The Pit in the Woods: A Mercy Falls Mythos

by Nathaniel Reed

  “Has anyone ever fallen in?” Staci asked.

  “Yeah, they say a couple of kids have gone over the fence at night and fell in while wandering around in there.”

  “Why don’t they close it off?” Tony said.

  “Evidence. They’re still trying to figure out what caused it. They put a grating over it a couple of times but kids cut right through, and the hole’s way too big to fill. No one wants to go down there and investigate anything anymore. For one, they can’t figure out how far down it goes. For another they’re scared shitless.”

  “Why?” Myron said.

  “Oh, you’re going to like this one Myron. They say one time they found one of the gratings ripped open, but it couldn’t have been done by any kids.”

  “Why not?”

  “’Cause it was torn from the inside out.”

  “Goddamn!” Jeremy exclaimed.

  “He is lying,” Myron said. “You made that part up.”

  “You think so? Anyway, if that’s true, maybe it has something to do with your demon.”

  “They’re just stories,” Staci said, “Make believe.”

  “Yeah,” Tony agreed. “There probably isn’t even a pit. Probably some guy bought the land and that’s why it’s closed off.”

  “You don’t believe me?” Johnny said, “Let’s go in then. We’ll see.”

  “No!” Staci cried out, making them all jump.

  “What is it Stace?” Jeremy asked.

  “I don’t know. I’ve got a bad feeling about it.”

  “You don’t want to go?” he said.

  No she didn’t want to go. Because everything was all wrong near this place. Bad somehow.

  “No, I don’t.” Rotten is the word you’re looking for Staci.

  “Anyone else not want to go?” John asked.

  Myron stirred. “I do not know. I do feel a bit weird about this place too.” Except that wasn’t exactly true. He felt Staci’s weirdness about it more than anything else. Like radio signals, like the emergency broadcast system on TV. Cyan and magenta, and whatever the other colors were.

  Tony and Jeremy wanted to go.

  “It seems the two of you are outvoted. I’m going in. Whoever wants to follow, come on.” Johnny began climbing.

  “Hey, it’s broad daylight,” Tony said. “We might get caught.”

  “Anyone here eighteen yet?” he called back over his shoulder.

  “No,” they shook their heads.

  “Then don’t worry about it. We’re all minors. All they can do is give us a warning if we do get caught.”

  And call our parents, Myron thought, but didn’t say.

  John leaped over. “C’mon! It’ll be fun!”

  “Damn!” Tony said. He followed. Myron started, then stopped, opting to let the others go ahead first.

  6

  “They’re going in!” Max said.

  Farris laughed. “Oh man, this is so perfect!”

  “Yeah,” Max said. “Perfect.”

  7

  “So what now?” Staci asked.

  “Well, we could start by walking. I don’t remember exactly where it is. It’s been a while but…”

  “Stop being a pain,” Jeremy said.

  “Sorry, my friend. Sorry if I offended thee,” Johnny joked,

  “Let’s just go. This is a cool place. Trust me.”

  Myron cautiously leaped over.

  “Nice of you to join us,” John said.

  The place was huge from the looks of it. They were standing on a long expanse of grass that seemed to reach the horizon, where the woods began. A dense overcrowded forest of trees that did not look inviting at all. The appearance of a horizon was an optical illusion caused by a dip in the land about four feet deep leading into the woods beneath. Still, it was about half a mile to the nearest tree.

  “It’s pretty far to the hole,” Johnny commented.

  “Now you tell us!” Myron exclaimed, “Some of us have to be home soon you know.”

  “Shut up Myron. Stop whining. Have some fun for once in your life.”

  Johnny’s words stung and Myron went rigid for a moment. This was mistaken for reluctance.

  “Relax. Don’t be so tense,” John said.

  “You don’t have to be so mean!” Staci protested.

  “How else will I get you chicken shits to come along?”

  She glared at him.

  “All right, all right. I’m sorry Myron.” Johnny rolled his eyes.

  “Yes, okay,” Myron said, adding under his breath, “Whatever.”

  They were actually moving toward the woods now.

  “Actually, this is kind of cool,” Jeremy said.

