The Fishing Trip: Kassius Kanex, Book 2

By MK Schultz

The lives of five fishermen are forever altered when they embark on a fishing trip together. The trip brings forth an evil that beckons them to the fulfillment of their destinies. When an evil cult attempts to use the fishermen to their own means, a powerful time traveler comes to the rescue, but only after they are first led through a trial of great suffering and despair.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781532092893

MK Schultz

MK Schultz is the Canadian author of The Kassius Kanex trilogy. A father of two young adults, he lives in a wooded area in the outskirts of Ottawa. He and his wife are avid outdoor enthusiasts in all seasons. Although formally educated in Architecture, his true passion is writing. Schultz is currently writing a new, stand-alone novel in a different genre. Learn more at www.mkschultz.com.

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Copyright © 2020 MK Schultz.

www.mkschultz.com

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 author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Proofreading provided by the Hyper-Speller at https://www.wordrefiner.com

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

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-9290-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-9289-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020904205

iUniverse rev. date: 04/07/2020

To Dan

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

Henry David Thoreau

Contents

PART I

THE ART OF MALE BONDING

1. The Fishermen

2. Five in the Hive

3. Lucky Number 13

4. Chip’s Chips

5. The Convene

6. The Hike

7. The Site

8. The Island

9. The Discovery

10. The Game

11. Blood Brothers

12. Intruders

13. Vacation Mode in Full Effect

14. Things that Go ‘Bump’ in the Night

PART II

THE DEATH CHAPTERS

15. The Revelation of John

16. The Pain of John

17. The Suffering of Will

18. The Breaking of Sherman

19. The Horror of Calvin

20. The Demise of Max

PART III

DESTINY UNLEASHED

21. The History of Kassius Kanex

22. The History of Kassius Kanex Continued

23. The Destiny of Kassius Kanex

24. The Key and The Organization

25. The Germany Pod

26. Home Depot

27. The Five Fishermen

28. The Ritual of the Birth from the Cosmos

29. Judgement Day

30. The Four Engineers

31. The Organization

32. The 1970 Table

33. …Transmission Incoming

34. …Destiny

PART I

THE ART OF MALE BONDING

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"Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense,

and to have her nonsense respected."

Charles Lamb

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CHAPTER ONE

The Fishermen

Fisherman #1 - Maximillian Stein:

"Oh Max, do you have to go on that silly fishing trip this year? We have so much going on right now and the thought of you leaving is depressing," Mary said in a tone that she knew full well sounded like one grasping at straws.

Max turned his tall, slender frame around slowly until he faced her and after a brief pause, he responded, Honey, we have this conversation every year. You know that this is the only time I get to have some ‘guy time’ and besides, it’s good for me and our marriage.

Mary looked up at Max, her long, brown hair tucked behind her ears with one corner of her soft, pink lips curled upwards ever so subtle, prompting Max to revel in her beauty, as she said to him, You’re right Max, I know, I know, but it feels like you just got back from that stupid trip.

Max looked at her with his brown eyes widened, Oh Mary, that was a year ago. You are being irrational right now. Please don’t.

Fine Max, fine. Just go then, she said in a voice of surrender.

I am Mary, and you already know that, he said in a firm, but still loving way.

Yes Max, yes. Whatever, she returned in a frustrated tone.

Then, in an effort to shift gears in the conversation, Max said, What are the kids doing?

Aristotle is still sleeping, but I think Ariel is in the shower. Why?

Just wondering, I have to go out to a breakfast meeting with the guys to go over our inventory list and itinerary for the trip, otherwise we’ll get to the campsite totally unprepared. We are going to a new spot as we always do, and something tells me Calvin selected some remote lake in the middle of nowhere that doesn’t even have a name.

That sounds dangerous. What if one of you gets hurt?

Mary honey, you know I won’t live my life in fear like that. Besides, we are five smart guys. We’ll be fine.

