by Phil Maxey
It was a sound argument and Evan nodded. “Okay, I’ll be here just after sun up.” He went to walk off, then realized that Shannon was rooted to her seat.
“Think I’m going to stay as well.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Joel looked out into the dark from the roof of Haven High School. It was the highest point on the flat land which the town resided on and gave him as good a view as any of the surrounding hills and mountains beyond. Despite the lake being in-between, he couldn’t help but feel that any danger would come from that direction. Not the flat farmland to their east, that was a bit too obvious.
With the help of mechanical diggers, they had managed to create a ten-foot-deep trench around the outside of the wooden posts which made up the exterior fortifications. And had shored up the walls with a number of vehicles and when they ran out of them, lintels and anything else strong enough.
It would make any storming of the town a tough undertaking, even with hardened soldiers if there were bullets flying at them.
Of course, like any battle, it came down to numbers, and if Copeland really wanted in, there wasn’t going to be much the townspeople could do to stop him.
Marina appeared from the stairwell and walked up to him.
“How’s Jess and Jasper?” he said.
“Jess’s acting like his big sister, even though I’m sure they’re about the same age.”
Joel smiled.
“Evan’s with them and those townspeople that have decided to stay down there. The others though have decided not to leave their homes.”
“Can’t blame them.”
“They don’t know what they’re going to be up against.”
Joel glanced at her. “Neither do we. We just know it’s coming.”
Marina walked closer to the wall, and the thirty foot drop beyond. She looked out across the lake. It was darker than usual because of the moon being hidden beyond the blanket of cloud. “They’re not going to make it easy for us this time.”
“Nope.”
“I hate to say this, but…”
Joel looked at her.
“A part of me wants them to attack. I… I need to feed.”
“You’re not getting blood from the hospital?”
“Some, but I don’t want to use their supplies. Anyway, it’s not the same.”
Joel looked closely at her. He sighed, then looked back to the lake. “You need to keep a lid on those urges.”
Yeah, like I did, he thought, sarcastically.
“I’m just saying, it’s a two birds one stone kinda thing.”
Joel nodded.
“You think they’ll come from the water?”
“That’s where I would attack from. It’s the least guarded. Lucian has maybe six guys down there with rifles walking the shore. A small group could slip onto the beach, get into town, and then get to the gates to open them for a bigger—”
The repeated thud of boots running up steps made him turn around to face Evan as he emerged from the door.
“Jasper’s freaking out. He keeps saying, he’s here?”
Joel whipped around to face the lake once more. Even from half a mile distance he could see the placid waves calmly coming to the shore, and no sign of anything else. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Marina step forward closer to the wall. She was looking up at the sky over the lake.
“What is that? Is that a plane?”
Joel immediately saw what she could. A cross-shape shadow moving towards them, just visible against the lighter clouds. Something about how it moved reminded him of the animated scene he saw when he touched the tablet. As he slowly stepped backwards, a number of ideas fell into place in his mind, like pins in a lock to a door he did not want open.
Copeland’s a vampire. Copeland is Jasper’s father. Copeland will attack with vamps.
He had no idea how he knew the last part was going to happen, but it flowed from the first two points.
The dark shape could clearly be seen to be a winged creature of some kind, and it was descending towards the roof.
“What is that?” said Marina again, trying to understand what could not be refused, a man with wings was about to land in front of them.
“We had it wrong…” said Joel. He unslung the M4 from his shoulder, and aimed at the thing emerging from the gloom.
Marina did the same.
“Evan, get downstairs. Tell them we’re under attack.”
The young man’s head whipped between the vision from a medieval book that was about to become too real, and his two friends aiming their rifles at it.
“Go!”
Evan was back in the stairwell in an instant.
The demonic beast landed. Joel and Marina felt the vibration through the concrete under their feet.
It stood almost nine-feet tall, and it’s wings, outstretched, were at least double that. It’s face was full of bony protrusions, and it’s skin was covered in platelets between which were scales. It’s eyes glowed yellow, despite the darkness at their center. It stood upright, then slowly walked towards them.
Joel and Marina raised their rifles higher, and it stopped, raising his hand.
“There will be plenty of time for that. But for now. Where is the boy? I presume you took good care of my son?” Copeland’s voice was multilayered as if the souls of his victims were still inside him, trying to escape.
Joel heard Marina’s jaw fall open, then close as she gritted her teeth.
“He’s safe,” said Joel.
Copeland nodded. “This is good. My boy, as you probably already know, is unique amongst our kind—”
“We’re not your kind,” said Marina.
“Quite.” Copeland’s head tilted to one side as he looked between his two would-be attackers. “I see you have sired others… umm, what is your name? I could never learn that from my children.”
“Joel.”
Copeland scoffed. “Such a simple name. I presume you also have my suitcase? Before I kill you, I really must know—” A bullet ricocheted off his forehead. He frowned. “As I was saying, I really—”
A hail of fire from the M4s crashed into the being that stood before them. It covered it’s eyes and was knocked backwards a few times, but after Joel and Marina had emptied their magazines into it, it was still standing. Copeland lowered his hands.
