The Night Shadow Read online

  ONCE WE HAD EXPLAINED TO THEM WE WERE FROM ANOTHER WORLD, WE WERE ESCORTED TO THE MAIN CHIEF IN CHARGE. MASON. MASON IS A MALE CAUCASSION ROUGHLY 69 INCHES IN HEITH WEIGHING IN AROUND 160 POUNDS. MASON TAUGHT US OF THEIR WAYS AND THEIR CULTURE. THEY POSSESSED EVERYTHING FROM RUNNING WATER, TO BASIC FORMS OF ELECTRICITY. MASON SHARED THEY HAD MIXED COMPOST WITH PLANTS AND HERBS, FOUND THIS SUBSTANCE TO BE HIGHY FLAMMABLE. THIS IS WHAT THEY POWER THEIR CITY ON. THIS SUBSTANCE IS NOT ACCESIBLE. NEVER GOT EYES ON.

  MASON DOES NOT FIT THE DISCRIPTION OF ANYONE ON TEAM TISA, HOWEVER HE IS VERY SUSPICIOUS, AND I HAVE HIM UNDER SERVEILLANCE. NO SIGN OF THE OTHER FOUR MEMBERS OF TANSA. MASON CLAIMS THEY HAD BEEN BANISHED DOWN BELOW THE SURFACE SOME FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. FIVE YEARS AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF TANSA. MASON HINTS TO BEING AGITATED AT THE PRESENCE OF TROOPS. ODD FOR A MAN THAT NEVER LEAVES HIS CAVE. REPORTS OF LOCALS LOOSING THEIR HOMES TO RIOTS FLUSHED US BACK OUT TO THE SURFACE TO CHECK ON EQUIPMENT. THERE IS A WAR ABOUT TO WAGE UP HERE, AND I FEEL THAT THE MISSION IS GOING TO BE LOST IN THE PROCESS OF IT. REQUEST TO RETURN BACK HOME ASAP FOR DEBRIEF. //NOTHING ELSE FOLLOWS//

  20120715

  LOG ENTRY TIME: 0750

  LOCATION: LV36500125

  SITREP THREE:

  FOB HAS BEEN OVER RAN AND NO SURVIVORS HAVE BEEN LEFT. ALL EQUIPMENT COMPROMISED. NO HOPE FOR REPAIR. WE HAVE BARRACADED OURSLEVES IN THE TOWER. LOCAL COMMUNITY HAS TURNED ON US. WE HAVE WARDED OFF THREE WAVES OF ATTACK THIS MORNING ALONE. AT 1800 WE WILL SP TO CAVE FOR REFUGE WITH LOWERS. HAVE SKETCHED A MAP AND LEFT OUT FOR WHEN YOU RETURN FOR US. I DON’T TRUST MASON, BUT I AM SURE IT IS SAFER THAN HERE.

  0915-THEY WILL BE IN THE HOUSE AT ANY MINUTE, HAVE FINISHED THE TUNNEL OUT TO THE WOODS. PRETTY SURE THAT M

  I feel like I was just cheated out of the other half of my movie and left with a cliffhanger! I didn’t pay for the viewing anyways, so it really didn’t matter. After all, I knew the final outcome. Poor guy got popped in the head. His wife must have been out digging in the tunnel at the time, came back and killed herself. The man said something about Diamonds. We had only been here about a year, yet he was saying that a team had landed about twenty years ago. I never heard of this. You would think that an exploration like that would have hit the news at some point.

  My mind and emotions swirl around the sentence of their being a fuel source somewhere close. I pace back and forth, with my thoughts racing wildly, not sure exactly what to do. It seems like my endless roaming could be over, and now I have an actual place to go. But I have yet to see a lake along my path.

  This man made mention of a map of some sort. I just haven’t found it yet. I’m sure it wasn’t in the basement, and if it was in that computer I am going to be pissed. Didn’t they know that all technology fails at one point or another? I slowly went up the stairs to check out the rest of the house. It looked like any normal hut in this area. Aside from being triple the average size. Clay walls with carve outs, presumably for candles, led my way down the hall. I felt more like I was in a mud house in the Arizona desert. To the left there was a doorway that opened itself into a well lit room. Two wooden chairs stood on the far right side of the room. I make my way to the left where there was a bed that stood about three feet off the ground. The room appeared to be in shambles. Tossed small furniture littered the open floor space along with notebooks and ripped up papers. Somebody had to of ram sacked this room looking for something.

