The Predator of Stowe Hills

“Hey”-Jada touched the TSA's wrist-“be careful with that,” she said. The man raised his hands in the air and gently sat the camera down.

“What’s with all the…cameras?” He asked. “You two photographers…or sum’?”

“Making the world a better place,” Daren said. The TSA gave the two of them a questionable glare. Jada let out a labored sigh.

“We're part of the Predator Catching Task Force(P.C.T.F.). We go around”-Jada waved her hand over the tripods and cameras of various sizes-“with this, and we catch and expose child predators across the country.” Jada leaned forward and whispered, “There’s a lady in Stowe Vermont talking to teenage girls.”

Daren folded his hairy arms and nodded. The TSA gave a labored grin and told the two of them to enjoy their flight.

#

After enduring seven hours of screaming toddlers, neighbors extending their exposed toes under the seat, and Daren hyperventilating into a paper bag; Jada had never been more excited for her ears to pop as the plane descended on Vermont soil.

#

The duo got a rental car and headed into town. Trees looked as if each individual leaf had been hand painted by God; with screaming tangerines, fiery reds, and warm yellows.

Mist poured into town as the sun warmed the peak of the mountain, and the sweet smell of pastries and warm cider rushed into the car as Daren lowered the window.

“You seeing this?” Daren asked. “It’s unreal!” The sound of Autumn leaves being minced under the tires, and shifting gravel was all he heard. He turned to the passenger seat to see Jada; the pupils of her blue eyes constricted as the laptops light reflected off her face.

Daren pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. He reached over and slammed the laptop shut.

“Hey,” Jada yelled. “Have you lost your mind?”

“Have you?” Daren asked. “We’re in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country you can go during the fall, and your looking at your” -Daren waved his hand up and down- “laptop!”

“You forget why we’re here?” Jada asked. Daren opened his mouth, but words were left lodged in his throat. “World a better place, right?” Daren nodded.

Jada looked around at all the trees and massive boulders as they traversed down the winding road. She rolled her eyes.

“But yes…beautiful,” she said. Daren licked his lips.

“We don’t meet up with her till tonight.” The rubber of the steering wheel squealed as Daren tightened his grip. “Can’t we…be tourists, until then?” Daren asked. He shut his eyes tight and slowly turned his squinted gaze to Jada.

Jada folded her arms.

“Let’s see what all the fuss is about concerning these...cider doughnuts.” Daren was over the moon as they passed through the covered, red-bridge.

#

Their first stop was breakfast, turned lunch. The two of them dined at the Butlers Pantry, but the wait was so long, they weren’t served until 11am.

Daren cut into the biscuits and gravy. When he took a bite, his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

“I take it you like it?” Jada asked. Daren chewed slowly, making sure the bite reached every corner of his mouth. He insisted Jada tried her food.

The waitress warned her their famous maple syrup was on par with drugs; it didn’t disappoint. Jada found herself licking the plate of French toast clean; yearning for more.

Next they roamed the town, entering charming bookstores and mom and pop shops. They got souvenirs for the family, Jada finally got to experience the hype around the apple cider doughnuts during her tour of the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, and the two of them climbed rocks that rivaled their homes during their drive through Smugglers Notch.

#

Just one more. A phrase Daren abused, leading the two further into the mountain scape.

The duo found themselves in a gondola line on Mt Mansfield.

“Seriously, Daren. This is it,” Jada said as they inched ahead in line. She checked her apple watch, 6:30pm. Two hours before the predator became the prey.

The gondola conductor gestured for the two of them.

“And the lovely couple,” he said.

“We’re…” Jada looked up at Daren as he pulled at his coat collar. Jada bucked her eyes as her lower lip consumed her upper lip. The two of them entered the gondola without uttering a word.

As the gondola emerged from the tunnel, it’s as if the two breached the gates of heaven as the beautiful Autumn trees gave a divine performance in the breeze.

Jada’s eyes watered.

“Seasons don’t change like this back in the Bay. The leaves are dying, but full of life. It’s-”

“Breathtaking,” Daren said as he stared at the back of Jada’s head. “Hey” -Daren tapped Jada’s arm-“got ya something.” Jada gulped as Daren reached into his pocket.

