The Devil's Beside

The Devil's Beside

By Tyler Freeman

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. The candle’s glow illuminated the face of a woman, her eyes alert and wild with primal fear. The cabin, though long unoccupied, was alive with sounds of creaking and moans in communion with the blowing wind. The woman listened carefully, distinguishing each noise as though it were speaking to her directly. Though alone, she felt presence, the feeling of being watched. She waited for some time before returning to the letter she was writing. It read as follows:

Katherine, Dear Sister, I hope with all sincerity that the years have been kind to you, and I hope this letter finds you soon, bringing our long separation to an end. I need you now more than ever, for the guidance of my elder sister is much missed. It may pain you to learn that I have left Ronald. I fled him, unable to bear his abuse any longer. He is no longer the man I married. His drinking has become near constant and with it his anger. He is changed. I don’t want to sound melodramatic, but I truly believe that if I continued to stay by him, he would kill me. He has a frightening look in his eyes, one I had never seen before. It’s something demonic, resembling a snake before a kill. I know he intends to kill me, because he has said as much, and everything in his manner leads me to take him at his word. I wish we could reconnect under happier circumstances, but seeing as they are what they are, there’s no one else I would rather turn to. I know you are far, but I will find my way back to you, no matter what it takes. I know that once I am safe with you again we can put these painful events behind us and start anew. I cannot wait to see how your children have grown. I cannot wait to be safe once more in your arms. I wish not to be a burden to you and your husband, but you were never one to turn friends or family away. You have the kindest heart I’ve ever known.

The woman reads it over once more and ends it with Sincerely yours,

Love Jane

Jane frantically sealed the letter in an envelope and placed the letter within her shirt pocket. She folded her arms, holding herself to keep warm from the cold. The wind came again bringing with it the dreadful noises stirring within the cabin. In her mind, Jane knew she had to spend the night there, although the idea was not of comfort to her. It was the only place she could go, fleeing as she did. It was a place not unknown to her due to reputation. In town people talked of this lonesome cabin in the woods. They say it was once home to a widow who was said to partake in witchcraft. Her husband’s passing was suspicious in of itself, but it was the disappearance of children that led the townspeople to eventually try her, and hang her on suspicion of it. No one ever found the missing children, nor the body of her dead husband. All knowledge of them disappeared along with her. It was said she smiled a toothless smile before her last breath. Jane shuddered at the thought. Trembling from fear or cold, she could not tell which, nor did it matter. The best thing she could do is sleep, she reasoned, but the task didn’t seem feasible given the state she was in. She sat herself in the corner of the room and closed her eyes. Suddenly they jolted open at the sound of...whispers.

“Who’s there?” her voice shook as she spoke. Her response was dead silence. She could bear it no longer. She stood up and picked up the candle. The floorboards creaked as she walked, searching the pantries. For something to eat. She didn’t have an appetite, but she had to occupy her mind with something to keep her fear at bay. There was no food to speak of, but she did manage to locate the fireplace. No wood to be found. She would have to brave the darkness of the night to fetch some. She turned to the door and stopped when she heard the sound of a whisper once more. She stopped at the sound. Scanning each corner of the room with the glowing light of the candle. Nothing. She sighed, not out of relief, but exasperation. She went once more to the door, but stopped suddenly as a loud knock was heard. She gasped in fear and placed her hand on her mouth. The knocking continued, louder, then stopped. The door began to move. Someone was trying to open it. It was stuck. She wanted to reach for a latch, but she dared not go any closer. She instead backed away into a corner and slumped down in a seated position when the door was finally pushed open. She recalled the drunken shouts of her husband. “Jane, show yourself. You can’t hide from me, woman. Get over here and learn you a lesson.” Jane tried her best to suppress it, but she screamed involuntarily at the sight of the man who found his way in. She could see the face of her husband. His evil eyes drunk and menacing. “JANE,” she could hear his voice shouting in her head as she held the candle in front of her as a barrier between her and him, her eyes shut tightly. The man spoke. “Didn’t mean to frighten you, ma'am. Just lookin’ for a place to hole up is all.” She opened her eyes and shined the candle light to his face. It was not the face of her husband after all. This was a stranger. He had in his arms a bundle of wood, and he picked up his rifle he had leaned against the cabin before he knocked. “I didn’t think anyone lived here, place looks run down,” he spoke to her casually, ignoring her fearful state. He dropped the wood on the ground and Jane jumped with a start in response. “Say, ma’am, ya mind shining that light over here?” he asked, indicating the fire place. Jane remained frozen in place. The man frowned and shook his head. “Look lady, I ain’t gonna hurt you.” He stepped closer and snatched the candle from her grasp. Jane covered her face in her hands, something she had done quite often to shield from the blows coming from her abusive husband. The man sighed. He walked towards the table Jane had been writing on previously and set down his rifle. He then made his way to the fire place. He leaned down and pulled out some kindling from his pocket. He set it ablaze using the candle, and placed it within. He then began to lay the wood he had brought, and soon the fire grew, illuminating more the darkened room. “That’s a sight better ain’t it?” he said, warming his hands by the flames, not facing her. Jane slowly began to come out of her shell. Now realizing the man intended no harm. She rose slowly to her feet. Her eyes turned to the rifle on the table. The man looked in her direction, noticing that her eyes were fixated on his rifle. “Had me that one a long time,” he said. “My grandad gave it to me. It’s seen some use. You can look at it, but don’t get any ideas, ya hear?” Jane remained silent, not knowing what to say to the intruder. “Somethin wrong miss?”

