The Woods

By Matthew Murphy

At the beginning of the 20th Century Izzy Mitchell and her family leave the city for her father's new job in the out in the country. They arrive in Benson to find a dying town clinging to ghost stories about the nearby forest. It was those woods that Izzy's father was sent to cut down for the Greenway Company. It was not long after arriving in Benson that Izzy finds out that the woods are filled with spirits. These were the spirits of departed Native American souls who appear as animals during the day, then wandering ghosts at night. If the Greenway Company has their way those woods will be destroyed and all the spirits inside would be lost forever. Only Izzy can save them by finding the lost waterfall and path to the other side.

The Woods is a fantasy story written the same vein as "Spirited Away" or "The Wizard of Oz." A strong young female heroine must do everything she can to save those spirits and herself. This story was written with readers of all ages in mind.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew Murphy
• Release date: Oct 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311517517

Matthew Murphy

Matthew Murphy has been learning, living and writing for several years. His experiences living across America have contributed to interesting worlds he has created in his work. The author of four novels, A Western Fable, Manifest Destiny, The Woods, and the upcoming No Man’s Land, Matt lives outside Chicago, IL with his wife, two children and two dogs.

Book preview

The Woods

Matthew Murphy

Copyright 2014 Matthew Murphy

Published by Matthew Murphy at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

1

Thump

Dump

Thump

Dump

Went the auto as it hit each bump and dip in the rutted road. The road was a smooth dirt surface for the first 20 miles out of Middlebury. As the homes and farms began to range further apart, the road became deeply rutted into two rows that ran down the middle. The ruts were spaced at a distance that matched the width of the average horse drawn wagon. The auto was not quite as wide, so the wheels fit only on the edges of the ruts. This led to the thumps and dumps, as well as the irregular swerve to the right or left every few miles.

Thump

Dump

Thump

Dump

Izzy sat in the back seat of the auto directly behind her father, Arthur, who was driving. He was slouched over the wheel with his head covered in a leather cap, his back covered in a leather coat and a thin leather strap that ran around his head connecting to a pair of goggles. Next to Izzy slept her sister Rosie who was older by three years. Izzy had spent her entire life sleeping in the same room as Rosie. She was very familiar with the snore that was coming out of her sister. Despite the thumps and dumps, the wheeze and groan from her sister’s head was still loud enough to drive Izzy crazy.

Thump

Dump

Thump

Dump

Turning back to her own window, Izzy looked out over the endless waves of tall grass that covered the prairie. The monotony of yellow and white was broken every so often by a short green hill or a tall lonely tree. Never in her nine years of life had she ventured this far from the city. All this nature had a difficult time wrestling with the visions of gray-black stone and iron that she was used to.

Thump

Dump

Thump

Dump

Her eyes closed, but she could not sleep. Since they had left the train station in Middlebury Izzy had slept on and off for several hours. She did not dream. Her sleep was as hot as the mid-summer day they were riding in. Every time she closed her eyes, Izzy would be awoken by the sound of the road with her body lying in a new position, and covered in a layer of dust and sweat.

This had not been normal. She had dreams all the time. They revolved around stories she had heard or read. Sometimes she had dreams of adventures for her and Rosie. Her father was in a few of them as well. Mostly the dreams had been about her mother who had passed away two years before.

Izzy had tried so hard to remember her mother. She would close her eyes and her mother's face would appear before her as if it had never left. The blue eyes, which Izzy got, and the long brown hair that ended up with Rosie. On the long train ride from the city her dreams changed. Her mother had been there with her at some point, but for just a short while. The vision was replaced by memories of the city. The black clouds that floated over the tall buildings. The mysterious alleyways and busy streets. Izzy never thought she would miss such places. Now that they were no longer there to greet her each morning, she was sick for them.

Arthur had explained the purpose for their trip and new life. Izzy understood some of it. Rosie felt it was her job to explain it again and again. Father has a new job, she said. It means that we have to move out of the city to this town way out in the middle of nowhere.

I don’t want to move, Izzy said.

No one wants to move, Rosie said, But father has this new job, so we have to go.

