Five days after the Battle of the Happy Warehouse; evening.

The stuttering hum of the Crown Vic gargled in the background as Aury stared at the brick face of a twenty-story-high apartment complex. The windows scattered randomly, some black, some illuminated, and some with the telltale blue glow of a TV screen.

Aury looked down and realized the pads of his fingers had been tapping against his thigh. He lifted his hand sharply, closing it into a fist and back open several times.

One last drag from his cigar. Sweet, hot tobacco smoke; an exhale with closed eyes. Pinch off the cherry, set the cigar in the cup holder. He’ll need that later.

He opened the door, slammed it behind him and, refusing to look up, walked toward the entrance.

A ding sounded out. Aury fought to pull one side of his pinched lips to a smile as a woman with a small, shaggy dog exited the elevator, walking past with her head down. The elevator closed. He flexed his jaw, popping his ears as he watched the numbers above the door climb.

The top floor smelled like a cardboard box, dusty and forgotten. The sound of his hard soled shoes echoed until he was staring at the last door in the hallway.

He patted his sides, thigh, and breast, touching his tools. Three soft knocks.

“Young man,” Karkov said in the softest and most subdued voice Aury ever heard come out of the man. It was eerie.

Karkov stepped aside letting Aury pass.

The warm glow of an incandescent bulb illuminated the kitchen but left the rest of the house dark. Aury could barely make out the furniture and books in the dim.

“Mother’s room is in back. She is expecting you. Take off shoes,” Karkov added, passively pointing at Aury’s feet as he walked into the apartment

Aury slipped out of his shoes and followed Karkov through the dark hallway, noting the temperature change as they went.

The door opened with a long, low creak.

“Mama. On zdes.”

A windy, gnarled voice responded from the bed in the corner, completely engulfed in dark.

“She say go in. She say she want see your hands.”

Aury set his jaw and marched into the shadows. He paused, feeling a crunch under his feet just as his fingertips touched the edge of the bed. He squatted, raking the carpet with his hands rubbing a fine grit between his fingers. He touched his fingertip to his tongue. Salt.

He grimaced and traced the outline of the covers, blinking, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.

“I’m Aury,” he said, patting the bed.

A pair of gnarled, clawed hands grabbed him by the wrist, digging into his skin as they probed.

“Open,” the woman demanded.

Aury flexed his hands wide as Karkov’s mother turned them over in the thin beam from the streetlights that reached the window and penetrated the curtain. She ran her thumb over his fingernails.

“Zheval.”

“She say you chew your nails,” Karkov echoed.

The woman released Aury’s hands and began speaking in words slurred by age. Karkov spoke in English as she went, never changing perspective or tense, as though she was speaking through him.

“You feel the cold? Is like this all the time. I cannot sleep. The child, he comes at night. He whispers to me, ugly ugly things. He followed me here from home and I cannot remove. You can fix for me, yes?

Aury scraped his dry tongue against the roof of his mouth as he searched for words.

“When did this start?”

“Nasty things,” Karkov continued. “He speak to me. He call me ‘mama’ but talk in voice of husband, long dead. He ask question but I don’t answer. Is better not answer drekavac. Did Mikhail tell you of shadow?” Karkov responded to her in Russian then continued translating. “Never let drekavac shadow touch you.”

Aury flicked his eyes at Karkov then cleared his throat. “What does it want?”

“Drekavac is filthy spirit,” Karkov responded, not translating. “Drekavac only want one thing: watch others suffer.”

“Why hasn’t it hurt your mother then?

“I remember you,” a hideous voice hissed from the shadows. “Crixus.”

Aury’s eyes went wide as memories swept over him. He blinked one eye rapidly, wiping the sweat that suddenly beaded.

“I get fire!” Karkov shouted as he stomped out of the room as fast as he could.

“Oh. You’re shaking, dear boy,” the thing said, walking from the corner, pacing against the far wall. “I think you missed me.”

Aury’s exhaled a held breath, watching it fog in the sudden cold through a sliver of light. Karkov’s mother started muttering a prayer in Russian. Aury could hear the beads of a rosery clacking in her trembling hands, like wind through dead branches.

“What are you doing here,” Aury breathed, his voice shaking.

“Then you did miss me,” the drekavac responded, its sinister voice trilling as it hissed through its teeth.

Aury watched the thing’s face curl into a snarl as its eyes snapped to the bed.

“Did you miss me too, my love?” the thing cooed venomously, pulling its sharp teeth to a smile. Karkov’s mother’s muttering intensified as she shook her head, her eyes shut tightly.

The thing’s smiling eyes panned to Aury.

“What are you doing here,” Aury repeated, his voice freeing from the initial shock.

“Let’s not get a big head, Crixus. You can’t believe you’re the only one worthy of my attention, can you?”

“Fuck you,” Aury muttered.

“Now now. What would you mother say if she heard you speaking to an old acquaintance like that?”

