by Phil Price
“No,” she said as she cradled her daughter.
“Keep the door closed. Once I have found where we need to be, I will come back for you. It will not take long. Do not be foolish enough to run. You will both end up dead. And not pleasantly either. Do you really want to die, watching your daughter being sodomized by some monster?”
“I will stay here. You have my word,” Katherine said, her blood running cold. Elias walked over to the far wall, opening a window shutter. He climbed out, slamming it firmly, leaving Katherine sat there, feeling alone. Feeling scared. Feeling helpless. Needing Jake.
☨☨☨
“NOOOOOOOO,” Jake screamed as water washed over them. His mouth filled with water, the force of the wave knocking him on his back, driving the air from his lungs. When he came to, his father had disappeared from sight, swept away by the sea. What was once his mother was gone too, lost to the night. “NO. DAD NO!” he sobbed as rough hands pulled him to his feet.
“We need to move Jake,” Wilf said, tears in his eyes from the sea and what he’d just witnessed. “We’ll die on this path. Come on.” He dragged the younger man towards the town, just making it as another wave wiped the pathway clean one more. Jake collapsed on the rocks, sobbing uncontrollably.
Father Stephen lifted him easily into his arms, rocking him. “I’m so sorry Son. I cannot believe he’s gone.” Jake’s body convulsed with a combination of pain, anger, and cold. The vicar held him tight as Wilf looked out to sea, lost in his own thoughts.
He turned back to them, his face drawn. “We need to carry on Jake. Doug would not want us to give up now. He died a man, trying to save his kin. Honour him by saving them. There will be time for grieving later. I should fucking know. But tears can wait. They’re no use to anyone now. They’ll blow away on the wind, forgotten. We need to get them back to make all this worthwhile. Are you both with me?”
Jake looked up, his face streaked with tears and spittle. He nodded as his face broke once more, spilling tears over Stephen’s already wet clothes. “Let’s do it,” he eventually said as he stood up gingerly. He rubbed at his leg. It was throbbing. His fingertips kneaded the scar tissue where another vampire had left his mark, in another land. Another world.
“I can still feel the pull of them,” the vicar said as he looked up at the town. “This whole place feels evil.” He looked at Tamatan, who was stood head bowed, allowing Jake his moment.
“It is an evil den. The worst of places. The evil from the monsters that live here has sunk into the buildings, polluting the very ground on which we stand. We need to be back in the forest as quick as we can. Not even I can fight off what lurks here. Lead us Father,” he said as he looked at the vicar. Stephen nodded, making his way towards the town, hugging the buildings as they neared. They followed, changing direction as he suddenly veered into different pathways, heading ever upwards. A minute later they were engulfed in mist, muting the sound of the sea around them. They leaned against the porch of a small cabin as they took stock of their surroundings. The temperature had dropped noticeably, drawing clouds of fog as they breathed.
“Where are they?” Jake asked impatiently.
“Further up the hill I think. Follow-” His voice was cut off as the sound of a baby crying filtered through the night.
“That’s Alicia,” Jake whispered, trying to locate the sound. They looked around as the sound came again, off to their left. Wilf hurried across the muddy street, sliding to a stop as the caught the rail of a porch that belonged to a similar cabin. Light spilled from under the doorway. It was then that he noticed a body slumped on the planks. He carefully walked over to it as the three others joined him on the porch, all of them silent. The body rolled over with a thud as Wilf flipped it with his boot. He looked back at the others.
“The head is missing. Someone saw to this fella.”
Another cry flew under the gap in the door, telling them what they needed to know. Stephen put his shoulder to the door, shoving it open wide enough to gain access. They followed him in hurriedly, coming face to face with Katherine, who was sat feeding her daughter.
“Jake!” she exclaimed, looking up at him, her face a mask of surprise.
He stumbled over, falling in front of them, grabbing at them. Tears burst from his eyes, his voice cracking with emotion. “Oh, thank God! Oh baby! I thought I’d lost you both!”
