The Complete Creeping Darkness

by Greyson, Quinn

“I just have to get dressed,” he grabbed some clothes and walked back into his bathroom and got changed.

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  ***

  They walked the perimeter of the school. It was just about as dangerous as it could be. It wasn’t safe; you never knew what was out there, especially in this new world.

  “I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am,” Olivia told him.

  His heart ached at the thought.

  “I also wanted to tell you Mr. Griffin called off any plans to attack Yale.”

  “I guess I expected as much,” he replied.

  They stopped and could see a view of the school on a little ridge. They could also see the dim moon.

  “I could say I know how you feel. I lost my brother. He was very important to me.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Peter didn’t even know she had any siblings.

  “He was murdered actually and the murderer got away with it. But I vowed to get my revenge. I’m not saying all this so you feel sorry for me. I just want you to know that I know how you feel. I know Madison can’t be forgotten, but you don’t have to let her loss be your destruction. You can live for other things. Madison would roll over in her grave if she thought you were going down without a fight, wouldn’t she?”

  He shrugged, “She said she wanted me to carry on. Be a warrior, save everyone. I think she had a very romanticized view of me.”

  “I can’t say for certain. Obviuosly she loved you and saw a quality about you that she admired. And she was right, I haven’t known you for long, but it’s obvious. If I can offer my advice, grieve her, remember her, and love your memories. But then you have to move on. Get your revenge and then you’ll be able to move on.”

  “Did you get your revenge?” Peter asked.

  “I’m working on it,” she shrugged, “It takes time and now…” she shrugged.

  Peter leaned against a tree and sat down.

  “Just the thought of not being around her…” he was tearing up again.

  Olivia leaned down and wiped away a tear.

  “Seeing you like this is…” she looked way without finishing. “I hope I was never mean to you.”

  “No. You’ve always been nice to me.”

  He grabbed her hand.

  “You know my secret,” he said, “I never even got to tell Maddie my side of the story.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “And apparently life,” he said resigned.

  She sat beside him.

  “Madison was really good to me you know. She was always so nice to me, she made me feel accepted even though people like Sophie disliked me.”

  “Salt of the earth,” Olivia agreed, “That’s why I hate to see her murderers get away with burning such a star like her out of existence.”

  “What do you mean?” He asked.

  Olivia shrugged.

  “Forget it, just angry is all. I hate how the self proclaimed… No never mind, it’s just my ranting…” she went to get up.

  Peter grabbed her coat and pulled on it, “No please, I’m listening.”

  She turned to him and squatted down.

  “Okay. Well, they may not have pulled the trigger, but they sure as hell didn’t stop it. Mr. Griffin just pissed around, trying to prevent you and Lee from saving Madison. And even if you had brought her to Yale, they would have just turned you away wouldn’t they have? Lee told me that she thought you should be in charge not Mr. Griffin.”

  “Yeah, she didn’t trust him to save us. She wanted us to be like Spartans, samurais, Romans, warriors! That the weak would perish and the strong would survive.”

  “And was she right?”

  Peter shrugged, “Does it matter who’s right if you’re dead? Isn’t being dead a weakness?”

  “She wasn’t weak, but she still died, because of weak people. But had you been in charge and you had Lee’s weapons that he says he has, you could have went to Yale and made them save her couldn’t you have?”

  He nodded.

  “She’s dead because you were weak, I’m not saying that to hurt you, just a fact.”

  Peter stared at the ground, shocked by this revelation. It was his fault.

  Olivia grabbed his face and brought it up, they looked each other in the eye.

  “No! Peter, you don’t get to be all self loathing. Maddie was always right wasn’t she? A star that truly shined, a beauty that any girl would envy and now she’s gone and for what? What did Mr. Griffin gain? Nothing! Who did the Yale doctors save while they could have saved her? Some no one. Someone who couldn’t save the world, maybe some junkie so they could get high later and need the machine again and make someone else like you suffer, because another star burns out for their greed. People like them, just like to make sure people like us know that they have the power, and that we’re nothing to them. The doctors think they’re gods, but they’re not!”

  “She was beautiful. My brother told me they wouldn’t even listen to him, he even threatened them, they said they didn’t care, that they had others to save.”

  “We both know she deserves her revenge. And even if not for her, maybe someone else. What if another one of your friends gets hurt, like Lee or myself. Would you let me or Lee die so easily?”

  “I didn’t let Maddie die, I wanted to…” he looked away his vision going blurry from the tears, he didn’t want to fall.

  “I don’t want to appear brash, but if society gets selfish like they are, we’re all damned. People have to know that in times like this, that we need to work together and if they insist on making tiers within our society and play god then they’ll be consequences for all of us.”

  “I see what you’re saying,” Peter agreed. Greed was getting to these people and hurting everyone else.

  “But first you and Lee need to take over. We can’t let Mr. Griffin run us into the ground.”

  He looked at her. She was so beautiful and smart. A different version of Maddie.

  “And you’re with me?”

  Olivia stuck out her hand to him and smiled. Peter took it and shook. She kissed him lightly on the cheek.

