Fire at Dusk: Part 35

Deputy Smith squeezed the trigger. The bullet escaped the chamber, ricocheting off the gun Mike was holding. The pistol flew from his hand and clattered to the ground. She watched as Mike's wide eyes darted from his hand to the gun and back again. She had always been a good shot, but this time she even impressed herself.

She had been worried that she wouldn't be able to get in a clear shot at Mike. She had managed to sneak up behind him and hide behind a large crate which sat under one of the work benches. As she glanced out from the workbench, she had locked eyes with Shirley Sue who gave her a quick nod. The diversion Shirley Sue created had provided her enough time to line up a clear shot that would pose no risk to Shirley Sue or Buck.

“Freeze!” Deputy Smith shouted. “Put your hands over your head, scumbag.” She forced back a smile. She had always wanted to say that.

Mike turned toward her and raised his hands above his head. He opened his mouth like he was going to say something, then closed it. His forehead wrinkled into deep grooves.

“Sarah, it's not what you think. If you give me a minute to explain...” Mike said.

“Like hell it's not what I think, Mike. I've been over here the entire time and already heard your explanation. And that's Deputy Smith to you.”

Deputy Smith pulled out a pair of handcuffs and walked toward Mike, but froze when she heard the beast's shriek. The air filled with the sound of squealing metal, the clatter of bricks slamming against the ground, and shattering glass. A heavy crimson cloud hovered near the wall, with the silhouette of the monster at its center. Deputy Smith watched as it shook itself clean of the bits of debris which covered it, thickening the crimson cloud which surrounded it. It raised itself onto its hind legs, pulled its arms behind its back, and wailed once again. Deputy Smith winced as her ears rang.

Everything seemed to flow in slow motion as the ringing in her ears subsided. The cloud of dust settled enough that the deputy was able to distinguish the beast's features. The beast fell back down onto all fours, and snorted, shaking its head. The creature's forked tongue ran across its large fangs which shimmered with the same opalescence as its claws. Fear gripped her heart and it took every fiber of her will to not flee from the creature. Never had she encountered something so terrifying. Her gaze was drawn to its face. Her eyes locked with the monster's.