Echo hill, p.1
Echo Hill, page 1
Echo Hill
W.H. Beswick
Published by W.H. Beswick, 2024.
ECHO HILL
By
W.H. BESWICK
COPYRIGHT2O19@W.H.BESWICK
This story is a work of fiction and the product of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to any person, place, institution, or event is purely coincidental.
DEICATED TO SHER MARSHALL WHEREEVER YOU ARE, I HOPE YOU ARE WELL AND HAPPPY.
Paranormal Research is not something to be taken lightly, nor is it a game or the subject of a reality show, especially if you plan on going to Echo Hill...
Excerpt from the interview, mother of a son who went to Echo hill and vanished. His case is still open.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
PROLOGUE
PART 1 | CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
PART 2 | CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 29
PART 2 | CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 22
PROLOGUE
“We should have never come here,” Walt said, more to himself than the young woman beside him. They both huddled under a tree. The low boughs offered some protection from the pouring rain. The twenty-nine year old man had been born and raised in California, where it did rain – but nothing like this. This was a cold, hard rain that drenched their supposedly-waterproof jackets. He could feel the water inside his boots, soaking his socks. The cold sent shivers through his body. Shivers that he was sure were freezing his very soul. With his hands across his chest in a feeble attempt to get some warmth, he miserably stared out into the darkness. When there was no response to his statement, he glanced at the young woman beside him. Her hood was pulled down covering her face, but like him she shivered, and not only from the cold and rain.
Colleen had never been a believer in God, but in that moment she was praying to the deity she mocked her entire life. Fear was a great motivator when it came to believing in God. Walt said something, but she ignored his remark. She was focused on the surrounding trees. Just a day ago, in the sunlight, she had marveled at the beauty of this place. Tall, majestic trees reached up into the blue sky. Their leafy branches spread out in what she thought was a welcoming gesture. Now, they looked more like the shadow monsters she feared as a child. The branches were now long, sharp claws, reaching for her. The wind sounded more like a growl, or moan of something evil. Back home, she just turned on the light and the monsters were gone.
There was no light here.
Was there ever?
The hike had been fun: laughter, joking about their pains from the steep winding trail, the joy of seeing a deer with their fawns. A family of raccoons scurrying away, but then turning to look back with those cute masked faces. Sitting around the campfire and seriously discussing why they were there. In the back of her mind, she never expected they would find anything. She was not a believer in ghosts, but she was in love. Twenty-three, and deeply in love.
Now she was believer in God and ghosts.
Now she just wanted to go home. Home, where it was warm and dry. Home, where there were no ghosts or evil witches. A chill ran through her body, but it wasn’t from the rain or cold. She turned and saw the same look of fear in Walt’s face.
He had heard it too...maybe felt it.
“Oh God, she’s coming,” Walt said with a whimper. He glanced at the young blonde woman beside him. It was his fault they were there. He moved in front of her and threw out his arms. “Leave her alone!” he exclaimed. “Take me!”
“Please!” Colleen sobbed. “We just want to go home!”
They both saw the black shape move toward them. They both screamed.
PART 1
CHAPTER 1
THE REALITY SHOW STAR
“Audrey, do you find you being the daughter of one of the richest men in America is a handicap or benefit in your paranormal research?”
“First off, I have my own money. I don’t need my father’s support for my research. Obviously having money is a definite advantage. I can buy the best equipment and hire the best people. What is annoying me is: people don’t take my research seriously? What daughter of a billionaire can be interested in the paranormal? I do have a degree. Granted, it is in Cinema, but I graduated top of my class. Considering how competitive film school is, that’s no small feat. If you check with my family and friends, I have always had a great interest in the paranormal. I had my first encounter with a ghost when I was ten.”
“Your show does have high ratings, but many critics point out that your father buys a lot of the commercial time on your show. Plus, you are a very attractive woman, and some of the outfits you wear on your show...”
“Stop right there. Do I go into these haunted places wearing a mini-shirt and stiletto boots? No, I wear whatever outfit is practical. I am supposed to be mocked because I look good in jeans or shorts. As for my father, if you knew my father, you’d know he doesn’t spend money lightly. Trust me, if he wasn’t making money off my show, he wouldn’t be buying airtime. Once again, I have my own money.”
“Another criticism is: you go to what many people consider safe places...”
“Safe places? That just some whiners who don’t have the guts to go out and do what I do. Do you consider Echo Hill a safe place?”
“You are going to Echo Hill...no one goes to Echo Hill anymore....”
“No one but me.”
CHAPTER 2
THAT WOULD BE A NO
“No one goes up to Echo Hill, young lady.”
“We have permission,” Audrey Lang said with a smile.
