The Strays
Chapter One

My heart rate increased as adrenaline coursed through my body that was slowly going into shock, but it didn’t stop me from pushing forward. Every breath I took made me want to cry as my cracked ribs expanded and contracted. I grabbed my side as I hobbled forward, pausing briefly as I doubled over in pain, so agonising it made me vomit. I wiped the residue from my lips with my sleeve and pressed on, my destination finally in sight.

My exhaustion eventually defeated me, and I collapsed in front of the shopping centre’s doors. I barely had enough strength to grab the attention of the residents inside, but by some miracle, I did so; the face of my closest friend was the last thing I saw before I passed out.

When I woke up, I was in my old room, but unfamiliar faces surrounded me. “Who the hell are you lot and where is Leo?”

“Hey Stitch, Sleeping Ugly finally woke up and she’s grouchy.” A charming guy a few years older than me called out and a young girl in scrubs, about the same age as me, came running in, while a younger guy stood loitering in the corner, staring at me as he munched on a bag of crisps.

“Seriously, who are you and where is Leo? I need to talk to him. It’s urgent. I wouldn’t have dragged my arse here after getting beaten up if it wasn’t.”

“He’s out collecting supplies nearby for my friend Tali. They’re monitoring the clinic we run in the East wing, while these two monitored you for me. Leo was losing his mind sitting by your bedside, but he refused to leave you alone so Linc said he’d keep you company and Ty is paranoid, so he intermittently checks on you.” The one in scrubs smiled. “I’m Stitch by the way.”

“Indie, but I’m sure Leo probably already told you that given that you’re the one who fixed me up, thanks, you saved me a job.”

“Wait, the old scarring beneath your tattoos, bullet wounds, stab wounds, you patched those up on your own?” She seemed surprised.

“Yeah, it’s crazy what you can do with a mirror, sewing needles, thread, and boiling water. In terms of sanitation, it isn’t ideal, but you make do in times like these.”

Stitch gently nodded her head approvingly and the older guy gave me a suspicious look.

“I’m inclined to assume you’re Ty, which means the one munching crisps is Linc, your younger brother.”

“I didn’t mention they were brothers.” Stitch observed, as she had me take off my shirt so she could change my dressings.

Ty immediately looked away, but Linc continued to munch on his crisps, not saying anything.

“They have the same eye shape and ears, though the colours of their eyes, varying lengths of eyelashes and distinctly original bone structure indicate they only shared one parent.”

“Wow, we have a real Sherlock Holmes in our midst.” Ty sneered.

“I’m surprised you know who that is, though it’s more shocking to think that you can read.”

Linc snorted and snickered, earning a steely glare from his brother that quickly silenced him.

“So, Doc, how long have I been out? It’s obviously been a while since my dislocated shoulder has healed, along with the two bullet wounds and the cracked ribs.”

“It’s been about two months. You’ve been in and out of consciousness, but this is the first time you’ve properly woken up.” Stitch confessed. “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”

I pulled my shirt back down and shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve always been one for beating the odds, not that it’s necessarily something I’ve wanted to do. On a separate note, am I wearing an adult nappy?”

“As you said before, we have to make do in times like this and I couldn’t exactly get you a urinary or rectal catheter fitted, even if I had some to hand, so I improvised.” Stitch tried to explain with a straight face, but failed.

“I think I prefer the nappy over the other option, to be honest with you. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to get up and see my friend, let him know he isn’t about to get rid of me that easily.”

Linc disappeared for a moment and returned with a set of battered crutches. “I know they ain’t great, but they’ll do until you find your footing.”

“Thanks. I appreciate the hospitality you’ve shown me. It’s not every day you find people willing to save a stranger at death’s door.”

“Leo ain’t willing to talk about you, not to me, not to anyone, but you mean a lot to him, that’s enough for me, besides, he’s helped Stitch make quite the reputation for The Paragon, it’s a clinic and a refuge, we grant shelter to anyone seeking it, for as long as they need, so long as they denounce violence.” He smiled as I took the crutches from him and pulled myself to my feet.

I got changed, then hobbled out of my room and headed up the stairs to the ground floor, making my way to the front doors, but something felt wrong, really wrong; the reason for this instinct soon made itself known though as the front doors to The Paragon opened.

A familiar face forced Leo inside, a knife to his throat. It was Mac, an old acquaintance I’d hoped to never cross paths with again. Why was she here? By her side were a handful of goons, six or seven, including their leader, each heavily armed and prepared to fight.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Linc. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Actually, I’m seeing two.”

I locked eyes with Mac and watched as a sickening smirk took over her face. “Well, well, well, I came here looking for a doctor and apparently I found two.”

“What do you want with Stitch?”

She quipped with a sing-song tone, “No hello for your two oldest friends?“.

You and Hatter tried to kill me frequently after I refused to join you. Now, let Leo go so we can finish what we started when we crossed paths before.”

“Awe, that’s cute, but I think you’re misreading this entire situation. See, I’m the one with the leverage, and you’re outnumbered. That means I’m going to be the one calling the shots.”

The gears in my head turned as I tried to figure something out. Linc was the only other person with me, which meant Mac was right, at least about the numbers, but that wasn’t my concern.

