Kaiju Spawn
David Robbins & Eric S Brown
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2016 By David Robbins & Eric S Brown
Kaiju Spawn
The rain had put out the fire. The crumpled shell of the super center still smoldered, waves of dark smoke rose into an even darker sky. Most of the structural damage to the building had come from the Kaiju's foot and not the exploding propane tanks that were ignited when the great beast stepped on the store's outdoor department. No fire crews had shown up at the scene and Wally knew there wouldn't be any coming. He hunkered down under a piece of the super center's roof that remained standing and seemed safe enough to use as shelter from the rain.
The parking lot was a sea of abandoned cars, some of them crushed by the Kaiju's passing. A few of them were still stubbornly burning despite the rain. There were bodies everywhere. Some were victims of the Kaiju itself, while others were from the lesser monsters that followed in the great beast's wake. Others were trampled by fellow shoppers in the mass panic-filled attempt to flee during the Kaiju's approach. Here and there, Wally even saw an unfortunate who had died from “friendly fire” as the military had engaged the Kaiju as it was leaving the area.
A lone tank lay in the center of the parking lot, like a discarded toy. The side of its armor, where the Kaiju had kicked it aside, was caved inward. Wally wondered if any of the tank's crew was alive but he sure wasn't going out there to check and see.
As bad as the Kaiju were, the creatures that followed them were worse. No one really knew exactly what they were or how they came into being. The best guess Wally heard on the news, before the Kaiju reached Brookstown and everything hit the fan for him personally, was that Kaiju blood was some sort of mutagen. In real life, the Kaiju could be hurt much easier than the ones from the old black and white movies where it seemed the military's best weapons did little more than tick the giant monsters off. They bled when tanks and planes emptied their ordnance into them and their blood flowed freely as they continued on with their rampage. People and even animals that were exposed to the Kaiju blood changed, and not in a good way. Wally wasn't a science geek but the word infected fit what happened better than anything else. The Kaiju blood gave those who came into contact with it something akin to a never ending adrenaline rush. They were stronger, sometimes even faster, than they were before they became infected. That wouldn't have been a bad thing except it also made them nearly mindless, hungry monsters who wanted nothing but a chance to tear you apart and eat your insides. The Japanese media had dubbed those who were infected “Kaiju Spawn” before Japan had gone quiet entirely and was assumed lost.
Like most folks in the United States, Wally hadn't really been able to accept what was happening when the Kaiju rose from the oceans. Even when the military was mobilized, no one honestly believed that the Kaiju would reach the U.S. before they were stopped or that there could be so many of the Kaiju.
Most folks had simply gone on with their own lives as if they were in some sort of trance-like denial. Wally knew he had been just as guilty as everyone else. The drive up from South Carolina was a long one and when he saw the sign for the super center, he took the exit ramp to it. The radio had been blaring warnings of Kaiju headed through North Carolina but at that moment, there was no sign of them and traffic was moving along like normal. Sure, he had passed a few troop transport trucks and noticed a helicopter or two in the air but he had a deadline to keep. Leigh was waiting on him in Sylva and nothing ever happened in that small town. He'd grown up there, so he could attest to that fact with certainty. Besides, as much as he hated Claudia, he knew she was a good mom when push came to shove. She would keep Leigh safe until he got there to pick her up for the weekend.
His plan had been to stop at the super center, pick up Leigh a spur of the moment gift, and grab an energy drink. Wally hadn't realized his quest to find the latest Wonder Woman toy was going to turn into a life and death struggle for survival. Things like that didn't happen in America, much less the rural south.
He had been on his way inside when the Kaiju showed up. The great beast came lumbering down the interstate towards the super center, an unstoppable juggernaut of fury. Wally had stared at the thing in disbelief until the ex-army part of his brain took over. Then he had run like Hades to find cover in the woods that surrounded the super center. From there, he had watched it all as the Kaiju destroyed the store, slugged it out with the military units pursuing it, and moved on after they had been dealt with.
