Stuck in the Woods (Part 1)

We continued to walk back to our place unnoticed. Only when I let go of his hand did we become visible. I began to put a gallon into the bus and then I placed the other in a nearby shed. John was waiting by the bus, just like I asked. Most of his strength was gone but he still managed to have a smile on his face. We went onto the bus to have a warm cup of hot chocolate.

Ty: Here you go.

John: Thank you. How in the world did you do that?

Ty: I think we both know the answer to that.

John: Sort of.

Ty: Understandable to be a bit confused.

John: At least it was helpful.

Ty: I would never use it for harm.

John: True.

Ty: You still scared? You have no reason to be. Have I ever gave you one?

John: Yes, I am a little scared and it is not because of you.

Ty: Good to know, I do not want you to be frightened of me.

John: I will never be scared of you, I will be scared of what you are doing.

I scoot closer to him and we sit there drinking our hot chocolate in the warmth of the bus heater. Daylight was going to run out in a few hours so tomorrow I decided that we could take a walk in the woods. We finished our drinks and walked back to our home as the sun started to set. When the sun sets, the temperature drops. Tonight was not as cold as the others but it still gave you a nip.

Ty: Morning.

John: Good morning.

Ty: Still looks like your sleeping.

John: I think I am.

Ty: It is 9:30.

John: Okay, I am up.

Ty: I thought we could take a walk in the woods.

John: After some breakfast.

Ty: Here you go.

John: Thank you and when we leave pack a bag with supplies just in case.

We finished eating breakfast and packing a bag. I thought it was crazy what he was packing but I guess he has a reason. I threw the bag on my back, took his hand, and began to walk towards the woods on the other side of the pond. We walked a little bit into the woods and stopped at a clearing to look at the rapid water below. While we were looking, John tumbled forward and rolled down the hill smacking his legs and head off the ground and rocks. Then, I was push and rolled the hill. The last thing I saw before falling into the icy water was a dark figure running off. The cold water immersed my body and the rapids were winning. My mind went black and fuzzy. I woke again on a bank coughing water trying to breathe. John was next to me doing the same. His leg was bent at an unusual angel. We both were covered head to toe in bruises and it cuts.

John: I think my legs are broken but they are too numb to feel.

Ty: Let me see.

John: I have to take off my jeans.

Ty: Okay, they are probably colder than the actual weather.

John: That is correct.

He took off his jeans revealing that his legs we indeed very misshapen and discolored. I placed my hands over them and they started to get in place. His bones cracked and snapped back in place. His legs were taking a normal shape again.

John: Ty, do you know how you told not be scared? Well, now I am ten times more scared than I was before.

Ty: Me, too. Does it hurt? Can you move them?

John: It does not hurt and I can move them.

Ty: Let me help you up.

I pull him up and he could stand. His legs were still discolored though.

John: My back is on fire.

Ty: Let me see.

John: I am going to be almost naked in the woods.

Ty: It’s better than being half naked in the public and it’s only me around.

John: That is a good point.

He took off his coat and then took off his shirt. Burned into his shirt and on his back were two handprints which I cannot heal them.

Ty: Not to freak you out, but you have two burns on your back.

John: Now I am going to freak out.

Ty: I said not to.

John: Well, I do not listen. Do you have any?

Ty: I do not think so but you can check.

I removed my shirt and he found nothing. The sunlight hit me through the trees and my face began to burn. I was not wearing my necklace. Maybe I dropped it on the ground it was not there. John searched in my pockets while I was trying to hide from the sun. He found it in one of my pockets along with a small piece of paper. Quickly, I placed the necklace back on my body.

Ty: How did it get there?

John: I could not tell you. How is your face?

Ty: Burning.

I turned to him and he said that a whole side of my face was burned. Yet again, my power would not work. I read the slip of paper.

I just wanted you to match your little friend here. Burn up.

Ty: John this is when you can truly be terrified.

John: Thanks. How did he know to take off your necklace? And when did he?

Ty: Two questions I do not have an answer to.

John: We will figure it out later. Please hand me a towel in that bag?

Ty: Won't it be wet?

John: Waterproof bag.

Ty: Smart.

I handed him a towel which he wrapped around his waist and we began to walk in a direction we thought was correct. We spotted smoke up in the distance, chimney smoke.

Ty: Come on.

John: This looks dangerous.

Ty: We are freezing and this place has a fire. Take my hand, I won't let go.

John: Okay.

He took my hand and we walked up the dirt path leading to a wooden gate. The gate made a loud creaking sound as we opened it and a gray-haired lady stepped out of the front door.

Ty: Sorry to disturb you mam but we seem to be stuck out here.

Grim: Dearie call me Grim. You two look freezing come on in.

Ty: Thank you Grim. I am Ty and this is John.

Grim: That is a gorgeous necklace you have.

Ty: Yes it is. A wonderful gift given to me from him.

