Intersection of 8th and 23rd Street, New York - 21st of July, 2013
The young woman dressed in jogging gear panicked as she reached the crossroads, her pursuers and would be killers close on her heels. So far, she'd kept ahead of the pack, but now indecision worked against her, and she felt a cold hand on her shoulder.
"End of the road chica." One of her attackers, a blonde-haired woman dressed in a corset and leather trousers hissed as she smiled a fang tipped grin.
"She's ours to share Scarlet." A second assailant, a massive black man wearing nothing but jeans hissed, his feral eyes glinting.
"Who said we'd be sharing Mack." Scarlet purred as she seductively licked the woman's neck. "This one's cut enough to keep. What's your name honey?"
"E...Emily." The captured woman gulped as a scuttling something moved just out of the illuminated square in the middle of the crossroads. "Please just let me go, I won't tell anyone about you."
"Unfortunately, that can't be done, a vampire has got to ear after all." The third assailant stated as he ran a hand through his long blonde hair, before straightening his plaid shirt. "Plus, if Scarlet wants you there's nothing that can save you."
"Please somebody help me!" The woman called as Scarlet opened her mouth wide, ready to bite down on her neck.
"Oh Emily, I am helping you, you're about to be young and strong forever." Scarlet purred as she sunk her fangs into the struggling woman's aorta. Just as started to drink a bloodcurdling howl sounded, one that caused all the bulbs in the street lights to spark out, and a thick grey fog to spill out over the crossroads.
"What kind of 'Underworld' shit is this!" Mack yelled as Scarlet screamed before being torn away from Emily's body. "There isn’t no full moon tonight right Hemsworth?"
"No moon at all tonight." Hemsworth replied as a squat dark shape moved in the fog, the sudden dash across the crossroads drawing the vampires gaze. "Not meant to be any werewolves out tonight." He added as Mack ripped a stop sign out of the sidewalk and held it ready to strike his unidentified foe. That's when the attack came, the black shadow ripping into him from behind
"Hemsworth help me!" Mack yelled as massive jaws clamped down on his spine. Hemsworth had other ideas however, as he bolted away from the crossroads. Daring to have one last look as he fled, he saw the ghostly, almost canine figure rear its head back and howl before vanishing back into the rapidly fading fog.
The young woman dressed in jogging gear panicked as she reached the crossroads, her pursuers and would be killers close on her heels. So far, she'd kept ahead of the pack, but now indecision worked against her, and she felt a cold hand on her shoulder.
"End of the road chica." One of her attackers, a blonde-haired woman dressed in a corset and leather trousers hissed as she smiled a fang tipped grin.
"She's ours to share Scarlet." A second assailant, a massive black man wearing nothing but jeans hissed, his feral eyes glinting.
"Who said we'd be sharing Mack." Scarlet purred as she seductively licked the woman's neck. "This one's cut enough to keep. What's your name honey?"
"E...Emily." The captured woman gulped as a scuttling something moved just out of the illuminated square in the middle of the crossroads. "Please just let me go, I won't tell anyone about you."
"Unfortunately, that can't be done, a vampire has got to ear after all." The third assailant stated as he ran a hand through his long blonde hair, before straightening his plaid shirt. "Plus, if Scarlet wants you there's nothing that can save you."
"Please somebody help me!" The woman called as Scarlet opened her mouth wide, ready to bite down on her neck.
"Oh Emily, I am helping you, you're about to be young and strong forever." Scarlet purred as she sunk her fangs into the struggling woman's aorta. Just as started to drink a bloodcurdling howl sounded, one that caused all the bulbs in the street lights to spark out, and a thick grey fog to spill out over the crossroads.
"What kind of 'Underworld' shit is this!" Mack yelled as Scarlet screamed before being torn away from Emily's body. "There isn’t no full moon tonight right Hemsworth?"
"No moon at all tonight." Hemsworth replied as a squat dark shape moved in the fog, the sudden dash across the crossroads drawing the vampires gaze. "Not meant to be any werewolves out tonight." He added as Mack ripped a stop sign out of the sidewalk and held it ready to strike his unidentified foe. That's when the attack came, the black shadow ripping into him from behind
"Hemsworth help me!" Mack yelled as massive jaws clamped down on his spine. Hemsworth had other ideas however, as he bolted away from the crossroads. Daring to have one last look as he fled, he saw the ghostly, almost canine figure rear its head back and howl before vanishing back into the rapidly fading fog.
