Latham's Landing

by Tara Fox Hall

  I open my wrists, watching my tainted blood flow out onto the floor. I pray for the mercy of Heaven. I hope for peace in death. Instead, I rise a ghost, my bloodied wrists showing my shame! My father jeers at me. He says I am doomed! That like him I must haunt this terrible place and never enter Paradise!

  The horrific knowledge hit Chung Lai like a hammer, causing her to falter, breaking the ghost’s hold on her, the images melting away to the walls of the room. With a shriek, she ripped free of the ghost and ran.

  Delilah stopped, her chest heaving. She strained to listen for a sound, but heard only her own rapid breathing.

  Carefully, she advanced, eyes wide. She was in some sort of a concert hall that seemed to stretch the length of the house floor. Music stands abounded, along with sheet music, and discarded chairs. Two lights burned at opposite ends of the room.

  She walked to the first one, using its light to examine her wounds.

  The soft sound of hauntingly sad music came from behind her.

  Delilah turned, stumbling back at the sight of a young girl, her fingers wrapped around a silver flute. The girl ignored her, continuing to play.

  “Who are you?” she cried.

  A giggle erupted from behind her.

  Delilah whirled, but no one was there. When she turned back, the girl was gone.

  She hurried to the far side of the room, truing to watch for pursuit in every direction. There was something that kept appearing just out of sight, too fast for her to see.

  She paused again. The giggle sounded again, louder.

  She whirled. There near one of the stands was a little girl in a frilly white party dress, her face in shadow. She purposely opened the book to a spot, then ducked down with another giggle.

  “What do you want?” Delilah screamed.

  “To play,” an evil voice said, it’s rumbling tones loud in the cavernous room.

  “Leave me alone!” Delilah screamed.

  The little girl stood up, her expression murderously angry. She ran toward Delilah, shoving stands and tables out of her way with supernatural force.

  Delilah stepped back, grabbed a stand, and threw it at the girl. It hit her square, knocking her down in a flurry of lace and petticoats. Then slowly the little girl sat up, her face now a wrinkled crone’s, her lips parting to reveal long thin fangs.

  Delilah bolted, a chilling guttural bellow of rage echoing after her.

  “Do you hear that?” Caroline said to Barb.

  “Someone is screaming,” Barb whispered. “And those wolves are howling, too.” She turned to Caroline. “I think we should try for the boat.”

  Caroline opened her mouth to protest. The ragged ends of her nerves stopped her, a voice coming up from within saying, you can’t win this. She looked down at the small pile of herbs, and the two boxes of bullets, both a fourth empty. They could weather one big attack, maybe two, with these supplies. But after that, they were finished.

  Caroline fingered her cross. I never thought my faith would matter to anyone. And here it is, probably saving my life. But Rob was a believer, too. Why didn’t his faith save him? She bit her lip. How long does a blessing last? More than a decade of church school, and I’ve got no answer. But they prepared me to be a good Christian at Thornfield. They never prepared me to fight real demons.

  “I know you came here to destroy the house,” Barb persuaded. “But Helter’s charges probably won’t work any better than your gasoline did. We need to get out of here, while it’s distracted.” She drew a hitching breath. “I feel terrible, but we can’t help whoever else is here now. We have to help ourselves.”

  Only forty-eight hours ago, Caroline had been ready to die to destroy Latham’s Landing. She still was ready to do that. But Barb was right. Dying here for nothing wasn’t worth it. Next time, those wolves—or something worse—would kill them. They had to take their chances on the water.

  “All right,” she said, standing. “Wake up Helter. I’ll grab the weapons.”

  Chung Lai burst through the door into the night. Breathing deep, she tried to clear her head.

  The house was trying to scare her. It was as evil as Mac was. She had to get out now. Chung Lai looked around, her gaze falling on an expanse of still water gleaming in wan moonlight. She headed for the water, uncaring there was no boat. She would swim if she had to. It was better than dying here.

