Anthony DeCosmo - Empire

Nina jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off in the Humvee. Behind her, the Specialist and the Commander whistled for the Grenadiers to retreat.

The Shadow wobbled along the parking lot adjacent to a large clearing amidst a patch of woodland. Pieces of a castle-a prop from some movie-remained in that clearing.

Nina drove the Humvee directly at the Shadow. Retreating Grenadiers raced the opposite direction. She counted only five. The dogs had bought her time but at the price of half their number.

As she drove, she honked the horn, grabbing the entity’s attention.

She stepped on the gas, aiming straight for the black void.

It reached down to greet the suicidal human. Nina threw herself from the vehicle. Her body hit and rolled along the pavement. She felt a stinging pain in her wrist and a solid thump on her head.

The Humvee coasted into the creature, into the black space that defined the Shadow. A blinding flash of light marked the impact, but no noise.

Nina lifted her aching head from the pavement and watched the Shadow blow apart like a shattered window. That static sound rippled through the air growing so loud it sounded like an electronic scream.

When the sound subsided, the ‘pieces’ of black that had been the creature fluttered like feathers carried on the wind…then faded away.

Despite a bandage wrapped on her wrist, a deep thigh bruise, and a throbbing ache in her head, Nina drove Denise home to Wrightsville Beach.

“You know,” Denise said as they approached the row of condominiums where most of the Wrightsville survivors lived. “I suppose, if you really wanted me to, I could hang at that City Hall.”

“You could, could you? Well, it was fun having you around but I think Mr. Brock is probably missing you.”

Denise smiled devilishly and said, “Yeah sure, if that’s the excuse you’re going to use to see Jim.”

Nina shot the girl a stern look. Before that look could dissolve into a smile, Nina refocused on the road ahead.

Brock met them at the condominium complex the ‘orphans’ called home. He wore a disapproving expression.

“You should not have done that. We were worried sick about you.”

“Hey, like, I’m old enough to take care of myself.”

The young girl turned to face Nina before she went inside.

“Um, yeah, well, see-ya.”

“Hey,” Nina stopped her. “You want to get together again, you don’t have to stow away.”

Denise tried to hide a smile as she turned around and disappeared inside.

Jim and Nina stood on the sidewalk alone in silence for a moment. It took him that long to realize the woman had injuries.

“Hey, you look all banged up.”

“Gee, thanks, aren’t you the charmer?”

“Well, I mean you look great. No, wait, I mean to say that looks like it hurts, but not in the ‘oh my God what happened to your face’ way.”

Nina said, “We ran into a pretty nasty baddy today. Don’t worry, Denise wasn’t anywhere near it.”

“No but she was near you. You should be honored. D’ isn’t the type to start hero-worshipping the first person who comes along with a gun and an attitude.”

“I have an attitude?”

Brock stumbled, “Well, um, I meant to say-”

“Yeah,” Nina nodded. “I have an attitude.”

The radio crackled, “HK teams, two Devilbats sighted in the northeast quad. Need assistance to track and kill. All units please respond.”

Nina walked to the radio lying on the front seat of the Humvee.

“This is Forest, I’m coming.”

She sat in the driver’s seat and turned to Jim Brock. “I’ve got to get going. I’ve got a job to do.”

Brock’s eyes sagged. “Yeah, sure, I know. But hey, thanks for bringing her back.”

“I’d like to stop by and see her again. I kind of feel responsible for her now. Besides, she’s got some sharp instincts. Pretty good reflexes and all.”

“She’s a good kid. They all are. Just, a bad break for them. For all of us, I suppose.”

“Better get a taste for it, Mr. Brock, beause it’s the only world we’ve got these days.”

“I’ll try. But speaking of tastes, do you have a taste for seafood?”

“Huh?”

He explained, “We eat a lot of seafood around here. I don’t know if you guys-I mean girls-I mean whatever-get much of that.”

“When I’m not in the field, I live in Annapolis. We get a lot of crabs. Not a lot of regular fish though. Not for me at least.”

“Then you should stop back when you get a chance. I know a good seafood place.”

Nina smiled. “Do they take credit cards?”

“Miss Forest-I mean, Captain Forest-I mean, Nina,” he stopped and sucked in a deep breath. “What I mean to say is, rescuing me and the kids from Mutants gives you good credit around here.”

Nina shifted into gear.

“I guess I’ll have to collect on that sooner or later.”

“You told me, I remember, glory, built

On selfish principles, is shame and guilt.”

— William Cowper

On August 27, as young Denise Cannon followed Nina Forest through the streets of Wilmington, Trevor stood in the first floor den staring out the French casement windows through eyes as sharp as lasers. Behind him stood Dante Jones and Gordon Knox. On the grounds in front of him, he saw a trio of Dobermans patrolling.

“Tell me again how it is a guy can walk up to this window, tap on the damn glass, and then walk away without anyone seeing.”

He pivoted about and locked those laser-eyes on Dante Jones.

“Do you have an answer, Dante? Can you give me one good damn reason how this happened?”

Dante swallowed. “Maybe we’re not dealing with a man here. Maybe-”

“Is that the excuse? This is some sort of ghost? JB’s grandpa saw a man standing outside this window, a few feet from my son’s nose. He stood there and friggin’ waved at them for Christ’s sake!”

“He slipped through. Want do you want me to say?”

“If you can’t stop ONE man, how the HELL are you going to stop a Hivvan sniper or one of Voggoth’s assassins? Could you even stop the damn girl scouts from selling cookies at my front door? Could you? ANSWER ME!”

Trevor stopped and waited, his breath heaved in and out. Dante stood with his shoulders shaking-just a little-and blood nearly coming from his bit lip.

“I’m sorry, Trevor-”

“Sorry doesn’t-”

“-let ME finish. I’m sorry I got a dozen guys to guard the mansion instead of three times that number. I’m sorry the only time we have a helicopter around here is when you loan us one for a couple of hours from the military. I’m sorry I got guys out there trying to fight Jaw-Wolves with swords and Devilbats with. 22 caliber handguns. I’m sorry I can’t turn god damn water into god damn WINE!”

“We’re all short on resources, Dante, but I don’t hear bitching from my Generals.”

“Fine, then put one of them in charge of Internal Security. I never asked for this. You appointed me, remember? Like you appoint everybody else. There’s got to be an old Chief of Police somewhere who would want this job. Fire me and give the job to them.”

Trevor pointed his finger and said, “Not that easy, Dante. I’m not going to fire you. You need to step up and do the job.”

Dante Jones eyed Trevor and spoke in a much softer voice, “And why won’t you fire me? Is it because you enjoy bitching me out? Is this your revenge for when we were kids and I bossed you around? Or maybe if you fired me, then you have to admit that you made a mistake appointing me in the first place. That would make people wonder about all your other appointees. How many mistakes are out there, Trevor?”

Trevor’s face turned red but before he could explode Gordon Knox physically stepped between the men.