“So?” Tyler said.
“Okay, but we can’t stay out there long. I promised my mom. We’re gonna take a quick peek around, and get the heck back way before it gets dark.”
“Deal.”
Ben reached down, picked up and shouldered his bag.
“After you,” he said.
Tyler nodded. Ben noticed the smile on his face weakened at the corners of his mouth.
He took a deep breath, let it out, and followed Tyler toward the path at the back corner of his yard.
Yep. Definitely the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.
Ben only hoped the sunlight would keep the monster at bay.
“You think your dad’s story was true?” Tyler asked. “About seeing the white wolf?”
“I thought you said you believed me?” Ben said.
“I don’t know what to think. I mean, there’s something out here. You can feel it, right? “
Ben felt it, too. He got goose bumps any time things got quiet. When they weren’t pushing one another or building something up or tearing something down, whatever lay within the silence felt strange. It was like there was someone watching them. A presence. But they never saw or heard a thing.
“Yeah, but I saw the look in my dad’s eyes while he was telling me. It was like he disappeared, or transported back to that moment. Like he was right back there…. afraid.”
“All right, shit, man. You can cut that crap out right now,” Tyler said.
“Uh, right,” Ben said. He had freaked himself out a bit, too.
The clubhouse came into view.
“Let’s just take a quick look around and head back, okay?” Tyler said.
Ben’s flesh crawled. He looked toward the trees to their right. He thought he caught a flash of red, like a shirt or jacket.
“What is it?” Tyler asked.
“Shhh.” Ben listened, every hair on his body felt alive. The part of your mind that hints that you’re in danger spilled a warning down his spine.
Slow and easy, he slid the rucksack to the ground and pulled out the pistol. He held a finger up to tell Tyler to stay quiet.
The gun trembled in his hands as he brought it up to toward the spot in which he’d seen the red blur.
He crept forward and raised the weapon. His throat tightened; he felt like he was going to toss his lunch.
A black crow cawed and flew to the sky.
Ben jumped and squeezed off a shot.
The explosion was deafening.
Tyler came over laughing and holding a hand to his heart.
Ben dropped to a knee, staring at the gun.
“Dude, you scared the shit out of me,” Tyler laughed. He placed a hand on Ben’s shoulder. “I hate those birds.”
“Yeah, me, too,” Ben managed.
“Do you think anyone heard that?”
“I…I don’t know.”
“Yeah, we’re far enough out I’d say,” Tyler said. “Come on, let’s go look at some titties.”
Normally, checking out their collection of Playboys and Hustlers was reason to cheer. But at the moment, he just couldn’t shake that feeling he’d felt just before the bird took flight. It was clinging to him like the symbiote from Spider-Man.
“Dude, come on. We’ll hang out for a little bit, then we can leave. We ‘ve got plenty of sunlight. Plus, we already know you’re not afraid to shoot down any of our feathered friends.”
Ben stood. Before following Tyler to the fort, he took one last glance to the trees.
Maybe I’m losing it.
…
Arthur was already gone when the gun discharged. As soon as the kid picked up on him, he’d bolted. He wondered how true the kid’s aim was? Would he have hit him had he’d stayed by the old Hemlock? Whatever the case, the kid had come back for the same reason he had. They were feeling each other. There seemed to be a kinship of sorts.
They were safe, for now. It was another night before the moon reached its peak fullness. A time when even he couldn’t hold back the beast. Should any of them find themselves in these parts then, he’d have very little say in what happened. The devil made no promises.
As interested as he was in the boy, Arthur’s real reasons for coming home took precedent.
Someone else was looking for him, too. He wouldn’t beat the girl and her escort to the Dresden Place, but he could arrive in time to make his play.
CHAPTER TEN
Wendy’s stomach squirmed as she watched the trees, certain something horrible was waiting for her.
“Do you mind if I put something on?” Paul said.
“No, go ahead.”
He hit a button on his steering wheel. She’d often wondered what it would be like to have money like Paul and his family. The Audi was just one of the many toys in his arsenal.
A BING came from the speakers.
“Play my new mix,” Paul said.
The opening notes to Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” drifted from the speakers.
Oh great.
She glanced over at him. A bead of sweat rolled from his temple, as his hands clutched the wheel.
He’d been in love with her since they were, like, six. She’d told him once when they were fifteen that she didn’t like him like that, but maybe someday. She’d regretted those words ever since.
“So,” Paul began.
Oh God. Not now, Paul, please, not now.
“I’m… I’m glad you called me.”
“Yeah, thanks for bringing me. I don’t know how I could have left my wallet out there.”
“I’m still in love with you,” he interrupted.
“Paul, we’ve been over this.”
“Yeah, like seven years ago. Remember what you said? I do.”
Shit yes, I remember.
“I know, I know,” she said. “I know you have some romantic notion that we’re meant to be together, but…” She couldn’t bring herself to say it. I don’t. She couldn’t then and she couldn’t now. And it wasn’t fair to Paul, but she hated hurting people, especially Paul.
“But what…I mean, you call me, I come. You need me, I run. You want something when we’re out, I get it for you.”
