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    #10 Shades of Gray- Woe To The Watcher
    #10 Shades of Gray- Woe To The Watcher
    #10 Shades of Gray- Woe To The Watcher
    Ebook328 pages5 hours

    #10 Shades of Gray- Woe To The Watcher

    By Kristie Lynn Higgins

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    About this ebook

    The Shades Of Gray Series follows the adventures of Kat, a woman with no memory of her past who is called the Pandora Project by those who hunt her, and Kim, a woman leading the life of a legal assassin called a Life Closer. The world they live in is plagued by clouds that prevent the sun from shining down on the land called Dry Clouds, making all who live in Noir forced to live in endless night.

    Kat searches for clues to her past while androids called Un-Men and human bounty hunters try to kill her, and Kim searches for who murdered her mother. The two women's paths collide, and they form a shaky partnership to unravel the mysteries that haunt their lives and they try to protect one another from those who do not wish for them to discover the truth.

    Everyone's soul is marked by a color. Which shade of gray will they hold to?

    #10 Shades of Gray: Woe To The Watcher:

    The Gorgons move in on their target as Argus faces a life or death situation.

    **Shades of Gray Series**

    (STARTING POINT QUADRILOGY)
    #1 Shades of Gray: Noir, City Shrouded By Darkness
    #2 Shades of Gray: From Moscow, With Love
    #3 Shades of Gray: Cerberus Versus Pandora
    #4 Shades of Gray: Sisters

    (ZOMBIE TWILIGHT QUADRILOGY)
    #5 Shades of Gray: Night Of The Twilight- The Chimera Strain
    #6 Shades of Gray: Dawn Of The Twilight- Outbreak
    #7 Shades of Gray: Day Of The Twilight- Patient Zero
    #8 Shades of Gray: Land Of The Twilight- Closing of Days

    (MYTHS AND DESPAIR QUADRILOGY)
    #9 Shades of Gray: Rise of the Gorgons
    #10 Shades of Gray: Woe To The Watcher
    #11 Shades of Gray: Woe To The One Who Has Held His Heart's Tongue
    #12 Shades of Gray: Woe To The One Who Thought They Could Only Hurt

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKristie Lynn Higgins
    Release dateSep 11, 2012
    ISBN9781301419005
    #10 Shades of Gray- Woe To The Watcher
    Author

    Kristie Lynn Higgins

    You can also check out my author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/kristielynnhiggins

    Read more from Kristie Lynn Higgins

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      Book preview

      #10 Shades of Gray- Woe To The Watcher - Kristie Lynn Higgins

      Shades of Gray

      #10

      Woe To The Watcher

      Kristie Lynn Higgins

      SHADES OF GRAY: Woe To The Watcher

      Text Copyright © 2012 by Kristie Lynn Higgins

      Cover Art Copyright © 2012

      Smashwords Edition

      www.KristieLynnHiggins.com

      No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      START this series by TRYING the 1st book

      #1 Shades of Gray:

      Noir, City Shrouded By Darkness

      CLICK here to TRY it

      or go to my website

      www.kristielynnhiggins.com/SOG1.html

      Also from the author

      Beauty of the Beast #1

      The Mystic Rose- Part A

      The Flower, The Sword, And The Kiss

      Click here to try it

      or go to www.kristielynnhiggins.com/BOTB1PartA.html

      Also From The Author

      Ayann A Fantasy Aciton Adventure Series

      try the first book

      Click here to try Ayann #1 Part A

      or go to

      www.kristielynnhiggins.com/Ayann-1-PartA.html

      Three woes cover the land.

      They bring with them jealousy, love, and heartache.

      Beware...

      The first woe comes.

      From the Assembled Works

      Ginn L. Irynkissgthie 525 B.D.C.

      Chapter One

      Woe To The Watcher

      Argus dashed around the roof's access enclosure as the bullets followed behind him like random metal corn kernels popping in his wake. She would not be stopped until he was dead. All he could hope for was to miraculously take her out before she ended him.

      Argus' view...

