Forest Lake: Volume One: Forest Lake, #1

By Guendalyn Brennan

A collection of five tales from Forest Lake, New Mexico.

 

Cabin in the Woods: Allie and her six friends plan on spending their Christmas break at a cabin in Colorado, but what happens when something else in living in that woods as well? Something that would rather be alone?

 

The Cult of Youth: Markus is dragged into a search for the fountain of youth by one of his professors, but they stumble into something far more sinister than he could ever have expected from a tribe living in the jungle.

 

Blood on the Walls: Conway doesn't expect anything out of the ordinary from the room his friend rented out for them in Rome, but it's looking pretty haunted. Lucky him, right?

 

Necromancy & Pyrokinesis: Markus moves to Forest Lake, and he needs Allie's help with a completely legal not at all questionable task. He ends up with Conway's help instead. Maybe it'll work out?

 

Christmas Cheer: It's the first Christmas the gang have together, and while Conway would rather sleep in, Allie is over the moon excited to spend the holiday with Markus. Too bad Markus hates Christmas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Guendalyn Brennan
• Release date: Dec 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781949591095

Guendalyn Brennan

Guendalyn K. Brennan lives in New Mexico with her family, two dogs, and two cats. She has a degree in robotics, and she could have been an engineer if it weren’t for the voices of all the characters that live in her head. In the time that she manages to rip back from the void of YouTube, she likes to make cosplay and plushes of her favorite characters (both other people’s and her own) and to draw as much as possible. She has occasionally dabbled in the agony of animation.

Book preview

In Loving Memory of Clover

The inspiration for Pixel’s sass.

You were the best cat a girl could have.

You will be missed.

Cabin in the Woods

HOW HAUNTED COULD A cabin in the woods really be? Allie said as she stuffed a sweater into her suitcase. She looked over at the shadow crouched in the corner by the other bed’s headboard. Seriously, I’m asking.

Oleander slumped out of the shadows he had made for himself, looking to be pouting that she hadn’t even reacted. I don’t know, he shrugged. It’s been decades since I’ve been to that area.

But it probably can’t be that bad, right?

Why are you worried about the cabin being haunted all of a sudden? I thought you were really excited about this trip.

Allie sighed and sat on her bed. Yeah, but I called my mom to let her know where I’ll be, and Nana yelled that it’s a bad place.

Oleander raised an eyebrow. That’s all she said?

You have no idea what she’s been through! Allie pointed accusingly at him. When she says something’s bad, it is!

Oleander crossed his arms above his head and leaned back against the wall. So what are you going to do?

Allie bit the inside of her cheek and looked over at him. An idea hit her and she grinned. You can come with me!

What? Oleander furrowed his brow.

You can pretend to be my boyfriend again! No ghost’s gonna be stupid enough to do something while you’re there!

Is that all I am to you? Some handsome idiot that you flaunt around and tell people you’re dating?

Don’t be like that, Ollie. She walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. You know I love you. Besides, it’s not like you’ve got anything better to do.

Excuse you! I am a nature spirit! I have a very important job!

Allie smiled softly. Will you help me out Ollie?

Alright. So long as you don’t start making up stories about what our sex life would be like.

I would never, that would be super weird, Allie said with a laugh.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I thought I’d be killed by a ghost here. I’m clearly gonna freeze to death first. Allie rubbed her arms as she shivered, trying to get a little warmth back into them.

She and Oleander were standing out in the snowing open air waiting for Katie’s van to pick them up. The fact that Katie didn’t pick them up at the airport with the others was frustrating, but she and Oleander were pretty late. They were waiting at an old bus stop, the last one on the route. It was just them, the bus sign, one streetlight, and a bench. The bench seemed like it once had an overhang, but that had long since rotted away. The bench itself was pretty questionable too, bowing under the weight of the snow. The fact that no one had bothered to repair it was just annoying. She longed for even the small amount of shelter it would have given.

The soft orange glow of the streetlight didn’t help all that much either, barely illuminating the base of the trees across the street. It was kind of creepy, honestly. Between it and the cold, she was already having some regrets about coming along.

Oleander held out his arms to Allie. Come here.

Allie didn’t even hesitate. She stumbled through the snow to him and leaned against him as he wrapped his arms around her.