What is it? Izzy asked. What is the job?

I don’t know, something to do with trees, Rosie said. He told me he has to cut down trees.

Father doesn’t know how to cut down trees, Izzy laughed. He can’t do that.

I don’t think he is cutting down the trees, Rosie said. She was much more serious about this. She didn’t want to leave, even more so than Izzy. We just have to move out there. He said it’s not forever, but everything is forever.

They both thought of their mother who left them for a short while in the hospital and it turned out forever.

A few weeks after that late night conversation their belongings were packed up into trunks and wooden boxes. A small amount of items were packed into smaller suitcases and packed on to a train with them. The rest were loaded into another compartment along with the bright red and gold auto they would be taking. The auto was a gift to the mayor of the town, Nicholas Gardner III, from the company Arthur worked for.

The trunks and boxes were left in storage in Middlebury at the train station. Once the train station in Benson was up and running they would arrive on the first train. As soon as all of our things get to Benson, Arthur told the girls, It will feel just like home. That’s why we need to work as hard as we can to get everything right in Benson as soon as possible.

Thump

Dump

Thump

Dump

Izzy opened her eyes. She had drifted off again, but just for a short while. Awake she looked out her window and saw more grass. Arthur sat in front of her intently guiding the auto down the ruts.

It was just two days before they left that a large man who smelled of cigars blew into their house. He was as wide as he was tall. On his head was no hair except a halo around the edges above his ears. Despite the short cigar that hung in his mouth, he smelled very clean around his face. A smooth shave had cut all the hair from it. The cigar left a thick gray cloud of smoke around his person. Only when he got close did you smell the clean shave. Izzy wasn’t close enough to enjoy that clean smell. For the last few days they lived in that house all you could smell was that foul cigar.

The man was named Silas Greenway. A self-made man who founded the Greenway Timber, Rail and Oil Company twenty years prior. Using his inherited railways, he first traveled the country looking for the best way to make his fortune. In Pennsylvania he bought oil wells. In the west he took on huge swaths of ancient forests and cleared them for massive profits. Benson bordered a huge wood that was begging to be cut down to fill the pockets of Greenway and his investors. Arthur took the job with Greenway after many other jobs fell apart around him. This one would last him two years, then he and the girls could move back to the city with pockets full of cash. All Arthur had to do was convince the town and Nicholas Gardner III that Greenway had the best interests of the town in their plans. Whether or not they did was of no concern.

Silas Greenway stood in the living room of their home within his gray cloud of smoke reminding Arthur how important it was that this sale went off without any hitches. Once this buyout is complete, he said, We can bring in the trains and supplies and get this backwater town modernized. Our advanced team said there is work to be done, but I believe in you Arthur, my boy. If anyone is going to turn these people around it’s you.

Thump

Dump

Thump

Dump

Rosie was asleep. Her head was leaning against the door and her hair covered most of her face. Her snore was much quieter now. Izzy let out a sigh and rubbed her sweaty forehead. The windows had been up for the trip because Arthur did not want dust to get into the auto and stain the seats. Despite the best efforts of those panes of glass, yellow and red dust still covered the seats and clothes of the occupants. Izzy turned her attention back to her window.

Rows and rows of waving grass had been replaced by towering trees with shifting branches of swaying leaves that seemed to move in unison with the wind. The trees stretched along the side of the road as far as Izzy could see in both directions. At some point during her last snooze they had come upon the woods.

Thump

Dump

Thump

Dump

Izzy leaned forward and attempted to speak. The dry heat had left her throat scratchy. The first words to crack from her lips were quiet and painful. Father, she called to Arthur. He was so focused on the road he could not hear. The hum of the engine behind Izzy did not help as it blocked out her soft voice.

Father, she called again this time louder and leaning even further forward.

Arthur turned his head. As he did the auto tapped the edge of the rut and swerved slightly off the road. His hands and arms moved quickly, guiding it back onto the ruts. Beads of sweat streamed down his forehead, leaving white streaks in the dust that covered his skin.

