Smoke Rising

by Craig Halloran

  “Not yet,” Smoke said, leaning on the door frame. “But I say we take it to them.”

  If AV was here, then he certainly knew they were here. It might take hours to clear the building, not to mention the unnatural elements that surrounded them. What kind of man had they just taken down? It had attacked, but it hadn’t tried to eat them.

  It’s not a zombie. There’s no such thing as zombies. She headed back into the hall. The man-like thing on the floor was still moving.

  “Strange,” Smoke said, looking down at it. “I thought the head wound would kill it.”

  “This isn’t a movie. This is reality.”

  Smoke switched weapons. “And this is a forty-five automatic loaded with hollow points.” He pointed at the writhing thing’s heart.

  Blam.

  It stopped moving.

  He blew the smoke rolling from the barrel. “Critical hit.”

  Irritated, she said, “Will you stop shooting?”

  “We needed to know how to take these things out, and now we do.”

  “A bullet in the heart does that to anything.” She made her way back down the hallway, stopping and listening at patient doors from time to time. On the other side of the hall, Smoke did the same. She traversed the hall, passing the elevators. She heard a ding and turned back.

  Smoke stood in front of the elevators. The up button glowed with light. The doors split open and he half-stepped inside. He looked at her and said, “Going up?”

  “I’m not taking the elevator.” She crept in halfway and pressed buttons two and three, grabbed Smoke’s arm, and pushed him out. She ran down the hall with Smoke on her heels. Flashlight ready, she entered the stairwell, jogged up the steps, and stopped on the second floor landing. She peered through the door’s portal. Figures crowded in front of the elevator down the hall. One of them was limping.

  “That’s the guy,” Smoke said, cocking his pistol. “It has to be.”

  Sidney counted four men, but she didn’t see any weapons. It was odd. One of them disappeared into the elevator. Necks craned forward until the man stepped out into view again. Voices mumbled among themselves, and the group spread out, vanishing into patient rooms and behind the nurse’s station.

  “Ambush,” she whispered to Smoke.

  “I say we start at the top and work our way down. Give them something to think about.”

  “Agreed.” She turned her flashlight up the stairwell and took it two steps at a time. She stopped halfway to the first landing. A man stood there in ragged clothes, hollow-eyed and ugly. He held a grenade-sized object in his hands.

  “FBI! Hands up!”

  The man’s thoughtless expression didn’t change as he dropped the grenade down the stairwell. It bounced off the first step.

  Smoke scooped it up. “Stun grenade.” He flung it back at the man.

  Sidney squeezed her eyes shut and covered her ears.

  Flash! Boom!

  The sound inside the stairwell rocked her senses. She saw dizzying spots and sagged down the steps. There was ringing, ringing and ringing, and everything faded to black.

  CHAPTER 34

  A splash of cold water snapped Sidney out of her sleep. Wide-eyed and head aching, she tried to spit the gag from her mouth. Something bit into her wrists, which were tied behind her back. Her feet were bound as well.

  “Huh, huh,” a man said, lumbering by with a plastic bucket in his hands. He was thickset and bald. He wore a heavy blue sweater, grey sweatpants, and white tennis shoes. He poured the bucket of water on Smoke, who sat on the floor by her side, bound the same way.

  Smoke coughed and sputtered.

  The man walked away and disappeared through a double doorway.

  Spitting the gag from his mouth, Smoke said, “You all right?”

  Sidney nodded. Other than a piercing headache and stiff limbs, she was fine. They looked to be in the basement cafeteria, judging by the checkered tiles on the floor. They weren’t alone, either. Below the incandescent lights were more people, working at tables. They wore masks, gloves, and dark-grey scrubs. Some sat at the tables and others stood. She didn’t have a clear view of what they were doing. Not a one glanced their way.

  “See that?” Smoke said in a low tone. Two goons in pea coats lorded over a lone table. It had their guns and gear on it. “Be patient.”

  It was easier said than done. Sidney had never been captured before. Never been a captive of any sort. The revolting smells didn’t help, either. She strained against her bonds. Her eyes watered.

  “Save your energy,” Smoke advised.

