Freedom City

The city of Freedom. Once a staple of the idea of the American dream, it was now overrun with crime. Sirens blared as the police force fought a losing war against the many street gangs that controlled more than half the city. Law abiding citizens tried to stay out of the way, hidden in their homes behind locked and barricaded doors. There were those that would take advantage of this lawless state.

One such dissident used the confusion to begin destroying buildings in Lincoln. She laughed as green, leafy tendrils snaked up the sides of businesses and ripped out their foundations. Large, fierce wolves drove people screaming from the area and the police were too busy stopping a gang war to respond.


Sable

Sable was nothing to look at, really, just a punk wandering the streets. She could probably pass for a kid if it weren't for the cigarette in her mouth and the tattoos that covered her body. She absentmindedly itched one of her tattoos, one that looked like a brown paper bag. The damn new ones always itched for awhile. Luckily, she wouldn't have it for long. She nodded curtly to a greasy looking man in a hooded sweatshirt who was leaning against a building by an alley. The drug dealer smiled, "Whatcha got for me today hyna?"

"Solid stuff, pure grifa." She said, pulling on the itchy tattoo and handing him the bag.

"Hey," He said, counting out her money, "When you gonna get me some perico, eh? Why you gotta sell me the soft shit all the time?"

"You know I don't deal in that. Pase's dangerous, vato. Deal in it, and people always get killed. Now gimme the lana so I can go." Sable puffed on her cig while she looked at him, her hand out for the money.

He sighed and handed her the money. "Whatever chica. You do what you do." Suddenly they heard a crashing sound as hundreds of screaming civilians ran by. "Ay wey, what's up with them?"

"I don't know, but I'm gonna find out." She said, turning to walk away.

"Loca! What's wrong with you?"

"Nothin, chavala. Some people run towards the fun, cowards like you run away." She said, flipping him the bird and speeding up to a jog.

"Desquentate then, go get yourself killed, won't see me cryin." He said softly as she rounded a corner.

Cradling a cup of hot chocolate in her hands, Ione surreptitiously watched the other cafe patrons from her little table in the corner. A spot she chose because it afforded her a clear view of the premises and its goings-on. It was amazing what people revealed about themselves, whether it be to a friend or partner seated at their table, or speaking into their phones. For reasons unknown, people assumed that being out in public afforded them some modicum of anonymity. Already Ione had learned that Mrs Mocha at the table to her right was cheating on her husband with a much younger man. Ms Chai Latte two tables down was going on a holiday to India for three weeks with friends, leaving her apartment unattended but for a neighbor who is to water her plants every few days. Very useful information for anybody without any scruples on robbing her blind. Sometimes it was no wonder that crime was such a rampant problem in Freedom city. Anyone who cared to watch and listen would have no problem finding a target to rob or blackmail. Ione would be a liar if she said that she wasn't tempted to make use of the information.

Downing the last of her cooling chocolate drink, Ione finally gave up her table and stepped out onto the street. Taking a moment to consider which direction to head in, Ione tucked her hands into the pockets of her hoodie and began to walk. She wasn't quite ready to head home just yet. The street wasn't overly busy so it was no effort to dodge the the other pedestrians. So when the first guy clipped her shoulder nearly knocking her onto her ass, she could only gape after him. Another push from behind put her on her hands and knees.

"Shit, what the bloody...ow!"

Sitting up, Ione gently rubbed away the grit from her palms. It was then that she noticed the people running in the direction she had just come from. Following that came the realization that these people were all screaming, which certainly did not bode well. Standing up quickly so that she would not end up trampled, Ione looked in the direction that the trouble appeared to originate from. Nothing could be seen from where she was standing and curiosity reared its ugly head. Common sense told her to take a page from the people around her and beat a hasty retreat home. Curiosity though pushed to know what the cause of the disturbance was, and god knows how insistent it could be.

"Don't be stupid, Ione. You go there you'll get killed, yea? Go home. Turn around.....shit."

Instead of doing the sensible thing, Ione found herself running towards the commotion instead of away from it. Which she was seriously going to regret. She slowed down as she spied movement heading towards her from something that was most definitely not human. And very, very big. Coming to a stop, her heart deciding to double time it, Ione cursed her stupidity. Looking around, she sprinted down a side street hoping that the creature would not follow. If the sounds coming from behind her were any indication, her hopes were in vain. This was not good.

Forgetting to lock the second floor windows...classic mistake. He almost smiled to himself. Peeling back the window, Sergio stared into the dark hallway. Three doors. No lights. After an awkward scramble to get his long legs over the windowsill, he pawed around for the light switch. He almost wished he hadn't. Splotches of blood lay splattered along the wall and floors, staining the ugly green carpet an even more repulsive brown.

Fighting back the urge to gag, he pressed ahead, his footsteps muffled by the soft carpeting. Careful to avoid the brown stains strewn across the floor, Sergio picked his way towards the door on the right at the end of the hall. It wasn't his first time in this house. In fact, he knew exactly where he was going: Sarah's bedroom. That, after all, was where the murder had occurred.

It was still so hard to believe Sarah was gone. "It is with our deepest regrets that we inform you that one of our own passed away," the University had emailed. "Counseling services will be available for any student." As if talking about it to some shrink was supposed to fix anything. Murder was a constant threat in Freedom, but it had always felt like something distant. Something that happened to unimportant people, people without power, people he didn't know and didn't care about. Not the privileged, the wealthy, the powerful. Not Sarah.

