Chapter seven

I took off running into the woods, seeing the glimmer again. I began to creep my way towards a nearby tree. There was a small clearing about ten feet into the small thicket and a man sat on the grass, fumbling with something.

"What are you doing out here?"

Dave jumped and spun around. His face went from scared to calm and happy. He smiled and got up to his feet, brushed himself off, and motioned me over.

"I'll ask you again. Why are you here?"

He paused, looked at the trinket, then back at me. "A trail camera."

I looked puzzled and he beckoned me over once again.

"Do you promise not to hurt or touch me."

"Cross my heart and hope to die."

I walked slowly over and sat down. He looked at me, then walked around me in a complete circle.

"Aren't you cold?"

I looked down at myself, and noticed the cold air rushing at my face. I looked at him and sighed in defeat.

He snickered and took off his coat, handing it to me. "Take it."

I stared at it for a long moment… then put it on. Instantly, the warmth rushed to me and all I wanted to do was sleep.

"You've noticed by now."

"Huh..?"

He looked at me. "You remember me."

"How could I forget, you tried to kill me."

He sighed and laid down. He looked straight up at the stars and then looked at me. "I didn't mean to harm you."

"You stabbed me in my arm twice and now you're trying to apologize?"

He sat back up and reached out grabbing my shoulders. Before I could scream for help, Dave was holding me against him awkwardly, as if trying to hug me. He was shaking as if sobs were ready to break lose. I patted his back and then moved away.

"I still don't trust you."

"You have every right," he said slowly.

I looked at him, then grabbed the trail camera. He looked at me curiously as I turned it upside down and then pressed a few buttons. There was a beeping sound that soon faded and left a working image.

"Wow," he said flabbergasted.

I smirked and wrapped the elastic around a tree and looked back at him. "Impressed?"

He nodded. I laughed and began to walk out of the woods. He paused and then caught up as I got to the back door.

"I bet your good at machinery."

"Never tried anything with it."

He smiled and handed me a piece of paper. I opened it and saw an address and a time.

"Tomorrow… lets get something to eat together. You know… to try to make things better?"

I nodded and waved goodbye as I entered the house. Back inside, Fritz stood starring at me. He looked scared and slammed the door shut behind me.

"What did he say to you," he said as more of a command.

"Nothing, expect an invite for lunch tomorrow at noon."

His face went pale and he walked into the front room shaking his head sadly. He looked out the blind to see Dave at the end of the road climbing into a car and driving away.

"There's something I need to tell you about him."