Nightmares Rise (Dark Shores Trilogy Book 1)

by Mirren Hogan

  “I stopped, and grabbed the salt. Y’know, just in case. Lemme tell you, it was ugly. I destroyed its head with my tire. I didn’t know what to do, so I dragged it into the jeep. Decided I had enough of this shit, and started driving back.” She stopped for a breath.

  “Now, the story goes, it’s not really dead, unless you kill its legs too. So I poured salt down its face hole, to keep it down. It was still twitching. Ugh, and the smell! Anyway, I figured, I’m gonna go back to the cave and find its damn legs and get rid of this thing. So, I did! I hit up a twenty-four hour joint for some rope to tie the thing down. Y’know, just in case. And garbage bags. It was stinking up the jeep. I swear, I’ve been sprayed by skunks on the mainland before, but this was bad! I tied it up to the passenger seat, and I went down to the caves. It must have been . . . I dunno, four in the morning, by then?”

  Again, Flynn opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off with a quick hand gesture.

  “That was some scary shit! And it was hella cold. Anyways, I went down to where the concrete ledge ended, and there was a pair of legs just hanging out. They were just standing on their own, and the toes were tapping. Kinda freaky, right? So I poured salt into its hole. It was like watching a slug die. But better, because slugs don’t try to kill me or my jeep. Anyways, the legs ended up dead! The guts inside the stub popped, kinda like the tongue-slug thing. It went everywhere. So nasty! So, I went and dragged the rest of the legs back out to my jeep. Sure enough, the top half had almost chewed through the fuckin’ rope. But it was dead by the time I got back. Guess it didn’t have any legs to stand on? Yeah, bad joke. Whatever.

  “By the time I bagged everything, it was almost dawn. So I went back to my house, took a bath. I mean, it was going nowhere, and I needed to wash up. Again. I guess, after we left, the thing was pissed off. It flipped my bathtub over in the front yard. Killed a couple more cats. Had to bag those. I swear, I am so sick of picking up dead animals.” She sighed.

  “And . . . yeah. I just had a whole pot of coffee, I haven’t slept yet, and this fucker is nasty. You got those pictures?” She finally stopped speaking and looked at Flynn. Makani was actually breathless from talking so fast.

  “Yeah . . . ” he replied slowly. “Wait a minute. You went back into the karst, alone? And killed that thing? And we can relax now?”

  “Uhhh... I don’t think so.” She picked up a side of each bag and started dragging everything towards the water’s edge, her muscles straining. “There are more of these things.”

  “All right, so you dealt with this one, what makes you think there are more? Did you make sure when you went back in?” He was following her and reaching for the garbage bag. She glared at him, and pushed him away. She wasn’t the biggest girl, but there was enough muscle behind the blow to rock him a little.

  “It was sunrise when I was leaving. A dozen came flying back to the caves. They were going back to their legs.”

  “I wish you hadn’t gone there alone,” he said softly. “No one should go through that alone, no matter how tough they are. What do we do now?” He’d grabbed a corner of the bag and tugged. Clearly, he still thought they were an ‘us’.

  “We? We don’t have to do anything. You can go back to whatever you want, once you get those pictures developed and I can take them. Don’t worry: I’ll make sure you get full credit for all of it.” Her anger over the night before wasn’t entirely cooled. “You don’t need to get involved, anymore. This is bad stuff.” She also didn’t like dragging people into messes. Especially not like this. Not when they were tourists, and this wasn’t their home. She kept her eyes down as they tugged the corpse into the ocean.

  The moment the bag touched the water, the corpse started to hiss and expand. “Shit. Run!” She let go of her side and made for the house.

  “I already am involved,” he called out to her from only a few steps back. “Whether you like it or not. I’m not giving you any pictures unless you include me in anything you’re—”

  The corpse exploded as if it had been full of noxious gases like a macabre balloon and popped. Gore flew through the air, scattering bits and pieces of the monster. But that wasn’t Makani’s real concern. She rounded on Flynn, her fists gripped tight enough to make her knuckles white.

