Rion wanted to scream, but she didn't have the air. She could see Kerry from the corner of her eye and the woman's back was arched and her mouth open in a silent scream. Shep was prone on the floor with his eyes rolled back in his head. Beckett's arms were pinned to her side and her eyes were squeezed shut. But, her mouth twisted and stretched as she shouted words that didn't look or sound like and language Rion had ever heard. Her face was white and boney. Almost corpse-like.
As quickly as everything started, it stopped. The sudden absence of sound and pressure caused Rion to hit the floor in a dead weight. She felt, more than saw, Kerry fall next to her. She was close enough she could touch Shep and she reached out to lay a hand on his chest. Her arm felt like it weighed a million pounds. It took several moments for her to feel his chest rise, and when it did she let out a gush of air in relief. It took more strength than she realized she had to turn her head.
Beckett hadn't fallen like the rest of them. She was on her knees, with her head tipped forward. Her hair fell over her face and her arms were limp. Her right hand was barely closed around the dagger handle and her chest heaved with the effort to breath. Rion wanted to sit up. To run. To call for help. But, none of her limbs would respond and her eyesight was still blurry. She could hear her own breath wheezing in and out and she used that to help her focus.
It felt like she lay on the floor for hours, but it was only minutes. As it became easier to breath, she realized the ominous feeling of the train bearing down on her had not gone away with the sound. She managed to roll onto her back and tried to survey her surroundings. Even if it wasn't dark in the house, her field of vision was limited and still out of focus. She couldn't sit up and she could barely raise her head off the floor. The whole room seemed to be filled with blurry shadows and shapes.
Eventually, her vision cleared but the shadows didn't go away. Instead, the seemed to grow closer. Rion held her breath as the shadows congealed and unified into one giant silhouette that loomed in the middle of the circle. It stood at least eight feet tall, nearly touching the ceiling and it was only about three feet away from her face. She heard a low moaning and looked to Kerry. The woman was conscious and staring up at the dark figure above them. The thing didn't seem to care that they were there. Instead, it was focused on Beckett. The kid looked even smaller as the shadow-creature hovered over her.
The thing didn't have a recognizable shape, but it was still a definitive shape. It didn't morph or shift like smoke. Rion's heart raced and she was sure it would explode. She was afraid for Beckett as much as she was for herself, Kerry and Shep. She didn't know what the thing was, but she knew it was evil. In the same way you could look at a dog and tell it wasn't friendly, or a rickety bridge and know it wasn't safe. Its very nature showed through its whole being. Slowly, the kid raised her head and as soon as she spotted the dark shadow above her, she dropped to the floor.
From her prone positions she spoke in a submissive voice. It wasn't her arrogant or commanding voice that she used to control and manipulate Rion and the others. It was the voice of a supplicant speaking to her master. "Please?" The thing didn't speak with any mouth that Rion could see, but sound came from it all the same. Words that were not English—not even human—whispered from the entity. Becket pushed herself further into the floor. "I'm sorry. I tried."
The shadow-creature folded upon itself until it was bent in half and Rion could hear the pressure it exerted upon Beckett. It rolled in soundwaves like the call of a whale. But they were under the whale and the waves thundered through their chests. Kerry moaned again and Shep curled into a fetal position. Rion tried to cover her ears, but it did no good. The sound wasn’t physical, it was in their heads. Beckett began shrieking and tried to bury her head under her hands. It was impossible to tell if it was Beckett, or the thing inside Beckett hurting.
No matter what the thing inside Beckett was, it was inside Rion's little sister. She didn't know how much pressure the kid's body could withstand. It was possible to give her some kind of aneurism, or maybe even crush her lungs or heart. "Stop it!" she yelled. Beckett looked at her first and she could see the regret on the kids face. She didn't know if it was the creature's regret, or Beckett's. Either way, Rion's heart ached. This was so much more than she had feared. "What did you do?" she asked her sister.
