What Walks in These Woods: Part 5
Keith barged into Marvin's shop once more and went straight to the counter. Marvin came out from the back, clearly a little apprehensive.
"Oh, well hello Keith. Back again so soon, eh?" Marvin said nervously.
"Marv. I need to make one more big purchase, and I'd appreciate it if you kept it somewhat discreet."
"What's going on, Keith? This sounds a little sketchy if you ask me." Keith pulled out a large stack of cash, fresh from the bank.
"This is most of my savings. I need some things, Marv. I need to do something for Morgan." Keith said, his voice raspy with emotion. Marvin looked at the cash on the counter, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I know you're hurting. I'm sorry, Keith. I'm sorry they couldn't find her, and I'm...ahh!" Marvin was interrupted as Keith reached over the counter and grabbed Marvin by his shirt and pulled him close.
"You don't know what my life has been like in the past eight months. Hell is too light of a word. I am a shell of who I once was, this I cannot deny. But I have a purpose now. I need some provisions, Marvin. Take the money, or I will take what I need from you. Please, please, take the cash and give me what I need." Keith spoke with snarling whispers, each word like a blade being pulled from a wound. Marvin hesitated, then sadly nodded.
"What do you need?"
"Shotgun. Twelve gauge buckshot and some slugs for good measure. Some jerky and some water. And a satellite phone. Hurry, Marv. Please." Keith said.
Marvin quickly assembled all the items Keith had wanted. Keith pushed the cash towards him.
"That's too much..." Marvin said.
"I don't need it anymore." He gathered up his purchases and headed outside to his truck.
Keith tossed everything into the back of his truck haphazardly, moving quickly as he spotted Wolcott's squad car pulling into the parking lot.
Wolcott pulled up alongside and rolled his window down as Keith started the engine.
"Keith. You bothering Marvin again?" Wolcott said dryly. Keith chuckled to himself.
"Not anymore, Sheriff. You can ask him about it." Keith said cryptically.
"Now what's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm going hunting, Sheriff. I'll be in the woods if you want to come looking. Best if you didn't though. Looking isn't your strong suit." Keith said. He drove off, his wheels kicking up dirt. Wolcott was left pissed off and reeling.
He lurched out of his squad car and walked into Marvin's shop and stopped dead in his tracks. Marvin was simply sitting behind the counter looking at a few stacks of money left on the counter.
"Sheriff. I think I've made a mistake." Marvin said, his eyes welling up with tears.
Wolcott turned back and went to his squad car. He sat in it for a second, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
"Dammit, Keith. Just dammit!" Wolcott cursed and he put his car in gear and sped off after the truck.
Keith had driven like a madman. He knew Wolcott would be hot on his heels, and he had no time to waste.
Keith's truck skidded to a halt just outside his home. He wasted no time in preparing himself. He put on thick layers to deal with the cold. He filled a small backpack with the water, food, and ammo. He loaded the buckshot rounds into his newly acquired shotgun and racked it. He taped a flashlight to the top of it, and then began to walk towards the woods.
The sun had just fallen over the horizon. The night was encroaching on the moment. Keith had almost reached the tree line when Wolcott's squad car drove up.
Wolcott got out and positioned himself behind the door, his gun drawn. He was not experienced with this, and was acting more out of fear than anything else.
Keith stood stoic. Wolcott was still quite a distance away. Perhaps the ominous presence of the woods at dusk had kept him at bay. Wolcott called out, his cowardice interwoven with his false bravado.
"Keith! Stay where you are! Drop the gun! Let's talk!" Keith laughed, and then strode into the living mass that was the forest. Wolcott watched him disappear into the dark and cursed to himself.
"Ah, fucking hell!" Wolcott said as he reached for a flashlight and started following.
The night patiently waited to see what horrors would follow.
It did not have to wait long at all.
STAY TUNED FOR THE EPIC FINALE ON MONDAY
