Wolf Canyon: Cold Cat Mountain Book II (Cold Cat Mountain Trilogy 2)

by Kimberly Goss-Kearney

  Blaze nodded mutely. The air was static with anticipation. Men stood guard around the helicopter pad, watching the trees. Blaze noticed three of the men were Norma's grandsons. Gordon waved to his wife from back by the hangar. She blew him a kiss.

  There was a feeling Blaze couldn’t name, or put a finger on. She felt uneasy, even beyond the scope of her experiences with predators who targeted children. The gnawing feeling made her nauseous.

  Dropping her head against the cold glass of the window, she took a steadying breath. An anxiety she didn't recognize began playing kickball with her own inner beast. Wincing, Blaze grabbed her face, squeezing her eyes shut. It was almost as though she could hear her own monster splintering its closet door, trying to spring through from its hiding place.

  Blaze caught her breath and tried to scream as the pain hit, but no sound came. She heard a steady knocking and realized it was her, bumping her head against the glass, trying to manage the pain of the Trigeminal Neuralgia. Hands passed pills and water to her which she couldn't see. When they were pressed to her lips, Blaze gratefully accepted them. The pain ended as suddenly as it had begun, which obviously had nothing to do with the pills. She dropped her head back against her seat, falling into a deep sleep as the helicopter moved over the tree tops below, carrying them toward Wolf Canyon.

  “I am terrified by this dark thing That sleeps in me;

  All day I feel its soft, feathery turnings, its malignity.” ―Sylvia Plath, Ariel

  ~Fifteen~

  Snow blew up in and around the helicopter blades as it landed on the peak of Cold Cat, a flat tundra of ice and fresh powder. The swirling blades and dancing vortexes of snow veiled a view Blaze would have ordinarily enjoyed. Instead, she rubbed her eyes, waking from the brief rest following her attack back at the hangar. She realized how much could change in a person’s world within the span of thirty minutes. She also recalled Ren's cryptic words:

  “Wolf Canyon. Two ways in, one way out.” As the helicopter touched down, Norma turned to her passengers and her daughter. Her face, which often bordered on impish was flint like and her eyes locked onto Ren and Rick.

  “You find her. Don't come back without finding her. You don't want me to come down there.” Ren raised an eyebrow and nodded curtly. Jumping down into the restless powder he remained low, motioning for everyone to follow him to a slight rise in the rock. When everyone was present, he waved Norma off and turned back to Rick. Bixley watched as her mother flew away, squinting against the wind.

  Ren eyed Rick. “Mind giving me a minute to talk?” Rick inclined his head.

  Ren held his hand aloft over his eyes and watched Norma's ascent before turning back to the group.

  He locked eyes with Blaze, taking in her health, noting the pale cast of her skin.

  He pointed north. “Our camp is that way, approximately one half mile down. We will be located in the Wolf Canyon region of the mountain.” He paused, handing out maps to everyone, small compact, and laminated.

  “The red circle is our camp. I've left nothing to chance. If you feel like I’ve dumbed down the maps, you’re right; I did. We didn't have time to prepare in the ways we needed. We’re standing up here without provisions. A dire situation, as Rick knows.”

  He held up his hand to stay any remarks as his mind raced in the cold frigid air.

  “I have provided for clothing and essentials. Even medications. Not an easy feat. As we descend into the canyon, remember to stay close together. We’re out in the open, obviously. One would think that would make the process easier as we are all aware the attacks in the last few days have come from the trees. Do not underestimate these things. Even our own government doesn't understand them. That alone should inspire us to continue with caution. We do not know what the level of aggression will look like out here in the open. Be prepared for anything.”

  Ren withdrew two small boxes from his pack and moved toward Rick. “I will be at the back of the line and Rick will be at the front. My job is simple on this expedition - locate the creatures and sedate them for a relocation and extermination. The persons at the front of the line and at the back of the line should never be wearing brightly colored clothing. In fact no one should ever wear bright clothing, as they attract the Cryptids. If you are in the center of the line and are wearing bright clothing please hide it now.”

