Chapter 51: Unsuspected

Chapter 51: Unsuspected

I headed straight for Nix and requested she send out Undertakers to collect Delilah, Percy, and Jean. I expected an argument, but all she asked for was a quick explanation of why, and then she complied. It took less than an hour for all three of my suspects to be gathered and placed into three separate empty offices. Once they were all secured, I went toward the first room, Delilahs.

I opened the door, and found her sitting at a desk and looking afraid. When she saw me her eyes widened, but she didnt say anything. I walked to the desk across from her and leaned against it, crossing my arms. I looked her over. She seemed afraid, and worried, but that would make sense whether she was guilty or not given the circumstances.

Did you know? I asked.

Her expression became confused. Know what?

Did you know that Lydia was seeing other people?

Her expression shifted from confused to angry and she showed her teeth. What are you talking about?

Potts is big, but its not that big. Everyone knows each other, everyone grows up together as a part of it. You're telling me that in spite of all that you never heard a whisper, or a scrap of gossip about Lydia seeing two other people? A friend never came to you to let you know?

Tears began to form in Delilahs eyes as I spoke, and she responded through gritted teeth. I dont know what youre talking about.

I think you do.

What, you think I killed her?

No. You have an alibi. But lets say you did find out, and you confronted her other lovers. Its not outside the realm of possibility that you might work together after finding out youve been jilted.

She scowled. I would never work with them.

I tilted my head. But you did know about them.

She took a breath and steadied her expression. I did.

And Lydia was lying to you about them?

She nodded.

I shook my head. People in the wastes were a mess, but at least they were relatively uncomplicated. She knew she was being cheated on and chose not to do anything about it. In the average waster settlement, theyd just have blown each others brains out in the middle of the street. Things were in some ways, blissfully uncomplicated out there.

I stood up from where I was leaning. I believe you, but Im going to talk to Lydias other twofriends, before I let you go. I nodded at her, and walked out of the room. I could feel her gaze boring a hole into the back of my head, I couldnt blame her, but I wasnt here to make friends.

As I walked out of the room and went to open the next door. I heard a commotion coming toward me. Rhea, flanked by two other Undertakers, appeared in the hallway and approached me.

Theres been another murder, she said as soon as she reached me.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

Pete.

He turned around the rest of the way and stood. I myself was unnaturally tall, but he had to crouch to keep from hitting the ceiling.

I hefted my shotgun and aimed for his head.

He gestured to the meat behind him. Care for a bite?

I shook my head. Not hungry.

He smiled, showing teeth that rivaled my own. Now we both know thats not true.

I grimaced. He was right. My mouth had started watering before Id even stepped down into the cellar.

Youre like me. You feel that hunger deep inside. You know what its like to taste flesh soaked so deeply in rads its practically on fire. He took a step toward me, and I repositioned my gun. Havent you even thought about it?

About what? I asked, watching him, waiting for a move.

What another deadman tastes like. You know as well as I do that the more radded, the more corrupted the meat, the tastier it is to us. Well, deadmen here in Potts are raised surrounded by heavy radiation. They eat food full of it. It seeps into them every day, fattening them like the sweetest of hogs. He took another step toward me.

Dont. Move.

Eventually, the thought of it became all-consuming, but I managed to hold it down. At least until I saw you. Smelled you. I became possessed. I needed to hack into you, have a taste. Unfortunately, you moved out of my sight, and never dropped your guard. Thats when I saw Lydia. I lost all control, Becoming something monstrous as I took that first bite. Became as you see me now. I was interrupted though. Unable to finish even my consolation meal. With you on the hunt, I was forced to eat my own fingers just to stave off my cravings. I dont hate you for it though.

Whys that?

A deadman that treks across high rad zones. One who's sampled meats across the wastes. Its like youve been seasoning yourself for me all your life. How could I hate someone like that? He slid his tongue across his teeth. I bet youre going to taste del-

I fired my shotgun at him twice in quick succession. His body was thrown backward into the wall. I loaded two more shells in and fired again, activating freeze as I did so. After that, I pulled out my pistol and emptied the entire magazine into his body. Then I drew my sword and walked toward him, ready to remove his head. I didnt want to take any chances with someone that could potentially recover from wounds as quickly as I could.

Just as I was about to reach him, his body shot up toward me, faster than I could react. And he wrapped his massive arms around me and started squeezing.

I guess I shouldve tenderized you a bit first.

I gasped, struggling to escape his grasp. I tried activating my freeze ability, but he was able to resist it, much as I had when Leah had first used it against me. He squeezed, my face right in front of his, where I was able to smell the blood and flesh of his most recent victim still fresh on his breath. Unable to reach my weapons or escape his grasp, I turned to the oldest tool in my arsenal. I opened my mouth, and bit directly into the center of his face.

He screamed, and started to loosen his grasp, but I just bit down harder. I could feel his flesh giving way, his bones cracking, and his blood flowing freely from his face. My teeth met each other, and I tore myself away along with most of the center of Petes face. He was screaming. Id taken his nose and part of one of his eyes. I leapt toward him and slashed at his neck with my sword. In spite of the thickness of it, my sword went clean through, and he fell to his knees, dead.

I stood above his corpse, chewing for around a minute. Then I swallowed. He had probably been right. If he was this delicious, I imagined I probably would be too.