by A. L. White
Chapter 10
Virginia made her way through the snow as best as she could, trying to stay in Perseus’s tracks. Whenever possible she hugged the tree line. It seemed to her that there was less snow underneath the larger branches. Perseus would run so far ahead that she could only see glimpses of black fur for a minute or two and then nothing. After a while he would be charging back toward her, traveling in his usual half-play, half-protection mode. Once assured that Virginia was ok and still following, Perseus would dash off at full speed ahead of her again. Someplace along the way Virginia had missed where the two roads came together in a “T”. They were at the very least a mile or so passed where she should have headed back up toward the road. Pain was returning to her leg and the cold was starting affect her. As long as she kept moving there wasn’t much chance of her freezing to death, she reassured herself. Looking up at the large flakes falling from the bleak, grey storm clouds above her, Virginia noticed that the wind had died down and the flakes were falling straight down. Her attention was drawn suddenly to the fact she had caught up to Perseus, who was laying low in the snow. As Virginia started to pass him she expected Perseus to leap up and charge forward out in front at any minute. He didn’t. Perseus let out a low growl and nipped at Virginia’s ankle.
“What’s wrong boy?” Virginia asked, looking down at Perseus. He let out a small whimper. She heard it too, howling, and not nearly as far away as she would have hoped. Whatever it was that was making that sound, she knew it had to be something large. Perseus picked himself up out of the snow and started to move forward in front of Virginia. His movements were cautious and looked to Virginia like he was calculating them out in his head. His tail between his legs and every hair on his back standing up made him look larger than he was. Perseus moved forward a few steps at a time. He would stop to sniff the air ahead a few times then take three or for more steps forward. The whole time his face held a silent snarl and his body looked ready to spring into action. Now and then he glanced back to see if Virginia had stayed or was following him into the unknown ahead.
The howls grew louder until Virginia felt that they had to be coming from just beyond the trees. Perseus was now growling and hopping up, slamming his front paws down into the snow, announcing his presence to whatever unseen beasts lay beyond the trees. Reaching into her quill, Virginia loaded an arrow into the cross bow and moved up next to Perseus who again nipped at her. It was an effort to keep his human safely behind him. Virginia paused for barely a second when Perseus stepped through the tree line, out into the open. Following him through with the crossbow raised at the ready, Virginia came out into the open space. There was a truck with what looked like two people sitting in it staring back at her. Between them and the truck were the most grotesque creatures that Virginia had ever seen outside of a movie. Grey bodies with skin clinging, seemingly too tight, covering clearly defined bones and muscle. They were easily double the height of Perseus, who was a larger than normal black lab. They moved forward toward where Virginia and Perseus. Virginia couldn't imagine how they could walk with claws that looked to be five or six inches long, curved like some kind of knife. The creatures closed half the distance to them and Perseus moved a step closer, showing his teeth and growling in a more ferocious tone than Virginia had ever heard from him before.
The creatures stopped and roared so loud that Virginia and Perseus both too a few steps back. Snarling with its back hunched up, the lead creature took a few steps toward them and the others followed. Virginia drew a bead on the creature’s head, hoping that if she dropped it with a clean shot the others would scramble long enough for them to make it to the safety of the truck on the other side of the clearing, or perhaps the cabin. Just as she was going to let the arrow fly, Perseus charged forward three steps causing the creatures to retreat back a few feet. At first Virginia thought there was a chance that they could bluff their way out of this. But all Perseus’ show had achieved was backing the creatures up a little and spreading them into a half circle in a wider arc around them. When they started coming forward again Perseus charged several times, trying to force them back. As they grew closer he snapped and snarled at them while they returned the gesture. Keeping Virginia behind him at all times, Perseus seemed to concentrate on the ones that were closer to Virginia and ignored the others who were a few steps farther away. When the distance was such that even Virginia felt that they were too close for comfort she let loose her first arrow, aimed at what she thought was the lead creature. The arrow’s point found its mark, nailing him directly between the eyes but bouncing off. There was a slight scratch with a trickle of blood where it had struck. Virginia was scared, if her crossbow was useless there was nothing that she could do to defend herself out in the open. As she judged the distance back into the trees she became aware that the creatures now had almost encircled the two. Perseus had been knocked to the ground dodging a bite from the lead creature and was almost bit in the back by another. Rising up, he charged forward again then dropped back just in front of Virginia. He was snapping like a mad dog at anything around him and his tail was as far between his legs as it could go as he pressed back against Virginia’s legs for reassurance that she was still there with him. Feeling something else touch his back, Perseus twisted his head and snapped at it until he saw that it was Virginia’s hand. She could feel his heart beating so fast that it seemed like it would explode any minute. Once he knew it was her, he tried his best to melt himself into her legs for protection. Perseus had met his match and the urge to fight or flee was screaming for him to flee. Only Virginia being there kept him steady, he could not leave her there with certain death. His job was to protect her, even if it meant that he would die alongside his beloved human.
