Edge Of Innocence

Chapter 7 (The Turning Point)

Lucas froze, his breath catching in his chest as the ranger’s voice broke the stillness of the forest. The man stood a few paces away, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Lucas in the dim light.

“What are you doing here at this time?” the ranger asked, his voice firm and direct.

Lucas felt his pulse quicken, his mind working overtime to come up with a plausible explanation. He needed to tread carefully. Think fast, Lucas. Think smart, he told himself. With a forced nervous chuckle, he gestured to the forest floor.

“I… I lost my phone here yesterday,” he stammered. “Thought I’d come back and look for it.”

The ranger raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Strange place to lose a phone,” he said, his voice edged with suspicion. His gaze shifted to a dark stain on the ground. “And what about that? Looks like blood. Care to explain?”

Lucas’s thoughts raced. He needed to deflect the ranger’s focus and fast. Adopting a sheepish look, he said, “It’s, uh… deer blood. I hunt sometimes. Just a hobby, but I know it’s illegal, so I didn’t want to make a fuss about it.”

The ranger’s expression darkened, and he took a step closer. “Hunting is illegal here! Do you even know what you’re admitting to?”

Lucas flinched but quickly regained his composure. “I know, I know,” he said hurriedly. “I shouldn’t have done it. But listen… maybe we can work something out.”

The ranger’s sharp gaze didn’t waver. “Work something out? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lucas reached into his pocket and pulled out the cash he had—just a modest amount. He held it out, his hand trembling slightly.

“This is all I have right now,” he said. “Take it, and I’ll bring you more tomorrow. Just tell me where to meet you.”

The ranger eyed the money, unimpressed. “This won’t cut it,” he said. “And why should I trust you? I don’t even know who you are.”

Lucas’s stomach sank. He had hoped to avoid revealing too much, but the ranger wasn’t backing down. The man’s voice turned cold.

“If you’re serious about coming back tomorrow, prove it. Show me some ID or tell me where I can find you. Otherwise, I’m calling this in.”

Lucas hesitated, his mind racing. This is a risk, he thought, but I don’t have a choice. The darkness was closing in, and the forest felt more menacing with every passing second.

With a reluctant sigh, Lucas fished out his wallet and flashed his ID briefly, careful not to let the ranger study it for too long. “There. Satisfied?” he asked, his voice tight with unease.

The ranger studied him for a moment longer before nodding. “Fine. Meet me tomorrow evening near the ranger’s office. Don’t make me come looking for you.”

Lucas nodded quickly, relief mingling with dread. “I’ll be there. You have my word.”

The ranger gave him a final, scrutinizing look before stepping back into the shadows.

As Lucas hurried back home, the forest seemed darker than ever. The faint light of the moon barely penetrated the thick canopy overhead, and every sound—the snap of a twig, the rustle of leaves—sent shivers down his spine. His breathing was shallow, his steps uneven, but he didn’t dare slow down.

By the time he reached the edge of the forest, his shirt clung to his back, damp with sweat. He slipped into his house and locked the door behind him, leaning against it as he exhaled deeply.

The clock ticked past 6:45 p.m, the moonlight casting eerie shadows across the room. He sipped his coffee slowly, trying to piece together a plan. The ranger’s office, deep in the forest, would offer some privacy for their next meeting, but it also posed significant risks. Lucas knew he had to tread carefully.