Corin & Angelique (After the Fall of Night)

by Sherri Claytor

  “Who’s there?” she called out to the unseen presence, her voice shaky.

  She stood frozen in place as her eyes darted in all directions, trying to ascertain who could be tormenting her in such an inhuman way.

  “Pa-tri-cia.” The creepy, drawn-out voice came again, giving her gooseflesh, along with a nauseating feeling of dread.

  Frantic, she made a mad dash for her car. Reaching it, she cursed, realizing her keys were in her purse. Huddled against the hood of the vehicle, she tried to control her nerves. Desperate to find the keys, Patricia unzipped the bag, fumbling for them. Lost in her panic, a sharp pain in the back of her head took her by surprise. She dropped forward onto the hood of the car as darkness enveloped her.

  Patricia awoke to find the contents of her purse scattered on the pavement next to her. “Nooo!” she cried. Searching the pavement, she fought the terrible pain ripping through her skull. She had no idea where her attacker was. If she was to survive, she had to find her keys, and fast, before he finished her off.

  “Peek-a-boo. I see you Pa-tri-cia.”

  Her vision dimmed, and Patricia struggled to hold onto consciousness. She knew she was easy prey—exposed and vulnerable. She squinted, her eyes clouded with tears. Her blouse, wet and sticky, clung to her back. Wincing, her head throbbed so intensely she thought it might split in two. Yet, despite her weakening condition, and the growing nausea, she forced herself to continue.

  “I. Will. Not. Die,” she told herself, trying to control her panic. The stalker was playing cat and mouse—viciously toying with her. “Thank you, God,” she uttered, feeling the cold impression of the keychain against the palm of her hand.

  She pressed the buttons, relieved to hear the click of the door lock. It was a struggle to pull herself up. With her body weak and her legs uncooperative, she could scarcely hold her own weight. Half leaning onto the hood of the front driver’s side, she shuffled toward the door, running her shaking hands along the side of the car until she located the handle. She opened the door and slid her weary body inside.

  “Please, God, don’t let me die. I need your help,” she prayed, searching the door panel for the lock.

  Hearing it click, she attempted to place the ignition key in the starter, but in her trepidation, dropped the ring on the floorboard. Reaching down, she found it difficult to control her trembling body and feared she was going into shock. Growing faint, she lowered her head onto the steering wheel. Even if she did manage to retrieve the keys, she didn’t know how much longer she could remain conscious.

  “Pa-tri-cia.” The horrifying voice prompted her to dig deep for the will and energy she needed to continue her search.

  Managing to locate the keychain again, she focused on placing the key in the starter. Despite her uncooperative fingers, she finally accomplished the task. She turned the key and the radio blasted on. Reaching for the power button to shut the racket off, a flicker of movement drew her gaze to the stalker’s silhouette through the front windshield. The fog had shifted, outlining his position.

  Did he have the ability to part the fog at will?

  Patricia screamed at the unearthly sight of the dark figure standing there. Her heart pounded so fiercely she thought it might explode, or stop altogether. He seemed to be wearing a long coat, making her think of the blood bank thief, but she couldn’t see any detail. Facing her, he stood motionless for several seconds before withdrawing into the fog. Her vision dimming, she dropped her head onto the steering wheel.

  “Patricia. Hey, Patricia,” a familiar voice drew her back to consciousness.

  Looking out her driver’s side window, she saw the shape of a woman approaching. She recognized Jessica—a surgical nurse who worked on the orthopedic floor.

  “Is everything all right?” Jessica leaned down and looked into the car, releasing a gasp when she saw Patricia covered in blood. “Oh God.” She yanked the handle. “Unlock the door,” she urged through the glass, running to the opposite side while calling out for help.

  Barely conscious, Patricia tried to unlock the door but pressed the window control instead, lowering the passenger’s side window.

  “Get in, J-Jessica, it’s not, not s-safe,” Patricia tried to warn her friend. “He’s in the f-fog,” she mumbled, motioning toward the front of the vehicle where her attacker had stood a mere moment earlier.

