“Oh Keith, honey,” she said, tugging at his arm. “You would not believe the dream I just had.”

  He did not respond. With some effort she rolled him over to face her. His eyes were open and completely black and there was something dark and sticky oozing out the corner of his mouth.

  For a second time, Ann awoke with a scream and then fell off the couch. On the floor, her body spasmed as her mind yet again tried to take in her new surroundings. Her eyes darted around the room. She was at Lizzie’s place. Safe at Lizzie's place. She heaved a huge sigh of relief and tried to still her trembling. A nightmare double feature. Now I'm really getting into the horror movie clichés.

  It was still dark out and a clock blinked Five AM. Ann was covered in sticky sweat, and in her hands she found 2 large clumps of her own blond hair. Ow. She spent a few moments on the ground, trying to control her breathing. The nightmares were getting worse. Always in the dark, with the drums, and always with those black snakes. And what had that last part been about, in Keith's apartment? That had seemed so real. But which was worse, the nightmare or what had gone down at the hospital? Or did that really happen? Now she seemed unsure. Had Vanessa really started to turn into something else? Had there really been some kind of monster thing in that room? It was hard for her to believe it herself now as she looked back. Something had happened though. She was convinced that whatever horror was at the hospital, Keith was involved. And she needed to rescue him. Of that at least, she was sure.

  At last she stood up, her mind made up. Her head did hurt from the drinking the previous night but not as bad as she thought it might. Her stomach did as well, but less like she was going to be sick and more like some muscle had tied itself up in a knot. She would find Keith and get to the bottom of this, even though it meant going back to that hospital. She shuddered at the thought but did not change her mind.

  She found that she had no pants on, and was wearing one of Lizzie's shirts. Lizzie was taller and broader than she was and so the shirt made for decent pajamas. She did not remember getting undressed, or much after the restaurant. Step one: find pants. Can’t save ex boyfriend with no pants.

  After finding her clothes and spending some time in the bathroom cleaning up, she found Lizzie in her computer room. Lizzie's ears were covered by large headphones. She jumped when Ann tapped her on the shoulder.

  “AHHHH!”

  “Sorry. It’s just me,” Ann raised her hands in front of her, defending herself from Lizzie’s defensive slaps.

  “You scared the shit out of me!” she said, tearing off the headphones and sending a few more slaps her way. “How are you awake? You had enough booze last night to kill an elephant.”

  “Ah, come on. I wasn’t that bad.” Ann shrugged.

  “You were. I thought I was going to have to hold your head over the toilet all night. You really aren’t known for holding your liquor, you know.”

  “Well I'm fine, hungry actually.” And then in a softer voice Ann said “Thanks for listening last night. I must have sounded like a crazy. I owe you huge.”

  Lizzie smiled. “Yes, yes you did. And I charge extra for getting drunk bitches undressed and ready for bed on my couch.”

  “You charge? I thought you paid extra for that.”

  “Bitch. See if I tell you what I learned about your monster doctor.”

  “OK ok, I'm sorry. Thanks for that too.” She gave Lizzie a little hug. “Did you find anything?”

  “You’re lucky you’re cute.” Lizzie grunted. “So first, this dead beat of an ex boy friend of yours. I checked in on all his credit cards, no activity this week. Though for him that’s not all that strange. He must live in that hospital. Also, no bank activity and he has only been back to his house once.”

  “How do you know that?” Ann broke in.

  “Hacked the security cameras outside his apartment like 3 months ago. You know, just for fun. Thought I might get some embarrassing shots of you begging him to come back. ”

  “Ouch, now that was uncalled for,” Ann shook her head.

  “However, this one night, you should probably see.” Lizzie brought up a screen, showing the parking lot outside Keith’s place. A black Nissan pulled up and Vanessa Black stepped out of the car. She was dressed in an evening gown looking dolled up like she was getting ready for a date.

  “What day was that?” Ann snarled.

  “That was Saturday night. She looks pretty human to me. I mean if you were a demon, wouldn't you fly or teleport or something?” There was a mocking quality to Lizzie's voice.

