The Visit part Deux
The middle creature dropped to all fours and let out what started as a bone-chilling growl but ended in a howl that filled the air and caused the others to join in, Mae watched as it dug its large paws into the snow and squared its shoulders reminiscent of a bull about to charge, she knew she was making a stupid mistake in delivering herself to them but had decided it was the best choice. She blamed herself for all of it dating back to the day she had met Caleb, she should have just killed him like all the others before, she didn't enjoy it like the rest of her "family" but knew it was a necessity.
Her very existence had become one big contradiction, she hated hurting anyone but had to in order to obtain the blood that would satiate her "infliction", which in turn would continue the very life she'd hoped many times before would come to its miserable end. She had been extremely lonely on the night she'd gone looking for sustenance, when she spotted Caleb by his truck she'd made up her mind instantly that he'd be hers, after riding a bit with him her longing for a companion to share her time with convinced her that he'd be more than just a food supply. Then something within her had switched on and though she knew he'd forever be like her, she had decided they'd escape the group and live an eternity with one another.
Now so many years later and after pushing all those events away in the catacombs of her memory while finally establishing a semi-normal life it came all back full circle, she knew who the three were as soon as they changed "Palmero brothers" she'd thought, a long time ago Jessie the "father figure" of her dysfunctional group had hired them to track down a renegade named Severen that he wanted to recruit "They've found us." Was the first thought that entered her mind, then as she watched Loy get decapitated she knew they were here to make amends for the losses suffered. Jessie had always been at odds with the "committee" not wanting to abide by the laws they'd established, he had always had issues with "rules" and would rather live the nomadic lives he and his group followed, the committee didn't care for any of them but always kept an eye on their actions. So she was sure when word of their demise reached them, and she knew it definitely had, liked or not retribution for their loss would have to be had.
The gut-wrenching growl that reached her ears snapped her out of her thoughts and forced her focus back on the trio, the alpha who was the bigger of the three was now charging full steam at her snarling and exposing the deadliest looking set of canines she had ever seen, powerful arms propelled it into the air at the very last second before impact sending the huge beast directly at Mae's chest, "so this is how it ends." The thought crossed her mind as she was hurled backward off her seat and for an instance she experienced the sensation of weightlessness, only to have it abruptly end when her body slammed into the snow and the solidness of the frozen ground underneath making her vision blur from impact, once cleared she quickly wished for the blurriness to return as she stared into the yellow orbs of the beast's eyes.
She could feel the low key growl reverberating through her as the beast's snout burrowed for a bit at the spot where her neck and shoulder joined, saliva fell from its jaws and dribbled along her neck as it's foul warm breath raked over her skin, she had her eyes closed in a hard squint as she waited for its sharp teeth to rip apart her flesh and feast on her blood. Yet the moment never came as she felt her ankle gripped in a vise-like hold and the snow whipping against her face and head as the creature dragged her with the ease of a child dragging its favorite toy, the last sounds she heard before letting the welcome numbness of unconsciousness take over was the familiar sputtering of the dirt bike engines in the distance, a distance she knew they would never close in on in time.
The bikes came to a sudden stop as their path was suddenly blocked by the two hulking bodies belonging to the other two beasts, Caleb and Sarah's hearts sank in knowing they'd never see Mae again, the reality was that even if they had reached her they wouldn't have been able to save her. Now they faced their own certain demise in the form of the two werewolves before them, 20 feet separated them from the snapping fangs of the two beasts and they both prayed it would be enough, "The barn!" Sarah heard her brother's direction and without hesitation, both swung their bikes around opening the throttles up and heading straight for the open doors of the barn, after their previous life-changing events they had helped their father add certain "fail-safes" to the old structure.
They jumped off their bikes in unison as they threw the machines off to the side, they could hear the approaching threat but dared not turn to look and end up losing precious distance or time, they just hoped that they had enough of both to get inside before them and do what they needed to do. The lighter furred of the two was a bit ahead of its partner as they closed the gap between them and that which they pursued, it wasn't Sure of why it had to kill the prey but knew that it was what the Alpha had commanded before dragging his own capture away, now they were close the blood lust rising within them as they reached the open barn doors just a few feet behind the two they chased. They both knew the routine well since their father had made them go through it mentally and physically year after year until they had it timed perfectly, the device he had created resembled a giant rake minus the Long handle, each prong was made out of steel blades that once resided on the farms corn harvester and each one was sharpened to the max. The deadly edges facing forward towards the barn entrance. The whole thing was spring-loaded and locked into ready position via a long steel rod that was attached to a hook on one end and molded rubber grip on the other, it was simplicity at its best when you really followed the flow of execution for the makeshift trap, a thing of beauty and destruction all in one.
