Rune Seeker

In The Rain - A Short Story

Jan stopped short at the sudden pinprick of cold on her arm. Was that her imagination? She ran her finger across her skin and brought it right in front of her eyes. Moisture? Could be

She scanned the sidewalk, but, nonothing.

Her eyes went up to the dark sky roiling above. That was definitely not her imagination.

Damnit, had they taken too long scavenging in the grocery store? She checked her watch; if anything, they were faster than expected. So, whatd happened? The clouds sprinting across the sky answered her question. A fast-moving storm, a bad one they didnt know was coming, had snuck up on them.

Guuuuuys, she called slowly, her pitch rising with the length of the word, while she tightened the straps of her backpack over her shoulders. If she needed to run, she couldnt have it bouncing around.

Whats up, babe? Roger asked as he left the store.

Jan didnt turn, but pointed up with her free hand.

Oh, shit! Roger cursed. Hey! Get a move on. Were out of time. The skies are about to open up out here! he shouted back into the store.

One by one, in quick succession, the others joined Jan and Roger until they numbered eight.

Should we go back in, wait it out? Rose, the youngest of the group and wearing a jacket colored to match her name asked nervously.

No way, you saw that ceiling. Bet it leaks like a sieve, Hussein, the oldest, answered back.

We make a run for it, slender-Mike said, pushing the glasses up his nose like he always did when he was nervous.

Less talking, more moving, Jan said and started down the street at a jog. The pack had to weigh a good forty pounds on her back whyd she grab so many damned cans? but they could make it if the skies held back just a little longer. Just a few more minutes.

A fat raindrop slapped the tip of her nose so hard she jerked back like shed been punched.

Babe? Roger asked and stopped beside her.

Were out of time, she said, quarter-sized splotches of wetness appearing every second or so on the street around her. We need to find shelter. Now. Before it gets worse. Before they

A shimmer flashed across her line of sight, no bigger than her pinky finger, but her blood ran cold.

Theyre here, she whispered, her eyes raking across the abandoned cars in the street, and the ruined buildings on both sides. It looked like a war had torn the city apart, and that wasnt exactly far from the truth. If they didnt find a place to hide from the rain

The entrance to the subway tunnels isnt far, Roger said, grabbing Jans arm and pulling her forward. If we run, we can get there before it gets too heavy.

Theyre already here, she said weakly, but let him pull her along. Get it together, Jan!

Just the small ones, and the rain isnt hard enough for the big ones to come out yet. Tunnels just a few blocks and Roger said.

well be safe there, Jan finished for him, her voice strengthening. Roger was right, the rain was getting heavier, but they could make a few short blocks.

What the hell is the hold up? Hussein asked from about fifteen feet in front of them, the other five gathered around. We dont have time to be gabbing.

We need to slender-Mike cut off as a shimmer the size of an adults leg knifed through the air in front of him, the falling raindrops hitting its skin the only reason the group could see it.

Everybody froze as their eyes followed the shimmer swim through the air faster than a galloping horse, down the street, up the side of a three-story building, then over the roof and out of sight.

How come it didnt attack? Mike asked, his head swiveling to the people around him who could only shrug.

How come, indeed?

Maybe it wasnt hungry? Hussein asked.

What else could there to be to eat around here? Theres no reason for it to leave us alone unless

Look out! Jan shouted and pointed, all she had time for, half-a-dozen shimmers racing over the top of the building and rocketing towards the larger group of people.

Slender-Mike turned, as if in slow motion, while the others dove aside.

The lead shimmer lanced straight towards him, splitting down the middle into a frenzy of writhing tentacles that wrapped around his face and upper body as it collided with enough force to lift him from his feet. He hit the ground ten feet back, muffled screams mixing with the sound of breaking bones as the shimmers tentacles squirmed around his shoulders and squeezed with inhuman strength.

Blood jetted into the air, painting the briefest outline of the shimmer, like some kind of otherworldly five-foot-long squid, while Mike twitched and jerked underneath. Within a heartbeat, the steadily increasing rain washed away the crimson, leaving little more than a conical outline atop Mikes horribly broken body.

Go, hes gone, Roger said, and shoved Jan towards the closest car still in one piece. The other five were already running.