Issue #4 (August 2018)
Written by John Cheese Featuring: The Enforcer
Zombie Master
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THE PHANTOM HOUND - PART ONEThe Lair, Somewhere in Staten Island
Mike Nero stepped into lift flanked by the two men, both of whom wore suits and unamused looks on their faces. Looking into the mirrored back of the mirror at the sole face reflected back at him, Mike jabbed the 'door close' button and smiled. "Got business with your boss." He stated as he rested his hand on his chin. "Anyone else going down?" He asked as the doors chimed and closed behind him. The doors to the lift pinged open and the members of the vampire court of Nicky Bats, an ancient bloated vampire king with long sylvan ears and a face that looked as if it was part pug and part leaf-nosed bat, looked up from their bags of blood or obliging victims at the figure dressed in silver and blue, his hands dusting what looked like ashes off his jumpsuit. "Nero my boy." Nicky Bats called as he pulled the scantily clad human concubine chained to the dais he sat on over his rotund belly. "So good of you to answer my summons." "You may regret that Nicky, I don't like being called like some dog, especially by some of your newly turned lackeys." Mike replied as he pulled a cleaning rag off of his belt and dusted the last persistent specks of ash off his shoulders. "You owe the debt of your uncle Enforcer, you take his name you take his debt, it's how it works in our community." Nicky stated as he saw Mike's hand gravitate to a bottle of vodka sitting on one of the nearest tables. "You can settle part of it by working for me." "I'll settle all of it." Mike replied as he stuffed the rag into the bottom and pulled out a lighter, the tiny flame dancing inches away from the makeshift Molotov Cocktail the hitman was holding. "Or this entire place burns." "You wouldn't." Nicky hissed as he narrowed his eyes. "Your uncle didn't have the stones, and you certainly don't boy." As those words left his lips, Mike drew the lighter closer to the rag, the flames licking at the tip. "Are you sure we can't settle up now?" Mike asked, as the undead courtesans held their breath. "One job, this job." Nicky replied. "This thing killed vampires and humans, it has no allegiance." "I'm listening." Mike answered as he closed the cap of the lighter, much to the relief of everyone else. "My boys were on 23rd Street last night when they were attacked." Nicky announced as he waved one of his guards to drag a chained figure forward. "Hemsworth saw it, even reported back. He said it was a werewolf," Nicky added as he reached into an umbrella stand and pulled out a spike tipped with a crucifix and pressed it against Hemsworth’s skin, "I think we can both agree he's lying." "Perhaps, even in New York there are a multitude of dog or wolf like creatures and spirits." Mike replied as he stepped forward so he could be heard over Hemsworth’s screams. "Werebeasts would be unusual away from a full moon but not impossible." "My thoughts exactly." Nicky gurgled as he pulled the spike back to reveal an aggressive burn on Hemsworth’s skin. "Bring this creature's hide and consider your Uncle's debt paid in full." "Well that's worth drinking to." Mike stated as he poured the bottle of vodka over Hemsworth before igniting the rag and throwing it towards the bound vampire, the crowd cheering and wolf whistling as Hemsworth went up in smoke. "Mike my boy, you truly are the Enforcer." Nicky stated as he watched Hemsworth thrash and scream. "He's the only other human I've seen be that cruel." Senor Magico’s Store, Greenwich Mike payed the meter fare as he left his hastily repaired Toyota Hilux and walked into Senor Magico's store, the proprietor in question behind the counter weighing chunks of rose quartz. "Let me guess you want to borrow more books." Senor Magico announced in a sarcastic voice. "Today I'm a customer." Mike replied as he fished out Sarah’s iPod and placed it on the counter. "Don't suppose you could return this to Sarah when you see her, she left it in my truck." "I'm afraid I haven't seen her since she admitted she'd Ragnarok Codices." Senor Magico replied sadly. "It's a shame, the store is empty without her." He added as he took the iPod and placed it under the counter. "But enough remorse what do you need today?" "Essence of Traveller's Joy, Holy Water and a Clovis Protection Point if you have one." Mike answered as Senor Magico made a mental note of the ingredients. "Also, a copy of the Census de Mort if you have one." "Hmm sounds like you're making one powerful beast repelling spell with those ingredients." Senor Magico mused. "Which kind of phantom hound are you hunting?" "Not sure yet." Mike replied. "It's why I'm covering the three usual suspects. And about the census..." "Yes, I heard you, I try not to keep necromantic tones in my shop, even relatively harmless ones like the Census de Morte, may I ask why you'd be trying to trace necromantic lineages?" "I saw Sarah do something