“Now, Miss Lang, don’t go lying to me,” Sheriff Adam Royal said, mirroring the expression. He looked across the battered desk that belonged to his father and his grandfather. Now it was his desk, along with the badge on his chest. Most times it was a real easy job, but today it was annoying. His grey eyes took in the young woman sitting across from him. He had seen her on TV more than once. Being the daughter of a billionaire that was expected, especially when she looked like one of those Victoria’s Secret models.
She was indeed quite beautiful. Her cheekbones, chin, and eyes gave her a face he was sure didn’t come from God, but some very talented doctor. But those green eyes were all hers. Sparkling with...
With what?
The black leather jacket, with matching skirt, along with the red blouse, were probably from Rodeo Drive or some store back from New York. Adam wouldn’t know. He notice the two top buttons of her bright blouse were undone, giving the world a hint of her bosom. Adam was too much in love with his younger wife to be bothered. The wife who shopped at Fred Meyers or Target. Always thrilled when she found a bargain.
The sheriff noted Miss Lang’s long red curls fell away from her face in beautiful but unnatural way. They reached all the way down her back, where her hair was cut into a straight, perfect line just above her slender waist. He wondered why the only daughter of one of the richest men in the world work at all, let alone hosting such a ridiculous show.
Then he reminded himself why she was here.
Maybe not that ridiculous.
“Fine, I really don’t need permission. It is public land,” Audrey said with a tone that seemed intended to remind this small town sheriff who she was. The twenty-four year old eyed the man sitting behind the small wooden desk in the small office. A small man in a small office in a big world. His well-pressed uniform shirt was tan with patches on the side. A silver badge pinned to the front pocket. He looked to be in his forties, but his hair was still coal black, and the only wrinkles of his face were around his eyes.
Laugh lines.
For some reason, his friendly attitude and tone of voice annoyed her. Most people treated her with more respect...even fear. Not this small man. He showed no hint of fear – or even respect. He was amused. She felt her face blush when that smug smile came to his lips.
“I thought you did your homework?” Adam said. Boy that was nice perfume she was wearing. His wife probably knew what that scent was. It smelled expensive. Everything about this young lady screamed wealth and power. But that was out in the real world. Not here. Here, Miss Audrey Lang was just another annoyance. “Three years back, the town sold Echo Hill. It is now private property. I know the owners, and they didn’t give you permission. The reason I know this is beca use, right after the sale was done, the owners tore down the only bridge that ran up the old logging road. Farther up, there was a log that you could use to cross a deep creek. That was cut up for firewood. Then they planted bamboo trees along the path. My god that stuff grows fast. Along with that, he planted these bushes that had the biggest damn thorns I ever saw. They have made it clear they don’t want anyone up there. I don’t want anyone up. So you are not going up there.”
“Are you telling me there is not trail anymore? No way to get up there?”
“Well, I suppose if you were really determined, but carrying cameras and other equipment would make it quite difficult.”
“That’s my problem. I promised my viewers the most haunted place in this part of the country.”
“It’s not a problem for you, because you ain’t going. You know how many times my father and his father went up that goddamn hill? Too many to count. People got hurt going up there looking for the fools who just wanted see Echo Hill. Everyone who has gone up there looking for Echo Hacker has died, or just vanished.”
“Not everyone. Two people came back.”
“Yes, two people came back,” he said, leaning back in his chair, glancing back as it creaked. “Guess who owns Echo Hill now.”
CHAPTER 3
MONEY TALKS
Audrey came out the same sheriff’s office looking more than annoyed. She was pulling her phone out her purse, which matched her shoes perfectly. Her driver was a young man who had been hired for the day, because he knew the fastest way to get around this nothing little town back in the hills of Oregon. He could see the anger and stepped back, giving the young lady plenty of room. As she rushed past, he turned away, not wanting to be caught looking at his employer. It was almost impossible. That leather skirt...so tight and short... He forced himself to look up at the tall tree-covered mountain instead of what he really wanted to look at. A light fog lingered over the tops of the trees. It looked quite beautiful. It didn’t look like the kind of place ghosts would hang out.
But what did he know?
Audrey was fuming. She was used to people not only being afraid of her, but respecting the power she represented. She spoke, and they obeyed. Then, this small town sheriff, rocking back and forth in his chair with that arrogant grin. Normally she would call someone to complain, but in this small town in Oregon what could anyone do? No one here worked for any of her father’s companies. No one she could think of even knew about this dot on the map. All the local businesses were family-owned.
Local businesses. That was a joke.
A gas station, small store, and diner. A sporting goods store, and that was pretty much it.
