Suddenly, the screaming stopped. The forested mountains surrounding Stryker became silent and foreboding. The only sounds heard following the screaming siege were soft cries the emitted by the shaken and confused. Hearts hammered within those who had witnessed the momentary raging that had echoed from all sides of the small town.
Blaze felt her scalp tightening, but the monster within her did not surface. Her eyes surveyed the terrain. The heavy cloud cover made it difficult to see through the trees. All of the armed citizens remained close together, almost pressing their backs to one another, with the unarmed pushed involuntarily toward the center of the sizable and spontaneously formed circle.
Walker cued his mic, instructing dispatch to trigger the alarms a second time. Confirming the order, dispatch prompted the sirens a once more, letting them fill the air for thirty seconds. When they stopped and everyone waited.
Nothing. No sounds, no crying out from Matilda. No screams from the predators circling the small township. Placing his rifle into the vehicle’s gun rack he shared instructions over his mic with the department, and waved the throng of Search and Rescue personnel, volunteers and professionals back inside the hangar.
When the door slammed shut, Blaze felt as though she were being locked inside a tomb. Even the lights brightly shining overhead created an atmosphere that felt both cavernous and empty, as if yawning in the face of their need for safety. It somehow felt too big inside.
Walker looked out the small square window in the door and turned back to Ren before locking it. Motioning him over, Walker pointed, speaking in hushed tones. Ren looked out the window too, nodding. Blaze watched as his shoulders tensed and fingers tightened around the glock on his hip. Speaking together, they seemed to come to an agreement. Walker waved for his deputy to stand post next to the door as he took to the small wooden platform. He didn't use the microphone, and spoke in a low, even tone.
“Attention, please, everyone. We have a reason to believe we cannot safely leave the hangar.” “The night belongs to beasts of prey, and always has. It's easy to forget that when you're indoors, protected by light and solid walls.”
― Cornilia Funke
~Fourteen~
Blaze located a quiet, dark corner in the back of the equipment closet and slid down onto the floor. The hangar was crowded with people who were circling survival ideas like crows circling a carcass. The heat of the closed-in space and the teeming anxious citizens began gnawing through her calm exterior, or what was left of it.
She had already proven she was all go with no thoughtful inner dialogue, as she'd sprinted into the trees in pursuit of Matilda. Her hands shook slightly as she withdrew her medication and swallowed the anti-seizure pills dry. They rubbed against her throat; friction and grief met somewhere in between.
Deep within she felt herself longing to search out Matilda quietly on her own, with no one hindering her progress. She knew somehow Shelby's family would locate her with or without the cooperation of the expedition being planned. Blaze also knew even if Gordon's name hadn't been called he would have pushed forward in locating his granddaughter.
And, without it being said aloud, it seemed the general consensus was that Shelby was somehow less at risk than Matilda. She knew the terrain by heart, having grown up riding through the mountains with her grandfather. Matilda was competent, but lacked that home court advantage. She had also looked it in the eyes and followed it back into the trees. Shelby had overheard Hoyd's warning in his final moments to avoid eye contact.
Blaze squeezed her own eyes shut and rubbed her temples. With the creatures making their presence known so aggressively, she wondered how long it would take for the people outside her equipment closet to make a decision. She urged herself not to think of Matilda again until she knew the next steps being taken. It would only awaken the monster within her and she needed to remain in control of her disease as much as she could.
She lifted her head, eyes still closed. They hadn't received instruction for the terrain they were to experience. That was another problem and they were more than likely not going to receive any instruction. The Plan had just been turned on its rear.
She felt herself shiver and realized she had to honor her own agenda. There was a time to be part of the team, and a time to act on instinct. Standing down and waiting for others to make the decisions regarding Matilda's fate, Shelby's recovery, and Blaze's need for resolution was causing her own inner beast to stir. She felt a claw tap at the back of head. Forcing her own agenda would disrupt whatever calm and orderly process they all thought they were achieving as they deliberated on what to do next.
