Kill! The Cowboy!

“Yes babe, I remember what today is, the 26th…our anniversary! I remember because it’s the same as your name, June. Ok, I’m not a complete klutz I remembered to make the reservation for 7:30 pm…2 hours is plenty of time look I’ll just need to head back to the station, let the chief know I’m calling it for the weekend, then I’m all yours… Alright, see you then bye!”. “Unit 76, Unit 76, come in 76”, “AHH! shit I dropped my phone, I forgot to say I love you”, “Unit 76, Unit 76, come-in 76”, “I think it fell between my…”, “Unit 76, Unit 76, come-in 76”, “Ugh…Dispatch this is 76”.

“76 we have a 10-45 off of Marston Rd. callers say there’s kids messing with the body”. “Off Marston?”. “Chief says you can manage it”. “10-4 Dispatch, I’m only a couple minutes from there”.

“Alright, on Marston… Yeah I see kids…Break it up guys”. Whoop, Whoop. Police lights began to flash. The kids begin to scatter. “Heh, kids…”. Exiting the car, the sound of gravel being walked on, was the only sound, as if the land was still. “Oh my god, I think I’m going to throw up”. “Dispatch! This is 76…this isn’t an animal… this is Jessica Motar, Daniel's sister”. “What is this I am feeling? A hand on my forehead… something warm running down my neck… Who’s that?... Am I dying?... June…”. Thud, the body falls to the ground. “Unit 76, Unit 76, come-in 76”. “Unit 76, Unit 76, come-in 76”. A bloody hand reaches down to answer the officer’s radio.

“Shut Up, Martha,” it says.

1

“Danny! “We have meatloaf family style”, Claudia called, she is the owner of Paradise Diner, and she is the spitting image of a mother; warm, loving, willing to take in any who needs a hot meal, and not afraid to give troublemakers the “what for”. My mother and father bought this old Diner before my sister and I were born back when the town was still developing, they poured everything into this place and the town loved my mothers’ cooking.

“On it! Will not take long” I said. “Son, you look so tired, you don’t have to come work here you already work full time for the state, you don’t have to cover for Jessy just because she’s late! this is just too much, you need to rest too” The frying pan falls burning Daniel's hand with the grease of potato and herbs, “AHHH, burned myself again, our family’s bad luck I’m sure of it!” Daniel said. Claudia quickly made her way to him with a small burn kit. She gently wraps his hand. “We don’t have bad luck, just good timing,” Claudia said. Our father died just a couple of years after we were born, the medical bills from his stay in the hospital have kept us in debt for as long as I can remember. Growing up money was so tight sometimes we had to sleep in the back office or borrow money just to keep the Diner running. After some time, we were able to get stable and when I was of age to work, I saved what I could and put myself through school, it was so hard the classes were complex, the students were already set in their friend group and weren’t looking for “new friends”, I missed deadlines/ first dates/ and it seemed as though my professors wouldn’t cut me a break. it felt as though the universe was just not on my side, everyone told me stories about my father how strong of a man he was, how his cancer was too aggressive…I never really got to know him. I’m told I am a lot like him. “Ma, you need help here, I don’t mind at all. Besides, why would I say no to serving THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN!!!” saying it loud enough that the dining area starts to whoop and holler. “I’m fine ma, just another hour ok”.

“You know…Hamill Alexander came by this morning, his interested in buying Paradise”.

“Humph, like he needs another family’s business in his pockets,” Daniel thought. “What did you tell him?” “I bought some time, but… it is getting harder to pay these bills and now that this housing crisis thing happened…were already running razor thin,” she said. DING “Order up!”. “Ma, I make good money, we can figure something out maybe we can throw another fundraiser? You know this town looks after its own, can we just wait until the morning to talk about this?” Claudia looks upon her son, “Sigh… ok, you have your fathers’ eyes”.

“Ay Dan, some guys are where they say they need to talk to you”. “Thanks, Ginger,” Daniel says. Ginger was the redhead waitress we’ve kept on working with us; her family ran off when she was a girl, and Ma took her in without hesitation. Ginger is the very definition of tough, tall, and fierce with hair that flames when the light of the sun shines, not the kind of person you want to get into a fight with she knows what she’s doing and isn’t afraid to fight dirty, she claims to be Goliaths best gunslinger, but we’ve never seen her shoot. Ginger was a loyal friend, and she stands up for the people she cares about the most. “Ugh, what now…” Daniel thought.

“Clyde? Rhonda? What are y’all doing here?” Daniel says. “Detective Motar, I’m sorry to bug you at your…mom’s house”, “Clyde you’re such a chucklehead,” Daniel thought, “We have a situation back at the station, and it involves you” Clyde could help the I’m better than you tone of voice. Clyde always thought of himself as “above the law”, When I first joined Goliath Law Enforcement as a rookie detective, I was told a story that Clyde’s first day at GPD he was already taking bribes and slowing down the rest of us since we can never prove anything on him it has made it difficult for us to get rid of him. Daniel turns to look at the nearby clock “Just turned 5” Daniel thought. “Sure, I can’t stay too long I need to close up tonight.” “Danny, you might have to skip closing, this is important,” Rhonda said. Rhonda was our senior, and it was easy to tell she has seen some things in her twenty-plus years working for the GPD, she had a commanding way of speaking that did not come off as hostile or pushy, she just knew how to talk that cut right threw, and you understand. “You reek of burning oil” She stated. `

“Alright, I’ll grab my stuff and meet y’all outside in 10”. Daniel said heading to the back office. “Ma, I’m going to have to work late tonight, ugh my burn stinks so bad!” Daniel said loudly hoping his ma would hear. “What did those people want Dan? Do you need me to shoot someone?” Ginger said. “Ha, not this time ginger but can you close tonight? I was supposed to, but I got to work,” said Daniel. “Sure, but are you positive you don’t need anyone shot?” spinning her colt peacemaker around her finger. “Tell ya what put that away and maybe I’ll take you to our range and you can show me some of your fancy shooting’ How’s that?” Ginger stops spinning her peacemaker and puts it away “You know I don’t trust cops,” Ginger said, “Don’t worry, I’ll close up just don’t forget to eat at least”. From the kitchen, Claudia can be heard cooking her heart out, “Just made you a little something, a triple layer meatloaf sandwich with mushroom gravy, some roasted onions and potatoes, Mijo I put in some day old desserts for everyone, and don’t forget your hat this time!” handing Daniel a massive bag neatly wrapped with his name on it placing my black Stetson on my head. “Thanks Ma”. Walking outside Clyde and Rhonda are waiting, “Took you long enough, mommy made you do the dishes before you could come and play?” Clyde said, “Hey but for real, Red in there what’s her deal?”. Putting the bag in his car Rhonda gets in the passenger’s seat, “You really shouldn’t call her Red, she doesn’t like it” Daniel said. Driving off Clyde is left standing alone, “What the?” Clyde looks around and adjusts his tie “Whatever, I work better alone anyway” Clyde says walking to his car.

Goliath, Texas, is famous for being the first town in Texas founded way back in 1753. The town is breathtaking, surrounded by thick forests on all sides that almost isolate the town, crystal clear lake waters of Ranger Grove, Mona’s open-air market she holds every weekend, and the trees within the town all produce peaches encouraging locals to pick as they please when night falls the string lights that litter main street shine like a warm light of a candle illuminating the night, the town was originally Julie “Goliath” Sweetwoods’ peach farm; Julie was rumored to be a man of a massive size and titanic strength, He never married always claiming the farm was his wife providing him the fruit of his labor when the town was only just a small group of people a group of bandits had come attempting to raid the town and Julie fearing that his town would be destroyed dawned his Bear Pelt, grabbed what blades and Rifles he could and fought those bandits. The story of how Julie fought with the ferocious might of a wild Bear, screaming, and clawing as the bandits, paralyzed with fear, fell one by one from Julie’s hands encouraging the town to fight back. Only one member of the town died that night, Julie. To honor his memory the town name itself Goliath and maintained the peaches that he loved so dearly. Today, the Mighty town of Goliath has been suffering through an economic slump, since the economic market crashed the local business began to go under one at a time.

