Dr. Creepen's Dungeon - S5 Ep228: Episode 228: Insomniac Horror

Episode Date: March 20, 2025

Our terrifying tale of the macabre is the complete eight-part story of ‘Tales from an Insomniac’ by the wonderfully talented Reggae Junkie Gee, kindly shared with me via NoSleep and read here with the author’s express permission:  u/Reggaejunkiegee

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Visit cfir.com. Welcome to Dr. Creepin's Dungeon. Insomnia is terrifying because it turns something as natural as sleep into an unreachable luxury, living you trapped in endless weightfulness while the world around you rests. The quiet of the night becomes oppressive. Your thoughts grow louder and exhaust your gnaws at your body. Its sleep remains just out of reach. As the hours drag on, reality blurs.

Shadows seem to move, time distorts, and your mind plays cruel. tricks, making even the familiar feel unsettling. The longer it lasts, the more it wears you down, leaving you feeling helpless, isolated, and teetering on the edge of delirium, as we shall see in tonight's feature-length series. Now as ever before we begin, a word of caution. Tonight's tales may contain strong language, as well as descriptions of violence and horrific imagery. That sounds like your kind of thing. Then let's begin. A stroll in the woods. Tales from an insomnia. Part 1

by Reggae Junkie G. Over the past three months, some very weird and frankly terrifying things have happened to me. I'm writing this diary or log of events tonight for fear that, after I do what I plan to do, I may never come home. I want this to be proof or maybe some clue to what has happened to me

if someone finds this. If I didn't make it back and you're reading this right now, wondering where I am, am, please, for your own good, do not come looking for me. Before I get ahead of myself, I should just start at the beginning where my life took an eventful and horrifying turn for the worst. Entry One, a stroll in the woods.

Well, hello, my name's Cameron, and I'm an insomnia. I've been for as long as I can remember. Well, in the grand scheme of things, it's horrible, it really is. but I do enjoy some things. I like to try my best to see the silver lining, for instance. My nighttime walks in the woods near my house. I live in the Highlands in Scotland, in a small town called Avimore. There's a population of just over 3,000, and a smack bang in the middle of nowhere,

although it was very popular for tourists and skiing holidays. There isn't much, but it is nice and quiet. I love it, especially the dark, dark nights. I love looking at the sky and being able to see everything clearly, and of course the Aurora Borealis is very frequent this far north. Most nights when I can't sleep, I let's go out and walk. I live in the more northern area of the town, so literally five to ten minutes walk from my front porch is seemingly endless forestry and fields, as far as the eye can see. About a 15 or 20 minute walk from my house. There's a caravan and camping park called Oakwood.

sometimes i make the three or four minute drive and park there instead so i can miss out on the town part of the walk just in case i run into anyone see i like my walks to be lonely i don't have time nor the inclination to talk to a drunk neighbor returning home from the local park and that being said this is where my current favorite trail begins not a long walk really could be done keeping to the trails in about twenty-five minutes but i like to wander in and out of the tree line and through some of the thick wood It usually takes me about forty-five minutes as I take in the surroundings, the calm of the forest, the rustling of the gentle breeze through the leaves, the moonlight bobbing in and out of sight as it dances through the treetops to light the way for me, and sometimes those gaps in the trees give way to some of the most incredible greens and purples and reds, gliding across the sky so elegantly, like the brush of an artist painting the most incredible scenery in the night sky. Then the trail opens out and ends at a beautiful little lake called

Avi Lokan. I have to sit on the bank and watch the light from the sky roll across the surface of the lake and listen to the water gently tumbling onto the shore while I just sit in peace and collect my thoughts. Usually I'll sit there for an hour and maybe sometimes I walk around the lake and skip stones or just lie in the cool soft grass and stare back in time at the stars and galaxies that fill the night before heading back the way I came from. I don't do this every night. There are other great trails too and other things I like to do with my spare nights when I can't get much sleep. I have many stories to share, but for this entry, I like to tell you about something that happened on the very walk I love so much. This is where it all started. Usually between

around 1 and 2 a.m., I wake up. The first thing I noticed is that. that it's pitch black outside, and then how quiet everything is or isn't, depending on the weather. Then I turned to check the time on my phone, knowing exactly what to expect, but ever hopeful that one day it'll just say 5.33am, or 6.21m. or any slightly more normal time to wake up.

I woke and looked out of the window. It was quiet this night, dark and a little cold, but not more than I could handle on a daily basis. I checked my phone. It was 108 a.m. I lay under my cupboards with my eyes closed for about 20 minutes, failing miserably at getting back to sleep. At this point I'd begun to hear a slow whispering breeze on the other side of my window. It was so calming and inviting. I knew I was walking tonight. I quickly sat up and began picking my clothes up off the floor and got dressed. I walked down my hallway and opened the door.

Then shut it again instantly. A jacket, I needed a jacket. It was colder than I'd expected. I walked to the back of my hallway and got my big hiking jacket, which was a good, warm one. I stuck a beanie hat on and made my way into the garden. It was a nice fresh night. The moon was fat and bright over me,

and a slow icy breeze creased my cheeks. I hopped in my car and backed out of the drive. The streets seemed to be dead, but it wasn't a chance I was willing to take tonight. I've come across people before, and it always somewhat spoils the atmosphere. A drunk neighbour or friend on the way home was talking shit for like 30 minutes while I blightly stood and listened, secretly regretting ever leaving the house. Yeah, I'd drive tonight.

I drove up to the entrance of Oakwood and parked my car. I took some cigarettes, a lighter, my phone and a bottle of water. There was a small serrated sports knife in the car, but I've never actually taken it with me before, never had to, and tonight was no exception. As I got out of the car, I felt that fresh air hit my lungs. A few voices were coming from the camping area, but they'd be out of earshot soon enough. Aside from that, the only noise was the breeze rustling the bushes and trees. Since I can't park inside the grounds and the best trail actually sets off from inside the car park, You can park up near the entrance and walk through.

From here you walk north and come to a trail and set off up there. You are immediately flanked by woods on both sides as you leave the campground, and it's this trail that leads directly to the lake. The trees are not very thick near the beginning, so around the first five minutes into the walk I normally stick to the trail, nothing out of the ordinary. There's actually quite a lot to explore around this part. There are some little clearances in the thick part,

of the woods. I actually had to find them on Google Maps because you can't see them from the trail. There are very few little paths leading to them. I like to approach them as the wood gets thicker and the sky disappears, to then burst through the tree line and be bathed in moonlight. The sky seems so small when you look up from the middle of a clearance in the woods. It's something you really have to experience for yourself. The best ones are in the woods to the left. To the right there's actually not much and it's only a short distance through to a road, although I still wander through that way too, which is where I was when I heard a noise behind me.

It sounded like something falling into a pile of leaves. While I stopped in my tracks. I waited as quietly as I could. It's not uncommon for things to fall out of trees or even to hear a twig snap, a rustling now and then from some animals or whatever. But something about this, just struck me like it felt as if there was something not right about it i kept looking around still and as quiet as i could it was extremely dark so i had the feeling that as unlikely as it was that it was a

person i couldn't see them so i was confident they couldn't see me i waited for a few minutes maybe five but i felt comfortable taking another step there were no other stand-out noises so i just chalked it up to my sleep-deprived imagination I made my way to the trail again I knew I was almost at the clearing in the woods on the other side so I wanted to head over to that area Now I want to mention here that In about seven or eight years of walking at night

Not only this trail but multiple woods and trails nearby my town at this time of night I have never once run into another person outside of the town But fuck me As I approached the trail just before I revealed myself to the night sky I was a fucking guy walking down the opposite way, like away from the lake towards the camping round. I stopped and crouched down and just observed him, feeling safe that he hadn't seemed to notice me, and I was obscure by about three layers of trees.

You walked calmly and without hesitation, as if he knew this area as well as I did. As he got closer, I knew I'd never seen this man before. His face was gorned and expressionless. His clothes looked a little. rough but he was dressed pretty smart like he was wearing a suit that hadn't been taken care of for years walked right past me looking nowhere but straightforward i didn't make a sound i just watched honestly i was a bit scared but we were only about 15 minutes from a campsite so maybe he was staying there and decided to go over a two a m walk oh in a battered old suit alone it's the only explanation i could think of

be honest. Whatever the reason, I did not want to come face to face with this freaking random guy I'd never seen before at 2 a.m. in the woods, so I knew that much. I waited until he was pretty much completely out of sight, and I hastily skipped over to the other side, making sure I held up for a few minutes when I got there to see if he had either noticed me or turned back or anything. He didn't, thankfully, but it still creep the hell out of me. I turned back in the direction of the lake, taking myself through the woods. I was almost at the first clearing, and I like to call it the spider, because it's a kind of almost circular shape, with small trails leading off its edge in all directions, kind of like legs. Well, I don't know, I just thought it was a

cool name. I could see the tree line approaching, and I couldn't wait to get a view of the sky from it. I tried picking up the pace a little, but the wood gets quite thick as you get closer, so it's not easy. There was dead silence. The only sound was the crunching of leaves and twigs under my boots. Even the breeze had died. It was actually quite eerie, but in a way I kind of like that. I could feel adrenaline beginning to pump through my veins. As I set foot on the soft grass of the spider clearing, there was absolutely no sound, no breeze, no leaves or twigs, no animals or critters, only deafening silence. As I took a few more steps towards the middle, the moon wasn't in exactly the right place

to shine in and light the area up as sometimes it does. So it was dark, very dark. I could still see to some extent. There was light spilling in from the edges, but not much. I could see the tree line all around me, but it wasn't such that I could make out individual trees. I could only recognize it as a dark wall surrounding the clearing. I'd crane my neck to look directly upwards at the sky.

The stars shone so brightly as they seemed to float inside the most beautiful deep blue and purple ocean in the sky, with a smoky cloud-like haze forming behind them, as if it was about to swallow them all whole. I could honestly stare at that forever. Excuse me? I literally jumped back and let out a gasp of terror as I saw a pale-faced, frail old man standing right in front of me. "'Excuse me, sir,' he repeated in his high pitch to shone. shaky voice. I stared at the frail old man, unable to say a word. His white crooked face seemed to emanate its own light, as did his whitish wrinkled hands. The rest of his body was as dark as the tree line on the other side. It was almost as if it was swallowing any available light that met it.

I just stared in disbelief. What was I seeing here? Was I hallucinating? Excuse me, young man. The old man shamed. The old man shaked. The shaky voice repeated as he took a step towards me. I took a step back. Who are you? I inquired. Fear so evident in my tone. I was hoping you could help me, please.

The old man grumbled as he took another wobbly step forward. I took another step back. I'm sorry, mister. I really need to get going, I said, as I took another step backwards towards the trees. Sonham, lost in. I need to find my way back to my wife. Her name is Loretta. Have you seen her? I need to find her. She's out here somewhere. Look, Mr. I've not seen any Loretta or anybody around here at all. It's 3 a.m. There's no one back here. We're in the woods. I stop for a second.

Wait, are you from the camping ground at Oakwood? Camping ground? he replied. Yes, the camping ground just about there. I turned my head towards the direction of Oakwood. There's a trail, it's only about 15 or 20 minutes walk, but I... As I turned my head back to face the old man, you would not believe what I saw. I couldn't even believe in my own sanity.

It couldn't be. It was impossible. As I turned back around, I saw... Nothing. The old man was gone. I mean, completely gone. It was nowhere in the clearing to be seen at all.

I must have been hallucinating. It had to be that. There's no other explanation. I don't feel weird in any way, or sleep reprived, or even tired. It was so real. There was no way it was a hallucination. How could that be possible?

Nothing like this had ever happened to me before. I was too scared to move. I dropped to my knees. My legs had turned weak. because sheer terror took over me after what I'd just witnessed. I tried to reason with myself that it had to be my imagination. That or the old man somehow ran into the darkness. It was only a few seconds that my gaze had left him,

so I didn't seem possible, but there just had to be some kind of explanation. I slowly got back to my feet, looking all around desperately, trying to see something, anything. But I couldn't. I decided maybe I'd stick to the main open trail, stay out of the woods until I got to the lake. Also, the trail gets me there faster.

I could see a pale green tint in the sky. The aurora had come tonight, and I didn't want to miss it. As I walked back through the tree line heading for the trail, I just had a feeling there were eyes on me from all directions. At some points they actually thought I could see eyes move in the trees, several eyes glowing white. but only for a split second. Some of them I thought I saw were red, which creep me out, but they were just in my periphery. And when I turned to check, there was always nothing there. I just wanted to get to the trail as fast as possible. I made it pretty quickly, aside from stumbling on a few rocks and fallen branches. The trail opened up in front of me, and I was less than

ten minutes from the lake. I picked up the pace, and I felt like if I made it there, I could just forget about all the weird stuff and watch the sky relax and then take the fastest route back to the car a very long and brisk five-minute walk later i had the lake in my sight i could see the moonlight bouncing off the surface shimmering like a beacon of white flame i broke into a jog and made it there in a minute or two the breeze had picked up again i could hear the rustling of leaves along with the smooth lapping of water against the bank the aurora was lighting up in the sky in a deep shade of purple with a green rim and the stars were bursting through like a huge city in the sky i could already feel my trouble slipping away as i walked up to the edge of the water

i bent down to pick up a star from the soft damp grass and skipped it across the surface leaving ripples trailing behind that distorted all the colors of the night sky in all manner of wonderful patterns one two three four five six seven eight skips and the stone was quickly swallowed by the lake I walked slowly around letting the surrounding sink into my body and mind and I had a huge sigh of relief and bent down to pick up another stone one two three four five six seven eight nine and gone I watched the ripples in the water spread out like the lake was opening up into a glit a glistening portal in the sky. I began to walk around the bank, taking in the fresh air, every couple of minutes stopping, feeling the air on my face and enjoying the calm. About ten minutes late, I was just about to head back when I noticed something in the water. It was just up ahead,

a kind of dark mass. It looked like maybe a suitcase covered in reeds and mud. I found myself getting closer, not letting it out of my sight as it bobbed freely. and smoothly along the surface, nearing the edge. As I got closer, it started to take on a more recognizable form as I saw something at one end of the mass. A hair. It was the back of someone's head. A person was floating face down in the freezing lake.

Their matted black hair was tangled with dirt and slimy weeds running all across their back, intertwining. Their clothes seemed like they used to be either a pale yellow or green, but now a dark and mucky stained with a deep red near the neck. I was disrespectful as this might sound, I had to grab the person by the hair to drag them closer. It was as far as I could reach, although it was either that or leave them there.

The long, slippery hair was sliding between my fingers as I struggled to grip, but I managed to pull them close enough to get my hands under their arms and drag them onto the land. I poured the body about ten feet from the water. It wasn't easy. I flipped the poor soul over and discovered a bloated face with peeling skin. Horrible little creatures were crawling from orifice to orifice and scurrying all over their face and eyes.

I studied the body. I saw it was a pale green dress, kind of like some old-school diner waitress. I almost threw up when I saw the huge, deep, clean wound across their neck. Bloodless, but the insides of the throat were completely exposed and cut through the skull appeared dented smashed in with some blunt object i began to notice stab wounds all over the body the legs the stomach the face the chest the chest i noticed a name tag on the chest i ran my thumb across the cold metal and revealed the name loretta i jumped up i felt sick i felt like i was about to have a panic attack Loretta, I kept seeing that name tag in my mind's eye.

I heard the skipping sound again. I stopped. I stared as the ripple was opened once again as a stone skipped all the way towards me. I could feel my stomach turned as it skipped right up and jumped out of the water and landed at my feet. There was a lump in my throat. I picked up the stone and stared intently at it. My heart sank as that familiar feeling of dread consumed me. A whistle echoed from the other side of the lake.

The light was much better here, thanks to the unobstured moon. As I looked up and across the lake, there he was. The old man. His chalk-white face was unmistakable, but he was taller, much taller. He stared at me with his glowing reddish eyes, smiling a toothy grin. He jumped into the water and disappeared beneath the surface. I started shaking in fear.

