Tales of the Fallen Book I: Awakenings by Edward Lee, David G. Barnett Page A

her terrible death at the hand of a madman…
    …a madman he would soon confront and end his half-century long campaign for revenge.   Soon he could put an end to his nightmares. Soon he could rest.
     
    ««—»»
     
    They emerged from the darkness into the entrance of an alley off a large but quiet street. Travis shook off the effects of the trip and followed Dew out onto the brightly lit curb. Buildings towered on all sides. Travis couldn’t tell where exactly they were: New York, Chicago? Whatever. It didn’t matter as long as the journey ended here, tonight.
    There was electricity in the air. The hair all over his body stood at attention leaving Travis feeling like he was covered in ants. He looked around, wondering what the hell—
    “FUCK! GET DOWN!” Dew screamed and shoved Travis hard, back into the dark alley. Dew watched Travis hit the ground and spun back toward the street and raised his head. It took Travis a second to rebound and roll onto his back, pushing himself up just in time to see Dew’s body expand. His skin turned black, his muscles rippled as if preparing himself. The air changed and the ground began to vibrate beneath his ass. Travis’ eyes opened wide in pure fear. What the fuck is going on? He looked past Dew’s shoulder. Then…utter stillness for a split second…
    …then…
    Dew spread his arms wide, his muscles bulging to almost bursting his skin and he yelled, “ Aiiigghhh!!!”
    FWOOOSH!! BOOOOM!!!
    A flash of light completely obliterated the top floor of the building across from Dew. Travis was blinded but somehow his survival instincts kicked in and he launched himself at Dew’s feet, and into the shelter of the demon’s rock-hard body.
    Within seconds the first of the debris started landing around them. Large chunks of twisted metal and stone wrapped in flame descended upon them, Dew batting them away like he was swatting at flies. The barrage of burning bits of building was relentless and came at them for what seemed an eternity. Travis stayed huddled behind Dew, praying it would end soon. And soon it did. The downpour of destruction gave way to a cloud of dust and smoke that enveloped Travis and Dew in its choking embrace.
    Travis began hacking.
    “Hold on, man. I got it,” Dew assured and then Travis heard the demon inhale. It lasted for a minute and then the sound of a wind tunnel erupted from Dew as he let out a burst of air that cleared the debris cloud from around them. Travis’s choking subsided a little and he managed to stand.
    “What…what the…hell was that?” Travis shakily asked, still very afraid.
    “Shhhhh!” Dew commanded. “Something is wrong. Very wrong.” He stood taller and smelled the air. “Something is here. Something I haven’t sensed in a very long time.” Then his shoulders slumped a little. “Oh shit,” he said softly.
    Dew turned and looked straight at Travis, his eyes, both very visible through the lumpy mass of his face. And in those eyes Travis saw fear. Pure…fear.
    Travis backed up a little, concern lining his face.   “What?” Travis was on the verge of sheer panic. “What?”
    “What the fuck have you done?” Dew said, menace in his voice.
    Travis backed up more. “I-I-I don’t… What are you talking…”
    But before he could finish he saw Dew’s claw flash forward to close over his face. Travis’ words were muffled. Dew pushed Travis a little further into the shadows but still close enough to the street so they could see.
    “Quiet,” Dew hissed. Then he looked around cautiously, afraid. “I don’t want it to see us.”
    They watched as the dust cloud settled to the ground. Burning paper fireflies danced through the air with falling black ash. They continued looking up, up and up until they found the smoking remains of the office building’s top floor. Through the smoke and fire, twisted limbs of metal stabbed the night’s sky. The building settled in a loud series of creaks and moans accented with the