The Departed

by Chase McCown

  Susan glowered at him before turning her attention back to the map.

  Jacob began to wander, not paying much attention to where he was heading, until he awoke from his daydreaming and realized he was in a place called the Glenwood Cemetery. He looked around the cemetery, glancing around at the tombstones until he came to one that was particularly interesting. He shone his flashlight on the writing and inspected it further. It read:

  ACCORDING TO LOCAL LEGEND...

  ON MAY 25, 1904, THE WITCH OF YAZOO CITY BROKE OUT OF THESE CURIOUS CHAIN LINKS SURROUNDING HER GRAVE AND BURNED DOWN YAZOO CITY. WRITER WILLIE MORRIS’S CLASSIC ‘GOOD OLD BOY’ BROUGHT NATIONAL RENOWN TO THIS VENGEFUL WOMAN AND HER SHAMEFUL DEED.

  IN HONOR OF RAY ROGERS SR. SEXTON 21 YEARS, JAN. 7, 1974 TO JULY 1, 1995.

  YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI

  “Hey, guys! Come take a look at this!” Jacob called.

  “What is it, Jake? We’re kind of busy,” Susan huffed.

  “Just read this,” he said.

  The others stopped and read the tombstone before turning to face Jacob again.

  “What does it mean?” Howard asked.

  “I don’t know, but it gives me the creeps. I don’t like this place,” Jacob said.

  “Well, we were trying to find our way out of here before you made us come look at this stupid tombstone,” Susan mocked and turned to leave.

  “Look out!” Jacob shouted, leaping into Susan and knocking her back just as the tombstone came off balance and fell with a thud right where she had been standing only moments ago.

  “Are you guys okay? What happened?” Howard asked.

  “The witch!” Mike shouted.

  “That’s just a myth, Mike. There’s no such thing as—” Susan began, but Mike cut her off.

  “I saw her! She pushed the tombstone down!” Mike repeated.

  “Slow down. Start over from the beginning. What did you see?” Howard asked.

  “While you two were arguing, I saw a shadow move behind the tombstone, and then it fell over. It was the witch! It had to be!” Mike argued.

  Susan was stunned by the conviction in Mike’s words. She wasn’t sure if he had really seen a witch or not, but it was clear he believed he had, and that thought alone was enough to send a shiver down her spine.

  “Come on, guys,” Howard said at last. “Let’s get out of here.”

  The others nodded and followed closely behind.

  As they trekked back to the car, a strong wind began to pick up. It swept over them, and it howled and cackled and screeched at them until they were nearly driven mad with fear. The night sky’s full moon turned a deep, rich crimson. Iron gates rattled, trees creaked, and the whole town threatened to fly away with the gale. The four flung the car doors open and rushed into the SUV. As soon as the doors closed, the howling stopped, and clarity returned.

  Howard turned the key, started the car, and decided to put as much distance between himself and Yazoo City as he could.

  Chapter 46

  May 24th, 2025. Just outside of Pascagoula, Mississippi.

  The group was approaching the Alabama state line. As they drew closer, a man approached their car. He wore a top hat and carried a long, wooden cane. His hair was graying, his face was wrinkled around his eyes, and he walked with a slight limp. Still, he practically skipped toward them in excitement, despite the limp. He seemed to use his cane to pole vault as he walked, which helped him move surprisingly quickly.

  Two large men shambled beside him. They appeared either extremely dull in personality or devoid of emotion. At times, they lagged behind him, seemingly unwilling to keep up with his quick pace.

  He tapped with his cane on the window, and Howard cracked the window slightly to hear him.

  “Welcome, welcome!” the man shouted in glee. “I am the great and mighty Mendax, and these are my two very best friends, Jared and Steven. Say hello, you two!”

  The two men moaned something that none of the four could interpret, and Mendax chastised them.

  “Enunciate! No one can understand you when you mumble like that.”

  You’ve got to be kidding me, Jacob thought to himself, shaking his head.

  “What’s this about, Mendax?” Howard asked.

  Susan had a bad feeling about the whole situation, a feeling she couldn’t shake. She wanted to warn Howard but couldn’t put her concern into words.

