Withertree
Sunday 16th
Erin 4.43pm
Hey Helen. Have you got Steve's cell number?
Helen
I think I've got it somewhere. Don't you have it handy?
Erin
I thought I had it in my address book but I don't. I was deleting some old contacts yesterday and must have got rid of it.
Helen
Aren't you supposed to be on a hiking trip?
Erin
I am. The club's doing the walking trails around Hewlett Dam.
Helen
Shouldn't Steve be with you then?
Erin
Not at the moment. I've been separated from the main group and just need to let Steve know where I've ended up.
Helen
He left you behind?
Erin
No. I wanted to check out a waterfall at the southern end of the Dam. Took longer than I expected.
Helen
You going to be ok?
Erin
Sure. Found some great stuff here and I've just stumbled across the weirdest tree I've ever seen in my life.
Helen
You'll have to tell me all about it. I'll find that number and send it your way.
Erin
Thanks.
Helen 9.26pm
Got back Ok?
Erin
I did. Rest of the group had problems though. They couldn't come back for me. One of the hikers took a fall. Had to carry him out.
Helen
What did you do?
Erin
Just walked out myself. Luckily the Hewlett Dam Reserve isn't that big. Great walking trails though.
Helen
Did you find that waterfall?
Erin
It was beautiful. More of a cascade but flowing into a deep pool. Worth the effort to get to it.
Helen
Get any good photos?
Erin
A few. I'll show you when I get back.
Helen
You know you'll have to stop going off on your own. What's the point of joining a walking group if you don't stay with them?
Erin
You sound like my mother. What're you doing tonight?
Helen
Zip. Thought I might get a movie. Too tired for anything else.
Erin
Ditto. Shower and bed I think. Too much walking for me.
Helen
You got work tomorrow?
Erin
Luckily no. First roster begins on Tuesday in the AM. Going to sleep in I think.
Helen
Alright for some.
Erin
Yeah. The new job's working out great. Only five shifts a week.
Helen
I'll call you after work.
Erin
Look forward to it.
Monday 17th
Helen 5.16pm
Hey Erin. How's it going?
Erin
Hi Helen. Day's going great. Enjoying the lack of walking.
Helen
Survived your hiking adventure then?
Erin
LOL. Yeah. Don't know if I'll make it a habit though.
Helen
Did you see the news?
Erin
No. Been offline most of the day.
Helen
Someone's gone missing in the Reserve.
Erin
Really? Down near the Dam?
Helen
Yeah. Another hiking group I heard. Not sure what happened but they've got a big search underway.
Erin
That's terrible. Did they say where?
Helen
They mentioned trail 6.
Erin
That is weird. Trail 6 leads south around the edges of the lake. We were there just yesterday.
Helen
Did you see anything?
Erin
Nothing at all.
Erin
Does anyone know what happened?
Helen
People are saying the Withertree's responsible.
Erin
The what?
Helen
The Withertree. Surely you've heard that old myth?
Erin
Sounds creepy but doesn't ring any bells.
Helen
Got to be one of the oldest stories from round these parts.
Erin
I must have missed something. What is a Withertree?
Helen
Its something that's only found round here. Mallard County's very own tale of terror.
Helen
The story goes that when the first settlers turned up they came across an ancient tree in the woods. Gnarled, old and as spooky as hell.
Helen
There was no dam then and they tried to clear the land for farming.
Helen
Over the years a whole lot of people went missing and in the end the forest was left alone. Locals said it was the tree.
Erin
Why is it called the Withertree?
Helen
I think because they did find one old guy dead at the base of the tree.
Helen
Legend is that he was dried out like a mummy.
Helen
Turned out he was wearing the wedding ring of a man forty years younger than he looked.
Helen
Creepy stuff but nothing more than a local legend.
Erin
Did they ever cut the tree down?
Helen
Never found it again. That's what makes it so spooky. According to the legend its still out there.
Erin
Strange I've never heard of it.
Helen
Not surprising really. You didn't grow up round here. Nobody says anything unless someone goes missing.
Helen
Then its all Withertree and stuff. As predictable as the tides.
Helen
Its why you see so many of those Wicca types roaming the woods.
Erin
Now you've lost me. Wicca types?
Helen
Yeah. You know. Witches. A guy out of Longford runs tours for people wanting to search for the Withertree.
Helen
Its said that if you find the tree it will talk to you. Tell you anything you want to know.
Erin
Sounds more than creepy.
