Ghouls

Sanders took a last look around. He seemed impressed by the ASA operation. “I’ll be heading home now.”

“Why not hang around a few more days?” Kurt said.

“Like to, but I can’t.” He took a fearful glance at his station wagon. “Got a little business to take care of up this way. Then it’s back to Florida.”

Kurt and Sanders shook hands. They shared secret smiles. There was no need for words.

Vicky kissed Sanders on the cheek. “Thanks for bringing him back in one piece,” she said.

“Thank him for keeping me in one piece.” Sanders grinned at Kurt. “You all take care now. I’ll keep in touch.”

Moments later, Sanders was driving off.

Kurt knew he’d miss Sanders. Goddamned maniac, he thought. Hate to see him go. Somehow, though, he knew he’d see Sanders again. Someday.

Kurt had his arm around Vicky. He held her tight, leaning against the front of the Ford. Together they watched what was happening on the hill.

He hadn’t told her about the money, but he knew he would have to soon. Little bits at a time he would deposit it into various accounts. Half would remain untouched for Melissa’s education. The other half would be for them, for their future together.

Vicky held her gaze to the hill. “Last night you said that you loved me.”

“I know,” he said.

“I hope you meant it.”

“I did.”

“Don’t pull my cord, Morris. You better never say that unless you mean it.”

“I’ll always mean it. Always.”

He had big plans.

He knew it would take time for her to get over all that had happened. And it would take time for her to love him as completely as he loved her. But he had plenty of time; he’d give her all she needed.

“I love you, too,” she said. She was looking into the field.

He knew it would work. He knew it in his heart. He had a life now, a life with her, and to him that seemed the only thing in the world that mattered.

Big plans, he thought. Big plans.

He couldn’t wait to start looking for engagement rings.

««—»»

Spec 4’s and sergeants were loading big aluminum boxes onto the gamma goat. There were two boxes, and they were buckled down to the back by steel cable and lever-graps. The goat was then ground-guided back. It turned and drove down the hill, off the road, into the hollow.

Thunder buffeted out of the clouds. An SFC riding shotgun in the goat tossed two can-shaped signal grenades into the field. Red and yellow ribbons of smoke swirled upward as a CH-46 cargo helicopter appeared rising over the ridge. On its side was a crest—black lightning bolts grasped in the claws of an eagle. The giant twin-propped machine circled tightly several times, then touched down in the center of the field.

Doors jerked open. Men in service utilities jumped out. The boxes, and what they contained, were cabled up and hoisted aboard. At the house, the ASA detachment began closing down their point.

Cargo doors slid shut, like traps. The gamma goat drove away. The CH lifted off.

Twenty minutes later, the Army was gone, as if they’d never been there at all.

THE END

— | — | —

About the Author

EDWARD LEE has had more than 40 books published in the horror and suspense field, including CITY INFERNAL, THE GOLEM, and BLACK TRAIN. His movie, HEADER was released on DVD by Synapse Films, in June, 2009. Recent releases include the stories, “You Are My Everything” and “The Cyesologniac,” the Lovecraftian novella “Trolley No. 1852,” and the hardcore novel HAUNTER OF THE THRESHOLD. Currently, Lee is working on HEADER 3. Lee lives on Florida’s St. Pete Beach. Visit him online at:

http://www.edwardleeonline.com