by Steven Hunt
She sighed. “Yes, Mother. I’ll be in the den.”
“What are you doing here, Frank?” Jane repeated to cut Frank’s visit short. If not for her sake, for Mandy’s.
Frank stepped through the open door, but stopped at the threshold. “When you left the other evening you seemed upset. I wanted to check on you.”
“I was upset! I’d just found out that my husband was missing and was maybe lying in a ditch somewhere. When I went to you for help, you made an inapt, amorous comment to me. And you wonder if I was upset. Ha!” The muscles in her neck tensed as her heart rate doubled.
“Easy, Jane, easy. We don’t want to scare Mandy.” He lifted his hands out in front of him, his palms facing her.
“Mandy is a smart girl. She learned to read body expressions years ago. She realized exactly what you are a long time before I did.”
Frank dropped his hands. “I just wanted to stop by and check on you. Do you need anything?”
“I need my husband back!”
“OK, OK. I get it. Let’s change the subject. How’s your job?”
“I haven’t worked since Teddy disappeared. My boss is watching the office and taking my calls, if that’s any of your business. She’s also showing my listings so we can have some money flowing in when the houses sell. She is a true friend.”
“You’re welcome.” A smug look crossed his face as he lifted his head higher and straightened the collar of his coat.
Jane shook her head.
Mandy strode into the room, making a beeline for the door. “She’s welcome for what?”
“For pulling some strings and getting your mother the opportunity to sit for her real estate license. It wasn’t an easy thing since she didn’t have any experience. I owe plenty of favors for this one.”
Jane stepped toward him, her fists clenched. “You are absolutely amazing, Frank! Are you really trying to take credit for my new career? Especially, after I came to you—crying my eyes out—because we were about to lose our home and Teddy wasn’t in any shape to work. I told you about our money problems. I asked for help. And all you said was ‘get a job.’ You had the money to help us, and you told me to ‘get a job.’ And after all Teddy has done for you. He placed you in the position where you thrived and became wealthy. Did you know that he didn’t want you to be his business partner?”
Frank’s mouth gaped.
“It’s true. But I talked him into it. So if anyone is owed a favor, it’s me. Without me, you would’ve just been another business graduate stuck in a low-end position.” She huffed. “And your advice was ‘get a job.’ Well, I did. And I did it myself. I don’t know which strings you claim to have pulled, but they were ineffective since I was the one who called the Missouri Board of Realtor Examiners about challenging the test. I was the one who called the owner of the local office about a position. I was the one who worked my butt off selling houses so we could save our home. So tell me, Frank, what did you do? What wonderful thing did you do that I should be thanking you?” Her heart hammered so fast she felt if she didn’t calm soon, it would explode.
“Well, I, uh…I kept the secret of you working from Teddy as you asked. I…uh…I got you that new cell phone so Teddy wouldn’t find out.”
Jane clapped her hands. “Maybe I should throw you a party? How about a nice plaque? I could have it engraved with Frank Bethel—the man who did as little as possible to help the wife of his best friend. How about that? Or maybe I could place an ad in the paper, shouting your praises? Which would you prefer?”
“Maybe I should leave.”
“No maybe about it, Frank. And stop coming here until Teddy gets home. When he hears how much you helped, I’m sure he’ll want to personally thank you. Until then, I don’t want to see your face.”
Jane slammed the door.
“Mom, are you all right?” Mandy asked after a moment of silence.
Jane remained frozen in place, staring at the closed door. Mandy’s voice sounded distant over the pounding in her ears. The room spun as the light dimmed. Beginning at her toes, weakness inched its way up her body.
Mandy rushed to her just as Jane’s legs gave out, and guided her into a sitting position against the door. Cleansing tears streamed down her cheeks in an emotional tidal wave.
Mandy sat next to her. “Are you OK, Mom? You’re scaring me.”
Frank was another cog in the wheel of trouble Jane’s life had become. At least he wouldn’t be a problem anymore. As Teddy’s friend, he shouldn’t have been a concern at all. She detested him for placing her in this position and making her feel like she did.
