Cat Scratch Fever: The Last Stand

Content from the Novel “Cat Scratch Fever: The Last Stand” by author Jim Woods.

Excerpt from Chapter 2 - Heatstroke

Part 2 (if you haven't read part 1 please click here and do so now)

The exit for the motel was nothing like I expected. No signs saying "Clifton Rd Ahead" or "Exit 12." Even the GPS couldn't tell me the exact point at which to turn. I knew something was up when I kept hearing the navigation voice tell me it was recalculating. Slowing down to see if there were any motels nearby, I noticed an old dirt road on my right. I thought to myself, Could this be it? There were no other signs of civilization for as far as I could see. Before I had a chance to continue down the highway, the GPS demanded "Turn right here." I could only see about half a mile down the dirt road before it turned into a forest of trees. There must be a town behind the trees somewhere, I reasoned with myself. Nervously, I took a right onto the dirt road.
As I approached the trees I could feel my gut sinking into my seat. There were shoes hanging from many of the trees. Some girl even had the audacity to throw her bra on one of them. What kind of people would do something like this I kept thinking. The deeper I drove into the forest, the deeper I felt there was no way someone would put a motel out here. Who would actually stay here, I thought. Just as I decided to make U-turn I saw a man waving a flashlight about a mile down. My wife was waking up as I made the decision to continue down the dirt road towards the man.
"Where are we" she moaned as she rubbed her eyes.
"Almost there honey, I'm just going to ask this nice man if he know how much further the motel is." I said confidently.
As I pulled up to the man, I noticed he was a tall well dressed man in a full suit. The suit had some kind of pattern on it but I couldn't quite make out what it was. He had a mildly over-aggressive smile but seemed friendly nonetheless.
"You guys heading to town?" He cheerfully exclaimed.
"We're looking for the Motel 8, do you know how much further it is?" I asked.
"Sure do, just about a mile in the direction you are headed, would you mind giving me a lift?" He asked.
As he spoke I saw something in the corner of my eye. Two small gloomy beady eyes in the woods behind the man. Something was not right here, I could't just let this well dressed man hop in next to my kids.
"Sorry, but we don't have any room left in the car, maybe next time" I said as nicely as I could.
"Very well, I suppose I could use the walk, I just don't like being out so late by myself, you never know what you might find in these here woods." He responded in an insincere tone.
As I started to drive away the man shouted "One more thing! I've got this here coupon for the hotel in town if you desire, should save you 50% off your stay"
I took the coupon and thanked the man as I drove down the road towards the motel.

Part 3 coming soon