Anthony stopped struggling, and thought about how his family lived in a horrible one-room apartment with no heat or running water. This would get them out of there and they would be set for life.
“Just let go, Anthony. Let go and I will be sure your family are well-cared for.” Davis promised as he walked back to the control panel.
“Prove it!” He cried. “Prove you are going to take care of them.”
“Done,” Davis said as he pulled out his phone. “Sir, it’s me. He has what you are looking for and so much more. I promised him that if he gave it all without any trouble then all his pay plus fifty percent would be given to his family…most generous, sir,” he said as he shut the phone. He picked up a small computer tablet and pushed a few buttons, bringing it to Anthony. “All that was promised is already in your wife’s account.” Davis walked back to the control panel once more.
He was so tired, and he was in so much pain. He wanted his family to be safe and in a better place. He would do it—let go. It felt good for him to let go of fighting. The darkness was closing around him like a friend’s warm embrace.
“That’s right. Let the machine take what it needs, and you can go in peace,” Davis said, trying to sound soothing.
Anthony closed his eyes the rest of the way and completely surrendered to the darkness as the machine began to hum once more. He completely let go.
Yet in the darkness of his mind, he saw something. A brilliant blue-white light and he reached out for it so he could embrace it. Once he did so he no longer felt tired and beaten. He felt strong and powerful.
This must be what they have been wanting all a long, he thought. For as good as this feels, I don’t want it. I just want to go home. If Davis and Clayton want it…they can have it! he thought as he pushed all the power from his body at the arms of the machine, causing the pleasant hum to turn into an irritating whine.
“No, Anthony. Too much, too fast,” Davis said sounding panicked. “Back it off!”
But Anthony did not back off. He kept pushing everything he had at the machine. He was going to give them everything they wanted. He did not care it killed him anymore. This was something that had to be done. He knew his family was safe and embracing the power gave him more than just a tingle in his gut. He could actually see what was going to happen. It was like seeing a portrait in black. If he let the machine have all his power in one blast, he could see a chain reaction—what it would do to the machine and the impact that would have on Mr. Clayton, Deep tech, and all they controlled.
“No…Anthony! Stop!” Davis screamed in panic.
“War is now!” Anthony yelled above the noise of the machine just seconds before it exploded, causing the cave to collapse.
Dead By Dawn
By KR Jordan
Eighty-five year old Martha Suarez kneeled at the foot of her bed, meditation beads running through her fingers nimbly for a woman with arthritis. She lifts her head from its worshipful bow and opens here eyes. "Esos ninos, barbaros!" she whispers fiercely and redoubles her prayers.
* * *
Mikey Suarez and his two cousins had to go to school the next day, but still snuck out of the house that night to go and see the metal band Dead By Dawn. The lead singer and guitarist, Dave Cook, was his hero. Mikey figured that if a real guy like Dave Cook can make it in the music business, he can too.
Mikey saw her first. He was the tallest of the three and could see clear across the shadowy mosh pit to the other side of the room. That was where she was. Just standing over by the platform where the band was playing, one sexy hip cocked to the side. Her long blonde hair fell in wavy tresses way past her shoulders. He’d always been attracted to blondes, especially tall ones like her.
“I’m about to get lucky so don’t wait up,” he said as he smoothed his eyebrows with his index fingers.
“There he goes again, day dreaming.” Little Mario laughed under his breath, rolling his eyes at Brandon.
Brandon looked around the dark club nervously, still not comfortable with sneaking in.
“Just watch and learn,” Mikey responded.
He started across the mosh pit, pushing people aside in his usual arrogance. He kept his eyes on the tall blonde, not wanting to lose sight of her in the dark crowd.
He kept thinking about how to approach her and couldn't figure out a way that was cool. Girl, how'd you get into those jeans? Cause I gots to know too! He actually wanted to barf at that pick up line.
Just when he was within arm’s length of her, she turns and walks toward the exit.
“Hey, hold on! What’s your name?” Oh man, he was crashing and burning with those lines.
