Kill! The Cowboy!

“Yes babe, I remember what today is, the 26th…our anniversary! I remember because it’s the same as your name, June. Ok, I’m not a complete loss I remembered to make the reservation 7:30pm…2 hours are plenty of time look I’ll just need to head back to the station, let the chief know I’m calling it for the weekend, then I’m all yours…

All right see you then bye!”.

“Unit 76, Unit 76, come-in 76”, “AHH! shit I dropped my phone, I forgot to say I love you”, “Unit 76, Unit 76, come-in 76”, “I think it fell between my…”, “Unit 76, Unit 76, come-in 76”, “Ugh…Dispatch this is 76”.

“76 we have a 10-45 off of Marston Rd. callers say there’s kids messing with the body”. “Off Marston?”. “Chief says you can manage it”. “10-4 Dispatch, I’m only a couple minutes from there”.

“Alright, on Marston… Yeah I see kids…Break it up guys”. Whoop, Whoop. Police lights began to flash. The kids begin to scatter. “Heh kids…”. Exiting the car, the sound of gravel being walked on, the only sound, as if the land were still. “Oh my god, I think I’m going to throw up”. “Dispatch! This is 76…this is not an animal… this is Jessica Mo’tar, Daniels sister”. “What is this I am feeling? A hand on my forehead… something warm running down my neck… Who is that?... Am I dying?... June…”. Thud, the body falls to the ground.

“Unit 76, Unit 76, come-in 76”. “Unit 76, Unit 76, come-in 76”.

A bloody hand reaches down to answer the officer’s radio.

“Shut Up, Martha” it says.

I.

“Danny! “We have meatloaf family style” Claudia called, she is the owner of Paradise Diner and the spitting image of a mother; warm, loving, willing to take in any who needs a hot meal and not afraid to put troublemakers in their place. My mother and father bought this old Diner before my sister and I were born back when the town was still developing, they poured everything into this place and the town loved my mothers’ cooking.

“On it! Will not take long” Daniel said. “Son, you look so tired, you don’t have to come work here you already work full time for the GPD, you don’t have to cover for Jessy just because she’s late! this is just too much, you need to rest too”.

The frying pan falls burning Daniels hand with the grease of potato and herbs, “AHHH, burned myself again, our family’s bad luck I’m sure of it!” Daniel said. Claudia quickly made her way to him with a small burn kit. She gently wraps his hand. “We don’t have bad luck, just good timing” Claudia said. That was always my moms’ go to phrase when unexpected challenges happened; in her mind we were lucky.

Our father died just a couple of years after we were born, the medical bills from his stay in the hospital have kept us in debt for as long as I can remember. Dads’ mom claimed I was cursed since my sister, and I are twins, and I happened to be born second… it was my fault my dad got cancer. After dad died money became so tight; sometimes we had to sleep in the back office and/or borrow money just to keep the Diner running.

After some time, we were able to get stable and when I was of age to work, I saved what I could and put myself through school. It was so hard the classes were so complex. The students were already set in their friend group and weren’t looking for “new friends”. I missed deadlines and first dates; it seemed as though my professors would not cut me a break; and the training...

The punishing nights…

I thought I was going to fail; I must have gotten lucky.

It felt as though the universe was just not on my side. Throughout this everyone told me stories about my father how strong of a man he was, how his cancer was too aggressive…I never really got to know him. I am told I am a lot like him. “Ma, you need help here, I do not mind at all. Besides why would I say no to serving THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN!!!” saying it loud enough that the dining area starts to whoop and holler. “I’m fine ma, just another hour ok.”

“You know…Hamill Alexander came by this morning, his interested in buying Paradise.”

“Humph, like he needs another family’s business in his pockets” Daniel thought. “What did you tell him?” Daniel said. “I bought some time, but… it is getting harder to pay these bills and now that this housing crisis thing happened…were already running razor thin” she said.

DING “order up!” “Ma, I make good money, we can figure something out. Maybe we can throw another fund raiser? You know this town looks after their own… can we just wait until the morning to talk about this?” Claudia looks at her son, “Sigh… ok, it’s not fair, you have your fathers’ eyes.”

“Ayye Dan, some guys are here they say they need to talk to you.” “Thanks Abby” Daniel says. Abernathy was the redhead server we have had living with us since she was just a child; her family were the final victims of the infamous Mathew Judge aka The Full Moon Ripper.

Since Abernathy has always seemed on edge whenever she goes out with her new family. Never spending a full night alone, Abernathy often stays with Claudia or Daniel. As she got older Abernathy learned to defend herself, often getting into fights at school or around the neighborhood. When questioned about her behavior all she gave was smart ass answers or responses.

Nobody truly blames her it must be her way of dealing with the world around her. Abernathy is the very definition of tough, tall, and fierce with hair that flames when the light of the sun shines, recently a streak of white has begun to come in just along the right side of her hairline and quite noticeable, not the kind of person you want to get into a fight with, she knows what she is doing and is not afraid to fight dirty. She claims to be Goliaths best gunslinger, but we have never seen her shoot. Abernathy was a loyal person, and she stands up for the people she cares about the most.

“Ugh, what now…” Daniel thought.

“Clyde? Rhonda? What are y’all doing’ here?” Daniel says. “Detective Mo’tar, I’m sorry to bug you at your… mom’s house.” Clyde said.

“Clyde you’re such a dick” Daniel thought.

“We have a situation back at the station, and it involves you.” Clyde could not help the I’m better than you tone of voice. Clyde always thought of himself as “above the law.” When I first joined Goliath Police Department, I was told a story that Clyde’s first day here he was already taking bribes and slowing down the rest of us, since we can never prove anything on him it has made it difficult for us to get rid of him.

Daniel turns to look at the nearby clock “just turned 5” Daniel thought. “Sure, I can’t stay too long I need to close up tonight.” “Danny, you might have to skip closing, this is important” Rhonda said. Rhonda was our senior; it was easy to tell she has seen some things in her unknown number of years working for the GPD. She had a commanding way of speaking that did not come off as hostile or pushy, she just knew how to talk that cut right threw, and you understand.

“You reek of burning oil” She stated. `

“Alright, I’ll grab my stuff and meet y’all outside in 10”. Daniel said heading to the back office. “Ma, I’m going to have to work late tonight… ugh my burn stinks so bad!” Daniel said loudly hoping his ma would hear. “What did those people want Dan? Do you need me to shoot someone… you know?... No blood on your hands type stuff?” Abernathy said.

“Ha! not this time Abby but can you close tonight? I was supposed to, but I got to work,” said Daniel. “Sure, but are you positive you don’t need anyone shot?” spinning her colt peacemaker around her finger. “Tell ya what, put your dick away and maybe I’ll take you to our range and you can show me some of your fancy shooting’ how is that?” Abernathy stops spinning her peacemaker and puts it away “You know I don’t trust cops” Abernathy said. “Don’t worry, I’ll close up just don’t forget to eat at least.” From the kitchen Claudia can be heard cooking her heart out, “Just made you a little something, a triple layer meatloaf sandwich with mushroom gravy, some roasted onions and potatoes, Mijo I put in some day old desserts for everyone, and don’t forget your hat this time!” handing Daniel a massive bag neatly wrapped with his name on it placing his black Stetson on his head. “Thanks Ma.” Walking outside Clyde and Rhonda are waiting. “Took you long enough, mommy made you do the dishes before you could come and play?” Clyde said. “Hey but for real, Red in there what’s her deal?” Putting the bag in his car Rhonda gets in the passenger’s seat, “You really shouldn’t call her Red, she doesn’t like it” Daniel said.

Driving off Clyde is left standing alone.

“What the?” Clyde looks around…

adjusts his tie…

“Whatever, I work better alone anyway” Clyde says walking to his car.

Goliath, Texas, famous for being the first town in Texas founded way back in 1753. The town is breathtaking, surrounded by thick forests on all sides almost isolates the town, crystal clear lake waters of Ranger Grove… Mona’s open air market she holds every weekend, the trees within the town all produce peaches encouraging locals to pick as they please. When night falls the string lights that litter main street shine like a warm light of a candle illuminating the dark night. The town was originally Julie “Goliath” Sweetwoods’ peach farm; Julie was rumored to be a man of a massive size and titanus strength. He never married, always claiming the farm was his wife providing him with the fruits of his labor.

When the town was only just a small group of people a large number of bandits had come attempting to raid the town and Julie fearing that his farm would be destroyed dawned his Bear Pelt, grabbed what blades and rifles he could and fought those bandits. The story of how Julie fought with the ferocious might of a wild Bear, screaming, and clawing as the bandits, paralyzed with fear, fell one by one from Julie’s hands encouraging the town to fight back. Many of the towns’ people were injured, some had lost the use their limbs, some their sight, only one member of the town died that night… Julie himself. To honor his memory the town named itself Goliath; and worked to maintain his peaches that he loved so dearly.

Today, the Mighty town of Goliath has been suffering through an economic slump, since the economic market crashed the local business began to go under one at a time.

“Damn, Mr. Hand’s went under”. Daniel Thought. “I’ll need to find another hotdog place.” “Looks’ like Rick’s Pharmacy is still in business!” said Rhonda. “Huh?” Dan pulling his attention back to the current. “The Pharmacy, I think Hamill bought it from the bank” Rhonda said. “I didn’t even know that it was at risk, it feels like every day more of this town shuts down you know we haven’t had the Peach festival here since ’03.

Look! Lupes’ is still open, I guess the enchilaco is a hit!

Barrys’ Bombastic Baffling Bagels closed.

Myrtles’ Muddled Mechanics closed.

Quaid’s’ Quizzical Quilts! Closed!

and Gregs’ closed! and no new businesses have come in for about 10 years now our downtown area is riddled with stray dogs” Daniel said gripping the wheel doing his best to hold back the emotion in his voice. “It makes me sad to see these good people lose their livelihoods, when I was young this town was full of life with hopes and dreams around every corner, it makes me feel uncertain about my home, about our purpose here.”

The car in front of Daniel suddenly stops, blasting their horn. Daniel hits the breaks and Rhonda braces herself. A thud can be heard, the front car’s horn blasts on as a group of dogs cross the street. One of them appears to have been injured by the accident. “Those goddamn dogs again! You know I am hearing about more of them from my neighbors” Daniel said. “Is that right?” Rhonda said inquisitively. “Their gonna get themselves killed one day” Daniel claimed. “Yeah…” Rhonda said in a flat tone.

THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD.

The local news/Emergency chopper comes flying in, extremely close to the traffic, “Great, just my luck! now here’s Benni” Daniel said doing his best to yell over the sounds of the thundering blades. “Benni never learned how to drive a car and yet Benni is allowed to fly a helicopter; perfect!” The chopper flies forward continuing on its course. “Benni is the best pilot this town has!” Rhonda yelled.

“Look change always happens, and times always get hard, a sweet lie we want to believe that nothing bad will ever happen in our lifetime.” Rhonda said with a melancholic tone.

“Goddamnit Rhonda, you’re right.” Daniel Thought. “Danny?” Rhonda said. “What do you think?”

“Mmm” Daniel grunted.

“Yeah, I think so too.” Rhonda groaned.

Daniel parks in his space at the Goliath Police Department, “Looks like most everyone went home for the day huh.” Daniel said. “Yeah, come on, let’s get this over with.” Rhonda said, getting out of the car.

The GPD Building is rumored to be one of the oldest buildings in Goliath, it is said this building used to be the first school when the town began to grow. In the 1920’s and during the great depression it was used as a community shelter and workforce placement center while running alcohol using the tunnels underneath; we have never seen any of them of course; but it is always fun to wonder. When the GPD bought the building modifications were made and turned the place into a small fortress, reinforced everything, there was a running joke that if zombies ever attacked, this police station would not be swarmed so easily.

Placing down the food Claudia had made on his desk Daniel took a second to breathe.

“Huh, looks like someone left me a message, I’ll check it after this.” Daniel thought.

“Donny!” the high pitched almost Whiney voice of the chief coming from his office.

“It’s Daniel” Daniel said with an annoyed tone.

“Yes, that’s what I said Danny, you must have misheard me, look I need to speak with you in my office yeah?” The chief always had an issue with physical contact, he loved to place his arm around the shoulder of others pulling them in close enough to smell the disgusting peanut butter and garlic sandwiches he eats for lunch almost every day.

“Sir, why am I here? What is this about?” Daniel said.

“Ah…yeah… look Donny, we have kind of a difficult situation”, the chief said.

“What are you talking about? What kind of situation?” Daniel asked, noticing the chief’s nervousness.

“Whoa I need you to calm down Donny,” said the Chief quickly reaching for his gun.

“Daniel’’ he said, “why is it so Seriou…”

the chief passive aggressively interrupting “Yes. Danny. You need to calm down you’re acting irrational right now”.

Confused Daniel asked, “What does this have to do with me?”

louder this time, the chief said.

“Donny, you have to sit down and calm yourself I do not want to hurt you!” The chief’s voice became shaky.

“Why would you hurt me chief?” Daniel said trying to remain as nonhostile as possible.

The loud thud of metal on bone cracks through the tension.

“AHHHHHH”, Daniel is struck from behind and brought down quickly, having his hands forced and cuffed in front of him.

“Damn Rhonda took you long enough!” the chief said in his whiney voice. “Just cuff em’ already you have a long night ahead of you alp….”

“Rhonda?... she hit me…why?” Daniel thought before passing out.

II.

Buzz, Buzz…

Buzz, Buzz… The room is still and quiet.

Buzz, Buzz…

Buzz, Buzz…

Daniel wakes up in a haze.

“Huh… my phone…?” Daniel thought.

Daniel reached for his phone only to have his wrist cut from the cuffs, binding him to his desk, the rich iron stink of blood mixes with oil and herbs; the bandage on his hand catches the blood.

“Ahh!” he cried.

Buzz, Buzz… Buzz, Buzz… the phone continued to ring.

“Damn my phones too far away” Daniel thought reaching for his stuff on a nearby table.

“Damnit Rhonda! What was she thinking! Ahh!” he said reaching to the back of his head still throbbing from where Rhonda struck him.

“Huh? a note” Daniel thought.

Tucked in between the books on his desk a note is indiscreetly sticking out, the writing on it is clearly someone else.

I’m Sorry Danny, I did this for your own good.

Please, just stay here. I’ll answer your questions in the morning.

Rhonda.

“For my own good? What does that mean?” Daniel thought. The blinking light of his unread message on his work phone caught his eye.

“That’s right, someone left me a message” Daniel thought.

Click’, Daniel presses the button and begins to rummage through his left side desk drawer.

“Hey Dan! It’s Jess, just thought I’d give you a call, see how things are going with you and mom at the restaurant seeing how it’s almost lunch time. Ugh I seem to have some gum on my shoe, and it won’t come off”.

Just then Daniels ears perked up, like an animal hearing the sounds of a predator.

“Could you tell mom I’m going straight to Maria’s and won’t be able to make it for the dinner rush? She wants me to meet her new boyfriend, someone I’ve never seen before”.

“Jess is being followed by someone, she doesn’t know who they are and is going somewhere safe”, Daniel Thought pulling a false bottom from his drawer revealing a set of keys. Unlocking the cuff, Daniel opens the bottom right drawer of his desk to reveal a backpack filled with gear he may need to get home.

“Oh, and by the way, my arm is fine I even have some extra painkillers in my bag just in case, anyway would you call me as soon as you get this? Love you Danny, See ya, soon!”

“Good, she has her gun and plenty of ammo with her just in case” Daniel thought looking at the time on a nearby clock.

“Damnit! That was over 7 hours ago!” he shouted. “I need to get the hell out of here now! jess wouldn’t leave a message like that on my work phone for no reason…whatever is happening involves her and somehow me.”

Trying to make an outgoing call on his work phone Daniel only heard the sound of a deadline. “Of course,” he thought, “My cell!” Reaching over to grab his phone Daniel noticed there was no signal, only a notification notifying Daniel that he had no signal.

“Great” Daniel said. Making his way to the front of the GPD, the heavy triple locked doors made it nearly impossible for Daniel to get out that way. “Damn, I’d need some real heavy fire power for this” he said.

