Chapter 7: Checkers the Demon Horse of Lake In Wood


Right after Josh and his friend Kayla, while Charlie was tied to a tree, defeated the mysterious owner and freed the true owner of the campground, something strange started to happen to one of Lake In Woods` oldest residents, the horse Checkers. As Kayla goes to get Charlie who is tied to a tree Josh is seeing what is going on with Checkers.

“Whoa boy,” said one of the three guys holding the rope tied to Checkers’ neck just as Josh ran up to the fence.
“What the heck is going on here,” yelled Josh jumping over the fence.
“Run kid. Get out of here,” screamed a second guy holding Checkers, “It isn’t safe to be here.” Checkers swung his body sending all three men flying. Josh watched amazed as the somewhat skinny, small and weak looking horse sprouts huge muscles growing bigger and bigger, his eyes turned fiery red, as his mane grew halfway down his back. When Checkers saw Josh he immediately charged. Josh jumped out of the way as the fence holding Checkers broke by the demon horse’s weigh, and then the once peaceful horse disappeared into the woods. Josh swears as Checkers charged he saw someone on Checkers riding him right before passing out.
That’s when Kayla rode up with Charlie on her bike, “Great,” Charlie said, “First he ties me to a tree now he’s laying down relaxing when there’s supposed to be trouble.”
When Kayla saw Josh on the ground she ran over to him, picks up his head and yelled, “Josh. Oh my god! Josh wake up.”
Josh opened his eyes forcing out the words, “Checkers. Evil. Stop him.” Then closed his eyes once again.

In all the rush and trouble, someone called the police, the hospital and animal control. Josh immediately entered the ambulance as soon as it got on the scene. The doctors said he was lucky, Josh only had a broken arm that they fixed right away by putting it in a cast, a few cuts, some scrapes, and a bump on the head. He was told to stay in bed to help let himself heal. He finally told what happened to Charlie and Kayla, but their reactions differed, Charlie wanted to find Checkers while Kayla doesn’t, she would rather stay by Josh’s side because he is hurt and can’t help anyway. After a few minutes in bed back at Josh’s trailer his mom came in, “Andrew and Ryan are here to see you.” Charlie was in a panic.
“But they’re dead,” he said his face going pale.
“No you moron,” snapped Josh, “Different people. If I wasn’t hurt I’d punch you.”
Ryan and Andrew walked into the room with Andrew, a medium tall good sized kid with short brown hair was going nuts asking Josh so many questions making Josh’s head hurt even more. Ryan was being his weirdly quiet because usually he won’t shut up; he is short and skinny with blond hair.
In the middle of the visit the animal control truck came rushing past Josh’s trailer. “I guess they found Checkers,” said Charlie, “Lets go.”
Andrew asked, “Go where?”
“To stop the horse before anyone else gets hurt,” Kayla said looking Josh’s way.
Ryan looked puzzled, “Are you sure you can handle it?”
Charlie laughs, “We’ve handled worse.”
“We’ll go with you,” Andrew volunteered.
“Yeah,“ Ryan agreed.
“Wait I’m coming with you guys,” said Josh trying to get up.
“No you’re not,” Kayla said calmly although her voice was shaking, “You’re sitting this one out.”
“But,” tried Josh.
“NO” Kayla demanded yelling at the top of her lungs, “YOU ARE NOT GOING I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU SAY.”
She stormed out of the room with Andrew and Charlie following, but Ryan hung back, “Don’t worry we can handle this one without you. I think,” He left the trailer with Josh regretting that he can’t help.
They sped up the hill and around the bend on their bikes with Kayla looking back making sure Josh is not doing anything stupid like following them as he is known to do stuff like that. As they get to the top of the hill the group looked up the new road that has just been made to expand the campground and saw the animal control trucks, they nod to each other to tell that they agree to go that way. Up the new road they go to see the evil Checkers surrounded by animal control guys. “Fire,” yelled the leader to the rest of the animal control people as they shot at Checkers with tranquilizer darts. The darts just bounced off. Checkers angry that he was hit by those pesky darts charged the group of people. Luckily they got out of the way so nobody is hurt, but Checkers gets away.
The animal control leader saw Kayla, Andrew, Charlie, and Ryan standing there. He walked over to them yelling that it is dangerous around here. Kayla just said, “Whatever,” as they mounted their bikes and sped after Checkers.
The demonic horse ran down the road with the teenagers following, he cut left all of the sudden towards the lake. Kayla, Andrew, Charlie, and Ryan left their bikes behind as they ran through the woods to the lake. “He is going to the lake,” yelled Ryan.
“What is with the lake in this place everything happens by that stupid lake,” commented Kayla. When they arrive at the lake the sun started to set. They could now see a shadowy figure riding the demon horse Checkers.
Andrew asked, “ What is that thing?”
“Don’t know,” replied Kayla, “But we have to get it off of Checkers to save him.”
“That’s right,” said a familiar voice behind them. They turned around and standing there is Josh with his arm in a sling. “I saw that when Checkers first charged at me,” said Josh, “so all we have to do is knock that thing off.”
The mysterious rider saw the five of them and gave chase back into the woods. As they ran Andrew noticed a low branch pass through the rider giving him an idea. Andrew ran towards a big flat rock in the woods people use as a landmark, he yelled just as the evil horse catches up to Ryan. The rider turned around checkers, just as the horse is about to stomp Andrew he jumped out of the way. The demonic horse tripped over the rock and falls, the rider is thrown off towards a tree, but disappeared before impact. Josh, Kayla, Charlie Andrew, and Ryan watched as the big threatening demon horse changed back to the smaller less threatening Checkers that all residents of Lake In Wood know and love. They all ran up to Andrew when Kayla starts on Josh.
“And you,” she yelled “What are you doing out of bed in your condition.”
“I…” He starts, “um.”
“How stupid are you. We didn’t need your help Andrew did it all.”
Charlie standing behind Kayla snickered at Josh. Josh said angered, “Shut up.”
“You are not telling me to shut up are you?” Kayla yelled.
“No I was talking to Charlie. He’s laughing at me,” stammered Josh, “Look at him.”
“Now you’re going to argue with me.”
There is a sound in the behind them as the animal control guys came running through the woods. The leader said, “What are you kids doing and where is that big stallion.”
“We don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Charlie putting his hand on Checkers’ side, “Only thing like that here is this horse.”
That is when the owner of the campground Mr. Bakker showed up, “What is going on here,” he demanded, “You kids come here I want to talk to you.”
“What happened here,” Mr. Bakker said to Josh only, “Is it happening again, has the weird stuff started again?”
Josh just nodded his head and looked at Kayla, who looked away still angry with him. He looked at Charlie still grinning about Kayla scolding him. Finally he looked at Ryan and Andrew who have no idea what is going on. Then he looked back at Mr. Bakker and said, “Yes it’s started again.”
“What started again,” Andrew demanded.
“Yeah,” said Ryan
Charlie grins turning to the two of them, “Looked like we have two more to explain all of this mess to.”
“Yeah. We do,“ Josh smiled and thought, “I guess this is my crew now. Together we will do whatever it takes to stop whatever is causing these messes.”

