In a World of Darkness: The Yonuh Trilogy, #1

By Joshua Griffith

Within the Pacific Northwest, in a plague ridden world, tensions are brewing between humans and supernatural beings. a rundown jail center on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, a Native American shape-shifter name Yonuh, along with several other supernatural beings bust out and leave a wake of death and chaos behind them and now have become enemy number one for Zordic and his elite P.A.N.E.L. squad. Can this strange group survive together or will they end up killing each other before Zordic and his nefarious death squad can find them? A Native American shapeshifter, a witch, a necromance, and a gremlin, living in an abandoned Costco, what could possibly go wrong???

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joshua Griffith
• Release date: May 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781983072468

Book preview

Chapter One

Clank! That was the next sound Yonuh heard after he was slung against the wall head first. As he was trying to shake away the little, black clusters clouding his vision, he raised his hand to a warm, wet spot on his forehead.

Blood—Imagine that!  

As his vision cleared, Yonuh noticed three huge men wearing crimson uniforms with inverted triangle-shaped badges over their hearts. Each one of these men had a smug and disgusted expression on his face. They walked down the corridor, muttering to each other about shooting them all on sight.  A few moments later, a heavy metal door slammed shut.

Yonuh crawled slowly over to his cell bars, hoping to lift himself up and survey his situation. His hands tingled as he grasped the bars. Silver!

That meant two things to Yonuh. One, this cell was built to hold supernatural beings, and two, that someone must have informed on him about his dual nature of not only being a Native American energy healer but a shape-shifter as well. That summed up the human race in a nutshell these days. Either they wanted to kill all the supernatural beings or just turn stool pigeon on those they suspected were supernatural beings and trade them for lots of goods.

Money wasn’t the currency of the world today. Bartering goods like foods, tools, clothes, or even weapons was one way, but if a person had a particular skill or service such as a blacksmith or a carpenter, then that person could garner goods pretty quickly. Civilization had fallen into ruins worldwide due to a chain of events that, in retrospect, was brought about by the human race.

A research lab trying to develop a better insecticide had what seemed like a minor accident at the time. The goal was to manipulate the genetic composition of a fungus known as Ophiocordyceps, which in the wild is a parasitic fungus that infects ants and turns them into mindless drones. To help the fungi spread quickly and eventually kill the host ants, it was added to the insecticide mixture.

One of the scientists got careless, though, and spilled the insecticide, exposing him to it. In less than 30 minutes, he fell ill, and the genetically modified fungi began mutating and taking control.

The scientist collapsed and died but as he did, hundreds of little fungi chutes started piercing through his skin and gases began building up in his decaying body. Unfortunately for the human race, his body was eventually discovered on a windy day. The body exploded as it was being examined, releasing the fungi spores into the air, whose sole purpose was to spread and infect their new hosts: humans.

The winds that carried this plague were caught up in various storms throughout the United States. Without warning, the genetically modified fungi had spread throughout the world in less than a month! Adding to this plague were unseasonable windstorms and a great deal of natural disasters at the same time. One could easily argue that Mother Nature had gotten sick of the human race and decided to cleanse the Earth, using Mans own creation as a weapon of choice. Needless to say, it was an apocalypse and 75% of the world’s human population was wiped out, either from the plague or the chaos that followed. Chaos ensued throughout the world. Groups of people, fed up with their countries government, took matters in their vigilante hands and burned them to the ground. A symbolic Fuck you!

There were areas all across the land where plague victims’ bodies still lay undisturbed and swelling, ready to burst and spread the deadly hybrid fungus. These areas were known as death pockets. The supernatural beings felt it would be safe to come out into the open and not have to hide, but that had come with mixed emotions from the surviving human population.

The consensus was that it was all the supernatural creatures’ fault that the world laid in ruins and that the plague had been used by them to eradicate the human race. Toward the end of the plague, a leader seemingly came out of nowhere, stating he had been given many visions from the divine savior about the plague and the true reason it had spread so quickly.

Humans flocked to his megachurch to hear about his visions of prosperity and peace. For prosperity and peace to come about, though, the divine savior had insisted that all supernatural creatures must be captured and eliminated from the world. The voice of the divine savior was known as the Prophet...Bob. Many humans followed and worshipped the ground Prophet Bob walked on due to his many visions and his ability to predict future events that seemed to always come true.

Yonuh saw several more cells like his across the corridor that appeared to be occupied as well. Back in the corner of the cell straight across from him was a dark figure, and Yonuh thought it might possibly be a female. 

