The Hand of the Devil

by Dean Vincent Carter

  I have run out of patience. Give me what I want now . . . or suffer the same fate as Mather.

  Gina gritted her teeth and glared at the creature. I stepped forward slightly, feeling a sudden surge of strength.

  ‘All right. Take it.’ It was hard to say the words. The terror inside me had already fuelled my imagination, bombarding my thoughts with all manner of horrific pictures. But I saw no other option. If I continued to resist, I’d only push the Ganges Red into taking what she wanted by force.

  Yes. That’s it. It will be over before you know it . . .

  She flew forward again carefully, ready to move out of the way at the slightest hint of an attack.

  ‘No, don’t do it,’ Gina said, backing up slightly. And then she slipped on something, dropping the torch as she did so. In a flash the Ganges Red was upon me. She attached herself to my head and I went crazy.

  What surprised me most was the heat she generated. It felt as if she was burning up. Even though I knew I’d done the only thing I could have, I was overwhelmed by the desire to throw her off me.

  ‘Nooooooo!’ Gina screamed somewhere behind me. ‘Get the hell off him!’

  The mosquito crawled around my head, then without hesitation pierced the back of my neck, sucking with an awesome, tear-inducing power. This time I did scream.

  I can’t believe it’s finally happening. Beloved . . .

  Apart from the pain of the feeding tube breaking my skin and the sucking, there seemed to be nothing else. She hadn’t injected her saliva, which came as both a relief and a shock. She must have been serious about keeping me alive. Incredibly, Gina seemed to be fading from my mind. The pain began to subside, as did the panic. Just as I was beginning to fall completely under the mosquito’s welcoming influence, something roused me from my torpor. The tube was pulled out roughly, sending a spasm of pain down my spine. Then the creature flew off my head. I looked around, feeling tired, groggy, my vision slightly blurred, and saw Gina screaming at me.

  ‘. . . you hear me? Run!’ She grabbed my hand and pulled me after her, neither of us particularly concerned about my weak ankle. I didn’t know what condition the Ganges Red was in at that point, but I guessed she wasn’t dead by the way Gina kept looking behind us and swearing. It was no great surprise to me when, soon afterwards, I heard the whining sound again. My senses had cleared somewhat, and the full desperation of the situation had returned to me. We stopped, and with great dread turned to face our pursuer.

  My blood had already wrought an extraordinary change upon her. Against comprehension, she had now grown to the size of a crow. And her size wasn’t the only thing that had been altered. Her eyes were no longer segmented as they should be. They were white, cloudy. I thought I could see a tiny black dot like a pin-prick in each of them, but it was hard to be sure. A dramatic transformation was without doubt now taking place. But could she really be turning into a woman? Despite what my eyes were seeing, the rational part of my brain was refusing to believe it.

  She hovered and buzzed in front of us, perhaps deciding what to do, knowing she could take her time. The feeding tube looked twice as big as before: a long thick needle, cruelly pointed and still dripping. I felt the tender hole at the back of my neck. It was wet with blood, but there seemed to be no further damage. I looked across at Gina.

  ‘Do something, for heaven’s sake,’ she said.

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Not you,’ she replied, turning to me. ‘That thing! Is it just going to hover there for ever until we die of starvation?’

  The mosquito’s wings flapped out of time for a second. She was agitated, but she floated silently forward towards Gina, then up and above her, so that the tips of her wings were brushing the ceiling of the tunnel. Without warning she dived at Gina’s head, stopping just short of her hair, then flew off again. This time I could hear her laughing.

  Gina was shaken. She looked at me, trying not to show her fear.

  ‘It’s OK,’ I said, trying but failing to disguise the tremble in my voice. The mosquito just kept on laughing, bobbing up and down in merriment. I could see that the eyes were now definitely forming pupils. The sight was unsettling.

  Yes.

  The laughter had ceased.

  I can look upon you with human eyes now. It is such a strange feeling . . . I don’t feel alien any more, I feel like I’m coming home. It can’t be long now. Soon I shall be as I was.

