|
Deep in a hidden valley, there is a ghost town that has experienced a miraculous rebound. It is separated from the rest of the world by a mountain pass, but it's found a dark and deadly lifeline. . . .
Carrie and her husband Grant are moving wayward teenage twins John and Jane across the country for a fresh start. South Bend seems like the perfect place for it. Maybe just a little too perfect. When they become aware of the trap that has been set for them, will it already be too late for any of them to escape? In addition to being a ghost story, The Hidden Valley is an experiment in structure. The reader will find that nearly every chapter is, in itself, a work of flash fiction. Each main character’s story may be read individually for a surprisingly different effect. Read The Hidden Valley by Character:
John’s Story Grant’s Story Jane’s Story Carrie’s Story Read The Whole Story on Kindle, in paperback, or read the weekly flash fiction serial: 
|
|
Buried Shadows
A comfortable glow emanated from a Tiffany-style lamp in the corner of the room. There was a large desk centered over a patterned area rug, and mahogany bookshelves lined most of the walls. A heavy, red drape covered the only window. Dr. Allan sat at the desk opposite Jane, who had made a dramatic change over her short stay. She was alert but relaxed, and she wore blue jeans and a bright red blouse. She offered the doctor a pleasant smile.
He smiled back. “I’m feeling very positive about your progress, Jane.”
“I really appreciate all your help. It feels good to feel good again.”
He gave her an appreciative nod while he began filling out her discharge papers.
“Really. I used to think hypnosis was a load of crap, but you’ve sold me.” She chuckled when she thought about the agoraphobia that had held her hostage for so many months. How fearful she had allowed herself to become, and over what? Some monster she had designed in her own mind’s eye? In retrospect, she could see how her family had been right to be concerned.
She was able to see that her fears were merely a symptom of her angst about the past. She had allowed the rape and the abortion to replace her identity, and her parents had moved to help her start over with a clean slate, only to find the slate was still soiled with images of the past. Now, for the first time in far too long, she felt excited about looking forward to the future.
Her parents waited in the next room, both having come to pick her up. It was a nice gesture, and yet Jane found it somewhat trite if not ceremonious. She was going home, not having a baby.
She smiled at the thought.
“Please let me know if you have any questions,” said the doctor as he invited her to stand.
They shook.
Her mom stood by while Jane and her dad hugged in the hospital lobby.
“How are you feeling, sweetie?” he asked.
“Great,” she said with a genuine smile. She turned to her mom. “I’m sorry for everything I put you through.”
Her mother nodded with a contrived smile. Jane let it go, feeling proudly considerate, at least for the moment, of whatever anger and anxiety she had caused the poor woman. Granted, they had all been through a lot and her slacker, pothead brother had played his part in the whole Vegas mess, but Jane definitely had made her end as complicated as possible. She could see that now.
She heard a far-away echo of an infant’s cry, but then realized it was only the wind as they exited the building and crossed the parking lot.
“Were you able to find Maxwell while I was away?”
Her parents both shook their heads.
She felt her heart drop a little, but immediately held her chin up. There was no more room for negative thoughts of the unknown. Her life needed to be filled with certainty and promise of good things to come.
“We made reservations at the Tex-Mex place,” Carrie said excitedly. “I hope you’re in the mood for some chips and salsa—get a little more meat on those bones!”
Jane shuddered at the thought. Tex-Mex?
“I really would like to go home—you know, take some time to get myself situated and ready to go back to school,” Jane said. “If you two want to go out to eat, that’s cool. All I want to do right now is sort through my old clothes, go brain-dead in front of the television, and then turn in early.”
“Are you sure?” her mother asked.
“Positive.”
Her father sighed while they passed the restaurant. “You need to eat something, hon.”
She offered both her parents a confident smile. “You guys go ahead and get your Tex-Mex. I’m having a ridiculous craving right now for ramen noodles.”
“No, that’s—” he began.
“I insist.”
Everyone sat in silence for a moment as the minivan pulled into the driveway.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” her father asked.
“You two go out on a date. You deserve that much,” she replied as she hopped out of the vehicle.
Her parents both walked her into the house, her dad looking much more hesitant about leaving her than did her mom.
“Why don’t you come along, just in case you find your appetite? I heard this place has great chicken and rice,” he tried.
“Where’s John?”
Her parents exchanged glances. “Out,” her mom finally said.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright alone?” her father asked.
“I’ll be fine. Doc said I’m a-okay, so that means I don’t need you to babysit me.”
That seemed to convince them.
“Call if you need anything,” her mom said on their way out.
Jane went to her bed and dropped onto the soft mattress. She tried to recall the past few days (weeks?), but they were just a strange blur. All she knew was she was happy to be alive and happy to be in South Bend, and hopefully John would come home soon so they could all start moving on. There was the sound of a baby’s cry.
No, just the wind. . . .
She moved to the window, which had been uncovered while she was away, and looked out. A dark cloud cover had taken over the valley, and it was getting dark. A light wind moved the leaves in the trees and a light rain had picked up. She turned as she thought she saw something move amongst the shadows of her peripheral vision. Nothing. She took a deep breath.
Nothing was out there.
Nothing at all.
Copyright disclaimer: The works listed and shared on this website are protected by U.S. Copyright.
The Cerebral Writer reserves the right to fashion and torture Voodoo dolls of any and all who attempt to plagiarize from this site.
The Cerebral Writer reserves the right to fashion and torture Voodoo dolls of any and all who attempt to plagiarize from this site.