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.

The Abandoned Children - PART 8

"Felice", Janet whispered. "We regret everything. If there's anything we can do to help these children.... You know that Mark and I can't have any."

Felice observed the children.

"Mak and Jant", she said and pointed at her aunt and uncle. Alice put her arms around Janet. Annie and Tom embraced Mark. They turned around and noticed Joe.

"Nce", said Felice. "Not da-a-a."

The children carefully approached Joe. Alice seized his hand.

"Grandpa."

Felice was astounded. Alice had said all the letters! And she wasn't afraid. None of the children were afraid. They prepared themselves to leave.

"Stay with Janet and Mark", Felice slowly said.

The children nodded. They understood!

"Mum", said Alice and pointed at the cabin. "House."

"You are always on her mind", Felice whispered. "You can always go there."

THE END

The Abandoned Children - PART 7

Annie's blonde locks of hair slowly landed on the ground. It was hard to recognize her, as she suddenly had shoulder-length hair. Felice was pleased.

Late in the evening, both Annie and Tom fell asleep. Felice laid awake and held Alice's hand. It was trembling and turning. Felice stared at the window and caught a glimpse of a red jacket. Janet? What was she doing? And it wasn't just her... Grandpa and Mark stood there as well! Janet caught sight of her and screamed. Joe clenched his fist and tried to keep his temper.

"What are you doing here?!" he furiously asked.

"What are you doing here?!"

Felice's voice was glacial. She held Alice close up to herself and covered the girl's eyes. Joe held a pistol.

"Fetch the brats", he grunted. "Felice!"

Alice wept. Felice brushed away her tears and whispered:

"Ftch Annii and Toom."

Alice nodded and disappeared into the house. She immediately came back with her two siblings. Felice thought that Annie's hair resembled a halo. Why couldn't the others love these children?

Joe almost ran up to the children and squeezed the heads together. He took out the pistol....

"No!" Felice screamed. "If you kill the children I will kill myself!"

Janet fainted. Mark appeared to be taken by surprise.

"No, Felice", he said with a calm voice. "You don't mean that."

"Yes, I do."

Mark desperately observed his niece. He pushed away the pistol.

"Take it easy, Dad. These children aren't that dangerous. Give them a fair trial."

Joe glanced at him.

"I'm sorry", he said. "I've done so many bad things, I've said so many bad things. These children are entitled to live, just as everyone else. I'm proud of you, Felice."

He started to weep. In the end, everybody sobbed.

The Abandoned Children - PART 6

Felice was eager to go back to the house as soon as possible. By a mere chance, she discovered the third child. At first, she only saw a black fluttering. Two brown eyes stared at her. It was Alice. She resembled a wild animal, never quiet, always in motion. Felice was surprised to see so much energy. The joy of living was flowing. She smiled and walked towards Alice who - for the time being - had calmed down.

"I won't hurt you", said Felice calmly.

Alice shut her eyes and stretched her hands.

"You're Alice. I'm Felice."

It was dead silent. Felice suddenly felt Alice's hand.

"Angl".

Just one word.

"Angel?" Felice asked. "Am I your angel?"

"Angl", Alice resolutely said and pointed at the cabin. "Angl prtect Aaalis, Toom, Annii."

Felice started to weep. She brushed away the tears. Alice wanted to show her something. What? The sound of pouring water was heard from a long distance. They saw a creek which Alice seemed to be very familiar with. She cupped her hand and drank.

"Wter", she contentedly said.

Felice drank it too. It tasted much better than the water which came from the tap. Alice suddenly looked anxious. "Angl. Prtect."

"Yes, I will protect you", said Felice.

Alice seemed to be relieved.

On the following night, everything happened. Felice had spent the whole day in the cabin and decided to stay the night. She had left a note on the kitchen table, hopefully it would explain. She claimed to be spending the night at Nelly's house, an old friend. Felice didn't like lying. But this time it was necessary. She could not leave the children in the lurch! They needed her. She took care of them in every possible way. The only thing she couldn't get hold of was milk. But it didn't matter. The children were used to water and had no objections to drinking juice. Felice wanted to comb the girls. Alice's long black hair was easy to deal with. Felice tied everything together. Annie's hair was covered with dirt. Felice observed Tom who sat at the corner of the house. She imitated a scissor. Tom nodded and ran indoors. When he came back, Felice seized the scissor and prepared herself.

"Ct?" Alice asked.

"Yes", said Felice.

The Abandoned Children - PART 5

Felice heard a scratching sound from one of the chairs. She snatched. The blonde girl came out. Felice took a few step backwards. The girl had a knife in her mouth. She took it out and held it near Felice's face. Felice was on the verge of pushing away the knife when the red-haired boy started talking. This seemed to calm the blonde girl, who dropped the knife. Felice breathed a sigh of relief. She took out the sandwiches. The children didn't seem to react. Felice shrugged her shoulders. She had done her very best. She could come back later.

Already the following day, Felice visited the children. They had eaten up all the food, but their shortage of liquid were acute. Well, Rome was not built in a day. The language was the first step. Felice understood that she had to learn the special communication of the children. This day, she brought along her portable tape-recorder.

One of the windows were wide open. Felice bended down and held up the tape-recorder. She pressed a button and watched the rolling tape. The children were talking inside the cabin. Felice heard the blonde girl saying something. It sounded like several drawn out a's.

"Aaalis?"

Alice.... Who was that? The blonde girl or maybe an unknown sister?

In the evening, Felice locked herself up in her room and listened to the tape. She scribbled down everything she could hear. Finally, there was a whole list of words which needed to be translated. It wasn't easy. She had to guess and ponder. In any case, Annie was the blonde girl and Tom was the red-haired boy. Consequently, Alice must be a sister. But was she dead or alive? There was a sentence which constantly appeared in the conversation of the children. Bles ae te pesecte. Felice didn't know how to interpret it.

But the answer came quickly. Grandpa read the Bible, which was very unusual. Felice passed by and happened to take a look at the text. It was from the Sermon on the Mount. Blessed are the persecuted. She had broken the code! The children simply lost a few letters.