  Delilah staggered into yet another room, hyperventilating, trying to get her breath. She had run down flights of stairs, and was again on the ground floor. Ahead of her seemed to be the same door she had come in. Cautiously, she looked out into the night. There was no sound except for the soft rustle of wind in the pines.

  Mac was in the big house, or he had been. A light shone from an upstairs window. There was probably a phone in there, but it was too risky to go in.

  A small, unlit building was to the side of the main house, connected by a walkway. Delilah limped across the expanse carefully, heading for it.

  She went through the battered half-door, then closed and locked it behind her. The top had no lock, but she closed that, too. She looked around, taking in many cupboards and cabinets, but no phone. But there were also only two high windows, too small for anything to enter.

  She was safe here.

  With relief, Delilah sank onto a stool, letting herself sob for a few moments.

  Pulling herself together, Delilah began opening cabinets, looking for a weapon. She also was hoping to find some food and water, as she hadn’t eaten since her single pop tart breakfast early this morning. If Mac came here, hopefully he had some food stashed somewhere. There had been none in the helicopter with them. It would be so wonderful to taste some kind of comfort food, like a Twinkie.

  She half expected the cabinets to be empty, or to contain torture implements. Saying a prayer that nothing bite her, she pulled out drawer contents, one after the other. Each contained paper packages, yellowed and faded, tied with string.

  She tried another larger cabinet. This one held candles of all sizes, and a metal box of matches. Most of them were black, of some kind of thick tallow. Willing to risk some light, she struck one, lighting a candle. With the light in her hand, she continued her search.

  Most of the cabinets held packages tied with string of all sizes. Nothing smelled edible, and most were moldy. Some seemed to have leaked, the packages damp and greasy. But finally, in a glass case, she found Mac’s food stores: pre-packaged Twinkies and other non-perishables, soda, and water. She let out a moan of delight as she broke open a package of cupcakes and devoured them.

  After sating her hunger and thirst, an invigorated Delilah began opening the last cabinet. Instead of packages, this cabinet held pumpkins and squash, their skins firm as if they had just been harvested.

  Why were these here? Halloween was over.

  There was a noise from above her head. Delilah looked up. Bunches of herbs, covered with cobwebs hung from the ceiling. Yet several near the door looked new, their leaves still green but wilted.

  Delilah turned, an uneasy feeling washing over her as she took in the many vials with labels on a crowded high shelf. Hemlock? Belladonna? What was this place?

  There was a scream from outside. Delilah opened the top part of the door a crack, peeking out.

  The other woman from the copter was there, running away from a pack of wolves. She ran out of sight, the wolves baying and howling as they gained on her. There was a shriek, then a chorus of howls. A sharp whine of pain shot through the night.

  Chilled, Delilah hit the door, then hastened to the food stores. Carefully, she filled her pockets with extra cupcakes and Twinkies, cramming some in the waistband of her pants. Then she looked out the door again.

  The night was calm. The scent of water was strong in the air, the sound of surf on rocks just audible.

  Delilah grabbed the matches, and three stocky candles, and headed for the shoreline.

  “I need to set the charges first,” Helter said for the third time, as he hande
d his own gun to Barb. “Just use it at point blank range, if someone human attacks. It’s not going to work on a ghost.”

  “Understood,” Barb said thankfully, taking the weapon awkwardly.

  “Then go set them,” Caroline said in exasperation. “But hurry up. We’ll wait for you in the boat offshore.”

  Helter looked at her a long moment. “All right,” he said, shouldering a bag. “But if you leave without me, I’m going to haunt you. Please get what you can carry of my stuff to the boat. We need warm blankets and clothes mostly, in case the temperature drops suddenly. Otherwise if you can’t carry it, leave it.”

  Caroline shook her head slowly. “I won’t leave you,” she said, taking off her extra rings with the crosses engraved on them, and her other cross necklace. She handed them all to Helter. “Put these with the most important charges. Maybe they’ll help.”

  “Aren’t you the model heroine,” Helter teased, pocketing them. “Going to give me a kiss for luck, too?”

