Wendigo

June 05, 1995 

Clanton, AL 

Robert Brennan tossed and turned in his sleep, the already uncomfortable bed growing more unbearable with every nightmare. He saw himself holding a rifle in one hand—its barrel looking at his baby daughter, Sam’s innocent face. Right as the terrified father was about to pull the trigger, deep wailing echoed through the room and woke him with a start. At that moment, he knew the labor had begun. His heart raced at the thought of being an incompetent father, possibly because of his worries about whether she was his child or not. 

The room was spinning with movement and noise; the energy was palpable. Robert felt a rush of emotions, his nerves crackling. Amidst the chaos, he realized just how present he was at that moment. Samantha Brennan breathed in for the first time at 9:05 a.m. on June 5, 1995. Her tiny chest expanded and contracted as she gasped for air, and her lungs filled with life. As he watched his beloved daughter be born into this world, Robert Brennan felt the guilt dissipate and a protective force surge through him like electricity, never again doubting that Sam was his. 

Robert’s hands trembled as he adjusted the hospital smock, its fabric scratchy against his skin. He stared at the pink bundle of joy in the nurse’s arms, and a broad smile spread across his face; after months of anticipation, he was finally going to meet his daughter. Robert could not contain his joy—his angel was finally here. He knew that regardless of what happened between him and Nikki—who would be his bride shortly following Sam’s birth—he and his daughter would be linked together forever. If only he had known how short that forever would be. 

June 04, 2018 

Childersburg, AL 

The smell of freshly cut grass and the sound of tiny waves lapping against the dock filled the air. Robert knew without looking that there would be tears; he could sense her sadness even as she stood before him. She was so small and delicate. Her auburn hair moved with the wind in rhythm with her own trembling heart. 

“Does he know?” Robert asked solemnly. Sam couldn’t bear to look at him, so she searched across the water for an answer. But it was too late. He already knew. 

“He proposed,” she managed to whisper through her tears. “I tried to tell him, but all I could say was ‘No’.” Without warning, a fresh wave of emotion overwhelmed her, and she collapsed onto her father’s shoulder. 

Robert wrapped his arms around his daughter tight, feeling powerless as he held Sam, her body trembling with sobs. She had been through so much, and it broke his heart to see her in such anguish. His mind raced for ideas of how they could make things right, but all he could come up with was one suggestion that seemed to hold the most promise. Finally, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he spoke softly in her ear. “What if I invite him over for dinner this weekend? That way, you’ll be meeting on your terms—no surprises—and I can help explain what happened from your side. Honey, that boy deserves to know.” He had barely finished speaking before regret washed over him. What if he had gone too far? His bluntness often got him in trouble, especially when it came to Sam. 

But instead of another onslaught of tears, she lifted her head from his shoulder and started wiping away the wetness on her cheeks. “No, Daddy,” she said firmly. “I need to be the one to tell him. Just let me have until Friday; then, I’ll be ready to face him again.” With new determination in her voice, she hugged her father tightly before pulling away. 

Robert’s baby girl squirmed in his arms, her face red and tear-stained while she continued to shiver. He felt helpless as his mind raced to find a way to heal her pain and make the trembling stop. His gaze was drawn to movement within the trees, and suddenly, an old memory flooded his mind, reminding him of why he was there that morning. He knew the answer wouldn’t change, but he had to try one last time, “I know you have your mind made up, but couldn’t you just stay somewhere else? A hotel or something?” 

“Dad, you know I don’t like those kind of places. Why do you keep asking me this same question? What’s wrong with me staying here?” Robert shifted nervously, trying to think of a way to explain himself without sounding like a superstitious old man, before he finally asked, “Do you remember what happened to your Uncle Jessie?” 

A shadow crossed her eyes before she answered. “Well, no, not really. I was too young when it all happened. But I’ve heard the stories… About Jessie going crazy and his son killing him… But that’s it. Nothing more than that.” 

