The Azrael: The Reckoning by Jesse Gagnon Read Free Book Online Page A

were parked near Soldier Field.  She tried all the locks and caused an alarm to go off.  It wailed loudly indicating her position even more.  She fled the car that was blinking and honking.  She peeked and noticed a young woman sprinting ahead of the Azrael herd spewing obscenities at them and laughing.
    “What the fuck?”  She blurted out loud.  She marveled at how fast the woman was running.  Unfortunately, some of the herd broke off and ran towards her.
    “God damned it.  Here they come.”  She froze and knew her time had come.
    “Get down!”  The woman yelled and a loud bang exploded ten feet ahead of the pack.  It flashed a brilliant array of colors.  Dr. Barnett didn’t see the lights, she was on the ground.  Where she grew up, if someone yells to get down, then you got down.  You didn’t ask questions about it. You just did it.
    She stood up and a hand grabbed her right arm.  She tried to push whoever it was off of her and unloaded a can of mace at the would-be-attacker.
    “Damn it woman.  I’m trying to save you.”
    The pepper in the air caused Jane to cough more than her attacker.
    “What’s going on?  What are you doing?”
    “Get your ass moving.  That flash grenade won’t distract them much longer.”
    “Flash grenade?  Who are you?”
    “I’m getting these things out of the city.  Unfortunately for you, you’re leaving too, unless you want to die out here.”
    “No!  I can’t leave.  I’m a scientist.  I have a job here.”
    “Had a job it seems.”
    “I can’t run as fast as you.”
    “No one can.  Don’t worry about it.  Just keep close.  I’ll make sure they don’t get you.”
    “What’s your name?”
    “Giselle, yours?”
    “Jane…Doctor Jane Barnett.”
    “Nice to meet you Doc.  Chat time’s over.  Run.”
    Jane noticed the grenade start to fizzle out.  She turned and started to run as fast as she could.  Three broke free and started to get near.
    “Got three coming close.”  Giselle spoke into a radio.
    “Roger”
    Seconds later all three dropped from head injuries that nothing could come back from.  Jane ran.  She thanked God that she spent hours a day keeping her body trim running on the treadmill.  She found her rhythm and just kept her focus on Giselle who turned back on occasion making calls on the radio she carried.  Jane wondered what she was doing, but it didn’t matter.  She just ran.
    Four more were picked off that neared Jane.  Several slipped through; Giselle stopped and took a knee aiming behind Dr. Barnett.
    “Keep running!” Giselle called out.  Jane kept running.
    Giselle fired off seven shots taking out seven that were a few feet from Jane.  They dropped tripping the other four that were just behind them.  Giselle stood up and sprinted towards her and spoke as she ran.
    “You’re doing great.  Keep moving.”
    Jane slowed her pace a bit and Giselle ran past her about fifteen feet ahead.
    “Through here.”  Giselle yelled out as she ran through the main checkpoint exiting the central Chicago District and onto Roosevelt.  They continued a few more blocks and Giselle pointed to a church building that had the door broken open.
    “Go in there.  I had someone clear it ahead of time.  It’s a large church, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding somewhere to hide.”
    Jane nodded and entered the building following instructions for a change.  She located the confession booth, opened the curtain, sat down and pulled the curtain closed.  The separation screen revealed a dark empty booth on the other side.  It was an eerie place that brought back bad memories in her past.  However, she had the sudden urge to spill all of her secrets and sins that have amassed over the years.  She was raised catholic.  She even went to catholic school up until high school.  The nuns were not the nicest nor were they forgiving for those who were naturally beautiful and desirable as she was growing up.  All the boys