Cellar Dweller's (4) A couple of days go by and there are no signs of the beasts. Dave and Tim decide to take the boys camping. They load the top of the car with sleeping bags, a small grill and some other things. Inside the house, the women are packing a cooler full of drinks and various other things for the night out. The boys show up with a few fishing poles, as the men meet them at the car with the packed cooler. They all give the women a kiss good-bye and then they’re off. As they drove down the road, the boys were excitedly talking about the trip. After a short drive behind Tim's house, they arrive at the campsite. It was a small cabin, right beside a narrow stream full of great fishing. The inside of the cabin had two small cots, a small kitchen and a wood stove. The cabin was just the right size for the four of them. Without skipping a beat, the boys grab their poles and run for the stream, as their fathers unload the car. When the last thing is taken in, Tim goes to collect some wood for the stove and a campfire. Meanwhile, Dave wonders down to the stream to check on the boys. About three miles from the campsite a farmer inspects his property. On a small quad runner he travels around admiring his large crops of corn and tobacco. As he moves on, he comes across an open field full of milk cows. Counting the cows, as he usually does this time of evening, he discovers he is missing one. Getting off his ride he starts to look around. Over by a big oak tree, he notices something lying in a patch of grass. As he approaches the tree, he suddenly discovers it's a hind leg from his missing cow. "Dog gone bears," he says. As he searches the grounds, he runs into a trail of blood. Following the trail he sees a cave entrance. " Now you’re going to get it," he says as he returns to his quad runner to get his rifle. He unties the rifle from the back, grabs a flashlight and heads for the bear cave. At the entrance of the cave, he stops to check that his double barrel shot gun is loaded and ready before entering. As he walks in, he comes across the leftover pieces of his milk cow. Angry, he cocks his rifle and moves on. He walks for what seems like an hour before discovering a pile of debris blocking his way. " I bet that's from the old house that got blew up," he says as he turns around. But just as he turns, the look on his face insures that he was after no bear. He raises his gun and unloads both barrels striking the beast, but he's immediately sliced from smile to appetite, as the bullets do very little. At the entrance of the cave a hair-raising roar fills the air, before going quiet. Back at the campsite Dave arrives at the stream as Billy is pulling in a big fish. " Get him boy," he yells proud of his son. Billy fights the fish for another four minutes or so before the fruits of his labor is exposed. A large 18-pound flapping fish is now on the bank. Dave pats his son on the back for a job well done and they make their way back to the cabin. As dark approaches, the boys sit by the fire after a fine meal of beans, chips and Billy's fish. They roast marshmallows and tell stories for an hour or two before turning in for the night. With the boys fast asleep after a big day of camping, Tim and Dave sit down to a cup of coffee from the wood stove. As they sit and talk about the events that happened with the beasts a couple of days ago, Dave turns towards the door. "What is it," Tim asks. "Listen there's something outside," he replies. The two men move toward the door and discover a low grunt of a growl outside. Just then something solid hits the door waking the two boys. "What is it dad," Tommy asks as him and his friend start to shake in fear. His dad holds his finger to his mouth as if to say be quiet and continues to listen. Petrified the two boy’s freeze where they lay. With the outside now quiet, Dave grabs a flare from a first aid kit hanging on the wall and slowly opens the door. As he looks out, he notices a large figure standing over the leftover fish and beans. Realizing a familiar site, he lights the flare and screams as he runs out the door. A large bear turns his way and is startled by the bright light. As Tim runs out he grabs the only thing he could, as he watches the bear disappear into the woods. Dave turns to him as he starts to laugh. "What we're you planning on doing with that," he asks as his laughter continues. Tim looks down to see what was in his hand. There ready to swing at the dangers of the night, he holds the meat tenderizer they brought for the steaks. " We better get back to the house. When that bear discovers that he's in no danger he'll be back," Dave replies as he pats his hero on the back. They all join in loading the car and head back to the house. Part Nine As the Sgt. patrols the streets, he sees the guys returning from the cabin. " Hey Sgt., out keeping the streets safe I see," Tim says as he stops next to his car. " Yeah things have been kind of quiet since, well you know," he replies. Tim nods, as if to agree with him and tells him about the bear they ran into by the cabin. Just then, the Sgt. gets a call over the radio about a body found in a cave. " Looks like your bear is getting around," he says. He turns his car around, with Tim close behind, and heads for the cave. When they arrive, they meet up with the farmer’s wife. The lady