Dominant Species Read Free Page B

not common, they had heard news of the things that lived, if that were the right word, on the fringes; things that might once have been human, but that were now far less so. This meant that they had to spend time watching not only the city, but also remain aware of possible attacks that came from all sides, at all times. It brought a level of nervousness and unease that threatened to become almost unbearable.
                  It was with some of these thoughts running through his mind that Jake headed through the back streets, unconsciously always checking his surroundings, always careful that he was not being followed, just in case, towards the church, that sat right at the centre of their community, and the crypt within.
                 

Chapter 3
 
The Crypt
    It was inky dark in the Crypt, the large space only being lit by two old oil lamps that provided nothing more than a feeble attempt at illumination. Angry shadows flickered across the walls and the heavy wooden door that sat far away and almost out of sight in the darkness at one end. In the middle of the room was a large stone tomb, covered with maps and other debris that was currently acting as a makeshift, if somewhat inappropriate, table.
    Around this makeshift table, oblivious to the heresy, were clustered four men, like phantoms in the lamplight. Acrid smoke hung in the dense air, generated by a tall wiry man holding a cigarette loosely in one hand as he spoke. He stood at just over six feet two, but was so thin he appeared much taller. His hair was pulled tightly back into a greasy ponytail that was tied with a thin coil of silver wire. He went by the name of Lano and as he spoke he was unable to keep an edge of frustration out of his voice.
    ‘Look Nathan, I ’m just saying that I think Max has a point. Things are getting worse, much worse. We’ve had three attempted raids this month alone. More than we used to get in perhaps a year. Something's changed I tell you. Something’s spooked them, real bad. So maybe it is time we took the fight to them, rather than just wait for the inevitable.’
    When he spoke he addressed his remarks to floor although they were clearly intended for the man that stood directly opposite him.
    The man that he couldn’t quite look in the eye was Nathan. He stood at the other end of the tomb, watching Lano closely and listening quietly, his pale and intelligent eyes not moving from Lano’s face once. It was this calm dispassionate, unwavering stare that had the effect of ensuring Lano’s focus stayed resolutely on the thick stone slabs under his feet.
    When Lano had finished speaking, Nathan allowed a heavy silence to descend in the crypt. The only sound came from the hungry flames of the old oil lamps as they sucked greedily at the musty air.
    Slowly Nathan shifted his stocky frame; he stretched his back, the clicks popping audibly in the damp room. He looked older than his fifty years would have suggested. His hair, which had turned a pure white when he was only in his late teens, was only now beginning to thin. He glanced between Lano and Max, a well-built man standing to Lano’s right. Nathan noted with interest, but not surprise, that it was this man, rather than Lano who waited expectantly for his answer. Max was in his early twenties; his light brown hair was tightly cropped and he watched Nathan closely as he absently chewed on an unlit cigar that hung loosely from the corner of his mouth.
    Nathan, having stretched his back, then rubbed his neck slowly before attempting any reply. Finally he looked away from Max and centred his gaze on Lano. His eyes were sad but remained full of power. To look into those eyes was to know instantly that they belonged to someone who had seen much, perhaps too much, in their time.
    ‘I understand what Max has been saying Lano, but it’s still too dangerous. We’re simply not strong enough yet. Most of our resources are concentrated on protecting what we have and