Annja stepped out onto the well-worn asphalt of the main road. Small puddles of water from the overnight storm acted like moats between the woods and civilization. Annja
glanced
one way and then the other before looking at Jenny.
"What do you think?"
"
About what?"
"
Which way do we go?
Left or right?"
Jenny looked right and then left. "I think left. That was the direction we headed initially when we drove in."
Annja nodded. Her gut instinct was to head left, as well. What had Joey said in the darkness? That the distance was a few miles? They could cover that in under an hour if they were lucky.
"Let's go."
Jenny fell in step beside her. "I should apologize."
"
For what?"
"
Getting you involved in all of this. I never meant for it to be such a headache. I just wanted you to see what David had promised to show me."
Annja smiled. "You dragged me out here without even knowing what it was first?"
"I guess so." Jenny shook her head. "I wasn't thinking very clearly. So am I forgiven?"
Annja shrugged, listening to her boots roll over bits of loose stone on the road. "You show me some definitive proof that big foot exists and I might think about it."
Jenny smiled. "I knew you were a closet believer."
"I never said that."
"
Didn't have to.
I know you'd be thrilled if it turns out that David has something truly amazing to show us. Who wouldn't be?"
"Of course I would, but I'm still skeptical as hell. I just can't accept the idea that something like a Sasquatch could survive in the wilderness what with all our technology and encroachment."
"Joey disappeared on us when we were less than ten feet away from him."
"We were distracted."
"He built those
"So what? You think that makes him a relative to the Sasquatch or something?" Annja frowned. "That's crazy."
"I'm not suggesting that at all. I'm simply saying that if Joey can be that stealthy with us so close and we knew he was there, then why is it so difficult for you to consider the possibility that a creature who knows these woods like the back of his hand could evade any attempt to find him?"
"
Because a Sasquatch isn't a Joey."
"
How do you know how intelligent they are? They could be more evolved than us. You never know."
Annja sighed. She had to admit that for a moment before she saw Cheehawk clawing at their structure, she had briefly wondered whether they were being attacked by the likes of big foot or not. She'd stood, fully expecting to be confronted by a giant ape-man covered in long coarse hair and fur.
"Well, let's wait to see what amazing evidence this David guy has and then I'll make up my mind. You know, because I'm a scientist and I'm supposed to say things like that."
Jenny smirked. "It isn't all facts. It's the burning questions that drive us to explore and discover things, not the reinforcement of factual information. If that's what drove me, then I'd be a pretty dull woman."
"You're saying I'm dull now?"
Jenny shook her head.
"Nope.
But maybe you've forgotten the wonder of all that we do. Maybe it's become stale for you in the wake of finding out you have to carry that sword around with you."
"
Not the sword again."
"
Well, can you blame me for wondering about you? The last time we were together, you were much more happy-go-lucky. Now you're much more a cynic. You frown a lot more than you used to, and I wonder what happened to the Annja Creed I used to know."
"You sound like the mother I never had."
"Don't dodge the question, Annja."
Annja walked another few steps and took a deep breath. "I've seen a lot of bad stuff since I got this sword. Maybe it's having an effect on me that I haven't realized until now."
"What kinds of bad stuff?"
"
A lot of death.
And I've been the cause of some of it. Justifiable, of course, but it's death just the same. "
"You've killed people?"
"Yes."
Jenny fell silent for a moment. "That's a lot of bad karma you're hauling there."
"Tell me about it."
"And here I thought my man troubles were plenty bad."
"I don't have time to think about men. Well, not much, anyway."
Jenny laughed. "I knew the old Annja was still in there somewhere. Remember that time in
"Don't even bring that up."
"So you do remember."
"How in the world could I ever forget? I never heard someone sing in quite that way before. It was horrifying and hilarious at the same time."
"You saying I shouldn't try out for
American Idol
anytime soon, huh?"
"You'd be better off sticking with big foot," Annja said.
They kept walking and, for Annja, the sound of the footsteps was in some small way comforting. The rhythm of their pace as they continued to trek down the road with the forest on either side helped refresh her spirit. As different as she and Jenny were, there was a comfort in being with her.