John shot me a look to which I replied with a hand squeeze. We were led inside cabin. On the outside, it was small but on the inside it was a bit bigger.

Grim: His legs were broken.

Ty: How did you know?

Grim: Just look. You fixed it, right?

Ty: Yeah. I think we might need to go.

Grim: I think not, you need my help.

Ty: How?

Grim: He has two handprints on his back, they will not heal on their own.

Ty: I'm listening.

Grim: You might want to take a seat.

We took a seat by the fire. Me and John on one side and Grim on the other.

Grim: You were bitten five years ago but only turned recently.

Ty: You have me captivated.

Grim: It was my grandson. I always taught him not to bite but if he did to catch his prey. Sorry about that.

Ty: Are you a vampire?

Grim: No my daughter-in-law is. I am a witch and so is my son. That is how Melvin got so strong. He came to me five years ago saying he bit a little child. We had to lock him up because of that.

Ty: How does any of this help him?

Grim: Give me a second. Since you are like this, someone has marked you. The mark will not work on a vampire so they mark the nearest thing which so happened to be John. This mark is nearly impossible to get off, I would know Melvin was marked. Yes, I did say vampires were not allowed to be marked but he was only half. They marked one hand. I tried everything to get it off and finally I found something. A spell you could say. Without removing it, they can track you and kill you.

Ty: Who is they?

Grim: I cannot say. Do you want it gone?

Ty: Yeah.

Grim: It is extremely painful. Almost killed the last person. Feels like someone is burning off your skin.

John: J . . . just do it. I okay it. We need to be protected.

Grim: I have to get prepared, give me an hour.

Ty: Thank you.

Grim went off to get ready and John just sat there in silence. I cannot believe any of this is happening.

Ty: This is my fault, sorry.

John: No it’s not your fault. You did not choose for this to happen.

Ty: Just don't die on me.

John: I will try not to.

I kissed him and we just waited by the fire. Grim came back with a bunch of items. Including various bottles of liquid, a few towels, some duct tape, and some herbs.

Grim: Sorry to do this but you have to put this in your mouth.

John: I understand why. Ty will you do it.

We went to a different room where I gave him another kiss and put the towel in his mouth and tied it at the back of his head. Grim watched us carefully almost creepy in a way. He laid down flat on a metal table. Under the table was a few drains so that worried me. She handed me gloves and started to tape around the handprints.

Grim: We need to stop everything from going onto his actual skin. Those hand prints are no longer skin.

Ty: I guess that is a good idea.

Grim: We need to weaken it with an acid.

Ty: Acid?

Grim: Yes. Again I am so sorry.

She began to rub the acid on the handprints. John began to move around and scream from the pain.

Grim: Tie him down.

Ty: I can't watch this.

Grim: You did this to him.

I hesitantly tied him down as she continued to put things on him. His body shook with everything she put on. It did not seem like this was helping at all.

Grim: There, I'm done.

Ty: Is he alright?

Grim: Should be. Can I see your necklace?

Ty: You can see it right here. I will not take it off.

She tried to rip it off my neck after I told her that. I no longer wanted to be in this place, it feels like something is off. I scoop up his unconscious body and try to walk out. Ever since everything started, I was able to have better strength.

Grim: Where do you think you are going?

Ty: Home. This place feels unwelcoming.

Grim: Please do stay.

Ty: Sorry but I have to leave.

Grim: After I have helped you.

Ty: Thank you.

I tried to leave but she grabbed my arm. Her grip was tighter than it should be for her age. She was whispering something. Quickly, I spun around taking her arm off me and snapped my fingers. The old woman turned into a pile of dust before my eyes. I ran out of there, I was frightened by what I just did. I ran until I could not run anymore and collapsed next to a tree stump along the rapid water. My entire body was shaking and tears were streaming down my face as I just realized what I did.

John: You had to.

Ty: Did you see?

John: Yeah, I did.

Ty: I did not mean to.

John: You did what you had to do.

Ty: Okay, sorry about what she did to you. She said it was all my fault. We should really wrap it up.

John: I do not want you believing it is you fault and yes I would love for this to be wrapped up. You cannot wrap it up if your hands are shaking this bad. You had to do it she was going to kill us or trap us.

He took both of my hands in his own and tried to calm me down. I just killed someone so I would imagine that it is not the easiest to calm me down. It did take a while but he manage to help me. I took the tape off his back and wrapped it up in a lot of gauze. We decided to not sleep tonight and just walk along the water. Things were moving around in the darkness. We walked close together because it was cold out and we both were missing clothing. By daylight, we still did not reach home and we had no clue where home is.

John: Can we take a break? My back is aching.

Ty: Not a problem, there is a rock over there.

John: Thanks.

We walk over and sat on the cold, gray rock. There were bits of ice where the water splashed up. Both of us barely fit on this rock. His back was covered in white gauze turning pink as the blood was seeping through. Dried blood was sticking out at the bottom of his back. There is miles of woods ahead of us. I wonder how far the rapids carried us.