Strange Days: The Virus

Strat0071964

Davepyl01@gmail.com

A dense grey mist had settled over the area for days. Along with-it things that looked like floating pieces of flame, maybe bugs. Mindy Parker was uneasy these days, it seemed as if the mist had hung on for over a week.

   Before the mist had settled her husband Gerald had gone hunting with friends. They still had not made it back. Only their thirteen-year-old, Adrian, was home.

    She watched as he bounced from tree to tree like a squirrel. He’d always been rowdy, a football quarterback physique, long brown-blonde hair and almond like eyes.

   Mina was a curly headed brunette with egg size brown eyes. She had a perfect hourglass, figure with large endowments.

   The mist seemed heavy as Adrian descended from the tree, more of the fireflies clustered around him. Both he and mother had been bitten before.

   Adrian collapsed as his feet hit the ground. His body struck the dirt.   His head lifted, he saw the young lady, about his age. She drifted along like a ghost, shrouded in white. He did not understand the words coming from her.

    Then she was gone.

    All at once, all noise outside stopped. She ran out, “Adrian?” He lay flat between two dogwoods. “Adrian!” She ran to him.

   He was unconscious but breathing. No apparent injuries, just some small bite marks. She jerked when something bit her.

    Mindy carried the boy back inside and dropped him on the couch. Exhausted, she reeled back into a recliner, and everything went black.

   Hours later Mindy awakened. Adrian still lay on the couch. The doorbell rang. Anxious she hurried to answer as a voice called, “Sheriff Carter.”

   The bosomy blue-eyed sheriff nodded her head when the door opened. “Still no sign of the guys.” A tired, sad, look was on her face.

    Mindy recalled the sheriff had two boys of her own at home. “Thanks, sheriff.” Sadly she closed the door behind the officer.’

    “What do you think you’re doing?” Adrian sat up on the couch, eyeing her. “Don’t go answering the door anymore, I’ll handle it girl.” He growled, rising. “Now get lunch going.”

   “Adrian?” He seemed bigger, muscle wise. She shook, feeling intimidated by the boy, afraid. The thirteen-year-old glanced at her in a way that creeped Mindy out.

   The wound on her neck tingles, “A-Adrian,” She stammered, then stumbled.

   He moved swift to catch her. “Clumsy.”

   “Yes,” Mindy whispered. “Sorry.”

   “You call me sir,” He ordered. She tensed.

   “Yes sir, sorry, sir.”

   Adrian smiled, helped her to the kitchen, then settled her into a chair. Next, he held a doubled over belt in his hand. Promptly, Mindy started fixing lunch.

   She set out two plates, one for him and one for her. As she got lunch meat and drinks, he moved her plate to the floor. Then snapped his fingers and pointed, “There’s where you eat, girl.”

   His plate had more food on it. She settled onto her knees to eat.

    When the doorbell rang again, it was as if she awakened from an intense trance. She gasped, started to rose as she called, “Just a minute!”

   “no!” Adrian barked grabbing her long hair. He stuffed a cloth into her mouth. “I said no!”

    He twisted her long hair around a table leg, slapped her. “stay!”

   Adrian went to answer the door. “It was the sheriff again.” He frowned. “What do you want?”

   She was taken aback. “I would like to speak with your mother.”

   “No!” He growled. Then grabbed her hips, spun her around and slapped her butt. “Go home to your boys, girl!”

   There were marks on her neck. He smiled as she staggered away, confused.

   Mindy whimpered as Adrian returned, belt in hand. “I’m gonna teach you to obey me, girl.”

   He moved her across the seat of a chair. Ripped away her skirt and panties. Tore away her gag. Then raised his belt and began whipping her, As her whipped her she cried and screamed.

    “You ready to do what I say?”

    “Y-yes sir, I’ll do what you say.” She sobbed.

    “Get the laundry started, do your chores.”

   But, sir, my lunch.”

    He took the plate and dumped it into his dish, “Forget it girl, now obey.”

    “Yes sir.”

    Upstairs, Adrian found a pink bunny outfit. He recalled mom having worn it before. “Girl, come here, now!”

