With that, the two boys slowly crept away from the creatures, then ran to the centre, slamming the door behind them.
ALEX
Alex wasn’t sure where Jared had gone, and he didn’t really care. He hoped Jared would be so freaked out by his near-death experience that he ran past the building completely and out of Alex’s life forever. At least until everything went back to normal. Thinking about it, Alex realized that he would actually accept Jared as a part of his life if it meant that everything went back to the way it was before.
For now, he was glad to have a break.
David didn’t want to talk about what had happened outside; the fact that he had let his guard down. Even though the mudmen went for Jared first, it could just as easily have been him attacked from behind. Alex wasn’t sure if David was in shock, or just wanted to ignore it. Maybe it even inspired David—seeing the creatures so close again, so ferocious and terrible. Whatever it was, David just wanted to get to work on the SPLICER!
They carried all the individual pieces down to the lobby. David claimed that once the pieces were outside, they would just snap into place. With the blade secured it would be, as he put it, “ready to slice and dice.” Looking at the pile of screws and tools David was taking with him to assemble the contraption, Alex knew it would not be that simple. However, he liked the idea of having something to do—a distraction from the events of the day so far.
After checking the area carefully, and suiting up in double their usual armour, they started taking pieces outside—just outside—the door. Though they didn’t say anything, both boys knew neither wanted to get too far from safety.
David checked with Alex on every move he made. At first, Alex thought nothing of it. Then, when it continued, he assumed that it was just David needing to be told that he was right. After what had to be the tenth question, Alex realized David was looking to him for leadership. The more he thought about it, the more confident he felt. He had saved a life—two lives, really. And one was the life of someone he didn’t even like! Even Nicole hadn’t done that. As much as she claimed to dislike him, Alex knew he was growing on her. In fact, it was likely that she, too, was looking up to him now. Perhaps they all were. He was practically a hero. That’s why David had asked him to help with this important task. Because important tasks went to important people.
Shadow went out with them—every hero needs a loyal companion. Alex walked her a few feet from the door. At first, he tried to avoid looking at the pile of mudmen in front of the barrier. He quickly realized, however, that ignoring anything in the area around him wasn’t smart; that’s how Jared had almost gotten himself killed.
Thinking back on it, a little part of him wished he had just let it happen when he saw the mudmen approaching from the end of the street. He couldn’t call out to Jared and David—that would have brought others. He could just do nothing, and a major problem in his life would be gone—forever! That thought had stayed with him for a few seconds before he found he was heading downstairs, his weapon already in hand. He just didn’t have it in him.
If he’d let it happen, he wouldn’t be a hero. He’d be no better than Jared. Or worse.
David wanted to set the SPLICER! up near the door—a last defence, in case any mudmen got past the barricades and the SMASHER! As a safety precaution, he made an adjustment when he was building it, so the blade swung well over their own heads. Unless the members of their group had a growth spurt in the time they stayed there, they’d be fine. Plus, like David’s other contraptions, it was sprayed with neon warning signs, including one in big bold letters that read “DUCK”.
Examining their handiwork, Alex noticed that the SMASHER! was back up on the roof, ready to do more damage should the need arise. It looked considerably more threatening than before: some of the weapons on it were bent in jagged directions, with blood and other fluids smeared all over it. It clearly meant trouble for anyone who triggered it.
“How’d that get back up?”
David looked up with a smile. “Me and Jared pulled it back up. He even went up and reset the grill himself. He wasn’t scared or anything.”
“Yeah, good for him,” Alex said, as he untied Shadow from the door and headed back inside. He was pretty scared when—
“Hey,” Jared said, halting Alex in the doorway with a hand on his shoulder, “I wanna talk to you a minute.”
“Whatever,” Alex said, shrugging the boy’s hand off.
“No, seriously. I need to talk to you.”
“Well, I don’t want to talk to you.” Alex tried to walk past him.
“Look, Alex, I’m sorry.”
That stopped him in his tracks. Jared never apologized; or if he did, he didn’t mean it. Alex turned. Jared actually looked sincere. “Sorry about what?”
Jared looked to his feet with something resembling shame. “I’m sorry for yelling at that Kyle kid. And I’m sorry for pushing him and stuff.”
“Okay,” Alex said, as he turned away again.
“And I’m sorry for treating you like shit,” Jared said. “Alex ... you ... thank ... thank you.”
If Alex was surprised by the apology, he was shocked by this. Jared was thanking him? He even looked like he was about to cry. Alex had no idea what to say, but Jared continued.
“You ... you saved my life.” He wiped his nose on his sleeve. Jared’s eyes kept darting over Alex into the parking lot; at the barricade and the pile of mudmen. The one that had almost killed him earlier that
