They Came After Me

by C S Allen

  When I got inside the cabin, Olivia asked, “What was Steve yelling about?”

  “Well, Steve’s car has a hole in the oil pan. When Steve was screwing around again, revving up the engine, he blew out most of the oil onto the ground,” I said.

  Mike, who overheard what I had said to Olivia, replied, “You have got to be kidding me.”

  I asked the three in the cabin to help me look for any kind of tools that could help us fix the oil pan. After about five minutes without anyone saying that they had found anything, we gathered in the living room. “I take it that no one found anything?” I asked. The three shook their heads, and the look of disappointment was on their faces.

  “Sorry, Will,” Mike said.

  “Let’s go talk to Steve and see what we can do to fix the car,” I said, as I started to head to the front door. When we walked up to him, Steve was sitting on the front bumper, looking down at the grass.

  “Hey Steve, we’re here to help; what can we do?” Olivia asked.

  “I don’t know what you all can do because I have a hole in my oil pan, no damn tools, and just a quart of oil in the back of the car. If I run the car without oil in it, the engine will seize up completely,” Steve stated sadly.

  “So, all we have to do is plug the hole somehow and then put a quart of oil in the engine, is that all we need to do?” Mike asked.

  “Yeah, but what do we have to plug the hole?” Steve asked, as he looked at Mike.

  “How big is the hole?” I asked Steve.

  “You were down there, you didn’t see it?” Steve asked me.

  “No, all I could see was oil dripping everywhere and smoke in my face,” I replied.

  “Well, whatever hit the pan bent the corner of it and made a quarter-inch hole,” Steve stated.

  “That’s it? A quarter-inch hole, Steve? That’s not going to stop us from getting it fixed,” Olivia said excitedly.

  “Steve, if we can find a screw just big enough to screw into the hole, we can fix it. I’ve done stuff like this before while working with my dad,” I said.

  “Yeah, but if the pan is made of steel and the screw is made of aluminum or nickel, it won’t work,” Steve replied.

  “Dude, if that’s the case, it will work. We find a screw that’s the right size and then put plastic wrap around the head of it. The plastic wrap will act as a gasket and plug up any areas that the screw can’t get to,” Mike replied.

  “I’ll try anything once, but if it doesn’t work, we need to try plan B and that is to call nine-one-one,” Steve said with a smile.

  Chapter Three

  We came up with a plan to go look for screws inside the cabin. After about ten minutes, Mike ended up finding a couple of tools under the kitchen sink. Of all the tools we needed, he found the best one, and that was a hammer. Unfortunately, we didn’t find any loose screws, but we did find screws in the old kitchen table and chairs. Steve told us to break a chair to get a screw out of it since this was an emergency. Olivia volunteered to break one of the chairs with the hammer Mike had found. Olivia made us all laugh while she was swinging the hammer down on the chair. She was cussing and yelling at the chair like it had just insulted her family. About a minute later, a screw came out of the chair, and we all cheered like we had won a prize.

  Olivia held up the screw in the air and said, “Come on, you guys, let’s get this bitch fixed.” And then we all headed to go out the door with the screw and tools in hand.

  When we got to the car, we realized how late it was getting, as the sun was casting a shadow over it. Olivia gave the screw to Steve with a smile, and then Steve lay down on his side to look under the car.

  “Guys, I’m not going to be able to see under this car without a flashlight, and unfortunately, we don’t have one. Let’s just do this in the morning and enjoy tonight,” Steve said, while looking up at us.

  “Well, if you can’t see under there, then let’s go start a fire in the cabin, guys!” Emma said with excitement.

  Steve then got up off the ground and closed the hood. “Well, let’s get this party started!” Steve replied. “Olivia, get the wine out of the cooler that’s in the car. I’ll get the fire started in the fireplace, and if anyone is hungry, grab what’s left in the cooler,” Steve stated.

  Mike and I looked in the cooler after Olivia grabbed the wine out of it. Hot dogs and hamburger patties were all that was left in the cooler, so Mike said he would bring the cooler to the cabin, and I should bring the paper bag with the bread in it. We all headed back to the cabin with a mission and a bit of excitement. We didn’t let a little hole in the oil pan bother our evening to come.

