Chapter 1

Splinters in the Rift

 

             The pre-dawn calm was shattered by the sudden rhythmical approach of two dark-colored vehicles slicing through the early morning twilight. Nocturnal animals silenced their various activities to watch the strange things bump over the grassy terrain. With no road around for miles, these odd, metal creatures were for sure out of place, but nonetheless, they charged along without any sign of fear or hesitation.

              The vehicle's headlights were covered with a smokey gray shield, so the normal brightness was harder to see. However, the noise that followed their passing was too great to be ignored. They jostled onward as the sky lightened and the first rays of dawn tore into the curtain that was night. The morning sun fully crested the deeply shadowed mountains as the vehicles neared the forest edge. The once blurry line of hazy green now became a thick, jagged wall of foliage held aloft by individual brown trunks.

             The lead automobile's two passengers were old pros to the violent rhythm of the military-grade hummer, however, those inside the second car were not so used to the sudden, irregular jolts and the harsh sideways jerks; they were sure to be sore from the ride.

             Within the first vehicle, a satellite phone began to vibrate rapidly with an incoming call. “Agent Ridge.” A woman’s voice spoke into the phone’s receiver.

             “Good morning, Agent. I hope your commute is going well,” came a deep, commanding voice on the hidden end.

             “Greetings, Mr. Johnson, we’re nearing the excursion point as we speak, sir.” Helen almost had to shout to be heard over the jostling humvee. There was an annoying buzz, then Mr. Johnson’s voice came again. The veteran agent knew instantly her boss was cleansing the line.

             “Do you understand your objectives clearly, Agent Ridge?” He paused slightly, which gave Helen just enough time to answer.

             “Affirmative, sir,” she replied evenly.

             “Good. You and Agent Day make sure Dr. Gregory and Dr. Monroe are given the utmost cooperation and every convenience you have at your disposal.” His voice stayed calm and monotone as always.

             “Will do, sir, you can count on it,” Helen replied with equal calm.

             “And I can rest assured all will be properly taken care of once this issue has come to fruition?” Mr. Johnson’s voice took on an air of menace, which wasn’t lost on Helen. “Do you understand my meaning, Agent Ridge?”

             “Yes, sir, quite clear.” Her eyes drifted to the floorboards. “You have a good day as well, sir.” Helen put the cellphone back into its little case before turning to the driver.

             “I know that look.” The driver glanced at her quickly. “It will be fine, Helen, it always is.” He whispered the last of the sentence as if he wasn’t sure he believed it himself.

                “He made it clear that we’re to give the good doctors every convenience.” She thumbed back toward the following vehicle. “Baby sitting now, great.”

             “Settle down now, Agent Ridge. This will be an easy vacation, and it may not even have to get messy.” The driver looked toward her as he drove, chuckling deeply.

             “I didn’t ask for a vacation, and I’m not a custodian. This is for those good-for-nothing cleaners.” She checked her firearm, sliding the full clip back into the handle.

             “Oh, Helen, relax a little, will you? Damn it, we’ve had every difficult assignment for the last three years. We deserve a little walk in the park, so to speak.” He grinned sarcastically at her.

             Helen only looked at him as the hummer slid to a stop, fifteen yards from the trees’ edge. Agent Day winked at her over his wide grin as he popped his safety belt loose with a flourish of motion. “Smile for me, honey.” He mocked an exaggerated kiss and opened the driver’s side door, still making smooching noises at her.

             She shook her head, sighing lightly, then exited the passenger side. Before her door was shut, he was there, still grinning. Her upper lip quivered as she tried to restrain a grin, but failed, as the right side of her mouth rose slightly. He winked at her again, and her smile broke free.

             “I love your smile,” he said softly as he leaned in toward her.

             “Derrick. Now is not the time,” she said, placing a hand onto his chest, still grinning.

             “I can’t help it; you have that effect on me.” He stepped back with a shrug.           

              “Let’s get started, huh? Please.” She couldn’t stop grinning at him. He had an effect on her as well.

             “Well?” Derrick said, turning to view the second hummer’s approach.

             “Same as the briefing,” she replied, opening the rear door of their vehicle.

             “That’s what I figured,” he said, grabbing gear from the back and piling it onto the ground.

Helen shook her head again, shutting the rear door as the second hummer eased to a stop several feet behind them. Derrick folded his arms and watched the trio exit the vehicle as Helen bent to retrieve her pack.

             “Oh, what a great view.” Dr. Monroe spoke as she inhaled the clean mountain air.

             “Oh, I think it’s very nice,” Derrick replied softly, glancing down.

             Helen rose quickly, spun, and slugged him squarely in the arm. Her eyes held a false anger to them. She noticed the two doctors looking over at the commotion from the corner of her eye.