  “I’d like to show you all something. Something extra-special, something truly magnificent! Step out, if you would, please.”

  “I don’t think so,” Howard said, putting the car into drive.

  The man pulled out a pistol and pointed it at Howard’s head before speaking again. “Pretty please? With sugar on top?”

  The four slowly exited the car, careful not to draw the man’s ire.

  “Oh goody! Jared, Steven, put these blindfolds on our esteemed guests. Right this way, please. Single file if you will, and keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times.”

  Mendax led them for what seemed like hours, and all the while, his goons trudged beside them.

  “Where are you taking us?” Jacob asked, lifting his blindfold up to see his surroundings.

  “Nuh uh uh! No peeking! Wouldn’t want you spoiling the surprise, now would we?” Mendax said.

  Jacob groaned in disbelief. They had crossed half of the contiguous United States, and now they were going to be beaten by some clown in a top hat? He reluctantly put the blindfold back in place and continued his march.

  Susan sped up until she was next to Jacob. She whispered in his ear. “We have to be careful. This guy is more dangerous than he seems. I’ve dealt with this kind of thing before. He’s—”

  “You there! Back in line, please.”

  “There’s no time to explain. Just tell Howard to be careful!” Susan said at last.

  “Don’t make me ask again unless you’d like to have a talk with Steven or Jared,” Mendax said.

  Susan returned to her spot in line, and Mendax turned his gaze from her and resumed his cheery march.

  “Look, I’m sorry, but I’m not going any further until—” Howard said, but Mendax cut him off, his cheer souring for a moment. Howard noticed him curse under his breath. He brought the line to a halt and turned to one of the shambling shells that were following them.

  “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, do NOT drag your feet when you walk!” Mendax said as he pulled out a pistol, pointed it at Jared, and fired. Jared slumped over and fell with a thud, but Mendax hardly seemed to notice. He calmly holstered his pistol, inhaled deeply, and soon his smile returned. “Sorry about that. It couldn’t be helped. You just can’t seem to find good help these days. This way, please!”

  Susan shuddered. Mendax had killed Jared for no apparent reason at all. This man was truly dangerous, and she knew he had to be stopped.

  Chapter 47

  May 24th, 2025. Just outside of Pascagoula, Mississippi.

  “Alright! Blindfolds off!” Mendax spun around with the enthusiasm of a young puppy, brandishing his cane and pointing it ahead of himself. “Well? What do you think?”

  It was a carnival, though dark and sinister. More lifeless shells wandered the fairgrounds, gawking at them as they approached. A Ferris wheel loomed over the whole scene, broken down beyond hope of operation or repair but still broadcasting light in joyous fashion. They glimpsed something at once, on one of the lower chairs of the Ferris wheel. A body dangled a foot or so off of the ground, blood dried in a pool directly below the body. A decrepit popcorn stand also stood nearby, deprived of the gift it was meant to give and drawn up in curtains of spider’s silk.

  “Where are we?” Howard demanded.

  “Tsk, tsk. Temper, temper. This is my home. Glorious, isn’t it?”

  “This is— You mean, you live here?” Jacob asked, both out of curiosity and disgust.

  “Of course I live here! Why shouldn’t I? Just look at it. Almost enough to bring a tear to the eye
.” He took a deep breath and sighed in satisfaction.

  “And what about all these people?” Howard asked.

  “They all love it here so much that they’ve decided to live here with me. You could all live here, too! What do you think, Steven? Is that a good idea?” Mendax asked.

  Steven groaned, and Mendax nodded in agreement.

  “Of course! I’m sure we can convince them to stay.”

  “But, we can’t stay here. We’ve got to get to Washington DC!” Mike exclaimed.

  “The capital? Now why on earth would you want to go there?”

  “That’s where everyone’s being evacuated. Here, take a look,” Howard replied, showing Mendax the evacuation orders.

  Mendax frowned. “But then who would stay here and keep me company?”

  “You already have plenty of ‘friends.’ Why do you need us?” Howard asked.

