Mulberry Road
Prologue
Not much is known about Mulberry Road. What is known is that a mythical creature resides in the woods surrounding Mulberry. It smells the rich steaks on sale by the various venders in the area and salivates. What is known is that it ransacks the place at night and leaves with a full stomach and an enraged seller, who cannot sell for another season. So the beast is hated and feared for a good reason. A destroyer of livestock and a black mark upon Mulberry, new arrivals are cautioned to stay indoors, for this beast is neither animal nor man, but something else entirely. But few will heed that warning and history always repeats. They are drawn by the cool mountain air, the peace surrounding the wilderness, not knowing that neither bird nor beast inhabits it, for the creature has had its fill. Day in and day out, the people of Mulberry fear for their lives. The day brings uneasiness, but the night brings terror. The cabins in the area are scrubbed clean, the blood washed away so that others may stay in. They do not want to ruin their image, the idyllic town that is always open and is always welcoming new residents. But if you want to leave? The way is shut, only bones and nothing more. But some are trapped by circumstance. Take our unwilling victim Jerry, for instance.
Jerry got out of his car and looked around the area. He had been driving for days and was low on gas. "I told Maria that we did not have enough to travel but she wouldn't listen. Maria, honey, we need to resupply, Maria, we need more gas. What woman would shine on her husband? How am I to get to our cabin with just a gallon of gas? I hope I can find someone who can help me" Jerry said as he opened the gate. Mulberry road? he wondered, as he stepped through the gate and found himself in a small town center. The place seemed serene enough, so Jerry took the time to take some pictures. Out of the corner of the camera, something could be seen moving.
Jerry did not investigate, but doubled back to the car and tried to start it. FUCK! he swore as the car, starved of fuel, failed to start. The bushes seemed to come alive with the howling wind and Jerry glimpsed an otherworldly horror and locked the doors, trying in vain to start the car. He saw a long prehensile tongue come across the windshield and turned. His screams could be heard for miles as he gasped in shock. The creature before him was staring intently into the window, it's small beady eyes locked onto his, focusing, looking for any sign of fear. Jerry tried hard not to sweat and slowly reached for his Smith and Wesson Revolver. He fell onto his back as the creature began to rock the car back and forth with such force that he was knocked unconscious. The door was torn open and his last view was the many tongues, wrapping him and dragging him into the abyss. The creature reformed and now wore his skin, facial features and voice. It left, leaving Jerry's hat.