The Cabin: The Cabin of Nightmares, #1

By N. C. Ferrao

This is a nightmare!

She tried hard, to stand still, to control her trembling, to squeeze her thumping heart. Holding onto the razor-sharp scalpel that suddenly felt heavy.
Murder? No, that was not a part of the plan.

When Ohio based Aria decided to join her friends on their camping trip in a secluded location, deep in the forests of Dandeli; she was looking forward for that last dashing weekend before heading for college.

But then, two strangers join. When Anya introduces her mysterious boyfriend, Kai and his cheerful, and yet over-friendly best friend Rylan; Aria feels something is off.

Initially, everything seems fun, but when Rylan suggests they spend the weekend at his Cabin, Aria couldn't shake off the feeling that they can't come back from what they are going into.

THE WEEKEND NEVER ENDED!
As secrets are uncovered, a sinister plan unfolds. And deaths follow.

Will they make it out alive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: N. C. Ferrao
• Release date: Sep 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393379218

Book preview

PREFACE

This is a nightmare!

She attempted to stand still, shaky hands holding onto the razor-sharp scalpel that suddenly felt heavy.

I can’t do this, she whispered. Tears welled up in her eyes as she forced herself to come to terms to her situation.

Do it.

The tone was enough to send shivers down her spine.

Ye. yes ma. master, she managed to hold herself from falling over. I will do it.

She had to. There was no other way.

She looked at the girl before her. Her eyes were shut tight, breathing in shallow gasps, wrists bound behind her back with a rope onto a heavy wooden chair. On any other day she would have looked beautiful with her fair skin, curly brown hair, and sweet dimples.

But today, she looked as if someone was trying to squeeze the life out of her.

Ready?

He was getting impatient.

She nodded and pressed the blade against the poor girl’s skin.

Oh God! Please forgive me.

CHAPTER 1

I watched the trees as they played by through the cold windowpane. My fingertips burned at the frigid weather as I attempted to jam them into my hoodie pockets to provide some relief.

Goa, a small state on the western coast of India. Yes, that’s where we were.

The wind pushed on the car to no avail. Leaves slapped against either side, leaving behind splashes of water. Tires made their monotonous hiss over the rain-washed road, splattering mud.

This is getting messy, Anya murmured.

We knew the rain was evident. It was July, the monsoon season in India. And yet we chose this trip. Our best friend Matt had been following the weather forecast since the day we arrived from Ohio. That would be two days. I didn’t say he is perfect. We didn’t expect heavy rain until day after and so planned a short one-night camping trip in the forests of Dandeli, North Karnataka.

You would think the showers would be less messy in Ohio, she laughed.

I couldn’t help but smile. I grew up in Ohio, never leaving the city until now. And although it rained there too, this felt different. The experience was fresh - dark and chilly. The aura gave me goosebumps and I loved it.

Anya was born in Goa to Goan father, Charlie and American mother, Mary Fernandes. Her parents split when she was 10, and that was around the same time her mom got a job offer in Ohio and they moved in next door. We have been friends ever since. She spent almost all summers with her dad. Since his demise, this is the first time she is here.

Anya fiddled with the radio, landing at the latest Hindi tunes. She knew a few sentences in Hindi and was fluent in Konkani, something her dad taught her during her visits. Both were enough to help get us around Goa.

I rolled the window down and closed my eyes, feeling the wind gushing against my face, followed by tiny droplets of rain that sent shivers down my body.

It’s in my list to see a tiger up close... I learned there are some scary creatures out there...

I know I should be more attentive, but the beauty of nature had me captivated.

Aria?

Uh, huh, I shook my head.

You weren’t listening? she frowned and shook her head.

I pursed my lips. I had done it again. I tend to wander in my thoughts. Sometimes Anya made fun of me, but at present, her eyes carried a sense of coldness.

We are on our way to an amazing picnic in the forest on the outskirts of Goa, and you look like I am taking you to the dentist. She said rolling her eyes.

I was... just thinking, I replied, at last, giving her a sheepish look. I’m sorry, I whispered, knowing in a minute or two she would chatter away about her long to-do list.

True to say, in less than five minutes, all I heard was how this trip will change our lives.

Oh yes, the trip.

Cool air blew my long dark brown hair in my face. I tilted my head, feeling the breeze against my face. I looked at the girl in the side mirror, a simple oval face with light brown eyes and high cheek bones. Not bad, I whispered.

I wasn’t too keen on makeup or getting ready, and Anya constantly disagreed on that.  You need to dress up for yourself, she would say.

I smiled and leaned back on my seat, tucking my hair behind my ear. I was just in time to see a Red Jeep race past us. Anya didn’t notice it in time as it came to a sudden halt. She stepped on the brakes, having me flying forward only to be caught by my seatbelt. I fell back on my seat, heart racing a billion times per second, and breath matching its pace.

CHAPTER 2

Matt! Anya growled, pointing at the beaming boy before us.

It didn’t take her long to unbuckle her seatbelt and jump out. She stomped towards Matt and screamed at him for almost killing us. Even with all the tension and anger, I found Matt smiling, his left dimple now proudly showing itself. He got out of the car, lifted his muscular hands, and hugged Anya so tight that almost had her gasping for breath.

Hello, beautiful, he said, releasing her and running his hand over his dark brown hair. His gray T-shirt was tucked into his blue jeans portraying his abs.

Anya pushed his chest with all her strength, moving him an inch from his spot. Don’t you ever do that again.

Matt and I were friends long before Anya came into our lives. I couldn’t imagine life without him. He’s always been there for me. His father died when he was 5 years old and had since been living with his mother and her abusive boyfriend, Greg. They fought almost every day. The most recent resulted in Matt leaving his house for this trip. His mother was not happy, but Greg felt otherwise.

