Vengeance Fulfilled (The Raven Falconer Chronicles: Episode Three)

The Raven Falconer Chronicles

Vengeance Fulfilled

A Fictional Series

By

Dennis F. Larsen

COPYRIGHT

The Raven Falconer Chronicles

Vengeance Fulfilled

Smashword Edition

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2014 Dennis F. Larsen

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

ISBN: 978-0-9918431-4-5 

larsennovels@gmail.com

Cover Design by Sean Strong for curtisANDstrong

Also by Dennis F. Larsen

The Living Hunger (Book 1)

The Raven Falconer Chronicles (Ep.1): Operation Z-Day

The Raven Falconer Chronicles (Ep.2): Rise of the Huskers

The Raven Falconer Chronicles (Complete Series Ep. 1-3)

From the Author

The Raven Falconer Chronicles is a fiction series written in serial form. Episodes One, Two, and Three were released as indicated below with an excerpt from each. This concludes the series, at least for now.

Episode One: Operation Z-Day (October 2013)

Nathan Edwards, if that’s who he was, looked at his blood-smeared fists through unusually blue eyes. He slowly opened his knotted hands, which were large and calloused, not unaccustomed to hard work or reaching out to others. Strong arms led to broad, square shoulders that were capable of carrying any burden, but perhaps the one that challenged him now. Something told him to cry or breakdown and weep, but he could not. He hung his head and ran his fingers through his blond, matted hair that was streaked with blood and sweat. His fair skin, bloodstained lips and high, well-defined cheekbones gave the handsome young man a Dracula like appearance, so uncharacteristic of his former self.

Episode Two: Rise of the Huskers (January 2014)

The horde walked on, unafraid, the sights and noise awakening within them the need for a murderous rampage, the way sultry music heightens lust and desire. Two blocks from the source of the display, the Huskers saw dozens of people run from the south side of the road. The movement stimulated a predator-prey response among the cannibalistic clan, launching them forward at a dead-run, anxious to overtake their quarry.

Episode Three: Vengeance Fulfilled (April 2014)

At nightfall he would venture from his hiding place and explore, but for now, he slumped against the padded interior and dozed. Deep, restful sleep came quickly to the Husker: his mind unhampered by details of a planned attack or the possible outcome. He was free to rely on instinct. His predator-prey techniques had thus far served him well, satisfying his growing, uncontrolled lust for power and flesh, and further driving him to acts of depravity.

A The Raven Falconer Chronicles

Episode 3

Chapter 1

Alberta, Canada (2019)

Chief Darwin Gladue tossed his black Stetson onto the Suburban’s front seat before pulling his 9mm and walking down the line of captured ‘enemy combatants’. Each prisoner knelt or sat on the cold pavement, their hands secured behind them with plastic zip-ties. The children, though unbound and scared, huddled around a defiant, brown-haired woman. Inwardly, Darwin was beaming, as he fought back a grin that would surely not be well received by his Braves after so many lives had been lost. He appeared to be sizing up each of those taken, but retrospectively was mentally rationalizing and justifying the events of the night, putting just the right spin on his command decisions. His upcoming performance before the tribe would need to be assertive and sure, calming his followers and assuring his power.

He circled the group, not bothering to count but estimating there to be almost twenty souls. Where’s the cop? the chief shouted, displeased Officer Nowicki was not among those seated on the ground.

Darwin’s security man, Lou Cardinal, stood, bloodied arms crossed over his chest where he held his assault rifle tightly. Maybe Trevor’s got him. A cruiser left the inn but didn’t show up here. They must’ve stopped him further down the road, Lou suggested.

Gladue stepped in front of Lou and gave him a once over. Looks like you’ve been to hell and back.

I have, he agreed, looking down at the mix of red gore and bodily tissue, which clung to his clothing. I’ve faced some tough men before but those Huskers don’t know when to stop. He paused briefly, recounting the battle sequence earlier in the night that had almost taken his life. There’s no fear . . . you can see it in their eyes. I hate to admit it, but they’re starting to scare me.

Darwin smiled and resisted the urge to punch his friend in the arm. Bull, there’s not a man alive can put the fear of God in Louis Cardinal.

You think I’m kidding? When they’re whipped up it’s like facing Satan himself.

Chief Gladue nodded and stepped a couple of paces away from Lou while pointing at his ride. Well, there’s a jug of water mixed with bleach in the back. Get somebody to hose you down before you infect yourself and the rest of us.

Thanks Dar . . . I mean, Chief. Lou lumbered away, doing as he was instructed and leaving the shakedown of the detainees to his boss.

The chief turned and was about to open his mouth for a short, but cutting discourse, when Mick, who stood and nudged three small children behind her, rudely cut him off. A Brave stepped forward and was about to swing the butt of his rifle into her midsection when Darwin interceded and confronted the obviously distraught woman.

Your name? he asked coolly.

The teacher had very few minutes to collect her thoughts after being so quickly apprehended. Her first concern was for the children. She could only imagine their paralyzing fear, and her heart ached to calm them. Overhearing the discussion between the two native leaders, she longed to know what had happened to her friends. Perhaps they’ve gotten away, she thought, but the sight of the police cruiser, as they’d whisked past it, filled her mind with doubt. Dear God, let them be alive.

