The Pit in the Woods: A Mercy Falls Mythos

by Nathaniel Reed

  “Ah, a wanderer,” Rudy said, with some admiration.

  “Yes, I suppose.” Blake shoveled more food into his mouth and said no more. He hoped they wouldn’t ask any more questions, and they didn’t. After breakfast he headed upstairs to his room, put on a windbreaker, and headed into town.

  6

  “Whatcha thinkin’?” Staci asked, as she sipped her soda through a straw.

  Jeremy, who sat across from her in the booth said, “Nothing, I was just looking at you.”

  “Oh yeah? At what? I have a booger or something?”

  Jeremy giggled, “No, just looking.” He blushed and continued to eat his food.

  They’d decided to stop at the Starlite Diner for their first date, before heading to the movies.

  “So,” Staci said, “Personal question. Is this your first date ever?”

  “Yes,” Jeremy nodded, “You?”

  “I’ve been on a couple. Didn’t go anywhere. They were just jerks.”

  “Sorry.”

  Staci smiled. “What are you sorry about?”

  Jeremy shrugged, bit into his burger, and then took a sip of his Coke.

  “Anyway,” Staci said, “We’ve been friends for a while, and you don’t seem like a jerk.” She waved a French fry at him and put on a pretend mean-face, “You’re not a jerk, are you?”

  Jeremy laughed. “No, I don’t think I am.”

  “So, let’s see. You ask me something, and then I’ll ask you something.”

  “Okay.”

  “Go!” Staci said, playing at rushing him.

  “Hold on, I gotta think,” Jeremy said.

  Staci giggled.

  “Okay, I’ve got one. Do you like to read?”

  She yawned. “Booooring. Nope. Just magazines, and the occasional health book. I guess you do, or you wouldn’t have asked me.”

  “Actually, you’d be surprised. I don’t really read all that

  much.”

  “I am surprised.”

  “Myron’s the big reader. He’s let me borrow some of his books. I’m not picky; I’ll read drama, thrillers, sci-fi…”

  “Romance?” Staci teased.

  “No, not those.”

  “All right, ask me another one,” Staci said. Even though it was her turn, Jeremy didn’t argue.

  “What kind of music do you like?” he said.

  “Opera.”

  “No, seriously.”

  “I am serious. Not all the time though. I have to be in the mood for it. I just admire the way their voices can carry the song, even though I can’t understand a word they’re saying. It relaxes me. I’ll listen to some rock and rap too, but only certain kinds. Nothing too heavy. And no country.”

  “Country, bleh.” Jeremy put a finger in his mouth and pretended to gag.

  “Yeah, exactly,” she said. “What about you?”

  “New Wave, Punk. Rock, Metal…”

  “Wow, didn’t expect that! You’re a little rebel, aren’t you?”

  “Nah, I just like the music. I like to listen to stuff that kicks ass.”

  Staci almost spit up her soda. He delivered the line so dryly and straight-faced that it sounded like he was making it up, but he wasn’t.

  “Okay,” Staci said, “Think maybe you’ve been hanging around Johnny too long.”

  “You should see my records at home.”

  “I believe you Jeremy. It’s just funny that we think we know what someone likes just by looking at them.”

  “Yeah, true.” He thought for a while, couldn’t come up with any insightful questions. “Are you taking off from school for Take Your Kids to Work Day?”

  “Nope. You?”

  Jeremy sighed. “Yeah, my dad wants me to see what it’s like to work a real job.”

  “Bummer. Is that what he actually said?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “If it’s any consolation, you’ll be missed.” she said. “When is it again?”

  “Friday.”

  “Dang, maybe I should take off,” Staci said.

  Jeremy smiled. “So what do you want to see?”

  “See?”

  “At the movie theatre.”

  “Oh, whatever. We’ll see when we get there.”

  “As long as it’s not a chick flick,” Jeremy said.

  “Oh no, not on our first date. I’ll force you into one of those later on… assuming things go well,” Staci said.

  Jeremy laughed, and then frowned.

