Darkness Inside

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. With little thought I walked through the decrepit trees toward the glow. My mind hopeful my throat dry my body containing the madness inside. How long have I waited for this moment? Stumbling over the jagged rocks and beaten down trees I reached the clearing.

Wait.

Breathe.

The candle flickered causing the hair on every inch of my body to rise like the flame in front of me. I move toward the window. I have to be sure first. Having been through this moment in my mind before. It can only be her. Who else would be here? After all this time.

Wait.

Breathe.

Peering through the dust filled window I hear a familiar tone. A humming, it has to be her. She always hummed while cooking her meals. My chest fills with a cool air. I suddenly realize I’m soaked and chilled. The blood pumping through my raceway of veins hasn’t allowed me to feel nights crisp bite. It sinks into me and I freeze.

Wait.

Breathe.

The melody brings me back into focus. She’s here. She’s home. I see her move inside. The slight figure moves in the darkness beyond the flame. The movement is quick and nimble. Too nimble to be my mother. Frantically I recall my last memory of her. How long had it been? Her hair tied back into a silver stream down her back then wrapped in a bun at the nape of her neck. She never could leave it down with that hair net. Her face aging with every passing day. The lines so deep like the crevices I imagine make up the moon.

Mother is old and slow.

The melody stops and with it the figure in the darkness ceases. The figure staring towards me. I feel the glow reach me and at that moment.. A scream. It arises and pierces the night like the machete in my hand pierces through almost anything.

The machete in my hand. Almost like another appendage on my body. I gripped it tighter.

It isn’t her, there is no way it could be. I walk toward the door of the cabin. I try to call out for her but my lungs are still full of fluid and I sputter and grunt. How can I still have water in my lungs?

Wait

Breathe

The shriek carried across the lake. I hear foot steps running toward me. Instinctually I swing my blade. The thick frame of a man falls to the ground. The door of the cabin swings open. I turn to see the person I had mistaken for mother. The look on her face of disgust sends my fuelled body into spiral. Everything fades to black.

I hear her voice like she’s speaking into my ear. “Make them remember me”

Wait.

Breathe.

When my blood slows my thoughts come back. That chill sets in from my cold damp clothing. I don’t recall the last hour of my life. I look around to see a familiar scene of cabins. A core memory in my childhood. I see the entanglement of bodies in front of me. I remember where I am. Camp Crystal Lake.

That cool chill sets in and I feel my mother hands on my shoulders. I look down at her. She is in front of me pale as the moon light on the lake.

“They will remember Jason.” Her frail voice like the whispering wind tickling my ears then down my spine. Her figure disapates and she is gone again. For how long? I never know.