Night Things: The Monster Collection

by West, Terry M.

  "I wanted to spill your guts in front of my people, but I will have to settle for killing you in private," Dracula said.

  Suddenly, Dracula was pulled back and Gary fell to the ground. He fought madly for air, not sure if Dracula had crushed his windpipe. He finally managed to get his lungs working and he looked up. Johnny Stücke was screaming like a maniac and landing haymakers on the stunned vampire who recoiled but couldn't concentrate long enough to fight back or mist. A huge blow from Stücke sent Dracula into the stone wall.

  Johnny went for another but Dracula misted away and Johnny punched deeply into the wall. His arm was buried to his elbow. His hand was stuck. Dracula formed again behind him and he grasped Johnny's free arm. He ripped it off at the shoulder. Johnny wailed and panicked, trying frantically to free his trapped hand.

  Dracula smiled evilly and slammed Johnny's silver wrapped hand against the monster's head. Johnny went down. He cleared the cobwebs and tried to free himself but Dracula battered him again.

  "I am going to take you apart piece by piece, you ugly bastard!" Dracula promised.

  Gary broke his vow. He raced over to Thomas' still carcass and pulled the Night Kopis from it. He immediately felt a rush and charge through his body.

  "Hey!" Gary said, poised like a ninja with the weapon. "Get away from him!"

  Dracula looked up and amusement charmed his face. He laughed with gusto and approached Gary, Johnny's arm still gripped in his hand.

  "You foul little creature!" Dracula said. "If the chosen one lying dead there couldn't send me off, what chance does a cowardly little pile of shit like you have?"

  Gary stood his ground and tried to quell his shaking limbs. "Come any closer and you'll find out."

  Dracula regarded the man. And then he scoffed and began to step forward. Johnny Stücke's arm suddenly bent. The gauntlet popped up and smashed Dracula's face. Gary realized that Stücke was somehow still controlling the appendage. But rather then puzzle over the ability, Gary stepped forward and thrust the Night Kopis into the center of Dracula's chest.

  The vampire gagged and coughed in shock. He dropped Stücke's arm. Gary withdrew the Night Kopis.

  Dracula's eyes reddened and he opened his mouth to form a curse. Fire burst from his lips and his entire body lit up quickly. The vampire screamed, sounding like a demonic bat. He rose into the air and shot down the subway tracks like a fireball fueled by hell itself. As the burning vampire shrank into the darkness, Gary turned to Johnny Stücke. The monster's hand was still embedded in the stone, but he smiled at Gary brightly.

  "Thanks, my friend. You saved me. You saved New York, Gary Hack. Maybe the entire world."

  "Why do you always address me that way?" Gary said, his face suddenly possessed by disdain. "First and last name?"

  Johnny looked at him curiously. "I don’t now. It just always felt natural. Maybe because monsters don't have last names."

  "But you do," Gary continued, and his mind began to boil with a sudden hatred for the man-monster. "You have two names and you are as evil a bastard as Dracula."

  "Actually, I don't have any true name," Johnny said cautiously.

  Gary looked at the Night Kopis. He felt stronger than he ever had. He suddenly realized that he could rid the world of another monster. One just as dangerous as Dracula.

  "New York would be better off without you. And I may never have another opportunity," Gary said solemnly.

  "Listen to me, Gary," Johnny said, managing a calm demeanor. "The thoughts you are having are coming from the Night Kopis. You need to put it down. Yes. I am a monster. But I am also the only thing that scares the Night Things. And I have never killed anyone who didn't deserve it. Not recently, anyway."

  Gary stared at Johnny Stücke, and he realized the monster was right. The Night Kopis was indeed whispering to him deep inside. But still, all of Gary's recent torment was due to Stücke. If he hadn't have done business with the monster, his wife and her husband would still be alive. Gary might have been devoured eventually for the crimes he had committed before Stücke came into his life, but he wouldn't have taken so many down with him.

  "Gary, you don't look well. The weapon is draining you. You need to put it down," Johnny said. He was still calm. Gary recognized actual unselfish concern on the monster.

  Gary felt light-headed and nauseous. Stücke's men were now storming the platform. They would never let him near their boss, so Gary took Johnny's words to heart and let the Night Kopis slip from his hand. Everything blurred and spun.

  "Gary?" Johnny said, as his men tended to him. Johnny's voice sounded as if the monster were calling Gary's name from a hundred years ago.

  Darkness suddenly bloomed in Gary's head.

  20.

  Gary awoke in a hospital bed and Herbert West in a white doctor's coat sat lightly on the mattress.

  "Welcome back to the land of the living," Herbert said cheerfully. He packed up his black bag and rose.

  "What happened?" Gary asked groggily.

  "You had a heart episode," Herbert reported. "You have been on life support for several days. Johnny Stücke asked that I come and help you with a serum to pull you out of the darkness."

  "Holly?" Gary asked.

