CAPERE

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CAPERE

By Jesus Nieves

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. It was just a getaway from that traumatic night, but for Evelyn and her husband Scott; a weekend away became the worst decision they ever made. The couple joins their best friends on a cabin trip. Scott’s best friend, Paul, manages to get a sweet deal on an abandoned cabin with two rooms, perfect for the two couples. The cabin is said to be owned by a man who disappeared years ago. The cabin is rented to anyone interested, but the cabin has its backstory.

The couples arrive at their destination; everyone is excited except for Evelyn. Scott had to go through hell convincing Evelyn to go on the trip. She's still fresh off her painful loss. The two men in front, and the women ride in the back. Scott in the driver's seat turns around to look at Evelyn.

“We're here babe, what do you think?” Scott said.

Evelyn was not impressed, wearing sadness on her face. “Yea, looks quiet and depressing, perfect for me to blend in” Evelyn replies.

Paul and his wife, Stephanie, both do not know what to say. Paul notices the caretaker approaching, “Come, guys, let's get the keys” He said.

They exit the SUV, and everyone marvels at the property, but Evelyn keeps her gaze on the caretaker. She senses an eerie presence on him.

Evelyn notices The Caretaker, an old man wearing a dirty cap, with a scruffy long beard. He wears a flannel shirt with beaten-up jeans, his boots look like he walked in mud all day. The caretaker hands keys to Paul, he trains his dark, tormented eyes on Evelyn. “Here are your keys,” The Caretaker said.

Evelyn easily looks away.

Scott notices and approaches The Caretaker, “So why is it so cheap? Gotta be a catch” Scott said.

Paul, not liking Scott's inquiry, interrupts, “Come on now, I think it's perfect for this beauty of a place you're renting us” Paul said.

Scott gives Paul a confused look.

The caretaker waves his hand up as to shut the two up, “The cabin has a history but has its beauty. Anyone including yourselves can appreciate it, but be careful with your desires” The Caretaker warns. The Caretaker stares coldly at Evelyn, making her feel uncomfortable.

Scott senses it and escorts Evelyn to the cabin. She turns to look at the old man one last time; the old man gives her a creepy half-smile with worry in his eyes as she enters the cabin.

Paul pulls the old man to the side, “Look I'm paying for a great time, not spooking my friends. Thank you, we will be just fine” Paul whispers.

The caretaker nods his head in agreement. As Paul walks to the SUV to get their things; the old man grabs Paul's arm, “Remember, never speak of desires, or the cabin will take over” The Caretaker said.

Paul's face goes pale for a moment, “Look, old man, I ain't afraid of no ghosts,” Paul jokes. He chuckles along with Stephanie.

“Come, babe, some people believe their own stories,” Paul said.

The two follow Evelyn and Scott into the cabin. Paul looks back and no sign of the old man like he vanished.

The cabin is your typical prime cabin; a single floor with two rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. The decor has its vintage feel with a cozy sofa and fireplace. Evelyn notices a painting on the wall.

Scott checks on her, “Are you ok babe?” He said. She nods her head yes; Paul and Stephanie come rushing towards them to be nosy.

Paul stands next to the painting, “Yea, this is Randall Martin; the owner of this freakin awesome place,” Paul said.

“Who is the woman?” Evelyn asks.

“Oh, thats must be his wife Melanie” Paul said.

Paul then kisses the painting, “Thank you Randy for letting us stay, because daddy is going to dirty up some sheets” Paul continues. Paul grabs Stephanie to kiss her.

Evelyn and Scott stare at the couple, completely awkward; they haven't been affectionate since that night. Scott changes the subject, “So what are the plans for tonight?” Scott said.

Paul runs and hops on top of the sofa like a wild teenager, “We gonna have a campfire outside, some drinks, some smores and a bit of grass” he imitates smoking pot. They all chuckle except for Evelyn as she stares at the painting of Randall Martin and his wife Melanie. The hairs on the back of her neck stand up as if the painting was alive. An eerie feeling of Randall Martin staring back at her.

The couples enjoy the night, they all sit by the campfire. Evelyn sits alone, distant in her thoughts, while Scott, Paul, and Stephanie drink beers, passing a joint around. The three are well into intoxication. Paul looks over to Evelyn and then motions for Scott to offer a joint. Scott walks over to Evelyn, “You want to take a pull, babe?” Scott asks.