“So now you know you cannot kill me. Tell me, why did you take the case? It was never yours.”
Joel’s heart was beating as hard as the woman’s next to him, and he could feel the vampiric side to him wanting to be let free. To be allowed to tear this abomination apart, but something told him this was not the place to do that. He looked at Marina, placing his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him, her eyes dark. “Get downstairs… Marina, trust me.”
She blinked and her eyes returned to their human variants. She nodded and was gone into the stairwell.
He looked back at Copeland and smiled. “I knew you wanted it.”
A flash of anger moved across Copeland’s lizard-like face and then was gone, replaced with a wry smile. “And where has that led you?” Copeland spun around, his arms out. “These people could have lived! I grant you, not more than a few more months, once the hordes of my children made it this far out, but they could have had some more time to enjoy their pitiful existence. And now, because of you, on this night they will all die. Although because the boy still lives, I will kill you all quickly, and some of you may even be allowed to be my children.”
Joel took a step forward. “See, this is why I hate it when vamps talk. The scourge makes you all crazy.”
By the time one of Copeland’s horned wings had sliced through air where Joel was standing, Joel had ducked and then whipped the butt of his rifle upwards, crashing it against Copeland’s jaw. The creature staggered back a few steps, then swiped a clawed hand across Joel. He blocked it with the rifle, but the force of the blow sent him flying into the side wall, which cracked on him hitting it. The sound of screams and gunf
ire rang out from the walls around the town.
Joel just caught glimpses of flashes and streams of neon bullets flying in the distance, when he felt the presence of Copeland and shifted to the right. An armored fist slammed into the wall, knocking some of it to the ground below.
He whirled around towards Joel, grimacing. “Your kind will not win this fight. I will find all of you, and wipe you from existence.”
Scenes from the battle on the side of the sarcophagi forced their way into Joel’s mind before he pushed them away again.
“Even as we fight up here. Those you thought you could protect are dying. I know you can hear their screams…” Copeland stood upright, his wings stretching out. “We will find the case and my boy, and by first light, there will be nothing left here but food for the birds.” In the blink of an eye, he was airborne, immediately diving back down again, converging on a man running in a nearby street and slicing across him.
Joel wavered. Not from any of Copeland’s blows, but from the sounds of vampire minds around him. There were thousands. Copeland was right about one thing, staying in Haven was not an option. It was time for the backup plan.
He tore into the stairwell, descending the four flights to the basement in seconds, and burst out into the crowded area. People huddled together, holding their children close.
He ran up to Marina, standing next to Jess, Jasper, and Evan. The young girl was holding Flint’s leash tightly.
“Any word from Lucian?” said Joel.
“None,” said Marina. “I think… I can feel them, Joel, there’s too many out there. We’re not going to hold them off.”
“Give me the radio.” He took it from her. “Lucian? You out there. Over.”
A second of static was replaced with the clatter of gunfire. “If these vamps don’t kill you, I’m going to!” shouted Lucian.
“You can kill me later. Now we have to get as many people to safety as possible. Is the device ready? Over.”
“Yeah, it’s ready!”
“We need to clear a path to the north shore. Where the boats are. Can you get to the school? Over.”
A few seconds passed.
“We’re on our way!”
Joel turned to the twenty-four people behind him. “Listen up, everyone. We’re going to be running all the way to the north shore on the lake. We get into the boats and we leave. Do you all understand?”
A woman wrapped in a shawl waved her hand at Joel. “We can’t survive out there if the vamps are inside the walls!”
“I guarantee all of you, if you stay here, we’re all dead,” said Marina.
“Why don’t you protect us!” said a slender man with a ragged two-piece suit on. “We know you’re not human!”
Murmurs of agreement ran around the crowd.
Joel sighed, looking at Marina, then back to the others. “We can’t protect you from this many vamps if you stay. If we can get to the lake, we might have a chance of getting away.”
Most nodded warily.
Joel clicked on his radio again. “How far out, Lucian? Over.”
“We’re pulling up now!”
Joel grabbed Marina’s shoulder. “We keep them close by.”
She and Evan nodded.
Joel took lead and ran back into the stairwell. The others, human and hybrid, followed close behind. They were soon all emerging from a side entrance at the school that came out to the large parking lot.
Lucian leaned out of the Humvee’s window, beckoning everyone towards him. Above him sat the tubelike device which had been used by Corvin days before.
Vince seated behind it, spun it around in the direction of growls and grunts from the streets nearby.
“Come on!” shouted Lucian.
Joel ran on ahead, as the train of people moved as quickly as they could after him.
A sedan skidded along a street, smashing into a vamp which bounced off of it, and then moved into the lot, skidding to a halt alongside the Humvee. Anna was driving with Lee in the passenger seat.
“We’re going to the north shore!” shouted Marina in Anna’s direction. Anna nodded, then slowly moved the car off, keeping it alongside the group of people as they all moved out onto the main street. The Humvee and another pickup moved slowly with them at the rear.