  "Your daughter is safe," Herbert said. "Johnny has been caring for her."

  Gary struggled to rise from the mattress. "Have to get to her."

  Herbert gently pressed the man's chest back toward the bed. "You're weak and it is the middle of the night," Herbert explained. "Rest. You'll be discharged tomorrow."

  Gary nodded reluctantly and sank back into the sick bed.

  Herbert West walked to the door and paused before opening it. "Oh and Gary, you really need to lose a few pounds."

  ***

  Johnny Stücke was there to greet Gary when the elevator doors opened.

  "Come here," Johnny said, opening his large arms.

  Gary stepped forward and Johnny embraced him. It was a brief squeeze and it took Gary's breath away. Johnny released him and backed up a step.

  "How are you feeling?" Johnny asked.

  "Better," Gary said. "But I am still worn. How is Hor-Aha?"

  "Dead again," Johnny reported. "We tucked him back into his crypt. I don't know if he is capable of rising again. I think he would be happier if he wasn't disturbed. May he dream eternally of skinny-dipping in the Nile with well-endowed slave girls."

  "So, about Dracula. Is it over?"

  "He is either dead or so severely weakened that it will take him a very long time to heal and gather a new army," Johnny said. "The night thing population took a huge hit. But that's good. Things will be quiet for a bit, and quiet is what we need now. I have talked to some players in Washington, and I am doing my best to put lobbyists against some severe legislation that is brewing."

  "Can I be blunt?" Gary asked.

  "What, like you haven't until now?" Johnny said with a grin.

  "You don't seem to even like the Night Things. So why are you so determined to keep them safe?"

  "Gary Ha-," Johnny said, pausing and correcting himself. "Gary. I don't hate the Night Things as a whole. I am one, for Christ's sake. Most of them have no control over what they are. Many have positive contributions to make. I just don't want them discriminated against because of a small bunch of fanatical bad eggs. I am not against the monsters that want to have a happy, peaceful existence. There are a lot of them out there, trying desperately to hide what they are because of all this Dracula nonsense. He doesn't represent them and I don't want them to be persecuted because of him. I am going to fight for them harder than I've ever fought for anything. Starting today."

  "So, you're going from shadowy figure to their poster boy?"

  "None of their kind speaks for them. So I will."

  "That means no more monster snuff films, okay?" Gary said, extending his hand.

  Johnny shook it. "Agreed. It wouldn't suit the new image. Let's forget all about that dark business."

  "Can I see Holly?" Gary said.


  "Of course," Johnny said. He turned his head toward the hallway of his penthouse. "Victor! Fetch Holly! Tell her I have a surprise!"

  "How has she been?" Gary asked.

  "That kid is tough as nails," Johnny said. "You don't have to worry about her."

  Holly appeared in the formal room and froze, her face empty at the sight of her father. She was dressed in jeans and a boy band shirt. She looked like her old self.

  "Hey, kiddo," Gary said, apprehensive and overjoyed at the same time. "It is so good to see you, Holly."

  Holly rushed over to them and Gary braced himself for Holly's arms. She brushed past him and hugged Johnny Stücke around his waist.

  "What is he doing here?" she said, pointing hateful, sad eyes at her father.

  "Sweetheart, he is your father," Johnny said. "He is here because he loves you. You are everything to him."

  "Well, he is nothing to me," Holly said. She released Johnny and regarded her father. "I hate you! You killed my mother and step dad and I never want to see you again! Ella was right! You are selfish and evil!"

  Tears came, gushing down her cheeks. She ran back down the hallway and Gary heard a door slam.

  Johnny looked uncomfortably at Gary. "She's just upset. Maybe you should give her more time. Does she have any relatives you want her to stay with?"

  "No. My parents are dead and Pamela's don't give a shit," Gary said. "Besides, would she be safe out there?"

  "I am not sure," Johnny replied. "Probably not. I'll protect and care for her until you two mend fences."

  Gary nodded, and he stepped backward into the elevator. "Looks like you have another orphan to care for."

  "She isn't an orphan," Johnny said.

  "She may as well be," Gary said sadly.

  "Stay, Gary. Let's talk about this," Johnny advised.

  "Later, okay?" Gary said. "I need to take a walk and clear my head."

  Johnny's face grew concerned. "Gary," he said, as the elevator doors closed.

  Gary dug into his windbreaker and pulled out his phone. He looked up Sergio, his dealer, one of the few numbers on his contacts list and prepared to call him when he hit the lobby and his signal returned.

  ***

  Johnny stood at the elevator doors. He considered calling his security in the downstairs lobby and having them stop Gary. But he decided the man needed to deal with his situation in his own way.

  Glass entered the room. "Sheila's plane will be landing in about seven hours," he reported.

  "Good. I can't wait to see my girl. Holly Hack is going to be staying with us for a while longer. Have someone take her shopping. She needs clothes."

  "I will tend to that personally," Glass said. "Me and the kid get along."

