The Fangs of Bloodhaven (18 page)

Chapter Eighteen

The next evening, Everett walked with the Bowers through the empty streets.

“It’s creepy out here,” Patricia said. She gripped her mother’s hand with both of her own as if afraid they would get separated.

“Are you sure the DRAK won’t come after us for being out after the curfew?” Mrs. Bowers asked, looking around worriedly.

“I’ve been out every night lately and I haven’t seen any sign of them,” Everett told her. “I’m beginning to think they have everyone so used to being in after dark, they don’t worry about it anymore.”

“Or there could be another reason for their absence,” Torrance pointed out. At his mother’s look, Torrance quickly said, “Or maybe Everett’s right. If everyone stays home, there’s no reason for the DRAK to patrol.” He was quiet a moment, then said, “I do think one of those cars would come in handy about now.”

“I always thought I’d look pretty in the passenger seat of a convertible,” Mrs. Bowers said.

Torrance stared at his mother in surprise.

“What?” she asked with a blush of embarrassment. “A woman’s allowed to dream, right?” She waved her free hand. “Imagine it, driving across the sunflower-strewn countryside, having picnics under trees, sitting next to a real stream.” She sighed. “A life without walls or curfews; it would be amazing.”

Everett paused near the tunnels. It was one of his favorite spots. With the skyscrapers behind them, it was easier to see the stars.

“We might not have the countryside, but you can have the night sky,” he said, gesturing for them to look up.

Patricia gasped. “There’s so many stars,” she said.

Mrs. Bowers gazed at the velvet expanse above them. “It’s been so long I’d forgotten how beautiful it is.”

“Sometimes the night isn’t so bad,” Everett said.

As if in reply to his words, a noise came from behind them. It sounded exactly like metal on glass, a spine-tingling screech that bounced off the walls of the alley it had come from and surrounded them.

Terror filled Torrance’s face. “It’s the creature that attacked me,” he said with certainty.

“You were attacked?” Mrs. Bowers repeated with frustration and fear in her voice. “You said you fell on a grate!”

Everett had planned to lead them through the streets instead of the direct route through the tunnels because it was better lit by the stars and moonlight, but with the dark creature at their heels, he knew their only choice was to get to the Mastersons as quickly as possible. In the back of his mind, he kept telling himself that his dad would know what to do. They just had to get home.

“Through the tunnels,” Everett said, his voice tight.

“But it’s dark,” Patricia protested. She looked between the sounds coming from the alley and the dark depths of the tunnel to their left. It was obvious neither choice appealed to the little girl.

“I’ve got you,” Torrance said. He knelt and his sister climbed onto his back as if they had done so more times than they could count. If the teenager was in any pain, he didn’t show it. “Come on,” he said. He ran for the tunnel with his mother close behind.

Everett kept between them and whatever followed. As soon as they hit the tunnels, the beast left its alley and followed. The sound of claws scraping on asphalt sent chills through Everett’s body. He couldn’t see it behind them in the poorly lit depths, but by the sound, the creature was gaining. He called directions to Torrance.

“Take the right branch!”

The creature drew closer.

“Now left,” Everett shouted.

Torrance ran as fast as he could. His mother held his arm, helping him when he stumbled. Everett kept close on their heels. He glanced over his shoulder. The sight of a huge dark form made his heart skip.

“Faster,” he urged.

Somehow, Torrance found the strength to run. They cleared the last tunnel and ran down the street toward Everett’s house. He could make out the forms of his family standing on the porch waiting to greet the Bowers. He didn’t dare look back. He could hear the creature behind him drawing closer. His mom and Celeste screamed. They weren’t going to make it. If the Bowers had any chance of reaching the safety of the house, he needed to do something.

Everett stopped. The thought of the dark creature reaching his friends and family remained foremost in his mind. He would protect them if it was the last thing he did.

The second he turned, the creature hit him like a battering ram. Everett slammed to the ground and held onto the beast. It rolled over him with the force of its momentum. All Everett saw was a whirl of darkness, black teeth closing inches from his throat, and claws that sunk deep into his shoulder as it fought to break free.

Everett let out a yell of pain. He channeled his strength and turned his body. The force threw the creature away from him. The instant it hit the ground, it spun and glared at him.

For the first time, Everett got a good look at the dark creature. The hair stood up on the back of his neck and his breath caught.

Its body was a mass of black bumps from the size of his fist to the size of his head as though its entire body was made of tumors. It looked in form like the bulldog from the book of pre-Ending War animals his mother had, but that was where all similarities ended.

The creature was the size of one of Torrance’s cars. Serrated rust-colored claws tipped each of its legs, and when it opened its mouth to give an ear-splitting roar, black fangs longer than his hand dripped drool. Huge black horns curled back on its head and spikes stood up along its spine. They rubbed together when it walked towards him, creating the metal on glass sound from the alley. It studied him and its glowing orange eyes narrowed.

“Everett, run!” Donavan shouted.

He could hear his mother sending his siblings inside, her voice high with panic. Donavan argued as though someone kept him from getting off the porch. Everett didn’t dare look back. He hoped the Bowers had made it. Although the house was just wood and glass, things the creature in front of him appeared able to tear apart with ease, the thought of home was one of safety Everett couldn’t put aside.

“You’re not going to hurt them,” he growled.

The dark creature looked at him. Its tattered ears flattened against its skull and it bared its teeth. Everett’s lips pulled back in a snarl. The creature clawed at the asphalt, slicing through the pavement in massive gouges before it charged. Each footstep sounded like a cannon to Everett’s ears. He was amazed that the windows of the houses around them didn’t shatter with the impact.

