Exterminators Infected (The Exterminators Book 1) (5 page)

“Well, did he say any more stuff we need to be “WORRIED” about,” Marshall pressed on, making sure he put emphases on the word worried. This time though, Marshall did have some curiosity in his voice. Nick closed his eyes for a second to get at least a little rest but soon was asked the same question. He opened his eyes and looked back up.

“He said what was in the case, and then how to use it. You were there for that. He said we have some other things to do but I’m too tired to remember any of it,” Nick finally answered. He put his head back down to get some shut eye. “Also, he told us to wear the small beeper-looking thing on us always,” mumbled Nick through his shirt where he had his face buried.
Nick remembered days when he would sit at home with his parents and try to decide what to do in the summer. His father sometimes was able to get whole weeks off because both his parents worked and had enough money. One summer day they decided to go to the park and spend the whole day there. Nick had so much fun playing soccer with his dad then cards with his mom. The memory brought back happiness, something he felt was missing for a while now.

“That little thing that looks like it’s from the 90’s? Man, I left that at home.” Marshall took another bite of his apple before continuing. “Why do you have it?” Nick tried to ignore him. He wanted to remember the good days. “Hey dude, why you believing all this stuff anyway!?” Marshall raised his voice as he threw his apple to the side.

“
What if it’s true? All of it?. Then, yeah, it could come in handy. I mean it can happen, can’t it? And if it does then what will you do with no weapon to protect yourself with?” challenged Nick. Marshall found that amusing. Nick really didn't want to keep going with the conversation but Marshall insisted.

“Come on man, this can’t be true ‘cause it sounds too fake. Monsters? Like vampires and dragons? All of it is bull. Just sit back and chill. We got the girls. We're in our final year of High School. You got to start over here so forget all this silly stuff. Enjoy this life, not some fantasy some crazy dude was babbling about.” Nick wanted to, but he was already having a bad time in the real world. He almost wished these monsters would show up so he could take out some of his aggravation on something.

“Well, I get what you mean and all but I still have this feeling…just what if?” asked Nick. Marshall just shrugged. The conversation came to an end and they sat there just looking around. Marshall talked some more about a few hot girls he found in his class. After a few minutes of listening to Marshall carry on with the single-sided conversation, the bell rang. The boys said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

Nick and Fred were walking together when Fred stopped right at the front of their class. “I’ll be back in a few, I have to see someone,” Fred said abruptly and went past the classroom. Nick walked into the class and sat down closer to the back. He then felt a tap on his shoulder, which made him get madder. He wasn't in the mood for anyone else to annoy him. Another irritating person like Marshall talking in his ear wasn't on his agenda. He looked up to see the beautiful Kelly sitting down in the seat next to him.

“Hey Pen Identifier - you're in this class too. That's pretty cool. You know, in case I need to know which pen to use and all,” she said with a smile. Nick smiled back. He looked into her bright blue eyes. He felt like touching her soft-looking skin; wanting to guide his hand across her cheek and kiss her beautiful lips.

“Yeah. Well, you can never be too careful with pens. There are blue ones, black ones, red ones.” He picked up his orange pen. “Even the odd colors like this. So, yes. I will be your guide for using the right pens that are cool!” A grin swept across Kelly's face.
“Awesome. I was afraid. I heard about terrorist using these pens to attack people while they sleep. I'm sure if that's the case you'll let me know, right?” she asked, sounding so innocent.
“Don't worry Kelly, I'll be your protector,” he answered with a pound to his chest. She let out a huge laugh. Little did she know Nick meant it seriously, as well. He already felt the connection with this young lady.

