Monster Tamers 4: Daylight's End
Chapter 3. I See Fire
They drove in constant darkness. Amari hadn't been lying when she said that something had seeped the world in eternal night. And being this far north did nothing to help. It was cold and nearly impossible to see. For Scarlet, it was a trial. But Amari was accustomed to such conditions. In the Monster World, she thrived with her pack in the cold darkness of Lapland, always in the service of her master despite her freedom.
Amari was in her wolf form, asleep in the backseat of the truck as Scarlet drove on. She still had many questions for her wolf demon partner, but noticed that she hadn't asked anything about her. Scarlet was only slightly offended, but she figured the wolf would open up more eventually.
The snow began to fall harder, an unmistakable sign that they were about to drive into a blizzard.
"Fan-frikkin-tastic! Amari, we might have an issue!"
What? she asked, her head bobbing up.
"There's a blizzard coming".
Amari cocked her head. So?
"It'll be near impossible to drive".
The wolf moved over to the passenger seat. We can keep going.
"How?" Scarlet asked.
You'll see before long. Just keep driving.
Scarlet rolled her eyes as she kept on. But while the wolf was awake, she couldn't think of a better time to ask questions.
"Where do you come from?" Scarlet asked.
Not from this world.
"Well I figured that. I mean...before you were here".
A world alternate to this one. A world that once was a part of this one.
"Once was? What happened to separate them?"
Amari was silent for a moment. According to my master, humans happened.
"So, did we like, drive you guys away or something?" Scarlet looked at the steering wheel, "No pun intended of course".
It is in human nature to fear what it doesn't understand. Amari explained, My master saw it was problematic, so using his power, he banished the world of monsters from the world of man. If you must know, my kind were ancient long before that time.
"So, you have a huge family or something?"
I'm not sure. I only knew my mother's family. And, for the most part, I was ashamed to know them.
"Why's that?"
They betrayed and killed my mother. They turned around and sold me to goblins.
"And who was your master? Were you like his pet or something?" Scarlet was fascinated now.
I was his servant. He saved me from the goblins as a pup and I grew up under his tutelage and protection until I was strong enough to take back my home.
"And he's a monster?".
A hybrid, like myself. He's a demontroll.
"Well...that doesn't seem scary at all..."
Sarcasm...
"So, is he doing all this?"
I don't think so. While he has the power, he would never do this. As powerful and frightening as my master is, he would never cause an event so evil as this.
"If it isn't him, then who or what is it?"
I don't know. Amari shook her head, But I hope to find out soon.
"I'm not sure where the heck he'd be hiding" Theia admitted, "We don't even know if he's in the states yet".
"Well it's too cold now for bugs to survive above ground" Phobos observed, "Maybe he's hiding somewhere underground".
"Don't you have your mental link to him now?" Clarissa asked as she clung to Phobos.
"I'm not sure. I mean my head doesn't feel any different".
"It doesn't have to" Phobos explained, "It just means Mana hasn't tried to contact you yet".
"Maybe you should try to contact him" Clarissa proposed, "The bug man is waiting for you to try I think".
"Hm...I guess I could try it".
The world around Theia turned quiet, with the exception of a low toned buzzing as she closed her eyes. She focused on the buzzing and felt another conscious slide against hers.
"Mana?"
Ah! Look what we have here! Somebody finally decided to come calling!
"We need your help".
With what?
"Do you really have to ask?"
This is the end, Theia. There's nothing we can do about it.
"Yes there is! Mana, this wasn't supposed to happen!".
And how do you know that? It is the end, granted not the way I imagined it, but I think this is good. A lot sooner than I expected too, but eh, the sooner the better I suppose.
"You bastard!"
Um, I don't think so. My parents were married when they had me...I think so anyway. I can't really remember.
"So he won't help us?" Clarissa asked.
You cannot stop destiny, little one.
"No but we can change our destinies" Phobos argued, "I'm proof of that".
Mana appeared out of a thick horde of green and black flies. Clarissa's eyes went wide at the sight of him.
"Insectoman" she whispered, half to herself.
"Some destinies can be changed, but not this one" the pale pastor told them, "Why try to stop the inevitable?"
"Inevitable?" the little girl wondered not really sure what the word meant.
"Humanity will sooner or later destroy this world and itself with it. What Kalmageddon is doing is far more merciful than anything man can do".
"But this world is our home" Theia objected, "And your home once too".
"An unfortunate truth, I assure you. Being that which I am however has now opened my eyes to the evils of humankind. While the All-Father seeks to create, all you humans seem to do to entertain yourselves is destroy this world. And what little beauty is left you turn to filth and use it for your own selfish, meaningless, and greedy ends">
"Well someone's a pessimist aren't they?" Theia scoffed.
"Pessimist, perhaps. Honest, most definitely".
"But what about what little beauty hasn't been tarnished yet?" Phobos raised an eyebrow, "Isn't that worth saving now?"
Mana frowned. "It would be in vain to save it. Humans would be quick to destroy it".
"I wouldn't-" Clarissa started.
"Cease your arguments, human! In fact, cease to argue the truth. I cannot, will not, and shall not stop that which is meant to come to pass".
"Then you'll be destroyed with it" Theia told him.
"And you act as though that bothers me. There is nothing left in this world for me".
"So you think there's nothing in this world worth fighting for?"