My legs couldn't move. I wanted to bolt as fast as I could, but I was frozen. I had a soft brush of grass behind me. If I could even turn around, I felt the slick, cold, wet hands wrap around my face, covering my mouth. The smell was unbearable, and it felt like the decomposing flesh was seeping into my mouth as I tried to scream I was able to turn my head just enough to see Loretta her dead eyes stared right through me as if I didn't exist she made no sound and her grip tightened around my face I looked forward and saw the old man's head sticking out of

the water just ten feet away you staring right at me smiling and slowly rising above the surface as he pulled himself out of the water he gave a very very light but menacing laugh. Excuse me, could you help me find my wife? He growled as he laughed behind his words like a mania. I was helpless. I didn't know what was going to happen, but I had to try and get out of there any way I could.

I thought Loretta's grip, but she was unexpectedly strong. I tried kicking her behind me but to no avail. Eventually, I let my legs give way completely. I drop straight down. like a dead weight to my ass and was able to slip through her watery grasp she clambered to grab me again I was able to roll to the side and jump up as fast as I could the old guy just stopped and stared as I ran back into the woods

Loretta stared too a black and puffy eyes seemed to train on my very being with laser precision as her dead gaze pierced my soul I wasn't slowing down for freaking anything i ran as fast as i could never looking back the fog began to descend on the forest as the air began to change became more and more difficult to see where i was going with every passing second as i ran something barged into me or i barged into something was a body hanging from a tree swinging violently as i screamed and got back to my feet i sprinted once again through the trees when i saw more bodies everywhere I looked, swinging from the trees in the fog. I couldn't stop. I had to run through them. Some of them grabbed my hair and my jackets. I was crying now, and my legs were getting weaker.

I could feel my body giving up. Help! I screamed in vain as my legs began to wobble. Somebody, please help! I wrote through the trees and I collapsed. I was on the trail. The fog was still getting thicker, but I knew I could make it back easier this way. I saw a shadow slowly emerged through the cloud. I just lay on my front sobbing. My legs had given up, and there was no fight left in me. I knew it was them. I knew I was probably going to die. Are you okay? asked an unfamiliar voice. I glanced over, and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a guy from earlier. I'd seen walking the trail. Still, his beautiful, old, shitty, suit. That beautiful, fucking weird bastard was back, and he was here to save me. I thanked all the

gods I don't believe in, and sobbed even more. Please, help me, please, I'm being chased. I'm being hunted. Hunted, the man asked. Oh, let me help you up. Sit over here on this stump and catch your breath. Maybe then we can get you back down to Oakwood once you've got your energy bath. I couldn't believe my luck. I couldn't believe what had happened. I was so happy I was safe. I actually felt safe. I sat on an old tree stump and let my legs regain feeling and let my energy replenish.

So what do you mean you're being hunted? By who or by what? The man asked. That's a long story. You'd never believe it anyway. I'm not even sure if I do. You're welcome to try me. I'll keep an open mind.

He reassured me, smiled. warming. Honestly, I don't even know where to begin, I said as I stretched my leg out to keep it from cramping. I whimpered in pain. Oh, careful there, buddy. She'll let yourself relax. You're obviously very tense if you've just gone through a traumatic experience. I'll stay here with you, don't worry, however long it takes. I started to feel a whole lot better. I interrupted the quiet once again so um what actually happened and i'm confused as to why you wouldn't believe it yourself it just happened moments ago he asked me well because it's just so far afished i can't even trust my own mind anymore i hesitantly replied kicking my legs out again and finally able to feel something in them well

he said putting his hand on the back of my neck sometimes things happen that i saw out of this world. Most people won't even believe a single word until it's staring right at them. Well, in the face, like. He began to growl, as I felt his fingers elongate and tighten right around my neck. When I turned my head, I was face to face with the most grotesely evil-looking pale face with glowing, deep red eyes of the hottest flame. His hot, arid breath almost choking. He began laughing maniacally and threw me to the ground, and stood. And, stood up. He was about eight feet in height and slim. His long pointed fingers danced around like a kid in a sweet shop picking out his favorite candies. His crooked legs began to stomp towards me. The adrenaline

burst through my body like a shotgun shell, and I jumped so fast to my feet and sprinted like I never had before, screaming like a freaking lunatic the whole way, all the time hearing that horrible laughter like it was right by my ear. I almost berth through my car door as I made it back. I fumbled for my keys, jumped in, I grabbed my knife, and started the car. My wheels screeched as I took off at breakneck speed. I couldn't get home fast enough. I skidded the car to a halt in my drive and legged it into the house.

Can't even remember if I closed the car door. I switched on every light and sat in the middle of my lounge with my knife and my hand. And waited. I sat in total silence for over an hour, every little noise, every creak and general household noise that wasn't my thumping heartbeat sending a cold shiver down my spine. Only after I'd managed to calm down did I feel comfortable moving from my spot. I could finally feel the tiredness begin to take over. It was around 5.30 a.m. Maybe it was safe to go and try and get some sleep. My body ached and I was mentally and physically exhausted.

I felt battered and bruised. I left every light on and cautiously walked out to my room. I made sure every window and every door was locked before I lay in bed, still an edge that feeling tired. The simple darkness outside my window struck fear into me. I didn't want to look, so I turned away from it. I'd probably end up waiting until the sun came up before I could sleep. Although my eyes were really heavy, I couldn't decide if I was too scared, or if it was

even safe to sleep. As I lay in bed under my cover, my mind raised. My eyes were opening and closing. My blinks got longer. Compared to earlier, I did feel a little better, but it didn't take away from the absolute terror that enveloped my every thought. My eyes were getting really, really heavy now. I knew the time was coming when I would have to give up fighting sleep and just let it take over. Feeling so sleepy, I thought I fell asleep. I felt asleep. for a minute or two but I couldn't be sure it was time for me to drift off my brain was shutting down from exhaustion now I can't be a hundred percent sure because I was on the threshold of dream and reality but I swear this felt as real as everything

that had happened earlier just before my mind switched off I heard something inside my room that still haunts me to this very moment I've done everything that's happened and that will stay with me for the rest of my life excuse me a shaky voice in quiet and my eyes shot open

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I lay frozen in fear. All I wanted to do was sleep, but I always took. terrified now did I really just hear that I checked my phone it was almost six a.m. I sighed. It was beginning to get lighter outside at least. It was still pretty dark but dawn was fast approaching and my ex-wife would be dropping Julian, my four-year-old son, off in two hours. I take him every Sunday and Tuesday and every second Saturday. I wish I could see him every day, but such is life, I guess. My ex-wife Linda left a couple of years ago because I'd become withdrawn. We barely spoke to each other, and I suppose she was right. I had become withdrawn.

I was disappearing a lot more often during my sleepless nights, and for longer periods of time. I was never up to anything other than being a loner, but she probably had her suspicions, too, so that didn't help. Anyway, I supposed I should just get up. I felt so groggy, a stumbed. A stumbed. I downstairs again turned all the lights off and made myself a coffee it was freezing and the kitchen window was wide open so I shut it and turned the heating on I put on the TV and had a quick look at the news headlines nothing was interesting so I started channel flicking I was about halfway through my coffee when my stomach started to turn the kitchen window I'd made double-note triple sure that every

single door and window was locked before I went upstairs to bed Mental images from the previous night raced through my head. The skipping stone, that drowned woman, the guy's face. It made me shiver just thinking about it. I went back upstairs after my coffee. There was nothing good on TV as usual, so I decided to make sure the spare room was ready for jewels. I changed the bedding and tidied up a little.

Maybe here soon. I had time for a quick shower got myself ready, feeling a little more alive now, thanks to the coffee and the shower. Three knocks on the door startled me just as I walked past it. Oh, hi, son, I said as I swung the door open. Nobody was there. Now I'm fucking freaking out again.

I slammed the door shut and instantly three knocks rattled the inside of my head. It sounded like a bowling ball falling down some wooden stairs. I sat with my back to the door. Please just stop, I whispered to myself. three more knocks i got to my feet and hesitantly i unlatched the handle and slowly open the door hey daddy hi daddy my son's sweet little voice was like music to my ears jules come and give me a hug we man i said delighted to see his face but i was not so delighted to see the dagger look from linda what the hell was she pissed off about

"'Come on in,' I said to both of them. "'Jules, go and get your toy box. "'M'm and Dad need to talk for a minute.' Linda gestured to the lounge where a box of Julian's toys was stalled. She led me into the kitchen. "'What the fuck was all that about, Cameron?' She snarled at me, getting right in my face. "'What was what about? What do you mean?

"'You were standing waiting at the door for you, and you open it and then slam it in our faces. What the fuck are you on? Julian was frightened. You better not be on any fucking drugs, Cameron, because if you are, this is the last time you'll see him, I swear to fucking God.

They were at the door. I couldn't have been more confused, there was definitely nobody there when I opened it. Well, no time to think about it right now. Just say the right words and get the angry psycho out of my house. It's really fucked with my head, though. Norlinda, I'm not on drugs for Godseek.

I haven't slept much at all recently. I was just joking with the door thing. Like a prank. I mean, I guess I looked like death warmed up, but that's only because I haven't slept. I'm fine now. I had coffee in the shower and I'm feeling good. I explained, while I gently ushered her back into the hallway. Everything's fine, I promise.

I added. I gave Jules a shout to come and say goodbye to his mum and quickly let her out the front door. When she'd left, Jules was still playing with his toys. I just joined him in the lounge and slumped on the couch. Jules looked so happy playing with his cars and trucks. I put Nickelodeon on for him, and I lay down on the couch. I wasn't paying much attention to the TV. I could only hear Jules playing.

My eyes were slowly getting heavier. Broom, boom! Mew! Oops! Purple car has crashed into Master Truck. get the ambulance Nina, Nina, Nina Bless him

Julian continued Come on Purple Car Let's get you to Gecko's garage He'll fix you up My eyes were getting heavier I had tunnel vision And Julian's voice Was sounding more like an echo in my hollow head

Neon, no Ambulance is stuck Whilst the trucks are help in ambulance Brum-Zoom Give it me back Give it me back It's mine Dad, he's taking my trucks.

I sprang from the couch, panicked. What happened? Jules was visibly upset, but nothing was out of place. The stretchy man tried to take my monster trucks. Jules said, more annoyed than fearful. I could feel that lump in my throat return. I felt sick and so tired. Okay, Jules.

Well, he's gone now, so there's nothing to worry about. about it's just your imagination I said while sitting him up on my knee I don't think he's gone dad jewels whispered as we both heard two thumps from above us I immediately ran upstairs but all was quiet there was nothing at all nothing had a place no person or anything else I checked under every bed every wardrobe behind every door nothing I went back down to get Jules then. We should go out and grab a ball and some toys, but we can go to the park. Jules jumped up. Yay, the park! He screamed, because he grabbed some trucks in a football. We spent a few hours kicking the ball around and just messing about in the park. We got some lunch,

some sandwiches and chips. As we were leaving the cafe, I ran into a friend of my dad's, Big Joe, or as some called him, old Joe, or the veteran. I don't even know how old this guy wants. I don't even know how old this guy was, but he looked about a hundred when I was young. Anyway, the reason I was so glad to see him was that if you ever wanted to know anything about Aviemore, fast or present, he always knew. He seemed to know everything that had ever happened and all the latest town gossip. Jew, I said. It's been a while.

How are you all the time? Hey, Cammy, son. You're looking good. I've never been better, my God. Is that Jules? You're just an ankle bite. the last time I saw you, we man. He ruffled Julian's hair,

and he shied away behind me, peering at Joe with suspicion. He's getting big now. Starting school next year, I said with a proud look on my face. This is, Joe. You was a friend of your grandparks, I explained to Jules as he continued to hide behind me.

Um, anyway, Joe, I'm actually glad I ran into you. Something happened last night up at Avi Lougham. Something's so insane, I can't even describe it all right now. I was wondering if I could bend your ear about it. Maybe tomorrow if you have time. Joe's expression changed.

He looked more worried than please now. Hey, uh, aye, aye. Okay, Kami. He stuttered and stumbled over his words. His voice fell to a whisper. Listen, make sure you come around to my hoose tomorrow as soon as you drop jewels off. Come alone as early as possible. Okay, no worries, Joe. I'll be there.

I felt a bit freaked out by his response. He had a serious look of worry on his face, and I was eager to find out what he knew. Joe hurried away without another word. So Jews and I started down the street. We were originally going to see a movie, but there wasn't anything good in the cinemas, so instead we went back to a shop to look for a DVD to buy.

We got popcorn, snacks, some juice, we got Toy Story 4 and Pinocchio. Secretly, Pinocchio was partly for me. It was my favorite Disney movie. Let's have a night of a couple of movies and some snacks. I smiled at Jules as the shop assistant carefully packed our stuff into bags. She smiled at Jules.

Oh, Toy Story is one of my favorites. Have you seen it? Jules shied away behind my legs again. No, you haven't seen it yet, have you, son? I answered on his behalf. smiling back well i hope you enjoy it as much as i did she let out a little laugh at yours being shy and that'll be 38 pounds 80 i handed over 40 pounds and she gave me the change thank you very much she said thank you i replied smiling as i turned to head to the exit

i caught sight of her name tag hello my name's loretta happy to help it read My head felt dizzy, and I stumbled at step. Are you okay, sir? She asked, did she put an arm out to steady me? I'm fine, I replied. It's just... I looked at the name tag again. Hello, my name is Lauren.

Happy to help. I shook my head and then stared for a moment in confusion. It's nothing. I'm sorry, I just felt a bit dizzy. Jules looked at me slightly worried. I took his hand and we walked quickly to the car. When I sat inside, I had to think for a few minutes. Did I just imagine that?

On my head was spinning, flashbacks from the night before were vivid in my mind. We got back home at around 4pm, so Jules had three or four hours until bedtime, enough time to watch both movies, eat snacks, and get him bathed and ready for bed. Our night went without incident. Aside from me almost falling asleep multiple times, we had a fantastic night just us too Jules loved the movies and so did I

got him in his bed and started reading him a Dr. Seuss book It's the one about the trousers with nobody inside them that chases the character around Well he was sleeping before I was even halfway through But I finished anyway Kind of enjoyed it My big kid's side was showing through tonight I felt like I'd be able to go and sleep

Pretty easily tonight I could barely focus on the book I was that tired. Went downstairs and got some water before returning to my bedroom. I lay in bed, eyes wide open, praying I'd be able to sleep tonight. I checked jewels on the little camera

and he was out of it. My eyes, once again closing, on the brink of sleep. My body relaxed and finally, I switched off, and then the dreams took over. I felt like I hadn't slept for weeks. I had a weird dream.

I'd got jewels a stretch Armstrong toy for his birthday. It went wild and started wrapping its arms around him hundreds of times, and I couldn't get it off. Eventually it woke me up, and I was in a cold sweat. I checked my clock, 1.22 a.m. It was actually quite depressing, seeing that. I really felt like I was going to sleep right through the night. I just lay there listening to the wind outside. I didn't want to look. I didn't want to move.

less than a minute later i heard julian screaming like a blood-curdling scream i jolted out of bed and burst into his room dad dad help he screeched as he sat upright crying his eyes out the stretchy man said he was taking me away my body felt weak i felt absolutely helpless as he sat there physically shaking i put my arms around him "'It's all case, son. You can come sleep in my bed. It was just a nightmare,' I said, knowing to myself that something more sinister was definitely going on, but not wanting to admit it. I'm scared, Dad. He's not my friend. I think he's a bad man. When I looked at him, sobbing, and I tried to comfort him. Okay, okay, well, I'm here now, and I won't let him do anything. It was just a bad dream. I carried him into my bed, and I lay away.

for several hours while he eventually slept beside me. But I was on high alert. Everything had me on edge. I think I slept for another hour, and then my alarm went off. I had to get Julian ready for nursery. We had some toast for breakfast and a coffee, and I dropped him off at 7.45 a.m. I love you, son. You have fun today, I said and kissed him on the head. Love you, Dad, he shouted, or already turned to run into his glass. I had to get to Joe's ASAP. I wasn't sure if I was too early, but I figured I'd drive by anyway and see if he was up. He did say as soon as I dropped jewels off, so surely he should be waiting for me.