      I hear the bullets strike the brick wall as they hit inches from my head. She continues to fire at me until she empties her magazine. I take that time and return fire, but she quickly ducks around the enclosure. How did I end up here? Where did it all go wrong? I think back. It was that man. It was that man that Kat cared for. I can clearly remember that day... It was October 12 at around 8:40 P.M. I had returned to Wayfaring Lane before Kat had. She had slipped my tail among the warehouses a few blocks away; and I had returned to the Kitchen, knowing she would eventually return. I heard people yelling and rushed over to where I could see down an alley. That man was there along with a bag lady and another man. Preacher was standing in front of the lady, shielding her with his body as the other man aimed a gun at them. I assumed the man was a Closer. The Closer fired and hit Preacher. The lady lifted a whistle and blew into it, calling people to the alley from all over Wayfaring Lane. I saw the citizens scurry out of their nests like rats trying to help another rat with a cat. No, this Closer was no Kat. One of the men who had come to their aid raised a beer bottle against the Closer; but his courage wilted away when the Closer shot the bottle, shattering it and scattering the people. The lady grabbed a golf club and whacked the Closer. The Closer fired at her and nicked her and then the Closer fled followed by the bag lady, and a gun fight ensued. That man was left alone, clinging to an old shopping cart as blood poured out of his chest; and as the people of Wayfaring Lane focused on the Closer, I made my way to that man. By then, he was laying on the ground, staring up at the Dry Clouds. I can remember him looking at me as I approached. He opened his mouth to ask for help, but then paused. He must have known what I was about to do. Was it that apparent on my face? I can usually hide what I'm thinking. The Closer had missed his heart by inches. I unslung my M4 and, without a word, I finished what the Closer had started. I reslung the assault rifle and stared down at the lifeless body. There, it was all done. No more problems. Problems? What problems? What did I do? Why did I kill him? I don't know. I walked a few feet away from Preacher then turned and faced him. Why did I kill him? The Council never ordered his termination. I acted on my own. What was Kat going to do when she found out? What would I tell her?

      Seconds later, she arrived at the alley. I saw that she had spotted his body and guilt rushed over me. Hades! What have I done? I panicked and wanted to run away from her. I wanted to flee from what I had done. She stared at him for what seemed like forever then went and collapsed by his side. Kat picked up his hand and whispered, Preacher. She waited for a response and then said, Don’t you die on me. Kat squeezed his hand. Don’t you leave me alone. She turned to me and yelled, Hurry! Go get some help!

      I didn't move or say anything. I knew he couldn't be helped, not after what I had done. I continued to watch; that is what I'm best at. She tenderly rubbed Preacher's cold hand as if to bring warmth back into it. I was so jealous. Here a dead man was getting more attention from Kat than I was.

      Don't worry, she told Preacher. Help will be coming. Just hang in there. You have to. You can't leave me alone. I can't bear my life without you, so please... stay with me.

      Her words ripped at my heart. I had done this to her. I took away the man she loved because I... because I wanted her to love me. There, I said it. I admitted it, but I hardly know her. How can I know I love her? Recently, my life had been nothing but watching her, but that is not love.

      Kat screamed as it finally sank in that he was gone, Preacher! Preacher! She shook him and cried, Nooo! She cradled his head in her arms and wailed to the heavens. Don’t leave me! Not alone!

      She sat there for minutes, holding Preacher in her arms as his blood saturated her t-shirt. She rested her head on his. I continued to stand there and watch. Was that all I could do? Could I only watch life go by and never partake of it? I knew that wasn't true. I had influenced the course of events leading to that moment. Sure, I had done small things before that would be deemed more than watching. I still don't understand my actions back then. I have murdered many people over the course of my employment, but this one was different. I felt different when I committed it. It was personal.

      Forgive me, Kat whispered to Preacher. I should have been here. You told me not to go to the meeting that it might be a trap, but I didn’t listen. I had to go. I had to find that scrap. She sniffed. I should have listened, but no... I had to find out if the man knew anything about my past, but he wasn’t there. No one was there. She directed her rage at me and demanded, Who did this? Who shot him?