Rose dashed into a nearby phone booth and slammed the Plexiglass door behind her. Hussein and his oldest son, Samir, ran into an enclosed bus stop, somehow still standing after everything that had happened. The other three, Yin, Erik, and Peter, raced into an old fast-food diner and dove under the long-unused tables.

Jan spared one last quick look at Mike, the other shimmers had joined the first, and the heavier rain outlined their features as they feasted.

In, in, Roger urged, and pushed Jan into the front seat of the car, then slammed the door behind her. The back door opened and closed in quick succession as he joined her in the vehicle, even going so far as pushing down the lock with a click.

Heavy rain pattered along the hood with a sound like tin while the wind picked up, lashing the car and gently rocking it.

Hell of a storm, Roger said quietly. We shouldnt have come. Never shouldve come.

We needed food, Jan whispered back, her eyes locked on Mikes body as the almost invisible predators devoured it. Great chunks of him just vanished, swallowed inside the monsters she couldnt quite see.

So, they werent transparent. Something about their skin mustve refracted the light around their bodies. Useful information, if she survived long enough to tell anybody.

The others? Roger asked.

Okay for now. Rose is on her own, but shes out of the rain and got the door closed. Peter made it inside, with Yin and Erik, so as long as the roof holds, and they stay quiet, they should be fine. Its Hussein and Samir Im worried about.

Where? Roger asked, peeking through the bottom of the backseat window.

The little bus-house, or whatever its called. Theyre sheltered, but with the wind picking up, the rain is going to get inside.

They cant stay there.

They cant leave.

Never shouldve come out.

This isnt on you, Roger, Jan said, glancing back between the space separating the front seat and door. You made the right call. We couldnt wait another day; everybody was already getting antsy.

Tell that to Mike.

He knew the risks when he volunteered.

Is that supposed to make me feel better? Roger snapped, then they both ducked lower in the car at the volume of his voice.

No, Jan said, rolling onto her back, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the sunroof. Her panicked mind took a full three seconds to realize she wasnt getting wet as she stared up at the falling rain. No, she said again. Knowing you, youll never feel better. Youll beat yourself up over this for months, but it doesnt change it was the right call at the time.

Roger sighed then shifted in the back. We need to get them out of there. Maybe a distraction or something so they can get to the diner?

Jan gazed out the sunroof at the pitch-black clouds high above. When did it get so dark? Jagged lightning split the sky and briefly illuminated a shimmer as big as the car lazily weaving above the street before the darkness swallowed it whole again. Thunder like the world breaking echoed a second later, rocking the car and reverberating straight through Jans chest.

Its too late, Jan said when she found her voice, then propped herself up to try and catch a glimpse of the large shimmer again. Thick rivulets of water ran down the windows and windshield, and she couldnt locate it in the driving rain. The big ones had arrived, which meant they werent going anywhere. The rains gotten too heavy. Anybody who goes out there isnt going to make it. We have to hope they dont get noticed.

This is my fault, Jan.

And getting yourself killed with no guarantee of saving them wont make it any better! she shot right back.

Damnit, Roger hissed, but stayed in the car.

Jan took a deep breath to calm down, she had to keep thinking, but a small part of her couldnt help but marvel at the power of the storm. Wind drove the rain almost sideways, lashing the car hard enough the pattering had become more like a drumming. Thick streams already formed in the road, flooding water through the long-deserted streets and overflowing out of the debris-filled sewer drains.

Maybe its better we didnt make it to the tunnels, Jan said. Wed be swimming all the way home.

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Ive never seen anything like this, Roger agreed. It was sunny when we left this morning.

Right, you were fromwhere was it, Ontario or something, before all this started?

Yeah, came down here for a vacation. Sun and sand, you know?

Guess you dont get a lot of hurricanes in Ontario then, huh?

This is a hurricane?

Thick trees at the nearby intersection waved in the wind like they were freshly sprouted instead of a foot thick. Rain hit the ground so hard it exploded into mist, leaving a haze-like layer hanging over everything like a blanket.

I dont know, Jan admitted. But thats the only thing Ive seen like this.

How bad does it get?

