Dead Spots

by Rhiannon Frater

  “The ironic thing is that I’m on the cusp of getting the hell outta here because of you, and yet you’re the reason I’m afraid, Mackenzie.” Lucas angled himself in his seat to look at both of them. “You two are my family now. I love you both, and I want all of us to get out of here today. It’s going to be rough once we hit that town and those wraiths come after us. We’re going to need to stick together and fight our way through. None of us can afford to die. We’ll lose each other if we do.” Lucas ruffled Johnny’s hair. “Keep close, little buddy.”

  “I will,” Johnny said solemnly. “I promise.”

  Mackenzie tilted her head to rub her cheek against Lucas’s hand as he touched her. She felt the sweet pang of sorrow and hope in her heart. If she lost either one of them today, she didn’t know if she could force herself to escape alone. She couldn’t imagine leaving without them. The last night had solidified her connection to them. Mackenzie had woken that morning with Johnny tucked into her side and Lucas tenderly stroking her hair. It had been a perfectly serene moment, and it wasn’t until an hour later that she realized she had not thought of Joshua and Tanner, nor felt as though she had betrayed them. In spite of all the horrors inflicted upon her since she stumbled through the dead spot, she’d found her strength and mended bits of her heart. It was still bruised and hurting, but there was now a special place in it for Johnny and Lucas.

  “Ready to be Wonder Woman?” Lucas asked, his eyes shimmering.

  “You ready to be Superman?”

  “I’m the Lone Ranger!” Johnny piped up.

  Their laughter broke a little of the tension in the car. Lucas leaned over and pressed a firm kiss to her brow. She rested her hands against his neck, feeling the steady pulse of his heartbeat, her tears falling freely. Johnny leaned over to hug both of them, pressing a sloppy kiss to their cheeks.

  “We’ll get out,” Lucas swore, resting his brow against hers. “We will. Together.”

  Mackenzie nodded. “Of course. We’re a trio of badasses.” She kissed Johnny’s soft cheek. “Sit back, Lone Ranger, and buckle up.”

  Johnny flopped into the backseat to obey.

  Leaning forward, Mackenzie dared to press a light kiss to the corner of Lucas’s lips. His fingers traced along her wet cheek and he looked into her eyes for a long moment. No words needed to be spoken between them. Whatever was growing between them was fresh, new, and unknown. If they escaped, they would find out if it was just friendship born in the time of tribulation, or something deeper. It was a very cleansing feeling to realize that she was willing to find out. Mackenzie blushed and sat back in her seat.

  “Here we go.” Lucas swiftly switched gears and the Mustang roared forward.

  For the first five minutes, their journey into the valley was relatively uneventful despite the terrifying storm, lightning, and trembling earth. Though the trees writhed and cracked as they passed, none fell despite the massive wind gusts that kept Lucas fighting for control of the car. Mackenzie watched in awe as creatures with wingspans larger than jetliners swooped over the town and explosions ripped through the mirage of a tall building towering over the town.

  The Mustang rolled around a curve, and the bridge came into view. It was an arched bridge made out of quarry stone with low barriers lining the sides topped with metal rails. The water rushing below splashed over the abutments and swirled downstream. The town started just after the bridge and thick murky smog slithered through the streets. Lucas slowed the rumbling vehicle to a stop and studied the passage through the thick veil of rain.

  “Do you feel that?” Mackenzie’s skin was covered in goose pimples. The air was vibrating with energy and somehow she could decipher what it meant.

  “Yeah.” Lucas took a deep breath. “I feel it.”

  Johnny was silent, but Mackenzie felt his small hand settle on her arm.

  “Whatever that energy is, it will attack us on the bridge.” She felt it to the core of her being that they were being stalked and watched and soon the predator would strike.

  “Old legends speak of water as a barrier. When we pass over the bridge, we’ll be passing into a new territory.”

  “They’re going to try to keep us from escaping, you know.”

  “Yeah.” Lucas reversed the car, craning his head so he could look out the rear window. He brought the car to a stop farther up the road and faced forward. “So let’s go as fast as we can and see if they can catch us.”

  “Johnny, sit back and close your eyes!” Mackenzie ordered. She felt his hand slip free of her arm as he obeyed.

