I Kissed a Dog

by Carol Van Atta

  “Alcuin, please hurry. I need you,” I whispered urgently.

  From the corner of my eye I saw one of the shadows separate itself from the trees and dash to the cabins opposite side, then another did the same, and another.

  I wanted to believe my eyes were playing a cruel trick on me, but I knew otherwise.

  I wasn’t alone out here. I was being surrounded.

  ***

  Chapter 33

  Faster than I thought possible, I scanned the area for my supernatural stalkers. Seven showed up on my mental radar. Five were mutants. Two of them, I wasn’t certain which ones, caused my fear to escalate. The mutants made sense. I should have expected an attack. I’d gotten complacent with Zane always around. Tonight, I was on my own. But one thing was certain, I wasn’t going to roll over and die without a fight.

  I hoped Zane had left behind his pistol.

  He had wanted to equip me for the worst during our searches of the murder scenes. It sure wouldn’t hurt to have some old-fashioned fire power on hand despite my aversion to guns.

  I remembered my stepdad’s gun collection with mixed feelings. Bob had made it a priority to show me gun safety basics, too bad he hadn’t thought teaching me to shoot was as important.

  Frantic with fear, I dug through the glove compartment and was preparing to scramble into the back seat, to access the trunk, when I remembered my very effective, mind-bending barrage in Vegas. I could only hope my abilities had expanded yet again, because I was planning an attack on multiple levels. Reaching more than one mind at time wasn’t something I’d ever attempted.

  Another shadowy form ducked behind the cabin. They were going to systematically attack me.

  I had to act now.

  Not sure how to start, I allowed my anger at Zane, Jazmine, and the mutants to soar to the surface like scorching lava rising in an erupting volcano. Until now, I hadn’t a clue to the extent of my bitterness.

  A rush of crimson and black filled my mind like a whirling tornado. I was somehow controlling the swirling mass. I probed the minds around me.

  Picturing a huge weapon, loaded with tormenting pain, I readied myself to fire.

  “Three, two, one! Take that you freaks!” I screeched.

  Something inside my head burst outward like a series of guided missiles launching from an aircraft carrier. My mental missiles hit their targets at once. I knew they’d made impact by the screams and roars that followed. Opening my eyes that I must have closed during the “launch” provided all the confirmation I needed.

  Writhing on the ground, around my car, were the five mutants. They were all gripping their heads. One by one, they stopped moving.

  Still wary, I opened my door and leaned out, surveying the scene. The mutant closest to me was staring with blank eyes at the starry night sky. His eyes locked in what I’d come to think of as the death gaze. Feeling bolder, I leapt from the car. The four other mutants were lifeless.

  I’d killed them.

  A little shiver trailed down my spine. My animal reading capabilities had turned from healing and helping to inflicting pain, even death. I wasn’t ready to accept myself as someone who killed. I doubted I’d ever be.

  “You had no choice,” a familiar voice said from behind.

  Not sure who or what I’d find, I forced myself to turn. I was facing two of the cloaked, ugly men. They were very similar in appearance, but I was able to recognize the one speaking as the same creature I’d met before. The other nodded his agreement.

  I took a slow step backward — the car’s safety beckoning.

  “Don’t be afraid. We’re here to help. We’ve been keeping an eye on the park’s property. The mutants have been congregating at this cabin,” the creature explained.

  I realized then I was no longer afraid. There was something calming about these misfits. “Who are you? Can you tell me what you know?”

  “My name is David,” the familiar one answered.

  What was it with the ordinary names? I still expected every supernatural being to have some exotically foreign name. “David? Not what I expected.”

  He chucked. “It wasn’t my first choice either.”

  “The coins …” I started but was interrupted by a flash of light and the sudden appearance of none other than Alcuin.

  It was about time.

  My new friends didn’t have the same warm fuzzy response to the vampire. I didn’t have a clue what they thought, because they’d made a swift exit to nowhere — vanished, without warning, again. I fought the urge to scold my vampire accomplice. He was nowhere in sight when I’d needed him. Now he’d ruined my opportunity to find out more about anything.

