Danny stopped putting up the dishes and peered out the window to take notice. “It is nice out. Don’t know what I’d do, though.”
Ricky was quick to reply. “Go look for a job.” Then, realizing this option was not one that would lure his son away, he added, “Or go fishing with your friends. Or hiking. Just take advantage of this good weather.”
Confused, Danny raised an eyebrow. Usually his father burdened him with chores, punishment for not being employed. “Are you sure?”
Ricky nodded, taking a drag of his cigarette. “Yeah, go on out and enjoy. Before you know it, summer will be gone and it’ll start getting cold out.”
“Okay.” Danny finished with the dishes and rinsed the sink. Then he dried his hands with the dishtowel and glanced at the phone on the wall. “Maybe I’ll give Hannah a call and she if she wants to do something.”
Ricky grimaced a bit, squinting his eyes. “Hannah Dermont? I don’t know, son… I’m afraid she’s out of your league.”
Danny frowned. “What do you mean?”
“She’s too good for you, boy. You need to set your sights on someone more realistic.”
“Thanks for the support, Dad.”
“Look, you’ve been trying at her for years and never got anywhere. Don’t you think it’s time you gave up and started looking for other options?”
The son shrugged. “I suppose. I’m crazy about her though.” His mind conjured the image of her hearty blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes, and perfect body.
Ricky shooed the air with his hand. “Stop wasting your time. There’s plenty of fish in the sea that can make you happy.”
As much as he hated admitting it, his father was right. Hannah had always managed to keep Danny at a distance, warding off his advances time and time again. And there were endless other young women out there to be found. “I suppose,” Danny repeated.
“There ya go. Now go on, get outta here, go do something fun. I gotta focus on work stuff here today.”
Danny needed no further convincing. He squeezed his feet into his sneakers, took bug spray and sunscreen from the cabinet, and said goodbye to his oddly-agreeable father. Then he left the house, strolling across the lawn toward the forest.
Ricky watched through the kitchen window until his son disappeared into the trees beyond the yard.
Then he picked up his cell phone and dialed his young employee, Hannah Dermont.
“Hey, you,” she said warmly when she picked up. “I was just layin’ here thinkin’ about you.”
Her sultry tone made his groin tingle a little as he imagined her sprawled across her bed wearing nothing but a naughty smile. “Hey, pumpkin,” he said. “Ready to go?”
“I sure am. You coming to pick me up?”
“No,” he replied, “can’t have your mother knowing about us, you know that.”
“Fine,” said Hannah. “But I’m gonna need some gas money. I’m almost empty.”
“I gotcha covered.”
“Thanks, baby. Meet you at the store, then?”
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. Pick you up around back, usual spot.”
“Usual spot,” she confirmed.
“I’ll be there in twenty.”
Ricky hung up and trotted upstairs to get ready for her. Looking at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, he smiled slyly to himself. For a man of forty-five, he had it going on. He was still relatively handsome, even with the gray mixed into the brown of his goatee, in good physical shape, financially independent, and having sex with a beautiful girl less than half his age. Yes sir, he thought while running a little gel through his hair, you da man.
Sometimes he felt bad for having a secret relationship with the object of his own son’s desire, but most of the time he just felt like a winner who acquired a prize most men his age never get. One of the perks of owning his own grocery store, he justified, was that he deserved to get his hands on any hot, young employee he could win over. And Hannah was just that.
He had been sleeping with her for about a month now. She was not the first youthful employee he had been secretly intimate with, and probably would not be the last. But for now, she was his.
Ricky grabbed a heavy quilt and made his way back downstairs to the kitchen. There he added a couple of bottles of wine to his pile. Then he hopped into his F-350 pickup, lit a cigarette, and headed into town.
Five minutes later he was at his grocery store. Cruising slowly, he pulled around to the back of the store to look for Hannah’s car. Sure enough, her second-hand Impala was parked next to the loading dock. After ensuring nobody else was around to witness them being together, he parked next to her on the right.
