LV3 CH1

Welcome back to Luck's Voice. I hope you enjoyed the preview of Dungeon Walkers 1. Now it's time to find out what happened to Doc, and see where he goes from here.

Chapter One

Dead men— men he’d killed— stalked Doc down the empty streets. Above the town, seething Darkness pulsed, its tendrils connected to each of the dead. As he ran, he saw bodies in the streets— they were random townsfolk for the most part, but as he got closer to the Lily, he realized that the bodies were people he knew.

Greta and Otto were the first ones he recognized. They lay hand-in-hand, the bloody wounds in their backs speaking of being gunned down from behind. Just past them, more dwarves lay dead, including the two elders, Blackbeard and Rangvald. As he passed the milliner’s, he glanced inside to see Sigmund impaled on a spike, though the gnome was giggling about having become a hat.

Staggering up to the Lily, both Spot and Fido were sprawled out dead, riddled with bullet holes with their guns clutched in death grips. He swallowed as he pushed inside, coming to a stop when the carnage inside hit him.

Cassia was across the bar, her gut distended with her throat slit wide open. The other ladies of the Lily were all laid out on poker tables. Poker chips covering their eyes, and all of them had been killed similarly to Cassia. Heather was tied to her piano— her hands were hacked off and laid on the keys. Fiala and Sonya on the stairs, tangled in each other’s arms. At their feet, both Ayla and Sophia were sprawled out, their heads severed from their necks and resting on their chests.

Horror and fear rising, Doc staggered into the back hall and rushed into the kitchen. His fear was founded a moment later— Daf was spitted and being cooked in the fireplace. That isn’t what made him flee the kitchen. Posy’s ears, with her hat just visible above the rim, floated in the steaming stew pot, made him run from the room.

He burst into Lia’s bedroom, hoping to find her so she might help him with this madness. He found her, but she wouldn’t be helping him, not being dead as she was. Hands shaking, he saw her pinned against the wall, arrows piercing her from head to toe. He stumbled backward into the hall, slamming into the wall and sliding down to the floor.

A spinning coin just inside Lia’s room caught his attention and, as he looked at it, the world around him shuddered, then vanished.

~*~*~

“What do we do?” Lotus whispered. “We gave him the potions, but he isn’t waking.”

“The bleeding stopped and his heart beats strong,” Jasmine replied. “We wait and pray.”

“I’m alive,” Doc croaked.

“Doc!” Lotus hiccuped, touching him with shaky hands.

“Spot?” Doc asked.

“He’s alive,” Jasmine sniffled. “You worried us more than he did. What happened to you?”

“I gave too much,” Doc croaked out. “Water?”

“Here,” Lotus whispered as she touched the edge of a glass to his lips. “Sip slowly.”

Doc did as she said. He peeled his eyes open, as they’d been nearly stuck together. After a few sips, he spoke again, “What happened after I passed out?”

“Cassia took charge,” Jasmine told him as she wiped at her eyes. “Spot and Fido are in a room just down the hall from you.”

“Posy!” Lotus said suddenly and rushed away from him.

The image of Posy in the stew pot hammered Doc for a moment and he shook at the memory of the nightmare.

“Doc, you were having nightmares,” Jasmine said softly. “Are you okay?”

“Yes...” he whispered. “All my fears were given form.” He shuddered as the images came back to him. “Everyone was dead... the Darkness was raising them and having them hunt me.”

Jasmine leaned in, covering his hand with hers. “It’s over now.”

Doc gave her a lopsided smile. “I know, but in the nightmare, it was all real.”

“I know... I still have them, too. It’s why I don’t deal anymore. I just see Kiddum’s gun pointed at me, and then a flash of light.”

Doc covered her hand on his. “I’m here to help if I can.”

Jasmine gave him a soft smile. “As we are for you. You know Fiala would have been very upset with us if you’d killed yourself.”

Doc winced, remembering how hard he pushed to save Spot. “I had to save him.”

