Raymond had turned down the heat as he fought to keep his eyes open, and wished to have had that coffee. The powerful winds in the canyon were terrifying! Pushing against the truck, they howled while threatening to cast us from off the road and down the cliff’s edge!
We were surrounded in an endless primordial forest. It was a daunting blackness beyond the blizzard which shined brilliantly, though painfully into our wearied eyes in the bright headlights! Fatigued and drifting between this world and the one of dreams, we kept each other awake with idle chatter, hoping to make it into town. The storm had us traveling even slower as the truck now climbed and crawled through the deep snow. The steep canyons had given way to tall and rolling snow-capped hills as the gasoline was beginning to run dangerously low.
“It’s six forty five--,” Fatigue wore so badly at Raymond that it sounded as though he had been drinking all night, “Where the hell is the morning—it should’ve been here by now.”
“It’s still going to be dark until after seven--,” Tim muttered drowsily from somewhere in the back, “Maybe even longer with this god-forsaken snow-storm.”
“Well—whether it’s a good idea or not--,” Raymond shook his head as he fought to stay awake, “I need to stop in Hope and get some fuel and coffee—or we may not make it.”
“You’re right--,” I couldn’t argue with logic. I had been attempting to keep him awake for the past hour as he almost drifted off at the wheel, “It’s almost morning anyway—it should be alright.”
He had only nodded, rubbing at his eyes, slapping at his cheeks and rolling down the window as he breathed into the frozen air. It was bitter cold, the gust whipping inward and taking me by surprise. I shuddered as it bit into the flesh of my face!
He had rolled the window back up, and glancing down at the gas gauge, cursed under his breath, “It’s going to be close—we’re almost riding on fumes….”
We had been coming around a sharp bend when he suddenly leapt up in his seat, and slamming down upon the brakes, sent us skidding off to the side of the road! No sooner had he done this than did three snowplows roll up from the other side of the highway as they cast huge streams of snow directly into our path!
“God-dammit—no--,” Raymond shouted, struggling to get the truck out of the drift that now held us while partially buried, “We’re stuck!
The truck rolled forward and backward mere inches. As buried just below the headlights, it all seemed hopeless! I had looked back, but the plows had not stopped.
“Those bastards must have seen us! We’re lit up like a damn Christmas tree!” He bellowed as he continued to rock the truck back and forth in the deep drift.
“Oh dear God--,” Tim had leaned over the seat and stared straight into the windshield, “Something is coming….”
We had all turned to look at the same time and gawked in absolute horror at the unrecognizable thing! It stood as tall as the truck in the headlights and almost as wide, moving slowly through the blizzard as it trembled and twitched violently in approach! At first I had assumed it to have been a single creature, but quickly realized that it had been a hideous conglomeration of many!
The main bulk had once been a bull moose, along with the corpses of wolves and a host of other things killed along that highway. As melded into one enormous and lumbering nightmare, it now moved toward the stranded truck! Spiny tentacles thrust out from eyes and gaping mouths, tentacles bursting out from beneath as it lifted its bulk high above the truck!
We had all cried out in absolute terror as it now came toward us from out of the blizzard and night! It was a flailing and twitching, rotting mass which howled and screeched from the mouths of a hundred long dead things! Its putrid flesh pulsated, heaving as other horrors sprouted from hideous wounds, spewing filth as death had finally found us!
It had all happened within an instant and as I had fought to find some escape for us all! Raymond had panicked: Engaging the nitrous oxide, he had accelerated forward as one of the plows had returned from behind us! The engine had wailed as we exploded forward, erupting from the snow with such force that the massive front bumper struck and bowled over the horrendous fiend!
As within that same instant as the plow had sought to pass, the steel-toothed shovel coma down and crushed the horrendous mass as it was shoved from off the highway and over the side!
We sped forward. Out of control we traveled into the oncoming lane, the tires gripping the plowed surface and sending us sailing ahead!
Raymond had disengaged the nitrous as we descended the last hill! As with little more than one hundred yards to slow down before a sharp right turn, he leaned into the deep snow of the shoulder and gently applied the brakes. We skidded and bounced off the frozen rocks as the truck continued out of control! Tim had disappeared into the back and sought shelter while awaiting the imminent crash.
“Hold on, this is going to be bad!” He fought to control the careening vehicle as we began sliding, applied the brakes and leaned into the snow covered shoulder again! It bounced twice, three times and then finally took hold! The truck, slipping into the snow plows, gathered drifts as we rapidly bounced and shook violently while slowing down!
We could see the yellow hazard sign near the bottom still coming far too fast! Raymond held the wheel tightly and leaned ever further into the drift. The enormous bumper was coming into contact with the deep snow, casting immense streams of flowing ice from upon both sides as we began slowing down.
The sign came ever closer as the checkered warning now shined brightly in our flood- and headlights! I had watched it racing toward us, and slinking down into my seat, braced for the impact, staring in utter horror as another plow came around the bend from below and straight toward us!
