Chasing the Dark: The Demon Inside

by A. P. Texan

Stephanie Heads to her personal heaven known as the “Dusty Bookend”. It is a small privately-owned book shop in the downtown area of Stillwater. Downtown is using the word loosely; in reality it is just a quiet main street that still has the feel of small-town America. Most places have the same general store front as they did when they were built in the early to mid 1900’s, only really changing in name and new coats of paint. The “Dusty Bookend” sits at the corner of South Main Street and West 10th Avenue in a building that was once known as the Nichols House. The upper floors of the building are loft apartments catering to the College students and the 1st floor is a delightful little bookstore.

  The store is about a half hour walk for her and she makes it as quick as possible. It is a little unnerving for her to be walking down the street in the middle of the day with no cars, and no sounds of the modern world. There are people walking around with her, checking phones, trying to start cars or carrying arm loads of water and other things they managed to purchase with the little bit of cash they did have.

  When she arrives, she notices a sign on the door “YES WE ARE OPEN. CASH ONLY!”. She opens the door and the wonderful aroma of books new and used enters her system. To say the girl is a bookworm is being generous. She is more than a bookworm, to her books are an obsession. Reading in a quiet room wearing her most comfortable pajamas curled up in a blanket is her happy place, and this little bookstore has fed her obsession for the last six months. She is here once a week at a minimum. She gets her paycheck from Jack in the Box and immediately comes to see if they have a new book to grab her attention.

  “Hey Stephanie, what brings you in?” The owner of the store a nice older black gentleman probably in his mid-60s addresses her. “Weird blackout we are having isn’t it. In all my years I have never seen a blackout that affects cars and cell phones.”

  “That’s why I’m here Mr. Butts, I am doing some research on this phenomenon and wonder if you could help me out.”

  “How many times do I have to tell you to call me Montez or Montey, Mr. Butts just makes me sound old.”

  “Sorry Montey. Old habits of being taught respect”

  “Well, I wish more kids your age had that much respect. What can I help you find?”

  “I am looking for anything on High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse, or just EMPs in general. I am also looking for anything on wilderness survival.”

  “That is pretty ominous, do you really think Stillwater got hit by an EMP of some kind. Who would want to do that?”

  “Well, if I’m right, and I hope to God I’m not, this is a lot bigger than just Stillwater. But I won’t know for sure till I do some research.”

  “Check back in the Non-Fiction Reference books. I Believe there are some old Science books back there that might deal with what you're looking for and as far as survival stuff I have a bunch on that. Same reference section but look for anything written by Dave Canterbury. This might sound strange, but you might look in the Fiction section also. I believe there are some good ones there.”

  “Thanks Mister, I mean Montey. I brought cash with me so don’t worry.”

  “Right now; your money is no good here. If you find what you need just take it. If the power comes back on in a few days, then you can either bring back the books or pay for them then. If the power doesn’t come back well, I don’t think we will be needing any money anyways.”

  “Thanks”, And with that she heads towards the back of the store to look for anything she can find on how to survive the Apocalypse.

  2205 11 September 2021

  Tarrant County Maintenance Yard

  I climb up on the roll cage of the Kubota then make the short leap over to the wall of the maintenance lot. Turning around I quietly lower myself down the wall. Now inside the compound I begin to scan my surroundings. There are a number of trucks lined up against the wall I just came over and also see what looks like fuel pumps under an awning not far from where I am. All of that fuel and no way to get to it and nothing to put it in. I should really kick myself for this fiasco. I am continuing to look around when suddenly my earpiece comes alive. But it isn’t Sandy talking it is a guy's voice a deep baritone that fills me with fear and anger. The voice is talking about everything he is going to do to my beautiful wife, and I start to see red, my vision becoming a tunnel. I have always had this problem with my temper and my anger. I have, in my past had issues with a short temper. In recent years I have been able to get that more under control, but I still have some issues with it. In addition, when my anger gets high it turns into rage and when that happens, I literally see red and get tunnel vision. When I was a teenager, I had a few rage blackouts where I can't remember anything that happened. Luckily that hasn’t happened for years. So, when I hear the guys voice and the red starts to creep into my vision, I realize I need to slow down and temper myself. If I don’t, I have no idea what will happen to those around me and that is something I cannot let happen in these circumstances.

