Between the birches awak.., p.1
Between the Birches: Awakening, page 1
Copyright © 2022 KP Roberson
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events, and dialogue are the products of the author’s imagination. Any semblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Between the Birches: Awakening © 2022, K.P. Roberson
Independently Published All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, stored in a database and / or published in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the publisher or author.
Edited by: L. Krauch
Cover art by: K.P. Roberson
ISBN-13: 979-8-9856273-2-9
ISBN-10: 1477123456
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309
Printed in the United States of America
A huge thank you goes to my family for putting up with my incessant obsession in extracting this story from my brain. Countless days and nights passed while writing this all-consuming story… and they still love me.
All my love, always.
Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five
Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Chapter Sixty
Chapter Sixty-One
Chapter Sixty-Two
Chapter Sixty-Three
Chapter Sixty-Four
Chapter Sixty-Five
Chapter Sixty-Six
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Epilogue
Author Note: This book contains sequences of graphic violence, gore, and disturbing imagery that may be unsuitable for readers under the age of sixteen; has adult language, involves cultists, attempted murder, character death, depression, animal death, mentions unsupportive parents, and contains non-explicit scenes of consensual sexual acts.
Pretty Words
By KP Roberson
Words can be so pretty
And still have no meaning.
Why do we find such words appealing?
Empty, hollow, unfulfilling
But at the same time
Uplifting, sating, and important,
For a short while,
Incomplete again.
Some pour forth like a torrential rain,
Beautiful and cleansing,
Leaving behind a mess of mud
Shivering, cold, alone,
Damaged.
Whispered words are fleeting,
Meant for secrets or a lover’s caress
But then they’re gone on the wind.
Left behind are their scars,
Imprinted on the soul,
Too deep to see with the naked eye,
Too painful to bear repeating.
Unloved.
Chapter One
{ Beth }
Beth dreamt she was laying on the forest floor, watching the trees sway as the wind wove through them. Ancient pines, white oak, and red maple moved with quiet reverence; it was almost as if she were imposing on some intimate moment. The softly rustling leaves spoke a language she didn’t understand while the rest of the woods stood silent and still.
Surrounded by moss and fallen leaves, the forest felt like home. Beth knew she had never been in a place so beautiful, so rich. Digging her fingertips into the cool topsoil drew a contented sigh. Beth’s eyes fluttered shut as she inhaled the earthy aroma. Perfect serenity had found her, warming the core of her being.
Upon opening her eyes, the sunlight bathed the forest floor with its rays. Sitting upright, Beth was caught in one of those good stretches that left her feeling loose and relaxed. Humming in contentment, she stood and studied her surroundings. Beyond the tall trees, bundles of ferns, and a thicket of briars, Beth spotted a field of wildflowers. Compelled to go there, she began searching for an opening.
As Beth walked, the woods were cast in shadow, blocking out the sun’s warmth. Her serenity fled, leaving the sense of someone watching from the shadows. The pit of her stomach dropped. Heartbeat raced. Scanning the dark patches of the woods surrounding her, Beth hurried away from the eyes that bore holes into her flesh, seeking what lay beneath.
The shadows pressed in on her like wisps of smoke. An unnatural chill swept across her bare skin. Beth resisted the urge to hug herself and kept jogging. Not once did she glance over her shoulder, for fear the watcher in the woods was following. When her skin began to crawl, Beth picked up the pace. She needed to outrun the shadows. Limbs tugged at her clothes and whipped at her face like outstretched arms with sharp fingers. They didn't want Beth to leave, causing her sense of dread to grow.
Beth spotted a lighted archway ahead. Shining like a beacon of hope: the entrance to her haven of safety. Using her second wind, Beth pumped her legs until her muscles burned. Just a little farther. A sudden sharp pain across her back made Beth falter for a split second, but she did not stop. Stopping would be giving up, and Beth was not a quitter.
Beth was closing in on the opening when she yelped. Something yanked her hair from behind. Without looking, she fisted her hair and yanked it back before diving through the archway. Tucking her arms and legs, Beth rolled when she landed, stopping on her back.
Lifting her head, Beth glanced over her heaving chest at the arch. A blanket of darkness swirled on the other side as if stopped by an invisible force. Two oval-shaped dark embers glared back at her. Beth blinked away the sweat dripping into her eyes. They were gone, taking the ill-natured murkiness with it.
