by Lisa Orchard
“It’s spooky,” Jackie whispered.
“You got that right.”
Jackie grabbed the back of Sarah’s shirt. “Hey, do you know where we’re going?”
Sarah stopped and faced Jackie. “No, I’m just kind of walking into the woods, hoping I find something.”
“I don’t know about you…” Jackie turned her beam away from the path and toward the woods. “But I’m worried about getting lost.”
“We won’t get lost.”
“It’s not like we’re down by the creek.”
“I know, but my gut’s telling me we won’t have to go very far.”
“I feel so much better now. I mean, it’s your gut…we don’t have to worry now.” Jackie held her hands out to her sides with the palms up.
Sarah laughed at Jackie’s sarcasm. “Hey, I’ve always gotten us out of bad situations.”
“Yeah, but you’re usually the one getting us into those situations.”
“A minor detail.”
“For you, maybe,” Jackie muttered.
“I heard that.”
“What?” Jackie feigned innocence.
The girls grew silent as they crept forward.It was darker in the forest than out on the street. Sarah glanced around her and realized that the leaves from the trees blocked most of the brilliant moonlight. An occasional ray burst through to illuminate their path for a brief moment, but those moments were few and far between.
Sarah stopped suddenly and shone her flashlight deeper into the forest. “Hey, I found a path.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I think we should see where it leads.”
“Okay. I’m right behind you.”
Sarah grew silent and walked the trail, listening for any sounds that were out of the ordinary. Shining her light on the sides of the path, she searched for signs that the lone fireman had come this way. All she could see were rows of trees, growing in a haphazard fashion. When her light hit them, they threw obscure shadows everywhere.
Sarah’s stomach fluttered. She crept forward—her steps rustled the leaves, which sent a signal to the wildlife that something was coming through. The crickets and katydids were silent. Sweat trickled down her back as Sarah advanced. The sound of Jackie behind her seemed loud and the numbing fear of being heard gripped her. Ducking down, she motioned for Jackie to follow her lead.
“Hey, what’s up?” Jackie whispered.
“I don’t know. I’ve got a funny feeling.” Sarah shone her light ahead, searching the dark.
“A funny feeling?”
“Yeah, we’re close to something.” She crept forward on all fours, holding her flashlight in her mouth and pointing it in front of her. Jackie imitated her and the girls crawled along the path.
Sarah stopped and shone her light ahead. She had no idea how far they had gone into the woods. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. Something was in front of them. Turning toward Jackie, she put her finger to her lips.
Sarah’s light reflected a structure in the darkness. The flutter in her stomach turned into a hard knot as she scrambled to turn off her flashlight. Jackie extinguished her light as well. Sarah listened to her heart thunder in her chest as she waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness.
She peered in front of her and spied a cabin nestled between two large trees twenty feet ahead of them. Its weather-worn wood betrayed its age. The glow from a grime-covered window captured Sarah’s attention.
“There’s a cabin up ahead,” she whispered.
Jackie inched forward until she was right behind Sarah. “Do you think it’s the fireman’s hideout?”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Sarah whispered as she studied the cabin, in search of signs of life.
“I was afraid you were going to say that.”
“We’ll just peek in the window.”
“Sure, that’s what they all say…we’ll just peek in the window,” Jackie groused.
Sarah smirked. “You’re in rare form tonight.”
“Yes I am.” Jackie fluffed her curls and gave Sarah a smug look.
“Okay, let’s sneak up and be really quiet.”
“Ri-i-ight.”
As Sarah moved forward on all fours, she felt the moist earth beneath her hands. It soaked through the knees of her sweatpants, chilling her. She shivered as she crawled along the trail. The scent of the damp soil assaulted her nostrils, a fetid smell that reminded her of rotten foliage.
She grimaced as she continued her progression— Jackie crawled behind her. Sarah snickered when she thought about Jackie in the dirt. Getting dirty was the last thing her friend wanted to do.
When they reached the side of the cabin, the girls stopped. Sarah took a deep breath. Her stomach twisted into an even tighter knot. Beads of sweat rolled down her face.
“Okay, we’ll just peek in the window,” she whispered.
“You didn’t tell me we’d be crawling through muck,” Jackie grumbled in a low voice.
“Hey, Jack, we’ll be crawling through muck.”
“Thanks for the heads up.”
“Don’t worry, the fashion police aren’t going to come and arrest you.”
“Sure make jokes…just remember my love for fashion saved us from the Cat Lady killer.”
“I remember. How could I forget? You remind me every two seconds.”
“Just making sure credit goes where credit’s due.”
“While you’re doing that, I’ll look in the window.”
Sarah inched forward, trying not to make any noise. The crackle of the dry leaves underneath her seemed loud. She hoped the night noises stifled the sound. Her heart pounded her chest. She was sure it was going to burst through any moment. What will I find when I look in the window?
Reaching the side of the cabin, Sarah stood and groaned. The window was just inches above her head. I need something to stand on. She hesitated for a moment, before turning her light back on. Shining it around, she searched for a log or a stump that would give her the height she needed. Her light flashed on Jackie crouched on the forest floor.
