Dagon Rising(63)

Onyx never got off a shot. The black Clicker jabbed its tail forward and its massive stinger impaled him. The stinger jutted out of the agent’s back, toxic venom shooting out to hit the ground and foliage behind the agents as it lifted Onyx in the air, waving him back and forth. Onyx screamed. His abdomen started to smoke as the corrosive venom began to eat at his flesh. His skin sloughed away, dripping from his body.

Clark raised his weapon and fired at the creature, tearing it apart with a staccato burst. His shots penetrated the creature’s face, flipping it over and giving him access to its softer underbelly which quickly became shredded meat as he unloaded the magazine. It flopped to the ground and Clark ejected his spent magazine and quickly slapped in a fresh one as he scrambled to his feet.

Tony had bounced up and had his weapon ready amid the chaos. Onyx was screaming in pain, still impaled on the stinger. Smoke was rising from his abdomen and his flesh looked like it was turning into a thick soup. Parts of him were leaking onto the jungle floor. The tendons along Onyx’s face grew taut as he thrashed and screamed. Tony didn’t hesitate. He brought the stock of the M16 against his shoulder, aimed, and fired a single shot. Onyx’s scream was cut off amid a spray of blood and brain matter.

“Couldn’t let him suffer,” Tony said.

“Agreed,” Clark said. His heart was racing. Off in the distance, more Clickers and Dark Ones were honing in on them. They’d apparently changed their path and were heading straight toward them.

“Onyx pushed me out of the way,” Tony said, mostly to himself. “That could’ve been me that got nabbed by that fucking thing.” He looked at the remaining Black Lodge agents. “Why?”

“We were serious about keeping you safe,” Amethyst said. He cradled his M16, his features impassive in light of losing one of his own. “You are one of The Seven. It is our mission to ensure your safety above all else.”

“But why? I don’t fucking get what’s so fucking special about me.”

“All will be revealed in due time,” Diamond said.

Tony whirled to Ruby. “How come you didn’t know that black Clicker would attack? I thought you were supposed to read minds and shit?”

“I can’t read the Clicker’s minds, Tony.”

“Why not?”

“It is not within my ability to do so. They only possess a rudimentary intelligence.”

“Well, a lot of fucking good you people are.”

“Guys?” Clark eyed the periphery of their location with rising nerves. “If the doorway to this tunnel is nearby, we better get moving.”

“Come.”

Ruby took the lead and darted toward the stand of trees to their left. Clark and Tony were right behind her, followed by Diamond and Amethyst. Behind them came roars and thrashings and frenzied clicking noises as their pursuers honed in on them. A moment later they entered the stand of trees and Ruby seemed to dive headfirst toward the base of a tree and disappear. Clark rushed forward and almost fell into a yawning pit, which was obscured by vines and brambles.

Ruby’s voice called out, receding rapidly as she delved into the tunnel. “This way.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Clark and the others followed.

“Down the fucking rabbit hole,” Tony snickered.

Behind them, Amethyst said, “I didn’t take you for an Alice In Wonderland fan, Tony.”

“I’m not. I used to date a stripper whose daughter liked the cartoon.”

They plunged ahead into the darkness and the earth closed over their heads—not stifling the sounds from above.

CLICK-CLICK…CLICK CLICK…CLICK-CLICK…





SIXTEEN



Jennifer was surprised that the tunnel’s downward descent continued unchecked. Surely they must be below sea level by now. Just the very thought of all that water pressing against the rock made her woozy. Ignoring it, she kept running. Wade and Susan were right behind her, with the Dark Ones chasing after them several yards behind. As they darted down the winding passageways, Jennifer kept the lead, letting instinct lead her onward through the gloom. Their pursuers roared—heavy footsteps pounded, echoing throughout the corridor. They were so close that Jennifer could hear the echoes of their talons clicking against the stone floor.

She paid the sounds no heed and continued running, not even stopping to hesitate when they came to a fork in the tunnel system. She took the right hand passage, hoping it would take them toward the surface. Instead it took them deeper beneath the mountain. What little light there was seemed to come from the rocks themselves.

“I can’t keep this up,” Wade choked.