Jan didnt answer immediately. The shimmers may not be our biggest concern, she finally admitted. We might be able to ride it out in here, if it doesnt get much worse. Or, we could find ourselves literally down a river.

The others?

No better. Probably worse.

So, youre saying were screwed? Because of my choice to come out?

Enough with that, okay? Its not going to help us. If the weather doesnt get any crazier, we can make it.

I dont like relying on if, Roger said quietly.

Neither do I Jan admitted.

Szzhhhtt Jan Jan Im scared szzhhhtt static and Roses voice hissed from Jans backpack, and Jan nearly jumped out of her skin at the volume of it.

Turn that down! Roger said, simultaneously trying to look out all the windows at the same time.

The walkies! Jan shifted, struggling to get the backpack off without rocking the car whyd she tighten it so damn much? and then dug the walkie out of the front pocket.

Szhhhtt Jan, what should I do, Jan szhhhtt Roses voiced echoed out of the walkie-talkie as Jan lowered the volume.

Its okay, Rose. Everything is going to be okay, Jan said softly into her walkie and looked out the car window towards the phone booth. Rose huddled down in one corner, barely more than a red outline through the rain.

Could you two possibly keep it down? Husseins voice scolded over the walkie.

Turn your volume down then, shes scared, Jan snapped.

She isnt the only one, but shes going to bring those things down on all of us, Hussein shot right back.

Jan, do you have a plan? Yins voice joined the conversation.

Yin! Are you guys okay in there? Jan asked.

Thats it, Im turning this off, Hussein said.

Yeah, you do that you old Jan said without pressing the button.

Be nice, Jan, Roger warned gently.

Whatever, hes always

Were okay for now Yin said quietly, interrupting the conversation.

For now? Jan asked.

The whole back of the building is missing. Waters pouring over like a waterfall, and theres a dozen leaks. Im stuck under a table, but I can hear drops hitting it every second or so. Erik and Peter are under the counter, I think, but I cant see them. I dont know

Peter here, a new voice joined the conversation. Erik hurt his ankle pretty badly getting in here. Dunno if its broken or just sprained, but he doesnt think he can walk. Whats the plan, Jan?

Why are they asking me? Jan asked Roger without pressing the button on the side of the walkie. Youre the one leading

Because youve always been the best in emergencies. You keep your head on straight while the rest of us dont Roger said.

Jan Jan can I come to you? Rose asked, her voice shaking, or maybe it was just the rain interfering with the connection.

No, Rose, no. Youve got to stay there, Jan said quickly, looking towards the phone booth to make sure the girl hadnt done something stupid. Youre safe in there. Just stay put. Okay, Rose?

okay Rose said.

Mike? Is he with you Jan? Yin asked.

he isnt Jan said vaguely.

Damnit, Yin said quietly. Back to Peters question. Whats the plan?

The weathers bad, Jan said, shaking her head at the ferocity of the storm. Weve got to wait it out.

Wait? Roses shrill voice practically shrieked. I cant I cant do that Jan. Im coming to you.

Rose, Rose, dont do that, Jan said strictly as the girls red outline stood inside the phone booth. Stupid girl! Stay there. Youve got to stay in where its Jans voice cut off as movement caught her eye. Her head slowly tilted back, then back some more as she looked up. Mouth suddenly dry, her jaw worked, but no sounds came out. Updated from n0v𝒆lbIn.(c)o/m

Where Im what, Jan? Roses panicked voice crackled over the walkie. Stay where Im what?

Babe? Babe, what is it? Roger asked from the back seat.

A above the bus shelter Jan said, forcing her mouth to spit out the words her brain was struggling with.

Jan, what do you oh fuck me! Roger said as his eyes must have found it too.

A shimmer, at least thirty-feet long and ten-feet wide, hovered lazily above the bus shelter. The heavy rain, torrential and constant, outlined the sinuous, barbed tentacles as they split and spread, gently reaching down to probe the top of the glass building.

Rose stay inside. You cant, CANT, go out right now. You hear me? You have to stay inside, Jan said as firmly as she could.

Hussein and Samir? Can you warn them? Roger asked.

He said he was turning off his walkie, Jan replied.

