Premonitions: Devil's Nightmare, #2

By Robert Pruneda

Sequel to the bestselling horror novel Devil’s Nightmare, Robert Pruneda brings readers another horrific thriller full of twists, chills, and a shocking conclusion. Two years have passed since Aaron Sanders retired from the Austin Police Department after what the media has labeled The Saint Hedwig Massacre. He moves his family out of the capital city to start a new life as a small town cop in Lost Maples, Texas, where he is once again caught in the middle of a mysterious investigation that has an eerie familiarity. This time, however, something even more sinister is responsible for the violent deaths. Evil knows no boundaries, and it is up to Aaron to figure out how to protect the residents of his community, and his family, from becoming its next victims.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jagged Tooth Publishing
• Release date: Oct 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781386321095

Robert Pruneda

Robert “Sharky” Pruneda is a native Texan, video game “enthusiast” [addict], and fan of all things horror. He left a career in the newspaper industry in 2011 to pursue the life of a nocturnal author, brainstorming new and creative ways to creep out his readers. He doesn’t only write horror though. He also pens the occasional family-oriented tale just to keep from going completely nuts with all those creatures of the night whispering in his ears. When he’s not pulling ideas out of his twisted brain, you’ll likely find him on social media or fighting alongside his fellow gaming buddies where their enemies shoot them up into Swiss cheese… or Sharky turns them into little bite-sized chunks because of his obsession with explosives. Medic!

Book preview

Prologue

O ver here! Dylan Welch yelled to his friends Jeremy Craiger and Chris Marwick. He pushed away a pile of burnt rubble with a shovel, revealing a metal trap door. I found it!

The teenagers ran towards him, each with small spades in their hands.

Can you open it? Jeremy asked.

Dylan grabbed the handle and pulled, but the door wouldn’t budge. No, man, it’s stuck, but maybe we can pry it open together.

Each of the boys positioned the edges of their spades into the slits surrounding the ingress and pushed. After the blades dug in about an inch or two, they forced their collective strength down on the handles. At first it wouldn’t budge, but after several tries, it finally creaked in protest and jolted upwards, knocking all three boys back on their rear ends in the process.

Oh, man! What’s that smell? Jeremy held his hand over his nose.

Smells like something died in there.

Hey, Dylan said, nudging Jeremy. Why don’t you go down there and find out? Maybe it’s one of those kids, still rotting, with worms and bugs crawling all over his body.

Yeah, right. Whatever.

You chicken?

No.

Then go. Dylan lifted the door with his foot and kicked it open. The strong, putrid stench made him wince, but it didn’t stop him from grabbing Jeremy by the shoulders and giving him a playful shove towards the hole.

Cut the crap, guys, Chris said. Probably just a dead rat or something. We gonna do this or what?

You really think it’s down there? Jeremy asked. I mean, come on, man. Don’t you think the police would have found it?

Chris glowered at his friend, and pulled a necklace from underneath his shirt. It had an antique key hanging from it. Yeah, well, they didn’t have this.

A reverse pentagram formed a pentacle inside the key’s round head. Chris slipped the key back underneath his shirt and pulled a small flashlight out of his pocket. He turned it on and aimed the small beam into the darkness below. I don’t see a ladder, but maybe we can just hop inside. He sat on the edge of the opening and dropped into the room.

On his hands and knees, Dylan peered over the opening. See anything?

Jeremy mimicked Dylan’s position. Any dead bodies down there?

Very funny. Chris scanned the room with the flashlight, his shirt pulled over his mouth and nose. Something on the floor got his attention. He grinned, picked up the corpse of a possum, and tossed it at his friends. Catch!

The stiff possum bounced off Dylan’s shoulder and landed on Jeremy’s hand. They both screamed and fell backwards, triggering laughter from inside the room below.

You jerk!

Asshole!

Two maggots crawled out of the possum’s snout, causing Jeremy to double over and regurgitate his dinner.

Chris laughed harder. You wimps sounded like a couple of screaming little girls up there.

Screw you, Chris! Dylan yelled. Just find that stupid safe so we can get out of here. This place gives me the creeps.

Well, if you two losers would come down and help, it’d be a lot easier.

The rumble of thunder echoed low in the distance as a gust of wind blew across the charred ruins of the building. The air cooled, and raindrops sprinkled from the sky. Lightning spread like a web of crooked fingers in the heavens, and illuminated the darkening, late afternoon sky.

Is that rain? Chris asked.

Yeah, a little, Jeremy said. Maybe we should come back later.

