Cobb's Landing

The hair on the back of Gareth’s neck stood up moments before a crackling arc of green light struck the nearby streetlight. He swerved the car to the right, his instinct for preservation taking control. Jerking the steering wheel back to the left, he heard the groan of the wheels as they spun clods of dirt over the nearby fence bordering a field of corn days away from harvest. Teresa screamed from the back of the car, flinging herself over Matthew, secure in his car seat. The car bumped awkwardly back onto the tarmac before finally steadying itself. When he was sure they weren’t about to pop a tire, he glanced back at his wife and son. “Everyone okay back there?”

           “Jesus, Gareth, what the hell?” yelled Teresa. “You almost landed us in a ditch.” Before he could respond, a monstrous clap of thunder erupted behind them, lifting the back of the car slightly off the ground. Gareth gripped the wheel tightly as they bounced back down, breathing out slowly as they continued moving. Matthew took that moment to wake up, jerking forward, only to be restrained by his car seat straps. He started crying, sensing the fraught emotions in the car.

           “I’m sorry,” yelled Gareth. “I doubt you could’ve done any better.” She ignored him, focusing on trying to calm Matthew down. Gareth sighed as he leaned forward to look out the window, wondering where the next strike might come from. Black clouds roiled in the sky above them, reaching clawing hands from across the ocean to their right over the fields. Forks of green lightning spread out from a single point which reminded him of a demonic face. “Damn it, I knew taking the coastal road this time of year wasn’t a good idea, but once again we had to do things your way.” He softened his tone suddenly, realizing he was just making things worse. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. Would you mind checking the map back there? There must be a motel or something close by where we can wait this out.”

           “Give me a second. Your child is having a bit of a meltdown.”

           “Sure, he’s my child when he’s acting out.” Gareth shook his head as he continued driving. Matthew finally calmed down after Teresa put his sticker book in front of him. He heard her pulling out the map when the first drops of rain hit the windshield, and the trees in the distance started to sway. “We just passed mile marker 63,” he said, trying to hurry her up.

           After a minute, he heard her slam her finger down. “I found it. And then we just need to… take the next turn off about a mile down the road. There’s some place called Cobb’s Landing close to Helsin Cove. They must have a motel or BnB or something for us to stay in.”

           Gareth nodded, focusing on finding the turnoff in the waning evening light.

           “Did you hear what I said, Gareth?” Teresa asked. “A response would be nice.”

           “I heard you. I was just trying to concentrate on not getting us killed again.”

           “Next time say something. I’m not a mind reader.”

           “Oh, I’m aware. Do you think we could have a bit of silence while I get us to safety?” She didn’t respond, and Gareth sighed. After a few minutes, he saw the turnoff and took it, sweat forming on his brow as he drove directly into the incoming rain. “The storm’s definitely coming in from the ocean. Maybe we should head the other way?” He was trying to keep his nerves together, but even he could hear the tremor in his voice.

           “There’s nothing closer for miles. If we turn around now, we’ll just get caught in the middle of it.” Teresa jumped as another strike flashed behind them. “Just, go faster, okay.”

           They pulled into town about ten minutes later. The streetlights had already been turned on, but the now steadily pouring rain was still making visibility difficult.  Gareth tried to make out the signs above the buildings, but wasn’t having much luck. “Can you see anything out there?”

           Teresa unstrapped her seatbelt and leaned over Matthew, who was now being kept busy with a banana, and tried to peer out the window. “Not in this. Where are we anyway?”

           “I’m not sure. This kinda looks like a main road. Maybe they’ll have a gas station or… woah!” Gareth slammed on the brakes. He heard Teresa’s body slam against the passenger seat, followed by a grunt.

“Are you insane?” she shouted, rubbing her shoulder as she checked on Matthew.

“I’m sorry! There was something in the road. It looked like… uh, I’m not sure, a shadow or something. It doesn’t matter. Are you and Matty alright?”

“He’s fine. He just bumped his head on my stomach. My shoulder on the other hand… oh! Gareth, look outside.”

           “What is it?”

           “There’s some flashing lights saying ‘diner’.”

He leaned over and glanced up. “Huh, would you look at that. Well, if nothing else, we can at least get some dinner and maybe a coffee. Then we can ask directions to the nearest hotel, or whatever they have in this place.”

           Teresa let out a small laugh. “I was getting a bit worried there. That lightning strike really rattled me. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

           “I did once. At my uncle’s ranch. Split a tree down the middle. We were lucky the barn and house were untouched.” Gareth backed up a bit, curious at the complete lack of traffic, and parked in the space in front of the diner. Opening an umbrella, he held it out for Teresa and Matthew as they hurried inside. The rain had become a torrent. At the back of his mind, he knew there was the possibility of a flash flood, but he never said anything as he beamed at the matron behind the counter. “Quite the storm,” he said in way of greeting. “Glad we made it inside.” The elderly woman wore a black apron with the name of the diner swirling in white cursive across the front. “The Landing Pad,” he said. “Clever.”