He had to know. To see it for himself. He had to know why. If the murderer had killed someone as innocent as Sarah in someplace as ritzy as Bayview Heights, then nowhere in the city could be truly safe. Yellow police tape walled off her room. This was where it had happened.

Pressing a gloved hand up to the door, Sergio clamped his eyes shut. His forehead furled in concentration, and he looked as if he was deep in thought. The hallway, the ceiling, and the walls faded to black. It was as if the lit room just plunged to blackness and all that remained was a single spotlight on the door. The clock began to unwind as Sergio tapped into his psionic powers, delving into the door's past. Like a video tape on rewind, he spun back to two days ago, the night of the murder. Sarah, already bleeding, screaming, stumbled into the door, fingers frantically fumbling with the doorknob. She thrust it open, vanishing as she lunged desperately inside. And then a young man followed her. Two features distinguished the man: a deep scar jutting across the left side of the man's face and a walking stick the man carried with him that appeared to be made of glass.

Opening the door, Sergio ducked under the police tape and wandered inside. Immediately noticeable was a circular stain on the large window that overlooked the yard. As his fingers traced their way around the stain, he concentrated once more. Sarah was standing in front of the window, but the man was too far away to be visible. That's when the window began to shimmer. The glass almost looked as if it was moving. Suddenly, the glass stretched outward, a large spike dashing out and impaling Sarah directly in the chest. Shivering, Sergio called his mind back to the present.

The loud clunk of a car door tore him from his thoughts, signaling the arrival of an unexpected guest. His pulse quickened. The last thing he needed was to be caught trespassing at the crime scene. Time to take my leave, at least for now. Minutes later, Sergio had scrambled outside and boarded a bus. The gruff voice of the driver bellowed, "Next stop downtown!"

The woman laughed as a Starbucks collapsed. Her flowing forest green robes seemed to sink deep into the ground and spread out all around her in vines that were now covering much of the buildings. She waved her hand and more vines flew out to destroy a fire hydrant that exploded, causing water to spray everywhere.

"Drink, my children!" She bellowed to the plants. "Drink and GROW!"

She waved her other hand and several wolves ran to her. "Are the humans gone?" She asked. "Good! Then keep all others from entering this sacred grove!"

The wolves ran out, barking their orders to the other wolves that had been patrolling the streets.

One wolf, however, was too busy hunting to take orders at the moment. It growled, the human had gone farther into its territory. She smelled of fear. The wolf bared its teeth and stalked into the alley. Dead end, human girl. Lunch time.

Sable

"Whoa." Sable said, looking at the overgrown city. It was like something from an apocalypse movie or that show After Humans. Vines were everywhere and plants were growing in so many places that Sable found herself unable to tell where some buildings started and some stopped. She began walking towards the center of it all, the place where she'd heard the crash. She heard birds and other creatures instead of the sounds of the city.

Then she heard howls from further into the vines. It was enough to make her shudder. She began to back up, trying to get to a highpoint where she could see everything. She climbed on top of a taxi that had been covered with ivy.

"You've got to be kidding me." She said, her jaw hanging open. There were wolves, a lot of them, stalking towards her and baring their teeth. The wolves moved as one, drawing around her in a semicircle. Sable didn't have time to count. She drew her guns, the ink flowing into metal, and pointed them towards the beasts. She wasn't sure if she had enough ammo, let alone the ability to hit them all. "What did I get myself into?"

Orlando "Voodoo" Brown

Joesph Clark High School. 3rd Period. RM 109. CP English. That is where Orlando Brown is, or correction on his way. He's more like on the second floor, east hallway, passing RMs 90-97. The Bell had rung a few minutes ago, signaling passing period and it won't be much longer until the bell rings in class. He had better hurry up or the teacher will lock him out, school tardy policies. He recognized a few more of his senior classmates as they headed for English Class. Some of them dreading the essays they have failed to finish. Luckily Orlando was not one of them, but he does feel for them. Well, at least for the one's that care. Some of them of suffering from extreme "senioritis," and feel they can blow it off. Then again, maybe their grades can take the 100 point blow?

As Orlando entered the classroom their English Teacher was busy watching the TV hanging from the ceiling. He was watching the News but to what surprise, it's about crime, but this was different. The Teacher immediately hushed all the teens walking in and turned up the volume. The reporter was talking about an attack in Lincoln. One that has claim several buildings in the area. From what he could see the attack is up the street a ways. Well at least where the TV Reporter is standing. He claims that people are being forced out of the area and not by policemen, but by...wolves? What da fuck? Orlando said in his head. Even the Reporter seemed unsure of what he said was correct. Yet that was the news, reports about wolves and...plants?

They soon gained confirmation about a chopper, high in the sky, presenting some footage. As TV cuts to the chopper cam, another reporter is confirming the sights of plants and animals. The female reporter is baffled by what she sees, and can't seem to find a word to call what is happening. So far it's not a gang related attack like everyone was thinking, the reporter adds it might be the work of Eco-terrorists. Eco-terrorism? Orlando is not the only one confused by this, the students are whispering amongst themselves. They too are confused. The reporter is absolutely horrified by what she is seeing and wonders where are the police? The TV cuts back to the male reporter on the ground out of the leafy perimeter, and he wonders the same. Where is the police? Good question.

