Mastered (The BloodStorm Book 2) by Vaughan W. Smith

Author:Vaughan W. Smith [Smith, Vaughan W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fair Folio
Published: 2023-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

21

THE OUTCAST

Derek was driving like a maniac, even worse than normal. Maya cradled Anders with her good arm, trying to steady them against the car’s turns.

“Don’t worry, he’s stable for now,” Derek said for probably the tenth time. Maya just nodded and kept her gaze on Anders.

“You’re going to be fine. Why did you switch with me?” Maya said. Anders coughed.

“I could tell something was up,” Anders said weakly, forcing a smile.

“It was meant for me. Who knows what this poison will do to you?”

“I’m pretty tough y’know. I was prepared for this.” Anders grimaced for a second, before relaxing his face. “It’s very distracting, this whole mess. Try and search through my right pocket. You should find. A vial.” Anders closed his eyes and rested. Maya braced against another wild corner and carefully tried to access his pocket. She felt something and retrieved it. It was a glass vial with a rubber stopper. She awkwardly held it up, noticing a pale-yellow liquid within.

“What is this?” she said. Anders answered without opening his eyes.

“It’s a broad-base antidote. It counteracts most poisons and boosts your immune system,” Anders said quickly. He drew in a ragged breath after.

“You keep this on you? All the time?” Maya said in amazement.

“You never know.” Anders struggled to prop his head up a little to look at the vial. “That’s it.” He slumped back down again. Maya examined the stopper.

“Looks a bit tricky, I don’t want to lose the whole thing.” Maya peered up at Derek. “Hey Derek, any chance we can stop for a minute?” she shouted.

“Just a moment,” Derek said, full of concentration. Suddenly the car lurched to a stop.

“We’re here,” he said. Derek turned to look at them.

“I want to try this antidote that Anders has,” Maya said, holding it up. Derek reached out and took the vial, studying it.

“Can’t hurt. I’ll help.” Derek leapt out of the car and came into the back, propping up Anders while Maya eased off the stopper. She gently poured it into his mouth, a little at a time.

“Tastes worse than expected,” Anders grunted. But he swallowed the whole vial. Maya replaced the stopper and stashed it away.

“Where are we?” Maya said.

“A friend’s place. I’m going to call in a big favor,” Derek said.

“Off we go then,” Anders said. Derek chuckled and gently eased Anders out of the car. Together with Maya, he supported Anders toward a quaint old house. It looked like a medieval cottage with an overgrown front garden and a rickety wooden fence.

“This place looks abandoned,” Maya said.

“Purposefully. My friend doesn’t like visitors,” Derek said.

“I hope you’re right about this,” Maya said. She pushed the gate open, and they stepped through tall grass up until the wooden door. Derek knocked twice, then waited. There was no response.

“It’s Derek! Open up!” Derek shouted. Silence. Eventually, there was a shuffling sound and an unlocking sound. The door slowly swung open.

“Of course, you have to come at night, don’t you?” A woman said. She looked to be in her fifties with long, brown hair and was wearing glasses.

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