He grabbed her by the shoulders, his gaze intense. “You have to understand. Tommy had no other choice than to do what he did. You were too young to see what had happened to Jessie. Something…” He released a deep breath and looked away, struggling to find the words. Then, meeting her eyes again, he continued, “It’s like he caught something from inside these woods that made him crazy, just like someone catches a cold.” 

Sam stepped back, her expression hardening as she rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to argue over her dad’s old family legend. Turning away from him, Sam walked down the dock and gazed out at the lake, memories of childhood days flooding in. She smiled through her sadness as she recalled all the fun times they used to have here together. “Why did we stop coming? It wasn’t because of what happened between Uncle Jessie and Tommy. Hell, we were still coming out here until I was about fourteen. What happened?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. 

“Divorce.” Robert sighed as the word seemed to hang in the air, heavy with heartache. He looked at his daughter—her eyes so much like his own, determined and defiant, and he knew that no amount of pleading would convince her otherwise. “Do you remember the rules?” He asked her. 

Sam hadn’t paid attention to the rules in years, but she nodded anyway. “I won’t go into the woods,” she promised quietly. 

They remained on the dock for a while longer, reminiscing about simpler times before Sam had grown up and left home. But all too soon, it was time for Robert to leave. Robert opened his mouth and the words were palpable on his tongue, but he swallowed them back, releasing a heavy sigh. Sam’s face softened as she looked at him, and he knew that now was not the time to ask her to let him stay for dinner. He stepped back, averting his eyes, respecting her need for space. With a lump in her throat, Sam gave him a long hug and kissed his weathered cheek goodbye. As he drove away, tears blurred her vision and streamed down her face. 

June 03, 2018 

Montevallo, AL 

Sam had begged Nathaniel to stay home for the evening. She had something important to tell him, but he insisted they do something special after being gone for close to a month on assignment. He told her they were only going to the park to enjoy the stars as they talked. She could tell him what she needed to say to him there. 

Upon arriving, Sam was stunned by the sight that lay before her. Everywhere she looked, trees were enveloped in strings of fairy lights and candles to create an ethereal atmosphere. In the center of the small grove was a table set up with white linens and sparkling silverware. Soft music seemed to seep out from everywhere, and a boyish man in a formal black vest stood at attention next to her seat. Her mind was reeling at the thoughtfulness of it all. “I… I have something… Could you sit down?” she asked nervously. 

Nathaniel smiled as he stood before her. “I have something to say too. Forgive me. The saying goes, ‘Ladies first,’ but I feel this has to be said now.” 

Sam’s stomach dropped as she watched him stand up straight and he slowly reached into his pocket. When she realized what was about to happen, her heart raced, and every muscle tensed. His beautiful light brown eyes met hers, and he lowered himself down onto one knee. He clasped her hand in his and spoke with a voice full of emotion. “Samantha Brennan, I have loved you since the day you stole my pen in English class our junior year. You have lit up my life like no one else, and now we are going to be parents together. Sam, I love you more than I can say. Will you marry me?” 

Sam gasped; her mouth went dry, and all she could do was stare. The world seemed to stop spinning around her, and everything grew silent—until the single word came out of her mouth: “No…” Tears began streaming down her face as she tried to explain why, but nothing would come out. She just kept repeating it over and over again: “No… No… No…” 

June 04, 2018 

Childersburg, AL 

Samantha’s gaze drifted across the lake’s still surface, unseeing and far away. Lost in thought, she let time slip by until morning turned to noon. Worn out from her inner turmoil, she leaned her head against a weathered post and sighed. Bright beams of light warmed her body as she stood and made her way to the cabin. 

June 04, 2018 

Clanton, AL 

Robert’s phone lit up with a notification as soon as he returned from Lay Lake. It was Nikki, her message short and tense. ‘CALL ME. ’ 

He felt an uneasiness in the pit of his stomach as he picked up the phone. It didn’t even ring once. “Do you know what your daughter has done?” 

It was apparent that Nathaniel, dumbfounded by Sam’s response, spoke to Nikki about the situation. Robert wished he had come to him about it, but Nathaniel wouldn’t. He feared Sam’s father. Through the cursing and blaming him for having such a “wayward” child, Robert discerned that Nikki had told Nathaniel everything. They were heading out to Lay Lake the next day to confront Sam. 