One of the students becomes incredibly upset as he yells, "YO MAN!" "MY GRANDMA LIVES IN THOSE BUILDINGS!!" He was shaken up and the teacher, Mr. Kincaid went to calm him down. "Calm down Mr. Losares." Kincaid spoke. It was Antonio, the teacher allowed him to call his loved ones to make sure they were alright. He allowed the same for any one who has family members who are in danger. A few others used their cell phones, luckily not many in this room. While Orlando didn't live in that area, he was disturbed by what was going on. Just what the hell is out there wrecking buildings?

Police sirens wailed as Sergio's bus was forced to a stop by traffic. The sound of gunfire erupted as people in the traffic jam screamed. Police were having a huge full scale battle with a gang right at the bottom of the Waterfront Bridge. It looked like someone wanted to score some new territory and it had exploded into a war. There was no way that Sergio's bus would be able to get past the firefight and it was too big to turn around on the crowded highway. It would be stuck there until the fighting died down. It seemed like there were hundreds of men all wearing the same skull covered ski masks. They were in fire escapes, windows, on the street, and even some popped out under manhole covers, all firing wildly at the police who had set up a blockade of cars and were returning fire. It seemed the SWAT had arrived as well.

On T.V. The News reporter was talking again. "We now have confirmation that the police are in conflict with a large gang just North of Waterfront Bridge. The Police Chief has called in for back up from other nearby counties but with two crises on our hands it looks like we'd need a miracle to stop the chaos now." The News cut to the Police Chief, warning people to stay in doors and out of harms way until everything had been settled down. The grey whiskered man did not seem to be all that confident.

Crack! The patter of gunfire elicited a chorus of shrieks from the civilians trapped on the bridge. Just my luck. My bus WOULD decide to take the route the gang and police decide to squabble on. Typical. Letting out a beleaguered sigh, Sergio stood up and attempted to squeeze his way past the balding, pear-shaped man whose sweat had now not only stained the armpits of his shirt, but proceeded to drip down the into the seat he occupied, leaving a rancid puddle for whoever would sit there next. The joys of public transportation.

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to remain seated." Ignoring the bus driver's warning, Sergio strolled through the aisle, shoved the emergency exit lever, and hopped out the back, the bus driver's slew of profanity fading as he meandered back to the bus stop.

Half an hour later, he found himself ground to a halt in yet another pile of traffic, this time in Lincoln. Letting out a tortured groan that was so prolonged it drew the eyes of nearly every passenger on the bus, an exasperated Sergio thought to himself, You have got to be kidding me. I really need to start reading the future of these buses before I board. Exiting the second bus, this time a bit more politely from the front entrance, he sauntered ahead.

The first thing that was odd was that people were missing. The further he walked, the fewer cars were occupied. It wasn't long before every car on the street had been abandoned. That's when the street became even more strange. A vibrant green vine had constricted an overturned semi truck so much so that the metal had folded in itself.

What the…?

Nothing like a giant car-crushing plant to liven up your day. Giving the thick vine a few friendly pats before resting his hand firmly against it, Sergio joked, "Let's see what you've been up to buddy." He closed his eyes, the world faded to black, and time began to unwind...

"Drink, my children! Drink and GROW!" A woman in leafy green robes had cackled manically as the vine shot out like a javelin, smashing the semi's front windshield and the driver's ribcage along with it. The vine proceeded to crush the massive truck as easily as a man crumpling paper before tossing it in the trash. Apparently, these vines were both strong and swift, a lethal combination.

Calling his mind back to the present, Sergio felt something prickly pressing against his wrist rather painfully. He gasped as the vine began to squeeze his right hand. Feeling the vine clamping tighter and tighter, an involuntary spasm caused his body to buckle and he screamed. He screamed and screamed and screamed. He had never felt this much pain in his entire life. It was as though his hand was being crushed off. Indeed, it may very well be if things didn't turn up soon.

"Shit, shit,shit...!!"

This was not good. Go figure that she just had to choose a dead end to run down. This was where curiosity got her and now she would be lucky to live to see the next day. She had her father's handgun tucked into her jeans and hidden by her hoodie, something of a necessity when wandering the streets of Freedom. However, where a human opponent might balk at the sight of a gun, she highly doubted that it would work on the beast currently stalking her. Besides that, Ione didn't kid herself into thinking she had skill enough to shoot a moving target with any real accuracy. Not with the way her hands were shaking.

Glancing around frantically, Ione spied a garbage bag spilling out on the pavement as if it had been thrown there. Just a bit further down from the bag was a door leading into an apartment building, propped open with a brick. Ione had no idea what might have happened to the person who had been taking out the trash, but she sent them a silent thank you.

Ione could feel the oversized wolf breathing down her neck as she sprinted for the door. Wrenching it open, she slipped into a dimly lit hallway before she turned and pulled the door closed. Or she tried to close it but the brick was still in the way and she nearly lost her grip on the handle when the wolf slammed it's body into the door. Ione kicked out the the brick but it wouldn't budge, not unless she eased up on the door slightly.

The wolf eased back but did not storm the door again. Unable to see it, Ione knew it was still beyond the door only by listening intently for the heavy huffs that could be heard. She could practically hear it thinking, waiting. Ione didn't know how smart the creature was, but she bet it was probably above average. Which made 'it' very, very dangerous.

