The Devil in the Woods Read online



  The Devil in the Woods

  By Gabriel E. Hackney

  Copyright © 2014 Gabriel Hackney

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Story

  About the Author

  How to Contact the Author

  Reference

  The Devil in the Woods

  A roaring fireplace lights a living room in the dark hours of the night, as Michael Jacobson, an English farmer from the town of Emsworth, and Augustus Gottschalk, a German from the town of Kelheim, sit towards the fire as they sip an old bottle of scotch. It was after the war that the two moved to America in 1943 to become farmers, and to keep close ties to their American cousins. Michael swishes his glass, and takes a sip. Michael’s eyes are confused as he looks at Augustus curiously, for it was only five weeks ago that Augustus left Bennington, Vermont to move down to Glastonbury, Connecticut.

  “I’m curious. I’ve never asked what made you move from Bennington to all the way down here in Glastonbury. It was so beautiful up there. Especially the forest.”

  Augustus stares down the fire as he offers a slight smile to hide his discomfort of the question. He clears his throat.

  “Oh yes, the forest that spread for counties. I believe I’ll miss that most of all.”

  “Then why did you leave,” Michael asked.

  Michael looks puzzled. Augustus appears uncomfortable, but regains his composure with mild assurance.

  “I needed a place closer to businesses where I can buy supplies for my lab equipment. There is also a beautiful forest down here, too, keep in mind.”

  “But not as vast.”

  They exchange warm smiles. It was Bennington where the two men favored to hunt deer. Many heads are mounted on the walls overlooking the two men.

  “No, not as vast, but that’s okay. Plus I’m closer to my oldest friend and confidant.”

  Michael gives a small chuckle.

  “Augustus, I’m touched.”

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Look at the two of us, a couple of old soft hearts.”

  “You defended my German name during the war when I defected. I owe you my gratitude.”

  “Keep in mind, you saved my life when I was left to die on the battlefield.”

  “I’m a man of science, not of war.”

  “Well said.”

  Michael raises his glass towards Augustus. Augustus does the same.

  “I didn’t know you were still practicing your experiments.”

  Augustus grips the leather of his chair. He looks down at the glass he’s holding, and takes a sip, finishing what little was left of it. He sets it down on the side table between the two chairs, and takes a deep breath.

  “Yes. More so than ever,” he says wearily.

  The sounds of locusts grow in unison as the fire dims.

  “It would appear that a doctor’s work is never done.”

  Augustus gives a slightly grim chuckle, and says, “How very true. Since we’re on the subject of professions, how is the dairy business going these days?”

  The crickets and locusts hush as a cow lets out several wails. Michael and Augustus glance at each other anxiously.

  Michael sets his glass down, and says, “I think one of the cows is being attacked! Hurry!”

  The two men rush from their chairs as they hurry out of the living room, and into the front hallway. Michael opens the door to the coat closet, and pulls out a shotgun. Michael gives Augustus the spare gun and a flashlight. They rush out the door as they walk out into the field.

  Michael fires a shot into the air. The two see a partially clothed creature fleeing in an upright position. Their heart rates speed. The creature’s thick black fur is all that is seen as it escapes from view.

  “No,” Augustus says under his breath.

  They approach the dead cow in horror. Its hide is shredded. Blood is everywhere. They inspect the wounds. Michael goes pale. Augustus is angry, but he calms himself.

  “I’ve never seen bite marks like this before,” Michael said. “They’re almost.”

  Michael struggles to find the words, and then says, “Human. What do you think could have done this?”

  “I don’t know,” Augustus said.

  “I could have sworn.”

  “What?”

  “It’s Nothing.”

  Augustus looks suspiciously at him.

  “Really, you can tell me.”

  “The truth?”

  He takes a breath.

  “I don’t know, but for a second I could have sworn it was upright, and ran similar to a man.”

  “I don’t think a man could have done this.”

  Michael looks slightly embarrassed, but still uneasy.

  “I agree.”

  Augustus stretches his arms, and forces out a yawn.

  “It’s late. I think I’m turning in. I’ll help you clean this up tomorrow.”

  “Thanks. I think I’ll do the same.”

  “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  Augustus places a kind hand on his back, and walks with him to the long gravel driveway. When they reach the car Augustus gives him the flashlight, a slight smile, and places a firm hand on Michael’s shoulder.

  “Michael, don’t be worrying about monsters in the woods now. Okay?”

  Michael smiles embarrassedly, and says, “I won’t.”

  Augustus enters the car, and turns it on. Michael closes the door for him as Augustus rolls down the window.

  “Drive safe old friend.”

  Michael watches as the car drives off into the dark as he hears a rustle in the trees. He turns the flashlight off so as not to be noticed as he heads over to the woods to investigate. Michael, with a shotgun in one hand, turns on the flashlight to see a pair of yellow eyes staring at him in the brush. Looking down at his gun he quicken it while fumbling with the flashlight, but when he looks back up it’s too late. The creature vanished.

  Michael, breathing heavy, runs back to the house, and locks the door. His gun shakes in his tight hands as he sets it by the door. He walks into the living room, takes a sip of his scotch, and reaches for the phone.

  When Augustus retuned the house was quiet. Only the shadow of Beelzebub, the creature from the woods, is seen. Augustus stands towards him, with his hand on his hips as he paces.

  “How many times have I told you Beelzebub? Only hunt what’s wild.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “I’ve rescued you when you were a babe, hid you from society, and this is how you repay me?”

  Beelzebub walks out of the shadows to reveal himself. His horns resemble a mountain sheep, but his face is goatish, but lighter in color than the rest of him. His body is covered in a thick black fur. His legs are bull-like, but his hands are humanlike, yet padded like a dog. Staring at his father with yellow eyes his furred face tightens.

  “I can’t help it. I’m not the one who mixed my blood with beasts.”

  “Oh, Beelzebub, I just don’t want anything happening to you. I refuse for them to discover you again like they did in Bennington. Now please, clean yourself, and go to bed.”

  Beelzebub lets out an exhausted grunt. Augustus takes a deep breath as he runs his fingers through his hair. He speaks under his breath, with his voice almost in a cry as Beelzebub leaves the room.

  “My God. What am I’m going to do with you Beelzebub.”

&nbs
p; It’s morning at Michael’s house. Dave, a thick, sun beaten farmer and hunter, pulls up in his pickup, and walks up the front door to knock on it. His son, Paul, is paler than him, but more muscular. Billy, his other son, is tanner than his brother Paul, but just as muscular, and thicker around the middle like his father. They wait on the porch for Michael to answer.

  “Thanks for coming out,” Michael said.

  “Ah, no mention. We brought the traps like you asked for,” Dave says.

  “How many did you bring?”

  “Loads. Right Billy,” Paul said merrily.

  “That’s right,” Billy said.

  “Would you like us to get started laying them then,” Dave asks.

  “Let me show you the cow first.”

  They walk over to the cow, and stand around it. Flies have gathered around the body, surrounding it. Paul looks a little uneasy as he sizes up the wounds, but Dave and Billy are used to it by now.

  “I’m glad you called,” Dave said. “This isn’t the first time this happened. Several have happened like this in the past two months.”

  “What do you think this thing is that we’re hunting? You didn’t actually say on the phone.”

  “Maybe a bear,” Michael