When a quick survey of her immediate space yielded no further threats, relief washed over Beth. She lay her head down and stared up at the cornflower blue sky. The sun welcomed her while she rested.
As soon as her breathing returned to normal, Beth pushed herself to stand despite her protesting calves. Even with the pain her body was in, it didn’t distract from the sight before her. She had made it to the field of wildflowers.
Wandering to the center, Beth squinted against the sunlight while the palms of her hands brushed over the tops of the soft, tall grass. Her injuries had been completely forgotten and a sense of unhurried leisure surrounded her. It was as if time had no bearing here. The weather was perfect.
As she beheld the wonders of this place, twin cabins on the other side of the clearing came into view. They were too far away to make out any details besides the white chink mudding sandwiched between the wood logs. Smiling to herself, Beth thought, I wish I had a place like this.
She proceeded toward the cabins, intent on uncovering their mysteries. Her footsteps slowed, each one like trudging through mud. The dream swirled to a gray mist, replaced by a familiar warmth and the scent of orange and cedarwood.
“Happy birthday, beautiful,” Tom whispered as he swept a strand of Beth’s honey-colored hair out of her face, waking her from her dream.
“Good morning to you, too,” she groaned while managing a smile. “What time is it?”
“Time to wake, sleepyhead,” Tom replied as he traced her jawline to her chin and down the front of her neck.
Beth’s arm shot out toward the nightstand, feeling around for her cell phone. Fingers grazed the cold rectangular device before they grasped it, bringing it to her face. Squinting, she read the time, “Six-thirty.”
Tom was grinning ear to ear when Beth sat up in bed and exclaimed, “Oh!”
Today was not only Beth’s twenty-fifth birthday, but Tom had promised to bring her along on his annual hiking and camping weekend with the guys. He'd been going to this place since middle school with
Beth kissed Tom on the cheek and tried to jump out of bed, but he hugged her by the waist and pulled her back down, kissing her intimately. Pushing him away playfully, Beth put her hand over her mouth. “I’ve got morning breath,” she giggled, taking in the handsome visage of the man before her.
Despite his mild depression, if there was a male with more goodness than Tom Newman, she would be surprised. Tom’s grey eyes were like an intense summer storm with the tiniest bits of blue. His face was rugged and masculine, with a chiseled chin that had a dimple she loved to kiss. He always threatened to grow a beard to hide his ‘butt-chin’ as he called it, but every time Beth protested and changed the subject by playing with his soft, dark blonde hair. Tom loved when she played with his hair, so Beth used this tactic for getting kisses on demand.
“I don’t mind.” Tom smiled sincerely. “Besides, I love every part of you.”
Each word came with another kiss on the lips, cheek, neck, and chest, ending with a raspberry on her stomach. Beth let out a raucous laugh. “Now,” he said, with one last kiss on her forehead, “let’s get out of bed before we spend the next hour getting into trouble.”
After brushing their teeth, the two rushed downstairs to make coffee and start on breakfast. Most of their stuff had already been packed into the hatchback; they were ready to go, save for their toothbrushes, rechargeable batteries, and the more perishable food items. Beth didn't want to waste much time. She was in a hurry to go where the boys played every year, to see for herself the allure of this enchanted forest.
{ Tom }
Tom locked up the apartment while Beth waited in the car. Flashing her his pearly whites, he bounced over to the open driver’s side door. “Ready for a weekend outdoors, birthday girl?”
“Yes, please!” she beamed, practically buzzing with excitement.
Turning over the engine, Tom wiggled his eyebrows, and they were off. This woman meant the world to him. If Beth asked him to fly her to the moon, he would make it happen. He had almost always felt this way about her.
They both grew up in Mayes Hill, and Tom started crushing on Beth in the sixth grade when she beat him at dodgeball. The last two on the court, Tom threw the ball hard enough to knock her out. To his surprise, Beth caught it, hurling it right back for the knockout. He had been too stunned to react in time.
Unfortunately, Beth never noticed Tom until their first year in college. Both majored in education: Beth in early education specializing in math, and Tom in middle-school history, so they had many classes together. Halfway through the first semester, he finally worked up the nerve to ask Beth on a date. One date turned into two until they were going out every Friday night and dated through college.
Tom knew Beth was special after their first date. She was smart, witty, and had a great body. Then there were her amazing eyes. Green like spring ferns, they darkened with her mood. Once Tom learned that they shared a love of the outdoors, he knew they were meant for each other. Even though she was the most stubborn person he’d met, Beth was the embodiment of perfection in his eyes. They finally married this past January.