Aury reached into his pocket. “Watch your mouth,” he spat.

“You don’t think your little toys are gonna help you, do you?”

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“I guess we’ll have to find out.”

“Then we dance,” the drekavec said, lowering itself for a pounce.

“Catch!” Aury shouted, pulling his hand from his pocket and whipping a vial at the monster.

The glass tube shattered, spraying liquid against the wall. Drips touched the drekavac’s leathery skin, steaming and hissing where it landed. It shrieked in pain as it swatted at its back and arms, trying to wipe the fluid off. The creature dropped to all fours, scurrying into the shadows in the corner inspecting its hands.

“Holy water?” it shrieked, breathing heavily. “What connection do you have with this old hag anyhow? Surely, we can… find a compromise.”

“Fuck off.”

“Fine,” it growled contemptuously. “Those tired old vials only make me angry, anyhow” it hissed, scurrying to the other corner.

“Plenty more where that came from, you…” Aury jumped, dodging the drekavac as it flung itself into the air, snarling. It reached out, scratching against Aury’s hoodie.

Aury rolled and scurried behind a chair tucked in the corner of the room. He sucked air through clenched teeth, grabbing his arm.

“Did I hurt you, little boy?” The drekavec giggled menacingly as it padded against the wall, it’s long, clawed toes picked at the carpet.

Aury ripped the arm of his sweater, pulling it off and wrapping it around the wound.

“I’m not little anymore,” he said, his words muffled by the fabric in his mouth.

Aury pulled out another vial. He pinched the cork between his teeth, the plug popping as it came free.

He poked his head from behind the chair and whipped it back, just dodging the fluid the monster spat. The impact spot sizzled and smoldered next to his head.

“Come come, boy. Show me that pretty face.”

Aury thumped the back of his head against the couch, working to steady his breathing as the drekavec pressed itself back to the shadows.

“I’ll admit. I’m a little surprised to see you here. But only a little,” it added. “I know what you’re planning and I know it’ll fail. Let’s have a friendly chat. I can help you avoid the traps they laid. Come out and I’ll show you.”

“I’ll show you something,” Aury grunted as he lobbed the vial over his head.

Holy water showered down sizzling as the drekavec bounced in a zigzag pattern. It leaped to the wall, digging its claws deep into the drywall, crawling to the corner where it paused and took aim. Aury shouted “fuck!” and dove, dodging a ball of acidy phlegm that splattered against the carpet, burning a smoldering divot in the floor.

Another cough sound burst out. Aury’s socks slipped as he struggled to get his feet under him. He leaped, landing on all fours, just missing the attack. He whipped his head around, snarling at the monster who smiled back, his browning teeth glinting in the tiny bit of light that made its way into the room.

The monster snorted, preparing for another shot. Aury heard it and reached. He spun just in time to catch the warm ball of green slime with the seat cushion of the chair. The spit thumped against the flower pattern as Aury charged forward.

The thing growled and leapt down from the wall pressing itself against the corner. It looked over its shoulder just in time to dodge the mucus covered seat Aury threw.

The drekavec slashed at the air with its claws, knocking the pillow away and widening its eyes as it saw Aury soaring, fully extended.

The monster howled as Aury landed on his stomach, bringing a blade with a crucifix-shaped hilt down onto its foot.

Putrid green liquid sprayed from the wound as the monster clawed the floor and wall, trying to get away.

Aury, stood and reached into a pocket sewn into his hoodie.

“We’re done here,” he growled as he exposed a gilded hand mirror.

The drekavec scurried, tearing strips into the carpet as it panicked, trying desperately to pull itself free of the blade.

“What’s the matter, little buddy?” Aury hissed. “Afraid of what you’ll see?”

“I have fire!” Karkov shouted, bursting through the door, holding a makeshift torch.

Aury’s pupils dilated as his skin blanched.

The drekavec stood in the light of the torch, casting its shadow across Aury’s face.

Aury’s breath stilled in his chest as he was pulled onto the glowing red eyes of the night creature. A high-pitched tone rang in his ears as the drekavec’s teeth elongated and sharpened, a hideous chuckle echoing as he was swallowed by its menacing face.

Then it was quiet.

Aury blinked several times, letting his eyes adjust to the light.

The sun sat low on the horizon, painting strokes of orange and pink at the edges of the clouds. A mourning dove called it’s solemn, hollow song in the distance.

He inhaled through his nose. The soft smell of rain and wheat filled his sinuses as he walked from the field toward a dirt road, the soil squishing under his feet.

In the road, Aury squinted westward then east, taking in the long, empty path. He exhaled through a content smile and started walking away from the setting sun, toward his grandmother’s house.

Grandma’s place. It must have been summer then. He must have been out of school. Mom was probably helping grandma in the kitchen. He bet there was a new litter of kittens in the barn and the neighbor, Mr. Colly, was bottling honey he collected from his hives.

