Page 6 of The Haunting of the Mountain

Thunder cracks and I jump, sending the planchette across the board and then skidding on the floor. I take a deep breath and then retrieve it.

“Okay, last question before we call this a bust.” I rub my hands together and then shake out my limbs. “Lumberjack, lumberjack, lumberjack…” I begin in mock seriousness. I knowyou’re not supposed to mock ghosts but a little prodding could do him some good. “I found your cobbler stash. Thank you. It was delicious.”

A crack of lightning illuminates the interior of the cabin, and I shriek when I see that damn corn doll sitting on the rocking chair in the corner of the room. I swear I left that thing in the car. Nell must’ve snuck it back in here. Thankfully, it’s on a chair and not beneath the covers of my bed.

Unless…

No, Nell wouldn’t leave me with two of the dolls, right?

I exhale slowly. I’m cool. It’s the weather that’s getting to me and nothing more. I clear my throat. “Okay. So, last question, lumberjack. Are you going to make an appearance at my bedside tonight?”

I wait for the planchette to move but it refuses.

“Or maybe tomorrow night? I hear you like to stare at people as they—hoooly…”I mutter as I feel the planchette move. “I swear I’m not doing this.”

Right? Or am I feeding into this? Am I—thump, thumpthump, thump!

I barely register the heavy thuds outside as I watch the planchette move toward ‘Yes,’ freezing in place as I turn toward the camera, my mouth open.

Thunder booms and the front door swings open as a dark silhouette of a massive, solid figure steps forward and fills the doorway

I scream, chucking the planchette at it but missing completely. I launch the Ouija board like a frisbee, and it connects with the beast. It grunts and growls and moans as the board falls to the ground.

I don’t know what the hell that thing is but it’s not human. No man is that big and thick and heavy and holy shit, I need to get out of here before Sasquatch makes me his next meal.

I knock the camera off the coffee table as I launch myself over the couch and crawl-run into the bedroom, shutting it firmly and locking it as if that will stop him. I’ve seenThe Shining.I know what axes can do to a wood door.

This. This right here. This is how I die.

Chapter 2

Stone

“What the fuck?”I mutter under my breath as I rub at my chest, dropping my pack onto the ground. Whatever hit me wasn’t heavy, but it was pointy and that sucker hit me square in the nipple.

I pat my chest, my nipple screaming and throbbing against my shirt. It’s wet. But so is the rest of me. Jesus, am I bleeding? Who the hell was that? And why does it look like I just walked in on some satanic ritual? Why are there so many candles?

My entire cabin might go into flames if I make one misstep. I bend down, grabbing whatever the hell struck me in the tit.

“Ouija board. Great.”

I stand back up, sighing as I survey my cabin. It’s not the first time I’ve returned to some unwanted guests. My nephew is supposed to look after it while I’m on extended hunting or guide trips. Guess he wasn’t expecting me to come back early. Neither was I, but I didn’t want to get caught in this storm. I’ll be speaking with him after I figure this situation out.

Something falls behind the door in my bedroom, and the intruder mutters something I can’t make out. I scrub my beard and stand up, heading toward the rocking chair. This is the lastthing I want to deal with. All I want is a good night’s sleep but it’s not in the cards for me.

Something crinkles beneath me as I sit down. I pay it no mind, unlacing my boots. Just as I begin removing one boot, it crinkles again. My imagination gets the better of me and I reach for it.

“Jesus,” I sputter when I see the weird fucking doll in my hand, launching it across the room, regretting my decision immediately when it strikes a couple of candles and knocks them over.

I hop to my feet, struggling to move with one boot on and the other half off. I swear if I roll my ankle or this cabin burns down…

Thankfully, neither happens. I right the downed candles and then toss the creepy ass doll back onto the rocking chair.

After finally pulling off my boots, I sink my face into my hands and rub, trying to wake myself up from this dream. Who the hell did my nephew invite here? What insane ritual are they trying to perform with the Ouija board and doll, well past midnight and with more candles than some religious vigil? Halloween brings out the crazies, and I think I’m stuck inside with one.

I drop my boots at the door and then lock it as thunder shakes the cabin walls. I might be making a mistake locking myself up with whoever this is. I’ve fought beasts before but this is different. And as I make my way to my bedroom, carefully navigating the maze of candles, I’m getting a little nervous.

I pause at the door. The cabin is too quiet. All I hear is the wind and rain slamming against the cabin. I knock and then chuckle softly. Can’t believe I’m knocking on the door like I’m a visitor. There’s no response, so I knock again.

---