The Purgatory Creek Diaries

June 2

I stopped by Bobby’s today. It’s the first time I’ve seen him since he found Erica. He was always a happy guy with a big smile and a twinkle in his eye; he loved life and loved chatting with all of his customers, getting to know everyone by name and often memorizing their frequent purchases. The man I saw today was a mere shadow of the man he used to be. His face looked thinner, he had stubble on his jaw, his shoulders slumped forward, and his eyes were a dull brown. I didn’t have the heart to ask him about what he saw that day in the woods, it’s clearly affected him terribly. Instead, I just checked in with him, asking how he’s doing and how things have been at the shop. I could tell he was waiting for me to ask about what he saw and what happened that day, most of the locals have been by at this point to find out what details he’d spill and pass on the gossip. He never said more than a couple words about it, usually just nodding in acknowledgement that someone had asked a question or made a statement without giving them an answer. I’m burning to know what happened in the woods, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask this haunted man what he saw that day. After a brief conversation I left and started walking home. On the way home I couldn’t stop thinking about his eyes, that hollow look like all the joy had been sucked out of him. What could have done that? He’s a hunter, he’s seen some nasty c*****e, a body shouldn’t be that upsetting to him. Something far worse than an animal mauling had to have taken place out there, but what? I got Chad to tell me the location of the party after swearing I wouldn’t tell anyone because it’s the preferred secret spot and a lot of the local kids like to hide their contraband out there so they don’t get caught at home. It’s in a clearing about two miles off the main road out of town, there’s a dirt trail just wide enough for a car to drive through that leads to the clearing. My parents are going shopping at a town a couple hours away tomorrow to get supplies that we can’t get in town because the town is so small we mostly only have essentials here. After they leave I’ll take our spare car to the clearing to check it out and see if I can find anything that might provide me with some answers or at least clues. 

I had a weird dream last night too, though I think nightmare is more accurate. I was running through the woods at night, the moon was full and there were no clouds so it was easy to see even with the tree cover. In the dream I’m running as fast as my legs can carry me, I can barely breathe as I weave my way through the trees and over fallen logs. I can feel wetness on my face and taste the saltiness of my tears on my lips. The tears are from fear, the anxiety of whatever I’m running from propelling me forward as I pushed myself to run faster. I can smell night blooming flowers and a hint of musk as I run through the dark woods. At this point I awake from my nightmare, as I’m gasping for air and trying to soothe myself, I notice the flower scent is in my room. It was so familiar that it wasn’t alarming to smell, instead it was comforting, but I couldn’t immediately place it; after thinking about it for a while and slowing my breathing I realize that’s the same scent as the perfume Erica always wore. Her favorite perfume was Datura Reverie, that’s exactly what I was smelling in my room after waking up. The scent slowly fading as my anxiety faded and was replaced by confusion and curiosity. I don’t remember having anything with that scent or the perfume itself in my room… it hasn’t appeared before that dream either… what could this mean? Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me. Maybe I miss her so much that I’m imagining her perfume in my room… I can’t shake this feeling of uneasiness though, like there’s more to it than I know at this point. I think going to the clearing is the next important step in finding answers about Erica and maybe solving the mysterious incidents in my room last night. I’ll be packing a bag to take with me with supplies I might need and sneak it out into the spare car after my parents go to bed tonight so they don’t see it. I don’t want them knowing my plan because they’ll try to stop me from finding the answers I need; I can’t allow them to do that now. I owe it to Erica to try to find out what happened to her no matter what the cost.