The Savior Rises

by Christopher C. Payne

  “Perhaps you would be better served by a demonstration,” Greg responded. “You see, little brother, you and I have to settle some things. You’re really starting to get in my way.”

  Greg’s arm flew up in the air, then he slammed down a knife, cutting through the table and pinning Dennis’ hand in the process. The knife sliced through several bones, and Dennis screamed out in pain.

  “JESUS, what is wrong with you?” Dennis screamed.

  Stefani just sat, staring, unsure what to do. Everyone seemed intent on killing each other. At one point in time, all Stefani could think about was killing Greg. Actually killing him had been her focus most of her life. The desire had intensified recently, but she was too tired now.

  “Just tell me what you want me to do,.” Stefani said, looking at Greg. “Just tell me how it all works. Do you want the ring?”

  She ripped the necklace from around her neck and slammed it on the table. Everyone’s eyes seemed transfixed. The ring glowed. It inhaled the light from the room, and the longer it sat there, the brighter it grew.

  “Put it away, you idiot. Don’t you understand what it’s capable of? Put it away now!” Greg screamed.

  But it was too late.

  The man standing behind Dennis was a gargoyle, and he was the first to change. He was an elder, as well, and his transformation was fast. He flipped Dennis out of the way as his wings shot out of his shoulders.

  “Stop, you imbecile!” Greg yelled. “I demand you stop!”

  But the gargoyle couldn’t hear him. He reached for the ring just as another gargoyle from the front door completed his change. In that instant, the first gargoyle’s arm was severed from his body.

  “The ring is mine!” the second gargoyle screamed as blood sprayed directly in Stefani’s face, drenching her hair and clothes in a shower of thick, sticky, dark red liquid.

  Dennis ripped the knife from the table as he tore his hand free, leaving a gaping hole in the palm of his hand. The antique blade rattled to rest on the floor. He jumped across the table and brought Stefani crashing to the floor moments after she had wrapped her hand around the ring.

  As they rolled to a stop, a third gargoyle completed his change and flew over their heads. He landed on the table, and it splintered into pieces under his weight. The second gargoyle sliced his sword through the air, severing the first gargoyle’s head and pulling out his heart in one frenzied motion. The first gargoyle teetered and fell to the floor.

  “HOLY SHIT, YOU HAVE TO STOP!” Greg screamed. “STOP, I DEMAND IT!”

  But his words fell on deaf ears.

  The rest of the crew were Rogul slaves. As the gargoyles continued their frenzied struggle, the Roguls fled to the security of the waiting cars outside the restaurant. They’d seen far too many friends die at the hands of these lunatics to stick around. They had desires of their own; and if this insanity continued, they knew they’d be next on the chopping block.

  Greg attempted to grab the sword-wielding gargoyle, but he overshot his goal. Greg’s error left an opening for the gargoyle to plunge his weapon into the third gargoyle’s chest. He slithered on the ground for a moment as the second gargoyle twisted the blade in his chest. Within seconds, the third gargoyle lost his head.

  “Sean, you have to stop!” Greg screamed again. “Sean, let it go, snap out of it!”

  Greg had his weapon drawn; and if Sean made one more move, Greg would have no choice but to kill him, as well. Sean might have been a lifelong friend, but they had come too far to lose everything due to a lack of self-control.

  Dennis grabbed Stefani by her arm and dragged her out the back door, fleeing with the Roguls while the fight ensued. Dennis spotted an empty car with keys dangling in the ignition. It likely belonged to one of the dead gargoyles inside. He jumped in the front seat, shoved Stefani over to the passenger side, and turned the key.

  Not wasting time, he hit the gas and shot out of the parking lot. Bits of asphalt flew into the air as the rear tires squealed in protest. He plowed forward to Van Nuys, heading south, throwing the car on two wheels as he hit the ramp for 101South. He wanted to put as much distance between them and Greg as he could. Greg wouldn’t remain distracted for long.

  Sean breathed hard, but he stood still. His arm dangled at his side as his friends’ blood dripped from the sword’s blade.

