The Beast

by Ally Condie

  Not now. Help your friends.

  The rain had stopped. Full dark settled in. Nico stumbled to his feet and glanced around.

  Nothing. No figments anywhere.

  How long had he been out? He thought of Opal diving into that dark pool behind him and nearly got sick again.

  Nico spotted the houseboat’s lights and sprinted for the entry stones. He crossed and snuck up to the front door, but it hung open, with no noise carrying from within. The houseboat seemed empty. Steeling his nerve, Nico bombed through the door and foyer, charging into the showroom, ready to knock Thing’s jar from its perch and smash it to pieces.

  But he stopped short, staring at a stained circle of wood on an empty pedestal.

  Thing was gone. The figments were all gone, too.

  No time to think about it. Nico ran to the hidden door, but found it blocked by a massive bureau the figments had maneuvered into place. Using all his strength, Nico tried to shove it aside, but the hulking piece of furniture refused to budge. He pounded on the wall panel.

  “Opal! Tyler! Can you guys hear me?”

  “Yes!” came Logan’s muffled reply. “Nico, hurry! The water. It’s … it’s glowing!”

  Nico spun around, spotted an old spear in the weapons coffin. He ran over and snatched the weapon, then bolted back to the door. “Logan, the panel is blocked by a huge dresser. I can’t move it by myself. I’m gonna try to lever it out of the way, but I’ll need help. When I count to three, push from your side, okay?”

  Logan shouted an assent. Nico wedged the butt of the spear behind the dresser.

  “One … Two … Three.”

  Nico put a foot against the wall and pulled hard, straining with every muscle. He heard a grunt from the other side of the door. For a few painful seconds, nothing happened, but then the bureau slid backward an inch. The panel opened a crack, and Logan’s eyes appeared.

  “It’s working!” Nico said. “Keep it up!”

  “Hurry, Nico! The water’s rising again!”

  Another heave. Another inch gained. Nico took a deep breath, then put both feet up against the wall and yanked with everything he had. The dresser tipped over and crashed to the floor. Nico dropped onto his back with a thud, the air exploding from his chest.

  Emma slithered through the opening with something clutched in her hands. “You okay? Um, here are your pants.”

  “Wonderful,” Nico wheezed, face scarlet as he staggered to his feet and yanked his jeans on. “Never better. Help me push.”

  Working together, Nico and Emma shoved the toppled bureau back another foot. Nico sagged, wiping his brow, then came face-to-face with Tyler as his friend nearly trampled him exiting the stairwell.

  “It’s almost to the top!” Tyler shouted, his eyes rolling like a spooked horse. “The Darkdeep’s coming for us!”

  Opal squeezed out next, followed by Logan, who sucked in his chest and forced his body through the gap. He quickly shut the panel behind him. “I hope this is a watertight seal,” he panted, eyes skeptical.

  “You had one more minute,” Opal said, smiling a little too wildly as she handed Nico his jacket and sneakers. “Then we were going in, too.”

  Nico slumped onto the bench and put his hands on his knees. “Easy peasy,” he mumbled. Then he wriggled his shoes on and wrapped the warm jacket over his freezing skin.

  Logan’s eyes darted around the empty showroom. “Where’d all the figments go?”

  Nico’s head shot back up. “Thing said they found something else to target that might interest me. Anyone have a guess?”

  Emma went white as a ghost. “I do.”

  They all glanced at her. She had both hands in her hair. “Like I said earlier, it’s a bad night for a figment breakout.”

  “What do you mean?” Tyler asked. “When’s a good night?”

  “You don’t understand,” Emma squeaked. “When I was with the crew earlier, Bridger was discussing his big new plan. They’re gonna shoot a reenactment scene down on the beach, to simulate the Beast attacking shore or something.”

  “Oh no.” Opal covered her mouth. “They’ll be filming outside with all those figments on the loose.”

  “It gets worse.” Emma swallowed. “Bridger said he’d already told the mayor and some other locals, so by now the whole town knows. Lots of people will probably hike down to watch the production. I think Colton wants a crowd. He’s been playing up that it’s Halloween night, and anything could happen.”

  Nico stared at Emma in horror. “Where are they planning to shoot?”