  Balled up, she let her body go slack. Smoke was right. She focused on what the others were doing. A small figure that looked to be a boy taped up a box the others had loaded and moved it to a stack in the corner. Hmmm. Five people in all were making packages of some sort. It reminded her of the scene at Sting Ray’s bar. Children being exploited. She clenched her teeth.

  A small bell rang. The workers stopped what they were doing, and without a glance among them they departed from the room.

  With great effort, she spat the gag from her mouth and gasped.

  “Feel better?” Smoke said.

  “No. Hey!” she yelled over at the guards. “I’m a federal agent. I demand to know who is in charge.”

  The men remained frozen in place without a glance her way. Each one had a shotgun strapped over his shoulder.

  She heard Smoke’s belly grumble. “I don’t think they’re serving pancakes.”

  “No,” Smoke said just as the set of doors that led into the hallway opened. Two ghoulish men with clammy skin, wearing denim overalls, walked in. “And I don’t think they’re here to take our order.”

  The men came toward them with strong stiff movements. The first one grabbed Smoke by the collar and heaved him up on his shoulder. The second one did the same to Sidney. Draped over the ghastly men’s shoulders, they exited the room into a dark hallway and entered another. Sidney’s goon set her down in a padded office chair. An antique walnut desk in a well-furnished office was in front of her.

  Behind it sat AV in a high-backed leather chair.

  His eerie henchmen moved to either side of him.

  “I have to admit,” AV said, filing his nails, “This is a surprise. I normally fetch my enemies myself. But in this case, you came straight to me.” He wore a dark-purple dress shirt with rolled-up sleeves, revealing his hairy arms. The glow of two floor lamps against the back wall brought out the sheen in his waves of jet-black hair. He seemed small between his goons. “Agent Shaw, didn’t I mention that I would kill you?”

  “Yes, I recall you threatening a federal agent.”

  AV laughed. “And yet, here you are.” He waggled his finger at her. “Did you not see the bodies of your friends? Were they not torn to shreds?”

  A coldness overcame her.

  “Ah,” He continued, “you look confused. He eased back in the chair and rocked a little. “Let me fill you in.” He licked his teeth. “I’m a werewolf.”

  Sidney laughed despite the truth behind his words and the tingling that shot up her limbs. “Congratulations,” she said. “That must explain the fleas.”

  “Good one,” Smoke said with a nod. “And I told you so.”

  AV picked up a pistol that lay on the desk. It was Smoke’s Colt .45, black matte and pearl-handled, sheriff’s model. He popped open the chamber and emptied the bullets out of the cylinder. They were silver. “Either you’re a fan of the Lone Ranger, or you are as stupid as most men are.”

  “Really?” Sidney said, looking over at Smoke. “He’s not a werewolf.”

  “Ah, a skeptic. I love a skeptic.” AV opened a drawer and pulled a knife out. The wavy blade looked ancient. He turned in his chair and grabbed the hand of one of his goons and placed it on the desk. He skinned the hair off its arm. “Sharp, isn’t it?” The knife bit deeper, and he peeled off the skin, exposing the muscle beneath it.

  Sidney’s skin crawled.

  “See,
he doesn’t even scream.” The listless goon leaned back into attention. AV stuck the knife in its thigh. “And he makes for an excellent knife holder.” His dangerous eyes narrowed on Sidney. “Can you explain that, Agent Shaw?”

  No.

  “We call them deaders.”

  We?

  “Cursed flesh brought to life. Flesh automatons made for our bidding. Capable of executing simple commands. Fetch. Fight. Kill.”

  “That’s quite an accomplishment,” she said, twisting her wrists behind her. I need to get out of here. “Do you have a patent on it?”

  “Humph,” he said, plucking a pen from its holder and writing on something. “How did you find me? I need to tie up that loose end.”

  “It wasn’t that hard,” Smoke said. “Those wild wolf dogs led us here.”

  “I don’t think so,” AV said. “But no matter. I’ll figure it out soon enough.”

  “So, who is ‘we’?” she said, turning her ear to him. Keep him talking. “I can use all the leads I can get, because you’re only the first guy, I mean werewolf, on my list.”

