Into the Beyond Books 1-3

Lewis rushed to help Josie with Rebecca. They each took an arm and helped maneuver her to the nearest bunk to lie down. Rebecca was not in good shape—it looked like she’d rolled through a patch of blackberry brambles, except the cuts were deeper. Her scalp had an abrasion and was bleeding down her face and neck. Her eyes were unfocused, staring off into the distance and her expression remained blank, even as the rest of the cabin erupted in a ruckus.

“The bobcat got her…” said Steph, eyes wide with terror.

Josie knew better.

“Everyone stay back—give her some space,” said Lewis.

Channie came closer as everyone else crowded to the back of the cabin. “We need to get the hell out of this camp,” she said.

Rebecca grabbed ahold of the front of Josie’s shirt and pulled her down until they were face to face. “Flying monsters…” she rasped in a whisper. “They took me to their den and fed on my blood….” She was looking pale from more than just the cold. “I didn’t think I was going to make it back.”

Josie clasped Rebecca’s face with her hands as the girl broke down into tears. “It’s okay,” she said, “you’re back now.” Rebecca grasped onto her in a tight hug as she whimpered.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” said Lewis. “Your friend is right—we need to get off this island.”

“There’s no more ferries until morning,” said Channie.

“Then we need to be on the first one out,” said Lewis. “How far do you think the ferry dock is from here by foot?”

“By foot!?” Channie shook her head, “It’s on the other side of the island. It would take hours.”

“Then we better get moving,” said Lewis. “If we stay, we’re dead by morning.”

Rebecca sat up abruptly. If there was anyone that should have been afraid to leave the cabin it was Rebecca, but she locked her emotions back inside and climbed to her feet.

“Take it easy,” Josie warned.

Rebecca took a moment to steady herself, still leaning against the bunk. “Hungry…” she said.

Channie rushed back to her own bunk and then came back with a granola bar for Rebecca. She accepted it with gratitude and immediately shoved half of it into her face. Lewis turned away as she hurried to change out of her wet and bloodied clothing. Channie began filling a backpack with more granola bars and bottled water for the hike.

Josie took the moment to talk to Lewis. “You said you were sent to protect me?” she asked. “By who?”

Lewis grimaced. “That’s complicated,” he said. “What’s important right now is that we get you back to Edmonds safely.”

Josie had just recently moved to Edmonds, which was about a three hour car ride from the camp. The fact that Lewis apparently knew that about her only added to Josie’s wariness of him.

“Those ghasts aren’t the brightest, but they aren’t the only things out there looking for you tonight,” Lewis continued. “And make no mistake, they are here for you.” His serious tone was matched with a steely-eyed expression.

Josie’s mind flashed upon the tall figure that had been watching the cabin that morning.

“Okay, let’s go,” said Rebecca through a partially full mouth once she was done changing. She was still munching on the same bite of granola bar.

Channie joined them at the door. “Will they be alright?” she asked, talking quietly as she gestured to the rest of the girls who were still watching them with worried faces.

Lewis’s expression did not exude confidence. “They’ll be better off with us gone,” he said. Their group turned to look at the other girls, confusion and worry abound. Lewis cleared his throat. “We are going to go get help for Rebecca,” he said. “You should all stay inside for your own safely, at least until morning.” None of the other girls said anything. They all continued to stare at Lewis as if he were an alien. “Alright then.”

Lewis quickly “borrowed” a flashlight from out of a bag near him and was the first through the door, soon followed by Josie, Rebecca, and Channie.

Outside, the wind whipped at their faces, carrying with it an uncomfortable spray of fine raindrops. Lewis put his hood up while the girls wrapped their coats tightly around themselves.

The sky had become overcast, hiding the aurora borealis, but flashes of lightning popped periodically, revealing an orange hue that looked reminiscent of wildfire smoke. The glow of the atmosphere had an eerie apocalyptic look about it.

The wind and rain forced them to keep their faces aimed downward as they trudged across the camp, with the exception of Lewis, in the lead, who kept his eyes on the trees and sky despite his clear discomfort. They had to maintain a slow pace for Rebecca. Every step was a challenge for the poor girl, but she did not complain even once. They all had seen what was out there, and they all knew the stakes if they did not get as far away from the camp as possible.