In a desperate attempt to find what he came for, Chris swayed his flashlight around the room, but all he found was a few dusty pieces of furniture and some books scattered across the floor. Then a large crack in the southern wall caught his attention. Hey, I think I found something. As he investigated, thunder clapped, and both of his friends screamed violently.

Chris glanced up at the trap door opening. Oh, cut that out. It’s just... He stopped when Dylan appeared over the entry and reached downward, a deep gash on his face.

Terror filled Dylan’s eyes. Help me, he pleaded.

Chris dropped his flashlight and stretched out his arm. Dylan screamed, his eyes rolling back. Chris used both hands and pulled Dylan’s hand hard, but something stronger yanked Dylan back the other direction. Chris pulled even harder, but it was no use. Whatever worked against him was too strong. He fell backwards onto the floor, his friend’s hand still in his. Dylan landed at his feet with a thump and the screaming stopped.

Dylan? You okay? Chris’s voice was shaky. His hand searched the ground for his flashlight. When he found it, he shined it toward Dylan. He stumbled backwards and gasped at the sight of his friend’s torso lying in an oozing pool of blood.

A guttural growl from above enveloped his body in fear. Whatever had done that to Dylan was still up there. With his heart pounding and tears dripping from his eyes, Chris backed himself into the corner of the small basement and listened to those horrible growls for what felt like hours. When ripping flesh and crunching bones replaced the growling, he cowered further into the corner, struggling to stop the whimpering from escaping with each breath. It was almost impossible as he listened to the beast above devour what must have been his other friend, Jeremy.

The feeding was quick, stopping within a few short minutes. Rain flowed into the basement and, though the thunder was faint, the shower continued for another hour, flooding the room with four inches of bloodied water.

Chris stayed hidden in the corner, his shoes, pants and the lower part of his shirt soaked from the rising mixture. He remained still, except for the shivering, for several hours, until he’d finally built up the courage to move towards the opening. He worked to hoist himself to freedom, but slipped every time he tried. His flashlight battery had long since died and his eyes needed to adjust to the dark. He grasped at the table and, though it wobbled, it supported his weight enough for him to pull himself up. Mid-pull, he stopped. There, near him, sat the decapitated and dismembered carnage of a mangled torso with exposed ribs.

Chris vomited.

His body chilled at the familiar growl behind him. Without hesitation, he grabbed the edge of the trap door and pulled it shut, dropping backwards toward the basement floor. He crashed through the table and landed on Dylan’s partial corpse.

The door rattled and shook as the creature pounded, clawed, and roared with a mixture of a high-pitched bray. Chris screamed as the trap door crashed into the flooded basement. Fire shot inside the basement and engulfed the small room in flames. Chris cried out in agony as the flames scorched his body. He rolled in the shallow water in a failed attempt to douse the flames, but the chimera kept exhaling its dragon fire until the screaming finally stopped.

Chapter One

Cody opened his eyes and squinted out the passenger side window of the U-Haul truck Aaron drove down the highway. They passed a sign indicating they were ten miles from Lost Maples, a small rural town on the southwestern edge of the Texas hill country. They’d just entered the San Marcos city limits when he’d dozed off.

How long have I been out? Cody asked, rubbing sleepy goo from his eyes.

A couple of hours, Aaron said, and squeezed Cody’s shoulder. I was just about to wake you. We’re here.

Really? Cody said. I thought it was closer to town.

Nope. And that’s the way I like it. Aaron flipped the turn signal up. Even from out here, it’ll be less of a commute to school and work than it was in Austin. Plus, we’ll have peace and quiet out here. And you’ll actually be able to see the stars at night for a change.

Cody jerked his head up. All I see is a mailbox and a bunch of trees.

Patience, kiddo. Aaron turned the moving truck onto a narrow gravel road surrounded by a canopy of trees. Cool, huh? You’ll see the house as soon as we get around this bend.

Maria followed behind the moving truck, and its attached trailer, which carried Aaron’s old Corvette. Her daughter Samantha sat in the passenger seat of the silver Mercedes, taking video with her phone. She smiled as she took in the landscape. The trees created a natural tunnel, with beams of sunlight streaking through gaps in the greenery.

This is pretty, Samantha said. Maybe living in the country won’t be so bad after all.

Even though the closest mall is ninety miles away?

What? Samantha’s excitement disappeared from her face. No mall?

Maria laughed. No, dear, just a Walmart and a few small shops.

Seriously? Samantha’s mouth dropped. You’re kidding me, right?

