"You…weren't trying to kill me?"
"Of course not. I'm actually impressed with myself. I showed much restraint, and it's very hard to fake pain and death. If I killed you, then you couldn't have led me here." He took in the church and the neighborhood. He glanced inside through the office window. Wild shadows danced on the walls as the darkness outside took hold. Whoever was inside was lighting the way with candles. "So, this is where your husband has been hiding."
Janet sobbed. She had no answers, and the questions were killing her.
"Would you please…tell me what's going on?"
"Are you sure your delicate mortal brain can handle it?"
"What do you mean by mortal—?" She shook the question from her mind. It wasn't important. "Yes. I can handle it."
Byron peered inside the office. The door leading to the church hall was open. He shifted to his right to get a better angle.
"There. You can barely see it. Take a look."
Janet stood up and followed Byron's gaze. People were moving about the church. They sat in pews, laughed as they talked, like all was right in the world. Everyone she saw, she recognized. It was a small town. Derek from the steel mill. Jill from the post office. Catherine from the pharmacy.
Even Frank, the town's sheriff, was inside.
Frank ran a finger alongside an object near the front. The angle Janet had made it difficult to determine what it was, but it seemed to be a cup, perhaps a bowl.
"What is that?"
"That would be mine. I paid nearly two million dollars for it. I don't appreciate your husband stealing it from me. He lifted it from a van when I was relocating one of my warehouses. I'm just here to collect my property."
Janet clenched her eyes shut in frustration. "I don't understand. Everything that happened today. You assaulting my family, invading my home. That was all some kind of plan? Over that cup in there?"
"It was a plan that got blown all to Hell. I've been watching you and your family for a while, Janet. I know, just like you do, he never works Saturdays. I knew he was planning something. I was completely willing to sit in your living room and eat all your food until he got home from his mystery party here. But you kept throwing curveball after curveball. I had to improvise. And-" He gestured around him. "Here we are."
A figure passed by the office door. Janet dropped down, out of sight, pulling Byron down with her. He roughly shook his arm from her grasp and wagged his finger, although he did remain in a kneeling position.
"No touching, Janet."
She didn't hear him. Fighting with everything she had, she struggled to keep the tears in. The figure that passed the office door was her husband. She was hiding from her husband.
"Where are my kids?" she asked, her voice breaking. "Where are they?"
"Don't know." He shrugged. "Don't care. That's your problem, not mine. Maybe you should keep a better eye on them, like a good mommy."
Janet's face flushed with rage. "You were trying to kill us, you son of a bitch—!"
Byron lunged forward and covered her mouth. He held a finger to his lips before gesturing with a look to the window above them. Leaning against the wall, he pulled her alongside him.
There were voices inside the office. They were muffled due to the closed window, but she could barely make out the conversation.
Her heart ached when she recognized Ed's voice.
"Okay, Mary, tell me what happened. What's going on?"
Mary spoke fast, her voice strained and agitated.
"I don't know. I asked Janet to watch Mark, and she said yes. Five minutes later all three kids burst into my house, talking about how someone was trying to kill them. I didn't know what to do, and I was already late coming here. So I brought them."
"Sarah. Elizabeth," Janet whispered. "My children are here. They've got my children."
Byron pushed her shoulder.
"Would you shut the fuck up?" he hissed.
"You brought them here," Ed repeated. "Of all nights, you brought them here."
"I'm sorry. I screwed up."
"Yeah, you did, but I don't blame you. I talked to Janet, from your house. I guess you don't lock your door."
"I was…in a hurry."
"So you said."
Silence. Janet desperately wanted to know what was happening in the office. Was Ed pacing, like he did when he was anxious? Was he leaning against the wall? He did that when he was nervous at parties.
"Okay, so my wife is fine. She knows I'm not at the garage, and you basically kidnapped my kids."
"We have to postpone. Just make it another night."
