Tower 4 - S1E5: Enos Lake

Episode Date: January 4, 2021

Mike is on a rescue mission of sorts. He packs a bag and even a tent for his upcoming trek. He sets out for Enos Lake in search of the missing father and son. But when he gets there he finds a strange man in dress clothes. Mike chases after the man, but it's all for naught. The man disappears and Mike is once again alone. At night, after camp is set, a storm moves in... but so does something else... something big."Awkward Meeting" and "Giant Wyrm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/"Summer" from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi"Tower 4 Score" by Brett Wilkins @wilkinsmusic Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Enos Lake. The next morning I woke up somewhat early, took a shower and packed a bag. Amber informed me I could find a pop-up tent in one of the crates in the shed. Of course it was in the bottom one. I found some bungee cords as well that I used to attach the small pop-up tent to the bottom of my backpack. Amber told me it was quite the hike team. I was like, the map showed that it was further away than Site 5, so there was a chance I wouldn't make it back before dark. I made sure I had enough food and water, bear spray, and even a knife in case the bear spray didn't work.

I also decided to pack the journal I found the previous night. I'd yet to tell Amber about it. Hey, have you left yet? Not yet. You better leave soon. You'll never make it back before dark. I'm not planning on it. I'm taking the tent you told me about.

Should have left earlier. This way I don't have to rush. Oh, so it's like a real camping trip. Camping trip? Apparently this is a rescue mission. Listen, this stuff happens more often than you think. All you're going to do is check the lake and see if they're there. or if they were there.

So I'm looking for footprints and trash and strands of hair. That's right, Columbo. Jesus, you really do make some old references. Don't you dare say anything bad about my friend Peter Falk. I'm talking about you. Yeah, yeah. So, did you leave you? I'm going, I'm going.

Good. I'll let you know. I don't know. I don't know. I jumped onto the trail and headed north. I thought about bringing my earbuds with me and listening to some music, but didn't feel like it. Walking in the woods and experiencing the natural sounds of the forest was enough. It would allow me to empty my mind and relax, because I knew this hike would be a pain. I don't know

I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm the I'm

the I'm I'm I don't know. I headed along three posts. This was a small trail I took to get to Tower 4 from the Ranger Station. It didn't take long before I was regretting not taking my earbuds. But that was only because I was trying to focus on my story and I couldn't.

I kept thinking about the journal. I wanted to tell Amber about it, but part of me was worried about what she would say. Jean told me that the last guy who stayed in the tower couldn't handle it. Is that what this was? Is that what I was experiencing? Please don't let me go stir crazy. Maybe some time away from the tower doing me good. Mikey.

Yes, Ambie. Please stop doing that. Sorry. So I talked to Gene and he checked the weather. Should be nice. Until tonight when a storm is supposed to hit. Nothing big, though. That's fine. I have a tent.

I told him you did. He was proud of you for thinking of. He said that? I could hear it in his voice. Yeah, I bet. You should really check out those crates in the shed. There's a lot of good stuff in there. Not just food. I checked them the first day.

Well, not thoroughly, but I haven't really needed anything, except coffee. Until now. Well, yeah. How's the trek going? You hit Eno's path yet? No, but I think I'm close. Eno's path, they've heard it from three posts. It took hikers all the way to the lake and loop back around.

At least that's what the map showed. I brought a paper map and a compass with me. Enos path is a bit rugged. And since that section of the woods closed down, I can't imagine what the trail looks like now. Probably overgrown. Awesome. Also, I should mention that Enos Lake is a bit out of reach for Tower 3.

Meaning? You probably won't be able to contact me. Signal strength and all. Oh. But if you head north from Enos, You know, Slake, you can hit overarch, which will give you signal if you want to contact Gene. You know, to say hi and demand banana chips. That sounds enticing.

Just a suggestion. I really wish I brought my earbuds now. Talking to me isn't enough? Not when I lose signal. True. But I could sing for you before signal goes out. I've heard I have a lovely voice. Oh, yeah?

I mean, the compliments came from biased sources, but still, if you're interested in the The Supremes, Leslie Gore, or Buddy Holly, I got you covered. Really? Oh, I'm sorry. What do you listen to? Classic stuff. Zeppelin, Stones, Beatles, Floyd, The Who, Clash, Clapton, Presley, Dylan. Should I go on?

Oh, come on. Routinely rattling off some of the greats like your taste of music is so much more sophisticated than mine. I didn't say that. I listen to Clapton, Presley, and Dylan, too. You just go a little further back. But not much. Not like I'm mentioning Johnny Mathis, Bing, Rosby, Sinatra, or shit, Beethoven. Don't remind me.

