“Hic.” Zoe was in fine form. “You know it just dawned on me that Batman did all his crime fighting at night time. He only came out of the cave at night time and that’s why they called him Batman . . . duh.”

A few raised eyebrows.

“I’m more of a Superman fan, “Jack said. “But regardless, we’d like you both to stay here for another day or so until we find out what this man is up to.”

Zoe had a wide grin. The Joker.

Ruby tuned out of the conversation surrounding her. Bats. Someone once told her that if a bat flew into your house it meant the devil was after you. She shuddered at that thought but in her mind the image of a man cloaked in a black cape remained. He seemed to be whispering something. Ruby leaned forward to try and catch his words. 

I’m coming to get you.

<°)))><

“Jack, did you notice how Ruby’s mood changed?” Catherine asked as they sat in the vehicle outside the safe house. “Wonder what caused that?” 

“The bats, maybe.”

“Probably. Bats, vampires, witches. All connected. Poor Ruby is going to have some nasty triggers until she gets over this.”

“Less in time.” Jack started the car. “And it was best that we didn’t tell her about Shoana’s attack. They’ll be good for each other when this is over.” They drove off.

They’d all consoled Ruby. She said she felt tired, and blamed the pizza but Jack knew it was anxiety, the stress of the situation. Catherine and Zoe had tucked her into bed. Catherine said Ruby had asked to take one of the tablets the doctor had given her, to relax her.

Catherine and Zoe stayed with her until she dozed off.

Jack turned on to the main road.

“She’s asleep, Jack, and in safe hands,” Catherine said.

“Yes, T1 and T2 will look after them. Great short forms for a name. Almost has a Star Wars feel about.”

“She’ll be okay, Jack.”

Jack leaned towards the steering wheel “I know that, Cath, but you sound concerned.”

“I’m okay. It’s just this wizard person worries me.”

45 – Darkness brings shadows

TOBY WATTS WALKED THE PATH, darting into the shadows whenever the lights of a vehicle approached, skirting around lit houses. There weren’t many cars out or lights on, as the clock was nearing midnight. Most people were in bed, asleep, including those Toby wanted to visit. 

He had the right gear on. Lightweight, wind proof, waterproof and importantly, warm and black. The gear he’d collected over the years and stored under the floor would make a US Navy SEAL proud. His weaponry was in his backpack, and a paddle was strapped to one side.

He entered the park and found his way to the track that he’d seen earlier. The small boat was still there, tied to a tree. He pulled out his knife and cut the rope— untying the knot didn’t appeal to him on this chilly night. He reached for his paddle like an archer reaching for an arrow, and placed the paddle in the boat. A noise caught his attention. Taking a vantage point, he looked up towards the park, his heart pounding against his chest.

A couple of snickering teenagers. The boy was trying to kiss the girl’s neck.

“Go away,” Toby whispered.

The boy was trying to coerce the girl onto the park bench. She touched it. Toby could tell it was wet from her reaction. She ran off, and the boy chased her. He could hear the girl giggling. It got quieter and quieter. No more snickering or giggles. They were lucky but in some ways he hoped they would come back.

Stay focused.

After unpacking his backpack, Toby placed the equipment on the support beam that ran across the boat. He moved the bushes aside, pushed the boat into the water and stepped in. He hoped it was seaworthy. His heart rate had settled down but he felt excited with tingles tantalising different parts of his body.

The water was calm. He paddled silently, alternating sides. Some of the pontoons had lights illuminating their walkways, others didn’t. He scanned the pontoons until he located the one he was looking for. A light came from the pontoon but it was the glow of a cigarette, not a pontoon light. Ironic. The man relaxed by standing and staring into water while sucking poisonous gases into his body. That would soon be the least of his concerns.

Toby spoke to his gods. He heard their voices.

The smoker would soon see him, so he needed to change direction. Twenty yards would be sufficient for what he needed to do. He moved the boat to the left, to give the impression he was going down the river—just someone out fishing. He waved to the man. No response. Maybe the smoker didn’t see Toby, even though he was close enough to be seen. The smoker turned and started heading back up off the pontoon.

The arrow-like bolt entered the smoker’s throat from the rear. The man wrapped his hands around his throat, grabbing the foreign object, gargled loudly, staggered, and fell into the water. Toby thought of bull sharks. He heard the soft gargles for a minute, then they stopped. No lights came on in the house. The smoker had been on watch.

With his focus on the man, the boat hit the corner of the pontoon. He steadied the boat and waited for the stillness of the night to return. Hopefully, no damage was done.

The rest should be easy.

<°)))><

Wake up, Ruby.

Ruby opened her eyes. She had slept with the curtains open so she could look at the stars twinkling in the sky.

Get up, Ruby.

Who was speaking to her? She looked around. There was sufficient moonlight pouring into the room to see, but nobody was there. She didn’t feel afraid. She got up and walked over to the window. The pontoon was shrouded in darkness, but she was sure she saw movement. Her heart started thumping. She ran to T2’s room.

T2 must have heard Ruby get up, because she was opening her door as Ruby reached it.

“I think I saw someone on the pontoon.” Ruby started to shake.

“Zoe,” T2 yelled, wrapping her arms around Ruby.

Zoe appeared, looking disoriented. 

“Watch over Ruby,” T2 said. “She’s having a panic attack. She thinks she’s seen someone out by the pontoon. I’m sure it’s just T1 out having a smoke. But take her to the bunker, to be safe.”

Ruby was doing everything possible to stop the panic attack. Slow breaths. Slow breaths. T2’s arms wrapped around her offered some comfort. Tablets! She wanted her tablets. How long since she’d taken one? Did she want another? She didn’t want to get addicted.

Slow down, Ruby. Slow down. Breathe.

The bunker was chilly this late at night, but there were rugs on the chairs. Both Ruby and Zoe rugged themselves up and looked over at the intercom screen. The grainy image showed T2 walking towards the back door, opening it, and walking outside. Suddenly, T2 staggered back into the house and fell to the floor. One hand clutched her chest and the other reached down towards her waist, towards her police equipment. The hand twitched and stopped moving.

Zoe screamed.

Ruby had disconnected herself from reality—she felt a numbness and a detachment to her surroundings. She placed her hand over Zoe’s mouth trying to muffle the screams. She lifted a finger towards Zoe. “Shhh, Zoe. We need to call Jack. Catherine. Someone.”

Zoe nodded and pointed to the emergency button.