Jane simply stared at him, when suddenly the whispers returned. She finally stammered, “Did..did you hear that?” The man looked at her puzzled. “No,” he said. “Can’t say that I did, miss.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “Seeing as you’re finally in a talkin mood, how bout your name? What is it?” Jane seemed almost surprised at the question. “It’s Jane,” she said quietly. “Jane?” he asked. “Well, Jane, my name’s Brett. Brett Sanders if you wanna know the whole of it.” “Nice to meet you,” Jane replied. “I’m Jane Campbell, not to be confused with Jane Elliot. Elliot was my husband’s family name, but I…we’re no longer together.” Brett simply shrugged. “People grow apart I guess. Can’t say I’ve had much luck with women myself, although I’ve known a few,” he smiled, rubbing his stubbled face.” She gave him a polite smile in response. After a silence, Brett asked her, “What brings you to this place? If ya don’t mind my asking?” Jane stepped closer to the fire and warmed herself next to Brett. Brett looked at her in the light. “I guess the bruises tell the story, but you’re a pretty woman besides,” he said. She smiled, again out of politeness, but she looked down. “I don’t feel so pretty these days…to tell you the truth.” She said somberly. Brett looked at her for a time, searching for the right words, but his thoughts were interrupted. Jane jumped, startled at the sounds of whispers. “There it is again! Did you hear that?” She asked Brett with fear in her voice. Brett shook his head. “No offense, lady, but I think you’re a little jumpy. Maybe you’ve been hit too many times cause I don’t hear a thing.” Jane glared at him. “I know what I heard.” she said with a sharp tone. “It sounds like whispers.”

Brett cocked an eyebrow. He paused to listen, but could hear nothing save the sound of the wind, and the creaking of the cabin. “I don’t know about none of that,” he said, “but I’m gonna get some rest. I suggest you do the same. Can I trust ya not to shoot me and rob me blind?” he asked, only half joking, his eyes indicating towards his rifle. “I could ask the same of you,” she said. Brett lied down on the floor, removing his jacket and using it as a pillow. “Well I ain’t done it yet, so you can rest assured,” he said.

To Jane’s surprise the man was asleep in mere moments. She looked to the ladder to the next floor, but she dare not sleep in the bed upstairs. She chose instead to remain next to the fire and next to Brett, where she felt relatively safe, although not entirely trusting of the stranger. She curled into a ball, feeling warm next to the fire. She doubted sleep would find her, but in time she too shut her eyes and asleep she went. “JANE!” The shouts of her husband rang forth. “I’m gonna get you girl. You can’t hide from me.”

Jane hid under the bed fearing the wrath of her husband, knowing he would soon be upon her. The shouts of her name continued. “Jane,” it was the voice of her sister. Memories of them playing together as children flashed before her. “Jane, I’m going to get you dear. It was the voice of an old woman, followed by a sinister cackle. You’re in my home now she sneered and laughed. “Jane.” It was her sister again. They were children. Their time at play was interrupted as they saw not far in the distance a burning church.

Cackling laughter can be heard. Whispers of her name. The shouts of her husband.

“I’m coming for you dear.” The door kicked open and she could see her husband’s feet from under the bed. Then his head peaked down, “I got you now,” he said. She turned away and saw the corpse of the stranger Brett lying next to her. She screamed, suddenly awakening from her nightmare. Brett awoke with a start, brandishing his revolver. “What? What is it?” he asked the screaming woman. Jane suddenly became aware of her surroundings. She could see the fireplace and the concerned look on Brett’s face. “It was a..” she started. “Bad dream,” he finished. She nodded.

“Well it must have been a bad one, scared the hell outta me too.” Brett said to her reassuringly. Jane had tears in her eyes. She was much shaken from the nightmare.

