Vampires Overhead by Hyder Alan

Author:Hyder, Alan [Hyder, Alan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction.Horror, Acclaimed.KEW Horror.Sci-Fi, Fiction.Sci-Fi
ISBN: 9781553101680
Published: 2012-01-12T05:00:00+00:00

VII

The Valley of Security

THROUGH THE BARRICADE slanted a shaft of sunshine to waken me. Gently I released my arm from the sleeping girl to sit awhile, musing speculatively down at her, and then, carefully to avoid disturbing her, let myself through the barricade, and climbed in the misty morning from the cottage to the summit of the surrounding hills.

To the north-east, remaining panes of glass in a great building twinkled like a signal, reflecting redly some near-by fire; closer there lifted, lazily, clouds of smoke from a smouldering clump of buildings; away at the end of the long slope I could see the oblong green of the nearest village surrounded by burned houses; to the north the town of Croydon burned. Where, in all that fire-razed country, was Bingen? But for wakening Janet, who would be nervous finding me gone, I would have shouted. No sign of Vampires smudged the sky, and presently I slid back to the valley.

From the back window as I busily swept, tidying the room, I glanced towards the cave, and presumed Janet slept on. With the room cleared and a kettle upon the grate I went into the next houses to see what I could do about getting rid of the bodies. One by one I carried them into the end yard, covering them with stuff from the outhouse. Later, I would find a way to inter them. Until then, they were out of sight of the girl. Two dogs and four cats there were among the people and, like their masters, had died in a similar fashion. While I put finishing touches to the covering pall there stalked slowly, from the other cave, a black cat. With tail erect it came stiff-legged towards me with the air of expecting trouble. It took me some time to make friends with it, and when at last I persuaded it to approach close enough to be caressed, its ears slid back and, spitting, it fled away into the cave. Stooping, I watched it go. Janet and I would coax it out with food. I made to go into the cottage again when a shrill scream jumped me over the party wall towards our cave.

Hunched in line, staring with eyes which did not turn as I came close to them, were three Vampires, and of Janet there was no sign. I cursed myself for a fool leaving her alone even as I sprang for them. One by one I grabbed leathery wings, flinging them to the ground with all my strength, and when they lay staggering to recover their equilibrium, had to watch helplessly, for the sword was along with Janet in the cave. I resolved, running to fetch it, never in the future to have it beyond reach.

Behind the blanket Janet crouched, crying softly, and so frightened was she I had quite a job to make her understand it was I, that we were safe. Afterwards, I heard she had risen and walked yawning from the cave when she found me gone, right out to the three things squatting in the yard.

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