Mountaintop Isolation
Mountaintop Isolation
Day 1 (The setup)
The Events
Roll for tower (6): 6; remove a token
Tokens remaining: 8
My old high school friends planned a ski weekend getaway in a remote mountaintop cabin and invited me to join them last week. I was the first to arrive as snow started to fall. There's no cell reception up here so I couldn't reach my friends to see where the were. I hunkered down for the night near the fireplace. When I woke up this morning, I looked out the window and found a blizzard had swept through while I slept... The snow is so deep I can't even see my car anymore. I think I'm going to be stuck here for a while without my friends... There's no way they can get up here in this weather. I'm going to wait it out. Hopefully there's enough firewood to keep me warm. I already used up what was stacked by the fireplace when I arrived. Its just embers now.....
Day 2
The Events
D6 Cards: 5
The draw: 3 of Clubs; 8 of Clubs; King of Diamonds; 2 of Hearts, 4 of Diamonds
Roll for tower x2 (6): 5; no token removed. 2; no token removed.
Tokens Remaining: 8
I woke up this morning feeling quite groggy. The stress of being stuck up on the mountain really got to me last night. I found all the blankets I could to stay warm over night, since I couldn't possibly tend the fire while I slept. But something worse... This morning I swear I could hear laughter coming from outside? Blearily I opened my eyes, thinking I was still dreaming as I heard the sound of laughing children. I think? I'm not sure. As soon as I rushed to the window and looked out onto the snowy mountain landscape, the laughter ceased... Must've just imagined it. I can't possibly be so crazy already that I'm hallucinating, right? Though it did put me in quite a nostalgic mood. Reminded me of a simpler time, when I was younger. Laughing and running around the playground with my friends when we were just in 4th or 5th grade maybe. That must be it. This whole trip has me thinking about my friends. I hope they can get up here soon... Or maybe I should just get off the mountain as soon as this snow clears up. I'll give it a few more days I guess.
I was going to go out after making myself a bit of breakfast and some coffee. Have to find where they stored the firewood, or else I'm in for some very cold nights. I pulled on my jacket, stuck my hand in my pocket, ready to brave the cold. There was a note in my pocket. I must have been feeling nostalgic even before I left. I had to have found this note from my friends and thought it would be great to bring up and show off to everyone. A note from my friend, a drawing he made of us. The artistic nature was lacking, but for a young kid I think he captured us perfectly. Of course, in classic kid fashion, our names were scrawled over our heads, arrows pointing out each of us just to make sure whoever saw this fine work of art knew exactly who was being depicted! So odd though, I really don't remember putting this in my pocket... Must have found it in my feverish packing frenzy the night before. Note to self: do not pack your suitcase after a bottle of wine with dinner, you never know what crazy shit you'll end up finding! ugh, well off to brave the cold and get some more wood. God I hope there's a good stock of chopped wood out there.
Damn, the wind and snow started up again after just a few minutes outside looking for that wood. Its so cold! I can't imagine this snow is going to be melting off any time soon. This cabin is so far out in the sticks, I doubt they get plow service or anything like that. I mean the phones dont even work! Ok... Just breathe, this is going to be fine. As soon as I can dig out my car and make a good clear path from the driveway I can hopefully drive down to find a well maintained road. Just need to hunker down a bit longer and wait for this all to blow over.
Well... few more hours past. I tried to just bundle up and read my book, but I just couldn't distract myself for too long. I was peaking out the window and the snows are still coming down. Doesn't look like its the same as whatever blizzard snowed me in over night, but still... Doesn't seem to be letting out. Might be a good idea to take stock of what food is in the cabin. I'll be fine for a few days, just need the snow to stop long enough that I can go get more wood.
Snow has let up a bit. But the cloud cover is crazy! I swear its barely past 3pm and it looks like its midnight out there. The cloud coverage is so dense, I can barely even see the forests at the edge of the property! Its kind of eerie. The lights from the cabin just spill out into nothingness almost. The snow let up but I don't think I want to go venture out and look for that wood in this pitch dark. I guess just make some food and tuck in for the night. I'll be fine with all these blankets, i swear I've found a metric ton of quilts. Whoever owns this cabin sure is a collector. Well thanks to them for that weird obsession I suppose. Going to get me through the night.
