the surrounding trees.
Beth slowly edged her way off the road and down the bank of the creek. She wasn’t far from the gnome tree, as she and Wes had dubbed it, a huge tree with a hole at the base large enough for a small person to fit in. They had come out here a few weeks ago. She had heard a couple of the girls at school talking about it and asked Wes if he knew it. He had been rather interested in a haunted bridge, and the name Troll Bridge had been the topper.
“Of course those girls came out here,” Beth mentally slapped herself, “for just the reason Corey wanted. Damn it!”
She slipped and almost fell in the soft earth. The creek was swollen from a late autumn rain and the air still clung to the chill and wetness. She looked out over the fast moving water at the moon reflected in it. When she was out here with Wes, it had been to look for ghosts. That night had been a lot more fun.
“How the hell did you let this happen?” She berated herself. “You knew he was an asshole, good looking and popular, but an asshole.”
She sighed again and took a step toward the tree. Her foot caught on a root and she fell forward. Dropping her phone, she threw out her hands in an attempt to catch herself.
“Sploosh!” She fell face first into the cold water. Legs still on the bank, she was covered from her head to halfway down her back. Pulling herself out, her knees sunk into the mud soaking the legs of her jeans. Cold water ran down her back from her long sopping hair. Beth sat there shivering for a moment then burst into tears.
She hated Corey, hated him. Angry, frustrated sobs wracked her body as she shivered in the cold on the muddy banks of the creek. Her cell rang and she searched for it. Finding it several feet away in the grass Beth tried to answer. “Beth! Why haven’t you texted? Are you ok?” Wes shouted into the phone.
“I’m….I’m…..oohhhh godddd…..” Beth wailed.
“Hold on.” Wes cried and she heard the phone drop and the engine whine. Freezing, she crawled to the tree and sat with her back against it. Tears fell thick and fast. This would never happen to her again, she swore it.
Several long minutes later, Beth heard a car flying toward her. She wrapped her arms around herself and headed to the road. As she crested the hill, Wes’ car skidded to a halt. It was barely stopped when he jumped out and ran to her. She was soaked and cold and crying. Wes threw his arms around her and she clung to him and let the tears flow. She felt like such a fool.
Still Hungry
The window shattered. Glass sliced into Dan’s arms and ripped his hands as he clawed through the opening. The woman inside screamed and ran for the front door. Throwing it open, she ran right into Lisa’s grabbing arms and hungry mouth. Blood flowed freely from the fresh wound in the woman’s neck. A gory chunk hit the floor with a splat, falling from Lisa’s open mouth as she lurched for more. The terrified woman struggled to free herself pushing against Lisa’s face while grabbing at the wound on her neck. Blood coated her hand instantly. She stumbled back only to emit a gurgling scream as two fingers parted company from her hand remaining in Lisa’s chewing mouth. More pain and screams as Dan’s teeth sunk into the other side of her neck.
Grey faced, the woman pushed free, dizzy and weak she stumbled across the room. The severed fingers fell from Lisa’s mouth. Cold, the woman was getting cold. The horrid pair slouched ever closer. The woman leaned heavily against the wall, sliding down it. Her hand fell to her side, even as she tried to stem the tide of blood from her throat, the woman’s heart stopped beating. A pool of blood grew around the body. Dan and Lisa stopped, Dan’s head cocked to one side as if asking Lisa a question. Her head bowed and stared at the cooling thickening blood.