"No. I can't cope without you two, you know."
"So, something must be animating it. A spirit."
"No, it's more than a spirit. It's a god. A Pagan god, anyway."
"What makes you say that?"
"The annual cycle of its killings? And the fact that the victims are always a man and a woman. Like some kind of fertility right. And you two should see the locals. The way they treated this couple. Fattenin' 'em up like a Christmas turkey."
"The last meal. Given to sacrificial victims."
"Yeah, I'm thinking a ritual sacrifice to appease some Pagan god."
"So, a god possesses the scarecrow..."
"And the scarecrow takes its sacrifice. And for another year, the crops won't wilt, and disease won't spread."
"Do you know which god you're dealing with?"
"No, not yet."
"Well, you figure out what it is, you can figure out a way to kill it."
"I know. I'm actually on my way to a local community college. I've got an appointment with a professor. You know, since I don't have my trusty sidekick geek boy to do all the research. Or my horror-loving sister who's obsessed with random, obscure facts. How is she, anyway?"
Sam laughed, glancing down at Natalia who was still curled up next to him. "She's good. I'm watching after her. You know, if you're hinting you need our help, just ask."
"I'm not hinting anything. Actually, uh -- I want you to know... I mean, don't think..."
"Yeah. I'm sorry, too. And I'll tell her."
"Sam. You were right. You gotta do your own thing. You gotta live your own life."
"Are you serious?"
"You've always known what you want. And you go after it. You stand up to Dad. And you always have. Hell, I wish I -- anyway... I admire that about you. I'm proud of you, Sammy."
"I don't even know what to say."
"Say you'll take care of yourself. And that you'll watch out for our little sister."
"I will."
"Call me when you two find Dad."
"Okay. Bye, Dean," Sam said in a sad tone.
They hung up and Meg woke and moved next to Sam, opposite the side Natalia was sleeping on.
"Who was that?" Meg asked.
"My brother," Sam replied.
"What'd he say?"
"Goodbye."
They exchanged a look and Sam looked down at Natalia.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
"It's not every day I get a research question on Pagan ideology," the professor said.
"Yeah, well, call it a hobby," Dean replied.
"But you said you were interested in local lore?"
"Mmhmm."
"I'm afraid Indiana isn't really known for its Pagan worship."
"Well, what if it was imported? You know, like the Pilgrims brought their religion over. Wasn't a lot of this area settled by immigrants?"
YOU ARE READING
Point of Know Return
Mystery / ThrillerNatalia Millie Winchester never knew her mother. She's been surrounded by male figures since she was three months old. Her life was far from normal. Instead of having tea parties and sleepovers, she learned to use a gun and to always be wary in the...
05. S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W
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