Fic: Terror In The Woods (3/3)
Title: Terror In The Woods (3/3)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Benny/Ray V.
Fandom: Due South
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Suspense
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: During a camping trip, Benny and Ray encounter something strange.
Chapter Summary: Another thunderstorm brings trouble.
Date Of Completion: June 28, 2020
Date Of Posting: September 16, 2020
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Atlantic Alliance does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1202
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
All chapters can be found here.
III
PIC-A-NIC BASKET
Darkness and rain,
Terror and pain,
Well, maybe not quite,
Though we did
Get a fright.
Chuck Spiegel
“In The Woods”
1956 C.E.
The day grew dark as another storm approached. Benny and Ray reached their campsite, glad of beating the storm. Ray reluctantly admitted to himself that trying to drive out of here now could be dangerous. The wind was whipping around, blowing ashes from the campfire. Benny put the frying pan, cups and plates inside the truck they had rented for the rough terrain. They took the cooler inside the tent and watched the rain come down.
“Looks like a big one,” Ray commented as a loud clap of thunder nearly drowned out his words.
“Yes.” Benny watched the dark clouds roiling in the sky. Lightning flashed in jagged arcs and thunder crashed again. “Let’s enjoy the show.”
Nature put on a spectacular show. Sheets of rain poured down as lightning arced down to the wet ground, illuminating the small clearing.
“Wow, that crack of thunder just shook the tent,” Ray commented.
“Yes.” Benny sipped from his water bottle.
“Huh, you must’ve seen some wild storms up in the Northwest Territories.”
“I did. Blizzards weren’t the only storms.”
“Terrible majesty.”
“That’s very poetic, Ray.”
“Thank you, Benny.”
The wind blew the rain in a westerly direction. It was all slanted. Ray was fascinated.
His knee touched his lover’s. They watched the rain in silence, drinking water and bumping knees. When the wind shifted, Ray sputtered as the rain hit him in the face.
“Nice mist,” Benny said.
“Mist! You think we’re at Niagara Falls?” Ray wiped his face with his hand.
“A wonderful example of Canadian/American cooperation, Ray.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He reached for the tent flap and closed it.
“Isn’t this cozy?”
“Cozy, huh?” Ray bumped Benny’s knee again.
“That’s right.” Benny leaned over and kissed Ray, his lips soft but demanding.
Ray’s green eyes sparkled as his hand cupped Benny’s cheek. He kissed his companion and ran his fingers through Benny’s thick, brown hair. He laid back down on the ground as Benny began to kiss his way down Ray’s throat.
The storm continued as a spectacular background as they made love. Ray’s pique seemed melted away, at least for now. They tasted and touched and thrilled as they expressed their love, excited and exhilarated.
In the eye of the storm, Benny and Ray were happy.
& & & & & &
The lovers fell asleep to the sound of steady rain. It felt safe in their little tent. They were oblivious to danger, until danger came to them.
& & & & & &
Ray came awake, Benny wrapped around him. The rain was lighter now, Ray noticed. The rain was a soothing sound. It would be a great way to fall back asleep.
A growling noise evaporated his sense of peace. It sounded close to the tent.
“Benny, wake up. C’mon, Benny.” Ray nudged him. “Wake up!”
Benny came awake. “What is it?”
“Something’s growling outside.”
Benny rubbed his eyes. “It’s just an animal, Ray.”
“Then it’s a big one.”
The growling noise sounded again. Benny sat up.
“So what animal is that?” Ray demanded.
“I’m not sure.”
A shadow appeared on the side of the tent: large and shaggy.
“Benny, time to decamp!”
The Mountie grabbed his camera and followed Ray out of the tent. Benny started for the woods and Ray grabbed his arm.
“Come on, Benny!”
Underbrush shook and an unearthly roar chilled Ray’s blood. He took off with Benny in tow, avoiding the truck as it was too close to the unseen animal, though Ray was sure he knew exactly what it was.
The rain pelted down. It was difficult to run in the dark, but fear was a good navigator. Ray was leading the retreat and would not allow Benny to pull away. Another roar and the sound of crashing underbrush spurred them on, even the Mountie conceding that they better run.
They ran and ran, finally pulling up to catch their breath. Ray gasped, “Hear any pursuit?”
Benny shook his head. “No. The Sasquatch let us go.”
“How sporting of him. What do we do now?”
“We have to find shelter.” Benny wiped the rain from his face.
“What, crawl inside a tree like a Keebler Elf?”
“If necessary.”
Ray ran to another tree. “No elves here.”
“Over here, Ray!”
Ray quickly joined his partner. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes. A cave will keep us warm and dry.”
“Yeah, but who will we be sharing it with?”
“Probably no one.”
“Benny, we aren’t talking Yogi Bear with a hat and tie swiping pic-a-nic baskets and snuggling with Boo-Boo. There could be a grizzly bear in there!”
“I’ll check it out.”
“Wait!”
Too late, of course. The Mountie disappeared into the cave. Ray waited nervously, shifting from foot-to-foot. Finally he started to head inside when Benny reappeared.
“All clear.”
They both went inside the cave and sat down, huddling together for warmth. Ray asked, “Is this a good idea, Benny? What if Bigfoot shows up? We’d be trapped.”
“The Sasquatch isn’t after us anymore. We would hear him.”
“I’m thrilled.”
“Get some sleep. I’ll keep watch.”
Ray decided to take Benny up on the suggestion. He was exhausted, and who knew what tomorrow would bring? He put his head on Benny’s shoulder. Between the sound of the rain and a feeling of security, Ray fell asleep.
& & & & & &
Ray came awake quickly. For a minute he was unsure of where he was, then remembered with a sinking feeling in his stomach.
“Benny?” he whispered.
“Right here, Ray.”
Ray looked out of the cave. “Daylight’s coming.”
“Correct.”
“No more Bigfoot?”
“Haven’t heard or smelled anything but dampness after the storm.”
Birds were singing as they greeted the new day. Ray rubbed his stiff neck. “Dare we return to the campsite to pack up?”
“As long as we’re careful.”
“What, you don’t want to hunt Bigfoot anymore for science’s sake, Mr. Spock?”
“Like the Horta, I don’t believe the Sasquatch wants us here.”
“Gee, ya think?”
Ray stood, trying to iron out his stiffness by stretching. Benny also stood and tried to ease his muscles. They both took care of business and started the hike back to camp, Ray trusting his partner to lead them there.
The campsite was not untouched. The campfire was scattered and the pup tent was lying flat on the ground. Ray gulped.
“The storm could have done all this,” Benny said.
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s grab the tent and cooler and blow this pop stand.”
Benny went over to the tent. “Uh, Ray…”
“Yeah?” Ray was inspecting the truck for damage.
“The cooler’s gone.”
Ray ambled over to the tent site. “Any chance the wind could’ve blown it into the woods?”
“Possibly.”
They cautiously entered the woods and looked around. The cooler was nowhere to be found.
“I hope Bigfoot and his buddies enjoy the drinks and food. Now let’s go!”
They tossed the tent into the back of the truck, made sure the fire was out, and climbed into the truck. Ray got behind the wheel.
“We’re outta here, Benny.”
“Yes, Ray.”
They drove off, and in the shadows, a shaggy arm lifted up, holding a beer can in salute. ;)
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