2. Chapter One

Chapter One

A month and a half later…

Emm

I rubbed my right eye as it did that funny twitch when I've been awake for too long. I slapped my hand on the wheel and wiggled my hips to bring the blood flow back to my butt. If the numbness wore off, then the pain in my lower back would come back and would help me stay awake.

Not that I should have trouble staying awake, as it was broad daylight. But I've been driving for days, and I haven't had over four hours of sleep at a time.

A week ago, I got on the dark web and hunted through the hundreds of bounties for my next target. I knew I had to be smart about it. I needed a load of cash, and the smaller jobs wouldn't do. It would take longer, but the payoff would be big.

The problem was that it was a bigger risk, but it was a risk I was ready to take. My experience was better than most. I'd never been caught, not ever left a trail and I wouldn't start now. I scrolled through the listings one night as I hunted for the perfect job, and it popped up, practically highlighted on the screen.

No picture, just a name, a few details about them and a chunk of change beside it. There were big, bold letters struck out as well that would further complicate things.

Locate target. Wanted Alive.

There was no picture, plus a live capture wasn't easy. I could request a few extra zeros once he's captured if they wanted him alive so badly.

I didn't care if the target was dangerous, unhinged or that I may very well lose my life for his capture. I needed that money.

I pulled the energy drink from the cup holder, took the reusable straw and sucked in a large gulp of the now-flattened carbonated drink. I slapped my lips together, my brows furrowing.

Ugh, hours old .

Coffee was my go-to. A good Columbian roast reminded me of my abuela and my younger years, but the gas station I visited had mud water coming out of the dispenser. And, I wasn't about to drink…mud.

Hours ago, I stepped into that gas station with aching muscles and cracking bones. The air was heavy with the scent of gasoline and behind the counter stood a man who looked like he was from India. His wary eyes scanning me as I inspected his coffee machine. I crinkled my nose in disdain at the sight of coffee grounds lingering at the bottom of a cup; a blasphemy to the coffee gods.

"Anything else I can help you with?" he said with a thick accent.

I had gazed around the counter, looking for some old-school maps for the back roads I was taking. The cell service was patchy around here and I was sick of getting turned around.

"Yeah, I'm looking for Forest Falls, it's a small town—"

The man pushed back from the counter and shook his head. "You don't want to go there."

I curled my nose up, snatched my energy drink and dropped a five on the counter. Typical reaction for any of these tiny little gas stations and an unknown customer waltzing up in here.

Well, tough cookies, mate. All my research to find this guy was leading to this small podunk town in the upper north-west and I wasn't going to give up the price on his head. I never did—I was good at what I did.

"Well, I'm going." I opened the can and took a sip. "With or without your help, but it would be a hell of a lot easier if you just told me."

The man's eyes narrowed as he watched me defiantly take a sip of the energy drink. "Fine, it is your funeral."

He gave me directions, and at first, I didn't know if he was leading me on a wild goose chase or not. I didn't have a choice though, and if he was wrong, I could come back here and kick his ass. At least his gas station was on this map.

Why the hell would they not put this freaking town on a map, anyway?

The man's eyes darkened, a shadow passing over his face. "Before you go," he began in a low voice, "let me tell you something about Forest Falls: it's not a place for outsiders. They say beasts roam the woods and convicts run the town. Bad things happen there, and it's best a woman like you steer clear. Once people go to that town, they either never leave, or run out screaming." His words were full of warning, but it didn't deter me.

I fluttered my lashes and put my hand over my hip, brushing the Glock on my side. The cashier looked down and cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry, a woman like me?" I mocked.

If only he knew what kind of life I'd been through, he'd know a town full of urban legends was the least of my worries.

"Thanks for the warning, but I can handle myself," I replied, turning to leave. As I reached the door, his voice stopped me in my tracks.

"There's a darkness in those woods; a darkness that devours all who dare to enter. You may find more than you bargained for in Forest Falls."

Ignoring his ominous and cliched words, I stepped out into the blinding sunlight and walked back to my car.

Whenever my phone caught a signal, I tried to search for Forest Falls again.

Nothing.

The only thing that came up was people claiming, on a popular forum, that they had been to this town accidentally, passing through for gas or a place to eat. They were unable to get a strong signal with their carriers, and encountered rowdy bikers who chased them out when they overstayed their welcome. The townspeople who lived there didn't show any concern when the bikers chased them out.

‘It was strange. I almost felt the heaviness of something dark there, ' one person had written.

I scoffed and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. It was just a town, probably full of doomsday preppers that wanted to have an off-grid community. It was a perfect place for someone to hide: criminals, runaways and any other people who wanted to stay hidden.

