Magic Spawn Origins

Magic Spawn: Chapter 42

by Meredith Skye

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With Aldena's help, they devised a plan of attack. Everyone respected her opinion, despite her steampunk gears and leather. The main group would go through the graveyard to attack the Old Mill, but a small group would attack from the opposite side. That would be Rian, Bernard, and Aldena.

Both Rian and Zane had walkie-talkies. Zane's group went north towards the graveyard and Rian's group split off and headed south, the circuitous route through downtown, and to Millers Road. This road was seldom used now that the mill was closed. And the mill had been closed a long time. The gravel road wound down along the south side of Ash Creek and up to the mill. With luck, they could get to the Old Mill and enter the building unnoticed while the first group kept the zombies busy. The road ran past Hansen's Used Car lot.

Harlan, Haley and Anya stayed back at Grandma Baggin's house, where it was safe. And Grandma agreed to coordinate as dispatch.

Both Aldena and Bernard had flashlights to help them make their way in the dark, as the street lights were all still out. They walked as quietly as they could, but sometimes the gears on Aldena's steampunk outfit clanked, causing her to swear lightly under her breath.

She had her sword and her gun. Bernard had opted for for an electra-bat. He flipped the power on as they walked.

"Don't be silly," said Rian. "You're just wasting battery. You should save it for later."

With a frown, Bernard powered the bat down. "Kill-joy," he muttered. "I may only have hours to live, you know."

"Hmph," said Rian.

They kept just off the gravel road once they got around the hill, sticking close to the river. The trees and brush afforded them plenty of cover. It was critical that they not be seen approaching.

Zane would give them a signal when the others were in position and ready to attack.

The movement along the river was slow. But, better to be safe than sorry. Fresh fog obscured all but a few feet in front of them. They struggled along. Still no word from Zane and the other group.

Finally, they got within range of the rear entrance of the Old Mill. They hid behind a few large Ash trees just at the edge of the clearing between them and the building. They saw two skeletons guarding the door on that side. No way to sneak up on them.

"So?" whispered Bernard. "What now?"

"We have to wait for Zane and the others," whispered Rian.

Bernard looked a little disappointed. None of them really wanted to stay any longer than they had to in this place. Rian wondered if Kyran would be here too, or had he and the wizard gone back up to the crypt?

Time passed. Just when Rian was about to give up waiting, Zane called over the radio. "Hey Rian," said Zane. "We're just about in place."

"What took so long?"

"I'm sorry. I assume you could do better?" said Zane peevishly.

"Well?"

"We ran into a few skeletons in the graveyard and then overtook a few zombies on the way down with two human prisoners. So we killed the zombies. Just now ready to attack the front entrance," said Zane.

"Any sign of the wizard or Kyran?"

"Nope. Just a handful of skeletons here."

"All right. We're in place too and ready," said Rian.