Reign Of Darkness Read online

  Copyright © E. R. LANDRON 2019

  The right of E. R. LANDRON to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1976.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real people, alive or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Cover and Interior Design by Eight Little Pages

  For the readers of Reign of Darkness

  This world is so big. There are too many things going on. For some, hard work goes unnoticed. For others, it is much appreciated. Give your best no matter what you do. Go full blast. Success sometimes is viewed once it is achieved. The hard work for it, persistence, sleepless nights, discipline, rejections, fury, critiques, changes, and risks mostly it is ignored. I dedicate this book to those who know what sweat feels like. To those who look for ways to thrive no matter the circumstances. Put the hard work on it. On you. Give it your all! Keep pushing forward, you can make amazing things happen. I also dedicate this book to my wife, who has been nothing but awesome. Dedicated mother putting too many hats to count. Super friend and motivator. I have grown so much as a person because of her and it is one of the reasons, this book could be finished. She has also helped me not just to reach for the sky… but also the stars. I’m deeply grateful to have her in my life. So I will bring you much more, because there are so many things I want to do, including many, many stories.

  Since there are different characters from different nationalities, this is how their names read phonetically:

  Mieke = Mee-Kah

  Ripa = Ree-Pah

  Kokolite = Koh-koh-light

  Nikolay = Nee-koh-lie

  Claude = Clod

  Kumori = Koo-Moh-ree

  Canlilik s= Can-lee-licks

  Seelish = See-leach

  Ahket = Ah-ket

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Prologue 2

  Mieke Night - Mieke's Apartment

  Dawn - Docks, 01:29 Am

  Mieke Dawn - Tony’s Car, 2:02 Am

  Night - The Church, 2:13 Am

  Night - Police Station, 2:48 Am

  Kokolite Night - Church, 2:34 Am

  Mieke Night - Mieke’s Apartment, 3:30 Am

  Bouncer Night - Bloody Mary Club, Close To Sunset

  Ripa Dawn - Ripa’s Office- Close To Sunset

  Mieke Day - Mieke’s Apartment, 7:06 Am

  Day - Police Station, 7:39 Pm

  Day - Hospital, 8:22 Am

  Day - Bistro, 11:49 Am

  Day - Near Church, 1:23 Pm

  Kokolite Night - Church 7:35 Pm

  Draymond Night - Museum - Right Before The Orb Changed Red.

