The Pit in the Woods: A Mercy Falls Mythos

by Nathaniel Reed

"Close," she croaked, "but not quite." The stake driven into her chest, that Jeremy had plunged between her breasts, before running at Blake, had in fact, come within less than a quarter of an inch of piercing her heart. She pulled it out now. The silver from the sword and the wooden stake had come close to ending her, just by their properties alone. She was weak, but still here.

  She still had to make her way to the secret panel in the wall she'd been trying to get to all along. It wasn't another way out, but a crawl space, steel reinforced. Enough to fit three people, and strong enough to withstand anything short of a nuclear blast. Something they'd built as a contingency after Blake's first attack on the pit.

  Arianna crawled toward it, closing the door behind her with thirty-nine seconds left until the dynamite detonated.

  19

  What started as a slow rumble, like a precursor to a large earthquake beneath the ground, became a loud boom from a distance. A large fireball shot up through the air, and clouds of fire spread out from its core; then another blast, and another exploded seconds apart.

  They watched in awe as the fireball transformed into billows of red orange flame that engulfed the trees around it. The earth shook violently, nearly dropping them from their perches, as the sound of large rocks crumbling, and sinking into the pit reached them. They felt the giant jagged boulders rolling and breaking off further, as they continued to tumble down the pit. From elsewhere, off to their left and far behind them, a canon of flame shot through the sewer grate that was the opening to the tunnels they'd first gone through so

  long ago now, it seemed. Those tunnels collapsed in on themselves,

  filling the opening with rock, while leaving the steel grate, though charred and blackened, mostly intact.

  It was like having front row seats, with surround sound, and visuals, to the end of the world. And it was a satisfying end.

  When the explosions, and rumbling died leaving only the burning woods around the sealed pit, they looked at each other.

  "What now?" Myron said.

  "We go home," Jeremy replied.

  "Home," Eve laughed. She didn't know what that meant anymore.

  "At any rate, we need to leave now. Those explosions will attract someone here soon," Staci said.

  "I second that," Myron agreed. "Let's get out of here. I really don't want to have to try and explain this one too."

  They picked up what was left of their gear, and walked across the woods, making their journey out, and back to the hotel on foot- a band of misfits, war weary, wounded, dirty, hungry, and thirsty, having fought a battle no one would ever know or believe, and not caring.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  LAST GOODBYES

  (2014)

  1

  The doctors were unable to reattach Myron’s hand, but he forgot all about that when he woke to see his wife Donna looking down on him in his hospital bed.

  “Myron?”

  He blinked away the fog of sleep. "Donna, is that really you?"

  "It's me baby. What did you do? Where did you go?"

  "Not now Donna. I promise I'll tell you everything in time. You may not believe me, but I'll tell you."

  "Okay," she replied, smiling, but sad. "Is it true about your... your...." Donna couldn't bring herself to say it.

  For a moment Myron wasn't even sure what she was trying to say. He was so happy to see her. Then he remembered, and nodded, pulling his arm out from beneath the sheet.

  "My hand?" he asked. "Yes, I lost it."

  Her face quivered, grimacing in pain, as if her own hand were missing. A tear carved a line down her cheek.

  "Don't," Myron said. "Please don't. I'm okay," he assured her. "I'm alive! And no worries." He raised his other arm. "I've got a spare."

  She tittered. "Don't joke."

  "I have to," Myron said. "I've lost three of my friends. My hand is the least of what I miss."

  "I'm so sorry Myron." She sat next to him on the bed, holding his unharmed hand. She brushed his hair away from his forehead with her other hand. "My poor sweet Myron. What did you get yourself into?"

  Just then Jeremy, Eve, and Staci walked into the room.

  "Myron," Jeremy said, "You're up."

  "I think maybe we caught him at a bad time," Staci said, "Maybe we should let him have a minute."

  "No," Myron stopped them. "Come in, please, I want you guys to meet my wife, Donna, the love of my life." She squeezed his hand. "Donna, these are my friends, Jeremy, Staci, and Eve."

  "It's a pleasure," Staci said. "Myron has spoken quite fondly of you."

