by Alex Archer
"And back out here by dusk?"
"If not sooner."
Jenny yawned. "I could do with a nap and a shower, preferably while a burly country dude bathes me."
Annja smirked. "Better use all of that wanton lust to help drive you on the walk back."
Jenny smiled. "I will. As long as you take the lead and I can just follow along behind you, I should be fine."
"Oh, sure, you get to have all the fun." Annja started walking down the small track. "Let's get moving, then."
"Right behind you."
The animal run seemed remarkably free of debris. Along the way, Annja spotted small pellets of rabbit scat that seemed to confirm that the run was relatively well used. But would it lead them back to the main road?
It must. Otherwise, why would Joey point them in this direction? Annja had to assume that he had gone after the three idiots who had killed Cheehawk. She didn't blame him for feeling the rage she knew was burning inside of him. She felt bad that it would consume him at such a young age, though.
Try to remember how you felt at fourteen, she thought to herself. Back then, the world hadn't seemed like a very fair place at all. As she walked, Annja could feel the disquieting anger she'd long ago tried to make peace with welling up inside her again. She sighed. Does it ever truly go away? Or does it simply lie dormant until something triggers it all over again?
"Annja?"
She glanced back at Jenny. "What?"
"You okay?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Because I just asked you a question and you ignored me."
Annja smiled. "Sorry, I got a little lost inside myself for a moment. It happens sometimes. I didn't mean to ignore you."
"Okay."
Annja kept walking. "So what was your question?"
"When did you first get that sword of yours and where is it now?"
Annja groaned. "I thought we agreed not to talk about it?"
"I never agreed to that. I simply let you get on with figuring out what direction we were going. Now it's open season on you and that big hunk of metal you somehow heft."
"You're not going to let me out of answering your questions this time, are you?"
"Not a chance, sister. Now start dishing."
Annja stooped to avoid a low pine branch. "It was back in France. Several years ago. And ever since I got the sword, it's always with me."
"I don't get it. Where is it?"
Annja decided the truth was the only way to go, even if Jenny had a hard time with it. "I don't honestly know. It's as if it's in some other plane of existence. I can summon the sword and I can put it back there again."
"What are you talking about? Like an out-of-body experience?"
Annja didn't feel like getting into this or the spirit walk she'd supposedly made with Joey's grandfather. "I guess so. Maybe."
"How weird."
"It's most definitely weird. And since I'm not entirely sure how all of it works, it's even stranger to discuss, you know? I mean, I know that you want answers to your questions. But you've got to understand that I don't necessarily have any answers to give."
"You've got questions of your own, huh?"
"You can say that again. The sword comes with a host of stuff that I can't even begin to talk about, let alone try to make you comprehend. I was chosen to have the sword for some reason, and that's all I know. For the time being, I have to accept that. Until I'm made aware of my destiny, if there even is one, then I guess I just keep doing what I know how to do."
"In any event," Jenny said, "it makes for something to talk about on a long walk back to town."
Annja stopped. "Maybe not so long."
"What?"
Annja pointed. "Look."
Through the trees, they could see what looked like the black asphalt of a road. They'd made it out of the woods.
Chapter 14
Annja stepped out onto the well-worn asphalt of the main road. Small puddles of water from the overnight storm acted like moats between the woods and civilization. Annja glanced one way and then the other before looking at Jenny.
"What do you think?"
"About what?"
"Which way do we go? Left or right?"
Jenny looked right and then left. "I think left. That was the direction we headed initially when we drove in."
Annja nodded. Her gut instinct was to head left, as well. What had Joey said in the darkness? That the distance was a few miles? They could cover that in under an hour if they were lucky.
"Let's go."
Jenny fell in step beside her. "I should apologize."
"For what?"
"Getting you involved in all of this. I never meant for it to be such a headache. I just wanted you to see what David had promised to show me."
Annja smiled. "You dragged me out here without even knowing what it was first?"
"I guess so." Jenny shook her head. "I wasn't thinking very clearly. So am I forgiven?"
Annja shrugged, listening to her boots roll over bits of loose stone on the road. "You show me some definitive proof that big foot exists and I might think about it."
Jenny smiled. "I knew you were a closet believer."
"I never said that."
"Didn't have to. I know you'd be thrilled if it turns out that David has something truly amazing to show us. Who wouldn't be?"