“Damn, Mr. Hand’s went under”. Daniel Thought. “I’ll need to find another hotdog place”. “Looks’ like Rick’s Pharmacy is still in business!” said Rhonda. “Huh?” Dan pulled his attention back to the current. “The Pharmacy, I think Hamill bought it from the bank,” Rhonda said. “I didn’t even know that it was at risk, it feels like every day more of this town shuts down you know we haven’t had the Peach festival here since 03’, and no new businesses have come in for about 10 years now” our downtown area is riddled with stray dogs and gripping the wheel, Daniel holding back the emotion in his voice. “It makes me sad to see these good people lose their livelihoods when I was young this town was full of life with hopes and dreams around every corner, it makes me feel uncertain about my home, about our purpose here.”

The car in front of Daniel suddenly stops, blasting its horn. Daniel hits the brakes and Rhonda braces herself. A thud can be heard, the front car’s horn blasts on as a group of dogs crosses the street. One of them appears to have been injured by the accident. “Those goddamn dogs again! You know I’m hearing about more of them from my neighbors” Daniel said. “Is that right?” Rhonda said inquisitively. “They're gonna get themselves killed one day” Daniel claimed. “Yeah, quite stupid if you ask me,” Rhonda said.

THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD the local news/Emergency chopper comes flying in, extremely close to the traffic, “Great, just my luck! now here’s Benni” Daniel said doing his best to yell over the sounds of the thundering blades. “Benni never learned how to drive a car and yet Benni is allowed to fly a helicopter; perfect!”. The chopper flies forward continuing on its course. “Benni is the best pilot this town has!” Rhonda yelled.

“Look change always happens, and times always get hard, a sweet lie we want to believe that nothing bad will ever happen in our lifetime,” Rhonda said with a melancholic tone.

“Goddamnit Rhonda, you’re right.” Daniel Thought. “Danny?” Rhonda said. “What do you think?” “Mmm,” Daniel grunted. “Yeah, I think so too.”

Daniel parks in his space at the Goliath Police Department, “Looks like most everyone went home for the day huh.” Daniel said. “Yeah, come on, let’s get this over with,” Rhonda said, getting out of the car. The GPD Building is rumored to be one of the oldest buildings in Goliath, it is said this building used to be the first school when the town began to grow, in the 1920’s and during the great depression it was used as a community shelter and workforce placement center while running alcohol using the tunnels underneath; we have never seen any of them of course; but it is always fun to wonder. When the GPD bought the building modifications were made and turned the place into a small fortress, reinforcing everything, there was a running joke that if zombies ever attacked, this police station would not be swarmed so easily.

Placing down the food Claudia had made on his desk Daniel took a second to breathe, “Huh, looks like someone left me a message, I’ll check it after this.” Daniel thought.

“Donny!” the high pitched almost Whiney voice of the chief coming from his office, “Daniel,” Daniel said with a slightly annoyed tone, “Yes that’s what I said Danny, you must have misheard me, look I need to speak with you in my office yeah?” The chief always had an issue with physical contact, he loved to place his arm around the shoulder of others pulling them in close enough to smell the disgusting peanut butter and garlic sandwiches he eats for lunch almost every day. “Sir, why am I here? What is this about?” Daniel said.

“Ah…yeah… look, Donny, we have kind of a difficult situation, said the chief, “What are you talking about? What kind of situation?” Daniel said. “Whoa I need you to calm down Donny,” said the Chief.

“Daniel’’ he said, “Why is it so Seriou…” the chief passive-aggressively interrupted “Yes. Danny. You need to calm down you’re acting irrational right now”. Confused Daniel asked, “What does this have to do with me?” louder this time the chief said, “Donny you have to sit down and calm yourself I do not want to hurt you!” “Why would you hurt my chief?” Daniel said.

“AHHHHHH”, Daniel is struck from behind and brought down quickly, having his hands forced and cuffed in front of him.

“Damn Rhonda took you long enough!” the chief said in his whiney voice. “Just cuff em’ already we have a long night ahead of us.”

“Rhonda?... she hit me…why?” Daniel thought before passing out.

2

Buzz, Buzz… Buzz, Buzz… The room is still and quiet. Buzz, Buzz…Buzz, Buzz… Daniel has begun to wake up. “Huh… my phone…?” Daniel thought. Daniel reached for his phone only to have his wrist cut from the cuffs, binding him to his desk, the iron stink of blood mixes with oil and herbs; the bandage on his hand catches the blood. “Ahh!” he cried. Buzz, Buzz… Buzz, Buzz… the phone continued to ring. “Damn my phones are too far away,” Daniel thought reaching for his stuff on a nearby table. “Damn, Rhonda! What was she thinking? Ahh!” reaching to the back of his head still throbbing from where Rhonda struck him. “Huh? A note,” Daniel thought. Tucked in between the books on his desk a note is indiscreetly sticking out, the writing on it is clearly someone else.

I’m Sorry Danny, I did this for your own good.

Please, just stay here. I’ll answer your questions in the morning.

Rhonda.

“For my own good? What does that mean?” Daniel thought. The blinking light of his unread message on his work phone caught his eye; “That’s right, someone left me a message” Daniel thought.

Click’, Daniel presses the button and begins to rummage through his left side desk drawer.

“Hey Dan! It’s Jess, just thought I’d give you a call, to see how things are going with you and Mom at the restaurant seeing how it’s almost lunchtime. Ugh, I seem to have some gum on my shoe, and it won’t come off”.

Just then Daniel's ears perked up, like an animal hearing the sounds of a predator.

“Could you tell Mom I’m going straight to Marias and won’t be able to make it for the dinner rush? She wants me to meet her new boyfriend, someone I’ve never seen before”.

“Jess is being followed by someone, she doesn’t know who they are and is going somewhere safe”, Daniel Thought pulling a false bottom from his drawer and revealing a set of keys. Unlocking the cuff, Daniel opens the bottom right drawer of his desk to reveal a backpack filled with gear he may need to get home.

“Oh, and by the way, my arm is fine I even have some extra painkillers in my bag just in case, anyway would you call me as soon as you get this? Love you Danny, See ya, soon!”

“Good, she has her gun and plenty of ammo with her just in case,” Daniel thought looking at the time on a nearby clock. “Damnit! That was almost 7 hours ago!” he shouted. “I need to get the hell out of here now! Jess wouldn’t leave a message like that on my work phone for no reason…whatever is happening involves her and somehow me.” Trying to make an outgoing call on his work phone Daniel only heard the sound of a deadline. “Of course,” he thought, “My cell!” Reaching over to grab his phone Daniel noticed there was no signal, only a notification notifying Daniel that he had no signal. “Great,” Daniel said. Making his way to the front of the GPD the heavy triple locked doors made it nearly impossible for Daniel to get out that way. “Damn, I’d need some real heavy firepower for this,” Daniel said. Daniel went quiet, the sound of a car door closing can be heard.

