Chapter 7
/
Ami had tried to get as much information as she could out of the heradus that night, but he shut down to her questions the more his hunger grew. Eventually, he simply left, leaving their conversation hanging. However Ami had grown hopeful. Despite still being so utterly drained of energy she spent many hours sitting up, staring out of the cave mouth with glistening eyes. These tears were not of sadness, but of the realization of how much things were changing between them. It had taken much perseverance, but it was happening. What exactly, she still couldn't say. But despite all of his harsh words and sometimes cruel behavior, he had yet to actually do her any harm, as he said. And it seemed that was the least of his intentions.
She could feel his confused, inner turmoil of emotions perhaps more than he even realized within himself. Ami knew she wasn't just different. Goliathus was feeling something for her, but fighting it tooth and nail, every step of the way. His threats were empty. Of course she would never dare press him too far...that would only be suicidal...his explosive temper alone could cause her death, whether intended or not.
Solarus was not unlike a typical infant, save for his obvious physical differences. He mostly slept and nursed, but during the times he was awake, his eyes held a certain gaze that was unusual. One of much higher intelligence for so young a creature.
Ami spent long hours just cuddling him that first week. He would respond with little smiles or nuzzles, but not much else. Crying was rare. It was only hunger that would cause it, and he would scream if not fed quickly enough. Ami tried to ignore the constant soreness of her breasts from the near-constant nursing, but it was very taxing. The amount of weight she lost was incredible. In fact, after only a week and a half, she was so skinny that her hands looked bony and her hips jutted out more noticeably.
When Solarus was almost two weeks old, a rather shocking and disturbing thing started to occur.
Ami began to see a ghost.
In her life she had never seen, or really believed in them before. But after meeting Goliathus she certainly learned that the world held more strange truths than anyone could have realized.
She had gone outside to gather some wood for the fires within the cave, that were kept going almost constantly. They had to be, for it got very cold in there quickly without them. Goliathus didn't care about cold or heat too much, he seemed to be able to withstand just about any temperature. But it seemed he was doing this mainly for her, and certainly for the child. While going about her work she crept further into the woods, looking for large sticks or whatever she could find. It was then she saw a tiny pathway, leading up the hill, although it was mostly overgrown with weeds. Ami hesitated to go exploring, looking back over her shoulder at the cave's entrance. But she longed to look around this area and see new things, even if it was risky. Pushing aside all reason and common sense, she climbed the pathway, and at the crest of the hill, saw a vast field beyond. It looked like it may have once held crops...this had to be old farmer's land. This place, what had it been like once? Due to the appearance of the house she figured it was probably just an average family living here...so many years ago. They were gone. Just like all the lives of the people Goliathus took on a daily basis. He took everything. Whatever he wanted.
Including her.
Ami sighed at her depressing thoughts. They seemed to be getting worse lately.
She pulled herself through the last of the small, tightly packed bushes and walked out onto the field. It was nice out here, so open and invigorating. It was an overwhelming impulse to go dashing out into the open field and keep going until she was too tired to run anymore. As she bent to her knees to catch her breath, she notice the field came to an abrupt halt at the edge of a cliff. Out beyond the farthest reaches of her sight, there were trees dotted along mountains, a river looking like a thin line as it round itself around the landscape, and not a single house in sight. It was a truly remote place, but also beautiful. Goliathus could certainly pick the scenery.
Getting a little closer to the edge but not too close, she peered down and saw quite a drop. There would be no climbing down that. Ami continued along the perimeter, just enjoying the sights and fresh, warm Spring air. After a few minutes, she felt a particularly out of place and icy breeze blow over her and she shivered. Scrunching her face in confusion she turned around and looked back out over the vast field, but there was nothing there.
Where did that come from?
After several more minutes, she figured it was time to head back. It was amazing the heradus hadn't come screeching around to find her already. As she started to head back towards the little pathway by the hill, she froze in her tracks. Someone was standing there, at the crest. Peering she tried to get a better look, but the figure was too far off. She could make out what looked like some kind of white clothing, and something golden glinting in the sun, but not much else. A feeling of unease crept over her. If someone else had discovered them, this could get ugly again fast.
Still...she had to get back. Solarus was probably hungry again by now, and was most likely fussing up a storm. Ami started to walk slowly, paralleling her previous path, and hoping to find some other way back to the cave, keeping her eye on the strange figure on the hill. Wait, was it glowing?
On that thought it suddenly wavered out of view. Ami gasped, people didn't just disappear. What was going on? Her feet seemed to move for her, and she broke into a run again, towards the pathway. Sprinting up the crest she quickly scrambled back down the other side...and nearly shrieked as the person was back again, this time at the end of the pathway home.
