Night Terrors

1

Ivy

The cabin was nice enough. The sides of the damp wood paneling were covered in moss, and ivy vines climbed over the walls that protected the interior of the home.

My legs ached, along with my hips. I felt a sharp knocking against the side of my skull. I knew that wasn't good. I had heard my mother lecture me about the 'dangers of altitude sickness' and how 'it will never go away until you return to a normal altitude.'

I reach for my canteen, only to realize that I left it in my suitcase. I didn't want to unpack my luggage, but I also wanted to get rid of the headache.

"Andddiieeee," I whine, "my head hurts. Can I have some of your water?"

She rolls her eyes, passing her canteen to me. "It's not water though."

"What is it?" I mutter as I raise the flask to my mouth. The cool metal of the lip sends a chill through my lips as I taste the liquid that slides down my throat.

"You're 21 now, it should be fine." Andie retorts, taking a step towards the wooden porch that borders the small cabin.

"Wha?" I grumble, finally tasting the drink. I silence my protest as the sharp taste of gin hits the back of my throat.

I offer back her flask, relieved as the pounding against the side of my skull fades to a soft tap.

Turning back towards the cabin, I hastily swallow the remaining drops of liquid in my throat. I can still taste the strong taste as my tongue scrapes my cheeks.

Andy goes foreword, unlocking the cabin's door and letting the thick wood swing open. An instant chill hits my body as the inside of the small building is revealed.

I shudder unintentionally, the sudden coolness of the air around me strange. I remember seeing 'no air conditioning' right smack-dab on the page where I rented it from.

With the sweltering heat outside, the cabin should surely be the same. Even with the lights turned off and a fan going it surely wouldn't be this cold.

My teeth chatter as I took a step into the doorway. The wood floor creaked beneath my weight, and I could nearly feel the ice cold ground through my thick leather sandals.

"Whaaa—-aaa-tttttt, tth-e fffffuuu-cc?!" I growled through gritted teeth. My bare arms formed goosebumps that scattered my arms like freckles.

The cold seemed to vanish, right then, in nearly an instant. My eyes stood wide open in shock and horror.

"What the hell?" Andie muttered from beside me.

I stood there, unable to move.

I hear the sloshing of liquid as I see Andie raise the flask to her lips. "Weird," she whispers in gargled English.

I take a hesitant step foreword, and the dim lights flickered on.

A sharp, shrill shriek escapes my lips, and I fall backwards. In an instant, the world becomes dark all around me. All I can feel is the dull knocking in the side of my head, just like earlier.

All I can hear is Andie's panicked whispers and a low, soft growl in the distance.

Then everything fades away, and I am left with nothing.