Dark of Dawn 4Horsemen: Book one in the Dark of Dawn Series

by Sebastien Woolf

  Two hours later the power went out.

  Robert quickly became frantic, fearing for the safety of his wife and two young children who were at home alone and defenseless. He still held out hope that they were still alive, but he found it unbearable not being able to help them. Colin did everything he could to stop him, but his son would not listen to reason and despite his vehement protests Robert vanished through the skylight later that night.

  Convinced it was too risky to leave Colin stayed put until Jon and Josh rescued him two weeks later. The two men had been out checking on the supermarket when they came across the butchery. Colin was perched on the roof signaling to them with a white flag tied to a pole, cutting a forlorn picture. Before leaving Colin gathered up every weapon with a blade he could find, including the two hefty meat cleavers he now held firmly in his hands.

  Colin never got over the loss off his son. Whilst he still held out that they might one day be reunited, hope faded as each day passed. Grotesque images of his dead brother and uncles haunted his dreams almost nightly. He had vowed to avenge them all and each creature that fell to his blades was a step closer to fulfilling that impossible task.

  Up ahead Josh raised a clenched fist to the side of his head, signaling a halt. The two others abruptly stopped in their tracks behind him.

  Having made their way through the front offices the trio had now reached the end of a long, dark corridor. Josh was taking no chances, stopping at each corner, passing through every doorway with the utmost caution.

  Leaning forward he peered around the dark corner, fist still raised high in the air. Blackness greeted him, he saw nothing in the gloom and pulled his head back immediately. He needed to be certain they were alone so as quick as he could he clipped his flashlight to his rifle and clicked it on.

  Peering into the corridor again his light reflected off the walls. All was still, it was eerily quiet. Raising his hand again, Josh motioned with his fingers for the others to follow him and then stepped into the breach.

  Tyler was now deeply concerned for his brother’s safety, worried sick as well for the other two with him in the lead group. It had been too long without any contact, which was not normal and completely out of character for Josh. Something was up and Tyler could not help but fear the worst.

  Heated debate raged inside the SUV, with the right course of action to take dividing them. They were at loggerheads and Tyler was over talking, all he wanted to do was to go and investigate what had happened to the others – it was time for action.

  Raj on the other hand erred on the side of caution, as he always did. He was not one to rush into anything, his suggestion was to wait longer, or alternatively to return to the compound. Voicing his opinion strongly in a respectful manner he did everything he could to keep everyone calm.

  Tyler turned to his friend knowing that Stuart would side with him. He always did, even if the decision was the wrong one.

  “Give me the keys Raj!” Tyler demanded, frustration getting the better of him.

  Raj refused. Removed the ignition key, balled it in his fist, wrapped it up tight and then folded his arms in defiance.

  “That’s my brother out there!” Tyler pointed to nowhere in particular.

  “Out where exactly?” came Raj’s measured reply. He was always cool, calm and collected under pressure. “Precisely here do you want us to go? We have a rough idea where they might be, but honestly Mr. Tyler, they could be anywhere.”

  The voice of reason.

  Tyler was livid. “We just can’t leave them out there!”

  “No, you are right, we cannot leave them out there. And we will not.” Compassion resonated when Raj spoke. “But we cannot just go and put ourselves in danger either. We are not cowboys Mr. Tyler,” added the middle-aged Indian man.

  Tyler knew that Raj was right. Hated to admit it.

  “Well what then! Tell me your master plan Mr. Raj,” he said sarcastically, almost in a mocking Indian accent.

  While Raj took a few seconds to formulate a response a frown appeared on Tyler’s face.

  “How about this, and please hear me out Mr. Tyler. We do not know where the others are so that is our first problem. Until we do we are no use to them. We could be searching for days only to find no sign of them whatsoever.”

  Chewing on his lip Tyler resigned himself to the fact that so far Raj was making sense. Clouded vision was clearing.

