by Joshua Grove
“I’m a little clumsy sometimes,” he said as he began to straighten up and lean back toward his door to smile at her. “I’m hoping you can teach me how to…” but he stopped speaking when he noticed she wasn’t in the car. Her door wasn’t open and he hadn’t heard a door shut.
For a brief second, fear paralyzed him completely. You’re just freaked out by that yellow tooth, he scolded himself. That’s more than eight miles down the road for Christ sake.
When he realized she was probably trying to hide from him and undressing while he searched, he started to get excited again.
“Oh, Mary!” he called to her, trying to sound sexy. “Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? Why don’t you show me!”
“Out here!” Mary called from behind the first few picnic tables.
“Damn, girl!” he yelled. “How did you get out there so fast?”
He listened for her response and all he heard was her giggling again. “I’m coming to get you, cougar. You’ve been a bad kitty!”
Jason removed his shirt as he ran toward the tables. He stopped for a brief moment to flex his muscles, thinking she could see clearly see him from wherever she was hiding. “You want some of this, ma’am?”
Silence.
“Come now, Mary. Show me your garden.”
Silence.
“Mary? Can you hear me?” Jason’s smile was beginning to fade. “Mary, seriously. Where are you?” Suddenly the door to his mustang slammed shut. He turned around, remembering that he threw the keys on his seat when he came to bang her on the picnic table.
“Mary?” he called, but again she didn’t answer. He walked cautiously to his car. He tried to open the door, but it was locked.
“Shit!” he yelled. “Goddammit, Mary! The keys were in there! It’s a three mile walk back to Crimson Falls!”
Silence.
Jason turned around two or three times, hoping to see her walking toward him with an apologetic grin and no bra. Still, nothing.
“Mary!” he yelled, though not too loud. He didn’t want to sound as scared as he was beginning to feel.
“I’m here, silly boy!” she cried. Again, the voice came from behind the tables.
There isn’t any wind, he thought as he tried to figure out how the door shut on its own. “Come on down here, girl,” he called to her. “I’m going to lay you over my stang!” The last thing he wanted to do now was get laid, but he didn’t want to leave her here, either.
He listened for her response, but she remained quiet.
“Mary!” he yelled, this time a little more forcefully. “I’m not coming out there! I’m going to call someone to come pick us up!”
“You can’t call when your phone is in the car, silly boy!” Mary called back. Jason checked his pocket for his phone, but it wasn’t there. He tried to remember taking it out of his pocket. Fear began taking over again. He knew for sure it had been in his pocket. She must have taken it out when she was making the moves on him during the drive.
“Damn!” he whispered harshly. “I’m outta here, you crazy bitch!” He turned around and started walking toward the road. He listened for her response, but she didn’t say anything. He began hearing footsteps behind him, then a heavy breathing sound that scared him. He began running toward the road, praying that a car would pass by. His heart dropped in his chest when he realized that the entire three mile stretch of interstate leading back to Crimson Falls was surrounded by woods. He stopped to listen for any sounds, but it seemed Mary was no longer behind him.
“I’m moving as far away from Crimson Falls as I can,” he promised himself. “I don’t ever want to see a tree again.”
He got to the road and the breathing returned again, but this time it was louder and heavier. Gathering what courage he had, Jason turned around to face whoever was behind him. No one was there.
“Mary? Mary, are you there? What the hell?” He saw the headlights of a large semi coming toward him. He ran out into the road and began to try to flag him down. Without warning, he was knocked to the ground with such force that he slid into the left lane of the highway. He quickly stood back up, turning in all directions to see who had pushed him.
The semi was getting closer. It was his only chance to get out of this situation. He began trying to move as much as possible in the road, to bring attention to himself, but it was so dark he was afraid the trucker wouldn’t see him until it was too late. Just as he moved into the left lane and continue to wave at the semi, he was picked up and then thrown to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement. He sat up, gently rubbing the fast-forming knot on the back of his head.
When he looked in front of him, he saw Mary. But it wasn’t Mary. Although it was wearing the same clothes as Mary, the face was distorted. Its teeth were long and yellow, its thin lips looked like dried blood. It breathed heavily on him and Jason almost vomited from the stench of its breath.
“What the hell are you?” he asked. Before it could answer, Jason heard the loud sound of the truck’s horn behind him. As he turned to gauge the distance, the bumper of the semi struck his forehead at seventy miles per hour.
* * * * * *
3
Matthew and Amy waited patiently in the library while Jake stayed behind to talk with Anna.
“How are you doing, Michael?” Matthew asked soothingly.
“I’m tired and dizzy,” he said, sounding as though he was either going to pass out or vomit. Maybe both.
“We’ll be at the hospital soon,” Amy said, rubbing his back. “All of this will be over soon.”
“It will never be over until we find Alan and stake him through the heart,” Michael said as he shrugged Amy’s hand away.
“Okay,” Amy said with a grave look of concern on her face.
