by Maxey, Phil
Meg’s voice came from his speaker. “Gas station over here. Just drive to your left. Over.”
“Copy that. On our way.” He revved the engine, putting it in reverse then eased down on the gas. The large vehicle started to move then abruptly stopped. “Damn it.” He tried again, pushing further on the gas, but despite the chugging engine, they remained firmly where they were. “Shit.” He held his radio back to his mouth. “Got a problem. We’re stuck. Over.”
“I’ll head back over and pull—” A gunshot came from behind her voice, along with a shout.
Everyone in the motorhome strained to see through the snow. The two streams of light from Meg’s pickup flickered.
Landon pushed open his door, glancing behind. “Daryl!” The younger man sprang up, grabbing his shotgun and pushed the side door open. Landon jumped out, his boots disappearing into snow up to his ankles, as another shot rang out from the direction of the first. He staggered forward with Daryl, stomping through the snow, both men trying not to slide. Another boom heralded a flash of light in the gloom ahead of them. “What’s happening!” he shouted into his radio.
“We got company!” said Meg. “Owen’s trapped in the gas station store!”
Landon and Daryl ran to the back of the pickup then to the driver’s door which was already partially open. “Where is it?” said Landon to Meg, who was leaning her semi-auto rifle on the frame.
She gestured to the triangular shape of a roof of a nearby building, just visible through the gloom. “Grace spotted it up there. We shot at it, but it dropped down the back.”
Daryl looked towards the store. “Why hasn’t he come out?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he saw it too.”
Landon looked at Daryl. “Stay here and cover me,” then at Meg. “Hit the horn if you see it again.” She nodded and he ran forward, weaving around the right side of a gas pump and made it to the glass front entrance of the store, just as the headlights on the pickup behind him dimmed, plunging the interior into darkness.
He pushed it open, feeling into the void with his free hand. “Owen! We need to go!”
There was a clink of glass then a sigh. “I ain’t going…”
“Owen!” said Landon with his best loud whisper, while turning around to scan the wall of darkness at the edge of the lot for any sign of movement.
“What’s the point… She’s gone, and I’m banged up real—”
The pickup’s horn blasted through the silence and then Landon saw the reason. A thing flittered across the back of the snow-covered forecourt, careening into an ice machine. Its legs were multiple, and looked catlike, but its top half lacked any real definition being a mass of tissue buried beneath ice and snow.
Daryl and Meg shot at it and in an instant it was gone, back into the shadows.
Landon moved quickly into the store letting the door close, the sound of the wind being extinguished. He flicked his flashlight on and moved between the aisles, finally finding Owen on the floor, open beer bottle in his hand, back up against the refrigerator door.
“I get you’re going through shit, and I’m sorry about Abby. She seemed a good person.”
“She was all I had…”
“She wouldn’t want you to die out here!”
Owen took another swig then looked up, squinting against the light. “Look around! It’s over!”
“Five more days! We can get through that!”
“You got people. So maybe you will, but I think I’m just going to—”
A horn rang out again, but this one was different. This one Landon was sure belonged to the motorhome.
“Hey, sounds like you got to go.” Owen gave a dismissive salute. “It’s been real good knowing ya.”
Landon’s thoughts of dragging him outside was interrupted by the same horn again, this time accompanied with gunshots. He shook his head as he ran back to the front, skidding to a stop.
The creature was mere yards away from the front door. Its back to him, or at least what he thought was its back. Some of the snow had fallen off, revealing brown rippling muscles conjoined with what looked like features of human faces. Eyes, mouths… parts discarded. What little food was inside Landon wanted to leave his stomach. He fumbled for the switch on his flashlight, switching it off and slid it into his pocket, then slowly raised his rifle until he was looking through the scope at it. A level of detail he could have done without. His finger started to squeeze the trigger, but stopped short of going all the way.
Rifle not going to kill that thing…
If he fired, all it would do would alert it to his presence. He started to back up slowly…
A door closed at the back of the store. The creature spun around, revealing a gaping hole rimmed with teeth and a multitude of black pits for eyes above it. Landon hesitated, not knowing to fire or not.
It can’t see me… too dark in here.
The motorhome’s horn echoed out again as gunfire rang out, this time more sustained. The thing turned its head slowly, when suddenly something caught its attention, its head jolting to the side, around the corner to Landon’s left.
“Hey… ugly monster thing. Over here!” shouted Owen.
No… Landon knew what Owen was doing. Trying to pull the thing away, so he could get out.
“Hey!” Owen shouted again.
The creature surged through the snow, just as headlights blinded Landon’s view out of the window. He flung the door open to see the pickup suddenly turn and skid, sliding then smashing up against the side wall of the store, trapping the creature against it. It squirmed and screeched, its claws flailing at the vehicle’s metal body, which was already being shunted away.
Meg jumped out and fired point blank at the thing, as did Daryl, the creature turning its ire on them as it scrambled to get free.
Landon ran forward, switching his view from the monstrous fury inching its way out, to the intersection and the orange glow of the motorhome’s headlights just visible in the falling snow. Even in the swirl of ice particles he could see things, dark shapes moving closer to it in the distance.