“There’s more to love than that, Paul.”
“Perfect” gave way to Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are.”
“What is it then, Wendy? Huh?”
Oh no. Paul was prone to emotional breakdowns. Another part of their friendship that she had to endure on a regular basis.
“Is it because of my weight, I mean. I’ve lost about forty pounds and I think I look a lot better.”
“No, Paul, it’s not because of your weight or your body.”
“What then, is it my money? Most girls like that, you know. I’ve had my share of opportunities lately. Just the other day Rachel Ying asked me to the movies.”
“What? Did you say yes?”
“No. I said no. I don’t want to be with Rachel Ying or anybody else. I just want you.”
The driveway came into view. Paul turned left and they drove to the structure in relative silence.
A country ballad Wendy didn’t recognize began to play.
“Well, you’re here,” Paul said.
He wouldn’t look at her. He just stared out the window, his hand to his mouth.
“All right, I’ll be right back. It could take me a minute.”
He just waved her off. As she got out, she saw a tear slide down his cheek.
Why did he have to be in love with her? He was a great friend, most of the time. And Rachel Ying was cute. She could see them together.
She climbed the steps without looking back. She shoved the cabin door open and saw the ratty sofa. Her purse and wallet were safe at home. She just couldn’t tell Paul the real reason she wanted to come here. He never would have driven her. Of everyone in Coopers Mills, no one believed in the legend of the white wolf more than Paul Clukey. He’d been obsessed and terrified by the stories as a child and would always have to be taken home during sleepovers.
She thought of those pre-teen days. Even their parents were confident that nothing would ever happen between them.
They know better, Paul. Why don’t you?
She heard gravel crunch beneath Paul’s tires. She hurried to the door in time to see him pulling away from the cabin. From her.
“Paul!” she shouted as she hurried down the steps. “Hey, you can’t leave me out here!”
He turned at the outlet road and disappeared, leaving a trail of dust kicked up in his wake.
“Fuck,” she said.
She turned and headed back inside. There were always a few extra beers hanging around. If she was walking home, she’d need all the liquid courage she could drink. Hell, it’d be dark by the time she was halfway there.
She stepped through the cabin door and found a couple Coors Light cans at the foot of the couch. She was about to crack one open when she heard the branch snap just beyond the wall.
She held her breath. It could be a million different things, she thought. A squirrel could do that for Christ’s sakes.
Still, she set the beer can next to the other one on the giant, wooden spool they used as a pseudo-coffee table, and crept over to the boarded window and listened.. Another branch snapped. She found it hard to swallow. Something was out there, something was out here with her all alone.
Damn you, Paul.
There was a space between the two center boards. She put her face to the crack and gazed out into the woods beyond the walls. Nothing moved. Just trees and forest floor. She waited. After a minute, she pulled away, opened one of the beers, and took a couple of gulps. She grimaced at the warm, bitter taste before going back for more.
She picked up the second can and stepped outside.
As soon as she was to the steps, she felt eyes upon her.
Paul’s going to feel like an ass, and he’s going to turn around and come back for me.
She convinced herself to move and went down the steps, across the little dirt driveway, and marched toward the road.
She finished the first beer, tossed the can to the side of the road, and started on the second. She tried her best to pretend there was nothing strange or terrifying about the hairs standing on the back of her neck or the gooseflesh covering her arms.
She chugged the beer and wished she had more. She was going to kill Paul next time she saw him. You don’t leave the person you supposedly loved forever in the woods. Miles away from town, out here with—something crashed off to her right.
She didn’t look, she just dropped the can in her hand, and broke into a sprint.
…..
The late afternoon sunlight turned gray behind rain heavy clouds crossing the sky. Johnny chewed at his fingernails, his right leg bouncing as the truck cruised along Peacock Road. The unmistakable sight of Paul Clukey’s Audi caused him to sit up.
“Look,” he started.
“I see him,” Bryan said.
As the car passed them, Johnny noticed the empty passenger seat. Paul’s beady eyes stared straight ahead.
“That loser was alone, like usual,” Bryan said.
“You don’t think he’d ditch Wendy out there, do you?”
“We don’t know for sure that she was with him to begin with,” Bryan said.
Johnny sat back, returning to his nail-biting, leg bouncing ways. Peacock Road led to the outlet road, and there was no doubt in his mind that his sister had called Paul to bring her out here. What he didn’t understand was why Paul would be sent back alone. Images of Paul having a mental breakdown, probably a jealous rage-induced psychosis, played in his head of the bastard striking his sister and leaving her out there for dead. Paul had been in love with Wendy since they were kids. She didn’t do herself any favors by staying friends with the guy. Johnny wouldn’t be surprised if Paul confessed his undying love and got shot down again. Some losers never learn.
“Speed up, man. If that dickhead left her out there…” The images of his sister bludgeoned and lying in the dirt sped through his mind, only now, the bruise on her face turned to four claw marks slashing through her eye and cheek.
Humming down the blacktop, closing in on the outlet road, Bryan said, “Oh, fuck.”
Johnny craned his neck and saw the flashing, blue lights.