“You’ve crossed the line, Nikki! Sam just needs time. She will be mad enough at you for telling him. The two of you had best stay put and let me see if I can’t sort out your mess.” 

He knew his words had fallen on deaf ears; Nikki always got her way. Robert picked up the phone and hung it up, remembering that Sam would not get any signal at the cabin. Being able to think of no other options, he tried calling Sam over and over, knowing that she was not in a place—emotionally—to answer even if she could get a signal. With one last attempt, he left a voicemail, hoping she would get it before they arrived. 

June 04, 2018 

Childersburg, AL 

As Sam stepped into the cabin, all was quiet and still. She picked up her cell phone and saw the missed call. Thinking it would be her father with more of his ominous warnings, she turned off her phone and threw her shirt over it to block out any reminders of reality. The mentally exhausted Sam collapsed onto the old wood couch and curled around a pillow, unable to process or cry anymore. For now, the self-torture for the day was done; she closed her eyes. 

Waking as the sun began to dip below the horizon, Sam rushed out of the cabin and ran down a path she remembered from years before. But time had taken its toll on the trail, and it was difficult to tell if her feet were still on the proper route. After backtracking multiple times and getting further lost, Sam heard a babbling brook ahead of her. Beyond that was a tall ridge, and she knew if she could climb it before the sun set completely, she’d have the best view of the lakeside sunset. Sam scaled up the rock face, each foothold an effort to find and maintain her balance. With every step, she progressed higher until finally, after a few close calls and almost slipping off the face of the ridge more than once, she reached the summit. And there it stood—the bright orange sun, like a blazing ember reflecting off still waters, surrounded by shades of pink and purple in the sky. Sam couldn’t help but gasp in amazement. 

Sam had just turned fourteen the last year that her family visited the lake house together. The sun-drenched air was full of promise and possibility as they unpacked their suitcases in the picturesque cabin. That was the year she met Will. His deep voice reverberated through Sam’s bones, and his coppery skin and black hair seemed to glow against her pale, freckled skin and auburn hair. He showed her his favorite places—the trails through the woods, the babbling brook, the crag with the scenic view. Every chance she could, Sam would meet Will on their hill to watch the sun go down. Clumsily becoming lovers, they missed many a sunset, preoccupied with exploring each other’s bodies. But summer always ends too soon, and Sam found herself saying goodbye when it was time for her family to leave. She promised to keep in touch with Will, but sadly, she never heard from him again as he lost his life the following week while trying to climb the ridge above their special place. Nine years later, Sam said goodbye again, hoping that this time, her words would reach his spirit out there somewhere. 

The rays of the setting sun lit up the sky, but the shadows were already stretching out as Sam slung her backpack across her shoulder and started down the steep path. It was like some kind of muscle memory had kicked in; her feet seemed to know exactly where to put themselves. But one misstep saw her tumbling back into the creek. As she struggled to get back onto her feet, something caught her eye—a figure atop the bluff that looked oddly like a large wild dog. The creature’s face was the deadliest thing she’d ever seen, with a snout that could only belong to a dog, but where the eyes should have been was nothing but empty sockets, like dark holes in the fabric of the night. The dying light flashed against the black sockets, and as Sam gasped, it let out a low growl—deep and hollow as if it was a grave about to open—that sent a chill through her body. Even from this distance, she could tell it was malnourished and terribly thin. Her heart thudded in her chest. Sam watched with horror as the animal stood on its hind legs before launching off the cliffside and hurtling towards her. With barely enough time to move out of the way, she felt its claw-like nails digging into her skin as it crashed down on top of her. Its face was almost skeletal, and its dead sockets bore into her soul with an intensity that chilled her to the bone. Before she could attempt to push it away from her, the beast opened its mouth wide, revealing long, curved fangs that shone in the moonlight. The creature’s breath smelled of blood and death. Snarling wildly, it reared back and sunk its jagged teeth deep into Sam’s neck. 

