Fallen Angel

Part 11

Anti's words fell like stones in Mark's heart. He believed him. He wanted to believe that Sean would never let that happen, but Anti was so strong. Sighing, Mark stared down at the cooked fish. Had Anti made this for himself... or for him? Mark looked back over at Anti, feeling a mix of wild emotions. He was scared about being left here. He was worried about his friends, family, and Sean. He even felt bad for Anti. He had always seemed so frightening before... Only now did he wonder if he was just... lonely. Anti moved outside the cave to sit cross-legged on the beach. The sand looked damp as Anti took a handful of wet sand and squished it between his fingers. Even from where Mark was sitting, he could clearly hear Anti start speaking softly. "Stay out of my head, Sean. I won't tell you again". 

Mark's heart skipped, when he heard Sean's voice answer in an even softer voice. "Anti, I'm sorry. I didn't know... but Mark is-". Anti's voice came back to growl out angrily. "You finish that sentence and I'll kill him now"! Sean's voice retorted by saying lightly. "If you're not going to listen to me or let me help, than you will never get your life back. You need us, whether you like it or not". Anti shook his head, his voice cracking distortedly as he snapped back. "I don't need anyone! I've lasted this long on my own. I will endure. You will not". Anti climbed to his feet for a second, before wincing in pain and shrinking down to a knee. Mark got up onto his feet, but hesitated. He wanted to run to Anti... Yet, he knew Anti would only shove him away. Anti forced himself to his feet, his head turning in Mark's direction.

As their eyes met, Mark's heart went out to him. Anti's eyes were dripping blood... He was crying. A thundering sound filled the sky and Anti's eyes turned up to the sky with sudden horror. Mark moved toward the entrance of the cave, when Anti's hand raised in warning and Sean's voice told him with worry. "Mark, stay back"! Anti's hand then rose into the sky and the dark clouds above began to ripple with electricity. With the loud rumbling sound came a huge gust of wind that stirred up the sand on the beach, while spotlights honed in on Anti. Anti's eyes glowed green and a lightning bolt shot from the clouds and struck something above the cliffs. Mark gasped in horror as a helicopter spiraled out of control and crashed into the ocean. Anti turned to watch the helicopter sink below the water, when a loud 'Pow' echoed across the water and into the cave.

Mark's eyes grew wide as a black net slammed into Anti and pinned him back against the sand. Anti grabbed the netting to pull the posts that had imbedded themselves deep into the four corners around Anti's body in the sand, only to stop as he let out a scream. Anti's scream cut into Mark's soul. Anti's scream was a distorted mix of both his and Sean's screams in agony. Mark ran out onto the beach, grabbing the net and jerking back as the net seared the palms of his hands like hot lead. Two other helicopters began to descend the cliffside, as a man in a parachute landed on the beach holding a bulky cannon looking gun. The man dropped the gun into the sand, pulling his sleeve up to reveal a pyramid eye tattoo as he told them. "I'm agent Mills. I'm here for the angel". Mark rubbed his dislocated arm, but stood up, snapping back. "You want him? Than you've got to go through me"!

Agent Mills huffed carelessly, spitting tobacco across the sand, before approaching Mark. Mark managed to duck the first swing and landed a blow to the mans gut. Mark winced as his good hand hit a hidden chest plate and took a blow to his cheek. When he was down, Agent Mills kicked him in the ribs and Mark cried out in pain. His body still hadn't recovered from Anti's assault. Blood leaked from Mark's mouth as Agent Mills stepped over him. Mark winced feeling so bruised up and useless. Agent Mills touched his ear, telling someone in a mic. "Asset is contained". Mark forced himself to his stomach and grabbed a post in the sand. Yanking it free, he watched the net loosen up enough for Anti yank the net off himself. Anti's body rippled with steam from the burns as he started to swing the net over his head aggressively.