Splintered: The Labyrinth, Book 3, page 27
Teddy snorted, staring at him with open derision.
“Is there a problem, Teddy?”
“The way you talk about the other Thirteen…you have no respect for any of them, do you?”
“On the contrary. I love my brothers. And I had a great deal of respect for Leviathan, Behemoth, Shtar, and a few more. But no, not all of them. Some of the others were…inconsequential.”
“Tell that to the people whose lives they’ve ruined. I reckon they wouldn’t find them so inconsequential.”
“Picture it like this, Teddy. God comes along and destroys your universe. Not just your planet, but the entire universe. You escape along with twelve other lifeforms from that universe. And sure, maybe a few of them are rocket scientists or Nobel Prize winners. But the rest of them are janitors, and a squirrel, and an alien bug, and some weird fucking unintelligent amoeba from a planet you never heard of. Would you respect the janitor, the squirrel, the bug, and the amoeba the same way you respected the scientists?”
“I used to work as a janitor,” the Exit said quietly.
“But the Siqqusim, the Elilum, and the Teraphim,” LeHorn countered. “They escaped the destruction with you and your brothers.”
“No.” Ob shook his head. “We created them later, the same as Leviathan, Behemoth, Meeble, Kat, and others created their own spawn. In the case of the Siqqusim, Elilum, and Teraphim, we made them in our own image as a memorial to the genocide of our kind.”
“How?”
“That’s a story for another time. Because again, time is what we don’t have right now.” He tapped Bloom’s wrist, indicating an imaginary watch. “Nelson. Exit. If one of you could access the Labyrinth for us, we’ll get started. But listen to me. Don’t open any doorways yet. Access the Labyrinth, but don’t open a door.”
“Why not?” LeHorn asked.
“Because the moment we leave this place, He Who Shall Not Be Named and the others will be able to track and find us. And believe me when I tell you that from this point on, we’ll constantly be on the run. There’s no more taking the fight to them. They’ll be bringing it to us. Wherever we go, they will follow. It would be nice to just stay here and enjoy some peace and quiet. Bloom’s body won’t rot on me while we’re here. We’ll have no need of food or water. We won’t age. But eventually all of reality would be destroyed around us and then we’d be found out anyway. So…the Labyrinth, if you please?”
LeHorn and the Exit frowned in concentration. After a few moments, the Labyrinth appeared before them, hazy at first, fading in and out, but then overlayed across the room and beyond it.
“There.” Ob pointed. “You see that purple color, outlining multiple doors and hallways? It’s just as I thought.”
“What is that?” LeHorn asked. “I’ve never seen it before.”
“That’s Frankie. The purple is her energy. That’s her current location.”
“But it’s on multiple doors, which means multiple levels. Is she at those places simultaneously?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. When she fell, He Who Shall Not Be Named was smashing reality itself. The walls and floors and doorways of that section of the Labyrinth? Those were entire realities, shattered in an instant. Frankie fell between those spaces. That means that right now, she is everywhere and nowhere at once. She’ll be blinking through level after level. The process is uncontrollable. She may spend two seconds in a place or two hours or two years. She’s falling through reality itself. Falling through time and space, over and over again. But eventually she’ll come to a landing. And we need to be there when she does.”
“Here’s the thing,” Tony said. “I know a bullshit artist when I hear one. You say this is what you suspected. But I don’t think you knew Frankie was alive for sure until just now. I think you fucking lied to us.”
“Maybe I did,” Ob admitted, “but does that really matter? Isn’t the important thing that she’s alive, after all?”
“Maybe we should gather Lucifer first,” the Exit suggested.
“After,” Ob replied. “I suspect you’ll have a far more difficult time convincing Frankie to work with me than you will the Morningstar. Plus, the fact that he hasn’t come seeking any of you suggests that perhaps he is preoccupied with something else. I suspect the war between Heaven and Hell may be about to kick off. I suppose he may be involved with that.”
“Lucifer couldn’t have found us in this place anyway,” LeHorn said, “even if he’d been trying.”
“No,” Ob agreed, “but he wasn’t looking before you were brought here. And we don’t see his energy, which means that he’s now hiding himself from the Thirteen, the same as we are. So…Frankie first, then the Morningstar. He can take care of himself until then. None of the remaining Thirteen would go up against him alone, save for He Who Shall Not Be Named. If we go after Frankie first, Lucifer may draw some of them off us for the time being.”
“So, you’re suggesting we leave him in harm’s way?” Teddy asked.
Ob shrugged. “As I said before, Teddy, from this point onward, it’s war.”
“It was war long before you fucking showed up,” Tony said.
“No. Those were just skirmishes. Now the real war begins. And on that note, who’s ready?”
One by one, they nodded.
