Old Windows and Candle Wax

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. This cabin in the woods was an old cabin. Not old like a 1980’s single-wide trailer dropped off in the forest and hooked up to a septic tank kind of old. I’m talking about the kind of old cabin that the forest has mostly reclaimed. It was one of those old cabins that was built around the fireplace. One of those hand-built, stone-by-stone fireplaces and chimneys that become the heart and soul of the home. The kind of old cabin that the windows aren’t crystal clear factory manufactured glass, but old hand-made silicone windows full of swirls and bubbles. The kind of old windows that looked like artwork when the sun hit them just right. That candle in the window was old too. Not one of those plastic candles with a gold-painted base and an electric fake flickering candlelight that people put on their front window to make their home look like a child’s Christmas story book cover in winter. I am talking about the kind of old candle that has a heavy brass base attached to a round finger hold and a real wax candle melting, dripping, now cascading down onto that brass base. It was one of those old cabins in the woods that few people knew about. You could only find it by following an old game trail. That is how Chuck found it.

Chuck woke up well before sunrise, as was his habit. He liked to get started before the sun began to come up this time of year, and before Ms. Harris and her annoying barking dogs were out and about. Chuck liked to follow less traveled trails on his morning hikes so he wouldn’t have to stop and make small talk with people. He could just enjoy the sounds of the forest and let his own thoughts bounce around his head. He had several old game trails that he liked to rotate in his morning routine. This morning he decided to take the old, abandoned cabin trail. As he walked softly through the forest and just before sunrise, he came around the bend in the forest where he knew the cabin would come into view if there was enough light out. But Chuck knew it was still too dark for that, he would have to be just feet away to see it. When he looked up, he stopped dead in his tracks. There, in the window was light, it was a candle. There was never anyone near this cabin. Why was there a candle in the window? Then his eyes were drawn to the top of the chimney where he saw a pale grey whisp, an almost invisible curl of smoke floating from the top of that old, abandoned chimney. Chuck broke out into a cold sweat, took one more step toward the cabin, and he stopped again. There was a sinking feeling in his stomach. Chuck decided he wanted to turn back, go home, and get a good breakfast.

When Chuck got back home, he made one of his favorite meals to start the day. Homemade biscuits and sausage gravy just make everything better. He dished up breakfast, poured his coffee, and headed out to the patio. Once he sat down and started to eat, he couldn’t help but look northeast, thinking he could still see the smoke rising over the top of the pine trees. He just sat there eating methodically, sipping coffee, and thinking about that old cabin. Before he knew it his plate was clean, and his coffee was cold. Just then he realized he had never heard Ms. Harris’s annoying yapping dogs this morning. He shook off this strange melancholy feeling, took his dishes inside, and got started on the rest of his day.

Two days later he still had not heard those vicious ankle bitters that Ms. Harris would drag around the street every morning. Chuck decided he should be a responsible neighbor instead of just enjoying the respite from the noise of those Shih Tzus, and go over to check on her. As he walked up the cul-de-sac Ms. Harris’ neighbor, John was standing on his patio. It dawned on Chuck that John was smiling. He had never seen John smile, but he was a writer and only lived here for a few weeks, so maybe it wasn’t that strange. “Good morning, Chuck.” John said. “Well, yes it does seem to be a good morning, John.” Then John replied about how great the weather has been and Chuck agreed, they went on with small talk for a few minutes until John remarked about how he was not looking forward to the holiday traffic showing up with all their loud annoying toys driving all over, “That constant high pitch hum of motors can just drive you crazy.” When John said that, it snapped Chuck back to his train of thought. “Speaking of annoying sounds, have you seen, or heard Ms. Harris or her dogs lately?” Chuck asked. John looked surprised for a split second and then his face was the perfect look of concern. “No, now that you mention it I have not. That is strange, we should check on her.” John and Chuck made their way up to Ms. Harris’ front door and knocked. No answer and no barking dogs. John went around the side and came back to tell Chuck that her car was still in the carport. They shared a concerned look and a shake of their heads. Chuck said they should call the fire department for a wellness check.

Later that day Frank from the fire department showed up and did about the same thing Chuck and John did earlier. He informed the concerned neighbors that he would have to call the next town over to have the sheriff come by to enter the home. It took a couple of days until sheriff Dale could stop by but when he showed up, he asked if Chuck could come over to Ms. Harris’ house. Sheriff Dale forced entry into the home and after a clean sweep by himself and his deputy, there was no sign of Ms. Harris or her dogs. “It was like she walked off into the forest and never came back.” Dale said. He talked with Chuck for a while and then ended by asking Chuck when he had last seen John. Chuck shook his head and thought for a moment. He realized he had not seen John since they had talked to Fire Fighter Frank. Dale thanked Chuck for his time and told him that they were going to file a missing person’s report, and if he saw John, please have him call in to answer a few questions.

A few weeks went by and now it was the Fourth of July weekend. The tourists were in full force with their loud annoying toys driving up and down every street like they were in Sturgis. Chuck barely noticed them though. All he could think about was that old cabin, the smoke, the candle. He had gone on a hike every day since that morning, but he had avoided that trail. Chuck looked over at Ms. Harris’ and John’s houses and thought about how both had just disappeared. He made up his mind right then that he was going back out to that old cabin, just not in the dark this time but on a mid-day hike. Just before noon, Chuck headed out. He came upon the old cabin in full sunlight. Something in the back of his mind was still telling him to turn back but he wouldn’t listen. He needed answers. As he got closer, he could clearly see there was no candle in the window. Had he imagined the whole thing? He went around back where he knew there was an open door. Just a few steps in, Chuck could still smell the fresh scent of fire. After a few deep breaths, he forced himself to go inspect the fireplace. If the sun was at an angle the cabin would have been well lit, but the sun was high over the forest, so the inside of the cabin was as dark as a tomb. When Chuck got to the fireplace, he poked at it with his walking stick. Something didn’t look right. He got his flashlight out of his pocket for a better look. When the light hit the bed of the fireplace, he saw there were fresh ashes and white chunks. He pushed the white chucks around until one was clearly visible as a bone. A human bone. Chuck turned to leave, that is when he looked up at the wall opposite the fireplace and saw Ms. Harris’ two dogs. They were stuffed and mounted like trophies, complete with snarling exposed teeth. Chuck dropped his walking stick and ran.

Chuck ran into the forest and kept running until his lungs burned. He stopped and realized he had no idea where he was. He had walked this forest every day since he was a boy, this was the first time he didn’t know where he was among the pines. He sat down to catch his breath, steady his mind, and find his bearings. Once he caught the sun settling down over the trees, he knew what direction to head. After picking his way through the forest for much longer than he thought he should, Chuck finally found a trail that he knew would lead him home. As he walked down his street watching the sunset in a beautiful display of colors playing on the clouds, Chuck stopped just short of his house. He turned and headed into the cul-de-sac. He lifted the yellow tape on Ms. Harris’ house and headed in. He called out, hoping there would be an officer that he could speak to, but he was only answered by silence. Dejected, he turned to leave, ducked back under the caution tape, and headed for home. That is when Chuck stopped dead in his tracks. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that old candle sitting, burning, melting in John’s window.