Blaze sat up straight. “Alone?”
Shaking his head, Walker looked over his shoulder to be certain no one could overhear them.
“No. He's bringing his posse, John and Pat with him. Doesn't have permission, doesn't care. He's just being Gordon.”
Nervous, Blaze rubbed her neck. “What about his grandson, Dusty?” “He left the boys back in town to help the militia. Things are heating up again with news agencies and threats from outside to send in the National Guard. Like we don't have enough problems.”
Just as Walker finished speaking, the wood benches around them began filling with people. Judy trundled along behind Randall as he selected a seat. Her face was red and swollen from crying. Walker leaned over again. “She did not have a fun trip down into Wolf Canyon.”
Several times Blaze noticed Judy tried to inch closer to Randall on the bench they shared. He respond by pushing her away from him. As always, his eyes were obscured by his thick black brows. Considering his status in the outside world, he was probably struggling with his forced re-entry into field expeditions. Blaze recalled his absence being mentioned in field work by Matilda when they were interviewed for the radio show.
A wolf cried out in the distance. Blaze turned, gazing off into the dark. Another joined in. Shivering, she crossed her arms over her chest, feeling vulnerable again for sitting out in the open, exposed to the forces of nature. Judy cried louder, which prompted Randall to stand up, straighten his parka and move to a different location. Bixley inched closer to Blaze and Walker, looking nervous, but also determined. She smiled slightly when her eyes met Blaze's.
“I ain’t scared. Just cold.”
Blaze motioned for her to move closer.
“I’m glad you're here, Bixley. Your daughter is a hero. You must be so proud of her. And impatient for her to be found.”
Bixley nodded. “We're bringing her home.”
A drum sounded from up front and everyone turned. A young man in his teens smiled, pounding the large dark instrument rhythmically. Max joined everyone at the fire, standing with his back to the bright flames. His fur cape sported tiny bells on it which chimed softly as he moved. Raising his hands over his head, the young man stopped vibrating the drum, and moved quietly away into the shadows. Another wolf cried out from the dark mountainside. A wrapper crinkled loudly and Blaze turned as Judy opened a candy bar, biting into it between sobs.
Max raised his voice, but it was softer than Blaze expected; there was a lilt to it.
“Welcome everyone. We welcome you to the base camp. My family and I are at your service, and are here to make you comfortable while keeping you safe.” “My name is Max. It is easier to say than my birth name,” he chuckled goodnaturally. “If you will take a look around, you will see that we have gone to great pains to set up a tight camp. The bubble-shaped tents have small heating units and are made of plastic designed to hold heat in. If you ask me how it works I will make you say my full name.”
He inclined his head, smiling benevolently.
Blaze laughed. “In between each tent, you will notice that we have fires which will burn continuously, as well as this main fire. You may have also noticed the scent of sage. We burn that on all the fires. The scent is a repellent to the creatures we call the Croatoan, or Dark Sasquatch.”
Blaze unconsciously sniffed the air, picking up the scent, as did several others. “A green perimeter light runs around the camp,” he gestured, “designed to sense body heat from anything attempting to infiltrate. Infiltration will sound an alarm. If you hear the alarm while you sleep, it is very important to remain in your shelter. Do not move or leave your shelter until you are summoned to exit.”
Blaze shivered as several wolves called out all at the same time from the blackness beyond the green laser light.
Max continued after exchanging a knowing look with Rick and Ren. “Both light and smoke are critically important. Light from the fire also acts as a repellent to the Dark Sasquatch. Never let a fire go out. If you are near one and it appears to be dwindling, please stoke and feed it. Always stay near smoke if you can. The sage within the smoke will drive the spirit back and disguise your scent.
Never approach the green laser perimeter alarm during the night. Ever. You may be asking yourself what to do if you somehow forget everything I have just said.” Max looked around with kindly eyes, waiting for a response. When no one answered, he took a bundle of sage from the young man nearest him. His voice changed.
