Lilly left the goods store on the main street through Andersonville and found Chillingsworth waiting for her.
Isaac was feeding the horse an apple and saw Lilly. He climbed up on the cart.
Chillingsworth’s expression brightened when he saw her, and she couldn’t deny anymore that the man seemed particularly attentive to her. She’d tried to ignore the obvious for some time, but with this man it became more apparent every day that he liked her beyond just simple respect.
“Do you have everything you need?” he asked.
She nodded. “Of course. Oh, Isaac, I wondered if we might delay going back. I want to do some research on the prison and the town at the local newspaper office. I'm very interested in the history of this region.”
She half expected Chillingsworth to insist they return to the prison, but instead he looked impressed.
Isaac chimed in. “Sure thing, Miss Lilly. It's down that way.”
He pointed down the street as Chillingsworth helped Lilly into the seat of the cart.
After a short ride, they arrived at a tiny building with a window facing the street and a ramshackle sign that read Gazette Office and under that All The News Fit To Print above the door.
Chillingsworth helped Lilly down from the cart and opened the door for her as all three entered the newspaper office.
An older white man looked up from a desk and smiled. A sign on his desk read Joe Martin, Editor.
“Well, we don’t often get visitors,” Mr. Martin said.
Lilly instantly warmed to the man’s friendliness. “I hope we aren't disturbing you, Mr. Martin. My name is Lilly Billings. This is Corporal Chillingsworth, and Isaac—”
“We don’t allow his kind in here,” Mr. Martin said, his tone instantly changing. “He has to wait outside.”
A wave of stunned anger hit Lilly. “Excuse me?”
Mr. Martin’s chilly expression remained, all trace of friendliness gone. “We don't allow negroes in here. He can wait outside.”
Lilly glanced at Isaac, who backed toward the door. The boy didn’t look offended, as amazing as that seemed.
“It’s all right, Miss Lilly. I don't wanna cause no trouble. I can tend to the cart,” Isaac said.
Lilly rounded on the editor. “You could use a lesson in hospitality, sir.”
Mr. Martin sneered. “Lady, this isn't the north. You got a problem, leave.”
Chillingsworth stepped forward and his glare told Lilly that the editor had hit a nerve in the corporal.
“Either he stays, or we go. And we make sure this entire town knows what kind of man you are, Mr. Martin,” Chillingsworth spat.
Mr. Martin fiddled with papers on his desk.
Chillingsworth stood up straighter, and Lilly had to admit to herself he made a formidable opponent for the skinny, older man.
“You won’t reconsider?” Chillingsworth asked.
Mr. Martin shook his head.
Chillingsworth smiled, but it lacked genuine humor. “I believe you will be losing quite a few subscribers after this, Mr. Martin.”
Chillingsworth gently took Lilly’s arm and led her outside. The door closed behind them.
“But—” she started.
Chillingsworth released her. “He is no gentleman. Let's go.”
“But what about my research?” Lilly asked.
Isaac cleared his throat. “Miss Lilly, this building right here, next door, is the Andersonville Library. It ain't much to speak of compared to big city libraries, but Old Mrs. Bridgeman, she is a walking, talking history book when it comes to the prison and the surroundin' towns. And she don't have a problem with me bein' in the library. Not that I want to go in the library, bein’ as how I can’t read and all.”
Lilly smiled in delight and hugged Isaac. Lilly noted, though, the look of disgust a couple of women gave her as they walked by.
Isaac grinned. “I'll stay here. You go on in.”
Lilly was sad that Isaac couldn’t read and promised herself one day she would teach him if she could. She noticed there were other people in the library and considered they might object to him being there and cause another problem. As much as she hated this realization, she knew Isaac made a wise decision to remain outside.
She rushed into the library, Chillingsworth on her heels.
Lilly approached a middle-aged woman working behind a counter and sorting several books. The lady was short, plump, and with gray hair. There didn’t appear to be anyone else in the library, at least not that Lilly could see.
“Mrs. Bridgeman?”
The woman smiled. “Yes? How may I help you?”
“I'm Lilly Billings. I'm a nurse at the prison and wondered if you had something I could look at about the history of the area?”
For a moment the woman looked concerned, and Lilly immediately hoped the lady wouldn’t refuse to help.
“The prison? Andersonville?”
“Yes. I was sent by Clara Barton to help the prisoners.”