I drove around. His house was about halfway down a dead-end street, so I drove past so I could turn around and park facing the way I'd be leaving. As I drove past, I saw a large, black transit van with a strange red W symbol of the side, parked just outside Joe's house. When I got to the end of the street in my rear view, I saw a hooded figure come from Joe's front door, jump in the van and speed off. I parked in the newly vacant space on the street. When I got out, I had a good look around. Something was strange about what had just happened. Something didn't sit well with me about that van man. I marched up to the

front door and rang the bell. No answer. I rang it again. No answer. I tried the handle and the door creaked open. Joe, I shouted, hoping to God he still lived here. I received no reply, so I entered the house. The smell was so overpowering that it made me feel lightheaded. I felt like I was struggling to breathe and see. It was petrol.

Joe's house smelled like a petrol station. Joe! I screamed as I darted up the stairs. Joe was sitting in the hallway, soaking wet on a wooden seat with tears in his eyes. Joe, what the fuck is going on? I demanded. Joe sat and whimpered. I'm sorry, son. I'm so sorry. Joe, what? Sorry about what? What? What the hell is all this? Then Joe struck a match.

Follow the whispers and the woods. Don't trust any of them. not even the police he held the match to his neck you wait don't I shouted at him as his whole body was engulfed in flames in the blink of an eye the fire crept and spread onto the floor like it was chasing me down I fell backward down the stairs well luckily I was able to get myself out but I'd hurt myself badly I was able to make it to my car to phone the emergency services I picked up my phone. Seven miss calls.

It rang again seconds after I picked it up. Hello? Hello. Is that you, Mr. Murphy? The worried tone in the woman's voice convinced me this was not going to be good. Yes, speaking, who is this? This is Caroline from Avivore early days' daycare centre and nursery. You better come down right away.

Your son Julian is missing. The police are on the way and so is his mother. I almost choked. It's a phone call nobody ever wants to get, and you never expect it to happen to you. I felt like someone had ripped out every organ in my entire body. I began shaking uncontrollably. What happened? I mean, what's happening?

I tried to get my words out, but I could barely speak. Sir, if you could get here right away, please. We'll go through the whole protocol with everybody. I'm sure he'll turn up, but we need you both here as soon as possible. I hung up the phone, jumped in my car, and I fucking started bombing it down the road back to the nursery. I'd only left him half an hour ago. This didn't make any sense. I didn't even think about Joe's place burning to the ground.

Surely someone would phone it in. What if they saw me speeding away from the scene? All these things rattle around in my mind. I couldn't even think straight But my train of thought Was well and truly stopped in its tracks Just as I approached Julian's nursery I parked about halfway down the street

Because I saw something that made my heart stop Linda's car Three police cars And a large black transit van With a strange red W symbol on the side Parked amongst them A week of no answers Tales from an Insomniac part three

I sat in my parked car and observed the comings and go-ins of the nursery. There were several police officers milling around, and every now and then Linda would pop out crying. She was inconsolable as officers tried to steady her on her feet and calm her down. I hadn't seen anyone approach the black van yet. Well, I couldn't not go. I had to go in, otherwise it might draw some suspicion on me somehow. I waited a few more minutes before I pulled out,

making sure nobody saw that I was part just down the street. I pulled up behind the van and got out, hoping to get a look in the back windows. They were tinted, so dark that I couldn't see anything at all. They may as well have not been there. As I rounded the van, I got a peek inside the cab. Nothing suspicious to note. I stepped inside the nursery and I could already hear Linda sobbing from outside. I took a deep breath and headed for the office.

I opened the door. Four police officers, Linda, a nursery nurse, and the owner or head of the nursery turned to face me. The nursery nurse was also crying, while everyone else was stone-faced as they stared, waiting for me to break the silence. I'm Julian's dad. My voice croaked as I realised how dry my mouth was.

Linda ran over and threw her arms around me. Why did it have to be him? She sobbed and sniffed as she forced her words out. It'll be okay, Linda. We'll find him. I hoagged her back in an attempt to comfort her, the only way I knew how. Can somebody film it in, please?

I asked, as everyone just stood twiddling their thumbs. The owner of the day care spoke up. Julian had been talking about a man who kept trying to take his toys and annoy him. He ran from his class and hid in the cupboard. He was out of sight for ten seconds. Max, and when the nurse opened the door, he'd vanished. We think he didn't go into the cupboard, and instead ran outside where he was snatched. It seems impossible that he could make it that fast, but there's no other explanation.

We don't have any witnesses, sir, any proof of what happened. To tell you the truth, we don't actually have proof of anything at this time. I turned to the police. Who's in charge here? I asked. One officer stepped out of the room with the room. out a word. I just stood looking confused. I need some answers here. This is my son. The officer returned with a tall, bulky, detective-looking guy in an expensive suit. You're looking for the officer in charge. That'd be me, Detective

Chief Superintendent Williams. Williams, is that your van powered outside? I asked, feeling sure he wouldn't have seen me at the Veterans House, so I wanted to see if he'd slip up. My van? He looked confused. Yes, the black transit outside. Whose is it? My voice was getting noticeably louder. I have no idea, said Williams. Let me check that out for you.

I followed him outside. Just before we reached the exit, I had the feeling in my gut that I knew exactly what was going to happen here. I wasn't even shocked to see that the van was gone. Everyone just looked at me like I was crazy. It must have been someone else's van, I muttered. My car was still parked in the same place, right behind where the van once stood. I just couldn't wrap my head around all these bizarre things that kept happening.

I didn't have time to think. We had to find jewels. DCS. William spoke up. So if you and the boy's mother could accompany us to the station, we need statements from you and the nursery staff. Absolutely, no problem, I hesitantly replied. As I was walking away I overheard Carolyn, the head of the nursery, tell Williams that she'd seen someone park the van one street over. God, I fucking knew it. I knew something wasn't right with him.

This whole situation reeked of shit, and I was going to get to the bottom of it one way or another. The blue lights all flashed on in unison, and the police convoy set off, then Linda's car, and then myself with two cars behind me. I could still see Williams and Carolyn talking in my rear view and glancing over at me as we drove away. We drove straight to the station. Once inside, we were taken separately and asked to give a statement about when we'd last seen Julian. What his mood was like, what he was wearing, did he have many friends, and so on. One question caught me off guard, though. It wasn't unusual.

I can imagine it's one of the most typical standard questions in this situation. where are you between 745 and 8.15 this morning? Of course they should ask anyone and everyone this, but I was at the veteran's house. I didn't want to say I was there because then that might open a whole other line of questioning, plus the fact I saw the van there which was possibly driven by Williams. If he found out I knew he was at the scene, and I might be in for a rough time. On the other hand, what if someone saw me fleeing the same? seen right after the house caught fire or worse what if williams had seen me i'd already hesitated long

enough it was a simple question it was less than two hours ago and i was making myself look somewhat suspicious by taking so long to answer i'm sorry my mind's a million miles away i mumbled buying myself time let me think yeah i dropped jewels off then i headed to see one of my dad's old friends, big Joe McKenzie. You might know him as the veteran. I made sure I didn't speak of him in the past tense. Of course, we know Joe. How long were you there for? The detective queried. Oh, seconds. Not on the door twice, and he never answered, so I just left and started heading home. And I got the call about jewels and went straight away to the nursery, I explained, almost convincing myself. Okay, um, was there anyone else there?

Well, this struck me as odd. Maybe it was another routine question, but I'm now wondering what they know. Why would they ask that? I'm just visiting a friend, said I knocked on the door and left. It didn't add up in my head. No, I never saw anyone. The two detectives glanced at each other for a second. Then the other asked,

Well, the nursery said they called you seven or eight times before getting through. Why was that? I'm not sure. I was probably driving and I didn't hear my phone. It's usually on silent. I only noticed the missed calls when I was checking the time when it rang in my hand as I looked. That's when I answered. They both took some notes and then continued asking more questions. I was then asked to sign a statement containing all the information I just shared with them, and we were done. Thank you for your full cooperation, Mr. Murphy. Our investigation has already gone beyond the first few steps.

So hopefully we'll be able to find Julian soon. The next 48 hours are crucial, so I can assure you we'll be working around the clock to get him home safe. Thank you. Please find him. Please, I pleaded as I shook their hands. We'll do everything we can. They turned and led me back to the lobby where Linda was waiting,

still red-eyed and crying her heart out. We waited for everyone else to come out from giving their statements, and we all went back to the lobby. the nursery to try and organize some kind of search party right away i was suspicious of DCS williams and now caroling but i felt like i couldn't tell anyone like it would backfire and everyone would think i'm insane and not believe me i could see how everyone especially linda had their full trust in those two people and i'd need some kind of evidence something concrete to back up my theory before i go blurting out accusations but for now i'd play along and just try and find my son

after the first crucial 48 hours, we still hadn't heard a single word from the police. We had search parties day and night looking everywhere for any signs. Linda would join the day search, but I was able to join both since I only slept two or three hours a day anyway. I was out pretty much constantly looking for him. The fact that we hadn't had a single update worried me. It felt like they weren't bothering to even search for him. I thought they would have patrols out. police guided searches, sniffer dogs and helicopters.

There was none of that. It was like they'd just forgotten. I eventually contacted them, only to be told they were doing all they could and it was under investigation, blah, blah, blah. After the third day, I'd been contacting them every hour or two around the clock. There surely had to be some kind of update,

but every time I contacted them, they had the same story. What was weird was that, there had been absolutely no report on Joe's house or anything about Joe, not a word by anyone, not even in the local paper. It was like they had just been completely overlooked. I mean, I wasn't really complaining, I didn't want to find myself answering questions about that. But I just thought it was a bit odd that nobody had even mentioned it.

Days five and six, the search parties have gotten smaller in numbers and shorter. People were giving up so easily, it kind of hurts. I think they must have thought that if a four-year-old was out alone in the winter for five or six days, the search would either be for a body or a kidnapper. Nobody wanted to be confronted by either of those things. There were a select few family and friends still searching relentlessly with us, but we always came up empty-handed. It crushed me every time a search had to be stopped because of the weather or some other reason.

All I could think of was my poor boy, lost and alone, while he all went home and sat in front of our fires. After a week of no answers and constantly calling the station 20, 30 times a day, DCS Williams showed up at my door. It was 11pm and he was alone, as was I. Oh, um, I, is everything okay? I wasn't expecting anyone tonight, I said as he stood on my porch, wet from the rain. Good evening, Mr. Murphy.

I just wanted to stop by, you know, un-officially to see how you were getting on, he declared in his comforting baritone voice. Well, suppose I'm holding up okay, considering I'm actually just getting ready. There's another search. May I come in, Cameron? he interrupted. Is it okay if I call you, Cameron? He asked, placing one foot over the threshold. Yeah, suppose so. I don't really care, I mumbled as he pushed his way inside. He walked straight into my lounge and sat down, making himself at home as if I had already told him to do some. Well, I followed shortly after, still a bit wary about this whole thing.

Please set, he gestured, to the armchair, sitting to the left of the couch. So, um, what's this all about? I asked. What? No cup of tea. You don't have guests around often, do you? He stared directly into my eyes. I felt intimidated. He was a big guy. Oh, well, I don't have any tea bags. I'm sorry. I felt like I was already walking on eggshells. Like this could go south at any second. He continued to stare menacingly.

Not to worry, relax, kid. So, do you have absolutely no idea why I'm here? He began pulling some folded up papers from his long coat. No, I've got no idea, sorry, I said, trying to catch a glimpse of the papers he held in his hand. Well, he looked and flicked through a couple of sheets. You told one of my detectives that you attended the dwelling of a Mr. Joel McKinsey on the morning Julian went missing. He looked up from the paper with an exaggerated, friendly grin. I did, yes, I replied. Okay, okay.

You look back smiling at the papers he ruffled in his hands. Okay, thank you. So can you tell me why you failed to mention anything about Jewel's house burn into the ground? Immediately I felt like I was under attack, but I couldn't let it show. I didn't hear anything about that. It wasn't on fire when I got there. I was stumbling over my words. Ah, okay, so you had all.

already left the area before the fire started. He looked at me with unconvincing reassurance. Relaxed, Cameron. You're not under arrest or anything. You're getting a bit fidgety. But I just don't want you to think I had anything to do with it, I said, reaching for a cigarette. Why would I think that, Cameron?

You got there, chap the door. Nobody answered. And you left, simple as that. You saw absolutely nothing. else at all, is that correct? He was now staring at me so intently I struggled to look back. No, I saw nothing at all. I must have looked visibly shaken by now. Good, he said, returning to the reassuring, friendly smile he must have used a million times. Well, I saw right through it. Well, BSB off. I don't want you to be late for your search party.

He stood up and hastily walked to the front door. I followed closely, feeling relieved. Then he turned just as the door opened and whispered in my ear. By the wee, whatever, that all contoured you, you keep your fucking mouth shut. I'll have you locked out so fast you'll get whiplash. He giggled loudly and spoken in an obnoxiously loud voice as he walked to his car. Well, thanks for the tea.

comey i wish you the best in your search tonight you ever need anything give me a call straight away he smiled again and got into his car i was scared i'll be honest i was in a rage i was pissed off but i was fucking terrified he knew i was there he knows what happened and he knows that i know he was there he came here to shut me up to make sure i wasn't going to say anything this whole tragedy the fire the veteran's death it's all being covered up because he knows i saw him there but why was he worried about what joe had told me there were so many questions but right now i was unable to even think about any of that because i was staring at my table and the pile of papers d c s williams had left behind i didn't know if i should look or actually i knew immediately there was no point in

having any kind of internal debate on whether or not to look. As soon as I saw them, I knew what I was looking at. I picked them up. There were printouts of pictures taken the morning Julian went missing. They showed me arriving at Joe's. When I was at Joe's door, entering the house, running from Joe's house while the upstairs windows had a dim orange glow that wasn't present in the others.

Me driving away. Then another of me driving away. And lastly, Joe's house, in a few. fierce blazed top to bottom. So obviously, this did not look good, considering I'd already lied to the police about my whereabouts, made it look even more suspicious. He left these here on purpose to show me what he had on me. He had me completely under his thumb, and it would take a freaking miracle for me to get out. If anything, this made me take Joe's final words more seriously. I couldn't trust anyone. I'd have to do some digging for information about

woods or find out what the hell is going on what did he mean by the whispers i knew of only one other person i felt like i could properly trust my friend archie who i grew up with all through school we'd been best friends although the past eight years or so i'd only spoken to him a handful of times he was taking my shot and telling someone everything the truth and it was going to be with him I just hope they hadn't gone to him first. When I met Archie the following morning, he looked depressed. He looked malnourished and at the end of his rope. The reason we never spoke much for all these years wasn't through a lack of trying.

Archie had just become a bit of a hermit for lack of a better word. About eight years ago, he was married to one of his long-time friends, Michelle. They were each other's first loves and got married at 19. About five years later, she fell pregnant, and when she was giving birth, She'd been put under anesthesia, but swore she'd heard that baby cry when it was born. The doctors told him she'd had a stillbirth. She might have been hallucinating. They wouldn't even let Archie in the ward.

They said it would be too distressing. She killed herself about eight months later. Archie found her hanging in their garage. The death of the baby was bad enough, but they wouldn't release the body. Apparently it was some protocol that it was taken to a tiny coffin and buried in a small, near the hospital under a memorial stone with the inscription Ben born asleep the nurses let them name the baby before he was laid to rest neither of them got to hold their firstborn then still grieving he finds his beloved wife swinging from a rope he just clasped in on himself and became

reclusive i didn't even know how long it had been since he'd last eaten or even seen anyone archie I spoke softly as he sat on his porch, staring at the ground. He didn't respond. Archie, it's me, Cameron. I took a few steps towards him and sat on the ground in his line of sight. Who are you? I've missed you, man. I extended a hand, and his eyes met mine. Cammy, who are you? It's been in fucking ages.

His hand came forth and shook mine. Ah, Muki, Archie. I don't know if you heard or not. It's Julian. He's missing. He sat silent for a few seconds. Missing. What the fuck?

I mean, who? Where? What happened? He'd begun to come to life. That's a bit of a long story, man. We should go inside, though. I don't want anybody knowing I'm here. I got up and opened the front door.

The house stank was an absolute mess. We both entered. I sat in a chair while Archie sat on the couch opposite. I told him absolutely everything. From the woods and Avie Lockham to Julian disappearing to Williams threatening me the night before. Archie stared, dumbfounded, but he didn't seem as surprised as I expected with some of the details. Oh, that right bastard Williams, man. I knew there was something crooked about him, he snarled as he looked off to the side, thinking.

