DEVIL’S BITE: Book #3 of the DOOMSDAY Series: Book #3 of the DOOMSDAY Series

By R. L. Gemmill

JON BISHOP IS ABOUT TO BECOME THE SOUP-OF-THE-DAY! 

Shackled, caged, and guarded, Jon must find a way out of the caves very soon, or die.

The bad news? No human has ever escaped from the demon world.

The good news? There is no good news. 

READ WITH CAUTION

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Mar 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9780996373104

Book preview

Chapter 1

On the Menu

JON

---

Death wasn’t something Jon Bishop feared. In fact, he often looked forward to it. But the prospect of dying without putting up a good fight had never occurred to him. Being choked by a stupid machine was not the way he wanted to go out.

Anton had saved Jon’s life by cutting the chain on the demon choking machine, and though Jon didn’t remember any of it, he knew it was the closest he’d ever come to dying. But the down payment for Anton’s heroics had been a vicious beating by yet another Blue Whipper. Anton had a dozen new wounds to add to the scars he’d gotten before. The final debt would be paid when all the caged humans were slaughtered and tossed into the soup in a few hours, if not sooner.

Jon studied GreenSlade, the gray man with a plan who also waited to be executed. GreenSlade had slate-colored skin and light-yellow teeth. Who he was and where he’d come from Jon couldn’t begin to guess, but GreenSlade had gotten a key for the cage from somewhere, and now they had a chance to get out. Jon was certain they could escape the cage, but after that the plan went to hell. The success of their escape was a crap shoot, but they had always pulled together to help each other whenever the demons beat one of them senseless, and they would do it again. Teamwork may have been the one factor that had kept the three of them alive this long. No one could survive so much punishment and deprivation on his or her own.

It’s pleasant down here, said Anton, lying on his belly. Without that ugly Slunch snapping his whip in our faces. That big, blue buttwipe.

Chris nodded. I almost squealed like a child when I saw his head roll down the chute. They all laughed, even Marcus, who was barely alive.

The cage was about the size of a one-car garage, but with a slightly lower ceiling. There were four cages in that part of the cavern, but only this one was occupied. Two man-sized demon guards paced back and forth on either side of the cage. They both wore armor and carried long, sharp spears. They had been on guard for many hours, and Jon figured they were probably bored out of their minds. Their levels of alertness had to be at an all-time low.

Anton raised his head and looked behind them. There’s the Ramp.

Jon nodded. Home’s just up that path. It’ll be a good climb, but we can make it. We just need to get out of here. He looked to his right, in the opposite direction. That big room. Guard’s quarters?

The area beyond that part of the wall was a huge, open-air chamber with oversized steps and an armed guard. The guard was massive, at least as tall as the Blue Whipper Jon had killed, and heavily armored. The Guard Demon had three arms, one for holding a shield and the others for wielding swords. Jon smiled at its intimidating appearance.

Since we’re on tonight’s menu, which would you razher be? asked GreenSlade Main course or dessert?

Main course, said Anton. Maybe when they eat me they’ll get sick and die. If I can’t fight them to the death, then I’ll fight them from beyond…in the soup.

They all laughed, but it was an empty sound. A threat with no real hope could only be so funny.

About then, Dante arrived with a bucket of dirty water. He scooped out a cup and passed it through the bars. His puppy dog eyes were grim as if his best friend had recently died. Down in the demon world, that was a good possibility. He spoke to them apologetically.

The demons wand you do drink wader do sofden your flesh.

I’m not drinking a damn thing! declared Marcus Conn, who became suddenly animated. "I’m with Anton. Make me the main course so they can choke." The effort must have exhausted him because he closed his eyes and became silent again. Jon felt bad for the sick man. The only way Marcus would leave the cave alive was to be carried out.

Water’s nasty, said Jon. I’d rather die of thirst.

I’m very sorry aboud this, lamented Dante, shaking his head sadly. I like working with you.

I like working with you, too, Dante. Jon stretched his legs. The first thing he noticed was the Demon Boss, leering at him from his open chamber. Up this close, the Boss was much bigger than he’d looked from the ledge when Jon, Travis, and Kelly had first seen him after the earthquake. Jon could only guess his height, but it had to be over twenty-five feet, with well-muscled legs as thick as bridge pylons. His body was massive enough to fill the entryway to his chambers. He dwarfed the bulky guard nearby.

The Boss glared at Jon, then smiled horribly. He licked his lips hungrily before retiring within the chamber. When he stepped away from the entrance, Jon saw something amazing. He scrambled across the cage and stood beside GreenSlade, practically drooling. It was the biggest, most incredible sword he’d ever seen. He pressed his face against the bars to get a better view. Look at that!

Dante moved to Jon’s end of the cage. Id’s the Boss’ sword. I’ve seen him use id do kill…well, do execude slaves. Id’s quick, unless he wants some spord oud of you. That’s whad he’ll use on you this evening. All of you.

How did I miss that? asked Jon. It’s beautiful.

You were unconscious for the most part, explained Anton.

Jon turned back to the others. I want that sword for my collection.

You’re an optimist, said Chris.

I want that sword. Jon lay on the cage floor and interlaced his fingers behind his head. This is the first time we’ve been able to relax since we got here. I never realized how tired I was. I feel like a zombie.

