The Void

9

9
Chase

The air carries a haunting quiet as the two of them remain frozen in place. His cigarette burns idly between his fingers, its curling smoke confirming to him that time had not stopped. Perched on her knees atop the bar's counter, little Micaela trembles, her wide eyes begging for his forgiveness. Both stay still, the silence between them thick—William wondering what they should do next while Micaela waits anxiously to be told what to do.

"We're leaving," he says, immediately tossing his cigarette to the ground and stomping it out, "Off the counter. Now."

Sniffling, she nods and obeys. As she climbs down, he moves behind the bar. He stuffs his things back into his satchel with a thief's urgency, shouldering it across his body once finished.

With the flashlight in one hand, and the gun in the other, he nods at Micaela to follow him out the restaurant. She follows without protest, softly whimpering behind him as they leave. He knows he needs to comfort her but first he needs to ensure their safety.

Stepping out of the restaurant, he notices the lobby is darker than before. The moonlight that had once bathed the small space in a pale blue is now almost completely gone.

He clicks on his flashlight as they step into the center. In his mind, he debates their route. The escalators to his right lead back into The Shops, while the men's clothing store ahead is likely a dead end.

He shines his light toward the store. White letters spell out Suit & Tie over the large entrance. As he looks closer, he sees that the chain-linked security gate is not properly shut, leaving a slim gap between it and the ground.

He hesitates for a second, his thoughts racing. Micaela had heard the strange puppy noises coming from this direction and pleaded that they investigate. And worse yet, he promised they would.

"But what if it's a dead end? We could trap ourselves if..." his mind debates, each option riddled with doubt.

He mutters a low expletive, finding it hard to be decisive in the moment. Micaela then tugs at his coat tail. Turning her way, he sees her pointing upwards at the mount of the escalator.

"S-Sir!" she stammers, cowering behind his legs.

Through a cloud of black, two red dots hover at the top of the escalators. An icy chill stiffens his skin, and he can feel every hair rise as the crimson eyes lock onto him. He gasps, feeling its stare tracing his form.

"You slither so well in the dark..." a deep voice projects from above, "But one can always trust an insect to head towards the light."

His breath trembles as the words echo in the quiet lobby. He clenches the gun and flashlight harder, ready to make his move. Directing the flashlight's beam up the escalators, the light reveals the creature glaring down at him—the black wolf. A grizzly snarl cuts in the air as it staggers back a step, only for another figure to step forward.

"Fuck..." William mutters, recognizing the same freak from before with the golden mask. "Micaela! In the store, now!"

"There is no escape!" the black wolf shouts, a hint of agitation in its voice, "Get him! NOW!"

The golden mask acts instantly, barreling down the escalators with frenzied speed. At least a dozen more follow behind it, each one masked with the same snarling portrait of a wolf under their hoods—though cast in aged bronze. A deep howl resonates through the chamber, accompanied with the many feet clinking against the metal stairs as the men descend.

Suddenly, the black wolf leaps into the air, covering the length of the escalators before crashing onto the ground. It lands heavily on its side, its left limb buckling under the impact and sending its big body sliding into the glass doors. Wildly, it thrashes about as it struggles to find footing.