A Modest Collection of Moderately Unsettling Horror

By Brock Law

Creatures, ghosts, demons, and Hell itself. Just a little something to make you think twice before wandering out at night.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brock Law
• Release date: Apr 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224216253

Book preview

Greenman

I always forget how dark the night really is. No wonder people have such an innate fear of it. You think you know dark places in the city, but then you come out here and you can barely see the next tree. It’s so eerie, said Madeline.

It’s beautiful. So nice to be truly disconnected, Cherry replied.

Definitely peaceful, Brooke offered, but definitely a little scary.

Madeline added, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Milky Way before. Isn’t that sad?

Me neither, Allison chimed in. This is going to sound stupid, but it’s amazing. It doesn’t even seem real, like it’s CGI. I should have gone camping when I was younger.

Yeah, this was a great idea. I don’t think I ever would have done this on my own, said Madeline.

Brooke replied, I probably wouldn’t have either if my boss hadn’t mentioned it. Our family used to camp when my brothers and I were little, but it has been a long time. Too many bugs for me.

It’s not bad right now, said Cherry. The breeze and the fire help.

And the canned vodka tonics. Anyone want another? Brooke asked.

The other three eagerly raised their hands. Brooke got up, headed to the cooler, retrieved a can for each, passed them out, and plopped back into her folding chair.

Allison agreed, Yeah, at least it’s a cool night, unlike the city. Nice sleeping weather, which will feel great after that hike. I’m going to be so sore tomorrow.

Madeline remarked, I know, I am so out of shape. I thought my legs were going to break. How did you make it up that last hill so fast, Brooke? You were like a mountain goat.

I’m in heels every day. Hiking boots felt great for a change, Brooke said with a giggle.

Madeline asked, Has your boss let you stay here before?

No, this is the first time I have been out here, Brooke answered nonchalantly.

Madeline continued, Does he let other coworkers camp here?

I don’t know, and I’m not sleeping with him, if that’s what you’re asking, Brooke remarked.

Madeline laughed, Ok, ok. Just checking. I mean, rich middle-aged guy with his own real estate business, I thought, why not?

Eww gross, Brooke laughed. Not my type. Besides I have plenty of wealthy clients that would be a lot higher on my list.

Allison butted in, Have you hooked up with clients before?

Brooke thought a moment, perhaps a little too long for sincerity’s sake, I have had clients try, went on a couple portfolio lunches that kind of turned into dates, but no, not really.

Madeline wondered, Are you up for a big promotion or something?

Kind of, actually. My boss wants to develop part of this land and sell it off. He’s putting me in charge. It’ll be my first project lead, Brooke explained.

What, why? It’s so peaceful here, Cherry contested.

Just another investment for him, I guess, Brooke responded.

That’s a shame. It’s not like he’s starving. There are so few wildlands left in this part of the state. Every half acre has a million dollar ‘cabin’ on it, Cherry protested further.

That’s exactly why my boss wants to build here. Returns are incredible in this area right now. He says he can get five lots carved out of this parcel for luxury vacation homes. This way a few families can really enjoy the land. It’s a great place to bring kids to experience nature, said Brooke.

I suppose, Cherry conceded. If it were mine, though, I would preserve it.

My boss isn’t really the woodsy type. Anyway, apparently, the family never comes out here, Brooke replied.

Any chance you can convince him to turn it into a low impact minimalist campsite for eco-tourists? Cherry asked hopefully.

Doubtful, and probably wouldn’t help me expand my role with the company, but it’s not like we’re building a strip mall. Well, maybe a small gas station by the road, Brooke admitted.

Oh no, don’t, Cherry cried.

I think he is going to hang on to some it, at least for now. It’s just this section he wants to sell off, said Brooke.

Why this section? The little creek is so pretty, Cherry inquired.

Brooke took a nervous gulp of her drink and tried to respond casually, Some weird old stories, family tragedy, I guess. They’ve had the land for a few generations. His great grandfather, or something, disappeared out here like a century ago.

What happened? Madeline asked apprehensively.

It’s creepy. There are some old legends about this place, Brooke said with a withering tone.

Yay! A real ghost story to tell around the campfire, perfect, Allison celebrated.

I don’t know about that. It’s not really a story. My boss just kind of let it slip at a holiday party that there was some history around this place. I found some articles when I was researching it for this project.

Tell it, tell it, tell it, Allison insisted.

Brooke attempted to change course, Honestly, these woods are spooky enough in the dark. Don’t forget we all have to sleep alone in our own tents tonight.

If it’s part of the history of the land, let’s hear, Cherry encouraged.

Brooke replied, How about I tell you over a nice safe happy hour back in the city?

I don’t think we actually want to hear this, Madeline questioned as the dread mounted in her voice.

Not really, Brooke remarked quietly.

No, we want to hear it, Allison whined. It wouldn’t be a camping trip without ghost stories.

Fine, tell it. I’ll never sleep tonight anyway, Madeline lamented.

Brooke responded hesitantly, Are you sure? I was actually hoping the alcohol would take my mind off of it.

Allison reared back with theatrical terror, Oh god, it’s that bad?

Brooke shrugged and took another sip before responding, I don’t know. I’m just a wimp when it comes to horror. It didn’t bother me earlier, but I forgot what the woods were like at night. I was starting to think that maybe we should have left after our hike.

Oh, I have to know what this is, Allison said with glee.

Yeah, you can’t lead with that and then not tell us, said Cherry.

Brooke sat quietly for a moment, staring at the fire as she thought. The others gazed at her, their faces dimly light by the orange blaze, revealing varying shades of eagerness and anxiety. As the silence wore on, Brooke remained as still as the trees, though her eyes twitched as she focused on the dancing flames. That faint, almost imperceivable agitation betrayed the severity of her imagination. The black and creaking forest provided little comfort for her mind. With the absence of their human voices the natural noises of the night were amplified. The sporadic flapping overhead and the crunchy slithering in the underbrush betrayed the thousand eyes already surrounding the group.

It’s not a ghost, Brooke finally stated. More like a spirit, or a creature. No one knows.

Her voice trailed off, and again the crawling