The Forest Cottage

10

Really you think it's such a good idea to go to a crystal psychic reader " Bess

squealed. Liz just rolled her eyes n said yes. I want to find out whats there in the stars

for me about my love life.

Liz & Bess were sisters. Liz was elder by one year. With blonde straight hair, green

bluish aquamarine eyes, healthy bodies n clear tanned skin both were. beauties. Bess

was the more impulsive n up for fun out of the two and Liz was a bit more of bookish

intelligent n pleasant nature type.

Bess was going from one light hearted boyfriend to another. While Liz had one steady

devoted boyfriend named Ned from high school.

But Liz wanted some unpredictable excitement in her life too. So she found online a

psychic reader n was getting ready to go there.

The psychics office was very colourful full of art objects some ancient crystals n she the

reader had applied dark mascara with a maroon lipshade n was waiting for them. She

was pretty young too in her forties with a nice face.

Bess was finding all this very funny but like a good sister she got along with her sisters

expedition.

There was a huge crystal mirror in front of the reader. She started her session. She

gazed into it for a ten minutes quietly then with a smile on her lips said, " Liz you are

going to make a new handsome friend who will like u a lot in few days time ". Liz was

happy to hear this.

Satisfied both of them returned from the crystal gazers office home.

But u already have a boyfriend. Bess said. So what Liz replied, that new guy whoever

he is can become my just good friend. Or if in case Ned is no more good as he's now in

his behaviour I can always make that new guy my boyfriend.

Bess said that's quite a good plan.

It was late at night. The moon was full tonight. Both the girls slept. Their. parents also were already asleep. Both of them too had gone for some official event. As their mother 

was a housewife n their father was a lawyer.

Liz woke up. It was showing 8 am in the clock. She waked her sister up too. Both had to

go their college. They were in the last year of their terms.

After getting ready they sat in the car n were on their way when the tire broke n they

were stranded in the middle of the road. Bess was fuming about the mess they were in.

As they would be getting late.

Suddenly a red sports car driving by stopped. A guy came out of it. Both of the girls

looked at him surprised. He was very handsome with enigmatic eyes, good built, height

fair n head full of rich brown straight hair. It was like a model was walking towards them

out of a magazine cover shoot.

He came to Liz n asked ,. do you need any help I can give you a ride.

The crystal gazers prediction has c come true, Liz smiled n said " yes of course ".Liz was getting bored. Mr Ben was going on n on about his lecture on ancient Roman 

civilisation. He looked like a total egg head with his baldness. She had got a,msg from

that car guy named Tom to meet him in the evening. Her sister was in the next

classroom. The bell rang. Day was over. She collected her bag n hurried out of the

room.

It was mid afternoon outside. She was to meet him in the evening. Bess came rushing.

She was in a hurry to go home because her friends had decided to see a horror movie

in a nearby theatre.

She asked Liz to come. But she had other plans. As the day went by fast with the two

sisters doing their usual stuff of napping ,. doing homework n watching some television.

When evening came both of them got ready. Are you sure u don't want to come with us,

Bess asked Liz.

Liz reminded her that she was meeting that new guy just a friendly meeting.

It was raining. The weather had suddenly changed to a stormy one with thunder. Perfect

weather for a scary movie , said Bess laughing.

As her friends came Bess went with them. Liz was waiting for Tom to come. He was

half n hour because of traffic.

He was wearing a dark blue shirt n black trousers n was looking more good. In his

hand he was holding a bouquet of loveliest dark roses. Liz was as usual in casuals a

pink shirt n light blue jeans. N a high ponytail tied. Both went in his red car.

" So where exactly you would like to go ", he asked. Suddenly in the darkness of the car

there was shadow on his face , he looked like a vampire. Lizs imagination had gone

nuts.

They both decided to go to a nearby nice restaurant. In the middle of road they came

near a mountain side cliff. Tom decided to halt their for some time. As it was a lovely sight there with the whole city lights being seen n the dark forest area from the other 

side. Liz felt a bit of chill looking at the woody side. Hope he doesn't asks me to take a

stroll there now she thought.

They both got out n sat on a rock there. He was telling Liz about his childhood n college

years.As to how his father was into business and moved a lot. He seems to be so much

more better in understanding then Ned thought Liz. But Ned was her good old boyfriend.

He was dependable. And cute too. This guy is just good as a friend . Who knows the

he's a psycho underneath his cool demeanour.

Suddenly it started raining n both got soaked totally wet ,they ran to their car.

As toms friend was in fashion business. They were looking for a model for an

advertisement for a designer face cream. He said.

" You are pretty y don't u try for this shoot he asked. I'm sure they 'will select you

". " Sure I have no problem with that " said Liz laughing.

The moon light was falling full into Liz and Bess 's bedroom. It was midnight. Both of

them were sleeping. As they were tired.