Two cells to the right definitely held a female, one with curly, fiery red hair streaming down to her shoulder blades. She wore a dark blue corset, a knee-length skirt, and calf-high leather boots.  Dirt and mud were caked throughout her clothing, but that didn’t take away from her sensuous body. She grunted as she kicked the cell door. Open this fucking door! Let me out! The next one of you fuckers that touches me again, I will make your dick shrivel up and fall off like a fucking raisin!

Yonuh smiled to himself and thought she might be a bit feisty too.

The shadowy figure, which was a woman as well, yelled at the redhead. Give it a rest, would you? I have a headache, and you’re not helping it get any better!

The feisty redhead noticed Yonuh for the first time and properly introduced herself. What the fuck are you smiling about over there, huh? You think I’m your personal jester or something? Wipe that smile off your face or...or... She threw her hands up in the air and screamed in frustration, but as she did, she noticed something Yonuh was doing...something she couldn’t do. How is it that you can touch these bars without them burning blisters on your skin?

This question piqued the interest of the shadowy lady who moved a little more into the light. Her skin was pale, and her eyes appeared to be almond shaped and had an eerie silver glow to them. She wore a black, full-body cloak that appeared to have runic symbols embroidered on it which seemed to glow too and then fade away. The hood was up, so Yonuh couldn’t say what color hair, if any, she had. The shadowy lady may have been fully covered, but that didn’t conceal the fact that she was a woman with curves in all the right places. Yonuh definitely was enjoying the scenery but not the situation they were all in right now.

Are you human? the shadowy lady asked. That may explain why he’s not burning. she added.

Yonuh looked down at his hands as he let go of the bars and saw that they were only red and not blistering. It might be due to my...dual nature. I am a Cherokee energy healer, but I can also shape-shift as well. These bars give my hands a tingling sensation and that’s all. I believe if I was in my animal form, it would hurt a lot worse.

The shadowy lady gave a curt nod in acknowledgment, while the redhead decided to spout off. If you can shape-shift, then why don’t you shift into something small, like a bug or something?

Yonuh look at her curiously and asked, What makes you think I can change into a bug? When it comes to shifting, size actually matters. For my size and big frame, the animal I shift into has to be similar. As you can see, I’m not a little Indian.

Yonuh was indeed a decent sized man, roughly about six foot three, with a strong chin and long, brown hair that flowed down past his shoulder blades. He had huge broad shoulders and a husky body. Neither overly fat, nor chiseled like a Greek god, he was just somewhere in the middle.  

My name is Yonuh. Can one of you ladies please tell me what this place is exactly? Last thing I remember was walking on the side of a road. I was heading to the trading square by the riverfront. Suddenly, things went black, and I woke up here with a massive headache and blood on my face.

The shadowy lady answered, More than likely you were tranquilized by those bastards from the P.A.N.E.L. squad and given this luxury suite here.

Yonuh looked around his cell and noticed a few cockroaches here and there scurrying around. So who is this P.A.N.E.L. squad? I mean, who runs it exactly?

The redhead replied, No one knows for certain. Just rumors that it’s under the guidance of the Prophet Bob, but that’s never been substantiated. Oh, my name is Raven. Raven Moonrose, the fiery kickass witch of the Pacific Northwest.

The shadowy lady rolled her eyes and sighed, Witches...and as for my name, you may refer to me as Nightshade.

Yonuh was about to ask Nightshade something else but was distracted by the heavy metal door down the corridor screeching open.  It was a new guard, but he had the same smug and revolted look on his face as the other guards did, and he was carrying an old cloth sack over his shoulder.

Yonuh spied the guard’s name badge which read Fenton on it, so he decided to respectfully speak to his captor. Excuse me, Fenton, but I specifically requested the penthouse suite jail cell, not the basement jailhouse. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice and lovely dungeon atmosphere you got going on here, but I have a receipt. Oh and where’s the mint for my pillow?

The lady captives fought back their giggles the best they could which made Fenton’s eyes blaze with pure malice. The guard pulled out his 9mm and pointed it at Yonuh and growled, Shut your wise ass mouth, you piece of shit! There‘re silver bullets in this gun that will easily end your pathetic existence. That goes for all of you! He dramatically waved his gun around with a sense of pride, and as he did, he stomped on a cockroach.

The guard picked it up and flicked it at Nightshade, which made her scream, Ewww! Get that nasty bug out of my cell, you jerk!

Fenton gave a maniacal laugh as he said with joy, Soon that will be the fate of all you retched creatures everywhere. Enjoy that little present.

Nightshade quickly backed away from the dead cockroach as if it had the plague. Fenton turned back to Yonuh and ordered him to back up against the wall. Yonuh complied as he watched the guard open up his cell door and toss the old cloth sack down hard on the floor.