The shadow-creature turned sharply towards Rion. The weight of the thing's gaze was equal to the pressure that had been exerted by the ritual. The heat also increased and Rion could feel sweat dripping down her back and her breath burned in her throat. "Don't," she gasped. She didn't know what the creature was going to do, but she knew it wasn't good. The thing crept closer even though it didn't seem to have feet or legs. As it loomed over Rion, a cord was yanked inside her, as if something had her heart in its hands and was trying to pull it from her chest. Her screams ripped her throat.
This is what Beckett did to Shep, she realized. The pain and anguish were almost too much to bear. She struggled to stay conscious and could hear Kerry shouting somewhere behind her own screams. She also thought she could hear Beckett's voice in the mix, but couldn't be sure. She was too focused on the agony of the creature's hold on her. Through the anguish, Rion felt a grip on her foot and a weak but steady tug. She didn't move far, but the slight shift seemed to relieve some pressure. "Leave her alone!" she heard Kerry yell.
Kerry was trying to pull Rion away from the shadow-creature. Rion wasn't sure what it would accomplish, but she did her best to help. She clawed at the floor trying to get to Kerry. But, it felt like she was trying to move a building. Kerry quickly realized she wouldn't be able to move Rion, so instead, she crawled towards her, using Rion's body to pull herself closer.
Rion's panic increased as Kerry laid her body over hers. She tried to push her away but Kerry ignored her and covered Rion. "Go!" Rion croaked with what little breath she had. Kerry wrapped her arms around Rion and buried her face against her hair. Realizing she wasn't going to have the strength to make Kerry leave, Rion gave up and found some comfort in her friend's attempt to protect her. If she was going to die, at least it wouldn't be alone.
Rion's vision began to shrink to pinpoints as a new weight landed on her. At first, she thought Beckett was attacking them, but she realized the body was much larger than her sister’s. It was then that she realized Shep was trying to block both of them from the creature. He was shouting something Rion couldn't make out. The hope that she'd had that she would be able to save her friends and sister began to die as her vision did.
Abruptly, the pressure on Rion's heart stopped. Residual pain reverberated through her like an echo, but she was suddenly able to breathe again. She took a huge gulping breath and collapsed in relief. But, the relief was short lived because she could feel Shep slumped onto her and Kerry both. With both of them laying on her, her breathing was still restricted. Despite her pain and terror, she was also shocked at Kerry and Shep's willingness to sacrifice themselves for her.
Her awe overwhelmed her. She was having a hard time processing being attacked by the shadow-creature, and that her friends would put themselves in harm's way for her. She was also a little angry. She was trying her best to keep them safe, but they were making it very difficult for her. She wheezed in a ragged breath and tried to squirm free. "I can't breathe."
Kerry grunted and wiggled out from under Shep. "Here," she pushed at his arm trying to give Rion some room.
It was a monumental effort, but Rion managed to roll from under Shep's shoulder. She raised herself to her elbows and struggled to breathe normally. "What happened?" Only then did she notice the dagger in Shep's hand.
"He threw himself on top of us," Kerry panted. "And then kind of stabbed that thing. It went away."
"Is it gone?"
"I don't think so," Shep coughed. His voice was weak but it was good to hear him conscious again.
"Why?" Kerry asked.
"I didn't really stab it. It wasn't...wasn't really there."
"What does that me
an?" Kerry's voice still wheezed.
"I don't know."
"Beckett?" Rion groaned. She could see the girl's body slumped where she had fallen. She pushed herself along the floor, too weak to even make it to her knees. The room spun around her as scooted along. She flopped onto her side next to her sister's body. "Beckett," she tried again. The kid didn't move, and Rion feared the worst. She held her breath as she reached a hand towards Beckett.
The kid's shoulder felt tiny and frail under her hand. Rion had to remind herself that Beckett was a force to be reckoned with now. She wasn't just a kid, she was possessed by a monster. But, that didn't stop her fear of discovering Beckett was dead. She didn't know what the shadow-monster had done to the kid—probably the same thing it had done to her. And, if so, had her tiny body been able to withstand it? "Beckett?" she squeezed the kid's shoulder.
Beckett's body convulsed so hard it nearly lifted her back off the floor. The movement was punctuated by a rasping gasp. Rion jumped back as far as she could in her weakened state. She saw Kerry and Shep have similar reactions from the corner of her eye. She waited, warily, some part of her, still hoping for the best.