No, but look. Maria pointed as the vehicles emerged out from under the canopy of trees. This is our new home.

The cottage-style house with yellow aluminum siding rested on twenty acres of land surrounded by dense forest and large overgrown fields. Aaron backed the U-Haul truck and trailer next to a detached two-car garage that had the same yellow aluminum siding as the house. It was one detail Maria wanted to change. She hated the color.

Maria parked her car alongside a stone pathway that led up to a wide set of red brick steps. The wrap-around porch had white pillars and railings, along with a wooden lounge swing that hung next to the front entrance. The landscape around the home included shrubs which hid the lattice that served to cover the crawlspace. A large oak tree stood in the front yard with a flower garden surrounding it. A small pond, still stocked with coy fish, completed the picturesque yard.

As long as we have broadband so I can Skype my friends in Austin, I’m happy, Samantha said as she stepped out of the car. She pointed to an overgrown patch of land near the house. It had a weathered wooden picket fence around it. What’s that over there?

Maria followed the path of her daughter’s pointing finger. Oh, that’s our vegetable garden. At least it will be, once we get all those weeds out and do some tilling. She popped open the trunk of the car.

Great. Just how I wanted to end my summer vacation, Samantha complained. Pulling weeds from a dead garden. We do have a grocery store, right?

Maria laughed. Yes, of course we do. But it’ll be fun growing our own vegetables. You’ll enjoy it.

Yeah, okay. Samantha twisted one side of her mouth upward. We’ll see about that.

HEY, CHECK THIS OUT, Cody said while rummaging through piles of junk in the storage shed behind the garage. He showed Aaron a steel axe with a long black leather-wrapped shaft and a handle ending in a rounded pommel. The axe had a steel spike and half-moon blade with three crosses cut into it. It also had a faded shield crest engraved on the shoulder. You think it’s real?

Aaron took the axe from Cody and examined it. He found no identifiable stainless steel stamps or an indication of Chinese manufacturing. The weapon was heavy and solid. I don’t know. It could be a replica, but it sure does look authentic. It’s a solid piece of metal, too. Aaron pointed at the edge of the blade. Look at the imperfections here. Seems like hammered steel. I could be wrong, but I would think a replica would have a more consistent edge.

Cool. Cody’s eyes lit up. So, it might be a real artifact?

Maybe. Aaron carefully ran his thumb over the edge of the blade. Still pretty damn sharp, too. Real or not, I think we’ve found something to hang over the mantle.

I don’t know. Cody grinned. It might clash with that old Remington rifle of yours.

Yeah, you’re right. Aaron set the axe on a pile of boxes. Maria wouldn’t let me hang something like this in the house anyway. Better keep it in here for now.

Or sell it on eBay, Cody suggested. I get half, since I found it.

Aaron laughed. You’ll get nothing and like it.

Whatever. Cody gave Aaron a playful shove and continued rummaging through the boxes. Hey, there’s more cool stuff in here.

They found a mace, two flails, another smaller axe, a broken crossbow, and several bolts. Every weapon appeared old and weathered, except for the bolts, which had modern proof stamps on them. Everything, except for the crossbow, was in good condition.

Cody held a heavy flail with both hands, the metal ball swinging from the chain with every movement he made. Why would the owners leave all this stuff behind?

Hey, careful with that. Aaron took the flail from him and set it back in the crate. These aren’t toys.

I know that. Cody reached inside the crate and pulled out the crossbow. You think we could fix this? It’d be cool to shoot.

I think it’s about time for you to go back inside and finish unpacking. Aaron confiscated the crossbow and nodded towards the house. This would be a pretty cool toy to play with, though, he said to himself.

It’s not a toy, Aaron! Cody yelled from the front yard.

Aaron grinned, shaking his head, and returned the crossbow to the crate.

WELL, DON’T YOU LOOK handsome in that uniform! Maria stepped behind her husband and wrapped her arms around him. Lieutenant Sanders.

Aaron fastened his utility belt and kissed his wife over his shoulder. God, it’s been years since I’ve had to wear one of these. I feel like a rookie traffic cop in this getup.

I think you look hot with all that equipment on you. Maria slapped Aaron’s butt and stepped around to face him. She then locked her hands behind his neck and gave him a provocative smile.

Easy now, lady. Aaron laughed. Don’t make me pull out the pepper spray.

Mom, are we— Samantha came into the bedroom and giggled. Isn’t it a little early for that?

Maria’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Samantha!

Aaron laughed and stepped away.

