We stop at an RV camp in Halter, Mississippi, not far from the first attack. We're heading to the attack site tomorrow to see what we can learn. The attack took place here a few weeks ago. Perhaps going to a place where people were torn to ribbons isn't a good idea, but screw it. It can't be scarier than working with teenagers at a public Highschool. Plus Macey has her. 44 Magnum. The victims were torn to shreds. Rumor has it that they were left that way, and wolves don't do that, they eat what they kill. Reports claimed it wasn't coyotes or a bear, they emphasize on the whole, "unidentified canine" thing.
I make a macaroni cup and poor myself a cup of sweet tea. Every few moments Macey looks up from her tarot cards and gives me a worrisome look. She's been jumpy ever since our trip to the crystal shop. She really shouldn't read too much into it.
"I've done a reading on you five times already, and it's always the same. The same as the reading that Emeralda gave you. You're in danger, like deadly danger. According to the cards, you will make a dangerous mistake soon." She fusses, doing read after read.
I huff and roll my eyes. "I could make a dangerous mistake anytime. I mean you've seen me trip over nothing."
I take a bite of my food. We've always had different beliefs. I'm a Christian and have never forced my beliefs on her. So why is she being so pushy now? She's basically breaking an agreement we've had for years. My anxiety goes sky high. Just what has her so scared?
"What did Emeralda tell you that has you so freaked out? Is she some kind of oracle or something?" I snort, half sarcastically, half seriously.
"Sort of… She said she saw you covered in blood, your eyes blank and soulless. And that scares the hell out of me because it sounds like death to me." Macey says nervously as she continues to reread her cards meticulously.
"Mace, many years ago we agreed to keep our beliefs separate so it wouldn't affect our friendship. I don't believe in oracles and tarot cards." I say, dismissing her worries. "Besides, you know that in my beliefs that dad's guarding me now as my guardian angel, and he won't allow anything bad to happen to me."
"Why can't you keep an open mind? I'll always worry about you and everyone I love." She pleads desperately.
I sigh, "Fine, I'll be careful, but I'm telling you there's nothing to worry about." I finish off my macaroni and cheese.
Again and again she messes with her cards to the verge of insanity. I debate snatching them from her, but I don't have a death wish. Taking her cards could be my dangerous mistake. After calling mom and Cyrus I crawl onto my side of the bed. Macey seems mad and uneasy. She's tossing and turning. Is this what it's like to be a man who's pissed off his wife?
Thud! Something rattles the airstream, temporarily lifting its back end off the ground. Then the airstream starts shaking violently. Scared straight, I leap out of the bed. What in the actual fuck is happening? Macey jolts out of bed, .44 Magnum in hand.
"Is it another bear? Damn campers always leaving thrash out." I growl.
Something causes the airstream to shake so hard, that I fall to the floor. Macey does the stupidest thing imaginable, magnum in hand, she runs outside. My heart threatens to explode. Macey, you fucking fool! Holding my breath, I hesitate to get off the floor. Seconds seem like eternities. Maybe fifteen seconds pass before she comes flying back into the airstream.
I peel myself off the floor and get in her face. "Are you insane? You were just lecturing me about being in danger, then you go and do that." I growl.
"Something was fucking with my shit! When I got out there all I found was claw marks on the back of my house. I've never seen claw marks like this before." She growls back.
My attention turns to the area that would be considered her living room. Sitting out is her Ouija board. My skin crawls, those things creep me the hell out.
"Uhm, Mace. Did you forget to close that thing properly?" I ask.
Mom, Granny, and all my grandparents are strongly against Ouija boards. Most people in the bible belt are. All I've ever asked of Macey is to not open and use that thing around me.
"No, I closed it out." She answers.
"Could it be possible that some sort of poltergeist-demon stuff rattled the air stream?" I ask, my body shivering from fear and adrenaline. I feel cold, as if my body is threatening to go into shock.
She looks irked at my suggestion, but says honestly. "It could be a possibility."
"When did you get it out in the first place?" I ask.
She picks up the box and puts it away into one of her pantries. "After you fell asleep. I just keep having bad feelings hovering around. I was looking for answers."
"Mace, I already told you, there's nothing to worry about." I try to reassure her.
"My house just got shaken and clawed. And you say I shouldn't worry?" She asks agitated by my devil may care attitude.
"We just got down here. Are you suggesting we go back home this early?" I ask, getting slightly annoyed. We've never gone toe-to-toe before. Usually we get along so well. I just wish she could relax, that's the point of a vacation.
"Ok, how about this? You purify the airstream for now if that will put you at ease. When we wake up in the morning, I'll look at the claw marks, and research them. Hell, I'll call pop and ask him if he's seen them before. But chances are it's just another bear. Just don't turn tail yet." I try to deal with her.
She sighs in defeat. "You're right, you're right, I'm just being paranoid."
Exhausted, I go to the bathroom then lay back down. God, I hope this isn't the worst idea I've ever had, but people go cryptid hunting all the time. The smell of sage and other herbs permeate the air stream as Macey starts doing her witchy stuff. Whatever she's concocting is making me dizzy.
I start doing my thing by praying. Please Lord, protect us from demons and anything dangerous. Please give Macey peace of mind. Allow us to have fun, and return home safely. Amen.
Not going to lie though, I'm terrified to think of what rattled the airstream. I'm scared to see the claw marks. I'll be lucky if I can fall back asleep. I'm so jumpy right now. Suddenly it dawns on me why Macey is freaking out so badly. Her past still haunts her.
Way back before she even moved to Kentucky, long before we met, her homelife was hell. Her and her mom had to flee their home in Rogers, Indiana because of Toby Mae, Macey's dad. Toby was a monster, forcing Macey's mom, Brandy, to work two jobs while he stayed home and drank all dad. Sometimes her dad sold drugs on the side. Her parents fought a lot, and violently, like throwing ashtrays and vases at each other.
One day Toby tried to sell Macey for some crack, and the guy took him up on the offer. He would've gotten her too if she hadn't bitten him and ran for her life. Luckily, the trailer park they lived in had a nice Mormon family three trailers down. Seeing the state she was in, they let her in no questions asked. When the man came looking for her, the man of the family stepped out with the family German Shepard by his side. That man ran away quicker than a cheetah.
Noticing her dirty and tattered clothes, they put her in an outfit of their daughter, who was Macey's age. They also fed her the first decent hot meal she'd had in days. Working two jobs, Brandy didn't have time to cook. Toby ate most the food, and Macey rarely got fed.
It was that day that began the first day of her new life. Around nine at night, Brandy came to pick up Macey. Her face was covered in bruises, and she had stitches across her forehead. She had come home early because she had a bad feeling, and her and Toby got into an altercation. He pummeled her and gashed her forehead open. Police had to tase, and forcibly remove him from the trailer. I don't remember all the details after that, but the court granted Brandy full custody of Macey. Then they fled to live with her aunt in Kentucky.
That must be why she's going so crazy. I remember her telling me that seeing her mom all bruised and stitched up, broke a part of her. Not being able to protect the ones she loves is one of her primal fears. She's freaked out about not being able to protect me if something does go wrong.
I crawl out of bed and hug her from behind, which is hard for me because I don't like touching people, or them touching me. Macey's the same way, but we've had a few moments where we just needed to physically console each other.
"It's ok, you don't have to worry anymore. The past is over, let's have fun now." I hold her tightly.