Deep Shadows

By Elaine Waldron

Devin Knight knew what Chuck Smith was; had known ever since the man had moved in a few years back, but he'd never gotten in his way. There had been no reason for him to be troubled by the man. A werewolf was a powerful creature too. And though Chuck wasn't quite as strong as he, as a werewolf, he could be a challenge. Unfortunately, Madison was a different story. He'd promised himself when she moved in that he would protect her and watch over her, and that was what he fully intended to do. What's more, it was now clear that Chuck had made the decision to pursue Madison romantically, even though it meant putting her life at risk. That, he didn't like at all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elaine Waldron
• Release date: Nov 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466012318

Elaine Waldron

Elaine Waldron began her career as a novelist with Publish America, publishing her first two books with them. Aside from her novels, she has had numerous short stories published in various magazines and anthologies, such as Amazing Journeys and Trail of Indiscretion, winning best story based on cover art for issue #4. She was a newspaper journalist earlier on in her career, but shortly after leaving the newspaper, she began selling her short stories.Her favorite authors are: L.J. Smith, Stephen King, Stephanie Meyer, Jack Engelhard, and John W. Cassell. She enjoys Shakespeare and her favorite poet is Rainer Maria Rilke, and she mostly reads and listens to his works in German.She is an advocate for preserving our planet, believes in God, and recycles. Loves animals and has two cats.

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Prologue

Mattie Ray couldn’t sleep, had tossed and turned all night. She missed Devin, the love of her life, terribly. He was in Europe on business, had real estate there. He had wanted her to travel with him, as she often had in the past, but she wasn’t the young woman she’d been when they met some forty years prior. She was now in her early sixties, and though he was older than she, one would never know it to look at him. He was still the handsome, debonair and sophisticated gentleman he’d always been.

She glanced at her clock on her nightstand. It was only four in the morning. Oh, Devin, she murmured with a sigh. "I miss you so much." She placed her right hand to her chest. There was a strange sinking feeling in her heart. She wasn’t sure how she knew it, but she did – She would never see Devin again – The true reason she couldn’t sleep.

Repeatedly, she had told herself that it was crazy. He was due to return home the next day, but she still could not shake off the awful feeling that all but overwhelmed her. She rose from her bed and pulled on her terrycloth robe and slipped her feet into her leather house shoes that Devin had given her the past Christmas – had sturdy soles and could be worn outside – and decided to step out on the front porch.

She lived in the woods by a back road near Mount Rainer, Washington. Other than Devin, who had a cabin in the back woods behind her, there was one other neighbor. He’d moved into his newly built cabin only a few weeks before. He seemed to be a friendly enough gentleman, but Devin had told her that he sensed that there was something not quite right about the man, for her to keep her distance from him, especially when he wasn’t there.

She had promised Devin that she would stay in the cottage until he returned, and she had. Only this morning, she felt she had to get a breath of fresh air, hoping it would help settle her nerves and she could return to bed and get a little sleep. She also felt sure that their neighbor would most likely be home in bed at this early hour of the morning. She stepped out onto her front porch and pulled her robe in tighter, as the air had a distinct but refreshing chill to it. There were even light patches of snow here and there on the ground, but it was no longer snowing. Moving up to the railing, she could see the faint glow of morning in the east over the trees. The sky had cleared. Soon, the sun’s rays would be reaching its long fingers up over the mountains.

She glanced about momentarily and then descended the few steps to the left of the porch and walked out to the middle of her driveway. There, she sucked in a deep breath of the crisp air and closed her eyes, envisioning Devin with her there and kissing her tenderly, as he had so many times over the years, but her cherished thoughts were suddenly stolen by the deep, guttural growl of an animal. Her eyes popped open and she whipped her head around to see a huge pale wolf with glowing red eyes and fur bristled, standing there, ready to spring forward at the slightest provocation.

Oh God! she gasped, suddenly realizing that she might have brought her fears to fruition. She slowly did her best to step backwards, but the wolf took another step forward, he was going to attack. She swirled around and took off running and calling out, I love you Devin! I love you! She was suddenly seized by horrible pain in her chest. It wasn’t the wolf, it was her heart. She tried to run, but she couldn’t breathe. The wolf was suddenly in her path. She expected it to plunge at her, but it didn’t. It seemed to know she was in trouble. She gasped out her lover’s name one last time and fell to the ground dead.

