by E R Landron
Martinez catches the sphere. It glows reddish.
“Sorry!”, Martinez says turning his head to the side.
Martinez extends his arm and pulls the trigger. The homeless man sprints with inhuman fast speed. As the bullet is close to hit I squint awaiting impact. I’m dead. I feel a hand pulling me to my side. A fear expression is noted in my face. The hobo raises squinting grabbing his stomach in pain. My chest is covered in blood.
“It’s mine...”, he says.
The shadow men in a glimpse jump behind Martinez.
“You’re both witnesses! I’m sorry, but you have to die!”, shouts Martinez.
My eyes widened. I feel the hobo gripping my shoulder. A growling sound comes further from the alley. Martinez and the shadow men turn to their backs. Some yellow eyes appear behind Martinez. My jaw drops.
“More of them?”, I ask hyperventilating.
“No... cats!”, the homeless man answers with utter fear.
He jumps to his feet. Another growl is heard through the alley.
“What the fu...?”, screams Martinez.
The homeless man grabs me and pulls me to my feet. Both run away. I turn to see what’s going on. A huge deep voice growls from the shadows "This is our turf!" Martinez begins shooting towards darkness. Yellow eyes appear all over the end of the dark alley. The firelight of the gun exposes cats, people, a curly hair girl, and Martinez as he is being scratched and mauled by a Tiger claw, and so are the shadow manipulators. Martinez's eyes go backwards as his lifeless corpse lands on the floor. A tiger growl spreads through the city, and I can’t close my mouth.
DRAYMOND Night – Museum - right before the orb changed red.
I hate this job. Boring ass museum. Boring ass exhibit. Egyptians and pyramids. Long halls fill with shit after shit from these motherfuckers. Sarcophagus, pyramid structures, paintings, even mummy on the glass. Jewelry and other ancient artifacts are protected by thick plexiglass. One exhibit has a sign stating that there is a mummy in one of the sarcophagus. I don’t believe that shit. Maybe a foam mummy covered in toilet paper. Walls decorated with geoglyphs or geroglyffs or gyroglypss. Phone rings. The screen says, CRAZY BITCH. I scoff.
“What do you want? …I ain't giving you shit …that boy doesn’t even look like me. Ah ja. Probably another bitch you screw with. Take me to court then! I'm working, don't bother me, bitch.”
I hang up and continue walking.
“What a bitch! Threatening me to court! Bitch, you don’t know me…”, I say throwing a fist.
I keep ranting but stop as my phone almost slips. I don’t throw this baby. This shit cost me a lot. Had to wait in line to get it. The sarcophagus that says mummy inside moves. What the fu… It can’t move. I open my mouth to breath. “Crazy bitch got me jumpy.”, I say to myself.
“I hope that ain't you Donald. Stop playing. I ain't the mood for your shit right now… Donald… Donald!”
A deep silence takes over the exhibit.
“Bitch got me hearing things now.”
Whatever. Time to see some good icky icky stuff. I enter the browser. Web page. Porn site. Bingo. My right eyebrow goes up as I keep scrolling looking for something good. Another thump is heard from the sarcophagus. That must be Donald. I lock my phone. “I say I ain’t playing fool!” I get closer to the sarcophagus. A huge thump from inside makes me fall. I take out my flashlight and hold it as a weapon. I check the sarcophagus. It has more of the symbols with blue, gold and black lines. A carving of what it seems the person that is inside. Also, like the tomb or something where it was. I don’t know I skipped history too many times to be with some honeys. Some continuous thumps start and go on. Something muffled comes from inside: "heeellpp". “Shit Donald, I got you, man!” Sweat forms in my neck. I walk towards the side of the sarcophagus and twists what appears to be a seal or lock. I twist another one and get stunned by something pointy and blood comes out my finger. The thumps stop. What the hell. I suck the blood from my thumb. A whispers comes out from the sarcophagus.
“He...lllpp.”
