The Huldra Hostility

by Michael Almich

  “I said… that turd purposely walked across a track I found!”

  Shy could tell Daniel was irate. He didn’t usually get so upset so quickly. He has a long fuse, Shy’s mom would say. The tall boy had gotten taller over the last year. Shy felt like they had all grown except him. He had changed in other ways though too. It seemed to Shy like the bond they had all formed the previous summer was making them less accepting of Eddie. They didn’t want him to be a part of their group, and they just weren’t giving him a chance. Of course, Shy thought as he looked over at the fake sleeper, Eddie certainly wasn’t helping things.

  All of these thoughts raced through Shy’s brain in a matter of a second or two.

  “Why would he do that?” Shy replied to Daniel.

  “’Cause he’s a turd.”

  Daniel’s face was red. He was angry. Shy tried to lighten the mood by telling Daniel about Sawyer getting slapped in the face by a fish. By the end of the story, the two of them had the giggles and Sawyer was glaring.

  Shy continued to talk with Daniel. They talked about the past school year and brought their friendship back to where it had been when they left camp the end of the last summer.

  While they talked, Tad returned with Henry and Sam. The big, red-headed Sampson landed with a thud into the Hive, and a raspy laugh. Henry, on the other hand, landed lightly and rolled. He came to a stop lying on his side, resting his head on a bent arm.

  “I’m baaaaack.” He announced.

  Tad jumped into the Hive also and immediately went for the lemonade. Sam and Henry, however, were drawn over to where Sawyer, Ralph, and Finn, were discussing something in low tones. After a second or two of conversation, Henry looked over at Shy. The glance went unnoticed by Shy and Daniel, as they continued their conversation. It didn’t go unnoticed by all, though. Eddie saw it through slitted eyes from his reclined position on the hammock across the room. He swiped his brown hair out of his eyes and rolled onto his side. He could tell something was up, and wondered what that glance had meant.

  ***

  Over the next few days Shy found ways to sneak off from the others. Usually they would have time to themselves after lunch. Shy would come up with some excuse to separate from the others. That is how he began his planning.

  He reread his book, The Faerie, searching for any further mention of how to reach the Lesidhe. He found nothing more than what he had read previously. That didn’t stop his rescue plans. There would be time to call on the Lesidhe when he got back with Gust, he thought.

  One morning after breakfast, he lingered at the Lodge. He played on the fact that the other boys had begun to notice his affection for Portia. They teased him about the tall, blond girl… about how she was taller than him, and asked if they had made out yet. Shy tried not to think about the teasing too much. They only did it back at the Hive, or when she wasn’t around. So when they saw him waiting by the Lodge door after breakfast, they poked his ribs and gave him knowing smiles, but didn’t stop. They went off to their different activities. All except Ralph.

  The quiet boy waited for a minute.

  “What’s up?” Shy said impatiently, as he glanced back into the Lodge at Portia. He was trying to hint to Ralph to move along.

  The small boy didn’t. He took off his glasses and began to clean them on his t-shirt.

  “Ralph, what do you want?” Shy became more forceful. He was going to make Shy miss his chance to sneak away. If the girls got up from the table and began to file out, he would get caught up by Claire, Portia, and the other Lake cabin girls. He really liked them all, but he had another task now that he needed to complete.

  The small boy watched Shy get agitated. He kept cleaning his glasses but finally spoke.

  “What are you doing Shy?”

  “Wad-a-ya mean?”

  “You haven’t been yourself. Something is going on. I know it. I can tell. I have been watching you, and you have been sneaking off. I remember last year. Something is up…”

  “Ralph, nothing is up,” Shy began patiently. “I’m just waiting for Portia.”

  “Maybe…” Ralph said as he put his glasses back on. “But I think you are planning something. I think it has something to do with the creatures… with Gust.”

  Shy was shocked that Ralph was that observant. He tried his best to hide his surprise. He couldn’t change his plans now. He needed to push forward.

  “Ralph, look, I am simply waiting to talk with Portia. If I plan anything else, you’ll be the first to know.”

