The Silver Fang

by Silver Fang (NCP) (lit)

  "What happened?" The man turned towards me. "What did you do? I felt something warm flow through me."

  "Don’t worry about it, keep moving." We ascended the steps and entered the attic. He placed three planks across the door in the attic and bolted it shut. I searched for another opening and found a small window. The old man walked over to the corner of the attic and flipped a switch. He then moved to the far wall and opened a box. A dim light came to life in the middle of the room.

  "For years I prepared for this night. When they would once again come after me. I have a generator in the basement. We have light for six hours."

  "We need to block the door. They will get through eventually." I remembered the beast tearing through a wall earlier and knew they would rip the door right off its hinges. There was a bed, two dressers, desk, metal cabinet and a refrigerator. I walked over to the cabinet and began to slide it across the floor.

  The man stared at me mouth wide open. "That cabinet weighs 300-500 pounds."

  "Help me, old man," I whispered. He got on one side and me on the other and we moved the cabinet against the door. I walked to the dresser pushing it towards the entrance.

  He held his hand out to me. "Wait!" He opened the cabinet and removed two vests, ammo and a leather bag. "Now." We pushed the dresser into the cabinet.

  I wasn’t going to take a chance. Dragging the mattresses off the bed, I took the headboard, and placed it against the window. I moved the second dresser firmly against the headboard, shutting off the window. The old man lugged a toolbox from the corner of the room, removed the wooden planks off the bed frame, and took them over to the door. He slipped the plank between the cabinet and entrance hammering it to the wall. "Never can be too careful." He smiled.

  He plopped down on the mattress, putting all his weapons, bag and two vests on the floor. "Here, put this on. If they manage to get in, it will protect your vital organs." He handed me the bag and the vest. I opened the bag and inside was a pair of leather pants, leather tank top and jacket. Carl turned while I stripped and put everything on. The leather pants were a little big on me, but the vest and jacket fit perfectly. I put on the bulletproof vest, which was snug over the leather tank top. I then strapped the leg straps to my calves for easy reach.

  I sat down, leather creaking, beside him and sent my power out into the night. Searching with my energy for the werewolves. I felt eight hunting us. They were devising a plan of attack. These creatures were mean and smart, a bad combination. One creature pressed its power into mine, sending tremors down my body, forcing me to break the connection.

  The old man snatched my arm as I trembled. "It will be okay, Samantha." He was trying to comfort me, but it wasn’t fear that I felt but hatred.

  I turned to the old man, the guilt consumed me. What had I done? I’d endangered this man who had already been through so much. Carl reminded me of my stepfather, strong and kind.

  "What happened to you, dear? There is something different about you." He picked up the other vest and put it on.

  "I was kidnapped by these creatures. They want me to become one of them."

  He looked surprised. "Why would they want you?"

  "A couple of days ago I was introduced to a vampire whose father knew my mother. She died when I was born. Except he really wasn’t this man’s father but was using him to find me." I paused. "He claimed I had vampire blood in me and that I was part of a prophecy. Nicholi, the vampire who wanted me, was planning on creating a master vampire race that could live in the light." I glanced at the old man and his expression still held concern. "He wanted me to mate with his sons to bear him an army of vampires." I thought of the night with Siön Baptiste and my stomach churned. Heat and desire washed over me and I could still taste his blood.

  I told the old man everything. I told him about the kidnapping and how they shot Siön Baptiste while we were in each other’s arms.

  When I finished my whole story, the man had tears in his eyes. "Bastards, they are all bastards." Tears ran down his face as he captured my hand, squeezing it tightly. "My dear, you’ve been through so much and you’re so damn strong. You remind me of my daughter." He sighed, crying silently. "They tore my daughter to pieces. I could do nothing. They raped and killed my entire family." He faced me, shaking my shoulders gently. "Promise me if you survive tonight, you will kill them all. Promise me." He cursed quietly. "You have power, use it for good." He whispered, "Don’t let them do this to another family."

  I hugged him. "I promise. I promise you will not die tonight and I will use my power for good." I paused. "I will have my revenge and yours." I stood up, holding the Berettas in my hands. "They will all fucking die." All the emotions poured over me and I fell to the ground, guns in hands.