“Look Daren, I…” A can of mosquito spray. Jada took the mosquito spray in hand. “Mosquito spray?” she asked.

“Yeah, you’re always talking about how they eat you alive. Hear this cider stuff works so, yeah.” Jada wrapped her arms around his stocky body and hugged him.

When she looked into his green eyes, he leaned forward slowly. *beep* Jada looked down at her watch.

“We…should uh, head to the inn, and get ready. Next stop is ours,” Jada said. Daren chewed the corner of his mouth and nodded as he scooted over to his side of the gondola.

#

Back at the inn, the duo packed their camera equipment, and hit the road. The humming of the cars motor did all the talking as the two ascended the dark-winding trail.

Daren’s eyes danced between the road and the passenger seat. His mucus heavy cough broke the silence as Jada fidgeted with the camera.

“You good?” she asked. Daren pounded at his chest.

“Yeah. Just…too many sweets, I guess.” Daren tapped the wheel as Jada combed through the screen- shots of the chat logs she had with the predator. Daren turned on the radio. Same Drugs blasted from the speakers as he sang along.

Jada frowned before turning off the radio.

“Ugh, trying to focus here,” she said.

“Can we talk about, IT?” Daren asked.

“It?” Jada asked. The corner of Daren’s mouth upturned as he shook his head. Jada sighed. “Daren, it was-”

“I know. Washington was three months ago, but don’t you have…any feelings for me?” Jada rubbed her arm and kept her gaze ahead.

“Look, we were excited about the catch, we got views and an audience, we celebrated, and we were drunk that night-”

“But it happened,” Daren said. Daren swore and slammed on breaks, nearly ramming into a crossing deer. He was stiff at the steering wheel as Jada held her hand on her chest. The two of them took a moment to catch their breath.

“Later, okay?” Jada asked. Daren nodded.

#

The location of the sting was a contrast to the town. Rural, trees prematurely bald, and stuffy humid-air. The home was falling apart, with overgrown grass, and a foul stench of mold from downwind.

“Rolling?” Jada asked. Daren gave a thumbs up behind the camera.

“You sure bout’ this?” he asked. This is the first time you’re the decoy, and the lady didn’t make any weird advances.”

“She still wants to meet up with a child.”

“But there’s no signal here, how do we call the cops to-”

“Big guy like you scared of a sixty-seven year old woman?” Jada asked. Daren sighed and told her to lead the way.

#

Jada gave a brief synopsis to potential viewers as she and Daren walked up the eroded driveway.

In the house behind me, lives sixty-seven year old Matilda Finley. Matilda reached out to our decoy, Kate, aka me, encouraging her to leave her sheltered home, and come live with her. When asked about her intentions, she stated she could give me, “something” to make me happy. What that SOMETHING is she intended to give a thirteen year old girl…we find out…now.

Jada nodded before knocking at the door. Two single lights lit the interior of the home. One upstairs, and one down. Multiple silhouettes of young women appeared to surround the light upstairs.

“Trafficking?” Jada whispered. Daren shrugged with a stern glare.

A young woman with a dark boil on her nose opened the door.

“Hi, we’re…” the young lady stood to the side and allowed them in. Her eyes were dimmed only looking at what was directly ahead of her. Daren mouthed a swear as the too inched by the girl.

It didn’t take much effort. There she was, Matilda, sitting on the couch. Grey-transparent hair, boil on the tip of her nose, and a gummy grin.

“Kate,”-she clapped rapidly with her fingers-“I’m so glad you could…” The life drained from her face as Daren entered the living room. “Who-”

“Daren, and I’m not Kate. My name is Jada Wilks and I’m twenty-seven. I’m part of the Predator Catching Task Force (P.C.T.F.). Your believed to target underage girls, and we’d like to have a chat with you.”

Matilda scrunched her nose at Daren.

“I will not speak.” Matilda looked Daren up and down. “Not with a man,” she said. Daren stepped forward, boots echoing in the room.

“That’s not how this works, y-”

“Fine,” Jada said.

“Jada, what’re you-”

“Just you, me, and the camera.” Matilda smiled at the suggestion. Matilda called out to the girl who let them in. The girl stared at the lamp near the door intently, not moving a muscle.