Try anyway! Roger snapped.

Hussein. Hussein, can you hear me? Jan asked and waved in Husseins direction. Was he even looking her way? The rain made everything little more than a silhouette. Hussein, if you can hear me, say something.

Whats wrong? Peter asked. Something going on?

Hussein! Jan said, squeezing the walkie as hard as she could like that would make Hussein hear her. Theres a shimmer right above you. A huge one! Youve got to got to

What could he do? If he left the bus shelter, hed be exposed to the rain, and it wouldnt just be the huge shimmer hed need to worry about. But, if he stayed inside and that thing found him

Peter! Peter! Yins urgent voice interrupted Jans thoughts. In the back. Do you see it?

See what? Peter asked nervously.

Theres a tentacle coming through the waterfall its huge! Yin answered.

What?! Where? Holy shit! Peter said. Erik, get over here man! Yin, does it know where we are?

I dont think so, Yin said. I cant see it other than where its coming through oh wait, I think its gone. Mustve been too dry in here.

Thank goodness. Not really anywhere for me and Erik to go. Dont look at me like that, man, youre the one who tripped, Peter said, relief in his voice.

Jan turned her attention back to Hussein, the massive shimmer floating down and resting on the top of the bus shelter. Tentacles as thick as trees snaked over the edges and around the glass hut. Hussein has to see those

Jan! Husseins voice crackled over the radio. Weve got a problem in here Jan. Can can you see it? How big is it?

Its big, Hussein, bigger than Ive ever seen, Jan answered. Are you guys okay?

No, Jan, we are NOT OKAY! Hussein shouted into the walkie, obviously not caring about being found any more. The glass is starting to crack under the pressure and shit its coming in. Samir, get in the back, behind me. Dont argue boy, now!

Jan, Jan, you need to make a distraction or something. Get this thing away from us so we can make a run for it.

Ill do it, Roger said from the back seat.

No! Its suicide, Jan said. Ill think of something.

Jan! We need it now. At least get Samir out of here. You owe me this, Jan! Hussein shouted into the walkie.

Oh shit! Its back, Yins voice broke into the conversation. Two no three tentacles. Peter. Peter, man, theyre heading right for you. Youve gotta get out of there.

Damnit, the one by the diner is just as big as the monster going after Hussein, Roger said. Since when did they get this huge? What can we do, Jan? What did you think of? he asked.

Yin, where are they, Yin? I cant see them, Peter asked. No Erik, stay there.

Jan, Im scared, Jan, Roses voice pleaded.

I need a distraction in here NOW Jan! The glass is spiderwebbing, Hussein roared.

Peter, its right above you! Get out of there, Yin commanded.

Jan, what do we do? Roger asked. Fuck it, Im going!

No, Roger Jan started, but a banging on the window behind her cut her off. She spun, a blurry outline of red visible through the rivers of rain running down the window. The palm of a young hand slapped against the glass, and then Roses face pressed right up against it, eyes wide and soaked hair plastered to her cheeks.

Stupid girl, Jan hissed and grabbed the steering wheel to pull herself up.

Rose? Roger asked.

Jan didnt answer, instead unlocking the door and throwing it open.

Jan Rose cried while Jan made room and waved the girl in. At least shed made it.

Rose ducked and started to climb into the car, but tripped and fell flat on the seat, her legs still outside in the driving rain.

What are you doing? Jan hissed. Come on, she said and grabbed the girls hand to pull her in.

Rose mustve found her feet, because she got up to her elbows, but then she kept rising, and her panicked eyes met Jans.

Jan, Jan, somethings got my leg. Jan, help me! Rose pleaded. One of her hands grabbed the stick-shift, while her other held onto Jans for dear life.

Ive got you, Jan said. I wont let go.

A sharp jerk pulled Roses wet hand out of Jans with impossible strength, and Jan couldnt do anything but watch as Rose was catapulted up and over, then hurled thirty feet to smack into the side of a concrete building two floors up.

Rose fell limply to the ground and didnt move.

No, Rose! Jan screamed and scrambled past the steering wheel and out the door. Something strong grabbed her by the arm, but she ignored it, her eyes on Roses still form. This cant be happening. And suddenly she was back in the car, Rogers top half between the two front seats as he held her down. His mouth moved, but Jan couldnt make out what he was saying.

