by Hunt, Jack
Thud, thud, thud.
In an instant, Travis ducked out of view and vanished, disappearing into white.
10
For Kelly it was an act of survival.
When the single flame licked up against the sauna’s fireplace glass, and the wood crackled and popped as a blaze consumed it — hope reignited, and with it a strong determination to escape. Heating the rocks was every bit a means of staying alive as it was staying in control when she felt so far from it.
Right now it was all she had to work with.
A warm glow spread throughout the small space. She was aware of how hot it would get over the next forty minutes, maybe too hot to remain inside, but there was a point to the madness.
“You can’t stay in there,” he’d said.
Of course not. He knew that, she knew that. The clock was ticking. Eventually, she’d have to emerge and run but that relied upon more than just aimlessly wading into the woods. Panic had killed many a hiker in the wild and Kelly had no intention of becoming a statistic.
No, she needed time.
Time to plan.
Time to outsmart him.
She stoked the fire and threw in another log, all the while wondering if he’d burst through the door. Kelly removed her winter jacket and placed it on the cedar bench beside her and stared at the single exit.
Where was he?
What was he doing?
Was he out there, watching, waiting for her?
I don’t want to hurt you. His words echoed in her mind.
Words that sickened her. She didn’t believe him for a second. He’d already lied more than once, already shoved her into a counter. If he didn’t want to harm her, what was his end game? Why was he here? Was this all part of toying with her? Most importantly — who was he? Did Cole know him? Was this some kind of twisted form of retribution? No. Cole liked to be at the helm of abuse. It was about power, control. It had been one of the main reasons why he became a police officer. Of course not all cops were like that but it was clear that some enjoyed it, and pushed the envelope of what was allowed.
Kelly inched toward the door and peered through the frosted pane of glass. Snow fell heavy and thick, blurring the trees and lookout. The wind howled loudly making it hard to hear anything except the blood in her ears. A light from inside the lookout glowed a dull yellow. She squinted. Was he in there? Her vision was limited. The small window was only meant to let in a few rays of daylight. If it was too large, a lot of the heat would have escaped. Her eyes drifted to piles of wood up against the outhouse.
The axe. She’d left it beside the sauna. If she could just get out and grab it, then… She sighed. No, that’s what he wanted. As soon as she opened that door he would pounce. He was out there, waiting.
Erin rubbed her hands together to stay warm. The heater in the Snowcat wasn’t strong. It was a makeshift unit that Hank installed below the front seats, mostly to keep the feet of guests warm in the back. Bundled up in a dark black winter coat with thick boots, gloves and snowshoes at the ready, she tried to get her bearings. Every tree looked the same, coated in white. “Hank, I really appreciate this. I think my 4WD would have made it but Bryce was worried I’d get lost or stuck, and with the spotty cellular activity, well, thanks for the ride.”
Hank gripped the steering wheel tight. The windshield wipers pumped back and forth, a steady rhythm that was hypnotic. Two bright headlights cut into the darkness revealing the wintry deluge. Hank waved her off. “Oh don’t mention it. I told Kelly I would bring up some more logs. I was going to do it tomorrow because of the weather but then you called… and, well I can kill two birds with one stone. Besides, it gives me a reason to get out of the house. Mrs. Walton is on the warpath at the moment.”
Erin laughed. “Marriage that good?”
“Yep, thirty-two years. You have a lot to look forward to.”
The Snowcat rumbled over compacted snow, its tracks making easy work of the storm as it came up on the final stretch.
“So what trouble have you ladies got planned?”
“C’mon now, Hank, you know we can’t tell you,” she said with a smile before reaching into her bag and pulling out a bottle of Chardonnay. “I figured she deserves a night off from it all.”
He nodded. “Very nice. That’s good of you.” He was quiet for a second or two, before he glanced over. “This isn’t because of guilt, is it?”
Erin looked at her. “That obvious? Did Kelly say anything?”
“No but you know how people talk. And well…”
She groaned. “Yeah, they can’t stop flapping their gums in this town.” She squinted. “Look, I would be lying to say I don’t feel somewhat responsible.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You didn’t know how he would turn out nor did Kelly. I’m pretty sure most folks don’t know where it will end up when they enter a relationship.”
Erin shrugged; her coat rustled. “I know but… I just wish I had a way to turn back time.”
“You were trying to do the right thing, be a good a friend and whatnot.”
Hank narrowed his eyes and looked as if he was having a hard time seeing but he’d driven this trail so many times, Erin was sure he could have done it with his eyes closed.
“Lining her up with an abuser. Yeah, that’s a good friend.”
Hank snorted. “Well she’s out of it now.”
“She’s not out of the woods yet. Let’s hope that asshole gets what he deserves.”
The Snowcat’s tracks bit into the snow and came to a halt at the bottom of the driveway which cut up into the forest. They leaned back in their seats as it began the climb. It couldn’t go all the way, the last 10 percent had to be on foot but it managed to get up around the 90 degree bend before he parked it. “You need a hand with the logs?” she asked, climbing out as he cut the engine.
“No, go on up and get warm. I’ll have this done in a New York minute.”