Anton and GreenSlade nodded in agreement.

Chris became agitated. Don’t talk about zombies, he said, looking furtively around them. I had a bad experience.

With zombies? asked Marcus, never raising his head. I hate to disillusion you, my friend, but there’s no such thing.

I’ve seen them, Chris explained. They aren’t exactly like the zombies in movies. I mean they don’t go around eating people. They only want to bite you. Just once. A nasty wound the size of a quarter. And they talk.

What do zombies have to talk about? asked Jon, struggling not to laugh at his friend and foster dad. This was certainly a new angle for Chris. He noticed GreenSlade wasn’t laughing.

Chris went on. Maybe talk is the wrong word. They don’t make any sense; they just keep saying ‘Muh-muh-muh-muh’. It’s a terrifying thing to hear when there’s a lot of them.

Marcus raised his head. Muh-muh-muh-muh?

Dante looked at the others, confused. Whad’s a zombie?

Again, everyone laughed, except Chris and GreenSlade. The gray man gazed at the cage floor.

I’ve seen your zombies, said GreenSlade, raising his eyebrows and nodding. Zhey can be deadly in great numbers.

Chapter 2

Trouble in Southport

JON

---

Jon couldn’t comprehend what he was hearing. Was this even a real conversation? Had Chris and GreenSlade admitted that they believed in the walking dead?

Tell us about it, Chris. Jon turned so he could listen. Even Dante stayed close to the cage.

Yeah, Chris, said Anton. I’ve known about it for years, but you’ve never told me the details.

Chris obviously knew they were playing with him, but the look in his eyes told Jon that this was a real terror for him. He’d been holding it in for a long, long time. He began.

It was my first year of teaching at Southport High School in southeast Virginia. It was a small town on the water, a nice place really, picturesque and quiet. The main industries were fishing, farming, and education. There wasn’t much else there.

Southport? said Anton. I don’t recall that school or the town either.

None of it’s there anymore. The government razed it to the ground and planted trees. You won’t find it on any recent maps, Google or otherwise. They erased the town after the zombie incident.

Is this for real? asked Marcus.

Chris nodded. Very real. A part of my life I’d like to forget.

How come I’ve never heard about it? asked Anton. I didn’t see it in the news. If this is supposed to be real, didn’t you want to tell people?

"They made me take an oath never to tell. They said if I did, ever, then I’d go to prison for the rest of my life. Since I’m already in prison for the rest of my life, which is, what? A few hours, at most? I figure this is a good time to break the oath."

They?

Government people, I think. FBI agents talked to me first, but they seemed more intent on finding out the truth. It was the men in black who made me take the oath. They wore black suits and came straight from the president. They said it was a matter of national security, and I had to comply, or else. Chris paused for more questions, but nobody spoke. He went on.

The only people who remember Southport now are the ones who live in nearby towns, and the handful of survivors. I only know of two kids who made it out alive, but there might have been others. I can’t explain anything that happened; I can only recall it. It was a Tuesday night in November. I was the sponsor of the Drama Club. We had a play coming up in another month, and this was our first official night of rehearsal. That night the cheerleaders and varsity football team also had late practices. And the drumline was there, too, on the practice field out back.

Anton raised his hand to interrupt. When you say late, how late?

Around seven-thirty, or eight. The school nurse was usually gone long before then, but she had stayed over waiting for EMTs to pick up a student who was in her office. The girl was brought in because her stepdad had bitten her on the arm.

He bit her? Jon scratched his head. How weird is that?

What did the EMTs say when they saw it? asked Anton.

They never showed up. The girl had a hole in her arm, an ugly puncture wound with teeth marks all around it. I saw her in the clinic asleep on the bed. I didn’t know her name. The only reason I was in the clinic was the football coach had had a heart attack in the locker room, and some of the players had come to me for help. I ran to the nurse first, but she looked positively ill. Her eyes were blood-red and could barely open, her face was pale, and she just sat there rocking from side to side. I got out my cell phone and dialed 911 right away, but I had no signal. Nobody had a signal, so I tried the nurse’s landline phone. That also wasn’t working.

A little suspicious, mumbled Marcus.

Very suspicious, Chris agreed. The coach was dead when I got to him. No pulse, no breathing, nothing. He was pale and cold. Whatever he’d died of, he looked a lot like the nurse. I placed a towel over his face and told the players how sorry I was. Then we heard screams from outside.

This is good, said Anton. You should tell it on Halloween.

Oh, it’s good all right. Chris paused, glaring at the Boss’ chambers. It suddenly seemed as if all his troubles in life had come from somewhere in that direction. He blinked and continued. "We went outside to see what was going on. Apparently, that man had walked up to the cheerleaders and bitten the girl on the arm. One of the other girls had supposedly made a video of it on her cell phone, but I never saw it. The bitten girl’s boyfriend was a linebacker, and he got pissed off. He jumped on the guy and began beating the hell out of him. But when he punched him in the face the man bit him on the hand. It was bizarre. It was like the man didn’t mind the beating. He just wanted a chance to bite someone else. Then I heard it. The Muh-muh-muh-muh sound. It was all around us. We suddenly realized we were surrounded by thousands of the townspeople. It was a scene right out of a living-dead movie."

