RIO by Harry Martinson

That town was situated in the gulf, with its semicircle front towards the ocean, softly curved like a blue password, the united breast of the warren took the wind in miles long sails of marble. The town confronted us like an absorbing white unity, curved around the room of space which our soul gently seized. Later, when the doctor's boat came, and - like shots fired from the marblefront - cutters, police boats, patrol boats arrived and the advertising boat, (full of blinking girls) arrived, at that time this quarrelsome independence came. It cuts up itself every day to achieve the love and the bread - that's when that town by the ocean became a broad mean, a white giant cistern for the bread, the work, the love, the indifference. At that time it swung in the gulf like a white desirable ship which is constantly loaded and unloaded.

When I had been signed off my first modest merchant vessel - a little schooner - I was fifteen years old and lumbered out of Stockholm. My purpose was to tramp the countryside and joyride until I reached Trondheim. And I did - that's obvious. However, it hardly belongs to the story. By the time of the first snowstorm that winter, I had reached Orsa. The snowstorm confined me inside the decent railway waiting room of Orsa. A couple of muffled up rural women sat on all sides and one of them - a gammer - even lit a pipe. At that time, I thought it was very strange. They'd been seeking shelter like me, these honest rural women, and what's more - they had to wait a long time for an abnormally delayed train. The stove of the waiting room wanted to be on strike. That didn't bother the women, but my feet were terribly freezing, perhaps my heart too, for these crummy women looked like mothers - in some special way. Something to cling to. Anyhow, they were safe, a kind of concrete symbols for my imagination. As they suddenly disappeared inside the snowy train, the waiting hall became empty and desolate. And cold!

Their bodies had radiated a warmth which soon was evaporated, my own couldn't preserve it. I had no money, so I couldn't buy a ticket and consequently - I couldn't accompany them a bit of the way. I lost myself in a light melancholy. I was seated so, for a long time. I was seated so, a bit tearful, fifteen years old and blue at Orsa waiting hall. I started to hate everybody, except the women of the world and a few good friends. The door leading to the waiting hall flew open, the snowstorm threw itself diagonally like a waterfall. Afterwards came a snowy man dressed in a fur. He wrestled with the wind and closed the door. He brushed the snow off: it seemed to be a fairly wealthy gentleman. Full of desperation, I rashly went up to him and begged for a coin. He kindly stared hard at me.

"You'll get that", he dashingly said. "But why are you out for a walk, you little man?"

"I'm going to Trondheim."

"TO TRONDHEIM???"

He laughed but controled himself and became harder:

"Been a sailor?"

"Yes".

"What boats and voyages?"

First, I said the truth: the schooner, the cruises to Scotland, Ireland and France. Then the lie came, I lied: a certain mysterious steamer, a cruise to Rio. His eyes shone, I understood. I wanted to die:

"What does it look like in Rio?"

"???"

"Describe Rio!"

I should have stopped here. At this point I should have said: I'm lying, or have neutralized the shame in such a confession with some diplomatic and clever turn. No. I hopelessly walked into the coils of the arabesque of the lie. I started to describe Rio.

I compromised about the ground and the view over the harbour, so that everybody would think it was a reasonably acceptable town. I wanted to cry when I heard myself say:

"It's not hilly and it's not flat country either."

He pityingly smiled and quickly interrupted me. In that way, the ridiculousness and shame was reduced a bit. He picked up a coin, turned it upside-down a little and looked at Oskar II.

"Once you've seen Rio, you never forget it", he tenderly said.

I was ashamed. I thought: now he won't believe the truth either: the schooner Willy, Scotland, Ireland and France. He put the coin in his hand, scraped with his finger around Oskar II and repeated:

"Once you've seen Rio, you never forget it".

While he gave me the coin, he said:

"You may get to Rio, if you keep being a sailor you'll naturally get there sooner or later. But you're still a bit stupid."

He gave me his hand. I shook it almost desperately and walked away. He remained in the waiting hall, but me? I just thought about disappearing and darken in the snowstorm. A signboard fluttered, I percieved the word Café. I went there. I remained seated with a cup of coffee and thought a few thoughts.

A few years have passed since then. Perhaps a new snowstorm is howling on the village street of Orsa. And perhaps a new boy is sitting with a cup of coffee which is getting cold - on his way along some of the thousand windings of the globe. To Rio, to Rio.

Once you've seen Rio, you never forget it.