How the fuck are you so warm? She grumbled into his chest, pressing her face against his soft sweater.

Jeeze, I wonder.

Allie looked up at him and saw some of the hair that was sticking out from under his beanie was glowing a deep red. It almost wasn’t noticeable.

Oh, yeah, right.

Oleander let out a small chuckle and turned her around so that her back was to his chest. He had his arms around her and both of her hands cupped in his.

Allie sighed and leaned back against him. She could feel the life returning to her frozen fingers. The heat from his hands almost felt like too much after how cold she had gotten, but she wasn’t about to complain about being warm again.

Bright yellow headlights lit up down the road.

Hey, that’s gotta be them! Allie said. She tried to move forward, but Oleander held her back, his grip on her tightening. She looked up at him in confusion.

His eyes were narrowed and he was glaring down the road at the lights. The glow in his hair had disappeared. The streetlight behind them flickered once, twice, three times—then went out with a harsh popping sound.

The world was suddenly dark, save for the headlights coming towards them and the moon. As Allie’s eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings, she noticed a wispy, shifting shadow around her and Oleander that the moonlight didn’t dissipate. She looked up again and stared out at the lights, frowning. The more she looked at them, the less it actually looked like car headlights. It glittered and bounced strangely, and the closer it got the more it looked like fire behind frozen ice. It seemed friendly though; soft and inviting and warm. Warmer than what Oleander was providing her. He had gone cold since his hair had stopped glowing, but his grip hadn’t loosened even slightly.

The lights sped past too fast for her to see anything, whipping up snow around them which obscured the world in a blinding haze of white.

Allie closed her eyes and ducked her face down against the collar of her jacket to hide from from the flurry. When she peeked back out, everything had settled. She couldn’t even see any tracks in the snow.

The light behind them popped again and lit back up, flickering a few times as it did so. The shadow that had surrounded them receded as the light calmed down.

Did you do that? she asked.

The shadow, yeah. Oleander replied.

Why? Friend of yours?

Oleander shook his head. Not sure; I don’t recognize it.

Nana was right, Allie murmured under her breath.

There was the distinct rumble of a diesel engine, but it seemed to be coming from the opposite direction that the lights had come from before. It sounded like it was coming from down the road they had just been on with the bus. Sure enough, the sound was soon followed by glaringly bright headlights poking over the hill that hid what little light from the town she could see out there. The piercing white of the LED brights almost blinded her. She grimaced and covered her eyes against it, listening to the crunch of snow under the tires as the van got close. The van pulled up next to them and the passenger side window rolled down.

Come on Al, get in! Katie yelled, waving at her. We’ve got enough booze and condoms to last a week!

From the volume of her voice, and her uninhibited talk about sex, Allie could tell that good old Catholic-raised Katie was already drunk.

Oleander let go of her and grabbed her bag, and she opened the back most door to find Arthur on top of Damien, the two of them making out as they sprawled across the entire back seat.

Come on guys, can’t I get at least a little help with my bag?

Damien went bolt upright, shoving Arthur up. Sorry Al! The two of them scrambled to untangle themselves, and they were finally able to find a place to stash her suitcase. They sat in their seats, looking like they were trying very hard to look like they weren’t as drunk and horny as they clearly were.

Allie just shook her head and took her seat next to Victoria in the next row up. Oleander hopped in next to her and closed the door.

They took off. Allie saw Katie lean over to the driver, her boyfriend, and ask in what she must have thought was a whisper, Who’s that hot guy Al brought?

Allie smiled to herself, holding back a laugh. Of course. Katie had to have seen how she and Oleander were standing there. It was only natural for that hint of jealousy in her tone to be there.

I don’t know, Nathan grumbled back at Katie.

Probably some last minute hookup so she’s not as sad and alone as Vic.

Go shove a pine cone up your ass, Nate. Victoria flipped him off, reaching over to put her hand right next to his head so that he definitely saw.

Oleander was completely ignoring the shenanigans in the car and was instead staring out the window. Allie figured that he was still concerned about the lights they had seen. She couldn’t blame him, that had been pretty freaky.

She leaned against his shoulder and watched the scenery go by. He responded by putting an arm around her. It was beautiful outside with the way the untouched snow shimmered in the moonlight and the pinetrees’ frozen branches swayed in the gentle wind.

