It Lurks

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. The Creature doesn’t mean to make noise but with all the other sounds of the forest it doesn’t seem to matter much. Its prey is straight ahead. It gets into lunge position and then attacks as it barrels toward a small clearing.

Damian, a local hunter, isn’t even aware that anything is around. He hums along to the music coming out of a small radio as he picks up some wood to make a fire. The Creature attacks him from behind. Damian can’t even scream; it happens too quickly.

Splash. Red blood hits the radio that continues to play Oldies music. The Creature drags Damian’s dead body back into the dark, deep forest.

Swoosh. The basketball sinks perfectly in the next. Kyle grabs it and passes it to Shane. It’s just a one on one game on an empty outdoor court. Both eighteen year-olds think they’re hot stuff. They both have that All-American look to them. Kyle is skins for this game, and Shane wears a fitted muscle shirt. They go again, with Shane maneuvering around Kyle, but Kyle is fast. He spins around and steals the ball from Shane. He dribbles back to the line, turning the game around.

Swish. Another perfect shot. Shane gives Kyle a high five. “Bro, that is why you are Killer Kyle.” Kyle laughs before kissing his bicep. Shane stares at his friend’s arms for a moment, then his abs, then averts his eyes. Kyle doesn’t notice.

“Ready for round two?” Kyle asks with a grin.

“Five minute break?” Shane requests. They both are sweating; Shane more so. He walks to the edge of the court and grabs his water bottle from the ground.

Kyle opens his mouth to argue as he picks up the basketball and tucks it under his arm. He doesn’t get the chance to respond to his buddy.

“Kyle!” A female voice calls loudly, causing Kyle to spin around as he recognizes her voice immediately.

Madison, Kyle’s gorgeous girlfriend, struts toward him. He smiles as he takes in her easy-going charm. Kyle leans in to kiss her. Madison turns her head so that he gets her cheek. Kyle steps back, very confused.

“What’s wrong?”

“I need to talk to you about something,” Madison replies cautiously. She pulls him to the side of the court, out of Shane’s earshot. “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

“Why not?”

“Honestly Kyle… I care about you enough to tell you the truth.”

Kyle waits, trying to be patient but he can feel anxiety rising within him.

“I met someone else.”

“Someone else?” Kyle is stunned. This is not what he was expecting. “You think you can find a guy better than me?” He says this without arrogance, just honest surprise.

Madison pauses for a moment, withdrawing eye contact from her no ex-boyfriend. “I’m sorry. This really isn’t about you. I promise Kyle. You’re a great guy…”

“Just don’t!” Kyle responds, cutting her off.

Madison sighs. She touches his arm gently before she turns to go. She catches eyes with Shane and gives him a pleading look to take care of his friend.

Shane takes a step forward, eager to figure out what is going on. Before he gets any closer, Kyle takes the basketball from under his arm and throw it as hard as he can against the backboard. Madison takes this as her cue to leave. “I’ll you around,” she manages to squeak out before she scurries off the court and down the side walk. Kyle can’t be bothered to watch her go. Instead, he grabs the silver chain that he wears around his neck. He contemplates yanking it off, but stops himself.

Shane grabs the ball off the ground. He missed something big. Kyle walks off the court, grabbing his bag as he goes. Shane just watches him leave; his heart heavy.

The thuds of dance music can be heard from outside the club, Desire. Without the music, you wouldn’t think this place was a club, just a black door in the middle of a plain brick building. The small sign just overhead. Inside, the hole-in-the-wall establishment is bouncing. Men dancing with men. Women dancing with women. Drinks being poured. DJ rocking the booth. Not a straight couple in sight.

The doors swings open gently and Shane, wearing a baseball cap to “hide” his identity, leaves the building, the brisk air hitting him hard. He crashes into Madison as she tries to make her way inside the club. Both stumble backward, Shane almost hitting the ground, and Madison falling back into Emma’s arms. The petite woman, with short, partially shaved blond hair helps the taller brunette up. Though a few years older than Madison, she doesn’t look it. Shane stands back up, slightly disoriented. He and Madison stare at each other.

Emma, not knowing who Shane is, snarls at him. “Hey, watch out buddy.”

“Shane?” Madison says in disbelief.

“Shit,” Shane responds as he realizes he has been outed.

Emma watches them with interest. She takes a slight step to the side, but holds Madison’s hand.

Shane and Madison both speak at the same time. “This isn’t what it looks like,” Shane explains as Madison asks, “Is Kyle with you?”

Shane blinks. “Huh? No. Why would Kyle be with me?”

“Wait, what isn’t what it looks like?” Madison asks as she easily puts the pieces together.

Shane gets more flustered by the minute. “I’m just… here… just… Wait, why are you here?” He look from Madison to Emma, back to Madison, and then down to their hands.

“This is who you dumped him for?” Shane is a little shocked, but just a little.

“That’s none of your business,” Madison replies hotly.

Shane tucks his hands into his pockets. What’s he going to say anyway? At that moment, Madison realizes that Kyle has no idea about Shane.