Evelyn waves the joint away, “I'm not really in the mood, you go ahead” She said. Scott leaves her alone to join Paul and Stephanie.

Stephanie stares at Evelyn with concern, “It's been a year since she lost the baby. How are you guys coping with it?” Stephanie said.

Scott shakes his head in defeat then says, “I lost my child and wife too. It's like she's not here, I can touch and see her, but it's like she died that night” He said.

Paul gets up from where he was sitting, “You can't blame her dude, she lost a life living inside of her” Paul said. He grabs his drink, “Ok, let's change the mood. How about a ghost story just for some scares”

Scott and Stephanie look at each other confused.

The three sit next to Evelyn by the fire. Evelyn, unmoved, just looks at them, wondering what they were up to. Scott sits close, “Paul is going to tell a campfire story, I think it will be fun” He said.

Evelyn nonchalantly, “You guys do what you want” She replies.

Scott scoffs, losing his patience.

Paul stands over the group, “This is the story of Randall Martin, who disappeared. They say Randall had a wife named Melanie who miscarried and became extremely depressed. One night, she couldn't sleep and went out to have a smoke. As she's putting out her cigarette, she notices that a candle is lit in the bedroom she shared with Randall. She knew it couldn't be Randall because he fell asleep on the sofa. She runs inside to check and sees Randall sleeping, she panics, and her heart races as she approaches the bedroom. When she opens the door, it's completely dark. Melanie just assumes she's seeing things and goes to bed, that very night she's sleeping with her back to the door. The door opens, waking her slightly, she assumes it's just Randall joining her in bed.

She begins feeling the hairs on her body stand, a voice whispers in her ear and says “What you lost I can give you”. Immediately, she feels stuck, unable to move, and is violently spun around on her back. Melanie felt uncontrollable arousal traveling all over her body, she was instantly terrified. She couldn’t fight the sexual desire she was feeling. Her legs are forcefully spread apart, but she couldn't see what was doing it.

The voice again whispers, “Do you want me to give you a child?”. Melanie was far gone into arousal and gave in, saying “Please, give it to me”. Melanie's eyes get wider as she notices a black, slimy hand with long fingers crawling up from the foot of the bed. A tall, black and slimy, disfigured humanoid creature with long arms and legs crept and climbed over her. As it got closer, she moaned louder and wanted it to penetrate her. She could see the face, eyes jet black and teeth sharp, but the appearance of the creature aroused her more. The creature is fully on top of her and whispers again, “Do you want me to come in?”. Melanie replies “Yes!”. The demon penetrates her, and she gasps, pulling it closer to her as it violently makes love to her.

The demon climaxes and Melanie screams in agony. The demon merges with her body, becoming her stomach as if he impregnates himself inside her. Melanie screams loud and goes pale as if her life left her. Randall wakes from the screams, he runs into the bedroom, and no sign of Melanie. He searches the cabin then the woods and no sign of her. Several days pass and Randall sits by a campfire, soaking in his sorrow and mourning for his missing wife. He notices a candle lit in the bedroom, he runs into the bedroom yelling “Melanie! I am here, baby, I need you”.

Randall gives up and falls asleep on the very same bed. The very next morning, the sheriff shows up to give Randall an update on his search for Melanie. The sheriff claims Randall disappeared like his wife. To this day, The caretaker believes that Melanie returned for Randall so that they can be together. So every time you see a candle lit in the window; it's the Capere coming back for whoever wants their desires fulfilled,” Paul said finishing the story.

The group sits in silence for a moment.

“What the hell bro you knew this and still brought us here,” Scott said.

“Come on man, it's just a story, something just to scare the tourists,” Paul said.

Scott, Paul, and Stephanie argue over the situation, while Evelyn sits in shock. She notices a candle lit at the window from the room she and Scott are staying in. She becomes frozen with goosebumps as she tries to utter words, trying to get the group's attention.

Evelyn finally shouts, “guys! Look, a candle is lit!”

The group stops chattering, and they immediately check on Evelyn.

“look at what, babe?” Scott said.

Evelyn points at the window but is confused by what she is seeing.

“Uh, no more stories for us” Paul said.

The group can all see that there is no light coming from the room.

They all call it a night, and the couples are in their rooms. Evelyn lays with her back to Scott, thinking over and over, trying to figure out if it was really what she saw. Scott wraps his arm around her, “It's ok babe. We've lost a child too, maybe in some way, what you saw was just a way to relate,” Scott said.

