The Man in the Forest

The Man in the Forest

"Police are fearful for the safety of nineteen year old Laura Park who has been missing since Tuesday. Laura left home on Sunday evening to visit friends but failed to turn up. If anybody has any information on Laura's whereabouts please contact Swinsom police on......"

"The car driven by the missing girl Laura Park has been found after an extensive two week search. There are no signs of the missing teenager. Laura's parents have been informed. In other news..."

Laura's mother, Carol, sat on the sofa listening to the news. Tears streamed down her face and she wiped them with a paper handkerchief. Brian, Laura's stepfather sat beside her with an arm around her shoulders. He kept silent, anything he'd said brought forth a tirade of words from his wife.

Carol Park opened the door to Laura's room. She stepped inside, her eyes were drawn to figurine dressed in pink on the shelf above the bed. Carol reached over and turned the model just enough to be satisfied it was in the right place. She smoothed the duvet cover and then stepped back. A hand found the light switch and the room fell into darkness. Carol softly closed the door.

"What are we going to do?" Carol started to cry. Brian drew her close and kissed her, a gentle touch of the lips.

"Come along my love. Let's get you to bed." Brian walked slowly across the landing, his arm around the waste of his wife as they made there way to the master bedroom. Brian sat her on the edge of the bed and slowly undid the buttons of her blouse. Tear were streaming down her face and dripping from her chin.

"I'm frightened Brian. My little girl out there in the cold and rain."

Carol sobbed as Brian removed her bra. He lifted her to stand and undid the clasp on her slacks. Still Carol was crying as her thong came down. A naked Carol was put under the covers. Brian stepped away and turned down the lights. He closed the door.

***

Two years would pass before the crying finally stopped.

On a cold November evening a car slowed on approaching a sharp bend in the road. Caught in the headlights was a young woman holding a bundle. She had a knapsack slung across her hip. The girl held up her hand and the car slowed to a stop.

Fiona Maple was driving and her husband Keith was sat in the passenger seat. The couple were returning home after visiting her mother in hospital.

"Too cold to be out with a child on a night lie this," said Fiona.

"If it is a child she has."

Keith got out of the car and stood waiting until the girl came up to him.

"Please Sir. I need help. Me and my baby have been walking for a day and I haven't eaten in all that time."

Keith put his head back into the car.

"She's looks like she needs a hospital. I'll get her in the back."

Keith straightened up and smiled at the girl. He opened the rear door. "Give me your baby and climb in the back."

"It's fine. I can do this on my own."

"At least give me your bag."

"No, I'll be okay."

Keith stood as Laura slid onto the seat. "You need help with the seat belt." Without asking Keith pulled the belt towards the girl He held it out while she changed hands holding the baby. She took the end of the belt and after a few attempts slotted it in.

"What's your name?"

"Laura Park."

Keith could tell Laura was well spoken, her pronunciation being exact.

"Well pleased to meet you Laura. I'm Keith and my wife is Fiona." Keith closed the door and then sat himself up front with his wife.

"We should take you to hospital Just as a precaution."

Fiona set the car off.

"Where do you live Laura?"

"Cosgrove Park."

"Downburgh?" Asked Fiona.

"Yes."

Cosgrove Park was a private estate, known throughout the town as the posh end. Some of the properties had sold for more than a million pounds in recent years.

"You can tell me if you want but why have you been walking all day?"

"I had to come back. My husband died and I didn't know what to do."

"We are so sorry to hear that. Ho old is your baby?"

"Not sure. Ray said he was eight months but I don't know for sure."

"His name?" "We called him Ray junior. My little ray of sunshine."

"And is Ray your husband?"

"Yes."

"So Laura, Where have you come from?"

"Not sure, I came back the way Ray showed me when we were out hunting."

Keith looked back ready with another question. He could see Laura had her head down and was sleeping.

He looked at Fiona and spoke as quietly as he could. "You know who this is?" Fiona nodded.

"You think we should call the police?"

"Wait until we get her to hospital."

The couple spoke no more until they reached the hospital's A and E department. As the engine was turned off Laura woke.

"We'll get you inside and the doctors can have a look at you and the baby." Keith opened the rear door.

"You give me the baby Laura and it'll be easier to get out."

"No, I'll be okay."

Keith stepped back as Laura shuffled her way out. She stood and Keith reached out to steady her. She smiled.