  "Why thank you," Donna replied. "Finally I get to meet Myron's childhood friends. Although I'm not sure if I should be happy to, under the circumstances."

  "Yes, well, you wouldn't believe what any of us have been up to," Eve commented.

  "Well," Donna said, "Judging from all your cuts, scratches and bruises, I would say you weren't practicing for the Olympic swim team."

  "No," Myron said, "That was the last time."

  "Okay, okay," Donna said, "You all apparently have a private joke going on here, and I'm not in on it. I'll feel much better once I know everything."

  "Doubt that," Eve said.

  Staci's cell phone rang, interrupting them. She flipped it open, looking at the caller ID, her face distressed.

  "Is everything all right?" Donna asked.

  "No, but it will be," Staci said, "It's my husband. I'll take this in the hallway."

  "Myron's not the only one that has explaining to do," Jeremy said, "We were all in this together."

  "I see that," Donna said.

  Staci walked back in a minute later, grim.

  "What is it?" Jeremy said.

  "He tracked me down," Staci said, "He's sitting in the lobby of our hotel right now, waiting for me. He's not happy."

  Donna nodded. "You'd better go dear. Make things right. I'd be a lot angrier if Myron weren't in this bed."

  "Well, they release me tomorrow. Guess you can release all

  your pent up anger then," Myron sighed.

  "Yes, we'll see," Donna agreed.

  Jeremy looked down. As sad as he was for Myron, he was in a sense, more so for himself. He didn't have someone back home waiting for him.

  "I think we should..." Jeremy said to Eve, motioning with his head towards the door.

  "Yes," Eve acknowledged, "I believe we should leave the two of you alone, and head back to the hotel ourselves."

  "It was very nice meeting you," Jeremy said.

  Donna looked uncertain. "I'd like to say likewise, but I'm not sure yet whether I should be happy to meet you, or resentful."

  "Understandable," Jeremy said. He bowed his head, and the two of them left, leaving Myron to face whatever repercussions their actions might have.

  2

  On their way back to the hotel, Jeremy said, "I think we need to contact Johnny's ex-wife Lori. I think he said her last name was Stewart. They have a kid together."

  "I agree," Eve said.

  Staci had since gone way ahead of them, although she'd left only a few minutes prior.

  "And probably Tony's parents, if they're still alive. If not, his co-workers. We can't just let them go missing, and have no one know."

  "Like everyone else in this town," Eve nodded. "Okay. We have to decide on how much to tell them, and whether or not to reveal who we are."

  "I think as little detail as possible. They won't believe us anyway."

  "Yes."

  "So how does it feel?" Jeremy asked.

  "What's that?"

  "To be human again."

  Eve hesitated. "At first it felt debilitating, like losing everything that made you special. But after everything that's happened, what we've lost, I suppose it feels wonderful, and miserable all at once."

  Jeremy understood. "I'm glad you're human."

  "Thank you. Afraid I was going to bite you?" Eve teased.

  "Well yes, that, and I know how important it was to you."

  Eve smiled.
"You're sweet. Besides, I wouldn't bite you unless you wanted me to."

  Jeremy's face turned the color of a tomato at its peak.

  3

  While Staci walked her angry husband into her room, attempting to calm him, Jeremy and Eve stepped onto the lobby floor.

  Eve looked at him, upset, as if she were unsure whether or not to bring something up.

  "What is it?" Jeremy said.

  "You know, what you're doing for Tony and Johnny, you need to do for someone else."

  His sister. Jeremy squinted, trying to keep his eyes from watering. "Not now, I can't. You'll have to do it."

  "Me?" Eve said, "I don't understand."

  "I can't have it look like I was directly involved. They have to believe that I knew nothing about it."

  Eve stopped him, held his arm. "You weren't directly involved. You didn't do this Jeremy. It was those sons of bitches down there. You can't blame yourself."

  Jeremy said nothing. He stared blankly out the lobby windows.

  "I'll call them," Eve agreed, "For you. Let them know their

  little girl is gone. I'll make up something. And they'll call you, and tell

  you. And you'll pretend you knew nothing. Are you prepared for

  that?"

