Текст книги "Time to Die"

Автор книги: Caroline Mitchell

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 21 страниц)

Chapter Thirty

Jennifer could not hold back any longer. Enquiries with the Facebook group were taking too long. She had to visit the woods, if only to get answers for the questions relentlessly invading her thoughts. Her visit with Joshua reminded her what was at stake. She couldn’t wait for the Raven to make contact, and a quick internet search pulled up exactly what she needed. Haven was a historic town, and many of the original names given during times of folklore had long since been forgotten. The river, once named as ‘Black Water’, had been renamed Blakewater, and Haven was originally called Heaven, many years ago. Jennifer knew that, having lived there all her life. But she was surprised to discover an extended patch of woodlands behind the boathouses, named Raven Woods. She dug deeper, becoming drawn into an internet forum on local history, featuring the little known forest.

User frightgirl95 described camping with a couple of her friends. Stories of witchcraft had drawn them to Raven Woods, where she described the stale air carrying the sour scent of decay. She spoke of their sleep being disturbed by gut-wrenching screams, and their torch beams picking up nothing but bark-stripped trees housing beady-eyed ravens overhead. Stumbling back to their tent, they were horrified to discover the heavy-duty material ripped to shreds. It was all the persuasion they needed to leave.

Jennifer traced the location of Raven Woods to the rear of the river, down a narrow weather-beaten dirt track. Tourists preferred to camp beside the riverside forest, with its picnic benches and BMX tracks. But there were no such paths where she was going, and the only things bordering the long stiff trees were strands of horned barbed wire, flanked by deep ditches and a keep out sign. The fact it was dented with buckshot gave a double-edged meaning. Keep – out – or else. Jennifer took one last glance before driving past. Someone just took a random shot, she thought, trying to keep the tide of dread at bay. She pressed her brakes as she caught sight of fresh tyre tracks in the mud. They veered off to the left and disappeared down a valley between the trees. Pulling her handbrake as far as it would go, she parked on a mound of grass. She had lived in Haven all her life but with acres of dense unexplored woodlands, she was a stranger to these parts. Swinging her legs out of the car, she plodded down the grassy bank, sidestepping the pebbles of rabbit droppings as she followed the tyre tracks. She checked her mobile phone. No signal. A cold breeze touched her skin and her internal warning system piped up as her nephew’s words replayed in her mind. Stay away from the woods. But she had to find answers, before it was too late.

She approached the leafy vegetation, her eyes narrowing as she took in the horizontal branches. Trees with no trunks … Jennifer shielded her arms over her face as she pushed through the undergrowth, nothing more than camouflage for the gap that lay behind it. Enough for a car to pass through, judging by the tyre tracks. She bit her lip as her apprehension grew. The forest held a presence all of its own. If she got into trouble nobody would see her in here, much less hear her screams … Giving one last glance back at her car, Jennifer allowed the dead branches to whip her limbs as she pushed through the makeshift gate, keeping her wits on high alert. Her breath felt warm against her lips, cooled by the drop in temperature. Casting her face to the tree tops, she searched the air for ravens as she made a three hundred and sixty degree circle. The forest was a kaleidoscope of mist and branches. Greasy leaves lined her path when they should have been shooting from fresh spring buds. She wrinkled her nose. This was not a pleasant woodland smell. It smelt meaty, decaying, and anyone venturing this far would be turning back now if they had any sense. She strode onwards in grim determination, her boots rustling through the insect-infested undergrowth. Her eyes shot back up to the trees disappearing into the misted sky. Where are the buds and shoots? Where are the finches and the robins, the squirrels and the foxes? Not even a raven in sight. The only signs of life were the spiders threading thick dewy cobwebs, ready to bait the flies trailing in her wake. The hairs prickled on the back of her neck as she felt the stare of hooded eyes, all holding dark intentions.

‘Come out, come out, wherever you are …’ Jennifer whispered, steeling herself for confrontation. Her heart froze as a sudden scream echoed throughout the forest.

‘Help me! Someone, help me!’

She ran through the thickening mist, following the screams to a copse in the distance. Her heart began to pound in her ribcage, and every fibre in her being demanded she turn back. A sense of evil intent emanated from the copse, but Jennifer drove onwards, feeling a hundred sets of eyes on her back. The sour smell was overpowering, and brought with it the tang of freshly spilt blood. Were the screams real or echoes from the past? Was she walking into a trap? She couldn’t leave now.