"I'll go park the car and you help Laura in," said Keith.

A Tuesday night and there were only three people in the waiting room. Fiona got Laura and the baby sat and then went to reception.

"Mother and baby, possible malnutrition and hyperthermia," repeated the receptionist.

"Laura Park." Within a minute a nurse appeared with a wheel chair. "Laura Park,"

"Hello, Laura. I'm Sister Graves. I'll take you and baby to see doctor now. And who have we here?"

Sister Graves helped Laura onto the wheelchair. She looked into the bundle that Laura held close to her chest.

"Ray."

"He's a lovely boy."

As Sister Graves wheeled Laura into the cubicles she could see the woman's dishevelled appearance. The hair bellow her woollen hat looked as if it hadn't been washed in a long time. The woollen hat had holes and snags. Laura was wearing a man's jacket that was heavily stained and a long tare ran down the left sleeve. In complete contrast Laura's boots looked very new. The toes were mudded and scuffed but the uppers were like new.

The nurse noted on the records that despite the state of their clothes both mother and baby were clean. Laura's nails had been cut and done quite recently. The smell was of wet clothing, not sweaty bodies. As anyone would, Sister Graves wondered how anyone could be in such a state.

Fiona and Keith waited in the reception area. Not for too long. Two police officers arrived within ten minutes.

"Mr. and Mrs. Maple, PC Julie Harris and this is PC Dave Maxwell. Can we sit somewhere quiet and have a chat."

Keith and Fiona followed the officers into the far corner of the reception area. PC Maxwell arranged chair in a tight circle. Everyone sat.

"So, just a few questions. This girl told you she was Laura Park?"

"Yes. That's right," said Fiona.

"And where did you find her?"

"We'd just been here. My mother's in hospital. We live on Crofton Road and the easiest way is on the back road by Dove Wood. She was stood on the side of the road. Now normally we would never stop for hitch hikers but she looked, well different. She told us she and the baby had been walking all day. Where from she didn't say."

"I'd like both of you to look at a photo and tell me if you think this is the same person that you brought here this evening?"

Dave Maxwell held up his phone. Fiona and Keith looked and then at each other. "That's her all right," said Keith.

"Yes, that's definitely her. Laura Park went missing about two years back. And they didn't find her car for oh, three weeks."

"That's right," said Julie.

"Your lot got a load of stick over that," said Keith.

Dave Maxwell looked at his partner and gave a shrug. "We have to admit that was a bit of a mess. Before my time," he said.

"The baby she said was about eight months old," said Fiona. "She say much about that?"

"Just he's called Ray after the father," said Keith, "Said they were married, sort of."

"Well that's good. No more questions. So I see no reason to keep you. Thank you and if we need to speak more we'll be in touch. Dave you take down some details and then let Mr. and Mrs. Maple can get off home."

No sooner had Fiona and Keith left than the Park's family arrived. Leading the charge through the hospital was Carol, Laura's mother, followed by Brian, her husband and close behind Beth and Helen.

Sister Graves appeared and asked the family to take a seat.

"I need to see my daughter."

"Doctor's with her now and you can go in shortly. Laura and the baby are in good health so we don't think she'll need to stay in tonight."

"A baby, my little girl's got a baby, how when?"

"Your grandson is, we think about eight moths old and in very good health. Laura is a very good mother and she has been taking very good care of your grandson. As for the how you will have to speak to Laura. Now if you will excuse me I'll get doctor to speak to you shortly."

Laura Park took her baby home with her that night. Carol led her up the stairs to her old room. "We shall have to find you a cot for the little one."

"No, he sleeps with me and... He sleeps with me."

"But you can't my dear. What if you were to roll over in the night?"

"He doesn't know any different mother and he won't like it if I leave him."

"Oh dear I do hope your doing the right thing."

Carol lifted the backpack onto the chair at the bottom of the bed.

"I'll look after that. First I need to feed Ray."

Laura set the bundle on the bed and undid her jacket then unbuttoned her shirt. She massaged her left breast. Carefully she unwrapped her son and held him.

"He's very hungry mum and I can never seem to feed him enough." Carol was wide eyed seeing her daughter, a grown woman feeding her child.

"Perhaps you"d like to sit down, here I'll move this."

Carol lifted the pack and placed it on the carpet. Laura sat.

"What have you got in there it's so heavy?" Laura looked up at her mother.

"Just some things."

