Lake Still
A Mystery Horror Story
Through mighty highways that branches into dirt roads far away from urban civilization you find a place in the heartland of America not unique in any way yet so very exotic. A place where the sun casts inviting shadows in the summer then highlights its absence in the winter. Where the mountainsides envelopes the land forming valleys and lakes which waters runs deep and ancient. There you find a small town called Lake Still. Lake Still boomed in the early 20th century when a logging company took root in the town. The company, who took interest in the plentiful pine trees, grew rapidly over the upcoming years drawing hopeful workers from counties around. In the sixties due to foresting, the preservation of forests and environmental awareness the company officially went bankrupt. Nowadays the logging co is much smaller and owned by townsfolk. Many of the people who once brought their families and futures to the town stayed and now make up the society of this very ordinary place. Still there is something very tangible, some say it is in the fresh cold air, a breeze that whispers about natures own history, stories before man left its imprint. Others talk about the waters. They say the heart is the lake and it pumps its waters in creeks stretching and affecting everything. The waters of the lake have since the founding of the town and long before been credited with magical properties. But myth and legends exists everywhere, often discarded as hearsay of less educated folk. So what lies beneath are you ready to solve the mysteries of Lake Still, willingly or not.
The Sun was setting yellow transforming to red as at it cut the horizon. Christopher Wilson gazed at the scenery in front of him. The mighty canyon and its depths only separated by a low railing. He stood there awhile breath-taken by the splendor of nature. At this hour the light did not reach all the way down to the lake, so it appeared as a dark blanket layered across the bottom. Chris forced his attention from the canyon and turn it to a road-sign to his right. It perpetrated a general map of the area around the lake and its way points. Although the The Conference Center was very visible as it toward over the depths on the northern side, finding the right way was quite difficult. Roads turned vertically and horizontally with no apparent consistency as they wrapped themselves around the mountainside. The LSCC:H&B looked ominously inviting, an oasis in desolate terrain drawing one closer. Chris gave it another try as he pressed the Google maps app on his phone. Yeah that wasn't gonna help him he thought as he turned his attention to the board once again.
The coffee tasted like something one could expect to get on a gas station in the middle of nowhere. It was sour enough to fit his mood but gave him the kick he needed. Acerbus had been driving for hours the exact amount lost over the many radio-stations which had kept him company. He did reckon that Lake Still was just a dirt road away, still It didn't hurt to fill up the tank him and the car alike. The gas station was placed on the left side of the highway that passed Lake Still, it was the only stop to get fuel for miles. The inside was separated by a counter on the one side a shop and on the other a diner. In a booth next to the window side sat a rather attractive young man, at least if one could disregard the gloom that he emitted. "Here you go handsome" Acerbus Marshale turned away from the window. The waitress pretty, ordinary but pretty. She had long auburn hair and inviting hazel eyes. Sensing his dark mood she attempted to counter it with her own warm positive energy. Not unsuccessfully he thought as he return her smile. The waitress kept talking as she plated his pancakes. "Going up to Indianapolis? "Actually I'm visiting Lake Still"
"Oh" "she paused" "
"Something wrong" Acerbus asked softly.
"No we get your kind as well, not just as often. Is it your first time?"
"Yes how is it?"
"Oh I never been, I hear its beautiful though" She filled his glas. "If you need anything else don't be a stranger." As flirtatious as that could have been said Acerbus felt as her smile had lost a little warmth. He bore it no mind as he dug into his meal. Later when he tipped her they didn't exchange many words. The evening came creeping the asphalt road took him west. When he passed the Lake Still welcoming sign somewhere inside him he felt Well can't turn back now.
Cliff felt unsure on where to park his car. The parking lot before The Conference Center was extensive so it wasn't a matter of finding a spot rather the opposite. In a lot that easily could facilitate 30 cars only 5 were now station there spread lonely. The -91 Ford Ranger although an impressive vehicle in size there shouldn't be any problem to double park. Still he wasn't sure of the policies of a place like this, Cliff wasn't really accustomed to places like this or any hotel for that matter. Finally he decided to park it in the left end side, far from any other car. The ride over here hadn't been to troublesome for him, he was familiar with tough roads and well versed in reading road maps. Fred his late friend often talked about the impressive nature. Now Cliff wasn't the most easily impressed guy in the world, still even he couldn't help to gasp when observing as he stood close to the edge. At this side the roads ended by the foot of the center. From this point up it would be impossible to go by any vehicle. Where he stood he wondered if he could spot Fred's house. There were a number of cabins, he could count at least 13 that he could see. Well that didn't do him any good though, Fred never told him about any cabin, only of his home by the riverbed. Cliff removed his cap placed it in his hands then proceeded towards the stone steps leading up.
It was possible that the bus had a predetermined route with stops, but accounted Sam there were only four people as the bus entered Lake Still. So the driver simply asked them about their destination. Two of them were cabin owners and asked to be dropped at an outdoor house and Sam together with a tiny old lady with thick glasses at the LSCC:H&B. Sam put away her copy of Stephen Kings Cell, the bus driver had instructed people to keep their eyes peeled at the windows for the views would be something else. This was her boyfriend's hometown, not that he ever spoke of it. That is why she was surprised when he suddenly suggested it. But it seemed the perfect place to get away from everything and god knows she needed a vacation. The landscape was mesmerizing, the canyon, the valleys, the roads turning in any direction, cabins, wooden towers and more much more. They stopped at a fork, in the middle there was a building probably empty because it was dark. The driver opened the sliding doors and announced: "We have arrived at stop one the outdoor housing and restrooms of" He stopped in thought then grinned at the two men about leave. "Well you know where you are" They nodded and left, seemingly a bit too tired to respond to the quirkiness of the driver. Sam were almost at the doors asking while moving not thinking there would be any problem with her inquiry. "Can I take a look?" One of the roads interjecting with forks went left and then proceeded down the canyon. At its side one could stand by the rails and take a look by the edge. Sam was dying to get a better view.
"No" The driver closed the doors in front of her.
"It's gonna get dark soon I want to get off the mountainside before it does"
Sam frowned but only for a second, the argument made sense, but she was still disappointed. As the bus turned right and moved upwards instead she the men at the outdoor house. One of them hurried into in to the restrooms located on the back, the other entered the main building through a door on the side. 15 minutes later the bus stood before a pair of gates. They were graciously opened beyond them laid the center.
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