Shoggoth

Becky emerged, a smile of triumph adorning that tomboy face. The battle within had ended, and here she stood, the victor.

She extended the tray. Burgers and fries for everyone.

“Dinner is served! Lee, you owe me for two meals now. Don't forget.”

“Yeah. She'll beat you into the pavement.” Anna said, stealing a fry from Lee's carton.

Lee looked at Becky. They were about the same height, and Becky pounded a guy senseless for picking on Anna's brother once.

He nodded, playing along. “It will be paid.”

“'It will be paid.'” Anna mocked his voice.

They stood around their bikes, or in Anna's case, mounting hers and taking the whole tray to use as a table. Chow time on Kabrius, and the gang didn't hold back. Even so, Becky watched Lee in amazement.

“The way you eat, you'd swear you were starving.”

Lee stopped. “I have an incredible stomach debt, too. What are we doing tonight?”

They did things every night. Lee liked doing things. He especially liked learning to ride a motorcycle. There were always things to do with the gang.

“Contraption is playing at Centaur's tonight. I know a guy that can still get us tickets. Wanna ride down that way?”

Lee frowned. “Dangerous place.”

Becky and Anna looked at each other.

They laughed.

“C'mon, Lee. We'll keep you safe.” Anna said.

Lee smiled. “Big crowds. I don't fit in well. But if you insist.”

They mounted their bikes and rode on. Becky was the only one that missed the trash receptacle on the way out. She stopped to pick up her carton, landed it perfectly this time, and then watched from afar as Anna and Lee sped away. She would catch up, easily, but once again she had that strange feeling, like something was really off with their newest member.

“You're an oddball, Lee.”

She chased after them.

When they arrived, the venue was already crowded. They stuck close together after parking the bikes.

“Anyone touches my Scaler CP and I'll bite their fingers off.” Anna said.

Becky rolled her eyes. “Relax. This is where all the venue security is anyway. Just don't leave it near the alleyways.”

Anna looked reluctant to part with her bike. Still, she grit her teeth and went along with the other two. Becky zeroed in on a giant with a shaved head, wearing a torn, leather jacket. He was waiting for them by the gate, and lifted a hand to show three tickets.

Anna gave Becky a look. “You called him from the restaurant?”

Becky took the tickets. “Thanks, Ilo. Lee's got this one.”

Lee thought about protesting, but the tickets would put Becky in debt for another meal. Becky started away, so Lee hurriedly produced a credit chip and passed it over to the bald-headed man, who took it and gave him a wave as he and Anna went after their impatient leader.

“She knew you had money. Why did she buy your food?”

“I don't know. She picked my pockets earlier, but didn't take anything. Must've thought I hadn't noticed. That's how she knew I could pay, though.”

Anna laughed. “You really are weird, you know that?”

“Yes.”

They met up with Becky and entered at the door, handing over their tickets. Inside, the vibrations rose from the floor and shook them to their centers. A light show that can only take place in the dingy, smoke-filled depths of urban decay blasted the walls and beat neon colors in time with the thumping of drums. Electronic keyboard and guitar merged into a heavenly opening sequence that dazzled the dancing spectators from end to end, spilling off the dance floor and into the seating, which was minimal at best.

Lee felt there were too many people in this room, but the effect was very...human.

Becky drank a little. Anna drank a lot. Lee had a drink and shrugged it off, not too interested in more than that.

“Hey.”

Becky bumped into him with a shoulder, then a hip. “Dance at all?”

Lee shook his head. He found a gentle hand on his wrist inviting him to join, and despite the closeness of everyone in the room, there seemed plenty of space for people to gyrate. He gave in and tried to mimic some of the movements he'd been observing. Becky raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.

They danced for a while, and then Becky slipped into his arms, losing her footing to the alcohol. Lee dragged her to a table, and Anna came stumbling over.

“Hey. Hey. Heya. Ya had some good moves there, you...Lee.”

Anna sat down, holding her head.

“I don't think I can ride back.”

Then, moaning, she added, “I don't want to leave my Sca-la-ler...thing...”

A hiccup interrupted whatever thought she wasn't having.

“Calm down. I'll call Ilo and have one of his guys ride it back for you.”

Becky stood, shakily.

“You okay?” Lee asked. She always seemed weak after drinking. Still had that tough look, though. It was the leather jacket and the face, mostly. Lee considered that toughness was part of her personal fashion.

“All good here. Got to dance with the most uptight guy I know.”

She left to find a phone. Despite being centuries past wireless communication technology, Kabrius was run down, and the cheaper the infrastructure, the better. Phone communication was about it, which meant finding payphones, which is why Anna and Lee were able to talk – in Anna's case, a little incoherently – for ten minutes before Becky came rushing back, pale as a ghost.

“We should head out. I had to call Kabsec, and I don't want them looking at my bike.”

“What!?” Anna's head shot up from the table. “Why?”

