Nothing Is Impossible (Part IV of IV)

Derick, still in the house, paused, the knife still held firm at the boy’s neck.

The boy didn’t scream, squirm, or make a sound. He only stared at Derick with baffled, frightened eyes. The eyes of a small rabbit when confronted by a wolf, the eyes of prey.

In Derick’s head a blaring voice again took hold of his mind, this time it was his own. If you harm this boy, these people that are after you will stop. However, a new hunt will begin, and that will be law enforcement looking for you, the murderer.

How the thought had come to him, he had no idea. Derick threw the knife aside. The words that had blared earlier in his brain only then rang true. You won’t do it. I know you won’t.

Derick looked around for anything that would be useful. Other than his cell phone that was resting on the arm of the couch in the living room, nothing seemed useful. He escaped through the window and began hurrying down the alley to find his wife.

 

***

               

                Vanessa, “What do you want?” The words came out, weak, something a would-be victim might utter. Vanessa still thought they were better than silence.

Chlorine smiled, “We don’t need you.” Her voice was strong, it was a stark contrast to the way she looked; stringy, meek.

Vanessa smiled back at the comment, even as tears coated her face. She was tired of all this: the ineptitude of the police, the breaching of her home, and the attack on Derick. In less than an hour these transients had turned every part of her life upside down. She was angry and she was going to make a stand. Vanessa brandished the survival knife, fully intending to use it.

Chlorine walked forward.

Vanessa thrust the knife out to meet her, the blade sinking softly in Chlorine’s abdomen. Vanessa was even surprised, gasping a little at her own act.

The woman bled as expected, but nothing more. Chlorine’s hand enveloped Vanessa’s, the woman began to move the knife out of her stomach, and then back in again, as if she was trying to sloppily saw herself in half.  A detestable sluicing sound took over the room, viscera being slashed and separated only inches away. Vanessa gasped at the sight, wrenching her hand out from under Chlorine’s.

As Vanessa backed away, Chlorine removed the knife from her own stomach. However grotesque the sight was, the sound was far worse; the blade making a thick puckering sound as it passed through flesh and tissue.

Chlorine tossed her hair back, and with a shrug, licked her own blood from Vanessa’s survival knife.  She began to advance on Vanessa.

Vanessa backed into the Garrett’s front door. Without turning away she began to twist the knob. Moments ago upon entering the knob had been unlocked, now it wouldn’t budge. Her knees gave out, and she slid down the door, nearly in a fetal position.

Chlorine seemed amused by this act.

Fleetingly, Vanessa had the notion of a cornered animal pop into her mind’s eye. She hated herself for giving up.

Instantly, Vanessa stood and ran forward, colliding with Chlorine who still held the knife. The two women wrestled, tumbling to the hardwood floor with a crash. Vanessa’s head smacked the surface. She didn’t black out but stars danced across her field of vision. Conversely, wound and all, Chlorine was back to her feet in no time.

The gloom of the living room coupled with the silhouette of Chlorine slowly marching forward, underscored a message that was calling out to Vanessa. Vanessa saw the words alright. They were scrawled in blood on Chlorine’s midsection. Vanessa read that message clearly, for it was the last thing she saw: You cannot stop us, it told her.

 

***

 

                Sun had set. The sky’s tapestry finally covering the last remaining purple and pink hues left in the sky.

Like his wife, Derick’s first notion was to try the Garrett’s home as well. He too found the house deserted, and after hearing no response from the Garrett’s, discovered that the front door was just waiting to be opened.

Derick entered the living room to find it, and the whole house, in complete darkness. After a few attempts to holler for his neighbors, Derick gave up.

No lights, no people, no dogs. It was beyond odd. Where had the Garrett’s gone? They had mentioned no plans about a vacation, particularly one that involved the dogs. Derick would’ve known as he and Vanessa had looked after Macy and Gray on a few occasions while the Garrett’s were out of town.

Derick flipped on the light switch. He regretted not grabbing his own before hastily leaving his residence. His mind want from there, to the young boy, and back to wanting to find a phone. Remarkably, his desire was answered.

There was a cell phone sitting atop the small table between the couch and television. The phone was identical to Vanessa’s; next to it was his empty .38 Smith and Wesson revolver.