  “Of course, we all are. It’s just the whole teacher/student dynamic right now. He’s seen as an authority figure, that’s all. Just a paper king though. But no one will make a move against him if you and Lee don’t. You two are the key, but especially you.”

  He nodded, He grabbed a clump of dirt on the ground and threw it.

  “You’ll feel better. You’ll be saving and liberating your fellow students and then we can save the city. And Madison’s death won’t be in vain, it’ll be a rallying cry for the downed and oppressed. She’ll be a martyr for a better world. And don’t let little things like people talking about Democracy get in your way, this is not the time for such civilized institutions. Power, order and survival first, then civility.”

  “You’re good. I can see why you and Maddie were friends.”

  “We were better and better friends every day. Seeing her sick and helpless and knowing who put her that position made me so sick…” she started crying.

  She leaned into him. He patted her back.

  “And to see you, such a nice guy,” she looked back at him and wiped her tears away, “I don’t want this to come out wrong, but my feelings…”

  Her eyes were so soft, but with a tough undertone. Her face and hair so perfect, but she wasn’t like Sophie, so into her looks. She was like Maddie, a natural beauty with respect for the natural world.

  “Sorry, never mind,” she sobbingly laughed. “Sorry. Thanks for having this talk with me though, but you should get some rest. You deserve it.”

  “Thank you for talking to me Olivia. I appreciate it. You can’t imagine… my thoughts.”

  “I guess I just understand you is all. I don’t want us all to suffer needlessly, especially when we have people like you to lead us to greater paths of glory.”

  They got up and continued their walk talking of the difference they
could make in the world.

  He went back to his room and slept dreaming of Maddie’s revenge.

  Chapter 2

  A surprise snow storm blew in. Peter could hear the wind howling he spoke to the council. The rough patchwork of students and the two surviving teachers.

  “We need to move now,” he said calmly spelling out his plans.

  “Move on what Mr. Nelson?” Mr. Griffin asked him as if he hadn’t even heard the plan.

  “The snow has surely driven back the Night Crawlers and the Night Dragons. We can move on Yale tonight and get supplies.”

  “Please remember that I and I alone authorize any moves,” Mr. Griffin said, crossing his arms, “We don’t need revenge on Yale despite your insistence and we have enough supplies for now. We don’t know what effect, if any, the snow has on these creatures, we can’t risk an expedition.”

  Peter stood up and walked over to the window, he could see some of the kids playing around outside, “Every once and awhile the stars align and whether you’re aware of it or not, Mr. Griffin, this may be our only chance. Every day the human population goes down and the insect population goes up. It’s a simple game of numbers. We know those things are insects or at least close enough, Jack did an impromptu autopsy on one of the ones we brought back. That means if they’re insects they have normal insect weaknesses. They aren’t demons, so we can kill them.”

  “I think this is more about revenge than survival of the species,” Mr. Griffin offered.

  Peter could see everyone staring at him by the reflections in the window. He looked past them outside.

  “This… this is about…” he stuttered and turned, looking at Olivia, she smiled at him and rolled her hands. She mouthed the word strength to him. He was still in a bit of a daze. He had slept for almost two days and even then He still didn’t feel rested. “Strength!”

  “Strength?”

  “Yes. Strength.”

  “Hmm, I somewhat doubt that Peter. You’re emotionally crippled right now. I really doubt you’re in the right frame of mind to make any kind of decisions. We will hole up here and wait for rescue. And once again, as much as I enjoy these little get-togethers with you all, Peter here has shown me that these kinds of meetings aren’t beneficial for any of us. Ms. Holloway and I are the sole authorities here. We will however meet with a student rep to help guide you and to implement my new rules,” Mr. Griffin said looking right at him.

  The students grumbled. Peter looked over at Ms. Holloway. She looked very disturbed at his news, he knew she was caught in both worlds.

  “No!” Peter said shaking his head, trying not to betray his rising anger.

  “And you’re the exact reason why Mr. Nelson!”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean? It seems to me that I’m the only one actually worrying about the students here. What’s your big plan? Wait and die? Screw you! You’re bloody useless. Come up with a half decent plan and we’ll talk.”

  “Oh I was warned about you! I always knew you were an animal, and now you’re trying to get off your leash. You deserve to be in a cage. You were expelled from West Point for a reason, but this is not a time to act like a criminal! We need authority and I am your teacher!”

  Peter’s mind was going red, in a rage. He was ready to rip him apart. He tried to push it away.

  “And what will you have us do Mr. Griffin when the snow melts and these things come for us? They’ve been here once and they’ll be back here again!” Olivia stood up.

  Mr. Griffin looked over at her coolly, “I thought you’d know Better Ms. Xi,” Mr. Griffin started and smacked the table. His face was going red too, “You all are children, you do not have the aptitude to deal with adult problems.”

  “It sounds like you can’t deal!” Lee shouted, his rebel side taking hold. Other students shouted in agreement with him.

  “All of you get out, or else I’ll put you all in detention!”

  Peter laughed, the others joined in. He shook his head.

  “No, you’re incapable of leading us,” Peter told him.

  “I am your teacher! And you cannot speak to me like that!”

