The Dark Horde

by Brewin

  Teasing.

  She had fled the campsite, crashing and stumbling through thick and thorny undergrowth, her mind fixated on flight. After what seemed like only a few minutes, she’d recovered enough to realise that she wasn’t being pursued. Suddenly terrified for Vincent, she double-backed towards the campsite, knowing that Vincent’s car was also there... As a baleful moon shone overhead through grey slivers of cloud circling like sharks.

  Running back through cutting branches, she approached the campsite and saw through the cover of trees, a scene of ruin. Flickering in the ember light of the fire lay tatters of tent, belongings and intestines. The car, a yellow Datsun Sunny, was gutted, its steering wheel torn free and cast aside. The forest was cold and silent, like a tomb.

  She sank to her knees, crying, overcome with anguish.

  And then something stirred behind her...

  Laughing.

  Things became a blur of fear and confusion after that.

  Screaming... Running... Something chasing... Falling onto stinging nettles... Hot breath upon her... Running again... Colliding with trees... Bleeding and sore, but still running... Galloping crashes through the forest behind her... Feral grunting as it drew nearer... The rancid stench of its hot breath... Claws ripping at her back and legs... Ribbons of clothing and flesh... Somehow still running... Ever the demon at her heels...

  Until she could run no further. And collapsed.

  And now, hearing voices, she stirred awake. A dark prickly forest pressed down on her, infested with crawling bugs and other horrors she didn’t want to imagine.

  Something hairy ran across her leg.

  She leapt up screaming and from behind came a voice grating like rusty nails, “You cannot run from deeeaaath.”

  She spun to see the towering bulk of the demon in moonlit silhouette. Piercing red eyes flickered from the shadows.

  Her mind left her and the world became a long, dark tunnel. At the end stood a black figure with eyes of fiery crimson. The power of its fixating stare compelled her into submission. Her body resisted efforts to move. Her mind abandoned efforts to think.

  A cruel rasp, “Accept your faaate.”

  It moved closer.

  Its wretched face was clear now. A wolf-like snout swollen with teeth, extending back to a hairy black head set with red eyes that burned with malice. Its demonic visage rose over her, enveloping her with its shadow.

  Screaming, she started running again.

  Again, it followed...

  Every step a struggle... Every breath a battle... Every move it shadowed... Crying for help... Praying for salvation... Falling in desperation... Somehow finding the strength to rise and stumble on... Blood throbbing in her ears and bleeding from her cuts... Crashing through endless forest as unyielding as her pursuer...

  Aching, exhausted, her pace slowed to a crawl... And yet ever it maintained a cruel distance of a couple of metres behind her...

  Gloating.

  Finally, she could run no more. She turned to face her attacker.

  It stopped, its slavering maw widened to a grin. The time had come.

  Through sobs she screamed, “WHAT ARE YOU? WHAT DO YOU WANT?”

  It licked its lips. “I am deeeaaath and I want yooouuu.”

  A pathetic gesture of resistance, she raised two fists and scanned around for something, anything, to use to defend herself. But there was nothing...

  It was over.

  It leapt forward to grab her throat. Its claws closed around her neck and lifted her from the ground. Her windpipe crushed, her hands fought to wrest free the vice grip, her legs kicked the air.

  It caressed her face with its tongue, smothering her with drool. Helpless she was, but to bunch her face in horror.

  Its eyes met hers. “Taaasty.”

  Then there was a violent crack as her neck snapped.

  TUESDAY 7:06 AM

  It was still dark.

  Howard stretched his arms and yawned as he craned his head to read his digital clock.

  It was time to get up for school. Strange that it was still dark though... But that was probably just because the curtains were closed.

  Strange shapes crowded the murky shadows – only the Treasure Island poster facing him was distinct. It glowed in the pale moonlight, the pirate’s eyes luminous and haunting...

  Staring directly at him.

  Howard hid under the bed covers, his pulse racing. He dared not move or breathe, lest the pirate become aware of his presence. His chest ached with the force of his pounding heart. He began to fear that even his heartbeat was audible and would reveal him.

  After a tense silence, he began to hear voices:

  “Howard’s so lazy, he’s always sleeping in. Why did I have to have such a lazy brother?”

  “Yes I know. He should be up by now. Never mind, at least I have a daughter I can be proud of.”

  Howard recognised the voices, but was still confused. It wasn’t even that late in the morning! Whatever were mum and his sister talking about?

  He decided he would make a dash across the room for the light switch, braving the darkness and the pirate’s wrath. Light brought safety, but he had to be quick.

  Summoning the courage, he flung off his doona and leapt from his bed. He landed on something sharp and cried in pain. Panicking, he rushed towards the light switch and tripped on toys scattered in his way. He fell against the bedroom door...

  And it slammed shut.

  The darkness seemed greater now, unbearable.

  Trying not to think about the glowing poster behind him, or the pain in his feet, face and hands, Howard lunged for the light switch, but his fingers only met a bare surface. Frantic, he ran his palms along the wall...

  Then came the sound of bestial laughter behind him.

  Shuddering in terror, he found the light switch and flicked it on.

  Nothing happened.

  The sound of laughter behind him became louder.