  “Oh, I’m teasing Jeremy. I have got to get the stuffy out of you. You’re almost as bad as Myron.”

  “Hey, now that’s taking it too far!” Then he started laughing for other reasons. She’d meant “stuffiness” but the way Staci said it, it could be interpreted another way, and he nearly choked on his burger and the innuendo.

  “Okay, it wasn’t that funny,” Staci said. “Jeeze, Jeremy, you’re turning red!” She was amused, though not sure at what. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing, nothing. Maybe I’ll tell you someday.”

  She pouted. “But I want to know now.”

  “No, really. This one’s a private joke.” He went off again realizing what he’d said.

  “Okay,” Staci said, uncertain. “But you better make up for it with a big bucket of popcorn for holding out on me.”

  “All right. Done.”

  “It is good to see you relaxing though,” Staci said.

  Jeremy hadn’t realized it, but he was feeling much more comfortable.

  “I guess you’re an easy person to be around,” he said.

  “Hey, watch who you’re calling easy.”

  “You know what I mean. You’re just a cool person, especially for a girl.”

  Staci grinned. “Well, duh.”

  7

  Blake looked behind the Chinese Restaurant in the dumpster where the newspaper had said they found the woman’s body, trying to look inconspicuous. The dumpster had since been emptied of all trash, and only two bags of garbage lined the bottom. The only telltale sign was a spot of some red stuff that might have been blood, on the inside wall. As the police said when they were trying to keep pedestrians off the crime scene in the movies, “Okay people, nothing to see here.” So Blake moved on.

  He thought perhaps he could see if anyone was hiring, searching for places that were likely to hire under the table. After many businesses with no signs at all, and a few with too reputable a look to hire under the table, despite Help Wanted signs, he finally found a place. A middle of the road place that wasn’t too high class, but was decent enough for honest work. It was a place called The Starlite Diner, where later that evening Jeremy and Staci would be dining.

  The owner was Greek, a large pot-bellied middle-aged man with a large wart on one side of his nose. He was looking for dish washers, and Blake could tell from the clock with punch cards sticking out of slots, just outside the kitchen’s double doors, that this was a man that didn’t like to pay extra taxes, or employee benefits, if he didn’t have to. He hired Blake right on the spot. When he came into work the next day, Blake found the dish cleaning area in the back just

  his pace. It was steady, mind-numbing work which was just what he

  was looking for. And his co-workers weren’t half bad. A mix of blacks, whites and Hispanics, whose chatter was entertaining; he was pretty sure a few of the Hispanics were illegals, but he wouldn’t bother them with questions, so long as they didn’t ask him any. He doubted they would. They didn’t speak much English.

  Blake was able to tell Rudy and Pauline that he’d found work when he got back to the Bed and Breakfast, and that he thought he might stay for a few months, as if the idea had just occurred to him. Although they didn’t know much about Blake (or Mark, as they knew him) they seemed fine with him staying. Blake thought they were more pleased with the prospect of a steady income, than his company.

  Rudy worked part time as a substitute teacher for local sch
ools, when he wasn’t tending the Hillside Bed and Breakfast, and Pauline spent hours at a time in the garden out back, where they cultivated fresh fruits and vegetables to save on groceries. But it was still early March and the sudden cold snaps at night inhibited major growth this time of year. They certainly weren’t swimming in money, and Blake was happy to help them out.

  8

  “Why aren’t Staci and Jeremy hanging out with us?” Johnny said.

  “First date,” Tony replied.

  “Oh,” Johnny said. “Good for them.”

  “Yes,” Myron agreed. “Where are we going again?”

  “Pool hall,” Tony said, rounding the corner in his Thunderbird. “Technically it’s really their second date, but I guess this is their first official date.”

  “Yeah, right,” Johnny said, “The double date with me and Julia. Won’t be doing that again.”

  “Why not?” Myron asked.

  “Don’t get me wrong. They’re good together. But they’re both too nice. I think they were a real cock-blocker for me and Julia. I was hoping for a little more pornographic of a night.”

  Myron snorted in the back seat.

  “I bet with you things are almost always pornographic,” Tony said.