  Blaze moved her eyes over her outfit, tucking the red scarf around her neck into her coat. Her hands shook as she recalled Matilda's research regarding individuals at the fronts and backs of lines who had systematically gone missing in national parks. Bixley pulled off her yellow ear muffs, shoving them deep into the pocket of her jacket. Her eyes scanned the terrain as if she had just landed on a hostile planet.

  Ren affixed one of the small boxes to the back of Rick's clothing. “This is an infrared mobile unit. Its purpose is to detect movement from behind by fifty yards. I’ll be wearing one too, to detect movement from the front of the line. Fifty yards sounds like a lot out in the open but it isn't. If movement occurs anywhere, fifty yards or less, an alarm will sound. If and when that happens, Blaze, you are to remain by Cindy and drop to your knees until you are directed to run. Bixley, you stay with me.

  Once again, Blaze, your presence places us all at risk as we discussed, but the risk is a two-edged sword. Because these Cryptid's will be drawn to you for the wrong reasons, we will possibly have an opportunity within the next days to sedate them. If anything happens to either myself or Rick, consider the expedition canceled. Press the red button on the GPS indicator you will be wearing and the cavalry will come running.”

  Bixley turned, eyeing Blaze. “Drawn to you?”

  Rolling her eyes Blaze nodded. “Long story. But at least I'm not the goat.” “Aren't you?” Bixley looked away and surveyed the snow covered mountain before Blaze could respond.

  Taking the small black GPS indicator, Blaze locked it around her wrist. It beeped twice. A green light blinked on. Cindy and the others did the same.

  Bixley watched the snow shift restlessly. Her wide eyes locked with Blaze.

  Ren looked up when the winds increased, blowing his hair vertical toward the sky. His cheeks reddened in the cold. “Rick and I will be making this journey twice today when we’ve returned get back with the next crew from Stryker. Be prepared for chaos once they all arrive, but let’s not add to it.” Stepping back, Ren indicated Rick should speak.

  Stepping forward, Rick pulled out a compass. He held it aloft. “This will mean nothing- virtually nothing- if you are separated from the group. At that point you press the red button. Don't try to look for help on your own. Isolation in a situation like this can kill. In the event you are taken, press the red button.”

  He checked the time on his wrist watch. “We have to hurry in order to stay on schedule. The cold will dehydrate you; stay on top of your fluids. You each have been provided with water. Keep your head covered if you can. Also, the snow up here can move across the ground in a way that will make you dizzy if you stare at it while walking.

  “Do not steadily look down. Also, Blaze, if you cannot see Cindy, you are too far behind her. You should be able to easily touch her shoulder. If you begin to slip or lose your footing, reach out with your hand. There’s nothing that will slide far enough on this part of the mountain to take you down a crevice, except for when we approach the ice stairs, but your extended hand in a slide can be the difference between a foot and a mile in case that happens. Ask for help.

  “You may lose visual up here when the winds blow, and storms can settle in quickly. Do not assume you know where something is at that point and venture out when you are in the camp. Ropes will be up to guide you from one shelter to the next down at the camp. Stay on the ropes during storms. Any questions for now?”

  Blaze shook her head as the wind blew snow between her and Bixley, and she reached for Cindy as she began to slip, pushed backward by the harsh wind. Parts of the loose snow drifted over ice packs, creating the illusion of potential tracti
on. As she slipped due to the force of the wind, Rick braced his hand on her back, propelling her forward.

  From the elevation at which they stood, Blaze wondered about the need for alarm concerning the creatures. They had proven they preferred the trees. A shiver worked up her spine as they slowly began moving across the face of the peak. Cold had never been her favorite temperature, and as they watched the clouds move in and disgorge heavy sheets of snow, she promised herself she would find an island to relocate to when they completed their rescue.

  She could see nothing as she squinted her eyes against the pelting snow. Leaning down, and bending from the waist, she allowed the driving wind to assault the top of her head rather than her face. The burning cold branded her cheeks and upper neck until warmth became a distant and fuzzy memory. Praying the monster within wouldn’t wake in their current condition as it very well could, she felt her eyes sting and blinked rapidly.

