Hedgerow

Smoke And Vapors.

A figure came out of the smoke. Then another one. Everything became wet. The men took the teenagers and led them to the ambulances, waiting in the back of the firetrucks. The sirens made sure that their path was clear. The medical personnel was already waiting for them. Soon, both of them were stabilized and in good condition.

    - How are they? - asked William.   

    - They've lost consciousness due to fear, not due to the smoke. What's interesting, is that they didn't have traces of smoke whatsoever. - noted Dr. Dumkopf and went in the room to check on them.

    - I should've checked on them... - said Cassie's father.

    - It would've happened in another way. You know how kids are? - Will patted the tall man on the back.

    - No! Cassie has never done that before! She was a prime example of a good kid! Your son is affecting my girl in a bad way. - he removed the cops hand from his back.

    - I'm sorry to hear that you think poorly of my kid, but I can assure you that he is a good kid too!

    - Well, maybe the relationship between them is what's causing this?

    - I wouldn't decide the fate of my son. I advice you the same. - Will looked the enraged man in the eyes.

    - I will not allow it to grow further. Who knows what will happen!

    - They'll just meet in secret? That's how it works! I'm a cop for Christ's sake! Making something "illegal" just makes it more wanted and attractive. Especially for their age group. If you deny her of my son's friendship, she'll find a way to get to him. I'd say, let them clear everything between them, alone.

    - I. You. Ugh. This is unacceptable! - he yelled, but seeing the man against him reaching for his gun, made him lower his voice. - But it is the right thing to do. I'm sorry for my outburst.

    - It's normal. You're blaming yourself for this. You shouldn't be. I let him run on foot to your house, whilst the storm was closing in. I should've paid him more attention this morning. He was saying something about the forest, but I didn't think he'd go there. Or take your daughter with him.

    - Dwelling more in this problem gets us nowhere. I already let out my anger and nothing better happened. I just dried up my throat. Let's go for a drink after this?

    - Sounds good. I haven't gone out in a long time. - Will said and looked at the opening door of the room the doctor just went in.

    - They are okay, somehow. You can take them home. Weylyn has a little concussion, that's it. Cassie has a headache, and again, that's it. - Johannes said, and calmly proceeded to the next room.

    - Thank....you doc? I guess he is sick of our bullshit. - laughed Will. 

They both  went in the room to check on their kids.

    - Hey, soldier. How you holding up? - he placed his hand on Weylyn's head.

    - I'm feeling normal. We were just talking with Cassie, and I want to apologize to you, too, sir. - said the boy.

    - Call me Eduard, son. Nice to meet you both, by the way. - he shook hands with William.  - But you can call me Eddie or Ed, whatever you see more suitable.

    - William. Nice to meet you, Ed!

    - Sweetheart, how are you feeling? - he asked his daughter and gently pat her head.

    - I'm also feeling okay. Like, nothing really happened. It's weird, but yeah.

Will looked seriously at both of them.

    - You guys didn't set the forest on fire by any chance, right?

    - What? - they both said and looked surprised.

    - A big chunk of the forest is gone, because of a fire. Could've been set aflame by a lightning strike, but. It had really strangely spread around you both. As if, someone set a circle of fire around you... - William said and looked at them even more seriously. - You can tell me everything, you know that Wade. 

Eduard went to the window and looked at the forest. It was burned in a unsettling shape. It looked like a circle with some symbols inside of it. Cassie and Weylyn were found in between some of the line, almost in the center of the circle.

    - Dad, I'm dead serious. We didn't set anything on fire! Check our stuff, we don't have means of setting a fire!    

    - I'll actually check them, but not because I don't trust you. It's because I'm also a cop and I need to remove you both from my suspect's list.

    - Okay, go ahead. - Weylyn said calmly.

William started looking in his son's backpack. Journal, flashlight, some candy and a bottle of water, a rope and a pocket knife. He took the pocket knife and looked at his son with frustration in his eyes That was it. Nothing else. He then gently moved around Cassie's stuff. He stopped and shoved his arm deeper. He pulled out a lighter and a box of cigarettes.

    - Cassie... - Will said with something in his throat. -... I believe you, but...the other cops would think otherwise.

    - Is that....Cassie! - Eduard raised his voice. - Why? Please, just tell me why?

    - My life is stressful. I get bullied in school. I have only one friend, don't get offended. - she said and looked at Weylyn. - But he also gets bullied like me. We are constant targets. I need a way to relief my stress.

    - Cassie...Just talk with me. We'll find better ways than those cancer-sticks. - Eduard hugged his daughter. - I'm sorry I'm not giving you more attention. I'll change that.

    - No, dad. It's not you. Trust me. - her eyes started watering.

    - Hey. - Will put the lighter in his pocket. - Why don't we, go for an ice cream and, let you two alone in one of the houses, so we can go to a bar with Ed? Sounds good, right?

    - I think we have Ice cream in our fridge? - Weylyn said.

    - Splendid! It's decided! Let's go. - he made them stand up fast and they went out of the hospital in a haste.

    - Why are we power walking to the car, dad? - asked the boy.

    - I want a drink.

    - Ohkay.

They left the two teens alone in the house and drove to the bar. It's name was "The Oak". Quite the place. Most of it's clients know William personally. He and Eduard sat away from everyone. Will ordered a tall whisky, no ice. Ed ordered beer.

    - So, who do you think did it? - the visibly taller than Will man asked.

    - I think...that it is not our kids. - he said and took a sip.

    - Did you see the shape? It was a pentagram! I don't think our kids are, you know, satanists? - Ed took a big gulp after that.

    - Something big is happening. Soon, we will find out. I'm sure of it. - Will turned the empty glass upside-down and made a sign for the bartender to give him another one.

    - It's quite a personal topic, but, what happened to your wife? - Ed asked out of the blue.

    - Hm. She just, disappeared. Weylyn is just like her. She liked going to the forest and find it's secrets out. Like it was a part of her.

    - Wow, that's tough. Mine decided to....leave. She said that the small town was too small, you know what I mean?

    - Yeah.

After two hours of pure drinking, they decided to sober up in the other four. They spent it by telling themselves funny stories about the past. 

Suddenly, one police officer went in the bar and eyeballed everyone, until he found William.

    - Will, we found the person that set the fire. Come with me.

    - Okay. - he turned towards Eduard. - It was nice talking to you. We should do this again.

    - Of course we do!

    - Duty calls! See ya. 

Ed nodded and smiled.