Wolf Dance

by Wolfdance(Lit)

  Picking it up to examine it more closely, she noticed something. Engraved on the side of the box were the words Property of the United States Calvary. It was roughly the size of a shoebox and laced with rusty corrosion.

  Laura tucked it under her arm and continued around the building. When reaching the back of the building, the stench became worse, nearly unbearable. Laura become aware of the fact that this scent was different, more like rotting meat.

  She began to look around for the source. The fading sun hampered visibility, but from what she could see the clearing held nothing unusual--an old trough, a hitching post and part of a crumbling corral.

  There ... in the corral, her eyes caught movement. Laura carefully made her way to the area. When she had gotten within a few feet a vulture screeched at her before flying away. It was then that she caught sight of the bird’s prize. Gagging, Laura turned away.

  When at last she felt her stomach was strong enough, she looked back. The cow was still and cold. Laura inched a little closer. Nothing moved but the swarm of insects hovering over the body.

  Picking up a nearby branch, she used it to scare the flies away. Laura felt herself retch at the sight of the mutilated cow. Its stomach had been torn to shreds and most of its innards were gone.

  Had scavengers done this?

  Taking a closer look at the area surrounding the building, she saw that there were more bodies, all in similar condition. She had not noticed them before because they were situated in a thick grove of trees some distance from the fort.

  Laura walked near enough to get a closer look and was sickened when she saw that several of them had been dismembered.

  "What could have done something like this?" she asked aloud, hoping the sound of her own voice would help her to feel a little less frightened.

  Jessup’s warning jumped to the front of her thoughts. The men had reported seeing things in the woods. Wildlife Management said there may be a bear on the prowl.

  A bear ... Laura thought it was plausible that a bear could have done this, and not so long ago either. A feeling of uneasiness pounced and she decided it was time to leave. The thought of a bear nearby impelled her into action. Laura retraced her steps until she was in sight of the car. She ran the remaining distance.

  Laura threw the metal box onto the passenger seat and got in. Once again the starter whined but the engine wouldn't turn over. She tried again and again, only to get the same result.

  "Oh God! Now what?" she moaned.

  Laura tried several more times until she had finally drained the battery. Defeated, she sat back and closed her eyes. It was taking all her effort to remain calm.

  Now what was she going to do?

  She was miles from anyplace where help might be found. The closest place she knew of was the logging camp which was about five miles back in the direction she had come.

  "Well Laura, you’ve really gotten yourself into a mess this time." Her voice was bitter and full of self loathing.

  The clearing was deep in gloom now. Darkness was closing in fast. She really had no choice but to walk back to the camp. The knowledge that most of the walk would be in darkness chilled her to the bone.

  Maybe she should just stay in the truck until morning and then make an attempt to walk to the camp? Laura quickly pushed that thought aside. Here was where that thing killed the cattle and so it was reasonable to assume that she wouldn't be any safer if she waited.

  Laura draped her purse over her shoulder and started to get out of the car, but stopped when her eyes rested on the metal box. A bizarre sensation came over her that she should probably hide the box.

  Feeling slightly irrational, Laura hid the box beneath the driver’s seat before locking the Bronco.

  Night was gaining on her fast and she had only gone about half of a mile before it was completely dark. There was only the moon to light her path, but it would be full soon and it provided sufficient light to see the road. But ... the rest of her surroundings were shrouded by the night.

  Stopping abruptly, Laura held her breath as she listened. There it was again--a rustling in the trees. The night was completely still except for that sound.

  She stood completely still ... waiting, but now there was only silence. Laura assured herself that it had probably been some harmless animal ... maybe a raccoon.

  Laura started walking again, but had only taken a few steps when she heard the sound again--this time much closer. Stopping, she peered in the direction from which the sound was coming. Gasping, she took several steps back.

  Under cover of darkness, she was only able to make out the deadly, shining eyes. Paralyzed with fear, Laura found herself unable to move. It was the creature’s deep, angry growls that at last set her into motion. Sprinting in the direction of the car she ran faster than she had thought herself capable ... but not fast enough.

  The animal’s vicious roars were enough to tell her that it was far too close and gaining. Laura imagined that she could feel its hot breath on her neck. Her foot caught on a rock and she was sent sprawling to the hard dirt.

  She rolled just in time to see the huge mass of fur and fangs looming above her. Fear closed off her throat and she found it impossible to take another breath. Laura felt herself falling into a pit of welcome darkness. She never saw the huge, gray wolf spring on the creature that was preparing to devour her flesh.

  Chapter Six

  Laura woke to the soft light of early morning. She tried to move, but found that the effort caused extreme pain. Every inch of her body screamed in protest when she forced her limbs to move.

  Finally making it to a sitting position, Laura saw that she was still on the road, in the same place she had fallen the night before.

  Bits and pieces of the previous night flashed in her mind. The terror returned and with it an uncontrollable trembling. Laura knew she must have blacked out, because she could remember nothing after looking into the eyes of the creature.

  She was not even sure what it had been. Mostly it had resembled a cat, but one which was badly malformed. Or maybe it had been her fear that had made it appear so?