  Mieke Night - Church, 7:47 Pm

  Kokolite Night - Church, 7:52 Pm

  Mieke Night - Mieke's Car, 8:01 Pm

  Ezequiel Night - Streets, 9:35 Pm

  Diane Day - Mieke’s Apartment, 7:00 Am

  Day - Police Station, 7:45 Am

  Night - Streets - 7:32 Pm

  Kokolite Night - Church, 7:33 Pm

  Mieke Night - Streets, 8:04 Pm

  Night - Hospital, 8:25 Pm

  Ripa Night - Ripa's Office, 10:05 Pm

  Mieke Day - Hospital, 6:30 Am

  Day - Mieke’s Apartment, 7:09 Am

  Hannah Night - Alley, 7:45 Pm

  Mieke Night - Church, 7:55pm

  Night - Alley, 8:01 Pm

  Night - Void, 8:17 Pm

  Mieke Night - Alley, 8:18 Pm

  Ripa Night - The Council, 8:25 Pm

  Mieke Night - Hospital, 8:35 Pm

  Hannah Night - Hannah's House, 8:29 Pm

  Mieke Night - Mieke’s Apartment, 9:06 Pm

  Day - Mieke’s Apartment, 6:35 Am

  Night - Hospital, 5:30 Pm

  Night - Mieke’s Apartment 7:13 Pm

  Ripa Night - The Council, 7:55 Pm

  Night - Bloody Mary Club, 8:40 Pm

  Mieke Night - Alley 7:40 Pm

  Gustav Smirnoff Night - Bloody Mary Club, 11:15 Pm

  Kokolite Night - Fluorescent Room, 11:15pm

  Ripa Night - Ripa’s Office, 11:30 Pm

  Gustav Smirnoff Night - Bloody Mary Club, 12:00 Pm

  Mieke Night - Bloody Mary Club, 12:45 Pm

  Hannah Night - Ripa's Building 6th Floor, 1:30 Am

  Mieke Night - Ripa’s Building 9th Floor, 1:45 Pm

  Hannah Night - Ripa’s Building 8th Floor, 2:00 Am

  Kokolite Night - Fluorescent Room, 1:55am

  Ripa Night - Ripa’s Office, 2:01 Am

  Mieke Night - Ripa’s Building 12thfloor, 2:01 Am

  Night - Ripa’s Building 28th Floor, 2:15 Am

  Ripa Night - Ripa’s Office, 3:20 Am

  Day - Mieke’s Apartment, 7:03 Am

  A Few Days Later - Day - Tony’s House

  One Week Later - Night

  Night - Cemetery

  Night - Mieke’s Apartment

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  Glossary Intended To The Story

  Prologue

  Sometimes we think we know all that surrounds us: our neighbors, co-workers, neighbors, streets, politicians and how dirty their hands are... but sometimes we feel like we have awakened into a dream, most of it a nightmare and our paranoia, insecurities and/or others kick in. We feel like we cannot become a good Samaritan, or a nice person, for fear of being, robed, raped or even killed. We live in a world where humanity is more in question than why are we here. Who is here with us?

  These recurring nightmares have become into something more stressful this few days. Maybe is work. Maybe is that I need a vacation. Heck, I have not had one since I joined the force. It does not have to do anything with romance or the fact that I have to take care of my sister... For months I have been avoiding something that should of not being avoided. For some, it is more comfortable. I always have to have controls, and it is falling from my grasp so fast I feel like I have been in a car accident that I cannot escape, the recoil, the full collision, the numbness, the pain. Have you been in one of those? You hold your breath for God knows how much and you wait until everything comes to a halt. You check yourself for injuries before going outside. You see the big picture. That scene is never pretty. How you deal with the aftermath is what defines you as a person. Are you going to wait for everything to go your way? Or, are you going to make things happen?

  Mieke

  Prologue 2

  Captain Night - Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean Between

  Thunder strikes and the waves become impossible to navigate. The ship rocks side to side like a toy between the power of the ocean. The crew worries that the artifacts for the Leonardo Museum get damage. Some other crew members tremble and just want to get safe ashore. The meteorologist predicted heavy rains, but it seems as if they are entering a clash between a hurricane and tidal wave.

  Beeping sounds of electronics resonate through the cabin. I steer fighting the waves and a loud shriek comes through the rank. The electronics keep making sounds while the crew stands still. “Sail the ship!” I say to the commander. He nods. “I’ll explore the ruckus,” I continue. Five crewmen accompany me down deck armed with revolvers and pistols. God knows what is it, between all the pirates circling, you can't be too trusting. Still, with this storm, it would have been impossible for anyone to smuggle
in.

  The atmosphere grows tense as we reach the lower deck. Goosebumps grows on the boys as a rough male voice echoes through the stairs. It feels like somebody is watching us, yet no one is in sight. The cargo area is filled with crates. Some broken with hay covering the floor. Someone is at the corner. We walk towards him with precaution.

  “Who is there? Show yourself!”, I shout.

  A heavy breathing echoes. The crew's heartbeat pounds. A gasp changes the rhythm. The crew hoisters their guns. A male figure stares at a sarcophagus, and a shiny artifact glows red. The only thing giving this mystery person light was a SMIRNOFF gas lamp on a crate.

  “This is the captain of this ship speaking, identify yourself. Whom are you mate!?”, I yell.

  A laugh brakes out from the figure, and it turns slowly towards us. Sweat pours from the hats of the crew. One of them wipes his hands from the sweat, against his pants.

  The figure slowly grows more prominent and darker. The crew eyes widen as it turns to them. My heart stops. A rain of bullets races towards the figure as it keeps moving forward. The bullets seem to be hitting nothing but air.