The local mayor and sheriff actually seemed to be honest. She could see that, so money hadn’t been offered. She hit speed dial. Before the person on the other end of the call could say a word, she yelled, “What the hell! I thought you did the research on this place.”
“I did, Miss Lang.”
“Then how did you miss Echo Hill is now privately-owned? Tell me, Jerry, how did you miss that?”
“Huh?” Jerry said. “Maybe they did the deal face-to-face. You know, not using the Internet. Signing actual papers. Okay, okay, it’s got be registered somewhere. I’ll find the owners.”
“I already know who the owners are. There are the only two people who went up Echo Hill and came back.”
“You mean those two? Wow, who would thought writing horror novels could make you such big bucks.”
“Oh God, have you never heard of Stephen King?” Audrey groaned. “Find them. I’ll make them an offer they can’t refuse.”
“Very Godfather.”
Audrey just clicked off. She angrily looked up at the mountain known as Echo Hill. So close, yet so far.
“Those two writers aren’t going to let you set foot on that mountain.”
The tall redhead turned and stared at the small, skinny man. He was wearing old, faded jeans, patched with red cloth in several places. His shirt was red flannel that looked new. The man couldn’t have been more than twenty, but his face showed he had a hard life – or maybe he just drank. A day-old beard covered the chin of his oval face. A beat up trucker’s cap rested on a head with hair cropped very short. His blue eyes were bright. When he smiled, Audrey expected to see some missing teeth but they were all there, and white.
“The town let them have Echo Hill cheap. Every time someone died or vanished up there, someone would try to sue the town. Like there is any money here. It still cost them money to defend themselves. So, you see, the town and those writers had the same goal. Stop anyone from going up to there to stop the lawsuits. Well, I think the writers actually believe in ghosts.”
Audrey studied the man. He was definitely not college-educated, but this man was smart in his own way. She stepped closer. “You been up there?”
“Just to what is left of the logging camp... The place you want to go is a little farther up. My brother, he got the shakes, so we came back down.”
“You know a way up there?”
“I do. I should tell you, it will be a hard hike. Have to cross a couple of creeks and such. Harder if you are carrying heavy gear. I mean, you are going up to film for your TV show,” he said, moving closer so he could get a better look at the redhead. His brother said she looked so good on TV because of lighting and makeup. His brother was wrong about that.
“But you can get me up there,” she said, feeling the man’s eyes leer over her. She was used to it. They could all look, but no touching allowed. Wouldn’t the world be shocked to discover Audrey Lang was a virgin? According to the media, she had dozens of lovers. Now that was fake news.
“That depends on what you are willing to pay. Like I said, my brother got the shakes. He’s better in the woods that I am, but for the right price he might be persuaded...”
Audrey smiled. Now they were in her ballpark. Money.
CHAPTER 4
GHOSTS PAY THE BILLS
Professor Richard Wolsky walked into his classroom. It was packed. It was always packed on the day he discussed Echo Hill –he most haunted place in Oregon. In the top ten for the entire nation. He understood the fascination. It had all the right elements: a beautiful woman wronged; evil, greedy men; and, over the last two-hundred years, almost a hundred people had died or gone missing. No matter how many times he told the story, the room was packed. His eyes drifted over the room. Usual crowd. The students that were actually registered for the class. The rest were a mixture of old and young. All here for the ghost story. He spotted the short blonde girl sitting in front again. How many times had she been here? Last time, there had been a tall girl with a mass of angry red hair with her. Her friend looked amused at the story during the whole lecture. This made him like the young lady. She wasn’t taken in by his story.
The tall, lean man walked to the podium. His jacket was dull white, while his shirt and slacks were black, as was his hair. Many thought it a little too black. It was combed back with gel, making him look like a modern-day greaser from the fifties. It was the only way he could cover up the growing bald spot. Someday he would have to look into some other way to deal with that, but not yet. Around his neck was a gold chain with a round medallion with an eye in the center. He told people it was the all-seeing eye. It gave him powerful protection.
Which, in his line of study, was very important.
Professor Wolsky was in mid-forties but could pass for much younger thanks to good genes and the lack of sun in Oregon. A bright sun will cause wrinkles. There were very few signs of his age on his face. Black-framed glasses that he didn’t need rested on his hooked nose. Another prop for the image.
Wolsky had no notes; he didn’t need any. He knew the story by heart. He had also covered it in his last book. It was a best-seller. This made him smile. Thanks to his books, he was considered one of the nation’s top experts of the paranormal when it came to ghosts.
Not demons. Ghosts.
He was very clear on that.
Richard would always point out that ghosts and demons were two completely different creatures. Demons had never been human and were always evil. Ghosts had been people and weren’t always evil.
