Escape from Endeavor by Daniel A. Jones
***
Daemon ran as fast and quietly as he could, focusing more on speed than silence. He knew where the last two were and was heading straight for them. The only weapon he had left was the broken pitchfork handle, which was going to have to be enough. He was going to hit them fast and hard, intending to startle them into hesitation long enough for him to get his hands on them.
Lenard and Sam were standing in a small clearing of underbrush watching the house when they first heard Daemon. They turned to see who was coming and froze in terror. They had never seen a demon from the Rift before but they were sure they faced one now. The creature charging at them was covered in blood and moving faster than they thought any human could. As it charged, it screamed and threw something at them, sending both of them into an instinctual dive for cover.
Daemon was amazed that both men had dived away from the makeshift spear. He thought himself very lucky they hadn’t started shooting as soon as they turned and saw him. They were making this too easy. He covered the last few yards separating them while they regained their feet. They seemed to have gotten over their initial shock at seeing him and were now raising their guns, but it was too late. Daemon was within reach of Sam’s rifle. He grabbed it by the barrel and pushed it to the side as he moved in, slamming his weight against Sam’s chest, sending him flying. Daemon held onto the rifle as Sam fell backward. Lenard took a frantic shot which barely grazed Daemon’s arm. Daemon spun around, dodging Lenard’s next shot and swung Sam’s rifle at him. The butt of the rifle caught Lenard in the side of the head, crushing his skull with the force of the impact. Blood and brains splattered over a large area as the rifle butt splintered.
Sam felt the wet spray hit his face; he looked at his friend and quickly looked away, having seen Lenard’s corpse collapse to the ground. Daemon was covered in blood and coming after him. Sam’s only thoughts were of escape; he had to get away from this monster, but it was too late. Daemon looked over at the man crawling frantically away from him and snarled.
Daemon was lost in the killing rage that had helped him survive his fights with the true Rift demons. He didn’t see a man trying to escape, he only saw another enemy to be killed. Daemon walked over and grabbed the terrified man by the ankle and swung him at the nearest tree as if he were swinging his favorite ax. Sam died instantly as his ribcage and spine shattered against the tree.
Daemon looked around, scanning the area for more prey. He didn’t sense anyone other than Angelica so he started walking toward her. Daemon was her protector and no matter how lost he was to the beast of battle he would never forget that. He would go to her and protect her no matter what he’d have to face. She was in the barn, which meant she’d gotten away from the burning house. He could feel that she was upset but there was no physical pain so he didn’t think she was injured. By the time he broke through the tree cover and onto the lawn, Daemon had calmed down enough to regain control. He realized he was covered in blood and gore. He also surmised that the sight of him would probably scare the girls. So he turned and walked to the river, figuring a quick swim would clean him up enough to be presentable.