by C R Langille
I can help, Love.
He always wanted to be there for Sebastian. The deployments got in the way. Squadron training always took precedence. Next time. Toby always figured next time would be different. For hell’s sake he’d missed Sebastian’s birth. Instead of being beside Linda, he was thousands of miles away in the sandbox.
Linda always took it like a champ. She accepted his military lifestyle with her chin up, even through the lonely anniversaries and birthdays.
OH YEAH, I LOVED IT. LOVED YOU BEING GONE. NOTHING LIKE BEING A SINGLE PARENT WITH A THOUSAND MILE BALL AND CHAIN. FUN AS SHIT.
“I’m sorry.”
Bloody hell! Stop engaging it. I can help you. I can get you out of this and back to your family.
“What do I need to do?”
Open up and accept me, Love. That simple.
Toby didn’t pretend to ignore the price of accepting such help. His soul was at stake. No one accepted the devil’s help without getting a little singed.
NOTHING YOU DO WILL HELP YOU, YOU SORRY LITTLE FUCK. YOU’RE NOTHING BUT FOOD. YOUR LITTLE SHIT OF A SON IS NOTHING BUT FOOD. SOON, YOU’LL ALL BE WASTE AS WE GORGE OURSELVES ON YOUR PITIFUL RACE.
It no longer spoke with Linda’s voice. Toby wanted to sigh in relief, but he didn’t have the energy. His breath came in shallow spurts, and the pitter of his heart hardly beat at all. Toby was an eyelash away from death.
Maybe next time, buddy.
He had failed Linda, and most of all he had failed Sebastian. He wasn’t going to make it. They could be in the next room, and he’d never know. They could be dead already. It wouldn’t be long before he joined them if that was the case.
Open up and accept me, Love. That simple.
***
Evard led Linda and Sebastian to the second floor. Once they entered the hotel and he concentrated, Toby’s presence came back in force. The dot in his mind itched to the point he wanted to take a knife out and dig. Evard backed off his concentration. The itch dulled to a tickle.
Shadows cloaked the hallway, and all the room doors were open. A light was on at the end of the long hallway and spilled out of the last room like a liquid.
“Okay, stick close. Grab onto my belt and don’t let go. Sebastian, you keep hold of your mom’s hand, okay?”
“Okay, Grandpa.”
Linda nodded. She kept one hand on Sebastian. The other gripped onto Evard’s belt. Linda took a deep breath and let it out slow and deliberate.
“Let’s go. Toby’s down there. I can feel him.”
Evard didn’t know if she meant it or not. His connection with Toby blasted in his mind, and it was possible she felt some of the pull as well. It didn’t matter though. They needed to find him and get out of the hotel as soon as possible.
Human-shaped forms slithered and lurked in the dark rooms as they passed, and he fought not to look. Evard was going to tell Sebastian to keep his eyes shut, but the boy already beat him to the punch. The little man let his mom lead him through the dark, his eyes squeezed shut and cinched tight.
Whispers crept from the hotel rooms. They jumbled Evard’s senses and messed with his connection to Toby. He inched closer and closer to room 237 but stopped outside of the door. Evard didn’t intend to walk to the room. It wasn’t anywhere near the end of the hallway, but all the same, there he was. Linda nudged him and asked if everything was okay. He took a deep breath and centered himself. Evard nodded. The whispers died away as he continued down the hallway.
Evard neared the lit room when Toby’s connection disappeared, just as it had outside of the hotel. He tried to regain the link, but he couldn’t find it.
“Any units respond. I repeat, any units respond. This is Officer Murdock. I need a head count of remaining units.”
It was a radio transmission.
“Run!” Evard said.