Sorry. Um... Anyway, who’s taking us to school? You or Aaron?

I am, Maria said.

Oh, thank God.

Hey! Aaron lowered his brow. What’s that supposed to mean?

The last thing I want to do is show up in a cop car on the first day of school.

You don’t think having a cop chauffeur you to school would make you look cool?

Samantha rolled her eyes at Aaron. Um... no.

Go make sure Cody is ready, Maria said. I’ll be out in a minute. And don’t forget your schedule.

Just because it’s a new school doesn’t mean I don’t know how to handle the first day, Mom. Golly. Samantha left the room and yelled, Cody! We’re fixing to leave!

Aaron twisted his lips into a crooked smile. I guess a quickie is out of the question.

Maria chuckled and kissed Aaron. We’ll have plenty of time for that tonight. Have fun chasing the bad guys.

I’ll be sure to run down any jaywalkers that resist arrest. Aaron grabbed his gun off the bed and placed it in the holster on his hip. And you have fun brainwashing—I mean, developing America’s future shrinks at the high school.

SHERIFF RICHARD DONOVAN greeted Aaron as he entered through the front door of the Lost Maples County Sheriff’s Office. Aaron had initially applied for a supervisory position at the county jail, but due to his extensive experience in law enforcement, Sheriff Donovan had instead offered him the position of Lieutenant Commander in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division. This small department consisted of one full-time investigator and two deputies that spent most of their time investigating crimes involving petty theft and the occasional assault. Small town law enforcement life was going to take some getting used to, but as long as the job came with a steady paycheck to help pay the new mortgage, then chasing down jaywalkers and old ladies with frying pans was just fine with Aaron.

I think you’ll find this job quite the contrast from working in Travis County, Sheriff Donovan said as he led Aaron past the dispatch room to the Investigations Division. Worst crime ever committed in Lost Maples within the past five years was old Edith Reinhart assaulting her old man with a skillet.

Seriously? Aaron laughed in hindsight at the stereotypical thought that had just crossed his mind.

It’s the truth. That old paranoid bat was convinced her husband cheated on her with the new mail lady. Judge Phillips eventually dropped the charges, the alleged other woman ended up transferring to another route, and Edith Reinhart passed on a year later. Brain tumor got her.

Wow. You think it was the tumor that made her get all paranoid?

Hardly. Mr. Reinhart married his mistress mail lady a month after his wife died. Sheriff Donovan smirked, his hand on the doorknob to the Investigations Division. Turns out that old Edith was right after all. He opened the door and stepped aside. After you, Lieutenant.

The Lost Maples County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division was not what Aaron had expected. The space was organized and had good lighting. There was a guy in full uniform with his feet propped on a desk near the entrance of the office. He held a folded newspaper in one hand and a pen in the other. He appeared to be deep in thought. A small conference table rested in the middle of the room, with two larger empty desks on the far corner of the office space. The door to another office had the blinds closed over the interior windows.

The man seated at the desk nearest the entrance dropped his feet to the ground and stood as soon as he noticed Aaron and Sheriff Donovan step into the office. He laid the newspaper on the desk and held his hand out to Aaron. You must be Lieutenant Sanders.

Aaron shook the man’s hand. I am. And you are...

Sergeant Scott Henderson, lead investigator.

Aaron glanced at the newspaper on the desk. Any high profile cases in that crossword puzzle I should be briefed on?

Um... well...

I’m just messing with you, Sergeant. Aaron jerked a thumb in the direction of the other two desks. So, who do those belong to?

Deputy Tim Copeland, Sergeant Henderson said. And Deputy Brianna Dilbecky.

Tim’s our patrol supervisor, Sheriff Donovan said. And Brianna... Well, let’s just say, if ya ever need a gopher, she’s yer gal. I got her running our cruisers through the car wash right now.

Right. Aaron lowered his brow a little. Because we want our vehicles nice and shiny when we arrest all those bank robbers and jaywalkers in town. Don’t you think that’s kind of sexist?

Sexist? Hell, she’s just grateful to have a job on the force. Sheriff Donovan leaned toward Aaron. Trust me when I tell ya that she don’t mind.

All right. I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.

That’s the spirit! Sheriff Donovan slapped Aaron on the shoulder. In all seriousness, I do have Dilbecky to thank for finding ya.

Oh? Aaron raised his brow. How’s that?

She’s the one who suggested expanding our recruiting into Austin. And when she seen yer application, she pulled it. You were way overqualified for a job at the county jail.