  Okay Chase, calm down she obviously has her wits about her. The only way I could hear what’s going on is if she had the push to talk button activated on her radio.

  The radio goes silent for just a second then comes back on him still talking. Damnit, I didn’t bring the Carbine with me. I didn’t want the extra bulk while navigating the wall, so I left it in the cargo bed of my UTV. Oh well, the 1911 will serve me fine for a simple street thug.

  I get to the back of a bucket truck that is backed against the wall and use it to help me as the Kubota did earlier. About 30 feet away I see the 2 UTVs. What appears to be a man about 6 feet tall and broad shouldered is standing there with his back to me looking towards the southwest corner of the wall. It would appear there are at least two of them and the first one has taken Sandy around that corner.

  Being as careful as possible I silently lower myself to the ground. There is a row of bushes lining the brick wall and they give me ample cover to do what I need to do. I move heel toe, heel toe as silently as possible towards the man by the rigs. I have the 1911 in hand safety off and trigger finger resting just outside the trigger guard.

  I’m about 20 feet away now.

  SNAP

  I stepped on a stick of some kind. The resulting snap sounded as loud as a high-powered rifle shot in the silence of the night. My adversary spins around to see what the noise was as our eyes meet in the pitch black his mouth begins to open. Without even thinking the 1911 comes up in a good 2 handed grip, the front sight aligns with his opening mouth and boom.

  The silence of the night is split by the crack of the large caliber handgun going off. The 45-caliber jacketed hollow point enters just below his bottom lip shattering his jaw and teeth. The bullet is traveling in a slightly upward trajectory, and it enters his mouth destroying his tongue and soft palate. Then it exits his mouth and enters the brain pan where it liquefies the gray matter as it explodes out the back of his head.

  One down I start to sprint towards the corner of the wall carried by adrenaline and hate. From around the corner comes a large black youth holding my love in one arm with the other over her mouth. He stands a good six and a half feet tall, broad shouldered and all muscle. The type of man that would be very intimidating to most people. I however am not one of them. I have never feared anyone. I can’t really explain why but the facts are the facts. Fear gets you nowhere, Confidence gets you everything.

  “Unless you want this bitch to die you need to stay where you are cracker Mother fucker.”

  I am not going to do as he says, however I do stop running. I don’t lower the gun and I continue to take small, measured steps. The way he is holding Sandy I really don’t have a good shot at this distance not without risking her. I need him to get closer. One thing these thugs are is predictable. I can taunt him, and his ego and pride will get him closer.

  “You really shouldn’t threaten the guy with the gun that just decapitated your friend. By the way he sucks as a lookout, I snuck up and shot him square in his open mouth before he knew what was
going on.”

  “You better watch your mouth asshole. I will snap your bitches’ neck” he says, “then I’m going to rip your arms off and beat you with them.”

  “You see dumbass that’s where your wrong. You’re going to end up shot in the face just like your partner. You may be bigger and more athletic than me but that’s why I carry a gun. You see in my old age comes wisdom and wisdom has taught me that bullet’s beat fists.”

  As we have been talking, I have been continuing to take slow measured steps closer to him. He is so occupied with chit-chat that he doesn’t even realize it. Like I said predictable. You know who aren’t predictable, however? Pissed off Latinas. Before dumbass or I realized what was going on Sandy jams the small, fixed blade she had been concealing into his inner thigh. Just as I taught her, she holds it in a reverse hammer grip and slams it into his thigh then rips it out slicing open his thigh and in turn his femoral artery with it.