Daniel backs away from the door, the doorknob aggressively shakes, and a voice can be heard. “Well, shit I’m late again!” “Clyde,” Daniel thought! “I bet that weasel is part of this too somehow, I cannot let him know I am here,” Daniel thought. “DANIEL!?” Clyde shouted. “Daniel are you in there...your car is outside…DANIEEEEL!!... Come on I need my stuff!” “Wait a minute…” Daniel thought, noticing a keyhole on the door with an impression of the chief’s master key. “HE KEEPS THAT IN HIS OFFICE!” Daniel said. Quickly making his way back to the Chief's office Daniel can see the door is closed, reaching for the handle Daniel tries to open the door…it is locked. The keys were calling out to him from the chief’s desk. “AHHHH DAMNIT!!!” Daniel said slamming his body repeatedly against the door. Grabbing a nearby desk chair Daniel slammed hard against the glass of the office door… nothing happened.

Slamming the chair against the glass again and again Daniel's desperation began to show, “Huff, Huff… Someone has to have a spare key” Daniel thought. Checking all the nearby desks Daniel begins to look through all the drawers, files, and books hoping to find anything that is used to help him find a way into the chief’s office.

Seconds felt like minutes, minutes felt like hours… Daniel restlessly searched the desks. He found nothing. “Rhonda never locks her office door” the thought popped into Daniel's mind. Checking the door to Rhonda’s office Daniel could feel his nerves freeze.

The door was open.

A deep fast sigh came from Daniel, he felt hope. Looking around Rhonda’s office Daniel could only see the obsessive perfection and care put into her office, not even a book was chronologically out of place. At the desk, there was nothing out of place, nothing other than paperwork and personal items. “Rhonda, you know how to keep yourself clean…” Daniel thought sitting in her chair. The stress and exhaustion from the day set in, Daniel rubs his temples, bent over, and breathes slowly. Daniel noticed a crumpled piece of paper under her desk near the trash can. It read.

We’ll be using the tunnels to move the bodies, the fuckin’ chief is so sloppy with his kills we had to rig a new entryway to quickly hide any evidence. Remember when the old man strikes 3 the path will be revealed.

Rhonda, we’ll leave Daniel to you.

“The tunnels are real!? I knew it!” Daniel said. “When the old man strikes 3 the path will be revealed… What could that mean?”

DING…DONG…DING…DONG… a booming sound came from the Westside reference library. “The Grandfather clock in the library!” Daniel thought. In a rush, Daniel made his way to the library. DING…DONG…DING…DONG… the clock reads 9 pm. Looking around the clock frame looking for any signs of a pathway or that it has been moved recently. The seams were solid, and no marks were visible on the floor. “Goddamnit! This clock is digital! And there is no sign anyone has even touched this recently; this clock is as useful as the old hunk of junk stored…” and then it clicked…” The clock in the basement!” he said. Daniel made his way to the basement of the GPD, the room was dimly lit, and the sad moldy stench of wet cold cases and poor ventilation lingered thick in the air. Daniel grabbed a flashlight out of his backpack. “There it is!” Daniel thought, trying not to breathe through his nose. In the furthest corner of the basement, an old grandfather clock stood; the minute and hour hand rusted off over time.

“The hands are gone…” Daniel thought. Looking around at the bottom of the clock, scrapes, “Well Well, now why would someone need to move this old man after it doesn’t work?” Daniel Thought. Grabbing a multitool from his backpack Daniel grabbed the center of the hour wheel with the pliers and slowly turned. Click. The light sound of locks opening was heard. Suddenly a chilly gust of air came whistling from behind the clock, carried with the sickening smell of death.

3

“Ugh that smell,” Daniel thought. The tunnels were pitch black. Darker than the evil hiding in the souls of men. “I don’t think my phone’s light can help here; besides I don’t want to waste my battery like that,” Daniel thought. The flashlight illuminates the halls of the tunnel only allowing him to see a few feet in from of him, the dark is thick. “I don’t even know where to go from here,” Daniel thought. Moving along the walls of the tunnel Daniel continued.

“Here’s something,” Daniel thought, moving around the corner to a dead end. “Damn,” he said. Turning around Daniel went back the way he came and down another path.

Another path

Dead end.

Another path

Dead end.

Another path

Dead end.

“God Damnit! Why can’t anyone just leave a map by the door!” Daniel shouted. “I’m obviously doing something wrong,” He thought. “I can’t just wander aimlessly.” *Sniff Sniff* The stink of death was not so noticeable. “At least I’m away from the smell,” He thought, “But this stink of wet and dirty dog is just as overwhelming”. Then Daniel stopped. “What if I go toward the smell?” He thought. Smelling his way back to where he began another path began to appear. The smell was overwhelming, the closer Daniel got to the source the more he was forced to breathe through his mouth. This did little good.

Walking through the dark, dirty, rot-infested tunnels for what seemed like forever Daniel saw a thin strip of light at the bottom of a hallway. It flickers with the pop of a fire. Before entering the room Daniel stopped, drew his revolver, and listened through the door. The sound of silence. Peaking in slowly Daniel could feel the warmth of the nearby fireplace. “Somebody has been here, and recently”. He thought. On the table is what looks like a record of the names of people in town. “This seems important,” Daniel thought. Placing the journal in his bag. Moving around the room Daniel’s light shined on a small pile of dead bodies. “Oh god, that’s the source of the smell” Daniel Thought”. “Some of these bodies are older than others.” Daniel got a little closer. “Oh my god… some of these people are the townsfolk that went missing! That’s the Bakers kid! And oh, Miss Johansson we were all told you moved away…Some of these people I don’t recognize” he thought.

Reaching into his pockets Daniel pulls out his phone’s digital camera, snapping pictures of the room and the pile of bodies. One of the bodies was heavily wrapped in thick trash bags with yellow caution tape, drips of blood steadily falling from the bag opening. “This one must have just happened,” Daniel thought reaching closer.

“I know, I know! Look I’m on my way there now!” said a voice rapidly approaching from a nearby hallway. “Shit!” Daniel thought. Quickly diving into the pile of dead bodies.

A well-dressed man came into the room, talking on his Bluetooth headset. “Suit, navy I think, tall with a side part in his hair…damn, I can’t see his face” Daniel thought trying to remember as many details as possible.

“I need you to head to the fertilization plant and prep another pod for me… because the Alexander kid can’t keep it in his pants!” the stranger said.

“The Alexander Kid?!, what do they have to do with this?” Daniel thought.

“I have the body right here, everything is fine”. The stranger makes his way over to the wrapped body and lifts it without effort. Daniel barely went unnoticed.

“Just Trust Me, I’ll be there after I take care of this body, and bring the journal with you!... Well, I don’t have it! The Stranger said hanging up the call. Chills ran down Daniel's spine hearing this strange man tell someone to trust him.

“…Sigh…I’m surrounded by morons…” he said. Carrying the body back out the hallway he came in Daniel could hear the sound of the door being locked as the strange man left.

Daniel poked his head out from the rancid pile of dead bodies, “Who the hell was that guy? And why is the Alexander family involved?” Daniel thought? Making his way to the same hallway the strange man left through Daniel unlocked the door. “Thanks for the way out, whoever you are,” Daniel said.

The moon was high this night, and the red light was shining bright. Daniel emerged from the tunnels turning off his flashlight and turning to see where he had come out. “Of course, the old training barracks, no one would think to check here,” Daniel thought. Ding, Ding. Ding, Ding. Daniel's phone began to chime. “My phone! I have a signal!” He spoke. Reaching into his pocket Daniel grabbed his phone to urgently call his sister. The phone shuts off. The battery is dead. “Sigh…of course it would,” Daniel said with a frustrated tone. “Whatever, I know where I am at, Maria’s house is a short hike from here anyway,” Daniel said. “I should leave my car here, if anyone notices I’ve escaped I might end up with more trouble than I need,” he thought “I should get moving”.

