Finding Monsters

by Liss Thomas

  “Don’t make me force you to eat, Saal,” she said in her most menacing voice.

  “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, human?” he complained.

  “Not even, now open wide,” Missy said. Saal complied but he nipped her finger in the process.

  “Ouch!”

  Charlie walked in with Elyen carrying more bandages. He preferred his human form more often than not these days. “Is the patient giving you trouble?” he asked.

  “Nothing I can’t handle,” Missy replied.

  Elyen removed the bandages and examined the wounds again. “Much better,” she said. “If you promise to stay in bed for at least one more week, I’ll leave the bandages off.”

  “Deal,” Saal said eagerly.

  Missy helped Elyen clean up before they went in search of new gauze. Charlie sat down next to Saal when the women left. He stared at the jackal for a while before he spoke.

  “Thank you for all you did for Missy. She told me she would be dead if it weren’t for you. I am in your debt.”

  “She is the one who did the saving, Charlie, not me. She saved our lives, our clan, our families,” Saal said. “You are lucky to have her. She is a very strong human and she amazed us all.”

  Charlie smiled at this. “Yes, I have to say she is very amazing.”

  The door opened and Atian and Vrag entered.

  “You are looking well,” Atian said greeting the jackal. “It still feels strange having you here.”

  “I thank you for your hospitality,” Saal said, bowing his head slightly and wincing in the process.

  “We have a proposition for you, Saal,” Vrag began. “Missy and Charlie will have to travel to the human world in search of Anukhan. Did you ever travel with him to that world?”

  “No,” Saal answered with a hint of anger. “He alone used the machine to move between worlds.”

  “Did you ever see him go through the portal, change into human form?”

  “Once I saw him returning. He was human for only a minute before he changed back. I couldn’t believe the transformation,” Saal said.

  “You may be of help to them on their journey since you know the likeness of his human form. Would you be willing to join them?” Vrag asked.

  “I’m not sure I could pull off being human,” he said, “But I would like to help in any way possible.”

  “I’m sure we can find a suitable form for you,” Atian said.

  After another week in bed, Saal proved downright intolerable. Elyen gave him permission to leave his bed and the hospital unit. It was either that or kill him, she’d said. So Saal spent his convalescence either out near the stables or by the cooking fires. Today he chose to visit the cooking fires. He walked in and took a seat near the warmth of the fire. A servant saw him enter and fixed a heaping plate of meats and warm breads. She walked slowly toward his table, unsure of the jackal. When Saal yawned, showing all manner of sharp teeth and fangs, the servant ran in the opposite direction. Luckily, Dredge appeared to rescue her. He took the plate and walked it over to Saal.

  “You’ll have to forgive them; they are still a little skittish around you,” Dredge told him.

  “I understand why. Thank you,” Saal said accepting the plate of food.

  Dredge sat opposite him and sighed.

  “I’m sorry for everything,” Saal said. “I know I hurt you and your son. I don’t know how to make it up to you.”

  “First, you can stop apologizing. From what Dozer tells me, you were very considerate of him and Missy. In the end, you risked your life for her. I’d say we’re even now,” Dredge told him.

  “I wish everyone would stop looking at me like I’m some sort of hero. I’m not. If it weren’t for me, they wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place,” Saal scoffed.

  “Get used to it, son. Nobody thinks badly of you here but you,” Dredge said. Dozer walked in and plopped down beside Saal.

  “You’re looking better, mutt,” he said.

  “Thanks, I think.” Saal said, his demeanor still sour. A braver servant appeared with a plate for Dozer, who dug in without preamble.

  “So where are you staying tonight?” Dredge asked.

  “I guess back in my hospital room. Atian is trying to secure temporary lodging for me, but I think it will be difficult for him.”

  “Well, Dozer and I have an extra room in our place, why don’t you stay with us? We’d love to have you, right, Dozer?”

  “Oh, I don’t want to put you out,” Saal began.

  “No problem, mutt, we got the space and it beats staying on those little hospital beds,” Dozer said between mouthfuls.

  “Good, then it’s settled. After your meal, Dozer will show you to your room. And, Dozer,” Dredge said as he smacked his son on the head, “be nice. Stop calling him ‘mutt’ or you’ll only get dry, moldy bread for a week,” Dredge warned.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Charlie asked his father. “Why didn’t you tell me my mother was human?” They sat along the bank of the courtyard lake. Elyen and Sophie, in their human forms were sitting with Missy at the gazebo, braiding her hair and pampering her. Atian tossed a stone into the water. He spoke without looking at his son.

