Speaker 1: Yup, yup, the old man muttered to himself as he
hobbled into the living room. He plopped down in his
wife's rocking chair, next to the side table on which
aland Line trolled at show. Melody. Should have known he
be calling, the man, chided himself. He lifted the phone
to his ear. Joe laid. A grouchy man on the
other end, asked, yea, Benny, I'm sorry I should have
called you. Send your wife over here. Benny asked, she
does what she wants. Benny, you know that good does anyone,
but she's supposed to be here. Benny's heamorless voice wiped
the finker in from Jolly's face. Yes, sir, she's returning
your parsander, he said, I don't see a sander Jolly.
Darle thought for a moment, then asked, does she ever
purse on her? Benny said she does. Well. That little
sander should fit in there, shouldn't it. Darle asked he
heard Benny tapping a window on the other end of
the line. He must put his hand over the receiver
because his voice sounded muffled when he yelled through the glass.
Take it out and show me. Hey, Benny, come down,
don't give my pearl wife a heart attack. Then he
slipped into the phone and said, she's caught it. Sorry
about this, jolly sure you understand, course I do, Benny.
I'll remember to call a head next time. All right,
have yourself a good afternoon, jolly Benny said, sure a thing.
You treat my wife well, now, will Yer, the cold
disconnected Darrel sighed. He slumped down in the chair into
a position he wasn't fully sure he could retrieve himself
from Cassie. You darn frul he muttered, I bet you
went through the woods again. O'll. Benny sounded more anxious
than usual, as if his wife could hear him. He said,
best not do that again, honey. With great effort, he
hoisted himself from the rocker and worked into the kitchen
to pour himself a glass of sun tea and watch
for Cassandra's return. He turned a chair to face the
great window in their dining room. The forest filled most
of the view, expanding to either side like a great
wolfrough which he had no desire to pass. A portion
of the forest crept into his property line. Yet he
dared not even enter those trees, not unless he had to.
He knew the forest was rich with life, but death
also roamed within. Cassandra did not return through the woods.
She must have come back along the road, because Darle
did not see her approach the house. His first indicator
of her return was the sound of her unknocking the
front door. That you, Cassie, he called into the living room. Yes, dear,
Cassandra replied, I gave him back the sander. Boy? Was
he on edge to day? That man can wind himself
up tighter than a snake. Did you go through the woods,
Darrell asked, Only the shot cut around as to his place.
I know you don't like it, but it saves time.
I don't like it, no, but Benny I'm worried about.
He gets nervous when he sees you walking out there. Well,
have either of you seen it lately? Cassandra asked. She
came into the kitchen. It seemed just to stare into
Darle's green eyes with her icy blue ones. Darrell shook
his head, casting his gaze away and defeet. It only
makes him more anxious. You know that it's the suspense
makes you wonder when it's coming back. Have you ever
considered it might not be around any more. Cassandra asked, no.
Darles coughed, as if this was the most ridiculous thing
he had ever heard. That would be a dangerous assumption
to make. Is that what you think? Dogia remembered the
last time somebody let the guard down. Cassandra shot him
a furious glare. Of course, she remembered. Of course it
still haunted her. They had once had another neighbor to
the north, Esther. She was still alive somewhere, but her
house now stood empty at the forest edge, her property
so overgrown you couldn't distinguish its border. No one ever
went to Esther's house. The pitiful shame of such a
beautiful home sitting empty was not lost on the Jollies.
But the house stood empty for good reason. Its emptiness
was how Daryl, Cassandra, and Ben he knew Esther was
still alive. As long as she owned and controlled the house,
nobody would be moving in. Est had lived alone after
her kids flew the coop. The father had died valiantly
fighting forest fires before they even grew graduated high school.
Esther had faced life without her husband, likely in the
same manner he had faced his own fate with stoic
bravery and resolve Utolyphilus. She had also served as a
sentry of the forest. She would call her neighbors on
either side whenever a suspicious looking animal peered its head
from between the trees. She had helped them bill traps
and share books or periodicals she found which might relate
to their shrouded enemy. Esther had been a true warrior. However,
no amount of bravery, fearlessness, or tenacity could prepare her
for what would come. Hassan and daughter in law were
in a life altering crash with a semi truck in
the highway. Miraculously, recu was pulled both of their children
from the recons gate. The parents survived their critical injuries
after a harrowing knight of surgeries, but both had months
of recovery ahead. There would be in and out of
the hospital constantly, and overseeing their young children was out
of the question. Er was nine at the time and
Ike was only six. Aria and Ike moved in with
Esther until their parents were capable enough to run the
home again. That was the plan, anyway, when Esther had
agreed to take them, she didn't realize areas dooe August
Slan would be coming along. Eslaan, named after C. S.
