Prey

by Carlos King

  Zandor begins to slowly circle around Alex again. “Yeah. Drake did use his powers last night, but he took off right afterward. So if it was Drake they were honing in on, they would’ve tailed him, don’t you think? But instead, they came here. Why?”

  “I don’t know,” Alex answered, perplexed.

  Standing behind Alex, Zandor places a hand on his shoulder. “Sure you do,” Zandor smiled. “They found you because it wasn’t Drake who led them here…It was you.”

  “No, that’s not true!” Alex emphatically denied. “Demons can’t link up with angels.”

  “Exactly!” Zandor excitedly responded. “You have more in common with us than you know, my friend. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to the family…Demon.”

  Zandor’s cold words rip through Alex’s ears, tears through his heart, and sinks into his stomach like an anchor. Alex knows better than to believe the words of any demon. It’s in their nature to be perfect deceivers and ultimate liars, but for some reason Alex doesn’t feel like he’s being lied to.

  “That can’t be right,” Alex said to himself.

  Zandor removes his hand from Alex’s shoulder. “You’ll find out soon enough. Now, if you’ll be so kind as to excuse me. I have to go pick up my date.”

  Zandor walks away from Alex and begins walking toward the back of the barn, where the tornado shelter is located. Alex stands frozen in shock as Zandor’s haunting implication creates a chain reaction of thoughts that rush through his mind like a wild river current. Alex manages to clear his mind long enough to comprehend Zandor’s last statement. When Alex sees Zandor heading for the shelter he becomes aware to the fact that Jade’s hiding space has been compromised.

  Alex’s eyes ignite. He bolts after Zandor, trying to prevent him from reaching Jade, but his attempt fails when Zandor anticipates his interference.

  Just as Alex nears Zandor, Zandor shows off his impressive ability to perfectly time an opponent and catches Alex by the throat. If Zandor was hideous before, his appearance now is ten times worse. He lifts Alex off of the ground, violently squeezing his airway close.

  “Don’t test me, Alex! Don’t make the mistake in taking my kindness for weakness! Regardless of what you think, I’m still the meanest beast in the yard, and don’t you ever forget it! I’m here on orders that don’t involve you, but if you get in my way one more time I will kill you!”

  Alex struggles to free himself from Zandor’s crushing grip.

  Zandor cocks the arm that’s holding Alex and quickly snaps it forward, sending Alex rocketing through the air. Alex comes to a back-breaking landing nearly a hundred feet away.

  Zandor turns to Zavior and the other demons. “Go hold him. I want him to see this.”

  Smiling, Zavior happily obliges. He leads the other demons over to an unconscious Alex. Zavior orders two of the demons to pick Alex up by his arms and he orders the third demon to stand behind Alex as a safety precaution. Alex head hangs as the two entities hold his limp body up.

  Grinning, Zavior says, “He said he wanted him to see this, so I guess we better wake him, huh?”

  The three demons smile, having a good idea what’s about to occur. Zavior raises his open palm and in a quick swiping motion, slaps Alex across the face so hard an echo of the hit reverberates throughout the land.

  “WAKE UP!” Zavior yelled. When Alex doesn’t respond quickly enough, Zavior strikes him again. “WAKE UP!”

  This brutal display goes on for nearly a minute. And even when Alex is beginning to wake up, Zavior goes on to slap him again. Alex is groggy and his vision is blurry, but he’s partially coherent.

  “There you go. Wake up, Alex.” said Zavior. “We got something we want you to see.”

  Zavior grabs a hold of Alex’s hair while the others hold his arms. He aims Alex’s head in Zandor’s direction. Right on cue, Zandor walks over to the tornado shelter and tugs at one of its doors. He easily rips the locked door off of its hinges and discards it like a piece of trash, tossing the large wooden-door over his shoulder. He steps inside the shelter and out of view. The next sound Alex hears rips through his heart like a dagger. It’s the hair-raising screams of Jade.

  “NO! JADE!” Alex shouted, desperately trying to free himself from the demons’ grasps.

  Zavior and the other demons are having a great time watching Alex struggle.

  Shortly after entering the shelter, Zandor reemerges with Jade over his shoulder. She’s doing everything she possibly can to break free of Zandor’s grip. Her valiant kicking, flailing, and punches have no effect on him.