  Aware of his poor timing, he had the sense to look as disappointed as I was feeling. “I scared off your friends,” he said somewhat contrite. “It looks like you were able to handle things on your own.” He made a point of kicking one of the fallen mutants in the side.

  Realizing I should have shared my parking location to begin with, I decided not to lecture him. “I could’ve used you sooner, or later,” I muttered, unable to resist one final jab.

  “What’s done is done. Let’s get you to Portland, and then I’ll return to deal with this … mess.” Despite his scolding tone, I could tell he was impressed by my ingenuity.

  I should have been the one sprawled on the ground, less an arm or leg or head. At least my mess was bloodless and the bodies were still intact.

  “I don’t feel good about leaving my car. According to the bald guy, this is a haven for the bad mutants.” I hoped he’d have an acceptable solution. I’d already given up my home, at least temporarily, to the two M’s, and now that I was on the outs with Zane, I wasn’t sure about our living arrangement. The last thing I wanted was to lose my car.

  “I will find someone to ward this entire property, and I have a feeling your cloaked crusaders will keep watch until I return.”

  Reassured, I removed my small travel case from the trunk and made sure the car was locked. I’d have to trust that Alcuin would make good on his promise of protection. There weren’t any other options, unless I wanted to postpone my trip.

  “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

  I didn’t need to say it again. We vanished in a rush of wind, and moments later were standing in field behind one of several, windowless, storage buildings. The research facility loomed ahead of us. Lights around the property brightened up the area.

  Alcuin glanced at my bag. “Let’s get you checked into a hotel. You can’t cart your bag around, and you need a home base. Also, I took the liberty of picking up a rental car.”

  “Wow. Thanks. I didn’t even think about all that.” I decided right then that he was forgiven for interrupting my conversation back at the cabin.

  Moments later, we teleported into a hotel room. I just had to ask. “You already …”

  “Paid for the room, number 412,” He handed me the cardkey. “A black BMW is parked in a space with the corresponding number.” He grinned. “I wanted to make sure you had a place to unwind and a car to drive.”

  I had to give Alcuin credit. For a vampire, he was pretty in tune to a woman’s needs.

  “We’re on Cornell Road. The institution is out by the Hillsboro Airport. The state purchased a portion of their land to build it. I’ve also confirmed that the boy you seek is indeed a patient.”

  I was again amazed by Alcuin’s resourcefulness, but now I had bigger things to think about — like how to make contact with a boy who didn’t speak. I trusted that Alcuin would get us inside, but facing Joshua Smart, and getting him to open up to a complete stranger didn’t seem likely. Why was I attempting the impossible?

  Wanting to improve my odds, I reviewed the plan with Alcuin. He would teleport me to the facility. He’d already figured out a way around the guards. I didn’t ask how, because part of me was scared to know the answer. All I wanted was Alcuin to get me in and back out uninjured.

  There were no hitches getting in. We landed in a long hallway;
steel doors with barred windows lined both sides. Alcuin raised a finger to his lips and tilted his head to the left.

  A young man in a security uniform sat behind a small desk at the hallway’s end. He was hunched over a laptop screen. With his typical boldness, Alcuin stepped into his line of vision. The security guard registered Alcuin’s presence and staggered to his feet. “Stop! Don’t move.”

  His eyes darted between Alcuin and a nearby exit. Rather than flee, he scooted around the desk to face Alcuin, pulled out his weapon and raised it, his hand shaking. “What are you doing here?

  “I’d like to visit one of your patients,” Alcuin said, as if similar requests happened every night in this fashion.

  I almost laughed at the guard’s bewildered expression. He glanced at his watch.

  In that second Alcuin gripped him around the neck. I couldn’t hear what he whispered, but it got the guy’s attention. He bobbed his head as Alcuin relaxed his hold and moved to face him. They stood eye to eye.