Chris hesitated.

Jon cleared his throat. Don’t stop now.

Sorry, this part scares the hell out of me. The townspeople came toward us. They all had blank looks in their red eyes and kept mumbling the same ‘Muh-muh-muh-muh’ over and over again. It was the new sound of terror. They were everywhere.

Were they trying to communicate? asked Jon.

Chris shook his head. They seemed out of their minds, not even alive. And they had only one goal: to bite us. Another player, a big lineman, grabbed a baseball bat out of the equipment room and ran out to bash in some zombie brains. He was husky and strong. He went up to this woman and drew back the bat, ready to smash in her skull. Instead, he froze in his tracks. Then he turned and ran back to us. I made everyone get inside the building, and we locked the doors.

Why didn’t the kid bash her head in? asked Marcus, looking up.

It was his mother. In fact, every adult over twenty and every child under twelve or thirteen in the town was afflicted—every last one. The weird thing was none of the teens showed any sign of succumbing to the zombie disease. I don’t know for certain, but I believe it had something to do with their hormones, you know? Teenagers are walking talking hormone machines. Why else would they be unaffected?

What about you? asked Anton. How come you weren’t affected?

I’d gotten back that day from a two-week honeymoon after Angie and I were married. Something happened in the town while I was gone that made people change. I spoke with an FBI agent about it who told me an unmarked plane had been seen flying over the town while I was gone, presumably spraying for mosquitos. I think the plane was spraying for something else.

You were lucky, my friend, said GreenSlade. You chose a good time to be gone, it seems. What happened next?

"Since nobody wanted to kill their family and friends, we decided to open the doors to the school and herd everyone into the gym, a few at a time, you know? The plan was to lock them inside and get the police. If we could contain them long enough, maybe the Center for Disease Control could cure them. But things got out of hand. The horde outside managed to push open one set of doors, and we couldn’t get them closed. That’s all it took. They came in like a flood. There were way too many of them.

We ran for our lives. I climbed up the bleachers and hid in the top seats. The zombies couldn’t climb very well, except for stairs. I stayed hidden up there until they gassed the place.

Someone gassed the place? Jon shook his head. This was getting better and better. Who?

"I don’t know. I saw somebody drill a hole through the gym roof from the outside and thought they’d come to rescue us. Then the gas blew in, and I passed out.

"When I woke up two days later, the entire school was empty. The town was empty, too. I couldn’t find anyone. Armed soldiers in black were everywhere. I saw them kill a boy because he wouldn’t stop running, so I waited until dark and went toward the water instead of the main road out of town. I stole a rowboat and rowed across the river to the next county. Then I called a cab and went home.

An FBI agent contacted me because he knew I worked there. He asked me so many questions; I mean he was very concerned about it. But then those other guys showed up and made him leave. They were cold as ice. They threatened me with prison if I talked. That was the last time I ever said anything about it until now.

Does Angie know? asked Jon.

I didn’t get to tell her before the guys in black suits arrived. It was funny, though. They seemed surprised that I’d survived. I got the feeling the whole thing was a trial run for something, but it went awry.

A trial run for what? asked Marcus. Nobody had any answers.

Jon looked at Chris. Was his foster dad a complete loon? Were zombies really running around in small towns biting people? He shook his head, at first unable to believe any of it. Then he noticed the three-armed demon bodyguard nearby. He saw the entrance to the sulfur-filled cavern filled with human slaves working for the demons. A two-headed blue demon dragged equipment over to the enormous pot where they cooked human soup.

Chris, ordinarily I’d laugh at you. But we’re all in this place. I mean, look around. Seeing this makes even zombies seem possible.

Chapter 3

Mogen Deel

JON

---

A fascinating story, said the gray man. It has zhe ring of truzh. Now, gentlemen, perhaps we should discuss finding a way out of here?

Dante looked at them, interested in the new topic. If you’re leaving, dake me with you! You godda dake me with you!

Have you got a plan? asked Chris.

GreenSlade shrugged an eyebrow. Not exactly.

You godda dake me with you! Dante was getting agitated. I don’ wand do die here. It’s been so many years.

Jon listened to the others, though he continued to be entranced by the Sword. He looked back at his fellow prisoners. How long before they kill us, Dante?

The head cook said one hour.

You know this cavern, don’t you?

As well as any demon.

Is there some place we can hide? I mean if we get out of here?

Why hide? Jusd leave. There’s more than one way oud and I know how to ged there.

If you know a way out, why are you still here? asked Anton, suspiciously.

Demons guard the exids. And they never led me go up the Ramp when id’s day. They’ve never left me alone, either. Nod ever. Dante ground his teeth as if some angry memories had been aroused.

"But you do know a way out?" It wasn’t a question. GreenSlade kept his gaze trained on the old man as if to catch him in a lie.

Dante pointed. Up the Ramp, do the righd. I’d have do show you. Somedimes there’s draps. And the Boss’ new ped is up there.

Boss’ pet? GreenSlade leaned forward with interest. I’ll bet it’s quite large.