A HALF SHEET by August Strindberg

The last vanful of furniture had disappeared; the tenant, a young man with mourning crape on the hat, once again walked through the flat to see, if he'd forgotten anything. No, he hadn't forgotten anything, nothing at all; and then he went out, in the hall, determined not to think about what he'd experienced in this flat. But in the hall, close by the phone, a half sheet was nailed on; and it was filled with writings in several types, some with plain ink, others scrawled with lead or red pencil. There it was, this beautiful story, which had been reflected in the short time of two years, everything he wanted to forget was there, a piece of human life on a half sheet.

He took down the sheet; it was a sun-yellow paper, which shines. He put it on the tiled stove and read it. First her name was written: Alice, the most beautiful name he knew at that time - because it was his fiancée's. And the number: 15 11. It looked like the number of a hymn. Afterwards was written: the bank. It was his job, the holy job, which gave the bread, the home and the wife, the foundation of the existence. But it was crossed-out! For the bank no longer existed, but he'd been saved by another bank - after a short time of much anxiety, though. Then it came. The flower shop and the driver. It was the engagement, when his pocket were filled with money.

Subsequently: the furniture dealer, the upholsterer: he settle down. The removal firm: they move in. The box office of the Opera 50 50. They are newly married and go to the Opera on Sundays. Their best moments, when they're quiet, and meet in beauty and harmony in the fairyland on the other side of the curtain. A male name follows, which is crossed-out. It was a friend, who'd reached a certain position in the society, but couldn't carry the happiness and fell, hopelessly, and has to travel far away. That's how fragile it is. At this point, something new seems to have entered the life of the couple. It says, written by a woman, and with a lead: "The lady." What lady? The one with the big coat and the friendly, sympathetic face who arrives so silently, and never walks through the drawing-room, but goes by way of the corridor to the bedroom.

Below her name, "Doctor" is written. For the first time, the name of a relative appears. It says "Mum". It is the mother-in-law, who discreetly has hid herself because she doesn't want to bother the newly-weds, but now she's called for in time of need, and happily arrives, since she's needed. At this point, a big scrawl with blue and red begins. The commission office: the maid has moved, or a new one is to be employed. The pharmacy. Hmmm! It's getting dark! The dairy. Milk is ordered, free from tubercle. The grocer's shop, the butcher, etc. The house is managed by phone; then the housewife is not there. No. For she is ill in bed. He could not read the following, for it's getting dark in front of his eyes, as it has to be for a drowning person at sea, when he's looking through saltwater. But there it said: The funeral parlour. That speaks for itself! One bigger and one smaller, understood: coffin. And it was written in brackets: of ashes. Afterwards, nothing more was written! It ended with ashes; and that's what it does. But he took the sun-yellow paper, kissed it and put it in his breastpocket.

In two minutes, he'd experienced two years of his life. He wasn't stooping, as he went out; on the contrary he carried his head high, like a happy and proud person, for he felt, that he'd still possessed the most beautiful thing. There are many poor ones, who've never done that!

My favourite poem

My favourite poem is "Bright Star" by John Keats. Somehow, it's very vivid and touching - that's what I like about it. There are powerful words: 'unchangeable', 'eternal' and 'death', which makes you startled. I don't quite understand all of it, but that only makes the poem more interesting.

The poem is written in an admiring way, I think Keats is writing about his love for a certain woman, who's strong-willed and beautiful. He's talking about waters, shores, mountains and moors, the first words might be a way to describe the woman's lively personality. Perhaps mountains and moors are metaphors for naturalness.

If I was an exhibitor, I would use "Bright Star" as a text attached to a painting - preferably depicting a romance. Perhaps it would give life to the painting.

The Shell II - PART 5

Sandie felt all aglow. It was as if somebody had laid a hot cotton ball in her stomach. She laughed. Jordan threw a rope towards the sink unit.

Three hours later, police commissioner Bradley searched the house and saw the strange mess. A dead boy and a dead girl, an alarming amount of hash on the kitchen floor - and a smell of vomit. He shook his head.

Late in the night, a quick murmur broke the silence. Three seconds later, the house exploded.

The End

The Shell II - PART 4

An hour later, Sandie had eaten six sandwiches. Jordan gave her a pistol.

"To protect yourself against that....charlatan. In other words, your doctor."

"How many weapons have you got?"

"Quite enough. People come to my house and play pranks. That's why I prefer to keep myself armed."

Uncle Jeffrey was beside himself with fury.

"You're spaced-out! If I see you in this state again....."

Sandie didn't know what to say. She entered the spare bedroom and started to ponder. Jordan would understand. He'd hide her in in his house - she was dead certain.