“Good. Okay then.” He stepped forward toward the passageway. “Follow me, boys. Keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to war we go!”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Tony muttered.
“You should,” Ob replied. “You really should.”
They followed him into the Labyrinth.
TO BE CONTINUED IN
FALLING ANGELS: THE LABYRINTH, BOOK 4
APPENDIX
THE SEVEN
ANTHONY ‘TONY’ GENOVA: In addition to The Labyrinth Books 1 and 2, this version of Tony previously appeared in the short stories “Marriage Causes Cancer in Rats”, “Killer Is A Conscience”, and “Crazy for You” (the latter of which was co-written with author Mike Oliveri). Alternate reality versions of Tony have previously appeared in Clickers II, Clickers III, Clickers vs. Zombies (all co-written with author J.F. Gonzalez), and in the short stories “Running Free” and “The Siqqusim Who Stole Christmas”. He is also referenced in several other novels and short stories, including Kill Whitey.
THE EXIT: In addition to The Labyrinth Books 1 and 2, this version of The Exit previously appeared in the short stories “I Am An Exit”, “This Is Not An Exit”, and “Exit Strategies”. Alternate reality versions of him have appeared in the novel The Complex and in the short story “A Delayed Exit”. He is also referenced in numerous other novels and short stories, including Kill Whitey and Take the Long Way Home.
TEDDY GARNETT: In addition to The Labyrinth Books 1 and 2, this version of Teddy Garnett previously appeared in the novel Earthworm Gods (also published as The Conqueror Worms) and is referenced in Earthworm Gods II: Deluge. An alternate reality version of Teddy appeared in a novella also titled Earthworm Gods (for more on the history of the novella and the novel, and the differences between the two, see the more recent editions of the Earthworm Gods novel). Alternate reality versions of Teddy are also briefly referenced in the novels A Gathering of Crows and Entombed.
NELSON LEHORN: In addition to The Labyrinth Books 1 and 2, this version of Nelson LeHorn previously appeared in the novel Dark Hollow (also published as The Rutting Season) and the short story “Stone Tears”. He also had a cameo appearance in the novel Ghoul and is mentioned in the novel Ghost Walk and the short stories “The Ghosts of Monsters” and “Red Wood”. He also appears in the novel A Gathering of Crows, during Levi’s shortcut through the Labyrinth.
LUCIFER: Lucifer has appeared in The Labyrinth Books 1 and 2.
OB: In addition to The Labyrinth Books 1 and 2, Ob appears in the novels The Rising, City of the Dead, and Clickers vs. Zombies (co-written with J.F. Gonzalez), and in the short stories “The Resurrection and the Life”, “Waiting for Infinity”, and “The Siqqusim Who Stole Christmas”. Formerly a member of the Thirteen, he currently possesses the body of the now deceased Donald Bloom (a former member of The Seven, who died in Submerged: The Labyrinth, Book 2).
THE THIRTEEN (Appearing in this book)
NODENS (THE LIVING DARKNESS, HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED, ETC.): In addition to The Labyrinth Books 1 and 2, Nodens appears in the novels Darkness On the Edge of Town and Ghost Walk and is mentioned or referenced in several other novels and short stories.
PURTURABO: Purturabo previously appeared in the short story “Caught In A Mosh” and is referenced in other short stories and novels.
MEEBLE: Meeble has appeared in the novel King of the Bastards (co-written with author Steven L. Shrewsbury), the novella Tequila’s Sunrise, and the short stories “Deliver Us From Meeble” (co-written with author David Niall Wilson) and “The Testimony of the Sans People Concerning Meeble”. He is referenced in numerous other short stories and novels.
SLITHAXX (THE UNKNOWN): This is the first appearance of Slithaxx.
SUPPORTING CAST
HENRY GARRETT: In addition to Submerged: The Labyrinth Book 2, Henry Garrett previously appeared in the novel Earthworm Gods II: Deluge.
SARAH SNYDER: In addition to Submerged: The Labyrinth Book 2, this version of Sarah previously appeared in the novel Earthworm Gods (also published as The Conqueror Worms) and Earthworm Gods II: Deluge. An alternate reality version of Sarah appeared in a novella also titled Earthworm Gods (for more on the history of the novella and the novel, see the more recent editions of Earthworm Gods), and in the novella The Garden Where My Rain Grows.
CARL SEATON: Alternate reality versions of Carl appeared in the novel Earthworm Gods (also published as The Conqueror Worms) and in a novella also titled Earthworm Gods (for more on the history of the novella and the novel, see the more recent editions of Earthworm Gods).
EARL HARPER: Alternate reality versions of Earl Harper appeared in the novel Earthworm Gods (also published as The Conqueror Worms), Earthworm Gods II: Deluge, and in a novella also titled Earthworm Gods (for more on the history of the novella and the novel, see the more recent editions of Earthworm Gods).