"I haven’ seen id, but I heard id swallowed a Blue Whipper whole." Dante clapped his hands in delight. Jon felt a surge of encouragement. Any monster that ate Blue Whippers was okay with him.

A squat, red Demon from the work area called out. Dante! Git more watta!

The old man reluctantly left the cage, whispering as loud as he dared. I mean id! You godda dake me with you!

Jon considered the situation. The demon guards that marched past the cage were indifferent and bored, but their spears were sharp. In addition to the guards, there were well-armed demons in that part of the cavern overseeing slaves or involved in various projects. The Boss and his formidable bodyguard were only a dozen meters away. If the alarm sounded, Jon doubted they’d be able to outrun those huge demons on their own turf. Even worse, he and his friends were chained to the stone floor with thick, iron shackles, not to mention the new choking device on his back. They all counted on GreenSlade’s master key.

I’ll need a sword. Jon knew any sword would do, but the Boss’ Sword would do especially well. It was a magnificent weapon, perfect despite its size. He could almost feel its sturdy hilt in his hand.

Beyond the Boss’ chambers, Jon watched two demons stir something into the great, black pot that was bigger than a good-sized dump truck. The demons busily climbed up and down a tall, metal stairway, adding sulfur dust from the floor, human bone chips, and what looked like rotted entrails to whatever foul brew they were preparing. A stirring rod the size of a tree was mounted on the lip of the pot. A roaring fire surrounded the pot, the flames licking at the bulbous base. The demon that did most of the stirring kept one foot in the fire. Now and then it switched feet and got a weird, euphoric look on its face as if the burning heat felt just so wonderful.

Well, of course, it did, thought Jon. Demons and fire go together like ugly and stupid.

Jon gazed again at the massive chambers where the Boss’ Sword was mounted in a solid glass block on a car-sized stone table. It appeared to be over eight feet long, but that didn’t matter. He ached to feel the weight of it in his hand. He thought about what he’d do when he got out, and as always, it involved going to Maria’s house and seeing her face light up when she opened the door. First things first. If they didn’t escape, he wouldn’t see Maria.

While Jon concentrated on an escape plan, Anton pointed to the top of the Ramp, where it appeared to branch in two directions. Jon looked up. He thought he saw the area Anton was talking about.

I’ll bet that’s where Dante will take us, said Anton, scanning the cavern. I think I know where it goes.

You mean past that jutting rock? Chris squinted.

Yes.

They’d barely spoken when suddenly a man appeared at the top of the Ramp exactly where they’d been looking. He hadn’t walked in, and he hadn’t been hiding in the shadows like a demon. He simply appeared.

What the—? Chris blinked and rubbed his eyes.

Who’s that? exclaimed Anton.

He popped out of thin air! Jon did a double take.

Marcus Conn raised himself to look, but he was so weak he collapsed again. Sure enough, a man in a three-piece business suit walked down the Ramp toward them. Jon got excited.

It’s the guy we videotaped! The one I told you about!

The salesman? asked Marcus.

Yeah! I wonder how he got in here?

I wonder who he is? said Chris.

GreenSlade glanced over his shoulder, then turned back to the others. His name is Mogen Deel. You don’t want to mess wizh him. He’s very dangerous.

The others looked at GreenSlade, much impressed.

How do you know that? asked Anton.

I’ve been in zhis cage for a week. Zhis isn’t Deel’s first visit.

What’s he doing here? asked Chris.

He’s helping the demons, explained Jon.

GreenSlade laughed. He politely clapped Jon on the shoulder and nodded.

You’re right, Jon Bishop. He is helping zhe demons. But let me assure you, Mogen Deel has his own agenda. Deel only does zhings for himself and for zhe company zhat employs him.

Anton watched Deel saunter down the Ramp. What company is that?

Concern Corporation. Zhey are vastly wealzhy, and secretly control more zhan you could ever imagine.

Concern Corp? repeated Anton. Never heard of it. Is it bigger than Amazon?

It’s bigger zhan zhis whole planet. GreenSlade and the others grew quiet as the Boss came out of his space and met Mr. Deel near the cage. Neither the huge demon nor the distinguished man paid the people in the cage the slightest notice. They spoke freely.

I’ve given your request serious thought, said Deel. I agree, you do need more modernized weapons for your armies to succeed on the surface. The Sword I gave you is incredibly powerful, but I can’t pass out gifts like that to just any demon. Seriously, though, you’ve had quite a while to improve your arsenal and what do you have to show for it? Deel directed the Boss’ attention to the two demons pacing beside the cage. Your guards wield spears. Your best warriors fight with ordinary swords, crossbows, and bolts. Your most powerful weapon of mass destruction is a catapult. The same weapons you used a thousand years ago. Admit it, Lord, you’ve been slack.

The Demon Boss let out a low, angry growl, but held his temper.

How were we supposed to know what was going on outside? he asked. One century humans are using clubs, and the next they’ve got rocket launchers and machine guns. It happened fast.

"I suppose it did. But you know I can’t just give you advanced weaponry. I have rules to follow. If a weapon doesn’t look like you could have developed it on your own, or at least captured it, I could get into a lot of trouble. I could lose my job."

So, you won’t help us?

