DEADLY SUMMER
What could possibly go wrong in a tranquil area that resembles a photo on a calendar? The scene is too good to be true! Although this air is crisp and clean, it smells of trouble! And this trouble seems to be fast approaching!
It is obvious that the summer tourism season has already begun as numerous people from all over the country begin to flock into this region. The local Chamber of Commerce has erected a large billboard sign off the main highway leading into town that reads:
“Welcome To The Most Peaceful Spot In N.Y. State!”
The sign is attractively decorated with colorful scenes of lakes, mountains, forests and streams. It says it all! This is the place to be for anyone and everyone seeking that restful vacation spot – or even to have as a permanent residence.
Upon entering from the highway, a quaint town hall with its old style clock tower is visible. This red brick structure shows signs of age, but is well kept just the same.
An old wooden church, a library, a firehouse, and some small stores, are also visible along the neat tree-lined street.
Recreational vehicles, trailers and campers flow through town. Tour buses are beginning to unload many vacationers at the only gas station in town, which also doubles as a bus depot. What once used to smell like crisp clean air now has the foul odor of gasoline fumes permeating its atmosphere. It now reeks of a big city – fumes, people, and all.
Schools have already been closed for the usual summer recess, which results in many children playing all over town.
There is the usual small group of wise guys found in almost every place in America – long hair growing almost down to their butt, occasionally yelling sarcastic remarks to the public passing by. However, they really are not all that bad. They are just “mouthy”.
It feels like the hottest day of the year as that scorching sun bakes through the mountain air that hovers over the area. Although it is extremely hot, at least it is not humid. It is a dry heat, that kind of heat usually associated with these high mountainous areas. Occasionally, a nice cool breeze is felt, giving temporary relief to the local inhabitants.
As one peers down the main street, tourists and souvenir shoppers are seen scurrying around town dressed in all styles of summer clothes. Several Native American Indians from small local tribes have extended their Indian Trading Posts onto the sidewalks in front of their souvenir shops in order to attract people inside.
Despite that warped thinking of those who firmly believe that all the Indians live in the “wild west” and not in densely populated New York State, actually more than fifty thousand Native American Indians do live in this far eastern state!
In fact, there are more Indians in New York State than in some of those particular states that people believe them to be living in. New York is actually the eighth most populated state of Native Americans, outranking most of those western states where people generally associate the “redskins”!
Meanwhile, a police car is parked in front of the coffee shop. As one peers through the front door, a police officer is observed seated at the counter sipping a cool refreshing drink inside this very hot café. No air conditioning – only a large floor fan. A screened door and an open rear window help keep some coolness inside. This officer is wearing a gold badge with gold bars on his shirt collar, typical of a ranking officer. Other customers are seated around tables enjoying ice cream and soda as they avoid the sweltering heat.
The jukebox is blaring away as some youngsters keep tune with their hands and feet to the very latest songs of the season. It is so loud, it is heard down the street. Everything appears normal. Other youngsters are playing in the street, while the usual type drunk found in practically every town staggers across the center of the village.
It is normally a quiet little village except during these summer months when travelers pass through here on their trip to several natural wonders that are tourist attractions. The population of the regular permanent residents here is slightly over one thousand. However, it generally overflows as soon as the summer season arrives, and swelling to even greater proportions. As a result of this, additional police are usually assigned here, assisting where needed for traffic and crowd control – and general protection.
Not very far from here, the noted writer James Fenimore Cooper staged several of his famous stories. In fact, his tales were so famous that the people paid him homage by naming Cooperstown, honoring his family name – home also of the National Baseball Hall Of Fame. It is in the central part of New York State, due west of the well-known Hudson River. This is in the same region that many two hundred year old villages still exist, with enough folklore to fill a number of fairy tale books.
No one could ever suspect that something could possibly go wrong – so wrong that it will change the course of history of this peaceful quaint town. This community is now about to become so involved in a very horrifying experience that is almost beyond belief! In fact, it is beyond belief!
Then, that unexpected happens! Almost as if fate wants it that way, the loud music finally finishes playing inside of the café. This temporary pause of silence is suddenly broken by a terrifying sound that penetrates inside.
Without warning, a horrifying scream breaks the silence of the mid-day air! The shrill is almost heard a mile away as it echoes across the valley floor, only to be backed up and followed by one nasty screech worse than the first! The first scream sounds almost like a human’s cry for help, while the second and louder tone is almost inhuman!