Evelyn removes Scott's arm from her, not wanting the affection. Scott turns his back and goes to sleep.

Evelyn mutters to herself, “I know what I saw”. She falls asleep right after.

Evelyn is sweating and jerking back and forth in her sleep, she whimpers from a nightmare she is having. Evelyn’s nightmare is a sexual one, but with Paul and Stephanie in it. She moans in her sleep from uncontrollable arousal, in the dream, she is watching them. Evelyn walks closer and notices that Stephanie is having sex with Randall Martin. Stephanie moans louder and more aggressively, pulling Randall closer. To Evelyn, it wasn't Randall Martin having intercourse with her best friend that was odd, but instead the appearance of Randall. Randall's body, jet black, slimy grotesque with long arms and legs, his body was more hunched and crouched like a human hybrid with a spider.

Evelyn in the nightmare notices Stephanie crying out “More! I want you inside,” she said. Randall violently grunts with a demonic tone as he reaches his climax. Randall discharges, both Randall and Stephanie screaming in pleasure. Evelyn is horrified to see what happens next. Stephanie's stomach inflates as if instantly being impregnated. Her stomach looked like the back of a starving person, with the bulges of the spine showing. Evelyn backs up as she notices both Stephanie and Randall looking at her. Stephanie gets up from the bed, “Look, what you always wanted,” Stephanie said. Stephanie walks slowly towards Evelyn, both Stephanie and Randall smiling creepily at her.

Evelyn's jaw drops in shock when she sees Stephanie's stomach opening to reveal that the bulges were a person falling upside down from her stomach. Slimy, grotesque, and demonic crawling towards her. It grabs her leg. She screams in pure terror, then she wakes from Scott shaking her.

“What just happened?. You were pale, like coming out of a freezer," Scott said.

Evelyn panting in tears, “I think something happened to Stephanie, I saw Randall Martin and Stephanie. His arms and legs, and her stomach, her stomach fell” Evelyn explains.

Scott baffled and could see the terror in her eyes. “ Her stomach, what?. Babe, are you ok?” he said.

Evelyn is instantly upset and gets dressed, “I know what I saw yesterday, and what I dreamt felt real, please I think there's something wrong with this cabin,” she said.

Scott changes the subject, “Let us have some breakfast, and we'll ask them if everything is ok,” he said.

Evelyn agrees and lets it go for now.

Evelyn and Scott are making breakfast. She notices only Paul coming out of the room. Paul joins them at the table, grabbing a piece of bacon. Evelyn and Scott glance at each other.

“Is Stephanie going to join us?” Evelyn said.

Paul continues to nibble at the bacon, “Mmm, Nah, she's been throwing up all night. I almost didn't have an appetite,” he mumbles with a full mouth.

Scott jokingly, “Dude, is she pregnant?” he said.

Evelyn, uneasy, “Don't joke like that” she said.

“Please bro, I'm too young and sexy for fatherhood” Paul replies.

Evelyn sat, horrified by the coincidence.

Scott and Paul go out fishing while Evelyn stays behind. Evelyn continues rewinding the nightmare she had of Stephanie. She can't fight it anymore and knocks on Stephanie's door. After several knocks, Evelyn opens the door and doesn't see Stephanie; she walks around to the other side of the bed and catches sight of Stephanie with only her bra and panties on, lying on the floor in a fetal position, shivering and twitching.

“Are you ok, Steph?” Evelyn asks.

Evelyn could hear a harsh growling coming from Stephanie as she walked closer to see Stephanie's face, Stephanie's eyes were sunken in, and her face looked dry, wrinkled like a severe starving person. Stephanie’s stomach growls, this time moving like there was something alive in her stomach, with bumps going down like spinal protrusions . Evelyn runs out terrified, slamming the door shut behind her.

The boys return excited with freshly caught fish. Evelyn runs to them, warning them that something is wrong with Stephanie. The boys pay no mind to Evelyn's claims.

“She has a stomach virus, she'll be fine,” Paul replies.

Evelyn insists that it isn't a stomach bug and that she saw Stephanie's eyes and face, when she's about to tell them about the stomach, Stephanie comes out of the room with a blanket wrapped around her, face pale with black rings on her eyes.

“Babe, you're up, how are you feeling?. Cause Evelyn I think took a few pulls of the magic dragon” Paul said, sarcastically.

