The Valley of Death

By Aaron Abilene

A group of old west gold prospectors stumble upon an area with a seemingly unlimited amount of gold, but it's not long before members of their group start disappearing. After a while they learn that the place is cursed, and they have to find a way to break the curse, or they'll all die.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Syphon Creative
• Release date: Jan 1, 2025
• ISBN: 9798230532071

Book preview

The Valley of Death

Aaron Abilene

Published by Syphon Creative, 2025.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

THE VALLEY OF DEATH

First edition. January 1, 2025.

Copyright © 2025 Aaron Abilene.

ISBN: 979-8230532071

Written by Aaron Abilene.

Also by Aaron Abilene

505

505

505: Resurrection

Balls

Dead Awake

Before The Dead Awake

Dead Sleep

Bulletproof Balls

Carnival Game

Full Moon Howl

Donovan

Shades of Z

Codename

The Man in The Mini Van

Deadeye

Deadeye & Friends

Cowboys Vs Aliens

Ferris

Life in Prescott

Afterlife in Love

Tragic Heart

Island

Paradise Island

The Lost Island

The Lost Island 2

The Lost Island 3

The Island 2

James & Zoe

Inheritance

James & Zoe

Sourcing Trip

Reality Check

Korrak

The Hunger of Korrak

The Wrath of Korrak

The Death of Korrak

The Return of Korrak

Kuru

Kuru

Kuru Zombies

Laughing Death

Pandemic

Pandemic

Prototype

Prototype

The Compound

Slacker

Slacker 2

Slacker 3

Slacker: Dead Man Walkin'

