The Cactus Killer (The Inglewood Chronicles)

by Jeremy Croston

  We didn’t have to wait long. I caught a whiff of that musky scent of Holy Water well off in the distance. “Alright everyone, they will be here shortly. I got a beat on their location.”

  Behind me, the sounds of werewolves shifting took over. Snarling and howling soon replaced with anxious whispers that had been prevalent before. I looked back and all five vampires had also embraced their inner strength. Red eyes, elongated fangs, and waves of power came off of them. I hoped I was never on the wrong side of these guys.

  The scent kept getting stronger, as did the footsteps, until finally I put eyes on the group. Tucker was at the front, his eyes still mad with his insane zealotry. He did his best Doc Holliday impression, with a long duster jacket, cowboy boots, and the hat. Fortuna was right behind him, as impressive as ever. The moon reflected off the mask he wore, making him seem illuminated.

  Behind the two of them were Tucker’s creations. Three men of various sizes were followed by five of his big green monsters. All of them had bloodlust in their eyes, probably brought on by whatever sick promises their general made.

  Tucker brought his group to a stop, a little more than ten yards from where we were waiting. “So Victor, this is how it is going to end? Quite a setting you picked out for your funerals I’d say.”

  “Tucker, this is your last chance. Come peacefully and no one needs to get hurt tonight.”

  Everyone is his group laughed at my comment. “We have no reason to surrender. You may have us outnumbered, but I think it is fair to say you brought knives to a gun fight.”

  “Maybe so, but at least I am not the hypocrite here.”

  His eyes narrowed at me. “What did you say?”

  “You heard me, Tucker. You are the one who needs the help of an elder vampire. Go on Fortuna; tell him what you really are.”

  Confusion broke across Tucker’s face. “What are you talking about? How dare you insinuate one of God’s chosen is a vampire! Enough of this, it is time for action!”

  Tucker was so blind to the truth it could have spit on him. “If this is the way it must be, so be it.”

  Everyone tensed, not sure who was going to make the first move. Tucker’s breathing was getting hard and ragged, but finally, “Attack! Slay them in the name of the Lord!”

  Just like that, the battle started and it didn’t take long for it to escalate. Following the plan precisely, everyone was able to get their groups into the right positions. Liz, dad, Bernard and I were able to corner one of his special agents and soon we found out he was a lot tougher than Austin was.

  Attacking him was about as useless as attacking a piece of steel. I fired off two bullets, but they didn’t even penetrate the skin. The guy was built like a linebacker and charged me. His speed wasn’t great and I was able to get out of the way. As he went by, Bernard and dad pounced. Digging their claws into his back worked for a moment or two, but once he got a hand on them, they were tossed aside like puppies.

  Liz came running up to me, “We have to coordinate as a team, not freelance!”

  “I know, but try telling him that!” I pointed at the linebacker as he turned to charge us again. We both jumped out of the way. “I’m all ears Liz, so if you got a plan, let the rest of us know!”

  I’m not sure what she said as our new friend grabbed one of the rock spires and tore it from the ground. He started to swing it around wildly, adding to the pandemonium already happening. We were close enough to where Reno and the Silvers were engaged, that our guy took out two Silvers with one swing.

  “You’re not helping my cause over here!” Reno was shouting as he was doing his best to dodge the punches of the tall, thin man he was engaged with. He had his black steel baton out and got in a nice shot before I had to turn my attention back to our own problem.

  “Reno is right, we need to get this guy away from everyone else!” And with that, a plan formed in my head. “Dad, follow me!”

  I started running towards the big guy and let my speed take over. Dad was right at my heels and when I got close, I jumped up and gave him a kick as hard as I could to the face. It didn’t do a whole lot other than get his attention. I landed in a prone spot, but dad grabbed my shirt that was in his mouth and pulled me away so I didn’t get crushed.

  I had his attention now, with Liz and Bernard joining the group. “What’s the problem, we aren’t as easy to kill as Tucker promised?”

