It was as beautiful as the website boasted.
By
Updated 4 years ago,September 10, 2021
Im writing this by my bed.
I can feel that I dont have much time left.
Olena Sergienko
I can barely see anymore.
hey, someone, read this so were not forgotten.
This is what happened.
I arrived at the Pine Palaces three days ago.
It was as beautiful as the website boasted.
Each log cabin was decked out in all the usual outdoor decor.
Rakes, leaf blows, a couple axes, a chainsaw, the usual upkeep wares.
Dont you worry, Ken had said, Ive never had trouble up here.
Most folks are good people, just looking to get away from all the nonsense.
They come up here and roast their marshmallows, eat their hot dogs, and listen to the silence.
Three days later I found that I enjoyed being up in the mountains more than I had anticipated.
And then there was Ken.
Ken had been running this place for twenty-eight years.
His dad built it and when he passed away, Ken took over.
He was about sixty but had the mentality of a man in his young twenties.
He was energetic, kind, and made everyone feel welcome.
It was charming and I found myself looking forward to that time of the day.
That was all before I found that fucking well.
I pulled the paddle boat behind Kens cabin and wiped the sweat off my face with a dirty hand.
Thats the last of them, I said to Carter.
Everyone is in for the day.
Penny should be done stacking the wood for tonights fire.
Do you wanna see if she wants to go for a swim?
I feel like Im going to melt.
Its hot as hay fever today isnt it?
I snorted, Got that right.
Ill go help Penny put the tools away.
I brushed my hands on my jeans and walked around to the front of the cabin.
I spotted Penny by the fire pit, stacking the last few pieces of wood.
She looked up at me, Yeah, that should do it.
I hope thats enough.
Penny was a cute girl.
I smiled back, Its fine.
You really think Ken has the capacity to yell at you even if its not?
She shrugged, I just want it to be right.
Now do you want to go swimming with Carter and I?
Hes letting Ken know right now.
She lit up, Oh that sounds fantastic!
Can you put the ax back in the shed while I go suit up?
Sure thing, I said, bending and picking it up.
Thanks, Ill meet you back here, She said and scampered off to our cabin to change.
As I was about to round the final bend to the shed, something caught my eye.
Curiosity took over and I began to make my way towards it.
I broke through the tree line and stopped dead in my tracks.
A heaviness came over me.
A thick unease bubbled in my stomach.
Something was making my skin crawl and I felt goosebumps form on my arms.
I licked my suddenly dry lips and swallowed hard.
A warning light was going off in my mind and my unease turned to panicked nausea.
Suddenly I didnt even want to look at the well.
I turned my eyes away and stood there, unable to move.
I needed to leave.
I felt my hands shaking at my sides and I realized that I had dropped the ax.
I couldnt even will myself to pick it up.
Why are you being such a baby?
I asked myself, still not moving.
As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I knew the answer.
Because theres something down there.
The terror turned to a feeling of haunting danger and I fled.
I looked at them and offered a weak smile.
Shaking my head and feeling slightly stupid now, I went to find Penny and Carter.
My breath steadied and my heart rate slowed.
I shook my head, rolling my eyes, Get a grip man.
He pulled out a cigar and cut the tip off, striking a match against the wood bench.
I took my place, watching as the last of the guests retreated to their cabins for the evening.
I took a deep breath, Whats the deal with the well back by the supply shed?
Ken froze, his match hovering inches from the tip of his unlit cigar.
After a second, he lit it and took a couple of deep puffs from it before answering.
What do you mean son?
Theres a well back there?
Ken turned his head and looked directly at me, Dont go near there, you understand me?
The seriousness in his voice shook me.
His grandpa persona was gone and his eyes were cold black rock.
I mean it, son.
Aint nothing good back there.
Just steer clear of it, ok?
Whats wrong with it?
Ken took another drag, obviously uncomfortable with the conversation, before answering, Its dangerous.
Theres something wrong with it.
Theres something…unnatural about it.
Best you all keep your distance.
Carter leaned forward, his eyes lighting up, Is it haunted or something?
I could hear the excitement in his voice.
Ken shook his head, No.
Aint no such things as ghosts, kid.
But there are other…forces of nature that human kind just arent meant to find.
I swallowed hard, remembering the terror from earlier, Ken…is there something down there?
Ken was silent for a moment, the crack of the fire popping sparks around us.
Then he whispered, Yes.
Have you ever looked down there?
Ken shook his head, Cant bring myself to get near the thing, truth be told.
I shook my head, No.
Honestly, I got spooked just being around it.
Thats why I asked, it seemed so jarring compared to the peace these mountains hold.
I want to hear, Penny said.
I didnt blame her, something about the sober tone in Kens voice begged for explanation.
I named her Cherry.
For the first couple weeks, it was just me and Cherry.
I was working on fixing the place up and getting it ready again for guests.
I went inside to wash my face and change out of my trousers.
Wasnt gone but five minutes.
When I came out, Cherry was gone.
I didnt see her anywhere.
Penny asked softly, eyes wide.
And thats when I found the well for the first time.
He paused, silently puffing on his cigar.
