The Calling Read online

  The Calling

  By: R.B. Ellis

  Copyright © 2019 R.B. Ellis

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. The story is a creation of the author's mind and research. Any relation, to people, places, or events is purely coincidence.

  Other stories by R.B. Ellis

  The Semma Verse:

  The Druidic Tales:

  Of Flames and Thorns

  Others:

  The Calling

  Coming Soon:

  The Druidic Tales:

  By Blade and Oaths

  With Heart and Soul

  The Chronicles of The Last Princess of Elminorya:

  Nameless

  Faceless

  Contents

  Part One………………...Pg. 6

  Part Two………………..Pg. 20

  Part Three……………....Pg. 36

  Part Four………………..Pg. 54

  Part Five………………..Pg. 72

  Part Six…………………Pg. 90

  Part Seven………………Pg. 100

  Afterward……………….Pg. 111

  Part One:

  The Ring

  It was incased. A prisoner of its own design. Much like myself. far more beautiful. Rose gold wrapped and constricted the droplet of red. It filled every loop and every floral design. It throbbed, begged for release. Like a heart, the gem beat as if its giver still drew breath.

  I really pick the right one. Hell, I picked the right women.

  While the elegant gem itself was flawed compared to her, it had the same deep red hue as her hair. And she loved rose gold. It was near perfect. Like her.

  There was no way she didn’t know. I had caught her in my sock drawer more than once. However, I bought it that day. The day of the hiking trip. So at least it was somewhat of a surprise.

  “Fourteen miles? That quite the track, even for us.” Of course, she tried to act like she was against it. I saw right through her façade but said nothing.

  “Come on, winter is nearly here. The mountains are getting colder by the day. And tomorrow is the fall equinox. It's perfect.” I butted my finger in and scrolled through the pictures.

  “And maybe a movie and sushi after?” She placed her hand on mine as she always did when she had a counteroffer, or wished to add something. It was the perfect way to get what she wanted.

  “Alright, Emily. Alright, but we leave early. This trail, it’s a four-hour drive, and we both know how you do with mountain roads.”

  “Yes, Charles. You do realize this trail looks old. Very old. When was the last review posted?.”

  I looked down at her phone. My face cringed. “The last one was eight years. Damn, what if the trail doesn’t exist?”

  “Come now, trails don’t just disappear. But if you're so worried then we can make our own, it is a state park after all.” she looked at the map and zoomed in. “Right on the edge, but still there…”

  “Fair, fair. Just don’t get your imagination all worked up. I grabbed her phone and scrolled through the reviews and pictures and pondered.

  “Oh yes, let’s take me to an area steeped in the supernatural and lore and expect me not to go into overdrive.” She padded my head, a pitiful feeling.

  “Yeah, well I figure you’ve done most of the trails in the state, so here’s one, off of the beaten path.” If she really wanted to play ghost hunter then I would follow. Besides, I had the ring. I needed the place.

  She always had a love of history. Lucky form me because I was a historian. Admittedly she mostly loved the bloody and terrifying parts of it. Said that if blood touched the ground then there was energy there. I, of course, did not. But it mattered little to me.

  “Oh, Charles. Always the skeptic. I’m going to take a shower. Join me?” She got up from the couch and played coy. The site was all too tempting.

  “How can I say no?”

  The next day started as I might have expected. Emily woke up early and packed what she thought was necessary, which was about everything. I lost track of what she piled in the bags. She prepared lunches and such. All I did was make sure the car was ready for the trek.

  If there one thing she enjoyed more than the supernatural, it was the outdoors. We had climbed our share of cliffs and camped far too many times. It was her pride. Not that I cared. No, I really didn’t; I loved that smile when she was out in the open. And although she was more than meticulous with our hiking bags at least I knew that come worst, we were prepared.

  Before I knew it, we were headed out. The car was all too happy for the drive and so was M. It was a rather dull drive, however. Besides a deer nearly hitting the car.

  Emily swore up and down it was a Skinchanger. She mentioned something about Ute tribe mythology. In truth, I zoned out. I was too focused on the winding roads.

  Nothing happened. Which was nice. Not the deer part.

  The uneventful ride gave plenty of time for us to catch up. I worked tirelessly. So much overtime, some triples. I hadn’t slept for two months. Because that’s what they say. Two months' pay. Well six months ago I knew, and that was our first vow.

  Sometimes you know, this was that time. That person. Emily. She was perfect. Not just her freckled grin, but her lush green eyes. I gleefully listened to her go about it things… I could do it every day. Of course, it helped that we both ginormous nerds. We went as far as cosplay in the bedroom. That big of nerds. I admit… she pulled the elf look good.

  Of course, there were plenty of other reasons. But we didn’t need many.

  When you know, you know.

  I Admit, I got lost. In my defense, I am a guy, and Google maps gave me the middle finger. But somehow, we found our destination.

