"A dangerous path is made worse by darkness."

 

An old oil lamp sat on a stump just 8 feet or so from where we were.  Our thinking was to enjoy the light it was putting out without sitting in the swarm of flying bugs it was attracting.  Had any of us been sober enough we would have caught on much sooner to the fact that instead of giving our little flying friends our undivided attention, we should have been listening to the four-legged creature that was making its way to our campsite.

 

            The above paragraph was my first start into this week’s adventure.  As you can see, I quickly lost interest, as I am now typing this.  I shall come back later with attempt number two.

 

            So what is it about ghost stories and campfires?  Much like peanut butter and jelly, when one spreads out a campsite, complete with a circle of chairs around a small fire sending sparks disappearing into the night sky, a jar of ghost stories is soon to be opened.  It’s almost mandatory.

 

            Would they be so scary in the light of day?  I used to think they wouldn’t be, but should you hear a good one…  I mean, a really good one… well, by nightfall its potency will bloom and you will suffer, as I did, its full effects without the comfort of neighboring comrades perched on short-legged chairs.

 

            I will share with you this story, but please, if you are the slightest bit apprehensive about going on, I beg you, stop reading here.  Shut this off and walk away.   Once you pass this point you’re on your own.  Not even the light from an old oil lamp will save you.

 

****

 

            It was a bright and clear day.  The closest thing to a storm was several states over and moving slowly the other way.

 

            Sorry, but I have reconsidered.  I would be quite morose if I were to leave you with such a horrifying tale and then just skip along as if I were not to blame for the quivering mass of nerves I left you to be.

 

            Maybe some day later, after you have imparted to me a secure and honest conformation that you can withstand the event, without any lasting effects.  Then, and only then will I tell you the tale, just as I know it happened.