Darkness Falls by Jeremy Bishop, Daniel S. Boucher Page A

shriek.
    Then it was just Sam’s voice, screaming in fear and agony.
    He jerked as something grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him violently. He shot his left arm upward, breaking the thing’s grip and struck out with a right fist. Pain shocked down his arm in protest, as he struck something solid, but he felt satisfaction as his assailant cried out in surprise.
    Whatever it was, it was strong and fought back, knocking him to the floor.
    “God fucking dammit, Sam! What the fuck?”
    Sam looked up from the floor. The desk lamp above the soundboard was on, and he could see Cash standing in front of him, rubbing his chin.
    Sam looked around the room, disoriented. “Did you hear that?”
    “Hell yes,” Cash said, jerking his arm free. “I cut the power to it.”
    “You don’t think...?”
    Cash shook his head. “It wasn’t Wyatt, but they’re not just monsters. Not all of them. Something out there is intelligent, and it knows we’re here.”
    “Then I think it’s time to get gone,” Same said. “Where’s Jimmy?”
    “Front hall with the new guy.”
    “We gotta go,” Sam said. “I need to get back to Wyatt.”
    “What about calling for help?” Cash asked, incredulous.
    Sam took one step toward the door and was nearly knocked off his feet by what felt like an earthquake, but he recognized it as an impact. Something large had struck the building, which pretty much left one suspect. “That big asshole is back.” The lights flickered and then went black.

 
     
    21
     
    Jimmy fled outside as the radio station bucked and creaked. He stumbled and caught himself against Cash’s van. He flicked his now bent cigarette away. “The hell is this now?”
    “Shut up,” Kyle hissed. “You hear that?”
    Jimmy held his breath and listened. At first he heard nothing, but then a sound akin to a galloping horse steadily arose. It sounded familiar. His eyes widened with recognition.
    It’s back.
    Jimmy grabbed Kyle by the arm and pushed him toward the station. “Get back inside. Now!”
    “What is it?”
    “Just get inside! Go!” Jimmy shouted, as the source of the sound came running up the road.
    Kyle’s look of confusion snapped to horrid understanding, as he saw the giant beast closing in.
    He leapt up the stairs, nearly falling at the top. Jimmy was right behind him, but so was the dark-shrouded monster. We’re not going to make it, Jimmy thought. As soon as he saw Kyle reach the door to the station, he made a sharp turn to the right and jumped off the side of the staircase.
    The beast’s thick, wolf-like head slammed into the doorway. Wood splintered, as it snapped at Kyle’s feet. The creature’s wide body was too large to fit through the narrow entrance, but that didn’t stop it from trying. Kyle backpedaled furiously into the hall, but he only managed to bunch the floor mat under his feet.
    The beast lunged forward again, missing Kyle’s left foot by inches, as Cash and Sam pulled him out of its reach. The monster snarled at them, its massive head smelling of death and decay. Ash fell from its open mouth, like drool. Its lips curled back, and it snorted at them, coughing out more ash. Then it was off, chasing after the one person who wasn’t inside.
     
     
    Jimmy slammed into the tool shed, hoping it was open, but the door held fast, knocking the wind out of him. He turned, his back against the door, his lungs burning for air. I shoulda quit smoking .
    He watched as the beast rounded the corner and sniffed the air. Its boxy hyena head turned and looked directly at him. Its black eyes seemed lifeless, and yet, hungry. It lowered its head and slowly stalked toward him, ashen muscles twitching, casting off small geysers of smoke. Black claws extended from its wide paws, digging into the ground with each tense step.
    Jimmy stood rooted to the spot, his broad shoulders heaving as he took deep breaths. He absentmindedly reached into his pocket and touched the familiar lighter. It was one of the few