It lowered its arm enough to look toward Lacy and she reeled back, dropping the pipe. She knew that face, despite the grime and the dirt, the wild hair and beard. Eyes of bright blue peered at her, and then he turned and ran, crashing back into the forest.
“Luke?”
Lacy couldn’t believe it, and stood stunned for a moment, but snapped out of it and took off into the woods, following the sounds of his retreat.
It was Luke! She was sure of it. But why? How? Was he that far gone that he was living in the woods like an animal? How would he have even survived for the last few weeks?
She ran after him, calling his name, but he was outpacing her. She could hear the noise of his passage through the woods fading. Stopping, she stood sobbing, her breath hitching in her throat.
“Luke! Luke! Come back! Please! It’s Lacy, Luke! Let me help you!”
No sound came to her but the faint echo of her own voice, loud in the still night air.
The very still night air, she suddenly realized. There were no other sounds in the forest. Not of bugs, birds, or night creatures. No rustling in the leaves of small nocturnal animals trying to escape her intrusion into their world. Nothing.
And why was it so cold? She could see her breath as easily as if were deep winter.
It was eerie, and in spite of her anguish over seeing Luke, Lacy began to get frightened again. As it usually did, being scared also made her angry.
“Fine!” she yelled in the direction that she had last heard him. “Stay in the woods! See if I care!”
She turned to start back to the house when something grabbed her wrist. It was a hand, extending from a ragged black sleeve, bone white and skeletal thin, the skin stretched over it like parchment. The touch was freezing cold, as if the hand were made out of ice. She screamed and looked up at what had a hold of her.
A shapeless black form stood beside her. Maybe it had on a hood of some sort, but if so, it was deep. So deep that she couldn’t see a face, only blackness inside of it, with two tiny pinpricks of bright green, glowing where its eyes would be.
It hissed at her and the cold from its hand spread into her arm, the agony of it spreading down to her fingers and up to her shoulder. She tried to scream again, but the pain and the cold moved fast, into her neck, and to her head. It was the worst headache Lacy had ever felt, and her jaw worked soundlessly as she tried to pull away.
The last thing she remembered as she fell to the ground was the hooded shape bending over her and hearing another hiss.
CHAPTER 6
The sound of the door opening, and the Hound jumping down from where she had been curled up on his legs, woke Solomon. He groaned at his stiffness from sleeping on the sofa with a huge dog, and climbed to his feet, expecting to see Ed entering the room.
Instead, it was a short, pretty woman, with long dark hair, slim, and probably in her forties. She carried an arm load of clothes and smiled at him as she set them down.
“Hi,” she said, “you must be Solomon. At least I hope you are since you’re the only one that should be sleeping in her with a giant dog.”
She stuck out her hand, and Solomon took it.
“I’m Maggie. Maggie Caufield. Ed’s wife.”
Ah, that would explain it, Solomon thought to himself. Then, out loud, “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Caufield.”
“Please, call me Maggie. Everyone else does. Around here, we’re Ed and Maggie.”
“Maggie then.”
The Hound pushed its way past Solomon’s legs and stood looking up at Maggie, who bent down in front of her.
“And you must be the un-named dog, huh?” she said, rubbing the Hound on each side of its head. “We’re going to have to do something about that, aren’t we?”
The dog seemed to agree, as long as Maggie kept on petting her and showering her with attention.
Solomon shook his head. He remembered a little bit more about the Hounds, that they were typically relentless hunters and vicious killers. For one to have abandoned its quarry, even after Solomon had defeated it, was very unusual. For one to allow such close contact from others was unheard of.
Maggie roughed up the dog for another few seconds and stood.
“So here’s the plan. Ed told me you were here and what was going on. First thing we’re going to do is see if some of these things fit you well enough. It’s a bunch of Ed’s old clothes. You’re quite a bit taller and thinner than him, but maybe we can find a few things that aren’t too bad. At least for now. Then, you’re going to come on home with me. You can take a shower, have some breakfast and talk to Ed. We’ll figure out everything else after that. Sound good?”
It did sound good, but… “I can’t do that, Maggie. I’ve put your husband out enough already.”
“Nonsense. We already talked about it and it’s settled. You need a hand right now, and we’re happy to give it. You seem like the type that would do the same for someone else. So, take the clothes, go on down the hall to the men’s room, and see if you can find something that fits well enough for now. If you can, we’ll get rid of those rags you’re wearing and head on out.”
Maggie was a force of nature, and Solomon knew that he had no way of declining the offer of help. Actually, he didn’t want to. For the first time, since waking in that alley, he felt a sense of well-being. The mystery of who he was still ate at him, of course, but at least he was among good people.
A few minutes later, he was dressed in pants that came up to his shins and a shirt that hung loosely on him around the shoulders and middle, but rode up over his stomach, and with sleeves that came up well above his wrists.
Maggie took one look at him and tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile.
“Well, it will work for now. At least they’re clean. Let’s head back to our place, where we can work on getting you a couple of things that might fit better.”
