The Turning (The Forsaken Series Book 2)

by Phil Price

  “Why do we need Lars?” Borax demanded. “It will take at least half a moons cycle before any agreement can be made. I say we go and kill em!” A few shouts rang out through the room.

  Coop looked at Borax, his lips tightening. “Where is your sister, Ashka?”

  Borax’s face clouded as he sought her out in the room. Spotting her he pointed her out to Coop. “There she is. Why?”

  Coop pressed his advantage on the mountain of a man. “If someone killed her, would you want to take your own revenge, or would you be happy for someone else to do it for you?” Borax thought about the question for a moment, realising that Coop knew the answer before he’d asked it. He nodded, heading out of the cabin into the forest. Coop addressed the room once more. “I will leave at first light. Sharla will come with me. I need a few more volunteers. Think on it until sunrise. We will meet back here. Go back to your beds.”

  ☨☨☨

  Later it was just Coop and Sharla left in the main cabin. Coop stripped off his clothing, standing before her. She looked at his nakedness, her skin flushing red as a warm feeling coursed through her body. He noticed her expression and smiled before walking over to the corner of the room, slipping under the furs. He spoke, his voice gruff. “We have a long journey ahead. We’ll be sleeping in the forest with none of these comforts. Come. Keep me warm.” She advanced on him, her clothes landing in a pile on the floor as she slipped under the furs next to him.

  Twenty-one

  Jake’s new 4x4 pulled up outside the white semi-detached house. The new-year had come and gone, bringing milder, sunny weather. Katherine was unclipping the baby seat from the back of the car when the front door of the house opened. Jake waved at Barbara, who stood ramrod straight on the front step.

  A middle-aged woman with a mass of red hair walked past the house. “Mornin’, Barb. You okay?” she said as she slowed her pace.

  “Hi Marion. I’m good thanks. Got some friends from that Cornwall here to see me.”

  The other woman smiled. “Not locals then?” she smiled at Katherine, who held the car seat in the crook of her arm. Katherine smiled back, liking the woman’s friendly face. Marion looked down at Alicia who was just waking up. “Oh, she’s a little cracker. What’s her name?”

  “Alicia,” Katherine said proudly as Jake came around the car to stand next to her.

  “What a lovely name. Oh, just look at her face,” Marion said. “Proper little princess that one.” She looked over at Barbara. “I envy you Barb. While you’re ‘avin cuddles with this little beauty I’ll be in Newton Abbot doin’ the bloody grocery shop.”

  Barbara smiled. “Oh well. You get plenty of cuddles with little Henry just down the road.”

  Marion smiled, instantly thinking about her grandson. “You’re right Barb. I’m a selfish whatsit. You enjoy it. Be seein’ ya.” Jake and Katherine nodded as the woman made her past them along the path.

  “Are you coming in or shall we have a tea party in the street?” Barbara said with a mirthful expression on her face. They both smiled as they made their way up the path to the house.

  Jake made the introductions. “Katherine, this is Barbara. Barbara, this is Katherine.” The older woman kissed Katherine on the cheek, pulling her towards her for a hug. The younger woman returned the embrace with one arm as she held the car seat in the other.

  Letting Katherine go, she planted a kiss on Jake’s cheek, squeezing him with a strength that shocked Jake. “And who do we have here?” she said peering down at Alicia. The baby gurgled at her, drawing smiles from them. “Come on in. The kettle’s just boiled and I have cake.”

  “Sounds good to me,” said Katherine as she walked into the cosy hallway, with Jake bringing up the rear. Placing the car seat on the floor, Katherine removed her ankle boots and coat, standing in a brown full-length knitted dress.

  Barbara appraised her as Jake kicked off his pumps and hung his burgundy body warmer over the banister. “Love the dress. Really snazzy.”

  “Thank you Barbara. Where did we get it from Jake? I’m still getting used to all the place names.”

  “Totnes.” Katherine nodded in recognition, mentally saying the name in her head.