Daniel went quiet, the sound of a car door closing can be heard.

Daniel slowly backs away from the door.

The doorknob starts to aggressively shake.

A voice can be heard.

“Well shit I’m late again!” it said.

“Clyde” Daniel thought! “I bet that asshole is part of this too somehow, I cannot let him know I am here” Daniel thought. “DANIEL!?” Clyde shouted. “Daniel are you in there...your car is outside…DANIEEEEL!!... come on I need my stuff!”

“Wait a minute…” Daniel thought, noticing a keyhole on the door with an impression for the chief’s master key.

“HE KEEPS THAT IN HIS OFFICE!” Daniel said to himself in a hushed tone.

Quickly making his way back to the Chiefs office Daniel can see the door is closed, reaching for the handle Daniel tries to open the door…it is locked. The keys were calling out to him from the chief’s desk.

“AHHHH FUCK!!!” Daniel said slamming his body repeatedly against the door. Grabbing a nearby desk chair Daniel slammed hard against the glass of the office door… nothing happened.

Slamming the chair against the glass again and again Daniels desperation began to show, “Huff, Huff… Someone has to have a spare key” Daniel thought. Checking all the nearby desks Daniel begins to look through all the drawers, files, and books hoping to find anything that be used to help him find a way into the chief’s office.

Seconds felt like minutes.

Minutes felt like hours…

Daniel restlessly searched the desks. He found nothing. “Rhonda never locks her office door” the thought popped into Daniels mind. Checking the door to Rhonda’s office Daniel could feel his nerves freeze.

The door was open.

A deep fast sigh came from Daniel, he felt hope. Looking around Rhonda’s office Daniel could only see the obsessive perfection and care put into her office, not even a book was chronologically out of place. At the desk there was nothing out of place, nothing other than paperwork and personal items. “

Rhonda, you know how to keep yourself clean…” Daniel thought sitting in her chair. The stress and exhaustion from the day setting in. Daniel rubs his temples, bent over, and breathing slowly. Daniel noticed a crumpled piece of paper under her desk near the trash can.

It read.

We will be using the tunnels to move the bodies, the fuckin’ chief is so sloppy with his kills we had to rig a new entry way to quickly hide any evidence…

… Remember when the old man strikes three the path will be revealed.

…Rhonda, as requested, we will leave Daniel to you…

The rest of the note was too stained with blood.

“The tunnels are real!? I knew it!” Daniel thought. “When the old man strikes three the path will be revealed… What could that mean?”

DING…DONG…DING…DONG… a booming sound came from the westside reference library. “The Grandfather clock in the library!” Daniel thought. In a rush Daniel made his way to the library.

DING…DONG…DING…DONG… the clock reads 9pm.

Looking around the clocks frame looking for any signs of a pathway or that it has been moved recently. The seams were solid, and no marks were visible on the floor.

“Goddamnit! This clock is digital! And there is no sign anyone has even touched this recently; this clock is as useful as the old hunk of junk stored…” and then it clicked…” The clock in the basement!” he said.

Daniel made his way to the basement of the GPD. The room was dimly lit, the sad moldy stench of wet cold cases and poor ventilation lingered thick in the air. Daniel grabbed a flashlight out from his backpack. “There it is!” Daniel thought, trying not to breathe through his nose.

In the furthest corner of the basement an old grandfather clock stood; the minute and hour hand rusted off over time.

“The hands are gone…” Daniel thought. Looking around at the bottom of the clock, scrapes, “Well Well, now why would someone need to move this old man after he doesn’t work?” Daniel Thought. Using a multitool from his backpack Daniel grabbed the center of the hour wheel with the pliers and slowly turned.

Click!

The light sound of locks opening was heard. Suddenly a chilly gust of air came whistling from behind the clock, carried with the sickening smell of death.

III.

“Ugh that smell” Daniel thought. The tunnels were pitch black. Darker than the evil hiding in the souls of men. “I don’t think my phone’s light can help here; besides I don’t want to waste my battery like that” Daniel thought. The flashlight illuminates the halls of the tunnel only allowing him to see a foot or two in from of him, the dark is thick.

“I don’t even know where to go from here” Daniel thought. Moving along the walls of the tunnel Daniel continued on.

“Here’s something” Daniel thought, moving around the corner to a dead end. “Damn” he said. Turning around Daniel went back the way he came and down another path.

Another path

Dead end.

Another path

Dead end.

Another path

Dead end.

“GOD DAMNIT! WHY CAN’T ANYONE JUST LEAVE A MAP BY THE DOOR!” Daniel Shouted. “I’m obviously doing something wrong” He thought. “I can’t just wonder aimlessly.”

*Sniff Sniff*

The stink of death was not so noticeable.

“At least I’m away from the smell” He thought, “But this stink of wet and dirty dog is just as overwhelming”. Then Daniel stopped.

“What if I go toward the smell?” He thought.

Smelling his way back to where he began another path began to appear. The smell was overwhelming, the closer Daniel got to the source the more he was forced to breathe through his mouth. This did little good.

Walking through the dark, dirty, rot infested tunnels for what seemed like forever Daniel saw a thin strip of light at the bottom of a hallway.

It flickers with the pop of a fire.

Daniel stopped before entering the room, drew his revolver, and listened through the door. The sound of silence. Peaking in slowly Daniel could feel the warmth of the nearby fireplace. “Somebody has been here, and recently”. He thought. On the table is what looks like a record of names people in town. “This seems important” Daniel thought. Placing the journal in his bag. Moving around the room Daniel’s light shined on a small pile of dead bodies. “Oh god, that’s the source of the smell” Daniel Thought”. “Some of these bodies are older than others.” Daniel got a little closer. “Oh my god… some of these people are the townsfolk that went missing! That’s the Bakers kid! And oh, miss Johansson we were all told you moved away…Some of these people I don’t recognize” he thought.

Reaching into his pockets Daniel pulls out his phone’s camera, snapping pictures of the room and the pile of bodies. One of the bodies was heavily wrapped in thick trash bags with yellow caution tape, drips of blood steadily falling from the bag opening. “This one must have just happened” Daniel thought reaching closer.

“I know, I know! Look I’m on my way there now!” a voice said rapidly approaching from a nearby hallway.

“Shit!” Daniel thought. Quickly diving into the pile of dead bodies.

A well-dressed man came into the room, talking on his Bluetooth headset.

“Suit, navy I think, tall with side part in his hair…damn I can’t see his face” Daniel thought trying to remember as many details as possible.

“I need you to head to the fertilization plant and prep the pods for me… because the Alexander kid can’t keep it in his pants!” the stranger said.

“The Alexander Kid?!, what do they have to do with this?” Daniel thought.

“I have the body right here, everything is fine”. The stranger makes his way over to the wrapped body and lifts it without effort. Daniel barely went unnoticed.

“Just Trust Me, I’ll be there after I take care of this body, and bring the journal with you!... Well, I don’t have it! The Stranger said hanging up the call. Chills ran down Daniels spine hearing this strange man tell someone to trust him.

“…Sigh…I’m surrounded by morons…” he said. Carrying the body back out the hallway he came in Daniel could hear the sound of the door being locked as the strange man left.

Daniel poked his head out from the rancid pile of dead bodies, “Who the hell was that guy? and why is the alexander family involved?” Daniel thought? Making his way to the same hallway the strange man left through Daniel unlocked the door. “Thanks for the way out, whoever you are” Daniel said.

The moon was high this night, and the red light was shining bright. Daniel emerged from the tunnels turning off his flashlight and turning to see where he had come out. “Of course, the old training barracks, no one would think to check here” Daniel thought. Ding, Ding. Ding, Ding. Daniels phone began to chime. “My phone! I have signal!” He spoke. Reaching into his pocket Daniel grabbed his phone to urgently call his sister. The phone shuts off. The battery is dead. “Sigh…of course it would” Daniel said with a frustrated tone.

“Whatever, I know where I am at, Maria’s house is a short hike from here anyway” Daniel said. “I should leave my car here, if anyone notices I’ve escaped I might end up with more trouble than I need” he thought “I should get moving”.

The cool summer night is still, cicadas using up the silence. “Jess, I hope you made it to Maria’s, ugh my feet are killing me, I should have brought a different pair of boots” Daniel thought. “My bag is too heavy; it’s making me slower…

Goddamnit Rhonda, I trusted you…Why did you do this? When did all this start?

What does the Alexander family have to do with this?

Why is the chief in on this? If Rhonda is, who else in the department is?

The back roads of Goliath are kind of a town secret, you only really know about them if you grew up here, since no one ever talks about them. Most people these days use the main road seeing that it’s faster. The roads are dark with no real working light posts. Most of the road is in disrepair if not unpaved all together.

The last gasps of Daniels flashlight began to fade…

and Daniel was left in the dark.

“Of course, when I needed you the most flashlight” He thought. Standing in the dark his eyes began to adjust to the night. Around him Daniel could hear the movements of animals, the cry of Texas at night, and the fading red glow coming off the moon.

“I wish I knew what I was doing…”. Daniel Thought. Looking around to recognize any landmark he could, Daniel kept walking. “Shouldn’t be long now… I am so tired”. He thought. Shuffling can be heard coming closer behind Daniel. “Sounds like…animals…” Daniel thought turning around to see what was following him. “Those damn dogs again” he thought. They just stood there, watching him, as if waiting to see what his next move would be.

Daniel continues on the dark and lonely road.

“No Claudia I haven’t seen Danny or Jess since earlier this morning” … “I am too, but they are both smart, we should have some trust in them” … “Ok… ok… ok call me after you take care of those customers” … “Everything will be ok Claudia, bye”.

“…sigh… what’s going on… one of you guys please reach out”.

Knock.

Knock, Knock.

Knock.

“Maria it’s Danny” Daniel said through the door. “Danny!?” Maria said quickly, opening the door.

Maria is the town sweetheart, with raven hair and sun kissed skin she was always willing to lend a helping hand, although vertically challenged her caring nature more than charms everyone while concealing one of the cleverest minds anyone has ever met. “Where have you been your mother has been calling me nonstop!” maria said. “Huh? wait, I need to charge my phone” Daniel said pulling out a spare charging cable from his bag. “Daniel where have you been!?” maria demanded.

“I was trapped inside the GPD, technically, I still am…” Daniel said. “What do you mean?” said Maria. “Before I explain, I got a message from Jess that she was being followed and heading here, where is she?” said Daniel.

“Jess isn’t here.” Maria Stated.

“No, she left me a message on my work phone saying she’ll be here, where is she?” Daniel Demanded.

“Danny, Shut up! Listen.” Maria said, pulling up her phone. “It’s a message Jess sent me”.

“It’s Miles, Miles Alexander… not far from you now… AHH! NO! STOOOOP! AHHHHHHH!”

“When did you get this?” Daniel said. “A couple of hours ago, I noticed it right before your mother called” Maria said. “Did you tell her?” Daniel asked. “NO!” she said. “Why?” Daniel asked. “I don’t know, I don’t know…I felt you should have been the first to know”. Maria said soulfully.

Tears began to fill Daniels eyes, the realization set in that his sister could be dead. “Maria look, when I was looking for a way out, I came across this room where I found this journal, it has the names of some of the people in this town see; Mrs. Hudson she owns the Antique shop in town. The Bakers family, Ms. Johansson”. Daniel went to his phone. “Here look! the room I was in… That’s their bodies! Maria, I think the Alexander family is involved somehow and this journal that I have may be the proof we need, that’s not all, I think the chief is also involved maybe they have a deal or something”. Daniel said.

“What do we do?” Maria asks.

“I need to get back to the restaurant, it’ll be a safe place to hide until we can figure out what to do next, we’re going to need to be careful, the chief could have anyone from the GPD working for him”. Daniel said. “Are you sure?” Maria asked. “Oh, I am sure, Maria, can you give me a ride? I’ll need to hide in your backseat”.

“Sure, let’s get going”. Maria said.

“Also, I have another favor to ask you…” Daniel said.

IV.

“Make sure to park behind the restaurant, less likely we’ll be seen”. Daniel said. “Got it, were almost there, so far everything seems normal”. Maria mentioned.

“Alright pulling in now…wait…who’s that?” Maria said. Daniel quickly tensed up “What? Who?” he said.

“I don’t know, nice car, looks like no one is in it, they must be inside with your mom” Maria pulled into the back and parked.

“Maria, I need you to go in, be cool and keep them busy while I sneak in the back”. Daniel said. “Be cool? I can do that!” Maria said confidently.

“So, you can see Claudia selling your restaurant to my buyer would result in 3x the typical price a restaurant this size would run for and I’m sure…” Suddenly Maria burst through the main doors hysterically in tears.

“Claudia! Imgladyourehereithoughtiranoveracatonmywayhere-

butitwasjustablackbagwithsomefruitinitbutnowsomeonedoesnthavethefruittheyneed” Maria said, on the verge of tears speaking so fast it was like she didn’t need to breathe instantly walking past the visitor giving a hug to Claudia.

“Damn she’s good” Daniel thought. Watching the doors close behind her, uncertainty setting in. Sneaking into the kitchen from the back Daniel made his way to the office to the security cameras. The visitor has his back to the only working camera in the lobby.

“Damn! Come on let me see your face” Daniel thought.

“Maria… Maria it’s ok, it’s ok. Sweetheart calm down”. Claudia said, Maria Pulling Claudia in close, so close that she can whisper into her ear. “Dan safe, we in danger”. Maria said.

In a way that only a mother can, Claudia understood what Maria meant. Claudia was met with a sickening and deep void in her stomach, she could tell something evil is watching them.

In the back-office Daniel was watching the visitor. “Hair parted, navy colored suit…” He thought.

“Mrs. Mo’tar, Just Trust Me, come with me to the office and I’ll take care of you”. The visitor said. The coldest of chills ran down Daniels spine.

“The man in the tunnels! This is him!”. Daniel thought. Turning to face the camera, Daniel finally got to see his face.

“Jimmy?” Daniel said. Jimmy Cardinas was the town’s best local lawyer, best known for the prosecution of the Full Moon Ripper.

“Mrs. Mo’tar, please come with me” Jimmy demanded.

“I…I need to talk with my son first, I’m sorry” Claudia said regrettably. “Oh Daniel? Yeah, we just spoke a little over an hour ago, I ran the idea by him and he seemed excited about it, apparently you guys could use the money” Jimmy said.

“You spoke with Daniel about an hour ago?” Claudia asked suspiciously.

“Of course, come with me Claudia…” Jimmy said in a stern voice.

Claudia looked at Maria who subtlety shook her head no. “Jimmy…Let’s talk in the morning ok? Please.” Claudia asked. “NO!... I need you to come with me NOW!” Jimmy said frustratingly pulling his gun on them.

“Now, both of you come with me to my office!” Jimmy demanded.

“Jim!” Daniel shouted from the kitchen looking through the expediting window, the desperation in Jimmy’s bloodshot eyes could be seen. “You weren’t supposed to get involved Daniel!” Jimmy said.

“Put the gun down Jim” Daniel Said.

“…I can’t! …you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into; These people…they own your family; they use you and then you die!” Jimmy said the gun in his hand was shaking more and more. “They are keeping my baby girl sick” Jimmy said struggling to hold back tears.

“Just put down the gun Jim, we can fix this”. Daniel said.

“YOU CANT FIX ANYTHING, you have to die now Daniel” Jimmy stated.

“Jim…We grew up together…” Daniel said.

The room fell silent.

Nothing filled the air.

The sound of shaking metal gradually getting louder.

Jimmy swung to point his gun at Daniel.

Faster than Jimmy could blink, Daniel drew his revolver and shot Jimmy in the head killing him instantly.

The sight of Jimmy’s brains being spread across the wall caused Maria to panic, screaming in despair as brains cover her face. Claudia does her best to calm her down.

“Mijo, what have you done?” Claudia asked.

“Call Abernathy, I need her here now!” Said Daniel.

V.