  Emma squeezed her eyes shut. “Just off Razor Point.”

  Logan sucked in a ragged breath. “That’s less than a mile from here. Everyone will be right by the water. In the dark.”

  Nico nodded, barely able to speak the words.

  “They’ll be sitting ducks.”

  26

  OPAL

  Opal peered from the top of the bluff.

  “There!” Her finger shot out. “Lights on the beach. That must be where they’re filming.”

  Emma shivered, the electric lantern bouncing in her hands. “We have to stop this somehow.”

  Opal nodded, gathering herself for another sprint. They’d run all the way through the tunnel under Still Cove. Then, hearts pounding from fear and exhaustion, they’d hurried up the narrow trail and jogged to Razor Point, skirting Fort Bulloch to its right. Below them, a wide, hard-packed beach ran from the lighthouse to another set of jutting sea cliffs a mile short of Timbers itself.

  There were only two trails leading down to this section of beach—one where they stood, and another at the far end closer to town. Opal spotted movement on the sand below. A small crowd stood at the edge of the floodlights, murmuring like a herd of cattle.

  Nico swore under his breath. “Half the town must be here. Is no one trick-or-treating?”

  Logan slapped a hand to his forehead. “Oh, jeez. I think I see my dad. I wonder if the sheriff’s here, too? I’m not looking to get arrested tonight.”

  “I was hoping Bridger might cancel this and chase the Beast instead,” Nico muttered glumly. “Our luck stays bad.”

  Opal saw Bridger step into the glaring lights—arms flailing as he barked instructions at his crew—but she was too far away to hear what he was saying. “Come on. Colton looks worked up. Who knows what he’ll do now that he thinks he’s seen a real sea monster.”

  “He did, though,” Tyler said. “That’s the crazy part.”

  Opal led the others down the trail. They reached the back of the crowd and began worming through it. She saw lots of familiar faces—Mayor Hayt, Megan Cook, her mom, and even Mrs. Johnson, the ancient town librarian. Carson and Parker were hovering near a camera tripod, barely resisting the urge to mess with it.

  Plus a ton of teenagers. Evan Martinez was standing with a girl in a Wonder Woman costume, who whispered something in his ear and giggled. Ugh. Then Logan spotted Sheriff Ritchie and steered the group in the opposite direction.

  The assembled throng watched the film crew set up with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Some seemed enamored by the lights and undeniable feeling of excitement. Others frowned at the van parked on a protected beach, where it wasn’t supposed to be. Bridger was racing around, framing his shots and ignoring all scrutiny. For better or worse, this was a Halloween night that no one in Timbers would ever forget.

  “Make way, please!” Emma called out. “Film team grip, coming through!”

  A reluctant gap appeared, and the gang shimmied to the front. They stepped beyond a pair of orange traffic cones and approached the cameras.

  Jake’s eyebrows rose. “You’re back.”

  “No thanks to you,” Emma snapped. “We paddled all the way here. Turns out that island isn’t very secret—some lame summer camp uses the other side for archery practice. I told you Still Cove was boring.”

  Jake shrugged, then nodded to where Bridger was berating Derek about the placement of a boom mike. “I wouldn’t bug him if I
were you. Ever since … whatever it was got away from us, it’s like he’s hooked up to a car battery.” Jake shivered, no doubt remembering the line of wake they’d chased into Skagit Sound. “We clipped a rock leaving the cove and that rowboat almost sank. Bridger was furious. When we got to the beach, he decided to shoot the reenactment anyway, or we wouldn’t have anything for a finale. So now I’m stuck here working on Halloween.”

  Emma and Opal walked over to where Bridger was clipping a mike to his collar. He looked up at them and flinched, nearly losing his balance, with one arm stuck inside his shirt. His gaze narrowed on Emma.

  “So glad you could join us, Elizabeth. I was wondering if you’d quit.”

  Emma stared, openmouthed. “You ditched me!”

  “Pshhh.” Bridger flapped a dismissive hand. “I knew you’d figure something out.” Then, eyes gleaming, he leaned forward and spoke in a low, urgent voice. “I nearly caught the monster on film. It was tremendous. Did you see it?”