Nick got home around five o'clock. He threw his book bag to the side and flung himself on his bed. He let his eyes rest for a few moments trying to recover from the busy school atmosphere. He already felt a friendly bond with Fred and Peter. Fred seemed to be the average guy you hung out with every once in a while, but somehow he came off very trust worthy. Nick really valued that in a person. Peter was more of the odd type but still seemed to have interest in being friends with Nick. Nick was just glad to have met them both.
Then Kelly slipped into Nick's mind. He rolled over and looked up at his ceiling. He couldn't stop thinking about her beautiful smile. He raised his hand to the ceiling and imagined touching her soft-looking skin. Imagining her right in front of him while he brushed his hand through her hair. He wanted to be close to her when he barely knew her. He didn't know if it was weird but he honestly didn't care. Lust took over him and he gladly accepted it.
He dropped his hand after a moment and it hit the beeper. He looked down his side to see his beeper attached to his hip. “Well, guess no mission...” he said almost expecting it to suddenly show him something. Even though he didn't expect anything, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Chapter Five – So It Begins

“Come on, Nick, wake up,” yelled his father from below. He tried covering his ears but his alarm clock went off a moment later. He went to shut it off, but rolled too far and received a face plant from the wooden floor.
“Loving New York City so far,”
was all Nick could think of while lying on the floor. After much debate on whether it was even worth getting up from the floor he forced himself to stand. He grabbed a new set of clothes for school and hit the bathroom.

“Goddamn it! This thing is freaking useless!” He grabbed the beeper off the counter, ready to fling it. He was looking in the mirror and watched his anger build up. He took a deep breath as he snapped the beeper back onto his belt. He leaned over and looked into the sink. “Just be calm. Not everything works out.” He wasn't having a tough time with the move. He just couldn't get use to the environment, and kept having old memories creep back into his mind; his hope was for the missions to create a diversion so that he wouldn't keep getting these thoughts. After washing his face, he got dressed and left the bathroom ready to face the day.

He rode down the banister again and leapt off the bottom, almost tripping. He went through his living room, taking a few mints from a glass container before entering the kitchen. As he sat down he popped one in his mouth. “You know that’s no substitute for brushing your teeth,” his father told him disapprovingly after finishing his bagel.

“Oh trust me pops, I know. I know since you tell me about eight times a day. My teeth are white, I brush them at night and that’s good enough.” Nick liked to have an advantage of the arguments against his father. His father however, gave him a look that told Nick keep his mouth shut.

“Don’t talk to me like that, you know better now.”
“I'm sorry pops,” Nick responded, finishing off his mint.
His father finished the last bagel and threw his dish into the sink. He flung on his jacket and picked up his tool case. A long day lay ahead of him. The new building would take at least ten hours a day for a long while. “I’ll see you tonight for dinner.” With that, his father left while Nick sat there popping another mint in his mouth before heading to school.

“I'm leaving,” Peter said but his father stopped him at the door.
“You didn't bring home any homework last night,” his father stated, annoyed. It was a rare occasion his father wasn't drunk yet.
“I finished it at school. Plus most classes don't give homework on the first day back to school.” Peter wouldn't look up at his father. This person, his father, demanded too much in life. At first Peter thought it was just because he cared. Lately though, Peter felt his father just wanted to torment him because Peter did so well. If someone is smarter than you, chances are they will be jealous of you and will want to find ways to make that person feel stupid.

“Yeah, just remember to keep up with that. Trust me you don't want to miss an assignment. If I find out you’re lying... Oh boy.” He pushed Peter into the door as he walked into the kitchen. As of late Peter's father had become violent. Never beating him but always pushing and shoving. But Peter felt he never did anything bad enough to be pushed or shoved around.

Nick was walking towards school, only a block away. He couldn't stop thinking about life before the whole incident. His mom dying suddenly changed too much. It put both him and his father on edge far too often. They would bicker about the smallest thing. He just wanted to go back to the days when he'd come home, see his mom, and get the best cooked dinners. Then his father would go outside and play a few games of catch with him before heading to bed.

As Nick walked up the stairs towards his classroom, head hanging low, he felt a strong force on his shoulder before he was smashed into the staircase violently. He forced his eyes wide open to see the attacker. A kid by the name of Ryan stood there. He was big. Not so much fat just really well built. Everyone knew him because he was a star player on the football team. He was shaved completely, broad shoulders, and over six feet tall. “Hey kid, why didn't you move out of my way sooner?”

