Dead Time Series

by Jason Wilcox

  “This used to be my personal office.” His new master walked across the tiles, his shoes slapping the barren floor. Dusty tracks were left after each footstep. A pile of old papers and junk sat in the corner beside a beat-up file cabinet. Tagen followed as Mauldrin made his way to the garbage pile.

  The room turned red from the setting sun blazing through the enormous windows, some of which still had glass in them. Tagen walked to one of the large panes of glass and looked out over the dead, lifeless town.

  A bang rang out as Mauldrin slammed a file cabinet drawer closed. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

  Turning to look at Mauldrin, Tagen grew irritated. “Good, now can we go?” He tapped a claw on the floor nervously and turned to look outside. A dark soul in shadow form stood between two buildings, looking up at him. He stood there for a second, and then disappeared behind the building to his right. Something smaller than a dark soul, but just as black, came down the alley and disappeared behind a closer building.

  “We’ll go when I’m ready.”

  Tagen leaned against the dirty glass and looked around. Another black shadow disappeared behind a building to their right. Once again, whatever he saw was smaller than a dark soul. They were being surrounded.

  “Time to go Mauldrin. We’re done,” Tagen spoke as he turned to see Mauldrin sifting through papers.

  “I’m not leaving until I finish looking for something important,” Mauldrin spoke without looking at Tagen.

  A creak came from downstairs. Tagen knew it couldn’t be dark souls. They weren’t stupid enough to make noise when sneaking up on someone.

  The setting sun was gone, and the remaining light was being sucked out of the room. Claws could be heard softly clicking up the stairs. Tagen moved closer to Mauldrin.

  “It’s time to go. We’re not alone anymore.”

  Mauldrin stood and looked towards the door. “Another gang?”

  “Not this time. I’m not sure what it is.” The clicking stopped. Whatever was coming for them had to be on the carpet in the hallway. Paper crunched under Mauldrin’s feet as he left the garbage pile.

  “Can you make any more noise?” Tagen grumbled. He shifted into shadow form and silently made his way to the doorway. Mauldrin followed behind, blind to Tagen’s movements, just as he had been in the last fight. However, Tagen was impressed with how quietly Mauldrin now moved across the floor.

  Heavy breathing was heard slowly moving closer in the dark hallway. Tagen could hear multiple footsteps. There was more than one. By the sniffing sounds, Tagen knew whatever they were, they smelled them. He looked at Mauldrin who was drawing the handgun he snatched from the gang.

  His master was going to get himself killed. Tagen couldn’t figure out why he was drawing a handgun when he had the sword strapped on his back. If Mauldrin started testing him again, he would personally kill him.

  Mauldrin had the gun ready and aimed. Another sniff came through the silence and then nothing. The breathing also stopped.

  They had found them. Tagen began debating if he should run, use Mauldrin as a decoy, or stick around and watch Mauldrin be killed.

  “Tagen,” Mauldrin whispered quietly, just loud enough that only Tagen could hear him. His eyes didn’t move from the darkness of the hallway. “Are you still there? I need to know where you’re at, so I can make sure I don’t shoot you.”

  Furrowing his brow, Tagen stared at Mauldrin. Even though the gun could do very little to him, he was caught off guard by the way Mauldrin was treating him. He couldn’t help but wonder why Mauldrin would care about keeping him from getting hurt. No one had ever treated him like that before. He narrowed his eyes, analyzing Mauldrin and wondering if the man was for real.

  Letting out a sigh, Mauldrin slightly raised his gun and tried to look through the doorway. Tagen could tell he was giving up on him and readying for the fight.

  An unfamiliar feeling moved through Tagen, something deep. It made everything feel different, almost warm, in contrast to the dark coldness that normally filled him. He had a desire to protect Mauldrin, and not out of fear or obligation, which was completely foreign.

  “Keep quiet, and stay back,” Tagen whispered. Even though the kindness felt good, a part of Tagen wouldn’t trust it.

  “No way,” Mauldrin whispered. “If something’s coming for us, I’m going to kill it now.” Without hesitancy, Mauldrin made for the door. Something gave a deep-throated growl as Mauldrin got closer. Tagen didn’t understand why they weren’t being attacked yet.

