Cross Roads

By Donald Wilson II

Shawna is not a typical teenager. Not only is she homeless and surviving in New York City on her wits and talents, but she is also the target of a sinister group of creatures bent on killing her. After barely escaping with her life, Shawna must ally herself with the only group capable of stopping them and keeping her alive.

Under the tutelage of Decker, a highly skilled agent and his personal assistant Gibbs, Shawna begins her intense training to become a member of this covert group of defenders for humanity. They relocate to Colorado where Shawna manages to find friendship and gains the attention of a charming and mysterious young man.

Shawnas new life in Colorado is interrupted when her enemies discover her location and she is forced to put her training to the test. Shawna must face her most lethal enemy and comes to a deadly crossroads that will alter her life forever if she can survive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499058284

Donald Wilson II

Donald Wilson II has been writing from a young age and has been published in journals and newspapers. He lives in Westchester County, NY with his family and is currently working on book two of the CROSSROADS series. Follow online at www.crossroadsbookseries.com Like CROSSROADS on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CrossRoadsSeries Follow Donald on Twitter: @dwils2

Book preview

PROLOGUE

SAN MARTIN VILLAGE, BOLIVIA

The villagers of San Martin arrived into the village center to celebrate the wedding of two of the local young people. The square was decorated elaborately with colorful streamers, bows, and torches. Weddings in small villages like this one tended to become community events. Invitations were tacit; everyone was welcome. As the band played festive music most of the villagers danced, drank and celebrated while some chose to sit at the outdoor tables at Cafe Maria to watch the festivities. Most were drinking cervezas and enjoying the party atmosphere except for one solitary person.

Decker sipped his espresso and watched nonchalantly as the people twirled and clicked their heels to the music. From his vantage point he could see the bride and groom perfectly. Her white dress, an heirloom, was altered perfectly for the woman’s body. She looked radiant. The waning sunlight accentuated her long, flowing locks as she smiled and absorbed the attention like a sponge. The groom wore a dark suit and looked relieved, as if the hard part of the wedding was over.

It’s only just begun, he thought smiling to himself.

Decker glanced at his wristwatch… a few more minutes to go.

Decker cut a distinguished figure sitting alone in the evening sunlight. His brown hair was gray at the temples and longer than he usually preferred. It was almost shoulder length. His beard was thicker than he liked, but at least it was past the itchy phase. Growing his beard and hair long had been intentional; as a means to blend in and move about the village without drawing too much attention to himself. Decker wore a cotton shirt, open at the throat, and cargo pants. He would have been indistinguishable from any of the other villagers except for the black backpack he held protectively over his left shoulder.

Another espresso, sir? The young waitress dutifully asked him in her native Spanish but her attention was on the festivities. She barely looked at him.

Si, gracias. he replied. He spoke Spanish like a native. The waitress hurried back into the kitchen to get Decker’s drink so that she could get back to watching the celebration.

The sounds of honking cars interrupted the gaiety in the square. Three large SUVs rumbled down the main road which was filled with people celebrating and stopped at a small hotel. Armed men exited from the first and third vehicles and secured the front of the hotel. Once secure, one of the guards opened the door to the SUV in the middle and a short heavyset man with a thick mustache slowly emerged. He stood momentarily, as if enjoying the thought of his own significance, before striding into the hotel. He wore the uniform of a general adorned with medals and his rank insignia.

Decker glanced at his wristwatch again. Right on time.

The waitress brought him his espresso, which he ignored. Instead he paid the waitress and left a generous tip. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a small envelope and stuck it to the bottom of the table. Decker’s table was the only one with a small glass vase with a solitary yellow flower resting inside. He doubted that the flower would be disturbed. He was counting on it. Decker left the cafe and proceeded through the crowd of revelers. The celebration was getting louder and more boisterous. The drinks flowed unabated.

Decker strode towards the building directly across from the hotel. It was an old theater that had fallen into disrepair. He walked with purpose into the nearby alley and went inside the side door. It was already unlocked. The old theater was dusty and smelled of mold and filth. The old stairs creaked under his weight as Decker hurried towards the roof.