On the drive to the Tennessee / North Carolina border, he squeezed her hand lightly and glanced at her with a wide grin when she returned the affection. This trip was important to her. Tom was glad to have her company this time. Thankfully, his best friend, Grady Cooper, was able to move the date of the hike to accommodate Beth’s birthday.
“So, it feels like we haven’t seen Grady in forever. I missed him last Saturday for movie night,” Beth spoke, bringing him back to the present.
“Oh, yeah. He said something came up, but he’s looking forward to the hike, too.” Tom forced a half-smile. Grady still hadn’t explained what was so important that he had to go out of town last minute.
Beth beamed. “Good. Speaking of not seeing anyone in forever, I hope Paul and Jeff have been okay. It’s been a few years since we all hung out. They are coming this weekend?”
Her question threw him. Tom’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. Fighting the urge to grit his teeth, he opened his mouth in a fake yawn, unhinging his jaw before it locked.
“Uh, we’ll see. They’ve been so busy after university that we’ve barely spoken.”
Tom didn’t have the heart to tell Beth it would only be the three of them. He and Grady had been coming out here for the past three years by themselves, ever since their dads tried to initiate them into their cult. Performing strange rituals in the woods wasn’t their thing. Their dads weren’t happy when they declined to join. That’s why they waited until two weeks had passed since this year’s ritual. This way, they could have a peaceful weekend free from cult activities.
Forcing the memories back into their box, Tom focused on the road and the feeling of Beth’s warm hand in his. He stroked his thumb over her knuckles in a soothing circle. Beth used her cell phone’s Bluetooth to skip the song playing over the SUV’s speakers.
“We’re almost there,” Tom relayed as they passed mile marker twenty-five.
Beth let out a nervous sigh and wiped her palm on her canvas shorts. “I’m looking forward to it, but why am I so nervous?”
Tom stopped stroking Beth’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “I know it’s been a while since we’ve hiked. There’s nothing to be nervous about, hon. We’ll go your speed, okay?”
“Yeah. You’re right,” Beth replied before chewing on her bottom lip. “It’s just… last night I had a dream. It was pretty intense. I guess I’m still on edge.” She huffed out a chuckle, letting out a slow breath.
“Want to talk about it?” Tom asked, side-eyeing her with eyebrows raised. He was watching for their turn, which should be the next road.
Beth nodded and cleared her throat, pulling her hand away. Wringing her hands together in her lap, she began, “I was in a forest. And it was so beautiful, like what I would imagine my happy place to be. I didn’t want to leave.”
“Sounds nice so far,” Tom replied, half-joking as he made the right turn.
“Heh, yeah. That was before everything started to get dark. Then there was something watching me,” Beth continued, visibly shuddering at whatever she remembered.
As Tom pulled into to the parking area, his stomach turned sick. Jeff Putnam and Paul Larson, the current leader of the cult, stood on either side of Grady. The scowl on his best friend’s face deepened when Tom made eye contact. Then, dismay flashed across Grady’s features at seeing Beth. This worried Tom enough, but the sinister smirk Paul wore confirmed his worst fears.
He almost turned the car around but couldn’t condemn Grady to death. Putting on his best mask of calmness, Tom steadied his breath and parked the hatchback. If Jeff and Paul were here, that could only mean one thing. They were here to perform the yearly ritual. He and Grady had to come up with a plan, or the three of them wouldn’t make it out of these woods alive.
Chapter Two
{ Grady }
“Not one word, do you hear me?” Paul growled, his face screwed into grimace instead of a smile. The sandy-haired, lithe-framed man towered over Grady. Pain shot through his shoulder when Paul squeezed, promising to make good on his threat if Grady didn’t agree.
“Of course… brother,” Grady replied, barely able to contain the disgust in his voice. He would do well to play along, at least until he and Tom could speak privately.
Upon seeing Beth’s bright face, Grady’s stomach twisted in a knot. He’d spent days at the Grove to make sure it was ready for their arrival. Now that Jeff and Paul were here, she was in danger. What would Beth do if she knew the truth?
When Tom’s hatchback crept into the parking spot, Grady jerked away from Paul’s grasp. Looking at Jeff, Grady gauged his reaction. The man wouldn’t meet his gaze. Their red-haired friend had always lacked a spine. Paul’s faithful servant, Jeff Putnam, was no longer an ally.