Five, smart guys, alright. More like two smart guys and three idiots.

Honey…please.

Well, on your way back from your little breakfast meeting or whatever, you gotta stop at the grocery store to pick up a few things. I’ll give you a list.

Ok Mary, sounds good. Say hi to the kids. I’ll be back in to get the list in five minutes. I just have to top-up the windshield washer fluid in the car.

Max felt bad leaving Mary and the kids, but he also knew that there was no way in hell he would miss this short, annual man’s week of adventure. It simply was too important to him. It just felt right being with the guys and working on a common goal together. It always left him feeling quite satisfied and rewarded for what they seemed to be able to accomplish when they were all gathered together. It was like they all just clicked and each one of them seemed to bring something unique to the table; a quality that the others lacked. Interesting, but strange, it was to him as he pondered this while watching the final stream of blue liquid disappear from the jug.

The Funky Five, Fix Five, no the Fantastic Five? What the hell can we call ourselves, Max wondered. He wanted to come up with a really good handle to set in stone as one of the accomplishments of this year’s trip. The Fucked-up Five? Yeah, maybe that’s the closest fit yet, ha ha ha, no I’ll come up with it yet, Max thought. And come up with it he would, as Max was not one to quit at anything, even the so-called little things. He believed that all too often, it was the little things that seemed to matter most.

Fisherman #2 - Sherman Hackett:

Betty, where’s my fucken wallet?

Right on the fucken table where you left it.

Oh, here it is. Thanks Honey Pot. What say you and I take five for a quick game of ‘hide the salami’ before I leave for this fucken planners convention that Max has such a hard-on about?

Betty gazed at Sherman with that look that seemed to last for several minutes before she responded, Fucken right, Sherman, I love that game.

Oh, Honey Pot. You are fucken amazing. What the hell did I do to deserve someone like you?

Ask me that again when the salami is hidden.

Oh, Honey Pot, you always know what to say.

Just let me check on the boys and I’ll be back in a jiffy, Betty said in a way that made Sherman almost lose his load right then and there.

Sherman and Betty had a great relationship and they both wanted the same things in life, maybe a little too much some would say. Married for five years, their boys Johnny, Ronny and Scotty were 2, 3 and 4 years old, and Betty was pregnant with their fourth. Sherman had a stocky build with rugged looks and he was the type of guy who never beat around the bush.

Minutes later in a state of complete exhaustion, he announced, Well, that fucken does it Honey Pot. I am fully unloaded now and ready for some food. Gotta leave now, but don’t worry, I’ll be back before the next kid pops out.

Ha ha ha, very fucken funny Sherman. Don’t you think you should take a shower first? You got jizz all over the place.

Haaa ha, yeah I best do that or Calvin may get a whiff of you and get turned on.

Oh shit, Sherman, why do you have to be so gross?

Life was fucken good, Sherman thought, as he washed the jizz away. The trip will be fun this year as they always were, but this year for some reason, Sherman had a feeling it was going to be one for the books. Fucken Guinness man. Ha Ha Ha, he thought.

Fisherman #3 - Calvin East

Well, time to get yourself up Calvin. Climbing his average-sized, pale-skinned body out of bed, he made his way to the kitchen. As he passed by a motion sensor, the sound of Beethoven’s ‘Fur Elise’ began to play on his multi-room, home speaker system at a volume level of 7.5.

When he passed by the guest bedroom, he smiled as he stole a quick glimpse of his pre-packed suitcase and gear. He had already packed a week prior, however now that the day had finally arrived, this glimpse had more meaning than previous ones.

Approaching the kitchen, the smell of coffee already filled the room as the last gurgle beckoned him to fill his cup. Calvin grinned as he filled his cup. It was Saturday and the nine-hour trek to the lake he found would begin at the crack of dawn the very next morning. But first, the planning breakfast with the guys. Ahhh yes, planning.