On the flat rooftop was a small duffel bag that he had placed there several hours earlier. Decker knelt in front of the duffel bag and retrieved a pair of binoculars. He quickly found the room he was looking for. It was the room of General Pasquel Emmanuel Reyes, the commander of the local militia as well as many other things. The general controlled various operations that included prostitution, kidnapping, mass murder and darker operations. It was those darker things that brought Decker to this village.

The general’s men inspected the room for anything suspicious. They found nothing. Decker smiled wryly knowing they weren’t as thorough as they should be. General Reyes’s schedule was rigid. His loyal militia took great pains to secure him against all of his enemies.

Almost all of them.

The glaring flaw in General Reyes’ schedule was the stop that he made in this remote mountain village. San Martin was deep within territory claimed by the general’s forces and was well protected against his rivals, but no one was protected when he was on the case. Decker took pride in that.

General Reyes walked inside once the guards made sure that the room was secure. He immediately closed the door after the last guard left and poured himself a drink of tequila that he quickly downed and poured himself another. Joyful shouts erupted outside of the window. The party crowd doubled and the guards in the street were being distracted by the party’s gaiety. A youthful guard was flirting with a bright-eyed senorita before his superior smacked him in the back of the head and scolded him.

Decker turned his attention back to the general’s window. The door opened and two young, beautiful women were ushered inside. They wore revealing lingerie, one in black and one in red. The lingerie accentuated their well-toned and sumptuous bodies. Decker could see that both women appeared timid as though novices in training. The general offered them each a drink of tequila. The women looked at each other as though seeking reassurance, and reluctantly accepted the drinks. He poured them another drink that was soon followed by three more.

It seemed that in no time the general was laughing boisterously and the two women were having fun tossing pillows at each other and at him.

They are flies caught in his web and they don’t even know it.

Decker placed his binoculars back in the duffel bag and began assembling parts of a high powered rifle. Once the rifle was assembled he took out a small cellphone and a smaller black remote. Decker lined the rifle’s sight and watched the general through his scope. By now the two women, more than a little tipsy, were seated on the bed laughing and the general stood before them with only a white tank top covering his large belly. Decker hit the speed dial and placed the phone in his pocket. He wore a Bluetooth device in his ear.

General Reyes, Decker said in Spanish with a calm and commanding tone. The general dropped his drink, his hand shaking. Decker watched as the general and the two women frantically looked around the room. General, release the women immediately.

General Reyes grabbed the woman in red lingerie and pulled her close. His hand was at her throat. Her face began to turn beet red and her eyes were filled with terror.

I’ll kill them! Do you hear me! I’ll kill them! He shouted, his eyes darting around the room for the source of the voice.

You were going to do that anyway, general. The beautiful hostage looked around wide-eyed and terror-stricken. The senorita in the black lingerie ran to the door. She tried to open it but it was locked. The general had ensured that the women could not escape the room. It was one of the reasons why he had chosen the remote village location. His militia ruled the territory with an iron fist. No one would question anything that involved him in San Martin Village.

Young lady at the door, Decker said to the lovely young woman in black lingerie. The general has locked you in. He has no plans for either of you to see the light of a new day.

You bastard! The general shouted at the window. His eyes were glowing red and his voice had deepened as if he was talking through a special effects microphone. I know who you are!

Of course you do. Decker replied. That’s why I’m here.

Decker could see the general frantically looking around the room like a caged tiger. The senorita at the door crouched, with a hand still on the doorknob. Her make-up ran down her face as if she had been caught in the rain. General Reyes began to perspire heavily.

Decker exhaled calmly, steadying himself. The sounds of the fiesta below disappeared and everything in General Reyes’ room vanished with the exception of General Reyes. Decker pulled the trigger. The general’s head snapped back and he was thrown to the wall behind him. Without warning his body morphed to ashes, disintegrating like cinders in a campfire. The women ran to each other and began screaming wildly. Shaking violently they clung to each other for support and help, fearing that they were next.

