by Tim Miller
“I guess so,” she said.
“Simon, when was the first time you heard from this man?”
“Not long after the baby came home.”
“Had anything happened prior to you hearing from him? Like, had you guys just moved? Or did you maybe get a new toy, or did you meet strange people?”
“I don’t think so,” Simon said.
“I think I might know.” Sharon said. “Or at least have an idea.”
“What is that?”
“When he was digging in the yard, he found this little clay statue. Well, part of one. It looks like a dog or wolf and had some weird markings on it.”
Dietrich sat back and thought for a second.
“A wolf you say? Could it be a coyote?”
“I guess it could be that too. Why?”
“I believe what he found was a symbol used by the Karankawa Indian tribe that used to live in this area. They became extinct in the mid-1800s. One of the things they did was eat the flesh of their enemies to gain their strength and power. They are believed to have worshipped the wolf or coyote. To them those animals were sacred. The coyote is a symbol of strength and power. The symbol you found was for the coyote god, Yeshto’th, which means war and mayhem.”
“Oh my God.”
“I was just reading up on it earlier. But this god was most likely some kind of demon. When Simon found that clay statue, he somehow released him.”
“I didn’t mean to!” Simon said.
“We know, Simon. No one is mad at you. Where is the statue now?”
“It’s at home, I think I put it in a drawer.”
“I’d like to see it if that is ok, and maybe look around your home as well.”
“Yes, of course. Do you think you can help stop this guy or thing?”
“I don’t want to alarm you more. My understanding is Yeshto’th is a vile and disgusting being, but I will do my best.”
Chapter 6
Laura sat in the police station while the cops processed her father. She tried to see him, but he was still being questioned. She still couldn’t believe what had happened. Her dad had always been so peaceful. He’d always kept guns, but this was Texas. Almost everyone had several guns. This was the first time he’d ever used it on a person. She didn’t blame him for being frightened. She was frightened as well.
“Do you know when I can see my dad?” She asked the officer at the front desk.
“You might not be able to see him at all. Why don’t you just go on home?”
“From the way today has gone, this might be the safest place to be.”
The officer shrugged and went back to his computer. Laura sat playing with her phone hoping to hear something soon. What she found strange was how quiet the police station was. It was a small department. They only had maybe a dozen or so officers. The only sound in the place was the static of the police radios. With all that had happened, there was almost no chatter at all.
That all changed after a few minutes. There was a loud scream over the radio. She couldn’t tell what had been said, but instantly every officer in the station ran out the door and to their cars. She watched through the doorway as every squad car and several unmarked cars peeled out of the parking lot. She turned around and saw everyone was gone. Looking around, and finding no one, she walked behind the front desk and through the second set of double doors into a hallway.
As she walked down the hall, there was a set of cubicles and desks in one large room. There was another large room with a podium and a few rows of chairs.
“Hey! What are you doing back here?” Someone yelled from down the hall. She turned around and there was an officer walking toward her. “You’re not supposed to be back here.”
“I’m sorry. Everyone ran off. You guys are holding my dad, I wanted to make sure he’s ok.”
“Yeah, an officer called for help, so everyone had to go.”
“So why are you here?”
“Don’t worry about me. You need to go back out front.” He said as he tried to take her by the arm. She pulled her arm away and backed away. She noticed this officer was much younger than any of the other officers she’d run into. He was skinny and looked like he was barely out of high school.
“Don’t touch me! Where is my dad? Is he being charged?”
“He’s in holding. I don’t know what’s going on with him. The detective who was talking to him left. So you’ll just have to wait.”
“I’ve been waiting all day! What is going on around here?”
“Look, I’d tell you more if I could.”
“Then why can’t you?”
“Because I don’t know, ok? I’m new, like brand new.”
“I can see that. How old are you?” She asked.
“I’m 21. They just hired me last week. I haven’t been to the academy yet, I’m supposed to go next week.”
“Great. That’s why you stayed behind?”
“Pretty much. I been just answering phones and shit.”
“So you’re not even a fucking cop.”
“I am, sort of. Look, cut me a break ok. You want me to take you to your dad?”
“Yes! Please!”
“Ok, come on,” he turned and she followed him down the hall. He took out a key and opened a door leading to a detention area. There were a couple of holding cells. Her dad was sitting on a bench in one of them.
“Dad!” She said.
“Hey honey!” He stood and reached through the bars. She held up her hand and touched his.
“So what did they say?”
“Nothing yet. I was still telling them what happened and they all ran off. Said officer needed assistance,” he said.
“What are we gonna do dad?”
“Where’s your mom?”
“She’s at home. She was all freaked out so she took one of her sleeping pills and went to bed.”
“Oh, well probably just as well. She doesn’t handle stress too well.”
“I know.”
“So did all the cops here leave?” He asked.
“Yeah, except for this guy. Not sure what is going on unless they found those attackers from earlier.”
“Ok, let’s wrap this up,” the officer said. “I could get in trouble if anyone finds you back here.”
“It’s ok,” her dad said. “Go home. Keep an eye on your mom. When they get back I’ll ask for my phone call, ok?”
