Untitled (10 page)

       
'It's wearing Sid's jumper,' a
nswered the larger part that had embraced the madness.

       "Not quite," the creature hissed at her.

       It stepped over the table, its legs bending backwards at the knees, the body twisted out of shape and the skin stretched taut over an abnormal muscle structure. It loped towards her and leaned in closely, its face almost touching hers. Blondie felt the drips of fresh blood falling onto her cheeks from its chin.

       "Aren't you a pretty one?" Saliva flowed over its lips as it spoke, reaching out with long fingers and stroking at her breast.

       "Fuck you," Blondie spat back, an ingrained survival instinct taking over.

       She still had the gun in her hand and she raised it under the creatures chin and pulled the trigger. Blondie was deafened by the retort of the weapon and felt it kick painfully against her arm. The creature was thrown backwards as half its head burst open in an eruption of black liquid and bone shards.

       She sat up and stared at the body, thick oil-like blood pouring from where the left hand side of its face should have been.

"Bastard," she whispered.

       "You shouldn't have done that," the creature replied, its empty eye socket twitching as it pushed itself upright.

       "It wasn't a very nice thing to do." Added another voice.

       Blondie scrambled towards the door on her bottom, using her feet to propel herself across the slippery floor. What had once been Norman stood up and looked over at her, winking at her with a torn eyelid. Blondie finally managed to scream, kicking as hard as she could and falling clear of the security cabin.

       "She will taste soooo good," sang the creatures in unison.

       Blondie could hear them moving and knew she had to do the same if she was going to live, not that she held out much hope, but at least she could run. She tried to stand and slipped, throwing out her arms too late. She hit the top step and her world turned upside down again and again as she tumbled down the stairs. Her head smashed against the railing and stars danced before her eyes, quickly cleared by the agonizing pop in her chest as a rib broke. And then the fall was over and she was laid on her back at the bottom looking up.

       The dead Norman had stepped out into the light and she watched in horror as the body mutated. His blood drenched trousers ripped open, the legs expanding and thick hair sprouting in tangled patches. His face twisted and deformed to, the bone audibly breaking and re-setting to accommodate the new visage.

"Hello Blondie," it snarled as exposed intestine took on a life of its own, snaking out of the vivisected abdomen and coiling around the already hardening shaft of its penis. "You're gonna take it this time."

       "There will be time for carnal pleasure later," snapped the Sid thing, pushing its way out of the door. "We need her for other purposes." It licked its lips with a pulsating tongue.

       Blondie grimaced, forcing herself to her feet and running, each step flaring the pain in her chest and head. Maybe death would be preferable to the suffering.

       
Don't think like that,

       "Ready or not, here we come." Blondie heard one the creature's laugh, unsure and uncaring of which one it was.

       She made it to the main structure of the church before they followed, happy to play her little game, eager to give her hope before they snatched it away. Emotion was a valuable source and they would cherish its taste.

       "Oh Jesus, oh Jesus," Blondie muttered between aching breaths, unwilling to look over her shoulder. Seeing them once was enough.

       She saw the heavy oak door up ahead and was filled with the hope of sanctuary, the iron cross on the door promising her safety. Her pace was slowing and she paused to cough, the simple action tearing at her chest and her mouth filled with blood.

       "Where are you?" The question echoed off the old walls and Blondie hobbled on.

She knew they were behind her, the sound of their footfalls against stone giving away their presence. She reached the door and they chuckled as she began to fumble with the key chain at her belt.

       "Do you really believe that God can keep you from us?" The voice was distorted, but she recognised it as Norman.

       Blondie found the key and slid it into the lock, turning it with a grinding of ancient lock mechanism.

       "Let her have her beliefs, soon she will see the true light," chuckled the Sid thing.

       Blondie swung the door open and almost fell into the room, slamming the door and locking it. She moved away and sat against the far wall of what she knew was once, so many years ago, the abbot's rectory. All she had to do was wait until the others arrived and she'd be safe.

       "Let me in." Norman's request was followed by a gentle knocking. "Or we'll huff and we'll puff." She heard them laugh on the side.

       "What are you?" Blondie scream.

       "Hungry," they replied and Blondie's bowel expelled its contents as the door was ripped from its hinges.

       Harrison arrived early the next morning and sat in his car waiting for the others to arrive. He'd had to make a few phone calls to arrange transport and Megan had sorted out a Park Ranger to meet them when they reached their destination. The very idea of a Park Ranger had made Harrison laugh, something he thought he was no longer capable of.

       Whilst he waited he paged through the note book searching for further clues of the madness he was chasing. What was he doing following up a strangers dream?

       
Maria's name in the book had to be a coincidence, didn't it?

       Harrison's instinct told him different and he'd learned over the years to listen to that nagging feeling no matter how crazy it seemed. He had questions and the Ministry (whatever it was) was going to answer them even if he had to beat it out of them.

       
But why take the girl called Megan along for the ride?

       For that one he didn't have an explanation, just a gut feeling that he should listen to what she had to say. If he was chasing a wild goose he may as well have someone from the zoo along with him. He knew he was going mad, but he didn't care. Something had happened to his children and he wouldn't rest until he knew what. He owed them that much. He may not have been the best father whilst they were alive, but he could make up for it now.

       
Too late.

       Harrison craned his neck and eyed the road leading to the car park and saw the approaching taxi. He tucked the notebook away and climbed out of the car. If nothing else having Megan come with him would give him some company. He felt alone in the world and any human contact was something he craved. Maybe he just needed a friend.

       His improvement in mood didn't last long. The taxi pulled up next to him and he saw that Megan had brought company.

       "Good morning Detective," Megan smiled as she climbed out of the back.

       "Call me Harrison," he stated.

       "Harrison," Peter greeted him.

       "You can call me Detective," Harrison almost growled.

       Megan looked over the top of the taxi and gave Harrison one of those 'I'm
sorry'
kind of looks and Harrison did his best '
don't worry about it'. Pe
ter looked at them both and shook his head, feeling like the third wheel at a unicycle convention. Not the best start to the day.

       "Come, on. I'll introduce you to our pilot and we can get off." Harrison took Megan's bag and started leading the way.

       "Hold on," coughed Peter. "Pilot?"

"Oh, didn't I tell you?" Megan said with a grin. "We're going via helicopter." She smiled in excitement.

       "Well, nobody mentioned flying to me," Peter moaned. "I though we were driving up."

       "You can always stay here," Harrison suggested, hoping that Peter would take the easy option.