  Revving the motor, Lucas gripped the steering wheel tightly in his gloved hand. His jaw setting into a strong line of steely resolve, he slammed the car into gear and punched the accelerator. The Mustang growled, speeding down the hill, water curving out in an arc from its tires.

  Mackenzie kept her eyes pinned to the approaching bridge, mentally steeling herself for whatever attacked.

  The car sloshed through the water slithering over the road and onto the bridge that consisted of three arches. The bordering rails sticking out of the barricades drew to a peak at the end of each arch. The dark water topped with white foam filled Mackenzie’s peripheral vision, but she kept staring straight ahead.

  They passed the first marker. One arch down.

  Lucas kept accelerating, teeth clenched. The car was filled with silence while the storm raged outside.

  The car sped past the second marker.

  One more arch to go.

  The town loomed closer. The year before, Mackenzie had taken this same route with Tanner, and the familiar buildings were a welcome sight.

  “Almost there,” Lucas grunted.

  “Macky!” Johnny screamed.

  A water spout struck the bridge and instantly engulfed the Mustang in its whirling winds. The tires left the road and the car spun about within the funnel. Torrents of water battered the windows, obscuring their view, and Mackenzie gripped Lucas’s arm in fright. The centrifugal force pinned her into the seat and she felt like she was going to retch. The Mustang hit the barricade with a metallic crunch and was tossed over the rail by the high winds.

  The sensation of freefalling disoriented her and she futilely attempted to brace herself for impact. Her purse dinged around the interior of the car, striking her in the face seconds before the car splashed into the river. The Mustang rolled, knocking them about, before settling upside down in the dark murky water.

  “We need to get out,” Lucas said, unbuckling himself. He fell onto the roof and crawled to the backseat.

  Mackenzie’s numb fingers found the release of her seat belt and yanked it. She landed on her face and hands. The contents of her purse were scattered around her, and she saw Joshua’s blanket floating against the rear window. Only blackness dwelled beyond the glass. She strained to reach the blanket, but realized their time was swiftly running out. Water was seeping into the car, sloshing around her body. With a pang of sorrow, she realized it was time to let it go. They needed to get out of the car. Mackenzie crawled under the passenger seat to where Lucas was struggling to free Johnny. The little boy was hysterical and grabbing onto Lucas, making it difficult for him to get him free of the seat belt.

  “Mac, help me!”

  Mackenzie and Lucas shuffled around so she could take hold of the little boy and lift him. Johnny clutched her jacket and hair, whimpering in terror. Lucas finally freed him and the boy fell into their arms.

  Lucas splashed through the swiftly rising cold water to the driver’s door. “We’re going to have to take a big breath, okay? Johnny, are you listening?”

  “Yes!” the boy wailed.

  “A big breath, then we’re going to swim out of the car and go up. Okay? I want you to hold on to my neck and don’t let go.” Lucas hauled the boy toward him through the foot of murky water. “Mac, are you okay?”

  Nodding, she bravely fought against thoughts of drowning in the muddy grave.

  “Stay right behind me. Hold on to my belt, okay
?”

  Again, she nodded.

  Lucas studied her face, anxiety etched in his face. “We can do this.”

  “We are going to do this,” she answered.

  Gripping the crank for the window, Lucas placed his other hand over the little boy’s arms, which were around his neck. “Hold on.” He started rolling up the window swiftly, the muscles in his arms bulging. Water poured under the lifting glass, filling the interior of the car.

  Tucking her fingers around Lucas’s belt, Mackenzie fought against her growing terror as the water rose around her steadily. When the window was finally fully open, the last few inches of air were speedily swallowed up. With a choking sob, she took one last breath before water filled her nose and blinded her.

  Lucas launched himself out the window, Johnny clinging to his shoulders. Mackenzie swam out behind them, her fingers tucked around Lucas’s belt. She kicked furiously with her feet, freeing herself from the confines of the submerged car. The water roiled around them, tossing them about.

  In his haste to get to the surface, Lucas accidentally kicked Mackenzie, knocking her free. Tearing at the water with her arms and legs, Mackenzie swam through the churning waves. The powerful currents tore at her clothes and hair, but she kept fighting despite the burning in her lungs. Her body screamed for oxygen, and confusion swept over her. Terrified she was swimming downward and not toward the surface, she screamed into the water. Through the panic saturating her mind, Mackenzie realized what she needed. A life preserver formed in one of her hands and swiftly tugged her upward. Seconds later, her head broke free of the surface. Gasping for air, she was carried along by the foaming waves.