One

It was evening when Madison Mobley turned her Ford Focus into her tree-shrouded drive for the first time since her Aunt Mattie had passed away and left the little cottage to her. The orange sun was setting behind the tall conifers and it would be dark soon. She hoped the power was on, as it was already in her name, as was the house phone. She shut off her car and slowly opened the door. Although it was late summer, she’d forgotten just how cool it could be in Washington, especially in wooded areas. She realized she should have had a sweater or jacket handy.

She opted to unlock the front door before getting her luggage out of the trunk and went up the three steps that were on the right side of the front porch by the driveway; carefully fingering through her keys, finding the one she still had from the times she had stayed with Mattie, and unlocked the door. It fell open. She felt for the switch to her left and let out a hearty sigh of relief when the light came on, although it wasn’t dark yet. Thank you, God! she said, as she had been a little afraid that the power might not be on. It was, though, and grateful was an understatement for how relieved she was.

What Madison didn’t notice was the tall dark shadow, resembling the shape of a man, lingering next to one of the pine trees to the left of the porch. It remained there, observing her intently as she went on inside.

The cottage was a little musty, but not bad for having been closed up for a while, with only the realtor who had been keeping an eye on it coming in and out for the past few weeks. Nostalgia hit her as she moved through the small living room where the big maroon and sepia braided rug still claimed its place in the center of the living room floor. Mattie had braided it years ago. Madison had been six. She still remembered helping her aunt get it started, holding the ends while Mattie began the plaiting.

There was a large archway into the kitchen, and the mahogany table that had sat there for years was still there up against the wall on the right. She stopped to clear the lump in her throat, almost anticipating Aunt Mattie calling out to her. She wondered if she concentrated hard enough, if she could hear her (at least, in her thoughts). She wiped a tear from her cheek and decided to go out and get her suitcases; once more failing to notice the dark figure that now shadowed a tree at the end of the driveway less than six feet away.

Just as she opened up the trunk, short barks startled her from behind. She swung around to see a Border collie resting on his haunches, wagging his tail. Hello, she greeted. The dog let out an enthusiastic yip.

Then a man’s voice called out, Shep! Shep, get over here now! A tall man with sandy hair, trimmed just below the ears, appeared from around the trees at her driveway entrance. Sorry about that. Shep’s not used to anyone being here. He walked up to her and extended a hand. Name’s Chuck. Actually, Charles Smith. I prefer Chuck.

She shook hands with him and then dropped hers down. Madison Stephenson. Her attention returned to the dog, who was eyeing her with bright eyes and tail swishing. I used to have a Border collie. However, that was when I was really young, around six. I called him Fred.

Good dogs.

I knew Aunt Mattie had a neighbor or two, but I wasn’t aware anyone lived real close.

Actually, I just built a cabin down the road and moved in about six months ago. Just before Miss Ray passed away… So, she was your aunt?

Yes she was. Madison noticed his eyes were a pretty gray. Then it hit her. Goodness! Are you the one who found her?

At once, he was apologetic, Yes! Afraid I am. Early one morning, I had just let Shep out and he ran off and started barking. I called and called but he didn’t come. I knew he’d run off in this direction, and when I got here, he was sitting by her body here in the middle of the driveway. It looked as though she had dropped in a midstride, a heart attack. I tried to give her CPR, but she was already gone…I’m sorry.

It’s not your fault. And thank you for trying to save her. I remember now that we were told a neighbor had found her. Only at the time, we were confused, as we didn’t know she had any real close neighbors. Then she thought about it. Except for one man who lived back in the woods. He used to come around a lot. Aunt Mattie and he were very good friends. They often had coffee or tea together, had picnics in the woods, and sometimes played Chess or Monopoly, and then he’d leave…He’s probably not around anymore. I can’t even recall his name right now.

Neither noticed the shadow move in even closer. If they had, they might have thought it just shifting light from the dimming sunlight filtering through the gently swaying tree branches above.

I know there’s a cabin back there. Came across it while trekking through the woods with Shep. Looks abandoned from the outside, but I didn’t look in the windows. So, he breathed. I take it that you’re moving in?

