Apocalypse Soldier Read Free

shadow . He’s drawing this out , Colton realized as he brushed salty perspiration from his face.
    “Who the fuck are you?” His voice could barely keep his mounting panic at bay. The knife in his hand seemed like a sick joke. And as mortal fear threatened to get the better of him, he was struck by sudden inspiration. This killer was here to save the boy. And that meant Colton might have a potential hostage.  
    With two quick steps he was upon the sacrifice, nine inches of steel pointed at Jeff’s carotid artery. There was another muffled pop and the sensation of his hand being whipped back by an invisible force, followed by the knife clattering against the floor. Colton’s eyes went wide as he stared at the rapidly hemorrhaging hole in the palm of his hand.  
    Clutching his gushing wound, Colton’s eyes locked on the outline of the shooter. The figure stepped into the faint circle of light cast by the black candle. A tall, muscular man garbed in form-fitting combat black stood revealed. A balaclava obscured his features and he was wearing a pair of night-vision goggles that gave him an insect-like, otherworldly appearance. One gloved hand kept the silenced Glock level while the other removed his night-vision goggles. Colton wished he hadn’t. There was a merciless edge to the man’s cold-blooded gaze.
    “Killing me won’t defeat the darkness,” Colton stammered, trying to be brave.
    “It’s a start.”
    And with these words, there was a muffled cough and Colton’s world turned as black as his soul.

    ***

    The bullet hit Colton in the head, exactly where Talon had aimed. Blood, bone and brains showered the floor and the body joined the other dead cultists on the wine cellar floor.  
    Talon stepped over to Jeff, who eyed his savior with a shell-shocked, terrified expression. The dark-clad assassin cut as disturbing a sight as the dead cult members. Talon scooped up the blade Colton dropped a moment earlier. Jeff pulled away from him, mistaking his intention.  
    “Don’t worry, kid, I’m here to help.”
    His voice managed to calm Colton’s captive for a second. Talon leaned closer and cut the restraints. As Jeff massaged his numb limbs back to life, Talon snatched a cell phone from one of the dead cultists and dialed 911. As soon as the operator picked up, he informed her about the murders and offered up Colton’s home address.  
    Talon killed the call just as the operator asked him to identify himself. Time to get moving. His work here was done. Jeff was safe and this murderous pack of freaks would never take another life again.
    Talon turned away from Jeff. “Thank you…” the young man said in a hollow voice, but Talon was already out the door. He reached the upstairs living room, walked past the lifeless bodyguards who were still clutching their firearms in death and stepped through the home’s rear exit. He couldn’t help but notice the luxuries that filled the opulent home. Priceless sculptures, original artwork, expensive furniture. Wasteful material possessions bought with the blood of others.  
    Talon passed the swimming pool in the back, where moonlight shimmered on the water’s calm surface. How many dreams had been shattered to maintain the sick movie producer’s lavish lifestyle? Talon could feel anger rising inside of him, and he forced himself not to dwell on it. Justice had caught up with the producer and soon the world would know the terrible truth. Colton got what was coming to him.  
    Talon merged with the night as he made his way down the wooded hillside, using the trees and scrub as cover. With his black clothing he was as good as invisible to the naked eye. He arrived at the bottom of the incline, where a rental car registered under a fake name was waiting for him. Moments later, Talon was navigating the steep mountain roads on his way back to the glittering lights of Hollywood.  
    As he shot down the hill, Talon’s thoughts turned to the young man’s life he just