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Elias wasn’t certain where the spell had transported him. Darkness surrounded him. He was weaker than ever. Jagged throbbing aches centered in his back, shortening his breath. The pellets had embedded in his flesh with some burrowing deep enough to damage lung tissue.
Pain shot through his left leg like burning fire. He grabbed his left calf and discovered his foot was gone.
Filled with dismay, he closed his eyes. Even if he managed to sacrifice Justin, he didn’t want to gain immortality with only one foot. He had to retrieve the appendage and magically reattach it, provided he could. He had never suffered injuries during the past six sacrificial periods. Until now, he had never failed, but he feared that was his imminent outcome.
Elias focused his attention on Devils Den and reached with his mind to find the Dark Chancellor. No connection stirred. A cold veil blocked him. He pushed with his mind again, harder, but still came up empty. The chancellor was avoiding him.
Losing hope that his master would aid him in his despair, he searched the area around the farmhouse to find his foot. At the front of the house where the shotgun blast had ripped chunks of flesh from his back, two men stood at the hedges, pointing at his foot. A few seconds later, another man put it in a box and headed to a vehicle. Elias followed with his mind’s eye until the man got inside the car. When the engine started, Elias focused his spirit through the window and kept his attention on the cardboard box.
Elias’ spirit rode with the officer to the Coroner’s Office. Once there, he crept alongside the deputy to see where the box was being taken. A man wearing glasses eagerly accepted the box and the deputy quickly left.
The man studied his foot while Elias drifted around the room, making interesting discoveries of his own. Seconds later, he was back inside his body.
He rubbed the bone necklace between his thumb and index finger, chanting a spell over and over. His time was over, unless his magic obeyed his commands.
***
Hopkins scanned the UV light across Justin’s desk, chair, and bed without finding any trace of blood.
Marshall pointed at the large muddy thumbprint that had dried on the butterfly spreading board. “He was here.”
“There’s dried mud on the chair, too. But if Elias was here, why didn’t he kill Justin then?”
“Not sure. My guess would be that he was waiting for a more opportune time outside the house or the moon wasn’t in its proper phase yet.”
Marshall stepped to the window and peered out. Along the edge of the window seal was a partial handprint. He lifted up the window and shone his light on the trellis. The rose vines were bent and broken in places. Some of the dying leaves were wilted.
“He came up the trellis,” Marshall said, lowering the window.
“He did a lot of traveling for someone that has a deteriorating body.”
Marshall gave a slight nod. “Yes, but he’s staying close to the farmhouse now. That’s the biggest sign that he’s desperately searching for Justin.”
“And the cave has made it impossible for us to find him.”
“Exactly. Someone wants Justin protected.”
“Who? Ben?”
“Could be. There are a number of unknown possibilities.”
Hopkins rubbed his chin and said, “A great number of unknown dangers, too. With the strange animal Ben had in his house, I’d hate to run across an unruly creature that’s any larger.”
“I find it fascinating.”
“Why?”
“Another world, full of creatures and people we’ve never seen.”
Hopkins shook his head. “I am quite satisfied with what I know, Marshall. Never been fond of exploring outside my home county. I have everything I need and want here. I certainly don’t want dangerous animals and undead people burrowing their way up into my comfort zone. If Justin didn’t need rescued, I’d never do one thing to reopen Devils Den.”
“I don’t think we’ll have to.”
“God, I hope not. What’s your plan?”
“We watch the farmhouse tonight in case Elias returns. Once daylight comes, we go back to Ben’s house. I believe we’ll find some clues that will enable us to get to the place Justin is. I also want to see if we can open that trapdoor.”
“I don’t want to imagine what might be on the other side of that door.”
“If we can open it, I volunteer to go down first.”
Hopkins smiled. “No argument from me.”
“Were you able to contact Sheriff Douglas?”
Hopkins looked troubled. “Not directly. I did talk with his daughter.”
“Does she know where he is?”
“Yes. That’s part of the problem.”
“What?”
“He’s in a nursing home and suffers from severe dementia.”
“Damn,” Marshall said. “So he probably doesn’t remember anything from all those years ago.”
“That’s how I took it.”
Marshall frowned and nodded before he said, “I’m going to walk around the farmhouse one more time before we secure the house and wait it out.”
“Okay,” Hopkins said, glancing at his watch. “I’ll have Lib make us a pot of coffee. It will be a long night.”
***
Eugene received the box from the deputy. He didn’t act a bit surprised when he found Elias’ foot inside. He was more intrigued than anything else.
The gray skin was splotched with little abscesses, scabs, and moldy patches. He removed a peeling flake of skin with a pair of tweezers and placed it on a glass slide. After placing the slide on the microscope tray and adjusting the ocular, he studied the tissue at the highest magnification. Weaved within the skin cells were long green filaments that he didn’t recognize immediately. He backed away from the microscope and frowned.
Eugene grabbed the data analysis sheet for the dirt samples from his desk. The clayish material was composed of decayed plant matter. The moss was identified as sphagnum. With a quick Internet search he obtained a microscopic photo of sphagnum, which was a match for the green filaments in Elias’ cell slide.