Nick was about to get up swinging but he calmed himself down. He didn't need to get into anymore altercations in his life. Especially since they had just moved to New York City. He shrugged it off, saying sorry as he stood up. He could hear the kids around him muttering under their breath to each other, some of the girls and guys laughing. He rolled his eyes every time someone pointed to him. Ryan just gave him a stern look as Nick began walking away to his class.

“Peter, is everyone here just huge a-holes? Cause it's starting to feel that way,” Nick asked as he arrived in his seat. Peter looked up from reading his book and nodded.

“Yeah. Just about. By the way I read a lot more of that guide Carl gave us. These creatures are scary. I mean some have their whole body built out of rock. Others have the ability to fly. You have to read some of this stuff. It's crazy,” Peter told Nick excitedly.
“I really don't wanna hear about it today.”
“Did you read the guide at all?”
“No. Like I said...”
“You really should. In case we get called on a mission.”
“Whatever dude. Just...whatever.” Nick was getting frustrated now. He started giving up on the actual idea these missions and creatures were even real.

“Hey!” Nick spotted Kelly walking towards him waving. He waved back. She sat down quickly. Nick felt the urge to push the desk out of the way and grab her. Pick her up, kiss her, and more. “Hey pen expert, you can stop staring down there.” Nick didn't even notice he was staring at her breasts. He quickly looked to her blue eyes. He was about to say sorry but she spoke first. “I'm kidding. You looked zoned out. Are you okay though? Pete, your friend isn't adjusting too well here, huh?”

“He's an odd one,” Peter replied chuckling.
Nick gave a helpless look. “Sorry, I'm just tired. It's been tough adjusting to the new area. Not to mention fights with the old man.”
Peter quickly looked up at Nick. “Your father?” Peter could feel the need to speak about his abusive relationship with his father to someone that can finally relate to him. Peter shut off all emotional connection, but if someone could finally relate to him. Maybe he had some hope, after-all.
“Yeah, it's been weird getting used to the fact we don't have my mother anymore. Even months later. Not to mention his hours at work are just killing him. So we get into the smallest arguments,” Nick responded shrugging.
Peter let his shoulders fall. Nick couldn't relate to his problems after all. There was no one he could speak to about his issues with his father. His mom was scared and fragile, not willing to stand up to her husband. His little sister wasn't getting abused so why would she speak to him about it. Peter slumped back into his chair. “Oh, that's unfortunate.”

“Yeah, but it's cool. He's still the coolest old man around,” Nick said laughing. Kelly laughed along with him. Peter gave a slight laugh as well. Not able to get the picture of his father standing over him, angry, out of his mind.

“Yeah, so I think I finally agree with you. I don’t think these monsters are even real. It was kind of stupid to believe it,” Nick confessed to Marshall. Marshall let the grin say “I told you so”. Nick continued. “I kind of always thought it was dumb. Still, I had hoped it would be kind of real, ya know? Especially so we could of done something other than focus on this school.”

“Eh, it's not that bad. You just gotta sit and skate by. Do well enough and it'll be over before you know it,” Marshall responded. He ate the rest of his chips.
“It's pretty bad. It's boring for the most part. Kids here are just straight up bullies. I'm trying to talk to people but most are annoyed when I ask them how they're doing. The rest come off as idiots.”
“Hey, better not be talking about me.”
“Why would I be talking you if I thought you were an idiot?”
“Fair point.”
“You do come off as an idiot though at times.”
“You wanna see an idiot,” Marshall growled, looking at Nick, annoyed.
“That doesn't even make sense. Are you trying to say you’re going to show me how tough you are by being an idiot?”
“I...yo, man, shut the hell up before I punch you.”
“Please do so. Maybe it'll make this day much more exciting,” Nick challenged, laughing. Marshall cracked a smile.
“You can be a real jerk sometimes, you know that,” Marshall said trying to impersonate a sweet, honest, little girl voice. “I'ma tell on you!” Nick laughed at the impression.

“Marshall can be a cool guy. Lately, though, he's been trying to show off. Try to show he's always the big tough guy in everything. I don't really know why either,” Fred said as he walked with Nick towards their classroom. They both made it in and sat down. Kelly was already there taking out her school supplies for class.