A low noise started in the nearby rooms and turned into the sound of footsteps. The noise grew and grew until the walls shook. The footsteps were erratic and accompanied by shuffles and scrapes across the walls. A hand appeared from one of hotel rooms. It wore a black glove covered in a blood that reflected the emergency light. A man in a police uniform stumbled out of the room and hit the wall. He fell to his knees and rolled across the floor before he came back to his feet. The policeman wore a riot helmet, which obscured his face, yet his jaw was visible and stuck in a perpetual grin. He opened his mouth and screamed. Dozens of other cries joined the policeman’s wail and echoed through the hotel.
The missing policemen crawled on all fours from the other rooms. Some scaled the walls like human spiders in riot gear. Others slinked across the carpet in fast, twitch-induced movements.
Through it all, Evard almost missed the fact that Toby’s link had reappeared. It was weak and barely perceptible, but there was enough to direct Evard to the room at the end of the hall.
“Daddy!” Sebastian said.
The boy let go of Linda and ran into the lit room. Linda ran after him but couldn’t catch him before he passed the threshold. Evard backed toward the room and peeked in. Toby lay on the ground, unconscious.
The rustle of clothing was the only warning Evard received. He turned his attention back to the policemen in time to see one jump at him. Blood stuck to the inside of the visor of the riot helmet the policeman wore, but a rictus grin was still visible. Many more followed behind the first and rushed closer to Evard in a stampede.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Open up and accept me, Love. That simple.
Her voice caressed Toby, and he fell into it like a warm bath after a hard day’s work. It was too easy to slip away in her voice and let the dark crash over him.
Say the words, and this could go away. Let me help you.
This could just go away.
Gone.
The levy broke and cold swept through his body. Jezebel still chattered on, but from somewhere far away. Her voice faded into the background like a television in another room. The cold turned to hot pain.
A bubble of fire ignited in his chest behind the dark splotch on his skin. He tried to scream, but nothing came out.
Something shifted in the darkness. It circled him as a shark would a boat. The scrape of bone against rock echoed through his head and the pain flared.
You’re a snack for one of those beasties, T.D. Looks like he’s got you in a holding pattern. No heaven or hell for you my friend. How about we devour the British bitch and stroll out of this thing buddies again?
A pinpoint of light appeared in the distance. It was so small Toby almost missed it. Yet, once he noticed, he couldn’t look away.
So, what should we do to pass the time, Toby Dick? Want to play game?
Toby wanted to reply, wanted to tell Brock to go eat glass, but he couldn’t speak. The light grew in size. If the disembodied voices noticed the light, they didn’t let on.
We could play the guessing game. I’ll go first. Guess who begged for it?
Linda’s voice lifted to his ears. She let out a low moan full of want and raw sexual energy.
Guess who called out my name as we rubbed bellies, T.D.?
The moan rose into a breathless pant right next to his ear. Hot breath puffed against his face. Hundreds of hands caressed his body, and each touch burned stronger than a blowtorch.
The light grew to the size of a baseball, and some of the glow rolled over his skin. It was warm as sunlight on a spring afternoon.
“Daddy!”
Sebastian’s voice rang through the din. It broke through easier than a sledgehammer against drywall and light poured through to wash away the darkness. It was a temporary respite, for the warmth disappeared as the inky sea returned full force and smothered the light. The pain reignited and set his body on fire.
Quick, accept me, Love. Say it! It’s the only way to save your son.
; It wasn’t even a choice anymore; he needed to get back to his family. The words appeared in his mind. Each letter etched and burned into his brain and left an itch he couldn’t scratch.
He tried to speak. It came out as a cough, but it was better than nothing. The sound gave him something to latch onto.
“Jezebel, take your place. I accept you.”
The words flowed from his mouth like smoke from a volcano—sulfurous and deadly.
About bloody time, Love.
The darkness blew away in an instant. Brock and a chorus of other indescribable voices screamed in rage and threatened to carry him away into madness. His chest burned as the inner fire seared his lungs. Toby was about to fall into oblivion and ride the wave of pain when it stopped. Bit by agonizing bit, his chest cooled, and he could see again.