Caleb made sure Sarah was running next to him as he slammed down on the grip, as one end lowered the other raised and released the hook holding the loaded device at bay, as it launched in an arc towards them it pulled a high tension cable that was attached to a hidden floor panel that covered the entranced to the escape tunnel beneath them. The creature clawed at them as he finally closed the gap they'd established but was met with nothing but empty space as they disappeared into the hole that had opened up beneath them, in their place three long blades accelerated towards the bewildered beast blinding it momentarily as the sun's light glinted off the silver of the sharpened edges. The attempt to vault over the oncoming danger was futile as each blade made contact with its torso and began to slice him like a loaf of bread, it's cry of agony filled the interior of the barn for a quick moment then ended abruptly as one of the blades sliced through the thick muscles of its neck, sending the grotesque visage rolling across the wooden floorboards and into the snow where its blood decorated the white like some demented finger painting.
"It worked!" He thought as the panel above his head began to slide back into place, the drop was ten feet deep but a miniature version of a stuntman's airbag was fitted into the space at the bottom of the shaft, he grabbed Sarah's outstretched hand and let her help him off the cushioned surface.
The tunnel was well lit and its walls had been reinforced with cement, constriction had taken them forever or so it had seemed, but once done it inspired them to continue preparing for the inevitable retaliation that would follow. They both ran as fast as possible in the confined space racing towards the steel-reinforced door at the end, the tunnel would deposit them inside the garage which was attached to the main house and held within it the only vehicle other than the bikes, it was a black '93 Ford F-150 Lightning they had dubbed Charles when they'd purchased it. Caleb reached for the door handle and was surprised at how cold it was, he turned it to release the lock, but to his dismay, it refused to open and just like in a horror movie it was at this moment that the large form of the third werewolf crashed through the hidden panel and landed hard upon the cushion beneath, the thing's claws ripped through the reinforced vinyl sending streams of pressurized air up into the space, it's fur billowed upward as the air rushed past making it look like a demon sent straight from the pits of damnation.
When it spotted its prey a roar erupted that traveled the distance of the shaft and slammed into them with enough force that it left a ringing in their ears for a few seconds after, Sarah and Caleb both turned towards the creature and both shared the same facial expression upon seeing it begin to rush them on all fours, turning quickly towards the door handle they both grasped it and yanked "OPEN YOU FUCKIN' PIECE OF SHIT!" Caleb was a bit surprised hearing his "little sister" screaming profanity at the stubborn door but understood where it was coming from. The door finally swung open and they both leaped through it almost getting stuck in the process, reaching behind him he grabbed it once again hoping it would jam for the beast as well, just then a very loud crashed resounded as they climbed the steep stairs leading out to the garage, the impact actually putting an indentation into the steel door and warping the frame a bit.
Caleb smiled and whispered thank you to no one, in particular, knowing that it would indeed be jammed, even more so than when they'd attempted to open it, turning his attention back to the garage he saw that his sister was looking for the keys already as she reached into each wheel well and rummaged around. "Doors should be open, check the visor dad always put them there." His heart fluttered with the mention of his father, and the anger built up deep within, he looked around the garage as his sister searched for the keys and stopped when his eyes fell upon the scythe hanging on the wall. The creature broke through the metal door in a rage for being detained, it could still hear it's prey above it somewhere, but very close, with an ear-deafening growl it shot up the concrete steps with a blood lust that was ravenous.
Caleb waited patiently standing behind the stone enclosure surrounding the steps leading up from below, the scythe blade rested flat against the stones his left hand twitching on the handle midway down the shaft while his right hand grabbed the end of it, he hoped the beast below would not notice the sharpened blade that awaited it. The sudden eruption of the engine filled the garage as Sarah prepared their escape, she watched as the things ears broke the surface of the tunnel opening everything playing at a slow-motion pace in her head, its eyes focused on her as the sound of the engine drew its attention. Her eye movement betrayed her brother's position as she looked to him awaiting his move.
The creature spun around quicker than either thought possible but it was too late for it anyway, the 30-inch blade came at it with a determination it's wielder wouldn't deter from. The stainless steel edge sliced through hair, muscle, and bone with surgical precision, the head rolled and stopped upon bumping into the side of the truck, it's yellow eyes still open and staring at Sarah who sat waiting for her brother to get in almost mimicking it's brother's demise only moments ago. Satisfaction briefly filled him as he watched the blood flow from the things neck stump, but it was short-lived in knowing that nothing would bring his father's smile back nor the beauty of Mae's face before him again. He hopped into the driver's seat and slammed the door shut as his foot stepped on the gas, causing the truck to stir up a wake of dirt behind it as it rocketed past the double doors of the garage.
The sunset colored the sky in a reddish hue behind the two figures standing on the hilltop, they'd picked up their father's remains and placed them in the hole both had dugout. The small cemetery was located about a mile from the farm and also held the remains of their mother, as well as friends and neighbors from surrounding farms, so it was only right to bury his remains amongst them.