  Caroline kissed his cheek. “There. Now get your ass moving.”

  Helter took off toward the main house with two large bags, as Barb and Caroline began grabbing bags.

  “Can we leave your stuff?” Caroline asked.

  “I can carry these,” Barb said, shouldering her cameras. “We’ll leave the cooler. Can you get your stuff and his?”

  “There’s not that much to get of mine,” Caroline said, looking through the remains of Helter’s packs and setting his jacket and the blankets they’d used to the side to take. “We’ve gone through most of the incense and herbs already. Most of Helter’s stuff we’ll have to leave.” She pointed to a small bag. “What’s in that?”

  “Rolls of film and extra USB’s for digital storage,” Barb said forlornly, kicking it. “And not one picture to show for it. Some paranormal researcher I turned out to be.”

  “You may get your chance,” Caroline said darkly. “We’re not out of here yet.”

  The alarm buzzer sounded, startling Mac out of a sound sleep. He hit the stop button, then stretched.

  One a.m. Time to have some fun.

  He got up, grabbed his favorite serrated knife, then paused. If there were only the girls, that would be enough. But there was an armed man here not afraid to shoot…and Lease, that cocksucker, was still floating offshore on his boat. He wouldn’t be any help.

  Mac went to his overnight bag, and unzipped it, looking from his rifle with a scope to his .44. Which one would be better?

  He glanced at the other bag. The compound bow inside was for later, when only one girl was left and the man had been neutralized. He was just learning to use that. Don’t feel bad. It takes time to learn how to shoot a moving target.

  The island liked to change locations of stairs and rooms, so he’d have to go slow anyway he looked at it. It was better to be prepared. He slid the holstered pistol on his belt, then grabbed the rifle, filling his pockets with bullets for both. Whistling, he left.

  He smiled, when he realized that the tune was the one he always whistled here. Not sure where I learned it, but I like the melody. It always sounds right when I’m here.

  Helter watched Mac leave the house, taking note of his weapons in glimpses through the pine trees. If only I had that rifle, I could kill the son of a bitch here and now. But it was impossible with Caroline’s handgun, in that thick cover. And wasting her blessed ammo might just alert the man and any friends he’d brought with them to what Helter was planning. If only he hadn’t given his own gun to Barb…

  When Mac had gone, Helter paused before the threshold of the main house. This is it. He stepped inside the house, then hurried upstairs, following the man’s tracks in the dust. Hopefully there was another rifle, or at least another gun. It was worth wasting a few extra minutes to find out.

  Chung Lai reached the shore, but there were only waves and stone, not so much as a stick of wood. There seemed to be no far shore, but it was hard to tell in the dark. The moon shone down, but the crescent light was weak, just enough to keep her from falling on her face. Cursing in Chinese, she followed the shore as fast as she could.

  A boat! There was a boat tied to that dock!

  Delilah stumbled on a sharp rock, tripping and falling into the water, her lighted candle going out with a hiss. She felt for it in the water, but it was gone. She struggled to her feet, pushing on.

  Her footsteps were loud on the dock as she ran to the boat, trying to untie it. But the knot refused to budge.

  Weeping in frustration, she pulled at it, the rough rope tearing her nails and hands. She quickly lit a remaining candle, melted some wax, and stuck it on the dock surface. Then she went to work, pushing then pulling the rope to unravel the knot.

  The dock creaked with new weight, but Delilah was so intent on her work she ignored it, until a hand clutched her shoulder. She let out a scream before a hand clamped over her mouth, silencing her.

  Lease started, then rubbed the sleep from his eyes. There was a figure on the dock now. No, it was two figures…

  “What happened?” Drake groaned from the floor of the boat. He pulled himself up slightly, turning to face Lease. “Where’s Bowman?”

  Lease had thought up a good story in the hours he’d shivered there on the boat seat in the dark. “There was a helicopter. Someone fired at us. A bullet clipped you, and another hit Bowman. He fell overboard.”

  Drake stared mistrustfully at Lease. “Why didn’t you pull him in?”

