The Permutation

Apex (Part 2) Vergil

Lisa offered him a smile. In their short time together, Lisa had come to love the dog. His persnickety nature had a charm to it, probably because deep down, the dog had a big heart beneath the bluster and sarcasm.

Man's best friend and all that jazz.

"Let's go big guy, before I kick your ass into the next dimension," Vergil said although the threat was a bluff. He'd spent a dangerous amount of energy in his scuffle with The Invaders.

Blujh offered Vergil a withering glare that promised he'd hang Vergil by his insides if given half the chance, but the effect was undermined by the enforcer's red, Mace-riddled eyes.

When they were finally ready to leave, Vergil and Lisa took place behind the two Invaders, and ordered them to march out of the building. They would lead the way to the drive-in in a slow and methodical manner as not to raise any suspicion on their journey. The last thing any of them needed was to start a commotion at this stage of their plan. Vergil wanted to dispose of them quietly and efficiently and be done with the matter.

Stepping outside, Vergil realized the error in that train of thought. Chaos dominated the streets of Lancet Falls. The evening was illuminated with the glow of a roaring fire in the distance. There were far more people in the streets than Vergil would have expected at midnight.

Something about them gave Vergil the creeps, maybe it had to do with the fact the second his group stepped out onto the street, everyone's swiveled towards them at once, or it could have been the fact that most of them were wearing varying degrees of their pajamas. Vergil saw Police Chief Geller wearing nothing but boxers depicting chocolate donuts with sprinkles, Veronica Noonan in a baggy T-shirt that looked like a gown sporting no hint of underpants, and Brian Coach wearing a red, lacy shift that he could have only gotten from Victoria's Secret. None of them were wearing shoes.

Those three started advancing on Vergil's group while another cluster of four seemed interested in a black truck, or something underneath it.

"This is fascinating!" Vyth said in an excited fervor that Vergil would not have believed the Invader capable of.

He wore a monocle over his face with a violet cast to the lens.

"It seems as if the Resonator's mutagenic properties have extended to the natural flora and fauna of this world."

When no one replied, he continued, "Oh, by that I mean some breed of parasitic worm has wrapped itself around the nervous system of these humans. If I had to venture a guess, I would say it is in complete control of their faculties."

"That's great," I replied, "But what's that mean for us."

"Parasitic organisms usually have specific life cycles, but I would say at the rate at which they've infected all the humans in the general vicinity, they are most concerned with propagating their own species for the time being. There are already hundreds of offspring in a larval state waiting to be transferred to a new host. It is my professional opinion we keep them as far from us as possible," he said as the three parasite-riddle pedestrians continued to advance towards Vergil's group.

I couldn't help but notice, their eyes were still locked on me.

Blujh reached into his overcoat to grab something.

"Hey buddy, we're starting down this path again. I've got plenty more Mace left," Lisa said brandishing the weapon.

"Give me a hooking break," the Invader cursed, "You could use a little help. Vyth is as worthless in a fight as a Cruston during mating season, and Wonder Boy is on his last leg. I want to save my own skin, and if it means saving you louses too, then so be it."