Green Eyes Cry, You Die, page 22
part #2 of Layton Shayne Mystery Series
-32-
Madness Ensues
The lights flickered back on, and Darnel and his men looked past us in horror… the zombies were coming into the room.
“They’re a little early, but there’s your proof of what the statues can do,” Andrew said. “Earlier, these were healthy construction workers; now, they’re—”
One of Darnel’s men shot the first zombie to enter, but the wound barely deterred the thing. I grabbed Alex’s arm and pulled him over to the side; Buck and Miss Lucy followed.
“I’ve seen enough, Farwell,” Darnel said. “Call your zombies off.”
“I will, once we deal,” Andrew said.
“I’ll show you a deal,” one of Darnel’s men said before shooting Andrew between the eyes.
Blood splattered and Andrew fell back dead.
“Who told you to do that?” Darnel said, before shooting Andrew’s killer between the eyes, which was an ironic way to go.
“That was pretty damn stupid of your man to shoot Andrew, since he was the only guy who knew how to control those zombies,” I said.
The zombies made it from the doorway to right in front of Darnel’s men in record time before the men opened fire on them slowing them down. Darnel walked over to Lucy and held his hand out.
“Give me the statue, unless you want to join Andrew,” Darnel said, trying to grab the statue, but getting kicked in the nuts by Miss Lucy instead.
The lights went out again, and when they came back on, zombie Andrew had joined the fray; and a new zombie, Amy, was choking Miss Lucy. Jerome must’ve shared the root beer with her… poor dumb kids.
I heard the sound of footsteps running from above, and saw Sassy jump from the second floor and land on top of Amy, knocking her to the ground.
“That was awesome!” Buck said. “Straight out of one of the Muppet Movies when Miss Piggy jumped on one of the bad guys.
“Where do you think I got it from? That pig’s got moves,” Sassy said, straightening her dress.
Darnel and his men were busy fighting zombies, Amy was already getting back up, and gunfire filled the air again. Alex was busy photographing all of it from where he stood behind me.
“We need to get out of here,” Miss Lucy said. “But I can’t see who’s got Andrew’s statue.”
“It’s over there on the floor in front of the counter,” I said.
The minute I made a step toward it, zombies surrounded me—they were guarding it. Darnel and his unzombified men were giving me an ‘I dare you’ look. But Miss Lucy was the one who acted first. She was waving her statue in the air toward the zombies.
“Is this what you’re after, you green-eyed little shits?” she said.
Once the zombies turned to her, I ran forward. So did Darnel, but someone was even faster than us. Sassy had scurried along the floor between zombies and humans to get to the statue.
The lights flickered again, guns went off, and people were grunting. I saw a zombie lift Sassy in the air and throw her across the room. Somehow, by some crazy ass miracle, Buck managed to catch her. I guess those swing dance steps really did pay off.
I was shooting at a zombie headed my way, when I saw Andrew’s statue being picked up by another zombie. A different zombie had Miss Lucy by the arm. I jumped on him from behind while the lights flickered away, not staying on for longer than a few seconds each time.
The zombie that had Miss Lucy’s arm managed to get the statue she previously had, but dropped it. Another zombie grabbed it and went out the front door main street entrance. The sounds of rapid gunfire from outside filled the air, and everyone in the store, except the zombies, hit the floor. The windows were being hit with bullets and glass was shattering all around us. Sassy had managed to get the one statue again, and was running toward the door when one of Darnel’s men grabbed her leg and knocked her down. I shot his arm and he let her go, but she’d already dropped the statue, which had rolled outside.
Miss Lucy followed Sassy outside, Buck and Alex were behind me, and Darnel and his surviving men were across from us.
“I’m getting those two statues; then I want the third one, unless you want your friends at Markham’s church to get hurt,” Darnel said.
“Would you really hurt a priest?” Alex said.