The following morning, she got up 5.00 Uncle Jeffrey and Eric were asleep. Sandie carried her little trunk which contained clothes, the bags and a photo of cousin Thomas. On the way to Jordan's house, she searched her pockets to make sure that the pistol was there. Yes, it was. Sandie breathed freely as she began to see the red house.

Jordan wasn't surprised to see her.

"I sort of thought you'd return. You're free to stay here. Are you hungry?"

She stuffed herself with slices of bacon and told him about the accident. His eyes turned into saucers as she described the dreadful course of events in uncle Jeffrey's basement.

"They emerged from that bubbling sauce, is that what you mean?"

"Yes. They attacked me...."

"Play it cool. I'll give you some hash and then you'll be calm."

"Thank you."

He gave her the powder and she swallowed it.

Jordan flopped down in his leather-upholstered armchair.

"I'm crazy", he talked to himself. "I'll help her, she can't consume all of it."

My christmas vacation

My christmas vacation was quite long (although I thought the opposite) and not that eventful, since my main priority was to relax. Still, there were several highlights. These are a few of them:

CHRISTMAS EVE: Me and my family spent it at my grandmother's house. I had lots of nice presents: a necessaire, candy, a digital camera, books etc.

NEW YEAR'S EVE: I spent it at home with some friends of my parents & my uncle. We played games and ate a delicious fruit salad. I'd made it (with some help from my mother and sister), the recipe came from an African cookery book - actually one of my Christmas presents. Later in the evening, all of us went out to see the fireworks and to grill marshmallows.

JANUARY 7th: Me and some friends went to Umeå. We did some shopping and ate hamburgers. I bought a book, a cell phone case and chewing-gum.

The Shell II - PART 3

"Hello, Sandie."

Doctor Brown sat on a stool close to the bunk.

"What happened?" she whispered.

"You had withdrawal symptoms and was headed for my office to get the little syringe. But the bike skidded and you fell off. Remember?"

Sandie didn't answer.

"You'll get your syringe.... You'll be light as a feather...."

As the clock stroke six, Sandie directed her steps towards home. She suddenly caught sight of a little object on the curb. Distinct lines stood out, it resembled a shell.... She rubbed her eyes and pinched her arm. It was a nightmare. A real nightmare! Sandie noticed a red house near by. Someone ought to be at home, someone had to be at home.

Her clenched fists fiercely hammered on the brown door. It was opened by a dark-haired boy who peered at her.

"Help", Sandie whispered.

The boy run his eyes over her pale face.

"Are you peddling drugs?" he asked. "Your brother is furious, isn't he? Don't worry. Can I have a look at your plastic bag?"

Sandie nodded.

"Wow, you've got quite a lot. Let's have a talk about it in my humble habitation. By the way, my name is Jordan."

"Sandie. Sandie Knives."

The wall of the hall was decorated with old clippings.

"Memories", Jordan explained. "I'm an animal rights activist."

He pointed at the jam on his T-shirt.

"My bad habit. I'm also terribly stingy."

Sandie smiled up her sleeve. The brightly coloured curtains made her happy. Jordan held one of the syringes between his thumb and forefinger.

"You've just started, haven't you?"

"Yes", Sandie admitted.

"I thought as much! You have 7 bags with lots of LSD, hash and heroin."

"I don't use drugs voluntarily."

"Why?"

"They're my medicines. I've been through an accident."

Jordan gaped at her.

"You have a weird doctor, that's for sure."

The Shell II - PART 2

Jordan sighed. The plastic bag laid in his desk drawer, waiting for his attention. They'd found it on the previous evening, he and the other three enthusiasts. The bag had been buried in a clod of earth - totally untouched. Jordan decided to open it. There were lots of dirt, grass and dead insects. The digging in the bag was a tedious doing. Jordan fell asleep.

He woke up an hour later and felt something trickle down his cheek..... Blood! There was something sharp beneath the dirt, he had a slight wound in the forehead. He digged freneticly and found a fan-shaped shell. Its stench made him turn his nose up. The shell seemed to be a little bit charred. A red liquid made his finger wet. The drop quickly coagulated.

Uncle Jeffrey's face was fiery red.

"My niece? Are you saying that my niece has been treated with LSD -- for the period of a year?!"

Sandie overheard the call.

"Mr Knives", dr Brown kindly said. "I don't think you understand this...."

"You're nuts!" Jeffrey screamed.

Dr Brown sighed.

"I have different methods of working. I'll give you the necessary syringes...."

