Rogue's Hollow (25 page)

“Well, he found me.” Travis said, almost joyfully.

“I’m sorry, son. I should have followed him but I didn’t even recognize him until after he was gone. I thought that he’d left. He listened to me talking about making the syrup right here on the grounds. He must have put the pieces together and come searching for you. I’m sorry I didn’t look out for you, Travis.”

“It’s all good, Malachi. He didn’t hurt me. And like your granddad said, he got what he deserved. It was a long time coming. Now, we just have to turn his evil into precious ash to help protect us.”

Malachi bent down and began to build the fire. Travis kept bringing him a constant supply of wood and before he knew it, the fire was blazing. Malachi stood up and tested the kiln with a green branch. It sizzled and moaned as the flames licked it. Travis handed him the water bottle and he took a chug. He nodded at Travis and said, “I do believe that we’re ready.”

Travis backed the tractor up as close to the kiln as he could get. He wrapped the tarp back around the body and slung it up over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The fire was so hot that it was difficult for Travis to get very close. He came as near as he could stand and tossed the body into the chamber. The smell was horrendous, but it didn’t last for long. The strong night wind dissipated the stench quickly. The flames danced and flared up alongside the body, as though they were somehow drawn to the flesh.

It took several hours for the remnants to burn down. Travis and Malachi stared at the cremation and watched the body morph into nothing but dust and bones which were brittle and easily crushed. After a short while, there was nothing left but pure precious ash. 

Twenty-Four

T
he morning light peeked into Malachi’s room and caught him dreaming again about Mera and Lukas. His eyes slowly creaked open. For a moment it seemed like any other day, like nothing had happened. Maybe last night was all just a bad dream. But, then reality began creeping into his memory and he recalled every detail of the previous night. No, it most definitely was not a dream…

Malachi was sitting at the table drinking a mug of steaming orange pekoe tea when Travis finally awoke. Sleepily, he meandered into the kitchen. “Morning, Malachi. I’m starving.” He acted nonchalant, as though nothing had happened.

“Want some scrambled eggs?”

“Sounds fantastic! What a weekend.”

Malachi stood up slowly and prepared the egg and milk combination to pour into the hot pan. He looked at Travis, searching for some sign of remorse. There was none. Carefully analyzing him, he asked, “How are you feeling today?”

Travis happily smiled and replied, “Grand and dandy. It really is perfect out here all alone like this.”

As Malachi cooked, Travis placed a few drops of angel blessing into his juice glass. Then he put some in Malachi’s tea as well. Marcus had told him that Malachi was too uptight and he needed to relax a bit.

Travis seemed to inhale the food. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach. “Thanks, that was tasty. I’m gonna run into town and pick up some supplies. Do you need anything?”

“Can’t think of anything off the top of my head. Maybe get another gallon of milk, we’re getting low.”

“Will do. Be back in a bit.”

Malachi stood at the door, sipping his tea while he watched Travis drive off in Rosie. He stepped outside into the morning sunshine and glanced around. There was no extra car left behind lingering in the parking lot. He wondered how Doug had gotten there. He must have walked or hitch-hiked.

The angel blessing began to kick in. Taking a deep breath, all his worries began to drift away and he felt relaxed and carefree. Like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders. Without hesitation, he began to whistle an old church hymn.

A beautiful Cardinal in a nearby tree caught his attention. Sipping his tea, he stood quietly and watched the graceful bird. His trance-like state was interrupted when he heard the phone ringing from inside the mill. He rushed back inside to answer it.

“Hello.”

“Malachi?”

“Yes, who’s calling please?”

“It’s Officer Fischer at the Canal Fulton PD. I had a message to call you. Is everything okay?”

“Ah, Officer Fischer. Hello!” Malachi paused for a moment deep in thought and then replied. “Yes, officer. Everything is fine. I had a bit of a problem with a shoplifter yesterday, but it all worked out in the end.”

There was a momentary pause and then Fischer replied, “So everything’s fine now?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you so much for returning my call.”

“Well, just let me know if you need anything else, Malachi.”

“Will do. Have a good day now, Officer Fischer.”

“You too.”

Malachi hung up the phone and smiled.

He turned around as he heard the cowbell on the front door chime. With a warm, friendly voice, he greeted the visitors. “Mornin’ folks. Welcome to the Old Mill General Store, where strangers are just friends we’ve yet to meet...”

Ode to Rogue’s Hollow

Take me on down to Rogue’s Hollow

I’ll meet you at Cry Baby Bridge

There’s a feeling that’s hard to describe there

The presence of those who once lived

A still in the air that will haunt you

As you stand in the fog on that bridge

A cry in the night will torment you

On a full moon, that baby still lives

Take me on down to Rogue’s Hollow

The full moon is calling my name

Candlelight glows at the old witch
’
s house

And beckons me on down the lane

To this hideaway down in the hollow

So hidden away from the world

The legends live on ‘til the still light of dawn

In this strange little part of the world

The house that drips blood is still standing

As a monument to the insane

And on cold nights you still hear the whistle

Of a never arriving ghost train

So take me on down to Rogue’s Hollow

The place where these old legends dwell

The ghost train is leaving at midnight

On the tracks that roll straight down to Hell.

XXX