The God Zombie, page 10
Suddenly the floor began vibrating, and Isadora grabbed the wall. “Let’s get out of here, Arlo! Something’s coming!”
But Arlo continued staring at the bloodstained floor without moving. “Damn it all. My family’s dead, so I may as well join them.”
Suddenly Isadora heard laughter coming from behind the house. She ran to the backdoor and looked out—dozens of shadows were moving around in the backyard. With one swift motion, Isadora grabbed Arlo by his shirt and threw him through the house. Arlo landed in the living room and slid into a coffee table, knocking it over.
“We’re leaving! Now!”
Arlo looked up at Isadora, tears streaming down his face, and slowly raised himself from the floor. Isadora grabbed his arm and pulled him out the front door. Just as they exited, the back of the house exploded, and dozens of Huturo poured in. One of the creatures lifted its head and sniffed the air, picking up the scent of the teenagers. It ran past the others and onto the lawn, but the teens were gone.
Indentured Servitude, Maybe
“Bitch!”
A mob of children surrounded the three hooded women standing on the hospital lawn while Asura stood on the stairs, watching them.
“Let them approach,” Asura said.
The crowd opened, and the women headed to the front. They stopped at the bottom of the stairs and lowered their hoods to reveal themselves—three women who looked more like teenagers than elderly women, hundreds of years old.
Asura chuckled. “I see you’re using Black Magic to maintain your youthful appearance. Good. Anything to get a husband, I suppose,” she snapped sarcastically.
The youngest woman raised her hand wrapped in black silk.
“Look at what you’ve done to me. You’re nothing but a thirsty-ass bitch, mad because your old leathery face couldn’t attract a partner if your life depended on it.”
One of the women touched the young woman on the arm, attempting to calm her. After a few moments, she spoke to Asura.
“Excuse us, Lady Asura. I’m Indigo, as I’m sure you remember. Penny has developed an affinity for the dialogue of the current generation, and her words may sometimes seem insulting. Please, excuse us.”
“Seem?” asked Penny. “There’s no seem about it. Fuck that bitch!”
Asura removed the jar from her robe and held it high. Inside the green liquid was the woman’s wrinkled hand—minus one finger.
“Oh, what some people wouldn’t give to pluck the strings of a violin.”
Penny became furious and tried to attack Asura, but the other two women held her back.
“Let’s see how tough you are without cheating. You had to wait until I was sleeping to sneak in and cut off my hand. You’re not a sorceress; you’re just a lowlife, bottom-barrel, old-school Witch. Give me my hand and fight me straight up—my magic against yours. I’ll split your skull with dragon fire and bury that thing you call a face at the bottom of the Mariana Trench!”
Asura sighed and shook the jar. “Alas, some people have no appreciation for the violin. But I heard you lose the ability to wipe your ass after losing three fingers—isn’t that worse?”
Penny launched herself at Asura again, but her sisters once more held her back.
“We don’t have time for immature fighting,” said Indigo. “What is it that you request of us, Lady Asura?”
Suddenly John stepped out of the hospital doors and walked to Asura’s side. “Asura summoned you at my request. My name is John.”
“We know who you are,” replied Penny.
“Tell us what you want,” demanded Indigo.
John walked down the stairs and stood before the three women. “Rain.”
Indigo stared at John in disbelief while her other sister spoke.
“Hi, John. I’m Inez. Lady Asura tortured my sister and brought us here for what? Rain?”
Inez’s words ignited Penny’s anger, and she glared at Asura.
“You see? I told you that old bag is out of her mind. Fuck the hand. Just kill that bitch!”
John raised his hand and spoke softly. “There will be none of that. What I request is not ordinary water; I ask for rain to cover all the land for thirty days—to make my master’s soldiers permanent.”
“Who is your master?” asked Inez.
The three women looked at one another nervously. Finally, Penny spoke. “Are you referring to . . . .”
Inez immediately pulled Penny close and interrupted. “Don’t! Any sorceress who speaks his name risks banishment to the Red Planet,” she warned.