  I should have read the signs. That should have been our first warning.

  There was no parking, only a field where the dirt road ended. It was no wonder no one never came there. The field was overgrown. Weeds and bushes alike, a wash of brown against the tree line.

  The trees grew high, dead yellows fell and oranges weren’t far behind. The mountains loomed like crows ready to pick the remains of a corpse. Indeed, that’s just what the trailhead was. A lingering corpse.

  No signs post, nor recent activity lay on the faded trail. If we could even call it one. It was nearly indistinguishable from the fall foliage. Long-forgotten in the thick brush. Logs, leaves and the occasional mud puddle were the only signs it even existed. I shivered unvoluntary. The very air felt stale. Despite the warm day, it was cold.

  “It’s beautiful.” She said stepping out from behind me, hefting her backpack on. I noted her green plaid shirt and blue jeans were new. She wore her favorite black shirt under. A cat with a witches hat a rising the dead. It read: Nekomancy. I thought it was funny and she loved it. It was a gift from me. and her favorite shirt

  Yeah, she knew.

  “Yeah, it’s something all right.” I did the same. My pack was however much heavier. In more than one sense.

  I glowered over the treeline. I felt eyes. In fact, the whole area seemed to look at us. A morsel. The trees swayed to greet us in. It all felt wrong.

  Every part of me said to turn back, said run. It felt wild. Lost. Perhaps this was why no one had been here. Or at least reviewed it in some time. The forest was intimidating. Dense and dark. How could she not feel the same? I looked over at her. She was engulfed in a map she bought of the area while we were at the gas station.

  “Look here,” she placed a finger on the map. This is the trailhead. We head south from here.” She dragged her finger across as if following an invisible road. Here is a lake!” she glanced up at me. “Anything interesting about it?”

  “Oh, yeah they say that early Spaniards dumbed the bodies of a massacre into it!” br />
  “Really?!” she gleamed.

  “Come now, Emily. Sarcasm. Even so, that’s a bit much. Would they really have dumped the bodies in the lake?”

  She glanced at me with that all too silly dark smile. It made it hard to take her seriously. “They would if they were trying to hide something.”

  “Very funny. But… wasn’t this in the area where some tribe and the early Spaniards came into conflict?”

  “Hmm, hard to say, I only know from my friend Susie, you remember her; yes? Well I know she said something of a treaty and trade route between the Ute tribe and the Spaniards. However, I draw a blake on the overall history.”

  “I can imagine what the Conquistadors did,” I said and glanced up. “It’s nearly noon, so we best get started,” I used an old-timey voice. “Less ye beast and demons come for us past nightfall.” I grabbed her. More precisely her firm ass. She cared not, only grabbing back as we made headway on the trail

  We had only begun, and already I felt uneasy. Should have listened to my gut. The forest loomed yet it was too quiet…dead. I had to say something. “So,” I started, my voice cracked. It was obvious to us both. However, only I found the silence unnatural. It forced me to make a conversation. “You think we’ll see anything spooky?” I tried to be calm. It didn’t work.

  “Perhaps.” She was coy

  “Why do you tease?”

  “You know why.”

  “Your love of mysteries and fresh air?” I said sarcastically.

  She giggled. “Yes but that’s not all.”

  My pocket pounded.

  “So, Charles why not ask me? Here is as good a place as the peak, or the lake, or yes the dinner you made reservations too.” She fluttered her eyelashes

  “That obvious?”

  “Yes.”

  My heart skipped and trotted. I began my descent. The ring throbbed. Or was it me? It felt wrong. No, not the action. The place. I wanted to cower. I wanted to flee. If not for her…

  “Silly, I won’t let you ask me like that.” She stopped me before I reached the ground.

  “But, that's-” she placed her finger to my lips. A welcomed comfort on the precipice of the weird woods.

  “I’ll give you my answer if you can find me. Close your eyes.”

  I did so. The darkness was rewarding. My mind eased and my breathing slowed. Warm. Something warm was in my hands. Silky and smooth.

  “Charles, come and find me.” Her voice played coy with my name. “Charrrrles.”

  I opened my eyes. Her black lacy bra lay in my hands. Its warmth fading as I looked out to find her vacant of the area around me. I looked at both sides. Only tall brush and rocks and ahead... the forest.

  “Charles…”

  Part Two.

  Seeking whilst a fox stalks.

  It beckoned. Yet, the twisted branches, the shift in the air. It stilled the sound. Even on the treeline it was quiet, no birds chirped, nor leaf blew. The bright yellow aspens were pale here. Perhaps it was the clouds? A subtle overhang lay upon the forest. Only making it worse. The trees looked impenetrable. But I saw the path.

  “Emily!” I yelled. Yeah, like this is going to help. She’s hiding on purpose.

  I had no problem with a game of hide and seek. None whatsoever. But I had already sought for some time. I had scoured every bush, field, and boulder on the path. The only place I hadn’t checked was the forest. I had no choice but to enter.

