1 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:13,199 Speaker 1: Yup, yup, the old man muttered to himself as he 2 00:00:13,199 --> 00:00:15,720 hobbled into the living room. He plopped down in his 3 00:00:15,759 --> 00:00:17,920 wife's rocking chair, next to the side table on which 4 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:20,600 aland Line trolled at show. Melody. Should have known he 5 00:00:20,719 --> 00:00:23,800 be calling, the man, chided himself. He lifted the phone 6 00:00:23,839 --> 00:00:26,280 to his ear. Joe laid. A grouchy man on the 7 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:29,519 other end, asked, yea, Benny, I'm sorry I should have 8 00:00:29,559 --> 00:00:33,799 called you. Send your wife over here. Benny asked, she 9 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:36,240 does what she wants. Benny, you know that good does anyone, 10 00:00:36,799 --> 00:00:39,960 but she's supposed to be here. Benny's heamorless voice wiped 11 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:43,159 the finker in from Jolly's face. Yes, sir, she's returning 12 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:46,399 your parsander, he said, I don't see a sander Jolly. 13 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,200 Darle thought for a moment, then asked, does she ever 14 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:53,200 purse on her? Benny said she does. Well. That little 15 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,759 sander should fit in there, shouldn't it. Darle asked he 16 00:00:56,759 --> 00:00:58,719 heard Benny tapping a window on the other end of 17 00:00:58,719 --> 00:01:01,240 the line. He must put his hand over the receiver 18 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:03,920 because his voice sounded muffled when he yelled through the glass. 19 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:07,480 Take it out and show me. Hey, Benny, come down, 20 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:10,599 don't give my pearl wife a heart attack. Then he 21 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:13,519 slipped into the phone and said, she's caught it. Sorry 22 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:17,840 about this, jolly sure you understand, course I do, Benny. 23 00:01:18,359 --> 00:01:20,640 I'll remember to call a head next time. All right, 24 00:01:21,439 --> 00:01:25,120 have yourself a good afternoon, jolly Benny said, sure a thing. 25 00:01:25,879 --> 00:01:28,640 You treat my wife well, now, will Yer, the cold 26 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:32,599 disconnected Darrel sighed. He slumped down in the chair into 27 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:35,000 a position he wasn't fully sure he could retrieve himself 28 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:38,599 from Cassie. You darn frul he muttered, I bet you 29 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:41,680 went through the woods again. O'll. Benny sounded more anxious 30 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:44,400 than usual, as if his wife could hear him. He said, 31 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:47,480 best not do that again, honey. With great effort, he 32 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:49,640 hoisted himself from the rocker and worked into the kitchen 33 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:51,519 to pour himself a glass of sun tea and watch 34 00:01:51,519 --> 00:01:54,239 for Cassandra's return. He turned a chair to face the 35 00:01:54,239 --> 00:01:57,000 great window in their dining room. The forest filled most 36 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:59,079 of the view, expanding to either side like a great 37 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,200 wolfrough which he had no desire to pass. A portion 38 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,480 of the forest crept into his property line. Yet he 39 00:02:04,599 --> 00:02:07,239 dared not even enter those trees, not unless he had to. 40 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:09,639 He knew the forest was rich with life, but death 41 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,879 also roamed within. Cassandra did not return through the woods. 42 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:15,560 She must have come back along the road, because Darle 43 00:02:15,599 --> 00:02:18,639 did not see her approach the house. His first indicator 44 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:20,520 of her return was the sound of her unknocking the 45 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:25,840 front door. That you, Cassie, he called into the living room. Yes, dear, 46 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:30,080 Cassandra replied, I gave him back the sander. Boy? Was 47 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:32,759 he on edge to day? That man can wind himself 48 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:35,599 up tighter than a snake. Did you go through the woods, 49 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:39,599 Darrell asked, Only the shot cut around as to his place. 50 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,120 I know you don't like it, but it saves time. 51 00:02:42,719 --> 00:02:45,120 I don't like it, no, but Benny I'm worried about. 52 00:02:45,719 --> 00:02:48,639 He gets nervous when he sees you walking out there. Well, 53 00:02:48,879 --> 00:02:52,479 have either of you seen it lately? Cassandra asked. She 54 00:02:52,599 --> 00:02:54,599 came into the kitchen. It seemed just to stare into 55 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:57,800 Darle's green eyes with her icy blue ones. Darrell shook 56 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,879 his head, casting his gaze away and defeet. It only 57 00:03:00,879 --> 00:03:04,719 makes him more anxious. You know that it's the suspense 58 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:08,199 makes you wonder when it's coming back. Have you ever 59 00:03:08,199 --> 00:03:12,319 considered it might not be around any more. Cassandra asked, no. 60 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:14,879 Darles coughed, as if this was the most ridiculous thing 61 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:17,599 he had ever heard. That would be a dangerous assumption 62 00:03:17,719 --> 00:03:20,840 to make. Is that what you think? Dogia remembered the 63 00:03:20,879 --> 00:03:23,879 last time somebody let the guard down. Cassandra shot him 64 00:03:23,879 --> 00:03:27,400 a furious glare. Of course, she remembered. Of course it 65 00:03:27,439 --> 00:03:30,319 still haunted her. They had once had another neighbor to 66 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:33,479 the north, Esther. She was still alive somewhere, but her 67 00:03:33,479 --> 00:03:35,800 house now stood empty at the forest edge, her property 68 00:03:35,879 --> 00:03:38,759 so overgrown you couldn't distinguish its border. No one ever 69 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:41,560 went to Esther's house. The pitiful shame of such a 70 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,080 beautiful home sitting empty was not lost on the Jollies. 71 00:03:44,319 --> 00:03:47,080 But the house stood empty for good reason. Its emptiness 72 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:49,360 was how Daryl, Cassandra, and Ben he knew Esther was 73 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:52,400 still alive. As long as she owned and controlled the house, 74 00:03:52,479 --> 00:03:55,439 nobody would be moving in. Est had lived alone after 75 00:03:55,479 --> 00:03:58,280 her kids flew the coop. The father had died valiantly 76 00:03:58,319 --> 00:04:01,000 fighting forest fires before they even grew graduated high school. 77 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:03,879 Esther had faced life without her husband, likely in the 78 00:04:03,919 --> 00:04:05,800 same manner he had faced his own fate with stoic 79 00:04:05,879 --> 00:04:09,400 bravery and resolve Utolyphilus. She had also served as a 80 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:12,159 sentry of the forest. She would call her neighbors on 81 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:14,879 either side whenever a suspicious looking animal peered its head 82 00:04:14,879 --> 00:04:17,800 from between the trees. She had helped them bill traps 83 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,240 and share books or periodicals she found which might relate 84 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:24,240 to their shrouded enemy. Esther had been a true warrior. However, 85 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:27,560 no amount of bravery, fearlessness, or tenacity could prepare her 86 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:30,360 for what would come. Hassan and daughter in law were 87 00:04:30,399 --> 00:04:32,199 in a life altering crash with a semi truck in 88 00:04:32,199 --> 00:04:35,560 the highway. Miraculously, recu was pulled both of their children 89 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:38,839 from the recons gate. The parents survived their critical injuries 90 00:04:38,879 --> 00:04:41,519 after a harrowing knight of surgeries, but both had months 91 00:04:41,519 --> 00:04:43,879 of recovery ahead. There would be in and out of 92 00:04:43,879 --> 00:04:46,480 the hospital constantly, and overseeing their young children was out 93 00:04:46,519 --> 00:04:49,079 of the question. Er was nine at the time