“Run, for the love of God, run!” I cried out in terror as the thing came after us and I pushed them all ahead! But it was hopeless, as it thundered after us, shrieking madly into the night! It was almost upon us as I had turned and faced the nightmare! Realizing to have run out of hope and time, I now sought only to stall the inevitable and possibly spare my friends. It bounded in great strides, the flailing claws thrashing and all heads shrieking as it charged! A primeval and unstoppable horror, an undead killing machine!
Realizing the talisman to have been useless against this horror, I stopped and stood directly in the monsters path! I could see into the blackness that had once been its eyes and witnessed the pale fires of Hell which burned there now! Its huge teeth were dripping with decay as it reared up from out of the storm. The nightmarish additional heads howling and its limbs thrashing wildly, it now approached as I stood trembling in its shadow!
With its flesh torn away, the entrails leaked from out of its belly! Like a foul, pale and bloated serpent, its intestines and organs spilled out, pouring into the deep snow. Yet, as the blizzard wailed and the beast was caught in the light of the lamp, something caused it to pause.
The demon stood before me. With his hands raised toward the horror, he glanced back with blazing eyes as he hissed, “This is an evil beyond the talisman’s power—flee—flee for your life!”
Turning and stumbling through the blinding gale, I cast a hand before my eyes, horrified by the enraged sounds of the monstrous creature behind me. Struggling against some unseen thing, I suddenly felt something grab at me from out of the darkness and fell backward, as it violently pulled me toward the side of the building, where I dropped to my knees in the deep snow! There was an abrupt and blinding, brilliant flash, and the sounds of an engine as a snow plow suddenly sped past! I struggled back to my feet and stared in astonishment, watching as it slammed directly into the oncoming monster! The beast rolling backward as the heavy plow raced across the parking lot with its ghastly burden! Sparks streamed from either side of the steel blades as they cut into the driveway! The vehicle careening suddenly beneath the weight of the struggling thing, it was sent crashing heavily into the trunk of an enormous tree, pinning the horror between the steel-toothed shovel and the immense old willows trunk!
“Hurry—lets go friend!” A stranger now reached out to me. He wore a green fur-collared parka, carried a rifle in one hand and now took hold of my arm with the other. “We need to go now—hurry!” He pulled me along!
There was an explosion behind us that sent us toppling down! Scrambling to my feet, I had looked back in time to see the flames. The monstrous beast was burning so brightly that I could see it clearly, as it was consumed by the fire through the storm. It roared defiantly, its bellows becoming a hideously and gurgling, unearthly scream, an endless and seething rage that knew no suffering, but cried out in the fury of defeat! It was a sound that, rising above all others, became the shrill and shrieking wail of the icy and unrelenting storm!
The driver had followed after us through the fiery carnage as we all now made for another parked plow. It had all happened so fast that I had blindly followed the strangers without as much as a second thought.
“Hurry—we are not safe in this place!” My rescuer had assisted me into the passenger seat of the truck as Raymond waved and, without another word, hurriedly pulled away! I had seen the man run madly through the blizzard and toward his companion, who now operated a second plow. He had safely clambered into the passenger seat as we had crested the driveway, and roared out and onto the road.
“Who were they—and how did they know that we were here?” I looked into the back of the vehicle as Tim and the others huddled fearfully from beneath heaped blankets.
“They were passing and I fell—somehow they saw me in the flood-lights and pulled in to see what was happening. I told them about the bear—in not so many words.” He explained while navigating through the flurries and swiftly deepening snow, “They operate snow plows in this district—and were just passing by on their way out. Thank God.” His eyes reflected darkly in the flickering lights of the cab, “It all happened so fast—I’m sorry, there just wasn’t anything that I could do….”
“Please—it’s over—just let it go--,” I felt my friend’s utter sense of helplessness and attempted to comfort him, “We’re all here and okay for the moment, let’s just count our blessings for now.”