“And it’s that fat asshole, Rutherford.” Johnny said, as he turned and slammed a fist against the dash.
Bryan slowed and pulled off the road.
Johnny slipped his seat belt on, and Bryan did the same.
“Get my folder out the glovebox,” Bryan said.
Johnny reached in and found the little white folder with Bryan’s registration and insurance card. He handed it over as Bryan rolled down his window, and Deputy Kenny Rutherford’s ugly, mustached face appeared, with crooked grin, chapped lips, and all.
“License, registration, and proof of insurance,” he said.
Bryan handed the folder over.
“Take them out of the folder, son,” Rutherford said.
Bryan did as ordered.
Rutherford cocked his head and looked from Bryan to Johnny, before returning to the information in his hands.
Without looking up, he said, “You boys didn’t have them seatbelts on a minute ago. That’s an automatic ticket.”
Johnny shook his head and looked away.
“Got something to say to me Higgins?”
“No, sir,” he said.
“I didn’t think so. You boys wouldn’t be heading out to the old Dresden place would ya?”
“We’re looking for my sister,” Johnny said.
“Now, what would little Wendy be doing way out here?”
“We don’t even know if she’s out there or not,” Bryan spit out.
“I thought I told you two to stay out of that cabin last summer. You ain’t too good at listenin,’ neither of ya. Now, you tell me your sister’s out there?” He leered in at them. “She out there fuckin’ somebody?”
Johnny wanted to beat the shit out of him for talking about his sister that way. Instead, he said, “Can we just move this along?”
“Why don’t you just relax, son, before that mouth of yours writes you a check your ass can’t cash.”
Johnny clenched his jaw. He needed to shut up or this asshole would keep them here forever.
“Yes, sir,” he said.
“That’s better. You boys sit tight.” Rutherford went back to his patrol car.
“Jesus, you know you can’t talk to him like that,” Bryan said.
“I know, I know, I just… I don’t want to deal with this right now.”
“Well, just shut up and let me talk to him, all right? My ass is already grass from the damage to my truck, now, I gotta come up with who knows how much to pay the tickets Rutherford’s gonna give me.” Bryan clammed up. His lips pressed together as he hung his head.
Johnny knew how Bryan’s dad was going to react. He also knew there was no chance of hiding the tickets from him. Rutherford hung out at The Bluebird Diner any time he wasn’t at the station or on patrol. So did Bryan’s dad, when he wasn’t home drinking or working one of his three days at the transfer station.
Rutherford took his sweet ass time before waddling up to the driver’s side with Bryan’s information and license, and a big, blue ticket. “Got you for doin’ fifty-six in a forty-five, and I had to nail you twice for the seatbelts.”
Bryan took them from Rutherford and set them on the seat between he and Johnny.
“You got twenty days, ‘less of course, you wanna contest ‘em, but you know I’ll be right there on your court day testifying.”
“Yes, sir,” Bryan said.
“You boys slow it down, and next time, you strap them belts before you head out where ya goin.’ Go on now, you check an’ see if Wendy’s out there, then you get your asses back to town, you hear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have a good evenin,’ boys. And Bryan, tell your daddy I said hello.”
Bryan nodded and reached for the ignition.
“Fucking asshole,” Bryan muttered, once Rutherford was back at his car.
“Fuck him,” Johnny said. “Listen, me and Wendy will help you pay those tickets.”
Bryan pulled onto the road and sped down the road.
Johnny sat back, hoping his sister was okay. He glanced out at the gunmetal sky as the first rain drops splatted against the windshield.
…..
Wendy ran until her lungs and thighs felt like they were being incinerated by the sun. She stumbled and dropped to one knee, panting as she finally dared a look over her shoulder. The road was dark and empty. She had no idea what was in the woods, but she could feel it out there. Something was fucking with her. Animals didn’t act like this. At least, she didn’t think so. Maybe she was being a paranoid schitzoid, but she wasn’t taking any chances after last night. Well, she wasn’t taking any more chances.
The rain clouds over her head let loose.
She stood, took a couple of deep breaths, and continued marching forward.
Headlights appeared farther down the road.
She almost cracked up laughing when Bryan’s Ford came into view.
The truck swerved around her, stopping in the center of the road.
“What the hell, Wendy? Are you fucking crazy or just stupid?” Johnny said. He hopped out and stood before her. “Get in.”
“Whatever,” she said, sliding in next to Bryan.
Johnny got in beside her and slammed the door. “What happened? Your boyfriend ditch you?”
“Fuck you, Johnny. You didn’t have to come out here.”
“But I bet you’re sure as shit happy we did.”
She didn’t say anything. Her silence was answer enough. She crossed her arms. “Just get me home.”
“You’re welcome,” Johnny said.
“Thanks,” she muttered.
She was truly grateful to see them but she could do without Johnny’s fucking pissy attitude and judgment. Bryan gave her a weak smile and nudged her with his elbow.
“Hey, what your brother is trying to say is he’s glad you’re okay. We both are, but please don’t do this to us again.”
The Beast of Brenton Woods Page 4