I guess we’re both lucky to have her on the force then, huh?

Let’s just keep that to ourselves, shall we? Sheriff Donovan grabbed Aaron’s shoulder. So, I noticed that old ‘Vette yer driving. Whatcha got, a seventy-eight?

Eighty-one.

You getting, what, twelve miles a gallon on that thing?

Try eight... if I feather the throttle.

Good God! Sergeant Henderson said, eavesdropping. You must have one heck of a woman at home. My wife would kill me if I drove a car with that type of mileage. She wouldn’t even let me get a Mustang with a V-6. Instead, I’m stuck driving a four-banging Sentra instead.

Yeah, well, Aaron said, laughing, my wife isn’t as understanding as you think. She’s always giving me a hard time and trying to convince me to sell it.

Sheriff Donovan handed Aaron a set of keys. Well, now ya can just enjoy that fine automobile on the weekends, and save a bit on the gas bill while yer at it. Lost Maples County is footing yer bill now—for the county vehicle, that is, not the Corvette.

Aaron glanced at the keys in his hand. I get my own car?

One of the perks I failed to mention when I hired ya.

You can leave the Corvette here, Henderson joked. I’ll take good care of it for you during the week.

Fat chance, buddy. Aaron pointed to Henderson’s desk. Why don’t you get back to your crossword puzzle while the good sheriff shows me my new set of wheels?

BACON SIZZLED IN ONE frying pan while Maria fried eggs in another as she cooked her family huevos rancheros for breakfast. Aaron sat at the kitchen table and read the Saturday edition of the Austin American Statesman on his smartphone, while Samantha rummaged through one of the many boxes still scattered throughout the house.

I can’t find my scrunchies, Samantha said, huffing in frustration as she searched through the boxes. Oh, never mind. I found them.

Why don’t you take that box to your room while you’re at it, Sam, Aaron said, scanning the news headlines. It’s been two weeks already. I think it’s time to start getting rid of some of this clutter.

Hey, some of these boxes are yours, too! she yelled back from the living room.

Just take the box to your room, Maria called from the kitchen. And tell Cody breakfast is almost ready.

Aaron focused his attention back to reading the news. The Lost Maples Record was only printed on Wednesdays and Sundays, so keeping his digital subscription to the Austin newspaper filled his need to read the newspaper every day. Plus, it kept him up-to-date with news from home. He scanned through more headlines and finally found one that caught his attention.

Search for Missing Teenagers Continues

AUSTIN – The search for three missing Austin teenagers continues. Christopher Henry Marwick, 17; Dylan Steven Welch, 16; and Jeremy Renée Craiger, 16, were last seen together in the Crockett High School parking lot. Marwick’s parents reported him missing when he failed to return home after borrowing his father’s vehicle. Deputies found the red Ford F-150 pickup abandoned half a mile from the condemned Saint Hedwig Youth Home property. Law enforcement personnel from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, and Texas Rangers searched the area and found three shovels near an article of clothing, but they would not speculate whether they believed the clothing belonged to any of the three missing boys.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of the missing teens, please contact the Travis County Sheriff Department’s hotline at 512-555-4352.

Goose bumps formed on Aaron’s arms as images of the chimera burned into his mind. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he remembered Chief David Hernandez performing the violent satanic ritual in preparation for sacrificing Cody to break the Devil’s Nightmare curse. Aaron tried to free himself of those thoughts, but something about this report of missing teens pressed heavy on his heart.

You okay, honey? Maria said as she set a plate of food on the table in front of Aaron. You look like something is bothering you.

I’m fine. Aaron took a sip of his coffee. It’s nothing.

You sure? Maria set two more plates of food on the table.

Yeah, I was just thinking about how I kind of miss Austin already.

Maria cocked her head back. You do? She returned to the stove and served herself. I thought it was your dream to move out to the country.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love it out here. It’s just... Aaron stared out the window at the clouded sky. A small flock of sparrows descended onto the branches of a tree near Maria’s vegetable garden. I don’t know. I guess being a cop here isn’t what I expected it to be. It’s so damn boring. Maybe it’s the city boy in me.

Maria called out to Cody and Samantha to let them know breakfast was ready. She sat across from her husband with her plate of Mexican-style scrambled eggs over corn tortillas. You’re just not used to being able to relax and take it easy for a change. Give it some time. You’ll forget all that big city nonsense. I love it here.

Aaron smiled and stabbed his fork into the eggs on his plate. So, you don’t miss Austin at all? The fork dangled from his fingers. You don’t miss the counseling center?

