Burnt Mountain Do and Die

By Cheryl Campbell

When Rio Kaiser's family vacation in Yellowstone National Park turns catastrophic, they must return to the hidden world where fears come to life—fears that can kill. In a panic to save the people with her, Rio fails to harness her unusual ability to control the elements which thrusts her and her family into even more danger when they become separated.
Paired with her cousin, Tom, his attempts to help only frustrate Rio more which causes her power to work against her. If Rio cannot recover her special ability, she and her family will perish in the mysterious world of stone men and creatures that are never as harmless as they appear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheryl Campbell
• Release date: Oct 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311322524

Cheryl Campbell

Cheryl Campbell was born in Louisiana and lived there and in Mississippi prior to moving to Maine. Her varied background includes art, herpetology, emergency department and critical care nursing, and computer systems. She lives in Maine and has won awards for both her fantasy and science fiction novels.

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Copyright 2014 Cheryl Campbell

Other Smashwords titles by Cheryl Campbell:

Burnt Mountain The Monster Within - book one in the Burnt Mountain series

Burnt Mountain One in the Chamber - book two in the Burnt Mountain series

The characters, events, and location of Dublin, Maine portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

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This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

For Helen, Jed, Faith, and Michaela

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Beginning

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Sample: Burnt Mountain Rhyllia, book four in the Burnt Mountain series

1

Fifteen-year-old Rio Kaiser perched on a rock with her knees tucked close to her chest. She pulled the hood of her Boston Red Sox sweatshirt over her head and buried her hands deep inside the kangaroo pocket. She occasionally shivered in the cool morning air as she watched the sun slowly rise in Yellowstone National Park. The idea to visit Yellowstone began after Rio watched a documentary on the park, and she sat slack-jawed for much of the movie. She'd seen pictures in books, but the video was stunning. We have to go there, she told her mother, Emma. We have to. Rio loved living in Maine, but her interest in the park expanded into one of the places she had to see during her lifetime and soon.

Rio's father, Colin, died a few months prior to her seeing the documentary, so she understood life could end at any moment. Her quiet mornings alone with the park's sunrise reminded her of him. She missed her father, but she could remember him and smile. Rio had her father's light blue-gray eyes, so she saw him every time she saw her own reflection in a mirror or pool of water. I wish you could be here, Rio whispered. You'd love it.

Since Emma and Rio rarely did anything without the Riley family's presence, plotting for a group vacation began after Rio convinced her mother they must make the journey to Yellowstone. The months between last fall until this summer passed more quickly than Rio ever imagined possible. Ethan Riley moved his family from Birmingham, England to Dublin, Maine. Ethan and Emma married in the spring. Two months later Rio turned fifteen. One month after that, Rio's family left for Yellowstone. All of those months had turned into a frantic blur of activity. But now, life's pace slowed, and Rio enjoyed every second spent in the park.

As the sun peeked over the horizon, Rio's smile broadened. She listened to the birds and wished she'd paid more attention to identifying them by their calls. Her step-sister, Colby, was an expert birder, but Rio could only identify a few species if they sang one at a time. Rio had no idea which birds currently called, but she didn't care. She was content being immersed in the scenery and wildlife though her mind wandered. She thought about the curve ball post-dinner topic her step-father tossed at the family a few weeks prior to their flight to Montana which resulted in an unexpected additional person on the Yellowstone trip.

Stephen wants Tommy to come to Maine for a bit, Ethan said.

Ugh, Colby groaned. We just saw Tommy at Christmas before we moved.

How long is ‘a bit'? Sebastian asked.

Tommy? Aw, Dad, Colby said with a scowl.

Ethan's mouth moved, but words failed to come out. The twins’ negative response unhinged him. He won’t stay too long. Stephen is having difficulty talking to him, and Tommy keeps getting in trouble, Ethan said.

