Summer Bliss

Marcus stirred, rolling around in his bed. The covers lay angled around his legs. The night was humid. He had opened the window before going to bed, but the draft seemed to be avoiding him. Sticky sweat coated his body, soaking into the sheet under him. He felt like a pig on a spit roast.

The final straw was a thin line of sweat trickling down from his hairline into his ear. Sitting up he sighed while swinging his legs over. Marcus headed towards the bathroom. On the way he passed Khalia's room. Her door was open, and the bed remained untouched.

After she jogged after that sewer rat, Theo, she never returned. They had waited, but she never showed up. Jay was intent on going after her in his drunken stupor, but Trinity refused.

Stating, " Lia will never forgive you for seeing her face down ass up guys!"

The whole ordeal had riled him, and he excused himself for the night. Lying in bed, room spinning, worried about someone who could care less. The previous night had him in the same predicament.

*~*~*

Theo had stood in the doorway, in all his disgusting nakedness carrying Khalia. Blood from her naked body dripped on the floor, filling the awkward silence. Dirt smeared on both. She was asleep, face turned in his shoulder. The view shocked him, forever burned into his mind.

Theo said nothing to Marcus when he spotted him. A sneer etched on his face as he proceeded to Khalia's room. The way he tossed her onto her bed caused her head to strike the nightstand. Marcus hissed at the impact and recoiled at seeing her exposed body. The action elicited a callous chuckle from Theo. Reaching down he clutched her right breast, giving it a shake. Marcus glared when he dragged his tongue lazily across her nipple. Sliding his other hand down to her pussy, where fingers made harsh entry.

"Marcus, Marcus. You have a better chance of fucking her while she's asleep. Do you want a taste? Of course you do pervert. Don't worry, it'll be our secret." After a few thrust he removed his hand, licking the sheen off his fingers.

Marcus clenched his fist, an infuriated sigh left him. How could he suggest a thing! The urge to strangle Theo buzzed at his fingertips. However, like a deer in headlights, he couldn't move. A pressure weighed heavy on his shoulders, straining down on his knees. That sickened him more than Theo's actions. He couldn't defend her honor, no matter how badly he wanted too.

"So you want to watch is that it?"

*~*~*

Splashing water on his face Marcus shook his head, trying to expel the memory. Glancing in the mirror above the sink, he stared at his blurry reflection. Tomorrow, he'll tell her what he did. Granted, he should have when he saw her limping out the cabin this morning. Jealously was a terrible thing.

Determined, he shook his hands free of water. Walking back to his room he frowned. His nostrils felt singed when the rancid smell infiltrated them. Cursing, Marcus looked towards the window. The curtains fluttered, the draft he had been waiting for finally made its way into the room.

Skipping over Marcus slammed the window shut. A audible bang pierced the cabin. The ladies had mentioned yesterday how badly Theo's cabin smelled. They had been adamant about not going past there for the remainder of the trip. He pondered for a moment if Khalia was in there.

Picking up his glasses from the nightstand he slipped on a brown hoodie and black shorts. Once dressed he slinked out into the night, admiring the bright stars from the porch. The moon was full, bathing the area in an eerie light. It seemed reminiscent of a movie he saw. A breeze caressed his right cheek, dragging the stench along with it.

Looking over to the left, Marcus made out the silhouette of Bear's Den. He imagined their windows had to closed. No way they'd be sleeping with this smell. Mustering up courage he left the porch, dawdling over to Theo's cabin. Taking deliberate steps, he avoided what twigs he could make out in the light. If Theo was in the cabin, Khalia would be as well.

With every step the smell became more pronounced. By time Marcus reached the porch he pulled his hoodie up over his nose. Trying his best not to heave. Avoiding the stairs he grabbed one of the railings and pulled himself over. Being silent he crept over to one of the windows.

The blinds skewed his view, and what little he saw showed no movement. With breakneck speed Marcus found himself at the door. Grasping the knob, he became aware of how fast his heart was pounding. His hands were slick with sweat and doubt formed in his mind.

A loud rustling caught his attention. Coming from his far left, the direction Khalia went earlier. Turning the knob, disbelief went across his face when the latch clicked, and it opened. Rushing in, he exhaled when it shut behind him. Tears welled in his eyes with the fumes of funk.

He kept his mouth shut, for fear of tasting the vile odor. It was time to pull his hoodie up again. Deciding not to turn on the lights, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter. Regret flashed briefly. He had to dig through Khalia's things for this lighter. He would present it to her like Theo had, and she would swoon over his consideration.

Damn that's pathetic. I can't wait for this trip to be over.

Sparking it, the orange glow erupted. He was only able to see a few inches in front of him, noticing the layout was the same as the others. Marcus hesitated at every squeaky floorboard he encountered. Waving the flame around he caught a glimpse of his surroundings. Then extinguished the flame to save his burning thumb. Happening once more until he reached the bedrooms and bathroom. The smell, now unbearable. He tried his best to stifle the cough wanting to escape.