Mrs. Bridgeman’s face lit up. “The Clara Barton?”
Surprised at the woman’s excited tone, Lilly felt that excitement and relief echoed within herself.
“Yes,” Lilly said. “The one and only.”
Mrs. Bridgeman hustled over to a small seating area and motioned for Lilly and Chillingsworth to sit. She went into a back room and returned in a beat with a handful of books. She placed them in front of Lilly.
“How fortuitous Miss Billings. I was going to put these on a special shelf just this afternoon. The history of the town, the prison, all of it. Take your time.”
The woman rushed towards the back of the building and started shelving books. Lilly dug into the books and documents like a woman on a mission. Lilly caught Chillingsworth’s somewhat confused expression.
“I get the feeling this isn't just passing interest. You're looking for something specific, aren't you?” Chillingsworth asked, concerned.
Lilly looked up and noted that Mrs. Bridgeman was busy. She leaned forward and whispered, “One of the prisoners I attended to told me something I can't get out of my mind. He said the guards found Sergeant Hanks' head on a stake outside the prison. Is that true?”
Chillingsworth looked one part angry and another part confused as to why she’d be fascinated by such a gruesome thing.
“Probably Union soldiers. More reason to stay inside the stockade, Lilly.”
“No, that's not it. The prisoner said some of the men were talking...about...dogmen. Beasts tore off Sergeant Hank's head and ate his insides.”
“Miss Billings, that is the crazed ramblings of a dazed soldier with fever. That's all. I can assure you, there are no beasts out there, but for the human kind.”
Lilly didn’t believe him, but she also knew she couldn’t waste time arguing. She scoured through the books, skimming over the text with her fingers. After a lengthy time, she looked up and caught Chillingsworth watching her. She couldn’t ignore the clear admiration on his face.
He leaned forward and kissed her lips. Lilly recoiled, shocked. Her hand went to her mouth.
“Corporal Chillingsworth, please do not ever do that again.”
Humiliation crossed his face.
Concerned, she said, “Were circumstances different, perhaps I would be extremely flattered. But you know my heart belongs to Benjamin.”
Without a word Chillingsworth rose and exited the building. She watched him leave before setting down the book and rising from her chair.
Mrs. Bridgeman returned to the front desk, her expression a little wary.
“That young man being unseemly?” Mrs. Bridgeman asked.
Lilly laughed softly, feeling better about the situation. “No, no. It is…um…complicated.”
The older woman smiled. “It always is.”
Lilly laughed with Mrs. Bridgeman, then said, “Thank you so much for these. I'd like to ask you something.”
Mrs. Bridgeman leaned over the desk, all ears. “Why of course. I’m a librarian. That’s what I’m here for.”
Lilly hesitated. This woman might toss her out on her ear after Lilly revealed her insane question. But Lilly had to ask. “Have you ever heard word of a legend in these parts, of beasts called dogmen?”
Mrs. Bridgeman went pale. “What on earth would a pretty thing like you want with dogmen, Miss? Best not mention that word around here again.”
Concerned that she’d pushed too far, Lilly forced herself to persist. “Why? Can you tell me what you know of these — beasts? Are they wolves? Men dressed as wolves to scare Union prisoners? I must know...please. People I love may be in danger…”
Mrs. Bridgeman sighed deeply but nodded. She motioned for Lilly to go into the back room with her. Mrs. Bridgeman reached up to a shelf lined with books and documents and pulled down a packet. She handed them to Lilly.
Lilly looked through the papers, her face registering shock. Horror.
“May I...may I take these and spend more time reading them?” Lilly asked, her voice trembling.
Mrs. Bridgeman considered the request a moment, then nodded. “Please guard these with your life. I’ve done years of research into those horrible things and this is the result. Read through and bring back when you’ve finished. I think you’ll be shocked by what you find in here,” Mrs. Bridgeman confided.
Lilly took the packet as if it were made of delicate china. “I am honored you would share this with me, and I promise to keep it safe. Thank you.”
Mrs. Bridgeman hesitated, then shook her head. “Good on ya, Miss. And do be careful out there. That prison is no place for a lovely girl like yourself.”
Lilly smiled, appreciating the sweet concern.
Mrs. Bridgeman walked Lilly to the entrance and sent her off with a wave and a smile. Lilly emerged from the library holding the packet of documents tightly wrapped and sealed. What she’d discovered left her shaken to the core.
