Something of the Night

by Paul Cave

  “Okay, so what’s our plan?” Captain Banantyne asked.

  Pulling his attention away from the malevolent shapes that loped around outside, Jacob Cain said, “Regroup and make the journey back to base.”

  “With all those things out there?” the captain moaned.

  “What would you rather do? Spend the rest of your days in here with that thing?” Jacob asked, with a gesture towards the cell.

  Both men looked over at the dining vampire. The captain fell quiet.

  “I thought not,” Jacob snarled.

  “But we wouldn’t get ten yards before they ripped us to pieces,” Banantyne said, his attention back to the dark horde outside.

  Jacob raised his handgun. “You can bet I’d get further than ten yards.”

  The captain released a heavy sigh. “Okay, but if we’re gonna move then let’s make it quick. I’ve no desire to stay here any longer than I have to.”

  “We’ll be leaving as soon as we figure out what to do with that,” Jacob said. His gun tilted towards the incarcerated vampire.

  “Let’s just shoot the dammed thing,” Banantyne retorted.

  “For once I’d like to agree, but I’m not sure that’s the right solution.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know, yet”

  “I thought you killed everything you hated?” the captain asked.

  “I haven’t killed you yet, have I?”

  The captain’s lips opened but words failed to form. He spun on his heels and strode towards the mechanic and Scratch. “Okay, Skunk, we’re moving out. Stop that … whatever it is and prepare to leave.”

  “It’s Squirrel, asshole,” the mechanic spat.

  Jacob grinned despite himself. Just like old times, he thought. He felt a hand rest against his shoulder. Elliot Harper appeared at his side.

  “Are you okay?” the young tracker asked.

  “I’m fine. Why?”

  “I know you have a hard time with the Captain,” Elliot said.

  “Don’t worry about me and him, we’ll survive.”

  Elliot nodded. “Let’s hope we all do.”

  A high-pitched howl pulled their attention outside. Shapes bounded about in the shadows - large shapes. Earlier, the dead wolf that Squirrel had shot had been dragged away by its brethren, torn to shreds, and devoured with ravenous glee. Now, the wolves were getting hungry again.

  Both trackers turned away from the window to join Squirrel and Scratch over by the table.

  “We’ll be leaving soon,” Jacob said.

  Squirrel stopped wiping the terrier clean. “I’m not sure I like the idea of that.”

  “Nor do I,” Jacob agreed, sensing the mechanic’s unease. “But we can’t stay in here forever.”

  The word ‘forever’ forced Squirrel to look towards the vampire. “Why not? He seems to be doing just fine.”

  The vampire looked up and found the three men staring. He raised a handful of bone and red flesh, and offered the group a hearty toast. “Yum, yum.”

  “Okay, maybe he’s not doing quite so well,” Squirrel corrected. “What are we gonna do with him anyway?”

  Confronted with the same question twice, in almost as many minutes, Jacob was eventually forced to voice the vague plan that had begun to form inside his head. “That depends on what we can get out of him, or not,” he began.

  “What do you mean?” Elliot asked.

  “He might come in useful.”

  Elliot frowned. “How?”

  “He might be able to get us closer to Ezekiel.”

  “How?” both Squirrel and Elliot asked.

  “I’m working on it,” Jacob replied, with a roguish grin.

  ***

  The group readied themselves. All had assembled around the three open windows at the front of the jailhouse. Beyond the shadows, they could still see the threat of movement. Standing together were Jacob, Lieutenant Hutson and the vampire. With his wrists now tethered, the undead fiend stood mute, ignorant of his immediate future. A strip of his own rotten clothing had been used to gag his mouth. Under the protection of Elliot’s rifle, Jacob had entered the cell and secured the prisoner. The vampire had simply grinned and allowed his captor to place the restraints.

  “Okay, are we ready?” Jacob asked. His question was answered by a quick nod of heads. “Let’s go,” he said. Pulling open the door, he stepped out into the gloom.

  Jacob went first, followed by the vampire and then Lieutenant Hutson. Next out were Captain Banantyne, and then Alice and Squirrel. Scratch was tucked safely into Squirrel’s jacket, and his little furry head poked out from between two open buttons. Remaining inside, Elliot trained the rifle into the darkness and waited for something to move. Nothing did. He slung the weapon over his shoulder and joined his companions outside.

