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Chapter Forty
 
 
 

Groaning, Bobie felt a chill traverse every fiber of her body.  Half awake, she realized the woman that gave her warmth was no longer present.  Turning onto her back, she reached out, searching for Skylar.  The coolness of the ground met her touch and the woman quickly sat up, staring at the spot the flaming redhead had occupied.

Within minutes she was on her feet, eyes searching for Skylar.  The bag was setting nearby, and in the moonlight she could see small twigs in a circle.   Walking to the area, she dropped to her knees.  Sky was gone, she had left a message by breaking twigs and placing them certain ways.  She couldn’t help smiling, the woman knew her well, the bag of goodies would be a place she would go and the best place to leave a message.

"Find way out.  Stay  put.  Back soon,"  Bobie whispered, her voice cracking as she realized Sky was gone.  "Sky, why?"  She reached out to touch each twig as if this would bring the woman back, change this moment in time.  Falling back, she sat, hands clasped together in a form of prayer.  "So the cell couldn’t reach anyone, you shouldn’t have left.  What am I going to do now?"   Talking to herself was not something she did a lot but this night Bobie Parker was mumbling and grumbling to herself.

It had been a hard day, both women were exhausted.  For they expected to be out and back to town before darkness fell.  Wearily, she thought back on all that had taken place recently.  They had believed that Mary Trenton would give them answers, but instead, only more questions surfaced.  Mary Trenton’s trap for Sky had only been the start of many unsettling events it seemed.  Most ordinary people would have given up, completely defeated by now.  She smiled to herself as she considered the fact that Skylar Richmond was many things, but “ordinary” certainly wasn’t one of them.

 The man, Red Williams, appeared to be a friend, yet he left both women with an uneasy feeling.  Jim Trenton and his gang evidently had their hands in other things besides poaching.  What started as an investigation regarding the death of Injun Pete had mushroomed into so much more.  The only good thing that helped her with all the changes was Skylar Richmond coming into her life.  Even if the two shot sparks at each other in the beginning, they had a connection even then.

Bobie fell back onto the ground, alone, yet Skylar was with her.  She knew no matter what she did in life or where she went, the woman would be there.  Sighing, she gazed at the sky, the twinkling stars each trying to outshine the other.  Perhaps she thought they were trying to compete with the full moon, now sending glowing rays upon the land.  With arms outstretched, Bobie Parker made her own snow angel  . . . sand becoming  a great easel for her body to paint upon.
 
 

She had meticulously walked around the area, there was no way to see which way Skylar took.  Where the woman went and why  she didn’t wake her, this played heavily upon her mind.  Kicking at the dirt, Bobie began to pace, Trenton and his people running about the area, coyotes and not the howling kind, aliens seeking help, Red Williams and his reason for being there as well as the folk legend, The Windego, perhaps lurking.  Turning, the outline of Wolf Spider looked more ominous than before.  "Brrr– This place gives me the creeps.  Sky you had best not be long, I don’t know just how long I can sit and do nothing."

If a person has ever been camping, they know there are all sorts of sounds in the night, some soothing, some downright spine tingling.  On this night as Bobie Parker laid back, holding tightly to the bag for comfort, she tried to think of a beautiful mountain stream, a field of beautiful horses frolicking, enjoying each other.  Butterflies landing near as birds sang their harmonious tunes.   Flowing red hair, softly  falling upon her, the closeness of Skylar, skin on skin, their bodies caressing, loving the rush, the euphoric sensations overtaking each.  To lie like this, to feel the love, the passion, and the caring brought pleasure beyond pleasure.

Bobie was relaxing, her body definitely going where her mind was journeying.  It was at this time a piercing scream brought her back so quickly it was as if she had been hit by a truck.  Sitting, she felt her body tremble, perspiration making itself known, she reached up to touch the wetness, using her right forearm she dabbed several areas before setting the bag down and crawling to the large window in the rock.