The woman stared at them a moment, her face paling in the neon lights strewn about the interior. “Oh my. We weren’t expecting any outsiders today. Please, it’s best you get back in your car and head back the way you came.”

“Excuse me?” butted in Teresa. “Have you looked outside? We were almost struck by lightning getting here. I am not taking my son back out into that.”

Gareth held up his hands, trying to lighten the mood. “I get it. You’re a small town, probably don’t get too many strangers. Maybe we can just eat a quick dinner, then you can point us in the direction of a place to stay for the night. We’ll leave come morning, I swear.”

The woman glanced to her right, and it was only then that Gareth realized most of the booths were full up and everyone was staring at them.

“We’re a bit packed tonight, as you can see, and-” Her voice descended into an inaudible whisper as she stared at Gareth, or rather at his neck. “Where did you get that?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Get what? What is it?” He touched his neck. It felt wet, probably from the rain, but it was more than that. It also felt slick, like it was covered in a layer of oil.

“Gareth, what the hell is that?” asked Teresa, leaning over.

“I honestly have no idea what either of you is talking about. What does it look like?”

“Like a rash. But, well it’s shaped like a coiled snake.”

Gareth smirked. “A snake? Seriously? I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. I’ll find a pharmacy in the morning and get some ointment. It’s probably just hives caused by anxiety.”

“That is no rash,” said the old woman, her voice going cold. “It’s his mark.” The last part she said loud enough for the whole diner to hear. A man stood up suddenly, a pistol dangling at his side. Gareth tensed, prepared to leap in front of Matthew, only to let out a sigh when he saw the glint of a badge.

“Everything alright here, Gladys?” he asked, walking over. He had a full dark beard that reminded Gareth of the lumberjacks who worked for his father, with a deep voice to match.

“You tell me, Sheriff. We got strangers. They have no business being here today, but…” She glanced over at Gareth.

He nodded at her, smiling broadly. “Nonsense, Gladys. We’re the welcoming sort, are we not? Come, please, join me at my table. Dinner’s on me, tonight. Matron, how about some steaks, medium rare, and for the little one, some grilled fish. A treat for him, I’m sure.” He beamed a smile at Teresa, who returned it tepidly.

“I… I’m sure he’ll love it,” she said.

“Wonderful! And coffee all round. We’ll be needing to stay awake tonight, won’t we?” He laughed, glancing over his shoulder at the other patrons. Some of them clapped their hands on their tables, but most didn’t respond. Gareth looked at their faces and licked his lips. He turned to say something to Teresa, but the sheriff was already guiding her to his table. “Please, take a seat. And what should I be calling this little man?”

“This is Matthew,” she said, a bit unsure. “I’m Teresa, and this is my husband, Gareth.” She inched her way into the booth and over to the window, holding Matthew as he fussed.

“Say hello to the nice man,” said Gareth as he joined her.

“Hello,” he said. “My name’s Matthew. What’s yours?”

“Why hello there, Matthew. That’s quite polite for someone your age. Four, are you?”

“I’m three.”

“Even more so,” he said. “I go by Sheriff Green around here. Nice to make your acquaintance. So where do you folks hail from? City slickers, are you?”

“Actually no,” said Gareth. “We come from Barnett’s Haven, a small town southwest of here. We were just traveling up the coast to my mother’s place for a short visit when we got waylaid.”

“Barnett’s Haven, is it? Can’t say it rings a bell, but I’ve never been good with geography.”

“Why aren’t you more concerned about this storm, Sheriff Green?” asked Teresa, clearly not up for pleasantries. “Surely you should be on patrol or something.”

He turned slowly to look at her while scratching his nose. “Any other storm, you might be right, but not this one. You see, me and the other townsfolk have some other obligations we have to take care of tonight.”

“Oh?”

“Now don’t you worry yourself about that.”

Gladys took that moment to put a plate of fish down in front of them. “Coffee’ll be up in a moment. Steaks need a few more minutes.” She threw the sheriff a nasty glare before turning away.

“Come now, eat up,” said the sheriff, handing her some cutlery from the end of the table. “We can’t have you telling other’s that Cobb’s Landing wasn’t hospitable.”

Gareth glanced at Teresa. “We might as well eat. Do you want me to hold Matthew?”

“No!” she said a little sharply. “He’s fine where he is. Come Matthew, have some rice while I check the fish for bones.”

“What about his water?”

“Damn it, I left his bottle in the car. Do you think you can get it?”

“You want me to go out in that?” he asked, pointing through the window.

“It’ll just take a sec. The car’s right there, and you have the umbrella.”

“Fine. Excuse me, Sheriff, do you mind if I move past you?”

Sheriff Green didn’t move. “I’m sure Gladys can bring some water for the boy. I wouldn’t want you to get wet, now.”

“That’s alright. You know, when the wife insists, how can you say no?”