“They asked that we meet with them--,” Raymond coughed while clearing his throat, “We’re going to rendezvous at the church. Maybe we can follow them back on the highway and get out of this damned town.”
“We can all be thankful that we aren’t alone.” Father Alistair stuttered as he shivered from beneath a blanket, attempting to comfort Mrs. Laramie, “The Lord is with us on this night—let’s not lose faith now.”
“Tim—is everyone alright back there?” I peered fearfully back at my visibly horrified and still trembling friend, “Are you okay?”
“I saw what you did back there--,” He removed his glasses, sniffling, and rubbed at his eyes, “Why did you just stop in front of that thing—you were almost killed…”
Raymond had quietly looked over at me, having realized exactly what the sacrifice had been, “We all did what we thought was right--,” He had slowly nodded as he navigated down the treacherous and dark winding road, “But it’s over now—let’s keep focused on staying alive….”
In that moment he suddenly cried out, as swerving, he narrowly missed hitting something that had crawled out and onto the road! “What the hell was that? I didn’t even see it until the last second?” He glanced fearfully into the rear-view mirror before staring back at the road.
“I think that it was a deer--,” I had swallowed fearfully, peering nervously at my friend, “Or at least what was left of one, at some point….”
Chapter Twenty ONE
We had pulled in before the old church just off the highway and parked directly before the front doors. Without waiting for our unknown saviors, we had hurried father Alistair and the terrified Mrs. Laramie out of the truck. The storm had become an unrelenting blizzard, the likes of which I had known all too well…. It was an evil and unforgiving, bitter and biting hell, which covering and smothering, killing and burying, suffocated everything in its path!
Through this maelstrom of blinding ice we had led the old couple along through the deepening snow, stumbling and fighting our way through the winds. Father Alistair struggled with the keys and freezing fingers while attempting to open the door.
As we had stood there for several moments, I had gazed back fearing what might swiftly be approaching from out of the surrounding forest and night. Had that been a movement from somewhere in the dense pine branches? Or had it just been the wind and snow playing tricks on a troubled mind? Raymond had taken immediate notice of my nervous glances and swiftly drawn both revolvers while standing guard to the rear. There had been a small light shining from directly above the door, but it was virtually impossible to see beyond a few feet.
The town had always been dark and, without street lamps, had existed in eternal shadow for as long as I had known. The little church stood on a side-street upon the edge of the road leaving town. It was less than one hundred yards distance from the highway and offered a clear view of the old service station, which stood on the West side and at the end of the road. It was barely visible as I looked to the highway through the storm. Cast against the blackness of that endless and primordial forest through the flurries, it shined as little more than a distant beacon in the night.
Father Alistair suddenly called out, as with Tim’s assistance they finally turned the key in the frozen lock! While frantically waving, he now rushed us all forward and hurriedly shoved open the door.
We had literally fallen inward as Raymond had struggled with the icy winds while attempting to close the door, grunting as he forced against it with all of his strength, until finally slamming it closed! He quickly drew the old and hea
vy bolts into place, and stood back in utter relief.
We had avoided switching on all of the lights. As fearing to have drawn too much attention, we lit candles and lanterns instead. The result was a comforting glow which concealed our presence from anything passing from outside.
“I wonder what became of our friends.” Tim peered fearfully toward the front door, “They were just moments behind us—they should’ve been here long ago.”
“All that we can do now is hope and wait--,” I swallowed hard, fearing the worst, and nodded toward the altar and large over-hanging cross, “We should be safe in here from most things—we just have to stay out of the dark.”
“I’ll make some hot drinks for everyone--,” Mrs. Laramie politely excused herself, “Is hot cocoa acceptable?”
“I’d prefer coffee, but anything hot would be appreciated right about now.” Raymond had shivered, rubbing his hands together as the elderly woman had nodded and hurried off.