Lews'es A Konigotlian, was a loyal golden Reichriever who stuck
by Aria's side anywhere she went. He terrified Esther because
she didn't know how to read a dog. She couldn't
read his eyes well enough to know if he was
really in there. The dog, though friendly and sweet, was
of vulnerability Esther had not expected nor prepared for. She
told young Mari to keep a close eye on his
s Lan and to never let him into the woods. Why,
Aria had asked, Esther told her, forests are dangerous places,
this one in particular. If your dog goes in there,
he may never come out again. None of you, and
that includes a Slan, or to go near the forest
for any reason. Within the first week of the children's stay,
Esther's only rule was broken. Aria had tied his land
up in the yard with the teather she had brought.
She was sketching him in her note book, as she
often did when he was outside, his golden fur blowing
and silky waves down his body. As Slang himself patrolled
the grounds, sniffing every blade of grass each dandelion, when
suddenly his head shot up and his body aligned like
an arrow appointed at the fore rus. A defensive growl
rumbled in his foot, causing Ari to look up from
her drawing. No sooner had she asked, what is it? Boy?
Then she saw the possum. She had never seen such
a creature, and in her initial reaction wondered how a
rat and a piccreated no offspring together. The possum froze,
but did not play dead, as they are apt to do.
One of its oddly thoughtful lies studded. A slan then
wandered to Aria. His gaze upon her felt disgusting. Ra
shivered and sprated goosebumps, as if the thing had lacked
her rather than simply glanced her way. Come on, a slan,
she said, standing to take him inside. A slin remained
focussed on the possum like a missile ready to launch.
When Arro touched him, he jerked, yanking his tether partially
out of the ground. A slan, Ra scolded. She felt
under his collar for the teather's clasp, but found it
so taught she was afraid to disconnect it lest he bolt.
She tugged at his collar in an effort to pull
him back, but felt utterly helpless against his strength. This
was the first time a good dog had ever refused
to co operate with her. It scared her as much
as the strange animal at the edge of the woods
the possum hiss aggressively. Air returned to see it standing
on both legs with its front poles raised by its head.
Aria city girl of only nine years old, could not
have known how bizarre this behavior was. Possums are by
nature nocturnal creatures, and they are by no means brave,
As mentioned though single defenses to play dead and hope
whatever is hunting them leaves them alone. Even unaware of
these facts, Arius still desperately wanted to be away from
the creature. Aslam come on, she grunted as she leaned
all her weight against his pulley. Being tugged in two
directions caused to Slam's collar to snap. Before Arra realized
what had happened, the dull gripped across the yard like
a bullet. His shimmering body seemed to float above his
pumping legs. The possum dropped and scurred into the underbrush.
A slam followed. Ar looked nervously up at the house,
wondering if her grandmother had seen a Sland go into
the woods. She had specifically wanted our not to let
him do that. She was too afraid to call his
name lest her grandmother hear her and learn that she
had been disobeyed. It isn't fair, are thought, I didn't
mean to let him go. She sat in the grass
and cried as the splashing sounds of a slam crashing
through the leaves faded away. But a Slam was a
good dog. He returned not five minutes later, wearing his
giant grin and trotting like a Choproonly Aray met him
half way across the yard and threw her arms round him,
then nowshered him into the house to put on his
spare collar. When they were inside, as Land sidled up
to Ike, who was sitting at the dining room table, coloring,
Hey boy, he said, patting the dog's head, as Slan
stayed at excided. Even after Aria called him to her room,
he wouldn't listen, She chided at him as she brought
the collar out and put it on a new collar.
Esther asked, walking into the dining room with rubber gloves
and a sponge. Erry lied, I like to mix it
up sometimes. That night, as Lan Laffere's room to sleep
in Ike's. Ariy didn't notice he was gone until the
next morning. She was surprised when I came out of
his bedroom for breakfast with a slanin toe. Your dog
wouldn't let me sleep, he said, groggily, why, Ari asked,
I don't know. I think he was staring at me
all night. Aro shook her head. That doesn't sound like him.
Maybe you were dreaming. I wasn't even sleeping, icrobudded. They
left the subject alone as they ate the yatmell and
yogurt Ester had prepared for them. A Slan's behavior settled
to normal over the next two days, with exception being
he continued to go to Ike's room at night. His
entire life, he had slept with Aria. She wanted to
talk to her granny about it, but she was afraid
Aster might discover as Land had gone into the woods
if she brought up His foray into the forest was
the only abnormal event took her before the behavioral shift.
