Chapter 43 – First Encounter in the Forest
William relayed the message in his mind.
"It will reduce the hostility of spirits toward you. While wearing it, you'll be able to communicate with the dead."
Gideon raised an eyebrow.
A good gift indeed.
He'd only asked on a whim—he hadn't expected the man to actually hand one over.
"Much obliged. One more thing," Gideon said as he took the talisman.
The moment he spoke, the black substance on William began to roil violently.
"Uh… you should honor your word," William replied cautiously, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"Relax. All you have to do is remove the survivors of Flight AF180 from the list," Gideon said, stepping back a few paces and raising his crucifix to his chest.
That had been his original "reward" in mind.
But since his counterpart had already given more, Gideon intended to push his luck.
After all, once someone had invested this much, the sunk cost was in play. If he didn't press now, when would he?
"Those chosen to die in the 'designed future'—that is their fate," William said gravely, shaking his head.
"Then there's nothing more to discuss."
Gideon turned to head upstairs, showing no sign of returning the talisman.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
He counted silently.
"Wait."
William's voice called out.
Gideon paused but didn't turn around.
William tilted his head slightly, as if listening to someone else.
Moments later:
"Very well. The next 'accidents' will no longer touch them." He gestured toward the upstairs. Then, fearing further demands, he quickly added, "This is the last concession."
"Deal."
Gideon resumed his way upstairs.
"May I know your name?" William called after him.
Planning revenge? Gideon wondered.
Out loud, he replied:
"I never change my name or conceal my identity. I am Luen Clauso, humble priest of Misso Cathedral."
William froze, surprised by the specificity. Both he—and the presence—committed that name to memory.
---
Back in the room, Gideon didn't immediately tell the survivors they were safe.
Instead, he rearranged the room, setting up several deceptive traps—such as balancing a bottle of water above an exposed power line—designed to test whether William was lying.
But until sunrise, no "accidents" occurred.
Only then did Gideon dismantle his setup.
When he announced the good news, Alex and the others felt the elation of escaping death.
They once again thanked Gideon, and as they departed, they insisted on paying for his and Emma's plane tickets—something he, of course, did not refuse.
---
A few hours later, the two arrived in Indiana.
Leaving the airport, Gideon rented a car and purchased a road map to Hawkins.
Emma's eyes were heavy with exhaustion. She had never imagined that following Gideon would mean living such a hard life.
The comfortable bed, fresh milk, pretty clothes—
All gone.
In their place: sweat, greasy hair, and hard labor.
Gideon had no idea what she was thinking.
After urging her to finish in the restroom, he started the car.
By the time they reached the small town, the sun was already dipping below the horizon.
Along the way, a few unexpected incidents had slowed them down, though not without gains—Gideon's various objectives had advanced a little further.
---
Hawkins, forest near the school
Three boys were huddled under the fading light.
"Dustin, you're saying there's a demon here?" Lucas asked, scanning the trees with open skepticism.
"Of course! I saw it with my own eyes!" Dustin replied with complete certainty.
He was crouched under a tree, scraping at the bark with a small spade.
"Strange… I could've sworn there was a hole here. Where'd it go?"
Mike and Lucas exchanged a look and shrugged.
It had been days since Will's disappearance.
The priest Dustin had promised would come never showed up.
Naturally, the two began to suspect Dustin's so-called "exorcism experience" might have been a stretch… and that the priest was nothing but a fraud.
The thought stung Dustin's pride.
For days, he'd been determined to find proof—signs of evil spirits or demons.
Then, after school one day, he'd seen it.
A creature with wings, a proboscis-like mouth, and a body unlike anything from this world.
Excited, Dustin had followed it into the forest.
It disappeared into a hollow tree glowing faintly red inside.
It was getting dark, so he hadn't dared to stay, but he'd memorized the exact spot and planned to return—with witnesses.
Now, the three of them stood at that very tree… but the hole was gone. Dustin was getting nervous.
"Hey! What are you three freaks doing out here?"
The voice made them spin around. Two boys emerged from the shadows.
The sight of their faces made Dustin's stomach drop.
It was Troy—the undisputed school bully of Hawkins—and his shadow, James.
Troy's wealthy family gave him free rein to say and do as he pleased, often at the expense of classmates.
Dustin and his friends were among his favorite targets.
He strolled over to where Dustin had been crouching.
"Don't tell me… you're out here looking for demons?" Troy exaggerated his surprise.
"Pff—" James broke into loud, mocking laughter.
"Toothless still believes in that crap? You're dumber than I thought."
Dustin, who had a few missing upper teeth due to delayed growth, flushed red.
"It's real! I saw it!" he shot back.
Troy lunged forward and shoved him to the ground.
"Did I say you could talk?"
Mike quickly helped Dustin up—only to draw Troy's glare.
The bully stepped forward and kicked Mike to the ground.
"Frog-face, you like moving around so much?"
He spat.
"Does your tramp sister move like that under other guys too?"
Troy shot James a knowing look, and the two burst into cruel laughter.
Mike's fists clenched, his body trembling.
His wide-set features had earned him the nickname "Frog-face," and his sister Nancy's association with school bad-boy Steve had fueled endless gossip about her.
Lucas's patience snapped. He charged at Troy, the two of them grappling in the dirt—until James rushed in.
Two against one ended quickly; Lucas was pinned.
Smack!
Troy slapped him hard, and blood trickled from Lucas's nose.
"Think you're some kind of hero, huh, Blackie?" he snarled, yanking Lucas's ear.
"People like you should stick to the plantations."
The three friends fell silent. They had never dared fight back against Troy's abuse.
"Three freaks like you don't need to find a demon. Just go home and look in the mirror," Troy sneered.
But he didn't notice—Lucas's blood was attracting something.
Beneath the very tree Dustin had been digging at, a crack split open in the earth, widening into a hole.
A dim red glow seeped out, the entrance slick with a wet, translucent film.
From within, a creature emerged—bat-like, with a crimson, whip-like tongue ending in rows of sharp teeth.
It sniffed the air, locking onto the scent of fresh blood.
Meanwhile, Troy was getting bolder.
Glancing at the secluded surroundings, a dangerous idea flickered in his mind.
He picked up a rock, hefted it in one hand, and raised it high—ready to smash it down on Lucas's head.
Lucas froze in shock; he hadn't believed Troy would go this far.
But just before the rock could land—
A hand clamped around Troy's arm.