The Dark Expanse - Astral Clash Series - Book 1

by Jack Hammond

  Wesley noticed a group of lads all dressed in the same attire, deep purple jackets and jeans. They reminded him of hardcore bowlers with their own team outfits. He avoided eye contact with them, before finally reaching his fellow students. Wesley could hardly call them friends, he thought.

  “Hiya,” Wesley said coyly.

  Alex Winter was the first to reply. “Hey mate,” he said. “Glad we have another member.” He sounded genuine.

  “Heya, Wes.” Sadie said still seated on the stone bench, with a mischievous smile. No doubt still laughing at his antics of the previous night, he mused.

  Darren stood up, wearing a muscle vest and jogging bottoms. He looked bigger than most youngsters his age, he was over six feet and his muscular width was impressive. “Glad you could make it, bet you have plenty of questions?” he grinned.

  “Yeah, I have a few,” Wesley lied. He had more questions since walking through the silver gates than before.

  “Come and sit down, we’ll go through them with you,” Sadie said inviting him to sit.

  Wesley took a seat opposite her and Alwin, “Why so many kids?” he asked surprised.

  “We’re not sure. They seem to make the best fighters,” Alwin began. “We guess it’s because they haven’t been subjected to secondary school yet.” He laughed.

  “It’s funny, but it’s most likely true,” Darren agreed.

  “I have a thought for a manifestation,” Wesley said, nervously. “But I don’t know if someone else has it already.”

  “Oh, tell us what it is and we’ll let you know.” Sadie replied eager to find out what Wesley’s idea was.

  “Well I know what you are,” Wes said pointing at Sadie, “Ultra-cool, hot chick. But what are you guys?”

  Darren smiled, “My Mani’s a metal beast. Hydraulic arms, iron plate fists, built like a tank,” he said proudly.

  “Whoa, sounds deadly,” Wesley said, he wondered if he’d seen it in his sketch pad. Before he had time to ponder more, Alwin chimed in, not as eager as Darren, yet still an air of pride as he spoke.

  “I’m a werewolf. I use electric attacks and clawed strikes.” He explained. “I’m going for echelon six soon, but Daz said you might want to have me as your first fight?”

  Wesley looked at Darren, then back to Alwin, “Yeah, if you’ll go easy on me?” he replied.

  “Of course, never hurt a team mate.” He laughed.

  A team mate? Wesley felt a little bemused, he didn’t see himself as part of a team or even a plain mate.

  “Come on then,” Sadie said firmly. “What you going to be?”

  “A gladiator,” Wesley said sheepishly, expecting laughs.

  “Yeah, go on…” Sadie replied with interest.

  “I drew this gladiator, with a hammer and shield.” He explained, the lack of smirks or laughter filling Wesley with confidence. “I thought someone might have the idea already.”

  The three of them looked at each other, all seemingly thinking the same thing.

  “No.” Darren said simply, “No one’s a gladiator. I don’t even think anyone uses a hammer.” He thought for a moment. “There was one kid who used a shield, but not seen him in ages.”

  Wesley smiled. “Sweet, I was worried you’d laugh.”

  Alwin laughed, moving to Wesley’s side, he pointed further into the pit. “See that girl over there,” he began. “With the braided hair and the braces.”

  Wesley struggled to see where he was looking, but eventually he spotted the young girl. “Yeah, I see her.”

  “She’s a fart.” Alwin said.

  Wes pulled away, “A what?”

  “A giant fart,” Darren added with a chuckle.

  Retaking his seat Alwin continued. “She’s a green fart ball.” His smile so broad, even Wesley started to chuckle.

  “She’s a ball of gas,” Sadie said. “Ignore these two. She is however an echelon eight. She can seriously fight.”

  “Yeah, she’s a good fighter,” Alwin admitted, “but my point is, you’d have to be pretty stupid looking for people to laugh.”

  The sense of relief must have been clear for everyone to see. Wesley asked his next question. “The skill thing, how do I use them?” he looked at Sadie. “The pink phoenix you shot at the thing last night.”