The cool summer night is still, cicadas using up the silence. “Jess, I hope you made it to Maria’s, ugh my feet are killing me, I should have brought a different pair of boots,” Daniel thought. “My bag is too heavy; it’s making me slower…

Goddamnit Rhonda, I trusted you…Why did you do this? When did all this start? What does the Alexander family have to do with this? Why is the chief in on this? If Rhonda is, who else in the department is?

The back roads of Goliath are kind of a town secret, you only really know about them if you grew up here, since no one ever talks about them. Most people these days use the main road seeing that it’s faster. The roads are dark with no real working light posts. Most of the road is in disrepair if not unpaved altogether.

The last gasps of Daniel's flashlight began to fade, and Daniel was left in the dark.

“Of course, when I needed you the most flashlight,” He thought. Standing in the dark his eyes began to adjust to the night. Around him, Daniel could hear the movements of animals, the cry of the desert, and the fading red glow coming off the moon. “I wish I knew what I was doing…”. Daniel Thought. Looking around to recognize any landmark he could, Daniel kept walking. “Shouldn’t be long now… I am so tired”. He thought. Shuffling can be heard coming closer behind Daniel. “Sounds like…animals…” Daniel thought turning around to see what was following him. “Those damn dogs again,” he thought. They just stood there, watching him, as if waiting to see what his next move would be. Daniel continues on his path.

“No Claudia I haven’t seen Danny or Jess since earlier this morning” … “I am too, but they are both smart, we should have some trust in them” … “Ok… ok call me after you take care of those customers” … “Everything will be ok Claudia, bye”.

“…sigh… what’s going on… one of you guys please reach out”.

Knock.

Knock, Knock.

Knock.

“Maria it’s Danny,” Daniel said through the door. “Danny!?” Maria said quickly, opening the door. Maria is the town sweetheart, with raven hair and sun-kissed skin she was always willing to lend a helping hand, and although vertically challenged her caring nature more than charms everyone while concealing one of the cleverest minds anyone has ever met. “Where have you been your mother has been calling me nonstop!” Maria said. “Huh? wait, I need to charge my phone” Daniel said pulling out a spare charging cable from his bag. “Daniel where have you been!?” Maria demanded.

“I was trapped inside the GPD, technically, I still am…” Daniel said. “What do you mean?” said Maria. “Before I explain, I got a message from Jess that she was being followed and heading here, where is she?” said Daniel.

“Jess isn’t here,” Maria stated.

“No, she left me a message on my work phone saying she’ll be here, where is she?” Daniel Demanded. “Danny, Shut up! Listen.” Maria said, pulling up her phone. “It’s a message Jess sent me”.

“It’s Miles, Miles Alexander… not far from you now… AHH! NO! STOP! AHHHHHHH!”

“When did you get this?” Daniel said. “A couple of hours ago, I noticed it right before your mother called,” Maria said. “Did you tell her?” Daniel asked. “NO!” she said. “Why?” Daniel asked. “I don’t know, I don’t know…I felt you should have been the first to know”. Maria said soulfully.

Tears began to fill Daniel's eyes, and the realization set in that his sister could be dead. “Maria look when I was looking for a way out, I came across this room where I found this journal, it has the names of some of the people in this town see; Mrs. Hudson who owns the Antique shop in town. The Bakers family, Ms. Johansson”. Daniel went to his phone. “Here look! the room I was in… That’s their bodies! Maria, I think the Alexander family is involved somehow and this journal that I have may be the proof we need, that’s not all, I think the chief is also involved maybe they have a deal or something”. Daniel said.

“What do we do?” Maria asks.

“I need to get back to the restaurant, it’ll be a safe place to hide until we can figure out what to do next, we’re going to need to be careful, the chief could have anyone from the GPD working for him”. Daniel said. “Are you sure?” Maria asked. “Oh, I am sure, Maria, can you give me a ride? I’ll need to hide in your backseat”.

“Sure, let’s get going”. Maria said.

“Also, I have another favor to ask you…” Daniel said.

4

“Make sure to park behind the restaurant, less likely we’ll be seen”. Daniel said. “I understand, we're almost there, so far everything seems normal”. Maria mentioned. “Alright pulling in now…wait…who’s that?” Maria said. Daniel quickly tensed up “What? Who?”. “I don’t know, nice car, looks like no one is in it, they must be inside with your mom” Maria pulled into the back and parked.

“Maria, I need you to go in, be cool and keep them busy while I sneak in the back”. Daniel said. “Be cool…I can do that!” Maria said confidently.

“So, you can see Claudia selling your restaurant to my buyer would result in 3x the typical price a restaurant this size would run for and I’m sure…” Suddenly Maria burst through the main doors hysterically in tears.

“Claudia! Imgladyourehereithoughtiranoveracatonmywayhere-

butitwasjustablackbagwithsomefruitinitbutnowsomeonedoesnthavethefruittheyneed” Maria said instantly walking past the visitor and giving a hug to Claudia. “Damn, she’s good,” Daniel thought. Watching the doors close behind her confusion set in. Sneaking into the kitchen from the back Daniel made his way to the office to the security cameras. The visitor has his back to the only working camera in the lobby. “Damn! Come on let me see your face” Daniel said.

“Maria… Maria it’s ok, it’s ok. Sweetheart calm down”. Claudia said, Maria Pulling Claudia in close, so close that she can whisper into her ear. “Dan safe, in danger”. Maria said. In a way that only a mother can, Claudia understood what Maria meant.

In the back office, Daniel was watching the visitor. “Hair parted, navy colored suit…” He thought.

“Mrs. Motar, Just Trust Me, come with me to the office and I’ll take care of you”. The visitor said. The coldest of chills ran down Daniel's spine. “The man in the tunnels! This is him!”. Daniel thought. Turning to face the camera, Daniel finally got to see his face. “Jimmy?” Daniel said. Jimmy Cardinas was the town’s best local lawyer, best known for the prosecution of the Full Moon Slasher.

“Mrs.Motar, please come with me,” Jimmy said. “I…I need to talk with my son first, I’m sorry” Claudia said regrettably. “Oh, Daniel? Yeah, we just spoke a little over an hour ago, I ran the idea by him and he seemed excited about it, apparently, you guys could use the money” Jimmy said.

“You spoke with Daniel about an hour ago?” Claudia asked suspiciously. “Of course, come with me, Claudia…” Jimmy said in a stern voice.

Claudia looked at Maria who subtly shook her head no. “Jimmy…Let’s talk in the morning ok? Please.” Claudia asked. “NO! I need you to come with me NOW!” Jimmy said frustratingly pulling his gun on them. “Now, both of you come with me to my office!” Jimmy demanded.

“Jim,” Daniel said from the kitchen looking through the expediting window, the desperation in Jimmy’s eyes could be seen. “You weren’t supposed to get involved, Daniel!” Jimmy said.

“Put the gun down Jim,” Daniel said. “…I can’t! …you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. These people…they own your family; they use you and then you die!” Jimmy said the gun in his hand shaking more and more. “They are keeping my baby girl sick,” Jimmy said struggling to hold back tears. “Just put down the gun Jim, we can fix this”. Daniel said. “You can’t fix anything… you have to die now Daniel” Jimmy stated.

“Jim…We grew up together…” Daniel said.

The room went silent.

Nothing filled the air.

The sound of shaking metal gradually gets louder.

Jimmy swung to point his gun at Daniel. Faster than Jimmy could blink, Daniel drew his revolver and shot Jimmy in the head killing him instantly.