   She zipped to his called. “He eyed her, put this on.” He flung it to the bed.

   Mindy had to strip in front of him and put the suit on. It hugged her curves near perfect.

    Adrian smiled as she wriggled about.

   “Okay, Bunny,” Adrian said in a sharp tone. He grabbed one of the outfit’s ears and pulled her along. “Get to your chores.”

   “Yes sir,” Mindy meekly replied.

   Adrian walked to the window and stared outside, arms over his chest. He staggered back when the ghost girl appeared outside the window staring at him. She whispered. “Well done.” Then was gone again.

   In the morning, Mindy again had to wear the bunny suit, per Adrian’s orders. She entered the living room. He and his friend were there with B.B. guns and pop guns. Seeing them, she trembled and looked to her son.

   Grinning, Adrian looked to her. Mindy’s jaw dropped, eyes widened,” We’re hunting bunny rabbit.” Her son told her. “Bunny gets an hour head start.

   As she started away one of them called, “Hop, like a bunny.” They laughed as she sprang up and down in the way out the door. She dashed into the forest.

   After an hour the hunting party came out. She heard dogs barking as she moved along. How long did she have to evade them? How long could she evade them. Mindy continued darting about the brush. It sounded as if the dogs were getting closer.

   The shrubbery pulled at her bunny costume. B.B. bursts popped around her. Shrieking Mindy dashed from the bushes as the boys cheered. Howling dogs pursued her.

   Pellets zapped against her costume. Mindy squealed and jumped.

   As she backed into an area dense with foliage, Adrian jumped her from behind. Her son’s friend cheered as he caught grabbed and ear and spun her around. He easily overpowered the woman. Took a switch and began beating her rear.

   “Dumb bunny,” Adrian snapped.

  “The bunny’s yours now.” His friends laughed.

   Mindy sobbed. Again, Adrian grabbed one of her rabbit ears and pulled her along as they returned to the farmhouse.

   The boys whistled and hooted as they took her back home. Adrian struck her with a switch, once they were back in the living room. “She’s a bunny,” His friend Brent said. “I think there’s one place you should keep her.

   The barbed wire cage on the back porch was like a rabbit’s pen. She was placed inside. They left her a bowl of rabbit food and some water. Then went inside.

   Adrian’s heart raced. He didn’t entirely understand why he was doing this. And who was the white shrouded girl? Then he thought of father. Where was he? Would he object to mom’s treatment on return.? Mom? Someone needed to take care of the dumb bunny. The sound of thundered roared overhead.

    In her cage, Mindy eyed the nearing storm. She settled into the back of her pen. Her heart raced.

A storm was blowing in as Sheriff Carla Cooper returned to her home. Following a stranger compulsion started when Adrian barked at her to go home to her boys, yesterday. Tense, she wondered what awaited her in the house. Then she opened the door.

 “Boys?” Sheriff Carla Carter called. Her twins were thirteen. Kevin was the more artistic one. He had placed a recent painting on the wall. It was of a young girl shrouded in white.

   “Very good,” Carla said, patted Kevin’s head. He looked proud his hand softly stroked her rear. She jerked from him, Was he hitting puberty? 

   Neal entered “Mom,” He face shone with a cherubic smile. “Our friends are coming over.”

   “Could you make us some cookies, milk and sandwiches?” Kevin asked, He showed a wide grin.

   She sighed, “I really need to help with finding those hunters.”

   “Please mom,” Neal said with honey in his tone. “The mist is still thick they could be anywhere.”

    “And they’re probably dead,” Neal added. She gave him a sad frown.

    Carla sighed, smiled. “okay.”

    The boys reacted with excitement. “Thanks mom,” both called and rushed away.

   Carla went to the kitchen. She started prepping their lunches. Sometimes one of them would help, but now both had disappeared.

   She rubbed a stinging bite like mark on her neck. The fire bugs seemed out in force. They apparently thrived in the mist.  

    The kids gathered in the living room. She watched them for a bit. Then called a deputy to check on the search. AS she ended her call, a grinning Neal took the phone from her hand. “Can I use the phone to call Linda?”

