Homeward Bound (Journeyman Book 1) Read Free Page B

and its owner down the length of the hall.
    Joey tumbled into a dingy restroom, crashing between the single sink and a lidless, sludge filled toilet. It smelled atrocious. The area was very small, with little space to swing and absolutely no places to hide. Even if he wanted to fight he was weaponless, the arsenal he was carrying scattered down the passageway.
    Hunching like a big cat, the vamp ran at him, scraping the floor with those massive talons and leaving deep lines in the concrete.
    “Light…” said Joey.
    The vampire jumped, landing atop his next meal, sending the air straight out of Joey’s lungs. He couldn’t get a deep enough breath to say anything more.
    The vamp reared those sickles back to strike but suddenly began to convulse, digging feverishly at his own chest. Unable to retract the claws in time, it began cutting into its skin while something undulated beneath the surface as if alive. From the writhing, bulge a shower of maroon gave birth to the tip of a machete blade.
    Gage withdrew the sharp end and with a powerful lunge, jabbing it into the vampire’s neck. Grabbing hold of the creature’s head, he started to pull while pressing down on the machete for leverage. The veins in the vamp’s temples threatened to explode from the pressure. Bones began to shatter like tinder and before long the beast’s body crumpled to the ground. His head followed a few moments later with a soft thud .
    Joey breathed hard as he filled his lungs, looking up to Gage towering above him – godlike with fists clenched in the faint light that spilled in from the doorway. It highlighted every striated detail as he looked down and extended a bloody hand to Joey, pulling him up onto wobbling feet.
    “Ya okay, big man?” asked Gage, pulling him closer for stability.
    Joey placed a hand on Gage’s large chest, feeling a little heat swell in his cheeks. A bit more ‘added balance’ was apparently needed so he moved in a touch closer. “Definitely am now.”
    Gage raised the corner of his mouth, turning to see Adrienne approaching. His smile widened as she arrived.
    “Are you both alright?” she asked through her huffs.
    They nodded, Gage taking a moment longer.
    “Good to hear,’ she said, noting all of their cuts and bruises. She rubbed her shoulder to calm the fiery pain before adjusting her gloves. “Glad you guys look as good as I feel. I don't know what the hell these things are on, but thank God that should be most of them if our count was right.”
    “Yeah, these fuckers are much more powerful than ones we’ve dealt with before.” Gage looked around cautiously. “There should be one more in here somewhere and they'll likely have answers. We gotta find ‘em.”
    “Well,” said Joey. “I can assure you of one thing.” He pointed behind as he reluctantly stepped back away from Gage. “This bathroom right here, is clear.”
    Adrienne handed him his fallen gear. “Let’s go.”
    They proceeded in step down the deserted hallway, checking out each decayed office. They were empty save the undusted furnishings and paperwork, caked with years’ old layers of filth and squalor.
    Then a lone cry pierced the silence.
    “What was that?” asked Joey.
    “It sounded like a child,” answered Adrienne. “It’s coming from the conference area.” She extended her dagger to indicate the way.
    “You know, wouldn't it be nice to fight something in the warm, midday sun one of these days?” Joey grumbled as they set off into the gloom.  
    “Keep on dreamin’,” said Gage. “In fact, I'm laying out tomorrow and getting a tan.” He extended his arms ahead, inspecting each one in turn. “Could almost pass myself off as a ghost.”
    “Hate to disappoint you but it's going to rain, Casper,” Adrienne whispered.
    Gage replied with something indecipherable under his breath just as the cries grew louder. They continued the further down they went, peaking outside a set of three doors. The main conference room was