Hank's Living Nightmare

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. Nobody would have known anything was different about that night if Hank had not told them.

Hank had been walking his large dog, Pete, that night before going to bed. They often stayed at the cabin during the summertime when school was out. The last place Hank wanted to be during the summer was in town where he would be reminded about his job as a teacher whenever he ran into students and their parents in the grocery store or other local venue.

The cabin was the quietest place Hank could retreat to from the busy school year. Pete could not agree more and cherished the long evening walks before bed. Pete often led the way around the dirt circle about a mile long. The only other cabin on the road was halfway around the circle drive.

Often in his own thoughts while listening to the night crickets sing, Hank allowed the brown topaz eyes to lead the way. There was nothing to fear; nobody but Hank and Pete ever stayed in this part of town. They often took their nightly walk without a flashlight and without a leash to hold Pete back. Pete always stayed with his owner, so Hank never gave it a second thought to put a leash on Pete or to carry one with him.

As they neared the overgrown turnoff leading to the vacant cabin, Pete stopped walking, put his nose to the ground, and began sniffing away.

"What is it, Pete? What's the problem?"

Hank grew concerned. He knew there was a possibility of bears straying in this direction. He hoped tonight was not the night to encounter a bear. Not wanting Pete to take off on him in search for the unknown scent, Hank wished he had brought the leash. He also wished he had his flashlight and his gun.

Uncertain if they should continue around the circle, Hank knew there was nothing behind them. He watched Pete for a few moments longer before realizing Pete was heading towards the overgrown turnoff. When Hank neared the drive close enough to see it, he realized some of the tall grass had been pushed down.

"Come on, Pete. Whatever it is, it can stay over there. It's time to go home." Hank walked forward hoping Pete would soon follow his lead and fall back in line in front of him. Pete did not move.

When Hank turned around to encourage Pete to come, he noticed a flicker of light in the window. With no electricity to this cabin, and noticing a flicker, Hank knew a candle had been lit in the window.

"I sure hope someone is inside. Leaving a candle unattended in that dried out place can lead to a wildfire out of control while I'm asleep tonight." Hank muttered under his breath as he did not want to call attention to himself.

"Pete!" Hank whispered his tone that said he was serious and finally Pete responded.

Hank awoke more tired than usual. Realizing he had tossed and turned, he decided to take Pete out for another walk and forego their usual morning routine. Hank's black cropped hair tussled in the breeze as his determined steps hit the dirt beneath him while the holstered gun bounced against his thigh. Pete's pointed ears listened for unusual sounds as he strained against the leash to move ahead.

While wrapping the leash around his left wrist as they neared the spot, Hank slowed his steps and began looking at the ground for any signs of tracks he could not see the night before. He was certain there would be at least tire tracks on the dirt road, but there were none. His footprints and those of Pete's were the only signs that someone or something had traveled down the dirt road.

He glanced at the cabin where the candle had burned hoping to see some kind of life. There were none. Densely overgrown weeds blocked the steps that led to the front porch. No evidence suggesting the cabin had been tampered with was visible. The cobwebs were still intact. Then he looked down. There were some tall grass strands that had been knocked over that were now in process of standing up once again. It was obvious someone or something had walked towards the empty cabin, but nothing obvious as to someone or something entering the cabin.

Pete picked up the scent from the night before and tried to nudge Hank forward. Since Pete was on the leash, and Hank was well prepared should they run into a bear, Hank gave the leash some slack and followed Pete who went to the left of the cabin. Hank stopped and stared at the window he stared at the night before. There was no candle in the window. In fact, there was nothing in the window except the cobweb and spiders. A bit puzzled, he started to follow Pete again.

Pete stopped a few feet from the front of the cabin and sniffed around, clearly puzzled as to why the scent would disappear. Hank also noticed that the overgrown grass was standing up straight; an indication that whatever came this way did not continue forward. Whatever was there the night before was now long gone. Hank blew a sigh of relief and walked Pete back to his own cabin where he continued his morning routine.

After the breakfast dishes were cleaned, Hank sat on the old rocking chair that once belonged to his grandmother and began gently rocking as his grandmother had once done and he had done many times before whenever he thought about his parents. Somehow the activity gave Hank a sort of comfort. Without this comfort, Hank found it exceedingly difficult to think about his parents. In a few short years, Sam and Peggy were due to be released from prison.