  “Dude, for real—you don’t wanna get any deeper than this. I’m giving you an easy way out. Take it!”

  He put his hand up to shield his face against the gore, “If I still wanted an easy way out, I’d still be studying law,” he snapped. “And now I need another shower!” He stomped off toward his house, before turning back toward her for a moment. “You can join me if you like,” and then he kept going, disappearing inside.

  Makani was torn between wiping herself off on the side of his house and leaving, or following him. She realized she had missed Flynn, angry words notwithstanding, and that’s why she had come back here. She wanted his help. She wanted him around. Then the stench hit her nose, and she wanted to get in the bath with him. Sighing, she grabbed her pack from the jeep and followed.

  He’d stripped and started soaping before she arrived. Steam was starting to rise off the hot water in the shower, obscuring the mirror, if nothing else. He glanced out as if to make sure it was her, and smiled. “Plenty of room for two.”

  “Of course there is.” She untied her hair, and started shucking her clothes, letting them fall to the floor. Stepping into the tub, Makani ran her hands over Flynn’s back, wanting to reassure herself that he was real. Sleep deprivation and shock had left her in a dreamlike funk, and she needed that contact to make sure she was still alive and awake. Leaning against him, she pressed her body against his and laid a kiss on a clean part of Flynn’s shoulder.

  He turned around, drew her into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. The water fell over them both, warmth slipping between them. He pushed her hair back from her eyes. “I’m sorry I was a jerk,” he murmured into her ear.

  “I’m sorry I was a bitch,” she replied, her fingers returning the favor and pushing wet hair out of his eyes. Makani smiled and hooked her hand around the back of his head, drawing Flynn closer for a deep kiss. Her other hand reached down and around his back, the water making it easy to slide over his skin.

  “Not a bitch, just a ninja,” he replied, melting under her touch. He pressed her against the wall of the shower, his next intent clearly felt between their bodies.

  “Nah, ninjas aren’t real. I’m a warrior woman. Didn’t you know?” The last part came out as a purr, and she lifted her foot to rest on the edge of the tub. She ran her hands over his skin, wiping away bits of the gory mess and soap.

  This time was fast. The water poured down over their bodies and muffled the sounds of pleasure. It wasn’t so much an exploration of bodies, as a confirmation they were both alive and not dreaming.

  Flynn was the first one to speak. “I’ve been thinking about you all night and all morning. Now turn around so I can wash the gunk off, then I’ll tuck you in. You look like you haven’t slept in days.”

  “I’m fine . . . ” was punctuated by a yawn. “Fine, fine . . . ” She did as she was told, her eyes still half closed with pleasure and exhaustion. If she was in her right mind, Makani might have said she had been thinking about him, too. He soaped and rinsed her, then washed her hair. His hands felt so good, and the water was so inviting, she couldn’t do more than sigh and lean back into his touch. While the shampoo rinsed out, he washed, then turned off the water and got a towel for each of them.

  Her limbs had gotten heavy and she moved slowly, stepping out of the bath and leaning against the counter. She dried herself in languid strokes, sighing contentedly when Flynn passed close enough for her to catch him around the waist. “So tired . . . ” Makani muttered as she laid her head against Flynn’s chest.

  He wrapped the towel around his waist and swept her up, her towel and all and carried her into his room. With one hand he drew back the covers and then lowered her down. Pulling the sheets back into place, he l
eaned over and kissed her brow. “I’m going to go down the street for some ingredients for lunch and dinner.” They’d need more bread, milk, and whatever meat he could get to throw something together. “Get some rest.”

  Makani wanted to protest. She wanted to whack him on the arm for picking her up. She should have insisted on going with him. Maybe she should have told Flynn that he had been on her mind too. But sleep was too inviting, and her eyes had closed by the time he spoke.

  CHAPTER 10

  Flynn watched her fall asleep, a faint smile on his face. She would probably growl at him later. Girls, no, women, like her didn’t usually like being looked after. He liked that about her. She was strong, tough and independent. No one and nothing would push her around or hold her back. Right now, she needed to rest. She was right about not being a ninja or a superhero and although she was far from helpless, she was still only human.