The moon was hanging low, it lit up the land with an eerie beauty.  Laying on her stomach, she forced her way into a position where she could take in a large area below.  At first all she could see was land, rolling hills, and ravines.  Nothing was out of the ordinary that is until gazing toward the creepy formation of Wolf Spider.  Every fiber of her body tensed, even the hair on the back of her neck stood.  About a half mile from where she lay, for the first time Bobie Parker gasped,  "Can’t be . . ."

It was tall, bent over content to have something trapped.  The moon played upon this large hairy creature.  Bobie swallowed feeling a catch in her throat and quickly  reached down to make sure her gun was in the holster.  "Oh my God!  Sky is out there!"  Grabbing a flashlight, knife and some heavy string she began her way down the slope.  Stopping several times to find just the right rock to attach to the string.  A makeshift Bola was better than nothing.
 

A half mile may not seem like far but at night in this area, it made the going slow.  Stumbling a few times as rocks gave way, she continued to head directly for this creature.  Out of breath by the time she was getting closer, she stopped to try to get her composure.  Drawing her revolver, she spun the cylinder, making sure there were bullets and that it was ready to fire.  "Must be an illusion, I will get near and find it to be a wandering cow or horse or . . ."

Stopping in her tracks, eyes widened as this thing heard her approaching and turned.  True to the stories, it was about seven feet tall, built more like an ape than a man.  Lengthy arms, sturdy legs covered with dark hair, a chest that was muscular.  Its head looked every bit a combination of human and ape.  Large dark round eyes, shone at her in the moonlight.  Its  broad nose was flared and lips parted to reveal a set of teeth only seen in the movies.  "All right Parker, what are you going to do now?  That thing will make mince meat of you."  She drew the revolver, and grasped the knife in the other hand.  "If I go down, I will not make it easy on you."

The creature beat on its chest, tossed its head back as an eerie cry echoed the area.  Bobie stepped into the open, legs spread standing tall.  She was not going to run, if this thing wanted her, she would not make it easy.  The creature cocked its head to the side and stared at this human.   She was a little thing yet she seemed tall and strong and for some reason was actually assuming a defiant stance.

"Hey big fella!"

Hearing her words, it took several steps back grunting, in an unusual way it seemed  to say,  "Who me?"

"Yeah, you.  Why don’t you go pick on someone your own size?"

A petite dark-haired woman peeked out from several rocks, her eyes seemed almost as wide as the creatures.  Automatically, Bobie inquired with genuine concern,  "Are you all right?"

"Si.  You Gringo’s are a crazy lot.  Now it will have two for dinner."

Bobie’s eyes narrowed slightly, the woman’s words were not comforting it was obvious she was simply terrified out of her mind.

Hearing the woman, the creature turned to gaze toward her as she darted back into her safe place.

Bobie said a silent prayer as the creature turned her way once more, as if instinctually  knowing she was the real danger.  The ground shook under her feet as it walked and at that moment she wished she had listened to Sky and stayed put.  It was the fear that this thing was after Sky that drew her out but now that she was there, she realized, even if it had not been she would have come anyway.   It was in her blood, her will to help a person in distress.

"What’s your name?  You behind the rocks?"

The woman peeked out once more and replied,  "Consuela.  Why?"

"When it gets closer to me, run, get away from this area as quick as your legs can carry you!"

"Si.  And you?"

"Forget about me, just do it."  As the creature neared, she got a good look at the face that was enough to send a person into therapy for a lifetime.  "Anyone ever tell you, there are dentists that take care of overbites like that?"

It stopped, pounded its chest and made a mad dash toward the golden haired human that dared to stand in its way.

Bobie could see Consuela making a fast exit as she turned her attentions to this monster.  Any moment, wishing she would wake in Skylar Richmond’s safe warm embrace.

The mighty arms barely missed as she somersaulted out of the creature’s grasp.  Her  knife leaving a bloody streak on its right arm as she passed.  "Don’t want to hurt you.  Let me go my way and you, yours."  She was getting to her knees, legs shaking as she gasped out the words.

A large foot, followed by the other, stopped in front of the woman.  Gazing up, she felt a catch in her throat before uttering,  "Like I said, go away."