Penny turned back to John. “He knows who we mean. It’s him, isn’t it?”
John smiled. “Yes.”
The three women stepped away from John and whispered amongst themselves. After a few moments, they faced John again.
“We require the flesh of one of the Demon’s soldiers,” said Inez.
“Are they here?” Indigo nervously asked.
John turned and walked away from the women to the stairs. “They are not here, but they’ll be along shortly.”
Penny stepped forward. “We will do it under one condition. I need my hand returned to me.”
John turned to Asura and smiled. “What do you think, Asura? Shall we return Penny’s hand?”
Asura smiled. “Certainly. But only after the rain begins.”
John and Asura turned and walked back into the building.
The three women sat down on the lawn.
“You watch,” whispered Penny. “That old hag is going to trick us.”
“For sure,” replied Inez.
“Let’s do what she says and wait until she makes her move,” whispered Indigo. “She’s too preoccupied with that boy and hasn’t read the stones yet.”
The three sisters looked at one another and spoke in unison: “By the time she discovers the truth about Forneus, it’ll be too late.”
A Son’s Reprieve
Isadora was worried. It had been six hours since they returned, and Arlo still hadn’t eaten. She knew he was feeling the effects of the Sun Oil, and his skin was starting to burn. If he continued drowning in sadness, he’d burn and melt away.
Still, Arlo hadn’t moved. Occasionally, a garbled sigh escaped his throat, and Isadora longed to hold him—she knew Arlo was hiding his tears in the dark room and wanted to cheer him up, to stop him from hurting. Isadora understood the loneliness Arlo felt more than anyone in the world; that dreadful feeling of emptiness, the realization of being alone in a strange world with no one to call your family. Isadora had felt the same thing a few days after she led her parents to their demise. She recalled feeling both ashamed and lonely. Fortunately, Forneus was there to redirect her fate. And so she wanted to do the same thing for Arlo.
Isadora lifted the head of the dead man lying in front of her and hit it with a stone; the body was still warm, and her victim’s frail bones broke without effort. She stuck her hand into the top of his head and scooped out a handful of brains. She was about to eat them when she turned to Arlo.
“Hey, Arlo. Do you want some?”
Arlo looked at her briefly, then turned away.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t kill the guy—he saw me walking in the forest and had a heart attack. I should feel bad for the guy, but I don’t. He was out there hunting for sport.”
Arlo remained silent.
Isadora put the handful of slimy brain matter into her mouth. “Come on, Arlo. Try some. This guy’s brains are as sweet as cherry pie.”
Isadora licked her fingers clean and grabbed Arlo’s hand. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
Arlo sighed again, and a tear landed on the back of Isadora’s hand.
“You’ve got to be strong, Arlo. I know things are horrible, but you’ve got to have hope.”
Arlo lifted his head and turned to Isadora. “Hope?”
“Sure. Your mom could still be alive.”
Arlo slammed his fist on the ground. “There’s no hope. She’s fucking dead just like the rest of them.”
Arlo pushed Isadora’s hand away and lied on the floor.
Just as he did, a dull light appeared at the entrance, and Forneus walked in. He clambered over to Arlo and stood above him. “What’s wrong?”
Isadora motioned to the corner of the room, and Forneus followed. “We found his parents. They’re dead.”
“Both of them?”
“I think so. We found Arlo’s father’s body, but when we searched for his mother, we only saw a blood stain.”
“How did they die?”
“I think it was the Red Soldiers. No?”
Forneus sat down on the floor, and the snakes in his chest slithered around, making the room brighter.
“The Soldiers of Hell are here, for sure. I spotted them on the north side of the forest. Luckily, I had taken the form of a fox and got away before they spotted me. They’ve overrun the city completely and will be everywhere in two days.”
Isadora looked worried. “What are we going to do, Forneus?”