   “Sure,” She replied. “I’ll need it back in an hour.”

   Smiling, he waled away. She felt mounting tension inside.

   In the kitchen, she looked around at the mess. Dishes left out, open bread wrappers, food crumbs decorated the table. Kevin just sat there unconcerned.

   “One of you gonna clean up this mess?” She asked him.

   He just looked up at her. “Wanna arm wrestle to see who does it?”

   That was usually how he and his brother divided their chores.

   “Best three out of four?” He offered.

   “Oh, what the Hell,” Carla said.

   “Mommy!” Kevin gasped. “You swore.”

   A half-smile was on her face. “You win four out of four, you can spank me.”

    “Deal!” He shot back. His mom sat at the table.

   The two interlocked their fingers. Then began the struggled. Kevin was quite strong, thought Carla. She was beginning to struggle to keep him from taking her hand down.

   “What’s up?” Kevin asked in return.

   “Me and mom are arm-wrestling to see who cleans up. If I win four times, we get to spank her for swearing.”

   “Both of you?” Carla gasped. Her hand hit the table; her wrist stung. She shook it while raising her arm back into position.

   Again they clasped hands. Again her hand went down, hard. Kevin smiled.

   As her hand rose for the third time, Carla felt a little afraid. She looked into the faces of the eager young men. “Look, I’ll clean up the mess. But we forget the spanking.”

   “Aw, come on mom,” Kevin took hold of her hand. “You agreed.”

   Carla drew in a breath. His smile was so, eerie. “Please,” she gasped. Her hand went down for the third time, smacking the table hard. The boys cheered.

    “Please, no, please,” She whispered staring at Kevin. “I’m, your mother.”

   “And we want to take care of you,” Neal said. “Occasionally you need disciplined. “He smiled.

   For the fourth time she engaged Kevin. Carla put all her strength into it. But she was feeling so weak. She gasped and moaned when he quickly took her hand down.

   Tears filled her eyes, “No. I-I won’t swear anymore.”

   “Come on mom, over my lap,” Kevin said and took off then double his belt. Her eyes widened.

   “Come on,” Neal grabbed her arm and moved her over across his brother’s lap. Then he pulled her slacks and under down. She squealed., her body shook.

    “Five swats for swearing,” Kevin said. “Five swats for trying to break our deal,” Kevin said. “Count off each one, girl.” His voice was stern, like reprimanding a child.

   “One!” Carla cried at the first blow, “I’m sorry for swearing.”

   “Two, I’ll never do it again.”

    “Three,” Her chest heaved, tears filled her eyes. She counted down the remaining spanks.

   Then, Kevin passed the belt to his brother. Neal raised it. “You will call us sir, girl.” He raised the belt, “Call it out with each blow, apologize for being a bad girl add sir.”

   WHACK, “Aagh, “I’m sorry for being a bad girl, sir!”

   She continued on for all ten strikes.

   After finishing, a sniffling Carla started to rise. Neal pressed her back down. “You forgot to ask permission.”

   “I think she needs another five strikes,” Kevin said.

   “Oh, no, please, sirs. “

   Raising the belt, Neal gave her five more swats.

    “M-may I get up, sir?” Carla’s voice quivered.

   “Yes,” Both said.

   “Get started cleaning up.” Neal said and snapped his fingers.

   “May I pull up my trousers, sir?”

   “No, and take that blouse off,” Kevin said. “You won’t be playing cops-n-robbers anymore.”

    Sniffling, Carla obeyed. Fear seemed to control her now. In bra and unders, she started cleaning up the mess. She was scared to disobey, of even try and defy. The boys just stood there watching.

    Afterwards, Neal sent her to shower and go to bed.

    Pajamas had been laid out for her. Carla put the tight-fitting clothes on. She sat on her bed. Her computer on a table near a window with newly placed cardboard over it.

      She went to her computer and turned it on. Soon finding it was restricted for children. No way to even message anyone. Carla crawled into bed.

   After a quick nap, Carla rose. Downstairs, her boys and friends were watching television. Sounded like someone showering, whatever they were watching.