You know I don’t do laundry until the weekend, so you might as well have someone else wash your dirty—At that moment, Fenton fired his gun. The bullet whizzed by Yonuh’s head, striking the wall behind him.

I was going to put this in the next cell, but seeing as you can’t shut that smart mouth of yours, you get to have it as your new cellmate. I’m sure it will be thrilled to see you when it wakes up. Fenton slammed the cell door with an evil grin on his face. If I hear you scream, it will be music to my ears.

The guard turned to look at Nightshade, who was still backed up in the corner of her cell crying. He sneered at her as he walked by saying, So pathetic and yet so fun to torment.

A few moments later, they heard the metal door down the corridor slam shut. Yonuh turned his attention to the dingy cloth bag and wondered what was inside it. Yonuh started to reach for it but paused at the sound of a sinister laugh coming from Nightshade’s cell.

Um, Nightshade? Are you...uh...okay over there? Raven asked nervously.

I am way better than okay now, thanks to that buffoon. He has unknowingly given me my chance to escape out of this hell hole. I hope Fenton returns, so I can see his face when it happens.

Raven squealed with excitement. Sweet! Are we going to make a break for it?

Nightshade thought for a moment and then said in a cold voice, "I never said we were all breaking out, now did I?"

Yonuh was about to speak when he heard a ripping sound. He looked down at the bag.

Suddenly, he was attacked!

Something dug its claws into Yonuh’s thigh, biting him, shredding his skin and muscles with its razor-sharp teeth.

Yonuh screamed in agony. Desperately, he tried to fight back. He slammed his fist into the side of the thing’s head, which seemed to do little to stop it. He fell to the ground and held the creature by its thick, leathery throat. 

Losing a lot of blood, he was afraid he would pass out. If he didn’t heal his wounds soon, he would end up as this little lizard creature’s dinner tonight.

He had to detach it from his body and trap it. As best he could, he rolled and shoved all his weight into the creature, pinning it against the cell bars. The silver in the bars burned its skin quickly; it squirmed violently and howled in agony.

Releasing its hold on Yonuh’s thigh, the creature clawed at him, trying to get away. Yonuh rolled off it and quickly raised his arm and yelled, Nu li ni gv gv, sending a ball of energy at the creature, trapping it in place.

The creature kept testing the energy trap it was in for weaknesses but couldn’t find any. Yonuh felt relief and a lot of pain, so he began to chant a Native American song as he held his hands over the many wounds that now ravaged his body.

Raven stared in awe that his wounds were sealing and mending as he chanted. Nightshade seemed to be more interested in how Yonuh had caught the creature, as well as the creature itself.

What is that thing? Raven asked. I’ve never seen anything like it. Have you, Nightshade?

I haven’t either but... Nightshade’s voice trailed off.

But what? Please do tell the rest of the class.

That’s just it. I don’t know for certain what it is, but I do have my own suspicions.

Raven rolled her eyes. Well that’s wonderfully vague. Yonuh, are you okay over there?

Yonuh nodded as he situated himself against the wall so he could rest and get a better look at his little attacker.  The creature was small, maybe two foot tall, but now it seemed to take on more human-like features, except it had little pointy ears and yellow eyes that seemed to glow at times.

Its claws had retracted but were still pointy and covered in Yonuh’s blood. The lizard’s skin seemed to be replaced now with dark human flesh, and it wore dark, tattered green jeans. The creature was calming down, it seemed.

Suddenly, it slammed a fist into the energy barrier and yelled, Let me out! Damn it, I’m already in a fucking silver cage. Where else could I possibly go?

Probably my jugular if I let you out. Why did you attack me in the first place? I haven’t done anything to you.

Because I thought you were one of those smelly, little dick-cheeses that caught me. How was I to know you weren’t one? Surprise attack was my only choice.

I understand completely. I haven’t been in here long, and I know how confusing it is to wake up in a strange new hell hole. My name is Yonuh, and I apologize for burning you on the bars. What’s your name?

Hehehe, I’m Onyx, and I must be one very dangerous gremlin to be held in not just a silver cage, but an energy ball as well. Now that’s pretty bad ass!

Yonuh laughed as he stood up, feeling a bit better but not much. I’m going to release you, Onyx, but—

Are you fucking nuts, man? Raven screamed out. It just tried to kill you. You do know you have nowhere to run in there.

Nightshade stood by her cell door, content to watch. She held the crushed cockroach in her hand, stroking it with her thumb.