Ayudenos! Ayudenos! The senorita in red chanted repeatedly.

Decker spoke soothingly in order to calm their anxiety. Ladies, in seconds the door will unlock. Go to Cafe Maria. Under the table with a yellow flower is an envelope filled with money. The money is yours. He pressed a button on the small, black remote and the door opened. The lock clicked loudly. Energized by the sound of the door unlocking, the young woman in black grabbed the other woman by the hand and led her away screaming and sobbing uncontrollably into the crowded streets. The guards stared bewildered as the women ran passed them. They stopped at the cafe where the senorita in black quickly searched under the table with the single yellow flower, snatched the envelope and ran down the street away from the hotel. Everyone they passed gawked at them amused.

Three armed guards burst into the general’s hotel room. Decker squeezed the trigger rapidly three times. Each of the guards turned into ash and blew away as if caught in a breeze. He quickly disassembled his rifle, packed everything in the duffel bag and hurried off the rooftop, out of the old building and into the alley.

Chaos ensued as the guards raced into the streets brandishing their rifles and letting loose with gunfire. The revelry of the wedding party turned into a mob scene. The militiamen knocked over wagons and pushed past wedding guests. Decker pressed another button on the remote and the general’s suite exploded into a ball of fire. Despite the confusion Decker eased his way to a jeep and carefully drove through the crowd until he was clear of panicking villagers. Once he reached the outskirts of the village, he slammed the accelerator to the floor and sped away.

Two of the SUVs that had accompanied the general pursued him like hounds chasing a rabbit. Decker was hoping for a few more miles between himself and San Martin before they followed. The lead SUV frantically fired at him, peppering the back of the jeep. Mud, dirt and forest debris flew in every direction as Decker shifted into high gear and sped down the dirt road.

Decker frantically reached into his black backpack and retrieved a handgun. Keeping one hand on the wheel Decker leaned out of the window and fired several shots at the SUV chasing him. The bullets sprayed across the windshield hitting the driver in the chest causing the truck to suddenly skid to the right sharply and slam into a tree, bursting into flames. The rear SUV sped past the flaming wreck and continued to pursue.

The speedometer hovered around 90 miles per hour as the setting sun filtered through the dense forest foliage. The sunset would present a new set of challenges for Decker. With the SUV hot on his trail, Decker had one desperate move left. Decker studied the roads around San Martin well enough to know that a sharp left turn was coming up. A well-timed turn coupled with loss of sunlight could be his salvation. Gunfire rang out from the SUV and the rear window of the jeep shattered to pieces. Decker ducked as low as he could as bullets whizzed by his head. Decker stretched his arm back holding the gun aimed at the SUV while keeping his attention forward. The sharp turn was quickly approaching. Four shots exploded from the gun. Decker quickly dropped the gun throwing his hand back onto the steering wheel and focusing all his attention forward. He slammed on the break and cut the wheel hard. The jeep began to tip slightly into the turn. The tires on the left side of the jeep left the ground, but Decker recovered and the jeep’s tires crashed back onto the dirt road, narrowly missing a deep ravine. Decker slammed down on the accelerator and peered at the rear view mirror. His self-satisfied smile said it all.

The SUV tried to make the turn but the driver was too late. The black SUV missed the turn and tumbled over and over down into the ravine, tossing its contents out like a huge salt shaker. The SUV billowed black smoke from under the hood as it landed right side up, in shambles. Having carefully made his way down the ravine, gun in hand, Decker cautiously approached the wreck. The driver landed within four feet of the SUV and labored hard for every breath. Blood and sweat was mingled with earth and twigs on his tattered uniform. He crawled away from the SUV using only his arms. Both of his legs were broken. The darkness could not hide the driver’s crimson, glowing eyes. Decker stood erect over the creature, cocked the hammer of his gun and aimed it at his head.