I knew something wasn't right. The whole thing with a van was just completely off, I replied, shaking my head. Archie sat in silence for a few moments. Look, I need to tell you something, Kami. He rose from his battered old couch and walked over to his fireplace. He took something down. His house was dark when I could make out it was some sort of doll. He threw it over to me.

I looked at it and it was much. muddy and rotten. I felt confused. What is this? Was this a toy bought for Ben or something? Archie came closer, tears visible on his face. No, Kami, that is fucking Ben. He spoke with aggression. After Michelle's suicide, I went fucking he-wire, started taking all sorts of drugs and drinking. It went to that cemetery and dug up Ben's grave. I don't know what I was thinking or what I planned on doing. Inside his tiny little coffin, Cammy, how else is his

fucking doll? He then grabbed it and threw it into the unlit log fire. He continued. Had I got arrested. Guess who fucking let me off of it? That fucker Williams. He assured me I wouldn't go to prison

if I just kept my mouth shut. Fared me some shit about the hospital using stillborn babies for some kind of research. All above both. and government approved fucking blah blah stared archie not believing my ears fucking manipulated me into keeping silent acting like you as my friend if he's behind this somehow i'll fucking kill him myself shouting now as he paced up and down the room when i saw archie in this fit of rage and anger hearing those words and ever so slight smile crept onto my face listen archie me and you

when I saw all this shit out. I exclaimed, as I just realized that I had found my guy, a trail of whispers. Tales from an insomniac, Part 4. It didn't take long for Archie to come to his senses.

He knew exactly what we had to do. We had to find out who was behind this and what was really going on. I suggested that the best place to start would be the woods between Oakwood and Avi Lockham. It was decided that Archie's home, although it was a dump, would be our base since I figured nobody would have eyes on it, at least not for a while. We'd reconvene here every night to talk over anything we'd found out and discuss our next

steps. Something else occurred to me while we spoke that first night. I never made it to the second clearing in the woods that night. I went for my wall. This particular clearing is just north of the spider, but there had always been something so unusual about it and I've never been able to put my finger on it. 57-222-924 minus 3.818597. These are the coordinates for this area. If you happen to look it up, you'll notice that it's unnaturally green, so bright in fact that nowhere within miles is actually that green.

Additionally, there's always a sense of being watched, though, not in a sinister way. It's as if you're being held and you're safe like you're being guarded from all around in a bubble. As this all began in those woods, I decided that that was probably where we were going to first see if we could find out anything at all. That very night, after I got Archie a good meal and made him rest up, we would head up to Oakwood to investigate. There was no time to waste. I drove his beat-up old Nissan to the camping ground, and we sat at the entrance where I described to him what the plan was. But simply, we'd head straight along the trail until we were pretty much in line with the clearing,

then head directly through the woods, quietly, and avoiding being distracted by anything that made us feel uneasy, such as noises or weird men casually walking around alone. Basically, keep our eyes on the praise, I said. It was 1 a.m. exactly when we exited the vehicle and made our way through the gate to Oakwood, heading straight for the trail at the top. There were no voices from the campground this time. As we reached the trail, I started getting goosebumps all over, remembering everything that had happened a little over a week ago.

It felt like I'd forgotten, like it was a distant memory that had all come rushing back to haunt me. It made me weak at the knees, just thinking about what possibly lay ahead. I took a look overhead. The moon was full tonight and as bright as ever. the sky was clear and the familiar stars and constellations twinkled in delight at my return i looked to archie he didn't seem half as phased as i was are we going for it then i asked nodding my head fucking right we are he replied nodding back we set off along the trail wind brushed the treetops on either side to break the quiet i felt uneasy expecting to see someone appear from the distance or from the tree line at any sense second. Archie marched beside me with purpose. I'm not sure if he believed me when I told

him what had happened the last time I was here. I didn't mind. His confidence gave me a boost, if anything. He'd walked around ten minutes through the trail and were approaching the bend. What lay beyond I dreaded to think. I began to feel the hairs on my neck prick up as a vile, icy wind came from behind and slapped us with cold. I pulled my collar up and shivered. My breath now visible in the air as we hit the turning point i heard something i could feel those familiar eyes piercing me from every angle but i made sure not to look anywhere but straight ahead and i heard it again welcome it sounded like a soft slow whisper and then welcome bha it was a little clearer but sounded like multiple whispers from all around us.

I stared straight ahead. I could now see the final straight of the trail leading to the lake. I turned to Archie. His confident demeanour had faded rapidly, and he looked like he was ready to turn back. But we are come this far, Archie, it'll be okay, I reassured him, although I'm not sure if he was quite convinced.

I saw his jaw-drop as he looked ahead and to the left. and I looked up. About 40 or 50 feet away, the head was peeking out from behind a tree. Wide dark eyes and white as a sheet. The face was grinning and motionless. The soft mist fell and the head was gone. What way is this clearing bit we're going to, left or right? Archie asked, voice shaking and full of uncertainty.

It's left, I replied. Right. fuck this Blair witch project shite i'll get you back to the car i'm not going in there archie said already turning on his heels i grabbed his arm archie don't worry if anything happens we stick together if you run back alone what do you think's going to be waiting for you around that corner archie sighed well we should both go back then let's come during the day this is fucked up I grab both his arms. Listen, Archie, we're never got to find anyone here during the day except tourists and idiots. We are here to find out what goes on at night. If shit hits the fan, then we run.

But we run together and we stick together no matter what. Archie gave another big sigh. Right, oh, fuck. Okay, move. Let's do this and hurry up. I turned back toward the lake. The mist was getting a little thicker now, and we couldn't see too far ahead. We both stopped in our tracks for a moment to listen,

as we heard some more whispering coming from our front and to the left. It was mostly unintelligible, like a crowd of people whispering different words all at once. The fog rolled from right to left, and got progressively thicker. I heard torched ropes swinging slowly from branches, and the whispering got more frequent. Our pace had slowed, and suddenly we came to a halt. In the fog not far ahead of us, seven figures were standing in a line, black as cold and tall with hooded robes. They stared as we stared back, and slowly one by one moved to the tree line, like they were floating or gliding.

I never saw any movement from their legs. The heart was pounding out of my chest. We were almost at the point where we should head into the woods. but I decided we go in now, get through to the green clearing fast, and avoid getting any closer to those figures in the fog. The whispering became louder and seemed more aggressive, and the fog became thicker. I thought I saw some bodies hanging from the trees, so we adjusted our path accordingly, making sure to stay away. Sometimes the whispers seemed to swirl around us like a tornado of hate, and when we changed direction, they would come from only a certain way, as if they were leading us to where we were. we had to be we were now literally following the whispers before i even realized that's what joe had told me to do

a dim yellow and orange glow made itself visible as we approached the clearing still through thick wood but flickers of its light dance past us every few steps it grew brighter as we got closer i already knew but i confirmed to myself anyway that it was a fire i heard laughing and whispering mantras from beyond the three or four layers of trees that separated us from the green grass. Several hooded figures were standing in a line as two others walked back and forth, making signs with their hands and making everyone drink from a large bowl or chalice type thing. It seemed like there was absolutely no fog here. We looked all around and saw nothing beyond about two trees in every direction.

But looking into the clearing, we could see everything as clear as day. I felt a soft hand caressed the back of my head, and I flinched and found nothing behind me. I was so close to screaming, but I knew I couldn't give our position away, so we inched forward. Still the whispering went on, and the fire raged. One of the hooded men was making hand gestures, as if he was controlling the fire as it waltzed about ten feet high before him. Every now and then, he would throw something on the fire that would make it be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be. burst into a ball of flame and light up the whole area during one of these i noticed there were

more hooded people watching from the tree line behind them another burst and then more to the left and right and another every time it happened i saw more and more of them all around the clearing watching from the shadows i felt ice on my neck my eyes started to go hazy as i felt those grotesque long fingers snake around my neck and a slow deep gargling growl like a beast stalking its prey. I tried my best to keep my eyes open and make out the face of any person in the rows before me. I looked at Archie.

It was a glowing white visage with sharp-pointed grinning teeth, nose to nose with him. He smiled a huge grin in return, and his eyes rolled back as he fell to the ground and began to seize. The last thing I saw was foam pouring from between Archie's larger than normal teeth,

as he smiled and smiled. and shook all over, groaning with increasing intensity. The last thing I felt was the grip around my neck tightening, and felt like I was being cradled to sleep. My eyes began to roll back. I was in a dark room, bound to a wooden chair, and the rope around my wrists burned my skin. A single black candle cast a faint glow.

There were seven hooded figures lined up in front of me, one waving some kind of incense that smelled like putreact. shit. They began to approach me. I tried to scream. I tried to vigorously free my hands. I felt like I was about to have a heart attack and then. I woke up. Beads of morning dew scurried down my face. I had no idea what the hell had happened. I was lying in the damp grass in the center of the clearing and Archie was gone. I got to my feet. My body ached as I tried my best to move myself around to see if there was anything or anyone in sight. There was nothing.

No people, no fire, no evidence that there was ever anybody there just hours earlier. The only thing I did notice was some small, polished-looking rounded stones near the north side of the glaring. They were arranged in two V-shape and a circle. Apart from that, there was nothing, not even any sign of a fire. I sat on a stump for a few minutes. I needed strength in my legs, and I didn't even know what time it was. I started heading back to the trail and then to Oakwood. I assumed Archie had bolted and took the car, but when I got to the entrance, in my sight, the car was still there.

People were standing by it. One looked very familiar, and as I got closer, my worst fear was realized. William stood by my car, smiling as he watched me walking towards it. "'A new car, kami,' he smiled as he asked, "'knowing full well it wasn't mine. "'Apparently the owners phoned the police about a car blocking the entrance. "'Why a detective's chief superintendent would have responded to that call "'would be beyond most people.

"'But I knew exactly why he was there. "'It's not my car, actually,' I replied, shaking my head. "'Well, we'll get this car toured then, buddy. "'See you picks it up,' he said. still smiling. But in the meantime, why don't you hop in my car? I think we should take a drive. I have an update on Julian's case. I agreed without a word. I just climbed into his car, happy to feel the soft leather seat. I sat with my head and my hands as Williams got in next to me. He turned and stared at me for longer than felt comfortable. I could see him in my periphery,

but I didn't respond. He then gave a chuckle. started the engine it purred loud as we pulled out of the damp entrance so camera he started i already felt sick at the possibilities of what was to come what's all this about spending the night in some woods creeping around a campsite i lifted my head and looked straight forward noticing he wasn't even driving towards the town i was um looking for julian must have passed out of something i haven't been sleeping well. Williams looked at me again. His massive forms seemed almost too big for the car. He gave me the fear. Ah, he exclaimed. Oh, that's good to see such dedication. I looked at him now for the first time. He was still smiling. Where are we going? I asked nervously. Just taking in a lot

scenery. Car myself's downed a bit. It's been a long night for both of us. William said, His eyes darting between me and the road. He slowed almost to a halt and took a cut off from the road into some more forest, a few miles north from what I could tell. He pulled the car over into the middle of some trees. Get out. His voice had changed and the fake smile became a very real frown. I quickly did, as I was told.

Williams got out of the car after me and came up close to my face. No, Cameron. He said, in a low yet aggressive voice, I specifically told you to keep your mouth shut, he hissed, spit flying from his mouth, a rage that seemed to come from nowhere. I have kept my mouth shut. I spoke back like a disobedient child. I haven't said a word to anyone.

Oh, is that so? he replied. And what the fuck were you and that junkie doing in the woods? I know that was hit. his car. What are you talking about? I don't know why his car was there. I was looking for Julian, that's all. I lied, unconvincingly. Sure, okay, but the thing is, I know you're full of shit, Cameron. I saw you both and you saw far too much, he snarled, his voice growling in anger. Then he punched me in the gut. It felt as though my ribs had wrapped all the way around his fist. I dropped to the ground, struggling for a breath. What did you do with Archie? I managed to push

out between deep, laboured breaths. I don't know where he is, probably away buying some heroin a fucking scumbat. He went on after circling my whimpering body as I knelt on the ground. But when we find him, he's a fucking dead man. He's already had his last chance, and now I'm giving you yours. He brought his fist down and hammered the back of my neck. This is the last time I want to have to tell you this. Keep your fucking mouth shut. And don't go looking around in places you have no business being.

He turned and took a step towards his car and opened the driver's door. Camera? He called as he sat inside. I looked up at him, defeated in body and mind. I almost forgot. If you want to see your son alive, do not fucking cross me ever again. He slammed the door and sped off,

leaving me broken on the marshy soil. I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to get up and kill him, but I had absolutely no fight left in me. I lay there sobbing for the longest time. I didn't know what I could do next, if anything. The rolling heads. Tales from an insomniac, part five.

I woke up and checked my phone. It was 151 a.m. I felt sick. The painkillers they had were making me drowsy, but my insomnia would always prevail. The feeling they gave me was horrible when I would wake in the middle of the night. Usually it helped to get up and eat something, but I was especially sore this night.

It had been six days since I saw Williams at Oakwood. Whatever happened the night before had left my bones my whole body in agony. I struggled to walk, I struggles to eat, I struggled to piss. I still hadn't heard from Archie or anyone else, not Linda, not the police, the nursery, none of my friends, nobody. I knew there were sporadic searches for jewels going on, but I was never able to attend. Nobody ever contacted me to tell me when they were happening anyway. I only knew from seeing bits and pieces in the local paper. I felt completely isolated. I couldn't think why Linda, of all people, wouldn't have come to check in on me at least once,

not even wondering why I wasn't looking for our son anymore. I spent most hours of the past few days in bed, awake. I get an hour or two of sleep here and there, but even falling asleep had me scared. I was having these horrendous recurring nightmares about the woods, the dark room I was in, the faces I'd seen hiding and watching my every move, getting closer as the days went by. I kept hearing whispers and chanting when I was about to fall asleep. When I'd close my eyes, I'd see that dim glow through the trees,

and it would start getting closer against my will. Then at the last second a rope around my neck would pull me up, and I'd be swinging from a branch, just another body in the woods. The chanting would get louder as life slipped away from me, and my eyes grew dark and heavy, and then I'd wake up. But tonight I woke up to a different dream. I'm sure it was a dream, but honestly, I hope it was. I was laying in bed.

It was just after 11pm, and my TV shone a soft pale glow around my room, as it sat on Netflix while I did the usual, spending about two hours looking for something to watch. As I flicked through seemingly endless titles nobody had ever heard of, I heard a thud, like a bag of sand falling from height. It came from outside, so I ignored it to not. continued. I heard another thud, then another quickly after. I turned my head to face the window wondering what it was. I heard another two or three in quick succession. This was followed by a kind

of scraping sound, not like metal or stone or wood. It was like someone was dragging a bag of meat across the road. I heard more, boom, more dragging, and scraping noises soon followed. I struggled to get myself out of bed. The painkillers were wearing off and my muscles were cramping from lying down so much. I slowly walked to the window, startled by another set of thuds as I got closer. They were coming very regularly now. Boom, boom, boom, every few seconds. I got to my window and cut my hands around my face, obscuring the reflections of my TV and room.

There were severed heads rolling up. along my streets. Every one of them had their eyes open wide, staring directly at me as they rolled along casually. Some of them smiling and laughing, some scowling and bearing their teeth at me like a dog. But all of them were rolling in the same direction. Towards the woods, I took a step back. A loud noise from behind me almost made me collapse in fear as I heard the slow dragon sound start towards me. The next thing I knew, it was one for I was in bed, drenched in sweat. I couldn't tell if it was real or not.

My dreams sometimes bled into reality and vice versa. Sometimes I'd black out and wake up in a different room. It always seemed like everything was telling me to go back to those woods. Something I didn't want to do, but when I got my strength back, I knew I probably would end up back there. I'd rather die trying to save my son than let this fucking weird cult, or whatever they were, get away with it. six a m and someone had been banging on my back door for almost half an hour now i eventually managed to get myself downstairs and i saw a silhouette through the frosted patio glass who is it i shouted acting like i was still strong enough to take on any intruders they knocked again cammy a loud whisper came through it's archie let me in i quickly opened the sliding door archie fell inside He'd had his ear against a glass listening for my response.