June 05, 2018 

Childersburg, AL 

The car rumbled over the uneven dirt road, throwing Nathaniel and Nikki around in their seats. While navigating a particularly deep pothole, Nikki broke the silence to say, “She takes after her father, you know.” 

He couldn’t take his mind off the fact that Sam had kept such an important thing from him. “I can’t believe that she didn’t tell me. How could she not tell me she had lost the baby?” 

Nikki visibly tensed up. “If you ask me, she’s just being selfish… I’ll never understand that girl… There’s a reason that we’ve never seen eye to eye.” 

Realizing how counterproductive having Nikki around would be when he talked to Sam, Nathaniel diverted from his original plan. “I think it would be best for me to talk to her alone… you know… to start the conversation. Don’t you?” 

Nikki grumbled under her breath and pulled into a gravel driveway just before they got to the cabin. She pointed out a small store with hand-painted signs at its entrance. “This is Harvey Miller’s store. I guess I’ll just hang out there for a while.” 

~~~ 

Sam jolted upright in the creaky bed, her heart racing. She gasped for breath and wiped at her neck with shaky hands, desperate to find any trace of a wound. But there was nothing—no broken skin or evidence that something had bitten her. Her mind raced as she stumbled to the bathroom, the mirror small and coated with a film of dust. She leaned in close and examined every inch of her neck—but still nothing. Confusion and fear mixed within her as she struggled to make sense of it all. Had it just been a dream? She searched for some clue, some hint that it had been real… but there was nothing—no fang marks, no bruise on her skin. Logic won out eventually—she must have been dreaming. 

Sam stared into the mirror so long that she found herself getting drowsy. Her head fell forward, threatening to take the rest of her with it. She pulled herself back up straight and caught her reflection in the mirror again. Her vibrant green eyes met with a dull gray. She examined her fingernails, jagged and bloody. Her shoulders tensed as her face moved closer to the looking glass, and to her horror, eight deep scratches and streams of blood poured down her cheeks. She gasped at the pain that filled her neck when she ran her hands over the place where she had been bitten in her nightmare. Looking up, Sam saw a long, thick hair protruding from her skin, and noticing the annoying itch it brought with it, she yanked it out with an agonizing scream. A chunk of bloody flesh rested in her hand. 

Biting her lip, Sam hesitantly crouched on the floor and steeled herself to look in the mirror. She held onto the chunk of skin that was torn from her neck; it appeared to be deep and might require medical attention. Taking a shaky breath, Sam slowly stood up and faced the mirror. The wound was no longer there; all that remained were faint red marks around her green eyes. Looking down at the clump of flesh in her hand, she found only a rag. A wave of relief flooded over her, and she let out a sigh. Reassuring herself that it had just been the stress manifesting itself. 

Her thoughts returned to reality, and suddenly, Sam’s stomach rumbled with hunger—bacon would be a welcome sight. She opened the fridge door, and sure enough, her father had stocked it for her visit; paper-wrapped packages lined the shelves. Robert Brennan had gone to Harvey Miller’s convenience store—something they used to do together every summer. Despite the chaos of recent events, Lay Lake still hadn’t changed much—a thought that made Sam smile… She grabbed the package of bacon and went in search of the cast-iron skillet that her father used to use. Its familiar weight felt comforting in her hands. Sam was glad she’d found it so quickly because she was close to eating the bacon raw due to her overwhelming hunger. A moment later, she heard footsteps in the dirt outside and saw a familiar figure walking towards the cabin. 

~~~ 

Harvey Miller was so busy hacking and coughing that he almost didn’t notice when Nikki Brennan stepped out of her silver Toyota Prius. He could tell even from a distance that she hadn’t seemed to age, with her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders and her petite frame still filled out in all the right places. She was arguing animatedly with a young man in the passenger seat. The young man seemed heated by something she said, and he quickly got out and started walking towards the Brennan’s cabin in the distance. 