On the third night, Aslan left are his room after
she had fallen asleep. He Nudgdyke's door opened, then stood
in the doorway, perfectly still watching the boy. Without provocation,
the dog issued a box so faint it might have
been called a whisper. The sound broke enough to wake
little Like while his sister and Grannie slept soundly. Aslan
I gasped, rubbing his eyes, the dog only waited in
the doorway with expectant patience. You need to go out,
I cast, A Slan tilted his head, I ghetaaria Ix said.
He lifted his small cavers and swung his shot legs
out from beneath him. His feet couldn't quite touch the floor,
yet he slid down the side of the bed clumsily,
padded over to the door, and slipped past a slan.
He took no more than three tiptoo steps toward room
before Slang growled and nipped out his hand. It wasn't
a bite, more of a kiss, but it frightened Ike.
A Slan had never lashed out in any manner before.
Is something wrong? I cast? Stooping to meet a Slan's eyes.
The dog jerked its head away and sidled toward the
dining room. I whisper, what are you doing boy? As
slan ran sideways toward the back door, smiling at k
all the way O k o k Ike said as
he caught up and took hold of a slan's collar.
Est had hammered an ail into the water just outside
the back door on which to hand the end of
a slan's tether. Since he was normally an obedient dog,
they could usually hold him back while they cracked the
door open and grabbed the end of the tever off
the wall. On this night, when Ix slid the door open,
a slam bolted. Ike's fingers burned as a slant synthetic
collar slid through them. He looked up just in time
to see the dog's tail all vanish into the black
a slan. He whispered into the dark a slam, but
the usually responsive dog did not return or reply. I
c looked nervously back toward the bedrooms. If he lost
the dog, even for a single night, his sister would
never trust him again. She might not even love him
any more. And his Grannie, she would just be mad,
so mad that he and the dog, which she openly disliked,
had caused trouble and upset his sister, he had to
make a slan come back. Ike took his Grannie's flashlight
and stepped onto the back deck. The breath of the
forest rushed past as the door closed behind him. Ike
swung the flashlights being from left to right, but saw
no sign of his sister's beloved dog. He leapt over
the steps so as not to make them creak, and
landed like a deflating bird in the grass and clover.
A few steps away from the house. He called the
sland's name again. Louder slans, muffled and distant bark resonated
through the trees. With immense hesitation and measurable terror. Weighed
only by the dread of admitting his mistake to Ariya,
Ike approached the looming forest. He stumbled over an exposed
root of an oak tree and tripped up to the
tree light he had been so strictly forbidden to cross.
Only his flashlight brought any comfort in the gloomy woods
which blanketed across the sky as Land. He called through
the trees again. He heard a distant and playful wolf.
Come here. Boy. The dog responded again, this time in
an excited tone which seemed to implore Ike to come
without a thought to how easily a young child such
as himself could become lost in the woods. Wasn't that
the very moral spirit of the many fairy tales he
had been read throughout his short life. Ike journeyed toward
the pet He came to a white tree on which
he leaned both for rest and security. A great horned
all sped by overhead, hooting furiously as it beat its wings.
The olsewhiped below branches until it was out of sight.
With this small, wavering voice, I cried for a slanm
once more, the dogs were black came from behind a
very tree on which Ike was resting. I'm here, boy,
Ike exclaimed. As he ran around the rough trunk, His
eye scanned the ground for protruding roots so as not
to trip over another. When he had traced a semicircle
round the gray tree, his light revealed a terrible creature.
At the first glimpse of its endly fingers in the
flasklight's aperture, Ike stopped cold and shirked on his own breath,
wanting to scream. By finding himself enable to as if
in a nightmare, and perhaps he was or rather, he
had discovered one of the evils from which our nightmares
attempt to warn us. The monster shared a similar size
and stature to the golden retrieverus Lamb, but bore no
further resemblance. Its head was like a human's, only worth
the ice should have been. There were only bulbous voids
of blackness, which glowed when Ike's beam shone directly into them,
but swallowed all other light. Its nose was that of
a rotted corpse, hollowed out and bisected by thin, dangling cartilage.
