While Mark confessed the truth to Grace, Henry and Wendy worked their way through the Camp Zone. Henry followed the same path he had when he'd come with Chelsey only three days before. To someone who didn't know better, it would look like he came with her again. Wendy and Chelsey looked nearly identical after all.

The camp zone was as beautiful as the last time he visited. The large pine trees that surrounded him grew taller than most of the buildings he'd seen. The strange light of the swirling nebulas that this world had for a sky filtered through the leaves, creating a bizarre ambience in the forest. Bright green ivy climbed the tree's heights like emerald snakes. Songbirds chirped and sang beautiful songs in the trees above them. Occasionally, he'd spot one flying from one branch to another. He had no idea how they were supposed to catch an animal that could fly.

Wendy walked beside him and seemed to be focused on something else. She scanned the forest around them incessantly. Henry wasn't sure what she thought she saw out there. Seeing her, he turned his mind back to the task at hand. He ran through Mark's list one more time.

“Canned food, flashlights, batteries, a pair of walkie-talkies, and rope. Is there anything I'm forgetting, Wendy?” Henry asked his monstrous companion.

His words seem to pull her out of deep thought. She focused on him as she tried to work through what he'd just said. She failed. It was plain on her face.

“Do you need me to repeat the question?” Henry asked.

Wendy nodded in a surprisingly sheepish way.

“We have to get canned food, flashlights, batteries, a pair of walkie-talkies, and a rope. Am I forgetting anything?” Henry asked again.

Wendy shook her head.

“No, that's everything Mark said. We don't need the rope, though,” she said.

“Mark said we might need it to navigate the mines,” Henry retorted.

“That's a lie. He was lying,” she said.

So Wendy had caught that too. Henry thought he was the only one. Wendy did pick up on quite a few details like that. She was like him in that way. He supposed it made sense for a creature that survived by imitation to be able to see through it. Maybe she knew more than he did.

“Why would he lie? If it's not for the mines, then what does he want the rope for?” Henry asked.

“First off, Mark lies all the time. We established this. Second, the rope is for his backup plan in case the mines don't work out. If the mines are a bust, he'll want you guys to climb the wall,” Wendy said in a bitter voice.

“I know you don't like the idea of us climbing the wall. But if the mine tunnel doesn't work, what other choice do we have?” Henry asked.

She shook her head.

“I don't know; we could find something else... You weren't there last time they tried Henry. I remember every detail. The whispering in my mind changed. It forced me to hurt them. They hadn't seen it coming. I had been so close to them for so long. They would have never suspected I would hurt them. The first one I caught was Chelsey. I ripped her throat out with my bare hands before she realized what was happening. Her warm blood covered me head to toe as I transformed into my true form. Next, I caught Stevey. He… tried to snap me out of it. I spilled his intestines for it and left him to bleed out. Mark killed me with a harpoon after I took his arm off. It wasn't enough to save them; he and Grace were killed by the other Ghost Stories. If that happened again, Henry... It would be different this time. They wouldn't come back. I couldn't apologize. It terrifies me. So the mines have to work. I don't want them to climb the walls again because I know I'll kill them.”

Hearing it from her point of view, it certainly did sound horrific. Henry tried to imagine what it would be like to rip apart the people he cared for. It certainly wouldn't be pleasant. It also wouldn't be pleasant to be on the receiving end of said ripping apart. Still,it didn't change the need for the rope.

“We should take the rope for now, Wendy. If the mine plan fails and the question of climbing the wall comes up, we'll worry about it then. Deal?” Henry asked.

Wendy sighed and looked around.

“Deal… There was one thing I wanted to ask you. How do you fight against a gun? If I'm going to kill the Skeleton Man, I'll need to know how to get around his rifle,” Wendy asked.

Stolen story; please report.

What a loaded question. Henry didn't even know where to begin. For starters, he had never fought against someone with a gun. It wasn't something that usually happened unless you looked for it. Until he'd first met the skeleton man, he'd never even been shot at.

“I don't know. Having someone shoot a gun at you is not really something we have to deal with in the real world. Well... Not usually. I think the key is to move erratically, though. When you fire a gun, you have to aim it. The smaller and quicker a target is, the harder it is to hit,” Henry answered.

“Smaller target. Yes, I can do that better than most. I can turn into an animal you know. I don't like it very much, but I can do it.”

She grinned like a cat.

“I hope he does come for us during the grocery run. Then I'll get to kill him faster. I want to make him pay for what he did to Stevey. It's going to fix everything when I gut him like a fish,” she declared.

“Well, I for one hope he doesn't come again. Getting shot really hurt last time,” Henry said.

“Funny… I didn't feel it at all,” Wendy replied.