  Shy could see that the thin boy didn’t believe him. He could see a touch of hurt in the magnification of his eyes through his glasses.

  To Shy’s relief, Ralph shrugged his shoulders, turned and moved off vaguely towards the north and the Forest cabins. Shy watched him go and felt some guilt at tricking his friends, but relief at finally being able to get to his task. He checked to make sure the girls were still at their table. He knew they would be. They had taken to drinking coffee after breakfast, like their counselor Mad Meg. They would sit and babble there for an hour before they went off into the day. He could see Meg’s hair bouncing up and down as she led the discussion. It was bright blue today. Shy wondered about how much hair dye she must carry around with her. She probably had a whole room of the stuff at home.

  He turned and slunk off around to the east side of the Lodge. There was a lean-to built into the side of the structure of the Lodge. It was small, almost like a walk in closet. It housed much of the outdoor gear of the camp. Kayaks rested outside, and paddles, lifejackets, volleyballs, and an assortment of other outdoor gear was in there. No need to check anything out. It always got returned. Shy suspected that there must be a nisse that kept up the lodge also. Tad had once told them that there was a nisse for each of the four sets of cabins, so there must be for the Lodge too. It stood to reason.

  Shy found what he was looking for on the shelf, and hanging below it. He took a flashlight, some extra batteries from the shelf, and grabbed a large section of rope that was hanging from the wall. He wasn’t sure what he would need either for, but he had seen adventurers and action heroes in the movies, as they headed off to meet their destiny. They always had a length of rope slung around their shoulder.

  He peered out of the lean-to. The coast was clear. There was no one around. Then he paused. Fairy activity had seemed really quiet of late, but he should still be cautious. He glanced around again, testing to see if his sight hung up on any Glamour. If he sensed any, his glance would almost stick, like he was trying to push through clear jelly. If he held the glance he would eventually feel a pop, depending on how strong the Glamour was. Only once had he not been able to push through and feel that pop. That was with the Huldra. Her power in the Glamour was too strong.

  Nothing stood out. There was no Fairy magic at work in the courtyard just then. So, he cautiously stepped out, and moved off to the north. He had one particular, seldom-used path picked out, that would lead him to where he was storing his supplies. As he moved away from the Lodge he heard a cold voice that froze him in his tracks.

  “And where do you think you are going?”

  Shy knew the voice, and felt caught. He turned slowly to face Morrie. The tall, pony tailed professor was standing quietly on the edge of the front porch of the Lodge. Shy had trouble looking him in the eyes. His eyes were so deep and cold, that they just felt like black pools. Shy always felt that he recognized them from somewhere. They felt evil. He felt evil. None of the boys liked him. He favored the Cave cabin boys over Shy and his friends. Even though Crutch McFarlane had never materialized at camp this year, a couple of his cronies had. That group still felt like the enemy, and Shy had little to do with them.

  Professor Moriarty glared at Shy, but didn’t speak. He simply waited for an answer.

  “I was just going to make a rope swing for our cabins,” Shy lied.

  Morrie continued to glare. Shy squirmed.

  Just then Clancy walked up next to Morrie.

  “Have
fun Shy!” She said warmly.

  Morrie slowly turned his head to look at her. She blinked, and seemingly stood up slightly straighter. It almost seemed to Shy like she went into a trance. Gone was the comfortable camp leader. In her place was an automaton, a robot that was cold and unfeeling. Shy couldn’t take his eyes off the transformation that had happened so quickly.

  “Make sure you bring the equipment back before dinner.” She blurted out uncomfortably. “You should not be out past dark!”

  The last word hung in the air as she jerkily turned and walked away. The abruptness of it all had left Shy in shock. Morrie coughed. Shy looked up and made eye contact with the cold, dark eyes. He quickly backed away, and stumbled as he turned.

  “Beware of the dangers of the forest!” Morrie’s tinny voice rang out.

  Shy began to run.

