The Devil's Pets

by Alex Siegel

  "What's going on?" he said. "Are we under arrest?"

  "No," one officer said. "Just don't move."

  The cops checked every corner of the room. The small room offered few hiding places, so the search only took a moment.

  When they were done, the first officer showed Stony a photograph. "Have you seen this woman?"

  He leaned in. The picture showed Diana's face and upper body in crisp detail. She was wearing orange prison garb. He recognized the photo very well because he had taken it.

  "No." Stony shook his head. "Who is she?"

  "The escaped prisoner."

  "Oh! Do you think she is here?"

  "We found her stolen car stashed in the woods," the cop said. "If you see her, notify the authorities immediately!"

  "Yes, sir. I will certainly do that."

  The police left the room and closed the door.

  "Diana should've hidden that car better," Mia whispered.

  "I bet she won't make that mistake a second time," Stony said.

  His phone rang. The caller ID showed that Director Robertson was calling.

  Stony answered, "Hello, sir." He pressed the speaker button so Mia could hear.

  "Orcus struck in Oklahoma City," Robertson said. "A mother and a little girl are dead."

  "How do you know it was Orcus?"

  "The condition of the child's body suggests he tried to summon Forneus."

  Stony grimaced. "We're still in West Virginia."

  "I know. I'm getting all the police and FBI reports. Tell Diana to get her ass to Houston by tonight. I want to finish this."

  "We'll go find her right now, sir."

  "One more thing," Robertson said. "I'm not happy about the dead truck driver."

  "He tried to rape Diana."

  "Murdering a civilian still seems like an extreme response."

  "We have to go, sir," Stony said.

  "Bye."

  He and Mia dressed quickly and left the motel. Several police cars with flashing lights were parked outside.

  "Do you think they're checking every room in every motel?" Mia said.

  "Probably," Stony said. "Where is she?"

  She used the tracking app in her phone. "That way." She pointed north.

  They walked casually, trying not to attract the attention of the police officers in the area. Stony even saw a few FBI agents helping with the search.

  "This is quite a turnout," he said.

  "We wanted to make a big splash," Mia said. "Mission accomplished."

  They continued past all the motels and restaurants. They eventually reached a patch of undeveloped land by the highway where tall trees grew.

  "She's around here somewhere," she said.

  Stony looked in all directions but didn't see any sign of Diana. Green leaves hid the branches overhead.

  A rustling noise got his attention, and he finally spotted her. Her feet were bare, and they had transformed into giant paws. Her hands were also paws, but her head and body were human. She was climbing down a tree trunk with her claws the way a cat would.

  She landed softly on the dirt. "How did they know I was here?"

  "They found the car," Stony said.

  "Damn it."

  "Looks like you got away though."

  "I had to jump out of a third-story window," Diana said. "Good thing my legs are very strong. I slowed the cops down by propping a chair against the door. That gave me just enough time to escape."

  "The director called. He wants you to hurry up. Orcus killed again."

  She sighed. "Getting out of here will be a problem. I'm sure the police are checking every vehicle that tries to leave."

  She was still wearing her tight halter top and pink shorts. Stony made an effort to look at her face only.

  "The shaved head and disguise might be enough to keep you safe," he said.

  "Or it might not. I can't afford to be busted. I have to sneak out of here."

  "That's your problem," Mia said. "Figure it out."

  "I don't get any help at all?" Diana said.

  "Consider this a training exercise."

  "Don't worry," Stony said. "If you get into real trouble, we're here for you."

  Diana flashed a smile. "Thanks. I'll go now."

  She crept back towards the motels. Her hands and feet were still paws, and she walked with the fluid grace of a cat. Stony couldn't help but stare even though Mia was beside him.

  Diana stopped at the edge of the woods and peered into a parking lot. Stony moved closer so he could see what she was seeing. A few cars provided some cover, but crossing the lot was still risky. The nearest building was a restaurant.

