Lies Behind The Woods

and other natural resources to stay hidden for decades. No Google maps can locate this terrain. Hence the reason it took three days on foot to get here. The trees keep the sun out, and we can’t be seen from the sky. A real hidden gem in White Pine. The best part of it all is that the land is privately owned by those of us that live here. So, it’s legit in a way and we stay off the radar.”
“Then why do you call it Breitenbush?” Steve asked curiously, wanting to know why this off the grid place carried part of his last name.
“Stop asking fucking questions. You shall find out tomorrow, I believe.”
As they walked through the town, the locals all stopped to get a glimpse of Steve.
“Is that Steve?” he heard a young woman asking as they walked by.
Steve didn’t know what to make of this gesture. He just smiled and kept on following John. The women were all beautiful to Steve and he got nasty thoughts every time he saw one of his type. Steve kept counting how many of the women he would like to sleep with, checking out the women as he walked by.
Jane also noticed the abundance of women.
“Where are all the men?” she asked, looking around Breitenbush.
“At certain points throughout the town, making sure no one escapes. So, don’t have any plans on leaving anytime soon,” John said, smiling at Jane.
“Some hunt for us and others do the handy work. The lucky ones get to help us reproduce, Steve, so we can continue our population,” Tara said as she gave Steve the sexy eye.
“This is your type of place, Steve. You should join us. Or, maybe not.”
“So, you are not gonna kill us?” Steve asked in a nervous tone.
“Haven’t decided yet. Plus, I don’t know the plans for you.” John turned to Steve. His demeanor was friendlier.
“Look. I didn’t mean to rough you up so bad, brother. I had to get my revenge licks. Plus, I promised I wouldn’t kill you. Just remember that when the time comes.”
“Time for what?” Steve asked as they stopped at an old cabin in the corner of Breitenbush.
John opened the cabin doors. “This is where you will be staying tonight. There is a guard at both exits. So, no need to try and make an escape attempt.”
“Are we guests or prisoners?” Steve asked defensively.
“This is our prisoner quarters. Right now, this is where you will stay. We call this place Cabin Fever. If you survive tonight, we will see what tomorrow will bring. There are first aid kits for both of you to clean your wounds and patch up. Sorry for the smell. I haven’t had time to remove our old friend,” John said with a weird, evil smile.
Steve and Jane entered the cabin and heard John lock the doors behind them. The cabin smelled like death. It was extremely hot like an oven that had been on for days. Sweat ran down the faces of Steve and Jane as they looked into each other’s eyes in fear.
“This place is going to kill us. We need to find a way out. And why all of a sudden is John your friend? What the fuck is going on here? What did we get ourselves into? And what is that god awful smell?” Jane kept going.
“Shut the fuck up! Sorry. Let me think.” Steve shouted angrily as he paced back and forth in the hot cabin, grabbing his hurt shoulder with blood and body sweat soaking his shirt.
“I don’t know what’s going on myself. I don’t get why this place is named after me. I have questions too.” Steve said, holding Jane by the shoulders. Steve looked Jane in her eyes and she looked back in fear.
“I don’t wanna die here,” Jane said while a tear ran down her cheek, falling off her chin. Steve wiped her tears. Hugged her tightly as the sweat from their bodies stuck to each other.
Jane pushed him away, then looked around again for the source of the smell in the cabin. Her eyes caught a body lying next to a chair on the side of the room.
“Oh my God! It’s Rebecca. He killed Rebecca.” Steve saw the badly beaten body Jane was referring to and quickly turned away in disgust.
“Who is that?” Steve questioned while trying to cover his nose.
“John’s public defender I told you about that hated the guy and made him take the plea deal. This is it. His revenge, Steve. He is going to kill everyone that helped put him away.”
Steve hugged Jane for comfort and protection.
“I will not let him kill us. I will fight for you, Jane.” Jane pushed him away again out of anger and frustration.
“How could you fall for Tara and this game? I thought you were better than that. You need help. You are sick. I tried to warn you. Whatever happens, this is your fault, Steve.”
Steve stood silently to gather his thoughts.
“Let’s just play John’s game and we shall stay alive long enough to find a way out. We will get through this. I promise I won’t leave you here, Jane. I will save you.”
Jane grabbed the first-aid kit to clean her thigh and dried-up blood.
“I don’t know if I want your help after all. I tried to help you and I’m in this shithole.”
Steve grabbed the supplies from Jane and helped her with her wound.
“Saying I’m sorry will never be enough for what I am putting you through. But I promise that I will do
whatever it takes to save you and get you out of here.”
As Steve comforted Jane, a small moan was heard in the corner at the opposite end of the cabin. Steve and Jane saw a body that was barely moving. He took Jane by the hand as they moved closer to investigate the body. The corner was dark. The body smelled like urine and feces and death. They could tell it was a woman due to the long