The river, filled with rocks, mud, and trees from the storm, ran along the campground. They allowed campers to take out boats, fish, swim, and go tubing. People went out searching for firewood, as opposed to buying the costly bundles of wood from the central office. The fact that it was the cheapest made it even better. They offered zip lining, rafting, and tubing so it was the perfect place for a week of fun, or so she thought.
The man with her was Zachary Stewart; tall and lean like a running back on a football team. Her fiancé for two years. His job kept the need for a gym at bay.
Once dressed, they exited the tent. Staring at the other, they weren’t sure what to think. The horrible sounds coming from within didn’t seem friendly, much less human. The odd ripping, tearing, and squishing sounds echoed around them. Frozen in fear; they stood half in and half out of their tent. However, each time one of them yelled over, it went unanswered.
The trees swayed in the dark as the light of the moon cast down on them; stalking them like wild animals. Add to it the screams happening all around them as well as the wild sounds coming from the tent beside them. A single shot resonated through all the noise somewhere in the distance, making them jump.
“What’s that?” She whispered frantically, pointing off to the side.
He looked around too. “It sounded like a gun shot.”
“No,” she pointed closer to their vehicle. “What’s that?”
Turning, he stared where she pointed. “What’s what?”
“That! Over there. It looks like a bear or a big man with an ax. I can’t tell, but I’m not going out there without a light.”
He gave her that look that a man would understand, before turning back inside the messy tent. Between her tripping over everything and throwing things around in a hurry to get dressed, nothing was where it should be. It looked like a tornado went through there. Getting down on his hands and knees, he tried feeling his way around. “Where the hell is it?”
“I don’t know. You had it last.”
“It’s not where I put it!” He groaned, rummaging around in the darkness, adding to the mess by throwing clothes out of his way. Suddenly there was a click.
Let there be light… and there was.
The most intensifying, bright light ever known to man hit him in the eyes, and he swore he was looking into the sun. Fumbling blindly, he quickly turned it off. “Fuck me!” Rubbing his eyes, he blinked, trying to relieve the spots surrounding him.
“Hurry up,” she whispered, impatiently.
He growled. “Wait a minute! I can’t see anything but spots!” After a moment, he flipped it around in his hand before turning it back on, once more making his way out to stand beside her. Flashing the light around their campsite proved it wasn’t anything but trees as the shadows shrank back. “Okay. Let’s find out what’s happening.”
“Well, as much time as you took,” she muttered.
“Sh!” He slowly walked in the direction of the rather odd noises. “If they’re getting freaky, he’s gonna be pissed.” From the other tent, there was a loud shuffling sound followed by grunting and a moan of pleasure then more ripping and squishing sounds. He looked back at her. “See! They’re getting it on and we’re worried about nothing.”
“No. She wouldn’t have screamed like that.”
He smirked. “She would if he tried to fuck her up the ass.”
“You didn’t hear her scream!”
“You’d scream if I fucked you up the ass.”
She scoffed. “Whatever! It didn’t sound like he missed. More like she was being killed!”
Rolling his eyes, he cleared his throat, turning back ahead of them. “Todd, is everything okay?”
No change in sounds.
“What the fuck?” She pointed at the tent again. “That doesn’t sound like having sex.”
“Well, it would if they were doing freaky shit. We don’t know what they do.” She poked him hard in the ribs. “Ouch!” Sighing, he turned, moving forward once more. “Hey, Todd. What’s up? Dude, if you don’t answer, we’re about to crash your party.”
“Janet, you okay?”
They didn’t get a response, but something hit the side of the tent from the inside and growled. Being close enough, it caused both of them to jump back and scream. Then something emerged from within.
People didn’t mess with Todd Caravan if they knew what was good for them. He had been in and out of jail since he was old enough to crawl, and made a lifetime out of being a criminal. His nickname in jail was Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown. A song from the seventies by Jim Croce. It fit him to a tee.