Of course I do, but we had to do what was best for our family. Living in Austin just wasn’t right for us anymore. You know that. Maria drank some orange juice and set the glass back down. Why are we talking about this anyway?

Cody and Samantha entered the breakfast nook and sat at the kitchen table. Cody shoveled a chunk of eggs and moved the fork towards his mouth.

Not before we say grace, Cody, Maria said.

The thirteen-year-old sighed and dropped his fork on the plate. Aaron glimpsed at his own fork and smiled at Maria. With only her eyes, she motioned for her husband to do the same. Aaron exaggerated a sigh and winked at Cody before complying. Samantha shook her head and held her hands out to Aaron and her mother. Aaron opened his other hand and offered it to Cody, who stared at it for a moment before taking it. Maria held Cody’s other hand and prayed a blessing over their breakfast. While she prayed, Cody tightened his grip on Aaron’s hand. Aaron opened his eyes, but Cody still had his head tilted down with his eyes closed.

Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies, dear Lord. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Okay, let’s eat, Aaron said and released his grip from Cody’s and Samantha’s hands. Cody glanced at him as he did so. There was something in Cody’s eyes Aaron had not seen in two years. He opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped himself. What was going through Cody’s head?

Hey, Aaron, Samantha said, interrupting Aaron’s thoughts. When are we going to look at horses?

Horses?

Well, yeah. We’re still getting horses, right?

We’ll talk about that later, Maria said while buttering up a piece of toast. We still need time to get settled in first before we think about adding horses to the family.

What about a dog? Cody asked with a mouthful of eggs. Whatever had him concerned had apparently vanished at the suggestion of pet ownership.

Samantha’s face brightened at the mention of a dog. "Oh, I would love to have a puppy. Can we, Mom?"

Oh, I don’t think so, Aaron said. Your mom and I will just end up having to take care of it like that stray cat you brought home last year.

So much for nine lives, Cody smirked.

Samantha frowned and glared at him. That’s not funny, Cody. It’s your fault Princess got ran over by th—

My fault? You’re the one that—

All right, enough, Aaron said, stopping a recurring argument between the two kids. Can we try to finish our breakfast in peace for a change?

He started it, Samantha said.

Cody smiled and tossed a piece of bacon in his mouth.

Chapter Two

Aaron stared at the computer screen in his office at the Lost Maples Sheriff’s Office. With nothing to do but play Solitaire and surf the Internet, it was another mind-numbingly slow Monday morning in Small Town, USA. Sergeant Henderson attempted to improve his mental capabilities by working on a crossword puzzle, while the two deputies under Aaron’s command were out helping Sheriff Donovan remove pieces of old furniture from a rental property. The department was clearly overstaffed.

Aaron passed the time by reading an article in the Austin American Statesman about the attempted suicide of former Travis County Chief Medical Examiner Donald Luther at the Texas state prison in Huntsville.

The FBI and Texas Rangers had proven that Don had altered Jackson Smith’s autopsy report. He had made it appear as if the official cause of death had been a brain aneurysm. Investigators had exhumed Jackson’s body and found a small puncture wound on the lower back of his head. Toxicology tests and another autopsy also confirmed an unidentified chemical agent had caused Jackson’s heart to burn up and explode.

Luther had admitted his involvement in the occult, but he’d denied falsifying any autopsy reports. Evidence mounted against him had proven otherwise, and eventually led to a plea bargain in exchange for the names of other key members of Chief David Hernandez’s cult. Luther had faced the death penalty for accessory to capital murder. His plea agreement helped reduce his charges to second-degree murder, but he would still serve no less than twenty years in prison.

FBI agents later made several other arrests, including two attorneys, a physician, a child psychologist, two police officers, and even a travel agent in association with the chief’s cult. Two of them had admitted involvement in attempted capital murder and the ritualistic murders of over twenty people, including thirteen children and Homicide Detective Steven Riley. Due to a lack of evidence, authorities never filed charges for the deaths of Cullen Chandler, Jason Dexter, or Cody’s parents. The official police report filed correctly asserted a large animal had killed them.

New forensic evidence helped determine that the unidentified victim at Memorial Heights Cemetery was fourteen-year-old Kyle Blaney. FBI agents had also found his parents, Denise and Gerard Blaney, murdered in their secluded home on the outskirts of Austin. The investigation for those murders remained unsolved.

