Dead Village Read online

  Dead Village

  Holly Copella

  Copyright © 2013 Holly Copella

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 098644166X

  ISBN-13: 978-0-9864416-6-0

  In loving memory of Carl L. Morris

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Copella Books: First Paperback Edition 2015

  Cover Artist: Daniela

  SelfPubBookCovers.com/Daniela

  Printed by CreateSpace, An Amazon.com Company

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, character, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Other books by Holly Copella!

  Chapter One

  Fox Ridge Village was a small town located at the base of a hillside surrounded by thick woods. Beyond the thick woods, at the top of the hill, sat a majestic resort hotel, seemingly out of place. It was late spring and the small town appeared oddly quiet despite the prelude to the upcoming bustle of summer tourist season. The winding backroad leading from town was painstakingly well-maintained with an old-world country charm. The road led to a once immaculate, massive covered bridge, which now lie in ruins in the ravine just one mile outside town. The bridge was the only way across the wide, deep ravine, leaving the town and hotel cut off from the rest of the world. The destruction of the bridge to the small town was at the very least devastating.

  Two men riding al-terrain vehicles stopped just before the demolished covered bridge. There was a sawhorse on either side of the detached road containing a blinking light and a ‘bridge out’ sign. Anderson looked at Carter and shook his head.

  “Jesus,” Anderson said with surprise as his eyes widened at the sight before them. “They said the bridge was out. No one mentioned exploded.”

  “This wasn’t weather related,” Carter replied while sharing his friend’s concern. “This was intentional.”

  “Should we go back to town and warn them?”

  “They were already out here and saw it,” Carter remarked. “I’m sure they have a pretty good idea what happened already. Mayor Dino probably just doesn’t want to alarm anyone. We have a long ride ahead of us.” He looked down the fifteen-foot drop to the shallow stream below. “We’d better find an easier place to cross the ravine.”

  “It’s not nearly as steep back fifty yards,” Anderson informed him. “The path is narrow, so you should probably follow at a safe distance.”

  Carter nodded. Anderson turned his ATV and drove carefully along the narrow path alongside the treacherous ravine ledge. His four-wheeler nearly slid off the ledge. He kept the ATV from sliding into the ravine then stopped a few yards ahead to make certain Carter was able to navigate the narrow pass. When he looked back, Carter was gone! Anderson dismounted his ATV and hurried along the narrow path to where he had nearly slid into the deep ravine himself. He looked into the ravine, half expecting to see the crashed ATV, but neither Carter nor his vehicle were at the bottom. Anderson was relieved but puzzled. He looked around then hurried back along the path toward the bridge. Carter’s ATV sat before the sawhorse where he had originally left him. The four-wheeler was still running. Anderson nervously looked around.

  “Carter?”

  There was no response. Anderson swatted a bug on his neck and gave it a flick. He took a step toward the woods. Everything suddenly became blurry. He attempted to remain on his feet but lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.

  †

  It was late afternoon in the alarmingly quiet town of Fox Ridge Village, which consisted of several homes and businesses. Most appeared abandoned and boarded up. There were no children playing outside on the warm, sunny day. Cars remained parked in front of several homes with a thick layer of yellow pollen covering them. None appeared to have been moved in days or longer. The town was eerily void of life. The faint sound of a gavel pounding a table within Town Hall broke the silence. The small Town Hall building contained nearly the entire population of slightly over one hundred townsfolk, all adults, crammed inside its old walls. Those living within the summer resort town were all that remained during off-season. Some were longtime locals while most were seasonal resort employees who chose to live year-round in the quaint town. Four council members sat at the folding table toward the front as commotion filled the small hall of standing room only. A man in his late forties with sturdy features, Mayor Dino Marlin, pounded the gavel to the table with a look of irritation. His shaved head and muscular build immediately gave one the impression of a former Marine. His serious look as he banged the gavel was frightening, but no one acknowledged him or the banging. The commotion continued among the townsfolk.

  “Look at the idiot banging the gavel,” Dino shouted above the rising commotion. “It means quiet. To you idiots who don’t get it, it means shut the hell up!”

  The commotion immediately ceased and all eyes were suddenly on the mayor. He was obviously well respected or possibly mortally feared.

  “The bridge is out, and we’ve lost power and communications with the real world four days ago from the last storm we had.” He inhaled deeply while looking around the crowded hall. “I know we’re all under a lot of stress, but that doesn’t mean we have to lose our heads,” Dino informed his fellow townsfolk. “Anderson and Carter took their little four-wheeled thingies to civilization. I’m sure this will all be straightened out by morning.”

  “Morning?” Reed, a recent transplant to town, demanded. “We have no electricity, no heat, and the water looks like some freakish science experiment.” All eyes were on Reed. He didn’t seem the type to be easily ruffled, so his concerned outburst gained plenty of attention from the others. “Not to mention the strange things we’ve been hearing at night.”