Helen
You're not kidding. Just for the record I have no intention of taking one of his tours.
Erin
Seems prudent. :)
Erin
Anyway. I'm thinking about having something to eat down at Henry's. You interested?
Helen
You paying?
Erin
If I must.
Helen
Then I'm in. What time?
Erin
I'll meet you there at 6.30.
Helen
See you there.
Tuesday 18th
Helen 8.14am
Hey Erin. You up?
Erin
Just getting ready for work. What's up?
Helen
Just heard something on the news.
Erin
About the missing person?
Helen
Afraid so. They found him on the trail.
Erin
Doesn't sound good.
Helen
It isn't. Police are asking for anyone who used the Reserve over the weekend to contact them.
Erin
What do they want?
Helen
I don't know. Seems like a good reason to not walk through there alone. Don't you think?
Erin
Had to get that in, didn't you.
Helen
:) When you have the time you should give them a call. You might have seen something.
Erin 10.41am
Hey Helen. Got a minute?
Helen
Just. Works got crazy here.
Erin
Rang the police. They want me to go down to the station for an interview.
Helen
Why?
Erin
Apparently they found that man on trail 6. Only a short distance from where I messaged you.
Helen
That's creepy.
Erin
Yeah. They think he was attacked by someone living in the forest.
Helen
Ok. Now its super creepy.
Helen
Do you want me to go with you?
Erin
Would you.
Helen
Anything to get out of this asylum for a few hours.
Erin
I've got the morning off work. Ok if I come and get you?
Helen
It's a plan. See you in twenty?
Erin
Great.
Helen 7.14pm
You ok?
Erin
Yeah. Thanks for coming with. Sorry I wasn't able to say much afterwards.
Helen
Understandable. Nobody is ever outrageously happy about spending time in a police station.
Helen
Do you want to talk now?
Erin
Yes. I'm not sure I was able to help much. Most of my walking group had already been interviewed.
Erin
There's a whole lot about what the cops were asking me that didn't make sense.
Helen
They don't think you had anything to do with it?
Erin
No. I didn't see anything that could help. They did ask me a lot about the tree though.
Helen
What tree?
Erin
That weird tree I found off the trail.
Helen
Just back up a moment. What tree?
Erin
When I called you on Sunday I was standing next to this weird old tree. You remember I mentioned it. As dead as winter it was. Beautiful in a strange way though.
Helen
What did it look like?
Erin
Kind of like a Willow but with thicker branches. It was in a clearing surrounded by bare ground. So grey it was almost silver.
Helen
And the cops asked you about it?
Erin
Apparently it was important to their enquiries.
Erin
Strange thing is. They've been unable to find it.
Helen
That is strange. Did they ask you anything else?
Erin
Apart from the tree just the usual stuff. If I'd seen anyone on the trails. Noticed any smoke in the hills. Any strange noises.
Helen
Were you able to help them?
Erin
Not really. They did establish that nobody had been using the trail during the time our group was on the path.
Erin
Whoever attacked the man must have done it later in the evening.
Helen
Weird about them not finding the tree.
Erin
Strange thing is they were looking for it even before I mentioned it. I wonder why?
Helen
...
Erin
Everything ok?
Helen
Sorry. I was just thinking about something. I'll see you tomorrow yeh?
Erin
You working?
Helen
Only a half day.
Erin
See you in the PM then.
Wednesday 19th
Erin 7.14am
Helen. Got a minute?
Helen
Hey Erin. Something happen?
Erin
I had a dream.
Helen
A good one I hope. :)
Erin
Its not funny. I had a dream and its freaked me out.
Helen
What was is about?
Erin
That blasted tree. I saw it in my dream and it scared the Jesus out of me.
Erin
I think its coming for me.
Helen
Look Erin. All that stuff I said about the Withertree. Don't take any notice. It was just nonsense. The Withertree is nothing more than a local legend and about as real as leprechauns and Big Foot.
Erin
You don't understand.
Helen
Tell me then.
Erin
It wasn't just a dream. It felt so real I can still hear the sounds in my ears.
Erin
There were these things under its control. Horrible creatures made of sticks and broken branches.
Erin
I saw them climbing up the side of my building. At least one of them was at my window. I can still hear its finger scraping across the glass.
Helen
You saw them?
Erin
Yes. In my dream.
Helen
Ok girl. As real as it might have seemed it was just a dream. Lets get a bit of perspective here.
Erin
That would be right but I found something.