Wally stayed in the trees until long after the Kaiju and a fresh batch of Kaiju Spawn that had been infected during the battle rose up and followed after it. Only then, as the rain began to pour, did he leave the safety of the trees. His car, like many others, was crushed during the battle. It took him close to half an hour to pull and force his way inside the car enough to reach the pistol he kept in its glove box. Thankfully, the gun was undamaged and fine.
Now armed, he cautiously headed into the remains of the store to take shelter from the rain. His hands were trembling as he clutched the pistol and truly took in the destruction around him. If there was anyone else who had survived and not fled, there was no sign of them. Wally sat down his pistol and dug in his pocket for his phone. He hit the speed dial for Claudia's number but there was no answer. The call didn't even make it to her voice mail. Instead all he got was an error message saying there was trouble with the service. Wally tried twice more before he gave up and tucked the phone away again.
Staying here was a very bad idea. Though most Kaiju Spawn did tend to follow the beast that changed them into what they were, some didn't. The last thing he wanted was to come face to face with a pack of those snarling abominations that had spread out to search the area for prey.
More than anything though, he needed to get to Sylva. His little girl was waiting for him there and nothing on this Earth was going to stop him from getting to her.
****
Wally needed wheels. He picked up his pistol, a Colt M1911 that once belonged to his grandfather, and was about to go in search of a vehicle when a crushed candy machine caught his eye. Part of the ceiling had collapsed under the Kaiju’s onslaught and a slab of concrete had burst the machine as if it were a bubble, scattering candy bars and bags all over.
Wally’s stomach growled, reminding him that he’d skipped breakfast because he wanted to get an early start. Hurriedly scooping up half a dozen chocolate bars, he stuffed them in his pockets.
As he turned toward the shattered window through which he’d entered, Wally froze. From outside came a sharp sound, like the grating of metal on metal. He waited for it to be repeated, and when it wasn’t, decided it must be more debris collapsing.
Time to get out of there, Wally told himself. The rain had tapered, enough that he could see the far end of the parking lot where several undamaged cars were parked.
Hunching low against the drizzle, Wally stepped through the opening, careful of the jagged glass. He went a couple of steps and heard a new sound; the distant thoom-thoom-thoom of enormously heavy footsteps.
The Kaiju. Wally peered into the drizzle but couldn’t see it. He was sure it was still moving away from the shopping center, so he felt safe in continuing toward the undamaged cars. He was halfway there when he skirted a burning pickup and couldn’t avoid a streaming cloud of acrid smoke that got into his nose and mouth and stung his eyes.
Swatting and coughing, Wally emerged into clear air and froze a second time.
A creature had appeared from between the rows of smashed vehicles. Stooped over, it moved with a shambling gait. Its clothes were in tatters. The same could be said of its body. Once a woman, the mutagenic properties of the Kaiju’s blood had turned her into something else, something distinctly reptili
an, with hideous sores that resembled scales, and a face twisted with inhuman madness.
Wally stayed perfectly still, scarcely breathing, hoping she wouldn’t notice him. No such luck. Her head rose and she sniffed loudly, like a bloodhound on a scent. The next moment, she whirled and let out a hiss like that of the Kaiju itself, although not nearly as loud.
With a shriek like that of a hawk diving for the kill, the Kaiju Spawn bounded toward him, incredibly swift.
Jerking the M1911, Wally pointed the pistol and squeezed. Nothing happened. He’d forgotten to chamber a round when he took it out of the glove compartment.
In a panic, Wally sought to remedy his mistake but it was too late. The Kaiju Spawn was on him. Fingers hooked like claws raked at his face even as she threw herself bodily at his chest, seeking to bowl him over. Somehow he got his arm up to ward off her nails but the impact knocked him back and he stumbled and nearly fell.
Before Wally could regain his balance, the Kaiju Spawn sprang. Her lips were inches from his throat, her hot breath fanning his skin, when her head exploded in a shower of gore and brains.