When Beckett turned her eyes towards her, Rion sagged in relief. The shining darkness was gone. Her face was smooth and child-like again. The lines carved by fury and contempt were gone. "Beckett?" Rion nearly sobbed with relief.
The kid's huge brown eyes welled up with tears and her bottom lip quivered. "Rion?"
"I'm here." She reached out and squeezed the girl's shoulder again.
"Where is it?'
"The shadow thing? It's gone."
"No," Beckett's face crumpled. "It's not gone. Can't you feel it?"
Rion shook her head. Her heart returned to its race as she looked at Kerry and Shep. Kerry's eyes were wide in wary concern. Shep panted, and seemed to be conscious, but his eyes were closed and he didn't respond. "I don't...I don't know." Rion struggled to sit up but her whole body was shaking. "What does it want?" She asked not really expecting Beckett to be able to answer. But, the kid surprised her.
"Me,"
Her voice was higher than Rion had ever heard it. "Why?" Beckett lost the strength to hold herself up and fell forward. Rion was able to roll her onto her back and brushed hair out of her face. "Why does it want you?"
"I was given," she answered, barely above a whisper.
Rion glanced around the kitchen and living room. She couldn't see the creature anywhere, but she believed Beckett that it was still here. She peered into the shadows, expecting them to come alive at any moment. She didn't know how or why Beckett was back, but she wasn't going to get her guard down. Her sister had returned, but considering she had no idea how it happened, Rion didn't count on it lasting.
"We need to get out of here," Kerry broke in.
Rion nodded. "Can you walk?" she asked her sister.
"I don't know," Beckett dry sobbed and her eyes rolled around in panic.
Rion pushed herself to her knees but the effort resulted in the need to catch her breath. She rested her palms on her thighs and she took several deep breaths. "What about you two?"
"I can walk," Kerry lurched to her feet.
"What about Shep?"
"I can't," he grunted.
"You have to," Kerry leaned over him and held out a hand.
"No," he shook his head. "My hip. I think it's broke. I can't move my leg."
"Shit," Rion muttered.
"You guys get out of here. Get Beckett out. Get help."
"We aren't leaving you here," Rion huffed, trying to get to her feet.
"Don't be stupid. You can't help me out. Not with Beckett needing help too."
"We can come back for you," Rion assured him.
Kerry stumbled to the kitchen door. It was the closest. As Rion worked to make it to her feet, she heard Kerry grunt. Her legs were so shaky she lost her balance and fell against the counter. "What?" she asked, doing her best to hold herself upright.
"I can't get the door open."
"Is it locked?"
"No."
Rion watched as Kerry hurried into the living room, looking decidedly steadier on her feet. She yanked at the front door before spitting a curse. "It won't open either."
"Break a fucking window," Rion growled. At the moment she didn't care why the doors wouldn't open. She just wanted out of the house.
Kerry picked up a wooden decorative statue. She turned her face away and slammed the heavy bottom into the window next to the front door. Rion prepared herself for the crunch of breaking glass. But, instead, all she heard was a dull thud.
"What the fuck?" Kerry exclaimed.
"Hit it harder," Rion told her, panic rising again.
Kerry hit the glass again only to get the same whump sound, but this time the crack of the statue breaking followed.
"Fuck," Kerry sobbed. "We can't get out."
"Beckett?" Rion turned to the kid on the floor. "What's going on?" The little girl's face crumpled again and this time the tears broke free. Hearing Beckett cry was the most convincing that she wasn't under the spell of a monster anymore.
"I don't—don't know," she sobbed. "It wants me."
"The thing in you?"
Beckett shook her head. "I don't know."
"Is it still with you?"
She was silent for a long moment. "Yes."
"How can you tell?" Kerry asked, joining them.
"I can feel it."
"Do you know why it...let go? Backed off or whatever?" Rion felt the pressure of time. If the creature wasn't going to let them leave, there had to be a reason why. It was planning something. It was just a matter of time before it made a move. Beckett shook her head. Her huge brown eyes swimming in more tears. "Well, what do you remember over the last few days?"