  “Nice town Totnes. Lots of nice boutiques and craft shops. Anyway, go on through and get comfy. I’ll bring in the refreshments.” They made their way into the lounge. It was as Jake remembered. Two small sofas with a square coffee table between them sat one end of the room facing an old boxy television set. A giant bookshelf took up half of the one wall, with an old music centre on the other. At the other end of the room sat a sturdy looking dining table with a laptop on a placemat. Jake smiled. She’s still surfing the net, he thought as the sound of tea being poured filtered through the house. Katherine had Alicia out of her seat, sitting her on her lap. She wore a pink outfit that was full of frills. White woolly leggings and pink booties completed her ensemble. Jake loved how Katherine dressed their daughter. She was like the proverbial kid in a sweet shop when they were looking for clothes for Alicia.

  She pulled out a small black bottle holder. She deftly unzipped it, removing a pink plastic bottle inside. Flipping off the lid, Katherine tested it. “Perfect. She can have this now Babe,” she said as he got comfy.

  Barbara came in clutching the tray of goodies, smiling at Katherine and Alicia. “Looks like we’re all having goodies,” she said setting the tray down. A few minutes later they were all enjoying tea and homemade carrot cake. Katherine was multitasking, impressing the older woman with her dexterity and calmness.

  “So, Katherine,” Barbara began. “How does Earth compare to your world?” Jake smiled at her directness. She had lost none of her faculties after being attacked last year. Jake remembered how he’d felt when Daz had told him she’d been hurt. That was right before his friend was murdered. It all seemed like a distant memory now, although he still bore both mental and physical scars.

  Katherine put down her china cup, washing down the last crumbs of the cake. “Everything is so fast here. So modern and civilised. So normal. It’s nice to see the sun most days. Where I grew up was so different. I suppose you could say it was a world away from this.” Barbara chuckled as Katherine paused for thought. “I’d never want to return, except to see my kin. My uncle Wilf is still out there, somewhere. We’re hoping he made it to safety with the rest of the folk.”

  Jake placed a hand on her knee. “I’m sure he did. He’s a tough old crow. Believe me, I know. I’ve seen him take down vampires. Not bad for someone of his age.”

  “How old is he?” Barbara asked. Jake considered the question.

  “In this world, he’d probably be in his sixties. Why? Are you after a toy boy?”

  She burst out laughing, needing to put her tea on the table for fear of spilling it. “That might not be a bad idea. I’m a bit out of practice though.” Katherine looked puzzled by the exchange.

  “What’s a boy toy?”

  Jake chuckled. “Toy boy. It means when a woman goes with a much younger man. Barbara might be interested in getting together with Wilf.”

  Katherine laughed too. “Oh my. That sounds like a great idea. He has never had himself a wife.” They all smiled, enjoying the warm feeling spreading between them.

  Barbara’s face dropped slightly as something came to her. “Any news on Eddie?” Jake and Katherine exchanged glances.

  “Well yes,” Jake began. “There has been another murder, in roughly the same place. Eddie’s print was found at the scene.”

  Barbara gasped. “Never!” She sat back in her chair.

  “Afraid so. By the way, where’s your dog?”

  Barbara was at a loss for words for a moment. The news shocking her. “He’s out in the utility room. Didn’t want him in here with the baby. Not that he’d do anything.” Barbara changed tack again. “How do you know about the murder?”

  “A former colleague called me and gave me the information. Because it was linked to the other murder. The one that brought me here to you. T
hey wanted to try and get all the information out of me that they could.”

  “And did they?” she asked as a white van rumbled passed the front window.

  “No. I mean what could I tell them? That Eddie was a vampire. That there is a doorway to another world up the Lickey Hills. The men in white coats would come running.” Jake finished his tea, preparing himself for the next update. “There is more. A family friend of mine, a vicar called Father Stephen went through the doorway a few months ago and came across Eddie.” Barbara’s jaw fell open. “Father Stephen was there the night I was bitten. He fixed my leg, so to speak. I still make trips to church every week to somehow keep whatever it is at bay. There have also been some bad things happening in Tintagel.”

  “Go on,” Barbara said, fearing the worst.

  “Mom died. Just before Christmas. Did you hear on the news about the storms?” Barbara nodded, her face stricken. “Well, Mom was on her way home from book club and was caught up in it. The police think she was swept out to sea by the floods.”

  “Oh Jake. I’m truly sorry to hear that.” She reached across and squeezed his hand.