Mandy wrapped her arm around her, pulling Jane’s head to her shoulder.
“This is too much for me,” Jane managed. “But I’m grateful to have such a strong daughter to lean on.”
“But what more can we do? The police say they’re already doing everything they can. Plus, we were out until four this morning ourselves. If we get sick we won’t be able to search for Daddy.”
“When did you become the grownup?” She grinned, lifting her head from Mandy’s shoulder. “I don’t know how, but we need to do more, Mandy. We just need someone to show us the way.”
Mandy nodded. “Are you suggesting we call Jeb?”
“No. I was thinking of Pastor Joseph.”
“Are you sure? I don’t see how he can help.” Mandy’s eyes narrowed.
“It’s not his help I want. If we want your daddy to come home again, we need Divine intervention.”
18
Watching the ground in front of him, Teddy trudged through the forest. The cloak of depression had returned, and he was sure the fog of confusion followed close behind. They had lost some of their strength since his lesson with Ezi, but he had a long way to go to be rid of them completely. It would help if he could stop blaming himself for destroying his life and those of his family members. A glimmer of hope of reuniting with Jane and Mandy sparked in his heart, giving energy to his steps. It felt good to hope after such a long time of having none at all. Even if only a little.
He picked up the pace, eager to get to his destination and learn his next lesson.
One step closer to being rid of this depression.
One step closer to being with his family.
A biting stench—like rotting flesh—stung his nostrils. His head jerked up, scanning the area, searching for the source. Must be an animal carcass nearby.
He didn’t see the man standing near the trunk of a large elm tree until he almost collided into him. Startled, Teddy recoiled. An unusual place to be just standing; fleeting images of escaped convicts, marijuana cultivators, and violent criminals flashed in his mind. It didn’t take long for his surprise to turn into fear.
Tall and skinny, the man leaned against the thick trunk. Dressed in black, including a floor-length, leather duster and boots, the man didn’t seem shocked at seeing another person, but just the opposite. It was as if he had been waiting for Teddy.
Long, stringy, fire-engine-red hair draped over the man’s bony shoulders and down his back, the only color on his entire body. His sunken, pale face contrasted sickly against his bright hair and bloodshot eyes.
Ice snaked down Teddy’s spine. The tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood up as dread settled in the pit of his stomach. The man’s leer bore into Teddy, ripping at his tender confidence while empowering doubt. Teddy’s mind sounded a warning, forecasting the presence of pure evil.
The fog of confusion gained strength.
“I was wondering when we would bump into each other.” The man’s deep voice thundered through the clearing. Sinister storm clouds sabotaged Teddy’s ability to think.
Fight or flight. It wasn’t a hard decision. Teddy needed to run and hide. To put distance between him and the devilish-looking man.
No, he’d run long enough. His running was to blame for his leaving Jane and Mandy. His weakened will had opened the door for the depression to grab him and not let go.
For his chance
at survival, he had to stay.
“Do we know each other?” His feet planted shoulder-width apart, Teddy returned the man’s stare.
“We’ve never been introduced if that’s what you mean. But I know you, and I’m sure you know of me.”
Teddy looked closer at the man’s face, trying to remember if he’d seen him before. The siren in his brain shrilled as he inspected the stranger’s cold, dead eyes. “I…uh…I don’t think so.”
“Oh, sure you do, Teddy.”
His blood congealed at the mention of his name.
The man pushed off the tree. “You’re Theodore Whitaker, the oldest of three children of Walter and Thelma Whitaker. You were born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where you excelled in high school football and science. You attended the University of Missouri on a football scholarship where you majored in computer science. You met your wife, Jane, and your best friend, Frank, while in college. You and Frank started LEAP, Incorporated, after college.” The man stepped closer.
“It was a pity that your brother, Walt Junior, was killed in the first Gulf war. He was a sergeant in the army, I believe. Soon after his death, Junior’s twin—Samantha, right?—committed suicide because she couldn’t stand to be without her brother. You know, all that babble about the connectivity between twins might just have some truth in it. But Samantha had some real serious mental issues even without Walt Junior’s death, didn’t she?
