As she swallowed her pills, someone passed her and sat close. Smiling, Bixley handed her a thin stick. Taking it Blaze, raised her eyebrows. Suppressing a giggle, Shelby produced a bag of marshmallows.
Bixley ripped the bag open and jammed one onto the end of her stick, explaining her actions.
“The way I see it, we're surrounded by idiots-with the exception of my dad, John and your guy, Walker. I actually like Ren and Cindy, but apparently they work for that bonehead by the laser alarm. We may as well find something good in this. Let’s roast some marshmallows.”
Shelby laughed and took one. As they both extended their large white marshmallows toward the fire, Shelby leaned against her mom and sighed. Bixley hummed the tune to a John Denver song and without a second thought they both sang the song together.
“...Country roads, take me home...”
Blaze watched with rapt interest as they managed to ignore the dire circumstances and enjoy the moment for what it was. She herself had never been capable of that.
A growl sounded from the edge of the trees and Blaze looked out toward the perimeter alarm. Yellow eyes glowed, low to the ground.
Wolves. Startled, she jumped slightly when Matilda sat down next to her.
She smiled weakly. “Hi.”
Blaze dropped her eyes to the fire. “Hello.”
Shaking her head, Blaze entertained a thousand things to say; things she had longed to say when she thought she might not see Matilda again. “I hid in the back of the cave, even from Shelby, because I knew “they” wanted to use me against you.” Her voice was soft. Her pale hair fell forward and she tucked it behind her ear.
“I have no idea how I managed to get away from them after they made me scream for you in Stryker, but suddenly I was running and I heard them tracking me. I ran into the cave when Shelby left it briefly. If she'd known I was in the cave, it would have put her at risk again.
“Once you've looked them in the eyes though, you start knowing things about them. Little things. Nothing big, but it was enough to help me avoid them, not run back to them.” Matilda looked up. “I've seen what they do to people, Blaze.”
As Bixley and her daughter’s voices mingled sweetly, several more of the slanted eyes appeared, emanating low growls, watching from just beyond the lights of the camp. The howling increased as Blaze listened intently to her friend. Deep within, she knew something was stirring in the night.
Matilda edged closer to Blaze, reaching tentatively for her hand. Enveloping her own scratched and bruised hand around Blaze's, Matilda bit her lip and looked away. “I owe you such a huge apology, Blaze. I had no right to recruit you the way I did- untried, lacking information… what I did was awful.” Her New Zealander accent was thicker in the aftermath of her recent trials, and her fatigue.
Turning to Blaze she looked her in the eyes. “Will you ever be able to forgive me?”
It was not a light matter. Blaze considered her response as she listened to the wolves and watched the snow fall.
She turned to Matilda, smiling. “How did you know I could discern predators because of my illness?”
Matilda's eye's widened. “I didn't! How did you arrive at that conclusion?”
Blaze shook her head and shrugged. “Cindy.” Neither spoke for a while. Matilda nudged Blaze with her knee. “You saved my life out there. No one else would have gone into the cave like that.” Pushing at the snow under her boots, Blaze sighed. Turning to her friend, she squeezed her hand. “Matilda, I am angry with you. There is a lot of trust in need of repair between us, but I have missed you. I thought you were gone.”
Matilda nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I know. Please give me a chance to make it up to you. I promise- there will be no more secrets.”
Blaze rested her head on her friend’s shoulder.
“Don't leave me again.”
Leaning into her, Matilda held her friend tight. “I won't.”
As Bixley and Shelby's song ended, Blaze offered another. They sang a second John Denver hit. She knew the moment would have to end. Bixley and Shelby would realize soon enough the wolves pawing at their door. But for the moment, Blaze took part in a small sliver of normalcy while dwelling and surviving in a world she knew nothing about.
Dark Sasquatch, Sherpa's with cryptic pasts, less-than-truthful responses from Ren, Cindy and Rick. However, as she chewed a marshmallow, going through the motions with Matilda and the girls, she pretended she was just a camper who wasn't afraid to fall asleep.