  A delivery truck was parked behind the restaurant. Stony watched as a guy took out a box and delivered it using a back door.

  Diana broke cover. She sprinted on all fours like a cat with incredible speed. Stony expected her to sneak into the back of the truck, but she bounded onto the roof instead. She laid down flat, becoming impossible to see up there.

  "Impressive," Mia said.

  "She's going to slide off if the truck makes a sudden turn or stop," Stony said. "That's a dangerous place to hide. I have to tell her."

  "Carefully."

  The two of them left the trees and strolled across the parking lot. A police car came around the corner, but they pretended not to notice. The car kept going.

  The delivery guy returned for another box. He carried it into the restaurant.

  When it was safe to proceed, Stony walked over to the truck and casually leaned against it. Mia pressed her body against his and kissed him on the neck.

  "You're going to fall off," he said.

  "No," Diana replied from above. "My claws are stuck in the roof. Don't worry. I'll be fine up here."

  "They can punch through metal?"

  "Flimsy sheet metal. Just follow me in your car. I'll hop off when it seems like a good time."

  "You obviously know best," Stony said.

  He and Mia walked to their own car. Then they drove back and parked in a spot where they could see the delivery truck from a safe distance.

  The delivery man eventually finished his job. He climbed into the cab and drove off, not noticing Diana on the roof of the trailer. Stony followed.

  A police checkpoint at the highway onramp had created a long line of cars. After waiting a good twenty minutes, the delivery truck reached the checkpoint. Police inspected the interior of the cab, the underside of the trailer, and the cargo area. Nobody thought to climb up to the roof though. The truck was waved through, and it proceeded onto the highway.

  "I'll have to remember that trick," Mia said.

  "You don't have claws that can stick into metal," Stony said.

  "I can jam a couple of knives in. I'd figure something out."

  Their turn at the checkpoint came soon after. Police officers on both sides looked into the car, and they gave Mia extra attention. Stony also had to open the trunk for inspection. It just contained their luggage. He cooperated but intentionally appeared slightly annoyed, the expected reaction under the circumstances. He was finally allowed to drive off.

  Mia checked her phone. "She's headed south."

  "That's lucky," Stony said. "We want to go south. How far away is Houston?"

  She tapped on her phone. "Twelve hundred miles."

  "And we have to get there tonight. No more long rest stops for us." He sighed.

  * * *

  The delivery truck stopped for gas in the tiny town of Ghent. Two gas stations and a convenience store were all the businesses that Stony could see. The delivery truck stopped at one gas station, and Stony drove to the other.

  He expected Diana would get off. She couldn't rely on the truck to continue going in the right direction, and riding on the roof had to be physically uncomfortable. As he pumped gas into his own car, he watched the delivery truck down the road but saw no movement. She was sneaky though.

  The truck eventually drove away.

  "Is she still on i
t?" Stony said.

  Mia stared at her phone. "She stayed behind."

  "Let's find her."

  He finished filling the tank of his car. Then he drove to the gas station where Diana was located and parked in the corner.

  Stony and Mia got out and walked around. The tracking system didn't have pinpoint accuracy, so they only knew Diana was in the vicinity. The gas station included a shop where travelers could buy snacks and sandwiches. It also sold a nice selection of fishing equipment. Stony couldn't remember the last time he had gone fishing.

  "Hey," Diana whispered. "Over here."

  Stony and Mia found her crouched behind a large propane supply tank. A tool shed provided some additional cover.

  Stony grabbed Mia, held her tight, and kissed her on the lips. Any witnesses would think they had just found a private place to cuddle.

  "What's your plan for your next step?" Stony said out of the side of his mouth.

  "I'm not sure," Diana said. "I need a change of clothes and transportation. Can you help me out this time?"

  "We're just here to handle emergencies."

  "Getting to Houston quickly is an emergency. We don't have time to go slow and careful."

  Stony grabbed Mia's butt and gave it a squeeze. He loved the feel of her muscular flesh in his hands. She licked his face erotically.