Our clan will live, Acolyte scum! the driver shouted and spat at Decker narrowly missing him. We are the next step in evolution!

No, Decker said. You’re done.

We will have you Acolyte! he said coughing up blood. We will have you!

Decker released the hammer and holstered his gun. He then pulled a grenade from his pocket and tossed it up playfully. Decker pulled the pin and tossed it in the SUV. He turned and coolly strolled away as the creature shouted and cursed at him. Decker was in his jeep when the SUV exploded into a ball of fire. The driver had been reduced to ashes that quickly blew away in the cool evening breeze. Decker climbed back into his jeep, exhaled wearily and sped away.

Decker drove for several hours until he reached a makeshift airfield with a few rusted metal hangars and an unpaved runway. The airfield was well-hidden in the rainforest and had been used by smugglers in the past. The Acolytes liberated it years ago and used it for their own purposes now.

A single engine plane, that had been prepped for take off, was idling on the runway. One man stood by the entrance. He wore an expensive Italian suit that had been well tailored to his large frame. Decker recognized him immediately. It was Guillermo; a friend and a brother. Guillermo’s thick black hair complemented his well-trimmed goatee giving him a distinguished look. Guillermo was also intimidating at six foot three and two hundred and fifty pounds of pure muscle. Decker laughed to himself thinking of Guillermo as a bull in Armani.

Decker smiled at the man. You look out of place, amigo.

I have several meetings after this, but I’m happy to get away from them especially for something like this. He held up a metallic briefcase. I heard that Clan Rodigo had a rough night last night.

A bit. They embraced each other. The general is finished. I can’t believe that you are here holding that. Decker said glancing at the briefcase.

Guillermo was an agent like Decker. He was also a very wealthy and successful businessman. Normally a man of Guillermo’s status within the organization would never be assigned to delivering a briefcase for another Acolyte. He was either handing him a briefcase filled with important information or he was being disciplined. Knowing Guillermo, either scenario could be possible. Guillermo had a habit of going off-mission and doing his own thing. Despite his wealth and success as a businessman, as an Acolyte, Guillermo was subject to disciplinary action just like any other Acolyte agent.

No rest for the weary, brother. You know that. Guillermo replied.

They laughed. Decker took the briefcase and tapped it playfully. One day I’ll have the time to buy fine suits and go to meetings like you.

Guillermo laughed and patted Decker on the back. You love this.

As do you. Decker smiled. Maybe next time we meet up you’ll do more than hand me a briefcase.

Guillermo laughed, And maybe you’ll do more than run off on a plane. Wish I could have been there with you.

Our missions together are usually lot messier and filled with more explosions. Decker replied. They laughed boisterously and shook hands.

Good journey, hermano. Guillermo said as his massive hand engulfed Decker’s.

See you, Guillermo.

Decker boarded the plane and Guillermo strolled into the small hangar. Once the door was closed the plane taxied down the bumpy runway. The plane rattled and shook as it sped down the unpaved lane. Once the plane became airborne, Decker opened the briefcase using a fingerprint encoded switch. Inside, nestled in a blue foam protective covering, was a tablet. Decker placed his right hand on the tablet and a laser palm reader quickly scanned it and beeped, activating it. The message read: MANHATTAN NEW YORK, USA.

Decker sighed and placed the tablet back in the briefcase. More details would be on the tablet and more information about his next assignment would be made available to him in time. Decker could feel fatigue wash over him like spring shower. He leaned back in his seat, rubbed his eyes and exhaled wearily allowing sleep to overtake him. It was going to be a long flight and there was plenty of prep work for him to complete. For now, knowing that he was headed to New York City was enough.

CHAPTER ONE

NEW YORK CITY

The library will be closing in fifteen minutes. The librarian’s words over the PA system startled Shawna. She was so focused on her book that time flew by. She was nearly finished with the science-fiction novel that she had picked up earlier in the day. Normally it was not something she would read, but the story piqued her imagination and she had been hooked.