Erin slipped into snowshoes and trudged up toward the lookout. In between the trees she could see its dull glow, like a beacon, a lighthouse shining its beam out, 360 degrees. Another gust of wind blew ice crystals into her face, making her gasp. The fur around her hood whipped into her eyes as she squinted. She cast a glance back to Hank but could only make out the dark form of the Snowcat.
Bryce thought she was crazy for going up there again, especially so soon after they’d spent the week there. He was a big-city boy and wasn’t used to the wildness of northern Idaho, whereas she’d grown up in these parts, the woods were her playground. Maybe, that’s why she’d encouraged Kelly to pursue the purchase of the lookout.
Ahead, all she could see was snow, blowing and swirling as she made her way to the foot of the lookout. She looked down at her snowshoes pressing into the deep snow that had compacted since yesterday. She plodded on, removed them and grabbed the railing that led up to the hatch.
“This is going to be ice wine by the time we drink it, Kelly,” she said under her breath. As she climbed the final steps, she was just about to knock when the hatch opened and a good-looking stranger loomed over her.
“You must be Erin. I’m Adam, Kelly’s brother.”
Her mouth widened and she remembered Kelly saying he would be coming up. “Oh, wonderful. She said you’d be visiting.” He extended a hand and helped her in. He was a strapping fellow, chiseled chin, broad shoulders and wearing one of the jackets that had been hanging up on the door, one belonging to Cole. “Wow, it’s blustery out there. I told Kelly I would be coming tonight. I’m meant to stay and have a few drinks,” she said looking around hoping to see Kelly.
Kelly had been sitting on the bench contemplating what to do. The sauna was close to reaching full temperature except she hadn’t splashed any water on the hot stones and she didn’t intend to — that would have only suffocated her in a plume of steam and she had already stripped down to her pants and shirt. Even her boots were off.
Sitting there wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She sidled up
to the window and carefully peered into the frozen world of Mother Nature. Kelly feared that he would eventually attempt to smash the glass and try to unlock the door, but even if he did, unless he had arms like an orangutan, he wouldn’t be able to reach the lock. The door rattled again, and for a second she thought he was there but it was just the wind beating against it, lifting snow and creating a tornado of white. It howled furiously, making it that much harder to hear if Travis was nearby.
Kelly touched the cut on her head, blood had caked her cheek.
Her skull was throbbing and every few seconds she would feel a jolt of pain course through her, the beginning of a headache, or perhaps worse — swelling of the brain. Her head had struck that headboard pretty hard.
The axe was around the side of the sauna, stuck into a log. All she needed to do was slip out and grab it. She could be back within less than a minute if she moved fast. Donning her coat and boots, Kelly carefully pulled the latch, making sure to not make a sound. Her stomach dropped, an ominous feeling of doom washed over her as she pushed open the door, ever so slowly.
Kelly’s brother took the wine from her hand and placed it on the counter while looking for a corkscrew. Erin scanned the room. Everything looked in place. Nothing unusual.
“So where’s Kelly?” Erin asked still standing, unsure if she should stay now.
“Oh she didn’t say?” he asked over his shoulder as he fished into the cutlery drawer.
“Say what?”
He turned with a corkscrew in hand. “She went into town with our mother earlier today. Yeah, said she might end up staying because of the weather.”
He walked over to the window and looked out, and shook his head.
“You’re joking, right? I told her that I was coming tonight.”
He laughed then it faded. “I’m gathering you haven’t met our mother then?” He bit down on his lower lip, his eyes darting to the window. “She can be pretty insistent when she wants to. I think that’s where Kelly gets her stubbornness.”
“Strength you mean,” Erin said, quick to correct him. She didn’t like the idea that anyone could make Kelly feel any worse than she did, even if he was her brother.
“Right,” he nodded, holding the corkscrew in hand.
“She’s been through a lot over this past year and the last thing she needs is anyone making her feel less than.”
His lip curled. “Oh I hear you. No, I think her future is bright.”
Erin looked around the room then at him. “I couldn’t help but notice…” She pointed at his face and he let out a chuckle.
“Oh this.” He sighed. “Yeah, Kelly warned me not to spend too long inside the sauna or get too close to those rocks. That steam is crazy. Really hot.”
“Yeah, I was saying the very same thing to my guy.”
“Is he here… with you? I noticed someone outside.”
“Oh, no that’s Hank. The caretaker of the lookout. He gave me a ride because of the weather. He’s just bringing up wood now.”
He rocked his head back and nodded. “Ah, right.”
Erin blew out her cheeks. “Well this is inconvenient. I’m not sure if I should wait, or…”
“No. I’m pretty sure they said they were going to stay the night at the motel.”
Erin took out her phone and looked at it. “And of course when you need reception you can’t get it.” She placed it back into her pocket, looked at him and smiled. “I wouldn’t even know if she sent me a text.”
“Yeah, pretty shabby reception up here.” He shrugged. “What can you do. Look, I’ll tell Kelly you swung by or maybe you can check the motel — that is if you catch her in time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, she was thinking of heading back to Boise with our mother. I offered to wrap up things here. You know, winterize, close it down and so forth.” He sucked in a lungful of air. “She’s really going to miss this old place.”