It was closer this time. A man, bald and with an imposing stature. The white clothing looked like some kind of robes, and he wore sandals. The golden glint appeared to be a sheathed dagger at his side.
What the hell?
For a while Ami just stared, as the wind kicked up and whipped a few stray leaves around her. The man did nothing, just stood there. And then in a few more seconds, he disappeared again.
Oh god. I'm going crazy.
There was a sudden, angry yell in the air, coming from above, that startled Ami enough that she actually jumped back. Looking up, she saw Goliathus sweeping back and forth. He had Solarus in his arms.
Shit.
Quickly Ami ran down the rest of the path and stood out in the open where she was easily noticeable.
I'm here.
Where did you go? He sounded truly pissed. You left the child. He has been crying for nearly half an hour!
I went looking for some firewood, remember?
She saw him coming then, angling down and landing right in front of her with only inches to spare. Where did you go? Solarus had calmed down, but when he saw Ami he reached both little arms out towards her and she gathered him up, rocking back and forth.
Out into the field. I was admiring the scenery.
You are not to go out there, mouse.
I got a little...distracted. I'm sorry.
He huffed, scratching at the ground with his taloned feet and digging deep, ugly grooves into the dirt. Ami hated when he did that, it made her nervous.
What is wrong, Goliathus? You seem...on edge lately.
Human pests. As always. I will deal with it.
Pests? Who? She raised a brow at him. What are you talking about?
He didn't answer and brushed past her, looking around and scenting the air. Ami was confused, this was odd even for him.
Ami.
The use of her name caused her to turn around quickly. There was now an odd flutter in her heart whenever he used it. What? What is it?
I will go and deal with this problem. Stay deep within the cave, and do not leave.
Ami frowned, her hopeful mood sinking fast. You're leaving me again. How long this time?
Don't ask questions. Just do what I say.
Ami stomped her foot, conjuring up the worst glare she could muster. No! I hate when you leave me alone! I hate that I am dependent on you because of where we are! I don't even know where the nearest town is! And...I couldn't just leave to find one either to get supplies, because of Solarus. How would I take him with me? Can you imagine, me walking around with a child looking like this? I'm sure that would gather all sorts of attention-
Nearest human town is many miles. Fast by flight, but days by foot. You can go nowhere, this is true, little mouse. You have enough supplies for now. I will be back as soon as the problem is dealt with.
Ami shook her head at him. Fine. Go ahead and leave me. You don't give a damn about me anyway.
With that she turned and walked back towards the house, nuzzling Solarus and trying to suppress her tears.
Because Ami didn't look back, she didn't see how Goliathus lingered where he stood, watching her go all the way back until she disappeared into the doorway. He continued to stare for a few more moments.
Then with a snap of his wings, he was up in the air and disappearing over the horizon within minutes.
/
The flatbed truck was hidden well among a patch of trees along the road. Jack Taggart Sr. held a pair of binoculars, scanning the sky back and forth a few times as he stood on the back, next to a strange contraption that was contrived from a pole puncher. A sort of makeshift harpoon was fastened to the top, made from a rather strange and creepy looking blade.
"You see anything, dad?" His son, Jack Jr., was sitting in the driver seat with the window down, tapping the side in his growing anxiousness.
"No...damn bastard's been real elusive lately. Who knows what little plan he's got brewin' in that twisted mind." He hopped down off the truck and sighed, putting the binoculars down. "I hope Trisha has it covered, like she keeps saying."
"Dad, that woman is crazy. She's even more obsessed than you with finding that monster. Why do we listen to her again?"
Jack gave him a look. "I don't like it much either, Jackie. But she did lose her brother." He paused, and an unusually crestfallen expression spread onto his features. "And we lost Billy. Don't forget it, boy."
Jack Sr. was quite on in his years now, graying and finding it a bit harder to get around. But at nearly seventy-five, he was still amazingly spry regardless. Years of hard farm work had certainly given him the advantage. And yet every time Billy got mentioned, it seemed he might sigh, give up, and lie down on the ground to die. Jackie knew his only real reason for going on was to find that hideous creature, the Creeper they called it back in Poho County...and make him pay. How exactly they all planned to do this, Jackie wasn't sure. They had tried once, nearly twenty-four years ago now, and despite his father having stabbed that creature so many times there were pools of black blood around it...the damned thing still woke up again after all those years. Why it didn't come after them then, Jackie didn't know. They merely went into the barn one morning to find him gone. His dad had fallen asleep, even though he tried to remain on vigilant duty, hell bent on shooting him right through the heart with his makeshift harpoon gun the instant the nightmarish thing even twitched a claw. Jack was livid, shouting and cursing for a long time after that. Later that day is when Patricia Jenner called, asking for their help.