and 94 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,160 Ike was only six. Aria and Ike moved in with 95 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:54,279 Esther until their parents were capable enough to run the 96 00:04:54,319 --> 00:04:57,839 home again. That was the plan, anyway, when Esther had 97 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:00,399 agreed to take them, she didn't realize areas dooe August 98 00:05:00,399 --> 00:05:04,160 Slan would be coming along. Eslaan, named after C. S. 99 00:05:04,319 --> 00:05:07,399 Lews'es A Konigotlian, was a loyal golden Reichriever who stuck 100 00:05:07,439 --> 00:05:10,839 by Aria's side anywhere she went. He terrified Esther because 101 00:05:10,879 --> 00:05:13,319 she didn't know how to read a dog. She couldn't 102 00:05:13,319 --> 00:05:14,920 read his eyes well enough to know if he was 103 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:17,920 really in there. The dog, though friendly and sweet, was 104 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:21,240 of vulnerability Esther had not expected nor prepared for. She 105 00:05:21,319 --> 00:05:23,160 told young Mari to keep a close eye on his 106 00:05:23,199 --> 00:05:25,839 s Lan and to never let him into the woods. Why, 107 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:30,279 Aria had asked, Esther told her, forests are dangerous places, 108 00:05:30,319 --> 00:05:33,000 this one in particular. If your dog goes in there, 109 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:35,519 he may never come out again. None of you, and 110 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:37,560 that includes a Slan, or to go near the forest 111 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,480 for any reason. Within the first week of the children's stay, 112 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:43,560 Esther's only rule was broken. Aria had tied his land 113 00:05:43,639 --> 00:05:45,199 up in the yard with the teather she had brought. 114 00:05:45,959 --> 00:05:47,959 She was sketching him in her note book, as she 115 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:50,480 often did when he was outside, his golden fur blowing 116 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:53,720 and silky waves down his body. As Slang himself patrolled 117 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,680 the grounds, sniffing every blade of grass each dandelion, when 118 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:58,920 suddenly his head shot up and his body aligned like 119 00:05:58,959 --> 00:06:01,680 an arrow appointed at the fore rus. A defensive growl 120 00:06:01,759 --> 00:06:04,079 rumbled in his foot, causing Ari to look up from 121 00:06:04,079 --> 00:06:07,199 her drawing. No sooner had she asked, what is it? Boy? 122 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:10,560 Then she saw the possum. She had never seen such 123 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:12,800 a creature, and in her initial reaction wondered how a 124 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:16,079 rat and a piccreated no offspring together. The possum froze, 125 00:06:16,079 --> 00:06:17,800 but did not play dead, as they are apt to do. 126 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:20,879 One of its oddly thoughtful lies studded. A slan then 127 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:24,600 wandered to Aria. His gaze upon her felt disgusting. Ra 128 00:06:24,759 --> 00:06:27,000 shivered and sprated goosebumps, as if the thing had lacked 129 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:30,040 her rather than simply glanced her way. Come on, a slan, 130 00:06:30,199 --> 00:06:33,319 she said, standing to take him inside. A slin remained 131 00:06:33,319 --> 00:06:35,480 focussed on the possum like a missile ready to launch. 132 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:39,160 When Arro touched him, he jerked, yanking his tether partially 133 00:06:39,199 --> 00:06:43,360 out of the ground. A slan, Ra scolded. She felt 134 00:06:43,399 --> 00:06:45,480 under his collar for the teather's clasp, but found it 135 00:06:45,519 --> 00:06:47,839 so taught she was afraid to disconnect it lest he bolt. 136 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:50,160 She tugged at his collar in an effort to pull 137 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:53,360 him back, but felt utterly helpless against his strength. This 138 00:06:53,519 --> 00:06:55,240 was the first time a good dog had ever refused 139 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:57,639 to co operate with her. It scared her as much 140 00:06:57,680 --> 00:06:59,399 as the strange animal at the edge of the woods 141 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:03,279 the possum hiss aggressively. Air returned to see it standing 142 00:07:03,319 --> 00:07:05,639 on both legs with its front poles raised by its head. 143 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:08,680 Aria city girl of only nine years old, could not 144 00:07:08,759 --> 00:07:12,040 have known how bizarre this behavior was. Possums are by 145 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:15,079 nature nocturnal creatures, and they are by no means brave, 146 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:18,120 As mentioned though single defenses to play dead and hope 147 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:21,199 whatever is hunting them leaves them alone. Even unaware of 148 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:23,920 these facts, Arius still desperately wanted to be away from 149 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:27,319 the creature. Aslam come on, she grunted as she leaned 150 00:07:27,319 --> 00:07:29,920 all her weight against his pulley. Being tugged in two 151 00:07:29,959 --> 00:07:33,759 directions caused to Slam's collar to snap. Before Arra realized 152 00:07:33,759 --> 00:07:35,600 what had happened, the dull gripped across the yard like 153 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:38,519 a bullet. His shimmering body seemed to float above his 154 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:42,439 pumping legs. The possum dropped and scurred into the underbrush. 155 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:46,000 A slam followed. Ar looked nervously up at the house, 156 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:48,759 wondering if her grandmother had seen a Sland go into 157 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:51,680 the woods. She had specifically wanted our not to let 158 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:54,240 him do that. She was too afraid to call his 159 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,680 name lest her grandmother hear her and learn that she 160 00:07:56,720 --> 00:08:00,639 had been disobeyed. It isn't fair, are thought, I didn't 161 00:08:00,639 --> 00:08:03,040 mean to let him go. She sat in the grass 162 00:08:03,079 --> 00:08:05,399 and cried as the splashing sounds of a slam crashing 163 00:08:05,399 --> 00:08:07,959 through the leaves faded away. But a Slam was a 164 00:08:07,959 --> 00:08:11,399 good dog. He returned not five minutes later, wearing his 165 00:08:11,439 --> 00:08:14,399 giant grin and trotting like a Choproonly Aray met him 166 00:08:14,399 --> 00:08:16,720 half way across the yard and threw her arms round him, 167 00:08:16,759 --> 00:08:18,279 then nowshered him into the house to put on his 168 00:08:18,319 --> 00:08:21,600 spare collar. When they were inside, as Land sidled up 169 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:24,199 to Ike, who was sitting at the dining room table, coloring, 170 00:08:24,759 --> 00:08:27,720 Hey boy, he said, patting the dog's head, as Slan 171 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:30,480 stayed at excided. Even after Aria called him to her room, 172 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:33,720 he wouldn't listen, She chided at him as she brought 173 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:36,279 the collar out and put it on a new collar. 174 00:08:37,039 --> 00:08:39,759 Esther asked, walking into the dining room with rubber gloves 175 00:08:39,759 --> 00:08:43,080 and a sponge. Erry lied, I like to mix it 176 00:08:43,159 --> 00:08:46,399 up sometimes. That night, as Lan Laffere's room to sleep 177 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:49,399 in Ike's. Ariy didn't notice he was gone until the 178 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:52,159 next morning. She was surprised when I came out of 179 00:08:52,159 --> 00:08:54,960 his bedroom for breakfast with a slanin toe. Your dog 180 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:59,240 wouldn't let me sleep, he said, groggily, why, Ari asked, 181 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,440 I don't know. I think he was staring at me 182 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:05,039 all night. Aro shook her head. That doesn't sound like him. 183 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:09,159 Maybe you were dreaming. I wasn't even sleeping, icrobudded. They 184 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:11,159 left the subject alone as they ate the yatmell and 185 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:14,679 yogurt Ester had prepared for them. A Slan's behavior settled 186 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:17,000 to normal over the next two days, with exception being 187 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,360 he continued to go to Ike's room at night. His 188 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:22,240 entire life, he had slept with Aria. She wanted to 189 00:09:22,279 --> 00:09:24,399 talk to her granny about it, but she was afraid 190 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:26,519 Aster might discover as Land had gone into the woods 191 00:09:26,519 --> 00:09:29,320 if she brought up His foray into the forest was 192 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:31,919 the only abnormal event took her before the behavioral shift. 