  "We can't be associated with you," he said.

  "Just buy me new clothes," Diana said. "That's innocent enough. While you're doing that, I'll decide how I want to steal a car."

  "I suppose that's a fair compromise."

  Mia nodded in agreement.

  Stony remembered the fishing shop, and it seemed like a good place to start shopping. "Follow me," he murmured.

  He held Mia's hand as they walked into the shop. Rods, reels, bait, and tackle filled long shelves. Clothing was towards the back, and Mia went straight to that section.

  She started by picking out a T-shirt with the words "Heaven is fishing" printed on it.

  "That's for a guy," Stony said.

  "I want her to look like a boy. Better disguise that way."

  He nodded.

  She grabbed a cheap windbreaker, a fishing hat, plastic pants, and wading boots. Diana would certainly look like she was on a fishing trip. As an afterthought, Mia picked out a rod and reel.

  Stony paid for everything with cash. He had a credit card but was wary of leaving an electronic trail.

  He and Mia went back to the propane tank.

  "Now I need a ride in your car," Diana whispered.

  "We're not driving you to Houston," Mia said. "What if we're caught with you? The entire plan will be screwed."

  "Just take me someplace where this outfit won't look weird." Diana pointed to her whore costume. "A casino or a strip club. Any den of sin."

  "Wait. Why did we just buy you new clothes?"

  "So I can change after I steal a car."

  Mia frowned.

  "Riding in our car is still dangerous," Stony said, "even for a short distance. What if somebody looks through a window?"

  "Then I'll hide in the trunk," Diana said. "Please, just give me a little help here."

  He sighed. "OK. We'll drive you to the nearest den of sin."

  Mia appeared unhappy but didn't complain.

  Stony brought the car around and popped open the trunk. He pushed his and Mia's luggage aside.

  When no witnesses were around, he said, "Now."

  Diana slipped into the trunk, and her flexible body folded neatly into the small space. He quickly closed the trunk.

  Mia looked around. "Let's get out of here."

  "We don't know where we're going," Stony said.

  "We'll figure it out on the road. We need to move."

  Chapter Eighteen

  Stony drove all the way to Tennessee before he found the right kind of place for Diana. He knew she wasn't having a good time in the trunk, and he felt bad for her, but he couldn't afford to make a hasty choice. Too much depended on her reaching Houston.

  The sign read, "Midnight Opening Gentleman's Club." A blue, windowless building had all the architectural style of a warehouse. Flat boards and corrugated sheet metal formed the walls and roof.

  The strip club stood on an isolated plot of land just off the interstate. Surrounding forest provided plenty of privacy. A mobile home in back was perhaps the residence of the owner. A dozen cars were parked in the lot even though the time was near noon, too early in the day for drinking and staring at naked women in Stony's opinion.

  He parked the car in a back corner, quickly got out, and opened the trunk. Diana was still lying there, folded up in a neat bundle.

  "Are you OK?" he said.

  She sat up slowly. "Yeah. A little stiff. I had a good nap though."

  Stony helped her out of the trunk. She stretched her arms and flexed her back like a cat.

  She looked around. "Oh! This is perfect. Thank you. You have my new clothes?"

  "In the car. What's your plan?"

  "Watch." Diana winked.

  She walked across the parking lot and leaned against a car. She kept her arms back, forcing her breasts to stick out. She put her head back and allowed her eyes to droop as if she were bored. Sunlight illuminated her pale face. She projected the confidence of a woman who belonged there.

  Stony wasn't worried about her being identified as the fugitive. Her disguise worked perfectly in the context of a strip club, and she still had her black wig. They were hundreds of miles from Beckly, her last known location.

  Stony and Mia sat in their own car. They waited, and he was painfully aware of the passage of time. They couldn't afford to waste a minute.