Chapter 8: The Evil Game

“Cool they got a new game,” said Josh running into the game room with his friends Charlie, Kayla, Ryan, and Andrew. In his hand a fresh crisp five-dollar bill. He looked at the machine that was five long booths in arranged in a star shape, the tops connected by a weird box. Nothing was happening so the group decided to go to the game room. The campground owner was there to see that the person who was installing the machine was doing what he was supposed to do. He was a weird man installing the game, he was in all black had black hair and sunglasses even though it is somewhat dark in the game room. “When will it be ready,” asked Josh.
“It’s ready,” said the weird man in a booming voice as he hooked up the last wire, “Want to be the first to try it kids. Just remember to quit just take off the gear, but you won’t want to quit.” He laughed an evil laugh as he walked out the door.
“Why not. I’m in,” Charlie said not a bit disturbed by the laugh.
“Sure,” said both Andrew and Ryan at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed.
Kayla is not sure, “I don’t know.”
“Come on,” argued Josh then he smiled, “You just know you can’t beat the master of all games.”
“Oh really,” Kayla said obviously annoyed, ”Remember the time I whooped your worthless butt in a video game.”
“I let you win,” Josh came back.
“Fine,” Kayla argued again, “Put your money in and lets play.”
Everyone was about to put their money in the machine when Josh offered to pay for all of them. They thought it is a miracle that it was on Josh, but they all agree and Josh put the money in. Everybody gets in a booth strapped themselves in, put on the gear, gloves boots, and a helmet; then they all pressed the start button. With a flash of light the character select screen appeared, Josh picked the path of a warrior with a huge sword, “Heck Yeah,” he said.
Kayla seeing Josh’s pick chose the warrior princess trying to top Josh, she was armed with a whip. Andrew picked the strong man, who has no weapon but can pick up objects and throw them; also he can charge at enemies to defeat them with physical attacks. Charlie wanting the warrior, but Josh beat him to it picked the magician who can cast powerful magic spells. Finally, Ryan who saw everyone else’s’ pick chose the role of guardian, armed with a huge shield.
After making their choices they found themselves in a round dark stone room that smelled like death, the walls raised so high the roof could not be seen, if there was a roof. “Wow this game is so real,” said Andrew, “You can actually smell this stinky room.”
“You can feel the cold and dampness on the walls too,” Ryan said.
Charlie looked disappointed, “When will something happen. This is boring.”
As he spoke those words out of the ground came ten skeletons with daggers. First they cower then Andrew charged, Josh pulled out his sword then charged too and Kayla pulled her whip from her side. They defeated the skeletons easy, but not before one cut Kayla with its dagger, Charlie yelled and a blast of lightning hit the skeleton. “Wow,” Charlie said surprised, “I learned one of my powers.”
Kayla was yelling, “It hurts.”
“How can it hurt,” Josh said annoyed, “This is a game.”
“I think she really is hurt,” Ryan said sounding concerned, “let’s quit.”
Josh is angered by this, “Fine you guys can quit, but I’m staying to get my moneys’ worth out of this.”
Josh turned his back to them as they reached to take off their gloves and helmets, but something was not right when they go to quit, they are still in the game. Josh turned around seeing that they are still there; “You’re still here?”
“We tried to take off our helmets, but we can’t exit the game,” Charlie said.
“That is right,” a booming oddly familiar voice from above said startling them all, but they can’t put their finger on who it is, “You are trapped. If you want out you must beat the game, but the threats are real because if you die here you are dead in real life.”
“You can’t do this,” yelled Ryan.
“Yes I can,” the voice called, “You will be the first to go.” A ball of dark energy flew at Ryan, as an instinct he raises his shield. The blast bounced off the shield into the unknown abyss above. A light appeared from above, the five of them entered the light, when they step into the light knowledge flows into all of their heads they learned all the secrets of their characters from strengths to special abilities.
Charlie walked up to Kayla and said, “Let me help.” He put his hand upon her wound, started to concentrate then the wound is gone. Charlie found his ability to heal.
“Great now that that’s handled how do we get out of here,” said Ryan.
“Leave that to me,” said Andrew. He walked around the room looking at the wall. Finally he stopped, looked at the wall, puts his arm back, and punches the wall. “We have a door.”
“Wow,” Ryan claimed excited, “How did you know to hit it right there?”
“I saw a light coming through a crack so I figured that’s the way out.”
They walked through the opening in the wall, the five of them were in a cave that looked familiar to Josh, Kayla, and Charlie it had a bowl shape in the center and was surrounded by caves large and small. “Oh my god,” exclaimed Kayla, “We’re back in the cave where we fought the lake creatures.”
“It can’t be,” said Josh, “It was destroyed.”
“This is a game remember,” Charlie taunted.
There was a noise in the largest tunnel surrounding them. Out of the cave came the long necked lake monster. Charlie exclaimed, “We killed this thing once and we can do it again, beside we have these powers this time.” They all charged at the creature, Josh swung his sword, Kayla cracked her whip, Charlie blasted the monster with bolts of lightning, Andrew started punching with super strength and Ryan rammed it with his shield. After a few attacks the monster roared and fell over dead. Then a round opening of light appeared. Our heroes looked through it and saw woods. Ryan put his finger through it and then stepped through completely with the others following him. As soon as they were all through the portal it sealed behind them. They were in familiar woods by the lake with an open hole in front of them. Josh recognized where they are at once, he exclaimed, “We’re at the grave of the psycho.” That was when from behind some trees the psycho and his zombie minions appeared. Scared the five of them started to run away when they remembered that they have powers. The five of them turned around attacking the psycho and his zombie companions destroying them one by one until none are left. Again behind them a portal appeared leading to what looked like a messy office with machine parts and a huge computer on the desk. Kayla recognized this one it is the mysterious owner’s office, as soon as he appeared Josh, Kayla, Charlie, Andrew, and Ryan jumped him.
Ryan said, “This game is pretty easy.” As the mysterious owner disappeared, That is when they heard the high pitch wine of a horse as Checkers the demon horse as he busts through the door to the game room, without even thinking Kayla swung her whip beheading the virtual demon pony. They walked through the door into the game room to find the guy who was installing the cursed gamed. In the capsules of the game each of them could see themselves lying there.
“About time you get here,” he exclaimed, “I am game master and now it is time for all of you to die.”
Josh said, “Hey I thought I was the master of all games.”
He started to transform into a giant monster green with six tentacles, one eye, and a gaping hole for a mouth. He picked up all of the Josh and his friends each with one tentacle put them in his mouth swallowing them whole. Luckily Charlie before being swallowed put a barrier around him, then released a furious thunder spell from inside the monster blowing him up from the inside out, green slime splattered everywhere. Then with a brilliant flash of light and all of them were back in the capsules. All the capsules slid open as the five of them wake up. There in front of the capsules was a pile of green slime, Ryan looked at it and said, “Gross that’s all that’s left of him.”
“Yep,” said Andrew.
“Lets go see Mr. Bakker to tell him what happened,” Josh suggested.
“Wait,” Kayla snapped, “It’s your fault we got stuck in that game. Everything is your fault. I wish I haven’t met up with you again when I came back.” She yelled this at the top of her lungs at Josh.
Josh yelled back, “What is your problem we are all safe okay. If you don’t like this tough you can leave.”
Kayla does, she bursts out of the room running back towards her site as the rest of them go to get the campground’s owner Mr. Klaas Bakker.

Josh, Charlie, Andrew, and Ryan went into the office to retrieve the owner of Lake In Wood. As they entered the game room the whole group is shocked to find the slime puddle gone with slimy footprints leading out the door. As if the goo formed itself into human form then walked out the door.

Chapter 9:The creatures of the lake Return: Mutant Pool

Kayla is starting to get concerned, Josh has been reckless, dangerous and out of control. She is afraid that he might get himself or all of them killed while fighting the weirdness. It is around eight o’clock, after an argument with Josh she went to relax at the pool.

