Missing in McKinley - Chapter 1

            “I’m inheriting a mountain?” I looked up from the magazine I was reading. Our family hadn’t gone mountain climbing in over five years and no one ever mentioned it. It was better not to.

            “You and your sister are actually. Remember your grandfather’s mountain? The one we used to visit during the summer.” My dad replied.

            “Mount McKinley, that’s the one mountain you wouldn’t let me climb all the way.” I put the Sports Illustrated magazine down and leaned forward, suddenly more interested in the mountain than anything else.

            “Well the old man left the mountain to the both of you. It’s all written in his will.” He sighed. We were sitting at the kitchen table, my side covered with empty breakfast plates, his side cluttered with loose papers.

            “Wait grandpa died? Didn’t he send us a card about a month ago?” I asked, my hand balling into a fist. He had to be lying, grandpa was a mountain climber; strong and unbreakable.

            “He did. Ethan, listen to me very closely. It's time you knew the truth. Your grandfather went missing a week later after he sent that card. A friend of his stopped by the cabin and found it empty. They were supposed to go hiking together that day, but something went wrong. That friend of his? He disappeared the next day.” Dad’s voice was a whisper now.

            “So you just assumed he was dead? Did you even try looking for him?” I whispered back angrily. My grandfather was the one who taught me about mountain climbing, he pushed me forward when my dad tried to pull me back. I couldn’t accept that he was dead.

            “I’ve tried Ethan. I found several journals and maps; along with other things I have no hope of understanding. But he wrote in his will that he wants you to have them. That old climber had an airline ticket ready for you too, said everything was in his cabin. We leave in four hours. Hurry and go pack.” Dad got up from his seat, gathering up his papers.

            “What about mom and Christine?” I asked. My little sister is involved too, but I didn’t want her to be. This was something my grandpa wanted me to do and me only. Selfish I know. We had a bond though, I mean Christine never liked the mountains anyways.

            “I’m staying here with them.” As he left the room, Dad glanced back at me. He hesitated before continuing, “Ethan, you’re on your own.”

~

            Four hours later I was standing in front of Gate 38 to Alaska. Dad hadn’t even bothered to walk me in; he just dropped me off and gave me four hundred dollars plus a debit card.

            Yesterday I had been an average guy watching Top Gear with a bag of chips. Now I’m boarding a plane to some mountain in Alaska to search for my lost grandpa and his friend. I shifted the bag on my shoulder. It was filled with equipment, including extra harnesses, rope, new snow resistant goggles, and other gear necessary for the Alaskan range.

            I checked my watch. Still fifteen minutes till I boarded the plane. A sigh escaped my lips as I tried to string my thoughts together. I hadn't had anytime to think since breakfast, when dad dropped the bomb on me. So, grandpa is missing somewhere in Mount McKinley, his friend who went looking for him also disappeared, and he left behind a whole bunch of journals and maps for me to examine. As a bonus I get to stay in his cabin at the base of the mountain.

            A woman's voice over the intercom interrupted my thoughts. Had fifteen minutes past already? I gathered up my luggage and boarded the plane. The second I was in my seat I fell asleep, wanting to forget everything I learned this morning. 

            THUMP! My eyes snapped open as the wheels of the plane touched the asphalt, sending a shudder rippling through the craft. Outside the tiny window I could see snow capped mountains in the distance, looming beneath the clear blue sky. My fingers lightly touched the glass, which felt cold on contact. I slipped my winter jacket on and got off the cramped plane. A swarm of people rushed past me into the arms of the waiting. Some people held signs with names on them, waving at the crowd; a lighthouse for the lost. I decided the first thing I'd do is get something to eat. Man, I'm starving. 

           Just as I was about to leave, a girl caught my attention. She had long straight hair, black with streaks of light brown, around my age. My sister called those natural highlights. She had tanned skin and almond eyes. Obviously she was a native. She bore a similar coat to mine, with jeans and a pair of winter boots, decorated with tribal patterns. I was struck at how beautiful she was as she gently tucked her hair behind her ear. My eyes drifted to the sign in her hands and I nearly dropped my luggage. Scrawled across in thick, black ink was my name. Ethan Hill.

           Who is she? Why the hell is she holding a sign with my name on it? I decided to find out for myself. As I walked over she looked in my direction, her dark brown eyes surprised.

            "Ethan?" Her voice was full of suspicion as she looked me up and down.

            "That's me, and you are?" I was equally suspicious, no matter how good she looked.

            "I'm Emma Sigo. My grandfather went missing the day after yours did. He left a letter saying that I'm supposed to work with you to find them. Do you have any idea what's going on Ethan?" 

             "I know as much as you do. My grandfather left everything at his cabin and that's where I plan to stay. Maybe there's something in his journals that could help." I had no idea why I trusted her so easily. I guess it's because she's in the same situation I am. I was about to ask her some questions when suddenly a woman came running towards us, a wild look in her small beady eyes.

             "Your grandfathers have cursed us all! They have unleashed a nightmare upon us! It'll never end untill the beast drinks your blood and devours your flesh! It will take your soul and you will be it's prisoner for eons. Your grandfathers were foolish, thinking they could seal the devil away! You must sacrifice yourselves to please the Gods! I will be spared if I rid the earth of evil such as yourselves!" The lady screamed, pointing a bony finger at Emma then at me. "Gods, please spare me, I shall rid them before they can free the beast of hell, the devil's pet!"

              She brandished a dagger, it's handle topped with a mini shrunken head; strings of beads dangling from the strands of hair. She muttered words in a another language, one I had never heard before. Her voice was a mere hum as she continued. The chant pouring from her lips like fog was haunting. I honestly didn't think this day could get weirder, but it did. I stood protectively in front of Emma, which she didn't seem to like.

              The lady opened her eyes, which had become pale blue in color. With one last blood curdling scream, she dove at me, the tip of the dagger aimed right at my heart. My last thought being: Where the hell are the airport security gaurds?