Dark Spirits of the Forest by Michael Weinberger

Author:Michael Weinberger [Weinberger, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Purple Mountain Publishing
Published: 2019-05-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“Not that we don’t appreciate the company,” Ursula said conversationally, “but you really didn’t have to come.”

Cottonwood made a show of taking in a deep breath of the misty morning air and then let it out with a contented sigh, “It is a spectacular morning for a walk in the woods, wouldn’t you say?”

Ursula smiled as she gave the elderly man her hand while he negotiated a fallen oak tree, “It certainly is at that.”

“Besides, I do feel that the tribe should be involved in this in some way,” he explained.

“Why? Is the tribe responsible for them?”

“I don’t know,” Cottonwood shook his head, “but because this creature, or creatures, come from our mythology, I feel as though we have at least a responsibility to know… something?”

Jett called unseen from the trees ahead, “You guys see anything back there?”

“No,” Ursula called back.

“You sure about that?”

“Yes, why?”

“Are you completely sure?”

“Why?!”

“Well, it’s just you are taking so long to move that I thought you must have found something really interesting and are taking your time to study it in detail!”

Ursula rolled her eyes at Jett’s disembodied voice as it echoed through the forest.

“In fact,” Jett continued, “if you guys have stopped for coffee without me, then I’m going to be seriously pissed!”

“How could we stop for coffee, stupid? You have the Thermos.”

Silence reigned for a moment as Ursula looked smugly in Jett’s general direction, and Cottonwood shifted awkwardly from foot to foot as he suppressed a smile and waited for Jett to answer.

When Jett replied his voice was sounded as if he realized his mistake, and was awkwardly trying to respond with a clever comeback, “Yeah? Well… That… That means I’m taking a coffee break right now, and without you two!”

Cottonwood covered his laugh with a cough and Ursula smile widened ever further, “No, you’re not.”

“Damn it!” Jett shouted, but there was a laugh in the back of his curse.

“And you know all this shouting makes you the worst hunter in the history of mankind, right?” she teased.

“…I am employing a strategic technique to draw in our targets.”

“Will you stop shouting if I said we would be right there?”

“Fine!” Jett shouted even louder and Ursula couldn’t help but laugh, even as she helped Cottonwood along the way.

Cottonwood accepted the help, then released Ursula’s arm as his feet came back on the relatively level ground of the game trail they were following.

“So,” Cottonwood began awkwardly, “may I ask you an uncomfortable question?”

Ursula turned, giving the old man an uneasy smile as they continued to walk, “If I can ask one in return.” Cottonwood chuckled and nodded his agreement. Ursula returned the nod and said, “Go ahead.”

“Back at the Casino…” Cottonwood searched his thoughts in order to put his words into proper place, “You came across as more than you appear. May I ask if my impression was correct?”

Ursula nodded, “You’re right.”

Cottonwood walked several steps in silence, as if waiting for Ursula to continue, but quickly realized that no further explanations were coming, “Care

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