  I wished to resist its call.

  As I walked I saw something out of place. What breeze didn’t move the trees took freely. I got close, the blue fluttered. I realized what it was.

  “Yes, of course, let's go into the creepy forest.” I rolled my eyes as I picked up her jeans. I tucked them into the bag with her bra.

  Still, my heart pounded. Whether from excitement or the forest I didn’t know. I was inclined to believe the latter.

  There was no life here. Not a chirp of a bird nor the frolicking of squirrels in the trees. It was wrong. All wrong. The forest was blighted with life. The trees were perfect for nesting and filled with pinecones. Only some peppered the ground, seeds still intact. However, the trail, in fact, the entire area, lay bare of any animal life. I thought to see a print or two.

  Nothing.

  The trail was utterly absorbed by the forest. Its dirt near unrecognizable with the foliage. I made a slow trod on the ground. Even my footsteps were muffled in the looming silence. There was darkness here. A stalking presence. It followed me. Every step, followed in time. The trees hid it. But I felt the eyes.

  They stalked me.

  Calm down, it's just Emily playing tricks.

  The trees grew thicker. They closed in, funneled me towards its center. The maw closed behind me, twisted branches and shrubs obscured my view as I looked back. The throat swallowed me as delved deeper.

  I felt like a trespasser as I navigated the winding trail as best I could. I must have lost an hour to its strange path. Loops around trees and straight-up dead ends. I was lost; was Emily? No, no that was nonsense.

  “She’s playing with me. After all, Emily is an outdoorsy kind. Loves hikes. She’s probably been here once and never told me. Of course, she’s trying to scare me.”

  I kept talking to myself. As I navigate the way ahead. Then, something caught my eye. It was bright yellow. A tinge of orange hanging off it. I got close, not caring for the trail no more. The bush did not fight back, rather it invited me in. Deeper in.

  The bag, as I now identified it, laid neatly on against a tree. Or did. I slowed my approach when I saw it fall sudden and the sounds of ruffling found my ear.

  I lowered into the bush and watched. The tail cut the air with its white tip. Its orange body was planted firm, whilst head deep inside the bag. I noted the fur was rather clean for the muddy day. The tail flicked and the body backed out.

  The gleaming eyes looked at me. smooth and gold as honey they were. A strange purity to them. The fox didn’t care that I saw. It turned and walked off.

  “Well, that’s a comfort. At least there is something living here. I picked up the bag, noting that there was no tear. “Smart fox.” I zipped up the bag and turned.

  “Charles…” A voice whispered. Its breath cold on my ear.

  I turned, only to the expansive trees. They all lead to the blackness. There was a rustle. A twig broke and the flash of something crossed me.

  “Okay, Emily I am coming for you.” I teased.

  “Charles...” Again, it came. North, no, south… from my left.

  I turned in a circle. The forest froze as I saw it A shadow stood among the trees. Human in shape, but too far for me to make out details. It stood motionless and still.

  Too tall to be M.

  “Hello,” I stuttered out. “a-are you lost. Hello?” The shadow turned and walked parallel to me. I followed suit. Inching closer with every step. But it always seemed to be the same distance. “Can you understand me?” nothing. “Oh, fuck it.” I strode over, skipping over rock and branch. Suddenly, my foot stopped and the ground came rushing. I was faced with cold old leaves. Looking back, I noticed the root that caught my shoelace. I unhooked myself and managed to my feet. “Hey la-” the figure vanished. I looked everywhere. Did I frighten it off?

  “Charles…” the voiced call behind me. I turned. Expecting the person. However, there sat that fox. Its honey eyes were enamored with me. It did trot forward. Just sat in the thick of juniper, then wandered off.

  “Just a fox. Hungry perhaps? Never mind that. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.” Despite saying it, my mind raced.

  Emily always enjoyed her myths and creepy stories. Halloween was just around the corner. She was, without doubt, planning something. I needed her out of my head. I needed to find her. I shook my head. And walked off doing my best to find the trail once more. However, instead of finding the trail I found her shirt. The black shirt, of course, was delicately placed on a large stump. Folded up. Next to it was her lacy... I blushed at the thought. So
mewhere out there, the love of my life was hiding in nothing but a green plaid overshirt. I knew why, and she freely admitted it more than once. A fetish she wished to perform. And I aimed to please. I, of course, picked up her clothes and placed it in with the others.

  Was that her? Perhaps a black jumpsuit? Still, too tall

  “Charles.” I froze, not daring to get up. The voice… it was cold, it played coy with my name. And it came from right behind me. “Charrrrles.” Something brushed against my back; boney and cold. My heart leaped and tried to break out of its cage. I turned my head slowly. The crawling made its way to my shoulder. A lame, limp arm lay on it. Rotten and spared little cloth. My eyes widened. “Charles.” The sinister voice grew close. Too close!