The kid's brow wrinkled. "Nothing."
"What's the last thing you do remember?"
"...the bird." Tears fell over her cheeks again.
"It's OK," Rion hushed her.
She looked around the small house, hoping for an inspiration. "How do we get out of here?"
"I don't know," Kerry moaned.
Shep groaned from his position on the floor. "Call for help."
Rion cursed herself for not remembering the obvious. She and Kerry looked at each other. "Shit," Kerry shook her head at them both. She pushed away from the counter and hurried into the living room. Her phone had been knocked under the couch but she found it quickly, Rion and Shep's were on another table. As she limped back into the kitchen she tapped at the screen. She cussed again while handing out the phones.
"What?" Rion dreaded the answer.
"My phone is dead."
A few stubborn button pushes later and Rion realized hers was too. "Are you fucking kidding me?" She yelled, throwing the phone to the ground.
"Mine too," Shep sighed.
"At least the house isn't on fire," Kerry laughed humorlessly.
"Don't jinx us," Rion cautioned her. "Where are our chargers?"
"Still in the car."
Rion could hear the despair in Shep's voice. "Son of a bitch." She rested her head in one hand for a moment. She was regaining some strength, but she still didn't trust herself to walk or stand unassisted. "Beckett, do you know a way out of here?" She knew it was a shot in the dark, but she was at her wits end.
"No," she whined.
"It's OK." Rion tried to stay positive. "Why does it want you? Why were you 'given?'"
"Daddy did it," Beckett's voice was so sad and lost, it broke Rion's heart.
"Don't worry. We're going to get out of here. We are going to help you." She knew she should comfort the kid somehow, but she had to focus. "How were you given?"
"I don't know. I was...marked?" Beckett had managed to sit up and wrapped her arm arounds her knees.
"It's going to come back," Kerry whispered to her. "The shadow thing."
Rion nodded. "Let's try the windows again. Maybe if we both try. At the same time."
Kerry
put an arm around Rion and together they started searching the cabinets for something to smash a window with. They found a heavy pan and Kerry tested its weight. "I'll use this." They began searching for something Rion could use when the pressure in the air increased. "Do you feel that?" Kerry stopped opening doors.
Screaming caused Rion to duck in alarm and the hair on her arms stood on end. She turned, slower than she should have, to find the shadow enveloping Beckett. She could barely see the kid beyond the dark cloud. "Beckett!" She pushed away from the counter but something unseen slammed into her chest, sending her flying backwards.
She crashed to the floor hard enough to knock the air from her lungs and her vision went blurry. By the time she could see again, Shep and Kerry were trying to get to Beckett too. Rion didn't need to be told if the Shadow took over Beckett, they would never get her back. It was an instinctual knowledge. The thing was too strong. Even the monster that had the kid under its control was no match for this thing.
Another truth Rion felt, whatever Frank Webster had done to Beckett, he did it to her first. She recognized some of the clothes in the boxes in the attic. She knew they had belonged to her. Annie, in some anomalous show of love and compassion, had gotten Rion away from her father before he could do what he would do to his other children. Rion might not have been possessed, but she had been marked. It explained why such darkness had followed her whole life. It explained how the creature that possessed Beckett could feed off her own fear and anger so easily.
Beckett screamed again, and it ripped Rion's heart into pieces. She had to do something. The kid didn't deserve this pain and fear. Rion had suffered her whole life. She had found it impossible to trust people. To care about them. Because so many had failed her, she had been convinced that everyone would fail her. She didn't want that for Beckett. If Rion could find a way to stop the Shadow from taking control of Beckett, she could give her a chance for a normal life. If Rion was marked too—and she was sure she was—why couldn't the shadow take her instead?
"No!" Rion screamed the word as climbed to her knees. Still out of breath, the word wasn't loud, but it got the Shadow's attention anyway. She could see the mass of darkness shudder and shift its attention from Beckett to her. She knew what was coming, but there was no way to prepare for it. The vise-like cramp hit her heart and her world exploded in pain. It was will power alone that pushed Rion to her feet, but it was hope that launched her forward.
Something Happened Page 30