  As Mike and I got the grill going again, I went inside to check on Steve’s fire. The fireplace was alive with the old wood burning just right. The sounds of wood crackling and the unforgettable smell of a fireplace made me feel good.

  “How do ya like the fire?” Steve asked me.

  “Something about a fire going in a fireplace reminds me of Christmas,” I replied.

  Olivia, standing next to Steve, said, “It reminds me of that too.”

  Olivia took a giant gulp of wine and then wiped her mouth with her wrist. I looked at Steve and said, “Someone’s already got the party started I see.”

  Olivia looked at me and smiled. “Do you want some wine, Will? We still haven’t opened the other bottle yet,” Olivia stated.

  Emma appeared from behind Olivia before I could reply and said, “I’ve been trying to get this damn cork out of the second bottle for the last ten minutes. Help me get this damn thing out, Will.” Emma walked over toward me and handed me the wine bottle.

  “No wine for me, guys, I don’t care for it. By the way, how did you get your bottle of wine open, Olivia?” I asked.

  “Oh, there’s a corkscrew on the kitchen stove that I found in one of the drawers. I guess that would help, wouldn’t it?” Olivia stated.

  “I think it will,” I said, as I turned to walk into the kitchen to get the corkscrew.

  “Hey guys, I’m all alone out here cooking some food for you all. Can I get a little attention from someone who would like to keep me company?” Mike yelled from outside the cabin.

  “Bring the bottle outside, will you, Will? I’ve got to keep my honey company,” Emma stated, as she walked toward the back door.

  I felt like I was becoming the fifth wheel since Mike and Emma were close and Steve and Olivia had been flirting. I should have thought the whole idea of going camping through, but I hadn’t.

  “Hey guys, come here quickly!” Emma said, sticking her head through the doorway.

  Steve and Olivia walked quickly out the door, while I stood in the kitchen, trying to get the cork out. I finished opening the bottle in a matter of a few seconds and then went out back to see what was up. The gang was quiet and acting like they were trying to hear something, so I did the same thing. A hissing sound was heard coming from the lake area, like someone was letting air out of a tire.

  “What the hell is that?” Olivia asked to anyone who could answer.

  “I don’t know, but let’s get some candles out here so I can see before it gets really dark,” Mike suggested.

  “Man, that’s one of those damn cicada bugs that makes that noise. They hiss and then they stop and then they hiss some more,” Steve commented.

  We didn’t really know what it was, so we all just agreed with what Steve was saying.

  “Did you get the wine bottle open, Will?” Emma asked me.

  “Yeah I did, I’ll go get it and bring out a candle or two for Mike,” I replied and went inside to get the candles off of the kitchen table. It was a lot darker inside with the sun being down. Luckily, Steve had the fire going or I wouldn’t have been able to see anything inside. I retrieved the bottle and one of the candles, knowing that a candle wasn’t going to do much, and went back outside. “Hey guys, why don’t we build a fire pit out here if we’re going to be outside for a while,” I suggested.

  “No need, Will. Once
the food is done, we’ll eat inside in front of the fireplace. It’ll be fun,” Mike said.

  “Yeah and a little bit romantic, I think,” Emma stated, while looking at Mike.

  I just rolled my eyes and gave the bottle of wine to Emma. I lit the candle and felt stupid holding it like it was a vigil for someone, so I looked at Olivia and gave the candle to her. When I did that, the hissing sound got louder and then stopped.

  “Damn, that bug must be huge. It sounds like it’s got a pair of big cojones being that loud,” Steve said. We all got a good laugh at Steve’s joke, and then Olivia belched, making us laugh some more.

  “There’s your big cojones right there,” Olivia stated.

  A few minutes later, the food was ready to be served, and everyone got something from the grill. When Olivia reached into the paper bag that had the bread for our burgers and hot dogs, she got excited and said, “Steve! Yeah!” and pulled out a bag of marshmallows. Instead of taking out the bread, Olivia walked a couple steps away with the marshmallows and opened the bag. She then turned her back on everyone and then ate one.

