Hidden Demon, page 11
part #1 of Altered Demons Series
Pastor Jimmy laughed.
"You said you were Army, correct? Special forces of some type, I'm guessing? Bullies are better than bombs. Am I right? But what did they teach you about situational awareness?"
Jimmy raised his eyebrows, gesturing around the sanctuary.
Dee and Ko swiveled their heads. Three large men from the church took aggressive postures from opposing corners. One redheaded farmer with freckles kept a hand behind his back, presumably with his pistol at the ready. The fidgety one with long hair shifted left and right, hand inside his olive-green jacket. A pale blond man, larger than Ko, leaned forward on a pew. In her head, Dee nicknamed him the blond giant. Jimmy continued speaking through clenched teeth.
"You see, girl, you and your boy are a long way from home. City folk on sacred ground won with the blood of our kin. For centuries we have endured the forest, the mountains, and all manner of demons. We got time aplenty to survive the likes of you."
Dee glared at him, blind with anger, until a text alert hit Ko's phone. He put it in front of her: 187 at Ortiz residence, unable to locate. Sender unknown.
They locked eyes as Jimmy spoke.
"Oh, don't let me interrupt you. Duty calls. Have a nice day, agents. Let there be light."
They turned, marching toward the exit as the church men eyeballed them.
Chapter 21
K
o and Dee drove straight from the church in Rappahannock back to the Ortiz house. The sun sat low in an orange sky behind them.
"It will be dark by the time we get there. I wouldn't complain about a nap once I turn self-driving mode back on," Dee said.
"Who do you think sent the text message?" Ko asked.
"It had to be one of the President's people, or the man himself, don't you think?"
"But he isn't sharing with us. I don't like it."
Ko glanced upward at a starling flock contorting above them.
"More starlings," Ko said, pointing.
Dee leaned forward.
"What the hell is up with these birds?"
Dee leaned back. Ko rummaged through a peanut bag but did not eat.
"Missing, not dead," he said.
Dee turned to him.
"Right. According to the text, they didn't find a body. So, mission is still on, but we're fighting on two fronts. Tracking the demon and now potentially tracking down Ortiz."
"Dee! Watch out!"
Dee snapped her head forward and slammed on the brakes. The SUV ground to a halt as hundreds of birds at eye level blocked the path. Flapping furiously before landing on the darkened asphalt, their glossy black plumage reflected the truck headlights.
"Damn it, get out of the way," Dee protested as she honked the horn and Ko cursed at them in Japanese.
One bird landed on the hood of the vehicle. It glanced at each of them as its pink legs strutted toward the windshield. As its head cocked sideways, one eye shimmered blue. Dee placed a hand to her head, grimacing as the bird projected a message onto the glass: Trust me. We will always have Tokyo.
The winged creature straightened its neck and flew away, the rest of the flock following close behind as their calls filled the night air. Dee took a moment to clear her head. A coded message from Freeman encouraged her, but the delivery method perplexed her all the same. She assumed he chose that way to avoid monitoring, but she had seen nothing like it. Someone had compromised ordinary transmission methods. They would have to cut off communication with the President and hope he was watching.
"I guess we keep going," Dee said, pressing the gas.
***
Their SUV rolled to a stop outside the Ortiz home. Police tape cordoned off the block around the residence. Flashing lights and scurrying investigators distracted to where the duo almost didn't notice the streetlamps had gone dark. With electricity on the entire block down, they stepped into the night, approaching the crime scene with flashlights of their own. Local police and medics tended to multiple smaller areas of the property. Bodies sprinkled the lawn and porch, bleeding out in the dark. The front door barely held its hinges. The swing hung from a single chain, twisting in a slight breeze. Dee guessed the inside would be no better as she flashed her badge at a passing officer.
"FBI, we were working a case with the resident. What happened?"
"Ma'am... I just... it's a war zone. Candidate Ortiz is missing."
The radio chirped, calling him away.
"Just like before?" Ko said.