One thing was for sure, he did miss his little brother. It would be satisfying, to get that revenge, especially after so many years.
But geezus...that was one scary-ass son of a bitch. The Creeper was ancient, wasn't he? If he was so easy to take down, it would have happened years ago, he was sure of that.
Still...dad was right. They had to do this. For Billy.
/
"No, I don't fucking want to schedule an appointment, mam. I need to see her right now." Patricia Jenner trembled in anger as she shouted into the phone. This bitch on the phone was really pissing her off. It was a god-damned nursing home, not Fort fucking Knox. "Are you deaf, honey? I said her name is Jezelle Gay Hartman. About eighty-eight years old now, black woman, short, kind of pudgy? She knows me. I've got to talk to her, do you hear me? It's important! You know how much money I've donated to that home?" Trish listened for a while, smoking her cigarette with enough force to practically suck the butt into her mouth. "Finally! We're getting somewhere here. Ah, so she said she'd see me, huh? Great. I'll be there later tonight. No I can't wait until after dinner." She hung up, ignoring the woman's protests on the other line. Exhaling loudly she ran a hand through her long, dark blonde hair and stared down at an old, torn photo in front of her on the desk. "Don't worry, Dar. We're gonna stop him, I promise."
Of course Trisha was getting real worried. The Creeper's twenty-three days had been up a long time ago. But the reports of missing people were still popping up everywhere. And now, not just in Poho County. There had also been mysterious reports of a similar nature in upstate New York, a fishing boat had been attacked and all aboard ripped apart by rumors of a mysterious flying creature out somewhere in the Atlantic...and most recently, for several past months...in remote areas of South Carolina.
This wasn't good. Not at all. What in the hell was going on? Either the Creeper was not alone...or somehow...he'd found a way to break the cycle. And that was the most disturbing thought of all.
She had to find him. Jezelle was her last hope... that's if the old, crazy lady could even think straight any more.
/
Solarus was crawling now. His growth was certainly faster than any normal child, and sometimes the focused, intelligent look in his eyes made Ami feel rather uneasy. Three days had passed, and Goliathus had not returned. The supplies Ami had were dwindling, and quite frankly, she was getting sick to death of venison jerky. If she never had to see another deer in her life, it would be the most wonderful thing in the world. What good had it done her anyway? Yes the furs were nice, the meat was at least some food...but it did nothing to really sway Goliathus from eating humans. That was her real hope, and it seemed it just wasn't going to work.
Ami leaned against the cave wall, huddled under furs and wondering just how long Solarus and her were going to be stuck here, alone.
She examined her hands, which were gaunt and calloused, the skin seeming to just stretch over the bones. Thankfully her face didn't seem too thin, but having only a tiny, mostly fractured compact mirror from the camping supplies made it hard to get a good look. Sometimes she had gazed into the river, hoping to see her reflection, but the current was always too fast moving and didn't provide more than a hazy, distorted shape with two spindly legs.
After many hours of just watching Solarus move and explore, he finally sighed and curled up to sleep near her feet. Ami's eyelids grew heavy herself, and thoughts of how many kills Goliathus might bring home this time when he did return, crept through her mind, unwanted, as she drifted off to sleep.
/
The nursing home had that rather unpleasant, yet familiar odor of stale urine the instant the automatic doors creaked open. Trisha felt bad for the poor lady, being forced to stay here. Jezelle had no family, at least none that were alive, and she hadn't for years. But she felt even worse about the fact that the last time she'd seen Jezelle...was over two decades ago when her brother was taken. Trish hadn't of wanted to see her. Jezelle had been like the unwilling messenger of death, always telling them about some creepy song and someone screaming in the dark. It had crept Trish out and she almost wanted to blame her for everything. But of course it was absurd. Jezelle had only wanted to help...even if deep in her heart she had known it was going to be a fruitless mission.
Trisha found the elevators and poked the up button. The doors opened and more foul odors flooded her nose, along with something like over ripe onions. Looking at the piece of paper the receptionist had given her, she punched the number "seven" on the control panel and the ancient machine crept upwards, maddeningly slow.
As soon as the ding sounded and the door opened, Trish stepped out and made haste to room 7B. She used the knocker and rapped it loudly against the metal door. "Jezelle? Are you in there?"
Folding her arms, she waited. Old people were extremely slow. Just give her time.
She heard the faintest of shuffling sounds close to the door, heard a tiny click of the peephole opening.
"Who is that?" Came a breathy, drawling voice.
