Michael: Destined Angels II

Chapter 5: How will I know

Valentina

Samira and I glance around the apartment we’ll be staying in with delight.

It’s a small three-bedroom apartment with pink and blue wallpaper and a gorgeous Eiffel tower view.

Samira slumps down on the living room couch with a sigh and mutters, “Oh, man, this is nice.”

Our other roommate, another student named Kimber, rolls her eyes and throws her bag on the floor with a scowl at what she sees, “I’ve been to Paris so many times that everything becomes a repetitive memory. I should have gone to Sweden, but my father forced me to join this group. Either way, I already spoke to the organizer and asked for my room. No offense, but I have no desire to share my space.” she mutters in a snooty tone.

I look at Sami, who rolls her eyes at our roommate’s snobby behavior. Based on Kimber’s Louise Vuitton bag and designer clothing, I can tell she’s not the kind of girl who has had to work for anything. I had not seen her around school, but I could see that she was definitely not working class.

Our organizer introduced her while giving us apartment assignments, and Kimber has yet to smile. I could tell she wasn't happy to be stuck with us, but Sami and I didn’t care. Coming from a group home, we’re used to bitchy girls.

Undeterred by our new roommate’s disdain, Sami strides over to the window and opens the curtains wide, “You do whatever you want, Kimber. I’m personally going to enjoy every moment.”

She looks at me excitedly, “Holy cow, look at that view, Val!” I stand beside her and smile as I take in the gorgeous scenery.

The sky is blue, and the Parisian streets are bustling with life. I look at the antique buildings and their elegant façades, pleased by the feeling that settles inside me.

“Alright, let’s unpack,” I tell Sami.

Kimber slumps on the couch, ignoring us, while Sami and I go to our rooms and begin to unpack.

Once we’re done, Sami and I return to the living room and look around the apartment.

Eventually, Kimber picks up her ringing cell phone and stretches out on the couch. I try not to listen, but it’s hard when she’s bitching at the organizer and threatening to sue her if she doesn’t relocate to her own apartment.

She also has a very loud conversation with who I assume is her boyfriend. Her boyfriend is in Paris but is too busy to hang out with her. Yikes! Based on her irritated tone, it’s definitely not a friendly conversation.

Once Sami and I have finished looking around the apartment, we change into cute outfits and discuss what to do next.

“Let’s go out and walk around the city,” Sami says.

I nod, “Sure,”

Kimber stops what she’s doing and says, “I know of some interesting places we can visit. I guess I can show you several places. I have nothing else to do since my man is too busy to go out,” she sneers disdainfully.

Sami shrugs while I ignore the girl’s cold tone, “Okay, let’s go.”

We head out to the city without another word to visit as many tourist spots as possible.

We stop inside a local café to eat dinner as the evening dawns. The café is packed with locals and tourists who happily drink and rebel. Samira and I are waiting for Kimber to order drinks while we talk. Though she hadn’t been very nice, since she had spent the day making condescending comments about our clothes, looks, and speech, we still managed to enjoy ourselves.

We’re considering returning to our room when Kimber excitedly rushes over and says. “I was talking to some patrons, and they suggest we visit a burlesque show. Are you ladies interested?”

My brow furrows, “Are you sure you want to do that? I mean, it’s pretty late...”

Samira nods, “Yeah, wouldn’t it be unsafe to wander around the city this late at night.”

Kimber waves her hand dismissively, “They assured me that it's exciting. Of course, if you’re too worried, you can return to the apartment. You probably wouldn’t fit in with the crowd anyway.”

I look at Samira.

Sami shifts in her seat and shrugs. “I’m in if you are, Val. Plus, it’s not like we can’t mess up anyone who messes with us.”

Seeing that I cannot deny my best friend anything, I relent. “Alright, but you have to promise we’ll leave if there is any trouble.”

Kimber scoffs before she reluctantly nods. “Very well. Let’s go!”

Thankfully, we’re all dressed somewhat stylishly. I wear a black skirt, thigh-high boots, a tank top with a flannel shirt tied around my waist, and my long dark hair wildly spread across my shoulders. Samira is wearing black jeans, combat boots, a razorback crop top and her hair tied up in a loose bun, and Kimber is wearing a halter style romper and black clocks with fishnet stockings with her red hair on a sideways fish braid.

Finding the show using the directions the people gave Kimber doesn't take long. We cautiously pay the doorman as we proceed inside. To our delight, the place is pretty dazzling. You’d find viewing boxes in a tastefully decorated theater with comfortable cushioned seats, a round dining table, dark blue carpeting, black privacy drapes, and a stocked bar.

Crowds fill the space as they take seats around the large makeshift stage. The hum of excited conversation rings around us as they prepare to watch the show.

Samira nudges my elbow with hers and shows me a poster on a nearby wall, “It looks pretty fancy in here. I wish Ev was here to see all of this.”

I nod, “Yeah, it is cool.”

Kimber gestures to some empty seats nearby, “There are seats over there. Let’s go.”

I follow as she pushes through the throng until we reach the seats. Surprisingly, the seats are in a pretty good spot near the stage.

After we take a seat, we glance around and order drinks when a server passes by.

We watch some of the shows with enthusiasm. They are actually really good. It’s late in the evening when Samira, Kimber, and I are preparing to leave when all hell breaks loose. Screams of terror reverberate as the crowd begins to stampede away from something. “What’s going on?” Sami calls out fearfully.

“I don’t know,” I call out as I search for whatever has frightened the crowd. However, I cannot see it, and I’m more worried about getting away from the panicked mob.

Rushing forward, I try to keep track of Samia, and we almost become separated as the terrified throng begins to howl and attack each other.

“Samira! ” I call out to my friend.

