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'Missed' was one and only serious attempt to write a truly 'DC' story. It involves a man who, even at the end of the story really doesn't know what's going on. To me this is what DC should be, a world were strange things occur to some people, who never again encounter the 'darkness'. 'Missed' is a long story, some 25,000 words ... half as long as the Sin City adventures. It took me some 40 or 50 hours to write over a period of six months, and divided into 3 chapters it appeared in DEMONGROUND 4,5 & 7 respectively. To be honest I am very proud of this story, and althought it never really explained what was going on (that would take another three chapters at least!) I thought it did everything I wanted it to. Looking back now I can see where I could improve the story, but that is all part of learning I suppose. Anyways I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it ... because I did enjoy writing it. The day I don't is the day I hand my resignation into the world!
Missed By Marcus Bone Sitting at his desk Colin wondered what was missing in his life. He wasn't young anymore, but, his home life was fine, he had a loving wife and two beautiful daughters. His job was fine, and secure. So all he did was shuffle paper from one department to another, some one had to do it. The pay was good and it was stressless. He still had all his hair, and that was more than he could say about some of the other executives in the office. But there was something missing, it was almost like some part of him was not there. Colin shook his head, what was he thinking, that sort of thing lead to a midlife crisis. He was happy and that's all that mattered… Wasn't it? * * * * * That night he drove home through the horde of traffic, his mind slipped back to the thoughts that had bothered him earlier in the day. If his life was missing something what was it? A holiday, surely not. He and Rebecca had got away just last month, leaving the girls with a friend. He smiled as he remembered it, the sun, the sand, the passionate nights. He'd love another week or two like that, but he didn't need it. Drifting away with his thoughts Colin didn't notice the car on the other side of road cross the median strip. It took him a long second to realize what was going to happen. The car was going to hit him. It was almost as if the driver of the other car didn't see him. He flashed his lights, but it continued to drive towards him. The impact was worse than he expected, a full head on crash, which sent Colin first rocketing forward into the opening airbag in front of him, and then whipping back to snap his neck on the drivers head rest behind him. As a final act he shot forward again into the fully deployed airbag, smothering his face in the cold plastic. His neck felt as like was on fire, and his abdomen and thighs pounded in pain. To make matters worse the airbag clung to his face, molding to his mouth and nose. He found that he couldn't breath, the plastic instead entering his mouth, stopping any air from getting through. He began franticly thrashing his head attempting to dislodge the material from his face. But, it still stuck strong. He tried to move his arms in a vain attempt to puncture the bag, but they did not respond to his commands. His breath ran short, gulping in plastic, a vain attempt to get some oxygen into his lungs. The world around him began to shimmer and melt. He could not breathe! As his vision turned slowly red, he screamed a silent scream, trying so desperately to tell the world of his plight. But no assistance came. Amongst the wreckage of his car, and trapped against the airbag, he was helpless, each painful twist and turn burying him deeper in the plastic. After what seemed to be an eternitity all seemed lost. The red fading slowly to black, his ragged breathing became no more. * * * * * 'This is an odd one, Jimmy, this guy's cold already… maybe he died of a heart attack or something." The paramedic held the corpse by the wrist, his attempt to check for a pulse obviously futile. "That's for the Doctors to decide," his partner replied, "now get on with it boy." * * * * * Becky Harris was a mess. She'd come straight to the hospital of course, but still didn't know what had happened. The Officer had said there had been a car crash, and that Colin had been involved. What had happened? Was he okay? Was the Car okay? What the hell had happened? And more importantly why wasn't anyone telling her anything? She got up from her chair and once again accosted the nurse at the Accident and Emergency desk, in an attempt to learn anything. The Nurse just looked at her as she approached. The poor woman probably got a dozen worried people in here a night. "Excuse me…" the nurse looked away, examining something on the desktop "I said excuse me". Now the nurse looked up again, attempting to smile in that reassuring way lawyers do, when you're about to lose your case. "Sorry Mrs. Harris, I told you I can't tell you anything until the Doctor gets here. Besides anything I could telling you would be pure speculation." The Nurse smiled again. "How about I get you another cup of coffee." "I've had enough coffee…thank you," Becky could barely restrain herself, "can't you at least tell me how badly he was hurt when he got here, anything please." "Sorry Mrs. Harris," now the nurse spoke more forcefully, "I must insist you wait for the Doctor, I assure you he will not be long." There was a long pause, and smiling again she said "Now, how about that coffee." Becky shook her head and sat back down on the seat she had spent the last hour on. * * * * * "Mrs. Harris." Becky looked up and saw the doctor walking towards here. He was an older man who from first glance seemed competent and experienced. Behind him two orderlies pushed a crash cart towards the two large doors that was the entrance to the A & E. A third orderly wheeled an I.V. along side, it's long tube connected to the motionless body on the cart. "Doctor," Becky replied, standing up. "How is he?" "Mrs. Harris, please will you take a seat?" "I've been sitting for the last hour and a half, the last thing I want is a seat." She took a deep breath to calm herself. "Sorry, but please tell me… can I see him?" "Mrs. Harris, your husband is in critical condition and is being transferred to Central. I am afraid to say that the car accident was a bad one." Becky sobbed a cry a release from the tension that had been building for the last hour. The Doctor stood beside her, his eyes averted, and then he proceeded. "I have every hope that he will be fine, but you must be prepared for the worst. We have some of the best doctors in the country at Central." He smiled a sad hopeful smile. "I understand," Becky replied wiping a tear from her eye, "I must ring his mother". "Certainly, certainly, and if you can make you way to Central, they will be able to organize your needs better. Doctor Shavor will be able to help your husband that I am assured of. If you need we can arrange a taxi?" Becky nodded and turned away, looking for a pay phone. Martha would need to know. * * * * * The door of his mind had opened. In the mist of his memory it lay, the piece of his life that had been hidden away. What had happened all those years ago? He lay on a bed, not a bed from home, no, rather a bed made of metal. He was restrained he knew that much. His feet and hand were pressed securely against the bed, his wrist burned as the restraints cut in his skin. Where was he, he could not remember how he came to be here, nor why he would come? Slowly he opened his eyes, succeeding first with the right and then the left. It was a long moment before he was able to focus, the light so bright that it hurt. He was in some sort of doctors surgery. He turned his head slightly making out the instruments that lay gleaming beside him. But the more he took in the less the room looked like a normal surgery. The instruments looked like none he had ever seen, some of the machinery that lay around the room looked wholly unfamiliar. In fact the whole room seemed as if it was alive, as if each thing had it's own mind. Each item pulsed and vibrated in the same way a living creature did. What was this place? Then he heard a noise, the first since he had awoken in this strange place. From somewhere behind him something stirred, then shuffled towards the place he lay. It was getting closer and yet no matter how much he twisted and turned he couldn't get his head to face the approaching noise. Suddenly it was above him, a large head, gray and ugly. Large black eyes staring unblinking down at him trapped there helpless. It - he could only call the being an 'It' - was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Something from his darkness nightmares, his evilest dreams. Right there standing, towering above him, it's intentions unknown. Slowly as though it was pushing through a wall of water the thing reached across Colin, feeling for one of the pulsing machines by his head. Fingering one of the smaller instruments with it long gray pocked fingers, it paused only for a second before taking it in it hand. Unsure until now what this creature intended to do with him, Colin could only watch with a morbid fascination. The thing placed it's, free hand on Colin's face and pressed down on his head, forcing his face to one side. Its fingers felt wet and cold on his face, and their touch alone made him want to fight back. Yet still his body would not respond. Through the corner of his eye he watched the thing hold the device over his ear, and then twist the shaft slightly animating the instruments end. It had come alive, vibrating and humming, the teeth on it's end opening and closing in rapid succession. Slow but surely the creature lowered his hand, the pointed end of the device aimed into Colins ear. Colin could do nothing but stare, focusing