R. Edinger - Night Kill

Andrew set the book down on the bed. He took off his boots and coat. Andrew picked up the book and drew back the covers. He slipped into the bed and recovered himself. He placed the book on the night stand. The bed felt so comfortable and Andrew could no longer resist. He was exhausted and quickly fell asleep.

Thunder filled the valley early the next morning. A storm of retribution was coming against evil. The swift sword of justice poised to strike a blow for the innocent.

A squadron of law enforcement helicopters appeared on the horizon as the morning sun peaked over the mountains. The helicopters came in low and fast. Within minutes, they landed at Gothica castle.

The doors flew open. With their weapons at the ready, men in fatigues and body armor stormed the castle. Andrew was among them. He led a team with a stretcher to retrieve Talia’s body. They quickly entered the castle and rushed up the stairs to the third floor. Andrew was bothered by the fact that they encountered no resistance. Andrew left his team alone as they prepared Talia’s body for transport. There was one thing he had to know. Andrew left for the library.

Andrew had encountered no one on his way to the library. The Knights of VanHelsing had abandoned their home. Andrew shoved open the door and rushed into the room. He ran over to the grand table and to the side where the secret room was. His worst fears were realized when Andrew got there. The floor was open and Ana was gone! She was alive. Did they disappear as they had done in the past; gone into hiding at some other location? Or did they go after Nick, Kara, and Wyatt. He hoped and prayed that Ana had gone into hiding and that the fact that he had the book was enough to keep them away. Andrew did not see any sort of key in the slot. So how did Ana get out? He supposed that when the knights could not find Ana, she had to be trapped in the secret room. They must have had another medallion and used it to free her. Andrew descended the stairs. There was dried blood on the stone steps and a trail of more, leading back up. Andrew followed the trail of blood up until it stopped at one of the bookcases. There must be a hidden passage Andrew thought.

Andrew searched the shelves for the trigger. He found some more dried blood and one of the books. Andrew gave it a pull and part of the book shelf opened. He stepped inside the passage. As soon as he had done this, the panel instantly closed. Andrew followed the winding passage, not knowing where it led to. There were no lights, only darkness. Soon he came to the end. Andrew felt with his hands and could tell it was a stone wall. Where was the trigger to open it? He continued the search with his hand and in a few minutes had located it. Andrew pushed the trigger and the stone panel opened. The light from the sun nearly blinded him as Andrew stepped outside. He was somewhere on the opposite side of Gothica castle. It was a secluded area high in the Ore Mountains. Andrew discovered another helicopter landing area. It was camouflaged and would not have been detected from the air.

If there had been a helicopter there, it was gone. Andrew had no clue where Ana and her knight could have gone. He was relieved that they were more interested in seeking refuge than an attack. Andrew had defeated them and they were going in hiding to lick their wounds. But Andrew wasn’t finished. He had to make sure any Knights of VanHelsing that remained would be tried in court for their crimes. Andrew returned to the panel and found the key stone to open it. He stepped inside and the panel closed behind him.

When Andrew returned to the room, he saw them place Talia in a body bag, and then on the stretcher. He lowered his head and wept. All the frustration, all the fear, all the anger flowed out in his tears. Andrew raised his head and summoned up all the courage he had left. He led the way as they carried Talia’s body to the helicopter.

As Andrew and his team returned to the helicopter, he was met by the commander of the assault team. He informed Andrew that Captain Brewster radioed that Eric Schultz escaped while being escorted to see the Magistrate. He had managed to overpower the officers escorting him. One of the officers was dead and the other was rushed to the hospital. Andrew felt sick. He had a feeling where Eric was headed.

“I need to get to Berlin,” Andrew said.

“I can have one of the pilots fly you there,” the commander answered. He radioed one of the helicopter pilots. He looked at Andrew once he had gotten a response. “Take that chopper,” the commander pointed out the one closest to them. “Do not worry about your friend’s body; we will make arrangements for it to be shipped back to the states.”

“Have her transported to Berlin,” Andrew replied. “I want to bring her home.”

“Very well.” the commander gave a salute.

Andrew thanked him and walked over and got in the helicopter. Soon they were airborne and headed to Berlin.

Nick checked the locks on the hotel room door. They were still secure. Their flight home was not until tomorrow night. They had not received any word from Andrew on how the attack on Gothic went. This worried Nick to no end. The other thing that worried Nick was that fact that Andrew still had that damn book in his possession. His gut instinct told him that Ana and her knights might try killing him and Kara and taking Wyatt into hiding with them. Nick felt it was safer to order room service. He returned to the sitting area and sat down on the sofa. Kara was asleep on the bed and so was Wyatt. The difference between them was that Wyatt was handcuffed and Kara was not. Although Nick thought it would be pretty kinky if she were. Nick picked up a newspaper and had just started to read it when there was a knock at the door. He tossed the newspaper aside and grudgingly went to answer the door. Thank goodness the food he ordered had finally arrived. Nick was starving. He never bothered to peer through the peephole and just opened the door.

A taxi cab came to a screeching halt in front of the hotel. Its lone occupant tossed the driver the fare and quickly exited the cab. He rushed through the doors of the hotel and did not even bother to acknowledge the desk clerk. He hoped that it was not too late.

Nick woke to find himself tied to a chair. Kara was next to him tied up as well. They both were gagged. Wyatt was free and talking to someone dressed in a Knight’s of VanHelsing garb, right down to the deadly weapons. Nick cursed himself for not being careful and letting his hunger get in the way. Kara looked very frightened and it made Nick even sicker knowing he had let her down.

Wyatt and the other person stopped talking and walked over by Nick and Kara. Wyatt looked smug and Nick did not like it.

“We’re leaving now,” Wyatt announced. “Tell Mister Knight that he had better return our book to us. Otherwise Gold Blade here will take it from him.” Wyatt leaned closer Nick and whispered, “You see, Gold Blade has orders to use whatever means necessary to retrieve it.” Wyatt was defiant now, “Gold Blade is the best and I doubt Mister Knight is any match for him.” A knock at door interrupted Wyatt’s speech. He looked at Gold Blade, who nodded for him to answer the door. Wyatt went to answer as Gold Blade took up a position on the backside of the door. Wyatt peered through the peephole. There was no one there. “What the heck?” Wyatt cursed. He opened the door and stepped in the hallway to take a look.

Nick and Kara saw as Wyatt flew backwards and strike the door. He was instantly knocked out.

Gold Blade witnessed this as well and came around the door. He entered the hallway. Seconds later, Gold Blade followed the same path as Wyatt, but rolled and stood to face the mysterious attacker. Nick and Kara’s hearts leapt with joy when they saw Andrew step boldly into the hotel room to face Gold Blade. Andrew was dressed in police fatigues and carried a backpack across his left shoulder. He was pointing a gun at Gold Blade.