He probably didn't think I'd just open the door. Oh, fuck, he moaned as he picked himself up. He could have warned me. I wasn't interested. I just went back and sat down. Shut the door. What's going on? What the fuck are you been, man?

I asked. Annoyed, but glad to see he was alive at least. Cammy, I had to leave you. I'm sorry. I didn't want Williams finding me. I looked at him. What, so you just left me? I tried getting you up,

but you were kicking me and screaming and shit. We went to get the car, but I saw Williams rifling through it like he was looking for something. So I went a different way and tried to stay out of sight until I could find anything else out. He explained. He seemed genuinely apologetic in his tone, that at the end of the day he had still left me lying in the woods.

"'And did you? "'Find anything out?' I asked. "'I did, Cammy. "'Oh, you won't believe this shit, man,' he said, standing up. "'My ears pricked up. "'Well, after this last couple of weeks, "'I don't think I'll doubt anything ever again. "'What do you find out, Archie?'

"'Now I'm more interested than ever.' "'Archy began. "'When I left, I went home. "'My house had been ransacked. I think it's just a message. Nothing was taken, so I'm assuming they knew from the start we were working together. So I went to Inverness to my mom's house to lay low. Borrowed her car and drove through the nights,

and the first place I went was the cemetery where Ben was buried. He made air quotes with his fingers when he said the name Ben. I took up another two random graves in the stillbirth memorial sites, and both had dolls in them. You looked me, dead in the eyes. but whoever's involved in this cover-up must go pretty high up new-born babies have been taken from expecting parents god knows what for nobody's ever even mentioned it well then i checked the dates on the graves there had been still birthed buried there in the same month every year father's back i saw was over 30 years

ago of course i didn't check every one there wasn't much time he paused and waited for my reaction I was dumbfounded. Over 30 years, babies had been taken from their parents at birth. I don't even know what to say, Archie, I stuttered. That's absolutely fucking insane. What else did you find? I asked eagerly. He sat down again and continued.

Well, the night after that, I waited outside the police station to see if Williams came out. Got there about ten and sat lower in the car and watched. I didn't see him, but I saw him. saw that black van you mentioned leaving the car park. There were two people inside. He pulled a cruelly drawn mat from his coat. I followed it for a few minutes. Then the next night I waited at the place I'd stopped the night before,

see if it'd pass again. Well, sure enough, it drove right by me. So I followed for another few minutes. And bit by bit, I followed it night after night. It goes out of town every night at the same time. I managed to follow the lights from a distance. distance while I drove behind. There's a cut off into the woods from the road about a mile past A-V Lougham on the A-9. It leads to winding crossroads in the woods. I couldn't

go too far in but I stopped and watched until the lights disappeared and I've kind of drawn a map to where I followed it to. He handed me the map. I studied it and then asked. So what happened after that? Did you find out where it leads to? Fuck that. I came straight here, we need to go together, he said, clenching his fists as if he was giving a motivational speech. Okay, well, we can't right now. I can barely move. I'll try and get myself fit again, we can go from there. In the meantime, I'd suggest you lay low at your mum's again. I said, getting myself to my feet. Come back in a couple of days. I don't want to start using phones and shit. I don't know what these people are planted in here. There could be anything.

Archie nodded. No worries, Kami. Get yourself better. I'll see you soon. He left seconds later without another word, and I got the painkillers that lay on my bedside table. It made me feel like shit, so I was probably going to have to give them up for a start,

just try and power through the pain, try and walk more and get my muscles working. That night I fell asleep about midnight. I had a dream where I was strangling Julian while hooded figure stood. in the circle and laugh maniacly. I cried and cried as his lifeless body dangled from my tightly gripped hands. I woke up half an hour later. I knew that sound and I did not want to see that again. I pulled my cover over my head and turned the volume on my TV up. Why was I being tormented

constantly? I lay away for hours, just listening to the thuds and dragging sounds. It was like the TV was incapable of drowning anything out. My body screamed for the painkillers. My mind screamed for peace and quiet. I wished I could just get to sleep, just for one night. I made it through the next two nights feeling progressively worse. Archie visited, but I wasn't ready. I'd hold him to maybe try again in a few days. I wasn't optimistic, but I would try my best. The following three days and nights were much the same, in constant pain and no sleep, usual recurring nightmares. I was beginning to feel like I'd lost my mind. I was vomiting, I couldn't eat, my eyes were bloodshot and sore, but finally I was able to walk without screaming in pain or needing

painkillers. Archie arrived again and he had a very different expression on his face this time, one of fear of a man driven mad by some traumatic event. He came in and sat down. He came in and sat down. Archie, what's wrong? I asked him. He just stared into space. I went to the place during the day, Cammy. I don't know what it is, but there is evil there. I could hear shrill screams of pain and anguish. The smell of rotten flesh filled the whole area, and there were burning pits still smouldering. There were things inside them. I hope it was just animals, but I'm scared that it wasn't. He put his hands over his face. Well, we should maybe go back during the day just to check it out so I can have a look to and come up with some sort of plan, I suggested tentatively.

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. He agreed after a few moments of silence. Well, um, should we bring anything with us? I asked. I'm just trying to fill the silence. I don't know. We should maybe take some sort of weapons. I really don't think. we should stay along though in and out we need to be quick archie replied still covering his face okay i'll see what i have i went out to the shed in my back garden there were a whole bunch of gardening tools i hadn't touched in years i poured out a pitchfork and a garden hole then the two largest knives from the kitchen i had it was the best i could think of this is pretty much it unless you know anyone with a gun i jested remaining half serious.

Archie just looked at me. We did know some farmers, but whether they had guns or not, we couldn't say for sure. In any case, I hardly doubt they would just give us one if they did. We ate some lunch at my house, packed Archie's mum's car with the stuff we had and set off.

It'd only be about 20 or 30 minutes driving. Archie's face was still glum, looking genuinely terrified the whole way. As we turned into the forest, he was muttering to himself incoherently. We rolled up to a small patch of woods with a lower density of trees and bushes. Just beyond there lay a large log cabin

and, just like Archie had said, there were black burnt-out pits dotted all around. I told him to go and have a quick look and get a bit closer. He was extremely reluctant to get out, so he remained in the car. I got out, and the foul stench in the air was thick. It felt almost humid and smelled like rotting meat.

There was an unbelievable sense of hostility and dread surrounding the place. I almost didn't go any closer, but I wanted to just peek inside a window at least. The dried-out leaves and twigs crimpled and crunched under my boots. I tried to stay as silent as I could and tried not to breathe. My heart was beating out of my chest as I rounded a burn pit. There seemed to be charred bones in the middle, surrounded by blackness, and the whole place reeked of death. The hairs on my neck sprang up. I had a horrible feeling, and the putrid, toxic air choked me as I got closer.

The windows were caked in dirt and difficult to see through. I peaked inside one and saw nothing, an empty bedroom by the look of it. I glanced back at Archie in the car. He looked worried and dead. desperate to leave i held at one finger signaling to him i'd be just one more minute he shook his head and i turned and walked around the side of the cabin to the next window i got on my tiptoes at this window as it was just a bit higher i just managed to peer over the ledge this was a large room almost like a kind of hall there were statues and symbols all over what struck me though was the room was

almost entirely painted red from the floor to ceiling. It felt like a pure, malevolent force was drawing me in, pulling me closer and consuming my soul. A sheer belligerence of some unknown being emanating hatred and malice of the highest potency. My senses had been compromised. My vision started to blur, and the silence was absolute. The twig snapped behind me. Excuse me.

A familiar shaky voice broke the dead silence. The black mass. Tales from an insomniac, Part 6. I spun around in absolute horror. And it felt like the world spun around beneath my feet as I stood stationary, like the universe was turning to face me. I saw dead black eyes and a huge gaping mouth that seemed to ooze black tar as this shimmering smoke-like form was collapsing in on itself,

sucking the essence of life from all around to sustain its very existence. Flowers, weeds, grass, all withered and died as the black mass slowly made its way over to consume me. I fell to the ground. I couldn't scream. My vision was still blurriant, like an echo through a canyon I could hear Archie screaming my name. I stared, utterly terrified and frozen in fear as it got closer. The screams and pain were those of thousands. audible from within the black pit of his body I heard Julian he was calling me

screaming for help his little voice I didn't know if it was some kind of sick deception or not oh I'm so sorry Jules I said in my mind as my eyes welled up that was the point at which I had accepted my impending demise I felt myself jerked to the side then arms snaked under mine I was being dragged and I didn't know where to or by what. I blacked out. The gentle rocking and swaying made me feel like a feeble baby being cradled by its soft, comforting mother. I could even hear the heartbeats. The temptation to suck my thumb was there, but I resisted, remembering who I was. Where are we? I asked. What happened? Archie was white as a sheet and looked dirty. He never

spoke back after maybe 15 minutes i saw a sign welcome to the city of inverness capital of the highlands archie what are we doing in inverness i asked feeling more assertive now i was lying across the back seat and i began to sit myself up archie i raised my voice a little why are we in inverness archie looked in the mirror at me his eyes were bloodshot and damp he'd been crying because it's away from that fucking place that's why he shouted back i never challenged him on it he seemed pissed off and i never had the energy we arrived at archie's mom's house 20 minutes later and went inside his mom barely even acknowledged our presence she was an old miserable woman i never liked her even when we were young she'd hit us and scream at us

Suppose at least she was a suspect for a double murder when we were from either five or six years old. We never understood much about it at the time, but she never went to jail, so I can only assume she never did it. It never made me believe that she wasn't capable of such an act, though, because she was a truly horrible person. Even Archie called her the witch. We went through the hallway to the spare room, and Archie told me to get some sleep. A resty but couldn't sleep for the life of me. As much as I wanted to and as broken as I was, I still couldn't sleep. I lay there staring at the ceiling for what seemed like days.

Gave me time to process everything that had happened. I hadn't heard anything from Linda. If I'm honest, I was a bit worried. I had to try and contact her somehow. At some point I had to know if she knew anything or had found anything out. I actually came in a good five or six hours later. "'Cabby, um, whatever it was we saw, we need to try and forget about it. "'Just forget it as best we can and move on.

"'We can't go back there, never.' "'I looked on still deep in thoughts. "'I need to see Linda. "'I need to know what she knows, if anything,' I replied, sitting half up on the bed. "'Harchie came around to my side. "'Look, we can't face up to anything like that. whatever goes on in that town is their problem. Fuck Avivore, fuck Linda, fuck Williams,

and that bitch at the nursery, whatever her name is. Fuck them all. He continued. He can start a new life here and forget about it all. I stared into space, weighing up my options. Okay, I said, but if there comes a time I want or need to go back, I'll be met with no resistance.

I can make my own decision. "'Of course,' Archie said, nodding his head in confirmation. "'He produced a large bowl of porridge. "'Get this in you. Get your strength back and we can start finding you of some wet to stay.' I reluctantly took the porridge. I wasn't a fan, but I was absolutely starving. I ended up eating it all. I spent every day feeling constantly in fear.

Every night even more so. I never walked a night anymore. I did try once, although I didn't get very far, didn't even make it out of my own street. Aside from that, I found a place to stay. I was eating better, and I wasn't in constant pain anymore. I felt like I was able to live. I thought about Julian every single day, how I missed him and how it was too much of a coward to try harder to get him back.

We laid low for roughly two months. I never saw Archie much. I think he fell back into his old drug habits. I just tried to stay sane. I took a job at a local bar and worked pretty much constantly. I felt like I needed people around me as much as possible. Made me feel safer. But all of this was brought to a sudden halt.

A man entered the bar, drunk out of his mind. He was staggering and smashing glasses, so the manager asked me to escort him out. As we got outside, he turned a little. face me, sober and deadly serious. This will ring at 2 a.m. Do not miss it, he whispered as he placed a mobile phone in my pocket. I pushed him away and he fell. He then started shouting incoherent babble as he staggered off. I took the phone from my pocket. I could feel the fear creeping up my legs. I didn't want to know what this was all about. I got back to my flat at around 1 a.m.

on my bed and switch the TV on. The phone lay by my side. I was watching old episodes of Only Fools and Horses, the one where Del Boy falls through the bar. That's one of my favourites. I pretty much forgotten about the phone when a vibration on my leg startled me. I looked down. Unknown number calling. I swiped to answer. Cameron, you need to come back. I think there are people trying to kill me. A nervous voice dripping in worry was evident from the other end. I could feel the fear and emotion through the phone. It was Linda.

What, Linda, what's happening? Who's trying to kill you? I can't talk, Cameron. You have to come back. You have to help me. She begged down the phone. Linda, I... Maline went dead.

None of this made sense. Who was the person that had given? me the phone and why didn't they help why me i desperately did not want to go back but what else was i supposed to do maybe she knew something about julia the next morning i went to archie's mom's house he was in bed wasted i slapped the shit out of him until he woke up poured water on his face and bundled him into the back of the car oh what fuck's going on man he screeched sounding like he was mimicking a lion from a Cheech and Chong movie. What the fuck is going on, Archie?

Is that you're a fucking waster, and you're never going to get better if you don't fish your demons. Linda phoned me last night, and I realized that no matter what I do, for however long, this will always stick with me until I fight back. I explained, seemingly to a brick wall with a moustache.

My words were in one year and out of the other as he stared blankly at my face. Archie, liven the fuck up, man. Come on, wake up. His eyes were falling shut. I reached in and slapped his legs. Wake up, Archie, I shouted much louder.

Where are we going, man? He asked, as if he hadn't heard a word I'd said. I told you, Linda phoned. She needs help, and we need to help. If I'm going, then you're going. Staying here is just killing you anyway. I exclaimed, still with a raised voice. Okay, whatever.

I'm just going to shut my eyes for a minute. Archie mumbled as his head rolled around and settled on a bag in the back seat. I poured into the car park. I turned and punched Archie in the balls. Fucking wake up, idiot, I screamed. He lifted his head, apparently not feeling the punch. Where are we? He muttered, rubbing his eyes.

Hold on. What the fuck are we doing here? He said nervously, as he saw we were at the Inverness Police Station. What have I done, Cammy? Why are we here? He continued, beginning to quake. Archie, listen. Does your uncle still work here?

That ball guy, Charlie or Chuck, whatever. I asked, pensively. No, no, he left here years ago. I think he lives on the island somewhere. Why? He replied. Well, do you know anyone high up here? Anyone at all?

I was disappointed, but this seemed to be our only hope. I don't, but my mum knows the chief inspector. I think, well, I think he's the chief inspector anyway. He spoke like he was confused at his own words. Or go in and ask. In fact, I'll do it. What's his name? I said hurriedly.

I actually thought for a moment. It's either Buchanan or McAllister. My head fell in my hands. Archie, those names couldn't be more different. I can't say Chief Inspector Buchanan. Oh, sorry, I mean, McAllister. Couldn't make any sense. Come on, man, fucking think. Where's your brain? I was getting anxious and a little pissed off at this point. He paused for a good while.

It's McKinness, he said, pumping his fists like he just won a prize. So not Buchanan or McAllister, but McKinness. I was shaking my head. How sure are you, Archie? I asked him stupidly. a high number oh about 40% sure he said laughing like an idiot oh fuck this i mumbled to myself as i got out of the car i made my way to the reception the desk sergeant asked me what i was here for i need to see chief inspector mackinness i stated hoping to god that it was the right name some extremely important matter of the highest urgency i added the desk sergeant made two calls calls and then looked up.

You can't just walk in and speak to the chief, sir, but he will see you for five minutes now. Bear in mind that he's a very busy man, so be quick. He snapped as I'd already started backing away from the desk. Seconds late for a small fat man emerged with round glasses and a sense of urgency in everything he did, even down to his handshake. What can I do for you, Mr. Murphy, sorry, yeah, Mr. Murphy.

I shook his hand and started inching. away from others to be out of their airshot. Sorry to budge in like this, Chief Inspector. I'm from Aviemore, and I just recently moved here. There was something serious going on there, and I had to move away. There are children disappearing, and I think I know who's involved. He stared me, dead in the eyes. Well, who is it?

