A Haunted Summer Night

The night was hot and Becky was restless and alone. Sitting in her cramped, little apartment, she felt loneliness and sorrow creeping in. She just moved to this strange, old town, after having lost her husband of ten years. Becky was not used to living on her own, but after Jim's mysterious and tragic death, she just had to get away and start anew.

Becky picked the small Southern Utah town of Paiute Mountain to relocate, since this was a favorite getaway spot for her and Jim during their loving years together. This old Mormon settlement town is known for it's rustic scenery, rich history and local Native American folklore. They would spend many a weekend exploring the nearby foothills and caves, and camping and soaking in the amazingly serene hot springs the area is famous for.

From the first time she visited this place with Jim she felt a strange connection to the area, especially the hot springs and surrounding foothills. Becky never quite understood why she felt this way, just that she was drawn to it in some inexplicable way. Jim used to spend a lot of time here with his family, especially his Father, who had distant Native American relatives who once lived in the area. So, Becky just figured it was Jim's stories and memories of his childhood visits that made her feel the way she did.

As Becky sat in her small apartment thinking about her past life with her husband, she sensed a strange presence about her. Some kind of mysterious energy was lurking about, making her feel like she just had to get out of there for awhile and walk. The hot springs was about a mile away, so she figured it would be the perfect time to clear her head, stretch her legs, and go for a late night soak. So, she gathered a few things together and headed out into the night.

Becky was not a superstitious person, but upon leaving her apartment, she felt a very odd sense of deja vu, like she was re-living something that had happened before, "but that could not be," she thought. She tried to shake off the feeling as she crossed the dark street and headed toward the hot springs. The night air was warm and dry, with a slight breeze that felt comforting on her skin as she walked. The moon was full and bright, adding to the mysterious, almost magical atmosphere that surrounded her.

Her senses became alive, like something or someone was there with her that she could not see. Even though it was a very warm Summer night, she had goosebumps on her skin, and Becky started to feel afraid. "You are going to be OK" she said to herself, "it is just your mind playing tricks on you." She fought off the dread she felt, reassuring herself it was caused by all the thoughts she was having lately of her late husband Jim, and being alone for the first time.

She came to an area where the paved road ended and she found herself on a well worn dirt trail that led to the hot springs. As she slowly walked along, staring up at the night sky, and that big, bright full moon, Becky started hearing voices. She looked around startled, shining her flashlight all around, desperately trying to make sense out of what was happening. She was raised to never believe in the supernatural or ghosts, but now she started to doubt everything as her mind filled with a terror she had never felt before.

Becky stopped on the path, her heart pounding and gasping for breath. She frantically started thinking about Jim and all the wonderful times they spent together. After a few moments, when she thought she had collected herself, Becky started to walk toward the hot springs again, knowing she was very close. All she wanted to do now, was soak in that healing water and calm herself down.

When Becky got within sight of the camping area adjacent to the hot springs, she noticed there were no people camping, and the lights to the main building were off. "That is odd" she thought, "there are always people here during the Summer months." That is when she got the very uneasy feeling something was just not right here, some underlying menace, lurking just beneath the surface. She stopped dead in her tracks right in front of the main building, which housed the office and owner's living quarters.

The voices she heard earlier along the trail suddenly came back, like whispers in the wind. Becky stood there unable to move, as a bone chilling terror enveloped her body. "Please help me" she tried to shout, but no words came out, just a muffled groan. That is when she noticed movement in front of her, up on the hill behind the main building where the hot springs are located. "Is somebody here" she cried in a squeaky, terrified voice. She looked closer, and noticed what appeared to be shadows cast by a fire that was partially hidden by the building in front of her.

Becky summoned all of her strength and moved closer to get a better look at what was taking place up on that hill. She noticed what appeared to be people dancing or moving in a circle around a small fire, chanting some sort of language she had never heard before. She suddenly dropped her flashlight on the ground when she felt someone touch her shoulder from behind. She slowly turned her head to see who or what is was, when she smelled the sweet breath of her long departed husband Jim!

"What is happening to me" Becky cried. Then, for the first time in years, she heard the comforting voice of Jim say, "honey i am hear with you." Over come by sheer emotion, Becky broke down, fell to her knees and started to cry. She missed Jim so much, but she could not believe he was actually there with her now, comforting her in this moment of terror. Becky could feel Jim's sweet embrace, it was as though he were still alive and they were never apart.

The sound of Becky's flashlight dropping caught the attention of the people on the hill. She heard commotion and harsh, hurried voices talking frantically amongst themselves. She looked up and saw figures dressed in what appeared to be hooded black cloaks, rushing down the hill towards her.

Suddenly the wind started to blow, and what sounded like Native American drums and music filled the air. Becky sat there on the ground, eyes closed, focusing all her attention on Jim's loving presence. She felt people rushing past her, like she wasn't even there. When she opened her eyes the cloaked ones were gone, and Jim was standing right in front of her in all his former glory. "Sweetheart," he said, "there are many things i never told you about this place." Becky could still hear the soothing music all around her, and the sweet smell of sage filled the night air. She looked lovingly up at Jim as he continued to speak.

"My ancestors settled this land many years ago, and they are the protectors of this sacred place. The reason my Father used to bring me here as a young man, was to teach me the old ways, keeping my ancestor's history alive. When the white man settled here, there were wars, and my people were driven from this land. This hot springs is a powerful spot, Her waters come from deep within Mother Earth, and is filled the magic of the ages."

Becky felt a sense of calm and peace surround her as Jim spoke, and was overwhelmed by love and gratitude. "There are dark people in the world today that use this magic for their own selfish needs, that is what you witnessed here tonight my love." Jim continued, "Always know, that no matter how much power they conjure up, Mother Earth will always find balance, and the ancestors will always be here to protect Her."

With that, Becky felt a rush of cool air swirl around her. She looked up once again and saw Jim smile down on her as he vanished into the night. Becky stood up, wiped the tears from her eyes, looked around and noticed everything seemed different. There was a light around everything, a sort of ethereal glow, that made it seem as though this was all a dream.

As Becky walked home, she played the nights events over and over in her head, scared by what took place, but comforted by the fact that Jim came to her in a time of need. As the years past, she never spoke of this to anybody, keeping her memories to herself. She continued to live in Paiute Mountain, taking frequent walks to the hot springs, soaking in the healing waters and contemplating about her mysterious and mystical haunted Summer night.