193 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:34,799 On the third night, Aslan left are his room after 194 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:38,120 she had fallen asleep. He Nudgdyke's door opened, then stood 195 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:41,600 in the doorway, perfectly still watching the boy. Without provocation, 196 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:43,360 the dog issued a box so faint it might have 197 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:45,919 been called a whisper. The sound broke enough to wake 198 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:49,240 little Like while his sister and Grannie slept soundly. Aslan 199 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,000 I gasped, rubbing his eyes, the dog only waited in 200 00:09:53,039 --> 00:09:56,039 the doorway with expectant patience. You need to go out, 201 00:09:56,799 --> 00:10:01,120 I cast, A Slan tilted his head, I ghetaaria Ix said. 202 00:10:01,759 --> 00:10:04,120 He lifted his small cavers and swung his shot legs 203 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:06,720 out from beneath him. His feet couldn't quite touch the floor, 204 00:10:06,799 --> 00:10:09,440 yet he slid down the side of the bed clumsily, 205 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:11,519 padded over to the door, and slipped past a slan. 206 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:14,279 He took no more than three tiptoo steps toward room 207 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:17,120 before Slang growled and nipped out his hand. It wasn't 208 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:18,879 a bite, more of a kiss, but it frightened Ike. 209 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:22,200 A Slan had never lashed out in any manner before. 210 00:10:22,919 --> 00:10:25,919 Is something wrong? I cast? Stooping to meet a Slan's eyes. 211 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:28,480 The dog jerked its head away and sidled toward the 212 00:10:28,559 --> 00:10:32,279 dining room. I whisper, what are you doing boy? As 213 00:10:32,279 --> 00:10:34,960 slan ran sideways toward the back door, smiling at k 214 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:37,600 all the way O k o k Ike said as 215 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:39,200 he caught up and took hold of a slan's collar. 216 00:10:39,799 --> 00:10:41,879 Est had hammered an ail into the water just outside 217 00:10:41,879 --> 00:10:43,480 the back door on which to hand the end of 218 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:46,679 a slan's tether. Since he was normally an obedient dog, 219 00:10:46,799 --> 00:10:48,720 they could usually hold him back while they cracked the 220 00:10:48,759 --> 00:10:50,639 door open and grabbed the end of the tever off 221 00:10:50,639 --> 00:10:53,279 the wall. On this night, when Ix slid the door open, 222 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:56,639 a slam bolted. Ike's fingers burned as a slant synthetic 223 00:10:56,639 --> 00:10:59,159 collar slid through them. He looked up just in time 224 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,159 to see the dog's tail all vanish into the black 225 00:11:01,759 --> 00:11:05,480 a slan. He whispered into the dark a slam, but 226 00:11:05,519 --> 00:11:08,720 the usually responsive dog did not return or reply. I 227 00:11:08,799 --> 00:11:11,919 c looked nervously back toward the bedrooms. If he lost 228 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:14,080 the dog, even for a single night, his sister would 229 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:16,799 never trust him again. She might not even love him 230 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,519 any more. And his Grannie, she would just be mad, 231 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:22,399 so mad that he and the dog, which she openly disliked, 232 00:11:22,399 --> 00:11:24,960 had caused trouble and upset his sister, he had to 233 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:28,200 make a slan come back. Ike took his Grannie's flashlight 234 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:30,559 and stepped onto the back deck. The breath of the 235 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,559 forest rushed past as the door closed behind him. Ike 236 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:35,720 swung the flashlights being from left to right, but saw 237 00:11:35,759 --> 00:11:38,600 no sign of his sister's beloved dog. He leapt over 238 00:11:38,639 --> 00:11:40,320 the steps so as not to make them creak, and 239 00:11:40,399 --> 00:11:42,600 landed like a deflating bird in the grass and clover. 240 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:45,159 A few steps away from the house. He called the 241 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:49,200 sland's name again. Louder slans, muffled and distant bark resonated 242 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:53,080 through the trees. With immense hesitation and measurable terror. Weighed 243 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:55,080 only by the dread of admitting his mistake to Ariya, 244 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:58,320 Ike approached the looming forest. He stumbled over an exposed 245 00:11:58,399 --> 00:11:59,679 root of an oak tree and tripped up to the 246 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:01,919 tree light he had been so strictly forbidden to cross. 247 00:12:02,519 --> 00:12:05,159 Only his flashlight brought any comfort in the gloomy woods 248 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:08,480 which blanketed across the sky as Land. He called through 249 00:12:08,519 --> 00:12:11,559 the trees again. He heard a distant and playful wolf. 250 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,320 Come here. Boy. The dog responded again, this time in 251 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:17,440 an excited tone which seemed to implore Ike to come 252 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,000 without a thought to how easily a young child such 253 00:12:20,039 --> 00:12:22,360 as himself could become lost in the woods. Wasn't that 254 00:12:22,399 --> 00:12:24,360 the very moral spirit of the many fairy tales he 255 00:12:24,399 --> 00:12:27,360 had been read throughout his short life. Ike journeyed toward 256 00:12:27,399 --> 00:12:29,679 the pet He came to a white tree on which 257 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:32,519 he leaned both for rest and security. A great horned 258 00:12:32,519 --> 00:12:35,320 all sped by overhead, hooting furiously as it beat its wings. 259 00:12:35,919 --> 00:12:38,279 The olsewhiped below branches until it was out of sight. 260 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:41,519 With this small, wavering voice, I cried for a slanm 261 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:44,279 once more, the dogs were black came from behind a 262 00:12:44,399 --> 00:12:47,240 very tree on which Ike was resting. I'm here, boy, 263 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,720 Ike exclaimed. As he ran around the rough trunk, His 264 00:12:50,799 --> 00:12:52,960 eye scanned the ground for protruding roots so as not 265 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,799 to trip over another. When he had traced a semicircle 266 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:58,320 round the gray tree, his light revealed a terrible creature. 267 00:12:58,879 --> 00:13:00,720 At the first glimpse of its endly fingers in the 268 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,759 flasklight's aperture, Ike stopped cold and shirked on his own breath, 269 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:06,480 wanting to scream. By finding himself enable to as if 270 00:13:06,519 --> 00:13:09,799 in a nightmare, and perhaps he was or rather, he 271 00:13:09,799 --> 00:13:11,840 had discovered one of the evils from which our nightmares 272 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:15,159 attempt to warn us. The monster shared a similar size 273 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:17,600 and stature to the golden retrieverus Lamb, but bore no 274 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:21,159 further resemblance. Its head was like a human's, only worth 275 00:13:21,159 --> 00:13:23,000 the ice should have been. There were only bulbous voids 276 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:25,519 of blackness, which glowed when Ike's beam shone directly into them, 277 00:13:25,559 --> 00:13:28,080 but swallowed all other light. Its nose was that of 278 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:31,799 a rotted corpse, hollowed out and bisected by thin, dangling cartilage. 