The sight of Jimmy’s brain being spread across the wall caused Maria to panic, and Claudia did her best to calm her down. “Mijo, what have you done?” Claudia asked.

“Call Ginger, I need her here now!” Said Daniel.

5

“I don’t believe it…oh my gosh…I can’t believe what I’m hearing right now!” Ginger said talking on the phone. “I absolutely would love to talk about my vehicle’s extended warranty! I just bought the new AyPhone, and the sound is incredible!”

Boop. Boop…

Boop, Boop…

“Ah! That’s my call waiting, I got to go! I love the future!” Ginger said, “Oh it’s Claudia!... Hello Mrs. Motar!” …

“Daniel?” …

“I’ll be there in 5!” Ginger said.

Grabbing the tablecloth from a nearby table, Daniel wrapped Jimmy’s body. Maria is visibly and mentally shaken. “Maria? Are you alright sweetheart?” Claudia said. “I’ve just never seen a dead body before,” Maria said staring at the burgundy-soaked walls. “What’s next Daniel? I mean, we have to tell someone.” Maria stated. “We cannot go to the GPD, I was attacked and locked in the precinct by Rhonda,” Daniel said. “GASP!!!” The realization that Rhonda was corrupt and attacked Daniel left Maria and Claudia speechless. “There is no telling who else is on their payroll and I can’t risk putting you both in harm’s way”. said, Daniel.

“Mijo, call Jessica, she needs to come home right now!” Claudia said. Maria looked at Daniel, the look of worry, grieving, anger, and pain all meshed into one. “Mom…Jess left me a message earlier, someone was following her, she tried to reach safety…I think someone may have kil…” “NO! you will not tell me my daughter was killed!” Claudia demanded. “Mrs. Motar…” Maria said giving Claudia her phone.

“It’s Miles, Miles Alexander… not far from you now… AHH! NO! STOP! AHHHHHHH!”

“Noooo!!! NO! Nooooooo” The only words Claudia could bring herself to say as the storm of emotions come forth crippling Claudia and bringing her to her knees.

Outside, music begins to get louder and louder, and bright lights pull up and shine through the windows of Paradise.

“Gingers here,” Daniel said.

Ginger walks in and immediately sees the body wrapped up on the floor. “Mrs. Motar, Maria, I’m sorry… are you both ok?” Ginger said giving them both a hug. “Yes, thank you for coming Ginger,” Mrs. Motar said.

“Ginger, I need your help to move Jim.” “That’s Jimmy!? Oh no…his little girl was just getting better too”. Ginger said, grabbing the feet. “Danny… was he really going to shoot you?

“Yeah, I think something big is happening, the GPD can’t be trusted, Rhonda attacked me right before this and…” Once again Daniel was cut off. “Rhonda did what...” Ginger said. “She attacked me, locked me in the GPD,” he said. Ginger went quiet. Not in her character at all.

“Why?” Daniel asked.

“I called her before coming here,” Ginger said.

“YOU DID WHAT?!” Daniel shouted.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know! I thought you needed help, although it does now explain why she sounded so surprised that you were here at Paradise”. The realization began to set in on Daniel's face.

“What do we do?!” Ginger asked. “Back in the tunnels I overheard Jim talk about the old fertilization plant and pods that he needed,” Daniel said.

“You were in tunnels?” Ginger asked. “The plant went under years ago, even teenagers got bored of that place,” Maria said. “Apparently, someone is still interested,” Daniel said looking out the windows. “I have an idea!” Ginger stated, “Let’s just ask for help”. The room is silent.

“Huh?!” Everyone said.

“Let me make a call, someone has to know something about this plant,” Ginger said. “We need to be careful who we talk to about this Rhonda knows I’m out that’s one too many already”.

The low static sound of Daniel's walkie began to sputter from inside the manager’s office.

Static…Static…in All units we have a rogue officer, Daniel Motar is wanted for the assault of the police chief.

Static…Static…in All units we have a rogue officer, Daniel Motar is wanted for the assault of the police chief.

“We need to get out of here!” Daniel said. “Where do we go?” Maria asked, “What do we do!?” Claudia stated. In the distance, the faint sounds of multiple police sirens could be heard. “Mom, I need you to take Maria and run! Out the back!” Daniel demanded, “No! Mijo just tell them the truth you were attacked by him!” Claudia said, “Mom…they don’t care…I’m sorry.” Said Daniel.

The sound of sirens is louder, quickly Maria pulled the blinds for the lobby windows, the violently flashing lights seeping through. “Mom y’all need to leave now, I’ve seen what they do to the people here and…” Maria cuts him off. “They want you, Daniel! Just leave and we will be ok! We can pretend we had no idea what is going on still!” From the corner of his eye, a small laser pointer made Daniel flinch. “The hell is that?” Daniel thought. From behind Paradise Ginger was signaling Daniel. “y’all come this way” Daniel said quickly ushering Maria and Claudia to the back.

From the outside of Paradise, an officer came barreling into the parking lot, blocking off the entrance. Officers exit their cars and quickly move into place to surround Paradise as much as possible.

“Daniel!... We don’t want to make this harder than it already is. The chief is ok by the way, he’s recovering in the hospital after the beating you gave him. Rhonda told us we would find you here.” Said a Silhouetted officer with a deep booming voice speaking through a megaphone. “Come on Daniel, I don’t want to see a fellow officer needlessly gunned down”.

“Ginger, what are you doing?... Mr. Rojas, what are you doing here?” Daniel said confused. “HEH HEH, any moron can tell they're lying! I saw the chief not 30 minutes ago trying to talk some young ladies into his car” Mr. Rojas said.

“Daniel, we can’t wait here all night, I’m getting tired of talking to myself,” the officer said in the background.

“He’s here to help, Mr. Rojas can sneak you out of his shop!” Ginger said. “Then what?” Daniel asked. “Leave that to me, I’m sure we can do this” Ginger said pulling out her phone and quickly sending texts.

“Son, everyone in this town knows something has been going on with the police for some time now… it started when Hamill Alexander made the donation that kept the station from closing. You’re one of the good ones and we love you for trying son…now come on!” Mr. Rojas grabbed Daniel and with all his strength began to walk away toward a joint fence leading to the ally exit of Rojas's comics and figurines. “Goddamnit, you’re so strong!” Daniel said. “Maria! Don’t forget!” Daniel's final words before disappearing behind the heavy steel door.

“Alright, you did this to yourself motherfucker!” The officer out front cried. “Get in there and take them out,” the officer said.

Breaking down the door to Paradise, officers quickly take the room, loud screaming can be heard followed by the sound of gunshots.

6

The flashing red and blue lights that once meant safety for the town now hold it hostage, Daniel and Mr. Rojas remain low under the windows of the shop.

The boot steps of officers can be heard quickly passing by the front door’s handle violently jingles, “locked” the voice said.

“Mr. Rojas we’ve got to get you out of here!” Daniel said, “Son, we’re going to wait here for just a moment,” he said, “We’ll get the signal any second now…”

“Daniel!! Abandoning your own mother and friends, to save your skin… I’ll admit that’s ballsy, your redhead friend got away, but we’ll find her” The officer with the megaphone said patrolling the streets.

“Ginger, you got away! Good…” Daniel thought.

“I know you are still nearby! You’re not going to make it out of here!” The officer with the megaphone is moving around getting closer to Rojas comics and figurines. “I’ll be sure to throw the book at your mom…” The officer stops in his tracks as the sounds of a disturbance can be heard in the distance.

“I told you already you son of a bitch! Cheat on me again and your ass is mine!” a woman can be heard screaming at the top of her lungs. “Babe, come on! It didn’t even mean anything” The man said doing his best to imitate a drunk. “I was thinking of you the whole time!”

