CHAPTER FIVE
Rocko
Rocko was ready to pull the plug on this fucked-up experiment.Enough was enough, and it hadn’t even been twenty-four hours.As he approached the construction site, where Griffin stood overseeing the activity, he considered the excuse he’d use to hit the road sooner, even though he doubted anyone would honestly care he’d gone.Apollo caught up with him before he could approach Griffin and ask where he could help.
“Hold up,” Apollo said.
Griffin turned and walked toward them.
“Now what’s wrong?”Rocko asked in frustration.
“New plan.We have to head into town to the marina.”
“Okay.What’s at the marina?”
“Boats,” Griffin grumbled as he walked up.“That’s where they keep them.”
“No shit.I meant,whyare we going?”Rocko huffed at Griffin’s surly response.
“A boat we’ve been thinking of buying has been delivered, so we’re going to have a look at it,” Apollo answered.“Let’s go.”
“I can stay here and help with the building,” Rocko said.He didn’t know shit about boats.
“No,” Apollo growled, but didn’t elaborate.
“Right,” Rocko grunted.Hell, what was wrong with him?He was getting far too used to being ordered around by the big guy.
Along the way to the truck, they met up with Jagger, who was more than happy to tag along.
Once they turned onto Black Point Road, it didn’t take long for them to reach Snug Harbor Marina.It looked like a decent-sized operation, with dozens of boats wrapped up and stored over the winter season.Their owners would be unwrapping those soon if the weather kept getting warmer, chomping at the bit to get out onto this beautiful lake.
“Is that the one?”Jagger asked, pointing toward what looked like a missile on a trailer.
It was long, sleek, and screamed speed, though the T-top and center console reminded Rocko of the sports boats back in Florida.DONZI was emblazoned along its side with graphics that denoted its speed, but if that wasn’t enough to convince you, the three massive outboard engines lined up along the back should do it.Rocko knew shit about boats, just the stats, courtesy of his memory.He’d never owned one, driven one, or cared to.
“Holy shit.What do you plan on doing with that beast?Tell me you’re not getting into smuggling?”Rocko chuckled, only half joking.
Jagger began laughing.
“No, man, not drugs.People.”
“People?”Rocko asked.How the hell is that better?
“Yeah, this lake gives us a direct line over one hundred miles long, all the way to Canada, and sits between New York and Vermont.Think of all the survivors we could help disappear along this lake and into Canada once we set up a longer list of contacts.Between ours and Brick’s resources on the Fire Lake team, we could put a huge dent into the rate at which mutants gain their freedom back from The Noah Group.”
“Shit, it’s brilliant,” Rocko said.“I didn’t think of that.”
“Aren’t you the one with the brain?”Griffin asked, not trying to hide his sarcasm.
“Memory.”Asshole.
“Sure,” Griffin chuckled.“Don’t see much proof of that.”
The guy wasn’t letting up.Time to teach him a lesson.
“Griffin; incessantly angry and forbidding.Hates strangers and doesn’t give a shit who he pisses off.Can read people’s emotions and state of being.Canine teeth and nails lengthen when agitated.Tends to lead with his right hand naturally when writing and eating but uses the left when more physical work is needed, which leads me to believe he’s taken damage to his right arm or hand in the past.He has a nervous tic of touching the chain around his neck, suggesting an emotional attachment to it.He has a slight limp in his right leg, indicating right-side damage.If someone were to attack, they should approach from his right to increase their chances of gaining an advantage.Four visible scars ranging in size from under one inch to four inches, the largest being on the left side of his neck, a clean line likely from a blade.His eyes are brown like his hair, which grows shaggy when he becomes angry; heightened emotions may trigger his mutation at unwanted times.I’m considering genetic manipulation within the animalistic realm.He’s exceptionally fast, and he deliberately slows his movements around people he’s not comfortable with, including strangers.But then again, what mutant doesn’t modify their natural behavior in front of outsiders?”He paused.“Should I fucking continue?”
Griffin was speechless, probably for the first time, Rocko thought sourly, and without turning back to look at him, the other man opened the passenger door and stepped out.