Helen
What?
Erin
A pile of broken twigs at the base of the apartment block. Directly under my window.
Erin
Something was there. I know it.
Helen
This doesn't make any sense. What are you saying?
Erin
I think that tree I found was the Withertree.
Erin
And now its after me.
Helen
You know how that sounds don't you?
Erin
At this moment I don't care. In the dream the Withertree's creatures were trying to get at me.
Erin
It felt so real I can't ignore it.
Helen
So what will you do?
Erin
First off, I'm going back to the Reserve.
Helen
But there could be a killer in those woods. The police won't let you in anyway.
Erin
They say they couldn't find the tree, but I know what I saw.
Erin
I need to find it. I'll be safe enough in broad daylight.
Helen
Erin. Where are you?
Erin
In the Reserve carpark. I'm in my car.
Helen
Listen to me Erin. Don't go in there. It won't be safe and I'm not talking about malicious tree creatures.
Erin
Its the only thing I can think of.
Helen
I've got a better plan.
Erin
What?
Helen
I know someone. A guy I met a few years back. His name's Magnus and he specialises in all this kind of stuff.
Erin
Magnus? Doesn't even sound like a real name.
Helen
The names a long story but I think he can help.
Helen
If you promise not to go into the woods I'll give him a call and your number.
Erin
I'll have to be this morning. I can't just sit on my hands until tonight.
Erin
God. I don't even want to go to sleep.
Helen
Next hour I promise.
Erin
Ok. I'll go home. For the moment.
Magnus 9.16am
Hey Erin! You about?
Erin
Is this Magnus?
Magnus
Yep. Sorry I can't talk but I'm in Spain at the moment. International phone charges kill my budget.
Magnus
You ok if we just text?
Erin
No problem. Helen fill you in?
Magnus
Only the basics. It'd be best if you describe it all in your own words.
Erin
Its hard to do it without starting to panic.
Magnus
Just take it slow and easy.
Erin
I found this creepy tree in the Reserve near Hewlett Dam.
Erin
Ever since I've had an overwhelming compulsion to go back. But last night I had a dream and it scared the hell out of me.
Magnus
And there were other creatures in your dream?
Erin
Yes. But I didn't tell Helen everything.
Magnus
What did you leave out?
Erin
In my dream the creatures got into the apartment. I can only remember that they took me back into the woods.
Magnus
What happened there?
Erin
I found myself on the ground before the tree. It was bending over me, huge branches digging into my legs and arms. I was pinned down. I couldn't move.
Magnus
How did you get away?
Erin
I didn't. In my dream the Tree took control of me. In the dream I never came back.
Magnus
What happened when you woke up?
Erin
Nothing at all. Then I had a shower.
Magnus
And?
Erin
I found leaves and twigs in my hair.
Erin
The worst of it is I can still hear it in my thoughts.
Magnus
What is it saying?
Erin
Nothing intelligible. Its like a wind whispering in my ears, compelling me to return to it.
Erin
Its starting to scare the hell out of me. What does it all mean?
Magnus
I think Erin that you have a problem.
Erin
Why?
Magnus
You saw the tree. In the Withertree legend trouble starts the moment you clap eyes on it.
Magnus
All the records show that almost everyone who stumbles upon the tree disappears. The Withertree doesn't go out looking for victims. It waits for them to come to it.
Magnus
Did you touch it?
Erin
What do you mean?
Magnus
Did you touch it. The legend is very specific. If you touch the tree it cannot rest until it takes control of you.
Erin
Kind of. But plenty of other people had as well.
Magnus
Oh shit. Tell me you didn't carve your name into it.
Erin
Well. I was waiting for Steve and had a bit of time to spare. The trunk was covered in names and dates. Some went back as far as the 1700's.
Erin
Couldn't see any harm so I scratched my own into its bark.
Magnus
Ok. Can I get back to you?
Erin
You won't be long will you?
Magnus
Just twenty. I need to check something.
Erin
Ok.
Magnus 9.57am
Erin. Where are you?
Erin
On my way home.
Magnus
That's good. Can you pull over?
Erin
Sure. Just give me a moment.
Erin
Done. What did you find out.
Magnus
Two things. The first is that those creatures you dreamt about are called Withers.
Magnus
According to the legend they are the remnants of people who have given themselves over to the tree.
Magnus
A lot of people think they are what remains of all the people who have gone missing over the years.
Magnus
The second is that those people gave themselves to the tree by carving their names into its trunk.