  “Jade!” Alex yelled for the second time. He gathers up as much of his strength as he can, but he can’t gather enough to overpower the four entities that are holding him back. “YOU SON-OF-A-BITCH, LET HER GO!” he screamed to Zandor.

  When Jade hears her name being shouted from across the way, she bursts out into an energetic tirade. “ALEX! HELP ME! PLEASE, ALEX, HELP ME!” she begged, tears in her eyes. “ALEX, DO SOMETHING, PLEASE!”

  “JADE!” Alex shouted, snatching one of his arms free. Sadly, Zavior recaptures Alex’s free arm, while the demon standing behind him punches him in the back of his head, dropping him down to both knees.

  Alex looks up and locks eyes with Zandor. Zandor smiles and then takes off running through the fields with Jade, swiftly disappearing. A sense of hopelessness falls onto Alex as he helplessly listens to Jade’s cries drift away.

  CHAPTER 30

  Alex loses his last ounce of fight when Jade’s voice finally fades out of range. His resistance to the demons holding him back dissipates; his hopes of saving her diminished. Alex knows that even if he broke free from the demons he still wouldn’t be able to beat Zandor.

  Noticing that Alex has given up, the four demons turn him loose. Slumped over on his hands and knees, Alex has completely given up.

  “Aw, would you look at this?” Zavior teased. “The angel’s sad because he couldn’t save his girlfriend.”

  Another demon adds, “Yeah, it’s too bad one of us didn’t get her. I would’ve really hoped me and her could get a little alone time. Who knows…Maybe I still can.”

  “Hey,” Zavior called out to Alex. “Are you listening to us?”

  “I think he’s too heartbroken to care, Zavior. Look at him. He looks dead,” said another entity.

  “That can be arranged,” Zavior stated. “If his spirit’s already broken then there’s really no point of further torment. It takes all the fun out of it.” Zavior turns to the demons. “Pick him up. It’s time to end this once and for all.”

  Two demons lift Alex to his feet. Alex doesn’t oppose them.

  “Before I kill you, I want you to know that the only reason you’re going to die by my hands is because of what you did to my brother. But for the rest of eternity he and I will make you our bitch. That, I can guarantee.”

  Alex has no response for Zavior’s threat and continues to stand in a zombie-like trance. Zavior raises his open palm to the air. His eyes turn searing red and his fingernails expand, turning into sharp-edged claws.

  Alex doesn’t seem to care about his impending doom. He pays no attention to Zavior and doesn’t show the slightest sign of fear. Alex stares Zavior in the eyes with a blank, emotionless expression. Zavior is about to swipe his hand down, but is interrupted by someone clearing their throat.

  Zavior around and spots Drake perched on top of the tractor. Wearing fresh and very fashionable clothing, he sits on top of the rusted vehicle looking like an out of place fashion model.

  “You,” Zavior said, with a disgruntled look.

  Another one of the demons inserts, “It’s him…It’s the traitor.”

  From his seated position on the tractor, Drake asks, “Now I know you guys weren’t planning on hurting my buddy Alex…Were you?”

  “Stay clear, traitor,” Zavior told Drake. “This has nothing to do with you. Your concern should be focused on your business with the boss. I’m sure he has a lot of things he wants
to discuss with you.”

  “I’m sure he does. You tell him I said if he wants me he’ll have to come and get me. So are you going to let my little pal there go or not?”

  A crooked smile appears on Zavior’s face. “What do you think, traitor?”

  “I think you wanna do this shit the hard way,” Drake answered.

  “You thought right, traitor,” another demon responded.

  Zavior steps toward Drake. “I tell you what, since that seems to be the name you’re going by now, after we kill your friend here, we’re going to transport you back to the boss. Either in one piece or a hundred…You decide.”

  Drake hops off of the tractor, brushes dust off his pants and shirt. “So what are we waiting for?”

  “Your friend’s head to hit the dirt.” Zavior moves for Alex and cocks his claw-like hand for the kill.

  Just as Zavior lowers his hand to administer the deathblow, a sudden blur rushes toward Zavior, resulting in him being thrown through one of the barn’s walls— a distance equal to a city block. Now standing in the exact same spot that was previously occupied by Zavior is Drake, his blood-red eyes set on the three demons surrounding Alex. Alex continues to stand motionless, unresponsive to any of the ongoing activity around him.