  “I know most of you are fairly new to our town, but you’re in the country now,” Dino casually informed them. “What you’re hearing is probably just animals celebrating mating season.” His sly grin was almost enough to calm them. “I assure you, it’s nothing to worry about.”

  A prudish looking woman in her late thirties, Felicia Kale, shook her head. The alarm on her face was troubling. “Be sensible, Mayor. I’ve lived here most of my life, and I’ve never heard anything like that before,” she informed Dino.

  Another man, Scott, quickly interjected,
“Something destroyed the old bridge, and it certainly wasn’t the weather that did that. It looks like it’d been blown apart.”

  “I think we’re allowing our imaginations to get ahead of us,” Dino informed them. “Let’s just keep calm. Everything will be fine in a couple of days.”

  A stunningly handsome man in his late twenties, Tyson Marlin, stood from the front row and looked from the council to those filling the room. “Although the hotel’s phones are out as well, it still has power, and Sonya said the water was clean there,” he announced firmly. “Everyone’s upset about the strange happenings and with good reason.” He looked at Dino behind the table. “We can’t spend another night in darkness and without water and heat, Uncle Dino.”

  “Hey, that’s Mayor Dino,” Dino quipped then looked around Town Hall. “We asked Mr. Waverly to attend this emergency meeting, but not surprising, he hasn’t been kind enough to grace us with his presence.”

  “In the two years he’s managed the hotel, I don’t think he’s ever left,” Tyson said. “The hotel doesn’t open for another couple of weeks. There’s no reason why we can’t move up there until help arrives. Most of the town works there, for God’s sake. It shouldn’t be an issue.”

  “We can’t just commandeer the hotel,” Dino informed Tyson while sternly raising his brows.

  “Maybe Sonya can use her--” Tyson began.

  Dino glared at Tyson with a look that immediately silenced the handsome young man. “Stop that sentence, if you know what’s good for you,” Dino growled with limited patience. “That’s my niece and your sister.”

  Tyson frowned and returned to his seat alongside his sister, Sonya. He folded his arms across his chest with obvious annoyance to being scolded in front of the entire town. His younger sister was the female version of him except with strawberry blond hair rather than sandy brown. She grimaced, having felt his pain, and affectionately patted his arm.

  A young, attractive blonde woman in her mid-twenties, Gemma Vales, stood from mid row. She appeared apprehensive. “I’ll talk to Mr. Waverly on the town’s behalf.”

  Dino glanced at the other three members at the table. All three nodded their approval. He looked back at Gemma and smiled. “Thank you, Gemma. That’s very kind of you.”

  A firm, commanding voice was heard from the back of Town Hall. “Where would this council be without the solicitation of young, attractive women to do their dirty work?

  All heads turned toward the back of the hall. A well-dressed, distinguished man of small stature in his late forties, Ravin Waverly, leaned against a support beam. As all eyes fell upon him, he casually straightened.

  Dino leaned back in his chair and cocked his head to one side. A slight smirk crossed his face. “Well, it was nice of you to join us, Mr. Waverly.”

  “The hotel is my responsibility, but I see no reason to not accommodate the town residents at the hotel for a few nights as long as it’s left in the same condition,” Ravin informed them. Despite his accommodating announcement, he stood rigid and seemed disapproving. “I suggest, Mayor, the next time you have a problem that concerns me, you come to me rather than summoning me like your servant.”

  Ravin turned and left the hall as mysteriously as he had appeared. Several murmurs were heard as he left and quickly increased to almost deafening levels. Dino again banged the gavel to the table. This time the murmuring voices didn’t cease.

  Chapter Two

  The Fox Ridge Village Hotel and Resort was even more impressive up close. The massive five hundred-room hotel looked more like a mansion than a hotel. There was a nine-hole golf course toward the back of the sprawling resort grounds, a small pool with hidden hot tubs on both sides, and a tennis court. The larger in ground pool was enclosed beyond a wall of glass within the hotel itself. The once immaculate landscaping was obviously in need of attention after the long, harsh winter. Pampered guests enjoyed the solitude and first-class amenities the resort offered. In addition to a world-class spa and well-appointed fitness center, the resort was known for scenic hiking, stunning views, and encounters with rare wildlife.

  The hotel dining room was massive and elegant with enough room for almost any sized reception or conference. It was obvious the hotel needed a good cleaning prior to tourist season, but it was still impressive. Platters of mostly finger foods were set on one of the buffet tables. Most of the townspeople gathered in the dining room for a simple yet varied dinner. Ravin walked the room without socializing, looking more like a schoolteacher supervising his classroom. Despite being the general manager since the hotel opened two years ago and his live-in status, he almost seemed out of place in his own hotel. It wasn’t clear if he was actually antisocial or socially awkward. Sonya Marlin approached Ravin.