  “You make them up.” Darren said.

  “You just go in and do it.” Alwin said. “It’s more how quick you can think it up, that’s why I think kids are better at it. They have no barriers in their imaginations. Jeez, there’s a group over there that thinks Santa’s real.”

  “It’s all down to how imaginative you are, Wes.” Sadie finished, “You’ll just feel it when you get out there. The more you fight, the easier it becomes.”

  “Right, I have to get going.” Alwin said jumping to his feet. “I’m on most of tomorrow, but I have stuff on tonight.”

  Alwin stood up straight, put on a serious face and said, “I challenge you, dear sir to a duel,” in a humorous English gents voice.

  Wesley stood up, “I accept.” Wesley didn’t attempt the voice in case he got it wrong, “Now what?”

  Alwin held out his hand. “Shake it and it’s done.”

  Wesley grinned at Alwin, took one look at his hand then turned to Darren. “I’m not falling for that again.” He laughed.

  “No, it’s serious. Shake his hand to activate the clash.” Darren said straight faced. “Go on!”

  “You’re pulling my chain.” Wesley replied confident it was another wind up.

  “Come on, Wes.” Alwin said. “I have to get going.” He reached his hand out further.

  “Wes, it’s for real. Honestly,” Sadie said, her voice rang true in Wesley’s ears.

  He believed her, he wasn’t sure if it was because she was a girl or because he just liked her, “Okay,” Wesley said shaking his hand.

  A light sparkle of blue energy crackled around the pair of hands for a moment and then faded away. Alwin pulled his hand back quickly as if he’d just been shocked.

  “Damn, static shock,” he complained rubbing his hand.

  “Sorry,” Wesley said he hadn’t felt a thing. “So when do we fight?”

  “Follow me,” Alwin replied. He walked over to the far wall, Wesley closely in tow. Shrouded in darkness, another doorman stood against the stone. Wesley hadn’t even noticed him, was he the same one that had been outside?

  “When's our fight?” he asked the faceless creature.

  “Your clash will begin, tomorrow, placing in third,” his voice identical to the doorman’s.

  Alwin turned to Wesley, “We’re fight three on the list, we’re after Darren’s battle tomorrow,” He explained. “Don’t worry Wes, I won’t hurt you. It’s just a weird sensation. But trust me you’ll love it out there.”

  “Thanks, Alwin.” Wesley said sincerely.

  Chapter Five

  A white picturesque landscape spanned across the whole car park leading to the huge superstore. Big green letters spelt out the name on top of the sixty foot structure. Snow had fallen throughout the night and dawn broke to three or four inches. Two cars sat forlorn, amidst the heavy sheet of snow that had covered everything the eye could see. A black Hyundai was parked by the entrance of the store, untouched by the weather. The body work gleamed under the shop lights, the wheel tracks evident in the white cover, leading back to the main road. The driver was a young man, leaving the car he hurried inside the store, out of the cold.

  Nestled in the far corner, a dark green Volkswagen Polo was blanketed with snow. Seemingly unattended through the night, no tracks led to or from the vehicle, be it footprints or wheel marks. The car attracted no attention blending seamlessly into the background. When the store opened in a few hours, it would remain unassuming. Sat behind a white sheet of snow that covered the width of the windscreen, Max had dressed accordingly.

  Max wore a heavy brown coat, with the fur collar turned up to protect his neck, a Bats unisex hat pulled down tight on his head. With full thermal unde
rwear beneath his jeans and jumper Max had come prepared for the long wait. The tip of the gloves index finger was removed allowing him to flick over the pages of the book he'd been engrossed in, for the previous few hours. The small light attached to the page enabling him to read clearly. The phone on the passenger seat rang, not loudly, but enough to get Max’s attention. He didn’t need to answer, that was not what the caller wanted, the caller desired a face to face meeting. Max placed the book down next to the phone and closed his eyes tight.

  The darkness surrounded him, the expanse fed him strength. His slight tiredness melted away, like the snow would under the morning sunlight. The shimmering blackness before him took form.