“Stupid Josh,” Kayla said to herself entering the pool complex, “First he got us to search for that lake creature, then his zombie friends almost turned us all into zombies.” She put her towel on a lounge chair and continued to herself, “After that he just about got us brainwashed, then after that he insists on going after Checkers while hurt, worse of all because of him we almost got trapped in that dang game.” By this time her shorts and shirt were on her chair revealing her black one piece bathing suit. Kayla crossed the bridge over the channel between the indoor and outdoor pool. After waving to the lifeguard she does a perfect dive into the pool off the diving platform. The phone rings by the pool, so the lifeguard went to answer it. After Kayla hits the water she started to feel weird, what looked like scales begin to appear on her body, she could feel herself losing control of her body. Kayla was like a puppet that someone or something was controlling. The force made her get out of the pool, it made her leave the pool complex heading towards the lake. The lifeguard didn’t even notice. Kayla could not fight it off no matter what she did. She went out on the dock at the lake and jumped into the water, with nobody around to see her jump nothing is done to stop her. Kayla sank to the bottom of the lake feeling more scales growing on her body, gills on her neck and claws on her hands. She screamed, but nobody could hear her as she changes more and sank into the darkness of the lake.

Meanwhile at Josh’s trailer Josh was there with Ryan, Andrew, and Charlie. “I don’t know who she thinks she is,” Josh said to the rest of the boys, “I am not reckless. Right Charlie?”
“Well,” Charlie started.
“Forget you,” Josh said to Charlie, “Andrew, Ryan what do you two think.”
Ryan replied “I’m staying the heck out of it.”
“Andrew,” Josh said shooting him a mean look. Andrew just shrugged his shoulders.
Josh is about to start yelling at his friends when Mr. Bakker pulled up in his golf cart. “It’s happening again, this time at the pool. People go in and start to act very strangely then disappear. Come on I’ll take you all there to check it out.” He looked around then asked, “Isn’t someone missing?”
“Yeah,” said Josh climbing on the golf cart, “She’s off elsewhere after being a major pain.”
They drove to the pool in complete silence, when they arrived at the pool that has been closed because of the disappearances. The group looked around when Ryan noticed a pile of clothes on one of the lounge chairs; “Hey isn’t this Kayla’s stuff.”
Andrew was right there by the poolside he turned around, “This is Kayla’s stuff.”
“Great now something happened to Kayla,” Josh yelled angered, “Somehow I’ll get blamed if anything happens to her.
Charlie ignored Josh; “ The pool looks normal. The only way to figure this mess out someone has to go in the water then the rest of us will watch what happens.”
Josh turned to Charlie, “You know that’s a good idea.” Josh gave Charlie a push into the water.
“What the heck! You didn’t have to use me,” Charlie yelled, “ Why didn’t you push Andrew or Ryan in.”
“You were closer,” said Josh with a wicked smile, “Do you feel anything?”
Without answering Charlie climbed out of the pool with a blank expression on his face. Yelling at him Andrew stepped in his way, but Charlie went right around him. Josh, Andrew and Ryan along with Mr. Bakker followed Charlie to the lake where he went into the water disappearing below the surface. Waiting for about ten minutes there was no sign of Charlie anywhere. “Maybe he came out of the lake on the other side and we didn’t see him,” Ryan suggested
“No,” said Josh, “He’s still down there, I know it. We have to go in.”
“How,” asked Andrew.
“Simple all we need is diving gear,” Josh said to the surprised Andrew and Ryan, “I’ve done it before right Mr. Bakker.
“Yes when you discovered those mutant fish creatures living in caves at the bottom of the lake.”
Ryan is angered, “I am not going in that lake, there are snapping turtles in that water. Plus those creatures and isn’t that where the psycho came from?
Andrew is now angered because of Ryan, “It’s either go into the lake to help stop this or have it happen to you.”
“It won’t happen to me because I’ll stay away from the pool,” Ryan shot back.
Josh jumped in; “This could spread to other water in the campground we have to stop this as soon as we can. Mr. Bakker lets go get someone in here with diving gear.” Josh, Andrew, and Mr. Bakker started to walk away.
“Wait,” Ryan yelled, “I’m coming too.”
Josh turned to Ryan, “Beside we took care of the psycho and those creatures.”
Ryan shook his head “And the snapping turtles?”
“We can’t do anything about them,” Josh replied.

The group called a diving company from Mr. Bakker’s office, they said that they will get there first thing in the morning at six bringing their best gear. Josh, Andrew, and Ryan got a ride back to their trailers on Mr. Bakker’s golf cart. The owner explained to all of their parents sitting together in front of a fire that they were doing a job for him and is sorry that they are back so late. The three boys went their separate ways to get rest because they have an early day tomorrow. Josh stopped at Charlie’s trailer and told his parents he is sleeping over for the night because he has to help with something first thing in the morning. Josh went back to his trailer, takes a quick shower, changes into his night clothing, set his alarm for five forty five and goes to sleep.

That night Josh had a strange dream. He was in a cave with Andrew and Ryan there was water dripping from all around, There was an oddly familiar looking rock floating above a pedestal of mud glowing brightly. He picked it up causing light to come out of it covering the cave walls traveling through all the caves. In the distance he heard people cheering. He pointed it at a lake creature on the ground that all of the sudden changed into Charlie. About to smash the rock another creature appeared. It said something but Josh can’t make it out. Josh pointed the rock at this new creature when another creature jumped from the ceiling knocking the stone out of Josh’s hand shattering it. That is when Kayla was laying there. She said something that Josh can’t make out then disappeared. Josh woke up in a cold sweat; he looked at the clock and saw that it is five forty three. He got up, got dressed, leaves a note for his parents telling them that he needs to help Mr. Bakker, then headed out the door never thinking that the dream may mean something.

Josh walked to the lake using a path that him and some old friends found behind the pavilion. As he got to the lake he saw a truck on the road near the lake, jogging now he got to the dock to see Andrew, and Ryan standing there. Looking at his watch Josh saw that it is exactly six. “They’re here early,” he said yawning.
“Yeah,” Andrew said,” I bet this is the earliest you’ve been awake.”
Mr. Bakker pulled up in his golf cart “There are three sets of diving gear right there, use them.”
The leader of the diving group was not too happy to hear this. He yelled at Mr. Bakker, “No these kids can’t go in. Leave this to the professionals.”
“Either you let them go in or you will not get paid a cent,” Mr. Bakker argued back.
“I’ll sue you for every penny you got.”
“You can’t do that because you agreed to do this for free.”
Losing that argument because of being tricked the leader backed off; Josh, Andrew, and Ryan got on their diving gear and entered the water. They dive to the bottom where the cave entrance was from last time Josh was in the lake. Josh reached down to touch the lake bottom where the cave entrance was covered over, amazingly his hand went right through the ground. He signaled for his friends. They traveled through the illusion of the lake floor into the caves below. The group exited out of the water into the familiar cave where they are surrounded by the lake creatures. The one from before that could speak speaks again he said, “So we meet again. Last time we met you thought you got rid of us, but you were wrong. We harnessed the power of the stone and used it to turn others like use who use your source of water for recreation.”
“The pool,” exclaimed Ryan. Then to Josh, “I thought you said you got rid of these guys.”
“Yes the pool,” The creature continued, “Everyone who enters will be mutated. Now it is your turn.” The creatures grabbed Josh, Andrew, and Ryan throwing them to a room with a wooden door and locked it from the outside. Josh had a strange feeling that he was here in this situation before. There was water dripping all over the and the rock that the creatures used to change people is on a mud pedestal, but it has changed since Josh saw it last because it went from the size of a quarter to a large orange and now glowed brightly. They were startled when there was movement in the corner of the small damp room. The group looked to see a lake creature. When it see them it speaks, “Use the stone to turn me back. It’s me Charlie.”
When Josh picked up the stone a light shines from the rock that spread over the room, the light exits the room through the now missing door. They looked to see all of the people that were changed into the mutant creatures return to normal. Josh pointed the stone at Charlie returning him to normal. Josh is about to smash the rock when another lake creature entered the room, Josh, Ryan, Andrew and Charlie cowered at the sight of it, but it speaks too, “Don’t you recognize me? It’s me Kayla, I know we’ve been fighting but you have to change me back.”
“Fine, but you have to stop being so much of a pain,” Josh said about to use the stone on Kayla when from the ceiling dropped another creature that knocked the stone from his hand. The rock hit the ground shattering, with a flash of light they watched as the creature disintegrates. He turned around to see Kayla back to normal, but something is wrong, she fell over with Josh catching her in his arms.
She said, “ Josh the stone was destroyed before you could change me back. I’m dying. I’m sorry I was mad at you. Good bye.” With those words she disintegrated.
Josh is yelling, “Kayla! No! Not her! Why?” The roof of the entire cave began to collapse. Charlie, Andrew and Ryan grabbed Josh dragging him out of there. Following the flow of people everyone used a passageway that took them out right near the dock. All of the people that were once the lake creatures watched as the passageway collapsed. Mr. Bakker came up to find out what exactly happened. Charlie, Ryan, and Andrew told them while Josh sits in the grass in complete shock. He said to himself over and over again, “She’s gone it’s my fault. I could have saved her.”
Mr. Bakker saw something was wrong with Josh. He asked, “Did something happen to him?”
“Yeah, he lost a friend in there,” Ryan told Mr. Bakker.
“I’m sorry Josh,” Mr. Bakker said, “Is there anything I can do?”
“No,” Josh replied, “But I can do something. I quit. I’m done fighting “The Weirdness”. Whatever I do people keep getting hurt and dying.” Josh got up from the ground running away at full speed.
“Great,” commented Andrew, “He’s gone. Now what do we do?”
Charlie said, “We have a break. I don’t think “The Weirdness” will return for awhile.”
Out of the sky from almost nowhere came a blast of energy, it looked like a lightning bolt, but black as the darkest night.
In complete horror Ryan said, “That hit near the cabin at the top of Silver Hill trail. So much for a break.”
“Let’s go check it out,” said Andrew, “Maybe Josh saw it too and is on his way.” Andrew, Ryan, and Charlie went to check that out hoping they don’t need Josh or that he is already on his way.