Shawna lazily rubbed her eyes and yawned a little too loudly for a library, but it was practically empty. Shawna was an African-American sixteen year old with light cinnamon-colored skin. Her ebony hair was tied in a ponytail and she wore a heavy black army jacket and a heavy black hoodie under it. She wore dirty, faded jeans that were too big for her and sneakers that were well-worn.

Shawna thumbed through the remaining pages in her book and realized that she would not have enough time to finish reading it. She quickly read to the end of the chapter and memorized the page number so that she could continue the story another time. Shawna realized long ago that she had an eidetic memory and once she committed something to memory she could recall it at will. Javon, a husky, dark-skinned, sixteen year old, walked over to her desk and leaned against it. He had the beginnings of a beard but had more acne than hair covering his face. He wore a heavy green parka, dirty black jeans and old boots.

Ready yet? Javon asked impatiently.

Yes, Shawna said standing up and hastening down the aisle where she had found her book. She placed it back exactly where she had found it and trailed Javon out of the library.

If you’re gonna spend most of your time reading you might as well go to school. Javon said as they exited the library.

The cold autumn wind slapped them both and they zipped up their jackets trying to keep what warmth they could inside. Loose pieces of newspapers and trash flew by them, caught in the winds that whipped through the streets.

I’d need an address for that. Besides, I’m gonna get my GED and skip the whole school thing.

At sixteen? Javon asked as they hurried along, the brisk air causing them to move quickly through the crowded streets.

I wouldn’t be the first sixteen year old to graduate from high school.

You’ll be the first I’ve ever met. Damn, you’re smart!

I try. Shawna said laughing.

The subway station they entered was dank and smelled like old gym socks. The police officer on duty was engaged with a loud indigent loiterer and failed to notice as the pair quickly jumped the turnstiles and ran onto the subway train just before the doors closed. Shawna and Javon laughed and took a seat.

The subway car had only a few people scattered randomly. One of the passengers was a tall man in a business suit who wore dark sunglasses. Even though Shawna could not see his eyes she felt as if he was stealing glances at her. His blonde hair was well trimmed. Shawna admitted to herself that she found him handsome and simultaneously creepy. The other subway riders had their nose in a newspaper or were listening to their MP3 players.

Wanna head to St. Pete’s? Javon asked. I’m sure they still have some food left over.

You can, Shawna said. I’m not hungry.

At the next stop three rowdy teenaged boys boarded the subway car. They were loud and used more profanity than Shawna liked which annoyed her. Shawna always believed that the overuse of profanity was the tool of the uneducated or of someone who wanted to be seen for all of the wrong reasons. She figured that they thought they were acting cool, but she thought that they were pathetic.

The boys drifted through the subway car laughing loudly. Shawna desperately wished they would continue through the car and not take notice of them. Most people totally ignored her which she preferred. The anonymity of the Big Apple fitted Shawna perfectly. She could lose herself in the masses and do her own thing.

The boys sat across from them and loudly joked amongst themselves while jostling each other and slapping their knee. Shawna was about to get up and move to the opposite end of the car, but she figured that would be too obvious and would draw their attention faster.

One of the teens spoke to her in Spanish and he blew her a kiss. Shawna knew that Javon did not speak Spanish, but Spanish came easily to her and she spoke like a native. She decided to ignore him. The other teenagers guffawed and playfully bumped each other. Javon sat up and leaned closer towards Shawna.

What did he say? he whispered.

Something stupid. she replied in a whisper. They weren’t talking about you.

We should leave.

Two more stops and we’re there. Shawna said facing away from the boys’ glances. Shawna knew that even though Javon was tall and heavyset he was no fighter. In fact, she had saved him a few times from getting beat up. Javon was a good and loyal friend and had been for a long while.

The rude boy flicked his tongue like a snake. The other two boys cackled. Javon glared at him with rage in his eyes but stayed seated. Javon’s angry stares were usually enough to frighten off most hecklers, but the boys ignored him.