  “The boy has accepted the clash,” said the darkness’ voice unemotional. “You must proceed as planned.”

  “I understand.” Max confirmed.

  “The challenge must not take place,” it reiterated. “Under no circumstances must he be allowed to clash.”

  “I assure you, the boy will not clash,” Max’s affirmation assuring his master.

  Max was once again inside the car. He opened his eyes and was grateful he hadn't wasted his night. He returned to his book, but Max’s mind was elsewhere. He had concerns over his current assignment. Max would have felt perturbed questioning the Associates, but the dark he now obeyed, made him even more apprehensive. The fact he couldn’t see a face set his nerves on edge, with the Associates he had a face, he had Edward the middleman. A small piece of humanity, but without him, Max was alone. Not knowing who or what he followed was only part of his problem, was the darkness a person or actually the expanse itself? Did it wake to find the Associates playing in its world and removed them?

  Max closed the book, the horror novel’s plot twisted and turned and affected his thinking. He needed to stay focused, it didn’t matter what he served. It was protecting him, helping him. Max may do its bidding, but it was a two way street. Max turned the set of keys which hung in the ignition and started the car. The heaters had all been set on full, the blasting sound roared through the small car. Max could scrape off the ice, but it was unnecessary, time was on his side, the green Polo would ready for the family.

  The engine purred away, the temperature inside rose so much Max removed his coat, gloves and hat before lowering the heater down. The daylight cut between the trees over the far side of the car park, streaks of light glistening on the melting snow. The employees of the supermarket had arrived, the tracks in the snow spoiling a pleasing scene. An array of different cars, from ten year old classic Vauxhall Astra’s to a brand new Mercedes all gathered at the entrance. The Mercedes no doubt belonging to management, it was too upmarket for a checkout person, or shelf stacker.

  Max was informed the family he was awaiting would arrive soon. He had all the previous night to figure out a strategy after the shadowy figure had told him to use his own resources. He felt freed somehow by the expanse’s desire to allow him to choose, under his previous employers choice was not an option. He was free to decide how he would stop the boy from fighting in the arena, if it had suited the Associates Max may have been required to harm him, possibly even kill. With the freedom to choose, he could make sure the boy would remain unharmed, a blessing Max was grateful for.

  The light brown Voyager rolled up outside the store, parking in the parent and child space. The back doors popped open and two young girls exited from the left side along with their mother, the father and the eldest son from the right. Max took the young man in his sights even though he wasn’t sure how he would remove him from the picture, but he needed to make sure he was the right person. He opened a piece of paper in the back of the book and read through it. He couldn’t believe how the young man’s description, down to the colour of his T-shirt would be so accurate. Max stepped out from within the warmth of his car and made his way towards the entrance. Even now as he crunched through the snow, Max was formulating a plan. He recalled how he had dispatched Martin with a fire extinguisher; this mission needed far more finesse. He was already a wanted man, battering a family would attract far too much attention. The shop had been open less than an hour, yet it was already bustling with shoppers. Max took a basket and began his surveillance of the family. They would be too busy to notice him, Mum and dad had two young girls running around their legs.

  Max casually added a few items into his basket as he moved through the isles watching the boy. He dragged his feet behind the rest of his family, the boy had his eyes focused purely on his mobile phone, no chance he’d notice Max. From the corner of his eye, Max was convinced he’d seen the boy before. Never having entered the arena together, it was most certainly not through the expanse their paths had crossed, yet there was something unmistakably familiar. The trolley was looking full as they reached the far end of the store. Max could see they were sugar junkies, having spent more time on the junk food isle than any of the others. Max made his way outside to his car, leaving the basket in the freezer section.

  Once inside he pumped up the heat and waited anxiously for the family to emerge. It was another ten minutes before he caught sight of them, packing the shopping up through the window. Max watched the young boy’s lacklustre approach to bagging up the groceries, just stuffing them in the carrier bag. Another ten minutes at most he thought, and then they would be away. With the Ford Voyager packed with shopping, the kids were squeezed in between the bags and they set off.

