A Bridge of Shadow Read online

  She loved to see the stars when they were not hidden behind the clouds that were a normal phenomenon in the Northwest. She often walked the road by her house at night, or the streets if she were in Seattle. The hours she spent at work and sleeping were cutting into her night roaming time.

  “I need a new position,” she announced to her lunch companion, Emma. They were in the company cafeteria, enjoying an organic steak salad. “One that doesn't involve so many hours.”

  Emma swallowed and looked up from her plate. “Where do you plan to find one like that in the software or electronics world? I don't know of any that have anything but ridiculous hours. It's why they pay so well. If someone hears you spouting that nonsense, they'll say it is because you are a woman and can't hack it.”

  Raven frowned. “I can compete with any of them. Why would they think that of me?”

  Emma laughed. “Because you are a woman with long, black hair, and a figure most of us would die for.”

  Raven shrugged, but that answer didn't solve her problem. She knew part of it was a desire for privacy. Later she considered as she wandered down her lane and onto the road that went by her house and property. What if she were to start her own company? She could set her own hours then. That bubble burst immediately. She knew those that had done so. They worked even longer hours. Winning the lottery was such a distant chance, she didn't even consider it. At least her vacation started on Monday and then she could indulge in the night hours for three weeks. The first was at a live theatre production on Saturday and a party afterwards that she had promised to attend with Emma.

  * * *

  Raven walked with Emma to the party at the club two blocks away from the theatre. The crowd and the night swirled around them.

  “Wasn't the woman who played Rose fantastic!” Emma enthused.

  “Yes,” answered Raven. She looked around at the crowd. None seemed aware of the black velvet being held at bay because of all the lights. Should she make her excuses and leave? It was too late they were crossing the street to the café and Emma was waving at someone.

  “It's Candy and her group. Let's hurry.” Emma tugged at her arm. “Quit looking upward when we have to cross a street. Jeez! You'll get yourself killed one of these times.” One thing about Emma, she was never without a word for every occurrence.

  She left the night and the brightly lit street and entered the café where someone waved them to the back room. As they moved towards the back, a slender, dark haired man turned and smiled, as he lifted a glass of deep red wine.

  “Hello, my name is Alex. What can I order for you to commemorate our meeting?” His smile was electric and his features seemed to remind her of a long ago acquaintance.

  “Hello, I'm Raven and this is my friend, Emma.” Raven smiled at him. Perhaps this wouldn't be a wasted evening. It was still one night before a full moon. “I'd like a nice merlot to celebrate.”

  He turned to the table and paid the bartender as he said, “The merlot.”

  He partially turned to look at her. “In the words of an old line when meeting a lovely female you've never met before, do you come here often?”

  “No, I don't, and thank you,” said Raven as he handed the glass to her. “I much prefer walking outside in the dark.”

  “Egad, a woman after my own heart. I'd ask you outside now, but that would mean leaving our drinks. Is there any place in this room less crowded?”

  Emma was at the bar chatting with others that she knew or had just met. With Emma it was difficult to tell.

  “Well, moving away from the bar would probably free up some room.”

  He grinned at her and pointed at a table near the back and they walked to it. “You look familiar,” Raven said as they sat in the chairs. “Were you ever in a small city called Dunlap?”

  “Not that I know of or remember. Why do you ask?”

  “I used to live there and your features are similar to a boy I knew. His last name was White.”

  Alex grinned. “That leaves me out entirely. I'm Alex d'Argaton, by the way. Now it is your turn. Is Raven really your name?”

  Raven laughed. She usually didn't explain, but this time she did. “My mother really wanted to be a hippie, but the movement had long been passé. She did pick one of the strange first names for me when I was born with a head of black hair. I became Raven Maria Devon.”

  Alex raised his glass to her. “It fits you. Now I do hope you tell me you live an exotic life to fulfill the name.”

  “Hardly, I work for a software company that requires all sorts of lengthy hours. Nine and ten hour days are common.”

