Crimson Falls: A Monster In The Mist by Edward J. McFadden III

Author:Edward J. McFadden III [McFadden III, Edward J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severed Press
Published: 2022-03-01T08:00:00+00:00

16

The small parking lot behind the winter pavilion was empty save for Katelyn’s white Chevy Blazer, its NYS Park Police logo on the doors set between a thick line of blue sandwiched between fine lines of gold. The gold lines shimmered and swayed in the afternoon sun, waves of heat baking off Old Military Road, which ran in front of the pavilion, separating it from the forest that hid the reservoir.

Dirk and Katelyn got out of the truck when Alex pulled the Jeep in beside them. Bird song trilled, gulls squawked, and the rumble of the falls floated on the breeze as Alex got out of the car and grabbed his backpack.

Katelyn said, “You know Dirk, right Alex?”

Alex’s stomach turned like he’d been forced to apologize for something he didn’t do. “Sure,” he said as he thrust out a hand.

Dirk eyed Alex’s outstretched hand, a wisp of blonde hair falling over his freckled face, and as the seconds slipped away Alex thought the guy was going to leave him hanging, but disaster was averted when the power worker took his hand.

“Long time, eh?” Dirk said.

“Long time.”

There was a moment of awkward silence as the three companions shifted on their feet, looking around like they were in a foreign land. It was clear to Alex that Katelyn was in charge, and he thought she knew that, so that left Dirk.

The falls and the dam grumbled, and somewhere a dog barked. Sounded like the Innellos’ poodle Ernie. The Innellos lived four houses down from Gabe, and thoughts of his friend brought a wave of guilt. His buddy had shown him the pumphouse, and he’d cut him out. Probably for the best, but that justification didn’t make him feel better. Alex considered texting Gabe, telling his friend to put the drone up, but that would only cause trouble.

“Should we get started then?” Katelyn said.

“Sure thing,” Dirk said as he walked to the rear of the Blazer and popped open the hatchback. “Are you going to tell me what exactly you want to see in there?”

Katelyn said, “It’s kind of like pornography. I’m not certain how to define it, but I’ll know it when I see it.”

Dirk smiled a wolfish grin and said, “I love when you talk about porn. Who’s your favorite guy?”

She sighed. “I forgot I’m dealing with a child.”

Dirk pulled a large bag from the Chevy, along with a length of rope and a climbing harness which had a series of carabiners and a belay device hanging from it.

“Climbing gear?” Alex asked.

“There are steps that descend into the pump room, and there’s a ladder in the service pit that goes down to the flood tunnels, but it’s difficult to climb.” Dirk eyed Katelyn, then Alex. “So to be safe we’ll set a safety line. I’ve got no desire to haul either of your asses out of there... well, I wouldn’t mind carrying you, Kat.”

Katelyn bristled, but said nothing.

Dirk tossed an extra climbing harness to Alex, then looked at Katelyn and raised his eyebrows.

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