  “It was a head shot,” Lease said stonily. “His brains were out on the lake, Drake. And it was all I could do to pull you in before you floated away.”

  Drake shifted, uncomfortable. “Thanks. Sorry if I sounded ungrateful.”

  Lease nodded once. “It’s okay.”

  “Where’s the bastard that shot at us?” Drake asked, rubbing his head.

  “On the island with friends,” Lease lied. “I tried to dock there but he shot at me again. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”

  “Why didn’t you take me to shore?” Drake accused. “We need to report this.”

  “Because I didn’t want that fucker to get away,” Lease said carefully, knowing this was the weakest part of his story. He had to hope that Drake really was as hot-headed as he’d always acted.” I knew you’d wake up, that you’d just gotten grazed. I knew Bowman was dead, that I couldn’t help him. I want his killer. I know you do, too. Now that you’re away, we can dock and get that son of a bitch.”

  Drake stared at him.

  “We have no ID,” Lease pushed. “The copter has to be there, someplace in the open. All we need are the numbers off it and we have our guy.” He purposely narrowed his eyes. “And if the guy resists us getting that info, then too bad for him.”

  Drake stared at him.

  Slightly unnerved, Lease played his last card. “There were several gunshots while you were out, in addition to the guy who shot at me. At least one person was screaming, Drake. I think that bastard is there chasing the kids. If we leave now, that guy will kill them for sure. Do you want that on your conscience? I don’t.”

  Drake looked at Lease for a moment, then drew his gun. “Start the motor. Let’s get that bastard.”

  “Shh,” Chung Lai said to Delilah. “It’s me.”

  Delilah tried to hug her, but Chung Lai pushed her away. “Work on the rope,” she said, scanning the shore for any sign of Mac.

  Delilah hurried, untying the last bit of knot. Carefully, both women got in the boat. Delilah went to the motor, but Chung Lai stopped her. “No,” she said softly. “We drift and paddle with hands. The motor will bring Mac.”

  Delilah nodded. Both girls crouched in the base of the boat on their knees, paddling hard. The boat slowly moved out into the water.

  Caroline and Barb crested the hill, as the clouds cleared above them, moonlight streaming down to illuminate the landscape with dim light.

  “Fuck!” Caroline exclaimed. “Someone is taking our boat!”

  A motor abruptly started,
breaking the silence. A light shone suddenly on the water, a new boat rising out of the dark to bear down on Barb’s small boat moving slowly, two women crouched in it.

  A shot rang out, the echo startling Cooper, who began to bark. One of the women in the boat slumped, the other letting out a scream.

  “Get down!” Caroline said, dropping flat. Barb threw herself down over Cooper as another bullet whined over their heads, thwacking into a tree beside them.

  Another bullet followed the first, Caroline and Barb cringing as Cooper barked crazily.

  An answering gunshot from the boat on the lake rang out. Several more gunshots rang out, as the boat and island sniper exchanged volleys.

  “We need to get back to the fire,” Caroline said. “Helter can find us there.” Barb grabbed Cooper’s collar and they crawled back over the hill, more gunfire echoing behind them.

  “Wait,” Barb said, stopping Caroline. “We need a boat, or we’re doomed. We have to stay and see what happens. We can run if someone comes…or you can just shoot the SOB.”

  Caroline shook her head. “Let them fight it out. Maybe they’ll kill each other. Now come on!”

  Why the hell was Lease shooting at him? Or was it someone else in the boat? Mac took aim again, sending his last bullet toward the boat’s location. There was no return fire.

  He reloaded the rifle, chambered a bullet, then took off for the shore. He’d gotten one of the girls. The island would bring the other back. The wind was already starting to blow.

  “Did it just get colder?” Drake said, reloading his gun.

  Lease licked his lips, afraid. There had been no wind a moment ago, other than a light breeze. Now the wind was steadily building, and white crested waves were beginning to form. The temperature was dropping. “We need to get to shore. A storm’s going to hit in the next few moments.”