After a few moments, he continued, Cherry was trying to force her way down the well.
She was too big though.
She was stuck, her rump sticking up in the air, her head down the hole.
And let me tell you…she was going mad.
I was too afraid.
Something was keeping me from getting close to that well.
I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck rising.
Pretty sure I wet my trousers at some point as I stood there watching.
Oh, I was frightened, he said softly.
Ken looked around at all three of us, then said, She eventually squeezed down into the blackness.
Took her the better part of an hour to do it.
She wriggled and kicked till she scraped off her skin and she fit.
I aint seen so much blood before in my life.
How she was still alive, I dont know.
We were all quiet as he finished.
Ken idly flicked more ash from his cigar and stared at the ground.
The unbelievable events he had just shared with us chilled me.
I remembered the feeling of being close to the well.
We all stood up and wished him a good night, all of us somber and a little rattled.
His eyes buzzed with light.
We retired to our cabin and began preparing for bed.
Before she closed her door, I asked, You ok, Pen?
Youre not freaked out?
Ill be ok, thanks though.
And with that she shut her door.
Carter followed and turned the lights off.
We were silent for a while and then I heard him sit up.
Dude, lets go check it out.
I sat up as well, slightly alarmed, What?
No way man, you heard Ken.
We should stay away from it.
Oh come on, he pleaded, Itll be spooky.
I snorted, Carter, you didnt see it.
It creeped me out, no way Im going back at night.
Now just lay down and go to sleep.
After a moment I heard him sigh and lay back down.
Relieved I closed my eyes and stared at the ceiling.
Sleep did not come quickly.
I dont know what time it was when my eyes snapped open, but something was wrong.
I jerked into a sitting position and let my tired eyes adjust.
I didnt take Carter as an adventurous person, never mind a brave one.
What was he thinking?
If he was where I thought he was, then I needed to tell Ken immediately.
I thought about waking Penny, but decided against it.
I stomped into my boots and flung the door open.
The night was calm, a fat white moon dripping its vanilla rays down to meet me.
The camp was still and sleep coated the air.
I marched down the stairs and turned towards Kens cabin when something caught my eyes towards the tree line.
Carter was walking towards me.
He spotted me and gave me a sly smile, Well well, change your mind?
What hell are you doing?
I asked, my voice a harsh whisper.
Took me forever to find it.
I paused, cautious, You…you saw the well?
He nodded, the smile still on his face.
I licked my lips, And?
He slapped me on my shoulder, Kens full of crap Im afraid.
Its just a stupid well.
Theres nothing down there man.
I released a breath I didnt know I had been holding in, Wait…really?
You actually went and looked down inside?
He chuckled and rubbed his eyes, Yep, no ghosts or monsters Im afraid.
Just Ken jerking us around.
It was a good story, Ill give him that.
I shook my head, Well, I guess Im just a big baby then.
Lets tell Penny in the morning, I think she was a little freaked out.
He laughed, Alright.
Im totally busting on Ken too for trying to freak us out.
Come on, lets go to bed.
He rubbed them again and we went back inside and slept till morning.
The next day was blistering hot.
As predicted, most of the guests wanted to take the paddle boats out onto the lake.
He asked if we would take shifts staying down by the water and keep an eye on things.
We had ended up not telling her, after a quick talk in our room that morning.
We agreed that it was better if she didnt know because of her constant paranoia of getting in trouble.
And if she was frightened by Kens story, she didnt show it as she went about her morning.
Carter was cheerful despite the heat and helped me prepare the wood for the evenings fire.
His eyes were still terribly bloodshot and when I asked him about it, he shrugged it off.
Probably caught me a case of double pink eye.
They itch like crazy.
You think Ken has something for them?
It looks bad man, I said dragging another log over to the chopping block.
He scrubbed at them, Ah, lets finish this first shall we?
Today was cleaning day and after we finished the wood, Carter went to relieve Penny.
He ended up not speaking to Ken about his eyes, despite my protests.
About a half hour after Carter left, Penny came strolling up the hill looking hot.
It is stifling today isnt it?
I nodded, Yeah, Im looking forward to my shift at the lake.
Did you see Carter?
Yeah, whats wrong with his eyes?
He thinks its pink eye.
She shivered, Gross.
She scanned the campsite, So what do we have left?
Were cleaning the cabins today right?
Mid-week scrub for the guests?
I stretched my arms over my head, Yeah, sounds fun doesnt it?
Ken told me this morning we dont have to go overboard.
The deep clean is on Sunday in-between arrivals.
Just neaten up, ensure the bathrooms are clean, get rid of trash, all that.
She was a nice girl and I found myself unable from growing slightly fond of her.
He saw us and waved, meeting us in the middle of camp.
His eyes were still bloodshot, but they looked much better than they had that morning.
Penny asked with a smirk, Any hot moms rescued?
Carter threw his head back and laughed, Fraid not.
Nope, just a bunch of whiny kids and drunk dads.
You guys finish cleaning?
Yeah, I said, All thats left is to rake the grounds.
Im going to go change and head down for a dip.
I mean, to keep an eye on everyone.
We all laughed and split ways.
