Holiday Scare

As the Pastor Dave finished giving Letidia the tour of the grounds. He asked if she understood everything about the Church campgrounds. She held her head down and rubbed her round belly as she shook her head yes. Pastor Dave sighed and said are you sure I can't help you and the father with counseling. Letidia took a deep breath and tried to sound respectful and said I really appreciate everything you're doing for me and my soon to be baby boy. I really don't want him to know I’m here. Pastor Dave then started up the hill and pointed to a modest looking cabin that one’s all yours. Letidia thanked him again and walked up to the front door of the cabin. Before she opened the door she said a small pray and walked in.

The next day Litidia woke to a cold snowy day. The fire must have gone out, she slowly climbed out from underneath the blankets and walked to the fireplace. Once the fire was going she unpacked her bags and decided to explore the cabin. As she waddled around the cabin and told her unborn son this is where living but once I find a job, Knock Knock, someone was at the door. Oh no had Pastor Dave and her parents told Kendrick where she was. She slowly opened the door, Hello I’m Jonesy the groundskeeper, Pastor Dave sent me up here to make sure everything was working. Jonesy asked her if she turned on the water yet, Letidia shook her head no as she let the groundskeeper in. Jonsey quickly walked in and headed straight towards the boiler. As the groundskeeper was busy Letidia walked to the kitchen to make some breakfast, just as she got to the kitchen a sharp pain from her belly.

Then Letidia felt like she was peeing, she slowly made her way to the ground and let out a yell from the next contraction. Before she knew it the groundskeeper was by her side telling everything was going to be okay. The groundskeeper asked her is this your first? Letidia tried to speak but the pain was unbearable. She just shook her head yes. The groundskeeper told her to breathe and don’t push. The groundskeeper jumped up, ran to the bathroom, grabbed towels, some water and a blanket. When Jonesy reached Letidia she had managed to get the bottom half of her pajamas off. Oh no Jonsey thought I’m going to have to deliver this baby.

It all started like any other christmas week. Patrick got home from work that night and walked right into a conversation of “What are we going to do for this christmas?” him and his wife had been wondering and talking about where they were going to spend their christmas holiday. Patrick was tired and said “I don't care where we go.” Mariah knew the kids really wanted a white christmas, what about your uncle’s cabin in the woods. Patrick knew what that meant and he looked at his wife Mariah how much money we got to spend this Christmas excluding presents of course. Because we definitely don't have a four wheel drive vehicle to get to that cabin. Mariah let out a sigh and said “We’ll just rent one.'' Patrick took a deep breath and grabbed his suitcase. Mariah said, “Wait we gotta tell the kids.” Patrick was like you haven't told them yet. I seriously didn’t think you’d be willing to go especially after what happened there 3 years ago.

Patrick stopped what he was doing and thought How could he forget after all it was his niece that had. Hello where home yelled his four kids from the living room. His son was the first one to walk into the room and see the suitcase. Where are we going, Dad. It's a surprise Patrick said and “Tell your sisters to get packing for a snowy retreat.” As Dwayne ran past his Mother to tell his sisters. Mariah smiled and grabbed Patrick’s hand and gave him a kiss. It's going to be a great Christmas. The next day was busy as the family packed and chattered about all the fun things they would do at the cabin. Patrick reminded his kids that it was going to be a 2 and half hour drive. So they needed to think of some fun car games to play.

An hour into the drive the kids got bored and the WIFI on the suv they rented stopped working. So Mary Patrick’s oldest asked, “Dad why is this the first time we’re coming up here? Patrick started with you see the cabin used to be part of a Church Camp that me and your uncle Charlie came to when we were young. The church had to sell the camp and your uncle bought one of the cabins. Maiash Patrick’s second to oldest chipped in with why did they sell the camp daddy? Patrick looked at his Wife and said well no one wanted to come after what happened to my niece, your uncle's daughter. Patrick knew if he didn’t change the subject His intrigued kids would want to know the whole story. So Patrick quickly said so you kids, ready for all the snow ball fights.