"Shall we find somewhere to keep them," said Carol as she started to undo the knot that held the top closed.

"No, ma. Leave it I can do it later."

"No trouble dear." "No ma, leave it please."

Beth, Laura's older sister appeared at the door. She stood mesmerised, realising her sister was breast feeding her baby.

"Anything I can do?"

"No, I'm fine," said Laura, "Look ma I know you mean well but could you leave me and Ray alone for a little while. I'll come down when he's finished."

Laura smiled.

"Okay dear. We'll see you in a little while." Carol turned towards the door. "Come along Helen, you can help me with the dishes."

The door closed and Laura and Ray were left alone. A tear rolled down Laura's cheek. She rocked back and forward as Ray sucked. Her mind filled with the face of the man she still loved.

She lay the baby on the bed and picked up the sack. She untied the top and began to empty the contents one by one. She placed each item on the bed in a neat row. A small hand knife lay next to a a larger dagger, each had a bone handle cut and shaped from a deers antler. A rolled up cloth contained a set of sowing needles, some curved as if used to stitch a wound. Some thick enough to be hammered through leather, the rest common sowing needles. A catapult built to fire short arrows, a stout weapon that was able to penetrate a deers hide. Lastly a bag of grain, survival rations used as a last resort.

Lura looked around and finally decided to stash her things on top of the wardrobe and out of sight. A knock on the door and Laura watched as the door slowly opened.

A smiling face appeared. "Just got in. Laura, I so, so missed you."

Before Laura knew it she was engulfed in arms of her sister, Jane. Tears were in her eyes as she kissed Laura. "You make me cry, I'm so gladdened to see you. Oh Laura my heart is beating like I don't know what." Laura kissed her sister on the cheek. Looked at her best friend and smiled.

"I'm home Jane. It's been a long time." "And you brought mum and dad a grandchild and me and Helen a nephew. Doesn't get any more wonderful."

"Shall we sit, I'm so tired." Laura scooped up her son and sat on the bed. Jane sat beside her.

"Come, give him to me and you rest." Without hesitation she passed baby Ray to her sister. "Lay yourself down and I'll look after this little chap."

"No, pass him back he sleeps best if he's on my front."

"You sure, I can look after him?"

"No, no just you watch." Laura held up her arms and baby Ray was passed to her. Laura gently laid him on her front his head between her breasts. "Lay beside me. I just need a cuddle sis."

Jane came down and lay along side. She kissed Laura on the cheek. She could tell mother and child were asleep. Was Laura dreaming.

***

Laura could see a yellow light flickering before her closed eyes. It hurt to even think of opening them. She wished she could go back to sleep and blot out the pounding headache. She felt her tummy and then her hand moved up. She was no longer wearing her bra. Back down her fingers moved through the soft pubic hair covering her mound. Her thong was gone. A grunt and the warm body beside her stirred. Laura froze then tried to move away. There was nowhere she could go. Tears came to her eyes and she cried. She needed to piss and it was starting to hurt. She dare not look. She waited and after an age there was movement. Cold air on her skin and then the warmth as the blankets were lowered. The light changed and the yellow flickering was blotted out.

Laura turned her head to the side and slowly opened her eyes. In front of her was a man's cock and balls. Laura shrieked and tried to move back. She was naked and a man crouched over her.

"Still thee sell lass I'll not hurt thee." A cold hand touched her shoulder.

"My clothes, where are my clothes. Please I want my clothes."

"Nay fret lass, thee clothes are at bottom of"t bed. You dress your sell and I'll finish off what I started."

Laura pulled the blankets up to her neck. She craned her neck to see what the man was doing. He knelt in front of an old enamel mixing bowl. Water was being splashed on his beard and face. The sound of water made her pee more urgent. "Tha's been out cold for two days na. Didn't expect ye waking up at all." Laura held the blankets close to her naked body and with tears in her eyes bent and pulled her clothing from the bottom of the makeshift bed. With her clothes bundled under her arm she lay back.

"Teck thee time lass. Thou is weak after't trouble thou's ad. I'm of tee git some water."

From the corner of her eye Laura could see him dress in a pair of trousers that had seen better days, a builders fleece shirt and an old rain coat. He slipped his feet into boots that seemed far newer that the rest of his attire. She was alone. With one eye on her surrounding and the other on the bundle of clothes she started to dress.

