Alien Nation #3 - Body and Soul by Peter David Read Free Book Online Page A

on his feet. With a quick sideways movement, he had slammed into a piece of wall. The wall didn’t need much incentive to fall over, and what the giant provided was more than enough. The bricks and mortar fell, cascading in a pile of rubble and dust, driving the three pursuers back for the instant that the giant needed to get a head start.
    The chase was on.
    The giant had been developing a significant lead, his huge strides eating up distance. But he had made the mistake of glancing over his shoulder to see just how far ahead he had gotten, and that was when he slammed into the car. He had only enough time to see the shocked expression of the human behind the wheel and then he’d gone down, clutching the infant to his chest and absorbing the impact with his elbow and shoulders.
    It had taken him only a moment to catch his breath, and then he’d been back up on his feet. He had barely glanced at the human before running toward the milk bar, seeking the help of the transients.
    [ “Help me!” ] he had shouted. [ “Help me!” ]
    Quickly he had moved on, and now the giant began pounding on doors all down the street. Over and over he called out [ “Help me! Help me!” ]
    The thing that the giant, in his drive for survival, did not realize was that in Little Tencton no one helped anyone. It was never wise to stick one’s spots into someone else’s affairs. The chances were that it would just get you into more trouble than you bargained for.
    This was particularly the case when the supplicant was as massive as the giant. Up and down the worst street of Little Tencton, Diller Avenue, windows were flying open and angered Newcomers were sticking their heads out. Many of them gaped at the size of the being who was shouting for aid. Here was obviously someone who was more than capable of taking care of himself. Why in hell was he bothering the neighborhood?
    They shouted angrily at this clear breach of Little Tencton etiquette.
    [ “Get away from here!” ]
    [ “Keep it quiet!” ]
    [ “I’m calling the police!” ]
    The latter threat should have been the key to survival for the giant. In the hands of the police, there would be safety from his pursuers. But he wasn’t thinking that way. To him, all the world was a strange and terrifying place. The only place where he might find safety would be among his own kind, and they were loudly and angrily spurning him.
    He heard the pounding of feet behind him, and couldn’t wait any longer. He did not attempt any dodges or clever darting down side streets. He lit out at a dead run like a sprinter. His state of mind did not permit him anything more elaborate.
    As it happened, the giant was approaching the outskirts of Little Tencton. The street curved around and, in turn, served as a feeder into the interstate. The giant was, at that moment, dashing across an overpass. Below him, cars roaring by, was the highway. He had no particular plan. He just wanted to get away.
    He just wanted to be left alone.
    He wasn’t to have the opportunity.
    River stepped out from behind a lamppost that was along the overpass. In his hand was a syringe.
    The giant stopped where he was, his eyes wide. He didn’t seem to be breathing hard at all. River, for his part, was mildly fatigued, after running like a madman to circle around and cut the giant off.
    His associates had performed their task perfectly. All that was left now was to rein in the giant.
    He took a step forward, sounding as soothing as he could. [ “No one is going to hurt you.” ] he said.
    The giant didn’t look as if he believed it for a moment. For every step that River took forward, the giant stepped back, and considering that the giant had a considerably longer stride, it meant that, given time, he would have easily outdistanced River.
    But he didn’t have the time.
    Perkins and Penn had come up behind him, and now his retreat was blocked.
    [ “Come with us.” ] River said soothingly, and repeated, [ “No one is going to