“Oh, shit. I’m gonna get you out! Donald how the fuck you got in there?”, I yell.
I get the last seal. As the sarcophagus opens slowly, dust comes out as if it wasn’t opened in a long time. Oh shit! There is a mummy. Looks gooey. Breathing sound comes within. I get near it. I poke it with his flashlight. It sounds like ground meat squished.
“Nasty, piece of...”
The walkie-talkie makes my words go off.
“What is all that noise man? Couldn't answer you I was using the throne. Sending an important endeavor or whatever... you know what I mean.”
My hands shake uncontrollably as the flushing toilet sounds from the walkie.
“He....lllppp.”, says the mummy.
Oh shit. I back up slowly. I go for the walkie. My phone falls and I can’t control my hand. The mummy in a glimpse of an eye jumps towards me. It is in front of me. I can’t breathe. My eyes super wide. The shit grabs me with super speed. I force with it. Is no use. Super strong. The walkie goes off.
“All good over there? I'm not in the mood for pranks today man. Stop being a bitch man!”
The mummy bites me. I scream. My vision goes blurry. I…
MIEKE Night – Church, 7:47 PM
The homeless man and I run into the church and close the door. A huge echo went through the building. As we catch our breath, I notice the people in the church are concern starring at us. This is late at night there are just a few people. It is one of the few 24-hour adoration churches that still stand. I can only imagine how quiet it was before us. I walk forward and break an awkward smile trying to appear as if everything is normal. Oh, is not working at all. Not a people person. The hobo signals me to talk to the people which are starring at us confused. They must of heard the gunshots as well.
“erm...”
The one place I said I didn’t want to come in and now I entered it with haste. What do I say? There's nothing to worry now folks or there's demons with hand converting into shadow blades that actually stab? Another voice brakes in my head. “I'll go with the first one, people tend to look you weird if you say the other, let me try it”. My eyes widened as I see him take a step forward. What… the hell…
“There’s nothing to worry now folks. You've experienced a gunshot sound from one of our men in blue. My partner and I have been part of a routine police practice and one of our guns fell and fire. We assure you, they are blank shots, so nothing to worry about. You all can continue praying and do your church stuff. We just came here and let you know that everything is all right.”
What the hell. “We are at a church. So much hell mentioning. Don't worry I got you”, he said in my head as he winked and continued addressing the people. The people on the church still looked confused. I’m flabbergasted with my mouth half open. One of the people whispered, but since the church was empty it echoed through: “There goes our tax money!” He whispers to me.
“What? Can you think of something so I can answer you!”, he said a bit desperate.
“That...”
“Was crazy.”
“You...”
“Where in my head... your head!”
“The alley...”
“Had cats.”
“Cats?”
“Miau cats. Those hissing cats.”
“Martinez...”
“Wanted to kill you and steal the shiny... the shiny? Son of a... they have the shiny.”
“Shiny? Who?”
“Little piece of heaven. Cats. I told you already. You're not a very good cop are you?”
“But ...”
“Yes, they are the same as last night... I mean different men, same powers with their swoosh thingies, coming out of their hands.”, finally, catch that every time he talks he moves his hands. To explain with them what he is saying.
We keep staring at each other. I must look puzzled. Stupefied.
“Yes, I�
�m like Dr. X. But I can walk and no I can't move stuff with my mind.”, he continued.
“That’s...”
“Not impossible, I know is annoying and I have heard that, times before. The only thing you can do is forget about this and let it go. Let it go. Let it go. I'm going to let you out of the church now, go to your home.”
He’s is pushing me towards the door. I don't want to think right now... maybe I will listen and leave the church. I walk outside the church with hesitation but continue as my head is starting to hurt. A cop car is parked close to the alley. I run towards it. There’s an officer with a flashlight checking the alley. He takes his com from his shoulder and speaks to it.
“There’s nothing here. Maybe a prank call or something. I don't see bullet casings, no ruckus.”