“Officers found what remained of her parents tossed about and partially eaten. Their daughter, Abernathy, claimed she ran as fast as she could for help. She says she could hear the screams of her family slowly fading the further she ran. When Mathew Judge was caught and sentenced to death, Abernathy was there along with the families of the victims and some of the lucky survivors. In interviews, Abernathy swears the last thing she saw before his lifeless body was him laughing at their attempts.” The Tv played.

“I can’t stand this show…They made me look so horrible!” Abernathy thought looking around for the Tv remote.

“Next Time, a woman in Ohio opens her front door only to find nothing was there… Coincidence? Aliens? Join us huddled together in… The Creepy Corner!” The Tv went on.

BUZZ BUZZ … BUZZ BUZZ …

“Oh!” Abernathy jumped quickly reaching for her phone.

“Oh, it’s Claudia!... Hello Mrs. Motar!” …

“Daniel?” …

“I’ll be there in 5!” Abernathy said.

Grabbing the tablecloth from a nearby table, Daniel wrapped Jimmy’s body. Maria is visibly and mentally shaken.

“Maria? Are you alright sweetheart?” Claudia said.

“I’ve just never seen a dead body before” Maria said staring at the burgundy soaked walls.

“What’s next Daniel? I mean, we have to tell someone.” Maria stated.

“We cannot go to the GPD, I was attacked and locked in the precinct by Rhonda” Daniel said.

“GASP!!!” The realization that Rhonda was corrupt and attacked Daniel left Maria and Claudia speechless. “There is no telling who else is on their payroll and I can’t risk putting any of you in harm’s way”. said Daniel.

“Mijo, call Jessica, she needs to come home right now!” Claudia said. Maria looked at Daniel, the look of worry, grieving, anger, and pain all meshed into one.

“Mom…Jess left me a message earlier, someone was following her, she tried to reach safety…I think someone may have kil…” “NO! you will not tell me my daughter was killed!” Claudia demanded.

“Mrs. Motar…” Maria said giving Claudia her phone.

“It’s Miles, Miles Alexander… not far from you now… AHH! NO! STOOOOP! AHHHHHHH!”

“Noooo!!! NO! Nooooooo” The only words Claudia could bring herself to say as the storm of emotions come forth crippling Claudia bringing her to her knees.

Outside, music begins to get louder and louder and bright lights pull up and shine through the windows of Paradise.

“Abbys here” Daniel said.

Abernathy walks in and immediately sees the body wrapped up on the floor. “Mrs. Mo’tar, Maria, I’m sorry… are you both ok?” Abernathy said giving them both a hug.

“Yes, thank you for coming Abernathy” Maria said.

“Abby, I need your help to move Jim.” Daniel stated.

“That’s Jimmy!? Oh no…his little girl was just getting better too”. Abernathy said, grabbing the feet.

“Danny… was he really going to shoot you?” Abernathy asked.

“Yeah, I think something big is happening, the GPD can’t be trusted, Rhonda attacked me right before this and…”

Once again Daniel was cut off.

“Rhonda did what...” Abernathy said.

“She attacked me, locked me in the GPD” he said.

Abernathy went quiet. Not in her character at all.

“Why?” Daniel asked.

“I called her before coming here” Abernathy said.

“YOU DID WHAT?!” Daniel shouted.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know! I thought you needed help, although it does now explain why she sounded so surprised that you were here at Paradise” Abernathy said.

The realization began to set in on Daniels face.

“What do we do?!” Abernathy asked.

“Back in the tunnels I overheard Jim talk about the old fertilization plant and pods that he needed” Daniel said.

“You were in tunnels?” Abernathy asked.

“The plant went under years ago, even teenagers got bored of that place” Maria said. “Apparently, someone is still interested” Daniel said looking out the windows.

“I have an idea!” Abernathy stated, “Let’s just ask for help”. The room is silent.

“Huh?!” Everyone said.

“Let me make a call, someone has to know something about this plant” Abernathy said.

“We need to be careful who we talk to about this Rhonda knows I’m out that’s one too many already” Daniel said.

The low static sound of Daniels walkie began to sputter from inside the manager’s office.

Static…Static… All units we have a rogue officer, Daniel Mo’tar is wanted for the assault of the police chief.

Static…Static… All units we have a rogue officer, Daniel Mo’tar is wanted for the assault of the police chief.

“We need to get out of here!” Daniel said.

“Where do we go?” Maria asked,

“What do we do!?” Claudia stated.

In the distance the faint sounds of multiple police sirens could be heard.

“Mom, I need you to take Maria and run! Out the back!” Daniel demanded.

“No! Mijo just tell them the truth you were attacked by him!” Claudia said.

“Mom…they don’t care…I’m sorry.” Said Daniel.

The sound of sirens is louder, quickly Maria pulled the blinds for the lobby windows, the violently flashing lights seeping through.

“Mom y’all need to leave now, I’ve seen what they do to the people here and…”

Maria cuts him off. “They want you, Daniel! Just leave and we will be ok! We can pretend we had no idea what is going on still!”

From the corner of his eye a small laser pointer made Daniel flinch.

“The hell is that?” Daniel thought. From behind Paradise Abernathy was signaling Daniel.

“Y’all come this way” Daniel said quickly ushering Maria and Claudia to the back.

From the outside of Paradise an officer came barreling into the parking lot, blocking off the entrance. Officers exit their cars and quickly move into place to surround Paradise as much as possible.

“Daniel!... We don’t want to make this harder than it already is. The chief is ok by the way, he’s recovering in the hospital after the beating you gave him. Rhonda told us we would find you here.” Said a Silhouetted officer with a deep booming voice speaking through a megaphone.

“Come on Daniel, I don’t want to see a fellow officer needlessly gunned down”.

Abernathy is overcome with emotion, the voice of the officer sends shivers down her spine and goosebumps appear on her skin.

“Abernathy, what are you doing?... Mr. Rojas what are you doing here?” Daniel said confused.

“HEH HEH, any moron can tell their lying! I saw the chief not 30 minutes ago trying to talk some young ladies into his car” Mr. Rojas said.

“Daniel, we can’t wait here all night, I’m getting tired of talking to myself” the officer said in the background.

“He’s here to help, Mr. Rojas can sneak you out from his shop!” Abernathy said. “Then what?” Daniel asked. “Leave that to me, I’m sure we can do this” Abernathy said pulling out her phone quickly sending texts.

“Son, everyone in this town knows something has been going on with the police for some time now… it started when Hamill Alexander made the donation that kept the station from closing. You’re one of the good ones and we love you for trying son…now come on!” Mr. Rojas grabbed Daniel and with all his strength began to walk away toward a joint fence leading to the ally exit of Rojas comics and figurines.

“Goddamnit you’re so strong!” Daniel said. “Maria! Don’t forget!” Daniels final words before disappearing behind the heavy steel door.

“Alright you did this to yourself motherfucker!” The officer out front cried. “Get in there and take them out” the officer said.

Breaking down the door to Paradise, officers quickly take the room, loud screaming can be heard followed by the sound of gunshots.

VI.

The flashing red and blue lights that once meant safety for the town now hold it hostage, Daniel and Mr. Rojas remain low under the windows of the shop.

The boot steps of officers can be heard quickly passing by, the front door’s handle violently jingles, “locked” the voice said.

“Mr. Rojas we’ve got to get you out of here!” Daniel said. “Son, we’re going to wait here for just a moment” he said “We’ll get the signal any second now…”

“Daniel!! Abandoning your own mother and friends, to save your skin… I’ll admit that’s ballsy, your redhead friend got away, but we’ll find her” The officer with the megaphone said in an almost admired tone patrolling the streets.

“Abby, you got away! Good…” Daniel thought.

“I know you are still nearby! You’re not going to make it out of here!” The officer with the megaphone is moving around getting closer to Rojas comics and figurines.

“I’ll be sure to throw the book at your mom…” The officer stops in his tracks as the sounds of a disturbance can be heard in the distance.

“I told you already you son of a bitch! Cheat on me again and your ass is mine!” a woman can be heard screaming at the top of her lungs. “Babe, come on! It didn’t even mean anything” The man said doing his best to imitate a drunk. “I was thinking of you the whole time!”

The officers were watching this couple argue, confused.

“Perfect timing!” Mr. Rojas stated. “Huh?” Daniel said, “What are Mr. & Mrs. Duran doing out there!?”

“What they do best! Come on we are going out the side we only have this moment” Mr. Rojas stated.

“NO! NO! This is it! This is the last time you piece of shit!” Mrs. Duran yelled.

“Alright break this up! Take your relationship issues elsewhere” a couple of officers said thinking they are just a normal couple fighting come casually walking over. Mr. and Mrs. Duran have begun to get physically violent with each other.

The officers are having to struggle to separate them. “Listen you two we don’t have time to deal with your bullshit!” the officer with the megaphone demanded. “Aright you four, go help them two and get those morons under control!”

“Hurry up Son!” Mr. Rojas said, grabbing his phone and sending a text.

“We can’t leave them there sir, why are they even helping us?” Daniel stated.

“Whatever you’ve stumbled on might be big enough to make some real change in this town! There are many townsfolk here ready to drop what they’re doing to help you, Daniel. You are this town’s favorite son”. The side door of Rojas comics & figurines quietly swung open; Mr. Rojas poked out his head to check if the coast was clear. “Now son, we have to leave!” Mr. Rojas said, reaching out with an open hand.”

The four additional officers are making their way to Mr. & Mrs. Duran while the first two continue to struggle. “How are you both resisting so hard!” one of the officers struggled to say.

“Because we’re trying to get as many of y’all as possible!” Mr. & Mrs. Duran both stated, suddenly in a fury of well-trained martial arts, Mr. & Mrs. Duran stopped fighting each other and turned their attacks on the officers. The first two officers who were trying to separate them took full force of their elbows and knees. almost instantly knocking them out.

The other four officers quickly defend themselves; some begin to shoot at them both. Mr. & Mrs. Duran dive out of the way. Mrs. Duran, grabbing a downed officer’s handgun, shoots down two more officers before being shot in the legs. Screaming in pain, Mrs. Duran collapses. Mr. Duran takes cover behind one of the already dead officers.

Tink Tink… the sound of a key ring jingling.

From over the side of the officer’s body a canister of tear gas flew out. The officers, unaffected by the tear gas riddle the dead officer’s body with bullets, killing Mr. Duran in the process. “Noo Noo!!” Mrs. Duran cried out. “Shut up! you crazy bitch! We don’t want to hurt you!” one of the officers knocks out Mrs. Duran.

“You see what your causing!”

“You see what you made us do, someone else is dead now Daniel! “

“It only had to be you!!!” painfully screamed the Officer with the deep voice.

VII.

Hiding within the safety of the town, Mr. Rojas is on his phone, and Daniel is rummaging through his backpack pulling out a map.

“Ok… Ok sounds good… yes, I spoke to her, I might leave after tonight… see you in a bit. Be safe…Bye” Mr. Rojas hung up. “Mr. Rojas come here look” Daniel said pointing at the map. “Were only about 9 miles from the fertilization plant, whatever is going on here I’m sure I can get answers there!”

Mr. Rojas is silent.

“We can make it there if we’re careful… we can take the backroads” Daniel said.

“Son, the plant has been abandoned for many years nothing is there” Mr. Rojas said.

“The rumors about tunnels under the GPD is true, I found them, they led me to this small room near the old barracks, Jim was talking on the phone with someone about prepping a pod at the fertilizer plant, that was not that long ago, we can catch them red handed in whatever it is they are doing here, maybe even get some answers about the people missing and my sister!” Daniel said.

Flashing police lights can be seen driving by as the booming voice on the megaphone can be heard, “Citizens of Goliath, your town is in lockdown! Anyone caught aiding the criminal will be assumed an accomplice and you will be arrested.”

“The backroads would work, damn…I haven’t thought about them in years!” Mr. Rojas said.

“They’ve seen some better days sir, and the roads are falling apart so we will need to be careful.” Daniel said. “Damnit! I left some important gear back at the restaurant.”

The sound of wheels rolling on gravel gets closer.

“No time son, we need to move, we will have to figure it out along the way”. Mr. Rojas said.

The roads at night are dark, the inconsistent lamp posts provide unreliable light, the silence is loud enough to be maddening. “You know June, I think I am happy I reached out to the Mrs. maybe after so many years we can retire the way we planned…before the divorce… I wouldn’t mind moving to the beach… especially after tonight” Mr. Rojas said.

Daniel nervously looks around.

“Thank you for helping us Ms. Nayak” Daniel said slumped down in the back seat. “I want you to please go straight home after this, I don’t want anyone else harmed tonight”.

“I will Danny, and don’t worry about your mom or Maria, those two can’t be touched with a ten foot pole”. Ms. Nayak said. “I need a favor from you Danny, my husband hasn’t called me back since earlier today…this has happened before I try not to worry but…well you know.” She said.

“I understand… I will do what I can.” Daniel said.

“Were almost to the plant Son, how many bullets do you have in your revolver? said Mr. Rojas.

“I have 5 left,” said Daniel.

“Oh, I have you covered Danny”. Ms. Nayak said. Mr. Rojas and Daniel exchange a look of disbelief.

Opening the truck of her car and removing the cover to her spare tire reveals a well-organized cache of guns, supplies, ammo, and bladed weapons. “Holy Shit Ms. Nayak! I had no idea that you had this!” Daniel said, shocked by the level of firepower and thought behind her truck cache.

“Well, this is just the one I have in my car…” Ms. Nayak said. Daniel looked dumbfounded by her response. “What? We live in Texas!” she said.

In the distance, voices can be heard, and the ominous intense glow of high-powered flashlights can be seen. “What’s that?!” Ms. Nayak said.

“I know that voice… no she couldn’t have…” Daniel thought.

“Daniel…What do you see?” Mr. Rojas asked. Daniels face told it all, the worry of who he thought was coming. Grabbing a small flashlight and a small box of ammo Daniel hurried everyone to hide.

“Danny! I know you’re gonna use this road…please let me explain!” Rhonda said Clyde was helping her search for Daniel. “Rhooooooonndddddaaaaaaaa… He's not going to use this road, no one uses this road because the main road exists; ok so maybe he got out of the GPD that doesn’t mean he’s here, he could have gone to his mom’s place, or the redheads, hell maybe he is hiding out at the old fertilizer plant!” Clyde said.

Rhonda sighs a guttural sigh; chills ran down Clyde’s spine. “No one goes to the plant, you understand. NO ONE!” Rhonda said poking Clyde in the chest, frozen Clyde just nodded his head in agreement. “He’s around here somewhere keep looking” Rhonda demanded.

“I think they are arguing” Daniel said. Looking at the confrontation from his binoculars, “if we’re going to get past them, it’s now” Mr. Rojas said “the plant is just another turn from here. “How are we even going to do that? We need a distraction of some kind; we cannot get into a shootout” Daniel said.

“Clyde is easy, he’ll believe anything, I don’t know Rhonda that well; she has kept to herself since she moved here,” said Mr. Rojas. “Maybe we can get a false call and have them response to it?” Daniel asked, “That can take too long, and they are right there,” said Mr. Rojas.

Ms. Nayak is rummaging in her trunk behind them.

“What if we just talk to them? Maybe there is some way we can talk this out” Mr. Rojas asked. “Rhonda is the one who attacked me, we have to assume she’s corrupted like the chief” Daniel said.

“Hey fellas” Ms. Nayak caught their attention.

Turning around the debate immediately stops. Ms. Nayak is loading a smoke round in a single shot homemade grenade launcher. The look on Daniels face was one of shock and being impressed. “What about this?” she says aiming.

“No wait!” Daniel reacted.

Ms. Nayak pulls the trigger. A thundering boom followed by a thick spread of smoke blanketed the area.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!” the screams of everyone exposed to the smoke. Daniel covers his mouth and nose; the smoke stings his eyes.

“We are going to talk about this later Ms. Nayak” Daniel said. “You’re wasting time Danny! Go now!” said Ms. Nayak. Daniel takes off. “AAAAHHHH what the hell was that?!” cried Clyde. “MY EYES! I CAN’T BREATHE!!.... I CAN’T BREATHE! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” Clyde screamed dramatically. “Keep screaming Clyde” Daniel thought “I need to know where you are”. Daniel is quietly moving around; Clyde’s screams are getting louder.