The ride soon became bumpy.

Sorry guys, the bridge is out, so we have to take this road instead. Hold onto your butts. Nathan said.

The car lurched forward, jerking them all, then rolled on, driving over the bumps and the crunching snow.

Victoria laughed a little. Y’know, if I didn’t know better, I’d say it sounds like we’re driving over the skulls of the damned.

Very funny Vic, Damien grumbled. He glared out the window, turning away from her as much as he could.

We could be actually. Arthur leaned forward, practically poking his head between Allie and Victoria. Not crunching under us, but we could be driving over bodies. A lot of mines were around these parts, and a lot of miners died all the time. He paused and frowned, leaning back looking out the window. I’m glad I can’t hear them. They say the dead only scream.

Oleander let out a sharp, surprised laugh that dissolved into a complete giggle fit. Allie had to bite her lip the keep from laughing too.

Arthur frowned. What’s so funny? I’m being serious.

That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard, Oleander said between laughs.

Victoria chuckled as well. You’ve gotta stop reading those spooky stories Artie, they’re messing with your head.

Arthur slumped back in his seat and crossed his arms.

The car bounced one last time and then they were on a smooth road once more.

Trust you me guys, Katie slurred, this cabin is the sexiest place this side of the Mississippi!

It really is a nice place, Nathan agreed.

They turned a bend and the cabin came into view. It was the sort of building that embodied the image of a classic cabin with exposed logs. The front of the house was lifted on thick logs to level it with the hill the back of the house sat on. A wide deck wrapped around the entire first floor. It was matched by a skinnier balcony that was on the second floor. The staircase to the front door spread out at the bottom near the driveway, giving the entire staircase a curved triangle shape. It was a nice place, and it certainly looked expensive.

There was a light on in one of the windows on the upper floor.

Kat, I thought you said this place wasn’t haunted, Damien said. His tone would have been joking if not for how nervous he sounded.

Oh my go-od, Katie groaned. D’ya really think Nate and I were just gonna wait in the car for you guys? We got here yesterday. We left the light on. Would you guys just relax already? It’s not haunted, there’s nothing wrong with the place, my family’s had it for years, and no one’s ever died on or around the house! Jeeze, you guys are killing my buzz.

This is why we can’t have nice things, Nathan added.

They rolled up to the driveway.

I wouldn’t even give a flying fuck if that place actually was haunted, Victoria said as she opened her door, I’ve been freezing my ass off for hours and if it’s warm, then I’m in.

Fuck’s sake! Katie yelled. She got out of the car and stomped up the front stairs and into the house, screaming back, Stop talking about it being haunted!

Sensitive subject, huh? Allie asked.

Nathan huffed. No kidding.

Allie followed Oleander out of the car and started after Nathan who was already on his way up the steps. She looked back to check that Oleander was following her. She found him standing near the bottom step and staring out at the woods.

Ollie? She called out to him.

He glanced up, then over to her. I’m coming.

Arthur and Damien darted past them, carrying their bags. Arthur was giggling a little too manically.

Oleander walked up the stairs at a much more sedate pace. Allie stared past him out at the woods. She couldn’t see anything, but anxiety pooled in her gut nonetheless. She shook her head and pushed the feeling back before it could really take hold. Everything okay? she asked as she turned away from the woods and walked up the stairs with Oleander.

I don’t know, he replied, looking back at the snow covered woods. I really don’t know.

Allie grimaced, but the two of them walked into the house. Oleander set her suitcase by the door, then he sat in the window seat that wasn’t too far from the door.

Katie was sprawled out on the couch with an entire bottle of vodka in her hand. Now that everyone’s here, we can really get this party started!

Yeah! Victoria cheered. Let’s get drunk off our asses so that the horror movie law kicks in and we all die!

Vicci, Allie said, trying to head off the storm. She was too late.

Would you just fucking shut up already? Katie yelled. Christ, do you really have to do this now?

Victoria crossed her arms. I’m just saying that maybe we should chill on the vodka for tonight and do something else.

Arthur saw that as his chance. I’ve got weed!

Not that. Something that doesn’t leave us completely intoxicated, Victoria argued.

This is supposed to be a party! How else are we gonna rock out? Katie snapped even as she cuddled her vodka bottle close to her chest, presumably in a way to protect