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  “What can I say, I’m a martyr,” said Stephen.

  “So you knew this trick and you didn’t warn me?” Jacker asked the bartender.

  “Hey,” she said with an innocent smirk. “I was promised that if you started drinking that you’d flirt with me. What’s a girl to do?”

  Stephen took off the shot glass on the top of the stack, which was now filled with whiskey, and flipped it over as the crowd applauded. He flicked his card dry and slid the shot glass over to Jacker. “Drink up, buddy.” Then he pushed the shot glass of water over to the bartender. “How about you do me a favor and fill this up with some whiskey too.”

  The bartender did as asked and then Stephen held the shot glass up to Jacker. “Cheers, buddy.”

  Jacker clinked his glass against Stephen’s and shook his head. “To the most manipulative fucker I’ve met in years.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” said Stephen before he downed the whiskey. He slammed the glass down and slid it forward. “Doctor, can I get another dose please?”

  Jacker slid his empty glass forward too. “Same here.”

  “That’s my boy!” Stephen slapped Jacker’s back.

  The bartender was quick to fill their glasses, and started to chat with Jacker about the band on his shirt. Apparently she was familiar with them, although Stephen had never heard of them before. He prided himself on being a great wingman, and knew when to shut up and let his friends pick up the conversation.

  Jacker’s initial reservation about drinking faded fast. Within a half hour, Stephen was struggling to stay on his seat while Jacker only seemed to get a boost of energy from every newly filled glass.

  “Just a Coke for me,” said Stephen when Jacker pushed him for another round.

  “What? Are you kidding me?”

  “Dude, I’m fucking wasted. I’m not even sure I’m going to make it upstairs.”

  “Hey man,” said Jacker. “You started this engine. If you pass out, who the fuck’s going to steer.”

  “I don’t even know what that means.” Stephen laughed and let his forehead fall to the bar.

  “Looks like he’s done,” said the bartender. The only other patrons still around were all focused on a basketball game, which the bartender seemed disinterested in. Throughout the night she had spent most of her time at their end of the bar.

  “I know,” said Jacker. “He’s a lightweight.”

  “It’s true,” said Stephen as he sat back up. “I talk a big game, but when it comes down to it I’m a pussy. Seriously, though, we’ve got a big day tomorrow. We should get some sleep.”

  “You never told me why you guys are out here,” said the bartender.

  “And you still haven’t told me your name,” said Jacker.

  “Aubrey,” she extended her hand across the bar. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Pleasure’s on mine,” said Jacker.

  “Pleasure’s on mine?” asked Stephen. “Smooth, dude.”

  “Sorry,” said Jacker. “All mine. I guess I’ve had a few more drinks than I thought.”

  Aubrey was wiping the counter with a white towel as she talked to them. “So, what are you guys out here for? You don’t strike me as the country music type.”

  “Good God no,” said Stephen.

  “We’re headed to Widowsfield,” said Jacker.

  Stephen thrust his elbow into the big guy’s side.

  “Oh really?” asked Aubrey with interest. “Why are you headed there?”

  Stephen groaned and set his head back down on the bar. “Well, you might as well tell her now, Casanova.”

  “Sorry, man. I didn’t know it was a secret.”

  “This sounds good.” Aubrey tossed the rag over her shoulder. She reached across the bar and rubbed the back of Stephen’s head. “Don’t worry, Stevie, I won’t tell anyone your secrets. What are you two up to?”

  “We’re doing an internet show on haunted places,” said Jacker. “We’re headed out there to investigate the town. Do you know the story about that place?”

  She nodded and snorted. “Do I? Of course I do. Everyone around here knows about it. I’ve been down there a bunch of times. I even saw that creepy green fog once.”

  Stephen sat back up, intrigued. “Really?”

  “Yep. I grew up near there. A bunch of us used to go up on a hill near the town. It was a make out area, and you could see the downtown area of Widowsfield from there.”

  “Do you think you could find that place again?” asked Stephen.