Calvin had always lived alone. Some men are simply not suited for marriage and children and Calvin always knew he was one of those men.

He had tried in the past on a handful of various occasions to dip his pinky into the lake of couplehood, only to find great discontentment and a swift overpowering need to once again return to solitude.

His friends on the other hand? He did quite enjoy them. Probably he thought, due to the fact that time with them was only temporary. Knowing that he could leave to return back to his introverted life once the visit was over, brought comfort to him.

After a quick shower and shave, Calvin got dressed. His hair was short enough to dry within minutes of toweling, which pleased him.

His wardrobe would certainly appear odd to most. It consisted of sevens. Sevens of everything. Seven pairs of jeans, seven white T-shirts, seven pairs of khaki shorts, etc. This allowed him to begin every day without any stress. No wondering what to wear, for this decision was made once for all. Wherever something stressful lingered, Calvin always designed a way to eradicate it from his life.

It was time to leave now, and as he passed by the hall table, he fetched the box and grinned. He couldn’t wait to show the guys.

Fisherman #4 - Will Mason

Alexa baby, I’m going out for a run now. Can you feed my fish before you leave?

Sure Will, but I thought maybe we could spend another day together. Maybe go out to breakfast and then to the mall?

Sorry babe, I gotta meet the guys to plan our fishing trip. We leave tomorrow.

Oh, ok, well, I guess I’ll go home now then. When are you back? she queried in an almost childlike sort of way.

A week, unless something happens to one of those weaklings and I gotta carry them outta there one at a time. Ha ha ha ha. See you, Alexa, it was fun as always. I’ll call you.

Alexa didn’t say anything. Instead she just stared in sadness as Will had already begun jogging on the spot half way through his last sentence before he was out the door, the sound of music coming from his ear buds apparent now. Will’s very good looks and high fitness level provided no shortage of dating options for him. The relationships he partook in, were all too superficial at best, with perhaps no one to blame, but him.

After feeding the fish, Alexa put her skin tight jeans and slim-fitting T-shirt on and then made her way out; tears streaming down her perfect face. On her way home she would pass by Will in full stride now; a quick lift of the hand barely acknowledging her.

Will could be quite the dick, and he never changed a bit from when he was a kid, those who knew him would always say.

With three quick kilometres in, Will showered and was on his way to Scrambled Piggies. It was just around the block from his apartment, so he would walk there.

Fisherman #5 - John Chinny

John honey? Are you up yet? I thought you had to go meet your friends this morning.

Barely awake, John lay on his back; blankets tucked in all around him forming a cocoon. Where his frail physical body fell short, his brain would more than make up for.

I’m up, I’m up, I know Mom. I am getting ready now! John bellowed back in a voice that was filled with contempt.

Turning the air purifier on high, John shut off the ambient sounds of nature playing in a loop on his phone and then after unplugging the night light, he flicked on the main switch flooding the room with a bright white luster.

Mother can never know about tomorrow’s trip, he thought, as he entered the seven-headed, massage-action shower which spurted water from every perceivable direction onto his body. Or any of the past ones either. For he knew she would just worry and that would just drive him even crazier than he felt he already had become.

No, instead Mrs. Chinny would simply continue to believe that John was off to his annual science convention to further his studies in epidemiology in a safe, sanitary environment, free from all danger.

John chuckled to himself at the thought of her finding out where he was actually going and to be certain, it kinda freaked him out as well as it did every other year.

It took several weeks for John to mentally prepare himself for this trip. It would take him light-years away from his comfort zone, but at the same time even he could not understand why ‘not going’ simply was not an option.

I’m going now, Ma. I’ll see you later.

Ok honey, I sure am going to miss you when you leave tomorrow for the convention.

I know, I know, but don’t worry. You will be well taken care of. The care service will be dropping by every day to check in on you with your meals and meds.

With that, John made his way to meet the guys. It would be fun, he thought; for he knew that his visits with the guys always brought out the best in him.

