Tortured SoulsA Story by nseddy John and Eva are getting away to Eva's lake house in the mountains. Sounds Nice right? Sometimes, things don't always work out as planned.... Tortured Souls
Eva and I were finally getting away together after being together for 6 months. We first met when she rear-ended me on the highway. I remember that day like it was yesterday. When she hit my pickup, I jumped out, adrenaline pumping through my veins, and rushed back to the driver of the car, not even looking at the damage. I was going to confront this driver and find out what the hell they were doing. But when I saw the beautiful woman behind the wheel with tears flowing down her face, I melted. She immediately apologized, despite her sobbing. Telling her not to worry about it, I asked if she was ok. She said she was fine, but I stayed next to her until the police arrived. As I assessed the damage, I noticed that her car looked like it was totaled from the crash, the whole front end smashed in. My truck was unscathed save some rear bumper damage. I went back to ask the woman her name and if should would like a ride home. She agreed, but insisted that she take me out for coffee to apologize. Since then it’s been a fantastic journey with her. We did have a disagreement once during our time together, and that was over this trip. I wanted to take her away to some place warm and remote in the Caribbean. I even showed her the brochures for a few places I had in mind, but she wouldn’t have any of it. She insisted on her house in the mountains. I never really enjoyed roughing it in the mountains but eventually gave in and agreed to spend the weekend at her house. I packed up my clothes, toiletries and others essentials and headed over to her apartment. Arriving at her place, I jumped out of the truck and knocked on her door. She came to the door smiling. I pulled her close, looked deeply into her deep blue eyes and we kissed. She tasted delicious, like chocolate. I held both her hands in mine and felt a little tingle roll through my body. “Every time I touch you I get an electric shock!” “I know. I feel it too, John.” She ran her hand through her long dark hair and winked. “You taste delicious.” I chuckled. “I bet. I made you some chocolate chip cookies but I couldn’t resist, so I snuck one.” she said laughing out loud. “Thank you! I can’t wait to try them.” “Are you almost ready?” she asked. “Yes, I just have to finish up packing my clothes. Come on in. How are you feeling?” “I am good but...” I hesitated. “But what, John?” “I had that dream again last night.” “Oh no! Did you remember anything about it?” “No, but its ok. Maybe the mountain air will clear that from my head.” “Yes, maybe.” She giggled. “Trust me, you’re going to love it up there.” “Yes I can’t wait!” I said. I thought it was strange the way she giggled, but I brushed it off and sat down. These dream/nightmares started coming to me the past few weeks. Every time I would wake up shaking and sweating but I couldn't remember a thing. “I’ll be ready in a minute. And oh, the cookies are in the kitchen. You can have some, but try and save a few for the road.” “Sorry, they are all mine! I’m starving!” I shouted to her. I could hear her laugh out loud from her room. She came out soon with her bag. I grabbed it along with the groceries she had picked up earlier, put them all in the truck and we started our journey. She said it should take us around four hours. “So you said this was your parents place?” I asked. “Yes we had lots of fun times up there when I was younger: swimming, water skiing, playing Monopoly and other games on the rainy days. But mainly it’s just a great place to relax. My parents were great fun. I was the only child, so I was spoiled with attention. When they died, I was devastated and spent almost a year up there alone, trying to find answers." “How did they die? I mean, if you want to share,” I said slightly awkwardly. I didn’t want to upset her. “Well, they disappeared up at the house. The police never found bodies, but there was sufficient proof that they had gone for a late night swim and drowned. They found some clothing, shoes and towels on the beach, that type of thing. They were good swimmers, but the lake is deep and you don’t float the way you do in the ocean. If you stop swimming you just sink. The police also said there was evidence that they had drunk a few bottles of wine, so that could have contributed to the drowning. So yeah, I stayed up there for a year to try and cope, hoping that they would walk out of the lake one day and come give me a big hug." She sighed. “But that didn’t happen, so I had to move on. Now I go up once a year or so to reflect on them and recharge. You'll see, the place has magic powers.” I was blown away and shocked at such a tragedy. “I am so sorry for you, baby. That’s unbelievable. I don’t know what to say.” “It’s ok, John. You don’t have to say anything. Just listening helps a lot.” After that she cuddled up next to me and we shared some cookies as the conversation turned lighthearted. When we got close, Eva told me to slow down and to take a right turn onto a dirt road. We drove on for about ten minutes on the scrabbly path. There were no other houses that we passed or that I could see. The forest around us was lush and towering and cut out a lot of the sunlight. The air