  Mindful of the odd fact that she was actually still alive, and for the most part she had not been seriously hurt, it still took all her strength just to get to her feet. She saw that her purse lay only a few feet away in the brush. Retrieving it, she was surprised that it too, was still in one piece.

  Laura began the long walk back to the logging camp, each step taking tremendous concentration to complete. To think any further ahead than her next step would have only given her a feeling of hopelessness. Her dry, parched throat screamed for even so much as a swallow of water. Laura could well imagine that she must appear a scary sight.

  Her thoughts totally submerged in the task of walking, she didn't hear the bike until it had nearly reached her. Justin cut the engine and reclined against the tall back bar. Folding his arms against his chest, he smiled.

  Laura felt the sudden urge to smack the smile right from his face.

  "Let me guess ... your truck broke down?"

  "Yes ... and I know that I’m very stupid, so would you please not rub it in?" Laura told him as she placed her hands on her hips, hoping to claim some sort of composure.

  "Would you like a ride back to your cabin?" he offered.

  Laura came close to declining his offer, but thought better of it. "Sure ... I'd really appreciate it."

  Justin slid forward, allowing enough room for Laura to squeeze in behind him. Once she was settled, he revved the engine and they shot ahead. Laura had to wrap her arms around him tightly to keep from falling off the side of the bike. She found that his closeness again brought on that little tingling feeling that had a way of sending her into thoughtless acts of passion.

  Several moments later, they pulled up to her cabin. Laura slid off the bike and offered him her hand.

  "Thanks for the ride ... Mr. Gray Eagle."

  He let his gaze travel from her hand to her face. "I think we are a little pa
st these kinds of formalities, Laura."

  Blushing scarlet, she was angered that he had brought their indiscretions into the open and put voice to what she was trying very hard to forget. Laura turned away, intending to leave him sitting there, but he was not about to let her go so easily.

  "Where is your Bronco?" he asked, his lips curving into that sensual smile which reached out to lick at her like flames.

  "It broke down at the fort not far from where you picked me up." Laura made every attempt to keep from looking into his eyes. She knew that’s all it would take and she would end up inviting him in. She could not let him crawl under her skin ... anymore than what he had already.

  He arched one dark brow. "And what were you planning on doing about it?"

  "First thing I need to do is get cleaned up, then I guess I’ll call a tow truck and have it taken to a shop."

  "If you would like, I can have someone pull it to my place and fix it there," he offered.

  Laura hesitated, "I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to impose."

  "It wouldn't be an imposition," he assured her. "Besides ... if you take it to a shop it might be a week before they even get to it."

  "I guess you are right." Laura reached into her purse and pulled out the keys. "I'd really appreciate it," she told Justin as she was handing him the keys.

  When he reached out to take them from her, their skin made contact and Laura pulled away as if a live wire had touched her.

  She could almost hear his silent laughter. "I’ll see if I can get to it today." Justin seemed to hesitate, as if there was something else he wanted to say.

  Laura waited patiently.

  He gave her a shy smile. "Well ... after the other night I wouldn’t blame you if you said no, but I’ll ask anyway." He paused briefly before continuing. "They are having a picnic and dance in Sweet Water City. I was just thinking maybe you would like to go with me."

  Laura was a little startled by the invitation. "Where’s Sweet Water City?"

  "It’s a restored ghost town about ten miles from Brantic City. They have these get-togethers there sometimes."

  Laura could feel the turmoil rumbling within her. Every fiber of her being wanted to say yes, but at the same time ... whenever she was with him she seemed to lose all semblance of rational thought.

  But the last thing she wanted to do was spend the evening alone. This was the weighing factor in her decision. "Yes ... it sounds like it could be interesting." Laura smiled.

  "I’ll come and get you around six then." Justin winked. "And in the mean time, I’ll see what I can do about your very angry truck."

  Laura was taken back. She could distinctly remember thinking along those lines not so long ago. Was it not enough that he had seemed to take possession of her body with little effort?

  Did he also have the ability to read her thoughts?

  After Justin left, Laura spent an hour soaking in a hot tub of water hoping it would help soothe her aching muscles. She felt as if she had been run over by a truck, a very large one.

  Laura didn't leave the tub until the water had turned tepid. In her bedroom, she took a moment to examine the damage in the full-length mirror. A large area on her shoulder was turning to an unsightly shade of blackish-blue and both of her arms had been badly scraped.

  All of these injuries could be explained by the fall. Was it possible that she had just become so paranoid that she had imagined the rest of it?

  Laura shook her head. There was just no way she could have imagined that monster. It was just too real. Maybe when she had passed out, the animal believed she was dead and had lost interest in her.

  For lack of anything else to do, Laura spent the rest of the day cleaning the cabin. It appeared to have been a long time since it had received a thorough cleaning.

  It was nearly five when Laura glanced at the clock. She could hardly believe it was already so late. Putting the cleaning agents away, Laura hurried to take another quick bath before dressing for the evening.

  Searching through her limited wardrobe, Laura could find little that would be appropriate for the occasion. At last she chose a dressy white blouse and blue denim skirt. Brushing her long hair until it shone, she then wove it into a single thick braid.