Muddled dark blotches and smears covered the floors and walls. They increased in size the closer he got to the last bedroom. The doorknob and base of the door caked in the same substance. Holding up his lighter he studied it further, wheels slowly turning.

Marcus felt his stomach knot. An uneasiness befell him, and his heart pounded his ribcage. Extinguishing his light again, he put his sleeve over the encrusted knob and turned.

"K-Khalia?"

He wasn't quite sure what he expected to see on the other side. He hadn't seen Theo yet. Slithering his hand against the wall he cringed at the tacky substance. It reminded him of glue that hadn't completely dried. Resisting the urge to wipe it on his shorts he continued for the light switch. Flipping it Marcus shielded his eyes from the bright light. Blinking a few times he looked up.

Now, regret wasn't something he dwelled on. He can count all his regrets on one hand. He lived his life how he pleased. Thus, when his eyes registered the scene before him, he added to his list.

In the center of a busted bed frame lay a blood-soaked bed. The blood aged the mattress. On it a discolored mass of bloated flesh, entangled upon itself. Flies buzzed around his head, and he flinched when beetles scuttled across his shoes. Various limbs, he assumed they use to be limbs, dangled off the bed. Being held together by thin drying pieces of skin. He couldn't see a head or heads, certain that there was more than one body there.

This time the bile didn't stop. Doubling over he vomited, not caring that he got his shoes in the process. Tears rolled down his face as he expelled everything from earlier that day. After a few dry heaves he wiped the saliva off his chin.

"Fuck!"

Panic kicked in as Marcus's flight or fight vamped up. Turning he ran, slipping on his own vomit in the process. Images of the deceased flashed over mind. He didn't know how long those bodies were there. They looked unrecognizable as once living people.

Dashing through the living area Marcus took a tumble, eyes blinded by the change. Cursing, he got back up. Bursting through the front door he jumped off the porch, stumbling when he hit the ground. His mind went blank and his body moved on pure adrenaline.

The air felt good against his hot skin. He had to get away, he had to wake the others. Reaching the Bear's Den, a desperate cry escaped him when he realized the door was locked.

"Get up! Wake up! Guys!"

With every word Marcus pounded against the door. A bloodcurdling howl echoed through the clearing. It stopped him briefly and he turned. When he saw the blurry landscape, his lungs seized.

My glasses! Fuck, my glasses!

"Shit! Shit! Open the fucking door! Alexa! Jay!"

Marcus's voice trilled. A prickly sensation skirted his spine when the rapid crunching of grass filled the clearing. A snarl erupted, closer than the howl. Closing his eyes, he prayed for someone to open the door. Abruptly, the hair on the back of his head started to flutter. A warm lick of air tickled the back of his neck.

Inhaling sharply his body froze and he felt cold, all the warmth pooling in his groin. Liquid dripped on the planks and the sharp aroma of ammonia filled the air. A growl pulsated through his right ear. It came out in chuffed breaks, almost like laughter. Marcus closed his eyes again. This was it. He was done. Now to wait for the final blo-

"What the fuck bro!"

Joey scowled at Marcus. Marcus turned around, seeing nothing but the blurry landscape like before. With no hesitation he shoved the groggy Joey aside. Slamming the door, he locked it.

"What the hell is going on!"

Alexa strolled out of her bedroom. Her face showed annoyance, until she spotted Marcus. Concern bloomed as she stared at her cousin and took in his appearance. He shook uncontrollably, if the others could smell fear they'd be overwhelmed with his. Hearing the commotion, Trinity emerged wiping sleep from her eyes.

Joey waved a hand near his nose. He had stunk up the place in seconds. Stepping by him Joey went to open a window. Lunging Marcus gripped his shoulder, making Joey wince.

"Bro what the fuck is wrong with you!"

"Don't open anything!"

Joey shoved Marcus off him. Stumbling he fell to the ground where he stayed. Black curls filled his vision as Alexa ran over and kneeled over him. She coughed and covered her nose.

"Marcus, what's going on? Where are your glasses? Why are you covered in piss!"

"Where's Khalia Marcus?"

Jay, now awake, stared at the door. Trinity cast him a worried look.

"H-he, shit man! Bodies, the motherfucker killed people! And that, that thing! We gotta go. Now!"

Marcus panted, close to spiraling back into panic. Trinity shifted closer to Jay so that their arms were touching. Her voice wavered,

"What do you mean bodies?"

Marcus knew he had to get himself together if they were going to escape. Taking deep breaths, he started again.

"Khalia, she never came back to the cabin. I got worried so I went to Theo's cabin to see if she was there." He ignored the eye roll and scoff from Joey.

"The smell, it was bad. Real fucking bad. When I checked the bedroom..."

He felt his eyes glaze over, mind taken back to the cabin.

"I shouldn't. I shouldn't have turned on the lights. I shouldn't have left- fuck. Fuck! There's bodies in his cabin, in the bedroom. We have to go."

