Stitcher's Wrath
STITCHER’S WRATH
By Anthony Parker
Arman “AJ” Julius Vernon is a private security specialist on vacation who finds himself the target of three assassins and a monstrous, rampaging creature that won’t let anyone or anything stand in its way. All of the assassins have a past connection with him, dating back to AJ’s time as a former Special Forces operative 22 years ago. AJ will come to realize that his past isn’t just catching up to him, it’s about to consume him.
Part One
Arman “AJ” Julius Vernon strolled through the bustling fish market, the smell of fresh catch mingling with the salty sea breeze. The sun was a warm kiss on his skin, hinting at the promise of a picturesque afternoon in the quaint coastal town he had chosen for his long-overdue vacation. His eyes darted over the colorful stalls, each one displaying a more tantalizing array of seafood than the last. He felt a gentle tug on his sleeve, pulling him away from his culinary reverie.
“Excuse me, sir”, a young girl with wide eyes and a shaky voice whispered. She clutched a piece of paper in her hand, her eyes darting nervously around the square. “Could you help me?”
AJ looked down at her, his senses sharpening despite the serene setting. Twenty-two years in the Army Special Forces had honed his instincts to a razor’s edge, and the girl’s distress was palpable. “What seems to be the problem?” he asked, his voice calm and reassuring.
The girl handed him the paper, her hand trembling. Unfolding it, AJ’s heart skipped a beat as he recognized the message scrawled in a hasty, desperate hand: “3 at the clock, 9 and 12. Don’t be late for the party.” It was an old code from his military days, a warning of an imminent threat. His eyes shot to the clock tower, and sure enough, there they were. Two figures at 9 and 12 o’clock, blending into the crowd but watching him intently. The third was missing from the 3 o’clock position, which could only mean one thing: he was already in play.
AJ’s muscles tensed as he scanned the area, his mind racing through tactical scenarios. He needed to move and get to cover before the situation escalated. “Stay here,” he murmured to the girl, placing a firm but gentle hand on her shoulder. “You’re safe.”
As he moved, AJ felt the weight of his concealed weapon pressing against his side, a silent reminder of the world he’d left behind. His coastal vacation had just turned into a battleground, and he had to stay sharp. The 3 o’clock position remained empty, which meant the third assassin was already close, probably watching him from some vantage point unseen.
The crowd grew denser as he approached the edge of the market. The stalls closed in around him, their shadows playing tricks with his eyes. He could feel the tension in the air, a storm brewing beneath the veneer of the peaceful scene. The clamor of the market grew muffled as AJ honed in on the whispers of danger, his instincts telling him he was being herded like a lamb to the slaughter.
AJ spotted a narrow alley between two stalls, a perfect escape route, and slipped into it. The cobblestones were slick with the remnants of the morning’s rain, making his footsteps echo off the ancient walls. The alley opened into a deserted courtyard, and he knew he had been led here for a reason. A figure emerged from the shadows, a silhouette that sent a shiver down his spine. It was the third assassin, and from the look in his eyes, he was the most dangerous of them all.
“Long time no see, AJ”, the man said, his voice a low growl. It was Marcus Tarrant, a man AJ had once considered a friend, until a mission had gone south and lines had been drawn in the sand. Marcus had always been a loose cannon, someone who didn’t care if anyone else got hurt in the achievement of his objectives.
Marcus stepped into the light, revealing a face twisted by scars, anger, and treachery. His eyes gleamed with a malicious intent that sent a chill down AJ’s spine. “You’re lookin’ good for an old man”, he sneered, a knife appearing in his hand as if by magic. “But you’re not leaving this town alive.”
Part Two
AJ’s hand hovered over his gun hidden underneath his jacket. “What do you want, Marcus?” he asked, his voice deceptively calm.
Marcus chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound that sent more shivers through AJ’s body than the sea breeze ever could. “What do I want? That’s simple: I want what’s coming to me.” His eyes narrowed, and the knife in his hand appeared, the blade gleaming in the dim light. “You see, I’ve been waiting for this moment a long time. You took something from me, something I can never get back. And now, it’s time for you to pay.”
AJ responded to Marcus. “Still blaming others for your poor choices, Marcus? I see you still haven’t changed one damn bit, except that your face matches your heart.”
Marcus’s smile twisted into a snarl, his grip tightening on the hunting knife. “Choices? You call betrayal a choice?”
“You did that when you disobeyed orders and deserted, Marcus. You proved you were untrustworthy. That’s something I’d never tolerate, then or now.”, stated AJ. “Walk away and forget about this.”
But Marcus’s rage was a living entity, pulsing through the air. “You think I’d just walk away? “After you ruined my life, got me sent to prison, and dishonorably discharged?” He took a menacing step forward.
“You ruined your own life, Marcus”, said AJ. “Stand down or be put down.”
Marcus lunged, his knife slicing through the air with deadly intent. AJ stepped aside with the grace of a dancer, his hand drawing his gun from his holster in one fluid motion. The crack of a single gunshot rang out, echoing through the empty courtyard. Marcus stumbled back, his knife clattering to the ground and his eyes wide with shock. Blood gushed out of his neck, and he fell back dead on the cobblestones. AJ knew that Marcus had been wearing a bulletproof vest.
“I gave you a chance, but you chose the wrong course of action”, said AJ. “As usual.”
Marcus’s eyes glazed over as the light in them faded away, leaving AJ alone in the shadowy courtyard. AJ holstered his gun, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders. It had been a long time since he’d last taken a life, and he didn’t relish the feeling. But he knew he had no choice; Marcus wouldn’t have stopped until he killed him.
The sound of footsteps on the cobblestone echoed through the alley, and AJ tensed again. Elena Maskaev and Vasily Abalkin emerged from the shadows, their expressions a mix of surprise and anticipation. They’d been watching the confrontation, waiting for their moment to strike.
Part Three
“Looks like the party is just getting started”, Elena said, her voice cold as the steel of her drawn handgun.