  “Umm, yeah right. Maybe she’s trying to stay undercover or something.”

  Lizzie gave her a long hard look. After a moment she turned back to her screen. “On to demon woman.” She started again “Let us see, 5'10”, 36 years old, divorced, no kids. I have less info on her. I know she's been at the hospital all week, except the one evening I have her on film.” Lizzie sighed. “Look, it’s pretty obvious to me that she and Keith have a thing going. Other than that, I can't really say. Maybe if I hacked some credit card numbers from her or something... No, look, Ann, there is nothing odd here.” Lizzie's voice became soft, gentle. “Ann, maybe the other night between you and Keith was a goodbye. And now he has moved on. Really shitty way to go about it, but the guy was never the most,” she paused, searching for the word, “tactful.”

  “And so the whole monster in the hospital thing was...” Ann asked dryly.

  “Well, maybe this patient planted an idea of demons in your head. Like a suggestion of sorts, and later on when you had your little break...”

  “Break? Like a breakdown? So now I'm crazy?” Anger began to boil up out of Ann. Some of it was directed at Lizzie but she knew a lot of it was at Keith and herself. She glared at Lizzie, who put her head down, and let out a long sigh.

  “Yes, well, just a little.”

  “WHAT?” Ann shouted.

  Lizzie put a calming hand on her arm. “Look, you took this whole break up thing really, really badly six months ago. You've been depressed ever since. I think …” Lizzie paused, “I think you need help.”

  The rage came to a boil inside Ann.“Fine!” She stammered. “I've lost it. Poor crazy little Annie gone lost her boyfriend and now she’s seeing monsters. No, okay, just no! I saw something, I am not nuts, I did not have any sort of a break down, and I was SO over Keith!” She was shouting now. “There is something going on and I'm going to get to the bottom of it without your help.” She turned and stormed out of the room.

  “Ann, wait...” Lizzie called, but Ann was done waiting. She ran out of the house not turning back. She was doing a lot of running out of places of late. She might have to look into that.

  It had been an angry ride home. Ann had to walk to the bus station, which was not far, but buses just seemed to take forever. She hated buses. How she wished she could afford a car. Buses were slow and dirty, and filled with big fat hairy men who liked to hit on her or chat about the weather. No one would just shut up and let her be. Today though, no one talked to her. Her black mood must have kept them away. She just sat in the dirty seat and stared forward, giving her best “I will tear your head off if you come near me” look.

  It was still morning when she arrived back at her place. She quickly showered, dressed, and ate a bit. The food helped but the large knot in her stomach did not go away. She had been trying to work out a rescue plan in her head but hadn't really come up with much. She decided that first she would visit that Miller guy. He had said Vanessa was a demon, he might know more. Other than that, she planned on storming the place. Sadly, she didn't actually own much in the way of weapons. She felt she should have some protection if it did turn out there were horrible monster demons running about the place. Maybe some holy water or garlic... nah, that was stupid. These were demons, not vampires. What she really wanted was a big-ass gun. She never had even the faintest desire for a firearm in her life, however at that moment, it seemed wise. However, the best she could do was a bottle of pepper spray. Maybe demons had very sensitive eyes? Ugh, this is not going to end well.

  Even horribly under-geared, Ann grabbed her few items and headed out. It was turning out to be a sunny day after all and she had the short walk to try and psych herself up. You can do this, Keith needs you. Exactly how she was going to rescue him was still a mystery to her, even opening the door to the hospital. She decided to keep her head down and walk straight to Miller’s room, and then make the next move from there.

  Ann stomped past the front desk, though they took little notice of her. She quickly grabbed an elevator to the second floor and found Miller’s room. So fa,r so good, no sign of ol’ black scales. Poking her head into Miller’s room, she noted it was empty. A quick blast of panic ran up her spine. Oh no, there goes step one. She snagged a passing tech, a big man she had not met before.

  “The man in this room. Was he moved?” she asked.