worrying." Mike explained. "I don't want her to get hurt or worse." "Then consider it on back order." Senor Magico reassured him. "As for the rest, that'll be sixty dollars." Mike rolled his eyes before reaching for his wallet. “And they call me the villain." He grumbled under his breath. Intersection of 8th and 23rd Street, New York - 21st of July, 2013 The crossroads of 8th and 23rd Street was taped off in crime scene tape, with at least one ambulance parked next to a police cruiser. While Mike was not the greatest fan of the police, he also bore them no ill will, at least not until they started shooting at him. Wisely he'd changed out of his jumpsuit and into some jeans and a shirt, it wouldn't do to attract any more attention to himself then necessary. "Hi there!" Mike called as he walked over to the taped off area before pulling a wallet out of his trouser pocket. "Dean Remington, Animal Control, we were called out about a potential mauling here." He announced as he showed the officer the ID he held. "M.E. just stated it could be an animal attack." The cop announced. "How'd you get here so fast?" "I guess one of the neighbours called it in." Mike replied as the officer handed his wallet back. "If it's possible I'd like to start collecting evidence, try and figure out what did this." "I suppose she's with you." The officer sighed as he pointed to the red-haired woman dressed in a hunting jacket, crop top and chinos skulking behind the back of Mike's truck. "I guess," Mike stated before turning to Sarah, "hey rookie, get over here and bring the kit over!" He yelled, his words causing Sarah to look around before opening the door to the passenger side of the Hilux and remove a large orange case from under the seat. "Today Rookie!" Mike yelled. "I feel your pain." The officer stated as Sarah slammed the car door and walked over. "Once I see her ID I'll clear you for access." "Sure thing." Mike announced as he fished out a second wallet and handed it to Sarah. "Don't lose this one," He ordered as he turned back to the office before mouthing. "This is number four this fortnight." Rolling her eyes slightly Sarah handed the officer her ID after having a brief look herself at the details. "Name miss?" The officer asked as he scrutinised the unflattering picture of the woman inside. "Samantha Colt, people call me Sam though." Sarah stated. "Dean and Sam." The officer mused as he looked at the ID picture again. "Well," He stopped and folded the wallet IDs closed, "if you just stay away from apartment block 15 until the paramedics finish then we won't have any problems." He added as he lifted the tape and let Mike and Sarah onto the crime scene. "How did you get my photo." Sarah whispered as the officer walked away. "It's a glamour pad." Mike told her as he motioned for her to put the kit down on the curb. "If gifted to someone the magic encompasses them too. Now what are you doing here!" "I live three blocks down." Sarah answered before smiling at the Officer before looking at the kit. "Why are you here." "I'm working, now open the kit and grab some gloves and some plastic evidence bags. We're looking for scat, potentially canine like, you take the left of the junction I'll take right." Mike ordered. "And keep an eye out for footprints too." He added as he flipped the latches on the case and removed the items for himself. "Do you have any idea what was here?" Sarah asked as she slipped some gloves on before lazily picking up a tub of aquarium pH sticks. "Main suspects are either a Hellhound, a Black Dog or a Dire Wolf." Mike answered as he pointed to the case and the slot where the pH sticks had been. "Hellhound scat smells like sulphur and brimstone, Dire Wolf faeces react with water like dry ice and Black Dog's leave no trace, at least no physical trace." He added as he turned to see the paramedics wheel a gurney out of the building, an elderly man strapped to it. "Go over and ask if he's okay, then start looking for scat." Sighing Sarah got to her feet and walked over to them. Watching the exchange Mike put his hand on his chin, felt the coldness of his uncle's ring on his skin. "Maybe." He mumbled. "She's got skills I'll never have." He mused as Sarah came back. "Call off the search, the old man, Chester Wilkes, claims his wife turned into a big black dog and jumped through the window." Sarah stated as she looked up at the building. "The police and paramedic state that the glass in the windows is undamaged however." She added as the police car and ambulance drove away. "Doesn't mean it's a Black Dog, although it's looking likely." Mike sighed as he got to his feet. "Okay for real, why are you here, it's more than neighbourly love." "I just wanted to help, when I got home after meeting you I felt so alive." Sarah admitted as she looked embarrassed, as if she'd said something wrong. "I couldn't just be a magical theorist anymore." "I understand, but tell me this, if this was a Hellhound attack, if the beast was here, how would you have killed