Vasily smirked, his eyes gleaming. “You always knew how to make an entrance, AJ.” He was armed with an AK-74 assault rifle, likewise aiming it at their former friend.
AJ spoke, “Elena, Vasily…just what are you trying to prove?”
Elena stepped closer, her gun trained on him steadily. “You know what we want,” she said, her voice a dangerous whisper. “You left us high and dry, AJ. After all we did for you.”
AJ’s jaw clenched as he thought back to that fateful mission, the one that had torn their unit apart. “I did what I had to do,” his eyes never leaving hers. “That mission was doomed from the start.”
“Liar!” Vasily spat, his hands tightening around his rifle. “You abandoned us without a second thought.”
AJ’s eyes grew dark with the memory of that mission. It was a covert operation that had gone horribly wrong. AJ and his Croatian allies had been sent in to extract a high-value target, but the intel had been bad. The mission had been a trap, and they’d walked into a slaughterhouse. “We knew the risks of the job,” he said in a steely voice. ” I raised objections against the mission, but I was overruled. We were all following orders. I’d never knowingly lead you into any trap.”
Elena’s eyes flashed with anger. “We followed you because we trusted you, because you promised us a way out of the hell we were in.” Her Croatian accent grew thicker as her voice rose in pitch. “But you took everything from us when you abandoned us.”
Vasily nodded, his face a mask of cold fury. “We had a deal, AJ,” he said, his words clipped. “We helped you get the intel, and you were supposed to help us get our families out. But you disappeared, and we were left to the wolves.”
AJ felt a pang of guilt. It was true that he’d made a promise to them all, one that had fallen apart when the mission had gone terribly wrong. But he had no choice. The stakes had been too high and the risks too great. “The mission had been compromised,” he said, his voice low and tight. “If I had tried to save you, we all would’ve been killed.” He added, “Rumors came back that both of you had been killed in action.”
Arman Julius Vernon still felt a pang of guilt. It was true that he’d made a promise to them, one that had fallen apart when the mission went south. He had no choice, and the stakes were too high. “The intel and mission were bad from the start. We were deliberately set up to fail from the beginning.”
Elena’s gaze was like a laser, cutting through his defenses. “You had a way out, AJ,” she said, her voice trembling. “But you didn’t take us with you.
AJ took a deep breath, the weight of his past pressing down on him. “You know I couldn’t risk it,” he said, his voice tight. “The mission was blown, and we were outnumbered and outgunned. If I had tried to rescue you both, all of us would’ve been captured and executed. “My commanding officer told me that you two had been captured and killed after I’d barely escaped and made it back to base camp.”
He followed up, “Had I known you two were still alive, I would have come back to rescue you, even if I had to do it alone.”
Elena looked into AJ’s eyes for any sign of deception or treachery. Still, all she saw was the same cold resolve that made him a legend in their circles.
AJ closed his eyes for a moment, the ghosts of his past swirling through his mind. “After that mission, everything changed. I was in too deep, too exposed. I was severely compromised, and I was discharged three months later. I couldn’t deal with the thought that I’d failed you, and it’s something that has haunted me for years.”
Vasily stepped forward, his eyes narrowed. “And what about the others, AJ? What about the ones who didn’t make it out?”
AJ’s chest tightened at the mention of his fallen comrades. “Their deaths were not my doing,” he said firmly. “Like you, they were heroes whom I’ve mourned every day since.” He added, “Them and you.”
Elena’s expression softened a fraction, the raw pain in AJ’s voice resonating with her. “But we’re still here, AJ,” she said, her eyes pleading. “We’ve suffered and lost everything. All we want is the truth.”
AJ said, “You know that Marcus was partly responsible for the mission’s failure, disobeying orders and deserting his duty. That contributed to making a bad situation even worse. When I reported it to my superiors, Marcus was imprisoned, served 15 years in a military prison back stateside, and was dishonorably discharged.” AJ added, “I also found out that he’d become a bank robber and hired killer for organized crime after being drummed out of the military.” AJ also said, “I knew that if Marcus and I ran into each other again, we’d be mortal enemies.”
Elena and Vasily shared a look that spoke volumes. They had once been a tight-knit group, a family that had been forged in the crucible of war. But that bond had been shattered when AJ escaped, leaving them to deal with the consequences. The mission that had torn them apart was a high-stakes operation in Eastern Europe, where they had been sent on a joint U.S./Croatian military mission to extract a Russian defector with vital information. However, the mission had been compromised; the defector was a trap, and they were all pawns in a much larger game.
It was almost nightfall, with AJ, Elena, and Vasily trying to rationalize the past. AJ’s heart went out to both of them, hoping that he could dissuade them from their current course.
“Look, I’ll help you,” AJ offered, his hand outstretched. “I run my own company back stateside, Vernon Security Solutions. Let’s work together, try to make up for the mistakes of the past.” He sincerely appealed to their better natures. “We’ve been given a second chance, guys. Let me try to make it up to you.”
Elena’s gaze flickered to the knife on the ground. “Too late for that,” she murmured as her grip tightened on her gun.
Vasily lifted his AK74 and pointed it squarely at AJ’s chest. “We’re beyond your help, AJ. It’s too late for redemption.”
The tension was thick in the courtyard, like a living and breathing entity. AJ knew he couldn’t talk them down; the hurt, anger, and betrayal were too deeply rooted. But he still had to try. “You two aren’t like Marcus,” he said in an even voice. “You two aren’t heartless, cold-blooded killers.”
Elena’s eyes searched his, and for a moment, AJ saw a flicker of doubt. Then it was gone, replaced by a cold determination. “We don’t have a choice,” she said in a firm voice. “They know who you are and what you did, AJ. They’re not going to stop until you pay for your sins.”
Vasily chimed in. “It’s far more than Elena and me, AJ. There are forces at work that you don’t understand.” He paused momentarily. “You’re marked, AJ. You won’t survive this gauntlet.”
AJ’s gaze sharpened. “You’re pawns in someone else’s game. Who’s the mastermind pulling the strings?”