In that final moment I had seen Marlowe standing before us as he raised his arms and brought down the snow from the hill! Waving the icy flood into the flurries surrounding us, he brought the truck to a sudden stop! A moment later he vanished as the plow slowed and, pulling in beside us, the driver came rushing out!
Our truck had stalled for the very last time. The engine seizing as overheated, the brakes sizzled while steaming in the snow as we all climbed out. The headlights and flood lamps fading as the batteries now slowly died. We had stumbled out into the deep snow, standing close together and before the truck as we stared into the dark….
“Are you guys okay—sweet Jesus have mercy!” The plow driver ran toward us, “I’ve never seen anything like that before!”
The cold was mind-numbing, biting through flesh and aching into bones! As barely able to see through the blizzard and bitter winds, I suddenly realized our predicament and panicked.
“Please—can you get us out of here--,” I had begged, “Take us into Hope!”
As I had said this Tim suddenly cried out as something enormous now crept from over the barricade at the highways edge!
“We need to move now!” Raymond drew his revolvers and began firing into the thing as we scrambled to get into the plow! The driver had barely gotten into the cab as we all climbed in, as the nightmare came toward us. He had not hesitated. Putting the vehicle into reverse, he began to drive back down the highway in the direction from which he came.
Unable to see anything but the horror that now crept and crawled as it attempted to pursue, he sped backward into the blizzard while hanging his head out the window to gain a view from behind.
“Hold on!” He suddenly turned the wheel and applied the brakes! The big truck sliding sideways as the shovel scraped the cement barricade, sending sparks into the night as we spun around! He had applied the gas part way into the skid and the vehicle suddenly took hold of the highway, as we rolled forward again!
“What in the name of Christ was that thing?” The driver wailed.
“Just keep driving—and don’t slow down!” Raymond insisted as we sat shoulder to shoulder, and were pressed tightly altogether in the cab.
Although it had been against policy, Raymond had convinced the driver to
take us all the way into town. The ride had been rough and cramped, but far safer than risking staying in Hope.
With the coming of the dawn the storm had mysteriously faded. The heavens had remained overcast, but the flurries had simply ceased and vanished as though having never been. We had all felt certain relief as we pulled in before my front gates. After paying the driver quite handsomely for his trouble, we stumbled up the driveway.
Rich had come running out as we had approached the gates, and fumbling with the lock, just stared as we had almost fallen while coming through.
“You look like hell--,” He had locked the gates behind us, and supporting me with an arm, said, “It was quiet here last night—not a single sound.”
“That’s because the devil was too busy with us….” Raymond muttered from under his breath.
Caitlin had greeted us at the front door, as falling forward and embracing me, she hurriedly rushed everyone inside. As she closed the door behind us and we removed our coats and boots, I looked around at the solemn faces of all our friends.
“Welcome home, bro--,” Scott had come forward and hugged me, “We heard about the snow-storm and weren’t sure if you’d made it.”
“We lost the truck--,” Tim looked to Rich apologetically, “Its stuck in a snow-drift just outside of Hope.”
“That’s the least of our worries right now--,” Rich followed us into the kitchen as Carrie and Eva made coffee, “We heard on the radio that there were some accidents in Hedley during the night.”
“People were killed--,” Red Cloud seated himself at the table, his expression drawn and pale, “We did not know if you were among the dead.”
“There were some older people, a lady and a minister--,” Tim had inquired, looking around the table as everyone took seats, “Did they mention a father Alistair?”
“There was a fire in a church--,” Maya spoke up after a moment’s hesitation, and leaning closer to Rich, quietly said, “It burned to the ground. They haven’t mentioned anything about people, yet.”
“Thank God you all made it home safe.” Carrie hugged me and the others, “It sounds like all hell broke loose out there.”
“If there is a Hell--,” Raymond was almost passing out as he attempted to sip his coffee, “Then we saw it last night….”
“And it’s not over yet--,” Tim looked fearfully around the room and at our gathered friends; “It’s still following us—and seems to attack anyone that we come into contact with.”
“None of you are safe--,” Raymond rubbed at his eyes while fighting the fatigue, “As long as this thing is following us.”
“During the day and with your talismans you should be alright--,” I felt sudden shame while explaining, “But the moment it gets dark—you should not leave your homes, for any reason.”
Deb and her husband looked to where Pam and Jen sat across from them at the table, and Deb asked, “How long is this going to be happening? Is there some way to avoid or escape it?”
Tanya and Danny held hands as Dennis stared in disbelief. Little Patrick had remained silent, and just looked at his parents for answers that none could provide.
“I need time to look into some things--,” Sipping at my tea, I fought to stay awake, “But until I can come up with some answers—we should all keep a strict curfew. No one out after dark—and no one stays alone!”
“What about my place at the warehouse?” Red Cloud tapped a finger nervously upon his coffee mug, “We can’t just give up on everything.”
“We’ve made additions to all of your homes and the offices and warehouse--,” Rich explained, “I’ll see to everyone else today—I’ll call some crews in so that we can have everything sorted out before tonight. Oh--,” He pointed to me, “I managed to get those iron symbols made and mounted on your gates and fences, as instructed. They’re not pretty—but we got them up.”