  “And that’s all that you have. You think that being our teacher gives you the moral authority to lead us, well it doesn’t. You have no idea what’s out there! You locked yourself in the basement at the first sign of trouble!”

  “I… AM… YOUR… TEACHER!” Mr. Griffin screamed, spittle flying out of his mouth.

  Some of the kids shrunk back at the ferocity of the man.

  “I told you…” Peter started.

  “And I told you,” Mr. Griffin said and pulled out a snubbed nosed six shooter his gun and pointed it at Peter.

  “You want strength? I have strength!” Mr. Griffin yelled almost maniacally.

  “Put that down!” Ms. Holloway yelled at him.

  “No! You don’t understand, they need discipline!” he yelled his hands trembling badly, “I know. This is how you deal with this kind of student, you don’t think I’ve seen this Holloway? Kids like this always wind up in one place; the morgue, or sending others there. They’re like rabid dogs!”

  Ms. Holloway stood up suddenly.

  “Frank! You cannot point guns at your students!”

  “School’s been out for awhile now. You’re just a pathetic loser! Lee!”

  Lee pulled out his gun and pointed it at Mr. Griffin.

  “Lee, grab him and lock him up! We don’t have time for this... coddling.”

  Peter looked at Olivia she smiled at him and nodded her head. She walked over to him and whispered into his ear. “Shoot him, this is your opportunity, if you let this slip, it’s all over.”

  “Peter, think about this,” Ms. Holloway said.

  “I have and he’ll destroy us. I know what I’m doing.”

  “Do you?” she asked mad.

  Ms. Holloway walked over to Mr. Griffin and stood in front of him. “Dammit, this stops now!” She tried for the gun…

  A shot rang out…

  Mr. Griffin looked stunned. He was shaking badly, his face flushed. He looked around at loss for words.

  “Shoot him!” Olivia told Lee.

  Lee had let his arm drop, but immediately raised it at Mr. Griffin.

  “No… I, I didn’t mean…” Mr. griffin stammered out before he was shot three times.

  Jack ran to Ms. Holloway as fast as he could. He examined her and looked up at Peter and shook his head for the second time.

  “Damn it!”

  Chapter 3

  Peter and Lee needed a break from the school. They headed towards the local parcel depot. Picking out a car from the teacher’s parking lot.

  “Are you sure?” Peter asked Lee again.

  “I told you my dad sent me something.”

  “Yeah, but are you sure that something is weapons?”

  Peter had the windows down and looked around very closely at the quiet abandoned city. It was cold and large white flakes fell from the sky. It was crazy weather.

  “Listen. My dad and I were very close. He always thought something would go down and he told me that even if he couldn’t be with me, he’d make sure I was looked after.”

  “Have you even heard from your father?”

  “No, have you?”

  Peter shook his head. “Alright we’ll check it out.”

  “Aww shucks, thanks for your permission,” Lee said sarcastically, “Listen if you’re upset about Ms. Holiday…”

  “Come on man, Holloway.”

  “Whatever. Not your problem. We’re free now and we’re in charge.”

  They pulled up to the old parcel depot.

  “Ready?”

  Peter nodded, “Think anyone’s home?”

  “Guess we’ll find out the hard way.”

  The duo walked up to the front door and pulled on the door handles. The glass was all covered up with newspaper. It didn’t budge.

  “Let’s go around, I saw a window,” Lee said and started aroun
d the side. They both entered the way of the window after lee broke it open.

  “So?” peter said.

  “What?”

  “Where do we look? It’s not like someone’s here to help.”

  “Man, just look around okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Lee went wandering around and went over their books, since the computers didn’t work, luckily they kept a printed copy of everything that shipped in. He caught sight of something and rolled under some racking.

  Peter had the same idea and was going over some manifestos.

  “Freeze!” A shaky voice said from behind Peter, “Turn around…slowly.”

  Peter turned slowly and caught the sight of a shaky, bald forty year old man.

  “What the hell are you doing here? This is my home; you can’t just invade a man’s home!”

  “I understand that, I’m terribly sorry, I had no idea there was anyone here. My name is Peter Nelson; I’m a student from New Haven Bridge Collegiate,” he explained not wanting to get into details about the difference between a home and a warehouse.

  “You’re not from Yale?”

  He shook his head.

  “I had a parcel that I didn’t get to pick up, and I thought this was the best time to get it, while it was snowing, so that we didn’t have any company, if you know what I mean.”

  The man looked a little crazed. Peter guessed everyone was, even if just a little.

  “Don’t you know we’re at war? The man asked Peter.

  “I’m vaguely aware.”

  “Smart mouth hey? New Haven Bridge Collegiate you say?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You’re one of those rich, spoiled brats invading my good town. You kids think you deserve everything!”

  “No sir, I just want my parcel.”

  “Listen kid, I’m gonna do you a favor, I’m gonna let you go and you’re going to forget your parcel. You don’t want it anyways. That’s part of your old life. You gotta let that go now.”

  “Listen mister…” Peter said standing up.

  The man fired into the air.

  “You don’t listen too well, and I’ll chalk that up to your school, but know this, if I shoot you now, it’s like you never existed. There will be no search parties or fundraisers. You’ll just be one in a billion.”