INFINITE NIGHT

2. Victim of the night

Road back to the mine took us more than six hours. Recently, I have to go further and further in search of a new target. But if the outcome is as satisfying as today's then I don't mind at all. The less of those Scumbags the better. Besides, just three more weeks and we would be changing our location once again, just like every six months.

Now our small group resides in an abandoned Copper Mine in Missouri. It definitely smells better than the previous Coal Mine and we don't have to worry about any gas leak in here.

Ruby parked the truck in one of the warehouses to hide it from any curious eyes who might wander around here and I started covering tire tracks leading to the entire complex. It would be reckless to be caught by something that simple.

When everything on the surface looked untouched, like the place hadn't been visited in years, we made our way to the staircase and down the mine shaft. Three floors below the surface we finally reached the place we call Home.

Long underground corridor with bunks against each wall lit by two bulbs hanging from the ceiling. At the end of the corridor there was an entrance to two other rooms. Our little cafeteria on the left and Dennis's and Pops' studio in front of it. Yeah, we had no bathroom here, so we dealt with every need in further parts of the mine or outside for those who could go out. It wasn't a problem as there were only around twenty of us and we had a rule that everyone cleans their own mess, but it was far from what you may call a sanitary environment. But it is what it is. It's better to be here than in a farm or brothel, like five of the human women we have here now. Including my Mother.

"Hey Tamsy, how did it go?" - Ink came running as soon as we entered the corridor.

"It was fine, Cyrus." - I answered with a slight smirk under my nose.

"I told you to not call me Cyrus." - he whined brushing his dirty blond hair with annoyance. He was so fun to mess with.

"And I told you to not call me Tamsy, it's reserved for Pops only." - I retorted with a fake glare.

"I love the green of your eyes when you look at me this way." - Ink teased.

"Alright Romeo, enough of this dance of yours. To answer your questions: she got four today, so prepare your equipment, cause we have only three hours till I need to turn off the lights." - Ruby interrupted, and I was more than thankful cause we could go on like this for hours.

Ink and I have a bit of flirtationship. We tease, we talk ambiguously and we are inappropriate at times, but deep down we are like distant relatives, which is probably fair since we grew up together. And it's hard to be romantic towards the guy you saw piss in bed.

All five of us are actually this close but so different at the same time. Ruby is a tough girl, but she prefers to work off stage. She takes care of my weapons and she even learned how to make our own ammo from some old books. Ruby is the only one who actually understands technology and thanks to her we have electricity in this mine we call home.

Cyrus or Ink, as he prefers to be called, is a warrior like me. We sometimes even go together on missions, but I think it's an unnecessary risk. If something would go south it's better if at least one of us stays behind to protect the others. He also has an amazing hand and he's using this gift by doing tattoos. That's where his nickname came from.

Dennis is our smarty pants, he and Pops are constantly going over strategies, next targets or proper places to settle in next. He is also a self-taught person who learns from medical textbooks with great curiosity. He's getting better at it, his sutures look really professional now, but I still wouldn't let him operate me. He's more of a pacifist than Ruby, Ink and I, he believes we should hide somewhere safe and live our lives not attacking anyone.

Then there's Abi. She would probably have left us years ago if it weren't for her Mother - Maria. Abi wolf is apparently more dominant than her human counterpart and she yearns for the Pack life. If only she saw us as her Pack things could be easier between us.

And finally me. Tamara or Moray. It's actually a funny story about how I got that nickname. When we were younger and going through our first shifts I bit Ink on his front paw, and I did it so fast he barely spotted my movement. He said then that my attack is fast like moray's, something he read in an old biology book and I made that my signature. I wait in the dark for the perfect moment to strike and I never miss.

That's us the first ones Pops rescued and then years later recruited into Flare. Well, all but Abi. She refuses to fight or be useful in any other way, so she's assigned to hunting and cooking. Five of us and Pops are the only wolves in our Home and I honestly loathe that part of me, cause it is only a reminder of my origin.

"Four, huh? I may not finish today then. Go tell Pops and I'll lay out the equipment." - said Ink full of admiration.

I nodded and went straight to their study and came in without a knock. Before I even spoke a word Dennis pressed his finger to his mouth telling me to keep it down and pointing to the bunk bed in the corner where a familiar figure was laying.

"How is she?" - I asked in barely hearable whisper, but I knew both Dennis and Pops heard me.

"The same. And we are getting short on meds." - said Dennis with worry.

"Ok, so I will break into some pharmacy or something like that." - I said, not understanding why Dennis' expression was so grim.

"Moray, those we were using now didn't work as they were supposed to either. I don't think we can help her with the resources and knowledge we have."

"So what?! Get her off the meds and wait till she kills herself, is that your advice?" - I said a bit louder than before and she stirred in her sleep.

"I don't know, Moray. But whatever we do only makes her worse. Keeping her here only puts all of us in danger, she can be unpredictable and when we'll be on the move everybody needs to cooperate, and she's not capable of that."

I didn't like where Dennis was heading with that, and as far as I know him, he already had a plan in mind.

"So what? You suggest just leaving my MOTHER to her faith. Dennis, you can't be serious!" - I almost yelled. I know he didn't understand what it was like as his own Mom didn't make it through the birth, but I still couldn't believe what he was implying.

"Calm down, Tamsy. What we are trying to say is she can't stay with us. It's unsafe for her and all of us, but no one is going to let her die. I still have some friends, you know. I could put her in their care. For her own good." - spoke Pops for the first time since I came into the room. His soft baby blue eyes always help me calm my nerves.

Ever since I was a little girl he was like the only parent I had. Because of the state in which my mother was, he basically raised me on his own, even though he was over fifty back then. He taught me everything I know and not once complained about this, so the soft spot I had for him didn't allow me to disobey him, ever.

But my mother was like the last resort of my humanity. She reminded me what had happened twenty-seven years ago, and what I am fighting for. Seeing her is fueling my anger and doesn't allow me to stop my mission.

"Pops, you can't separate us. She won't make it." - I answered him with pleading eyes.

"Tamsy, she doesn't even recognise you most of the time. With every passing year she was getting worse. You need to let her go, and maybe they will be able to help her." - Pops pointed out.

"What if I never see her again? What if your so-called friend is tricking you and she'll end up being a blood bank? Pops, she's the only family I have."

"She won't get better here. And sometimes letting go is the only thing we can do. Not to mention I'm a bit offended. I consider you my family and I would never let anything happen to Maggie. Don't you trust me?"

He got me. I did trust him. Pops never let me down, he never lied. Our bond was based on mutual trust and understanding and I know it will never change.

I came closer to him and playfully ruffled his black hair flecked with salt and pepper.

"I trust you with my life, Pops."

He smiled softly and kissed my forehead.

"So how was the mission?" - he asked when I stepped back from him.

"Successful as always. I got four this time, one start and a constellation. But no moon yet." - I said with pride.

"You'll get it next time, Tamsy. We have a lot more to see. Now go, Ink is probably waiting for you."

I nodded, but before I left the room I kissed my Mom's temple. I can't believe I will have to part from her, but if Pops thinks it's for the best I should listen. He is my commander and I am his soldier.