Pumpkin Spice, стр. 26
“No shit, I know that.”
“Then what are you gunna do?” Cassidy was concerned. “I’ll think of something. You’ll stay here, me and the boys’ll get in them woods. Anything happens while we’re gone you know what to do.” Cassidy nodded.
The Barabbas boys waited at the western entrance of Kobold Woods by the birch tree. Penelope was the last to arrive. While the brothers waited, Barnabas reminded them of their endgame, this was not about the moment, or Reuben, it was about Penelope regaining their trust. The Tatum land was essential to the Barabbas boy’s takeover of Hastings.
“Morning Penelope, I trust you slept well?” Billy asked with a wide-eyed school boy optimism. “Are you shitting me Billy? I didn’t get hardly no sleep.” She turned her attention to Barnabas, “We ready to do this.” Barnabas tilted his hat, “We are. We wanna make sure you’re good.”
“I’m good. Let’s go.” And without giving it another thought Penelope marched into the woods.
Six miles from one end to the other. Reuben did it dozens of times, Barnabas hundreds. Penelope was in awe of it all, while she had always been skeptical of the goblin within these woods, she could not deny how eerie it felt being in there. The trees were staring down at her like a fist over an apple. Even the birds sounded mutated. Still, no sign of a goblin. “Where to Barnabas?” She asked. “Keep on going straight, no sidetracking.” Bo said out of turn. “If Reuben got lost wouldn’t you think he was sidetracking?” Billy innocently asked. Bo was not impressed with his little brothers questioning. “Too dangerous to go off track, what with the goblin and all. Reuben was stupid but he won’t no dummy.” Bo replied to his brother. “We’re gonna continue on going where we’re going. If we don’t find anything to suggest Reuben is here, we will stop to discuss our next course of action.” Penelope stopped walking and turned back to Barnabas, “The only course of action is finding Reuben. Or… or what’s left of his soul. I will not return without an answer.”
“My love,” Barnabas placed both of his hands-on Penelope’s shoulders, “If we do not discover a trace of Reuben by nightfall you must come to terms with the reality that maybe he did take off with the money. That he is living a better life somewheres.” He let her go. She didn’t like what Barnabas was saying, but was coming to the realization that he had a point. “Let’s move on.” Barnabas stated, “Wait.” Penelope interjected, “I have to go to the bathroom.” The three Barabbas boys said nothing, just stared at her. “Where should I go?”
“It’s the woods, piss anywhere you like.” Bo shouted. “I’m a lady.” Bo shrugged, “Behind the trees over there yonder. Go there.” Barnabas didn’t make eye contact. “Billy, escort Penelope over there. Keep her safe.” Billy nodded and walked down the woods with Penelope. A large boulder laid in the middle of their path. “I’ll go behind there. No peaking.” She joked to Billy. “I wouldn’t dare ma’am. You are my brother’s gal after all.” Penelope smiled, “Yes I am.” Penelope hid behind the rock. Billy stayed and waited for her to finish.
As Penelope did her business both Bo and Barnabas stood waiting. Bo reached into his pouch and pulled out a bottle of rum, he took a swig and offered it to his brother. “No.” Barnabas declined the drink. “This is ludicrous, Barnabas!” Bo was getting frustrated. “We both know what happened to Reuben. We need to make her see he ain’t coming back!” Barnabas shoved his brother. “I don’t know why it is you wanna get it on with this girl and her family, Barnabas, we can own this town without owning the land.” Bo’s voice was growing louder as he spoke, the alcohol was taking effect. Barnabas raised a finger to his brother’s lips, “You hear that?” Barnabas asked, “I don’t hear shit.”
“Exactly. It’s quiet.” Barnabas could sense something was off. “Billy?!” he shouted “Billy! Penelope!” He raced down the woods looking for his brother and his lady. The woods were empty. Not a sound either. No birds, no crickets, no wind. He took a look back at his brother, Bo. No one was there. He looked to his right, nothing but wilderness. He looked up and saw the mouths of the treetops glaring down at him. He pulled his compass out of his pocket. Cracked. He squeezed down on it and shattered it before tossing it on the ground by his feet. “Bo! Billy! Penelope!” He called out with a vicious roar.
Elsewhere in the woods Bo gripped his ax firmly in his right hand. His cigarette had been burning for who knows how long. Time made no sense to him anymore. Kobold woods would do that to you if you strayed from the path. He turned left. He turned right. He got the eerie sense he was not alone. Once again, he tightened the grip on his ax.
Useless!
He felt a slash at his Achilles. His body hit the ground with a monstrous thud. He dragged himself forward in pain, hoping to rest against a tree trunk. A stabbing pain rushed through his back, not once, not twice, but three thrusts with a dagger. He turned his bloody body over. The sun was shining brightly over top of him. He could barely make out his attacker. But there, standing above him was the silhouette of the goblin of the woods.
Barnabas reached into his jacket and pulled out a pistol. He was walking slower than normal. People like Barnabas aren’t used to falling prey. “If anyone’s out there show yourself!” He demanded, and with that he could see his brother Billy. He was lying behind