It had no lips and wore chelsea gren a toothy
smile running from ear to ear. Mangy black hair dangled
in thin strands from its pale scalp. The rest of
the creature's form was sunken and emaciated. The general structure
of its bones was human, but it appeared content to
walk on four legs instead of two. Ike broke from
his momentary stupor and backed away, turning side we simultaneously
in preparation to run in the direction in which he
assumed he had come, But he forgot in his terror
the roots. Once more, his small foot caught on water,
and he fell painfully to the earth. As he scrambled
to his hands and knees, a powerful hand ice cold
impacted his back and forced him into the dirt. Ike
screened for a slan, desperately bidding the dog to come
save him, But the remains of Alan's body lay somewhat
deeper in the forest, already as cold as the hand
which now held Ike down. Esa called the deputies the
next morning when she and Or failed to locate e
the eyk or s lan. Esther feared the worst, the
very worst, a possibility so grim yet impossible to share
with the deputies due to its fantastically macobber nature. She
sent Aria with the deputy to be delivered back to
her appearance until another arrangement could be made, and not
an eye too soon. Arieer had not even reached her
destination when Ike's pody was discovered in the woods. Something
had consumed his eyes, tongue, and heart. It had cracked
open his skull and eaten his brain. It had taken
those organs which to find as being his very essence,
and left the restaurant. Esther abandoned her long time home.
After that, she maintained ownership of the house in Land
forbidding anyone else to go there, with the exception of
her neighbors, sterile in Cassandra Jolly and Benny McCain. To them,
she left keys and granted permission to visit her property
if doing so was necessary for the protection and preservation
of their own. She understood that her absence left a
hole in the guard the watches of the wood. Benny
called Daryle again two days later. Jolly he growled upon
Doro's answer, Benny, what's new? Darrell asked, I've got something
to show. You had a minute to stop over, Darle said,
let me check my schedule and laughed. Benny did not
share in the humor. Come quick, and for God's sake,
do not follow your wife's path. Stay out of those
damn woods on your way, Darle said, of course, dropping
all guys of humor, I'll be there in twenty minutes.
Benny repeated, twenty minutes, stay out of the woods. Darle
told Sandra he was going to Benny's, and she asked cometh.
Darle told her she hadn't been invited, and with Benny's
sirey disposition toward her recent behavior, it might be unwise
for her to show up announced. Cassandra pointed out that
Benny might be put more at ease by the two
of them coming together. It can pretend to be one
of us, but not both, she said. Darle told her
to get her shoes. Benny was waiting for them on
his porch when they circled the forest, steering well clear
of the trees grasping branches. Darrell immediately saw the consternation
Cassandra's presence had set upon their neighbor. I thought it
to be just you, he called across his yard. As
they approached. Cassie made a good point, Darle said. He
allowed Cassandra to explain her reasoning, and to both of
their surprise, Benny smiled, Come in, both of you, kiss Andra.
It's probably good that you're here now that I think
of it. What have got inside might convince you to
stay away from that damn shop kit you love so much.
Benny led them into his den, where he had an
old but functional laptop prop open on a writing desk.
You remember those cameras windstalls, don't you, he asked Darrell.
The couple nodded. Dorrell had risked afoy into the forest
with Benny to help him in stole foretray of cameras
about a year ago. They had strategically placed them at
complimentary angles within the first hundred feet of trees. Cass
Andra had aided Benny and sating at the wireless connection
to his laptop so he could download and review the
camera's footage without having to return to the woods. I've
been checking them daily since we put them in, Benny said.
Most days they get triggered by birds and squirrels. But
last night Benny trailed off as he queued up a
video file with a generic date stamp name. The video
opened in a new window, and Benny pressed the Spaceboy
to play it. Immediately, a deer colored lime green by
the night vision lens, leapt onto the screen. It pounced
from somewhere off camera, then stood statuusque, facing slightly away.
It appeared to be listening intently. Benny's camera did not
record audio, so it was impossible to tell what the
animal might be hearing. Then he backed the video up
and paused. After the first second. Do you see it?
He asked. Daryl and Cassandra leaned and until their faces
were nearly touching. Neither of them saw anything strange. Though
then he said no, look at the angle again. He
replayed the handful of frames in which the deer came
into the camera's view. It looked like perhaps it had
jumped over something, the bush or a fallen tree in
order to land where it had When its front legs
connected with the ground, its hind legs were still higher
than its head. He jumped out of a tree, Benny said,
with mild consternation. Don't be silly, scolded Cassandra. I've seen
those things jump fences before. It probably jumped over a
Listen to me, Benny cut in. I know where this
camera is, Darl. Do you remember you help me install it.
It's mounted to a trunk of a tree, and nothing
jumped straight over it. Well, Benny, I dunno. Oh he too.
Benny slammed the laptop shut and stood up faster than
he had in a decade, fueled by frustrated rage. I'm
not surprised that you doubt, Cassandra. You wouldn't go gallavanting
through the woods if you truly believed in what's looking there.