“No matter what happens, you can’t let the soldiers capture you. If they do, you won’t go to the Great Sleep. They’ll let the Sun Oil burn you and take your soul to Hell, where you’ll be a slave for all eternity.”
“How do we stop them?”
“We build an army of our own.”
“An army? But how?”
“Somehow I’ve got to use my powers to resurrect as many souls as possible without being seen.”
“How many souls have you raised in a day?”
“Back when I was motivated by Hell’s lie, I raised fifty in one day.”
“Fifty?! There’s an army out there!”
Forneus rubbed his head, and the worms inside his skull began screeching.
“There are three women I know that could help, but I’m not sure I can convince them.”
“Where are they?”
“They live in the nearby forest.”
“Are you sure you can make it there without being seen?”
“Maybe. But even if I convince the women to help, it will be useless if we don’t fix what’s wrong here.” Forneus nodded toward Arlo lying on the floor. “Arlo is the key to fighting Hell’s Soldiers. We have no chance at success if we don’t fix him.”
“How do we do that?”
“There’s something I didn’t tell you. When the Angel from Heaven visited me to inform me of Hell’s deception, the Angel took pity on me. She didn’t say it, but I knew she thought Heaven’s penalty was excessive. The Angel told me there had never been another who had to endure such a stiff punishment. She was certain I would go mad or turn to Hell. To ease my suffering, she gave me access to the Priming Fields.”
“What are those?”
“The Angel explained it to me like this: After the Great Sleep, souls receive their call for judgment. The accounting of all good deeds and sins happens, and when the soul receives a favorable review and atonement for their sins is complete, they begin the final trip along the road to Heaven’s Gates. The Priming Fields is the last stop on that road—it’s a place of rejuvenation that refreshes travelers before they get to Heaven.”
“Wow. Who’s there now?”
“No one. It’s been inactive for hundreds of years.”
“Why?”
“The second judgment of man hasn’t occurred. When that happens, I’m sure it’ll have many souls. But it’s not being used now. That is why the Angel granted me six visits—to use it whenever my soul is damaged.”
“And you want to send Arlo there?”
“The both of you.”
“Me?”
“I see how you look at Arlo. I hear the love in your voice.”
Isadora lowered her head bashfully. “It’s nothing.”
“The two of you are bound to one another in life and death; it only makes sense that your love for him grows. But that’s not the only reason I’m sending you. I sense damage to your spirit; you’ve become more violent and animalistic. Traveling to the Priming Fields will reeducate you on the purpose of your existence and the boundaries between good and evil.”
“When do we go?”
“Now. Hell’s Army is growing by the thousands every hour, and in my visions, I’ve learned more about Arlo’s part in this—he’s the leader, and when he falls, so does the world. We have no time to waste.”
“Where will you be?”
“I’ll try to reach the sisters on the mountain.”
Forneus stood and walked across the room to Arlo. “Arlo, I’m going to help your suffering, okay?”
Arlo looked up at the towering skeleton. “Don’t you touch my fucking parents, you asshole!”
Arlo lunged at Forneus and missed, landing on his face. Forneus grabbed the back of his shirt and righted him.
“Don’t worry, boy. I have no intention of raising your family from the dead. I’m sending you and Isadora to a special place.”
Arlo sighed and turned away.
“Does it look like I’m up for a fucking road trip? My family is dead! Please leave me alone and let the Sun Oil burn me to Hell. I don’t give a shit anymore.”
Forneus grabbed Arlo by the scruff of his neck and turned to Isadora. “Insert your hand into Arlo’s ribcage.”
The words got Arlo’s attention, and his eyes widened. “Wait, what?”
Forneus ignored Arlo and nodded to Isadora. “Go ahead. Proceed.”
Isadora inserted her hand into the opening in Arlo’s chest.
“Now, Arlo, you do the same with Isadora.”
Arlo looked afraid. “Why? What are you doing?”
The snakes in Forneus’s chest lit up and began thrashing wildly. “Do as I say, boy. There isn’t much time.”
Slowly, Arlo pushed his hand into Isadora’s chest.
