"Lola's Cry: A Haunting Legend of the Chilean Andes"

Prologue:

In the mountainous ski destination of La Parva, Chile, a legend haunts the local residents. Known as Lola, the story of the wailing woman takes on a unique form in this region, with many claiming to have known her before her mysterious disappearance. On a fateful day during peak ski season, Lola and her son found themselves lost in a thick fog that often precedes a storm in the Andes. Desperately searching for her son, Lola stumbled down a steep slope and vanished, leaving behind only bloody sheets. Despite the efforts of the locals, neither Lola nor her son were ever found, but her wails continue to be heard near the lift operator's cabin. In this haunting tale, the line between reality and folklore becomes blurred, leaving even the skeptics questioning their beliefs in the face of the inexplicable.

THE STORY

In various parts of Latin America, the legend of La Llorona, or the wailing woman, is a popular ghost story. Her tale can vary, but typically involves her losing her husband, children, or both. However, in La Parva, a ski destination located in the Chilean Andes, locals know her as Lola, and many claim to have known her before her death. Professional skier Drew Tabke recalls hearing the story from a ski patroller who pointed out the very hut where the story takes place. According to Tabke, a local restaurant owner even claimed to have dated Lola.

The story begins on a beautiful day during peak ski season. Lola and her young son planned to spend the day skiing, but a thick fog rose up from the valley, which often precedes a storm in the Andes. The clouds engulfed the two, and they lost sight of each other. Frantically searching for her son, Lola began calling out his name as she ran through the thick fog. But in her desperation, she stumbled down a steep slope and slid towards a rocky couloir.

Fortunately, a local lift operator was returning to his cabin and came across Lola's body by chance. Initially fearing that she was dead, he soon discovered that she was still barely alive, covered in cuts and bruises from the sharp rocks. The only word she whispered was her son's name. The lift operator carefully transported her to his cabin, bandaging her wounds as best he could, before running to fetch a doctor. Together, they made their way back to the cabin through the dense fog. However, when they arrived, Lola was nowhere to be found, leaving behind only bloody sheets.

Neither Lola nor her son were ever found, but locals claim to have heard her wail for her child when they're near the lift operator's cabin. Interestingly, Tabke admits that he doesn't believe in ghosts, but something changes when he arrives in Chile each winter. Perhaps it's because La Parva overlooks Cerro el Plomo, an Incan child-sacrifice site, or maybe it's because Tabke has read so many magical realism books by authors like Juan Rulfo and Gabriel García Márquez. Regardless, when he's alone in his cabin in the Andes, with the wind howling and the candles flickering, he admits that sometimes he can't distinguish between the sound of the wind and the wailing woman.

In conclusion, the legend of La Llorona, or the wailing woman, is a tale that has persisted across Latin America for centuries, with variations appearing in different regions. In La Parva, the legend takes on a different name and form, but its haunting nature remains the same. Even those who don't believe in ghosts find themselves questioning their beliefs when they're in the Andes, where the line between reality and folklore can become blurred.