  I couldn’t help feeling sorry for the kid; after all, that’s all he was. I guessed him to be about twenty-one, twenty two. This was probably his first job out of college. I’m sure he never expected to see a fanged-man on the psych ward. Though he’d more than likely met a few patients who believed they could sprout fangs.

  Alcuin spoke loud enough for me to hear from my position in the shadows. “What’s your name, young man?

  “Randy Miller, Sir.”

  “Mr. Randy Miller, I need you to unlock Joshua Smart’s door. I understand he is on this ward. Is that correct?”

  “Yes Sir, but he doesn’t talk.” Randy stared blankly at Alcuin. Vamp mind magic at its best. I decided hiding was no longer necessary and stepped into the corridor.

  “Chloe, no!” he ordered, losing control of Randy, who jumped sideways. Alcuin snatched him back by the collar and once again stared into his widened eyes. “Randy, you will not do that again, will you?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “Good boy. You are unable to move or speak without my permission. No matter what happens you will remain at your post. You will do nothing.” Randy straightened his shoulders and walked like a robot to his desk.

  Alcuin flashed to stand in front of me. “The cameras, I can keep myself from being videotaped, but you don’t have that luxury. Everything’s being operated by the laptop. I’ll need a minute to delete you from the tape and get the room information.”

  I waited, trying to stay patient under the circumstances. With his vampire speed and abilities, he solved the problems and was rewarded by a door’s lock disengaging with a loud clank. “Are you ready?” His eyes met mine.

  “How much time do we have?” Not knowing what Alcuin had arranged left me at a disadvantage. This would be my only opportunity to talk with a human eyewitness who’d actually seen the killers. I hoped I had enough time.

  I couldn’t screw it up.

  Chapter 3421

  I swallowed the urge to cry as my eyes adjusted to the near nonexistent lighting in Joshua Smart’s room. The fact that his living space was well-furnished and immaculate couldn’t conceal its cell-like atmosphere.

  But it wasn’t the surroundings that prompted my tears, it was the boy.

  Imagining him as a laughing, energetic, baseball player was no longer possible. He resembled a ghost, trapped in a human shell, unable to escape his anguish. His eyes were glazed and unseeing, yet, at the same time, seemed glued to an empty chair below the room’s sole window, a window protected by bars.

  Uneasy, I found myself staring at the chair wondering if he was envisioning someone or something seated there. My fear level amplified, pushing me closer to my own personal fright limit.

  Alcuin had advised that I leave the door open. I struggled with his suggestion, but decided to compromise. I pushed the heavy door into the halfway position, allowing us privacy while leaving a quick escape route.

  The boy was lost in a trance, or another dimension that I was unlikely to access in the short time we had together. If the last news reports were accurate, not even the best specialists had been able to communicate with the Smart boy.

  Maybe I should have stayed in Plum Beach with Zane. At least there I’d felt semi-safe.

  No. No. No. I would not allow Zane to invade my thoughts. Just thinking about him made my heart tighten. I never knew a broken heart could hurt so much.

  Get a grip, Chloe! Pay attention to that boy. He needs you. Zane can take care of himself. My mental motivation did the trick, and I refocused my attention on the task at hand.

  I took a seat in the chair.

  During my quick appraisal of Joshua’s room, he’d not once looked away from his beloved chair. It was if he’d been waiting centuries for a very specific guest to arrive.

  He’d have to settle for me.

  “Hi. I’m Chloe.” I searched his face for a visual response — a twitch, blink, or movement of any kind — nothing. “I’m sorry about your dad, and I know you saw something that night, something scary. You tried to tell the police about it and they didn’t believe you, did they?” I paused, hoping for a miracle and some sign that I was correct about him knowing more than he’d first let on.

  He blinked once, twice — the third time his eyes stayed opened.

  They locked on me.

  All I could do was stare back. I hadn’t expected him to respond, yet, here he was, clear-eyed and waiting for me to continue.

  “Joshua, can you understand me?” The question slipped out before I realized how demeaning it might sound. The kid was traumatized not an idiot. “Sorry. I’m just so glad you’re okay.”