  “Miller? The one that was hit by a truck?” He paused and after Ann nodded continued with, “I'm sorry but he passed away last night.”

  10 - Miller Time

  Joseph Miller had been in this hospital for several days. He was honestly quite impressed with it. Apparently man had gotten by just fine without him. Had it really been a hundred years? There had always been gaps, but none that large. And they had made such progress. This “TV” was truly amazing, although he could follow very little of what it showed him. It was like a magic mirror into a world he no longer understood. But then, figuring it out was the best part, and he was dying to try everything. Well perhaps dying was a poor choice of words in this case. Unfortunately the wounds he had obtained on his first night back in the land of the living were serious. The bones in his right arm and leg had shattered as well as several of his ribs. At least that’s what the nurse had told him. Wounds like that took time for even him to recover from. He healed much faster than normal men, if he survived the initial violence. If not, then it took him even longer to return. Apparently he had done a really good job of offing himself last time around. Well, not much he could do about that now.

  There were demons here of course. And the cursed. He could see the dark mist that clung to them. So close and yet he could not make a move against them. Not yet. And so he waited and enjoyed the magic of the “TV” and healed. Nurses and doctors would come and check in on him from time to time. Some human, most not. After the first day, he paid them very little attention and instead was transfixed by the television. This turned out to be a small tactical error on his part.

  He had registered the nurse that had entered almost unconsciously. His attention was wrapped up in “The Price is Right”. He shouted out random numbers, mimicking the people on the show. He had no idea what that was about, but they all looked so happy to be there. He didn't acknowledge the nurse for a whole minute and then, at last and far too late, he turned to face her.

  She was a demon, a young one too, by the looks of it. No more than a few days old. As all demons were shape shifters and vain, she was quite beautiful. Judging by the uniform, she had until recently been a nurse. She stood preparing some sort of device, there were so many here in this room and Miller didn't understand any of them. Even though she was possessed by an ancient and terrible evil, fed on man, woman, and child alike, and in a few days he would most likely have to cut her head off, he saw no reason to be rude.

  “Well hello there Miss, care to watch this wonderful TV with me?”

  She responded by jabbing something small and sharp into his arm. The world darkened around him.

  “Actually, we're off to get a bite to eat.” She grinned

  “So, no then?” he asked weakly and was silent.

  Time moved forward without him. It hadn't been long, no more than a few minutes. He was still on the bed, being rolled down a hall. It was not hard for him to feign unconsciousness being that half his body still was bound in the thick casts and braces used to reset his bones. A normal man would still be under and he had no intention of letting it be known he was anything but normal.

  As he rolled down the hall, he considered his options. He was quite sure his arm and ribs were mostly repaired at this point but was equally sure his leg was not. Without a weapon and with one gimped leg it would be nearly impossible take a demon head on, even a young one such as this. He would have to wait for his moment and just hope his luck would change. Otherwise, it might be another hundred years before he had another chance. And God knows what the state of things would be by then.

  Suddenly the bed stopped.

  “I have a meal for my brother” the nursedemon said to someone.

  “Is he calm?”

  Miller risked a quick glance. Two huge men were standing next to his bed. Wolves, and just like the demon, very young. This kept getting better. Things are further along than I thought. I guess my holiday is over.

  “For the moment,” was one man's husky reply. Miller tensed his stiff muscles, trying to ready himself for... something.

  “Perhaps cracking this one open will be good for him.” He heard a door and was wheeled into a new room. The smell hit him like a wave. Odors of death and decay assaulted his senses. The door was quickly shut and locked.

  Miller took a chance and opened his eyes wide. He was alone in a large white padded room. No, not alone, someone, well let’s be honest here, something was with him. He sensed it but couldn't manage to see past his right arm, which was still locked into position by something on his bed and his cast. Well, step one would be to stand up and see what the hell was going on. He rocked back and forth, trying to tip the bed over. A loud slurping noise stopped him for a moment.