  “So nice of you to share with everyone, you rat, give me one,” Emma said, while holding out her hand.

  “Yeah, Olivia, those are for everyone, you thief!” Steve said, while reaching into the bag with the bread in it. “When I get my bread, I’m going inside. These damn Maine mosquitoes are eating me alive,” Mike stated.

  When everyone had what they wanted on their plates, we went back inside the cabin. Steve turned on an old portable radio in the living room while the rest of us found a seat. The fire was dancing in the fireplace, making shadows of all the things in the room. It felt nice to be around my friends, having a good time, bonding and kidding with each other. Mike sat down on the footstool, and it busted open, Olivia tried to beat Steve to the couch only to have her wine bottle erupt into the air, and we threw marshmallows all over the living room. Those are the moments that I will fondly look back at and smile. My dad had told me not long before that these are the greatest times to try and remember.

  “Enjoy yourself now, William. Make memories of all of the things that you enjoy. Be with your friends every chance that you get because you can’t go back in time.” My dad was right.

  Hisssssss!

  “What the hell is that?” I said, jolted from my thoughts.

  “Goddamn it, this shit isn’t funny, you guys! Who’s outside fucking with us?” Emma yelled.

  “Now is the time to tell, guys, because I’m going to get a damn knife out of the kitchen!” Olivia said, while getting up from her seat.

  “I have nothing to do with this,” Mike responded first. His eyes were wide open as he looked at everyone.

  “Fuck this shit, I’m going to stab someone if they come in here,” Olivia said loudly, while she quickly went into the kitchen. We heard Olivia open one of the kitchen drawers and the utensils being jostled. “I have a knife now, you asshole, hiss again and I’ll stab you!” Olivia yelled.

  I wasn’t sure if I was scared of what the noise was or Olivia becoming crazy.

  Steve went into the kitchen to calm Olivia and to try to explain to her that there was probably a raccoon outside. “They hiss, Olivia; they used to come around every year when we were here camping out. It’s okay, babe, I’ll go outside with Will and prove that it’s okay. What do you say?” Steve asked Olivia.

  “Before you go out there, make sure you yell that you’re coming out with a gun. Take my knife with you just in case those raccoons are big.” Olivia then turned around and reached in the drawer again, this time grabbing a handful of steak knives. “I’m going to pass . . .”

  Bang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

  Olivia was interrupted by what sounded like an aluminum lid from the trash can falling onto the concrete pad out back. The rest of us standing by quickly ran into the kitchen to get a knife.

  “Here, take a knife,” Olivia said, as she passed knives out.

  “Hey, there’s a flashlight in the drawer, guys!” Mike stated, as he reached into the back of the drawer and pulled out the flashlight. Mike then tried to get the flashlight to work with the button, but all it did was make clicking sounds.

  “Try hitting it with the palm of your hand, Mike,” Steve commanded. A flash of light came on and then off again. “Try tightening the top connection,” Steve then said.

  Mike twisted the top a half turn, and then the flashlight came to life with light.

  “Now get outside, Steve, and find that asshole who scared the hell out of Mike,” Olivia stated, while pushing Steve toward the back door.

  “Hey Will, you’re coming with me, by the way.” Steve looked back at me still standing in the kitchen.

  “Yeah, get out there and protect Steve, Will,” Olivia said, coming after me.

  “Okay, okay, I’m going,” I said to Olivia before she forced me to go.

  “Hey, before I go, give me that flashlight, Mike,” I said. Mike handed me the flashlight.

  Steve walked up to the door and then turned around to look at me. He said, “How are we going to do this, Will? Me without a flashlight or you go out first with the flashlight?”

  I quickly gave Steve the flashlight. “I’ll open the door just enough to shine the flashlight outside. You stand right behind the door, Will, in case someone tries to break in. That way you’ll be able to stop whatever it is that is out there,” Steve stated to me. He looked nervous.

  I got directly behind the door while Steve reached over to the doorknob. The door jamb was broken, and anyone or anything could have easily come into the cabin if they wanted to, but we didn’t think of that at the time.

  “Okay, Will, on three, I’ll open the door and you be ready,” Steve stated.

