Free Supernatural Fresh Meat by Alice Henderson Page B

killers. They’re just stupid. Not enough water. No backcountry experience. No proper clothing in case of a storm. You boys got proper clothing? Rain gear? Emergency blankets?”
    “We’re prepared,” Dean told her.
    “Besides, we’re just out here to look around today, not make camp,” Bobby told her.
    “That’s just what I mean. The weather in the Sierra Nevadas can change on a dime. The day can start out sunny and warm and end up in the teens with snow. Then you’d go missing, or turn up dead in some ravine.”
    “That’s a… cheerful thought,” Dean said.
    Sam had been quiet, studying her. Finally he said, “So you haven’t heard anything about the attacks? Not even the couple who were escorted out of here recently? The ones with the kid?”
    “They didn’t tell me anything about it when I last radioed in. That’s really not my department. I mainly check permits, give people directions, do first aid if it’s needed.”
    Branches broke behind them and they all spun, Bobby ready to blow the source of the sound away. But it wasn’t a wendigo. A man, completely naked and covered with blood, marched out of the bushes, staring straight ahead.

TWELVE

    The naked man marched right past, taking no notice of them, eyes glassy and staring. Bobby automatically stepped out of the way as he continued in a straight line toward the south.
    “What in the world?” Bobby breathed.
    As he passed the ranger, she lit out after him. “Sir?” she asked.
    He didn’t respond, just kept walking. Sam saw that his body was covered with strange marks, like stab wounds that had closed up. He hurried to catch up with Grace, Bobby and Dean following.
    Nearer now, he saw that the wounds were sealed with some kind of glistening adhesive, almost like super glue. Deep gashes covered the man’s chest, stomach, and kidneys.
    “Sir?” Grace tried again.
    Still he marched onward.
    She shucked off her jacket and draped it over his shoulders. If he felt the gesture, he didn’t give any indication. He walked right through a bush, the branches scratching his legs. Bile and blood dribbled down his back from one of the wounds.
    “I’ve got to get him back,” Grace told them.
    “He might be our vic.,” Bobby said, “the one who disappeared this morning.”
    “I’ll see that he reaches help.”
    The man tripped on a log, regained his balance, and kept walking.
    “I’ll go with you,” Bobby offered.
    “That really isn’t necessary.”
    The man walked face-first into a tree trunk, stepped to the side, and continued on.
    “I really think I should. I need to question him.”
    “I don’t think this guy’s going to be fit for questioning any time soon.”
    “Still,” Bobby insisted, “I’d like to help.”
    “Fine,” Grace said coldly. “But hurry up.”
    Sam and Dean walked alongside them. Sam stared around the forest, feeling eyes on him. “Agent Plant and I should stay out here, keep looking for signs of the killer.”
    “Good idea,” Bobby said. “I’ll call you when I learn something.”
    Sam nodded at him and watched as he disappeared over the next rise with the ranger and the marching man. He pulled out the map. “We need to make camp, Dean. We’re dead center where the attacks have been happening.”
    Dean looked around. “Some place defensible.”
    They walked around, settling on a flat spot where they would be able to see anything approach. No trees stood overhead, so they could avoid surprise drop-in visits this time.
    Sam built a fire while Dean walked around the perimeter, setting up an early warning system with some tripwire so they could hear anything approach on foot.
    The sun sank low and cold came with the darkness. Sam could smell sage on the wind. They sat down on their sleeping bags, watching the smoke rise and curl up into the black sky. The embers glowed bright yellow and orange and Sam watched them pulse and fade.
    Something rustled in the bushes and they leapt up, braced for a fight. A doe