by T S Paul
“Yup.” That was the only answer I got as Charles grabbed both his dogs and ran for the trees.
There was another loud screech, and the dogs started howling. The tree branches above us began to crack and creak. I would almost swear that the monster was right above us.
Another screech split the sky. To us on the ground, it sounded as if there was more than one. Grabbing up Kevin’s crossbow I aimed at a dark shape in the foliage above us and fired.
“Did you hit it?” Charles asked me.
“No idea,” I fumbled with the quarrels. My hands were shaking so badly I almost misfired the thing.
Sighting at the shape again I fired a second shot. This time there was an immense screech followed by another further away.
“You got it, Dog Boy! You killed it!” Charles jumped up slapping me on the back.
“I don’t think I did. It might be back.” I quickly reloaded the bow.
It was the act of reloading that saved my life. Neither of us heard the silent wings behind us. Like a giant owl, the creature came gliding in, talons outstretched, aiming right at our heads. I bowed my head just as it struck!
Charles went down like someone poleaxed him! The tip of one of the talons grazed my shoulder and ear leaving a deep scratch. Blood began to well up and drip downward.
Crying out in pain, I hit the ground. My hand came away from my shoulder bloody. The pain didn’t match the amount of blood, but I screamed anyway. Crawling over to my friend I gave him a shake. Charles mumbled something but stayed unconscious. His Were healing saved him from sudden, irretrievable death but did not keep him awake.
Craning my neck, I looked up at the sky. I ignored the blood on my shoulder and rolled over. I grabbed the crossbow and reloaded it. There was another screech, and I could see the monster making another pass. Without thought or even a plan, I just fired blindly aiming for the spot in the middle.
The creature screamed again and crashed into the trees surrounding the campsite.
I tried to slow my breathing, but I felt as though my heart would beat its way out of my chest by itself. I climbed to my feet. A pile of feathers and claws lay not more than ten feet from me.
Snatching up the bow I started to load it again. There was another of those things up there.
“Why am I laying in pee?” Charles commented as he tried to stand.
“The dogs were scared and so were you it seems,” I told him.
Charles looked past me at the pile of feathers. “Is it dead?”
He poked at it with a stick. The monster didn’t jump up and kill him, so he jabbed it again.
“I think so.” Charles jabbed the monster a third time.
Stepping closer to the monster I could see that it looked like a giant chicken mated with both an owl and a human. What was that thing? “Is it the Piasa Bird?”
“If it’s not, it might be a Demon,” Charles replied looking as scared as I was. “Is that blood on your shoulder?”
I looked down at all the dried blood on my shirt and suddenly noticed the pain on my shoulder. “Ouch.”
Peeling the shirt away I could see a deep scratch across the middle of my right shoulder. The bleeding had stopped, and it was scabbing up. “I’m not gonna turn into one of those, am I?”
Charles started laughing. “Even if I scratched you, you wouldn’t. All those years with the pack and you forget that part?”
My cheeks warmed up a bit. “Sorry. Gut reaction. You guys are born to be what you are. Unless I meet a Vampire, I’m stuck like this.”
“Chances are you won’t ever see one. They’re pretty rare out here.” Charles smiled at me.
“Good, I need all my blood where it is,” I told him.
The dogs tried to sniff the corpse of the monster, but we both grabbed one and sat down by our fire. If Kevin made it ashore, he would send help.
Just before dark help materialized along with Kevin.
“Charles! Jack! Are you here?”
We had just laid the extra wood on the fire when we heard Kevin yell. Looking toward where the boat was we saw him and a couple of strangers walking into the campsite.
“I brought Mr. Szandor and the sheriff with me.” Kevin motioned to the men with him.
“You boys need to be more careful out here. Freak boating accidents happen all the time. I don’t like fishing kids out of the river. You two OK?” The largest man was wearing a brown sheriffs uniform complete with a hat.
“Yes, sir. We killed a monster.” Charles answered for me.