We are all prisoners here, and Onyx is more aware of that now, so there’s no reason for him to be shackled twice. Don’t you agree?

Raven and Nightshade both nodded in unison, but Raven still seemed worried. Nightshade, on the other hand, seemed deep thought. 

Yonuh waved his hand, and the energy bubble was gone. Onyx seemed to relax more, but kept wincing. Yonuh knelt down beside the creature and asked, Would you like for me to heal those burns on your back?

Damn right, you fix it! You burned me good, so get to work, jackass!

Yonuh put his hands over Onyx’s back and laughed to himself. Be glad I didn’t pin you lower or you would have extra crispy balls.

Yeah? Be glad I didn’t bite your dick clean off. I would have, but I don’t swing that way. Onyx grinned, barring his razor sharp teeth.

After a few minutes, all signs of the burns and blisters were gone. Onyx stretched and twisted his body, finding no pain at all. Thanks for fixing your fuckup, Yonuh.

Yonuh smiled and replied, Your welcome, little gremlin.

Onyx ignored the comment. He strolled up to the cell door and began sniffing the air. Yonuh, you stink of a shifter, but you’re an energy healer too. That’s very interesting. Why didn’t you shift and fight me?

Yonuh shrugged. I felt it would have been wrong to change into a grizzly bear and eat you like a little berry.

I take it that’s your animal of choice then, a grizzly bear?

Yes and bear is also what my name means. What do you mean, I stink?

Onyx tapped his nose and said, I can smell energy and magic users. It helps me find those I need to find. Like if I need a witch, I can smell them out easily, especially the ones who use their magic heavily, like carrot top over there.

I heard that, you little shit! Keep it up, and I’ll shrink your arms and put a red hot rash on your tiny nut sack so you can’t scratch them ever again.

Big talk over there, sister. I’m sure my nut sack would get a rash if you touched it too! And when the hell is that necromancer over there going to finish her spellwork on that cockroach? I want out of here already!

Yonuh slowly turned his head to look at the one person around in the room that Onyx could be talking about. Nightshade. Sure enough, she was chanting to herself and had a small trail of black energy flowing from her thumb, which was bleeding too on the little crushed cockroach’s body. 

Nightshade looked directly at Yonuh. Her eyes were blazing silver now and looked scary as hell. In a hoarse voice, she ordered, We need to make enough noise that will bring one of the security guards in here. Yonuh, I need you to change and attack your cell door. Raven, I need you to scream like Yonuh is busting out. Onyx—

Don’t worry, my little necrophiliac; I know what you want me to do after we all get out.

Yonuh was stripping off his clothes when he noticed that both Raven and Nightshade were enjoying this a little too much. Raven had an amused smile on her face, and Nightshade was licking and nibbling her lips.

Yonuh smiled when he got fully naked and called out, Okay, time to take a walk on the wild side. He dropped down onto his hands and knees as his body quickly grew larger...and hairier! Moments later, Yonuh was a huge 800 pound grizzly bear of pure muscle and brute strength.

Onyx looked at the grizzly bear and said, Yeah, I definitely know now....I could have taken you out in this form too.

Yonuh motioned to Onyx with his right paw to move away from the bars. The gremlin scrambled up onto the tattered bed, preparing to watch the show and wishing he had some popcorn.

Yonuh backed up and went full body charge, slamming the side of his body against the bars, singeing his fur. The hit didn’t hurt the cell bars much, but walls and ceiling cracked in some spots.

He repeatedly ran at and bashed the cell bars while Raven screamed and yelled, Hey Guards! Come quick! This fucker is trying to escape! Help us, please!

The last hit by Yonuh actually felt like it shook the building. The metal door at the end of the corridor violently swung open. Four big security guards rushed in, led by Fenton.

Raven stuck her arm between the bars and pointed feverously toward Yonuh. He’s going to bring this fucking house down on all of us! As she finished saying this, Yonuh slammed into the bars again, startling the guards.

Nightshade sent her little cockroach flying out toward her new friend Fenton. It landed on the back of his head and burrowed its little legs into his skull. Fenton had no time to react; he just stood there motionless.

Yonuh stood on his hind legs and roared ferociously at the guards. Terrified, they pulled their weapons and aimed them at him. Three shots rang out, and the three guards fell to the ground dead.

Fenton held his gun with a blank gaze in his eyes.

Nightshade slowly smiled and then commanded Fenton to unlock her cell door. Fenton obediently complied.  She paused for a moment, looking at the other prisoners and getting a better view of Yonuh as he shifted and was now naked again. Her smile widened.