He sat motionless for what seemed an eternity. He dropped the smile. “I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the steak.”

Gareth frowned. “Why would I miss out?”

Sheriff Green scratched his beard, then stepped out of the booth. “As you wish. But, I wouldn’t be much of a sheriff if I didn’t at least accompany you out into this deluge. I’ll even hold the umbrella.”

“That’s kind of you. See, honey, just a bunch of friendly people.”

“I wouldn’t have you thinking otherwise.”

Teresa sat in silence, watching as the two of them walked up to the doors. She jumped when Gladys put the coffee mugs on the table.

“Where’s your husband and the sheriff?” she asked, her tone now one of concern.

“Oh, they just stepped out quickly to get Matthew’s water bottle.”

“They… oh Sweetie.” She leaned in close to her ear, whispering rapidly. “Now you need to listen to me. There’s an exit out the back of the diner. I don’t know how far you’ll get in this storm, but it’s the only option you have. Your husband’s fate has been sealed, but you can still make it out.” She stood back upright, speaking to the room. “The lady just needs to use the restroom. I’m sure we can oblige her.”

Teresa froze. She looked back out to where Gareth and the Sheriff were, but they were nowhere to be seen. She stood up, Matthew in her arms, but a few of the other burlier townsfolk moved to block her way.

“No, Matron,” one of them said. “She stays. Her husband’s marked. She must bear witness.”

Gladys looked about to argue, but clearly thought against it. “I’m sorry, hon. I really am.” A sudden quiet descended on the diner as the rain stopped. Gladys looked outside. “We’re in the eye of the storm. It’s time.” She reached for Matthew and yanked him out of her arms, handing his struggling body over to another woman who had come up from behind her.

Teresa screamed, scrambling to reach her son when a large hand grabbed the back of her head and slammed her head down onto the table.

Gareth sucked in breath, his head pounding, as he opened his eyes. Fire light danced in front of him, and he threw up, sick dripping off his chin down onto his chest. Breathing hard, he tried to move, only to find that his hands and feet were tied firmly to a wooden post attached firmly to a pier jutting out into the sea. Waves crashed all around him and green lightning periodically lit up the sky, but inside all that rage was an eerie silence. The sun had set a while back, the only light coming from torches reaching all the way back to the beach. Two more posts stood next to his, but he didn’t recognize either of the naked men tied to them. “Hey,” he shouted at them, hearing the panic in his own voice. “What’s going on?”

“He’s marked us for sacrifice,” one of them said, his voice radiating with nervous excitement.

“Sacrifice? Are you serious? Sacrifice to what?” But neither of them answered. Gareth tried pulling on the ropes again, but it was no use. He slumped forward, realizing then that he too had been stripped of his clothes. He heard a shout from the beach, and he glanced up, watching as a figure stumbled out of the dark toward them. “Teresa? Teresa! Oh, thank God you’re okay. Where’s Matthew? What have they done with him?”

“Gareth!” she shouted as she reached him. “Oh, Gareth, I’m so sorry. The way I treated you… We should never have come here. I’ve just been-”

           “It’s okay, Teresa. Can you find something to cut the rope?”

           She stilled as she took his face in her hands. “It’s too late for that. They said I could say goodbye. They’re holding Matthew on the beach. He’s fine, though. They promised not to hurt him.” That’s when he noticed the bruise forming on her forehead.

“They hurt you? Those bastards! I’ll kill them for this.”

“It’s too late to do anything. I’m sorry. They say, they said it’ll probably be quick, I don’t know.” She let go, her eyes slipping down to his neck. He grit his teeth as the rash flared to life with a light that mirrored the lightning above, burning deep. “I’m sorry. I’m so… I have to go. I love you. Matthew loves you.” She stumbled back, then turned and ran.

           “Teresa? Teresa! No, don’t leave me, please.” Gareth leaned forward, willing the post to break, but it didn’t budge. He breathed out slowly, mist forming in front of his face. He froze, unable to move. Green light enveloped him, and he sighed in relief as the pain dissipated. Soon, he felt nothing at all.

           Matthew leaned over to kiss his mom. She lay in bed, staring up blankly at the ceiling. “I finally found them,” he whispered. “And I’m going to put a stop to it.” He leaned back, took a knife out from his belt, and made a small cut in the palm of her hand. “Father Jacob says it can only be banished using the blood of a witness. We were both there that night, but I was too young to remember. But you do. You remember it all, don’t you? That’s why…” He wiped away a tear and pressed his finger into the blood. He turned and walked over to the nearby mirror, staring at the sigil carved into his chest. Gritting his teeth, he traced it with his bloodied finger, ignoring the burning sensation that washed through him. When he was finished, he got dressed. “Goodbye, Mom. Be comforted that your son is going to do right by our family.” He left, notifying the ward nurse that his mother needed bandaging. Stepping out of the building before they could question him, he got into his car and drove north, green lightning beckoning him on.