"Not on your life!!"

Sandie hung up. Dr Brown had injected a drug in her blood....

A few days later, she had her first bout against the abstinence. She had to get to the hospital, dr Brown had to give her the drug. She kept her plan to herself, but still looked back after each bend of the road. If Jeffrey chased her in this heat, he really was a fool. The pain in her head got worse. Downhill and uphill again.... The trees became blurred. She suddenly caught a glimpse of a big white building which resembled the hospital.... The bike tipped over.

The Shell II - PART 1

After the lapse of one year, Sandie is finally discharged from the hospital. To her horror, she discovers that she has been treated with LSD. While the addiction is growing stronger, traces of a certain object suddenly appear. The shell from the nightmares....

Sandie stared into space. Today, she'd escape from this miserable existence - she'd forget about the accident.

"Doctor Brown wants to see you."

She turned around and saw the young nurse who was patiently waiting for her.

Doctor Brown was the most unbearable physician in the entire hospital. But he was also the most handsome - and consequently a favourite with the vain and immature nurses. He was responsible for Sandie's medicines and case books.

"You'll be discharged today. How do you feel?"

His disagreeable smile made her shudder inside.

"Good. My uncle will come here, he's visiting an old friend near by and...."

"I know. He asked me to tell you about....."

"What has happened?"

"Your aunt Mandy and your cousin Thomas have been killed in a car accident."

Visual pictures suddenly started to rush about in her brain, like a quick multislide presentation. Mandy and Thomas?

A dark-haired nurse entered the room. She greedily run her eye over doctor Brown.

"Nurse Norah, please hold Sandie's hand while I take out the necessary things."

"Yes, doctor Brown", the cringing voice said. "By the way.... I'm working late tonight...."

"Give her 3 injections", Brown said, ignoring the sensual tone. "Be quick about it."

Sandie clenched her teeth. She saw doctor Brown and nurse Norah leave the room. The darkness surrounded the little bunk.

Sandie shut her eyes. Croaking sounds filled her head. Strange purple fishes swam above her, beneath her, behind her. She heard loud voices. The nightmares from the past had been put to flight. For the time being.

The Shell - PART 2

She tore the door open and looked around. Everything seemed to be alright. The shells were in their aquariums. But the strange sound was unpleasant. Where did it came from? Sandie remembered the big, stinking shell. The sight of it made her scream. It was covered by a red liquid which suddenly split up. Little green lumps slowly arose. It was five enormous worms with bodies resembling cactuses and bloodshot eyes.

Sandie flinched. The worms were getting out of the aquarium. They would attack her. Unless.... She grabbed a spade and waved with it. One of the worms immediately attacked her middle finger. Sandie had never felt such a pain. It cut through her entire body.

Ten minutes later, she woke up. In the beginning, she only heard drawn out screams and distant voices. She laid on the floor, surrounded by red pools of blood which smelled like the shell. Aunt Mandy and uncle Jeffrey bended over her. Jeffrey held a pistol.

"The worms are dead", Mandy said. "I'll take you to a hospital."

Only then, Sandie discovered that one of her fingers were gone.

"I'll stay here", Jeffrey muttered.

"Are you angry?" Sandie asked.

"No, of course not. Your cousins could have done the same thing. I'll set the shells on fire."

As Sandie looked out of the car window, she could see the nightmare be burnt out.

The End

The Shell - PART 1

Sandie didn't recognize the house. It had undergone a total restoration, but then her aunt and uncle had always wanted a basement. Its little windows attracted her attention.

"What's in there?"

"I'll show you", uncle Jeffrey calmly said.

She noticed that the cold increased at the very bottom of the basement. Jeffrey suddenly stopped in front of a big door and opened it. They entered a hall full of wooden benches. At a distance, Sandie caught a glimpse of some aquariums.

"What's in them?" she asked.

"Shells".

Sandie sighed.

"Perhaps not that interesting to you", Jeffrey admitted. "But it's my hobby. I've collected them ever since I was a kid."

Sandie glanced at the biggest aquarium. She saw a gigantic shell, almost wide open.

"Oh, that one is special", Jeffrey mumbled. "I don't know what to do with it. It smells terrible."

He walked away and didn't notice that Sandie was left behind. She opened the aquarium and observed the shell. A disgusting smell immediately met her. You'd think it was spew.

"I've got to help Eric with his homework", Jeffrey shouted. "I don't mind if you stay down here - as long as you keep an eye on the shells."

"No problem!"

