Claws in the Dark | ✔

XXIII

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Landon peered through the window he and the others had pulled Nelson through. It was still crawling with Clawdens, snarling at each other as hunger probably took them over. They'd probably killed and eaten a majority of the town by now.

Who knew? Maybe there were others just like him and Antonio, Dawn and her son, and Nelson who were stranded in the safety of their homes.

Antonio snuck up behind Landon and wrapped his arms around his waist, smiling as he exhaled. "Something bothering you?" he asked. "I woke up and you weren't there, and I almost thought the worst."

Landon turned and hugged him back, placing a light kiss on his cheek. "I didn't want to wake you. Sorry if I made you worry."

Antonio smiled. "It's okay." He pulled away and leaned against the wall. "So, what's wrong?"

Landon's forehead creased as he stepped aside and looked at Antonio. "I'm just wondering if there are any survivors out there."

"Well, there is that one guy I helped earlier, and then there's the kid—"

"Yeah, but what about Miles and his family, and the Chief, and..." Landon closed his eyes and swallowed. This was the first time he'd been thinking about anyone other than Antonio. There was no telling of their whereabouts and well-being, especially that of Dolph.

"I'm sure they're okay," Antonio said rubbing his arms. "What are we gonna do about the kid?"

"Maybe he knows if there are still any survivors out there."

Landon padded towards the room where Dawn and Nelson were seated. She'd just finished wrapping his ankles with bandages and stood to go and clean off herself. The detective leaned against the wall and Antonio went to sit on the floor next to his bag.

"So," Landon said, grabbing Nelson's attention. "Why were you threatening to kill that man?"

"Why do you care?" Nelson scoffed, holding the table for support as he pushed himself to his feet. He stumbled and almost fell to the floor, but in the blink of an eye, Landon darted across the room and caught him.

"You shouldn't be anxious to walk so quickly," he told him.

"I'm not in the mood for any questions."

"Well, I'm sorry but it's my job." Landon hinted at the blood-covered badge on his belt and Nelson rolled his eyes upon noticing it.

"So? That doesn't mean anything."

Landon sighed. "Have a seat, kid. We're having this conversation whether you like it or not."

Nelson, frustrated, couldn't do anything with his ankles busted. So, he did as the detective ordered and sat back in the chair.

"Now, who was that man and why did you threaten to kill him?" Landon asked.

After a moment of contemplative silence, Nelson finally opened his mouth to speak. "His name's Isaac and he's my neighbour. That asshole is the reason my parents are dead."

"Oh. I see." Landon rubbed his chin. "It was an act of vengeance."

"Damn fucking right! And I would've gotten away with it if it weren't for you meddling detectives and your dumb monsters." Nelson looked crossed, his eyes filled with rage as he glared at the two men.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Landon said.

"Oh, you are? Then why didn't you let me put a bullet in the fucking turd's head?"

"You are aware that murder is against the law, right?" Antonio chuckled. "Kids..."

Nelson scrunched his face as he gave the man a nasty look.

"What I want to know is how he's responsible for your parents' deaths?"

"We were all hiding out in our house when we heard about the monster outbreak," Nelson started to explain. "He made those things get in the house and instead of helping to fight them off, he hid in the shadows as they killed my parents. We could've saved them." Tears started to stream down Nelson's face. He wiped the tears away and sniffled.

"So, how'd you get the gun?"

"It's my dad's. I grabbed it from in his dresser before running out of the house, and it was only until we were farther away from the house that I decided he should die for what he did...or more like didn't do."

"That's when I saw them outside the window," Antonio interjected.

"Thanks a lot for letting him go," Nelson said, bitterness rolling off his tongue.

"Listen," Landon said. "Right now we can't afford to be killing anyone. We need all the help we can get."

"That fucking bastard isn't gonna help anyone. He's all about himself and is more a beast than any of those things," the teen muttered. "I'm sorry for the person that comes into contact with him."    

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◀MARDAIS▶