Bess was having a dream or a psychic experience of sorts. She found herself in an

ancient Egyptian time. Surrounded by n***o slaves. There were few girls who were

sitting around her. She was wearing a white muslin cloth type tied around her. A

necklace of watery coloured diamonds was around her neck. She was talking n

laughing about some thing. Beside her was a table wooden very lovely looking ,. on it

was a bowl of grape's. The group of girls were taking whatever she was saying. She

was some queen.

Bess was feeling so excited. Was this a dream or did she had a real past life regress

experience.

She woke up. And looked around her . Her sister was fast asleep.

Next day Liz went with Tom to the shoot he had talked about for audition. She knew

nothing about this line & was not much intrested also. Just out of curiosity she was

going along with it. Her sister too accompanied her.

They reached the studio. It was bustling with crew ,& lights n make up artists etc. Toms

photographer friend came and introduced himself.

He too was good looking in a rusty type of way. With a hairband on his head which

holding back his long hair.

She was selected. The team liked Lizs pictures & they did the ad with her. In the

advertisement she wore a tank red top n makeup was done by a woman artiste. Her

hair was done open n straight.

" Now your photos will come in magazines ". Bess said happily. Liz said, " yes but people

forget quickly too ".On the drive back home Bess told her about her dream n in it she also saw a cunning 

type of minister , who was plotting something against her.

Then she exclaimed, " but that wicked type of character in her dream was Tom". Now

that's a surprise, said Liz. Bess had seen Tom in her dream is that conniving man in this life good or bad.

It was mid term holidays. Liz n Bess's father told them that they were going to their out

of town uncles house for seven days. So they packed their bags n sat in the car .

It was raining very heavily. Was it a good idea to make this trip, Liz thought. So they sat

out on the journey. Thru forest roads which were very lonely. Even in day time they

looked scary. Bess was taking a nap & Liz was texting Ned. He was telling her to come

with her to a camp trip after one week.

After one hour their dad is still driving the car. A sports car comes into view. It's Tom!

What he's doing here. Is he stalking me Liz said.

They pull aside n Tom rushes towards them n tells them all to get out of the car fast. R u

crazy, Bess screams. But they do as he says and quickly get out of the car.

When they r few feet away he says that he saw someone enter their backside dicky of

car at the petrolpump. So he had to follow them. "But u could have just called " asks Liz.

" You were not accepting my calls " replies Tom.

Mr Aaron Lizs father calls the cops n they all wait for them to come sitting on logs in

middle of forest drenching in rain. So Tom invites them all to his car.

When the police come they arrest him. The hiding man who had a axe with him. He was

the famous serial killer they say. All of them are stunned.

After the news sinks to them they all thank the officers n Tom n go and sit in their

respective cars and are on their way.

By the way asks Bess, " how u were at the same place when this man entered our car

?" Tom says " Im too going for a week out to riverside town, same place u r going. My

cousin stays there. We will do lake boat rides n fishing there ". After they all had reached their uncles house. Liz saw the house and gave a shriek, it 

was beautiful postcard type. Bess said, ":it's going to be fun here".

There was a rose garden surrounding it & at the backside was a woody area. It was a

close knitted town.

After both the girls had unpacked their bags. They took a bath n went down to dinner.

The cook had prepared roasted chicken and cheese cake. Their uncle Bob was a burly

but jovial type of man and their aunty was warm type.

" So you girls want to see this drive in movie nearby here. A seventies classic is going

to play there tomoro " uncle Bob asked Liz n Bess.

" Sure , we will see the movie n rest of the town too" said Bess. " But make sure you

come home straight because by the time it ends, It will get late and I don't want u out in

the woody area lost".

" Don't worry they know how to take care of themselves " , said their father to his brother.

Next day both the girls got ready n even Tom had decided to join them for the movie.

Bess was excited , it was a long time she had not seen any classic movie in natural

surroundings. So they went in his car.

It was a nice drama movie. All of them had a good time.

The movie ended, it was getting late. As it was a sleepy town and all were asleep n

everything was very quiet " Let's drive u girls home back safe" said Tom. Liz put a hand

on his shoulder n said yes.

The trio were on their way home. When in middle of forest area their car had some tyre

puncture. " Now what we do!" asked Bess. " I think will have to walk home as no other

option there. It's better then just staying here. It's so dark I'm feeling afraid " said Liz. So they walked with their flashlights on. .

After some time as they were still walking it started to rain a drizzle. They were getting

soaked. " Hope it doesn't rain heavily now" exclaimed Bess.

Suddenly they hear some sound of wood twigs breaking as if someone was walking . It

grew louder. Did u heard it "said Liz. A wail animal type could be heard. All three of them

started running . It felt like someone really was chasing them at full speed.