  ***

  As he climbed north, towards the east side of the Forest cabin territory, to where he had hidden the rest of his stash, Shy was still trying to puzzle through what he had seen. It almost seemed like when his Dad had brought him to see a hypnotist a couple of years ago. Clancy had been nice. Friendly. She had always been strict, but she did it in a warm way. Like a mom does, Shy thought. Then, with one slight glance from Morrie, she had lost all warmth. He felt like it was important, but maybe he had just imagined it, Shy thought.

  He looked uphill, and tried to put it out of his mind again.

  He was heading to the magic rope that they had found last year. It was hidden by Glamour, but when one pulled on it, it would lift you up into the Forest cabin skyways. It was one of the hidden entrances. He hadn’t seen any of the other boys near there yet this summer, so when he had begun looking for a hiding place a week ago, he had started here, on the far eastern side of the Forest cabins. Eventually, he had found a ladder to a high perch. It was a platform similar to the Crow’s Nest at the top of the Sentinel. The difference was, this ladder and platform were hidden by the Glamour. He suspected it was one of the places Tom T would hide out, to watch for enemies, and guard their Forest cabins. Regardless, it was a perfect location for him to store his supplies. The others would never find it.

  He approached the clearing that held the magic rope on its north end. He was tired from the climb up the mountainside from the Lodge, so he stopped just prior to exiting the forest into the clearing, and leaned against a giant pine to catch his breath.

  A mosquito had gotten his ankle the previous night in his sleep. He bent, while he rested, to review the damage he had caused by scratching it the entire hike up the mountainside.

  Whhhuummmph!

  He heard and felt the air disturbance. He craned his neck while he remained bent over. His peripheral vision popped, and he saw the arrow quivering where his head had been. Red and sleek.

  He dropped to the ground. REDS! They were here. He had seen those arrows at the Mall of America this spring.

  Frantically he peered through the ferns on the north edge of the forest, into the field. The arrow had come from that direction. He saw nothing, but they would already be moving. He knew that. He had to make it to the rope, and the Forest cabins. It was his only hope. Tom T could protect him there… he hoped.

  He forced himself to think. They would circle him, he thought, approaching from the sides, through the forest. His best hope was straight ahead, through the meadow. They wouldn’t expect that because there was no cover. His mind stuck on that fact… there was no cover!

  Precious seconds ticked off. He wished he was near water. He wished he had his water gun. It was in his stash. More precious time slipped away. He had to make a run for it. In the middle of the meadow was a boulder pile. He decided he would make for that. Just as he was going to jump up and run he saw movement on the far side of the meadow. It was Daniel. He was waving and walking towards the boulders. Then, Sawyer and Finn appeared from the east side, also walking into the middle of the field.

  Had they seen? What were they doing? Shy was confused, and chose to wait.

  Suddenly his tense attention was broken by the crack of a twig behind him. He rolled quickly to one side to avoid the attack he was sure was coming. He saw a flash of red, and then it was on him… reaching, grabbing for his face!

  A hand covered his mouth, and he could feel warm breath on his ear. They were going to eat him! Shy fought to get away.

  “Shy! It’s me! Sam!” Came the urgent whisper in his ear.

  The words did not fit. They did not make sense, and couldn’t penetrate Shy’s desire to survive.

  “Shy stop!”

  Suddenly the raspy voice clicked into Shy’s memory. He stopped fighting.

  The hand released from his mouth and he breathed deeply.

  “You fight like a madman.” Sam was also breathing heavily.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Ralph came to get us. Said you were acting weird. We followed you. We saw those red-hatted things with the arrows. We are gonna get you outta here… Daniel’s got a plan.”

  “Wait… how did you…”

  He held up his hand to Shy’s questions. Shy noticed he was wearing a bright red shirt.

  “We’ll talk after. No time now. Daniel said we need to get you to the magic rope and into the cabins.”

  “How did you know? Can you see the arrow?” Shy couldn’t help but ask the question. He pointed up at the arrow.

  Sam looked up, smiled, and nodded. It was one of the few times Shy had seen the fierce red-headed boy smile openly.

  “We’ll explain later,” was all he would say. He squirmed past Shy in the ferns and watched the three boys who had now met at the boulders.