on the vibrating point that inched closer to his head. It was almost as if the devise had eyes of it own. MY GOD IT DID, JUST BEHIND THE POINT, A DARK BEADY EYE STARED BACK AT COLIN. Then Colin screamed, not even the paralysis in his body could restrain the blood-curling scream that emanated from deep in side his chest. The being did not stop, as though it had heard these cries many times before. Continuing to insert the probe into his ear. Colin felt the dark cold device enter his ear, and that was all. He would be thankful that his mind did not allow him to feel or see anymore… * * * * * Becky stood beside her husbands bed, Doctor Shavor beside her. Colin's scream had been heard across the entire floor of Centrals recovery ward. "Is it pain?", Beckys voice was cracking the pressures and stress of the day were begining to show. "No, I think it is more of the healing process. His mind doesn't know why it lacks control, but is trying so hard to so," replied Doctor Shavor. "This is a good thing". "How much longer Doctor, how much longer will he remain like this." Becky said angrily. "I'm sorry to say that I can not tell. His mind is healing. But while he remains in this state we can tell very little". The Doctor turned and looked at Becky. "You have had a hard week Mrs. Harris. Go home and try to relax, we will ring you if there is any change in your husbands condition." "Thank you Doctor. Yes I'll go home, the girls must be worried sick, their father in hospital, and mother never around." Becky turned to leave, "Promise you will call me if there is any change." Shavor smiled, "I will…I will." Once Becky had left though that smile turned into a grimace. He had never before encountered a patient that slipped so readily in and out of their Coma State. I was almost like his mind was healed but it was still held back by something else. * * * * * Shavor looked at his watch, ten past 7. Time to go home, he thought. Ally would be wondering where he had got to, and then that appointment with Goddard. That man never stops. He took a step outside his office door, and then stopped. Harris, he though, I'd better pop in on Harris before I go too. He then made his way to the elevator and took the short trip down to the Recovery ward on level 3. The doors opened to a dark hall, with just the lights from the nurses night station on. All was quiet, but then it usually was. He strolled to the nurse's station and poked his head though the door. "Ah Nurse West, I'm just going to check on Colin Harris before I head home." Nurse West replied, "Sure Doctor, haven't heard a peep from him all evening, looks like he's over his screaming match." She smiled at her own joke. Shavor smiled back, "That's good to hear, may be all the patients can get some rest now." He removed his head and turned to go to Colin's room. "Say Hi to Ray if you see him," he called as he left. "Will do," replied Nurse West from in the night station. Shavor walked down the hall, and then took the left through the smoke doors into the South section of the Recovery ward; Harris' room was the last down this hall. They had placed him here so at least some of the other patients could recover in peace. As he got to the end of the corridor he knew something was not right. Someone was here, he could feel it. Yes, there at Harris' door someone was trying to pick the lock. "Hey, what do you think your doing… get away from that." The figure rose, covered head to toe by a great coat it was hard to make out any features. "What are you doing here. Visiting hours are…" Shavor was cut off. The figure had pushed back his coat from around his face exposing what could only be described as a horribly disfigured man. His face was black, as if it had been burnt, and small tusks grew out of his cheeks. The 'man' looked at Shaver and sneered. His teeth sharp and milky white. "What the Hell!" Shavor was taken aback by the sight of the man. For a long second he could do little but stare at its uncovered face. The burnt man reached into his coat and withdrew what looked like a small matchbox. Pointing it at the Doctor he utter the words, "Seesk Nak Char", in a deep husky voice. Shavor had little time to react, even if he had known what was about to occur. He had barely turned to run back down the hall he had just came from, when suddenly his back felt as if it had been ignited in flame, the sensation spread quickly throughout his entire body. One second Shavor was whole, the next he was reduced to a small pile of ash and charred remains on the hospital floor, his body cremated in but an instant. The figure grunted and returned the box within this coat. Turning he crouched down again to work away at the lock which stopped him entering Harris' room. Quickly it was open, the lockpicks it used safely away. The figure stood again, and for a second time withdrew the small box. Opening the door the figure stopped, something wasn't right… another human was here. The burnt man turned to see another figure standing in the doorway opposite Colins room. "Yes Beast it's me", the new figure spoke. The burnt man snarled like a trapped animal, and raised the box towards the newcomer. "Not so fast," the newcomer stated, and quite deliberately clapped his hands. The burnt man spoke the words, but to his surprise no sound came from within. He spoke again but still to no avail. The newcomer smiled, almost in delight, and then reaching into his own jacket exposed a shiny automatic pistol. He slowly and deliberately aimed it at the burnt mans chest. The Burnt man stood arms out offering, no resistance. The newcomer squeezed the pistols trigger twice in rapid succession. Almost immediately two large holes appeared in the burnt mans chest, although no sound had been heard. The burnt man crumpled crashing silently to the ground in a heap, dark black blood pouring from the two wounds. Wasting no time, the man jumped over the body on the ground and pushed open Colin's door. On the bed Colin slept in a deep coma. The stranger surveyed the room around, and seeing all was returned his pistol to the holster in his jacket quite. Happy that it was safe enough he stretched up towards the ceiling, bringing his hands down to a position of prayer in front of his chest. Standing stock-still and closing his eyes the stranger began to hum quietly, the noise from his mouth now audible. * * * * * Colin stood in large tube, filled with a light green liquid. Around him four more of the humanoid creatures walked, each looked, to Colin at least, exactly the same. They seemed content in their own actions and seemed to take little notice of Colin. But, something was out of place here. There in that corner was a man. Yes a man. Oh how he had longed to see another human being. But this one, this one looked oddly out of place. Even here where nothing ever seemed right to Colin. The man walked towards him, and to Colins surprise the humanoids ignored the intruder. After what felt like an eternity the man at last reached the tube where Colin was forced to stand. The man spoke, directly at Colin, "Well are you going to stay there forever?" Colin was taken aback, what was this man on about? Stay he had no choice but to stay. Did he? Again the man addressed him, "Come on, we don't have much time". I am going mad, he thought Tentatively Colin answered, "Are you talking to me?" The man looked back at Colin, a little irritation flicking across his eyes, "Of course I am! Who else would I be talking to? Come on man we haven't got time for this, they'll be here soon." "Who will be here?" Colin asked with curiosity. "Everyone. Look I will explain later, suffice, to say that if we aren't out of here soon, we will die. Would you prefer that " Colin looked back at the man and said, "I don't know if you have noticed but I'm stuck in this tube. If I could go with you I would, but as you can see that is a slightly difficult at the moment…" "Look, Colin, you are not trapped, this is a dream, or more precisely a memory." "A memory", Colin was taken aback, "I have never been here before, this place is hard to forget." The Man sighed, "Trust me Colin, this is a memory, and if we don't get out of here soon, it maybe your last memory. Look just tell you body to wake up… don't worry it wants too. Colin looked at the stranger, and the stranger just stared back. "Okay," Colin said, breaking the short silence, "what do I do?" "Count to three Collin, that's all. Simple right." Colin grimaced painfully, "Yeah right simple" The stranger smiled back, almost with pleasure. "Right with me this time…1…2…" Colin closed his eyes and the with stranger, "3." * * * * * Colin awoke with a start, his throat burnt, his head hurt and worst of all his neck felt as though it had been wrenched right off his head, well almost. Clothes hit him in the face and beside him the man from the dream stood, quickly packing a bag. "Jump to it man!" said the stranger. "Dream… but you were…" Then it came flooding back to Colin, those last few seconds. "The crash… the car… Becky!" Colin voice was croaky and barely audible after a week of nonuse. "Look we can sort it all out soon, but for now can we just get out of here, please!" The stranger was acting very irritable. "Okay… just give me a hand." Colin croaked back. He pushed himself out of bed, the stranger reaching out a hand. Tentatively placing a first and then a second foot on the floor. Satisfied that they could take his weight, he pushed out from the bed. For a second his legs held. But then Colin discovered that in fact they were not going to respond. His eyes closed Colin felt himself collapsing towards the cold hard floor and then, the sickening whack as his skull hit the ground. For a second all he could see was bright lights, and then mercifully is consciousness faded away. * * * * *
The phone rang beside him. Leaning across his desk he picked it up, raising it to his ear.