Darl hovered a hand in front of Cassandra and said, Benny,
that's not fair. But you Bennie shoved an afritic finger
into Darrel's sunk in chest. If I show you some
evidence that it's coming near our homes again, I expect
you to react appropriately. Where are your guns, Jolly so
locked up in your safe? What you got kids running
about that I haven't seen? Who are you proticting, because
it certainly ain't yourselves. Get those down things out, oil
them up, and keep them loaded, because this thing's coming back.
If it ain't here already, could be sitting outside listening
to us right now. The Jolly stood silent, with steady
blank expressions. Outside, a single raven called Rocksley from the woods.
No one said it, but all three of them wondered,
if only for a moment, if that which made the
sound was truly a raven or any kind of bird
at all. My guns are ready, Darrell said, calmly, and
I appreciate you trying to warn us. Benny, I do.
I don't know what our dear jumped from, but you're right.
It's good to be on alert these days. He jumped
out of a treat because it's not really a dear.
Benny doubled down. Now, can I get you two coffees
or do you have somewhere important to be? After considerable
friendly conversation over mugs of steaming coffee, the Jolly's parted
ways with Benny to return home. The subject of the
tormentor always sired the mood, but with that side they
were all friends. Much like the effects of politics and
religion on a conversation, the subject of a shapeshifter had
a tendency to drive a wed between them when it
should tie them together. Before the Jolly's left Benny for
the evening, Darle suggest did he email any further videos
of the dear to him. He said that, even though
he wasn't convincing yet, it would be smart to keep
an eye on the animal. Jollies ate a small dinner.
When they got home from Bennetta's, they were treated to
the den to read until dark. Without provocation, Darrell suddenly
slammed the biography of some war general shop. Cassandra's eyes
instinctively raised from the pages of her novel to meet
her husband's. He looked at her with such great sadness
as to instill the same feeling in her. Prompted by
nothing but the willing ardor in Darrell's glimmering eyes, she
felt her throat swelling as tears pressed delicately from within.
Please talk to me, she whispered. What's bothering you? Why
do you do it, Cassie, Darrell asked solemnly. I'm not
upset at you, not in the angry way. I just
want to know why. Why do you go into the forest.
Kissandra immediately became defensive, saying it's only a little way,
But Darle cut her off. Before you wouldn't have gone
within a hundred feet of the forsaken place, But now
you say it's only a little way, in as if
taking your shokut doesn't risk all of our lives, yours, mine, Benny's, Cassie.
If I ever hear your voice calling to me from
those woods, even if I was standing over your cold
dead body, I would still follow your voice. Ay die,
And then he did cry. Cassandra tried to hold back,
but found the swelling river of tears too turbulent for her.
Damn if I let myself be afraid, she said, sniffling,
then I'm admitting to myself what might be out there.
Damn it, Cassie, we know what's out there. Darrell cried,
not in anger, but a passionate longing for his wife
to understand how she tormented him. This outburs sent Cassandra
into fitful sobs. Darle made to speak to offer some
small comfort, which she waved a hand to silence him
and raised a finger, signaling him to wait. Once she
could control her voice, she spoke again, if I admit
what's in the forest, and yes, love, I do no
deep down, then I have to accept what happened to
what happened to that poor child, and Darrell, I can't.
Darle's tears, large and rare, tripped from his stoic face
as he watched the beloved face cross from him right
in bitter anguish, Cassandra said, all these years we've waited
and watched, and for what. When it really mattered, we
were in there to save him, and ever since, I've
just felt so hopeless and lonely, Darrel, I felt so alone.
Darleswallowed and said, but I'm here. I've always been here.
Cassandra looked away and sure of how to make her
husband understand. He was right, He had been there. He
had been so present and strong, a steadvas support, a pillar,
but like one of the sturdy pillows surrounding the crumbling parthenen.
His personal strength could do nothing to save the ruin
of their shared life. Cassandra did not hold this against him.
How could she? Yet she sometimes resented his strength and
how it had kept them from running far away from
the plot of land and the woods which boarded it.
Why did he have to take it on himself to
guard against the evil in the forest, and, by association,
charged her with the same burden, Darrel, she said, still
not looking at him. Do you ever think it might
be time to pass the torch to some one else,
maybe someone with the energy to end this instead of
constantly living in this this hell? Darrell finished for her.
I know it's hell, Cassie. She finally looked back to him,
saw the resolve which had replaced the sorrow in his eyes,
and pressed no further. The phone rang shortly after sunrise.
