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The next morning.
Luke was up early, loading the kids into the pickup and heading into town.
Since he was stuck here for a few months, he figured he might as well stock up on supplies and make the camp livable.
The truck bounced along the potholed dirt road, seven or eight kids chattering and roughhousing in the bed.
Luke checked them in the rearview mirror.
"Listen up, little monsters. Special treat today. When we hit the grocery store, each of you gets to pick one snack. On ."
"YES! Luke rules!"
The kids erupted in cheers loud enough to rattle the roof.
A few minutes later the truck pulled up in front of the only grocery store in town.
Doors flew open and the pack charged inside.
Luke shook his head, followed them in, and started grabbing the basics he'd need for the next couple months.
He was reaching for a new set of sheets when a familiar voice drifted over from the next aisle.
"Watch it, you stepped on ."
"Sorry! Sorry!"
A nervous, almost whiny male voice.
Luke looked up.
A pale, miserable-looking young guy stood there, hands flapping helplessly at the chubby kid he'd bumped.
"What's going on?"
Luke walked over. The chubby kid—Russell—just shrugged like it was nothing.
"No big deal. He just stepped on my foot by accident."
Luke gave the stranger a once-over and stuck out his hand.
"Hey. I'm Luke. New forest ranger in town."
The young man glanced at Luke's face, then imdiately dropped his eyes. He didn't even try to shake hands.
He just muttered sothing under his breath, fast and quiet.
"Lionel. My mom's looking for . I gotta go."
Before Luke could answer, the guy ducked his head and practically ran past him, bolting out of the store like the place was on fire.
Luke watched him disappear down the sidewalk, one eyebrow raised.
"That guy's weird as hell."
Russell wandered over, already tearing into a bag of chips, voice casual.
"He's just a total mama's boy. Nothing special. We got plenty of weirdos around here."
Luke didn't say anything, but he filed the comnt away.
This place was shaping up to be more interesting than he'd expected.
Once everything was paid for, Luke stood at the front door and barked, "Fall in!"
Every kid in the store dropped what they were doing and sprinted over, lining up crooked and saluting like tiny soldiers.
"Loyalty!"
"Good. Load the truck."
Luke grinned as the kids argued and fumbled their way through carrying the bags.
That's when an old woman's voice called out from behind the counter.
"Wait a minute, young man."
Luke turned.
An elderly lady in a shawl hurried out from the back, eyes locked on him like she'd just spotted a winning lottery ticket.
"Oh my… I can feel it. You're full of spiritual energy, aren't you?"
The old woman's voice had that classic mystic edge.
Fortune teller?
Luke's pulse kicked, but his face stayed blank.
She grabbed his hand before he could pull away.
"Co to my little shop. I'll read your tarot cards. Show you exactly what you've been attracting."
Luke gently freed his hand and pointed at the truck where the kids were already fighting over snack distribution.
"Another ti, ma'am. The children are waiting."
He turned and walked out, herding the kids into the pickup.
The engine started and they pulled away.
In the rearview mirror Luke saw the old woman still standing in the doorway, staring after them.
They'd barely turned the corner when he spotted a group of high-schoolers huddled together, whispering like they were planning a bank heist.
Every one of them had dark circles under their eyes and looked like they hadn't slept in days.
Luke glanced at Russell, who had claid the passenger seat thanks to his size.
"Your parents ever ntion anything strange going on in this town?"
Russell was busy demolishing his chips. He thought for a second.
"Does the new KFC count?"
Luke gave him a flat look.
"Not that. I an places people avoid, or weird rumors."
Russell's eyes lit up with sudden understanding, mouth full.
"Ohhh, that. Yeah, we got tons of that."
"Big empty houses out in the suburbs. The old factory. There's a whole street downtown nobody lives on anymore. And sotis you see weird people eting up in groups."
He swallowed and added, "Oh, and Crystal Lake used to be off-limits, but this year the grown-ups suddenly said it was fine again. No idea why."
Luke kept his expression neutral, but his mind was already turning.
Plenty of stories here.
He turned the wheel and headed back toward camp.
By the ti they unloaded everything, the kids were dead on their feet. Ethel herded them into their cabins for afternoon naps.
Luke took the quiet mont to slip away and explore.
He followed a narrow trail overgrown with weeds, pushing deeper into the woods.
When he stepped over a line of rusty barbed wire, he paused.
One strand still had a dark, dried sar of old blood.
Luke studied it for a second.
Jason's work, probably. From back in the day.
He kept walking until the trees opened up and Crystal Lake spread out in front of him.
Afternoon sunlight sparkled across the water like a sheet of broken crystal.
Luke sat down on the bank, letting the cool breeze wash over him.
For the first ti in weeks, he actually felt relaxed.
Then a sharp crack ca from the bushes behind him.
Luke spun around.
A young guy in camo stood ten feet away, shotgun aid at his chest.
"Who the hell are you? What are you doing here?"
Luke turned slowly, hands loose at his sides.
"Just passing through. You?"
The guy looked about twenty, face streaked with greasepaint. Outdoor gear, but his hands were shaking on the gun.
"This is private property. You're trespassing."
Luke glanced at the shotgun, then at the kid's nervous face, and smiled.
"Private? I didn't see any signs."
The guy pushed the barrel forward another inch, trying to sound tough.
"Signs don't matter. My gun does. Leave now or I shoot."
The second the words left his mouth, Luke moved.
A blur of motion—Luke's hand shot out, twisted the barrel, and the shotgun flew free. The kid yelped as pain flared in his wrist.
Luke caught the gun one-handed, checked the chamber, and popped the shells out in one smooth motion.
He tossed the empty weapon back.
The young man stumbled backward and dropped onto his ass, staring up at Luke in shock.
"Now we can talk."
Luke crossed his arms.
The kid clutched the useless shotgun like a security blanket.
"I'm Eddie. Live nearby. Sotis I co out here to hunt."
Luke nodded.
"Fine. Your turn. Why are you really here?"
Eddie stared out at the lake, eyes distant.
"Years ago… my sister died here."
"Police said the suspect disappeared. I never bought it. I still co out here looking."
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