The Candle

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. I hope I don't have to commit to this... but my partner is always fascinated by abandoned buildings and the stories that surround them. As he stood up to explore further I exclaimed, "I really don't want to do this!". He looked at our friend, who couldn't help herself but to tag along, she stated, "i think your girlfriend is right... wouldn't it be trespassing?", I had to interject here and inform her, "technically speaking there aren't any trespassing laws in England." as I finish I realize he's already gone to the door and then opens it. I rush over to take position behind him whispering, "what if someone is in there?", he calmly replies, "your research hasn't been wrong before."

Gaz went in first, we followed after he confirmed it was safe. As I walked in Gaz stated, "see Val, you haven't been wrong yet". Debbie quickly corrected him by stating, "then who lit the candle?" after a pause for thought Gaz replied, "I'm not sure, but it doesn't seem like anyone has been here in like.. well forever." The light from the candle flickered and suddenly there was a bang, we all lightly gasped, we turned to the sound... but luckily it was just a breeze that took a window off its hook. Gaz laughed it off nervously, Debbie was so frightened by the noise she was clinging to Gaz's arm but she casually let go, I just looked over and then went to the door to shut it, I explained: "that'll stop the wind flow".

After a while, we managed to settle down and realized that no one is coming back but they still didn't know who lit the candle or why. Gaz started to explore, going through draws just seeing what he could find meanwhile, Debbie was sat down with a cigarette, then patting her pockets, stood up and asked Gaz, "have you still got my lighter?", Gaz Replied as he continued searching, "um no, I don't think so, here just use mine." and blindly passes her the lighter. as Debbie sparks up, I ask, "if you're not taking that outside, could you at least leave the room?" I'll be honest it was more of a demand, she smiled, looked at Gaz, "Gaz you coming?", Gaz still in his element replied, "na not yet, it looks like this cabin belonged to a hunter last might be able to find something really interesting." her smile slowly dropped, sharply replying, "fine." after she leaves, I open a draw and find a plain black covered book, I called Gaz over and without hesitation opened the book and sat by the Candle.

after returning from the toilet, I started to get bored as he engrossed himself reading the book, he explained the book was about capturing animals and preparing them for sacrifice. he seemed to suddenly come to his senses, realizing that we should check on Debbie, I reluctantly agreed. He called her name but no response, which concerned him because this was a small cabin. Gaz went and checked the other room.

as soon as he opened the door, he screamed and spoke with panic, "WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE NOW!" I rush over to see, Debbie lying on the ground with her chest torn open... Gaz was shaking the door confused as to why it wouldn't open, he continued, not knowing what else to do, "WHY WON'T IT OPEN!", I started looking through the draws near the door, "We need to find a key, it must have locked when we closed it", he starts tearing through the draws, checking them and throwing them aside eventually he decides to call the police, as I continue searching for the key, I explain, "You won't get any signal here, just find the key." he tries anyway but after many unsuccessful attempts he decided to put his phone away and starting searching around the window with the candle but instead of finding a key, he finds Debbie's lighter.

I found the key and escaped on my own but I knew I was safe now, they would never hurt anyone else, the way they hurt me!