is in tears as she explains that she found her husband when he failed to come home for dinner. Tim takes the lady over to his car and sits her in the front seat for safety just in case the bear is still in the area. He then turns and joins the others as they enter the cave. Just as Tim gets to the entrance of the cave the Sgt. exits with a pail serious face. " What is it," he asks in concern. " That's not the work of a bear Tim. I think their back," he says. "Who's back," Tim asks as he sees Dave come out. But they need not answer as he can tell by the look on his friend’s face that the beasts have survived the explosion. With Paula at home, Ann settles down in the kitchen for a cup of coffee and a good book. She's so engrossed in her book that she is totally unaware that the beasts have returned to their side yard. She suddenly hears the phone ring. On the other end is Paula very excited and scared after a phone call from Dave. " Calm down Paula I can barely understand you," she says trying to calm her friend down. Just then Rufus wanders in the room with his ears up. The dog stares at the kitchen window and begins a low deep growl. Still trying to calm down her friend, Ann walks over and looks out the as well. With a blink of an eye, a large scaly hand crashes through the window and pulls the helpless woman outside into the arms of the beast. The woman is face to face with the two monsters as they roar. With her face bleeding from the glass as she was pulled out, the woman faints at the sight of them. The beast picks her up throws her over its shoulder and they both crash through the fence in back and make their way toward the woods. As Tim, Dave and the boys pull into the drive, Paula runs to them hysterically. She tells them about the phone call with Ann, as Tim runs for the front door. " Ann, where are you honey?" he yells as he enters the house. But there is no answer as he races through the living room. He makes his way into the kitchen and sees Rufus scratching wildly at the back door. "What is it boy?" he asks as the dog turns to look at him. Rufus wags his tail only for a moment before returning his focus back to the door. Tim walks over the broken glass from the window and opens the door. The dog rushes out the door like a flash, as Tim sees him run through the huge hole in the fence and into the woods. Part Ten Dave runs in the house after retrieving his high-powered rifle and looks for his friend. He makes his way into the kitchen and sees the glass on the floor. "Tim, where are you," he calls. But all he hears is silence. Now in his bedroom, Tim grabs his crossbow and arrows from the closet. As he starts to walk away, he hears something fall to the floor. He looks down and sees the small case he received from the Sgt. Remembering what the Sgt. had said, he grabs the case, sticks it in his pocket and heads down stairs to where Dave was waiting. " The son of a bitches got her," Tim said to his friend. "I'm sorry Tim," Dave replies. " No time for small talk now," Tim says as he heads for the back. " Come on, Rufus ran into the woods after them," he finishes as Dave follows him out the door. Out in the woods Rufus charges on. He runs through the woods as if possessed by the demons themselves. Finally he catches one of them and leaps on its back. The beast carrying the woman, keeps going thinking for sure the other can handle the dog. Rufus has the beast on the ground, as he bites down on its throat. The beast roars in rage and swats the dog 10 feet away to land by a tree. The dog wines in pain, as the beast returns to its feet to finish the dog. The beast takes a few steps and again screams in pain. As it looks down, it sees its ankle is caught in a bear trap. It tugs on the trap trying to free itself, but the trap is anchored to a tree and wont budge. In one final desperate attempt, it uses all it's strength and jerks it's leg out only to leave its large foot lying on the ground in front of it. It falls to the ground as blood runs from its leg. Roaring in pain, the beast starts clawing its way forward to escape deeper into the woods. Tim and Dave arrive, as the beast roars at them and continues to claw itself away. Dave cocks his high-powered rifle and fires at the fleeing beast striking it in the back. The beast is almost unaffected by the blast as it pulls itself away. Tim looks in horror, as he notices the little affect the rifle had on it. Remembering the case, he pulls it from his pocket. Tim opens the case to expose three explosive heads for his crossbow. Just then Rufus gets back up and jumps on the beast. The dog bites down again on the beast’s throat, giving Tim enough time to screw the explosive on his arrow. The beast once again knocks the dog off, as Tim is ready to fire. Rufus gets to his feet for another attack, but this time Tim calls him off. " Rufus no", he yells as the dog stops. "Come here boy," he commands. The dog snarls at the beast once more, before running to Tim's side. Tim aims at the beast’s chest pulling the arrow back. The beast looks him in the eyes and gives out one final roar before the arrow hits its target. The explosion is so big, that it blows the monster apart. But to Tim's horror it also blows the side out of a tall pine tree causing it to come crashing to the ground and trapping Dave and the injured dog. " Dave you