  “My man!” Johnny slapped him on the back.

  “Yeah,” he continued, “Sort of like an adventure. A journey into the unknown.”

  “Right on! And isn’t that what life is, an adventure? Ain’t it what it’s all about?”

  No one answered him, but they started to smile. Johnny’s attitude was infectious. It almost let Staci set aside her reservations about the place. It did seem rather peaceful, had its own quiet beauty.

  As if to echo her thought a blue jay flew above them, soaring and chirping contentedly. Once she put her dread aside she became aware of sound and motion all around her. The lackadaisical buzz of the flies, the humming of bees, the stir of the breeze through the grass, the songs of the birds. It was a good place if you set your mind right. At least, it once was.

  8

  Max held him back. “Not yet. It’s too wide open. Let’s wait until they get to the woods.”

  “But then we’ll lose them in there,” Farris said, “Besides, it’s too far away.”

  The other eight agreed.

  “We’ll find them. That’s all part of the fun boys. They’ll be in there a while…”

  They kept watching them through the fence.

  “Maybe forever.”

  9

  They arrived at the dip in the land, and skidded down in a cloud of dust and twigs. It was a short walk from here to where the trees actually began, only a few feet. For a moment they hesitated.

  “So,” Tony said, “This is it. Jeremiah’s Woods.”

  They started to walk in. Outside it was full daylight, but as they entered the woods it quickly became twilight, the dense crowding of trees blocking out the sun and most of the sky. They went in one behind the other, Johnny in the lead, followed by Tony, Jeremy, Staci, and Myron in order of bravery. Single file was the only way they could get through at this point.

  “Cool, isn’t it?” Johnny said.

  “Yeah,” Jeremy responded.

  Tony looked back at him. “You really do like this kind of stuff don’t you?”

  Jeremy looked at him oddly. “I never really thought about it, but yeah, I guess I do.”

  “Jeremy,” Staci whispered, tapping him on the shoulder.

  He turned.

  “I’m scared,” she said. He was flattered she’d admit this to him.

  “I know,” he whispered back, “Don’t worry, nothing’s going to happen. I’ll protect you.”

  She looked at him with wide open eyes and smiled, unsure what to say. Finally, she said, “Thank you, but I don’t think you’ll need to.”

  “I don’t think so either,” he said. She knew what he meant, and blushed at his praise.

  Wow, did I do that? Jeremy thought.

  Brambles and leaves crunched beneath their feet. Here and there a squirrel scurried nearby. One paused in front of them and looked up as if expecting something (most likely food). When he got nothing, he continued on his merry way. Staci was delighted by this and giggled. Birds twittered above, brushing the leaves of trees (those that were left) or soaring above them, wings flapping frantically.

  After some time they were able to walk a little less restricted, as the trees grew further apart, and they moved in a triangular pattern. Soon they were able to spread out more, going around the trees nearly side by side. No one h
ad anything to say and so the sudden silence around them was immediately apparent. The wind, the trees, the birds, the air itself was silent. They all paused in the unnatural hush.

  “Look!” Johnny said. Heads darted, turned. Eyes searched. They all saw her. A girl, no more than five or six, blonde with pigtails, wearing a white sweater, red skirt, and red and white running shoes. She darted across their line of vision, off in the distance, for a moment distinct, then nothing more than a blur.

  “Little girl!” Staci shouted. It sounded thunderous in the silence. She glanced at the others. “She must be lost.” Turned toward the girl. “Little girl!”

  The girl either didn’t hear, or didn’t heed. She was gone as quickly as she’d come. Still the silence prevailed, stillness like a cemetery at night in the dead of winter. But it was daylight, and winter was only just beginning.

  They continued to look for her until none of them were precisely facing the direction they’d been going. John turned to go on, and cried out in shock and surprise. “H-How did you…?” Before the others turned to face what he’d seen a voice spoke.

  “You should go back,” the little girl said. They all saw her now, standing directly in front of them. Her pretty face done up in a frown, her bright clothes blinding. “It’s not safe here.”