  “Do not speak to me monster! Your existence is coming to an end one way or another!” He threw the rock spire at us and we all had to scramble. I didn’t know how much longer we could all keep dodging attacks before one finally connected.

  I looked over at Liz and it seemed the two of us were finally tapped out of ideas. Maybe after all this time Tucker was right and we were out gunned. The four of us prepared ourselves again for his attack and he did not disappoint. Unlike the past times though, this time he feinted to the left and caught us off guard. I made the rookie mistake and got my feet tangled trying to get out of the way. I did not and was sent flying into rock.

  As I was sprawled out, trying my best to catch my breath, a giant shadow blocked out the light from the moon. “Rev. Tucker will reward me greatly for killing you.” He grabbed one of the rocks I hit and brought it high over his head.

  “I will not die that easily!” I lifted my hand and caught the rock with it. Power started filling me and I pushed back and sent the rock flying out of his hand. Surprise registered on his face, but that didn’t last too long as dad and Liz landed on his back. The sheer weight of dad brought him crashing down and soon Bernard was joining the fray. Finally, we were able to get the upper hand and the werewolf claws and vampire fangs were taking its toll. His screams and pleas for help filled the desert, but were left unanswered. I tossed Liz my tanto and after looking so bleak for so long, was able to finish the job.

  Dad and Bernard shifted back, “Son, how in the world did you stop that boulder?”

  “I guess it is the side effect from Liz’s blood in me.”

  She gave me a hug, “I am glad it is still protecting you. I thought we were going to lose you.”

  When we released, I turned to see how the rest of us were doing. Reno and the Silvers had killed their target and were currently assisting Gregory with the green monsters. There were only two of them left. Phil and his group were still engaged with his mark. But the battle of most concern was the one between Fortuna and Cristof. I saw a large Silver wolf lying on the ground.

  “Dad, go check on Argent, I think he is injured. Bernard, can you help Phil out?” Both gave me nods and shifted back into wolf form. They were quickly on their way to their destinations. “Liz, I think Cristof needs our help.”

  Cristof and the Red wolf were in trouble. Fortuna had both of his swords out and was easily keeping them at bay. We tried our best to get there in time, but Fortuna was able to twirl his sword and cut down Maska. His cry in the night was cut off by a final sword blow.

  “Noooooo!” I continued running at him, letting my anger build in me and within reach I jumped and tackled him. On top, I gave him a few solid punches, the last one breaking away his mask. I stopped for a minute as his face confused me. I saw an older man, one whose face and neck were stitched up in multiple places. Taking advantage of my momentary lapse in judgment, he pushed me to the ground and got back to his feet. Cristof and Liz came up to me.

  “Vic, are you okay?”

  “Yeah Liz, I’m fine.”

  Cristof, however was staring down the old man. “You’re are still alive after all these years.”

  Liz stopped fawning over me and looked at the old man too. Her gasp was sudden. “It cannot be. How is it possible?”

  His voice was barely above a whisper and harsh. “Elizabeth, Cristof, the reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated.”

  I had no idea who we were dealing with and let it be known. “So just who the hell are you and why should I care?”

  His laugh was the same as it was the other night, a low grumble that
sounded almost like someone choking. “After all this time, I actually have come to enjoy the quick wit you possess. It is a shame the late Warren Tucker did not.”

  “What do you mean the late Warren Tucker?” I turned to Liz, “Would someone tell me who this is!”

  “Vic, allow me to introduce the elder vampire, Baron Forte.”

  I looked at him once again, with a whole new level of respect. “It looks like someone tried to cut your head off.”

  “That is a story for another time. Now to answer your first question, Tucker’s usefulness came to an end when he led me to you two, Elizabeth and Cristof. Imagine my surprise to see Gregory as well, an added bonus to this whole charade.”

  “So it was you pulling the strings? You’re the Hammer of Jehovah?”