all right, " Tim yells running to his friends aid. " I'm fine he says, but I don't know about your dog," he says in concern. But there was no time to look for his pet as there's still one beast left. "Here take the rifle," Dave yells. But Tim had all he needed as he disappeared into the woods. The last beast made his way to the cabin and crashed open the door with a swipe of its powerful arm. It dropped Ann's helpless body down and turned to help it's mate. Still running, Tim notices he is getting close to the cabin they just left. As he rounds the corner of a big oak, he runs right into the beast he was chasing. With a huge arm it swatted Tim aside knocking him down. Tim lay there helpless as he sees his trusty bow and explosive heads five feet away. The beast grabs Tim up and stares into his eyes as if to take a final look before killing him. The beast gives out a death roar as it raises Tim above its head. As it prepares to crush Tim's body against a tree, it roars again. But this roar was different, as it drops Tim and falls to the ground. Tim looks up and almost smiles as he sees the large bear from earlier. The bear roars itself, as it reaches for the recovering beast. Part Eleven Inside the cabin, Ann slowly starts to wake up. She sits up on the floor bleeding, but somehow ok. As she sits there trying to figure out where she was, she hears the battle of the beasts outside. She makes her way over to the door and peeks out. There she looks in terror as she sees the beast and bear fighting. Out of the corner of her eye she sees that there is something else in the woods. She steps out to see the welcome sight of her husband getting to his feet. " Tim," she yells. "No Ann stay there," he yells back. You'll be safer in the cabin," he says as he looks for his bow. Ann goes back in and hides under the table. Tim is scurrying around like a madman looking for his arrowhead, as the battle goes on. Finally he spots his bow with the explosive heads lying near it. He takes the bow in his hand and then grabs the explosives and prepares his last two arrows. The bear seems almost as strong as the beast, as they slash at one another. The beast grabs the bear by the arm and pulls it right out of its socket as the bear screams in pain. But the brave bear continues, burying its sharp teeth into the scaly shoulder of the beast. The beast gives out a roar in pain as it swings its arm and knocks the bear to the ground. It looks at its bleeding shoulder and gives out a roar that shakes the trees. When the bear gets up to make another charge, the beast is ready. As the bear charges, the beast goes nails first deep into the bear’s gut and slashes it open. The bear falls silently to the ground, as it lies motionless. The beast roars up at the moon and pounds its powerful chest in victory. Then it turns its attention back to Tim. Pulling back the arrow, Tim stands there with his bow ready. As if unaffected by him, the beast starts at the man as it shows its teeth. " So long sucker," Tim says as he lets the arrow go. But to his horror, it misses and explodes on the other side of the stream. In panic, Tim grabs the last arrow. As the beast approaches, he tries frantically to put it in place. Just as he gets it ready to fire, the beast swats it out of his hand. The bow lands with the arrow still in place as it hits the ground. But it's to far to reach, as the beast strikes Tim in the head slicing a deep wound in his cheek. It grabs him by the top of the head and stares him in the eyes. Then it roars, pulls back its arm, and gets ready for one final blow. Just before striking him, it hears a voice from behind. It turns to see Tim's wife holding the bow in her hands. Her arm shakes trying to hold the arrow in place. " Get away from my husband you piece of shit," she yells as she glares at the beast. The beast throws Tim's body aside and charges the woman, as if to dare her to fire. But as it gets closer, she fires the arrow penetrating its heart. The beast roars in pain, just before it's blown to pieces. The woman throws the bow down and runs to her husband, as the Sgt. and others arrive. She takes her husband in her arms and hugs him as she cries. The Sgt. sees the mangled bear and wonders what happened, when he hears Tim's voice. " Dave and Rufus Sgt., how are they," he asks. " Just fine, they’re on the way to the hospital as we speak," he replies. Then the Sgt. helps Tim to his feet. " What the hell happened here?" the Sgt. asks. " I'll tell you over a cold beer sometime," he says as he smiles at his wife. Then they all slowly make there way out of the woods. The next day Tim, Ann, and Tommy join Billy and his mother at the hospital. Dave has a broken leg and shoulder, but he'll be just fine. Rufus recovers as well at a nearby kennel. Ann tells Dave the events of the final battle, as Tim looks out the window. He briefly turns to his wife and smiles, as she tells the exciting story. Then his thoughts return out the window over the quiet town. As he stares out, he thinks about the abandoned house. How many more old abandoned houses are there? And how many hold the secrets that have changed his town forever? Then a chill crawls up his spine, as he thinks about the beasts. How many more lives will be lost to the terror, now known as the Cellar Dwellers? The End
Copyright © 2003 Robert E Tadlock |