"Hello, This is Professor William Fraser…"
There was no response, not even the sound of breathing… nothing.
For a second he just listened not knowing what to think. Then in the back of his mind something clicked.
"Martha…" the Professor spoke into the receiver, "Martha if that's you… You know there's a court injunction out against you bothering me like this."
Still there was no response from the other end of the phone…
"God damn you girl can't you leave me alone!". Fraser slammed the phone down with a crash, shaking the side table it rested on.
Fraser was angry now. That girl had cost him his place on the school board, his wife and hundreds of dollars in court costs. He had thought she'd given up at last, not a call in weeks … now this. For Christ sake he had only slept with her once!
He looked at the phone and thought for a second. Reaching across he picked it up, this time with the intention of calling the police. The detective had told him to ring if the calls began again.
Bringing the receiver to his ear, he began to push the number he'd been given… and then he stopped. The phone had no dial tone. Tapping the receiver hook a few times had no effect. The phone was dead.
What's that girl done, he thought. The silly tart never knew when to give up.
Getting up from the desk where he was working, he looked out the large plate glass windows that surrounded his study. It was dark outside. He checked his watch, noted the time and stretched.
Picking up the piece of paper that he had written the Detectives number on, he started towards the hall phone.
It was then he heard the crash of a window. From somewhere in the house! Fraser jumped … in his house! After the incident with the phone he was a little on edge. Recovering quickly from the fright however, he moved to the umbrella stand beside the fireplace and retrieved what had been his grandfather's walking stick. If some kids had smashed his windows, by jolly, they would pay.
Making his way through the darkened halls of his house he slowly examined each room. Flicking on the lights revealed nothing, each room the same as he'd left it. Finally however he reached the kitchen downstairs, finding the source of the broken window. The top pane of the backdoor window had been broken; the glass scattered now across the kitchen floor.
The first thought to enter his mind was that of the girl, Martha. But she had never done anything like this before. In fact she'd attempted nothing more that a few late night phone calls.
Unsure what to make of such strange happenings, the professor shook his head and moved purposefully to the backdoor. Perhaps he could still catch the perpetrators.
As he got closer a feeling came over him, like that of when someone is close but yet cannot be seen. Behind him? Fraser twirled around to survey the kitchen … it was empty. Turning back he heard a noise outside the backdoor. A funny noise almost like chanting…
Fraser peered through the broken window, outside there was a man, and yes he was chanting. Words that seemed unrecognisable to Fraser…
"Seesk Nak Char"
x x x x x x x x x x x
It had been a week since Colin had gone missing from the hospital … yes, while unconscious he had some how 'disappeared'. Neither the staff nor the police knew what had happened, or so they said and yet Becky Harris didn't believe them.
And would you? She had told the officer that came and saw her every day. He always just smiled, in the way a parent smiled when humouring their child. Becky knew it too; she herself was a master at it when it came to her two girls.
But the officer was a nice guy, just doing his job. Everyday he would pop in for a coffee, to up date Becky on the latest news. Not that there was much to tell. And somehow he would always turn the conversation around, trying in a subtle way to grill her for more information from Colin's past.
But she had told them all that she knew and was as stumped as any of them as to the reason behind Colins vanishing act.
This day had been like all the others so far, no clues, no leads and a bunch of confused policemen. The only new news was that the case was about to be downgraded, with the number of men reduced to just one from it's present dozen.
"Some cases just are getting more important ma'am… cases with leads". The young officer got up and put his notebook back in his pocket. "I'll come and visit you again in a day or two… okay?"
Becky just nodded. She was shocked, only a week and they had already given up. What was going wrong with this world?
After the policeman had left Becky was at a loose end. The girls were still with Colins' mother and wouldn't be coming home for another few days yet. There wasn't much she could do. If the police force couldn't figure out what had happened what chance did she have?
Thinking she could really use a strong stiff drink she made her way to kitchen. However before she could get there she heard a knock at the door. Thinking it was the young officer back again she rushed over to the door and flung it open.
But no it wasn't the officer at all. Rather it was a short man in a trench coat and a hat. He seemed as surprised at the speed in which the door had been opened, as Becky was to the fact that he wasn't the policeman.
For a second there was an embarrassed silence, as both regathered their wits. The man smiled at Becky and removed his hat.
"Mrs Harris?" he asked.
"Yes… yes I am." She replied taking in the mans appearance. He was middle-aged, balding she could see now that he had removed his hat. He was obviously also South American, or of that descent at least. But perhaps the most striking thing about him was his face, which while not unattractive, seemed to be hiding something.
"Mrs Harris, I am Hector Tanscon, a private investigator." Hector put out his hand. Becky reluctantly took it and shook.
"What can I do for you, Mr Tanscon?" Becky asked, almost sarcastically. Of course she knew what a man like this was doing here.
"Mrs Harris I have heard that your husband disappeared from the Central Municipal Hospital last week, and I'm here to offer my services to you in finding him…"
Becky screwed up her face. "Mr Tanscon, we are not a rich family, I'm not sure I could afford your services?"
Becky knew this mans type exactly. She would put money on the fact that he picked cases like hers to make a quick buck. Probably listened to a police scanner and choose to follow up the people who seemed desperate enough to give away their money to a lost cause. Well Becky sure was desperate, but she wasn't stupid. In fact she thought routines like this one appeared only on television.
"Oh the money is not so important… Rebecca, may I call you Rebecca?" he said.
Becky didn't respond.
"I am more worried about the whereabouts of your husband… can I please come inside and explain?"
Becky paused for a second, although she didn't trust this man, he seemed sincere enough.
The seconds ticked past and then she relented, swinging the door open.
x x x x x x x x x x x
Hector Tanscon was a much nicer man than Becky had first thought. He revealed that he had heard about her situation while down at the local precinct contacting the Desk Sergeant about another case he was working on. The rumours and stories had been flying about an unconscious man who had somehow disappeared from Central late one night. Making it even weirder, the mans Doctor, a Mr Shavor, had also vanished on the same night. In fact the only evidence that could be found was that, the missing patients lock on his door had been jimmied and in the corridor outside that door a small pile of carbon had been found. Unfortunately because the corridor was so well used no more information could be found. Even the minute blood samples found belonged to three different blood types.
Hector had been so intrigued by these stories that he had to find out what had happened that night. As he explained to Becky, chances like this don't come every often.
Tanscon had investigated further being able to get a glance at the lab results on the Carbon that had been found. The most surprising fact to come from this study was the fact that the residue links in the molecule chain resembled those present in a human body, and yet the Lab could not say anything further about them.
What this all meant Hector couldn't say, but it had intrigued him further. Becky for her part had been quite shocked at this information; it was certainly more that the police had been willing to reveal to her anyway.
By the end of the conversation Hector had promised to find out more for her and would stay in contact. In return Becky would find some sort of payment for his services… but only after he had found out what had happened to Colin.