  “I am afraid to disappoint you Victor, but that is not me. My job was to draw out and eliminate the two elder vampires.” He pointed one of his swords over to a body lying on the desert sand. “Now, as for Warren, I despised him from day one and it was with great pleasure shortly after the fighting commenced that I was able to end his life.”

  Sure enough, once I focused and followed his scent, I saw Rev. Warren Tucker lying face up with a knife protruding his chest. I didn’t even know what to say.

  “Not enjoying this moment of irony, Victor? I thought this would be a great parting gift to give to you. I know how much you hated him as well.”

  I composed myself, “Tucker was a pathetic and desperate you were able to use. Killing him for me brings no pleasure, only more disgust. Forte, I think it is time for you to join him.”

  Liz and Cristof shifted their weights to get into fighting stances. Each of us with weapon in hand prepared ourselves.

  Forte did the same, bringing his two swords into a ready position. “How fitting, the three of you against me. En garde!”

  Chapter 39

  Forte came at us hard and fast. He easily had years of experience on all of us combined, and his sword techniques were hard to match. I got the feeling the night at the compound, he had been playing us. No matter that it was three against one, he was able to block every strike and counter with precision and speed. After parrying one of Liz’s attacks, he gave her a swift kick to the midsection and she collapsed.

  “Pathetic! Your father would be so disappointed in how soft you have become.” Even in the midst of berating her, he still was able to defend and attack. “And you two are even worse. How the mighty have fallen Cristof!”

  His barbs at Cristof seemed to have the desired effect. With his huge broadsword in hand, the vampire leader started to attack with even more rage. With a moment to breathe, I went over and helped Liz up.

  “He’s too good. Nothing I do seems to even bother him.”

  “ Considering he is well over two thousand years old, the fact you are not dead yet is cause for celebration. But we need to get back into the fight and keep Cristof from going berserk.”

  Without another word, Liz drew the tanto and went back into the fray. I joined her as fast as I could and did what I could. I also took the liberty of looking at Cristof; I could see the rage building under his eyes, it was starting to get a little scary.

  “Come great and mighty son of Beowulf, show me what you can do!”

  I don’t know if it was the final taunt or just the fact he was tired of getting beat on, but that was the straw that broke Cristof’s back. No longer were his eye’s vampire red, but they were now black. He took a final huge swipe at Forte and it knocked him back and down. The old man was actually smiling.

  “Good, good! Fight me using all your strength! Today shall be my greatest victory!”

  Liz and I stood there like dummies. Cristof ripped his shirt off and let loose a primal roar. No more was he just a vampire, combined with his ancestral rage, he became the destroyer.

  “Liz, what in the world do we do?”

  “We pray Vic, we back away and pray.”

  Taking her advice, I slowly started to creep away, afraid to draw any attention my way. Still, I couldn’t take my eyes off the scene in front of me. Two warriors, getting ready for mortal combat.

  Without any rhyme or warning, Cristof took off towards Forte with uncanny speed. The old vampire was barely able to defend the first blow, but was not so lucky on the second one. He only needed one hand now to use Hrunting, so with his offhand, he smashed his fist into Forte’s face. He crumpled to the ground in a heap.

  “They were not joking about your strength. Finally, a real challenge.” He spit the blood out of his mouth and got back up.

  Again, Cristof was on him in the blink of an eye, but this time Forte was better prepared. His concentration was impressive, using the two swords in harmony to block and attack. Even if he managed to hit Cristof, the only thing that did was enrage the berserk nature even more.

  Using a two handed tomahawk chop, Cristof brought Hrunting down on Forte. Swords locked together, he was doing his best to stop the blow from connecting, but he was losing the fight.

  He took a moment and looked over at us. “When I die, just remember that you will have a real daemon to contend with!”

  “Vic, what did he say? I couldn’t hear him.”

