The Rules:

An Appalachian Trail Horror Story

By Howlietzer

The camera blips back on, but the view is dark.

“Oh, damn!” Antwone’s voice picks up on the mic. A series of bone pops follow. “Shit!”

He removes the lens cap, Lance opened the trunk, his smirk overshadowed by his bloodshot eyes.

“Damn, dude, put your sunglasses back on,” Antwone rolls out of the trunk, groaning as he stretches.

“We’re here already?”

Dave slides into camera view, eating an apple. “We’re here, sleeping beauty. Get ready to hike a couple miles.”

“By a couple miles, you mean two, right?”

Dave busts out laughing. “Try five to eight. You missed the discussion on the drive up. Judy has the whole thing mapped out.”

Dave slaps Antwone’s shoulder and grabs his rucksack.

Antwone looked at his suitcase. “What have I gotten myself into?”

“Don’t worry, Antwone.”

The camera lifted up to Judy’s brilliant smile.

“I took all of our fitness levels into account. We won’t be able to hike the entire Appalachian trail, but…”

She pulled out a map from her pocket and showed it to the camera.

“We’re starting here, at Springer Mountain…” her finger traced the map which had black sharpie to each point and mileage next to it.

“8.1 miles to Hawk Mountain. Then the next day, 7.7 to Gooch Mountain…”

Antwone snickered and he got a shot of Judy’s eye roll, smirk combo.

“And, we just keep going. The plan is to finish in one week, but I accounted for longer rest times, with an extra week for buffer. I doubt we’ll take a full two weeks, but you never know what will be happening on the trail.”

“You don’t think we’ll have to camp in the woods, right?” said Antwone, his voice wavered a bit.

“Afraid of mosquitos?” said Dave, lighting a cigarette. “Or do you think the rake is going to get you?”

Ned chimed in. “We’re not camping. We will make it to every single shelter.”

“Come on, Ned,” said Dave, wrapping his arm around his shoulder. “Don’t you want to prove none of this is real? It’s just fun stories, parents told their kids to get them to behave.”

Ned turned away.

“Dave,” said Judy. “Can’t you go two weeks without smoking?”

Dave shrugged and tossed his half smoked cigarette into the dirt, rubbing it in with his foot.

He muttered something under his breath, but the mic didn’t catch it.

Antwone rolled out of the trunk with a thud. His feet did not catch him like he expected. Judy and Ned helped him up and he stretched and popped his joints.

“Oh wow!” he said. He saw the stone archway of Springer Mountain: the entrance to the trail.

“Is that the entrance to Narnia?” said Antwone. He was draw to it. He pulled his suitcase out and dragged it to the entrance.

Judy giggled as her footsteps could be heard behind Antwone as the camera kept rolling.

“That’s just…” said Antwone. “I’m just really impressed by that.”

Ned and Judy, who kept pace behind him, smiled as he turned the camera towards them.

“I like it too,” Judy said. “It looks like an entrance to another world.”

Ned frowned. “Yes. Let’s remember the rules, ladies and gentlemen.”

Judy smiled, “Ned, I think you should relax a bit. We’re going to have a lot of fun. Let’s just make this one last memory before we all go our separate ways.”

“I don’t think we all have to go our separate ways…” said Ned.

Judy blushed and turned away.

“I mean, I hope that we can all stay in touch,” he said turning away, clearing his throat. “I’ve never had a group of people to hang out with before college. It’s been really nice.”

“We’ll stay in touch,” she beemed.

Antwone sighed. He remembered his first time meeting Judy. They weren’t in any of the same classes. He’d been undeclared for a long time. She was always cheerful, spunky… She had that nervous habit of looking away and brushing her hair behind her ear when she got overly excited.

It was not surprising that they all had a little crush on her.

Antwone lifted his camera and zoomed in on Libby and Lance. They seemed to be having an argument as he watched their increase arm motions.

He sighed.

That was a dead relationship. Really dead. both wanted different things, and both were constantly trying.

Antwone didn’t really know what he wanted to do. He loved making movies and eventually he declared his major in writing, mostly to get to know Judy better.

He didn’t think he was her type. She had it all figured out and he was just tagging along. He aways felt like he was just tagging along.

“Antwone?” said Judy.

“Oh yeah,” said Antwone, “I zoned out for a moment. What’s up?”

“I was wondering if you still wanted me to say a view words about each site?” she gestured to the Springer entrance.

“I certainly would,” he smiled and continued recording.

Judy picked a spot away from the entrance, allowing hikers to pass, and began a monologue about the trail and what they hoped to accomplish on their trip.

Everyone said their piece. Judy spoke about her book and Libby mentioned she wanted to illustrate for the book. Dave wanted to break the legendary rules of the Appalachian trail, while Ned declared they should all be mindful of them.

I’m not joking, Dave, there are forces out there we can’t contend with.

“The rake,” Dave moaned and Lance laughed.

Ned ignored him and spoke to the camera.

“Rule 1, never be in the woods between dusk till dawn.

Rule 2, never leave the marked trail.

Rule 3, if your name called…”

“No you didn’t,” everyone chimed in.

“Rule 4, if you hear screaming in the woods…”

“No you didn’t,” everyone chorused.

“Rule 5, do not whistle or sing in the woods.”

“No you didn’t,” Dave pushed Ned out of the way and smirked at the camera.

Ned pushed back. “And lastly never look too hard into the trees. You might see something you don’t want to see.”