Elena’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t answer. Vasily wasn’t forthcoming, either. The silence was a wall, and AJ knew that they weren’t going to give him the information he wanted. He had to find another way out of this. His eyes darted around the courtyard, looking for an escape route or something--anything--that could give him an advantage. Still, he wouldn’t drop his gun or surrender to his former friends. He had to find a way out of this standoff.
Part Four
That’s when he heard it, a low rumble that seemed to come from the ground itself. The ground beneath them trembled slightly, and the hairs on the back of AJ’s neck stood on end. He looked at Elena and Vasily, seeing genuine fear in their eyes for the first time. It wasn’t for him--it was for something worse. Something much, much worse.”
The rumble grew louder, and the monstrous creature suddenly burst through the wall of a nearby building, sending brick and mortar flying in every direction. The creature was unlike anything AJ had ever seen or heard of before, a hulking mass of muscle and rage, its eyes burning with a hunger that could only be described as otherworldly.
Elena and Vasily staggered back, their weapons forgotten as the creature stalked towards them. The monster was massive, easily twice the size of even the largest human. Its hide looked as though a madman had sewn it together from the flesh of different animals. It sniffed the air, as if searching for a scent, before locking its eyes onto AJ.
The creature’s eyes narrowed, and it let out a deafening roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth. The sound was a cacophony of anger and hunger, a promise of brutal violence. AJ’s instincts screamed at him to run, but he knew that it wouldn’t save him. He had to fight.
He aimed his gun at the creature’s head and fired. The bullets ricocheted off the monster’s thick skull, only serving to enrage it further. The beast charged, moving with a speed that belied its size, and AJ barely had time to dodge its massive fist as it swung through the space he’d just occupied. He rolled, coming up in a crouch, and sized up the beast again.
Elena and Vasily had regained their composure, their weapons now at the ready. They took positions on either side of AJ, firing at the creature.
The monster only seemed to be temporarily inconvenienced by the volley of bullets stinging it.
AJ’s mind raced as he recalled ancient legends of creatures like this one, a beast that had no place in the modern world. “I don’t know what the hell that monster is, but we need to get out of here before it decides we’re dinner.”
The creature charged them again, and the three former soldiers dove in different directions in the courtyard as they barely avoided its grasp. The beast’s movements were erratic, driven by pure instinct and rage. It slammed into a wall in the courtyard, sending chunks of masonry flying. The market outside was now eerily silent, the townsfolk having fled at the first sign of trouble.
AJ’s eyes darted around the courtyard, looking for a way to even the odds. His gaze fell on a metal pipe lying on the ground, half-buried in the rubble. He sprinted towards it, adrenaline coursing through his veins. As the creature turned to face him again, he swung the pipe with all his might, connecting with the beast’s knee joint. The creature howled in pain and buckled, giving them a precious moment of respite.
The monster was more startled and angry than hurt. It couldn’t fathom the idea of prey actively fighting back. It hunted, killed, and devoured victims countless times before, including larger, more powerful creatures. These hairless apes dared to stand against a superior being, a nightmare made flesh?
The monster would thoroughly enjoy this hunt.
AJ could see the creature’s confusion turning into a fiercer rage as it took a step back, giving them a brief moment to regroup. “This thing’s no ordinary animal,” AJ shouted to Elena and Vasily. “We need to work together to bring it down.”
Elena and Vasily nodded in agreement, their animosity temporarily forgotten in the face of this new, terrifying threat. They spread out, circling the creature as they looked for weak spots. AJ knew that bullets weren’t enough. They needed to target the monster’s vital points to have any chance of stopping it.
The monster gazed at them with what almost seemed like contempt. It had grappled with bigger, stronger, four-legged prey and triumphed. Those animals were more solid, with ample flesh to devour rather than the small, two-legged creatures it now faced. It noticed the trio of hairless apes retreating from it.
AJ took advantage of the beast’s momentary distraction and sprinted towards the knife Marcus had dropped earlier. He knew it wasn’t much against such a behemoth, but he had to try something. As he picked it up, AJ felt a strange warmth emanating from the blade, unlike any weapon he’d ever held. The creature had paused in its pursuit, watching him with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. It growled low as it saw the ape picking up a talon from the ground.
Elena and Vasily saw their chance and opened fire again, trying to distract the creature. It bellowed and grabbed at them, its movements slower and almost clumsy. The beast was still slightly wounded from where AJ had hit its knee with the metal pipe, and he knew they had to act fast. He approached the beast cautiously, the knife in his hand feeling heavier with every step. It was a desperate gamble, but he had to do something.
The creature’s gaze swung back to AJ as he closed the distance, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. It roared again, but AJ could see curiosity in its eyes this time. It was as if the monster were studying him, trying to understand why he wasn’t running like the others. AJ took a deep breath and leaped at the abomination.
It swung at him with a massive hand, but AJ was ready. He twisted in midair, using the momentum of the swing to propel himself upward. He plunged the knife into the creature’s eye, and it let out an unearthly scream that echoed through the night. The blade was unlike any metal he’d encountered before, sizzling as it pierced the monster’s tough flesh. It felt alive in AJ’s hand, a tool of ancient power.
Elena and Vasily took the opportunity to attack from the sides, their bullets peppering the aberration’s thick hide. The creature stumbled back, blinded by pain as AJ landed and rolled backwards. He watched as the knife he’d embedded in the monster’s eyes grew brighter. The creature’s roars grew weaker as AJ realized that the knife wasn’t just causing it pain; it was also draining the beast’s vitality.
The monster felt something completely foreign to it: agonizing pain. The tiny manling’s talon caused the creature to experience something it was so used to inflicting on others. It screamed in a guttural outrage as it did something it was unaccustomed to--it ran away, bulldozing through a wall of concrete, wood, and mortar like so much packing foam.
These small beasts would pay dearly for this indignity. The monster would ensure its revenge in a time and place of its own choosing, when these weaklings least expect it.