She scanned the area. Her eyes landed on a downed agent in tactical gear.
"Is that?" She said, squinting. "That's Jackson, Tommy Jackson."
"Wait, wasn't he with us in Tokyo?"
"Yes, we served in Taiwan together, too," she said, lowering her head. "He was a good man."
Ko put his hand on her shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be," she said, placing her palm over his. "It's just, well you know."
"It could have been us," Ko said.
She nodded as her eyeline caught a punky teenage girl approaching them on the sidewalk. Pink highlighted hair spilled from underneath the teenager's fluffy yellow hoodie, draping over sweatpants that frayed near red high-top sneakers.
"What happened here? Somebody die or something?"
Dee's face turned to a dark grimace.
"You might be safer watching videos in your parents' basement, crotch fruit."
"Not when my job is watching your ass."
Their posture changed as they focused on every movement and word from the new arrival.
"And crotch fruit? Really? How fricking old are you? Jeez. You got my text message about Ortiz?"
Dee raised an eyebrow.
"We're here, aren't we? What do you mean 'watching us?' "
The girl reached into her front pockets.
Ko and Dee both grabbed for their guns.
"Yo, chew your food, family! We're on the same side."
She slowly extracted two red clamshell phones from the pockets of her hoodie.
"Here, take these bricks."
Their hands moved from their pistol grips to the devices. Dee opened hers, keeping one eye on the girl who she presumed was older than she appeared. A queued video awaited them with a clearly visible NSA watermark.
"What's this?"
"Video of the attack."
"From where?" Dee said. "Power is out for at least ten blocks. We've seen this before. All electronics down."
"You've never used Level-4 shielded devices."
"I know Level-4 can theoretically shield frequencies like nuclear electromagnetic pulse or directed energy weapons. I say 'theoretically' because it doesn't exist."
"Did it sound like a question? I said you've never used them until now."
They glanced at the back of the mobile units in their hands. The label read 'Level-4.'
"Gifts, courtesy of the NSA," the girl said. "Those things will survive an EMP while your dishwasher waves bye-bye. And they aren't the only thing we have. Now, enjoy the show."
As their teen angel turned to walk away, Dee called out, "Wait a second, who are you?"
"Remember, proper friends don't just pretend to help. I'm a proper friend."
As she disappeared into the night, they played the video. The aura of green and white filled the screen with outlines around the figures.
"Night vision enabled recording." Dee said, wishing she had this in Tokyo. "With some type of augmented reality overlay."
"Look at the timestamp. Only hours ago," Ko said.
An antique box truck parked in front of the candidate's house. The identical one from the Mercer estate. The rear doors opened, and a substantial creature entered the video frame.
"Oh my God, what is that?" Dee said.
"Akujin." Ko said in awe. "It must weigh a thousand kilos. Or two thousand?"
A full helmet encased the head of the four-legged beast, augmenting the jaw and teeth with shiny steel and servos. Night vision attachments fit like a bespoke suit. Spikes embedded the length of the back. Red lights, switches, and electrodes covered the body mixed in with military-grade armor plates. Dee pointed to the screen.
"Is that smart armor—like on tanks and battle transports?"
It moved into the vehicle, growling and snapping as it lumbered into the back. The box truck creaked and dipped from the excess weight.
An athletic figure moved near the back of the truck and slammed the doors shut before jumping into the vehicle and driving away slowly.
As the video ended, Dee considered the individual she had seen. They controlled access to the old vehicle, the mansion grounds, and the creature. Whatever everyone thought or the stories from centuries past, a beast existed. Had it been born? Unlikely. Altered? Certainly. Perverted for humanity by humans. Weaponized, but for what purpose? Her mind raced across possibilities, both plausible and absurd.
"Time for another party?" Ko said.
"Just what I was thinking, but it's clear we need help."
"Now we're talking," Ko said, rubbing his hands together.
"That place is vast, and this—modern beast—requires more than two people to bring it down. There's a group of private military contractors I know who bring the heat."
