Jack Part 3

Jack rested a while along the slate carved edges of the creek by his home. Though his house had running water, it was very hard no matter what he did to it. So Jack had made it a daily ritual to make to trek to and from his house on a day to day basis in order to collect two large buckets of water for his personal use. Getting down on his hands and knees, he used his hands as a scoop and pull the cool water up to his face. The water refreshed him as he took down three mouthfuls in a matter of seconds.

Sitting back, he allowed the water to cool his form. It was moments like these that gave him his only opportunity to really relax. In truth, he hated the heat, but he disliked the company of others even more. Out here, in the desert and so far away from people, he could let go of everything, if only for the ten minutes he took daily for moments like these.

A memory tried to wrestle its way into his thoughts, but he pushed it away before it could take hold.

Standing up, buckets in tow, Jack was about to head off when he noticed something sticking out from underneath some shrubs across the creek. Removing his shoes and socks, Jack waded his way over to the other side, focusing on nothing as the cold water caused his toes to curl. Making it to the other side and soaked up to his knees, Jack approached the shrubs but couldn't get a proper view of what lay beneath.

Getting down on his hands and knees, Jack was about to pullout whatever lay underneath when the smell hit him. After the morning events, his stomach was already weakened, and was of no surprise when he emptied the contents of his breakfast. Though the corpse was badly damaged he could still tell what it was.

When he had first arrived in the area he had been warned about bobcats from the local farmers. Since then Jack had taken particular care to avoid any confrontation with one. But like the “offering” this morning, there was something about the kill that put him on edge.

Gathering himself up, he wearily headed back to his home, buckets in tow. All the while he wondered what lived around here that could have removed a bobcat's head.

“...Jack...” The voice murmured.

Jack was as still as the grave.

“Jaaack”

Jack frantically looked around, but found himself alone save for the sound of the stream.

“Come with me Jack...I'm waiting....”

Before Jack could think or respond or move the voice stopped, a silence filling in the emptiness.

Jack shook his head, gritting his teeth as he set off again, leaving the corpse where it lay by the side of the river.