“Recently, your mom and dad were killed in a terrible car accident. That must have hurt. Ouch to the heart.” He touched his chest as a sneer formed on his thin lips. His lifeless, dark eyes narrowed as the corners of his lips turned into an unsettling, merciless grin, instantly mutating his emaciated face into an image that would haunt Teddy for years to come. As he inched closer, a sharp odor burned the inside of Teddy’s nose. “Even though we’ve dodged formal introductions throughout your life, we first met after the death of your parents.”
He wiped imaginary dirt from his duster’s sleeve, while keeping his eyes locked on Teddy as a hunter would on his prey. “Of course, I’ve known Mandy a lot longer. Whoee, those were some great parties, weren’t they?”
Teddy continued to watch the man, transfixed by his spiritless eyes. He tried to step away but his legs felt as if they were cemented into the ground. Lightheaded and unable to move, it was as if all the blood had drained from his head, queuing in his chest to pummel his heart. Gasping for air, it would only take three short minutes for his heart to succumb to the battery.
“And then there’s Jane. She and Frank have really been naughty, haven’t they? No presents for them from Santa this year. Tell me, did she ever tell you that she’d fallen for your partner or did you figure it out yourself? Frank’s such a lucky guy, if you think about it. Jane’s a real hottie. But I guess you knew that, huh?” From the pocket of his coat, he removed a handful of pistachio nuts. He popped them into his mouth, shell and all. The crunch of the shells cracking under his pointed teeth disgusted Teddy as he fought to hold down his rising nausea.
“Enough!” Teddy shouted. His hands balled into fists.
His outburst broke the spell, slowing the pounding of his heart and giving his lungs the freedom to breathe once again. He stomped his feet, reviving his legs with the flow of precious blood. Stretching his neck, his thoughts ran clear. “Who are you?”
The stranger smiled. “I know all about you and your family, and it hurts me deeply that you don’t recognize me.”
Teddy’s softened his voice. “What’s your name? Maybe that will joggle my memory.”
“Oh, I get it. Mind games. You’ve tried anger and now you’re trying niceties.” Another handful of nuts flew into his mouth. He talked around them as he chewed. “I go by lots of names. But you can call me Flagg.”
Flagg? Teddy was certain he didn’t know anyone by that name. “I don’t know you.”
“Sure you do. That’s OK if you don’t remember now. We’ll have plenty of time to get better acquainted. In time I will become your best companion.”
“What brings you to this forest, Mr. Flagg?”
Flagg waved his hand. “No ‘Mister.’ Just Flagg.” He searched his pocket for more pistachios. As he removed his hand from his pocket, Teddy saw the skin on Flagg’s hand had stripped off, leaving only chalk-colored bones. Pistachios fell to the ground from between the gaps of Flagg’s exposed phalanges. “To see you, of course, Teddy.”
Teddy staggered backward, not wanting to believe his eyes. He gagged and was forced to swallow bitter bile as cramps bombarded his stomach. Bent at the waist with his hands on his knees, Teddy watched the hand. He couldn’t take his eyes off it; a hand more befitting a horror movie than the middle of a forest. With him.
Flagg’s eyes shifted from Teddy to his hand. A casual “Oh” escaped his mouth as if this apparition happened often. Flagg shook his hand, bone clanging against bone, before shoving the appendage deep into his pocket. He lifted his eyes to Teddy and smiled as he pulled his hand free of the pocket. The skin had reattached itself to the bones.
“Wha…how? I…I saw—” Teddy straightened as he pointed to Flagg’s hand.
“You saw what, Teddy?”
“Your hand. The skin…it was gone!”
Flagg tilted his head. “Don’t be ridiculous. That would mean the skin had to first detach itself from the skeleton. I’m not as educated as you, but even I know that’s impossible. Maybe you’re hallucinating? You know, extreme activity without substantial nourishment can cause one to imagine things.”
“I know what I saw!”