  After two hours of searching…with no prevail, i sat down to take a break. Boe came in the room sniffing the ground. “Looking like you’re on the hunt for something too, hey friend?” I jeered over in his direction. I leaned back against the wall and my shoulder hit the photograph that was oddly placed on the wall. “Why didn’t I think of this before? I really am getting old.” I said aloud, my voice eerily echoing off the nearly naked walls. After pushing the frame to the right a folded map fell conveniently into my hand.

  The paper was very crunchy and brittle. That never votes well for the guy that actually wants to open it up and read it. Surprisingly, it lay open and sprawled out quite nicely. It wasn’t drawn out much better than mine. But there was a little blue circle of a skull in the far right corner of the map, south of the town. I was hoping that it wasn’t too far, but I really didn’t care at this point. It looked like I had to continue through the forest for a while, pass over a big river, then follow the second river all the way to the lake. Too easy, I thought. “Boe, we’re leaving,” I said, as I rummaged through the kitchen gathering food and supplies. This would be a long walk, but well worth it.

  Chapter Seven

  “You got me”

  The low crawl through the tunnel with a fully loaded pack was a pretty big pain. It took even longer going out than it did coming in. Having new food, a pistol, some rounds and a new blanket was well worth the extra weight. Going from point A to point B on the map didn’t look too far. However, I have come to learn not to under estimate the lengths between the points.

  I can finally see the orange light at the end of the tunnel that opens up underneath the tree. The orange light reminds me that it’s dusk, and nighttime is not far behind. I should have attempted to get a good night’s sleep and head out in the morning. If there is some sort of war going on and it has already reached this city, I didn’t want to be caught in the middle of it. “Out of sight…out of mind” was my motto, and I planned on sticking to it.

  We came out of the opening on the south side of the tree, which just so happened to be the general direction that I needed to go. We tucked down low at the entrance of the passage, waiting on the sun to officially set. We had a better chance at not being caught if it was dark. The risk factor of the journey sky rockets, but I would rather get eaten by animals then beaten to death by an oaf. Right now I am willing to put it all on the line and take the risk. If I can find this flammable liquid, I can make it combust. If I make it combust, I can fly home. Wham bam thank you ma’am, end of story.

  After a good thirty minute wait, the sun finally sets. We rush between the clearings, staying as low to the ground as possible. I look back and noticed Boe was doing everything I did…down to the T. It made me think of going out on Recon and Sniper missions; two soldiers’ becoming one shadow in the night. Never seen, never heard. After a good two miles, we make our way up the dry creek bed and exit to the left. We lost all cover, and I realize that I am jeopardizing our lives by trying to get to the lake as quickly as possible. Complacency kills. Me of all people should know that. I realize we had been moving at a trot for the past ten minutes, so I slow it down to a crawl. I was definitely going to get us killed if I kept up this pace.

  We crawl out of the creek bed and I see a good thicket a few meters off that would be perfect to take a break and listen to see if we are being followed. I lead us off around the thicket and enter at the point that was facing the creek bed. This way we can see if anyone is tracking us. If they are, I can see them following my tracks before they see me.

  We settle in and I fill up the bowl I snagged from the tower. I fill it to the brim with water for Boe, for which he appears to be most grateful. I am quite thirsty too, so I help myself to a couple of swigs from my canteen. We eat a few bites and then just sit there listening and watching for a good forty minutes. Once I was fairly certain we weren’t being tailed, I load up the pack, nod to Boe, and head out.

  Using the sides of the creek as my guide, I am able to keep us at a safe distance. I peek at the map again…there was a picture of a bowling ball…so, I’m assuming a large perfectly round rock, or mountain. I think that it’s safe to say that there aren’t any bowling balls floating around the woods here, but hey you never know. I have been surprised before. The sun starts coming up before I find my land mark, so I locate us a good hole and we dig in. I’m debating whether to keep pushing on, but I know Boe needs the rest. Hell, who am I kidding, I need the rest.

  I pull out the blanket and wrap it over my body. I pu
ll out my flashlight and double check the map. I am right on schedule. I already have passed three landmarks. If the map stays consistent, then I should have no trouble make the bowling ball landmark after another good hour. It will be hard to sleep being this close to a real answer. But I have to try.