Any more classical music coming through the radio? It hasn't happened in weeks. That's good. Right? I guess. Can I ask you a question, Mikey? I'll allow it. How old do you think I am?

I know how old you are. You're 32. How'd you know that? You told me. Oh, that's right. The introductions. I have to say you sound a lot younger. You just pointed out how I make old references.

I meant your voice. Oh. How old would you say I am? Did you really just forget again that you told me your age? No. I meant if you didn't already know. That's hard to do. Why?

Because I do already know. Just play the game. Fine. Even though I thought it was impolone. light to talk about age with a woman. You're such a gentleman. Now, answer the question. Shit, I don't know.

Going purely off sound? Because we're whales now. I'd say, I'd say you sound late 20s, maybe 28. Okay, okay. I'll take it. Shave a couple years off. Happy? I am.

Well, I wonder what you'd say if you actually saw me. You think I'd guess differently? I know you would. How about me? Do I sound my... age? No, not at all. Do I sound older? Yeah, but that's only due to the panting in between sentences.

Hey, I'm not used to this hiking stuff. Obviously, but it's not a bad thing. A lot of guys look better with age. It's the opposite for me. Although, I am glad to know that my voice makes me seem more youthful. It's your friendly demeanor and childish sarcasm. Are you mocking me? No, no, no.

It's a welcome contrast to what I've dealt with the last few years. dealt with the last few years. Hey, if you ever want to talk about serious stuff, we can. Didn't we do that already? I believe that was us barely scratching the surface. Yeah, I think you're right about that. I'm always here. Unless somebody knows Lake.

Well, yes. When you reach the beautiful, mostly isolated lake, you won't be able to hear my youthful sarcastic voice. Amber was right about both things. The path was rugged, and several times I tripped and almost, rolled down a steep incline. And I was having trouble contacting her. The static became so unbearable

that I only could make out every third word which made communication impossible. And... You... late. Two. Every time. You.

Enough. Hey, Amber, I can't hear you. It keeps cutting off, so I'm going to say goodbye and turn this thing off. Hopefully you can hear this. Or maybe not. I turned off the radio. There was no reason to keep it on now, but maybe after I reached the lake I could take a little trip north and head over to Overarch and talk to Jean. Hours passed and the travel was slow.

I climbed over fallen rocks down steep inclines and over a few fallen trees. Did this father and son really head this way? Oh shit. In the distance, through a break in the tree cover, I noticed several vultures circling in the sky. More specifically, turkey vultures. I remember seeing them multiple times while bird watching in the tower. They were part of the new world vultures

and one of two types that appear in Wyoming. The other was the black vulture. I knew these were turkey vultures because of the red head. The fact that they were circling meant something was dead up ahead. Well, it was probably just an animal, for some reason, a chill ran down my spine. An hour later in my An hour later in my assumption of a dead animal was accurate, but it wasn't the type of animal I expected. I figured I'd see a raccoon, deer, elk, possum, but no.

Instead, a large, dead black bear lay only a few feet from the trail. It wasn't as big as the bear I saw a couple weeks ago, but it was still large. Several vultures picked at the body. As I approached, they hopped away and eventually took flight. I noticed several large scratches in the side. What the hell could have done that? Another bear, maybe? I had my knife on me attached to my waistband.

I didn't have a sheath for the knife, but before I left the tower, I made a small incision on the top of my pants that allowed the knife to slide all the way through to the handle. I wanted to make sure I had easy access, mainly because I didn't trust the bear spray. In fact, I took the bear spray out and slid it into my pocket. I didn't trust it, but it wouldn't hurt to have it ready, too. I don't know. I don't know.

I don't know. I don't know. multiple breaks on the trail to catch my breath, eat, or drink. When I finally reached the lake, I couldn't help but smile. That stupid path was not easy. How the hell did anyone lug all their stuff and fishing equipment all the way here? The lake was large and still and situated in the middle of a grassy field. I didn't notice any tents.

I went down to the water and walked along the perimeter. of the lake. It wasn't anyone here. The grass was so tall I was worried about stepping on a snake. I looked back over the tree line to see vultures still circling high above. It was six now. I bent down to the water and ran my hand along the surface. It was surprisingly cool.

Oh, come on. I ripped the radio off my belt loop and remembered it was off. I thought it was off. It wasn't off. I'd accidentally turned it to another channel. I went back to the previous channel. The radio interference continued. I expected to hear the classical music, but it didn't come.