“Heads up guys. Our first test is next Friday,” She said seriously. Nick wanted to hear her talk more so he didn't respond right away. She looked up, catching his eyes, they both felt a connection. Sometimes a weird feeling that made them seem so close. Nick looked away first, feeling his cheeks turn red again.

“Thanks for the heads up,” he answered sheepishly. He still couldn't get over how cute she was. Every time he saw her he wanted to touch her. She kept getting ready for class while he took out his notebook.

Fred leaned over. “Kelly is awesome. If you get with her that’d be great. She's funny and cute. Just so you know, she never really dates. Well, no one that I know of. We've been going to the same schools for a few years and I've never seen her with a guy. So, she might swing the other way, ya know?”
Nick swung around. Really quietly, but with panic in his voice, he asked, “Are you serious!?”
“No.”
“I hate you.” Nick looked towards Kelly one more time before turning to the front of his class.

The bell rang and the classed flushed out. Kelly said goodbye with a wave and walked towards a group of girls. Fred shoved Nick playfully. “Man, she definitely wants you. She used to be kind of okay looking but now...” Fred made the shape of a really skinny girl with a big butt using his hands. “Now, she's so fine. You better get with her,” Fred said, elbowing his friend.

Nick pushed Fred outside the school building. “Shut up. I'ma ask her out real soon. Just watch.”
“Hey man, that's all I'm saying. Don't let it slip away. She's worth it!” Nick nodded to that.

Both began walking towards their houses together while discussing classes. “Yeah, I hate Spanish. What are we really going to need it for anyway?” Nick asked Fred who just shrugged for response. “Man, I'm getting so tired of talking about school and I just started. I almost wished those missions were real.” Fred stopped at the last comment. Nick turned to look at his friend who was now just standing there. “What?”

“I don’t know. I see something. Something isn't right. My head is pound-” Fred grabbed his head and began slowly rubbing it. The throbbing suddenly turned to a sharp pain. He winced at it as he slowly sunk to the ground. Nick began to walk back towards his friend to check on him. He looked around to see if he could call anyone for help but no one was out on the street.

Nick bent down, trying to check if his friend was okay. “You sure you’re doing okay man?” Now, Nick began to worry, as his friend would occasionally let out small moans. “You don't look too good man.” Nick’s voice began to trail off while Fred mumbling to himself.

Fred opened his eyes as the pain began to subside. The pain was almost completely gone and he stood back up. Nick just stood there puzzled, looking at his friend. “Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that...” Fred looked straight ahead while speaking. He saw a huge stone in front of him. “What is that?” Fred whispered looking scared. Nick looked to the side but he saw nothing.
“You sure you're okay? There isn't anything there,” Nick said worriedly. His friend, who was almost about to collapse a few moments ago, was now staring at nothing.
“No, dude its right here.” Fred walked up to the stone in front of him. It had an engraving on it. On it displayed an address that was only twenty minutes from his current location. “You don't see this?” Fred asked as he pointed towards the huge rock.
“Dude, I think you're going insane on me,” Nick answered as he shook his head. “Trust me when I say there is nothing in front of you.” Nick walked towards Fred.
“No, man it’s right here.” Fred turned back around to the rock. He memorized the location and smiled, thinking this might actually be his first mission. Then he heard a loud hard swipe as something tore into the rock. A rip appeared over the location where he was just reading. He jumped back at the sound and almost fell over. The rock shook and crumbled into pieces. Fred felt a small sharp pain in his head. He winced as he grabbed his head. Once he opened his eyes again the rock was gone.
“You sure you're okay? I think maybe we should go to the hospital.” Nick patted his friends back.
“No. It's a mission. Nick, I got a mission,” he told his friend, sounding both worried and excited.
Chapter Six – The Alleyway

“A mission?” Nick looked surprised.
“Yeah, a mission.”
“Like...like a mission to hunt down monsters?”
“Like a mission to hunt down monsters.”
“Like a mission to hunt down “real” monsters?”
“Dude, I just saw a huge rock with engravings giving an address. Then it shattered into pieces. I think this is as real as it gets.” Fred sat on the curb trying to relax.