Little did they know that Josh saw the bolt, but decided to ignore it because he thinks he will be in the way or mess up again costing one or all of them their lives. As he walked back towards his site he heard a girl’s voice; he turned quickly thinking it was Kayla who somehow survived. However it is his friend Danielle, “What happened back there?”
“It’s a long story.”
“What about your friends.”
“They don’t need me.”
“Yes they do. You guys have been fighting against all of this weird stuff that’s been happening. I know. I saw you when those zombies attacked at last Halloween. They need you now because of that weird bolt.”
“You’re right, I’m going.”
“Josh! Can I come with you?”
“Yes, but lets hurry and don’t worry me and my friends won’t let any harm come to you”

Chapter 10: History of the Psycho

After the defeat of the lake creatures Josh gave up on trying to stop the weirdness because he felt that Kayla’s death was his fault. Just when Charlie, Andrew and Ryan thought they had a break from fighting “The Weirdness” dark bolt struck at the top of the Lake In Woods’ hiking trail called Silver Hill Trail where at the top of the trail was an old cabin. As Charlie, Andrew and Ryan are heading towards the cabin to see what is happening they hope Josh saw the bolt too and is on the way. Little do they know Josh saw the bolt but had no intention to go to where it struck. That is until his friend Danielle showed up and convinced him that his friends needed him. Nobody knows what lies at the top of Silver Hill Trail awaiting our heroes.

Charlie, Andrew, and Ryan arrived at the cabin, an old cabin with its one of its two front window broken out, the paint was flaking off the door and trash littering the area around it. Just a few minutes ago the strange blast hit. At first they see nothing around. Everything looked normal when another blast struck. The blast ripped open a hole in space sucking Charlie, Andrew and Ryan into it. That is when Josh and Danielle showed up, Josh wanting to be a hero to make up for losing Kayla grabbed Charlie trying to keep him from being sucked into the vortex. But the force was too great because Josh also started to be sucked into the hole. Danielle grabbed Josh’s hand, but she also was pulled into the mysterious hole in the air. They traveled through a tunnel with swirling different colored lights around them, then out of the hole they came, but instead of falling to the ground they floated in midair. “What the heck,” yelled Andrew. The cabin looked different, almost new. The window that was broken looked as if it was just put in, the paint went to old and chipped to looking fresh and there was no trash or even a leaf on the ground.
“It’s the cabin,” said Ryan, “But-,“ he started when a man walked out of the cabin, he was tall, muscular, with buzz cut air, they are pulled towards him. He threw down a newspaper. Charlie checked the date; it was from over five years ago.
“This is impossible,” exclaimed Danielle.
“No,” disagreed Charlie, “That hole put us back five years and now we are forced to follow this man whoever he is until we find a way back. Trust me. I read about this before.”
That is when a familiar face exited the cabin, it was Josh’s old friend Lizzy. He remembered the psycho’s words before he killed Lizzy, they were, “Now is the time to die my daughter.” Josh thought to himself, “Could this be? No it can’t.” Then he dismissed the thought.
The man started to walk towards the quarry and the group is pulled behind him just as Charlie said. He walked past where a fence would be into the quarry back in their old time. He went down to punch in for work, as Josh looked at his card he is shocked to find they name to be John Charles better known as The Psycho of Lake In Wood. “No way,” said Josh; “We are stuck following a madman.”
“What do you mean,” Danielle asked completely clueless.
“He is the psycho,” Josh declared, “Or he’s going to be.”
“Andrew yelled, “Not if I can help it.” He swooped down to pick up a rock, but his hands went through it.
“We can’t touch anything,” Charlie called.
“How come you’re such an expert on these things,” asked Ryan.
Charlie replied, “I told you I read about things like this on my free time. Though I don’t have much free time anymore.”
“Great,” Danielle said, “Now what? Who’s this psycho?”
Charlie replied with, “A madman. We just stay here with him until we figure a way back to where we belong.”
Before Josh could say anything they are forced to follow John Charles though a day of work at the quarry. Finally after a long boring day he goes home, talked to Lizzy and without changing clothes went to sleep. Then it is morning. “I wish boring yesterday flashed by like the night did,” Commented Andrew. The five of them followed John through another boring day until a message came to the quarry. The message was that Mr. Klaas Bakker wanted a few men to help him build his café. They watched as some men from the quarry put up a wall of the café. At break time John was resting under the wall when a rope broke causing the wall to fall crushing him.
“That’s how he died,” Josh mumbled. Watching closely they see Mr. Bakker talk to the rest of the workers then pull out his checkbook. After handing a check to one of the men and sending them away he called in his own men to pull the body from under the wall. The body is removed and hidden in a truck, then when night fell the body was moved from the truck into the lake never to be seen again weighed down by cement blocks. They were pulled underwater with the body, but amazingly could breath. Again time sped up until they see a bolt of lightning hit the lake. The strike of lightning gave the body life. Watching in amazement they saw the body break the bonds holding him then floated towards the surface. Then another shock especially to Josh because he saw himself and the old Andrew in a boat when the psycho first reared his ugly head.
Andrew exclaimed surprised, “Josh it’s you!” Josh just looked at him nodding.
Josh and the others watched the psycho’s hand grab the back of the boat and in panic Josh and Andrew paddled the boat to the dock where they saw “The Psycho” leave the water disappearing into the woods. Josh, Charlie, Andrew, Ryan and Danielle of course still latched on to him are forced to follow him as he walked through the woods to his cabin. When the psycho arrived at his cabin in the woods he saw that was fallen apart to a point of disrepair and his daughter was nowhere to be found. In anger he let out bellowing yell entering the cabin grabbing a hidden knife from underneath a loose floorboard and he took off though the woods again.
“Uh-oh this could get violent,” Ryan said.
Josh shook his head and replied,“ It does. Trust me I know.”
“This must be painful for you having to relive this all over again,” Danielle said with pity in her voice.
Charlie mumbled to himself, “At least he won’t have to relive any moments with Kayla.”
Josh in anger floated over towards Charlie with his fist in the air, but Danielle stopped him, “Let it go Josh,” she said. “The Psycho” was traveling through the woods as the sun began to set. Josh knew what would happen next and so do the others except Danielle because Josh told them the story. That is when they saw “The Psycho” get Mike then has Josh discover Mike with the knife in his back. Watching carefully Josh relived the experience of the psycho banging on the window then having the first Ryan show up and them taking his golf cart. He then saw the death of Tim’s dad. Worse of all he saw the psycho chasing the past him and friends on Tim’s stolen cart which he thought looked kind of funny from this point of view. Down the road ahead of “The Psycho” the cart full of kids stopped so did “The Psycho.” He got out of the cart and walked into the woods. Andrew was thinking, and then asked, “Where is he going?”
Josh replied with, “You’ll see.”
The group saw “The Psycho” watch the past Josh and his friends meet Tracy and Wendy, then he ran out of the woods killing Wendy with a sharp stick. All of the children ran to the woods as “The Psycho” sank into the safety of the dark woods. Continuing to stalk the children he found Tom a campground employee working on tying up a tree so it does not fall on the trail. “The Psycho” grabbed Tom, tied the rope into a noose, put it around the worker’s neck and hung him from a tree. He waited for the kids find Tom when “The Psycho” jumped out making them run. Josh, Danielle, Charlie, Andrew and Ryan watched Tim fall then have the old Ryan pick him off the ground saving him. “The Psycho” walked into the lake then jumped out of the water grabbing Tim. Ryan hit him over the head with an oar, but the boat began to sink from a knife. Underwater waiting “The Psycho” saw Tracy dive in with a knife he began to pull her under when there in something around his neck, it was Andrew strangling him. “The Psycho” came to the water’s surface belly up. Josh, Danielle, Charlie, Andrew and Ryan watched as the old group climbs from the water “The Psycho” awakened leaving the lake and disappearing into the woods.
Again time sped up as the group watched “The Psycho” stalk through the woods near the old Ryan’s site; he overheard one night about the friends returning to the campgrounds. After Ryan and his family went inside he left them a note that said:

Tell your friends not to come back or they won’t survive their trip. As for you leave now or you won’t live to see tomorrow. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, leave or meet your doom.
The Psycho of Lake in Wood

After he left the note “The Psycho” ran to the woods by the entrance of Lake In Wood and waited. He saw Josh’s van pull into the campground’s driveway then ran, but not before Josh, Danielle, Charlie, Andrew and Ryan saw old Josh point “The Psycho” out to his friends then be smacked in the head by Tracy. Charlie laughed and commented, “You never told me that part of the story.”
Before Josh could say anything back they were pulled along with “The Psycho” back to the old Ryan’s site. Waiting they saw the group reunite, Ryan gave the note to Josh and Tracy fainted. Then through the window they saw Tracy wake up strangling Josh when Charlie gave Josh a grin. They watched as Joey showed up and “The Psycho” killed him, then the group then hid the body in the woods just as before. After that Tim’s family showed up offering for the group to go to the entertainment. In shock Josh relived the death of his friends Tim, and Lizzy, plus what Josh thought was the defeat of “The Psycho” by running him down with a golf cart, then shocking him to death and then burying him.
Time sped up again as the next two months flew by. The group watched Josh take Charlie and his brother to the grave of “The Psycho” and after Andrew and Tracy showed up they watched “The Psycho” kill Charlie’s brother. Watching carefully they saw the group run through the woods. They saw Tracy get stuck on a thorn bush, give Josh the message for Andrew, and then finally be killed. That is when past Josh ran from the woods, giving Andrew the news of Tracy’s death. After a small scuffle the old group of only three walked back to Josh’s trailer receiving the note from old Ryan. Josh, Charlie, and Andrew go to the meeting place to find the old Ryan not dead. The Josh watched all of this feels a pinching at his wrist so he removes his watch. When “The Psycho” came after Ryan Josh dropped his watch, in amazement it solidified. The Old Ryan saw the watch on the ground, going to get it “The Psycho” misses his blow to kill Ryan. “Whoa,” commented the other Ryan, “You saved the old Ryan. The entire group now included the old Ryan ran towards the lake meeting up with some old friends in the form of zombies. The spectator Josh relived in horror as the zombies attacked the original Andrew. But he is almost glad to see “The Psycho” parish after he stabbed Mr. Bakker.
Andrew floating there said something that shocked them all, “When he goes at the end what will happen to us because we ‘re attached to him.” In horror they watched “The Psycho” stab Mr. Bakker then disappear in a puff of gray smoke. That is when all goes dark, in the blackness all they can see is each other.
That is when a voice out of nowhere asked, “Did you enjoy my little show?” From the darkness entered The Game Master. “Now for more fun.” He pointed at Josh and he starts to scream.
Danielle screamed “What did you do?”
“He is just reliving the death of his dear sweet friend Kayla over and over and over again for as long as I choose and I choose eternity,” Game Master said, “Now for the rest of you.” All of the sudden every enemy from before surrounded them. Every enemy from “The Psycho” to the lake creatures surrounded them. "Thoughts are power and I’m in control. I am not just a master of games; I am the master of all. It is my doing that the place you call Lake In Wood is under attack by darkness.”
With the thoughts are power comment Danielle got an idea, she concentrated making all the enemies turn on Game Master. He saw this and focused right back. Together Danielle, Andrew, Ryan and Charlie concentrated making all the past enemies into their servants. They watched as “The Psycho” stab Game Master, the zombies bite him, the fish creatures claw at him and the rest get anything they can. Then everything shattered like glass and the group was back at the Silver Hill cabin in their present time. Before anyone could say anything Josh started to walk from the cabin with the others curiously in tow. He led them to the old Ryan’s site and asked if he is there. The old Ryan stepped out of his trailer. “I believe you have something that belongs to me,” Josh said hand out and out of his pocket Ryan pulled Josh’s watch.
“I don’t understand,” Ryan said puzzled as Josh put the watch on, “I found this when we defeated “The Psycho”. But you already had a watch that looked like that and now you want this.”
Charlie smiled and said, “Don’t worry we’ll explain everything.”
Danielle was smiling happy for this all to be over said; “Now maybe all of this is over. That guy, what he said, he caused all this stuff to happen and with him gone it’s all over.”
“Don’t know,” said Andrew shaking his head, “There could be more challenges and enemies still ahead. But we can defeat them if we work together.”

Chapter 11: A Weirdness Halloween

October 31st is Halloween a time when mischief and chaos rules, something “The Weirdness” is good at, chaos and mischief. When that time rolls around “The Weirdness” strengthens in Lake In Wood. Foolishly, the heroes that has been combating “The Weirdness” thought it was over with the defeat of The Game Master, but they were wrong with his defeat “The Weirdness” has gotten stronger. There is an enemy stronger than the Game Master out there with unimaginable power; soon they will see the true power of the weirdness.