She returned his embrace one handed, her own tears flowing down her face. “You came for me. I knew you’d come for me Jake.” She had no more words as she buried her face in the crook of his neck, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Hello Katherine,” Wilf said as he knelt next to her. She looked up from Jake, seeing her uncle for the first time. His face was streaked with tears and rain. As she smiled at him he broke down, burying his face in his hands.
She released Jake, pulling him close. “I see you Uncle. Thank you for coming for me. You’ve no idea how I’ve missed you.” She started crying again, the last few day’s hardships boiling over into a release of tears and sobs. Alicia suckled greedily, unaware of the scene unfolding around her. She looked up at the vicar. “Hello Father Stephen. Thank you for helping. It means so much that you are all here. Jake. Did Doug stay behind?”
Jake, who had moved to one side to allow Katherine to embrace her uncle, shook his head sadly. “Dad’s gone. Mom attacked him and they were both washed out to sea. I’m, sorry Babe.”
Katherine crumbled into her uncle’s arms, her raw emotions being flayed some more. Father Stephen and Jake let her cry as they stood looking at the blood-stained walls, adorned with skulls and weapons.
Tamatan came forward, lifting Katherine’s face with his hands. “I am truly sorry for all your pain. However, we need to move. Do you know where Elias is?”
She nodded, her tears subsiding. “He said he needed to find someone’s house. Someone that could help him.”
Tamatan stood up, his green face pensive. His eyes worried. “We need to go. Now! He could be back any minute. We cannot risk a scene here. The locals would skin us all alive. Let’s go. Before it’s too late.”
Father Stephen raised his meaty hands to the rest of them. “You go. I will wait here and stall him. Or kill him. Whatever happens, at least you will have a head start.” Jake walked forward, about to protest. Stephen stilled his words with a hand on the shoulder. “Go Jake. You’ve lost enough tonight. Don’t linger here, where more loss could befall you. Godspeed.”
Jake embraced him fiercely, the air squeezed from his lungs as the vicar reciprocated the hug. “If you kill him, head back through the doorway. There may still be hope for you.”
“Okay. I promise I will,” he lied. “Now go. Take care.” Tamatan and Wilf both shook his hand, knowing what sacrifice he was about to make.
“Katherine pulled him down, kissing him on his bearded face. “Thank you, Father. I look forward to seeing you again. Don’t let me down.” He patted her shoulder, bending down and kissing Alicia on her soft curls. They exited the cabin, leaving him to a moment of solitude. He sat down on the sacks, his mind floating back to his youth. To his life with Denise and the joy that they had shared. He closed his eyes and smiled.
☨☨☨
A minute later they were heading back towards the cave, huddled close. Four sets of eyes on the lookout for danger. The wind had died down, the sea to their right appearing calmer. A few revellers were stumbling out of a tavern close to the shore line, near the path that led to the cave. One spotted them and shouted insults at them. “Where the fuck you going? Come back here,” a large man said as he tried to cut them off.
“Take the girls back through the doorway Wilf,” Jake said as he pulled his handgun from his pack.
Wilf nodded gravely, putting his arm around Katherine’s shoulder. “Don’t linger. Do what needs doing and be hot on our heels.”
“Oi! I’m talking to you,” the large man said as he went to grab Jake by the arm.
“What’s the problem?” Jake said, his finger poised
on the trigger.
The large man looked at Jake, then at Tamatan, his eyes widening in recognition. “MEN. OUT HERE! WE HAVE OUTLANDERS. COME QUICK.” He moved towards them, a knife coming out of his tunic, glinting in the moonlight. Before he had time to cock his arm for the attack, Jake placed the muzzle of his gun to the man’s chest, firing a double tap through his heart. He was propelled backwards, landing on the wet rocks. Jake looked at the other man who had hung back during the initial exchange. He was pulling something out of his coat, grinning at them wickedly. Without thinking, Jake fired two more shots into the man’s midsection. Two things happened at once. Many men began charging out of the tavern, weapons in hands, ready for a fight. The second thing to happen was the shot man was engulfed in flames. He was thrown backwards towards the sea, blowing apart as the unseen weapon in his coat exploded. Jake and Tamatan were blown backwards by the concussion, rolling on the wet path that led towards the sea.