She looked at the broad chested man standing before her, trying to sum him up and get a feel for who and what he was. She sensed no compassion, of which she’d expected none, and it appeared, at least for now, he was all business. She straightened her back, squared her shoulders and replied to his inquiry, Mick.

And what is it you do, Mick? Darwin asked, taking a few steps to wind his way around her. He paused where she could no longer see him, taking a moment to appreciate her athletic build, before stepping back to the teacher’s front.

What do you mean by that? she asked, not sure where he was headed.

Your job, your profession . . . what do you do?

I’m a school teacher, if you must know.

An impudent school teacher, it appears, the chief surmised, grinning.

I’m not scared of you, if that’s what you mean, Mick said, beginning to shake with anger.

You have something to say? he asked, moving well within her personal space, thinking she’d back down. She did not, but rather, stepped even closer, taking in the smell of his stale breath.

Our friends . . . the ones in the lead truck. You haven’t bothered to check on them.

They’re dead, but as you wish. Gladue motioned for a Brave to inspect the cab of the crippled pickup. The chief stared into Mick’s face; enjoying the discomfort he was causing, but declining to engage her further. He waited for a signal from his man, which came quickly.

They’re shot up pretty good, but the guy may have a pulse, the Brave called out, anticipating they’d act to assist the wounded man.

Willie! Mick exclaimed.

We’ve no hospital, the chief stated, looking back to the Brave who was awaiting his decision. Finish him, he said coldly.

A balding man in his late thirties, wearing a sloppy, old baseball hat, jumped to his feet in protest but was quickly knocked to the ground by a GAW member. The Banff resident, Paul, scrambled to regain his footing but was again flattened with the swing of a wooden stock.

No! Stop! Mick yelled, throwing her head forward, narrowly missing Darwin’s nose in the process. You can’t do this. You can’t treat us this way.

The chief’s eyes never left Mick’s, his stare penetrating and ominous. A full thirty seconds passed without confirmation. We’re waiting, Gladue bellowed, sending spittle across Mick’s cheek. Moments later a gunshot split the night, crushing the Banff survivor’s spirits and triggering a combined wail of anguish and tears.

Is that what you intend to do with these innocent children and town’s people? the teacher hissed, between clenched teeth.

Darwin smiled and laid his right hand gently on her shoulder, pushing her from his face. I guess some of that decision is up to you. What would you like me to do?

Let them go. They’ve done nothing to you. Give us our cars and we’ll leave and never come back. You have my word.

Now wouldn’t that be nice if we could settle this so amicably . . . but, I’m afraid, you have it wrong. His tone suddenly turned much deeper and sinister. You have done something to me and mine. There are corpses littering the streets of Banff while we speak. My friends and followers are being ripped apart and devoured by those mindless Huskers, and why? The rhetorical question went unanswered so he plunged ahead. Because of your selfishness! he yelled into her face. With that said, he shoved Mick to the ground with a single, powerful thrust and brought the pistol up quickly in his left hand, the muzzle pressed firmly atop her head.

Please . . . please, not in front of the children. I’ll do what you ask, she begged.

Oh, now look how pleasant you can be. He pulled the gun from her skull and laughed, sweeping his gaze around to make sure his entourage was joining in. Good, he said firmly, a mist of condensed breath escaping his mouth, and lifting into the cool mountain air. Temperature’s dropping . . . let’s get ’em loaded up and find out what’s happened with Trevor. I’m dying to finish my discussion with Officer Nowicki. The thought of bringing the insolent young officer under his control lightened his mood, but not enough to keep him from issuing a promise to the young woman at his feet. Darwin knelt and brushed the hair away from her ear and whispered very quietly before he gently kissed her lobe, Regardless of what I do with the rest, I’m saving you for myself.

Chapter 2

Where’s Tommy? Eli asked, above the sound of the Cessna’s engine starting. Hannah massaged the throttle until the cold engine hummed, ignoring Raven’s dad in the process. Officer Nowicki jumped in beside her, manning the co-pilot seat once he was sure the stubborn motor was operational.

Tommy? Who’s Tommy? Bobi questioned, her little frame pressed between the Falconers. Raven tried to stabilize her roommate’s fractured arm with a small plank she’d found in the flight hangar. She glanced up only briefly to take in her father’s concerned expression, his eyes frantically searching for his furry friend.

My cat. I just realized he’s missing. Eli shifted, squinting to see through the narrow windows that offered a partial view of their surroundings.

Zygmunt half-turned in his seat, while he pulled his safety harness over his head and attached it. Get your belts on, he said sternly. Mr. Falconer, if . . .

It’s Eli. Call me Eli.

Sure. I wish we had time to worry about your cat but we just don’t. If he’s survived this long, he’ll be fine. Ziggy turned his attention to Hannah. Can you handle this rig?

Hannah was lost deep in thought, her mind traveling back more than a dozen years. The cockpit had been much the same but it was her father seated next to her, quizzing the novice pilot on the dials, their meaning and