“Interesting,” he said, returning to the microscope.
He looked at the slide again. The cells were still attempting to divide. The green strands were attached to the human cells in various places and appeared to be pumping sustenance through tiny fingerlike projections.
“Symbiotic relationship? That’s damn impossible.”
Looking again, he had no choice but to accept it as fact. Cells that should have been dead for decades were still undergoing mitosis. It had to be the science behind the magic that was making Elias able to live for well over a century.
Eugene flipped open a lab notebook and scribbled down his observation. Midway down the page, he stopped writing. Metal clanged behind him. A tray of dissecting instruments clattered on the floor. He turned to see Ledbetter’s corpse traipsing toward him. The laceration pattern Elias had carved on the man was outlined by faint green growth. The same moss filaments attached to the skin cells in the microscope slide.
Ledbetter staggered forward, his dead eyes dark and unblinking.
“Dear God!” Eugene exclaimed, running toward the doorway.
One of the refrigerated drawers thudded. A second later the door where he had placed Meeks’ body popped open. Meeks pushed against the sides of the unit and slid the tray he laid upon came out the storage door.
Ledbetter changed direction, walking for the door.
Eugene paused at the door and looked back. Meeks picked up Elias’ foot. Ledbetter was coming after Eugene but at such a slow speed, the coroner could walk and escape. Although he had never believed in magic or given Voodoo much validity, something from the dark, mystical realms was at work.
Not owning a gun, Eugene did the only thing he knew. He ran for his car, hopped in, and drove away. He guessed Hopkins was still at the McKnight farm, which was only a few miles away, so that’s where he’d go. He knew a lot about death, but he didn’t know how to kill something after it came back to life. Perhaps the sheriff or Marshall knew a way to destroy these undead people.
***
Frank stopped his truck alongside the narrow back roads. He stared at the starry sky and shook his head. Under his breath, he berated himself for excusing himself and fleeing from what he had promised he’d see to the end. He turned his truck around and headed back. He might not be able to help them get through the wall, but he could help protect the McKnights.
***
Clifford lay in bed, trying to sleep. James was on the bunk above him, and Zeke was in a single bed across the bedroom beneath a window.
“Wonder what really happened to Justin?” Clifford said.
“A monster ate him,” Zeke replied.
James leaned over the edge his bunk. Looking down at Clifford, he said, “Don’t worry about it. You’re safe here.”
“But,” Clifford said softly. “What if it gets us?”
“Don’t be a baby,” Zeke said. “It’s not going to come out here.”
“How do you know?” Clifford asked.
“Cause it lives in the cave,” Zeke said. “That’s why it took ol’ city boy.”
“We don’t live that far from the cave.”
“Just go to sleep, you big baby,” Zeke said, throwing a pillow at him.
“I’m not a baby, Zeke!”
“Go to sleep, Cliff,” James whispered. “Things will be better tomorrow.”
Clifford sobbed.
“See?” Zeke said. “You’re crying. Just like a baby.”
“Leave him alone, Zeke,” James said.
“Or what? You know I’ll put a whipping on you, James. I’ve done it before.”
James said, “Yeah, just wait until Mom and Dad get home. He’ll use the belt on you again.”
“You best not say a word if you know what’s good for you.”
James lay down and stared at the ceiling.
Clifford cried quietly.
Something scratched the window screen. Zeke sat up and swung his feet off the side of his bed.
“You hear that?” Clifford whispered.
“Yeah,” Zeke replied.
A shadow moved across the window.
Clifford pointed and screamed. “It’s outside! Don’t let it get us, Zeke!”
Zeke ran across the room and into the hall. He pulled the door closed behind him, holding the doorknob tight. Clifford grabbed the doorknob and tried to turn it. Couldn’t.
“Zeke!” Clifford wailed with a tear-choked voice. “Open the door and let us out!”
Glass shattered.
“Zeke!”
Zeke held the door closed. His eyes were shut tight. His body trembled and for a few moments, he heard nothing due to the fear consuming him. When sounds became audible again, his two brothers cried with muffled screams as they were forced out the window.
Zeke convulsed with heavy tears and sobs. He held the door so tight his hands hurt. Finally, he let go and slowly pulled open the door to look inside their bedroom. Nothing moved or breathed. He flipped on the bedroom light.
Clifford and James were gone.
***
Erin smiled when she introduced Lily to Justin. Lily was a spectacular horse. Her coat was the color of a snow leopard and extremely soft. Her eyes were glass bluish-white She whinnied gently when Justin petted the side of her head.
“She’s beautiful. Do you ride her much?” he asked.
Erin held an apple in her hand for Lily and said, “Some, but only if my father accompanies me.”
“You think he’d let us now?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s dark outside.”
Justin looked around the stable. “We’re underground. How can you tell?”
“Being a faery, the earth lets me know.”
“So you can’t ride after dark?”
Erin shook her head. “The forests are dangerous enough in the daytime. Much worse after dark.”