  Laura decided that she would step outdoors and enjoy the summer evening while she waited for Justin to arrive. She took a seat on one of the porch chairs, grateful for the fresh air. Fresh air was something of which the cabin seemed to constantly be lacking.

  Fragrant wildflowers filled the evening air and the sinking sun touched the landscape with a soft, golden light. Somewhere in the aspen grove she could hear the tap-tap of a woodpecker.

  A low rumbling signaled Justin’s arrival. It was not long before he came up the drive. Laura grimaced when she realized she was going to have to make this trip on the back of his motorcycle.

  "Ready?" He lifted his sunglasses to get a better look at her. Laura felt herself grow hot beneath his scrutiny.

  "I was hoping that you would have my car ready so that we could have taken it."

  "Not quite done with it yet, but it shouldn’t be much longer."

  "Oh well." Laura shrugged her shoulders, seating herself behind him.

  Justin followed the road to Brantic City and beyond. The landscape changed rapidly from pines to that of sage-covered rolling hills. When topping one rise, Laura saw what looked to be a massive gold-mine operation. The building covering the mine’s entrance was huge in comparison to some she had seen.

  Down below the mine, were the first signs of Sweet Water City. On the sides of the dirt road were several small houses of rock which had been built right into the sides of the hills. Many wooden-plank buildings were scattered throughout the valley that they were about to enter.

  Justin brought the bike to a stop in the large parking lot located next to a general store. The store appeared to still be in use. Sweet Water’s main street was blocked off and the people were being let in a few at a time.

  Within a few moments she and Justin were let through the gate. They were in no hurry and took their time strolling down the town’s main street. Amazed at how the atmosphere had suddenly changed, Laura felt as if she had just been hurled back through time to the romantic old west.

  Only wagons and horses were allowed beyond the gate. Laura marveled at how the buildings had been restored to their original condition of hundred years before.

  There was a two-story hotel which looked as if it could have been the height of luxury in its time. One of several saloons sat directly across the street from the hotel. The courthouse and jail were not far from the saloon, and on a hillside overlooking the town was a quaint old schoolhouse and church. The school’s bell was silent, not having summoned children for over a century.

  They passed the stables and a blacksmith shop before finally turning down a side street. On one side of the street was a butcher shop and mercantile. On the other side was a large grassy park. A platform had been erected as a temporary stage and there a band was busily setting up equipment.

  Beyond the roped off dance area were picnic tables scattered throughout the park. The enticing aroma of grilled meat filled the air.

  Laura guessed it came from the covered wagon where a crowd of people had gathered around. Floodlights had been set up to illuminate the park once the sun had gone down.

  A moment later, the band began playing a lively western swing. Turning to Laura, Justin asked, "Would you like to dance?"

  "Sure," she agreed, letting him lead her out to the dance area.

  They danced to several songs before stopping to eat. Laura was ravenous and vigorously ate her meal of barbeque ribs and salad. By the time she had finished her last bite, Laura was so stuffed she could hardly move. Again she wondered about the dramatic increase in appetite since coming here.

  Night had fallen, bringing with it a slight chill. Laura shivered and noticing her discomfort Justin draped his black jacket over her shoulders.

  "Thank you." S
he looked up and smiled.

  "Would you like to take a walk?" he asked.

  "Yes, that sounds good."

  Taking her hand, Justin helped her to her feet. He continued to hold her hand in his as they walked. The path they took led away from the heart of the town and gradually became steeper the farther they walked.

  "Where are we going?" Laura felt a flutter of alarm.

  He brought a finger up to his lips. "Let go of your concerns and enjoy the night."

  Soon they had topped the hill and spread out before them was a very old graveyard.

  Laura pulled her hand from his grasp. "Why did you bring me here?"

  "Listen," he whispered.

  Laura was silent for a moment, but heard nothing unusual.

  "I don’t hear anything."

  "That’s right. The dead don’t speak, most of the time," he added with a sly smile.

  Laura shook her head. "I don’t understand."

  "Our chief did not sign that contract, but he cannot say so ... because he is dead."

  "What ... who would do that?" Laura was confused.

  "Who would gain the most from his death?" Justin had moved closer to her.

  "Are you implying that Duccini had something to do with it?"

  He arched his brow. "You’re a smart lady, you tell me."

  "I hate to be the one to inform you, Mr. Gray Eagle, but--" Her words were cut off when he brought his mouth down on hers. The earth was spinning and she had to clutch his shoulders to remain on her feet.

  When at last he released her, Laura had completely forgotten what it was that they had been talking about. Gazing deeply into her eyes, he brought one hand up to caress her cheek. It was as if he were trying to convey to her a deep need that not even he could understand.

  Taking her hand in his, they walked back into the town. At the moment, words didn’t seem appropriate. In the space of those few moments, each seemed to come to understand the desires and fears of the other.

  Laura knew her memory of that night would be forever filled with images of his strange, erotic eyes. Justin’s eyes had told her of many things, his desire, his fears and sorrows, but beneath all that she had sensed something else. Dark secrets that he would keep locked inside at all costs.