Becoming Darkness

Peeping Ned

Ned was anxious to complete his end of the bargain with Manitou and get as far from this place as possible. In his wildest dreams he'd never imagined he made a pact with a monster. The unearthly voice had made his next task clear: retrieve an artifact in the girl's possession.

After a troubled sleep, Ned took a leisurely hot shower at the campground and then made his way to the resort where the family was staying. He didn't hold much hope at finding the cottage empty, but when he saw only a single car in the driveway, he thought perhaps some luck had come his way after all.

The back of the cabin was still and he peeked into the bedroom windows, seeing no one. He stole along the side, checking the kitchen on his way to the deck. The sliding glass door would be the easiest place to break in. Ned patted his pocket, feeling the screw driver inside. All he had to do was lever the door up and out of its track and he'd be—

Frick. Ned swore silently in his head. The TV was on. Crouching low, Ned peered through the glass. Two twenty-something guys occupied the room, eyes glued to whatever program they had on. Double frick. Tangling with two guys their size would certainly be a mistake and botch his mission.

Climbing onto the dirt bike, Ned headed back to the lake, considering another try in the middle of the night. The amount of people in the cabin seemed to make that idea even more risky. Perhaps he should have sneaked into one of the back windows when he was there.

Ned swore out loud this time, realizing that's exactly what he should have done. He'd already reached the park so he turned into the boat launch access to turn around. Spying someone on the beach, he turned off the bike to watch.

Although the figure had gray hair fastened into a pony tail, he moved like a man. Narrowing his eyes, Ned got off the bike and propped it against a tree, his attention glued to the man on the beach. He was poking along the sand, examining the embankment with great interest.

He's our enemy, Manitou's voice suddenly filled Ned's head. He must be stopped from going into the cave.

Ned slipped into the woods, following the shoreline while remaining hidden in the trees. By the time he reached the bank above the cave opening, the old man was taking stock of the loose stones and dirt that had been cleared by first Ned, and then Manitou. Selecting a thick branch, Ned moved to the edge of the woods. Dropping onto all fours, he advanced through the grass, then judged the distance to the man below.

Hefting the branch over his shoulder, Ned brought it down with as much force as he could muster in the awkward position, and cracked the guy in the head.

He couldn't contain his smile of satisfaction as the body slumped to the ground. A small portion of his frustration over failing to obtain the artifact had been alleviated.

Hurrying back to the bike, Ned sped to the cottage only to find the entire family had returned. His best bet now was to wait until dark.

Hours later, he returned. Skulking outside the structure, he was nearly caught in the wash of headlights as a vehicle pulled into the drive. Fading into the darkness, Ned watched as the girl's boyfriend hopped from the car, took a deep breath, and then knocked on the door. The room blazed to life, making it easy to watch the scene inside play out.

The exchange between the couple seemed strained at first, but then the girl's expression softened as they spoke. Her boyfriend took something from his pocket and offered it to her, but she dashed from the room. What happened next made Ned take a step forward, his eyes stretched wide. The girl returned and extended her hand toward the boy, giving him the very artifact that Ned was seeking!

The boy took the object and stuffed it into his pocket. Then he stepped close to the girl. Ned rolled his eyes. It didn't take much imagination to know what would happen next. He headed for his motorcycle so he could follow the boy when he left.

Ned was surprised when the boy stopped at the hospital in Bemidji, but having to assume the artifact was still in his pocket, Ned followed him inside. When he saw the man that the boy was visiting, Ned realized it was the old guy that he'd knocked out on the beach. Apparently the blow had been enough to take him out of commission for a while. As if predestined, Ned witnessed the boy giving the artifact to the man.

Melting into the shadows of an unoccupied room, Ned waited until visiting hours ended and the corridor grew quiet. Then he moved close to the doorway and monitored the old man's room.

It seemed an eternity passed before the room's bright light winked out and was replaced by the soft, blue glow of a television screen. Once the night nurse had made her rounds, he tiptoed down the hall. The bed in the man's room creaked and Ned paused, pressing himself to the wall. But then he heard a click and the blue glow faded and quickly disappeared.

At the edge of the doorframe, Ned strained to hear any further sound from the room while simultaneously listening for approaching footsteps. After a while, he peeked into the room. The man was turned away from the door. Crap. How could he know if the dude was sleeping or not?

Finally tired of waiting, Ned crept into the room. His enhanced eyesight allowed him to scan the table near the man's bed and see that the artifact was not sitting out. Surely they knew the value of the piece. It would be tucked away somewhere. Turning, Ned saw the closet behind the room's open door. He slipped into the space, wrinkled his nose at the accordion door and then grasped the handle, hoping it wouldn't be too loud. Holding his breath, he pulled, wincing as it released with a snap. He froze, barely breathing. The room remained still. Gently, he worked the guide through the track until the opening was large enough to reach the man's belongings.

Ned patted down the jacket and shirt on hangers, coming up empty. Then he noticed the duffel bag on the floor. Squatting awkwardly in the small space, he snaked his hand into the bag and explored the contents by feel.

He nearly missed it.

His hand was making a second pass over clothes and toiletries when he detected something heavy and unyielding wrapped in cloth.

Bingo.

The man in the bed stirred and Ned held his breath, clutching the bundle in one hand. He waited, motionless, until he heard the sound of even breathing, then slipped from the room. He hurried to the stairwell. Safely behind the door, Ned paused and pulled the cloth from the object. A smile slowly spread across his face as he took in the horns and painted scales. This was it. Manitou would be pleased.

Once he returned to the cellar, he'd collapse the tunnel as instructed. Then one more trip for supplies, set the charges, and he was on his way to vengeance.