Her heart pounded. It didn't matter. What drove her didn't drive them, and she had to act. Her own fierce need to retaliate against the creatures drove her blood temperature up, mimicking a fever. Just as she stood, taking a deep steadying breath, the equipment closet door opened. Rick stood holding the door ajar.
“Hiding?” Blaze gritted her teeth. “You should probably have prayed that's what I was doing.” She pushed past him making her way to the outer room. Rick grabbed her upper arm and pulled her back. From his considerable height he was forced to lower his head to speak quietly to her. “You need to calm down. Think before you act.”
Blaze wrenched her arm free. “Why? To make you feel more comfortable?”
He scowled down at her. “You are capable of affecting the atmosphere out there.”
Blaze raised an eyebrow. “You’re right. I am.” Sidestepping him, she moved toward the outer room. Rick started after her a second time, blocking her path. Blaze opened her mouth to speak and was interrupted.
“Seems like you're in the lady's way.” Walker’s tone was one of impatience. Rick turned toward the sheriff.
“It seems like that.” Rick squared off and his jaw tightened.
Walker motioned with his head for Blaze to exit the small hallway. She started to take him up on the prompt, then stopped and turned. Rick raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to speak. Swallowing, Blaze blinked and stepped back. Something foreign and slightly unsafe coated her palate. Rick appeared relaxed, confident even, in the face of Walker's interference. She backed up another step and felt herself courting a peculiar unease.
“I don't have time to visit with you about what you want Rick. I appreciate you stopping me when we heard Matilda. That's where we stop dancing around each other. I'm direct. I don't have time for whatever you're bringing to this search and rescue dynamic if you aren't going to name it.
“You claim to be an associate pastor who knew Hoyd better than anyone else. And a veteran mountain climber. That's an interesting resume. But, do not think you can manage me. I know how to appear to be using social etiquette, but truthfully, I think those norms were put in place to make people feel safe. I'm not safe.”
Rick stood impassive and casual as she walked away.
Blaze collided with Ren coming down the small hallway. Cindy was right behind him.
“We were just looking for you.” Taking a deep breath Blaze lowered her voice. “We have to leave. We're wasting time here waiting for folks to figure out a democratic way to deal with these things. We need to get up to the peak.”
Cindy frowned. “But none of you have trained yet. It's treacherous at those elevations.” “And none of you have come face to face with being buried alive by those things. They are intelligent, yes, but they're losing patience for some reason. I can feel something. Something urgent.”
Ren shook his head. “Not following you. This current situation is what’s urgent. We can’t leave the town of Stryker surrounded and without a plan. I don't feel that's prudent.”
Blaze stepped closer to Ren. She saw Rick walking towards them with long strides. “Listen Ren. You and Cindy have studied these things for a long time and there's a lot you can teach us. But have you ever seen them surround a town before?”
Looking at the ground, Ren considered her question. “No…we have not.” Blaze bit her lip. “Is the camp set up already?�
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When Cindy nodded, Blaze pointed toward the Search and Rescue helicopter. “Then let’s get up there. Rick can tell us what we need to know up top.”
As Ren turned to Cindy, considering her input, Rick approached and cleared his throat. Blaze ignored him, her muscles tightening.
Ren rubbed his jawline and shrugged. “What about these folks?” The hangar teemed with people milling about, nervous and edgy.
Walker’s voice joined the conversation. “I’ll stay behind until the town gets settled down again, and then I’ll join you all up on the peak.”
Blaze turned. She hadn't known Walker had approached the group as well. His dark eyes met briefly with Blaze's. “There’s something that doesn't feel right about the way those things are approaching the town. I think you all better get up there.”
Blaze nodded, biting the inside of her lip. “You said they would be drawn to me, and we've seen it. In the motor home, up on the mountainside, and now here. I'm the problem. Get me out of town and let Walker re-establish order here.”
Blaze turned back and gestured toward the anxious residents of Stryker circling the inside of the hangar. Their firearms pulled close, some glanced out the window and check the locks. “Seriously. My leaving will draw those things off the town.”