  He scooted to the edge of his bed and grinned, a boy-smile that warmed my heart. I let my mask of concern drop and replaced it with my brightest smile. “It’s great to see you smile.”

  Curious, he looked at me. “Chloe?”

  I kept smiling, not sure where to start now that I had his undivided attention.

  “You’re the first person to talk to me like you believe me. I’m not crazy like my mom thinks I am. She won’t even visit.” His gaze dropped to his lap where he twisted his hands.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, and I’m sorry to rush you, but I don’t have much time. Can you tell me what you saw that night?” I doubted he needed me to verify which night I was referring to.

  He looked up. “Sure. I’ll never forget it. I got home after my game. When I walked in the door, I smelled something awful. Like wet dog, urine, and a pot full of pennies.”

  Blood and mutant body odor; smells I’d prefer to avoid in the future.

  “Did you see a woman?” I pressed, growing more anxious about the time.

  “I found my dad …” he gulped. “I guess I was in shock, because after finding him, I started to think I was in a nightmare. I thought I was dreaming.

  The sliding door off dad’s bedroom was knocked out, into the backyard. When I looked, this is the weird part — I saw what looked like a wolfman from the old horror movies, and the back of a woman disappearing into the trees. She had pretty red hair. I don’t know why I noticed that. My dad’s all torn up and I’m admiring some lady’s hair.” He hung his head again.

  I wasn’t sure what to say, but I couldn’t just let him shoulder all that shame. “You know shock does mess with a person’s mind. Believe me, I know. The red hair was the one pretty thing in the picture. It’s not surprising you noticed it.”

  His eyes met mine and he gave me the sweetest smile. It was obvious our conversation was doing wonders for his mental health, far more than the psychiatrists and their medications had accomplished. He just needed someone to listen to his story and believe it.

  Like Joshua, I understood how hard it was not to blurt out the truth to anyone willing to listen. I was also aware that if I decided to open up about my own supernatural situation, I’d be in a room just like Joshua’s in some comparable adult facility.

  Society didn’t take kindly to people who spouted off about vampires, werewolves, and witc
hes. On the other hand, vampires, werewolves, and witches didn’t appreciate blabbering humans spilling their secrets. Talk about feeling nuts with no one to tell.

  “Why won’t my mom see me? She acted so weird after dad’s murder. Not sad, just strange. Like she knew I was telling the truth but didn’t want to hear it.”

  I felt like kicking his mom’s ass. I’d already added finding out what her problem was to my list of things to accomplish. This kid didn’t belong here, nor did he deserve to be left alone like this.

  Not used to playing the mother role, I forced myself to get up and walk the few short steps to Joshua’s bed. I surrounded his small frame with my arms. He stiffened at first, and then collapsed against me. He did what I’d expect any kid in his position to do: he cried.

  For one brief moment, I considered taking him with me, but wasn’t sure that would be the safest option. If his mom was somehow involved, maybe he was better off here.

  “Joshua, I want to bring you with me, but it might be best for you stay here, just for awhile. I promise I’ll get you out. Start talking with people; just don’t talk about the monster. We know it’s real, but they don’t. Eventually, they’ll see your improvement and release you.”

  I didn’t know how much to say about my other worry, but I had to warn him. “If your mom asks again about what you saw, tell her it must have been a bad dream. I’m not sure you can trust her. I’m so sorry.”

  I waited for more tears, surprised when he squared his shoulders. His expression turned stern, and his lips tightened into a thin line. “I already wondered about that. I’ll be careful. Don’t worry.” He patted my leg like a parent consoling a child. “Oh! I almost forgot. The night after my dad died, a funny looking guy in a weird cloak-thingy came into my room. He gave me something, a note. I couldn’t read it.”

  I raised my eyebrows. The kid was intelligent, so he not being able to read didn’t add up. Then it hit me. And who’s the slow one? It’s in a foreign language, like the coins.