ROSE GARNETT: Although alternate reality versions of Rose are mentioned in the novel Earthworm Gods (also published as The Conqueror Worms) and a novella also titled Earthworm Gods (for more on the history of the novella and the novel, see the more recent editions of Earthworm Gods), this is her first actual appearance.
MISCELLANEOUS
ALPINUS BIOFUTURES: This company is one of the antagonists in the novel Pressure and appears in various other short stories and novels. Their main competitor is the Globe Corporation.
GRAFFITI: The graffiti that the Cult of Slithaxx left all across reality, and that Tony and the Exit mention having encountered, has appeared throughout countless short stories and novels, including Kill Whitey and Earthworm Gods.
THE NEWS: The news broadcast inside Club Seven, regarding the dive team who disappeared in an old iron ore quarry in Pennsylvania, is a reference to the short story “Down Under”.
PROSPER C. JOHNSON: The reincarnation of the entity known most popularly as Jesus Christ, currently at work on Earth as one of the most popular rap artists of all time. He has previously appeared in the short stories “Greater Is He That Is In Me” and “Slouching In Bethlehem”. He is also referenced in countless other novels and short stories, including Take The Long Way Home, Clickers II, Darkness On The Edge Of Town, Terminal, and The Rising.
KING ROGAN: When Ob informs Tony that the only other human to destroy Meeble’s physical form was King Rogan, he is referring to events depicted in the novel King of the Bastards (co-written with author Steven L. Shrewsbury).
WHITEY PUTIN: The main antagonist of the novel Kill Whitey and referenced in other novels and short stories.
PURPLE PANDEMIC: Carl’s mention of the Purple Pandemic is a reference to the short story “Purple Reign”.
SAUL O’CONNOR: LeHorn’s former teacher, he appeared in the short story “The Burn Barrel” and is mentioned in the novels Dark Hollow and Ghost Walk.
DAEMONOLATERIA: The rarest of occult tomes, with no two alike as each one was compiled by an individual magus. It has been used and mentioned in the following short stories and novels: “The Burn Barrel”, “Caught In A Mosh”, “A Darker Shade of Winter”, “Babylon Falling”, “The Resurrection and The Life”, “Red Wood”, “An Appointment Kept”, “The Water Is Wide”, “Other Worlds Than These”, Earthworm Gods, Dark Hollow, Ghost Walk, White Fire, Ghoul, and City of the Dead.
THE CULT OF SLITHAXX: Sephera, Linda, and Tom are a playful nod to authors Sephera Giron, Linda Addison, and the departed and much-missed Tom Piccirilli. I dearly love all three of them, and in real life, none of them worship any of the Thirteen. Used with their permission. Miss you, Pic. You believed and encouraged the Labyrinth mythos from Day One, and I wish you were here to see it unfolding toward the climax.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BRIAN KEENE is the author of over fifty books and three-hundred short stories, mostly in the horror, crime, fantasy, and nonfiction genres. They have been translated into over a dozen different languages. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is credited with inspiring pop culture’s recurrent interest in zombies. He has also written for such media properties as Thor, Harley Quinn, Aliens, Doom Patrol, Justice League, Doctor Who, The X-Files, and Masters of the Universe. Several of his works have been adapted for film, including Ghoul, The Naughty List, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck.
His awards and honors include the 2014 World Horror Grandmaster Award, 2001 Bram Stoker Award for Nonfiction, 2003 Bram Stoker Award for First Novel, the 2016 Imadjinn Award for Best Fantasy Novel, the 2015 Imaginarium Film Festival Awards for Best Screenplay, Best Short Film Genre, and Best Short Film Overall, the 2004 Shocker Award for Book of the Year, and Honors from United States Army International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) 509th Logistics Fuels Flight.
From 2015 to 2020, he hosted the immensely popular The Horror Show with Brian Keene podcast. He also hosted (along with Christopher Golden) the long-running Defenders Dialogue podcast. Keene also serves on the Board of Directors for the Scares That Care 501c charity organization, and as a Trustee for the HWA (Horror Writers Association). He was the show-runner for Realm Media and Blackbox TV’s Silverwood: The Door.
The father of two sons and the stepfather to one daughter, Keene lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, author Mary SanGiovanni and several cats.
In 2024, he and Mary opened Vortex Books & Comics — an independent bookstore focusing on speculative fiction genres. It is located in Columbia, Pennsylvania.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Praise for Brian Keene
Also by Brian Keene
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Contents
Author’s Note
Half Title
Prologue
Part I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Part II
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Part III
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Untitled
Appendix
About the Author
Brian Keene, Splintered: The Labyrinth, Book 3