  “Sean, breathe, dude. You can do it. Catch your breath, and relax. It’s gone now. Just relax,”

  Greg coaxed Sean until he finally dropped the sword, letting it clatter to a resting spot on the floor below.

  “Now we need to catch them, Sean. We have to go after them, but you can’t lose control again. Do you understand me? DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, SEAN?!” Greg screamed.

  “Yes, yes, holy shit, I don’t know what happened. What was that? What did I do?” Sean asked, suddenly waking from the trance.

  “It’s the ring, Sean. It’s waking. It’s almost time, and she’s not yet ready. We must get her back. If we are to succeed, the plan must stay on track. Dennis must die tonight.”

  Dennis floored the gas pedal again, and the car approached 100 miles per hour. He flew around other vehicles and swept in all directions at once. He hoped they could get out of range before it was too late. He knew their only chance was distance. Now that everyone had their scent, they were easy prey.

  “Holy crap, slow down!” Stefani screamed as she finally shoved her seat belt into place. “Are you trying to kill us so they don’t have a chance to? This is crazy.”

  Dennis didn’t bother responding. They passed the old Candlestick Park, but he couldn’t remember what the new name of it was anymore. Some corporate conglomerate had bought and labeled it. Everything in the world was going to Hell it seemed. That’s when the car’s roof crashed down on top of them.

  Sean had spotted them easily. Once he had regained control of his senses, he quickly took off and effortlessly chased them down. Greg would follow behind him within minutes. He slammed into the roof with his feet, smashing the metal like paper. He heard Stefani scream.

  The car buckled in half. It skidded for a few feet before flipping over and rolling like a match box toy out of control. It launched beyond the protective railing to the ground several feet below the freeway. There were no other vehicles on the road.

  Sean wondered to himself if they had on their seat belts. He got his answer as Dennis flew from the driver’s side doorway, skidding head first on the pavement just as a truck turned the curve. There was no way the massive vehicle was going to stop in time. The wheels screeched, and the grill leveled Dennis’ body to the pavement.

  Gargoyles might be able to take a punch, but that’s an extreme test, Sean thought to himself. He flew over to the spot where the car had finally stopped. He tore open the passenger door and grabbed Stefani by her arms. He yanked her out. He couldn’t look at the necklace dangling from her neck. He wasn’t going to risk losing control again.

  Sean looked up in time to see a shadow pass overhead, and Greg swooped down to scrape Dennis’ crumpled body off the pavement. If Dennis were still alive, he was going to have a severe headache when they got him back to the office building. They had to keep him alive though. The plan called for Stefani to see him die. For some reason, Greg said she had to witness his death.

  Stefani’s head felt like a freight train had run her down, crushing her skull. She had experienced severe pain before, but she’d never felt like this. Her eyes opened, and she focused on her surroundings. It was an office building, and there were windows everywhere.

  God, I’m in Greg’s office building, she thought to herself. She realized he was waving smelling salts under her nose, rousing her from her trauma-induced slumber.

  “You’re quite the troublesome young lady, aren’t you? Every single time I think I have the situation pegged with you, I seem to be surprised. Why do you think that is? Could it be because you’re a woman, and women just can’t ever figure out how to follow the rules?” Greg laughed.

  “Wo
men never have been much use in society. I remember when women knew their place. They stayed home and took care of the children and their husbands. If women weren’t useful for breeding, I’m not sure I’d even keep your kind around. We’ll have to see how things go when I conquer this God-forsaken planet.”

  Stefani had her bearings now. She was tied up against one of the glass walls in Greg’s office. She was shackled, really, with metal bands around both wrists. Her arms were spread out with her hands hanging from two pegs lodged into the top of the framing. He really did like hanging her up by her wrists, didn’t he?

  “How many times are you going to tie me up, big boy? I think at some point you’ll be in need of a spanking,” she laughed. She wouldn’t ever waste time spanking Greg. He deserved nothing more than a long, painful, torturous death.

  “It pleases me that you’re in such a good mood. I would hate for you not to miss the show. Sean, wheel in our next contestant, please,” Greg said excitedly.