It was still early morning when they left the Sheriff’s office and got in Maggie’s car. She drove through town, pointing out things like Minnie’s Diner, which Solomon was already familiar with, the dual screen old movie theater, the drug store and the local bar.
“Not too many problems around here, as I’m sure Ed mentioned to you. Everyone is pretty decent. For the most part. You’ll like it here.”
Solomon smiled at the assumption that he would stay around, but admitted to himself that maybe he would. Martinsburg was a nice small town, and it was rural enough that he would be able to get to the woods when he wanted to, unlike when he woke in the city. Just knowing that was a comfort to him.
They drove for twenty minutes or so, with the Hound panting out the window in the back seat, until Maggie turned into a driveway that led between wooded copses on each side. There was a neat, brick ranch set back on a carefully tended lawn, which surrounded the house on all sides. Ed was standing on the front porch, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand, and waved as they pulled in.
Like Maggie, he tried to hide the smile when he saw Solomon.
“I’m sorry,” he said, when he saw by Solomon’s expression that he hadn’t done a good job of it. “I’m not trying to laugh at you. But we’ll definitely have to get you something else to wear. You’re too tall to fit into my old cast-offs.”
Ed showed him where the bathroom was, gave him a towel and left him to it. Solomon took a hot shower, enjoying the feeling of truly being clean again. He scrubbed his hair and beard, watching the suds disappear down the drain. When he was finished, he looked at himself in the mirror.
A long, slim face looked back at him. One with blue eyes, a slender nose, and pale skin. His hair was almost black, with strands of gray peppered through it. His beard was the same and he wondered how old he really was. He certainly didn’t feel old, but he didn’t feel particularly young either. Figure middle-aged maybe? In his thirties or forties? He didn’t know.
After he finished in the bathroom, Maggie made breakfast, and Solomon ate as hungrily as he had the night before. Ed had stopped at the store on his way hom
e after leaving Solomon in his office and picked up dog food, which they poured in a bowl for the Hound. She wolfed it down greedily, lapped up a bowl of water, and lay down with a sigh of contentment.
“Looks like Daisy is satisfied,” Maggie said.
They all watched her expectedly, but the dog didn’t stir, or look up at the sound of the name.
“Really?” Solomon said. “Is that it? Is your name Daisy?”
The Hound stayed where she was, although one ear perked up slightly.
“Looks like Daisy it is. How did you know?” he asked Maggie.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. It just came to me.”
This is the strangest Hunting Hound, Solomon thought. But he was glad that she had taken to him.
Solomon spent the day with Ed, riding in his patrol car with Daisy in the back. They got Solomon clothes that fit him better, although it was a challenge due to his height and build. Ed had radioed in to the station to let Steve know that he was around if needed, but wouldn’t be in to the office until later in the day.
He showed Solomon around the town, repeating some of the same sights that Maggie had shown him earlier, but Solomon didn't mind. He was enjoying the company, and was finding that he did indeed like Martinsburg, particularly the visit to the barber shop, where he got his beard taken off, and his hair cut.
“If I stay for a while,” he said to Ed at one point, “I’d have to do something to earn my way.”
“True. What can you do? Any idea what you used to do for a living?”
“I think I was a soldier. I’m not sure why I think that, though. It feels very far off, or long ago.”
“Hmm, not much call for soldering around here. I’d hire you on, but we honestly don’t even have enough work for two of us as it is, so I can’t imagine the town board approving it. Let me think about it some. We’ll come up with something.”
The day passed as they drove around, occasionally stopping to talk with people that Ed knew.
“I think I was right about you,” Ed said as the afternoon went on.
“What do you mean?”
“You probably don’t notice this, but everyone’s reaction to you. They respond to you like they’ve known you forever, and are happy to see you again. Hell, even I had that reaction, and I’m paid to be suspicious. What is it, do you think?”
Solomon shrugged. “I really don’t know. I like people, I think I always have. Maybe most can kind of feel that? Like I give off good vibes or something?”
Ed laughed. “Yeah, good vibes. Maybe that’s it. Whoops, hold on.”
The radio squawked and Ed picked it up and mashed the button. “Go ahead, Steve.”
“Chief, we’ve got an accident. Out on the edge of town, but you’re closest. Sounds like it could be pretty bad.”
“On it.”
Steve gave him the address and Ed flipped on the lights and accelerated. Minutes later, he was braking hard near a sharp bend in the road, where a car was overturned, laying on its roof in the ditch. There was a strong smell of gasoline, and the ticking noise of a hot engine, slowly cooling off.
Solomon and Ed jumped out of the car and ran to it, Daisy watching them from the window. The car must have been going too fast as it came around the bend, lost control and hit the shoulder and rolled. Torn up grass, dirt, and weeds started several yards back, indicating how far it had tumbled.
Ed ran to the driver’s side door and pulled on it, but it was stuck fast, being held by the partially collapsed roof. Solomon could see a young man inside, hanging upside down by the seat belt, with blood dripping from his head. He weakly stirred as they approached.
“We’ve got to get him out of there,” Ed said. “I don’t know how long we’ve got.”