Deel smiled like the devil. He patted the big demon’s elbow, which was as high as he could reach. I didn’t say that. He held out his hands, palms down. A split second later a crossbow appeared in them. Jon blinked and looked at the others, amazed. Only GreenSlade seemed not particularly impressed. Deel handed the crossbow to the Boss. He turned his hands over again. This time a quiver of bolts appeared in them.

This is a unique crossbow, explained Deel. You can load it much faster than the old ones. Push a button, and the string is nocked. Deel pointed to the button. The Boss pushed it. The string was instantly nocked and ready. Now load a bolt.

The Boss loaded the bolt. He looked around for a target and aimed at one of the demon guards, who paced in front of the cage. The demon saw him and shook its head.

Boss! No!

Before the Boss could fire, Deel touched his elbow again. He directed his gaze toward the cage.

Why not try it on your enemy? The bolts are designed to work best on humans, you know.

The Boss grinned horribly. He looked over the humans in the cage. Jon became tense with the others, anticipating certain death. Even Marcus Conn got to his hands and knees.

That bastard, growled Anton.

The Boss decided on his target and raised the crossbow again. He aimed it straight at Anton, then pulled the trigger.

Anton muttered, Goodbye, Yvette.

Marcus Conn stood up and leaned in front of Anton. The bolt caught him in the shoulder with such force it spun him around and knocked him to the floor. Anton stood, mouth agape, looking down at Conn.

Marcus! he cried. Why did you do that?

Dumb question and you know it. Conn held the bloody wound. Man, that hurts. Oh…it feels hot. Like I’m burning up—

It took a moment longer for Marcus Conn to burst into a blazing white flame. He screamed in agony. Everyone in the cage fell back against the bars to avoid the heat. A moment later Conn disintegrated into a fine black dust.

My God! Chris fanned the air to clear the awful smoke.

He saved my life! said Anton, shaking his head. Why did he do that?

The same reason you saved mine, said Jon. What he had just seen stunned him, but he kept a wary eye on the Boss. There were plenty of bolts left.

Try another one, suggested Deel, offering the big demon the second bolt.

The Boss frowned. It works great, Deel. But there’s nothing left of him to eat! I can’t kill the others, or there won’t be enough for soup tonight. I got a lotta mouths to feed down here.

Deel shrugged and gave the quiver of bolts to the Boss. They walked off toward the factory part of the cavern.

I can offer you a payment plan I’m certain will meet your budget, said Deel as they moved into the larger cave. How many crossbows will you need? This model is a six-shooter, but they also come as ten-shooters.

Jon looked at the others. GreenSlade was the only one who didn’t seem surprised.

I’m sorry for your friend, offered GreenSlade apologetically. He was very brave.

At least he won’t be soup, said Chris.

No, he won’t, said Jon, his jaw fixed. Neither will we. The Boss is out of his chambers. GreenSlade, it’s time to go.

Jon waited for the demon guard on his side of the cage to walk by. Then he reached one arm between the bars. He stretched as far as he could, doing his best not to let the chains rattle against the bars. Just before the guard turned, he pulled his hand back into the cage.

He lowered his voice. I’ll get this guard. Can you guys get the other?

Anton shrugged. Chris looked terrified. GreenSlade nodded and stood up.

Here. From nowhere, GreenSlade produced the demon skeleton key that was the same color as his own hand. In fact, to Jon, it looked like it should have been one of his fingers, but that was ridiculous.

Where’d you get it? asked Anton, his tone doubtful.

Don’t worry where I got it, said GreenSlade. As I said before, it works. He glanced cautiously around. Keep an eye out.

Jon watched the guards until they were in the best positions. He gave a short nod. GreenSlade placed the key into Anton’s shackles and turned it. The iron bracelets opened and dropped off. Anton looked up.

"Mr. GreenSlade, I am very happy to have made your acquaintance."

Soon, both Chris and Anton were free of their shackles, but they kept the chains draped over their feet to make it look like they were still wearing them. Before GreenSlade released Jon, he paused and stood face to face with him.

Jon Bishop, I sense a certain loyalty in you. Zhat is an admirable quality. But you must understand, for any of us to have zhe slightest chance of getting out of here, we cannot help zhe ozher prisoners. We must kill zhese guards and go up zhat Ramp as fast as we can. Do we understand each other?

He was interrupted when Dante returned with another bucket of water. He set down the new bucket and frowned. They hadn’t drunk anything from the first one. He whispered to them, conspiratorially.

You guys need do know, Mr. Deel sold the Boss a new weapon. He ordered five thousand of them! I had do warn you, even though you won’d be able do dell anyone else aboud id. Dante noticed right away that Chris and Anton were free of their leg irons. You’re leaving! You godda dake me with you. Waid, somebody’s missing. Did they already pud the sick guy in the soup?

We’ll tell you later, Dante, said Jon. You’re going with us? Get a sword and some unlit torches.

Dante nodded. He left in a hurry, stumbling and spilling one of the buckets. Oh!

The demon guard on that side of the cage struck Dante in the back with the arm of his spear. Clean up, Dante! Stupid human scum!

I’ll ged id. Dante groveled before the demon. He hurried off to the factory area and disappeared into the yellow haze.