Yes. I just brought my clothes. I knew it was already furnished. There are two bedrooms, one that was mine when I came to visit. That’s where I’ll be sleeping. I plan on saving and using what I can of her stuff. I know she’d want me to. The rest, I’ll pack up and store in the attic or have a yard sale.

He sniggered lightly.

What?

Good luck with that yard sale. Only me here, and there is one other gentleman just the far side of me by a city block or two.

Dah! she slapped her forehead. I’m tired. Long day.

Hey…It’s okay. I’m walking distance. If you need any help, give me a yell. His expression changed to concern. You going to be okay? A young woman all alone in the woods like this?

My aunt was. She lived here for years.

Okay, he said, smiling dubiously but attractively. Just remember, I’m not far away. Of course I’m gone during the day. I just got home a little bit ago and let Shep out. That’s when he made a bee-line for here. But I’m home of an evening and work only a few hours on the weekends. He started to walk away.

Wait!

He spun around on the heels of his boots. Yes?

Who’s this other neighbor?

His expression took on a slight shadow. You might not find him so friendly. I think his name is Devin Knight.

Hmmm. Her forehead wrinkled. Name sounds familiar. Nah…Couldn’t be. I think my aunt’s friend was named Devin too. He’d be old by now.

I’m sure he’s not the same guy. This fella is about my age. Though he might be a relative. I only spoke to him a couple of times when he came in my little store. He’s tall too. Like me. Maybe a little taller. Dark hair. Hooded green eyes. Always looks serious. Not sure I’ve ever seen him smile.

You own a store? she asked, not really paying attention to his description of Devin Knight.

Yes I do. Just down the road from the Nisqually Entrance to Mount Rainier Park. I sell a few groceries and a lot of camping supplies. You’d be surprised at the things people forget to pack when they go camping.

I don’t know. I’d probably forget a lot of things.

Anyway, back to Mr. Knight. He seems okay enough, but I definitely get the feeling he just wants to be left alone, a man of few words.

I’ll keep that in mind.

You have a good evening, now. Just remember, I can hear you if you yell real loud. Don’t hesitate, if you need me. He patted his leg and called his dog. The dog jumped up and went to him.

You have a good evening too, she said, grinning now, deciding he was definitely cute. She liked the way one curl spilled over his forehead. And though he hadn’t said, she got the feeling he lived alone; didn’t mention any wife or kids. She watched him disappear around the trees, and then she pulled her suitcases out of the trunk and carried them in the house.

The shadow followed her right up to the front door, but stopped there and disappeared.

Madison did okay until around eleven. Suddenly feeling the stress of the day taking its toll, she realized she was actually really tired.

After checking the hot water heater in the small cubby hole of a closet in the hall to make sure it was on, she took a quick shower and dressed for bed in her burnt orange pajamas.

She switched out all the lights, except for in her bedroom, the one she had slept in so many times as a child. Though she was sure the pretty off-white covers with red roses had been on the bed for a while, the bed still looked clean; hadn’t been slept in since it was made. Knowing her aunt’s fanaticism on cleanliness, she knew the covers were clean when applied, but it had been six months since Mattie died.

Oh hell with it!

She yanked the covers off and shook them out good and remade the bed, then flipped back the covers and adjusted the two pillows, as it was a full bed; old fashioned, with a wrought iron head that had been painted off-white. There were no blinds on the two windows in the bedroom. Just shades. She pulled the shades down, leaving them open only about a foot above the sills. Then she turned off the light.

And stopped cold.

Shit! Pitch black. Couldn’t see her hands in front of her face.

She had forgotten how dark it could be in the woods in Washington at night, especially when there was no moon out to give its light. She didn’t consider that her eyes would adjust to the darkness. It was too dark. She anxiously felt for the light switch by the door. Finding it finally, she let out a sigh of relief. It was one thing being alone, but being alone in the pitch dark of night was another.

She was exhausted but wasn’t sure she could sleep with the light on. A small lamp was by her bed. She hadn’t bothered to turn it on. She pushed in the button on the base, but it didn’t come on. Looking down through the top of the shade, she saw there wasn’t a bulb. Oh hell with it! she sputtered and decided to leave the hall light on and prop her bedroom door open just a little with her shoe, so the light wouldn’t be fully in her face, but she would not be in total darkness.

