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Dark Valley

Chapter Seven

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

15th June, 2019.

All Rights Reserved.

Selene was overwhelmed. Somehow, word got out, then before the small police force knew it, their sleepy little hamlet felt like it suddenly become the centre of the universe. News reporters from every paper, digital media and television station had descended on them like a flock of vultures, eager to feed on the grief and suffering of others.

“No comment!” Snarled the Sargent in exasperation, as he faced a barrage of reporters at the front of the police station.

Shouts, questions and voices were raised, a cacophony that made Constable Selene shudder and try to make sense of it all.

“No more questions, we are still investigating, that is all, thank you.”

Disgruntled, the media pack stood muttering amongst each other, as the Sargent returned inside the station and Constable Selene was left, looking white faced and unable to suppress the quivering in her body.

“Constable Selene, do you have any information on the dismembered and mutilated body that was discovered?” One reporter shouted at her, then a horde of cameras, microphones, tape recorders and other things were shoved almost into her face.

“What about the disappearance, believed murder, of the Vet? Rumours about that a kangaroo was - “

“Please, I'm not at liberty to discuss ongoing investigations. Thank you, that is all -”

“What about reports that the Enclave are responsible?” A lone reporter asked her.

“A...where did you hear that?” Selene whispered.

“Is it true, they practice unholy rituals behind their compound walls, that they sacrifice children and - “

“That's nonsense, you're just grasping for straws now. They are a religious group, who keep mostly to themselves and wish to be left alone. To my knowledge, they have never been anything but model citizens. When they come to town, they're polite and respectful, but mostly wish to be left in peace.”

“To the best of your knowledge - “ Spoke a reporter, as he wrote it down.

Selene moaned in alarm, knowing how this was going to go down. Baited into a comment, that'd be twisted and perverted from its intent, for the sake of ratings and media sales.

“That wasn't what I - “ Selene stammered.

“What did you really mean to say? Do you have first hand information on their vile, unspeakable practices? Do they conduct ritual sacrifices, to Satan? Can you verify this?”

“I – you're twisting my words! No, they're peaceful, a religious group who just, as I said, wish to be left alone. No further comment, thank you!”

Satisfied, the media started packing up, before one seen a hooded and cloaked figure slip around a corner, then like a pack of ravening wolves, they ran after it.

“Oh dear God - “ Selene sighed, then ran after them.

*

“Tell us, what do your people do behind those walls...”

“Do you conduct obscure, violent and unnatural sex acts during your rituals?”

“Is it true, you sacrifice babies to the Dark Lord?”

Selene fought her way through the media, pushing and shoving, before she seen they had cornered a young woman – her eyes wide and terrified, as she clutched a crude bag to her chest.

She was surrounded on all sides, the thick wall of the bank at her back. Pushing forward, the media pack narrowed the distance between them and her, the hot, bright lights dazzling her, she began to shake and whimper in terror.

“Leave her alone!” Selene snarled, as she began shoving and pushing them back, before she was in front of the now crying woman.

“I hear you rape animals and - ” Someone shouted from the pack.

“Leave, or I'll have you all charged with disturbing the peace, do you - “ Selene shrieked at them, her eyes filled with an anger and ferocity she never knew existed within her.

Hysterical, the young woman pulled in on herself, her hands pressed to her face as she wept uncontrollably, overcome with emotion.

“I said leave - “ Come a deafening snarl from Selene, her hand on the catch of her pistol.

Visibly, the media pushed back from her, before first one, then others turned and fled. Selene blinked, for a moment, she didn't feel like herself, before she shuddered and turned about, gently placing a hand on the hysterical young lady's shoulder.

At first, the robed woman resisted, before her self control melted and she clung to Selene, grasping her in a strong – almost abnormally strong – grip, burying her head against Selene's chest as she wailed in terror.

For a few heartbeats, Selene held the woman, offering comfort and support, before suddenly – the woman pushed back, eyes wide in abject terror. With a strangled squeal, she tore herself free and fled. Her bag falling to the ground as the terrified woman ran as if the very hounds of Hades were on her heels.

“Wait – please!” Selene yelled, as she ran after the woman, pausing to grab the fallen bag with intention of giving it back.

There come the deafening squeal of rubber on bitumen, then a short, intense shriek of fear – before the sickening crunch of breaking bones and the thud-thud as the vehicle ran over something – or someone.

“NO!” Selene screamed in mortal grief and terror, as she ran towards the motionless form laying on the road, a car a short distance beyond, its driving sitting there, staring out the windscreen – their face as white as freshly fallen snow.

Without thought, Selene ran to the form on the road, dropping to her knees as her mind whirled and dissembled from the horror.

“Is - “ Stammered the man, as he slid from the car.

Selene looked down, then pressed her fingers against the young woman's throat, feeling the heartbeat erratic, before the woman convulsed and died, a spreading pool of blood forming under her broken and twisted form.

“She's...dead.” Selene murmured, grief and shock conflicting and twisting her stomach into knots.

“I never, she just came - “ Stammered the driver, as he slumped to his knees, then fell back against his car. “I never saw her - “

Onlookers gathered, some with looks of horror, some with barely hidden contempt and hate in their eyes, Selene held the body close, feeling the blood, the blood...the smell of its hot, coppery overtones filling her nostrils, before she blinked and shuddered.

A life had been lost here, whose? Selene did not know...it was an accident, a tragic, horrible accident...but what had caused the Enclave woman to act so? Sure, a lot of them were, well, cold but respectful, mostly – she'd never seen such an abnormal reaction from one of them.

Selene gently lay the corpse on the ground, before she kicked herself mentally – for interfering with a corpse and disturbing evidence. What evidence? She had seen the accident herself – she would write her report on it, and submit it verbatim. An innocent life had been taken here, by the cruellest whims of fate and circumstance, there was no one to blame, it was, pure and simply, just a tragic accident...so her report would say.

In the distance, come the wailing of sirens, drawing closer by the second. Selene knelt there, her hands and uniform covered in blood, her eyes glazed and unfocused, lost in her own mind and thoughts.

*

Selene was taken to hospital, where she was admitted suffering extreme traumatic shock. After ten hours of intense and careful ministrations from the staff, Selene crept into the Sargent's police car and he drove her home.

“What in hell happened - “ He snapped at her irritably. “Those reporters are going to love this! I don't even know where to begin to dodge the shit storm that this incident will bring down on us...on me - “

Selene stared out the window, silently.

“God damn it Constable, are you even listening to me?”

Turning her head, like it was a rusted spring being wound for the first time in centuries, Selene gave the Sargent a look – a look that had him slamming the brakes on as the police car skidded to a halt. Before the Sargent could speak, Selene had the door open, then she was out – disappearing into the darkness like a wraith...

To Be Continued...