During Emma and Rio’s first Christmas visit to the UK two years ago, Emma showed Rio where she had lived in England and attended college. While there, they visited Ethan and the twins in Birmingham. Ethan had grown up in Scotland, so the group traveled together to visit Ethan's brother and nephew. The following Christmas Emma and Rio repeated the trip. Both vacations to the UK over the past two winters had the same outcome. They had a wonderful time except Tommy barely spoke to any of them while they visited.

Stephen wants him to come here? Emma asked. Ethan nodded, and Emma frowned with thought. Why? she asked.

I just told you, Ethan said.

"No. Why? Emma asked again. Tell me more."

Tommy has always looked up to Dad, Sebastian said.

What Sebas says is true, but Uncle Stephen is obviously fed up with Tommy acting like he's a god. Tommy used to be a lot of fun, but lately he's just a jerk, Colby added.

There is just as much trouble to be found in Maine as there is in Scotland, Emma said. Coming here for a visit with family is one thing, but Stephen shipping Tommy here in an effort to simply keep him out of trouble is the worst possible solution. Don’t forget Burnt Mountain.

We would never tell him about that, Ethan replied. More people knew the dangerous history of Burnt Mountain than Ethan liked, but he would keep the mountain's secrets hidden as much as he could. He refused to tell his brother about the other world they first discovered two years ago and ended up there again last year. We closed all of the portals.

All but one, Colby said. Her father knew of the remaining portal, but she still wanted to remind him since his last comment was inaccurate.

We won't tell him about that one either, Ethan said. His response was sharp. He did not intend to sound so cross, but the conversation was not going as planned. Ethan and his family knew the other world extended from Canada to Maine. Rio sensed nearby portals to the world, and she had found them in England too. They had no proof the world extended to the rest of the United States to the west or south; however, they suspected it did. Some areas had more portals than others. England, per Rio, didn't have many. Maine, on the other hand, had plenty.

Ethan was losing hope his family would allow his nephew to join them for an extended visit. If you don't want him here ... , Ethan said.

That's not it. There are bigger problems between Stephen and Tommy. Will giving Tommy a week or two holiday in Maine fix that? Emma asked.

No, Ethan said. He sighed; Emma was right. If he could get Tommy here for a brief stay, he could spend time with his nephew like they used to when Tommy was younger.

Ethan didn't want to admit it, but he said the words anyway. I think part of the problem with Tommy is his father Stephen works constantly, and I've witnessed his deteriorating relationship with Tommy over the years. Leaving Stephen's employment allowed me to spend more time with my family, but my brother doesn't have the same priorities. Ethan's experiences with the twins, Emma, and Rio over the last two years changed how he thought about everything. Life had become too precious to waste on a job that obliterated time for his family.

Silence lingered in the room.

What if we took him to Yellowstone with us? That would keep him far away from Burnt Mountain, Ethan suggested.

You mean take him to Yellowstone as in him joining us on the trip? Sebastian asked, and his father nodded. Backpacking with Tommy, I don't know, Dad.

I thought this was supposed to be a trip just for us. We're officially a family now. This will be our first trip as such, Colby said.

I know, Ethan replied.

If he's too obnoxious, can we feed him to a bear? Colby asked. Her father frowned, and she laughed. I'm only joking. Sort of.

Emma turned to Rio. Your thoughts?

Rio silently watched the conversation develop. She didn't have the history with Tommy like Sebastian and Colby. Her siblings disliked the idea of Tommy joining the trip, but Rio understood her father's conflicting obligations. She felt everyone deserved second and third chances. Rio’s Aunt Emma didn’t have to adopt Rio when her biological mother died, but she did. Rio appreciated her biological and adoptive parents’ practice of patience and kindness toward others. As a result Rio tried to do the same.

Tommy should go to Yellowstone with us, Rio said.

Pleased with her answer, Ethan smiled. He knew with Rio's approval Emma would agree to have his nephew join them. The twins shrugged, and Tommy was allowed to join the trip.