"No. Everyone is here, and they're waiting. We just have to get through this night, and everything will be different. Janet thinks I'm heading home now. Just keep an eye on the kids. Lock them up in here. Handcuff them, if you have to. I'll fix everything later."
More silence. Janet risked a peek through the window to see the office was empty. Mary and Ed were talking to the sheriff, and taking several pair of handcuffs from him.
Byron stood upright.
"Look at it this way. Your kiddies should be used to being tied up now."
She flashed him a glare, amazed at his gall. He turned and walked along the outside of the church, heading to the front. Janet was a step behind.
"What's so special about that cup?"
"It used to belong to a witch, and it's been used in many rituals and spells. You wouldn't believe some of the sloppy shit they make. Anyway, some people think the cup might have absorbed some of a witch's magic. I hoped it could help me with a problem I have. But—" His tone turned angry. "It didn't, and I wasted a lot of money. I'd say all your friends in there are devil worshipers or something." He shook his head. "It's amazing the stupid shit you people believe in."
He was nearly to the front of the church, in plain view of anyone walking on the sidewalk. Janet grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back into the shadows. He spun to face her, a dark look in his eye.
"You've touched me three times today, Janet. If I didn't know better, I'd say you had little girlie feelings for me."
She ignored him. "Witches. Magic. Devil worship. I don't believe in any of that."
"Good for you." He nodded toward the church. "They do."
"I don't think Ed will hurt them, but…I don't know anymore. Help me save my children."
Byron laughed as if he'd just heard the funniest joke ever told.
"No."
He turned to walk away. Janet nearly grabbed his shoulder, but didn't want to push her luck. She trotted behind him to keep up. They were in the open, and anyone entering or leaving the church would see them. Byron didn't seem to care.
"What are you going to do?"
"I told you. I'm getting my property."
"Byron, I don't think they'll just let you walk in there, not if they're devil worshipers, or whatever. And the sheriff has a gun. You're going to…kill them?"
"I'll leave that up to them."
"They'll kill you," she said. It was difficult to accept that she was suddenly concerned about Byron's welfare. But he was her best hope to get her children away from whatever was happening inside the church. "There are too many of them."
He paused and stroked his chin in thought. "Maybe you're right."
"I am. They'll overwhelm—"
"They'll scatter, like roaches. I might not be able to stomp them all." He shrugged, as if he didn't have a care in the world. "Oh well. I'll give it my best shot."
Byron opened the door quietly. Janet followed him closely, and she realized she was holding her breath. They stepped into the foyer separating the front of the church from the main hall. Byron stood on one side of the doorway, Janet the other.
She couldn't believe her eyes.
At first glance, it seemed like any ordinary evening service. People she talked to every day were scattered on both sides of the church, laughing and talking amongst themselves. The more Janet took in, the more she came to understand there wasn't anythin
g ordinary about whatever the people in her town were in to.
The flickering candles spread throughout the church continued to throw exotic, hypnotic shadows on the wall. Everyone wore a dark robe, with only their heads exposed. Occasionally, someone would walk the aisle toward the front to touch the cup, then return to their seat. Mrs. Dailey, a sweet old lady who always gave away too much candy on Halloween, sat near the back. She read from a book and mumbled, but it was unlike any prayer Janet ever heard.
The door to the office opened, and Ed stepped out. Janet caught a glimpse of Sarah behind him, huddled around the radiator in the back. Janet wanted nothing more than to march forward, assaulting anyone that got in her way. She didn't dare, as she had the feeling the robed people in her way were just as dangerous as Byron, and that included her husband.
Ed wore a robe as well. Janet couldn't believe it was him. She thought she'd be sick at any moment.
"Hello, my friends," Ed said. "I know we've all been waiting for this day to come. Tonight, we'll experience true power, and our lives will never be the same."
Byron rolled his eyes. "Mortals and their ridiculous speeches."
Janet gestured for him to be quiet, and turned her attention back to Ed. It was his voice, his body language, but she saw no trace of her husband before her.