             “Ouch,” he said with a tiny laugh.

             “Derrick? Could you please focus on the mission? I don’t want to retire just yet,” Helen whispered in his ear.

             “Sorry, but I thought we were just babysitting a rock jock and an animal theorist. What could possibly go wrong?” He shrugged, grinning broadly.

             “A geologist, chemist and a biologist, botanist. Two specialists, who just happen to be tops in their respective fields, both with double doctrines. I don’t think the government would send these types of scientists all the way out here for nothing.” Helen paused to glance at the others to see where their progress had taken them. “So, I think we should be on our guard in case something strange happens?” She placed a finger up to Derrick’s lips to silence him. “And, by the way, this is the area where the Air Force lost those two Stealth 3 bombers last year, the Army lost contact with its squad of Rangers it sent in to search for the crash site, and there have been thousands of strange reports stretching back for hundreds of years. So yes, I’m a little nervous.”

              Derrick listened respectfully, but as she finished, he started grinning again. “Exactly my point, Helen. Two very brainy chess club members, tops in their respective fields.” This he said in a mock British accent. “Published and noted by other nerds of high stature, here in the middle of Nowhere, Montana to do tests of some kind. Not only that, but with two decorated field agents to keep them safe.” This he finished with a sarcastic flourish of movement as he picked up his pack, shouldering it with practiced ease and cinching it tight before finishing. “Think about it, dear, this is a pure walk-through. The upper brass need to fluff some reports to quell the fears of the public and help explain two very expensive downed aircraft and some missing Rangers, who, more than likely will be found sipping Jack at some redneck bar. So how can two respected scientists and two respected agents of the H.E.A., who find nothing, be discredited?” He was obviously waiting for an answer. An answer Helen didn’t have.

               “I don’t know, but Rangers NEVER go off mission, even for Jack,” she said with a slight huff while turning to face the now approaching trio. “I don’t know.” Her whisper was meant for her alone.

             Quite a strange group, for sure, she thought as they drew near. Rex Trebly, their guide, was pretty atypical. An averaged-sized man of about six feet tall, graying beard and hair, a rounded, oversized belly with a grubby appearance, but quick eyed with an intense gaze that missed nothing.

            Dr. Alex Gregory was tall and thin with a muscular appearance. He smiled often, which showed off his deep blue eyes. His hair was dirty blond with a well-trimmed GQ cut, handsome by most women’s standards. He carried his pack early, moving with fluidity next to Dr. Monroe, well at home in the wilderness, it seemed.

             Dr. Jessica Monroe, on the other hand, seemed petrified of the whole area. She swatted back and forth at a butterfly like it had huge fangs and an appetite to match. What she lacked in outdoor skills she made up for in sheer beauty. A 5-foot 4-inch petite model-like frame, golden hazel eyes that sparkled with their own inner brilliance, supported by a porcelain doll-like face and framed by shining brown hair that hung perfectly about her perfect, little features, even in the early morning breeze. Helen hated her.

             With an inward sigh, she knew Derrick was right, again. She forced a little smile as the whole group came together. Before Helen or Derrick could begin the briefing, Dr. Gregory interjected just as Helen opened her mouth.

             “Well, people, we all know each other, right? Good, then let’s get started on our little hike, because we have a long way to go, and I’d like to make our campsite before sunset.” He moved toward the forest’s edge, almost dragging a still unadjusted Dr. Monroe along with him. “Well, are we coming?” He spoke again over his shoulder just before breaking the bushy barrier.

             “Prick,” Helen whispered under her breath. She hated him now too.

             “Now, honey, is that any way to treat our guests?” Derrick replied in her ear as he moved past to join the rest of the party.

              Even the guide chuckled at the young doctor’s arrogance but moved into the lead quickly, and they were off.

Helen stood there for a moment, eyeing the woodlands. She just couldn’t shake that forewarning feeling she’d had ever since being assigned to this little walk in the park. Something was definitely wrong. She just couldn’t put her finger on it, and that made her very nervous.

              Fifteen feet into the woods, the party stopped to regroup and form a marching order. Helen’s thoughts wandered, trying to grasp the elusive feeling running rampant through her mind. She just could not corner it. The mission was, for all intents and purposes, a breeze. Watch over the two scientists while they travel into the most mysterious part of Montana wilderness, wait for them to take a variety of useless tests on rocks, dirt, trees, and water, then walk them back out again. Easy, right? A leisurely stroll through some of the most beautifully breathtaking scenery she could imagine. Then why did she feel so uneasy? Her train of thought was broken by the guide’s gravelly voice.

             “Yawl know whereabouts to head into the Yamahoyoe?” He was strolling about the tiny clearing chewing on a thick chunk of tobacco.