They chuckle, “I'm good, actually I'm more filled with life” Stephanie replies. She kisses Paul then turns around to Evelyn, “Everything is just fine, I just needed a release,” She said.

She gives Evelyn a sinister look, “Evelyn is just looking out for me, guys” she continues. Stephanie’s face distorts into Randall. “Tell me, Evelyn, do you want a release?” Randall said.

Evelyn, terrified, wasted no time hiding in her room.

It's 3 am, and Evelyn wakes from a male scream, she quickly tries waking Scott up.

“Scott, did you hear that?” Evelyn said.

Scott, still heavy into his sleep, mumbles “Umm-come on, babe, just go back to sleep”. Scott falls back to sleep, not paying Evelyn any mind.

Evelyn, anxious, gets up to check it out. She could hear moaning from Paul and Stephanie's room, she can see the door is slightly open. She notices that Stephanie is on top of Paul, and Paul moans wanting more. Stephanie goes faster and more aggressive as she rides him, her skin becomes all black and her legs stretch longer. She hops on her feet, continuing to ride Paul.

“Please harder, please take me” Paul said. Stephanie's arms pin Paul's shoulders down.

Evelyn is stuck in horror as she witnesses Stephanie's limbs stretching longer and deformed like a spider, but what happens next is worse. Evelyn could only see Stephanie's back, but can easily notice arms ripping out her stomach. Evelyn at this point pisses herself. She notices that the arms were coming from another humanoid creature flopping on Paul's chest. Paul finally notices what is happening, but is too late. The creature pulls Paul right into Stephanie's stomach. Evelyn gasps loud enough for Stephanie to hear, Stephanie falls backward to the floor and stands up as a tall jet-black creature with eyes the color of ebony, but glows like a dog's eyes in the dark. The creature walks with a squelching, slow limp. Evelyn runs to her room, shutting the door.

She runs under the covers panting, wheezing like an asthmatic. She stops breathing when she hears the squeaking door open. Evelyn could hear something scurrying, rapidly to her side of the bed. Stephanie peeks and could see the creature hunched at the foot of the bed. Evelyn could see the creature smiling, waving at her, and then grabbing her foot. Evelyn cries out in horror, waking her from the nightmare.

It's morning, Scott annoyed, “This is why we took this trip, we both lost a child, I just want my damn wife back” he said. He gets up from the bed.

“I think it got Paul!” Evelyn yells.

Scott now infuriated,“Enough! If you want to waste away, go ahead, but I will enjoy my time with my best friends” he said.

Scott walks out.

Evelyn notices Scott sitting at the table alone, she walks over to check on him, and she tries to ease the situation. She sits next to him, “How about we grill some fish and sit out by the campfire” She said.

Scott nods his head and pulls her towards him, she kisses his forehead then gives him a passionate kiss.

“I know I haven't been the best wife, but I want you to know I will always love you, Scott. No matter what,” she said with tears trickling down her cheeks.

Scott gets up to knock on Paul's door, “Hey bro, if you guys are feeling up for it. We will be outside tonight,” Scott said.

Evelyn and Scott enjoy the night out at the campfire, Scott grills fish while Evelyn sits with a beer and listens to music. She gets up.

“Gonna use the bathroom. Be right back” She said. Evelyn gives Scott a kiss on the cheek.

She walks into the cabin and notices Paul and Stephanie's door is still closed. She hasn't seen them since the night before.

Evelyn enters the bathroom to urinate. She finishes and proceeds to wash her hands. Scott enters the bathroom. Evelyn smiles when she sees him.

“I guess you had to go too” She said.

Scott shakes his head no and walks closer to her, pressing her against the sink.

“I want you now, and I want to give you another,” he whispers in her ear.

Evelyn smiles nervously, “Really, you want to try, ?” She said.

Scott rips her leggings off and lifts her onto the sink, he then penetrates her. Evelyn gasps in arousal, wrapping her legs around, toes curled. Scott presses her hands against the mirror behind her.

“How much do you want it inside of you?” He said.

Evelyn panted, crying in arousal from each thrust. “I want it more than life,” She said.

Scott thrust more violently, pressing Evelyn's arms harder, cracking the mirror. Evelyn opens her eyes to see that Scott wasn't Scott. The person she was having sex with was the creature in its full form, black, slimy skin with long limbs. She tries to fight it off, but the creature now hops, clamping itself to the wall behind the sink. Evelyn yells out, “Scott!”.