  He smiled, the tears in his eyes held back for the moment. “Thanks Barbara. But there’s more. When you sent me the buttons in the post, they somehow gave me a flashback. I saw the thing that attacked you. He was right there by my kitchen door. Then he vanished.” The sounds of sucking air told them that Alicia had finished her bottle. Katherine placed her on her lap and gently rubbed her back, bringing her wind up after a few seconds. Jake needed to get the rest off his chest so Barbara could take it all in. “A friend of ours, Kerry found the buttons in my recycle bin. I’d thrown them away because I thought it best. Anyway, Kerry took them home with her. She came to us a few days later, telling us that she had seen red eyes at her window. The man who attacked you, who went by the name of Smeets had red eyes, remember. Although his real name is Elias. You said that when you knew him he was called Doctor Brogan. Is that right?”

  “That’s right. Brogan. Strange chap. Apparently very strange from what you’re telling me.” She sat back on the sofa, trying to take it all in. She remembered the tall reedy doctor, with his black coat and hat, who’d visited their office in Puerto Rico way back when. He’d given her the creeps. She could still recall his deep voice. Could picture how he almost floated through the office, bending to enter Eddie’s before the door closed slowly.

  She sat in silence recounting the past while Jake turned to Katherine. “Is she okay?”

  Katherine nodded. “All the windy pops are out,” she said, standing up with the baby in her arms. She walked her daughter around the lounge, her stockinged feet barely making a sound. Alicia too, was quiet and content.

  “So,what does all this mean Jake?” Barbara said as she snapped back to attention.

  “Honestly. I don’t know. We’ve all gone over it, time and time again. My gut feeling is that something else will happen.”

  “You don’t know that Babe,” Katherine said as she stood at the end of the dining room, looking over the small garden with a tinkling brook at the bottom.

  “No, I don’t. It’s my gut feeling. I can’t explain it. Too many things have happened over the last few months that make me think that this isn’t done yet.” He looked at Barbara who had a shell-shocked expression on her face. “I’m sorry to dump all this on you. Part of the reason I’ve told you everything is because I wanted to know if you’ve seen anything unusual?”

  “No. Nothing at all. Everything has been just fine. You don’t think that-?”

  “No,” Jake interjected swiftly, not wanted to scare the old lady. “I don’t think that anyone is coming to pay you a visit Barbara. I think you’re off the radar.”

  She put her hands on the arm of the chair, levering herself upright. She suddenly felt very old. And very small. She absently rubbed any crumbs from her slacks before walking over to the front window. The sunlight spilled in through the net curtains, warming her skin. She turned to Jake. “What do I need to do Jake?”

  He stood and walked over to her, glad of the warmth on his skin after the coolness of the conversation. “If I’m being totally honest with you Barbara. The only thing I’d suggest is to buy a few crucifixes. You don’t wear any jewellery. So maybe one around your neck too. They do work,” he said tapping his own cross. It was black, onyx. It seemed stuck to his chest. “Which is twisted logic if you think about it.” She knew what he meant instantly. How could a cross ward off a monster? The symbol of a false god! “If anything happens, call me. Immediately. Day or night.”

  “I suppose I’ve always got my killer guard dog to keep me safe.” Her attempt at humour felt flat and hollow. “Look, Jake. I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’m an old bugger now, north of eighty. Almost all my life I’ve tried to find the answers to what happened back in fifty-one. And now I have the answers. So, if a vampire decides to turn up again and do me in, so be it. At least I’ll go to my grave satisfied that I’ve found out the truth.” She looked through the net curtains at her front garden. “You’ve made a huge difference to my life. Without meeting you I’d still be surfing the net, looking for missing persons and so on. I’ve not done that for months. Even the other guy I was looking into, Owen, I think his name was. I gave up on that. There is a good chance that he was taken like Eddie was.”

  “There is every chance.” Jake said. “When we went to their hideout there were empty cells. Cells that probably contained humans whom they’d fed off. And you remember I told you that George was destined for that place, before being rescued by Katherine’s ancestors?”

  “Yes I remember. I’m so glad he was. Otherwise you’d not have your new beautiful family.” Jake looked at Katherine holding Alicia and smiled.

  “You’re right there. Funny how life throws curve balls at you from time to time.” Barbara smiled, looking back out through the net curtains.

  “Nice car by the way. What’s it called?”