             “Isn’t that your job, friend?” Alex replied rather sarcastically.

             “Yup, many a strange story come outa des here woods,” Rex finished without missing a beat. Almost as if he never even heard the doctor’s retort.

             “You mean you don’t know which way to go either?” Jessica’s voice sounded panicked, and she looked every bit the part, big bright eyes widened in fear, her delicate smooth lips twisting in anxiety, her perfect model-like features still perfect.

              Helen hated her.

             “I’s told yews were a goin’ in fer three days, testin’ things, a comin’ back out. That means we kin go in any direction for three days, right?” The guide seemed so blah, Helen thought, for a second, he too was new to this.

             “Right, but straight in would be the best direction,” stated Helen.

             “Yes, the farther into the interior we can get, the better our samples will be,” Alex interrupted Helen matter-of-factly.

             “Straight in tis then,” Rex replied, bobbed his head, and started to turn around.

              “You have been in here before, though, and can lead us back out again?” Helen glared at Alex out of the corner of her eye as she continued.

             “Yup, I’ve been hunten’ in des here woods.” The guide turned to face her.

             “How many times?” she asked simply.

             “Twice,” Rex replied just as flatly.

             “Twice. Twice as in two? Oh man.” This time it was Agent Day who interrupted her.

             “You can do it though, yes?” Helen continued, never breaking the guide’s gaze.

             “Ya I can, but I think yawl should be awares dat many a people have entered dese here parts and never returned.” A slight seriousness seemed to come to his eyes as he spoke, but his gaze remained steady and unwavering.

             Before Helen could capitalize on the guide’s sense of seriousness, Derrick spoke again.

            “Yeah, yeah, we’ve all been briefed on the scary rural backwoods legends and the petrified stones of ages past. She asked if you could lead us in and out. That’s all. Not a history lesson on the mysterious landlocked Bermuda triangle bullshit,” Derrick said gruffly.

            Rex stood there watching Derrick with his steady gaze, never shifting his weight nor averting his eyes. All would have been signs to Helen of a lie in progress, but nothing faltered in the guide’s behavior. Her mind nagged at her again that something was wrong, something dangerous lurking in the shadows of her thoughts. Just when she grasped a hold, it seemed to vanish into so much smoke, and this bothered her to the point of distraction.

             “Dis no bullshit, mister, des here woods is cursed. Nobody is a commin’ outta here well and good.” Rex removed his dingy ball cap and wiped his brow over his camouflaged sleeve.

             “You did take the money though, right?” Derrick countered. Helen could tell he was growing angry.

             “Yup, I deed. Already spent it too.” Rex replaced his cap and adjusted it.

             Derrick took a step toward him, but Helen interceded. “Well?” she replied as she stepped in between them.

              “Didn’t say I wouldn’t do it. Just thought yous folks should be awares, is all.” The guide spat once onto the green weeds of the clearing.

             “If this forest is so cursed and there are people dying in here so readily, why would you risk coming in here at all?” Alex asked.

             “Damn good question,” Derrick replied, still eyeing Rex. “Cause none else ould do it fer ya’s, and I’s needed the dough.” Rex didn’t seem the least bit angry, or at least that Helen could tell.

             “I’m curious, friend.” Derrick folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the nearest tree.

               Helen knew he was in his investigative mode now. She raised her eyebrows and waited for the fireworks.

               “How many other parties have you conveniently lead into these woods, after receiving the payments, of course?” No one spoke. No one even breathed. All could feel the tension. It was as thick in the air as the mounting humidity.

             “What are ya sayin, boy?” Rex cocked his head to the side.

                Helen couldn’t tell if the old guide was asking for clarification or if his backwoods mindset just didn’t catch on as fast. She doubted the latter.

             “If it’s so dangerous in here, then why are you here?” Alex asked, adding to Derrick’s questioning.

             “Already told yas. None else ould do it, and I didn’t wants to see yawl go and disappear like erone else is bena doin,” the guide said evenly.

             “What a citizen,” Derrick replied.

             “Look, boy. I’m de only one whos can lead yawl abouts in here. If yas don’t trust me, then yews go on alone an I’ll sees to it yawl gets yer money back.” He waved his arm to encompass as much of the area as he could and then folded them across his chest.

             “We really don’t need you to lead us in if all we need to do is start walking in any direction,” Alex replied as he pointed into the interior. He seemed a little excited about the argument.

Helen noted his want for a confrontation. He could be dangerous in a crisis, and that was all she needed.

             “Aaight, den see yawl folks. Or maybe I won’t. Never know.” Rex started to leave the little clearing with a shrug, heading back toward the cars.