Darrell answered Annie. He asked he didn't know who else
it would be. Shurely, I hope I'm not waking you,
but this can't wait. It's out there and it's close.
Do you see it, Dorle asked, dropping his voice low,
as if the monster might hear him. Not with my
own eyes, no, Benny said, but I'm checking the cameras
right now, the same one I showed ye yesterday. Cut
something again? What is it this time? Darrell asked, A
doer again. But I've never seen it do this before.
I don't want ye going out, so I'll try to
email this to you. Sure I shouldn't just come by, Benny, No, No,
stay inside. You'll get the videos soon. I'll check the
rest and see if any other cameras caught it. Maybe
we can get an idea for where it went. The
men discussed their respect of fortifications while Dorall awaited the
email video. His own computer dinged in the den, interrupting
their conversation. With Bennie still on the line, thou, I'll
open the video of fowl. It started similarly to the
previous one, with the deer jumping into the picture. This
time I jumped from in front of the camera, though,
and Doroll could closely see it had leapt over an
angled lug. Okay, I see it's dere, he said into
the phone. Just keep watching, Benny ordered. The deer's head
jerked toward the camera. It turned its eyes to the lens,
locking on The animal crept toward the camera, keeping its
eyes trained directly into the lens. They weren't looking at
the camera in general, but the lens specifically. Doro felt
as if some habit was looking through time and seeing
him sitting in front of his computer in the present. Well,
it's a little creepy, he admitted. Benny didn't respond. The
deer's nose came within a foot of the camera, and
yet still its eyes were focused. They didn't have the
vicant innocence of a normal deur's eyes, but a furious gravity.
There were the eyes of fate. The deer tilted its
head downwards, so it was no longer looking down its
nose to see the lens, and so posed it remained
perfectly still until the video ended. That's all that caught
dorol ath the camera's wreck of motion. Benny answered, it
states still so long the chemist stopped detecting it. The
camera turn back on. Vieira was later and what did
at the time after an extensive pause, Benny said, the
so called deer turning around and walking away. Where's the
camera at exactly that? When it starred at Darrel asked,
about two hundred yards from my place, maybe one hundred
fromests That puts it at what a quarter mouth from us,
Darrell asked. Benny thought, then said, I'd say so. I'll
give you another call if I see it again. I'd
appreciate that, and we'll call you if we see anything here.
The men hung up becassundrastartled Dorrill as he placed the
throne back on the hook. She had been lingering just
behind him. Listen, someone should be stationed at Esther's place,
She said, that's where it were last time. What if
it remembers and goes there again, but no one's living
there now. Benny replied, so what if it go was there? Well,
something must have drawn it back after so long. Cassandra argued,
what if someone from Master's family decided to move in
without telling her? I mean, they must all think she's insane.
Dorl tried to protest, but Cassandra cut him off. I'm going, Dorel.
I won't go in the house. I won't even go
near the yarld. I'll only get close enough to see
if anyone's brought card there. Dorol wanted to tell Cassandra
to stay, but years of experience told him there was
nothing he could do to keep her from going. He
resigned and told her to use caution and trust no one.
Even if it's just all Benny you think you see,
run straight home. He's afraid he won't be leaving the house,
I don't think. Cassandra set out to check on S's
property with a twenty two rifle from the small arsenal.
The light gun was all she could shoot with any accuracy.
She at once been a much better shot after years
of practice alonside Dorol, but those same years had taken
such a toll on her body as to make it
easily rattled by the boom and kick of a more
powerful gun. Halfway between the property and Asta's abandoned one,
Cassandra saw the last thing she had expected. Despite what
she told Dorol, she did not expect to see anyone
at Esther's house. It had simply been an excuse to
go out and do something, anything but sit around and wait.
She had certainly not expected to see Esther herself at
the house. But yet there she was, leaning over the
banister of a small row deck, staring into the forest.
And there was her car, the roof belly showing over
the top of the uncut grass around the driveway. Esther
looked more palalode and frail than Cassandra remembered, For she
supposed that aligned the grief alone must have been enough
to strop half a decade from Esther's already considerable life.
I'm sure if her longtime friend was even capable of
seeing her. Esther waved back immediately. Esther turned toward the
deck stairs and gingerly made her way down them. Cassandra
cooked her step, eager to greet her lost friend and
ask what had brought her back. She forgot her worry
that someone moving into Esther's may have provoked the monster
to return. Esther waded through her backyard with slight limp
the grocefulness Cassandra remembered, and her friend's gate had gone
replaced by ane even and sure sort of harblin the
act of taking a single step appeared to cause her
great pain. Oh, Esther, Cassandra called, brightly, that's so good
to see. Esther made no reply. As she continued forward,
she appeared to sapen all of her energy into each tap.
