Night Of The Beast by Harry Shannon Read Free Book Online Page A

adjusted his thick sunglasses. He tapped the cement with his cane.
    "Who's there?" Elmo asked pleasantly. "Did I slip or something? You'd think I would have memorized every pothole and pebble in this whole blasted town by now."
    Beth Reiss was thirteen years old, sharp as a tack. She shot Jason a dirty look. Just another creepo, trying to cop a feel. Yuck.
    To her blind father, in a normal tone of voice: "Not your fault, Dad. It's Jason Smith, Doc Tyler's guy." A sneer. "He tripped."
    As a child she was as tender as Karen, Jason thought. She saw no mark. Yet now that I barely have one, she scorns me. She is bleeding. She's nothing but a student whore. But Dog, she is beautiful.
    Elmo's white cane rapped the pavement like a gavel. "Good day to you, Mr. Smith," Reiss said. "And how is Doc?"
    "He left last night," Jason explained. "I shall be taking his place." He felt his eyes begin to drift towards Beth Reiss and her lush breasts, then tore them away as if Elmo could see. Perhaps, in a way, he did. The social climate grew decidedly chilly.
    Mr. Reiss snorted. "Well, that crotchety old bastard always said he'd up and do it. Congratulations, I guess."
    "Thank you."
    As Jason turned to leave, Beth startled him by waving and calling out. "Bobby, we're over here!"
    Robert Reiss. The sight of the young seminary student struck Jason like a physical blow. Something deep inside him snarled and tried to back away. He generally found it intolerable to be within more than a few feet of the man.
    "Hey, Dad. Beth."
    Robert began jogging through the dust. Jason's forehead darkened. His birthmark started to throb. He ducked his shoulder and tried to leave, but Robert arrived just in time to grab his free hand.
    "Hey, Jason," Robert said. The warm simplicity dancing in his clear blue eyes infuriated the smaller man. "What's happening? How you doin'?"
    "Fine," Jason mumbled. His fingers were twitching. "I take it you are on leave from school?"
    "Nearly finished," Robert said proudly.
    The handsome young minister was always graceful, and his face betrayed none of his revulsion. Poor twisted little man, Robert thought. His scar seems to be getting worse again. The Lord certainly gave him a cross to bear . Robert tried to pull his hand back, satisfied he'd delivered a friendly Christian greeting. He couldn't break contact.
    For one elongated second, it felt as if he and Jason Smith had each palmed magnets of opposing polarity. Something crackled in the dry desert air and passed between them. To Robert, the sensation was like sticking his fingers into a tall anthill; hundreds of tiny stings rolled up and down his flesh in painful waves. He grimaced.
    Jason pulled away, his palm now as red as that hideous birthmark. He managed to nod politely, then excused himself and darted off towards the mortuary.
    "Odd fellow," Elmo Reiss said. He was perceptive, even in his world of darkness. "Can't say I care for him."
    Robert just stared after Jason, shaking his numb hand. What a strange experience. Finally, he shrugged the uncomfortable tension from his memory and shared a hug with his sister. "Let's get something to eat."
    Jason's mind was racing. It was happening. There was a White force on the way. A storm was brewing; perhaps the final battle was upon them at last. He could sense it, smell it on the wind: the stench of fallen soldiers, decaying in putrid heaps. What are you willing to do? But in order to find his proper place in the scheme of things, he had to summon Dog. He would need advice and counsel. But would Dog come again, at long last?
    What was he doing wrong? He who had been abandoned, yet had kept the faith; taken great risks, studied and given his all?
    Why hast thou forsaken me?
    Safe behind the wooden doors of the funeral parlor, Jason Smith managed to slow his pounding heart and concentrate. He had done what was asked, died and been resurrected. He knew he was close, look what he'd already accomplished.
    So easy — everyone had believed