  Johnny grinned. “You got that right big guy.”

  “I have never played pool,” Myron said.

  “It’s easy,” Tony said, “I’ll teach you.”

  “Maybe I should give Julia a call,” Johnny said.

  “Maybe,” Tony agreed.

  “I think I will.”

  They arrived at the pool hall and parked in one of the slanted parking spots outside.

  9

  Once they’d made it to the movie theatre Jeremy felt incredibly at ease. He sat with Staci in the semi-darkened theatre and held hands with her during the previews. They hadn’t been able to get into any of the rated R movies, so they went to see Pretty in Pink, which was PG-13. This was Staci’s idea, and since there was really nothing else playing, he agreed.

  While Jeremy was pleased to see someone way dorkier than himself in the character of Duckie, he didn’t enjoy the film all that much, and didn’t think it was one of John Hughes best. Both he and Staci would enjoy Ferris Bueller’s Day off much more.

  “So, what’d you think?” Staci asked, as they exited the movie theatre, “I liked it.”

  “It was okay; a bit chick-flicky for me,” Jeremy said.

  “Really? I didn’t get that. I thought it was sweet.”

  “Yeah, exactly,” Jeremy snorted.

  “Jeremy!” She pushed him lightly. He laughed as they walked side by side, looking over at her several times.

  “What?” she said on the third look.

  He shook his head, “Nothing.” Under his breath, he said, “Just admiring.”

  She smiled. “I knew I liked you for a reason.”

  Jeremy looked down shyly, and then looked up at her. “Am I walking you home now?”

  “Yes. It’s dark out. My mom doesn’t like me walking outside after dark. All the beasties.”

  “Does she ever talk about that stuff? Like she knows something?” Jeremy asked.

  “No, never,” Staci said.

  “My parents either.”

  “I think it’s like the grownups know something’s off about this town, but they’re like, in denial.”

  “Yeah,” Jeremy said, as if the same thought had just hit him.

  “Anyway, it’s been quiet for a while. Like maybe things are turning around.”

  “Maybe. Or it’s the calm before the storm.”

  “Now Jeremy, don’t go and ruin a perfect day.”

  “Perfect, really?” He grinned from ear to ear.

  This made her giggle. “Well, almost.”

  They got to her front door, and he was face to face with her, Staci’s back to the door.

  “Well, thank you for a lovely date Jeremy.”

  “You’re welcome,” Jeremy said. “Thank you too, for coming out with me. I’m really glad we did this…”

  “Sssshhh,” she said, resting her finger on his lips. “Just shut up and kiss me good night already.”

  He did. It was his first. It was sweet and enthusiastic, yet almost chaste, with only flitting use of the tongue. She gave more than she received, but that was okay. He was still not entirely sure of himself. He would be.

  When the initial kiss was done, she planted a second peck on the lips and said goodnight.

  “Goodnight,” he said, his lips numb and his eyes wide,

  stunned.

  Staci chuckled. “Glad you enjoyed it. Goodnight Jeremy. Thank you again.”

  “Goodnight Staci.”

  She went in and locked the door. He stood there for a few seconds, not completely aware she’d gone, and then turned around and walked home.

  10

  Lucky’s Billiards seemed to have a green theme going, from the green shaded lamps above the pool tables, to the green felt on the pool tables themselves, and the greenery surrounding the brown wallpaper with green and white scrollwork borders. Perhaps the owners were Irish.

  Tony Vincent was teaching Myron Powers the basics of pool playing, while John Winter waited patiently.

  “Okay, I get it,” Myron said, positioning his pool stick between two fingers as he’d been taught, and hitting his first ball into the hole.

  “Yes!” Johnny said. “Now can we play?”

  “Yes,” Tony said, “Now we can play. Rack ’em up Myron.”

  “Okay,” he said, excited. Both Tony and Johnny were amused by his enthusiasm. He was like the little brother they’d never had. There were small round tables of wood veneer set up between the pool tables, and they had set their drinks there. Johnny noticed his was getting low.

  “I’m going to go get a refill,” Johnny said. “Anyone want anything?”