  Knowing Mauldrin was going to get himself killed, Tagen dove in front of him, and stopped him from moving. “Stop, let me check it out. No reason to commit suicide.” Tagen heard a scratching noise from the hallway. He moved back to his spot just outside the opening, still hidden in his shadow form.

  “What are you doing?” Mauldrin called out obviously unable to see Tagen’s movement.

  “Shut up and hold still or we’re going to die.”

  In the blackness on the other side of the wall, a deep-throated growl rang out. Mauldrin finally understood and stepped back. Not wasting time, Tagen still in shadow form, stuck his head through the wall. He could see the fibers that made up the wall as he moved through it.

  Everything was pitch-black at first, but his eyes corrected quickly. Five dark, dog-like, creatures surrounded the doorway. They had the same oily black skin and beet red eyes as a dark soul.

  Tagen looked from one creature to the next, confused by what he saw. Each one was intent on Mauldrin, as if studying their prey, waiting for the perfect moment to attack.

  Tagen’s eyes stopped on one farthest into the shadows. The creature didn’t budge. It just stared at him. There was no fur, just red eyes, teeth and black oily skin.

  They could see him, but they didn’t care. The creatures were only interested in Mauldrin. Some of the closest to the door shifted weight and slouched lower, ready to attack.

  Moving quickly, Tagen pulled himself back through the wall as a creature let out a blood-curdling howl and leapt at Mauldrin. Light flashes lit the room as Mauldrin shot his gun. Bullets slammed into the creature, knocking it down. It whimpered, but the bullets only slowed it down. The floodgates opened, and they began diving through the doorway. Tagen dove at the onslaught, grabbing two and slamming them against the wall. He tore into necks, severing heads from bodies. A strong pungent smell, that Tagen was familiar with, followed.

  They were definitely dark souls, but created from dogs. But who would have created them? More gunshots fired, the flashes showing multiple shadows as the attacking dogs threw Mauldrin down. Tagen had to get to him.

  Pain drove through Tagen’s thigh. He reached back, but was jerked to the ground. A dog jumped at him, biting at his face. Tagen clawed the dog’s chest. More pain shot into his leg and thigh as he was attacked again and again.

  Mauldrin yelled with rage, catching Tagen’s attention. He looked over to see a pack of oily dogs attacking him. Changing into regular form, Tagen felt his hand in the dog’s chest. He gripped the beating heart and yanked it out. The creature dropped to the ground. Another one jumped and bit him across the face. Tagen’s scream vibrated the windows and stopped the attack for a moment. He slammed both hands to the ground. Black lines spread across the floor entering the dark soul dogs.

  One of them fell over, and the rest sat there staring into space. Tagen’s muscles flexed as he quickly charged the creatures, slicing off the heads of the two closest to him. Their bodies pooled into a goopy puddle and soft black bones. More gunshots and flashes of light filled the room as bullets struck the paralyzed dogs.

  “Stop using the gun!” Tagen snapped as he watched in disbelief. The three dogs that were shot came out of their trance and dove at Mauldrin. “Draw your sword!” he yelled as he dove at the dogs which were biting Mauldrin in numerous places. One of them went flying with a yelp as Mauldrin kicked him across the room.

  Using his claws, Tagen ripped into a dog that was biting Mauldrin’s n
eck. Mauldrin had been punching its chest with no success of getting it off him. The dog melted into a puddle of goo as Tagen finished him off. Another dog dove at him, biting his elbow.

  Tagen’s red eyes blazed with anger. His claws sliced through the creature, killing it instantly. As flesh melted off bones, black teeth were still stuck in his arm. He flicked them off and was knocked forward by the dog that Mauldrin had kicked earlier. It ripped into his shoulder blade.

  Letting out a blood-curdling scream, Tagen tried to grab the dog, but it bit deeper, sinking sharp teeth to the bone.

  Mauldrin got to his feet and punched the dog in the face, knocking it to the ground. The dog was in the perfect spot for Tagen’s claws. He dug in and with a whimper, the dog melted away. A couple of dogs on the perimeter moved into the shadows of the hallway and disappeared.