Trying to calm her breathing, Ione concentrated on silencing the area around her. The wolf obviously had the superior senses, but as it could not see her, taking away yet another sense would certainly help her by making it deaf to her actions. With that done, Ione could now take a nice deep breath to psyche herself into her next action without worrying that she was giving herself away with the sound.

Doing just that, Ione pushed the door open slightly and kicked out at the brick again as quickly as she could. This time the brick skid back, but before she could wrench the door closed again a thick muzzle pushed its way past. The snarling mouth that suddenly threatened her arm made her grip loosen further, allowing the great lupine head to muscle its way between the gap. Frantically reaching back for the gun, Ione pulled as hard as she could. The hand still holding onto the door handle was getting slick with sweat and she knew that if the wolf got one shoulder through that door, it would be all over for her.

Clumsy fingers curved around the gun, and without thinking, Ione swung it down hard on the wolf's snout, again and again. Not a killing blow in the slightest but obviously very painful, the wolf's head wrenched away. Taking the opportunity, Ione pulled the door shut. Leaning her forehead against the door, she took a moment to catch her breath. That had been way too close. There was a very big possibility that the wolf would stake out around the building, so instead of immediately looking for a way out, she decided to take to the stairs. She would hopefully be able to reach the rooftop and get an idea of what was going on from up there. Without a wolf dogging her steps.

Orlando continued to watch the television as the situation worsened. Not only was there some overgrowth trying to make Lincoln look like the setting of a post-apocalyptic movie, but there was also a gang war. Gang violence is nothing new in this city, especially around this area. It was always bad, drug dealers can be seen on nearly every street corner. Gangsters always crowdin' around places with their slackin' jeans and their do-rags and their guns. Some times you see some guys pull up in their low riders and then cap some foos on the street corner. Always a damn mess, but they don't care. It's about surviving the streets, and about gettin' your respect.

Yet, the gangs seemed to be more aggressive lately. The violence has been rising and now it looks like it's spillin' out on the bridge. Damn. Orlando could feel the loss of hope like the reporter. It was bad and it wasn't getting better. With the cops busy with the gangs whose gonna stop and be a Gardner? Obviously no one. Anyone wouldn't be caught dead out there with freakin' wolves and killer weeds. What miracle could there be?

The woman was alerted to several humans entering her territory by the plants, they ignored any animal presences. Two were being dealt with by the wolves, one was simply standing outside the perimeter and another had been trying to communicate with them. Well, they thought it had been communicating. They had felt a psychic presence. Curious, the woman headed towards the one who had tried to communicate. Maybe he was an ally, wanting to help?

The wolf stalked around the building, searching for the female. It had lost track of her when it had gone deaf for a second, but her scent was still strong by the door. The wolf found an open window and jumped inside. It would find the girl, in time.

Sable

The wolves charged in from all directions and Sable opened fire. She heard a few yelps as bullets either grazed or found their marks. The wolves however were set on taking her out and several jumped up onto the car, knocking her off and onto her back. She landed with a thump as several wolves jumped down towards her. One ran in and bit her arm.

"Mother Fucker!" She screamed, shooting it several times to make it let go and got to her feet as fast as she could.With the air knocked out of her, she ran from the wolves. She was frantic now, firing wildly behind her, blood dropping to the ground from her arm faster and faster as her heart pounded in rhythm with the gun fire.

Sable ran as fast as her legs would take her, narrowly avoiding the jaws of the wolves and barely hitting anything with her guns. She wasn't exactly paying attention to where she was going and before long the wolves had backed her into an alley with a dead end. She turned around, pointing her guns at the wolves who were stalking closer teeth bared and hackles raised. She pulled the triggers and the guns didn't fire.

"Shit."

From somewhere in the concrete jungle a roar echoed out into the night, as much man as it was some primal beast from the Earth's primitive and violent past. A shape lumbered into view at the end of the alley, easily taller than Sable was and wide enough to fill most of the tight corridor. It was hard to make out exact details without direct lighting but looking at the horn and the overall shape some Dinosaur-man might come to mind.

As he charged forward Sable could be forgiven for thinking it was after her. It's horn shattered a few of the lights the lit the alley and tore clotheslines free of the alley's brick walls. One wolf was simply trampled by a large, three-toed foot. Two more were grabbed and simply flung through the air to an almost comical distance. One turned to bite at the beast's leg and had its head smashed into the concrete for its troubles.

After another wolf is swung by its tail and dropped in a dumpster her savior, looking unharmed, turned his attention to Sable. He gave a snort, steam streaming from his nostrils as a rumble built in his chest.

It ended as suddenly as it began. The vines loosened as Sergio sunk onto the pavement, a deep purple bruise budding on his arm. The vine lingered in the air poised like a snake, ready to pounce at the slightest transgression. But why did they stop? A shrill shout drew Sergio's eyes off the pavement. "You! The one who attempts to speak to Blight's children! I would have you join me!"

It's her...the vine lady from my vision! She was hard to mistake, her thick forest green robes covering her nearly head to toe, giving her an eerie resemblance to the creatures she was using to lay waste to the city. She was short too. Surprising, that someone so small could command such power. Her hands rested on her hips, and she tapped her foot, impatient for something.

"So? Will you help?"