  "I suppose I'll have to be," Jeremy said.

  "All right. I'll make the call tomorrow."

  "That's fine," Jeremy said. They headed toward the elevators and up to their rooms.

  4

  Myron's departure from the hospital was bittersweet. He didn't know if his wife believed his story, but he told her the truth; told her everything. It was too big a secret to have held for so long. She knew Myron wasn't a liar, but the fantastic nature of it was increasingly difficult for Donna to swallow. Still, she trusted him enough that she could eventually come to believe it, and that was enough for Myron.

  Staci's husband Dan was going to take a lot more convincing. He didn't believe a word of it, and was amazed that she would come up with such a crazy, elaborate story to cover up whatever she was really doing here. She knew what he was suggesting. That she was probably having an affair. She refused to even dignify the implication with a response. She loved Dan, and didn't blame him for not believing her. She probably wouldn't have believed it herself, if their roles were reversed. But she couldn't help being hurt. They would be home again, with the kids soon, in a day or two, and she hoped that things would return to normal, but she just didn't know. She supposed that after losing three dear friends, she could handle his distrust, and she would work her hardest to rebuild his faith in her, because they were worth saving.

  5

  They sat one last time at the hotel restaurant, eating their last

  meal together. Of course, no one wanted to call it that. They were

  already talking about keeping in touch.

  "Do any of you think you'll ever come back? To Mercy Falls?" Staci said.

  "No," Jeremy said at once. Eve and Myron muttered agreement.

  "There's a lot of good memories," Myron said, "But too many painful ones."

  Staci watched him as he tried to cut his steak with one hand. "Here, Myron, let me help you."

  "See," Myron said, jokingly, "The place has turned me into an invalid." But there was more than a note of sadness there.

  "You're not an invalid," Jeremy said, matter-of-factly, as if it weren't even worth arguing about. He looked over at Staci. "Where's your husband?"

  "Flew back," Staci said. "I'll deal with it tomorrow when I fly back."

  "My wife's staying in my room," Myron said, assuming he would be questioned next. "She left the kids at home with their grandmother, thank God. Donna and I have some non-talking things to catch up on."

  Jeremy smiled. "Good for you."

  "I love you guys, and I'm glad we're together," Staci said, "But this somehow doesn't feel right that we're here without them." They knew she was talking about their fallen friends.

  "Yes," Myron agreed, "We have to trust that they're here with us, in spirit."

  Jeremy's face grew stoic. "Let's toast them."

  "Yes," Staci said, "Let's!"

  They raised their glasses.

  "To Tony," Jeremy said. "To Blake. To Johnny. To Rebecca."

  They repeated each name with him, and clinked glasses. His voice quavered when he spoke his sister's name.

  "May we never forget their sacrifice," Jeremy said.

  "Here here!" they consented.

  "Maybe we should take a moment. A moment of silence for

  them. Like they do in church," Staci suggested, "Remember something about them."

  "Good idea," Eve said.

  They bowed their heads and closed their eyes. They all seemed to recognize when enough time had passed, and lifted their heads.

  They reminisced for a while, finished their meals and returned to their rooms. The evening concluded in a much lighter mood. Tomorrow they would be leaving, flying back to their homes, and saying goodbye once again.

  6

  Morning came. They gathered together inside the airport terminal, although they had different flights and times, aware that this could be the last chance they'd get to see one another.

  Donna was flying back with Myron. She looked at the others, her arm around Myron's waist. She looked happy. They both did.

  "You know, Myron explained everything. It's a lot to take in, and I'm not sure how much of it I believe... yet. But I know that you all did something brave together, and I know you all did what you could to keep my husband from getting hurt. Thank you."

  "That means a lot," Staci said.

  "Yes, it does," Jeremy said, "Thank you."

  Eve smiled. Although she considered them all friends, she didn't feel quite as much a part of the group. They had a long history together. She stood by Jeremy, Staci across from them.

  Staci asked, "Eve, where will you go?"