The roars and snarling were pierced by a bang. One of the creatures yelped in pain but did not drop. Off behind them more creatures emerged from some place that Virginia could not quite make out. They surged toward the truck, attacking it with more determination than the ones in front of her. It’s as if they are toying with Perseus and I, she thought. Playing with us until they grow tired of it and would move in for the kill. Maybe it was the sight of Perseus or the fact that they had both made a stand. Virginia wondered if no other people or animals had stood their ground against these creatures. Not that it had seemed to do them much good. It looked like this would be their last stand.
*****
Walter felt his human side taking control as the fear grew from the feeling that he might become the fresh meal. Lori had transformed quickly and with such ease that his young mind didn’t know what to think next other than he was in serious danger. Lori slid forward, still crouched down like a spring that had been compressed to the point that at any moment it would burst forward. Hand held in front him, Walter tried to bring Lori back to the human side as best he could. “Lori, it’s me, Walter, remember the one you were telling about friends and family.” She came closer toward him and he tried to shrink in size, showing her that he was no threat to her.
Lori snapped her head towards the sky and then spun facing up the road toward where Charlie and Jermaine had headed to search for Virginia. A gun shot had echoed through the sky forcing her attention off of Walter and to the sounds. Sniffing the air, she could pick up faint, familiar scents. One brought memories of playing along a river bank with a small child, a girl child that she felt a warmth in her chest just seeing. A base drum began to go off in her head the more she remembered. Each boom, boom, boom brought a stabbing pain that robbed Lori of all her strength. Struggle as she did. the result was the same when the last will of her body succumbed to the pounding pain in her head, grasping whatever strength she had left.
“Walter?” Lori uttered barely above a whisper. She felt like her mouth was lined with cotton. A slight pressure pushed against her head and she felt it being lifted, then gently placed down on something soft and warm.
“I am here Lori, you sure scared me there for a while.” Walter replied.
‘Where are
we Walter?”
“By the trucks, we didn’t go anyplace.” Walter replied. “Did you hear the gun shot?”
“Yes, um no, I don’t know what I heard. Was it a gun shot?” Lori replied. “You’re shaking Walter, maybe we should get into the truck and warm up a little.”
Walter wasn’t sure that Lori could get up and he knew that he couldn’t pick her up. “We should stay here for a little while. I will go get us a blanket out of Boo’s truck.”
As he lifted Lori’s head up to slide out from underneath of her, Walter could feel Lori’s muscles tense as she forced herself up on legs that felt like jelly.
“No, you just help me to the truck and we will rest for a while in the warm cab.” Lori said as she tried to walk on her own. Walter pulled the bulk of her weight onto him until he felt like he would buckle under it. Together they slid their feet through the snow to Charlie’s truck. Lori fell into the cab and Walter helped her slide up into the seat. With Lori half sitting, half laying in the seat, Walter carefully lifted her legs into the truck and pushed the door closed.
“Walter, do you see the keys?” Lori asked as he closed the passenger door.
“They are right there.” Walter replied, pointing at the keys still in the ignition.
Without opening her eyes Loris said. “Turn them towards the front of the truck.”
Walter reached over and turned the keys forward and the motor turned over several times without catching. Letting off like he had seen Lori do several times, then turning again, the motor roared to life.
“Now do you see a red and blue line on the dashboard?”
Walter looked until he found the two lines just below the radio. “Found it.” He replied.
“Take the lever and move it all the way to the red side, then take the lever next to it and push it to the top.”
Walter slid the lever over until the line was a thick red line with barely anything to the blue line. Then he slid the one next to it straight up, causing cold air to gush out. “It is cold air.”
“It has to warm up, it will get there.” Lori replied. “I am going to rest for a little while. Please watch for anything dangerous.” Lori added as she slipped off into a deep sleep.
Chapter 11
It had been a long time since Zeus had run so far without stopping. The snow had been falling steadily but he could still make out the faint tracks to follow. Staying always within those tracks to make the run easier had worked for the first half but Zeus was having a hard time getting enough air into his lungs to keep going. At a spot that looked like either Virginia had sat down or Perseus had laid down, Zeus collapsed onto the ground fighting for air. He wasn’t sure he could take another step or if he could even get to his feet again. Panting hard as he tried to catch his breath, a gunshot snapped his head up and once again he rose to his feet using every ounce of strength he could muster. They were close, very close, he could feel it and he had to push on to find Virginia. With aches running rampant over his body, paws feeling like they were walking on pins and needles, Zeus pressed forward toward the last line of trees.