Belatedly, Wally registered the shot that killed her. She sprawled against him, and in revulsion he shoved her off.
“That was awful close, mister. You’re damn lucky I was here.”
It was another woman, only this one had sane blue eyes and close-cropped red hair, and was wearing a torn uniform. She had come from the direction of the squashed tank. Her helmet was missing, and there was a nasty welt on her forehead.
“Who….?” Wally blurted.
“Corporal Loretta Martin, 252nd Armor Regiment, North Carolina Army National Guard.” As she answered him, she ejected the magazine on her M16, checked it, and slapped it back in. “Do you live around here?”
“No. I’m on my way to Sylva. My daughter…..” Wally didn’t go into detail. He was anxious to get out of there.
“You have a car?”
Wally pointed at the pile of pulverized metal that had once been his jeep.
Just then the Kaiju let out a roar that, despite the distance, seemed to shake the very ground.
“Did you hear that thing?” Corporal Martin said in awe.
“How could I not?” Wally made for the end of the parking lot. He’d wasted too much time as it was.
“Wait,” Martin said, hobbling to catch up.
Only then did Wally realize she was hurt. Blood stained her left pant leg from below her knee to her foot. “You should contact your unit and get medical help.”
“Can’t. The radio in the tank is in pieces, my cell phone won’t work, and the land lines are down. And I don’t need a medic.” Corporal Martin glanced about them. “What I do need is to get hell and gone before more of those things show up.”
“You handled that last one really well.”
“I don’t mean the mutations,” Corporal Martin said. “I mean the monsters. Those Kaiju.”
“I’d like to help. Really,” Wally said. “But I have to be sure my little girl is safe.” That, more than anything else.
“I’ll go with you then.” Martin gripped his shoulder, forcing him to halt. “Look. We’re the only two people left out of the hundreds who were here when the Kaiju attacked. We should stick together for our mutual protection, if for no other reason.” She paused. “Besides, you might need me after a while, whether you know it or not.”
Impatient to be off, Wally said, “How so?”
“Didn’t you tell me that you’re headed for Sylva?”
“Yeah. So?”
“Don’t your ears work? Give a listen to gruesome.”
Puzzled, Wally titled his head. From afar came the thud of giant footsteps, like the beating of a bass drum amplified a thousand times. “It’s loud enough to be heard for miles. Again, so what?”
“You still don’t get it?” Corporal Martin said. “Which direction is Sylva from here?”
Wally had to think a second. “Northwest,” he remembered.
“And which direction is the Kaiju headed?”
Wally took a half-step, his blood turning to ice in his veins. “No!” he exclaimed.
“Took you long enough,” Corporal Martin said, and gave him a lopsided grin. “Now do we haul ass, or what?”
****
The corporal was right and Wally knew it. He wanted to head out on foot but Martin convinced him otherwise. If they could find a functioning car somewhere in the devastated parking lot, the time it would save them in the long run would make it well worth their while to do so.
Wally sat in the driver's seat of an intact Ford pickup. The truck was old; its paint flaking from its body, but it was the best vehicle they had found so far. He didn't really have a clue how to hotwire a car but it looked easy enough in all the movies he had seen over the years.
“You don't have any idea how what you're doing, do you?” Martin asked.
“You wanna take a shot?” Wally snapped at her in frustration.
Corporal Martin stood off to the side of the truck, her pistol held ready in a two handed grip, as her eyes scanned the area around them. She had slung her M-16 over her shoulder.
“I'd love to but someone has to stand watch,” she growled back at him.
“And you don't trust me to do it?”
Martin's lips tipped upwards in a smile. “No,” she shook her head, “Not really.”
Returning his attention to the wires he was flicking together, Wally suddenly got lucky. The wires sparked and the truck's engine came to life.
He slammed the driver's door, tugging on his seatbelt, as he called to Martin through the rolled down window next to him. “Hop in if you're coming!”