“Rhoooonda… Rhoooonda!? Where are you?” Clyde asked, trying to take some steps forward. Daniel can hear the sound of Clyde’s voice moving away from him. “Almost… I gotta be close to the other side” Daniel thought. A chill ran down his spine as a hand reached out and grabbed his wrist.

“Daniel, please let me explain” Rhonda said. “Damn! How the hell did she find me so easily!?” Daniel thought. “You stabbed me in the back Rhonda! Why should I listen to you?” Daniel stated.

“Rhonda?!” Clyde said confused walking straight into Rhonda tripping over each other causing Rhonda’s grip on Daniel to be broken. “You’ve finally done something right for once Clyde” Daniel thought taking off running down the back roads.

VIII.

“Alright you did this to yourself motherfucker!” The officer out front cried. “Get in there and take them out” the officer said. Breaking down the door to Paradise, officers quickly take the room.

Abernathy quickly ducks behind the nearest corner, the door to Paradise is forced open as several armed officers make their way in, creating as much confusion as possible. Claudia shuts down, withdrawing into herself not speaking a word.

“WAIT!” Maria shouted. Every officer hesitates, looking back to the Silhouetted officer in charge.

“YOU’RE CLOSER TO THE WINDOW!” Maria began to shout. “GET OUT IF YOU CAN!”

Abernathy freezes thinking “What does that mean? Should I make a run for it? yeah and run away again you fucking coward. shut up shut up! what can I do?”

“Who is she talking to?” one of the officers asked. “I think she is speaking to us to open the windows of our minds,” says another officer.

“Idiots! Someone else is in here!” said the Silhouetted officer.

“LISTEN! GO TO MY HOUSE AND GRAB THE PRIZE I HID IN THE OBVIOUS PLACE; YOU’LL NEED TO LOOK INWARD!” Maria shouted.

“Am I the house?!” one of the officers asked. “Is the obvious place my subconscious?!” Shouted the other.

“Ugggh, Morons! Shoot them all!” The Silhouetted officer shouted.

“Sir!’ All the officers shouted.

Claudia and Maria got down to avoid the gunfire. Bullets flying ever so closely past them.

Abernathy takes cover in the doorway near the kitchen. She could see the window on the opposite side of the room.

“Perfect!” She thought. Some of the officers stopped firing while others reloaded as fast as they could.

“Now or never!” Abernathy told herself making a run for the window leaping out!

Some of the officers fire at her, hitting the walls of paradise diner. Abernathy lands on the ground, some of the glass scraping her side. As quickly as she landed Abernathy jumped up and took off running away from paradise.

“I’m sorry guys… I won’t let you down!” she thought.

In a desperate rush, Abernathy made her way through the allie nearing the next block. It was like a ghost town, with just a handful of bars and restaurants open. Immediately, the sirens rang out and were getting closer.

Abernathy grabbed a dirty blanket from a nearby trashcan and wrapped it around herself. Walking a little way down the block she takes a seat outside one of the bars, covering the lower half of her face with the blanket.

“Ugh this thing stinks like piss” she thought.

The officers get closer, making their way down the street, closely observing everyone nearby. Abernathy starts to rock back and forth talking to herself in an inconsistent way, looking around erratically.

“They think they talk to me like that?! ME?! I’m the goddamn one doin’ all the work while what are you doin’? Nothing!” Abernathy started rambling trying her best to sound as unstable as possible.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH…

AHHHHHH…

AHHHHHHHHHHH!” She continued to scream.

The officers drove by shining a light past Abernathy as she put on the performance of a lifetime. “Dude crazy people freak me out” One of the officers said quietly.

“Shh! They are homeless not crazy people!” Said the other officer shining the light. The officers kept on driving not even noticing Abernathy sitting right next to them.

“Morons” She thought.

The officers turned the corner leaving to patrol another block. Abernathy throws off the trashcan blanket breathing the clean air.

“Ugh! Ok, gotta head to Marias’ house.” She thought.

Reaching into her pocket grabbing her phone Abernathy makes a call.

“Hello?!” a small voice calls out.

“Hey! It’s me….

Look I need another favor from y’all…this one is big” Abernathy said.

Gravel shifts under Abernathy’s feet as she approaches Maria’s house. The red light of the moon illuminating the nature around her. The rapid sounds of animals rushing by cry out from the darkness of the trees.

“I swear I am being followed… You dumb bitch! Jumping at shadows again? Shut up! Shut up!” Abernathy thought.

As quietly as she could Abernathy shatters one of the windows of Maria’s house. Glass falling down on some tin containers echoing the sound as more glass falls in. “Oh my god! Does this have to be so loud?!” She thought. Gently entering Maria’s house Abernathy could feel the safe and warming presence of her environment.

“Look within the obvious place? Anything can be the obvious place!!!” She thought.

Abernathy starts going through all her stuff in the living room, moving all the books off the shelf, rummaging through her refrigerator. “If I were Maria, what would the most obvious place be?” She thought. Flipping over the bed in Maria’s bedroom, pulling out all her drawers and searching the clothes in the closet, “Nothing…” She thought.

Abernathy sits down at the kitchen table, befuddled. “You fucking idiot! You are useless” she thought to herself, “Shut up! Shut… Maria doesn’t have a dog?” she thought. Abernathy goes to check out the dog bed place neatly in the corner. “This is brand new!” Abernathy said. Picking up the bed feeling something shift to one side. Ripping open the dog bed Abernathy pulls out a small envelop with the journal Daniel had found. On the journal a sticky note read:

“Turn this into a trusted GPD officer.”

Opening the envelop Abernathy unfolded a slightly used piece of paper. “Oh…yeah… he’ll need this” She thought putting the paper back in the envelop and placing it in her back pocket.

BUZZ BUZZ … BUZZ BUZZ …

Abernathy picks up her phone.

“Hey, where are you guys?!...

What do you mean by 30 minutes y’all are just up the road!?

I DON’T CARE WHAT STRAWBERRY NEEDS! SHE’S JUST A…”

“Oh my god ok fine! I’ll walk! Y’all just stay there I am coming to you” Abernathy said hanging up the phone. “Strawberry had a panic attack sure right like that can happen!...sigh…fuck my life.” she said.

VIIIIX.

The road leading to the fertilization plant was chained off, loosely, anyone with enough sense to walk around the roadblock could get in. The sulfur that was used decades ago is baked into the surrounding area, still making it difficult to breathe.

The fertilizer plant is badly decrepit, left abandoned more than 20 years ago, it seems as though the building ages faster than the town. Vehicles left abandoned on the side of the road, rusted through. The few buildings that are left still house the remains of its past life, abandoned. An eerie thick fog blankets the area making something as simple as walking difficult. The moonlight shines a otherworldly red glow down on to the plant making the silhouette more menacing.

“I’ve got to be out of my mind to willingly walk into this death trap” Daniel thought.

A flicker of light shouts from the haunting darkness of the fertilizer plant. “Now why would there be light in an abandoned plant?” He thought.

Buzz, Buzz… Daniel reached down to his pocket and checked his phone.

Mr.Rojas:

Got away, funny they seemed to ignore us completely… anyway I’m gonna make a call just hang tight!

“Who are you even going to call?” Daniel thought. The clanking of metal suddenly came from deep within the fertilization plant. Dropping his phone and cracking the screen. Daniel Sighs, “Alright, just do this” he thought, putting his phone back into his pocket.

The dank, leaking, and echoing insides of the fertilizer plant created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. The faint light gleaming from the cracks of a badly damaged door. Daniels footsteps echo throughout the interior.

“What’s that sound?” Daniel thought, placing his ear to door. “Sounds like… arguing?”. Opening the door reveals an open room at the end of a hallway, it was obviously taken care of as the walls stained with generations. The arguing is loud enough to understand, Daniel quietly made his way to peek out of the hallway.

Daniel kept himself from gasping too loud.

Below him was a community of horribly grotesque, half formed human wolf hybrids. Their skin painfully stretched across their boney bodies, their fingertips looked raw almost bloodied, nails were sharp claw like; their eyes protruding inhuman in its nature. Many were moaning in agony, some looked like children or cubs, almost all of them looked malnourished, the bone structure of their face can be seen with detail adding to their overall horrific features.

“Alpha is gone! Miles!” what seemed to be the leader spoke up.

The room fell quiet.

“We don’t know that Hamill” Miles said. “YES. WE. DO!!” Hamill roared. The thundering boom of his voice shook the entire room sending shivers up Daniels spine. “It has been 832 days since we even last had Alpha’s scent! There has been no attempt to contact us, and we have searched this town twice! We need to leave Miles.” Hamill urged. “No! we need to do as we are told, we need to stay there is plenty to eat here”. Miles is interrupted. “This town is dying with us!” Hamill Stated. “We need to take what we can and leave this town”.

“Hamill and Miles Alexander?! They are… whatever this is I’m looking at, what do they mean there is plenty to eat here... Hamill is limping, did he hurt his legs?” Daniel thought.

The low murmuring of uncertainty washes over the communities deciding what should be done. “You can stay here Miles, and anyone else who thinks we should stay can stay here with him, those of us who want to move on…come with me, we leave at dawn” Hamill stated. “NOOOO! NO ONE LEAVES!” Miles started losing control and turning into a large humanoid werewolf like being! Hamill turned as well, his coating was different, scars littered his body, and the grey of many decades began to show on his dark fur.

“Yeah, this is where I leave!” Daniel thought quickly, getting to his feet, some of the smaller tools laying on the graded floor slipped through, falling to the crowd below. “Oh shit, no!”. Daniel whispered.

THUD, THUD, the tiny tool bounces off the head of a cub.

Daniel froze in place like prey in the den of a predator, a small group looked up, once again the room fell quiet. Miles and Hamill picked up on the notable shift in the tone of the room, and looked up.

The look in Hamill’s eyes showed fear, “Ugh it reeks of burning oil!” Miles stated. “The Indigo! I thought you took care of it already, the girl, Jessica?!” Hamill said to Miles. “I did! There shouldn’t be two!” Miles screamed.

Daniel’s blood began to pump, “So you are the monsters that has been killing this town? The monsters who killed my sister!” Suddenly everyone began to hear the high pitched piercing sound of the metal on Daniels gun.

At the top of his lungs Hamill declared “He’s a Cazajor!... Kill the fucking cowboy!” All of a sudden one of the younger monsters had lunged to Daniel perching itself onto the railing. “Move!” Daniel thought, rolling backwards to avoid the swipe. “Shit!” Daniel thought as he got up and ran back the way he came. The monster leaps forward crossing Daniel to block his pathway out, others began to join in.

Thinking quickly, Daniel changed course and ran toward the stairs leading to the upper levels. Running up the stairs Daniel drew his revolver, accidentally taking a misstep, Daniel bent down narrowly avoiding another attack from one of those monsters. Daniel stopped, the monster seemed to have hurt itself after the attack, Daniel shoots it. The agonizing last breaths of this monster carried a gut wrenching sound. Daniel continues to run up the stairs, Exiting the staircase Daniel finds himself in a dilapidated office, the roaring moans of these monsters hunting for him can be heard coming up the stairs. Looking around all Daniel can see is the old glass door leading to the balcony and roof top access. Daniel looked down over the balcony railing, the slow mobilization of certain monsters can be seen, “They seem to be unorganized, it’s like they can’t see me or something”. Daniel thought.

Hamill is trying to calm down others as Miles starts smashing furniture roaring, “Don’t let the Cazajor Escape!”. A chill ran down Daniels spine. “Shit what do I do?! Stay calm” Daniel thought reloading his revolver.

BUZZ BUZZ, Daniels phone began to ring. “It’s Mr. Rojas” he thought. “Mr.Rojas! I’m in a tight spot! I’m stuck near the top of the fertilizer plant.” Daniel said. “Danny are you good to talk?” Mr. Rojas asked. The sounds of the monsters approaching get louder. “Not funny! Listen to me y’all need to get the hell out of here now, I have no idea what we are dealing with here!” Daniel said.

“Son, we can’t leave you here, don’t worry your ride is coming” Mr. Rojas said. The door to the office smashes open! Three monsters come crawling into the room, in the pink silver light of the moon Daniel could see the monsters these werewolves for what they are, and he readies his revolver. The monster in the middle moves first, Daniel shoots it out of the air, the second one moves swiping at Daniel cutting his arm and part of his torso. “AHHHHHH!!!” Daniel screams in pain.

The monster stops and starts to sneeze while its eyes begin to bleed. Daniel notices how sick the monster gets. The sneezing turns to choking as the monster stops breathing. It’s head swelling with pressure. It’s eyes began to bulge making it impossible to continue blinking. The tongue ballooned, stressed to the point of bursting. Desperately clawing at it’s neck the monster collapsed as the weight of the massive head became too much. Suddenly, the entire thing exploded! Spewing chunks of brains and fragments of skull covering Daniel.

The third monster is cautious, shocked by what it has just seen. The sound of more is coming up the stairs.

“Danny JUMP!” Mr. Rojas can be heard screaming on the phone, “What?!” Daniel yelled. The thundering sounds of helicopter blades began to fill the tension in the air. The warm light from the local news/ emergency helicopter surrounded Daniel, Benni’s voice comes in over the megaphone, “Comin’ in close! You’re gonna need to jump!”. Daniel drops his phone and sprints toward the balcony railing. The monsters are retreating back into the consuming safety of the dark plant.

Daniel leaps from the balcony, catching the collapsible ladder, Daniels revolver drops into the den of the monsters. Miles watches as Daniel escapes, Hamill turns into his human form.

Flying dangerously close to the Fertilizer plant Daniel holds on for dear life, weaving in between the plants pillars, monsters trying to attack the helicopter, and others attempt to leap and swipe at Daniel every time he flies closer to the walls. Flying up over the plant to the alluring pull of darkness that surrounds the town Benni and Daniel Fly off into the moonlight.

IX.

Goliath is quiet,

Tension fills the night air,

Armored officers patrolling the streets, abusing anyone who is unlucky enough to cross their path.

The town has become a prison.

In the back room of a long since closed arcade, at the far end of town on the other side of the tracks, the wounded Daniel is in hiding recovering from his encounter with the monsters. Trying to clean his slashes that cut his right arm and part of his torso.

“Knock, Knock”

Daniel could only groan as his response. “I’ll just assume that means come in” Mr. Rojas said, “Look I found Abernathy on my way here, she’s safe”. A visibly shaken Abernathy walked in, nothing more than some scrapes and bruises on her. “How’d you make it out of paradise?” Mr. Rojas said Daniel’s face reacted with interest.

“Well… instead of getting into the details of my incredible escape, I think we should figure out what we are going to do”. Abernathy said. “I saw Benni heading east in the chopper, there isn’t a town in that direction for days, right?”

Daniel lets out a frustrated sigh, “Damnit Benni!”

“First let’s fix you up Danny” Mr. Rojas stated.

“I need stitches” Daniel said. “I can do stitches!” said Mr. Rojas, “I got a spare army surplus medical kit in the car I’ll go grab it”, padding Daniel on the back, Daniel flinched in pain.

Abernathy looked at Daniels injuries, “What did this to you?” she asked. “I do not know what they are.

I saw them…change… from a person to…a monster.” Daniel said. “They attacked me… they called me… a Cazajor”.

Abernathy perks up “I think I have heard that before” she said.

“It’s close to Cazador or a hunter in Spanish” Daniel said. Mr. Rojas comes back inside with his first aid kit. “Ok Danny, I’ll take care of you” Mr. Rojas said getting to work patching up Daniel. “But that’s not what they called you though” Abernathy said, “Thats right they called me…a Cazajor” Daniel stated.

“A Cazajor!?” Mr. Rojas stopped what he was doing. “Yeah, do you know what it means?” Daniel said. “Your Grandmother called you that when y’all were kids.” Mr. Rojas said. “I never looked into what it means.”

Abernathy pulls out her phone “I know I have heard that name before” She thinks to herself.

“Grandma, huh? you know she never liked me” Daniel stated. “I killed her son remember?”

