Demon Town, page 35
Shifting the vehicle into drive, Manson pulled up to where the dead police officer lay in the ditch. He popped open the trunk and tossed the blood soaked jacket in it. Glancing around once more for any traffic going by, the demon reached down and picked up the dead police officer and placed the body in the trunk, as well. It was as he was doing this that a vehicle did drive by. Both the driver and passenger gave Manson a curious look, but the vehicle carried on down the highway and never stopped. The demon wasn’t worried even if they did go to the authorities. The host body that he was in possession of had served its purpose and it was time to move on. Manson would let this criminal lowlife take the blame for the murder of the police man and his other intended victims and then move on to another suitable host body. He shut the trunk and then drove the police car to the nearest approach, which lead into a nearby field. There was plenty of evergreen trees, so Manson drove the vehicle into them and plowed his way through as far as he could before the dense foliage brought it to a stop. The demon exited the police car and looked around once more to make sure that nobody else saw him. Satisfied, he marched back to the blue Mustang and hummed “It’s a wonderful life.”
That evening Bob Peterson had yet another meeting at his place. The demons congregated there once more to get an update from Charlie Russell on what he had discovered about the missing Olson’s. It had been two days now since anyone had heard anything from the two brothers. Everything had a gone according to plan a couple nights ago. They were able to lure MacIntosh and his cohorts out to the old barn, but apparently they proved to be too much for Dawg and Bear. By the time the demons got out to the old Sharp place, there was no sign of the two brothers. There had definitely been some sort of struggle, but the Olson’s were nowhere to be found. Their truck was there with the tires slashed and there was evidence of blood inside and outside the barn, but not near as much as what the demons had expected. Besides a shit load of duct tape that had been ripped and shredded, the demons couldn’t find any clues as to the whereabouts of the two.
Charlie reported that the two vehicles that had been in the barn the last time that he was out there were gone, as well. However, he wasn’t sure if that just happened or if the Olson brothers had disposed of them earlier like they were supposed to do. In any event, an extensive search of the old Sharp place turned up nothing. Officers were sent over to the Olson’s farm, but again they found no trace of Bear or Dawg. The house was unlocked and showed no evidence of foul play. They did find two German Shepherd dogs sitting on the back step, but the officers were very leery about checking out too much of the yard as the two dogs looked like mean bastards. The only thing that the officers did find that was worth noting was an old John Deere hat lying on the ground by the pigpen, but it could have been out there for years judging by its ragged appearance.
“Would they have run off?” Charlie Russell asked.
“And go where? I can’t see it.” Brian Jamison responded. “Didn’t they cut up the bodies of the biker’s and feed them to their pigs?”
“Yes, they did.” Jonathon Neale replied. “Why?”
Jamison shook his head. “It’s probably nothing. Why weren’t you watching the farm?” he asked Charlie.
“We did watch it, but the tiger or whatever it was showed up and my comrades here wanted nothing to do with it, so we left. Should I haul MacIntosh and his buddies in for questioning?” Charlie asked. “Tell them that we have witnesses who can place them there and see what happens?”
“Charging them for the murders could be tough to prove without bodies.” Jonathon Neale pointed out. “Besides, having a trial would draw more attention to our situation that we don’t need.”
“What do we do then?” Larry McGwire asked. The rest of the demons huddled around the dining table echoed his concern.
“First off,” a voice came from the next room, “grow a pair and deal with this already.”
The group jumped and turned in unison to see an individual wearing a long trench coat and military boots walk into the dining room. He was badly scarred on his face and neck, but would have looked just as menacing without the injuries. Manson. A few of the demons turned back towards Bob Peterson, but he was just as surprised as they were with their unexpected guest.
“The way I see it,” Manson continued, “is that your human lackeys are dead and gone. Perhaps your would-be angel did it or maybe it was payback from the biker’s. Whatever the case, you’re not going to see either of them again, so move on already.” Manson walked around the table and sat down in an empty chair beside Jonathon Neale. There was a stunned silence as they all stared at him. “Or, is this how you deal with things...by sitting around your fancy tables in your fancy houses and talking about your problems? I’ve got to say that I’m disgusted by the awful stench in here. I’m not sure if it’s cowardice or human weakness that wreaks the most in here. You’ve become as pathetic as the humans that we despise. You’ve become consumed by their greed and weakness. There are eight of you and you ask the humans and myself to do your dirty work for you against three individuals?”
“But, if the rogues detect our presence-” Sid Williams started, but was cut off.
“Then kill the rogue’s. Quit acting like cowards.”
The mood in the room had turned considerably darker. Manson might be a psychotic freak of nature, but what gave him the right to question what they had worked so hard for and strived to preserve?
“Why are you here?” Jonathon Neale asked Manson.
“I have some unfinished business with your young friends and luckily for you I’m not afraid of a fight.” There was a growing apprehension in the room as the demons wondered what Manson had in mind and how it was going to affect them and their plans.
“What are you planning to do?” Larry McGwire asked.