She began to cry. “Ah hell,” said Brett. “Don’t go cryin,” he put his arm around her, to which he responded by pushing him and backing away from him. “I’m sorry,” she said to him. “It’s just…” “I get it,” Brett replied. “It’s not you,” Jane told him. “It’s that…

Brett interrupted, “I said I get it.” Jane looked at the revolver he was still holding. Brett looked at her confusedly, then realized what she was looking at. “Oh this,” he said, referring to the gun. “I guess you can call me a careful man.” He placed it back in his holster. After a long silence, Brett broke it by saying, “Look, not all men are…”

Jane interrupted him. “Do you see that?” she said pointing. Brett turned his head curiously. “Out the window,” she said in a hoarse whisper. Brett looked to the window and saw a shadow fleeing from sight. He looked back at Jane, who was terribly frightened. He walked to the table where his rifle still lay. He picked it up, checked it, and cocked it. “Like I said,” he explained, “I’m a careful man.” He went to the door and turned his attention back on Jane. “You stay here,” he said. “I’m gonna go out and have a look at things.” “Be careful,” she said to him. He smiled. “Not used to havin someone carin about my well-being.” She didn’t know what to say in response to him. He turned back to the door, and opened it, immediately pointing his rifle in a ready position. His eyes scanned the darkness of the woods. The only light he had was the light from the cabin fireplace, which only stretched so far. He stepped outside the cabin, taking time for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Jane ran to the window, looking outside. Her eyes scanned nervously out the window, seeing only darkness. What she also didn't see was the dark figure standing directly behind her. The whites of its eyes glowed with menace.

Brett crouched to one knee, certain something was out there yet detecting nothing. The howling wind obscured all noise but itself.

Jane stood tall and straight, staring at the doorway. The door swung open violently, bringing the wind with it.

Brett stared at Jane a moment and spoke. "My horse is gone," he said quietly. Jane stood, stiff as a board, entirely mute. Brett narrowed his eyes. "Somethin wrong lady? Jane? JANE?"

Jane spoke, not once blinking. "You will not touch me again," she said with a coldness that shocked Brett. Brett carefully raised his rifle and spoke slowly. "Don’t know what you're talkin about…haven't touched ya once." Jane said nothing at first, then suddenly unleashed a violent screech. Brett was knocked back by the force of it with the accompanying wind blowing terribly. Brett fell backward on the ground outside, almost firing his rifle in the progress, but instead clutched the gun against his chest, bracing himself. The wind died down and all was silent. Brett looked to the door, which slowly creaked open, as if to invite him in. Brett, not a fearful man walked into the cabin cautiously, keeping a firm hold of his weapon. At first he could see nothing in the darkened room. Just the crackling of flames coming from the fireplace. His searching gaze eventually fell upon Jan, who was huddled against the corner, crying. Brett stepped toward her, taking time with each step? "You alright?" He asked. Jane looked up startled, seemed to recognize him, and started crying again. Brett crouched next to her. She jumped into his arms, almost knocking him over. He set the rifle softly down. Jan caught her breath. "I..I thought you were my…my husband," she stammered. Brett tried to calm her. "It’s alright, I'm not him. I'm here to help." He spoke in a soft tone. "Who are you?"Asked Jane, still in tears. "Where did you come from?" Brett simply sighed. "I'm gonna level with ya lady, I'm on the run. There’s a few folks out there that want to see me dead." Jane regained her composure. "I guess that makes two of us," she said. "But I'm just running from one man," she said. "Seems, you've been through a lot," he replied. "Just don't go gettin us mixed up again, I never struck a woman in my life." Jane cried. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she whispered. "It’s just…" Brett heard the clicking of his revolver. She must have fished it out of your pocket, Brett you fool. You know better than to go trustin folks. Brett thought to himself. A deafening shot was fired. All went black. Brett cane to and sees the blood dripping on the floor. He had Jane subdued, with his hands pinning her wrists to the ground.The revolver had been knocked aside. He could tell now that the blood was coming from the side of his head. Shot must've grazed me, He reasoned. Jane began to laugh, but in a strange noise, not belonging to her. "Foolish man," she cackled. "You're in my domain now. The wretched woman is mine. You all are mine and soon you will all join me in Hell."

You all? He wondered to himself.

A small child appeared standing next to him. His face pale with death. A second child appears on his other side, her face equally so. He released his grasp on Jane and reached for his revolver. A vision flashed before his mind, stopping him in his tracks. It was the face of an old woman hanging from a noose. Her lips black and blue from a lack of oxygen, but frozen in a toothless grin. The old woman's sickening laughter ringed throughout his ears. Then another vision, it’s of children playing. The boy has stopped doing so looking at the cabin before him. The girl asked him what was wrong only to also freeze in its presence. The dreadful laughter continued to ring in his ears. The young girl whispered something into Brett’s ear. He could not move. Another vision flashed before his mind. It was the face of a drunken man. His eyes gone from the world. "Jane," he spoke. "The Devil's done got me again." Hd smiled a twisted smile.

The vision returned to the hanging old woman. Her face then changed to his own face. His mouth opened and maggots began to pour from it. Brett screamed. He grabbed hold his revolver and shot wildly above him. All went silent. It was just him and Jane now, staring at one another. The night had come to an end. Sunlight peered through the window. They looked at one another speechless. They both stood up slowly, taking in their surroundings. The cabin looked like any other. There was no one with them. No children. No old woman. Just an empty, run down cabin. Brett returned his revolver to his holster and picked up his rifle. They looked at one another once more, and spoke simultaneously, "Let’s get outta here." The walked out and closed the door behind them. A candle still burned,dripping not with wax, but of blood. A faint laughter could just barely be distinguished.

END