AJ watched as the creature disappeared into the night, the knife still lodged in its eye. It’s shrill howls of pain slowly fading in the distance. His heart hammered in his chest, and his breath came in ragged gasps. He looked at Elena and Vasily, their expressions a mirror of his shock and relief.
“What kinda monster is that thing?” AJ wondered aloud, genuinely puzzled. “Why was that thing after us?”
Elena’s voice was grim. ”It’s not just any creature, AJ. It’s a Stitcher, a creature from old Russian folklore. They say it’s made up of the flesh of its victims, sewn together and brought to life by dark magic. And it’s got a taste for vengeance.”
“A Stitcher, you say?” AJ wondered incredulously. “It kinda reminds me of the Frankenstein Monster and a creature of Greek mythology called a chimera. I could’ve sworn I spotted some Siberian tiger and other animals mixed in its makeup.” He paused momentarily. “I’ve never heard of this cryptid before.”
Vasily nodded grimly. “It’s not something you want to know, AJ. It’s a creature of ancient times, brought back by someone with a very nasty vendetta.”
“But who?” asked AJ. “Why?”
Elena and Vasily exchanged a look. “The man pulling our strings,” Vasily said. “A man named Viktor Krov. He’s been building his empire for years, and he’s got the kind of power that makes governments tremble. And he’s got a real hard-on for you, AJ.”
The name of Viktor Krov was like a slap in the face, dredging up painful memories AJ had buried deep. “He was a junior officer in the Croatian Army back when I served in the U.S. Special Forces 22 years ago. What does he want with me?”
“He wants the same thing we do,” Elena said. “The truth about what happened on that mission.”
AJ was still processing the information. “But why send a monster to do the job? Why do you work for someone like that?” He quickly added, “Krov doesn’t care about collateral damage, if he’s willing to sacrifice both of you to get to me.”
Elena’s eyes grew hard. “We don’t work for him by choice, AJ. We’re in too deep, and if we don’t do as he says, our families won’t live to see tomorrow.”
AJ replied, “Can’t you see that Krov doesn’t give a damn about either one of you? He wouldn’t shed a tear if his pet monster tore you apart to try to get to me.” He followed up. “Marcus’s knife seemed to cause it great pain. That means the Stitcher can be stopped.”
Elena nodded. “Yes, but the knife you used was special. The blade was said to be made from the bones of the first Stitcher, created to control them. But it’s not enough to just wound it. We need to destroy it.”
AJ asked, “Are there any more weapons like it available?”
Elena shook her head. “Not that we know of. It’s a legendary artifact, something that’s passed down through generations of hunters. But we do know where to find more information”, she said, a glimmer of hope in her voice. “The man who sent the message to you might have
something that could help us.”
AJ said to them, “Elena, Vasily…let’s get on it. I don’t want any of us becoming monster chow.”
They all nodded in grim agreement, and the trio set off into the dark, deserted streets of the coastal city as the Stitcher’s howls faded in the distance. AJ could feel the eyes of the town on them, hidden behind the drawn curtains and shuttered windows. The townspeople knew something monstrous and savage was out there, and they weren’t taking any chances.
Part Five
AJ said to them, “Let’s get some other weapons. Even if they can’t stop it, I’d feel better knowing that we can delay that monster until we can find something that can kill it.”
Elena nodded. “We know a place where we can get some gear,” she said, her eyes hard with certainty. “But we need to be careful. Krov has eyes everywhere.”
The trio moved quickly, sticking to the shadows as much as possible. The streets were eerily quiet, the only sound the distant wail of a siren. This was a testament to the terror that Viktor Krov’s creature had inflicted upon the town. AJ’s mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle that was his past.
How had Krov gotten involved? What did he know that AJ didn’t? It seemed like overkill, sending three assassins and a monstrous abomination after one man. AJ had to figure out Krov’s endgame before it was too late.
Elena led them to a nondescript building on the edge of town. It was a small, run-down place that looked like it had seen better days, but AJ knew better than to underestimate the value of such a place. He’d been in similar buildings in his line of work, and they often held secrets that could mean the difference between life and death.
AJ picked back up on an earlier thread. “Elena, Vasily…I’m willing to bet anything that Krov knows more than he’s telling. So much that I’d even bet he had something to do with our mission going sour, all those years ago.” He then added a bombshell. “I’ll bet Krov orchestrated the whole thing.”
Elena and Vasily exchanged glances, the gravity of AJ’s accusation sinking in. “It’s possible,” Elena murmured. “We need proof. And we also need to find out why he’s so obsessed with you.”
AJ answered, “Think about everything that happened so far, Elena. Vasily, look me in my eyes and tell me this is all a coincidence. I dare both of you to convince me that all this is by happenstance.”
Elena’s eyes searched AJ’s face, looking for any sign of deception. But she knew him too well. “Okay,” she said slowly, “let’s say Krov did set us up. What do we do about it?”
“First, let’s get some weapons, do some fact-finding, get some food, and bunker down,” said AJ. “Preparation is vital.”
They entered a nondescript building, where AJ was immediately struck by the smell of old metal and gunpowder. It was a medium-sized space filled with shelves and racks of weapons of every era and corner of the globe. The old man behind the counter looked up, his eyes widening slightly when he saw AJ, clearly recognizing him. “Arman,” the man exclaimed in a gravelly voice. “It’s been a long time.”
The man’s name was Dmitri Horvat, a former black-market arms dealer who had turned to a life of relative peace after a near-death encounter with a rival. He’d been a reliable source for AJ back in the day.
AJ nodded, keeping his voice low. “Dmitri, I need your help.”
Dmitri looked at Elena and Vasily, his expression unreadable. “What kind of trouble are you in, old friend?”
AJ said, “The kind that has fangs, claws, and a vendetta. We need weapons that can handle something…unusual.” He quickly followed up, “Something that can put some serious hurt on a creature of myth and nightmares.”
Dmitri raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite the gravity of the situation. “Ah, a Stitcher,” he murmured, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “You’re in luck. I’ve got some rare artifacts in the back that might do the trick.” He turned and disappeared through a bead-covered doorway, leaving the trio to exchange tense glances.