She heard him shut the door and got an idea: she would open one of the bottles and pour out a little into the shell. Sandie seized the black bottle and got the cork out. The liquid was black as well. What if she'd pour out more of them? What would happen? She'd always liked experiments.

In a little while, ten bottles were empty and lined up in front of her. The shell was besmeared, the liquids ran into the hole. Sandie was worried about the bottles. She'd have to hide them, otherwise Jeffrey would discover her experiment. A safe-deposit box became the rescue. And she was lucky. It wasn't locked.

During the dinner, Sandie pretended to listen to aunt Mandy.

"Come on, tell us", she eagerly said. "What's down there? Jeffrey is so secretive."

"Shells", Sandie answered. "Nothing but shells."

"Really?" Aunt Mandy disappointedly said.

"Unfortunately", Jeffrey laughed. "No swimming-pool, no doll house, no statue. Just my shells...and their liquids. I don't want them to decay...."

A rapid thought dashed through Sandie's head. Something was wrong.

"I must go down again", she resolutely said.

"What?" Mandy exclaimed. "But my strawberry ice cream...."

"I'll eat it later."

The Hidden Horror

Corinne knocked at the door. It was opened by a tall man in a black jacket.

"I assume that you want a room. Any particular number?"

"Number 17, please."

The man took out a file and started to turn over the pages.

"You're actually my first guest today. Nowadays, this place is quite empty - it was different when my father was alive. He painted the sign out there...."

Corinne looked around in the little room. Paintings depicting rabbits covered the walls.

"My father was fond of rabbits. Sign your name here...."

Corinne made a careless signature.

"Well, you've got the key. My name is Michael De Boute."

The room was plain. It consisted of a brown wardrobe, a big window, a black desk and a single bed.

"This door leads to the basement", Michael said. "At one time, my father used it as a laboratory."

"Laboratory?"

Corinne knitted her eyebrows.

"Let me explain. My father was extremely decent, he never used animals in his experiments. However, he prepared medicines for them. He never used animals in his experiments, the very thought of it would have shocked him. My father...."

"Don't worry, I believe you", Corinne said in a low voice. "I need something to drink."

"Yes, of course. I have a hunch that there's a bottle of champagne somewhere."

De Boute poured out the refreshment. Corinne stared at the grey door, the door leading to the basement. Michael was hiding something behind it, something secret....

"Thank you very much. I'd like to go to bed, I'll get up early tomorrow."

Michael smiled.

"Good night then."

Corinne cuddled up in the bed and quickly fell asleep. She was awakened by a piercing scream. It was Michael.... And it came from the basement.... Corinne opened the grey door. She saw a preciptous staircase. Michael laid on the stone floor. A large white rabbit was hanging over him - but it no longer resembled a rabbit. The body had enormous proportions and the teeth were dripping with blood.

"Shoot it!" Michael screamed.

He pointed at the gun on the wall. Corinne tore it off and aimed at the terrifying animal. At the same moment, she caught sight of a large white poster on a cage.

CAUTION. Experiment number 29.

It made her blood run cold. It was true.... She took the gun and pulled the trigger of. The large rabbit collapsed.

The End

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 7

James shouted at the twins to shut their eyes. Lynn pressed Carol close herself, trembling with sobbing. The little girl was dead. Ellie hugged her sister-in-law.

The two pumas got hold of Patrick's shoulders. Stanley and Douglas were tearing at each of his legs.

"Let go of my son", Douglas growled. "Let go of my son, you carcass!"

A third puma joined them. It tore off Stanley's hands. Lynn fainted. The twins fell backwards into the water. The two pumas immediately attacked them. Ellie Treeton saw their mutilated arms and legs sink down to the bottom. A cascade of water demolished the bloody surface. The fourth puma slashed Ellie's stomach.

Maggie cried.

"Mum! Mum! Wake up!"

But Lynn didn't move. Douglas desperately tried to defend himself against two pumas.

"James!" Maggie screamed. "Fetch the gun!!"

James ran to his family's caravan and tore the door open. He knew that the gun was in the chest. And the key was hidden away under a hat. James grabbed the gun and ran out. He fell on the gravel. The delay became devastating.

He rushed down to the lake and shouldered the gun.

"Dad!!" he bawled. "Maggie!! Do you hear me?"

It was dead silent. James looked through his binocular. Not a living soul.... It meant that....

"Joseph", James thought to himself. "Joseph."

The End

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 6

Upon his return, Patrick attracted a great deal of unreserved attention. The twins touched his arm and peeked at the stitches. Douglas wept a few tears, Ellie practically drowned little Joseph's voice.