   “Ready for dinner?” She asked.

   “Yeah,” They called.

   She felt uneasy with how all the boys looked at her. Savoring over a juicy piece of steak.

   “Anything you would like?” Carla asked.

   “Burgers, sodas, fried potatoes,” Neal said. He rose and strode to her. “By the way, we know you were on the computer without permission.” He grabbed her arm and drug her into the kitchen. Then shoved her across the seat of a chair.

   “I-I’m sorry, sir.” Carla gasped. “Please, please don’t.”

   From the door, Kevin and their friends watched. Neal raised a belt and struck Carla’s rear a few times. She cried out.

    Ogling her, the boys whistled.

   “Now,” Neal commander, “Get dinner.”

   “Yes sir.” She rose and started to obey.

   After finishing, she informed the boys. “Sirs,” She said. “Where shall I eat?”

   Kevin directed her to a corner, “Sit!” he ordered. “Turn to the wall, and press your nose in the corner, don’t move till we say you can.”

   Carla obeyed. Her heart raced. She heard the boys talking. Soon she realized they had ben watching a video of her showering. Anger flushed through her but was swept mover by a fear that kept her from confrontation. Instead, she just cried.

   “Okay, mother,” Neal grabbed her hair and pulled her head from the corner. “Here, then clean up, and go straight to bed.”

   “Yes sir,” She whispered.

    Looking down at her place, it looked like cat food. Next to it some milk. She sighed. Bent like an animal and ate and sipped with her mouth.

   Upstairs, she lay her pajamas aside. Then crawled into bed. What had happened to her sons? What was happening to her?

Part Three: The Babysitter’s Problem

Anger fumed in twelve-year-old Tanya Morris. Her babysitter, a long, tall, dark-haired beauty named Melissa Hodge tried once again to use her cell. She’d babysat the past week, unable to get a hold of either Tanya’s family or her own.

   “Damn!” Melissa muttered. “Can’t get a hold of Sheriff Carter either!” She wore a dark blue top and black slacks and flat shoes.

   “Can I go outside?” Tanya asked in a plaintive tone. “It’s not raining.”

   “There’s still all that mist,” Melissa said. “And those red fiery bug things.”

    Tanya huffed. Would she be attractive when she became an adult? How did This woman get to be an adult anyway?”

   She walked to the window and looked outside. It was so – grey. Her heart started to race. The bites on her neck started itching. What looked like a ghost swung by. Something whispered in her head.

   “Melissa?” Tanya called.

   “Yes Tanya?”

   “What is an Angiak?” Tanya asked.

   “I have no idea,” Melissa replied.

   There had to be some way to get away from the woman and see her friends. Have some fun.

Sleeping pills, a voice whispered in her head. Sleeping Pills? Yeah, moms, that would work. Her folks had left supposedly for a couple days. No word from them, as if they’d forgotten to return.

   Swiftly, Tanya recovered the bottle, then went to the kitchen, “Melissa? Want some punch?”

   “Sure,” The sitter replied.

   Tanya slipped the drugs into the drink. It wasn’t long until Melissa was out. The girl smiled, hard to believe she actually did this. Her heart raced again.

   A knock sounded at the door. She swept away to answer. Two young women, her friend Callie, “Hey, Tanya.” They hugged. She gestured to the other woman. “Meet my friend, Bessie Morris. She’s visiting.”

   “Well, I just put my sitter to bed,” Tanya’s hand swept to the woman sleeping on the couch. “No telling how long she’ll be out though.”

   “If you want, I can stay with her,” Bessie said. “I love smacking ones like her down to size. When you get back, she’ll be the most obedient girl around.”

   They laughed. Strange, that actually sounded good. What was happening to her? “Where’s the Party?”

   “The Carter house.”

   “Sheriff Carter?” Tanya asked.

   “Former sheriff.” Callie chuckled. She grabbed Tanya’s hand. “Come on.”

   Grinning, Bessie entered the living room. “Oh boy.” She entered. Sat down and gazed at the young babysitter. Her fingers clenched together.