“Thank you—,” I had extended a hand to him from across the table, and petted his wrist, “That should secure this place from anything that might try to get inside.”
“Maybe we should tell them about those things?” Tim peered nervously about.
Scott and Carrie had just looked at me. Their eyes filled with a sudden and unspeakable fear as she asked, “What things?”
Attempting to find the words in description, I stuttered as Raymond looked up from his coffee, interrupting me, and said “This shadow—or whatever the hell this thing is. It has the ability to animate dead things—and form them into—well, something else.”
“Walking nightmares--,” Tim uttered the words as though having tasted poison, “Things that are made up of other parts, people, even animals—but come together in ways that--.”
“Okay--,” I raised a hand as he looked to me in utter dismay, “I think that everyone has a basic understanding of what we’re up against here.”
“Michael--,” Caitlin said in a polite though assertive manner, “Is it possible that this thing wants you? And, that’s why it didn’t trouble anyone but those in your immediate company?”
Everyone had turned and looked to me as though having become judge, jury and executioner.
“Maybe, rather than involving more people--,” Caitlin stood at the head of the table and looked down at me with tears in her eyes, “Maybe it’s time to just end all of this—before it gets any worse than it already is….”
“Sweetheart—please, let me explain.” I turned pleadingly to her. Extending a hand toward her, I was shocked as she backed away, and slowly shaking her head, the tears ran freely as she sniffled, “No—you don’t have to explain anything to me anymore. “ She pointed around the table, and weeping, said, “You explain to all of them why you have brought them into this—and why they are all at risk. Because of something that you have brought down upon yourself—and all of us….”
The words cut deeper than anything that I could ever have imagined. Even more so, because they were absolutely true. Clasping my hands upon the table, I cast my eyes down, unable to even look upon them…. How could I explain something that I hadn’t truly understood myself?
“It’s true—to some degree. I’m inadvertently responsible for the nightmare that’s now happening.” I had whispered as the words almost choked me within their utterance, I knew that it was not entirely my fault, but who else could be blamed, certainly not any of them.
“It’s not just all on you--,” Rich became angered, glaring at Caitlin, who turned away as he spoke, “This horror is far older that we could ever imagine—and this fight began long ago. If there is any guilt, it belongs to all of us. We were all complete strangers—but somewhere we all came together. Not by mistake or any accident—but because we were drawn together. Now, whether that was by God, fate, or destiny, or whatever you choose to call it—we’re still all here. So, we stumbled in the dark and woke something up. It’s been following us for lifetimes—and likely killed all of us countless times and through many different lives. So, do we just blame him now—and continue our lives in denial until we become another statistic, unexplained death due to a freak accident? And let this thing wipe us all out one by one, over and over again? Well, I say that we stay together—and find a way to somehow overcome this nightmare.”
“We all love Michael--,” Eva looked to me, as nervously twisting a dish-cloth between her fingers, tossed it down on the table, “But we are also entitled to choose what we feel is best in our own lives. I’m sorry, my dearest laddie--,” She wept openly, “But I’m afraid that this has been a lot to deal with.” And with that she took Caitlin by the hand and they silently departed the dining room.
Raymond and Rich had looked to me, their eyes huge as they sensed my heart breaking and shared the grief.
“Well—comes hell or high water—I’m staying with my bro--,” Scott took Caitlin’s seat at the head of the table and looked to Carrie, “I wouldn’t blame you if you want to take Patrick and wait this thing out.”
“Like hell—,” Carrie’s eyes filled with tears as she moved
, standing behind her husband, and looked around at the others, “I’ll see this through, one way or the other.”
Raymond slowly moved from his seat, and standing behind me, rested his hands upon the back of my chair, “I walked into this with open eyes—,” He looked to Scott and Carrie, “And I’m in for better or worse.”
Rich looked to Maya, biting down upon his lower lip. It was obvious that they shared different opinions. She slowly shook her head as he got up and solemnly moved to my end of the table, and looking back at his wife, winced before saying, “I started this journey with Michael before we ever met anyone else—and I’ll finish it with him… I’m sorry…..”
Maya had placed her head down upon her arms and wept as Deb and Pam moved to where she now sat alone, and attempted to comfort her.
“Our destinies are bound together--,” Red Cloud rose from his chair and stood beside me, resting a hand upon my shoulder, “Wherever that takes us from here, only the Great Spirit knows.”
“I’m sorry--,” Tanya wept, “I’m just so scared….” Danny had hugged his mother as he looked to Dennis. The two young men moved from their seats and to where I sat, as Dennis said, “If it wasn’t for these people, I would have died. I can’t just leave them now.”
“I’m sorry, mom--,” Danny looked to Tanya, “You always told me to do what I thought was right. And—I believe that this is the right thing….”
Deb had looked between Maya, Pam and Jen, and after a moment’s thought, quietly said, “I think that I can speak for the rest of us when I say--,” She swallowed hard, “That we will continue on with you at the office and keep the curfew. But, we also have families to consider in this matter.”
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