  I took a quick look back at the other three, who were standing aways away from us in the living room. Mike was standing behind the coffee table, Olivia was beside Mike with her knife pointed at us, and Emma had her hand on the front doorknob, standing behind the first two. If I had had a camera, I would have taken a picture because they looked funny.

  “Okay, Will, one, two, three . . .!” Steve whispered loudly and then opened the door slowly. “I can’t see anything outside,” Steve whispered. “Oh shit!” Steve then yelled and jumped back. “A friggin’ raccoon just jumped out of the trash can. Son of a bitch! That scared the hell out of me!” Steve said to me, while breathing heavily. When Steve jumped back, I did the same thing and almost pissed on myself. Steve looked back at the three behind us and started laughing. “No monster, kids, just a hungry raccoon probably fighting with another one,” Steve said to everyone.

  Steve closed the back door, and I walked into the living room. Emma suggested someone put something against the door to keep it secured since it was broken. Mike picked up the kitchen table and put it against the door.

  “Now, why did we have to look outside?” Mike said, looking at me.

  “Hell, Olivia was going to go kill someone,” I replied, while looking over at her.

  “Hell, someone has to have some balls around here,” Olivia responded and then took a swig of the wine bottle that she carried.

  I think Olivia had liquid courage because I’ve never seen her act so tough. I’ll admit that I was scared. We were in the middle of the woods with no lights, no weapons to defend ourselves, no phone service, and a door that was broken. Once we figured out that a raccoon was responsible for freaking everyone out, we calmed down.

  Our food was pretty much cold by then and just sat where it was put down last. It attracted a big mouse that came out of nowhere in the darkness of the kitchen. No one had seen it yet, so I watched it while everyone else was busy talking and passing around the wine bottle. Someone’s bread was on the floor, and the mouse headed to it first. In the back of my mind, I wondered how that mouse had gotten inside. Did it come in through the door or was there a hole in the cabin?

  “Oh shit, there’s a mouse over there!” Emma yelled, while pointing into the kitchen.

  Olivi
a picked up her now empty bottle of wine and was about to throw it at the mouse when Steve stopped her. “Hey, don’t throw that bottle at the mouse, Olivia!” Steve yelled out.

  Emma, who was sitting next to Olivia, looked at her quickly and grabbed the wine bottle from her.

  “Well, we can’t have that damn rodent in the house if I’m sleeping in here tonight,” Olivia said.

  “Just watch where the mouse goes when I stomp on the floor. It’ll go back to the hole it came out of and then we can block it,” Mike replied.

  I told Mike to go for it, and then he stomped on the floor, causing the mouse to run back toward the refrigerator. Steve still had the flashlight with him, so he got up from the couch and went into the kitchen.

  “I found the hole that the mouse just went into, guys. I need something small to block the hole or stuff into it,” Steve stated to us.

  “Hey, your grandparents have S.O.S. pads under the sink in there, Steve; use one of those pads to stuff the hole. That sucker won’t be able to get out then; they’re made of steel wool.”

  After Steve used the pads and plugged the hole, he came back into the living room and told Olivia that she was safe and sat down.

  “My hero, now I can sleep better tonight.” Olivia was now obviously drunk in the way she was slurring her words and the way she was acting. “I’m friggin’ hot, you guys, let’s go for a swim,” Olivia said. She stood up and took off her towel that was wrapped around her waist.

  “It’s way too cold now, Olivia, to go in that water; it’s like sixty degrees,” Emma commented.

  “So what, I’m hot as hell. Who’s going with me or am I going by myself?” Olivia stated, while pushing her hair back and walking toward the back door[pe4].

  “Come on, Olivia, just cool off outside. It’s too damn dark to be in the water,” Steve stated.

  Olivia looked back at Steve and stumbled into the table blocking the door. “Well, give me your flashlight or you can join me.”

  The four of us all looked at each other in frustration, shaking our heads.

  “Fine, but you owe me. I’m not going to babysit you all night that’s for sure,” Steve said angrily and then stood up and went over to Olivia in the kitchen. Steve moved the table out of the way and then opened the door for the two to go outside.