“Teddy, you’re beginning to worry me. You’re sounding insane.” Flagg stepped closer.
“Stay away from me! Don’t come any closer.”
Flagg stopped. “I won’t come any closer than this. OK?”
Teddy backpedaled several feet. “I don’t know who—or what—you are but I know what I saw. Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m saying. I saw your face. You were calm as if this has happened before.”
“Teddy—” Flagg stepped toward him with his arms out.
“Stop!” Teddy pointed his finger at Flagg.
Flagg stood still. “I don’t know what you think you saw but I believe you. Your mind is sick—sick with depression. Depression does crazy things to people. So why don’t we forget what you think you saw and start over? Hmm?”
Teddy glared at Flagg. This man was up to something. Teddy just needed to determine what that was. The hair on the back of his neck still stood on end, not having relaxed since he’d come into Flagg’s presence.
Teddy’s mind swam with doubt. Was it possible his mind had played tricks on him as Flagg suggested, and he’d just imagined what he saw? The fog of confusion rolled over him, intensifying its hold.
“What do you say, Teddy? I only want to help.”
“How did you know where I’d be?”
Flagg’s eyes narrowed. “Didn’t I prove earlier that I know all about you? If I know you, wouldn’t I know where you’d be?”
“Just tell me what you want from me.”
“I’m just looking out for you, Teddy. I’m concerned that you’ll allow that little brat—I mean I’m concerned that Christy is manipulating you into believing something that’s a lie. I’m afraid that you’re being led down the wrong path.” Flagg raised his arm while sliding closer as if he intended to wrap his arm around Teddy’s shoulders. Teddy leaped back, refusing the touch. A bolt of anger flashed in Flagg’s eyes, turning them black. His nostrils flared as he dropped his arm. “That’s OK. I understand you think you don’t know me. But, honestly, Teddy, I’m on your side. You can trust me.”
“I’m confused.” Teddy rubbed his temples.
Flagg smiled, showing rotten, broken teeth; a mouthful of little spikes. “Where is Christy? If she was truly concerned about you, wouldn’t she be here?” He thumped his chest with both hands. “Look in front of you, Teddy. Who do you see standing here, wanting to help? Isn’t it obvious who is more concerned for you?�
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“I don’t know—”
“What don’t you know? It’s simple. She’s who-knows-where while I’m here, standing before you. Isn’t that what a friend would do? Standing by the side of someone who needs help?”
“What exactly do you want from me?”
“I want you to open your eyes to the disease that Christy is pushing on you. I want you to recognize that you have a choice. Do you really believe that if you don’t complete her little tests by Christmas morning you’ll die? Of course not! It’s just another lie she’s told you to get you to do what she wants. She’s manipulating you.”
“I don’t know, she seems so—”
“What? Sincere? Listen here, my friend, I don’t know how much plainer I can say this—”
“I need to think.”
“What’s there to think about? What’s—”
“Goodbye, Flagg.” Teddy turned to run, but for the second time his legs refused to budge. His head began to spin while fluttering moths stirred the contents of his stomach. His heart hammered in his throat as sweat drenched his forehead. Panic set in. He sensed danger, and he needed to get away as quickly as he could. He wasn’t sure what Flagg was, but he knew he wasn’t a normal man, that was certain. Teddy willed his legs to move.
Flagg unleashed a chilling laugh that reverberated through the trees. Birds took flight as other wild animals scampered for safety. Somehow Flagg had enervated Teddy’s strength. His energy almost zapped, Teddy felt himself slipping into Flagg’s control. There wasn’t anything to stop him from taking full control of Teddy’s life.
“Strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not; behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you.” Uncle Bud’s voice spoke the Scripture to Teddy as clear as if Bud stood next to him.
Teddy swiveled his head, not knowing what to expect. Until forced to swallow the lump in his throat, Teddy hadn’t realized how much he missed his uncle. Bud’s favorite verse repeated over and over in his ear. Teddy mouthed the words with Bud’s voice at first, but as his sureness increased, he declared the words with a growing confidence and power.