City of Twilight Part II: The Fallen (The Vanguard Chronicles Book 2) by Stephenson III Donald

Author:Stephenson III, Donald
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2015-02-07T16:00:00+00:00

63

​James walked through the streets of Old District. He’d changed his appearance, making his coat shorter and a dark brown color. He also changed the color of his hair using the xeno. Not that it mattered, it was dark out and Civic Protection was probably frightened of him. He walked around for a little while, eventually turning into a nearby alley. He sat against the wall quietly to himself.

​Although he had washed the blood off himself an hour ago, it still felt like it was on his hands. He remembered the moment he’d killed all those Civic Protection soldiers to save Alicia. He’d lost control then. This was an entirely new level. He’d almost killed Khaleel. I thought I could hold it in check, control it, he thought as he mentally acknowledged this setback to himself. Is this a regression? He stared at the ground with a sullen look.

​“Hey kid,” a voice said from outside the alley, “you all right?” James looked in that direction, and saw a man in tattered clothes. He had a shopping cart he was pushing that had a mixture of clothing and other items. James recognized the man immediately.

​“Bill!”

​“What?" Bill seemed confused that James had recognized him. "Not many people know me around here. I had just changed my route cause of those CP patrols. Come closer so I can see you better, son.” James approached the bearded old man.

​“Interesting times, aren’t they?” James said.

​“Well,” Bill said, “James. Didn’t think I’d ever see you again. At least you’re wearing clothes this time.” James nodded with a slight grin.

​“So what do you think about the resistance?” James asked.

​“Oh, you mean with the Hunter and everything? I don’t know. Hasn’t really affected me or my friends. Guess it doesn’t really matter who’s in charge, my role’ll stay the same.” The old man chuckled at himself.

​“Bill,” James said, “do you remember when this city first began?”

​“No.” The man had a sullen look as he answered.

​“Do you ever wonder what life was like before the collapse?” James was now walking along-side the man.

​“There are plenty of remnants of what’s left, even if it’s just in our minds. In mine, in yours. In the elderly in this city, what’s left of them.”

​“What do you mean?” James said.

​“Well, every Sunday morning there is a group that gathers. They don’t know why, but they do it just the same. They get together and play music. Some play instruments, and some just hum along. Some just stand there with their eyes closed and their arms raised in the air. None of them understand why. They just do it.” He paused for a moment, sighing.

​“So much has been lost in this city. You see it in the eyes of everyone. Even Civic Protection. They’re dead, just like everyone else. As long as they fight against you, you won’t win this war.”

​James stopped as he heard the man. Bill knew he was the Hunter. Bill walked a few more steps and stopped, still facing away from him.

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