“I’d better go with her--,” Tim appeared terrified, and swiftly turning, added in thought, “She might need some help carrying out the tray. She’s a little unsteady—this won’t take long.”
“Good idea--,” Raymond waved at him, and taking a seat near the front door, looked toward where I sat at the offerings table with the priest. “I thought that these pendants were supposed to protect us from those things?”
Drawing the pendant from beneath my sweater and shirt, I peered down upon the talisman. There was little that I could have explained as I was not confused by the entire situation. “The shadow uses the corpse as a shield--,” The demon now whispered from places unseen, “And must be cleaned by fire.”
“I’m assuming that it’s uses the flesh as a shield, like wearing some kind of protective shell--,” I had repeated the demon’s explanation in my own words, “After what we saw this evening? If nothing else, it appears as though they’re vulnerable and can be destroyed by fire.”
“What about all the other people in town--,” Mrs. Laramie had returned with Tim, and placing down trays with hot drinks, looked between us, “What will happen to them?”
“Well, considering that a large majority of the community goes away for the holidays to visit family on the coast--,” Father Alistair thought briefly, “That only leaves a select few store owners, some of the younger people living in trailers and a few elderly couples that have remained…”
Thanking Mrs. Laramie for the hot cocoa, Tim looked to Raymond, “Hedley has been a ghost town since the mine accident. So, there really aren’t a lot of people here, especially during the winter months.”
Alistair looked fearfully about the little group, “There may be less than twenty five people here altogether at the moment….”
“A small town secluded in the middle of nowhere—and hardly any witnesses--,” Raymond’s eyes narrowed as he looked over at me, “What if we were tricked by this thing into coming here? What would you do if you wanted to kill someone—without being seen?”
Thinking briefly, I had shrugged off the thought. It was too terrifying, because it made sense…
“Whether there are many, or just a few--,” Mrs. Laramie took a seat beside father Alistair and looked between us, “You still haven’t answered my question. What will we do about the others?”
“I’m sorry--,” I looked over at the terrified old woman, “But it’s just too dangerous. We have no idea of what we might be up against out there—we just can’t risk going out into that storm again tonight.”
“And why not--,” She gazed upon us all in silent judgement, and then solemnly said, “Those poor men who saved our lives tonight, they obviously cared enough to try. Do we just leave them out there alone in that storm now, abandoned and left to die?”
“She is in shock--,” Father Alistair apologized, as gently embracing the woman, he quietly said, “She doesn’t know what she is saying, or asking of you….”
“This threat--,” I looked to the woman while attempting to explain, “These things aren’t interested in anyone else, only us.”
She had looked to me as though I were insane, “And why is that?”
“Because we know about them—,” The reply came easily and from out of nowhere as I looked back at her, and said, “And we’re fighting back…”
“Then you should be fighting now--,” She gazed as though dreaming as she spoke, “Out there—and for those poor men that fought for us…”
“She’s right--,” Raymond’s complexion reddened, his eyes revealing certain shame, “We can’t just leave those guys out there—they did save our lives….”
There was apparent guilt on my part, as frightened of the storm and what might be waiting within, I swallowed hard. Making the decision, as looking to Tim, I raised a hand in parting, “Stay here with the Father and Mrs. Laramie--,” I moved toward Raymond and paused to look back, “Keep this door closed and do not open it under any circumstances—not even for us.”
“No—I’m coming with you--,” Tim argued. Hurrying for his coat, he cursed under his breath while slipping on the wet floor, “We started this together—and we’ll finish it the same way, no matter what.”
“We’re going to try to find our friends--,” Raymond promised Mrs. Laramie, “And anyone else who’s still alive out there. I noticed a peek-hole in the door--,” He pointed, “If anyone knocks, look through that window—you‘ll know if it’s really us.”
