Wendigo

Chapter Two

Two

It didn't take long to put up the tents. Reese and Mina worked quickly. Reese was sharing with Deke, and of course Deke disappeared into the woods for half an hour. Deke and hard work didn't go together and unloading the SUV was the most he'd probably do all week. Rose and Kaori were sharing too and were first to properly set up. Mina and Mr. Fleming were solo. The end result was five tents in a crooked circle with a fire pit in the middle. Fleming dug out the snow and piled a bunch of store-bought kindle and wood in a neat stack beside it. He had an axe in his tent in case they needed more and spent at least twenty minutes lecturing Deke and Reese on how to use it properly.

"Get my permission first," Fleming said as he looked straight at Deke. "I don't want you showing off to the girls. You'd probably end up cutting your leg off."

Fleming finally managed to light a fire that Deke probably planned to jump through once it got dark. As the tiny flames steadily grew, Fleming pulled out a bunch of portable camping chairs. There was also a picnic table that had seen better days. It was crooked and covered with ancient cobwebs. Someone had already brushed all the snow off and Deke quickly claimed it. Drinking from a bottle of blue Gatorade, he picked up a few pinecones and tossed them into the fire.

"Okay," Fleming came over, dropping the shovel under the table. "Let's head into town. Anyone not coming?"

"Me. Someone's got to keep the fire going," Deke said.

Reese moved over towards Deke and grabbed the bottle from his hand. He took a quick drink. Vodka burned his tongue.

"I knew it," he said. "How the hell did you get a stash out here? I thought Fleming checked your luggage."

"He did," Deke said. "He didn't check his own. I had some under my jacket. Snuck it into his bag when he wasn't looking. Right there with all his plaid shirts."

"Unbelievable."

"Party later on," Deke said with a big grin. "I got a few bottles cooling in the woods."

Reese looked over at Fleming who headed towards the SUV. Rose and Kaori were already inside, blasting the heater. Mina was coming out of her tent and making her way towards the others.

"Why the hell are you going to town anyway? Deke asked. "Only the girls are game. Stick around. Let's go cut down a tree or something."

"That's why I'm going," Reese said as he walked off. "Just me and the girls." He turned around and gave Deke and exaggerated bow.

"Dude, that's sick. That's your sister."

Reese laughed.

"You'll have weird bat babies or something," Deke called out after him.

Mina waited for him by the SUV. She mouthed the words 'bat babies' and raised an eyebrow. Reese grinned at her, pleased when she opened the door for him.

Inside, the SUV boiled. Reese pressed up against the window in the back seat. Mina took the passenger and Rose and Kaori squashed up next to him. Kaori had her iPhone and both girls were listening to music together. A barely audible bass beat thumped through the speakers.

"Let's get going," Fleming said. "Burning daylight. It'll be dark in an hour. That's the problem out here. Night comes fast and hard."

Rose pulled her cell phone out and pressed a few buttons. "Good God, I can't even get a signal."