She slowed, still a few yards away from Cassandra, then stopped.
Wait there, I'll come to the eccentric yelt. She cooked
her own step. Estra waved to her and reply. As
she hunched over to catch her breath, she didn't look
up even as Cassandra finally reached her. She stood beside
her panting friend and placed a hand on her back,
on the thin dress, which did little to disguise the
frigid skin beneath. Cassandra yanked her hand back. Esther's back
felt waxy, like hard packed clay on a riverbank. It
fell sickly or debt as so suddenly snatched Cassandra's wrist
and agan to straighten up. Cassandra yank to hand away
from the zombie grip of the things she had mistaken
for her friend. When their eyes met, she wondered how
she ever could have mistaken this hideous pretender for sweet esther.
It bore a vague resemblance in body and face, but
its sides were hollow piece of Pudrian levolence. They looked hungry, hungry,
and insiitiable, as if hunger was their re title. Curse back,
Cassandra screamed. She herself took an a two step backward
and slid the gun off her shoulder. The shape shifter
nimbly crossed the gap. Cassandra gripped her rifle firmly in
both hands and gave the creature shelve that wrapped its
fingers around the weapon and hell tight. As they played
a grave yet brief game of tig of war. Cassandra's
furrow was quickly replaced by vital terror that monsieur, she
realized was toying with her. It could at any points
strip her of the weapon she had so foolishly thought
might provide her any protection. Pull she stumbled, it yanked,
She recovered and tried to regain control. Again and again.
This patter and continued as though women, one pretend and
one reel physically argued over the gunk. Cacentra realized with
sudden dread that she had inadvertently been drugged. To the
edge of the forest, she looked into the face of
her adversary, and so it had begun to change the skin.
At top, its had appeared to ride like a hold
of tiny insects's house which resembled ESS's, crawled back into
its head, its nose retreated in its mouth. Sinister grin
expunded out withoward the holes, which had a moment before
resembled human ears. There at the edge of the forest,
Cassandra finally surrendered the rifle. Hoping the creature couldn't or
wouldn't use the gun, she released it to, turned her
back and fled. Her own house was much too far
for her to run to on her creaking knees and
locking hips, she ran instead toward Esther's. She had a
key to the front door, still, Esther had left one
for the Jollys and one for Banni in case of emergency.
Cassandra didn't look back while she ran harder than she
had run in over a decade. She couldn't run any faster.
If it was going to gatch her and do whatever
it did to people, she would rather be caught by
surprise than suffer dooming anxiety before the inevitable end. The
creature did not use the gun, nor had Cassandra really
expected it to, but she was surprised it allowed her
to reach ester His front door, and said she knew
that thing could have caught her easily, but it had
led her escape. While she unlocked the door and went
in sigh, a malignant stench infected her Sonis's immediately upon
entering the house. There was no time to check, but
Cassandra knew the smell was her lost friend. Esther's throne
was still hanging in the wall. Cassandra went to it,
holping Esther had somehow had it reconnected. Dorol waited for
twenty then thirty minutes for Cassandra to return. When she
had been gone for nearly three quarters of an hour,
he called Benny. He asked if his wife had turned
up a Benny's after checking on Essa's house, but Benny
said he hadn't seen her. He led her out of
the house with the thing looking around. Benny accused, what
was I supposed to do? Dora laughed, She's her own person, Bennie,
not a child. I can order around well. Her behaviors
is otherwise, said Bennie. He said, I'll keep an eye
out and call if she stops over if she Before
Benny could finish, there was a knock on Darro's door.
He asked Bennie to hold and went to the window.
He saw Cassandra standing on the front porch holding the
twenty two and looking sweaty and exhausted. Picking the phone
back up, he told Benny Cassandra was back in that
he had to go, then hung up. He stood behind
the door and asked Cassie. Oh, Doroll, thank god, she exclaimed,
down in wind it it was there Aticesters. I saw it.
They tried to trick me, but I realized what it
was and Iran Dole was about to open the door
to fold his wife into safety, but posed with the
lock half return. He asked, why didn't you just come
inside when you got here? Instantly, Casentra replied, I had
make ease out at Esther's, but when I saw the monster,
I acidentally dropped them. He said, you weren't going inside?