Well, it wouldn't stay hidden for long. This hunt had consumed me. This would give me a break, a chance to relax, but right now, it was driving me to the edge of exhaustion, and I pushed forward with a determination that bordered on obsession. I had to find this guy, and if my suspicions were correct, he would be there.

Who knows, maybe I'll hit a jackpot and find more bounties on the dark web, and bring them all in. Then, I'd be really set.

As the small town came into view on the horizon, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. It wasn't small, it was of average size. How the hell is this town not on a map? Not on Wikipedia or Google, or some shit?

One hand hung on the wheel, the other hung out the window to feel the cool breeze. The sun dipped behind the rolling hills, filled with tall trees. You could smell the fog coming in. The sun cast long shadows that seemed to dance and taunt me as I navigated the winding roads leading into Forest Falls. The town appeared quaint and peaceful at first glance, with charming houses, before I rolled onto the main street lined with old-fashioned shops—the older part of the town. But, as I drove deeper into the heart of the town, an oppressive atmosphere descended like a suffocating shroud.

It sat on my chest, like it was warding me away.

The streets were eerily quiet now that the sun had fully set. The street lights were lit, but not one person walked up and down the sidewalk. The restaurants were closed, and the corner liquor store didn't even have a light on inside.

I stopped in front of the two-story motel connected to the other shops on the street. No Vacancy it read, not that I was going to stay there anyway. I traveled with Marlow, my black truck and trusted fifth-wheel RV, that I've had in my possession for more than a decade and a half.

I continued to creep down the street, the lights now brighter the further I went, and took a right at the stoplight that was blinking red like it should in the middle of the night. It appeared to be a bar; bikes lined up and down the street, and loud music played. I could feel its vibration through the windows. It shook Marlow violently, feeling the bass from the outside.

Four bikers wearing vests, which sported their club logo on the right breast, were holding beers and watching me intently from outside the bar. Their gazes never wavered, while they watched as I continued on past.

I huffed, tapping my fingers on the wheel, and shook my head. It was just a town and the happenin' place to go was a bar; a biker bar. That's all this was.

I cocked my head to read the signs on the road. During my travels I learned to spot RV parks, and if this town wasn't into having visitors, I doubted they had one - or a campground - if they believed beasts roamed in the woods.

Looks like we are going off-roading.

Into the woods that the Indian man told me not to venture into. Ha! Look at me now. I'm gonna go spend the night in it. Because I'm a cheap ass.

Once I found trees spaced far enough apart, just outside of the town, I took a deep breath and began maneuvering Marlow off the main road, and onto the rugged terrain of the forest. The wheels of the RV jostled and bounced over rocks and fallen branches, causing me to grip the wheel tightly, as I navigated the unfamiliar landscape. The moonlight filtered through the thick canopy of trees, casting long shadows that seemed to reach out towards me like ghostly fingers.

Okay, maybe a little creepy.

As I finally found a clearing large enough to park, I shut off the engine and stepped outside, inhaling the crisp scent of pine and earth. The silence of the woods was deafening, broken only by the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. I set about unhitching the truck; my movements quick and efficient. I'm not stupid. I may not believe in beasts and monsters in the forest, but I believe in wild animals.

My fingers brushed over the Glock on my hip when I stood from unhitching the RV. I inspected the clearing, trying to imagine how I was going to set out my space. I knew hunting this guy down would not be quick and easy. He obviously wanted to be hidden, so, I'd be here for the long haul, which meant getting involved with the locals and becoming their friend.

Ugh, friends. That means talking to people. Gross.

I grabbed the machete from its sheath in the bed of Marlow, which was tucked neatly away. I then began hacking away the branches, from my traveling home, to make space. As I rounded the truck, cutting one large branch, I noticed the moonlight reflecting over water.

It caught my eye more than it normally would. I've never been into nature; I've never had time to sit down and partake in what it offers. I'm about survival, taking care of me and what was left of mi familia.

I pushed away the brush, and stepped out into the clearing to gaze upon the large lake. How I didn't see it before when I came barreling into the woods was idiotic of me. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings at all.

The lake was so clean, so pure, untouched and unsoiled by humans. And I had driven my truck and RV right into the middle of this peaceful spot, which had been the sanctuary of all the animals.

I groaned, threw the machete to the ground and sat at the water's edge.

For the first time in a long while, I just sat. Listening to the sounds of nature, which was now very little since I came barreling in here. It was—peaceful. I think the moon was part of it, dancing on my skin, not knowing who I was or what I've done.

It almost made me feel like an angel myself.

I was far from that!

The moon did not know how much blood was on my hands, and how much more bloody they were about to become.