  “Stick real close to each other,” Jacob advised.

  As one, the group descended the stone steps to begin their journey. Quickly and in silence, they moved through the streets. They retraced their steps, and after only a few minutes, they had arrived at the abandoned Buick. Apart from the occasional howl or snap of teeth, the wolves stayed hidden in the shadows. When the group moved closer to the vehicle, the vampire became increasingly agitated.

  “Mmmm – Mmmm,” he mumbled from behind the gag.

  Everybody stopped.

  “Mmmm – Mmmm.”

  “What’s gotten into him?” Alice asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Jacob replied.

  He looked into the vampire’s eyes and found a measure of excitement there. “What is it?” he asked. Again, he was rewarded with another series of animated murmurs. He reached up and slipped the gag carefully away from the vampire’s mouth.

  “BEEP! BEEP!” the vampire cried.

  Everybody looked upon the vampire bemused.

  “BEEP! BEEP!”

  “Enough of this,” Banantyne said, taking a step further away.

  Without warning, moving with a speed unmatched, a large shape shot out from around the Buick to collide with the captain. They fell to the ground in a flap of arms and legs. It was only then when the group realised darker shadows had mixed in with the gloom.

  Captain Banantyne threw his arms in front of his face. Powerful jaws clamped together, snapping bones, and a scream of agony burst from the captain’s lips.

  Squirrel looked around him and at the nightmare of fangs. For a second he froze. Then he heard the captain scream and was forced into action. He stepped over to the wolf before pulling his foot back and kicked out at the beast. His boot connected with the thing’s ribs and he heard a sharp crack.

  The beast spun to face him.

  “Oh … shit,” he breathed.

  The wolf’s powerful muscles bunched around its shoulders. Its head dropped forward as it readied to strike. Time froze as man and beast stood face to face. The wolf launched itself at the mechanic in a blur of speed. Squirrel felt a cry of fear rise in his chest. Instinctively, he squeezed his eyes shut. He heard a sharp squeal of rusted hinges, followed by a loud, hollow thump. Opening his eyes, he found the door of the Buick open and the wolf at his feet - bloodied and dazed.

  “Inside!” Jacob ordered.

  Squirrel turned his attention away from the downed wolf and looked into flint grey eyes. “What?”

  “Get inside, now,” Jacob urged him. He stepped away from the open door and allowed the mechanic entry. Squirrel was unceremoniously pushed onto the front passenger seat.

  “Move over,” the tracker told him.

  He slid across the front of the vehicle and took position behind the steering wheel. A few seconds later Alice appeared at the open door. With Jacob’s help, she was quickly pushed into the safety of the Buick. The vampire followed next as he was roughly pushed across the back seat.

  Jacob turned to Hutson. “You too, Lieutenant.”

  The young woman squeezed off another series of shots. A short howl sounded. “I’m fine,” Hutson replied, replacing her spent magazine. She cha
mbered a round into the pistol and took aim. The firearm cracked and another beast fell.

  Jacob spotted countless shapes materialise around them. He took hold of Hutson’s arm and pulled her roughly towards the abandoned vehicle. “You’re no good to me dead. Now get inside,” he ordered.

  She spun to look at him, her eyes ablaze with anger. However, as she looked past him, she saw a mass of dark shapes closing in on them.

  Jacob spun on his heels and found three sets of crimson eyes staring directly towards him. He heard a brief crack sound from behind. One of the red eyes blinked out. A painful howl came from the downed wolf. The beast’s pain was then multiplied a thousand-fold, as its brethren tore it to shreds.

  “What about you?” Hutson asked.

  “Don’t worry about me.”

  “Okay,” she replied.

  She stepped over the dazed wolf that had attacked Squirrel, popped open the rear door and climbed in. Then, she cranked the window down, pointed her weapon at the beast’s head and sent it to straight to hell.

  Jacob dropped the nearest shadow. Spun on his heels and quickly reached the fallen captain. He bent and took Banantyne’s arm. Wrapping the guy’s bloodied arm around his neck, he climbed to his feet. He shuffled awkwardly around to the front of the Buick. There, he dropped the injured captain onto the hood of the car.