  There was no way Matilda would survive the arctic conditions they were all facing. Not the way she was taken. She had been dressed in a simple coat. Blaze squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to focus on the terrain.

  When Rick tapped her shoulder and pointed ahead of them, she noticed a huge canyon opening. The gaping slash in the earth reminded Blaze of “Journey to the Center of the Earth”. Its dark blue depths changed color with the light, or lack of it. Through half-squinted eyes it appeared bruised, constantly changing from deep purple to light blue.

  The ground, too, changed as the surface began sloping toward the canyon. It reminded Blaze of oceanographer’s documentaries, specials where they spoke of crevice depths no human had been able to descend to. Memories surfaced and Blaze pushed them away. Like her soul, the canyon likely held secrets she did not wish to discover.

  Ren led them toward the canyon, ever closer. Anyone, at any point, could slide and disappear over the edge. Unaware she was doing it, Blaze held her breath, slowing down as she walked to be certain each placement of each foot felt solid before taking the next. Ren paused, waving everyone in close. He had to raise his voice and scream over and above the shrill winds.

  He pointed toward the canyon. His black mittens were tipped with ice. “This is the most dangerous part of the journey. A few yards ahead is a rope bridge that connects to the other side of the canyon. Once on the other side, we will spiral down into the canyon on a narrow ice trail that looks like stairs.”

  Blaze looked up at Rick. “What?”

  Rick nodded his head. His eyes held determination as he gestured for Blaze to continue. Blaze backed a few steps from him, bumping into Cindy. “I'm not crossing a rope bridge! Over that? Are you guys crazy?”

  Cindy turned to her right, frowning over her shoulder toward Blaze. The wind was becoming worse. She motioned for Blaze to follow rather than try to yell over the din. Blaze remained rooted to her spot on the mountain peak. Thrashing snow spiraled around her in miniature vortexes, stinging her face. From where she stood she could see the canyon yawning, stretching its lips back to bare its teeth in a wicked, jagged grin cut from nothing.

  Turning back to Rick, who raised his hand as well waving her forward, Blaze moved ahead, trying to shield her face from the torrential sheets of white obscuring her vision. The landscape took another slant and Blaze paused. As Cindy moved steadily and cautiously, Blaze reached out for her shoulder to be certain she was close enough. How anything could survive in the present hostility burned through her mind like a flame enveloping all other rational thought. She was still reaching for Cindy when she lost her footing.

  No one heard her scream. Reaching out as she slid sideways, she felt herself gain momentum. With a slight spin, she turned on her right side and screamed again while reaching with her left hand.

  When her slide was stopped short, she realized she was hoarse from screaming. Someone’s hand had grasped hers in the white blind; she had lost the ability to determine which way she was even sliding. A tug and she was on her feet again, trying to see.

  The weather permitted a slight gap in the snow curtain. Blaze looked up to see a small dark man standing before her, with her hand in his. He wore a partially toothless, yet kindly grin. Snowflakes stuck to his lashes as he blinked. Blaze threw her arms around his neck. Patting her affectionately on the back, he took her hand and motioned for her to follow him back up the incline she had just disappeared from.

  Half pulling, half guiding, he ignored her slight delay when she glanced back and her heart stopped. There, approximately ten feet from where the small man had stalled her slide, was the edge of the cavernous opening. Blaze felt herself sway slightly on her feet. She would have gone over. He tugged again gently, navigating easily through the blizzard to the rest of the group.

  When Cindy spotted them, she pointed and tugged at Ren's coat. All four of them moved toward Blaze and her newfound companion. Once they were back on top, Cindy embraced her, and they insisted the small man continue to hold Blaze’s hand in his. He pulled her steadily along, not at all seeming to mind the conditions.

  As they approached the edge Ren paused, slicing through the air with his gloved hand. Looking through the driving snow in the direction Ren had pointed, was the rope bridge; swaying, barely visible. The wind eased up as they trekked closer. As visibility increased, Blaze's eyes widened.