      I didn’t answer and stood there as the wind whipped my coat. I wished the breeze would whisk me away or completely obliterate me, but the gods didn't smile upon me. They left me alone to face my shame, not that I believe in the gods. What have they done for me? Did they save my mother from the cancer? Did they prevent my father from abandoning us in our time of need? The only person I have depended on is myself. Why do I want to share my life with this woman who sees me as a tolerated stalker? What is it that I love about her? I can't think of anything. Shouldn't there be something?

      I know you saw, she told me. You’re always watching. Was it the Council? Did they have Preacher killed? Did they have him killed to get at me because I’m not passing their tests? Because I'm not passing something called the Gamma Phase?

      Kat gently laid Preacher down and stood. She grabbed me by my coat’s collar and slammed me against the alley wall. I let her do it. I let her take out her heartache on me. It was the least I could do, and I'm good at doing very little.

      You were here, weren’t you?! she screamed. You were here and did nothing! She beat her fist on my chest. Isn’t that right? Tell me! Did you watch them kill him?

      I wanted to tell her the truth. I wanted to confess, but... Yes, I answered as I looked down at her, taking her hits as a small part of my penitence. My job is to watch. I’m not to hinder or help. My job is to... My words drifted away as she interrupted me and as she spoke to me I realized I couldn't tell her the rest. I couldn't tell her that I was the one. I couldn't tell her because I didn't know why I did it. I did know that my motives were selfish and that I had acted out on my own again, and it was because of her.

      Shut up! I hate you! she had interrupted as she dropped her fist, leaned her head on my chest, and whispered, I hate you.

      Her words stung me worse than her fists. They were more vicious than any physical attack she could have inflicted upon me. The next thing that happened surprised me. My eyes watered. I had never lost control of my emotions before. I had never lost them before that day. I wanted to stroke her head and soothe her sorrow. I wanted to be the man she turned to. The Pandora Project is more than a job, it... No. She... Kat is... I let my thoughts drift away with the wind. I wanted so badly to console her as I gritted my teeth, fighting back tears, but it wasn't part of my job.

      Tell me, she said. Tell me who murdered Preacher. Was it the Council or the Factory?

      I didn’t answer. A million things went through my head of what I could say to her, but they were all lies.

      For once in your life do something useful. Take a side. Take a stand, Kat screamed at me. Be more than an observer! She looked up into my eyes and whispered, Kill me. She struck my chest with her fist. Help me. She hit me again with more force. Just do something! She hid her face in my coat as her body trembled.

      I felt as if I had to tell her. I had to tell her what I did, but all I could do was whisper, Topa. I didn't lie, but it was only a half-truth. Topa ordered the Closing on Preacher. He has an estate on the outskirts of the Hellenistic Sector. He had been the one who send the Closer; and she could lash out at him, leaving me alone to wallow in my approaching remorse and waxing shame. Kat sniffed, pulled herself back, and stared at me. She slapped me in the face, and I only looked at her. My cheek burned, but I dared not put my hand to it, fearing my action would cause the world to collapse. I had to let her play out her anger. It was the least I could do.

      She told me, That’s for doing nothing and letting Preacher die. I don’t ever want to see you again. You’re my shadow no more, so don’t follow me. She walked over to Preacher, took the Bible from his grasp, and headed out of Wayfaring Lane.

      I stood there stunned by her actions and the horrible one I had committed. Even though I eliminated Preacher, did I really believe I could have a normal life with Kat? If she knew what I had done... No, in the back of my mind, I must have known; so why did I kill Preacher? Why did I really kill him?

      My mind pulls back into the present. The rooftop comes back into focus as I hear her load her gun and soon she's chasing me again. Our fire fight continues with near misses and wild shots. I fire a few more times and hit her in the side. She holds the wound and collapses to her knees; and I approach, leveling my gun at her head. Can I really do this? Can I pull the trigger? If I do, will my world completely change? It can never go back to the way it was, but isn't that true anyway? She looks up at me with reddening eyes as I look down at her. She still holds the Beretta and it's lying on the ground, barrel facing out from her. Tears stream down her face. I thought I would never see her cry, and yet here she is, tears rolling down flushed cheeks. I am the one who is making her cry. My past actions have doomed us both to walk this path of misery and desolation. Only one of us will survive this encounter; and if I cannot pull the trigger now, it will be me who dies today.