The officers were watching this couple argue, confused.

“Perfect timing!” Mr. Rojas stated, “Huh?” Daniel said, “What are Mr. & Mrs. Duran doing out there!?” “What they do best! Come on we are going out the side we only have this moment” Mr. Rojas stated.

“NO! NO! This is it! This is the last time you piece of shit!” Mrs. Duran yelled. “Alright break this up! Take your relationship issues elsewhere” a couple of officers said thinking they are just a normal couple fighting coming casually and walking over. Mr. and Mrs. Duran have begun to get physically violent with each other.

The officers are having to struggle to separate them. “Listen you two we don’t have time to deal with your bullshit!” the officer with the megaphone demanded. “Aright you four, go help them two and get those morons under control!”

“Hurry up Son!” Mr. Rojas said, grabbing his phone and sending a text. “We can’t leave them there sir, why are they even helping us?” Daniel stated. “Whatever you’ve stumbled on might be big enough to make some real change in this town! There are many townsfolk here ready to drop what they’re doing to help you, Daniel. You are this town’s favorite son”. The side door of Rojas comics & figurines quietly swung open; Mr. Rojas poked out his head to check if the coast was clear. “Now son, we have to leave!” Mr. Rojas said, reaching out with an open hand.”

The four additional officers are making their way to Mr. & Mrs. Duran while the first two continue to struggle. “How are you both resisting so hard!” one of the officers struggled to say.

“Because we’re trying to get as many of y’all as possible!” Mr. & Mrs. Duran both stated, suddenly in a fury of well-trained martial arts Mr. & Mrs. Duran stopped fighting each other and turned their attacks on the officers. The first two officers who were trying to separate them took the full force of their elbows and knees. almost instantly knocking them out.

The other four officers quickly defend themselves; some begin to shoot at them both. Mr. & Mrs. Duran dive out of the way. Mrs. Duran, grabbing a downed officer’s handgun, shoots down two more officers before being shot in the legs. Screaming in pain, Mrs. Duran collapses. Mr. Duran takes cover behind one of the already dead officers.

Tink Tink… the sound of a key ring jingling. From over the side of the officer’s body, a canister of tear gas flew out. The officers, unaffected by the tear gas riddle the dead officer’s body with bullets, killing Mr. Duran in the process. “Noo Noo!!” Mrs. Duran cried out. “Shut up! you crazy bitch! We don’t want to hurt you!” one of the officers knocks out Mrs. Duran.

“You see what you're causing!”

“You see what you made us do, someone else is dead now Daniel! “

“It only had to be you!!!” painfully screamed the Officer in a deep voice.

7

Hiding within the safety of the town, Mr. Rojas is on his phone, and Daniel is rummaging through his backpack pulling out a map.

“Ok… Ok sounds good… yes I spoke to her, and I might leave after tonight… see you in a bit. Be safe…Bye,” Mr. Rojas hung up. “Mr. Rojas come here look,” Daniel said pointing at the map. “We're only about 9 miles from the fertilization plant, whatever is going on here I’m sure I can get answers there!” Mr. Rojas is silent. “We can make it there if we’re careful… we can take the backroads,” Daniel said. “Son, the plant has been abandoned for many years nothing is there,” Mr. Rojas said. “The rumors about tunnels under the GPD are true, I found them, and they led me to this small room near the old barracks, Jim was talking on the phone with someone about prepping a pod at the fertilizer plant, that was not that long ago, we can catch them red handed in whatever it is they are doing here, maybe even get some answers about the people missing and my sister!” Daniel said.

Flashing police lights can be seen driving by as the booming voice on the megaphone can be heard, “Citizens of Goliath, your town is in lockdown! Anyone caught aiding the criminal will be assumed an accomplice and you will be arrested.”

“The backroads would work, damn…I haven’t thought about them in years!” Mr. Rojas said. “They’ve seen some better days sir, and the roads are falling apart so we will need to be careful,” Daniel said. “Damnit! I left some important gear back at the restaurant”. The sound of wheels rolling on gravel gets closer. “No time son, we need to move, we will have to figure it out along the way”. Mr. Rojas said.

The roads at night are dark, the inconsistent lamp posts provide unreliable light, and the silence is loud enough to be maddening. “You know Diane, I think I am happy I reached out to Mrs. Maybe after so many years we can retire the way we planned…before the divorce… I wouldn’t mind moving to the beach… especially after tonight” Mr. Rojas said. Daniel nervously looks around.

“Thank you for helping us Ms. Nayak,” Daniel said slumped down in the back seat. “I want you to please go straight home after this, I don’t want anyone else harmed tonight”. “I will Danny, and don’t worry about your mom or Maria, those two can’t be touched with a ten-foot pole”. Ms. Nayak said. “Were almost to the plant Son, how many bullets do you have in your revolver? said Mr. Rojas. “I have 5 left,” said Daniel. “Oh, I have you covered Danny”. Ms. Nayak said. Mr. Rojas and Daniel exchange a look of disbelief.

Opening the truck of her car and removing the cover to her spare tire reveals a well-organized cache of guns, supplies, ammo, and bladed weapons. “Jesus Christ Ms. Nayak! I had no idea that you had this!” Daniel said, shocked by the level of firepower and thought behind her truck cache. “Well, this is just the one I have in my car…” Ms. Nayak said. Daniel looked dumbfounded by her response. “What? We live in Texas!” she said.

In the distance, voices can be heard, and the ominous intense glow of high-powered flashlights can be seen. “What’s that?!” Ms. Nayak said. “I know that voice… no she couldn’t have…” Daniel thought. “Daniel…What do you see?” Mr. Rojas asked. Daniel's face told it all, the worry of who he thought was coming. Grabbing a small flashlight and a small box of ammo Daniel hurried everyone to hide. “Danny! I know you’re gonna use this road…please let me explain!” Rhonda said Clyde was helping her search for Daniel. Rhooooooonndddddaaaaaaaa… He's not going to use this road, no one uses this road because the main road exists; ok so maybe he got out of the GPD that doesn’t mean he’s here, he could have gone to his mom’s place, or the redheads, hell maybe he is hiding out at the old fertilizer plant!” Clyde said. Rhonda sighs a guttural sigh; chills ran down Clyde’s spine. “No one goes to the plant, you understand. NO ONE!” Rhonda said poking Clyde in the chest, frozen Clyde just nodded his head in agreement. “He’s around here somewhere keep looking” Rhonda demanded.

“I think they are arguing,” Daniel said. Looking at the confrontation from his binoculars, “If we’re going to get past them, it’s now” Mr. Rojas said “The plant is just another turn from here. “How are we even going to do that? We need a distraction of some kind; we cannot get into a shootout” Daniel said. “Clyde is easy, he’ll believe anything, I don’t know Rhonda that well; she has kept to herself since she moved here,” said Mr. Rojas. “Maybe we can get a false call and have their response to it?” Daniel asked “That can take too long, and they are right there,” said Mr. Rojas.

Ms. Nayak is rummaging in her trunk behind them.

“What if we just talk to them? Maybe there is some way we can talk this out” Mr. Rojas asked. “Rhonda is the one who attacked me, we have to assume she’s corrupted like the chief,” Daniel said. “Hey fellas,” Ms. Nayak said.

Turning around the debate immediately stops. Ms. Nayak is loading a smoke round in a single-shot homemade grenade launcher. The look on Daniel's face was one of shock and being impressed. “What about this?” she says aiming. “No wait!” Daniel reacted.