“Now, push through the organs until you reach the heart. Once you reach it, hold it firmly and don’t let go.”
Arlo started trembling. “Won’t that kill us?”
Isadora shook her head and sighed. “We’re dead, Arlo. Remember? Your heart isn’t beating.”
Arlo leaned forward and began pushing through Isadora’s organs, grimacing as he searched for her heart. Soon, thick black liquid poured out of her body onto his arm.
“I . . . I can’t reach it,” Arlo complained.
Forneus placed his hand behind the teenagers’ backs and slid them together. “Find it,” boomed Forneus.
As the two teens searched, they stared into each other’s eyes—Arlo, entirely disgusted by the odor of death on Isadora’s breath, and Isadora, filled with emotion, wishing Arlo would kiss her.
Finally, the two grabbed one another’s hearts and turned to Forneus.
“Now what?” asked Arlo.
“Now close your eyes,” replied Forneus.
Both Arlo and Isadora closed their eyes.
“Listen to me carefully. When you exit the building into the fields, the sun will rise on your left, travel across the sky, and set on your right—use the sun as a clock. Do not wait until the sun sets. Try to reenter the building to leave when the sun starts its descent. If you are within the Priming Fields at nightfall, every evil creature within five miles of this building will try to gain entry and take you to Hell. You are the undead and are visiting the Priming Fields without receiving judgment, breaking the contract Heaven and Hell made on the souls of the undead. You must avoid overstaying your visit to the Priming Fields at all costs. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” replied Isadora.
Arlo remained silent.
“I have never given another soul access to the Priming Fields, so bear with me. I will send my powers of resurrection into you, and it will burn.”
Forneus stood over the teenagers and extended his arms. His head’s worms thrashed wildly, screaming and flashing various colors before hardening like concrete and sinking to the bottom of his skull. Suddenly Forneus’s hands filled with electricity and shot two enormous thunderbolts into the top of Isadora’s and Arlo’s skulls, causing the teens’ bodies to stiffen before falling unconscious.
Touching the Storm
Penny looked at the unconscious Huturo floating in the air and turned to her sisters in disgust. “You guys have the easy job,” she said. “Why do I have to touch it?”
“Because we can’t complete the job without your help,” replied Inez. “Its hands are tied. Go ahead and cut it!”
Penny moved closer to the monster and saw tiny scorpions moving beneath its skin. “Fuck! It’s crawling with scorpions!”
Indigo sighed. She pulled Penny away from the monster, tossed her robe aside, and removed a large knife from her waist.
“Jeez, Penny. Do you have to act like a baby all the time? I’ll cut it, but you’re going up in the clouds to freeze your ass off, not me.”
Indigo sliced a chunk of meat off the creature’s back and dropped the knife; the piece of red flesh fell to the ground, covered in scorpions. Suddenly the Huturo opened its eyes and roared angrily at the women.
“He’s awake!” yelled Penny. “Shit, Indigo. I thought you said you knocked him out.”
“I did, but he’s too strong.”
The creature grew angrier, hissing and biting at the girls as it tried to break free. Inez extended her palm, and a blue energy whip shot out of her hand and wrapped around the creature’s neck.
“Hold him, Inez!” shouted Penny.
“What do you think I’m doing?” replied Inez.
Inez yanked harder on the whip and started taking steps around the creature, hoping to make the whip tighter on its neck. “You’re not going anywhere, you bastard!” she yelled.
The monster’s eyes widened, and it mimicked Inez’s voice. “You’re not going anywhere, you bastard!” the creature repeated.
The words surprised Inez, and the grip on the whip loosened. The creature saw its opportunity and jerked its head, sending Inez sailing across the yard. Indigo released a burst of energy from her hand that struck the monster in its chest, electrocuting it and making the beast fall unconscious. Indigo raised her other hand and shot a second line of energy from her fingertips that wrapped around the Huturo’s hands.
“Inez, you okay?” yelled Penny.