“JULIE,” Matilda yelled. She turned to Matilda swiftly, but with no change in expression. “See our guest to the dining room as…Jada, and I speak.”

Julie tugged at Daren’s coat. Jada gestured with her head for him to leave. Daren sighed and hesitantly sat the camera on the coffee table. He followed Julie to the next room, but not without locking eyes with Jada once more.

#

After making sure the two of them were in frame, Jada thanked Matilda for her cooperation. Matilda gave her a graceful nod.

“Let’s get to it.” Jada pulled out copies of the chat log and handed them to Matilda. “Are you aware that coaxing a child out of their home is considered alluring? Makes you a predator?” Jada asked.

“Define, predator,” Matilda said. Jada’s armpits started to itch as she tried to avoid Matilda’s retinopathy filled eyes.

“Uh-erm. Well, in your case, a predator is someone who seeks out minors and-”

“Would you consider a mosquito a predator?” Matilda asked.

“I-I suppose, but I’m not sure I follow-”

“A predator is simply trying to survive, thrive, and reproduce.” Jada shook her head and pulled at her collar before letting out a chuckle.

“What do mosquitos have to do with teenage girls?” Jada asked. Matilda pulled a jar from the side of the couch filled with glowing mosquito larvae. Jada’s chest went up and down rapidly as the larvae swam in her direction inside the jar.

Matilda rubbed her finger around the jars rim.

“Well”-Matilda twisted the lid off the jar. The green larvae followed the tip of her finger like a heat seeking missile-“only female mosquitos bite.” Matilda scooped one of the squirming larvae on to her jagged nail.

“They’re terrific mothers. Sucking a specific blood, and laying the eggs in calm waters. This species is rare…requires a host.” Matilda looked up at Jada. A bead of sweat raced down her sideburn as her lower lip trembled.

Jada gulped, and asked,

“What d-do you w-want with th-the girls?”

“MY, girls need a host, and I’m a great mother.” Matilda extended the larvae to Jada’s face. “That’s why you’re here.” Jada smacked Matilda’s wrist and jolted to her feet.

Matilda turned to Jada slowly. The boil on her nose started to throb until it leaked a foul pus. A long proboscis, covered in fine hair like protrusions burst from her nose, long-transparent wings shot from her back, sending a shower of blood across the living room and Jada’s face.

Jada screamed to the top of her lungs.

“A life for a life,” Matilda said. Jada fell to the floor. She quickly got up and ran to retrieve Daren from the next room.

The room was dark. Jada heard several high-pitched hums and stepped on to something squishy. She felt the wall for the light, but was horrified by what it revealed.

A group of young girls with proboscis from their nose, sucked a mummified husk in Daren’s clothing.

“Daren! NO!” Jada gripped her hair in her fists. With blood dripping from their proboscis, the girls turned to Jada, wings humming louder as they approached. Matilda joined them from the living room.

“No, somebody help,” Jada yelled. As Jada backed against the wall, she felt something in her pocket; the mosquito spray.

Out of desperation, Jada shut her eyes tight and pointed the can. The can hissed as the sweet fragrance of cider rushed into the room. Matilda and the girls screamed as they flew into the walls and ran into one another; creating Jada an opening to escape.

#

Daren had the keys to the rental. So, Jada ran down the mountain scape, running into branches, decayed logs, and tumbling down hills until she reached the bottom.

Jada ran to the nearest police station.

“Hey,” she yelled. The officers rushed over to her.

“Ma’am, you’re covered in wounds-” Jada pushed the officers hands away and grabbed her by the arms.

“My fr-friend, DAREN-”

“He did this?”

“No! He’s on the mountain! Matilda Finley, an-and the girls! They’re mosquito people, and they ate him!” the officers looked at one another. Jada shoved the female officer away.

“I’m not crazy,” Jada yelled.

#

Officers investigated the location Jada provided. The dried remains of Daren had been found, but no cult of mosquito people. Detectives ruled that both Jada and Daren had been victims of torture by a serial killer known as, The Drainer, as similar events had been documented around the country.

Jada mentioned her camera, and the chat log documentation. The memory card to the camera had been corrupted, and the pages were soiled with the blood of several deceased people.

Due to her frantic behavior, Jada was entered into a mental asylum, and a nationwide man hunt was issued out for…The Drainer.

END