Shelby uttered what no one else would when they had finished their songs.
“Wolves are circling our camp.”
Bixley laughed heartily and handed her another marshmallow. “Oh honey, don't worry about it. Wolves have been circling my camp my whole life. It's nothing.”
Shelby smiled and popped a marshmallow into her mouth, letting it puff one cheek as she chewed. Her bright green eyes twinkled in the firelight.
“So...you guys aren't scared?”
Bixley shook her head and put another marshmallow on her stick.
“Not really. I mean, you've met my mother, right?” Whatever Bixley meant by the statement, both she and Shelby laughed uproariously at the comment.
Bixley included Blaze. “Now that's a scary woman. She's been scaring us our whole lives.” Shelby giggled, flopping her head onto Bixley's shoulder. “There's nothing out there scarier than my G-ma. Once, she got into a lady's face and told her she was gonna punch her if she didn't get out of her way.”
Bixley snorted, and clapped her hand over her mouth, laughing harder. “And she's so short! Have you seen her? She's little! But she scares everyone when she starts puffing up. Even Grandpa.”
Gordon, Walker and John joined the ladies at the large fire, declining the marshmallows, but obviously enjoying the entertainment Bixley and Shelby were happy to provide. Occasionally the men would notice the wolves moving in close to the laser light, the green glow casting an eerie tint to their eyes. The camp remained solidly divided, which intensified the situation.
Ren, Rick and Cindy huddled in the electronics tent. Max and his people refused to interact with anyone else unless performing a duty. Randall continued to stare off into the night, alone. Gordon suggested they not sleep in separate tents, but stay close and establish a watch. Because his tent was directly next to Blaze's, they decided to occupy those two bubbles through the night. In Blaze's tent, Walker took first watch. John offered to take the second, moving back and forth between the two tents to make sure Gordon, his daughter and granddaughter were safe. Matilda made it clear she would remain with Blaze and Walker.
The howls intensified as the six of them remained close to the fire. Blaze cast a glance in Shelby's direction, thinking about the day.
“You can ask me. It's alright.” Shelby’s voice was husky and tired but content, as she rested her head on her mother’s shoulder.
Smiling, Blaze rubbed her eyebrow. “What happened?” Shaking her head, Shelby shrugged. “I knew they were outside the hot springs cave, but they didn't come in- didn't even try. I could hear them screaming outside, but they left me alone.”
Bixley looked up to Blaze, who moved to stand with her back to the fire.
“Have you told Cindy or Ren this?”
Shelby shook her head. “Nope.”
Perplexed, Blaze shrugged. “Why not?” Shelby sat up and took a long drink from her mother’s water bottle. Swallowing, she wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. “Because they work for that guy, Randall. I don't like him.”
In the quiet, Bixley hummed and rocked, holding her daughter close. Sniffling, Shelby looked up. “I heard screaming though. A lot.” Blaze felt her heart clench. Lowering her eyes, she blinked rapidly. Pushing her face into her mother’s shoulder, Shelby cried softly. Blaze, not knowing herself what to do, she stared out into the night until her cheeks were wet with tears. Shelby was so young. To interface with such evil, something so mysterious it was barely a part of human history
books, was a trauma she would always carry. It certainly would change her outlook on the world.
Blaze wiped her cheeks and looked to Gordon.
“They know who I am, but now they know what you did.” Thinking of the image he had etched into the snow made her shiver.
Gordon nodded. The firelight danced across his cheekbones and he pulled his hat down low.
Rick emerged from the electronics tent and moved to his own bubble for the night without speaking to the others huddled by the fire. Clenching her jaw, Blaze watched as the wolves moved closer along the glowing green laser light, gnashing their teeth and growling. Cindy stepped from the tent with Ren behind her, pausing when she caught Blaze watching her. Something caught her eye and she looked quickly away. Turning to track what had gained her attention, Blaze saw Randall, his back to the laser light, watching Cindy and Ren.