Mana didn't answer as he disappeared into a horde of flies.
"Coward...Let's go. This was a waste".
Lauren woke to voices. A blanket was draped over her and she was lying on a big cot. Lauren's eyes were half lidded as she spotted Kalma, Nicholas she had to remember, speaking to someone she didn't know.
"It looks like a mild case of pneumonia. I've already given her some medicine, but she needs a lot of fluids and rest".
"So she'll live?" Nicholas asked.
"She should. But captain, if you don't mind me asking, if she's only a spy why keep her alive?"
"I don't think she's a spy. She's been following us, lingering around camp. I think she's just looking for a place to be safe. Thanks doc, I'll keep her off her feet".
The doctor nodded and exited the tent. Lauren closed her eyes again and pretended to still be sleeping. She felt the cot sag under his weight as Nick sat down. Lauren tried not to react, but keeping her eyes still under the lids was difficult at best.
"You alive in there, kid?" Nick asked.
Lauren sighed and tried to sit up, but her head throbbed and she was forced to stay down.
"How much did you hear?" he asked.
"That I have pneumonia. So...am I gonna die?"
"Doc said you should be fine. You just need rest, meds, and a whole lot of fluids. Hot tea I hear is the best for clearing your throat, lungs and all that".
"I don't expect to be cared for by the captain".
"Well too bad kid. Until you can stand on your own two feet, you're stuck to me and I'm not letting you out of my sight either".
An awkward silence ensued. Lauren kept her eyes upward and Nick kept his green eyes on her.
"So where are you from kid?"
"Technically, New York".
"What part?"
"Brooklyn".
"So we hail from the same place...let me guess, you're not from this time either?"
"How'd you know?"
"Because I myself am not from here. You mannerisms are from my own country so...what was the year?"
"I'm not sure if I should tell you that-"
"Okay so different from mine. Don't worry my lips are sealed about it".
"What about you?" Lauren asked.
"All I'll tell you is that this isn't the only war I've fought in. Vietnam..." Nick shuddered.
She knew Kalma had fought in Vietnam, but he never told her much about it. Maybe now she could find out more about her partner.
"I'm sorr-"
"I don't want your sympathy, kid. It doesn't mean anything".
"Wow" Lauren thought, "Even in this time, he's an ass".
She didn't reply but curled up under the blanket. Lauren found herself missing her friends, both human and monster.
"Please" she thought, "Let Kalma be okay".
When he was certain she was asleep again, Nick went back outside. It would be days before they could move again because of his new charge. His fellow rebels wouldn't be too happy about this. Not that Nick honestly cared as he was the one in charge, not them.
But what a coincidence that this girl was from the same city he was? Granted it was a different time, but still...it had to mean something. Nick shook his head.
"Don't be stupid" he thought, "It doesn't change that she's an idiot. Wandered alone, got sick, and flat out refused help...girl's crazier than me and that's saying a lot".
"Somethin' on yer mind, captain?" a younger, scottish accented voice asked.
Nick looked to see his young spy master, Thomas, approach him with a bottle of scotch. The boy was only seventeen, too young to drink, so the liquor was most likely for him.
"God knows I need it" Nick thought, "Yeah, a lot of somethin's it seems".
"Perhaps a shot o' this'll help?"
"Ha! Screw the shot, I'll take the whole damn thing" Nick practically snatched the bottle away.
"How's she holdin' up in there?"
Nick took a swig of the alcohol. "She's got pneumonia like you'd not believe".
"Then why are ya takin' care of her?! Cap'n she needs to be with the meds!"
"Because someone needs to keep an eye on her. I'm not a gambling man, but I'm more than willing to bet the minute she can get on her feet she's gonna bolt" Nick took another drink.
"Suspicious if ya ask me, cap'n".
Nick looked skeptical as leaned against his harley. "I wouldn't say that".
"Why not?"
"Well maybe it's suspicious, but it could also be that she's fiercely independent. And I don't mind that".
Thomas snickered. "I know, ya like yer women like yer alcohol, and coffee-"
"Strong, but sweet. Damn straight, Tom".
Thomas watched his captain take another drink. A question burned within the young man but he chose to keep his silence. It didn't go unnoticed by Nick.
"Penny for your thoughts, kid?"
"Could I ask you somthin', Cap'n?"
"Fire away".
"What was it like for you?" he asked, "After the war I mean".
"Difficult at first. I tried going back home, but I felt like there was nothing for me there. Don't get me wrong, I loved my family and all, but...I felt like I didn't belong there anymore".
"Then where did you belong?"
Nick put the bottle down. "On the road, with my harley, my shotgun, and a will to survive".
"Was it ever...lonely?"
Nick looked thoughtful for a moment. "It had its moments".
"So you had no one? Never...someone special, I guess?"
"Tom, a little word of advice. The road may be lonesome, but when you're out there on this lovely piece of work, you're free. Truly free, and freedom is power".
"But what good's freedom when there's no on ta share in it?"
"Because everyone is and can be an island. You don't need to validate your existence through someone else to be happy".
"It's just, I feel like no one deserves ta be alone. Definitely not you, after all you're doin' for us".
"Don't thank me yet, not 'til the job's done".
"And the girl? Is she coming with us?"
"You bet she is. I'm keeping both eyes on her, rest assured".
Finally this chapters done!

-Amari The Hellhound