Ravaged

By Anthony Izzo

Near the town of Barker, something stalks the woods. A legendary creature striking fear into the hearts of townspeople. It has been seen peering in windows. Trying to open doors. Attacking motorists. The creature's howls fill the night. And sightings are on the rise. 

 

Gina Peretti and her husband are on a weekend getaway with friends near Barker. Things get off to a bad start when a deer runs in front of their car, sending the vehicle into a ditch. They soon learn the deer was running from something monstrous. And their weekend vacation turns nightmarish as the creature stalks them. 

 

Soon, the town of Barker will feel the full fury of the creature, and the battle for survival begins. 

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: White Knuckle Books
• Release date: Aug 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201937782

Anthony Izzo

Anthony Izzo is the author of 17 thrillers. He enjoys writing tales of mayhem that include anything from zombies to psycho killers to murderous shapeshifters. Anthony was a judge for the Buffalo Dreams screenplay competition. He recently had a story appear in the "SNAFU: Future Warfare" anthology. When not writing, he enjoys playing loud guitar, reading crime novels, and giving craft beers a good home. He makes his home in Western New York and features Buffalo prominently in his work.

Book preview

One

The car had gone off the road in a blur. Gina’s head hurt. The airbag hung on the dash like a deflated balloon. A burning stink filled the vehicle. She touched her head, worried she was bleeding. No blood. That was something. The driver’s side door was opened, and Steve had stumbled out into the snow.

Gina got out of the car. The Kia’s front end was crumpled. They were in a roadside ditch, pitched forward, and she sloshed through some freezing water as she climbed out. Behind their car, David and Priya’s SUV was cockeyed in the ditch.

Steve, you there?

I’m here, he called from the other side of the Kia.

She headed around, where he leaned against a tree. Blood trickled from his lower lip.

Are you hurt? she said.

Just a little banged up. We need to check on David and Priya.

They headed over to the SUV, where David and Priya were climbing out the rear hatch. The deer had come out of nowhere, and the road had been icy. Steve swerved, the Kia fishtailed, and the next thing Gina knew, they’d slammed into the ditch. Unable to stop, the Jeep had joined them.

David wobbled forward. Priya held his arm, steadying him.

You guys okay? Gina said.

Scared shitless, but okay, David said.

Same, Priya said.

Looks like we’re not making the lodge tonight, Steve said.

They’d been planning this trip for two months. Priya was finally able to get time off from her job as chief of neurosurgery at one of Buffalo’s largest hospitals. Same with David. He ran a busy GI practice in the Southtowns.

Steve and Gina had left Tempo in Antonia’s hands. She was a more than capable manager. The restaurant would be in good shape with Antonia at the helm. Business was damned good, and they were developing a reputation and one of Buffalo’s hottest Italian restaurants. After five years without a vacation, they’d decided to treat themselves.

It was supposed to be the perfect getaway. Except things were off to a lousy start.

So how far in the middle of nowhere are we? David said.

Pretty far, Steve said.

Did you hit your head? Priya said.

The dizziness is his natural state shining through, Steve said.

I’m serious, David, did you bang your head? Priya said.

Neuro docs. Always worried about head injuries David said. I’m fine. Neck is a little stiff, but the noggin is good.

Gina took out her phone and checked the maps app. We’re about fifteen minutes from the lodge.

This was their first time staying at the lodge. One of Steve’s buddies from high school rented the place out as an Air B and B. He gave them a deal on the place for the week. They were an hour-and-a-half from the city, but the lodge was near a little town called Barker.

Gonna need Triple A, Steve said.

Calling, Gina said.

She dug her Triple A card out of the vehicle and called the 800 number. Gina was able to give them a mile marker and the road, which approximated their position. The Triple A rep said it would be between ninety minutes and two hours. That left a lot of time to stand out in the cold.

Gonna be here a while, Gina said. They’re backed up.

The snow fell heavier, pelting Gina’s face.

Sorry about this, all, Steve said.

Not your fault, man, David said. That deer came out of nowhere.

Is everyone okay? Priya said.

Lip’s bleeding, but considering, we’re lucky, Steve said.

Gina eyed the vehicles. The Kia was trashed and climbing in the SUV might cause it to tip further. They’d need to be towed out with a winch. The Jeep looked drivable. The Kia was going on a flatbed. Once they got to the lodge, Gina would have to call the insurance. While she had called for help, David had called for a tow truck, as well.

I’m gonna grab our hats and gloves, David said.

Same, Steve said. Gotta try and keep warm.