   Bessie grabbed a hairbrush from the woman’s purse.  She and mom had come to visit some friends. The mist was thick as they crossed a bridge leading here.

   Then shook Melissa’s shoulders, “Wake up little girl?”

    “Wha?” Melissa gasped as she roused. Then looked to Bessie, “Who are you?”

   “I’m watching you while Tanya is out.” Bessie replied and smirked. “I’m your babysitter?”

   “Where did she go?” Melissa shot up, angry. “And I’m the babysitter.”

   Bessie laughed. “Apparently you need to be taught some manners little girl.”

   “I am twenty-two.” Melissa snapped. She started to rise, Bessie shoved her back down and slapped her face.

   “You are ten,” Bessie snapped angrily. “I will not play any games with you.” Her forceful words rattled Melissa. “You will tell the truth, and you will obey me!” Her fingers snapped onto the woman’s nose, she pulled her to the floor and lead her to the corner of the room.

   “This isn’t possible,” Melissa cried. “What the Hell is going on?”

   Bessie slapped her face. “No cursing!” A glare on her face. She jerked the woman’s slacks and udners down. Then raised her belt.

    Melissa wanted to run, but she was frozen as fear coursed through her. She cried as the girl struck her butt with the hairbrush.

   “Admit you’re only ten!”

   “But I’m not I-,” More whacks cut her off as Melissa sobbed. Then pain seemed to burn through her. “I-, only ten,” She finally wailed to stop her punishment.

  Bessie patted her head, “Good little girl.” Then kissed her cheek. She shoved Melissa’s nose into the corner. “Now you say, you are only ten, and Miss Tanya is your guardian, over and over until I say stop.”

   A lump went down Melissa’s throat. “I am only ten,” She said weakly. “Tanya is my guardian.”

   “Just because you wear them adult clothes doesn’t mean you’re an adult, little girl,” Melissa chastised. “Take them off, I’ll be right back.”

   “Yes ma’am,” Melissa gasped and continued her repetition.

   Bessie came down with some more childish cloths. Then ordered Melissa to put the young girl’s dress on. Still repeating the words she was ordered. The sitter had to obey.

    Bessie enjoyed watching the lovely babysitter change. “Now, when Tanya gets home, you will address her as ma’am. I will stick around to make sure you know your place and obey.”

   “You brat,” Melissa gasped. Then screamed as Bessie again beat her rear with the brush.

   “You best learn to mind your manners little girl!” Bessie roared.

   “I’m sorry, ma’am,” Melissa cried.

   “Speak like a little girl,” Bessie commanded. “You know, saying pwease and stuff like that.”

   Melissa’s mind went back to her childhood. “I-I sorry Miss Bessie. I behave.”

   “Now get back to your repetition exercise, I’m going to watch Television.” Bessie ordered. Melissa obeyed.

    Now, Melissa wore a white dress with blue trim. A ducky was embroidered on front.

   It was hours until Tanya returned home.

   Bessie snapped her fingers, “Quiet little girl.”

   Awe and some fear, filled Tanya’s eyes as her sitter crawled to her, “I sorry for disobeying Miss Tanya.” Melissa’s eyes flooded with tears. “I be good.”

    “Now give your guardian a big hug,” Bessie ordered.

   Melissa obeyed. Tanya put her arms around the former sitter. “Now, I say how you dress, what you eat, you do nothing without my permission.” Her voice was sharp.

   Melissa replied with, “Yes ma’am, Miss Tanya.”

    “Now, go etch Bessie and me some lemonade,” Tanya ordered.”

   “Yes ma’am,” She replied and scurried away.

    Relaxing on the couch, Tanya looked to Bessie. “What is an Angiak?”

    “Where did you hear that word?” Bessie asked, chilled.

    Tanya took a breath. “During the storm, whispers in the wind.”

   “Souls of those who perished as children or infants, some killed by their own kin. They come back to torment the adults.”

    Tanya gasped. Thunder raged outside.