“Officer!”, I yell as I get closer, showing my badge.
“Evening detective, we responded to a 246, no one in sight, bullets, or assault. We'll take a look around see if anything else appears.”, he’s voice is calm.
“Yeah… sure. Sure. Let me know if anything comes up. “
“Will do detective.”, he smiles.
A pitch black alley creeps her out as some lights of the officer’s flashlight illuminate it. A cat climbs some stairways outside the building. The cat appears to have winked when we share a stare. Cats? Did it just wink at me?
KOKOLITE Night - Church, 7:52 PM
Church people leave. As they open the door the light of the cop car enters the church and fades as it closes. The people of the church mumble as they exit: "Can't believe the shooting." "And the cop how weird." "I don't understand why the other one stayed inside." "Again, tax money wasted."
The priest gets next to me. I hear all the confessions he has heard. My head is getting fuzzy with all the information. I stare outside as the door open and closes from the people exiting.
“Something wrong?”, he asks concerned.
“Something is going on here.”, I respond seriously.
“Besides the shooting?”
“I think so.” I nod while taking breathes with my mouth.
“We better pray.”
“I don't think that will be strong enough...”
“There’s some more pouches on my office K.”
I nod as people continue leaving the church and giving stares back at me.
“Something isn't right.”, I say to myself.
MIEKE Night - Mieke's car, 8:01 PM
I drive back to the apartment. I concentrate on the scenery. Bars, nightclubs, streets were people are walking by. Street hustlers, movie theaters. Is like there’s another world I didn’t know existed. Her car com is on: We got a 187 on elm street. 240 on north 115.
What's going on in this world? My breath is not controlled. My hands shake a little. I continue hyperventilating, licking my lips. I grip hard and let go of the wheel on and on. My head hurts, nausea, I’m also hungry but don’t feel like grabbing anything to eat at this moment. No cigarettes. You pushed that part years ago. Be strong. I grab my phone. After a couple of rings, a hello comes from the other side.
“You at the docks? Good ... I'll be there in a minute or two.”, I speed up.
I arrive at the harbor. Some FBI agents are still investigating parts of the boat that crashed earlier. The ruckus from before looks more organized. Crates are no longer all over the docks. The DO NOT CROSS is still intact. Yet this time some reporters are outside. Cameras on hand, reporting what they see. Oliver steps outside the boat and walks towards where I’m parking. He starts to jog.
“It’s good to see you. Twice in a week, I must be in a roll. Good news?”, Oliver says.
Oliver was always with so much energy. I force half a smile almost shrugging awkwardly.
“Not really. What's up with the ship?”, I say trying to change the subject.
“Eh... artifacts? Corpses without blood at the morgue? The museum is still pushing our butts to finish this quickly. Media are bothering us like a restless mosquito on summer. Why what's up? I heard about the attack. How are you feeling?”, he frowns, actually looking concern.
“I’m OK. Tony is stable FYI. Nothing. Just got a gut feeling, something here is out of place.”
“Here? You know this is our scene. I gave you a courtesy since I know you, but other than that... you know... is all politics.”, he shows he’s pearly whites, trying to be polite.
“Yeah, yeah.”
I mumble “politics” as I grab the back of my neck.
“Anyways if you change your mind...”, he says tapping the roof of the car.
“Pushy... Question, besides this ... boat. Anything else odd going on that you guys know of?”
Oliver looks confused. I swing my eyes. I’m looking to grasp the right words to all. To something. Anything!
“Have you encounter... have you guys seen... cats?”, I say stuttering.
“The only thing odd is you at the moment.”
“Shadows?”, I snap.
“Shadows?!”, he says with a frown while he puts his hands on his waist.
I can't believe I just asked him about cats and shadows? If I was him, I'll be thinking she has lost a nut or something.
“You know what, since the attack, I haven't had that much sleep. I will be going now. It has been a long night anyway.”