Survivor Files

Survivor Files: Day 1

Survivor Files : Day 1 Part 2

Survivor Files : Day 2

Survivor Files : On The Run

Survivor Files : Day 3

Survivor Files : Day 4

Survivor Files : Day 5

Survivor Files : Day 6

Survivor Files : Day 7

Survivor Files : Day 8

Survivor Files : Day 9

Survivor Files : Day 10

Survivor Files : Day 11

Survivor Files : Day 12

Survivor Files : Day 13

Survivor Files : Day 14

Survivor Files : Day 15

Survivor Files : Day 16

Survivor Files : Day 17

Survivor Files : Day 18

Survivor Files : Day 19

Survivor Files : Day 20

Survivor Files : Day 21

Texas

Devil Child of Texas

A Vampire in Texas

The Author

Breaking Wind

Yellow Snow

Dragon Snatch

Golden Showers

Nether Region

Evil Empire

Thomas

Quarantine

Contagion

Eradication

Isolation

Immune

Pathogen

Bloodline

Decontaminated

TPD

Trailer Park Diaries

Trailer Park Diaries 2

Trailer Park Diaries 3

Virus

Raising Hell

Zombie Bride

Zombie Bride

Zombie Bride 2

Zombie Bride 3

Standalone

The Victims of Pinocchio

A Christmas Nightmare

Pain

Fat Jesus

A Zombie's Revenge

The Headhunter

Crash

Tranq

The Island

Dog

The Quiet Man

Joe Superhero

Feral

Good Guys

Romeo and Juliet and Zombies

The Gamer

Becoming Alpha

Dead West

Small Town Blues

Shades of Z: Redux

The Gift of Death

Killer Claus

Skarred

Home Sweet Home

Alligator Allan

10 Days

Army of The Dumbest Dead

Kid

The Cult of Stupid

9 Time Felon

Slater

Bad Review: Hannah Dies

Me Again

Maurice and Me

The Family Business

Lightning Rider : Better Days

Lazy Boyz

The Sheep

Wild

The Flood

Extinction

Good Intentions

Dark Magic

Sparkles The Vampire Clown

From The Future, Stuck in The Past

Rescue

Knock Knock

Creep

Honest John

Urbex

She's Psycho

Unfinished

Neighbors

Misery, Nevada

Vicious Cycle

Relive

Romeo and Juliet: True Love Conquers All

Dead Road

Florida Man

Hunting Sarah

The Great American Zombie Novel

Carnage

Marge 3 Toes

Random Acts of Stupidity

Born Killer

The Abducted

Whiteboy

Broken Man

Graham Hiney

Bridge

15

Paper Soldiers

Zartan

The Concepts of a Plan

The Firsts in Life

Vlad The Bad

The Husband

Silver Town

The Squatter

Unlucky in Love

Unhappily Ever After

Giant Baby

The Valley of Death

Skunk Ape

Dog Man

The Hag

Delulu and The Asshole Apocalypse

Remover

Cannibal Prospector

New Nazi

Tyrant's Fall

China Madman

A Bad Day

Predators

Project Alpha

Secret Killer

Amnesia

No Tomorrow

Blackout

East Bound

Endless Trip

Haunted

Nobody

Peg Leg Jew

Eat The Rich

Exposed

Secret Weapon

Darwin's Apocalypse

Death of The States

Romeo & Juliet in Space

Wanderer

Burning Man

Passengers

Ponytail

Crackhead

Roid Rage

Activated

Time Warp

Train

The Devil on House Arrest

Diner

The Town

The Car

The End of The American Empire

Mom and Pop's

The Brute

Kalani

The Walker

Grime

Mythical Creatures

Blue Eyed Girl

Hero

Inadequacies of Man

To The Brink

Parasite

The Convention

The Spawning Room

The Other Side

The Other Me

The Perfect Crime

Immortal

4000

The Earl of Saint Louis

The Ranch

Trigger Warning

Evil

In The Woods

Badlands

Brittle

Timeline

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By Aaron Abilene

The Valley of Death

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Also By Aaron Abilene

​The Valley of Death

Written by Aaron Abilene

––––––––

Jed Carter sat hunched over a rickety table in the corner of the Dusty Spur Saloon, his calloused fingers wrapped around a half-empty glass of rotgut whiskey. The amber liquid sloshed as he brought it to his cracked lips, the burn in his throat a familiar companion after years of hard living in the untamed West.

The low murmur of conversation and clink of glasses filled the dimly lit room, smoke from cheap cigars curling in lazy tendrils above the patrons' heads. Jed paid them no mind, his steel-gray eyes fixed on the scratched and stained tabletop before him.

Deep lines etched his weathered face, each one a mark left by the relentless sun, biting wind, and the weight of too many broken dreams. His skin was tanned to leather, pulled taut over sharp cheekbones and a jaw that seemed carved from granite. Thick stubble peppered with gray covered his chin, a testament to long days on the trail with little thought for grooming.

Jed's hands told the story of a life spent in pursuit of fortune - palms rough as sandpaper, knuckles swollen from brawls and hard labor, dirt embedded so deep under his nails that it might never wash away. Those hands had swung pickaxes, panned for gold in icy mountain streams, and gripped a six-shooter with deadly accuracy.

He lifted the glass to his mouth again, relishing the burn as the raw liquor slid down his gullet. Jed didn't drink for pleasure - he drank to dull the sharp edges of a life that had left him little but disappointment and a gnawing emptiness in his gut that no amount of whiskey could fill.

The saloon door swung open, letting in a brief blast of hot, dry air and a swirl of dust. Jed glanced up, squinting against the sudden shaft of sunlight that cut through the hazy interior. He watched as a grizzled prospector stumbled inside, his threadbare clothing caked with grime and his eyes glinting with the feverish light of a man possessed by dreams of striking it rich.

Jed turned back to his drink with a grunt, knowing all too well the look of desperation in the newcomer's eyes. He'd seen it staring back at him from his own reflection more times than he cared to admit. The promise of gold, always shimmering just out of reach, had a way of making fools out of even the most level-headed of men.

As he drained the last of his whiskey, Jed felt the familiar itch in his bones, the restless urge to keep moving, keep searching for that one big strike that would change everything. He'd been chasing that dream for longer than he cared to remember, but damned if he was ready to give up now. Not when he could still put one foot in front of the other and keep pushing forward, no matter how long the odds.

With a sigh, Jed set down his empty glass and pushed back from the table, the chair legs scraping against the rough wooden floor. He adjusted his battered hat, squaring it on his head with a resolute tug of the brim. It was time to move on, to follow the next whisper of gold, no matter where it might lead him. Because in the end, that was all Jed Carter had left - the unrelenting pursuit of a dream that refused to die, no matter how many times it had been dashed against the unforgiving rocks of reality.

He straightened his shoulders, his lean frame unfolding as he rose to his full height. Jed let his gaze sweep the room one last time, taking in the faces of men not so different from himself - all chasing after that elusive glimmer of fortune, all fighting tooth and nail for a chance at something better.

Without a backward glance, Jed strode towards the door, his spurs jingling with each purposeful step. The saloon continued its low thrum of activity behind him, but Jed's mind was already miles ahead, fixed on the next horizon and the promise of gold waiting just beyond.

