“Since I’ve been at the camp. At least two months now.”
“Demon?” I say to Uriel.
She nods. “Looks like it.”
“Then Sara and Nal are walking into a trap.” I sit up abruptly, getting lightheaded from the rapid movement.
“There isn’t anything you can do for them,” she says. “You can’t even walk.”
“No. But I can at least call Nal to warn him.”
She shakes her head. “Your phone is dead,” she says. “Theirs too.”
“They never got the power back up?”
“From what Nal said, there wasn’t much left of the plant once the hell-hounds got done with it.”
“If those dogs belonged to Louis, why would he send them to destroy the power plant?”
“He wanted to be in charge,” Ralph says. “He must have sent them to kill Bert. The power plant was just in the way.”
“Why would he risk losing electricity though. Isn’t that why you were there?”
He nods. “Louis never wanted to get it back up. He also never spoke against Bert going.”
I look over at Uriel. “How long until you have enough juice to patch me up?”
“At least two days,” she says. “Maybe three.”
“Shit,” I say. “Then get me a pair of crutches. I have to go help them.”
“How do you plan to fight a demon with your leg like that?” she says. “You barely survived against Belial in good shape.”
“I wouldn’t have survived that if it wasn’t for Nal,” I say. “That’s why I need to be there. They might need my help.”
She shakes her head. “You are a stubborn one, Mitchell Butler.”
“Blame my mother,” I say, smiling. “Does that mean you are going to help me out, or do I have to rip these straps off?”
“Give me a few hours,” she says. “I might have enough to mend it enough to put some weight on it. Then we can get the doctor to put you in a walking cast.”
“What time is it now?” I say.
“Nearly night.”
“Then we might as well do this in the morning,” I say. “Just make sure the doctor has me ready to go first thing.”
“I’ll have her stop by while you sleep,” she says, smiling.
I nod. It wasn’t the best solution, but I’ll take it anyways.
“How does it feel?” Uriel asks as I step down on my foot. I feel a sharp pain shoot up my leg when I first put pressure on it, but it subsides quickly.
“Not the best,” I say. “But I can work with it.”
She smiles. “Take a few steps with it first, just to make sure. The last thing I want is for it to snap again while you are moving around.”
Holding onto the edge of the table, I ease myself into the first few steps. “Feels good so far,” I say looking over at her.
“Without the table,” she says. “If you can’t walk on your own, I won’t let you go.”
I sigh, knowing she will willingly tie me to the table again to make sure I stay put.
“Here goes nothing,” I say, stepping out with my injured leg, feeling the pain again as it takes my weight. It’s taking everything I have to keep from yelling out, but I keep it to myself. I can’t afford to let her stop me now.
After that first step, the rest get easier. While I still get a jolt of pain through my leg every time I step down, it lessens every time. I know eventually my mind will tune it out once my adrenaline is flowing. Just need to get to the camp to make sure that happens.
“What do you think?” I say, looking back.
“It will have to do,” she says. “I don’t think it’s a great idea, but I’m not going to stop you either.”
“How about you, Doc?”
She nods. “Best we are going to do on short notice.” She pulls a bottle of pills out of her bag and throws them at me. “Painkillers,” she says. “Just in case.”
“Only in an emergency,” Uriel says. “You don’t know if they will hinder your abilities.”
I nod, reluctantly. There has been more than one occasion I’ve had to use them drunk, and it wasn’t pretty. Nearly knocked Joe out when I tried to throw the steel mixers at some dude at the hotel. Even today I couldn’t tell you what the guy was doing, but it must’ve been bad if I was throwing shit at him.
Or I was really drunk. I admit that could have been the cause.
I walk over to Ralph and sit on the edge of his bed. “How are you holding up?”
“About as well as I expected,” he says. “You heading out?”
“Soon,” I nod. “Once I grab some supplies.”
“Look. I don’t know how you do the things you did back there, but I’m glad you are the one saving my wife.”
“Not the only one,” I say. “I have two close friends that beat me to the punch. I’m just hoping they aren’t in too much trouble.”
He sits up and wraps his hand around my forearm. “Come back in one piece, will ya.”
I tilt my head back at Uriel, “She doesn’t give me a choice in the matter.”
I hear the sound of footsteps walking down the stairs. Commander Stevens walks around the corner, two of his men in tow.
“Your car is ready to go,” he says.
“I appreciate it, Russ.”
“I have one… request.”
“Name it.”
“Take these two with you,” he says. “Two of my best. Just in case things get rough over there.”
“Thanks for the gesture,” I say. “But I work best alone.”
I feel a hand touch me on my shoulder. “It’s not a request, Mitch,” Uriel says. “You take them, or you don’t go.”
I sigh. “Going to warn you two now. Your bullets may end up being pointless where we are going. It’s near impossible to take down a demon with conventional weaponry.”
Commander Stevens steps forward. “That’s why they have been equipped with some special ammunition at Uriel’s request.”
I look over in surprise only to see her with a wide grin on her face.