“If that happens you must remain always with your back to the fire. If you forget everything else, remember that. You all know at this point there is only one way out of Wolf Canyon. Remember that as well.”
Walking out toward those seated, he waved the sage over their heads, one after another. He paused when he stood over Blaze, handing the sage back to the young helper. Raising her eyebrows, Blaze looked up. He hadn't waved the sage over her. He stared out across the camp, placing a warm hand on her shoulder.
“And finally, it is vitally important that you not ever be alone with Blaze at this camp unless a leader is with you.”
Blaze turned, frowning toward Ren and Cindy.
“What?” As though he had not heard her concern, Max continued. “If you do happen to find yourself in a situation alone with Blaze, you must vacate the area immediately. The Dark Sasquatch will be drawn to Blaze, and because of that, she presents a danger for everyone here.”
Mouth open, Blaze stood up, looking into Max's soft, dark eyes.
“What are you saying? I'm on my own no matter what happens?” Max shook his head, placing his hand on her cheek. “Blaze, the monster in you draws them to you. It is not your fault. But you must always be near Ren, Cindy or Rick to ensure the safety of the camp’s population. The Croatoan will be like a thief in the night, waiting for an opportunity to take you.”
Walker stood up, placing a protective hand on Blaze's arm.
“What about at night when she is sleeping? Won't she be most vulnerable then?”
Max nodded, eyeing Blaze gravely. “Yes.”
No one spoke or moved. “And you will know when the Dark Sasquatch have moved in on the camp when the wolves stop their crying, when they are faced with a stronger, more malevolent predator within their territory.”
Turning on his heel, he walked away from the large fire. Everyone began to back away from Blaze, slowly, until finally she stood shivering with only Ren, Cindy, Rick and Walker. In the darkness no one spoke. Only the sounds of the wolves reassured them the Dark Sasquatch was not yet at their door.
Blaze rolled her eyes. “People are never who the hell I expect them to be. He rescued me earlier today, and now he will hardly speak and just told everyone to steer clear of me. Nice.”
“To fight evil, you have to understand the dark.” Nalini Singh
~Eighteen~
Blaze turned to Ren and Cindy.
“You two must have forgotten to make it clear I would need an armed escort at all times.” Her glare belied the playfulness of her words and Cindy closed her eyes. “I am so sorry Blaze. I had no idea Max would be so blunt. I have never seen him like that before, have you, Ren?”
Blaze raised her hands. “You know what? I don't even care at this point. You guys have made that ridiculous trek down through the canyon twice now, and I know we’re all exhausted. Did you see the creature when you brought the others down?”
Walker sighed. “Coming down was quite the hike.”
The others nodded and Rick looked out toward the trees as if something had caught his eye. Blaze turned to follow his gaze.
“What is it?” Withdrawing his sidearm he kept his voice low, not taking his eyes from the trees. The others did the same, aiming in the general direction Rick had his weapon pointed.
“Do you hear that?”
Shrugging, Blaze searched the trees with her eyes. “What?”
“No wolves. Ten minutes ago they were talking constantly. It’s quiet now.” Blaze searched the camp. Max's large
extended family seemed unaffected by the silence, working quietly, stoking the fires. One of the large spotlights swept the trees where Rick and the others were aiming their weapons.
Blaze sucked in a sharp breath as the light passed over a pair of eyes that reflected the bright beam; eyes too many feet above the ground to be those of the wolves. Walker pushed Blaze behind him, protectively shielding her. Ren was direct, but his voice was thick with concern. “Blaze, do not go near the perimeter tonight. Stay near the center fire. They're watching you.”
Max appeared next to them, as if from nowhere. “I have never seen the wolves retreat that fast.”
Shivering, Blaze peered from between Rick and Walker, both opting to block her from view as the creatures observed her from the trees beyond. Max lit another bundle of sage, wafting it around the five of them, humming. When he had completed his objective he stood to the side, eyes narrowed, peering into the dark.
“This is not good, Ren. They are studying us.”