Ren nodded “I'm thinking you're right. This hangar is like a tinder box right now. These guys aren't gonna wait much longer before they start firing into the trees. They're worried and they want to get home.” Ren paused, listening. The screams from outside the hangar had stopped but something still signaled the presence of menacing intent.
“It's a mistake to leave now.” Rick pushed forward. “Those people need training before they head up the mountain. You know that.” His tone left no question regarding his feelings about the situation. Blaze circled and looked up.
“We needed training on how to interact with those things too, but that didn't happen, did it?” When no one responded, Blaze grabbed her head, wincing. The monster was stirring for its own unexplained reasons. When the severity passed, she pushed on with urgency.
“They're using Matilda as bait for their own purposes- we stay here and for all we know she will continue to scream because of whatever they're doing to her.” Judy Padna approached. With her broad shoulders thrown back and her double chin lifted high, she at least had the decency not to use her tap shoes as she approached. She held up her hands.
“Stop. Whatever you're doing, you cannot continue discussions such as these without me. What is wrong with you all? I am the head of Research on this expedition!” She turned, hands on hips, searching the crowd within the hangar for Randall. Judy motioned for to him to join, then jabbed Blaze in the face with a thick index finger.
“You see, Missy, where I come from we respect our elders. Something you should consider before you start spontaneously gathering team members for meetings. I am in charge? Comprende`?”
Rick cleared his throat and raised a hand. “Actually, I, uh, am in charge…of our safety, and training.”
Judy turned and looked up, frowning. “That’s fine, however, I am certain I trump you in rank.”
Randall joined the group, wearing an especially sour look on his wolf-like features as he glared at them in distaste.
“Randall,” Judy whined, “please explain to Roger Ramjet here that I am calling the shots on this expedition.”
As Judy’s voice was became shrill, Cindy closed her eyes and rubbed her temple. Randall smirked.
“I hardly think you need my endorsement to back up your authority.”
Stomping her foot, Judy clenched her thick hands into hammy fists as her face reddened.
“I'm gonna tell you people one… more… time- I AM IN CHARGE. You run everything by ME.”
“Shuuut-UP!” Blaze raised her voice and an awkward hush fell over the hangar. People who had been trying to mind their own business stopped pretending not to listen and turned in their chairs, or openly ambled over to stand close by, watching the exchange.
Blaze looked around and pointed to Norma, who was standing with Bixley and Gordon. “Can you fly us up right now?”
Norma nodded without comment. Blaze turned to Roy and Sheriff Walker. “Can you two handle things here with Gene and get the town secured for the evening?” Both men took a moment to consider the request, then turned to Gene. All three men seemed to agree without saying much. They'd all known one another for several years. Words were not necessary among them in an emergency. Blaze turned around, searching the faces of the remaining volunteers and professionals. Raising her voice, she addressed them.
“If we head up now and clear out of the hangar all of you will be able to get the town secured. Walker has offered to remain behind until you feel the threat is diminished. Does anyone object to this happening?”
Judy Padna pushed forward through the throng of people and bustled to the small wooden platform. She put great effort into adjusting the mic to her height before speaking, then tapped it until everyone’s attention was on her.
While patting her chest with one hand, she held the other dramatically over her head, pointing to herself, smiling. “Hello, hello! I am Judy Padna. I am a genetic researcher, with expert DNA experience. I am in charge of this expedition. I am certain the young woman who just directed you all has good intentions, however, I will be directing this from here on out.”
She smiled and cleared her throat. “My colleague and I will take questions at this time.”
Blaze turned back to Ren and Cindy. “Who is she and what is she doing??”
Ren rolled his eyes and sighed. “Apparently she has decided to captain the ship. I’ll handle it.’’ Leaning around the ladies, he motioned, “Randall?’ Randall closed his eyes and raised a finger. Retrieving his cell phone from within his jacket pocket he dialed a number. With his back to the others, he spoke swiftly into the phone before appearing to be pleased with the outcome.
