Nightly Campsite Visitors

The lake shimmered as the rising moon spilled its light onto the surface. You could see little ripples as the fish below pounced when a bug landed on the water. Croaks could be heard on the far side, and if you looked close enough you could see movement in the tall grass where something unknown lurked amidst the blades.

Ghost Lake was virtually uninhabited by people. Part of the National Park, you had to do your research to know of its existence. The location was in the middle of nowhere and at least a half-mile hike from the parking lot to the campsite which deterred most visitors. If you made it there you would not be disappointed. The Park had bears, cougar, coyote, and wolves but rarely were any seen. Signs were posted everywhere to keep your food contained.

The campfire was blazing and the group of teenagers sat on logs, mesmerized by the flames. Fireflies were everywhere, their little lights blinking and then disappearing to another spot. In younger days, the boys would have been capturing them in a jar. Today, they were past that stage and just enjoyed the sight. Coolers were locked in the car so that prowling bears were not attracted to the food. No one thought twice about the bag of marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers sitting beside the tent. Lulled into sleepiness by the fire, hiking, and work they had done that day, the boys contemplated retiring. One last chore to do; they had forgotten rope so strung wire between two trees to hang wet clothes. One last look around and Nick put a finger to his lips with one hand and pointed with the other. A buck with large antlers was seen at the edge of the woods. The boys watched as it sauntered to the water's edge and stooped to drink. He stood there for a moment, then left as quickly as he had come.

"Nice ending to the evening," smiled Nick. "This is what we've come for boys, nature at its finest." At that, the boys called it a night.

Much later that evening, boys fast asleep, forms were sneaking around their campsite. Tattered clothes, looking like they had once been made from deerskin or some kind of hide, covered their skeleton appearing forms. Only strands of hair appeared on their heads and eye sockets emitted a red light. Yellow chipped teeth grinned from the mouthless face and bony fingers touched everything they passed.

Leaves rustled as a round object rolled between the trees and thumped its way down the hill. The other forms turned to see that one of them had accidentally run into the strung wire and cut off its head. Claw like hands were raised as if to indicate to the others what had happened. Grouping together in a circle they strutted this way and that on bony legs then spied the bag near the tent. Peering inside they grabbed the bag of marshmallows and opened it.

Once more gathered in a circle their claw-like hands seemed to be doing something to the neck of the headless form. A wolf stood peering at the gathering and all turned, their eyes shooting a red beam at the animal. Baring his sharp teeth, the wolf snarled and appeared as though he may attack; then shook its body from head to toe. Hair standing on end, it howled once and quickly disappeared into the wilderness. A lone headless form stood where the rest had left it, not moving.

Now working together, the forms started running up and down the hill to the edge of the lake, each bringing back handfuls of clay. All clay was
rolled into a ball the size of a head that was then attached to the headless neck. Once that was accomplished the head was covered in marshmallows that had been slightly melted in the fire. Digging the eyes out of the head that had rolled down the bank they pushed them into the clay, then made jagged teeth with small pebbles from the sand. All in all, the figure had an abhorrent appearance and appeared to struggle with balance, its weirdly loping head making one wonder if it would fall over any minute. The others had to constantly drag it around or they feared it would go careening down the hill into the lake.

A bear, lurking nearby, smelled the marshmallows and made its way into the camp. He found the leftovers on the ground and quickly devoured them while the grotesque forms watched from a distance.

It was amazing but the teenage boys in the tent were unaware that any of this was taking place they were so sound asleep.

Lumbering around the camp, the bear made quick work of the chocolate and graham crackers. Lifting his head and snorting, he could still smell something tasty. Then with a growl and a trot, he headed toward the group of skeletons who quickly dispersed into the forest. But alas, they had forgotten all about the lopsided form who stood there unaware that anything was happening. With one swipe of the hand, once again, off came the head but this time a big gulp and it was gone forever.

Early next morning the boys were up early, making another campfire as last nights had gone out. Trudging back with supplies from the car they soon had coffee brewing, and bacon and eggs sizzling in the pan. They were going to have a good breakfast and then get to the main event; fishing.

Down to the lake they all went, fishing poles, tackleboxes, and bait in hand.

"Geez guys, will you look at that," yelled Nate to the others.

There lying on the sand was a decapitated skull.

"That is gross," gagged Neil.

"Yeah, I agree," stated Collin. "Best leave it as is and we will let the Rangers know about it when we get back to civilization tomorrow."

989 Words
Prompts: Wire, Skeleton, Marshmallow
Tied for 1st Prize in Contest