As she saw him to the door Becky had a tear in her eye.
"Thank you so much Hector, I had honestly thought that people like you didn't exist anymore".
Hector smiled at her. "It's okay Becky, it may be a Dark World but some of us still care."
They shook hands once again and the Hector left. After he had gone Becky broken down in tears. So much had happened in the last week and no one had offered any explanations. At last some one had come to her at least attempting to straighten out the mess in her mind. The release of tension was massive and for a while she could do nothing but cry. She owed herself that much.
x x x x x x x x x x
Hector was smiling as he got into his car. In the passengers seat his partner sat.
"Well Jerry we got her." Hector was smiling even brighter now. "The silly woman actually believes that her husband is still alive."
Jerry Coldrum, a young man in his twenties, had a worried look on his face. "Are you sure she fell for it?" he asked.
"Of course I'm sure," Hector scowled at the younger man." Listen sonny how many times do I have to tell you. I've been doing this gig for… well Christ knows how long… and it's a win-win situation. Man some people are just so stupid, don't they read the papers… hundreds of people go missing every day in this city, and yet for some reason all their families think that they will be the ones coming home. Listen up buddy, they don't come back… never."
Jerry just stared back, obviously a little overawed by Hectors spiel. "As long as you're sure Hector, just as long as you're sure".
Hector just glared back and then… laughed, shaking his head at his partner.
x x x x x x x x x x
Colin's head spun, as if he was stuck in a carnival ride. It was a nauseous feeling, and for a time he couldn't decide if it was the room or his head that was the real source of the constant spinning.
Suddenly a man came into his vision, or what he thought was a man anyway. All Colin could see was a big dark shape appear in front of him, a shape that had teeth and eyes.
"You okay man, you look as if you're about to hurl?" The voice of from the shape was defiantly male and spoke with a very thick accent.
It took Colin a few seconds to compose himself enough to answer. "Yeah I'll be… be alright in a second." As if that was a sign, Colin was suddenly ill. His stomach straining to release it's contents. He closed his eyes, using all his concentration to prevent himself from vomiting.
"Man you could have fooled me man." He heard his visitor chuckle deep and loud. "Here man this one we cleaned out already."
Colin felt something pushed into his hands, a container of some sort. A bucket if he figured correctly. Placing his head deep inside he relaxed and allowed his body to purge itself.
After he had recovered he looked up and founds that his vision had got much better. Indeed there was a man standing beside him, and he himself was lying on a bunk, much like he had seen in Navy movies. The man in front of him was a large and black, with muscular shoulders and abdomen. Colin could see that he was a not a typical American, perhaps an African?
The big man smiled at Colin, bright white teeth a contrast to his very dark face.
"You look better now man, let all of the bad stuff out".
Colin was barely listening to the man, but rather exploring his surroundings with his recently returned sight. It seemed as if, yes, he was in some sort of boat, the door was one of reinforced steel and the far wall has a porthole in it. Apart from that and the bed the room had little else in it. A locker at his feet and a small basin and that was it.
"…you think you can get up now man?" The stranger was talking to him still.
"Yeah … yeah I think so." Colin answered.
He struggled to his feet the man holding his arm to help steady him. As he got up onto both feet however, his knees seemed to buckle, but before he could fall the stranger had taken his weight and had swung Colin's arm over his shoulder.
Colin just grimaced at him, and he just smiled back.
"Man you okay." As the stranger helped Colin out of the room he introduced himself. "I'm Suva man, been looking after you for this last week."
"Week… week!?!" Colin was shocked what the hell had happened to him?
"Yeah man a week, not that you were a bad patient".
As they walked the corridors Colin could but notice his surroundings. They were definitely on a ship of some sort, because the corridors looked just like the ones he'd seen in those old World Two movies. Narrow and cramped it was almost impossible for them walk two abreast.
"So Suva where are we going?" Colin asked his helper.
"You'll see man… you got to speak to Miles before we know what we got to do." was his answer.
"Oh okay," replied Colin. What else could he say, here he was lost and at the mercy of some large black one who smelt of Tropical Sun block. In fact that Coconut smell really got his stomach going again. "Um… I don't feel so well".
"Man you don't look so well either".
x x x x x x x x x x
Hector sat in his car, reading a newspaper, nothing but more deaths and disappearances… just the way he like it. Occupied though he was, he heard Jerry before he got to the car. Putting down the paper he watched as the young man ran towards him.
Before Jerry could speak Hector started. "What's the rush little guy?'
It took Jerry a few breaths to recover. "You were right. This is the same thing."
Hector had heard from his contact down at West precinct that another pile of 'Carbon' had been found, this time at the house of a missing Professor. Curious rather than anything else they had gone down for a look, just to find the place swarming with cops. He'd sent Jerry to find out what was going on.
"So spill the beans boy, what's happening here?"
"Hell Hector, I don't even think the coppers know. Someone up on high has ordered the street beaters to find out what's happened to the Teach. It seems he had friends in high places."
"Typical… well we ain't going to get anything out of this one. We might as well saddle up and mossy on down to the local watering hole. What you say?"
Jerry grinned. Nodding his head as he got in the car he said, "You're the boss."
x x x x x x x x x x x
At least Colin could walk by himself by the time they got to their destination. A large room with a double bed and a desk. All the works compared to the small 'dungeon' he had come from.
In the room there was three men, of various ages and looks. The oldest was at least over 50, dressed in a fine suit wearing a vest that would have been fashionable before Colin's own birth, stood in the corner. The youngest not older than his teens, wearing T and jeans slouched in a seat at the desk. Twiddling his thumbs he seemed bored. However the most intriguing man was aged obviously between these two. In fact somewhere in the back of Colins mind this man seemed familiar.
"Ah," spoke this man, "Colin it is good to see you could join us. In fact since you've already met our Fijian warrior Suva it would be rude of me not to introduce the rest of our merry band."
Colin just nodded in agreement, not sure there was anything else he could say or do.
"This is Doctor Curtis, late of the Physics Department of Cambridge." The Doctor nodded at Colin." Our young apprentice here is…" the teenage shot the speaker an evil look" Kerry Graham, computer genus. And as for me, I was hoping you'd recognise me."
Colin shook his head, but somehow a vague memory tingled in the back of his mind.
"Oh that disappoints me, you can't even remember the man who saved your life.' The speaker smiled at Colin "My name is Miles Lynne, a … um… traveller I suppose.'
There was a pause as the rest of the room's occupants looked over Colin. Feeling a need to get at least one question off his chest, Colin broke the silence.
"So can I ask why am I here, and what do you want from me?"
Miles laughed.
"Colin it's not what you can do for us, rather it's what you can do for the world!"
x x x x x x x x x x x
Hector got home late that night, after dropping Jerry off... it was at least 3 in the morning. He was dog-tired, and was half-asleep by the time he hit the bed, shoes and all.
Sleep beckoned and Hector was going to oblige. But then the phone rang… once… twice … three times. By the time it reached the eighth ring Hector guessed the caller wasn't about to give up. Reaching across he picked up the receiver and almost dropping it a couple of times eventually got it his ear.
"Tanscon speak'n."
The first thing he heard back was a scream, a mans scream of real angony like as if some part of him being cut off or worse.
"What the …"
Before Hector could finish his words a voice came on the line. Calm and collected it seemed to emit a sense of evil, even over the phone line.
"Mr Tanscon this is a warning… drop the Harris case or worse will happen to you."
"Who is this … why the …" Hector was fanatic, what sort of lunatic did this sort of thing.
"You friend is no more. So let me remind you … drop the case before you join him."
In the background another voice could be clearly heard…
"Seesk Nak Char"
And then the phone went dead.
x x x x x x x x x x x
By the time Hector got to Jerry's place it was obvious that he was too late and in some ways he was thankful .