It was an odd request. After all, Sergio was elite. He was wealthy. And this woman had just brought down a Starbucks. Taking Starbucks from a yuppie like Sergio was like stealing from the poor: it was just cruel! Despite this heinous infraction, he was a bit curious about this kooky woman. Why not play along, at least for now? So, he swallowed his burning desire to bellow a "SCREW YOU FOR TAKING COFFEE FROM THIS CITY!" and settled instead for "Help? Help you with what?"

She giggled, waving her hand as though to dismiss his stupid question, "To destroy the city so the children may flourish, of course!"

"And just what do you have to gain from destroying this city?"

"It's not me who has anything to gain! The world wins when Blight wins!"

Referring to herself in the third person...as if I needed more proof this lady was a total nutjob. He continued, "And why does the world win?" only to be met with a blank stare. Somehow, even though she was far shorter, she made Sergio feel as if she was looking down on him. That massive, hovering vine wasn't making him feel particularly intimidating either.

"Uhm...alright moving on...so...how do you plan to destroy the city? What are your powers?"

"I talk to the children and I tell them to grow! The Wild's hear my call!"

Children? Why does she keep calling these vines her children? This is getting crazier by the minute. Sneaking a hand inside his back pocket, Sergio fingered the lighter he kept on hand. It was silver, engraved with his name. The lighter was small, and the vine was thick. But it might not like being burned. Especially if burning the plant would harm this woman too. Perhaps she was psychically linked with the plants. Maybe he could use this to his advantage and escape. "Do you feel what your children feel?"

"Only what they tell me."

So much for that plan. But then a seed planted itself inside Sergio's head. He had always been a quick thinker. "Well Blight, I have a pretty useful power myself. I can read the future. And I happen to know that right now, your children are in grave danger!"

Taking the stairs two at a time, Ione ran down narrow hallways and up countless flights of stairs. Needless to say, she was red in the face and puffing like a steam engine by the time she reached the rooftop. Bending over and letting her hands rest on her thighs, Ione gasped in some much needed air. Her thighs and legs were burning from the exercise and she was sweating something fierce. Catching her breath, she straightened with a groan and pushed through the door and out into the coming night. Already the light of day had started to fade, shadows stretching as the fading light cast the scene before her in a sinister light.

Thick creeping vines had wrapped around a number of buildings like a weed, the squeezing tendrils embedding into concrete causing large cracks to form. Brick and cement crumbled under the pressure, windows broken by the invading flora. It reminded Ione of numerous nature documentaries of constrictor snakes crushing the life out of their prey between thick coils. In the growing shadows, the vines looked like a mass of writhing snakes, sending a shiver of revulsion down Ione's spine. Even as she watched, one of the buildings began to collapse in on itself, joining a number of others. Ione was well aware that she was gawking, but really, this wasn't a sight she had expected to be met with.

She turned around on the spot, trying to see how far the damage spread. The silence that had fallen after the collapse of the latest building was quite suddenly broken by a primal sounding roar. Having jumped at the unexpected sound, Ione whirled around trying to locate where it had originated from. Her heart had started to double time it again when she realized that it was much closer than she was comfortable with. Soon the sounds of fighting made its way to her, followed by the sounds of pained yelps that caused her blood to run cold. She could not see what was happening, but she guessed it came from an alley only a few streets down.

A low growl from behind her had her spin around yet again. There in the doorway stood the solid lupine form of the wolf whom had been stalking her earlier.

"Aw, shit."

Backing away slowly, she lifted her hands in a placating manner, knowing that it was a futile gesture but unable to help herself. Ione was quickly reaching the edge and would topple over if she wasn't careful. Glancing behind her, she tried to see how much roof she had left. There was certain to be a fire escape on a building this old, she just had to find it before the beast in front of her took her out. Ione slowly eased the handgun from her pocket, aiming it at the wolf. She could swear the thing was smiling at her in a most predatory way. The wolf darted forward and Ione took a shot. The bullet missed but hit close enough that the wolf halted in its tracks. Iones hands had started to shake again.

Ione was at the edge now and she glanced back desperately in search of the fire escape she was sure had to exist. Three meters to her right she found it. It was a bit of a drop to the first platform, but it was a risk worth taking. Turning back to the wolf she nearly lost her balance when she saw it storming her way. With a shriek she sprinted for the fire escape, scraping her palms as she vaulted over the side. Praying that she hadn't misjudged the distance, Ione cried out when her feet hit the first platform, momentum sending her rolling forward and slamming her forehead into the railing.

Reeling back, she curled up as pain from her head and from her legs fought for attention. Knowing that she was far from safe, she forced herself to get onto her feet despite wanting nothing more than to curl up and sleep and forget she had ever left the house. Stumbling at first, Ione grabbed the gun from where it had fallen and ran down the fire escape as quickly as she dared. She was dazed and in pain, but fear for ones life had a way of pushing such things to the back of the mind. Ione didn't dare glance back to see if the wolf had braved the same jump, just kept pushing ahead.

She pushed the last ladder down it's track and soon enough her she touched down in an alleyway once again. At least there was no wolf to stand in the way for now. There was still one after her yes, but as she stumbled out into the wider street, she already felt much better about her chances.