Three weeks after the discussion the family flew to Montana. Tommy arrived the following day in Bozeman. Ethan picked him up at the airport and took him shopping for gear and clothing for backcountry hiking. Afterward they met the rest of the family and left for the park. The first couple of days in the park they completed a few short hikes and tours until reaching Old Faithful where the backpacking trip started. They made their way six miles into the backcountry before stopping their first night on the trail.

My phone doesn't work. Why are we walking everywhere? I hate these mosquitoes. I hate ticks more. I don't want to get a tick on me. My feet hurt. I'm hungry. Tom Riley's complaints were endless.

Why are we leaving this trail to camp on another one? That means we'll have to retrace our steps tomorrow, right? Tom asked.

That is correct; we will retrace our steps by about a hundred yards, Ethan said.

Tom moaned.

At dinnertime Tom searched for sticks to build a fire. Maybe the smoke would get rid of some of the insects determined to suck his blood.

You can't build a fire at this camp, Tommy. We'll use our headlamps for light and the camp stove for cooking. No wood fires are allowed, Ethan said.

Tom threw the few sticks to the ground. How long is this hike?

Today we started a thirty mile trek, Ethan replied as cheerfully as possible.

"Thirty miles? If you had told me you were dragging me out here for thirty miles I never would have agreed to come. I can't believe this. Did you tell my father you were doing this to me? This is torture. I want to go home, Tom said. He pulled his phone from his pocket and whimpered when he still had no signal. I want to go back. I want to go home, Uncle Ethan."

We can't change our plans. Our reservations are already set and hard to change, Tommy, Ethan said.

Tom.

What? Ethan asked.

Ugh, Tom said as he rolled his eyes and walked away.

Rio was certain wolves would invade their camp after Tommy's series of howling and wailing complaints that followed this new information.

The original plan had been to bring two tents. One was for her parents and one for Rio, Colby, and Sebastian to share. With Tommy added to the trip, Ethan purchased a third tent when he bought the other gear for his nephew. The modified plan for Tommy and Sebastian to share a tent failed before the first night ended. Sebastian moved into Colby and Rio's tent, leaving Tommy to gripe alone. Ethan learned of the tent rearrangement and moved in with Tommy while Emma was left with a tent to herself.

The second day they continued their ascent and crossed the Continental Divide. They camped at 8,000 feet and had a fire. The ground is too hard. I can't sleep. My bug bites itch. The nights are too cold. It's too windy, Tom said.

The wind keeps the bugs away. We have the camp fire tonight too, Ethan said to encourage his nephew.

Tom frowned and walked away from his uncle. That night Tom ate in silence before retreating to his tent. The rest of the family enjoyed the remainder of the evening together.

Day three they descended and completed eight miles to their next campsite at the base of a canyon. It was another full day of complaints from Tommy. Today, day four, was their final hike of the Bechler River Trail in the southwest corner of the park. After three full days of Tommy grousing and pouting in the backcountry, Rio was ready to stuff Tommy into a small box and ship him back to Scotland. Colby's option of feeding him to a bear remained a possibility too.

Despite her issues with Tommy, Rio wished the hike would continue. She also wanted her solitude with the sunrise to last longer. Her family would emerge from the tents soon. The quiet would disappear, and her cousin's complaints would begin. Rio's smile faded. She tried to like Tommy, but he made it difficult. At one point in her life, Rio had wished for a large family with plenty of cousins. Tommy now had her rethinking the wish.

Rio stifled a yawn as she shifted her rump to a more comfortable spot on the rock. Her wandering memories of how Tommy came to join their backpacking trip in the park vanished when she spotted deer in the distance. The deer eventually wandered out of sight, but Rio still smiled. This was the best hiking trip and vacation she had ever had, and the morning was off to a great start. She heard the sound of a tent zipper being unzipped and re-zipped. A few moments later her mother joined her.