The family of six finally arrived at the destination and the cabin was covered in snow. Patrick figured as much Jimmy his uncle hadn’t been up here since he bought it. Maraih looked at him as he trudged through the 3 feet of snow to a small shed. Patrick reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys Jimmy had given him. Patrick struggled but he managed to get the snowblower going. He made his way to the car then proceeded to the stairs of the porch. Once he reached them he signaled for his son and oldest daughter. They eagerly raced to him till they saw the snow shovels in his hands. Patrick smiled and walked up the stairs to the door of the cabin, he pulled out the keys again and unlocked the door. He slowly walked into the cabin and it had the sweet smell of fresh cut cider.

As the fire started to warm the cabin and his family had settled in for the day. Patrick said, “Well kids are you ready for tomorrow, build a snowman and have a snowball fight.” His kids yawed and shook their heads yes as they made their way to the bedrooms. Patrick laughed, grabbed Mariah and headed to the master bedroom. Mariah looked at Patrick. I need a hot shower Patrick held his nose and nodded in agreement. Mariah pinched him and the both giggled as Maraih shut the door to the master bathroom. It was then that Patrick remembered oh on the boiler. As Patrick reached the boiler room and bent down to turn on the pilot lite. A baby began to cry, startling Patrick. Mariah did you hear that? All Patrick heard was water running. He slowly opened the bathroom door and stuck his head in, babe, did you hear a baby crying? Silence, hey you okay. Patrick entered the foggy bathroom but no sign of his wife. He drew the shower curtain back and turned off the faucet.

Just as he did clattering from the kitchen he paused and made his way to the kitchen. Babe you won't believe what I heard but just as he reached the bar of the kitchen. Nothing but a red stain is this blood no way. He rushed to the first bedroom where his daughters should be. He opened the door and turned on the lights empty. As he closed the door he heard the baby cry again this time much louder and longer. It sounded like it was coming from the last bedroom down the hall His son had chosen that one. Patrick thought damn wife and kids, trying to scare me. He sarcastically laughed as he walked towards the door. He opened it to see nothing but a baby changing table neatly tucked in the corner of the room. He walked towards the table and looked in, there laid his son's baby blanket soaked in blood. Patrick dropped the blanket and frantically started to search every nook and cranny of the cabin as the cries of the baby got louder and louder.

Jonesy shut the door to the run down shack, pulled out a lighter and lit the hand rolled cigarette. She could see the glow of lights from the cabin on the hill. The grounds keeper smiled and flipped the switch to the power for the cabin. Jonesy snickered, picturing Patrick scrambling in the dark. Jonesy put the cigarette out and hurried up the hill to the front door of the cabin. Jonesy made a fist and banged on the door, rattling came from within.

Patrick yelled, Mariah is that you? As cries of the baby seemed to be coming from every direction. Jonesy banged on the door again while holding the sharp puukko in the other hand. Patrick somehow managed to make it to the door he opened it. A sharp pain suddenly struck him once in the gut the next in his leg. He fell to the cold ground of the porch just to see a shadowy figure run into the cabin. Jonsey reached the master bedroom and pulled a small bassinet from under the bed. Tucked and wrapped in blankets was baby Elijah. Jonesy settled Elijah down and headed towards the back door. The grounds keeper knew the area well and headed to the dining quarters of the camp.

Hidden in the walkin freezer was Patrick’s Wife and four kids. Mariah, Mary, Maisah, Maytee, and Dwayne all laid on the cold metal floor. Jonesy knew they all would wake up soon. What to do then was the question. Jonesy's mind flashed back to when she saw her Letidia was so pretty. Jonesy had just started working at the camp if you could call it that. More like community service Jonsey giggled and thought of the first words Letidia said have you been here long. After that the grounds keeper spent every minute trying to see her or run into her. On one of those times Letidia finally asked the grounds keeper what's your name. Jonsey shyly said, Jo Jonsey but everyone just calls me Jonsey. What about yours, Letidia Shells said Letidia smiling broadly Do know who that cute boy over there is? Pointing towards the dock of the lake. Kendrick stood on the dock, his dark skin shimmering in the warm summer sun. Jonsey hated him immediately and knew what needed to be done.