  As they turned out of the car park, Max was close behind. The brown family wagon cautiously navigated the roads, taking extra care, no doubt because of the children. Max found it easy to follow in his inconspicuous little green Polo. His bright orange Ford Focus may have caught the eye in the rear view mirror, but not this he thought. They made their way along the Hucknall high street; it was surprising just how many people had come out in spite of the severe weather. Turning right onto Titchfield Street, he paused at the road side. Max allowed a little more distance between them, he took a few moments to look at the Red Lion’s snow covered sign before following.

  He noticed the Voyager stopped across the road from the house as he crawled by. The parking appeared difficult, noting the house number, Max turned at the end of the street and headed to a cafe for something warm to eat. It was a pity he couldn’t return to the place he used to meet Edward, they made the most delicious bacon sandwiches. There would be plenty of places to get a sandwich to warm his insides and devise a plan, he conceded.

  Max bit into the sandwich, the rich brown sauce combined with bacon satisfied his hunger. A steaming mug of hot coffee sat beside his plate. With a mouthful of coffee, he planned. He needed to stop the boy attending the colosseum tonight. He could achieve this many ways, but Max’s only concern was how he did it, the prospect of repercussions were very high. How do you remove a teenager from a family home, without causing a fuss? The question was posed, the answer less forthcoming, luckily for Max he had all day to decide just how to achieve it.

  When the second cup of coffee arrived Max was ironing out the kinks in his plan. He would need to leave it late, he thought. If he made a mistake he may not have enough time to rectify or put another plan into action. Max stirred the sugar into his drink and mused over the likelihood he was being set up again. As a wanted man, was the expanse using him to perform an assignment, knowing full well he would get caught? Or even, at the least compromise him. He needed to make sure whatever he did, it was innocuous, not enough to alert the police but enough to disturb the young man.

  The snow had fallen all over Nottingham and Bulwell was no exception. Mill Streets footpath was still covered; however the road was a mass of sludge due to the heavy amount of traffic. Tomorrow it would be icy and dangerously slippery if the temperature continued to drop. Stood on the corner of Lincoln Road, Martin looked out from under his hood at the cafe. The terraced house had been converted into a business, but it was closed. Martin assumed the owner was still sleeping as he entered the property adjacent to the cafe. The garden was small, just a few metres
wide, the weeds were almost waist high, but with a snowy blanket, it looked festive and not untended.

  The back door was unlocked, the assignment said it would be but the fact he was a few hours early, he'd debated if it would be. The floorboards creaked under his feet as he banged the snow off his boots. Martin walked upstairs, the house was vacant. It was only a touch warmer inside than out, the bare walls, floors and windows the reason. Martin positioned himself in the corner of the room, so he could see the cafe.

  Edward advised him to open the letter, but in this line of work, he realised there was no ‘off’. Martin had struggled to sleep and ended up opening the letter at half past four in the morning. It was as vague as ever, a time, a place to observe and a mobile phone number, which was new. Martin was three hours ahead of schedule, plenty of time to wonder what he would be watching. The lack of information from the Associates and Edward was for a reason, supposedly. They played their hand in a game and Martin suffered. They'd been willing to sacrifice him, to find out if there was another player at the table. How could they have not known? Why put him in harm’s way?

  Martin pulled his coat up around his ears, pushing himself deeper into the corner. Instead of getting angry, Martin realised he needed to be smarter, he needed to locate Max. Then he could find the boy and show them he wasn’t so easily expendable. But if he found Max a new problem would arise. Could he wait, follow him for however long, to the boy? He was unsure, he didn’t know if he had the patience to wait. Perhaps he would take his revenge on instinct? Call the police? Attack him? Kill him?

  All night he'd dwelled on what he would do if he saw Max again. Martin was scared, he was many things, a coward was not one of them, but the look in Max’s eyes, when he raised that fire extinguisher had sent the fear of God into him. He shuddered for a moment as he recalled that day once again in his head. Martin wanted vengeance, but didn’t want to compromise his safety. Was that fear or being smart? He asked himself.