Andrew and his wife are the first to go in and see his mom. They visit with his dad and look at his mom with love. They keep the visit short because there are so many waiting for a chance to see her. Andrew stands and bends over to Dale. He gives his dad a big hug.
"You know Mom is going to be fine now Dad, you ought to go home and get some rest."
"No way, I'm staying until she's awake," he says and gives his son a wink.
"Okay, but you should at least change that T.V. channel; you know Mom don't like it and you might give her nightmares." He grins at his dad. The discussion of the Sci-fi channel has been going on ever since he was born, and Andrew knows this will never change.
"You know I must have my blood and guts every day, son," Dale says. He looks at Andrew and knows the kid likes the shows as much as he does. "Are you guys going to go back home or just stick around here for a few more days? Our anniversary party is so important to your mom."
"We're going to stay. I called into work already to let them know. I've been missing my old room anyway," he says.
They say "bye" to each other and Andrew and his wife leave the room.
One by one, people come in to visit with Laura and Dale.
Laura starts to move around a bit, so Dale calls the nurse to check on her. After monitoring her vitals, the nurse says everything is fine, she will be waking up soon.
Julie and Chris are the last ones to enter the room for the evening. All the family has visited and gone home, as they were tired and the children restless. The waiting room is quiet and empty. It's been a long day for everyone involved.
"I hope she wakes up soon, I just want to see her smile again," Dale says to Julie and Chris.
"Me too! She really had us worried there for a while," Julie answers.
The three sit in the room and wait for her to wake. Laura begins to stir again, she mumbles in her sleep. "Black Woods, animal, help," she unconsciously says.
Julie walks over to the bed and tenderly waits by her sister's side. Laura's eyes open gently and she sees her sister standing beside her.
* * *
"How, how, how," is all I can say, like I'm at some Indian pow-wow.
"Just rest Laura, we can talk when you are better," she tells me and then gives me a hug.
I lie in the hospital bed and stare at my sister as I wonder how I'm alive. How's it possible, did they come back and get me? Or maybe the boys killed the animal in time and I passed out? That has to be it, I tell myself as I lie here still too tired to fully wake. I can see the television and it is set to Dale's channel. How does he watch that stuff? I think as I struggle to stay awake. I'm just not strong enough to fight back the sleep, but I'm grateful to be here in this room. I begin to dream. . .
I'm in the Black Woods again, and Julie and I were still looking for the lost hunters. This time they were down in the valley, the animal trapping them from us. We screamed for them to run toward us, up the hill. The animal was the only one paying attention to our screams. It twisted its large frame to look in our direction and it growled that awful sound. It leaped and ran straight at us. We were on the other side of the line, where we knew we were safe. The boys had a chance to run as the creature came for us. Run! we yelled as loud as we could. Glowing blue eyes were staring us down, making us shiver at the evil lying in them. We could see our reflections shining back at us as we peered into its eyes. A horrible beast in a beautiful land, skidding to its usual stop at the edge of the trees. We were having a good old fashioned standoff; which one of us would win? Safe on our side, we still trembled from the sight of the animal. A storm was brewing in the air, lightning striking around us. It was making the animal even fiercer looking than before. A tree cracked in the forest behind the animal as a lightning bolt struck it. We could see it falling to the earth, loudly breaking down as it tumbled. It was heading in our direction. Most importantly, the tree loomed over the mutation. We were praying it would crush the beast. The sound was deafening as the tree was suddenly stopped by the earth. Sparks flew from the Black Woods, and around the entire perimeter like an electric fence shorting out. The animal moved in time to avoid the falling mayhem. It was now in the Black Woods as the sparks were shooting like fireworks. Julie and I looked to each other and ran like hell. We knew the animal's boundaries had been released. The world would no longer be safe as the monstrosity roamed this earth. We were screaming on our flight to the car, and we could hear growling behind us in the Black Woods. . .
Slowly, I struggle for wakefulness and fight back the dream. I've had enough of those woods to last me. Dale, Chris, and Julie are chatting as they wait for me to wake. I can hear them talking about the day and how bad the storm has been. I also hear Dale's T.V. show playing softly in the background, and I know I'm truly alive.
"I'm thirsty." I can hear myself say and it is good to hear my own voice. "My mouth is so dry."
"Here." Dale gives me a drink of cold water from a straw.
"That tastes good," I tell him. "What happened to me and how am I alive?"
Julie gets up and comes to the bedside. She begins telling me the story of our day.
"We were out mushroom hunting this morning when a bad storm started moving in on us. We were almost to the car when lightning hit a tree nearby. I was already on a run to the car when I heard it strike. I twisted around in time to see a limb fall and hit you on the head. Lucky for you your head is so hard the limb didn't even break a bone."