  Fighting the sleep my mind begins to wander all over the place. Anywhere but sleeping to be exact and I focus in on one thing. Fuel. Even if I can find this fuel source and get it into a liquid form…how am I going to use it to get home. I am no scientist but I am pretty sure that climbing into a rickety homemade space ship fueled by an untested substance was grounds for ‘unsafe’. However, the possibility of going home couldn’t be untried. I have to try everything within my power to leave this land. And GeoTansa sounded familiar to me for some reason. I just can’t put my finger on it.

  A yawn startled me back into reality as I started to see the first haze of light peaking up over the horizon. I know it won’t be long until I need to be moving again so I force myself into a weary slumber.

  Once again, the sun came up with a vengeance. It was hard to sleep with the possibility of going home lingering in the air. I trust my wife with all my heart, but after a while, you really can’t expect someone to hold on indefinitely, can you? We had already discussed that if I was to die in battle, someone would give her my wedding band. If she didn’t get my wedding band, then I wasn’t dead. She was to hold on until she got that ring back. That was the deal. My ring is still on my hand which meant she was still holding on. However, I don’t want her waiting forever. I was already six months past due being home. I know she is freaking out, hell I would be. But she is a strong girl, she better be.

  After a good four hours of sleep, I decide to push on. Boe and I both have been awake just laying here for the past thirty minutes. Nothing is out there. We haven’t heard a sound. I pack up our gear and we move out. Sticking to the shadows is harder to do in the day light. Despite the two suns we do our best, stopping every two miles. Watching, listening and then moving on.

  We reach the bowling ball by high noon. I recognize it immediately, a big humongous mountain, perfectly round. Go figure. This has to be the last land mark before the Lake. We are almost there, almost home. I stood up straight behind the tree I was at and took in my surroundings. Boe let out a bark which took me by surprise.

  I immediately turn around and grab the pistol from my side. Just in time to be dropped to my knees. Something struck me in the chest and it burned like a hot iron being branded and seared into the flesh of a new calf. I can’t breathe. I look down and gasp at what I see; I have an arrow pierced all the way through my chest right below my rib cage. I slide myself behind the tree to take cover, but I feel my body shutting down. If I can hold them off and escape, I might be able to remove it and move on. Even I know this a life threatening wound and I have little chance of surviving this one. But a small chance was better than no chance at all.

  The sound of my pounding heart was all around me, my sweat stinging the corners of my eyes. I hear footsteps approaching, but my sight starts to fade in and out. My breath was becoming harder and harder to catch. I felt the adrenaline rush pumping up through my veins and into my stomach. I raise the pistol with a shaky hand and start popping off head shots to every silhouette that comes my way. Between the volley of splintering arrows and rounds being exchanged the thought came back to my head. These people really wanted me dead. Sudden panic spreads across my body and I felt my finger squeeze off the last two rounds I possessed unnecessarily. I can taste the blood coming up through my throat. This is the end. The suns are fading in and out of my sight. The blackness is staying longer than the light. I can’t believe I got this close, and yet I’m so damn far away. “Calm down brother, we have been here before…” I say aloud to keep myself from slipping further into shock. The panic recedes and reality sets in. There is nothing that I can do at this point. My kids flashed across my mind, playing and laughing. Me…yelling at them for no reason other than I had a bad day. My wife, she will never know that she really was my best friend. If I could only change back time, I could have beat a different path.

  I can no longer see, but I can feel Boe’s cold wet nose pressing against my cheek. At least I am not alone. My biggest fear was to die alone. I can’t feel my body any more, and the pain is receding. An amateur would think he is going to be ok. But I know that I’m dying. Boe’s whimpers are getting farther and farther away. But I still know I’m not going anywhere. I can barely hear him now, but it sounds like these punk’s showed up within striking range and Boe was being a very good host to our new unwanted company. Snarls and cries were all that I could hear. The sound waves were hitting me like they were coming from a fan. Words and screams were vibrating in and out of my conscious mind.

  I can feel my heartbeat slowing down, sluggishly…not wanting to pump anymore. There is no more fight, I am helpless. I can no longer raise my arms. I guess my mom was right after all, I’m not invincible. I always wondered what it was like to die. I am actually scared of death. I’ve got so many regrets. So many times I gave up on things that I shouldn’t have. Stephanie, I never showed her how much I truly loved her. How much I adored her. How perfect she was in every way. I’m feeling somebody’s arms wrap around me, which immediately pisses me off because I can’t fight anymore. I am so tired. I am so thirsty. The taste of blood is thick and salty. My heart is beating slower and slower.