Blight stood stock still her mouth agape. "You see the future?! What harms come to my children what-!" She was cut short by the sounds of gunfire and a bestial roar. "Why did you not tell me sooner!" She screamed as the yelps of wolves echoed out through the still city. It was growing darker by the minute and since the plants had cut power, soon it would be pitch black. Blight Reached out her hands towards the sounds. "The Wild Ones...I can only hear one over there." She almost seemed ready to cry. "Come back to me sweetheart. Come back to Blight and reunite with the Others."

The one remaining wolf stopped short as the human leaped from the building and onto the fire escape. It could have caught her, it really wanted to, but the Alpha called. It growled softly but turned and ran down the stairs and back out of the building the way it had come.

Blight reached out and called the other Wild Ones around the city to her. She felt another presence that was very wild, probably the one that had roared, but she turned her attention first to the Psychic. "My children were hurt as you say. What more do you see? Tell me and I will spare you!"

Sable

Sable fell backwards and dropped her guns as she tried to scramble away from the giant monster that was tearing apart the wolves. It was throwing those creatures around as if they were mere play toys and not predators that had, a few seconds ago, been ready to tear her limb from limb. She even saw one bite the monster and not even leave scratches on it's scaly hide.

She looked at her own bloody mess of an arm. It was useless now, and she was starting to feel a little light headed. She doubted she'd be able to put up a fight with the giant dino-man. This thing was out for blood and it looked like it wanted to kill her too. She fumbled around for a weapon, anything, forgetting about the virtual arsenal in the ink on her body. When the beast was done destroying the wolves it stopped in front of her, rumbling and breathing steam. She hefted a lead pipe with her good arm to block any attack. "What the fuck are you?" The small girl asked, not really expecting an answer. She looked for a way out of the dead end, but it seemed hopeless. The monster was blocking the entire alley and backwards was not an option. At this point, Isabel was certain that she was going to die.

The High Schooler continued to watch the television, the teacher has yet to turn it off and commence class. Mostly because he was ushering out concerned parties. The broadcast of the situation seemed to grow worse. When all things seemed it's bleakest a new development has arrived. The Chopper Reporter announced she heard a large roar, something that could not have been made from a wolf. The helicopter pilot was told to ease over to where the roar had originated. All the while the camera continued to watch over the vine's handiwork. They continued to crush the building and the power in the area was fading out. The reporter made a comment that the damage is extensive as power lines are failing, cutting off electricity in the area of interest.

When the pilot hovered over the area he believed the roar originated; what they saw they couldn't believe. The reporter almost shrieked, "Are you getting this Tony!?" The name of the presumed cameraman with the reporter. While Orlando could not see anything clearly, he could make out something big....real BIG. It was hiding in the shadows of the alleyway, so a clear shot of whatever it is couldn't be made. What could be made out was several mangled corpses of wolves. The reporter commented that Animal Rights Activists should avert their eyes, over the carnage these wolves have suffered. It wasn't hard for Orlando to understand that the big thing is responsible.

Orlando wasn't sure what to make of all of this. It seemed like shit has hit the fan, double time it seems. Not only is the Urban Jungle converting to a real one, there's wolves and now some giant thing. Not to mention the bit of gang violence going on over the bridge. These are one of the times the teen began to wonder, Why the fuck did we come to this city for?

The large creature's attention was taken off the injured Sable briefly, head lifting as its gaze turned skyward to the chopper in the air. It's voice came out in a low rumble, eyes turning back to the woman and more importantly her injured arm. "You really should see a Doctor about your arm." With that it started to back out slowly, big horn denting a fire escape ladder along the way. It may have even muttered, "Oops."

Once out of the alley the dino-man turned slowly and started in a run down the street. He was going to need to get out of sight before he could change back. Being so large he knew being caught in his hybrid form would be an issue one day but he really wanted to keep his identity a secret. Can't work in a mail room when people know you turn into a large monster. With a grunt and all the strength he could find in his legs he took off.

"My children were hurt as you say. What more do you see? Tell me and I will spare you!"

Cocking an eyebrow at the vine, Sergio hesitated, "This thing won't try to rip my arm off this time when I look into your future, right?"

As she nodded her assent, Sergio gently lifted her hand and removed her glove. "Well, let's take another look shall we?"

And then everything went black. Sergio's mind careened forward in time. Predicting the future was a difficult task. It was nearly impossible for him to read a particular moment. Rather, he would discern scenes that might come to pass, but it was uncertain if they'd occur hours, months, or even years from now. And, the future could change at any moment; it was fluid, living, because it was the active creation of a million different actors. Still, Blight didn't have to know that.

Arriving at the future moment was always unsettling. Like a passenger clutching the rail for dear life as his subway car brakes to a sudden stop, Sergio always felt similarly skittish upon his landing. Focusing, he could once again see Blight, only this time she was standing on what looked like a glass square. "Noooooooooooo!" Her shriek pierced the air. "Noooooooo!" The tears were streaming from her face. Something she loved had been ripped away from her. Her eyes widened, grief transforming into panic in the blink of an eye. Two hulking, translucent figures, also appearing to be made of glass, had snapped her up. The tiny woman looked so fragile now, so breakable. Her lip quivered and her whole body began shaking uncontrollably.

The man approached, a hideous, jagged scar across the left side of his face. "Tsk tsk. I thought you'd put up more of a fight," he sighed. With a flick of his wrist, the glass walking stick extended, spearing out to impale Blight through the chest.