"Jezelle, it's Trisha Jenner. Remember me? I need your help, please. Can I come in?"
The peephole clicked shut, and there was the sound of a rattling security chain being removed. The lock clanked, and the door slowly creaked open.
"Patricia?"
"Yes, it's me. You remember, right?" Trish could see her now. One of her eyes clearly had a cataract, and her hair was a fine mist of tight, grey curls.
"What you doin' here? It's after dinner time, and I'm about ready to go to bed!"
Trish glanced at her watch. It was just barely nine o'clock.
"I'm sorry, forgive me. But it's important. Please Jezelle, please. Let me in so I can talk to you."
The old woman fell silent, staring at her with her one good eye for several long, uncomfortable minutes. Her voice lowered. "Now you see here, honey. I know what you might be askin' about, and I don't want nothin' to do with it no more, ya hear? Let an old woman live out her last days in peace."
Jezelle went to shut the door, but Trish jammed a foot in to block it. "I know. I really do. I didn't want to come here, and bother you, especially after so long. But I haven't had peace Jezelle. And I won't...until I get my revenge."
The door opened again, this time wider. Jezelle seemed to have gotten much skinnier than Trisha remembered, and she was leaning on a cane.
"Come in."
As soon as Trish stepped inside and closed the door behind her, Jezelle jabbed a finger towards her couch. Trisha sat instantly.
"Are you a fool, chile? Really. Revenge. Is that what I heard you say?"
Trisha sighed, crossed her legs. "Yes. I've been planning it for years, trying to gain enough money and resources to bring my idea to fruition. But now, I just need to find him, and he's been here far longer than twenty-three days, Jezelle. Why?"
The old lady took a few steps back, shaking her head.
"Breeder." She whispered, barely perceptible.
"Excuse me?" Trish leaned forward, keeping her eyes riveted on the psychic's face. "You have to speak up."
Finally Jezelle pulled a chair up, which took her a while due to her feeble strength, and sat down in front of her with a groan as she rubbed her knees.
"I prefer to stand ya know...these old knees are killin' me." She yawned,and reached for a steaming hot cup of tea that was already on the coffee table. "You want some?"
"No, thanks. What did you say Jezelle?"
The old woman took her time, sipping and saying nothing for an infuriarating amount of minutes. Then with a forlorn expression, she put the tea down and gazed back at Trish, slowly shaking her head again. Now Trish could see those once brown and warm eyes coming through the haze of cataracts and age. She recognized that utter look of pity, that she gave hours before her brother was captured.
"I said breeder." She drawled in her deep Southern accent, and seemed to be fighting back growing fear.
"Oh god. What's a breeder, Jezelle?" I don't think I really want to know this answer.
"Use your damned imagination. He's gone and found a rare human whose compatible with...with his kind."
Trisha blinked, barely beliving what she was hearing. "His kind? What is his kind, Jezelle? No one seems to know...and I've done a lot of research, believe me. I've looked at library documents, books, old papers...been to every town you can think of, asked the natives...closest thing I found to answers was an old town in the west in Texas, nicknamed the "Galloping Hills" by the people. They had a few strange tales about that creature raiding their town back in the 1800s, but it was all deemed nothing but myths and legends used to scare kids at bedtime. But they didn't have a name for it." Trish paused, and let out another sigh as she rubbed her chin in thought.
Jezelle finished off her cup of tea, carefully placing the saucer back onto the table. "Native Americans had a name, an old one they don't like to speak about. Called it the "Devil's Eagle", cause of his habit of swooping down from the air to grab people, even in the bright daylight." She slowly got up. "Some tribes, I'm sure, thought he was a god."
Trish nodded, absorbing any new information she got.
Jezelle walked over to her kitchen, and got a mug from her cupboard. "You need some coffee, honey."
Trish wanted to refuse but thought better of it. Actually coffee did sound kind of nice right now. Had she ever told Jezelle she liked it far better than tea?
Tapping her fingers she tried to remain patient as Jezelle got the percolator going. Once it started bubbling and the wonderful smells of fresh brewed beans filled the little apartment, Jezelle finally shuffled her way back over and sat down again.
There was a long amount of silence again until Trisha spoke up first.
"So...what is he then? Do you know now?"
"I seen this man recently...saw him a few times before but thought nothin' of it at first...figured maybe he was an old, old victim from a very long time ago. But that's not the case, Patricia." Jezelle answered instantly.
Trisha's eyes widened. "Are you trying to say the Creeper was maybe once a man?"
"No. But this man knew him. Knew him personally...knew him for many years."
Now the other woman had fallen silent, blinking slowly. She waited.
"This man...his name is Barabas. You know how old he is, Trish?"