Both she and Kimber move beside me, their eyes wide with fear as they watch pale creatures with bald heads and long fangs attack the people who are in the audience.

“What the hell is that?” Kimber calls out as we run to the door.

I watch, horrified, as the crowd tries to open the doors and turn around when they realize we’re locked inside. More creatures swarm the room, attacking anyone they can get to.

“Over there!” Samira calls out and points to a hidden door near one of the curtains. We rush to the door, but Samira releases a painful cry before we can get too far. A creature is clutching Samira’s arm to his mouth. Blood pours down her arm as she tries to break free. Reaching forward, Kimber and I grab the creature and push it off Samira.

Kimber lifts Samira’s limp body and carries her away as the creatures move to attack. They are unnaturally fast as they reach for us. I kick out at one’s chest, gagging when I see that it’s covered in blood and gore. Another one grips my arm, but I twist back and punch it.

“In here!” Kimber calls out as she pushes Samira through the door. Kicking out at another creature, I rush through the door and slam it closed behind me. The creatures pound on the door, making it shudder with the pressure, but it seems to be holding.

Chest heaving, I keep my back to the door and turn the locks before turning back to my friends. Besides breathing heavily, Kimber is unharmed, but Samira is not looking too well. Sweat beads her pale face, her glazed eyes are sunken, and there’s blood all over her clothes. Painful moans escape her lips as she writhes around the floor.

“f**k, she’s hurt!” I state.

Kimber shrugs, her eyes wide with fear as I grab my flannel shirt, tear a strip off and wrap it around Samira’s wounded arm.

I look at my friend’s pale face, “Whatever that thing was, it took a good chunk of your arm.”

“What is that?” Kimber points to a spot near Samira’s shoulder.

Moving her shirt aside, I see black vines spreading up her forearm. “What the hell?” I croak out as Samira begins to seize and shudder.

Kimber looks at me and then at Samira’s arm, “This is not good.”

I flinch when the creatures’ pounding grows louder.

“Is it spreading?” I ask as I glance down at Samira’s arm and wince when I see them inch their way up.

“f**k!” I unwrap the strip from her arm and mutter, “We need to tie it above the vines like a tourniquet until we can figure out what this is.”

Kimber helps me wrap the strip above Samira’s forearm. Samira mumbles incoherently, her body arching and contorting in odd angles.

Ignoring the persistent pounding, I look around the room to see if I can find a way out. It’s some kind of a utility closet filled with boxes and cleaning supplies. There’s a box of tools on the floor, which I quickly open, take a large wrench and a flathead screwdriver, and slide them inside my boots before handing one to Kimber. “These will be useful weapons if we have to fight,” I mutter.

Kimber takes the weapons and looks at Samira, “What are we going to do?”

I shift several boxes and nearly break down in tears when I see a dirty window hidden high above one of the walls.

“I think I found a way out!” I tell Kimber as I turn a bucket over and reach for the dirty window’s latch.

The rusty latch resists for a couple of seconds until it breaks off. Pushing forward, I slowly get the window open. It’s not a big window, but it’s big enough for us to crawl through.

Stepping down, I go back to Kimber, “Help me lift her,” I mutter as I wrap Samira’s arm over my shoulder and lift her from the floor. Kimber takes the other arm and helps me carry her to the window. “You go up first,” I tell her, “I’ll slide Samira up to you.”

Kimber jumps when the door begins to shudder against its hinges. I look at the door and swallow when I see the hinges falling.

“Hurry!” I call out.

Kimber looks back nervously, and to my surprise, she takes off into a run as soon as she gets out of the window.

“What the f**k! Kimber!” I scream as she disappears from sight. Seeing that she’s not going to help, I lift Samira up and push her out of the window. Though she’s still weak, Samira manages to crawl through. The door groans behind me as I push Samira and follow her. I’m halfway through the window when the door tears off its hinges, and the creatures rush in.

When a creature reaches for my leg, I kick with the other and use the momentum to hoist myself out.

“Let’s go,” I yell.

I usher a weak Samira as we run down the darkened alleyway, but the Creatures are gaining ground behind us. Kimber appears, her face paler than before, “Those things are everywhere!”

Seeing that I have no time to berate her for her cowardly behavior, I push Samira into her arms and call out, “Take her somewhere safe while I lead those creatures away! Don’t you f*****g dare leave her! I will kill you if you do!” I scream.

Kimber shakes her head, “What? Are you out of your mind? She’s dying anyway!”

“Do what I said, Kimber. Samira needs help. Now go!” I call out as we reach the end of the alley. Kimber reluctantly drags Samira’s slumping body to another darkened alley while I take out the wrench and screwdriver from my boots and turn to face the creatures running toward us.

I won't hesitate to strike when one of the creatures moves to attack me. Using the wrench, I strike the back of its head, twirl, and stab another in the stomach with the screwdriver. The creatures howl with pain, forgetting my friends as they try to kill me.

Five creatures surround me, growling and hissing as they try to strike, but I manage to hold them off with my weapons.

Just then, a group of men holding weapons appear. They seem surprised to see all of the monsters. One moves to grab me but doesn’t get a chance when the monsters tackle him to the ground.

Using his presence as a distraction, I run, but one of the men manages to grab me, “Let go!” I scream out.

“You are ours!” the man screams out as he tries to drag me away. I kick out at the man’s chest and punch him in the face, loosening his hold on me.

Thankfully, the man releases me, and I manage to run.

More creatures appear at that moment, swinging at the thing’s throat. I dodge its hold and stab another in the neck. Another one jumps on my back, pulls my head back, and moves to strike with its sharp teeth. As it moves to rip at my throat, I close my eyes and will my powers to take over. The creatures instantly turn on each other and tear each other apart. Unfortunately, the creature on my back cannot be stopped, and I prepare to have my throat torn out.