  Jessica reached in to open the door. “Where’s the lock, Patricia? We’ve got to get you to Emergency.”

  Patricia didn’t respond, her vision fixed on an area about ten feet behind her friend. The fog was parting…a figure emerging. She opened her mouth in an attempt to warn Jessica that her attacker had reappeared, but the only word she could manage to muster from her paralyzed lips was “no—”

  Seeing the terrified look on Patricia’s face, Jessica slowly turned around to face whoever, or whatever, was there. The last thing Patricia remembered hearing before passing out was a snarling sound, like that of a vicious dog, and Jessica’s bloodcurdling shriek of utter terror ripping through the air. The latter, a sound she would never forget.

  * * * *

  Sheriff Pierson received a call from the station informing him of another killing at Black River Falls Memorial Hospital. Hearing that Patricia Watson had been attacked, he couldn’t get to the scene fast enough.

  “What do you know?” he asked Rudy, who met him on arrival, the deputy wasting no time rambling off his report.

  Approaching the body, he let out a long breath, relieved to see it wasn’t Patricia, but another unfortunate woman who lay dead at the hands of the killer roaming his county.

  “Do we know who she is?”

  “She’s been identified as Jessica Daniels, a nurse here at the hospital,” Rudy informed him. “It’s not certain what happened. We’ll know more when the other victim, Patricia Watson, regains consciousness.”

  “About Ms. Watson, do you know any details about her condition?” Sheriff Pierson tried not to be too obvious about his concern for Patricia.

  “She’s alive, but sustained trauma to the head. That’s really all I know.”

  “Who found them?”

  “A doctor, Michael Simmons. Called in on emergency, he was pulling in to park when he spotted Jessica Daniels’s body lying on the pavement. According to him, when he rushed over to assess the situation, he discovered Ms. Watson, unresponsive in her car. I’d say she’s mighty lucky the doctor came along when he did.”

  “But not soon enough to save this poor woman,” Pierson said with remorse.

  The loss of life was tragic.

  “Well, you know the drill, Rudy. Get Forensics out here, and when they’re done, the body will go for autopsy just like the other two before her.”

  “Yes, sir.” Rudy went straight to his duties.

  With Rudy in control of things, Sheriff Pierson headed for the hospital entrance to inquire on Patricia’s condition.

  “She’s still unconscious, but stable. She was just taken to radiology for testing,” a nurse updated him. “We’ll know more once we get those results.”

  “When will that be?”

  “An hour, maybe two.”

  “Take good care of her.”

  “You can rest assured, she’s in the best of hands. I’m worried too. I’ve known Patricia for years. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have this job.”

  The moment the nurse walked away, a woman who’d been standing nearby approached him.

  “Sheriff Pierson?”

  “Yes,” he responded.

  “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. My name is Ann Tinley. I’m Patricia’s sister.”

  “Oh. Allen Pierson.” He shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You know, I’ve heard an awful lot about you from Patricia. It seems you’ve made quite an impression on her.”

  “Yes, well, the feeling’s mutual,” he replied, somewhat abashed, wondering what Patricia had said about him. “Do you think she’s going to be okay? I don’t suppos
e you know anything more about her condition?”

  “I was told the same thing, that they’re running tests.”

  “The waiting, it’s always the hardest, isn’t it?” He nervously wrung his fingers.

  “She’s a strong woman. We just have to believe she’ll pull through. And a little prayer wouldn’t hurt.”

  “I haven’t been to church in years,” Pierson said.

  “God won’t hold that against you.” Ann smiled.

  “I hope you’re right. Well, I should get back to the crime scene. Would you mind keeping me informed?” He pulled out a business card and handed it to her, pointing out his cell number.

  “The moment I hear something, you’ll be the next to know,” she assured him.