The door to Jerry's inner-city apartment was ajar. The lock wretched off the jam.
But where were the cops. Sure it was the rough part of town, but surely the sound of that man screaming would have made someone ring the police.
Approaching the door Hector pushed it with the barrel of his Colt Python. With the slightest pressure it swung open. Inside was a mess. Some sort of scuffle had taken place. Hector just hoped Jerry's girl Suzie hadn't stayed over.
Apart from the mess, there was little in the main room. Making his way to the bedroom, he entered slowly scanning for any signs of intruders. There were none, but the first thing he did notice was the hand.
Yes a hand, laying on the side table next to the phone. A phone which had been violently yanked from the wall.
Getting closer to the hand Hector noticed a small pile of grit on the ground. Bending closer it looked as if someone had deposited a pile of black chalk on the ground. Staring at it for a second longer he recongised the significance in connection to the Fraser and Harris cases, but did not understanding its meaning.
The hand was still there however, and the dread of what it might mean still hung around in the pit of his stomach. Although he knew what he was going to find, it did little to calm him as he got nearer. Without touching it he knew it belonged to Jerry, the ring that he always talked about was still on the severed hand, the one he had received the day his college soccer team had won their regional championships.
Staring at it for a second longer Hector could no longer contain himself, gagging as he raced towards the apartments bathroom.
And still the Police did not come.
It was not yet dawn when she was awakened by the knocking on her door. In fact it wasn't as much a knocking, rather a crashing. At first Becky thought it was part of her dream, as surely no one would be after the Harris' at this time of the morning.
She rolled over in the bed stretching her arm out to wake Colin beside her. But she felt only the soft sheets and empty pillow. Her eyes opened with a start. Where was he, franticly she glanced around the dark room.
It was only then she realized, there was no Colin in the house, not for over a week now. He has been in a fatal crash and then had somehow disappeared from the hospital bed that alone seemed to have been keeping him alive. Vanished to where no one knew, especially the police who had given up as soon as the investigation had become too convoluted and confusing.
The knocking on the door started again, startling her back to reality. Whoever was down stairs wanted to get in… bad. Torn between the urge to ring for the police or find out who exactly was there she slid herself to her feet, flicking on the bedside light as she did so. The light, piercing and bright, helped her think.
Who the Hell could be at her? Whoever it was is damn inconsiderate… but what if was the police with information about Colin… or even Colin himself. She was worried and yet excited in the same moment, could this knocking really mean the nightmare was over?
"Becky… Becky… Becky" she whispered to herself, hands rubbing the sleep from her eyes, "Your going mad girl…"
Well sitting there wasn't going to solve the mystery about who was behind the door she though, as she stood and pulled on her dressing gown. Looking around the room on last time she made her way doorstairs.
X X X X X X X X X X X
Whoever it was wasn't about to give up until someone answered. As Becky approached the door she paused for a second contemplating whether she shouldn't just ring the police. But as the hammering came again she realized that whoever it was would have battered the door down by the time any help had arrived.
"Who is it?" She asked timidly.
There was a second of silence and then a voice replied, deep and husky it was obviously male.
"Mrs. Harris? … Mrs. Harris please open the door it's important… I need to know…" the voice trailed off.
Becky took another step closer to the door. The voice did seem somewhat familiar, but from where she could not quite place.
"Who are you? What do you want… I'm armed you know!" She called to the person outside, as her eyes franticly searched the passage for some sort of weapon to defend herself with.
"Rebecca… it's me Hector Tanscon, the private detective… you hired me yesterday".
Of course, now she recognized the voice, the short P.I. that had offered to find Colin. But what was he doing here at this time of the morning, surely it could have waited a few more hours.
"Please Rebecca… for the love of God let me in… we need to talk… please" He was pleading with her now, his voice cracked and stressful. He slapped the door once more and called out again. "Someone got my partner, like the others … got them all … I'm next Goddamn it … next … "
Becky reached for the door flicking the locks on the inside. Waiting one second longer before opening the door the detective.
As it opened Hector fell forward collapsing into Becky. Unable to hold up the thickset man, she fell backwards the P.I. toppling on top of her. The two of the sprawled on the ground, knocking aside the coat stand at the door.
It took a moment for Becky to regain her composure, pulling herself from beneath Hector. Kicking out and rolling him away. Hector just groaned and looked up at her with a pitiful look in his eyes.
"What have you done?" He asked pathetically. "What have you done to my friend?"
Becky just stared back at him not comprehending what he was on about. What friend? What had happened?
Hector continued his sorrowful speech. "You did this to me… what have you gotten into? What the hell is happening here?"
Becky wished she knew what was going on. This man, who yesterday had come to her with promises of assistance, now lay on the floor of her hallway, crying like a child and accusing her of some conspiracy.
She regained her feet and looked down of this wretch of a man. It saddened her that a man to become such a mess. She leaned down took Hector by the shoulder assisting him to his feet.
"It's all okay… now, now it all be fine", she said trying to smile.
He allowed her to help him up and lead him towards the kitchen.
<>P>"No," he said quietly, having regained some composure, " Nothing will be alright ever again".
X X X X X X X X X X X X
Colin was stunned.
Everything had happened so fast. From the car accident to now. Even though over a week had past to Colin it felt less than no time had past at all.
Now some strange man was saying that he was the key to it all. The missing link that finished a chain of events that he knew nothing about.
Miles, the man in question, now stood in front of him grasping his shoulder tightly.
"Colin," he said staring into Colins eyes, as if search for something hidden beneath, "I have a lot to tell you and little time to do it in…"
Colin nodded, he was still feeling nauseous, but was feeling better by the minute.
"Come and sit down… here on the bed will be fine".
Colin sat himself down on the edge of the bed, as the three other occupants of the room shuffled around to make him room.
"Now Colin can you tell me where you were the night of 16th January 2005." Mile sounded like a detective. Colin smiled at the thought.
"Hell that was ten years ago, I can barely remember yesterday at the moment." He replied.
"No matter," stated Miles seriously, "I can tell you exactly where your were and at what time you were there."
Colin shrugged his shoulders. "Please enlightenment." He was in no mood for mind games, and the quicker he found out why he was here the better.
"On that night Colin", began Miles, "you had left a party… alone in North Sundale, Illinois."
Sundale… that rang a bell somewhere in the back of his mind, but at the moment his memory was like mush, images intermixed where they could not have possibly been. Then after a brief second it came to him.
Colin smiled remembering his past. Ten years ago he was young and had a habit of frequenting some of the hippest parties and clubs around. He ha a reputation as quite a wild man back then… before he had met Becky of course. And although he couldn't remember that exact night, he certain remembered some of the manic night up at North Sundale.
Miles continued unaware that Colin was lost in his own past.
"Colin a lot has changed in the world. What we once thought was true has now come to pass a fiction. And what we once thought as fiction now passes for reality… Colin we are not alone, and you are living proof of that…"
That broke Colin revelry in the past. He looked up at Miles incredulously. "What do you mean I'm living proof… proof of what? The only thing I can see any proof of is that kidnapping is still prevalent in today's society."
Miles stared back at him shaking his head like a parent to a child who knew not what they did wrong. "Listen Colin, many things I don't understand in this world… like why the earth rotates the Sun… sure I believe it, but don't ask me why it is so. I just not question some things. Colin this is one thing your are just going to have to believe. Perhaps if I tell you of that night … on the bridge".
Shaking his head like trying to wake from some bad dream Colin sighed. "I guess I have little choice".
