Kai stood over the remains of the creature, watching as the black sludge sizzled against the ground. The stench was unbearable—like burning flesh mixed with something rotten and unnatural.
His pulse was still pounding, but he forced himself to steady his breathing. This wasn't the first time he had put down something inhuman, and it sure as hell wouldn't be the last.
He scanned the field, gripping his shotgun tightly. The silence was unnatural. Even after taking the creature down, the night refused to return to normal. No wind. No insects. Just an oppressive stillness that clung to the air like a shroud.
Kai knew better than to assume it was over.
He stepped back, reaching into his coat for his phone. He dialed Eleanor's number, his eyes still locked on the field in case something else decided to crawl out of the darkness.
The line clicked after a few rings.
"Kai?" Eleanor's voice was sharp with concern. "What happened?"
"I just had a close encounter," Kai said, his voice level despite the lingering adrenaline in his system. "A creature. Humanoid, shifting features. Took three shotgun blasts before it went down."
A pause. Then: "That's not good."
"No kidding." Kai kicked at the black sludge, watching as it dissolved further into the dirt. "It's not like the ones in Stowntown. It moved faster. It felt... aware."
Eleanor exhaled, the sound heavy with thought. "It makes sense. The cycle is changing, Kai. The curse is getting stronger. The creatures—it's possible they're not just manifestations anymore. They could be evolving into something more independent, more... intelligent."
Kai didn't like the sound of that. "So what? We're dealing with thinking monsters now?"
"Maybe," Eleanor said. "Or worse—something controlling them. The symbols at the farmhouse, the lights, the attacks—they're all part of something bigger. You're not just hunting random creatures anymore, Kai. You're stepping into a battlefield."
Kai let that sink in. He had spent a year hoping he'd left the nightmare behind, but the evidence was piling up fast.
The war wasn't over. It was only just beginning.
Kai returned to the police station, shotgun slung over his shoulder, his mind racing. He needed to regroup, analyze the situation, and prepare for whatever came next.
Inside, the station was eerily quiet. The overhead fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, casting a pale glow over the empty desks.
He found Officer Taylor at his usual spot, hunched over his computer, his face illuminated by the blue glow of the screen. The younger officer looked up as Kai entered.
"Sir," Taylor said, straightening. "I was about to call you. We just got another report."
Kai's stomach tightened. "What happened?"
Taylor swallowed hard. "A man just came in—local trucker. He said he saw someone walking down Route 16 a few miles outside of town. At first, he thought it was a hitchhiker, but then he got a closer look."
Kai didn't like where this was going. "And?"
Taylor hesitated. "He said the guy's face kept... changing. Like it wasn't staying in one shape. He freaked out and drove straight here."
Kai exhaled sharply. Another one.
The creatures were appearing more frequently. This wasn't random—it was deliberate. The curse was spreading, and the cycle was accelerating.
He grabbed his shotgun and headed for the door. "Where's the trucker now?"
"Still here," Taylor said. "Shaken up but willing to talk."
Kai nodded. "Good. Keep him here. I'll check it out."
Taylor hesitated. "Sir... are we telling the others about this? Or are we keeping it quiet?"
Kai paused. He knew what Taylor was really asking. Should they warn the town? Should they prepare for what was coming?
Not yet.
Panic would only make things worse, and right now, Kai needed more information before turning this into a full-scale emergency.
"Not yet," Kai said. "But stay alert. This isn't over."
Taylor nodded, but the worry in his eyes was obvious.
Kai stepped outside, the cold night air hitting his face. He loaded a fresh shell into his shotgun and climbed into his car.
He had a feeling tonight was far from over.