“Ok dad. I love you.”
“Love you too honey.” They touched hands again as he sat back down.
Laura followed the officer out of the detention area. As he walked her back to the front of the station, there was a little girl standing just inside the main door.
“Is she with you?” The officer asked.
“No,” Laura said as she approached the girl. The girl was small, maybe five or six years old. She had long blonde hair and was wearing a dress with flower patterns. Laura walked over to her and knelt down.
“Are you ok?” Laura asked. “What is your name?”
“Cynthia,” the girl said.
“Hi Cynthia. Where are your parents?”
“I don’t know. I can’t find them. I got scared so I came here.”
Laura looked over at the officer who looked like someone just asked him to split the atom. He was shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head.”
“Can you find my mommy and daddy?” Cynthia asked.
“Um, I guess we can try?” Laura said as she stood.
“Hey kid,” the officer said. “Can you sit down over there for me until I can call someone who can help?”
Cynthia just stood there staring at them both.
“Kid? Did you hear me?”
“How about I rip your cock off and fuck your ass with it!” Cynthia screamed. Her face instantly distorted as she jumped onto the counter in one leap. She grabbed a letter opener from behind the desk and began stabbing herself in the crotch with it. “Oh yeah! Fuck that pussy! Fuck that pussy good!” With each thrust, there was mo
re blood and chunks of flesh clinging to the letter opener as she pulled it away.
The officer pulled his gun and aimed it at the girl, but Laura chopped his arm, knocking the gun out of his hand. The gun went off, firing a shot into the base of the counter as Laura grabbed the girl, trying to pull the letter opener away. The girl hissed at her and spit in her face as she screamed.
“Let go of me you cunt! Let me fuck your rotten pussy!”
Laura backed away as the officer clocked the girl in the face with his baton. The girl tumbled to the floor but jumped back to her feet. He jumped on top of her, holding her down as she struggled. Laura watched as the kid almost overpowered the full grown man.
“Help me!” He said. “Grab the duct tape behind the counter. Let’s tape her up, handcuffs won’t fit her.”
Laura grabbed the tape and ran over to them. The girl’s eyes were red, almost bloodshot looking. Her face was cracked, with blood oozing from each split in her skin. Laura knelt down and began wrapping the tape around Cynthia’s arms. She wondered if this was what the attackers from earlier in the day were acting like. If grown adults were in this same condition, they were all in big trouble.
Chapter 7
Ted stood up while Hernandez continued throwing up. He walked around the squad car and looked at the woman’s torso in his front seat. About thirty feet behind the car were her legs. Hitting the pole had ripped her in half.
“Jesus Christ.” Ted mumbled as he walked back around the front of his car. Hernandez was gone.
“Assistant Chief?” Ted called out. “Where’d you go?”
Ted heard a scream behind him. He spun around and Hernandez leaped onto the roof of Ted’s car. However, he didn’t look like Hernandez anymore. Apart from the uniform, he looked more like the one armed guy who had chased Ted earlier.
“Chief? What the hell! You ok?”
“I’m not your Chief you fuckhead! Come and suck my dick!” Hernandez yelled as he leaped onto Ted, knocking him to the ground. He held his face inches from Ted’s, tearing at his clothing. “Come on and let me fuck you good! You’ll love my cock up your ass! Hahahaha!”
“What the fuck man! Get off me!” Ted struggled against Hernandez, but he was too strong. Ted reached to his side for his gun. He wasn’t sure how he’d explain shooting the Assistant Chief, but for now, the guy was trying to rip his clothes off to fuck and kill him.
“Don’t fight it big boy. Just relax. You might like it!” Hernandez cackled.
Ted got to his gun and held it against Hernandez’s head.
“Get off me! I’m warning you!”
“Shove that gun up your ass motherfucker! Hahahaha!”
Ted closed his eyes and squeezed the trigger. The shot was so loud, his ears rang like crazy. He felt something soft and warm splatter on his face. When he looked up, the top of Hernandez’s head had been blown off. Hernandez’s body went limp, as Ted threw him off and scrambled to his feet. He stood looking down at the Assistant Chief’s body. He was about to get on his radio when Hernandez jumped to his feet.
“Now Ted! That wasn’t very nice!” Hernandez yelled as he lunged for Ted once again. This time he was less coordinated. He still moved quickly, but was off balance. Ted struck the side of his head with the butt of his gun, knocking Hernandez to the ground. “What’s wrong buddy? You don’t think I’m your type?” Hernandez started to get to his feet, but Ted opened fire, this time shooting him through each eye and once through the nose. By the time Ted was done pulling the trigger, Hernandez had almost no face or head left. Only then did he finally stop moving.
Ted holstered his gun and leaned on the back of his car.
“Fuck me! Holy shit!” He looked around and knelt down next to Hernandez’s body. How the fuck was he going to explain this shit? Looking over at his car, he decided he wasn’t getting back in there with the severed human torso in the front seat. Hernandez had left his car running, so he walked over to the driver’s side, but the door was locked. Great. He went back over to Hernandez’s body and began looking through his pockets for extra keys. Before he got far, he thought he heard someone behind him.