"Of course I would, but I'm still skeptical as hell. I just can't accept the idea that something like a Sasquatch could survive in the wilderness what with all our technology and encroachment."
"Joey disappeared on us when we were less than ten feet away from him."
"We were distracted."
"He built those cairns without us even realizing it. I'd say that was pretty impressive."
"So what? You think that makes him a relative to the Sasquatch or something?" Annja frowned. "That's crazy."
"I'm not suggesting that at all. I'm simply saying that if Joey can be that stealthy with us so close and we knew he was there, then why is it so difficult for you to consider the possibility that a creature who knows these woods like the back of his hand could evade any attempt to find him?"
"Because a Sasquatch isn't a Joey."
"How do you know how intelligent they are? They could be more evolved than us. You never know."
Annja sighed. She had to admit that for a moment before she saw Cheehawk clawing at their structure, she had briefly wondered whether they were being attacked by the likes of big foot or not. She'd stood, fully expecting to be confronted by a giant ape-man covered in long coarse hair and fur.
"Well, let's wait to see what amazing evidence this David guy has and then I'll make up my mind. You know, because I'm a scientist and I'm supposed to say things like that."
Jenny smirked. "It isn't all facts. It's the burning questions that drive us to explore and discover things, not the reinforcement of factual information. If that's what drove me, then I'd be a pretty dull woman."
"You're saying I'm dull now?"
Jenny shook her head. "Nope. But maybe you've forgotten the wonder of all that we do. Maybe it's become stale for you in the wake of finding out you have to carry that sword around with you."
"Not the sword again."
"Well, can you blame me for wondering about you? The last time we were together, you were much more happy-go-lucky. Now you're much more a cynic. You frown a lot more than you used to, and I wonder what happened to the Annja Creed I used to know."
"You sound like the mother I never had."
"Don't dodge the question, Annja."
Annja walked another few steps and took a deep breath. "I've seen a lot of bad stuff since I got this sword. Maybe it's having an effect on me that I haven't realized until now."
"What kinds of bad stuff?"
"A lot of death. And I've been the cause of some of it. Justifiable, of course, but it's death just the same. "
"You've killed people?"
"Yes."
Jenny fell silent for a moment. "That
's a lot of bad karma you're hauling there."
"Tell me about it."
"And here I thought my man troubles were plenty bad."
"I don't have time to think about men. Well, not much, anyway."
Jenny laughed. "I knew the old Annja was still in there somewhere. Remember that time in Virginia Beach at that bar with the Navy guys?"
"Don't even bring that up."
"So you do remember."
"How in the world could I ever forget? I never heard someone sing in quite that way before. It was horrifying and hilarious at the same time."
"You saying I shouldn't try out for American Idol anytime soon, huh?"
"You'd be better off sticking with big foot," Annja said.
They kept walking and, for Annja, the sound of the footsteps was in some small way comforting. The rhythm of their pace as they continued to trek down the road with the forest on either side helped refresh her spirit. As different as she and Jenny were, there was a comfort in being with her. The sense of the familiar. It was something Annja realized was missing from her life in a big way.
Maybe this globe-trotting stuff was getting old. Maybe the whole Chasing History's Monsters thing was getting old, too. She could always stop, she supposed. Settle down somewhere and teach. She'd had job offers from universities before. Who wouldn't want to hire a former television personality? Her classes would be enormously popular.
But could she stop? Could she quench her desire to explore and discover? And if she managed to quell the sense of curiosity that had been driving her for years, what would happen to the sword? Would it go away and find another home? Would it stay with her and continue to be a presence in her life?
And what about the death she'd dealt?
"You okay?" Jenny asked.
Annja nodded. "Yeah, just thinking."
"About what?"
"About everything. It isn't often I find myself able to devote so much time to my thoughts about my life and work. Most of the time people are shooting guns at me or trying to stab me to death or some other really bad stuff."
"That sounds awfully dramatic, Annja."
"It's just the way things are for me these days," Annja said quietly.
"Why don't you stop?"
Annja glanced at her. "I've thought about it. I don't know if I can stop."
"Why? Because you don't want to?"
"That's part of it."
"Because the sword won't let you?"
Annja shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not sure if I have to ask or what. Maybe I can just stop. Maybe I'm meant for something greater than what I can understand at this moment in time."
"Your role in this may not even be determined yet."
Annja nodded. "I've thought about that, as well. Doesn't make any of this any easier to take, let me tell you."