Ren rubbed a slight film of perspiration from his forehead in the chill night air. “I know. She's drawing them in quicker than I thought she would.” His whisper caused Blaze to clench her fists. Once more, the spotlight swerved past the clutch of trees from where the creatures had been watching, but yielded nothing. Relieved, Blaze felt herself exhale.
Max's voice became thick. “They're on the move.”
Cindy swore under breath, swinging her weapon around, sweeping the area for signs.
“What's wrong with it being on the move?” Blaze’s voice sounded tight. She stepped out from behind the men who had been blocking her. Max searched the darkened tree line to the north as he spoke.
“If they cannot come directly for you, they’ll search for another way. This is not what we want. We would rather see them charge and hear them scream.”
Blaze took a step back and bumped into Max. He raised a hand to her cheek, still watching the trees. “How is that monster in your head, Blaze?” Max asked. Frowning, Blaze realized she felt fine, in spite of the earlier attack, and lack of sleep. She felt...awake. Content, somehow.
She remained near Max even when he lowered his hand from her face. “I feel good. Why?”
Cindy lowered her handgun slightly, turning to look back at Max. Max nodded, thoughtfully. “Your good health may not be a happy omen for the rest of us. The Dark Sasquatch sense your monster, that thing which makes you ill may be the very thing alerting them to your presence.”
Lowering her eyes, Blaze felt her blood run cold. It was true. Matilda had known it as well. She had mentioned Blaze seemed healthier when they were searching for the Cryptid, even when it attacked. With shaking hands, she moved back to one of the timber benches and sat, stunned to her core. Her monster was content only when it was interacting with other monsters? Identifying them and drawing them out for a confrontation? She dropped her head into her hands, breathing rapidly. She recalled not needing her medication as steadily throughout the past week. Recalled feeling adrenaline rushing through her veins that she somehow welcomed. It wasn't her that was able to identify predators on a conscious level. It was the disease. It relished the hunt, the anticipation, the fight. Even sitting in the cold dark of Wolf Canyon she felt content; fulfilled somehow.
Max remained alert as the others drew closer to her. Ren laid a hand on her shoulder. “I'm sorry, Blaze. How could we have explained all of this in a way you would have understood?”
She stared out into the flames of the large fire, feeling the heat on her face. Closing her eyes, she knew they would never have been able to explain what she had just realized on her own.
“How did you all know about this though?” Cindy cautiously sat next to her, still remaining vigilant. “ We didn't for sure. Matilda must have spotted something in you though. We only started putting it together when the Cryptid attacks became so escalated toward you and Matilda on Cold Cat. That behavior had never happened before, at least not openly. We researched for hours, and your illness was the only thing that seemed to set you apart from others. We weren't sure we were even correct. We didn't want to be correct.”
Max held out his hand for silence, as he slowly backed up. Signaling for one of his own to approach him, he whispered something to the young woman who nodded and quickly moved away from him.
Blaze turned on her bench to face Max. “Didn't you say the light and smoke would help?”
Max turned, looking Blaze fully in the eyes. “I said it would help us. Not you.”
“I have fallen into an abyss. I live in a world so curious, so strange. Of the dream that was my life, this is my nightmare.”
Camille Claudel
~Nineteen~
Judy sat in her bubble, her sobbing finally calming down to hiccups. It was obvious that Randall didn't love her. YoHan had deceived her. Twice. Once he had promoted her over Randall, saying Randall loved her, then he had demoted her, and now Randall didn’t love her. She longed for her science lab with its bright lights, the predictable daily routine, and her private stash of Whatchamacallit bars in her desk drawer.
Surveying the interior of her igloo she realized how much preparedness had gone into the expedition. The lanterns, the bedding, the heat...A slow smile spread across her face and she threw herself backwards on the soft bed, staring up and out of the plastic skylight that comprised the top half of the bubble. She reached for her journal and the special yellow pen she always used to write with, rushing to get comfortable. She would want to remember all of it later. Every detail. She would write a book about the expedition; under a pen name, of course.
