Misfits, Inc.

by Holly Copella

  “I don’t see any remains of the panther or your beast,” Logan announced. “I’m seeing some blood, but not enough to indicate anything was killed.”

  “You believe us though, right?” she asked, feeling almost defeated.

  “Why would you lie?” Logan countered.

  Hailey stared at the path not far from Logan and indicated it with a general nod. She hated to ask, fearing the thought of exploring deeper into the woods.

  “Where does that path lead?” she reluctantly questioned.

  Logan looked behind him then met her gaze from several feet away. “To the ravine,” he replied. “It has one of those old-fashioned rope and board bridges, but it’s been out of operation for years. If Amy attempted to cross that bridge, she’d certainly be on the bottom.”

  Hailey couldn’t believe the words coming from her mouth, although it did take some courage to say them. “I think we should have a look.”

  Skyler’s body twitched in response. He was apprehensive about their secretive journey and didn’t mind letting it be known. Hailey reluctantly joined Logan, giving Skyler little choice but obediently follow. They walked along a well-worn path in the woods for several minutes, passing a less traveled trail leading downhill. They finally reached another, larger clearing containing the ravine. The deep ravine had an old rope and board style bridge crossing the fifty-yard opening. All three stood near the edge and looked to the bottom of the one hundred yard drop. The bottom was a bed of large and small boulders. Anyone falling from the bridge would meet with a very painful death on the field of rocks below. If Amy had fallen, her body would be clearly visible on the rocks. Skyler made a face and took a step back from the edge.

  “Man, I hate heights,” Skyler muttered.

  Hailey stared into the ravine a moment longer. She hated to admit that Marcus had been right. Neither Amy nor the dead woman were at the bottom of the ravine, which was evident. Whether or not she had actually seen Amy walking in the woods was one thing, but she had definitely seen a half-eaten woman in the field. Something dragged her away, but to where? She groaned softly with defeat then looked back at Logan, who continued to stare into the deadly drop.

  “Where did that other path lead?” Hailey asked while pointing back the way they’d came.

  “Downhill to the stream,” Logan replied. “It’s rarely traveled. A real bitch to climb back up. An old mineshaft collapsed beneath it years ago.”

  Hailey and Skyler suddenly looked at Logan with shared concerned.

  “Mineshaft?” Hailey asked softly and felt something inside her body twitch.

  “Just like the cave in Hailey’s nightmares--” Skyler gasped as his entire body appeared to tense.

  “There are tunnels beneath this entire area,” Logan casually informed them. “A catacomb of condominiums for the native island bats.”

  “Bats?” Skyler said faintly, his eyes wide with alarm, unable to look away from the big man.

  “Yeah,” Logan replied casually and made a gesture of size with his hands. “Real huge mothers the size of cats.”

  “I’ll pass.”

  “Is there an entrance to the mine shaft around here?” Hailey asked despite her apprehension.

  “Yeah, part way down that steep path,” Logan replied, “but I don’t think you want to go that way.”

  “If something dragged that woman’s body away, that mine would be the perfect place to stash it,” Hailey informed him as her concerns increased. “And that still leaves Amy. I swear I saw her. What if she’s injured somewhere around here? We need to look for her. She could be in that mine.”

  “If that beast dragged either of them into that mine, it also means that thing lives in the mine,” Logan boldly announced. “You don’t follow a wild creature into its home.”

  “We need to make sure she’s not in there,” Hailey replied and pleaded with their sensitive sides. “If Amy is still alive, we can’t just leave her there.”

  Skyler chewed on his finger while shifting glances between the two but offered no comment. Logan groaned softly while throwing his head back with defeat.

  “I know I’m going to regret listening to you,” Logan muttered under his breath.

  †

  Mel walked alongside Vance on the worn path in the woods. He held her hand reassuringly while practically pulling her to keep up with him. Mel had a look of apprehension on her face as she looked around the moderately creepy, nearly silent woods. For late morning, it seemed odd that there was no sounds in the wooded setting. If there were birds, they appeared unwilling to sing. Even the usual small woodland creatures were absent. She resisted his firm, guiding hand and attempted to slow her gait even more.

  “I think we’ve gone far enough from the resort, Vance,” Mel informed the handsome man, who continued to pull her along by her hand.

  Vance had a smile permanently chiseled on his face while glancing back at her. “That’s sort of the idea,” he announced while raising his brows suggestively.

  Mel remained unconvinced and continued to look around the secluded area while clinging to his hand. “Hailey said she saw a dead woman in the woods yesterday. It may not be safe out here like this.”

  “No offense to your friend,” Vance remarked, “but she’s been spending a little too much time with that crazy guy from the front desk.”

  “What do you mean crazy?”

  “I’ve heard things around the hotel,” he replied. “Cass at the front desk said he claims to be psychic or some bullshit. She thinks he’s batty. Tam, the bartender, says he’s insane. One of the maids thinks he’s some sort of psychopath.”

  “For a guy who’s only been here a couple of days, you’ve certainly gotten your share of gossip,” Mel announced and appeared to consider his remark. She then muttered under her breath, “Ironically, from a lot of women.” She again looked around with apprehension. “So where is it you’re taking me?”

