by Rich Inman
Jacob picked up the pace, fighting through the thorns until he finally came out of the underbrush and stepped in a tiny stream. His foot sank into the silt at the bottom and it took a couple strong tugs to pull it out. The stream was small, barely a foot wide, not a stream at all really, but an inlet. Knowing what it was gave Jacob hope. Inlets always led to larger bodies of water, so it would stand to reason that if he followed this one downstream he would eventually get back to where he started.
It was the only plan he had really, but it was a good one. So, off Jacob went, following the stream through the trees and the underbrush. The emptiness in his stomach reminded him just how hungry he was as it started to feel like a tiny black hole, sucking his insides toward it. He had to find food as soon as possible, so as he trudged through the murky water he tried to keep an eye out for edible berries. What was that poem my mom always said? he thought. Oh yeah,
White and yellow kill a fellow.
Purple and blue, good for you.
Red…could be good, could be dead.
He let that little mnemonic play in his head as he looked around. Eventually Jacob did find some blue berries growing at the edge of the inlet. Wanting to play it on the safe side Jacob picked as many as he could fit into his pockets, then ate two of them first. He would wait a while before eating the rest, just to make sure. The wait was torturous though as his stomach screamed at him for more.
About an hour later the inlet began to open up a bit more, now maybe two feet across and deep enough that the water came up well above his ankles. The berries hadn’t bothered his stomach at all so Jacob dug some out of one of his pockets and ate them as he walked.
Most of the day went by like that, but even after finishing the last of the berries Jacob was still famished. By late afternoon the inlet had grown into a stream of its own, forcing him to walk along its shore rather than through it. The good news was that he noticed some fish feeding from the top of the water, so when he found a small rocky clearing next to the stream he stopped to plan how he was going to actually catch the fish.
He had left his fishing gear behind, so he had to resort to making his own. He decided to improvise a rod and hook from some wood that had washed to shore, but creating fishing line was the real problem. With some trial and error Jacob was finally able to make some rope from the surrounding weeds and a passable rod and hook from the driftwood on the shore. Doing so cost him the rest of the day’s light however, so he was forced to make camp a little ways from the stream. He would go hungry again.
***
The next day taught Jacob exactly how hard it was to catch fish with the wrong equipment. Finding bait wasn’t difficult, but every time he got a fish on his hook his line would break. The next twenty minutes would be spent making a new one and then the next fish would break his hook. The entire day passed like that, and when it was obvious that he wasn’t going to be able to catch anything with that setup, Jacob spent the little bit of light that he had left trying to find more berries.
As the next few days passed Jacob tried different methods of catching fish while spending equal amounts of time continuing downstream. He went a week living off of those berries – leaving his stomach very unhappy with him – until he finally caught a fish, this time using a spear. The meat couldn’t have come too soon either. Jacob could already tell that he was losing weight, and it became more and more difficult to fend off the ever-increasing fatigue. Survival became Jacob’s entire world, and as the days became weeks there was little else on Jacob’s mind. The fact that this inlet-turned-stream that he was following never seemed to end was a small thorn in the back of his mind, a pain that he eventually got used to.
It all became a routine, hiking, fishing, making camp and then starting it all over again the next day. The only thing that kept him sane was the small glimmer of hope that he would find a way out of this hell. That hope pushed him forward each and every day. Eventually he stopped keeping track of how long he’d been hiking, he just settled into to rhythm of his new existence. His emotions, his mind, his body, all numb from the pounding cycle. Jacob realized that he would give anything to be back home with people that he loved. With his wife and his son. It was a strange thought to him at first, but he realized that things in his life were being put in a different perspective thanks to this little trip.
At one point the stream bent sharply to the right and left a very large pool of water at the bend. At the edge of the pool stood a rock face about ten feet high with long grass hanging over the edge. Jacob took the opportunity to spear as many fish as he could, cleaning them and stringing them to a rope he had made for such purposes weeks ago. A little farther down there was a field of soft grass that extended fifty feet from the edge of the river to the tree line. It was the most inviting thing that Jacob had seen since the start of this whole ordeal which immediately set him on edge.
There were all sorts of things that could hide in the grass, Jacob knew that. But he just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sleep on something other than the rocky ground. He spent as much time as he needed, painstakingly checking every inch of the grass for snakes or rodents or anything else that might jump up and try to bit him to death. Satisfied that it was clear he began his work of flattening himself an area of grass and making camp.
The sun slowly crept below the horizon as Jacob finished eating the last of the fish he had caught earlier. It was the largest meal he had had in weeks so he enjoyed the absence of hunger while it lasted and watched the sun’s light slowly dissipate until darkness was on the forest again. Now in the habit of sleeping with the sun, Jacob laid down on the grass to fall asleep. No sooner had he closed his eyes though than a loud, piercing scream sounded from within the forest behind him.
Jacob jumped up, grabbing his fishing spear for protection. Had that thing finally come for him? Had it waited until his will had been broken? The scream sounded again, closer this time, and Jacob could feel every muscle in his body tense as it waited.