Three days later, Maggie, Sam and Clarice took a walk in the forest. On the way home, Clarice wanted to play hide-and-seek among the trees. She had found a perfect hiding-place under the cover of a large branch. Maggie would never be able to find her. Clarice suddenly heard distant sounds. Paws tramping on the path, a growling.... She gave a cry and rushed up to Maggie.

"Monsters! They'll eat us, they'll eat us!"

"You're mistaken", said Maggie. "There are no monsters."

"They're here!" Sam whined.

"Let's go back", Maggie mumbled. "Come on."

About twenty metres from the base camp, dozens of pumas kept a sharp eye on the families....

July 23th was a hot day.

"Let's go to the lake!" Douglas shouted. "We'll have the sun chairs, the radio, the ice cream.... It'll be terrific!"

Patrick and Carol were diving. They saw lots of crabs and tried to seize them, but the little shellfishes were too quick. Carol caught sight of something else, something on the shore.... It appeared to be large, very large.... As she carefully approached it, she felt an inconceivable pain. The puma had scratched her neck. Patrick screamed. Another puma plunged into the water and seized his foot.

Stanley gesticulated on the shore.

"Hey! Anybody seen Carol and Patrick?"

Douglas and Lynn immediately jumped into the water. Ellie remained in the sun chair - deathly pale and ready to cry.

"What about Sammy and Clary?!" she screamed.

"Don't worry, Mom", said James. "They're with me - on my back."

Maggie suddenly caught sight of Carol.

"Oh no. Oh no."

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 5

The fishermen were returning. Clarice was the first to discover the little person who waved in a desperate way.

"It's Carol!"

"She's happy to see us, that's for sure", Douglas said.

They finally reached the shore and heard her words.

"Patrick is bleeding! A monster has bitten him! We need help!"

Douglas turned pale. He and Stanley jumped into the water and rushed up to Carol. Ellie joined them - her eyes spurted with tears - in their reckless rush into the forest. Lynn was left behind with Maggie, James and the twins. A thought crossed her mind. Joseph!

"I hope nothing has happened to him! Follow the others, I'll join you later on!"

They caught a glimpse of Patrick, who was unconscious. Ellie shooked with sobbing.

"Lynn's sister is a doctor, she has taught her a lot", said Stanley. "We've got a first-aid kit."

Maggie couldn't remember if she'd ever ran that fast and that long. They finally approached the caravans. Lynn emerged, carrying Joseph.

"How is he?" Stanley asked. "Is he alright?"

"Yes, thank God! What about Patrick?"

"His arm has been ripped", said Douglas. "Stanley said that your sister is a doctor and that she has taught you a thing or two. You've got a first-aid kit...."

"Let's go inside our caravan", Lynn decided. "Maggie, take care of Joseph and the twins. They've seen enough."

Lynn dabbed cotton balls with healing ointment and wiped off blood.

"What are we going to do?" Ellie cried. "What can we do?"

"I'll wrap up his arm with this bandage. But that's not enough. It's a long way to the nearest hospital, but my sister works there - she knows more than me. She'll sew this wound. Patrick has lost a great deal of blood."

"We'll go at once", said Stanley. "Believe me Ellie, it's best for you to remain here. The twins and James will need you."

Lynn's sister Louise immediately took care of Patrick. A male doctor told them they could breathe out. Douglas placed himself in an armchair in the waiting room.

"Stan, I understand if you're frightened", he said. "So am I. But this won't change anything. We're going to camp out, relax and have fun. We'll stay."

"Listen to me, Douglas. I've got good reasons to believe Patrick was attacked by a puma or something like that. Remember those pictures at The Zoo? They showed injuries caused by wild animals. Suppose there's a puma somewhere. In that case, it'll be dangerous to remain here."

"Don't forget my gun", said Douglas. "I killed wolves once upon a time. A puma mustn't destroy our vacation."

Stanley sighed.

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 4

"Let's go to the forest! Do you think the stump is still there? The one we found last year?"

"But Mum said...."

"We'll be back before they return. And Joseph is sleeping like a log. Nobody's going to run away with him."

Carol and Patrick started to walk and eagerly kept a lookout for 'the stump'. Well, it wasn't that remarkable. But to them, it represented a border. The stump concealed a whole world. You could meet nice animals with large legs, or bad animals like the grey eagles. They'd come at any time and their crying made the blood froze.

Carol pretended she'd become a fairy. Patrick observed the path which lead to the mountains.