As Julie tells me this outrageous story, I think. Is she afraid I can't handle the truth?
"What are you saying? That didn't happen. We were in the Black Woods and the animal in those woods attacked me," I tell everyone in the room. "Why are you saying we were mushroom hunting three days ago?"
They all look at me with puzzled expressions, and then Dale speaks up.
"Hun, this is Thursday, late in the evening. You and Julie went out this morning and a limb hit you on the head. What she says is true. You must believe it."
"What about the Black Woods? We went in those woods to save some boys," I say adamantly.
"Laura, you know I wouldn't go in those woods if you paid me. Neither one of us would go in there, we're so stupidly scared of them," Julie says.
I shook my head. How can I believe it? I'm so confused.
"I had to call an ambulance to come get you. Dick happened to be driving by when he noticed our car and he stopped to see if we needed help. I'm so glad he came along at the right time. You were lying in a bunch of water and I was afraid you might drown. You kept mumbling over and over that you needed more time. I was so scared you might die on me. He helped get that limb off you and out of the flood. I know, before you say it, I wasn't supposed to move an injured person, but I had to. I couldn't leave you like that." Julie is in tears as she relays the story to me. It reminded her how scared she was earlier today.
I know she isn't lying to me, but it seemed so real. Those boys in their SUV, the call for us to help, and the hideous creature stalking us in the Black Woods.
"Did we meet four young men before I was hurt?"
"No. Why would you ask that?" Julie looks puzzled again at my question.
"Oh, no reason. I will tell you later, but first things first. When do I get out of here?"
Everyone laughs, and we all know everything is going to be fine.
Epilogue
It's Saturday morning and the family is already in town. Everyone pitched in and did the work for our anniversary party. Julie and I decide to go mushroom hunting before the big event.
I came home from the hospital the next morning and was told to take it easy, so I rested yesterday. I figure, what can be more relaxing than mushroom hunting?
We're at our woods and when I look over at the trees Julie and I call the Black Woods, a shiver goes down my spine.
"Are you okay?" Julie asks me. "We can go home. You shouldn't be here this soon anyway. I don't know what I was thinking, agreeing with you on this one."
"It's okay
, I was only looking at the Black Woods and got spooked a bit," I tell her as I try to forget that awful nightmare.
"I know, I do too. The weird thing is, I don't why we are so spooked of the stupid place. Everyone hunts it and finds pounds of mushrooms in there," Julies says.
We both look at the woods.
"Well, probably because we have too big of imaginations," I say.
We laugh at our own fear of the woods.
Our supplies are loaded and we have our backpacks in place, sticks in hand, water bottles at our sides. Just a couple of mushroom hunters out for an adventure. We walk into the clearing where the limb had fallen on my head.
"That's the limb that fell on you," Julie says, and points to a large half hollow limb.
It had broken in several pieces when it hit the ground.
I'm lucky it didn't kill me. Looking at the size of the thing is scary enough.
"Good thing it was half hollowed out, or it probably would have killed me," I say.
We proceed into the woods. I am walking slowly and carefully, as I don't want to fall and damage my body any other way. It's had all it can take for a while. The morning is nice and it feels so good to be back in the forest, searching for mushrooms and not missing boys. I catch myself listening to the trees, expecting to hear a low growl. I'm startled easily when anything crunches the forest floor. It'll take some time to get over a dream like that. I can't shake the feeling the nightmare was real.
Julie keeps asking if I'm okay. I tell her "yes" and we keep hunting, although I don't think I will ever be the same.
We hunt for a few hours and stay in the valleys. I'm too weak to climb those hills. We do well and have several pounds of the delicious morels to share with our families. We're ready to go home.
"You know the kids are going to be mad when they wake up and find me gone," I say.
"Well, they should be. You running off with that crazy sister of yours!" Julie replies.
We laugh again like nothing has happened.
I look at the Black Woods as we stand by the car.
"One thing I know! I will never go in those woods, not after that nightmare." I point at the scary cluster of trees.
"We never did go in there anyway. Why start now?" Julie says.
"Oh! Remind me if I ever want to volunteer to help the Forest Search and Rescue, stop me," I tell her.
"Why?"
"I will tell you soon."
"Are you going to tell me about the dream?" Julie asks.
"In due time," I say. We get to the car and I see a vehicle parked about a half a mile away. "Will you drive home the other way? I want to look at that vehicle."
"Why?" Julie asks.
"Oh, I have my reasons, that's all," I tell her.
We are traveling down the old country road very slowly so I can get a better look at the parked automobile.
"STOP!" I scream.
"What the hell!" Julie looks at me. "You almost gave me a heart-attack!"