  Chapter Eight

  “Savior or executioner”

  The smell woke me up instantly. A rancid manure smell that quite frankly seemed very fresh. It takes me a second to fully come to. I’m looking around, and I have no idea where I am or why I am here. Then it hits me all at once; I remember the arrow through the stomach, the killing, and the fighting…and then nothing.

  Judging by the throbbing pain in my lower torso I obviously wasn’t dead. I see Boe staring at me from the foot of the bed on which I now lay. I wasn’t home, because they wouldn’t have let Boe come back with me. I concluded that I must be still stranded. I couldn’t move anything but my head, due to the screaming pain squirming throughout my insides like an angry snake.

  Ok, it’s definitely time for a recap of events. I remember someone picking me up. I hope I at least bit that guy or something crazy. I’m trying to go back through every minute that I can remember. I wasn’t restrained, and my belongings, including weapons, are neatly stacked in the corner of the room. The bottom line is that somebody saved my life, but who might I ask?

  I look at the aching throbbing wound just above and to the right of my belly button. And that is where the smell of fresh crap was coming from. Literally…crap, as in poop. This is in no way, shape or form sanitary. I don’t care what planet you come from, poo is poo. I really want to punch this dude in the throat now. Of all things to patch me up with, he uses poop. That’s just outstanding. “Boe, I swear if any of this belongs to you…I’m going to kill you,” I hoarsely whisper. Both of us are actually smiling at one another, relieved that the other one has survived the recent passing of events.

  I can hear rummaging through the closed door and can’t help but wonder about my mystery savior. Hopefully, he isn’t some perverted freak keeping me alive for all of his nasty not goodness. “Hey…uhm…this guy didn’t touch me, did he? Like besides my stomach?” I whisper to Boe. Boe tilts his head, and then lowers it to the ground putting his paw over his eyes. “Oh hell no, you better answer me guy!” I start to yell at him. The louder my voice gets the more my stomach starts to bleed. So, yelling is not a good option at this point in time.

  The room is dark and has an opening about five feet up the wall in the appearance of a window with no pane. There was a low light illuminating on the far right side of the room. Yes, a light. Not a candle or a torch. I had to be inside the caves. This must be where the “Lowers” are. The bed I laid on seemed to be made from wood with a very thick fur on top of it for a blanket. I could t
ell from the drafty cold feeling that this room was definitely built from rock. A small rickety night stand stood roughly two feet from my bed. For a cave room I give it a b plus.

  I hate that I don’t trust a single person in this world. There is just too much bad and not enough good. There sure is a lot of sicko’s out there that’s for sure. If you don’t believe me, just turn on the television or pick up a newspaper or magazine. I cringe at the thought of lying here helpless, while some banana handed creeper drools over my luscious body. I mean after all I am quite handsome, and I can’t blame anyone for looking. But that is a definite no-no and would most definitely be held out of the stories I will tell when I got home. Oh, you can trust me…there will be stories.

  There is a faint knock on the door and I grab the covers to hide my stomach. It was at this point I realize I am in what is left of my underwear. I think I’m going to stop observing my situation right now, because I don’t like where this is headed. A short man, just a few inches taller than me walks into the room holding a tray full of food and a cup of what looks like tea. He has sandy brown hair that covers a slightly tan and thick body. This man definitely has not had a food supply shortage in his lifetime. He wasn’t severely over weight, but he definitely was leaning towards the thick side. His arms were wide and muscular, covered by what appeared to be a buckskin shirt. His sleeves, which he wore slightly past his palms, were slightly frayed. His pants were made out of what reminded me of denim. For a man who lives in what appears to be a rock. He is pretty well kept. I would say he wasn’t a day over twenty five. A strong chin protruded out from his wide jawline as he stared down at me, clearly disgusted.

  “So…’sup?” I forced out of my burning lungs. That was all I could think of to say. I know my imagination gets the best of me, in all reality he could be a survivor like myself and has saved my life, for which I need to be grateful. However, judging by his look of utter disgust he is throwing my way…I’m going to say not. “You’re looking better. You’ve been out for over a week, so I am sure you’re starving,” the man said as he slammed the tray on the night stand next to me, spilling an unnecessary amount of what appeared to be peas. His voice seemed short, yet somewhat friendly. However, his actions definitely scream hostile. I contemplated the fact that the food could have been poisoned… for about one second. I was starving, and could probably devour an entire buffalo right now, so I chowed down.