Apocalypse Fighter

Chapter 68: Homecoming 9140

       The grenades exploded four times in rapid succession and the sound of their blasts echoed between the tall apartment buildings. The black mutant mice were blown to smithereens, and those that were not killed straightaway were thrown into the air, screaming, as their flesh was torn from their bones and their fur caught fire.   

       “Awesome!” shouted Richard, and he pumped his fist in the air victoriously.  

       Anthony laughed as he took out two more grenades. He did not throw these, though. He handed them to his friend and said, “Richard, you know what to do. Take care, my friend.”

       Richard nodded and said, “Get going. Run, and don’t stop running until you reach the island.”

       Without a word, Anthony took off at a maintainable pace. Richard kept the mice at bay for as long as he could, and then he caught up with the team. He did not stop running, though. He slowed down and told them to follow him, and he looked back every now and then, but he was more worried about what might be ahead than what was behind him.  

       We have killed so many mice – thought Richard – King Mimi must hate us, and with the rodents being as small as they were, I’m not sure if I can keep them off the island! 

***

      When they arrived at the villa, Marry was distraught over Richard’s wounds. The sight of them brought tears to her eyes, and she insisted on binding them immediately. As she stitched one of the deeper cuts, she said, “Sweetheart, are you in pain? You can shout out loud if you need to, and I will feel better if you do.” 

       Richard smiled and tried to calm her down. In a soft voice, he said, “My baby, if I do that, then the guys downstairs will look down upon me. It is better if I stay strong.”

       Mary: “But there are so many wounds. It’s all my fault. If not for me, this never would have happened, and you wouldn’t be hurt like this.” 

       “I’m good, my love.” Richard took Marry’s hand, put it on his p***s, and said, “If he is kept happy, I will be recovered by morning.” 

Marry took her hand back and blushed. “No,” she said. “Baby, you are exhausted. Not tonight.”

       “It’s okay.” Richard took Marry’s hand, brought it back to his p***s, and said, “These wounds cannot stop me from having s*x with you.” As he spoke, he laid his head on her breasts. “Your smell alone makes me feel better.”

       Peter’s p***s twitched in Marry’s hand, and as it grew in length, she groaned. “Oh, baby!” She could not refuse Richard, not after everything he had done to keep her and Steven safe.  

       When they were done making love, Richard and a few of the other men left to strengthen their defenses. They kept at it until late in the evening, but it was worth the effort. When they were done, Richard felt some piece of mind knowing that if the mouse king sought them out, it would be no easy task for them to get in. 

       Then, when he returned to his bed, Marry rewarded him thrice more for his efforts.

***

       Kevin, Leon, and Donald were waiting for Richard when he came down for breakfast the next morning. Richard had told them that they had to live in the villa in the west, and they were anxious to hash out the details. Kevin, in particular, was restless. He wanted to prove himself to Richard.  

       The day before, when Kevin saw Richard’s miserable situation, he had been scared by the man. He had been covered in blood, and his wounds had made him look like a slayer from Hell. The situation changed, though, when he walked in and put down a woman and two kids. 

       The scenario played out in his mind like a 3D movie:

***

       Kevin eyed the woman and thought - It seems like she is his wife. If so, then I need to be mindful of her and the baby boy. But who is the bigger boy in dirty clothes? A foolish waif? He looks somewhat familiar, but I cannot imagine where I might have seen him before. 

       Kevin squinted his eyes to get a better look at the boy. He wanted the answers to his questions, but he did not dare to ask them. He turned his head towards Anthony. He was quietly sitting on the stairs that led to the second floor. He looked like a sculpture, but Kevin knew that he was there to safeguard the building. 

Zoe had gone out earlier and Janet was cooking in the kitchen.

       No one said a word. 

Kevin thought for a moment, and then he walked over to the boy. “Hi, boy,” he said. “What’s your name? Is Richard your relative?” 

       Tommy smiled and said, “Dad. Dad. Uncle is good. He is Dad.”

       What is that supposed to mean? Tommy wondered. He watched with curiosity as the boy sat on the ground and began to create a pile out of the stones that were strewn about. “What are you making?” he asked.

       The boy giggled. “In… ooook… soook!” he replied.

       Kevin frowned. He had no idea what the boy was talking about. “Never mind that,” he said. “Listen, boy. If Richard is your Dad, then who is your uncle?”

       Tommy: “Uncle is Dad. Dad is good. He saved Mimi… Mimi will come… find Dad.”

       Kevin had a million questions running around his head – What is he talking about? How could uncle be dad? Did Richard have a bastard? Who is Mimi? – but the boy seemed incapable of giving him a straight answer. Thus, he felt like he was going crazy. 

       Finally, Richard spoke up. He said, “This is Tommy. He is retarded, but Mary adopted him, so be nice to him.”

***

       When Anthony saw Richard coming down the stairs, he rushed over and punched him in the chest like an old friend. Richard laughed and took the hit like a champ. It was a friendly, punch, but they both know that there was a warning to it. Anthony had not approved of the way his friend had put Steven in danger, and he was not willing to let the matter rest without voicing his displeasure. After all, Steven was the only reason why Anthony kept living.

       As Richard rubbed the sore spot on his chest, he said, “I’m sorry. I won’t put Steven in danger again.” 

       “If you do, I’m gonna kick your ass.” There was a long awkward silence, and then Richard said, “Anyway… how are you doing?”

       “I’m good,” Richard replied. “Why do you ask? Is there anything I should know?” He was still worried about what would happen if the mouse king attacked the island. 

       Kevin: “Don’t worry. The mice are afraid of the water.”

Richard: “That’s strange. Everybody knows that mice can swim. I wonder if there is something in the water that is more dangerous than they are…”  

Kevin: “As far as I know, there is only fancy fish. Why would mutant mice be afraid of fancy fish?”

       Richard thought about it for a moment and then he said, “I suppose it doesn’t matter. As long as the mice stay on the mainland, I don’t need to worry. Right?”