  “He said when he dies, we will have a real daemon to contend with.” As the words rolled out of my mouth, it came together. Forte knew if he couldn’t kill Cristof, we would be left with an uncontrollable killing machine. Liz had stopped him once, but only after burning most of Southern California to the ground. If Cristof got loose, it would be a slaughter.

  “Gregory, Reno, Phil – get over here!”

  All three looked up and ran over. Forte was still holding on, but I could see the fight was almost over. When Gregory got beside me he nearly choked. “Baron Forte is still alive!”

  “Not for long, as soon as he dies, Cristof is going to come for the next set of warm bodies. That’s us.”

  All three looked on at their superior and the realization hit them. We were screwed.

  “No offense Vic, but all of us together wouldn’t be able to fight him off in this state.”

  Reno was unfortunately right. I looked at Forte and he knew his time was up; he was not going to win this fight.

  His eyes locked with mine. “I welcome the end, knowing that in just a few moments, you will be joining me.” And with that, he dropped his sword and the massive broad sword in Cristof’s hand finished the job.

  As his body hit the sand and his head rolled away, Cristof turned towards us and snarled. All five of us froze in our tracks, we were not in a good position.

  But, there was something I could do. Shaking myself, I came to my senses and started walking towards him. “Cristof, it’s me Vic. The guy who picked you up at the airport, remember?”

  If he did, there was no recollection of that now. All I could hear were Liz and the others yelling for me to come back.

  “Listen man, it’s over now. Tucker and Forte are both dead. All their minions are dead, so come back to us.”

  All that earned me was a swipe with his sword. I knew in just a moment he would attack, so it was now or never. So I did the only sensible thing that came to my head. I took Roscoe out and shoot him directly in the foot, right through the leather of the high dollar Italian shoes he was dumb enough to wear to a fight.

  I could hear the screaming of the others, but the only thing I was paying attention to was the enraged vampire in front of me. His eyes went from black back to vampire red, fangs fully extended.

  “You idiot! Do you know how much those shoes cost me? And you put a bullet through them!”

  His screams were drowned up by the sounds of four vampires rushing by me to check on their boss. I took a deep sigh of relief; a few moments ago I was pretty sure I was a dead man.

  Cheers from the werewolves started to fill the hollow as the situation diffused. No longer under threat of a berserk elder vampire, everyone started cheering on their victory.

  “Penny for your thoughts, cowboy?” Liz had snuck back ov
er to me. I’ll never get use to her being able to do that.

  “I can’t believe it is over. After everything that happened, Tucker and Forte are both dead.”

  “The fact Baron Forte was alive and had survived all these years is truly something that needs to be investigated. But that is for another day.

  She was right. I looked over at where the body of Forte was. Reno had pulled out a Zippo and was burning it. I guess he wanted to make extra sure this time. I then looked over at where Tucker was and there was no body.

  “Liz, where did Tucker’s body go?”

  “What do you mean?” I pointed over at where it was.

  “I know corpses just don’t go wandering off.” I took off towards the spot where he had been killed. The only thing there was a depression in the sand where the body had been.

  “What does this mean?”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I have no clue. It certainly doesn’t make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

  Before we could think anymore about it, dad and Bernard came up to us. Dad put a hand on my shoulder, “Son, I am so sorry.” Tears were flowing from both their eyes.

  “Dad, what’s wrong?”

  He started sobbing and Bernard took over. “Vic, Billy’s dead.”

  Chapter 40

  Liz and I were walking towards the cemetery where Billy the Kid would be put to rest. Eight wolves died that night with three others, including Mayor Argent had been in critical condition. Dr. Tello worked around the clock and finally proclaimed the mayor was out of the woods. He was still in the hospital, but it would be awhile before he was allowed to leave.

  Even though we had won and ended the nightmare, we paid a heavy price. It was so hard to believe that both Talia and Billy had died in the line of duty to bring Tucker to justice. I knew in my heart that the only thing left to do was to leave Full Moon for the time being and begin anew. Being here every day would just rip open the wounds.