Hank knew that a requirement of their release was for his parents to have a place to live and that they would want to return to the cabin they once inhabited. Hank would rather pretend his parents had nothing to do with a police investigation, so he moved his things to his grandparents' cabin.

The rhythm of the rocking chair sped up.

They had passed away the year before. About two years earlier, Hank's grandparents paid to have electricity and running water installed, things the other cabin lacked.

When Hank's grandmother, Lilly Mae, was still alive, she'd rock Hank and told him he was always welcomed at their house whenever he did not want to go home.

The rocking slowed back to the original speed until suddenly it stopped the moment Hank remembered his father yelling from the doorway, "Unbelievable! Now you're turning my only son against me!"

Hank took a deep breath in shortly before his father snatched his arm and pulled him towards the door.

"If I didn't live in the other cabin, this boy wouldn't be seeing you anymore!"

Hank realized he had been holding his breath, took a deep breath in, then stood up from the rocking chair. His father no longer controlled his four-year-old self, but he was not looking forward to his parents return.

Convinced the candle was a figment of his imagination, Hank took Pete for another walk just before dusk making sure to have the leash in his pocket, the flashlight in his hand, and the gun in his holster.

It would be like his parents to get out early and not say a word to him, especially since they hadn't spoken since the investigation. All Hank knew is that he wanted nothing to do with parents who were under investigation and later convicted of murdering Hank's uncle Cecil.

Uncle Cecil and Aunt Leona lived in the middle of a row of identical suburban homes in the center of town where Hank taught school. Leona lived many more years in that house. After Hank was offered the job at the local school, Leona sold Hank their home for twice what they had bought it for but still less than market value. Leona moved to her parents' home a mile down the road. Leona said it was easier than spending all that money to fix her parents home just to sell it, and she knew Cecil would want Hank to have their house since Cecil and Leona never had any kids of their own. Without selling Hank their home, Leona would not have the funds to fix her parents' home. Now Leona lived in a paid for updated house and Hank lived in a home he could afford on a teacher's salary. And Hank could still get away to his grandparents' cabin during the summers.

Hank heard the snap of a twig and jumped back to reality. When he looked down, it was his own foot that was the culprit. Pete had walked off towards the abandoned cabin, and Hank soon followed. With dusk quickly falling, there was still enough light to tell nobody had entered the cabin.

Hank walked over to the window where the candle sat the night before and tried to peer in through the dirty pane. Still ten feet away from the window, the dirt was too thick to see anything significant, except there was no candle on the windowsill.

"Let's go, Pete. I'm not too keen on being here." Hank's stomach churned, so he headed back towards the road.

The darkness invaded the light. Hank turned to call for Pete once again and noticed a faint light glowing in the distance. Pete noticed and was now barking at the ivory light that appeared out of thin air. Initially devoid of form, Hank began to make out the facial features.

Not certain if it was real or imagined, Hank took a long look. Sure enough, Hank was able to make out the pointed chin and nose and the overbite from the profile that was classically known to be the features of Hank's long-lost love, Molly.

Hank covered his neckbeard with his hands harder than he intended to, nearly poking his right eye out in the process. A moment later, it was gone; but Pete was still barking. Hank walked over to Pete, attached the leash, and urged Pete to leave his spot in the overgrown grass.

Although Hank had never encountered a spirit before, he knew he encountered Molly. He only wanted to know why, but tonight was not the night to find out. He was too in shock.

Back at his grandparents' cabin, Hank once again sat in his grandmother's rocking chair and began to rock, listening to the familiar thump back and forth as it ran across the uneven board beneath it. He leaned back and closed his eyes while listening to the familiar sound. Thump - thump - thump.

Hank wished that Melinda, the Ghost Whisperer, was here; but he knew that would never happen seeing that she was a character on the television show.

Hank stopped rocking, sat forward, placed his elbows on his knees, and rubbed his eyes. He knew Molly went missing about a year after she broke up with him when they were just seventeen. He did not help with the search as supposedly it happened in another state where Molly attended college her freshman year.