“Look. I see you stressed, let me take you out, nothing awkward, coffee, I can cook, or whatever... break the routine.”
I hesitate to answer. Oliver's cell phone rings. We make an awkward silence hearing the phone. I gesture him: "you should attend to that."
“You should probably take that. It's Ok we'll talk later.”, I finally say.
He sees the screen and turns back to me.
“Stay outta trouble. Rest well.”, he says.
We waved at each other. He turns around and he picks up his phone and he gives me one more smile over his shoulder. I shake my head. Head to the car I put the car in drive and press the gas pedal. Cats and shadows really? I must be going mad. Was I drugged? I took some painkillers earlier… where they expired? Cats and shadows…
EZEQUIEL Night - Streets, 9:35 PM
I’m healing. This world is strange. I look like I have leprosy. Wraps still around my body. Took me some time to figure that people dress differently from before I slept. I walk slowly through the streets trying not to draw too much attention. In this place, no one is noticing. The guard from where I slumbered gave me great vitae. I need more.
The roads are infested weird carriage. Not wooden wheels. Closed carriages. A lot of yellow ones with lights at the top. Some people walk around, getting out my way. I sense their disgust. A man with old dirty clothing pushes cart carrying weird artifacts. He smells. He carries a bag with bread, fruits, and a bag. Potato chips it says. He looks at me. He looks at my wounds with disgust yet he does not leave. He points to an alley. “You should not go there”, he says. I don’t get his request. Are there laws about places you can and can’t go? He must be a poor man. I won’t take orders from him then. Noise sound from the alley. I walk towards the alley. A man raises a knife to a woman. A bag is on the floor. He pushes himself towards her.
“I don't wanna hurt you, bad babe. But I'm gonna teach you how a real man feels like.”, he says.
He passes his tongue on the woman's cheek as she shakes uncontrollably. She weeps uncontrollably. Black lines drip from her eyes. Her voice is fading.
“Please, please, please… let me go, I beg you.”
“See I'm gonna make you feel good. You shoulda just showed me your tits and it wouldn't of come to this.”
The woman's eyes are flooded as the man throws himself to her. His sweaty face, over excess of chest hair is giving her nausea. Is giving me nausea as well. His belly was creating weight on her. I bet she can’t breathe well. He is missing some teeth. Probably he lost them on a fight. He passes his knife slowly through her body going down until he cuts a little more of her skirt. I step co
mpletely to the alley. And walk towards them.
“Limadha la tade almar’at tadhhab?”, I say.
My words make the man to step away slowly from the woman. He concentrates on my wounds. It looks infected, open wounds, malnourishment.
“You seem like you took a beat down man. Why don't you fuck off before I'll make you my bitch too.”, he says.
I continue to walk towards them. They speak English with a strange accent. I will continue in Arab. Since they heard me.
“‘ana sawf tajealuk alkulbat baladi.”
The man takes a step back from the woman and turns to me. His demeanor has changed to a very upset one.
“Modafocka piss off. Fucking terrorist bitch. Learn to speak American!”
The woman sees the man distracted and kicks him and runs off. The man grabs his chin and jumps on his other foot and sees her running and gets upset. He throws a fist in the air. He frowns walking towards me trying to intimidate. He takes another knife he has in his belt. He flashes both of them.
“Fucking terrorist. Now you gonna pay. This is Murica and I'll teach you how to speak American too. Why don't you translate to me what the fuck you said to my face? Goat fucking homosexual.”
He said I fuck goats? You won’t be miss. As he is finishing the sentence, I get in front of him in the blink of an eye from afar.
“Da fuck!”
He is as slow as the guard from before. I grab his neck. I raise him. He is petrified like a statue.
“I said, I'll make you my bitch.”
I throw him to a wall. My English is rusty. He slams the wall. His eyes almost went all the way back. I bet his vision is completely blurry. The man starts to shake his head and waves his hands in front of me as he lays on his back in the dirty and humid floor. He blinks his eyes trying to focus.