In the woods

Chapter 14

4th, July. (5:00am)

Saying that the case is still an unsolved mystery is an understatement for Moore's opinion. Its the fourth of July for crying out loud and yet he still had serious work to do. He could not bring himself to take a break because with each passing time, someone else's life is in danger.

There's a maniac killer on the loose, hunting down people who he'd presumed are responsible for his late wife's death. Which as a matter of fact was absolutely the opposite. Anyone with half a brain would know that the death of Mrs. Catalina was totally the surgeon's fault.
Now that they're certain of the fact that Dr. Henry might be their killer, the question is; why is he doing it really? And, who are his targets?

So far, only Mrs Alvarez and Sarah have been killed from the list of possible targets of the surgeon. No other deaths have been recorded. The newest most concerning development is the issue of the missing hikers with Timba hikers company.

"Sir? "

"Please tell me you have something Shaye.... Anything" Moore pleads.

"Desperation would only leave you running in circles detective" she advises.

Moore rubs his forehead and sighs. "I know, I know. Just tell me what happened"

"We think the surgeon might be onto some of the members of the hike"
Shaye begins. "Well looking at the case of Mrs Alvarez, her daughter is with the Timber hikers right? There's a possibility he'd go after her and if he does, then the others are basically in danger"

"Then its safe to say that though Sharon might be his next target, the others would just be collateral damages? "

"Not exactly detective.... You see, since we haven't had any murder for a while now, giving that the style of the surgeon is death in quick succession, its possible that none of his targets are around here anymore, and more possible that they are all in the woods. "

Moore strokes his stubbed jaw. "What makes you say that? "

"Take a look... " shaye hands over a file to the detective. "These are the names of every member of the hike. Now, note the names in bold. " she tells him.

Moore notices the names: Sharon Alvarez, Sam Britt and Joe Horgarth. He nods his head, urging her to continue.

"Good, now... "Shaye flips onto another page. "Lucy Alvarez, Mr and Mrs. Britt and rich Mr. Damien Horgarth were also friends with the surgeon "

"But their names didn't pop up from the list we recieved from Mr. Lucas. "

"That's because they didn't go to the restaurant to meet... I got all this from their school records back in the day. And what's more, is that only Mrs. Alvarez had been alive till this year, Mr. And Mrs Britt  are late while Mr Horgarth is spending time in prison for drug trafficking"

Moore could help but give his partner an appraisal smile. "Good job Shaye "

She flushed. "Thanks... " An awkward silence filled the vaccum before she clears her throat to ease the tension. "So now, we desperately need to find Timber hikers. "

Moore chuckles. "What did you tell me a while ago about "desperation'"

"Right".... .

***
In the woods....
4th of July (4:45am)

The frightened screams from the hikers pierced the atmosphere as the struggle between man and beast ensued.

Earlier, like five minutes ago, as everyone had just begun to finally bring themselves to sleep after a long traumatic day, Tom had decided to take a therapeutic walk towards the bush where he could have a lone time to think things through. Unfortunately, he hadn't even settled down when he'd heard the unsettling sounds from the bush just in front of him. At first, he'd  guessed it was a squirrel or a rat, scavenging for food. But nature cheated him with an angry growl and a ferocious pounce attack from a big black bear.

Now, everyone watched in horror as he fought for his dear life with only his stout knife in hand.
"Do something! " the sudden screech from Sharon reminding the hikers that they stood frozen with shock when they we're supposed to help him out of the impending doom.

Sam instinctively remembers the 9mm pistol they'd purchased from the pawn shop few days before their hiking. "The gun.. " he mutters.
Sharon looks at him firmly, eyes widen. "What the hell are you waiting for?"

"I'm getting it!" He runs to grab his back pack fumbling desperately for the weapon. "Got it."

"Shoot the goddamn thing! "Someone screamed.

Sam unlocks the safety and cocks the gun. Bang!

The animal roars as it staggers sideways. Tom lays beneath, staring with freight and gasping for air. His clothes were shattered and his skin bloodied.
The bear roars again. It is dying slowly.
"Gimme that! "Paulina snaps. She takes the gun from Sam who is shivering and walks up to the dying animal. Bang! Bang! Bang! "Die you fucking piece of shit! "

"Tommy... You okay? " Sharon kneels beside him on the ground.
Tom groans. "Been better.. "
"Oh shut up.... You look like crap" she scowls, half smiling.

"I thought you were gonna die"

"News flash... Not happening. Uh... "

"Sorry. Help me lift him up" she beckoned, never taking her eyes off him.
Before anyone could, Paulina was already hurling him up, supporting his weight with her shoulders. Tom feels his face heat up and steals a quick glance at her. "Thanks " he mumbled.

Although she heard, she didn't say anything. The expression on her face however, speaks concern, deep concern for Tom.

     Fortunately for Tom, they had doctor Stevens with them. He was able to do some basic health care regardless of the limited resources they had and he'd proposed that they maintain their current position for the time being so as to allow Tom rest properly and regain some strength.
       Charlie walks up to Sharon some few hours later. "How're you holding up? "
"I... Don't really know... "She is rubbing her forearms with her palms.

"Cold? " he asks, and without waiting for her reply, he pulls off his jacket.

"Thanks" rapping the thick fabric around her body, Sharon looks far towards the morning sky. She wished they would all, somehow, find their way home. Far away from all this wild animals and creepy killer. How could Joe be dead? How?

"What's going on in your mind? "

She glances briefly at Charlie as though she'd just realized that he was still sitting beside her. "Uh... Well what do you think? I've lost a really good friend of mine. "

Charlie looks hurt. "I'm sorry" he mumbles.

She sighs and turns to face him. "Look, I'm sorry. Its just... " little sobs escapes from her mouth.

Sam walks up to them. "Sharon? ". He immediately takes her in his arms and ushered her towards a sleeping bag, away from Charlie.

     A soft groan came from within as Charlie gets up to walk a little further away from the small resting group. Once he was far enough that no one could see or hear him from where the group were, he begins to make bird sounds in whistles. He continues for a while until the bush in front of him begins to rustle and the sound of leaves crunching under dragged footsteps could be heard from the other side.

Charlie takes a quick glance at his rear making sure he hasn't been followed or wasn't not being spied on. "Its about damn time.... "He quietly mutters under his breath.

The footsteps stopped.

     Thanks for reading..... Again!
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Arewa.