Jon was too tense to be amused. The old man could probably help them, but not if he kept screwing up. As the guards passed beyond hearing range, GreenSlade asked his question again.

Do we understand each ozher, Jon? We don’t try to rescue anybody else. We’re not equipped to do it.

"We won’t rescue anybody else this time, said Jon, staring GreenSlade right in the eye. But I’m coming back."

"If we get out of here, you can do anyzhing you like."

---

JON

---

GreenSlade released Jon’s shackles. The demon guards didn’t notice; they just kept marching. Jon pulled the choking device off his back and set it quietly on the floor.

The guards passed the cage two more times. Jon gave the signal. As his guard went by, he reached out and wrapped one arm around its neck. He pulled off the helmet with his free hand and slammed the demon’s head back into the iron bars. This demon must have had an extra hard head. It struggled to break free, jabbing the spear tip at him from side to side. The guard was in an awkward position, stabbing backward over its shoulders at a target it couldn’t see. The spear came at Jon’s face. He saw it in time. He shifted to the other side. The spear came again. He ducked and stayed clear. Jon beat the guard in the head with the heavy steel helmet. The helmet began to dent. Finally, the demon’s skull caved in. The creature collapsed with its pulpy head stuck between the bars.

Jon breathed hard. That demon was no easy kill, and it wouldn’t stay dead for long. He could only hope GreenSlade had done his part with the other guard. He turned. GreenSlade, Chris, and Anton stood outside the cage waiting for him. The other demon guard was dead with Anton pulling the spear from its body.

Chris pointed. Jon!

Jon turned. The Boss’ personal bodyguard marched toward them, shield raised, and one sword drawn. Jon ran to his friends.

"Time to cross swords with me, human slime!" The big demon lumbered after them, unhindered by its weighty armor. Jon discreetly unhooked the cage key from the belt of the dead guard. He stuffed the key into his pocket and ran back into the cage. He slammed the door shut with a loud clang.

Anton freaked. What the hell are you doing?

Go! Jon waved them toward the Ramp. Don’t worry about me!

For a moment everybody stopped, including the bodyguard, and just stared at him. Chris grabbed a twenty-foot pike from a weapons rack and took off for the Ramp. Anton and GreenSlade were on his heels. The bodyguard left Jon locked in the cage. It went after them at an easy jog with a smile on its face.

Jon used the key to unlock the cage door. He got out as the bodyguard took a long knife off its belt with its third hand. The demon aimed carefully at the fleeing humans. It drew back and threw the deadly blade.

Jon slammed into it from behind, shoulder first. He bounced off the thick armor and flopped onto the rock floor. He quickly got back to his feet. The bodyguard stumbled, keeping its balance. But its knife flew slightly off target. It struck the wall scant inches from GreenSlade’s head. GreenSlade turned. He acknowledged Jon’s assistance with a hasty nod, then hustled after Chris and Anton.

The bodyguard became infuriated. It went after Jon. Its long sword cut at the air around him like a buzz saw. Jon sidestepped, dove, rolled, crawled, and simply ran away from the fierce attack. The enraged demon chased him all the way around the cage, hacking at him, but cutting only air. Jon saw an opening and changed his tactics. He rushed directly at the big demon using the bodyguard’s leg as a step. He ran up the creature’s body, too close for the sword to be effective. He pounded the hefty demon in the face—fists flying. On the climb, he hammered its nose. The tissue exploded and went flat against the face. On the drop down, he smashed its lips into pulpy, oozing worms. The bodyguard grunted and grinned. Its mouth was black with oily blood. It went into a full pirouette, whipping out the second sword with its free hand. Jon saw the move, but he’d forgotten about the third arm. He nearly ducked too late. The razor-sharp blade came close enough to trim hairs off the top of his head. Three swords? It didn’t even need the shield.

Jon continued to avoid the onslaught. He dropped to the side, dodging one sword. Then he darted backward, narrowly avoiding the other. The demon cornered him against the cage. It raised two swords over its head and brought them down, intending to cut him from different directions. Jon ducked between its legs and came up behind it. The bodyguard made a bent-over about-face. Its swords flew from high to low as it turned. Jon adeptly avoided the deadly blades. He jumped and threw a spinning back kick to the side of the creature’s head. The full force of his heel struck true. The demon backpedaled from the blow. It sheathed one sword and drew its man-sized shield across its body. The shield slammed Jon in the chest. He stumbled, utterly off balance. He had to roll out of the fall to keep from breaking his neck.

The bodyguard tapped its long sword blades together.

Come on, human! Fight!

If Jon had kicked a person in the head like that, the force would have killed him. But this creature was big and much too strong. He needed a weapon.

You oughta stayed in the cage, human pig-coward!

The bodyguard stormed after him. Jon made a beeline for the Boss’ chambers. His intentions were obvious to the demon, but Jon was much faster.

Ha! Big Sword belongs to Boss! It will kill you if you touch it!

Jon hardly listened. He had to find a way to fight that demon. He needed a sword. He entered the chambers and went straight to the block of glass that held the Boss’ Sword. After a quick study, he yanked on the hilt. The Sword didn’t budge. He glanced up. The bodyguard closed quickly. It was nearly to the entrance. Jon tried again. The damn thing was stuck fast! The Sword wasn’t leaving the room without some serious encouragement.