He was intimidating but added to his six-foot-three, muscular frame, and it was downright frightening. When he walked into a crowded bar, people moved out of his way like someone laid out the red carpet. Step this way sir be careful not to trip. People turned to warn him when he bumped them, but humbly apologized for being such a clumsy fool.
He didn’t mess with the tent zipper, ripping the nylon as if it was paper. There was a crazed expression in his blue eyes. Along with his blood soaked blonde hair, he looked the part of the mad scientist. Stepping out, he left a bloody handprint wherever he touched.
Covered in blood, from the top of his head, to the tips of his shoes. It dripped down the outside of the tent like fresh paint, crawling down a wall. It dribbled from his hands and lips. He chewed on something raw and stringy, hanging out of his mouth, sucking it in noisily. Turning in their direction, there was a tilt of his head as if he didn’t even recognize them. When the flashlight hit his eyes, he squinted but didn’t look away.
They both instantly took another giant step backward.
Whispering in his ear, Candice poked Zach in the side. “What the hell’s wrong with him?”
They both stopped walking forward and slowly moved backward until they stood beside their truck: a safe distance from him.
“I have no idea.” He cleared his throat. “Hey, buddy. What’s going on? You okay?” Todd didn’t answer just walked towards them after watching them for a few minutes. When he didn’t answer, Zach slowly continued walking them away from him, backward. “Why was Janet screaming? Where the hell is she?”
Holding onto Zach’s side, she turned, glancing behind them, making sure she wasn’t going to trip and fall. “What the hell happened to him?”
“Got me. He’s your friend’s boyfriend. Maybe he got some bad ‘shrooms? I dunno.”
She looked worried. “If he looks like that,” she winced. “We need to make sure Janet’s okay. I don’t like how she’s not answering.”
“Yes, but how are we going to check on her when we’ve got Todd the psycho out here, chasing us around the truck?”
“I didn’t think that far in the planning yet.”
“Uh-huh. Well, there isn’t much we can do right now.”
Watching them, Todd steadily drew closer. He continued to tilt his head to the side, in confusion, as they spoke to him. He wasn’t in a hurry, just followed them at an even pace.
She felt around in her pockets. “What did you do with the keys?”
“You drove.”
“Damn. I thought we could use the truck, run him over, and then get Janet.”
He arched a brow, rounding the front of the truck, still walking backward. “Run him over? Aren’t you the violent one?”
“What else can we do? He came out of that tent as if it was nothing. Now, I know they’re not built of steel, but it’s a lot stronger than that!”
“True.”
She looked around, careful not to fall. “We can’t wait till he comes to his senses.”
“Just saying. If they’re not in your jeans, then they’re in the tent somewhere.”
“Okay, so we need to think of a plan.”
“Go camping, she said. We will have fun, she said. Remind me to thank you for this excellent idea. I’m having a totally great time. I can’t speak for the other two though.”
“Save the blame game for later. Help me f
igure this out!”
He sighed. “Sorry, but what the hell are we going to do? You would think eventually he is going to figure out how to get us.”
“What about the ax? I think he had it over by the woodpile. You keep him busy. I’ll go find it.”
“Who are you?” Shaking his head, he motioned towards Todd. “I’m all for plans that don’t get one or both of us killed. He had it last so it could be anywhere; under the leaves, slammed into one of the trees. There’s no telling where he put it or left it.”
“You know, you only have to keep him busy for a few minutes. That’s all I need to rush over and check on her.”
“And how do you propose I do that? You want me to dance a jig and hope he’s up for a show. I think he’s got just one thing on his mind right now and that’s tearing us apart.”
She swallowed in disgust. “You don’t think that’s what happened to Janet, do you?”
“In an ordinary world, I’d say no. That’s just disgusting. There is no way he would ever do that. However, look at him. He’s covered in blood and what the fuck is he eating?”
She looked over at the tent. It looked like a wild animal attacked it. The front was shredded and his bloody handprint seemed to glow in the moonlight. “Yeah, but why? I got an awful feeling.”