He avoided eye contact with Blaze, and turned back to stare out into the trees. “That dude is super creepy.” Blaze nodded at Shelby's youthful observation and listened to the wolves. Their plaintive cries would make it hard to sleep, but she planned to force herself to try. Looking over, she noticed Matilda was already asleep on her shoulder.
“Run!” Anonymous
~Twenty-nine~
Nothing felt stranger to Blaze than separating off from the others in the camp when they had all arrived with a sense of togetherness – even if the team leaders hadn't been up front about the mission.
Lying on her bed, looking up out at the night sky, snow fell onto the clear plastic dome of the bubble above her. Blaze considered the dynamics at play. Walker had opted to take the first watch, and he and John visited quietly while Blaze and Matilda curled up under the blankets. A soft light emanated from the fires outside and she realized as she thought of the fires, and their intended purpose, that no one had really known what to expect on the mission, aside from Randall perhaps, who was unreadable in his intent.
The Dark Sasquatch had begun as something tangible, and the goal had been the recovery of Shelby and Matilda, and then relocation, according to Ren and Cindy. Max had offered insights regarding the use of sage, and avoidance of Blaze based upon the predators attraction to her. Randall had remained silent and reluctant in appearance for most of the mission and then suddenly seemed as though he were taunting and leering at the Cryptids from the relative safety of the camp.
Light was available in every possible corner, the large spotlights swung to and fro, and finally there was Gordon, who had knelt in the dirt, drawn a symbol and outed the creatures for what they really were. Croatoan. It was the one thing Matilda evidently hadn't known. Blinking in the dark from under her blankets she thought of the confusing messages being offered.
“The wolves’ presence will indicate our safety.” The wolves apparently hadn't been read their job descriptions because their numbers seemed to multiply through the night as Blaze and the others entered their tents. Gleaming eyes, growling, and gnashing teeth implied the wolves were agitated with the very presence of the humans in their canyon and could not have cared less if they were supposed to evacuate if a Dark Sasquatch was near. As far as Blaze could see, they were working in tandem. She sat up slowly, pushing back the covers.
The night had grown quiet. The howling had stopped altogether.
She glanced over to Walker and John, who stopped speaking as well, and listened intently.
Whispering, she edged toward the men. “What's that about?” Shaking his head, John stood slowly and peered out the entrance of her small round tent. The fires still flickered bright and strong, although all of Max's family and relatives were standing with their backs to the larger fire, staring out into the night. Motioning for Blaze to join them, John muttered under his breath. “You're gonna want to see this.”
Peering out, still on her knees, Blaze observed Max and his entire family by the fire. He was covering them with sage, individually, and speaking over them as he did.
“What's happening?” Her voice sounded loud in the sudden onset of silence. Walker shook his head. “John, maybe go get Gordon. This looks bad.” Moving stealthily to the next tent, John raised no attention from the family. Max was busily covering them with what appeared to be a blessing.
Crouched in the opening of her tent Blaze shivered. “I'd love a hot bath and good night’s sleep.” Her weary voice caused Walker to chuckle in the face of the grim situation that seemed to be developing. Matilda stirred from behind them. Blaze explained to her that the wolves had grown silent, and motioned her to observe Max and his family.
Matilda swore. “This is bad.”
Blaze looked up at her. “Why?”
Not taking her eyes from them, Matilda watched carefully. The anthropologist in her was fully alert. “It's a final rites ceremony. They're preparing for their deaths.”
“Well, shit,” Blaze dropped to her knees, “this just keeps getting better.”
Walker shook Matilda’s shoulder with urgency. “Why?” His deep voice was hoarse and he looked for John, craning his neck.
Groaning inwardly, Blaze waited and watched as Max and his family remained motionless, quiet, and focused on the trees.
John returned, face grim. Matilda answered softly. “It's a generational pact. They've vowed to show honor and respect to the Croatoan in exchange for safety. Because you ran through the trees to draw them off of us the treaty between Max, his family and the Croatoan may be ended. Max and his family have to offer themselves up as a sacrifice. The Croatoan will take however many of his clan are required for them to feel honor has been returned and the treaty is re-established. Old blood lines have done this for centuries in Asia.”