The creature’s mouth opened. Anticipation showed in its orange eyes. Two more steps and it would reach him. Everett had no weapon other than his strength. He forced his energy into the pit of his stomach. It roiled like fire with the need to protect his family. The creature reached out with huge claws, intent on disemboweling him. Everett dove forward and grabbed the paw.

He rolled to the left and drove his shoulder toward the ground. The force pulled the animal onto its side on top of him. It struggled to get free, but the way its paw was pinned beneath it made it difficult. Everett couldn’t pull in a breath with the creature’s weight on top of him. He felt his hold slipping.

“Bite it, Everett.”

The sound of his father’s voice pierced through Everett’s panic. He tried to understand what his dad was talking about.

“Everett, bite the animal, now!” Mr. Masterson shouted.

Everett could barely think past the darkness pressing in at the edges of his mind. His lungs screamed for air. His heart gave a strong beat, using up precious blood. His strength was rapidly failing. He had one chance.

Everett ducked his head and sunk his teeth into the creature’s massive forearm.

The second his fangs pierced the animal’s skin, its entire body stiffened. The creature gave a shriek of pain that made Everett’s ears ring. It rolled to the side, freeing Everett. He gasped for air and watched as the creature shook out of control; its limbs gave massive, seizure-like jerks. It stiffened completely and something seemed to run under its skin like a wave, flowing through its entire body. The animal’s eyes rolled back. It let out a gurgling sigh, then stopped moving completely.

“Everett!” his mother yelled.

The sound of her running footsteps made Everett lift his head. He realized he was lying on their neighbor’s lawn. His body shook as he tried to rise. His mother and father caught his arms before he could fall.

“Everett, are you okay?” Mrs. Masterson asked in a terrified voice.

“I-I think so,” he told her.

He glanced at his dad. Mr. Masterson was watching the dark creature.

“Look,” his dad whispered.

Everett shifted his gaze. There was something strange happening to the animal’s skin. It looked like it was falling apart, becoming tiny particles like sand. A small breeze tugged at Everett’s sleeve on its way past. When it reached the creature, the animal’s body disintegrated into a pile of dust far smaller than the creature had been.

Mrs. Masterson let out a little squeak of fear.

“It’s alright, honey,” her husband reassured her. “It’s dead.”

“H-how can you be sure?” she asked.

He turned both of them away without answering. “Let’s get inside,” he said quietly.

A few faces showed at the windows of the houses they passed, but no one in the Pentagrin dared to leave the safety of their homes after curfew. Alex had found that those in the Neighborhoods were even more suspicious of night activity. The chance of seeing a monster and confirming that they were real was more terrifying than leaving the streets to the unknown. The curtains shut, blocking out the night with the strength of an iron wall.

The Bowers watched their progress from the porch. Torrance hurried down the steps when they drew near.

“Rett, that was amazing!” he said. “I’ve never seen anything so brave.”

Everett shook his head. It hadn’t felt brave. It was the only decision he could have made. He had to keep the creature from getting to his family. Just the thought of it going after his parents or siblings was enough to send his heart pounding angrily within his chest. He became aware of the fact that his stomach hurt. He had used up too much blood fighting the creature. His organs were becoming compromised.

“I need blood,” he said quietly.

His dad opened the door to help him inside.

Everett shook his head. “I think I’ll wait out here.”

He felt as though they were exposed, vulnerable. The thought that there might be more dark creatures in the tunnels kept pressing against his mind. He had to make sure they were safe.

“Alright,” Mr. Masterson replied, his voice low. He helped his son sit on the porch swing. “Wait here. I’ll be back with your drink.”

“Shouldn’t he come in?” Everett’s mother asked, her voice tight with worry.

“Let him rest,” her husband said. His voice was firm on the matter; it was a tone he seldom used with his wife. “He’s where he needs to be. Let’s go inside.”

The Bowers followed Mr. Masterson in without question, and at his unwavering expression, his wife finally followed.

When everyone was gone, Everett let out a breath and leaned his elbows on his knees. He rested his head in his hands, burying the sight of the street from view. The small mound of ash on the neighbor’s lawn was all that remained of the life-or-death struggle. It felt so insignificant compared to what had happened. Exhaustion flooded through him. He could barely remain upright.

Everett didn’t look up at the sound of the screen door opening.

“Son, I’ve got your drink,” his father said.

The swing moved when he sat down beside Everett. The scent of blood made his mouth water. Everett’s entire body leaned toward it, needing the blood more than air at that moment. He used what was left of his strength to sit up. The impartial voice in the back of his mind noted that his father had put a pink straw in his usual cup. Celeste had never given him a straw. Perhaps seeing a vampire sucking blood through a straw felt a bit too ironic to her?

“Are you smiling?” Mr. Masterson asked in a level voice.

Everett accepted the cup with shaking hands. “I think humor is my mind’s way of keeping me from insanity,” he admitted quietly. As much as he hated how badly his body wanted the blood, and as gross as he had told little Patricia it was to drink it, he couldn’t deny how good the first sip tasted. He felt it flow through his body like heat, like water, like electricity. He drank deeply and the sensation of the blood washing through his system was better than any blanket or warm summer night. It was hope; it was his life.

“I wouldn’t blame you. That was insane,” Mr. Masterson said. “You did a good job.”

Silence settled over them as if his father knew how much Everett needed just to be at that moment. He had been nearly crushed to death beneath a creature from a place worse than his nightmares, it came from reality. Coming to terms with it wasn’t easy.

Everett drank the last few drops. He studied the way the remaining blood that coated the inside of the purple cup turned it nearly black. It took a lot more self-control than usual to keep from wiping his finger along the inside and licking it clean.