Forest Haven

Carter's P.O.V

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Something you should know about me is that I’ve always been the kind of person who’s believed in ghosts and the paranormal, even when I was younger. It all started when I was 10. Over the summer, for my birthday my parents took me on a camping trip to Gettysburg. Back then I didn’t know the history of the campground we were staying at. I later found out it was a campsite for wounded soldiers during the battle of Gettysburg with hundreds of the soldiers being buried there.

In the middle of the night, I had to go to the bathroom. I left my family’s site and went to the bathhouse. Once I was done I exited the building and made the stupid decision to explore the campground...in the middle of the night. Bad idea, I know right, well back then I disagreed and figured we were only there for 3 days and I wanted to take advantage of it.

So I started walking around on my own, without a flashlight and eventually reached the back of the campground. I later learned that the campsites hospital used to be back there but was burned down with some of the remains left. I took a quick view of the remains and could have sworn I saw out of the corner of my eye two generals carrying a wounded soldier on a cloth stretcher.

I froze in that spot, terrified, and ran back to my campsite. Once I got back I returned to my tent and acted as if nothing happened but that night I couldn’t get back to sleep.

As I’ve gotten older, I haven’t stopped believing in that kind of stuff.

***

It was a sunny, brisk fall afternoon, 2.45 on Thursday, October 17th to be exact. I had just gotten out of school and my boyfriend, Raegan and I were on our way back to my place to study. I had Panic! At the Disco playing softly in the background while we talked about random things. I smiled over the thought of our 1 year anniversary and Rae’s birthday coming up on the 19th and placed my right hand atop his for comfort.  

About 10 minutes later, I could see my driveway coming into view. It was dark grey almost black cracky asphalt and was covered in multicolored fallen leaves. There were no other cars in the driveway since my parents were both still at work. I parked my 2008 black Honda civic and we got our bookbags out of the backseat.  

We walked into my house and headed straight to the living room to set up a study space. As we got out our binders I asked: “Would you like as a snack?”

“Nah, let’s just get started on homework, we have that huge test coming up in Foster’s,” he said.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” I said as we sat down on the couch.

We got out our Chemistry folders and began studying. After about an hour of studying and doing homework for other classes, Raegan spoke up, “Can we take a break, I’m getting hungry?”

“Okay, what would you like?” I asked

“I don’t care, you pick,” he replied.

I went to the cupboard to find a snack when I felt Raegan’s arms wrap around my waist.  I gave a subtle smile as he placed his head on my shoulder. He leaned over and pecked my cheek then asked, “So, what were you thinking for a snack, baby girl?”

I spun around so I was facing him and replied, “I was thinking pizza crackers, is that okay with you?”

“Yea, I’m cool with that. I’m gonna find something on tv for us to watch while you do that,” he responded then walked back to the couch and sat down.