Ted turned and looked, but there was nothing but a row of bushes and a few houses. The yard closest to him had a chain link fence around it, but no one in sight. He turned back around and stuck his hand in one of Hernandez’s pockets. He felt around, but felt no keys. Just some change and a stick of gum. As he removed his hand, he heard something again. This time he turned around and saw someone standing in the yard. It was a man, his face also mangled and twisted. Ted stood, and the man actually waved at him. Behind the man, several more people walked up, also with faces twisted and distorted.
Ted began to back up slowly, but the afflicted just stood there. He almost tripped over Hernandez’s body as he moved back. He got his footing under him and continued moving back. The afflicted started moving toward him slowly, until the man in front took off toward him at a dead run. The other afflicted started with him. There were at least a dozen of them. They jumped the chain link fence and cleared it like Olympic hurdlers.
Ted turned and ran at a dead sprint down the alley as fast he as could go. He got onto his radio as he ran and screamed.
“Officer down! Officer needs assistance! Send everybody!”
Chapter 8
Bernard drove them in his SUV back to New Dublin. Simon was sitting quietly next to his mom. Dietrich kept an eye on him, trying to get some kind of read but the kid’s face was completely blank. He didn’t have a good feeling about going back to the house. The boy seemed normal for the moment, but no telling what was really going on in his head.
“What the hell is going on up here?” Bernard said as they approached the town limits.
Dietrich looked out the window and saw several police cars along the road. Behind the cars several barricades had been set up. An officer approached as Bernard pulled up. Dietrich noticed he wasn’t local, it was a DPS officer.
“Sir, I need to ask you turn the vehicle around and go back,” the officer said.
“Go back where? These people live here. I’m taking them home.”
“No sir. Town is closed for right now. You need to go back.”
“Closed? How is a town closed? What’s going on?” Bernard asked.
“Sir. I’m not gonna tell you again. You either go back, or you’ll all be arrested for disorderly conduct.” “Are you serious?” Dietrich chimed in. “You can at least tell us what—,” Dietrich was cut off by the other officers’ screaming. The officer at their vehicle ran back toward the barricades. Several of the officers had high powered rifles and were shooting at something, but Dietrich couldn’t see anything.
“Does this have anything to do with Simon?” Sharon asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Simon killed his sister. You told us all about this Indian spirit or whatever. Now they are shooting at something.”
“I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. There could be anything happening here,” Dietrich said as there was a scream from outside. He looked up and saw several people on top of the barricades. The officers were shooting them, but as some were going down, others kept coming. One of them twisted off an officer’s head and kicked it as if he were punting a football. The officer’s body fell to the ground as another officer shot the man from behind. Dietrich noticed how distorted the people’s faces were.
More and more of them came over the cars and barricade. The officers were outnumbered, and their guns weren’t all that effective against the approaching horde. One afflicted tore an officer’s rifle away and began hitting him in the face with it. The officer’s head split open after several blows, blood and brains pouring out onto the street.
“Go back,” Dietrich said.
“What?” Bernard said.
“Go back. In reverse. Now! Go!”
Bernard threw it in reverse and started the car backwards, just as Dietrich saw several of those afflicted starting after them. They were fast too; one
of them almost got a hand on the SUV. Simon hadn’t moved an inch. His expression was still blank as he stared out the window at the melee. Bernard kept driving in reverse until the SUV slammed into a utility pole. Glass and metal crunched as the pole teetered and fell onto the top of the SUV. The top of the car had caved in, mostly in the backseat near Simon, who was small enough to avoid it hitting him. The doors all flew open as they all climbed out of the vehicle. Sharon ran around and grabbed Simon, pulling him out of the SUV.
Several of the afflicted were closing in on them. As they got closer Dietrich could see just how messed up they all were. They were all grunting and screaming profanities. They started to run from the afflicted, but Bernard was hobbling on his right foot.
“I think I broke my foot,” he said. As Dietrich put his arm around him, the afflicted surrounded them.
“Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!” Sharon kept saying.
“Father, give me Last Rites please.” Bernard said.
“I’m not a priest anymore.”
“Just do it. Please?”
The afflicted began closing in on them. Sharon held Simon close to her, but he pushed away.
“Simon! What are you doing?” She tried to grab at him but he moved toward the afflicted.
Dietrich cringed, waiting for the afflicted to mob them and rip their limbs off and swallow up the boy. Instead, the afflicted moved back as Simon approached them.
“Stop,” Simon said to them. “None of them are to be harmed.”
The afflicted all backed away and started to gather around him, all looking at him intently.
“Let’s go. Back into town,” he said as he began walking. They all followed behind him.
“Simon! Where are you going?” Sharon screamed. “Simon! Get back here now!” She began to run toward him, but Dietrich grabbed her.
“Don’t, let him go,” he said.
“No! He’s just a little boy!”
“Not right now he’s not. Yeshto’th is controlling him now.”
“Is he gone? Is my little boy still there?” She asked.