  “Sure, but it’s all closed off now.”

  “Since when?” asked Stephen.

  She glanced up, trying to recall the date. “I don’t know, at least five years now. A company bought the land and closed it all off. The town’s still there, but everything is fenced off now. My friends and I still broke into the town from time to time. If you know how to get past the guards you can hang out there without any trouble.”

  “Was the company that bought the land named Cada E.I.B.?” asked Stephen.

  “Yeah, that’s it,” said Aubrey.

  Stephen smacked Jacker’s arm. “How about that?”

  “That’s creepy,” said Jacker.

  “What? What’s creepy?” asked Aubrey.

  “Nothing.” Stephen quickly answered to stop Jacker from revealing anything else.

  “Are you two keeping secrets from me?” asked Aubrey. “Do I need to pour a few more of these to loosen those lips?”

  “No,” said Stephen. “I’m about four past done already. Hey, Aubrey, are you busy for the next few days?”

  She smirked, and then squinted as she tried to figure out why Stephen would ask something like that. “Yes, I have a job and a life. Why?”

  “I’d pay you to come with me,” said Stephen.

  “Wow,” said Aubrey as she took a step back and held out her hands. She smiled and was joking when she said, “This conversation has taken a turn for the worse. I’m not that kind of girl, Stevie.”

  “No, not cum with me,” said Stephen.

  Jacker just then realized why Aubrey was startled by what Stephen had said. “Oh! That’s fucking funny. He doesn’t mean it that way.”

  “I mean, come with me in a van,” said Stephen.

  “Yeah, not getting any better,” said Aubrey.

  “What he means to ask is if you’d want to go with us to Widowsfield,” said Jacker. “Show us how you used to break in.”

  “Yeah, that,” said Stephen as he pointed at his nose and then at Jacker.

  “I know what he meant,” said Aubrey. “I was just fucking with him. Like I said before, I’ve got a job. I can’t just up and leave.”

  “Then call off,” said Stephen. “I’ll make you internet famous.”

  “Who says I’m not already?” asked Aubrey, but then her smile faded to a grimace. “Ew, that makes it sound like I’m a porn star or something.”

  “Look,” said Stephen as he sat up and tried to pretend like he wasn’t drunk. “I’ll pay you two hundred bucks a day for three days. All you have to do is take us to Widowsfield and do an interview on camera about what you saw there.”

  Aubrey studied them and crossed her arms. “Two fifty, and no funny stuff.”

  “Deal,” said Stephen before he shook her hand. “We’re leaving in the morning, around eight. Give Jacker your number. I’ll have a contract for you to review in the morning, but right now I need to go pass out.”

  He leaned on Jacker’s shoulder and then whispered to him, “You owe me, big guy.” He waved back at them as he headed out of the hotel bar and tried to remember his room number.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  The End Begins

  March 12th, 2012

  “Everyone,” said Stephen as he stood beside the van to greet the group. “This is Aubrey.”

  The petite, young girl smiled at waved. She was even shorter than Rachel, and had dyed blonde hair that was tied up in ponytails on either side of her head. She had studs in both cheeks tha
t sat perfectly within her dimples when she smiled. There were colorful tattoos that adorned her chest and arms, and she was wearing a frilled, black skirt that revealed nearly the full length of her pale legs.

  “Aubrey’s from this area, and she’s going to tell us about some of the things she’s seen out in Widowsfield.”

  “Are you coming with us?” asked Paul.

  She held up a green bag that Alma assumed was packed with clothes. “Yep.”

  “Do we have the room?” asked Paul.

  “Well, I thought Alma could ride with you,” said Stephen. “And if she wants to be in the van, Aubrey said she’d be willing to ride on the bike with you.”

  “No, that’s okay,” said Alma. “I’m fine riding with Paul.” There was no way she was going to let a cute little thing like Aubrey ride on Paul’s bike.

  Paul must’ve sensed Alma’s thoughts because he snickered as he put his arm around her shoulder. “We’ll be fine on the bike. Good to meet you, Aubrey.”

