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Shavertown
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Shavertown |
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Dragoness Senior Member
since 1999-08-07
Posts 513 |
A fierce wind blew in. The tree swaying in time to the beat of the storm. Sitting home, I watched as the storm rolled in. We were in for a gully washer. I love the storms, but this one was going to be bad. I had plans to leave in the morning for a meeting. Now that had to be put off. You never know what a sudden storm like this could do. The day had been rather dull. Overcast, dreary. It was a day like any other. Nothing much happens here. I've lived in these mountains for the past 9 years. I was formally from New York City. I tired of the rat race and was looking for rest and relaxation. I thought the Mountains would be just that. The dogs and cats, they loved the great outdoors. Me, I loved the openness and tranquillity to be found here. That was at first. Never having been a homeowner before. I was amazed at the challenge I had unwittingly opened my self up to. There was grass to be mowed, but first a lawn mower to buy. House repairs that the landlord, me, had to fix. The daily ins and outs of owning a home. Then there were the neighbors. An odd lot of people, Most like myself, looking for the quiet life. Others were born and raised here. Never knowing to life I had chosen to leave behind. But not happy in the life they had. I had neighbors in the city, but city life lends to isolation. Everyone had their own place in life and don't get in their way while living it. These neighbors were different; they were concerned for each other. Wanting to be part of each other's life. I had never appreciated that. I had been a loner all my life. The few friends I had were the type to leave me be. If they heard from me great, if not that was OK too. Another aspect of being a homeowner. The storm was picking up in intensity now. I could feel the house shudder with the wind. Lightening in sheets and bolts lit up the night sky. Nature, at her most beautiful. The house is in a valley, surrounded by mountains, a small creek runs behind the house. I've caught dinner there many nights. The thunder rumbles down the mountains shaking the house with it fury. This storm was different. Powerful, almost vengeful, you could feel the electricity, smell the rains to come. I'm used to being alone so that was not what bothered me about this night. It was the eerie feeling of something more to come. Like the feeling you get after a horror movie. I decided to shut the lights out and turn the computer off. Nothing like watching a storm in the dark. You can really appreciate it more that way. Sitting in the dark in front of the main window, a glass of Merlot in hand, just watching nature's display. The traffic had all but stopped for the night. Only the occasional car in passing, it's odd how the lights play on the walls as they pass. I noticed the headlights approaching; it seemed odd that they didn't swerve around the walls as they normally did. Must be stopping here. I was excepting anyone, but in this kind of storm, maybe a passing motorist got lost. I went to the door to see what I could do. I was looking forward to a night alone watching the storm. I could only hope to get these people, whom ever they were on their way quickly. On the step stood a young couple. The boy, he couldn't have been more than 18, looked worn and tired. The girl, looking much younger was pale and drawn. Both were soaked from the walk from their car to my door. Obviously they had been on the road a long time. "Hey, Like were lost. You know where to find a motel in this area?" the boy asked. Now this is the middle of nowhere. The nearest motel is a spare room and the MacCombers house. "Sorry, there aren't any." Both looked crestfallen. "But come on in the get dry. Maybe you can call to where you're going and they can help." After handing them towels and getting them some coffee, I offered them the phone. Since it was none of my business I left them to it. A few minutes later they said there was no response from their friend's phone. I thought the lines might be down, always a possibility in this area. The girl started to cry. Now I'm as hardhearted as they come, but there was something about these two that pulled on my old and rusty heartstrings. "You can wait out the storm here." I heard myself saying. Now where did that come from? "Thanks, but we don't want to put you out." "Oh you won't be." Was that Me again, Mister hard ass? Must be the storm. I got them settled in the spare room for the night. And after thanking me, off to bed they went. I went back out to the living room to resume my storm watch. I had the strangest feeling of being watched, turning I saw the room was empty. Still the feeling persisted; I chalked it up to the kids in the house. I must have dozed on the couch for a while. When I awoke the storm had blown it out. I noticed the first lights of dawn creeping over the mountain. It was going to be a beautiful day; I went outside to see what damage the storm had done. The kid's car was in the drive. A beat up old ford pick-up nothing unusual, except that it was a 1934,odd car for a couple of kids. There was enough rust of that thing to give you a case of tetanus just by walking past it. A cab full on cans and leaves in the front, and twigs and trash in the bed. OK so they were slobs. I'd been know to be that way myself on occasion. Well time to get them up and out. I went back in to start some coffee. Turning on the lights in the kitchen, no electric. Must be lines down. Picking up the phone to call the electric company, just a line full of static. Just great I thought. No electric, no phone. Going to the spare room, I found the door opened. Knocking, I pushed the door fully open. The room was empty the bed still made from the night before. Strange, where were the kids? They couldn't have passed me. There's only one way out of the house. Going back through the house I checked all the rooms, no one there. I went back outside, the truck was gone too. How did they get past me, why did they leave so suddenly? Turning back to the house I noticed a slip of paper on the walkway. It was directions to their friend's house. The address was in Shavertown. I had never heard of Shavertown before. In the house I found the girls purse, only make-up and a school id, no pictures or wallet. I decided to drive to their friend's house and return the purse. When I got back in the house the electric and phone were back on. I forgot about the purse until later that evening. Well, I'm sure it must be important to her so I got in the car and followed the directions. Having never been to Shavertown, I was surprised to find my self at the reservoir. But Shavertown was no where to be seen. I stopped at the local gas station to ask directions. The kid at the pump looked at me oddly. "Mister, Shavertown has been gone for 50 years. It was buried under the reservoir when the flood came through here. The whole town was lost." "You must be mistaken." I said. " A couple of kids where at my house last night. They have friends there." If possible the kid looked paler still. "Ummm, sir. There's a story of a couple of kids that got caught in the flood and drowned that night. Shavertown is now under the reservoir. Story has it that on nights you can see the lights and the people who were lost in the flood, you must have been visited by their ghost." I thought the boy was a little off. I got back in my car and started the ride home. Going around the reservoir I remember what he had said. I pulled the car to the side of the road and walked to the edge of the resevior. It was a moon less night but clear. A thousand stars lit the night sky. Looking over the reservoir I could see their reflections. Or was it the lights of Shavertown. I know I wasn't alone on that stretch of road. I'll never know what truly happened that rainy night but I wonder, of all the lost lives why these two. And why me. ------------------ Set you heart free and your mind will follow. |
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| © Copyright 1999 Dragoness - All Rights Reserved | |||
Saxoness
since 1999-07-18
Posts 1102Texas |
I loved it! Very nice, Dragoness, very nice. ------------------ "Glory remains unaware of my neglected dwelling where alone I sing my tearful song which has charms only for me." -Charles Brugnot |
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DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
Excellent soul-sister, ghosts are a sure fire way to pique my interest. ------------------ Shall I indulge in flights of fancy hampered by clipped wings? DreamEvil© |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
Very nice read, I enjoyed this!  ------------------ "Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with." *Mark Twain* |
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