The Man in the Woods and Other Short Stories

By R. L Barrett

It is a sunny day at an Oregon resort as a forest ranger stares in disbelief at the mutilated bodies of six squirrels. As the Riley family pulls into the parking lot to begin a camping trip, they unload the car and joke about the Man in the Woods myth that has plagued the park for decades, without any idea they are about to come face-to-face with a paranormal phenomenon that no one thinks existsuntil now.

Over fifty years after the Black Force unit is formed to defend the United States against terrorist attacks, a dangerous hacker escapes from a Mexico prison and secretly enters the United States. After Rick Sanchez hacks into the Department of Defenses system and steals high-tech weapons, The Black Force must do everything in their power to get the weapons backbefore it is too late.

Two priests warn Sheriff Chris Hill that the Krandel family is about to return from the dead to ensure their prophecy comes true in Menard, Texas. The sheriff must take immediate actionbefore the devil rises to take over the world again.

In this collection of thrilling short stories, an Oregon town attempts to capture an elusive creature, an elite special ops force tries to stop an enraged man, and a sheriff gathers forces to halt a family sacrificepresenting three unforgettable battles of good versus evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abbott Press
• Release date: Feb 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781458214638

R. L Barrett

Robert L. Barrett grew up in Livonia, Michigan. He enjoys watching movies and writing action, adventure, and horror stories. He currently resides in Mount Morris, Michigan.

Book preview

The Man in the Woods

and Other Short Stories

Robert L. Barrett

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Copyright © 2014 Robert L. Barrett.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4582-1462-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4582-1463-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014903513

Abbott Press rev. date: 2/21/2014

Contents

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1 Getting Ready for the Camping Trip

CHAPTER 2 Loon Lake Lodge Resort

CHAPTER 3 Let the Camping Trip Begin

CHAPTER 4 A Hectic Situation

CHAPTER 5 Attacked

CHAPTER 6 Search and Hunt

CHAPTER 7 Fast Attack

CHAPTER 8 Escape into the City

CHAPTER 9 Attacks in the City

CHAPTER 10 Capture the Creature

The Black Force

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1 New York City

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3 Prison: Mexico

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7 One Month Later

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10 Two Days Later

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

THE KRANDAL PROPHECY

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

Robert’s Book Of Poems

Change in Life

An Uplift

A Fun Summer Day

Cats

Close Call

Ego

Feeling Down

Hiding Out

Instincts

Invisible

Manipulation

My Goofy Side

My Way

People Talk

Reach High

Spotlight

Stand Tall

Sun Up/Sun Down

The World Keeps Spinning

Tidal Wave

PROLOGUE

An old piece of fuzzy video footage shows a tall ape like creature walking in the woods from a distance near Sasquatch Lake Wisconsin. The ape like creature continues to walk, then it stops, and looks back towards the camera. Surprised voices are heard in the back ground while capturing the footage.

Big Foot is a mysterious creature in which no one has been able to capture any concrete evidence of his existence. A phenomenon such as him brings us to wonder about his intelligence and where such a creature came from,if such a creature exists.

Another piece of old fuzzy video footage shows a tall ape like creature bending down in the woods feeding off of a dear. A surprised voice is heard in the background as a finger reaches out and points to the creature.

It is claimed that the Big Foot creature also poses a threat to the world. As big as it is, people who have sighted him or thought it was him, stay away at a mere distance to avoid danger.

Another piece of old footage shows a tall, ape like creature climbing up a tree at a distance. The footage seems a little shaky.

Big Foot is a well known phenomenon known well around the nation. The sightings originate mostly near Sasquatch Lake in Wisconsin, and those who believe that they have captured him in their sights, have trouble confirming whether the evidence is concrete.

An old fuzzy piece of video footage captures a sighting of a snake like creature swimming in the waters of Northern Scotland. The snake like creature dips into the water.

Another phenomenon known as the Loch Ness Sea Monster is claimed to have been in existence for more than 80 years.

Another piece of old footage shows the Loch Ness Sea Monster poking his head slightly above the surface of the water.

Surprised voices of the sighting is heard in the background.

Some have said that the Loch Ness Sea Monster appears wide enough to fit a buss on it. Some have claimed to see only his tail poke out of the water.

Another piece of old footage shows part of the Loch Ness Sea Monster’s body swimming in the water.

There has been only speculation over the creature’s existence but no one has been able to gain any clear or real evidence of the sea monster’s existence.

Video footage shows the tail of the Loch Ness Sea Monster move down into the water.