             Derrick started toward him, but Helen stopped him, her hands going to his chest. She shook her head once. “Wait,” she whispered, then turned to the rest. “Rex, hold on please. Dr. Gregory, we may not need him to lead us in, but who is going to get us out. You?” She pointed at Alex. Before he could speak, she continued. “And besides you two need to get deep into the interior, right?” She looked at both scientists, who nodded in agreement. “Well then, we will need someone who can do that without roaming around in circles for days. Rex, we will need your services, please and do not be angry with us for our questions. We too are nervous about these woods.” Helen turned to face the guide.

             “I’m not nervous, just perturbed,” Derrick said over her shoulder.

             “Neither am I, and I can get us in and out,” Alex replied confidently.

             “Shut up, both of you. That’s the way it’s going to be, or there will be no mission,” Helen said loudly. “Got it?” She looked at everyone in turn.

             Rex simply nodded. Jessica mirrored the action, her fear-filled eyes wide. Derrick rolled his eyes but agreed. Alex nodded but didn’t look too happy about the order.

             “Good, now can we please get this over with?” She waved them on.

             Rex moved on into the trees as if nothing had happened, picking his way along at his slow pace.

              “I don’t like him,” Derrick whispered to Helen.

             “He’s our only option then and now,” she replied, still a little miffed.

             “I know, but I still don’t like him much. He smells of stale beer and dirty laundry,” he said sarcastically as he moved on after the guide.

              Helen grinned with understanding and waved the two scientists on, leaving the rear guard for herself.

              As they walked on, the sun arched toward its zenith and the heat grew. No one spoke during the hike, whether due to the heat or the morning confrontation, none could say. Around noon, the guide halted, planting himself like a boulder dropped from above and started sipping at his canteen. Derrick continued on several paces past him, looking around for any sign of interest. Alex aided Jessica off with her pack and found a soft place for her to sit before he sat next to her, of course. Helen stood watching the little group as they drank and rested.

               Soon, tiny conversations broke out amongst them. Helen sat down slowly on a half-rotted tree stump, watching the group closely. Alex spoke to Jessica about the wonders of chemistry and how that with the micro-carbon testing device he brought along they would be able to tell age differences in minutes instead of waiting till they got back to the lab. Latest in technology, he bragged. Helen fought the urge to strangle the pompous ass, but Jessica seemed extremely interested. Nerds, she thought.        Derrick sat next to the guide, and the two carried on like nothing had happened between them this morning. Of course, Derrick was like that. Business was business, and all else was fun and friendly games. It seemed both fit together in that, Rex and he, but not Helen. She could hold a grudge for months. She leaned back against a nearby tree and closed her eyes. No one talked to her, and that was just fine. A few moments later, a light touch on her leg broke her from a day dreaming nap.

             “Hey there. You doing okay?” Derrick asked softly as he sat next to her.

             “Yes, I’m fine, Derrick.” She nodded slightly.

             “Would you like a drink?” He offered his canteen.

             “Sure.” She took it and sipped. A little ran down her chin. It felt cool and refreshing as it trailed onto her neck. She handed the canteen back, noticing that he watched the tiny rivulet on its course. She smiled then cleared her throat, bringing his eyes up to hers. “What?”

             “Ah, nothing. Just wishing I was that droplet is all,” he said, grinning.

             “You’re a maniac. Do you ever think of anything else?” Helen shook her head, smiling.

             “Well, yes. I could.” He turned his head, putting his canteen back but saying nothing more.

             “Well, what is it?” Helen asked curiously but knowing the answer.

             “I was thinking I could lick that off, but I would wait until it disappeared into your bra first,” he said matter-of-factly.

             “You would like that, wouldn’t you?” She slugged him in his shoulder.

             “Ouch. Damn straight. May I?” he replied.

             “Maybe later.” She winked.

             “Oh ho, ho, tease.” He looked dejected and physically hurt. Suddenly, he looked shocked like he had thought of something wonderful. “Okay, by then it will be much lower.” He winked again.

             “Derrick!” Helen hit him again in the same arm.

             “Ouhoohooch. Again in the same spot.” He laughed out loud.

              “They seem closer than just partners. What do you think?” Alex said to Jessica.

             “I don’t know. So what if they are.” Jessica shrugged.

             “Because. They are supposed to be our protection, right?” He leaned closer to her, pretending he didn’t want to be overheard. She nodded. “How can he watch our butts if he’s always watching hers.” He stayed close to her.

             “They’re professionals, Alex. That’s how.” Jessica’s answer didn’t seem to convince him.

             “It makes me nervous is all.” He sat back, sipping from his canteen.

                Jessica just watched him, wondering if he was right. Before anything else could be said, Rex rose and put an end to the little conversations going on around the camp.

             “Well now, we's should abe amovin on so’s we can get yawl as far in as possible before de night comes on.”

             “For once, I agree,” Alex said without any malice.