G.I. Joe: Agent Blue Jaye and the Beasts of Lakeside

Chapter 8

Emerson Cemetery was located behind the University on top of a high pine ridge. The cemetery overlooked Lakeside Avenue, a curving road that headed north along the Salmon River, a fly fisherman's dream. A long cement walkway cut through the graveyard diagonally. Tombstones of marble, limestone, and granite flanked each side of the path, colored in earthly shades of gray, black, and red. A large, twenty-foot high granite obelisk, topped with a statue of Sam Allen, the founder of Lakeside, stood in the middle of the graveyard, marking his final resting place. The far end of the path ended in a stone stairwell which lead down and across Lakeside Avenue to the Salmon River Nature Trail.

Courtney Thomas entered the cemetery casually taking in the crisp fall afternoon. She was a junior at the University working toward a bachelors in Parks and Recreation. Creating ways for everyone to enjoy the nature of Vermont was her passion, and the University provided her the opportunity to build a career in the forests and mountains she grew up in.

As she got a quarter of the way down the path, Courtney checked her phone. I'm going to make it on time she thought, happy she decided to take the shortcut across the graveyard. Courtney was on her way to repair sections of the Nature Trail recently washed out from heavy rains. The University and the town's Parks and Recreation department maintained the trail through a series of classes, internships, and work study programs.

Courtney had always saved time by taking the shortcut through the cemetery. She enjoyed the walk and sometimes read the names and dates on various gravestones trying to image that person in the time they lived. The sun broke through a series of moving gray and white thunderheads, and started to cast shadows across the tombstones.

As she neared the giant stone monolith in the middle of the graveyard, Courtney paused and turned around. For a brief moment, she felt like someone was behind her. It wasn't uncommon for people to cut through the graveyard on their way to the nature trail. Courtney thought it might be a jogger or someone on their bike, but when she turned, no one was there.

Instinctively, Courtney picked up her pace. Even though she found a certain quaintness to the cemetery, it could still be creepy. The sounds of swift footsteps returned, this time making Courtney whip her body around defensively. Nothing but the rows of lifeless tombstones stood in front of her. Courtney stood and scanned the cemetery. She was the only one there.

Courtney turned around hastily, now fully intent on leaving the cemetery as quickly as possible when she froze in her tracks. It was unreal, but a mountain lion stood in front of her blocking her way. It was panting, and slowly exposed its full set of fangs. Courtney stood in terror as the beast cocked its head and begun to circle back around her.

Courtney kept in front of the beast, now back peddling toward the end of the path and the stairs that led down to Lakeside Avenue. If she could make it to the stairs, she might be able to signal someone driving by. Sounds of the cars traveling down Lakeside Avenue came into focus. Courtney clenched her fists, turned, and ran.

The beast squatted on all four and pounced. In one leap, it jumped, and had Courtney pinned face down on the cement path. The lion swiped across Courtney's back, tearing through her jacket and cutting into her flesh. Another swipe to her left side lifted her entire body off the ground and slammed her into a nearby tombstone. She let out a cough as her breath desperately tried to return to her lungs. Instinctually her legs snapped into survival mode and tried to stand her up. The beast returned to its pacing and let out a sharp growling roar.

Courtney's back began to burn in agony. Even though she was in a panic, her senses were on overload. She stood weak and shakily, facing the beast when it charged again. Years of running and fitness classes kicked in and Courtney rolled out of the way. The lion missed, crashing head first into a tombstone, tumbling down into a roll.

Impulse took over and Courtney began to run. The steps leading down to Lakeside Avenue were getting closer and Courtney could see the tops of the cars as she neared the stairwell. Regaining its strength, the beast bounded and took another long leap, landing on Courtney's back, slamming her into the path right before the top of the stairs. She tried to scream, but the force of the attack had again knocked the wind out of her. Courtney moaned as the lion sunk its teeth into her left calf, pulling her back into the graveyard.

In a last desperate attempt, she rolled over and punched the lion in the face as hard as she could. Landing a surprisingly effective hit, the beast let go of its grip and shook its head. There is still time, Courtney thought as the lion curled its lips like it was about to sneeze. With a sudden squirm, Courtney rolled over on her stomach and tried to get up. This time however, the big cat lashed out its jaws and caught her other calf, sinking another fang into her flesh. Courtney rolled on her back and let out an agonizing sob.

The beast unleashed two quick blows leaving longred tears across her chest and face. Thelion then swatted Courtney upward into the air sending her hurtling down thestairs. Courtney's head hit the stone steps and her body rolled to a rest in alifeless sprawl. Pacing at the top ofthe stairs, the beast turned and bounded back into cemetery, the sounds ofscreeching tires and screams fading in the distance.