had a nice mossy smell. We finally reached the house and it was beautiful: a red two story house with a wraparound front porch overlooking the lake. “Wow, this is incredible! I don’t see any other houses around, either. Do you own all the land?" “Well we have the house on the lake and some of the land around it, but the rest is conservation land. I guess there was a Native American settlement here for hundreds of years and the state preserved the land.” “You won't believe this, but I feel relaxed already!” I exclaimed and we both laughed out loud. The forest around us was alive with birds chirping and animals scurrying. We brought our bags and supplies into the house and I was amazed with the interior; it was warm and inviting and felt lived in, not closed up and cold as I would expect a house to be if it was only visited once a year. “I’m lucky I have this great handyman that was friends with my dad. He takes care of the house and opens it up before I come up here.” She said, as if reading my mind. “Well that’s great. He keeps it up well. How can I help with unpacking and stuff?” “Just unpack the groceries and put them wherever. I’ll go upstairs and unpack the clothes. It’s getting about dinner time so we should start on that soon if you’re hungry.” “Yes, I am famished. Let’s do that.” We had decided on making steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus earlier. When she came down, we starting preparing for dinner. “John if I take care of the potatoes and asparagus can you cook the steak on the grill? It’s right outside on porch, to the left. I mean, I assume you know how to grill, being a man and all?” She giggled. “Stop teasing! Yes, of course I know how to grill,” I sneered at her and we both laughed. She started to boil the water and peel the potatoes. I stared at her and was amazed at the skill with which she handled the knife. I wondered if she had been trained as a chef. Sneaking up behind her, I reached around and hugged her from behind. I clasped my hands around her stomach and started to nibble her left ear. “Hey, what are you doing? I have a knife here and I know how to use it!” I laughed and whispered to her, “Tell me something I don’t know about you.” “You know a lot about me, John. Much more than anyone else...” “I know, and thank you for sharing, but I want to know everything about you, baby!” “Ok well, let me think.” “I guess the fact that I have never been in love in the past, you know? I was always too busy with school, finding a job and then my parents died. It’s been a rollercoaster.” “Yes you have never mentioned any other boyfriends or anything.” “But you have been a breath of fresh air in my life, John. I wish we met before my parents died.” I immediately thought that was a strange thing to say. What did she mean by it? “Let’s get back to making dinner. I am starving,” she said, quickly changing the subject before I could respond to her previous statement. I made a mental note to ask her about it later. “Ok, I guess. How would you like your steak grilled?” “Well done please.” I gave her a peck on the cheek and headed outside with the steaks and started up the grill. As it warmed up, I lay down on one of the lounge chairs and gazed out over the lake. The evening had turned a little chilly after the warm day. The wind had picked up a little, making the waves shimmy in the twilight. Just then I saw something across the lake. It appeared to be a sparkling light hovering above the surface of the water. After a minute or two, it seemed to move slowly away, finally dropping into the lake. I lost sight of it as it slipped below the water. I rushed into the house to see what Eva thought. “What’s the matter, John? You look you’ve seen a ghost.” “You’re going to think I am crazy, but I saw a weird sparkling light move across the lake, then drop into the water and disappear.” “You saw what? Let me come out and take a look.” I followed her outside so I could show her where I had seen the mysterious light. “So where did you see it John?” I pointed, and she squinted over in the general direction. “I don’t see anything, are you sure you saw a light?” “Yes, a sparkling light. It hovered and moved over the water, then dropped into the lake and I lost sight of it.” “Ok well... I don’t know. I can’t see anything.” “I know what I saw Eva.” “Well, there are caves over along the shore on that side of the lake, sometimes at dusk, sunlight reflects off the minerals in the cave. Do you think it could have been that?” “I don’t know, it was just weird” I was really confused. This was turning into a strange evening. “It could also be something else...” her voice trailed away. “What?” I said. “It could have been a spirit.” “A spirit? You mean like a ghost or something? I don’t know if I believe in ghosts” “There is a legend of a spirit called Will-o’-the-Wisp. It’s an evil spirit that appears as a light or flame over water to try and lure unsuspecting people from safe areas. What you said you saw sort of sounds like that.” “It does sounds does sound like that,” I said, even more confused than before. “How did you ever hear about a Will-o’-the Wisp?” “I will tell you over dinner, ok? I should check on the potatoes and asparagus in case they get burned.” “Ok yes. I’ll put on the steaks so we can enjoy dinner,” I said, lost in thought. “John, the light was