They’re coming.
He glanced back to those desperately trying to kill the thing creeping out from behind the pickup. “Leave it! Come on!”
Jess and Arlene were outside the motorhome, the young girl waving a shotgun at the darkness while Jess was kneeled, examining the back wheels. Landon slid to stop by her side, immediately seeing the issue. A cable was jammed up in the wheel arch.
His wife looked up at him. “It’s stuck! I can’t get it out!”
He bent over, grabbing the metal twined cable, and pulled but it remained fastened. He flicked his flashlight on to get a better look. “I need you to—” A cacophony of groans, some almost human sounding, played out in the surrounding darkness. Through the gloom Daryl, Meg, Grace and Owen appeared, each carrying multiple backpacks.
Landon looked at his wife. “Drive it forward a few inches.” She ran back to the driver’s seat, while the unnatural sounds intensified. The small group raised their weapons, trying to see through the sheets of snow.
The Motorhome eased forward and stopped.
“There!” shouted Grace, her own rifle flicking towards their left, where a small wall was just visible beyond the sidewalk. “Something’s—”
A mass of ice encrusted clawed limbs thrust forward out of the darkness. Everyone fired immediately, hot projectiles slamming into the thing’s body, which stumbled then collapsed, but kept on crawling towards them through the snow.
“Got it!” shouted Landon, the cable slipping down the front of the tire. “Everyone get—”
Something charged forward, humanoid in shape but with multiple arms. Everyone jumped to the side as it crashed into the front of the motorhome. All fire converged on the thing which turned angrily, just as parts of it disintegrated under the barrage raged against it. It dropped into the snow, its arms immediately trying to pull it back upright.
“Get in!” shouted Landon again. Th
is time everyone scrambled up the steps, he being the last. “Go!” he shouted to Jess.
She hit the gas pedal, the motorhome spurting backwards, making everyone lose their grip on whatever they were holding onto, including Landon. He watched the creature from the open side door, try to crab the fender, but missed, and then other dark shapes rushing at them through the deluge of falling snow.
Jess put the vehicle in drive and it surged forward.
Landon fired at the dark angry forms, as was someone else behind him, through the side window. He wasn’t able to tell if he was hitting the thing’s or not and by time his finger produced a dull click from his weapon the things had returned to the gloom and they were leaving the town.
CHAPTER THREE
9: 21 p.m. Base of the Rocky Mountains.
Norman Colm staggered forward through the two-feet of snow, which oddly hardly slowed his progress. His journey started hours before with one goal in mind. Find those that had destroyed what was his. The town of Rocky Pine. It was a singular thought which provided more than enough fuel as he traipsed across parking lots, and up snow-covered roads, then lanes and tracks. Always moving towards the orange glow which clung to the side of the mountain, and lit the clouds above.
Keller’s home… Ruiners…
The young guy had told him their captor had bought a place in the hills. But beyond that he had no idea where it was, but then he saw the light. The only light. A luminance surrounded by a void. It was a sign. One which he wasn’t going to ignore, so he started walking towards it.
And now he was close. Close to his revenge. He wasn’t sure what he would do after the woman and her offspring were dead. Made them pay. The world had changed and he with it. For now their demise would suffice.
He moved through the open gate, keeping his eyes fixed on the crimson embers still alive amongst the blackened collapsed timbers. To him though everything appeared as a green hue of various brightness.
His heart beat in his chest, which was larger than he remembered it being. As was everything about him. His limbs felt more solid, but equally lighter. He still didn’t understand what had happened to his arm, or the strange shapes which protruded beneath his torn shirt and jacket. Problems for another day. For now he needed to keep moving onwards.
He almost walked into the remains of a vehicle, its front end looking as if it had been through a meat grinder.
The things have already been...
Disappointment mixed with anger flushed through him. He staggered forward, his pace quickening.
No… They are mine to deal with. The town needs justice for what the Keller’s have done…
He stood in front of stone steps. The heat from what was left of the residence still strong enough to melt any falling snow that landed on its beams and melted plastics.
Are they dead? Had he come all this way for nothing?
He let out a roar which rattled the pines and echoed down the valley, then slumped to his knees…
He wasn’t sure how long he stayed there before his ears picked up the sound of repeating thunder. Soon it was deafening and with it came light and wind. He looked up into a blinding light and for a moment he was convinced the ice cold had taken him. But then he heard the voices, and the dark suited humans started to fall from above.
*****
10: 15 p.m. Highway fourteen.
Jess’s eyes were heavy. The constant rhythmic sound of the wipers accompanied with the falling white dots weren’t helping, but she preferred driving to being a passenger. It kept the memories away. Couldn’t be thinking about death and the end of the world if a loss of concentration meant everyone dying in a crash…
Her bottom lip quivered as the magnitude of what her children had gone through over the previous twelve hours attempted to push its way into her mind.
Keep driving. Five more days…You need to look at the fuel gauge.