X X X X X X X X X X X X
The story Miles told Colin was almost impossible to believe. The 25 mile drive home that night from North Sundale would have been like many others, obviously however something wasn't completely right if Colin had left a party as early as 1 in the morning. He remembered the route clearly as Miles recalled the events of that. Down of the I 78, through Gully Pass intersection and then onto the bridge over Watts Creek.
It was there that it happened, not the Colin had any recollection of anything actually occuring on that bridge. Yet as the details were revealed something rang true in the back of Colin mind.
The bridge was busy that night some four cars where on it at the time. Colins of course, followed closely behind by two University professors, coming home late from a board meeting. On the other side of the bridge heading the way Colin had just come were to more vehicles, one a family, the Newports, travelling to a new city and a new life, the other an off duty patrolman heading home after a long shift. What happened next Colin could not believe, for one second they all drove in darkness, only headlamps to light the way, next the bridge was bathed in light, blinding the drivers and occupants.
Colin must have slid to a halt as did all the other cars on the bridge. Only the Newports failed to adjust, and with a squeal of brakes slammed into one of the bridges arches. Stunned by the light, and the now present hum of something above them, the occupants of the bridge, those that were able anyway, strained to see the source.
The patrolman was the first out of the car, running to see if the Newports were all right. Colin on the other hand opened the car door and getting out looked up to see the shape in the sky above. Glancing behind he noticed the two professors had done the same.
The source of the light was an immense disk that floated just above the bridge. Hovering there emitting no sound but the slight hum that seemed to rattle his brain, stunning him into inaction. The patrolman also looked up for the first time as he reached the Newport's damaged car, and instantly he too was mesmorised by the light and sound.
Miles told the story as if he had been there, as if he too had watched the Disk slowly descend onto the bridge, the light getting more and more intense until one by one it swallowed all of them up.
Colin broke away from the memory. Yes, my god, he had been there, he had been terrified by what the saucer represented, every nightmare and horror story was coming true that night on the bridge.
"But how do you know this happened?" He asked wiping a tear from his eye. "Where you there? Did you see what I saw?"
Miles answered slowly taking his time. "No Colin I was not. But he was."
Miles raised a hand pointing a finger at Dr Curtis.
X X X X X X X X X X X X
It had taken quite a while for Becky to calm Hector down. He had been quite hysterical for a while there and had almost dropped the coffee cup she had given him. But after the second cup, not to mention the Brady he seemed better.
She asked him to explain what was wrong, and why in Earth's name had he come crashing on her door at this time of the morning. He looked at her blankly for a moment as if trying to piece together what had happened, and the she could she that it all came flooding back to him. His hand shock, threatening to empty the contents of his mug all over him and Beckys couch.
Hector shock his head and stared straight through her as if she didn't exist. Then he began to tell her what had happened in the last few hours…
By the time he finished Becky didn't know whether to believe him or call for the cops. Surely that couldn't be true, and more to the point it couldn't involve Colin could it? Why would anyone want to lop of a hand for something Colin had or knew? Surely not, he was just a midlevel executive for a company of tens of thousands, what would he know that anyone else didn't?
All these questions flashed through her mind. But somehow she knew it must be true. She could think of no other reason Colin wouldn't have rung. But if someone was after Colin, what could it be for?
"So now you know." Hector was speaking to her. "I thought you'd know why… why Jimmy had to die?"
She could see that he was about to break down again "He was a good kid, never hurt anyone …"
"I know that.' She said trying to calm him down. Somehow she had to change the subject. "Have you rung the police, maybe they can help?"
Hector laughed. "The police. The police can't help, they'll just take some pictures and get a statement, then 'file' it. "
"Becky," he continued, " Did they do anything for you? These days the only thing the police are good for are leads for underhanded two bits… like me!"
She looked at him eyes wild open. Surely not.
"Don't look so surprised. You think I do this for fun did you?"
"But surely… I wouldn't have…" Then she knew it, yesterday he had duped her. Some sort of scam for money.
She should've been angry, real angry, but somehow she couldn't. He was here now wasn't he, obviously something had driven him to come to her… he couldn't be all bad.
"Anyway now I know you have nothing to do with this Becky I going to do something about it." The look in his eyes had changed, from bleary and red they look now as hard as steel.
"I'm going to find the men that killed that poor boy and teach them a lesson that they'll never forget." He continued.
"But they'll kill you Hector these are obviously real killers your dealing with".
"What do you care? And who know I might find your husband after all!"
"I care enough to not want to see you end up dead, you may be a bastard but you seem nice enough on the inside.
Just then Hectors Cell phone rang, both of them jumped at the sound that rung out, so used to the silence of night.
Hector reached into his top pocket of his coat, which lay across the chair next to him. Lifting it to him ear he looked at Becky. If only you knew he thought, if only you knew.
X X X X X X X X X X X
"That's right Colin I was there that night on the bridge."
Dr Curtis looked at Colin trying to decipher some reaction from him. Finally Colin seemed to understand.
"You were there that night. But surely that was all a dream I once had?" As he realised that he was now entering a world much deeper and darker than he had ever suspected, Colins eyes began to dart around, looking for some sort of exit. The Doctor noticed this and moved to calm him down.
"Relax Colin it's safe with us here."
As if that sentence was some sort of omen an explosion rocked the ship, making the room sway as it reverberated through the hull.
"What the Hell…" Miles was cut off by another explosion, much smaller this time. Colin felt as if he was going to be sick again. Around him only Suva, the large Fijian seemed to be reacting at all, the other too stunned to even try and regain their feet.
Suva threw open the door to the cabin peering out into the much dark corridor.
"Looks like we got company, Man" he yelled with a deep accent.
Miles seemed to recover quicker than the rest, and moving to Suva's shoulder yelled at the rest of the men in the room.
"Come on, move your arses!"
That spurred them into action. Curtis grabbing Colin as he tried to stand. Kerry, the youth that had been sitting in the corner leaping up and retreving something black and large from beneath his chair.
"Come on guys," Miles yelled, " If this is who we think it is we ain't got time to dally."
All at the door now Miles pushed the Doctor and Colin ahead of him down the corridor. Kerry followed closely with Suva taking up the rear of the strange line.
"What's happening?" Colin gasped as he ran down the corridor close behind the Doctor. If anyone heard him they weren't answering. The corridor itself was narrow, barely large enough for two men to walk side by side, therefore running down it at break neck speed wasn't easy. Colin banged his elbows, shins and knees on the metal frames of the ship and he continued to follow Curtis' lead, and at one point tripped and would have fallen flat on his face if someone, Miles presumably hadn't grabbed him. He barely had time to say thanks before he was again running to catch the Doctor.
Ahead of him Curtis dashed through a side door, beckoning Colin to follow. The room he entered was obviously some sort of dinning area, a large table surrounded by half a dozen chairs. Behind him the rest of the rag tagged crew entered the room, the last of them, Suva, glancing over his shoulder to see if they had been followed.
"Not yet!" He said to no one in particular.
Miles answered. " No, but soon…" He looked at Colin "You must be really important for them to attack in broad daylight."
"Geez thanks." Colin answered sarcastically.
"Maybe we should give him to them?" The voice came from behind him, the kid Kerry.
"You what?.." Colin started, but Miles cut him off.
"He ain't going anywhere, besides we got two of them here." Miles pointed to both Colin and the Doctor. " We don't know what the hell would happen if these bastards got them both!"
Colin was getting angry." Look we aren't commodities you know!"
"I know," answered Miles, "but to them out there you are threat that they will stop at nothing to have."
Colin looked back at him oddly "What does that mean?"
"Never mind, if we stay here like this were all dead!"