"We can't go anywhere! Not until the four boys come out of those woods," I tell her, and I mean it.
"How do you know there are four boys in the woods?" Julie looks puzzled.
"I just do," I reply.
Because sitting here on the road side is a big new SUV. I know it's time to tell her my story of the Black Woods.
Excerpt of
Black Woods Revealed Book 2
Prologue
The storm blew evil across the land, causing a fishing boat to capsize, and it floated helplessly around on a large lake. Rain poured steadily, making visibility limited. A crack of thunder sounded, followed by lightning that illuminated the dark sky. The surrounding woods glistened as if a fairy had sprinkled dust. Beautiful, for one brief second, then eerily dark once again. Waves smacked into the boat, banging loudly like a bass drum. Pelting rain bounced on the lake surface, steadily raising the water level. Thunder rolled for miles before exploding above.
Husband and wife held onto the boat. Invincibility was only a myth while they struggled for their lives. They were beginning to lose their grip on the cold metal boat as their muscles weakened against the fight. Their voices were hoarse from screaming for help. Hopelessly, they stared at one another.
Smack!
Something large broke the lake’s surface.
The frightened couple held on desperately to their upturned boat, startled by a sound louder than the storm. Looking for the source was impossible, as they barely could see one another.
“I love you,” Amy moved her lips, hoping her husband understood.
“I love you too,” Victor mouthed in reply.
The boat had capsized over thirty minutes ago, and the water was cold. The occupants’ body temperatures were dropping, threatening hypothermia.
In these conditions, Victor knew they wouldn't last much longer. He motioned for his wife to move her arms and legs.
Amy shook her head no, too scared to let go.
They would surely die if they didn't try moving. Victor urged his wife once more to do something to create warmth inside her body.
Still clinging onto the boat, Amy remained unmoving. She was too terrified even to kick her legs.
Victor feverishly kicked his legs, working the circulation.
Suddenly, a torturous scream escaped Amy when something brushed her legs, and it felt unnatural as if it was covered in coarse, prickly hair. Then she lost her grip from the boat.
Victor reached out with one hand, while the other held tightly onto the boat. Grabbing his wife, he knew she was also losing grip on reality. He tried to yell, but only a hoarse whisper escaped when he began rising from the water. Something beneath his feet pushed him upward. With bulging eyes, mouth agape, his mind tried to understand. Still holding tightly onto his wife, she began rising with him. Looking into his wife's blank eyes, he knew whatever sanity she had left was fading fast.
Seconds ago, the couple had been clinging to the boat to stop from going under the water. Now they clung on for dear life to prevent themselves from rising. Their bodies were exposed to the waist. Gripping Amy firmly with one hand, Victor let go of his hold on the boat's railing. He half leaped, half flung himself at the boat's upturned hull. As he landed on top of the slippery surface, he lost his grip on Amy. Frantically, he reached for her and missed.
The water beneath Amy's feet thrashed and swirled, exposing a mysterious beast. Victor didn't know what it was, except that it was alive. A strong wind blew, and Victor began sliding from the boat. His upper body dangled over the side, and he stared into the water. Only inches away and looking directly at him was a pair of monstrous eyes, glowing blue. They were large and round. Just as Victor thought the eyes would break surface, they receded swiftly back into the deep.
Screaming, Amy reached for her husband as she plunged into the lake, into which the animal had disappeared.
Victor's hand reached out, grabbing only air. He watched his wife as she sank beneath the water. Her panic was the last thing he witnessed before she fully submerged.
“No!” Victor screamed.
Lightning struck a nearby tree, and Victor heard it crash, but his eyes stayed focused on the lake. Then he noticed a large red area spreading throughout the water. Before he had time to react, the beast broke surface. It rose swiftly and fiercely from the water as it jumped into the air like a ten-foot bass, but whatever it was, it was nothing that innocent.
The large animal smacked the water upon reentry, and a two-foot high wave rushed toward the vessel. Victor managed a scream before being thrown into the cold water.
Books by this author:
Black Woods Book 1
Black Woods Revealed Book 2
Broken Soul
Two Sisters: prattle tales of playful girls
About the Author
Laura Wright LaRoche is a native of Noblesville, Indiana where she was born in 1968, but she spent her childhood in the small town of Shoals and her current residence is Linton, Indiana. She comes from a loving
home, and as the youngest of six children, probably enjoyed being the "baby" a little more than she should. She is a self motivator with many titles of interest including: fine arts artist, digital art designer, photographer, author, rock carver, avid mushroom hunter and the one she holds dearest – Mom.
* * * * *
Find more from Laura Wright LaRoche at
www.LLPix.com
All persons fictitious disclaimer
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Black Woods: Book 1 (Black Woods Series) Page 12