  A guttural snarl sounded from his right. He turned and blood-red eyes fixed him with their ferocious stare. Peppered fur covered the huge beast in a coating of grey and brown. Danger hid beneath the crimson eyes. Something else resided there too, an almost human in its quality, intelligence.

  For a second, both Jacob and the wolf became transfixed by the other’s presence. Then the wolf’s jaws opened wide. Jacob pulled his firearm from his waistband and took aim. The beast stared back in defiance. The tracker’s finger pressed against the trigger. A whisper brushed against his ear. Hannah? He spun and almost tripped over. Wind whistled through the empty structures, speaking to Jacob in a chime of angelic voices.

  Let it be, one voice whispered. A voice that sounded somehow familiar.

  I am your saviour, another said. This one sounded like that of an innocent child.

  Jacob shook his head and then turned back to the wolf. It stood with its head held high. Its strange eyes closed for a second, and Jacob believed the beast heard the same voices. When the wolf’s eyes reopened, the look of malice had vanished. Now, a respectful curiosity filled its eyes.

  “Jacob, what’s the matter?” Elliot asked, now at his uncle’s side.

  The older tracker became enraptured by the wolf’s strange behaviour. Elliot shook his arm. “What is it?” he asked, and the hypnotic spell was broken.

  “Nothing,” Jacob answered, finding his senses.

  “Jacob, what the hell?” Elliot demanded.

  “Wait,” Jacob warned, drawing Elliot’s attention to the strange wolf.

  Elliot turned towards the grey wolf. The beast lifted its head and a long sorrowful howl filled the dark sky. The attacking wolves froze.

  The grey beast stepped closer. It twisted its head from left to right and released two short, sharp barks. The wolves on either side howled in disagreement. A series of growls and grunts silenced the disgruntled horde. Next, unexpectedly, they slipped away. Almost instantly they vanished back into the darkness. The trackers returned their attention to the grey wolf. The beast moved around the stricken vehicle, stopping just a few feet away. It snorted, as if voicing the truce.

  Jacob nodded in agreement.

  Elliot stared open-mouthed.

  Cautiously, the wolf backed away until it too was swallowed by the shadows. The last thing Jacob saw was its intense red eyes. They had stayed fixed to his.

  The small group found themselves suddenly alone.

  “What the hell just happened?” Elliot asked.

  Jacob opened his mouth but words escaped him. He peered into the shadows, half expecting the wolves to return. They did not. Instead, the town remained trapped in an eerie silence. Even the strange wind had died, leaving behind just a hint of a whisper. The silence was eventually broken when one of the doors to the Buick popped open. Alice and Lieutenant Hutson climbed out. They joined the two trackers.

  “Are you two okay?” Hutson asked.

  “We’re fine,” Jacob reassured her.

  “Let’s keep moving. They may be back,” she warned.

  Jacob turned to her. He almost said he didn’t think so, but the strange voices would remain a secret – for now.

  “You’re right, let’s go,” he said.

  Elliot shouldered his rifle. He looked at Alice and his concern for her was obvious. “Stick by me,” he told her. She nodded, grateful for his protection.

  Jacob moved to the rear of the Buick. He peered inside. Thrusting his hand in, he pulled the vampire from the back seat.

  “Stay here,” he ordered.

  The vampire grinned foolishly, enjoying all the pulling and pushing. His sharp teeth glinted despite the darkness around them. Jacob reached up and carefully slipped the gag back over the fiend’s mouth. He dipped his head inside the vehicle, and asked Squirrel, “Are you coming or what?”

  Squirrel pulled his attention away from the steering column. “Wait, I might …” The Buick abruptly rumbled to life. A thick cloud of black smoke coughed noisily from the tailpipe. Furthermore, as the mechanic stepped on the gas, the vehicle lurched forwards is if freed from a premature slumber.

  “Alright!” Squirrel said, and clapped his hands together. The vehicle died instantly. “Shit!” he snapped. He leaned forwards and took hold of two wires: one red – one blue. He tapped the bare cables together and a little shower of sparks burst to life. The Buick roared again. He twisted the two wires together and the engine continued to tick over.