probably just reflections off the caves. Try not to worry.” “Ok, Eva. Maybe you’re right.” The grill was ready, so I put the steaks on and cooked them until they were well done. I brought them into the house, where Eva had the table set with candles lit throughout the dining room. It was a stunning sight. I seemed to forget my worries at the sight. “The table looks beautiful, Eva!” “Doesn’t it? I love the candles too.” “If everything is ready, let’s dig in before the food gets cold.” “Can you open a bottle of wine for us John? Just pick any red from the wine case that strikes your fancy.” I went over and selected a bottle, opened it and came back to the table. “I picked out a Malbec from Argentina. Does that sound ok?” “Yes that’s perfect.” She purred. “Here’s to love, happiness and a great weekend.” I said and we clicked glasses. We sat down and started eating. After a little while I said, “So tell me how you learned about that spirit you told me about earlier.” “You mean Will-o’-the-Wisp?” “Yes please.” “Well, when we would come up here, some nights we would sit out at the fireplace out front and tell ghost stories. Actually, my dad would tell the stories while my mom and I would scream and console each other. It was terrifying.” She laughed. “Wow that does sound scary.” I chuckled. “Some were based on myths like Will-o’-the-Wisp, and some were just scary tales he had picked up over time.” “What other crazy things did you get up to here?” “Oh, let me think.” She went into deep thought. “Every year we would come up here in the early summer, the lake was still freezing cold. At some point during that first week of summer, my dad would sneak up behind me, pick me up and throw me into the lake.” “That sounds mean!” I said, laughing out loud. “It was awful!” He would try to get my mother too. Sometimes he did, and other times she was too quick for him.” She said laughing. “Sounds like great times!” “They were.” She sighed and became quiet and didn’t talk much more until we finished dinner. After dinner, Eva washed up the dishes while I started a fire. When she was done we cuddled on the couch, talking randomly about our lives before we met until around eleven. We walked outside and stood side-by-side, holding hands on the porch railing and gazing at the moon, which looked to be almost full, and the amazingly bright stars. “Look at all the constellations John. There’s Hercules, the mighty Greek warrior, straight above us.” as she pointed to the corresponding stars. “Yes, I know; it’s a magical sky. Do you know all the constellations?” “Most of them, at least the ones we can see from here.” “You’re amazing. Come here,” I said as I pulled her close to me and bent my head down to kiss her. She responded passionately and I reached my arms around her legs to lift them up and pulled them around me so she was straddling me. I gently placed her down on the porch railing. She pulled her legs in close around me. I lost track of time as we continued kissing, our tongues dashing in and out of our mouths. She pulled her lips slowly away after some time and said, “I want some dessert! I picked up some whipped cream at the store. Let’s get it and take it upstairs.” “You’re a genius!” I giggled in her ear. I carried her still straddling me into the kitchen, her arms around my neck. We retrieved the whipped cream and headed upstairs for dessert, kissing and giggling all the way. *** I woke in the morning refreshed and went downstairs to make coffee before sitting out on the porch. I realized that the nightmare hadn't come to me last night and was relieved. Hopefully that was all behind me. When Eva came down, I made her a big plate of bacon and eggs. “John, this is awesome! Thank you so much for making breakfast! You’re so nice and always make me feel so special.” “It’s my pleasure, Eva. I haven’t been this happy in a while. Thanks for inviting me up here.” “I told you this would be better than the Caribbean!” she teased. “Yes, you were right.” I acquiesced. She devoured all her breakfast and we got ready for the day. I felt I was the luckiest guy alive and couldn’t wait to see how the day went. I just realized I was falling madly in love with her. I wasn’t anxious or worried about anything, though. With our relationship, everything just felt right. Tonight, I would tell her my feelings, hoping she felt the same. After breakfast, we went swimming and lay around in the sun. We took the motor boat that her dad had bought years ago for waterskiing out on the lake as well. The boat was old but spotless, and the engine purred like a kitten. I was still amazed at how well everything was kept. As the afternoon drew on, we sat on the porch feeling the last rays of sun hit us. What a perfect day. “John, I am going to get us some wine. Does that sound ok?” “Yes sure, baby. That sounds great.” After a few minutes, she returned to porch. “John, here is your wine. It’s a Pinot Noir from Washington State.” “Thanks, Eva. That sounds wonderful.” “Here is a toast to love, happiness, health and your parents.” “Thank you, John. They would have loved you to death,” she said with a tear in her eye. We clicked glasses and I took at long drink of the wine and immediately felt funny, sort of dizzy. I tried to stand but couldn’t and fell onto the deck. I called for Eva. “Don’t worry, John. I will take care of you,” she