  COMMANDER

  Gunshots ricochet, and cries for mercy and agony stumble through the boat monitors. Sweat starts dripping down my forehead and thunder strikes again. I am shaking compulsively. A ray of light almost blinds me. As the atmosphere clears out, a shadowy figure appears on the deck door. I close my eyes rapidly and stumble hitting the speed lever on the boat.

  “I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don’t want to die…”, I cry.

  The ship keeps speeding. I whimper and sweat heavily. I’m not built for fighting. The door swings open. The whole cabin turns dark. I close my eyes again.

  I open them and crouch as the pitch black room is what I have in front. I can’t tell where anything is. Silence grows louder. I’m shaking uncontrollably as I squint trying to see anything in the room. My heart stops as something grabs my face and twists my head… crack…

  MIEKE Night - Mieke's apartment

  Stupid cellphone. My eyes adjust at the light of the tube. My trophies, police plaques, photos of me in uniform on the academy. Guns on the wall, my bra on the punching bag, clothes laying out through the room. The news is running a story about a social clash in the US.

  “Thousands and thousands of people protesting against the indifference and inequality that we live today…”

  A photo of Diane and me sporting some 90’s style clothing. Me with a denim sleeveless jacket, black shirt, and a grey skirt and Diane a lighter grey dress with a black shirt underneath with some boots and white socks. I do not know how I pulled that side ponytail. Gets me each time I see that photo.

  Sweat all over. My breathing is heavy. I press my forehead and slide my hands back to my hair. I turn to the nightstand as the cell phone keeps ringing showing on the screen TONY. Before answering I notice the hour. A frown forms without my permission. It is 1:09 AM. Why? It's one in the morning, and I want to sleep! I swipe the screen.

  “We got something in the docks, I'll pick you up in five.”, he says.

  “Yeah...yeah...”, I feel the annoyance in my voice as I hang up.

  “... one boy was beaten to death. Apparently, he was gay! The man arrested said he was doing society a favor, but the policeman arresting the man said that putting the perpetrator away was the favor...”, the television continues.

  “Stupid nightmare!”

  I hit the button on the controller. The TV screen fades. I dress quickly and holster my gun to the hip. A slam from the door announces I’m out.

  Lean to a wall. Pat my black shirt and jacket. I always wear running boots. You do not know when it would get dirty or when you will have to sprint to catch someone. The streets are humid. A streetlight blinks repeatedly. To either direction, it seems pitch dark even though some street lamps are lit. All the buildings with each window off. The streets sound too quiet. Not a soul in sight. Some lights hit my face making me squint. A car approaches. I go to the passenger side. Tony is driving the car.

  “You said five.” I say.

  “Got you some coffee, black no sugar.”, he says.

  I nod. The warmth of the cup embraces my hands. It’s recently brewed. I close my eyes while receiving the aroma.

  “At least this smells better than your car.”, I say.

  “Maybe some sugar would have sweetened you up a bit.”, Tony says frowning.

  The car drives off to a deserted street. Tony's car was his father’s. He had given it to him as a gift before he passed away. It is old, and Tony wasn't any youngster, to begin with. Some dents here and there told the story of a warrior, the smell told a story of someone addicted to vapor rub and the gold paint peeling off screams to hold on to the car. He built a police com too as he did not like the new police computer systems. After a couple of minutes driving they get close to the docks.

  Dawn – Docks, 01:29 AM

  We get to the harbor. Woah! Tony is as amazed as I am. I rise my jaw a bit. A ship crashed and was halfway inside the docks. It hit another boat and broke it in half. Open crates and artifacts are scattered all over the place, with hay and bubble wraps that looks like someone was in a hurry to open all the Christmas presents. Cop cars with their headlights on, policemen, detectives, verifying the ship, the crates. CSI with cameras take pictures, other agents are dusting for, and the yellow DO NOT CROSS strips are surrounding the ship.