The sound of scampering and scraping fought with screams and gunfire as Joel led the convoy of people and vehicles through the picturesque town. His head throbbed as the unhinged minds of the invaders tried to crowd out his thoughts, but he bent his mind to his will, and focused on the threats which were growing nearer.
As he jogged forward, every shadow hinted at possible danger, and he could feel the primal part of his nature wanting to take control.
He heard and smelt the thirsting creatures before he saw them, and like ants emerging from a nest, vamps appeared from all avenues, some clambering over roofs of otherwise innocent-looking homes.
Those behind him opened up with what weapons they had.
Bright streaks ripped through the darkness, some hitting, some missing their targets as the vamps moved lightning quick, shifting from side to side to avoid the sizzling projectiles coming at them.
At the end of the street a wall of vamps appeared, instantly breaking into a run as they spotted Joel and the others.
Joel went to run forward into the melee when a purple beam, so intense it seemed solid, tore into the horde. Instantly, the air filled with the smell of burnt flesh, and each of the affected creatures squealed and jumped to the side, clearing a path for everyone to run through.
The wagon trail of people and machines arrived at a junction and took a hard left, they continued running as Vince swung the turret left and right shearing through swarms of vamps as they tried to get near.
Marina jogged along with the rest, keeping Jess and Jasper bundled in her arms. Jess tried hanging on to Flint but he was too strong, and he pulled away from her, immediately taking down two vamps that ventured too near. She looked back desperately as Flint started to fall behind, and he frantically snapped left and right at other vamps trying to get at him.
Anna’s car careered into the fury of vamps attempting to bring the dog to the ground. She flung the door open, shouting for Flint to get in, but he was lost to his bloodlust.
“Drive the car!” she shouted to Doctor Kemp next to her, who quickly shifted seats as she got out, running to the dog.
Kemp pulled off catching up with the others, while Anna ripped into the vamps, pulling them off Flint. She then grabbed his leash and pulled him backwards with her. They both ran and caught up with the rear cars, then ran past them joining the others.
Joel could smell the damp of the rocks and sand, and soon the rocky north shore came into view, as well as the wooden platforms which boats were moored up against.
He stopped and let the others past him, pointing forwards. “Over there, get to the boats!” He kept looking up at the featureless skies.
I know you’re watching.
Lee’s sedan, as well as the Humvee and pickup, bumped over the uneven grass which led to the water, all skidding to a halt. Those inside immediately got out and started firing at the vamps that were closing in from the town behind them.
The noise of spluttering came from the Humvee, as the light started to blink on and off in sync with it.
Vince shouted down to Lucian below him. “The generator’s almost out of juice!”
Lucian looked behind him to the bank of batteries which took up most of the rear where the seats used to be. Sparks jumped from the concoction of wires which held the apparatus together.
He swore under his breath, then jumped out, taking his shotgun and a backpack with him.
He felt the presence above, before he looked up and saw it. “What the hell?” Before he could react, Copeland swooped down and sliced open two people, their screams cut short. They both fell forward onto the grass.
Lucian fired upwards into the darkness, as he, Vince, and five others ran to the shore. Three large w
ooden boats had already left the docks and were heading out onto the lake.
“Vince, grab that—” He felt a gust of wind hit his back. Turning, he saw the face of his friend receding into the night sky above him. Vince struggled, firing his gun upwards, but it was only seconds before he was hundreds of feet up. A blood-curdling scream was followed by his friend’s silence.
Lucian couldn’t keep the animalistic part of himself contained any longer, and his incisors grew as his hands became claws. His eyes turned darker than the shadows around him, and he leapt on top of the Humvee, scouring the sky for the thing that had killed his friend.
Those that were with him, looked on afraid, but then quickly fired again at the vamps that were now just yards away.
Joel looked at Marina, floating away on one of the boats, Jess, Jasper, Flint, and Anna by her side. They looked back at him, waving him to follow, but he knew there was no getting away from Copeland. He needed to stop him somehow.
Seeing Lucian growling into the night, he knew this was the time.
The darkness burst from him, untamed by his human nature and his eyes grew dark. He leapt forward and was soon with Lucian, who looked at him and snarled. The older man then looked upwards, but not before Copeland’s claws tore into his shoulders, carrying him upwards. Lucian clawed at the beast above him, but to no avail.
Joel, seeing what was about to happen, sprinted forward, leaping onto the roof of one of the lakeside homes and kept running. At the edge, he surged into the air, smashing into the winged vamp, sending all of them crashing into the front of another building.
Joel fell to the ground, rolling then springing back up to his feet.
Copeland had Lucian around the throat three feet off the ground, pinned up against the building, whose windows and wooden paneling were coming apart.
Joel sprang forward. As he neared the back of the beast he ducked, knowing what was about to happen and, on cue, Copeland’s lizard-like wings sheared through the air above him. Before Copeland knew he had missed, Joel sliced his own claws across his back. He roared in pain, dropping Lucian who grabbed his own throat, growling, but trying to get air back into his lungs.