Solomon moved past him, grabbed hold of the car door and pulled, the muscles in his thin arms standing out. The door moved, grudgingly, but then hung up again. He put more into it, drawing a deep breath, bracing himself, and giving a sudden yank. This time, the door popped open, sending Solomon stumbling back. He recovered, reached inside, and pushed the young man up into the seat with his shoulder, so that he could relieve the tension on the belt and unlatch it.
The man tumbled down, and Solomon scooped him up and carried him away from the car as if he was a child. Laying him down on the side of the road, he turned around to see Ed’s stunned face.
“Wow,” Ed said. “That was…well, that was something…”
He tilted his hat back and scratched his head. “You sure are a strong one there, Solomon. I thought that door was stuck solid.”
“Leverage, I guess.”
“Maybe. Anyway, I hear the ambulance coming. Head on back and take care of Daisy, I’ll deal with them.”
An hour later, after the ambulance had taken the young man away and the wrecker had come for the car, Ed came back to the cruiser where Solomon and Daisy waited. They got back in and Ed turned to Solomon.
“Not sure how you did all that,” he said, “but I told you it was a good thing you stuck around. Saved that young man a lot of pain, I believe.”
“Glad I could help. It wasn’t a big deal though, really.”
Ed was about to respond when the radio squawked again.
“Yeah, Steve.”
“Sorry about this, Chief,” Steve’s voice came back. “I know you’re finishing up out there, but we just got another report.”
“Another accident? Geesh. Where is it this time?”
“Not an accident. Lacy Roberts is in the hospital. In and out of it, from what I understand.”
“What happened?”
“Not sure. She says she was attacked though, out at her place.”
“What? By who?”
“No idea. She’s not making any sense.”
“Alright. I’m on my way.”
He glanced over at Solomon. “Sorry to do this to you, but I think I need to get there right away.”
“No problem,” Solomon replied. “Daisy and I are fine.”
Ed went into the hospital while Solomon stayed outside with Daisy. They walked along the grounds, looking at the few sites, and then sat on a bench to wait. After a while, Ed came out and found them, and took a seat next to Solomon.
“Weirdest thing,” he said. “When she’s awake, Lacy swears she was attacked in the woods by something, but she doesn’t know what. She says it grabbed her arm, she got cold and passed out. Sounds ridiculous, only her arm really is messed up, and the doc’s not sure what’s wrong with it.”
Solomon felt a spark of recognition at the description. It was on the edge of his mind, like the name of a movie or show that he couldn’t quite remember. There was something there though…
“And get this,” Ed continued. “She also swears that she saw her husband. He’s been gone for the last few weeks now, but she says he must be living in the woods near their place.”
He suddenly stopped and looked at Solomon. “Why am I telling you this? It’s not like me to share an investigation with a civilian. I don’t even tell Maggie a lot of things.”
Solomon shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m a good listener? But Ed, don’t tell me anything you don’t want…”
He trailed off, his memory jogged by what Ed had told him. The icy touch and the damage to the woman’s arm…some sort of legend that he had once heard…only…it wasn’t a legend. He knew it was true, some scary monster of childhood come to life.
He realized that Ed was staring at him. “You okay? You kind of phased out there for a second.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine, just remembering something, I thought, but it’s gone again. I don’t think it was important.”
But he knew that it was. He was pretty sure that if he could talk to Lacy Roberts, he’d find out more about himself, and where he came from.
CHAPTER 7
The figure on the bed next to her didn’t stir as Shireen slipped away and walked to the window opening. The night breezes cooled her pale skin and stirred the silver hair that hung down h
er back as she looked out over the garden, the flowers and shrubs carefully encouraged to grow just so, to be pleasing to the eye, but still maintain order. Beyond, the woods stood silent, the shadows between the trees undisturbed, unlike her mind.
“Come back to bed, Shireen,” the other mumbled. “Why are you up?”
“You know why,” she said, not turning from the window. “How could they have done that?”
The figure in the bed sighed and pushed himself upright, his back against the headboard as he rubbed his eyes.
“We’ve been over this. It’s horrible, and was undeserved, we both know that. But there’s nothing we can do about it. He’s gone.”
She didn’t turn from the window, but continued to gaze out, not really seeing what she was looking at.
“How could Jediah have allowed it to happen, though?”
The man in the bed snorted.
“Do you think he had a choice? What if he had refused to turn him over? What then? Jamshir would have sent the full might of Glittering Birch against us, and been supported by the other houses as well. As tough as we are, even we couldn’t stand against that. Not for long.”
He sighed.
“Look,” he said, “I’m upset too. Solomon was my best friend, but I can’t bring him home. Please come back to bed. We have patrol tomorrow, and you know how tiring that is.”
Shireen ignored him, staying by the window, her slim body framed against the opening.
There was a rustling noise behind her, and then Orlando’s arms were about her, his body melding against hers. He placed his chin on her shoulder.
“I know,” he said softly. “He was your friend, too.”
With that, she turned in his arms and kissed him quickly.
“I know all that,” she said, gently moving from his embrace. “It seems so unfair, though.”
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