Black Lake Cemetery

[Damien]

Early one evening a young woman decides to take one last chance on what was an exhausting search. As the sun begins to fall she notices a road not on the map: she steps on the gas kicking up stones and dirt.
It wasnt long before she sensed something was wrong but the road was too narrow to turn around. The dust made it difficult to see so she came to a stop and wonders where she could be? Did this road lead back to town? Looking behind, looking ahead she made a decision not to take the road to the end. Backing out would be tough, she wasnt confident enough, she spun the wheel all the way until it squeeled and made the turn as the sun was in its descent.

Just within the headlights something caught her eye, she stepped out to see what secrets this place might hide. Anxiety gave way to curiosity but she asked herself out loud what she was doing in the woods this time of night? Stumbling over something in the brush she bends to pick it up. It was a very old sign that read, Black Lake Cemetery, here lay those convicted of blaspheme, their souls are damned, these grounds are cursed for all eternity.
She scans the area and finds unusually sculpted headstones and even more unusual was that there were no names just the nature of their crimes and the manner of their execution. At the bottom of each headstone read, This useless existence was spared by the righteous persecution.

A shiver went down her back; the hair stood up on her neck. As she drove away she couldnt shake the pictures forming in her head. Mutilated, decapitated bodies, severed limbs flashing in and out followed by the faint cries of those who wished for death. Finally home in her bed, she pulls the covers over her head and falls asleep. The night brings horrible dreams and memories of a childhood tragedy, one that had been buried deep. Shes unable to close her eyes because of the images flooding her mind; she gets in her car and drives.
The sun creeps over the mountains shining once again on the town where her nightmares began. Wanting answers she goes to the mortuary to see if anyone had heard of Black Lake Cemetery. She was told the only one with any information would be the old priest from the Church of the Final Salvation. The priest told her such a place did exist but four centuries ago; she could not of seen what she did on that dirt road. If this was a figment of her imagination it did not explain the dreams of death and mutilation. He told her the people buried there were convicted of crimes against the government. Minimal crimes but they were sentenced to unspeakable punishment. They were tortured until they told of there worst fear and then they were executed in that manner. None of this explained her recent obsession; perhaps it was a memory that she was repressing. The priest suggested confession might resolve this matter.

She spoke of her worst memory one not talked about for many years. He gave her his blessing, she was somewhat relieved to at least admit to her fear. Night was falling, a light rain sprinkled on the car window. Through the mist she saw the road again. If talking about her fears was the beginning then going down this road could be the end. It wasnt long before she sensed something was wrong; she wasnt on the gas but the car sped along. She felt the car leave the road, roll over several times before coming to a stop. Frightened and shaken she tries to move but both legs are broken. The headlights shine on the spot where she propped up the old sign, she cries out but its obviously hopeless. She opens the door and lets herself fall, despite tremendous pain she begins to crawl. The bones in her legs rub together making a horrible sound, she feels something on her, pulls her head up to look around. Face to face with her worst fear, the one she had repressed, the one she had just confessed. Thousands and thousands of deadly spiders litter the ground.

Here lay those convicted of blaspheme, their souls are damned, these grounds are cursed for all eternity.