  Screaming in excruciating pain he let’s go of Sandy to grab his leg with both hands hoping to staunch the flow of blood. Sandy falls to the ground and rolls away as he bends over grabbing his thigh. The big Handgun booms again catching him square in the top of his head. His head bursts open like a coconut from the impact.

  Sandy is on the ground holding her knees up to her chest tears flowing freely from her eyes. Now that it is over, I run over to her and wrap her in my left arm my right still holding the pistol. I flip on the safety and return it to its holster so I can hold her with both arms.

  “It’s okay baby, it’s okay your safe now. I won’t let anything bad happen to you. So long as I have a breath in my lungs you will be safe.” I say to her reassuringly.

  “Come on let’s get out of here we will find someplace else to get gas. Elizabeth probably has some for their lawnmower. We will find some.” I say as I help her to her feet.

  “I’m not worried about me I know I’m safe babe. But you just killed two men. You have always said you would kill to protect me and now you have. That is something you can never take back”

  “Baby, I didn’t kill two men. I killed two animals who don’t deserve to be called men. Men don’t take advantage of the end of the world to rape and kill innocent women, real men protect the women around them at all costs.”

  I give her another hug and a kiss. As we get back to our rigs, I grab the AR and slip it back on making a mental note to not be without it again.

  “By the way that was genius, to hold down your radio button to alert me.”

  “At first, I was trying to fight him but I knew that wouldn’t work, so I just calmed down and thought of how to let you know what was going on. Once I calmed down, I also remembered the little knife you gave me.”

  “Good job baby!” I praise her.

  The rest of the trip to the kids was uneventful and we arrived at their house in another 45 minutes or so. During the trip I was quiet, reflecting on what had happened regardless of what I had told Sandy; the fact remains that I erased two lives without even thinking about it. Without conscious thought I pulled the trigger on my handgun not once but twice. They had both been thugs, however they were still people, they may had been someone’s son, possibly a husband or father. Will someone be at home expecting them to return? The first guy probably didn’t even need to die but I killed him without even thinking about it. What does this say about me, what kind of person am I that I could do this to a human being? The nightmares are going to come I know they are. Even now I’m seeing their faces and the events replaying in my head.

  2300 11 September 2021

  Euless Texas

  Sandy and I pull our side-by-sides up into the yard in front of the house. We turn them off and pocket the keys. I move the rifle across my chest around to my back and tighten the sling to keep it out of the way. I am not looking forward to this conversation and don’t want to seem any more threatening than necessary (yet!). We walk up to the door; the house is completely dark and quiet.

  KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

  We wait a few seconds and then I see a light through the window on the door, it appears towards the back of the house and is moving towards the front door. Must be someone with a flashlight.

  “What the hell are you doing here Chase,” Eddie says as he opens the door. Barretta 92 in his hand at his side hammer back. “you realize what time it is?”

  “Yeah Ed, I do, now get the hell out of my way so I can get my kids and get back home.”

  Eddie activates the safety and de-cocker of his pistol and places it in the small of his back. Moves out of the way and opens the door enough for us to enter.

  “I don’t know what you’re doing here, you are not taking the kids anywhere.” he says to me.

  “First of all, Eddie, that is not your decision and furthermore what I am doing is none of your damn business” I retort the irritation in my voice starting to rise to the top. “Now where is my ex-wife and the kids.”

  “What are you two yelling about, and why are you in my house, you know you’re not welcome inside here anymore.” AH, there she is the Wicked Witch in all her witchy glory.

  Have you ever met someone so dark and nasty that when they walk into a room the light actually dims, as if their presence actually sucks away the light? That is my ex-wife. She has the charm and demeanor of an angry Rattlesnake.

  “I am here to get the kids and take them back to the house with me, then in a few days we are going up to the Farm. Since Eddie is walking around with his Barretta, I’m assuming you two know what’s going on. The power isn’t coming back and we need to get out of the city before all hell starts to break loose.”