"We've all had to make sacrifices to get here, but after tonight, we sacrifice no more. Everything is in place. We have the talisman, and soon, we'll open the gateway."
"Oh, wow," Byron whispered. "Maybe he's not an idiot."
"What?" Janet said.
"He's trying to open a gateway. Maybe summon a demon."
Ed continued to rally everyone around him. They cheered and applauded while Ed soaked in their admiration. Janet focused on Byron.
"A demon? What are you talking about?"
Byron glanced at her sideways. "A demon. I'm not sure how much more plain I can be. You've heard of demons, right?"
"Demons aren't real!"
"Sure, Janet. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
She pointed to the office door. "My daughters are back there. Please, help me."
"I already told you. No."
"You can't just kill everyone."
"Sure I can."
Janet felt her options slipping away. She had no idea what Byron had in mind, but knew he couldn't defend himself against a mob of people. Perhaps, in the fighting and confusion, she could make her way to the office, get her children outside. That was all she cared about. She would deal with her husband later.
A loud noise caught Janet by surprise. Looking back to the main hall, she thought she was imagining things when Mary led a goat across the floor. The animal bleated as Mary brought it to a stop near the front, by Byron's cup. Everyone, including Ed, began to chant unintelligible words. Janet had fought for her life in her home not long ago, and she'd never been more afraid than she was as she watched them.
"Are they…going to kill that goat?"
"Or fuck it," Byron said. "Maybe that's why he practiced on you last night."
Last night seemed like years ago.
"Okay, let's see what we have." Byron scanned the room. "Seventeen people. Ten men, seven women. Three of them are armed. One is unarmed, but ex-military. And, of course, your husband has a knife tucked behind his robe."
Janet regarded Byron, eying the mysterious man up and down. She couldn't believe what was happening. Witches, demons, cults, and whoever Byron was.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"You already know. I'm Byron. Although, I have to admit, I'm getting tired of the name."
"Please," she said, desperation in her voice. "My children."
"I'm not going to save your children," he said. "But…I won't kill them either, unless they get in my way. If you're smart, and that's still a great mystery, you'll use the distraction I create."
"What distraction?"
Byron only grinned, but it wasn't a grin of happiness. It brought goosebumps to Janet's arms.
She thought he'd sneak his way forward, perhaps to the corner of the room. Maybe he'd make a distraction to get their attention.
Byron walked forward, leaving Janet behind. He made no attempt to hide, no attempt at stealth.
"Hello, everyone!"
Ed had a knife pressed to the goat's throat. He stopped and looked up when he saw Byron. The others turned in their seats, with Mary standing up in the front row.
"This is private!" Ed shouted. He gestured to the sheriff and Don Moxley, who stood a full foot taller than anyone else. "Please, get out of here. None of this concerns you."
Byron didn't move. He stared at Don, who was the first to approach. Frank pulled his gun from his robe and let it rest at his side, his finger over the trigger.
"You have to leave, friend," Don said.
Don reached out, and Byron reacted. Janet flinched as he struck with precision. A kick to the knee brought Don down to Byron's level. Byron grabbed Don's wrist and twisted it behind his back while wrapping his other arm around Don's throat. Byron looked at Ed, and then Frank, with that look of arrogant confidence as he held his human shield.
Janet, at that moment, had no doubt that Byron could have killed her whenever he wanted.
Frank raised his gun and took a step back. Everyone else gasped and ducked behind the pews. Ed protectively stood in front of the cup.
"We're not friends. Everyone listen very closely," Byron said, his tone never wavering. "I don't give a shit if you're trying to raise a demon, or summon Big Bird. The cup you're using for your ritual belongs to me. It's mine. If you don't return it to me, I will kill everyone in this room."
"This doesn't have to get ugly," Frank said, taking aim. "Just…let our friend go, and you and I will head down to the station. No one has to die here today, especially you."
"You've got that wrong," Byron said. "Everyone here has to die, except for me."
