Reapers Mist: Third in the Reaper Trilogy by Justin Gowland (7 page)

              There were three doors off this landing. I moved to the nearest and tried the handle. It turned, but when I pushed it wouldn’t open. Moving slowly toward the next door down I stopped to listen; I couldn’t hear any noise at all. This door was open a faction. Using my foot I pushed it open and stepped inside. My rifle was pulled into the room and I went tumbling to the floor. As I fell forward I let go of it and rolled across the floor. As I went I grasped my pistol from its holster. Landing, hitting my back off the wall it was then I saw what had grabbed my rifle. A large male Reaper was stood hissing at me bent at the knees about to leap.

              As quickly as I could and because I knew that I wouldn’t get a second chance. I fired two rounds. The first hit the Reaper in the lower stomach. As it bent forward the second hit it in the forehead. Its head seemed to follow the bullet as it caved the Reapers skull into the brain cavity. The black blood bubbled out of the stomach wound to splatter the floor. The Reaper seemed to fall in on itself as it slumped to the floor. The whole of thing seemed to only last seconds.

              Rees burst into the room with his rifle up. And I pushed myself up into a sitting position. (And bloody shaking like a baby.)

              “You ok?” He asked.

              I just nodded and said “Can you do me a favor and check the other room. I don’t think I can move just yet.”

              “Yeah, be right back.” With that said he went to check the other room.

              I was breathing hard as I stood up. Looking at what was left of the Reaper. It frightened me the way it tossed me across the room. The strength in those arms must be something serious. Not looking back, I walked out of the room. Across the hallway Rees came out the last room.

              “There’s nothing left in here mate.” Rees said.

              “Good let’s get back to the cars.” I said.

Chapter Seven

              Rees took the lead again and we started down the stairs and out the house. I headed back to the Juke. Maddie and Jacob climbed out of the Land Rover over. Standing beside the passenger side I waited for Maddie to open the doors. She clicked the remote and the doors opened. I got in and sat with my chin on my chest.

              “Jay! Are you ok sweetheart?” Maddie asked.

              I looked over at her and said “Yeah, fine.”

              “We thought that we heard someone shooting.” Jacob said.

              “There was a Reaper I had to shoot.”

              “Reaper!” Maddie said, her eyes getting wide.

              “Don’t worry babe it was just one. It had nearly got the jump on me but I am ok.” I said.

              “What!” Maddie nearly screamed.

              I told them what happened. Then pointed out to Maddie that the Land Rover had started to pull away she started the engine and glared at me as she pulled away. (Yeah, I was going to get it later.)

              We pulled away following the Land Rover to the marina. The streets had cars on both side and very few in the actual road itself. What did concern me was the amount of them with doors open. Bloody drag marks on the road and pavement, attested to the occupants being dragged from them. Some doors of the houses were just swinging on open hinges. Only a few of those had anything that looked like any form of violence. Coming out of a street the marina appeared. Even before we got close to the fence I could see the masts of a few sailing boats. What I hoped for as we pulled up was to see at least two pleasure boats.

              Our luck today must have been granted by the gods. Because instead of one or two of them, there were six of them I smiled; it might have been the first time since we left the house with the Reaper.

              Jacob spoke up, “Well, I think we might be able to get at least one working.”

              “Hope so.” Was all Maddie said.

              We all climbed out of the vehicles and stood looking at the marina. This was when we split the group.

              “Ok, Rees get your group sorted and head for that farm.” I said.

              “You sure this is a good idea splitting us up?” Becky asked.

              “We need Jacob and Maddie to get the boat to the island. They are going to need security till they get going. Your group needs to get the fuel. Plus, we have the time limit of the tide and being able to get over the causeway. The only way to get both tasks done is to split up.” I said.

              “But do we need you to hang around here and support us coming back through?” She asked.

              I pinched the bridge of my nose, closed my eyes and said “Rees tell her please.”

              “Becky, I have seen at least ten, maybe twenty Reapers in the alleys and a few empty houses. I am sure Walker has seen them as well!” I just nodded, “Walker will help by hiding out somewhere on our route back and provide support. Also, he can distract a few of them from following us as we leave.” He finished.

              “It’s just going to be so dangerous.” Maddie said looking quite stressed.

              “I’ll be ok. I can be in place long before Rees and them head back through.I should be able to get round the Reapers if I am careful.” I said.

              “But if your not you’ll be killed.” She said.

              “Maddie, I’ll be careful I promise.” I said.

Looking at everyone I said, “Let’s get this over with guys. I think we are being watched and I want this done as quick as possible. Rees, Becky, Marc get moving. Remember, I have the other radio so let me know when you hit that road.”

Rees nodded and they all left to get into the Land Rover. I walked to the gate of the marina. It was quite high, but to be honest the Reapers might be able to jump it. Pulling it open Maddie and Jacob passed through. I turned to see the rear lights of the Land Rover as they rounded a corner and out of view. Backing through the open gate I closed it as I got on the other side. Looking around for something to secure it I saw an old rusty chain lying on the ramp leading to the docks.

I picked it up and passed it through the gate bars and around a post on the fence. Looping it round a few times and leaving it so the loose ends hung on my side. When I had finished I walked down the ramp to the floating docks. I could see Maddie and Jacob climbing onto the first pleasure boat. They disappeared into the large cabin on the boat. And a few minutes later Maddies hair appeared at the bridge rail and move forward.  Standing on the dock I waited and kept a lookout. I was hoping to hear a cough and start of an engine. Nothing and after a few more minutes Jacob and then Maddie jumped onto the dock.