Hannah grabbed her purse, stepped out of her vehicle, and sauntered around the front of her car. As she approached the truck, Ricky took note of how sexy she looked today. Her blonde hair – just long enough to graze her shoulders – bounced and gleamed in the summer sun, a bit of mascara framed her bright blue eyes, and the cutoff jean shorts hugged her hips nicely.
“Hey, you,” said Hannah when she opened the passenger door and hopped aboard. Then she leaned over to kiss him.
Ricky kissed her back, tasting cherry lip balm. “Hey, pumpkin. You look especially hot today.”
“Thank you,” she grinned. “Just for you.” She buckled her seatbelt and released a quiet sigh. “Gimme a smoke, will ya?”
“Yeah, sure.” Ricky handed her his Marlboros from the dash, and she pulled one from the pack. He lit it for her, then put the truck in gear and began driving back around to the front of his store.
Glancing around, Ricky saw nobody outside to recognize him. Satisfied that Hannah had not been seen in the vehicle with him, he pulled onto Main Street and headed toward the northern hills. He would drive the backroads to their destination in order to avoid the noticing eyes of other motorists.
Cruising along the wooded dirt road, Hannah was quiet. Ricky noticed a distracted look on her face. “Are you okay?” he asked. “You look like something’s bothering you.”
“Cappy was out all night last night, and he hasn’t come back today either. He’s never been gone this long.”
Ricky, who despised cats, fought to refrain from saying anything derogatory about Captain Purrbucket. “I’m sure he’ll turn up,” was all he could say.
“I hope so.”
“He will, pumpkin.” Ricky set a reassuring hand on her leg. “I’m sure of it. That’s just what cats do.” He had no idea what cats really did, as he had never lived with one. As far as he knew, cats could only shit, lick, bite, and scratch. But he needed to cheer up his partner if he was going to make the most of their excursion. “He’ll be back by the time you get home. Now come on, don’t give it another thought. We’re gonna have a nice day together.”
Hannah smiled at Ricky’s response. One of the things she liked about him was his ability to take control of any situation and make it better. Ever since she began working for him at the grocery store she took note of his take-charge, everything’s-under-control manner. Sure, he was strict and callous at times, but never to her. He had always treated her different, special.
At first Hannah wasn’t sure how she felt about Ricky being so much older than her, but his flirting brought forth her curiosity. After all, he was attractive, mature, had money, and knew what he wanted. And once she submitted to going to bed with him, she discovered he was also very good at pleasing a woman. Nobody had ever brought her to orgasm like Ricky could.
As the weeks went on, she began falling in love with him. She dared not tell him that, though, at least not yet. She didn’t want to risk scaring him away. But today, while on their quiet drive to the coast, she thought she should at least test the waters.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to sneak around like we do? If we could stop hiding, and come and go as we please together?”
Ricky turned to her, raising an eyebrow. Oh shit, he thought, here it comes. He had worried the time would come when she would become too at
tached and want a public relationship with him. But that would be a problem for him, since Hannah was nothing more than some hot, young thing that he was just using for sex. And he would replace her someday with the next sexy, young employee that took a fancy to him.
“I think we’re doing just fine like we are,” he replied. “No one else needs to know.”
“Why not? We’re both adults, what does it matter if people know we’re together?”
“The town would definitely frown upon it, what with the big age difference between us. You’re going to the same community college as my son, for Chrissake!” That, and I just don’t see myself wanting to be with you forever, he added mentally.
“Why do we care about what they think?”
Ricky fidgeted. “Well, for one thing, people might stop shopping at my store. They’d turn their noses up on us and buy all their groceries across the street. That would ruin me, pumpkin.”
Hannah let that logic settle in. As much as she wanted to be with Ricky, she realized they would be outcasts, the store would go under, and Ricky would soon have no money left to support them. She sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“Sure I am, pumpkin. We just have to keep things our little secret, like we have been.”
