Shadows (Book 2)

4: Dagger to the Heart

Looking around my apartment at the aftermath of the battle with the creature who I thought was my best friend one thing is certain, I need answers.
The mysterious stranger named Tank is the one who can give them to me.
I rush to my room and start to pack a bag.
My new unnamed puppy climbs on the bed and watches as I pack two small duffle bags and change into more comfortable clothes.
I pick out warm clothes. All black.
I put on a pair of basketball shoes.
I have a feeling I'll have to run before the night is over.
I walk out with the bags.
"I'm ready."I say
Tank is in the kitchen eating a slice of pizza from the fridge along with another mug of tea.
He downs the entire mug and walks over to me.
He picks up one of the the bags and dumps it out leaving my clothes on the floor.
"What are you-"I start to complain.
"You always did overpack."he says.
He grabs the box that was in the cabinet with tea leaves inside and stuffs it inside.
He opens up the box from my dad and pulls out everything inside and puts it in the duffle bag; a couple books and smaller wooden boxes.
He picks up the bag and the purple and black sword and hands them to me.
"Now you're ready." he says.
I start to argue but he shushes me.
"But I-"
"SHHHH!"he says aggressively.
"They're here"he whispers
He walks towards the door and looks outside the peephole.
I grab the second bag when I hear a noise from the back.
I pause to listen.
The door to my guest room opens and Mike wobbles out half awake.
I draw the sword and point it towards him.
When he sees me he jumps back.
"Dude, what's going on?"he asks.
I keep the blade pointed at him and call for Tank.
"Who's Tank?" he asks
The unnamed puppy comes running up next to me.
"Awww, you got a puppy." Mike squeaks
"Hi, Tank" he says in a baby voice.
The puppy runs to Mike, sniffs him and lets Mike pet him.
"His name isn't Tank." I say lowering my sword.
Mike starts to pet the puppy nuzzling him with affection.
Suddenly there's a crash from the living room.
I run out and see Tank getting up from off the floor near the fireplace.
I rush over to help him up.
A creature similar to the one that was pretending to be Mike walks slowly through the door on all fours growling in my direction.
Mike runs up holding the unnamed dog.
Immediately when he enters the room he lets out a loud scream drawing the attention of the beast.
Mike tries to run but the puppy jumps from his arm.
Mike reaches out to grab the puppy as it starts to transform into a creature twice its original size.
The beast lets out a roar and runs towards Mike but the puppy tackles it before if can get to Mike.
The two beast lock into battle, clawing and nipping at each other.
Without hesitation I charge towards them with sword in hand.
I jump into the air planting both feet in the side of the creature. The impact knocks the creature into the wall.
Mike runs off to one of the back rooms. I hear the door slam.
The creature and I both lock in on each other while taking our fighting stance.
Tank walks past.
"You got this, right?" he asks as he follows Mike down the hall.
The creature starts to growl as he paces the floor in frustration.
Without hesitation I reach over and grab the back of the chair. With one hand I throw it directly at at the creature.
The chair shatters over its head.
I take the opportunity while it's distracted to charge.
I run with quick calculated steps towards the creature as it shakes its head coming to its senses.
I'm within striking distance. I have to stay alert.
It swipes its claw at me.
With one defensive swing I sever its hand.
Its hollers in pain as black gooey liquid oozes from its decapitated appendage.
As it holds its mouth open I plant my feet firmly and force my the sword up through its gullet and into its brain.
That doesn't kill it.
It uses its severed stump to knock me across the room.
I hop up and realize that my sword is still lodged inside the monster's head.
It tries desperately to remove it, tugging at the hilt with its one hand.
Now would be a good time to kill it except for the fact that I'm disarmed.
"Use your dagger" a voice says.
I look over and see Tank holding Mike over his shoulder. His hands and feet are tied with belts from my closet.
I look over to the kitchen floor where I dropped the dagger when I was fighting the other creature.
I slide across the floor just as the beast manages to remove the sword from its throat.
I have the dagger.
With all the force I can muster I hurl the dagger directly at the beasts chest piercing its heart.
It lets out one last earth rumbling shriek as its body turns to black stone and then to ash.
My heart is racing.
I feel stronger. Like my skin is buzzing.
"We have to move" Tank says
I rush over and grab the dagger and sword and the two duffle bags.
I turn and look back at the wreck of my penthouse apartment one last time before leaving down the stairs.