And then he was back, Blight's eyes transfixed on him, unblinking, expectant. He could read the desperation on her face. And now he knew she had good reason for that desperation. That man...I've seen him before! He killed Sarah. And he'll kill again. Unless the future changes…

"Look Blight, I know of a threat that you need to deal with. I don't know his name or what he is exactly. But he's a man with a scar on the left side of his face. And he's very dangerous. Watch out for him." He held his breath, and then added, "That's all I know. May I go now, as you promised?"

The window to the outside world was threatened to be closed, for the sake of today's class. At least that's what would have happened, if it wasn't for the gigantic creature. Orlando's classroom was still, as the occupants inside where frozen, flabbergasted at what they saw. The Chopper Cam continued to watch the alleyway; hovering in wait to see if what's hidden will come out. Sure enough it did, and what could be described as a gigantic lizard, perhaps a dinosaur had rushed out. Or at least that was what the Reporter said. The pilot and the cameraman where frozen in place as they watched the dinosaur like creature bolt down the street. The Reporter had to snap her crew out of their daze, as she ordered them to keep up with it. She didn't want to lose it.

Suddenly the helicopter was in pursuit of the beast. Yet, it's head start covered considerable distance between him and them. The camera zoomed in as far as it could to at least catch a glimpse of the beast. "Can't this thing go faster!?" The Reporter shouted at the pilot. The pilot said he was giving it all she's got. The helicopter was trying to catch up, but the further they chased it, the deeper they entered Blight's territory. What could amount to blind ambition, may potentially put the chopper and it's crew in danger.

Back in the classroom, Orlando and his classmates continued to watch the news. Even Mr. Kincaid was stunned. Some people whispered about what they saw. Some thought this was some stunt, a special effects prank to promote some new movie about prehistoric times. But that wouldn't make sense because wolves didn't exist when the dinosaurs did. Some thought it was more like a movie about the future, a post-apocalyptic event that caused the Earth to head into a throwback. Some thought it was more like Godzilla, a lizard that mutated into a giant monster. And some thought it was about time traveling, as a dinosaur accidentally enters the present. But this can't be a film promotion, it just can't. The danger felt all too real. They're just in denial, he thought. Shit is going down and it's gonna get worse, I can just tell.

Sickle

Hannah sat in a lofty black limousine as she rode through the city, not exactly the smartest mode of transportation in a place with a crime rate higher than a mountain, but it Hannah was one to flirt with danger. She enjoyed the thrill, and she couldn't say she was scared of many of the "thugs" in the city.

However, she would admit that she was highly annoyed when the limo came to a stop. She had been out at a club the night before and was still recovering from a hangover after staying at an acquaintances place, so she was simply not in the mood for everyday annoyances. "What's the hold up?" Hannah barked to the driver. "Traffic jam..." the driver said before turning on the radio, there was talk of a gang war, a vegetation attack, and, to top it all off, a dinosaur spotting. All of which greatly peaked the excitement and interest of Hannah. "Now this, this is interesting," she said with a glow in her eyes. "I think I'll take the rest of this trip on foot," Hannah said, exiting the limo and running off through the traffic, towards the havoc, rather than away from it like many of the others were.

She continued running, noting vines and vegetation growing, and eventually as she ran quickly down a street, she saw...what appeared to be the dinosaur that she heard the radio channel broadcasting about. She put the hood of her black jacket up, a red smile on her face, as she hid, deciding it'd be interesting to stalk the monster and see where it went, and she could elect to take it on then. But the creature was running fast, and she was unsure if she'd be able to catch up, but she'd try her best, and would take drastic measures if she had to in order to see where the dinosaur looking creature originated.

The ground was feeling terribly unstable, swaying from side to side. Her stomach rolled with nausea and there was a massive headache in the making forming behind her eyes. A probable concussion, Ione thought to herself. Her fingers probed gently at the massive lump that was forming on her forehead, gritting and wincing with the pain but perversely unable to leave it alone. Ione really wanted to sit down but there was a wolf somewhere with a taste for blood and plant life that had decided to take over the concrete jungle. Not exactly a good time or place to take a nap.

Resting one hand on a wall, Ione doubled up and retched, sucking in breaths to try and find some balance. This was turning into one shitty day. Around her the world was slowly getting darker as electricity began to fail. Signs dimming and sound cutting off, leaving behind an eerie silence. The rumble of crumbling buildings and shattering glass would occasionally break the silence, but did little to improve the apocalyptic vibe. Ione turned and leaned back against the wall, head tilted back and eyes closed. Trying to breathe as softly as she could, Ione tried to listen for the approach of the wolf or any other form of life.

Her eyes opened when she heard the distinct sound of a chopper, watching as it passed overhead not too far from where she was standing. She looked in the direction it had traveled and wondered at her next course of action. There was at least one massive wolf stalking the streets and who knew what else. Any person she may meet could well be the villain at play even if she did not mind the idea of company. Pushing off from the wall she stumbled down the street.

Ione frowned when she noticed a strange lump lying on the sidewalk, half hidden in the shadows at the entrance of yet another alleyway. Even without knowing what it was, Ione felt more than a little reluctant to get any closer. Alleyways had not done her any favors today after all. Even so, she forced herself onward and promptly lost her lunch on the sidewalk. Heaving, Ione turned her head away from the carcass of the wolf. Even as she closed her eyes she could see the shiny pink and yellow of innards spilled and smeared on the pavement, broken bone piercing flesh and covered in gore. Ione heaved until bile burned her throat and only when she felt that she had some semblance of control did she take a deep breath and turn back to the gruesome scene.

