He went into the cool dim of the barn. His woodpile was to the right. Next to it he’d filled several plastic trash cans with dried leaves and twigs. Using a wheelbarrow, he spread the dead leaves in a circle. Twigs were next. Then branches. He saved some of the larger pieces to pile around the base of his effigy when it was in position. He set three cans of gasoline next to the pile.

He glanced to the maypole. His assistant should be here soon with Mandy. Excitement rushed in his veins, temporarily wiping away his mental sluggishness. He couldn’t wait to see her, to hold her again. The maiden’s love would consummate his rebirth.

Everything must be ready for his May Queen. Nathan ran for the tractor in the barn. He disengaged the boat trailer and drove it toward his effigy.

“I see something.”

Danny turned as Mandy pointed to another trail through the reeds. Jed turned the boat into the natural corridor. Without the gray of twilight, darkness pressed in on the boat, and Danny’s pulse upshifted. The hairs on his neck were waving in the breeze. This was it. He knew it.

Honey tensed, and her fur bristled. She’d spent most of the day standing in the bow, tail wagging, enjoying the wind in her face. Now her tail dropped, and she let out a high whine, half excitement, half distress.

Like the last three times, Jed and Danny went through the shift from motor to oars as they neared the shallows. Jed switched on a powerful flashlight. The beam illuminated a deep furrow in the muddy shore. Something had been dragged onto the bank. Something big. Like a boat.

Jed moved the light onto the mud just beyond. “Look.”

Tire tracks. Not a car, though. The tracks were too deep, too knobby.

They beached the boat. Jed leashed his dog. She lunged into her collar. “Whoa, girl. Easy now.”

Danny took the flashlight to free both Jed’s hands for dog control. They each grabbed a pack and a rifle as they followed the tracks. The darkness and rough footing slowed their progress. Mandy forged ahead.

Next to him, Jed wheezed.

Danny reached a hand out. “Drop your pack and give me the dog.”

Jed tossed his backpack on the side of the trail. Danny handed Mandy the flashlight and took Honey’s leash. Eighty pounds of dog pulled him forward.

They resumed walking. As they moved deeper into the forest, insect chatter picked up. Gnats hovered in his face. Something bit him on the chin, but Danny didn’t risk taking a hand off the leash. Honey plowed forward with determination. She knew where she was going.

Jed stumbled. “I’m sorry, Mandy.”

“Take a rest, Jed,” she said without slowing. “I’m going to keep going.”

Breathless, Jed waved Danny on. “Go with her.”