“Do you think you can get to the East wing clinic on the other side of the building?” I whispered to Linc.

“Why?” He mumbled back.

“Somebody needs to warn Stitch and your brother about Mac. I can barely walk so there’s no way I’ll get there quick enough, but if I can create a distraction, could you?”

“It’s too risky. She could kill you and Leo.”

“What about Stitch and that clinic of hers? You think Hellraisers will give a damn about them? They need to get somewhere safe until I can get Mac out of here. Once she’s gone, Leo can lock this place down, and hopefully learn from his mistakes, because I warned him a hundred times what could happen if he didn’t keep the traps armed.”

“Why do I feel you aren’t planning on sticking around?”

“Just warn your brother and Stitch. Leave the rest to me, okay?”

Linc leaned into my ear and slipped something into my back pocket. “This should come in handy.”

Mac was getting impatient. I could see it in her eyes. “What are you two whispering about?”

“I was asking Linc if he knew where to find Stitch. According to him, she’s working in the clinic on the second floor of the East wing. I’d get her for you, but my mobility is kinda limited thanks to your boyfriend, Hatter.”

“I’m not sure I like where you’re heading with this.” Linc hissed, as he realised I was giving the wrong directions.

Mac pointed to three of her guys. “Follow the boy. Make sure he doesn’t try something stupid. When you find the doctor, be sure to bring them both back here. If you run into Ty, kill him.”

“Are you sure you’ve got this?” Linc asked one last time as one of Mac’s goons grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, shoving a piece of rebar into his collarbone to make a point. I watched as the younger boy put his hands in the air, a sign of surrender as they forced him away.

We made eye contact briefly, and I nodded my head gently, to reassure him I had things in hand before heading up the stairs, leaving me to deal with Mac and her three remaining friends.

The rest of the goons split up, checking the shops on both our floor and the one above, whilst Mac stepped into the centre of the open space.

“It’s just us now. You could at least drop the knife.”

“I doubt it. I know you better than that. Now throw away your crutches before you decide to use them against my friends.” She ordered, nicking Leo’s neck just to make a point. He winced slightly, but he didn’t say a word.

I lowered myself onto the floor, my legs outstretched in front of me as I skimmed the crutches away. Putting as much distance between us as I could, before throwing my hands in the air in frustration. “There, you happy now? I can barely stand, let alone fight, so just let the kid go already.”

After pushing Leo into the arms of one of her friends, Mac moved over to me, where she grabbed me by my hair and put her blade to my throat. If I could slit your throat right here and leave you bleeding while I destroy everyone you love, I would. However, your particular might prove useful to me, so Leo is coming along to make sure you don’t screw up. As long as you don’t try something stupid, he gets to keep breathing too. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.”

She removed the knife and started pacing, checking her watch.

The pacing intensified the longer the goons and Linc were absent, finally stopping when they returned.

“Where’s the kid?” She snapped.

“Bloody brat gave us the slip, and the building is like a maze. We lost him.” One of them replied.

Mac stormed over to me and dragged me to my feet. I couldn’t quite pretend anymore and tried to fight back, but two of her goons grabbed me from behind before I could get in a solid shot. “There’s the Indie I know and hate.” She snapped and slammed her fist into my gut.

“If that’s the best you got, then I think you’re getting rusty.” I smiled as she took another shot, before putting the blade to my throat again, but I couldn’t take my eyes off my friend.

“Where are they?” She demanded.

“Gone. I told Linc to find his people and get the hell out while I distracted you. They should be far away by now.”

“You better hope for Leo’s sake we find them.” She sneered, her hand unwavering. I noticed a reflection in one of the shop windows. Linc and Ty were now armed, which surprised me, but before they could act, Mac noticed them too. “Drop the weapons and walk downstairs, boys. Nice and slow, or I’ll gut the girl.”

“Go ahead, she’s a pain in the arse, anyway.” Ty retorted, earning him a confused nudge from his brother.

I could feel Mac applying pressure to the blade as blood trickled down my neck, but I didn’t flinch. “Don’t worry about me. Do whatever you have to do.”

The blade cut deeper, but I refused to cry out. Leo wasn’t nearly as calm, though. “If you keep hurting her, Mac, I will kill you. I swear to god, I will make you pay. I don’t care if you’re a chick.”

A sick smirk spread across her lips. “Tell them to drop their weapons Indie, or I will start cutting off Leo’s fingers, then his tongue, before his throat.”

I rolled my eyes, and Mac relished in my defeated look. “Guys, if you don’t do as she says, I’m not the one you have to worry about. Leo is, and I can’t let him die for this. He’s the closest thing I got left to family.”

Ty glared at Mac, then set down his weapon, his brother following suit before they joined us on the ground floor.

“Now, that wasn’t so difficult, was it, Ty?” She laughed as one of her goons restrained each of them. I tried to resist as she walked over to Leo and tore open his shirt.

“You said you wouldn’t hurt him if we did as you asked.” Linc shouted.

“No, I didn’t. I simply illustrated how much worse this would be if you refused to comply. I still have to teach you and Indie a lesson, Linc, for thinking you can play me.”

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