"Breakfast tomorrow before we rally the troops?"
Dee nodded, "You bet, hotel lobby at eight. I'll make the call tonight."
Chapter 22
I
strut confidently from the porch, past the empty milk bowl. Did I drink that? Nasty. No wait, I remember. I liked it. The cool, wet grass envelops my feet. I walk through the tall parts of the lawn, crouching like a predator. I feel powerful as I tiptoe. The street is silent. What does the sign say? I can't read it, can I? Wait, yes, I can. Minnesota Avenue. I'm outside my townhome. I turn and see it. It needs a paint job, even in the dark. That can wait. It is my time and I have all evening. I lick my hand. When did it grow fur? And claws. I arch my back and stretch. Silhouettes of birds on wires pepper against the moonlight. I want one. I'm not hungry. Not in my belly. In my soul.
I need to hurt something.
A dog on a chain barking at me. I arch my back and hiss. Not now. He won't ruin my sundown prowl. I'm a god of the night as I prance along this broken sidewalk. The orange glow of morning peeks over the houses. I thought I had more time. I see one pecking at an old cracker box. So excited to find garbage from humans. Eating leftovers though it lives in the sky. A creature that stoops that low from its perch doesn't deserve to live.
I creep under the fence hole. Shiny black feathers flicker in the waning moonlight. I lick sharp teeth as padded paws bring me closer with every graceful stride. I'm close. It pecks. Ignorant of my presence. Friends from the flock nearby do not warn it. They never do. False allies. I crouch. I slink. Sinewy muscles propel me forward as I leap. My mouth impales the neck and I squeeze. Gore and feathers. I crush the life and leave the carcass. Bloody whiskers drip red.
***
Dee startled awake, gasping for air. She bolted upright in her own bed as sweat streamed down her bare back. Birds chirped. The sun peeked outside her window. She held her head, squeezing her eyes tight and forcing the nightmarish remnants from her mind. Glancing at the clock, it read 6:30 as she plopped backwards onto the mattress, staring at the ceiling.
Jo, are you there?
Yes, Dee, I'm here. How can I help?
Dee paused for a moment.
Never mind, Jo. Goodbye.
Bye Dee.
She dragged her nakedness to the bathroom and started the shower. As it steamed the air, she stepped in and washed quickly before dressing in tactical gear and grabbing her weapons bag. As she left the apartment, the cat on the porch mewed, drawing her attention. It wiped blood from its whiskers, anxiously licking paws as it cleaned itself. Dee raised an eyebrow before marching to the SUV.
***
Ko sat across from her at the breakfast table inside the hotel restaurant. He sipped orange juice as Dee took coffee. Ko glanced out the window as their autonomous SUV passed.
"There it goes again, still no parking spots," Ko said.
"I guess not," Dee said in an absent tone.
The robot server arrived.
"Tofu and grits for you," it said, placing the plate in front of Dee.
"And pancakes for you," it said to Ko. "Syrup is on the table."
"Can you bring peanut butter?" Ko said.
"These are pancakes, sir," the bot said.
"Just get the guy some damn peanut butter," Dee said. "The guy likes nuts, okay? Jeez."
Ko rubbed his chin as the robot rolled away.
"You okay, partner?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, taking a spoonful from her bowl. "Got a call in to the private military contractor. We will have twelve in Castleton, three squads of four with the requisite Freeman Foundation weapons and transport."
She caught Ko glancing at her between bites as he waited for the peanut butter from the bot. She wanted to crack open the silent breakfast like an egg and share her dream with him. But knowing what to say challenged her, since she refused to believe it herself. Had she experienced the world through the stray tabby on her porch? She scoffed, dismissing her recollection as a figment of a fevered imagination. A byproduct of too many doses from the medi-lot. There was no way that had happened, no matter how good it felt.
The robot returned with the peanut butter, which Ko promptly spread between the individual breakfast cakes. After he sliced into them, he raised a forkful to his lips and chewed.