  “Lucas!” she screamed.

  Rain battered her and lightning struck at the trees bordering the river. Thunder boomed, drowning out her screams. Her feet tangled in debris lining the bottom and she furiously fought to free herself before she was tugged under. To her shock, her foot hit the riverbed. Digging in her heels, she half-swam, half-climbed out of the water, dragging herself up into the trees.

  “Lucas! Johnny!”

  “Macky!” Johnny’s voice shouted from farther downstream.

  Grabbing branches to heave her body up the incline, Mackenzie crawled toward the road above her. “Johnny! Where are you?”

  “Macky!”

  The trees rustled around her. With a growing sense of dread, Mackenzie continued to ascend. Johnny’s faint cries grew more frantic, spurring her forward. Her hand closed over a branch and she hauled herself upward. A black bird landed next to her fingers, its red eyes glowing. It let out a strange raspy hoot, then pecked viciously at her fingers with its curved beak.

  Instead of drawing her hand back, she gripped the bird by its scrawny neck. Rage filled her as its bat wings battered her and the bird’s maw opened wide exposing serrated teeth. Willing the creature to die, she felt a sick sense of pleasure when it burst into flames. She hurled it into the raging river, its burning body instantly consumed in the dark water.

  Relieved, she pulled herself over the barricade and onto the sidewalk. The road ran parallel to the river. Businesses lined it for a block before houses took over for one more. Immediately past the last line of houses was the edge of a park. It was there that Mackenzie saw Johnny’s tiny form trying to evade his grainy black-and-white zombie tormentor.

  Summoning a shotgun, Mackenzie broke into a sprint. Her boots were filled with water, making it difficult, but she hurtled toward the boy at top speed.

  “Run, Johnny!” She was too far away to even attempt to shoot the zombie.

  The little boy was so worried about evading the monster he didn’t see a small cluster of short bushes until he tumbled into them. The zombie grabbed Johnny’s collar, jerked him out of the foliage, and threw him to the ground. It then instantly fell on top of him, pinning the boy while it stretched out its hand to grab a big stone that materialized beside them.

  “Macky, he’s going to bash my head!”

  “He’s not real, Johnny! He’s not real! He’s an apparition! He’s your fear!” Mackenzie dashed toward the struggling figures that were partially obscured by the bushes. If Johnny died, she had no idea where he would reappear. The thought spurred her on even as she felt her stamina waning. “He’s not real!”

  Johnny struggled beneath the zombie. The black-and-white monster finally grasped the heavy stone and lifted it into the air. Skidding to a stop, Mackenzie raised her shotgun. She was too far away for a clean shot and in a panic she ran forward.

  “Johnny, he’s not real!” she shouted. “He’s not real!”

  If Grant had told her one truthful thing, she hoped it was that their fears gave form to the monsters. Maybe if Johnny stripped its form away, he could save himself.

  “Don’t believe in it! It’s not real!”

  “You’re not real!” Johnny shouted, picking up on her words. “You’re not real!”

  The zombie teetered over the boy, the rock in its upraised hand.

  “You’re not real!” Johnny managed to get his legs between his body and the zombie and thrust mightily, shoving the creature away.

  It fell over, dropping the rock. Johnny climbed to his feet, snagged the rock in his hands, and screamed at the zombie. “You’re nothing but a stupid nightmare! You’re not real! You’re stupid!” He flung the rock at the zombie’s head.

  The black-and-white monster vanished in a swirl of inky mist.

  Gasping with relief, Mackenzie tossed the shotgun away. Her side aching, she jogged the last few hundred feet through the cold rain to the little boy. Johnny screamed a rage-filled cry and kicked the rock away before tossing himself into her arms. She swung him up onto her hip and hugged him close.

  “Where’s Lucas, Johnny?” She twirled about searching for him.

  “The shark came, Macky. Lucas pushed me out of the water and told me to run.”