  Eventually, a white, rusty pickup truck pulled into the parking lot. A lone man stepped out. He was wearing blue jeans and a stained red T-shirt. A tangled beard reminded Stony of a bird's nest.

  Diana immediately went to him. He stood with a startled expression as she pressed her body against his. Her left hand went around his neck, and her right hand wandered down to his crotch.

  She murmured something to him. They had a short conversation, and he became progressively less happy. He finally pushed her away. He went into the club, but he glanced back at her one last time before closing the door.

  Diana came over to Stony, and he rolled down his window.

  "What was that about?" he said.

  "I propositioned him," she said. "Five hundred dollars for an hour of my time. He couldn't afford me, as I expected."

  "And the point was?"

  Diana held up a set of car keys. "I get his truck. Can I have my new clothes?"

  Stony took her new clothes from the back seat and gave them to her. She quickly changed on the spot. With her hat and jacket, she could be mistaken for a young man on a fishing trip. She wasn't wearing the wig, and her shaved head enhanced her disguise. She tossed her old clothes behind a bush.

  "Next stop is Birmingham, Alabama," Mia said. "We'll have an early dinner there."

  Diana nodded and jogged to the pickup truck. She got in, wrinkled her nose at some unpleasant odor, and drove off.

  * * *

  Mia stared at her phone as she walked.

  "She must be at this restaurant," she said.

  Stony looked at a huge restaurant painted pale green. A fence surrounded a spacious outdoor eating area, and more tables were inside. The restaurant even had a small second floor. He smelled barbeque smoke, and his mouth watered.

  "Good choice," he said.

  He and Mia climbed a short staircase and entered the restaurant. His impression of the place went up another notch when he saw the interior. A menu on the wall listed pulled pork, ribs, wings, turkey, and smoked chicken. The selection of beers was just as impressive. Country music twanged in the background, but it wasn't loud enough to annoy him. Patrons ordered food at the register and took their trays back to mismatched, wooden tables.

  Stony immediately ordered a full slab of ribs, half a chicken, beans, cornbread, and banana puddin
g for dessert. To wash it down, he asked for a beer and a large diet coke.

  "Diet?" Mia said with a smirk.

  Her meal featured fried catfish. They paid, and a few minutes later, they received plastic trays full of food. They walked around, looking for Diana.

  Stony spotted her sitting in a side yard under an awning, and nobody else was around her. He decided to sit at her table. They were two states away from her last known location after all, and she was wearing a good disguise.

  He sat down facing Diana, and she looked at him with an expression of surprise. Mia hesitated, and then she also sat at the table.

  Stony admired Diana's choice of food. Generous portions of hot wings and fried shrimp were in front of her. The girl knew how to eat.

  He tore a rib from his slab and stuck it in his mouth. The meat was so tender, he could practically slurp it off the bone.

  "After dinner," he said, "you need to make more trouble. Let the police find out you're here so Orcus hears about it. He needs to be reassured that you're on your way to Houston."

  Diana sighed. "What a pain. I have to steal another car and switch disguises again."

  "Speaking of cars, where did you park that pickup truck? If the police run the plates, they'll find out it was stolen."

  "It's in a parking garage, but that gives me an idea. I'll get the attention of the police by giving them a reason to look at the pickup truck."

  "Risky," Mia said, "but a good thought."

  "And this time, I'm going to plan ahead," Diana said. "I'll have my new disguise and escape vehicle ready before the trouble starts. No more clinging to the roofs of trucks or hiding in trunks."

  "Good," Stony said. "What's your plan?"

  "I have some ideas, but they require a quick shopping trip. I just need to make a few stops. Can you give me a ride? As you pointed out, the pickup truck is too hot for cruising around town."

  Stony and Mia exchanged uneasy looks.

  "Please," Diana said. "Sneaking around Birmingham on my own will take hours, and we can't afford extra hours. You don't have to come into the stores with me. I'm loaded with cash. I've been picking every pocket within sight. Just drop me off and circle the block until I'm done shopping."