“KILL ‘EM,” an unseen voice hollered as more men poured out of the building. Jake scrambled to his feet, discharging his gun rapidly at the attackers. Four went down, landing in a heap in front of them. Tamatan’s eyes glowed red, his hands ready for battle. Two men died on the spot as he struck them both at the same time. They hit the rocks, their necks snapped crudely, exposing bone and jets of blood.
“JAKE, HURRY,” a voice said from the darkness. He looked up to see Wilf stood at the entrance to the cave, waving frantically.
A new ring leader saw Wilf, rallying a dozen men around him. “Look. More of them up there. They are trying to pass through the doorway. After them.”
Jake fired at them, emptying his gun. He realised suddenly that his ammo was in his bag, making reloading impossible. “WILF, RUN,” he yelled before turning to fend off an attacker. He went down, the man on top of him. Jake just managed to jam his forearm into the man’s throat as he swooped, teeth bared. The attacker had one eye, set in the centre of a creased forehead. He looked to Jake like something out of a Sinbad movie. His strength was shocking as he pressed his weight down on top of him, his blackened teeth inches from Jake’s throat. His free hand, still holding the gun came up, striking the man just above his single eye. The pressure on Jake’s forearm lessened as the attacker howled in pain. He struck him again, shattering his nose. Thick black blood splattered over Jake’s face as the man issued a string of curses. He was ready to strike again when the man’s head shattered, showering the rocks and Jake in bone and brains. He shoved the man aside as Tamatan pulled him to his feet.
“They are heading for your kin. We must go after them. I will hold them off. You go Jake, get them before they make it through,” Tamatan said urgently. Jake didn’t need telling twice. He quickly pulled two clips out of his pack, jamming on into the gun as he took off up the path. The men ahead were almost at the entrance to the cave, yelling and hollering, buoyed by the hunt. He raised his gun, firing as the last man entered the cave, clipping his leg. He staggered before being lost from sight.
“Fuck!” Jake said as he sprinted into the entrance, gun raised. Light was pouring from the back of the cave, one man holding up a glass globe in his hand. It gave off a green phosphorescent glow that eradicated much of the darkness.
The new ring leader stood next to the doorway, a knife in his hand, which was held against Wilf’s throat. He saw Jake coming towards him, drawing the blade an inch across the skin. “Halt! Come any closer and I’ll stick this old cunt. He your friend? You want him to die?” More globes were held aloft by the group of men, increasing the glare until Jake almost had to shield his eyes.
“Katherine and Alicia made it through,” Wilf said, his voiced pained. “Kill them Jake. Don’t fret about me.”
“Silence you old scrote,” the man said, knocking Wilf to his knees. Jake looked at him, seeing the steel in his eyes. It was the look of a man who was ready to go down fighting. He nodded at Wilf, who nodded back.
“Keep them safe Wilf. Run!” Jake said as he shot the man holding him between the eyes. Wilf moved with the speed of a man half his age. Jake watched as he scrambled into the blackness.
“BATIE,” one of the locals screamed as they turned to face the young outlander, burning globes held aloft. Jake did the only thing he could do. He emptied his magazine into the men, shattering three globes, which set off a chain reaction. They all exploded in unison, shredding the men to mincemeat. Jake was blown half out of the cave, barely managing to cling to the path with one hand. A green cloud lit up the night, sending a plume into the air. The ground shook as Jake looked down, seeing the black sea forty feet below him. He clung there, his ears filled with the aftershocks of the explosion. A bony hand grabbed his collar, pulling him up over the ledge.
“Are you hurt?” Tamatan said as he lifted him to his feet.
“I don’t think so.” He reached down, feeling a gash on his shin. “A few bumps and bruises, but I’ll be alright.” He looked at the cave, his stomach turning to lead. “Oh no!” he said as he walked over to what was once the entrance. The cave ceiling had collapsed, cutting off their way back to Mantz. Their way back to Katherine, Wilf, and Alicia. Their way back home.