The story begins on Friday October thirtieth after school Josh was getting ready to come up to Lake In Wood for the weekend. Josh’s mind was elsewhere however; he was in deep thought about the fact a year ago him, with Charlie and Kayla they defeated the zombies of everyone whom died from “The Psycho”. He missed Kayla, every since he lost her he has been trying to figure out a way to bring her back. After him and his friends were sent back in time he has been trying to find away to do it again so he can save Kayla like he saved the old Ryan. On his way downstairs he remembered that he wanted to grab his vampire mask so he could scare some people to maybe help cheer him up. It was only a mask that has the face no back of the head, it has gray skin, slicked back black hair, fangs with blood dripping from them and pointy ears. He threw the mask in his bag and left the house in route for Lake In Wood. Once he got to the campground and unpacked his parents went out to get a few things from the office. Since it is late fall it got dark early, so Josh was sitting there all alone. Then he got an odd feeling to get his vampire mask. He got off the sofa, opened his closet and pulled out the mask. He heard a voice that told him to put on the mask. “Why? Who is this,” Josh yelled.
The voice continues, “You want her back.”
“Kayla?”
“Yes, Kayla. By using the mask you can control the darkness that has been plaguing this land. By using the darkness she you can return her to you.”
Josh put on the mask and felt the power of the weirdness flow through him. The mask grew till the point the rubber covered Josh’s whole body from head to toe making him look like a true creature of darkness. The rubber then became real, the hair, the ears, and even the fangs become part of Josh. The same voice that told Josh to put on the mask told Josh to steal life energy from people to feed the darkness. With the mask in control Josh ran into the darkness to find victims. His first victim was a man walking down the road; Josh attacked sucking the life from him. He had a moment of control to ask the voice why must he do this. The voice replied, “When Halloween comes the darkness will completely envelop this place then the entire world.”
“I won’t let you use me for this,” Josh screamed.
“Then you will never get Kayla back.”
“Fine I’ll do it.”
Going down the road Josh found a couple more victims until he got to Andrew’s trailer. The voice told him to enter the trailer. Josh obeyed finding Andrew’s sister, Ashley a short blond girl in the living room. He sucked her clean of their life energy. Josh is ordered to go home by the voice, obeying as he entered the trailer the mask released Josh. He went on like everything is normal with his family until the next day when Andrew came to see him.
“My sister is very sick. She can barely move or talk, but others were found just like her. I think “The Weirdness” is behind it”
Josh tried to tell Andrew of the mask, but the voice in his mind stopped him before he can say a word by threatening not to help him find Kayla.
Andrew continued, “She did say something about a creature that attacked her.”
Seeing Andrew out Josh told him to gather the others and try to figure this mess out, “Although I can’t help you because I have other things to do.”
After Andrew left Josh just hung around his trailer until nightfall when the mask beckoned for him again. Again Josh put on the mask and wandered sucking life from people until around ten when this time he found his friends sitting by a campfire at Andrew’s. The voice ordered him to attack them. Josh refused and the mask threatened. His friends heard the rustling in the woods deciding to investigate. Josh jumped from the woods fighting with the mask not to hurt his friends. Josh yelled, “I won’t hurt them” and his friends figured out that it is none other than Josh. Before they could do anything Josh disappeared into the dark woods.
“Josh is behind this?” Danielle exclaimed.
“Impossible,” said Charlie.
The first Ryan said “We have to stop him, but we can’t hurt him. Can we?”
“We have to,” the second Ryan said.
Then the voice that has been ordering Josh spoke to them, “You can not and you will not stop him.” They looked around to see a face on the tree talk. “As of midnight the darkness will rule over all.” That was when all the trees in the area moved their branches and grabbed the group. All of them were there and caught, except Josh; there was Andrew, the two Ryans, Danielle and Charlie. Danielle kicking to get free knocked a flaming piece of wood out of the fire causing the possessed branches to let go of her. She grabbed the flaming piece of wood approaching the others, which caused the branches holding them let go. Using the fire they fight off the branches until they could get into Andrew’s golf cart, and she dropped the fire. Once in the cart the group took off down the road avoiding branches coming at them. Eventually one of the branches hit a tire popping it. Luckily they were at the end of the woods, so the cart could coast out into the field away from all of the evil branches. When reaching the field and coming to a stop they were amazed to see objects from all over the campgrounds alive and walking around, such as the gnomes from the café, the plastic buffalo from by one of the cabins, and even the pool decorations have come to life.
“What the?” Exclaimed Charlie. Then from the darkness Josh appeared still under the control of the darkness.
Andrew yelled, “You have to fight it.”
The voice came from what seemed like everywhere said, “It is only two minutes till midnight. Two minutes till doom.”
That is when Josh realized what is going on and that he helped cause this entire mess he yelled, “I will stop this right now.” Using the power of the weirdness that now was inside him he caused a wave of energy that destroyed the mask, but at a horrible price. Josh started to fade away from the bottom up. “I thought I could use this power to return Kayla to me, but I failed. Goodbye my friends.” Then he was gone completely; no trace of him was left behind except memories. With that however everything went back to normal, all of the living objects went back to being inanimate and all the people drained of their life got their energy back thus returning to normal. That is when Mr. Bakker pulled up on his cart. “I saw everything from one of the cameras. I’m sorry about Josh.” Using his radio he called in workers to return all of the objects that once walked and lived to where they belonged. Mr. Bakker went up to Josh’s site and told his parents that Josh is missing, while the group all went back to their own sites. As Andrew and the newer Ryan walked back home Ryan claimed he saw a dark figure in the woods.
“Andrew what’s that in the woods.” They looked but nothing was there.
Andrew commented, “It’s your imagination, you’re just tired.”
“But-.”
“Its nothing. Hurry up and let’s go home.”
Ryan looked again to quickly see the figure again then it disappeared into the shadows. This time Ryan said nothing to Andrew.

Chapter 12: The Haunted Trailer

The weirdness has claimed a new victim, Josh, he sacrificed himself so that his friends could live and the campground would not be shrouded in darkness. If it were not for Josh Lake In Wood would be ruled by darkness. Although it was Josh’s urge to return the departed Kayla to him that caused the whole situation in the first place. One last thing that happened was the newer Ryan claimed to see a figure lurking in the woods after the whole ordeal was over. Who is this figure? Only time will tell.

Now to avoid confusion Andrew came up with the idea to call the Ryans by their last names so the first Ryan who died, but returned was Devine and the newer Ryan who first showed up when Checkers turned into an evil stallion was called Bannon. The day after Josh’s sacrifice Bannon was walking through the woods on Silver Hill trail to visit the cabin to see if there is anything up there to help end this fight against “The Weirdness”. Suddenly an old tree started to fall towards him, paralyzed with fear he stood there as the tree hurled towards him. Bannon to his amazement was pushed out of the way. He looked towards whoever pushed him to see the dark figure from the woods the night before. Now that Bannon saw “The Figure” in daylight he can see that he wore all black, with a hood covering his face from view. “The Figure” let out a little laugh and started to fade right before Bannon’s eyes. When he is gone and Bannon caught his breath he ran back to find his friend’s to tell them what happened.
“So you were saved by a mysterious person wearing all black,” Andrew commented, “ I think you spent too much time out in the sun.”
“I’m dead serious,” Bannon said angry, “It looked like the same guy that I say last night walking home after, you know after Josh’s little stunt.” After the comment about Josh Danielle who hasn’t said a word since the night before sniffles.
Charlie chimed in, “Even if there is someone out there how do we know he’s on our side?”
“Because he saved my life,” Bannon yelled.
Devine commented with that, “Knowing the weirdness he only saved you so it can get you later on.”
Bannon in anger said, “Whatever,” Walking back to his trailer.
Bannon went back to his trailer angry at his friends for what they said, he knew this guy was on their side because there is something about him that Bannon could feel. After few minutes his friends came over to his trailer to apologize for what they said. The group decided to go to the pool for a few hours to relax and have a little fun. “We haven’t been to the pool for a long time,” Andrew stated.
Charlie piped in with; “We haven’t been to the pool since the lake creatures used it to turn people into them.”
Danielle was still silent. Devine said; “Let’s go. We took care of those creatures, remember?” He looked at Danielle. “Are you okay? You haven’t said a word since last night.”
She shook her head and answered, “No, I’m not okay. What Josh did was very brave. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
“None of can believe when one of the group goes,” Devine goes on, “I have been in this since about the beginning. Let’s not think about it now and go to the pool.”
The group went their separate ways to get changed into their swimsuits and meet at the pool. As Bannon went to change he opened the closet to get his swimsuit and everything in the closet came flying out at him. All kinds of strange things had been happening in his trailer lately, like weird noises and stuff being moved by an unknown force and also voices at night. It was beginning to freak out him and his sister Andrea. He threw his swimsuit on the bed to put everything back in the closet then looked to the bed only to find his suit gone. He looked around to find it hanging from the ceiling vent. He finally got changed and headed to meet up with his friends at the pool. At the pool the group started to relax and have fun until Danielle spotted “The Figure” in a tree right outside the pool boundary.
“Look,” Danielle said as Andrew was dunking Charlie. They all looked to see him sitting up there tree watching them. Then unexpectedly he waved to them before jumping from his perch and landed poolside. Danielle demanded to him climbing out of the pool, “Who are you?” To more amazement he answered her, “I am a friend who has come to warn you that the weirdness is closer to you than you think. It is in one of your homes and may be inside someone you care about.”
“What do you mean,” demanded Charlie.
He just replied with, “You will see soon enough. Bye.” He then jumped backward back into the tree then jumped from tree to tree that bordered the pool with Charlie, Danielle, Bannon, Devine, and Andrew in tow. He stopped and waited on the café roof then with the words “Watch yourselves because the darkness and I are watching you.” Then he jumped into the woods completely disappearing from sight.
“That was weird,” Andrew exclaimed.
Bannon looked at him, “Yeah, looked like our fun is over. Let’s get back to figure out what exactly is going on.”