Emma kissed her daughter on the top of the head and sat beside her. They remained silent and enjoyed the sunrise together.

2

Colby, Sebastian, and Ethan eventually emerged from their slumber and joined Emma and Rio. The twins had already been her best friends before her mother began dating the twins’ father. Rio adored Ethan as her new father. The major life changes affected all of them, but they were learning to adjust. They still irritated each other at times, but Rio wouldn't change a thing. This was her family. Her parents and siblings were the center of her world.

I'm hungry, Colby broke the silence.

Others agreed and the stillness ended.

Tom didn't emerge from his tent until he smelled food. He stumbled off into the brush to relieve himself. Peeing in the woods was the only good thing thus far he found to camping in the backcountry. He steadfastly refused to poop in a hole in the ground. He might need a laxative by the time he got off this wretched trail, but he didn't care.

Emma noticed Ethan watching his nephew walk away. She saw lines of fatigue etched on her husband's face. How was last night?

He's so angry. Angry at his father, at me, the world, everything, he said as he put the lid on a bear proof canister containing their food.

They kept the food pack hoisted on a rope high on a pole away from their campsite to keep it out of reach from bears and to keep the bears away from the campsite. After eating this morning, they would wash all dishes, stow the food back in proper canisters, and put the canisters back in Ethan's pack. The food would come out again when they stopped for lunch.

Why is he mad at you? Emma asked. She tried to keep her voice down, but she knew the teen trio of Rio, Colby, and Sebastian listened to their conversation.

I took his phone away last night. I couldn't take his complaining about it any longer. Maybe this was a bad idea.

Too late to back out now, Emma said.

I didn't realize he was going to be like this. I'm sorry if he's ruining the trip for everyone else, Ethan said as he looked at Rio and the twins.

I just tune him out, Colby said.

Me too, Sebastian added.

And you? Ethan directed the question to Rio.

I can honestly say I'm glad I don't have to share a tent with him, but I've learned to ignore him too. There are too many great things to see and do out here to bother with listening to his latest gripe, Rio replied.

Ethan sighed. His children were good sports, but he still felt bad for pushing this idea on them and practically begging them to allow Tommy to join the trip.

We have only been out here a few days. We'll be off the trail tonight and on to other parts of the park tomorrow. Things may get better, Emma said.

Or worse, Ethan frowned.

No need to be negative, Ethan, Emma said as she patted him on the shoulder and smiled. She lit the small backpacking stove and cooked oatmeal for breakfast.

Tom was starved. He shuffled his feet as he walked. He felt tired and annoyed with sleeping on the ground. The bugs bothering him all day added to his misery. He was paranoid about ticks and frequently checked bare skin for unwanted parasites. Oatmeal again? We had that yesterday, the day before, and the day before that.

Yes, and we're having it again today, Ethan said as he forced a smile. Take a seat with the rest of us and eat an apple while we wait.

I don't like apples, Tom said. For once it wasn’t just a complaint; he truly didn't like apples. Got anything else? He asked and continued to stand. He didn't want to sit on the hard ground, and he didn't want to sit on the even harder rocks. He watched Uncle Ethan light a second stove and start boiling water. Tom hated this place. He knew he was going to catch some sort of disease after drinking water they had to boil first to make it safe to consume.

Would you prefer a pear? Emma asked.

I'll have one of those, Tom said. He noticed the frown on his uncle's face. Please, he added, and Uncle Ethan's scowl disappeared slightly. May I have my phone back? Tom tried to be polite though he thought his uncle's confiscation of the phone unjust.

No, you may not. It's turned off and stowed for the rest of this hike.

But-

None of the phones work here. I will return it to you when we reach the hotel.

When will that be?

Tomorrow, Ethan said.

I thought we got out of here today, Tom whined.