  ‘And what then?’ I was aware, as I spoke, of Gina turning to face me. She must have thought I was crazy or delirious to be talking to the thing again.

  Then we will go far away from here. Somewhere new where no one will find us and we can be alone for the rest of our lives.

  ‘I told you, that’s not going to happen.’

  I just need time to convince you. Once you’ve seen me as I really am, you will change your mind. You will love me as I love you. It won’t be long now, I promise.

  ‘I’m telling you! That won’t happen. We’re leaving this island. What you do is of no concern to me. Find someone else – anyone – but leave me out of it. I’ve already given you what you want. Why don’t you just let us go?’

  I thought you understood how I felt – the pain of desire? The doubt, the emptiness?

  I looked at Gina. From the expression on her face it was clear that she wanted to know what was going on. I couldn’t think of anything to say to her. Instead I turned back to the Ganges Red.

  ‘Yes, you’re right. But you have to let her go.’

  The mosquito’s buzzing grew louder. I had the feeling that she was upset now, and losing her patience.

  She has corrupted your mind. She must die. Open your mind completely to me. Submit, and there will be no more pain. You deserve better than to slave under her tyranny. She’ll control and rule you for ever if you don’t rid yourself of her now. Please . . . let me help you . . .

  ‘Don’t touch her, or I swear—’

  I won’t harm her if she leaves now. Tell her to run and not look back. Once her influence has gone you will understand.

  If it ensured Gina’s safety, I was prepared to do what the mosquito wanted. I had neither the time nor the strength to try to save myself as well. The insect had already drained much of my strength, and now my will was also starting to ebb.

  ‘OK. But promise me you won’t harm her. I’ll do what you want if you let her go.’

  Of course I promise, my love. All I want is to make you happy.

  ‘All right.’ I turned to Gina, who looked deeply concerned. Perhaps she had guessed what was going to happen. ‘Listen, you have to go – now. Just carry on down the tunnel and get the hell out of here.’

  ‘You must be kidding. I’m not leaving you here with that!’

  ‘There’s no other option. Look, I’ll be fine. She won’t hurt me. You get away and go to the police. I have a feeling I won’t be here when they arrive – but at least they’ll find Mather. Maybe some of the bodies will have survived for them to identify.’

  ‘I’m not leaving you here.’

  ‘You have to!’

  ‘Oh no I don’t!’

  ‘Listen.’ I grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes, so wide with fright. ‘If you stay here we’ll end up having to watch each other die. That’s the truth of it. We can’t kill this thing. We should be grateful she’s allowed us this much mercy.’

  ‘I’d never forgive myself, Ash. I can’t do it. I can’t abandon you.’

  ‘Please. You have to, it’s the only way I can protect you.’ I realized then that it was probably the last opportunity I’d ever have. I had to tell her. ‘I love you.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I’ve been in love with you since the day you started work, and I can’t bear the thought of never seeing you again. But look – just go, please. This is the wrong time for all this, I just . . . needed you to know.’

  ‘I . . .’ Gina said nothing for some moments, then: ‘He really hit you hard with that shovel, didn’t he?’
>
  I smiled despite everything. ‘Go on, please,’ I said. ‘Before she changes her mind.’ I let go of her.

  She looked at me for a long moment, then cast the mosquito a terrible glance. I expected her to utter some threat or curse. Instead, still gazing at the hovering menace, she spoke to me. ‘What you said just now – that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.’ And with that she turned and ran off. I watched her go; watched the cone of light from the torch get smaller and smaller. I was now alone with the monster, which was generating an awesome red light. There was a popping sound and I saw that the mosquito’s body had increased in size yet again. It really was an amazing sight. I would have been in awe, if I hadn’t been so consumed with loathing and fear.

  Not long now. Rest. Sleep. I will wake you when it is time.

  The temptation was pounding at me like a hammer. I needed sleep badly. Nevertheless, I had a nagging doubt. She sounded agitated, and I had the feeling that she wanted me to sleep for another reason. I decided it was best to stay awake.