There was something on her inner thigh. A bandage. She touched the pad and felt pain. It was then the realisation struck her. He had taken off all her clothes and he'd done something between her legs.

"The fucking dirty old bastard had at the very least seen my pussy and probably fingered me. Oh god I was unconscious and he most likely fucked me."

She felt her virgina, she was dry but still it could have been some time ago. She hurried to dress. Even dressed she was cold. She needed to pee. Laura tried to stand but the thumping in her head stopped her. On hands and knees she crawled from the warmth of the fire. She found a place and with difficulty pulled her trousers and thong down. Blessed relief as piss flowed onto the pine needles. All the while looking around to be sure he wasn't watching her. With the old blankets around her shoulders she sat warming herself, listened to the dawn break and the forest around her appear out of the darkness.

It was light and he hadn't returned. She stood and steadied herself against the side of the shelter. Every which way was trees. She left the fire light. Looking all around she walked between the trees trying hard to follow a faint trail. Looking up all she saw was trees. She looked around and saw trees. She shivered in the still cold air. The blanket pulled tight around her shoulders. She thought she'd gone a long way and rested, her hand on an old oak tree.

"You'll not git far lass."

She spun around at the sound of his voice. It was all trees.

"A days walk away for a fit bloke. You'll nut have strength to go half that far."

She saw him move among the trees.

"I have to go home my mum will be worried."

"I'll tek thee lass but only when tha's fit."

"My names Laura, don't call me lass."

He was standing not three yards away now.

"Come thee sen back with me Laura." He held out his hand and she hesitated. She took hold. Her other hand grasped his arm. In silence they walked back to the camp. "Tha's cold Laura. Sit thee sen by't fire and warm up. I'll git thee some food."

Laura sat on a log by the fire. A simple wooden bowl appeared in front of her. She looked at the contents. Grains of what looked like rice and bits of dried meat. Laura realised she was hungry and started to eat, picking up food with her fingers. He passed her a plastic beaker.

"Water, it's clean."

She drank.

"Who are you?"

"Ray, just call me Ray."

"What are you doing here?"

"This is me home, I live here."

"Why?"

"Never thee mind."

They were quiet. Laura with her head down eating. She place the empty bowl by her side.

"Why you take my clothes off?"

"You were pissed wet through."

"And what's that on my leg?"

"Big gash and thee were bleeding. I'll ev a look later."

Laura was too frightened to ask if he'd done anything else. She looked back at the fire.

"Are's off now Laura. Keep thee sen warm, plenty a wood. I'll be back afore dark."

Laura smiled and pulled the blanket around her shoulders. It wasn't long before she lay on the bed. She pulled the blankets up and slept.

"Wakey wakey."

Lara felt a hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes. The bearded face of Ray looked down on her. She should have been frightened but wasn't. He smiled and she smiled.

"Be best if tha tacks somet off afore you gets into bed. Keeps thee clars fresh."

Laura sat up. "My leg hurts."

"I stitched you up. Bloody great gash. Thought you"d bleed out. Take your pants down and let's ev a look."

Laura shook her head.

"What's trouble? I've seen all you have and maybe a bit you've not seen thee sen."

"You touched me up while I was out cold."

Ray shook his head, "Not my style Laura. I stitched you up cos otherwise you would have bled out. You had been in a very nasty accident. I know your car had rolled down the embankment into a pond. You were all but under water when I found you. I did what I could and then carried you here. Took me a day to get you back here. You must have had a good crack on the head. One point I thought you wouldn't make it. Here you are."

"You haven't touched me?"

"No Laura, I haven't touched you. How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"That means I'm old enough to be your father, I'm forty nine."

"How"d you know all this stuff?"

"What stuff?"

"All this first aid and everything?"

"Army medic, Iraq, Afghanistan, East Africa, Kazakstan and all points east."

"Your not going to are you?"

"No Laura, I'm not. Not me. However lovely you are I won't touch you. I've seen all the vile things men do to defenceless women and it turned my stomach then so no I won't touch you."

"Thank you."

"Right let's build up the fire and get some food cooking. You like squirrel, grey squirrel."

"But..."

"If your not hungry I can eat it all myself."

Laura thought for a moment. "Never had it so I don't know."

"You will like it and it's food of which we don't have a lot."

Laura sat and watched Ray build up the fire and then stake out two grey squirrels to roast over the hot embers. She was surprised at how much she enjoyed the meat.