"I think you'll probably keep going."
Annja smiled. "Maybe so. But you'd better find a nice man and settle down so I can at least pretend I know what a grounded, stable life is all about."
"I'm trying, I'm trying." Jenny laughed. "It's good to have you around again, Annja."
"Likewise."
From behind them, Annja heard a low rumbling sound. She stopped and stepped closer to the edge of the road. "You hear that? This could be our ticket into town."
Jenny smiled. "I was always told not to hitchhike. Are you saying I should go back on my pledge?"
"Flash your legs if you need to, but I'm tired of walking and wasting time. We need to get out of these woods."
The sound of the engine grew louder and Annja figured it was the steady throttle of a pickup truck.
Jenny started primping. "If the driver's cute, I call shotgun."
Annja sighed. "Fine. I'll sit in the back, for all I care. My legs are tired and I can use the rest."
The sound grew even louder. Annja pulled Jenny closer to her. "He sounds as if he's going at a fairly good clip. Better stand over here so we don't get hit."
"It's coming," Jenny said.
Annja saw the front of the truck emerge from around the corner about three hundred yards down the road. It was a dark pickup with its headlights still on.
"They won't miss us," Jenny said. She started waving her hands, trying to flag down the truck.
"Think it's the sheriff out patroling?"
Jenny shrugged. "Who cares? It's a vehicle and we can ride into town instead of walking. As long as they're not cannibals interested in stripping off our flesh, I don't care who they are."
Annja frowned. "Lovely thought."
"I'm just kidding."
The truck rumbled closer and Annja could see it was starting to slow down as it approached.
"They see us," Jenny said. "We're in!"
Annja stepped out onto the road and waved with Jenny. The truck eased to a stop about twenty yards away. Jenny ran to the truck cab and Annja had to follow after her. "Wait up."
Jenny climbed into the truck.
Annja came abreast of the cab and looked in the open door, half expecting to see someone dangerous staring back at her.
Instead, she saw Jenny beaming. Next to her was a handsome man with dark brown hair and the brightest blue eyes Annja had ever seen. Even though he was sitting, Annja could tell that he was tall and extremely fit.
She looked at Jenny. "Happy?"
"Annja, this is David. The guy I told you about."
Annja looked at him, seeing the brass star on his chest for the first time. "You never mentioned he was the sheriff."
"I didn't know."
The sheriff held out his hand. "Climb in. You two look as if you've had quite the adventure."
Annja climbed into the truck and stared back at the woods. I hope we can find Joey in time, she thought.
Chapter 15
David glanced over at Annja. "All set?"
Annja nodded and risked a look at Jenny, who looked positively ecstatic to be squeezed in next to David. "You okay?"
Jenny winked at her. "Perfect."
David slid the truck into gear and they rolled off down the main road. The truck bucked as it went over a pothole in the road. David rested his hands on the steering wheel.
"You guys were walking back to town?"
Annja nodded. "It's been a rough night."
"Has it?"
Jenny looked at him. "What in the world happened to you? Why weren't you at the hotel like you said you were going to be?"
David looked a little sheepish. "I got called out of town unexpectedly. I tried to get in touch, but the cell-phone reception is absolutely terrible up in these parts. I'm really sorry."
"Well, as long as nothing happened to you." Jenny squeezed herself over a little more, prompting David to chuckle.
"I need to drive, Jenny."
"Sorry," she said, sounding miffed.
Annja watched the road for a moment. "What called you out of town?"
"Pardon?"
"The errand you had to run? What was it?"
David shrugged. "Just some police stuff. I was about twenty miles up north, is all. I'd tell you about it, but it's really boring. I wouldn't want you guys to fall asleep on me."
Annja felt uneasy. Something didn't feel right. How could Jenny not know that David was the sheriff up here? Was that the truth? And why was David so evasive about why he'd been out of town?
"Jenny tells me you've got some amazing big-foot evidence to show her?"
David nodded. "In town. We'll go past the station so I can get some stuff, and then I'll show you."
"What is it exactly?"
David shook his head. "I don't want to spoil the surprise."
"Annja," Jenny said, "just be a little patient."
"We need to get some help when we get back to town," she said to David.
"Oh?"
"Do you have deputies or anything like that? Guys you can call on for help? Maybe the State Police?"
"Why would I need to do a thing like that?"