Swearing under her breath, her eyes searched for a weapon, and her fingers wrapped around a splintered piece of wood. Flapping black wings swooped through the sky as the ravens flew from their hiding places, but Jennifer’s attention was swiftly drawn back to an army of tiny legs marching up her arm. Screaming, she dropped the branch and furiously shook her hand to rid herself of the millipedes that claimed it. She thought of Will, and pulled her phone from her pocket. Groaning, she realised the newly charged battery was now completely drained. She couldn’t call for help even if she wanted to. She wrapped her fingers around her car keys, keeping the sharp edge exposed through her bent fingers. It was an old trick, but enough to gouge someone’s face if she had to. Her heart beating hard, she pushed through the prickly bushes, shielding her face as sharp-edged thorns scratched softly at the seams of her jacket and trousers.

[#]

Bert squinted at the sky as the raven’s caws filled the air. There was someone in the forest. His forest. He raised his nose to the air and closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. Could it be? His senses strained to reach the outskirts of the woods, and he fingered the knife in his pocket. It was a shame he didn’t have his shotgun. But there was something very impersonal about guns, whereas knives … A rush of excitement flowed through his veins. The madness had returned, and he would do whatever it took to protect the forest. His thoughts went to Jennifer Knight. Could she be looking for him? After all, their futures were intertwined. She would not stay long in a forest filled with anguish, but she was strong. She would fight against her instincts if it meant leading her to the person who threatened her the most.

[#]

A rat jumped through the undergrowth, startled by Jennifer’s urgent footsteps. The screams had stopped, but the silence that lay in its place was heavy and menacing. Jennifer slowly edged around an imposing oak tree. It was different to the others. The surrounding air carried a thickness that made it hard to breathe. Tracing the scarred bark with her fingers, Jennifer knew she had reached the beating heart of Raven Woods. She pushed her tousled hair off her face, determined to keep her emotions in check. But she was deep in the forest – and she was not alone. Pressing her hands against the bark, her eyelids fluttered shut in a last-ditch attempt at communication. Her senses blocked her attempts, screaming a warning; she was in danger, and she had to leave now. Sense finally prevailed, and shielding her face with her hands, she pushed her way back through the briars to leave the way she came. But it seemed the forest was not ready to release her, and the thorns that gently scratched her upon entrance now held her firmly in their grip. She pushed through the copse, gasping as thorny cables tore through her clothes and into her flesh. Blood beaded on her thighs and legs, as black flapping wings drummed a beat overhead. Jennifer’s legs weakened as her own vulnerability became evident. They were coming. The ravens were coming. The sight of the birds circling the pearly grey sky sent a dagger of fear through her heart.

Jennifer clambered through the dense forest, trying to find her bearings as the birds settled in the branches just above her head. Their stares were icy cold, and the noise of her backward steps in the still air seemed magnified a hundredfold. Jennifer swallowed, trying to calm her pounding heart. More and more birds roosted on the branches overhead, until they were thick and black, bearing feathers instead of the rotting leaves underfoot. Lost and disorientated in the dead, soulless forest, Jennifer whispered a silent prayer.

[#]

Bert was close to the forest now, he watched as a cloud of black ravens descended in the woodlands and held their prey. His tongue darted from his lips and he moistened them in expectation. Just a few more minutes and he would be there.

[#]

Disorientated, Jennifer forced one leg in front of the other. If the ravens beat her down now, they would tear her to shreds.

‘Get the hell off me,’ she growled as the first raven swooped overhead. Jennifer batted the bird away, staggering through the woodland as another took its place. ‘Help me! Someone, help me!’ her screams echoed through the forest as she pulled up her hood to protect her face. Warm blood trickled down her hand as a raven tore flesh from the back of her hand, its screams intermingling with hers in the fight for control. Jennifer spun around, lost and disorientated as she batted off countless birds while clinging desperately to her hood.

Suddenly a flash of white cut through the air. Jennifer instinctively followed the fluttering wings as they swooped to avoid the predators overhead. Her arms aching, she batted off the birds as she found her way through the forest. The ravens held back as she left, and the leaves underfoot were replaced by fresh, untainted soil.