  ‘So, what about Mather? Don’t you regret killing him?’

  Why would I regret it? He was of no more use to me. His thirst for murder and ability to attract victims were the only things that made his existence tolerable. The world is a better place without him.

  ‘He fed you, kept you safe. I doubt there are many others who’d have done the same.’

  Perhaps. But ultimately, all he did was for his own personal gain. He cared about no one but himself.

  ‘Are you sure? Are you sure he didn’t care about you?’

  It is not important. You should sleep. I am changing fast now. It will be time soon. You should conserve your energy.

  ‘Why do you really want me to sleep?’

  What?

  ‘What don’t you want me to see?’

  The transformation will be ugly . . .

  ‘That’s not it. You don’t care if I’m repulsed by that. There’s another reason.’

  There was another popping sound, and I saw that her feeding tube was beginning to retract. Some of her legs were also getting shorter, receding back into the body, which seemed to be growing all the while.

  I cannot remain potent for much longer.

  ‘Potent? You mean dangerous?’

  Yes. Uhh!

  She writhed and twisted in the air as part of her abdomen ballooned and stretched.

  No more time. If you won’t sleep . . . I have no choice. I didn’t want you to see this. You must understand – to assure your love I have to remove all connections your heart has made . . . I hope you will forgive me in time.

  She managed to straighten herself out. I saw now that her eyes were almost human, the pupils large, black and surrounded by bright rings of green. In that instant, seconds old, they revealed a foul intent. She burst forward, right past me, and flew down the tunnel, as big as a raven now and clumsier than before, but still moving fast.

  ‘Gina!’ I screamed, breaking into a run. ‘She’s coming!’ I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had no hope of catching up with the monster. Even if I could have reached Gina in time, there was no way of protecting her. The Ganges Red was far too big to just be swatted away. She would kill us both. But I ran anyway.

  Gina had made good progress down the tunnel, despite her reluctance to leave me. Now she was moving faster, trying to put as much distance between her and the monster as possible. It was no use though. From my position some distance away, I could see the glowing horror gaining on her, closing the distance with terrifying speed. The mosquito would be upon her in seconds. By the time I reached her, she’d already be dead. Just then, as I found despair finally claiming me, something flew past my right ear. It was no larger than a sparrow, but it moved with a deadly intent and a speed that let it cut through the air. It spoke three words, carefully deposited in its wake.

  Don’t give up!

  I didn’t. Instead I surged forward with energy dredged from some unknown place, and thundered down the tunnel, regardless of the nightmare I was hurtling into.

  I was able to see the Ganges Red land on the back of Gina’s neck, the surprising weight causing her to stumble and fall to her knees. Then, before the mosquito had a chance to do anything more, the dragonfly hit her like a bullet, removing her from Gina’s head, along with a clump of hair. Gina screamed, and though her eyes were filling with tears, she was able to watch what unfolded. I finally reached her, and held her to me. The two forms were thrashing about in the water that had dripped over time from the lake above. The Ganges Red, her body warped and distended almost beyond recognition, was wrestling with the dragonfly, its smaller body attached to the mosquito’s back, wings flapping like mad. We could only gaze in awe at the battle, praying that the smaller creature would win.

  Gina put an arm round my waist. Despite the adrenaline surging through my body, my vision clouded over and I started to black out. Gina saw this and shook me awake.

  ‘Hey! It’s not over yet.’

  I concentrated on the Ganges Red and her determined enemy. This was a decisive fight that could yield only one survivor. And judging by the way things were going, the outcome we both prayed for seemed unlikely. The dragonfly had stunned its swollen opponent, and was repeatedly stabbing her with a small pointed horn on its head, causing her pink abdomen to rupture and bleed. Nevertheless, it seemed unworthy opposition. I was convinced it was only a matter of time before the Ganges Red retaliated with a killing blow.

  ‘I have to do something,’ Gina said. She pulled me over to the wall. ‘Here – hold this.’ She gave me the torch. ‘Point it at them.’

  ‘Why – what are you going to do?’

