Project Eleven: Malefica Obscura

Geoffrey whimpered, “Hello?”

Then, a sole spotlight was shone on him. Blinded by the lights, he tried to shield himself from the light.

“Who’s out there?!” He hollered.

He looked around and behind him to see nothing but darkness. The light was strange, mixed green and blue. The shape of the spotlight was a slanted beta symbol.

Geoffrey recognized the shape and feared his life, "WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME, HUH?! I'M JUST A LAWYER!" he shouted.

“Since you like throwing quotes around, here is one for you,” Beta Crucis’ echoed voice responded, “The only thing worse than a liar is a liar that is also a hypocrite!”

Then Geoffrey can hear the sound of snarling beasts surrounding him. His greatest fear was realized when a pair of glowing eyes were fixated on him.

“I’m surprised you are using your mother as a sound piece for your speeches since your mother hated you.” Beta Crucis’ voice hollered out. "Any time you would 'act like your father,' she would starve you on purpose for days. And when the time was right, she would lock you up in the garage with a light fixed on you and her dogs surrounding you, trained to attack you if you ever stepped out--”

“Shut up!” Geoffrey yelled.

"Don't step out of the light, boy. Or my real babies are going to eat tonight!" The voice of an old British woman hollered out with the dogs growling.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Geoffrey yelled.

“You know who we are, so let’s cut the bullshit!” Alpha Crucis’ voice spoke out. "Lord Caliber. Where is he, and what is he doing now."

“I... I represent him!” Geoffrey stammered.

"Then you know exactly what he does! Stop fucking with us!" Alpha Crucis’ voice shouted.

The sound of snarling ravenous dogs started to etch closer, leaving Geoffrey almost out of the light.

"I do real estate and logistics! I close out deals on properties he buys and sells here in England!" Geoffrey confesses.

“And what does he do with him?!” Alpha Crucis’ echoed voice interrogated.

“He... He never tells what he does--”

“So the rape cases settled through your private practice years ago did not involve him?” Alpha Crucis’ voice spoke out.

Suddenly, a large case file was tossed into the light.

"About 74 cases settled last year too. Your client has a mighty-sized appetite." Beta Crucis’ voice spoke out.

Geoffrey stared at the case file as he recognized his handwriting. It was like he saw his past, present, and future; it was more than grim.

“It’s yours, Cardinal!” Alpha Crucis’ voice bellowed. "Don't believe it? Then go ahead! Pick it up!"

Hesitantly, Geoffrey approached the file. He bent over and tried to pick up the case files, but a rabid animal lunged at his hand. Reacting quickly, he jerks his hand away. With fear taking over his judgment, Geoffrey mistakenly ran out of the spotlight. He only ran ten steps, and he was tackled to the ground. Realizing his mistake, he crawled back to the light.

But it was too late as one of the beasts bit down on his ankle and dragged him back into darkness. The Beast didn't take long to tear into him as he fought for his life. Gnawing both of his arms, he tried to break free. Most of the beasts fighting amongst themselves want to have a piece. Slashing at his face, torso, and back, it looked like the claws were approaching him from all directions.

Struggling to reach his feet, a large beast shoved him down and bit his leg. Geoffrey screamed bloody murder as he felt his femur being broken in half. Rag dolling the leg, Geoffrey's body was being flown from side to side as the lesser beasts scurried away. Refusing to die, Geoffrey punched the Beast's nose a few times without effect. He then located his eye and punched it, letting him go.

With his adrenaline kicking in, he limped toward the light. Getting closer, the pack of beasts cornered him. With one lunge at him, he dodged and rolled out of the way. Then another tried to pounce him, with Geoffrey kicking him away with his only good leg. Using the rest of his stamina, he quickly rolled back to light for safety.

His clothes were bloodied and torn. Both of his arms are covered in blood and bite marks. His left leg was a mangled mess. With the adrenaline-wearing, he began to sob in a fetal position.

"Don't expect any sympathy from us, Cardinal. I read the case files..." Beta Crucis’ voice mocked.

“I’M SORRY!” he wailed.

"I DON'T WANT AN APOLOGY! I WANT ANSWERS!" Alpha Crucis’ voice yelled.

"They--" Geoffrey hiccupped in pain. "He said he had business with a missing witch. Some Wiccan...”

“WHAT?!” Alpha Crucis’ voice spoke out.

"I don't know! He was planning to raid around midnight. That is all I know!” Geoffrey sobbed.

Then there was silence. No laughter, growling of beasts... nothing.

Geoffrey was afraid even to look as he now heard footsteps. He couldn't get up as the pain took over his body. He was losing too much blood and drifting out of consciousness.

Then, a figure approached him, casting a shadow on top of him. She was wearing a green uniform of some sort and had animal ears.

“Do yourself a favor, Cardinal,” she spoke while she knelt, reaching out her hand. “I suggest you find another line of work.”

Trembling in pain and fear, Geoffrey hesitantly took her hand as she yanked him up.

Sitting up, Geoffrey took a loud gasp. With his eyes wide open, he could see he was still at the awards ceremony with everyone huddling around him. Geoffrey instantly checked himself out and was okay with no bite marks.

His wife, conveniently a medical doctor, was checking on him, "Geoffrey, are you alright? You passed out and fell off the stage!" she was greatly concerned.

Geoffrey was on the verge of tears when he saw his wife. He couldn't answer right away. He staggered back to his feet, confirming that both legs were not broken.

“Can someone get this man some water!” a man shouted.

"No, water! I'm just tired." Geoffrey played off.

"Do act tough around me, Geoffrey..." Not having it, Meghan pulled up a chair and had him take a seat. She shined a flashlight in his eyes. "they are not dilated...”

"Honey, I'm fine! I just got winded, that's all." Geoffrey tried to console his wife and everyone who could hear him.

“Even then, you should listen to your doctor!” a familiar male voice chimes in.

Geoffrey turned around to see Jervis smiling at him.

It was awkward for Geoffrey, but he tried to laugh it off again, "Yes. But you can see, I am not dead. For now, at least." He deadpans as the audience laughs along with him.

This also made Jervis laugh, but not because of his boring and dry sense of humor.

He knew whatever the sentinels had done to him did the trick. Now, they would have to regroup and come up with a strategy and fast.