Carter Home

Carla Carter busily cleaned up after the kid’s party. Fear seemed n control of her. She’d done well, though, in serving the boys and girls. Neal and Kevin even gave her some treats as a reward.

   Her bottom was still sore though. From that game of pin the tail on the donkey. On hands and knees she had been the donkey. Yattering like one each time her tail was pinned.

Part Four:

Bessie found her mom asleep when she returned to the home they stayed out. Gently she caressed mom’s hair. Where had Tanya heard the word Angiak?

   The wind howled outside. She settled onto her nearby bed. Was mom whimpering? It sounded like it. Bessie crawled in beside her and put an arm around the woman, “I’ll take care of you.”

   Bessie thought of inviting some of her other friends to stay here.

     Her mother had never been a very strong woman, Sharon, One thing she’d always missed were strong parents, dad had left, mom was seldom around. Her 10-year-old daughter Bessie knew her mother missed having a good parental authority figure. Even dad was dead, a car wreck.

Slowly Bessie had seemed to start to take over, then Sharon realized her daughter was placing herself in charge, when she found herself reporting to Bessie, and getting restrictions and assigned chores.

They sat on the couch one day and talked it over. Mother admitted to her weakness but encouraged Bessie not to hurry to take over adult responsibilities.

 “I want to take care of you mother,” Bessie said, reached to caress the woman’s hair.

“That’s sweet, but not necessary.” Sharon said. “I don’t want you giving up your childhood, just enjoy being a child as long as you can.” Sharon sighed. “It’ my job to be the authority figure.”

But I’m enjoying it, thought Bessie she stood a moment and thought. Then turned to Sharon and in an authoritative tone barked, “Go to your room!” Bessie wanted to be the authority figure. Sharon looked at her in surprise a moment.

Bessie shot out a severe look.

Sharon got up and went to her room. She sat on the bed, her heart pounding. Soon, Bessie opened the door to mother’s room. She held a folded belt in her hand and a harsh look on her face. A lump went down Sharon’s throat.

“You are never ever to so much as question my authority again,” Bessie said sharply and started towards her. “I am head of this house, and you will do what I say, I am in charge.”

Tears misted in Sharon’s eyes, and she meekly replied, “Yes ma’am.”

 Since then there had been no more discussion of who was in charge. Bessie was and that was it.

Now, she lay in the dark comforting her mother. It felt right to her.

Since they had arrived, a plague had set in. Or maybe it started before they arrived.

A stern-faced Bessie sat at the table as Sharon sat his breakfast before him. Three pancakes, topped with scrambled eggs and loaded with syrup.

“There you go sweetie,” Sharon hoped he was happy. She patted his head, he pulled away from her, “Don’t do that.”

Sharon jerked back. Then he snapped his fingers and pointed to the floor. “Sit.”

Sharon took a breath and sat on the floor on her knees as Bessie finished his breakfast, complete with coffee. After he finished, she took his dishes and washed them, then began making herself some oats.

“What are you doing?” Bessie asked.

“Making my breakfast, Bessie,” Sharon meekly answered the boy, not meeting his harsh gaze.

“I don’t recall you asking permission,” Bessie crossed arms over his chest and glared at her.

Sharon, dressed in puffy slippers and a long white robe covering a onki nightie looked at her son in surprise. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her from the stove.

“T-Bessie,” She stumbled over words. “Please,” She felt confused as he grabbed her oats and dumped them into the sink. Shaking his head angrily.

“You do nothing without my permission,” Bessie scolded. Holding her wrist, he brought her to her knees.

“Bessie,” Sharon gasped. “I-I think you’re taking this authority thing a little too far!”

“What?” He growled and she flinched. “I told you never to so much as think of questioning my authority.”

His fingers latched to her ear and twisted. Tear-filled, Sharon squealed as he made her get on hands and knees. “Come with me.” He drug her along, holding her ear.

Sobbing, “I-I’m sorry, Bessie, sir.” Her chest heaved, “I won’t do it again, I promise, sir.”

His fingers pinching and twisting her ear hurt like heck. He took her to a corner and sat her on knees. Took off her robe and forced her nose into the corner. “Now you stay there until I say you can move!” He yelled. “I’m setting up monitoring equipment, so I’ll know if you disobey!”

