by T. L Smith
She laughed and ran to him for a hug. "I'm sorry Rodge, you know I can't help myself on those things. The challenge of getting to our spot before the others had nothing to do with it!" She gave him a quick squeeze, smacked him on the butt and turned to get to the shack first, all while giving him a wink and a winning smile.
"Oh, you're gonna be the death of me yet" he mumbled, loud enough for her to hear.
"Not on MY watch" she called back.
Each sector had a small Ranger shack at it's border. It was also at the beginning of the hikers trail that continued through from the previous sector, through the campgrounds and on towards the next sector. Approximately 100 feet from the shack was the beginning of the camp grounds where visiting families would camp overnight during their stay in the park. Having it set up this way provided camp grounds for each sector and allowed families the ability to move through the park at a pace of their choosing, yet providing an area to rest for the night without a long, strenuous hike to get to the next camping area. Sector three was the location of the latest murder, and unfortunately, was also the site of the murder of Julie's family 17 years ago.
Once in the shack, Julie pulled the mic from the radio and called out to the others. "Ranger McCallister to Chief Warner, come in." With no answer, Julie proceeded to take a quick roll call of the units that were on location. "All Rangers, this is Julie with Unit 3, Report your location please." "Julie, this is Unit 2, on station", said Keith. "This is unit 1, on station", said Mike. "Unit 5, on station" said Melissa. After a short pause, Beth keyed in, "Unit 6 now on station" followed by Steve with Sector 4. With the rumble of an engine behind them, Roger and Julie turned to see that Joe had joined them at station 3. "Hey boss", Julie said. "All stations have checked in and are on site and ready for duty!"
Joe looked around as he walked up to the shack. Reaching for the microphone, he keyed the mike. "All stations, this is Chief Warner. Now that we are all on site let's get this ball rolling. It is now precisely 9:00 am. Please verify that all have the same time on your watches. When we begin, I want units 1, 3 and 5 to sweep east; units 2, 4 and 6 sweep west. In one hour I expect to hear location reports coming from each border saying both groups have connected at that border. If something happens to slow you down I expect a radio call saying as such. If you find yourselves in trouble of any kind, broadcast a call for help right away and the two closest units will converge. And finally, if any group locates our suspect, call for backup and maintain surveillance only, until all units arrive. NO one is to go it alone. Is that crystal clear?"
One by one, each unit radioed their acknowledgement of the instructions. "Ok" Joe said, "Let's get this guy found and get back to base all in one piece and in time for supper! Chief Warner out."
Joe, Julie and Roger each donned their backpacks, radio's, water canteens and weapons and headed out the door. The forest was beautiful in its bright spring colors of varying shades of green. The new foliage for the season had finished budding out and there was a fresh pine scent in the air. Dew was still glistening on the leaves and grounds and the forest animals were out foraging for their breakfast. Birds were peacefully chirping and calling to others and the insects were still slight due to the cooler evening hours. The new morning sun hadn't yet warmed things.
Julie looked around, taking it all in and loving the peaceful atmosphere that always seemed to exist in the forest. This was why she loved being out in the wilderness. No phones, cars honking, machines humming and the hustle and bustle that seemed to come with life these days. Just a slow relaxed feeling that said there's no rush, take it easy and slow, and savor the moment. "And this is what's it's all about!" Julie said quietly, not wanting to disturb the serenity of her surroundings.
Joe and Roger both looked at her and saw the peaceful smile on her face. They knew of her love of nature and her preference to be here more than anywhere else. They hoped that before the day was out, she still felt that way. "Let's get moving" Joe said. "We have a schedule to keep".
The trio started off, heading east towards the border of sector 4 to meet up with team 4. Having to step over fallen trees from the winter storms, or duck under low hanging branches, it would keep their eyes peeled for signs of anything that didn't belong, Joe soon realized that the trip to the border would take every bit of the allotted hour. There'd be no time for any stopping, or slow downs of any kind. He hoped that each unit would be mindful of their time and keep a steady pace so the sweep did in fact have all teams making contact every hour. With the situation they were dealing with, if any team failed to show up, the stress of this detail would rise dramatically.
As they walked along the hikers trail, Julie noted that Joe seemed deep in thought. Roger was scanning the area with great intensity and she seemed to be a mix of both. Smiling, she realized they made a good team for a detail like this. As she turned her own focus to the area and the possible hiding places that someone might have should they choose to hide, she suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise.
Her head snapped up and her eyes darted around searching for any possible reason for the alarm. Everything still seemed quiet and undisturbed, but the feeling of someone watching her was definitely putting her sense of survival on high alert. And if that wasn't enough of a jump starter for her heart, she found herself with an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.
She stopped dead in her tracks as her surroundings seem to spin around and the scene before her began to change into something different, but the same. Her vision darkened and shapes seemed to take place among the trees around her. A sense of overwhelming fear clenched at her heart and impending danger wrapped around her in an increasing pressure that took her breath away. She tried to call out to Joe and Roger but found she didn't have the breath to call out. As she peered into the trees to see what could be causing this fright, a hand grabbed her arm causing her to shut her eyes tight and cry out with an ear piercing scream.
