My patrons definitely get early access to most of my characters, and my monster hunter is no exception. Solomon’s first appearance was as an unnamed protagonist who was stepping in and saving the life of a homeowner. Ever since that initial tale, I’ve presented another ten stories to my patrons, typically when they’re in the mood for a horror story. Though I definitely stretched Solomon’s appearances to genres a little outside those lines. In the last two stories featuring my hunter, I added other characters, potential allies and friends, thus expanding his world.
That introduction created the seed that would become this story as I sat to flesh out the tale for the inspirational image. While this tale still leaves Sandra’s character as a mystery, we’re introduced to her origin to the world that goes bump in the night. If you’re eager to explore her initial foray with Solomon, you’ll have to become a patron. Joining the community rewards you with plenty of exclusive content. However, if you’re more interested in how she intersected with Solomon’s world, continue reading.
From deep inside his vest, Solomon withdrew a small photo. As the dim light wrapped around him, he split his gaze. While he continued scanning the hallway, he reinforced his memory of the woman’s features. Aside from her beaming pearly whites, it captured her hair tumbling down her tanned face. He drew in a long breath as he covered her hazel eyes with a thumb. After a moment, he reversed it and read the scribbled note again.
Please save Sandra.
Peering down the hall, he noticed a door slightly ajar. He tucked the photograph back into his vest and retrieved a small periscope. He stepped forward and brought the device to his eye as he inched closer to the chamber. The moment it slipped into the slight opening, he discovered a filthy and ragged woman chained to the far wall. It took the hunter another couple of seconds to see through the haphazard disguise, but he’d found Sandra.
However, she wasn’t alone. In the middle of the chamber, a different woman tended a bubbling cauldron. As she stirred the contents, she tossed in fresh ingredients. After swallowing a litany of curses, the hunter tilted his periscope toward the ceiling, revealing another unpleasant surprise. To the woman’s left, three winged creatures dangled from the ceiling, their talons creating makeshift perches. As Solomon’s scowl deepened, he let his gaze linger on the monsters, studying their reptilian-like skin.
Solomon stepped away from the open door as he shoved his periscope back into its place. With slow motions, he ejected the magazine from his rifle and tucked it under his arm as he leaned against the wall, tilting his weapon toward the ceiling. He released the grip, letting the sling take the weapon’s weight. He cupped his right hand over the ejection port while he pulled the charging handle back, ejecting the round from the weapon.
After catching the bullet, he eased the breach closed before adding the bullet back to the magazine. He quickly skimmed through the loaded magazines on his chest. When he found the one with a thin line of red electrical tape, he exchanged them. Solomon rolled his neck as he depressed the release and inserted the magazine. After removing his thumb, he tugged on the inserted mag, ensuring it was seated correctly before pulling the charging handle back to load his initial shot.
With his ammunition prepared, Solomon took a deep breath before slipping his fingers into the opening. A heartbeat later, he flung the door open and hopped into the opening, his rifle trained on the woman standing behind the cauldron. Despite keeping his sights trained on the wiry and deranged woman, Solomon locked his gaze with hers.
“You’re going to release the woman you kidnapped.”
“Or what, you’ll shoot me?” The woman tossed a handful of ingredients into the mixture as maniacal laughter filled the chamber. “Your reputation precedes you. While you’re willing to lay waste to any monster, you don’t shoot people, no matter how vile you believe them to be.”
“It’s not my preference.” Solomon’s eyes narrowed as he drifted to his right, getting an unobstructed view of Sandra. “However, you won’t sacrifice that young woman.”
The woman shook her head as she rummaged through the contents beside the cauldron. “Please deal with him, my lovelies.”
As a series of eerie howls erupted from overhead, Solomon whirled toward the sounds, finding the trio hurtling towards him. He swallowed a cursed as he dove forward and rolled to his feet. He quickly spun about and began squeezing his trigger. With each one, a loud bang erupted in the cramped confines. When the twelfth shot rang out, the last of the monstrous creatures collapsed. Instantly, Solomon leveled his weapon on the woman behind the cauldron.
Unfortunately, she’d rushed over to Sandra and had hauled her to her feet. The crazy woman was using her captive as a human shield. “I’m impressed. My lovelies shouldn’t have dropped from a few bits of metal, no matter how deadly they’re supposed to be.”
“Release Sandra now!”
“I don’t think that’ll happen,” the crazy woman said, brandishing a knife. She quickly put the tip against the woman’s chest as her lips curled into a snarl. “I have obligations that I have to honor. And they’ve selected this woman as their tribute.”
“I won’t repeat myself.”
“How’d you dispatch my creations so easily?”
“Last warning!”
“They shouldn’t have fallen from a few shots from your rifle—”
Solomon squeezed his trigger and as she tried to finish her thought, the bullet silenced her. The hunter dropped his rifle and raced across the room, withdrawing a towel from his vest. Just before she collided with the ground, Solomon caught her. He quickly cleaned her face as his lips curled into an awkward smile. “You’re going to be okay.”
“Who are you?” When her eyes found her abductor, she recoiled, unable to escape. “What do you have planned for me?”
With a wry laugh, Solomon rose and lifted Sandra to her feet. “The plan is to return you to your family. They’re worried sick about you.”
“Did she have more of those monsters?”
“I’m not sure.” Solomon draped an arm around his neck as he guided her out of the room. “However, if she did, they’re unlikely to return after how easily I dispatched them.”
“Thank you.” Sandra turned to Solomon’s chest, burying her face in it. “How did you deal with them?”
Sardonic laughter tumbled out of Solomon’s lips as they exited the small room. He tightened his grip around her waist as he guided and carried her down the hall. “I have lots of specialized ammunition, but when I’m facing something I’m not sure about, I always reach for a specialized load. It’s designed to inflict exceptional damage once the bullet begins to crumble.”
“What does that mean?”
Solomon shook his head as he guided her down another hall. “I blew them all up from the inside.”