Horror Virgin #4: The Descent

Hey Scott,


I finally have my Internet access again! The cabin was out in the middle of nowhere, and not even the iphone was getting a signal.

The trip hasn't gone so well. When I got to the cabin, everyone was already here, and a bit wasted. I felt a bit out of place – I really only know Rebecca of the bunch, and I haven't seen her since I was in London two years ago, the rest of them I've only met once or twice. Apparently, plans changed while I was on my way out here, and they decided to go caving instead of camping. Everyone's a hardcore climber, and I guess they thought that since I was born and raised in the Colorado Rockies, I must be too. But I told them my only experience with mountain climbing was watching The Eiger Sanction and Cliffhanger. My inexperience pissed off Holly and Juno because, you know, it's all my fault. So, needless to say, I didn't go caving. I didn't even get a chance to really reconsider going, as by the time I got up, they had all left, and there was a note from Juno asking if I'd have dinner ready for when they got back. Even though I was freezing and more than a little depressed at being all alone, I made the most of it, and explored the woods a little bit. It's really pretty out here. It looks just like The Last of the Mohicans.

Anyway, no one showed up for dinner, but I figured they decided to drive into town to celebrate or something. It must have been 9 or 10 when I finally heard the car pull up. Here's where the story gets creepy – no one came in. The car just sat out there, lights on, running. Finally I went outside to see what the hell was up.



It was Sarah, Rebecca's friend. She was all alone, covered in blood, and beat to hell. She was totally out of it. I finally convinced her to come inside so that I could call for help, but she just sat there on the couch. I couldn't get her to eat or drink anything, or even take a shower, but she started to babble the entire story to me. Juno (one of the really hardcore ones) decided the cave they had planned on doing was too boring, and she took them to some unexplored thing off the map. Things were going ok, until poor Sarah got stuck, and the tunnel collapsed, trapping them inside. Holly fell and broke her leg really badly. They couldn't find a way out. I asked her where everyone was – were they still down there? How the hell did she get out? She totally spaced out, and then mumbled something about the rest of the girls being dead, and something eating them.

She sat there totally catatonic for awhile, and I felt safe leaving her to call down to the Forest Service for help. Turns out, they were already looking for the girls, and they said they'd send someone up as soon as they could, but they were really shorthanded. When I got off the phone, she was just standing there, looking out the window. I noticed then that Holly's video camera was sitting there. I don't know what made me think of turning it on. I don't even know how to describe what I saw – it was terrifying. These things attacked them – horrible, blind things. They looked like those cave fish crossed with Gollum. Holly was torn apart right there on camera. I don't know about the rest, but Juno put up a hell of a fight from what I could see.

I tried to snap her out of it, tried to find out if anyone survived. But she didn't answer – she just said something weird about Juno and how she "had to do it – she took Paul away" which I didn't get at all. Then she just laid down on the couch and closed her eyes. I stayed up for awhile looking out for the park rangers, but they didn't show, so I just went to bed. I don't know when I finally fell asleep. I just kept seeing those things. When I woke up, someone was banging on the door, and I had to run to answer it. I was so half asleep that I didn't notice that Sarah was gone until the forest ranger asked where she was.

She was gone. There's no sign she was ever here. Even the car and the video camera are gone. The guy was looking at me like I was totally crazy, and said it was probably post traumatic stress disorder, and that they'd patrol the roads and see if they could find her. I feel like I dreamed her even being here.

I know what I saw on the camera, and I know they're probably all dead. I don't even want to think about it. Right before I left, the forest ranger said something very snide about how they should have taken a guy or two along as a guide ... please. Like any guy would have fared better. Those women were all incredibly capable, kick-ass outdoorsy chicks. If they couldn't fight those things, and find a way out, no guy could have.

I have to say – you've had me watch a few horror movies now, and this was one of the freakiest things I've ever seen. It was so real. If only more horror movies were like this one, they might actually scare me.

All I want to do is get back home to my wide open spaces, where there's no horrible tunnels, and nothing waiting to jump on me. Just being around Sarah and watching that footage made me feel like I was choking. I'm not even claustrophobic. Ugh. I'm so glad I didn't go. That's all I keep thinking about. I'm never ever going to go caving. I'm an indoor girl.

Anyway, I'll be back in a couple of days. I want to come home, but I did spend the money, so I might as some of the museums, do some shopping. Maybe there's a Daniel Day Lewis lookalike out here, ha ha. See you soon.

Elisabeth
P.S. Yes, I forgot to bring Doomsday with me -- I'll rent it when I get back, I need to catch up on Neil Marshall for sure ...