The five fishermen were on their way now, all converging on to a singular destination, like bees all making their way to the hive. Maximillian would arrive first, just as he always did every other year. Peering into the restaurant to the back corner, he was satisfied to see the corner window booth he had reserved was vacant and ready for the meeting.

As he walked past the vestibule and into the lobby, he was greeted by a stunning hostess. Oink Oink Oink, welcome to Scrambled Piggies, table for one? she said, as she stood in front of him with perfect perkiness and a clipboard in her small, manicured hands with bright-red fingernails.

Hello there, miss. No, table for five please; under the name Maximillian.

Oh, yes, right this way, sir. You’re the first to arrive. I set the table up myself for you. Just like you instructed.

Thank you very kindly, miss. It looks perfect. Thank you.

Myyyyyyy pleasure sir, cause at Scrambled Piggies we scramble to serve you only the way you like it.

My goodness that’s an awful mantra, Maximillian thought. Wish I could convince them to change it to something more clever. No matter, the table is perfect. Simply perfect.

Like every year, Calvin would sit beside Max with Sherman and Will across from them and John at the side of the table on a chair. John preferred to sit outside of the booth so as not to feel too claustrophobic.

The last time the five had been together was when they all said their goodbyes after last year’s trip. This was the way it had been for 12 years now. Oh sure, from time to time a couple of them would run into one another at the grocery store or the movies, but they never mingled outside of the annual trip other than that.

Max believed this made their friendship even stronger and it always served to make each trip all the more enjoyable, with a buildup equal to a very hyped and drawn-out movie premier. Part of the fun was the lead-up to it. It just kept them all feeling like they were alive.

As Max sat and waited, he started to get that feeling; that feeling of excitement and anticipation. The 13th fishing trip was close now - and he just couldn’t wait for it to begin.

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CHAPTER TWO

Five in the Hive

"Would you like to order something sir?" asked the waitress, as she reached the table where Max was.

No thank you, I will wait for my colleagues to arrive and then you can come and take all of our orders, he said in a deliberately instructive manner in an effort to dismiss her quickly to let him get back to his mental preparation for the meeting in solitude.

As soon the clock struck 9am, the fishermen all began trickling in one by one.

First in was Sherman, followed by Will and Calvin, with John trailing behind. They knew the table location and as they reached it, each gave a single nod of recognition before seating themselves.

When the last nod was completed, all nodded again simultaneously in recognition. As before, no talking would be permitted amongst one another until all orders had been placed. It was Max’s idea that came into effect on year one. This was the first so-called ‘ritual’ the fishermen enacted, but there were many more which grew in number from trip to trip.

For a ritual to be put into effect, the rules were simple. A majority vote would decide. This ritual was unanimous and it always seemed to spark the meeting off into a fruitful direction.

As the waitress made her way to the table, Maximillian was pleased that it was getting started now. Speech would now be permitted, however only between the waitress and each separate orderer.

She approached the table with paper and pad in hand. Her youthful and very fit body was well put together and did not go unnoticed. Her demeanor was sweet and well suited for hospitality. Looking around at the five fishermen, she smiled and began to recite the greeting required by all waitresses. Ok piggies, I hope you’re good and hungry because at Scrambled Piggies, we aim to scramble that hunger.

Awful, just awful script, Maximillian thought in disgust.

Ok, so who’s first?

Maximillian looked up at the waitress and began to speak. I will order first, miss.

Ok piggie, what’ll it be? she responded coyly.

Max looked down at the menu and continued, I’ll take one ‘Running to the Slaughter House’ with a black coffee.

Ok sir, do you want mild, medium or hot sauce with that?

Hot. Definitely hot, he responded.

Looking around at the rest of the silent group, she continued, Great, who’s next to go in this chatty bunch?

Calvin raised his arm slightly. Me, ma’am, I’ll take one Brazen Boar.

