The night was unusually dark and weirdly quiet. No moonlight permeated the thick cloud of fog that hung over the city. The streetlights lining the block stood unlit. Along the rows of houses not a single window was illuminated. The wind and rain whipped at my eyes and cheeks but I heard nothing else. I tugged the collar of my jacket up and over my mouth, shoved my hands into the pockets of my coat, and trudged into the darkness ahead.
I finally came to the dead-end. Shielding my eyes from the rain, I looked up at the low slung building to my right. Windows and doors were gaping holes and a chunk of one wall had collapsed into the alleyway below, spewing glass and brick across the ground. Mr. Creed awaited rescue from the third floor, and while I could do a lot with my power, I couldn’t fly.
I made my way to the rear of the building, looking for the fire escape. With a quick wave of my hand and a word muttered under my breath, the ladder unfolded and crashed to the ground. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching – multiple sets of footsteps. I crouched against the wall below the metal stairs, groping in the darkness. The smell of rancid food told me I was next to a dumpster, so I stayed put, squinting toward the end of the alley.
I could see one outlined figure near the front of the building where I had stood moments before. Two more creatures joined him. As the monsters came into view, I couldn’t help but grin. They had taken the form of businessmen wearing suits and ties. This would be easy.
I downed the first monster with a single kick to the head, then plunged my knife through the breast pocket of his suit and watched as he furiously tried to claw his way to me before he evaporated into shadow and returned to his own realm. I imagined it hurt like hell.
The remaining monsters lurched at me, weighted down by their heavy shoes. I ducked under the arms of the first and stood between them. Grasping each by their red silk neckties, I swung the monsters in a circle above my head then launched them into the wall of the building. They disintegrated, leaving only a couple of coat buttons behind.
Winded but satisfied, I shook the dust off my jeans and began scaling the ladder, determined to reach my destination.