Let’s move. Shawna said disgusted.

They quickly got up to leave and the tallest of the three teenaged boys jumped in front of Shawna, inches from her face. Javon quickly moved to her side. Shawna knew that Javon would not stand by and allow her to be harassed. If her safety meant him losing in a fight then he would gladly chose that option. She appreciated it, but would not allow it.

Don’t leave us. the boy said mockingly and with a heavy Spanish accent.

The other passengers started to notice the commotion. Some even moved towards the opposite ends of the subway car. The only person who hadn’t moved was the tall, blonde man in the business suit. He stared ahead, indifferent to everything that was happening in the car.

Shawna and Javon tried to maneuver pass the rowdy teen. One boy shoved Javon in the back of the head causing him to stumble into Shawna. Javon whirled angrily and rushed the teenager but was quickly pushed back hard into the seats. Shawna spun and kicked the boy in his abdomen. The bully groaned in pain and buckled to the ground clutching his belly. The other two boys quickly jumped to their feet. Shawna kicked one of the teens in his knee and he also crumpled to the ground shouting and cursing in Spanish. The other swung a wide hook shot at Shawna, but she easily ducked it and countered with a quick jab to the his left eye. The boy fell back, crashed into the seat and hit the floor like a sack of potatoes.

The three bullies were down for the count. Javon stared at Shawna’s handiwork. His eyes were as wide as saucers. Shawna surveyed the carnage on the train with a sense of pride, but fury still raged within her. How dare the boys attack them, she fumed to herself. She had wanted nothing more than to simply get back to her home but those jerks wouldn’t let her.

Shawna grabbed Javon by the arm as the train came to a stop and they fled the car as the other passengers who witnessed the fight applauded them. Shawna glanced back at the subway car and saw that the man in the suit appeared as if nothing unusual had occurred. He watched the two of them as the doors closed and the train began to roll away.

That was awesome! Javon said while stealing glances back at the train.

Keep moving! Shawna ordered as she pulled Javon towards the stairs to the station’s exit.

They left the train before they actually wanted to and would have to walk the rest of the way. Shawna frowned as the cold wind whipped around her face. Had those boys left them alone they would be warm and moving a lot faster in the subway car towards their destination. Stupid kids!

I should be fighting your battles, but it’s generally the other way around. Javon said as he put his hood up.

Javon laughed and Shawna joined him. I’m a bit faster than you, but you’re stronger.

Whatever, Javon said still laughing. I don’t mind watching a girl beat up a few punks.

Thanks Javon. Shawna said as she wrapped her arms around his.

***

The walk to Harlem felt like a trek through the Arctic. They made their way to an old apartment building with a beat up ‘For Sale’ sign in front of it. They walked to the backyard and knelt beside a small window that was locked. Shawna reached into her coat and retrieved a small lock picking kit. The old rusted tools were in an old leather shaving kit bag. The bag was bigger than her lock picking tools but the bag kept them well protected.

Javon rubbed his arms and hopped up and down. Shawna smiled to herself knowing that was his way of saying ‘hurry up’ without actually speaking the words. The lock clicked open and she opened the window wide enough for them to crawl through. Shawna entered first and Javon struggled through the window after her. They crawled into the boiler room. Old crates were lined against the wall so that they could climb up and get to the window. The boiler hummed in a corner and kept the basement warm enough for them. It was dark and the floors were littered with old newspapers and assorted debris. Neither of them appreciated the sour smell that never seemed to dissipate. They both knew their way in the dark well enough to make it to a large empty pantry that they used as a bedroom. The other windows in the basement was boarded and covered with mismatching drapes and old sheets they had found. There were two old mattresses on opposite sides of the room covered with old sheets and pillows. Old newspapers and magazines had been stacked up near the mattress and some old clothes were haphazardly tossed about.

Shawna slumped onto her mattress and exhaled heavily. She kicked off her shoes and tossed her jacket into the nearest corner. Javon lit several candles, grabbed a magazine and thumbed