Ms. Nayak pulls the trigger. A thundering boom followed by a thick spread of smoke blanketed the area.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!” the screams of everyone exposed to the smoke. Daniel covers his mouth and nose; the smoke stings his eyes. “We are going to talk about this later Ms. Nayak,” Daniel said. “You’re wasting time Danny! Go now!” said Ms. Nayak. Daniel takes off. “AH, what the hell was that?!” cried Clyde. “MY EYES! I CAN’T BREATHE!!.... I CAN’T BREATHE! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” Clyde screamed dramatically. “Keep screaming Clyde,” Daniel thought “I need to know where you are”. Daniel is quietly moving around; Clyde’s screams are getting louder.

“Rhoooonda… Rhoooonda!? Where are you?” Clyde asked, trying to take some steps forward. Daniel can hear the sound of Clyde’s voice moving away from him. “Almost… I gotta be close to the other side” Daniel thought. A chill ran down his spine as a hand reached out and grabbed his wrist. “Daniel, please let me explain,” Rhonda said. “Damn! How the hell did she find me so easily!?” Daniel thought. “You stabbed me in the back, Rhonda! Why should I listen to you?” Daniel stated.

“Rhonda?!” Clyde said confused walking straight into Rhonda tripping over each other causing Rhonda’s grip on Daniel to be broken. “You’ve finally done something right for once Clyde,” Daniel thought taking off and running down the back roads.

8

The road leading to the fertilization plant was chained off, loosely, anyone with enough sense to walk around the roadblock could get in. The sulfur that was used decades ago is baked into the surrounding area, still making it difficult to breathe. The fertilizer plant is badly decrepit, left abandoned more than 20 years ago, it seems as though the building ages faster than the town. “I’ve got to be out of my mind to willingly walk into this death trap,” Daniel thought.

A flicker of light shouts from the haunting darkness of the fertilizer plant. “Now why would there be light in an abandoned plant?” He thought.

Buzz, Buzz… Daniel reached down into his pocket and checked his phone.

Mr.Rojas:

Got away, funny they seemed to ignore us completely… anyway I’m gonna make a call just hang tight!

“Who are you even going to call?” Daniel thought. The clanking of metal suddenly came from deep within the fertilization plant. Dropping his phone and cracking the screen. Daniel sighs, “Alright, just do this,” he thought, putting his phone back into his pocket.

The dank, leaking, and echoing insides of the fertilizer plant created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. The faint light gleamed from the cracks of a badly damaged door. “What’s that sound?” Daniel thought, placing his ear to the door. “Sounds like… arguing?”. Opening the door reveals an open room at the end of a hallway, it was obviously taken care of as the walls were stained with generations. The arguing is loud enough to understand, Daniel quietly made his way to peek out of the hallway.

Daniel kept himself from gasping too loud.

Below him was a community of horribly grotesque, half-formed human-wolf hybrids. Many were moaning in agony, some looked like children or cubs, and almost all of them looked malnourished, the bone structure of their faces can be seen with detail adding to their overall horrific features. “Alpha is gone! Miles!” what seemed to be the leader spoke up.

The room fell quiet.

“We don’t know that Hamill,” Miles said. “YES. WE. DO!!” Hamill roared. The thundering boom of his voice shook the entire room sending shivers up Daniel's spine. “It has been 832 days since we even last had Alpha’s scent! There has been no attempt to contact us, and we have searched this town twice! We need to leave Miles.” Hamill urged. “No! We need to do as we are told, we need to stay there is plenty to eat here”. Miles is interrupted. “This town is dying with us!” Hamill Stated. “We need to take what we can and leave this town”.

“Hamill and Miles Alexander?! They are… whatever this is I’m looking at, what do they mean there is plenty to eat here... Hamill is limping, did he hurt his legs?” Daniel thought.

The low murmuring of uncertainty washes over the communities deciding what should be done. “You can stay here Miles, and anyone else who thinks we should stay can stay here with him, those of us who want to move on…come with me, we leave at dawn” Hamill stated. “NO! NO ONE LEAVES!” Miles started losing control and turning into a large humanoid werewolf-like being! Hamill turned as well, his coating was different, scars littered his body, and the grey of many decades began to show on his dark fur. “Yeah, this is where I leave!” Daniel thought quickly getting to his feet, some of the smaller tools laying on the graded floor slipped through, falling to the crowd below. “Oh shit, no!”. Daniel whispered.

THUD, THUD, the tiny tool bounces off the head of a cub.

Daniel froze in place like prey in the den of a predator, a small group looked up, and once again the room fell quiet. Miles and Hamill picked up on the notable shift in the tone of the room and looked up.

The look in Hamill’s eyes showed fear, “Ugh it reeks of burning oil!” Miles stated. “The Indigo! I thought you took care of it already, the girl, Jessica?!” Hamill said to Miles. “I did! There shouldn’t be two!” Miles screamed. Daniel’s blood began to pump, “So you are the monsters that have been killing this town? The monsters who killed my sister!” Suddenly everyone began to hear the high-pitched piercing sound of the metal on Daniel's gun. At the top of his lungs, Hamill declared “He’s a Cazajor!... Kill the fucking cowboy!” All of a sudden one of the younger monsters had lunged at Daniel perching itself onto the railing. “Move!” Daniel thought, rolling backward to avoid the swipe. “Shit!” Daniel thought as he got up and ran back the way he came. The monster leaps forward crossing Daniel to block his pathway out, others began to join in.

Thinking quickly, Daniel changed course and ran toward the stairs leading to the upper levels. Running up the stairs Daniel drew his revolver, accidentally taking a misstep, Daniel bent down narrowly avoiding another attack from one of those monsters. Daniel stopped, the monster seemed to have hurt itself after the attack, and Daniel shoots it. The agonizing last breaths of this monster carried a gut-wrenching sound. Daniel continues to run up the stairs, Exiting the staircase Daniel finds himself in a dilapidated office, the roaring moans of these monsters hunting for him can be heard coming up the stairs. Looking around all Daniel can see is the old glass door leading to the balcony and rooftop access. Daniel looked down over the balcony railing, and the slow mobilization of certain monsters can be seen, “They seem to be unorganized, it’s like they can’t see me or something”. Daniel thought.

Hamill is trying to calm down others as Miles starts smashing furniture roaring, “Don’t let the Cazajor Escape!”. A chill ran down Daniel's spine. “Shit what do I do?! Stay calm,” Daniel thought reloading his revolver.

BUZZ BUZZ, Daniel's phone began to ring. “It’s Mr. Rojas,” he thought. “Mr.Rojas! I’m in a tight spot! I’m stuck near the top of the fertilizer plant.” Daniel said. “Danny, are you good to talk?” Mr. Rojas asked. The sounds of the monsters approaching get louder. “Not funny! Listen to me y’all need to get the hell out of here now, I have no idea what we are dealing with here!” Daniel said. “Son, we can’t leave you here, don’t worry your ride is coming,” Mr. Rojas said. The door to the office smashes open! Three monsters come crawling into the room, in the pink-silver light of the moon Daniel could see the monsters these werewolves for what they are, and he readies his revolver. The monster in the middle moves first, Daniel shoots it out of the air, and the second one moves swiping at Daniel and cutting his arm and part of his torso. “AHHHHHH!!!” Daniel screams in pain. The monster stops and starts to sneeze while its eyes begin to bleed. Daniel notices how sick the monster gets. The third monster is cautious, the sound of more is coming up the stairs.

“Danny JUMP!” Mr. Rojas can be heard screaming on the phone, “What?!” Daniel yelled. The thundering sounds of helicopter blades began to fill the tension in the air. The warm light from the local news/ emergency helicopter surrounded Daniel, Benni’s voice comes in over the megaphone, “Comin’ in close! You’re gonna need to jump!”. Daniel drops his phone and sprints toward the balcony railing. The monsters are retreating into the consuming safety of the dark plant.