CHAPTER 1

Getting Ready for the Camping Trip

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Portland Oregon

I t’s a bright summer day in the town of Portland Oregon. Traffic is moving and people are wandering the streets about their personal business. The sun shines over the West view Apartments. Kevin Riley, who is in his upper teens, tall, thin, medium built,wears blue shorts and a white Nike T-shirt, runs into the bathroom. Michelle. who is in her younger teens, petite, small, and skinny, wearing short blue jeans and a white tank top run out of her room towards the bathroom. Kevin runs out of the bathroom and Michelle and Kevin collide into each o ther.

Out of the way butt head Kevin says to his sister.

Kevin quickly runs into his room holding his tooth brush. Dan is tall, medium built, a little stocky, in his upper thirty’s, wears a green short sleeve shirt and brown shorts, pats down his clothes into his suitcase lying on the bed. Another suitcase lies on the bed on the opposite side. Shelly, who is in her mid thirty’s, small, petite built, wears white shorts and a purple tank top, pulls some short sleeve shirts out of her closet and walks to her suit case.

Dan, I hope that their is not going to be any mosquitoes at the resort. Dan laughs as he walks to his dresser behind him. Dan opens up the top dresser drawer and pulls out some undergarments.

Kevin runs into Dan and Shelly’s room.

Hey Dad, can I bring a few video games with me? Dan turns around towards Kevin.

Yea Kevin, go ahead. Just make sure that you are responsible for them because you don’t want to loose them out in the woods.

Michelle said that she’s going to bring her stupid diary. Shelly looks at Kevin.

Michelle can bring her diary if she wants to.

Dan tries to walk past Kevin near the door way.

Alright buddy, we got fishing gear in the car so go finish packing up so we can get going. said Dan.

Kevin is excited.This is so cool. Dan walks into the bathroom and opens the medicine cabinet. Kevin places some video games in his sports bag that sits on his bed. A suit case sits next to the sports bag.

I can’t believe your worried about something as small as mosquitoes. replied Dan.

Dan turns around and places his undergarments in his suit case and pats his clothes down again.

"Shelly, were going to be at a camping resort. Mosquitoes are apart of this trip.

"Shelly is folding one of her short sleeve shirts, and drops the shirt into the suitcase and looks at Dan.

Alright, I don’t want to go then. Dan stands straight up and stares at Shelly with surprise.

You don’t want to go? We’ve been planning this trip for awhile now and, now you don’t want to go? said Dan. Shelly stands their staring at Dan with authority. Guess what, the kids are excited to go so, were going. Even if that means that we have to deal with mosquitoes." said Dan.

It is quiet outside in the neighborhood. The door to an apartment opens up. Dan walks out the door carrying a suitcase and a sports bag. A green Sedan sits in the driveway. Dan walks around the left side of the car towards the trunk and places the suitcase and the sports bag on the ground.

Dan pulls his keys out of his pockets of his shorts and opens the trunk. Dan places the suitcase and the sports bag in the trunk and leaves the trunk open. It is quiet in the living room and the front door opens. Dan steps through the doorway.

Kevin, Shelly, Michelle, are you guys ready? Let’s go. let’s go.

Michelle approaches the living room carrying a small suitcase followed by Kevin from behind. Dan walks outside as everyone else follows from behind. Michelle and Shelly approach the trunk and place the luggage in the trunk. Dan walks to the drivers side of the car and unlocks the door and hops in. Dan pushes a button on the door to unlock all of the doors to the car.

Everyone else hops in. Kevin holds a video game in his hand as he hops in the rear right side of the car. Alright, is everybody ready to go? asked Dan.

Michelle sits behind Dan. Let’s go Dad. Let’s go camping!

Alright, that’s the spirit.

Shelly looks at Dan with a little discomfort.

Oh yea, let’s go. Let’s get attacked by all of the mosquitoes.

Dan looks at Shelly, appearing irritated at Shelly. Guess what kids, the first thing were going to do if we run into any mosquitoes is, trap the mosquitoes and cook them for dinner for us to eat. I bet your mother would like that,huh? replied Dan.

Shelly looks at Dan with disgust. Dan starts up the car, and the Sedan backs out of the driveway, and the car drives out of West view Apartments.

CHAPTER 2

Loon Lake Lodge Resort

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I t is a sunny day at the resort. Trees surround the whole resort as the sun shines down over the area. A Forest Ranger jeep and two police cars, plus a van from the animal control unit surrounded an area of trees towards the front of the resort. Their are six dead squirrels near the trees. The squirrels were torn to bits. Ranger Ross, in his mid fifty’s, tall, a little stocky, large built, stood their by the trees looking down at the dead squirrels. Ranger Ross’s name tag read FOREST RANGER JEFF ROSS. "Gees, six dead squir rels.