  “There’s a secluded, romantic spot not far from here,” he announced. “You’re going to love it.”

  “I thought we were coming out here for a scenic romantic walk,” she announced. “I didn’t realize that meant sex in the woods.”

  Vance suddenly stopped and looked at her. It was hard to tell if he was more disappointed or offended by her comment. He offered a gentle, reassuring smile.

  “I’m more of a ‘spontaneous, let the chips fall as they may’ sort of guy,” he announced. “When a man puts too much emphasis on whether or not he’s getting laid, it just creates anxiety and disappointment. When you let go of those thoughts, it’s easier to enjoy yourself. I’d much rather enjoy the here and now, wouldn’t you? I expect nothing from life yet anticipate everything.” He grinned proudly. “I didn’t bring you out here to seduce you. I brought you out here to appreciate this wonderful life we’re living. Life is good, Mel. You just need to relax and enjoy it.”

  Mel stared at the boyish grin across his handsome face. She seemed dumbfounded for a moment then threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. Vance eagerly returned the aggressive, passionate kiss.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The crude opening to the mineshaft was framed with old, dried wood carved into the rocky hillside. It appeared sturdy despite its age. Hailey glanced at the dark shaft beyond the crude opening. She had to admit, the thought of entering the mine was frightening, but she needed to know what happened to Amy. She needed to know she wasn’t crazy. Logan and Skyler watched her as she stared into the dark opening. They shared the same expression. Hailey was crazy!

  “I know you’re not thinking about going in there,” Skyler announced firmly.

  “Certainly not without a flashlight,” Hailey muttered without looking at either.

  “Did you forget the part about the cat-sized bats?” Skyler interjected, his rising anxiety indicated by the increased twitching of his body.

  Hailey looked at the ground just outside the mine, approached the opening, and picked up a flashlight. Logan and Skyler stare
d at the flashlight in her hand with their mouths hanging open. The fact that it was there was concerning. Hailey flipped the switch. It still worked! All three suddenly looked around with combined panic to the only rational explanation.

  “Someone’s been out here recently,” Hailey remarked.

  “Marcus?” Skyler asked. “He said they’d come back out and look around more today.”

  “So where are they?” Logan asked, sharing his friends’ concern as he looked around for the search party.

  All three looked at the mineshaft opening and came to the same conclusion.

  “Damn,” Logan softly gasped while throwing his head back with concern. “Do you think they went in there and something happened to them?”

  “There’s only one way to find out,” Hailey announced almost too softly for them to hear. Unfortunately, they did hear the comment.

  Neither man appeared enthused. All three now stared at one another as if silently deciding their next move. What sounded like a low growl echoed from within the tunnel. All three tensed and slowly looked at the mineshaft behind them. Something large with glowing red eyes moved within the dark tunnel. All three slowly backed away, uncertain whether to run or remain still. A large, black beast the size of a bear leaped out of the opening, landed before them, and snarled with long, sharp teeth exposed. Although coated in black fur, it definitely wasn’t a bear. It was a never before seen ‘it’ with a broad chest and sloping back to muscular haunches. It had sharp claws protruding from long toes on its large paws, a broad lion-like nose, and piercing red eyes.

  As it stood before them snarling with bloodstained, cat-like teeth, they were frozen with fear. As it leaned back on its haunches, they saw it’s long tail swish, indicating it was preparing to launch forward. All three came to the same conclusion and screamed simultaneously. The black panther suddenly appeared and tackled the creature to the ground. Both rolled, snarled, and bit each other. The beast was more than double the size of the panther, although not nearly as agile. Two more beasts of similar size and shape appeared from the cave. Hailey and the two men bolted into the woods and away from the snarling beasts. Hailey and Skyler ran down the steep ravine path toward the stream, while Logan ran up the less treacherous path with one of the creatures chasing him. The second beast ran after Hailey and Skyler.

  Logan ran up the short path with surprising speed and took off along the path in the woods to the right. He appeared from the woods and stopped at the edge of the ravine. He’d made a wrong turn! He caught his balance and watched the rocks beneath his feet propel downward to the drop below. The snarling beast appeared in the woods behind him, stopping, as if knowing it had the large man trapped. Logan barely looked back before running along the edge of the ravine and heading for the old rope bridge. He grabbed onto both sides of the thick rope railing, ignored the posted warning sign, and tiptoed across the weak, rotted planks. They cracked and splintered beneath his weight. It was possibly another bad idea, but he had limited choices. He stopped ten feet across the bridge and looked back. The large, black creature stood before the bridge and snarled while staring at him. Its sheer size was frightening enough without the added sharpness of its teeth and claws. Logan contained his fear and stood proudly while clinging to the rope railing on both sides of the bridge.

  “That’s right, mother! You want me?” he cried out. “Come and get me!”

  The beast placed a clawed paw on the first plank. It creaked under the creature’s weight. The planks weren’t sturdy enough to hold Logan let alone a three-hundred pound beast.

  “That’s it,” he baited the creature. “Bring your fat ass out here!”