  Well that’s a new sound. He restarted the rocking motion. Whatever it was, it was coming closer. He heard the padding of feet and something heavy dragging along the ground. The creature was panting and something was dripping. Drool maybe? Fantastic!

  At last the bed rocked hard enough to tip and crashed to the floor. Pain flooded his right leg. Yes, that one needed a bit more time. The fall had freed his good arm and loosened up his right. He began fighting with the straps, keeping his legs in place while stretching his neck to try to see over the side of the bed at his playmate. He still could not see anything yet but managed to undo the belt at his waist. He moved back to freeing his right arm from the various bits and pieces that kept it locked into position.

  A large black claw, which must have come from a demon, latched onto the side of the bed and lifted it straight up. Miller's arm came free with a snap but there was still a strap on his right leg that managed to hold him in place. His head hit the floor as most of his body dangled in the air. He twisted again to try to see, helpless at the moment to do much else.

  It was a horror he had not had the pleasure of meeting before. Its one arm was a massive claw, as if borrowed from a larger demon, much older than this creature could possibly be. Most of the rest of the creature was a young man. The black scales on his arm stretched from his shoulder across his chest and down his belly. His eyes were the black of those touched by the fallen, but empty of intelligence. A long, black, barbed tongue hung out his fanged mouth and drool ran down his check. Very faintly, he could see the path of tears on his face. Most of his hair had fallen out, or maybe been torn out, but some bits remained, sticking out in odd directions. One large wing twitched on his back like something from a huge insect. He wore no clothes, and the spots where the remaining skin met the dark scales looked red and blotchy.

  “Hello...Joseph Miller. A pleasure to meet you.” He started, again not feeling he should be rude to this creature. He meant to keep this civil, at least until the trying to kill each other started. Heck, maybe someday he would find a monster that decided instead of feeding on the flesh of humankind they would rather take up knitting. Hisits only response was to lick the back of the bed. It made a slurping, scratching noise. “Umm, you seem to have me at a bit of a disadvantage.” Then, apparently not liking the taste of “Ye Olde Hospital bed”, it chucked it aside with inhuman strength. Miller was unfortunately still attached and was tossed along with it. He landed in a heap but managed to keep the bed between him and the monster. More pain exploded all over his body. Now at least he could finally reach the belt that stubbornly held him in harm’s way. In a moment he was free and pushed the bed away. Leaning against the wall, he managed to pull himself up to a standing position. His left leg was stiff but workable. He was surprised to find he could put some weight on the right with only minor pain. Alright, that is so much better.

  The mandemon was facing away from him now, still seeming not to notice him. It howled and smashed that giant handclaw into the wall, tearing into the padding that covered the whole room. The black scales ran down most of its back as well, with several spikes poking from its spine. In one corner of the room he noticed bones, sucked clean. In some way this comforted him, seeing so many things had changed, but this one constant habit of monsters having bones in their lairs had not. Just like the good old days.

  Miller focused again on this new creature. It was as if the demon had miscarried as it possessed the man creating some sort of mindless creature. Something in all his thousands of years he had never seen. But then, he had been seeing a lot of new things of late, why not new monsters as well? It seemed only fair. Apparently the other demons were caring for it like a sick sibling and he was meant to be lunch. See, they could be decent folk. He almost felt bad that he had to kill it, seeing as no other one had ever existed before. But then, he did have a job to do. Then, thinking better of it, he hit on an idea.

  “Okay lad, I think you and I can help each other out.” The beast did not respond, perhaps it could not hear? Finding an old bone on the floor, he picked it up and tossed it at the creature’s back. It bounced right off. The beast spun around with a growl, at last taking notice of him. It howled and charged, its lopsided body lurching forward with impressive speed. Miller just barely managed to hop to the left as that huge black claw smashed into the wall. Leaning back, he drove an elbow hard against the side of its head with a loud crack. It staggered, but the claw had embedded into the wall, and it could not move far. The beast's head seemed to flop to the side for a second, before snapping back up and locking eyes with him. To Miller’s surprise, the eyes were now human!

 

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