Daniel leaps from the balcony, catching the collapsible ladder, Daniel's revolver drops into the den of the monsters. Miles watches as Daniel escapes, and Hamill turns into his human form.

Flying dangerously close to the Fertilizer plant Daniel holds on for dear life, weaving in between the plant's pillars, monsters trying to attack the helicopter, and others attempting to leap and swipe at Daniel every time he flies closer to the walls. Flying up over the plant to the alluring pull of darkness that surrounds the town Benni and Daniel Fly off into the moonlight.

9

Goliath is quiet,

Tension fills the night air,

Armored officers patrol the streets, abusing anyone unlucky enough to cross their path.

The town has become a prison.

In the back room of a long-since-closed arcade, at the far end of town on the other side of the tracks, the wounded Daniel is in hiding recovering from his encounter with the monsters. Trying to clean the slashes that cut his right arm and part of his torso. “Knock, Knock” Daniel could only groan his response. “I’ll just assume that means come in,” Mr. Rojas said, “Look I found Ginger on my way here, she’s safe”. A visibly shaken Ginger walked in, nothing more than some scrapes and bruises on her. “How’d you make it out of paradise?” Mr. Rojas said, Daniel’s face reacted with interest. “Well… instead of getting into the details of my incredible escape, I think we should figure out what we are going to do”. Ginger said. “You’re right, first let’s fix you up Danny,” Mr. Rojas said. “I need stitches, ” Daniel said. “I can do stitches!” said Mr. Rojas, “I got a spare army surplus medical kit in the car I’ll go grab it”, padding Daniel on the back, Daniel flinched in pain.

Ginger looked at Daniel's injuries, “What did this to you?” she asked. “I don’t know what they are, I saw them…change… from a person to…a monster,” Daniel said. “They attacked me… they called me… a Cazajor”. Ginger perks up “I think I have heard that before,” she said.

“It’s close to Cazador or a hunter in Spanish” Daniel said. Mr. Rojas comes back inside with his first aid kit. “Ok Danny, I’ll take care of you,” Mr. Rojas said getting to work patching up Daniel. “But that’s not what they called you though,” Ginger said, “That's right they called me…a Cazajor” Daniel stated.

“A Cazajor!?” Mr. Rojas stopped what he was doing. “Yeah, do you know what it means?” Daniel said. “Your Grandmother called you that when y’all were kids.” Mr. Rojas said. “I never looked into what it means”. Ginger pulls out her phone “I know I have heard that name before” She thinks to herself.

“Grandma huh? you know she’s never liked me” Daniel stated. “I killed her son remember?”

“Don’t listen to that bullshit! your father’s death is not on you” Mr. Rojas said. “Guys!” Ginger said excitingly, “Look! I knew I heard that name before… Season 2 episode 9 of Spirit Smackers the New England Cazajor! Ginger comes in close to show everyone the episode downloaded on her phone. “I love this show!” Mr. Rojas said.

The Episode plays.

Annoying, upbeat intro music begins to play. “Hey guys! It’s ya boi Zek and ya budi Trey! And this is the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, just call me Abe”. Daniel sighs in annoyance. “And were the Spirit Smackers! Today we are out here with a real-life Cazajor! That means a Cryptid Hunter! They’re extremely rare and only occur during times of extreme chaos and are often seen as a sign of bad times/ curses/ or impending doooooooooommmmmmmm…”

“Um, but you guys just said that this Cazajor’s only “occur” Aren’t hunters born like other humans?” says the little nerd sitting at home! Well, guess what? A Cazajor IS a Cryptid!”

“What is a nerd?” Abe asked.

“Shut the Fuck up! That is what I’d say! A Cazajor may be born like a human, they may look human, but they are here for one thing and one thing only… to keep the balance”. `

“Let’s meet Jonah! Who cares about his age, he’ll probably die anyway, and he’s been the Cazajor in New England for the past 2 years?”

“Um…Yeah”

“What can you tell us about your kind,” Abe asked.

“Well, after my twin brother died, I felt quite lost in what I was doing, where I was going, I felt like I had no purpose. One day some travelers came through offering shows, it was fun at first, then more of them came and more of my neighbors, friends, and family spent more of their time at the theater. I peeked into a show…out of curiosity… They…They were Djinn! The travelers! And they were eating us! I killed as many as I could, and most of them ran off…I’ve been hunting them down ever since, killing them one at a time”.

“That’s fucked up! Right the ghost of Abraham Lincoln!?” Zek Shouted.

“The loss you must feel…you have my sympathy young man,” said Abe.

“Anyway, during the beginning of my journey I felt whole again like I had a purpose, I sought guidance and found a fate I wish I hadn’t. Cazajors’ are born from chaos, and die when their job is done. Lately, I have been feeling more and more tired, my weapon is heavier, and my steps are slower. I fear this last hunt will be my last.”

“Any advice for future Cazajors?” Abe asked.

“Eventually, you will end up where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to do, or it will find its way to you.”

A car pulls up to the old building, which Daniel, Ginger, and Mr. Rojas are hiding in.

“Thank you ghost of Abraham Lincoln” Jonah states, “You don’t need to add the ghost part,” Abe said.

“Now let’s kick some ass!!!!” Trey charges into the woods, going after a small group of people. Zek follows closely behind, followed by Jonah. While Zek and Trey awkwardly stand in the middle of the action doing their best karate moves, Jonah makes his way into a camp almost effortlessly killing the remaining Djinn as they cower in fear before the Cazajor. A fierce battle between the remaining Djinn and Jonah continues.

“These have to be some of the best moves we have done so far! Right, Zek? You’re right Trey!” lifting his leg three inches off the ground to kick.

“Guys we should help Jonah he seems to be in danger” Abe insisted.

“We are helping! See?” the karate moves continue faster.

Jonah comes walking in, covered from head to toe with blood, the bleeding edge of Djinn’s blades riddled throughout his body. Jonah fell to his knees.

“Well, that’s it for this episode of Spirit Smackers guys! Fuck you! Consume! We’re out!”

The Episode Ends.

Daniel is left in shock, “and people actually like this crap?” he asked. Mr. Rojas finishing up wrapping Daniel's wounds. “Danny, you’re focusing on the wrong parts, look, whatever you are, you are here to stop it”. Ginger said. Daniel stood up “Look, I know that this show based on real events seems convincing, what am I supposed to do? The monsters I saw don’t look like Djinn,” Daniel said.

Someone gets out of the vehicle and walks toward the door of the hideout.

“I don’t know what these monsters are, what they want, or how to kill them. Unless some answers come knocking on that door, I don’t know what else we can do”. Daniel stated.

“KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK”.

Everyone stopped and waited.

“Do that again” Ginger said.

“KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK”.

“Oh my god, I got chills…” Ginger stated. “I didn’t knock the first time,” Daniel said. Trying to keep still. “Who knows we’re here?” Mr. Rojas asks. “No one! I didn’t tell anyone” Ginger said.

“Daniel…please…open the door,” said whoever was knocking. “It was hard enough to track your scent, that burning oil covers you up nicely, and the sage made it hard for me to see you, and I know what you are Daniel, I can help you. Those idiots in my den aren’t with me…please.”

Daniel looked at the burn on his hand. “Eventually, you will end up where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to do, or it will find its way to you.” Daniel thought. Daniel heads to the door, hesitates for a moment, and opens it. Daniel stands there in shock.

“You’re one of them” he states.

As Rhonda walks into the room. “Yes, we’re Skinwalkers, and I am their Alpha”.

End of Part 1.