  “It’s a Pathfinder. I never knew that having a baby took up so much room. If we have another one I may need a bus.”

  Barbara smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. “Right! I don’t know about you, but all this talk of other worlds has made me hungry.”

  Twenty-Two

  Tony Oakes placed the phone back in the cradle and sat pondering in his dimly lit cubby hole that was supposed to be an office. The small window looked out onto the grey police station’s car park. Trees could be seen in the distance, providing some colour to the drab facade. He picked up his mobile phone, finding the number he needed. He placed the phone to his ear, waiting impatiently. “Chris. It’s Tony.” The other man responded. “Not bad thanks. You?” He listened to the reply, drumming his fingers on his pad. “I need some info. Last year when you tackled Jake Stevenson up the Lickey Hills. Could you tell me the exact spot where you lost him?” He drummed his fingers some more as the other man gave him a location. “Okay. Cheers for that. You can go back to sleep now. Speak soon.” He stood up, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. He awkwardly slipped it over his bulky shoulders, telling himself he needed a bigger coat soon. He took one look at the pad on his desk, shaking his head before leaving the office. His pad sat on the desk. A few phone numbers were scrawled across the top of the page. Further down there was a sketch in the centre of the page. A simple sketch, done in black biro. A ghost.

  ☨☨☨

  Twenty minutes later he killed the ignition, climbing out of his BMW into a dull, dreary January morning. He looked across the road to Ben’s Fish & Chip shop that backed onto the Lickey Hills. A few old timers were stood outside the newsagents next door, their dogs sniffing each other’s backsides. He checked left and right before crossing the road as a few snowflakes started to fall. Tony zipped his jacket up over his muscular chest, the zip straining over the widest part. He was sweating by the time he’d climbed the private driveway that led to the forest beyond. He was a tad less than six feet, with closely cropped hair. Steel rimmed glasses sat in f
ront of dark piggy eyes that regarded the world with cynicism. His heavy frame was now muscular instead of flabby. He’d spent the last two years losing the fat that he’d carried for years. Other officers called him Juggernaut behind his back. He didn’t care. He kind of liked it. The snow was getting heavier now as Tony approached the location that he was looking for. His zip strained once more as he pulled it down to his waist band, exposing the grey shirt underneath. He reached the spot that Chris had told him about as a wind kicked up, sending flakes swirling around the trees. Tony rested against a trunk, his breathing ragged. He could bench-press more than his own bodyweight, but he needed to work on his cardio. As his breathing slowed he looked at the two trees in front of him. He stepped away from the tree, his brow furrowing. The ground around the trees seemed scorched. It looked like someone had started a fire. The tree trunks had a grey residue on them that came off when he rubbed it with his palm. He sniffed his hand, expecting to get a waft of smoke. Nothing. No odour was given off, making his brow crease even more. He tried again, this time sniffing much harder. A few grains of the residue were sucked into his nose, becoming tendrils of smoke. He staggered backwards a few steps, blowing his nose, rubbing his face to try and somehow swat it away from him. What the fuck was that? he thought as his head cleared. Something is not right here. It feels.....spooky. He walked back to the two trees, ignoring the trunks. He looked down at the ground to see a faint line that ran between across the forest floor. He bent down, his trousers protesting against his meaty thighs as he did so. He ran his finger along the line, wondering why it was completely straight. His pink palm rubbed against his stubbly chin as thoughts ran through his head. What the hell am I looking at? A line on the ground.

  A noise invaded his thoughts. A deep drone that sounded far away, but clear. He stood up, circling the trees as the blood flowed back into his legs. Walking back to the tree he’d rested on, he pulled out his smart phone. Selecting camera, he proceeded to take a dozen shots of the things he’d looked at. For what reason, he didn’t rightly know. He was a detective. And his senses were telling him that something strange was happening here. There had been four murders and one person was missing. This had all happened very close by. Jake Stevenson had chased Sergeant Harris’ killer along this stretch of forest. And a man believed to have been Stevenson had fought with one of his colleagues, before somehow vanishing into the night. Something occurred to Tony as he stood watching snowflakes fall around him. The time. Midnight. All the activity relating to this had happened around midnight. Could it be coincidence? he thought. His instincts were telling him no. He would head back to the station to double check the information. Then he would decide his next steps.