Aaron leaned back in his chair and rubbed his hand over his face. Donald Luther and David Hernandez had been his dearest friends for many years. It ripped through his soul that David had been the leader of such a vicious cult. He had lived a double life, fooling so many people. While Aaron had worked with and respected David as a decent, hard-working human being, the man had been collaborating in atrocious acts of evil.

Aaron couldn’t figure out why, but he actually felt sorry for them both. Maybe it was simply because of the admirable things they had accomplished on a professional level, and the people he’d perceived them to be on a personal level. Aaron had known Don as a good man who was passionate about his work. He could argue that the man had been one of the best in his field. What had happened to him? What could possess a man like Donald Luther to get involved in the occult? For that matter, what had caused David Hernandez to turn to such evil?

Aaron’s office phone rang several times while he gazed at the mug shot of his old friend Donald Luther. He exhaled a dejected sigh.

Sergeant Henderson knocked on Aaron’s office door. Sir, you have a call on line two. It’s your wife.

Thanks, Scott. Aaron pressed the flashing button on his phone and lifted the receiver to his ear. Hey, babe.

Did you turn off your cell phone? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.

I’m sorry. He grabbed his cell phone off the desk and pressed the power button. It didn’t turn on. I guess I forgot to charge it last night. What’s going on?

It’s Cody.

Aaron straightened his posture, an uncontrollable panic rising in his chest. What about Cody? What happened?

He had a seizure or something.

Seizure? Aaron grabbed his keys. How? He doesn’t have epilepsy, or Jesus, at least that I’m aware of.

I know, Aaron. That’s just what the paramedics are saying. There were other muffled voices on the other end of the call. Hold on a second, Maria said. A few seconds later she came back on the line. They’re taking him to the hospital right now. Can you meet me there?

Already heading out the door. I’ll see you there. Aaron ended the call, plugged the battery charger into his phone, and headed out of his office towards the department exit.

Sergeant Henderson motioned towards Aaron. Yeah, he’s right here, he spoke into his wired office phone.

Can it wait?

Tim just got a call about a boating accident at Maple Hills Park.

Aaron opened the door to the hallway and took a deep breath. After a week of boredom at the office, he now had two simultaneous events to deal with. I’ve got a family emergency. Can you and Copeland take care of it?

Henderson held his hand over the mouthpiece. Yeah, sure. We can handle it. Everything okay?

I don’t know yet, Aaron said. Call me or text me if you need anything.

You bet, Henderson said and removed his hand from the phone.

As Aaron took hold of the door handle, he spun around and snapped his fingers. No, wait, you can’t. My phone is dead.

Hold on a sec, Tim, Henderson said into the phone.

Aaron wrote Maria’s cell phone number on a Post-It note and stuck it to Henderson’s computer monitor. That’s my wife’s cell. You can reach me there if you need me.

You got it, boss.

MARIA AND AARON WAITED in the emergency room at Lost Maples County Medical Center for over an hour before a doctor called them back behind the metal double doors.

Has Cody had any other health issues besides this sudden seizure? the doctor asked. I noticed the scars on his chest.

He, uh... Maria stumbled over her words and glanced at Aaron, her face covered with confusion and panic.

He was involved in an accident a couple of years ago, Aaron said to the doctor, but he hasn’t had any health issues other than the flu last year.

What about sleep? Any difficulty? Restlessness? Insomnia?

No, not lately.

But he has in the past?

He had some recurring nightmares a couple of years ago, Aaron said, noticing Maria’s nervous scratching of her neck. Nothing recently, though.

Okay. What about head trauma? Any recent injuries from playing sports?

No, he doesn’t play sports, Maria answered. Art and reading. That’s what he likes most.

The doctor flipped through some papers on his clipboard. I see he’s not on any prescription medications, but any signs of recreational drug use?

No, of course not, Aaron said, cocking his head back. He knows better than to mess with that crap. Cody’s a good kid.

I apologize if that came across as offensive, Mr. Sanders. I’m simply—

I know. I’m sorry. I just... Aaron ran a hand through his hair. So, what do you think caused the seizure?

Right now we’re uncertain. He hasn’t had any further seizures. That’s a good sign, but I would like to admit him for observation and schedule a CT scan for tomorrow. I want to make sure he hasn’t developed any tumors.

Maria’s eyes widened. Tumors?

As I stated, it’s only a precaution. That didn’t seem to ease Maria’s anxiety.

Can we see him? Aaron asked.

Yes, of course. The doctor led Aaron and Maria through another set of double doors and down a hallway to a bed located in the back corner of the emergency room. Cody had a heart monitor attached to him. His breathing is normal, but judging by the rapid eye movement, he’s in a deep REM sleep. He’s dreaming.