  Rather than step onto the bridge, the beast pushed on the plank. The rope bridge bounced and swayed, slowly at first but soon increased in momentum. Logan gasped and clutched the rope railing on either side as the bridge creaked and swayed from the creature jolting it, tossing him from side to side. One of the rotted rope railings snapped. Logan released the rope, cried out, and clutched the only remaining rope. He attempted to stand on the slanted, rotted board as the beast continued to rock the bridge. The beast was somehow smart enough to know it could knock Logan off the bridge. Logan looked down to the ravine below. It was a long drop with a very unpleasant stop at the rocky bottom. He assessed the area surrounding him while clinging to the remaining rope railing. A vine dangled five feet from him. He reached for the vine, but it was too far to reach without releasing the rope.

  The beast stood on its hind legs and pulled on the last rope, attempting to shake Logan from the bridge. Logan bounced up and down harshly while clinging to the rope and crying out. He again reached for the vine. The vine slowly stretched toward his hand. The bottom rope holding the plank snapped, and Logan’s feet fell out from beneath him. He clung to the rope railing with both arms as his feet dangled freely. He looked past his dangling feet to the ravine below. The beast gave one final pull on the remaining rope to which Logan clung. It snapped. Logan screamed, clung to the rope, and shut his eyes while awaiting the fall. The rope didn’t drop. The beast’s loud, shrill yelp forced Logan to open his eyes. He looked at the rope he held. Several vines were tangled around the rope five feet away and held it in place, keeping him from falling to his death. The rope strained against the vines. Logan looked at the creature on the edge of the ravine. It gnawed at several vines now tangled around its head and paws. There was no time to speculate what had happened. Logan pulled himself up onto the rope, placing his feet beneath him, and teetered on what was now viewed as a medieval tightrope. A much rotted medieval tightrope!

  “Holy shit--”

  Logan attempted to maintain his balance on the rotted tightrope and looked at the vine just a few yards away. The rope strained under him and the weight of the bridge. He had seconds to make his move. Logan took a deep breath and ran across the rope, screaming the entire way. He leaped for the dangling vine, caught it with both hands, and swung from the bridge to the safety of the ledge. The vines holding the bridge snapped and it collapsed with a thunderous crash. Logan released the vine and fell harshly onto his backside not far from the snarling, ensnared beast. The creature fought the vines tangled around its body and couldn’t be bothered with Logan. Logan stared at the struggling creature, marveled at its sheer size, then scrambled to his feet, and darted into the woods.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Hailey and Skyler slid down the steep, rocky path half on their backsides while avoiding the creature sliding down just behind them. They reached the bottom, nearly losing their balance. Hailey fell onto her backside. Skyler grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet as the creature lost its balance and tumbled out of control past them. As the creature unsteadily stood, Skyler forced Hailey to run across the stream with him. Neither looked back in fear of the creature being directly behind them. They ran up the bank on the other side and nearly collided with Vance and Mel, who were coming down the slope. Hailey and Skyler screamed in response to the unexpected collision. Vance and Mel were startled more by their screams than their unexpected appearance and stared at the terrified pair.

  “What’s all the screaming about?” Vance demanded while hastily tucking in his shirt and attempting to catch his breath.

  Hailey and Skyler pointed toward the stream, unable to get the words out. The beast was gone. Mel and Vance exchanged looks and almost certainly thought they were insane. Hailey and Skyler stared a moment longer then attempted to relax. Whatever caused the beast to retreat was a welcomed relief. Both were equally shaken but they had concerns that were more important.

  “We need to find Logan,” Hailey gasped and headed for the stream.

  Skyler reluctantly followed. Mel and Vance again exchanged looks then hurried after them. Climbing back up the steep trail was a challenge. Skyler led the way; seeming better equipped for the challenge, and practically pulled Hailey the entire way. Mel and Vance struggled to follow them while attempting to avoid the rocks tumbling at them from the couple in front. They final
ly reached the area before the mineshaft and looked around. There was no sign of Logan. Skyler kept watch on the dark mineshaft opening while Hailey searched the area.

  “Logan,” Hailey called out.

  There was no response. Vance approached the tunnel entrance near Skyler and picked up the discarded flashlight.

  “What were you guys doing out here?” Vance asked while fiddling with the flashlight.

  Mel rubbed her arms and looked around with concern. “Let’s just find Logan and get out of here,” she announced. “This place gives me the creeps.”

  “Logan,” Hailey again called out.

  All four heard movement from the woods and turned. Despite having no clue what had Hailey so rattled, Mel was possibly more frightened than the others. Skyler grabbed a thick branch and held it above his head, prepared to pummel anything that moved. Logan suddenly appeared from the woods. He was slightly winded but oddly enthusiastic.

  “Man, I’m glad to see you guys,” Logan announced while half doubling over. He shook his head and attempted to catch his breath. “You’ll never believe what happened to me.”

  “Can we get out of here before something does happen?” Mel nervously announced.

  They heard the faint, echoing sound of a woman screaming from deep within the mine. All five looked at the dark opening, and for a moment, none moved.

  “That sounded like a woman,” Vance announced with surprise while attempting to look inside the mineshaft.