“They both have a pistol equipped with iron bullets. While the rounds are heavier than the normal ammunition we use, they should still be fairly accurate.”
“Sounds good,” I say.
“That’s not it.” The soldiers both turn around, exposing the weapon at their hips. “They are also equipped with a pistol-gripped hand-held shotgun loaded with salt pellets.”
“Sweet,” I say. “Now turn around the other way and show me your Super Soakers full of holy water.”
Stevens laughs. “Not practical,” he says. One of the solders walks up and pulls out a glass bottle out of his grenade pouch. “While they aren’t optimal, it is better than nothing.”
“Impressive,” I say. “I guess my next question is simple.”
“What’s that?” Steven’s asks.
“Who is going to drive?”
- 10 -
“Pull off over here,” I say pointing to a driveway that leads up the side of a hill. “I’d like to see what I’m getting myself into.”
Alana, the female solder with me, nods before making the turn. She follows the driveway as it curves through the woods until it stops at a large three story house overlooking the valley below. This place is a dream house of sorts until the winter months anyways. I wouldn’t want to navigate the driveway every time it snows.
The view, however, is amazing. From the top of the driveway there is nothing to see but trees for miles. A large ocean of green, but down below there is a speck of brown that stands out like a sore thumb.
Once the car is in park I open the door and step outside, wincing when I shift my weight on the leg.
“You good, sir?” Alana asks, grabbing my arm.
“I’m fine,” I say, pulling my binoculars up to my face. While the view is amazing, it is not good enough for me to see anything besides the walls of the compound below.
“We need to get up there.” I point to a window on the third level. “Might see som
ething from up there.”
“Got it, sir,” Neil says, rushing to the door.
He knocks on the door three times while I limp my way over.
“Nobody’s answering, sir,” he says.
“Would you answer if two armed people knocked on your door?”
“Guess not,” he says reaching for the handle.
I throw my shoulder forward to get Alana off my arm. “Cover him. I’ll stay in back.”
She smiles before moving to the other side of the door with her automatic rifle in her hands, swiveling into position when Neil opens the door.
“Clear,” she says, looking at me.
I motion them inside and follow close behind. Up ahead I see Neil walking into the hallway to search the rest of the floor while Alana stays close, gun aimed at the stairway. From the looks, the house belongs to someone who likes to hunt. On the floor is a bearskin rug covering the hardwood floors to go with the heads and racks of various game animals decorating the walls. The only thing he needed to finish the decoration was…
“Billy Bass,” Alana says, walking up to the spot it hung on the wall. “I haven’t seen these in forever.” She presses the button when she gets close, sighing when nothing happens.
We both jerk our heads to the hallway reacting to the sound of gunfire. Alana readies her weapon before darting into the hall.
“What was that?” Alana says when the gunfire stops.
“A raccoon,” Neil says before breaking into a fit of nervous laughter.
“I thought the military trained you better than that,” I said, hobbling away from the action. “I guess I don’t have to worry if we run up against a hell-raccoon.”
Alana walks back in the room, slapping me on the shoulder playfully with a smile. “That’s not nice.”
“I deserved it,” Neil said, still laughing. “Going to check upstairs.”
Alana nods, following him close behind with me hobbling at a distant third.
Up ahead they both turn around a corner at the top of the stairs about the same time I’m on step number four. I almost wish I had listened to Uriel at this point as this is the most painful thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.
“Floor’s clear, sir,” Alana says when I finally reach the top. “Neil is on his way to the third floor.”
“Go cover him,” I say. “You can get me when you’re done.”
She nods and runs off, leaving me hobbling over to the next staircase. For the first time in four years I wish for an elevator, even knowing the electricity is probably out for good. It’s amazing how fast your opinion can change on something by breaking your leg.
“You’ll want to see this, sir,” Neil says, walking down to help me up the stairs.
“What is it?”
“Just come.”
I take a few minutes to finish the climb, even with their help. They lead me into a room that would be empty if it wasn’t for a sniper rifle sitting near the window.
“So he cheats,” I say, talking about the animals in the den.
“That’s not it,” Alana says, handing me the gun. “Look.”
I lift the rifle up to my eye before leveling it towards the walls below.
“What the fuck?” I say, lowering the gun.
Alana nods, followed by Neil.
I shake my head before taking another look. Through the scope I see the wall clear as day. I move the gun around to get a better look before stopping on what looks like two large crosses jutting out of the ground.
“Does this thing have a zoom?” I say, looking at the pair.
Neil reaches over and turns a dial near my eye. “Right here, he says.”
I nod before bringing the gun back to my eye. It takes me a few moments, but I find the two crosses again. Once there I dial in the zoom until I have a clear view.
“That looks like Sara and Nal,” I say.
“It is,” Alana says. “We might be too late.”
“It’s never too late to dish out an ass whooping,” I say looking around the camp more.
Around the camp I see a few dozen vehicles stationed around four different houses. Beyond that I can’t make anything out thanks to the trees. I’m about to put down the gun when I see someone being thrown out of the yellow house below. When the person lands on the ground another one walks out the door with his arm stretched out. He takes a few steps before I see the distinct flash of a gunshot coming from his hand.
