From the road the woods looked thick and black. Evil in a way that only the imagination could understand. Roland looked at it and felt a distinct urge to turn and walk away. To leave the secrets undisturbed. If it hadn’t been for Kylie they probably would’ve. Garrett was silently praying that they wouldn’t have to split up.
Somehow he didn’t think he could face it alone, after what he’d read about the victims, mutilated, decapitated. He shuddered pushing back the fear. “ Are we going to split up?” He asked, trying to keep his voice steady. “ If we go in pairs we’d cover more ground.” Only Roland would say that. “ Fine, Me and you will go that way, Kylie and Eddy go into the woods.”
Eduardo was the first to complain. “ How come I’ve gotta go into the woods?”
“ Well, if you don’t hurry up your going to lose Kylie.” He turned to see her walking into the forest. Sucking in air he followed her, ignoring the jittery feeling in his stomach and praying for his life.
“ Where are we going?” Roland looked over at Garrett, who looked towards the beach. “ We’ve got fifteen minutes before the show begins, I suggest we get on the beach and wait for the Kentucky Derby to start.”
“ Kylie? What are we looking for in here?” She turned round to look at him. “ YOU were the one who said we had to go to the woods. So you should tell me.” A rustle in the bushes distracted them, a squirrel skittered across the track in front of them. “Great, why do I feel like any minute something’s going to come up behind me and kill me?”
“ Aww, is little Eduardo scared of the dark?”
“ Shut up.” Behind them a vaguely human form crept along, it’s skin rippling with woodland colours to blend with it’s surroundings, red eyes seared through the darkness. On it’s hands were nails as sharp as knives. Eduardo’s P.K.E. lit up. They turned, weapons drawn and pulled the triggers. Nothing happened. The animal saw that their weapons were useless and growled deep in it’s throat preparing to pounce...
Garrett and Roland could hear the pounding of the waves crashing into the sand. It was a deafening roar that filled their ears. “ Do you think Ky and Ed are okay?” Garrett looked up at his colleague and shrugged. Straining his ears he heard a dull thudding, apprehension sprinted up his spine as he realised that it was what they’d been waiting for. Out of the mist that had rolled off the sea a jet black horse rode. On it’s back the woman was upright, tall and straight. Upon seeing the two strangers she hissed. “ The Ghostbusters I presume.”
Dismounting she swept into a low curtsy. I demand of you your services. The wood dwellers have me under a curse that must be broken, once it is done than I can lay at rest in the depths, as can my horse. Please, it is they that are evil, not me.” Garrett and Roland looked at each other and back at the woman. “Please, follow me.” Taking hold of the horses reins she led them along the beach. They followed, distrust forming a cloak around them. Up ahead was the forest, where all was quiet.
Eduardo grabbed Kylie’s hand pulling her along after him as he ran. The thing followed them, roaring and growling as it came. “ WHERE ARE WE GOING?” Kylie yelled as they sprinted over fallen logs and roots. “ I DON’T KNOW, JUST KEEP RUNNING!” The trees snagged at their clothes, as though trying to pull them down. A clearing up ahead caught Kylie’s eye and they both ran towards it.
Skittering to a halt they looked over the edge of the cliff to the roaring waves below. Eduardo spun her around to face him as they heard it approaching. Kissing her full on the lips was not precisely what he had planned to do, but it was worth it. Clinging to him Kylie
forgot everything but him and made a noise of complaint as he broke away. “ I’m sorry.”
“ For kissing me?”
“ No, for this.” With a hard push he tipped her over the edge and followed her himself.
The animal looked up from it’s point over the cliff and snarled as it saw the woman.
“ It’s this that is the plague of this town, not me.”
It’s beastly jaws formed growled words. “ Quiet Countess, We have a deal, a thousand souls for your freedom.”
“ I am not yours to do as you please with.”
“ ‘Nay, but you are as evil as I.” Neither of the two ghosts saw Roland and Garrett raise their blasters. The twin screams of the spirits echoed throughout the woods. Ringing across the sea, to be cut off abruptly as the trap doors closed on them.
“ It’s their fault we came here. Their fault that Ky and Ed are...”
Roland put a comforting hand on Garrett’s shoulder.
“Come on, let’s get out of here, back to Manhattan. We’re gonna have to explain to Janine, and the
others, what happened.” With hearts that felt as though they’d been through a shredder they began to walk wearily back to the hotel.