“Lead them to me.” Manson snarled. “Pick a quiet, secluded place so that I don’t draw the attention of the rogues for you. Can you handle that?”
Jonathon Neale turned the matter over in his mind. Perhaps this would work out for them after all. “MacIntosh is drawn to the girl. He rescued her from the Olson’s after they took her.”
“Good. I will make use of her.”
“The old Sharp place is quite secluded.” Larry McGwire offered.
“That’s the place where the Olson brothers disappeared?” Manson asked and the rest of the demons nodded. “I want a change of venue. Something that offers the element of surprise, if necessary. Some place they may not be so familiar with that won’t give them the upper hand.”
“What about the train trestle?” Jonathon Neale asked the group.
“Where’s this trestle?” Manson asked.
“About 15 miles west of town.” Jonathon answered and noted that a few of his fellow demons were nodding in agreement with him. “It crosses the Moose River in the valley there. It’s actually quite impressive really considering that it was built over 100 years ago. I believe it spans almost 3000 feet and stands almost 200 feet off the ground in the valley.”
“Thank you for the history lesson, professor.” Manson didn’t seem impressed. “Will it work for what I’m after?”
Jonathon bit his lip. “Yes, it’s secluded. Nobody lives near there for miles.”
“Good, someone can show me where it is.”
“How soon are you planning on this happening?”
“Tomorrow night.” Manson replied.
The demons didn’t know how to respond. This could be the perfect solution for their dilemma or it could go horribly wrong and create more problems for them.
“What else do you need from us?” Bob Peterson asked.
Manson shrugged. “The girl for sure. Is there another way to draw them out there if something happens to her?”
“What do you mean if something happens to her?”
A dark smile spread across Manson’s face. “These humans can be quite fragile. They have a way of dying when you least expect it.”
“MacIntosh’s uncle.” Larry McGwire stated. “He helped us lead them to you in Southby.”
“Good. Enlist his aid, as well.” Manson wanted no surprises this time.
“Is there anything else that you need from us?” Jonathon Neale asked. He was anxious to have Manson out of their midst. Sooner, rather than later.
“Yes, the two German Shepherds. Bring them to me. I have use for them, as well.”
The group nodded, but curious looks were exchanged with each other. Most animals, particularly dogs could sense the presence of the demons even in their human disguises. The two German Shepherds that the Olsons owned became particularly violent and agitated when they came in contact with the demons. What would Manson need with them?
Manson stood up and started walking towards the front entrance. “Take me to this trestle. I have much to do. Oh, before I forget...you have an officer down.” he said looking in Charlie’s direction. “Rather unfortunate accident, I’m afraid. Zigged when he should have zagged...you know how it goes. Probably about twenty miles west of town if you’re looking for him.” He stepped out into the night leaving the remaining demons eyeing each other nervously.
“You contacted him in the first place, Bob.” Jonathon Neale pointed at him. “You can take him out there.”
Bob slumped down in his chair, clearly not happy that he was playing tour guide to a psychopath. He stood up and made his way to where Manson waited outside.
“As for the rest of us,” Jonathon continued, “let’s move forward. If this works out, perhaps we can come out of this smelling like roses.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Sid Williams asked.
“Well, as the humans like to say, may God have mercy on our souls.” Jonathon said it as a joke in an attempt to lighten the mood, but none of the other remaining demons were laughing.
That night Mac tossed and turned in his sleep, troubled by a strange and disturbing dream. At the start he, Mikey and Milo were sitting in Quincy’s drinking and carrying on like they always did before everything with the demons started. They were all laughing and having a great time like everyone else in the bar around them and had just finished a round of drinks when Lisa arrived with another tray full for them. Milo was telling one of his stories again and even though it made no sense to Mac as Milo rambled on, everyone was smiling and laughing with him. Lisa then sat down and joined the 3M’s at the table despite how busy the bar was.
It was then that Mac noticed Lisa’s expression as she stared at something behind him. He turned to see Bear and Dawg standing at the back of the bar glaring in their direction. Upon closer examination, Mac noticed Jonathon Neale, Don Lawrence and Mayor Bob Peterson sitting at a table together. At another table Larry McGwire, Darrell Saunders, Sid Williams and Brian Jamison sat together. Standing off to one side was Charlie Russell and a couple of his officers. Unlike everyone else in the bar dancing and having the time of their lives, these individuals just stared with blank expressions on their faces at the 3M’s.
Mayor Bob Peterson broke his gaze from them and turned toward the Olson brothers and nodded. Bear and Dawg started to work their way through the crowd towards the 3M’s table. As they got closer, Mac could see that they were carrying guns, but nobody seemed to notice as they went by them. Mac glanced back at the prominent citizens of Paradise Flats and noticed that they were all smiling now in anticipation of what was about to happen. Their human features melted away and the demons sat in the midst of the bar crowd, but again no one noticed except for Mac. The demons all rose and fell into procession behind the Olson brothers, who now had their weapons raised and aimed at the 3M’s.