  The old man asked, "Are you alright?"

  "Yes, stay back." I felt a desire overwhelm me. I wanted to kill, I needed to kill. Energy glided through my cells into my blood. Somehow, I knew the change was complete. My head snapped back as a flash of light and memories poured into my mind. I knew why I was here and what I had to do. Destroy the evil and unite the pure. I had a purpose and a clear memory from someone else entered me, changing me. I was still Samantha Houston but older, wiser, stronger.

  Chapter 22

  I floated through a large set of doors, my feet never hitting the ground. Twelve men sat in chairs before me. One of those men I recognized as Nicholi. They all glared at me.

  "You are the chosen one, Samantha." Their voices slapped my body. "You will free the human race from death and destruction." The voices spoke but their mouths did not move. "You will bear a master race of vampires." They echoed in my head, causing me to fall to my knees. Power flooded the room as they spoke. "The werewolves have grown strong, but there are others you should fear more." I felt a cold air wash over me and looked down at my naked body. "If you do not stop the Drackontz, all will be lost." I couldn’t move, held by their power. "The Drackontz will come for you and destroy all those you love. They will destroy vampires and werewolves, making humans and monsters alike feed and serve them as animals. The world as you know it will cease to exist." All the vampires were dressed in red. The red caught my eye and I wondered if they tasted as good as they looked. I shook the thought from my head as I watched them.

  I put my hands up shrugging. "Why me? How can I stop them? What are they?"

  "These demons created the vampires and werewolves. They have none of our weaknesses and all of our strengths. They have been sleeping for the last millennium waiting for you. They will awaken, Samantha to destroy you. Your time is short. You must unite enemies and bear a son. A son will be born to destroy the Drackontz, saving the world. Vampires and werewolves will fight for you but you must unite them. If they do not battle together, all will perish. Only destroy those you must for the time is at hand when the world as you know it will cease to exist. The bottomless pit will open, bringing with it Drackontz to rule the world."

  "What do you want?"

  "Your mother sacrificed, so will you." All the men chanted in unison holding a cup as they walked towards me. "Drink of our blood, power and memories." They circled me, their power enhancing my desire for blood. I had no fear, only the need to drink. I reached for Nicholi’s cup first. I drank readily and the blood seeped into me, spreading his strength through me. I drank from all twelve cups, all filled with warm blood. I fell to the ground as their memories engaged my mind.

  The vampires were standing in the same room, but surrounding my mother. I could smell her, taste her, and feel her. The naked men crowded around her delicate body. They’d chained her to the wall. I glanced over at the wall of the room and saw empty chains hanging. They’d strapped her in like an animal. Nicholi stood before her naked and entered her body. He latched onto her neck feeding then bit his own wrist making her drink of his blood. She gagged as he forced her to drink. His hips moved against her, pushing himself within her as she cried out in pain. All twelve men raped her body repeatedly.

  Alastair mo
ved from the shadows, stealing my mother. He flew with inhuman speed, anger and hatred seething across his distorted face. He blamed her, not the men who raped her. He hated her and me. He was not my father, but the twelve vampires who now beseeched me to help them through my dream.

  I fell to the ground, shaking as the nightmare unfolded. "NO!" I screamed. "NO!"

  "We had to sacrifice one for the multitude. As will you." The voices echoed.

  My mother had marvelous long flowing black hair. I had her eyes, a radiant amethyst. I felt her love flood over me as she came towards me. The men parted as she approached.

  She held out her hand, touching my face. "My child, I willingly gave my soul for you. The world needs you to save them. It was a sacrifice I had to make." I held her hand, crying as calm washed over me. I felt power engulf me as I fell to the ground. The world was spinning, growing dark. I was safe in my mother’s arms.

  Chapter 23

  Carl was shaking me as I opened my eyes. We both had been crying, tears running down our faces. I could still smell my mother’s scent. "Sam, it’s okay." Carl’s voice soothed me.

  A banging sound on the second floor cleared my mind. Carl stood, taking my hands, yanking me off the floor. "They are coming."