  “Your tongue is sharp, Agent.” He leered at her. “I’m reconsidering.”

  “Reconsidering what?”

  “Twisting your head off first.” He picked up a phone that looked to be hers. “You have family, don’t you?” He turned her phone toward her. A picture of Megan, her niece, appeared.

  How’d he get in there?

  “You’ve seen what I can do,” he continued. “Imagine what I could do to her.”

  The blood rushed through her temples. Her heart sank. No!

  “Of course, that would be merciful,” AV said, flipping through the pictures. “Maybe I’ll have her turned into a deader.”

  “I’m going to kill you,” Sidney replied.

  “No, Agent Shaw, I am going to kill you.” He rose from his chair, pushing it back, and stretched out his arms. “Both of you. I’ve been waiting to wake you for hours.” He cracked his neck from side to side. “Nighttime is my time.” He crushed her phone in his fist and dropped the remains on the desk.

  “Told you he was strong,” Smoke said, straining at his bonds.

  Sidney’s heart quickened. What is happening?!

  AV started to change. His body stretched and convulsed. Coarse hairs sprouted from his face and arms. Muscle bulged and bone groaned. His purple shirt split at the seams. A short snout protruded from his jaws, and his head stretched toward the ceiling. In seconds, AV went from a man to a full-blown werewolf. Evil and lust lurked behind the yellow eyes that rested on Sidney.

  Horrified, she sagged in her seat and turned her head away.

  This isn’t real! This isn’t real! This isn’t real!

  CHAPTER 35

  “What’s the matter?” AV said, his voice now something monstrous—throaty and raw. “Has your sharp tongue dulled?”

  Sidney had seen horrible things, both in real life and in the movies, but nothing compared to the supernatural transformation she’d just witnessed. It was unnatural. Evil. Yet somehow … alluring? Utterly afraid, she pulled her knees up into her chest.

  “That’s what I like to see,” AV said, coming from around the desk. “The brave woman turned into a little girl again.” He leaned over her. “Your fear feeds my craving.”

  She felt his hot breath on her neck. Now she couldn’t deny there was something seductive and powerful about it. Her iron will started to cave.

  “Yes, yes, Agent Shaw. Give yourself away.” He brushed her hair aside with his clawed finger and turned her chin toward him. “Experience every pleasure I can offer that needs awakening in the dark corners of your soul.”

  He ran his claw down her face, over her chest, and rested his powerful hand on her thigh and squeezed.

  She moaned. Dark fires ignited within. She was powerless in the clutch of the uber-man before her.

  “Maybe I’ll keep you around after all.” He ran his finger down her thigh. With his claw, he sliced the cord that bound her ankles. He twisted her around and cut the bonds from her wrists.

  Her shoulders sagged. Her body was loose. Languid.

  He eased her legs apart. “It’s been quite some time, hasn’t it, woman?”

  Lost in his power, her head fell over on her shoulder. She wanted him. She loathed him. Her eyes found Smoke’s. He had a fierce look about him. Seeing the sweat bead on his forehead, a glimmer of her senses returned. AV took her chin and turned it away.

  “Don’t worry about him—he’s a dead man, but you might have a promising future ahead.”

  “Sidney! Close your eyes! Think of pancakes and butterflies.”

  What kind of man says that?

  “Deaders, kill that fool!” AV ordered. “Feed his corpse to the wolves. I’ll be needing Agent Shaw all to myself.”

  Pancakes and butterflies? The flames of passion turned to angry fires. Pancakes and butterflies! She kicked AV’s groin with all her force.

  He slammed back into the desk.

  “Fool woman!” He lurched forward and backhanded her in the face, spinning her like a top from the chair so that she tumbled over.

  Her head rang, and all she saw was bright spots and stars.

  AV put his big paw on her head and tugged her up to her toes by the hair. “I’m not big on second chances, Pretty.”

  A clamor rose. Smoke, somehow free of his bonds, wrestled against the clutches of the deaders.

  “Excuse me,” AV said a moment before he slung Sidney into the wall.

  She smacked into it hard and sagged to the floor. Groaning, she forced herself up to her knees and spat blood.