The evergreen branches scraped against the fur on his head as he broke through the line of trees into the clearing. Before him, Perseus backed up against Virginia snapping feverishly at something that Zeus had never seen before. Hair standing on his back, Zeus leapt forward out of the trees and pulled from deep inside of him all the power needed to cross the distance between him and the beasts as fast as he could. The creature nearest Virginia arched its back and moved forward in a plunge towards Perseus’s neck for the kill. Zeus kick up snow around him creating a cloud in his wake. As the distance closed he ran harder until he was past the closest creature and smacked into the one going after Perseus. The blood filled his mouth as he clamped down on the creature’s neck, knocking it down to the ground, sending up a plume of snow. The creature cried out in pain as it hit. Zeus climbed back up on unsteady legs and started shaking his head back and forth, trying to rip the creatures throat out before it could regain its stance. Instinct told Zeus that he was on top and that he had to stay on top. The creature rolled over, dragging Zeus over top of him. Zeus bit down harder as the full weight of the creature was brought to bear on him. Just as he felt that all was slipping away from him he could hear Perseus growling. It seemed to Zeus to be a long way from him as everything started to fade. Perseus seemed to be coming closer and growing louder and louder. Zeus pushed with his legs until he felt like he could push no more. The creature rolled the other way still within his grasp. Blood was flowing through his mouth in growing volume. As he got to his feet, Perseus had the creatures neck from the other side violently shaking and pulling large chunks of flesh.
Virginia took aim at the next closest creature and let loose an arrow. Blood exploded outward as the arrow found its mark in the creature’s eye. It slid to a stop a few feet away from Zeus and Perseus as they left the dead creature and formed up in front of Virginia, facing the other creatures off. Another arrow whizzed over their heads as the sound of a gun boomed again. Two creatures hit the ground and Zeus went after another one that he thought was too close. As more gun shots went off the creatures that were left retreated into the forest. Zeus and Perseus pursued them to the tree line and then stopped, sniffing the air. Once Zeus was sure that they were gone he turned back toward Virginia.
“I told you they would come, Tressa! Didn’t I tell you they would come and save us!” Todd screamed with excitement as he ran towards the dogs.
Tressa pointed over towards the road where Charlie and Jermaine had been shooting from. “Looks like you guys all got her just in time.”
“We set out to find Zeus and Perseus. Jermaine said. “Plus we figured if we found Virginia we might just as well bring her back too.”
Virginia smiled at Jermaine and fake punched his arm.
“I can’t tell you how glad I am to see all of you.” Tressa added.
“Doc let you guys head out of Rivers Crossing by yourself? That couldn’t have gone well.” Charlie looked at Tressa.
Hanging her head low she replied, “Doc left town with us, Charlie. He wanted to let you know that he thought you should bring everybody back.”
“Where is he, in the truck? Charlie asked. “Did he get hurt?”
Tressa still wasn’t looking toward Charlie or Jermaine when she said. “Doc didn’t make it, Charlie. The creatures reached into the cabin and pulled him out.”
“Where is his body?”
Tressa pointed up past the truck next to the cabin at what looked like a pile of red snow. Charlie walked over slowly with his rifle raised until he came to where what was left of Doc’s body rested, scattered. Why didn’t you stay back at the school you crazy old fool? Turning toward the others, Charlie felt a tear slide down his cheek. Doc had been the only true friend he had ever known. Along with his Annie, Doc made living back in Rivers Crossing bearable.
“What do you want us to do with the remains?” Jermaine asked.
“Snow is too deep and the ground is frozen, no way we could bury him now.” Charlie replied. “We can take some of the gas and burn him so that nothing else gets to eat him.”
*****
A twitch was moving Lori’s right shoulder back and forth repeatedly. Reaching up to rub the muscle she found a hand pushing and pulling her arm. Eyes wide open she slammed herself against the truck door and defensively held out her arm across her body to protect herself. Sitting in the middle of the seat was Walter smiling from ear to ear back at her.
“You scared me, Walter.” Lori said as she raised her hands to rub her aching temples. It felt like she had been out on a wild night of drinking back in High School the night before. Visions had filled her head of family, friends, and of horrible scenes of carnage. Scenes that sadly she could not say she was viewing from an outside view.
“There was a lot of gun shots from over that way.” Walter said pointing off down the road. “Do you think we should hide until the others get back?”
> Lori could see that Walter was trying to hide something from her. Looking back towards the corpse on the street, it looked like the snow had been trampled near it. Maybe even the corpse itself looked like it had been moved. She couldn’t tell for sure with her head hurting so bad and the blurry vision that kept creeping in.
Growing impatient for an answer Walter asked. “What do you think we should do? What if it is people who were with that?” He pointed at the corpse but barely looked toward the body.
Lori slid herself behind the wheel and adjusted the seat. Her mind was still somewhat searching its way through a dense fog. She was trying to settle in where there was a reality that she could cling to for just a little while. Reaching up and adjusting the rearview mirror, a faint glimpse of herself peaked at her. A tear slowly slid down a grey cracked face that glowed. Eyes were a solid grey, fog color, like the two-point-zero eyes that had tried to take her life back at the bunker.
Now she knew why Walter was acting strange. If this was how he reacted when the child was much more like her than the others, how would they react to this? Lori thought. The previous visions vanished from her head only to be replaced with fear and doubt. Putting the truck into gear, Lori eased it back toward where they had come and to where she could possibly find Charlie. She prayed that her face and body would return to normal by the time she found them.
The going was rough at first with her vision seeming to be clear one moment and so blurred the next that it was hard to tell if they were staying on the road. Walter had moved over hugging the door and had the handle in a death grip.
