The Many Regrets of a Cyborg Werewolf

Wendigo - XXIV

Mahi grabbed Erin, lunged for the others, and shifted to his serpent form just as more bullets shredded through the kitchen windows and walls. The merman coiled himself around the four, as well as Colonel who had been sleeping soundly until now, using his body as a shield as the glass and plaster showered them. The cupboards and curtains were shredded, glassware and ornaments were destroyed, and Monica screamed as her and Jim clung tightly beneath Mahi, Erin squeezed on top of them begging for the bullets to stop before any of them were shot. Finally the hail of fire ceased. Cold air wisped in through the bullet holes as Mahi refused to let go just yet. Erin's parents peeked past the edge of his tail, towards the prone body of Luke that rested in a puddle of his own blood, and Monica began to whimper.

"Oh God," Jim choked, seeing what he believed was a man shot dead, only for Luke to stir a moment later. He sat up, clutching his head, and turned to look at them.

"Yuh guhs ohkuh?" He asked with half a jaw. A chunk of the left side of his face, clear through to the back of his skull, was blown off and missing.

"We're fine," Mercer said, unfazed by Luke's injury.

"Say dowh," Luke struggled to enunciate even as his jaw began to slowly reform, "they aim fuh muh braie, but I dohed. They'uh come to finish me off."

"What now?" Erin asked.

"Do you have a cellar?" Mahi asked. Erin's parents were in shock, still fixated on the man with half a jaw who carefully peered through the shattered window to try and see the shooter, and she had to shake them out of it.

"Mom, dad," she shouted, finally getting their attention, "is there a basement!?"

"Y-yes," Monica uttered, "under the stairwell."

"Go," Luke said as he clicked his jaw back into place, "hide, and don't come out till it's over." He looked at Mahi, the mer's pupiless eyes fixated on his, "keep them safe."

"And let you fight these guys alone?" Mahi asked as he assumed his legged mer form.

"One guy," Luke said, "that was a Colt six-two-nine, a carbine with burst fire. Angle and spread came from one position in the treeline..." he fell quiet for a moment, "I can hear his footsteps. He's not trying to hide, which means-"

"Loud and clear," Mahi nodded, helping Erin's parents to their feet, "stay low." The three made their way towards the stairwell, Erin with them, only for her to pause as she noticed Mercer limping behind.

"Are you hit?" She asked, stopping to help the doctor.

"No," he replied, but seethed with each step, "I think I tore my stitches. I'm fine, I'm right behind you."

"Don't even think about it," Erin pulled his arm over her shoulder, "I'll help you." The two slowly made their way after Mahi and her parents, out of the kitchen and towards the basement. Luke waited until they were out of the room before he tentatively approached the door. It had been shredded, and he slowly swung it open, attempting to see the individual he knew was approaching. It was still mid-day, bright, with a slight fog that almost obscured the treeline. The gunfire had startled some of the animals, and Luke could hear the horses panicking in the stables, while the cows had all run to the far end of the field. It was quiet, and Luke knew the shooter was approaching, but he couldn't see him. Every minute movement registered. Something was seriously wrong. The gunman had definitely tried to snipe Luke's brain, and had he been successful, he'd have all the time to close the gap and finish Luke off. Did he know he missed? Was he shifting strategies? Luke could feel the cold prickle along his back. It was a fake for sure. No human being was capable of concealing their presence, not when Luke could still tell they were close, and that's when he heard the near-imperceptible shuffle of a gloved finger squeezing a trigger.