Looking at it know she thought that something big must have squashed the creature as the front half was fairly flattened, causing the gore to rupture from the creatures abdomen and hindquarters. It was a fairly fresh kill too by the look of things. Ione recalled the roar that had echoed through the streets earlier and shivered. It was more than likely what ever had made that sound had done damage to the creature before her. Which meant that there was probably more wolves and possibly something even worse running through the streets. Frowning, Ione peeked further into the alley but shadows and dumpsters blocked any real view of anything further down. Probably for the best. If there were any more carcasses like the one she had just seen through there, she really did not want to know.

He ran for as long as he could, weaving through streets and back alleys in an attempt to escape attention. Easier said than done of course. He really needed to rethink the entire approach to doing superhero work inside of the city. This was clearly going to be a constant issue. In one last effort he ducked into a parking garage. By the time he was inside the small concrete structure he felt his body changing. He was still running but he was stumbling as he went, body taking on awkward shapes and angles as it tried to change back into a Human form.

By the time he was back to 'normal' the man was stumbling and shaking, holding the tattered remains of his clothing to his body for some amount of modesty. So he was back to normal. Now what? No change of clothes and a partly naked man of some good looks might still attract more attention than he wants. "Well dang, didn't think this through too well at all, eh Ulysses?"

Blight focused on the psychic intently as the wolves and other creatures of the wild began to fill in the clearing that was once an intersection. She waited as he seemed to stare off in space, hoping that he might be able to help her keep her children safe while still furthering her goals. What she got instead was disappointing cryptic nonsense.

"I do not know a man with a scar!" She said, the nearby plants beginning to twist and wind towards the psychic slowly as if responding to her anger and not a direct command. "You have told me nothing! How does a single man stop Blight? Where? When? Why?" She was almost screaming now. "You may not leave until you tell me answers and truth!"

____

The chopper followed the creature as best they could as it ran through the streets and alleys. When it ducked under a parking garage, however, they lost sight on it. They hovered over the garage, waiting for the beast to exit.


Sable
“You may want to have a doctor look at your arm.” The monster said in a deep rumble before leaving. Sable just dropped the pipe and stared open mouthed as he walked towards the end of the alley and then ran away. She stared for a few more minutes before a throbbing in her arm caught her attention. She was still bleeding.

She looked around for something to stop the bleeding but couldn’t find anything that wasn’t disgusting. She sighed and tore a piece of her shirt off, exposing her midriff, and tied it tightly around the bite marks. “Orale. What have I gotten myself into?” She muttered.

When she finished, she saw a girl at the end of the alley. The girl was looking towards her. “Hey!” Sable, shouted as she stumbled out of the darkened alley. “Are you okay?”

The chase was a bit uneventful from watching it. Sure there was some glimpses and glimmers of the beast, but mostly the shots where from it's backside. The only noticeable thing about it was that it's big and scaly. Yet the chopper cornered it into a parking garage and what would happen next he wouldn't know, Mr. Kincaid turned off the T.V. He decided to start his class in whatever time they had left. Orlando could care less about English at the moment. The City was going to hell but the teacher insisted on everyone paying attention to the matter at hand. Whether he liked it or not he was stuck with the day's lesson plan. Class ended soon enough and Orlando was expected to go to his Economics class. He really hoped to learn more about what was going outside than money.

Still once he entered the class he noticed his Econ teacher watching the television. Apparently Mr. Lenwade has been watching since his 2nd Period class. Orlando took his normal seat and watched the news. Right now a News Correspondent is talking about the gang violence occurring over the bridge. Unfortunately it was a different news channel and therefor reporting different head breaking news. Still the gang war going on looked just as bad as that "Sound of Thunder" business going on over in Lincoln. Orlando could see the whole of Policeman on the scene. Police vehicles are littered about the area hoping to contain this problem. Yet whose gonna deal with the other problem? An army of Gardners? More kids were entering the room and the bell rang. Mr. Lenwade was still distracted and it seemed it was going to say that way.

Standing at rest for the moment, Ione tried to ignore the thickening stench that was becoming ever more prominent. The taste of bile still lingered in her mouth and her stomach still rolled unpleasantly. With such a combination, getting sick yet again was still in the cards. Taking shallow breaths Ione was about to turn around and beat a retreat when someone called out to her. Or that's what Ione assumed considering there was no one else on the street. Feeling jittery, wondering whether this was a friend or foe, Ione stepped further into the alley.

A girl was stumbling towards her, blood stained and injured. Chewing on her lip, Ione considered the girl. Looks were deceiving, yea, but this person did not seem to be the villain in all this. "Hey...um yeah. I'm okay. Uh...well...better than you anyway." Self consciously, Ione's hand drifted to the lump on her forehead. She forced her hand back down to her side, pushing both hands into the pockets of her hoodie.

"Do you need help or anything?"

Ione was unsure what to do with herself. It was obvious this girl was worse off than herself, what with the blood and all. If she keeled over from shock or blood loss, Ione would be the epitome of useless. She had no cell phone with her and there wasn't exactly anyone around to help them. Silently and selfishly, Ione prayed the girl would be fine.