Done, she climbed in the bed and pulled the covers up to her neck, glad it wasn’t hot like back in Texas. There, even with the AC on, it often felt hot when one pulled up their covers.

She closed her eyes and attempted to fall asleep, even almost going to sleep, but then she got a strange, eerie inkling that she was being watched.

Her eyes popped open and she rolled over in bed, raised the shade slightly and craned her neck, looking out the window there. The sky was clear, could see the stars above. They were amazingly vivid, as there were no clouds; unusual for Washington where it was often overcast. But closer to the ground, though barely visible, was a low-lying fog. Somewhere an owl hooted, adding to the eeriness she felt. Then there was a rustling and something appeared at her window. She jumped back, startled and then laughed at herself, realizing it was a bird – a very large bird. It tapped on her window with its beak. Immediately Poe’s poem came to her mind, Tapping, tapping at my chamber door. She swung her legs over to the side of the bed. Shit!

The bird just sat there, staring in at her. Was it a crow? If so, it was really big for a crow.

Go away!

The bird croaked in response, sounding much like a frog.

What the shit? Then she remembered that raven’s had a guttural, frog-like sound. The bird took up the bottom half of the window; had to be a raven. Though she’d only seen one or two ravens in her entire life, they had been here in the Pacific Northwest; one of their natural habitats. That was when she had heard that sound before. Look, bird. I need to sleep. Go away!

The bird croaked one more time, flapped its wings and flew off.

Thank you! She fell back on her bed and covered up, this time her head as well. Once more, she almost went to sleep; even began to dream, but was jolted awake by a wolf howling nearby. She sprang up. What the shit? She flipped back her covers, jumped out of bed and raised the shade halfway up the window to get a better view. The fog was much thicker and had an odd bluish glow. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness. Again the wolf howled, but this time much nearer. Was it the same wolf? Or was it one wolf answering the other?

She about leapt out of her skin then, for the bird was suddenly back, landing on her sill. It hit her than that she might not be getting much sleep tonight. Dammit!

She sat on the side of her bed, staring at the bird that was staring in at her, trying to remember if she’d had problems sleeping in the cottage before. Thinking about it, she remembered that there had been animal sounds, but they hadn’t bothered her that much then. Mattie had been in the house with her, and she hadn’t been alone. But being alone now, all the nightly animal noises were more than a bit unnerving. Guess I didn’t realize, she mumbled to herself. Dammit! she sputtered again. She got up and padded barefoot to the kitchen, switching on the lights as she went, but she stopped at the refrigerator. Shit! I don’t have any milk! I haven’t been to the store yet. Muttering a few more expletives, she headed back for the bedroom, turning out all the lights except the one in the hall. The bird was still at her window, sitting sideways now. She got the weirdest feeling that it was not just watching her but somehow guarding her. She frowned. Now why would I think that? She dropped back onto her bed and once more covered her head, and finally, at last, fell asleep.

Hey, there! Chuck greeted, sitting his pricing gun aside and meeting Madison halfway down the middle aisle to shake her hand as she came into his store. I was wondering if you would try shopping here.

Didn’t feel like driving far. Thought your store was the closest one.

That it is. I don’t have a huge variety of vegetables and meats, but I do have plenty of your staples – flour, milk, rice, coffee, things like that. He glanced to the right of the store where the camping supplies were. And of course, sleeping bags and lanterns. He chuckled. And some ammo, if you ever need it for hunting.

Probably not. Just groceries for me, I think. I really do need some milk.

Dairy case is in the back just to the left of the meat counter.

I see it. Thank you.

She went to get her milk, and just as she reached the cooler, she noticed a large painting of a pack of large gray wolves running through the snow. It was a beautiful painting, but what really got her attention was it was signed Chuck. She turned and looked at him, as he was behind the register now, ringing up an elderly man who was buying ammo. She went ahead and picked up a few more things she needed, but soon as the man walked off, she went on up to the register and sat her groceries on the counter. You did that painting of the wolves there? she indicated with a tilt of her head towards the painting.

Yep, he replied, eyes twinkling. Not the greatest, but I try.

I think it’s beautiful. I paint too.

His brow shifted with interest. You do?