Miles pointed to the boy and the Doctor. "Look after him, he's the key. Give Suva and me a few minutes to distract them and then meet us at the Old Star… Oh, and be safe" He winked at Colin
Both Kerry and Doctor nodded, while Colin just stared at them all, mouth agape. What the hell is going on here he thought.
Suva and Miles turned and left the room. No sooner had they both vanished from sight than a audible slap was heard, as if someone, or something had clapped it's hands.
Colin turn and asked Curtis what the hell was happening and who was after him… well he would have if any sound would've come out of his throat. There was a moment of shock, and he raised is fingers to his lips. Yes they were still moving, it was just that no sound was coming out. He looked at the Doctor, who in turn seemed to be mouthing something back.
"… worry about it." All of a sudden he could hear the man talking to him.
"What?" he said, again he could hear himself and it seemed mighty loud.
Curtis motion for him to keep his voice down and the whispered to him. "I said don't worry about it, Miles can do that."
"Do what?" He asked quieter this time.
"It's hard to explain". The Doctor answered.
Kerry Graham came closer to them. "Miles is a Sorcerer." He said matter-of-factly.
Colin almost burst out laughing. "What like Merlin… or more like David Copperfield?"
It was Curtis who answered. "Not at all, you see Miles has the ability of open a window to other worlds".
Colin just nodded, not for the first time today dumbstruck, but, he thought, after very thing else he's heard this all makes prefect sense.
"What you've just seen is Miles allowing a bit of another dimension into our own. A world where there is nothing but silence."
"Okay… now comes the silly question why?"
"The weapons these creatures use are based on sound". Said Curtis, answering him as if it all made prefect sense. "The silence extends only so far, that's why we can speak now, and can no longer hear any of the fighting that must surely be taking place."
Colin thought for a second. This is getting weirder and weirder by the second. He was afraid to ask what the 'creatures' were that Curtis had mentioned.
There was a pregnant pause, Colin wondering where the conversation would go next, both Kerry and the Doctor listening for any sign of what was happening outside their room.
Colin looked around, and noticing a large window, realised that he still didn't know where he was. Outside were a lot of boats most of which being larger than pleasure craft but smaller than container ships, the majority of which where docked at various points outside. While the exact location didn't spring to mind it was obvious that he was in some sort of harbour, his harbour if he was no mistaken. Ah, he thought, at least I'm still on earth I suppose.
"Time to go." It was the Doctor.
Colin shrugged his shoulders. "Why not?"
Kerry lead the way looking careful through the doorway before proceeding. Colin followed then the Doctor. Colin himself was soon lost, each corridor looking the same to him, he was thankful that Kerry knew his way about.
At last they seemed to be getting somewhere, and ahead of him the youth took a sharp right, seconds later Colin also turned the corner… but the boy wasn't there. He couldn't have just disappeared. The air here was hot and smelly, a breeze seemed to be at his neck.
"Behind…" there was a cry from behind him.
Colin turned to see… nothing but stars and light. The crack of his skull sounded distant. He felt is knees give way and his body drop to the ground.
No again, he thought, all this can't be good for my brain.
X X X X X X X X X X X X
Hector listened to the receiver half expecting to hear the harsh rasping voice that had told him his friend and partner was about to die because of him.
"Hector? Is that you?" I was a mans voice.
He exhaled, realising only now that he had been holding his breath.
"Yeah." He answered hoping to sound to relieved.
"Sargent Gonzales, down at the precinct… you said that if I heard anything about the Harris case that I should get in touch…" The man paused for a second "Sorry to disturb you at this hour of the morning but you said it'd be worth my while."
"Yep… it will." Especially if I catch those bastards, he thought. "I was awake anyway, why what you go?"
"Well you remember that Harris was in a car crash a week or so ago? Well it seems the guy that hit him was already dead!"
"What?"
"You heard me already dead, now I don't know about you but that gives me the creeps. He can't have been dead already… could he?" He sounded as if though Hector knew more than he was letting on.
"I don't know Gonzales your telling the story".
"Yeah I am, anyway the only lead we got on this stiff is that he used to live and work down at the old Blade Mill, some sort of on site security guard… you know the place, on the corner of West and Parish." The copper wetted his lips. "One of the new boys said maybe we should go check it out, but we ain't got enough men on the beat for the important stuff, let alone every Tom, Dick and John Doe that ends up on our doorstep. Well not to the morning anyhow." Hector got the mans drift. "Anyways I just thought you may want to know that's all… every little bit helps.'
Hector couldn't help but think that Gonzales had a double meaning in that statement. "Yeah your get something really nice for your birthday for this one" Real nice if it went the way he wanted it to.
Hector flipped the cell phone up, disconnecting the call. He looked at Becky and smiled.
"Well thanks for the Coffee and listening to an old drunkard get something off my chest, but I got to go, okay?"
"What?" Becky was astonished at the mans sudden change of heart, not a hour ago he was a mess, crying on her shoulder, and now she was meant to believe that he was fine?
"I better get going.' He said slipping on his coat.
"Oh no your not, that call was about the killers wasn't it?"
"No not at all." He said getting a little frantic not to arouse her interest.
"Yes it was I can tell… and that means it had something to do with Colin as well didn't it?" Her eyes pierced his, like she was trying to read his mind.
"Goddamn it Becky leave this one alone okay! It's for the best"
"What's for the best is if I find Colin and bring him home to his family, the ones that love and care for him. I'm not letting you leave until you tell me what that phone call was about!'
Hector looked at her, and then realised how serious she was. He shook his head and flopped back down on the couch.
"Alright woman you win, yes it was about Colin."
He quickly explained that they had identified the corpse of the man driving the other car, when Colins original accident had occurred, leaving out that he was already dead by the time the crash took place. He also failed to mention that he had got the information on the sly and was paying good cash for it, instead saying that the police had asked if he would check it out, saving them some time.
Becky didn't seem to care why anyway. "Well I'm along too then." She said.
"Over my dead body you are, it could be dangerous, this ain't going to be a Sunday walk in the park, there could be killers there!"
"Or Colin could be there." She replied. "Regardless I'm coming along."
"No…" But he didn't to finish.
"Look I'll stay in the car?" She offered
"Oh hell alright, but your staying in the Goddamn car, this ain't no two bit fiction book here lass, this is real life." What did he care anyway, once the shooting started she'd get out of the way.
"Give me a sec…" Becky said as she started up the stairs. "I'll meet you in the car"
Hector made his way out side. What the hell have I got myself into, he thought.
X X X X X X X X X X X X
The images inside Colins head swirled… memories of his childhood, his first love, the day his oldest girl was born.
Then it focused on that night. The Saucer and the light, being taken up inside and on the table the being… creature coming closer to him. The pain of the probe in his ear. Then he remembered the creature whispering to him and from somewhere inside his brain there came an answer. Not a voice, not his voice at all, but a sound like willows in the breeze…
Relisation dawned on him in his dream they hadn't examined him at all, no, they had put some thing inside him. And that something had talked back!
He felt his mind blur at the thought and suddenly shafts of red light pressed against his brain. It took him a moment to realise that he was looking at the inside of his eyes, the lids pressure shut tight to keep out the light.With a will power he never knew he possessed he opened his eyes ever so slowly looking at his surroundings
He looked around him, finding that he lacked any sort of movement and knowing instantly that he was somehow strapped down on a bench or table.
I'm getting to use to this he thought through a pounding head. It felt as if the back of his skull had been caved in by some blunt object, he could image the size of the lump.
"Colin… Colin is that you?" There was a voice near to him. Turning his head with the greatest of efforts he saw Doctor Curtis in obviously the same position he must be in.