  “What I think we should do is a quick drive by, then drop off what we have collected so far back at the compound. He was referring to the weapons and supplies that overflowed in the rear of the SUV.

  Tyler looked a little agitated.

  Raj raised his hands rattling the keys before continuing outlining his plan. “We can map out with your father where the others might be and then we head straight back out here to find them.”

  As much as he wanted to disagree and dispute Raj’s plan, Tyler couldn’t. It actually made sense.

  “And...,” Raj added, smiling, “you can keep trying on the radio. I bet you that Mr. Josh will make contact before we even get back.” He hoped that to be true.

  “Okay! Okay!” Tyler relented. “But we go now!”

  Nodding, Raj slid the key into the ignition firing up the engine. A smile beamed through his thick greying beard.

  Caught in a maze, Josh led the group down hallways and through offices in search of the elusive rear exit. Whilst this bank and many others like it afforded tremendous security, they were almost impossible to get out of in a hurry – somewhat prison-like in many ways. There were no side doors that led out to alleyways, no emergency exits and one solitary opening at the front that greeted customers. Another smaller, very secure door at the rear was used by staff.

  For the most part there were no windows, as the building was sandwiched between two tall office buildings. Several skylights provided brief respite from the dark, streaming in beams of natural light. Huge chandeliers had once illuminated the foyer and fluorescent tubes had once provided the interior with all the artificial light it needed. Long since extinguished, darkness had crept through the inside of the bank for some time.

  On and on they trudged, meandering through the gloom. The deeper the three of them ventured the darker it became. Siobhan wished desperately for more light as they edged their way towards the rear of the building. Eventually her wish was granted as they stepped through a heavy wooden door into a large room.

  Filtering through the cracks of a lead-light window located high on the wall, a thin ray of light illuminated the floor below. Dust particles that had been disturbed underfoot floated through the solitary beam, only to vanish again into the dark.

  Siobhan squinted as she stepped into the light. Sun warmed her skin and she closed her eyes to embrace it. Shivered as her skin breathed and hairs stood on end.

  “Where the hell are we?” whispered Colin.

  Surveying their surroundings they saw that the room was relatively large in comparison to most of the others they had passed through. It had obviously been used for records storage as shelves filled with files lined the walls and cardboard boxes were spilled open everywhere. Despite the thin radiant glow there were many pockets in which danger might lurk around them. They glanced around cautiously.

  Suddenly Siobhan screamed, her high pitch yelp echoed loudly, startling the others. Immediately she regretted letting her guard down, just for an instant. From out of nowhere a thin, bony hand had taken hold of her leg, long grotesque fingers wrapped themselves tightly around her calf.

  Amidst the commotion a mini dust storm rose from the floor.

  No sooner had it taken her the skeletal hand released its grip. Colin had acted quickly severing the creature’s arm with a single blow, his razor sharp meat cleaver flashing red in the thin stream of light. Siobhan lashed out with her boot kicking the brittle hand away in disgust before turning to acknowledge Colin. He was standing over the corpse of the lifeless creature, his other blade embedded deep in its skull.

 
Josh’s voice broke the silence. “We have to move!”

  Turning to head off Josh suddenly came face to face with a rotted, repulsive looking undead banker who had emerged from the shadows. He ducked to one side evading his attacker’s desperate lunge, then raised the butt of his rifle and smashed it into the creature’s temple, knocking it to the ground. Siobhan’s sword finished it off.

  Then the moaning started, surrounding them in the dimly lit room. It came from nowhere in particular, all directions and everywhere.

  Back to back the three survivors stood in the middle of the room where the light fell upon them as if it were the center stage spotlight in a theatre. Only this was no stage-play and nothing about this scene had been rehearsed. The main actors here were masters of improvisation performing in a real-life horror.