“Think I found where the boss lives,” I say. “What do you say we pay him a visit?”
“Hoorah, Sir!” the pair say, saluting.
I smile, handing Neil the rifle. “I assume you know how to use the scope.”
He responds with a nod.
“Good because I have a plan.”
Twenty minutes later Alana pulls up to the front gate. Within moments, two men holding rifles walks out of a makeshift guard shack out front to look us over. The one on the left walks up towards the diver’s side of the car. He isn’t young, by any means, but I wouldn’t put his age much higher than thirty. He is wearing a black long sleeve shirt to go with a pair of black slacks. The other man a pair of jeans, a white button up shirt and a large pair of cowboy boots. I’ll let you guess who is carrying the bigger gun.
“What do you want?” the guy in black asks, leaning into the car.
“Looking for a place to stay,” I say. “Your camp looks secure.”
He pulls the gun up to the window. “Get out of the car.”
“Sure thing,” I say, opening the door. Tex turns me around before slamming me into the side of the car to search me. I look over to see Alana getting searched the same way.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Tex says. “You are going to turn your happy ass around and walk on down the road. If you so much as look back, I’m going to send a bullet into your ass”
“What about her?” I say, pointing to Alana.
“She gets to say,” he says. “As our honored guest.”
The pair of thugs laugh.
“Not going to work,” I say signaling towards the man groping Alana. Alana gasps as the side of her thug’s head blows off, sending blood and brains against the walls before we hear the shot go off.
Tex takes a step back, his gun aimed to the ground.
“Your move, cowboy,” I say, cracking my knuckles.
He responds by lifting his weapon, which is what I expected to see. I’m about to pull the gun from his hand when I notice a man on the other side of the black iron gate. Shifting my land to the left, I manage throw Tex off balance. He pulls the trigger, putting a nice hole into the man at the gate.
Wasn’t what I had planned, but I’ll take it anyways.
Tex lowers his weapon, but isn’t given a chance to grieve before another shot sends the front of his face spraying over the companion he just shot.
I might have to keep Neil around, he is useful.
“Weapon up,” I say, pulling my knife out. “Time to go inside.”
I walk up to the gate and throw it open while she trains her rifle inside. With it open, she heads inside first with me limping close behind. We are nearly ten yards inside when a door opens to our left. Without hesitation, Alana turns her weapon, bringing the threat down with a single shot.
Impressive.
We continue through the compound, working our way to the place we saw the crosses. Part of me wanted to hit the yellow house first, but I have to make sure they are still alive. Taking down that asshole can wait.
After passing the first house, we jump the fence into the back yard. To be fair, I should say she jumped the fence then opened the latch. There was no way I was getting over a five foot tall white privacy fence on this foot.
Once we are in the back I can make out the top of one cross over the fence on the other side.
“Easy from here,” I say. “Don’t want a stray bullet hitting one of them.”
She nods, running off ahead.
It is hard to make out, but from here I can almo
st make out movement from the top of the cross. There is a breeze out, so it could be the wind doing it, but it looks like Sara is moving.
Just barely.
Alana signals that there are two on the other side of the fence. I nod in return. Two we can handle, even with me being gimped up.
“Hey you,” I hear the moment I pass the large sliding glass door.
I turn around and toss my knife in that direction. More instinct than anything. The last thing I want is to give away our position now.
With a flick of my wrist, I send my knife back on target as it was going to miss wide left. It catches him unaware in the throat as he laughed at my horrible aim.
Once the man is on the ground choking on his own blood, I draw the blade back to my hand. Up ahead, Alana smiling at our fortune.
Save it, girl. The hard part hasn’t even started.
“We need to go around,” I whisper, walking towards the front.
Alana taps me on the shoulder before I get too far. “Over here,” she says, motioning me to follow.
She leads me to the back corner of the yard where she points out a loose fence panel next to another one that has fallen.
“Good eye,” I say, peeking around the corner.
“I got the ugly one,” I say, smiling.
She just nods.
I step through the hole in the fence and send my blade flying at a guy with a heavily burned face. I hear a single gunshot from behind me as Alana takes down the other guy.
“Sara!” I say, running up to her cross.
Above my head I see she is not staked to the thing, only tied. Not that being left like that was pleasant. From what Ive heard, it could take days for someone to die like that. I hope that is true knowing she may have been up there for a day now.
“Get him down,” I say, pointing to Nal. His eyes are open, but he isn’t talking. I’m not sure if he’s hurt or if it is dehydration talking, but in either case he doesn’t look well.
I untie Sara’s legs with little issue, but with a broken leg it’s impossible to get her arms free. Thankfully, I have a solution. With my knife out I send it above my head gently. When the blade is near the rope I yank my hand slightly, severing the rope. I repeat it on the other side leaving one last rope around her waist.
Vessel: The Demontouched Saga (Book 4) Page 6