The bodyguard entered the chambers. Jon heaved against the glass case with all his strength. The solid block of glass dropped off the stone table and broke into a thousand pieces when it struck the floor. The bodyguard stopped in its tracks, aghast.

Boss gonna kill me for that! I kill you first!

Jon hefted the incredibly long Sword. It was so long he could hardly maneuver it, but it was also surprisingly light.

The guard clashed his two weapons together. Clang! Clang! Clang!

Come to me, pig!

The creature lunged forward. It swung one sword at Jon. Jon tried to parry the blow, but he couldn’t lift the bulky blade quickly enough. He leaned away as the tip of the demon’s sword streaked past his throat. The bodyguard spun. This time it brought both swords at him. Jon simply leaped away. He did his best to keep the stone table between them.

Then something happened with the Sword in his hand, something amazing. The Boss’ Sword shrunk to exactly the right length that Jon preferred. Somehow, it even felt lighter. The bodyguard came at him again, both swords flying at him from the left.

Jon brought up the Boss’ Sword. The weapon felt incredibly right in his grip, like an extension of his own body. The bodyguard thrust and hacked at him, its swords a deadly blur. Jon deflected both blades. He saw an opening and brought his weapon downward. The bodyguard raised its shield. The Sword cleaved the thick metal shield nearly in two. Jon was stunned by the cut. The bodyguard was equally amazed. They paused their fight and studied the damage. The bodyguard flashed a look of concern. It tossed the shield and attacked again.

Jon went in low. When he parried the demon’s swords, his blade sliced them in two. The points of both swords rattled across the floor and bounced off the wall. Jon twisted about. He drove the Sword’s tip deep into his opponent’s leg armor. The Sword penetrated all the way through the bodyguard’s thigh. The big demon lost its balance and fell. A moment after it sprawled across the floor, the bodyguard disintegrated into a fine gray ash. Its empty armor and broken swords clattered on the stone.

Jon could only gape at the ashes. What the hell? That was almost like what happened when the Boss had shot Marcus Conn with the crossbow, but without any fire. He looked at his new Sword with awe. He smiled. His expression was full of gleeful rage.

A loud gong rang out. Demons shouted, Humans escaping! Humans escaping!

As he made for the exit, Jon noticed a scabbard lying on the stone table. It was too small for the Boss’ Sword. It probably sheathed a dagger or a fancy knife. But the jewels embedded in its metal body were impressive. Were they real? Jon decided he didn’t care. On a whim, he took the scabbard and stuck it under his belt hidden by his ragged shirt. He raced from the chamber.

Two sturdy demons challenged him at the cage. Jon cut them into ash. He ran hard, fighting and killing more demons along the way. Some of the demons recognized the Sword and who was carrying it.

He’s gots da Boss’ Sword! cried a green and blue demon with clawed tentacles.

He ain’t dead! This demon was gray with four white faces on a single head. It was about the size of a human child but very muscular. The traitor human said anybody but the Boss touched that Sword, he’d die! But he ain’t dead!

We gotta stop him! cried another demon from the back of the pack.

"You stop him, said the gray demon. I ain’t gonna die just yet." The group let Jon pass.

Up the Ramp, he could see Anton, Chris, and GreenSlade moving as fast as they could. Not far behind them were dozens of demons, most of them armed. His friends had a pretty good lead, but the demons were closing the gap. Another large group began the ascent. Jon made a quick head count. Fourteen demons. They were the only things that stood between him and Maria’s embrace. In the factory area, scores of the evil creatures gathered weapons. A small army was assembling to come after him. Jon thrilled with war fever. This would be the greatest battle of his life.

He attacked the group that was starting up the Ramp. The Sword painted a deadly mural of bright steel and black blood. Even non-fatal wounds caused the demons to disintegrate. Jon killed them all but one: the hated orange demon, Cystmaggon, the one that had bullied Sheriff Ford. Cystnaggon held up its broad sword, acutely aware of what was about to happen. Jon scowled. He was going to enjoy this.

Dante charged in from the right. The old man again showed surprising strength, thrusting a long spear all the way through the despised orange demon. The demon fell over, temporarily dead.

Ha! Dante’s eyes were fervid. He took up the dead demon’s broadsword and looked at Jon. I always haded thad one!

You and me both, said Jon. He hacked the demon’s body with the Sword and watched with pleasure as it disintegrated.

Dante looked ridiculous, standing there, all scrawny and half naked in his loincloth, waving the sword. His hair and beard hung long and shaggy. He wore a human-skin quiver over one shoulder stuffed with unlit torches instead of bolts or arrows. Jon grinned at him.

Great work, Dante! Grab that torch! Let’s go!

Dante took a burning torch from its mount on the wall and followed Jon up the Ramp.

In the dim red light, Jon could just make out his friends. Some of the demons had caught up with them. They were fighting. Jon picked up the pace. They had a chance to get out of this hellhole. He’d see Kelly, Trav, and Angie. He could get with Brandon and come up with ways to make killing demons easier. The fiery taste of battle made him think about the sweetness of Maria’s lips. He wanted to hold her badly enough to kill. So he did.