“Jacob!” came a gravelly voice. He spun to see Arty crouched down near him, fear spread thick on his face. “Come on,” he said as he waved him over. “We don’t have much time.” Jacob didn’t think, he just followed. Arty led him across the stream and into the forest on the other side. The two hid in a thicket of fragrant underbrush that stood as tall as Jacob and had small berries growing from it.
“What’s going on?” Jacob asked, but Arty just shook his head and motioned for him to be silent. Jacob could see through the underbrush to his camp where the dying firelight was easily visible in the dark. They stayed there, crouched and still for a long time until Jacob saw it. The creature emerged from the tree line and streaked toward his camp. It tore up the grass, heedless of whether or not something was there. The two watched as it finally realized that, in fact, nothing was there. Then it started looking around for wherever Jacob had gone. It sniffed the air and then snapped its head in the direction they were hiding.
Every ounce of Jacob’s being told him to run but Arty put a hand on his shoulder to keep him from getting up. The creature bolted in their direction and it took everything Jacob had to keep his position, even with Arty holding him down. The creature closed in and time seemed to slow, giving Jacob the first good look at its face since he first saw the thing. It was a human face, covered completely in short black fur and contorted so grotesquely that looking at it almost made Jacob gag. The mouth was torn to shreds by unnatural fangs that protruded in every direction. Fangs so long that even its nose had gashes in it. Through it all Jacob could see the anger and hatred burning through its eyes, driving it to the madness that controlled its every action.
It sprinted past them and into the woods beyond and then it was gone. Jacob let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding and fell to the ground from the sudden release of tension.
“I told ya to run boy,” Arty said, a stern look on his face.
“What?”
“Back at your camp. I told ya to go home, but ya d
idn’t listen.”
“You mean back before I got lost in this God forsaken forest?” Jacob said.
“Yeah before them. But ya had to go runnin’ after it didn’cha?” Jacob stood up and started walking back to camp.
“Well, I didn’t realize that…”
“Damn right ya didn’t realize!” Arty said, cutting him off. “It’s cost me more than you know to help you, and you’ve gone an’ made me do it twice!”
“What are you talking about?” Jacob said, stopping at the edge of the water.
“Boy, I been watchin’ that thing devour people for years. You’re the first one that had a chance, the first one I thought might save themself. Guess I was wrong.”
“You’re not making any sense Arty. You keep talking like I know what’s going on here, but I have no clue.” Jacob turned back to look at Arty.
“It’s a spirit that’s after you, a right evil one. That’s what’s goin’ on.” Jacob let that sink in for a bit, tuning back toward the water.
“But why come after me?” Arty walked up next to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
“It saw the hate and selfishness ya had in ya. Feeds off it. The thing brought you here to devour ya, been doin’ it since ya arrived.”
“How’s that possible?” Jacob said incredulously, turning to face him. “I haven’t seen the thing until tonight.”
“It’s not after yer flesh boy, it’s after yer soul. It came tonight to finish the job.”
“My soul? That sounds pretty ridiculous Arty.”
“Really? Where ya think ya been walking all this time huh?” he said, pointing to the stream.
“Well…I don’t…I don’t really know anymore,” Jacob said. “When I started walking I thought I would end up following this thing back to the river where I started. Now though…now I don’t know where I’m walking.”
“Exactly, yer walkin’ nowhere.”
“Then how do I get home?”
“Ya gotta kill it.”
“Yeah right. It doesn’t exactly look like something that can be killed Arty. I’m more likely to get killed trying.”
“Yer probably right, but if ya don’t try you’ll be dead anyway.” Arty turned back toward the woods and started walking. “I have to go now, but I’ll go keep it busy for a while so ya can get ready,” he said as he faded into the trees. “Ya fight Jacob. Don’t end up like I did.” And with that Arty was gone.
Jacob waded back through the stream and to his camp, or what was left of it anyway. He replayed his conversation with Arty over and over in his head, trying to make sense of everything that was said. Eventually he realized that none of it mattered except that he could get out of this place. He could get back to his family.
Chapter 4
Jacob woke up the next morning with a plan. He couldn’t take that thing head on, that was suicide, but he could trick it. He got to work on his plan, cutting down large branches from the nearby trees and fashioning them into spears. It took the whole day to finish so Jacob made quick work of spearing some more fish and snuffed his fire as soon as they were cooked.
That night he was hyper vigilant, waking at every sound he heard. The threat of the creature coming back before he was ready for it clawed at him, creating a tension he couldn’t shake. He woke early the next morning, sleep deprived and exhausted, but there was still work to do. Jacob went right to it determined to be ready for it the next time.
He worked well past when the sun had gone down, but he was ready. Sitting on top of the rock ledge that overlooked the pool with his newly sharpened fishing spear next to him and a pile of wood ready for a fire sitting in front of him. Jacob waited to build the courage to light that fire. The tree line sat a short distance away from him, not nearly far enough to make him comfortable. He wasn’t completely sure that the fire had been what drew the creature last time, but it was the best plan he had.
The creature screamed in the distance, signaling its approach. It was now or never, so Jacob readied himself and began lighting the fire. His flint and steel had been worn down to the nub so this might be the last fire he would be able to light without a tremendous effort anyway. In a few minutes he had it burning, there was no turning back now.