"Julie! . . . JULIE! Can you hear me, honey??" As she opened her eyes, she saw Joe in front of her with a face of concern. The darkness had cleared and she was back among the forest she loved so much and the two people who meant the world to her. Roger was standing on the other side with his hand on her shoulder watching her with wide, concerned eyes.
"JEEZ, Julie, what the hell just happened to you? First you're walking along smiling and enjoying the forest and the next your frozen in place with a look of terror on your face and looking like ya can't breath!" Roger worriedly asked.
"Roger! Can't you see she's had a terrible fright? Give her a minute to collect herself!" Joe said in that fatherly tone that he tried so hard to hide, but failed. Roger took a deep breath and dropped his hand from her shoulder. "I'm sorry, she just scared the living crap outta me with that scream!" Julie could see that she had in fact caused both of them a great deal of worry. She didn't understand what had just happened. It was like she'd just watched a scene that must've happened in a movie, or to someone else, because she had no memory of her ever seeing anything like it before! And YET, the very definite sense of déjà vu had her wondering what the heck was going on!
She was visibly shaking as she raised her eyes to them both and quietly said, "I'm sorry guys. I don't know what just happened. It was like being at the movies watching a classic horror scene, but it all felt so REAL. I just knew that someone, or something, was watching me and it was all about to get very real, and dangerous! Crazy, Huh!?" she nervously laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
Joe cursed himself for allowing her to come out on this detail, believing he should've listened to his gut on this one and kept her back at the station where she would be safe, physically and mentally. Now, as he was afraid might happen, she seemed to be slowly unraveling and it was at the worst time possible to be happening.
"Honey, maybe this wasn't such a good idea and you should head back to the station?" Hearing Joe say he wanted to take her off the case was like being doused with ice water.
Shaking her head side to side s
he rushed to say, "NO WAY Joe! I said I wanted to come, that I could handle it and I CAN. Something caught me off guard, that's all. I'm sorry! I won't let it happen again. I swear!"
"I don't know Julie, you've had some shocking news today and the case we're on is one of the worst we've seen. That's not a good combination for anyone to handle at the same time", said Joe, worry battling against his desire to make her happy. As Julie collected herself, she looked to Roger for support. Clearly, with the concern she saw in his eyes, she knew that he wouldn't be much help at the moment. "Alright, look Joe, I'm sorry I scared you. I have my senses about me now and know that it was just a passing thing. Maybe the case has spooked me more than I realized. But I'm aware of it now and I won't let it get out of control again. Come on, surely you've had a moment in your career that you were caught off guard and acted less than . . . professional?" She searched his eyes, pleading with him to give her a second chance.
Against his better judgment, he conceded. "Ok, you can stay", he said and quickly spoke up saying, " but if this keeps happening, I'm pulling you off field duty for this case!"
She threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug. "Thank You Joe! I won't let you down! I'll make you proud of me, you'll see!" The smile on her face melted his heart, as it always did, and he prayed that the weakness he had where she was concerned didn't come back to bite them in the ass later!.
CHAPTER NINE
Levi had been wandering through the forest for hours. After his kill that morning, he'd been left feeling lost and struggling. Each time the darkness in him had taken control, it had gotten stronger than before. He was struggling to hang on to any semblance of his former self. He knew if he didn't find the girl he felt a connection to it would soon be too late, and the human in him would cease to exist in any way other than a thought in the back of his mind.
As he trod along, not sure where he was heading, just knowing he needed to keep moving, he suddenly became aware of an approaching vehicle. Considering he was deep in the forest, he figured it must be an ATV or motorcycle. With the vibrations of the motor and the terrain, anything else would be unable to navigate the grounds. He concentrated on the sound, trying to pinpoint what direction it was in and how far away it might be. Levi prayed they weren't coming in his direction.
The monster inside stirred with the excitement of new prey. As Levi listened, he tried to focus his thoughts on the simple things around him, hoping to force out the building desire for violence and blood. He noted with dismay that his surroundings were the same area where he had developed his connection to the female he now sought. The creature inside of him rumbled with satisfaction at the memories the grounds brought back. Levi knew he had to get out of there before he lost control and the creature took over once again!
As the engine sound approached rapidly to his left, he turned to his right and took off running. His desire to connect with the female was strong, but his wish to keep everyone safe and at least alive was stronger at the moment. He knew as the creature grew stronger, his wishes would fade and there would be nothing he could do to stop the violence that would ensue. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him in hopes to put enough distance between them before his control was lost. It was all he could offer in the little time left to him.
As he hurried away, absorbed in his attempt to stay in control, he failed to notice a set of eyes following his movements. Whether his salvation or destruction had arrived was yet to be decided.
