Raid of The Aurum Druids

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. Most hikers were familiar enough with the story of this cabin, as the ramblings of that terrible night made the local papers. But it was an old story, so most skeptics knew it as more of a tale told to keep children out of these particular woods at night. The story itself changed a little bit as every new generation added or changed details to keep it relevant; to keep the kids of the time scared. But was it only to keep them scared, of some decrepit old cabin amongst the trees, or to keep them safe from something more...strange and unknown? The last recorded time the azure flame of that strange candle flickered in the second floor window of what was once part of a larger homestead, an entire family lost their lives to the woods beyond.

The property was vast, and the main home was hours away from the nearest town, but horrid screams echoed in the mind of each of its residents on October 13, 1847. As if orchestrated in unison, every individual in that quiet little town woke up at the exact same moment. A flop sweat trailing behind them as they all gazed upon the storm in the distance. They knew not why they were awoken, but they all felt a need to run towards it, knowing that they would find nothing short of a tragic mystery.

The oldest known tale of that cabin starts with a happy little family, the Albertsons and their adorable children. The loving couple bought this property from the bank back in 1845, hoping to stake their own claim in a new area. Josiah and Samantha Albertson, along with their children Martha and William, traveled across far too many miles to start a new life in what would soon become the state of California. The couple had married years prior and never stopped being head over heels in love with each other, and soon bore twins during their first year there. Thomas Joseph and Robert Jeffrey Albertson were born into what they thought was a quaint piece of paradise, but they would soon discover that it was more of a chopping block.

Now the Albertsons were humble artisans, so the only reason they could afford this land and home was because it struggled to sell. Local legends of eerie sightings and strange storms that seemed to hit only that spot made the whole thing very affordable. The Albertsons were indeed a bit religious, but they didn't really believe in ghosts, and they were desperate to make a change. They would soon come to regret this choice, and would eventually believe in far more than just ghosts. On October 12 1847, during T.J. and R.J.'s first birthday, they had their first encounter with these strange storms that hit the area, and it would prove to be one of their last.

As the family blew upon the candles before them, the sky seemed to shake in response. As if in resonance, blowing on these candles in celebration of their twins' first year, it seemed to signal the beginning of the end for them all. At that moment, Josiah apparently noticed something in the distance; something outside caught his attention as he grabbed his scattergun to go and investigate. This would be the last time that he would kiss Samantha's lips, as he was never seen again. Well, not seen in human form at least, as hours went by with no real sign of what was going on out there.

According to Samantha's diary found after the events, a strange storm seemed to roll in out of nowhere and it blanketed the entire property in a haze that flashed between shades of green and gold. Josiah had felt a strange sensation deep in his bones as the skies rumbled, and he listened to the voice that told him to protect his family. The last words his children would hear from him, were to stay put and wait for him to come back.

The night eventually faded away as the sun was now rising above the horizon. The storm rumbled and flashed through the darkness, but miraculously disappeared before the light began to shine. The children were somewhat confused about what had happened, as they only knew that their father seemed to be distracted from the festivities, running into the woods that encircled their home. Little fact is actually known of what happened on that particular night, but Samantha allegedly iterated in her journal a version of what happened to Josiah.

As if somehow knowing what he felt, she spoke of how his breath was tight in his chest, the scattergun tightening in his grip with every step he took. He knew not what was afoot, but he knew that he needed to protect his family; the life of his wife and children were more important to him than his own. If he somehow fell here, at least they would live on. Josiah, or 'Jo' as Samantha would call him, held his aim steady as he stepped into the forest. Lights seemed to flicker in the sky as strange colors and scents filled the air around him. Every step he took seemed to echo in his mind, shattering the wavelength of his bones as he began to grow weary of the trees around him. He became more observant of his surroundings, as he noticed that the trees around him seemed to...carry what could only be described as human expressions and postures etched into their bark. However, etched is not the right word at all here; it was as if the bark was altered from it's original shape, and molded into that of people frozen in terror.

Between the words found on the last page of her journal, and the accounts told by the townsfolk who arrived too late to save them, Samantha was the last to disappear. She stated that she lit a special candle her father had made for her when she was a child, and placed it in the second story window of her art cabin, as a beacon to lead her husband home that first night. It glowed a bright and azure hue that was difficult to ignore, but it didn't lead her husband home. It did, however, seem to bring something to her homestead the following night.

The details grew into ramblings that spoke of her oldest son William disobeying her and journeying into the woods, as the storm seemed to flicker the moment he was out of sight. It spoke of her leaving T.J and R.J. behind with her daughter Martha in the main home, as she went to light the candle in her cabin yet again. This was the last time she would see the rest of her children, and make no mistake, she searched the woods nearby before making her panicked accounts known.

When the townsfolk finally arrived on the property, it seemed that the storm had already passed. They would not find Martha and the young twins either, nor would they find Samantha, Josiah, or any other signs of life. The azure flame of the candle was all they found, as dread set into their bones. Not much was spoken of what they experienced, but they would say that the right thing to do was to burn it all down; the homestead and the haunted woods nearby, to cleanse the grounds.

A year later, the gold rush would hit and bring with it many men looking for fame and fortune. Despite the blazing fire that was set, the woods had somehow returned to full bloom. New stories now emerged, as these lands now saw far more traffic than ever before. Such stories of men disappearing, in mysterious storms while seeking the gold that may be held in that ground. They would say that something lived in those woods, unnatural in origin but somehow in-tune with the trees that seemed to bear such human qualities. Maybe they were protecting something, seeing the Albertsons and every such individual as threats. Or perhaps, like a dragon, hoarding the local gold for themselves; like a predator, stalking the night for all those who might try to take it away. Odd specters that could summon a storm to hunt, and willing to make even women and children disappear into the very trees themselves.

Some saw an azure flame that burned in the window of an old cabin there, and had heard some strange story from the nearby town. They knew to flee, whereas those who never heard the tale or didn't believe in it...were simply never heard from again. Some say that every once in a while, at the right time of night, you can see the Albertson candle flicker in the window. It is all that was left of Samantha, trying to call her family back home...but inviting something else instead. It will invite you as well if you see it, calling a storm forth as you might just become part of the mystery of those woods as well.