What is it Izzy? he said. I am somewhat busy here.

I was just wondering how close we are, she asked.

Close. See over there, out the window, he pointed with a nod of his head towards the trees. Those are the woods we came to remove. We are really close. Up here should be a road. We will turn left into those woods and come to Benson. Real close, honey.

Arthur did not want to tell her they were running very late. Not that Izzy had any concept of what their timeline was. Arthur was very clear of the timeline, though. Every moment of their trip weighed on his future and the new employment that meant everything to his small family.

Thump

Dump

Thump

Dump

Izzy sat back and looked at the woods. They were so thick. The trees almost grew on top of one another. One could not see more than a few feet deep into them. The sun disappeared the moment it shined onto the trees. The woods looked scary, but Izzy felt calm looking at them. The car swerved again.

Thump

Dump

Thump

Dump

Hisssssss

2

The hiss came from the engine, which was under the hood behind Izzy in the back of the auto. Gray clouds of steam escaped in thin streams from the vents in the top of the hood. The window behind Izzy became covered with small droplets of water. In the front seat her father let out a sigh, then slapped his hands on the steering wheel. Stay in here, he said to Izzy and her now awake sister. This won't take long.

What’s going on? Rosie asked. Her voice was deeper than usual. Lines from the folds in her clothes had formed wrinkles into the right side of her face.

Arthur opened his door and climbed out of the auto. He looked up the road in the direction they were driving, then turned and looked at the way they came. There was no one in any direction. Above them a Vulture circled over the dead auto. It was up high, but with each revolution it came closer to the ground. Arthur stepped to the front of the auto. He opened the compartment in the front that contained the small pieces of luggage they had brought. Inside there was also a shallow toolbox.

The toolbox held some simple tools, a wrench to remove the nuts on the tires, a rubber hammer to close the stubborn hood on the back of the auto, a thick white rag and a few small pieces of wood used to hold open different compartments on the auto. Arthur took the toolbox to the back of the auto.

A metal door with thin slits in it covered the motor. Arthur reached down and grabbed the handle to the door, but it was too hot. He pulled back his hand as the red metal sizzled under his touch. He wiped the hand on his pant leg and looked up at the girls, both of whom had gasped in horror. I'm okay, he assured them while his hand stung. He reached up on his head and pulled off the leather cap. He placed the hat on the handle and turned it so that he could lift the lid. Once up, it released a huge cloud of steam. Arthur waved the steam away with his free hand, then reached into the toolbox and grabbed one of the pieces of wood, which he wedged into a crook in the back of the hood. The hood now stayed open on its own.

Once the steam blew away, Arthur could see what was going on. The engine had overheated because the radiator was low on water. The heat of the day coupled with the long ride left auto gasping for air. Using the hat one more time he opened the lid on the radiator another cloud of steam.

Well, he started while slapping the hot hat onto his leg, We need some water. Come on girls. We need to find some water. He stepped back from the auto, and into the high grass on the side of the road. Across the road was the endless prairie. Behind him stood the impenetrable forest.

The Vulture continued to circle. It had come as close as it wanted, than ascended back into the sky. A smaller Raven appeared from within the trees, letting out a loud cry. It did not circle as high as the Vulture, but came much closer eventually landing on the roof of the auto. The sound of its small talons on the metal scared the girls. They both jumped out of the auto and ran to their father. Arthur threw his hat at the bird, which took off before the hat hit the roof of the auto. It landed in a nearby tree to watch.

Stupid bird, Arthur said while inspecting for scratches. The auto was fine. In fact other than the clouds of steam rising from the engine and the streaks of tan dust on the sides, the auto looked almost new.