“We can just pretend this didn’t happen if you want,” she tells him.

Shane manages a small smile. “What didn’t happen?”

“Exactly… or… we could go I and get a beer together?” Madison suggests.

Shane grits his teeth, then his face softens a bit. He could use a friend who knows… even if that is Madison. Not that he’d ever admit that. “Next time?”

Madison smiles, nodding. “Sure.” She pulls Emma toward the entrance of the club.

“Night.” Shane calls after them. Somehow, he feels a little better and a little less drunk.

It’s been nearly a week since Shane ran into Madison at Desire, but he hasn’t stopped thinking about it. Mostly because he was now keeping two secrets from his best friend, but it wasn’t like he actually wanted to tell Kyle them. Well, maybe the Madison one…

Shane stumbles forward, trying to keep up with Kyle. They are both slightly intoxicated, trying to stay on the sidewalk in their suburban neighborhood.

“Dude, I don’t know where you’ve been hiding all week but I’m glad you finally included me in your plans.” Kyle’s tone is somewhere between playfully curious and annoyed.

Shane shrugged, “Just had shit to do, you know?”

“Shit, a.k.a., drinking without me. You realize that today should be about me, right? I’m the one who was dump… given the chance to find a chick who was worth it.” Kyle has definitely shifted to annoyed.

Shane quickly realizes his misstep. “Your anniversary!”

Kyle stomps a few feet ahead, causing Shane to have to drunkenly try to keep up. Kyle pulls out his phone. He scrolls down his contact list to Madison’s name. He hovers his thumb over the text option, in debate. Shane takes notice of Kyle’s intentions. “Don’t do it man.”

Kyle lets out a brief sigh. He opens his Facebook app instead. “Holy shit!”

“What?”

Kyle lets Shane peek at the screen. The first post is Madison’s status: Feeling lucky that I get to go camping this weekend with this one. Emma is tagged. The comments are popping up fast. Kyle and Shane can barely keep up with reading them.

Comment: You go Emma. Banging a college cheerleader!

Comment: Whoa, what happened to Kyle?

Comment: Didn’t know you were into chicks.

Shane puts his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “Dude, just leave it alone.” Kyle’s face says it all though. He’s made up his mind. He types: DYKE.

Shane winces as he reads the comment over his friend’s shoulder. Shane isn’t one to normally have a strong emotional reaction, but he can’t help himself in the moment. “Was that necessary?” He has to bite his lip to stop himself from either crying or punching Kyle as hard as he can. What does he even care? Madison is okay but it’s not like they’re close…

“I need another drink,” Kyle huffs.

Unsure what to do, Shane takes the moment to breath. “Kay, sure dude.” He motions for Kyle to follow him in pursuit of alcohol.

Madison and Emma sit next to each other on the leather sofa. They’re bodies half facing each other. Madison’s family home is nice. Typical middle class suburbia. Madison closes her laptop with a thud. “I should just delete it.” Madison wasn’t seeing her status update as a disclosure of her sexuality. Maybe everyone just knew anyway.

“They’re only saying those things because you’re going camping with me, and it’s not exactly a secret that I like women.” Emma feels herself mansplaining despite not being a man. It makes her feel gross but she quickly shakes it off. She glances down at Madison’s now free hands and makes a slight move to reach for them. Emma changes her mind and retreats, but not before Madison notices. She takes Emma’s hand and links their fingers together.

“He’s just so pissed.”

“I think it will be good for you. Get away from the city, and your ex. And, of course, have a fun camping trip with me.” The last part came out as playful as intended.

Madison attempts a laugh. “You’re probably right.”

“I’m most definitely right.” Emma lifts their hands up and kisses the back of Madison’s. Madison can’t help but smile.

Kyle lies on his bed, tablet in hand. He stares at pictures of women in bikinis. His bedroom walls are covered with sports posters and memorabilia. He’s so that guy. “Damn, what I’d like to do with a girl like that.”

Shane sits at Kyle’s desk, trying to ignore his friend’s sexist comments. Instead, he peruses a cryptozoology website. An article on the wendigo catches his attention. “Hey Kyle, did I ever tell you about wendigos?” He saunters over to Kyle’s bed and sits down next to him. Kyle adjusts his position so he is sitting as well. He takes the laptop from Shane. Their legs touch, but both pretend not to notice, nor does either move their leg away.

“Nope. What the hec is a wendigo?” Kyle asks as he skims the article.

“According to Native American legend, when food was scarce in the winter, some would turn to cannibalism. Those who did so and were also overcome by greed, they would turn into an evil spirit when they died. Sick, eh?”

Kyle listens without making a sound as a devilish smile spreads across his face.

“What’re your thinking?’ Shane asks, knowing it can’t be good.

“That Killer Kyle and Shane the Brain are going to have some fun camping this weekend.”

Shane takes a moment to catch his drift. While not sure that he wants to do what Kyle has in mind, the thought of camping with Kyle does sound fun. He has to stop himself from leaning closer to his friend.