The air in the room was thick with anticipation as they waited. AJ’s thoughts raced, trying to anticipate their next move. Wounding the Stitcher had bought them some time, but he knew it wouldn’t be long before it recovered and returned for them. The implications of Krov’s involvement were staggering. If he had indeed orchestrated their mission’s failure in the past, then Viktor Krov had a vendetta that spanned decades.
Dmitri returned, his arms laden with an assortment of silver bullets, quartz-tipped silver bolts, and other artifacts. He also came out with more modern weaponry and explosives. Pointing to the silver bullets and quartz-tipped bolts, the shopkeeper said, “These will do more than tickle it.”
AJ said, “Dmitri, you’re just what the doctor ordered.” He looked at the rest of the assorted weaponry. “Tell us about the rest of our monster-fighting weaponry.”
Dmitri held up a wicked-looking crossbow. “This,” he said with a grin, “was used by the legendary Stitcher hunter, Ivan the Unseen. It’s got a few special bolts that’ll keep your patchwork friend busy.”
AJ nodded, impressed despite the strangeness of the situation. “Let’s get them loaded up,” he said, taking the crossbow and testing its heft.
Elena picked up a set of silver knives that gleamed in the dim light. “These look like they could do some damage,” she said, testing their balance.
Vasily’s gaze fell upon an old-fashioned flamethrower. “And this,” he murmured, “will turn it into barbecue.”
Dmitri nodded gravely. “Aye, that it will. But beware, Stitchers are clever. Plus, they’re strong, heal fast, and have no fear. You’ll need to be swift, precise, and have some explosives, too.”
AJ thanked Dmitri and paid for his purchases with a company credit card, including a case of MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) combat rations. As they loaded AJ’s van with the weaponry, he suggested that they grab some additional fresh fruits, vegetables, and two cases of water from one of the nearby outdoor stalls. “It’s too dangerous to dine out in any restaurant or cafe. We’ve got to be able to move on the go.”
The market was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos and noise of the day. Most of the vendors had packed up early, sensing the fear in the air. The trio managed to grab two pounds of assorted fresh fruits and a case of water before hearing the distant sound of the creature’s howl. It was on their trail, determined to eliminate the ones who thwarted it.
AJ said, “Okay, gang, let’s go and hole up at a spot that’s fortified and that we can defend.”
They drove through the quiet, empty streets, the headlights of the van cutting through the darkness. The creature’s howls grew steadily louder, sending shivers down their spines. AJ knew they had to find a safe space before it caught up with them.
They pulled up to a dilapidated old fortress on the outskirts of town. It was an abandoned relic of a bygone era, but it had thick stone walls that would provide some protection. AJ led with the crossbow as they made their way to the entrance. The heavy wooden doors groaned as they swung open, revealing the darkness within.
Elena and Vasily followed, their weapons at the ready. The fortress was cold and damp, the air thick with the scent of mold and decay. They moved through the corridors, checking every room. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing through the space.
Vasily had set up an M240 Machine Gun stocked with full ammo. “Even if this gun can’t kill the creature, it should lay down some hurt on it.”
AJ smiled and said, “This almost reminds me of happier times, being with you two again. I just wish it were under better circumstances.”
Elena and Vasily nodded in silent agreement, their eyes reflecting the flickering light from their flashlights as they scoured the room. The fortress was a maze of corridors and chambers, each one holding the potential for a deadly ambush. The group moved swiftly but cautiously, their boots echoing off the ancient stones.
Elena said, “Let’s set up ambushes for when the Stitcher breaches the door. The fortifications are stout, but they won’t hold up under its prolonged assault.”
AJ said, “Yeah, let’s also set up some tripwires and explosives. Make sure we can draw it deeper in the maze and bury it, if possible.”
The trio took a quick meal break, nourishing themselves for the coming battle.
They worked tirelessly late into the night, setting traps and preparing themselves for the inevitable siege. The monster’s howls grew closer, sending a chill down AJ’s spine. Time was of the essence, and they had to be ready.
Part Six
The heavy wooden doors exploded inward, the Stitcher announcing its arrival with a thunderous roar. They could hear its heavy footsteps approaching, each step echoing through the corridor like thunder.
AJ shouted to his companions, “Get closer to the dungeon entrance.”
They sprinted further down the hall, the creature’s roars growing louder as it caught their scent. They set up a makeshift barricade of old wooden tables and chairs less than 10 feet from the dungeon entrance, hoping to delay the Stitcher long enough to set the rest of their traps. The monster’s footsteps grew closer, the ground shaking with its weight.
Vasily said, “AJ…Elena, I remember reading about there being a large bottomless pit in this fortress, just past the dungeon. If we could somehow lure the Stitcher and make it fall into the pit.”
Elena nodded. “If the pit exists, it would be in the dungeons.”
The trio split up to set the traps. AJ took the crossbow and the quartz-tipped silver bolts, while Elena and Vasily set the tripwires and explosives. They moved with the precision of a well-oiled machine, each step calculated and swift. They knew the barricade wouldn’t long hold the monstrous creature and could tell that it had triggered the flash bang and tear gas grenades, hoping to temporarily disorient the beast. The Stitcher’s roars grew closer, and they could feel the walls tremble as it pounded them in frustration.
Elena was the first to find the pit, the stench of dampness and decay filling her nostrils. It was there, a gaping maw in the floor just as Vasily described. “It’s here,” she called out as her voice echoed off the stone walls.
Vasily rushed in, laying the explosives around the pit. “We need to be quick,” he shouted over the creature’s approaching howls. “It’s nearly through the barricade.
The Stitcher’s massive form filled the hallway beyond the opening of the dungeon, pausing to sniff the air as it sensed them nearby. It’s one good eye locked onto AJ, and it bellowed furiously.
“Now!” shouted AJ, and the three of them opened fire. The Stitcher staggered back as the silver bullets and quartz-tipped bolts tore into its flesh, but it didn’t go down. It was relentless, its desire for vengeance driving it forward.
