Black Sun by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 69

Winter struck earlier than expected, and the trio scrambled for additional resources, scavenging through lake houses one last time. In spite of the bounty they recovered, each realized they would be spending a great deal of time in the cabin, only going outside for a brief change of environment, the collection of ice, firewood, and hunting. Any thoughts of the effects of cabin fever were willfully avoided.

The walls of Ryan and Abby's room had been finished weeks ago, and it was time for more preparation for the coming winter. It was now early December, and while Abby was resting, Emma and Ryan stepped out to check the weather and look for any signs of deer in the area. Looking up at the sky, they noticed a heavy, sullen overcast lurking near the horizon.

“This looks like trouble,” Emma said. Ryan seemed almost mesmerized by the coming cataclysm but remembering Abby's condition soon felt a wave of fear creep into his awareness.

“How bad could this get?” he asked.

Until the cloud cover reached them, Emma could not be certain of the storm's strength, but she knew that New York blizzards were known for causing immeasurable damage. “Where are you from?” she asked.

Ryan, still hypnotized by the gray beast, hesitated in his response. “Uh, Troy.”

“Okay,” Emma replied. “So you know what winters are like here.” Ryan was keenly aware of the harshness Upstate New York could bring, and had seen its consequences many times. “So,” he began. “What you're saying is we're probably fucked.” Emma let out a sigh of concern as the storm gained speed, churning in increasing anger. She thought about how much food they had and for how long they could ride out the tumultuous barrage speeding towards them.

“Probably,” Emma replied.

Looking back at the cabin, she assessed the structure of the roof— the placement of shingles, it's pitch, and any signs of rot. In spite of an almost flawless appearance, Emma was deeply concerned about how much weight it could handle without collapsing. But carpentry was not her specialty, and all she could do was hope the roof would stay together.

Returning to the safety of the cabin, Emma inspected the amount of food they had as well as firewood. She breathed a sigh of relief upon discovering that there was ample supply of both. It was during November that a refrigeration pit had been dug next to the cabin and Emma, having become a skilled hunter, stocked it with fresh kill nearly every week. Nothing would go to waste. Ryan immediately went to the bedroom and sat at Abby's side. She was rather large for being five months pregnant, and secretly she suspected she would give birth to twins—already having felt considerable movement. At any other time, she would be under the care of a doctor with blood tests, ultrasounds and numerous examinations. Then again, at any other time, she could have avoided getting pregnant all together.

It seemed like only minutes until the wind picked up--not a howling wind but a sign of what was on its way, delivering an almost divine vengeance to those unfortunate enough to be unprepared. Again, considering their stock of food, Emma realized that the meat that lay in the refrigeration pit was likely frozen solid and that, for the time being, would take too long to thaw. She had to go out into the oncoming storm and hopefully bring back a deer, or perhaps one or two rabbits—something that could be readily consumed. Ryan offered to go with her in the event she shot a deer that was too big to drag back alone. Emma gladly accepted his company.

Seeing them on their way out, Abby spoke up. “You're going to just leave me here? I want to go too. I've never been hunting before.”

Carrying a five-month pregnancy, Ryan thought it best that she remain behind, in spite of his observation that she didn't seem too uncomfortable. He looked at Emma with a questioning expression. “I don't know,” she said. “I'm not sure how long we'll be gone.” She looked at Ryan with concern, expecting him to give the last word. In turn, he turned to Abby.

“We could be gone for a while. Do you really think you can handle it in your condition?”

Abby sat on the side of the bed and, with a hand under her enlarged abdomen, begged them to take her with them. “Guys, I get it, but I’ve cooped up in here for way too long. I really need to get out and get some air, and I’m so big that I can’t walk.” Emma and Ryan looked to each other for reassurance. Abby could go, but only if both of them agreed.

“Well,” Emma began. “What do you think?” Ryan looked at Abby with a sigh of concern. “I don’t know how far we’re going, but if she says she can do it, then I think it’s okay. Plus, I’d rather not argue with her.” With both in agreement, Abby got up and putting on warmer clothes joined them in their quest for food.

With Abby in tow, the three left the cabin and made their way through the woods. Glancing at the sky, Emma noticed the overcast was becoming increasing angry and turbulent, offering a grim portent of wind-driven devastation. A few sparse flakes of snow began drifting among the trees as they journeyed through the Pines, and as yet, there were no deer in sight. Half a mile into the woods, the snow began falling at a heavier pace, creating a light coating over the ground. This offered Emma some hope that she might see a few tracks that might lead to their next few meals. All three, by now, had learned to walk through the forest with considerable stealth but today this would not be enough. With keen eyes focused on the woods before them, Ryan suddenly collapsed. Rushing to his aid, Emma was shocked to find a hunter’s arrow deeply lodged in his back—between his left shoulder blade and his spine. It didn’t much to determine that the arrowhead had pierced his heart.

As blood trickled down Ryan’s cheek, he began to mouth a few words to Abby. His time was rapidly running out, but even with his voice restrained by a fatal injury, Emma and Abby clearly understood him. Moments later, Ryan’s muscles went limp as he expelled his last breath. Time was not on their side as another arrow was heard striking a tree only inches away from Emma’s head. A sudden state of panic took them over and, looking at Abby, spoke to her as another arrow embedded itself in her back. “Get out of here,” she said.

Her voice was already becoming weak as her chest filled with blood.

“Just go. Run.”

Staying as low to the ground as possible, Abby began running through the woods. She knew that once she got far enough away, the trees would act a wall, shielding her from whoever was hunting them. It is during catastrophe that people sometimes return to their animal nature, becoming indifferent to all lives but their own. Before disappearing into the woods, Abby heard another arrow strike a tree nearby—far too close. As she continued, the distant sound of excitement invaded her mind, filling her with terror. “God damn, we’re gonna eat good tonight!” The same voice could be heard again but with an accompanying degree of anger.

“What the fuck are you doing?! She’s fucking dead already! Get off her!”

Without looking back, Abby continued racing through the woods, hoping that those who were about to consume the two people who mattered most to her would not follow. In spite of her condition, she managed to find the energy to keep going. Ignoring her instincts, Abby was running on pure adrenalin—not just for the sake of her own life but that of her unborn child as well. God knows what these people would do should they catch up to her.