Waving his hand magnanimously at Ren, Cindy, Rick and Blaze, he smiled. “I have just handled it. She’s been demoted. Now you four handle all of this please while I dethrone Ursula.”
Cindy chuckled at dry reference, recalling the villain of the Little Mermaid- a large, dark and bossy octopus. Turning amid the confusion, Randall gracefully approached the stage toward a scowling and agitated Judy. She had removed her shoes, and resorted to banging the bottom tap wedges together over her head to gain the crowd’s attention. With hands behind his back he bent over and whispered in her ear. Blaze observed as Judy paled and stepped into the background, not raising her eyes to Randall again.
Satisfied the woman was under control, Blaze turned back to the others.
Rick placed his hand on Ren's shoulder. “You mind if I take this one? I’ll be running the show up top when it comes to terrain and safety.”
Ren shrugged and smiled a slow, lazy grin. “Have at it, brother.”
Approaching the platform, Rick turned and faced the citizens of Stryker, as well as several others from out of the area. “Folks, change of plans. The first group to the helicopter will be Ren, Cindy, Blaze and Bixley; you’ll be departing in fifteen minutes. Sheriff Walker, who has offered to remain behind for now, will join a second group if he can. The second group will be Gordon, Judy and Randall. The rest of you remaining in town, please report for the time being to Walker, Roy and Gene. Let’s get moving.”
Judy started raising her voice. Before she could create more chaos, Rick leaned down and unplugged the microphone. Blaze turned to see Walker in the midst of setting up a night watch. Gordon and his grandsons exited the hangar armed, and escorted Norma to the helicopter. The whirring blades were able to override the shrill screams that were again emanating from the trees, a temporary reprieve from the primitive cries.
Blaze watched from the center of the hangar and realized no one had packed personal supplies. She located Cindy first, and asked if people should rush home and pack. Cindy smiled her crooked grin. “You’ve never been on an expedition with Ren
. Trust me, he has it all handled. Even your medication. He pays attention to detail. All the details.”
Feeling a little overwhelmed, Blaze nodded. Bixley appeared next to her looking overwhelmed as well, and suddenly they were preparing for departure. Someone who knew nothing of Cryptids just a few weeks ago was now at the epicenter of the monster world.
Hearing Judy Padna yelling across the room, Blaze realized what a hazard she would be in the canyon. Bixley voiced it.
“I won't position myself near her during this rescue. She's like the goat.”
Blaze frowned. “Goat?” Without taking her eyes off Judy, Bixley continued to explain. “Remember the scene from “Jurassic Park”? The one where the goat is tied to a platform? It's dark and raining, and the auto control cars have stopped... everyone is in them with their faces pressed against the windows hoping to get a glance of the T-Rex. And that goat- it just keeps bleating and bleating. It not only got itself killed, it damn near got everyone else killed because of its inability to recognize the need for silence in the face of danger.”
She turned and locked eyes with Blaze. “Get it?”
Nodding, Blaze felt a shiver run down her spine. Bixley lowered her voice to a whisper. “In simpler terms she's stupid, and she’s going to put us all at risk on that mountain.”
Blaze didn't argue. In fact, she watched as Judy tried to exit the hangar and was stopped, twice. She was yelling again. Back near the coffee pots, Randall had been suspiciously quiet, almost as though he wished he were invisible.
Blaze felt herself weakening and suddenly craved the solitude of the equipment closet again. Shrinking back away from the scene unraveling before her, she felt hands on her shoulders. Rick propelled her forward through the crowd without speaking. Bixley was right behind her.
Before she could ask what was happening, he escorted her outside to the helicopter. He had a weapon drawn, and Blaze noticed with some relief that Ren and Cindy were flanking them. Stooping low while moving under the blades, all five loaded themselves onto the aircraft. Rick pushed Blaze up and indicated the headset. Once she was settled, headset in place, Rick spoke. “The five of us will go up first and then Norma will return for the others.”
Wolf Canyon: Cold Cat Mountain Book II (Cold Cat Mountain Trilogy 2) Page 7