  “Good way to start the day.” I say with evident sarcasm.

  “What the fuck happened here?”, Tony says raising his voice.

  We walk towards the ship. Some cranes lift out crates that are damaged. Smoke is coming from the boats; a firetruck is on the scene. It seems not much fire is coming out it. The firetruck, ambulance, and police cars are emitting a light spectacle. A man with cheesy mustache waves from at far. He sprints towards us.

  “Hey ya, what a mess right? Tony, Meeks.”, says Martinez squinting his eyes while he smiles.

  This piece of shit gets in my nerves every time. His greasy, messy hair, his bushy mustache. Even his police uniform looks dirty all the time. It’s disrespectful to the badge and department. He is always sweating and always has a hint of alcohol either in his breath or clothing. Tony has his twenty question face so I’ll let him go first.

  “Martinez. What happened here?”, Tony asks.

  “Shipwreck on the docks obviously. Feds coming soon though. Weird artifacts on the ship, no survivors.”, his cheeks inflate as he lets go a burp.

  “We got to hurry.”, Tony says addressing me.

  I nod. Martinez follows us.

  “We got broken crates, broken statues, no fingerprints, yet... and we got a dead crew.”, he continues.

  “How many?”

  “Ten so far. These kinds of ships can usually have a minimum crew of twenty. We are still looking.”

  “Witnesses?”

  Martinez points at two homeless men being questioned. They are clumsy and their speech is punctuated with hiccups. They continue walking and watching all the scenery.

  “Those two bums, but they aren't that reliable. They're drunk and making stories about a shadow monster...”

  “Still I'll need their story.”, Tony says.

  By the looks of it, the wreck is on the millions of dollars in damage. The mayor will not be happy, nor the captain, yet this is not our problem. I signal Tony to move around.

  “Ok, we'll take it from here.”, I say.

  “One more thing detective...”

  We turn to Martinez. He passes his fingers through his upper lip.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “The corpses have been drained... of their blood.”

  “No blood?”, Tony says in disbelief.

  “Yeah, no blood. Forensics on it. No blood whatsoever.”

  Tony walks away from me and pulls his grey hair, shakes his head side to say and lets out a deep sigh. I press my lips.

&n
bsp; “Strange…” I say while putting my thumb in my mouth.

  I've only heard weird cases of blood drainage but as something inflicted by another, rituals of some sort. This type of crash could not have been something like this. This ship must have been a while on the sea to clean blood from a ten plus crew.

  We continue walking close to some bodies that are being examined. Even with no blood, the stench of death grasped our noses. The corpses have cuts and lacerations, some are without a hand, arm, leg or have puncture holes through the chest or head. They were dragged instead of just catapulted from the ship.

  “Those are not boat related injuries,” I say.

  “Strange indeed... the way they have been... killed, at least a drop of blood should of appear. Look at those marks…” Tony points.

  We approach a forensic examiner with some tweezers pulling some skin while another is photographing everything.

  “What you got for me?”, I ask.

  “Lot of ash and not a single drop of blood, I think this would even amaze Dexter.”, says the forensics examiner with a smile.

  “Who?”

  “Dexter? Series? TV? He's a cop who is a serial killer? Well, technically a blood spatter analyst.”, he continues shaking his head with a smile.

  “I don't watch TV much.”, I say raising an eyebrow.

  Usually, the TV watches me. It’s hard to sleep and more if there’s silence.

  “Thought so… We'll know more about it when the autopsy is done. But it’s freakishly weird.”, the forensic drops his smile and turns to his tweezers.

  Weird indeed. A ship of this magnitude should have alerted someone fast enough that a crash took place, so no one could have time to clean this up. To top it all the cuts on the body and limbs are pre-mortem. Why is there not a single drop of blood?

  A sudden burst of car engines demanded attention. Five tinted vans came into a halt and everybody stood frozen for a moment. FBI agents exit the vans and jog towards the ship. Tony pats me on the shoulder. The agents wear sunglasses, badges hanging from their necks and on their hips a gun.