  “Who’s next?” Drake menacingly asked.

  The three demons exchange glances before simultaneously charging at Drake.

  The overwhelming bombardment does exactly what it was intended to do. Drake is overpowered and taken to the ground. The three entities tangle up with him, clawing and scratching at him in a maniacal manner. Drake uses his legs to kick one of the evil beings away, launching the demon through the air, sending him through the roof of the Harris farmhouse. With one of the demons removed, a narrow gap has formed between the other two demons, allowing Drake a visual of Alex, who’s still unresponsive.

  “A little help here, angel!” Drake shouted.

  Alex remains in a stationary position, keeps his eyes aimed on the ground.

  When Alex doesn’t respond to Drake’s request, Drake yells out again. “HEY, ALEX, I SAVED YOUR LIFE…DON’T COST ME MINE! SNAP OUT OF IT!”

  Drake’s pep talk is cut short when he catches a fist to the side of the head. The unanticipated shot momentarily stuns Drake, creating an opening for the two entities to take advantage of Drake’s weakened state.

  Drake is being pounded by the powerful creatures that are latched to him like a vice grip. Both of the demons have shifted their bodies to where all of their individual weights are holding down each of his arms. When it looks like things couldn’t get any worse for Drake, a surprising relief comes. Alex has broken out of his catatonic condition and lends him a much needed hand.

  In one motion, Alex stands over Drake and places a foot in his chest. He then grabs both of the demons by the back of their shirts and tugs with all his might. As Alex’s foot keeps Drake on the ground, while his pulling generates enough energy to jerk the two demons off and send them flying over Alex’s shoulders like a pair of rag dolls. The two demons are thrown behind a nearby tool shed. Alex removes his foot from Drake’s chest.

  Exhausted, Drake looks up at Alex, his eyes still red. “What the hell took you so long?! You’re standing over there daydreaming while I’m getting ground and pounded like a UFC fighter!”

  In a show of appreciation, Alex extends his hand out to Drake, offering to help him up. Drake hesitates at first, but eventually accepts the peaceful gesture.

  “Better late than never I guess,” said Drake, hoping to his feet.

  “Thanks,” Alex forced himself to say.

  “Don’t mention it.” Paying close attention to his dirt-stained clothing, Drake adds, “Look at this mess. I paid good money for these damn clothes.”

  An ear-piercing sound comes from the barn, loudly tearing through the air. The instant the screaming dissipates Zavior steps into view, appearing in the center of the large hole his body created moments earlier. His malevolent eyes fixated on Drake and Alex.

  The demon Drake kicked into the farmhouse remerges. The savage creature stands in the doorway, growling at Drake and Alex.

  The two demons Alex threw behind the shed return, bubbling over with rage and growling.

  “Man-oh-man…I just love a good old-fashioned brawl,” Drake happily revealed. “There’s nothing like the sensation you get when you’re cornered and outnumbered by a group of people who want you dead. Damn that shit gives me a rush.”

  “I’m glad you’re so excited. Since you get your kicks off this type of thing, you won’t mind dealing with these three then, will you? I have some unfinished business to settle with the head ghoul.”

  “And today isn’t even my birthday,” Drake said, indicating his appreciation.

  Alex begins heading straight for Zavior, and Zavior does the same. Both are approaching each other at a steady pace and both have evil intentions on their minds. When their distance of separation is cut in half, the two rivals charge at one another. The two collide, meeting with such force an enormous wave of loose dirt blows out from around them.

  Meanwhile, Drake is preparing to engage the other three demons. He doesn’t appear to be worried about the unfair numbers. In contrast, he actually seems to be very welcoming to the challenge. Hoping to bait them in, he keeps his guard down, purposely leaving himself vulnerable for an attack.

  “So, who’s gonna commit suicide first?” Drake asked, his light-brown eyes changing into red hot ones.

  Just as they did before, the demons exchange quick looks with one another before carrying out their predictable assault. Drake is more than ready for the readable attack.