AJ aimed the crossbow and fired a bolt directly at the monster’s heart, hitting true. The beast yelped and stumbled backward, momentarily stunned by the pain.
He then fired one more bolt into the meaty part of the Stitcher’s upper leg. It screamed in outrage as the quartz-tipped projectiles burned into its heart and leg. Although the agony made the beast halt for a few moments, it did nothing to diminish its determination to fulfill its mission.
The monster caught sight of the trio and continued toward them, undeterred. AJ and Elena lobbed tear gas grenades at the beast, seeking to momentarily delay it in the hallway as Vasily readied the flamethrower.
Donning his gas mask and protective gloves, Vasily was able to see the Stitcher’s outline in the thick smoke. He directed a cone of flame towards the monster, immersing it in an inferno. The burning creature roared and screamed as Vasily ditched the flamethrower and ran toward his partners.
The Stitcher walked toward them, a blazing golem stalking the trio as though stepping through a gentle rain shower.
The trio ran toward the dungeon, carefully maneuvering around the tripwires and explosives ringing the central pit. The monster slowly and steadily followed them deeper into the Stygian darkness. The creature roared thunderously, confident in its ability to catch and devour the hairless, chittering monkeys who dared defy it.
“Now!” Elena shouted, and they all dashed to the side and rolled out of the way as the explosives went off with a deafening blast. The floor beneath the Stitcher gave way as it fell into the pit. Its screams echoed as it plummeted further into the abyss.
The trio barely had time to catch their breath before they heard the distant thump of helicopter blades. AJ swore under his breath. “Krov,”
He muttered, his hand tightening on the crossbow. “This isn’t going to be a friendly visit, guys. Prepare for combat.”
Elena and Vasily nodded, their expressions grim. They had anticipated this. The Stitcher’s rampage would have drawn attention, with Victor Krov not far behind. They had to act fast. They retreated deeper into the fortress, taking positions around the narrow corridor that led to the dungeon. It was a bottleneck, a chokepoint that would force Krov’s men to come to them one by one. AJ manned the M240 machine gun while Elena and Vasily were armed with M-16 assault rifles. They still had some unused explosives and other weaponry, as well.
The sound of the helicopters grew louder, and soon the sound of boots on the fortress ramparts echoed through the corridor. The first few soldiers rushed in, only to be cut down in a hail of gunfire. The trio had the advantages of ambush points and familiarity with the layout of the fortress. They were well-prepared for such moments.
“They’re coming in fast,” Vasily shouted over the din of the firelight. “We need to keep moving.”
AJ nodded, his eyes never leaving the sights of the M240. “Fall back deeper into the dungeons,” he instructed. “We’ll make our stand there.”
The next wave of soldiers and mercenaries rushed in, and AJ’s bullets tore through them with deadly efficiency, their screams lost in the deadly roar of the medium machine gun. Elena and Vasily laid down cover fire, their movements synchronized as they picked off Krov’s trained killers one by one.
Suddenly, the sound of a powerful voice boomed through a megaphone. “Hold your fire!” It was Krov himself, striding in with six heavily armed soldiers flanking him. From his position 1/3 into the long, wide hallway, he sneered as he caught the glint of the trio’s weaponry. “Ah, the ‘Prodigal Son’ returns at last.”
“You did well, AJ,” Krov said, his voice reverberating off the stone walls. “Stopping my pet was quite the feat. But now, you and your reunited comrades will pay for that.” His men slowly advanced ahead, weapons at the ready. “My Stitcher was quite a significant investment, you know.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed, “You set us up, you bastard,” she accused. “This whole mission was a trap.”
All parties were heavily armed in a tense standoff. AJ, Elena, and Vasily had the advantage of being able to retreat further into the twists and turns of the maze of corridors beyond the dungeon and the pit.
Victor Krov laughed. “You’re all expendable assets. Your lives are mine to use as I see fit.” He then turned serious. “AJ, there were matters in which your government stuck its meddlesome nose, which would’ve spoiled the plans of my partners and myself, back then. We set you up and fed your government false information. You somehow eluded us 15 years ago.” He smiled again. “Your good luck has run out.”
AJ said, “You just confirmed what took me 15 years to figure out, Krov. What was your purpose in doing all this? What did you hope to gain?”
Krov chuckled. “Ah, the great mystery unraveled. Alas, that’s a story for another time, AJ. Right now, I’d like you to drop your weapons. Cease this foolishness, and come with me. I promise I have no intention of letting you die here….at least, not before getting what I want.”
Elena spat on the ground. “We’re not going anywhere with you.”
Vasily spoke up. “We’re through being manipulated by you, Krov. It ends tonight.”
Krov’s smile grew colder, his eyes glinting with malice. “You’re in no position to bargain, traitors.” His soldiers tightened their grip on their weapons, getting ready to rush in and outflank the renegades in the dungeon ahead. The air was thick with tension.
“We’re not traitors,” AJ shouted back, his voice echoing in the dark, cavernous space. “We’re survivors. We’re not going anywhere with you, coward.” He paused before continuing. “You want us, you’re gonna have to earn that victory.”
Krov’s smile grew even colder as his eyes narrowed. “Very well,” he said, waving his hand as he signaled his soldiers to advance. AJ knew he and his friends had to spread out and advance. He likewise gave the signal for the three of them to retreat into the shadows of the corridor, slipping into the labyrinth of the fortress.
Victor Krov shouted to his soldiers, “Get them! Do whatever you must, but I want them all, dead or alive. Do not let them escape.” The heavily armed men responded like a well-oiled machine.
Elena whispered, “We can’t afford to be penned in. We need to be able to take them by surprise.” AJ and Vasily nodded, and they retreated into deeper vantage points beyond the pit. The Stitcher’s howls had resumed deeper in the pit, indicating the monster had regained consciousness. The sound of Krov’s soldiers grew even louder. AJ and company knew they couldn’t outgun them, so they had to use their experience to outsmart them.