As Jed made his way out of the saloon, the harsh glare of the afternoon sun momentarily blinded him. He squinted against the brightness, his eyes taking a moment to adjust from the dim interior. The dusty street stretched out before him, a winding ribbon of packed earth flanked by weathered wooden buildings on either side.

With a determined stride, Jed set off down the thoroughfare, his boots kicking up small puffs of dust with each step. The town buzzed with activity around him, a cacophony of horses' hooves clattering against the ground, the creaking of wagon wheels, and the distant clang of the blacksmith's hammer.

Jed navigated the bustling street with the ease of a man well-accustomed to the rhythms of frontier life. He exchanged curt nods with a few familiar faces - fellow prospectors and hardscrabble men who, like himself, were forever chasing the promise of fortune in these unforgiving lands.

As he reached the edge of town, the buildings began to thin out, giving way to the vast expanse of the open plains. Jed paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the landscape before him. The sun-baked earth stretched out to the horizon, broken only by the distant silhouette of rugged mountains.

With a deep breath, Jed adjusted the worn leather satchel slung across his shoulder and set off into the wilderness. The sun beat down mercilessly upon his back, the dry wind whipping at his clothes and tugging at the brim of his hat. But Jed paid no mind to the discomfort, his focus unwavering as he pressed onward.

Mile after mile, he trudged through the unforgiving terrain, his steps falling into the familiar cadence of a man on a mission. The hours slipped by, marked only by the shifting shadows and the slow arc of the sun across the sky.

As the day began to wane, Jed found himself at the base of a towering ridge. He tilted his head back, squinting up at the rocky crags that loomed above him. Somewhere beyond those jagged peaks lay the secluded valley that held the promise of untold riches.

With a grunt of effort, Jed began the arduous climb, his fingers finding purchase on the rough stone as he hauled himself upward. Higher and higher he climbed, the muscles in his legs burning with exertion, until at last he reached the summit.

From his vantage point atop the ridge, Jed could see for miles in every direction. The vast wilderness stretched out before him, a patchwork of sun-dappled valleys and rugged hills. And there, nestled in the distance, lay the object of his quest - the hidden valley that whispered of gold.

Jed allowed himself a moment to catch his breath, his chest heaving with the effort of the climb. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, his gaze never leaving the distant horizon.

With a final, resolute nod, Jed set off down the other side of the ridge, his steps sure and steady as he descended into the valley below. The journey ahead would be long and fraught with danger, but Jed Carter was a man who had never shied away from a challenge.

And so, with the setting sun at his back and the promise of fortune beckoning him onward, Jed disappeared into the wilderness, ready to face whatever trials lay ahead in his relentless pursuit of gold and glory.

Jed's mind raced as he mulled over the prospectors' tale. A hidden valley, untouched and brimming with gold. The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine. He'd been chasing the dream for years, always one step behind the next big strike. But this time, something felt different.

He gazed into the amber depths of his whiskey, watching the light play off the surface. The risks were high, no doubt about that. The wilderness was unforgiving, and many a man had met his end in the pursuit of riches. But the rewards... if the rumors were true, this could be his ticket to a new life.

*Dammit, Jed,* he thought, his grip tightening on the glass. *You ain't getting any younger. If you're gonna make your mark, it's now or never.*

He tossed back the last of his whiskey, the liquid burning a fiery path down his throat. The decision was made. He slammed the glass down on the table and pushed himself to his feet, his chair scraping against the floorboards.

Jed stood tall, his shoulders squared and his jaw set with determination. He could feel the weight of the journey ahead settling on his shoulders, but he welcomed it. This was his chance, his last great adventure.

He reached into his pocket and tossed a few coins onto the table, the metal clinking against the worn wood. With a final nod to the barkeep, Jed strode towards the saloon doors, his spurs jingling with each step.

As he pushed through the swinging doors, Jed paused for a moment, his hand resting on the weathered frame. He took a deep breath, the crisp mountain air filling his lungs. The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and red.

*No turning back now,* Jed thought, a grim smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

He stepped out into the fading light, his boots crunching on the dirt as he made his way towards the livery stable. There was gear to gather and a horse to saddle. The journey ahead would be long and arduous, but Jed was ready. He'd face whatever challenges the wilderness threw his way, all for the chance to claim his share of the golden bounty that awaited him in the hidden valley.

Jed strode into the livery stable, the pungent smell of hay and horse sweat assaulting his nostrils. He squinted in the dim light, his eyes adjusting from the bright outdoors. The stable hand, a scrawny kid with a mop of unruly hair, looked up from his work and gave Jed a nod.