  Stopping, Tagen’s eyes widened as he noticed what appeared to be a dark soul’s shadow in the hallway, it was gone before he could react. Nothing was making sense. What was going on?

  Mauldrin pushed himself off the ground. Tagen could see multiple wounds on Mauldrin. Two of the worst were on his face and neck. A small amount of black blood oozed out, but he was quickly healing, leaving behind black scars.

  “What were those?” Mauldrin asked as he kicked rubbery bones away.

  “Someone’s been putting dogs into dark matter chambers.”

  “Those were dogs?”

  Tagen didn’t answer for a moment; he thought he could hear one moving closer. They stood in silence listening. Finally, with no further attack, Tagen started to speak, “Yes…” but before he could finish, the skin on his hand split further. He yelped and grabbed the wound, while everything began to spin.

  “Are you…okay…” Mauldrin’s voice trailed off as Tagen fell to the floor and everything went black.

  Images started to flash in front of Tagen.

  He saw a large room with many people. It was Azgiel’s old courtroom. Azgiel was there with a younger looking Triaad and other important officials. They were talking about something that Tagen couldn’t make out. Everyone was silent and facing Triaad. Some of them were pushing against the crowd to get closer. All of them were wearing robes, most of them white, but some were dark purple, including Triaad’s. However, Triaad’s was different with three gold diagonal lines across the arm.

  Azgiel tightened his fists and the room shook. His chest rose as he took a deep breath and then turned to the onlookers and barked something at everyone. People dispersed leaving only the six in the dark purple robes.

  Triaad went back to speaking, waving his hand with his long robe flapping around his arm. Tagen could see Triaad’s last word was traitor as he pointed towards Tagen. Azgiel’s stone cold gaze followed as he walked in Tagen’s direction.

  Tagen’s head began to throb, and his muscles grew weak. His skin felt as if it were on fire. A darkness grew across Azgiel’s face starting around his eyes. Lifting a hand, Azgiel made a small gesture, like flicking a fly away, and Tagen was thrown against the wall. A flash of light crossed his vision then the images were gone.

  “Tagen? Are you okay?” Mauldrin spoke again, his voice becoming clearer.

  Tagen opened his eyes and looked around. He was back in the darkened room, Mauldrin’s old office.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Tagen, are you okay?” Caden spoke to the dark soul. Blood seeped down Caden’s cheek. He wiped at the two large cuts that ran down his face. It was difficult to see in the darkness. He wasn’t sure if he was going to be attacked again, and Tagen’s silence unnerved him. To his left, he could barely make out Tagen’s still figure. He wasn’t sure if Tagen passed out or if he was hurt.

  The door creaked, and Caden peered in that direction. There was nothing there as far as he could tell. Tagen moaned.

  “Don’t die on me.” Caden knelt down beside Tagen. He had no idea how to take care of a dark soul. He didn’t even know if they had hearts or organs. Touching the soft oily skin, Caden felt for a pulse, but there was nothing. He had no idea what that meant, or even what to do about it. Keeping him safe while he lay there was probably the only thing he could do.

  With his heart racing, he looked at the door. The blackness in the hallway was too thick to see anything. If the dogs came back, he knew he would be a goner without Tagen. Caden reached for the sword, but once again, he couldn’t grab it.

  Thinking back to his time with Azgiel, Caden tried hard to remember what advice had been given him. “To dig within?” he spoke under his breath remembering the words.

  Caden grabbed the strap that held the sword and pulled. He held the weapon in front of him. Taking in a deep breath, he closed his eyes tightly, let out a breath, and moved his hand towards the sword handle. A dark evil feeling of power began to enter him. At first it filled Caden with energy and excitement. As he lusted to take hold of the sword, his black veins pounded harder.

  Something deep inside screamed out as his hand grew close to the sword, almost like a warning. He opened his eyes. The handle of the sword glowed with a strange blackness. It seemed to move towards his hand, as if it were alive, like a leach stretching to the flesh it wishes to attach to.

  Letting out a groan, Tagen shifted, catching Caden’s attention.

  “Tagen,” Caden spoke softly, relieved that he was alive. “Tagen, are you okay?” The sword called to Caden, wanting attention. The voice in his head startled him and he pulled his hand away.

