Seed of Evil by Greig Beck (smart books to read TXT) 📗

warm wetness spill down his side, and his hands stung from the sharp spikes or thorns on the thing. Anger fueled him, and he’d either find his son or stomp the animal that attacked him until it was nothing but a busted shell.

Something dropped on him from the ceiling beams and he felt talons piercing his flesh. It hissed like a snake and clung to him, stabbing at his body, piercing his flesh in dozens of places from the thorns or spikes again.

Hank went down on his back this time and clung to the thing even as it shredded his skin.

In the light from the open door to the downstairs, something glinted that was hanging around the horror’s neck. Through blood-filled eyes, Hank could make out what it was, and his world came crashing down.

It was a Saint Christopher medal.

Hank then knew where Alfie was. He dropped his hands, surrendering because he didn’t want to fight it anymore.

CHAPTER 18

The days rolled on and soon became weeks. Things were quiet in Eldon—no more tremors, no more kids coming in sick, and the Hatfield boy, Kenny, that he had treated as well as his family, had suddenly moved away.

The only thing that changed was a new soda appeared in a few iceboxes, but otherwise, there was nothing but peace, sunshine, and smiles.

Mitch had treated Karen for an ingrown toenail, and though he was busting to ask her out on a date, he knew that it wasn’t good form to ask out patients, especially while treating them.

Luckily, he didn’t have to because Karen asked him over for a quiet family dinner with her and Benji.

He whistled as he put his tie on. He had no idea of whether he would be overdressed or not, but if he was, he guessed he could always take it off.

He continued knotting, unknotting, adjusting, and then reknotting his tie as he listened to the radio. The local news was informing them that the search was continuing for the missing families. It seemed that small groups of people were vanishing or leaving, and oddly, not telling anyone they were going. Not even relatives.

Hmm, just like Kenny Hatfield’s family, he thought.

The next report was on the livestock attacks in the outer areas of town, and given there were grey wolves in Missouri, they were high on the suspect list.

Well, at least things were quiet in town, he mused.

Mitch checked himself one last time in the mirror—still looking good, though a little tired around the eyes. Maybe he’d look better if Karen’s lighting was a little dim. He had a bottle of red wine ready which he snatched up as he headed for the door.

She was over on the other side of town, but given Eldon central only covered a few square miles, he’d still be there in no time.

Saturday evening, it was warm and dry, and the streets had a few people wandering to the cafes, restaurants, and probably the only cinema in town. Turning off the main strip, he wended his way to the northern outskirts and quickly found Karen’s neat little two-story cottage.

He pulled up out front and saw that her Jacarandas were in bloom. The South American trees had lilac flowers that when they began to fall created a carpet of crushed magenta in her garden. In through the window, he could see the golden glow of candles making the interior look warm and inviting.

As he stepped out, Mitch sucked in a deep breath, feeling the tingle of butterflies going mad in his belly.

Come on, buddy, you’re 35, not 15, he thought as he straightened his tie, suddenly feeling constricted, which made his face hot.

He walked up the steps, stood outside for a moment to compose himself, and then reached toward the bell just as the door was pulled inward.

Benji was grinning up at him, his hair slicked down, and his probably bestest ever clothes on. He turned and in his most ear-splitting outside voice yelled, “Mo-ooom, Batman is here.” He turned, grinning even wider.

“Coming.” Karen’s voice floated down from upstairs.

Mitch waited. “Is there a password?” he asked.

Benji nodded.

“Gotham.” Mitch lifted an eyebrow.

Benji looked serious for a moment as he seemed to think about it. “Yep, that was it.” He stood aside.

Mitch stepped inside and the boy shut the door. “This way.”

He led Mitch into their living room that was lit with candles, and he looked up at Mitch and rolled his eyes.

“We have lights and don’t always use candles. But for some reason, Mom wanted to do it tonight. Do you like candles?”

“I do. Reminds me of a birthday party,” Mitch observed.

Benji looked around, nodding. “Yeah, it does sorta.” He turned back. “She spent all day cleaning.”

Mitch chuckled. “Best leave some secrets.”

He looked up at Mitch, surprised. “It’s not a secret.” He waved an arm around. “See, look how clean it is.”

“Hallooo.” Karen breezed in wearing a tight cotton dress, hair immaculate, and all finished with a pair of old sandshoes.

“You look magnificent,” he said, meaning it as his heart leaped in his chest.

She lifted a foot. “The ultimate in sensible shoes.”

“On you, they look good.” He chuckled. “And the toe?”

“Much better.” She dropped her foot. “But I desperately wanted to wear nice shoes and got as far as trying some on—painfully bad move.”

He nodded. “Give it another few days.”

“That’s the plan.” She spotted his wine and held out her hand. “For us?”

He handed it over. “Yeah, it’s red, is that okay?”

She looked at the label. “Yes, and very nice.” She turned. “Benji, grab us the two wine glasses from the table.”

He scampered off and came back with two enormous glasses. She took one, and Mitch the other, and then she opened the wine and poured them both a good splash. She held out her glass. “Thank you for coming.”

He clinked her glass. “My absolute pleasure.”

She pointed at the couch. “Sit down while I finish up in the kitchen. Benji, keep our guest entertained.” She vanished down the hallway still holding the wine