David sat by the chair as the convoy move quickly and silently, the heavy air of fear practically smothering it. What transpired before laid heavy on everyone, him included.

Looking over at the man currently tapping on the tablet beside him, Kane seems to be undeterred. Talking nonsense constantly, he didn’t know this man was so talkative, blanking out once in a while as he listen to his endless ramble.

“And so the Mataph empire was formed. Not by physical prowess but by communication and the heroics of the emperor, Sharako…”

Why would I care about your empire’s creation story, can’t you smell the shit that your driver spewed out an hour ago?

Please, shut the fuck up, I beg of you…

So there he was, re-gagged and bound, stuck in a convoy of the enemy. while their boss was essentially torturing him with his endless talking, this day could not get any worse.

Then something came up that made him think otherwise, the convoy stopped. Looking forward he could see the front vehicle had smoke coming out of it for some reason. Causing Kane to frown and return to tapping on his tablet, switching on the watch.

“What happened?”

“Sir, we have a situation.”

“Damn it all, what?”

“Our engine malfunctioned, something went wrong. We’re checking on it now.”

“Haaah, fine.” Tapping on his watch, “everyone stop, check your engines. 15-minute break, then we move out again.”

Running his hand through his hair in frustration, Kane glanced over at David, a curious look on his face as he undid the gag.

“you seem awfully calm.”

“I’m already stuck here with you, there’s a murderous android outside and that thing you summoned. No way in hell I can escape anyway.” Said David nonchalantly, unfazed by the gaze. Looking out into the night, his eyes full of caution.

“That’s true, but I don’t believe you’re one to give up so easily. What plans you got?” David only looked back, a blank look now etched on his face.

“Plans? What plans would work against a god’s servant like you?” Kane could only laugh lightly as he shook his head

“I am not a god’s servant. The golden owl and I are in a partnership. I do what I need to do and he help me as much as he could he could. It’s give and take, contractual. No worship needed.”

This time, David was curious, leaning his head back.

“What do you mean?”

The question cause Kane to freeze up, showing an incredulous look.

“That… I can’t tell you, but I can tell you this, don’t trust the gods too much.”

Those words struck David as very odd, a man who just summoned a ‘holy’ beast from a god, telling him not to trust the gods he served. He knew these ‘gods’ are not to be trusted, but to be taught by such a person. Shaking his head in self-derision, one thing at a time David, one thing at a time.

Kane quickly left the vehicle while the driver sat at his post, he should be the one to leave instead, he was the one who shat himself after all. It was not until moments later that David felt that something did not feel right, he could feel a chill run down his back, looking at the reflection in the rearview mirror.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

A bloodied face, his eyes bulging from both sockets, blood dripping from both of his ears. The man is very much in an unstable state, muttering what little bravery is within him, David began speaking. “Hey…you ok?”

As if finally noticed his presence, the diver turned his head. Normally, when someone turns their head, their body, particularly the shoulders, would also turn with them. This is because most humans would only be able to turn about 70-80 degrees on each side.

This man turned his head, this is true, but the degree to which his head turned was a little too much, a little too far back, a little beyond the limit of human physiology. Enough to send that same chill up David’s scalp.

Not again… that fucker Kane, he knew…

The driver lets out a smile as he answered the question, blood flowing from between his teeth and down his mouth. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Turning his head back to the front, the sound of bone snapping back could be heard from his neck. David was now damn sure that Kane knew, and have decided to ditch him.

“So, where are we going?” asked David, now knowing that this place is no longer safe. Began looking out for anything to help him escape, the zip-ties binding his hands behind his back is going to make things more difficult, that is for certain.

“We are almost there, we are almost there… there... Yes… yes, just a little more, yes… yes.” The man muttered to himself, continuing to ignore David. His eyes looked in front of the vehicle and into the darkness ahead, an excessive smile on his face. The sounds of screams echoed out from outside of the vehicles, a battle had broken out. The sound of flesh tearing and weapons discharge filled the outside.

Fuck my life…

Now bound, and deathly afraid. David quickly look around the vehicle. The cypher is gone, and his weapons and tools confiscated, those fuckers were really thorough.

Good fucking jobs you dunces. If the driver attacks, I could still kick his face in, so that’s something… maybe? Think you idiot, think…

“Khsh… kkhhssshhh…he he, he he he…”

The sound of Laughter spewed out from somewhere, causing the veins on his forehead to pulse madly as he turned his attention to the source. The radio, the fucking radio player on the dashboard of the vehicle. The entire damn thing was compromised. The damn car is haunted…

And just as when he thought his luck was at its worst, the vehicle began whirring up its engine and drove off. with him inside, along with the mad driver, who wasn’t even holding the steering wheel. Leaving the convoy behind, and into the cold dark night.

*Pak*

The driver abruptly pulled out his combat knife.

“Come you son of a bitch, I’ll kick your head off.” David silently mutters to himself, getting ready to really give a good kick.

*Vrrm*

A loud screech came from outside as something slammed onto the back of the vehicle, a soldier, his body mangled and battered. He was too focused to take a look around on the outside, looking behind in a panic, he could see a scene of absolute chaos, the soldiers had turned bestial, attacking each other without quarters. Kane was nowhere to be found.

“Ha… ha… ha… ha…” the series of low laughter rang out from the dashboard stopped, and taunting smile appeared on the face of the driver as he held the knife.

“Hiii…” the man spoke softly, his smile widening, “Let’s… talk…”