Fenton walked over and unlocked Yonuh and Onyx’s cell door. Fumbling to put his clothes on, Yonuh stumbled out of his cell.

When Onyx stepped out into the corridor, he stomped on the guards’ bodies for good measure. Gotta love mind control, especially when it’s on someone else.

With his pants finally slung on, Yonuh took the cell keys from Fenton and unlocked Raven’s cell door.  She smiled and thanked him and then looked at Nightshade. I can tell from that look in your eyes, she growled, that you don’t want me to come with you. Hell, you would rather I just rot in my cell while your pale ass walks free. What a bitch!

I never said WE were all escaping, now did I? So I won’t bother denying it.

So, Yonuh interrupted the fight, how do we get out of here? I’m guessing just strolling out of this place wouldn’t be that simple, huh.

Nightshade’s eyes brightened with enthusiasm, and she placed her hand on Fenton’s shoulder.  Yonuh, that’s exactly what we shall do! she said mischievously. She grabbed a pair of sunglasses off one of the dead guards and placed them on Fenton’s face, concealing his vacant eyes.

So how is this piece of crap here going to help US all escape? Raven asked as she got face to face with Nightshade. I’m pretty sure his buddies are not going to let that happen. What is your big bad master plan, anyway? Because I’m pretty sure it would look a bit suspicious with him leading us out of this prison without any good reason.

Nightshade closed her eyes and slowly shook her head. I thought it was quite obvious how this was going to work, but I shall explain it and use small words so you don’t get lost. We hang back while our good friend Fenton here walks into each room....and kills anyone in his path.

Simultaneously, both Yonuh and Raven’s jaws dropped open, but it was Onyx who spoke up next and didn’t seem fazed by this plan. He walked down the corridor towards the heavy metal door. Well, he said, "better them than us. They won’t expect a thing until it’s too late.

"While you guys are watching this remake of ‘The Terminator’, I will commandeer all our stuff that they stole from us...plus anything else leftover from previous guests of Motel Hell. I— Onyx lifted his head in the air to sniff it.Get ready, he called out frantically. Their backup is coming!"

The gremlin scrambled and effortlessly climbed up the wall, hiding above the door. 

Nightshade had Fenton turn around and point his gun at the prisoners. Raise your arms up like we have surrendered already. she ordered. As they complied, the heavy metal door busted open, and four more crimson-clad security guards rushed inside. No one noticed Onyx as he slipped by above them all.

Weapons drawn, one of the guards barked out, What the hell happened in here, Fenton?  Which one of these retched pieces of trash killed them?

Coldly, Fenton replied, They somehow opened their cell doors. Each one of them killed a guard. I fired my gun, but it was too late.  The guards surrounded the escapees while the leader went to examine the cells. 

Fenton asked with a monotone voice, Sir, can we kill them now?

The lead guard replied, Unfortunately no, you know good and well that our master must see them first before we can have our fun with—He paused as he noticed that the cell keys were dangling in the lock of one of the cell doors. As the lead guard turned to demand an explanation, Fenton shot all four guards with a speed and accuracy no human could possibly possess. 

Fenton, Nightshade commanded, collect the guns and extra clips. Fenton obediently followed her orders without question, stuffing his pockets. 

Yonuh turned to Nightshade and asked, Is there any way you can find out how many more guards there are left in this building?

Nightshade closed her eyes and concentrated until finally saying, He doesn’t know, not anymore. Fenton is dead, and his brain is slowly dying. My spellwork on the bug is the only thing keeping him upright and talking at this point. I can see through his eyes. Each room he goes into, I will tell him to kill whoever is in there with him.

Fuck! You’re one coldblooded bitch, you know that? Raven growled. Doesn’t life have any kind of meaning to you at all?

Only when it gets in my way. Nightshade responded coldly. Remember, I deal more with death than life, so if I kill someone out necessity, I can question them later for information and get it quicker than any form of torture can. This is who I am, and it has kept me alive for a long time. It comes in handy when faced with these kinds of situations like we are in now.

If Fenton’s brain is turning into mush as we speak, Yonuh stated, then we must go now. I’m sure Onyx can easily find us.

The sooner we get out of this hell hole, the better I will feel. Raven chimed in.

Nightshade motioned for Fenton to lead the way down the corridor, and out the doorway he went. Nightshade closed her eyes so she could concentrate and control the dead guard. 

Yonuh walked along beside her. I’ll be your eyes and do my best not to let you run into walls.

Nightshade nodded curtly and kept walking. All of a sudden, without warning, Yonuh reached out his hand and touched her shoulder. Her body reacted instantly. She had never felt such a warming sensation