AJ whispered, “We still have a few explosives left, don’t we?” Elena and Vasily confirmed that they did. “Good, that means we can pick off more of them and capture Krov, too.”
They set a series of explosive traps in the maze beyond the pit, each designed to narrow down their pursuers. The first explosion rocked the fortress, sending dust and debris flying. The screams of two mercenaries were cut short, and the trio used the confusion to escape further into the maze-like corridors.
There were four of Viktor Krov’s soldiers left. Sergeant Jirov barked orders. “Dmitriy, Yaksev, split up and track them.” He then turned to the remaining soldier. “Rodiya, you come with me.”
The soldiers split up, their footsteps echoing through the corridors. AJ’s heart raced. He knew that he and his friends were outnumbered and outgunned, and Krov’s men had the luxury of being able to call in reinforcements.
Elena whispered, “We need to get to the rooftop. We can escape from there.” AJ nodded, his eyes scanning one of the dimly lit corridors from there. They moved swiftly and silently, placing their trust in the shadows as much as their own skills.
Vasily whispered, “We can’t let Krov get away again, AJ.” His voice was taut with anger.
AJ replied with certainty. “We won’t and he won’t.” Following up, he also said, “But first, let’s concentrate on the business at hand.”
They reached the stairs leading to the rooftop, and AJ took point. The first soldier, Dmitriy, stumbled into their path with his flashlight beaming erratically. AJ stepped from the shadows and took him down with a knife to the jugular, silencing the soldier before he had a chance to scream. The second soldier, Yasksev, was caught in a trap Elena had set, a silver knife slicing into his boot and into his foot. He screamed in pain, alerting the remaining soldiers to his position. Elena then silenced Yaksev by shooting him in the face with her SAR 9 handgun.
Rushing forward with their assault rifles, Elena and Vasily laid down cover fire, peeking around the corner to blind their adversaries with cover fire. Sergeant Jirov and Private Rodiya took cover, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of their quarry. AJ used the moment to sneak up on them, the M240’s rounds taking out the sergeant with nasty, brutal efficiency.
The sudden silence was deafening. Private Rodiya looked around wildly, his breath coming in ragged gasps. A shadow moved in the corner of his eye, and he turned and fired blindly. AJ stepped out of the shadows with the M240 at the ready, obliterating the young, terrified soldier in a hail of bullets.
“It’s just us now, Krov,” AJ shouted into the void. “Send more soldiers in to die, but know this: you’re next.”
Part Seven
The echoes of AJ’s words reverberated through the ancient halls before silence prevailed. They waited, their breaths shallow and eyes peeled for movement. No more soldiers were forthcoming. The dozen that the mastermind had sent after them were eliminated.
“We need to move,” AJ said to his team. “Krov can’t be far.” They ascended the stairs to the rooftop, the wind shifting their clothes as they emerged into the moonlit night. The helicopter hovered in the distance, its searchlight sweeping the ground.
“Spread out,” AJ instructed, his eyes never leaving the searchlight. “We’ll take him down from here.” The trio fanned out, using the darkness as cover and looking for any signs of movement. The helicopter’s thumping blades grew louder, the downdraft kicking up dust and debris.
Krov emerged from the shadows, his eyes cold and calculating. He was flanked by four remaining soldiers, the last of his men. Their weapons were pointed at the trio as the mastermind snarled, “Drop your weapons! This ends now.”
AJ stepped forward with his M240 at the ready. “You’re the one who started this mess, Viktor,” he said in a steady, even voice. “Now, it’s time to finish it.”
Krov sneered, gesturing to his soldiers. “You’re surrounded,” he said. “Your little reunion ends here.”
AJ smirked, his eyes flicking to the sky where the helicopter hovered. “I don’t think so, pal,” he said. Suddenly, AJ and his allies cut down the last of Krov’s soldiers as the man himself dove out of harm’s way. The men fell, their weapons clattering on the stone rooftop.
The trio then trained their guns on the man who’d altered their lives with his schemes. “You’ve still got some slick moves, Viktor, but they won’t save you this time.”
AJ continued, “ It’s over, Krov. We could kill you right here and now, but we won’t.” He smiled lightly. “Come with us, Viktor. We have something else in mind for you.”
Krov’s eyes narrowed. “You fools think you can outsmart me? You think you can turn the tide? You’re the ones surrounded now,” he said, gesturing to the ring of additional soldiers and mercenaries below that had closed in on the decaying fort. “Even if you kill me, you won’t survive long enough to celebrate.” He then crowed, “You idiots will learn that no one outsmarts Victor Krov.”
There was a volley of gunfire from below.
“That’s the rest of your army being picked off, Viktor. We’ve got reinforcements, too.” AJ gestured to Elena and Vasily, who still had their guns trained on Krov. “Come along, Viktor! You’ve got an appointment to keep.”
Krov’s eyes darted around as he was still looking for an escape. None was forthcoming. The helicopter still flew in a tight circle above them, making no offensive or defensive moves.
Krov looked crestfallen as he bitterly admitted defeat. “Very well,” he said, raising his hands. “But know that this isn’t over.”
The trio marched Krov back into the fortress, down the stairs, and into the central dungeon. The echo of Krov’s boots on the stone steps was a grim reminder of his upcoming fate. The yawning pit loomed before them, the Stitcher’s faint roars reverberating from the darkness below. AJ nodded to Elena and Vasily, both of whom tied Krov’s hands and legs with the enchanted rope Dmitri had given them earlier.
Elena stepped closer to Krov, her eyes ablaze with a mixture of anger, hatred, and disgust. “You brought this upon yourself,” she said. “For your crimes against humanity and the lives you’ve ruined and destroyed, you will face justice.” She then struck him across the face with the butt of her pistol before spitting on him.
Vasily took the rope from Elena and tightened it around the mastermind’s legs, his knots firm and precise. “You’re going to pay,” he spat. “And not just for what you’ve done to us, but for all your crimes.” Vasily then rose up and doubled him over with an uppercut to the abdomen, wishing he could prolong Krov’s suffering.
