Read Wormwood Dawn (Episode IV) for Free Online Page B

powerful sinew stretched over long, oddly shaped bones that were spiked and ridged with what Dan could only assume were body-wide, reinforcing structures.
    From the creature’s back sprung four tentacles; ridged and barbed like scorpion tails that swirled around its body like protective weapons. His legs were like those of an animal’s; with high-set knees, and long feet that supported its weight on clawed toes.
    Dan clamped his eyes shut, the terror bringing sobs and tears. His heart ached as it pounded with a ferocity he had never felt. His revulsion was unmatched, and in his mind, he prayed for a quick death.
    “I am now the perfect being,” the creature said. “Immortal and invincible.”
    “No,” Dan sobbed, squirming onto the floor and crawling as far back into the corner as he could go.
    “This is just the beginning, Dan,” the creature said. “There are others like me, and soon we will rule the new world. We shall be the overlords of the human race, and you shall be our cattle.”
    “ No!” Dan screamed, clawing at his eyes to keep them shut. His breathing became labored, and he struggled to take in air. He felt himself growing dizzy, and even with his eyes shut, the glowing spots of hyperventilation swam in his vision. He heard the clopping footsteps of the creature approaching, then the deafening ripping of metal as the straps were torn away.
    “Look at me, Dan,” the creature hissed. “Behold my perfection. Look upon a god one last time.”
    “ Fuck you!” Dan shouted. “ Fuck you!”
    As the creature laughed its demonic laugh, Dan quickly slipped into what he could only imagine was death itself. Death and release.

Chapter Five
    “Wake up!” Dan heard a man’s voice. “Wake up, man!”
    His eyes fluttered open. There was a man standing at the opening of his alcove. He was dressed in black, around thirty, and though he had a tough demeanor, Dan could tell he was terrified.
    “Where the fuck are we?” the man asked.
    Dan looked past the man, who was staring intently at his face, and saw that there were two others. They were scoping out the block walls, apparently looking for an exit. One had parked himself by the basement door and was knocking on the wood; testing the door’s strength.
    “ Hey!” the man shouted. “Look at me.”
    “Go fuck yourself,” Dan said, looking around.
    He had a fresh bottle of whiskey, two more Vicodin, and a bag of jerky beside him. Enough food and drink for a show, he guessed.
    “We demand to be released,” the man said. “We are military, not civilians. No one has the authority to detain us.”
    Dan laughed. “You’re not military,” he said. “You’re just a bunch of toy soldiers without a clue. Toy soldiers about to be put in a box.”
    The man glared at him for a moment before turning to his companions. Dan watched them with amusement. As tough as they acted, none of them could hide the fact that they were confused and terrified. Dan had no sympathy for them, however. These fuckwads had destroyed his home. Maybe not these fuckwads, but fuckwads like them.
    The merc turned back to him, smiling. “You’re the terrorist we’ve been looking for,” he said. “You finally got caught. You’ll soon be rotting with your friends once we get out of here.”
    Dan sat forward. “My friends?”
    “Yeah,” the man said. “The other terrorists in your little insurgent group. They’re holed up in B-town, with the rest of you rebel fucks. They’ll be executed eventually, though. Don’t worry about that. All of you hillbillies will swing.”
    Dan smiled. “We’ll see about that.”
    A loud clank sounded, and the three men turned toward the metal panel. They dropped to an amusing “ready” position as if they were going to karate chop whatever came through the door. Dan chuckled, popping open his whiskey.
    “Well,” Dan said, “it’s been fun.”
    As the man turned to glare, a cackling echoed down into the room. The men froze, their heads all