I’ve never seen squirrels torn to bits like this before.said Ranger Ross.

Jeff looks at the other two officers and the Animal control officer.

This is the fourth time I’ve had piles of dead animals lying next to each other like this in a two week period. Last time it was a bunch of birds, now squirrels.

Other vehicles were pulling up to the resort from behind the Ranger’s van and police cars.

Alright, let’s get these squirrels out of here. Then, will take a look in the woods to see if we find a dog,cat, or something in their that might have attacked the squirrels.

Jeff Ross walks to his van and the officers follow Ross from behind. A couple of cars and a few trucks pulled into the parking lot. A family steps out of their car, and the father followed by the wife, approach the trunk and the father opens the trunk with his keys. The two kids pull out some luggage from the back seats.

Everyone stepped out of their vehicles and started to pull out luggage from their cars. Jeff and the police officers and the animal control officer are slowly walking in the woods, and glancing around. It appears to be quiet in the woods. The sound of a few birds chirping could be heard. The lake up ahead bounces sun light off the surface of the water from a sun ray. No animals are in sight.

Jeff continues to stare into the woods. The officers glanced around and the animal control unit officer was glancing around. Jeff turns to the police officers and the animal control officer.

Alright, nothing seems to be around here.

Jeff looks to the animal control officer.

Excuse me, what’s your name? asked Jeff.

My name is Albert.

Well Albert, considering the fact that I’ve had as many dead animals, more than I can count within a fourteen day time period, what do you think it is?

Um, I think that your hunch about looking for a dog is right on the dot. You might have a loose cat running around through the woods, considering the amount of dead birds that you had last week. It could be a dog or cat that is passing by. Maybe it got lost.

Jeff starts nodding his head up and down as he turns his head to glance at the woods again.

Alright, let’s get out of here. said Jeff.

Jeff turns around and starts walking out of the woods, followed by the police officers and Albert. A green Sedan pulls up towards the front of the resort. Dan looks at the resort.

Ah, here we are. Remember guys, we might see The Man in the Woods. Dan laughs.

Oh, knock it off honey. Your going to scare Michelle.

Michelle looks at Shelly.

I’m not scarred Mom. It would be cool to see that thing.

The green Sedan drives up through the resort property. Kevin looks at Michelle.

I don’t know why you believe in that story. It’s so stupid.

It isn’t stupid. I just think the story sounds cool, that’s all. replied Michelle.

Kevin scoots closer towards Michelle in the back seat with his hands raised like creepy hands.

I can’t wait until it eats you alive and swallows you whole. I’m going to eat you like spaghetti and your blood is the sauce.

Shelly looks at Kevin.

Alright Kevin, that’s enough.

Michelle looks at Kevin as if Kevin is acting like a nuisance.

You don’t scare me Kevin. I’m not afraid of the story of The Man in the Woods.

The green Sedan continues to drive into the resort parking lot.

Alright guys, we are here. Finally.

The Sedan parks in a parking space. Shelly looks at Dan.

Honey, did you bring the bug repellant?

Dan looks at Shelly, and laughs quietly.

Shelly, I told you that we are going to cook the mosquitoes for you instead.

Shelly lightly slaps Dan on his chest.

Oh stop it.

Well hey honey, I’m just saying that in case you get hungry, there’s plenty of protein out here for you to eat. replied Dan.

Shelly unbuckles her safety belt.

Your disgusting.

Dan giggles. Kevin and Michelle hop out of the car. Dan unbuckles his seat belt and hops out with Shelly. Dan and the family walk away from the car and head towards the main office at the Park.

The sun continues to shine over The Loon Lake Water Sports Resort. Some families are setting up tents in the fields. Some people are out by the lake setting up their fishing poles to go fishing. A family pushes a motor boat out into the lake. A truck backs a boat towards the lake to go fishing. A man sets a grill outside near his tent. His wife brings out a plate of steaks ready to be cooked and places the plate on the side of the grill. People are wandering around the resort having some summer fun.

CHAPTER 3

Let the Camping Trip Begin

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D an and his family approach the main office from outside. The door to the office opens inside and Dan steps into the office followed by the rest of his family. An old man named Casey Stewart was tall,in his mid-sixties, and skinny. He was standing at his desk signing some paper work. Casey looks up at Dan.

Hey, how are ya? I’m Dan.

Dan pulls out his hand to shake as he approaches Casey.

"Hi, I’m Casey Stewart.

Casey and Dan shook hands. I run this place around here. I try to keep the place running as smoothly as possible. How can I help you?"

"Um, I was just wondering if you would have a