I remember the day my ex, Kevin, started harassing me after school. Matt and he got into a fight, and in that, Matt broke his nose. Our Principal, Mr. Howard had to call his stepfather. The result was not a pleasant picture.

Why did we stop here? A sweet, low pitched voice caught my attention.

Zoe, Matt’s cheerleader girlfriend, popped her head from the window. The weather sucks. Eww. She slapped her palm against her shoulder. Picking a tiny mosquito and tossing it out the window. Almost immediately she pulled out a tiny bottle of sanitizer and wiped her hands clean. Are we there yet?

Zoe and Matt had been dating for about a month now. Being blonde and attractive is her A-card. She is self-obsessed and narcissistic. I think you get the picture.

Anya and Zoe’s hatred for each other were mutual, and I tried to stay as far away from the drama as possible.

A little more, Matt replied.

Matt came up with the amazing idea of a two-week camp in the wilderness and Anya suggested Goa. The thought of insects and wild animals did not thrill me...I slapped my hand and scratched at the tiny bump that had now formed on my skin. Zoe wasn’t too excited either. So it all came down to me.

Seeing that once high-school results are out, we would go our separate ways for college, I thought this could be our last time together and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

You girls thirsty? Matt’s head was arched deep into the trunk of Anya’s black sedan.

Yep. Anya and I answered.

I believe we are in the right path, he said, tossing us each a can of orange soda. This trip is taking a lot longer than expected.

Anya and I nodded in unison.

Are you sure about the path? Anya asked, wiping her lips. All I can see are trees. Even I am not sure about this place.

I checked the map, Matt said, and we sighed.

Matt had printed out a map of the route between Goa and the camping destination in Dandeli. He said he was 98% certain, so we took his word for it.  Trees and no signs surrounded the route. It was impossible to gather how far we had come.

Zoe slipped out of the car, lifting her cellphone, twisting it in different directions. From the obvious frustration on her face, I knew it was all in vain, but I didn’t open my mouth. Anya didn’t need a stop sign. This is a forest area, you can’t get a signal, she shouted. I almost spat my drink, trying not to laugh.

Zoe’s face turned red, and she pushed the phone into the back pocket of her jeans. I know that, she snapped. I was just trying to take a selfie.

We both knew that was not true. For an 18-year-old girl, Zoe looked younger. I mistook her for 16 when Matt introduced us.

Anya, on the other hand, was 5’8, similar to Matt’s height, and had a slim figure. She wore a red off-shoulder top and blue jeans, her jet-black hair as usual tied up in a ponytail.

I think we should set up our tents in a nearby area. It will be dark soon, Matt said. 

Anya nodded. What about our actual location?

Let’s see about that tomorrow. I don’t think driving in the dark would do any good. And the weather doesn’t look like it’s in our favor either.

After a few minutes of discussion, we decided on driving a little further to find some open space. 

I chugged down the last of my orange juice and threw the can into a disposable plastic bag. Zoe’s fingers were circling her jeans pocket. Anya turned to me and winked before getting into the car. She was enjoying this.

We were back on the lonely road. The wind ruffled the tree leaves as we raced past. The thrill and excitement of screaming into the open wilderness had worn down. We were now hungry and tired. The juice calmed my rumbling stomach, but we needed to camp.

Matt’s hand sign suggested a direction and Anya followed. Soon, blocks of open spaces replaced the dense forest, enough to set up our tents and make a bonfire. I let out a deep moan and smiled. My back couldn’t make the drive anymore and I was sure it was the same with Anya.

As Matt started unloading the tent items from his jeep, Anya and I pulled out our mini-backpacks from our car.

I noticed Zoe slipping away. She would...

My mind didn’t get the chance to complete the thought before she pulled out her phone and started checking for reception. I wondered if I should too. I hadn’t spoken to mom since this morning and I was sure she is worried. Mom was not too keen on me being away from home, but dad convinced her otherwise.

How else will she learn? He had argued, shaking his head and pointing at me. I wanted to jump and hug him that very instant, but mom’s tense expression had me statued.

After about a week of discussion, mom finally gave in.

By the time we completed the tent set up, I found my aching back craving for support, my legs gave up and hands felt like I needed someone to fist bump them to get some relief. Matt looked like he had ploughed the field, Anya flopped on the ground, and Zoe was busy clicking selfies. Anya almost snapped at her twice, but Matt and I stopped her. We are not her servants, she growled.

Time for some bonfire horror stories, Matt raised his can.

Crisp comforting beams of sparks filled the close spaces, the density of the smoke supplementing the already hot, heavy atmosphere. Tingles of smoke and timber brushed my fingertips like small fireflies. I could feel my hair glistening, tonsils experiencing a wealth of charcoal burning, and heat. The kindling material illuminated the air, protruding blades of fire and light into the starry skyline.

Anya pulled out a can of beer and took a sip. Zoe slapped herself several times, trying to get rid of the mosquitoes, leaving behind an almost visible handprint. I knew Anya was on the

Reviews for The Cabin

[Trisha Cruz · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Poorly written. Interesting premise but the story was underdeveloped and incoherent.

[Sandra Smit · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

It is gruesome and sick .I will never read a book like this again!

[Paulette Schreiber · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Nothing about this book was good. It was really bad

[Dilan D'Almeida · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's a wonderful thriller book.. Great work by the author

[Renzy Dayrit · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Cabin is a 175 pages story so if you like thriller books
that you want to finish in one sitting I'll suggest this one.
The languange is simple yet the story is very interesting.
The author knows when to put the twist so the reader will
continue reading it. This book is all about a group of
friends go on camping who met two stranger and invited
them to stay on the cabin because of the heavy rain.