  It took a second for the image to come into Stefani’s field of vision, but she finally saw Dennis, strapped to a metal table, his arms by his side and his feet slightly spread. He had blood everywhere, and his clothes were barely strips of rags. He looked like he had just been pureed.

  Then, Stefani remembered the car careening out of control. Something had landed on the roof, causing them to spin and flip. Dennis hadn’t put on his seatbelt, so he must’ve been thrown from the vehicle. But he was a gargoyle, right? One of the benefits of being a gargoyle is jumping back to your feet after being through an accident like this. Stefani was already feeling her strength coming back.

  Sean rolled the table directly in front of Stefani, right underneath her nose. Her body was within a foot of the surface, and she saw that Dennis was coming out of his stupor. He was still well beyond being able to walk. He really must have taken an incredible beating during the accident, Stefani thought.

  “No matter what happens, remember, you’re the key. Not me, not anyone else. You’re the key. You’ll know what to do when the time is…” Greg slapped his hand over Dennis’ mouth, cutting off his speech.

  “Will you please shut the hell up? I‘m so sick of the shit spewing from your mouth. Actually…”

  Without even finishing the thought, Greg lifted his knife and plunged it directly through Dennis’ forehead.

  Dennis wailed out in pain, screaming as the knife remained lodged in his skull. It stuck out like a newfound appendage.

  “You see, my dear, just because gargoyles hold a unique ability to survive several generations, it doesn’t mean they are immune to pain. Poor Dennis here seems to be suffering, and you alone hold the key to letting him survive. How does it feel to be that powerful, to have that much control?”

  “Please stop!” Stefani yelled. “Please, dear God, please. I’ll do whatever you want. I said that before. Please, just stop. Please.”

  Her voice trailed off as she lost her energy. She couldn’t stand this. She couldn’t endure watching Dennis suffer. It wasn’t fair.

  Her eyes grew tired, and Greg stepped over, wafting the smelling salts in her nose again. Then, he shoved them directly up one of Stefani’s nostrils.

  “You’ll remain awake for this, you little wench.”

  He spat out the words, and saliva sprayed from his mouth, shooting in the direction of Stefani’s ear. “This is my brother. Just think about what I’ll do with you.”

  Before he finished the words, Sean slammed his sword down, severing Dennis’s legs at the knees. One of them rolled off the table to the floor. Dennis cried out in pain again, begging Greg to just kill him.

  “Please, just do it. Do it now. Finish me, you freak,” Dennis whispered, barely able to speak. He was so weak, but the pain kept him aware of what happened around him. He really did want to die. He had no idea this much pain could possibly exist in life. Maybe in death he would finally find peace.

  Stefani sobbed uncontrollably. She could no longer focus; but Greg grabbed her chin, twisted her head toward Dennis, and forced her to watch as he squirmed in agonizing pain.

  “Keep your eyes directed over here sweetie. The best is yet to come.”

  As Greg fell silent, Sean circled around and brought his sword home, lopping off Dennis’ head. It flipped off the table and rolled several feet, coming to rest half way between the restrooms and the door to Greg’s office. Sean knew things were complete when he slammed his sword down, and Dennis’ heart took its final beat.

  “You could have helped him, honey,” Greg cooed. “Dennis would still be alive if you had have just cooperated. All you had to do was follow the rules. Keep to the script. We don’t like ad-libbing around here do we, Sean?”

  Greg laughed.

  “My little brother. It really is too bad. He was a good kid. Funny, how you didn’t even trust him. He was probably the one person around here you could have and should have had faith in. Sadly, now he’s gone. What would you like to do next, Stefani? Stefani? Hello. Cat got your tongue?”

  Greg cackled again.

  Stefani hung from her chains, not moving, as tears flowed down her cheeks. But she wasn’t sure she was crying. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. There wasn’t much doubt in her mind now that Dennis was no longer with her. He’d been the only one who could’ve saved her. Even Matt, who’d been her companion, hadn’t divulged he was a gargoyle.

  At that thought she cried louder. She wanted it all to end. How could she make it end?