We hike much of the day today. The terrain is mostly flat, so it will be less strenuous, Ethan replied. He almost said the hike would be easy, but chose not to do so. Though the terrain was flat, they still needed to wade through streams. Wet socks were his nephew's second most common complaint with first place still held by bothersome insects. We arrive at the ranger station then take the shuttle to West Yellowstone to the hotel for a night. I imagine you'll be too tired after all of that to bother with phone calls. Ethan deliberately failed to mention the shuttle ride would take four hours.

I have a girlfriend at home, Tom protested.

You can call her tomorrow, Ethan replied. They would have one night in the hotel before heading back into the park for a few more days.

Emma was pleased Ethan controlled his temper thus far. Tom was frustrating him, but Ethan remained calm, for now. She tried to divert the escalating conversation. Here's your pear, Tom, she said as she handed it to him.

Tom snatched the pear from her hand and frowned with thoughts of another full day with the bugs; his appetite disappeared.

Would it kill you to thank your aunt for the pear? Ethan asked.

She's not my aunt. Just because you marry someone doesn't make them instant family, Tom said with a growl and looked at Rio. He didn't know why Colby and Sebastian were so close to Rio. His own cousins by blood preferred the orphan over him.

Ethan took in a deep breath before speaking. Fine. You don't have to call her your aunt. You can still show some respect.

Tom sneered at his uncle. How about I call her a bi-, he cut off the last word, startled by his uncle's face millimeters from his own.

"If you think you can insult my wife or my children, all three of them, and get away with it, think again, Tommy."

Tom was shocked but chose to press his luck. He'd challenged his father and got away with it many times. He wanted to know how far he could push his uncle. Perhaps with enough pestering he might get his phone back. What are you going to do about it? For a moment Tom thought he'd won the challenge when Uncle Ethan moved away from him.

Ethan picked up a baseball-sized rock from the ground and held it in his hand.

Are you going to hit me with that? Tom asked and recoiled away from his uncle.

No, but I will not tolerate your disrespectful comments directed at my family, Ethan growled. He squeezed his fingers, bursting the rock to pieces.

Tom shouted with both fear and surprise and quickly retreated farther away from his uncle. How did you do that?

Ethan cleared his throat and picked up a small towel. He took a moment to calm himself. Are you having oatmeal with us this morning? Ethan asked as he wiped the dust from his hand with the towel.

No! How did you break the rock? Tom asked. He still held his pear, clutching the fruit like it might protect him from his freakishly strong uncle.

Take your pear and pack your gear. We're heading out after breakfast, Ethan said. He ignored his nephew and returned to helping Emma with the meal.

Tom sputtered a weak protest before leaving with his piece of fruit, cautiously taking a bite and glancing back at his uncle. He wasn't sure what had happened, but he witnessed Uncle Ethan crush a rock with his hand. Such a feat was impossible, but he saw him do it.

Colby grinned broadly as her father spooned oatmeal into her bowl. That was fantastic, Dad.

He shouldn't have done that in front of Tommy, Sebastian whispered.

I thought you couldn't crush big rocks anymore. You lost that extra strength after we left the other world, Rio said.

He made me furious. Somehow I knew I could break it today though I haven't been able to do it for almost a year. Then again, I haven't been so angry before today, Ethan said. He took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. Adrenaline still coursed through his veins after his nephew made him angry. The boy needs to learn to respect others. How did Stephen fail to teach him that? he muttered.

Emma frowned. Tom is ignorant of the other world. We have to be cautious what we say and do around him, she said and glanced at Ethan. He will start to ask questions. I know he's being a pain right now, but he's smart, very smart. Try to act normal around him.

But we're not normal, Colby said.

"We know you're not," Sebastian grinned.

And you are? Rio asked her brother.

The three shared a chuckle at their playful banter, and Emma nodded. Yes, just like that. Finish eating and pack up. We have a long day today.

