, and felt the memories stir deep inside.&nbsp; I'd been here before.&nbsp; Alex had been here before.&nbsp; I was Alex.&nbsp; I wasn't Alex.&nbsp; I was the Blacklight Virus, a virus self-aware, and with the memories of a thousand marines, a hundred civilians, and one brilliant, but sociopathic monster of a person who released me, and who became my host.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alex, are you alright?"&nbsp; She asked.&nbsp; Celestina drew my attention from the outside world, to look upon the long-haired beauty.&nbsp; She had a soft smile, a friendly smile, a troubled, pained smile.&nbsp; I could see the heat pouring from her, and I came closer, and gave the bed a stroke.&nbsp; There was only one bed, large enough for two, but only just.&nbsp; I sat on the edge, and felt the mattress dip, the bed protest.&nbsp; I sat back gingerly, and laid on my back.&nbsp; She rested a hand on my arm, and squeezed my hand gently.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm alright, Celestina.&nbsp; &nbsp;I am alright.&nbsp; I've just been thinking about what to do in life.&nbsp; I've done some bad things in life, and want to make it right.&nbsp; I've got to hunt down someone who hurt a lot of people and make it right."&nbsp; I looked at her, and drew her hand up, to kiss against the finger tips.&nbsp; I wasn't tired, I don't think I could sleep even if I wanted to.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You are a bounty hunter?"&nbsp; She asked me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No.&nbsp; I'm... I'm a scientist, I study virology and infection spreads.&nbsp; I used to work for a corporation, but it fell through.&nbsp; So, I'm doing what I can."&nbsp; I looked over at her, and she lifted her hand up to my chest in a soft, slow stroke on the edge of my sternum.&nbsp; She needed to be held, and I leaned in, and wrapped my arms around her, closely.&nbsp; I was careful not to engulf her, but just hold her close.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Maybe you can find out what caused me to get the tumor."&nbsp; She said.&nbsp; I smiled, almost sadly, before lifting her chin with my fingertips.&nbsp; I caressed slowly, feeling her skin, and the soft scent that warmed the air.&nbsp; "Make sure no one else gets sick?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I wouldn't want anyone else to get sick.&nbsp; If I could cure everyone, I would.&nbsp; But it takes years to even identify a cause..."&nbsp; I trailed off, she didn't seem to be hearing me, her eyes distant.&nbsp; I could feel her pain, the pain of a massive headache.&nbsp; I stroked her cheek, and bowed my head down to kiss her softly upon the lips.&nbsp; My tongue flicked over her own, and drew a breath of her, before locking my hands above her backside.&nbsp; She clung to me in those moments, her face pushing to mine.&nbsp; The kiss lingered, I read her genetics, and read the damage.&nbsp; She would not live very long at all.&nbsp; The pain would just get worse.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Celestina."&nbsp; I said, while feeling her drift off, comforted with me.&nbsp; I felt her pain, as my fingers drew up the back of her neck, and sighed.&nbsp; I felt the need again, the hunger, I felt the pain of her body, just by touching her.&nbsp; She was asleep in my arms.&nbsp; I held her, and kissed her brow.&nbsp; "Sleep forever.&nbsp; There will be no more pain."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My skin turned black, and my fingers grew into claws, then the length of great blades.&nbsp; I drew the blades along her back, and turned to pull her up atop me, and felt her body shift, then rock against my frame.&nbsp; I wrapped my body against her own, and carefully gripped the back of her neck with one hand, and middle back with the other.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I give you peace."&nbsp; I twisted sharply, and engulfed her inside of me.&nbsp; And for a moment, I felt myself flooded with her memories and her peace.&nbsp; I felt her inside me, and cherished it, before it fell into the soft din of memories and voices and endless moments I could not forget.&nbsp; Alone, in bed, I remembered her scent, and quietly wept.

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/nGE0yLje