Only when they did reached the house they took a breath of relief. All of them were

breathless. They bolted the door.

Tom u stay here tonight said Liz. Yes he replied. Uncle Bob n father came rushing down

asking what happened. They explained it all.

Uncle Bob had a worried expression on his face. U did a good thing by running. He said.

Now no more late night trips.

Tom said n " it was a scream of something which was not even animal ". All looked at

him scared.

The next day, it was late morning , both sisters got up. Their dad was sitting at the table

with their mother. He was reading newspapers. Their uncle n aun't too were joining

them. Smell of pancakes had filled the whole kitchen. ' I'm starving "said Bess n helped

herself to a scoop of it. Liz too joined her.

It was late afternoon. Both of them were getting a bit bored with nothing much to do. As

their mid term holidays were going on so there were no assignments to do also.

" Let's do baking" exclaimed Bess. " I have a recipe book from that we can experiment

". "Very good idea it's " ,.. said Liz.

So they prepared all the ingredients floor, eggs , vanilla essence, strawberries fresh,

chocolate syrup n started baking . After they had kept the made strawberry n chocolate

mix cake, they kept it in the oven for baking. N waited. U should have seen Toms face yesterday. He looked realy scared. Did not suit

his bravado .". laughed Bess.

" No he was scared for us. He wanted to go n check but I stopped home. How could I let

him go ,. not knowing what we were dealing with there in the middle of nowhere" replied

Liz.

The oven bell rang. The cake was ready n smelt too delicious. Bess started pouring

chocolate syrup on it.

There was a, knock on the door. " Now whose it " Bess said & went to answer the door.

When she opened the door she was taken aback. There was a guy standing there

smiling. Enrique look_ alike he was!

"Yes " said Bess after a few moments. " There was too good cake baking smell coming

from ur house so I came to check out whose the cook " said the guy. " I stay next door This new guy introduced himself as Jason. The girls told him to come inside the house 

as he was already was in only. He really was a nice looker. He introduced himself. They

started talking n gave him the cake too. He was in his last year in the nearby college and

was a singer in his own pop music band too! Bess really found him very interesting.

Liz knew now that Bess will surely date him. After half n hour of talking Jason left. With

an invitation to the two girls to come n see his band play once.

After he had gone Bess asked Liz , " so what you think, he's cute". Liz replied , " yes

good for you. Go ahead. Make him a friend. He seems nice. And he liked ur cake too see

".

It was late evening. Liz n Bess were watching this soap sitcom. Neds msg came on Lizs

cell. " Hes saying that next week he wants us to go with him camping said Liz to Bess.

" Yes y not , let's go camping to that mountain woody area with Tom n Jason too " said

Bess.

I'n the night the girls got ready for Jason's music concert , it was in his college.

When they reached there it was so crowded full of zealous guys n girls jostling each

other. Bess n Liz were in the front row.

Jason came on stage with his group n sang a few songs. The light was shining on him.

He looked more beautiful. He saw Bess n Liz n waved to them very happily.

One hyper active girl gave Bess a hard shove. Bess told her, " watch out y are you

pushing " . The girl retaliated by saying get out of my way u silly girl ". There was a mini

scuffle followed after that between Bess and that girl.

Jason's voice came on the speaker he said " that girl there whose being aggressive with

my friend can get out of my show or the security would be called.."

The aggressive girls face became pale with embarrassment n she became quie

The show was resumed. Bess said , " so many types of fans this people get".

" And the next song is dedicated to my new friend Bess " came the voice of Jason

& hesang a lovely song after that.

Bess felt so good about it. She just loved him. " N m sure he will make a very good

boyfriend " she said.

So what more do we need to pack" said Bess. Both sisters were packing for their two

days camp trip. With Tom, Jason and Ned too was joining them with one of his guy

friend.

" I don't feel too excited about this , m feeling kind of shivery " said Iiz" . " Its okay once

we reach there the fresh mountain air will make you feel better not to mention all this

lovely guys " .

A car horn was blaring outside. Jason had already arrived. Tom will be arriving soon too.

" think it's better we all go in one car for safety. We all in Jason's vehicle " said Liz. " Yes

that's better " said Bess.

So they all got down in Jason's car. Tom arrived he was hesitant at first then he

agreed to join them. He parked his car besides their uncles cottage.

Ned had came with a guy friend in another car. The two cars were on their way through

the woody forests.. Ned wanted Liz to be in his car so she went with him. Tom was

sulking about this. " Now we have something in hand " thought Bess.

After a one hour drive they reached their selected area. It was very remote. And the air

was chill. All of them got out of their cars n were unloading their backpacks setting up

tents. It was evening. and the sky was getting darker.