  Sheriff Pierson thanked her and went back to the murder site to see how the investigation was progressing. Looking down at the corpse lying on the cold, black pavement, drained of blood, he thanked God it wasn’t Patricia. He’d never thought it was possible to fall in love at first sight, but he couldn’t deny the bond already present. Smiling, he recalled their first meeting, knowing she’d hooked him from the start. He just hoped he wouldn’t be left to live out the rest of his days wondering what might have been.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The Fortuneteller

  Corin shut the lid on the toolbox in the back of Tomes’s truck and climbed into the cab. “It’s a good thing you had a fuel filter on hand.”

  “It started cutting out on me a week or so ago, but with everything that’s happened, I never got a chance to change it.” He pulled onto the road. “Ol’ Bonny wasn’t going any further tonight, though.”

  “Bonny, huh?”

  “It means good-looking.”

  Corin laughed. “I’m not sure the name suits her, but at least she’s running good now.”

  Several minutes later, Tomes turned into a wooded area Corin indicated, and parked near a pasture line. They got out of the truck and Tomes followed him over to a barbed wire fence, waiting while he slipped into the field and chose an animal to feed on. The beasts went so willingly to Corin, as if wanting to give themselves freely, to please him. Tomes knew the animal was being charmed, but that fact didn’t make the event any less amazing to watch.

  Trailing Corin’s silhouette until he sank his fangs into the upper neck of the animal, Tomes diverted his eyes, finding it hard to watch the nightwalker’s revolting act of feeding. The thought of drinking blood from another living creature—man or beast—nauseated him.

  “What is this?” Tomes glanced past Corin, observing the same spooky fog that he’d witnessed earlier at the estate. It seemed to turn at will, possessing a supernatural nature. Creeping in and devouring entire areas, with no obvious rhyme or reason, it would suddenly withdraw and change course.

  Tomes whistled to Corin, alerting him to the oncoming mass. He shivered as a chill traced his spine, afraid of what lurked within the confines of that haunting mist.

  Corin closed the wound on the cow’s neck and hurried back to where Tomes waited.

  “This isn’t good, is it?” Tomes watched the fog move closer with each passing second, as if it were in pursuit of them.

  “I’m not sure what it means. It is odd.”

  “Creepy, I think is the right word. You can’t tell me this isn’t a bad omen.”

  “You may be right,” Corin agreed.

  Retreating to Tomes’s truck, they pulled back onto the road, narrowly missing a small silver car as it flew around the curve and passed, nearly sideswiping them in the process.

  “What the….” Tomes recognized Angelique’s car.

  Red taillights popped on as it slowed to a stop.

  Tomes got out and stormed toward her driver’s side door. “What in devil’s hell, Angel. You can’t be driving like that!”

  Corin followed him over, but kept his remarks to himself.

  “I’ve been looking for you.” She ignored her brother, fixing her attention on Corin.

  “We’re just checking out some areas for hunting,” Tomes lied.

  “According to my watch, Corin, it’s long past nine thirty.” She stood, holding open the car door. “I tried your cell phone but I didn’t get an answer.”

  “Crap. I must have left it back at the house.”

  “Isn’t there something else you’ve forgotten?” She appeared annoyed by his loss of memory.

  “Come on, Angel?” Tomes said. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

  By the fiery look in her eyes, he could see she was livid—a volcano on the verge of eruption.

  “We had a date tonight, or so I thought.” She gave Corin a “what happened?” look. “You were supposed to pick me up an hour ago.”

  “The fair!” Corin slapped his forehead.

  “A date?” Tomes glared at Corin. “I thought we understood one another.”

  “Tomes, please,” Angelique intervened before turning her focus back on Corin. “I take it you must have a good reason for not bothering to call?”

  “Something came up, and it did slip my mind.”

  “Something came up,” she repeated his words and looked at Tomes. “Well, since I was dressed, I decided to head on over.” She started to get back into her car. “You two can just go on with whatever it is you’re doing.”

  “Wait,” Corin said. “I know you must hate me right now, but we can still make our date. I’d like nothing more than to spend the evening with you.”