The color was a bright red. All the trim was pure gold or brass. When the sun hit it just right, the entire auto sparkled. The German engineer who came all the way from Dusseldorf to train Arthur on the maintenance of the auto spoke very clearly about how important water was, probably more so than gasoline. The auto will run out of gas, he said with a lighter than expected accent, It will run again once refilled. But if it runs out of water, it may be beyond repair. Arthur figured the worst. If the auto was dead, what would he do once they reached Benson? Of course, if you act quickly, the German continued, You might be able to save her. Under the motor, strapped with a belt of leather was a tin bucket with a funnel attached to its top. The bucket held just enough water to cool the engine. Arthur reached underneath the auto, feeling with his fingers, but had a hard time finding the little bucket. He began to fear that it fell off. The leather belt was so thin and the road was so bumpy, Arthur figured he didn't have chance. He was lucky. Arthur unstrapped the bucket and stood up.

The girls were standing closer to the woods than to the auto. Both of them were scared. Don't worry, Arthur said. I know there is a river in there. It used to power the lumber mill in Benson, which I know is right up the road. We just need to get in the woods and listen for water. He walked right up to the girls. It is very important that we don't get separated in there, okay? These woods are old and dense. One step in the wrong way and you could be lost forever.

Both of them nodded in agreement. It was a terrible thing to hear. Lost forever.

Good, Lets go do this and get it over with. We are really close. Arthur stood up from the crouch he was using to talk to them. He turned towards the woods.

The woods were as dense as he claimed. The edges were covered in thick bushes that stood before the tall large tree trunks that were tightly packed together. There didn't seem to be any paths into it. Arthur led the girls down the edge of the woods, until he found a space between the bushes. This will do, he said using the bucket to open a space. Here we go.

Arthur stepped into the woods, then looked back at them. Only his head and left leg were visible through the foliage. Let's go. Don't get separated. He stepped in and the girls followed, Rosie first.

After they disappeared the Vulture swooped in, rose high into the air gliding over the edges of the trees. It slipped above them and the woods. The Raven returned. He landed on the ground this time next to the auto. Hopping through the grass he stopped to inspect the odd looking carriage that blew smoke. He leaned in and poked at the tire with his beak. After a few pecks he heard a hiss. The sound frightened him and he flew up into the sky.

3

As soon as Izzy entered the path between the bushes, she felt something warm and inviting about the woods. It called to her like no place she had been before, and yet Izzy had never been any place like it.

The path was narrow and became more so the deeper she walked. Rosie and Arthur disappeared into the leaves. The branches brushed soft leaves against Izzy's face. Her hand felt around reaching for the swinging branches that her sister let swing. Eventually the rustle of the leaves stopped. With the last grab she found nothing but air.

Before Izzy stood thick trunked trees grouped just a few feet apart. Their tops met above creating a canopy that darkened the forest floor, scattering it with small squares of light that escaped through the shifting leaves. Izzy looked up and down and all around. There was something about this place. Her head swam with different ideas. She had never been in a forest before. Why did it feel like she had?

Arthur was standing with his head cocked to one side and his hand up against his ear listening for the elusive rush of water. Rosie was kicking a stick on the ground. The grating sound she made irritated her father to the point that he had to stop what he was doing and turn to her.

Rosie, please, he said. I have to concentrate. If I don’t find some water, the auto could be stuck out there and we will have to walk to town. We are already late. If I don’t deliver that auto I will be in big trouble. Now hush.

Rosie stopped her foot and stood there staring at the ground. She did her best to avoid the gaze of her father. Arthur meanwhile turned his attention to a path that led deeper into the woods. As he walked he forgot the girls. They were still standing in the small clearing behind him.

Come now, he said. Rosie started to follow. Izzy was delayed as she still looked around.

You better come on, Izzy, Rosie said to her sister.

I’m coming, Izzy said as she turned her head back towards her father who had disappeared into the trees.

They ran to keep up and found him still listening. He held up his other hand to stop the girls as they got closer. Rosie stopped, but Izzy ran right into her back. She turned and pushed her younger sister, which led Izzy to push her back.

Stop, their father yelled. Now, I’ve lost it again. He sighed and once again began to listen.

Rosie made a face at her sister. Izzy returned it with a stuck out tongue. Arthur walked in a different direction. Rosie followed closely, but as quietly as she could. Izzy started to follow as well, then stopped.

From the corner of her eye she spotted something moving. It was a stick or a leaf that seemed to twitch. A small cloud of dust fell to the ground.