The sound of shattering glass cut through the roar of the storm, and Jan stopped fighting, her head turning mechanically towards the noise.

Fifteen feet away, the bus shelter finally collapsed under the strength of the huge shimmer, Hussein and Samir standing back to back inside. They held their hands out, as if to ward back the massive tentacles, but what good would it do?

Husseins eyes met Jans, blame somehow crystal clear through the rain.

Then his body was compressed into Samirs with such force the two of them appeared to be a single person before Jan could turn away.

Roger pulled her all the way back into the car and closed the door.

Erik, dont let go! Peters voice crackled out of the walkie on the floor. Jan? Answer me are you still there? Its got Erik!

Aaaaargh, it hurts! Eriks distant voice came out of the radio.

Yin! Yin, youve got to help us, Peter said, gasping.

I Im Im sorry, I cant Yin practically whispered.

Yin you chicken-shit! Help us. Erik, dont let go! Ive got you, Peter shouted, then cut out.

Im so sorry, Yin cried into the walkie, Eriks pained screams echoing in the background.

Yin! If you dont get your ass out here and help me Peters distant voice shouted, barely audible through the walkie. No! Erik!

It took Erik, Yin said flatly. Jan, Im sorry. I just couldnt

Couldnt what? Peters voice roared.

Peter dont Peter please! Jan Jan and Roger can hear everything! Yin pleaded.

Like I care, were all dead anyway, Peter said, followed by a series of thumps and the sound of the walkie dragging along the floor.

Peter Yin coughed, a lisp to his voice, but a sharp crack stopped him from saying anything else.

This is your fault, Peter shouted, followed by another thump. You damn coward. Another thump. Yins pained cough.

Peer. Puease, Yin begged.

A wet thwack, like a baseball bat hitting a melon.

Thats for Erik Peter said between panting breaths. Never shouldve brought you wiiiiiiiiii Peters voice trailed away from the walkie in an instant, then silence.

Jan shook in Rogers arms. From the cold? The shock of it all?

Theyre all gone, Jan croaked, her voice barely a hoarse whisper.

I know, Roger said quietly. Nothing you we couldve done.

They were all looking to me to get us out of this, Jan said, tears mixing with the rainwater on her face. I said Id think of something

And I got us into this in the first place, Roger said. We can blame ourselves when we get back.

Are we going to get back? Jan asked, doubt worming its way into her heart.

Of course we are. Those things seem to be leaving the car alone. Like you said, we just need to stay quiet and wait out the storm.

Something jarred the car, slamming it to the side and throwing Jan and Roger apart. Up was down, left was right, as the vehicle rolled, and Jan bounced around like a pinball. When the rollercoaster ride finally stopped, both Jan and Roger sprawled out on the ceiling, the car upside down.

Blood ran down Rogers forehead, eyes closed, and he didnt move.

Roger? Jan asked quietly, blinking to dispel the stars dancing across her vision. Red ran into her left eye, and she quickly wiped it away. Roger? Can you hear me?

She shifted to push herself up, but froze when her hand splashed.

The windows on one side of the car had completely shattered, and water ran in and pooled an inch deep. But the rainthe rain had stopped. Was it over?

Jan stared out the window, it was barely believable, but the street was calm. No more pitter-patter of rain on the car or the street around her. Even faster than itd come, the storm was gone.

If that was the case though, why did her gut clench like shed just been punched by a pro-boxer? What was she missing?

A car down the street slid sideways, hinting at the answer to her question. Something pushed it aside, crushing it against a nearby building, and then another car, this one closer to Jan, was shoved aside.

What the hell? One of the bigger shimmers? But there isnt any rain

More and more cars were pushed around while Jan watched, like a child sweeping toy cars apart.

With that thought, Jan blinked and refocused, and it became suddenly, terrifyingly clear. A single tentacle, as wide as the four-lane street, coming straight for her.

The rain hadnt stopped. No, there was just something unimaginably large shielding the car, and the whole city block, from the storm. Something directly above her.

I dont think staying quiet is going to help us Jan whispered.