“How—what proof could we possibly provide?” The prospect now terrified Tim. Reaching beneath his shirt, Raymond produced the sacred symbol. Holding it up for all to see, he said, “Because of this. I’ll hold it up as a signal. And father, you have looked into enough dead eyes at services to know the difference. “
“But Harry wasn’t dead--,” I reminded him, “When things went wrong.”
“No, but he wasn’t himself either.” He argued, and looking to the priest, said, “Stay safe and keep everything locked tight.”
“May the good Lord watch over and keep you all--,” Father Alistair hurried to where we quickly unbolted and looked back from the door. Forming the symbol of the cross with a hand before him, he said, “I’ll be watching through the night—and waiting for your return….”
We had gone out the door like damned souls excommunicated from the world of the living. With bowed heads, and fearing the worst, we wandered back out into the frozen storm. Struggling in the gale winds, we had halted while assisting the Father within closing the door behind us again.
Raymond had led the way with revolvers drawn. Unlocking the truck and seeing us both safely in, he rushed to the driver’s side. I had nervously watched him in the mirrors as he swiftly moved around the truck, terrified that something might attack from out of the blackness as he attempted to make it to the driver’s door! There had been an instant when, having vanished in the flurries, I could no longer see where he had gone. Leaning to closer observe the driver’s side mirror, I had gasped as he suddenly reappeared! Hurriedly pulling open the door, he had leapt into the driver’s seat! “I’m alright--,” He noticed the expression on my face, and dusting the snow from his pants, cursed, “I slipped and fell back there—almost lost one of my revolvers.”
It had been an effort to back out from the steadily deepening snow. As sliding back and forth, Raymond maneuvered us back out and onto the road. I could barely make out the lights of the service station at the end of the road. The visibility was limited within several feet of the head-lights. Raymond had engaged the emergency lights mounted on the roof and fog lamps front and rear. The world becoming a frozen, glowing and expanding shroud that extended from out of a blackened void.
We were forced to travel painfully slow. Due to poor visibility and icy conditions, we feared sliding into the steep ditches which ran upon either side of the road. I knew them all too well from having traveled that stretch countless times by bicycle as a boy. During the winter, and partially filled by the snow, it wasn’t as apparent. But during the spring thaw, they dropped ten feet on either
side and were filled with deep and murky water.
“They couldn’t be too much further ahead--,” Raymond had pointed into the absence that came at us from all sides, “Even if they had gone off the road—they managed to stay close behind us for most of the way back!”
“There they are!” Tim had pointed as he crouched from behind and between our seats, “It looks like they went off of the road and into the ditch!”
The plow had dropped onto the passenger’s side while having careened from off the road. Exhaust was still blowing in great streams from behind as the lights glared into the heavens from where it had slid into an embankment, some fifteen feet down.
“There!” Tim had shouted, pointing to where an arm had passed through the broken windshield, and now desperately waved! Rolling down his window, Raymond had reached out, adjusting one of the spot-lights, and focused the beam upon the over-turned vehicle. The side of the embankment was blackened where it had been torn away by the sliding vehicle. Barren of snow and revealing a steep and muddied descent, it offered a clear path downward.
“Alright, you guys stay here.” Raymond had ordered while cautiously pulling up and parking at the edge of the chaotic scene. “This should only take a moment—I’m going down to have a look!” Reaching for the door handle, he thought briefly before handing me one of his revolvers, and saying, “Just in case.” There would be no argument as he turned and leapt from the truck and down into the deep snow. Stumbling, he carefully climbed over the embankment and cautiously began making his way down toward the stranded plow.
“Lock the doors and stay here--,” Glancing back at my terrified friend, I muttered, “He’s going to need help getting back up that muddy embankment, especially if he has to drag someone with him.”
Tim had attempted arguing as he climbed over the console and dropped into the driver’s seat. But I had fearfully turned, and said, “Someone has to stay with the truck—it’s our only way out of here. If you see anything--,” I motioned toward the spotlight and the horn, “Warn us—okay?”
Sanctum Arcanum Page 59
