Shadowstrike by TW Iain

Author:TW Iain [Iain, TW]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Horror, Sci-fi
Published: 2018-10-25T23:00:00+00:00

It was Car’s idea to follow. He said he wanted to know when they killed Nyle, even though he’d only believe it when he saw the body.

Cathal wondered what happened if those grey things attacked, but Car told him not to worry‌—‌surely they would have done so already if that was their intention.

They reached the landing pad and the Hermes just as Nyle was being escorted up the ramp. Two of the new creatures entered with him, but one remained outside, and walked away as soon as the hatch closed.

<‍Don’t bother with that one,‍> Car sussed, even though Cathal couldn’t care less. <‍We wait to see them throw out Nyle’s corpse.‍>

<‍What if they don’t kill him?‍>

<‍I’ll do the job myself.‍>

Cathal had no idea how long they waited, but eventually the hatch re-opened. One of the grey creatures strode down the ramp and surveyed the area. Then it turned and beckoned. Another figure appeared, covered in cloth.

<‍That’s him!‍>

Cathal agreed. He’d recognise that trace anywhere.

The beast nodded its head, then walked off, with Nyle at its heels. They disappeared along a path through the trees.

<‍He’s sold himself out to them,‍> Car sussed. <‍Or maybe he’s been working with them all along. Maybe Haven…‍>

Car didn’t finish. He dropped from the branch and followed the path. Cathal kept pace behind.

It was only a matter of minutes before they came to the fence. Cathal and Car crouched down, hidden by the trees, and observed.

Nyle and the beast didn’t stop. One confident, the other hesitant, they crossed the open land.

<‍They forcing Nyle to fry himself?‍> Car leaned forward, excited. But Cathal studied Nyle, read the steadiness in his step.

<‍It’s not bothering him,‍> he told Car. <‍No sign of pain, and they’re almost close enough to touch it.‍>

Nyle reached the fence. The creature by his side nodded, and after a moment of hesitation Nyle started to climb.

<‍They’ve turned it off.‍> There was disappointment in Car’s voice. <‍Maybe they’ll turn it on when he’s at the top! No‌—‌if they wanted him dead they’d have killed him by now.‍>

Cathal kept quiet, focusing on Nyle as he climbed. He also pushed, beyond the fence, and realised the traces on the far side were sharper now. He could even make out Brice’s trace, vibrant and still fresh. It felt like an age since they’d parted ways, even though it was only‌…‌what? A day? Two?

Nyle reached the top of the fence. He flopped over and climbed down, faster now. When he reached the ground, after jumping the last few metres, he turned to the grey creature. Communication passed between them‌—‌Cathal couldn’t hear it, but he caught the tiny signs in Nyle’s trace‌—‌and Nyle ran off.

Following Brice’s trace.

Cathal started to rise, but Car reached across, blocking him with an arm.

<‍Wait.‍>

They did. The beast watched Nyle as the infected ran, turning into the trees.

Then the beast followed. Cathal wanted to say that it climbed the fence, but that was totally the wrong word to use. It practically flew up, barely touching the metal. It slid over the top, and then it fell.

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