The station’s lights flickered again. In the weak light, I could see Caspar straining against the handcuffs to no avail. Finally, he raised his hands up, then slammed them down towards the floor. I could feel the magical energy pulsating from him as the handcuffs slammed into an invisible barrier and snapped.

Caspar turned to Clara to release her, but at that moment, the lights went out again.

Footsteps sounded down the hall.

“Sorry for the lights,” I heard the officer say. “It’s a small town. The power’s not exactly reliable.”

I hesitated. Were we really sure that these weren’t just ordinary officers?

“Caspar—” I started.

Someone put their hand on my shoulder, and I jumped. The hand tightened its grip, pulling me back.

“Caspar!” I yelped as something sharp pierced the flesh just below my jugular.

He turned, smartphone in his hand, the flashlight on. The light momentarily blinded me— but I saw Caspar’s expression as he stared at whatever was behind me.

It was sheer panic.

I squirmed, trying to get away from my assailant. Another hand slid around my waist, and then another around my leg.

That made three hands.

I looked down, and found dark, skeletal appendages pulling me tight against whatever was behind me. The pain in my neck increased as whatever it was bit deeper. I tried to scream— but another hand covered my mouth, tasting of rotting flesh and decay.

And then, as suddenly as I had been taken, I was released and flung to the floor.

“This one’s not human,” something above me hissed. I scrambled backwards and looked up.

The officer who had sat in the passenger seat, with the dark hat that covered his face and coat that obscured his form, was standing over me. A multitude of arms protruded from the inside of his coat, and his hat was gone, revealing a shrivelled stump of flesh that must serve as the creature’s head. From a gaping hole in the stump, two long fangs protruded.

The creature started skittering towards Clara and Caspar on its many, insect-like legs.

Caspar threw his hands up, spreading them wide, as he had done when I had tried to shoot him. A shimmering wall of force appeared.

The creature laughed— a rasping, buzzing sound, like a wasp nest being broken open.

“Trap yourselves in the corner, then,” it hissed. “I don’t mind. You can’t hold that wall up forever, human.”

Caspar took a step back, keeping Clara behind him. I shakily got to my feet.

“Can I go?” I asked the creature. “Since I’m— since I’m not human?”

The thing turned to me. It didn’t have any visible eyes, but I still felt its gaze examine me. I shuddered.

“What are you?” it hissed.

“A— a deep one.” I swallowed. “From Innsmouth? One of Dagon’s people?”

The creature nodded slowly.

“You taste foul,” it said.

“I— thank you?”

It waved one of its many black appendages at me.

“Very well. You may go. Do not come back for your friends.”

“They’re not my friends,” I assured it.

It laughed again, the buzzing sound louder this time.

“I thought not. Monsters have friends only among their own kind.”

I nodded my thanks once again, then headed for the door.

“Evelyn—” Clara called.

I turned back to her, my eyes hard.

“You were going to bring me to Delta Green,” I said lowly. “You know what they would have done to me.”

“Yes, but—” Her eyes were desperate.

“But nothing.” I turned away. “Enjoy being eaten.”

I stepped towards the door, but found it still locked.

“A little help?” I asked the creature.

It glanced at me— at least, it turned the stump of flesh of its head towards me.

“The doors will not unlock until there are no humans in the building,” it said. “It looks like you’ll have to wait.”

I sighed, but took a seat in one of the waiting room chairs.

The creature advanced on Caspar and Clara.

“I’m sorry, Clara,” Caspar whispered, bowing his head.

“Sorry for what?” she asked.

“Sorry that— that it ends like this.” He swallowed. “I’m sorry that I yelled at you for being in Delta Green. I— I don’t blame you.”

She put her arms around him. He didn’t hug her back— he was still holding up the force wall. But he rested his head against her shoulder.

“I don’t want to die trapped up against a wall,” Clara whispered.

“Me, neither.”

They exchanged a look. I felt my stomach tighten.

The idiots were going to try to fight their way out.

Published by arrangement with the Delta Green Partnership. The intellectual property known as Delta Green is a trademark and copyright owned by the Delta Green Partnership, who has licensed its use here. The contents of this document are © Augustine Stuart, excepting those elements that are components of the Delta Green intellectual property.