  Before any of them could respond a sudden crash of leaves and twigs diverted their attention. Turning toward the noise they came face to face with Max, Carl, Farris, Phil, Jake, Rick, Eddie, Sam, Jim, and Richard.

  Johnny looked back to shout a warning. “Run little girl, run!” But she was gone. Their eyes darted from left to right, but she was nowhere to be found.

  Maxwell laughed. “I think Johnny here’s lost his marbles. Is that right Johnny? I hope not. Crazy men are less receptive to pain.” He smacked one fist into his other palm, and kept repeating the motion as he talked, placing emphasis on key words.

  “Actually, I was talking to you Max. Run along home now.”

  “Oh,” Max said, not in the least amused, “I’m gonna make sure you feel it when I gut you boy, nice and slow. I want you to suffer.”

  “Why don’t you get lost Max?” Tony said, “We don’t want no trouble.”

  “Oh you in a heap of trouble now muscle man, but I’m about to resolve that.” He pulled a switchblade from the front pocket of his denim jacket, and opened it, revealing a wicked six inch blade. “Soon as I stick this knife in your throat.”

  “Uh-huh,” Johnny said, “Just what I thought. Even with nine men behind you, you still have to resort to weapons.”

  Max’s face seethed with hate.

  “Johnny,” Staci said worriedly.

  Max put the knife away. “All right fly boy, we’ll play it your way. We’ll kick the shit out of you first, and then we’ll cut you up.”

  “He’s not really going to kill us, is he?” Myron whispered to Jeremy.

  Jeremy looked at him, but he couldn’t answer that. He didn’t know how far Max was going to go. He knew what he was capable of after what he’d done to Tony. So murder was entirely possible.

  10

  Noise. As soon as they’d come there was noise again. Everywhere. The leaves rustled. The birds sang. Hell, they shrieked at this sudden interruption. There were sounds everywhere like thunder, in an instant. Even in their perilous situation Staci realized the little girl had caused the silence. Whatever spell it was she had cast over the woods was broken when the Dragons came crashing through the brush.

  “All right, let’s dance,” Max said, and she returned to reality. Max threw himself at Tony, tackling him to the ground. Max was many things: an instigator, a bully, a vile and repugnant human being. But smart wasn’t one of them. It was a bold move, but also very stupid.

  Max went to throw a punch at Tony, who was down but far from out. Tony caught Max’s fist in his own massive paw before it hit, and with that same hand shoved Max off of him. Max went flying into Rick Morris who lost his balance and fell. They both got up. Max charged him again, this time with his fist raised. Tony caught him by the forearm this time and spun Max around until his back was to him, twisting Max’s arm behind him. “Not this time Max, not this time.”

  “Oww! Let go of me you dumb fuck!” Max cried. “Oww! Will someone get this asshole off of me?!”

  Tony taunted, “Say please.”

  “Fuck you!”

  “Now that’s not nice. Didn’t your mama ever tell you cursing isn’t polite?”

  Jeremy was laughing despite all the people behind Max. Johnny was especially amused.

  Finally Farris and Phil were brave enough to intervene, being his most loyal henchmen. They each grabbed one of Tony’s arms, but Tony refused to let go. “You keep doing that and I’ll break his fucking arm I swear!”

  Farris hesitated for a second, and then punched him in the back, connecting with his lower spine. Tony released Max, jolted by the sudden pain.

  John screamed, “Tony!” and dove at Farris, knocking him aside. He backhanded Phil against the side of his face as Tony fell to his knees, then face forward into the leaves. Despite the pain he pushed himself up by his hands and turned to face his attackers. Farris came at Tony with a knife. Phil got up and ran toward Johnny, eyes gleaming with hate, his mouth bloody.

  11

  “C’mon twerp! Fight!” Eddie Horowitz said, pushing Myron.

  “Yeah, c’mon you twerp!” Jim Jensen and Richard Beck joined in. They were all pushing. Eddie would push Myron back, Jim would push him forward, and Richard to the left.

  “Stop!” Myron pleaded.

  “What? We didn’t quite hear that?” Eddie said, pushing him harder.

  “Leave him alone!” Jeremy protested.

  “Stay out of it,” Rick Morris warned, risen from his fall.

