Page 74 of Cedar Edge
Brugmansia: “The species is extinct in the wild… The pollen alone is said to provoke vivid dreams, and simply being in the same room as a flowering plant can have that effect.”
-Fez Inkwrite,Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow Lives of Plants-
Law
Standing at the base of the trail I just wasted an hour on, chugging back another water bottle, I listen as my deputy goes over the information again. “They said there was a mom and kid stuck on the trail.”
“That’s it? Who called, because we need more information outside of that at this point.” I snap.
“Shelby isn’t sure who the caller was, just anonymous.”
The words leave me with an uneasy feeling, the kind that you get when you go out on a bad call and shit is about to hit the fan. You know something is wrong but you can’t place your finger on what it is exactly. I look back up at the trail, it’s not uncommon for kids to try and prank the office but they don’t normally lie about someone being in trouble.
“I didn’t see anyone or any signs of someone using this trail in god knows how long.” I finally respond to my radio. “Gonna head in and grab a donut.”
My deputy pauses for a moment before, “Got it sheriff. Grab me a sprinkle?”
“You got it.”
The words would mean nothing to someone else but to my team? It tells them the lines aren’t safe and to lock the town down.
Throwing the empty bottle into the bed I close up the tailgate and rush into the driver’s side. I hit Logan’s name as soon as the car play feature pops up, navigating the snow covered roads as the phone rings. And rings. And rings.
“Hello?” Logan’s panting voice finally answers and I breathe out relief.
“You sounded like you were busy.” I chuckle.
“Fuck I can’t hear you! Something is wrong… I’m at my parents… Thea…” The words are garbled, the line breaking up between us.
“Logan?!” I yell out. “What the fuck is going on?!” The line goes dead without any answers. When I hit Thea’s number it goes straight to voicemail. This time the fear that pushes through me I let take over, allowing it to sharpen my focus and push my truck through the blinding snow.
I bring up Ace’s name just as I hit the pass that leads up towards our house. “Come on fucker answer….” I mutter. It’s an unspoken rule we don't typically call Ace when he’s on a job unless he gives us the go ahead or it’s an emergency.
“What’s wrong?”
My eyes stay trained on the road, knuckles white against the steering wheel. “Someone called the station anonymously, said there was a lost hiker. I went out on search and rescue. No one was out there, whoever called was lying.”
Ace pauses a heartbeat, the sound of shuffling coming from behind him. “You get ahold of Logan or Thea?”
“Not Thea, and Logan… something was wrong Ace. But his service dropped before I could get through fully.” Anger flows over me alongside the fear. “FUCK!” I yell out, banging my hand on the steering wheel. Images invade my mind of all the things that could happen and I want to bang my head against the glass to make them stop.
“Rebel.” Ace’s voice cuts through the intrusive thoughts, his tone the only one that seems to force me into submission. “I need you to get back to our house safely. Get back to them now, you hear me?”
“Yes sir.” I respond, my body responding and calming as I breathe deep.
“Good boy, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
I let the adrenaline flood through me, let it keep me sharp as Ace hangs up and I pull into our driveway. Instead of driving all the way down I pull to a stop behind the cluster of trees at the start of the gravel, hopping out on foot.
All around the forest is silent in only the way snowfall can make it. I’m careful as I weave through the forest, careful to avoid making noise. Gun drawn. When I hit the edge of the tree line, the house coming into view, I hear Thea scream just as I hear the distinct sound of chopper blades.
I keep my gun locked in my grip, safety off, and rush towards the sound of her scream just as the helicopter appears, dropping down into our pasture. I watch the blades whirl rapidly, kicking up snow as it does. The door opens and I spy two men lean out, both with firearms much larger than mine. Pressing my back to the side of our house I try to think but Thea’s scream has me saying fuck it and moving from cover.
I can ask Ace for forgiveness later.
I watch as she comes into view, thrashing against Royce Ripkins III who has her held tightly to his body, half dragging half carrying her towards the helicopter.
“THEA!” I bellow her name from across the field, her head jerks around, eyes locking with mine. Her face flashes with relief when she spies me, renewing the fight she has against Royce’s hold. “DROP HER ROYCE! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!”