  He finished dressing. Locking the front door firmly behind him, he blinked in the bright sunlight before slipping his sunglasses onto his face. He glanced at the driveway and grimaced. Her jeep was a mess. Even more so than it had been before. He considered borrowing it but decided not to add to the list of things she could yell at him for. Instead, he just walked the sweltering hot kilometer down to the small shop that charged exorbitant prices for tourist essentials.

  Makani was still sleeping by the time he returned. He put on a pot of coffee and put away his shopping, leaving only the ingredients for sandwiches on the bench. He made cheese and salad and cheese and tomato sandwiches and went to peek in on her again. If she knew, she’d probably sock him for it, but he couldn’t help feeling protective of her. He’d never felt that way about a woman before. Even his young nieces didn’t make him want to keep them close. But then, he hasn’t nicknamed them the Terrors for nothing.

  He wondered what was going on in her head. She had kicked the covers off, and curled into a ball. Makani’s eyelids fluttered with whatever dreams had taken over. Her lips parted as she murmured about things only she knew. She sighed and reached out across the pillows, tugging one over toward her a little.

  Flynn saw her stirring and sat down beside her, careful not to sit down heavily enough to startle her. He resisted the urge to stroke her hair. He was surprised by how strong the urge actually was. She was beautiful, smart, resourceful and strong. In spite of her driving, or maybe because it was just another part of her wild side, he could easily fall head over heels for her. Maybe he already had.

  “Are you hungry,” he asked softly. He leaned down and saw her eyes flutter open.

  “Probably. A pot of coffee isn’t really much of a breakfast.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek, drawing the covers over herself. “I think I’m under dressed, though.”

  “You look fine to me,” he replied. “But if you want, I’ll leave you to get dressed. I’ll go and pour some coffee and plate you up a sandwich. And I bought cupcakes for after.” His grin widened, the dimple in his cheek showing.

  “Do I have to finish the sandwich before I have dessert?” Makani stood up and wrapped the towel around herself. Her feet fell silently as she went to her pack and yanked out the last of her clothes. She wiggled into the shorts and a tank top, stuffing her breasts in a bikini top that had probably been in the bag since middle school.

  “Yes,” he replied. He stood up and went back into the kitchen, leaving the door ajar behind him. “Good food before bad. Unless you weren’t talking about food.” He watched her through the doorway while he poured and smiled wickedly.

  “Do you have milk or sugar?” He added neither to his, preferring coffee black and strong enough to stand a spoon up in. Of course, he wouldn’t get that with instant, but it’d do.

  “Milk, please. And I really need food, or I’m liable to pass out on you.” She planted herself on the counter, and took the cup that was hers. She sipped slowly, wrinkling her nose at the bitterness, but kept drinking. She peered at him over the rim of the mug, “If you want to lock the door and keep me in here until Sunday, you’re more than welcome to do so.”

  He passed her a plate with a sandwich on it and then bit into his. It was much better than the ones they’d bought the day before. Nothing beat homemade.

  “What happens on Sunday?” he asked. “Don’t tell me, those things only last until then?”

  “Thanks.” She pulled a part of the crust off and started to nibble. “Nah, even worse; family dinner at my place. Remember?” She took a bite from the corner and chewed carefully before swallowing. “You’re invited, but I also understand if you don’t want to be stuck with my family. If you think I’m crazy, try having my four brothers, my parents, Aunty Elsie, and all my cousins stuck together. That’s hella scary!”

  “I think the karst might be preferable,” he replied dryly, “I have two sisters, three nieces, and a nephew. You can imagine what they say when I go home for Christmas. When am I going to settle down, get a real job and have children,” He rolled his eyes. “And the noise from all those brats . . . And that’s just the girls.” He sipped his coffee. “Maybe we should go surfing with sharks instead? That might be quieter and safer.”

  “That can still happen if you feel like going out for adventures with me. I can arrange all kinds of special things.” She wiggled her fingers at him and gave a wicked smile. “Just tell me what you want, and I can work it out.”