Hank wondered if Molly had ever been found, and if her parents knew she was dead. At sixteen, Molly was the love of his life. He never understood why Molly would not want to continue their relationship just because his parents were under investigation for the murder of his uncle. He had nothing to do with what his parents had done. She broke his heart and he never felt good enough to pursue another relationship. Now she's come back in ghost form, but why? Why would she show up at his parents' cabin instead of his own?

Hank went to bed that night determined to check out his parents' cabin during the daylight. He knew Molly would not hurt him, but he was afraid of what he might find.

Later the next morning, after breakfast and spending some time in grandma's rocking chair, Hank and Pete walked to the other cabin. As they neared, Hank pulled out his cell phone and began recording his ascension to the front door, being sure to include evidence that nobody had been there previously. Knowing it had no lock, he slowly turned the handle. Then he gently pushed the door. It stopped moving a moment later.

He let out an "ugh" when he realized the hook and eye were latched on the inside. He would have to enter from the back.

He continued filming as he walked to the back door. He hadn't been there since he was sixteen years old.

He saw something red on the doorknob but ignored it. He knew his father never fixed anything, so he just pushed on the door to open it up as it never latched correctly. Before taking a step inside, he saw dried blood on the walls. Then he looked down to see the track of blood leading to the doorway that he was about to step through and the marks the door made within that stain when he opened it.

Deciding it was best not to enter, Hank took a step back, turned around, and left the property as fast as he could.

Once back at his own cabin, Hank retrieved his wallet and keys, left Pete in the house, and drove to town with his heart in his throat. He pulled over once he was on the main road and gave his best friend a call.

"Dalton, where are you right now?" Hank listened for the answer. "Stay there! I'm on my way!"

Fifteen minutes later, Hank walked up the few steps leading into the police station and headed straight for Dalton's desk. After explaining the events of the past few days, Hank showed Dalton the video.

"I can't handle seeing any more," Hank told his friend. "That's why I went into teaching. I'm giving you permission to check into this further."

"I'm going to have to bring a whole team with me. You know that, don't you?"

"Yeah. Just as long as I can pack my stuff and go back to my place. I'm not staying out there anymore." Hank began to rock back and forth in his chair.

Dalton thought it was a bit strange, but then again, Hank's family was a bit strange.

Hank waited while Dalton got his crew together, then led the way to the property. He drove straight to his grandparents' cabin and parked. Dalton was right behind him.

With his head low, Hank walked over to Dalton's police car and told him to continue on for another half mile to the only other cabin. Hank was going to stay to pack.

While a series of seven police cars slowly drove by, Hank turned and entered the door, being sure not to let Pete out. When everything was packed and loaded into the car, Hank took one last look around to make sure there was nothing else he wanted to take home. There on the upper shelf held his grandmother's teacup with the elephant print sitting on the saucer. Never having pulled it down before, he reached for it now. As it drew closer, he heard a faint rattle coming from inside. The key reminded him of the lock on the trunk he never saw opened.

The sound of his boots over the hardwood floor gave him the creeps for the first time in his life. Thankfully it was for a few brief steps. He knelt on the floor, inserted the key, then opened the trunk. A narrow shelf lifted as the lid rose. A sealed envelope with his name on it was the only thing on the shelf. Inside the trunk were baby clothes, a few toys, and a few pieces of women's clothing. He was certain they did not belong to his mother. Not that he knew anyway.

Hank began filming again before touching the envelope, then sat down at the table. He placed the phone down, leaning it against the salt and pepper shakers, then opened the envelope. Dated after his parents went to jail, Hank read the letter.

Dear Hank,

We know now that your parents won't be back for a long time, and we ain't got much more time to live ourselves. If you've found this letter, we know it's because we both are no longer with you.

We've been keeping some secrets from you, and know that it's time you learn the truth. The only reason we've kept the secrets this long is because we are afraid of what your father will do to us. Please forgive us for not telling you sooner.

Your parents are not your parents, though you are our grandson. Your mother is our daughter and your father's sister.

When our daughter, Victoria, was pregnant with you, your mother, Peggy, found out she couldn't have children. A terrible fight ensued between Victoria and your father, Sam. Sam wanted Victoria to give him her child after it was born. Victoria refused.

About a week later, Victoria's husband and your true father, Henry, turned up missing. We never saw him again. A few months later, you were born. Victoria and Henry were living in the other cabin at the time while Sam and Peggy were living with Cecil and Leona.