  “I saw a wave,” Nico said, forced-casual as he sidled up next to Emma. “Those happen in the ocean. Or maybe an orca got lost in the cove?”

  Bridger frowned deeply. “Nonsense. That must’ve been the Beast. It’s … it’s real.” He said the last word to himself, as if he could hardly believe it. “We’re going full steam ahead. I’m calling this production Beast-O-Ween! A thrilling reenactment of last week’s eyewitness sighting. We have props and everything.”

  Opal noticed a length of molded purple plastic pushed against the van. Beside it was a second manufactured piece, with tentacles dangling from its top. Derek, having stripped down to a wetsuit, was strapping the first section to his body with a scowl.

  “That’s your Beast?” Logan scoffed.

  “It’ll look fine once we edit in post,” Bridger snapped. “Now, off my set please. I’ve got magic to make.” He stomped away, hollering for quiet.

  Opal darted after him. “Colton, please! You have to cancel this shoot. It’s not safe for people to—”

  Bridger whirled like a top. “Cancel? What are you talking about?” He pinched his thumb and index finger together. “I’m this close to making history. A real, live, actual sea monster! After I shoot this scene as a precaution, I’m going to find the creature, and record footage that will change … everything. Nothing can stop me.”

  Opal stared. Bridger was nearly foaming at the mouth. She wondered if coming so close to seeing the real Beast had snapped something inside him. Backing away, he cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled, “Quiet on the beach!”

  Nico tapped Opal’s shoulder. “We tried. We just have to hope noth—”

  A sound echoed, from somewhere far out at sea. A wet, sibilant hiss.

  Opal felt a shiver roll through her body. “Oh no.”

  A rogue wave crashed onshore, its glittering foam surging underneath the lighting array. The film crew danced back in alarm.

  “We’re too late,” Nico whispered.

  Eyes appeared in the darkness. Hulking shapes.

  Bridger squinted in confusion. “What’s going on? I never said action. Why is Derek already in the water?” Then he saw Derek standing beside the van, scratching his head. Bridger turned back to the ocean, all color draining from his face.

  Shadowy forms slowly crept from the surf. Opal felt blood rush to her head.

  “Guys.” Logan’s voice cracked. “I think it’s time to get the heck out of here.”

  “Past time,” Tyler agreed, edging away. He bumped into Emma, who’d frozen in place.

  Opal couldn’t stop staring into the darkness. The worst was about to happen, and there was nothing they could do to stop it.

  Thing’s figments had arrived.

  It was like watching the end of the world.

  The army stormed from the water, land-bound figments leaping off the backs of those that could swim.

  Screams erupted all around as the beach exploded into pandemonium. In the floodlights’ harsh glow, people shrieked and ran. Then the entire array toppled, its spotlights dropping haphazardly to cast lurid shadows. Figments darted everywhere, spreading panic as townspeople fled toward the bluffs.

  Opal felt close to hysteria. They’re everywhere! We’ll never cover this up!

  Slash appeared, still riding the enormous insect-troll. Cackling wildly, the insufferable gremlin started chasing Old Lady Johnson across the dunes. Jacqueline, Derek, and Jake took off down the beach, abandoning the cameras and everything else.

  “Where’s Bridger?” Opal shouted.

  Nico shook his head, then dove to the side as a giant spider skittered across the sand. A sky-blue Care Bear was perched on its back and firing trophy-shaped lasers from its chest. Tyler and Logan had frozen into statues, gaping at the chaos.

  Not Emma. She raced for the Freakshow van like she’d been shot from a cannon.

  Opal couldn’t believe it. She’d never seen Emma run from anything, but her friend yanked open the rear door and launched herself inside, slamming it shut behind her.

  Tyler shook himself. “Emma! Wait! What are you doing?” He sprinted to the vehicle and pounded on the back. It opened a crack. Tyler yelled something, then his eyes popped. He clambered inside.

  Tyler shut the door. They were gone.

  Emma and Tyler had bailed.

  Opal, Nico, and Logan exchanged disbelieving glances as figments yowled around them. The paths off the beach were clogged with panicked townspeople. Dangerous creatures stalked toward the bluffs.

  Opal grabbed Nico’s arm. “We have to do something!”