      Chapter Two

      Reaching Argus

      One day earlier...

      32 A.D.C...

      November 4...

      Thursday...

      9:15 A.M...

      Hellenistic Sector, Residential Vicinage...

      Zeus Park...

      Argus pressed the send button on his H.H.C. as he sat on the bench that had become his second home; and after a few seconds, he wadded up a paper sack that had contained his breakfast and then threw it in a trash can. Another operative had brought two breakfast burritos from Taco Hut to him along with a fresh thermos of coffee. Argus sipped on the dark brew from the thermos cup as he stared at Nexus Apartments.

      Argus' view...

      I have made another report. Cerberus is still in Kimberly Griffin's apartment and nothing much else has changed in regards to Cerberus. Kat, on the other hand, has been active the last few days. Kimberly is apparently angry over it and I can't blame her. Kat should still be resting. The surgeon was here again last night and left a little after 8 P.M. He has been hanging around a lot lately. His name is Dr. Brian Chiron, and he has an apparent thing for Kimberly. I do envy him. He can act on his longings with no fear of reprimand, at least from his employers. There's an extensive file on him, now that he's worked for the Council. I find it odd they picked someone who knew Kat to treat them or is it just a coincidence?

      Yesterday, when I watched that man embracing Kimberly with my TX-ROS binoculars it made me jealous. Why do others have the freedom to chase after their desires? Why is Brian allowed leniency in the matters of the heart? Though I would have to say, I don't know if he loves Kimberly or is merely using her for his own pleasure as his file states he has done in the past. There have been a lot of women. What does he get out of each of them that he quickly throws them away or is it he hasn't found what he's looking for or sees them merely as toys?

      Movement directly in front of me distracts me from my thoughts. She has come, and she doesn't look too happy.

      Making her way through the winding paths, Kat found Argus at his usual bench and shouted at him, There you are! Weren't you going to meet me on the roof?

      There were a few people in the park as the business day was well on its way. Two elderly joggers ran past them followed by a water caddy that looked like any normal golf cart. This one was piloted by an on-board computer and could accept voice commands from its owner.

      I was there, he said. It was getting a little crowded up there, so I left. Do you know that there are three little girls living in your apartment building?

      Yes, I ran into one right before I went up to the roof. Kat thought about the girl she ran into and a small smile appeared on her face. Not the typical child, but I see potential in her. She told me she had seen you up there. Her smile faded. How did you get down here without me seeing you? The stairs are the only way up or down.

      That will remain my secret.

      Kat huffed that he wouldn't tell her, but quickly moved on to the purpose of her coming. So what did you want to tell me?

      I want to tell you many things, but I cannot.

      She waited for him to continue, but he didn't, so Kat questioned, That's what you wanted to tell me?! You wanted to tell me that you can't tell me anything? Why are you wasting my time? Or is this some sort of new test from the Council? She folded her arms and stared at him angrily. Is the goal to see how long I can take this new game of runarounds before I hit you?

      This isn't a test. I only meant there are things that I want to tell you, but I will never be able to.

      Kat waited again for him to continue, but he only looked at her with his customary blank expression. She dropped her arms, in no mood for his vague discourse, and asked, Are you going to tell me something or am I going to head back to Nexus? Do you know how hard it is to sneak out of the apartment with those three women there, watching me like vultures eyeballing a carcass? Tell me something or I'm going.

      Argus' view...

      When it comes down to it, I am weak. I want to confess all, but my courage has left me; so all that I do is give her an inexplicit warning. Why is it so hard to confess? Isn't the agony I'm feeling worse than her coming wrath? I want to tell her all, but I am weak.

      You shouldn't stay here, Argus said.

      I know. She glanced in the direction of the apartments as if expecting someone to come after her. If I stay in the park much longer they'll catch me.

      That isn't what I mean. He turned away from her inquisitive stare and focused on the Blue Planet, Black Planet Magazine he had been reading. He started to finish an article on diseases afflicting some of the Transgenic Plants. You shouldn't stay at Nexus any longer.

      She asked, Why's that?