Good. What that? What the hell is that? That's when I saw a person standing on the other side of the lake. What the fuck? The person who wore beige pants and an untucked white dress shirt had his back to me. Hey! He didn't move.

He didn't acknowledge me. He started walking toward the woodline and I noticed him carrying a large metal box. He also wore large headphones. Hey! He couldn't hear me. I ran along the lake's heads trying to catch up to the man. My legs and feet were killing me and running on the soft, wet soil didn't help. I dropped my backpack and ran faster.

Hey! As I ran along the large lake, I saw the man disappear into the woods. Damn it! I ran as fast as I could. Hello? Where was he? Hello! My legs were on fire.

I took a moment to rest. I surveyed the area and saw no sign of a strange man. What the hell was he holding? Hello? Nothing. Shit. I didn't want to wander too far into the woods. I was no Daniel Boone, and it wouldn't take much for me to get lost.

I ended up heading back to the lake, but before I walked completely out of the woods, a certain tree caught my attention. Holy shit. another eye carved into the bark I ran my finger along the entire outline Was this father and son messing with me? Was Amber? Gene? I started.

There it is. I left the music play as I went to retrieve my backpack. I saw dark clouds in the distance. I wasn't going to make it back in time, so I decided I should set up camp somewhere close. I don't know. I'm going to be able to be able to

I'm gonnae. ...andahe . ... ... ... ... ...

... ... ... ... ... ... ... An hour later, I found a spot just off the path, but still inside of the lake.

I set up the tent and ate dinner. Ravioli, beef jerky, and dried apricots. I sat in the tent with a door flap. up and so I could see the area where the man had disappeared into the woods. He never did return. When it got darker, the mosquitoes came out, which forced me to zip up my tent. I had bug spray on, but I didn't need them flying around inside. As the sun disappeared over the horizon, I thought about taking a sleeping pill until I realized

I forgot to pack them. Instead, I got my flashlight and pulled out the mysterious journal. I read through each page. Sometimes it'd be hard to decipher because the curse of handwriting was sloppy and often completely incoherent. When I reached the halfway point of the journal, a certain passage caught my eye. They'll never believe me. The excuses they make. They want to keep me here.

Is it why they say the things they do? Nowhere to go. They know that. Trust no one. When they find me, I'll be gone. And you will know why. What the hell is this guy talking about? What was that?

Shit. What the fuck? I grabbed my flashlight and knife and slowly open the tent, just a little, just to peek out. What the hell was out there? I poked the flashlight out, but the beam didn't even reach across the grassy field. I did notice the tops of the trees moving on the other side of the lake. Whatever was out there, it was big. Lightning flashed in the sky.

Oh man. Oh shit. That guy. Something happened. Something attacked him. I was frozen. I didn't know what to do. Lightning flashed again and a raindrop hit the top of the tent. It wasn't loud at all, but it still made me jump. Something was coming this way. What do I do? What do I do? I can't run. It'd be fucking ridiculous to run out there now. At night, right before the storm. Whatever it was, it was close. The trees rocked. No. I turned out the radio. I've turned out the radio. I've Flashlight started to malfunction. Flickered crazily.

Shit, not now! Turned it off and zipped up the tent. I sat motionless, listening intently to the large thing outside. That was no bear. It sounded like it was in the field, but I dared not open the tent flap. I had to remain silent. It was right near me. I felt something looming over the tent.

Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. I gripped my knife tightly. Held my breath. Was it gone? Was it gone? I waited nervously. I didn't hear anything else besides a quickening rainfall. Please tell me it was gone.

Thirty minutes passed, but it felt like hours. It was raining hard now Couldn't hear anything but the falling water and loud thunder I kept the knife and flashlight situated on my lap Flashlight was working again I kept it on and pointed it up to brighten the whole tent My mind continued to raise as I tried to comprehend what had just happened I would not be sleeping tonight

Tower 4 Written and edited by Robert M. Lamb. Story by Robert M. Lamb and Dylan Whitehead. Starring Jack Austin as Mike. Gina Coyle as Amber. Brian Messick as Gene. Music provided by Kevin McLeod of Incompetect.com and Brett Wilkins at Facebook.com

slash Wilkins Music FL. If you enjoy Tower 4, visit 7lam.com for more audio dramas such as this. Also, don't forget to follow 7Lam on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, at 7Lam Podcasts. Lamb Production.