Getting ready to head out, Mr. Carter? the kid asked, his voice cracking slightly.

Jed grunted in response, making his way towards his horse's stall. He ran a calloused hand along the animal's flank, feeling the muscles twitch beneath the coarse hair. Gonna be a long ride, old friend, he murmured, his voice low and gruff.

He set about saddling his horse, his movements practiced and efficient. The worn leather creaked as he tightened the cinch, securing the saddle in place. Jed reached for his saddlebags, the faded canvas rough beneath his fingers. He checked the contents, ensuring he had all the necessities for the journey ahead.

A few tins of beans, a flask of whiskey, and a handful of bullets. Jed nodded to himself, satisfied with his minimalistic gear. He'd learned long ago that the key to survival in the wilderness was to travel light and move fast.

He slung the saddlebags over the horse's back, the weight settling into place. Jed grabbed his battered hat from a nearby peg, the felt soft and supple from years of wear. He settled it on his head, tugging the brim low over his eyes.

With a final check of his gear, Jed led his horse out of the stable and into the dusty street. The sun had dipped below the horizon, the sky now a deep, inky blue. He swung himself into the saddle, the leather creaking beneath his weight.

Jed turned his horse towards the edge of town, the animal's hooves clopping against the hard-packed earth. As he rode, he couldn't shake the feeling that this journey would be different from all the others. The rumored gold strike had ignited a fire in his belly, a hunger that couldn't be satisfied until he held that glittering metal in his hands.

He urged his horse into a trot, the cool night air whipping against his face as he left the town behind. The vast expanse of the American West stretched out before him, a land of untamed beauty and hidden dangers. Jed knew the risks, but he also knew the rewards that awaited those brave enough to seek them out.

With a grim smile, Jed set his sights on the distant mountains, the promise of gold glinting in his mind's eye. He was ready for whatever lay ahead, ready to stake his claim and make his fortune, no matter the cost.

Jed navigated his horse through the bustling streets of the frontier town, the wooden storefronts and hitching posts a blur in his peripheral vision. The townsfolk scurried about their daily business, their faces weathered by the unforgiving sun and the harsh realities of life in the West. Prospectors, their eyes gleaming with the promise of riches, loaded up their mules and wagons, eager to set out on their own quests for gold.

As he rode, Jed caught sight of a familiar figure leaning against the porch railing of the general store. Old Pete, a grizzled veteran of the gold fields, tipped his hat in acknowledgment. Jed returned the gesture with a curt nod, the unspoken understanding between two men who had seen their share of hardship and disappointment.

Headin' out again, Jed? Old Pete called out, his voice raspy from years of tobacco and whiskey.

Jed reined in his horse, the animal snorting impatiently beneath him. Got wind of a new strike. Figured I'd try my luck.

Old Pete chuckled, a knowing glint in his eye. Ain't we all, Jed. Ain't we all.

With a final nod, Jed spurred his horse onward, leaving Old Pete to his musings. He passed by the blacksmith's shop, the ringing of hammer on anvil echoing through the air. The blacksmith, a burly man with arms like tree trunks, paused in his work to watch Jed ride by, a silent acknowledgment of the journey ahead.

Jed's mind wandered as he rode, the faces of the townsfolk blurring together. They all knew him, the stubborn old prospector who refused to give up on his dreams. Some called him a fool, others admired his tenacity. But Jed paid them no mind. He had his own path to follow, his own destiny to carve out of the unforgiving wilderness.

As he reached the edge of town, Jed glanced back over his shoulder, taking in the sight of the place he had called home for the past few months. It was a hard life, but it was the only life he knew. With a deep breath, he turned his face towards the horizon, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.

The steady rhythm of his horse's hooves against the dry earth filled Jed's ears as he left the town behind. Dust billowed up with each step, coating his weathered boots and the hem of his faded jeans. The sun beat down mercilessly, but Jed barely noticed, his mind fixed on the promise of gold that lay ahead.

As the miles stretched on, the landscape began to change. The neat rows of buildings and hitching posts gave way to sparse vegetation and rocky outcroppings. The trail narrowed, winding its way through a sea of sagebrush and scrub grass. Jed's horse snorted, its nostrils flaring as it caught the scent of something on the wind.

Jed reached down and patted the animal's neck, his calloused hand running over the sweat-dampened fur. Easy now, he murmured, his voice low and soothing. We've got a long way to go yet.

The vastness of the American West stretched out before him, an endless expanse of rugged beauty and untamed wilderness. Jed had seen it