With the cloth that secured the robe, he bound her wrists behind her back. “Now, you repeat over and over that you will obey your master, Bessie.”

“I-I will obey my master, Bessie.” Sharon started.

“And don’t you let up until I say.” He said firmly.

“I will obey my master, Bessie.”

Five

In the home of Mindy and her son, Adrian. The boys sat at the kitchen table. The ladies on the floor, both Mindy and Sheriff Carter.

   Bessie had joined them, hoping they could create a club of some sort. “Finally,” the young woman said. “There’s a break in the gloom.”

   It was clearer, still no sun. No rain at least.

   “Boys,” Mindy said. Her bikini bound breasts shuddered as she spoke. “We still need to find the missing men.”

   “Why Kevin Carter asked.”

   She looked to each young face, “Aren’t you concerned about your fathers?” She finally settled on her son, Adrian.

   “Never met my dad,” Bessie said. She glanced to her mom who sat on the floor with the others.

   “Yeah, mom,” Adrian said in a low voice.

    “You know,” Kevin said. “We really should go try and find them.”

    “Let us get dressed, then we can all go out hunting them,” Sheriff carter suggested.

   “Or maybe you’ll all try and escape, or disappear like the men have,” Bessie said, eyeing them warily.

   “You girls need to stay here,” Adrian told them.

    “I’ll babysit them while you guys are out,” Bessie said. She smiled at the women.

   “You girls behave and do what Bessie tells you,” Kevin said. They soon headed out.

   The boys set out into the forest.

Bessie snapped her fingers, the three women crawled to her in the livingroom. “Okay, little girls, let’s play some games.”

Kevin, Adrian and others strode through the forest. It was a lot less mist. Though a good amount remained over the lake, some nine miles in. In the distance they heard sobs.

   The young woman was on the ground in a cluster of statues. Adrian stopped before one, his jaws dropped and eyes bugged. “Dad!”

   Kevin went to the woman, helped her up. She appeared worn and ragged.

   “I’m Ruby Prescott,” she gasped. “Was out here hunting with dad and my uncle when the storm settled in. We bedded down, when I woke, they were like statues.”

   Adrian saw a shadow shift around. It paused he finally got a look at the face. It was the girl he’d seen outside his house earlier. “Guys!” He pointed. “A ghost.”

    Kevin looked to her, “Anut?”

   She shifted away.

    Adrian looked to his friend, “Anut?”

   “A name I heard in my head when I saw her.” Kevin looked chilled. “Let’s get home.”

     They returned home. Bessie left her a bikini outfit and sandals while Ruby showered. She smiled, sat on the bed, quite certain the young woman would need some compelling to obey.

    The boys were in the living room. The girls on their knees. Soon, Bessie brought a nervoud Ruby on collar and leash, then seated her with the girls. She got them some dishes of cat food and bowels of water.

    “An Angiak,” Bessie said. “That’s what Anut is. The spirits of children, murdered in their youth returned to torment the adults they blame.”

   “This Angiak created the mist?” Sheriff Carter asked,

   Angrily, Bessie snapped her fingers, “Quiet girl! You did not have permission to speak.”

    Rising, Kevin gave her a couple swats on the rear.

   Ruby appeared intimidated by the actions. “What’s going on here?”

    “Hmm,” Bessie sounded. “Poor little Ruby doesn’t have anyone to protect and care for her.”

    “Let’s play some cards,” Kevin suggested. “Winner gets the new girl.”

   They soon settled around the table and played. Bessie stayed with the girls in the living room. Her mom crawled to her, kissed the back of her hand and purred. She stroked the woman’s hair.

Eventually Adrian returned and grabbed Ruby’s leash, “Mom, we’re gonna have a new house guest.” He jerked the leash. “Come on, I’ll show you your room.”

   The other boys chuckled.

   “Say,” Kevin called. “Let’s get out – proctectees and play some game, cart races and stuff.”

    “That could be fun,” Bessie said, grinning and stroking her mom’s hair.