Carter and Penny going to retrieve the rakes and myself down to the lake.
The water was cold and wonderful.
I couldnt think of a more pleasant way to end the day.
We all wished him a goodnight and we went back to our cabin.
They both agreed with me and we went to our rooms for the night.
I asked Carter, already in my bed with my eyes closed.
Maybe tomorrow itll be better.
I muttered my agreement and felt the day disappear into slumber.
I awoke with my heart racing.
I was bathed in a thick sheen of sweat and my throat was dry.
My breath rattled past my cracked lips into the dead air.
I tried to sit up but I crashed back down into my bed.
Something was restraining me.
I wiggled around and found that my wrists and ankles were tied to the bed posts.
Confused and terrified, I fought with them for a few vain seconds before finally giving up.
I raised my head to look over at Carters bed.
He wasnt in it.
Carter where are you?
And then, Shhhhh.
The noise came from his side of the room but I didnt see him.
Carter what the hell is going on?
I said, my voice cracking in panic.
Then, again, Shhhh.
Just…a little bit…there!
I turned the lamp on and yellow light pushed the shadows back.
At first I didnt see Carter, but movement caught my eye.
He was laying under his bed, looking directly at me.
They wont stop itching, He said to me, still smiling.
And then he was up.
Like lightening, he scurried out from under the bed and was on top of me.
I struggled and was about to scream when he shoved a piece of cloth into my mouth, hard.
Just keep it down buddy, He said, his breath dry and smelling of bile.
He sat up on me, Is it gross?
It is isnt it.
Here, let me do something about that.
He reached beside me and ripped apart the sheet I was sleeping under.
There, He said calmly.
I can see better like this anyway.
Stop that, He said firmly, Youre safe.
Im not going to hurt you.
I just need you to stay here, ok?
He lightly slapped my cheek, Stay.
Do you want to know what it is?
You do dont you?
I bit down on the cloth in my mouth and nodded.
He licked his lips, Im going to go cut Pennys fucking head off.
My eyes widened and I screamed into my gag, thrashing wildly.
He chuckled softly and held me still, waiting patiently till I wore myself out.
The thought crashed into my chaotic mind like a truck.
It was the well.
He had…seen something down there.
Somehow, it had changed him.
Suddenly Carter raised his fists and brought them smashing down into my face, knocking me into darkness.
I awoke again, face swelling and painful.
The room was dark again.
I was still gagged and I could feel my breath becoming labored as my nose was clotting with blood.
I was going to suffocate if I didnt get this rag out of my mouth.
Gasping in deep grateful breaths, I struggled against the ropes that held me.
After a few frustrating moments, I finally loosened them enough to get a hand free.
A few more minutes of tearing and I was completely out of my bindings.
Oh no, Penny.
I dashed to her room and kicked the door open.
My eyes filled with tears and I crashed out of the cabin.
Get Ken, get Ken, NOW.
The night was thick, the air clawing at my skin with humidity.
The moon stared down at me, uncaring and indifferent.
I stood, frozen and immobile.
It was coming from woods.
I knew where she had been taken.
like God, let her still be ok. c’mon c’mon God.
I didnt care, I didnt think about it.
I flew as fast as my legs would take me, heart beating faster with every step.
I reached the curve in the path and turned left into the woods.
Panting, I broke into the clearing and froze.
Carter had Penny bent over the opening of the well.
He paused and looked up, seeing me.
In the moonlight, her eyes slowly rolled over to meet mine.
Jesus fucking Christ, Penny!
I screamed, tears rolling down my face.
He stared at me silently, the blood stained sheet around his eyes looking black.
I swallowed and was about to charge him when I realized…I couldnt.
My knees had turned to water and all the strength in my body had drained.
The forest seemed to press in on me.
My breath came out in little gasps and I was terrified.
I felt my bladder release and warmth spread down my legs.
I couldnt even look at it.
I was filled with such nightmares that I wanted nothing more than to turn and run.
Carter was smiling, You cant can you.
He tapped the top of the well with his knife, Come on.
Look down there, His smile grew, Look down in the well.
Carter shook his head slowly, No.
In fact, I think Its time to finish this.
He raised his knife again and brought it back to Pennys throat.
Hearing her speak, I ripped myself from my terror.
Face streaking with tears and mucus, I charged Carter.
Every step towards him, my body seemed to increase in weight, pulling me to the earth.
He slammed into the side of the well, hard, knocking the knife out of his hands.
We both went down and I hit my head against the stone, stunning me.
The world spun and I heard him growling, already beginning to stand.
I bit my tongue and howled in pain, feeling blood fill my mouth.
Dizzy, I rolled onto my back and stared up at him.
He stepped on my chest and leaned down, his voice raw, You cant stop this.
He quickly jumped back and grabbed Penny, pulling her up and across his shoulders.
I screamed, my voice splintering.
I scrambled up, sobbing, pleading, and gripped the sides of the well.
I looked down into the blackness.
I looked down into the well.
My eyes went wide and the world stopped.
Oh no, I whispered.
Read the whole story of Tommy Taffy.
THE THIRD PARENT by Elias Witherow is now available!here.
