Sarah

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. Virginia glared at me with an expression of awe and horror.

Virginia and I grew up exploring these woods. We were now in our teens, but we maintained a complex connection to the land. It was mysterious, enchanting, and vibrant with history and lore. The wonderful memories forged here in some ways had shaped the women we were becoming. Many years ago, we stumbled across an abandoned cabin hidden in the woods. It was about three miles from our family farm. Virginia was courageous and brave. She instantly wanted to go inside and explore the abandoned cabin. I was timid and reserved. As the older sister, my decision was final. We would walk around and observe to ensure it was safe. This period of observation went on for several months until my reservations calmed from repeated visits to the cabin.

When I was certain the cabin was abandoned, we walked up to the side door and pushed it open. It took the strength of both of us to get the door cracked. My heart raced like Winnie, our black lab, fetching a soup bone. As soon as the door cracked open, a whoosh of wind flew out of the cabin. Virginia said, "Did you hear that?" It sounded like laughter. " I told her I did not hear anything but my stomach was deep in my body. I had indeed heard laughter. It sounded like a woman's voice. I immediately shut the door and grabbed Virginia. We both ran to the farm as quickly as we could hand in hand.

During dinner that evening, I decided to enquire about the cabin to my parents. Dad was always busy on the farm tending to the crops and livestock. He was not a verbal person and would only respond to direct questioning. Mother was very social and active in several community organizations. She knew everyone in our small town and everyone's business. "We went into the woods today," I said. Mother eyed Virginia and me up and down. "I see that," she smugly replied. "You ladies need to be careful in those woods, bad things have happened," she stated. I raised a fork full of lima beans to my mouth. "Do you know anything about the cabin near the stream?" I asked subtly.

Dad coughed at the question. "Do not go near that cabin!" he squawked as he pushed in his chair and forcefully walked into the den. Mother redirected our attention to our glasses of milk filling them up. "A young lady was killed in that cabin around twenty years ago." Mother said. Mother sat down with some fresh honey and tea and began to describe what happened.

Sarah Langley was just 21 years old when she met a man named Lawrence Pritherck. Sarah taught primary school in the nearby town of Hillyard. Sarah was beautiful and kind. She had dark black hair and kaleidoscope green eyes. When Lawrence met her, he was instantly enthralled with her grace and appearance. Sarah found Lawrence to be handsome and mysterious, but also controlling. Her maternal nature made her want to take care of him and forced her to overlook some of his negative attributes. Their engagement was speedy. Within one year, Lawrence had bought a cabin in the woods in the nearby town of Pinedale. It was rumored that he was very possessive of Sarah and wanted her away from the public eye. Sarah left her job at the primary school, married Lawrence, and moved into the cabin.

Sarah enjoyed living in nature but missed human interaction. Lawrence went into town daily for work and Sarah maintained the property. Sarah had one friend that was allowed to visit her, but only when Lawrence was present. Over the years, Sarah took on a gaunt appearance. Her friend became concerned and confronted her about the noticeable change. Sarah confessed to her that she had become frightened of Lawrence. He was physically and mentally abusive towards her. She said that he forbade her from leaving the woods, and she felt as if she was trapped. Her friend helped her formulate a plan that would free her. She would come back the next day and bring her brothers to get Sarah. Sarah was anxious but agreeable to this.

As the story goes, Lawrence overheard the plan for Sarah to escape. He confronted her about it after dinner that evening. Sarah told him she was sorry and that she did not want to upset him, but that she was unhappy and fearful of the person he had become. Sarah went to light a candle at the kitchen window preparing to clean up after the meal. As she lit the candle, Lawrence grabbed her from behind and strangled her, bashing her face into the front window. Sarah fell to the ground. Lawrence jumped onto her with his hands around her neck gripping tighter and tighter. Sarah looked into the eyes of someone who once loved her now filled with rage and hate as she drew her final breath.

In the morning, Sarah's friend arrived at the cabin with her two brothers. They sensed something was very wrong when no one came to greet them. As they walked inside the cabin, they found Sarah cold, and blue, and departed on the kitchen floor. One brother ran outside to go to get help. As he circled to the back of the cabin, he found Lawrence's corpse in a pool of blood in the backyard next to his rifle. It was later discovered by the town doctor that Sarah was with child. A daughter. The cabin was abandoned thereafter, and the story is engrained in the local history.

Virginia's eyes transfixed on the candle as the light seemed to float around the kitchen of the cabin. Her gaze seemed enchanted. Was it Sarah? Our minds recalled the story that our mother told us. "We should go home," I told Virginia. As I went to grab her hand to run home, she snatched herself free of my grip and ran towards the cabin. I saw her kick the door open and go inside. I was overwhelmed with fear, but I gathered my courage to go get her. As I walked up to the door, I saw Virginia in front of the candle and what appeared to be a dark shadow behind her. I screamed as loud as I could as I kicked the door fully open. Noooooooooo! The candle went out, and Virginia fell to the ground. I went to check on her, and she opened her eyes. "Are you okay?" I asked. "I want to go home." She said.

The walk home was quiet. When we arrived, we showered and went to bed. I had awful nightmares that evening. A few weeks passed and everything seemed as it always had been. One night, I walked to Virginia's bedroom to tell her good night. As I approached her room, I heard a woman's laughter. I walked to her door and cracked the door slightly. Virginia was sitting brushing her hair and gazed up at me. Her brown eyes looked a brilliant shade of green. A rush of cold air fell on me as she quickly walked to the door closed it and whispered softly, "Finally free at last."