  “I offered to do what you wanted. You wouldn’t tell me what to do. WHAT IS IT YOU WANT FROM ME!” She couldn’t stop now. She just wanted it all to be over.

  “What is it you want from me?

  What is it you want from me?

  What is it you want from me?”

  Those were the last words she remembered. Somehow after that, the room went dark, and she blacked out. Her eyes remained fixed on Dennis. He lay on the table, no longer breathing. She wondered how many years he’d been alive only to be killed by his sibling. How sad is it when your own flesh and blood is the one who betrays you?

  Isn’t that how the Bible started – Cain and Abel, brother against brother? What about the Civil War, death coming at the hands of uncles and cousins, all because people believed in and wanted different things. There’s no family; there’s no love. There’s only one thing in life that anyone shares, and that’s death.

  If anyone in life deserves to die, it’s your own personal family. Her mind floated in space, and she wondered if she were asleep. Everything was dark. It was all closing in on her. She really was alone in the world, but aren’t we all alone?

  The only god she could think of was the one buried six feet under the ground, rotting. The god of death. The god of despair. The god of anyone and everyone who had already left this world, with worms eating the last remains of their yet-to-be decayed flesh or already rotten corpses. The spirits from beyond had betrayed her for the last time. She knew full well there was nobody anyone could count on in life, nobody.

  It’s Time for Your Medication

  Stefani yawned and stretched her arms above her head. Her body kept getting sorer and stiffer every single morning. At that thought, she bolted upright and crashed back down on her mattress, pulling on the restraints holding her in place. She was fastened to a bed, her wrists held by cloth straps and her ankles secured with some white sterile ankle cuffs to the bottom railing.

  Where was she? The walls were all white, and the only other thing in the room was a little white plastic chair that sat next to a white plastic table. There was one square window in the corner above her right shoulder, and the sun sneaked a peak at her through some rolling clouds.

  “Do I hear somebody moving around in there?” a voice said from outside the closed door.

  Stefani heard a key being inserted in a hole. The handle turned, and the door swung open.

  “Staci?” Stefani said. “Staci, is that you? What are you doing? Why are you dressed like that?”

  Staci e
ntered the room dressed in a set of very used, faded light green scrubs and a generic pair of crocs. The kind of basic, non-descript shoes nurses wear. Comfortable, soft soles, lots of padding, made specifically for standing on your feet all day. Staci wasn’t a nurse, though. She was her roommate.

  “Staci, what are you doing?” Stefani asked again.

  “I hope we’re going to have a good day today,” Staci said in a tone often used with small children. “It’s time to take your medication, and I don’t want to fight with you about it. We don’t want anything like yesterday. Now, that wasn’t fun for any of us, was it?” she asked.

  “Staci, what the hell is going on? What are you doing here? Why are you dressed like this? WHAT IN THE HELL IS HAPPENING TO ME!”

  Stefani grew more anxious by the minute.

  “Lori, can you come and help me, please. Looks like Stefani is going to give us some problems again. Stefani, Lori and I are going to hold your arms. If you take your medicine like Dr. Bob prescribed, we’ll let you watch TV. Stefani… Stefani, do you understand what I am saying to you?” Staci continued.

  Stefani reached with both hands, lunging forward with all her might, but she couldn’t break the bindings holding her arms in place. She couldn’t figure out why she could pull chains out of a rock and mortar wall, but she couldn’t bend the bed frame a tiny bit. Maybe the drugs were affecting her.

  Crap, she hadn’t been getting any drugs. She wasn’t ever here before. This was the first time she’d seen this place, yet her two roommates were trying to give her drugs. What was happening?

  Staci abruptly threw a cup of water in Stefani’s face. Ice cold liquid ran down her cheeks and neck to her… -- what the heck? She was naked. She didn’t have on a top. Why would they have taken her clothes off?

  “Stefani, this is your last chance. You can stay tied up in this bed all day. I don’t really give a crap. Or you can take your medication and go have breakfast. You know they have pancakes today, and you love those little pancakes. You can also watch TV,” Staci said. “Remember how much you enjoy The Price is Right? Drew Carey will be on again today. You like Drew Carey. Remember?”