The beautiful blonde turns slightly toward him, and he thought he heard her laugh. That was a good sign. A very good sign! He runs to catch up with her.
* * *
"Come on, Brandon. Let's go see Mikey crash and burn."
"Yeah, he deserves it!" Brandon says with a laugh. The relief that they'd be leaving the club was evident in his tone of voice.
As they exit the building, they hear Mikey yelling.
"What the fu...?" They both take off, running toward the parking lot.
"I told you we'd get in trouble! Gramma always says not to leave the club with anyone, even the hottest girl in the room. Y'all never listen to me, and now look, Mikey's probably being beat up right now."
"Shut up, Brandon! Help me find Mikey!"
They run up and down the rows of cars looking for him, but there's no sign at all. Just as they reach the last row of cars, Little Mario sees one of Mikey's shoes lying in the middle of a parking space.
They searched around the cars near that parking space for about ten minutes, but couldn't figure out what could have happened.
"Well, I think we need to call the police," Little Mario says. "We're already going to be in deep shit with mom and dad. Gramma's gonna kill us too."
He reaches for his cell phone to call 911 when he hears the chorus line to “Fallen Angels” by Black Veil Brides, which is his ringtone. The sudden blaring startles him so that he almost drops his phone.
"Hello?" he questions suspiciously.
"Junior, stay there. Me and your Tia Juanita are on our way."
"Wait, Gramma Martha, how do you know where we're at?"
"Mendigo! How do you think? I spend day and night on my knees praying for you boys! You should be thankful and behave yourselves instead of making an old lady pray for you all day."
"Abuelita, I'm sorry. It's all Mikey's fault! He wanted to come and see the band—"
"Silencio!" Gramma Martha lets out a string of cuss words that would make a grizzled sailor blush. "Besides, I know it's Mikey's fault, so just stay put until I get there!"
Brandon has overheard the whole exchange and his face is as white as a ghost's. "Oh, no! Gramma Martha is on her way?"
Little Mario takes a deep calming breath. "Yeah. That's not the worst part, though. She's bringing your mom."
Brandon runs both hands through his hair in a quick nervous gesture. "Dammit!"
* * *
Five blocks down the road, Martha and Tia Juanita, who is actually Martha's baby sister, come tearing down the road. Martha is driving her 1970-something station wagon with a headlight out, and she has a heavy foot, taking the corner so fast the hubcap flies off with a rolling clang.
"Esos pinches hubcaps aren't worth a shit!"
Tia Juanita sits at her side, a joint to her mouth as she inhales deeply. In Juanita's other hand is a cast iron skillet. She holds her breath in as she says, "Martha, it's been a long time since we met up with horseface. You ready for this?"
She lets out her breath in a whoosh, enjoying the sensation.
During the moonphase, when the moon is at it's highest point, the horse-faced Caballona was free to roam the region in which she nests. The Caballona in their particular area, Luisa, appears as a young blonde woman. She feeds on the young men she would seduce to follow her.
In their lust, her vict
ims see her as beautiful and alluring. Later, as they lay dying, Luisa would reveal her true image, a horse face with fiery red eyes, teeth long and sharp to rip apart the human flesh.
Many years ago, Martha had lost her husband, Chencho, to the phantom Caballona. She'd failed to kill the bruja, but today she would avenge Chencho's death and protect her grandchildren at the same time.
"Si, Juanita, but I'm so ready to get her this time! No punk puta is going to mess con mis grandsons!" Martha wields her palote in the air with a crazed look in her eyes. "Now, pass me that before you suck it dry! My damn cataracts are giving me trouble!" She cackles out a loud laugh.
"Martha, you really look crazy when you shake that rolling pin like that!" San Juanita laughs.
"Si? Well, you look worse with your blue eye shadow and mini skirt! You're almost seventy years old, you should be in a vata at a nursing home, estupida!"
They both break down, laughing at their light hearted banter. Deep inside, they're serious but calm, the joint helping immensely because they've hunted and battled against the Caballona Luisa many times before.
