Straw

by Anthony Pittman

  2

  The wind was blowing hard knocking the windows as the day was losing its light. The volunteers were shutting down for the day and the police and firefighters were getting ready to drive away. They all said they would come back tomorrow and try again. They told Ryan’s parents don’t give up hope. Ryan knew he was the only hope his family had now and he wasn’t about to give up. When the last person left, his parents quietly went upstairs to their room without saying a word to Ryan. He wasn’t surprised and he understood. They still blamed him and he still blamed himself as well. Taking care not to make any noise Ryan grabbed his backpack and flashlight and went out the back door. He only had to wait ten minutes until a solitary flashlight walked up to him. It was Ron. And he had something else with him a dog.

  “This is Buddy my dog. He’s a mixture of everything and nothing. But he’s good doggy aren’t boy? “scratching behind his ears.

  “If we get into any trouble he knows how to fight and so we don’t get lost I’m dropping track lights down every foot or so. I used to go exploring around here until I heard about Big ma and such. Are you ready dude? “

  “Yeah, I’m ready to get my sister back.”

  “I’ll go as far as the circle of trees and then you are on your own. I’ll even wait for you but don’t take too long.”

  “Thanks Ron I appreciate this. “

  “No problem man, like I said if I had a sister I would want her found too. “ They started on their nightly journey not knowing to what to expect or who to expect it from.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  They walked through the woods. The normal sounds of the night were heard all about; some seemed close and yet others far away. Foxes and owls were some the ones he could figure out as well as the cawing of crows. When they made it to the circle the moonlight was lighting up the forest somewhat. “This is where I stay and you keep going dude.” Ron said pulling out a sandwich from his bag.

  “Really you can eat at a time like this?” Ryan asked.

  “Yeah we kind of need our strength and besides I ate dinner early.” Buddy suddenly tensed and growled up at the sky. Both boys looked up to see the moon blacked out by a black feathered mass that cawed. “Crows! And lots of them she knows we are here so you have to hurry man. I’ve got something for them but when I do it you take Buddy and get to the cabin.”

  Ryan hesitated not wanting to leave him in this position.

  “Don’t worry man if you do what needs to be done I’ll be fine when you get back.” Pulling out a big Zippo lighter and an aerosol can, he flicked the lighter and on and sprayed the can into the flame. A big jet of fire shot out and burning the first group of crows. The smell of burning bird flesh was everywhere now. “Go now man! I got this!” Ryan did what he was told and grabbed Buddy’s leash. The wind was blowing harder and carrying the smell of burning crow with him as he ran. He wanted to puke but he forced himself to hold it back for now. He dared not look back in case Ron wasn’t there in anymore but he could still hear him yelling at the crows though. Wooing and hollering like he was at a Wild West show. But he had to slow down because this was the dangerous part of the trail. One false move and the dog and he were done for. He keeps to the firm side of the trail until he made up to the cabin. There was a light inside and smoke coming out the chimney. Maybe it was a trick of the moonlight. The cabin didn’t look as run down as did before. Ron and the girl Amanda were right. And if they were right about this then they were right about his sister.

  Chapter Thirty -Four

  Ryan started to make his way to the cabin door and knock three times like Amanda had told him. From inside a voice came asking, “Who dares knock three times on my door?”

  Ryan answered, “Three times for three riddles if answered I leave if unanswered you cannot deceive.” Amanda had told him that he had to ask her three riddles and if she missed even one she would have to come outside the cabin where she was vulnerable. Ryan took a deep breath preparing himself with his first riddle. “Say my name and I disappear.” Ryan asked.

  “Easy one boy that’s silence. You have two left make them count.” she cackled.

  “The more you take, the more you leave behind.” Ryan asked for the second riddle.

  “A good one boy but also a very easy one for me.” Big ma laughed. “It’s footsteps. One more and then off you go from here.”

  He hoped Amana knew what she was doing. He had memorized the riddles just like she said. He said the last one would stump her but so far the first two were answered immediately. Taking another deep breath he asked, “What begins but has no end and what is the ending of all that begins?” Then there was a silence. Big ma was thinking about the riddle. She had several answers but she knew she could only guess three times if they were all wrong she would have to go out to the boy. She was old and so were the ways of magic and the conjuring. The laws and traditions must be honored so she had to obey. “She answered first, “Is it time?”

  “No”, Ryan replied.

  “Is it water?”

  “No ‘, again Ryan replied.

  “Is it fire?” she finally replied.

  “No for the last time. You have had your three guesses and you must come outside.” Ryan backed away a few feet and the door opened. Buddy started growling but he held his leash tight. Coming out was an old woman who was heavyset with dark skin and long grey hair. She was walking out on a crooked cane but Ryan noticed she didn’t really need it. She walked up to him until she was just out of range Buddy. She waved her hand and suddenly Buddy stopped growling and started whimpering. Ryan tried to bend down and tell him it was ok but he couldn’t move.