“Don’t listen to that bullshit! your father’s death is not on you” Mr. Rojas said.

“Guys!” Abernathy said excitingly, “Look! I knew I heard that name before… Season 2 episode 9 of Spirit Smackers the New England Cazajor!” Abernathy comes in close to show everyone the episode downloaded on her phone.

“I love this show!” Mr. Rojas said.

The Episode plays.

Annoying, upbeat intro music begins to play.

“Hey guys! It’s ya boi Zek, and ya budi Trey! And this is the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, just call me Abe”.

Daniel sighs in annoyance.

“And were the Spirit Smackers! Today we are out here with a real life Cazajor! That means a Cryptid Hunter! They’re extremely rare and only occur during times of extreme chaos and often seen as a sign of bad times, curses, or impending doooooooooommmmmmmm…”

“Um, but you guys just said that these Cazajor’s only “occur” aren’t hunters born like other humans?” says the little nerd sitting at home! Well guess what? A Cazajor IS a Cryptid!”

“What is a nerd?” Abe asked.

“Shut the Fuck up! That is what I’d say! A Cazajor may be born like a human, they may look human, but they are here for one thing and one thing only… to keep the balance”. `

“Let’s meet Jonah! Who cares about his age, he’ll probably die anyway, and he’s been the Cazajor in New England for the past 2 years?”

“Um…Yeah”

“What can you tell us about your kind” Abe asked.

“Well, I am just a man like each one of you…sorry Mr. Ghost President… anyway I had a family, I had job, I was a normal guy but after my twin brother died, I felt quite lost in what I was doing, where I was going, I felt like I had no purpose.

One day some travelers came through offering shows, it was fun at first, then more of them came and more of my neighbors, friends, and family spent more of their time at the theater. It had gotten to the point where most of the town spent their time at the theater, it was crazy. One day… I peeked into a show…out of curiosity… They…They were Djinn! The travelers! And they were eating us! I killed as many as I could, most of them ran off…I’ve been hunting them down ever since, killing them one at a time”.

“That’s fucked up! Right the ghost of Abraham Lincoln!?” Zek Shouted.

“The loss you must feel…you have my sympathy young man,” said Abe.

“Thank you, anyway, during the beginning of my journey I felt whole again, like I had a purpose. I sought guidance from a witch and found a fate I wish I hadn’t. Cazajors’ are born from chaos, and die when their job is done. I didn’t want to believe it at first… but not I have been feeling more and more tired, my weapon is heavier, and my steps are slower…

I am scared that this will be my last hunt.”

“Any advice for future Cazajors?” Abe asked.

“Eventually, you will end up where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to do, or it will find it’s way too you.”

A car pulls up to the old building, Daniel, Abernathy, and Mr. Rojas are hiding in.

“Thank you ghost of Abraham Lincoln” Jonah states.

“You don’t need to add the ghost part” Abe said.

“Now let’s kick some ass!!!!” Trey charges into the woods, going after a small group of people. Zek follows closely behind, followed by Jonah. While Zek and Trey awkwardly stand in the middle of the action doing their best karate moves, Jonah makes his way into a camp almost effortlessly killing the remaining Djinn as they cower in fear before the Cazajor.

A fierce battle between the remain Djinn and Jonah continues on.

“These have to be some of the best moves we have done so far! Right Zek? You’re right Trey!” lifting his leg three inches off the ground to kick.

“Guys we should help Jonah he seems to be in danger” Abe insisted.

“We are helping! See?” the karate moves continue faster.

Jonah comes walking in, covered from head to toe with blood, the bleeding edge of Djinn’s blades riddled throughout his body. Jonah fell to his knees.

“Well, that’s it for this episode of Spirit Smackers guys! Fuck you! Consume! We’re out!”

The Episode Ends.

Daniel is left in shock, “and people actually like this crap?” he asked. Mr. Rojas finishing wrapping Daniels wounds. “Danny, you’re focusing on the wrong parts, whatever you are, you are here to stop it.” Abernathy said. Daniel stood up “Look, I know that this show based on real events seems convincing, what am I supposed to do? the monsters I saw don’t look like Djinn” Daniel said.

Someone gets out of the vehicle, and walks toward the door of the hideout.

“I don’t know what these monsters are, what they want or how to kill them. Unless some answers come knocking on that door, I don’t know what else we can do”. Daniel stated.

“KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK”.

Everyone stopped, and waited.

“Do that again” Abernathy said.

“KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK”.

“Oh my god I got chills…” Abernathy stated. “I didn’t knock the first time” Daniel said. Trying to keep still. “Who knows we’re here?” Mr. Rojas asks. “No one! I didn’t tell anyone” Abernathy said.

“Daniel…please…open the door” said whoever was knocking. “It was hard enough to track your scent, that burning oil covers you up nicely, and the sage made it hard for me to see you, and I know what you are Daniel, I can help you. Those idiots in my den aren’t with me…please.”

Daniel looked at the burn on his hand.

“Eventually, you will end up where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to do, or it will find it’s way too you.” Daniel thought.

Daniel heads to the door, hesitates for a moment, and opens it. Daniel stands there in shock.

“You’re one of them” he states.

As Rhonda walks into the room. “Yes, we’re Skinwalkers, and I am their Alpha.”

XI.

“From what I can remember… they came out of nowhere… they covered my mouth so I couldn’t scream… I panicked and began to fight back as hard as I can… one of them hit me in my face…hard… many times… I tried to escape; I heard my family screaming… I’m sure I got away, at least, I think I got away…

I ran for what I thought was miles, God I was so bitterly cold. My feet were badly sore, but I had to keep running, not 7 miles away east was the city of Suenos I can surely get help there. I kept running, 7 miles was surely longer than I remembered but I am sure that I must be closer by now! It felt like it was getting colder by the minute. My feet were terribly achy, I wish I had brought some shoes with me. I’m sure that I can walk the last few miles.

I’m sure Suenos is just right there.

I just need to rest for a little while, I can rest just off the road a bit.

I can barely sleep with the howling of the merciless freezing winter winds. My clothes are wet and cold, the wind piercing through the thin fabric, The bitter agonizing few hours of rest I could get didn’t help me much. I am more tired now than when I stopped to rest, I just need to keep heading east… which way was east… why is it hard to get up?

Why is the night getting darker?

…

Then you found me! Can you take me to Suenos?

Why can’t we go?...

What do you mean?

I am right here talking to you.

Why can’t I go home?

... no… I can’t be,

I was just sitting right here resting for a little and…

I am still sitting, frozen to the tree I leaned against.

I cannot be dead! No! That’s not fair! Nooo!!!, noooooooo…. My body is almost completely covered with snow,

how long have I been out here?

My skin is so yellow and glassy.

What do I do now…

I can live again?

How?

What do you meanmean by rules?

I’ll do anything, I’ll pay any price!

… … …

I’m home, but… this isn’t my home. It looks… old and forgotten, there is a light in the main room, do you think it’s motherit’s mother?!

Hello?

The sound of nature sleeping in the dead of night was all the sound that accompanied her.

The smashing of a bottle broke the silence, small cries closely followedfollowed closely.

“SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF… what is that smell…” she said in a hypnotic tone “So Savory…”

Her feet begin to head toward the scent on their own.

“Slow aged… and rich” she could feel her blood coursing through her body screaming at her to move faster.

Her mouth began to water.

The sound of someone(s) moving around quickly inside the house began to become louder, the overwhelming temptation was too much to bear. She took her final step forward.

When the moonlight shined through the window and bounced off the floor of the old house it reflected maroon as blood covered the ground she kneeled on. Shaking. Hungry. Scared. The ground is littered with half eaten limbs, torn clothing and destroyed furniture. Looking down at her hands is the half-eaten face of someone she doesn’t even recognize.

Sitting alone, she takes another bite of the face, chewing as the skin is tough.

“The smell of momma’s fresh apple pie, the playful laughter of Abigail and Sarah playing outside. The morning sun hitting my face… strange I can’t seem to feel the warmth.” Ah!... the same dream”. She thought.

The sun is shining into the room, bouncing blood casting a faint red glow all around the room. Standing in the doorway frozen in the confusing fear of the sight they are just witnessing were a small group of local hunters; seemingly readying themselves to attack yet hesitant as they knew who this monster eating the village folk is.

“Samantha?” one of the hunters asked softly.

The rich aroma of fear was coursing through their body, Samantha could barely resist the temptation of her next meal.

Samantha spoke “I don’t Know what is…” taking a step toward them the entire group frightenly stumbled back and over themselves racing to be the first one out the door of the old house.

“STAY INSIDE! THE MONSTER WHO FEASTS ON OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IS HERE! AND HAS TAKEN THE FORM OF THE DEVIL HIMSELF!” screams one of the hunters sparking a frenzy of confusion and fear. The village that Samantha once called home began to shudder and organize a larger group of men readying their rifles, torches, and anything else they could use as a weapon to fend off this beast.

Samantha can hear the cries of the fearful village, the overwhelming, mouthwatering stink of fear is becoming harder for Samantha to ignore. Moving to the window Samantha can see the small village marching toward the thin four walls she is sheltering in, one of the villagers comes rushing out past the mob.

A young woman.

Samantha can see her face as if she was no more than inches from her, it is familiar and yet foreign to her. Within the same second confusion turns to joy, and then sadness as the face Samantha is looking at is her youngest sister Abigail now a fully grown woman expecting child.

“She was nothing more than a shin high child when I last saw her” Samantha thought to herself. Just as quickly as Abigail appeared, she was up by the mob of villagers, the moment was gone forever.

“I have to leave; I will not be seen as this monster!” Samantha thought quickly. Quickly making her way through the back door space Samnatha takes in the last few glances of what used to be her home and runs off into the nearby woods. From a distance Samantha can see the mob swarm her home and quickly burn it to the ground, the full weight of Samanthas regret finally dawns onto her and the cold realization of her situation is now understood. Samantha wandered deeper into the woods, her mind in chaos.

“I can’t feel the sun, but it is midday…” She thought. “Not the cooling touch of the rivers water and not the gentleness of the winds breeze…”. Samantha rubs her hands along her body “I know I am here, and I am dull to the touch…” she thought. “I don’t think I can cry…” she said.

Samantha spent what felt like days wandering the woods, everywhere she walked the wildlife seemed to avoid her, actively clearing the area when she would stop. The sounds of nature were distant, but she was happy that she could at least hear them, I think I’ll stay here awhile.

Lightning flashes as the monstrous roar of thunder cries above. Samantha wakes up, alert from the thunder overhead and outside her small stick home, nature has begun to settle itself around her home with moss and ivy encroaching on the gaps of Samanthas home. She is disheveled, visibly the same however aged by experienced.

“How many rainy seasons have passed since I’ve been here?” Samantha thought. “Is this going to be the rest of my life?”

Faintly being carried on the stormy wind…is a voice.

a voice crying out for help.

“Who could be out braving such a powerful storm?” Samantha thought. The cries for help are moving around slowly and without direction.

“At least it will be an easy meal” Samantha thought heading out into the storm in the direction of the cries for help. “I don’t think I will ever get used to walking around and not feeling the earth beneath me” Samamtha thought, “Even the sharpest rocks and stubborn spikes feel like nothing against my bare feet.”

“Can you help me?” said a small voice coming from somewhere behind her and to the left. Samantha turned around, for the first time since her death she felt her heart drop, a young boy no more than 5 asking for help. “My dad is sick; can you help us?” the young boy asks. “Take me too him, I’ll see what I can do” Samantha says. The young boy leads Samantha a short distance away to a small torn apart campsite, it is torn to shreds.

“Perhaps a bear?” She thought.

“It’s still inside the tent, I think it’s a wolf or something,” said the little boy. Suddenly the tent began to shake, violently! the tent door flapping with each hit of the walls. The little boy begins to scream and cry as the growls grow louder!

It stops.

Lunging out towards the pair, Samantha steps out of the way leaving the little boy to take the full attack. Samantha looks upon the creature feasting on the mangled remains of the little boy, it looked like a wolf but in the shape of a child. The creature notices Samantha getting closer, turns around and readies itself for attack.

Quickly moving the creature attacks Samantha but it fails. Samantha mercilessly repels the creature back further than the body of the boy; the creature is stunned as if this is the first time it has ever been injured. Feebly, the creature grabs what is left of the young boy and drags it back to its hole. Samantha follows, looking into the muck, the moon shines through the storm clouds which had begun to lighten up for the night.

A smaller, more deformed, creature is feasting on what is left of the young boy. The one that attacked is in front, shielding the creature as it eats.

“I think these two may be family” Samantha thinks, “but what are you?”.

The smaller creature comes closer to Samantha, sniffing at her feet. “I see, you both are like me…that’s a shame” Samantha says. Shaking off the creature to walk away and back to her home. “The creatures are following me” Samantha thought, “I should just kill them, spare them of this fate.”

“…help us…” the small one painfully spits out.

“Daniel?”

“Daniel are you there?”

“Huh, what, what did you say?” Daniel said in a confused tone. “What is it? What did you see Daniel?” Rhonda demanded. “See? What do you mean?” Daniel asked.

“I’ve had visions before, interesting, why didn’t I see it?” Rhonda said inquisitively.

“I saw her past” Daniel thought. “All she did was slightly bump me walking in, I think she was expecting to see the same thing; why didn’t she see me?”

XII.

“I don’t know what I saw but I know this; you found us and that means the other…skinwalkers… will be able to find us as well.” Daniel said.

“Doubt it, they are too weak and they’re not as strong so their ability to smell a cazajor doesn’t work” Rhonda stated. “Daniel, I’ve dealt with many of you in the past, it’s best if you just pack your things and leave town; Tonight!” Rhonda demanded. Daniel makes his way between Abernathy and Mr. Rojas, “We need to do something” Daniel whispered to them.

“Hey, you two” Rhonda spoke loudly. “You two are humans, you should stay away from the cazajor, it’s bad luck to humans.”

“Now I know that’s bullshit” Abernathy said. Rhonda just rolls her eyes and turns to look out the window “Whatever.”

“You’re not believing this are you?” Mr. Rojas whispered to Daniel. “I am now” Daniel said. “How can we trust her, she’s one of them” Abernathy asked. “What are we gonna do?” Mr. Rojas asked. “I don’t know what to do, I want to go home; I just wanted to finish dinner service” Daniel whispered.

“Hey!” Rhonda said loudly. “Someone is pulling up.”

Daniel makes his way to a nearby window, the headlights of the car are blinding. “Shit, Rhonda were you followed?” Daniel asked. “I don’t know, maybe? You all are just the same to me.” Rhonda said.

“You know what?! I keep hearing how you are referring to us, and to Daniel, calling him an it? He’s a person!” Abernathy proclaimed. “It’s a freak of nature that is only here because of me!” Rhonda’s intimidating aura was felt throughout the room. Rhonda was getting uncomfortably close to Abernathy; all eyes were on her. Abernathy was afraid but refused to step back and held firm.

“You’re brave red one…” Rhonda said.

“Yup, I’ve seen all I needed to see”. A voice said from the doorway. Everyone turns to look. “Clyde?!” Everyone said with the same level of confusion. “That’s Special agent Christopher James Burton, I work with the U.S Department of Homeland Securities’ Crypted Division, I’ve been assigned to clean up the Skinwalker nest in this town, we had been tracking you for some time now Samantha.”

“Wait!? Whose Samantha?” Abernathy asked. “that’s Rhonda’s real name” Daniel said. “And your name is Special Agent Christopher James?” Mr. Rojas said inquisitively. “I’m just gonna keep calling him Clyde” Abernathy said “Wait, Daniel how’d you know Rhonda’s name is Samantha?” A shiver ran down Daniels spine, the piercing gaze of Rhonda’s terrified bug eyes, unblinking, locked in his direction, choking back her rage

“IT KNOWS MY NAME…” Rhonda thinks to herself.

“Ok, that’s enough!” Clyde said. For the first time his true nature came through. “You three”, Clyde spoke pointing at Daniel, Abernathy, and Mr. Rojas “You need to leave, Rhonda isn’t what she says she is.”

