The Dagger Men: A Novel of the Clay Shamus

by Michael Panush

  “Why aren’t they fighting?” Saladin asked.

  “They both have orders that align,” Clay explained. “The energy golems want to take out the Kosher Kave. The garbage golems want to take out Alex Amir, who’s in the Kosher Kave. That puts them on the same side.” He sighed. “It’s what happens with these poorly made golems.” He pointed at the crowd. “And it looks like the situation is getting worse.”

  The garbage golems merged together, the litter combining and melding to form the same mass. Some of the golems became the arms, while others formed arms and legs. They didn’t hold hands, but simply merged and reformed, their rotting exteriors clicking into shape like the joints of some strange machine. The odd creation fused together, and slowly stood. It moved to its knees first, and towered above the Kosher Kave—forming a great giant of seething garbage, big enough to tackle a small building. The fake burger of the Kosher Kave’s roof came only to its waist. The giant garbage golem stared down at them with a face made from tattered papers, all covered in occult Hebrew lettering. It took a single step and made the street shake.

  Then the electric golems joined in. They formed together as well, losing their humanoid appearances and becoming a twisting, crackling band of electricity. The energy snaked around the legs of the garbage golem, crisscrossed its chest, and fused together. Electricity filled the garbage golem, bright enough to light up the whole street. The whole creation stared down at Clay, Talia, and Saladin. It seemed to realize that they were a threat.

  “Oh no,” Saladin muttered. “It’s like some kind of golem Godzilla. How are we gonna take it down without calling in an airstrike?”

  The giant golem raised a hand. Its misshapen fingers, each as big as a person, radiated with electricity. “Get back!” Clay cried. He grabbed the shoulders of his friends and hauled them back, but it was too late. The electricity slammed down and blasted into the ground behind them—a lightning strike that sent shockwaves of heat and pressure through the air. Saladin flew back and crashed into a dumpster. Clay hit the ground and rolled. His heavy limbs clattered across the street, cracking before coming to a rest. Talia had managed to avoid the blast. She stood back and stared at the golem.

  The door of the Kosher Kave opened. Henry peeked out. “Talia!” he cried. “Remember—the golem’s head!”

  “Okay.” Talia raised her assault rifle. “Aim for the head.”

  She used the attached grenade launcher. It shot into the air, trailing a line of smoke, and then struck the giant golem straight in the forehead. Fire consumed the golem’s head. The explosion ripped it apart, shredding the papers and sending pieces of electricity flying away. Fire consumed the giant golem’s head. It took another step, and collapsed. The energy vanished. The garbage descended, falling onto the street. Talia lowered her gun with a slight sigh. Clay sat up. The garbage golem had been defeated.

  Shmuel and Amir joined Henry in the doorway. Amir looked at the golem and then at the grenade launcher. “Everyone okay?” he asked. “Looks like you iced all those golems, Talia. Pretty cool, I must say.” He adjusted his gold chains. “And you know, checking out the Kosher Kave—and being pursued by killer golems—has given me a new perspective. I was thinking that I wouldn’t demolish the Kosher Kave. Instead, I’ll partner up with it, and build an addition.” He beamed. “An add-on nightclub. Get some Klezmer hip-hop fusion going on, mixed with some Jazz Age swag.” He turned to Saladin. “What do you think, Saladin?”

  “I’m sure it will good, Mr. Amir.” Saladin stood up and winced. “Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m pretty hungry. How are the burgers here?”

  “They’re very good. And all on the house.” Shmuel motioned for them to come inside.

  “Come on, Talia!” Henry called, as he stepped inside. “We better call my mom too. I bet she’ll be worried. But she’ll be very happy to know how you protected me and saved all of Haven Street.” He glanced at Clay. “With some help from Mr. Clay.”

  “Sure,” Talia agreed. She lowered the golden assault rifle and walked over to Clay. “Well.” She stared at the remains of the garbage golem. “That was something. I had no idea that kidsitting the good-natured, nerdy little boy from next door would get so intense.” She offered Clay her hand and he came to his feet. “How’d I do?”

  “Wonderfully,” Clay said. “Henry and his family will always have one protector. I’m glad to know they’ve got another.” He turned to the Kosher Kave and Talia followed him. They walked inside as a night wind blew the remains of the other golems along the street.

  THE END

  ABOUT OUR CREATORS

  AUTHOR –

  MICHAEL PANUSH – Only twenty-six years old, Michael Panush has distinguished himself as one of Sacramento’s most promising young writers. Michael has published numerous short stories in a variety of e-zines including: AuroraWolf, Demon Minds, Fantastic Horror, Dark Fire Fiction, Aphelion, Horrorbound, Fantasy Gazetteer, Demonic Tome, Tiny Globule, and Defenestration. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz’s Creative Writing program, he currently lives in Sacramento, where h teaches at Encina Preparatory School.

  He has written several books with Curiosity Quills all of which are available digitally and in paperback. He has also written a webcomic entitled, illustrated by Masmi Kiyono, which is available on the Curiosity Quills website at http://curiosityquills.com/looters-taking-tomes/

  ARTIST –

  ZACHARY BRUNNER – graduated from the School of Arts with a degree in filmmaking. Upon graduation, he realized that he would rather pursue a career in illustration, needing a more creative job than the high-stress environment of film production. He began working with comic writer Jim Krueger on two graphic novels, “The High Cost of Happily Ever After,” and “Runner.” “High Cost” is currently available at Amazon, “Runner,” is expected out this year.

  While studying at SVA, Zachary worked as a concept artist on an animated film called “Brother,” directed by Sari Rodrig. The short film went on to win countless awards all over the world, having been shown at festivals such as Cannes and the Student Emmys. Zach currently is working on Sari’s second short animated film, “Essence.”

  For the past year, he has also worked as a storyboard artist for Torque Creative, the in-house advertising agency for Mercedes-Benz. He is also currently working on several storyboards for short independent films.

  Other print projects included “Christopher Rising,” “Penny Dreadful” and “The Poisonberry Fortune” and “Foot Soldiers,Volume 1.” He plans on furthering a career in concept art and in the comic book industry.