  “Go home boy. Your sister is mine until I am with her which may be never. But that is no concern of yours. “When she spoke it was that of younger person’s voice but her face was that of someone dying. It was sunken in and her mouth had no lips. Her teeth were black and in the moonlight he could tell they were sharp as knives. If he needed an example of a witch ever again she was the best there was. Now that Buddy was paralyzed she came even closer and he could smell the decay on her breath. Before he thought the burning crows were bad but he couldn’t hold back the vomit from this and heaved all over the ground. Big ma cackled and shrieked with laughter.

  “It seems boy you have never seen one my kind before. I admit I’ve seen better days and I will again soon thank to your sister. Now go boy this is your final warning.” she waved her hand again and out of the shadows of the woods a shape appeared made up entirely of straw. Stepping out in to the moonlight Ryan could see it was taller than his Dad who was 6’3 and wore ragged coveralls. Its face was in a permanent sinister smile and but inside that mouth there was nothing. It was the scarecrow that was in the cornfield by their house. It made no sound as it walked to Ryan. Big ma turned and hobbled back into her cabin to leave the rest to her love Jacob so she could continue to fulfill their destiny together. As soon as she was inside, Buddy was no longer motionless and threw back his head and howled and jerked himself from Ryan’s hand running toward the scarecrow.

  Chapter Thirty -Five

  Once inside the cabin, Big ma begins the preparations to begin teaching the girl the ways. She was angry because the meddling of the boys. The one burning her precious crows and the other one, brother thinking he could stop her. She who had lived for so long, lived through so much No, she would not be denied again. She would bring back her love Jacob and they would live as they should have long ago. By no means was she done with her revenge on the families of the ones that killed him. The girl Casey was now sleeping by the fire. She would sleep until Big ma awakened her .She has no idea of what’s going on and she wouldn’t until it was all over. Big ma prepared her plants and other herbs for her potion to make the girl stronger and so she could learn faster. Then she could be drained of her powers faster but she had let the girl rest for now.

  2

  Buddy latched on to one the legs of the scarecrow. But it felt no pain. It was still undead not of the f
lash. The dog was an annoyance to him. Grabbing the dog with one of its straw hands he threw it across the trail over the steep side. There was no sound from the scarecrow or the dog. Ryan watched in horror as the dog was thrown to its death. He could do nothing as the scarecrow turned and lumbered toward him. From behind him he heard something and turned to see Ron running toward the scarecrow with the lighter and can still in hand.

  “You evil scarecrow dude you killed my dog!” And turned his homemade flamethrower onto the straw filled man. Flames erupted everywhere and again it felt no pain. This body was burning and dying and all that was with it. Even the other one with him sharing the body knew this. He tried to walk to the cabin to get to his beloved but it was of no use. Ron kept the flame on him until there was nothing but a pile of crumbling husk on the ground.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  After the talking with the boy, Amanda was a bit drained between her treatments and using her abilities they were taking its toll. But she had to give the boy advice. She told him she couldn’t help but she had to figure a way. The bond between her and her brother was fading. The other presence was taking over. Soon his brother would no longer exist and Big ma could finish what she intended to do long ago. The boy’s sister was the key. She was the deciding factor in all of this. She sat up on her bed thinking there had to be away she could help him besides giving advice.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  The boys heard the scream from inside the cabin and Big ma came out in a hurry this time with her crooked staff held high.

  “You stupid boys, I was trying to be nice and know look what you have done to my beloved!” She wailed with rage and sorrow. She starting chanting and spilling out an incantation,

  “Double double spoil and rubble bring forth rain from night’s sky more than once more than double!”

  And clouds starting covering the moonlit sky swirling in the shape of a funnel. The last of the spray can fizzled out and the boys watch as rain fell in a downpour. The rain fell on the burning straw slowly started putting it the fire out.