“Clyde doesn’t know what I am?” Daniel thought.

Reaching into his jacket pocket Clyde pulls out what looks like normal hand restraints; however, they begin to glow red hot as he gets closer to Rhonda. In almost a trance like state Rhonda holds out her wrists. With a sizzle, and the stink of flesh and dog hair burning, Rhonda lets out a disgusting and unnatural scream. The type of scream that you feel in your soul. Mr. Rojas and Abernathy simply pass out from the intensity. Daniel and Clyde feel the Intimidation and collect themselves quickly. Rhonda trance was broken, she was like a wild animal franticly slamming her hands around in the attempt to get the restraints off.

“You’re tougher than I thought Daniel.” Clyde said.

“It’s weird to hear him speak like that.” Daniel thought.

“Look you need to take these too and get the hell out of here now!” Clyde said tapping Daniels shoulder. Turning around Rhonda kicks Clyde with all her might right in his chest. The sound of his ribs breaking as Clyde goes slamming into the wall behind him. “You shouldn’t have touched him!” Rhonda screamed. Breathing heavy, Rhonda stopped suddenly, sniffing the air.

Abernathy, a little hazy, begins to wake up.

A lone howl cries out in the late night air, the sounds of many steps approaching.

Clyde is getting up, slowly.

“The two of you keep your mouths shut!” Rhonda demanded. The steps stop. The eerie sound of nothing filled the air. The light steps of four legs slowly became two; and in the softest voice someone began to speak.

“Are you in there Cazajor?... your burly friend has a very unique smell…we were ready to kill you Cazajor…but we didn’t expect to see this… Alpha!?... Alpha are you in there with the Cazajor?” the voice said.

“Fuck” Rhonda said to herself. “This isn’t supposed to happen!”

Clyde makes his way over to Daniel, who is helping Abernathy to her feet. “What the fuck is a Cazajor?!” Clyde asked. In her condition Abernathy automatically answers.

“…Daniel’s a Cazajor…” Clyde stands there in confusion. Reaching into his jacket Clyde pulls out a second pair of restraints, they begin to glow white hot in Daniels presence. “Ahh!” Clyde dropped the restraints as the sizzle of his hand can be heard.

“These aren’t supposed to burn me” Clyde said.

Mr. Rojas finally starts to wake up.

“Alpha, we don’t have to get into why you’re in there, I won’t even ask where you’ve been…Just kill the goddamn Cazajor.” The voice said. Daniel makes his way to one of the back windows, in the darkness he could see almost an endless amount of glowing eyes staring back at him, they were beautiful in their own way, like stars in the night sky.

“They’ve got us surrounded” Daniel thought.

“Clyde, you have to get these off me” Rhonda said shoving her restrained hands in his face. “I won’t, you’re a monster and our government say you need to die.” Clyde responded. “AHHHHHHHHH” Rhonda cried in frustration. Rhonda glares at Daniel “You can’t kill all of them, I can help but you need to get these off me!”

“We can wait Alpha!” the voice said. “You’ll need to come out sooner or later.”

“If this method can stop you without any more needless death, then Clyde can have you.” Daniel said. “Don’t think I have forgotten what you are” Clyde said. “You’ll be coming with me too Daniel.”

“You can’t trust these people Daniel, I’ve dealt with them before, they will do anything, tell you whatever you want to hear but it all means nothing. He is the product of the laws of man, man only care about glory…not truth.” Rhonda said.

“She’s not wrong” Daniel thought.

“I could have killed you Daniel, I have every opportunity to do so and goddamn it I am still trying to save your life!” Rhonda pleaded. “All you have to do is touch the restraints they will come off.”

As best she could, Abernathy speaks up, “Danny, she refers to you as It.”

“Saman…” Daniel says abruptly being cut off. “DON’T SAY MY NAME!” Rhonda demanded.

“Rhonda, can you get your pack away from us long enough to escape?” Daniel says.

“I can get their attention, I cannot guarantee any of your safety,” Rhonda said. “And…just this one time… I’ll help you understand what you are.”

Clyde, still in pain, tries to remain in control. “None of this is gonna happen, we’re gonna stay here and I’m calling in back up.”

“Daniel, you can unlock your full potential as a Cazajor, all the power you could ever want, you could save your family, all you have to do is take your first taste of human blood; give in.” Rhonda said.

“Daniel, no…” Abernathy said. “That’s out of the question Danny” Mr. Rojas says, “we’ll find another way.”

Rhonda swings at Clyde striking his jaw, cutting his mouth as he is knocked out. Reaching down to what little blood is coming Rhonda rubs her fingers in it, touching her mouth and rubbing the blood all over her trembling lips. Daniel could feel the temptation washing over him like water over stone.

“Don’t lose your humanity” The thought popped into Daniels mind. Rhonda’s bloody fingers reaching up to Daniels mouth. Daniel places his hands on Rhonda’s restraints and with a white hot sizzle they come off.

“I am not a monster” Daniel said.

“Abernathy, Mr. Rojas do y’all know anyone around that could help us move?” Daniel said. “I have an idea but Daniel, you definitely do not like them” Abernathy said. “Call them! we need them here but tell them not to get too close.” Daniel demanded.

“You guys make this quick, I’m going out there” Rhonda said.

Rhonda walks out from the old building, the night is still, she can feel the unnerving gaze of questioning eyes fall upon her. “Miles, I thought that was you” Rhonda said.

“Alpha!? I knew you had to be in there!” averting his eyes and kneeling before Rhonda. “All of you need to leave this place, I’ll meet you back at our nest” Rhonda said.

“OUR NEST???” an angered voice from the shadows calls out. “you’ve been gone! For years!!!!...and now we catch you with the Cazajor? He killed Brian and Lezlie! Shot them, in cold blood!”

“Hamill, I understand you must be angry right now” Rhonda tried to speak before being cut off.

“ANGER DOESN’T EVEN COME CLOSE!!!!” Hamill roared, changing into his wolf form comes charging with murderous intent toward Rhonda. Without missing a beat Rhonda change into her wolf form, the human husk that was her skin shredding off her body almost plastic in nature. Rhonda’s true form was massive, she was as tall as the building and blanketing the area with the stink of a wild dog. Her brindle coat shining in the pinkish light of the moon, her claws were jagged and tore through concrete like a hot blade through butter. Rhonda and Hamill clash with Rhonda instantly overpowering Hamill snatching him by the neck.

Peeking through one of the windows Daniel, for the first time, saw Rhonda for what she really is. Making his way to the back window most of the eyes have either disappeared or are starting to make their way to the front.

The sounds of Hamills neck being crushed from Rhonda’s powerful jaws fill the quiet air. Hamill could barely make a whimper as he fights with all he has to break free. The ones still loyal to their Alpha avert their eyes as if it is to shame the challenger, some flee towards Goliath, while the rest stand conflicted not knowing to flee or join the others. What is left of Miles’ head falls from his neck as Rhonda Clamps down her mighty jaws eating the segment.

“Danny, they’re nearby we need to get moving” Abernathy said helping Mr. Rojas to his feet. Daniel grabs Clyde dragging his unconscious body with them out the back door.

The stink of dog is thick in the air.

Daniel picked up the faintest smell of something else, it was piercing through the stink of dog, unsure if it was a sign of salvation or damnation they push onward. In the dark, a set of vehicle lights are spotted engulfed by a dense cloud of smoke. The smell of marijuana becomes stronger and stronger. “Goddamnit! I cannot stand that stink!” Daniel thought.

Appearing from the shadows a well outfitted van, spewing marijuana smoke from all its vents and windows, the side door opens to a couple of van lifers, friendly in nature. They look like they haven’t had a decent shower in weeks. Their entire van stunk of sage, sweat, and marijuana; one of them, a young woman with butterflies continuously flying in and out of her hair, comes out greeting Abernathy.

Daniel places the still unconscious Clyde up against the van door, the neon lights of the interior almost blinding him. Looking behind them he could hear the sounds of Rhonda and her pack.

“Hey, we can’t take this guy! He’s a cop!” The other van lifer said. “You have to tell me if you’re a cop that’s like the law…right?” He said.

“SHUT. UP! YOU FUCKING HIPSTER! GOD, I HATE YOU SO FUCKING MUCH!!!!!” Daniel thought, becoming more and more irritable.

“Lush, relax. Sister Abernathy told me the whole thing” as Abernathy and the young woman help Mr. Rojas and Clyde into their van. “I’m Leaf and this is my soul and partner in life, Lush.” Leaf said.

“Yeah, we’ve met before Leaf, if you and Lush stopped smoking so much marijuana maybe you’d remember me next time.” Daniel stated.

“I knew you were a cop!” Lush stated.

“SHUT UP!” Daniel shouted, whipping his head around to Lush.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap like that.” Daniel said. “Guys we need to get moving,” Abernathy said. Piling into their van Daniel needed to pinch his nose shut, breathing through his mouth, as the stink was overwhelming. Painted on the roof of their van a strange insignia begins to glow as Daniel sits under it.

“Take us back into town, I have to get my mother and Maria… I can’t leave them there.” Daniel said, “Yeah and we can hide right under their noses.” Abernathy said with a mischievous tone.

XIII.

“Why do I feel so irritable, I know that I have always had an issue with these two, but this is just unnecessary.” Daniel thinks to himself.

“So, Daniel…Have you always known you were a Cazajor?” Leaf asks. “FUCK OFF!” Daniel screams. “Daniel what is wrong with you?” Abernathy says. “I don’t know, I just am… off for some reason.” Daniel explains.

“It’s ok, he must be having a reaction to the vans warding.” Leaf says.

Daniel is flabbergasted.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, look at his face!” Lush said looking at Daniel from the rear view mirror.

“I SWEAR SPEAK ONE MORE TIME LUSH AND I’LL RIP YOU APART!!!” Daniel screams. “I’m sorry, please ignore me.” Daniel says, breathing, trying to calm himself.

“Strawberry is warded against all kinds of evil, monsters, and dark magic; you see the insignia above Daniel? It keeps us hidden by pushing away evil intentions.” Leaf explains.

“The fucking van’s name…is Strawberry?” Daniel thought to himself.

“Danny isn’t a monster. He’s a person.” Abernathy says. “Strawberry says differently.” Leaf snaps back.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH I TOLD YOU LEAF! SPEAK ONE MORE TIME AND IM GONNA FUCKING DO IT!!!!” Daniel screamed at Leaf from the back seat. Everyone is silent throughout the van.

“Guys look”. Mr. Rojas cuts through the conversation drawing their attention to the groups of people fleeing from the town, some on foot, others in cars or whatever else they could. It is a mass panic with many frantic people firing their guns indiscriminately behind them. Even some of the officers patrolling the town are fleeing.

Many of the towns’ people are covered in what appears to be blood. Others are wounded, some so gravely they are left on the streets bleeding out, or watching themselves being eaten’ by a small pack of wild Skinwalkers.

“What is happening to my home…” Abernathy says looking upon the devastation that these monsters have unleashed on this small Texas town. The van stops as it is unable to continue driving due to the terrible piles of bodies that clog the road. Daniel quickly gets out of the van, gasping for fresh air.

Everyone closely follows behindfollows behind closely.

Daniels heart breaks as the full scope of what is happening starts to dawn on him, his sorrow quickly turns to rage! Abernathy and Mr. Rojas cannot help themselves and simply cry.

“Daniel, we have to do something” Abernathy said. Leaf and Lush avert their eyes, wailing deeply. Daniel stood there, still like an oak tree in a storm. It was as if the sounds of the world were too great for Daniel to bear and for this moment everything was silent.

“I did this” … Daniel said.

“Danny.” Abernathy said. Reaching out to touch Daniels shoulder. Finally, he blinks. “We need to get mom and maria from the police station, I’m sure they are safe behind those bars for now. Leaf, Lush I need you two to help as many of these people escape this area as fast as you can!” Daniel spoke, inspiring the soul with every word.

“Yea…Yes we can do that” as they quickly start aiding the lost and confused.

“Mr. Rojas when we get to the police station, I’m gonna need you to take my mom and maria and get them out of town as quickly as you can.” Daniel said.

“What are you going to do?” Mr. Rojas asked. “Abernathy and I are going to try and get as many of the townsfolk out of here, alive! if possible!” Daniel said.

“What about Clyde?” Abernathy said.

Suddenly, a loud thud can be heard from the back of the van. The group moves around the back just in time to see Clyde hopping on a motorcycle.

“Peace Out, Bitches!” Clyde screams speeding off toward the town.

“WHERE DID HE GET A GODDAMN BIKE FROM???!!!” Daniel screamed.

“Danny, come on, forget about him! We need to get mom and maria.” Abernathy said. Daniel, Abernathy, and Mr. Rojas begin to make their way against the crowd toward the police station.

A brief time into their journey Daniel spotted car lights in the distance. “They might need some help, come on let’s check it out!” Daniel said, rushing over to the car. Daniel gets their first, noticing the large amount of dead Skinwalkers around the driver’s side of the car.

“This is strange.” Daniel thought.

Making his way to the driver’s side of the car Daniel immediately stopped and threw up the nothing that was in his stomach. “Daniel what is it?!” Abernathy said, her voice coming closer. “No don’t! Don’t come any closer!” Daniel shouted. It was too late; Abernathy and Mr. Rojas were close enough to see who it was Daniel was trying to hide.

Before them was the mostly eaten body of Ms. Nayak. Her entire lower torso was torn off, looks like it must have been dragged off. The skin on her arms has been scratched to the bone. There was barely anything left of her face. In her hands, gripped tightly, were two .45 revolvers.

Speechless, Mr. Rojas begins to stare off into the distance, sitting on a nearby stone ledge. Daniel goes around to the trunk of the car, removing the trucks false bottom Daniel revealed what was left of Ms. Nayaks armory. Some revolvers, ammo, and a knife. Daniel grabs what he can and gives a gun to Abernathy. “We need to keep moving.” Daniel said.

“Mr. Rojas isn’t responding to me; I think he couldn’t take seeing Ms. Nayak like that” Abernathy said. “We don’t have time for this” Daniel said. “Just go.” Mr. Rojas said. “Go and save your mom, and maria… I can’t leave her like this…” Mr. Rojas said choking back tears. Daniel hugs Mr. Rojas and gives him a revolver. “You meet us there, at the police station.” Daniel said. “Then we’ll all leave together!”

“Sure” Mr. Rojas says.

“Abernathy, we need to go.” Daniel said. Abernathy gives Mr. Rojas a hug goodbye and the two make their way toward the police station.

A little way down the road, the sound of one gunshot rings out.

Abernathy and Daniel look at each other with concern, but they must continue onward.

XIVII.

The state of Goliath Police Department was disheveled. It was clear many innocent people fled to the police station hoping for safety. The offices were empty and littered with the haste of fleeing officers. Claudia and Maria, safely left behind bars, can only helplessly watch from the small window in their holding cell.

“I can’t watch this anymore…” Maria said stepping down from the window and sitting on the bench. “Claudia, you haven’t spoken since we got here…” Maria says hoping Claudia would speak back to her.

Claudia is stone.

“I hope you’re coming for us Daniel.” Maria said slumping down into her seat.

BANG! BANG! Two loud shots rang out just outside the station entrance.

Clyde runs in the station, visibly panicked.

“Hey!... HEY!” Maria shouted. Clyde looked over “Holy shit! Who left you two here?!” Clyde asked. “These officers here, they’re crazy! They’re corrupt!” Maria stated.

Clyde grabs a set of keys and unlocks the cell door. “Ladies, this town is evacuating, do you have a way to safely leave this town?” Clyde said.

“Not before we find my son!” Claudia demanded! Rising to her feet and storming out of the holding cell. “Perfect!” Clyde said in an obviously fake voice as his attention was on his desk methodically searching for something. Claudia heads straight to the door.

Clyde screams “Wait NO!” a small group of Skinwalkers slash at Claudia! Maria and Clyde are not far behind. Grabbing Claudia, the three rush back into the police station locking the door behind them.

“What the hell were those!?” Claudia demanded.