Sherman and Will both ordered ‘Hog Browns and Blankets’ leaving John to order last.

I’ll take a tall glass of orange juice with one large bowl of fruit.

You’re fucken disgusting, John! Piped Sherman, now released from the oath of silence. We are at fucken Scrambled Piggies, the unhealthiest restaurant known to man and you order a fucken health meal. What the fuck?

Ok ok ok, that’s enough my friend, Maximillian barked boldly and then looking at the waitress, he said, My apologies miss. She said not to worry and left to place the orders.

Max looked around at them and continued, Let us begin the planning of trip number 13. Calvin, my friend, what is in the box?

Calvin grinned like a schoolboy and began immediately, Well, gentlemen, are you ready for this? The others looked on with great interest. He pulled out the box, placed it on the table and straightened it perfectly in front of him. Then he smiled fully as he began to lift off the lid in a slow-motion sort of way.

Oh, come on Cal, get on with it. What is it? Will said in frustration.

Calvin continued excitedly, Guys, I got us all linkable GPS watches. You see, this is by far the most remote trip we have ever gone on. The lake is untouched with absolutely no roads, trails or any sort of path whatsoever. So, I figured these would come in handy to help us stay together and should one of us get separated from the group, the ‘track back’ feature will immediately guide either the lost or the searcher right to the other.

Holy shit, these are freaken cool, Cal, Will said.

Fucken eh man, spouted Sherman."

How do they work? I mean, can you show us? asked John.

Sure thing, Calvin said, as he passed out the watches.

Just then, the waitress returned. "Ok piggies, here’s your boars and food galore.

Oh god no, no, no! That’s just wrong, Maximillian once again thought in reaction to the terrible catch phrases the waitresses were all forced to spew to the customers.

They dug into the food immediately. It was so good to be back together again at the start of another great trip.

It was when they were almost half done eating, that Calvin dropped the news. The drive to the site is nine hours after which we will have to leave our transportation and travel the rest of the way through thick woods on foot.

How long? Will asked, while some of the others looked on a bit stunned by the news.

13 km, he responded.

John looked terrified and Sherman didn’t appear too keen on the thought of it either. Will seemed comfortable with it.

Max accepted the news as though it had already been made known to him. That’s because he always thought these trips were pre-ordained to serve a purpose that could not be tampered with. It was a feeling he had deep down in his gut. After a pause, they all nodded to accept Calvin’s news at the request of Max.

Alright, everyone join fists, Calvin instructed. Then, with the GPS watches on, everyone slow-punched to the centre of the table, right overtop of the scrap pile, so-called by the waitress. It was a red plate for the bones to be discarded on. Ok, now everyone hold down these two buttons until all watches flash green.

After five or more seconds, the screens all flashed green just as Calvin had stated. They were all synched now, and able to track one another’s location via the map display.

Calvin pre-selected colours for each of the five fishermen, which would appear as dots on the screens of the watches. The colours were Magenta Max, Silver Sherman, Cyan Calvin, White Will, and Red for John for lack of a colour starting with J.

Small talk was non-existent at these meetings - for there would be plenty of time for chitchat, catching up and endless stories once they were at the campsite. This meeting was to be efficient, organized and to the point to send the men off prepared for their adventure.

After a couple of minutes of silent gawking at watches, Calvin switched gears on the meeting again and began to speak with an air of grandeur, with purpose and excitement in his voice. Gentlemen, I have some exciting news to share. This trip will be unlike any other. We do not have to worry about restricting our packs to hiking size this time. Just imagine. The 13km hike in will only require your water bottle; nothing more, for the rest of our supplies will be waiting there for us.

What? How the fuck is that gonna happen? Sherman barked.

Yeah Cal, I don’t get it either, Will said, with John and Max both looking on with perplexed looks, not anticipating what the answer could be.

"We all love the hike in on these trips. It’s part of the fun, right? But this hike is 13km and we are no spring chickens anymore.