  “You are not going anywhere with my kids now get out, I’m sorry you wasted your time coming here.”

  “Somehow, I knew you were going to say that, so we all talked about it. Yes, even Mom, and we have all agreed that the two of you should come with us”

  With that Eddie starts toward me, and again without even thinking about it the 1911 comes out of the holster. The safety off, my finger on the trigger guard. I level the pistol mere inches from his face. His smug look no longer there.

  “Eddie, I think it is safe to say I haven’t liked you for years. What you don’t realize is I have already killed two men to get here tonight, and I am not opposed to killing another to protect my children. So, unless you want me to split your skull like a watermelon. I suggest you back up and go sit the fuck down.” The irritation in my voice switching over to seething anger. At this point the rage monster inside of me is again attempting to emerge and I am having to work really hard to control him. I know if I let it take over, I will have more dead bodies on my conscious.

  “Elizabeth I am not playing here. I am taking the kids regardless of what you want. As I see it the two of you have three options. You can stay here lonely and starve to death, you can come with us, help all of us to survive this, or you can continue acting like fools in which case I will put you both down.”

  I lower the pistol back to my side, but knowing he has the 9mm on him there is no way I’m holstering it.

  I continue with my Monologue “Sandy babe, go wake up the kids and help them get packed up. A few sturdy outfits each and winter jackets. Get that in the trailers then start on the Pantry.”

  “The pantry, you can’t take our food!” Why won’t this woman learn I’m not playing with her tonight?

  “What do you not understand, after tonight you are either going to be with us or not need the food. Your options are starving to death, come with us, or die right here right now. Let me explain my thought process, you are a skilled nurse which will help all of us survive. Eddie like me is a military man who can help protect us. The two of you joining us will help everybody, but I have no problem leaving you here, breathing or otherwise. However, whatever food and supplies are in this house are going with us.” The anger is calming down and switching back to just irritation.

  Eddie Stands up again. He holds his hands up to show surrender; I safe and holster the pistol. “Chas
e may I say something. I really hate to say this but yes, you are right. Everyone is better off if we stick together. Beth, sweetie you go with them. But I can’t go, at least not yet.”

  About this time Sandy and the girls start carrying bags out to the front Yard with Charles bringing up the rear with his ever present go bag. I reach out my hand to stop him as he walks by.

  “Chuck buddy, take this and keep an eye out front while everything gets loaded.” I take the AR off my back and two spare mags off my belt. I hand them over to Charles with a little nod. “Sorry Eddie keep talking.”

  “Okay, I got my kids and Grandkids to think about. I have to see if I can find them first. I’ve got my bike and Stefan’s old truck should still be running when I find them. Leave me enough food to last me a week I’ll try to find them, then one way or the other I’ll meet you guys at the farm. Chase Can you draw me a map?”

  “Yeah, I’ll get you a map and the coords. GPS satellites are down but I’ll give you the MGRS coords. I’ve got a map in my pack outside.” I reach out and shake his hand.

  An hour later we got the side by sides and trailers loaded and fueled. Between the Box Meals in their Pantry and the Hamburger in the freezer we got probably another week’s worth of food. We also loaded all their camping gear and some more garden tools. Elizabeth has her Stoeger Cougar pistol I bought her years ago and she is actually a decent shot with it.

  2200 11 September 2021

  Stillwater, Oklahoma

  Stephanie has been reading the same book for the last hour about EMPs and Solar Storms. In fact, it is titled “EMPS and Solar Storms” written by Dr. Arthur T. Bradley. The book is giving a very detailed explanation of exactly what an EMP is and how it works. It also explains things to do to prepare for the attack before it happens. She has also read several survival books written by several different authors but as Mr. Montey had said the books by Dave Canterbury are the most helpful.

  “Stephanie, it is starting to get late and I need to close up the shop.”