Toby found himself on the floor of the hotel room. Cheap carpet caressed his cheek and was a great contrast to what he’d encountered. He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. Toby rubbed at his chest unconsciously but growled in pain and pulled his shirt away. The dark spot was gone, replaced with a burn. The skin was red, blistered, and hurt to even think about, let alone touch. Every movement set off another spark of agony.
Sorry, Love. It was the only way.
Toby started to cough and hack and rolled to his side. The fit continued until he coughed up a ball of black phlegm the consistency of tar. It stuck to the dresser drawers and hissed on contact with the cheap wood.
“I don’t even want to know,” Toby said.
Better if you didn’t, Love. I think someone’s here to see you.
“Daddy!”
A wave of emotions crashed over him at the child’s voice, and he wanted to cry. Toby turned in time to catch Sebastian as he jumped onto his chest. The impact hit his burn, and he let out a grunt of pain, but it was worth it. He held his son with a tight hug only a parent would understand. He never wanted to let the boy go again. Tears streamed down his face, and Toby lost himself in the moment.
“I didn’t know if I would ever see you again, buddy. I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too, Daddy.”
Sebastian hugged him back and buried his head into Toby’s shoulder.
Told you I could help.
And the moment was ruined. Her voice, once warm and inviting was nothing compared to his child. Her voice reminded him of the burn, which worsened with each breath. Sebastian’s grip tightened around his neck and made it difficult to take in air.
“Let up a bit, buddy. You’re choking me.”
Sebastian let go and dropped to the carpet. He stood face to face with Toby.
Linda rushed into the room, stopped, and put a hand up to her mouth. The light caught the moisture in her eyes and glistened.
“Toby?”
“In the flesh, Love.”
She rushed forward, and Toby rose to his feet. They embraced with Sebastian caught between them. He never wanted to let them out of his sight.
“I thought you might be—”
“Shsh” Toby said. “It doesn’t matter. We’re together now and that’s what’s important.”
Lovely lady. I can see why you like her.
Sebastian cocked his head to the side and scrunched his face up. He stared up at Toby with confusion written across features.
“Who are you talking to, Daddy?”
“You can hear her, buddy?”
“Yep. She sounds funny, kind of like one of those people from Ingleland.”
Elation hit Toby when he realized someone else could hear Jezebel. Resignation replaced his joy. He wasn’t sure which was worse, insanity or possession.
Interesting, Love.
“Hear who?” Linda asked.
“The lady in Daddy’s head.”
Linda gave Toby a “you have some explaining to do” look he was all too familiar with. She gave him the same look when he would come back from work later than usual covered with the smell of beer and cigarettes.
“Long story,” Toby said.
Linda started to say something in response, but gunshots erupted in the hallway. Toby put Sebastian and Linda behind him and grabbed his pistol.
“Evard,” Linda said.
“Father?” Toby said to no one in particular.
He ran to the threshold and peeked around the corner. Dead police officers lay in various spots in the hallway in front of his father. More were further down the way and crawled toward them. Evard fired his last shot and started to reload. One of the SWAT creatures dropped from the ceiling and slapped the gun from the old man’s hands. It scuttled back from Evard and poised low to the ground, ready to pounce. As it was about to leap forward, Toby aimed and fired. The shot hit the creature in the shoulder, and it let out a shriek that set Toby’s ears ringing. The thing flopped on the ground, its legs and arms curled inward as if it were an insect left out in the sun too long. The thing shuddered and then lay still, but Toby planted a bullet in its head just to make sure.
“Tobias,” Evard said. He embraced Toby in a strong hug. Toby couldn’t help but return the embrace, even though it was awkward. His father didn’t show Toby much affection in his adult years. He chose instead to become a recluse and push everyone away.
Evard pushed him back and looked him straight in the eyes. Concern washed across the old man’s face and then he pulled Toby back in for another hug.
“I’m glad you’re alright, boy,” Evard said.
“Thank you,” Toby said.
