A Key of Blood

Chapter 4

Gatefall Hollow

February 2019

It has been ten years, he had never thought that he would be coming back to this town which he had left behind. Whatever happened is in the past, he had dealt with it painfully for months after he was dragged away by his parents. All connection to the town he had stayed during his youth was severe, so it makes him wonder, even doubted whether he should go back.

After struggling between choices, here he was on the way back to Gatefall Hollow. He was sitting in the passenger seat while his partner was driving the brown sedan.

"So, this town is where you used to live, correct?"

"Uh-huh... Helena, why are you staring at me?" 

Teresa was a writer, she had published a few novels and was on the verge of creating a new yet exciting horror story. The blond woman was in her late 20's, just a few years older than Daniel. He had met her when he was an intern at a news firm, picking up odd jobs back then.

Now he had a stable pay with a job he liked, it took him quite some time and it kind of surprise him to be interested in the line of work. Currently he works as a private investigator, he had taken an interest in solving puzzles. He had quite the success in most of the cases he's taken, he's dealt with even murder cases.

Currently he was hired by Teresa, at a friendly price, to help decipher the history of Gatefall, it was said that something tragic and dark had happened in the olden days. That was what Serena had told him, he accepted the job with a private reason. 

He would use this chance to discover what had happened ten years ago that night, why was he forced to leave, and why didn't his parents tell him the reason. Something was being hidden from him, hopefully he would still find the friends he had left behind at the town.

"Watch out!" Daniel almost screamed, in a blurry moment, the vehicle came to a halt.

"What just happened?" 

Indeed what just happened, Daniel thought himself, out of the blue he had saw a something charging its way across the forest, and their vehicle was in its path. Fur, the creature was furry. Apparently Helena had not seen it as it was coming from the passenger's side of the vehicle, but no one was to blame. The road itself was small and surrounded by the forest, as soon as you open the door, you can already almost get into the forest, only a couple steps away.

She exited the car when she regained from the shock of hitting something, when she saw what had happened to the front of her car, she gasped.

Within moments Daniel was by her side, staring at the wreckage. The engine compartment was dented in, there wasn't a chance of using the car anymore. Whatever hit the car was certainly big and strong, and most probably dangerous. 

"I think we should get back inside and call the local police force, whatever you hit, it might be coming back if it isn't dead."

As soon as they got back into the vehicle, they were wary of the forest. Daniel dialed the number, he had all the necessary numbers of the town before the trip began. The local police informed that they'll be on their way, a tow truck will be arrive first.

As they were waiting, Daniel felt as if he was being watched. He scan the forest as best he could but nothing was in sight, he gave up when he saw the tow truck arrive.

"Well that was fast." Helena commented, she exited the car to greet the man.

"Did quite a damage to it, what  did you hit?" The man asked as he examine the wreckage, Helena gaze into the woods and said.

"Probably a bear, I mean only something big can cause such a damage and the only animal that I can think of that is big enough is a bear."

"True that," The man began the procedure to tow the vehicle. "The name's Billy, you folks going to Gatefall?"

Daniel nods, he explained that they were going for a trip and that Teresa was a writer who was seeking inspirations.

"I see, well you've came to the right place, there are a bunch of stories in Gatefall, not for those with weak-heart though." 

"Daniel here is from the town ten years ago, perhaps you might know him?"

"Don't think so, came here around eight years ago. There are quite the changes with the town, not as beautiful as it used to be." 

The police arrived in the midst of their conversation, a policewoman and a policeman approached them. They began asking questions about the incident, halfway through Daniel began to doubt, but his instinct tells him its them.

"Serena? Sean?" Both the police exchanged curious looks with each other before staring at him.

"And you are?" Serena asked.

She doesn't recognize me, he thought, what about Sean?

"It's me, Daniel." A flash of recognition was shown on Sean's face, he moved forward and hugged him.

Serena on the other hand, appears shocked to say anything, she merely stood still. Teresa made a fake cough to get Daniel's attention.

"Ah right, this is Serena Donovan and Sean Fortin, my best friend when I was younger and this is Teresa Lopez, a writer." He paused momentarily before he continue.

"So how are you guys? Who knew that both of you would be cops, especially you Sean."

"You're back," Serena punched Daniel on the shoulder before she started crumbling and crying. "It took you long enough."

"I never remembered her to be so emotional." Sean all but shrugged and he was smiling.

"Now let's get this problem settled so we can make up for those years that we lost." 

It was a good start, but what comes next? Daniel ponder at the question. Who would have knew that they would be destined to meet again, and at such a awkward situation. He was surprised though, that both of his childhood friends worked together and had grown up so differently. He did felt as if he didn't know them that well anymore, well he would get his answer soon.