Martin sprinted around the truck and slid into its passenger seat. “You sure you can drive this thing?”
“I guess we'll find out,” Wally shrugged. He shifted the truck into reverse and backed out of the space it sat in. Flooring the gas, he slung the steering wheel hard to the left and then the right, dodging the remains of the other cars scattered about in the lot.
When they hit the interstate, it was strangely clear. There were a few wrecks, here and there, but overall they had the road to themselves.
“This was a great idea,” Wally admitted. “We should make it to Sylva by nightfall.”
“Let's just hope the Kaiju isn't waiting for us when we get there,” Martin commented.
“Just because it was headed northwest the last time we saw it, doesn't mean that was where the thing is going. A lot could happen along the way that would cause the monster to change its course.”
“Are you always like this?” Martin asked.
“Like what?” Wally answered, frowning, but keeping his eyes glued to the road ahead of them.
“Optimistic. It's kind of annoying.”
“Not at all,” Wally laughed. “I'm usually quite the downer.”
“But the end of the world has changed you, huh?”
“My daughter is out there,” Wally said. “I have to be optimistic.”
He paused before asking, “You have any kids?”
Martin scowled at him. “I'm twenty two and career military. Do you think I have any kids?”
Wally shrugged. “Stranger things have happened.”
“Yeah, like giant monsters rising up out of the oceans and people getting turned into zombies by their blood,” Martin rolled up her window. “That kind of strange?”
“No need to be sarcastic,” Wally pointed out.
“No,” Martin said, answering his question. “I don't have any kids. I don't even really have any family to speak of.”
“Then there's no way you could understand what I'm going through right now, okay? So how about cutting me some slack? It was your idea for the two of us to stick together anyhow.”
“Point,” Martin conceded.
They drove on for a while in silence before Martin nudged him. “Look at that,” she warned him.
Up ahead, in the distance, an overturned minivan rested on its side
in the middle of the road. Around it, a pack of Kaiju Spawn were gathered. The creatures weren't trying to get into the van; they looked as if they were simply waiting on another vehicle to pass through. One of the Spawn, more transformed than the others, sat atop the van's skyward facing side. A long, sharp pointed tongue flicked out of its mouth as if the thing was tasting the air. Its yellow eyes glowed even in the light of the late afternoon sun above.
“Oh crap!” Wally shouted.
The old Ford blew past the creatures doing sixty. Several of the things leaped at the truck, but only one managed to sink its claws into the truck's side. It hauled itself up and over the side of the pickup's bed, to land on its feet behind the driver compartment with a loud thud.
The other Kaiju Spawn were chasing after the pickup as the one in its bed rammed a fist through the rear window. Shards of broken glass exploded into the truck's cabin. Wally shrieked in pain as some of them peppered the back of his neck, slicing into it like tiny razors.
“Kill it! Kill it!” Wally was screaming, as Martin was already shifting around in her seat to bring her pistol to bear on the Kaiju Spawn. The thing laid its head back in a mighty roar that dwarfed the noise of the pickup's straining engine.
Wally flinched, gritting his teeth, as Martin's pistol cracked twice beside his ear. The road in front of the speeding truck was mostly clear so he risked a glance into the rearview mirror.
Martin's first shot caught the Kaiju Spawn in its left shoulder. Orange blood splattered into the air as the bullet tore clear through it. The Spawn's roar became an angry hiss as it threw itself forward towards the truck's cabin again. Martin's second shot met it, impacting with the side of the thing's face. Teeth flew from its open mouth as the bullet broke apart its jaw bone and ripped a large exit hole, at an angle, just under its left eye. The Spawn stumbled, toppling from the truck's bed, to go rolling and bouncing along the road in the truck's wake.
Wally could feel the warmness of his own blood flowing over his skin, running down, to seep into the cloth of his shirt. His knuckles were white from his grip on the steering wheel as he kept the gas pedal floored.
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