BACKTRACKER by Milo Fowler (e book reader txt) 📕

not for some time." Thisplace, this Pit, could be where he dumped his troubles—people andproblems Lennox did not care to deal with, those that threatened to impede his self-reinvention.

"This is so crazy." Harry looked down at the stage whereTorment's antics reached a bloody climax. "It's just like The Pearl, only it'snot. It could be the same place, just...really messed up."

"We are about to have company." Kuan pointed. TheBlackshirts hauled their captive away from the foyer, across the main floortoward a hallway beneath the penthouse. "We must be in some sort ofholding area where Mr. Lennox keeps those who are of interest to him."Until they were no longer interesting.

"Like them?" Harry nodded toward the women.

They had not moved a muscle since he'd awoken. If it wasn't forthe rise and fall of theirbreasts, they could have been easily mistaken fordead.

"I fear they may have been overlooked."

"We should make a run for it." The boy's eyes werebright, his hands curled into fists. "If those guys come in here, I mean.We could take 'em, you and me." He sized up the monk beside him."You know kung fu, right?"

Kuan had to smile at that. "An ancient stereotype, I amafraid."

"So you don't know how to fight?"

"I did not say that."

The boy sniffed. "Is it against your religion orsomething?"

"For centuries, followers of the Way have argued in favor of turning theother cheek, but I prefer to think the Master would look kindly on hisfollowers standing up for the widow and the orphan—" He caught a twinge on the boy's face and regrettedhis use of that last word. "In times suchas these."

"Then we'll do it. We'll surprise them, then run for it. Ifthe layout of this place is the same as The Pearl, then the exit is straightthrough there." He pointed below.

"Would it not be more prudent to wait for an opportunity whenwell-armed Federal police are not in the picture?"

"You afraid?"

"They would have us at an obvious disadvantage. We areunarmed."

The boy's eyes darted along the floor. "No we're not."He ducked down and scooped up a broken beer bottle, then another. He grippedone in each hand. "See?" He pointed a bottle toward the single doorin the far wall. "We'll stand on each side, and when they walk in—"

"They will hit us with their prods, and more likely than not,your intestinal contents will fill your pants."

Harry released a frustrated sigh. "You know what? Fine. Youstay here, I don't really care. But I'm getting out."

"Where will you go?" Kuan raised an eyebrow. "Haveyou thought this through?"

The boy cursed under his breath and marched toward the door,glancing again at the unconscious women. "I'll figure something out."

Harry would have to do so very soon. Already he heard muffledvoices outside as they approached the door. He closed his eyes as a dull achethrobbed between his ears. The headache hadn't let up any.

Something isn't right with me.

"Strike low."

Kuan crouched at the other side of the door. He'd joined Harrywithout a sound, motioning with empty hands for the boy to lower his stance.

"At the hamstring." He gestured with a chopping motion.

Harry nodded to show he understood.

"Want one?" he whispered, holding out a broken bottlewith jagged edges. For some reason, he was glad the monk was here with him. Not that hetrusted him or anything. They would just stand a better chance fightingtogether.

Kuan smiled faintly and shook his head. "They who use thesword will die by it."

Harry frowned. "It's a bottle."

The door slid open with a sudden swish across the carpet. Thefirst to enter was the synthetic employee, leading the way. Kuan and Harry lefthim alone.

The captain of the Blackshirts strode in next, and Kuan moved withthe speed of a lightning storm, striking with an open hand and kicking with abare heel. The captain hit the floor with his legs tangled, shouting insurprise. He fumbled at his belt for his weapon as the next two Blackshirtscharged inside without their captive. Harry saw the albino crumpled on thefloor outside where they'd left him, motionless.

"Take him down!" shouted the captain, unable to rise.

Harry could only stare as Kuan leaped into the air, white robeflailing, his bare heel striking one Blackshirt across the face, then theother. Their heads whipped to the side, and they stumbled backward, somehowable to stay on their feet.

It was all happening so fast. Harry stood there with the bottlesin his hands, useless.

"Go!" Kuan urged the boy to leave while he could. But inso doing, he drew the attention of the downed captain.

"Stay right where you are, kid." The large bearded manaimed his handgun at Harry. "Drop those bottles. Now!"

Harry swallowed, his eyes fixed on the gun muzzle.

"The penthouse—on the double!" The SYN stood at the deskacross the room, shouting at someone on a hologram projected upward from theglass surface. "What do you mean, you're too busy?"

Kuan brought down another Blackshirt who fell with a groan and laystill, out cold.

"I said now!" The captain discharged his weaponinto the ceiling. It sounded like a bomb going off.

Harry jumped inside his skin at the explosion. His bottles droppedto the carpet. Kuan froze, his dark gaze focused on the gun as its muzzlereturned to Harry. Silence held the moment, even as the cacophony of Torment'sblood metal echoed faintlydownstairs.

"That's better." The captain winced as he tried to pullhis right leg up underneath him. It stubbornly refused to cooperate. "Whatthe hell did you do to me?"

Kuan said nothing. The Blackshirt who remained on his feet whippedout a charged prod and cursed, spitting blood aside. He jammed the end thatsparked into the monk's chest. Kuan's shoulders caved in, and he jerkedbackward.

"The captain asked you a question, holy man!"

The bearded captain cursed, shaking his head. "Must be thenight for monks gone wild. Full moon or something?"

The other Blackshirt snorted. "Must be." He advanced onKuan with the prod, ready to re-administer its business end.

"What are you doing with this guy, kid?" said thecaptain.

Harry looked down at the bearded man, past the gun trained on him.There were no words in his head, none that he could think of.

"The mandroids are on their way." The SYN employee