“Yeah, well, he would be equally disappointed in whoever takes care of this hunk of junk,” I call back, smiling at my old friend and mentor.
“Zissa!” Moni yells, flying over.
“Hello, Princess.” Zissa nods her head, opting out of bowing.
“Pfft. You’d better just call me Moni, since we’re friends and all.” Moni cycles between a pastel yellow and pink, which is kinda cute.
“Noted.”
“How did you know we were here?” Knots’ eyes squint as he questions her.
“Oh, that’s easy.” She cocks her head and points over to the tree behind me, straight to a knot holding a camera lens.
“Figures,” Lynx grumbles. “They should really tell us where those are. I want to make sure they get mygoodside,” he says, while striking a seductive pose for the camera.
“Well, it didn’t show anyone’s good side in the cave, but it’s how I knew you were here. Besides, your father would have meskinnedalive and made into a sheath for a new weapon for Bez if I didn’t come out here and pick you up.” She winks and turns back to her black wagon of death. “Well, don’t just stand there. Let’s go. I want to be inside before the real monsters are let loose.”
“Real monsters?” Chester squeaks. “That doesn’t sound good at all.”
“Neither does leaving here without Rez. How will she know where we went if we leave?” Zeke questions, giving the cave a longing glance.
“I agree. I don’t feel comfortable leaving Rez behind,” I admit.
“Already have that settled. When I realized that Rez wasn’t with you as you exited the cave, I called ahead for another car.” Zissa smiles and points to another vehicle heading our way in a plume of dirt. “It’s a smaller envoy, but when Rez shows up, she’ll be set.” She walks around to her side of her vehicle and looks over the top at us. “So, are you good with that plan, or would you rather hang out with therealmonsters of Hell?”
“I suggest we listen to the warrior and depart this area,” Knots agrees.
You don’t have to tell me twice. We get a safe passage through Hell and the obstacles we were supposed to face. Knox can feel Rez, and she’s close, safe, yet annoyed. Zissa has an escort waiting to bring her to us safely, and I’m sure we won’t leave this plane until we are reunited.
I quickly step up and notice the vehicle is an old military Kenworth T370 Armor personnel carrier. A thrill goes through me as I take in the beauty before me, even though it looks modified. I’ve never been this close to a military beast of this magnitude, and I’m about to hop in one myself.
Everyone jumps into the contraption through the back door as I quickly take shotgun to check out the console and dash, letting out a long whistle. Wow, talk about an upgrade. Turning to look at the back, I take in the bucket seats everyone has pulled down along the walls and have fastened in, and notice there’s enough for everyone. Even Knots has put Reaper in his own seat next to him. I’m surprised he’s not burning through the restraints, but then again, this is a modified military vehicle; I shouldn’t be surprised.
“Nice wheels.” The outside isn’t anything to look at, but the inside is fancy as hell with a GPS, spell-integrated system, aftermarket sound system, de-cursing list, a knowledge tab on the screen, phone system, and even a translator program.
“Thanks.” Zissa smirks. “I stole it.”
“Sounds about right. I’m guessing 2017?” With my love of history, I know I’m in the ballpark as I touch the bullet-resistant glass and riot-mesh-lined window.
“Spot on, they were gonna decommission it and scrap it. Can you believe that? Pfft. Humans.” She winks. “Hold on tight. We’re on a deadline,” she warns, slamming her foot down, causing me to slam and sink into my seat as we leap forward.
“This isn’t equipped with one of those cameras for the Gauntlet, right?” I ask, before peering over my shoulder back at my family.
“Ugh, in the famous words of Cher, ‘As if’” She wrinkles her nose, and I give her a strange look.
“Sorry,Cluelesshas been on a rerun lately, and I love that show.” Zissa smiles widely.
Since we’re flying down the barren landscape, kicking up dust as we go, I take the opportunity to explain to the others what I experienced during our fight.
“Damn, that's a handy tool to have, especially with some of the people it looks like we’re attracting,” Knox admits.
“I know,” I concur.
I turn around, and I spot the buildings I saw earlier become more prominent. Tall, desolate buildings with blown-out windows line a rocky and torn-up road. If I didn’t know better, I would swear we were in a dystopian movie set or worse, in the apocalypse.
“Where are we?” I ask, raising my voice to be heard over the motor.
“Death’s Window,” she replies. I look at her with my jaw dropped, and she gives me a cocky grin.