The sense of the familiar.
It was something Annja realized was missing from her life in a big way.
Maybe this globe-trotting stuff was getting old. Maybe the whole
Chasing History's Monsters
thing was getting old, too. She could always stop, she supposed. Settle down somewhere and teach. She'd had job offers from universities before. Who wouldn't want to hire a former television personality? Her classes would be enormously popular.
But could she stop? Could she quench her desire to explore and discover? And if she managed to quell the sense of curiosity that had been driving her for years, what would happen to the sword? Would it go away and find another home? Would it stay with her and continue to be a presence in her life?
And what about the death she'd dealt?
"You okay?" Jenny asked.
Annja nodded.
"Yeah, just thinking."
"About what?"
"About everything.
It isn't often I find myself able to devote so much time to my thoughts about my life and work. Most of the time people are shooting guns at me or trying to stab me to death or some other really bad stuff."
"That sounds awfully dramatic, Annja."
"It's just the way things are for me these days," Annja said quietly.
"Why don't you stop?"
Annja glanced at her. "I've thought about it. I don't know if I can stop."
"Why?
Because you don't want to?"
"
That's part of it."
"
Because the sword won't let you?"
Annja shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not sure if I have to ask or what. Maybe I can just stop. Maybe I'm meant for something greater than what I can understand at this moment in time."
"Your role in this may not even be determined yet."
Annja nodded. "I've thought about that, as well. Doesn't make any of this any easier to take, let me tell you."
"I think you'll probably keep going."
Annja smiled.
"Maybe so.
But you'd better find a nice man and settle down so I can at least pretend I know what a grounded, stable life is all about."
"I'm trying, I'm trying." Jenny laughed. "It's good to have you around again, Annja."
"
Likewise."
From behind them, Annja heard a low rumbling sound. She stopped and stepped closer to the edge of the road. "You hear that? This could be our ticket into town."
Jenny smiled. "I was always told not to hitchhike. Are you saying I should go back on my pledge?"
"Flash your legs if you need to, but I'm tired of walking and wasting time. We need to get out of these woods."
The sound of the engine grew louder and Annja figured it was the steady throttle of a pickup truck.
Jenny started primping. "If the driver's cute, I call shotgun."
Annja sighed.
"Fine.
I'll sit in the back, for all I care. My legs are tired and I can use the rest."
The sound grew even louder. Annja pulled Jenny closer to her. "He sounds as if he's going at a fairly good clip. Better stand over here so we don't get hit."
"It's coming," Jenny said.
Annja saw the front of the truck emerge from around the corner about three hundred yards down the road. It was a dark pickup with its headlights still on.
"They won't miss us," Jenny said. She started waving her hands, trying to flag down the truck.
"Think it's the sheriff out patroling?"
Jenny shrugged. "Who cares? It's a vehicle and we can ride into town instead of walking. As long as they're not cannibals interested in stripping off our flesh, I don't care who they are."
Annja frowned.
"Lovely thought."
"
I'm just kidding."
The truck rumbled closer and Annja could see it was starting to slow down as it approached.
"They see us," Jenny said. "We're in!"
Annja stepped out onto the road and waved with Jenny. The truck eased to a stop about twenty yards away. Jenny ran to the truck cab and Annja had to follow after her. "Wait up."
Jenny climbed into the truck.
Annja came abreast of the cab and looked in the open door, half expecting to see someone dangerous staring back at her.
Instead, she saw Jenny beaming. Next to her was a handsome man with dark brown hair and the brightest blue eyes Annja had ever seen. Even though he was sitting, Annja could tell that he was tall and extremely fit.
She looked at Jenny. "Happy?"
"Annja, this is
David
. The guy I told you about."
Annja looked at him, seeing the brass star on his chest for the first time. "You never mentioned he was the sheriff."
"I didn't know."
The sheriff held out his hand. "Climb in. You two look as if you've had quite the adventure."