The sheriff raised an eyebrow and looked back at the other man. “What monster?”
“The one over there. Jack shot it with Kevin’s bow.” Charles pointed to the lump of feathers behind us.
“You two are crazy! I told you there’s no such thing as monsters…” Kevin looked past us and saw the thing. “What the hell?”
“Sorry, I touched your stuff, Kevin. It was trying to eat us,” I informed him.
Kevin didn’t say anything as he walked around us and stared at the big monster. I didn’t pay any attention to him. I was watching the adults.
The sheriff was looking away from us. He and the other man were saying something, but I couldn’t hear it. I looked at Charles as he shook his head. Somehow they were whispering things a Were couldn’t hear!
“Come away from that thing, Kevin. It might be a Demon. Get your stuff. I’m taking you three back upriver right now. Anton here will take care of whatever that is and guard the site. I have to call the state police now, and I sure can’t do that from here. Get moving.” The unnamed sheriff started giving orders.
“Who’s this guy?” I whispered to Kevin as we started packing up our stuff.
“He was at the farmer’s house when I ran up. He’s the Franklin County Sheriff. That’s what was on his car. The other guy owns the farm over there. First time I’ve met either of them.” Kevin whispered back. “Did you really use my bow to kill that thing?”
I nodded to him. “Yes, I did.”
“I’m renaming you Monster Killer. Dog Boy is too tame,” Kevin remarked.
I shot him a smile.
“Come on boys. Hurry it up there! I want to get outta here and have you home by dark.” The sheriff yelled at us.
Giving the monster a last look, I joined my friends in the motorboat parked next to the remains of ours. “Sheriff? What is that thing?”
The big man gave me a look for just a moment that could melt steel, but only for a moment. His face changed. “No idea, son. You boys were lucky regardless. No coming back here, you hear? If I see any of you out here without a parent or whoever, I’ll arrest you for trespassing on Anton’s property. He owns that little island over there.”
All three of us looked back at where we camped. I didn’t remember seeing any signs. He took us down the river just a bit to a raggedy dock sticking out into the river. A police car sat up on the riverbank.
“Let’s get you home.”
My new boss only smiled at me when I finished.
“Well?” I asked Anastasia.
“What happened when he took you home?” She asked me.
“Not much. My stepdad, Chuck, had a raging fit, but Sheriff Watson calmed him down and said something to him. After that, the matter was done. Any time I brought it up, he shut me right down claiming it was top secret, and I wasn’t to speak of it. My mom told me later that the sheriff said it was a military project,” I replied.
Anastasia shook her head. “No. It wasn’t. Both the sheriff and that farmer were later arrested on charges of Demonic influence. What you killed is called a Harpy. Call it a Greek Demon if you like. Those two and a few others raised it up and set it loose. They figured the Indian legends would keep it safe. Like most things, the Piasa Bird is a lie.”
“What happened to them?” I asked.
“Don’t concern yourself with them. We have very special prisons for those sorts. Now, you told me yours, I’ll tell you mine.” Anastasia smiled. It was an open toothed smil
e, and I could see three-inch-long incisors suddenly come out of the upper jaw!
I tried to scoot backward in my chair but found her holding it tight. I never even saw her move!
“Vampires are not as rare as you think them to be. Calm down. I work for the FBI the same as you.” Anastasia walked back to her desk and sat down.
“I’ve been on his staff since 1945. It’s why I’m in a unique position to assist you. It’s also why I think you should succeed and not fail. There are way more things that go bump in the night than humanity imagines,” Anastasia explained.
I realized I didn’t have much choice here. If I refused the posting, my career was over before it began and if I took it, I might be trapped forever.
“How do I get cases?” I asked.
Anastasia handed me a thick file of paper. “You’ll call in once a day whenever possible. Information will be given to you and only you. This is a backlog of potential cases as well as a few solved or concluded cases. Those are on top. Just a taste of things. Your authority ends with the Director. You are under his express orders. If anyone questions you, show them your badge first, this authorization second.”