The Summit would balk at her sharing any information. She might even make it fictional. Wiggling the pen between her fingers, she hummed happily as she began to write. It wasn't everyday someone had such an adventure.
Her DNA analyses would make her famous from this rescue mission too. She would be on the cover of Time, and National Geographic.
Closing her eyes, she breathed in the success. Her mother had always said she would make it big one day. As she pondered the imminent reality of talk show circuits and radio interviews, she fell asleep.
“Darkness shields as much as it threatens.” R. Scott Bakker
~Twenty~
Blaze wearily entered the dining tent. She rubbed her eyes to rid the sleep still riding the rims of her lids. Her irritation was evident when Rick showed up outside her door to escort her to breakfast.
“I am your approved escort this morning.” His tone, his bright eyes; all were a particular irritant to someone who constantly craved caffeine to begin the day. Rolling her eyes, Blaze zipped her parka and trudged ahead of him without speaking.
Several groups were gathered in the tent, speaking in hushed tones to one another. Blaze stopped in her tracks. Rick grabbed her by the shoulders as he tried to prevent a collision.
“What’s going on?” Her eyes roamed the inside of the large, round white tent, sensing something was wrong. Randall sat off by himself, a pleasant expression playing upon his normally dark features as he sipped tea and made notes.
Rick paused, also sensing something. Walker walked in directly behind them, leaning over to Blaze.
“Judy Padna was found lying on her bed, in shock this morning.”
Rick’s eyes widened. “What?” Walker shook his head, obviously perplexed. “No signs of distress, or struggle. She looks like she just saw something and she can't come out of it.”
Blaze narrowed her eyes. “That would explain the smug look on Randall's face this morning.”
Dabbing at the corner of his mouth with a napkin, Randall looked up toward the three of them. Locking eyes with Blaze, he winked.
Her heart sped, hammering in her chest.
Rick routed her toward the food and beverages. “Easy Sparky, don't let him bait you. He'd enjoy that too much.”
Walker turned and stared Randall fully in the face. Approaching the man’s table, he leaned over, supporting himself on broad knuckles.
“Did you ha
ve something you forgot to share with me earlier during our interview outside?”
Nonplussed, Randall leaned back and smiled a toothy grin, his eyes gleaming from below thick, dark eyebrows.
“I do not, in fact. I am merely enjoying the morning.”
Standing up slowly, Walker grinned back. “Well, be careful that you don't accidentally un-enjoy it here in the near future.” Striding away, he re-joined Blaze and Rick who had brought out a plate of food and coffee for him. Randall hummed a light tune and tucked his notebook under his arm, exiting the dining tent.
Between sips of coffee Blaze looked up. “What's on the agenda today?”
Rick grinned. “My favorite part of every expedition. Adventure.” Walker raised his eyebrows. “What kind of adventure?”
Rick waved to Ren and Cindy as they entered the dining tent with Bixley in tow. There was no need to discuss Judy's health; Walker had reported it to them right away. Presently, her body lie within her tent, wrapped in blankets with Max's family taking turns attending her.
While it had cast a pall over the day, everyone assumed she had been overly anxious during the night. No one spoke their thoughts aloud, but between the extreme stress she exhibited and the constant stream of candy bars she'd consumed, it made sense to arrive at that conclusion until she was taken back to Stryker for a proper assessment.
Ren explained they were waiting for Gordon and his team to arrive that morning as well. “Once they do, I'd like them to rest up a little if they will. If they won't, then we’re heading toward the hot springs.” Everyone’s thoughts turned immediately to Matilda and Shelby.
Blaze felt her heart quicken. “What if we find them both alive and in need of medical attention?”
Cindy pursed her lips as she wrapped her hands around her coffee cup. “Then we move like hell down the mountain.”
“What? Like run?”
Ren chuckled. “No. I have some Side by Sides up here. We’ll load up in them.”
Wolf Canyon: Cold Cat Mountain Book II (Cold Cat Mountain Trilogy 2) Page 10