By the time they reached the edge of camp, they still had not come across anyone else. The bobcat lockdown was in full effect and the hour was getting late. They continued on down the aptly named Camp Orkila Road until they came to a split.

“I don’t actually know the way to the ferry,” Lewis admitted.

Channie took over the lead. “It’s that way,” she said, “the same way they bussed us in from.”

“I didn’t arrive by bus,” said Lewis.

Channie looked at him weird, but didn’t inquire further. They continued on down Darvill Farm Road to the east, entering a clear-cut area with no trees (or cover) on either side of the road. It was easier to see that nothing was hiding off to the sides, but they were also fully exposed. After a little over a quarter mile straightaway, the road made an abrupt turn due south.

Lewis paused briefly, staring out behind them. “I think something is following us,” he said.

Josie scanned the road and sky behind them but couldn’t see anything. A knot of fear clenched her insides.

“Don’t shine your lights back,” said Lewis. “It ducked down in the ditch.” He searched the road ahead for somewhere for them to hide. “Quick, this way,” he said.

They hurried south to where a farmhouse stood near the road and ducked against the side of the structure. Everyone turned off their flashlights and waited on bated breath to see what would come around the bend in the road. The wind was still howling, covering up any sounds that may have been made by whatever was approaching.

With eyes wide and straining they watched along the bend for any sign of motion. The rain continued to beat down on them. Josie wiped her face slowly to clear her vision. She didn’t want to move too quickly, fearing that it might call attention to their group.

After several minutes passed in silence, a singular dark form shifted slowly into Josie’s line of sight. With nothing but dirt on either side of the road, it was difficult to tell how large the figure was, but Josie could tell it was walking upright on two legs. It paused upon noticing the absence of Josie’s group from their expected trajectory. The shadow remained absolutely still for what felt like forever, daring them to make the first move.

Without warning it started running with shuffling footsteps that could be heard over the wind. The footfalls slapped against the pavement as the figure continued on down the road. It wasn’t until it was directly in front of the farmhouse that Josie recognized Steph’s blonde ponytail bouncing back and forth and was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Rebecca groaned upon realizing who it was. Steph still hadn’t noticed them.

“That little…” mumbled Channie, “I’m gunna—” she didn’t finish her sentence before jumping up from their hiding place. “Roar!”

Steph fell sideways, landing on her butt in the middle of the street. She burst into tears a second later when she realized it was just Channie.

“What are you doing out here?” asked Josie.

Channie helped Steph back up to her feet. Steph wiped her tears with the back of her hand as several flashlights lit her face. She sniffled grossly as she scowled at everyone. “They killed Jerry,” she said

Channie grimaced, instantly feeling bad about scaring her.

Steph scrunched her eyebrows up angrily. “I overheard you guys talking about needing to get out of here, so I followed you. You have to tell me, what’s really out there? What killed Jerry?”

All eyes turned towards Lewis. There was no getting around explaining what he knew this time. He took a deep breath before speaking. “They’re actually what the myth of vampires came from,” he said without batting an eye. “Night Terrors, ghasts, vampires. They are flying predators with deadly claws and a thirst for blood. They see poorly but have acute hearing and hunt at night. And… apparently can sound like crying children to lure in their victims.”

“How do you know all this?” asked Steph.

“I read it in a very convincing book,” said Lewis. “We should keep moving. We’re not safe yet.”

Lewis has been taking notes from me! He tells the girls just enough to keep moving forward without drowning in the details. There weren’t so many night terrors around these woods on other attempts at this journey…. The Agares are narrowing in on our would-be heroes. They are sending through into the mortal realm a horde of nightmarish proportion. I’m not sure I will be able to withhold my manipulation for much longer with all the new pieces coming into play…. If they manage to Erase these kids from existence, it truly is a grim future for all of humanity. I wish I could have done more to prepare each of them for what is to come, but the tides of war wait for no man.

Keep vigilant,

-Mr. Gray