  Mendax shook his head. “I’m sorry, I just can’t allow it. Besides, you’ll love it here so much more! Oh, I just can’t wait to introduce you to everyone!”

  “And what if we refuse?” Howard asked.

  “Refuse? Now why on earth would you do that? I’m doing you a favor after all. You’re going to love it here!”

  Howard remained silent.

  “I’m afraid I won’t take no for an answer,” Mendax replied, pulling back the hammer of his revolver.

  Howard paused, trying to think of a way out of this terrible predicament. Finally, he spoke. “I understand.”

  “Good, then you’ve come decided to stay with me?” Mendax asked.

  “I’m afraid not,” Howard said.

  “Pity. I had hoped you’d be different than the others. Everyone’s just so selfish, only thinking of themselves. Well, you’re all going to stay here with me, whether you want to or not!” Mendax said.

  As Mendax approached, Howard shoved away the drone who lingered nearby. “Run!” he shouted.

  “After them!” Mendax yelled. He managed to grab Mike and brought the gun to his head. “Stop! Or the boy dies!”

  Howard and the others stopped in their tracks, turning back to Mendax.

  “Now was all that really necessary? Things would go so much easier if you’d just do what I ask.” He paused. “Now, let’s get started. Breathe deeply, boy.” He held a powder on his finger and brought it in front of Mike’s nose.

  Susan whispered almost inaudibly, “Devil’s Breath. That must be how he’s controlling people.”

  Mike held his breath and gave Mendax a swift kick. Mendax was caught by surprise and immediately released his grip as he howled in pain.

  “Kill them! Kill them all!” he shouted. He aimed his pistol at the escapees and fired several shots at them before giving up on the pursuit, holstering his gun once more and clenching his fists in anger.

  A red-hot piece of lead pierced Jacob’s calf, and he screamed in pain as it embedded itself deep within the muscle. He dropped to the ground, immobile.

  “Aahgh!” he shouted in agony.

  “Jacob!” Susan shouted, rushing to his aid.

  “Leave me, just go,” he pleaded.

  “Not likely,” she said, pulling Jacob to his feet and helping him along.

  Howard rushed back to help, and together they made it back to the car and piled in. Howard cranked the ignition just as Mendax’s goons arrived. He put the car in drive and sped away, leaving Mendax far behind.

  After a few minutes of driving to make sure their pursuers had given up the chase, Howard pulled the car over to help patch up Jacob’s wound.

  “I’m going to find the first aid kit. Watch him for me,” Susan said to Howard.

  The car idled on the side of the road. There was a frantic energy in the air. Jacob was bleeding profusely, and they had to do something to staunch the flow of blood.

  “Come on, come on. Do you remember where we put it?” Susan asked.

  “Glove box, I think,” Howard said. “It’s going to be alright, Jacob. Just stay calm,” Howard assured.

  “Mike, check the glove box for me, please?” Susan hollered from the trunk.

  After a few seconds of searching, Mike came back toward Susan. “Found it!” he said, handing her the first aid box.

  “Good work, Mike,” she said. She cleaned the wound with alcohol before proceeding, and Jacob groaned in pain at the fierce burn. “Alright, Jacob, this is going to hurt, so I’m going to count to three. Ready?” Susan held the tweezers firmly in her hands and began to count aloud. “One...two...”

  She abruptly dug into his leg with the tweezers, and after a few excruciating seconds, she pulled them out with the bullet. “Got it! All done. Keep pressure, Howard, I’m going to get the gauze.”

  Jacob screamed through the towel he was biting on, but Susan again assured him the worst was over. She then wrapped the wound in gauze before bandaging it up.

  “We need to change out that gauze every few days, but the wound should heal up fine,” Susan said.

  “Where’d you learn all that?” Jacob asked after the pain had subsided.

  “The police academy. We were expected to know at least basic first aid.”

  “I think we should stay off of the main roads for a while,” Howard said.

  “Agreed,” said Susan. “I think I saw a reserve not too far from here. Maybe we should head that way.”

  “Good idea. Just point me in the right direction,” Howard said.

  Chapter 48

  May 24th, 2025. Talladega National Forest.