A look of guilt passed through his father’s eyes.
“I should have taught you. I’m sorry.”
The ember of rage that lived in his chest exploded. Evard knew. The old man knew the whole time. Toby almost died when he tried to figure out the new powers he possessed, and the whole time, his father knew the secret. He pulled away from Evard and shrugged off the man’s embrace. Toby’s face flushed hot, and he almost said some choice words but stopped himself before he uttered the first syllable.
“We have some things to talk about after this,” Toby said, his voice tinged with steel.
Toby stepped in front of Evard and shot at more of the creatures as they neared. The report of the gun blast ripped through his ears, his adrenaline muffled the sound.
When he ran out of ammo, the noise came back in a tsunami. The trample of boots along the drywall and carpet were drumbeats that reverberated through the hotel. Toby’s skin tingled as the tickle of power as Evard shouldered past and threw a wave of golden energy down the hall. It rolled across three of the oncoming creatures and knocked them flat. Seizures wracked the things’ bodies and twisted their limbs into impossible angles. They screamed in pain and were silenced in unison as the magic dissipated.
More SWAT members took the places of their fallen comrades and rushed in closer.
Show this old man how it’s done, Love.
Toby dropped the gun. It landed with a dull thud on the carpet. He took a deep breath and willed the stored energy from Wispy. This time the power ran to his call easier than ever. It licked at his fingertips and then filled the palm of his hand with a ball of light. It put off heat, which warmed his face and sent a shiver of pleasure through his spine. Toby reared up like a pitcher and lobbed the ball of golden electricity at the oncoming creatures. He threw his will into it and laced the magic with an idea.
The power hit the lead creature and buried deep into the officer’s chest. It stopped its advance and clawed at the ballistic vest it wore. Yellow motes of light buzzed about the SWAT member’s body and began to swirl faster and faster until it was hard to watch. The others ignored their comrade and rushed past it in an attempt to get at Toby and Evard. The lightshow ceased. The hallway fell dark. Everything went quiet for a split-second and then the hallway exploded in a violent storm of golden light. Pieces of the creature flew in all directions—ea
ch limb, bit of bone, and piece of meat covered in the same energy. As the shrapnel tore through the nearby creatures, the light spread to their bodies, and the chain-effect of explosions pinballed through the hall. When it was over, none of the SWAT members stood.
Toby turned to Evard and expected to see his father give him a look of awe. He wasn’t prepared for the horror chiseled into the old man’s features. Evard backed away a step.
“This isn’t right, Tobias. You reap what you sow. I taught you that.”
The anger boiled. He’d saved them, and this was the thanks he received?
“I saved our bacon!”
“At what cost?” Evard asked.
“Little to none. I had the energy stored.”
Realization swam through the old man’s face. Evard gave him a look mixed with equal parts accusation and horror.
“Oh son, this isn’t the way.”
“Well, I guess I wouldn’t know, would I?”
Evard didn’t say anything further. Linda and Sebastian came out of the room. Sebastian looked at the hallway of bodies.
“Holy cow! You got ‘em!”
At least the boy’s grateful, Love.
“Sure did,” Toby said. “Let’s get out of here.”
“What about the Special Agent guy?” Sebastian asked.
“Who?”
“A strange man. He’s helped us get this far. He’s kind of weird but kind enough,” Linda said.
“Where is he?”
“Went to deal with one of those winged bastards,” Evard said.
The memory of the euniphrite and the F-16’s flashed through Toby’s mind. If the man went after one of euniphrites by himself, he was either crazy or had a small nuclear device.
“He’s as good as dead,” Toby said.
“No way,” Sebastian said. “He could take on a hundred of those things. I know he could.” The boy’s voice trembled slightly at the end. “Right, Mommy?”
This building is a tomb. You need to get out of here, or I won’t be able to help you.
Linda smiled and gave the boy’s shoulder a squeeze. Toby tried to smile, but it came out more of a sneer.