Chillingsworth rushed to Lilly and took her by the elbow. “Where did you go? What did that woman say to you?”
Lilly couldn’t tell him the truth. He wouldn’t believe her. She allowed him to help her into the cart, where her gaze snagged Isaac’s for a moment. She felt reassured by his smile. She didn’t speak during the trip back.
Later that night, by the light of a lantern, Lilly sat with a cup of tea and poured over the documents from the library. The newspaper reports from many years back to the present reported strange doglike men terrorizing or attacking road travelers, often in or near heavily wooded areas. Images drawn by eyewitnesses showed huge doglike beasts both using all four legs, or walking upright on their powerful hind legs like humans. Accounts of dogmen sightings went back over a hundred years and were also reported across the ocean in European countries by settlers...
Lilly read out loud. “…strange beasts that walk on two legs, seven to nine feet tall, with glowing red eyes...they feed on fear and suffering...found near places of tragedy and death…”
In the distance a howl went up. She looked up, anxiety spiking inside her.
Silence.
“Just wolves. That’s all.”
She continued, fingering through the pages and discovering a picture drawn in charcoal of a black dog standing on two legs.
“Men on the battlefield reported seeing dogmen attacking...preying on the injured and weak...carrying off carcasses of the dead...Good heavens, I must stop. This is not good for my heart.” She couldn’t take much more. Part of her wanted to believe these were simply stories of the imagination, but another part wondered why there were so many accounts.
She put the papers in a nice stack and rises to go to the wash-bin. She splashed water on her face and looked in the mirror. Then with a sigh she prepared for bed. She knew, however, that she would not sleep well tonight.
DR. JACOBSON
Between the first and second stockade Dr. Jacobson, Dr. Reynolds and dozens of guards stood in shock.
Dr. Reynolds asked, “What is the meaning of this?” He turned to the guards. “Is this some kind of sick joke?”
None of the guards responded. They were too busy staring in horror at dozens of heads impaled all along the second stockade.
Lilly rushed into the fray from the medic tent just as a guard entered from outside the first stockade, breathing fast and hard. He hurried to Dr. Jacobson.
The guard said, “We found footprints right outside the main entry.”
Dr. Reynolds and the other guards started forward.
The guard held up his hand to stop them. “Be prepared. They're not human.”
Anxiety filled Lilly, her heart beating too fast.
Dr. Jacobson turned to her. “Lilly, get back to your cabin until I tell you it is safe to come out. Do you understand?”
Lilly nodded, her eyes glued to the terrifying heads on spikes. She rushed off without protest.
Dr. Jacobson eyeballed Dr. Reynolds. “What are you thinking?”
Dr. Reynolds gazed at the heads. “Yanks have somehow gotten into the prison. Trying to pick off as many guards as they can to stage an attack. They're planning to rescue the prisoners.”
One of the guards said, “No guards missing, sir. Must be prisoners. Good riddance, I say.”
Dr. Jacobson gave the guard a scathing glance. “Then we know it isn't Union soldiers. Why would they kill their own men? And do you honestly expect that a few Union soldiers could rescue all of the men in this prison? There are too many. It is absurd.”
The guard stood straighter, probably emboldened by the fact Dr. Jacobson was Union.
“They want to throw us off. Make us think it ain't Union men,” the guard said.
Dr. Jacobson didn’t look impressed. “Perhaps, but how would they get in here without guards noticing? It doesn't make sense.”
No one had an answer.
“We should contact Wirtz and let him know what happened,” Dr. Jacobson said.
Dr. Reynolds said, “No. I'll take care of this.”
“How?” Dr. Jacobson asked.
“I’ll take soldiers. Better yet, I'll round up some worthless prisoners. A couple of guards to keep them in line,” Dr. Reynolds responded.
Dr. Jacobson didn’t buy it and didn’t trust the other man. “Because you still think it's Union soldiers. And if you kill or capture them, Wirtz will get you a promotion. Maybe more pay.”
Dr. Reynolds grinned, obviously enjoying the mayhem. “Keep telling yourself that.” He lowered his voice. “But now that you mention it, that sounds like an excellent plan. I'll take that worthless Captain Horn and some of his gang with me. Offer them liquor and food. No one cares if they get killed anyway.”
Dr. Reynolds didn’t wait for a response. He walked away.