Yes I do. One of the reasons I moved here. Want to paint the splendid scenery and the wildlife.

His face brightened. Awesome! Maybe we could get a painting session going sometime? He thought about it for a moment. That is, if you think you’d like to do that?

She wriggled her head up and down. Yes. It might be fun.

I’m sure we could find something to paint together. He scratched his temple and then dropped his hand down. Indian Joe watches the store for me some days. No set time, other than weekends and some late afternoons, just when I want a day… or a few hours off.

Indian Joe?

Yes. His full name’s Joe Flying Eagle. We’ve been friends ever since I moved here. He used to own the store, but wanted to retire. I bought it from him right after I moved here with money I had left over from my mother’s insurance when she passed away.

Oh! I’m sorry to hear about your mother.

Thank you…It was her time. Was sick for a long time with stomach cancer. She was ready.

I see. She dug in her small purse for the money to pay for her groceries and handed it over.

He rang it up and asked her if there was anything else he could help her with.

That’s all for now, I believe. I’ll know better later what I need to get. I just need to get settled in. Take inventory of what all I want to buy.

I understand.

Later, she said, smiling brightly.

He mirrored her smile and reminded her to yell if she needed anything. She assured him that she would and left. When she arrived home, there was that big black bird sitting on her porch railing, as though he’d been waiting for her return. She eased in the drive, got out, took her bag of groceries out of the trunk and went up the steps. The bird just sat there on the railing turning, and adjusting his position in order to face her as she moved up the steps. "Weird!" She went on in and closed her door, taking her groceries to the kitchen and putting them away. Finished, she went to the living room and peeked outside. The bird was gone. Okay… she sighed and let herself forget about it.

Madison spent the rest of the day cleaning and dusting. Mattie’s old television still worked, and she turned it on so she wouldn’t feel so totally alone, now beginning to think she should get a cat or a dog. Only she had no idea what she really wanted. Though she loved dogs, she found cats easier to care for, as they pretty much took care of themselves. Only, she was afraid if she got a cat that Shep might not take too kindly to it. It was something she’d have to think about.

She finally finished up the living room by running Mattie’s old vacuum cleaner. It, too, was practically an antique. It still required bags. However, it worked, and she decided she didn’t want to spend any money that wasn’t necessary. Though she had plenty for now – hoped it would last her until she could start making money selling her art – she didn’t want to use it up on any unnecessary expenditure. Just in case she did have to get a job eventually. Although, she figured she had enough to do her for several years, and didn’t consider it a major concern at the present.

She tucked the vacuum cleaner away in the hall closet next to the water heater’s cubby hole and then went to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. That was when she saw the bird again.

This time, perched on the back porch railing. Bird! What is it with you? she said, going to the door, yanking it open and shooing the bird away. It squawked this time, flapped its wings wildly and took off. Only the next thing she knew it was back again. She rolled her eyes. I give up! Guess it isn’t hurting anything. She made up her mind to ignore it then, unless it tried to attack her or something. Oh well, she mumbled with some sarcasm, "guess I’m not alone."

Just as night settled in, Madison found herself wishing that Chuck would drop by. This so-alone feeling she was experiencing now was new to her; hadn’t been anticipated. She just figured she’d come here, be free of her mother and do her thing.

It wasn’t happening quite as easily as she had envisioned. She was quickly learning that loneliness was a bitch. She made herself a quick hamburger and plopped down into one of the kitchen chairs. As she sat there eating her burger, she realized the bird was no longer there. Hmmm. Curious now, wondering if he had abandoned her, she put her burger aside and went to look out the living room window. No raven anywhere.

Then she let out a little gasp and stepped back. For she thought she saw – though it was hard to tell in the darkness of night – a man standing in the road in front of her cottage, wearing a long dark trench coat, staring in her direction. What the hell? It took her a moment, but she dared to look again. No one there. I could have sworn—. She knew she shouldn’t, but she did anyway. She unlocked the front door and stepped out onto the porch, but stood with the door open so she could rush inside if she needed to.

She did notice that the moon was at crescent, coming out of its dark stage. It wasn’t giving off a lot of light, but what it did generate was better than nothing. The sky wasn’t as clear as the night before. There were some clouds scattered about, and off to