The house was only 45 minutes away. He’d be there well before sunset and just in time for dinner.

Then a whimper.

Aury furrowed his brow as he rounded a curve.

A woman whimpered as she walked along the road. Her hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, and she still had an apron tied around her waist. Aury could hear the crunch of gravel as she walked along.

“You remember don’t you,” the hideous voice said from over Aury’s shoulder. Aury’s lips pressed together so hard they blanched. “You do. That’s what she was wearing when they found her, the dress with the flowers,” the drekavec continued. “Flipflops aren’t good for the road anyway,” it snickered. “What would you have said, boy? What would you have said if you could say anything, hmm? Just one last thing to mommy.”

“Shut up,” Aury growled.

“Ohhh. Now that’s no way to speak to a friend, Crixus. I’m only trying to help. You can’t talk to her, but I can. Maybe I could tell her. Maybe I could tell her you’re waiting at the table for her. Just dear old mum and her perfect little whiney, sniveling brat. Then maybe she’d come home.”

“Shut up.”

“I’ll tell you what, boy. I’ll tell her. I’ll tell her what she’s got waiting.”

A shadow coasted from behind Aury, down the road and stopped next to the woman.

Aury watched, transfixed, as she paused in the road and looked up. Then he heard.

“You’re tired,” the monster cooed, using Aury’s own voice. “It’s too much and there’s nothing you can do about it. You tried; you did. And you did a good job, but it wasn’t enough. It’ll never be enough. There’s one thing you can do. One last thing.” The woman pulled a trembling revolver from her pocket. The drekavec flicked its eyes at Aury and smiled before continuing whispering its venom, painted in Aury’s voice. “Don’t worry, ma. I’ll be fine. Grandma is here. She’ll take care of me. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Aury gritted his teeth and flexed every muscle in his body as he tried desperately to rush forward. He opened his mouth and screamed but nothing came out as he battled a body that refused to listen to his commands.

The drekavec smiled again, licking its sharpened teeth.

“That’s it. Just one little finger. That’s all you need and this will all be over and everything will be okay again.”

Aury’s mother raised the shaking revolver and slowly started to pull the trigger.

The sky tore. A sound like lightening, electric and fizzing, screeched across the landscape and the drekavec started to shake. Aury was suddenly free. He bolted, moving as fast as his legs could carry him as he rushed toward the monster.

The sky turned grey and green and flashed like an analog TV flashing between channels. Like it disappeared and suddenly came back different.

Aury stopped in his tracks. He and his mother looked up, watching the sky shutter and lose its stability as it flickered in and out of existence.

A withered old voice crackled on the wind.

“Bayu-bayushki-bayu; ne lozhisya na krayu; Pridyot seren’ki Volchock;I ukhvatit za bochock.”

Aury blinked several times and gasped for breath as the high-pitched sound flooded his head again. He lowered himself to his knees holding his ears and coughing as his senses slowly returned.

He picked himself up off the carpet and stumbled forward, bracing himself against the far wall as Karkov’s mother continued her lullaby.

He patted his pockets for vials but pursed his lips when he found none.

At the foot of the old woman’s bed, the drekavec swayed softly to the haunting, withered sound of Karkov’s mother’s song as she continued through a sad smile.

“Mama?” he heard the drekavec say.

Aury spun around, snatching the torch from Karkov. He took two steps and flung it at the drekavec.

The monster caught fire, burning like kindling, smoldering calmly as it whispered “mama?” sweetly to the sound of a cracked, ancient Russian lullaby sung through sobs and whimpers.

Karkov, his mother, and Aury watched the drekavec smolder to ashes, painless and tranquil on the apartment floor.

Aury stood aside as Karkov scooped the ashes up. He placed them in a potted plant on the end table, delicately burying them while his mother whispered a prayer, drawing crosses in the air and thumbing her rosery.

Karkov closed the door to his mother’s room and silently led Aury down hallway.

“What happened back there?” Aury asked.

“Is like I say. Is drekavec. Is soul of child dead and not baptized. So, we bury and give funeral rites. Is okay now.”

“Karkov. Was that your brother?” Aury breathed.

“Don’t forget shoes,” the grizzled man said softly.

Aury drew his mouth to a line and slipped into his shoes.

“That thing,” Aury said. “It showed me…” he hesitated, taking a breath and swallowing hard. “It showed me something from when I was a kid, Karkov. Something I didn’t think anyone knew.”

“Is drekavec. Drekavec only want one thing: watch people suffer. Don’t worry. Is okay now.”

Karkov extened a hand to Aury. Aury reached out and took the thin, plastic envelope. An image of Pikachu smiled back at him.

“Will you two be okay?”

“You come to truck tomorrow. I make for you sandwich.” Karkov turned and walked solemnly into the shadows of the rear of the apartment. “Lock door when you leave. Karkov is tired now. Sleep now.”