"You're in a bad spot there, stranger." Frank gestured behind him without turning. "My friend back there is a good shot. All I have to do is give a signal, and he'll drop you. Taking a hostage isn't going to help you."
"Who said anything about a hostage?" Byron applied more pressure to Don's wrist, making him cry out. "Just consider this a glimpse into your future."
Byron grabbed Don's head and twisted violently. The crack reverberated throughout the church, drowning out the bleating goat. Janet watched with wide eyes as Don fell forward, slamming to the floor with a thud.
The collective surprise was thick. Someone called out Don's name near the front. Frank took a step back, shock written across his face. Steadying himself, he took aim once again, and opened fire.
Frank shot three times, and didn't miss. Janet saw the muzzle flash. Byron took a step back, as if someone had given him a slight push. She'd knew he'd been hit.
But he didn't fall.
Three objects bounced on the floor in front of him. Janet thought they were coins at first, but realized they were bullets.
Byron said nothing. He charged forward, growling as he went. Leaping over Don's body, and then two pews, he was nearly upon Frank when he was tackled from the side.
Janet lost sight of Byron as he disappeared in between the pews. Someone collapsed on top of him, throwing wild punches, while another kicked and stomped.
Chaos broke out. Some of the members of Ed's group cried and hugged. A third man joined the beating of Byron. Ed tried to get their attention from the front.
"Everyone, stop, please! We have to begin the ritual!"
"Forget the ritual! He killed Don!"
"What's going on? What is that man talking about? You stole something?"
Staying as low as she could, Janet entered the main hall. She crept along the perimeter, near the walls where the candles were lit. No one noticed her as the crowd focused their attention on Byron. She couldn't see him in the mass of people attacking. She only saw fists and legs.
The office was only a few feet away. As she neared the door, she glance
d behind her. Ed was on his knees next to the goat. His eyes were closed, and he mumbled as he bowed down repeatedly, some strange form of prayer. In his hand he held a knife.
Janet slowly opened the door. Behind a desk was Sarah, sitting on the floor. Sarah looked up and nearly shouted out, but Janet signaled for her to remain quiet.
She recognized another voice, out of sight.
"Is that Daddy?"
It was Elizabeth.
"No," Sarah said. "It's Mom."
"Mommy!"
"Mrs. Fields." It was Mark. "Get us out of here."
Janet closed the door behind her and looked over the desk. The children were handcuffed to a radiator against the wall. Sarah and Elizabeth broke down crying, and Janet couldn't help but join them. She dropped to her knees and embraced her children as best she could. Elizabeth was a wailing mess. Janet was afraid they would hear outside.
"What's wrong with Daddy?" Elizabeth asked. "Why did he do this? Were we bad?"
Janet's heart broke as her daughter asked questions she couldn't answer.
"No, honey. You weren't bad. He's just…sick, that's all."
"My mom, too," Mark said. Janet caught sight of his wrist. It was chaffed and red from pulling against the handcuffs. "They locked us in here. Why are they all dressed the way they are?"
"I don't know, Mark. I'm going to get you out of here."
She studied their restraints. One cuff was around a wrist, the other a different part of the radiator. She pulled on the old metal, and wasn't surprised when it wouldn't budge. Sitting on the floor, she braced her feet against the wall and pulled once again. The children tried to help, but there was no movement. Janet knew it was useless, but she had to try.
The noise in the hall changed. The animated voices changed to startled shouts. The startled shouts turned to terror. Janet shook slightly as the screams slowly cut off. What sounded like liquid smacking the walls took their place.
"Mommy?" Sarah said. "What's that noise?"
Janet couldn't answer.
She unlocked the rear office door and pushed it open. The night air greeted her, the slight breeze blowing through her hair. Freedom stared directly at them, like a cruel joke. If she could just free the children, they could run and never look back. Let those insane people in the hall behind them kill each other.
Damned and Cursed (Book 6): Broken Home Page 6
