Scott crept from his cabin at 1:10 in the morning. His backpack held the camera and tripod, extra rolls of film and a thermos of hot coffee. Scott clutched the shotgun in one hand and a flashlight in the other. He would use the flashlight sparingly. Don’t want them knowing you’re out here.

Scott stepped down the trail to the road. He buttoned his jacket. On the other side of the road, where the climb was steep, he would take it off again. Crickets droned.

Tree shadows against the moon crossed the trail in a regular pattern. It was all becoming familiar to Scott.

Scott scurried across the road. That’s where they’d catch him if they wanted. He started to climb.

The moon faced him now, lighting his face. Perfect target. Should cover your face with tar or something. Trade in your red jacket for a dark green one. And get shot by a deer hunter. Don’t be an idiot, Scott.

They were watching him now, Scott felt. From where? Top of the mountain? With giant telescopes? Scott was certain they wanted something from him. But what? Blood, Scott feared.

He reached the familiar landmarks: the craters in the ground, the trail up the hillside to where the tall man stood that night. Then the wire, invisible except for a faint glint against the moonlight.

Scott set up the tripod and pointed the camera upward. He opened the shutter and left it that way. Behind a tree Scott sat down and flashed the flashlight on his watch:
1:59.

One minute to go. One thousand one. One thousand two. Three Mississippi. Four–

The thunder blasted louder than Scott expected. His shotgun clattered to the ground, the flashlight thunked and over his ears and closed his eyes. Sulfur-white light burned into the back of his brain, the smell of burnt carbon seared his nostrils.

You’re dead. That’s the light. Where’s the tunnel? Where are the angels and the dead relatives?

Another boom shattered the night, this one felt rather than seen or heard; Scott was both blind and deaf from the first blast.

God almighty, don’t let me die this way! Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death–

Scott’s eyes popped open. He couldn’t see yet–the night was too dark–but he could hear. Wails.

Cries of tormented souls. Hell. The lies you told, the women you had, the little cruelties. Guilty, guilty, guilty.

Scott slowly pulled his hands from his ears. He heard the forest again, the rustle of leaves, the far-off hoot of an owl.

Scott blinked. Shapes presented themselves. Tall shapes. Trees. No–tall people, tree size. What are they whispering? Shame…shame…shame.

Then her voice. Yula. The young woman he’d found.

“Help me,” she cried. “Scott, please. Scott.”

Scott wobbled onto his legs like a newborn calf. He squinted into the darkness and found Yula’s white skin shining brightly against the black forest. Scott stumbled forward. He was responsible this time, no doubt.

She’s a nymph of the forest and you’re interfering with her magic. You’ve killed her.

“Stay away from her!” a voice boomed.

Scott smashed into something: a body, a strong, male body. Scott fell to the ground. The tall man.

But it wasn’t. This one was shorter, younger, a muscle-man. Scott looked up at him and tried to decipher features in the darkness.

“Who are y–?” Scott began.

“Tenner!” the voice boomed out in answer. “Stay where you are!”

Scott was happy to. The ground felt cool and comfortable. Can’t fall if you’re already on the ground.

Scott laid his head down. He hurt all over from the flashes of light, the boom of the thunder and the collision with Tenner.

Scott watched boots move to Yula.

Tenner knelt, tenderly, touching her light red hair, stroking it. They’re lovers. Damn! All the good ones are taken.

“I’m hurt,” Yula told the man. “I don’t think I can stand.”

“There’s time,” Tenner told her. “Wait.”

Tenner sat on the ground. He raised Yula’s head and placed it carefully in the crook of his arm. There was a mythical imagery about it Scott couldn’t place. The Pieta, perhaps. No. Scott shook his head. Perhaps you are in heaven.

Footsteps shuffled through leaves. A silhouette moved amid the trees. Scott could tell it was the tall man, even from a distance. He walked slowly; perhaps he’s hurt too. Scott felt anger emanating from the man, even before he came into the light. He stared at Scott. His brows formed a “V” over his dark eyes.

“Suffer the consequences,” the man had said, and Scott hadn’t forgotten.

“You did a very bad thing,” the tall man said to Scott. “Very bad.”

He dropped to the ground, almost fell, next to Yula and the one who called himself Tenner.

“Is she all right?” the tall man asked Tenner.

“She will be, I think,” Tenner responded.

The tall man turned to Scott. Three against one. Scott felt he was on stage. What have you done? Why do they look at you that way?

“My name is Xavier,” the tall man said. He stayed seated and didn’t offer his hand. He was only stating fact.

“I’m Scott Felton.”

Xavier nodded as if he already knew. Did she tell him your name? Of course she did.

“We’re here now,” Xavier whispered to Tenner. “We can’t leave.”