The air changed overhead as a hairy hand descended toward her.  Bobie saw the opportunity to crawl between its legs and once again the creature missed its prey.   Holstering her revolver, and knife, she grasped the heavy string and rocks.  Quickly tossing this around its legs before she dashed for the cover of higher ground and a lot of rocks.  Anger, and frustration were eerie sounds it made, while trying to grab this person that dared invade its territory.

Trying to turn, the string did its job.  Holding long enough to tangle and cause the creature to fall.  Bobie was long gone before it got up.  The string held long enough for this old trick to work.  The creature was tall, larger than most people and even a giant will fall under the right circumstances.

Bobie ran, up and over rocks, along ravines, up slopes into a head of sheep where she proceeded to mingle.  Petting, hugging, making sure the scent of sheep was on her before she made tracks back to Hole in the Rock.
 
 

When Sky returned, she smiled because Bobie was still sleeping. Dropping to the ground beside the woman, she snuggled close, placed an arm over her chest, and closed her eyes.

"You were gone a long time."  Bobie whispered.

Placing a soft kiss on the woman’s neck, Sky replied,  "I’m sorry, hoped to be back before you woke.  Do I smell sheep?"  She had scrunched her nose and was sniffing the area.

Turning in the woman’s embrace, Bobie gazed into her  emerald green eyes.  "I missed you.  No sheep here.  Just little ol me."

"Well little ‘ol’ you, ready to go home?  I have the pickup.  Caught a ride and was lucky to see it was still where we left it."

"Guess Red’s person is not as reliable as he thought.  Any thing else happening out there tonight?"  Bobie hoped Sky had not seen the creature.

"Nope, all serene.  Now what say, we go before I begin to get all amorous again.  You sure no sheep were up here?"

Giggling, Bobie stood, reached down to give a hand up to Sky replying,  "Nope.  I’m ready to leave this 'serene' place."

"Bobie?"  Sky’s voice was soft as the woman turned toward her.  "You look pretty disheveled much more than when I left, want to tell me what happened?"

"There will be time for this later.  You’re not the only one that runs into adventure Skylar Richmond.  Sure glad you are back."

"Me too.  Very happy to be back.  You have perked my curiosity.  Suppose you’re not going to tell me about this great adventure of yours?"    Stepping close, Sky hugged Bobie, her hands caressing tenderly.

Bobie stepped back, eyes locked with the woman as she moaned,  "You touch me like that and every fiber I have is wanting more.   If we don’t go this minute, it will not be you taking me, it will be me having my way with you, Richmond."

Sky’s eyes lit up, her face beamed as she said,  "I love the sound of that.  Ok.  Let’s go, we will get back, shower, eat, check in with Belle and decide on the next step."

Bobie reached out, grasped the woman’s belt, pulling her close.  "The next step will be the shower and all the perks."

Sky reached down fondly squeezed her hand and smiled.  "Aye aye matey."

"Cute Richmond, let’s go."

It didn’t take the two very long to leave Hole in the Rock and begin their way back to town via several untraveled roads.   Neither wanted to run into Red or the Trentons.  And for sure Bobie did not want to run into the Windego, it was real.   How was she going to tell Sky and Belle of this turn of events?  Her mind was going a mile a minute as they traveled the dusty roads.
 

When the two women entered the house both looked for signs of Belle, the woman was no where to be found.   Sky walked to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee, then returned to the front room to find Bobie on the phone.

"Hello, I need to speak to Belle Gardner.  Is she busy?"  Bobie looked anxious and was tapping the heel of her right boot as she waited to hear Belle’s cheerful voice, instead she was greeted with,  "Not here."

Sky tapped her on the shoulder raised an eyebrow and mouthed the words,  "Where is she?"

Smiling, Bobie blew a kiss toward the woman then asked,  "Do you know where she is?"

"Went out of town, said it was on something important and hasn’t returned, might check her home, she might be there."

"Thanks I will."   Hanging up the phone, Bobie turned to the woman.  "Sky, it has been a long day, a dreadful one at that.  Before we head to the shower, I need to talk to you."