  Slinging his rifle Josh stood in readiness with a hockey stick in each hand. He much preferred these weapons for hand-to-hand combat as the curved hook at the end more often than not proved fatal on impact. Colin twirled his meat cleavers in his hands, catching and reflecting the light. Unlike her colleagues, Siobhan stood completely still, peering into the murk. Gripping her sword tightly, the blade rested against her right shoulder.

  With a screech, howl and loud moan, two creatures pounced from the dark.

  Colin reacted first. And fast.

  Swish!

  Metal hissed through the air.

  Two skulls were split open like watermelons.

  Silence.

  Screech!

  Another creature came at them rapidly, tripped on the carcasses in its path and fell at Colin’s feet. It too met the same fate as the butcher showed no mercy.

  Time after time the trio repelled each attack that came at them from the darkness, carving, cutting, slicing. Dozens of suit-wearing corpses now lay at their feet.

  Each time the three combatants had thought the fight was over, more creatures came, they barely had time to catch their breath before being set upon again. Eventually they found themselves standing in silence in the center of the room weapons dripping with blood, clothes drenched with seat. Entrails squelched underfoot.

  Breathing heavily they anticipated another wave. Braced themselves for it.

  None came.

  They waited longer in the silence.

  Still nothing.

  “Let’s go,” said Josh, satisfied that the fracas was over.

  Leaving the sunlit room the group once more ventured into the darkness. On they ran ignoring the need for stealth. In their haste to find the exit they burst through doors, sprinted down hallways and jumped over obstacles with little care for their own safety. They met with only meek resistance, picking off any creatures who blocked their way.

  Up ahead at the end of another long hallway they spied a way out. Standing between the group and certain freedom was a large wooden door, solid, ornate, locked. Sunlight crept through the crack at the bottom, inviting them in. Colin dropped his muscular shoulder, collided and heaved with all his might. Hinges rattled. The lock shook violently. He drove his shoulder into the door again. And again. Finally, with a loud crack the frame splintered and the door crashed to the floor.

  “There!” Josh exclaimed, pointing ahead of him.

  They all breathed a sigh of relief as they saw the rectangular tin plate with the word EXIT painted in red on a white background. It hung over the rear door, which was made of heavy steel.

  “Let’s hope it’s unlocked,” said Siobhan.

  Josh strode to the door turned the handle and smiled as he pushed it open. The light outside was blinding. He stopped and thrust a hand to his eyes, shielding himself from the burn. Behind him the others too fought off the glare.

  Unaware that Josh had stopped, Siobhan and Colin collided with him as they stepped hastily through the void. Tumbling over they landed in a crumpled heap on top of each other at the foot of the stairs. Despite their mishap they were all glad to finally be free of the darkness. Genuine happiness consumed them.

  “Phew!” exhaled Colin, chortling to himself.

  Suddenly a stranger’s voice cut through their euphoria.

  “Well, what do we have here?”

  With a hand over his eyes to block out the sun again, Josh peered through squinted eyes, made out a shape standing over him, a silhouette amidst the bright light. Closing his eyes tight he reopened them a moment later. Now in focus, he looked up again.

  His heart sank.

  Black t-shirt. Logo clearly visible.

  “Four horsemen,” he muttered to himself.

  Then his world went dark.

  12

  Path of Ruin

  Jon’s hand swept across the map laid out on the table in front of him, ironing out the crinkles in the fold. Paused for a moment waiting for everyone to gather around. Placed his index finger to his lips, tapped them as he waited – it helped him to think. Satisfied the group were all assembled and ready, finally he began.

  “As far as we can tell,” he said, placing a finger over a spot on the map, “the three of them went offline somewhere here.”

  All eyes were glued to the map. The location Jon’s thick digit pointed to was that of a cache, highlighted by a big red hashtag.

  “We know,” he continued, “that they secured this cache.” Slowly he moved his finger to another spot on the map. “And we know that they were on their way here.”

  Tyler nodded in agreement.

  Picking up a red Sharpie Jon drew a large circle, enclosing the two locations within the circumference. Placed his finger to his lips once again.