  “We thought it best not to tell you. Your mother and I didn’t want you to go through the same things we did. The weakness, the pain of separation, the worry. Your mother was much older than Missy when she came here. More prepared for the challenges that faced her. I knew what I was getting into when I touched her. I’d been on several assignments prior and we didn’t think it would happen to you on your first assignment. I guess we were wrong.”

  “I don’t think it would have mattered,” Charlie said. “I’ve loved her for a long time, Father. I wanted her so much.”

  “Your mother and I are very proud of both of you. You’ve opened up relations with the Jackals and the Oceclan. Our borders are secure again.”

  “Now, we just have to find Anukhan,” Charlie said.

  “In time, my son. For now, enjoy the peace. Enjoy your beautiful mate.”

  They sat in silence as Dredge and his crew appeared with an early dinner for the family. A long table sat prepared with dinnerware for seven. Sensational smells wafted through the air and automatically called the family to dinner. Charlie held a chair out for Missy as she and the other women made their way to the table. As they sat, drinks were served. Saal and Vrag appeared from the archway and made their way to the table.

  “Ah, there you are Saal, have a seat,” Atian said. Saal sat in a chair next to Atian and across from Missy. He looked uncomfortable being invited to the occasion. Vrag moved to sit beside Elyen.

  “Thank you for inviting me,” Saal said.

  The servants brought Saal and Vrag a drink and then Dredge served the group dinner. Saal listened in silence through most of meal until the topic of Anukhan came up.

  “We should start preparations to track him down soon. He’s already gotten a head start on us,” he said.

  “On the contrary, I think we need more preparation before you all go rushing in without knowing what he’s up to,” Atian said.

  “There’s no way of knowing, father. Kell destroyed the temple. He burned it to the ground and went through Anukhan’s lodging. He found nothing to indicate his plans in the human world,” Charlie said.

  “I’ve sent spies to the human world. They are monitoring any strange or unusual news stories. They are very good at detecting monster activity. Once we have an area of concern, we’ll send you after him.” Atian spoke with stern conviction and finality. No one argued against him. They finished their dinner discussing lighter topics.

  Missy lay awake, sleep only coming in small doses as her mind replayed her brief but terrifying encounter with Anukhan. He followed her into her dream, through the streets of her world. The darkness dissolved with streetlights on Fulton Street and Ninth Avenue. She crossed Eight and went down JFK Drive. Signs indicated she was in Golden Gate Park but she didn’t stop to sightsee. She
followed the path toward de Young Museum, around the fabricated pond and to the entrance. She felt the power of the shimmering blue light as she walked through the wall of plate glass windows. Missy walked with purpose toward the Egyptian exhibit of Tutankhamen. A guard appeared behind her. She heard nothing but turned around to face him. His mouth moved, obviously asking her questions about being in the museum after hours. He came forward and grabbed her arm. She felt nothing and seconds later, the guard lay on the ground twitching. Missy saw the stun gun in a hand that didn’t belong to her. Numbly she continued to the exhibit and gazed down at a medallion of gold on display. The artifact showed the god Anubis with a kingly scepter. She placed her hands around the case, and the blue light started to glow. When it faded, the top of the encasement was gone. An alarm flashed silently to life as Missy pulled the medallion from its case and pocketed it. She hastened to the nearest window and watched as the shimmering blue light flashed up. The blue light flashed brilliant white then darkness.

  Missy sat bolt upright in her bed gasping for breath. Her body trembled in recollection of the vivid details of the dream. Her body went cold causing violent shivers.

  Charlie awoke with a start. “Missy, what’s wrong?” he asked. He watched as a tremor rippled through her body. He rubbed her arms vigorously trying to warm her. Charlie pulled the blanket up and around Missy’s body to stave off the shivering. “What happened? Talk to me, honey, say something,” Charlie said, the edge of panic creeping into his mind. He grabbed hold of her shoulders and shook her. “Missy!” he yelled.

  Missy strained against the urge to scream. She closed her eyes and collected herself.

  “I’m ok,” she gasped. “Oh God. Charlie, I saw him, Anukhan. I dreamt he stole an Egyptian medallion.”

  “What does it mean?” Charlie asked.

  “I don’t know but I can feel it when he uses the blue light. I saw what he saw. I can track him. We can catch and stop him,” Missy said, her breathing returning to normal. She still shivered occasionally but warmth finally returned as Charlie clutched her to his chest, rubbing her back and arms.

  “Where was he?” Charlie asked.

  “A museum called de Young in Golden Gate Park. It has to be in San Francisco. If we leave tonight, we might be able to find him.”

  “Are you sure you’re up to it?” he hedged.

  “Yes, Charlie. I’m ok,” she said. Charlie thought it over, laying her head on his chest. He kissed her hair.