Elena stepped back, her face a mask of cold determination. “You’re going to face the same fate you sentenced our comrades to,” she said as her voice echoed throughout the cavernous dungeon. “But before you do, know that you stand revealed as a lying, scheming, power-mad coward.”
Vasily nodded in agreement, his grip on the rope tightening. “You’re even worse than that Stitcher you created,” he said, his eyes burning with anger. “You’re going to suffer for your sins.”
They approached the edge of the pit, the creature’s roars growing louder from below, sensing fresh meat. Krov struggled, his eyes wide with abject terror. “No,” he pleaded. “Not that.”
AJ spoke up. “That Stitcher is what you sent to pick us off. You figured that if Elena and Vasily didn’t kill me, you’d send your pet monster in as insurance. Obviously, you figured Elena and Vasily were expendable.” He stepped closer to face Krov. “For all your lies, treachery, and manipulation, I sentence you to spend the rest of your life with your abomination.”
AJ then struck Viktor Krov across the chin with a left hook, sending the man falling into the Stygian depths below. Krov screamed as he began his descent.
AJ remarked, “Even if those two should somehow survive down there, they shouldn’t be able to climb back out. From what I can tell, I’d estimate that the pit is about three to four hundred feet deep and doesn’t have handholds or footpaths.”
Elena nodded, a grim smile on her face. “Let’s go,” she said, turning away from the pit.
As they were about to leave, a sudden, ear-piercing screech echoed through the fortress. The Stitcher had caught Krov just before he could hit the bottom of the pit. The scheming manipulator was still screaming before his monstrous enforcer could decide what to do with him.
Krov’s screams filled the dungeon as the Stitcher held him aloft, its claws digging into his flesh. The beast began to greedily devour its master in the depths of the earth below. Viktor Krov wailed shrilly before going silent with a choked, gurgling cry.
Part Eight
AJ, Elena, and Vasily looked at each other, their expressions a mix of horror and grim satisfaction. They had ended Viktor Krov’s reign of terror, but at a high cost. The abomination below them was still a danger to the world, and they knew they couldn’t leave it alive.
AJ said, “Let’s get some additional explosives and blow this fortress up. That’ll fill the pit and bury that thing permanently.”
The trio then went outside, finding that their allies had effectively killed the remainder of Krov’s soldiers who hadn’t surrendered. They hurriedly explained to them that they needed to blow up the ancient fort in order to ensure that the horror in the pit remained buried.
Dmitri the shopkeeper was there among AJ’s allies, having brought along additional high-powered explosives. The old man nodded solemnly at AJ’s plan. “It’s for the best,” he said as he handed them over. “The world’s better without that abomination and its creator.”
They worked quickly, placing the explosives at key points inside and outside of the old fortress. They were deliberately placed to set up a strategic chain reaction that would bring the entire structure down on top of and into the pit. Sweat beaded on their brows despite the cold night air as they worked under the pressure of the Stitcher’s persistent howls.
“Alright, let’s move out!”, AJ shouted, his voice tight with tension. They retreated to a safe distance, the finality of their actions weighing heavily on their shoulders.
Elena looked back at the fortress, her jaw clenched. “It’s a mercy, really,” she murmured almost to herself. “For all the souls it’s claimed.”
Vasily nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “We’ve done what we had to,” he said. “But we can’t forget what we’ve seen and experienced here.”
The group retreated further as the weight of their mission pressed down on them as the Stitcher’s cries grew more distant. The moon cast more eerie shadows across the grounds, the wind carrying the scent of the monster’s stench from the dungeon. They didn’t speak as they moved, each lost in their own thoughts of the horrors they witnessed and the justice they’d served.
Once a safe distance was reached, AJ took a deep breath and signaled the detonation. The earth trembled beneath their feet as a series of explosions ripped through the night. The fortress’s stones groaned in protest before collapsing inward with a deafening roar. The massive structure crumpled like a house of cards, the dust billowing into the air like a plume of ash from a volcano. The Stitcher’s howls were swallowed by the rumbling cacophony of falling rock and timber.
Elena and Vasily watched with a mixture of horror and relief, their eyes reflecting the fiery red of the explosions. The fortress that had once been a bastion of protection was now nothing more than a pile of rubble, burying the monster and its creator beneath it. The Stitcher’s cries grew fainter until, at last, silence fell over the battlefield.
With the dust settling, AJ turned to them, his face etched with lines of fatigue and determination. He spoke with sincerity, his voice carrying over the whispers of the night. “Thank you both, Elena and Vasily,” he said. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Elena and Vasily shared a look, an unspoken understanding passing between all three of them. They had regained kinship in the most unlikely and unexpected of places, more than a decade and a half later. Both Elena and Vasily originally came as unwilling assassins on a mission to capture AJ dead or alive; now, they worked together against two greater foes and triumphed in a common cause. They were more than mere allies and friends; they were now a family.
AJ then offered them positions in his company, Vernon Security Solutions, if they ever wanted to emigrate to America. He promised that he would use his contacts and influence to assist with the immigration and naturalization process.
Elena stepped forward, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of surprise and hope. “What you’re offering…it’s more than we could ever have asked for,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “We’ve been fighting for so long, we forgot what it felt like to have a future.”
Vasily concurred, his hand shaking slightly as he took AJ’s offered hand. “We’re in.” he said in a gruff yet sincere voice. “We’ll fight with you, as long as you’re fighting against monsters like Viktor Krov.”
AJ said, “You bet, Vasily. That’s part of my overall mission and reason for being.”
The three stood in silence for a moment as the dust from the explosions slowly settled. Then, without warning, AJ pulled Elena and Vasily into a tight embrace. “You’re not just my allies.” he said with confidence. “You’re my family now.”
Elena felt tears prickle at her eyes, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Vasily’s grip was firm, his shoulders shaking slightly. They had all found kinship in a place of war, betrayal, and horror, and it was a bond stronger than any they had ever known.
The End