You need to understand this isn't some kind of stupid prank or anything. I can take you to a number of sites where they seem to operate. from okay i understand that he said making me relax a little bit have you ever heard of detective chief superintendent williams i asked he shook his head i have evidence he's been involved in this i've personally witnessed him doing particularly weird things that could tie him to these crimes and he threatened to kill my son if i didn't keep silent i continued oh the chief's mouth dropped open also the head of my son's nursery and some of the other staff and doctors and nurses are all involved i'm sure now i think he has my ex-wife captive possibly and she phoned pleading for me to come and

help her but i need someone with your kind of experience and your manpower to help me i'm honestly scared to go back could you wait there for five minutes the chief says less than five minutes later he rushed out with a bunch of stuff files and i'll the pointless articles. He jumped in a police fan after loading up his bags and folders. Oh, if this is true, we'd better go right away. We'll blue light the place. I'll head for Avimor. You just keep me in the right direction. We'll get to the bottom of this, Mr. Murphy. And if you could just follow behind me, he said to Archie, who was still a little shaken up. Mr. Murphy, would you please come with me? I nodded in agreement, though I questioned Archie's

ability to drive, given his current state. There's nothing I hate more than an officer sworn to uphold the law taking advantage of their position and committing an ungodly sin against their brothers and their communities, McKinness said as we pulled onto the road. Well, the drive was awkwardly silent most of the way. It was getting dark, and I kept checking in the wing mirror to make sure Archie was keeping up, and they hadn't veered off into a ditch. It took about 50 minutes, and then we'd reached Aviemore. Archie was still swerving behind us. I was about to speak when McKinness took a sharp turn off the road. So, this cabin was up this way, he asked.

I looked in the mirror. Archie's lights followed obediently. Yeah, up here toward the crossroad. Then it's kind of a hairpin turned to the right, I replied. Something wasn't right. We made the turn and I checked the mirror. I saw Archie follow again. So left here then, just follow this route, McKinness asked. Yeah, just follow it all the way.

The trees will start to clear up. Something definitely wasn't right. And just then I realized what it was. I'd never told McKinness about the cabin. As we rolled ahead, I watched Archie's headlights bouncing along the trail. It had just hit me like a ton of bricks and he had no idea. My hair stood on end. I saw McKinness at the side of my eyes, his menacing look straighter forward. I could tell. He knew that I knew. This was it. There was nobody we could turn to now.

We slowed. The lights of the police van illuminated the cabin just ahead. There were people dotted around, people in robes, a couple of small fires in a large black transit van, with a strange, red W symbol on the side. There was a lump in my throat. I closed my eyes as we stopped. The Demons of the Lake. Tales from an insomniac, Part 7. Some of this entry may be very disturbing. It's been extremely distressing to me having to recount these memories, and I apologize if anyone reading this feels as sick as I did writing this experience down. But I had to stick with the truth. The door opened and I was dragged out. I heard Archie getting yanked out of his car too. People were screaming at us to stay down.

I felt my face crunch as I received a swift kick, which I never saw was coming. I felt numerous kicks and punches all over my body. I ached all over and it felt like the beating lasted for hours. I honestly thought they'd beat us to death right there. Bloodied and bruised, we were dragged into the cabin. into one of the rooms. It could have been the bedroom I'd seen that smelled like shit and death. There were four heavily sawed mattresses in the room, with some shackles cemented into the wall over each one. Our hands were shackled and we were forced to lie in one of the rancid beds.

We were starved for days and beaten regularly. Sometimes people would come in and piss on us, piss on our wounds. And since this log may be the last thing I ever write, I have to be honest. make us go off so long without water that sometimes when they pissed on us we'd try and sip some of the floor when they left just we had something to drink and I felt so ashamed of myself in my life I's already had us at breaking point and things were only just beginning I begged and pleaded for them to kill me every time someone would enter the room they had a doctor come in cloaked and hooded to check on us to make sure we didn't die we were given just enough treatment and care to the

force us to live this hell against our will what made things worse was whenever Archie fell asleep I envied him so much I had slept in three or four days and sleeping seemed like the only escape the only release but no matter how much I tried it would never come just 24 hours a day of pure suffering the chronology of events here is rather hazy so I'll describe certain events as best I can some of them may have taken place before or after others I'll just describe them as I remember. One of the days Williams took me outside, he wanted to talk to me, although not much talking took place. He made me walk on smouldering logs and coals from the burn pits.

He said it was to brace me for the fires of hell, bearing in mind I had almost zero strength in my legs. To me several seconds to take the four steps required to glare a pit. By the end I had giant blisters and almost no skin on my feet. I was then made to walk through the mud back to the cabin. Before we got there, he laughed and stopped me. Oh, I almost forgot. Do you remember this?

He chuckled pointing to the black transit van. I stared at the van, then him and nodded slightly, wondering why he was asking. I know what you were trying to see in the back window. You want to see what's in there? Well, I really didn't, but of course he dragged. me over anyway. Ah, check this out, he said in a proud manner as the door swung open. It showed me to the bone.

The fact that he was driving this thing around and nobody could do anything about it disgusted me to my call. I wretched, but I had nothing to vomit up. The van also smelled like shit and death. There were three tiny mattresses, also with chains, but the really disturbing thing was the dirty-souled baby's crib, which also had tiny shackles on it. I had to look away.

Then he dropped a bombshell on me, one which made me suffer more than any pain I was currently experiencing. Julian was right in this van at the nursery when you were there. You were within three feet of him, and you didn't even fucking know it. He broke into another huge fit of laughter and slapped me on the face so hard I could feel it throbbing. I broke down as he dragged me by my feet back to the room, and chain me up again on another day we were dragged to the red hall beautiful

choral voices sang hymns to an unknown god they would drink from a large chalice and talk about blood sacrifice while in some sort of prayer and we were made to watch these sermons if you could call them that or rituals would happen almost daily we would be made to watch animals being slaughtered although one of the times they had a delirious drug man They cut him open and began to pull out his organs and bite into them as if they were bobbing for apples. We were brought here several times and were always made to watch. Sometimes they would stick red-hot pokers into our skin and inhale the smoke that rose from our flesh.

I'm not entirely sure when this happened. It could have been the day when William showed me the van, which makes sense, but it doesn't link up in my head. Archie and I were lying, trying to speak to one other when Williams came. in he just stood watching us probably trying to think of other torture methods while we lay in silence he spoke up one day Cameron soon you will have the privilege of dining with the devil himself ah like father like son he began laughing again like a maniac staring at me wild-eyed and nodding as if I was supposed to know what that

meant or find it funny what the fuck do you mean I spoke back through gritted, broken teeth. Oops, didn't you know? I shouldn't have said anything. Silly me. He gave a sarcastic chuckle. Your very own son, Julian, had a once-in-a-lifetime dinner with the devil, the lucky little bugger. I never got to witness the Lord in all his glory until I was in my 40s, maybe 50s actually.

He stared wide-eyed at me, dying for me to ask the question. What do you mean? I don't understand. Is Julian here? Is he alive? I said, confused and worried. He laughed again and walked over and stuck his boot on my throat, gradually increasing the pressure.

He laughed even more wildly now, seeing the fear in my eyes. Oh, he's not here. Excuse me, I must rephrase what I said when I said he dined with the devil. I actually meant he was dined on by the devil. He burst out, laughing like a madman once more, as if it was hilarious in some way.

His foot never release me. I won't give you all the gory details. Not yet, anyway. Let me just tell you, he was delicious. We cut him into pieces and ate every single bit of him the very same night he went missing. We even boiled his bones to make a beautiful gravy stock. A good chef never wastes a thing. He winked at me, and with a sudden inked.

increase of force on my neck he let go and kicked me in the gut oh sweet dreams boys he said as he whistled and walked casually out of the door i lay there terrified thinking of my son's last moments and how scared and alone he must have been waiting for his dad to save him i couldn't even manage that i hated myself i just wished i was dead one of the last days williams entered the room he was excited and kept dancing around and talking about how it was almost time and he couldn't wait we just finished a savage beating and we both had next to no teeth left now actually got it slightly worse than me i thought his eyes were closed and swollen over actually his whole face was swollen he hadn't eaten in almost a week and we'd just lie there not making a sound while they beat the

fucking hell out of him his body and mind had given up well this day we're Williams was in a good mood for some reason. He pointed one finger out and alternately pointed to each of us and sang, It's Archie's turn to be let go. His finger landed on Archie with the word go. I can't even say how confused I was at this. What did he mean? He picked Archie up like a bag of potatoes and stood him in the doorway. I'm going to miss you Archie boy, but it's time you were set free. You don't look too good. It's a blood moon tonight and I'm in good spirits, you know. I'm feeling generous, he said, smiling between both of us like some kind of lunatics. Archie's legs wobbled. I couldn't really make out his face, but it looked like he was smiling.

I hope he was smiling. Ah, that's it, Archie boy. You can do it. Stand up tall some. He whispered as he began to release his arm from Archie's waist, which was steadying. "'You're going to say goodbye to your friend Cammy here? "' Sometime to-day, please,' he shouted beside Archie's face. Archie struggled to lift his hand and arm. He attempted a wave on a somber grunt which I assumed was him saying goodbye. "'Oh, one last thing, Archie.' Williams put his arm around his shoulders and leaned in.

He whispered so quietly, but loud enough so I could hear too. "'I killed Ben.' With that last word, he raised his other hand and plunged a blade into the side of Archie's neck, and threw him with great force onto the floor beside me. Clarek consumed the floor as the blood decanted from Archie's jugular. He barely even moved and didn't try to resist. He just gargle blood until his eventual end. I tried to scream, but I couldn't.

I just cried more, and by the time I looked up, Williams had already gone. He left me sitting with Archie's dead body all day and night. His clotting blood was all over the floor, all over my mattress, and some of it was on my legs. His lifeless body was just dumped like a piece of rubbish. Still looked like he had a smile, though. He'd been released from this hell and he didn't have to suffer anymore. And that was the only comfort I could take from it. That night, I lay there awake as usual.

Archie was lying in front of me stiff as a board, coagulated blood marbling the floor. I felt sick and exhausted. Boots were marching along the hallway to the door. It sounded like an army. And then the door opened. Seven hooded figures stood before me in the hall, the light dashing in like a halo above their heads. That's time, one of them spoke.

It didn't sound like Williams. It was possibly McKinness, but I wasn't sure. Not that it mattered. I was unshackled and dragged to my feet. There was still a lack of skin on my soul's, yet I was made to walk the whole way. My bones felt fractured, my stomach empty, and my head was pounding. I'm sure I had infections of some kind, probably everywhere. My breathing was shallow and painful.

As we walked, they chanted in whispers, a language I had no way of understanding. The one at the front held a staff with a stiff, star and cross-type insignia on top. The coral voices rang from the end of the hallway in the blood-red hall. The double door was closed, and the red slit of light emanating from the middle of the doors made them look like a large serpentine eye. Then the doors opened as if by magic. As we got within two steps, the choral singing got quieter, whispered mantras, and muttering filled the hall as we walked down the centre aisle. There were easily 60 or 70 people seated, and maybe ten stood on either side of the altar i was taken forward to where the table lay i was hoisted

up and shackled in my wrists and ankles burned as they were tightened the hooded man made his way to the altar and spoke brothers and sisters we are gathered on this night to fulfill our duty to our lord The witching hour is looming, the blood moon above, take this gift of blood we offer thee with love. The man cut my palm and blood rushed into a small challenge. Once full they placed it on the center of a pedestal. The seven stepped forward and drank. Then they pulled their hoods back. I saw my doctor before me. It made me wonder about the painkillers I'd been prescribed and the detrimental effect. they'd had on my entire body. A man whom I was unfamiliar with,

but recognised as a teacher from the school we'd planned to put Julian in that year. Caroline, the owner of Julian's nursery, DCS Williams, Chief Inspector McKinness. As I made my way around, the faces drinking my spill blood, I could not believe who I saw.

Next was Archie's mom. She drank and smiled. a toothy bloody grin at me and last the hood fell back and i died another death linda it was linda who took the last sip my head fell back and i cried with dry eyes there was nothing in me to make tears anymore why did you do it how can you have done this to our son i whimpered barely audible Yes, I was a coward, and I should have screamed and shouted and cursed at them all, but what was the point? They didn't care. I was a dead man anyway.

And the hall fell silent. An eighth hooded figure stepped four, seemingly out of nowhere. It is time. A low, growling voice spoke. He is ready for the ritual under the stars. If accepted, he'll be taken to the lake to be judged. The voice continued. It seemed to come from above or below, but it came from everywhere.

I could feel myself being drawn to the blackness under the hood. With more whispering mantras and chanting, I was carried by the eighth on their shoulders, exposing my naked bruised body to the deep chasm of space above. The stars looked different tonight, like they'd rearranged in a way that was scrutinizing my every thought and emotion. I was an empty vessel. I could see the green clearing just ahead.

There was a large fire and people dancing around it, throwing things in and making it spit and dance higher than ever. I was placed on a bed of stone, looking up to the sky. Clearing fell silent as the hooded figures gathered around my body. They whispered evil-sounding words in that weird language. They held ceremonial blades and staffs, all with the cross and starring insignia and the W symbol I'd seen so many times now.

The dark shrouded eighth figure led the proceedings. He would chant something, the fire would rise and the others would whisper a refrain in unison. I lay there, waiting to die, watching the stars and wondering what it was like out there. If I die, will the secrets of the universe be known to me? Will there be an afterlife, or would everything just cease to be forever? The fire raged on, and I thought I could see the world.

stars moving aligning themselves black candles that circle me lit at once as if by some kind of sorcery he is present he is among us the eighth man growled in a hushed tone our minds are aligned we bring forth a mortal soul for your judgment lord below the crust lord of the mantle bringer of wrath and destruction please accept this offering we bow down your almighty power the crowd made a whispered refrain let him be charged over and over drums were beating now to a crescendo the candles went out in a flash and the fire dim didn't know what exactly this meant but they soon told me it meant that my soul had been accepted and i was to be judged and some kind of deal was to be made before i'm taken well i just wanted it to be over the demons of the league

will take you and you'll be judged by the Lord the leading hooded man said i was taken to the grassy area and lain near where i put lauretta's body from the water not too long ago i was given some gooey black stuff to drink it was warm and horrible but i drank it willingly i wanted all this to stop and part of me was just glad to have something in my stomach and everyone began whispering mantras and kneeling and standing up in some kind of trance The ground began to heave and the late began to swell. Then I saw everything in a moment. I saw the old man's head sticking out of the water.

I tasted Loretta's flesh. I saw Julian. I saw Archie's dead eyes. The black, smoky creature consuming the souls of the living. The horrifying white faces circled me. The stars were swishing around like there were candles in a whirlpool. They got bigger, brighter, hotter. The ground got colder and wetter, and it felt like feet

running across my back. The air was ice in my lungs. My skin blistered and my eyes rolled back. I could hear the screaming anguish of millions, no billions of lost souls, swirling around me in a sea of complete insanity. I could feel the wrath and the hostility of the far reaches of the universe,

and then, all at once, in a split second, it stopped. I was alone, warm and healthy and safe. I was in a dark place. I looked at my unbroken fingers, and I could feel my teeth in my mouth. I felt no pain, and I was at peace. A dim glow illuminated me

as I stood in eternal darkness in a shallow black ocean only about an inch deep. My bare feet felt the black water lukewarm and slightly oily. I looked around. Was I dead? I had a splash up ahead.

I called out. Hello? The low, chilling lion-like growl came from the deep. Two of the deepest blood-red serpent eyes pinged open before me, looking at me into my soul. I could feel them pierce my heart. Hello, Cameron Murphy. A deep voice spoke as a dim light from nowhere illuminated a tall, well-dressed and well-groomed man with eyes of the deepest sin.

He looked normal, but those eyes haunted me. "'What can I do for you, my son?' he asked. "'I wasn't sure what to say.' "'Am I dead?' I asked sheepishly. "'Do you feel dead?' he answered with a question. "'Well, no, to be honest. "'I feel more alive than I having a long time,' I replied, "'feeling myself a bruiser or cuts and not finding any.

"'Then you must be alive, no.' He grinned at me. His smile seemed to be wider than his face. His eyes were contort and change as he spoke. Well, I don't know. Just minutes ago, I was a bloodied pulp lying on the grass, I said, trying to avoid his gaze. Look at you now. He chuckled to himself, so you must realize the power I possess. He grinned wide again, and I didn't like it. He began circling. His eyes shifted. His eyes shifted. and deceiving. So, if I'm alive, then what is this place? Where am I? I caught his eyes. He seemed a jerking delight at my question.