"Tsk. Is this a fucking joke? This has to be a joke! We all know you got a hard on for Khalia dude. Fuck, we've noticed it the last few years. You think crying like a bitch is going to get you pussy bro?"

"Joey! Knock it off!"

"No! Alexa, we were all getting shitfaced hours ago. Now your dipshit cousin wants us to pity him. Because Khalia's getting reamed by Theo! Fuck outta here!"

"You think I pissed myself to get laid! You think I smell like shit cause I wanna bone? What the fuck man! Are you stupid? I'm telling the truth! Theo killed people!"

The tension in the room thickened. Marcus jumped up, standing toe to toe with Joey, who wore a cocky grin.

"Yes, I do. You're mad cause you fucked up. You Marcus."

Marcus looked with widen eyes, bewildered by Joey's lack common sense. Joey turned away from him and beelined to the window, yanking it up.

"See that, fresh air. What does that prove? That you're a fucking liar Marcus. Get the fuck out our-"

A guttural growl reverberated behind him. Marcus felt the hair on his arms stand up. The others in the room looked on, but not at him. Swiveling, Joey let out a gasp, stumbling to the floor. He scuttled back to the others.

In the window was a beast. Its black wet snout pressed taunt against the flimsy window screen. Eyes bulging, it scanned every one of their faces. The lips pulled back into a snarl, showing its gnarly canines. Saliva foamed at the corners, dripping in copious amounts. The lights inside lit up just enough to show pools of inky black. No iris could be seen.

Its stature was unknown. It stared at them a bit longer before slinking away, slipping back into the night. Abruptly something rocked the door, splintering the wood frame. A squelching noise followed after. Shock held the group in its grasp as they waited. Waited for another knock, another growl, anything.

Finally, Trinity screamed. Alexa rushed to help Joey. Once on his feet, they tightly clung to each other while backing further away from the window. Jay kept his eyes on the window.

"Fuck, fuck! I told you guys we had to go!"

"You said Theo killed people! Not that there's a fucking monster outside! Where are we going to go Marcus!" Alexa was screeching, all composure lost. Trinity ran to her bedroom, emerging quickly with her cellphone.

"I'm calling the cops!"

"The service out here is shoddy, the call might fail! Our best bet is to get in the car and get the fuck out here!" Joey's voice boomed throughout the cabin.

"You think that thing is going to just let us walk the fuck on outta here! You're a fucking idiot Joey!"

"Oh fuck you Marcus, this is your fault anyway!"

"How the fuck is this my fault!"

Marcus shoved Joey just when a loud pop echoed through the cabin. They all flinched and covered their ears. Looking around frantically his eyes landed on Jay. He stood disheveled in the doorway, having thrown on his clothes from earlier. The gun trembled slightly in his hand as he lowered it. Marcus found his breathing has stilled. A off-kilter whistle sung through the hole in the door.

"I got to find my sister. Marcus you stay here with the girls, Joey you come with me."

"Nah man, this isn't an army drill. I'm not going outside that fucking door." Joey moved towards Alexa, who stood far from the windows.

"Fine, stay here with the girls and get the cars running. If I'm not back before an hour, head to the ranger station."

Marcus pursed his lips at the orders but nodded all the same.

"I'm coming with you." Trinity rasped.

"No. I won't be able to rest, in life or death, if something were to happen to you. Stay here, watch the group, I'll be back soon. "

"No! I'm going to get dressed. Don't leave without me."

She caressed his cheek, giving him a kiss, before running to the bedroom. When Jay's gaze found Marcus he already knew what was to come.

"Don't let her leave that room."

A dejected look crossed his face. Nodding, Marcus scurried to the room Trinity went in and shut the door. Immediately thrumming filled the cabin. His knuckles turned white and his arm began shaking as he pulled.

"Jay! Jay! Open the fucking door! Please! Please don't go!"

Behind him he heard Alexa release a sob. Jay struggled opening the door and he knew he succeeded when Joey yelled this time. The stench from earlier wrapped its hands around Marcus.

"What the fuck is that!" Alexa cried out.

Before anyone could answer, the front door slammed shut. Marcus slackened his grip, waiting another minute before letting go. Trinity threw the door open, rushing by she clipped his shoulder. Marcus hit the ground hard, groaning as he sat up.

"Jay!"

"He's gone Trin. He said to wait." Moving to get up, he gasped when she shoved him back down.

A barrage of slaps and punches soon rained down on him. Covering his face, he grunted when a nail caught his cheek, drawing blood.

"You fucking coward! Bitch! Stupid fucking bitch!"

"Trin stop!"

The floor vibrated as Joey and Alexa stormed over. Trinity's punches turned to kicks and Marcus curled into a ball. Between his fingers he saw Joey wrap his arms around her. Lowering his hands, Marcus sighed. Trinity squinted her eyes, sneering. Kicking, her foot clipped his chin. Marcus groaned as his head smacked the floor. He listened as the scuffling continued, his world going black.