In the time since they’d gone off the road, no traffic had passed. Not that a ride would do much good. They had to wait here for the tow truck.

While they waited for the men to grab hats and gloves, an animal scream burst through the surrounding woods.  It sounded like something in extreme pain. Jesus, that was awful.

Sounds like it’s dying, Priya said.

The deer ran from that direction. Wonder if it was wounded?

Steve came back with Gina’s winter had and gloves. She put them on. David had done the same for Priya. She slipped on a knit hat, her long, dark hair spilling out from underneath.

Did you two hear that scream? David said.

How could you not? Gina said.

The sun began to dip. It was almost four-thirty. She didn’t love the idea of standing stranded by the road. Gina pulled out her phone searched for anything near their location. A place called Augie’s Truck Stop came up. Two miles ahead. I found a truck stop up the road. It’s a few miles.

Thinking we could shelter there? Someone will have to wait with the vehicles, Steve said.

You read my mind. Beats sitting in messed-up vehicles, Gina said.

I’ll wait with the vehicles, David said. I can call you when the tow truck gets here.

You sure? Steve said.

I’m sure. You best bring me a coffee, though.

I think we can manage that, Priya said. You’re the best.

Don’t let it get around.

Priya kissed him, then turned to David and Gina, saying, Ready? The walk will warm us up.

Let’s go.

––––––––

David watched the three of them disappear around the bend in the road. It was full dark now, and he fetched a mini flashlight from the Jeep’s console. He shined it on the vehicle. There didn’t seem to be any major damage. The one side of the truck had ended up in the ditch, and the Jeep sat cocked at an angle. At least they could still drive it. The Kia had taken it a little worse.

He hoped to see a passing vehicle, even just to know he wasn’t out here completely alone. The road was flanked by dense woods. He was a city boy by heart. David had spent his life in Buffalo. Met Priya in med school at the University of Buffalo.

She was the top of her class. She’d been the youngest chief of surgery in the history of her hospital. Not that they were kids. Both would turn forty-five next year. The vacation would be nice. Quiet. Well, except for the shooting part.

Steve and Gina had brought a few guns for target shooting. The plan was to plink some beer cans out back of the lodge. Steve had said something about blasting pumpkins with the shotgun. Did he bring his own or was he going to purchase pumpkins for that purpose? David had neglected to ask.

He crossed his arms for warmth. A gust of wind rocked him, and snow swirled around. That damned tow truck driver had better hurry up.

He paced along the shoulder, thinking movement would warm  him up. That’s when something thudded against the rear of the jeep. He shined the light and went to check it out.

On the ground lay the head and neck of a deer. The head had been torn from the body. The flesh around the neck was tattered. David recoiled. The deer head had left a smear on the SUV’s hatch. A chill rocketed through him.

David shined the light on the woods, but the beam didn’t penetrate far. He felt like someone was watching him but he couldn’t see them. Now would be a perfect time for a car to pass by. Even better if he could flag them down.

Footsteps crunched in the snow. Someone moving parallel to the road. Who would pull such a sink prank? And why would someone be messing with him? Whoever threw a deer’s head would have to be damned strong.

Steve had the guns in his vehicle. He looked down at the deer’s head. One glassy eye stared up at him. Was it the same deer that had darted across the road?

Just so you know, I have a gun! David said.

No response came.

The footsteps sounded like they were trailing off. Back the way they’d been driving when the accident happened. He caught a whiff of something in the air. Like wet dog mixed with rotten eggs. Definitely some kind of animal. But what the hell kind of animal would throw a deer’s head at a truck?

He backed closer to the Kia and popped the hatch. Because the Kia had tipped downward, the cargo inside had slid forward and pressed against the back seat. He saw the long gun bag and managed to wrestle it out.

After unzipping the bag, he slipped the shotgun out. Steve had some shells tucked in a holder affixed to the stock. David clicked a few shells home and racked the pump. Flipped the safety to red.

If it’s red, you’re dead. That he remembered from the few times he’d gone shooting.

A deep roar echoed from the woods. Something damned big made that noise. He aimed the shotgun in the direction of the woods, sweeping it back and forth. His own ragged breathing filled his ears. Stay in the woods, whatever you are.

He stood there with the shotgun for what seemed like forever. The woods had gone silent. The wind howled. His heart pounded.

David lowered the gun and took out his cell and dialed Steve’s number. Steve answered on the third ring.

Miss us already?

If you could hurry your asses back here, that would be appreciated.

Tow truck there already?