  “What we don’t know is why they went offline. Nor do we know their exact location.” There was a degree of concern in his voice. “Their most direct route was straight down Central Parade, but if they came across any resistance they would surely have taken cover somewhere.”

  Heads nodded, but only Jon spoke.

  “Based on their last radio contact our best guess is that they might be holed up somewhere here.” Pointed to the block that contained the Central Bank. It was an educated guess, a good one at that. “Raj, it was the right idea to come back.”

  “Thank you Mr. Jon,” Raj said, cracking a huge smile through his beard.

  “Now, we need to go and get them back.”

  “Hell yes!” Tyler exclaimed.

  Drawing in a deep breath Jon laid out a simple plan. Raj, Tyler and Stuart were to head out once again in search for the missing group, they would be the rescue squad. Their only task was to locate the other three and they were not to deviate from this mission in any way.

  Eric, Gerard and Zoe were picked to make up the second team, Jon did not want to take any chances and directed them to follow behind in support. Zoe would drive whilst the two men who accompanied her were to provide whatever sniper cover was necessary to protect the first team.

  Over the next half hour the two squads familiarized themselves with the plan going over the details until they knew it all off by heart. They then loaded weapons and ammunition into their transports, prepared to set-off.

  Raj was again the designated driver of the first vehicle, a logical decision given his experience as a cab driver for many years in the city. He knew his way around without a map and was very proficient at finding shortcuts when required to. His driving skills were unmatched within the group.

  As the vehicles departed they carried with them the hopes of everyone at the compound, the plan was sound enough, but it needed precise execution. Jon sat at the table, map in front of him, walkie at the ready. He felt a soft hand on his shoulder and turned to see his wife and daughter smiling above him.

  Siobhan gasped for air, blood streaming from her nose. It felt broken. She took a blow to the stomach forcing air from her lungs and causing her to wheeze. Fought hard to remain conscious and if it wasn’t for the two men on each side of her propping her upright she would most certainly have collapsed to the ground.

  Her stomach burned from the brutal beating. Despite the agony she raised her hea
d slowly to face her attacker. Spat out globules of blood from her aching mouth.

  Retracting his fist from her stomach a thin, middle-aged man smiled through gritted teeth. He was tall, six three or four, sleeves rolled up above the elbow and he wore a black beanie that covered a bald patch.

  Siobhan had recognized his voice from the moment he had spoken when she had stumbled out of the bank building. Hearing it made her cringe, stood hairs on end. Finally facing him eyeball to eyeball made her blood boil, rage consumed her… fueled her.

  She tried to speak, coughed and spluttered instead, the only thing she could manage was an incoherent mumble. Her lungs felt like they were on fire and she tasted blood on her tongue.

  “Shh…,” was all that came out.

  Holding his fists clenched tight, her attacker gave an evil laugh.

  “Shhh…”

  “Well boys, would you look at that. Our little Irish slut here has got something to say.” Cupped a hand to his ear mocking her.

  The ‘boys’ whom he was referring to were four big oafs who fitted the mold of henchmen to a tee; thickset, muscular and rather unintelligent. Two of the men had hold of Siobhan supporting her by the arms for at this moment she was deadweight. Staring down the barrels of their rifles the other two stood guard over Josh and Colin who sat battered bloodied and bruised at their feet with their hands tied behind their backs.

  Siobhan’s attacker leaned forward. “You’re nothing but trouble you are!” he said savagely. “A filthy fucking deserter. Well, you’re about to get everything you deserve missy, the same punishment as your friend. You remember her don’t you? Yes. I’m sure you do.” He was pushing buttons. “Pretty little thing she was, but trouble just like you. Tried to run out on us as well didn’t she.”

  His speech slowed. An evil smirk hung malevolently from his face. “You know full well what happened to that little cunt now don’t you!”

  “Shhhnn…,” she mumbled. It almost made no sense at all.