My friends and I had decided that going camping in Glacier National Park over the first long weekend was a good idea. My boyfriend, Blain, had instigated it all, saying that it wouldn't be a problem, that everything would be fine. When he told my best friend, Kristina, and her boyfriend Alexander, they loved the idea, so I thought, hey, if they have no problem, why don't I just go along with it too.
Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Gwendolyn, but you can call me Gwen. I am a freshman in college as an English major, and when I graduate I'm going to become a famous author, or at least that's the plan. Well, enough about me, now onto the real story.
After getting up at 3 A.M., I trudged myself out the door. I met everyone outside and we all got into Alexander’s beat up Toyota Starlet, the once red paint had faded to this pink, which Alexander called “light red”. Once we were all squished in, we started up the road, Kristina in the passenger seat next to Alexander and Blain and I in the back. The scenery was gorgeous, the tall pine trees casting their shadows across the country road.
We past a sign saying, “Now Entering Glacier National Park”, the sign looked old, the paint fading. Soon after the sign, we turned onto a gravel road, the pot holes felt like ditches as we were tossed around in the car like sailor’s in a boat on rough seas. Slowing down, Alexander pulled over and stopped.
“Here we are guys, the starting point of our hike to the saddle of Silver Mountain,” Alexander said joyfully.
“So, this is it, huh?” Blain muttered.
Kristina kissed Alexander and sarcastically I said, “Krissy, Xander, get a room.”
“We would, but all available rooms on Silver Mountain seem to be taken, sorry Gwen,” Kristina joked back.
We set out on our way up, some conversation arose, but nothing really interesting, the trees looking taller than ever as we hiked past them. The sky was veiled behind the pines needles, the setting sun burning their color orange. We finally arrived at the saddle after nightfall, we set up our tents, Blain and I in one, Kristina and Alexander in the other.
After everyone was settled we made a fire, and cooked supper, yum, camp baked beans and over done hot dogs, without the bun. Afterwards we told stories around the camp fire, Alexander’s was cheesy, not even worth mentioning, Kristina couldn’t think of anything, my story wasn’t that good, which is too bad. Then there was Blain’s, and his I will retell.
“There once was a small town, just north of Glacier National Park, the town’s name has been long forgotten, however, the legacy it left behind isn’t.” Blain paused for a moment, then continued, “The town was plagued by mysterious deaths, the people were slashed up, their bodies mutilated, except for some, who just simply vanished. One person, a man by the name of Dwain Wilcox, got away, telling the surrounding communities wild stories of creatures in black.
“‘You really think there are these “shadows”, as you call them, out there don’t you?’ said one townsperson, ‘why should we believe you? Why shouldn’t we think it was just bears?’ but Mr. Wilcox had no answer, so he was thrown out of the town. The next night, creatures cloaked in black, with claws that were sharp enough to cut diamonds, descended upon the town, creatures like the one’s Mr. Wilcox had described, most of the people were killed, the shadow’s claws sinking deep, however, some were taken.
“Ever since the town was attacked, there have been reported citings of these ‘shadow’ creatures. They say they still wander the mountains, looking for Dwain Wilcox, tearing animals limb from limb, and taking people at night, leaving no trace but an empty bed.” Blain finished.
I sat shivering by his side, my imagination running wild with thoughts of the shadow coming to get us, slicing us up with their claws. I looked at Blain and said, “Babe, never tell that story again.”
“Gwen, it’s just a ghost story, there’s nothing to worry about, nothing is going to happen to us,” Blain said back.
“Okay,” my voice shivered as I spoke.
“Well, on that note, I think we all should get to bed,” Alexander said, interrupting the brief silence.
We all went to our tents, Blain and I crawled into our sleeping bags and after a short kiss good night, I fell fast asleep. My dreams where haunted by the tall black creatures, chasing after us, sweeping over the land effortlessly.
I woke gasping from my nightmare. The sun was out, just barely over the top of the mountain. Wait, I didn’t leave the tent door open. I look over to Blains sleeping bag, but the bag just lay there empty. My thoughts went to “oh, he’s just out getting fire wood” and “maybe he had to go to the bathroom”, but then I stepped outside the tent.
A struggle had taken place just outside. The pine needled forest floor was disturbed more than just normal walking, like someone was dragged, kicking, from the tent. Blood, there was a trail of blood, I screamed. Kristina and Alexander came running as fast as possible.
“What is it?” Kristina asked.
“Are you okay?” asked Alexander.
“B-b-Blain, h-h-he’s g-gone!” I stuttered from fright.
Alexander chuckled, “he can’t be, he’s probably out on a walk or something.”
I shook my head and pointed to the blood spots on the ground. Alexander’s eyes darted in the direction I pointed, and then he stumbled backward.
“It… It can’t be. This can’t be real…” exclaimed Alexander.
By then, Kristina, gaping, had found the blood stains too. The shock was almost too much for the three of us. We packed up quickly, not wasting anytime. I grabbed my cell phone and dialed 911, but I was out of service range.
“Krissy, Xander, can either of you get cell coverage up here?” I asked hurriedly.
“No. We’ve both tried.” Said Alexander flatly, “I think for the sake of our safety we should stay together from now on.”
“Agreed.” Both Kristina and I said.
We started down hill, but then it begun to snow heavily, within just a couple hours there was a foot and a half blanketing the ground. We didn’t get very far before we had to camp for the night. We started a good fire and turned on the battery-powered space heater that we had.
Soon night fell, the moon’s eerie glow cast upon the canopy above. All three of us huddled together for warmth. And from the warmth we all fell asleep.
Shadows of Montana is a Copyright of 6 Gun Quota. ©2009, all rights reserved.
 6 gun quota · Sat Aug 29, 2009 @ 04:47pm · 0 Comments |