“Hey,” she whispered.
Jackie looked in her direction. Sarah motioned for her friend to follow her. Within seconds, Jackie was at her side.
“I need you to give me a boost.”
“What?”
“I need a boost.”
Jackie cupped her hands together and motioned for Sarah to put her foot in her cupped hands. Sarah did and tried to stand, but she wobbled as her friend struggled to keep her upright. Within minutes, both girls crashed to the ground.
“Crap!” Sarah exclaimed in a hoarse whisper.
The girls froze, waiting to see if anyone inside the cabin heard them. Sarah’s muscles trembled and then began to cramp from being tensed in the same position. She winced as she stood.
“I’m going to have to stand on your back,” she whispered.
Jackie groaned. “Oh, this is such a pain. You’re going to get my shirt all dirty.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “On the ground.”
Jackie grumbled as she dropped to all fours. She flattened her back as much as possible. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Sarah put her foot on Jackie’s back and gently hiked herself up. She peered in the window, then wrinkled her nose and turned away. “It really stinks in there.”
The strong scent of fertilizer poured through a broken part of the window.
“Well…what do you see?” Jackie asked, in a strained voice.
“It’s a one room cabin and it’s got like five of those huge yellow barrels on one side.” She paused and leaned forward. “It smells like fertilizer. That’s what must be inside those big bags on the floor. There’s a couple of cell phones on a table, too.”
“Is there anyone inside?”
“No. We could go inside and take a closer look.”
“Hmmm. Have you continue standing on my back, digging your shoes into my spine, or go inside? What should we do?”
Sarah snickered. “I know it’s a tough decision.”
Just as Sarah was about to spring off Jackie’s back, the sharp snap of a twig caught her attention. Jackie stood, spilling Sarah to the ground. She landed with a loud thud.
Groaning, Sarah whispered. “What are you doing?”
“I heard something.”
“I did too.”
The girls grew quiet. The swish, swish sound of jeans rubbing together sent Sarah’s heart thundering against her ribs. She stood and grabbed Jackie by the arm and pulled her toward the back of the cabin.
“Hey,” Jackie protested.
“Shhhh.”
The girls reached the back of the shack and scurried around the corner.
“Is someone coming?”
Sarah nodded and put her finger to her lips. She peered out from behind the cabin, searching for the source of the noise. Staring into the darkness, Sarah was disappointed when she didn’t see anything. Her stomach fluttered as she pulled herself back. She stood motionless as she listened.
After a few seconds, Sarah peeked around the corner again and caught a glimpse of an eerie figure emerging from the trees. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and a tremor of fear ran through her body.
“There’s a man out there!”
Jackie’s eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak, but Sarah clamped her hand over her mouth. Pulling her friend tight against the wall, Sarah motioned for her to be still.
Sarah’s breath came in short gasps as she stood there, not sure what to do. She heard the door to the cabin open with a groan and then slam shut behind the man.
“What should we do?” Jackie whispered.
“I don’t know.”
“I thought you had all the answers, oh wise one.”
“I do…it’s just this answer hasn’t come to me yet.”
“Get that brain of yours in gear, will ya?” Jackie snapped.
“Feel free to jump in any time.” Sarah shone her flashlight around looking for an escape route. She gasped when she peered in front of her. Taking a few hesitant steps away from the cabin, Sarah motioned for Jackie to follow her.
“What in the world?” Jackie whispered.
“It looks like a car or truck has driven back here.”
They were standing in what appeared to be a two-track road in the woods. Grass had grown up in the ruts of the lane. However, Sarah could tell it had been used recently because the grass was matted down and broken.
The slam of the cabin door brought the girls back behind the shelter. Sarah trembled as she turned off her light. The sound of rustling leaves made Sarah’s breath catch in her throat. She gasped when he walked into her line of vision. He strolled through the forest unaware that he had an audience. Pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket he lit one and inhaled deeply.
“Gross,” Jackie whispered as she made a face.
Sarah put her finger to her lips. “Shhh.”
Sarah studied him as he turned to go back inside. He was the same height as Uncle Walt, but that was where the similarities ended. Where Uncle Walt was thin, this man’s muscles bulged under his football jersey. Stifling a groan of frustration, Sarah continued to watch the stranger. She couldn’t make out his features and silently cursed the darkness.
As he inhaled again, the glow of the cigarette grew brighter. It reminded Sarah of a firefly. She noticed a dark mark on his arm, but she couldn’t quite make it out. After another drag on his cigarette, he dropped it and stamped it out. Sarah bit her lip as the man walked out of view. Seconds later, she heard the slam of the door and then heavy footsteps inside the cabin.
“That was too close for comfort,” Jackie whispered. She drew in a ragged breath and looked around. “Let’s go.”
“I’m with you.” Sarah turned her flashlight on and shone it down the two-track road. “Do you think it’ll be faster to go this way?”
“No. We don’t even know where it goes.”
“I think we should find out.”
“It could lead us into the next county,” Jackie argued.
Sarah shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“I think this road leads to town. I think it’s how the barrels got here.”
“So what?”
“It’s a clue.”
