Going Down In Flames

Part 2 to Hunted x)

Felix was practically dying alive. Five months of constant chatter was taking its toll on him; both mentally and physically. He couldn't work - he couldn't even function as a normal human being. Some days it would be relatively quiet, and he could get some things done; but then there were days where he couldn't even move due to the pain and pressure caused by all the voices of the symbionts that co-inhabited planet Earth.

Henrick couldn't stand it. Felix's condition affected him too, and with stress piling atop him, he was just coping with his teaching duties. If it hadn't been for Gethin and Cadence's help, he didn't know what to do. Yet he felt ashamed for relying on them to take care of Felix. Cadence was nearly due with their second child and they had Kimberly to look after. They should be at home living like a family, not caring for a man who somedays couldn't move from the spot on the floor where he'd passed out.

As horrible as it was, Henrick had taken up sleeping in the spare room. The few instances that Felix managed to get some actual sleep it was far from peaceful. He'd toss and turn, even screaming himself awake. He hated feeling useless, but there was nothing he could do. Whatever was killing hosts was something that couldn't be talked about publicly. As far as the general population were concerned, it was some global-organised crime syndicate taking out various people across the world that seemingly had no connection to one another. It was terrorism gone to Hell, and everyone was panicking that they would be next. But Henrick knew the truth. It wasn't the secretary who refused to come to work anymore in case she was murdered next - it was the man Henrick was living in who was a potential victim.

He wondered if any other hosts were suffering from the same effects that Felix was. Standing in the kitchen, eyes on the slumped and worn-out figure in the armchair, he wanted nothing more than for it to all be over. If all the hosts were as worn-out as Felix then how were they going to catch whatever was culling them like cattle.

Walking to the doorway,Henrick tugged the dish towel in his hands. "Felix?" he asked weakily.

The older male lifted his head. His eyes were lifeless and he had dark cricles around his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"Is everyone else...suffering?"

He shook his head with a great effort. "Some...Some aren't. They're...Be-being used as scouts,"

"Scouts?"

"To search for the..." Cough. "Hunters"

He felt bad for pressing for more, but his curiosity had peaked. "Do you remember a girl you mentioned a few years ago? Is she...OK?"

"Amy?" Felix shifted in the chair, groaning in pain. Hands flew up to his head, c;utching his skull tight in his fingers. He shook for a few moments, and then slumped heavily in the chair. Startled, Henrick rushed to his side, kneeling down beside the chair.

"Fee?"

Lifting his head, Felix gave him a lazy smile. "She and Rafaeline are fine. They're...quiet, though. Not much happening where they are."

"Will this ever stop, Felix?"

Another lazy smile. "Yeah. Those that are acting as scouts think they're closing in on what's going on. It'll be over soon, don't you worry your pretty head." Felix reached out a shaky hand and ruffled Henrick's hair fondly.

Their moment was cut short, however, by another flash of pain in Felix's head. Henrick jumped back, watching Felix curling in on himself, praying he knew a way to end Felix's suffering. This one lasted well over a minute, making Henrick panic even more. When he finally settled down, Felix had nearly passed out again. Rushing to his side, Henrick held Felix's head in his hands. There were tears forming in those once bright and vibrant green eyes.

"Felix!?"

Coughing, a trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth. His face was even paler, and his fingers clung to Henrick's arms for dear life. "I'm next...Oh God...They know where I am..."