You should know this place well, my child. We're inside your mind. You are absolutely still alive and breathing, but in here we are free. We mustn't adhere to the laws of the physical world. He then disappeared from the light and reappeared by my ear and whispered. You keep looking away. Do not fear me. If I gave you something to fear, you'd be carrying on the floor like a maggot under my thumb. He hissed, his voice sounding snake-like. I turned and fixed my gaze on him. So, are you the devil? Satan? I felt sheepish once more. He was a bit of a bit of a bit of a began circling me again, slower now. That's what they may think out there, those fools in their whispering. There's no devil. There's no God. I come from a higher plane of existence.

I can move through dimensions with the grace of a dolphin in the ocean. I am one of the ancients. I inhabit the beyond and more, and I am the one who brings darkness and decay. I can deceive the greatest minds in the universe with a single look. I can abandon shape beings of the lower plains to do my work for me. I am no devil and I am no God. I'm just like you. I'm doing what I have to to stay alive. He turned and looked right at me then,

his eyes glowing of violent red and his voice raised to a roar. Began circling me again like a shark. So, if you're not the devil or God, then you say you're one of the ancients. Where are the others? Are there any good ancients? I never took my eyes off him for a second. What would you define as good?

To me I'm good, but to you I'm probably evil. There are demonic entities all over this place, all over the universe. The lake is like a portal for them. The glass water reflects the universe in his purest and most ancient form. These demons are evil, they're selfish, hostile, and they make rash decisions. I believe you've met one of them before. I can see it in you. He nodded and smiled at me, confirming what he already knew.

But these demons answer to the ancients. They answer to me and I, I am not so rash. I have the wisdom of a thousand worlds. My decisions are careful and always correct. So you may call me evil. You've witnessed pure evil with your own two eyes, and I can tell you now, you're not looking at evil my friend his words confused me a little he continued to shuffle around me in a circle holding my gaze i wasn't even sure if he'd answer my question i spoke up after a minute of silence

so tell me this do you consider eating human children evil because that william bastard told me you dined on my son with them i raised my voice saying this i was angry but still afraid although it made me feel braver I don't call it evil I call it survival they offer sacrifices in return for wealth and prosperity he grinned wide once again he was my son he wasn't theirs to offer I didn't cower this time I stood my ground on the contrary my child the boy's blood mother offered him up to me willingly do not worry Julian did not die in vain he suffers no more his voice was calm and protective and I felt like he was lying to me he was my child too I didn't want him to be

offered as a sacrifice I wanted him to live his life and you and she stole that from me my turn was in anger once more the thought of what Linda had done filled me with hate of course you are absolutely right and i owe you a debt which is why i asked you when you got here what i could do for you his horrible smile flashed out with the width of his face you may ask of me one thing but do not forget i've been promised your soul and your essence and i always collect i just want williams dead i want them all dead but mostly him i spoke staring at the ground and shaking my head thinking of everything he'd done to us I sense great emotion in your hatred and I like it he hissed in

my ear again consider it done and with that he snapped his fingers DCS Williams appear before me he saw the ancient and dropped to his knees I'm not worthy I'm not worthy he cried on his hands and knees get up the ancient scolding with venom. William looked panic-stricken. The ancient snapped his fingers once more, and with the most blood-curdling howl of pain I have ever witnessed, he was reduced to ash, dissolved in the black water beneath us. I looked on in all. Is he really, really dead? I stammered. That is what you wanted, is it not? He replied. I mean, well, yes. But wasn't he like, your friend or i don't know ally or something i mean he worked for you right i asked still unsure if that had just

happened he brought gifts and i brought payment it's merely transactional i do not care for his idolatry he loves and adores me unconditionally therefore he's at my mercy but there will always be others to do my work in this life there are deal makers and deal breakers the deal makers will receive handsome reward Those who break a deal are usually not shown the same mercy as your friend Williams. There are places worse than your mind to be lost in, you know, places even I fear. His soft voice echoed as he spoke in a low, calming note. He went silent for a moment and stopped walking, and I kept my eye on him at all times. His smile widened again, and his glowing, snaky eyes met mine.

Ah, you enjoyed that, didn't you? I can feel it. You are full of hatred and anger. You even hate me. His smile grew even wider, and I'm sure he'd just about got a foot taller. That's the energy of the universe, filling your body and mind with absolute vile hatred for your fellow man.

You enjoyed watching him burst into nothing, and I felt it from your emotions. You wanted that to happen to me, too. He looked shocked and overly excited now. Why, this is such a pure form of the most beautiful energy, the likes of which I have not seen for millennia. You will go far in my world, my son. I look straight at him.

You said you're a deal-maker. Then, um, how about this for a deal? You return me to my body and I'll provide you with six mortal souls by the end of the week. I said, as I felt like I'd just come up with the best planet. ever. That does sound tempting. I don't necessarily feel like the whispers in the woods know very much about how these things work, but you will be giving me six souls.

Is this all you ask in return? He spoke softly, stopped and looked me dead in the eyes. Yes, I only want to live, and I want a chance to kill every last one of them myself. I snarled back at him, staring right back into his eyes of molten men. battle. Good, he laughed. The malice is pure, the hatred is strong. You'll get your chance, my child.

But know this. Those who break the deal will be shown no mercy. I can be as evil as I can be kind, but we don't have a week. If you fail to deliver me six souls by the dawn of the next day, you will spend an eternity lost in a never-ending maze of fear and suffering. Believe my words. I may deceive the pure of heart, but I do not lie when bartering. Well, I believed him, and I was ready to make things right,

and I was hungrier than ever. My eyes opened, and a deep, icy breath filled my lungs. The six remaining hooded figures picked me up and carried me to the cabin. There was nobody else in sight. Dawn was minutes away in the sky. It was a pale purple and red to the east, a deep blue to the west. The paintbrush of the yewomen. universe was something to behold I was placed on a mattress that was clean and I was told

that when Williams disappeared a voice spoke to the rest of them telling them to take me back and heal my wounds they have all obediently agreed well I'm still sore right now but my strength is definitely bad I've had food I've had water pain relief cream and ointments on my cuts my every whim has been tended to these people are treating me like I'm some kind of prophet. I've died and I've risen, and they have no idea what I have planned. This has been my log of events until today. Like I said, if I don't make it, don't try and find me for your own sake, and do not come to Aviemore. If I do, hopefully, I can live to write another page. I want to live to tell my story to the world. And as for now, the sun has risen, and I have

24 hours to kill all six of them. Not a fucking drop of blood will go to waste. Wish me luck, a done deal. Tells from an insomniac part eight. This will probably be my final entry. So after my log, for those of you who read it, I said I hope to make it out alive to fill you in on what exactly happened. Well, I'm alive. I'm here, but things didn't quite go exactly as I'd planned. It's taken some days for me to get in the right mental state to begin writing this, but I am alive, so I'm not complaining. Well, let me take you through that last day. It began when I was carried back to the cabin. The six hooded figures, who I assumed were still Linda, Carolyn, McKinness, the teacher guy, didn't know his name yet, though, I found out

later his name was Kenneth Lahn, Archie's mom, and my GP. He's actually named Dr. Phillips, I'm not sure of his first name. In fact, I didn't get his first name. Probably should have. Anyway, it didn't matter to me. Fuck him. I was in a comfortable bed. The doctor was given me antibiotics and painkillers that didn't make me want to die. I was fed a great breakfast and honestly I must have drunk about 40 litres of water and my crack lips were so grateful for the moisture. My body still throbbed with most movements, but I was mobile and I felt my heart. I felt my strength returning rapidly they were coming periodically asking what Satan had said to me asking me for his prophecies and wisdom asking me what happened to Williams and why he was chosen instead of me i reiterated the same

answer every time we'll wait until sundown seven of us and only us will gather by the lake and will speak to our lord this is a great day of judgment coming or something to that effect all bullshit of course. They fucking lapped it up like obedient little puppies. I just had to figure out how I was going to kill all six of them without retaliation, without the other five killing me instantly after I'd killed the first one. I also wanted to find out as much as possible about who else might be involved, who was a leader, or were there any higher up than them? Were there any people in higher positions of power involved?

Politicians or, I don't know, well, I just wanted as much information as possible. But about 10 a.m., most of them had left for their various jobs. The doctor was told to stay, and Linda also stayed behind. She came into my room, and I was dying to kill her immediately. I couldn't wait to cut her throat, strangle the whole rip her guts out. Whatever I was going to do, it would never be enough to satisfy my lust for her blood, but it would be at start.

I just couldn't fathom how things came to be like. this how could she do this to her own son her face her very existence made me feel sick to my stomach she sat on the end of the bed and started washing my feet and legs the blistering and skin soles burned but then some incredibly soothing cream was lathered on and made it fade away until it was just about bearable she was humming a tune i recognized it was a song we used to sing to julian when he was going to bed the tear rolled down to the her cheek and stopped at her chin. She'd done the most unthinkable thing any human could do, but I could see she was still hurting inside from the loss. There was a hint of genuine emotion,

and I figured I could probably use this to my advantage. Linder, I said softly. Her eyes peered over in my direction without moving her head. They were red and damp. It told me Julian isn't suffering. I continued as she sat silent and still. She looked away and I could see she was definitely crying now. I hate that he isn't here anymore, but I'm glad he's not suffering wherever he is. I hate to think of what happened to him, but... I stopped. I had to prepare myself for what I was about to say.

He's with the Lord now, and he's watching over him. I detested the words that had just come out of my mouth. She burst into a fit of tears. Thank you, Cameron. Thank you, Lord, thank you. She kept repeating it over and over while sobbing uncontrollably. Well, there are some things we need to discuss before tonight. I've been asked to share certain details with you and only you.

I told her after about eight minutes of her crying. You see, not everyone is to be chosen to deliver the Lord's world. We'll be smaller in numbers when the night's through. She looked puzzled by this, but thankfully not suspicious. Who's been chosen then? she asked. A voice still trembling a little. That will become apparent later. Even I'm not 100% sure, but you and I have definitely been chosen.

It's part of my deal. I wanted you saved. As for the rest, the Lord will choose wisely and true, and we will uphold his demands no matter what. I nodded, seeking her approval, hoping she didn't suspect anything. She smiled at me, eyes welling up once more. Thank you, Cameron, she said as her words began to wobble slightly. She stood up and blew her nose, turned and smiled at me again, and I smiled back, and she left the room.

As soon as I heard her footsteps disappear, I took a deep, deep breath. I wretched and felt sick, horrible and greg. guilty. I wished I could have just stuck a bullet between her eyes, but I would let it play out, do my best not to lose it, and do what I came back to do. A couple of hours later the doctor was shouting something in the hallway at Linda. It was evident that he wasn't happy about Williams being taken in my place. I listened closely to the muffled shouting. He shouldn't be alive. This doesn't make sense. Why would he be back? Williams was our prophet in the north not this fucking cloud he was pacing on the annoyingly loud wooden floor

it doesn't matter none of that matters he was chosen and spoken directly with the lord williams is gone it's as simple as that linda yelled back defending me oh you're only saying that because you never wanted him dead in the first place you stupid fucking slut get out of my face he screamed at her. He must have shoved her out of the way because I heard what sounded like Linda falling to the ground. We should have fucking killed you, he shouted from further away, just before a door slammed shut. Linda came back into the room, then. What was all the shouting about? I asked, pretending not to have heard anything it had said. It was nothing. She smiled. Just a disagreement about something that's all.

She sat on the bed again as she spoke. Linda, I need you to tell me something. There are things I need to know about the whisperers. I sat up and placed my hand on her shoulder. She felt cold to the touch. I continued. Um, how big is this? I mean, are there more of us around the country or anywhere else?

I asked. She looked down. There are chapters all over Britain. She said in a hushed voice. But most of them come here for the larger masses or the main rituals. It's something to do with the lake. It's either here or there's another main one down in the East Midlands somewhere. But we've never been there.

She glanced at the door. Okay, so obviously there are police and high-up people involved in this. I mean, McKinness, what the fuck is that? Is there anyone else that high-up? How can this all stay so under the radar? I hoped I wasn't asking too many questions. I didn't want any suspicions drawn on me. She waited for a few seconds, glancing at the door again.

There's supposed to be some judges and also some MPs, but I don't think it goes as high as any top officials in Parliament or the royal family or anything. I think it's just enough so there's nothing that gets out, she replied, still keeping herself quiet. Why? she asked, looking confused. Because I, um, I had to think of some excuse for asking these questions. Because I am a prophet. And I have to spread his word.

But I don't even know where to begin. I just need to know where to start. I don't know anything about these people. Oh, she looked once more at the door. They were footsteps in the hallway, but they weren't approaching. So, um, why was I chosen to be sacrificed? I asked, feeling naive. She looked into my eyes

and I could see the sadness in her. I never wanted it, Cameron. Honestly, I never wanted them to hurt you. But they kept saying you and Archie you'd seen too much and were getting too involved. I swear I never wanted them to hurt you. She started whimpering. I still love you, Cameron.

She flung her arms around me. Well, I reciprocated. To be honest, despite everything, I genuinely felt her pain and misery, and part of me still loved her. I actually felt bad for her at that moment. My feelings of hate for her had begun to wane. She was vulnerable, and she probably didn't want any of this. She was hurting, and so was I at this moment.

All we actually had left in the world was each other. Her embrace was comforting, and I felt her heart beating against mine. Oh, I missed her. I missed her touch, a smell. I never wanted us to be a part in the first place, and now I didn't want us to be a part again. I hushed my own voice this time. Linder, I said in her ear, I didn't want to have to tell you this, but I have no choice. She sat back, hands on my shoulders and her beautiful J. Green eyes glaring into mine.

You need to listen very carefully. This is serious. I continued, holding her head. gaze we need to kill the other five and we need to kill them tonight by the lake before the sun comes up it's the only way we can get out of here alive i made a deal six souls to save us he already took williams and we need to kill the other five by tomorrow my voice trembled talking about it made me nervous i'd never killed anyone before she looked scared and looked again at the door Cameron, this is fucking insane. We can't. We can't do that. Why can't we just find five other people? McKinness can bring in drifters or homeless people. She trialled off. Lender, it has to be them. It was a deal, and it has to be them, nobody else. We do this and we live.

And we can forget about all of this, go back to our lives, maybe even have another baby. My eyes began filling up, as did hers. I don't know, Cameron. How would we even do that? There are five of them. I don't know. This seems too risky. Listen, Linda, we have to.

Otherwise, it will be us. And trust me, you do not want to see the things I've seen. It's us or them. I don't want to fucking lose you again. I love you too. I pulled her in and kissed her soft pink lips. And she was shaking. "'Okay, okay, but we need to figure this out.

"'This can't go wrong in any way. "'I mean, they're fucking ruthless, "'and they'll kill us without a sick and thought "'if they have any inkling we're up to something.' "'Don't worry. "'We'll make sure we get this done. "'For us,' it said, calm me. "'For us,' she repeated and kissed me once more,

"'memories of better days filling my head. "'I felt like I was floating when we kissed. "'And she stood up and left the room "'without saying anything. anything else. I heard a car outside. It sounded like a van. Two doors opened and closed, and I could hear voices approaching the cabin. I decided it was time for me to get up and address my people and begin putting together some kind of plan. It was Archie's mum and McKinness. They had been away to Inverness together, walking alongside Loch Ness, looking for potential

souls to be offered up to God. A short while later, Kenny Lang appeared, followed by Carolyn, who was now complaining about being late because some parent was stuck in traffic and couldn't pick up their shit-eating little brat, as she called the poor kids. I wondered if she'd ever spoken about Julian that way. I spoke to Linda once more. I had a kind of idea I wanted to run by her. We were gathering for a feast before the big night in about half an hour, so I took Linda to

my room to have a quick chance. He rushed into the room, avoiding. being seen and spoke in low voices. I have an idea, I said. I'll tell everyone at the feast that we're going to go to the fire and the clearing under the stars, and then we'll have to take our robes off and go to the lake completely naked. I'll make something up about bearing our bodies and souls to the sky and stars. It means they won't have anything on them, no weapons or any shit.