“I know what you mean.”
Taking one look back at Zach, she turned, running for the tent. It was at the furthest point, so the two had to circle back around the vehicle before they would get to her. She had plenty of time for a quick look and be back before anyone missed her. She ran as fast as she could. “I’m just gonna check on her!”
Zach couldn’t believe his eyes as he turned, watching her running away. He fought the urge to go with her and just keep getting it. Even though he didn’t want to believe it, Janet was dead. He knew it. She didn’t answer them, and there wasn’t a sound from inside that tent. His head snapped back, watching Todd once more. “Candice, what the fuck are you doing?”
“I have to check on her!”
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Just keep him busy for a few minutes!”
“Oh sure, just keep the mad psycho busy for a few minutes.” He rolled his eyes. “That’s all.”
As she reached the tent, she pulled back the shredded flap. Her eyes widened as tears streamed down her face. “Janet!”
Zach heard her scream but didn’t dare take his eyes off Todd. They were moving faster now as if Todd got his step back. “What’s wrong?”
Todd looked in that direction. Seeing her away from the truck, he went for her. He looked like a new toddler learning how to walk. It was a stagger, step-step, stagger though he was gaining in speed.
Meanwhile, Candice still paid homage to her best friend as she remembered how they had met.
The same company where Candice worked hired Janet Torrence on as a temporary worker. When they met, they were instant best friends. Both had wicked stepfathers who abused them, the oldest in the family, and both suffered through rape in high school by the town’s own superstar that could do no wrong.
They were twisted sisters of fate.
That was how close they were. With so much in common, it was bound to happen. They ate lunch, took breaks, as well as hung out together after work as well. It didn’t stop there either. They took vacations together, usually with Zach and Candice footing most of the bill, but that was what best friends did. When the office laid Janet off, due to her contract expiring, Candice talked to the boss and got her a permanent spot, just so she didn’t lose her best friend.
Janet was compassionate: giving her last dollar to someone else, especially if she had it to give and sometimes when she didn’t. Every day people held up signs about how their lives were horrible and needed money to survive. Panhandlers, Candice called them, but Janet never did. They knew her car, lining up like kids to see Santa for the few bucks she offered. Traffic didn’t matter to her; she made sure everyone got something. She was very generous. Many people took advantage of that: especially Todd.
When the two first met, Janet was hooked on his bad-boy charm and devil may care attitude. After their first meeting and a wild night in bed, he promised her eternity. Candice tried making her see the real Todd, but Janet wouldn’t hear any of it. He was a God in her eyes.
It only took the bloody scene, for Candice to realize eternity came too quickly. Pieces of Janet were scattered around the tent: hanging off the ceiling, and sliding down the walls. It looked like someone filled her full of dynamite and she imploded.
It was horrible, and she would have nightmares for the rest of her life. However, the worst part was Janet. There was a jagged hole in the middle of her stomach with threads of pink meat hanging out. It resembled an empty bowl of raw hamburger with her internal organs yanked out and tossed around the room.
He had ripped off one of her legs, which laid half on and half off the tent wall with bite-sized chunks missing with shreds hanging in tattered pieces. Her brown eyes were wide with horror and pain. Her jaw hung ripped open in a grotesque, frightening position. With her dying screams, she choked to death on her own blood. The rest of her body looked as if she got into a fight with a wild animal.
Candice screamed again, crying in raging sobs. She couldn’t move, frozen, as she gripped the shredded tent to stop herself from passing out. Tears flowed down her face like a waterfall after heavy rain.
Meanwhile, Todd wasn’t standing still or taking the time to smell the flowers. He moved towards her, and every step got a little better. He wasn’t so much like a toddler just learning to walk, but more like one who knew how to without staggering. He was also bee-lined in her direction.