  He grabbed the doorhandle and tried to yank it open. His sweaty hand slipped free and he realised that the laughter was coming from the closet to his left. Shaking with fear, his head turned to the source...

  As the closet began to open.

  Too shocked to scream, he wiped his hands on his pyjama shirt so he could open the bedroom door. An eerie red light began to spill out of the closet, revealing a towering, muscular form crammed within.

  The bedroom door opened onto a dark hallway. At one end was a closed door leading to the lounge where he could detect light and the happy voices of his family. He was safe if he could only reach the lounge. Monsters never attacked in the light or when adults were around. He ran into the hallway...

  As something heavy landed behind him, growling.

  His scream frozen in his lungs, he ran at the lounge door down the hall. He grabbed and twisted the handle, but crashed into the door with his momentum.

  Something loomed over him, poised to strike.

  Still unable to scream, he flung the door open...

  His mother and sister sat on the couch facing him in plain view. Engrossed in the television, they made no reaction.

  Then something grabbed his ankle.

  His leg was pulled back with such force that he face-planted into the carpet. He felt teeth dislodge and a burning sensation in his nose. Then something began to drag him back into the hall as he tried in vain to resist by grabbing onto the doorframe.

  Tears flooded his eyes as he saw through a blur his family laughing at something on TV. How could they not notice him? Surely they could see the monster dragging him away? Surely they heard the noise?

  But his mother and sister didn’t even look in his direction. He tried to scream again, but failed. He banged the walls with his fists, desperate to attract attention, but could make no sound.

  His fingernails raking the carpet, he was dragged back into the laughing darkness.

  There was no escape. Howard turned to look at his captor...

  And into the fiery red
eyes of a hairy monster baring savage teeth, thronged by many more behind it, their red eyes lit up like candles.

  Howard awoke screaming so loud, his eardrums almost burst.

  His mother Julie rushed into the room moments later. “Howard! What’s wrong?”

  Reality washed over his consciousness, comforting. Daylight streamed in through the curtains. The monsters were gone now.

  “I had a nightmare about the monsters again.”

  TUESDAY 9:13 AM

  He was late.

  Brian turned into the carpark of Howqua Hills Police Station on Main Street and parked his 4WD patrol next to two others. He sighed as he grabbed a briefcase and stepped out of the vehicle. Light drizzle fell, dusting Brian as he made his way towards the front entrance.

  Standing in the foyer was Sergeant Douglas McDougall, chatting to Constable Annette Baker, the fat bitch, at the reception counter. Down the hallway behind Annette, Constable Robert Harrington was quite literally scratching his arse.

  Brian made eye contact with Douglas and Annette, ceasing their conversation. “Busy day, huh?”

  Douglas turned to Brian. “Actually we were discussing the job, something I have much to talk to you about.”

  Brian looked at Robert watching from the hallway. “And Robert, what are you doing apart from excavating your anus?”

  Annette winced. Douglas turned to look at Robert who blushed and dipped his head.

  Robert looked up. “I was just–”

  A phone began to ring from one of the offices.

  Robert continued his sentence, “about to go answer that phone.”

  Annette huffed and looked at Brian. “And so, Mr Efficiency – why are you late?”

  Brian turned to Annette, glaring at her through his eyebrows. “Some of us have work to do. I would think that includes you.”

  Douglas interrupted, easing the tension, “Is there any more news on your meeting with Dr Dawson?”

  Annette stormed off to the kitchen whilst Brian answered Douglas, “Not since I phoned you late yesterday. The discussion I had with Dr Dawson was helpful in terms of understanding the crime but not solving it.”

  “Do you have a hard copy of his brief with you?”

  Brian smiled. “Of course.”

  At that moment, Brian and Douglas were rejoined by Robert. The pair paused to look at him.

  “Just letting you know Brian, I’ve got Sasha on the phone,” Robert said.

  “Tell her I’m not here yet. I’ll call her when I get a moment.”

  Robert wrung his hands nervously. “Ahhh, I’ve already told her that you’d just arrived.”

  “Fuck, that’s all I need.” Brian sighed. His eyes fixed Robert like daggers. “I’ll talk to you about this later.”

  Brian brushed past them both as he headed for his office. Douglas raised his eyebrows to Robert.

  “Where the hell have you been?” was the first thing Sasha said.

  “Busy,” Brian replied. “I was about to call you, but I got sidetracked. I only just got here.”

  “From where? I thought you were coming home last night.”

  “From Melbourne. I stayed overnight at my parents’ house. I had a few things to take care of.”

  “Well, you could have at least called to let me know where you were. I’ve hardly slept worrying about you.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “If you were sorry you would have called.”

  Brian said nothing.

  “Anyway, Julie wants you to mind Samantha and Howard tonight. Apparently she’s got some dinner party.”

  “But she didn’t think to ask whether I was free tonight, did she?”

  “If I had any idea what you were doing, I might have been able to tell her, mightn’t I?”

  Brian hesitated to respond before saying, “Well, I’ll call her anyway, sort something out.”

  “So what are you doing tonight?”

  “Looks like I’m minding the kids, doesn’t it?”