  ‘This is the only opportunity we have. And you’re in no fit state.’ She started walking towards the brawling adversaries.

  ‘No, don’t go over there. Please.’

  ‘It’s OK. Trust me.’ She moved purposefully across the wet floor and stopped some inches from the insects.

  No!

  It was the mosquito, and she sounded as angry as ever, though this time the anger was tinged with fear.

  Keep her back! Keep her back!

  The two insects then became separated on the wet tunnel floor. They both seemed either unwilling or incapable of getting airborne. The dragonfly seemed to have expended all its energy during its frenzied attack, while the Ganges Red, still growing, reared up on her two longest and strongest legs and let out what was no longer a buzzing but an almost human scream. She was preparing to charge, to deal the death blow. Then, as Gina stood there waiting for her opportunity, I heard the other voice. It was the dragonfly.

  Now! Do it now!

  ‘Now, Gina!’

  She raised her left foot. The Ganges Red turned in her direction and froze. She looked ready to scream again, this time in terror, but she didn’t get the chance. The shoe came down on her head, and suddenly the water around Gina’s legs was dark with blood.

  We stayed where we were for some time, our brains numbed. At some point I was able to make myself walk over and stand next to Gina. I put my arm round her waist. Looking down, I saw a number of red and black lumps lying in the thin layer of water. Blood had splashed the front of Gina’s jeans and the wall opposite. I couldn’t believe how much of it there was. Looking at her face, I could see that she was still coming to terms with all she’d seen. She was drawing deep breaths and staring down at what was left of the mosquito.

  ‘Did you hear it?’ The question seemed to have come from my lips before I had thought to ask it.

  ‘What?’

  ‘The dragonfly. Did you hear it speak?’

  ‘I heard . . . I heard you,’ she said, turning to me. ‘That’s all.’

  Together we both looked at our grey saviour. I moved the torch-beam so that it wasn’t shining directly on it. It was hovering above the ground now, and appeared to be a lot healthier than it was some moments before. It turned round and silently flew back down the tunnel.

  ‘Well,’ I said,
smiling at Gina, ‘I guess it’s not important.’

  ‘No . . . Come on, let’s get the hell out of this place.’

  ‘Good idea,’ I replied, but then Gina stopped abruptly and took hold of my arm. Her smile faded.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Can’t you hear that?’

  We stood still, listening. At first I could hear nothing but the drops of water from the ceiling. Then I began to make out the sound of tiny splashes, coming closer and closer.

  ‘Oh no,’ I said. ‘What now?’

  We started to back away. Gina took the torch from my hand and pointed it down the tunnel in the direction of the sound.

  ‘What is that?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ I shook my head. ‘And I don’t want to know.’

  ‘Shh. Look!’ I did, though I really didn’t want to. ‘What the hell is that?’

  I could see two small orbs of green in the dark, coming towards us. It didn’t register at first but then I realized. Laughing out loud, I dropped to my knees. My hands were outstretched and tears were emerging unimpeded from my eyes. As the little figure came plodding and splashing into view, I heard Gina gasp. He slowed down, miaowed and climbed onto my knees, standing with his back legs on my left thigh, his front legs on my chest. He rubbed his nose against mine, then brushed his right cheek against my chin.

  ‘Hello to you too,’ I said. ‘You’ve no idea how pleased I am to see you.’ Gina knelt down beside me and began stroking Mr Hopkins’s back.

  When we had finished lavishing affection on him, I picked him up and we continued down the tunnel. We must have covered at least two miles before we reached the trapdoor. As we drew closer we could see a plank of wood set into the side of the tunnel, underneath the door. It was old, yellowed and damp, but the letters on it were still legible.

  TRYST

  Mr Hopkins began purring, the sound oddly amplified by our confines.

  ‘All that,’ Gina said, while I climbed the small ladder to push open the hatch. ‘That stuff back there. No one’s going to believe it happened, are they? I’m not even sure I do.’

  Instinctively I climbed back down to the floor and took her hand in mine. To my great relief she smiled.