They headed back to Bannon’s to try to figure out this entire mess, but after hours no one came up with any ideas. Tired of thinking Devine went to get some fresh air, but the door wouldn’t budge. Then with a slam every window in the trailer slammed shut. Everyone was running around the trailer trying to find a way out. Suddenly the lights started to flicker, doors started slamming and stuff started flying all over. From all around them an evil voice told them that they couldn’t escape. When they ran to the back of the trailer they found Bannon’s little sister Andrea sitting on her bed staring almost as if she was in a trance. As Charlie went to grab her he flew backward back through the door pushed by an unseen force. Then the same was done to the rest of them with the door slamming behind them. Dodging flying objects they tried the door only to fail, it would not open. From behind them a voice asked, “Need some help?”
They turned around to see “The Figure” leaning against the wall; calmly he walked up to the door not getting hit by a single flying object. He touched the door with the palm of his hand and it slid open. Inside the room he put his hand on Andrea’s forehead concentrating hard.
“What is he doing,” Danielle asked.
Then everything stopped, all of the flying objects fell to the ground and standing there was a ghost of an old woman. “I told you to stay out of my way,” she screeched at him.
“I told you to stay away from my friends,” he shot back.
Devine gasped, “His friends?”
The old ghost charged at him, skillfully he dodged out of the way. However her attack cut the hood of his cloak off.
The group gasped in surprise, “JOSH!” In amazement they gaped at Josh standing there right before their eyes. Josh swung at the ghost with a closed fist hitting her in the stomach. She fell to the ground gasping there gasping.
“You wouldn’t have beat me without the powers you received from the weirdness, so prepare to lose them.” She grabbed hold of Josh’s leg draining the powers he had. Yelling the dark cloak that surrounded Josh faded away. Then with a laugh the ghost was gone. Everyone ran up to Josh as he collapsed exhausted from the battle.
“That was amazing,” Charlie yelled, “How did you get like that?”
Josh looked at him smiling, “I’ll tell you later. I just want to rest now.” Then he fell asleep in the middle of the floor in Bannon’s trailer.

Chapter 13: Josh’s Journey the Tale of “The Figure”

During the fight against the ghost that haunted Bannon’s trailer “The Figure” was revealed as none other than Josh. After he sacrificed himself he was bestowed with unimaginable powers that was meant to be used against Lake In Wood, but instead Josh used his newfound abilities to help protect the campgrounds and his friends. Unfortunately before the ghost fell she drained Josh of his powers. This is the tale of Josh’s journey through the heart of “The Weirdness” and how he received his powers. It is around eight o’clock on the same day Josh returned, the group was at Bannon’s trailer sitting around a campfire quietly waiting to hear the whole story and Josh is poking around in the fire with a stick.
“Well Josh,” Charlie said, “You had your little nap. Now tell us how you got those powers.”
Josh looked at all of his friends with a smile, cleared his throat and started his story:

As you know when I put on that mask I was infused with the power of darkness. When I used that power to stop the rest of the weirdness I didn’t die, instead I was sent to the land of the darkness, a strange place where all of “The Weirdness” comes from. Nothing around me except a gray fog and once in the while I saw the movement of some restless spirits. There I wandered for what seem like forever trying to figure out what to do. I met the ghost that I just defeated, she offered to help me. Like a fool a followed her to the heart of the darkness, it was just a big dark ball emitting from what could only be described as dark light, I could feel the evil coming off of it. From the dark ball came a bolt of energy much like the one that hit by the Silver Hill Cabin before. The bolt hit me giving me the powers and caused me to become what you came to call “The Figure”. After that I lost control, I was ordered by the ghost to go kill you Bannon. That is why I was in the woods afterward. I was gone in the land of the weirdness for a long time, but it sent me back in time to do the job.
While sitting there in the woods watching you Bannon I was about to pounce on you but I remembered that you are my friend. I cannot and will not hurt a friend. I made the choice that I will use my powers to fight the darkness rather than help it. I retreated back to the land of the weirdness where the not too happy ghost met me.
She screeched, “Why did you disobey an order?”
“I can’t hurt them. Now if you’ll excuse me I have my own agenda.” Using my powers and a lot of concentration I went back to the moment when Kayla died. Just as I was about to stop the destruction of the stone and the death of Kayla I felt myself be pulled back to the heart of the weirdness. When I returned I tried to return to my past destination, but I couldn’t. The ghost was waiting for me. “Let me go back!”
“No,” said the ghost, “You could ruin everything.”
“Fine if you won’t let me go back and save Kayla then I’ll just save the rest of my friends.” With that I focused all my energy to return to Lake In Wood. Again I was being pulled back, but I gathered all my strength and fought it off. That is when I saw you Bannon in danger, and rescued you from that falling tree. I wanted to tell you it was I behind the cloak, but I was afraid that if I told you I would endanger you guys even more so I kept it from you. After rescuing Bannon I felt weak, like the energy was draining from my body. I yet again retreated back to the darkness only to discover I can only stay in the real world for so long before I got weak and eventually if I stay too long fade away forever. After returning I found the ghost and overheard her plan to posses someone in order to get to you guys. That is when I showed up by the pool to warn you about what may happen. Again, though, I had to resist the urge to tell you the truth, that “The Figure” was no other than your supposedly fallen friend. Again I was force to retreat back to the darkness because I felt weak. Then using my powers I opened a window from the dark world to the real world to keep an eye on you. That is when I saw that all of you were trapped in the trailer. After you were pushed away by the possessed Andrea I had to make a decision, do I stay here and watch my friends die or do I risk saving them even though I still feel weak from my last trip to the real world. I chose to risk myself to save you.

“Well you know the rest of the story,” Josh said with a grin, “I stopped the ghost, saved you all and lost my powers.”
Danielle smiled, “It was for the best, sometimes you have to give up one thing to get another.” Everyone agreed on Danielle’s point either by smiling or by the word “Yeah.”
“It’s good to be back,” said Josh.