"Don't go away! Don't leave me here!"

"I'll be right back", Patrick mumbled.

"The grey eagles will take you!"

Patrick disappeared behind the large trees.

"I didn't see anything", he boldly proclaimed, happily brushing the needles off. "We should go back to Joseph and..."

Patrick saw Carol's face and immediately became silent. Her eyes were filled with horror.

"Behind you", she whispered. "Behind you."

Both of them screamed. They saw an approaching animal. Its pattern of behaviour was threatening and aggressive. It suddenly attacked Patrick. This was the monster, the horror from the mountain....

He saw the jaws of the monster, he felt a terrible pain. Scraps of flesh spurted out on the ground. Patrick bawled. Carol threw a stone towards the monster. It ran away at lightning speed. Carol's hands still quivered as she cuddled up against Patrick. His forearm was all bloody. She ran towards the lake - there was no time to lose.

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 3

James, Patrick and Carol laid awake, although it was close on midnight.

"What's the name of your girlfriend?" Carol suddenly asked.

"Brenda", James answered. "We've been together for 2 years. We'll get married when we're 20. At least that's what Dad thinks."

"I don't want to be your page", Patrick muttered. "It's so childish."

"I've been a bridesmaid once", said Carol.

"Is that so, little C?" James laughed. "Did you get any reward afterwards?"

"Yes, a big doll house with accessories. I got it on my birthday, a month after Grandma's cousin's grandchild's wedding...."

Five minutes later, James and Carol were fast asleep. Patrick tried to shut his eyes, but he couldn't. He thought of the monster....

"Mum! I wanna sleep with you and Dad."

Ellie rubbed her eyes.

"Let me sleep. Go back to bed....."

"Please Mum!", Patrick whispered.

"Alright. But don't nick Sam's pillow."

A few days later, the two families would go out fishing. Douglas had an aquaintance whose summer cottage was located near by. He offered to lend them his motorboats. But there was one problem. Each boat had room for 4 persons. Douglas realized that 3 of the children would have to stay in the base camp. Joseph - of course - the little fellow was sure to dislike the boat trip. Patrick - poor thing - he hadn't been himself since the mountaineering. He'd like being a landlubber. And Carol - she could liven up both of them. Douglas was satisfied.

Carol and Patrick stood by the lake and waved. Joseph slept inside one of the caravans.

"Don't worry Mum", Carol shouted. "I'll take care of Joseph, it's easy enough - you've taught me everything!"

The children saw the motorboats disappear. Afterwards, they went back to the base camp and started to think about what they'd do next.

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 2

"Well done everybody", said Douglas. "We're almost right at the very top of the mountain. Let's eat the donuts. After that, you rascals might as well have a look around. As long as you're sensible."

Patrick's face was still pale. The donut laid on the ground, attacked by a couple of ants.

"Are you alright?" Stanley asked.

Patrick didn't answer. In his mind's eye, he still saw the monster with its eyes, its wide open mouth, the raising paw, he heard the roar....

"I wanna go down!" he suddenly screamed. "I don't wanna be here!"

"Do you want these stone blocks to fall down on us?!" Douglas severely whispered.

"What's up now?" Lynn exclaimed when they returned.

"Patrick went nuts", Douglas explained. "He simply wanted to go climb down. And he won't say why."

"My poor boy", Ellie sighed. "Erratic and furious."

"Mum!" Patrick whispered. "I've seen something.... something terrible. A jaw, spurting blood....."

"You're watching too much TV. I thought we'd talked about that, Douglas!"

He was busy peeling a banana for Clarice and shouted:

"Honey, you know that's your business - all the year round!"

But Douglas couldn't stop thinking of Patrick. Late at night, he began to blame himself.

"I should spend some time with Patrick. You have your hands full, I understand that.... James wants to be with Brenda every single night. The twins are at the daycare centre."

"He's our afterthought", Ellie laughed. "Your mother is 18 years younger than her eldest sister. Not to mention Dad...."

"Look here, Ellie. Maybe we should consult a psychologist."

"A psychologist? No, you're overreacting. Patrick is fine."

"Do you think my absence has a bad influence on him?"

"No. Don't worry."

The Horror Of The Mountain - PART 1

The two families reached their destination.

"There's a dent on your caravan", Patrick indicated.

"I know", Maggie sighed. "Dad should have bought a new last year, but he's always saying that it's too expensive."

After the dinner, Stanley dropped the bombshell.

"You know that uncle Douglas loves the mountains. And we've actually been professional mountaineers - that's a long time ago. Tomorrow, we'll take you on mountain climbing."