  “Maybe you should tell me what I want?” he challenged, an eyebrow raised at her, “The first day was pretty action packed.” His eyes shifted to the direction of her jeep. Maybe too action packed. He doubted there would be too many dull moments, no matter what they did, but he was supposed to be in Hawaii working. “Maybe some shots I can use this time, though . . . ” His voice trailed off.

  She chewed thoughtfully for a moment, her eyes closing as she pondered his request. “I know a swimming hole with a ton of waterfalls. It’s been raining in the mountains, so they should be in full effect. It’s pretty deserted since school’s back in. Interested?”

  “Alone in a remote and beautiful location with a beautiful woman, how could I not be interested?” he asked. It sounded idyllic. If few people, aside from the locals, knew about it, then it’d be of interest to him as a photographer. If nothing else, he’d have some nice shots to use as wallpaper for his tablet. “Let’s do it.”

  “Then it’s settled. Let’s go after lunch.” She looked at Flynn and that mischievous glint was back in her eyes. “The day is young, and people won’t start on the trail for a few more hours.”

  He tilted his head to the side slightly and frowned. “It’s nearly one o’clock in the afternoon,” he pointed out. “You call this early?” He’d call it the heat of the day, although the height of summer was long past. He looked into her eyes and they gave him an uneasy feeling. If there was trouble, she’d find it. Or it would find her. He doubted she’d deliberately lead him into it, but some people just drew trouble to themselves and took others along for the ride. Well, he’d bought the ticket he might as well enjoy it.

  Makani shrugged and turned the mug around in her hands, “People go hiking after work, they go swimming, whatever . . . some of the local kids go to search for menehune in the bamboo groves up above it. Silly things, like that.”

  “Mene-what?” He asked, mentally reassessing whether or not she’d get him into something on purpose.

  “It’s silly! They’re like . . . fairy people. They help out, or they play tricks on you. I’ve never seen one, but they might be around. After the last day . . . hell, anything is possible.” Makani laughed, and shook her head.

  A knock and a squawk came from the front door. “Eh! Excuse me! Excuse me! Mistah Cole!”

  Flynn had his mouth open, about to compare the mene-thingy to leprechauns. Instead, he jumped as if a mananaggal had come knocking. He gave Makani an unreadable look and went to answer the door.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Cole! Hiii! Somebody called and said you were setting off fireworks today. I’m really sorry, but those are illegal h
ere.” The woman was dressed in a housecoat and rubber slippers, a bright red parrot sitting on her shoulder. It eyed Flynn and blurted out, “Your rent is due, bitch! Pay!!” The woman just shushed the bird and looked at her current tenant.

  Flynn glanced sidelong at the parrot. Its beak was big enough to take off several fingers if he pissed it off. Unconsciously, he held his hands behind his back.

  “Uh, hi. It’s nice to meet you. I can assure you that I haven’t been letting off any fireworks. I don’t even have any. They’re illegal in Australia too. Nasty things, those, I wouldn’t go near them.” Not since he was twelve and almost burnt down the neighbor’s chicken hutch. He’d been grounded for the rest of the school term for that little prank.

  He glanced back at Makani, then around the walls where the worm-thing had exploded. He gave Makani a wink and then turned back to the desiccated old woman. He couldn’t help but wonder how many world wars she’d lived through. She looked spry enough to survive a third, like a wrinkled cockroach.

  “I remember now, I was cooking popcorn and the bag exploded.” Why not, he’d done it before, usually by accident. “I’ll be more careful next time.”

  “No no no! I have a puppy! He belongs to my nephew! He almost had one dakine . . . one heart attack! He went running under the bed, screaming like a cat! Dat was fireworks, and you can’t shoot those!” She cringed and stroked the bird, as if to comfort it.

  The creature eyed Flynn again and squawked out, “Noooo having noisy sex after ten P.M., please! Noooo flushing condoms down the toilet!”

  Flynn blinked. He swallowed. “All right,” he said at last. “I hope your nephew’s dog was okay.” He was itching to turn around, wondering if Makani was sitting behind him laughing. He’d be doing that in her place.