"Ko, can I talk to you about something?"
"Of course."
"It's going to sound insane."
"Normal is often disappointing, Dee. Shoot."
"Well, I had this dream where I was a cat."
"So," Ko said, chewing. "You were a cat. Cool."
"There's more. I started to tell my psy-bot, but I didn't."
"Wait, you're still talking to the psy-bot."
"Yes, but I can't tell her this."
"I'm listening."
Dee put her knife and fork down and wiped her mouth.
"I didn't dream I was a cat. I was the cat. Specifically, the cat on my porch."
"You were a cat?"
"I was inside the cat."
"You were controlling the cat?"
"No. Inside. Like our spirits mingled together. My vision saw what it saw. It was nighttime, close to dawn. The cat hunted a bird, but it was like I hunted it. And when it killed, it was as if I had killed it."
Ko put his utensils down and leaned in.
"I'm sorry, Dee. That must have been scary."
"That's the point. It wasn't," Dee said, wringing her hands. "It excited me. I was awake. More awake than at any time in the last decade. I wanted more."
"More than Penny?" Ko said, smiling.
Dee held back a smile.
"I'm being serious. You think I'm crazy."
"I think you've been through a lot and need time. And advice from others besides a middle-aged Japanese man with his own messes."
Ko finished his pancakes as Dee stared out the window. The SUV had stopped circling. She figured it had parked by now.
"If it makes you feel any better," Ko said, interrupting her thoughts. "I've been talking to a psy-bot, too. On our long drives."
"Really? What's its name?"
"Gina. Yours?"
"Her name is Jo. Guess we are just two broken people, Ko."
"Damaged, not broken."
He reached out his hand, and she held it. Their eyes watered as they shared a moment. After letting go, they both dotted their eyes with napkins.
"So," Dee said. "Did Gina give you any useful coping tools?"
"Breathing for two minutes. So, no."
"Two? Jo told me one minute."
"Well, I am bigger," he said, and they both laughed.
Chapter 23
D
ust and gravel stirred as tactical black utility vehicles rolled down one of two side roads to the Mercer Mansion grounds. Four in a row, a battering ram projected from the front vehicle where Dee and Ko led the charge.
"Snatch and grab people, keep it tight," she said over the radio before turning toward Ko, who sat stoically next to her with a blade at his side. "What's up? You're not yourself."
"After what we have seen? The carnage and destruction?" He said, picking lint off his tactical pants and flicking it. "We should bring an army."
"I understand your concerns. But these guys conduct force on force training with Special Ops. We collaborated with them back when we were prepping the Taiwan incursion. Their org is bigger now and their strike packages are second to none."
"War makes good business," Ko said, rubbing the handle of his sword.
"Unfortunately, yes. Look, when we take everybody in, the mission is over. Interrogators back at the Foundation will get the info they need. About the attacks. About this… thing. We neutralize the threat and get our lives back."
"We go our separate ways."
"Hey, look at me." Ko turned to her as Dee continued. "We'll always be better together. We're kind of a big deal. Right?"
Dee extended her fist, and Ko tapped it with his.
"Disable safeties," Dee said over the radio as the mansion gates approached fast. She pressed a button labeled 'disable airbags.' Gloved hands tightened on the steering wheel as her lead SUV struck the bars, metal crumbling and scattering as the battering ram burst through. Vehicles spread out around the front of the mansion grounds as three armed tactical squads exited the vehicles carrying VAR-1 rifles with 12-gauge shotgun attachments. They staged for entry at large wooden doors across the property. Each unit placed a shotgun at the doorknob. Dee heard them confirm positions in her earpiece.
"Red's a go."
"Blue's a go."
"Gold's a go."
"Breach!" Dee ordered.
Shotguns fired in unison. Doors blew open as the paramilitary squads penetrated the mansion for the sweep and clear with Ko and Dee entering behind them. As teams swept the main level, calls came in over the radio.
"Game room is empty."
"Kitchen is clear."
"Living Room, clear."
