Deadly Woods

Kraig Kalhoon was a typical Marshton resident suffering the economic woes of living in a small town on the Pennsylvania border south of Buffalo, New York. The rolling hills and deep woods once provided one of the best deer hunting areas in the state. However, due to over killing in recent years, the deer population was becoming quite depleted. The area still remained a sportsperson's paradise with great fishing and boating locations that resulted from the construction of The Great Dam, which was built on the land owned by the local American Indian Nation. Kraig was out in the woods on the sunny April day, not to take advantage of the scenic hiking trails through the heavily wooded areas, but to search for one of the local plants. The woods were alive with spring's budding and emerging growth. The leek, especially, was one plant that was cherished by many local residents and Kraig had a few favorite dig areas on some shady sides of hills that contained many of the leek plants that he was on a quest to dig. As he walked, carrying his leek digger and gathering sack, his head was filled with the thoughts of the many dishes that the onion-like plant would be used for once it was dug from the ground and cleaned: leek pies, leek dip, leek pizza, ham and leek dinners and more. Kraig's truck was parked on the side of a back country fire road near some remaining small patches of snow that were in the final stages of melting. His trek into the woods had started there and continued to the side of a slope about 300 yards from his truck. He followed a small creek which would eventually lead him to his destination where there were plenty of leek plants. As he started along the side of the creek, he glanced ahead toward the creek's bend where he noticed a cluster of noisy crows in the trees and on the ground. This was very unusual and he was curious about what was causing all of the crows to be grouped in one area. He tossed several small stones in the direction of the crows in an attempt to scatter them so he could investigate what had caused all of the crows' activity. As he approached and viewed the interest of the crows, his stomach turned. He had been expecting to see an animal carcass, but what was on the ground in front of him shocked all of his senses! There, beside his feet, laid the mutilated remains of a human body! As Kraig stared at the body, his mind thought that the crows and other animals had obviously feasted upon the body's tissue because most of it was missing. He thought that the body was probably that of a man due the ragged and torn clothing that remained, but even that thought was just a guess. Suddenly the emotion of fear filled Kraig's mind and he had nothing but his small leek digger to use as a weapon in case he needed it to defend himself. The scattered crows he had chased away were still hovering in the surrounding trees and seemed angry that they had been prevented from eating their dinner below them. Kraig's hands were shaking as he bent down to give the body a closer inspection. Without disturbing the scene, he tried to see if some form of identification was visible, but could see nothing. He felt his pocket for his phone and said, "Damn! It's in the truck!" That meant he would have to leave the scene and leave the body to the crows while he hiked back to his truck in order to call the authorities. Giving the body one last look he noted several different animal tracks near the remains. Since he had spent a great part of his life in the woods around Marshton, he recognized some of the clearer tracks as being made by coyotes and a bear. The tracks made it clear to him that it was time to get out of the woods and contact the township police. On the way back to his truck, Kraig nervously looked on all sides and wished he had his vintage 45 Colt pistol with him. He finally exited the woods and felt relieved to see his truck in front of him. He tossed his leek gear into the back of the truck and climbed inside the truck. He took his cell phone in his shaking hands and called the township police. He gave his location to the police dispatcher and attempted to explain what he had discovered. He was directed to stay at his location until a patrol car arrived at the scene. While he waited for the police, he wondered just who was lying dead back there in the woods and tried to imagine how the person had died? His mind reeled with some grizzly possibilities.