Erin
But I didn't mean to.
Magnus
I don't think the tree is going to be that discerning.
Erin
What can I do?
Magnus
There is only one thing you can do.
Erin
Oh God. What is it?
Magnus
You have to find the tree and give it a sacrifice.
Erin
Jesus. Are you sure?
Magnus
Absolutely.
Erin
What sort of sacrifice?
Magnus
Blood. You'll need to draw blood from your finger and rub it into your name on the tree.
Erin
And that will do it?
Magnus
It should break the connection the tree is trying to forge between you.
Erin
How can you be sure?
Magnus
Only one person ever escaped the Withertree. That was a girl in the 1800's named Tabitha Myers.
Magnus
Records say her grandmother told her to do it and the tree left her alone. You'll have to do the same.
Erin
When?
Magnus
As soon as possible. Do it this afternoon.
Erin
Oh My God. Ok. I'll do it.
Erin
When I get to the Reserve can I get you back online?
Magnus
No problem. I'll be waiting.
Helen 11.06am
Magnus. Where are you?
Magnus
Hey Helen. Rang that girlfriend of yours.
Helen
What did you say to her?
Magnus
Just told her what she needed to hear.
Magnus
I know you were concerned about her. I could tell she was freaking out about that Withertree malarkey so I gave her something to do.
Helen
What did you tell her to do?
Magnus
To go to the tree and make a sacrifice.
Helen
You did what?
Magnus
Told her to go to the tree. She'll slap a bit of blood on the thing and think everything's done and dusted. I was very convincing.
Helen
I don't believe you. I asked you to calm her down. Tell her the legends weren't real.
Magnus
Come on Helen. The girl was freaking out about an old myth. Anyway it not all my fault.
Helen
What do you mean?
Magnus
You told me your friend was a bit edgy about these things. You didn't say she was full on delusional.
Magnus
She actually believed that the tree was after her.
Magnus
I mean. The tree doesn't even exist and she said she's carved her name into it. What was I supposed to do?
Helen
For a start you could've restrained from sending her into a forest where the police are currently looking for a killer.
Magnus
What?
Helen
You really don't listen do you. Someone was killed in the forest only yesterday.
Magnus
Shit. I didn't know.
Helen
Christ Magnus. It was one of the first things I said to you. The whole point of you contacting her was to stop her going into the woods. Where is she now?
Magnus
I don't know. Probably on her way to find the tree.
Helen
Just for the record you're an idiot.
Magnus
What do you want me to do?
Helen
I think you've already done enough. I'll text her and get her back.
Helen 11.32am
Erin. You there?
Erin
Hey girl.
Helen
Where are you?
Erin
On the trail near the cascades.
Helen
You shouldn't be there. Its dangerous.
Erin
I'm not going through another night like the last. That dream was too real.
Helen
Look Erin. There's something I've got to tell you.
Erin
Hold that thought Helen. I've found the tree.
Helen
What?
Erin
The Withertree. I've found it.
Helen
Where?
Erin
Just off trail 6. Into the woods about a hundred yards south of the trail sign.
Erin
I knew I'd find it again. I knew it wasn't my imagination.
Helen
Are you sure?
Erin
Yes. Its the weirdest yet wonderful thing I've ever seen.
Erin
It has names carved all over it. In the sunlight its gleaming. God its beautiful.
Helen
Are you all right? You don't seem yourself at the moment.
Erin
I'm fine. Magnus told me what to do but somehow it doesn't seem necessary any more.
Helen
Erin. Are you feeling ok?
Erin
Wonderful. I can see the Withers.
Helen
What can you see?
Erin
Her creatures are in the bushes, watching me. I can hear them calling me to the tree. They want me to be one with them.
Helen
Shit. Erin, none of this is real. There's something wrong.
Helen
You should get away from that place now.
Erin
I can't see why. The Withers are here. They want me to stay with them.
Helen
Erin. There are no Withers. There is no Withertree. It is just a myth.
Erin
They're calling me. It sounds so wonderful.
Helen
Jesus. What's going on?
Helen
Erin. Answer me.
Helen
Erin?
Helen 12.14pm
Magnus!
Magnus
What's happened?
Helen
I don't know what ideas you put in her head but I'm scared now.
Magnus
What's she done?
Helen
I got in contact.
Helen
She was already at the tree. She found it in the woods.
Magnus
What. Its real?
Helen
She said that the Withers were there as well.