  They shook their heads and Johnny went to freshen up his Coke while Myron set the game up. Tony and Myron looked up a minute later to see Johnny chatting up the attractive nineteen year old blonde barkeep.

  “Johnny is amazing,” Myron said. “How does he do it?”

  “Good lucks, charm, and an I don’t care attitude?” Tony said.

  “Yeah,” Myron said, awestruck, “I wish I had that.”

  Tony grinned. “Maybe someday. Want to start without him?”

  “Yes, I suppose. You can go first.”

  Johnny came back two minutes later waving a receipt slip with writing on the back in one hand, and the Coke in the other. “I got the number!”

  “Does she know you’re still in high school?” Tony said.

  “Oddly enough the topic never came up.”

  “You are my hero,” Myron said.

  “Nice to know Myre,” Johnny clapped him on the back.

  “You’re up Johnny,” Tony said.

  “Ah, you’re breaking my balls… literally. What lousy friends you turned out to be, starting without me.” He winked at the barkeep.

  “Just shut up and play Johnny,” Tony laughed.

  “Jeeze, love you too big guy,” Johnny said. He took the pool stick and bent to take the shot. “Are we calling them?”

  “No, just get in what you can,” Tony said.

  “Yeah, that’s what she said,” Johnny retorted.

  “I guess Johnny is on a roll tonight,” Myron snorted.

  “Just take the shot already Johnny! Jeeze!” Tony exclaimed.

  “All right, all right. You’re going to have to learn to control that ’roid rage,” Johnny said. Tony grinned. Johnny took the shot. He barely noticed he’d gotten three balls in the pockets, when he looked upward and mumbled, “What the fuck?”

  Tony looked around, confused. “What is it?”

  Johnny rushed to the other side of the building, out the door. Myron and Tony ran after him. Johnny looked left and right into the departing daylight, but there was nothing to be seen. Only the sound of distant wings fluttering in the twilight.

  “What was it?” My
ron said. “What did you see?”

  “I don’t know,” Johnny said, “Maybe nothing. It looked like a demon, in the mirrors, on the other side of the hall. Maybe it was one of them, like the one Tony saw that night at Betty’s. It seemed to be heading out the door.”

  “Are you sure you saw one?” Tony asked.

  “No,” Johnny admitted, shaking his head. “Maybe I just imagined it. It was one of those out of the corner of the eye things.”

  Tony nodded, but didn’t seem convinced.

  “Let’s play this game, and get out of here,” Johnny said.

  Myron shivered, “Sounds good to me.”

  11

  Martin Daniels sat across from his son Jeremy at his office desk.

  “So, ready for a fun day at work?” Martin asked, riffling through some papers.

  Jeremy gave a wan smile. “Yeah, I guess.” It was take your son or daughter to work day and he was already bored. It was only 9:05.

  “You want to come around and watch me transfer these accounts?” Martin said.

  “’Kay,” Jeremy said. Won’t that be a barrel of laughs? Just as he got up, someone walked in through the open door.

  “Well Martin, is this your son?” the man asked excitedly.

  Martin got up from his chair and Jeremy turned around.

  “Why yes, this is Jeremy,” Martin said. “Jeremy, this is my boss, Mr. Gladstone.”

  The man that offered his hand to Jeremy had a shiny forehead with a receding hairline, a prodigious belly, which made him look about twelve months pregnant, with triplets. He had a jolly laugh, and a firm handshake, but cold hands that jived with his warm demeanor.

  “Well, by golly, it’s good to meet ya son!” He sounded like a pure southerner. “Don’t let your dad talk your ear off. It’s mostly tedious boring work we do here.”

  “I won’t,” Jeremy smiled.

  “Well,” Mr. Gladstone looked from Martin to Jeremy and then back again. “I’ll let you get back to work. Nice meetin’ ya son!”

  “Yep,” Jeremy said, “You too sir.”

  Jeremy looked at his father, “Seems nice.”

  “He is, most of the time,” Martin said.

  “Most?”

  “Until you don’t get something done.”