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This cave looks creepy! The echo seems to come from some hideous spirits. I don't feel right about this Sam, Emelia whispered.
Come on Emmie, its just a deserted cave not a vampire nest, Sam said laughing. He poked the log fire with a dry branch he was holding.
They had planned for this outing with four other friends and everyone of them had been looking forward to making the trip to the "lost town forest" as they popular called the Erkland forest about 30 miles outside Sherrytown. But two days before the appointed day, Jeremy, Annie, Bobby and Kate had pulled out due to a story they heard about the forest from Mark. "Its an enchanted woody place guys, i bet you won't want to be within 10 miles of it after dusk. Its haunted". Mark has warned them but Sam who has been so keen on making the trip since it will give him some privacy with Emelia laughed it off. " I believe you heard it as one of your bedtime stories Mark, it can't even scare a two year old". Despite warnings from their friends, Sam eventually convinced Emelia to make the trip with him.
They had taken a cab about 3 miles up the path that led to the forest and after about an hour and half walk through thickly-wooded land, they sighted a break in the vegetation, pushing further ahead, they espied the mouth of a cave. It was partly covered by cobwebs that ran from the roof of the cave and seems hooked to the floor of the cave by unseen tiny pegs. It was so dark as far as the eyes can see and was so quiet one would think the wind does not travel over it. Stepping in they found the floor was covered partly with stones and stripes of coarse sand.
Unpack the bags, while i get some dry woods, Sam said to Emelia who looked as if she will fold into herself.
Okay... But make it quick, i can't bear standing in here alone for half a minute Sammy, she whispered.
Stay calm Emmie, the cave has a mouth but it won't bite, okay?
Okay, she said scarcely beyond a whisper.
Sam smiled and walked off.
He returned some minutes later with a bunch of dried branches. It was already past dusk so they lit a fire, to keep warm and lighten up the dark cave. They kept close to the mouth of the cave and avoided the far end of the cave which presently, they can't see it end. The night breeze blew casually among the trees and kept them waving their leaves about like a sea of a million handkerchiefs. Fire flies moved in armies haphazardly like a mass of drunken pilots in a flight circus.
You know, i was scared you would not agree to come with me. At least not with a yearn like the one Mark was flinging around, Sam said.
Emelia smiled.
You are not entirely wrong Sammy she said. I was actually thinking of.. She broke off suddenly. They heard a shrieking sound coming from the far end of the cave and it stopped immediately it started like someone placed a strong gag over the mouth of the person.
What was that? Emelia asked wide eyed. With the balls looking as if it will pop out of her head. She held tightly to Sam who she felt was shivering lightly.
They stood as if transfixed to the spot, gazing at the direction where the sound came from. Suddenly it started again but this time, it was a squealing noise and it kept coming closer, gradually but closer until their eyes catch a dark shadow rising from the floor on the right side of the cave. Its seems to grow taller with every inch the sound takes towards them. The shadow grew until it touched the roof of the cave. It was shaped like a being, with two long horns and the hands seems to be fixed as if it was crouching and preparing to leap.
Suddenly it came to a halt, and seems to be sniffing the air.
I told you i don't feel right Sammy, its a monster's lair! Emelia whispered.
Oh! I don't want to get eaten alive! She said with tears dripping down her face.
Quick! Put of the fire! Sammy said. He shaked her out of her shock and the heaped sands on the fire. After putting it out, they jumped behind a rock on the left side of the cave dragging their bags along and bent low to the ground.
As if it sense the way was clear, the shadow crept forward until stood almost opposite the rock were the hid. Sam made a move to peer over the rock and see what monster it was but Emelia held him down, and shaking her head. He placed a finger over her lips and peeped over the rock. For some minutes, he stood in that position, mouth wide opened with eyes staring widely. There was a look of surprised and shock written over his face.
Finally! He has seen the monster! Emelia thought. Mark was right after all, this place if haunted.
Suddenly, Sam burst out laughing. He laughed so much that Emelia was startled and thought the fear of what he saw has finally got a hold of his brain. But Sam kept on laughing and pointing at the direction of the shadow.
Emelia raised her head a bit above the rock and peeped towards where the shadow was. What she saw made her smiled unconsciously.
She saw a squirrel, squatting on it tail and eating the cookies that lay scattered about which they left in their haste to hide. It looked at both of them and continued chewing merrily.
Surely this place is haunted! Sam said laughing. Its haunted by squirrels. Taking a flashlight, he jumped out of the rock which made the squirrel scuttle back towards the cave end. He got their flashed his light towards the end and found a lot of them scuttling through a hole at the roof of the cave out into the forest outside.
Emelia was the first to wake up. She found out the sun was already up and looking some feet on the other side of the ash of the burnt out wood Sam was sleeping soundly. Remembering what happened during the night, she smiled broadly. What a cheeky squirrel she thought.
She walked to the entrance of the cave and hearing some voices coming towards them, she kept still and listened.
Come on you fellows! We have missed a night of the adventure already. I can see the cave up ahead!
Emelia almost shouted for joy. It was Jeremy's voice.
Coming here wasn't so bad after all, she thought, smiling.