  “No! No!” Mackenzie clenched her eyes tightly, pressing her face against Johnny’s neck. Sickened by the thought of Lucas dying, she clutched Johnny tighter, terrified she’d lose him, too.

  “Can we go find Lucas now? I’m cold. Can he make the car again?”

  Opening her eyes, Mackenzie saw the women in white floating along the edge of the water. Their gossamer gowns and hair were whipped about by the wind. Instinctively, she knew that they were warning her that Grant was near. The shark had been Grant’s creation and she feared that he had managed to kill Lucas.

  Remembering her vow to Lucas, she set the boy on his feet and said, “We need to go now. Lucas will find us.”

  Walking briskly across the park, Mackenzie set them in the direction of the old haunted theater. Tremors rippled through the ground and pushed up tufts of earth. Wide cracks crisscrossed the lawn, breaking apart the sidewalks and fountains.

  “Macky!”

  “It’s okay! Don’t be afraid.” It was clear that the wraiths were making their move. Fighting back her own fear, Mackenzie tugged Johnny through the park.

  A long, scraggly arm burst out of the earth a few feet away. A bowed head covered in dark hair rose from the dirt followed by another long arm. The mourner pulled her torso out of the ground, lifting her face in a silent scream.

  Mackenzie dropped Johnny’s hand, rushed the mourner, and kicked her in the face. The mourner scrabbled at Mackenzie’s leg, trying to trip her and drag her down. “Not this time, bitch.” Summoning a hatchet, Mackenzie lifted it over her head and buried it in the creature’s head. The mourner collapsed, melting into the ground.

  Mackenzie could feel the nightmare creatures advancing on them. Her skin was crawling with the sensation. Reclaiming Johnny’s hand, she towed him along behind her. Their best chance to find Lucas if he had managed to survive the shark was to head to the theater and hope he’d meet them there.

  “The wolfman!” Johnny screamed. “Macky! The wolfman!”

  The creature romped toward them, snarling, its fangs dripping thick saliva. It looked fake and hokey to Mackenzie, but Johnny was virtu
ally climbing up her side in fear. It, too, was in black and white, except for its glowing red eyes.

  “Do you know what kills werewolves, Johnny?” she asked loudly as the creature barreled toward them.

  “Silver bullets!”

  She willed a gun into existence and fired into the snarling wolf face. “Exactly.”

  The wolfman vanished in a cloud of black mist.

  Lightning sizzled around them, setting trees ablaze and sending Mackenzie and Johnny sprawling to the ground. Thunder exploded so loudly overhead that Mackenzie’s ears rang. It was clear that everything she and Johnny feared was manifesting in an attempt to either drive them away or kill them. Black-and-white zombies, wolfmen, vampires in cloaks, and various Frankenstein monsters lurched out from behind the trees while deep graves unfurled in their path unleashing the silent mourners clutching their disturbing rag dolls. Mackenzie barely dodged the creatures, maneuvering to the best of her ability around the graves pitting the ground around her.

  Together, the two of them scurried through the rain, dodging the lightning crackling through the air. Holding her hand over her head, Mackenzie willed a barrier to form. If she could make one of the predatory birds burst into flames, maybe she could form a shield against the lightning.

  Desperation and anger spurred her to action. She had created Johnny’s zombie to fight off the Clown before, so maybe she could do something similar. Picking up Johnny, she dashed into the street and closed her eyes.

  “Macky, they’re coming!”

  It was difficult to concentrate knowing that creatures from their deepest fears were advancing, but Mackenzie knew she couldn’t fail Johnny or herself. The agony that ripped through her brain sent her reeling, but she felt something within her give way and the air around her thickened with energy before exploding outward.

  “Wow, Macky!”

  Though her vision was blurred when she opened her eyes, she saw black-armored men and women and SWAT vehicles lining the road. One of the officers ran over to guide them behind the barricade.

  “Ma’am, come this way,” he said, rushing them along.

  Sharp pops of gunfire exploded once they were safely behind the cars. The silent mourners and zombies jerked about as bullets riddled them, their bodies tumbling to the ground. The sound made Mackenzie’s head throb even more violently and spots swam in her eyesight. The officer returned to the front lines, firing his weapon at the creatures with eyeless faces clad in misty black dresses and the black-and-white dead cannibals from an old horror movie.