“I have things in my saddlebag that I'm going to call 'reasons.'”

“No,” Anna said, then paused, trying to remember what her point was. “No, I mean, why the hell did you call Kabsec?”

“Because I just saw a girl get taken in a van outside!”

Now Lee looked around, suddenly. “Where?”

“Going out the alleyway! I was on the phone, and I heard screaming. I peeked around the corner and saw some guys throw a girl into a van and take off – yes, like that. Just like Lee did now.”

Anna and Becky watched him go, stunned.

“Lee!”

He was off like a shot.

“And on my Scaler!” Anna shouted. Becky couldn't believe it.

“What is he doing?”

Becky ran to her own bike.

“Hop on, Anna!”

“Oh no...I'm too drunk for adventure.”

“Get on!”

Anna groaned and climbed on the back seat. They took off, and Anna got the ride of her life as their hot-headed leader dragged her away on a high speed chase.

Or maybe Lee was the real hothead all this time...

Anna held on to Becky for her life.

“He's heading to the mainways! He's going to catch them just outside the alleys. Real clever, Lee, but what do you think you're going to do?”

“There he is!” Anna said, nearly falling as the bike jerked to one side to pass a car.

“And there's the van!”

But the van and Lee swerved out of sight as the mainway curved and dipped past the distant shadows of high buildings.

Becky rode as fast as she dared. Lee was part of the gang. She had to look after everyone; herself and fifteen other orphans. Only ten of them had bikes. The rest hung around the usual places, everyone gathering food and making sure there was always shelter. Everyone helped. Even if Lee was being stupid, she had to protect...

Traffic slowed to a crawl. Becky rolled up onto the shoulder of the mainway and passed without a care. Kabsec wouldn't be able to stop her in this mess anyway.

For a moment, Becky thought she might be wrong when lights started to flicker off the walls of nearby building. Gliding underneath the overpass, she finally rounded the corner and saw the van, in flames.

“Lee!”

The bike came to a stop. Becky yanked Anna into the front seat as she dismounted, and the poor girl steadied herself against the handlebars, watching in drunken disbelief as Becky darted toward the disaster.

The girl was there, safe, unlike Anna's bike, strewn about in multiple pieces. Lee stared into the wreckage with a look Becky had never seen in his eyes, and didn't want to. The girl from the club was staring at Lee, something traumatic in her expression. Becky paused until Lee nodded toward the girl, then she ran over and hugged the girl close.

“You okay? Are you hurt? We saw them take you. I don't know why he chased after you, but I'm glad he did. Are you okay?”

“He's a...”

She wouldn't take her eyes off Lee.

“What? What's wrong?”

“He's a monster...a m-monster...”

Becky gave the girl a puzzled look. Hardly gratitude, but she seemed about to scream.

The lights from Kabrius Security started flashing, and their sirens howled in the distance.

“Kabsec is on the way. Where are the men who took you?”

“Dead. They're...dead...M-m-monster...”

Nervously, Becky realized they were surrounded by onlookers. She dragged the girl to the circle of people and shouted at them. “Someone help her, please.”

With the smoothness of a magician, Becky entered the crowd, passed the girl off, and departed. She got back to the shoulder and waved Lee her way. They met Anna and got away from the mainways as quick as possible, Lee on foot.

Finally, under the shelter of some trees that hid them from the overpass, Becky said, “I think we should separate for now. How about Angel Street? Third Street?”

“You two go to my place.” Lee said. “And I owe Anna a Scaler.”

“Damn right you do!”

“It was the fastest bike. I needed it.” Lee answered, unabashed.

Becky shook her head. “What do you mean, 'place?' And why did you do that?”

“A person was in danger.”

He didn't get it, he just didn't. He could have been...

“You just don't understand.” Becky said, shaking her head.

Lee gave her a key and an address, and they dispersed before anyone could come looking for them.

Anna was still asleep when Becky started the coffee. Lee Tekeli – the name on the mailbox – must have more money than all of the gang combined, to live like this. Yet he belonged. Becky didn't know why, but he seemed as much an outcast as the rest. Lee had spent months in the gang without ever mentioning an apartment.

She switched on his television.

“...startling kidnapping attempt last night, and the strange account of the victim...”

Becky leaned forward as she tried to wake up and pay attention.

“...ripped the door wide open with tentacles...”

It was the girl, and she had the same dark rings and terrified look in her eyes from last night.

“...like shadows. It was a monster. I don't care what anyone says. I'm not crazy. It killed the driver and grabbed me. Flipped the van and jumped out onto the road. I thought it was going to kill me, too.”

Anna hugged Becky from behind, yawning. “Nice place. We die and go to heaven?”

“It's Lee's apartment. Low end. Probably not heaven. Did you know he had a place?”

Anna shook her head. “Whatcha watchin'?”

Becky flicked off the television with the remote.

“Just news. Nothing really.”

They drank coffee. Becky said very little the whole morning.