"Mmm frmm fmmm mmm," he muttered between slack lips that refused to work.
"He's coming back," said a voice quietly, one he didn't recognize.
Something hard pressed against his chest. "Bout time," said the harsh female voice. This one he could recognize.
"Lil?" Sheriff Sam overenunciated, trying to clear his vision. "I'm still alive?"
She grinned a hard grin. "Mayhap we're all dead. Mayhap this is the other side."
The Sheriff managed to sit up and rubbed his pounding head, also flashing a lopsided grin. "Still no clue on what's going on?"
Both of them shook their heads.
"Ah well," he grunted as he pulled himself to a standing position. "I can't be dead. I hurt too damn much."
The cellophane crinkled as he rubbed it on his head. The crackers were still in his hand, the orange kind with peanut butter that were among the greatest snacks on the earth. They had saved him.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," he praised to no one as he tore away the wrapper and feasted on the crackers. Sam looked sideways to the newcomer, Mike.
"You need a weapon. There's something in that mist out there."
Mike snorted. "Well, duh! Why do you think I've been hiding in here?"
The Sheriff shrugged, conceding the point. "You'll still need a gun."
"We have him taken care of," Lilith said, holding up a bolt-action hunting rifle. Sam took it, wiping the cracker crumbs from his fingers before doing so.
"7.62 mil, eh?" He worked the slide and sighted the length of the gun. "Nice. Can you handle it?"
Mike caught the gun and wrapped the sling around his shoulder. "Yeah."
"So what are we burning daylight here for?"
Mike shrugged and started for the door, Sam close behind and Lilith bringing up the rear. He leaned a head out the door, and, sure it was safe, gestured the Sheriff and the Gunslinger Baroness out.
"North as good as any other direction?" Mike asked, and the others nodded as they all headed to that direction.
Crossing each block brought them all to new heights of paranoia. Even with all three sets of eyes looking everywhere and each gun trained in any suspicious shadows, there was no feeling of relief, especially with the ever present mist about them, obscuring their vision.
The sound of leathery wings actually made the Sheriff sigh in relief. He really didn't fear the gargoyle things they had crossed earlier; they seemed mortal enough. He aimed his heavy revolver in the direction they were headed, waiting for any sign of the beast. Mike dropped to one knee, rifle at the ready, while Lady Lil calmly held both her guns at her sides.
At the first sign of a disturbance in the mist, Sam and Lil both opened fire. Mike aimed a bit longer, making sure his shot would count; with a bolt-action, it had to.
The report of the rifle filled the air as the beast suddenly dropped heavily to the ground. Mike cheered, and the Sheriff smiled as well. Lilith, on the other hand, was still her normally dour self.
"C'mon Lil, don't be that happy. It's infectious." Sheriff Sam admonished her amiably.
Snarling, she brought up her guns. For a second, Sam thought he had finally crossed the line; however, Lilith spun in a half circle.
The two men both followed her lead, and saw what looked like a half dozen more gargoyles coming from behind, spreading out, all holding up their vicious claws and drawing back their lips in something like a horrible smile.
"Guys," Sam said, taking his Magnum in both hands, "I really, really don't like this."
Part 4 Part 6 Email the Sheriff