Forest Guardians Chronicles: A Matter of Humanity Beth Roose (good books for high schoolers TXT) 📖

Travis could hear Bev singing in the bathroom. He thought to himself that she had a good singing voice. He was washing the dishes in the sink and whistling the same tune. He looked up and out the window saw Vue standing near his car. He dried off his hands and walked out on the porch. Vue took a step towards the porch.

Travis looked over his shoulder and then back at Vue. “Not now,” Travis said in a stern voice. “I will meet you at Virginia Kendall Lake around midnight and I will give you the plan at that time. Now go, before Bev sees you.”

4

A Mother’s Love

It was just before midnight in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Travis was waiting in his car at Virginia Kendall Lake. It was eerie looking with the thick fog and the full moon reflecting off the fog on the lake. It made the tall trees look like giant monsters. A breeze would blow through occasionally, making the trees sway and moan as they ground against each other.  He thought, this may be creepier than a cemetery. He jumped in his seat as a loud bang hit his car. He looked on the passenger side and all he could see was a mass of brown and red fur. He opened his car door and stood beside the driver seat. Vue was just under 10 foot tall and looked scary. He bared his teeth which had two big fangs.  “Vue, thank you for coming. I have a plan worked out to take over the farm and turn it into wasteland and then I can drill for oil on that land. Vue, you will have no one to bother you on or around the farm. We’ll get rid of Zonga and his clan, too. I met with that Fire Maiden Demon Shape-shifter. She is ready to burn down over 1000 acres. With a little luck it may also take out Cleg and his clan. That leaves you top dog, Vue.”

Vue let out a scream Travis felt to his bones. He knew Vue could turn on him in a minute and destroy him. He walked around the car and put his hand in his coat and pulled out three marbles. He turned his hand flat with the marbles in the center so that Vue could easily take them. Vue looked into Travis' eyes. Travis knew he could never cross him. He felt like he was reading his mind.

Then in his mind he heard words from Vue. “You will not cross me, and you will deliver everything I told you. You have three weeks.” Vue grabbed the marbles and left. Travis watched him take three steps and disappear into the fog. He heard a splash of water. At that point, he jumped back in his car and put it in drive and left quickly.  As he approached the stop sign on Truxal Road, Tas stepped in front of his car. Tas stood there and Vue joined him. Travis was frightened. Vue picked up a giant granite stone and slammed it down in front of the car. Travis closed his eyes and then opened them as Vue and Tas bared their teeth against his windshield. Travis screamed. Then Tas let out a scream that shook the car and the glass in the windshield cracked. Both Tas and Vue ran into the woods. Travis slammed his foot all the way down on the gas pedal. His wheels squealed and the car took off down Akron Cleveland Road. He was shaking when he pulled into the coffee shop. He ran into the building and ordered a hot vanilla latte. As he waited, he kept looking out the window hoping he would not see Vue and Tas. As soon as he had the coffee in his hand, he ran up the stairs to the upper level in the far dark corner away from windows. After his vanilla latte was finished, he took his tablet out of his pocket. He started to make a list of what his priorities were and in what order they should be completed. On top of the list was to go to the courthouse and get a marriage license and make an appointment with the judge to marry them. Then have his name put on the farm deed. Next, take out an insurance policy on the farm for 2.5 million dollars and a 1-million-dollar policy on Bev. Okay, take her to a dress shop and purchase her dress for the wedding. Contract with Ken Stewards Lodge and Fine Dining in the valley for a reception. He thought he must make this look believable.

“Okay,” he said aloud. “What would be next?” He looked up because he heard footsteps coming up the staircase.  It was the girl who waited on him. She approached and looked down at the tablet and then at him and asked if she could make him another. Travis answered, “How nice! I would love another hot vanilla latte.

“All right, coming right up.” She smiled and then said, “It looks like you're planning a wedding.”

Travis looked down at his list and then at her and said, “Just trying to get organized.” She smiled and asked Travis if he needed any help.

He took her hand and said, “You are such a little thing. What’s your name, honey?”

She answered, “All yours, honey.”

Travis pulled her down to him and kissed her. She stood up and right before his eyes shape-shifted to a deformed hideous being that was reddish orange. It reminded him of fire in the shape of a person burned alive.  “Don’t be stupid again,” she told him as she shape-shifted back to the form of the coffee barista.

“Will bring your latte right up, SIR!” She ran down the steps.

Travis said out loud, “Shape-shifter and Bigfoot... cannot wait to get rid of them, too.” He put his tablet away. He already had down what needed to be completed tomorrow.

Travis stopped at the service desk at