“I hope your mother has good news when she returns.”
“You don’t like it here?”
“No, it’s not that. I think the area is beautiful. But my grandfather is sick, and I really like being human more than what I am right now.”
She laughed. “Do you feel different?”
“Not really. Not until I see my reflection at least. My eyes are too big.”
“Have you done magic?”
Justin smiled. “Some.”
“That’s new for you?”
“Yes.”
“How does it feel?”
“It’s hard to explain, but it feels good. I felt this warmth rush through my body.”
“I know. I love that.”
“So you do magic, too?”
“Since I was able to walk.”
“I couldn’t imagine doing that all my life.”
“It’s second nature for us.”
“What are you able to do?”
Erin looked away. “I’m not permitted to say.”
“Oh.”
She led Lily to the stable. “We should get back in case my mother shows up. Especially if you want to return to your home sooner.”
***
Eugene called Hopkins on his cell phone.
“Sheriff, we have a situation.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Pastor Ledbetter and Deputy Meeks are still alive.”
“What?”
“They’re like Elias.”
“Zombie-like?”
“You could say that.”
“Where are you?” Hopkins asked.
“I’m driving to the McKnight farm. You are still there?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I should arrive in a few minutes.”
“Did you have a chance to examine the foot?”
“I did a tissue slide. What I discovered is a bit unusual, to say the least.”
“The whole situation here is disturbing”
Eugene slowed his vehicle as he rounded a sharp curve. “There may be more than magic involved with Elias’ ability to live all these years.”
“How’s that?”
“His human cells have somehow developed a symbiotic relationship with the sphagnum moss. The moss feeds the human cells.”
“How is that possible?”
“Technically, it shouldn’t be possible at all.”
“So magic is also involved.”
Eugene chuckled. “I’m not a fan of magic, nor do I intend to become a believer. However, with all the events we’ve seen the past couple days, I have to accept there are things outside science that even I cannot dismiss. How are things on your end?”
“Marshall has patrolled the outside of the farmhouse. We’re all inside locking doors and windows.”
“So no more signs of Elias?”
“Not yet.”
“Keep an eye out for when I arrive. I don’t want to be stranded outside.”
“We’ll be watching. Blow the horn when you pull in just in case.”
“Okay.”
Hopkins said, “Elias lost his foot, but he also suffered a shotgun blast to his back. Marshall believes he sustained sizeable damage, which may prevent him from emerging again tonight.”
“That may be,” Eugene replied. “But, Deputy Meeks took Elias’ foot.”
“I wonder why?”
“Ask Marshall. He seems to know a lot more about the situation than we do.”
“I will.”
“Ahh, I see the McKnight mailbox. I’m turning in the driveway now.”
“Come to the side door.”
Eugene parked behind the Lexus. Hopkins swung open the door and stepped down to the drive. He held his gun at his side while watching the drive and side buildings. Eugene hurried around his vehicle and ran into the house.
Hopkins latched the screen door. He peered out a few more seconds before shutting the inside door and locking it.
“There’s coffee in the kitchen,” Lib said to Eugene.
“Thanks, ma’am. I think I’ll pour a small cup.”
Hopkins followed him into the kitchen. Marshall sat at the table, carefully flipping through Elias’ journal.
“Tell Marshall what you told me,” Hopkins said.
“About the foot?”
Hopkins nodded.
“Deputy Meeks took Elias’ foot.”
Marshall looked up from the book. His eyebrows rose. “Meeks has resurrected?”
Eugene shrugged. “Yes, and so has Pastor Ledbetter.”
“Damn. How long ago did this happen?”
Eugene looked at his watch. “No more than twenty minutes ago.”
Marshall glanced at Hopkins. “We have to find Meeks and get back that foot.”
“Why?”
“Elias may not be able to gain immortality without it.”
“So he had Meeks take the foot?”
“That’s a fair assessment,” Marshall said. “They are under his control.”
Eugene seated himself at the table. “Neither of them walked very fast.”
“Hopkins and I should head back to your office,” Marshall said.
“You don’t think Elias will try to attack the McKnights?” Hopkins asked.
“Why would he chance anything without his foot? Besides, we find Meeks, we’ll find Elias.”
“How?”
“Meeks is under Elias’ command. He’ll take the foot to Elias and that’s how we’re going to find him.”
Eugene sipped his coffee and said, “What about Pastor Ledbetter?”
“I’m not sure.”
Hopkins’ cell rang. “Hello? What?”
He quickly disconnected the call.
Marshall read the concern on Hopkins’ face. “What’s wrong?”
“Zeke just called the dispatcher. Both of his younger brothers were taken by what he described to be a living corpse.”
Marshall stood, closed the book, and quickly checked the clip in his gun. “We have to hurry. If he gets back his foot, he’ll sacrifice those boys instead of Justin. We have to find Meeks and those boys.”
“How do we kill them?” Eugene asked.
“We’ll figure out something,” Marshall said. “Our best bet is killing Elias. The other two are controlled by his magic. Kill Elias and they should drop where they stand.”