  Ralph and Henry were now out in the open, moving towards the others. The only boy who was conspicuously absent was Eddie.

  When the last two arrived, they gathered in a tight group. They lifted their heads to the sky and, to Shy’s amazement, began to howl like a pack of wolves.

  Shy raised his eyebrows and looked at Sam. The boy just held a finger to his lips.

  As they watched, the boys by the boulders moved into a circle, facing outward, and continued to howl. They were searching with their eyes, heads on a swivel. Searching the edge of the forest… scanning.

  Suddenly Daniel whooped loudly. He hopped right back into the howling chorus, but was now pointing to the west side of the forest edge.

  Finn followed suit but ended pointing east.

  Then it was Henry’s turn. Shy swore he heard Henry yell, “GOTCHA!” before he too returned to his howling. Henry was pointing very close to Shy and Sam’s position.

  Sam’s eyes were open wide and looking to the side that Henry was pointing at.

  “They are pointing at where the Reds are! They have spotted all three. Watch out for arrows from those directions. We gotta go… NOW!” He yelled.

  He pulled Shy up and shoved him in front. The big red-headed boy stayed between Shy and the location that Henry continued to point. Shy looked to where Finn was pointing, and saw a dark red hat slide out from behind a tree, followed by its bow. The arrow was already nocked. Shy saw him release. He dropped to the ground and pulled Sam with him. They felt the arrow whizz overhead. Shy popped up and began running again. He could hear Sam’s heavy breathing behind him.

  Shy glanced right. The red had dropped from sight. He leapt a small boulder. They were getting close to the still howling group. He glanced left, to the west, where Daniel continued to point. At first he saw nothing, then he caught movement in the low branches of a pine. The red of its cap was clearly visible, but the remainder of its drab clothes and skin blended well with dark grays of the tree trunk and branches. It was drawing back the strings of its bow, when it paused and tilted its ear upward.

  Shy caught the hint of a sound in the summer air. A long mournful wail, faintly coming from the east. The lindworm! They were calling the lindworm, Shy realized.

  The delay had been just enough. Sam and Shy reached the group and they all ducked in amongst the giant boulders. They were
halfway there. An expanse still remained between the group of boys and the magic rope.

  “As soon as that thing appears, we run for it!” Daniel yelled. The others continued to howl. Shy nodded.

  Over the treetop horizon, to the west, Shy saw the lindworm. It’s scissor-like maw stretched open wide in a vicious scream. Shy shivered, inadvertently remembering being caught in the long talons last summer. He looked at Daniel. The tall, dark-haired boy had assumed his familiar leadership role. He winked and smiled at Shy as if to say, hey, no worries.

  He turned to the others and said, “OK, like we talked about. Stay around Shy, and stay low. If it swoops at you drop flat to the ground. Hopefully it will interfere with any possible arrow shots. Hands in.”

  Six fists touched together, and Shy felt extremely humbled. They were doing this for him. To save him. He shoved his fist in.

  Daniel jumped out first and pulled Shy behind him. The others closed around Shy as they ran. The howling stopped as they ran, but the lindworm had heard them and could sense their movement. It closed swiftly. Shy thought no more of the Reds. It was the dragon-like creature swooping at them that now occupied all his thoughts.

  They had to split up. Several of the boys would end up dropping into the cover of wildflowers every dive that the beast made. The others would continue to run.

  At one point Shy stole a glance upward as he landed on the meadow floor. He saw arrows. They bounced off the scaly surface of the lindworm’s body as it swooped! It was inadvertently blocking the arrows! A split second after he felt the rush of air from the beast when it passed, he popped up and ran again. He did so mechanically, powered by the rush of adrenaline. Somewhere in the back of his mind, though, he wondered if Daniel had known that the flying beast would prevent the arrows from getting through.

  The result of their diving away from the dragon-like talons, while others ran ahead, was that the boys reached the magic rope two at a time. Daniel and Shy were first. They both grasped the rope and pulled. The rope handily zipped them two at a time, up into the pines.