BENJAMIN
Elijah, Benjamin, and other prisoners stared up at the heads. Prisoners all around jabbered in fear. Everyone stayed far away from the deadline. Guards in the towers watched prisoners with their usual suspicion.
Benjamin could barely believe his eyes.
Elijah threw a dirty look at the guards. “Look at those sons-of-a-bitches. They think we put those heads up there. Surprised they aren't just shooting the place up trying to kill as many of us as they can.”
One of the prisoners twisted his hands together, fear plain in his eyes. “Must be a demon that did this.”
Benjamin turned to the prisoner. “What? Are you two sticks of dynamite short of a box?”
The prisoner shook his head. “I’m tellin' ya. It's a demon.”
Elijah watched disgust twist Benjamin’s features. “That's bullshit. No demon did that.”
The prisoner didn’t appear convinced, his gaze darting all around him. “You got another explanation?
Benjamin stayed quiet, but felt deep down that something very, very strange was happening.
Captain Robert Horn and about ten of his gang walked boldly into the woods, long sticks in hand. The Captain drew in the fresh air, the first he’d smelled in a long, long time. He knew he’d probably be back in the prison soon, but for this moment he’d enjoy the freedom and the clean air. Still, down in his gut, he couldn’t deny unease. Most of the time Horn wasn’t afraid of anything. Not even bullets. He figured he’d seen it all. But…something was wrong and he didn’t like how it made him feel.
They followed a line of a half dozen huge, dog-like footprints. Prison guards with rifles walked behind Captain Horn and his men. Dr. Reynolds brought up the rear with Chillingsworth in tow.
The forest was deadly quiet. No birds singing. Not even the whisper of the wind.
A gang member edged up to Captain Horn. “Why we following dog footprints, Captain? This don't make no sense. They think the Union got a big dog with them?”
Horn didn’t care. “All I know is we're getting whiskey and food for it. Plus, we get some nice air for a change.”
“But we might have to kill our own men.”
“You getting some church morals there son? We been killing our own for months.”
The man shut up.
At the back of the line, Chillingsworth sized up the setup. “Damn. Feels like someone...something is watching us.”
Dr. Reynolds shook his head. “Don't be a fool Chillingsworth. You're being paid to do as you're told, not to ask questions. Besides, you're keeping your beloved Lilly safe, aren't you?”
Chillingworth felt that shock all the way to the soul. He’d hoped that his growing admiration for her hadn’t shown.
“She's not my beloved,” Chillingsworth said.
Reynolds tilted his head to the side and peered at him. “But you'd like her to be.”
Chillingworth bristled, but decided to change the subject. “You know more about what is happening than you let on.”
A loud bang rattled the area, startling everyone into diving for cover. Shouts echoed from the front of the group. Chillingsworth looked up from his crouched position. A strange vortex formed about the tree line. He watched in stunned silence as dozens of dark, indefinable shapes spiraled down through a spinning white light. Thick trees blocked the view of the shapes and the light.
Chillingsworth whispered, “What the hell is that?”
No one answered him. The forest had turned silent again.
Three of Captain Horn's men made a break for it.
Shots rang out from the prison guards. One of Captain Horn’s men fell dead.
Suddenly, howls and growls echoed in front of their group. The hair on Chillingsworth’s neck prickled as fear broke out inside him. He didn’t have time to analyze why.
Chaos erupted.
One man was snatched off his feet, screaming, nearby Chillingsworth. Chillingsworth looked up as other men were dragged up into trees.
Red eyes peered down at Chillingsworth. Chillingsworth started shooting.
A headless man fell out of a tree.
A dog-like creature dropped to the ground in front of Chillingsworth and stood on its hind legs, rising to a full height of about seven feet tall. Chillingsworth stared in fascination and horror. Its Anubis-like head and body were black as night. Blood and drool dripped from huge, sharp teeth.
Chillingsworth scrambled to his feet. The creature lunged at Chillingsworth and Dr. Reynolds. The dogman's sharp nails raked Chillingsworth's thigh. Chillingsworth yelled as he shot the dogman in the head, dropping the creature.
Out of the forest howls erupted. A half-dozen dogmen emerged from the trees, all of them at least seven feet tall. Chilllingsworth watched in paralyzing fear as horn Horn stepped back. The man tripped.
Two dogmen set upon Horn as the man screamed. The dogmen rip out his throat. More screams echoed through the forest as men are set upon by the creatures. Chillingsworth and Dr. Reynolds make a mad break for the prison.