  Before he could respond, Opal spotted movement in the van’s front seat. Its wheels began to spin, tossing sand but going nowhere. Someone inside was punching the gas, yet the vehicle was stuck, its tires gouging deep trenches into the beach.

  Opal took a step toward the van. Is Emma trying to drive?

  A two-headed pegasus stomped out of the waves in front of her, shedding water as flames exploded from its jaws. Its savage glow illuminated the van’s windshield. Opal spotted Colton Bridger hunched in the driver’s seat, frantically working the gearshift.

  He was abandoning the beach.

  He was ditching his own crew.

  A cry sounded behind her and Opal spun. Carson Brandt tripped and fell in the sand, curling into a ball as a snarling, red-eyed sphinx loomed over him. The figment reached down with claws extended, fanged jaws spreading wide.

  Logan shoulder-slammed into the creature, knocking it sideways. He hauled Carson up, and they both backed away as the enraged figment struggled to regain its balance. Smoke poured from the sphinx’s nostrils as it flapped its wings, preparing to attack.

  A stone rocketed into the side of its head. The sphinx snorted angrily, but took another direct hit to the temple. Seconds later a third missile struck its broad nose. The figment howled in pain and pranced backward, then whirled and slunk away.

  Opal shot a glance to her left. Hands shaking, Nico fumbled to find another rock on the beach.

  “What was that?!” Carson wailed. He shot a wild-eyed look at Logan, then took off before anyone could speak.

  Logan wheeled to face Opal, a vein pumping in his neck. “We have to stop this soon, or it could turn into a bloodbath!”

  Fear made Opal’s voice bitter. “How? We didn’t create these figments, Thing did.”

  Logan shrugged helplessly.

  A shadow moved in the corner of Opal’s vision, but when she turned to look, it slipped away. Then she spotted a knot of scaly, eel-like creatures skittering across the sand. Opal removed her dagger from her jacket but knew it wouldn’t do any good.

  “Stick close together,” Nico said, licking his lips as he removed his own blade. “We’ll take them down one at a time if we have to.”

  Logan slammed a fist to his thigh. “The daggers don’t work, Nico! We have no way to fight back!”

  Nico sighed in despair. “What else can we do?”

  Slash reappeared, chasing the Freakshow crew back up the beach.
He was laughing so hard he nearly fell from the insect-troll’s shoulders.

  The wheels on the van squealed once again. Opal smelled burning rubber. She spotted Bridger twisting around in the front seat, trying to escape in reverse. Opal raced over and pounded on the window. “Get out and help!”

  Shoulders hunched, Bridger shook his head furiously. Then his eyes widened as he gaped over her shoulder.

  Opal whirled.

  The sphinx was right behind her.

  27

  NICO

  Nico charged, waving his arms at the sphinx.

  Opal cringed back against the van and swung her dagger wildly. The blade passed straight through the creature’s body without leaving a mark. The figment hissed and sprang away, leaving deep gouges in the sand.

  Why won’t the daggers work?!

  “Get away from her!” Nico shouted, raising his own blade in what felt like a useless gesture. But then a high-pitched voice boomed over the chaos, freezing everything in place.

  “HEY THERE! Great show, everyone!”

  The sphinx paused, glaring up at something. Nico glanced at the van and gasped.

  Emma was standing on its roof, a microphone in one hand and a sweatshirt-wrapped bundle tucked under her other arm. The mike’s wire ran to the rear door, which was open again. Tyler’s face poked out as he fumbled with a ball of cables.

  “What is she doing?” Logan breathed, standing at Nico’s side. Nico just shook his head.

  “HEY!” Emma boomed again, as more speakers amplified her voice. Tyler was now hunched over a soundboard inside the van, adjusting dials and muttering nervously.

  Figments stared in confusion. The panicked crowd cowered in shocked silence as a weird stasis swept over both groups.

  “Everyone is doing fantastic!” Emma said cheerfully, though Nico heard a quaver in her voice. “You’re really nailing this scene. But you have to listen for your next instructions.”

  Clamping the mike with her chin, Emma uncovered the bundle in her arms and held up a glowing jar. “Look what I have,” she announced in a singsong voice. In a flash, Nico realized she was now talking to the figments. “Do you think I should drop it?”