Page 44 of Shadow Running
“True,” I said.“Then follow your passion.So, should we head out to Konstantine’s house?”
“Let’s go,” Orik said.
The three of us set out.Orik drove the van, while Penn meditated, building her power.I pulled out my phone and, with a deep breath, called Benny.
“Hey Legs, what’s up?”
“Hey Benny, how are you?”
“Everything’s hanging where it should,” he said.“I know you—you don’t call just to say hi.What’s going on?Wasn’t that crazy shit—Winston’s story?”
“Not so crazy, Benny.We went back to the alley and checked out the energy and…I think Winston might be onto something.”While part of me thought I sounded crazy, there was a little part who wondered if the aliens really existed.Hell, we knew portals led to other dimensions.Why not to other planets?
“Are you serious?”He didn’t sound sarcastic, just surprised.
“I’m serious.I’m sorry, Benny, but Greg is gone and we think maybe aliens did kidnap him.I’m going to tell you a secret, and I need your promise you won’t tell anybody about this.I meananybody.If I find out you snitched…”
After a pause, Benny said, “Okay, Legs.You’ve got my word.And I mean it this time.”
“We think over three hundred people have been kidnapped over the years by the founders of Give A Hands Up.The organization has changed names over the decades, but each time they appear, a number of the homeless vanish.And given that portal, we think maybe that—if they are aliens—they’re kidnapping people that nobody will miss.Why?We don’t know, but we intend to start a thorough investigation before they disappear again.”
Benny sighed.“You mean, they’re stealing people as cattle or something?”
“I saw that episode of the Twilight Zone, dude.But…truth is: We have no idea why.That’s why we need to keep things quiet.If they find out we’re investigating them, they might disappear.Or worse.They might come afteranybodywho they think is involved.”Just as I hoped, Benny put two and two together.
“Meaning me?”He paused, then said, “I’ll keep this to myself.But…that means Greg is probably dead.”For one of the few times, Benny sounded sorry.
“We can’t say for sure, but yeah, we think he is.We’ll still do our best to find him, but I wouldn’t hold out hope.”We arrived at Konstantine’s house and Penn pulled into the driveway.“Benny, I have to go.Don’t look for Greg.Don’t even tell Winston we think he’s right.Just keep quiet.I’ll let you know what we find out about Give A Hand Up, but it may take some time.”
After a moment, Benny said, “I know you did what you could.This just blows.Greg was my friend.”
“And we’ll do what we can to find out where they took him and why.”Satisfied he understood the gravity of the situation, I said goodbye, hung up, and Orik, Penn, and I prepared for our first attempt on the house.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
I ledPenn and Orik up to the door.Orik was carrying more equipment, and a repair kit because Carson said that it seemed some of the cameras had gone offline.Penn was carrying her magical supply tote, which reminded me of an old fashioned carpet bag.It looked like gorgeous red velvet but I knew that it was a waterproof, stainproof façade.Given she had to carry it out into the woods, into muddy swamps, or any other number of grimy areas, I understood why she went for the faux velvet.
“Ready?”I asked, key in the lock.
“About as ready as I can get,” Penn said.“Wouldn’t it be nice if they’d just leave if I asked them to leave?Like,Hey, how about you skedaddle?And they’re like…Sure thing.And then we all live happily ever after.”
Orik laughed.“Oh yeah, that’s going to happen.”
“A girl can dream, can’t she?”Penn smiled, which was nice to see.
“Okay, both of you, it’s all fun and games till somebody conjures a demon.Or a ghost, given I’m already here.”I pushed open the door and peeked in.Immediately, I was hit with the desire to turn and run.“Um, no luck.They’re still here.”
We entered the living room and Penn shuddered.
“They know we’re here.This is going to be rough.”She set her bag down and opened it, pulling out several charms.“I’m going to get started.The sooner I do this, the better?—”
A loud bang echoed from upstairs and the next moment, a swirling vortex of black mist appeared on the ceiling.Penn stared at it, a horrified look on her face.“No…”
“What is it?”I asked, backing away so I wasn’t standing beneath it.
“Longworld!And he’s angry that we’re here.”She thrust out one of her charms toward it.“Don’t mess with me!”
But the swirling vortex either didn’t care or didn’t listen.A crackle echoed through the room and a sizzling hot bolt of lightning struck out, hitting Penn’s hand, knocking the charm out of her grasp.She let out a cry, but held steady.
