Chapter 10
“how long have we been riding this train?” Jemma asked as the N train arrived at Coney Island for what seemed like the fourth or fifth time.
“Would you rather spend the night in a homeless shelter?” Fury asked.
She looked over to Fitz, plopped in the corner, fast asleep, then shook her head no.
“Good…”
“It’s just…”
“Stop thinking of me like your boss right now, Simmons.” Fury said “Talk to me…”
“I’m worried.”
“We all are, that’s why we’re here.”
A few minutes later the train was back on it’s way.
Fury seemed to have drifted off as Jemma paced back and forth in the car. Stop after lonely stop passed outside the window.
Eventually, as the train crossed a switch, the lights in the car flickered for a moment and she turned and saw him standing there at the far end. The man from the street.
“He’s chosen you…” The man said, shambling towards her “He looked through my eyes and chose you.”
She screamed, which woke the two men up.
“what the hell!” fury asked, jumping to his feet.
“You two are in my way. My King has chosen her, and my King shall not be denied…”
“Get away from my wife.” Fitz said, standing in front of him.
The two pulled out their guns and pointed them at the man as the train pulled in to the next stop. The three jumped off and ran up the stairs.
“You can’t deny my King!” the man bellowed “If I can’t get you for him, someone else will.”
A shot rang out and the man collapsed on the street. It was Agent Parker, the one who had arrested him before, having shot him in the leg.
“Clean this mess up before anyone sees it… Oh Shit.” He said before walking over to the three.
“Director Fury… Sir? What are you doing here?” Agent Parker asked
Thinking quick, Fury decided to change the subject “That man escaped from SHIELD custody and you’re wondering what I’m doing? Excuse me?”
“I’m very sorry sir, I just thought you were still on the Helicarrier. Looking over that agent from the other dimension.”
“Well, he said a few things I wanted checked out, so I decided to do some investigating of my own. Is that a problem, agent?”
“No sir.”
“Good, now… keep this to yourselves and keep that hobo in a cell for more than five minutes this time.”
“Sir…” One of the agents said, running over. “The perp’s infection is stage four.”
Parker ran his hand down his face in frustration.
“Sorry sir, but we’re going to need to make sure he didn’t spread it to the three of you.”
“Infection?” Jemma said, frightened.
“It’s ok Miss.” Parker said “If he didn’t touch you, you’re fine. He didn’t touch any of you, right?”
The three shook their heads. “We booked it off the train the moment it stopped.”
“Well, let’s get you checked out, just to be on the safe side.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Sir? You know what happens when the infection gets that far advanced.”
“I meant, what are you going to do so you don’t lose a prisoner again. This is the second time today that my associate has been accosted by that man.”
“Again, I apologize sir. He overpowered his guards and broke his cuffs. It’s the infection.”
One of the SHIELD trucks pulled up and Parker opened the door to let the three in.
“So, what’s Mr. Looney Tunes’ story?” Fury asked as they drove.
“Ah, Franklin Nelson. We can’t find much about him, other than he seems to keep dragging himself to that corner in midtown.”
“Who the hell camps out at 35th and Lexington?”
Agent Parker shrugged.
The turned off the main street and pulled up outside a warehouse.
“SHIELD Biological Research Division?” Fitz read off.
“Don’t worry, this shouldn’t take long.” Parker said as they pulled in.
They parked in the loading bay, and Parker led them down a hall.
“Hold on just a second,” He said, stopping outside a room.
“Got another check out for you, Phil.” Parker said to the room’s occupant, a man sitting at a desk, looking towards the wall.”
“I’m busy…” the man said without looking up.
“Phil, now.”
“Alright…” he said, turning in place.
“Coulson…” Jemma and Fitz said together.