Shock froze Tenner’s muscled features. He stroked Yula’s head a little faster. Scott stood. Can’t have them planning their strategy right in front of you. Scott approached slowly. He stopped a couple of yards in front of the three.

“Are you all right?” Scott asked Yula.

Anger flashed across Tenner’s face.

Xavier glanced at Tenner, gauging his reaction.

“She’s fine,” Tenner spoke for her. “No thanks to you,” he added.

“What did I do?” Scott protested.

There was no reply. Yula began to cry softly. Tenner wiped a tear from her eye.

Xavier looked up at Scott.

“Excuse us one moment,” Xavier said. “We need to talk among ourselves.”

Scott retreated. He slipped back to where the shotgun might have landed. He glanced behind him, hoping to see it.

The three of them huddled. Scott heard the murmurs of Tenner and Xavier.

Suddenly, Scott felt tired. He looked at his watch and tried to make out the hands in the black of the night. 2:45. Scott yawned. All-nighter. Well, it wouldn’t be the first.

Finally, Xavier rose. He approached. If it came to it, Scott planned to dive into the woods in the direction of the shotgun. Perhaps he’d find it in time. You already shot him. Didn’t do any good. Disappeared. Settle for that right now.

“We have nowhere to go,” Xavier said. “May we stay with you?”

Hell no. He’ll slit your throat and take everything you have.

“We’re harmless,” Xavier said, sensing Scott’s fear.

Suddenly, Scott believed him.

“Okay,” Scott said simply, with a smile. “It’ll be nice to have the company.” Scott meant it. This was getting good. No more chicken-little. No more sky falling. Trust your instincts and they will serve you well. “Let’s go.”

Scott turned his back on the trio for the first time, capped the lens on the camera and picked it up. Xavier laughed.

“Pictures!” Xavier chuckled and stepped down the path. “Pictures!”

Scott left his shotgun and flashlight. He’d come back for them. They’re skittish, these people. Don’t spook them. They’ll run…or worse.

They knew the way. They’ve been watching you. Knew it. They’ve planned all this. Down to the last detail. You’re an unwitting actor in their perverse drama. And only they know the ending.

Scott gulped. He followed Xavier down the path. Tenner and Yula stayed behind, arm in arm, whispering softly.

Xavier stepped aside and let Scott enter the cabin first. It was the first hint of politeness Scott detected from the tall man.

They’re from somewhere else. They have different customs. You’re as strange to them as they are to you.

They sat on the floor. Scott lit a fire, tall and bright. At least you can look at their faces.

“Would you like something?” Scott asked. “Food? Water?”

“We come from the future,” Yula blurted out.

“Tell the woman to be quiet!” Tenner shouted to Xavier.

“Pardon me?” Scott asked.

“She will not speak!” Tenner told Scott sternly.

Yula kept her mouth shut and looked to Xavier. He thought for a moment, then turned to Tenner.

“It’s all right,” Xavier told him. “He has a right to know.”

Tenner sulked at being overruled.

What had she said?

“I think he heard me,” Yula replied to Xavier, reading Scott’s mind. It wasn’t said with rancor. They’re just honest that way.

“You come from the future?” Scott asked.

“Tell him yes,” Yula said to Tenner.

“Literally?”

“Say yes, literally,” Yula said.

“Well, that’s interesting,” Scott said, a little grin creeping into the edge of his mouth. It was interesting. As long as Scott was investigating, finding answers, experimenting, he’d be okay.

“One could say the man doesn’t believe me,” Yula said flatly.

“No,” Scott agreed.

“Tell him we’re here to collect plants and animals for the future,” Yula explained.

“What?”

“One could mention we have very few in our time. Most are extinct.”

Scott smiled. A story. A cover-up. So outlandish no one could contradict it.

“We’re very tired,” Xavier stated, sensing an argument.

“And we have much work tomorrow. May we sleep?”

“Sure.”

They laid down, Yula and Tenner next to each other, Xavier a little apart, using their arms for pillows.

“Good-night,” Scott said.

“Yes,” Xavier replied.

They were going to sleep, just like that, with no more explanation.

Scott laid down too. He put his head on the one pillow and stared at the flickering ceiling. A plan formed in Scott’s mind. The sheriff. Wait until they’re asleep, then sneak down to town. He won’t be in the office. Have to wake him. Call 911. Does that work here? He and Steadman would return, armed, to make arrests. What have they done? Nothing. But suspicious, aren’t they? Would they lie to Steadman?

Scott pondered the question, and the future, for a long time, before falling fast asleep.

copyright 2007 Brenda H all rights reserved

[tags]Brenda H, thriller, sci-fi, fiction[/tags]