279 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:34,559 It had no lips and wore chelsea gren a toothy 280 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:37,639 smile running from ear to ear. Mangy black hair dangled 281 00:13:37,639 --> 00:13:40,320 in thin strands from its pale scalp. The rest of 282 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:43,720 the creature's form was sunken and emaciated. The general structure 283 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:45,759 of its bones was human, but it appeared content to 284 00:13:45,799 --> 00:13:48,720 walk on four legs instead of two. Ike broke from 285 00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:51,759 his momentary stupor and backed away, turning side we simultaneously 286 00:13:51,799 --> 00:13:53,720 in preparation to run in the direction in which he 287 00:13:53,759 --> 00:13:56,480 assumed he had come, But he forgot in his terror 288 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:59,960 the roots. Once more, his small foot caught on water, 289 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,679 and he fell painfully to the earth. As he scrambled 290 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:04,960 to his hands and knees, a powerful hand ice cold 291 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,960 impacted his back and forced him into the dirt. Ike 292 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,399 screened for a slan, desperately bidding the dog to come 293 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:12,919 save him, But the remains of Alan's body lay somewhat 294 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:15,000 deeper in the forest, already as cold as the hand 295 00:14:15,039 --> 00:14:17,840 which now held Ike down. Esa called the deputies the 296 00:14:17,879 --> 00:14:19,759 next morning when she and Or failed to locate e 297 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,440 the eyk or s lan. Esther feared the worst, the 298 00:14:22,559 --> 00:14:26,240 very worst, a possibility so grim yet impossible to share 299 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:29,440 with the deputies due to its fantastically macobber nature. She 300 00:14:29,559 --> 00:14:31,600 sent Aria with the deputy to be delivered back to 301 00:14:31,639 --> 00:14:34,080 her appearance until another arrangement could be made, and not 302 00:14:34,159 --> 00:14:36,960 an eye too soon. Arieer had not even reached her 303 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:40,279 destination when Ike's pody was discovered in the woods. Something 304 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:43,399 had consumed his eyes, tongue, and heart. It had cracked 305 00:14:43,399 --> 00:14:46,120 open his skull and eaten his brain. It had taken 306 00:14:46,159 --> 00:14:48,720 those organs which to find as being his very essence, 307 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:52,120 and left the restaurant. Esther abandoned her long time home. 308 00:14:52,159 --> 00:14:55,120 After that, she maintained ownership of the house in Land 309 00:14:55,279 --> 00:14:57,399 forbidding anyone else to go there, with the exception of 310 00:14:57,399 --> 00:15:01,360 her neighbors, sterile in Cassandra Jolly and Benny McCain. To them, 311 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:03,720 she left keys and granted permission to visit her property 312 00:15:03,759 --> 00:15:06,080 if doing so was necessary for the protection and preservation 313 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:08,960 of their own. She understood that her absence left a 314 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:11,600 hole in the guard the watches of the wood. Benny 315 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:14,759 called Daryle again two days later. Jolly he growled upon 316 00:15:14,799 --> 00:15:20,000 Doro's answer, Benny, what's new? Darrell asked, I've got something 317 00:15:20,039 --> 00:15:23,600 to show. You had a minute to stop over, Darle said, 318 00:15:23,759 --> 00:15:26,600 let me check my schedule and laughed. Benny did not 319 00:15:26,679 --> 00:15:29,559 share in the humor. Come quick, and for God's sake, 320 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:32,519 do not follow your wife's path. Stay out of those 321 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,759 damn woods on your way, Darle said, of course, dropping 322 00:15:35,799 --> 00:15:38,600 all guys of humor, I'll be there in twenty minutes. 323 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:43,519 Benny repeated, twenty minutes, stay out of the woods. Darle 324 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:46,279 told Sandra he was going to Benny's, and she asked cometh. 325 00:15:46,919 --> 00:15:49,320 Darle told her she hadn't been invited, and with Benny's 326 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:52,240 sirey disposition toward her recent behavior, it might be unwise 327 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:55,159 for her to show up announced. Cassandra pointed out that 328 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:56,919 Benny might be put more at ease by the two 329 00:15:56,919 --> 00:15:59,399 of them coming together. It can pretend to be one 330 00:15:59,399 --> 00:16:02,120 of us, but not both, she said. Darle told her 331 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:04,600 to get her shoes. Benny was waiting for them on 332 00:16:04,679 --> 00:16:07,080 his porch when they circled the forest, steering well clear 333 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:10,720 of the trees grasping branches. Darrell immediately saw the consternation 334 00:16:10,759 --> 00:16:13,600 Cassandra's presence had set upon their neighbor. I thought it 335 00:16:13,639 --> 00:16:15,399 to be just you, he called across his yard. As 336 00:16:15,399 --> 00:16:19,120 they approached. Cassie made a good point, Darle said. He 337 00:16:19,159 --> 00:16:21,600 allowed Cassandra to explain her reasoning, and to both of 338 00:16:21,639 --> 00:16:26,039 their surprise, Benny smiled, Come in, both of you, kiss Andra. 339 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:28,159 It's probably good that you're here now that I think 340 00:16:28,159 --> 00:16:30,480 of it. What have got inside might convince you to 341 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:32,600 stay away from that damn shop kit you love so much. 342 00:16:33,279 --> 00:16:35,120 Benny led them into his den, where he had an 343 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:37,639 old but functional laptop prop open on a writing desk. 344 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:41,720 You remember those cameras windstalls, don't you, he asked Darrell. 345 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:45,639 The couple nodded. Dorrell had risked afoy into the forest 346 00:16:45,639 --> 00:16:47,679 with Benny to help him in stole foretray of cameras 347 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:50,480 about a year ago. They had strategically placed them at 348 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:53,919 complimentary angles within the first hundred feet of trees. Cass 349 00:16:53,919 --> 00:16:56,240 Andra had aided Benny and sating at the wireless connection 350 00:16:56,279 --> 00:16:58,279 to his laptop so he could download and review the 351 00:16:58,279 --> 00:17:01,279 camera's footage without having to return to the woods. I've 352 00:17:01,279 --> 00:17:03,919 been checking them daily since we put them in, Benny said. 353 00:17:04,519 --> 00:17:06,920 Most days they get triggered by birds and squirrels. But 354 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:09,319 last night Benny trailed off as he queued up a 355 00:17:09,359 --> 00:17:12,640 video file with a generic date stamp name. The video 356 00:17:12,640 --> 00:17:14,720 opened in a new window, and Benny pressed the Spaceboy 357 00:17:14,799 --> 00:17:17,759 to play it. Immediately, a deer colored lime green by 358 00:17:17,759 --> 00:17:20,680 the night vision lens, leapt onto the screen. It pounced 359 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:23,960 from somewhere off camera, then stood statuusque, facing slightly away. 360 00:17:24,519 --> 00:17:27,720 It appeared to be listening intently. Benny's camera did not 361 00:17:27,759 --> 00:17:30,039 record audio, so it was impossible to tell what the 362 00:17:30,079 --> 00:17:32,640 animal might be hearing. Then he backed the video up 363 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:35,359 and paused. After the first second. Do you see it? 364 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:39,319 He asked. Daryl and Cassandra leaned and until their faces 365 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:42,599 were nearly touching. Neither of them saw anything strange. Though 366 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:46,319 then he said no, look at the angle again. He 367 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:48,319 replayed the handful of frames in which the deer came 368 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:50,799 into the camera's view. It looked like perhaps it had 369 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:52,920 jumped over something, the bush or a fallen tree in 370 00:17:53,039 --> 00:17:55,640 order to land where it had When its front legs 371 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:57,960 connected with the ground, its hind legs were still higher 372 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:00,680 than its head. He jumped out of a tree, Benny said, 373 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:04,759 with mild consternation. Don't be silly, scolded Cassandra. I've seen 374 00:18:04,759 --> 00:18:08,000 those things jump fences before. It probably jumped over a 375 00:18:08,839 --> 00:18:11,119 Listen to me, Benny cut in. I know where this 376 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:15,039 camera is, Darl. Do you remember you help me install it. 377 00:18:15,599 --> 00:18:17,480 It's mounted to a trunk of a tree, and nothing 378 00:18:17,559 --> 00:18:21,640 jumped straight over it. Well, Benny, I dunno. Oh he too. 379 00:18:22,319 --> 00:18:24,559 Benny slammed the laptop shut and stood up faster than 380 00:18:24,559 --> 00:18:27,559 he had in a decade, fueled by frustrated rage. I'm 381 00:18:27,599 --> 00:18:30,880 not surprised that you doubt, Cassandra. You wouldn't go gallavanting 382 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:33,240 through the woods if you truly believed in what's looking there. 