The Undead Pool

by Derek Ailes

  “The devil creatures I saw are this way,” one of them said.

  “The devil will not flourish here. Kill every devil you see.”

  Murotan ran back toward their cave. He entered their dwelling and secured the door behind him.

  “Murotan, are we in danger?” Mraka asked.

  “They know we’re here, and they’re coming to kill us.”

  “Why do they want to hurt us?” Vincent asked.

  “Because they are ignorant,” Tybalt answered. “We should have killed them. They are not our kind. We would all be safe if they didn’t exist.”

  “Tybalt, we are the trespassers on this world,” Mraka pointed out.

  “But this world could be ours,” he argued.

  They heard the sounds of the townsfolk outside their cave.

  “In the name of the Lord, we order you to open this door, demons!”

  “We’re trapped,” Vincent said scared.

  “Break it down!” one of them shouted.

  A few seconds later, the door crashed inward exposing the mob, several of them holding firearms, waiting for them outside.

  “Leave this place now or die!” Murotan shouted.

  “Demon, you do not scare us!” the man holding the firearm shouted.

  Before Murotan could swing his sword, he was brought down by three gunshots.

  “Dad!” Tybalt screamed.

  “Murotan!” Mraka screamed. She ran for him, but before she could reach him, she was brought down by gunshots.

  Vincent’s heart pounded fast. He felt a painful sensation throughout his hands. He screamed out in pain as the bones in his hands extended outward ripping through his skin exposing their sharp tips to the air outside his body. Before he realized what he had done, several of the townsfolk lay on the ground bleeding out from the wounds he had inflicted. One of the townsfolk fired at him. The bullet passed through his chest. It felt painful for a moment, and he looked at his wound which was closing up as his body healed itself. He didn’t know what was happening to his body, but he could feel something different inside him as if his body had evolved.

  He looked over at his brother who was ripping apart the rest of the townsfolk with his sharp fingertips which also had grown out into dangerous weapons.

  “What’s happening to us?” Vincent asked.

  “We evolved into the dominant creatures that we were destined to be,” Tybalt explained.

  Vincent kneeled down next to his parents’ dead bodies and wept. Tybalt grabbed his shoulder, his fingernails digging into his flesh. He looked up and his brother had a serious look in his eyes.

  “We need to leave now! We are not safe here. More will come looking for us,” Tybalt said.

  “Where will we go?”

  “There is a whole world out there. Somewhere there is a safe place where we will belong. As long as we stay together, we will be safe.”

  Vincent and Tybalt spent the next couple hundred years fighting alongside soldiers in every war from the American Revolutionary War to the Civil War from World War I and II and to finally the Vietnam War.

  Vincent and Tybalt followed their platoon into a village where several Vietnamese villagers were scattered out of fear.

  “Time to go to work,” Tybalt said and shot one of the villagers in the head.

  “What are you doing?” Vincent asked.

  “Killing the enemy before they can kill us,” Tybalt explained as he grabbed one of the female villagers and dragged her into a hut.

  His senior officer followed him trying to stop him

  “Are you crazy?” the senior officer screamed.

  Tybalt slit his throat with his fingernails. The officer grabbed his throat, his hand being soaked with his blood. He backed out of the hut and fell to the ground. The soldiers pointed their guns at Tybalt. Vincent jumped in front of him.

  “Don’t you dare!” Vincent snarled.

  Vincent and Tybalt stood back-to-back ready to fight to the death.

  “You really screwed up this time,” Vincent said as more of their fellow soldiers surrounded them. “We surrender!”

  “Coward,” Tybalt snarled at his brother as he got on his knees to surrender. “We could have taken them.”

  “They’re not the enemy,” Vincent explained.

  “I knew not to trust freaks like you,” one of the soldiers said. “Take these traitors back to base!”

  Vincent and Tybalt were secured tightly to two poles as the firing squad stood before them.

  “Not like this hasn’t been done to us before,” Tybalt said. “Let me know when it’s over.”

  “How do you live with yourself?” Vincent asked angrily.

  “You always have to be the good guy when you can easily be a bad guy. It’s more fun,” Tybalt said as the firing squad filled them both full of lead.

  Major Vance Vyper walked down the corridor of the U.S. Military Defense Compound located in Stuttgart, Germany. He received a communique from one of his friends, General Atkins, about two superhuman soldiers who survived a firing squad in Vietnam. He was anxious to meet them. He had been assembling some of the best assassins and criminals who possessed special abilities who would be perfect assets for his team of mercenaries. The general had referred to the two soldiers as the most efficient killing machines the U.S. military had ever produced.

  In recent years, there had been the appearance of several hundred individuals possessing superhuman powers, and the need for those willing to serve the military to protect the world from them was in high demand. If he could assemble the perfect team of superhumans for himself, he could rise up the ranks of the military and someday become the President of the United States. He desired wealth and power and the superhuman mercenaries would guarantee he could obtain them.

  The two guards saluted him as he approached the door. He returned the salutes and motioned to them to open the door to the cell. Tybalt gave him a threatening look as he entered the cell.

