WINDIGA
The Sheriff looked back at his deputy. This was getting out of hand. The others would have to be told what they just discovered.
Adam smiled with pride. His father had saved them all from the monsters that had emerged from the woods. Adam’s Mom saw Paul’s expression. He was trying to keep calm, but she knew the Sheriff’s expressions and could almost tell whenever he was trying to be brave for the sake of others.
Susan walked over to Paul and asked to speak with him privately. They walked a little further away from the group. She gazed into Paul’s eyes and moved her hands to touch his face. Paul sighed.
He looked at Susan and said, ‘‘Donny just let me know that he believes there are still more of these things roaming about. The one he had faced had been shot and injured by the shoulder. It’s not the one that I put down by the pews.’’
Susan leaned closer toward Paul and lowered her head on his chest. This time he pulled her close and embraced her. She hugged him and felt much better knowing that he was around to make things better for her and Adam. Susan might not have wanted to admit it to him, but she loved Paul and would love him for as long as she lived.
The sound of banging and creaks around the church startled them. They rushed back to the others and hugged their boy, Adam. He was glad to see his parents smiling, even in such a scary time.
The deputy sheriff asked the Paul, ‘‘What now?’’ Paul shook his head. Maybe they should have all left town the minute these things showed up from the woods.
‘‘Sheriff?’’
Paul heard the group call him. His body was with them, but his mind felt like it was being pulled away from the church and back to seeing Tim. Paul snapped out of it, and grabbed his rifle.
Susan planted a kiss on Paul’s cheek. ‘‘Be careful.’’
The deputy sheriff and a small group of other men gathered together to make a plan. The older folks, the women and children stayed together by the front pews.
The Sheriff and his group dashed to board the windows more securely. They had to at least make sure that no more of these creatures could get inside the building.
‘‘How long can we carry on trying to take these things down? I wonder how many we have to face...’’
The Sheriff replied, ‘‘Hey, we just have to do our best. Maybe if they fail to find a way in, they might stop attacking and move on.’’
The deputy sighed. ‘‘Okay. I sure hope you’re right. Once this is all over, I may have to take a vacation and go to New York.’’
Paul chuckled and smiled. Even at a time like this, Donny could find a way to make the moment feel leas bleak.
Donny took a deep breath. He almost felt like screaming when he heard the more bangs on the door.
The rest of the team felt on the edge of going crazy and just using their weapons to fire at the door. The Sheriff told them to be calm, and keep their eyes on alert.
The banging by the door soon came to a halt. The Sheriff wondered why it had stopped. Then the group heard loud noises coming from above the church.
‘‘They must be on the rooftop!’’ Donny exclaimed.
The Sheriff decided that they needed to split up and check the church rooftop. The group looked at Paul as if he was out of his mind.
The deputy said, ‘‘Um~ okay. Let’s go guys. Move out and follow through with the plan.’’
Paul and Donny led one part of the group to the top floor of the church. The rest of them remained to watch over the folks who were at the main section of the church by the front row pews.
Donny felt a powerful wind blowing and flowing from an open window. He nudged the Sheriff and showed him the window.
‘‘No- this is really bad. We have to head back with the others.’’ Paul ran and rushed to the pews.
By the time he got there he heard the creatures and spotted some moving on the ceiling. He felt his heart miss a beat. There was no sign of the group. He couldn’t see Susan, or Adam, anywhere. Where were they?
Donny fired his rifle and it nearly made Paul jump. The creature that Donny had injured snarled and tried to run away.
Paul thanked Donny. He asked, ‘‘Any idea where the rest of the group is hiding?’’
Donny shrugged. ‘‘They could be hiding in the basement. It was a good spot for them not too long ago.’’
Paul said, ‘‘Yeah. I guess so. We need to find a way to make this work. One creature is down, another one that you faced is bruised. The only problem is I really don’t think we can keep at this for long. Those things are fast, and we need more weapons.’’
Donny placed a hand on Paul’s shoulder. ‘‘Not to worry. Those things may be fast, but we can find a way to defeat them.’’
Paul nods and goes to check the basement. He knocks on the door. ‘‘Can someone open the door, please? Are you all okay?’’
There’s a click and the door is opened slowly. Susan smiles at Paul and says, ‘‘We may have found way out of here.’’
‘‘Show me.’’
One man points to the back and Paul sees some kind of secret passage hidden behind a bookshelf. Paul asks, ‘‘Where does it lead?’’
Another man responds, ‘‘We don’t know. It’s better than trying to go out using the front door.’’
Susan nods and Adam hugs his Mom. Donny makes it to the group and asks, ‘‘What is that?’’
Paul replies, ‘‘A way out of here. We better get these folks moving before those things realize where we’re hiding.’’
Donny agrees and starts helping Paul take people through the tunnel. They move in and close the entrance to the secret passage.
Paul grabs his torch and lights the way. Donny asks, ‘‘How far does this thing go?’’
Paul says, ‘‘I hope it can lead us far from this part of the woods away from these creatures. A place that’s safer.’’
Susan holds Adam’s hand, ‘‘Come on kiddo. Let’s get going.’’
Adam smiles and looks behind him. He waves at a young boy who waves back.
Susan wonders what Adam is staring at. Then she looks behind, too. But she doesn’t see anyone there.
After a while of walking by torchlight, they see a light at the end of the tunnel. Paul and Donny lead the group to an opening. They walk out and find themselves by a cottage.
They look around and see a road not too far. Donny smiles.
Paul tells the group they will have to stick together and no one must wander off alone. Susan and the other folks sigh. They cheer and head to the cottage. Luckily, it has enough space for them all.
Donny looks at the tunnel and stares at it. He hopes he doesn’t have to worry about seeing the creatures anymore.
**************************************
Later while the group all sit back and relax, Donny heads outside to enjoy the fresh air. He hears footsteps approaching. Donny turns around to see that it’s only Clair.
Clair laughs. ‘‘What’s the matter? There is nothing to be afraid of. It’s only me. I don’t bite.’’
Donny sighs and laughs. ‘‘Come here, you.’’ He pulls Clair and gives her a hug. She laughs, again.
He smiles and closes his eyes. The moment he does, images of the creatures flash like a nightmare. He opens his eyes and gasps.
Clair places her hands around his neck. ‘‘It’s all right. We’re safe here.’’
(NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE COTTAGE)
Branches snap and break. Something watches the group from the shadows.
It waits for the others to arrive from the other part of the woods. These people needed to be taught a lesson.
They had to pay for the way that they had treated the woods. How silly of them to think that they could easily escape from the windigas.