Shocked, Blaze stood up. “So they are just going to stand and wait for the Dark Sasquatch to take as many family members as they want?”
Matilda nodded. “We have a bigger problem though. If they're performing their last rites they're expecting an attack. Soon.”
John responded.
“We're going out there. Come if you want.” Looking to Walker, Blaze bit her lip. Max had warned them to always stand with their backs to the fire. It occurred to her in a sudden burst that for knowledge regarding the Croatoan, each person had only a small piece to the entire puzzle. Max knew a little, Gordon knew some, and Randall insisted he and his team knew everything.
Zipping up her jacket, Blaze took Walker’s hand as he helped her to her feet. Matilda held onto Blaze's sleeve as they move forward.
“Stay close.” His request was barely audible.
“Yeah, like you have to say that twice.” Blaze tightened her grip. Moving toward the fire, Gordon, his daughter and granddaughter all made room for Blaze, Walker and John. No one from Max's family responded to their presence.
The snow continued falling, and the night remained silent. The wolves no longer moved along the perimeter laser. They were gone. Blaze observed Cindy, Ren and Rick leaving the electronics tent. They joined the group by the fire as well. No one spoke. Segregating seemed to be human nature, even in a crisis. Blaze shook her head as Max made another rotation among his own, covering them with sage, smoke and prayers.
Blaze looked over to Bixley. Bixley’s eyes were bright and determined as she took Blaze's hand in one hand, and Shelby's in the other. She knelt down. Shelby tugged at her grandfather’s hand, until they all knelt together in the snow, bowing their heads.
Bixley led them in The Lord’s Prayer. When she finished they stood, remaining linked together as a chain, weapons ready. Looking over her shoulder, Blaze watched as Cindy, Ren and Rick readied their own weapons. Randall stood just a few feet from them, and lowered his head as though he were trying to commune with the creatures without use of words.
A scream pierced the night. Bixley pulled her daughter’s hand in close to her heart. “You stay by me and Grandpa, no matter what happens, understand?” Nodding, Shelby leveled her gaze upon the forest ahead of them.
Gordon indicated to Walker with a quick nod of his head that he would be taking the
horses. All three of the animals pranced nervously in the thick night air, stomping, breathing steam from their nostrils.
Another scream sounded from the night. Above them, the large spotlights flickered. All of them. Then the perimeter laser flashed and went out. A loud electrical burst caused the large spotlights to sputter and go dark, casting Camp Snow Globe into shades of firelight and darkness.
“They're inside the camp.” Blaze heard her own voice as if it was from far away. Looking up, she watched as something dark and disjointed leapt from a tree limb that hung out over the back of the camp’s laser light. Another figure followed it. Gordon turned and nodded to Walker.
“Stay put as long as you can. They aren't fond of fire.
The group waited, tension tainted the air with a scent of salt and something akin to vinegar. Blaze wrinkled her nose and Matilda leaned close.
“They're near.” Her voice was low, her eyes searched as she held on to Blaze.
The alarm light flickered, creating a brief strobe light effect on the white snow below until it too, finally went dark.
A scream from inside the camp caused Blaze to squeeze Bixley and Matilda's hands. Another followed. A dark figure skittered between Ren and Cindy's tents. One moved low to the ground on the left toward the north ridge, appearing to crawl as though part spider. A shudder ran up Blaze's spine as Gordon, John and Walker extended their firearms. Her eyes widened as she watched Bixley and Shelby withdraw weapons as well.
Sensing the time had arrived, Blaze took a deep breath and withdrew her own .45 from her jacket. She hadn't always appreciated firearms, but she was grateful to be holding one in the face of evil.
The fires around the perimeter would eventually burn down. She assumed everyone knew the creatures would wait for the opportunity to avoid the light and heat from the safety fires.
Wolf Canyon: Cold Cat Mountain Book II (Cold Cat Mountain Trilogy 2) Page 14