Author's Note: I had a reader (Duchessfaleen I'm talking about you!) that wanted the chapters to be longer with fewer cliffhangers. So, I'm posting two chapters at once and I'll get the last chapter up tomorrow. I told you this was going to be short but at least you won't have to wait long to see how it ends.

Chapter 12 – Other Monsters

Sirens continued to sound as Connor and Abby ran to the ADD console. Danny, Sarah and Becker burst into the room right behind them. Connor studied the screen and said, "It's the Forest of Dean. It looks like our very first anomaly has re-opened."

Abby looked stunned, "Another gorgonopsid could come through."

Danny gave them both a blank look, "What's a gorgonopsid?"

"A killing machine," Connor replied shortly.

Becker gave Sarah a worried look. "You should stay here."

"It's Danny's decision," Sarah said calmly.

"Becker's right. You stay behind on this one, Sarah. Abby maybe you should…"

Abby cut him off, "Forget it. I'm going."

Danny gave her a long, measuring look before he agreed, "O.K., let's go. Becker, get me a gun. Connor and Abby, you stay close."

oxoxoxox

They took one car, speeding out of town toward the forest. Traffic was light and they made good time, so when they reached the site, they found the anomaly open and steady. The guard assigned to watch the area was dead. Becker checked the body. "This wasn't a creature attack. This man was killed by gunshot wounds."

Ron stepped into view, his pistol aimed at the group. "That's right. I killed him and then put a couple of bullets into the large beast that came through the anomaly," he bragged.

Abby voiced the questions that were going through Connor's mind. "Ron, what are you doing here and what do you know about the anomalies?"

"Just finishing a job, beautiful."

"A job for who?" asked Danny.

"Don't know, don't care," Ron answered. "The only thing that matters to me is that the woman pays well."

Danny and Connor glanced at each other, "Helen," they said in unison.

Connor took a step forward, only to stop when Ron aimed the pistol at him.

"I'm going to have to kill you all now," he said with false regret. He gave Connor a look of pure hate. "I think I'll start with little Abby first. Give you the chance to watch her die."

"NO!" Connor pleaded. He forced himself to calm down and tried to hold Ron's attention. "Look, tell me what this is about. Who are you and why are you working for Helen?"

As Connor spoke, Danny tried to move around the man. Ron noticed the movement and pointed his gun directly at Danny. He motioned him back with the pistol. "All of you over there and drop those weapons."

As Danny and Becker lowered their guns to the ground, Ron smiled nastily and answered Connor's question. "I'm no one important. Just making a bit of money. My lady-boss wanted you distracted and she made it clear that I could use any means to do that."

Connor's thinking leapt forward. "Your date with Abby…"

Danny spoke up, "The car that almost ran her down this morning…"

Connor's head jerked toward Abby, "What?"

Ron cut them off. "Yep, that was me."

"Rather cowardly to target Abby," Becker said with disgust.

Connor glanced at Becker and then looked back at Ron. "He knew if anything happened to Abby, I'd be gutted," he stated softly.

Abby looked around, desperate to find a way to stop Ron.

Ron frowned and lifted his gun. "Enough of this."

Sensing they were out of time, Connor eased in front of Abby, "I'm your target. You don't need to hurt anyone else."

Ron pointed the gun directly at Connor's chest, "O.K.," he said with an evil smirk. As he began to squeeze the trigger, a roar sounded from the forest behind them.

The team turned and scattered as the gorgonopsid charged into the area. As Becker and Danny scrambled for their guns, the beast charged past, side swiping Connor. Abby watched in terror as the creature hit him. He looked like a child's rag doll being thrown away. He landed in a crumpled heap, unmoving.

The creature, blood streaming from the bullet wounds in its thigh and chest, barreled ahead. It was focused on attacking the one who had wounded it. The enraged creature trampled Ron's legs and torso. The man's scream of pain was abruptly cut off as the gorgonopsid clamped razor-sharp teeth on his neck.

Becker and Danny pumped three rounds into the animal before it collapsed and died.

Gun held ready, Becker moved close enough to see Ron's body. "No need to worry about this one anymore," he said in grim satisfaction.

Abby ran to Connor. She knelt beside his unconscious body, afraid to touch him. His arm was turned at a funny angle and his leg was definitely fractured.

She choked back a sob as Danny knelt down to checked for a pulse. "He's alive. Call an ambulance."