Sam showed up again a few weeks later with you in his arms and declared that Victoria was gone, that she had left and abandoned you in the cabin. I went to check it out, but Sam refused me to leave. Told me that he and Peggy were going to stay at the cabin until Victoria returned; but of course, that never happened.

We've always suspected that your father was to blame for Victoria's and Henry's disappearance, but after the investigation over Cecil, we knew for certain Sam had something to do with it because Cecil knew the truth. Leona doesn't know the truth. She thinks you and your parents moved away and we never heard from them again.

And if truth be told, we wouldn't be surprised if Sam had something to do with Molly's disappearance either.

We did our best to stay in your life and to have a positive influence on you. We've always regretted not being able to get away and not able to get you away without Sam being suspicious that we'd turn him in. The best we could do was to make sure you knew that you were always welcome here.

Whatever you do, do not let Sam know that you know the truth. Your life will be in danger.

We are so happy that you were able to get a college degree and come back to a teaching career nearby. Now, for whatever reason you have found this note, you must find a way to get far from here, never to return. And find a way to change your name while you're at it.

In this trunk are a few of your things and a few of Victoria's things. You will find a picture of her in the bottom of the trunk. She truly wanted you and loved you. I'm sure Henry did too.

With all our love, Grandma and Grandpa

Hank appeared to be frozen in his spot. After a few minutes, Hank realized he had been sitting with his mouth wide open. Glad he did not read the letter out loud, he picked up his phone, went to the trunk, rummaged around a bit, and found the picture at the bottom as well as his true birth certificate. Apparently, the birth certificate he had been using was applied for under false pretenses. His real name is Henry Jr.

Hank locked the trunk, replaced the teacup, and shoved the key into his pocket along with the note, before remembering to turn his phone off. Then he and Pete got into his car.

He drove around the circle until he came to the abandoned cabin. Before exiting, he saw Dalton head his way with his hand in the air as if to inform him to stay where he was.

"You don't want to get out," Dalton said when he reached the opened window. "You did the right thing by getting me. I can't tell you what we found, but I can tell you that these things were not here when we conducted our investigation." Dalton looked directly at Hank's eyes. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"There's more, but I can't tell you here, nor at your office. Bring your headphones to the poker game we attend. I'll be able to show you then. Until then, don't contact me. And one last thing, when you all leave, leave whatever you've found behind and make it look like I was the one to find it."

Hank drove off, not certain of what he would do, but certain he would do something. Hank knew Dalton since elementary school. He knew he could count on Dalton and that they trusted each other.

Friday night at the poker game, Hank was ready. When the guys went upstairs for snacks, Hank showed Dalton the video and then the letter from his grandparents. When Dalton finished reading, he stared at Hank. Then Hank handed Dalton one more sheet of paper. Dalton looked up at Hank. Without saying a word, Dalton asked if Hank was sure. Hank nodded an affirmative.

Dalton said, "OK," as he removed a lighter from his pocket. When the paper in his hand caught fire, he turned the paper to burn the words, then set the paper in the ashtray until it turned to ashes. Dalton then took the ashtray and dumped it into the toilet before flushing everything way.

About a month after school began, Hank's car was found. He drove off the road down a hill and into a tree. He was dead on arrival. Also found in the car was his letter from his grandparents, a picture of Victoria, and both of his birth certificates. It was assumed by authorities that the news in the letter was too much for the teacher to bare.

Based on the information, Dalton led the police out to Hank's cabin where they did a thorough investigation. There they found two bodies buried in the woods; those of Victoria and Henry. Molly's body had been shoved into a trunk outside, mistaken for dead after she had been savagely beaten. Her long fingernails and the inside of the trunk showed evidence that she had tried to scratch her way out.

Leona was not only shocked to learn the news of what happened to her only nephew, but she also inherited her house back. She buried Henry, Victoria, and Hank with her in-laws.

The state took control of the property with the cabins, selling it to pay for a new trial to convict both Sam and Peggy for the murders of Henry, Victoria, and Molly. They eventually died having never seen the outside of prison grounds.

Molly's parents were notified, and Molly was finally laid to rest with other family members.

While Dalton misses his long-time friend, he knows his friend is in a better place.