Matthew wasn’t sure what to make of all that had happened. Although he knew there was a dark presence in the tunnel, he hadn’t anticipated finding Michael in the state he was in. Sure, he had read about possessed people trying to eat the flesh of others. But in those cases the people became violently ill because humans cannot digest blood. Apparently whoever was drinking or draining Michael did not have that problem, if any of it even happened the way he said it did. Matthew nodded to Rick and John to stay with Michael. He motioned for Amy to follow him into the hallway.
“So what do you make of this?” Amy asked.
Matthew exhaled loudly. “Honestly, I haven’t the slightest idea. I think Michael believes what he is saying, but we can’t be sure he isn’t in shock and having false memories.”
“No one checked that room he was in, either. And I don’t know about you, but I think that room was pretty big and probably had other exits.”
“I know, but I wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t want to check it out,” Matthew said while scratching his chin.
“Well, someone has to do it. Who else would it be if not the police? We’re not superheroes for Christ sake.” Amy laughed at herself, and Matthew joined her.
“I think it’s safe to assume that we have a madman on the loose, and he may be under the influence of a demon,” Matthew surmised.
“Or a vampire,” Amy said, not smiling. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but do you think it’s possible?”
“Do I think it’s possible that there’s a vampire running around the woods of Crimson Falls?”
“I know, it sounds ridiculous,” Amy agreed.
“I’ve learned that what is ridiculous in the secular world is not always so in the spiritual realm.”
Amy’s jaw dropped a little. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
Matthew chortled. “I’m just saying that if you had told me when I was fifteen that I would spend half my life fighting demons, I probably would have laughed. But now, I think just about anything is possible.”
Amy just nodded and became lost in her own thoughts. Matthew thought back to that night when he saw the shadow in his backyard that propelled him to the priesthood. Could it be possi
ble that vampires existed? More importantly, would he have thought that if it weren’t for the surreal obsession that Americans seem to have for the genre? He certainly didn’t fancy himself a believer when he was in Rome. Everything in his world was defined by the Church, and even when circumstances were outside of what he had been taught, he always had faith that there would be a Christian answer to it. He was becoming less convinced of that by the minute.
“Do you know what sucks?” Amy asked, bringing him out of his memories.
“What’s that?” he said with a fragile smile.
Amy cringed. “We have to leave the house to get into the car.”
“Good point,” he said. “I can’t imagine it will be much worse than what we just experienced. You know?”
“That’s true,” she agreed. Matthew actually wasn’t sure if the journey to the car would be any better than their ordeal under the house. But Amy was quite green when it came to such things, so he tried to comfort her as best he could. Perhaps he was even attempting to comfort himself.
Rick and John brought Michael through the secret panels and moved past Matthew and Amy to leave the library. Matthew and Amy followed them. Meanwhile, George stood motionless in the hallway.
He’s such an idiot, Matthew thought to himself. He felt guilty for thinking it, but it was true nonetheless. If George found himself alone outside he wouldn’t last very long. Just then Jake strode out into the hallway and slapped George on the back.
“Let’s get moving,” he said. “We need to get to the hospital ASAP. The sheriff is waiting for us there.”
Jake gave Matthew a nasty look as he approached.
“Everything okay, Jake?” Matthew asked.
“At some point I need you to explain to me why you thought it would be a good idea to go into that room without letting any of us know what you were doing. We wasted valuable time looking for you.”
“With all due respect, Jake, we were able to find Michael and bring him back,” Amy said defiantly. Matthew fought back a smile.
“And that’s great,” Jake said carefully. “But it doesn’t mean you weren’t foolish to go under a damn house with no weapons and no backup but God.”
“God can provide pretty good backup,” Amy retorted.
“Blah, blah, blah!” Jake groaned, spittle flying everywhere. “It’s no use talking to you religious people.”
“Then let’s not talk,” Amy replied. “Let’s get him to the hospital.”
“George, radio the guys and let them know we’re leaving. Have them meet us at the door.” Jake said. He looked to Rick, John, and George. “We’ve got shit to do, gentlemen. Let’s roll. Geraldine and Aaron should be here by now.”
Everyone walked to the side door. Matthew wondered how anyone could stomach working with Jake. As the door opened, cruiser strobes and headlights were already in the driveway. Matthew noticed that no one wanted to move forward. Jake pulled his gun, walked out the door, and turned around to face the backyard. Tim and Lionel joined him.
“Okay, everyone,” Jake said. “Start walking to my cruiser. I’ve got us covered. Tim, go meet Geraldine and Aaron and escort them up here. Then I’ll join the others in my car.”
Matthew secretly wished Jake would just stay put. He wasn’t looking forward to the car ride to the hospital.
“Hi, Father,” Geraldine said as they passed.
“Hi, Gerry,” Matthew said warmly. “Stay safe.”
“You, too, Father.”
Matthew genuinely liked Geraldine and her family. They were at mass every Sunday without fail. Even when Geraldine wasn’t feeling well, she would still be in her pew at 9am. He said a brief prayer for her and for everyone else still in the house.
No one said anything about the woods being eerily quiet, but everyone was definitely thinking about it. Matthew knew something was watching them. He could sense it in the air, and it was intensely oppressive. He felt certain that it was going to try to push the air from his lungs again at any moment, but they reached Jake’s car without incident.