Nikki marched towards Harvey with fury blazing in her stormy gray eyes, and he felt his heart skip a beat as she approached him. He couldn’t help but admire how highlights softened the gray streaks in her hair and how makeup successfully concealed any evidence of aging around her eyes. 

“That damned boy is just as stubborn as she is,” Nikki barked. “It wouldn’t hurt anything to take my car.” 

Harvey, unsure of what Nikki was talking about, could only shrug. “That girl of yours takes after you,” he offered nervously. 

“Only in looks,” Nikki grinned, which softened her features enough to make Harvey feel relief wash over him. “She’s bull-headed like her father.” 

Scratching his salt-and-pepper beard, Harvey nodded slowly. “Yeah, I can see that. Did you know your daughter has been traipsing around in the woods? I spotted her heading up towards the ridge yesterday as the sun was setting.” 

“Oh… You don’t believe that old story. Have you been talking to Robert?” Nikki crossed her arms over her chest and started tapping her foot impatiently. 

Harvey could feel her disappointment in him. He glanced down at the way her hip twitched with every tap of her foot—a habit he’d come to recognize and love but now was not the time for it. Knowing Nikki needed to understand the trouble her daughter was dancing with, he said hesitantly, “The Indians call it a Wendigo. Now, I don’t know what the hell a damned Wendigo is, but I know that whatever is roaming those woods is no good.” 

“That’s enough of that!” Her voice was tight with anger. 

Harvey paused, searching for evidence strong enough to make Nikki understand the seriousness of the situation. “You know what happened to Robert’s brother, Jessie,” He began carefully, “but did you also know that something similar happened to that boy Sam had taken with? What was his name? Will?” 

~~~ 

The morning sunlight glinted off Nathaniel’s glossy black hair, giving it a brilliant blue hue. His footfalls thudded on the dirt road as he walked toward the cabin, and Sam could feel her body tensing with anticipation. Ten yards away from where she was standing, he stopped in his tracks. She could see the confusion swirling in his gaze and anger lurking underneath. He fell to one knee and started gathering stones from the ground around him. With an anguished yell, he hurled them at the cabin door, each strike ringing out like an echoing cry of anguish. Over and over again, he threw whatever rocks he could find until he finally screamed, “Why didn’t you tell me?” The force and intensity of his voice shook her to the core—she had never seen him so full of rage. 

Sam’s heart thundered in her chest, and her breathing quickened as she rushed into the small, windowless bathroom. She knew what lay behind Nathaniel’s anger—her mother had told him that she had lost the baby. Uncontrollable tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she whispered desperate apologies between gasping breaths, ashamed that he had to find it out like this. 

Nathaniel’s heavy footsteps reverberated through the cabin as he ran around searching for her, calling out with rising fury that filled the air. “Sam? Come out! I know you’re here.” His voice held an edge of desperation that was mirrored in Sam’s own pleading cries of remorse. Fear, pain, and sadness were woven in every syllable, calling out from behind the closed door. 