“Not at the cost of yourself,” Jasmine said. “If you die, then who will save others? Even Spot wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“Doc!” Posy’s voice cut through the air and she was suddenly beside the bed. Her wide eyes were red and tears streamed down her face as she grabbed his hand on top of Jasmine’s.

Her worry cut Doc, and his heart wrenched for making her worry. “Sorry, Posy. I really don’t mean to make you cry.”

Sniffling, Posy pushed her head into his side. “I was so worried when I came back and you were bleeding onto Lotus’ lap.”

“She helped feed you the potions,” Lotus said from the doorway. Her eyes were puffy from crying, as well. “Posy was very helpful.”

Doc took his hand out from under Jasmine’s and began stroking Posy’s head. “Thank you, Posy.”

Sniffling, Posy looked up at him. “You need to rest. Momma will make your breakfast in the morning.”

Doc took stock of the room— a single lantern illuminated his bedroom. It was dark outside, with only a partial moon to illuminate the darkness. “Okay. I’ll get some sleep, Posy. You need to, as well.”

Posy nodded, wiping her face she stared at him. “No dying.”

“I’ll do my very best to not die,” he told her seriously. Leaning forward, he kissed the top of her head. “Go on. I’ll need my water in the morning, after all.”

Nodding, Posy gave him a trembling smile before leaving the room.

Jasmine and Lotus watched her go, then shared a glance. Lotus nodded and stepped out of the room, closing the door. Doc watched her go before looking at Jasmine. She stood up and stripped off her clothing.

“Uh, Jasmine...” Doc whispered. “I don’t think—”

Jasmine snorted. “I’m just getting ready for bed, not for sex. Now, if you feel better in the morning, please do, but not right now.”

Doc chuckled and shifted over so she could get into bed. “I’ll keep that in mind…” He trailed off, remembering what she and Lotus had offered before he’d rushed off to help Spot. “And tomorrow night, I’d like to take you and Lotus up on that offer.”

Jasmine smiled softly as she climbed into bed, her naked skin touching his. “Good. We’d both been looking forward to it. We understand that you help others, even if it’s a detriment to yourself.”

Doc put his arm over her waist and drew her closer. “I do what my goddess would have of me. Maybe together, there won’t be any nightmares.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly. “Goodnight, my sexy dancer.”

Jasmine blushed. her lips quirked up at the corners as she leaned back to break the kiss before it could become more. “You really think so?”

“You’re a beautiful sight. When you dance, it’s as if the world revolves around you. Your grace, flexibility, and sheer love of moving with the music are transfixing.”

“When you play, it makes me want to dance all the more,” Jasmine whispered. “Doc, I can’t go with you.” The sudden topic shift jarred Doc, but she kept talking, “I know I can’t stand beside you or the others. I’ll do my best to help you while you’re here, though.”

Doc felt a small pang of sadness, but he could never argue with her about how she felt. “Okay. I know that not everyone will go with me, but the fact that people I care for will still be here to look after things actually helps.”

Swallowing, Jasmine stared into his eyes. “You mean that?”

“Won’t lie to you,” Doc whispered.

Jasmine leaned forward and kissed him softly, and Doc pulled her a little closer. Jasmine let out a soft moan, then pulled her head back. “Doc, no.”

Doc exhaled and eased back a fraction. “I know, but it’s difficult with you in bed with me.”

Jasmine rolled over and leaned back into him. “Sleep.”

Doc exhaled a shaky breath. “That doesn’t help, but okay.”

Truthfully, he felt exhausted, as he hadn’t really slept when he was unconscious. He still tightened his arm over her and snuggled firmly against her back. Breathing in her scent, he closed his eyes and wondered if his wives and friends were okay outside of the town.

Lady, thank you for saving me. Maybe it wasn’t you, but I’ll thank you, regardless. Please keep an eye on my friends and wives... and thank you once more for this chance. I know it’s going to get worse, much worse, but I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other. With his prayer done, Doc fell into a deep slumber, warmth spreading through his chest.