“Maybe not, but my man that’s with them might think differently. In any case, I’m sure he’d have no qualms about hurting a certain pretty blonde hippie girl I’ve had him watching. I couldn’t believe it when he told me you’d been crying on her porch, Detective Shayne.”
I grunted angrily and took a shot at Darnel, deliberately missing him, but not the window above him. With Darnel distracted, I was able to lead Alex and Buck outside.
There was so much gunfire, we had to stick close to the building and down low.
Most of the swing dance crowd was long gone, except for a couple who were zombified. Pastor Markham’s group had parked two cars across from the building diagonally and were behind them firing at the zombies, who were trying to get to the one statue on the ground. The Andrew zombie had fallen on top of the other statue. Looking to the right, I saw Angie behind a car firing at the zombies. Miss Lucy and Sassy were behind Sassy’s Mustang firing at Darnel’s men, who were across from them looking for their chance to run and get the statues.
“Follow me,” I said to Alex and Buck.
Buck and I fired our guns at bad guys and zombies, while Alex took pictures as we made our way toward Miss Lucy and Sassy.
“I’m running out of ammo,” Miss Lucy said. “How’re you boys holding up?”
“Not good,” Buck said. “We gotta be able to chop up those stinkin’ zombies, or they’ll keep coming back.”
“Be my guest and go for it, Buck,” Miss Lucy said. “But chances are, if you take one foot toward those green-eyed mothers, you’re gonna get your ass shot full of lead and become one of them.”
“He’s right, though, Miss Lucy,” I said. “At best, we’re just keeping the zombies at bay. How’s it going with Darnel’s men?”
“He’s got only two left that you can still call men,” Miss Lucy said. “Sassy, pop your trunk, I need some more firepower.”
Sassy popped her trunk; Miss Lucy walked to it, grabbed some guns, and tossed one my way. She handed one gun to Sassy, who took it without looking. Sassy fired it and went flying backward. Miss Lucy laughed her ass off.
“You, bitch!” Sassy shouted from where she’d landed on her back, legs in the air.
“That was mean, Miss Lucy,” I said.
“It sure was,” Buck said, and went to help Sassy up.
“Not very professional either,” I said, before cracking a smile.
“Nope, but it sure was funny, boy; and sometimes, even I need a good laugh.”
“I’d better go check on Markham’s group.”
“You do that,” Miss Lucy said.
I walked low as I made my way to where Markham’s group was, followed by Alex.
“How are you boys holding up?” I said to Morgan and Samson, who’d joined the group dressed in tank tops, shorts, and high-top sneakers.
“Excuse me,” Nichelle said, waving her gun around from where she stood next to Samson. “I know y’all are gay, but do I look like a man?”
“No, Ma’am,” I said. “My apologies.”
She turned away from me and fired at a zombie.
“Aim for their legs,” I said. “Maybe we can keep them from walking. We need to try and get those statues.
Alex stopped taking pictures and looked at me. “Maybe I can try to reach them.”
“Hell and no,” I said.
I looked across at Darnel, who was looking at me from behind the doorway of the store while talking on his cell phone. Shit—he’s gonna run for the statues.
While Darnel and I were trying to stare each other down, Samson ran toward the one statue, but got shot in the leg by one of Darnel’s men. Morgan started to go after him, but I held him back and went in myself. Darnel made his move at the same time. Samson was clutching one of the statues in his hands. My people were firing at zombies and the others to keep us safe, and Darnel’s men were doing the same for him. He and I were eye to eye now.
“The boy’s shot bad in the leg, detective,” Darnel said. “He’s young; give him his chance to live. All you have to do is hand me the statue he’s holding. I’ll get the other one and go.”
“No,” Samson said in a grunt.
“Only two of the statues?” I said.
“You know where I’ll be saying my prayers tonight,” Darnel said. “So, you know where to bring me the third one, if you don’t want your churchgoing friends hurt.”
I took the statue from Samson’s hands and gave it to Darnel, who walked toward the other statue and picked it up. Morgan had run up to help me take Samson back to the others.