  The rope bridge was suspended in midair, a small man-made device stretching into nowhere over Wolf Canyon. Ren stopped just at the entry of the small bridge, yelling. “I will cross first. Do not start across until you see me send up a flare.” He handed one small flare gun to each of them.

  Cupping his hands around his mouth he yelled out to them. “Stay to the middle of the bridge and hold with both hands. If it sways too much drop to your knees.”

  And pray?

  Blaze closed her eyes, summoning her courage to return, courage that skittered away on a cold draft.

  Ren started across. Carefully and proficiently he navigated the suspended bridge. The weather was still clear enough that he was able to wave to them from the other end without using his flare. Bixley was next.

  Taking a deep breath, and keeping her eyes on Ren she began across. Halfway over, the wind pitched the bridge and Bixley lost her balance. Grasping the ropes, she was bent over the left side at her waist, straining to stand upright. The wind continued to howl. With determination, Bixley dropped to all fours, crossing on her hands and knees, reaching out for Ren on the other side.

  Cindy turned and squeezed Blaze's hand before walking toward the bridge. The snowfall decreased and Blaze looked up through squinted eyes, searching for a sun she knew was out there, somewhere.

  The small man next to her squeezed her hand reassuringly and a warmth spread through her. Feeling her confidence increase, she steadied her thoughts. Without him she would already be dead. If he thought she could cross the bridge on her own, then she would think it too. Cindy waved to her from the other side. Her journey across had been uneventful, and now she indicated it was time for Blaze to cross.

  The old man escorted her to the start of the bridge, carefully placing her hands around the rope, miming how she should hold it, and where to place her feet. Nodding and biting her lip, she looked ahead, locking her eyes on Cindy on the opposite side. She closed out the wailing cries of the wind coming from directly behind her. Taking the first step, she felt the bridge sway slightly under her weight. Pausing to experience the sway, she kept her eyes on Cindy. Beneath her, three miles of darkened ice stretched downward. The wood slats were just close enough together she didn't catch the tip of her boots on them. She was careful by the third step in to not place her full weight on any one board, as she felt the wood give slightly with each step. Feeling more confident, she paused to push her bangs from her eyes. When she did, she replaced her hands around the ropes and slid them forward, and then stopped.

  An alarm went off. Turning slightly to look over her right shoulder, Blaze saw Rick motioning for the smaller man to cross the bridge behind her. The buzzer became louder
and Blaze realized it was his infrared sensor.

  It had detected movement from behind him. As if in slow motion, she screamed for Cindy. The bridge swayed as the wind increased; as if on cue, it pitched sharply to the left. Blaze saw a large dark figure emerging from the driving snow toward their party. Rick screamed, waving her on.

  In the driving snow, the hulking creature moved as though it were disjointed, or even double jointed; partially on all fours, alternating back to bi-pedal, the pattern of its movements completely unfamiliar to Blaze. Scurrying faster, she tried to dismiss the notion that two of them would be on the small bridge at the same time. Eyes forward, she ceased screaming for help and moved toward Cindy.

  She heard Rick screaming from somewhere behind her, heard the wind shrill in her ears, and prayed they would all make it across. The small man behind her steadied her movement and she heard another scream. The buzzer sounded as though it was in her own ear. The mountain’s weather responded to their situation with a dark humor, surging a freezing onslaught, rocking the bridge hazardously and veiling their vision.

  Pitching to the left again, Blaze felt her waist hit the rope on the side, as Bixley had done only moments earlier. Bending her precariously toward the bottomless canyon, she fought for balance. Behind her, the man pulled down her to her knees, and at his prompting she crawled uneasily, facing downward, intermittently seeing the recesses of the canyon below. The curtains of snow occasionally lost momentum, allowing her sinister glimpses.

  Crying, Blaze held on, feeling the rope bridge pulling her backwards toward the center, indication that too much weight burdened it. Tears obscured her vision until she felt snow under her hands and knees at the edge and knew she was back on earth. Cindy rushed forward to help her.