He helped her down. As her feet touched the floor, they made eye contact for the briefest of moments. Despite the gloom, Sam felt panic rise within his breast. It was just a matter of putting the facts together. If she considered the shapes she’d felt on his head along with a glimpse of his black irises — well, it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to put it all together. She looked at him strangely for a moment and then just as quickly, looked away. Tension filled the room. Sam could feel it, dreading what this was building up to. Waiting for her to cry out in alarm. The others would come running and then, well then, things would go as they usually did.
She looked at him again and the ghost of a smile crossed her lips. And then, just as suddenly as it had manifested itself, the tension was gone. Sam smiled back, trying to calm the rapid thumping of his heart.
Without a word, Olivia turned and led him down the steps. Downstairs, the others had gathered together, dumping their packs on the floor. It was almost completely dark now. The depot let very little light in even during the day. At night, which it now was, darkness was almost total.
Sam wasn’t concerned. He loved the night and could see almost perfectly. The others, he knew, would require the light far more than he, if for no other reason than a morale boost. He found his pack amongst the pile of packs and rummaged around, pulling out half-used candles, setting them down on their tiny spiked stands and lighting them with his kerosene lighter from his pocket.
As he worked, he reached out with both his human and demonic senses, searching for any indication of demons. They were out there alright. So far, all their activity was centered around the church, having just arrived from Hell. Soon though, he knew they would spread out, searching for any humans they could drag back with them.
He did his usual trick of disguising his mind, using his glamor to try and extend the mental camouflage so it covered an area rather than just himself. It usually only worked for himself but it was worth a try. That way, anyone nearby him should also be concealed. Hopefully. He couldn’t be sure if it worked but no doubt they would soon find out.
A small part of his mind was also focused on the conversation happening around him. Suddenly, he became aware of what they were talking about, snapping his entire attention back to them.
“Yeah, it’s a snow plough. Looks ok, too. Haven’t checked it out properly or anything yet though…”
“What did you say?” said Sam, more sharply than he’d intended.
In the flickering light of the candles, Mike indicated a dark patch of shadow on the depot floor. “There’s a snow plough over there,” repeated Mike. “Stored here during summer and brought out to clear the highway in winter. Doesn’t look like it’s been touched, either.”
Now that Sam’s mind was more focused, he could see that yes indeed, it was a snow plough. He hadn’t had time to register what was in the depot before. This could just be the stroke of luck he needed.
“Do you think you can get it going?” he asked.
Mike shrugged. “I don’t see why not. Shouldn’t be any different than driving the sanitation truck. Just need fuel but usually they have a supply at the depot. I couldn’t find it in here so it’s probably in the compound outside. The gate was intact so it probably hasn’t been looted.”
Sam nodded. He tried not to get his hopes up but this really could be the answer to their salvation here. They’d got really lucky finding this place. Even if they survived the night, he knew that probably half of these people wouldn’t be able to get to Columbus on foot. What he needed was transportation. A snow plough was perfect, no — more than perfect. With its massive plough at the front, they’d easily be able to deal with any cars blocking the highway. That was one of the reasons why he always travelled on foot: the roads were often blocked by vehicles which had lost their occupants during the Rapture. That… and Sam didn’t know how to drive. He certainly wouldn’t have been able to drive a truck. Once again, having Mike with them was a stroke of luck. Sam thought — hoped — that someone was watching over them.
Examining the bright yellow vehicle, Sam considered options. Behind him, he heard Mike curse as he tripped over in the darkness, moving towards him. Eventually, Sam felt him fumbling at his sleeve.
“Jeez, how do you see like that?” he asked.
“Practice,” said Sam. “I move around a lot at night. My night vision seems to have adapted.”
Unaware that Sam could see his expression clearly in the darkness, Mike looked skeptical but obviously decided to drop it. Olivia, apparently curious, brought one of the candles over. They stood around the truck in contemplative silence.
“How many can you fit in the cab?” Sam asked.
“No more than four. But see the open tray at the back? That’s where snow that needs to be moved gets stored. We’ll be able to fit the others in there easily.”
Sam considered. The tray had solid metal sides, rising up to chest height on an average human. It would provide some protection from demons. Of course, it was completely open to attack from above, but you couldn’t have everything. Hopefully, by giving all the weapons to those in the back, it should enable them to fend off an Astaroth.
“We’ll have to wait until morning,” said Olivia. “The others are too tired. Myself included.”
“Yeah, and I’ll need to sort out the fuel situation,” said Mike. “Best done in the light of day.” Cautiously, conscious of tripping again, Mike moved to the side of the truck and opened the cab door, grimacing as it creaked alarmingly. The door had not been opened for some time. “Keys in the ignition,” he said.
Sam was relieved. The last thing he wanted to do is search the entire depot for keys. He also agreed with the others about waiting for morning, although a part of him felt slightly uneasy. He wasn’t sure if his glamor would keep the demons away, especially for the whole night. They had an opportunity here, one that Sam was keen to exploit as soon as possible. But there was nothing for it. The others did need to rest. That couldn’t be helped.
In the uncertain light of the candles, the twelve survivors settled down for the night, trying to make themselves as comfortable as possible on the hard concrete floor. A few had asked about food but Sam wasn’t going to risk cooking at night, especially here when he knew that demons were nearby. Although starving, they’d have to wait for morning. Sam also ensured that those with guns kept them nearby. He, himself would stay on guard but he wanted the others ready to fight if it came to it. Which it inevitably would.
Chapter Eleven
'But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.”
It must’ve been after midnight when he heard it. A scream. A woman’s scream. He was on his feet in a second, shocked out of his meditative trance, already berating himself for his lack of attention. He’d been elsewhere, his senses concentrating on the movements of demons outside. They were close — some Lemures had even shuffled up to the main doors and sniffed around for a while. He’d observed them closely, prepared to take them out before they could spread the alarm.
That was why he hadn’t noticed what was going on within the depot. Unsurprisingly. One of the woman — Sam hadn’t learnt her name yet; he wasn’t very good with names — had taken herself off to the toilet, using a dark recess on the depot floor. It was pointless using the tiny bathroom they’d discovered. It was blocked and in any case, hadn’t been working for years.
Sam’s senses found her immediately. He raced in that direction, conscious that the others were rousing themselves frantically. Outside, he knew the Lemure had heard the noise. Even now, they were scratching at the door.
“Everyone in the truck,” he shouted behind him. “Mike, you drive.”
He found her cowering, unable to see Sam clearly as he approached, just a large ominous patch of darkness.
“It’s ok,” he said. “I’m here. What happened?” He helped her to her feet.
