Hunter's Moon

By David Scott

For Kyle Stryker, the last four years have been hell: forced out of the military and labeled delusional, he soon descends into the darkness of his alcohol fueled nightmares. Now a forestry ranger, hiding from his past, when grisly murders start happening Kyle is filled with the suspicion his past has returned to haunt him.
Sheriff Katherine (Kat) Johnson, meanwhile, is battling her own demons: figuring out who or what is committing these savage killings, deciding if it’s safe to trust Ranger Stryker, and giving herself permission to follow her heart. Kat outwardly portrays herself as a tough-as-nails; take no shit, hard ass. In reality, she’s simply afraid to grow close to someone again, only to have that person leave—or worse.
Two people drawn together by tragedy, Kyle and Katherine must rely on each other to stop the killings...or die trying.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Scott
• Release date: Oct 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301841417

David Scott

David Scott is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the History of Parliament Trust and has formerly taught at both York and Yale Universities. His previous book (for Palgrave) 'Politics and War in the Three Stuart Kingdoms 1637-49' was chosen by the Sunday Telegraph as one of its Books of the Year in 2004.

Book preview

Hunter’s Moon

David Scott

Copyright 2012 by David Scott

Smashwords Edition

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss

Revelation 17:8

Chapter One

So genius, did you bother to check the weather report before we left on this little adventure? asked Matt. Yes I did! exclaimed Jake. It said sunny and 80 degrees. What, do you think I'm a complete idiot? Not a complete idiot! said Taylor laughing. Yeah, the jury's still out on that one babe! piped in Sky. And your my girlfriend why? asked Jake in a mocking tone. Because I have great tits! said Sky grabbing her round, double D breast and bouncing them up and down. Jake, you do realize we are thirty miles from home, right? Was that weather report for here or the city? asked Matt quizzically.

OK, so I screwed up! Is that what you want to here? asked Jake in a hurt tone.

Let's just get everything loaded back into the jeep and get outta here before the storm hits. said Matt. Well I still love you. said Sky. Thanks babe, at least someone does! laughed Jake as they began loading Matt's Jeep Liberty.

Ominous looking clouds had rolled in and the thunder sounded like a rock band playing overhead as a steady rain began to fall as they drove from the campsite. By the time they had reached route seven the rain was falling like bombs and hail the size of golf balls were pelting the little Jeep and the sky had become an inky blackness. The foursome could barely see out the windows of the Jeep, their hot breaths fogging up the windows.

Honey do you think it's safe to try and drive in this? asked Taylor of her boyfriend Matt. What choice do we have? said Matt. The only other option is to pull over and wait out the storm and i don't want to sleep in the vehicle!" exclaimed a frustrated Matt.

The group had gone a few miles when a bright white flash of lightning brought a tree down in front of them blocking the entire road. Matt jammed on the brakes, hydroplaning; Matt began to panic as the jeeps steering wheel became unresponsive. Time seemed to slow down as the tunnel vision set in, a loud crunching sound, hissing, and the sweet smell of antifreeze, someone screaming, darkness. A Matt came to his sense he asked Is everyone alright? looking at the girls in the rear view mirror. We’re OK, said the girls. Me too. moaned Jake. Better get out and check the damage. said a shaken Matt to no one in particular.

Stepping out into the pouring rain the cold chill felt like a thousand needles stabbing him at once. Matt could already see the crumpled driver side fender. Upon further inspection he saw the busted headlight and crumpled grill; steam was rising from under the hood, and the vile smell of chemicals.

We need to find shelter said a very wet Matt as he got into the Jeep. The radiator is busted; we won't make it much further. I thought I saw a cabin just down the road said Taylor."

I'm not sure but it's worth a shot. I agree, better than sitting in the middle of the road." exclaimed Matt.

The engine of the Jeep had begun to knock as the four pulled into the drive of the cabin. OK, you girls stay in the Jeep, Jake and I will see if anyone's here. stated Matt. As Matt and Jake made their way up to the porch Matt noticed a shed at the back of the cabin. The cabin was dark and the dirt covering the windows was a sign no one had been around for some time.

Well what do you want to do? asked Jake. Well as much as I dislike the idea of breaking in, I am freezing! Let's do it; I'll leave a note for the owners explaining how to get a hold of me for the damages.' stated Matt. Jake stepped off the porch to look for something to break a window. Hey dude, we won't have to break in after all! said Jake enthusiastically. I found a key in this fake rock thing. Jake tried the key in the lock and felt the deadbolt slide back. You go get the girls, I'm gonna check out the cabin. said Matt. Sounds good, be back in a flash." replied Jake. Entering the dark cabin, a sense of foreboding came over Matt, one like he’d never felt before. The musty odor of the rain and woods mixed with the dust and neglect of the cabins’ interior was nauseating.Matt began going through the cabin opening all the doors, a bedroom, a bathroom, another bedroom, he searched the closets and looked inside cabinets and cupboards. There was a well-stocked liquor supply and enough canned foods to last a few days but the one thing Matt was most pleased about was the large stack of dry wood beside the fireplace.

Once they were all safely inside the cabin Matt told Jake to start a fire while he went to explore the shed he’d seen when they first came in. I saw a shed out back when we got here, I’m hoping it houses a generator. stated Matt.

The shed had seen better days, the grey wooden planks making up the walls were cracked and broken with large gaps between them, the rain streaming down the wood made the shed appear to bleed as a steady drumming of rain fell on the tin roof.

The smell of rot and decay was overwhelming, Matt was positive something had died in the little shed as he entered and shown his flashlight around.

Sitting in the corner was exactly what he had hoped for and quite expected to find, a small 3 horse power generator bolted to the floor and several military style fuel cans. Matt filled the generator and followed the instruction on the plate attached to the side of the DuroMax MX 1500 and soon had it purring like a kitten.

As he walked out of the shed and prepared to lock it he heard the howl of what he believed was a wolf quickly silenced by the roar and crash