"All of us?" Carol asked.

"Everybody who wants to", Douglas answered.

"You, me, Patrick, Maggie and Carol", said Stanley and counted on his fingers.

"What about me?" James disappointedly wondered.

"You're strong", Douglas laughed. "Your job is to protect your mother, aunt Lynn and the kiddies."

The next day, uncle Douglas was up early.

"I feel how the mountain is waiting for us! It's moving!"

"Where is Mum?" Carol asked.

"She's sleeping", Maggie explained. "Joseph refused to fall asleep last night."

They walked to the lake and up a path. Patrick caught the first glimpse of the mountain.

"Wow! Right up there?"

Douglas scratched his head.

"No. Then we'll kill ourselves. But I think we'll manage to get to that boulder, at the very left of the corner. Got any objections, Stan?"

"I trust you."

"Listen to me, kids. This is no mischief, this is serious. You'll be tied up to me and Stan."

Carol shuddered. They were alone now, alone with the broiling sun and the clouds. Patrick felt urbane and tough. It was as if he knew the exact location of every stone, every cleft, every hole, every....

He heard it. Far from there, a rumbling roar and a cat-like animal. But it wasn't a cat. It was a monster.

Patrick cried out and fell backwards. Carol started to cry and Maggie shut her eyes.

"No!!" Douglas bawled. "Hang on, Patrick!"

The Horror Of The Mountain - PROLOGUE

Some relatives are spending their summer vacation in the mountains. The children enjoy spending time with their cousins and the adults happily arrange fun activities. Patrick, one of the boys, is the only one who sees the terrible monster. And it's eagerly waiting to strike....

I chosed to include relatives in this story because I think relations between relatives simply are interesting to write about. I wanted to create a certain atmosphere: a feeling of safety, friendship, light-heartedness, care and consideration. And isn't that how a good horror story (or horror film) shall begin? You depict the idyllic setting, you let the reader be lulled into thoughts like: "This is nice, this is enjoyable." And in a carefully chosen moment - you take out the terror.

The hot summer's day had turned into night. The silence descended over the mountainous landscape. Only the owls stubbornly hooted. Little Carol Morton slept deeply, safely leaning towards her cousin Patrick. They were inseparable and Stanley - Carol's father - jokingly used to fantasize about 'a future marriage'. Almost all of the children had participated in these little excursions ever since they were infants. Somehow, going to Cliff Mountains in the eastern California (and camp out in two months) was a tradition in the family. The date was an important detail. July 13th, three days before the birthday of uncle Douglas. He promptly wanted to celebrate it in the mountains. Not on July 4th, not on the national day. No, he had to be out in the streets (with a flag in one hand and a can of beer in the other).

Uncle Douglas was half mountain, half city - as his oldest son James used to describe him. His father was a slick lawyer who loved nightclubs. He was having the time of his life on New Year's Eve, mixing and conversing with loved ones. But there were times when he didn't like the city life, when a longing for peace and quiet came upon him. In the beginning, he had frequently camped out in the forest or by the sea. That caused some trouble concerning his working life. Douglas Treeton spinned between courtrooms, family life and glades. He understood that something drastic had to be done. The idea of 'going on mountain excursions' arised. Douglas could easily concentrate on his work and simultaneously long for July 13th. That day, he became a mountain - an extremely romantic one. That was the best time for his wife Ellie and their children James, Patrick, Clarice and Sam. They could spend time with Douglas and he wanted to see them. But during the rest of the year, he and his family lived in separate houses. The children could observe their father, who entertained rich men and arranged dinners.

Stanley was different, he worked at a restaurant called Meal. His wife, Lynn, was a broker. Ellie was a housewife and therefore jealous of Lynn. And Lynn wished that Stanley had lots of money, like Douglas. They didn't have an economic crisis, no and no again! But Lynn had worked as a waitress in her early teens and all alone supported her grandparents. She didn't know the identity of her parents. Lynn was proud of her hard work. She didn't like seeing Ellie revel in the money - mrs Treeton really didn't do anything in the daytime. Cleaning, cooking, taking care of four children.... nonsense! Stanley dismissed the whole thing as nagging. He reminded her of the fact that their children were lucky - regarding one thing. Maggie, Carol and the new addition Joseph had access to both parents all the year round.

That was never a source of quarrel or jealousy among the cousins. The Treeton children generously gave away some of their father's expensive presents. It was a secret which kept their feet firmly on the ground. The Morton children were happy and grateful.