Guess I'll sign off for the day... Check in with Myself? tomorrow. See you
-R
Day 3
The Events
D6 Cards: 1
The draw: 4 of Hearts;
Roll for tower (6):No roll this day
Tokens Remaining: 8
Slept better tonight. Thankfully no weird dreams. Must have been thinking about my friends yesterday. I hope I don't do that again. That laughter was so creepy... Felt real. Anyways, snow finally let up. Clouds are gone. Its nice out actually. Well barring the fact that I still would have to dig my car out of several feet of snow. But made my way out either way. Was able to find a shed. had to break a window to crawl in, with the snow being so high. Plenty of wood in there. I was hauling as much of it inside as I could when I saw the strangest thing. I swear there was just a ball of light floating on the edge of the forest. It was a few feet off the ground. I went over to investigate and I swear it just darted off into the woods. I dont know... Must have been my eyes playing tricks on me. I mean snow is reflective right? Must have just been the angle of the sun or something. Either way I'm not too keen on wandering around the woods, middle of the day or not. So I just went back to getting the wood moved inside. I'm going to try and just distract myself while I can. Good thing I've got a few books with me. I didn't think I'd need them but glad I over packed for once.
Talk to myself tomorrow... God thats so cringe, what am I saying? Whatever... See you
-R
Day 4
The Events
D6 Cards: 5
The Draw: 4 of Clubs; 5 of Clubs; Queen of Clubs; King of Spades; 5 of Spades
Roll for tower x3 (6): 6; Remove a token. 6; Remove a token. 4; No token removed.
Tokens Remaining: 6
Okay seriously, I know I'm not in the best place mentally but I think all this alone time is driving me crazy. I was sleeping in a bit this morning, not like I have anything I'm dying to get done right now... Anyways the sun was shining in the window as I was groggily coming too. Somebody walked by the window. I swear! There was a shadow that crossed right outside the window in the living room! At first I didn't know what to do or even think. Then maybe I thought my friends had made it up and couldn't get in without the key. I threw on some clothes and rushed outside. But there was nothing. No footprints in the snow. Nobody around. I mean sure, I'm a bit stressed being stuck up on the mountain, but my mind really is giving out on me quicker than I thought... Whatever, again it must've just been a trick of the light. A bird or something. Just... The shadow was so big. Human like. I cant think of anything else. Whatever there's no reason stressing out about it. Obviously I'm just feeling a bit stressed out and my mind is playing tricks on me. I was just waking up again anyways! Guess I might have dreamt it? I'm going to make breakfast. I need some coffee...
Ok whoever is renting out this cabin must have seriously booked us right on top of another group. I was wandering around and noticed some boots that were left by the front door. I guess I didn't think anything of them at first. But there's fresh mud on them. Those were there when I got here I think? They must have been. I was definitely the first one here. No cars parked outside and no sign that anyone had been here. That mud is so fresh though... Those aren't mine right? I don't think they are. Someone must have left a few days before I got here. Lucky son of a bitch. Just missed the most exciting solo vacation of their lives. Guess I'm glad they aren't stuck up here with me though. Rather be alone than with some stranger...
Ok. Okay this isn't a problem. I'm going to be fine. I'm going to be fine. My phone got a signal for a minute there. I guess whatever weather pattern is over me right now eased up just long enough for a text to come through. My friends aren't coming up. Apparently this freak blizzard was forecasted? I didn't hear anything about it. But they must have. They said don't come, the weather is going to be really bad. They aren't coming. Nobody is coming up here... Ok. No this is fine! I didn't respond! They must be thinking that I didn't see the text, that I'm up here all alone. I'm sure they've notified somebody and there's someone who will show up and rescue me from this shit! I mean, just as soon as the snow can be cleared I guess. Ok no need to panic. This is going to be fine. I just need to sit tight. They would definitely put two and two together right? I didn't text back or anything. They must realize I'm up here. Right? They wouldn't just brush that off. Right?
Fuck! Goddammit! The wind just picked up and a tree must have been knocked over. I didn't think there were any trees close enough to the house! Part of the roof just collapsed in. I swear I just got it to a warm comfortable temperature in here and now I feel absolutely freezing! And the storm picked up again. No way I'm going out on the roof to try and fix this right now. I've just thrown a bunch of wood in the fire, I'm curled up underneath all my blankets and just hoping that I can stay warm tonight. Its already so late. I'm going to have to try and sleep through this but this could not get any worse.. shit why did I just think that. Fuck... Ok I'm going to try and get some sleep. I have to fix that roof in the morning. This storm seriously needs to get out of here, like yesterday...