Strapped down by the wrist and ankles a larger third strap held down his abodmen. Near the top of the bench was some a sort of trap or snare, looking as thought once in use someone could move the captives head without them struggling. It looked also as if the Doctor hadn't been so lucky, his scalp was covered in dried blood and his spectacles lay damaged across the bridge of his nose.
"I'm alright" Curtis whispered, sounding not alright at all, he had obviously noticed the concerned look Colin had gave him.
"It looks as if Kerry faired worse I'm afraid." The doctor motioned with his head to the corner.
Colin followed the look to see lying body broken and limp what had once been young Kerry Graham. He grimaced at the body, praying silently that he wouldn't end up the same way.
Looking back at Curtis Colin shook his head at it all.
"They put something in my brain didn't they." He asked already knowing the answer.
"Yes they did Colin, that night on the bridge they put something in all of our brains, all those that survived that is."
"What? The others died?"
"If they weren't before they are now I fear. My colleague that night Fraser, he may still be alive but they will soon find him as well. But yes they are all dead. The Newports died that night, we guess, either in the crash, or soon after. Only their daughter survived and yet she took her own life years ago. And as for the Patrolman, Johnstone, well he was the one that alerted us to your presence."
"How?" This was getting so weird that Colin was sure it must be a dream, or hoped it was one anyway. "More importantly Why? Tell me why this has happened?"
"Well Colin from what Miles and I have surmised we were abducted that night by a group of 'Aliens', for the lack of a better word. It seems that these aliens are, or were involved in a great war that spanned many dimensions."
"Like the ones Miles can tap into?"
"Yes, places like that. From what we can understand the aliens that abducted us were but minions of a greater alien, it was this greater being that was losing the war against another such of his kind. It seems that fearing for himself, or his race, he sort to abducted a few insignificant human to be used as vessels for his knowledge, or many be even his soul…"
"And those vessels are us?" A chill shuddered down Colin's spine.
"I believe so… Unfortunately for us it looks as if the war was going worse for it than the being expected, and so it possessed the closest minds it could… ours. We each had a cap of information inserted in our brains. Although what is truly hold I don't know"
"I got to ask how come you know so much? Surely Cambridge doesn't teach Aliens Gods 101…"
"I broke my cap, somehow the information inside revealed to me much of that night and what the aliens had in store for Earth. Be thankful you'll never know."
"Oh I am. Trust me on that."
"You don't know how lucky you are. The cap also link us somehow, I could sort of sense when something is wrong with a cap, or another capped victim is near. So far you are only one that we were able to save. I sorry you're here."
"Oh man I really hope this is a dream." This was all way too much for Colin. "So why are we here, you think this 'Being' wants its information back?"
"No unfortunately, we think that the aliens and their master have all been destroyed by their enemy. We believe that the creatures that have us now are servants of that Dark Lord and are now cleaning up the mess the aliens left behind. Nothing noble in it I'm afraid we are just the leftovers of a war we never knew existed."
Colin was scared now. "So we are going to die because one powerful bastard hated another powerful bastard in a world we've never seen?"
"Looks that way."
"Talk about depressing. You think that these creatures might just take the caps and let us go?"
As if on queue the door to the chamber opened and three figures entered the room, each dressed in head to toe cloaks.
Curtis smiled at Colin. "Well here's your chance to ask them."
X X X X X X X X X X X X
The car pulled up outside the Blade Mill. From over here in the car park both Hector and Becky could see that something was going on inside. Every few seconds bright lights flashed brightly illuminating the windows.
Hector reached into the back grabbing, from beneath the seat, a shotgun. Checking it was loaded he opened the car door.
He glanced at Becky, who just smiled back.
"Remember your to stay here no matter what, okay. If I'm not back in 20 minutes ring the cops." He flung her his cell phone. "Until then hang tight, you'll be safe here."
"Of course I will." Smiling back weakly.
Hector slammed the door shut, and breathing deeply a few times he walked slowly towards the to large doors in the side to the building. At least it was getting closer to dawn, he thought, as the sun of a new day reached its lazy fingers over the land.
Back in the car, Becky began to think that coming along had been a bad idea. It was obvious that Hector had come to spill some blood, and yet she had still insisted that she'd tag along.
"At least I've got this." She whispered, reaching into his bag and withdrawing a small P framed pistol. Let them try to take her.
X X X X X X X X X X X X
Whatever Hector had expected to find, it sure as hell wasn't this.
He had pulled the doors open and peered into the darkness. All of a sudden the bright light had flashed showing him as clear as day the scene inside the Mill.
The first thing he noticed was the three cloaked figures that huddled around one of two large tables. One of the figures had a large rod in his hand, which seemed to be the source of the light. This light intensified as the figure placed the end of the rod on the shape that lay on the table in front of it.
The sight of shocking, the shape was, or had been a man. Now all that remained was the shell of one. The corpse's eyes bulged from its sockets, and its hair stood on end. What these people were doing was worse than criminal.
On the second table something moved, there was obviously another person strapped down on it.
"For Christ Sake help me!" the voice, that of a man, pleaded.
Hector was pissed, what sort of screwed up hit men were these guys?
"Right nobody move… hands up and I don't start blasting." He yelled at the three figures.
But they didn't seem to want to listen. Scattering to the left and right they figures turned to attack Hector.
"Damn." He whispered under his breath, and pulled the trigger of the shotgun. He allowed himself a rye smile as the central figure crumpled to the ground as the buckshot hit, the rod from its hands knocked across the room.
Looking up from his target he realised in his haste that the other two figures had disappeared. Scanning around he could no sign of them.
Hector took a few nervous steps forward, and then a few more. No being able to see any other threats he advanced to ensure that crumpled figure on the ground was truly down. As he got closer the man on the table started to call. Hector tried to hush him, raising a finger to his lips. But to no avail. He looked at the man worried that he would give away his position. And there was a look of terror in his eyes.
"NOOOOOOOO!" The man on the table screamed.
Hector knew he was done for, somehow one of the other hit men had got behind him. Even as he turned he knew it was futile.
X X X X X X X X X X X X
Becky heard the scream and gasped. Hector was gone.
Then it dawned on her, that wasn't Hectors voice. No, it was Colins!
X X X X X X X X X X X X
Perhaps it was the look of horror on Hectors face that stopped the creature from killing him outright. For a creature it was. Having pushed back the coat from around its face it exposed what could only be described as a horribly disfigured man. Its face was black, as if it had been burnt, and small tusks grew out of his cheeks. The creature looked at Hector and sneered. It's teeth sharp and milky white.
Advancing on him slowly it reached into its pocket retrieving a small box, no bigger than a mouse. Hector backed way, passing by the man on the table.
"Run for it man why you still have a chance," he said.
The creature, hearing the man on the table speak, looked down on him snarling like some wild animal as it did so.
Behind it two noisy cracks came, and Hector felt a breeze rush past his throat. A split second later the creature shuddered as something hit it from behind. Feeling the pain it turned to face the new threat.
That was all the invitation Hector need. Raising the shotgun to eye level he pulling the trigger, emptying the second barrel into the back of the creature. Even as the full blast of the buckshot crushed it's spine it still stood for a second longer, before crashing to the ground.
Looking up from the corpse he saw Becky in the doorway, a small pistol in hand, shaking as if wet from a winter rainstorm.
"Easy." He said. " There's still another one on these… things in here."
"Not anymore." Came a voice from beside Becky.
"Miles…" said the man strapped on the table.
Hector shook his head. Looking down on the man he said. "And by the looks of it you are… Colin Harris if I'm not mistaken."
And Colin just smiled. |
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Demonground Files | Narratives of Horror | Dark Perils | Other Domains | SPECIAL PROJECTS Dateline Earth | Index |
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Marcus D. Bone 2000 All Rights Reserved
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