  “Hello, gentlemen. I’m Major Vance Vyper and I see you guys are unharmed after being on the receiving end of a firing squad? I am curious. How did it feel?”

  “It tickled,” Tybalt laughed.

  “You both have regenerative powers. That could be very useful.”

  “Useful for what?” Vincent questioned.

  “How would you two like to work for me and make a real difference?”

  “What type of work?” Tybalt asked.

  “Special Ops. Off the books. You would both be paid handsomely.”

  Tybalt looked over at Vincent who nodded. “You’ve piqued my interest.”

  “I’m assuming you both are interested.”

  “If it gets us both out of here, then yes,” Tybalt said.

  “If a decent meal is in it for us, then yes, I’m also in,” Vincent added.

  “Good, I have your release forms with me.”

  For the next couple of years Vincent and Tybalt worked for Vyper on covert military missions. As time went on, the group of mercenaries became larger. They were sitting inside a large military helicopter en route to Africa surrounded by their team of mercenaries.

  Elvin Electric possessed the ability to control electricity, which came in handy when infiltrating heavily guarded compounds. Freddy “the Iron Fist” Fingers, born in Russia, had the strongest and fastest fists in the world. Before you could blink an eye, he could knock you out with one blow. Don “the Human Transporter” Welkins could disappear and transport himself short distances without a transporter device. Vincent and Tybalt first met him during the Civil War. He was a runaway slave who used his superpowers to help other slaves find freedom. Not too long after joining Vyper’s mercenaries, Tybalt tracked him down and convinced him to join the team as well.

  And then there was their newest recruit. He was the most annoying person they had ever met, but he was also the most effective killing machine they had ever encountered. His name was Mace Murdock.

&nb
sp; Mace talked excitedly about the dream he had the night before. “There I was in my bedroom and in walks Betty White. She was buck ass naked. She said she would do things to me that no golden girl had ever done to a man before.”

  “That’s gross,” Freddy said, trying not to throw up.

  “Some people are turned on by Farrah Fawcett or Goldie Hawn. Others, for some sick perverted reason, are turned on by Bea Arthur. For me, Betty White does the trick.”

  “Mace, you need to see a shrink about that fetish. You definitely have some twisted mommy issues,” Don said.

  Vincent laughed while Tybalt shook his head in disgust.

  “So, Vincent, what are you planning on doing with all the money you’re going to make on this venture?” Mace asked. “I’m planning on opening a chain of Mexican restaurants. Every day can be taco Tuesday.”

  “I’m saving all my money. I’m planning on retiring from all of this.”

  Tybalt gave him a disapproving look.

  “Tybalt, aren’t you tired of all the missions? The senseless killing.”

  “I was born a killing machine. Why deny the world my gifts,” Tybalt answered.

  “Brother, that is why we’re different.”

  “Vincent, try to deny it all you want. Deep down we are both the same. Tigernauts are warriors. Warriors don’t retire.”

  “Look down. My homeland,” Don said, watching the African wildlife roam far below.

  “Good, we can kill someone soon,” Tybalt said, winking at Vincent. “That’s what us Tigernauts do best.”

  The team knelt behind some bushes spying on the heavily guarded factory. Vincent watched, through his binoculars, an elephant viciously being harvested for its ivory tusks.

  “We’re not here to save the elephants,” Vance said. “But stopping their operation and saving some elephants in the process is a plus. Mace, you know what to do.”

  “It’s go time,” Mace said as he grabbed his katana blades. “Time to earn my keep.” He ran forward while spinning his katanas rapidly like his arms were motors propelling powerful fan blades.

  The group watched as several heads flew upward as Mace reached the factory.

  “Never get tired of watching that,” Tybalt said as his fingernails extended outward ready for battle.

  “You first,” Vincent said.

  “Of course.” Tybalt led the charge as they battled the guards that survived Mace’s surprise attack.

  They entered the factory where Mace stood proudly on top of a pile of decapitated bodies.

  “What took you so long?” Mace asked.

  “Did you leave some for us?” Tybalt asked.

  “I hear voices up ahead,” Freddy reported.

  The power in the factory went out.

  “Elvin, can you give us some light?” Vance asked.

  The lights above them came back on. As they moved forward, the lights ahead of them turned back on while the ones behind them went out.

  “Remember guys, I need their leader alive,” Vance reminded them.

  They ran forward and killed the remaining guards. Their leader sat behind a desk covered in stacks of money.

  “Please, take all the money, but let me live,” the man pleaded.

  “We’re not here for your money. We’re here for that,” Vance said, pointing at a large, greenish crystal that glowed brightly.

  “It’s just a useless rock,” the man said.

  “Where did you get it?” Vance asked.

  “From one of the villages.”

  “I need to know which village. You cooperate, my mercenaries will let you live.”

  “I’ll show you on my map.”

  Tybalt, Mace, Don, Elvin and Freddy rounded up all the villagers while Vincent, Tybalt and Vance stood over the village elders.

  “It is in your best interest to show me where you found this,” Vance said, holding the green crystal in front of the village chief.

  “That is a sacred item. You can’t disturb its resting place.”

  “I will have my men kill your villagers one by one until you show me where the rest of these are. Tybalt, show him that I mean business,” Vance instructed.