  Tomes didn’t know how much more he could stand to hear. He was frustrated, but he contained his anger, not wanting to add to his sister’s upset.

  “I don’t hate you, Corin,” she looked at him. “I’m just disappointed.”

  “Then give me a chance to make it up to you.”

  The edge of her mouth curled. “You make it impossible for me to stay mad at you.”

  “We can go on from here. We’ll just have to take your car, since I rode with Tomes.”

  “That’s not a problem. I’ll even let you drive.” She stepped his way. “You’ll just have to settle for sitting behind the wheel of a fifteen thousand dollar vehicle tonight instead of that expensive ‘Vette of yours,” she teased. “But I see that Tomes is already bringing you down to the lower levels of living, driving you around in that rust-bucket he dares call a truck.”

  “Don’t be raggin’ on my ride,” Tomes threw back. “And Corin, you know how I feel about this. I don’t want—” Tomes started to protest again, but Angelique quickly silenced him.

  “I’m getting so tired of this childishness, Tomes. You have to stop trying to control my life.”

  “Angel, I’m only looking—” Tomes tried to defend his actions, but she didn’t give him a chance, heading to the passenger’s side of her car without another word.

  Corin followed and opened the door for her to get in. He looked over the top of the vehicle at Tomes who returned his stare and pointed his index finger in an unmistakable warning.

  “I’ll catch you later,” Corin responded with a nod.

  Tomes hated the situation, but without telling her the whole truth, his hands were tied. He knew his sister was falling for Corin, and for her sake, he had to put a stop to their developing relationship before it was too late.

  * * * *

  Driving into Black River Falls, Angelique apologized once again for Tomes’s bad behavior.

  “I don’t know what Tomes’s problem is.” She had no idea why he was so averse to Corin.

  “He’s just looking out for you.”

  “You’re sticking up for him again? Look at the way he treats you. I can’t believe you put up with it.”

  “I’ve told you before, we have an understanding.”

  “That’s right…friends who are enemies. I guess I’ll never understand you two and your dysfunctional friendship.”

  “You look nice tonight.”

  “Thanks,” she replied, pleased with the compliment.

  She was aware of his intent to sway the conversat
ion to something other than Tomes, but she had put extra effort into looking good for him, and the fact that he’d noticed definitely scored points.

  Approaching the fairgrounds, the lights from the larger rides came into view. Pulling in, they parked and headed for a long admission line, not surprised to find the fair packed. The Jackson County Fair, after all, was one of the biggest highlights of the year.

  Passing through the gate, the smell of funnel cakes and smoked pork wafted in the air, making Angelique’s mouth water. Unable to resist the tempting aroma, she purchased a funnel cake and soda to enjoy while they strolled the grounds, sizing up the sights and rides. The place was perfect pandemonium. The racket pouring out from each attraction so loud Angelique thought she’d go deaf, but oddly, it didn’t affect her interaction with Corin. When he spoke, his voice rang clear, while everything else faded into the background.

  “You should help me eat this.” Angelique offered him some of the funnel cake.

  “No, thanks. I’m afraid I’d have trouble digesting it later. Sugary muck doesn’t agree with me.”

  “Well, I love sugary muck.” Angelique took no offense, noticing again how his voice magically floated above the blaring music and commotion. She compared it to walking in the eye of a storm—there was chaos all about them, but they strolled along in the calm center.

  “What do you think of the Ferris wheel?”

  “It’s my favorite ride,” she replied enthusiastically, hoping he could hear her over the noise the way she was able to hear him.

  “I’ll get some tickets and we’ll ride.”

  Corin left her sitting on a bench behind the ticket booths to finish off her funnel cake. A minute later, Louis Gomez appeared in front of her.

  “Mr. Gomez,” Angelique acknowledged with surprise.

  “How are you, Ms. Jaffler? I confess, I’m a bit embarrassed about missing our meeting this morning. You must convey my apologies to your brother. Something came up that prevented me from showing.”