Estes Darrell growled suspeciously. I know, I know, but once
I got there, Dorrel, you have to let me and
please still out here somewhere. Dorol was still suspicious, but
he wouldn't be able to live with himself if his
wife was taken by the monster. Rugg aside the door
while he listened, her flimsy story would not have been
enough to convince him to open the door if she
didn't also have the gun she had left. He had
never seen the shape to recreate an object before. With
another word, he turned over the lock and opened the door.
The thing, Whearingsandra's face, pounced inside. Doro Belliott turned to
realize his mistake before his life came to a sudden
blood washed and Benny it was Doro's force coming through
the door. Benny grunted and went to the window. He
looked out and saw his neighbor standing on the dorm
ou outside. What are you doing here? Why didn't you call?
He asked aggressively through the glass. I'm sorry, Dorol replied.
I couldn't wait for Cassie any longer and decided to
look for her. I didn't expect to end up here,
or I would have called first. Well she's not here,
so move on, Benny said, Ben it please, I've been
out here looking for her for almost an hour. Can
I just use your phone call my house and see
if she's back there? Maybe I missed her. You stay
right there, Jolly, I'll call for you, Benny said. A
moment later, he was listening to the Jolly's phone ring
while he kept his eye on Dole through the window.
As the phone ran and knock came at his back door,
he thought he heard Cassandra's voice accompany it. Jolly Bennie
called through the window. There was no answer on the phone.
Is that your wife? Run back? I'm not sure if
Dorrell answered, I didn't see her come up here, unless
unless she came from the woods. Bennie, usually common rational,
now started to lose his grip. Now you listen, Jolly,
I've got you here and your wife back there, and
I can't be sure either of you or who you
say you are. Do you understand my position? Maybe you're
both who you say, or maybe one of you wants
to come in here and rip me apart. Why don't
you both go on home. I'll be keeping my doors locked. Thankye.
Don't make me get my gun, good Lord Benny, no,
I need for that. There's a way you could know
if it's Cassie back there, darl said. Benny asked how
she took a gun with her a Winchester twenty two
co looker ran back and see if she's got it.
If she does this, Cassie, Benny didn't answer, but went
and stead to the back door. It had a window
in the top half, which Benny had boarded up years ago.
There was still a slip between the boards through which
he could see. Through the window, he saw Cassandra Jolly
standing out there. She looked tucky and peal like she
had just run for her life, and he might have
believed she had if she'd been holding a Winchester twenty two.
But Cassandra Jolly's hands were empty. Beny went straight to
the front door and opened it as quietly as he could.
He could tell Doral was going to say something, probably
thank him, but he raised a finger to his lip
to silence the other man. He gestured for him to
come in and close the door. Once the door was closed,
Benny whispered for Dorol to have a seat and say
out aside. He then returned to the back door. Begone, beast,
he shouted through the boards. You'll receive no invitation here. No, Bernie,
it's me, Cassandra pledge. She was in truth, the real Cassandra. Please,
you have to let me and I just fought the
creature offered. I'm afraid it's after me now. I hid
in Essa's house until it left, then came here. You're
much closer to Essa's than mirror. I won't believe you lies.
Sandra Jolly always takes the path through the words. I
guess you finally got her. No, Benny, go away, he
shouted definitively. I will not open any doors. To you.
He heard Sandra break into sobs as she turned away
and run from the door. He watched through this lid
until she was gone, then returned to where he had
left Dorel in the living room. The only Dora wasn't there.
Jolly Benny called out, she's gone. I sent her packing field.
A hideous voice, nothing like dorol John Alleys, came from
behind him, slightly above Benny. He turned in its direction,
saw it distorted pale beast clinging to the ceiling in
a corner of the room. Before scream could escape his lungs,
the monster leaped from above and tore out Benny's throat
hisss Andra was horrified to find the house empty when
she returned. Dora hadn't left any sort of note, but
she guessed he had gone looking for her. This realization
lefter feeling sick with guilt. What if something terrible happened
to her husband because she had been too stubborn and
hard headed to listen to him. What if that thing
had tricked him as it had tricked her. What had
he said to her the night before that he would
follow her voice even if he was standing over her
cold dead body. It had sounded so stupid and unreasonable
to her then, but now it made a heartache. What
if that thing had lowed him into the woods disguised
with her? How fears were abated when she glanced through
the window and saw her lumbering husband crossing the yard.
He looked beaten and worried. Eager to put him at ease,
Cassandra ran outside. She ran directly into Doro's arms. As
she approached, he grinned as he wrapped his arms around her.
She felt how naturally cold they were. Darles grin continued
to spread up to his ears. The white grin and
the hollow, perilizing eyes above it were the last thing
Cassandra Jolly ever saw