  “Get dressed. I’ll go get Saal. We’ll leave now.”

  Saal mumbled and cursed under his breath as he brooded in his room. The overstuffed chair took the blows of his fists, as he contemplated doing nothing to stop Anukhan from any heinous schemes he concocted in his need for power. The jackal buried his face in his hands as he remembered the cruel acts he’d been a part of, all to further not their clan, but one individual.

  “Stupid!” he said to himself.

  “Probably,” Charlie said. Saal jumped to the ready then relaxed when he saw Charlie standing inside his doorframe.

  “I didn’t hear you come in,” Saal said.

  “You weren’t meant to,” Charlie said as he came forward. “So, what’s stupid?”

  “Waiting here and doing nothing, that’s what’s stupid.” Saal said, having a hard time keeping his voice low. “We know Anukhan is up to no good, why do we have to wait to see what he’s up to before we stop him? If we wait, it will be too late, just as it was too late to stop him from stealing Missy’s light.” He slammed his fists down again on the chair’s arms. A small creak of protest escaped the battered furniture.

  “What would you do, Saal, if you could leave right now? How would you track him or find out what he’s up to?” Charlie asked.

  “First, I’d research the machine he used to harness the bull’s blue light. That would at least tell me where’s he’s visited before. Trace his previous steps,” Saal said, and then sighed. “Maybe I’m wrong and we need to wait for him to make his first move. I’d just feel better if we were doing something.”

  “He’s made his first move, Saal. Missy felt him use the blue light. She saw everything he did. We have a lead,” Charlie said.

  “And your father? Will he let us leave now?” Saal asked as he came to his feet, eager for news.

  “He doesn’t know yet. Missy thinks she can track him every time he uses the light. We have a place to start. We want to leave tonight, regardless of what father might say.”

  “Let’s go! I’m ready,” Saal said as he gathered his two small daggers from hiding places. When they returned to get Missy, she was dressed, packed, and ready.

  “I packed a few camping items and food. We’ll need clothing from my world when we get there and also lodging and currency.”

  “I’ll handle those items,” Charlie said. Turning back to Saal he said. “I think father was going to change you into a large dog of some sort. You will have to keep silent when we are around the other humans, but other than that, you should do fine. Pets don’t talk in the human realm.

  “A pet?” Saal scoffed.

  “We love our pets in the human realm, Saal. Don’t be a baby,” Missy teased.

  “Fine! Let’s get this over with,” Saal said. Charlie chuckled as he pulled up his blue light and touched Saal. The light surrounded the jackal transforming him into a dog. When the light faded, Saal went to the mirror to check out his new form. His ears perked up when he saw the reflection.

  “I’m rather large, don’t you think? I might scare the humans,” Saal said as he regarded his image, all black with a hint of brown around the face. His short shiny coat looked sleek and his tail, long and slender to match. Overall, he liked the look.

  “I couldn’t very well make you into a small dog. You’re almost seven feet in height as it is,” Charlie said. Saal padded over to Missy, his head chest high on her.

  “He’s pretty big but it’ll do,” she said. “Shall we then?”

  Charlie led the way to their bedroom’s full-length dressing mirror.

  “Can you put us near the museum?” Missy asked.

  “No, I can only put us in certain places. It is easier to go places I’ve already been. I was going to put us in the cemetery where … ” He trailed off looking pained at the thought.

  “Oh,” Missy said. “Yes that will be close enough, I suppose.”

  Saying nothing more, Charlie put his hands on either side of the mirror and pulled up the shimmering blue light. Missy watched as it created a gateway into a world she’d left behind. A tremor shook her once before she, Charlie, and Saal walked through into the moonless dark of night, leaving the monster realm behind.

  About the Author

  Liss Thomas currently resides with her husband in Santa Barbara, California. She is currently working on several books in the Guardians of Esurack series which started as a group of short stories before blossoming into a young adult fantasy series.

  This first novel stemmed from a growing list of short stories I wrote based on a writer’s prompt. When I completed the first short story I called my sister in tears insisting she read it (it had a sad ending sniff sob). But my sister, the eternal optimist didn’t want to read a sad story so she told me to make a happy ending.

  My brain exploded, before returning to the task at hand. Happy ending, happy ending, happy ending … so I continued writing. The second short story led to a third, then a forth and well, you get the picture.

  About half way through I participated in a Twitter chat about YA novels and asked the tweeted question, ‘Is there a market for a short story series?’ A lovely and talented literary agent, gave me this advice … “No, No, NO! Write a novel!”

  So I did!

  Read more about the characters and the upcoming sequel, “Becoming Monsters” on her website

  www.lissthomasauthor.com

 

 

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