  An evil presence was all around us and I couldn’t help but feel my own power, pulsing within, aching to explode in a fury of anger. I readied my guns as Carl grabbed the black bag and shotguns. He shoved ammo into his vest as he pumped his shotgun, aiming it at the door. We heard the door at the bottom of the steps blast open. The dresser and door shook as the werewolves pounded at the opening in front of us. I closed my eyes, steadying my shaking hands. You can do this, Samantha. I told myself.

  "It’s not going to hold," Carl yelled. "If you get out of here, I have a car in the barn and the keys are in the ignition," he whispered.

  Opening my eyes I concentrated on sending my power through the wall and door, searching. "There are four werewolves on the second floor," I whispered, pushing my energy to its limits sending it further. "There are four more outside, circling the house." The banging grew louder. "I can’t feel any near the barn." The walls shook violently as I narrowed my eyes looking beyond the room. "The roof is clear. If we could get on the roof, we can get to the barn."

  "Darling, its three stories up, how do you suppose we get down--jump?" He looked at me, eyes wide. "Damn girl, this old man won’t make it."

  I smiled. "We’ll make it." As I turned toward the window, I felt the surge of power fill the room. "Ty," I whispered. The monsters beat at the door. It rattled, splintering against the pressure. I raised my guns. "He’s here, get behind me," I yelled over the inhuman screams.

  He shook his head. "Like hell, girl. I’m fine."

  I shoved him behind me, backing up towards the window. I threw the dresser and bedpost across the floor with one smooth motion. "Get out on the roof," I yelled.

  "No way will I leave you."

  As he spoke, the dresser and cabinet burst open. Two werewolves entered the attic, low to the ground, ready to attack. I shot the first creature giving it no time to react, hitting it in the head. The second was shot in the chest but still standing. The smallest of the monsters howled as I aimed my guns at its heart and filled him with bullets. A third werewolf entered, rushing us. Carl’s shotgun in unison with my guns repeatedly hit the creature. It fell as its head exploded all over the room. I broke the window with my hand and slid out. Turning back I seized Carl, pulling him head first through the window. As he came through the opening, he lost his footing.

  He screamed, "Get me out, it has my leg." A werewolf snatched his ankle ripping the skin from his flesh. He yelled as I shot the werewolf directly in the face. Grimacing as I helped him lean against the siding, he grabbed my arm. "Thank you."

  "Thank me later," I growled. Aiming my guns back into the room, I fired as Ty attacked. He was larger and stronger than the other three werewolves and made it past my shots, latching on to my arm, tearing away the sleeve of my jacket, leaving a long painful scratch down my arm. Its claw hit my face, knocking my head against the side of the house. I almost fell off the roof as I stumbled back, firing at the creature. I waited for it to crash through the wall, but the werewolf was gone. No sign of Ty anywhere.

  "He scratched me. The son of a bitch scratched me" Carl cried out.

  I put my hand over his mouth. "Shhhhh. It got me too." I pointed to the ground. I knew they were circling the house waiting for us to descend. Carl was badly wounded and I was banged up pretty bad, but we had no time to waste. Carl could barely move as we carefully maneuvered around the roof searching for a way to the barn. I heard a scream as a werewolf broke through the second story window. It pulled itself onto the third story roof just above us.

  "It’s coming for us." It moved like lighting in a blur of fangs and fur. I crouched, shooting several times, hitting the creature in the leg and chest. Screeching, it fell from the roof, hitting the ground with a thump. Prodding Carl to move, we rounded the side of the house. There was a power line leading directly from the house to the barn. Hell YEAH! If we could manage to slide down the line and make it to the barn, we might have a chance. Carl limped, whimpering in pain. I pointed to the line. "We can make it, old man." I took off my vest and tossed it over the line. "Can you hold on?"

  "Girl, I might be hurt but I’m not dead." He took his vest off. "You first."

  I held onto the vest as it glided over the line scooting towards the barn. I slid safely onto the barn roof turning to see Carl still on the house roof.

  "Come on, old man," I whispered to myself. "Come on!"

  He was standing completely still, gun in hand. He had turned away from me, facing the corner of the house. I could see an unnatural shadow stalking across the roof toward him from the opposite side. In front, a second werewolf pursued him. They were cornering him in and he couldn’t see them hunting him from below and behind.