383 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:36,480 Darl hovered a hand in front of Cassandra and said, Benny, 384 00:18:36,559 --> 00:18:40,160 that's not fair. But you Bennie shoved an afritic finger 385 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:42,799 into Darrel's sunk in chest. If I show you some 386 00:18:42,839 --> 00:18:45,279 evidence that it's coming near our homes again, I expect 387 00:18:45,279 --> 00:18:48,839 you to react appropriately. Where are your guns, Jolly so 388 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,039 locked up in your safe? What you got kids running 389 00:18:52,039 --> 00:18:55,200 about that I haven't seen? Who are you proticting, because 390 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:58,559 it certainly ain't yourselves. Get those down things out, oil 391 00:18:58,599 --> 00:19:01,160 them up, and keep them loaded, because this thing's coming back. 392 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:04,160 If it ain't here already, could be sitting outside listening 393 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:06,920 to us right now. The Jolly stood silent, with steady 394 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:11,000 blank expressions. Outside, a single raven called Rocksley from the woods. 395 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:13,599 No one said it, but all three of them wondered, 396 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,519 if only for a moment, if that which made the 397 00:19:15,559 --> 00:19:17,440 sound was truly a raven or any kind of bird 398 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:20,240 at all. My guns are ready, Darrell said, calmly, and 399 00:19:20,279 --> 00:19:22,480 I appreciate you trying to warn us. Benny, I do. 400 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:25,160 I don't know what our dear jumped from, but you're right. 401 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:27,720 It's good to be on alert these days. He jumped 402 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:29,400 out of a treat because it's not really a dear. 403 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,400 Benny doubled down. Now, can I get you two coffees 404 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,400 or do you have somewhere important to be? After considerable 405 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:38,519 friendly conversation over mugs of steaming coffee, the Jolly's parted 406 00:19:38,559 --> 00:19:41,119 ways with Benny to return home. The subject of the 407 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:43,839 tormentor always sired the mood, but with that side they 408 00:19:43,839 --> 00:19:46,680 were all friends. Much like the effects of politics and 409 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:49,279 religion on a conversation, the subject of a shapeshifter had 410 00:19:49,319 --> 00:19:51,200 a tendency to drive a wed between them when it 411 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,279 should tie them together. Before the Jolly's left Benny for 412 00:19:54,319 --> 00:19:56,920 the evening, Darle suggest did he email any further videos 413 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,200 of the dear to him. He said that, even though 414 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:01,240 he wasn't convincing yet, it would be smart to keep 415 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:03,759 an eye on the animal. Jollies ate a small dinner. 416 00:20:03,799 --> 00:20:06,519 When they got home from Bennetta's, they were treated to 417 00:20:06,559 --> 00:20:10,079 the den to read until dark. Without provocation, Darrell suddenly 418 00:20:10,079 --> 00:20:13,519 slammed the biography of some war general shop. Cassandra's eyes 419 00:20:13,519 --> 00:20:15,640 instinctively raised from the pages of her novel to meet 420 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:18,480 her husband's. He looked at her with such great sadness 421 00:20:18,519 --> 00:20:21,319 as to instill the same feeling in her. Prompted by 422 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:23,680 nothing but the willing ardor in Darrell's glimmering eyes, she 423 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:26,160 felt her throat swelling as tears pressed delicately from within. 424 00:20:26,759 --> 00:20:30,519 Please talk to me, she whispered. What's bothering you? Why 425 00:20:30,559 --> 00:20:34,039 do you do it, Cassie, Darrell asked solemnly. I'm not 426 00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:36,839 upset at you, not in the angry way. I just 427 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:39,480 want to know why. Why do you go into the forest. 428 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:43,279 Kissandra immediately became defensive, saying it's only a little way, 429 00:20:43,319 --> 00:20:46,000 But Darle cut her off. Before you wouldn't have gone 430 00:20:46,039 --> 00:20:48,319 within a hundred feet of the forsaken place, But now 431 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:50,160 you say it's only a little way, in as if 432 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:55,079 taking your shokut doesn't risk all of our lives, yours, mine, Benny's, Cassie. 433 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:57,000 If I ever hear your voice calling to me from 434 00:20:57,000 --> 00:20:59,359 those woods, even if I was standing over your cold 435 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:02,720 dead body, I would still follow your voice. Ay die, 436 00:21:03,319 --> 00:21:06,440 And then he did cry. Cassandra tried to hold back, 437 00:21:06,519 --> 00:21:08,880 but found the swelling river of tears too turbulent for her. 438 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:12,240 Damn if I let myself be afraid, she said, sniffling, 439 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:14,519 then I'm admitting to myself what might be out there. 440 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:17,759 Damn it, Cassie, we know what's out there. Darrell cried, 441 00:21:18,519 --> 00:21:20,759 not in anger, but a passionate longing for his wife 442 00:21:20,759 --> 00:21:23,880 to understand how she tormented him. This outburs sent Cassandra 443 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:27,000 into fitful sobs. Darle made to speak to offer some 444 00:21:27,039 --> 00:21:29,160 small comfort, which she waved a hand to silence him 445 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:31,880 and raised a finger, signaling him to wait. Once she 446 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:34,759 could control her voice, she spoke again, if I admit 447 00:21:34,839 --> 00:21:36,880 what's in the forest, and yes, love, I do no 448 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:38,960 deep down, then I have to accept what happened to 449 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:42,079 what happened to that poor child, and Darrell, I can't. 450 00:21:42,759 --> 00:21:45,920 Darle's tears, large and rare, tripped from his stoic face 451 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:47,799 as he watched the beloved face cross from him right 452 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:51,480 in bitter anguish, Cassandra said, all these years we've waited 453 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:54,200 and watched, and for what. When it really mattered, we 454 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:56,440 were in there to save him, and ever since, I've 455 00:21:56,519 --> 00:21:59,759 just felt so hopeless and lonely, Darrel, I felt so alone. 456 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:03,799 Darleswallowed and said, but I'm here. I've always been here. 457 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:06,400 Cassandra looked away and sure of how to make her 458 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:10,839 husband understand. He was right, He had been there. He 459 00:22:10,839 --> 00:22:14,079 had been so present and strong, a steadvas support, a pillar, 460 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:17,000 but like one of the sturdy pillows surrounding the crumbling parthenen. 