  Tagen stood in front of Caden. “What are you doing?” He shifted his weight, looking at the sword. “Were you going to kill me?”

  Surprised by Tagen’s response, Caden put the sword back on his shoulder. “No, I was going to try to protect us in case the dogs came back.” Caden could make out in the darkness that Tagen’s claws were growing longer.

  “Why didn’t you use it when we were fighting? Why do you keep insisting on not using it when we’re attacked? What’s your game?”

  “Not a game.” Caden’s mind raced to think of a good answer. He couldn’t keep putting Tagen off. Finally, he smiled. “I will only draw it in life and death situations.”

  “Your flawed judgment is going to get us killed.” Tagen retracted his claws, but his red eyes blazed.

  Caden wanted to change the subject. “We need to get going.” He turned to look out the big windows in his old office. The moon lit up the night. “Since I didn’t find what I needed here, I want you to start leading us to Domblin again.”

  “I hope you heard what I said. If you keep on with this game, you’re going to get us killed.”

  The stale air made it hard to breathe as Caden stepped to the window and looked down at the barren streets. Moon light dimly lit the asphalt. “Let’s get a move on while the moon is vibrant.”

  Tagen let out a growl, “I don’t think it’s a good idea to go out at night.”

  “I don’t care what you think.” Caden moved to the door. He felt intensely irritable. The dark matter seemed to pulse in his veins and made it hard to think clearly. Tagen’s arguing was only worsening it. “We need to move.”

  “Packs of dogs might be out there, and I wouldn’t be able to hold them off if they get much bigger than the last.”

  “Well, we can’t sit here while they regroup and bring more. We need to go.” Caden looked into the pitch-black hallway. He hesitated, unable to see if any dogs were out there.

  “I think our chances are better here unless you’re willing to draw that sword.” He moved closer to Caden. “You don’t even know what else might be out there. In case you haven’t put the pieces together, the streets are empty. There are no humans. What do you think got them? We have no idea what’s happened while we were gone.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Caden turned to look Tagen in the eyes. “We’re going.” He looked back into the darkness. His heart raced and the intensity from the dark matter pumping through his veins worsened. “Now get outside.”

  Tagen’s eyes blazed red. He shifted his weight and looked behin
d towards the window and moonlight.

  “Don’t think about running,” Caden snarled.

  Tagen let out a groan. “Fine! Let’s go,” he said as his claws dug into Caden’s arm. He dragged him through the dark hallway and down the stairs. Once outside, Tagen let go and moved down the street clinging to the shadows of buildings and houses. Often, he stuck out his nose and sniffed. Caden stayed close, watching Tagen, knowing his senses picked things up that Caden’s couldn’t.

  The streets were quiet as they made their way through the lifeless city. After an hour of walking through darkened and empty streets, they could see in the distance a large wall built of rubble. It was hard to tell what it was made of exactly, but from where he stood, it looked like a towering trash pile.

  “What is that?” Caden asked.

  Tagen stopped and scowled. “How should I know? But, I think we should stay clear of it.”

  “What if Domblin’s there?” Caden looked at the massive wall, which cut through houses and was at least two and half stories tall. “Let’s check it out.”

  “Bad idea, we aren’t going over there.” Tagen took a couple of steps back. “It reeks of death.”

  “I think we’ll find more answers there than snooping around out on these dead streets.”

  “Maybe, but if that’s where we have to find answers, count me out. I prefer ignorance.” Tagen shifted and moved into the shadow of a building, hiding from the moon’s light.

  “I’m not going to argue. Let’s go.” With that, Caden took a step backwards towards the wall, keeping an eye on Tagen to make sure he was coming. With a scowl Tagen followed, his head hung low in defeat.

  The wall was enormous with ledges and dips and extended both ways as far as he could see. Some of the ledges looked like cars melded into the barrier with bumpers and front ends sticking out. As they got closer, he could see a taillight hanging by a wire off a bumper. Tagen stayed to the right of him, hanging out in the shadows.

  About fifteen feet from the wall, the road and sidewalk stopped. The rest of the way looked like a poorly cleaned up construction site.