Magnus
How can that be? Its just an old folktale.
Helen
I'm scared Magnus, she's not answering and she sounded weird. Like it wasn't her anymore.
Magnus
What are you going to do?
Helen
Go and find her. Ring the police. I'm not sure yet. There must be plenty of cops left in the park.
Magnus
You sure you want to go in there?
Helen
What choice do I have. You're in Spain. I'm the only one who knows what's going on.
Magnus
Call me as soon as you get to the park.
Helen 1.26pm
I'm here.
Magnus
See any police?
Helen
None. Something must have happened. They should be crawling these woods.
Magnus
What are you going to do?
Helen
Walk the trail first. See if I can find the sign she mentioned.
Magnus
Keep me in the loop.
Helen
Will do.
Helen 2.06pm
Found the sign.
Magnus
Do you see her?
Helen
Not yet. She said the tree was a hundred yards in from the trail.
Magnus
Be careful.
Helen
I can see her footprints leading into the undergrowth.
Helen
I'll follow them and see where they lead.
Helen 2.14pm
Jesus. I can see the tree.
Magnus
Don't get close to it.
Helen
I said I can see the tree Erin described. I didn't say its the Withertree.
Magnus
All the same. Keep your distance.
Magnus
Any sign of Erin?
Helen
I can't tell. There's a lot of wind here.
Magnus
Do you see any footprints?
Helen
Grounds covered in leaf litter. Winds carrying it across the clearing.
Helen
Hold on. I see something.
Magnus
What is it?
Helen
Its Erin. She laying up against the tree.
Helen
The tree is bending over her.
Helen
OMG. Its branches are all curving down towards her.
Magnus
Are you sure its Erin?
Helen
Yes. But she's changing.
Helen
Oh God. She's changing. The tree is doing something to her.
Magnus
Get out of there!
Helen
No. I've got to get her out.
Helen 2.30pm
Magnus. Call the police.
Magnus
What's happening?
Helen
I've dragged her away from the tree but there's something wrong with her.
Helen
Her body is changing. I feel like I'm dragging a bag full of sticks.
Magnus
You're joking aren't you?
Magnus
This is some kind of prank, right?
Helen
Jesus Magnus. Call the police. Get them out here.
Helen
They're all around us. I can see them!
Magnus
What do you see?
Helen
Its the Withers. Dozens of them.
Helen
They're coming out of the undergrowth. Jesus, one of them is enormous.
Helen
Oh God. The tree. its moving! Its coming straight for us.
Magnus
Helen. Run! Leave Erin and Run!
Helen
I can't leave her. I don't know what to do.
Magnus
Burn them.
Helen
What?
Magnus
Burn the Withers. Set the undergrowth on fire.
Magnus
Still got your lighter?
Magnus
I can't ever remember a time when the Reserve has gone up in flames. Maybe its time now.
Helen
Shit.
Magnus
You still there? Helen?
Helen
Call the Fire Brigade.
Helen 3.23pm
Magnus. I'm at the car.
Magnus
What the hell happened?
Helen
I lit the underbrush. Went up like a bonfire.
Helen
Dragged Erin out of the trees and onto the path.
Helen
The Withers came after us but they were caught in the flames.
Helen
God it was awful. They were screaming as they ran to escape the flames. Spread fire all through the woods.
Magnus
Did you get the Withertree?
Helen
I saw it only once in the midst of the blaze. It was definitely on fire, its branches flailing as it fought against the flames.
Helen
Then the smoke obscured everything.
Helen
I've never seen anything go up so quickly. The undergrowth must have been tinder dry.
Magnus
Is the forest still ablaze?
Helen
Completely in flames. I can hear sirens. I think its the Fire Brigade.
Helen
It is them. Four engines have just rolled into the carpark.
Magnus
How is Erin?
Helen
Returning to normal. Its incredible. I've never seen anything like it.
Helen
Her body is changing. Her skin is pale but she getting some colour back.
Magnus
Is she breathing?
Helen
Steady and slow.
Helen
I've had enough of this. I need to get Erin to the hospital.
Magnus
What will you say?
Helen
I don't know. Just that she passed out on the street I guess. I'll let them work the rest of it out for themselves.
Magnus
Do you think the Withertree is gone?
Helen
No idea. I'll tell you one thing though.
Magnus
What's that?
Helen
If any of those things darken my door again I'm going to come back out here and send them all to Hell.
Helen
God I need a coffee.
THE END
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