  “Well, in that case you need the exercise of night walks. Would you like to take one now? You seem as interested in that wine as I am. We could share stories.” He raised his dark eyebrows and grinned.

  Raven considered. “It's hardly dark out there with all the street lights and I am not walking into some darkened alley in this city. It really wouldn't be safe.”

  “Nor would I ask that of you. This is a stroll of a couple of blocks to the park and a wonderful view from there.”

  “I found the view in parks limited to trees and playground equipment.” She snapped and started to turn away.

  “Ah, you have not been to Overpass Park then.” She could hear the laughter in his voice.

  “Well,” she turned back. “No, I haven't. I saw some mention of it, but really paid no attention. Picnicking isn't my thing.”

  “In that case, may I offer my arm to escort you there?” He put down the wine, stood, gave a slight bow, and extended his elbow. There was something old fashioned and courtly in his movements and in his words. It was intriguing. Was he an actor? He was handsome enough.

  Raven felt herself warming to this handsome, young man. She, would, of course, do a proper search tomorrow, but for tonight a walk to the park would be good. She could text Emma if she didn't return. Tonight with all the people everything was safe enough.

  The night air was city air, laced with rubber and gas fumes. A haze seemed to circle the street lights, but there were crowds of people to ensure her safety. She would decide about the rest of the walk once they reached the park.

  The traffic lights seemed to favor their progress as they changed each time they arrived and they marched up into the park pathway. It too was well lit and people strolled or sat on benches. The air seemed less acrid here and he led her to a bridge that arched up and over a manmade waterway before descending to the other side. Only one other couple stood at the top and they moved to walk down to the other side.

  Raven and Alex stopped as they reached the middle of the bridge. He smiled and pointed upward. One could see a few stars peppering the black night and a pale almost full moon half hidden by clouds. Below they could see a few people moving in the half colors and darkening shadows. It was nearing midnight. Watch yourself, she thought. This is nearing the witching hour. Don't let yourself become bewitched.

  “Well?” Alex asked.

  Raven had to smile at him. “I'll admit that I would never have thought to walk up here at night, nor have I been to the park during the day. How did you discover this?”

  Alex shrugged. “I spend a lot of night hours wandering.” He looked at her. “Sometimes I visit at midnight just to see what it is like. If you don't care for this, would you consider going elsewhere with me?”

  “Not tonight. I have to drive Emma home. Plus, I don't know you that well. Why don't we meet for coffee tomorrow afternoon?”

  He flinched a bit at that question. “No,” he said. “I'm sorry to be so abrupt. My day is planned. I am free later in the evening though. Where you would like to meet? The popular crowd bistro or another place?”

  “I live over in Eldertown. How about the coffee shop called Joe's Coffee? It's right on the main street through town. You can't miss it.”

  “I'll be there as soon as it is dark.” He lifted her hand and kissed it, turned and led her back down the way they had walked.

  Once they wer
e out on the crowded street, he smiled. “Tomorrow then,” and melted away into the crowd.

  Strange, Raven thought. How could he disappear so rapidly? She shrugged and went back into the café to look for Emma.

  She spent the next day catching up on her laundry, shopping, and house cleaning. She was almost too tired to go to Joe's, but for some reason he had not offered his phone number and she had not offered hers either. She had checked Facebook and Googled his name. Nothing had come up on either. Was he from another country? Being from another country shouldn't prevent a name from appearing in the search. The next time she tried Bing. Then she tried just the surname on both Google and Bing with the same results. Still no match. She needed more information. You couldn't trust a stranger in today's world. Too many were trying cons and scams.

  It was nine-ten p.m. when she drove into Joe's parking lot. Fall was almost here and night was coming earlier. That was another problem with the Pacific Northwest. The further north one lived the longer daylight lingered during Daylight Savings Time.