  “Good. I’ll see you tonight then. We’ll get pizza, as I can’t be bothered cooking.” She hung up before he could answer.

  “Yeah, love you too,” he said as he put the phone down.

  Brian looked up to see Douglas waiting outside his office.

  “Can you spare a few minutes?” Douglas said.

  Brian nodded with a sigh.

  Douglas gently closed the door behind him and asked, “Is everything okay?”

  Brian leaned back on his chair and produced a fake smile. “Sure! My partner and ex-wife are both pissed at me. I’m running around like a headless chook trying to track down a killer loose on the town, whilst simultaneously trying to manage this department and keep the fucking media happy without telling them anything that might alarm the population more than they already are. And to top it off, I’ve got a migraine that refuses to leave me the fuck alone.”

  And that’s not even the half of it.

  “Things are just dandy!” Brian said.

  Douglas sat in a chair facing Brian’s cluttered desk. “Has anyone ever told you that you can be a sarcastic prick sometimes?”

  “Nah, never.”

  Douglas took a deep breath...

  Whatever did Julie see in you?

  Douglas checked his watch. “Anyway, let’s get down to business, shall we?”

  They were interrupted by the phone ringing on Brian’s desk.

  Brian hesitated. “Er, that’s probably Dr Dawson now. He said he’d call about this time.”

  “I see.”

  Brian rose from his chair and stepped over to the door. Opening it, he proclaimed, “I’ll come and see you shortly and we can go through the details then. There may be more to add after this phone call. Is that okay?”

  Douglas nodded solemnly as Brian ushered him out.

  “Don’t worry, Douglas, your time will come.”

  Brian rushed back to the phone.

  Douglas’ unheard response was ominous, “So will yours, Brian.”

  “Senior Sergeant Derwent speaking.”

  “Ohhh finally! I’ve been trying to contact you since Sunday!”

  “Oh hi, Julie. I was just about to call you.”

  “You always say that, Brian! Maybe Sasha believes you when you say that, but I don’t.”

  “I–”

  “I don’t care what your excuse is, Brian. I’m just calling to tell you that I’ll be dropping off Sam and Howard tonight around five thirty.”

  There was no point in arguing.

  “Fine.”

  “I know it’s fine. I’ve already organised it with Sasha. At least she’s reliable. Which is surprising considering her age.”

  Don’t get me started. If you weren’t such a bitch, maybe we’d still be together.

  “So was that all then?”

  “Yes, I’ll be picking them up tomorrow after school.”

  “Okay.”

  “And don’t give them McDonalds. I go to the trouble of cooking healthy meals for them every night, so the least you can do is the same.”

  Nah, just Pizza Hut.

  “Yep,” he answered.

  “Okay, bye.”

  He hung up and sighed.

  Brian cast his gaze over papers strewn across his desk and began to arrange them into sensible piles.

  Then the phone rang again...

  “Hello, my name is Samuel Cartwright. I’m a reporter at National Nine News.”

  Oh fuck, here we go.

  “I understand that you’re the police officer in charge of the Howqua Hills Station?’

  “Yes.”

  “And that you’re involved in the investigation of the Weston murders?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “Is now convenient for you to answer a few questions regarding what you know about the incident?”

  “Not really.”

  “Perhaps we can arrange for a better time? Ideally I’d like to come and speak to you in person.”

  “Look, can I call
you back? I’m really busy right now.”

  “Yeah, that’s fine.”

  “Good.” Brian hung up before he could continue.

  Almost immediately, the phone rang again.

  “Um, it’s Samuel Cartwright calling back. Sorry to trouble you again sir–”

  “What is it?”

  “Ah, I didn’t get a chance to give you a number to contact me on.”

  “Fine. What is it then?”

  Brian let him recite the number he had no intention of writing down. They’d contact again anyway.

  “Okay, thanks.” He hung up.

  The phone rang again.

  I don’t believe this shit.

  “What now?”

  “Er, is that Sergeant Brian Derwent? It’s Dr David Dawson here.”

  “Oh, sorry David! I thought it was this pesky reporter who keeps holding up the line.”

  “Yes, I did try a couple of times just before and your line was busy. You didn’t divulge anything of note, I trust?”

  “Of course not.”

  “I mean I knew that you wouldn’t, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure.”

  “We’re all on the same side here, David. Protecting the public interest.”

  David laughed. “So how are things back at the office anyway?”

  “It’s been one bloody thing after another.”

  “Yes, I can imagine.”

  I doubt it.

  “Anyway Brian, I’ll be brief as I’m sure you’re very busy–”

  “You got that right.”

  “I need to see you again, quite urgently I’m afraid. Some more information has come to light that I need to discuss with you in person as soon as possible. I.e. today.”

  Brian ran a hand through his hair. “Can’t we discuss this over the phone?”

  “It’s not secure. I have reason to believe that your phone could already be being monitored.”

  “What?”

  “Look Brian, you really must get down here as soon as possible. I wouldn’t even tell anyone that you’re coming down. Something is going on that I don’t understand. I fear that you’re the only one who can help.”

  Fucking great.

  Brian sighed. “Okay, I’ll get down there as soon as I can.”