Excerpt of the first story
It was a hot Tuesday morning. We had started on Sunday. Just
two days left now.
We had to spend five days in the woods and if we came out
alive, we would have five million each. I needed the money badly, and so did my
other friends- Lucian and Ruth.
“Two more days. “I reminded my friends.
“As long as we aren’t eaten by lions.” Ruth replied quietly.
“As soon as I get that five million, I’ll buy Margaret a big
house and we’ll have twenty kids.” Lucian said.
Ruth snickered and patted him on the back. I looked back at
my friends and understood what they were doing. It was better to think about
the prize rather than the journey ahead of us. I was happy for Lucian. He and
Margaret had been neighbors and childhood sweethearts. But Margaret’s father
had never approved of their relationship because of Lucian’s financial status.
“I shall invest my five million in a factory.” Ruth said.
“What about you Phil?”
I looked at my friends as they waited for my answer. I
tapped my walking stick on a rock and stepped forward. I needed the money to
survive and that was all they needed to know.
At midday, we stopped and took a swig from our water
canteens. It was horrible, living in the woods, evading the ferocious wildlife
and being careful not to step on poisonous plants that dotted the area.
I thought back to what General Reginald had said. On a quiet
evening, over drinks, a wager had been made as the General had narrated a
horrific tale that had taken place in these very woods. We had taken turns
scoffing at the legend until General Reginald had leaned forward and challenged
us to spend five nights in the woods.
“Five million each.” He said, sipping from his glass. “A
million for each night spent in the woods.”
“Where will you get the money from?” Ruth had asked in a
drunken stupor.
“I have a lot of property in my name.” The General had replied
imperturbably.
I had watched this happen, unable to decline the offer as my
friends jumped in at the chance to win some easy money. They had looked at me
then and I was unable to back out.
Now glancing at our torn clothes and the cuts and bruises on
our skin, I wished I had shown the nerve to speak out then. This wasn’t a good
idea.
Suddenly, we heard a noise.
“What was that?” Lucian asked.
“It may be a woodcutter whistling.” Ruth replied quickly.
I started to feel nervous and wiped my palms on my dirty
shirt. I watched as Ruth pushed the leaves away and walked forward. We followed
him with trepidation and I prayed that it wasn’t a lion.
“I think I see something.” Ruth said and Lucian and I
exchanged anxious glances.
“What?” I asked in a shaky voice.
“Something bad will
happen in the woods. Something strange and unexplainable. Few have survived to
tell of their tales.” The General had warned us.
I swallowed as Ruth moved forward to inspect. I glanced at
Lucian and saw him holding on tight to the strap of a bag that held our food.
Ruth came back several minutes later with a confused look on
his face. “I was pretty sure I saw something.”
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