Tom peeked out around his tent and watched his cousins. They sat unfazed by Uncle Ethan's strength, his abnormal strength. Perhaps the rock was already cracked or otherwise weakened. His cousins now joked and laughed with each other, and he realized they already knew about his uncle's ability to crush rocks with his bare hands. How did he get so strong? His uncle was tall and muscular, but he didn't have the build of someone that could crack rocks like they were eggs. The massive pack Uncle Ethan carried during their hikes contained the heaviest of the camping gear, and his uncle carried it effortlessly. Tom remembered he thought he would get a hernia when he tried to pick up his uncle's pack.

He wanted to learn more about his uncle, but he'd have to watch and listen and try to ask the right questions when possible. Tom could figure this out given enough time. His uncle had a secret, and Tom wanted to know what it was. He looked at the pear in his hand; it had a couple of bite marks in it where he nibbled at it. With his other hand, he picked up a nearby rock.

Tom squeezed the rock and only managed to make his hand sore. He rolled the rock in his hand before tossing it aside. He looked at the pear and squeezed. The fruit's flesh ruptured and squished through his fingers, covering his hand in the sweet juice. With a frown he tossed the pear into the woods and wiped his wet hand across his trousers. After pouring water over his hand to wash the rest of the stickiness off, Tom ducked into the tent to start packing.

Only a few more hours of this hell and he'd be at a hotel where he could pretend to call his nonexistent girlfriend and instead call his father and insist on an immediate flight home. Tom couldn't handle another week rotting in the wilderness. They called this backcountry hiking and camping; he called it a nightmare.

3

The large, brown bear raked her nose over the ground and found the source of the sweet smell. She devoured the tasty fruit and licked the juice from the ground. She enjoyed the sweet treat and searched for more food. She found another small area and licked more sugary droplets from the grass. The bear lifted her snout in the air. She smelled traces of the fruit and followed her nose. She’d eaten food from careless humans before, so all she had to do was find the one that left the fruit and she’d find more food.

---

Rio was thankful Tommy kept his whining to himself today. She thought she always had a lot of patience, but Tommy pushed her limits. She wanted to like him. He may be her cousin by marriage, but he didn't make it easy to befriend him. Sebastian and Colby were far more fun to be around. The family took their time packing their gear after breakfast, and they strolled for a few hours on the trail. They could have finished the hike out already, but Rio and the others, excluding Tommy, took their time with the scenery and side trails. They planned to stop for a rest and to eat in a meadow with a meandering stream.

Upon reaching the meadow, Rio walked ahead through the tall grass to the stream. She opened her hands and enjoyed the light, tickling sensation as the grass brushed against her fingers. The flatness of the terrain was a stark contrast to the Continental Divide they crossed two days ago. Rio wandered along the stream and halted when she felt a familiar feeling in her chest. She previously described the sensation to her mother as a deep, internal shiver. Rio waited a moment, and the external shiver followed as expected. There was a portal to the other world nearby. The same world at Burnt Mountain did extend this far west. She walked upstream and searched for the doorway.

At other entrances she found before, a strange-shaped rock or other object was near the portals. Burnt Mountain was an exception. That portal lay hidden beneath the pond next to the mountain and could only be activated by disturbing the water. A rock, a length of rope, or a person in the water created a funnel that pulled the object or person down into the cave and world under the mountain. Burnt Mountain was easy to enter and impossible to leave without a rope or other means of climbing out. Swimming up through the water vortex to get out of the world was futile. Other portals were simple, underground tunnels between the two realms. Once in the hidden world, fears that came to life hindered a visitor’s chance of survival.

She didn't spot a rock or a hole in the ground as she searched along the stream. Certain she was in the right area Rio paused to survey her surroundings. The sunlight flickered in an area of the air that made it appear like shimmering heat. The portal's sheen reminded her of how asphalt looked on hot days when seeing the heat rise from the black surface. That's how this area appeared, but it wasn't on the ground or in the water. This portal was in the air a few inches above the grass. Someone walking through the grass by the stream could step through this doorway and suddenly be in the other world.

Rio realized she had wandered farther away from the group than