  Drake times his next move. As the demons race toward him from all sides, Drake waits until they’re fully committed to their attack before he jumps up as high as he can, causing all three demons to smash into each other. Upon landing, Drake feels and hears the crunch of bones resonate from underneath him. He’s landed on the upper back of one of the demons. The unlucky demon releases a pain-filled bellow. Drake bends over, grabs hold of the demon’s head, and violently twists the demon’s neck, bringing an abrupt end to the entity’s cries of pain.

  Drake hastily switches his attention off the demon he’s killed and resets it on the two that are still alive. One is almost to his feet and the other is still on his hands and knees. Drake does the only logical thing and goes after the one that’s getting up.

  Drake runs toward the demon, throwing his fist at its chest. The blow crushes through the entity’s chest, catapulting him several feet away. Drake turns around to deal with the other demon, but only sees the disintegrating body of the first demon he killed. Drake is tackled from behind and slammed to the ground.

  Lying flat on his back with a ferocious demon set on top of him, Drake is undoubtedly in a vulnerable position. Drake grabs the demon by the throat and realizes that his fancy watch has been busted up, which was caused by the ruthless takedown.

  “Son of a…I paid six hundred bucks for this watch. Now I’m pissed!” Lying flat on his back, Drake gathers up an astonishing sum of energy and uses it to project the demon across the yard.

  Drake agilely leaps to his feet, and for the first time since the grocery store altercation, his inner demon has surfaced. Drake targets the entity and hurriedly takes the fight to the revolting being. He takes off running towards the beast and tackles it to the ground.

  Mounted on top of the demon, he reveals his razor-sharp teeth with a sadistic smile. “My turn.” Drake opens his mouth wide and lunges for the demon’s neck.

  Back with Alex, he and Zavior are in the midst of a closely contested battle. Neither has taken a dominant lead in the fight, but with the amount of punches being thrown, it’ll only be a matter of time before one of them lands a significant blow and gains a decisive edge.

  After minutes of combat, Alex finally spots an opening in Zavior’s defense that allows him to administer a clean punch to Zavior’s head. The impact of the blow forces Zavior to spin aroun
d like a top.

  Zavior falls down near a large, wooden-beam. Zavior calculates how he’ll make use of his new weapon.

  Alex moves in for the kill. Zavior postures himself on the ground so that it looks like he’s still hurt, when in actuality he’s timing Alex’s approach so he can use the beam against him. Once he feels the moment is right, Zavior swings the beam with all his might.

  As the beam barrels toward him, Alex instinctively and agilely leans out the way. It whooshes by, passing right in front of his face.

  Zavior quickly gets up and clutches the bulky timber like a baseball bat. Wanting to catch Alex off guard, Zavior tries to bait Alex in with a couple of false lunges. When Alex doesn’t fall for his tricks, Zavior abandons his failed scheme and decides to swing for the fences.

  Alex predicts the attack and raises his forehand to block the beam from connecting with his head. The beam crushes in half upon impact with Alex’s arm. Before the half of the beam that broke off has a chance to hit the ground, Alex reaches out with his other hand and grabs Zavior’s throat. Zavior frantically tries to pry Alex’s hand open to free his neck, but even with both of his hands picking and pulling, Zavior can’t break Alex’s powerful hold.

  Alex takes enjoyment in having Zavior right where he wants him. “Well, well, well,” Alex began, “Look at the big bad wolf now. I literally have your worthless life in the palm of my hand,” he added with a smile. “Any last words before I reunite you with your brother?”

  “I can’t wait until the day I see you burning in the fires beside me,” Zavior strained to articulate.

  Alex pulls Zavior close. With his eyes as black as night, Alex tells Zavior, “You first.”

  Alex proceeds to tighten his grip around Zavior’s neck. Zavior’s attempt to loosen Alex’s grip soon comes to a halt when the relentless pressure being applied by Alex causes a loud crack to emanate from Zavior’s neck.

  Alex tosses Zavior’s lifeless body aside. He begins to wonder why he got such fulfillment from killing Zavior in the way he did. Alex could’ve taken the shorter route in getting rid of Zavior and just snapped his neck in one quick motion. But for some unexplained reason, he wanted Zavior to suffer. He wanted to torment Zavior just like Zavior tormented him. He wanted to see the fear in Zavior’s eyes.