Maria placed her hand over Cody’s and squeezed. She brushed her other hand through his hair and pressed her lips gently onto his forehead.

Maria’s cell phone rang, triggering a hinting glare from the doctor. She gave it a quick glance and tapped the screen, silencing it.

Who was it? Aaron asked.

I don’t know. I didn’t recognize the number. Aaron held his hand out. May I see the phone?

She placed it in his hand. Aaron checked the missed calls and recognized the phone number. It was Sheriff Donovan.

Why was he calling my phone? Maria asked.

Sorry. I left my phone charging at the office, so I gave Detective Henderson your number. I hope you don’t mind.

She shook her head and brushed her hand through Cody’s hair again.

I’ll be right back. Aaron then directed his attention to the doctor. Don’t worry, I know the drill. I’m taking it outside.

By the time Aaron reached the emergency room exit, the Sheriff had called again.

This is Aaron, he answered.

I’m sorry to bother ya, Aaron, but we’ve got a situation at Maple Hills Park.

The boat accident?

A coupla kids found a body by the boat ramp. I hate to pull ya away from yer family, but I need yer assistance.

Aaron grasped the back of his neck. All right. I’ll be there in about a half hour.

LOCATED A HALF MILE north of town, Maple Hills Park was tranquil and scenic, filled with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and many other wildflowers. Maple trees scattered throughout the park painted the landscape in rich orange and red leaves. The lake itself spanned across approximately ten acres, which made it a popular spot for boaters, fishermen, and jet skiers.

Aaron drove a quarter mile up a winding gravel road, passing several picnic areas until he spotted a cluster of emergency vehicles near a boat ramp at the far end of the park. He parked his cruiser next to the coroner’s van.

Sheriff Donovan walked up, tipping his hat in greeting.

Aaron got out of the car. So, what do we have here? Boating accident, or something else?

Hard to tell. Looks like gators got to him. Body’s pretty chewed up.

Aaron shut the car door and followed Sheriff Donovan towards the boat ramp. Deputy Tim Copeland helped a paramedic pull the headless and limbless corpse out of the water. Bugs crawled all over the algae-covered and bloated torso. Aaron nodded towards a cabana where Sergeant Henderson was speaking to two boys seated at a picnic table. Four other adults, likely their parents, stood behind them.

Are those the kids that found the floater?

The Sheriff nodded. Middle school kids. Should be in class right now. He pointed to a heavyset boy. The plump one is Peter Slavic. His pa owns the shop on Oakwood, the one that keeps our patrol units purring. He’s a real shit-dick, but his guys do real good work. So, if ya ever need work done on that ‘Vette, then that’s where you should take her.

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. Aaron tilted his head towards the picnic table. What’s the story on the other kid? You know his family?

Never met the boy personally. His parents run the Christian Fellowship Center on Eighty-Three just outside a’ town. Tad bit charismatic for my liking, but Pastor Thomas and his wife are good people. Sheriff Donovan snorted a hearty laugh. That boy is sure to get one helluva sermon tonight.

Aaron let out a slight chuckle. Yeah, I’ll bet. He knelt by the body and gave it a quick scan. So, how big do the alligators get out here?

Biggest one I seen ‘round here was about four feet. Nothin big enough to pull a man out his boat, that’s fer sure. He handed Aaron a pair of latex gloves. So, ya ready to get yer hands dirty?

Grinning, Aaron took the gloves from the Sheriff. Are you always this peppy around mangled corpses?

The Sheriff snickered. I don’t mean to be insensitive. Just—

No need to explain, Sheriff. Aaron slapped on the latex gloves and asked the coroner to roll the body over to its side. He reached into the back pocket of the corpse, removed a wallet, and checked the man’s license as he handed it to Sheriff Donovan. We have a name for the toe tag. He pulled another laminated piece of paper out of the wallet. And it looks like he was fishing with an expired permit.

I think the game warden might give him a pass this time. Sheriff Donovan examined the license. Son-bitch. That’s Doug Travers.

You know him?

Yeah, I know him. He owns that old rundown bar on Main Street, down the road from the station. Prolly got himself drunk on his own merchandise and fell overboard. He pointed to a small boat floating in the middle of the lake. That must be his boat right there. Poor dumb bastard.

Aaron raised an eyebrow and inspected the wounds around the neck and limbs. Ever have any alligator attacks at the lake before?

"We got signs posted all over warning