My luck cannot keep going like this can it... I woke up in the middle of the night, felt thirsty and freezing. The faucets aren't working. The pipes must be frozen. I will deal with this in the morning. I just have to get some sleep I can't deal with all this with my mind playing tricks on me like this. I just need a few more hours. Need to throw some more logs on the fire. I can see my breath in here its so damn cold. Thank god for the quilts the owners stockpiled....
Check in tomorrow...
-R
Day 5
The Events
D6 Cards: 6
The Draw: 6 of Spades; Ace of Spades; 2 of Spades (Reshuffle in deck and draw again); 3 of Hearts; 9 of Spades; Queen of Spades; 2 of Clubs
Roll for tower x2 (6): 3; No tokens removed. 6; Remove a token.
Roll for tower (5): No further rolls
Tokens Remaining: 5
Ok seriously, this place is falling apart. I was just pacing around after waking up this morning. Trying to stay warm without burning through all my firewood. There is a huge gaping hole in the ceiling right in the living room where I've been sleeping. I'd go to another room, but I have to keep the fire going. I was trying to figure out what I could possibly do about that when my foot just broke through a creaky ass floorboard! I fell almost all the way down to my hip! Thankfully I didn't get injured, but seriously I don't know how this place is even standing after the weather so far. I feel like a wolf could blow this place down without a care! Ok. First things first. I need to get up on the roof and see if I can cover up this hole. Thankfully I can still collect some snow and boil that for water. Just so long... No ok no I can't think about that. cover up the roof, boil some water. I guess fill in this damn hole in the floor! And I just need to keep myself busy. I can do it. Ok. I'm going to do it. Here we go...
Ok. Finally a bit of a blessing. I found an old generator in the shed while i was looking for something to patch up the roof. I saw some old space heaters in the upstairs rooms but I was worried about blowing something running those. Didn't want to risk it. But now I can run this thing and hook them up. I couldn't really do anything besides cover up the hole with a tarp, tree and all... But this is something good. There's not much gas, but I can probably make it last. Just need something to keep me warm.
Another bit of good news! I found a radio in the shed as well! I mean.. part of a radio. Looks like its missing the battery and a receiver. But I mean, at least that must mean those are still in the cabin right? I'm going to start tearing this place apart to find those pieces. A generator and now this? Feeling much better now. Back to it!
Oh god, I think I'm going to be sick. I was searching upstairs for the missing radio pieces. From the upstairs window I saw something outside. Looked like a person standing near one of the trees. I threw on my coat and ran outside. Realized too late what it actually was... A skeleton? Uh... I don't know how I missed that before, there's just some huge animal skeleton hanging from the tree outside! Must have been some kind of deer I think? I mean I don't know how it was even held together, I could not sit around staring at it. I almost threw up just looking at it, I have this pit in my stomach. The bones were picked clean and bleached from the sun. Surely I just didn't see it before. I don't know how I didn't, but its the only explanation. I just... I need something to drink. I'm going to get some water and lay down for a bit...
I went back outside to look at the skeleton... I must be losing it more than I thought. I mean its been a week I guess? Almost? I... Anyways I went back outside. The skeleton wasn't there. Maybe it wasn't there to begin with? Maybe... I don't know. But there was some tracks in the snow. They were deep. Waist high. Moving away from the tree that I thought the skeleton was hanging from... I... Ok I need a serious drink. And maybe more sleep. I'm going to fire up the generator and get those heaters going. Maybe see if I can't find something harder than water tucked away in this damned cabin. I just need to sleep this off, I'm seeing things. None of this makes any sense.
Couldn't find anything to drink, turning the whole damn house inside out. No more radio parts either. But I did find somebodies journal. Must've been left behind. It starts out normal. Sounds like this was a good vacation area. At least so long as you don't get snowed in alone. But at some point this person must've seen a wolf in the forest. It seems like they got a bit obsessive. The last half of the journal is just filled with sketches. It feels so strange. Like the wolf just keeps getting closer and closer with each drawing. But then its not a wolf anymore. Its just wolf-like. Its so huge, standing on its hind legs... I couldn't stop looking at those pictures. I need to go to bed, the house is warm, fire is going, heaters are off now. I threw the journal in the fire. I couldn't relax with it just sitting on the table...