Chapter 14: JOSH’S MADNESS

After being “The Figure” Josh returned to his life, but had to explain to his family where he had been since he was reported missing. Instead of lying to his parents he decided to tell them the truth about what has been happening in the campground and why so many of his friends including Kayla all of the sudden “left.” At first his parents thought he is crazy, but Mr. Bakker showed up to back up Josh’s story. At first Josh’s mom was not sure about Josh risking his life, however with some coaching she decided it had to be done. The next day since he is happy to be back Josh decided to tell Danielle the truth that all this time he has had feelings for her. Later that day Josh told Danielle, but she is not interested. Josh is devastated and after that she left the group with Devine and Charlie in tow. “The Weirdness” must have seen the moment of weakness because it started a new plan of attack with huge poison ivy vines appearing throughout Lake In Wood. The group is split, Josh is in a state of utter devastation, and “The Weirdness” is as strong as ever. The situation is looking ever so grim.

“I can’t believe this,” Josh yelled with Andrew and Bannon listening sitting around inside Andrew’s trailer. “It’s bad enough that she wouldn’t give me a chance,” Josh continued, “But because of her the group has been split in half. Danielle can drop dead for all I care.”
“Well I’ve had enough of your complaining,” Andrew said, “I’m going to go do something.” As he goes to leave the door to the trailer opens partially then stops.
Bannon asked, “What’s wrong?”
Andrew looked at Bannon; “Doors stuck.”
“Oh my god look at the window,” Andrew yelled. Over the window there were vines. “That must be what is blocking the door,” Andrew figures.
“Great I’m sure “The Weirdness” has something to do with this,” Bannon said pulling his knife from his pocket. He walked up to the door and began to cut away the vines holding the door shut. Amazingly the other vines backed away as Bannon cut as if they know that they will be cut. Finally the door opened.
“Looks like the vines all go that way. Let’s follow them,” Andrew said. He turned to Josh, “Are you coming?”
“I guess.”
The vines led the three boys deep into the woods as the vines get thicker and thicker. Then a movement caught Josh’s eye, at first he thought the vines are moving in to attack but looked closer to see three people. “Oh great,” Josh said. The three people are none other than Danielle, Charlie and Devine. Charlie looked to his side spotting Josh.
“What are you idiots doing here,” Charlie yelled at Josh, Bannon and Andrew, “This one is ours.”
“What this is a contest now,” Andrew complained, “It’s no longer important to save Lake In wood.”
While they argued no one noticed that the vines were really moving closer to them until the vines wrapped around them and they were being all pulled through the woods to a giant pod that opened up to reveal a red flower with huge sharp teeth. Andrew and Bannon managed to get their knives and cut the vines holding them then everyone else’s. The flower roared as if in pain from the vines being cut as yellow goo pours from the cut vines. Charlie pulled a good-sized firework from his pocket lights it with a lighter and threw it in to the flower’s center. With an explosion the flower is blown apart and at that moment all the vines shriveled up dead. Then the arguing started again.
Devine yelled; “Charlie was right we didn’t need you bozos.”
“Because of us you were cut free,” Bannon yelled back.
Josh snickered, “You should have let the flower eat all of them. Especially her.” He pointed at Danielle.
“Shut up you stupid little jerk,” Danielle yelled at the top of her lungs.
That is when Mr. Bakker came through the woods. “I could hear you yelling from all the way by the road. What happened?”
“We stopped the weirdness,” Andrew said.
“No we stopped it,” Danielle yelled, “They didn’t do anything to help, especially Josh.”
Josh is getting angry, “You stubborn little brat. No wonder you don’t have many friends.”
This time Mr. Bakker yelled, “Enough all of you. Go home.”
“FINE,” they all yell as the two groups went their separate ways. As they walked away Josh turned to Andrew and Bannon; “I told you we should have let that plant eat her.”

That night Josh around midnight Josh was lying in bed when the spirit of Kayla visited him. “Josh,” said Kayla’s ghost, “I have returned.”
Josh gasped sitting up in bed, “Kayla! It’s great to see you again.”
“How many people have you let die?”
“What!”
“Because of you so many people died including me. Did you ever think that if you were more of a hero or a savior to the people you’re supposed to protect Danielle would have given you a chance? You should have just “The Weirdness” win.”
“No! You’re not Kayla. Kayla would never act like that. Even when she died she seemed peaceful. Who are you?”
At the moment the spirit of Kayla turned into a dark shadow and entered Josh. Josh heard a sinister voice, “Open your heart to the darkness this time it is in control there is no escape.” The true Josh was pushed to a corner of his mind and trapped only able to look as “The Weirdness” controlled him. Josh watched as his body is put to sleep as he struggled to regain control of his mind and body. The next day he watched his body go through an entire day like nothing was wrong. Then was shocked when he heard his voice volunteer to go to bingo with his friends in the entertainment hall. He thinks, “Is the weirdness having fun using my body as a puppet.”
That night his body went to bingo, then after bingo his body walked away without saying anything to Andrew or Bannon. As they went to put back their cards Bannon and Andrew stopped to talk to Devine, as Josh being controlled like a puppet grabbed a scythe that hung on the wall of the entertainment hall then went after his prey. Nobody saw him because everyone has left already except him, Andrew, Bannon, Devine, Danielle, and Charlie. Holding the scythe behind his back Josh walked up to the table where his victims sit. Charlie was the first to see Josh as he looked up and said, “Get out of here.” Josh pulled the scythe from his back. “Oh crap,” yelled Charlie as Josh swung the scythe decapitating Charlie. Danielle screamed which alerted Andrew, Bannon, and Devine. Danielle ran to the door right behind her to find that it was locked. Being trapped she ran at Josh to dodge by him and she did, but not before he cut a deep gash in her arm with the scythe. Wounded Danielle ran towards the main doors of the entertainment hall, although she tripped. Josh moved behind her putting the scythe against her neck about to cut when Andrew, Bannon, and Devine show up.
Devine was the first to be shocked by the sight of Josh ready to kill Danielle, “Josh. No. We found Charlie. Don’t tell me it was you.” With that Josh pulled the scythe across his victim’s neck with a quick motion. Danielle’s blood splattered everywhere as her body went weak.
The real Josh trapped inside his own mind screamed and at that moment “The Weirdness” either let go of Josh or lost its grip on Josh because he regained control of his body. Josh gasped as he fell to his knees; “This isn’t what it looked like. “The Weirdness” had control over me.”
“Yeah right,” Bannon said shaking his head, “You said that Danielle could drop dead.”
Andrew agreed with a nod, “Blame it on “The Weirdness”. You probably planned to kill her and blame “The Weirdness” all this time.”
Josh saw that he is not getting anywhere so slowly he reached towards Danielle’s body grabbing her cell phone out of her pocket. Josh then made a mad dash to the main doors behind him with the others right behind. Josh made it through the door then pushed the scythe between the door handles trapping the others inside. By the time they get out the door on the far end of the entertainment hall Josh is gone.

Using the cell phone taken from Danielle Josh called his parents to tell them that he had to leave Lake In Wood in a hurry because he can’t take fighting “The Weirdness” anymore and that Danielle and Charlie are dead. He also told them if anyone asked they don’t know a thing about where he is. Before he hung up Josh told his parents that he would see them when they get back to Lancaster because he has a friend to take him home. After that he hung up with his parents and called his friend Kate who lived in town from the campgrounds. She picked him up twenty minutes later just down the road from Lake In Wood. As the car pulled away Josh took one last look back at Lake In Wood and threw the cell phone out the car window. Josh spent the night at Kate’s house then in the morning she took him back home to Lancaster. Andrew, Bannon, and Devine went see Josh’s parents, but his parents tell them nothing and they don’t tell Josh’s parents what happened. They then gave up the search knowing that they will probably never see Josh again.

__________________