Chapter Eighteen #2
Before the beam makes it there, the light catches something above it.
It's another doorway-like hole dug halfway up the wall. Smaller than the entrance of the tunnel, almost like a nook of some sort. What is with this place? I slowly walk over, at first unable to see anything except more darkness but as I get closer and the flashlight illuminates more of the space, I see that the giant opening is filled with countless types of bones and small items. Even though I’m beyond freaked out, I also feel unable to look away.
I scan through the pile and as I get to the top, I see a ragged, teddy bear with a heart stitched onto its stomach.
The intrusive thought that it probably belonged to one of these tiny skulls gets stuck in my mind, but I push it away.
I carefully lean into the opening, unable to control my curiosity when I spot what I think is a camera.
It’s just out of reach, so I have to lean in further; my body is now almost halfway inside.
There’s an overpowering smell of dirt and decay that threatens to trigger my gag reflex, but before I give in, I grab the camera and back out.
I bend over, placing my hands on my knees as I try to get my stomach under control.
Once I catch my breath and successfully hold back my vomit, I pry open the screen, realizing it's actually a camcorder.
I turn it over a few times, blowing the top layer of dirt off before taking a little time to clean it the best I can.
When I find the power button, the camera lights up instantly.
I realize I don’t know how to use it, so I start hitting buttons until an image pops up.
It’s a blurry shot of a young boy who is crying.
The play button starts flashing, which makes me feel unsettled.
I hesitate for a moment before pressing it.
When I do, cries fill the space, echoing around me, causing my skin to crawl.
Both because of how out of control I feel listening to his small cries, but also because of how scared I feel with how loud he is.
I glance around, fumbling with the buttons until I figure out how to turn the volume down.
I set it low enough that I have to bring it close to my face to hear him.
“My name is Carson,” he pauses to sob for what feels like an eternity.
“I was on a camping trip with my family. They… they’re gone.
I don’t know where they are or if they’re still alive.
Something has been following us and… and scaring us.
I think it took my parents. I went to sleep and when I woke up, I was standing outside of our tent and they were gone.
I found a lot of these scattered around our campsite.
” He holds up one of the twig dolls before throwing it away from him.
“I went searching for my parents but one of the things found me. It chased me until I found this tunnel. I’m hiding in here now.
It’s quiet but I can still feel it. It’s watching me right now. ”
Another long pause before he continues, “This isn’t my camera.
I found it here and I’m sorry to whoever I recorded over, but I need to leave…
” A scream comes through the speakers so loudly, it makes a popping noise.
The camera falls to the ground and all that’s left is a black screen and the sound of guttural breathing before it ends.
I press the arrow button, hoping to find more footage from the boy.
There are several more short, indiscernible videos before a man appears with a big smile on his face.
He is laughing as he turns the camera around toward a woman.
She’s beautiful. Long, dark hair trails behind her as she dances and spins through the trees.
She runs up to the camera, laughing then she grabs it from the man and places it on the ground before pulling him into view with her.
She wraps her arms around him and whispers something in his ear and they laugh.
They look happy. He spins her around, her dress flowing around her as they sway side to side.
I can’t be sure, but as the camera was moving I thought I saw the cabin in the background.
Just as I’m about to hit the rewind button, the camera goes black.
I push all the buttons, but it won’t turn back on.
Frustrated, I throw the camera and hear it smash against the wall.
I sit for a while, not moving, almost feeling like I’m in a trance.
I’m numb, my mind is having a hard time processing the whiplash of emotions in the two videos.
An unwanted thought enters my mind. If their camera is here, it means they must be dead.
Followed swiftly by, I’m going to die too.
Just as I’m pushing the negative thought away, I hear a noise.
Something makes a crunching sound from behind me but when I look back, all I can see is the same flickering light.
The sound echoes past me, making it feel like whatever it is, it’s coming toward me.
I’m on my feet with haste as I stare at the corner behind me.
What if it’s Luke? Maybe he’s trying to follow me.
“Hello?” I call out in a shaky voice.
“Hello?” My own voice calls back to me. I tell myself it was only an echo.
“Who’s there?” I’m met with silence for a moment before something answers.