  Johnny walked over to the large window and gazed out at the city. "Can I ask you something, Glass?"

  "Of course, boss."

  "What would you think about me running for mayor of this island?"

  "Truthfully, I'd vote for your ass."

  Johnny nodded and smiled. "Johnny Stücke, I'd vote for his ass. Great campaign slogan."

  Both men laughed.

  "You really considering that?" Glass asked.

  "I wouldn't be the first monster to hold office," Johnny said. "Maybe it is time for the world to meet Johnny Stücke."

  "Well, you'd kick ass," Glass said. And then he remembered something. "Oh, that dead mobster's daughter, Sarah Accardo; she's tying the knot tomorrow. We know where she will be spending her wedding night."

  Johnny lit a cigar. "Send roses and champagne to her room," he instructed. "Don't sign the card."

  21.

  Gary emerged through a black cloud of nausea and confusion. He was standing in an alley. He felt clear-headed and steady, but he was curious as to why he was there. He had no recollection of leaving his home after the heroin rush, but that inexplicable urge in him to wander must have kicked in.

  Shadows blocked the street lights. A small crowd of zombies marched toward him. There were five or more, and they looked to be starving. Gary immediately jerked a trash can lid into the air and held it as a shield. His heart pounded and he came up with a strategy to barrel through the rotters when they got close and run away. He was thankful his body felt up to the task.

  To his surprise, the zombies disregarded him completely and marched hungrily to the back wall. There, they descended to the ground and began to loudly eat. Gary realized someone must have fallen asleep or died back there. He quietly put the garbage can lid down and turned back to the alley entrance.

  Mike Cooke stood silently on the sidewalk. "Hey Gary."

  Gary approached his departed friend cautiously. Mike's dead arm was back and he wasn't wearing sunglasses. His baby blues twinkled in the city neon. And then it dawned on Gary. He looked back to where the zombies were feasting.

  "Shit. That's me back there. Isn't it?"

  Mike nodded solemnly. "There were still traces of Dr. West's serum in you. The heroin killed you, Gary."

  He was stunned, but surprisingly calm. He didn't know if his spirit or ghost form was even capable of fainting or growing weak from the shock. But strangely, it was okay. More than okay.

  "I think I intended that," Gary confessed. "When I saw Holly throw her arms around Stücke and treat me like the monster, I was done. I wanted this. But why are you here, man? Shouldn't you have crossed over by now?"

  "We can linger. And sometimes we get a feeling when someone close is about to join us. So I followed you," Mike explained. "You are my best friend. Least I could do."

  "I feel responsible for all of it. Felix, you, Ella, Pamela and her husband. This is all on me," Gary said, hoping to be absolved for it all by Mike. "Who knew a junkie pornographer could be responsible for so much death."

  "None of it matters now," Mike said. "What happened in life stays there. It isn't healthy for a ghost to bring baggage when it crosses over. We all end up here, regardless of the circumstances. It's a fresh start, if you look at it that way."

  "So what happens now? Does a door appear?" Gary asked.

  Mike chuckled. "No. No one knows what waits for us. You can leave anytime you like. You just have to let go. Or you can stay and watch the insanity for a bit, if you want. But if you stay too long, you will become a haunter and you'll get stuck."

  Mike walked further out of the alley and Gary followed him. Among the people that crowded the city sidewalk, Gary could see many ghosts walking the streets. They all looked bothered, bewildered and self-consumed.

  "We are the majority," Mike offered. "There are more dead spirits here than anything else."

  "What are you going to do?" Gary asked.

  "I am going to cross over. I am really curious to see what waits for us. You?"

  "I think I might stay a while. See what happens with Holly."

  "Just remember that the world is done with us, Gary. It's forgotten your name already. You owe nothing to this life," Mike said. "Don't get distracted and caught up here, man. The unknown awaits."

  "Do you have any clue about what happens next?" Gary said.

  "Nope. But that's the thrill of it. Like twisting the knob on a funhouse door. Goodbye amigo."

  Mike disappeared abruptly, like a patch of lingering fog caught suddenly in a gust of wind, and Gary was alone.

  Gary looked around the city. He was on the upper east side near Central Park. Gary remembered his habit of walking the city streets when he was high. He felt the urge to stroll again and his feet moved. He felt lighter and calmer than he ever had. The anxiety that cursed the living melted away with each step. Gary was a tourist, now. Behind bulletproof glass. He walked through this postcard of the night and saw it all with newborn eyes.

  22.

  Port-au-Prince, Haiti

  15 years ago

  Granpapa was as still as the dead. Abraham balanced lightly on the man's sickbed. Granpapa's health had been declining for months. The night was quiet, as if out of respect.

  "Granpapa?" Abraham
asked softly.

  The old man opened his eyes and managed a smile though death was near. "It is almost my time, Abraham. I have taught you all I know and the mantle is now yours. You will stand against the darkness like our ancestors."