Annja climbed into the truck and stared back at the woods. I hope we can find Joey in time, she thought.
David glanced over at Annja. "All set?"
Annja nodded and risked a look at Jenny, who looked positively ecstatic to be squeezed in next to David. "You okay?"
Jenny winked at her. "Perfect."
David slid the truck into gear and they rolled off down the main road. The truck bucked as it went over a pothole in the road. David rested his hands on the steering wheel.
"You guys were walking back to town?"
Annja nodded. "It's been a rough night."
"Has it?"
Jenny looked at him. "What in the world happened to you? Why weren't you at the hotel like you said you were going to be?"
David looked a little sheepish. "I got called out of town unexpectedly. I tried to get in touch, but the cell-phone reception is absolutely terrible up in these parts. I'm really sorry."
"Well, as long as nothing happened to you." Jenny squeezed herself over a little more, prompting David to chuckle.
"I need to drive, Jenny."
"Sorry," she said, sounding miffed.
Annja watched the road for a moment. "What called you out of town?"
"
Pardon?"
"
The errand you had to run? What was it?"
David shrugged. "Just some police stuff. I was about twenty miles up north, is all. I'd tell you about it, but it's really boring. I wouldn't want you guys to fall asleep on me."
Annja felt uneasy. Something didn't feel right. How could Jenny not know that David was the sheriff up here? Was that the truth? And why was David so evasive about why he'd been out of town?
"Jenny tells me you've got some amazing big-foot evidence to show her?"
David nodded.
"In town.
We'll go past the station so I can get some stuff, and then I'll show you."
"What is it exactly?"
David shook his head. "I don't want to spoil the surprise."
"Annja," Jenny said, "just
be
a little patient."
"We need to get some help when we get back to town," she said to David.
"Oh?"
"Do you have deputies or anything like that? Guys you can call on for help?
Maybe the State Police?"
"
Why would I need to do a thing like that?"
"Because you've got a roving trio of gun-toting guys up in the woods
who
scared off Jenny's students yesterday."
David frowned. "So they were telling the truth?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ellen, the lady who handles the calls at the station, got me on the radio late yesterday and said that a group of kids came into the station claiming they'd been run out of the woods by a bunch of psychos. Ellen didn't put much credence in what they said, and since I was out of town there wasn't much she could do about it."
Annja frowned. "I guess that answers my question about the deputies."
David shook his head.
"Can't afford 'em.
The town, I mean. We're a backwater place.
Barely got enough funds for me and Ellen."
The truck rolled over another pothole, bouncing them in the interior of the cab. Annja knocked the top of her head against the roof. "Or enough for road work, apparently."
"Exactly," David said. "We're working on it, though. A wealthy industrialist recently moved to the outskirts of town and set up shop. His property taxes alone should be enough to at least get another part-timer on the force. That would help me out a lot."
"Who's the guy that moved in?" Annja asked.
"Made his money in mineral mining down in
Annja frowned. "I've heard of him. I think he was in the news for something, a mine collapse down in
David nodded. "That's him. He was in a lot of hot water, but he's a nice guy.
Invited me up for a chat one afternoon recently.
He's really taken with the area, loves going for hikes, that sort of thing."
"Better warn him not to go out there while those nuts are stalking around."
David nodded. "We'll take care of those guys, don't worry about it."
"Well, we'll need to hurry up because there's a fourteen-year-old boy who's determined to wreak vengeance on them for killing his wolf," Annja said.
David slammed on the brakes and looked at Annja. "Joey?"
Annja nodded.
"Yep."
David took a breath. "Cripes. What in the world is he thinking?"
"He's not. That's the problem."
Jenny shook her head. "They killed his wolf. It was terrible. The poor thing came to us and died."
"
Cheehawk."
David was quiet for a moment. "It was a beautiful creature, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"And Joey's out there now?"
Annja nodded. "Yes."
"Well, one thing's for sure—whoever killed Cheehawk, they're going to have their hands full with Joey."
Annja raised her eyebrows. "Are you kidding?"
"What?"