Trish didn't answer, hanging on her every word.
"Thousands of years. I would sit here in this chair, concentrating on his image when it appeared to me in a dream. I don't know when these dreams will strike, but when they do, I've gotten in the habit of recording everything I see, whether on paper or in my head." She reached under the glass top of the coffee table, pulling out a notebook, and handed it to Trish.
Inside the notebook was a list of words, and some sketches of a bald man holding a dagger of some kind. She read the hastily penciled words in large print.
BARABAS-
PRIEST OR A BISHOP.
SEE HIM ALWAYS IN HUGE CATHEDRAL.
ANCIENT ROME, WEARS A WHITE TOGA. CARRIES A GOLDEN SHEATH WITH A DAGGER OR SWORD.
DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE WITH. HAS MENTIONED A NAME WITH URGENCY, ALONUS.
AND ALSO AELIA. AELIA HE HAS INCLINED MAY HAVE BEEN HIS DAUGHTER.
ASKED HIM ABOUT CREEPER. DESCRIBED HIM.
SAYS THAT IS GOLIATHUS.
ALONUS' SON.
ASKED HIM WHAT ALONUS IS.
SAID SHE IS HERADUS.
WHAT IS HERADUS? SAYS THEY ARE POWERFUL GARGOYLES, BUT EVEN HE DOES NOT KNOW WHERE THEY ORIGINATED. LIVED ALWAYS IN SECRET AND ISOLATION, BECAUSE FEARED BY HUMANS...NEVER UNDERSTOOD.
HAD URGENT MESSAGE, BUT COULD NOT GET IT. HE FADED OUT, I LOST THE CONNECTION.
Trisha could not believe this. So much information...and yet...it was also a shock, not really what she had been expecting at all.
"Jezelle, does this imply these creatures are not inherently evil? Or is Barabas trying to warn us about them?"
The old woman got up again, heading to the coffee pot. Trisha just waited, as she poured a mug full.
"You want cream and sugar? Or some of that skim milk crap?"
Trisha couldn't help a chuckle. "No, cream and sugar is fine, thank you."
Once she returned and handed Trisha the coffee, she spoke again.
"I don't think...and I know you don't want to hear this, Miss Jenner, but I don't think he's evil at all."
"What? How can you say that, with all the thousands of people he's killed? All the families he's torn apart?"
"I didn't say he was nice. I just said he isn't evil. You have to understand, Barabas seems concerned. Why he's showin' up now I have yet to figure out, child. He just keeps sayin' one thing..." Jezelle paused, and Trish leaned a little closer.
"What is that?"
"He's worried about his grandson."
"Grandson?"
"Yeah." Jezelle was looking very disturbed. Some sweat was beading on her forehead. "I told you. The Creeper found himself a breeder."
Trisha suddenly felt very faint. "Oh...oh god. Please don't tell me there's already-"
"A baby? Yes. That's who Barabas is worried about."
"Oh, shit!" Trisha got to her feet, and started pacing. "He's going to breed a bunch of man eaters? Is this what you're telling me?"
"Child, you don't understand...that-"
"I have to stop him more than every now! I have to!"
Now Jezelle stood, yelling back at her. "It's a suicide mission, you crazy fool! You'll never kill him! You can try just like all those ancient armies, and groups of villagers, and men with full armor, horses, and swords! None of them could stop him! What makes you think that you can?"
Trisha laughed, shaking her head. "I don't have old fashioned swords and armor, Jez. I have a giant, electrified cage that I'm going to imprison him with, and the Taggarts are going to help me catch him."
The psychic fell silent, blinking at her for a few moments. "And then what are you going to do if you succeed in this?"
"Make him suffer, what do you think? Even if I can't kill him, and believe me I will try everything I know...I will make him pay in every way you can imagine. He won't be able to escape. It's made out of titanium steel bars. And if he touches one, he'll get zapped with over one hundred thousand volts of electricity. I've spent my whole life working hard and building a fortune for one purpose. To stop that monster forever. He will not get away with murdering my little brother!" She was shuddering now in her anger and returned sadness. "He will not get away with murdering Jack Taggart's son Billy, those kids that died from that school bus incident on Route nine, the mayor of Poho County's daughter, or anyone else!"
After the little tirade there was utter silence in the room for several long minutes. Then Jezelle, with tears in her eyes, slowly shook her head and took a few steps back, falling down into her chair.
"Oh. Oh child. You just don't realize what the real truth is."
/
End Chapter 7 Well I've caught up to myself now, so the next chapter might be a little longer in coming. But don't worry, I've got plenty more to write! Please continue to review and let me know what you think or if you have any ideas you'd like me to add!