  She didn't see Alex in the parking lot or in the seating area when she walked into the coffee shop. Hmm, she thought, I wonder if he'll be here. Raven ordered her latte, took the cup, and sat at a table in the back. She took out her cell phone to check messages and discovered about ten from work. She had ignored the phone all day. Why did they bother to message her during her vacation? Most were from Emma and filled with the usual chatter.

  “You seem all involved.” Alex stood there with cup in hand smiling at her. “You don't mind if I take this chair, do you?” He set the cup down and sat across from her. “Perfect place and not too busy.”

  “Not this time of night.” She turned off the cell and put it away.

  “I hope I didn't interrupt your perusal of one of the classics.”

  Raven smiled and picked up her cup. “No, just catching up on my text messages from friends and ignoring the email from work.”

  “I thought you were on vacation.”

  “I am, Alex. That is why I ignored them. I'll answer them in the morning. Maybe the people that sent them will have sense enough to go home and sleep if I don't answer until then.”

  Alex raised his eyebrows. “People don't sleep where you work or they just don't sleep at night?'

  “It is a software company and we do tend to put in long hours.” Raven shrugged. “It's why we have the perks that your old businesses would never have allowed in their corporate structure.” She took a swallow from her cup.

  “Ah, yes, the modern society. Is that why you live in such a small burg? To escape the horrors of autos, busses, planes, and an overwhelming abundance of people?”

  “Partly, except I don't live within the town limits. I'm outside of them on an acreage where there isn't even a streetlight on the road. Now if I could convince my neighbors to dismantle or turn off their yard lights at night it would be perfect.” She drank from her cup again as she eyed him.

  “Ah, they want the light. Why did they move out there then?”

  “I have no idea. Perhaps, they believe it will help keep them safe. Do you live out in the suburbs or right in the city?” She realized the question seemed to raise a wariness in his eyes.

  “Oh, I reside in the city. I prefer the crowds of people and the excitement and tensions it creates. Why do you ask?”

  “I thought it was the goal of most people to move out of the city streets and possess a bit of land like royalty.”

  He seemed to relax. “Yes, but if you read about them, the royals spend their time in the capital or attending gala affairs. The country is but a brief escape.”

  “Is that what you read?”

  “No, not really. I tend to read the economic journals. Astrophysics For People In A Hurry is my current read. What about you?”

  “During my work hours, there is little time. I'm usually reading work related journals or papers.” She swallowed more of her coffee. Strange, Alex had barely touched his.

  “You don't read anything else?”

  “Rarely, there just isn't time. Today I caught up on household chores I've neglected and tomorrow will probably mean a couple hours of emailing people at work.”

  “Are you then indispensable?”

  Raven laughed. “No, not really. Would you like to take in a movie or just take a walk around a small village? I could then show you my favorite night walk.”

  He stood. “The night walk sounds grand. Lead on, fair lady.”

  “It is a bit of a drive. It will be easier to take my pickup on the back roads, if you don't mind my driving.”

  “Not at all.” Relief flooded his face.

  He did hold the door for her as they walked outside and to the back lot where her pickup was parked.

  “It won't matter if you leave yours here. As you can see the place isn't crowded at night, although some stop by after the movie is over.”

  She pressed the key to unlock her truck door and then opened the door. She tossed her purse behind the seat.

  Alex opened the other door and boosted up on the passenger seat. “My, this is quite comfy. Leather seats. I didn't expect that.”

  “Haven't you ridden in a pickup truck before? They have all the comforts of a luxury auto.”

  He shrugged. “No, I don't believe I have. At least, not in, uh, recent years.” Once again it was that odd choice of words. Raven checked for incoming or outgoing vehicles and pulled out of the parking lot.

  “I'll swing by our park and community building before heading to the back roads.” She turned right and went east for a couple of blocks. “The park starts on the right and the community building is on the left. Note those huge rocks as the base. The CCC built that back in the depths of the Great Depression. They didn't have anything like that during this depression, even though there was another Democrat in office. They rescued the bankers and financial institutions instead.”

