Artificial Earth

06

JOE'S BEEN DRIVING IN DARKNESS for nearly an hour and a half now. The storm still hasn't ceased, visibility's nearly down to zero and he's driving as fast as he can only permit himself to avoid ramming into something or someone. His hands were shaking not just because of the cold but also because of fear.
He didn't want to leave Marty and Tonio behind. Everything happened so fast and he felt that he was left with no other choice but to escape and survive. Staying would only mean "Death" of that he was sure.
Still, He can't stop thinking of Marty and Tonio, of how they were dragged into the forest and the look of horror in their eyes." The forest took them." he thought.."Miro." There could be no other explaination, in his heart he believed that Miro has once again walked the Earth. He saw lights ahead...finally..."Danvers Bar."

Danvers Bar was located on the outskirts of town just beyond the city's walls. Those heading in and out of the city would most often stop over for meals, supplies, gas or recreation. It was one of the very first establishments built by the first settlers of the Artificial Planet, almost as old as the construction of Marble City.
The Bar has two floors and on the outside looks a lot like a small motel. Joe parked the truck at the side of the entrance. There where several cars and motorcycles lined up indicating a busy night.
It was dark and dingy inside. Two teenagers were seated near the entrance enjoying their meal. On another table, near the center sat four people, two men in their late thirties and two women who looked like they were in their twenties. Sitting directly in front of the bar were three men in black leather jackets, each with a bottle of beer in front of them. Danver McGregor and his son were sitting on the other side of the bar facing the men in black.
Joe briskly walked towards the bar, his uniform soaking wet. Everyone inside were silently watching him as he approached the counter.
"This is an emergency, do you have any gas?" Joe asked the old man behind the counter.
"We still have a few gallons out back." Danver replied. "Delivery didn't cum becuss of the storm."
"I'll take a few..." Joe hurriedly said. "And give me three shots of vodka.,"
"My boy Tommy here will take care of yer gas, load them up for ya." Danver said while reaching for a bottle of vodka and a shot glass underneath the counter.
"Where ya headin' soldier?" Danver asked, pouring Joe a drink.
"District One, We have a command center there. " Joe answered, taking a shot. He was still shaking a bit yet felt relieved to have company.
"If ya don't mind me askin',... Are ya in trouble or somethin'.?" Danver curiously asked, pouring him another drink.
"We all are." Joe blankly answered, taking another shot.
A long loud shrieking noise suddenly erupted making everyone's head turn towards the entrance. It was noise no man could ever put into words, but would instinctively know that it could only mean doom. Joe's eyes buldged, he had heard this sound before.
"My God!!! Miro!!! The devil followed me.....the devil actually followed me!!! Joe cried out.

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"YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND...We're all going to die if we don't get the hell away from here!" Joe exclaimed.
"Now now, everyone stay calm......let's just relax fer a minute here and talk about this." Danver suggested.
"We don't have a minute!" Joe cried out.
"Look soldier, I've been 'round here long before yer mama learned how ta change diapers and shurvived all kinds of stuff ya see.." Danver explained. "Ain't nothin'out there's gonna scare me."
Joe was already beyond fear and was trying desperately to save the lives of the people inside the bar. He told everyone everything that occured at the outpost in great detail, hoping to make these people understand that their lives were all at stake.
"There's no more time, We have to get out of here!"
"Now now son,...Why not walk us through your story again so we could figure out what we're supposed ta do." Danver stubbornly said.
"I already told you,...if we stay, Miro will kill each and every one of us!" Joe pleaded.
Danver looked Joe straight in the eye..."Okay, let's say what yer sayin's true, I still ain't afraid of... of...what was that....ummm...."Miro", that's what ya cull the thing right?" the old man said. Right now, everyone inside the bar were drawn to the conversation.
"Have here an arsenal ya see, collected it over the years...Tommy!..bring the guns and ammo here will ya..." Danver ordered.
Joe was staring at the old man in disbelief. He had told everything and tried everything to convince them to leave the place. This is suicide.
"Okay old man...do whatever you want...as for me, I'm getting outta here while I still can."
"Hold on a minute there soldier." Danver said. He went behind the bar and took out a shot gun from underneath.
"This pretty little thing's fully loaded, ya can have it." Danver offered.
"Thank you. You all be careful." Joe somberly said, knowing all too well the fate that awaits them.
" till we meet again soldier." Danver said.
Joe simply nodded and headed out the door.
"Okay people, lets show that motherfucker out there what we're made of!"
Danver shouted.

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Author's Note

What do you think will happen next?

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I'll be posting new chapters every two to three days. Thank you for reading.