☨☨☨
The forest erupted behind Wilf as he reached the top of the ravine. “Uncle!” Katherine shouted. “Over here.” The old man was half blown across the forest towards Katherine, who was knelt behind a fallen tree. Wilf fell over the log as the shockwave rocked the forest around them. Green clouds billowed across them, a thick sulphurous smell smothering them. They lay there as the shock waves subsided, leaving the forest quiet. “What happened?” Katherine said as she checked her daughter.
“Jake told me to run. He killed the one holding me with his weapon.” They stood up, walking over to the ravine. “Fuckenell!” Wilf exclaimed. “The doorway. It’s buried under the forest.”
“No. That cannot be Uncle. How will they get back to us?”
Wilf stood there, pondering the implications. “I don’t rightly know Kath. Let’s hope there is another doorway. Whatever happens, we need to go. We have a long journey ahead of us.”
“Where are we going?” Katherine asked, her mind blank.
“Shetland. We need to get back to Shetland. It’s safe there. If Jake can find a way back, he will find us there. Come. We need to go.”
Katherine looked at the collapsed ravine, tears falling down her cheeks. “Oh Jake. Oh my love. Please find another door and get to where you belong. With us.” She turned and followed her uncle towards the shaft of light that lit the forest, her head bowed.
Forty-Two
“What the hell do we do now?” Jake said as he stared at the collapsed cave. The wind was picking up, blowing spray across the path.
“That way is closed to us now Jake,” Tamatan said, looking broken. He placed his hands on his thighs and stared at the floor. “I’ve been here before. But only through this doorway. I do not know if another doorway exists, back to where we’ve come from. We’re on another plane here Jake. This land is not even the same as where Reggan was from. I’m at a loss.”
“Well, we cannot stay here.” Jake said looking towards the town. He cast his glance over the black roiling sea. “Oh Dad.” He began to cry.
“We need to make haste Jake. The explosion will have roused the locals. They will be on us any minute. If they find us here, we’re dead. They will skin us alive. Not even I can fight them all. You’ve seen the trinkets and weapons they possess. We need to leave this place now.”
“Where?” Jake asked as he looked towards the town. He could see activity in the higher parts. Voices drifted on the wind to their location.
“I told you about the spits of land that lead from the island. We need to take one.” He looked away from the town, turning and running up a small rise on top of the destroyed cave. Jake followed, noticing that they were on a small peninsular that jutted out to sea, away from the main portion of the island. A rocky finger of land ran away into the night, becoming lost out at sea. “We’ll take t
hat one. If we’re quick, they will not have seen our escape. Come.” They made their way down the other side of the peninsular, jogging at a steady pace as shouts and voices carried after them. After a few minutes they stopped, turning back to look at the island. It was almost shrouded by night, barely visible.
“Let’s hope they don’t follow us,” Jake said, suddenly feeling weary.
“I think we are safe from them. It’s the unknown out there that I’m not so sure about. I’ve never chartered this road. There will be danger ahead I’m sure. Let’s just hold onto the hope of seeing loved ones again. Yours and mine.” They carried on in silence, walking along a path twenty feet across. Jake’s leg was hurting more. He couldn’t see, but under the material, black veins slowly spread across his thigh. He ignored it, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. It rose and fell, the sea on each side like blackened glass. As they made their way into the night, whale calls greeted them, reverberating through the rocks under their feet. They carried on, walking blindly. Into the unknown.
☨☨☨
Elias heard the explosion as he was stood talking to the witch who sat before him. “What was that?” he said, clearly alarmed.
“The God’s are not happy. They are venting their fury,” the old hag said. She sat in a large vat, filled with snakes. They wrapped themselves around her arms, slithering over her skin. Smaller ones writhed in her hair. The whole cabin’s floor was a reptilian carpet, dimly lit by crude torches on the walls. Her milky white eyes were fixed on the vampire.
“Lenga. What do you mean?” Elias said as he flicked a snake off his boot.
“The green gods have erupted from the cave. The doorway is lost.”
“Oh no!” Elias whispered. “I will return. I need to bring the woman and baby.” He fled the building, hurrying down the alleyways and side streets until he found the cabin that had belonged to the two monstrous men. He crossed the porch, shoving the door open. He looked around the room. It was empty. “No!” He moved into the room, quickly checking it before he’d head down to the water’s edge.