Blue lights flashed in the distance, and the sound of sirens could be heard. A car quickly drove by and picked up Darnel; he must’ve called the driver earlier when he was on his cell phone. His henchmen stayed behind shooting at zombies.
“You shouldn’t have let him take them, Layton,” Samson said, when we had him back with the others.
“I know where he’s going with them, and I will get them back,” I said.
When Alex and I left them, the police had joined in the fight against the zombies, and they’d brought an axe, which made Buck a very happy, and a very busy boy.
It was only Alex and me in my truck now with the last green-eyed lady statue sitting between us. It was finally time to end things… the only way they could be ended.
-33-
Triumphant Trio
As we neared the church, I reached into my glove compartment, pulled out a gun, and handed it to Alex.
“I’m not sure how things are gonna happen when I get inside the church, so you stay in the truck… and don’t be afraid to use this gun if you need to.”
“Alright,” Alex said. “Be careful… and don’t worry about me. Keep your mind on what you need to do in there.”
I parked the truck off to the side of the church away from the entrance, and—statue in hand, walked toward the church. My gun was in my waistband, where I’d be able to reach it easily when the time was right. I could see a green glow emanating from the stained glass, and it gave me chills. The glow reminded me of Shelby and the blue light. It also put me on edge—a little of that was good, because it got my senses heightened; but I needed to keep control.
The church was one big open room inside with pews and an altar. Darnel was standing in front of the altar holding one of the statues whose eyes were glowing; one henchman stood behind him holding the other statue, which was also glowing. In his other hand he had a gun aimed at Charity, who stood beside him. The statue in my hands was in the same state as the other two. The pastor and his wife were sitting in the front pews with a gunman next to them.
“Oh,” Chantelle said. “I was praying you wouldn’t bring your statue. You people don’t know what the ladies will do when they’re together.”
“I’m guessing we’ll soon find out,” Darnel said.
“You don’t know how powerful these statues can be,” Charity said. “The energy my parents measured coming out of just the one we had was immense; that’s why we kept it in a hole in the ground.”
“The statues were consecrated with human blood,” Chantelle said. “They were covered in years’ worth of freely given blood, and at the beginning of every ritual, fresh blood covered them.”
“Freely shed blood used for spiritual and supernatural causes can be a mighty powerful thing, and not something to mess about with,” Pastor Markham said to both Darnel and me.
The green light was getting stronger inside the room, and I had to rub my eyes.
“Hand it over, Detective Shayne,” Darnel said. “Or the pretty girl gets it.”
“I feel the energy growing stronger in here,” Charity said, starting to swoon.
I thought she was about to faint when I saw her wink at me. On her way downward, she punched the henchman next to her hard in the balls. Then she quickly reared up, hit him in the chin, grabbed the statue from his hands, and ran out a side door at the rear of the church.
Pastor Markham took the opportunity to tackle the distracted henchman in front of him, Darnel ran after Charity still holding his statue, and I went after him. We’d run into the small cemetery to the right of the church, which had many trees and bushes, and it was dark except for the green glow covering the area. Darnel had caught up to Charity, and his gun was aimed at her head. I heard what sounded like someone behind the trees to the left of us.
“Layton, tell your friend to be good and put her statue on top of that stone bench there to the left.” Darnel said to me, pointing at a bench.
“Do it, Charity,” I said.
She tossed her head back, and her long blonde hair flowed in an invisible wind. The white blouse she wore clung to her and a bead of sweat trickled down between her firm breasts—what the hell was I thinking. My head suddenly hurt like it had that night on Charity’s porch, Darnel shook his head for a moment too—something supernatural was definitely in play.
“It’s too late now anyway,” Charity said, putting her statue on the bench.
“Now you, detective,” Darnel said, pointing his gun at Charity.