said with a giggle as she looked down at me. I couldn’t believe what was happening. Her giggle was the same as the day we left the house. This time it seemed sinister, though. Then I lost consciousness. When I awoke, I tried to move but could not. I couldn’t even lift my head. I felt ropes tied around my wrists and ankles. Eva must have drugged me... But why? What in god’s name was she doing? I looked up at the sky. The full moon glared down at me. I waited, furious with Eva. After some time she stood over me and said, “Hi, Johnny! I bet you’re wondering what I am up to? Well, I’d tell you, but then we have to say goodbye.” “Yes I am! What the hell is going on and why are you doing this to me, Eva? I love you with all my heart. Why on earth do you have me tied up? And NO, I don’t want to say goodbye to you,” I snapped at her. I was still groggy, but my temper was starting to rise at her attitude. “I understand your frustration, Johnny, so I will explain what’s going on.” “My parents were archaeologists. They were excavating the Native American lands around our house. While I was away, they found that something evil lived here in this lake. They mistakenly awakened it when reading some of the writings in the caves across the lake. The evil spirit took my parents while they were swimming that night. That’s the spirit you saw last night; it was trying to entice you into the lake. I know this because I found their notes after they disappeared. They were taken before they could finish their research. But I figured it out. As I told you, I was distraught and spent the year after they disappeared up here, but I didn't tell you that I spent that year continuing their research. I immersed myself in learning the Native American language and I found evidence in the writings that the tribe that lived here had learned to control the spirit in the lake. They controlled it by making sacrifices to the lake. So I tried to awaken the spirit again myself." She grinned, and her eyes seemed ablaze. I glared at her and couldn’t believe the story. “Ok you’re scaring me now, Eve. What do I have to with all this?” I pleaded. “So here’s the deal and how you’re involved, Johnny boy. I was able to communicate and bargain with the spirit. I would be spared and my parents would be returned. And that is where you come in. The spirit agreed, but only on the condition that I bring a soul here on a full moon each summer and give said soul to the trapped tortured souls in this lake. If I don't give a soul each year... Well... The evil spirit will come and take all our souls.” "So I gave you a little something in your wine earlier. It's an herb that grows here locally that allows you to feel but not move. That’s another thing I learned from doing my research," she said with a wink. I tried to force my hands to move. I felt something but couldn't break free. “Now I’m going to take you out onto the lake and drop you in. After that you’re on your own. Mom and Dad will be back tomorrow. I sent them on their yearly trip to Bar Harbor for the weekend. Honestly, I can't live without them, and it's been great to have them back in my life. So that's the whole story, John." “You’re out of your goddamn mind, Eva! What about us? How could you do this to me? I love you, I love you…” I whimpered, still in shock. She ignored me and disappeared from view. As the engine roared to life, I started to feel déjà vu. I realized I had been here before, in the nightmares. The dream started coming back to me in spurts and I was terrified. This wasn’t a dream though. It was all too real and I still couldn’t move. I was oscillating between terrifying panic and trying to think of a way out of this mess. I was still in shock that Eva could be this evil. Falling in love with her, I never saw any of that. What a fool I was. The boat engine came to a stop. I could hear her; she was chanting something that I didn't understand, over and over. Then she came and stood over me. I was enraged and brokenhearted all at the same time. "Sorry, John. No use in delaying the inevitable. Goodbye.” “Don’t do this Eva!” I screamed. With that she rolled me off the back of the boat into the lake. I tried to hold my breath, I rolled through the cold, dark water and kept sinking, sinking... As I rolled through the water, I saw the sparkling light from last night at the bottom of the lake. The light was red, though, tonight. That's when I started to feel them pulling me deeper into the lake. What were they? There seemed to be hundreds of them all around me. I realized these must be the tortured souls Eva had mentioned earlier. What will happen to me? All of a sudden they started tearing the flesh off my body like piranhas as they pulled me deeper and deeper into the lake. I couldn't do anything to stop them. I lost my mind with the pain, and I was about to lose consciousness when the red light enveloped me. I felt a jolt as something powerful and icy passed through what was left of my body. It came again and again, ripping my soul out of my body and any love I had for Eva with it. Now, my soul meanders through the deep, dark depths of the lake, reliving over and over my last few days with Eva and how she betrayed me. One day she will join us here and I will be waiting... © 2014 nseddyAuthor's Note
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