  "Back to New York," Eve said. "Jeremy and I are taking the same flight. I'm going to be staying with him for a while."

  Staci raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

  "It's not what you think..." Jeremy started.

  "It doesn't matter what I think," Staci smiled. "You guys would make a cute couple."

  Jeremy's face changed color again.

  "And there's the famous blush," Staci said.

  Myron and Donna laughed.

  "Yep," Myron said.

  "Shut up," Jeremy told him.

  Eve went over to Staci and whispered in her ear. Staci giggled, and then her eyes grew real big.

  "Take good care of him," Staci whispered back, "He's a good guy."

  "I know," Eve said; then to all of them, "Well, our flight's in a little less than an hour. Guess we better be heading toward our terminal."

  Staci nodded. "Okay."

  "It's been a pleasure meeting you Staci," Eve said, giving her a big hug. Staci was surprised by it, and her arms actually went limp for a moment. Then she hugged Eve back. "Thank you, it was nice knowing you too."

  Jeremy walked up to Staci and hugged her as well. "Bye Stace. Sorry it took so long for us to meet up again."

  "Me too." She was starting to tear up. "Don't be a stranger."

  "I won't," Jeremy promised.

  Jeremy shook Myron's hand, clapping him on the back. "Myron." He shook Donna's hand.

  "Jeremy, have a good trip," Myron said.

  Eve hugged Myron as well, and even Donna.

  "Take care," Jeremy said, as the two of them walked off, waving back. "We'll keep in touch!"

  Staci, Myron and Donna sat down along the interconnected plastic seats that were a staple of just about every airport across the country, as if the goodbyes had sapped all their energy. Myron sat between the two women. He asked Staci, "What did Eve whisper to you?"

  Staci giggled. "She said, 'He doesn't know it yet, but he's in trouble. Just wait until I sink my teeth into him.' "

  "Ha ha!" Myron said. "That's great!"

  "Yeah."

  "Are you... okay
with it?" Myron said.

  "Me?" Staci laughed, "Yeah, of course. Our time has passed. They'll be good for each other. I've got a man I love. We just have to work out a few kinks, but I feel like we'll be all right. You know?"

  "Yeah," Myron said, squeezing Donna's hand. He looked at his watch. "We've still got like an hour and a half, but I suppose we should start looking for our gate. They may see my wife and want to give her a severe pat down."

  Donna tittered, pushing him. Staci grinned, then looked at her watch.

  "Well, I've still got almost two and a half hours. Two hours, and fifteen minutes. Something like that," Staci said.

  "We can stay a little longer," Myron said, "If you want.

  "Yes," Donna said.

  Staci seemed to contemplate that for a moment, then said, "No, you go be with each other. I could use the extra time to think."

  "Okay," Myron said. They both got up.

  "Thank you for protecting my man," Donna said.

  "Not a problem," Staci smiled. She got up briefly and they both hugged her.

  "Take care Myron," Staci said, and kissed his cheek.

  "You too Staci."

  She sat back down once they were gone, and sat there for the next ten minutes looking out into the terminal, looking through the people. Something pleasant seemed to cross her mind. A tear rolled down her face as she smiled. Her friends would be all right. She would be all right. And every now and again, despite the hardships and setbacks, the world was all right too.

  Staci gathered her things and leisurely made the way toward her gate, and her way back home.

  Epilogue

  UNITED STATES 2015

  1

  Summer was winding down. Chicago was still muggy, and windy. Despite knowing that she and Tony were never going to be together, that one night they were together had produced something really special. Something that made Iris Curchenbauer smile at this very moment. Her daughter, only two months old was grinning at her from her perch on the baby sling that pressed her to her mother’s chest. She was Iris and Tony’s daughter. And Iris was only sad that he never got to see her before he died, or was killed (she had never been too clear on what had actually happened to him). She knew he would have been a proud papa. Iris named her Collette, for the Australian actress Toni Collette, because although the spellings of their names were different Tony would have got it, and found it funny. She was a beautiful girl, and a great kid, and Iris knew that she’d eventually find a man who loved her little girl as much as she did.