  “Run, Sidney!” Smoke urged. “Run!” He slipped away from the deaders only to find himself cornered by AV. The werewolf sneered down on him. Smoke punched him in the throat and poked him in the eye.

  AV roared. His claws slashed out.

  Smoke twisted away, ducked, and popped up with a knife in his hand. It was the ancient blade that AV had planted in the deader. He cut into the monster’s slashing arms, spun under a powerful blow, and drove the blade home into AV’s abdomen.

  The werewolf staggered back against the wall.

  “No! No!” AV cried. “You stabbed me with the Blade of Hoknar. Darkness falls. Darkness falls.” He slumped back against the wall, and his eyes began to close.

  Sidney got up and wiped the blood from her mouth.

  “That was close.”

  Smoke skipped away from the deaders, who wandered the room but didn’t attack.

  Laughter rumbled in AV’s throat, and his mighty form rose again. He plucked the blade from his stomach and showed a mouthful of sharp teeth.

  “Fools.” He hurled the blade at Smoke.

  The big man plucked it out of the air, spun, and buried it hilt-deep in the heart of a deader. He ripped it out and said, “Sid, get out of here!”

  “Oh please,” AV said, “no one has ever escaped alive.” He wiped the saliva dripping from his fangs off of his chin. “I just need to decide which one of you to kill first.” He chomped his teeth. “Deader, kill her. I shall kill him.” AV sprang from one side of the room to the other. His heavy frame drove the evading Smoke to the ground. His fists came down with speed and power.

  Sidney ran for the door.

  The dead man cut into her path. Fingers clutched at her waist and tore a belt loop off her pants.

  She slugged it in the face.

  It leered back into her eyes. Soulless. Empty. Its grabby hand locked around her wrist and slung her to the floor.

  She hit hard. “Ugh!”

  The deader held her in a fierce grip and pummeled her with its free fist. The hammering blows rocked her body.

  She kept her shoulder up to absorb what she could and kicked her hardest with her legs. Her heel connected with its jaw.

  “Nuh!” it said, sounding almost human.

  With an angry shout, Sidney twisted her wrist free and was on her feet again.

  The werewolf had Smoke pinned to the wall by th
e neck. Smoke’s shaky hand was pointing at the desk. The gun. The bullets. Silver nodules caught her eye. She snatched the old wheel gun up. Strong hands grabbed her feet and jerked her to the floor.

  “Ulp!”

  Crack!

  Her head bounced off the edge of the hardwood desk. She saw red.

  “No!”

  She kicked it in the face.

  “No!”

  Her heel crushed its nose in.

  “NO!”

  She ripped her foot out of its grip and scrambled away on all fours. The other deader lay still, with a knife stuck in its chest. She ripped it out and turned just as the deader dove on top of her. She drove the blade into its chest and pushed it off her.

  Smoke!

  She pushed off the floor. Smoke held on for his life against the werewolf. Sidney plucked a bullet from the desk and loaded it into the chamber. She cocked back the hammer. “Let him go, AV!”

  The wolfman froze with the battered Smoke held tightly in his grip and said, “You don’t really think that will work, do you?”

  “Only one way to find out.”

  “Aren’t you here to arrest me? After all, I’m no good to your handlers if I’m dead. They need the knowledge within this body.”

  “Shoot him,” Smoke spat out from busted lips. “Shoot him now.”

  “Let him down,” she warned. The adrenaline cleared her mind. She felt in control again.

  “Certainly,” AV replied, lowering Smoke’s busted frame to the ground. “But I don’t think you have strong enough cuffs to hold me. Remember what happened the last time. And another thing, silver bullets don’t really kill werewolves.”

  “Then why are you doing what I say?”

  “Because I enjoy the game.” In a flash, he rocketed by the desk toward the office door.

  Sidney fired. Blam!

  The wolfman burst through the door with a wounded howl and vanished into the hall.

  Sidney peeked down both ways. AV the werewolf was gone.

  CHAPTER 36

  “That was fast,” Sidney said, rushing over to Smoke. She helped him to his feet. His hair was matted in blood, and his face was swelling. His Kevlar vest was all torn up. “Are you going to make it?”