  “This was a very nice gesture on your behalf, Mr. Waverly,” Sonya said while flashing a radiant smile of excessively white teeth. She was a ravishing beauty by any standards. “It reminds me of when the town used to have its annual church picnics.”

  “I haven’t heard anything about church picnics,” he remarked with some surprise. “I wasn’t even aware there was a church in town.”

  “Once the hotel was built, most of the locals moved away and the hotel staff moved in,” she informed him. “No one went to church anymore. The church burned down only a month or two after the hotel opened, and it was just left in ruins. Didn’t seem necessary to rebuild it.”

  “Oh, the ruins by the old cemetery?” he asked.

  “Yes, that was the church,” she replied. “I don’t know why it was never demolished.”

  “Wasn’t there some speculation about that fire?” he asked. “Arson, as I seem to recall.”

  “I don’t think the insurance ever paid out,” she replied. “It could have been arson, I suppose. I know the property went up for auction last year. I think the hotel owner bought it.” She considered her own comment. “I think the hotel owner bought a lot of property in town over the last two years.”

  “I believe so,” Ravin replied. “The buildings have been going to waste, and I know more of our seasonal staff would like to live in town. I’m sure he intends to make repairs and rent the buildings out to the workers.”

  Ravin glanced across the room toward the bar. Sonya’s father, Cody Marlin, poked around behind the bar, obviously looking for something stronger than punch and lemonade. Ravin was suddenly distracted. Sonya continued to talk, but it was obvious Ravin hadn’t heard a word she’d said. He looked at her, as if realizing she was still talking, and attempted a polite smile.

  “Will you excuse me?” Ravin asked.

  She uncertainly nodded but seemed surprised by his need to leave so quickly. It was possibly the longest conversation anyone ever had with the reclusive resort manager. Across the room, Felicia stood with Darlene and watched Ravin walk away from Sonya.

  “That girl is something else,” Felicia huffed.

  Darlene glanced across the room to see whom Felicia was referring. She looked puzzled. “Sonya?” she asked. “What do you mean?”

  “She’s always flirting with some man,” Felicia retorted. “She’s had a tarnished reputation since her early teens. You’d think that father of hers would put a stop to her behavior, but he’s too busy drinking himself stupid to even care.”

  “Don’t start with that again,” Darlene said with a defeated sigh. “We’re living in the modern age, Felicia. Women are entitled to have sex out of wedlock nowadays.”

  She glared her disapproval at the woman alongside her. “It’s disgusting,” Felicia informed her. “Respectable women shouldn’t give in to men’s sexual urges.”

  Darlene shook her head and gave up on the conversation. “Yes, it’s sad we’re not all perfect.”

  Reed approached Cody, who continued to search behind the bar for any sign of hard liquor. Reed casually sat on one of the barstools and watched the man intent on finding alcohol.

  “You know,” Reed announced, “they remove all the alcohol before they close for the winter
.”

  “Wishful thinking,” Cody muttered and leaned on the bar across from Reed. Cody was almost as good-looking as his son, Tyson. His moderately muscular build was impressive, although nowhere near as impressive as his brother, Dino. “How’s the buffet?”

  Reed shrugged. “Can’t say I’m hungry,” he replied then frowned. “I should have made the trip with Anderson and Carter. You know they can’t find their way out their own driveways without me.”

  “So why didn’t you go?” Cody asked.

  “My quad hasn’t been running right, and I never got around to finding the problem,” he replied. “I would have just slowed them down if it gave me trouble.”

  “Look on the bright side,” Cody announced cheerfully. “With Anderson gone a day or two, it gives you more time to win over Darlene.”

  Reed laughed softly and shook his head. “You really haven’t been paying attention, have you?” he remarked. “Your brother’s had his sights on Darlene since last fall. It’s only a matter of time before he makes his move. When he does, she’s jumping at the offer. Neither of us stands a chance.”

  “Dino isn’t the take a wife and settle down type,” Cody replied, although he appeared humored by Reed’s assessment. “Sure, he likes her, but he’ll never act on his desire.”

  Reed considered the comment and casually glanced across the room at Darlene, who helped Sonya mix punch. His grin indicated the thoughts he was entertaining.

  Ravin approached Gemma, who stood near the buffet table with an empty paper plate in her hand. She either wasn’t hungry or lacked interest in the offerings. As Ravin approached, Gemma fidgeted and acted as if she hadn’t seen him heading toward her until he was alongside her. She cast a look at him, forced a smile, and then put more of an effort into sizing up the buffet. Something about his presence made her uncomfortable. If he had noticed, he didn’t draw attention to it, although he seemed hesitant to speak.