I felt beads of sweat forming on my forehead, and I was feeling hot all over. I noticed Darnel’s gun hand was shaking, and he was wiping sweat from his forehead. Not wanting things to get messy, I put my statue next to Charity’s. Turning in Darnel’s direction, I saw his hand shaking again, and I took advantage of it. Before he could do anything, I’d tackled him to the ground, and we started wrestling for the gun. The statue dropped and fell in front of the other two.
He had his gun pointed to my face, and I had my hand on his wrist holding it tightly—our eyes were locked; the heat was so unbearable I wanted to rip my clothes off… and then… and then we kissed each other hard and rough. He regained his composure and pushed me back hard using his legs. I’d fallen in front of Charity, and Darnel was aiming his gun at me. I reached for mine, but quickly saw that it had fallen out of my waistband and was on the ground in front of me.
I jumped for it and heard a gun fire. Scared, I looked toward Charity, then back at Darnel, whose shirt was stained with blood. He fell to the ground, and I looked back in the direction from where the gunshot had come. Alex was there, frozen and still holding the gun I’d given him earlier in his outstretched hand.
I was still on the ground and felt waves and waves of heat encompassing me. In an effort to protect myself, I pulled my knees up to my chest. Charity walked to me and put her hand on my shoulder. My response was to pull her to the ground, hike her skirt up and begin kissing her legs. She reached out to me, but I resisted, resting all my weight on my arms in order to keep myself elevated above her. My breathing was growing harder and faster.
“How do we stop this?” I said.
Before Charity could respond, Alex had regained his composure and run toward the statues.
“Nooo!” Charity said, as Alex reached for one of the statues.
A green spark came out of the statue and hit Alex’s hand, throwing him back.
“The cycle has started—it has to run its course,” Charity said.
My body began thrusting on its own, fucking the air between Charity and me… and I was helpless, like I was that night on her porch.
“God help me!” I said.
Alex was on top of me trying to pull me off Charity, but I wouldn’t be moved, it was like my body was moving of its own accord. He tore at my shirt in what I thought was an effort to pull me off, until he began to push my pants and underwear down and started to mount me.
“Oh yeah!” I said, in a fevered growl. “Fuck me, Alex!”
Sweat was pouring down my face as I looked down at Charity’s face. Somehow she was keeping her breathing under control, but it was heavy too.
“I’m sor… sorry,” I said to her. “My body… oh my God, Alex… yeah, baby.” My body was responding to his every thrust as I slammed myself back against him in an almost animalistic fervor. But my cock wanted in Charity and my arms were beginning to tremble hard.
She put her soft warm hands on the sides of my face and spoke with such control—like she had that night.
“Layton, you’ve got to give in, or we’re both going to get hurt,” Charity said, then she started breathing heavily and clutching the ground around her.
“A soldier protects,” I said. “A soldier protects, not harms.”
“Of course,” Charity said, her breathing growing heavier. “And you’re going to protect me by giving in. We’re too close to the energy of the statues—it’s too strong. You’ll rip me apart if you don’t give in while you still have some control.”
She was right. I lowered her panties, and slowly entered her, using every last bit of control I had inside me.
“Thank you,” she said.
I felt like nothing more than a savage animal, but was able to control myself with Charity by pushing myself hard against Alex, who was groaning loudly and thrusting rapidly. All I could feel was shame as I looked down at Charity.
“I’m sorry,” I said again.
“No,” she said. “No, you mustn’t feel that,” She pushed hard against me. “I’ve been a surrogate before, remember.” She yelled out as my thrusting increased. “Think of this as something for you and Alex.”
My breathing grew even faster in tune to my increasing thrusts.
“A child,” I said. “Then you really believe—”
“Everything else has been true,” she said, gasping. “And… uuuugh! Oh, my God! Aaaah.” She was yelling loudly now. “No bad feelings, Layton—a child should be conceived in love.” She groaned again.
She was right, so I focused on my love for Alex, and he and I both came at the same time. My body shook with a strength previously unknown to me, and I came and came… more than I even knew was possible. At the same time, Alex had shot load after load into me. And it still wasn’t over.