As if in the blink of an eye, the thunderous sound of something crashing into the building overtook everyone inside. The police station trembled and shook violently. It was a miracle it didn’t collapse. “Get down!” Clyde screamed so hard his voice was horse. Grabbing Claudia and Maria, forcing them to the ground and throwing himself on top of them. Chunks from the roof come crashing down, destroying parts of the office. Slowly the building stopped rumbling.

“Is it over?” Maria asked in a low voice.

“Yes, at least for now” Rhonda said from inside the police station. Clyde quickly stands up, drawing his pistol, doing his best to protect Maria and Claudia. Above him, on the roof of the police station, was a massive hole big enough to fit a truck. “Clyde, I need them… please move” Rhonda said. Before Clyde could speak, a small group of Skinwalkers come breaking through the rear side of the police station angered, hungry, and wanting to fight. Rhonda’s attention is on wild pack before her. Her skin began to glow with a pinkish hue, almost like she was on fire under her skin. Clyde quickly reached into his pocket and drew out what he was looking for a small medicine bag attached to a leather string. It was plain in nature, nothing really remarkable about it.

Rhonda’s mere presence was attracting more attention from other nearby Skinwalkers.

“Leave!” Rhonda spoke in a thunderous tone. Causing a small number of the Skinwalkers to flee in cowardice, the ones that stayed are fixated on Rhonda readying to attack. The roof starts shuddering from the uneven weight the Skinwalkers are causing, climbing in through the hole.

Larger pieces of the roof begin to fall down, one of them, Pinning Clyde’s shin to the stone next to it, crushing the lower half of his right leg. “AHHHHHHH FUCK!” Clyde yelled! Desperately in pain. His cries only cause the wild Skinwalkers to stir in a frenzy!

Claudia and Maria start trying to pull at the rubble in a desperate attempt to free Clyde. The wild Skinwalkers try to get closer but seem to be confused about where the sounds are coming from. “What is happening?” Maria said. “This bag holds many repellents for cryptids, it was designed to mask its wearer completely but for a short time” Clyde said. More of the roof comes crashing separating Maria from Claudia and Clyde.

“What do we do now!?” Maria asked frantically. Clyde throws over the small bag. “Here, take this and get yourself out of here!” Clyde said from behind the rubble walls. “Claudia...” Maria screamed. “Mija, I’m here, I will be ok! Go find my son!” Claudia yelled back. Nervously, Maria places the bag around her neck, “I’ll…I’ll be back! I’ll come back with help!” Maria yelled back before running off toward paradise diner.

Claudia’s eyes are fixed upon what is before her. The monstrous Rhonda in her Skinwalker form, ripping apart one of the wild and eating the parts in her mouth. For every one of the wild Skinwalkers Rhonda eats two more take its place.

“Ma’am, don’t look too long at it; this thing has powers you couldn’t believe!” Clyde says.

“I am not afraid of the Devil!” Claudia stated as her eyes meet the gaze of Rhonda’s matte black eyes. Stomping towards the trapped Claudia and Clyde. Rhonda reaches down and grabs Claudia, climbing out of the building, the wild Skinwalkers scatter, many quickly scurry into the roofs opening like roaches escaping the kitchen light. Placing Claudia near the entrance of the police station, Rhonda sniffs around clearing the area before slowly and painfully changing back. Claudia couldn’t stand the grotesque sight of Rhonda’s transformation and turned toward the door, averting her eyes. The sounds of a fight could be heard, some of the wild Skinwalkers could be heard being injured, gunshots, and Clyde’s grunts as he fights with all he has.

“I HOPE YOU CHOKE ON ME!” Clyde gutturally shouts.

“I figured you were more cowardly than that Clyde.” Claudia says to herself. “I was wrong.”

Rhonda finally changed back to her human form. “Why is it taking me so long this time?” Rhonda thought to herself seeing Claudia trying to shelter herself nearby. “I’m sorry Claudia, you need to stay with me!” Rhonda demanded. “Why are you doing this?” Claudia asked. “I can still make this work; you are a part of this” Rhonda answered.

XIV.

“Daniel, are we almost to Paradise?” Abernathy wearily said. In the distance, at random times, the sounds of gunfire and screams cries out.

“Yeah, we’re just about here” Daniel replied. “Why does it sound like someone is walking around us?” Daniel thought to himself.

“Danny?” Abernathy called out from behind. Turning around Daniel was stunned and confused, there was Maria being held by Abernathy staring at Daniel, her image is blurry which is causing Daniel to become dizzy when he looks at her, the temptation to look away is unbearable, she is speaking but there are no words coming out of her mouth. Suddenly, as if reality finally caught up, Daniel could hear and see Maria clearly.

“Daniel what is wrong with you?!, I was standing in front of you this entire time; it was like you were doing everything you can to not look at me.” Maria stated. “Kind of like those monsters running throughout the town.”

“I’m sorry, I…I don’t know what came over me.” Daniel said. “It’s ok, Daniel is like one of those things but not, unless strawberry is around then he’s kind of like them but definitely not more worse than not.” Abernathy replied.

“I don’t even know what you just said” Maria said.

“Come on, let’s get to the diner” Daniel quickly jumped in before any more confusion could take place.

Paradise diner was damaged with bullet holes, the windows are broken in, the inside is left as it was when they had last left. Most of Jimmy’s body was eaten or tossed about the sitting area. “Come into the back office, no one should be able to see us in there, I also need to get my things” Daniel said. Going to the safe in the office Daniel opens the heavy iron door, grabbing Abernathys gun belt and some spare rounds Daniel tosses them to Abernathy.

“Come to mama!” Abernathy said putting on her belt. Loading the heavy .45 rounds into the spare slots. Testing her Colt peacemaker, loading it, and ever so skillfully spinning it back into the holster.

Daniel grabs a messenger bag pre-loaded with magazines, and unpacks an old M1 Thompson. Touching the weapon caused a high pitch piercing to screech across the immediate area. A call to all the wild Skinwalkers that a Cazajor is nearby. Loading the Thompson and slinging it behind him, Daniel takes his last two weapons, a Beretta, and his father’s bowie knife.

“Is this gonna be enough?” Abernathy asks.

“It’ll have to be” Daniel replied. “Where’s maria?”

In the kitchen, maria is by herself, the cries for help and the sounds of bones being chewed is all she can hear. Maria is unable to bear the weight of the sights she has seen, the first tear falls, then the second, finally Maria breaks down in tears, hyperventilating, her body uncontrollably shaking. Maria can feel her heart beating like the drums calling for war. Her body is tense, she can feel the blood rushing through her body feeding her muscles in case she has to flee. Sweat mixing with tears run down her face, her palms are clammy, her knees seconds away from buckling.

Clutching herself all she can do is rock back and forth trying to self-sooth.

Maria smelt the softest hint of cinnamon and felt the warm touch of Abernathys hand on her shoulder.

Abernathy pulls in Maria for a hug, Maria fully breaks down.

“I’m so scared!” Maria spoke through the tears. “I am too…and you know what? everything is going to be ok…ok?” Abernathy said. “We will figure it out.”

“Awe…Isn’t this just sweet? Why don’t you two just fuck already?!” said a deep voice from the dining area.

Daniel comes quietly from the back office.

“I knew it was you… you got away from me the first time red… didn’t expect you to shoot as well as you did… I won’t make that mistake again!” said the Deep voice. “Where’s Daniel?”

“You again? You’re too late, he’s not here, I saw him leave 15 minutes ago” Abernathy said.

“Ooh…no… he’s here, I know it…,” said the Deep voice. “It’s a shame he sends out his women to do his dirty work.”

Maria slowly gets herself ready to take cover. Daniel looks behind him as the faint familiar smell of wild dog crept into his nostrils. Abernathys hand went down for the gun that she wore.

“How about you put your head between my legs, I’ll show you what a real man is supposed to smell like.” Abernathy said, clearly using her smartass tone.

Even through the tinted visor of his helmet Abernathy could almost see the rage within him.

“Oh my gosh Abby.” Maria said.

“YOU STUPID LITTLE BITCH!!!” the Deep voice drew his gun.

Maria ducked down; Abernathy drew her revolver. Daniel took cover. Abernathy and the Deep voice both shot two shots at each other, incredibly all four bullets connect midair, the sparks were bright, small pieces of lead scattering randomly around paradise diner.

Abernathy was struck across her face while many of the shards broke through Deep voices face visor barely missing Maria. “Daniel get the hell out of here now!” Abernathy commanded! “Looks like round two for us.”

Abernathy helps maria to her feet, the two of them running out of the kitchens service door while Daniel escapes out the offices back door.

XVI.

Rushing out of the back Daniel is quickly met with a dreadful sight. Rhonda walking toward him, his mother bound and gagged slung over her shoulder. Rhonda was carrying her like she weighed nothing more than a small sack of fabrics. Daniel stood almost in awe of what he is seeing.

“Rhonda that is super disturbing” Daniel said.

“Shut up Daniel.” Rhonda said underhand tossing Claudia towards his feet. “There’s your mom, take the red one and the small one and leave! This town isn’t going to be saved”. Daniel sets his mother free. She quickly takes cover behind Daniel.

“You want me to leave knowing that I didn’t at least try to save these people?!, That I could have done something but didn’t?!” “That I let you do whatever this is to my home?” “I caused this…I can fix this!”

Daniel barked back.

“You are all the same way…each one of you Cazajors… it’s so astonishing to see your commitment each time we cross paths.” Rhonda said slumping her shoulders.

“I will not.”

“You will be stopped.”

“Till my dying breath!”

and well… I guess in your case Daniel, I can fix this’…

“I have heard them all.” Rhonda said in a mocking tone.

“I’ve eaten many of your kind… I am so sick of you!”

“I AM NOT A MONSTER! I will save my home, and I’ll do it as myself”. Daniel raises his Thompson and fires everything he has into Rhonda; the heavy rounds bulldoze through her she can barely keep on her feet.

The Thompson clicks with the sound of an empty magazine, Daniel is quick to reload.

“Uggggghhhhh…you all always pick the same response, don’t you?!” Rhonda said in agony, turning towards Daniel to show the massive holes that have been shot into Rhonda’s body, chunks of her flesh scattered across the pavement; Rhonda’s skin began to glow like she was burning but under her skin.

“For some reason…this time…THAT REALLY HURT!!!!” she screamed. Rhonda began to change into her beast form, what remained of her skin ripping and tearing falling to the ground in a gelatinous manner. The holes in her body have vanished as she grew to massive heights, the stink of wild dog was stagnant.

Daniel grabs his mother at the wrist, “We need to move now!” running alongside the back of Paradise the unearthly sounds of bones crunching and skin dripping was haunting.

Daniel got the sudden urge to look behind him, it was overwhelming, almost turning his head for him. Daniel saw Rhonda fully beast already mid-slash directed toward them, it was like slow motion. The air itself looked like it was being torn open by the sheer force of Rhonda’s attack. Her claws were red hot.

“Get down!” Daniel shouted. Pulling his mother to the ground covering her as much as he could. The force was incredible as the attack blew past them striking the side of paradise, cutting the building clean.

The massive chunk flies off landing on a small group of townsfolk and Skinwalkers. Claudia is in shock, it all happened so fast she barely had time to process what she has just seen.

Many of the wild Skinwalkers quickly take to the high roof tops to avoid the battle, others cower in hidden corners or under the safety of larger vehicles.

They are watching.

They are waiting.

Quickly getting to their feet Claudia and Daniel rush to a nearby building. The intense sounds of gunshots going off inside of paradise diner, Daniel can only take a quick glimpse at the dark windows quickly flashing with gun light.

Rhonda quickly lands on the building Daniel and Claudia were running into, stopping them from entering. Daniel reflexively shoots at Rhonda; the rounds sinking into her body causing minimal damage.

Rhonda readies her massive claws once again, getting ready to swipe at Daniel.

Daniel thought quickly, pushing Claudia away from him with a mighty thrust while Daniel did his best to roll out of the way. Rhonda swipes at Daniel missing him only barely, the powerful slash connects again with paradise diner cutting it through the middle. The force of the slash continued on through the town even cutting through the tree line of the nearby woods.

Daniel did his best to reload his Thompson. Rhonda, seeing she missed leaned forward and, with a powerful swing, kicked Daniel in the chest, he dropped his gun as he goes flying through the windows of the building behind him.

XVII.

Wild shots blanket the inside of paradise diner, the echoing sounds of bullets ping-Ing off the pots and pans in the kitchen deafen Marias screams. As quickly as the shots rang out…they stopped. Abernathy quickly grabbing maria and moved toward the office as fast as they could. The ringing in her ears was piercing and softly Abernathy could hear the clicks of a gun jamming. Without thinking Abernathy stood up, catching the officer off guard as had not expected them to move.

“Performance issues? I’ve heard I have that effect on men” Abernathy says in her sarcastic tone. Unloading three rounds into the officer’s chest was enough to stagger him, his body armor was more durable than most.

“Shit” Abernathy thought.

The officer clears the jam that was stopping his gun and raises and shoots. Rushing to duck behind some nearby cover Abernathy barely misses the focused shots. With incredible speed Abernathy reloads her revolver making herself as small as possible. The officer is slowly closing in on Abernathy.

“Shit Think Abernathy Think! Think! Think! Maria needs you! Danny needs you!”! she thought.

“Officer! Officer! Please I need your help!” A sudden cry for help came piercing through the gunfire.

“Huh?” The officer’s attention was on the cries for help just for a moment. Turning around to see Maria faintly calling out.

“That’ll work!” Abernathy thought as she quickly stands and shoots at the officer.

“Please don’t miss” She thought.

With a blink of an eye Abernathy fires all six rounds into the officer’s helmet shredding it to pieces. Revealing the officer’s true face.

The officer’s face was grotesque with rotting flesh and exposed teeth and jaw bones. Only one eye remained. What looks like a tongue hangs out of its mouth trying, desperately, to lick its lipless mouth. It’s teeth are black and rotten. The head had been clearly rotting for some time with most of the scalp missing, tiny fragments of hair still standing. Most of the muscles along the face and jaw is exposed and leathery. In his throat was an opening that looked like how the officer breathed and spoke.

“WHAT THE FUCK!?” Abernathy and Maria cried out.

Suddenly and without warning, something cuts clean through the roof of paradise diner. The force hit the inside of the diner quaking the lobby, the air being sucked through the roof’s opening was intense, most of the loose items stood no chance of remaining still. Maria and Abernathy found it hard to breathe as all the air in the room had been swept away.

The officer was brought to his knees from the sheer force of the impact on the diner. His gun was taken with the rest being blown out of the roof top opening.

It was only an instant… and yet… Abernathy felt like years of her life had been swept away.

Staggering her way to cover, Abernathy tries her best to reload, her fingers tremble, her body clearly in flight as she sloppily finishes reloading.

Maria dizzily walks out, confused by what has just happened, she looks up at the missing section of the roof. The air itself looked like it was cut open, with a rainbow of starlight shining through, it was like looking at peace itself.

“It’s beautiful” Maria thought.

The officer, coming from behind maria, points his handgun to maria’s head as she looked up.

Without hesitating, he fires, shooting maria in the back of her head, she falls lifelessly. The officer stands over her body and unloads the rest of his magazine into her head.

Leaving nothing behind.

Abernathy could feel the shots ring out. Looking through a small hole she could see maria’s lifeless body, the officer standing over her. It was like all her hope was taken away. Filled with a rage she has never felt before, Abernathy could not help but stand to face the officer.

“Aren’t you going to run away?” The officer asks in a mocking tone.

“Why? So, you can shoot me in the back too?” Abernathy replies.

Her hands were still but her soul was shaking. Abernathy raised her revolver and fired all six shots, many piercing the officer’s face as he begins to approach her, the bullets hurting but not stopping him. Abernathy hears the clicks of an empty revolver. The officer is close enough to grab Abernathy by her throat and lift her up easily into the air.

“Shit! He’s got me!” Abernathy thought, trying desperately to kick off of him. With the heel of her boots Abernathy drives her foot into the officers face over and over. Smashing the little remains of his already mangled face.

