The One Legged Man

"The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window."

Katie and Mary - two sisters - were walking home on a path they found in the woods when they spotted the flickering light - they both simultaneously froze - listening for any sounds of life. Katie took one step to the left to peer through the foliage - Mary gasp out loud hearing foot steps - or maybe not - maybe more like someone or something limping or dragging one leg. They both silenced their breathing to avoid making any sounds fearing that the blood pulsing through their veins was as audible as a drum! “Thump - thump - thump” was the sound they heard - without being able to discern from where it came - from what direction - or if the noise was getting closer!

Katie’s imagination was out of control! She always listened intently - visualizing the stories the elders shared about the history of East Chezzetcook where her great grandmother, great grandfather, and great great grandparents were born and buried. She would sit wide eyed listening as her grandmother whispered slowly while rocking in her chair with the kindling fire still hissing - casting shadows on the walls as she told stories about people who once lived there - about abandoned houses - about ghosts - as though every word she shared was the truth! Katie’s eyes would be wide with intrigue and she barely moved a muscle wanting to know more. She believed it was possible that the stories were true and she knew - she knew without a single doubt that tonight she was about to encounter something that would eventually become a tale to share!

Mary was the older sister and much more serious - although - she was equally curious about ghosts - maybe some day she might even see one - yet she made a bet with herself that the stories were just that - stories. Tonight was different though - they wandered too far exploring the wooded shoreline and the sky quickly darkened making the return route home confusing. The moon was barely visible due to cloud cover without a single star in site - only the flickering light from a candle in the cabin window for hope of finding help - perhaps even a phone would be inside so they might be able to call for help.

Katie continued to listen closely to hear if the sound was getting nearer - she heard heavy breathing now followed by a snorting sound when Mary all of a sudden leaped into a sprint yelling, “Run Katie! It’s coming!”

Katie let go of a blood curdling scream - not knowing what it was - but imagining a ghost or the one legged man she was told wandered the woods searching for the leg he lost in an accident - or even a pirate looking for his buried treasure! Crying for help as she tried to get away - she slipped in a muddy patch of leaves and pushed her chin up to see her sister Mary heading for a wooden fence that surrounded the cabin - the heavy breathing was getting closer now followed by another snort! Regaining her footing she charged towards her sister looking back to see a huge bull charging towards her! Katie fell to the ground on the opposite side of the fence just in time to be picked up by the back of her shirt by grubby - fishy smelling fingers! Big - blood shot eyes with wiry eyebrows stared back at her and grunted! The old man said nothing as the sisters cried out begging for him to not hurt them! He grunted and turned towards the cabin saying nothing - limping on one leg! Bent over - still trying to catch their breath - they watched the old man leave. Mary took Katie’s hand and they followed - they followed inside - inside where the candle was flickering in the window sill - until the sound of a telephone jolted their attention! The old man answered - “Yes. Okay.” They waited in silence - too scared to speak until their Great Uncle Leo appeared at the door to drive them home in his blue pickup truck!

Later as they laid in bed that night trying to sleep after chatting about the events - about how scared they were - they cuddled closer listening to footsteps slowly walking up and down the stairs! Katie pulled the covers over her head - and never slept a wink!