She handed me a leather folder with a plastic covered letter inside it.
“Try very hard not to overstep your bounds. Director Hoover isn’t the most forgiving man. But keep in mind that he expects you to fail. So a few mistakes are allowed. I’m your direct supervisor for now. At least until you get your feet wet. I do have other duties so you may have to give your report to Mrs. Gandy sometimes.”
I frowned at that.
“She’s not that bad, just very devoted to the director. Don’t cross her or your paycheck could be late. Very late. Any questions?” Anastasia asked me.
“Badge, itinerary, that truck you mentioned, I have tons of them,” I told her.
Anastasia pulled open a drawer and tossed me a set of credentials. They’d used my cadet picture. A set of keys flew at my head. “The truck is in the central motor pool, show your badge and the key to the guard. As for an itinerary, you have graduation first. Then you are on your own. My suggestion is flip through the file and pick an easy one. Try to solve at least a couple of cases a month.”
And that was it. I looked back at my drunken classmates. They thought my promotion was the greatest thing since sliced bread. It was unprecedented for a cadet to be offered something like this. I wanted it. Keeping America safe from the supernatural was something I was born to do and now I could.
Monsters beware. Jack Dalton is on the case!
Jack Dalton, Monster Hunter
Book 2
“Is this the FBI motor pool?” Jack asked the dust-covered guard sitting in a chair outside a very tall chain link fence.
The older man set down his newspaper and looked up at Jack. Pointing his finger at a sign over his head he spoke. “That’s what the sign says. What business do you have here?”
“I’m the new head of the Magical Division, Jack Dalton.” Jack held out his hand.
The guard cocked his head to one side and stared up at Jack expectantly.
Jack blushed and bowed his head. Digging into his coat pocket, he pulled out a folded sheet of paper and thrust it forward. “Sorry, I was told to pick up my vehicle here?”
Taking the paper, the guard nodded. He looked down and carefully unfolded the document. Pursing his lips, he nodded again. “If you had to have authorization those are the names to have. Go on in, kid. The man you want is named Charles. He’s the one with the key to the garage.”
Jack took his paperwork back and stepped through the gate into the yard it protected. Dust and dirt were everywhere. Due to wartime budget cuts and other factors, the maintenance yard and motor pool was unpaved and mostly neglected. It was here official cars were repaired and stored.
As he walked past cars up on blocks and piles of junk that resembled cars, Jack considered the reason he was here.
<<< >>>
“Take this to the motor pool and pick up your official car. It was picked out for you by me.” The Vampire known as Anastasia handed him a sheet of paper. “You’ll still need weapons and other accouterments. The arsenal is next door to the motor pool. Think big and lean on your experiences when choosing what you need. Remember your training and try to think outside-the-box for this. Weapons like crossbows aren’t available in rural America. You can do this Jack. I have high hopes for you. Prove the big man wrong and succeed.”
Jack took a second sheet of paper from her. Already the job was a bit surreal. There were rumors at the Academy, of paranormals working inside the FBI but everyone thought they were just rumors.
“Do you understand your parameters and rules? I’ve taken the liberty of having a packet made up of contacts and general information. It’s waiting for you with the car. There is a shortwave radio built into the back as well as parts and equipment needed to send and receive telegraphs. We have a dedicated switchboard set up for you. Call this number weekly for assignment information as well as instructions from me. Build your contacts. Much of what you do will come from the officers out there in the trenches fighting these things. Call me if needed. Understand?” Anastasia caught Jack’s eyes and stared at him.
Unable to look away Jack nodded. “Yes, Ma’am.”
The Vampire smiled. “You make me feel old. Now I’ve got one more thing to say and then move you on your way. Come closer.”
Jack felt himself move around her desk toward her.
“Closer. Come over here by me. I need to whisper this one. It’s top secret information.” Anastasia motioned with her finger.