  “Get in,” he said, his face beaming.

  Alice appeared at the open passenger side. “There won’t be enough gas to get us ten feet.”

  “I’m not sure,” Squirrel disagreed. “Look.” He tapped on the fuel gauge. The needle had just about moved from the edge of hopelessness to the point of empty. They both held their breath as the needle continued to pass through the red and towards the first white dash.

  “Go! Go!” Squirrel chanted, as the little needle hit the first dash.

  “I’ll be dammed. How the hell did we miss this?” Alice said, perplexed by the presence of untapped gasoline – no matter how minor.

  “I thought you’d bled this town dry?” the mechanic remarked.

  Alice shrugged her shoulders. “Are you complaining?”

  “Hell, no,” Squirrel said, revving the engine. He turned back to the dashboard, and his heart soared when he realised there would be just enough fuel to get them back to the underground.

  Jacob looked to Elliot. “Okay, get the captain and let’s get out of here.”

  Elliot didn’t get chance to move before Squirrel moaned, “Oh … Jeez ...”

  “What is it?” Jacob asked.

  The mechanic peered over the steering wheel. He pointed to the hood of the Buick. There was no sign of the injured captain. All that remained of Banantyne was a river of blood. The red liquid ran down the curved metal to pool underneath the front fender.

  “No… ” Jacob moaned. He felt a wave of sickening dread crash over him. He stepped back and looked around the immediate area.

  Nothing.

  Not even a red smear or scrap of clothing.

  It seemed the truce had had a price.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Her mother called out to her: a whisper of caution from a distant place no living being could reach. The little girl stirred. She became confused by her surroundings for a moment. The harsh rock around her revealed itself, and she remembered the underground sanctuary she now found refuge in. For a few seconds, Rebecca continued to hear her beloved mother, caressing her ear with the angelic sound of her voice.

  “Mamma...?” she whispered. The harshness of her voice chased the remnant
s of the dream away. She lifted her head from the soft pillow and found herself in the empty sleeping quarters.

  Earlier, she had lost herself in the tight bends and tunnels of the underground complex, finally stumbling upon the room she was now hiding in. She’d entered to find the bed in the centre of the room unmade. Climbing in, she’d pulled the cover up over her head and dropped instantly to sleep.

  Rebecca yawned. Still exhausted from her recent ordeal, she closed her eyes and embraced the return of sleep. Unexpectedly, she felt the hairs at her neck stand. She sat up straight and the corridor outside released the sounds of scraping feet. Without pause she scrambled underneath the bed, drawing her legs up in a foetal position. Something dark entered the room. The warm air around her turned cold. Terrified now, Rebecca clamped one hand over her mouth.

  Booted feet stomped over to the edge of the bed. They stopped - scuffed toes only inches from Rebecca’s head. The thing above exhaled a wheezing rattle that sounded as if it had come from diseased lungs. Next, the boots spun one-hundred-and-eighty degrees and the mattress above sank towards her head, straining under the weight.

  A slight whimper bled out from between her clamped fingers. The rattle of breath above stopped instantly. Long fingers curled themselves around the framework of the bed like fishing hooks. The fingernails were dirty, and a line of something dark-red ran underneath them.

  Something brushed against Rebecca’s flesh: coarse hair and sharp claws. Her chest swelled and a scream tried to find an escape. Somehow, she managed to contain it, and the scream eventually finished within the pit of her stomach.

  A brown object shot abruptly from under the bed. The rat raced away from the bed, its claws clicking noisily on the hard rock. The rat scurried towards the exit. It never made it. The thing on the bed jumped to its feet and, with a desperate lunge, it brought one of its boots down. The rat released a single squeal of agony and then lay still. A small pool of blood dispersed from around the heel of the boot.

  Rebecca heard a grunt of satisfaction. She saw a hand appear with a dark, woven cuff. The scuffed boot rose and the grimy fingers wrapped themselves around the carcass. Both boots shuffled back towards the bed. The mattress bowed dangerously low with a squeal of tired springs. Rebecca made herself as small as possible.