Green Man Red Woman

Part 7. A Story in 14 parts, based on Pacific Northwest Mythology

If you are new to our blog, you can catch the beginning here: Part One

7.

A cry, shrill and inhuman, howls in her ears, and he’s suddenly standing there, appearing from nowhere. For just an instant she sees a wild, horned beast, its face cracked and gaunt, gnarled like old wood, then she’s seeing the old Englishman, just a few feet from her.

“What is she doing here?” he snarls, staring at Rhee.

“She’s my friend,” repeats Cherise.

He snorts, then laughs a deep, dangerous laugh. He raises his hand, with its claw-like nails, as though to strike Rhee, but Lou says, “Leave her be, Jack.”

“She’s no right to be here.”

“She’s our daughter’s friend, you whiskey sodden lout.”

As Jack assesses the trembling girl, a hungry look overcomes him. “Maybe your friend ought to find out what happens when she comes to places she don’t belong.”

“You keep your horny old hands off the poor girl,” Lou says. “Ioi has invoked her protection.”

The old man spits. “This time, Loowit. Once only, and that don’t protect her there, only here.”

“That’s not our Way, you miserable old paleface.” Lou narrows her eyes to a slit.

“I’m the master here, you shriveled up old squaw.”

“You harm that girl and I’ll cut off your balls, old man. And you…” she says, turning to the girls, “you get the hell out of here.”

Without a word, Cherise takes Rhee’s arm to lead the terrified girl back to the apartment. Rhee’s legs shake uncontrollably as they walk, but Cherise somehow keeps her upright until they reach the intersection with Couch Street and Rhee suddenly collapses. In a soothing voice, Cherise talks her friend back to her feet. But this time when Cherise takes in her surroundings, she sees no city at all, just a rain-soaked forest.

Where can she take Rhee? Where will they be safe? She doesn’t know where to turn, and to make matters worse, Rhee’s begun sobbing hysterically again. Cherise shakes her gently and when that doesn’t work, she cups Rhee’s face in her hands as she might a child, looks into her eyes, whispering. “Rhee, honey, we have to be calm. Whatever is going on, we have to have our wits about us. Do you understand?”

Rhee nods, but she seems barely in control of herself.

Cherise estimates how far the apartment would be, thinking maybe this place is some kind of virtual reality overlaid on top of the real world. She spots a cluster of giant red cedars at about the right distance. Leading Rhee forward in tiny, excruciating steps, they come to the cedars, and Cherise sighs, confused and more lost than ever.

She looks for some shelter and sees a hollow on one of the gnarled and ancient cedars. It’s on its east side, facing away from the wind and rain. It’s about big enough for the two of them to burrow into. She guides Rhee into the recess, then follows her in. Cherise puts her arms around the trembling young woman, who’s sobbing quietly now.

“It’s alright,” she says, stroking Rhee’s hair. “It’s alright. We need to sleep.”

For the next episode of our novelette, when it’s available, go to Part Eight.