  He looked at her and then at the rocks. She flipped a U-turn and headed back toward the main drag. Was it her imagination or did his face look more luminous in the dark?

  “How did they get all those rocks there?”

  “Some say they hauled them up from the river, but I don't know.”

  She turned onto the county road and then pulled over to a turn out. “There is one of my walks, but that isn't the one we'll do tonight. It is too short and it is still too early. Too many headlights.”

  She was pointing at a separate, narrow road and to an old fashioned metal bridge. Alex looked at it and then back at her.

  She was smiling. “The county had to widen and move the road, but the bridge is a classic. It goes over the Snoqualmie River. During certain months, you can see people fishing down there.”

  “How did you discover this?”

  She shrugged and put the truck back on the road. “When the realty person was showing me different places. I opted not to be on the river. I don't have time to be trapped by flooding.” This time she chose a road that went upward.

  “There's a great view from the top too, but it will soon be gone. I understand the land is for sale. Too bad I didn't win the lottery. I'd buy it.”

  “Land is that expensive here?” Alex asked.

  “Of course, all those software companies pay such huge salaries that the housing market jacks prices higher every year.”

  At the top, she stopped the truck. “Look straight out and you'll see what I mean.”

  “I'd rather look at you, my dear.” Alex had turned toward her, but he was too late. She was already stepping out of the cab. She closed the door and she felt the rays of the full moon dancing through her skin, rippling her muscles.

  The soothing dark of night enclosed her. She leaned forward as she heard the sound of the other door opening and closing and the crunch of feet on the rocks and dirt as the man came around the front and she bared her teeth.

  “Where did you go to? I thought we,” and his voice stopped. The sight of her yellow eyes stunned him just long enough and she launched herse
lf through the air, her wolf jaws and teeth clamping on his neck and tearing it away from the bone.

  Raven knew she had to sever the neck and head. Her yellow eyes had caught the gleam of his long fangs. She was surprised at the amount of dark blood flowing from his body, but she did not stop to feast. This one was not for eating. Her weight wasn't enough to keep him on the ground and his arms pushed up his body and then he contorted and moved upward. Part of his neck was in her mouth, and she dropped to the ground snarling, gathering her hind quarter muscles to leap again. She saw him stagger and knew not whether it was from loss of blood or the flopping head. He still had those fangs and she growled.

  He managed to lift his head and the elongated eye teeth gleamed in the moonlight as he flew at her. She turned and hurtled into the woods, slipping behind the fallen limbs of a hemlock tree. She slunk around the fallen trunk. He appeared staggering into the woods and she was up on the trunk and leaping at his side. He twisted to meet her charge and the force of her landing threw him to the ground and impaled a limb through his side and through his ribs to his heart. His body quivered and stilled.

  She backed away. Her mind feared that creature that tried to end her night journeys. She sat on the ground, lifted her head, and howled. When she stood, she knew she needed to rid the earth of the sight of him, but the ground here was difficult to dig. She remembered trying to bury part of a coyote once. She trotted around the downed tree and its branches. The ground was softer by the middle of the tree and she began to dig. When finished, she trotted back to the body and grabbed him by the belt. It was awkward dragging him but she finally managed by the time the moon had sailed to the South.

  It was another difficult task to throw enough dirt to cover him. A shoulder still protruded when she began to pull the dead branches over and around him. She feared sleeping here. If the stake held true she was safe. She slunk off down through a gully. She had to hide until dawn's light.

  Raven walked back to her truck and retrieved the key from the floor. It puzzled her as to why he hadn't just jumped in the truck and drove off instead of attacking her. She walked around to where the body was hidden, and saw a bit of sunlight cutting through the branches. Where the sun hit was dust. A sigh of relief escaped and she headed back to the pickup. She had an email box full of work items that she needed to run through. Then she could tell Emma about the park, the walk on the bridge, and how one midnight walk with Alex was enough.