The Legend of Youngs Corner XXVII

PART XXVII
Cold Fear

Our small group continued up the path. Although it was now covered in snow, the darkness of night still clouded our vision and traversing this hillside was just as difficult as it had been in the summer. After about a 20 minute hike I gathered the group together.
“Alright,this is about how far we traveled the first time. I need some volunteers to run up the hill and make sure its safe.”
“We’re all going, man,” said Nick. “I don’t want to waste any time.”

And up we went, running in the snow, through the trees and over the fallen timber. Once again, I reached the second path on the hill. We were now very close to the cabins, the spot where I experience the scariest moment of my life, when the cabins suddenly appeared from nowhere. But for some reason I was not nervous this time. My fear was different, as I said before. I almost wanted to find the cabins again…I almost wanted to find her.

“Look!” Joe shouted.
“Quiet!” I silently yelled back.
It appeared that I wasn’t doing my job. While my mind was focusing on my friends, Joe had journeyed further and came across something. I ran to catch up and indeed, he had found them. I looked upon a familiar sight. A brown wall and a window surrounded by chipped white paint. It was the side of a cabin. Was anybody here this time?

Nick didn’t want to miss out on anything and he quickly ran up to join me.
“I can’t believe it. We found them. Its just like you said!” he said.
“Yeah, hopefully it’s exactly like I said. I’m not in the mood for surprises.”
I didn’t want the Old Woman to come running out like she did with my Aunt over 30 years ago. That was one surprise that I knew I couldn’t survive.

The rest of the group caught up to us. Joe, Nick and I approached the first cabin and I once again stared through the screen door. It was still open.
“This is a good sign,” I said. “It’s the middle of winter. No one would leave a door opened like this.”
“The Old Woman isn’t here, is she?” Nick asked.
“Let’s hope not.”
I pushed the door open holding my flashlight high.

There were the ladders, the old bike, the stove, the couch, the chest, and the tools all laid out on the shelf. I called Nick and Joe over.
“Gather some tools,” I ordered. “Something blunt and heavy. We’re gonna need ‘em.”
“Are you sure?” Joe asked.
“Just do it.”

I scanned the tools. I grabbed the hammer.