Days of Love and Blood

and it had become a constant struggle to keep out of his way. I couldn’t stand the man and tried to make my feelings obvious without creating friction at the office, but he continued his advancements. I don’t know if he was just persistent and used to getting his way or if he was too stupid to take the hint.
    “I saw your checkin post - online.”
    “My husband’s here,” I warned him.
    “I don’t see him.” He leaned in as if he was about to whisper some great secret but instead brushed away a lock of hair from my face, letting his finger slowly glide over my cheek. I pushed him back when his finger veered toward my neck.
    Seconds later Brenton’s face was planted on the bar with Ritchie pinning him down by his neck. A glass mug shattered on the floor next to them. The band continued to play their music and no one but the few people around us paid any attention. Ritchie whispered something into Brenton’s ear, squeezed his neck and then let him go. He was gone seconds later.
    “What did you say to him?”
    “Does it matter?”
    “No. Just curious. I have to work with him.”
    “I told him that if he ever touches you again or does anything to make you feel uncomfortable, I’ll find him, rip out his balls and stuf f each one into his eye sockets.”
    “ That’s sick, honey.”
    “You married me.”
    “I wonder if he’ll take the hint now?”
    “I don’t want you working there anymore.”

    “Everybody get inside now!” Cooper bellowed. He jumped off the porch and began grabbing people by the arms, pushing them toward the house. “Inside - get inside - everyone inside!”
    “Ronan?” I yelled. “Ronan, where are you? Marianna - Marianna! Where are Jeremy and Jonah?”
    “What’s going on?” she asked. “What is it? I don’t see any…”
    “Mom?” I whipped around at the sound of his voice.
    “Oh, thank God. Get inside , baby. Right now. All of you.”
    People were confused, looking around with questioning eyes. I saw Cooper speak briefly to Solomon and Brigham who in turn began ushering people toward the house.
    “What’s going on, Carson?” Marianna demanded for a second time.
    “I think a herd is coming. Do you hear the dogs? Some packs of dogs - oh, I’ll explain later. Get inside. Make sure my son stays with you.” She nodded and glanced fearfully around her, then put her arms around her boys and ran inside. Ronan followed quickly behind with the rest of the people.
    I ran to my car and dragged out my bag of gear. I opened the back door and used it for modest privacy while I quickly changed. Leather pants, Kevlar vest, long shirt, gloves, boots and my helmet. My double scabbards were already on my back wh en I heard the first dog enter the yard. When I slammed the door shut the large beast pounced on the hood of my car and snapped his jaws at me, barking furiously. His fur was caked with mud and other dark, viscous fluids. He didn’t jump at me or attack. He was simply pointing out my presence.
    “Kill it!” Cooper screamed.
    “Do you see any yet?” I yelled back. The deed was already done and the limp carcass rolled off the hood.
    “Not yet!”
    “Should I turn off these lights?” It was Solomon who asked. He was securing the front door of the house with his back facing me.
    “No,” I answered. “It’s too late for that. And we’ll need the lights to fight.” Brigham stood in the middle of the yard with a shotgun. I couldn’t see Cooper. Johnson and Tasha were ready, hiding behind two different cars. Several more dogs were almost there, barking as they crashed through the underbrush.
    “Get ready!” I screamed. “Cooper, where are you?” He didn’t answer. At that moment the dogs appeared followed by six armed homicidals. Fast ones.
    “Here they are,” one of them growled. “This is where they’ve been hiding.” I couldn’t lead them away from the house. It was too dark. I needed to fight them right there - in the yard. But I didn’t know how many of them there would be. Was it just these six? Or did more follow? Hundreds? Thousands?
    “I haven’t been hiding,” I said as I stepped into their midst. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
    I unsheathed my first sword and ran toward my group of assassins. Two fell to the ground after I rammed the tip of my sword into the chest of one and impaled the other directly behind him. I quickly kicked them off and pulled my blade free before turning to run. The other four gave a short chase as I led them