Jack stepped up next to his boss and bent down. He could feel the heat of her breath on his neck as she spoke softly to him. Her cold hands gripped his arm and pulled him even closer to her.
“You and I are going to have a wonderful relationship together Agent Dalton. Agents such as yourself rarely come this close to me. Now let me taste … I mean, tell you a secret.” Jack strained to listen as Ana’s face came even closer to his neck.
That was the last thing he remembered. Ana told him one of a Vampire’s powers was to implant suggestions in humans. The Director had instructed her to make him loyal to only the FBI and no one else. Or at least that is what she told him.
Jack didn’t have any reason to not trust what Director Hoover was saying. Not even a little.
<<< >>>
There weren’t any workers in the front part of the yard only wrecks and stripped cars. Mechanical noises could be heard in the distance, so Jack worked his way around to the rear area.
“This must be it,” Jack said to himself. There was a very large warehouse surrounded by cars in the back. Men dressed in overalls and jumpsuits were crawling in and under cars everywhere.
Addressing a pair of legs sticking out from under a shiny limo, Jack asked a question. “Excuse me? Is Charles around?”
“It depends on who’s asking?” A muffled voice answered. The legs twitched as the body they were attached to rolled out.
“Agent Jack Dalton. I was told to pick up my new vehicle here.” Jack held out a hand to the grease-covered man.
Gripping the offered hand, the mechanic stood up and stared at Jack. “Who sent you?”
“I’m the new head of the Magical Division. Director Hoover appointed me yesterday to the position,” Jack replied.
The mechanic frowned, repeating the question. “Who sent you to us?”
“Anastasia sent me.”
“Good answer. I recommend in the future you listen first before answering, kid. Some things are more literal than others.” The man pointed his finger at Jack. “Ana is good people. Hurt her … and we will hurt you.”
Jack blinked a couple of times before answering. How he could hurt a Vampire boggled his mind. Hoover’s assistant even more so. “I won’t. I promise.”
The grease-covered man nodded toward the warehouse at the rear of the facility. “Come on, kid. What you want is back here.”
Jack followe
d along as the man, Charles Taylor, led him to the large building. As they passed other workers dropped what they were doing and joined the procession.
“The big man ordered us to provide you with any old thing, but Anastasia stepped in and thought you needed more support. We confiscated this vehicle during an illegal weapons sting a few years ago. It’s been collecting dust in the back. We made a few modifications, but it already had secrets of its own.” Charles grabbed a large metal door and pulled.
Several of the tagalong men ran forward, sliding the bay door open. Sitting in the middle of the room was a yellow and black beauty.
“What year is it?” Jack asked.
“1952. Before the smugglers got it, it was used to deliver auto parts for one of the big national chains. If you look close, you can see the lettering under the paint. The arresting agents wanted it for undercover work, but it was lost in the system. How it ended up here is a mystery, but for you, it should be perfect. It’s sturdy, easy to repair, and unlike anything the bureau is driving. We’ve added the basic logo to the doors and some words to the rear.” Charles handed Jack a set of keys.
Jack opened up one of the doors and peeked in. The driver’s seat was wider than most, but he could see fine leather stitching holding it together. In place of the passenger seat was a modified file cabinet and desk. “That’s different.”
“Ana said you were going it alone, so we modified things a little.” Charles walked to the rear. Carefully he opened the rear window and dropped the tailgate.
“As you can see we have a shortwave system set up in the back. It’s tight, but you should be able to fit a cot in here as well as whatever weapons you find. We weren’t sure of your plans, but we put in storage units on the sides and if you look close, a small dresser and portable sink. Your orders are in the glove compartment, Agent Dalton. Blow the horn when you want out. Please tell Miss Ana we kept our promise to her.” Charles smiled and left the bay. The other men laughing at Jack’s expression closed the bay doors behind them.
Jack stood in the dim light and stared at his new assignment. It was starting to feel real. The words ‘FBI Magical Division’ was emblazoned on both sides of the van.