it?" Mike asked as he closed the orange kit. "Holy water and oil are Hellhound repellents." Sarah stated as she watched Mike nod. "And a killing blow can be landed with a thrice blessed sword. That's a blade blessed by a Rabbi, an Iman and a Priest." "Good knowledge." Mike stated a half smile spread across his force. "Now tell me how you'd overcome the mystigross inertia from that many charms on the weapon?" "I'm not sure." Sarah answered weakly. "My point, without training you'll end up getting killed." Mike stated as he picked the case up. "You've got the knowledge, now you need the skills, even my uncle, the most feared monster hunter had to start somewhere. He taught me a lot, but the first and most important lesson was that life is finite, even more so in this profession. He also stated that there must always be an Enforcer." He added as he walked to the car and gestured for Sarah to follow, before popping the boot open to reveal a shotgun, face mask and duffel bad. "If you're willing to learn then I'm willing to teach." "No, I mean yes I want to learn," Sarah stuttered as Mike slung the duffel bag over his shoulder, "but I don't want to kill people I want to help them, and I think you do too." Mike stopped as he began to walk towards the apartment building. "Lesson two, sometimes people have to be killed." He replied quietly before turning to Sarah, her face a mixture of excitement and disappointment. "But I suppose I can avoid taking assassination jobs while you're training." "Then when you have to kill someone then I guess I'll leave." Sarah answered. "So, the mystigross factor, how do I get past that?" She asked as she and Mike ducked under the tape and headed for the apartment building. "Ah that." Mike chirped as they headed up the steps. "You and I aren't strong enough to lift a thrice blessed sword, even a small blade like a short sword, the weight of the magic on the steel is too heavy." He announced as the pair of them started to climb the stairs to the fifth floor. "What I find works is affixing a bayonet twice blessed to a rifle to make an entry wound, and then adding an anointed bullet into the mix. The magic doesn't recognise the gun and the bayonet as separate weapons; thus, you have a thrice blessed weapon." "Still has to be heavy though right?" Sarah asked as they climbed past the last landing before their destination. "Yes, but being small items, the weight isn't unmanageable." Mike answered as he stopped in front of a door sealed by the police. "Have you ever heard of the Seal of Sanctuary charm?" "It makes voids in walls that are true sanctuaries, no violence, no theft, it even retards the progression of injuries." Sarah stated. "But I don't think it covers Breaking and Entering." She warned as Mike opened the bag and removed a piece of chalk and drew a rough Sanskrit symbol, before walking phasing through the door into the apartment behind it. Cautiously Sarah followed and felt a cool, refreshing sensation embrace her as she moved through the door. "Technically not breaking just entering." Mike added as he handed Sarah a pair of divining rods. "Black dogs are spirits so we're looking for a grey vapour cloud." He added as Sarah took the rods and held them out in front of her. As she moved into the apartment Mike pulled a digital temperature gauge and quickly took a reading." "What does green mean!" Sarah asked as Mike looked at the humidity reading and shook the gauge slightly. "Nature magic." Mike sighed, as he now began to slightly regret having a partner. "Why?" He asked as he turned to see Sarah in the next room standing over an arm chair, a green cloud rotating between the tips of the rods. "That can't be right!" He stated and walked over to the chair before moving it slightly, the fog nor fading, but rather concentrating as a dropped book of crossword puzzles was revealed. "I've seen that for sale I think." Sarah announced as Mike picked up the crossword book and flipped it open to the only filled in puzzle. "Whatever's causing this is on this page." "Grab some holy water from my bag." Mike instructed as he walked into the kitchen. In an instant Sarah was there, a clear plastic bottle in her hand. "Okay take a step back." He ordered, as he tipped the water on the page, the paper smoking and steaming to reveal a burnt symbol under the ink, one that faded too soon. "Charmed?" Sarah asked as she walked back over to the book. "With nothing good either, holy water is the universal indicator for evil magic, but it leaves good magic, even that from non-Christian faiths intact." Mike explained as he handed the book back to Sarah. "We need to buy one of these, expose the marks and figure out its purpose," "Uhm Mike, could this have something to do with it?" Sarah asked as she looked out the window at the crossroads, a fading red circle surrounding a glyph shaped like a stag's skull, it's antlers entwined with ivy. "That would yes." Mike answered as the glyphs faded back into the tarmac, once more hidden from mortal eyes. |