  “Tybalt stop!” Vincent shouted. “This is not what we signed up for!”

  “If you can’t stomach it, then I suggest you close your eyes until I’m done!” Tybalt shouted back.

  “I’m done,” Vincent said and walked away.

  “You don’t get to walk away!” Tybalt shouted as Vincent continued walking.

  Vance put his hand on Tybalt’s shoulder. “Let him go. Soon we will have what we’ve been after all these years. Now show the villagers that we mean business!”

  Tybalt grabbed a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire and swung it threateningly at each villager. “Now who will be the first to die? This here is Lucy Liu and Lucy Liu has only one purpose in life and that is to kill. If you’re a woman, be thankful. I don’t kill women. That just leaves the men. Will you be the one to die or will it be you or you? Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe!”

  He stopped in front of Eugene who was sobbing. “Now what are you doing here in Africa? You are not even part of this franchise! Get out of here now! Give my regards to Rick and Karl!”

  Tybalt stopped behind one of the villagers and began to swing Lucy Liu.

  “I’ll show you!” the village chief pleaded. “Just don’t kill anyone.”

  “Wise choice,” Tybalt said with a smile.

  Chapter Two

  Two years had passed since Vincent left his mercenary life and his brother behind in Africa. He was living in the United States in an underground world of labyrinth tunnels, magical waterfalls, and people who had come together to form a loving community. He had met a woman, Katherine, who lived with him. He walked out of their quarters, completely naked and stood outside the tunnel leading to their quarters where several of the women admired his revealing features.

  Katherine walked over to him and put her hands on his shoulders. “Why do you stand out here completely naked every morning?”

  “It’s in my contract with the movie studio. I have to do one nude scene in every one of these stories. It’s expected by the fans.”

  “Sounds like our fans are perverts.”

  “Oh, Katherine. The world is a wonderful place now that you’re in my life.”

  “Vincent, this life isn’t that great. I sit here every day reading romance novels while you work in the coal mine. I miss the days when I was an assistant DA in New York. Now I live down here with you like a homeless sewer rat.”

  “It’s peaceful. No violence. Besides, we have a magical waterfall.”

  “Magical waterfall? That’s runoff from the polluted river above. Unless you consider other people’s garbage magical. I think all this time living secluded from society has made you delusional.”

  “It’s made me one with the world and you, my love.”

  “Ok, I think it’s time to get dressed and go to work, Mr. Sappy.”

  Vincent put on his flannel t-shirt and blue jeans and grabbed his pickaxe. His co-workers, seven dwarfs wearing denim overalls, waited for him in the tunnel.

  “I’ll see you tonight,” Vincent said as he kissed Katherine.

  He followed the dwarfs down the tunnel while they all sang, “"Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, it's off to work we go!"

  Elvin Electric placed an antique lamp on top of an antique desk. The light in the lamp glowed without being plugged in. He opened up an antique lamp and furniture shop not long after retiring from being a mercenary. After Vincent had stormed off that night in Africa, the rest of the group began questioning their allegiance to Vance Vyper and most of them retired.

  He heard the door to the shop open.

  “We’re closed for the night!” he shouted.

  “Even for an old teammate,” Tybalt said as he approached him

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Relax.”

  Elv
in took a few steps backward as he approached.

  “I never told anyone about what we were involved in.”

  “Now, Elvin. You know I can’t afford to believe you.”

  “Why now?”

  “I’ve been preoccupied for a while. Now that all my affairs are in order, it’s time to tie up all the loose ends.” Tybalt’s fingernails grew as he spoke. In one quick swoop he sliced open Elvin’s throat sending his blood out in a waterfall. All the lights in the shop went out.

  Vance Vyper stood in front of the entrance leading down the tunnel toward the civilization Vincent had been hiding in. A pale creature with a long tale wrapped around its neck and wearing a black cloak approached him.

  “Outsiders are forbidden,” the creature warned.

  “You will take me to Vincent.” Vance waved his hand in front of the creature’s face.

  “I will take you to Vincent,” the creature repeated.

  “You serve your master well.”

  The creature looked at Vance and laughed. “You do know I’m not really Bib Fortuna? This is a costume. I’m on my way to a Star Wars cosplay party.”

  “Just take me to Vincent.”

  “Follow me to the coal mine.”

  Vincent dropped his pickaxe as he heard Vance talking.

  “Vance Vyper, how did you find me?”

  “I never lost you. I’ve kept tabs on you ever since you left Africa.”

  “I’m not interested in any mission of yours.”

  “That’s not why I’m here. Elvin was found dead this morning. He’s not the only one. Mace was found dead two days ago. Somebody is killing our old team.”

  “Tybalt?” Vincent asked concerned.

  “I don’t know. He’s not answering my calls.”

  “Who else knows I’m here?”

  “To protect each one of you, I told no one where you all are.”

  “Then I should be fine.”

  Vance handed him one of his business cards. “In case you need my help, call me immediately.” He walked away and left the coal mine.

  “Who was that?” Dopey, the drug addict dwarf, asked.

  “Just an old acquaintance.”