No, but something else is.

What’s that mean?

David filled him in on the deer’s head and the strange roar.

A whole deer’s head?

That’s what I said. I got your shotgun out of the Kia.

We’re almost to the truck stop. We’ll grab some hot drinks and head right back. You okay man?

Rattled, but okay. Whatever made that noise sounded huge.

All right. Sit tight and we’ll be there soon.

David ended the call. They couldn’t get here soon enough.

Two

The truck stop was a bust. Gina felt deflated. The place was abandoned. The pumps had been removed and only the overhead canopy remained. A mini mart and attached restaurant building stood dark. Unfortunately, the web search hadn’t said anything about the place being closed.

A sign in the mini-mart's window advertised homemade pies. The pie would’ve tasted good with a hot cup of coffee.

Looks like we’re too late, Steve said.

By a few years, Gina said.

The sign out front read UGIE’S. The A was missing.

Screw you, UGIE’S, I wanted pie.

Gina noticed some graffiti sprayed on the side of the building. It was in the shape of a crude monster with triangular claws, the arms raised above its head. That’s an odd piece of art.

Below the crude artwork were the words: Shut you down.

Priya said, Wonder when this place closed?

A while ago from the look of it, Gina said.

We should get back to David. He sounded pretty freaked out, Steve said.

Something rustled behind the mini-mart. A man in a long, olive green coat appeared around the corner. He wore a loose stocking cap on his head. He approached the three of them, hands in pockets.

Can we help you? Gina said.

The man stopped a few feet short of them. The odor of gasoline wafted off him. Didn’t you know this place was closed?

Gina said, We’re not from the area. Our car broke down.

What’s your story? Steve said.

I live around here. Right back there, he said, turning and pointing at the truck stop. Name’s Roland.

Priya said, You live behind there? Are you okay?

Oh, I’m fine. Got a nice little tent. Going to be moving on soon, though. Things getting weird around here, he said, scratching his beard stubble.

What’s with that graffiti? Gina said.

That there’s the reason this place closed. Weird happenings. Truckers got spooked. Something walking around their trucks at night, banging on doors.

Gina glanced at the crude graffiti again. It did resemble some sort of furry monster. Are we talking about a Sasquatch?

The man touched a finger to the tip of his nose. You win the prize, ma’am. Not hanging around here much longer. I can smell it in the air.

She found it hard to believe an entire truck stop closed because people got spooked by a mythical monster. Is that really what happened?

Augie Peters claims he saw it. Closing up one night. Nearly bashed in the door and came for him. That was it for Augie. Put it up for sale the next week.

Roland seemed lucid. She didn’t detect alcohol on him and he didn’t seem high. Where will you go?

I’ll move down the road. There’s a shelter run by the Baptists in Barker. Stay there for the winter. It’ll be safe. Where you folks going?

Headed up to a friend’s lodge near Barker. About fifteen miles south of here.

Roland shook his head slowly. I don’t recommend that. Not at all. That’s its territory.

Roland, we appreciate it, but I think we’ll be fine, Priya said. Can we offer you some money?

Roland put a hand up, as if to ward it off. I don’t take handouts. Got everything I need, and if I don’t have it, I can get it. I appreciate you folks, though. Well, I’m gonna go hunker down in the tent. Getting cold and I’m hitting the road first thing. Don’t linger, he said, heading back toward the store.

You really think someone got spooked and closed this place down? Steve said.

It was likely the economy. Doesn’t seem like it’s booming around here, Priya said.

Hope he’s going to be all right, Gina said.

Seems like a survivor, Steve said. We should get back to David. Make sure he’s okay.

––––––––

David got tired of looking at the deer’s head and decided to drag it to the side of the road. It would look odd when the tow truck driver got here if a deer’s head was lying around. Flashlight clamped between his teeth, he hunkered and grabbed the head, one hand on top and the other under the jaw.

The damn thing smelled horrible. He dragged it out of the ditch and left it at the wood’s edge. For good measure, he shined the light in the woods. It was then he noticed the footprint, right next to a thick pine tree.

He inched closer, not wanting to get too close, as if the woods could reach out and grab him. The print was close to eighteen inches long. Vaguely human-shaped. Five distinct toes.

This is getting fucking weird, David said.

Someone had to be playing a prank out here. Maybe messing with passing motorists. Possibly saw them having trouble and decided to have some fun.

But who has fun by tossing a severed animal head at people?

Someone with a fake foot must’ve made that print. Although that same someone would’ve been awfully strong to toss