Erik had no idea how he found his way home, but it was with intense relief and thankfulness that he stumbled out of the woods and into his back yard. He looked up and saw Todd waiting for him at the back door. As soon as the boy saw him he raced across the yard and hugged him so hard he almost knocked him down.
“Dad! You made it! I called and called for you.”
“You led me home,” Erik whispered.
“I guess so. I tried to stop the rock from getting you.”
“How did…. Never mind.”
Vickie hurried over and hugged him as well.
“What happened to you? You look like you’ve been in a fight.”
“I have, Vic,” he said. “I have.”
“Where’s Sheriff Collins?”
Erik raised his hands in a pathetic gesture. “He’s…he’s dead.”
“The rock got him,” Todd said matter-of-factly. “Just like it got the girl.”
“Erik, what is going on around here! Has this place gone crazy?”
“I’m afraid it has, Vic. But before I explain I need to call the police. Maybe now they’ll understand what’s going on.”
He found the number of Special Agent Thralls.
“Do you really think that is such a good idea? They’ll think you had something to do with it. Look what they’ve done to Johnny Dovecrest.”
Erik put the phone down and thought for a moment. Just then, Pastor Mark’s car pulled into the driveway and he rushed to the front door. Vickie let him in.
“Erik, thank God you’re all right! Dovecrest told me something was wrong. The sheriff found you? I tried to call him but….”
“Collins is dead,” Erik said.
“He’s….”
“The rock got him,” Todd said.
“Oh my Lord. Tell me what happened.”
Erik sat both the Pastor and Vickie down and explained.
“You mean to tell me there’s a demon running around in the woods? Really, Hon, you don’t believe that, do you?”
“I know what I saw, Vic.”
“It’s true, Mom. It tried to get me, too.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “But this is all happening way too fast for me.”
“I understand,” Erik said. “That’s why I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want to upset you.”
“Upset me? Erik, this goes way beyond upset.”
Pastor Mark put his hand on her shoulder. “Vickie, maybe it would be best if you and the boy went somewhere safe for a couple of days. Back to the city. Just until this thing blows over.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think this will ‘blow over’, Pastor. It’s not going away by itself, is it. And, mind you, I’m still not sure I believe all of this is happening.”
She suddenly began to sob, and Erik went over and held her. “It’s ok,” he said. “We’ll fix this thing.”
“How?” she sobbed.
“I don’t know yet. But we’ll fix it.”
“God will provide,” Pastor Mark said. “We must place our trust in him.”