  After three hours of driving, they arrived at a reserve close to the Alabama-Georgia state line. They drove slowly through the entrance, and the gravel road crackled and popped under the weight of the large truck’s tires as they left the comfort of the familiar asphalt.

  Wooden planks lined the proper routes. Beyond that, light trickled through dense tree cover, and lumbering oaks stretched for as far as the eye could see.

  They rolled the windows down, cut the air conditioning, and drove as slowly as they could, just trying to soak it all in. For a time, they forgot to be afraid—they forgot they were running for their lives and even forgot about the infection ravaging the country. Their worries left them, and for a few precious moments, they felt free.

  A few attempts were made to describe this mutual feeling of security, whether false or not, but all fell short. At last, Susan suggested what everyone else was already beginning to think. “Let’s go for a walk. We won’t go too far—just a little ways off the path.”

  The others readily agreed, and soon they had left the safety of the beaten path in favor of the road less traveled.

  They passed several lizards sleeping peacefully on rocks and logs. A fox fled from their approach, less inquisitive than fearful of them. They caught a glance of a majestic doe, whose graceful movements entranced them. It watched them for only a moment before leaping away, deeper into the forest.

  They heard the gushing of a waterfall as they proceeded and rushed to seek out the source of the glorious sound. Finding it, they washed themselves off in the falls, and then, once cleaned, decided it best to head back to the car and sleep for the night.

  *

  Jacob awoke to the twinkling of near-morning twilight. A brilliant sunrise was barely visible through the dense tree cover.

  Susan was standing outside the car, enjoying the view, when Jacob crept out of the car, so as not to wake the others, and stood with her.

  “Hey,” he said wearily, rubbing his eyes.

  “Morning. How's the leg?” Susan asked.

  “Oh,” he said, looking down at the now crimson-stained gauze, “much better. It’s still a little sore, but that’s all. I’ve been meaning to thank you for that—what you did back there.”

  Susan dismissed the thanks. “Don’t mention it.”

  “What are you doing up so early?” he asked.

  “Just taking it all in. It’s so beautiful here. I just want to enjoy it as much as I can before we have to leave,” she said.

  “Ye
ah, it’s almost like nothing happened here, you know? You can almost forget we were in danger at all,” he mused.

  As Susan meditated on this thought, she heard a rustling in the brush ahead of her. The snapping of twigs, the rustling of leaves, and the bestial cry that rose into the air shattered the otherwise peaceful tranquility of the forest. She drew her revolver and took aim just as a frenzied beast emerged. It charged headlong toward them in pure, unbridled rage.

  She fired once, but the thing continued undaunted.

  They dove out of the way, and it slammed into the car. Its tusks created deep indentations in the metal, and the crisp metallic thud quickly awoke the others. They crept slowly out of the doors opposite the creature, while Jacob and Susan crawled toward them.

  “What was that thing?” Jacob asked.

  “It’s a feral boar,” Howard replied.

  “What do we do?” Jacob asked as the dazed animal searched for them.

  “Best thing we can do is get out of here. There are few things more dangerous than an angry boar,” Howard said.

  They clamored into the car and gave the key a desperate crank. The engine whirred but choked out and refused to catch. The car shuddered as the hog rammed it once more, and a tusk pierced through the metal of the door. A second crank succeeded where the first had failed, and Howard stepped hard on the gas pedal and drove away.

  The boar snorted in satisfaction and, having chased them off, went back to its peaceful foraging.

  Chapter 49

  May 25th, 2025. Talladega National Forest.

  The car rumbled down the gravel road, the crisp popping of the rocks under the weight of the tires replacing the happy chirping of birds as they left the reserve.

  “So I have a new rule,” Jacob said.

  “Oh? What’s that?” Susan asked, intrigued.

  “No more reserves for me. I’ll take a creep over a boar any day.”

  The rest laughed and nodded their heads.

  “He almost got you, Jake,” Susan joked.

  “Yeah, they always go for the cripple,” he said, shaking his head. “Also, he seemed to appreciate your bullet a little more than I thought he would.”