Before the Moon Rises by Catherine Bybee Page B

opened her eyes again, shaking loose the images of
    dead patients from her mind.
    Assess first.
    The basement was large, probably under a house of at
    least two thousand square feet. Pivoting, she noticed a set of
    stairs, wooden and broken down. The pipes above her head
    68

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    were old and covered in rust. No noise came from them,
    leading her to believe the house above was vacant.
    She gave the chains that bound her hands a quick tug.
    They were secure and unlike everything else around her, new.
    She managed to get to her feet, giving her arms a break
    and increasing the circulation to her fingertips.
    On her right, she noticed another set of chains. Leaning in
    she saw something hanging on them. Her eyes narrowed
    before terror in the form of a scream escaped her throat.
    Flesh and strands of skin dried in blood hung to the edges
    of the metal links.
    Her screams filled the empty space. Her breath ragged and
    forced controlled every muscle in her body. Grotesque images
    haunted her concerning the fate of the person there before.
    Her eyes dropped to the ground and saw for the first time
    the dried blood she sat in. Her screams erupted again, until
    thankfully she passed out.
    They gathered, as they always did when one of their own
    was threatened.
    Stoned-faced and determined, Max stood over the pack.
    Every one of them brought a civilian so cars could be driven
    at night.
    "How do we know where he's keeping her?"
    "We don't." Max's admission came at a price. Not having
    the exact location would mean they would have to spread out.
    Doing so was risky. The outcome, uncertain. "The address on
    the matchbook could be nothing more than a trap."
    "Going there could mean suicide, Max."
    69

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    He glared at his brother who stated the obvious. "Not
    going would mean her death. Or worse."
    Richard nodded.
    "You'll follow me to this address. The rest of you, pan out
    to his other known locations. Keep your cells on. If I leave
    this address with another person let the others know where I
    am," he told his brother.
    "He could kill you then and there," Lisa, his twenty-four
    year old cousin said from the side.
    Max shook his head. "No. He wants me to watch." At least
    that's what Max kept telling himself. Gorman wanted to
    torment, otherwise he would have already done away with
    Janet. Keeping her alive would draw Max to him.
    Max's father pounded him on his back. "We'll get her,
    son."
    "We need to get moving." Lisa started for the door.
    "Sundown is in less than two hours."
    Max held back while the others filed out of his home. His
    father stood by his side.
    "She's the one, dad. I can't let him have her."
    A smile skirted across his father's face. "I thought as
    much. It isn't like you to call the whole clan."
    "Gorman can't turn her."
    "We won't let that happen."
    Max shoved his fists in his pockets. "If he tries, and I'm
    unable to stop him. Get to her first." The unspoken request
    for his father to be the one to change Janet before Gorman
    had a chance to, left an empty hole in the pit of Max's
    stomach.
    70

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    "I will."
    [Back to Table of Contents]
    71

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee

Chapter Seven
    The address Max obtained directed him to a neighborhood
    filled with rundown houses and graffiti clad streets. Heavy
    iron bars burdened every window and door, indicating that
    this was not the place to linger unless you belonged. Even
    then the chances of surviving past nightfall was slim.
    Max walked the perimeter of the house before approaching
    the door. She wasn't there, had never been according to his
    nose.
    Just as assured of her absence, he was certain he was
    being watched. Over his shoulder, he noted the van his
    brother drove parked several houses down.
    Inside the boarded up, abandoned home would be a clue
    as to where to find her.
    It wasn't locked. In fact, the door almost crumbled