Its the middle of the night now. I couldn't sleep I was like halfway dreaming or something. I swear I was dreaming. There was knocking at the door. Knocking at first at least. Then it turned into banging. Someone was smashing on the door like it they were terrified of something outside. I was so startled I didn't even think I just ran to the door and flung it open, half drunk on lack of sleep. There was nothing. Just snow. Barely any light. The moon is full, but the clouds just seem to permanently be blocking out any kind of light at this point. After a realized what I was doing, I slammed the door closed and locked it, deadbolt and handle and everything. What was I thinking, no one is out here! Nobody could have been knocking at the door. I was dreaming. It was just a dream! I piled my suitcase and a bunch of firewood in front of the door. I just couldn't relax after that dream. It sounded so real. God I really need a good nights sleep. I'm not moving tomorrow until I actually feel rested. I need to get my head straight.
Tomorrow. Rested.
Talk to me then.
-R
Day 6
The Events
D6 Cards: 1
The Draw: Ace of Diamonds
Roll for tower (5): No roll for this day
Tokens Remaining: 5
Ok I needed that. Slept most of the day away and I'm feeling refreshed. These dreams I've been having have not been helping with everything else going on. And to add on to feeling well rested, finally there is a decent break in the storm. The sun is out and it still feels like I'd freeze to death in half an hour out there. But the sun is out. Feels good to have some sun on my face. I needed to get some rest and feel this today. I'm going to keep resting. Maybe with the sun, the snow will start to melt. I'm even seeing the roof of my car start to peak through the snow. Maybe tomorrow if this keeps up I'll track down a shovel in the shed and start trying to dig it out of there.
I'll deal with it tomorrow. I'm resting.
Till then
-R
Day 7
The Events
D6 Cards: 3
The Draw: 5 of Hearts; 9 of Clubs; 8 of Spades
Roll for tower (5): 6; Remove a token
Roll for tower (4): 2; No token removed.
Tokens Remaining: 4
Suns out. Still out from yesterday. Things are finally looking up. I think if it stays like this through the morning I'll be able to start digging out the car. At least the snow isn't piling up even more. I'll give it a few hours and then get out there to start shoveling.
Even with the sun shining, still getting lost in my head. You know what I realized? I haven't spoken to these friends of mine in years. And then suddenly they just invite me on this trip last minute out of the blue... Seems so odd. And like, was the snow even that bad when they texted to say they weren't coming up anymore? Was this all just a prank or something? Why would they invite me out here, its not like we've been close lately. Whatever. Can't think about that right now. Suns still out. Going to go see if I can find a shovel and start clearing out some of this snow.
Well didn't find a shovel. Going to be hard getting the car out. Hopefully there's one around here. Who would have a damn cabin in the woods with no snow shovel!? Found another bundle of blankets though. And some snow shoes. Though one of them is broken. Might be able to fix it and walk out of here... I mean only if I need to. Seems like it would be dangerous. Hard to say its worth the risk. Going to keep looking for a shovel. Maybe I can find something that'll work.
Talk tomorrow
-R
Day 8
The Events
D6 Cards: 4
The Draw: 5 of Diamonds; 3 of Diamonds; Ace of Clubs; 7 of Spades
Roll for tower (4): 4; Remove a token
Roll for tower x2 (3): 1; No token removed. 1; No token removed.
Tokens Remaining: 3
The snow.... I don't... I. There must have been another massive storm last night. The snow is worse than it was even before. Cant even get out the door. Going to have to dig out one of the windows if I want to get out and even see how fucked I am now. My hopes were getting up! And now this!? I just can't anymore. I need to get out of here. I need to leave this damn mountain!!
And now the house is practically getting ripped out of the ground! Seriously the wind just picked up and is shaking the whole damn place to its foundation. I feel like I must be stuck in some kind of frozen hurricane! DAMMIT! Ok. Well... I won't be able to go outside today. I guess I'll just need to hunker down again. Though... Its been a week. Food is getting low. Going to have to pay more attention to that. Generator is out of gas too... Looks like fire's all I got now. Even the wood is running low now. This is not looking good...
There is definitely someone outside! I heard someone yelling out! Maybe its someone coming to rescue me? How the hell did they even get up the mountain with this new storm coming through? Whatever, I can't question it. There was definitely someone calling outside. I couldn't get out of the house though... Thanks to the snow. The wind died down though. Hopefully they don't leave. They'll hear me if I yell loud enough right? I just need to listen for anyone coming close and start banging some pots and pans or something! Ok I need to listen to see if they come back. I can't believe I might be getting out of here...
Ok whoever that was hasn't come back yet. But I found the crank for the radio. I got it attached, now I just need to find the receiver. If I can radio while someone is up here looking for me, I just might make it out of here! Ok. Now do I keep looking for the receiver? Or keep listening for someone outside... I think. I have to find that receiver. Hopefully I'll here someone outside while I'm looking.