  “You foolish boys the straw lives on. But you tonight will not live any longer. Lighting crashed in the sky and thunder struck trees nearby. Big ma kept chanting and the thunder and lighting were getting closer. Both boys were frozen with fear there was no spell on them but their bodies wouldn’t move. Suddenly the once burning mass of straw moved toward Big ma who didn’t notice because she was casting her spell. The one she called Jacob was crawling to his beloved while still aflame. Or was it Jacob? With one flamed hand he reached up to grab her skirt and it caught a fire surging up and encompassing her all over. Her chanting stopped and so did the rain and the storm was beginning to cease. Two burning shapes now were in front of the cabin. Big Ma still on feet was somehow still alive and kicked the straw figure away from her. She was making her way back to the cabin. Ron no longer paralyzed with fear reached in his bag and pulled another can. This one was twice as big as the other. “Once I do this man you got to go and get your sister!” Running forward and yelling ‘Cowabunga!’ he set both figures ablaze some more. This time Big ma let out a shriek that made their ears ring and their heads whirl. Ron fell to his knees dropping his lighter and can. Ryan fell to one knee but he was looking at the cabin. It was now burning as well with his sister inside. He had to make a decision. He didn’t come all this way for nothing. Reaching into his back pack he pulled out some ear plugs and put them in. Now her voice was dull to ears. Getting up he ran as hard as he could crashing into Big ma knocking both of them into the cabin. There on the floor was his sister sleeping totally unaware what was going on. Ryan got up grabbed his sister and carrying her out the burning cabin stepping on the burning figure of Big ma in the process. She was no longer screaming her banshee wail and she was no longer moving. Neither was the scarecrow man. Once outside Ron help Ryan with Casey as they made their way down the trail away from the cabin. Looking back they could see flames leaping into the air jumping from tree to tree and smoke covering the night sky. The wood of the cabin had burned so fast that the wood was already charred. Ryan wondered if Big ma could have survived that being burned alive inside her own cabin. He had no idea but he did know he had his sister back. Once back at the circle of trees again they made their way back to Ryan’s house. “Here you go man. Back home safe and sound. Thanks for the adventure and I’ll have to make up a story on what happened to Buddy.” Ryan didn’t say anything and just shook his hand. Ron nodded and saluted and took the road instead of the woods to where his house was.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Ryan carried his sister to the living room couch and laid her down and then shouted up stairs to his parents, ““Mom, Dad! Come here quick!” he was excited and happy to see his sister again and knew they would be too. They both stumbled downstairs barely awake and when they noticed her on the couch they both ran to her grabbing her and kissing her. She was still asleep and would be Amanda had told him until sunrise. That was a few hours away and Ryan told his parents to just let her sleep until morning .They didn’t ask where he had found her or how they were just glad to see their daughter alive and home. Dad went upstairs and got blankets and pillows and made beds for them to sleep around the couch until she woke up in the morning.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  “Mommy! “she screamed jumping up and scaring everyone awake. Mom jumped up and started crying in emotional sobs. Casey started crying too. Dad and I stood back and let them have that moment. “You are safe now sweetie. I won’t let anything like that ever happen to you again.” Dad whispered. Then Dad turned to Ryan rubbing his hands through his hair.

  “Thanks son for what you did. That was a brave thing you did going after your sister. I don’t know how you found her wee searched almost the entire area and nothing. But anyway Optimus Prime would be proud and so am I.” He held out his hand and Ryan grabbed it and came closer for hug. There were no tears on the outside but inside they were both like Mom and Casey. His Dad was back to his normal self and everything looked like it might be ok in this new town and new home finally.

  Casey had no memory of what happened the last few days. The only thing she remembered was that she was looking for missy. Mom said that they would get a new doll of which Casey had no problem with. Ryan knew Missy was burned up in the cabin along with Big ma. Missy was gone for good and it seemed Casey was not too bent out of shape about it.

  Chapter Forty

  Mom and dad kept Ryan and Casey out of school for a few days citing family emergency. It was a small town so everyone knew what had happened and how it ended. Ron was a part of the telling the story and a days later Ron came walking up to the house. Ryan let him in and he saw Casey and Mom going through doll catalogs looking for her new doll.

  “Your sister looks good to go man.”

  We sat down and I told him everything that happened after he left.

  “Thanks to you and Amanda. She was right about everything including the Casey waking up at sunrise. “

  Ron then said, ‘Hey I told Everyone at school that you went up to Big ma‘s cabin and I left myself out most of it of course didn’t want my parents freaking out. Everyone thinks you are the coolest dude now. You know that took guts to do what you did. Now because that they all want to be your friend. You’ll see the people in town will treat you and your family differently. You saved the town and everyone from big ma. Ron grabbed some fruit that was on the table and grinned. “Ryan the witch killer has a nice name to it,” skywriting it in the air in front him. Ryan grabbed an apple and grinned back, “I’m ok with that man. I’m so ok with that.” Maybe now with his family back together, everything could be normal here. Maybe just, maybe he could actually call this place home.

  Chapter Forty-One

  The call came in at sunrise that there was smoke in the woods. Forest rangers and firefighters were at the scene in less than thirty minutes. Fireman Samantha McGrath thought hopefully it was just some campers who forgot to out their campfire and there was no dan
ger of forest fire. Instead of a campfire it was a cabin that had burned down .What was strange was that only the cabin had burned down. The area around it was untouched. There were plenty of branches and brush that should have caught fire. In the trees surrounding the cabin were crows cawing and cawing. She looked through the ruins for signs of what may have started the fire or for signs of someone being inside. Only the chimney was left still standing. Remnants of an old rocking chair were next to it. Something caught her eye in the morning’s sunlight. Looking through the ashes she spotted an old doll that was seemingly untouched by the fire. There was an eye missing and it was stuffed with straw. Strange that it didn’t catch on fire like everything else. For a moment she thought the doll had moved but she blew it off as her imagination running wild. Samantha picked up the doll and put it in her jacket for her daughter as a gift. As soon as she picked the doll up the crows cawed louder and louder and suddenly all flew off She went on with her inspection and found nothing else out of the ordinary. Her day was just starting and she was feeling good waiting for the moment to get off work and present the doll to her daughter. She would be so excited to be adding a new friend to her collection….