" We need to collect some logs for the fire guys" said Ned. So Ned n Jason went. Tom

stayed with Bess n Liz. " Does anyone of you have bought a gun or a knife something,

in case we have to use against someone or something " said Liz. " Calm down Liz that

stuff happens only in movies" Bess said.

Y it's taking them so long to come thought Liz.

After half n hour Ned, Jason came with woody sticks.Thry lighted the fire n sat around

it. They did a mini barbeque of chicken an ate it. After that they were having beer.

" Lets share some haunted stories " said Tom. " No it's already kind of spooky here "

said Liz.

Theere in the woods from far off they heard some thumping noises like someone was

cutting off some big log. All were quiet for a minute. " What was that " said Bess. That's

not some animal sound.

" I'm feeling uncomfortable let's go n sleep in our tents" told Liz. Ok said Jason n they

went in pairs to the tents to sleep in their respective tents.

I'n middle of night Liz was feeling very sleepy but she was not feeling completely safe. It

felt like someone was out there, n here they were all exposed in the wilderness. At least

they had the guys. .

She heard something it was noise of someone walking around their tent. Then she saw

it a man's shadow with a axe in his hand outside their tent. She screamed. Bess awoke n

asked what's it. The shadow was gone.

Liz couldn't say anything for a few minutes. Was it her imagination. No it was real she

just really saw it !

" I knew it was not a good idea " she said. " Some killer is out there on the loose "

she shouted.

All guys came rushing. The shadow was gone whoever it was had escaped for the time

being. But he will surely return. We can't sleep here Liz said let's get out of here now.

" it's ok all will be fine " said Tom. " "I will sit outside n watch dont worry said " Ned.

" Are u crazy there's a maniac out there he will kill us " shouted Liz.

Bess said " yes she's right we should leave now ".

OK so they hurriedly packed up n ran to the car. " Fast start the car " screamed both the

girls . " It won't start im trying " shouted Jason.

" Wait I will check "said Jason n got outside . " It's a flat tyre "he said after few moments.

Bess started panicking what we do now. " Hey wait Neds car there let's all fit in it fast " so they all got out n joined Ned in his car.

" I was wondering why y guys,were not starting ur car "saif Ned.

He started the car. There was a crush the side mirror had broken. What all five saw

froze them. It was like a nightmare. A leering crazy man with axe in his hand had came

from the bushes n braking their windows.

" Fast start the car " screamed Bess " I'm trying " shouted Ned totally shaken by the

psychos attack on them. At last in full gear he started the car n they all drive away from

there.

Bess n Liz turned back n saw through the back window of the car the mad man rushing

towards them with the axe in his hand.  It was such a thrilling camp experience with that danger element in it. Something out of 

the movies type. So Bess and Liz had returned safely to their home. All the camping had

been cancelled because of that crazy man. Their father said that there have been

rumours about that patch of forest about some man roaming there but everyone

thought they were just rumours n nothing else.

**** ****

Mr Aaron their father called out in the morning " It's Mrs shues phone shes asking one of u girls to baby sit for their kid Teddy ".

"No way I'm going in that weird house n that odd kid " Bess said. And after that camp

experience I'm beginning to doubt everything now. " What about you Liz " their father

asked. " Ok no problem I can go" said Liz.

Bess went out to visit her friend Lisa & Liz went to babysit the weirdo kid.

It was eight pm in the night. Liz rang the door bell. Mrs Shue answered the door. Both

husband n wife were ready to go out for the the evening. She said that by 11 o clock

they will return so Liz had to babysit for three hours only.

After they went the kid Ted said that he was going to play some video games n sleep in

his room upstairs. " Good ". said Liz. She decided to do some of her college assignment

till then and watch a movie.

It was half past eight . The phone bell rang. She picked it up. There was silence n some

heavy breathing on the other end. She disconnected thinking maybe it was a wrong

number. Again it rang no one spoke this time too. Liz knew it was someone pranking on

her.

She decided to ask Tom to come n join her. As suddenly the whole house n everything

looked very quiet n spooky.

After that the phone was silent. This time when it rang after fifteen minutes a man's voice muffled voice came on the line n asked her " I know u r alone in that house and I m 

coming to you in no time. See you ".

Liz was scared n called the cops. They said they will send some officers. The door

started banging. From peephole she saw it was some strange looking man he was

beating the door furiously. She just sat there numb hoping the cops would arrive fast.

The banging stopped ,. the man had gone.

After the cops came she told them about the man trying to break the door. " Don't worry

we will search for this man. In this area a man was reported harassing babysitters. U did

a good thing by calling us ".

Ted also after hearing the commotion had came down crying as he was only five years

old.

His parents returned they too were informed of what had happened. They thanked Liz n

she returned home.

Bess said to Liz. " It must have been scary this happening immediately after that camp

thing ".

" But Lisa has invited you for a lake party for her birthday. It will take ur mind off all this "

exclaimed Bess.