I think Maddie could see the question on my face because she said “No keys we looked all over the boat but couldn’t find any.”

“Ok is there anywhere that might have them?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” Was the answer she gave.

I looked at Jacob and he just shrugged his shoulders. I think he was scared to speak. There might have been Reapers nearby and that could have been scaring him.

“Right we’ll check one more and if it’s the same I’ll go looking for where they might be kept.” I said, turning toward the next pleasure boat.

As well got closer, what I had thought was a puddle, was a large pool of dried blood. There were drag marks that went to the boat and over the rail.  I held out my hand and motioned that Maddie and Jacob to stay there. I walked up to the boat and carefully stepped on board.

Another pool of dried blood was on the deck near the rail. Slowly walking into the cabin I scanned the room with my rifle up. It was one of those pleasure boats I had seen in American TV shows. A bar on one side with couch’s and seats scattered around. Taking my time I checked behind the couches and the bar. Not a drop of blood anywhere. I found it strange considering the bloody drag marks came from this boat. Walking toward the front of the boat I came to some steps leading into the dark bowels of the boat. Slowly taking my time I stepped into the darkness. I came to the bottom of the steps and a small corridor went off to either side.

There were three doors on either side. Turning to the left there was a door opposite each other with the third door facing me. Edging to the door on the right I leaned forward and listened at the door. Not hearing anything I lifted the rifle with one hand and reached for the door handle. Turning it slowly I stepped inside the small cabin. It was big enough for a double bed that had been built into the side of the boat. A small wardrobe occupied the corner behind the door. There was no sign of any blood or struggle. This boat was starting to get stranger by the second.

Leaving the cabin I went to the door opposite and tried the handle. It was unlocked. Slowly pushing the door, I stepped inside. It was a small bathroom with a corner shower, basin and toilet. All clean like the boat had just come from the builders.

That left four doors. (And my pulse wasn’t a slow, steady pulse; it was racing like a fucking greyhound.) Turning to the last door on this side of the corridor I listened for any kind of sound, but got nothing. I put my hand on the door handle and turned it.

The door opened outward toward me. (How the fuck did I miss that.) A body fell into me and sent me sprawling on the floor. I squirmed about with the body lying on top. Its head was flopping around and I got head butted twice. Until I managed to worm from underneath Looking down I could see it was a fair headed man dressed in a white button down shirt and chino trousers with boat shoes. (A fucking yuppie sailor if I had ever seen one.)

The reason for his death was kind of self explanatory. He had taken the ship’s flare gun and shot himself in the mouth with it. His face was burnt and ruined mess of cooked flesh. His eyes must have burst due to the heat and what remained of one eye hung from its socket.The other had stayed in its socket. The flaps of the eye that were left just hanging and they moved with the slightest tremor in the floor. His nose had burnt and melted into the cavity behind it. The fat from behind the skin had melted and leaked from the cracks of the burnt skin.

I looked away and saw that he had been hiding a cupboard for mops and other cleaning materials.

Turning in the other direction I headed to the other doors. The door on the left opened into a cabin the same size and layout to its opposite number. Closing the door behind me I walked across the corridor and tried the door handle.  Trying the handle, the door opened into a large dark space. All I could smell was oil and fuel it seemed to drift out of the darkness. That must be the engine room. I closed the door and moved to the other door. Pulling it toward myself, it opened out onto a small walkway that went down the side of the boat. I closed the door and walked back up the steps to the cabin above. In my mind was the constant thought of where had the body the blood belonged to gone? I walked out onto the deck and waved for Maddie and Jacob to get on board.

“Did you find anything?” Jacob said as he climbed on board.

“Not really, I think the owner is downstairs didn’t check him for the keys. If you don’t mind Jacob can you do that?” I replied.

“Yeah, sure!” and he pushed past to go into the cabin.

Maddie was swinging her leg over the side when I heard the keening sound of the Reapers hunting something.

“Shit, Maddie I need you to check up on the bridge or whatever it’s called.” I said, looking at the fencing around the marina.

She nodded and went up the ladder at the back of cabin. Jacob came back outside rubbing one hand at a time on his trousers. But I could see a key ring held in his hands.

“Think this is the key to the boat.” He said holding a silver key.

“That’s great mate can you go and help Maddie. I think we have some company coming.” I said, watching the shore I saw gray bodies streak from behind a car and went behind another vehicle. I was certain that I might have a fight on my hands. I was too busy watching for the Reapers that I missed Jacob heading up the ladder. I lifted my scope and scanned the shore. Yeah, there were about eight to ten Reapers hidden behind various cars.

A few seconds later I heard Maddie call over the side “Jay we have the right key. Also have about three quarters of a tank in fuel.”

“Oh….what? That’s great!” I said, looking through my scope.

“Jay, are you even listening to me?” She snapped.

Taking my eye away from the scope I looked up at her and said “Of course I’m listening.”

“Ok, Mr Smartarse. What did I say?” She asked.

I smiled and said “You said you had the key and there is about three quarters of a tank.”

“Right, dickwad!” she said smiling.

I gave her a low bow then jumped over the side on to the dock.

“Get this going and I’ll get the lines. When you get out of the marina turn left and head up the coast. And Maddie, my love can you please try not to crash it.” I said laughing.

The engine burst into life and the keening of the Reapers hit the highest note I have ever heard. I got the lines and the boat pulled away from the dock. As they pulled away I had this ice ball appear in my stomach. This dread seemed to appear out of nowhere. I waved as the boat got close to the exit to the marina. Someone waved back at me, but they were far enough away that I couldn’t tell who.