“Run!” Mac yelled and in the next instant he, Mikey and Milo were running for the door. Mac managed one quick look back as the Olson brothers began to fire at them. Again, nobody else in the crowd noticed anything out of the ordinary as the guns blasted away and the demons walked past. Once outside, Mac stopped and tried to use his powers, but nothing happened. Try as he might to hurl objects at the group pursuing them, he couldn’t find a way to make his powers work. Dawg and Bear were almost right on top of him and still shooting at them. Somehow, the bullets were missing him and Mac thought for a moment that maybe his powers were working after all.
He focused on the guns and tried to make them fly out of their hands, but they refused to budge. The Olson brothers were now mere feet away from him when Mikey grabbed Mac by the shoulder and pulled him away from their pursuers. Through the streets of Paradise Flats they ran for their lives. No matter how hard or how far they ran, every time that Mac looked back, the Olson’s and the demons stayed right with them even though they were just slowly walking along.
As they came around one corner, Tyson and his cronies stood there laughing and pointing at them as they ran by. At the end of the same block an old drifter stood by a street light watching the chase. As they got closer, Mac realized who it was. “Paul!” he yelled. “Help, they’re going to get us!” Mac looked back at the mob to see how close they were, but when he turned back towards Paul again, the angel had vanished.
The 3M’s ran around another corner and suddenly they were at Uncle Pete’s place. They ran into his house and into the living room where Uncle Pete was watching television.
“Uncle, you have to hide us.” Mac pleaded and the three of them ran into the furnace room and shut the door behind them. A moment later the handle turned and the door slowly opened. Uncle Pete stood there and without saying a word, turned his head to his right and then raised his left hand and pointed in their direction. Dawg and Bear appeared again and started shooting at them once more.
Somehow, Mac was back outside again running down another street. This time he was by himself. Mikey and Milo were nowhere in sight. Mac stopped for a brief moment to look for them, but they had vanished completely. He was on his own now. A second later and his pursuers were right behind him again. He resumed running and as he made his way past an old elm tree, Mac noticed a black and grey cat sitting in one of the branches of the tree watching him. An instant later it was gone, as well and Mac carried on down the street looking for someone to help him.
Lisa appeared ahead of him and waved at him to follow her. She ran down a quiet backstreet with Mac stumbling along behind trying to keep up. He had no idea how long he had been running or what part of Paradise Flats he was even in. Lisa was starting to pull away from him now and she would look back at him and frantically wave at him to hurry up. Then, she disappeared around the corner of a building and Mac stole a quick glance behind him to see where his pursuers were. They were nowhere in sight and Mac thought that maybe he had finally lost them. He ran up to catch Lisa and when he came around the corner, she was also gone.
Instead, a dark figure wearing a clown mask and a long trench coat stood there holding two axes. He gave Mac a sinister smile and started to walk towards him. Mac froze on the spot and as he stood there he could sense that the demons that had been pursuing him were now right behind him. Looking over his shoulder, Mac saw that the Olson brothers were no longer with them, but all the demons were standing directly behind him. He turned his attention back toward Manson who was already upon him and swinging one of the axes toward his head.
Mac woke up covered in sweat. He lay motionless for a long time and found himself unable to go back to sleep, haunted by the dream. He looked over at his alarm clock and saw that it was 3:30 in the morning. He wouldn’t be getting back to sleep anytime soon as the images of his nightmare lingered in his head. As he lay there in the dark, Mac had a sense of impending doom sweep through his body and he wondered what his life might have been like if he wasn’t about to die and what would happen after he was gone.
CHAPTER TWENTY
When Mac got out of bed, he tried not to dwell too much on the dream or what it meant. Most of his dreams were just random images that didn’t make much sense. This one was quite vivid, however and he sensed that there was more to the dream than just a bad nightmare. Particularly the part involving Manson. His parents had gone off to work already, so Mac made himself an early lunch. He had just sat down at the table with his grilled cheese sandwich when the phone rang. Some sixth sense told him not to answer it, that nothing good would come from picking up the receiver. He let it ring, hoping that whoever was calling would give up. After twenty rings, however Mac had no choice but to answer.
“Hello?”
“Hello kiddies.” Manson. It only made sense. Perhaps Dawg and Bear were still available and they could all get together for a tee off time at the country club later on.
“Hello, you sick twisted fuck. How’s your face healing up?”
“Laugh it up, wiseguy. You and I have some unfinished business.”
“Really? How so?” Mac was doing his best to sound tough, but he feared that the quavering in his voice was going to give him away as to how scared he really was.
“You got lucky last time, chuckles. Tonight, we finish this. Come out to the trestle at 6 o’clock and bring your little friends.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then I send your little girlfriend here to you in pieces.”
“The joke’s on you, asshole.” Mac replied. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Really, are you sure about that? I have someone here who has something to say to you. Say hello, sweet pea.” Manson hissed.
“Mac?” Lisa. Not again.
“Leave her out of this you fucking-”
“Easy there, lover boy. Are you ready to come out and play now?”
“You hurt her and so help me, I will-”
“Save it for tonight, stud. Don’t be late or I’ll be forced to leave a trail of body parts for you to find me.”