“To what?”
“Maybe the bombing.”
“You think those barrels have something to do with the bombing?”
“Yeah.” Sarah pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “Don’t you think it’s strange that guy is out here in the middle of the night?”
“Yeah, it’s odd. So what? Maybe he’s just weird. Not everything is a great big conspiracy.”
Sarah stared into Jackie’s eyes. “I think we should follow the road.”
Jackie sighed. “All right, let’s follow the road.”
Sarah held up her hand and pressed her ear to the cabin wall, listening for the man. She could hear him shuffling around inside.
“Let’s go,” Sarah said, as she stepped away and skulked down the trail. Clenching her hands, she realized they were sweaty. She stopped and placed her flashlight under her arm and wiped her hands on her shirt.
Glancing behind her, Sarah checked on Jackie. Her friend gave her a thin smile. Jackie had that wild-eyed look again.
Sarah shivered as sweat trickled down her back. She shone her light ahead. “We can jog from here.”
“Yeah, I think we’re far enough away that we won’t make any noise.”
Two lights appeared in the distance. Sarah watched, as they seemed to bounce toward them. She couldn’t figure out what they were at first and she stared at them, puzzled.
Sarah gasped and grabbed Jackie’s arm, pushing her back toward the cabin.
“What are you doing?” Jackie snapped.
“A truck is coming. Go back.”
“What?”
“A truck. Go back!”
The two girls turned and sprinted through the long grass. Thick weeds pulled at Sarah’s clothes. She glanced back and cringed—the vehicle was gaining on them.
“Hurry!” Sarah urged. She gasped for breath. Her feet seemed heavy and out of sync with her legs.
They reached the back of the cabin. The truck continued to bounce down the two-track toward them. It would only be seconds before the girls were caught in the vehicle’s high beams.
Sarah grabbed Jackie’s arm. “The woods.” Pulling her friend with her, Sarah ran into the forest. Seconds later, the pickup truck drove up to the cabin.
The lights flickered off and the engine sputtered and then was still. The driver opened the door, which protested with a metallic groan. When he stepped out, the pickup seemed to spring back and sigh with relief.
Sarah watched from the forest as the man walked toward the cabin. He was burly, not fat, but big like a body builder, and the light from the moon reflected off his bald head.
“What is going on?” Jackie whispered.
“I don’t know.”
The man disappeared inside the building. Sarah heard the door bang, and crept forward with a thudding heart.
Jackie grabbed her arm. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to listen to them.”
“We need to get out of here.”
“We came all this way. I’m going to find out if they’re involved in the bombing.”
“Your stubborn streak is showing,” Jackie said.
“So… what’s your point?”
“They might not have anything to do with the bombing.”
“But they might. I’m going to find out.”
Jackie sighed. “Okay, girlfriend, but you owe me huge.”
“Whatever. Let’s go.”
The girls edged their way out of the woods and over to the side of the cabin. They crept closer to the door. Sarah’s stomach twisted into a painful knot and her heart continued its frantic pace.
Stopping, Sarah gulped some air, listening for the sound of
voices. “We’re not close enough yet.”
The bang of the door disturbed the night. Sarah tensed and tried to melt into the side of the building. Barely breathing, she turned and stared at her friend. Jackie’s eyes were wide and she gasped for breath. Sweat beaded on her brow, trapping a curl.
Voices turned Sarah’s head back toward the front of the cabin. Jackie’s touch made Sarah jump, and she made a face at her friend as Jackie squeezed her arm.
“Have you heard anything?” a gruff voice asked.
“Nothing, dude.”
“So we don’t know if we got him yet?”
“No we don’t.”
“Okay, I’ll head into town and hang around the hospital. See if anything turns up.”
“Keep me posted.”
Heavy boots scuffed across a wooden porch, then the swish of jeans rubbing together as someone walked. Sarah shrank against the cabin and faced Jackie. She bit her lip and squeezed Jackie’s arm, willing her to be quiet.
Jackie nodded and squeezed Sarah’s hand back.
The groan of the truck door opening caused both girls to drop to the ground. The engine sputtered to life and then it roared as the vehicle backed down the lane.
“Holy crap! I wonder who they’re after,” Sarah whispered.
“I have no idea.”
“Let’s get out of here before that other guy finds us.”
“I’m with you, girlfriend.”
The girls stood and tiptoed toward the makeshift road. The weeds pulled at Sarah’s clothes and slowed her down. Sweat trickled down her back and her heart thundered against her chest. We’re almost to the lane.
The sharp snap of a stick caught Sarah’s attention. She dropped to the ground and Jackie followed suit. Smelling the dank earth again, she grimaced. Sarah ignored the weeds tickling her skin as she listened for more noises. The sound had come from her right and she heard the rustling of someone walking through brush.
“Hello,” a deep male voice called out.
Sarah grabbed Jackie’s arm and squeezed, telling her to keep still.
“Hello?”
Silence. Then the sound of weeds pulling at clothing. Sarah became aware of heavy breathing and her body flooded with dread. She knew the man was close. Her heart pounded so hard, Sarah swore it vibrated the earth beneath her.