extinguisher. This could soon be all over with.
Danny held the red canister at arm’s length, like it was a bomb about to explode. “I'm really not sure this will work, boss.”
“It'll be fine.” He took the boy by the shoulders and positioned him in front of the door. Through the window, the thing that used to be Andrew Lansbury was continuing to look left and then right, with foam dripping off its chin.
“Oh, God,” Danny cried. “I think I've changed my mind.”
“You can't change your mind now, Danny Boy. You forgot to frisk him, remember? It's more your fault than mine.”
“Okay, I've got this. I've got this.” Danny held the fire extinguisher above his head. There were beads of sweat on his forehead.
Malvin stood by the door. “Are you ready?”
“No.” Danny was shaking his head and looked ready to cry.
“I'll open the door after three.”
“I don't think I can do this, boss.”
“One.”
“Don't make me.”
“Two.”
“Please . . .”
“Three.” Malvin pulled on the door. The thing beyond it turned its head and let out a shrill cry.
Danny yelled and then, with the fire extinguisher held high, ran at the thing that used to be Andrew Lansbury. There was a dull clunk and then the thing in the suit stumbled backwards. Malvin held the door open, watching it all unfold. I'll stay here, at a safe distance. He couldn't deny the boy was doing well, though. Another dull clunk followed as Danny swung the fire extinguisher at the thing's jaw. The thing that used to be Andrew Lansbury stumbled backwards again, but didn't fall.
“Knock him to the floor,” Malvin urged.
“I'm trying,” Danny yelled.
Danny swung the fire extinguisher again, but this time he missed and went stumbling into the wall, dropping the fire extinguisher onto his toes. He let out a yowl and hopped around on his left leg.
“Watch out,” Malvin warned.
But it was too late. The thing that used to be Andrew Lansbury, teeth chomping, foam spilling from its mouth like an overflowing bath of bubbles, was on Danny in seconds. It opened its mouth and sunk its teeth into Danny's neck.
“No!” Malvin yelled. He was not a brave man, this he knew from experience, but his own life was in danger too and he had to do something. He crept forward as the thing forced Danny to the carpeted floor. Danny beat his fists upon the thing's face, but to no avail. The thing that used to be Andrew Lansbury ripped skin and tendrils of flesh from Danny's neck, like it was a wild dog enjoying its kill. Malvin was in touching distance of the fire extinguisher when the merchandise charged from room nineteen. “Always keep the door to the room closed,” he had told Danny earlier. “Never turn your back on them.” If Malvin had been a second quicker he might have had chance to grab the fire extinguisher and swing it at the fast-approaching thing, but all he could do was push himself against the wall. I really did like this job, he thought as the merchandise with its exposed bluing breasts sunk its teeth into the soft skin on his neck. And there's the third rule: Don't go near their mouths. He fell to the carpeted floor next to Danny, hitting his head on the fire extinguisher. As blood tricked down his neck and dark fingers clouded his vision, he glimpsed a hacksaw on the floor next to the thing feasting on Danny. You should have frisked him, Danny Boy.
***
Like waking from a deep sleep, Malvin opened his eyes. From somewhere close came the sounds of gunfire and shouting. Then an urgent hunger seized him. He got to his feet and felt amazingly strong. Next to him stood a man, his teeth chattering, foam flowing down his chin. Danny Boy. The boy looked at him, his eyes full of anger. A noise rose from his throat. A snarl, like that of a wild cat. Let's eat, that noise said. There were men standing beyond a door, Malvin saw, with weapons raised. As Malvin charged, with Danny by his side, someone shouted: “Aim for their legs; we want them undead.”
There was the sound of gunfire and then Malvin's legs seemed to disappear beneath him. He fell forward, sprawling onto the carpet. Then he felt the cold touch of metal around his neck. He was caught, he knew.
“We are in urgent need of men. Take them both to the third floor and update the paperwork. The hotel has two new merchandise.”
THE END
ALSO BY A.C. HUTCHINSON:
NOVELS:
The Ghost and the Railway
SHORT STORIES:
Be Careful What You Wish For
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to: Paul Monkman for proofreading my work (sometimes for little more than a few beers); my wife, Lindsay, for tolerating my need to write; and you, the reader, for your continued interest.
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