Ricky followed the country road to the coast. He passed Pirate’s Bend and continued north until the road ended at a rocky beach. He parked the truck on the edge of the dirt cul-de-sac, turned the motor off, and grinned to his companion.
“Let’s go, pumpkin.”
Hannah was excited. She knew where he was taking her, and it was one of her favorite spots. The rocky coast here was fed by a quiet river that was hardly ever visited. She and Ricky had discovered a beautiful, secluded spot several weeks ago. It was upriver a ways, through the thicket of oaks and pines, where they would never be disturbed.
Grabbing the quilt and the wine, Ricky led Hannah down to the mouth of the river. She shouldered her purse and trailed him along the edge to where the trees created a barrier. The couple crouched and worked their way through the branches until they reached the clearer setting beyond. Then they followed the river upstream, past where the salt water from below mixed with the fresh water, until they found their private spot.
There was a gentle slope of long grass between the water and a large oak. Ricky walked beneath the hearty branches, unfurled the quilt, and spread it over the grass. Then he and Hannah sat, hearing only the sounds of soothing birdsong and the burbling of the easy river. While Ricky opened one of the wine bottles, Hannah tilted her head back, admiring the outstretched Spanish moss dangling over them.
Ricky wasted no time. He felt especially horny today, and wanted to get her in the same mood. He leaned in and rested his mouth on her exposed neck. A murmur of agreement left her lips as he softly kissed and nibbled.
He moved his lips up to hers. She met his kisses enthusiastically, pulling him close. Then she grabbed his shirt and lifted it off of him. Smiling to his lover, Ricky sat back and unbuckled his belt. Hannah peeled her own shirt off and undid her bra to bare her breasts, pink nipples perking.
Ricky could feel himself hardening. The lovely young vision before him was everything he longed to have today. His smile curling to one side, Ricky unbuttoned her cutoffs and pulled them slowly down her legs. Then he slid her teal panties down the same way, brought his face between her legs, and kissed the nakedness he exposed.
“Dirty old man,” she purred.
“You got that right.”
Ricky began to kiss and lick his partner, slowly at first. As his passion and vigor increased, Hannah squirmed ecstatically under his tongue. She was very thankful for her experienced lover; he certainly knew his way around a woman’s body.
There was a sudden rustling of leaves nearby.
Hannah stiffened nervously, sitting up. “What was that?”
Ricky had heard it too. “Probably just a deer,” he assured. “Relax, pumpkin, there’s no one here except us and the critters. And they certainly don’t want anything to do with being around us.”
Hannah studied their surroundings for a moment, then determined nobody was there. She relaxed again, and lay back down on the quilt.
That’s it, thought Ricky, just lie back and give me that sweet, young pussy. He resumed his oral performance. She was now very wet, and he was getting very hard.
He heard the rustling leaves again, causing him to pause his tongue. And he detected a new, unpleasant odor in the air.
Something grabbed him hard by the ankle and ripped him away from Hannah. He suddenly found himself being dragged rapidly down the slope to the river. He heard Hannah’s horrified voice screaming his name just before he was pulled under the water.
Confused and shocked, Ricky struggled to assess what had happened. Then he imagined an alligator taking him into the river, and he realized the danger he could be in. Wildly, desperately, he fought his way to the surface.
He emerged and drew a deep breath of air. When the water flowed out of his eyes, Ricky was able to see Hannah on the river’s edge, flailing and screaming. And he saw something on her.
At first he thought it was an alligator, but he quickly realized the dark, olive-green thing was something else entirely. The man-sized thing had her in its arms – its tentacles – and was biting her. Hannah was shrieking hysterically, her eyes wide and rolling. Blood was flowing quickly from her shoulder, covering her breasts and belly. Ricky saw the tentacles rip into her flesh with what looked like talons at the tips. Then he was pulled under once more.