  “One other thing,” said Stephen before Alma and Paul walked off to where Paul’s motorcycle was parked. “Aubrey says the town is fenced up. It got bought by Cada E.I.B., so we might run into some security out there. We’ve got a plan if we do.”

  Rachel came out of the hotel and walked past everyone. She went straight to Jacker’s van, which was parked in the roundabout outside of the hotel’s entrance, and got in. Her anger was apparent to everyone, but only Stephen seemed to know what was wrong. Alma thought about trying to talk to her new friend, but decided to wait until later to confront her.

  “Everyone ready?” asked Stephen. He seemed apologetic for his wife’s behavior, if not a little embarrassed.

  “We’ll be right behind you,” said Paul as he headed for his motorcycle.

  Once they were far enough away to avoid being heard, Alma turned to Paul and asked, “What was that about?”

  He shrugged and then spit off to the side. “Hell if I know. Rachel looked pissed. They must’ve gotten in a fight or something.”

  “I’ll have to try and talk to her later.”

  “Or you could leave it be and let them sort out their own problems,” said Paul as he took Alma’s helmet off the handle of the bike and offered it to her.

  She sneered as she took the helmet from him. “Don’t be an asshole.”

  “Sorry,” he said as he put on his own helmet. “I just don’t think we know them well enough to get mixed up in their marriage.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  “Like always,” said Paul and he moved away as Alma tried to punch him on the arm. “So, are you ready for this? No turning back after today. You sure you want to go through with it?”

  “For the hundredth time, yes.”

  “All right, I just wanted to make sure.”

  Alma looked back at the van as Paul got on the bike. “What do you think of the new girl?”

  “I don’t know. Haven’t said more than a few words to her. Why?”

  “Do you think she’s cute?” asked Alma.

  Paul paused and hung his head low, fully aware of the trap Alma was setting for him. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I only have eyes for you, sweetie.” He looked at her and gave a goofy, toothy grin.

  “I bet she has something to do with why Rachel’s so pissed off.”

  “Oh yeah?” asked Paul, disinterested. “Well, I bet neither of us know the facts and shouldn’t speculate. That’s what I bet.”

  Alma rolled her eyes and sighed as she got on the bike behind him. “Wow, did you have a special cup of dickhead-coffee this morning or something?”

  “It did taste a little funny. Did you backwash into it?” asked Paul before he started the bike, muffling any response from Alma. She just slapped him on the back as he chuckled.

  Widowsfield wasn’t far from Branson, but the trip felt like it took longer than it should’ve. The winding roads that cut through the Ozarks slowed their progress, but provided scenery that kept Alma’s mind off what they were headed out to do. Every time she thought about the cabin, her heartbeat quickened and her palms started to sweat.

  “I’m coming for you, Ben.” Her whisper was lost in the noise of the road.

  They passed a sign that had once read, ‘Widowsfield 10 Miles’ but had been riddled with buckshot. Each hole was rimmed with rust and the sign’s post had been bent backward, as if someone had run into it, perhaps in an attempt to further erase the town from history.

  After the sign the road descended. It was a precipitous decline, and one she remembered from her childhood. This hill always caused her stomach to lurch, which had become a sensation that she learned to despise. She even avoided carnival rides in fear of causing the same sensation and that it would remind her of Widowsfield.

  The woods lay beyond, and Alma recalled the fog that had enveloped them sixteen years ago. She thought about her father as he screamed at her to be quiet. And she thought of the creatures in the woods, whose shapes were but shadows in the mist, running along side their car as they tried to escape.

  Fear choked her and she felt her body start to shake. She struggled for breath and had to close her eyes as Paul drove down the hill and into the woods that preceded the border of Widowsfield. She tried to concentrate on the hum of the motor and the whistling wind, but her mind seemed determined to think of the creatures in the woods. Those hulking ghosts haunted her, crawling through the trees and reaching out toward the car as if trying to pull her out and into the mist with them.