  The werewolf in front of him slowed its pace, standing up on its hinds legs. He held the shotgun up shooting the massive target before him, but as he shot, the second werewolf attacked.

  "CARL!!" I screamed, startling him. He shot but it missed and both werewolves quickly descended upon him. I took aim at the second werewolf, shooting it squarely in the back. It hesitated but continued to attack. I shot again as Carl slipped in the blood of his injury, falling, sliding off the roof. He landed on the second floor roof, just as a third werewolf appeared around the corner, crawling toward him. I fired again, this time missing. Carl had dropped his weapon and the monster took advantage, lunging and latching onto Carl’s throat. It tore into the flesh, severing his neck.

  The beast held on as Carl looked over at me. "Run." His voice was choking on his own blood as he raised his hand towards me. "Run!" he screamed.

  The werewolf ripped through his neck and Carl’s body fell to the ground. Hot tears ran down my face. Aiming my guns at the beast, I shot, blowing its head and Carl’s to the ground. The two werewolves on the third floor jumped down, stalking across the moonlit yard, heading to the barn. Only two left. I tried to shoot, but the guns were empty. Closer they stalked as I ducked down and with inhuman speed replaced the empty cartridge with full ammo. Snapping the ammo in with a click, I got eight shots off shooting the two werewolves both in the chest. They fell, crying out in pain. I fired again until their screams quieted. I remembered Carl’s words. The keys were in the car in the barn.

  Everything had taken place so quickly and now I was alone. Despair crept into my mind as I perched on the edge of the barn roof overseeing the bloody landscape below. Dead or dying werewolves surrounded Carl’s body. The fog swirled lazily across the trees, billowing down to the yard, covering them in a blanket of gloomy mist. Rolling my shoulders, trying to release the tension and fear, I huddled against myself, wrapping my arms tightly around my legs. I couldn’t believe what just happened. I felt a mind-numbing chill run up and down my spine. My body was trembling uncontrollably, caused by a mix of terror an
d adrenaline. Concentrating on survival was the only way to dispel the pending feeling of doom that now inundated my senses. The only hope of escape was inside the barn and somehow I had to build up the nerve to make my next move. Scanning the area one last time, I reluctantly stood. Taking a deep breath, I leaped into the fog, floating effortlessly through the cool night air. The mist chilled my skin while the long leather jacket I wore flared out around me. Flipping in mid-air, I landed safely with a small thud. Nostrils flared as the stench of the dying creatures mixed with freshly cut grass. The smell of blood and danger mingled in the cool evening breeze causing my stomach to churn with hunger. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts and forget the flashbacks of the attack. Now what lay before me was silence, filled only with the pounding of my heart.

  Squatting low to the ground, I peered cautiously into the night. The moon illuminated the gloomy world, causing silver light to dance over everything in its path. Aiming my guns into the darkness, I propelled my power searching for what my eyes could not see. My energy flowed effortlessly, but could only find dead or dying creatures. Dawn was approaching and the moon was descending rapidly. I might actually survive this hellish night.

  A bolt of fear jolted through me as a long sharp cry pierced the silence. My power probed the creature nearest me. I stiffened, waiting for a possible attack. Sending my energy deep inside the creature, it turned to meet my gaze, red eyes glowing angrily as he sniffed the air, feeling my presence. The werewolf let out a blood-curdling scream, trying to escape my grasp.

  "Die," I whispered, wrapping my power around its beating heart, squeezing with the unseen force. I watched from afar, as my energy captured its heart, exploding it into a million pieces. The monster’s deafening screams and claws slashed at me, breaking my trance even as I felt its life slip away. The smell of rotting inhuman flesh and muffled whimpers was the only evidence left of the fight that had occurred moments before. I stood, my emotions buried somewhere deep within. The numbness moved across my whole body as the rush of power tingled over every muscle and cell. Smirking wickedly over my triumph and the fact I was still alive and the sun was about to rise, I turned to face the barn doors, shoving them open. I cringed as they swung inward, creaking and banging into the wall.