The Woods

Three friends enter the woods. Two come out.

The Woods

Julie could hardly catch her breath as she darted beneath branches and brushed aside foliage. Lacey was out front leading the way and never turned back to see if anyone was behind her. Where was Lacey going? Both had observed the impossible that night, and it caused them to leave one of their close friends behind. Julie knew they couldn't just leave her, but also knew there was nothing neither could do to help her.


"Lacey, slow down! Where are you going?" Julie shouted as ground cover crunched beneath her feet.


For the first time, Lacey turned back, but kept running. "I have to find something thick."


Something thick. What the hell was she talking about. She continued following Lacey until they exited the woods, then she watched Lacey turn toward the rear of a lumber yard. Julie didn't understand, but followed her.


Then Lacey dove into a dumpster of scrap wood, tossing aside the large slabs, but scrutinizing the slimmer posts. It didn't take long before she found a long slender piece with a blunt edge. She hopped from the dumpster, kneeled down, then pulled a large knife from her jacket.


"What the hell are you doing?" Julie asked. Lacey remained silent. Instead, she whacked away at the blunt end of wood, turning it slowly as if trying to create a point.


Julie's breathing had returned to normal when Lacey popped up. "There. Now we can go back and take care of Katie."


Julie couldn't believe what Lacey had created. "What is that supposed to be?" she asked knowing full well what it was.


"A stake! What do you think. We have to go back and kill Katie before she rises. I told both of you these woods are dangerous. Now you know why. Vampires live in them!"