The Wanderers

Chapter 4

I blinked, adjusting my eyes to the darkness. Looking out the window, I had noticed the sky had turned black. I must have fallen asleep. Pulling off the blanket that was draped over me, I head upstairs to change out of my bathing suit and into some comfy clothes. I follow the sound of chatter and find everyone outback huddled around a fire. My eyes traveled around the group. The whole McNaughton family was here including Jasa, and two girls I didn't know sitting on either side of Dean.

"Well, hello, sleeping beauty," Josie said, patting the seat next to hers and handing me a cup of hot chocolate.

"How long have you been here?" I asked her.

"About an hour. Dean said he would wake you, but your mom insisted we let you rest."

"You kids have fun. We're going to head inside and have some adult time," Mrs. McNaughton said. This translates to drinking till she passes out, again. My mom followed her inside while my father and Mr. McNaughton retreated to the den.

"Perfect timing Ella, we were about to tell some ghost stories," Dean said.

"Alright Jake, time for you to go to bed." Josie stood up, ready to escort him inside.

"It's not my bedtime," he whined.

"No, but I don't want you getting scared and then crawling in bed with me later."

"I'm not a baby and you're not the boss of me," he said, sticking his tongue out at her.

Josie opened her mouth to yell at Jake, but I intervened. "It's fine. I'm sure Dean won't tell any stories that will be too scary," I said, eyeing Dean. "Because if you do, Jake will be sleeping with you tonight."

"He wets the bed," Josie warned.

Jake's face turned bright red with embarrassment. "No worries. I have faith in Jakey not to get scared. I know he's a brave little guy," Dean said, giving Jake reassurance and getting a proud smile in return.

"I'll start," Xander volunteered. "You guys hear the one about The Keeper?" he asked, looking around at each of us.

"The Keeper?" Jasa questioned.

"It's some old wives tale," Dean mumbled, unimpressed at Xander's choice of story.

Xander rolled his eyes at Dean. "Anyway, The Keeper is this old guy who used to live right here in these woods about fifty years ago." He held the flashlight under his chin, casting creepy shadows across his face.

"He lived here all his life. The towns' folk say he kept to himself, never married, and never had kids. When he would come into town to get supplies people stayed away from him, saying he was strange. He smelled like burning flesh. His hair was long and white with a matching beard. He always wore the same thing: a red and black flannel shirt and denim overalls that were stained head to toe. They also said he liked to hunt," he paused for dramatic effect, "humans."