  Then she focused on the only thing that could quiet her fearful mind.

  314.

  She thought only of the number, and imagined it written in black ink on her arm. Her fear subsided as the number drew her in. Chaos Magick taught that symbols could be used as a focal point to assist in a person’s ability to shut out the world around them. For Alma, it was a journey along a razor’s edge. There was something wicked hidden in that number, and she wasn’t certain she wanted to know what it was.

  She tried to come up with a different symbol that she could focus on, and the first thing that came to mind was the teddy bear keychain that Paul had bought for her. She could feel it in her coat pocket, pressed into her abdomen as she held onto Paul. For some reason, the thought of losing him occurred to her, and she held onto him tighter.

  Paul slowed the motorcycle down and Alma dared to open her eyes.

  Jacker pulled off the road ahead and parked on the gravel shoulder. They were out of the woods, and Widowsfield was ahead of them. There was a tall, wire fence that stretched up over the hills to the right, and down into the cover of woods off to the left. It appeared like there was a guard shack and a gate further up the road, but they were too far away for Alma to be certain. The road went on for another couple hundred yards before being cut off by the fence, and there was a second road that turned off the one they were on. It went off to the right, up over the hills and around Widowsfield.

  Stephen got out of the van’s side door and came over to speak with Paul and Alma. Aubrey followed behind him and Jacker got out as well. Rachel stayed in the van.

  “Aubrey was right,” said Stephen. “There’s a guard shack up there.”

  Paul and Alma got off the bike and tried to look at the fence that blocked their way.

  “You okay, Alma?” asked Stephen. “You’re as white as a ghost.”

  Paul looked back at her and took off his sunglasses. “He’s right. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” said Alma. “I guess I was just a little cold or something.”

  “Want to ride in the van for a bit?” asked Stephen.

  “No, I’ll be fine.”

  “So what’s the plan?” asked Paul. “How are we going to get in if they’ve got it all fenced up?”

  “That’s where Aubrey comes in,” said Stephen.

  “My friends and I used to sneak in all the time,” said Aubrey. “There’s a small dirt road on the north side of town that used to belong to a farmer. It goes
through his field, and into the town. They’ve got a gate up there, but I’ve never seen a guard.”

  “And we can get the van in through there?” asked Paul.

  “No, not yet,” said Stephen. “We’re going to have to leave the van and your bike in the field for now. We’ll head into town on foot, and find the cabin that you used to stay at,” he said as he looked at Alma. “Then tonight, after dark, we’ll come back out and use a bolt cutter on the gate’s lock. We can probably get away with driving the van with the headlights off, but we might have to push your bike in. We can’t risk the noise.”

  “I don’t know,” said Paul. “This seems kind of risky. Are you even going to be able to use any of the footage you get in there? If it’s private property, can’t they sue you for airing anything you record?”

  “You sound like my wife,” said Stephen. His tone revealed at least part of why Rachel was acting angry. They must’ve been arguing this same issue last night. “It’ll be fine. Anything that we film in the cabin could’ve been filmed anywhere. No way they can prove we went in the town, as long as we don’t get caught.”

  “I don’t know, man,” said Paul. “This seems like a bad idea.”

  “I never thought of you as the law-abiding type,” said Stephen. “Aren’t you up for a little adventure?”

  “I’m not in this for adventure,” said Paul. “I’m in it to help Alma.” He looked down at her and asked, “What do you want to do?”

  Alma looked down the road at the fence, and then back at the woods that they’d passed through. It felt like she’d already taken her first step into this nightmare, and if she soldiered on then she could put an end to this part of her life. “We’re already here,” she said. “Might as well get it over with. I say we go in.”

  It was clear that Paul didn’t agree, but he stood beside her and nodded. “Then it’s settled, we’re going in.”

  Stephen clapped his hands once and looked delighted. “Let’s go!” He didn’t bother prolonging the conversation, fully aware that once the customer was sold it was time to shut up and take the money. He ushered Jacker and Aubrey back to the van and within a minute they were back on the road.