Zach stopped moving backward. It was obvious Todd was tired of their song and dance and had turned to the easier game: Candice, who stood still so he could catch her. Rushing behind him, Zach scanned the ground for a weapon. Passing by the firewood pile, he picked up a log that required both hands and nailed Todd in the shoulder. Back in the day, he was one of the town’s favorite baseball players; sending many hundred-mile-an-hour balls out of the park for screaming home runs, so there was some punch in that hit.
It worked. He got Todd’s attention. Turning, he raced back towards Zach. His pace was much faster.
Zach had to jog to stay away from him. “Come on man, can’t we talk about this?” He looked behind him, shuffling his feet to keep from falling. “Obviously something has ya mad. Talk to me about it. Get it off your chest. You just might feel better, bro.”
Todd continued the chase, quietly, eyes never leaving Zach for a moment until…
Candice was disgusted. It was one thing watching blood and gore on the big screen, but it was entirely another seeing it in reality. All she could remember was how kind Janet was and how that son-of-a-bitch took advantage of her every day they were together. Nothing was ever good enough for him. No matter how much she drained her bank account dry, he always wanted more. Only now, she was dead and he killed her.
Looking up, she saw that Todd ran after Zach. She didn’t even think. The only thing she saw was Janet’s face: before and after. Screaming loudly, she turned her anger on Todd. “You son-of-a-bitch, you killed her!”
Zach looked over, blinking in shock. “She’s really dead?”
Todd stopped chasing Zach. Turning, he ran straight at Candice. By this time, he moved the same speed as a marathon runner with that last burst before crossing the finish line. If she wanted him to come after her, she got her wish.
It wasn’t exactly what she wanted. She watched in fright as he growled, snarling like some wild beast. Here was this enraged bull, rushing straight at her, without any way to defend herself. Quickly, she looked around for something that might even the odds.
Stick, nope that would just break. A rock, she could be dead by the time he was close enough for her to hit him, especially in the dark. Dirt in his eyes, again he would have to be too close for comfort. Just as she was getting ready to run for it, abandoning any
thought of fighting, her toe kicked something hard. Glancing down, she saw the ax. It wasn’t there a moment ago, but now it rested right at her feet.
Special delivery!
“Thank you, Lord.” It was like a gift from God and she looked up thanking him, before turning back to Todd with a renewed sense of bravery. She could do this. Hell, she wanted to run him over with the truck a few moments ago, so she could easily chop off his head. She beckoned him closer. “Yeah, come on you son-of-a-bitch. Come and get some.”
Being as it was dark outside, Zach didn’t notice anything, but the fact that she wasn’t moving and Todd was at an accelerated rate. Why wasn’t she running? She stood there, watching him getting too close for Zach’s comfort. Turning, he ran for Todd, yelling to get his attention, but nothing worked. For whatever reason, he really wanted Candice. Picking up a heavy rock, he winged it at him and watched as it bounced off his shoulder but didn’t stop him. He grabbed another log, tossing it at his head, but that had no effect.
Taking a deep breath, saying a silent prayer, he pushed off the ground, lunging in the air. He had to tackle him! With his arms outstretched, he braced for the collision in three… two… He almost had him and even saw pieces of flesh in his hair… when the shot pierced the night, dropping him.
Five
It was one thing to tackle a monster to the ground, which was his exact thoughts about Todd. However, it was entirely another to tackle a headless corpse to the ground which was still moving. Todd’s head exploded, leaving blood and brain matter flying off in all directions. Some hit the trees, the ground, but most landed on Zach and he could literally feel his skin crawling.
Hearing the shot echo around her, she ducked down, looking around for the source. Frightened eyes turned as she frantically searched for Zach. It was dark out and all she could see was a jumbled mess of bodies on the ground. Her heart lurched up into her throat as tears filled her eyes. “No!” She couldn’t tell if Zach was hurt or not, but there was a lot of blood. Turning, she ducked down, racing in his direction as quickly as her feet would run. “Zach!” She ran the distance in record timing. “Zach! Are you okay?”
Beautiful Death (Bella Morté Trilogy Book 1) Page 4