"That's all you can say? Joey's just a boy. He can't handle those guys alone. They'll kill him."
"I highly doubt that."
"You doubt that?"
David held up his hand. "Hang on a second, Annja. We'll get out there, trust me. I know his grandfather very well and I promised him I'd always look out for Joey, but you should know that Joey's a pretty accomplished woodsman. His grandfather taught him a fair lot of stuff. Joey knows those woods like no one else in the area and can disappear anytime he wants."
"That's not going to help him when they shoot him dead for being a pain in the ass. What happens to your promise to his grandfather then?"
"Joey knows how to handle himself. I'm honestly not that concerned. I've seen him fight before."
"Joey?"
David nodded. "We had a guy come through here about a year or so back. Got drunk at the bar and started some crap. I was on my way there when Joey happened to stop by the bar, dropping off some stuff for Mr. Crowe, the owner. The
drunk
guy saw that Joey was Native American and started hassling him. According to Mr. Crowe, Joey held out as long as any reasonable man might be expected to. Then he leveled the guy.
Threw him out of the bar just as I was pulling up."
"
Was the man armed?" Annja asked.
"Had a knife about as long as my arm," David said.
"Didn't matter to Joey.
He just handled him. Never saw the guy again."
David started driving again. "I asked Crowe if he wanted to press any charges, but most folks around these parts are happy if trouble just leaves them alone. I'm inclined to agree with the sentiment. People leave us alone and we can keep on with our lives."
"What if they don't leave you alone?"
"Then we take them over to the State Police barracks about an hour from here. They lock 'em up and prosecute them, if need be. But that's only happened once, long before my time as sheriff."
Annja sighed. "I'm still worried. I met Joey's grandfather last night and, after everything he's taught Joey, I can't imagine he'd be thrilled if he knew his only male heir was out in the woods facing down three armed guys."
"You don't know his grandfather, then," David said. "He'll eat this up and ask for seconds."
Jenny glanced at Annja and then back at David. "David, maybe we should try to get out into the woods as soon as we can. I mean, I know you think Joey can handle himself and he probably can, but wouldn't it be better to make sure those guys, whoever they are, are taken care of before we look at the evidence you've got?"
David shrugged.
"Sure, no problem.
But we still need to go back to the station. I'll need my rifle." He glanced at Annja. "You shoot?"
Annja shrugged. "Do I have to?"
"I don't know. You saw these guys. Are they skilled?"
"From what I know about guns, they looked as if they knew what they were doing."
"Okay. I'll give you both a crash course in handling the rifles."
Jenny's eyes opened wide. "You want me to take a gun, too?"
"Any dumb ass can shoot a gun," David said. "And apparently there are three of them out in the woods right now. You'll be okay, trust me."
Annja wasn't happy about the situation. She glanced at David. Just what the hell was going on around here? He didn't seem the least bit concerned about Joey. And he wasn't too concerned about the guys in the woods, either. Why did everyone seem to think she was overreacting?
She didn't detect any real threat from David aside from a general sense of apathy, and yet she felt extremely uneasy.
Jenny seemed absolutely content.
Maybe I'm overthinking things, she thought. Maybe this is all just the product of stress. After all, I haven't had any sleep since I arrived. The lack of rest could be affecting my decision-making ability.
She remembered reading that lack of sleep could produce feelings of paranoia, hallucinations and worse. Maybe this was a textbook case of that.
Maybe.
David agreed to get them to town as quickly as possible and accelerated the truck. The road was twisting and they took several curves faster than seemed safe. Annja decided there was nothing she could do but hang on and enjoy the ride.
She closed her eyes and thought about the sword. Instantly, she could see it hovering in front of her. She was feeling calm and clearheaded. She'd go after Joey on her own if she had to.
She was completely unprepared for an explosion.
She opened her eyes as the entire body of the truck flew into the air, and then they were rolling, turning and flipping over and over again as the truck came down with a screeching gnash of metal.
Jenny screamed.
Annja felt the truck hit the ground and blackness rushed over her.