      He looked past her to a cluster of Transgenic Oaks, wondering if any diseases afflicted them and then stated, It isn't safe for you here.

      We've been through this. There is no place safe for me. All I need to do is make sure the people around me are safe. A realization sunk in and Kat questioned, Has something changed? Crap! Has the Council ordered Stephanie to take me out? She turned and stared at Nexus again. If that's true, then maybe you're right. Maybe I should leave. She faced him again, dreading his answer. So have they? Have they ordered her to take me out?

      No, they have given Cerberus no new orders.

      And I suppose you're not going to tell me what I'm in danger from, isn't that right? For all I know, it's you.

      You should leave Nexus.

      Kat screamed, frustrated, Ahhh! I could have slept in this morning! I never get to sleep in. Well... I guess I have been sleeping a lot lately. Her thoughts changed direction, and she pointed at him. You're wasting my time! Why do you always do that? Why do you always seem like you want to tell me something and then don't? This is some sort of game, isn't it? And I fall for it over and over. She muttered, I am an idiot.

      Anger rose in his voice, Why do you feel like I should help you? I'm not a kind man; and I work for the Council, not you.

      You're right. You don't work for me. She started to leave and then turned, facing him. As for being a kind man... I think you are. You have helped me in the past, whether on orders from the Council or on your own, I don't know; but I think there is something you should know. No, that isn't it. I'm very frightened by something that I've heard and I need to tell you.

      Frightened? You? What would make the Great Pandora afraid?

      Do you really see me that way? Do you see me as some project, something to watch and take notes on? Don't answer that. I know what your words will say, but your actions have told me differently. You should stop working for the Council.

      I can't do that.

      I knew you would say that, then let me give you a warning...

      I'm the one who should be giving you warnings, he said. And you should never call me kind. Do you really want to know how I see you?

      Argus' view...

      At that moment, I know my heart can't have what it hungers for, so I'm cruel to the object of my desires. One way or another, my sadistic wants will be satisfied. If I can't have her love and kindness, then I want the yin of her yang. She stares at me, waiting for me to continue, oblivious to the viciousness that's coming. I want her to stop being kind to me. I want her to be angry with me. I want her to be resentful of me; so if I can't tell her the real reason why she should detest me, I will find another way for her to hate me.

      Argus said, To be honest, I see you as a plague to humanity. I see you as an infection unleashed on the planet. Your blood contaminated all those people at the Third Branch Office and look what befell them because of it. They became mindless xombions, eating the flesh of others. Do you want to know how I see you? Do you really want to know how I see you? I see you as some sort of monster.

      Argus' view...

      I watch as her face brightens red with shock and shame. I have never been so cruel to her, and her face shows the cold-blooded strike my words inflict on her. Blood is chumming the air around us, and the smell of suffering draws out more of my savage side.

      Argus said, What kind of thing did the Council create? What kind of monstrosity have they unleashed on our poor world? You're the doom of this planet and you should be destroyed. He paused and stared right at her as he asked, What do you think of my kindness now?

      Argus' view...

      She does not answer me. I see in her eyes that the world around her has imploded on her. I feel bad for what I have done to her, but I can't have her being kind to me. Maybe now... maybe now she will hate me like she should. I wait for the wave of retribution that should be rushing toward me to devour me with its wrath.

      Kat stuttered, I can't believe... Is that really how you... She clasped her t-shirt over her heart. Do you really see me as a monster? No, you can't. Why did you say those things to me? Don't you know that I already feel bad..? No, that's not right. Don't you know the gut-wrenching agony I feel over what I did to those people? Her voice cracked with stress. Yes, I did hurt those at the Third Branch Office, but it wasn't my fault. I wasn't the one who injected my blood into Anubis. They did it. They caused all that suffering. She forced words from her tightening throat. It's not my fault that... She sobbed tearless sobs.

      Argus' view...

      I see that she's so desperately trying to convince herself of her innocence as her face contorts with the pain I have caused her. I don't see the righteous indignation I thought I would draw out, instead I see self-loathing. By the gods... I inflicted a more severe wound then I had planned. I only wanted her to hate me, but I believe I have caused her to hate

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