‘Wait!’ Jennifer cried, reaching out with a bloodied hand. Relief flooded through her as the clearing came into view, and she scrambled up the grassy bank to her parked car, which was pimpled in a dewy mist. Peeling the keys from her sweaty palm, she jumped inside and activated the central locking. The car veered onto the dirt path, the ding ding of the car alarm protesting until she clicked in her seatbelt. It was not until the forest was out of sight that she pulled over, her stomach lurching from the adrenalin come-down. Taking in lungfuls of air, she leaned through the open window. Jennifer spat the sour taste from her mouth and lifted her hand to wipe it, sticky with a mixture of dirt and blood. Tears prickled the backs of her eyes as the pain from her injuries cut through her nerve endings. Who was she to think she could overcome such darkness? She grabbed her bag from under the seat, and tentatively dabbed her hand before allowing the tears to roll down her cheeks. Her wound needed dressing, and she was in no state to do it alone. But where should she go? Will would give her a telling-off for going to the woods alone. Amy would ask too many questions, and turning up in such a state would upset her nephew, who had told her not to go. Her eyes blurred as she stared at her trembling hands, trying to muster the strength to drive to casualty. A flash of black darted in her rear view mirror as she turned the ignition key. Jennifer drove away, the ravens’ cries echoing in her ears.

Chapter Thirty-One

Bert

Bert blew his nose in disgust. The forest smelt contaminated, as if someone had poured bleach, making it shrivel in its wake. He gripped the knife, his wheezing echoing in his ears. His eyes flickered to the ravens huddled on the bare branches. Their heads hung low as he glared at them for the late warning. All apart from the one with the missing tail feather and bloodied beak. Bert tried to count the years since he had seen his feathered companion. There was no mistaking the same glossy blue and purple coated bird. His guardian. Against all odds it had come back to see him finish the job. Bert lifted his arm high as he held his breath and beckoned the bird towards him.

The raven ruffled its feathers before spreading his wings wide and propelling himself from the branch to the ragged man below. With regal magnificence, it swooped through the thickening air.

Bert’s heart pounded as the bird got closer, giving no signs of stopping. Its wingspan was wide and strong, and it was the largest raven Bert had ever seen. He held his stance to welcome his old friend. The bird’s claws opened, grasping Bert’s skinny bicep, making it shudder under his weight.

‘Augh, Augh!’ the raven screamed, his cries slicing through Bert like a blunt razor. Bert hunched his shoulders, conscious of the strength in his domed beak. As the bird settled on his arm, Bert gave a humble sideways glance at the raven he had known since childhood. How was this possible? It was breaking all the boundaries. Bert’s eyes found the blood flecks on the bird’s beak. It was her blood. The raven had started what he had yet to end. Bowing his head, he scraped his beak on Bert’s sleeve before launching high into the sky. Just like all those years ago, he had laid down the gauntlet. And Bert would not let him down.

Bert had many voices in his head, but there was only one worth listening to. The one which gave him instruction to kill, and provided him with the tools to do so. It was the raven. Each predicted death brought a rich reward, but none would be so rich as ending the detective who tried to halt his mission. There was strength to be gained from killing those on his list, but the detective … she possessed enough psychic energy not just to replenish his body, but also to extend his life for years. The fact she was tormented by the recent deaths brought pleasure to his day. Bert said goodbye to the forest, a giggle rising in his throat. He had a prediction to make, and he couldn’t wait to see Jennifer’s reaction when she found out who it was.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Jennifer apologised to the nurse as she fought to stem the blood dripping from her shaking hand. The sterile wipe had blossomed a bright red as the blood seeped through, dripping onto the counter and earning her a disapproving look. She took the wad of paper towels offered to her and sat in the hard plastic chair as she waited to be seen. Jennifer tried to think rationally. It was the shock that made her want to cry, nothing else. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was attacked by a territorial flock of birds. She could hear Will’s words now. That’s what happens when you go into something with blinkered vision, embellished with an overactive imagination. She gulped back the lump in her throat as she avoided the stares of the other patients, their sideways glances confirming that she looked a state. She thought about what she would say if someone like her turned up at the police station, shredded clothes, bloodied skin, and a wild look in her eyes. She’d be thinking mental health issues before they even got the chance to speak.

She stared forlornly at the floor and a pair of blue Crocs came into her vision. The skinny young man smiled apologetically at the other people in the queue and signalled her into a cubicle ahead of them.

Jennifer sucked in a breath as he peeled off the layers of blood-soaked tissues from her right hand. She was grateful for his kindly face. His dark eyes were tinged with shadows, and he looked as overworked as the rest of the staff she had seen that night. She knew the feeling. Thoughts of work made her heart flicker as she remembered the real reason behind her woodland excursion. The man responsible for the murders was still out there, and she had to get back to the investigation. The doctor’s voice broke into her thoughts as he looked up from under his thick wavy fringe.