He balled his fists and gritted his teeth. His eyes stung with tears as he heard muffled sobs from the other side of the bathroom door. He leaned against it, trying to hold himself together. “Why didn’t you just tell me?” he shouted, and at that moment, a powerful wave of sorrow and anger consumed him, and he sank to the floor. 

“You were on assignment, and I didn’t know how to get in touch with you.” Sam’s face fell as her mind flashed back to the agonizing past month—the morning she woke up to the loss of their unborn child, the unbearable sorrow that clawed at her heart every day since, and the desperate loneliness when he could not even be by her side. Suddenly, a ravenous hunger made the memories bleed together in an indistinguishable blur. Trying to shake off the feeling of ravenousness, she drew her arms around her stomach. This was not how she wanted him to find out. “I’m sorry… I just didn’t know… and everything was so surreal… I don’t blame you for being mad, but I was in so much pain… I didn’t know what to do… and then you proposed…” A sob tore from her chest as she tried to catch her breath. “I’m so sorry.” 

Realizing for the first time since hearing about losing their baby that Sam had been in pain too, all his anger gave way to anguish. He yearned to pull her close, stroke her hair, and let her weep into his shoulder. Nathaniel pressed his forehead against the door, feeling the texture of its cool surface against his skin. He listened intently for any sound of movement on the other side. “I’m sorry too, Sam. I was so mad that I didn’t….” 

Sam’s stomach began to gurgle, and her mouth flooded with saliva. She could not remember ever feeling so hungry in her life. The intensity of the situation left her distracted and confused. Her nostrils flared as she breathed in the faint smell of Nathaniel’s cologne wafting through the door when he spoke; his voice sounded strained and broken. Sam helplessly put her hand against where she thought his face must be on the other side of the door. The more Sam focused on trying to understand why, even at this moment, her hunger was so intense, the worse it got—it felt like an animal clawing inside of her, demanding to be fed. Still, all Sam wanted at that moment was to be beside Nathaniel. 

Nathaniel jumped to his feet, alarmed by the deep rumbling noises coming from behind the closed door. “Sam? Are you okay in there?” he called out, concern etched on his face. “Why don’t you come out? We can talk face to face.” 

The door creaked open, and Nathaniel gasped. Sam stared back at him with eyes as dead and colorless as a winter sky. Her clothes were disheveled, and blood poured from below her eyes and from the gaping wound on her neck. 

“Jesus…what the hell happened….” 

Sam launched herself forward. Nathaniel stumbled back, fear and confusion taking over his senses. He couldn’t comprehend what was happening in front of him. Her eyes glowed with an intensity he had never seen before, and her movements were too fast and too strong for a human. Nathaniel fell backward from the force of her attack, his breath coming in short gasps. Sam was on top of him, clawing at his chest with her razor-sharp nails. Nathaniel tried to push her off, but her grip was unbreakable. He screamed, but the sound was muffled by Sam’s hands as she clamped them over his mouth. 

Sam’s hunger had consumed her completely, and she was no longer in control of her actions. Her body convulsed as she savagely bit into Nathaniel’s neck, tearing out chunks of flesh. Nathaniel’s screams grew weaker as the life drained out of him.