Chapter 4

Infomercials

KELLY

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I ’M SIGGY HOLZMAYER AND I’M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT MAJIK JUICE IS THE MOST AMAZING FRUIT JUICE ON THE PLANET! IF YOU’RE ONE OF THE 137 MILLION PEOPLE WHO HAS ALREADY TRIED MJ, THEN YOU KNOW HOW GREAT IT TASTES, AND WHAT IT CAN DO FOR YOU. BUT IF YOU HAVEN’T TASTED MJ YET, THEN YOU SIMPLY CAN’T IMAGINE WHAT YOU’RE MISSING!

Kelly hated demons, but she especially hated demons that shouted at you on TV. Why did he have to be so loud? During the whole commercial, he just shouted and waved his hands all over like he was fanning a fire.

When she was little, she had loved getting up on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons, but she was too old for that now. Seriously, what would her best friend, Melissa, say if she found out Kelly still liked to watch Anime or My Little Pony? No, she didn’t watch cartoons anymore. For Kelly, it was all about infomercials. But she was sick and tired of watching Demon Siggy Holzmayer, the former fireman-turned-super-TV-salesman. That guy pitched MJ on every station at all hours of the day. Did he say 137 million people had already tried it? No wonder the McCormicks had gotten rich off Demon Chris’ recipe! They made money on every single bottle of Majik Juice that sold.

Siggy Holzmayer also sold the Power Blaster Blender and the Super MiniVac. Kelly’s foster mom, Angie McCormick, said selling those products was just a smokescreen. His real demon mission was to push Majik Juice to the whole world, but no one knew why.

Whenever Siggy tried to sell the Super MiniVac, it was kind of funny to watch. Siggy’s this huge, muscular African American man with a deep voice, and he was holding this little bitty MiniVac with two fingers while he showed how it worked. Kelly thought she’d like to have a Super MiniVac. That gizmo picked up everything!

Kelly! Kelly!

Her little brother, Travis, who was ten, burst into the den with a very important announcement.

Angie made blueberry panacakes! He was gone in a flash but came back a few minutes later and sat on the couch beside his sister holding a large plate. He had a stack of pancakes about a mile high soaked in blueberry syrup. Kelly’s mouth watered because she hadn’t had breakfast yet.

What about me? As soon as she said it, Angie came into the room with a tray, more plates, and more pancakes. Yes! Kelly jumped off the couch and got her share. Blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup were her all-time fav breakfast! She dug in, while Siggy continued pushing MJ.

"Did somebody say panacakes?" asked Angie, sitting between them with her plate full. Angie was slim and pretty, with short-cut auburn hair and delicate features. She was tough, too, a whole lot tougher than she looked in her pink terry bathrobe.

That’s how Travis used to say pancakes when he was little, explained Kelly. Panacakes. He said a bunch of cute things.

I was learnin’ how to talk, said Travis. His white-blond hair stuck up like he might have slept with his finger in an electrical socket. I don’t remember sayin’ any of it, though.

Panacakes was extra cute. Kelly smiled and wolfed down a fork-load. She loved blueberry syrup.

Why are you watching stupid infomercials? asked Travis. "I wanna see Dragon Ball Z."

I got here first, so I’m watching infomercials. Kelly spoke around a cheek full of food, but her words came out clearly enough. She had the remote, too, which was her real source of power. She who controlled the remote controlled the programming.

Travis grumbled. That guy’s a demon. I don’t wanna watch any demons.

He had a point, so she changed the station. Siggy showed up again, but this time he sold the Super MiniVac. Kelly looked at Angie to see if she was watching. Angie shot her a sidelong glance and a wry smile. Kelly wondered what it meant until she went into Angie’s mind and made a quick scan.

Kelly’s eyes lit up. Angie had already ordered the Super MiniVac. Yes! Angie winked. Without thinking, Kelly tried to wink back. Since she can’t close just one eye, she blinked. They laughed.

Kelly was born telepathic, but not many people knew about it. Angie and Travis knew, and Melissa, too. Kelly also thought her brother Jon might have known. Those were the only people she trusted with such an important secret, but they weren’t the only ones who had found out. This guy named Mogen Deel also knew. Deel was the reason demons were running around looking and acting like humans. He was a dangerously strong telepath who wanted Kelly dead. Because of him, the Demon Boss had put a bounty on her head, and for the last several months, they’d had problems with demon attacks. Demons were even better than cockroaches at getting into their house.

He shouts so loud, said Travis. It’s annoying.

There used to be this guy with a beard who shouted all the time, said Angie. But he died. Of course, the real Siggy Holzmayer is probably dead, too.

That thought made Kelly sad. She hadn’t known him, but Siggy was one of the emergency workers who had gone into Pandora’s Cave and tried to rescue her brother Jon and Angie’s husband Chris. Kelly flipped the channel, and there was Siggy again!

"NOT ONLY DO THE FRUIT JUICES ROLL OVER THE PALATE LIKE A SWEET MOUNTAIN BROOK, BUT MJ HAS BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE AMAZING HEALTH ENHANCING PROPERTIES. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT GOOD HEALTH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE. NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOUR AGE, OR EVEN HOW SICK OR INJURED YOU MAY BE,