Fogo [Discontinued Read Desc]

Fogo: The Journey

Creaking open the door I peered up and down the hall. The silence from Fogo forest enveloped the house. No birds chirp where Mike lives, no animals graze in the field near the well. Mike's house is practically a dead land. Tree petrified in time and being evergreens they never go bare in winter. Time is almost non-existent. Stepping outside the door and grabbing the outside knob I slid my back along the wall. I closed the door and released the knob. The wind whistled through the home from all the broken windows. Papers from the torn up bookshelf in the study next to the wooden china cabinet tumbled around. Standing outside the closet door I traced the two lines of blood flowing along the runner and down the stairs.

I began to question what happened and hoped I was just dreaming- that I would wake up soon and realize that this isn't real. Pulling out my phone I was going to dial the police then realized: if I called the cops they would probably place charges on me, I still had a little bit of blood on me from before. I would be at fault. Calling the police wasn't a good idea. I had to find out what was going on. Who killed my best friend? Why is it happening? Where is Mike's body? And is that black shadow responsible for the other 27 disappearances? Lastly, what I couldn't understand is why Mike said "Stay out of the yellow light?" I have a lot of question and only little time before that beast finds its next victim. I should head back home and into town to gather supplies.

Stepping down each step it echoed throughout the home like a heavy reverb or an a-bomb being set off. Entering the main floor bathroom I cleaned off the blood and stared at myself in the mirror. I could see stress wrinkles beginning to shape my forehead. Drying my hands and wiping my coat I grabbed Mike's car keys and headed outside. The light from the sun peaked over the mountains and cast shadows in the trees. Hiding just behind the trees was the radio tower. Just like before, blinking, flashing and shifting. Mike wouldn't mind if I borrowed his car again. Driving up the twisted dirt road I took off my coat and stuffed it in my bag. Though the sun was shining the Fogo forest floor felt dark. It wasn't until I drove off Mike's property that the light began to shine and the world began to become alive again.

My house wasn't far from his, only an extra 5 miles from where my car broke down. Total distance between Mike and I was about 6 miles. From where my house was to the town, almost 40. We lived so far away because our families use to work together and run a farm. At one point in Fogo's history Mike's house and mine used to be owned by the same person. However he died in 1843 and his land was auctioned off. Anyways, our families worked together to run a farm for the town and the reason it was so far away was because the soil near Fogo forest was very fertile. It was perfect for planting crops.

Driving up the embankment around my broken down car i noticed that all my windows were blown out. The seats were all scratched up with noticeably large claw marks. I felt my heart rate pick up and i began to fear that i was not alone again. Looking back at the radio tower the same yellow hue was pulsing. I began to think, and this is just a speculation. It seems to me that when the radio towers light shines brightly with no disturbances is when someone goes missing. Why, i don't know. When it went solid last night, activity in Fogo increased. What did that shadow thing want with Mike? was it because he was so close to the forest? If so why wasn't he part of the first 10 missing? Does it have to do with something related to Fogo's past? too many questions. Questions i don't have answers for.

Driving down the embankment and onto the road again i placed my foot down on the pedal to where i was going almost 110. The dirt road spat up from my tires and in the distance the morning sun was washed away with thick grey clouds. Their rumbles sounded like a horde of hungry bear stomachs. Passing by trees and a few road signs i reached the entrance of my property. Driving up the driving I looked at my windows and wondered if i should board them up because of the storm. A few days ago the small news and weather station on the radio said that we are in an emergency storm watch due to a possible monsoon. However if was downgraded to a very strong thunderstorm. Stepping out of my car i took another glance at the radio tower, thankfully still flashing like a rave. Walking up the stoop of my 1800 farmhouse style home i began taking note of how many windows that were needed to be covered.

Too many windows and not enough wooden panels, i just decided to deal with broken glass. My insurance can cover it. Filling my backpack with essentials like snacks, a flashlight, a extra shirt and a first aid kit i turned off all the lights in the home and locked the front door. Grabbing a photo of me and Mike from my fridge i went out the back door, stared at the photo, then quickly stuffed it in my jean pockets. I miss Mike. I really do. Covering the small garden that my mother takes care of i pinned down the tarp and headed off for the car. My mother and father went away for 2 weeks to Wisconsin to meet up with her sister. She was supposed to be back by the 15th, that was 3 days ago. Our home phone doesn't work but i understand why she was late because the ferry to Fogo only comes to the main lands every 5 days.

Once i got into my car and began to drive out of my property the rain clouds ate up the sun. The trip to town would take a long time and it didn't help that the car smelt like Mike, that cheap but nice smelling cologne. Staring off into an empty paved road for the next hour won't be fun but it will give me time to plan out what i'm going to do and how i am going to find where Mike went. There were so many things we wanted to do together, like visit his his brother in Germany or even go to New York, to see what all the hype is about New York City. So many hopes and dreams that we had, only to be shattered in minutes by a stupid radio light and a dark shadow in the night.