‘This looks nasty, what happened?’

‘I was attacked,’ Jennifer blurted out the words. Her voice sounded strangled, and she took a deep breath to steady herself.

‘Attacked? Have you reported this to the police?’

‘No. It was a flock of birds. I was in the woods, I must have stumbled upon a nest or something.’

The young man frowned as he tenderly examined both her hands. ‘It’s unusual to see birds cause so much damage.’

Jennifer sighed. The last thing she needed was the well-meaning doctor reporting her injuries to the police.

‘Well, I’m a police officer, you see, I was investigating a case in the area. I was lost and slid down a ravine in the woods. I guess some of the injuries were caused when I fell over.’

‘Ah, I thought I’d seen you around. Well, this is going to need a couple of stitches, it’s quite deep I’m afraid. You’re lucky you don’t have tendon damage.’

Jennifer sat back as the doctor examined then dressed her wounds. Her right hand was gouged, and her legs and arms were scratched from the brambles. A nurse poked her fingers through the hole in the hood of her coat in amazement. Jennifer shuddered as the ravens crept into her memory.

‘Is there anyone you can call to pick you up?’ The doctor said. ‘You need to rest this hand.’

Jennifer nodded. She would have to call Will. She thanked the doctor and went to the bathroom to clean up, gasping at her reflection. No wonder those people had stared. If this is what she looked like after treatment, what had she seemed like before it?

Will got a taxi to the hospital. It made sense to drive her car back rather than leave it in the car park. He paled as he approached her, his face set in a worried scowl. She had to dilute the truth to save them both grief.

‘I’m OK,’ she smiled. ‘I went to the woods to see if I could find the van and fell down a ravine. I must have disturbed a nest of birds because they started attacking me. It looks a lot worse than it is.’

‘You’re not to go off like that on your own again. Honestly Jennifer, it’s like you have a death wish. There’s a serial killer on the loose and you’re just putting yourself in the line of fire.’ Will winced as he turned over her bandaged hand. ‘And what’s happened to your hand?’

Jennifer hunched over, wishing she had just called a cab and gone home alone. But she was still feeling woozy and upset. She needed a warm set of arms, even if it did come with frantic nagging.

‘They’re just scratches. The doctor gave me couple of steri strips where I gouged my hand on a dead tree branch when I slipped over on the leaves.’

‘Leaves? You must be a bit concussed, there’s no leaves on the ground yet.’

‘Mud, I meant mud. Can we just go home? I’m really tired and I need coffee.’

They went back to her place at her insistence. Her rising anxiety levels meant the clutter she overlooked in Will’s flat would now grate on her nerves. Will left her soaking in a hot bath as he went out to buy food, promising he would leave her kitchen as clean as he found it.

She closed her eyes as she tried to decipher her visit, picking through her experience in an effort to take something positive from her ordeal. This figure, the Raven, he was like her, of flesh and bone, but heavily influenced by something in the forest. She had felt his presence near, so he couldn’t have lived very far away. But with the ravens on his side, he was a lot stronger than she gave him credit for. She had sensed dark sacrifices from long ago, and the land was soaked with blood. Thick with dark energy, it could easily envelop the young or the vulnerable. Help me, Someone, help me, the words that drew her into the forest rebounded in her head. The same words she screamed when the ravens were attacking her. Had the forest echoed her words long before she uttered them? How was that possible?

Jennifer groaned, easing further into the bathwater until it touched her chin. Too exhausted to process any more, she rested her bandaged hand on the side, the sharp aroma of disinfectant filling her nostrils as it stung every scratch and open wound. The pain was comforting as it purged the woodlands from her body, and she allowed her mind to wander while the tea lights flickered on the edge of the bath. The smell of antiseptic brought her to another place, a little boy in bed, staring out at the forest … the picture changed to the same boy, bigger now, digging up a pack of tarot cards from the earthen forest…

Jennifer abruptly snapped out of her vision to banging on her bathroom door. The water was freezing cold, and all but one of the tea lights had extinguished. Will was hammering on the other side.

‘Jennifer, are you in there? If you don’t answer me soon I’ll have to force open the door.’

Jennifer blinked as she grounded herself, her pruned fingers reaching for a nearby towel. ‘I’m fine … I must have dozed off. I’m getting out now.’

She pulled the plug and watched ribbons of blood-tinged water swirl away. Her mind raced as she patted the goose bumps on her skin dry. Her vision provided her with more than an insight into a little boy’s past. It brought her deep inside the mind of a killer.