* * *
Little Mario and Brandon dive out of the way of the oncoming one-eyed station wagon. Luckily they did because it was Gramma Martha at the wheel and she didn't stop for breathing bodies. Everyone in town knew to stay out of her way.
The wheels screech to a halt and the back door flies open.
"Get the hell in the car! You want that bruja to eat Mikey? We gotta find them before the sun rises or that puta wins again!" Gramma yells out.
Little Mario and Brandon rush to pile into the backseat before Gramma speeds away.
"Heyyyy, mijitos!" San Juanita smiles, peacefully high. "I'll get my kiss later. Tu abuelita loca is driving so get jour seatbelts on!"
Martha pulls out of the parking lot into oncoming traffic, leaving behind thick smoke from her tailpipe and a mass of honking horns. The view the offended drivers are given is of Martha's middle finger out the window.
"Sonsabishes!" she yells.
Little Mario and Brandon look at each other, wondering if they'd have been safer staying at the club.
Ten minutes of driving through the woods without headlights has the boys edgy and nervous. Martha and Juanita finish their joint as they pull up to a locked fence.
"You ready, hermana?" Juanita whispers.
"Si-mon! I was born to take this bruja down." Juanita grabs her cast-iron skillet and Martha spins the rolling pin with confidence.
"Okay, ninos, it's time to show me what you're made of…rock, paper, or scissors," Martha says quietly to the boys.
Brandon and Little Mario look at each other, trying not to laugh at their Gramma’s statement.
"Gramma, you tell me what you want, and I'm there. No one messes with my crazy brother, but me!" Little Mario is afraid, but he trusts his Gramma and especially he trusts her faith.
"I'm not gonna lie, Gramma," Brandon says, "I'm scared. I don't know what's going on, but I'll do what you and mama want too." He looks into Gramma's eyes to show her he's serious. Turning to his mama, he sees that she's crying, and her mascara is running, making her look like a raccoon.
"Mijo, you're growing up!" Juanita hugs her son tight and then pushes him away, roughly wiping her fingers under her raccoon eyes. "Are we gonna sit here crying until the sun rises or are we gonna get that damn bruja?"
"Get the crowbar and hammer in the back and let's get going." Little Mario grabs the hammer and Brandon gets the crowbar.
* * *
They'd been walking silently in the dark woods, away from the locked fence for a while now. The boys matched their elderly grandmother's silent steps easily.
"How do you know where to find her, Gramma?" Brandon whispers.
"The Lord shows me," Gramma whispers seriously back.
"He gives you a map?" Brandon replies.
Gramma stops to look at Brandon as if he's lost his mind.
Brandon coughs and whispers, "I'm just teasing, Gramma. Stop looking at me like that." He frowns and hears his mama laugh quietly.
Gramma silences her with the lifting of her hand. Looking up toward the east, she whispers, "We gotta get going. We're running out of time!"
When they reach a dry ravine, the little group follows it for a couple minutes and then Gramma stoops low. "Okay, Juanita. You know what to do, right? Her nido is just up this rise. I'll go in there and distract her while you chinga la madre. Little Mario, you and Brandon find Mikey and get out of there like the bandidos you are! Now, let's go!"
Gramma takes off up the hill like a goat, nimble and fast. Juanita follows at a moderate rate while the boys try to keep up with them.
* * *
The Caballona Luisa squats near the fire, warming her hands. She marvels again at the smooth beauty of her hands. Running them down her body, she thanks the moon magic for her facade of a twenty-four year old blonde woman. The night is still here, so her appearance remains that of a nubile young woman and she relishes it!
Hearing movement near the doorway of her cave, she turns to look at her young quarry and smiles. Still asleep. "When the sun rises, I will enjoy the sustenance you provide!"
The piles of bones scattered around the cave bother Luisa, and she decides to leave and find a new home. Of course, that would be after feeding.
"Mira, mira! I knew I would find you one day, puta."
Luisa spins around, blonde hair flowing sexily over her right shoulder. The magic that she enjoys on a full moon makes every movement a dance of seduction.
"Martha," she drawls.