The Capere growls, “This is what you wanted. To make something new,” The Capere said.

Spinal bulges appear on its stomach, opening up with the arms and head of a separate creature. The Capere bites Evelyn's neck and then brutally pulls her into the stomach with it.

Evelyn's bloody face still popping out The Capere’s stomach. “I love you, Scott” She said.

Evelyn is completely sucked in. The Capere snickers in a creepy distorted tone.

The bathroom is empty, left with blood and a broken mirror, meanwhile, the real Scott is unaware of what was transpiring.

Scott begins to wonder why Evelyn is taking so long, he walks back into the cabin. “Babe! Are you good?. The fish is ready,” He shouts.

He wanders to the bathroom, noticing the door slightly open, he knocks once and then enters. Scott is instantly alarmed when he sees the cracked mirror and blood. Scott is frantic, he checks the bedroom and doesn't see her, he then knocks like a maniac on Paul's door. “Bro! Open up. Something is wrong. Dude!” He yells, frustrated.

The door opens and Scott's heart drops when he notices that no one is in the bedroom. Scott begins to have a panic attack, the walls, the cabin spinning like a feeling of vertigo. He drops to floor.

It all goes black.

Scott is woken with a splash of water, he focuses his eyes to see The Caretaker. The Caretaker helps him up onto the sofa.

“It happened, what did you kids do?” The Caretaker said.

“What did we do?. That thing took my wife and friends,” Scott said.

The Caretaker takes a seat next to him. “That thing is an evil spirit known as the Succubus. A demon spirit that can shape-shift from female to male. It returns to fulfill the desires, using that to take over. The town calls it The Capere, which in Latin means takeover or catch. That is what it did. It took over your wife and friends, and it took my brother Randall and his wife,” The Caretaker explains.

Scott is shocked, “Your brother?” he said.

The Caretaker nods his head, “I look after the place hoping I see my brother again. I guess im foolish for thinking that. My advice son, get out and never come back” The Caretaker said.

Scott gets infuriated, “No, I'm going to find my wife. There's gotta be a way” He said.

The Caretaker gets up off the sofa and lays a hand on Scott's shoulder, “The only way son is no way back” He said. The caretaker leaves.

The Sheriff and a search party flood the cabin’s perimeter, they search for days, and no sign of Evelyn and his friends. The Sheriff wearing a defeated face as he walks up to Scott.

“There's no more we can do son, why don't you go home, and we'll let you know of anything we find,” The Sheriff said.

“Go home, you want me to go fucking home, we're talking about my wife!” Scott yells in frustration.

The Sheriff lets Scott vent and motions his deputies to leave. “Do you believe in god, son?” The Sheriff asks.

Scott confused, “What does he have to do with it?” He replies.

The Sheriff looks Scott straight in the eyes, “He's the only one that knows where your wife is”. The Sheriff leaves right behind his deputies.

“Fine! leave you fuckin cowards,” Scott yells. Scott falls to the ground, sobbing in despair.

It's 3 am and Scott sits in the bedroom finishing his second bottle of Jack Daniel's, sobbing, memories hitting him of Evelyn. Scott lays back on the bed.

“Evelyn, Evelyn, please come back. I need you, don't leave me,” He mutters.

Scott glances to the side, his vision blurry. A candle is lit by the window. At that moment, Scott could feel his pants being pulled down. He looks down at his legs to see it was Evelyn. Scott, full-blown drunk, can only smile.

“Babe, I knew you would come back,” He mumbles.

Evelyn slowly climbs on top from the foot of the bed. Scott, aroused, “I want to have another baby” He said.

Evelyn undresses, sitting on his member. She thrusts and moans in a savage, demonic growl.

Evelyn slumps on top of him and whispers in his ear, “Do you want to be inside of me?” She whispers.

Scott cries out, “Yes! Take me!”

Evelyn lifts herself again to continue to straddle Scott. Scott reaches to grab her breast when he feels his hand wet from a slimy goo. He opens his eyes and Evelyn's stomach is open with the demon inside, snickering at him. Scott tries to push The Capere off of him, but it pulls him in, folding his body up. From outside; The cabin in the woods looks empty, and vacant and all you can hear in the distance is Scott's last cry “Evelyn!”.