Footsteps interrupted us. We held our breath as they quickly got further. away. I continued. When we get there, we stab Kenneth and Dr. Phillips first. They're the strongest and most able-bodied. Get it right in the side of the neck. My mind saw Archie at that moment, blood spewing from a gaping wound as he crashed to the ground. Linda listened intently. This will leave Caroline, Archie's mom and McKinness. Now Archie's mom and McKinness are the oldest, so we can probably fight them off easier. They probably won't be able to run as fast.

Caroline will be next. You have to get her exactly the same while I go for McKinness. After that, depending on where Archie's mum is, we kill her or look for her and bring her back to the lake. Do not kill her anywhere else. They need to die at the lake. I look Linda dead in the eyes, nodding.

Okay, she said. But if we're all naked, where the fuck do we pull a knife from she asked waving her hand out as if to say where are these magic knives well i was actually pretty stumped one of us will have to run over take two of the ceremonial blades and hide them next to something obvious to us like a certain rock or tree stump we won't be taking any knives or staffs with us so they won't notice i replied just as more footsteps approached and then disappeared towards the red hole By one of us, I mean you, of course, I added. She nodded her head. Okay, she'll be able to make it back for the feast if I'll leave now. We hugged, kissed, said I love you, and quietly exited the room.

Linda went to grab two knives and I waited. She'd be about 20 minutes max, and when she returns, I'd be headed for the red hole, following the whispers again. The dark corridor was unsettling and familiar. The red slit down the crack of the door seemed to stare at me with almighty malice. I took a deep breath and opened the door. A whispering din filled the red hall. A table was laid and three hooded figures sat on each side with a chair at the far end

underneath a baffirmed statue. There was a feast fit for a king waiting. The cooks had obviously been extremely busy. I walked slowly to the head of the table, feeling every eye on me as I moved. I stood in my place and spoke. Brothers and sisters, tonight we will feast in celebration of the coming of our Lord. He's spoken to me, and I have his wisdom and prophecies to pass, only to the six of you. They sat with heads bowed and hands clasped.

Once we've eaten brothers and sisters, We'll go to the clearing under the stars. There we will light a beacon for our Lord. We will disrobe and we shall stand by the lake, bearing our bodies and our souls to the universe above, and the universe below. We'll be one with the stars, will be one with the earth,

and we will be one with time. And we will be one. I paused for a dramatic effect, with the Lord. I then continued after silence. He will abate to us from the leak, and we shall bow to his infallible grease. We have been chosen to carry out his work. This is the message of our Lord.

My voice echoed as if I was in a grand church or temple. They refrained in a whisper. Praise be our Lord above, below and all around. Omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent. Thy bidding will be done in absence of doubt or rumination. nation. The word of the Lord is blessed. We will never cease to adhere to his commands. Bless our Lord, bless our souls. Bless our house. Bless our meal. And with that, everyone threw their hoods back as I sat down, and we ate their last supper, and they didn't even know it.

And with all that out of the way, I was eager to get everyone to the lake. Every other person had left. It was to be us seven, and only us seven. We sat in the red hall in silence. It fell very dark, and the large black candles made wonderful dancing patterns on the red wall. The silence was calming, and I was ready. We must go now, I said in a stern voice. They obeyed and everyone shredded their faces again and followed my lead as we headed for the woods. It was almost midnight.

We got the fire pit ready in the clearing. I was still calm and wasn't. giving anything away this had to go perfectly we look the fire burst into a ten-foot-high pillow of dazzling flame the heat made me sweat and I addressed to the other six once again gather around join hands brothers and sisters we light this as a beacon to our lord the lord of the skies above and the mantle below flawless and unfailing is your wisdom we start to come on you to bring us your darkest of prophecies. We're ready to serve you and carry out your will.

I roared in a growling voice that hurt my throat a bit. The others were throwing their hands in the air and chanting some evil-sounding words I hadn't learned. Then they were beating the ground and grabbing fistfuls of soil from the earth and spreading it around, throwing some pieces into the fire. The fire spat and crackled and spewed licks of orange flame that seemed to come at you like a snake. tongue. It roared and got higher and higher, and then, in a second, flashed down to the ground and disappeared, leaving black, glowing embers pulsing a deep orange in the breeze.

"'Take off your ropes,' I commanded. We go to the lake now. He has come.' Everybody began undressing. "'Even our socks and shoes,' Dr. Phillips asked. "'Everything,' I snarled back. We are to bear our very souls to the deep chasm above. The lake is a portal, and we must show the Lord our purest form for him to come through. Lay your robes on the ground over there. I place mine on the grass near the fire, and everybody followed suit. Feel the earth in your feet as we walk.

Feel the wind on your body. We must be one with the elements, I said as we began walking toward the lake. I was in front. Linda had already told me the nioes were next to an oblong rock right on the bank edge of the water, next to where we were last time. She said she cleared the other nearby rocks and this was the only one. You can't miss it, she whispered to me just before the last supper. She was right.

I couldn't miss it, but it looked so out of place. I was worried for some reason. It was just a rock, but... Where it was just didn't feel right to me. What were the others thinking? We stopped. The six lined up, left or right. We had Archie's mum, McKinness, Caroline, Kenneth, Linda and Dr. Phillips.

They faced the lake. Everyone, get on your knees. Show him that you are at his mercy, that you are not worthy. I stepped towards the lake. The rock was just feet of what. from me I could see a glint of moonlight bound off the blade she'd done it and I was filled with relief I turned to the lake and stars on the glassy water surface undisturbed and as beautiful as ever I turned back around to them he is coming they said avert your eyes

they are not worthy of his image yet everybody looked straight down right away no questions were asked. We heard a rumble from deep below. The earth seemed to quiver in delight. With everyone's head bowed, I carefully picked up the knives. I walked quietly back to join them and dropped a knife behind Linda as she whispered some mantra. I stood at the end next to Dr. Phillips. Everyone was in a trance-like state, whispering gradually louder. I leaned over and tapped Linda's back she looked up looks at me directly and nodded in a split second we had both plunged a six-inch blade into the necks of phillips and kenny they hit the ground almost immediately spewing and gargling what seemed like liters of blood the other three looked up then in a second they were bounding for us

caroline was closest but linda couldn't get the blade out from kenneth's neck she made a frantic grab for Linda's hair and missed by about the length of a finger. Linda shot back to evade Caroline's advance. I quickly whipped the blade from the doctor's neck and dived with my whole body onto the hard bank to try and grab her. I missed, but she was still pursuing Linda. I got back to my feet and sprinted as fast as I could. I rugby tackled her to the ground, yanked her short hair back to expose her neck,

and I ran the blade across it. It zipped open like a wide mouth and began gushing with blood. I got back to my feet and stamped on the back of her head, mashing her face right into the damp bloody soil. I looked up and I saw Linda staring back at me. She started to run back over, shouting, behind you! When I finally made out what she'd said, I turned quickly and McKinness was coming at me with Linda's knife.

I stuck my leg up and kicked his stomach. just as he got to me. Well, he was winded, but didn't stop. I crawled backward to give myself some room, but the old bastard was still advancing. I managed to get to my feet. He ran at me with a knife, and I tried to grab him and throw him down.

He stabbed my arm, but not too deeply. Still, it fucking hurt. The blade fell out of my hand, and I felt panicked. McKinness sock me right in the nose, and I fell. And he walked over, and stuck his foot on my face. You ever wondered what it feels like to be gutted like a fucking fish? He hissed in a demonic-sounding voice.

His eyes were wide and maniacal. He raised the ceremonial blade and then... His eyes went off into the distance, a thousand-yard stare of someone who's suffering extreme body shock. His eyes looked glazed and lifeless. He fell to the ground. my knife was sticking out at the back of his head and linda was stood over him she was hysterical panicking covered in blood i had no time to comfort her we had to get archie's mom i shook her by

the shoulders linda it's almost over now where did archie's mum go she pointed to the woods with a shaky finger i turned and sprinted towards the woods leaving linda behind I didn't have to get very far in before I heard a groaning sound. I slowed myself down, eyes peeled looking for any movement. I heard it again. I followed the source of the sound, and I stumbled over Archie's mum. She tried to run through the thick woods, had fallen, and her ankle bone was now sticking out of her leg.

I have no idea how she did it, but it saved me a lot of bother. I dragged her back to the lake. Just fucking kill me, she said in an old witch-sounding voice. Don't you worry, I'll fucking kill you. You let them kill your only child. My best friend. For what? I've seen where you're headed.

You'll realize it was all for fucking nothing. I was getting more fuel by anger because she smiled and looked smug the whole time I spoke. But I'd had enough. So I brought the blade down on the front of her neck. and it went all the way through to the earth below and I pulled it out the side ripping half her throat out she never made a single sound I sat down on the grass it was cold and Linda sat next to me what do we do now she asked we leave them here I think he said he'd collect them after this we're burning their rooms and that cabin down

We are going to go home and start our new life, start over again. I threw my arms around her, and we kissed for a long time, and a new wave of calm had come over me. We headed back to the clearing. The robes lay in a pile next to the still smouldering pit. I lit the fire again, and I went to pick them up. I took my own first. Linda stood by the fire, grateful for the heat, as was I. I stood there with my robe in my hands.

The flames waltzed before me. The fire felt good. It was so graceful in the way it moved. I looked at Linda and it lit up her face in such a beautiful way. God, I really did love her. Come here, I said, with a smile. She walked over, smiling back, and I put my arm over her shoulder. She rested her head on mine and watched the fire.

It all felt perfect. and she jolted and her eyes went wide with fear and she slowly moved away from me the blade i had hidden in my robe stood slowly out from her stomach she fell to her knees whimpering and sobbing in pain alone scared knowing she was about to die and that nobody could help her it's about the same as i expected julian's last moments were i was filled with adrenaline looking into a her eyes and she wondered why I was doing this to her I just smiled I never even spoke I could tell she knew what was coming now she cried and threw her head back I slashed her throat with such force it fell wide open blood flew and crackled on the fire she fell backward her lungs gasping for any air it could get her body twitching I dragged her to the lake and I left the six bodies next to each other on the back ready to be taken by him I went back to put the fire out I did decide to burn all the robes first though I threw them on one by one McKinness Caroline

Kenneth Archie's mum dr Phillips and lastly lindens I lifted it to my face to get one last whiff of her scent before I was done she was gone after that I held it to my nose oh that sweet fruity stuff she always wore for years brought back so many memories memories i can now forget something hit my foot i moved the row from my face to discover something had fallen from it fucking bitch i said to myself it was another knife she'd hidden one in her robe i can only assume it was there for one reason she was going to fucking kill me well i got there first I spat on the robe and then chucked it into the fire. And it was fucking freezing walking back to the cabin.

I couldn't wait to get back and burn that place to the ground. I went inside straight to my room and lay down. I had to share and get all the blood and mud off me. I had to eat and then I'd burn it down, take one of the cars back to Aviemore, pack my stuff and get the fuck away from that place. Before all that, I needed to lie down. The bed was so comfortable and warm. I lay looking at the ceiling, a wave of satisfaction falling over me.

I could finally relax and probably sleep. It was about two, and when I closed my eyes, sleep finally came to me. Sweet, blissful sleep. My eyes opened slowly, feeling so refreshed and reinvigorated. Finally, finally I had slept. I checked the clock. 3.20 a.m. I was a little bit pissed, but

sleep was sleep and I felt great for it. I got up and flicked the shower on. The shower was quickly covered in blood and so much dirt came out of my head. The hot water seemed to relax every muscle, ease every pain I had. When I got out, I grabbed some clothes and got dressed. I did wonder what had happened at the lake after I left,

I wandered around the cabin. It was actually pretty huge. I rounded a corner on the opposite side from where my current room was. And the smell was like a brick wall, sick and disgusting. Vile, putrid air filled my lungs and I choked. I walked down to find the source and recognized a door. It was the room we were kept in. It was open. I walked slowly, trying to make no sound even though the place was empty. I was simply prolonging the time. I didn't have to see where that smell was coming from to know it. I appeared into the room. Archie's body was still lying there.

I felt sick. The heating in that room had been left on and he was lying in the exact same spot covered in flies. I shut the door. I'd just leave him and he'd probably be. be cremated along with the cabin there maybe I placed some kind of memorial for him in this spot I don't know I just didn't want to move him to be honest I hurried away from the hallway and walked around to the kitchen to check for food I opened one of the massive fridges oh there was loads I had lots of cheese fruits and cakes

sandwiches just loads of stuff thought about the family is destroyed as I wandered the halls Archie had nobody. It only had his mum left. A family completely white from existence now. I had no family. My son was gone. Linda was gone. I was the last remaining. I don't know everyone else's situation, but it's a lot of destruction for one stupid cause. I stopped in the hallway to the red hall. The red slit of light in the doors and the huge serpentine eye, which shouldn't have been there, regarded me. Everything was supposed to be off. The candles were blown out.

They opened the door. The hooded figure sat before the Baphimid statue, facing away from me. I cautiously approached. They turned to face me and stood up. Their presence stirred something in me, a fear, a memory. I felt like I was being drawn into the deepest blackness under the hood. I knew who they were.

this was. It was the eighth figure who had led the ritual during the blood moon. How could I forget about him? I stepped back, thinking of where I could run and grab a knife or something from. He spoke in a low growl. Do not bother running, Cameron. You've done exceptionally well tonight. The voice cast my mind back to being beaten and laid on stones waiting to die. He stepped forward. A gloved hand was raised and lifted the shroud back. It was him. The ancient.

A slight relief overcame me, but I still didn't know what he was doing here. He did very well to deliver your end of the bargain, but you cannot burn this place down. We will need it. He growled, getting closer. He seemed taller than before. Need it. For what? I asked. What would you give for a good night's sleep?

He smiled wide. I don't want any more deals, I said without any hesitation. He laughed himself. Well, this will be the deal of a lifetime. All you have to do is forget about burning this cabin down. I'll let you sleep for 12 hours. His smile went beyond his face. I think he got taller again, his toothy grin was corrupting my mind.

Well, if all I had to do was not burn a cabin down, it's not like I'm killing anyone. All I have to do is literally forget that this place exists, and I can have that sleep, something I've wanted for years. I can't even remember the last time I slept more than a couple of hours. In fact, besides a couple of hours ago, I can't even remember the last time I slept. My mind was weak and exhausted.

that I accepted. My eyes went hazy. I stumbled to the bed and I fell asleep before my head hit the pillar. Amazing, comfortable sleep and dreams filled me with absolute bliss. When I woke up I felt absolutely amazing. I felt healed. I was healed.

I could feel teeth in my mouth. I could feel no pain and there were no scars or cuts on my body. He was standing in the corner staring at me. Well, how was that? He grinned. It was perfection, I replied, smiling back.

I thought it would be. He laughed and began to reproach me. How would you like that every day for a week? I'd love it. I've never felt so good. I was ecstatic now. One so, he said. And his face turned to.

serious I didn't know what to say there was no way I was killing innocent people just asleep but then I did need that sleep again it was already over and I wanted more his eyes his deep red burning eyes they were so powerful and persuasive oh you're a week you well accept he growled his eyes flashed with fire one saw for one week and that's it I yielded to his deception without even thinking about it properly, fueled by my own greed. His smile widened. I felt so ashamed but a full week of feeling like this, how the fuck could I turn that down after what I'd been through?

I happily shook his scaly hand, the deal was done and he dissipated into the shadows. Well, now he's gone and I can see it clearly. I'm alone in this cabin, wondering what to do. I should never accept it. I have two days left and I need to find someone. I don't believe I'm doing this. They've been intermittent knocks on the door from various numbers of hooded figures. I haven't let anyone in, or not yet anyway.

Maybe I'll need them at some point. I don't even know what happens after this week. I'll probably make me do it again. And you know, as well as I do, that I'll probably accept. It just feels so good. to finally be able to sleep. Signed. Cameron.

Murphy. And so once again, we reach the end of tonight's podcast. My thanks as always to the authors of those wonderful stories and to you for taking the time to listen. Now, I'd ask one small favor of you. Wherever you get your podcast from, please write a few nice words

and leave a five-star review as it really helps the podcast. That's it for this week, but I'll be back again, same time. Same place and I do so hope you'll join me once more. Until next time, sweet dreams and bye-bye.