The Woods

Mr. Jones was disappointed he chose today of all days to wear his new suit. He was proud that he looked presentable for the job, and he was able to properly adjust his black tie this time around. That all changed once that old smell appeared to him like all those months ago, and he did the only thing he could think of. 

He called Ben. 

Ben answered after a couple of rings, and Mr. Jones told him about that same smell he remembered from their past journey of taking down Elliot's father. It went quite well for the most part, and no one that they cared about had gotten killed. 

Minus Elliot's father, of course. 

Ben arrived quickly, carrying several pieces of weaponry. Mr. Jones was standing outside of a cabin that he had been staying at, babysitting two children for the night. He didn't dare wake them up, not wanting to worry them. 

"Hey. Are we doing this or what?

Ben cocked back the hammer of his gun. 

"I'm surprised you showed up this fast."

"Why didn't you call the others?"

Mr. Jones looked away. 

"I want to be sure this isn't in my head."

"Why call only me then?"

"Because you would never judge me."

Ben and Mr. Jones shared a small smile before diverting their attention back to the woods behind the cabin. 

"Do you want me to go in?"

Mr. Jones was silent for a moment. 

"I think you should stay behind with the kids. And let's face it, I'm the stronger one here."

Ben put his gun away with a sigh, removing the hatchet instead. 

"Alright. But if there is something out there, I'll be waiting here."

Mr. Jones smiled at him, and ventured out into the woods on his own. He could still faintly smell that awful dead rotting corpse smell, and it took everything in him to not start gagging. He continued to go deeper into the woods, looking back over his shoulder to make sure that he could still see the light from the cabin. He thought he saw Ben in the distance. 

It looked like he had also brought a flashlight with him, to let Mr. Jones know that he has some kind of light to return to the cabin if he were to get lost. He smiled again, grateful for his friendship. They had gotten closer after the death of his daughter, and now they were inseparable. They were already like family to each other, but this time felt different. 

They now talked about everything, acting like they knew each other since they were kids. They understand each other, and never judge one another, despite the stupid messes they sometimes got into. 

Mr. Jones covered his mouth, suddenly feeling sick. This smell was now overpowering, and he knew this was the same smell. What didn't make any sense, is how this smell has come back. They were all now dead, but perhaps Elliot's father had more than his family that was hunting people down. Perhaps there was also other family members or scientists who worked with Elliot's father. 

While he was lost in thought, he found the source of the smell. Mr. Jones threw up, some of the vomit landing on his white shirt, spoiling his suit. 

There was a dead deer a couple of feet away from him. 

It was torn open, exposing intestines, and other meaty parts. 

Mr. Jones backed away from the corpse, trying hard not to get sick again. 

He heard a twig snap behind him, and he whirled around, throwing a fist. 

He clocked Ben in the jaw, blood flying out his mouth. 

"Ben! What - why did you follow me?"

Ben grabbed his mouth, blood leaking from between his fingers. He spit at the ground. Several pieces of teeth flew out. 

"I wanted to make sure you were Ok. Shit. You are strong."

"I'm so sorry. But you should never sneak up on me like that again. I'm far stronger than you think. You're lucky you're one of us, Ben. If it had been anyone else…"

Ben smiled, showing off broken bloodstained teeth. That sight made Mr. Jones feel sick again, and he wrenched his head away, not wanting to throw up. 

"You probably would have knocked their heads off. Man, it's weird. I can feel my teeth growing back. Thank God we all have…what did Elliot call it…regenerative abilities?"

Mr. Jones shuddered, imagining what could have happened if it hadn't been anyone else. 

"What the fuck? What kind of animal did this? I thought Andrew said no dangerous animals lived in the area. It's the only reason he moved out here to be with his family. And he told me this the other day."

Mr. Jones' eyes went back and forth, studying the woods. 

"This wasn't the same smell. It's still awful, but this wasn't it."

Ben looked at him, a hint of fear in his eyes. 

"Oh shit. But why the fuck would they only kill a fucking deer?"

"Maybe they were hungry."

Mr. Jones pointed at the deer, not noticing this the first time. 

Parts of the deer's intestines had bite marks. 

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Thank you for reading!

Emy Quinn