"Yes, puta, it is I." Martha casually and deliberately cracks open two pecans with her knuckles. "I knew I'd find you one day." She peels away the shell and pops a chunk of pecan into her mouth, gumming it slowly.
Luisa rolls her eyes. "Give it up already, Martha. Chencho is gone, he came to me willingly, enjoying the fact that he would be my next meal. He begged me if you must know."
Martha tosses away the empty pecan shells and sighs dramatically. She runs her hands down the front of her jeans, looking away disinterestedly. In a flash, the rolling pin is in her hand.
"Puta madre!" Martha runs at Luisa like a woman half her age. Out of nowhere, Luisa pulls an aged femur bone as a weapon.
Juanita silently entered the cave as they argued, her three-inch heels unusually quiet on the hard stone floor. Within moments, she disappears into the dark recesses of the cave.
Little Mario and Brandon did the best they could, but as they reached down to lift Mikey, still unconscious, they knock over a pile of skulls. The boys don't stop to see who had heard, they just do as Gramma Martha had told them and booked it out the cave entrance.
Luisa was about to swing at Martha's head when the noise of her precious skull trophies falling distracted her.
"Aaaaiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" she screams as she turns away, seeing the boys hurrying out of the cave with her meal. Reaching back without looking, she shoves Martha away with a powerful thrust to her chest.
Martha falls back against a piles of bones, which knocks her breath out of her. In a flash, Martha is back up again but sees that there is no need.
Luisa's body lay twitching in the fire, her long blonde hair sizzling off in seconds, stinking up the place.
Juanita is bending over the fire as if to pull Luisa free from the flames. Instead, as she stands, Martha sees that Juanita has lit another doobie. She puts it to her mouth and takes a deep drag. Juanita holds the smoke in her lungs and smiles triumphantly at Martha. She lifts the cast iron pan, silently showing Martha the chunk of bloody matted blonde hair that used to belong to Luisa.
Laughing and passing the joint back and forth, they pile all of the victims' bones over Luisa's body, burning it all on the cleansing fire.
Relieved that Luisa is finally dead, they kneel to pray for the victim’s safe journey home. Their final prayer is a prayer binding the bruja to the land of the dead.
Later, when they reach the car, the boys a
re sitting quietly in the back seat, thunder in their expressions.
"Que tal, boys? What's up?" Martha says. "What's with the angry faces?"
"It's Mikey, Gramma! He wants to go back to the club to see his favorite band. He says that he doesn't believe any of what happened tonight." Brandon sounds disgusted.
"Oh yeah, Mikey?" Martha says cooly and quietly. "Look at this." She holds up what looks like a thick cigarette in the darkness.
"Really, Gramma? A cigarette? I'm not old enough to smoke, you know." Sarcasm drips from Mikey's words, as usual.
"Si, mendigo? Really? It's a cigarette?" She turns to show Juanita. "This look like a cigarette, manita?"
"Not to me. It looks a lot like one of those finger bones. There's some meat and strips of some muscle holding the knuckles together."
All three boys cringe in disgust and then their eyes brighten as they lean forward to take a closer look.
"Where did you get it, Gramma?" Mikey says in wonder, sarcasm gone.
"Well, it used to belong to you, bandido." Martha's getting tired and just wants to go home and rest. "Look at your hand, estupido. You're missing your left index finger!"
They all look down at Mikey's hand. The index finger was completely gone from his hand. No scarring, no blood. Mikey screams, seeing his dream of being a famous guitarist fading fast.
"You're lucky to be alive, Mikey. Don't you forget that." Mikey stops screaming, but the tears continue to flow. "Besides, when has something like a missing finger ever stopped you, carancho?"
Juanita laughed. "Right, sis? Remember when he was four pinche years old, he climbed the tree with a broken arm? Just for that stupid kite."
As they tear down the road in Gramma Martha's beat up old station wagon with the headlight out, Mikey forgets his loss as he fumbles frantically to put his seatbelt on.
Dark Light Book Three (Dark Light Anthology) Page 19