461 00:22:17,559 --> 00:22:19,720 His personal strength could do nothing to save the ruin 462 00:22:19,759 --> 00:22:22,880 of their shared life. Cassandra did not hold this against him. 463 00:22:23,400 --> 00:22:26,599 How could she? Yet she sometimes resented his strength and 464 00:22:26,599 --> 00:22:28,279 how it had kept them from running far away from 465 00:22:28,279 --> 00:22:30,200 the plot of land and the woods which boarded it. 466 00:22:30,759 --> 00:22:32,319 Why did he have to take it on himself to 467 00:22:32,319 --> 00:22:34,599 guard against the evil in the forest, and, by association, 468 00:22:34,839 --> 00:22:37,960 charged her with the same burden, Darrel, she said, still 469 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:39,640 not looking at him. Do you ever think it might 470 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:41,359 be time to pass the torch to some one else, 471 00:22:42,039 --> 00:22:44,039 maybe someone with the energy to end this instead of 472 00:22:44,079 --> 00:22:47,599 constantly living in this this hell? Darrell finished for her. 473 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:51,640 I know it's hell, Cassie. She finally looked back to him, 474 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:53,839 saw the resolve which had replaced the sorrow in his eyes, 475 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:57,319 and pressed no further. The phone rang shortly after sunrise. 476 00:22:58,039 --> 00:23:02,680 Darrell answered Annie. He asked he didn't know who else 477 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:05,480 it would be. Shurely, I hope I'm not waking you, 478 00:23:05,559 --> 00:23:08,240 but this can't wait. It's out there and it's close. 479 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:11,799 Do you see it, Dorle asked, dropping his voice low, 480 00:23:11,799 --> 00:23:14,039 as if the monster might hear him. Not with my 481 00:23:14,119 --> 00:23:16,799 own eyes, no, Benny said, but I'm checking the cameras 482 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:18,880 right now, the same one I showed ye yesterday. Cut 483 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:22,440 something again? What is it this time? Darrell asked, A 484 00:23:22,519 --> 00:23:24,480 doer again. But I've never seen it do this before. 485 00:23:24,599 --> 00:23:26,400 I don't want ye going out, so I'll try to 486 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:29,440 email this to you. Sure I shouldn't just come by, Benny, No, No, 487 00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:31,839 stay inside. You'll get the videos soon. I'll check the 488 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:33,720 rest and see if any other cameras caught it. Maybe 489 00:23:33,759 --> 00:23:35,519 we can get an idea for where it went. The 490 00:23:35,559 --> 00:23:38,359 men discussed their respect of fortifications while Dorall awaited the 491 00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:41,119 email video. His own computer dinged in the den, interrupting 492 00:23:41,160 --> 00:23:43,519 their conversation. With Bennie still on the line, thou, I'll 493 00:23:43,559 --> 00:23:45,720 open the video of fowl. It started similarly to the 494 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:47,920 previous one, with the deer jumping into the picture. This 495 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:49,839 time I jumped from in front of the camera, though, 496 00:23:49,880 --> 00:23:51,680 and Doroll could closely see it had leapt over an 497 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:54,200 angled lug. Okay, I see it's dere, he said into 498 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:56,759 the phone. Just keep watching, Benny ordered. The deer's head 499 00:23:56,839 --> 00:23:59,200 jerked toward the camera. It turned its eyes to the lens, 500 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:01,759 locking on The animal crept toward the camera, keeping its 501 00:24:01,759 --> 00:24:03,880 eyes trained directly into the lens. They weren't looking at 502 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:06,359 the camera in general, but the lens specifically. Doro felt 503 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:08,119 as if some habit was looking through time and seeing 504 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:10,440 him sitting in front of his computer in the present. Well, 505 00:24:10,440 --> 00:24:13,240 it's a little creepy, he admitted. Benny didn't respond. The 506 00:24:13,279 --> 00:24:15,039 deer's nose came within a foot of the camera, and 507 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:17,000 yet still its eyes were focused. They didn't have the 508 00:24:17,079 --> 00:24:19,880 vicant innocence of a normal deur's eyes, but a furious gravity. 509 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:21,559 There were the eyes of fate. The deer tilted its 510 00:24:21,599 --> 00:24:23,559 head downwards, so it was no longer looking down its 511 00:24:23,559 --> 00:24:25,759 nose to see the lens, and so posed it remained 512 00:24:25,799 --> 00:24:28,119 perfectly still until the video ended. That's all that caught 513 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:30,480 dorol ath the camera's wreck of motion. Benny answered, it 514 00:24:30,519 --> 00:24:32,480 states still so long the chemist stopped detecting it. The 515 00:24:32,519 --> 00:24:34,759 camera turn back on. Vieira was later and what did 516 00:24:34,759 --> 00:24:37,440 at the time after an extensive pause, Benny said, the 517 00:24:37,559 --> 00:24:39,880 so called deer turning around and walking away. Where's the 518 00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:42,359 camera at exactly that? When it starred at Darrel asked, 519 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:45,319 about two hundred yards from my place, maybe one hundred 520 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:48,200 fromests That puts it at what a quarter mouth from us, 521 00:24:48,279 --> 00:24:50,920 Darrell asked. Benny thought, then said, I'd say so. I'll 522 00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:52,680 give you another call if I see it again. I'd 523 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:54,920 appreciate that, and we'll call you if we see anything here. 524 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:57,200 The men hung up becassundrastartled Dorrill as he placed the 525 00:24:57,200 --> 00:24:59,079 throne back on the hook. She had been lingering just 526 00:24:59,119 --> 00:25:01,920 behind him. Listen, someone should be stationed at Esther's place, 527 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:03,880 She said, that's where it were last time. What if 528 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:06,160 it remembers and goes there again, but no one's living 529 00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:08,960 there now. Benny replied, so what if it go was there? Well, 530 00:25:09,279 --> 00:25:11,880 something must have drawn it back after so long. Cassandra argued, 531 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:14,039 what if someone from Master's family decided to move in 532 00:25:14,079 --> 00:25:16,559 without telling her? I mean, they must all think she's insane. 533 00:25:16,599 --> 00:25:19,720 Dorl tried to protest, but Cassandra cut him off. I'm going, Dorel. 534 00:25:19,799 --> 00:25:21,599 I won't go in the house. I won't even go 535 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:23,680 near the yarld. I'll only get close enough to see 536 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,440 if anyone's brought card there. Dorol wanted to tell Cassandra 537 00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:28,400 to stay, but years of experience told him there was 538 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:30,079 nothing he could do to keep her from going. He 539 00:25:30,119 --> 00:25:32,200 resigned and told her to use caution and trust no one. 540 00:25:32,279 --> 00:25:34,359 Even if it's just all Benny you think you see, 541 00:25:34,559 --> 00:25:37,079 run straight home. He's afraid he won't be leaving the house, 542 00:25:37,319 --> 00:25:39,559 I don't think. Cassandra set out to check on S's 543 00:25:39,559 --> 00:25:42,000 property with a twenty two rifle from the small arsenal. 544 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,119 The light gun was all she could shoot with any accuracy. 545 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:46,200 She at once been a much better shot after years 546 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:48,640 of practice alonside Dorol, but those same years had taken 547 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:50,079 such a toll on her body as to make it 548 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:51,880 easily rattled by the boom and kick of a more 549 00:25:51,920 --> 00:25:54,680 powerful gun. Halfway between the property and Asta's abandoned one, 550 00:25:54,759 --> 00:25:57,200 Cassandra saw the last thing she had expected. Despite what 551 00:25:57,279 --> 00:25:59,279 she told Dorol, she did not expect to see anyone 552 00:25:59,279 --> 00:26:01,359 at Esther's house. It had simply been an excuse to 553 00:26:01,359 --> 00:26:03,759 go out and do something, anything but sit around and wait. 554 00:26:03,839 --> 00:26:06,119 She had certainly not expected to see Esther herself at 555 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:08,759 the house. But yet there she was, leaning over the 556 00:26:08,759 --> 00:26:11,319 banister of a small row deck, staring into the forest. 