The creature screamed into the night getting closer every time. It knew where he was, and somehow Jacob knew that it understood he was waiting for it. The stillness of the night grated on him as he sat awaiting freedom or death. The tension grew with every passing second until finally he heard a branch snap in the trees in front of him. Jacob jumped to his feet, spear in hand.
“Come on you bastard! I’m ready for you!” he called into the darkness. The creature crunched dried undergrowth as it moved unseen in front of Jacob. He stepped to the side of the fire to try and save as much of his night vision as possible, but before he could react he saw the thing. It was already in the air, gnarled fangs bared and claws outstretched toward him. Jacob dropped to the ground to avoid the attack but he was too slow. A claw caught him, slashing open his cheek. Pain flared across his face disorienting him for a second.
Jumping back to his feet he saw that the creature was crouched, about to pounce again, just at the edge of the ridge. He acted before he thought, lunging with his spear. The tip scored a hit as the creature tried to sidestep, opening a deep cut in its stomach. His spear snapped in half from the impact as the creature reel back. It screamed in pain and black liquid spilled from its stomach to the ground. He had to get that thing over the edge.
Desperate, Jacob circled around and tried to muscle it the last few feet to the edge. He threw his shoulder into it, but even injured as it was the creature barely moved. It brought its knee into Jacob’s stomach, dropping him to the ground. He tried desperately to catch his breath, but it was on him too quickly, slashing and biting. Pain flashed across his back.
Jacob rolled away and jumped back up, trying to get his muscles to move through the pain. It didn’t work and he fell backward onto the ground. The creature pounced on top of him, going in for the kill. This was it, in a moment he would either be dead or the creature would be. Jacob fought through the haze the pain caused in his vision, got his feet under the creature somehow and kicked with all his might.
He didn’t know how he did it, but the creature flew backward and dropped off the edge of the ridge. He heard it splash into the pool and then it let loose a blood curdling scream so loud it hurt his ears. Jacob got up slowly, his legs shaky underneath him. Stepping up to the edge of the ridge he looked over and saw the creature, hovering at the top of the water and impaled by the spears he had set there. Its black blood drained into the water creating a streak that was carried downstream. It was over.
Jacob looked himself over and found numerous cuts across his body. He hadn’t felt most of them and blood streamed from the cuts, soiling his ragged clothes. He didn’t care. He took another look at the creature to make sure it was still dead, and it was.
“Good riddance you son of a…”
***
Jacob shot bolt upright with a gasp. He looked around and found himself on the ground next to his truck, the sunlight waning in the sky. Frantically he searched for the injuries he had sustained in his fight, but he was completely unharmed. He jumped to his feet and twisted around trying to get his bearings. It was the camp that he had left when he chased after the creature. He was back!
There was no hesitation as Jacob found his truck keys in his pocket, jumped in the vehicle, and started back up the dirt path. He passed the other campsite to find the family still there, roasting marshmallows by their campfire. He stopped and rolled down his window.
“Weren’t you going to leave a long time ago?” he called out. The father looked over and called back.
“What are you talking about? We just talked to you! We’re leaving tomorrow remember?” Just talked to me? Jacob thought. Does that mean..?
“Right, sorry,” he said rolling his window up and taking off. He opened the glove box and fished out his phone. Tu
rning it on Jacob checked the date on the lock screen. It was still the day he had left. Months had seemed to go by in that other place – wherever it was – but no time had actually passed.
“Thank you Arty!” he said and hurried his way back home.
Chapter 5
The next day was frantic for Jacob. There was a lot that he had to make right which meant that there was a lot of preparation he had to do. Since he was back in town the first thing he did was call his foreman to check up on the projects his company was working on, and to let them know that he was still on vacation even though he was in town. Then he went to nearly every store he could think of to find what he was looking for. It turned out to be a lot harder than he thought it would be.
It was noon when Jacob arrived at his wife’s home – what used to be their home – with roses in one hand and a gift in the other. He was an hour early for the party, but he figured he would need the extra time. Jacob rang the doorbell, butterflies attacking his stomach. Finally the door opened and there Trish stood. Her dark brown hair was a bit disheveled and her plan white tee and jeans combo told the world she was a mom at work. She never looked more beautiful.
“Jacob?” she said, total shock on her face.
“Here, these are for you,” he said thrusting the flowers at her nervously. “I’m sorry Trish, I’ve been a real jackass lately.” She took the flowers from him still too taken aback to respond. “I’ve realized that you and Kyle are the most important things in my life. Somewhere along the way I lost sight of that.” Trish stared at him for a second, unsure how to respond.
“You…you can’t do this Jacob,” she said finally.
“I know, I know. I’ve got a lot to make up for and I don’t expect you to forgive me just like that. But will you at least let me try and make things right?”
“Well, we’ll see Jacob. You can try but…”
“That’s all I ask,” he said with a smile. She looked at him questioningly for a moment then finally accepted that he was being genuine. Trish stepped aside to let him into the house.
“What happened to you on that fishing trip anyway? You seem different.” He stopped inside the door as she closed it.