Autumn

Of 1978

X. X. X

Captain Dobey got on highway 113, Huggy looked nervous, "I don't like this Captain, I've heard cars have broken down here, the participants in the cars were never found."

. .. there my boys,... sons...The Captain remarked.

then...silence...

Captain Dobey broke the silence, "Huggy tell me about this urban legend."

Huggy said, "well Captain, "there has been disappearances from 1960, to 1977, Huggy continued, "that is the first known recorded, then it just stopped in late 1977 , Nothing, zlith, nota."

Huggy continued, "there were sighting, of well," he hesitate, Dobey said, "well, out with it",... Huggy continued, "someone are sometimes howling at the moon." The Captain said, "now surely you don't believe that nonsense Huggy."

Dobey rubbed his neck, looking at Huggy "were body's found," "Captain, as the legend tells, "go in but never make it out, nothing, zilch nota."

Dobey looked at The Bear, "don't start that again." The Captain remarked "how do you know so much about it." "Huggy held up a book, "I read Captain."

The Captain continues driving, Dobey shakes his head in disbelief, and he clears his throat, Huggy sighs, the Captain looked at The Bear , "if it was not for Starsky heading for the mountains, ...well"

There was a silence..."put it this way Captain, I would not be caught dead there," Huggy looks down, another silence..."if not for 'Hutch."... "now Starsky...Dobey adds..."by the way try to get Starsky on the radio again."

The Bear speaks into the radio, "Zebra 3 do you copy, ...Zebra 3...man Captain, still static."..

The Captain remarked, "probably some lunatics," ...he stopped his mouth dropped. Huggy looked at him,"Captain you look like you've seen a ghost."... "Simon Marcus!"..."See if you can get a hold of the station." ...

. Now the radio is completely dead Captain, Huggy sounded nervous.

A long silent moment... The Bear broke the silent, "now Captain, I thought that dude was in prison locked up tight." Dobey felt uneasy, "he is, but there was no way possible to get every member of his cult."

A heavy fog suddenly moved in, Dobey pointed his finger, "we already passed that sign." The Captain made a quick left turn to an exit, "Captain what are you doing man, we are going to get lost out here."

"Huggy look!" "that same sign 113," Dobey had a nervous edge to his voice, "I turned to get off highway 113."

"Man Captain!" "this fog has gotten thicker then pea soup." The big Captain looked at Huggy, "we've been going in circles... Damn it!"...

X. X. X

Starsky woke with a jolt, his face pale the color drained from his once tanned good looks. Was it a dream, he gets out of his Torino, rubs his face.

Facing his Torino...

He rubs his face again, as his eyes open, dirt covered his Torino, "what the hell! "Merle cleaned her up, right after her tune up."

Starsky's lips drew down "it was a dream", he thought. He got back in, turned the key... Nothing, he tried again, he got back out popped the hood, looking at his engine he shook his head.

He looked towards the mountains, what was he doing he thought, where is Hutch? How could he be sure he was going in the right direction.

In frustration he slams the hood, "I'm a cop for crying out loud, I go on leads, witnesses, there are no leads, nothing." "No one, no one saw Hutch, damn it, he runs his hands thru his dusty curls.

How the hell did dust get in my hair, am I going crazy,... it was a ... d r e a m"...

.. He feels a hand on his shoulder, he turns quickly, and he sees a older woman long messy red hair. The lines on her face, tell a story of a hard life, but a kindness in her eyes shine like emeralds.

She puts her hand on his, he feels a warmth, then a spark run up his arm,... suddenly! He sees a dirt road, a dark forest, Hutch in pain, a little girl...a sign, Mulberry Rd ...an old cabin...

She puts her hand on his heart, "listen to it child, let it guide you." .then...she's gone,...Starskys indigo eyes searching...

He stands alone, all he hears is a raven... as it flies by...

Then he thought he heard someone say... come on Mr...

Starsky put his hands on his head, he looks around he jumps in his car. So many questions unanswered, so many dreams untold... ...

He turns his key in the ignition, a bewildered look on his face. She starts right up, he pulls a map out, points his finger to highway 113, following it he sees an exit for Mulberry Rd.

He said, "I'm on my way partner,...He closes his eyes in despair ...I hope"..

.He drove a little while, then he got on highway 113, it looked like any other highway, he had driven it once before, a year ago, trying to find the last of Marcus Simons men.

They were scattered among the hills, others went deep in the mountains. Starsky said, out loud, "they are some crazy lunatics," chills went down his spine, as he remembered..

.His eyes burned as tears fell...down his...face...to the back of his hand... as he held the tear on his hand ... he thought he saw...

oh my God! ... Hutch, ...what they did to me..." If they touch one blond hair on your head."

Next

Chapter 13

The Rising