Ricky felt something unbelievably strong wrap around his torso and squeeze. Terror and dread consumed him as he realized what had just happened to Hannah was happening to him. He struggled with all his might, but could not free himself from his attacker. He felt his body ripped open and pieces being torn away.
As blood and air left Ricky’s body, so did consciousness and life.
CHAPTER 14
Mason awoke to a chill in the morning air. He opened his eyes and focused them on the bedroom window. It had been open since last night, letting the evening air into the room to help cool the house. But this morning had not brought with it the warmth of the sun. Instead it was gray, gloomy, and breezy.
Shuffling to the window, Mason gazed at the skies beyond. He got to the window, closed it, and studied the scene outside. Clouds were building, blowing inward from the sea; a storm was coming in.
This would be a good day for Mason to stay in and clean the house. It had not been tended to for over a week, and could surely use some dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming. But first he wanted some coffee time.
Mason threw on a bathrobe and went downstairs to the kitchen. After starting a pot of coffee, he ventured to the front porch to grab the daily newspaper. The breeze from the looming clouds brought leaves from the trees scuttling across the wooden porch. He watched them skip past his feet and disappear over the side.
He returned to the kitchen, poured a mug of coffee, and sat at the table with his paper. Two hours softly went by while Mason enjoyed the printed pieces and refills of steaming coffee. For the first time since the death of his mother, he began to feel comfortable as the new master of his home.
Inevitably it was time to clean. Mason set his mug in the sink and searched the cabinet below for cleaning supplies. He found the bathroom cleaner, scrubber, glass cleaner, paper towels, and furniture polish, setting them on the counter one at a time. Then he collected the mass into his arms and went upstairs to begin.
After scrubbing and wiping down the bathrooms, he needed a break. He had not yet eaten, and his stomach was making him well aware of the fact. Looking at a clock in the bedroom, he noticed it was noon. Sherrie’s Shack would be open now, and a hot, hearty lunch was just what he needed.
Mason arrived at the restaurant five minutes later. He parked his old Mazda and walked to the entrance, but then frowned when he saw a sign on the door stating the eatery was temporarily closed. Seeing movement through the windows, he tried
the door. It was unlocked, so Mason went inside.
He saw Eaver, her hair pulled back and held with a clip, bringing broken boards in from the back and adding them to the stack on the counter. She looked upset.
“Hey, Eave,” said Mason. “What’s going on?”
Eaver sighed. “The smokehouse is destroyed. It’s a wreck back there.”
“What? What happened?”
“Not sure, probably animals. All the meat’s gone.”
“Shit. That sucks.”
“C’mon back,” she said, “we could use a hand.”
“Sure.” Mason followed his friend through the kitchen and outside to where the smokehouse was kept. He was shocked by what he saw.
The structure no longer existed. Three of the four walls were gone, reduced to scraps of broken cedar that were scattered all over. The gabled roof had fallen and was leaning on the corner of the brick firebox. Cinch was pushing the roof to the side so he could retrieve more debris from the ground. Sherrie was there too, helping clean up the wreckage.
“Hi Mason,” said Sherrie when she saw him. “Can you believe this?”
“No,” he replied. “This is crazy. Like a tornado hit it.” There was a hint of rotten egg stench in the air, and Mason winced. “What’s that smell from?”
“Dunno,” Sherrie shrugged. “It seems to be on some of the busted wood.”
“Smells like sulfur.”
“De smell of hellfire an’ brimstone,” said Cinch, standing straight to address Mason. “It’s de sliggers.”
Mason blinked. “What?”
“He’s been goin’ on about monsters from the deep,” said Eaver, with a slight roll of her eyes.
“I saw ‘em,” the old cook insisted. “De other night, when I be fishin’. And dey smell like dat, like rotten egg. And now dey come here, last night, for my meats.”
Indeed, hardly any of the meat normally held in the smokehouse was anywhere to be seen. Just a few bones and bits and pieces of pork spotting the area. “We don’t have bears around here,” Mason stated. “I wonder what could’ve done this.”
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