Shy reached out and grasped Bobie’s left hand.  "Let’s go set on the divan.  Coffee will be ready soon if you want some."

As the two sit, Bobie heaved a sigh before turning to gaze into the concerned face of her friend.  "It will take something a lot stronger than coffee to ease me this night."

"Fraid of that.  I knew something was wrong when I got back.  Tell me, did Trenton come back or was it Red?"

"Neither."  Taking a deep breath Bobie asked,  "You recall the talk about the Windego?"

Sky nodded as a look of concern swept over her.  "Yes.  Some say it is real while others say it is a myth.  Did you see something that looked like it?  I can tell you are fighting a battle within, hand is moist."

Trying to smile but failing, Bobie uttered,  "Not something like it but the creature."

Sky gritted her teeth for a moment then sat back, cocked her head to the left and said,  "Are you sure it wasn’t a horse or cow or some other animal?  I mean it was night."

"No other animal it was the thing."

"All right, tell me what you saw?"  Sky had released the woman’s hand and was watching as Bobie’s fingers began to nervously  fiddle with each other.

Bobie stood and began to pace the floor.  "You mention I look disheveled, well there is a reason  . . ."
 
 

When the woman had finished telling her story, Sky drew her lips together, and in a pensive mood she finally replied,  "That is a lot to take in.  I mean, I never saw this creature, I never saw the woman you speak of either.  And why in God’s name did you go out in the first place?  I mean, stay  put means stay put.  Are you sure this wasn’t some bad dream?  The area the things that have happened, a person could surely dream of something like this."

"It wasn’t a dream, wish it had been.  I was worried, you left and I thought this thing had  you cornered."

"Something that large, and frightening is not something a person runs into every day.  I am proud of you to have stood up to this darling but shaken to the core that it could have killed you.  Why in the world did you face it?"

"My father once told me that the only way to get over fear was to face it.  Until this thing, I was pretty secure in doing just that."

"He sounds like quite a man.  Still, some things are better left and not faced.  I thought when I   returned, you were sound asleep.  Is it possible something like this occurred while asleep?  Seems to me that sleeping would be the last thing on a person’s mind.  If it indeed happened."

"If you recall, I wasn’t asleep."  Bobie looked shaken, more from Sky’s question than anything else.  "Had laid down finally after keeping watch for a long time,even placed a few loose rocks down the path.  I mean, at least I would have heard it."

"Sky ran her tongue along the inside of her cheeks before muttering,  "Noticed a few loose rocks, but I had taken a different route.  Pretty sharp of you Parker.  This is a hard thing to digest.  I see the fear in your eyes, the color and moistness of your skin and I know that something indeed did happen."

Bobie turned to look at the woman before saying,  "Something did.  This thing is as big if not bigger than the stories.  I will sketch you a picture.  People should be warned but this would set off a panic that might cause more problems.  I do wonder just what it was doing in that area."

Standing, Sky reached out to embrace the woman.  "Love, promise me you will never do anything like that again?  I would die if something happened to you.  They say, things always look better in the morning.  Anyway daylight may bring a different thought in regard to this creature and your night excursion."

Bobie snuggled close, hoping to shut the encounter out of her mind at least for awhile.  "You are wonderful Sky, I was so afraid something was going to happen to you . . . "

"Shh . . . it is all right, just promise me never to do anything like that again?"

Bobie nodded, felt her body relax in Skylar’s embrace.  "When I am with you, I’m home."

Sky smiled, closed her eyes and whispered,   "Things will be all right, we are nearing the end of this mystery."

"This mystery seems to have many roots, each going in new directions.  I could stay like this forever, here with you."

"Me too, with you.  I think we need to find out just what is feeding these roots and put a stop to it."

"Good idea, but for now can we just stay like this?"

"As long as you wish."   Sky was content to hold the woman close, to know that somehow, someway she had defeated the dark side and was back in her arms.  A place she hoped to keep Bobie Parker for eternity.

 It had been a long day, many things happening, both women were exhausted, and happy to be away from that area but both knew they would be back.  Neither  knowing exactly, what would be facing them but both ready to face it together.

Continued in Part 19