I'm going to get out of here. I just need to keep going.
-R
Day 9
The Events
D6 Cards: 4
The Draw: 7 of Diamonds; 6 of Hearts; 9 of Hearts; 2 of Diamonds
Roll for tower (3): 6; Remove a token.
Roll for tower (2): 5; Remove a token.
Roll for tower (1): No more rolls for today.
Tokens Remaining: 1
I haven't been able to find the receiver yet. And no one has come back around the house. The fire is running low. I needed to go back out to the shed and hopefully be able to tunnel my way in to get more wood. I was able to get out a window, though the snow is still almost covering the house. Just as I thought I could find where the window of the shed, my foot slipped on the loose snow. I fell. Twisted my ankle really badly. Had to crawl back inside. There goes my backup of walking down the mountain. Won't be doing that anymore. Ripped up one of the blankets to make a brace. Gotta get back out there for more wood. Or this ankle is going to be the least of my worries.
Ok now I think I am going crazy... I heard someone outside the house. I swear it was someone trudging through the snow, they sounded... Big? Heavy. But they were definitely there. They just kept circling the house. I was yelling and trying to get their attention. There's no way they couldn't hear me. I cant get a good view out of any of the windows to see who it is, but there's definitely fresh tracks coming towards the house... I need to find that receiver. I don't know who that is, but they know I'm here now. It didn't seem like they wanted to help me.
I still cant shake the feeling that someone was out there watching me. Do they enjoy this or something? Is this some kind of joke to them? I can't get myself to move anymore. The fire is burning down really low. I couldn't get any more wood. And I am not going outside with... Whoever that was out there. There's just no point anymore. I can't do this. Why did I try so hard... There's no way I'm getting out of here.
The storm is clearing up. The sun came out again. Tried to go out and get some wood. As soon as I poked my head up out of my little tunnel I heard something. Cracking branches, something moving outside. I couldn't see anything, the snow was blinding with the sun. I just ducked back inside and shut the window. Piled a bunch of shit in front of it. I don't know how I'm going to get out of here now. I cant do this.
Maybe tomorrow.
-R
Day 10
The Events
D6 Cards: 6
The Draw: 2 of Spades; 10 of Spades; 6 of Clubs; King of Clubs; Jack of Clubs
Roll for tower (1): Radio; ignore first roll for the tower. 5; Remove the last token...
Tokens Remaining: 0
I found it. The receiver. I don't know what to think. I don't know how much longer I can last up here. Its freezing in the house. The wood is all gone. But I found the receiver. It must be some kind of emergency radio. I turned it on and got it charged. It just started beeping. I don't know how it works. But maybe someone will here it. Someone will come help me. I can't get out of here on my own. I'm so cold...
I keep looking out the window in case I see someone around the cabin. Haven't heard any more noise around the house. I think my luck might be turning around. Another pile of wood was in the basement. Stuck under a bunch of junk and covered. But I found more wood. Its so cold. I need to start a fire. I have to stay warm. Food is almost gone. This radio better work. Its my only chance.
Phone started ringing. I didn't even think the landline was working. Answered it. Nobody was there. Tried to call again, but the line was dead. Did I imagine it? I must have. I... I need to sleep. Fire is keeping me warm at least.
Did my friends even want me here this weekend? Why did I even come, what was I thinking. This was so stupid. I'm so stupid. Why am I even here....
I can't even sleep anymore. I just keep waking up from these nightmares. All my friends that should be here with me. They're just laughing at me. Laughing at me all alone on this mountain, stuck here and about to freeze to death. Or starve. Or get killed by something in the woods! Why did I even come. I shouldn't have come...
I have to get out of here. No one is coming for me. I have to leave. I have to do something...
Bye.
-R
Epilogue
The bright lights of a newsroom flash on the TV. A well dressed news anchor begins reading the headlines.
"Tonight at 11, the search for the missing persons in the woods after that freak blizzard continues. Investigators were able to track down the emergency signal to a long abandoned ski lodge deep in the mountains. For a moment, feeling hopeful of a successful rescue, no one was found inside. The emergency radio, along with a destroyed cellphone and keys were all left inside the cabin along with a well handled journal. Investigators are warning that the contents of said journal are quite sensitive and somewhat disturbing, but they hope this clue might lead to the identity of this mystery missing person. Later tonight we'll be reviewing that journal. Investigators are urging anyone who might know who this person was to come forward with any details that might help in identifying the missing person. We do warn, the details of the journal are quite disturbing. Viewer discretion is strongly advised."
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