Luke silently moved through the bush, easily keeping pace with his target, determined he wouldn't lose him a second time. It bothered him a great deal that Levi had gotten so close to Julie, even though he was unaware of it. If the pack had any hopes of welcoming Julie in, it was imperative that Levi not be allowed to connect with her, or influence her in anyway. The degree to which the human side still had control would also determine the type of influence he would have, should he be able to find her. Regardless of Levi's condition, Luke would not allow that connection. Once a determination could be made on whether he could be saved or not, Luke knew what he had to do. If he couldn't convince Levi to return to the pack with him, the only recourse was to end him.
He would need to be ready for the battle that would follow. The unsupervised newly awakened wolves were stronger in their wilder states and he knew it would not be an easy battle. Being a second to the Alpha, he knew he was the only one to take this on and stand a chance of winning. And for Julie's sake, it was a battle he was determined to win!
CHAPTER TEN
Once everyone recovered from Julie's first episode of recollection, dropped packs were retrieved and the group set out once again. This time both men stayed closer to her, staying aware of her reactions to the settings around her. They knew they couldn't stop what was to come, but they hoped to offer her support through each one, making it easier to handle and less fearsome.
Putting the focus back on the case before them, Joe began working the surroundings with the ease of a seasoned officer. As they moved down the trail, they each scanned the grounds looking for footprints, broken branches, signs of struggles, anything that would indicate which direction the murderer had come from and which direction he may have left from. He knew getting Julie involved in the research and reconstruction of the event would pull her into the technical side and hopefully away from the emotional one.
"We need to spread out a bit, off the trail on both sides, and see what we can find," said Joe. "Under normal circumstances, there won't be many, if any, footprints beyond four to five feet off the actual trail. If you see anything, call out so we can investigate them further."
Both Julie and Roger nodded and moved off together to search the right side of the trail while Joe took the left. Searching the bush for evidence was something Julie had trained for and totally enjoyed! She knew she was good at it and couldn't wait to finally have the chance to prove herself in the field. With the working relationship she had with Roger, they made a team that few could beat. This was when their years of working together, and knowing each other so well, would pay off!
They searched the bush and yet maintained forward movement in an effort to stay on schedule for the rendezvous with team four, working in a way so as not to disturb more than they had to. Training had taught them all to preserve the grounds in its natural state in case something was missed so it could be found by others in future searches. As she studied the ground clutter, she began pondering what they might find. "Rodge, do you think we're really going to find anything that can help us solve this case?" she asked.
"Ya never know, Jules. Since this is the sector of the last murder, and it's only been a matter of a day or so since it happened, he may have left behind some clues to his travels. And if so, hopefully we can trace them back to him and finally end this guys rein of terror and bloodshed" said Roger.
"Wouldn't it be exciting if it was US that found him?" Julie said excitedly. "Talk about revenge for the death of my family! I couldn't ask for a better way to get that than to find the one who did it!"
It bothered Roger that she seemed to be disconnected from the fact that the murderer they were hunting was the one who had taken her family from her. He supposed maybe that was her minds way of trying to deal with it all and not getting sucked into the sadness and sense of loss that would come with it. He also knew how she could be when on a case and how focused she got on the research. So, it really wasn't that unusual after all for the actions that she now portrayed.
As they came upon the camp grounds for sector three, her motions began to slow. As she studied the grounds outside of the trail, a feeling of familiarity slowly crept over her. Not in the same sense she'd seen it the last time she patrolled or checked out a complaint on a certain camp ground, but rather like a movie she had seen long ago and though familiar, she couldn't remember what came next. The apprehension that it was something unpleasant and harmful was strong.
There were several locations in each campground in which a tent could be set up and all h
ad some distance between them to allow for a little privacy for the different families that may be there at any time. Something deep inside her told her to stay away from the last one. Though there was nothing there now, other than the yellow caution tape left by the police, and remnants of them being there, it seemed to have retained a sense of violence and evil within it.
As Roger made his way through the grounds, he noticed her just standing there, staring at the empty campsite. She seemed to be lost in a fog, unwilling to look away, unable to move away. He gave a short, shrill whistled call to Joe, and once he had his attention, motioned towards her in a way to say "Uh Oh, may be trouble".
Joe's forehead creased in worry and he stopped his inspection of the grounds around him and came to join Joe behind her. They weren't sure whether they should call her out of her fog or wait to see what happened. If she fell apart, they weren't that far away from the shack that they couldn't quickly get to the ATV and get her out of there. However, was it the best time to fall apart? Could their killer be near by, just waiting for a chance to swoop in and finish the job he failed to complete 17 years ago? With neither one having had any psychological training, it was hard to know what the best move was.
Julie stood there, slowly taking in the scene before her. It looked peaceful enough in broad daylight, despite the yellow caution tape on the trees. Nothing else seemed out of place or a threat of any kind. Yet, something within her screamed for her to turn back, run for help, before it was too late! Within the space of her next breath, she found herself surrounded by darkness. The light of a fire flickered off to the side and she thought she heard calm and unhurried voices discussing dinner and bedtime preparations! Suddenly, someone screamed! The scream of a child echoed through her head with panic and great fear laced through the voice.