“Good thing this is an SUV,” George said as Matthew and Amy climbed into the third row seat. He helped Michael into the front seat and buckled his seatbelt. Then he, Rick, and John crowded into the seats in front of Matthew and Amy. Matthew strained to turn around to watch Geraldine and Aaron walk up the stairs toward Jake. He had to admit, no matter how much of an ass Jake was, he did have balls of steel. Jake jogged down the stairs toward the Explorer while Geraldine and Aaron, weapons in hand, covered him.
“They really have each other’s backs,” Amy observed softly as she joined Matthew in watching them.
“They have to,” Matthew observed. “Who knows what’s out there in those woods tonight.”
“Only God knows,” Amy punned. “And I’m hoping that He does not reveal it again anytime soon.”
“Amen,” Matthew affirmed.
Jake clambered into the driver seat and locked the doors. A few people laughed.
“Can’t be too careful,” George sang.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” Jake said. “I’ve had about all I can take of this shithole.”
“Here, here,” Michael said through clenched teeth. Matthew could tell just by his voice that he was in great pain. “Be respectful of the clergy in the car.”
The drive to the hospital was brief and very quiet. Matthew figured no one had much to say because everyone was trying to wrap their heads around what had happened, and what would happen next. They drove to the back of the hospital where Anna and a very tall, dark skinned man were standing.
“Who the hell is that?” Jake groaned as he saw them open the gate.
“That’s one big Indian,” George said.
“Native American,” Jake corrected. Matthew figured he must want to run for sheriff because Jake never concerned himself with political correctness. The day Jake became sheriff would be the day that Hell froze over and Matthew would apply for another assignment in the diocese. It didn’t matter where as long as the town wasn’t run by such an arrogant, sometimes dangerous imbecile.
After Jake parked the car, everyone began filing out. It felt good to be in a public space where no one could jump you from somewhere in the dark. Regardless, he still felt obligated to keep his guard up. It could strike at any moment and in a myriad of ways. The group gathered around Anna and the tall man who was with her. Although he looked oddly familiar to Matthew, he didn’t think he knew him.
“We have a lot to discuss,” Anna began. “But first things first. Michael, let’s get you looked at. I’ve already had a room set up for you downstairs. I’m going to walk with you and hear what you have to report.”
Anna took Michael’s arm and led him toward the entrance. Jake followed them, along with his sidekick, George.
Matthew walked up to the stranger to introduce himself. “Matthew McMillan,” he said welcomingly.
“Father McMillan, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Anish Bearson.”
Matthew immediately recognized the name. “Professor Bearson from the university?”
“Why, yes,” Anish said with a big smile. “I’m sorry, have we met?”
“No, professor, we haven’t, but I am familiar with some of your work,” Matthew said, admiring Anish’s presence as well as his keen intellect and writing skills.
“So you’re the one who’s read it!” Anish joked, his laugh deep and resonant.
“Guilty,” Matthew laughed. “What brings you here?”
“I was called in by Dr. Styles,” Anish explained. “And Sheriff Blackwood has requested my assistance as we move forward.”
“Excellent,” Matthew said. He wondered why Anna would ask an anthropologist to assist in the case. It wasn’t like her, but then again, why would she need a priest? She was definitely thorough, and Matthew admired and respected her for that.
“Amy Jenkins,” Amy said while holding out her hand.
“A pleasure, Reverend,” Anish said. “It is a good omen t
hat the clergy have joined us here this evening.”
“Oh?” Matthew said, grinning. “Why is that?”
“Because we are going to need all the help we can get, both from the law and from the heavens,” Anish answered.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Matthew said. When Anish turned and walked toward the doors, everyone did the same.
I bet he’s used to people following him, Matthew thought.
CHAPTER NINE
Running
1
Tim stood outside the door to the wine cellar in the Brickton house. They had found the staircase hidden behind a tall, thin hutch in the rear of the kitchen. Lionel and Ralph were with him, both of them attempting to unlock the deadbolts preventing their entry. Geraldine and Aaron stood at the top of the stairs to make sure no one surprised them from behind.
“If you can’t pick this lock, Ralph, no one can,” Tim snickered.
“Hey, at least I work for the right team now,” Ralph retorted. Tim both liked and respected Ralph. He had been a hoodlum when they were kids, breaking into stores overnight and vandalizing every inch of white walls he could find. He could crack just about any alarm code and pick any lock. But tonight he had met his match.
“This is some serious shit,” Lionel echoed. “I don’t think we’re going to get in without a key.”
“Maybe we should look around upstairs to see if we can find it,” Tim suggested. “Alan didn’t have keys on his body when we found him, so they have to be here somewhere.”
They walked up the short flight of stairs and into the far end of the kitchen opposite the mudroom.
“What’s the story?” Geraldine asked when they reached the top of the stairs.
“We’re trying to find any keys up here that might unlock the door down those stairs,” Tim said as he pointed toward the hutch/door.
“Wow,” Aaron said. “I bet this house has a dozen hidden entrances and exits. That doesn’t bode well for us, I think.”
“Yeah, Father Matthew and Pastor Amy found a concealed room in the library with a tunnel leading underground. That’s where they found Michael,” Tim said.
