Caldera Book 1 by Heath Stallcup

Author:Heath Stallcup [Stallcup, Heath]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DevilDogPress

“If that didn’t sound human, what do you think it was?” Bill asked as he dug through his duffle bag for his high-powered lamp.

“I have no earthly idea,” Richard answered quietly. “I’ve been coming to these woods for years, and I’ve never heard anything that sounded like that.” His eyes scanned the area around the campsite trying to pinpoint the location of the scream.

“Surely it was some kind of animal,” Bill asked hopefully. “Maybe a cat of some kind?”

“No cat I’ve ever heard sounded like that.” Richard shook his head. “Even if it smoked three packs a day.”

“Okay. So what’s the game plan?”

Richard shrugged. “I don’t know.” He tossed another chunk of wood onto the fire and ignored the sparks that rose into the air as the wood crackled higher with renewed life. “Even if that was some kind of wildlife, I can’t see them coming this close with all the noise going on over that hill.” He indicated the concert that still sounded to be going full tilt.

“So, what’s your gut tell you?” Bill was a firm believer in gut feelings. His hadn’t failed him in nearly three decades, and he doubted they would fail now. But this wasn’t his gut he was counting on.

Richard continued to stare into the gloom, his eyes narrowing as he tried to read the darkness. He didn’t speak as he tried to get a feel for the woods around them. Bill sat patiently and watched Richard as stared into the surrounding woods and slowly turned his gaze toward the campsites around them. “Something isn’t right,” he said softly.

Bill cocked his head to try to listen. He closed his eyes and tried to shut out the noise of the concert as it thumped and screeched over the hill, but he couldn’t isolate it. He grunted in frustration and opened his eyes. “Is your gut telling you that?”

“There’s no noise out there.” Richard stood and stepped in front of the fire, putting the light of it behind him.

Bill stepped beside him and stared out at the other campsites. “There’s plenty of noise, pal. I can barely think for it.” He chuckled nervously. Bill’s hand automatically went to his side, and he suddenly felt very naked without his sidearm strapped to his waist.

“I don’t mean the music,” Richard’s eyes narrowed and continued to stare. “I’m meaning the other campers. The wildlife that would ignore the concert and close in on the area at dark.”

“I’m not following you.”

Richard turned to him and opened his mouth to explain when another scream shattered the night, sending goosebumps up both men’s arms and the hair on the back of their neck standing on end. Richard turned back to stare into the blackness and saw a figure running along the edge of the woods, ducking and weaving through the brush. “There!” he whispered loudly. “Do you see that?”

“Yeah, but who’s he running from?” Bill asked.

“Not from…” Richard replied, “…but chasing.” He extended his arm in front of the figure, and Bill

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