Erin’s brow knit together in confusion. “Miss?”
“Oh she didn’t tell you?”
Erin was even more perplexed.
“She’s thinking of selling. Yeah, it’s just a lot of work and a distraction from her writing.” He leaned against the counter and took a deep breath, casting another glance outside as if he was concerned about the weather or something else.
“Huh? I always thought she loved this place.”
“I know. Disappointing. I tried to talk her out of it but she seemed pretty convinced that’s what she wants to do. Anyway, if I speak to her before you, I will let her know you dropped by. You do have a ride back, I gather?”
Still perplexed she only caught the end of what he said. “Ride. Yes. Hank. Well. It’s nice to finally meet you. She spoke a lot about you.”
“Good things, I hope?”
“Always.”
She smiled as she turned and lifted the hatch and began to exit. As Erin dropped down to eye level with the floor, she noticed something unusual, a pot tucked under the bed, there was a puddle of liquid nearby, brown in color.
“You uh, drop a pan?” she asked.
“Oh, that. Yeah. My bad. Please, don’t tell Kelly. I’m such a butterfingers. She’ll ride me over it for weeks. I was cleaning up when you knocked. I just kicked it under the bed — you know, didn’t want the place looking a mess.”
She nodded. “I know the feeling. I’m usually flying around our house picking up Bryce’s socks and dishes when uninvited guests show up.”
They both laughed and he followed her out.
11
Was her mind playing tricks? Kelly could have sworn she heard voices, low, undistinguishable. Kelly tilted her head and closed her eyes in a concerted effort to focus. It was only a few seconds, but it felt like longer. Eyelids sealed shut, she heard nothing — no conversation — except the wind howling. Her eyes blinked open to the darkness of night and snow spinning up, wrapping her in a blanket of white. She was on the far side of the sauna, out of view of the lookout, and unable to see if he was coming. Latching on to the axe’s handle, she tried to free it. It was harder than before. The cold had all but frozen it inside the huge log. All around her stacks of wood were wet and covered in snow. She pressed her boot against the edge of the log to gain some leverage, then cast a nervous glance over her shoulder before forcing her weight down. C’mon! It should have shifted but instead the log just rocked.
Damn it!
The wind nipped harder; her body was quickly losing heat.
A sudden barrage of ice needles stabbed her face as a monster gust of wind shook her violently. Kelly gasped as she lowered her head, trying unsuccessfully to free the axe. “C’mon. C’mon, you bastard!”
Erin turned and hollered into the wind as Kelly’s brother remained on the lower step. “Well, hey, nice to meet you.”
He smiled and nodded but seemed distracted by Hank who was hauling up an armful of logs and heading toward the sauna. “Oh, uh Hank, you can just leave those there. I will…” he called out but Hank didn’t hear him. The noise of the 90 mile an hour wind, the rustle of the trees was too loud. Hank just thought he was waving and waved back, continuing to tramp toward the sauna where gray smoke billowed out the chimney. Why was it on?
“He’s fine. He’s just dropping off wood,” Erin said, distracted by the smoke.
Kelly’s brother looked concerned; his expression seemed out of place. He bounced off the lower step into the snow and tried to catch up with Hank but because he wasn’t wearing any snowshoes his legs sank. Perplexed as to why he was so bothered, she placed a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Everything okay?” she asked.
Using every ounce of strength to dislodge the axe, Kelly gripped the axe further down the handle and lifted the entire log in an attempt to smash it against the rest of the stack. No good. It was too heavy. She tried again, placing one foot on the log and the other behind her, and forced the handle down to pry the axe loose.
Finally!
In one sudden, jerking motion, the blad
e broke away and she turned to head back into the sauna.
Too late.
Kelly heard the slosh of boots in snow before she saw the figure, hood up, coated in white, coming around the corner with a handful of… Before she even registered what it was, she raised the axe and slammed it into the crook of his neck.
Logs tumbled.
One after the other they dropped into the snow as the hooded figure looked up, his face an expression of horror, caught in the grip of certain death.
“No. No! No. Hank!”
He looked at her with desperate eyes, unable to speak before stumbling back and dropping, blood gushing out of his neck turning the snow instantly red.
Frantically, Kelly dropped to his side and placed a hand into the bloody crook of his neck. The axe was stuck deep in the bone, instantly her hands were gloved in red as she struggled to find words. Tears erupted from the corners of her eyes.
“I didn’t know… I…”
His eyes glazed over, dull and expressionless as his spirit departed.
Falling on top of him, her tears got the better of her as she wailed.
Then she realized. Where was he? If Hank had made it here in one piece, had Travis left, escaped while he could? It was possible. Fishing into Hank’s pockets, her eyesight blurred by tears, and coughing because she was hyperventilating, Kelly searched for his cell phone.
Gripping it tightly she looked up at the sight of movement off to the left. A blur of darkness. Hurrying through a curtain of snow, Erin came into view, rounding a cluster of trees, her eyes widening in shock at the grim sight. “Erin!” She looked back at Hank. “I… I…” Words failed her as she tried to get a grip on the situation. Shock was taking over, adrenaline pumping through her body, making it hard to think.