~~~ 

Nikki’s foot tapped steadily with impatience as she waited in the car. Suddenly, her pulse raced, and her temper flared. “This is bullshit!” She declared, buckling her seatbelt. Harvey sprinted into the store and grabbed the phone from its base. “Robert, you might want to get your ass out here. The shit’s hitting the fan.” 

Nikki revved her engine and pulled off down the dirt drive. Her tires kicked up a cloud of dust as she skidded to a stop at the cabin. Without knocking, she shoved open the door and stepped inside. 

The sickening stench of decay filled her nostrils. She gasped sharply, covering her nose with both hands. A wave of terror swept over her when she saw what lay before her: what was left of Nathaniel’s lifeless body sprawled across the floor. 

Sam’s teeth raked across Nathaniel’s skull as she pushed her half-eaten breakfast away, the fury inside her growing. Nikki stared at her from across the table, her presence a reminder of the betrayal Sam had endured—her own mother turning her back on her in her time of need. Sam could feel the heat radiating from within her. Before she knew it, she was standing, fists clenched and shaking with rage, ready to attack the woman who had birthed her. 

~~~ 

Robert’s truck bounced along the winding country road, jostling him from side to side like a ragdoll. Despite his lead foot on the pedal, he couldn’t make good time. It was as if some ethereal force was holding him back. 

Suddenly, images of Nikki and Nathaniel flashed in his mind’s eye. Robert knew with an icy certainty that something sinister was brewing. Nikki was still simmering with resentment about Sam’s preference for her father while Nathaniel was nursing a broken heart. It was all festering like an open wound. The ugly situation had gained momentum, and there seemed to be no stopping it now. 

As he zoomed past Harvey’s convenience store, Robert considered stopping by to clear his head but thought better of it. He barreled down the narrow dirt path leading up to Sam’s cabin, bringing his truck to a screeching halt next to Nikki’s silver Prius. 

With his rifle clutched tightly in hand, Robert approached the cabin door, bracing himself for whatever lay beyond. He pounded on the wood, shouting for Sam or anyone else inside to answer him. Suddenly, the door swung open. He recoiled at the grotesque sight before him—a sight so horrifying that even his stomach lurched and emptied its contents onto the ground. 

The first thing he saw was Nikki, her highlighted hair standing out in stark contrast to the mutilated state of her face. Her skin was shredded and bubbling with blood, and yet she still drew an agonizing breath. Robert ran towards her before noticing Sam crouched over what remained of Nathaniel’s body. The gruesome scene made his blood run cold: half of Nathaniel’s neck had been ripped away, the top of his head had been cracked open—gray matter trickled down the side of his contorted face—and most of his body seemed reduced to nothing more than hamburger meat. He recoiled in terror as Sam cackled and turned towards him, her fingers looking like something had gnawed them to the bone. When Robert touched Nikki’s shoulder, trying to provide comfort, Sam lunged forward with a feral growl. 

He staggered back at the sight of her. His beautiful daughter’s once vibrant green eyes were now lifeless and dim, a pale gray. Her hair was matted with drying blood, and she snarled and cackled like a feral animal. He searched desperately for any sign of recognition from his little girl, but all he saw was an exhausted sadness in her eyes. He knew then what must be done. 

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, remembering the perfect weight of her little body as he first held her in his arms. Memories of summers spent at the cabin as a happy family flooded in. Sunlight sparkled around them like a halo on that beautiful summer day. They played catch with a beach ball until it tumbled down the pier, and still laughing, he scooped her tiny frame up into the air before tossing her into the water below. The memory of sitting on the pier—their toes splashing in the cool water—made him think of how desperately he was hoping for a dinner invitation just the day before—if only he had voiced it out loud. He could almost see her walking down the aisle as a bride, so full of beauty and grace. Tears ran down his face. 

His heart plummeted as he glanced at what remained of the woman who used to take his breath away. Nikki’s head was crushed in, her eyes now blank and staring. Blood mixed with foam was beginning to pool around her lifeless body. A chill ran down Robert’s spine as he heard a low, eerie laugh coming from the corner. 

At 9:05 a.m. on June 5, 2018, Robert Brennan steadied himself as he cradled the loaded rifle against his shoulder. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he wiped them away with shaky hands, all while keeping a firm grip on the weapon in front of him. He paused for a moment, soaking up every last detail of Sam before he finally spoke in the quiet morning air: “I love you, Sam. I’ve always loved you.” In an instant, his baby girl charged forward with a menacing growl, rage contorting her features. Swallowing his tears and sorrow, he yelled out in pain and agony as he pulled the trigger. 

Harvey had called the police when he saw Robert rush by his store. By the time they arrived, Robert was kneeling, cradling Sam’s limp body and screaming. As the officers took in the scene—the lifeless, mutilated bodies of Nikki and Nathaniel—they soon realized that Robert had acted in self-defense, as Tommy had twenty years earlier. The grief-stricken father didn’t protest as they escorted him away from the cabin, shoulders slumped and eyes glassy with sorrow. He knew he would never heal from this tragedy. 

~~~ 

Robert visited the Lay Lake shoreline every day for months, pleading with city officials to make the area off-limits to the general public. He shared the story of his family’s demise over and over as he tried to convince them that this piece of land was not safe. After all of his hard work, in 2019, Robert’s proposal was denied. 

Determined to protect others from the same fate, Robert took matters into his own hands. He spent his days patrolling the area, rifle in hand, watching for any sign of danger. He became a fixture at the lake, a lone figure in the wilderness, always on the lookout for danger. 

One summer evening, as the sun began to set, Robert heard a rustling in the bushes. His heart pounding, he raised his rifle and took aim. But as the figures emerged from the foliage, he realized it was only a young couple out for a romantic evening stroll. 

Robert lowered his weapon, a wave of relief flooding over him. He approached the couple, his eyes scanning the trees for any sign of danger. 

“You kids shouldn’t be out here,” he warned them. “This place isn’t safe.” 

The couple laughed, dismissing Robert’s warning as the rambling of a crazy old man.