557 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:13,160 And there was her car, the roof belly showing over 558 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:15,279 the top of the uncut grass around the driveway. Esther 559 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:17,640 looked more palalode and frail than Cassandra remembered, For she 560 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:19,720 supposed that aligned the grief alone must have been enough 561 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:22,200 to strop half a decade from Esther's already considerable life. 562 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:24,359 I'm sure if her longtime friend was even capable of 563 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:27,880 seeing her. Esther waved back immediately. Esther turned toward the 564 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:30,079 deck stairs and gingerly made her way down them. Cassandra 565 00:26:30,119 --> 00:26:32,400 cooked her step, eager to greet her lost friend and 566 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:34,640 ask what had brought her back. She forgot her worry 567 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:36,640 that someone moving into Esther's may have provoked the monster 568 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:39,119 to return. Esther waded through her backyard with slight limp 569 00:26:39,160 --> 00:26:41,599 the grocefulness Cassandra remembered, and her friend's gate had gone 570 00:26:41,759 --> 00:26:43,759 replaced by ane even and sure sort of harblin the 571 00:26:43,799 --> 00:26:45,640 act of taking a single step appeared to cause her 572 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:48,400 great pain. Oh, Esther, Cassandra called, brightly, that's so good 573 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:50,920 to see. Esther made no reply. As she continued forward, 574 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:53,240 she appeared to sapen all of her energy into each tap. 575 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:56,160 She slowed, still a few yards away from Cassandra, then stopped. 576 00:26:56,240 --> 00:26:58,319 Wait there, I'll come to the eccentric yelt. She cooked 577 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:00,359 her own step. Estra waved to her and reply. As 578 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:02,359 she hunched over to catch her breath, she didn't look 579 00:27:02,440 --> 00:27:05,079 up even as Cassandra finally reached her. She stood beside 580 00:27:05,079 --> 00:27:07,039 her panting friend and placed a hand on her back, 581 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:09,559 on the thin dress, which did little to disguise the 582 00:27:09,559 --> 00:27:13,160 frigid skin beneath. Cassandra yanked her hand back. Esther's back 583 00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:15,759 felt waxy, like hard packed clay on a riverbank. It 584 00:27:15,799 --> 00:27:18,480 fell sickly or debt as so suddenly snatched Cassandra's wrist 585 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:20,559 and agan to straighten up. Cassandra yank to hand away 586 00:27:20,559 --> 00:27:22,359 from the zombie grip of the things she had mistaken 587 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:24,599 for her friend. When their eyes met, she wondered how 588 00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:27,200 she ever could have mistaken this hideous pretender for sweet esther. 589 00:27:27,359 --> 00:27:29,400 It bore a vague resemblance in body and face, but 590 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:32,440 its sides were hollow piece of Pudrian levolence. They looked hungry, hungry, 591 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:34,880 and insiitiable, as if hunger was their re title. Curse back, 592 00:27:35,079 --> 00:27:37,559 Cassandra screamed. She herself took an a two step backward 593 00:27:37,599 --> 00:27:39,279 and slid the gun off her shoulder. The shape shifter 594 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:41,759 nimbly crossed the gap. Cassandra gripped her rifle firmly in 595 00:27:41,759 --> 00:27:43,799 both hands and gave the creature shelve that wrapped its 596 00:27:43,799 --> 00:27:45,920 fingers around the weapon and hell tight. As they played 597 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:47,920 a grave yet brief game of tig of war. Cassandra's 598 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:50,279 furrow was quickly replaced by vital terror that monsieur, she 599 00:27:50,319 --> 00:27:52,400 realized was toying with her. It could at any points 600 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:54,200 strip her of the weapon she had so foolishly thought 601 00:27:54,279 --> 00:27:57,160 might provide her any protection. Pull she stumbled, it yanked, 602 00:27:57,200 --> 00:27:59,519 She recovered and tried to regain control. Again and again. 603 00:27:59,599 --> 00:28:02,039 This patter and continued as though women, one pretend and 604 00:28:02,079 --> 00:28:04,799 one reel physically argued over the gunk. Cacentra realized with 605 00:28:04,839 --> 00:28:06,880 sudden dread that she had inadvertently been drugged. To the 606 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:08,599 edge of the forest, she looked into the face of 607 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:10,720 her adversary, and so it had begun to change the skin. 608 00:28:10,759 --> 00:28:12,400 At top, its had appeared to ride like a hold 609 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:15,119 of tiny insects's house which resembled ESS's, crawled back into 610 00:28:15,119 --> 00:28:17,839 its head, its nose retreated in its mouth. Sinister grin 611 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:20,079 expunded out withoward the holes, which had a moment before 612 00:28:20,119 --> 00:28:22,240 resembled human ears. There at the edge of the forest, 613 00:28:22,279 --> 00:28:24,960 Cassandra finally surrendered the rifle. Hoping the creature couldn't or 614 00:28:24,960 --> 00:28:27,160 wouldn't use the gun, she released it to, turned her 615 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:29,279 back and fled. Her own house was much too far 616 00:28:29,359 --> 00:28:30,880 for her to run to on her creaking knees and 617 00:28:30,880 --> 00:28:33,079 locking hips, she ran instead toward Esther's. She had a 618 00:28:33,160 --> 00:28:34,960 key to the front door, still, Esther had left one 619 00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:37,160 for the Jollys and one for Banni in case of emergency. 620 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:39,319 Cassandra didn't look back while she ran harder than she 621 00:28:39,359 --> 00:28:41,599 had run in over a decade. She couldn't run any faster. 622 00:28:41,799 --> 00:28:43,680 If it was going to gatch her and do whatever 623 00:28:43,759 --> 00:28:45,359 it did to people, she would rather be caught by 624 00:28:45,359 --> 00:28:48,039 surprise than suffer dooming anxiety before the inevitable end. The 625 00:28:48,079 --> 00:28:50,519 creature did not use the gun, nor had Cassandra really 626 00:28:50,559 --> 00:28:52,599 expected it to, but she was surprised it allowed her 627 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:54,359 to reach ester His front door, and said she knew 628 00:28:54,400 --> 00:28:55,960 that thing could have caught her easily, but it had 629 00:28:56,039 --> 00:28:58,200 led her escape. While she unlocked the door and went 630 00:28:58,279 --> 00:29:01,160 in sigh, a malignant stench infected her Sonis's immediately upon 631 00:29:01,319 --> 00:29:03,160 entering the house. There was no time to check, but 632 00:29:03,160 --> 00:29:05,799 Cassandra knew the smell was her lost friend. Esther's throne 633 00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:07,720 was still hanging in the wall. Cassandra went to it, 634 00:29:07,759 --> 00:29:10,400 holping Esther had somehow had it reconnected. Dorol waited for 635 00:29:10,400 --> 00:29:13,000 twenty then thirty minutes for Cassandra to return. When she 636 00:29:13,039 --> 00:29:15,000 had been gone for nearly three quarters of an hour, 637 00:29:15,319 --> 00:29:17,160 he called Benny. He asked if his wife had turned 638 00:29:17,240 --> 00:29:19,519 up a Benny's after checking on Essa's house, but Benny 639 00:29:19,559 --> 00:29:21,400 said he hadn't seen her. He led her out of 640 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:23,720 the house with the thing looking around. Benny accused, what 641 00:29:23,839 --> 00:29:27,039 was I supposed to do? Dora laughed, She's her own person, Bennie, 642 00:29:27,039 --> 00:29:29,559 not a child. I can order around well. Her behaviors 643 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:31,799 is otherwise, said Bennie. He said, I'll keep an eye 644 00:29:31,839 --> 00:29:33,920 out and call if she stops over if she Before 645 00:29:33,960 --> 00:29:36,119 Benny could finish, there was a knock on Darro's door. 646 00:29:36,200 --> 00:29:38,000 He asked Bennie to hold and went to the window. 647 00:29:38,039 --> 00:29:40,799 He saw Cassandra standing on the front porch holding the 648 00:29:40,880 --> 00:29:43,359 twenty two and looking sweaty and exhausted. Picking the phone 649 00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:45,559 back up, he told Benny Cassandra was back in that 650 00:29:45,599 --> 00:29:47,480 he had to go, then hung up. He stood behind 651 00:29:47,480 --> 00:29:50,559 the door and asked Cassie. Oh, Doroll, thank god, she exclaimed, 652 00:29:50,640 --> 00:29:52,880 down in wind it it was there Aticesters. I saw it. 653 00:29:52,920 --> 00:29:54,799 They tried to trick me, but I realized what it 654 00:29:54,839 --> 00:29:56,599 was and Iran Dole was about to open the door 655 00:29:56,640 --> 00:29:58,680 to fold his wife into safety, but posed with the 656 00:29:58,720 --> 00:30:01,000 lock half return. He asked, why didn't you just come 657 00:30:01,039 --> 00:30:03,880 inside when you got here? Instantly, Casentra replied, I had 658 00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:06,279 make ease out at Esther's, but when I saw the monster, 659 00:30:06,559 --> 00:30:09,039 I acidentally dropped them. He said, you weren't going inside? 