The officer just laughs as his face continues to be mutilated. “I am going to turn your skin into my next dress coat” The officer says readying to kill Abernathy.

It is harder for Abernathy to breathe, her vision is starting to blur, her hands are barely able to keep their strength. Desperately she tries with the last of the strength she had in her legs to push him off.

Again, an attack came from the side of paradise diner, cutting clean through the building, this attack hits the officer directly and Abernathys legs from the knee are almost instantly ripped to shreds. Abernathy is thrown from the force slamming her into studs of the diner’s walls, the sounds of her ribs breaking whispered by the sounds of air ripping. The immense pressure pushing against her was crushing her inside. She began to foam at the mouth as her eyes rolled back and blood began to drip from her ears and nose. Her skull being compressed against the unforgiving material. Abernathy falls to the ground. Delirious, She looks down to see scorched and burning stumps where her legs used to be.

“…Oh…” Abernathy said finally passing out.

XVIII.

Rhonda and Daniels battle outside has begun to take its toll on the town. Many buildings have been cut in half, and many more towns’ people have been killed. Some of the wild Skinwalkers are still eating the towns folks family and friends.

Rhonda’s massive hands reach into the building Daniel was thrown into pulling him out. Daniel was bloodied but alive.

“You have to be the luckiest Cazajor I have ever seen! I have never seen one take a hit like that” Rhonda said.

“This Cazajor grants luck, not takes it.”

The thought popped into Rhonda’s mind suddenly. Thinking back on all of their encounters and the close calls they have had. Realizing this Cazajor increases the luck of his kind.

Daniel notices Rhonda is confused.

Quickly pulling his handgun Daniel takes aim at Rhondas’ face and fires what he can into her eyes.

Rhonda snaps out of her trance, annoyed by the pea shooter Daniel has. Grabbing his entire arm with her hand Rhonda crushes it with ease.

“AAAHHHHHHHH FUCK!” Daniel screamed. Looking at his lifeless arm flailing behind him.

“You put up the best fight I’ve had from anyone of you…ever…you should feel proud of that fact” Rhonda said bringing Daniel closer to her mouth ready to eat him. Rhonda stopped for a moment; she could feel something poking the back of her leg too much to ignore. Looking behind her Rhonda saw Claudia with all her might stabbing Rhonda’s back legs, like an ant to a bear.

“It really makes things difficult when you guys work together” Rhonda said. Gently tapping Claudia sending her flying back, the sounds of snapping cry out as she lands.

With all he has Daniel reaches for his bowie knife, the blade glowing with a white hot passion. Thrusting down into Rhonda’s mighty hand, the wrist almost being cut clean off, hanging on by bits of flesh and muscle. The stink of wild dog and burning hair mixed in the air.

Daniel drops to the ground and quickly gets to his feet.

“AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! HOW! DARE YOU! YOU’RE A PATHETIC PARASITE!” Rhonda bellowed.

Daniel could barely stand. His vision is starting to blur. The pain in his arm is so intense it is like he feels nothing. Daniel fails to keep on his feet looking back at his crushed arm sadly dragged beside him. His hand and the gun are almost fused together from Rhonda’s overwhelming strength.

Daniel struggles to get to his feet, all he can do is collapse, rolling to his back.

“Look at you… I told you this was going to happen!” Rhonda said scolding him. “You’re going to die here Daniel.”

Daniel has begun to wheeze, coughing up blood. “I’m done…” He thought.

Rhonda grabs a nearby piece of rubble and puts it on Daniels one good arm pinning him to the ground.

“AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH FUUUUCCCKK!” Daniel screamed. Tears begin to stream down his face as the realization of his situation sets in.

“Don’t move” Rhonda says. Turning to face the remaining Skinwalkers letting out a loud roar, the remaining windows in the town shatter. The wild Skinwalkers lower themselves in submission.

“Alright… it’s time to end this.” Rhonda says. Sharpening her claws on a nearby building.

“I’ve gotta… think… of something” Daniel thought his blood was pumping but his body was failing, there was nothing that he could do.

Rhonda whips around and thrusts her claws at Daniel!

“I can feel my own blood spraying against my face… strange how I don’t feel anything” Daniel thought. Looking down he noticed it. Claudia, his own mother, had put herself in the way of him and Rhonda’s attack. Rhonda’s mighty claws almost cutting Claudia clean in half.

“Mom?” Daniel said. Reaching up to touch the blood in his mouth. Daniel realized his arm was completely healed. His gun laying next him on the ground, crushed.

It was in a heartbeat; Daniel could feel his insides beginning to flame. The rubble crumbled as Daniel brought his other arm up and to him. His eyes rolling into the back of his head and his mind begins to change. Premonitions of events of his past, his present, and what may be his future standing at the end of all things hand at hand with a knight and samurai are laid out before him. No matter how hard he tried he could not take a breath.

As Daniel began to flail, the ground beneath him started shake. Concreate splitting at the slam of his fists. The entire town almost caught in a massive earthquake.

Rhonda is silent, still processing what has happened.

“Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff” Rhonda caught the scent of something… intoxicating…

“Your smell…uuuuhhhhhh it smells so good!” Rhonda could not help herself reaching down to grab Daniel.

Daniels’ focus was on everything around him, just touching the earth beneath him he could feel the energy of every living thing in his immediate area.

Look behind him Daniel saw Rhonda moving slowly in his direction, reaching down with a wild and lustful look in her eyes.

His heart began to race, blood rushing through his veins hyper heating his body to an unnatural level like his body was on fire under his skin.

“Rhonda…” His body shaking with vengeance.

“…RHONDA!!!!...KILL!!!!...RHONDA!!!” Daniels thoughts became primal.

“AHHHHHHHHHHH” Daniel lets out a devastating battle cry shaking the very buildings nearby. Moving as fast as he could readying his fist to land stone shattering punch right in Rhonda’s pelvis. Daniel noticed Rhonda’s hand almost cut off. Grabbing the wrist and her hand ripping the two apart tossing her hand through the building nearby.

It all happened before Rhonda could blink. The pain was intense enough to bring her to her knees.

“I don’t understand!” She thought looking down at the stump on her arm.

Daniel feels himself slipping further and further away from his surroundings, giving more of himself to his primal urges. The thirst for Rhonda’s blood became too much for him to bear,

“RIP AND TEAR! RIP AND TEAR!” is all Daniel thinks. Leaping up Rhonda, Daniel grabs hand full of her skin, tearing out chunks in the process, Daniel bites down on Rhonda’s throat pulling out a massive piece with his own teeth. Blood gushing all over his face steaming off his skin, the Daniels pupils grew pitch black till there was no white left in his eyes, unblinking, Bleeding at both ends, the unmistakable energy of a wild beast overtook Daniels normally kind personality.

“AHHHHH!”

“AHHHHHHHH!”

“AHHH!”

Rhonda clenched at her throat with her one hand, the force of Daniels attack forced Rhonda back into the buildings behind her.

The inhuman strength of Daniels body crushed the parts of Rhonda’s throat that he could not rip out with his mouth. Her voice weakening with each cry of pain.

Daniels uncontrollable fury made it nearly impossible for Rhonda to think long enough to do anything. Grabbing Daniel and with an agonizing thrust Rhonda pulls away Daniel from her expose throat, crushing him in her mighty hands like an empty paper bag, Rhonda slams Daniels mangled body straight into the ground.

“What?!... My hand?!... My body?! I do not understand I am far more powerful than it could ever be!” Rhonda thought.

Unnaturally, Daniels body rapidly repairs itself, the snapping of his bones and sickening sounds of his skin rearranging echoed throughout the town. His appearance started to look more like the Skinwalkers, with the skin of his body pulling tight across his body. His fingers raw to the point they looked more like claws than hands. His facial features slightly elongated, his mouth larger than normal showing his sharpened teeth and long tongue.

His eyes… Nothing of Daniel was left in those eyes.

Crawling with a paranormal speed on all fours towards

Rhonda, Daniel grabs a downed power line pulling it from the still sparking electrical pole, Daniel leaps onto the closest building.

Rhonda could only see the monster Daniel has become moving around her just outside of her direct view. Her anxiety grew increasingly as she was unable to fully see Daniels’ movements coming at her. With the sonic boom of Daniel whipping the cord around Rhonda’s neck panic set in, for the first time Rhonda could feel the icy grip of death creeping closer to her.

Just as fast as the whip grabs Rhonda, Daniel follows with it driving his heels in the exposed areas of Rhonda’s throat.

Rhonda’s’ mighty frame falls to her knees, enough force to quake the buildings of the town. Many of the people in the town are frozen with trauma in the sights they have seen. What is left of the wild Skinwalkers attacking the town remains too frightened to run away with most of them pissing themselves in dread.

The room is hazy. Faint sounds of Daniels and Rhonda’s’ intense battle coming from just outside the wall. Abernathy wakes up, her head pounding from the aftermath of her fight with the officer. With the small amount of strength she regained Abernathy, tries to get up, stumbling over without legs.

“Oh… that’s right” Abernathy said suppressing her feelings.

Crawling through the damaged walls of paradise diner Abernathy was in awe of Daniel standing over the cowering Rhonda.

If it wasn’t for his clothing Abernathy would never have recognized Daniel. “Danny… what have you done?” She said with worry in her eyes.

Agonizingly, Abernathy crawled towards Daniel, still determined to help him. .

Rhonda’s stink of fear blanked the area. Breathing rapidly, unknowing what to do with her body failing her. Desperately she reached up trying to stop the monster that once was the man she tried to save.

“STOP! STOP!” Rhonda begged.

Grabbing Rhonda’s hand Daniel bends her fingers backward, pulling the claws out in the process.

“STOP!” Rhonda continued to beg.

Daniel kicks away Rhonda’s massive hands with enough force to break her elbow. With the two claws Daniel ripped out he began to carve out Rhonda’s expose throat.

“Danny… stop…” Rhonda tried to plead with him through the blood spilling out of her mouth.

Reaching into the opening of Rhonda’s throat Daniel pulls apart Rhonda’s spine, with a strained guttural scream Daniel pulls out Rhonda’s skull from the skin of her head still partially connected to the neck.

Rhonda’s heavy skull thuds against the ground with a deep tone cracking just a bit. Rhonda’s brains started to leak out from the crack.

Almost like he was enjoying it, Daniel brought Rhonda’s skull up to his mouth licking up Rhonda’s brains.

Abernathy hadn’t crawled very far before witnessing the death of Rhonda at Daniels hands.

“Danny!” Abernathy shouts.

The monster before Abernathy paid her no attention, he just kept on trying to eat at Rhonda’s brains.

“Danny what have you done?” Abernathy cried. The monster turning to look at her. The pitch black eyes piercing straight through Abernathy’s soul. She froze in her tracks like her body was forcing her to stop. The look on his face was like he wanted to have Abernathy as his next meal.

It was like a gentle breeze passing by. Abernathy could see that no one was standing in front of her, turning around, Daniel had most of the other Skinwalkers’ head being stuffed into his mouth.

“Danny…this isn’t you!” Abernathy pleaded, trying to get to herself to sit up.

Pulling at the remaining half of the Skinwalkers face sloppily chewing, bits of flesh falling like crumbs, as he turns menacingly towards Abernathy.

“You’ve done enough now! You can stop!” She screamed.

Daniel lets out an unnatural roar, scaring off the last of the Skinwalkers, many of the children in town began crying, clutching their ears as they begin to bleed complaining of the ringing continuously pounding in their head.

“You’re mad I get it! And you need to rest now” Abernathy continued to talk trying to sit up.

“Mijo… what did you do?!” Mr. Rojas said stumbling on his way back to the town center.

“Mr. Rojas?!... Mr. Rojas is that you?” Abernathy cried out waving her hand in the air.

“Abby? Abby what happ…” Mr. Rojas sees Abernathy’s state, badly beaten and trying her best to keep conscience. “Oh my god… Abernathy how are you alive?” He asked.

“We need to help Danny, He needs us” Abernathy cried.

Mr. Rojas gets up to turn and face the chaotic Daniel.

Standing uncomfortably close, Daniel now towers over Mr. Rojas with an unnatural height. Daniels eyes don’t blink. Gently pushing Mr. Rojas aside was enough to knock the wind out of him as he was forced to the ground suddenly.

“Oh…god…” Mr. Rojas struggled to stay wheezing with each breath.

Daniel stared confusingly at Mr. Rojas, almost reaching out.

“Look! You’re letting this consume you so much you cant even recognize your friends anymore!” Abernathy cried out.

Instantly, Daniel had whipped around and scream uncomfortably close to Abernathy’s face, almost taking a bite. Reaching down Abernathy pulls out a small piece of paper, unfolds it to show Daniel.

“You asked Maria to take care of this for you… She asked me to get this back to you so here it is!” She screamed holding up a photocopied picture of Daniel and his whole family together.

“This is what you wanted right?! Is this what Jessica wanted? Is this what Mom wanted?!”

For the moment Daniel was himself again, looking over where he last saw his mom, he couldn’t even recognize the trampled and ruined halves of his mom, the battle between him and Rhonda must have caused.

In a rage Daniel goes to attack Abernathy, pinning her down by her neck, rapidly stabbing the solid asphalt inches from her side tearing away chunks with ease.

“You cant do it can you…” Abernathy pleaded weakly.

“You can’t bring yourself to hurt me… Because I am your family too…not like this Danny… I won’t leave you…not like this…” Abernathy pleaded with the last of her strength reaching out for Daniel.

Abernathy could see some color return to the Daniels eyes, faint but there.

Daniel cries out his unnatural cry clutching his head scratching at his scalp pulling off bits of his thin plastic-y flesh.

“Danny…son… You’ve done enough” Mr. Rojas spoke up, finally recovered from being pushed.

Daniel continued to scream in agony, trying to attack Abernathy or Mr. Rojas caused Daniel to cry in pain but the urge to kill and eat them was overwhelming too much to ignore.

Slamming his head into the ground repeatedly, crying out into the night the thundering booms of Daniels fists pounding on his head shook the very foundation of the town.

“Danny…

Please…

Stop…”

Abernathy begged with the last ounce of her strength.

The howling slowed to a stop, Daniel voice sounded strained but became more natural, but Daniel has stopped moving, standing with his shoulders slumped, arms hanging to his side.

Dawn finally breaks, the light of a new day shines it’s light on the town, many of the towns people coming out of from basements and sturdier built homes.

The light is warm as it washes over Daniel.

“I am not a monster…” Daniel thought.

Daniel quit moving, as his skin began to solidify, turning to a fine cobalt, Daniel took his last breaths, with tears in his eyes he looks at a collapsed Abernathy, unconscious.

“I’m sorry” Daniel says.

The warmth of the sun touching Daniels face for just a moment before turning completely to cobalt.

XVIIIX.

“It is another record setting day of beautiful weather here in Goliath, Texas as the 7thseventh annual Festival of Peaches is underway! With us as always is the charming Mayor Rojas and the newly appointed chief of the GPD Abernathy Motar here today to answer some questions about the incredible size of the peaches that keep being grown here!”

…

“Was that one good?... Does that work?”

…

“Perfect! Lets get going; Thank you guys and well we’ll see you next year!” A passive aggressive news reporter cheerily states.

The van doors slamming behind them.

“What do you think that was about?” Abernathy asks.

“Gotta cut that promo I guess” Mayor Rojas said.

“They are beautiful, aren’t they?” Abernathy said looking at the peaches growing in the town center. New businesses are opening up, families are happily walking around with children laughing and walking around.

“And here is the statue of Daniel Motar, a local legend, a man who sacrificed himself to save this town turned to a cobalt statue.” A teacher says to a class of young preschoolers. .

“My mom says he was actually a monster, and he hurt the people in this town…is that true?” a child raising their hand eagerly states.

“Well, there’s many ways to look at it, good or bad, what do you think?” the teacher said.

“I THINK IT’S COOL!” one of the children from the back screams out. All the children laugh.

“See, I told you that no one would notice the change.” Abernathy said.

“When do you think we should tell the town?” Mayor Rojas asked.

“Soon” Abernathy states. “He deserves some time to discover who he is.”

The End.