She refused to. They had enough. They had to have enough. After Walland it was decided, no more towns. So now here they were, almost certainly lost. Her old map being of little assistance as they drove along a forgotten track which was surrounded by nothing. No buildings, no vehicles, no monsters. An infinite nothingness…
Her eyes flicked open. Had she been asleep? What was that noise… Coughing was coming from behind her. From more than one person. She glanced over her shoulder, while pushing on the brakes. “What’s happening!” she shouted.
“They’re—” Landon coughed. As were the children. “Changing, Jess!”
No… no…
She sprung out of her seat before the vehicle completely slid to a stop on the side of the narrow white lane, and ran to Josh who was doubled over, Landon leaning over him, himself equally burdened by pain. “Oh god, no. Josh…” Her son looked up at her with eyes that belonged to something else, but the rest of his face was one of anguish. Blood and sinew exploded from those around her with roars…
“Jess!”
Her sleeping eyes flicked open again. Landon’s hands were on the large steering wheel. She looked up at him, still in her driving position, blinking. “I…”
His foot was across hers, easing down on the brakes. “It’s okay. I got it,” he said.
Dream…
She swallowed as her heart beat in her chest. The horror of the images still clung to her vision. Her mouth was dry and she was covered in sweat. “Shit… Sorry.” The motorhome crawled to a stop as she realized there was no engine noise. She glanced at the fuel gauge. The needle rested completely at the bottom of the red zone. “We’re out of fuel…”
Landon nodded, pulling back to the space between the seats. “Yup.”
A new panic came to her. How long had she been close to sleep? She looked at her watch.
’10: 34.’
She fell back against the weathered fabric headrest. “Okay.” Then as the nightmare began to fade looked at her husband. “Were will we get fuel?”
“Maybe there’s a farmhouse around here?” shouted Daryl, overhearing the question.
She looked down at the central aisle, which was lit by a single overhead light. Everyone was sat either side, wrapped in winter clothing with gloves and hats. Most were looking at her and Landon for answers, but Meg was looking through a gap in the drapes covering the side window.
“Must be ten below out there,” said the older woman. “And I’m not seeing any lights of houses. They must be out there, but you would have maybe thirty minutes max to find some fuel and get back before you froze to death.”
Arlene sat back. “So stay here and turn into a monster, or go out there and freeze to death.”
Jess caught the fear in her children’s eyes at the young woman’s unhelpful comment. Despite her exhaustion, anger warmed her. “We will find a place around here. There has to be a farmhouse not too far. And there will be vehicles with fuel.” Her words were aimed at Josh and Sam who nodded in reply but the others just looked away from her, not wanting to believe the optimism. She stood and walked to the stove and hit the ignite button while turning the dial. A small blue flame immediately thrust from the metal ring. She turned with a smile. “Now we have heat.” She had no idea how long the gas bottle in the cupboard would last, but it didn’t matter for in that moment, the camping stove offered something far more important than refuge from the icy cold. She walked back to her seat, leaned down below it and grabbed her map then brought it back and placed it on the fold down table. “I think we’re somewhere here…” She prodded a place between highways and towns. Nothing was indicated to exist there.
“Least there are no monsters…” said Sam.
Jess briefly smiled at her.
“Daryl and I will continue along this road,” said Landon. “We will find what we need then head back.” He looked at the younger man who nodded then stood.
“Better get going th—” Arlene sprang to her feet and threw her arms around Daryl, which took him somewhat by surprise. “Er… yeah. Well, I plan to come back.”
She pulled bac
k. “Yeah I know. Just helping you keep warm, that’s all…”
Landon scrunched Josh’s hair. “Going to need you to keep an eye on things. Keep watch. If you see anything outside, let someone know. Okay?” His son nodded.
CHAPTER FOUR
10: 38 p.m. Highway fourteen.
Landon stomped forward, slapping his gloved hands together, his small flashlight having been attached to a piece of string which dangled from his neck, providing a small pool of light at his feet. Each impact gave some momentary feeling back to his fingers, before the cold claimed them again. The snow was heavier. It had to be for now he had an even harder time seeing Daryl’s silhouette which was just a few yards ahead. They had been walking east for over ten minutes, the direction they had been driving, without even a hint of a structure in the gloom. He slammed his fist into his thigh, just to confirm it was still there as it gave him no feeling it was. His toes had long since become numb, and his feet were quickly on their way to joining them, but still he walked, trying to see through the slim gap between his hat and the scarf that was wrapped around his neck and the lower half of his face.
Where’s Daryl?
He paused, listening for footsteps, but the only sound making its way to his covered ears was his own breathing. Through the fabric across his mouth came a white mist which mingled with the falling flakes of ice. He walked forward, not even being sure he was still on the road, for the snow had risen to the height of the bank which bordered the track. “Daryl!” he shouted.
“Over here!”
He spun around to see a slight glow in the darkness. He walked forward as fast as he could, pushing his muscles to climb the slight incline. Daryl was kneeling next to a wire fence, his own flashlight pointing towards a mound of snow and something which lay beneath it. “What is it?”
Daryl focused his light on one particular nearby section of pink and white skin, teeth and remains of muscle. “A cow.” He lifted the beam a little, but it was enough to show the hints of other dark forms lying across what must have been a field.