660 00:30:09,279 --> 00:30:12,119 Estes Darrell growled suspeciously. I know, I know, but once 661 00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:14,079 I got there, Dorrel, you have to let me and 662 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:17,000 please still out here somewhere. Dorol was still suspicious, but 663 00:30:17,079 --> 00:30:18,839 he wouldn't be able to live with himself if his 664 00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:20,839 wife was taken by the monster. Rugg aside the door 665 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:23,039 while he listened, her flimsy story would not have been 666 00:30:23,119 --> 00:30:24,759 enough to convince him to open the door if she 667 00:30:24,759 --> 00:30:26,759 didn't also have the gun she had left. He had 668 00:30:26,799 --> 00:30:28,920 never seen the shape to recreate an object before. With 669 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:31,359 another word, he turned over the lock and opened the door. 670 00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:34,519 The thing, Whearingsandra's face, pounced inside. Doro Belliott turned to 671 00:30:34,559 --> 00:30:36,839 realize his mistake before his life came to a sudden 672 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:39,319 blood washed and Benny it was Doro's force coming through 673 00:30:39,319 --> 00:30:41,240 the door. Benny grunted and went to the window. He 674 00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:43,079 looked out and saw his neighbor standing on the dorm 675 00:30:43,079 --> 00:30:45,440 ou outside. What are you doing here? Why didn't you call? 676 00:30:45,519 --> 00:30:48,319 He asked aggressively through the glass. I'm sorry, Dorol replied. 677 00:30:48,319 --> 00:30:50,440 I couldn't wait for Cassie any longer and decided to 678 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:52,119 look for her. I didn't expect to end up here, 679 00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:54,599 or I would have called first. Well she's not here, 680 00:30:54,640 --> 00:30:57,079 so move on, Benny said, Ben it please, I've been 681 00:30:57,079 --> 00:30:59,000 out here looking for her for almost an hour. Can 682 00:30:59,039 --> 00:31:00,880 I just use your phone call my house and see 683 00:31:00,880 --> 00:31:03,000 if she's back there? Maybe I missed her. You stay 684 00:31:03,079 --> 00:31:05,319 right there, Jolly, I'll call for you, Benny said. A 685 00:31:05,359 --> 00:31:07,599 moment later, he was listening to the Jolly's phone ring 686 00:31:07,599 --> 00:31:09,440 while he kept his eye on Dole through the window. 687 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:11,519 As the phone ran and knock came at his back door, 688 00:31:11,559 --> 00:31:14,240 he thought he heard Cassandra's voice accompany it. Jolly Bennie 689 00:31:14,279 --> 00:31:16,240 called through the window. There was no answer on the phone. 690 00:31:16,359 --> 00:31:18,319 Is that your wife? Run back? I'm not sure if 691 00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:20,759 Dorrell answered, I didn't see her come up here, unless 692 00:31:20,839 --> 00:31:23,640 unless she came from the woods. Bennie, usually common rational, 693 00:31:23,839 --> 00:31:26,440 now started to lose his grip. Now you listen, Jolly, 694 00:31:26,480 --> 00:31:28,440 I've got you here and your wife back there, and 695 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:29,960 I can't be sure either of you or who you 696 00:31:30,000 --> 00:31:32,359 say you are. Do you understand my position? Maybe you're 697 00:31:32,359 --> 00:31:34,319 both who you say, or maybe one of you wants 698 00:31:34,359 --> 00:31:36,079 to come in here and rip me apart. Why don't 699 00:31:36,119 --> 00:31:38,599 you both go on home. I'll be keeping my doors locked. Thankye. 700 00:31:38,759 --> 00:31:40,720 Don't make me get my gun, good Lord Benny, no, 701 00:31:40,839 --> 00:31:42,160 I need for that. There's a way you could know 702 00:31:42,160 --> 00:31:44,799 if it's Cassie back there, darl said. Benny asked how 703 00:31:44,880 --> 00:31:47,079 she took a gun with her a Winchester twenty two 704 00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:48,880 co looker ran back and see if she's got it. 705 00:31:48,920 --> 00:31:51,559 If she does this, Cassie, Benny didn't answer, but went 706 00:31:51,599 --> 00:31:53,359 and stead to the back door. It had a window 707 00:31:53,400 --> 00:31:55,279 in the top half, which Benny had boarded up years ago. 708 00:31:55,319 --> 00:31:57,200 There was still a slip between the boards through which 709 00:31:57,240 --> 00:31:59,319 he could see. Through the window, he saw Cassandra Jolly 710 00:31:59,359 --> 00:32:01,319 standing out there. She looked tucky and peal like she 711 00:32:01,359 --> 00:32:03,200 had just run for her life, and he might have 712 00:32:03,240 --> 00:32:05,559 believed she had if she'd been holding a Winchester twenty two. 713 00:32:05,599 --> 00:32:08,039 But Cassandra Jolly's hands were empty. Beny went straight to 714 00:32:08,039 --> 00:32:09,880 the front door and opened it as quietly as he could. 715 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:12,039 He could tell Doral was going to say something, probably 716 00:32:12,119 --> 00:32:13,799 thank him, but he raised a finger to his lip 717 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:15,839 to silence the other man. He gestured for him to 718 00:32:15,839 --> 00:32:18,200 come in and close the door. Once the door was closed, 719 00:32:18,319 --> 00:32:20,319 Benny whispered for Dorol to have a seat and say 720 00:32:20,319 --> 00:32:22,960 out aside. He then returned to the back door. Begone, beast, 721 00:32:23,240 --> 00:32:26,599 he shouted through the boards. You'll receive no invitation here. No, Bernie, 722 00:32:26,640 --> 00:32:30,200 it's me, Cassandra pledge. She was in truth, the real Cassandra. Please, 723 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:31,960 you have to let me and I just fought the 724 00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:34,160 creature offered. I'm afraid it's after me now. I hid 725 00:32:34,160 --> 00:32:36,279 in Essa's house until it left, then came here. You're 726 00:32:36,359 --> 00:32:38,680 much closer to Essa's than mirror. I won't believe you lies. 727 00:32:38,880 --> 00:32:41,039 Sandra Jolly always takes the path through the words. I 728 00:32:41,039 --> 00:32:43,240 guess you finally got her. No, Benny, go away, he 729 00:32:43,279 --> 00:32:45,680 shouted definitively. I will not open any doors. To you. 730 00:32:45,880 --> 00:32:48,000 He heard Sandra break into sobs as she turned away 731 00:32:48,039 --> 00:32:49,759 and run from the door. He watched through this lid 732 00:32:49,799 --> 00:32:51,720 until she was gone, then returned to where he had 733 00:32:51,759 --> 00:32:54,119 left Dorel in the living room. The only Dora wasn't there. 734 00:32:54,240 --> 00:32:58,240 Jolly Benny called out, she's gone. I sent her packing field. 735 00:32:58,319 --> 00:33:00,599 A hideous voice, nothing like dorol John Alleys, came from 736 00:33:00,640 --> 00:33:03,559 behind him, slightly above Benny. He turned in its direction, 737 00:33:03,680 --> 00:33:05,920 saw it distorted pale beast clinging to the ceiling in 738 00:33:05,960 --> 00:33:09,240 a corner of the room. Before scream could escape his lungs, 739 00:33:09,319 --> 00:33:11,559 the monster leaped from above and tore out Benny's throat 740 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:14,440 hisss Andra was horrified to find the house empty when 741 00:33:14,519 --> 00:33:17,359 she returned. Dora hadn't left any sort of note, but 742 00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:20,279 she guessed he had gone looking for her. This realization 743 00:33:20,359 --> 00:33:23,480 lefter feeling sick with guilt. What if something terrible happened 744 00:33:23,519 --> 00:33:25,400 to her husband because she had been too stubborn and 745 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:27,680 hard headed to listen to him. What if that thing 746 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:29,960 had tricked him as it had tricked her. What had 747 00:33:29,960 --> 00:33:32,279 he said to her the night before that he would 748 00:33:32,319 --> 00:33:34,200 follow her voice even if he was standing over her 749 00:33:34,200 --> 00:33:37,480 cold dead body. It had sounded so stupid and unreasonable 750 00:33:37,519 --> 00:33:40,079 to her then, but now it made a heartache. What 751 00:33:40,160 --> 00:33:42,119 if that thing had lowed him into the woods disguised 752 00:33:42,160 --> 00:33:45,039 with her? How fears were abated when she glanced through 753 00:33:45,039 --> 00:33:47,440 the window and saw her lumbering husband crossing the yard. 754 00:33:48,079 --> 00:33:50,960 He looked beaten and worried. Eager to put him at ease, 755 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:56,079 Cassandra ran outside. She ran directly into Doro's arms. As 756 00:33:56,079 --> 00:33:59,119 she approached, he grinned as he wrapped his arms around her. 757 00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:02,319 She felt how naturally cold they were. Darles grin continued 758 00:34:02,319 --> 00:34:04,960 to spread up to his ears. The white grin and 759 00:34:05,039 --> 00:34:07,519 the hollow, perilizing eyes above it were the last thing 760 00:34:07,559 --> 00:34:08,840 Cassandra Jolly ever saw