"Well, you were unconscious from drinking too much. That's like a double whammy for pain resistance. so… I don't think that really counts,” Henry pointed out.

“I guess so,” Wendy said with a sigh.

***

After a bit more walking, they reached the ranger station, which was their destination. It looked the same as he remembered it. The ranger station was a large, two-story log cabin. A sign at the front said Yellowstone National Park Ranger’s Station. Unlike last time, the front door was shut tightly. That was a relief.

“Let's do this quickly. I've got a bad feeling,” Wendy said.

Henry hadn't gotten that vibe from the forest today. But hearing Wendy say she had did make him uncomfortable. Chelsey had told him Wendy had an unnatural connection to these woods. Apparently, She knew everything that happened in them. Henry hoped she was wrong this time.

“You'll get no argument from me. Last time we were here, we had just missed the Skeleton Man stealing cans. If we'd come any earlier, it would have been Chelsey who died," Henry said.

"That would have killed me too," Wendy pointed out.

"Oh yeah, I guess you're right."

The two of them entered the ranger station and immediately set to work. Henry filled a bag with as many cans as he could fit. Meanwhile, Wendy found where they kept the flashlights and walkie-talkies. With his bag now filled with cans, Henry made his way to the small, empty garage. There he found climbing rope and batteries. He took both.

Henry was surprised by how smoothly the operation went. His last trip to the ranger station was spent searching from room to room looking for a Ghost Story. Comparatively, this was a pleasant experience. He met Wendy in the living room of the station.

“You got the stuff on your list?” He asked.

“Yeah, did you get the other stuff?” she asked

“I sure did. Ready to go?”

“Sure,” Wendy said as she slung her bag over her shoulder.

For such a small-looking woman, she sure was strong. It was easy to forget what Wendy was hiding behind the disguise. They walked the trail back towards Brightshore as quickly as they could while carrying the bags. Suddenly, Wendy let her bag drop to the floor.

“What are you doing?” Henry asked.

"Quiet," Wendy hissed.

Henry shut his mouth and searched the woods around them. He couldn't see or hear what she thought she did. He was about to ask her what it was when she spoke.

“I know you're out there. Come on out,” Wendy called out loudly.

The words echoed along the trees. Henry searched around frantically, looking for whoever she was talking to. A soft laugh echoed through the forest. Then, the Skeleton Man stepped out from behind a tree only thirty feet from them. He looked the same as he had when he'd killed Stevey. Henry felt fear seize his heart.

“How did you know I was there? I thought I'd hidden myself well,” the Skeleton Man asked.

Hearing his voice again sent shivers up Henry's spine.

“We have to run,” he whispered to Wendy.

“No,” she said, then called out to the Skeleton Man, “I am a predator. You can't hide from me. I smelled you the moment we entered this forest.”

The Skeleton Man laughed again.

“Incredible. You are certainly a worthy hunter if you can find me. I wasn't going to shoot you two; I have no interest in that. I'm waiting for the other ones. The ones who don't come back. We really should work together. I imagine the hunt would be even sweeter then.”

“I will not hurt them,” Wendy sneered.

“You're one of us. You're supposed to kill them and make them fear you. Not help them. Why do you betray your nature?” the Skeleton Man asked.

“Because I want to. I like them. You will hurt them, so now I will kill you,” she snarled.

She held up her arm, and it transformed into a claw. The skeleton man’s eye seemed to light up with surprise. No, it wasn't a look of surprise; it was excitement. He was enjoying this. The Skeleton Man slowly pulled his rifle off his shoulder, then carefully set it against the trunk of a tree. He reached a gloved hand beneath his brown duster and pulled free two tomahawks. They glistened in the light of the swirling nebulas above.

“If you want to kill me, then hunt me. I welcome it, betrayer,” the Skeleton Man said with his cold voice.

Wendy smiled. This was what she had been waiting for. Henry was trapped between two crazy monsters, just waiting to rip each other apart.

“Take the bags and go, Henry. This is my fight. I'm going to kill him,” Wendy said.

“Are you sure? We could kill him together. He doesn't have his gun,” Henry argued.

“He is mine. I can kill him alone,” Wendy snarled.

Her eyes were focused only on the Skeleton Man. Her mouth salivated like a hungry dog looking at a meal. Henry didn't want to be the one in the way of that meal.

“Fine, be careful. He's clever and dangerous,” Henry warned.

“So am I.” Wendy replied.

Henry grabbed the bags and began to march back down the trail the way he'd come. He waited for the Skeleton Man to turn and chase him. But he never did. He only stared down at Wendy. They both seemed eager to kill. Two monsters finally uncaged.