Crybaby - Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve of the blockbuster new novel, Crybaby by best selling, multi-award-winning author Mark Watson...

CRYBABY

©Copyright 2024 by Mark Watson

CRYBABY PART 2

CHAPTER 12

The Watchtower

Rahul stood back, hands on his hips, contemplating his new watchtower as the ranger, Ahanna, and policeman Raj arrived in the land cruiser. Workers from the quarry swarmed around the tower, using a rope-and-pulley system to hoist provisions to the top platform. The tower itself was a sturdy, tall structure made from scaffolding poles, with a ladder running up the middle and planks across the tarpaulin-covered top. Rising above the trees, it offered an excellent view of the forest and surrounding areas—from the village to the quarry, across the mountains on one side, and the valley down to the river on the other. The 360-degree view from the top also provided a glimpse of the temple on the mist-shrouded mountain and the old abandoned hilltop fort, now secretly used by Rahul’s bandit gang in his other, shady occupation apart from village mayor.

Though he couldn’t see as far as the distant town or wetlands, and the…