  “What’d you say boy?” Eddie repeated, “Did you say stop? I’m

  not too sure I heard you right.” They kept pushing Myron, back and forth, side to side like some insane tug-of-war.

  “Cut it out!” Jeremy yelled. They didn’t.

  “Stop!” Myron shouted, shoving Eddie back in anger.

  Eddie’s eyes opened wide. “Oh ho-ho!” he smiled, “It’s about time!”

  Horowitz swung, hitting Myron full in the face. His glasses flew off to the side, blood streaming through the air as Myron went down. Jeremy ran to intervene but Rick caught him and punched him in the gut.

  12

  Max watched Farris approach Tony as he rubbed his sore arm. Farris ran toward him and jabbed with the knife but Tony dodged expertly to his side, punching him in the stomach as he roared past. Farris fell face-forward on hard packed dirt, impelled forward and downward by his own steam.

  “You know,” Tony said, “I’m really getting to hate knives.”

  Phil went to tackle Johnny and succeeded capturing him in a headlock, but Johnny slipped out before he got to tighten it and elbowed him on the chin. Phil staggered back but did not fall. He went for him again, fists swinging wildly, like a child throwing a hissy fit. Johnny only had to move his head a bit to the side and duck, and that was easy enough. Even if he hadn’t moved Phil probably would have only grazed him. He was still wobbly from the hits he’d taken, and his judgment of space was lacking. John imagined he must be seeing double, maybe triple. He decided he’d take Phil out of his misery. When Phil came at him again, he swung his leg back in an arch as if he were preparing to hit a football and kicked him in the groin. Phil fell backward, sprawling, cupping his hands between his legs. He rolled over on his side, curling into a fetal position, moaning. Come to think of it, I think I added to his misery, Johnny thought. Phil didn’t get back up.

  13

  Carl stood tucked away in the background foliage, watching. It was too late for him now. He couldn’t do anything to stop this, but he wasn’t exactly planning to join in. He wondered why he’d ever joined the Dragons in the first place, why any sane man would. He almost wished he were dead than have to face Max later on.

  14


  Doubling over, spitting (saliva, not blood- that was important) Jeremy staggered around in a daze, but came completely to his senses when he saw Phil’s brother Jake head for Staci. Following closely behind Jake was Samuel Leroy.

  “Hey babe,” Jake said, grabbing her hair roughly. “Whatya say we blow this joint and have us a little party of our own, huh? Whatya say?”

  “Let go of me!” she screamed.

  “Oh damn,” Jake said, “That wasn’t the reply I’d hoped for. Fortunately for you I never take it upon myself to hit a lady. So, Sam, will you do the honors?”

  “With pleasure,” Samuel said striding up, his fist cocked back as Jake pulled her closer.

  Jeremy was off like a shot. Rick Morris tried to grab him, but he slipped through and knocked Leroy to the ground before he knew what hit him. Jeremy was on top of him. And he spun Samuel around on the dirt floor to face him. Fists flew, and none of them belonged to Samuel Leroy. He was hit in the nose, mouth, left eye, neck… Blow after blow rained down on him as Jeremy unleashed all the fury within him.

  Jake turned his head but not his body, looking over his shoulder, wondering at the new commotion. Staci kicked him with a well planted foot to the shin. Jake howled in pain and stumbled backward into Jeremy, tumbling over his back. Jeremy got up, surprised. He looked to his right at Jake on the ground, clutching his wounded shin, and then directly beneath him at Sam, who was trying to speak. It sounded like he was saying, “Stop.” His face was a mess. Blood bubbled from his lips. His left eye was swollen shut, his nose at an odd angle, his lips bruised and split open in several places.

  “God,” Jeremy said, disgusted by what he’d done. He looked toward Staci. “Are you all right?”

  She still felt pain at her scalp from her hair being yanked, but otherwise… “Yeah, I’m fine.” She smiled. “Thank you Jeremy. Oh my God! Look out!”

  He felt someone’s head collide into his back and was thrown off balance. As he fell to the ground Rick Morris grabbed his arms and twisted them behind him. “You little shit!”