Sugarloaf (PG-13 or R for mild profanity no "Adult" themes at all)

This is based off of a true story. though most of the plot is exagerated or from my imagination the setting, characters, and some parts of the story are true. the names of my main protagonist characters have been changed to protect their identities. The antagonists are completely fictional, and come from my imagination. I plan to make this story into a novel someday, but i figure i'd share an early version of the story with you all, enjoy!
-TheKnightofAwesome
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I sat on my porch, suitcase lying next to me and duffel bag at my feet. it was a beautiful day in Michigan. The sun hung high in the sky and there were little to no clouds to block out it's warmth. My puppy, Finnigan, ran around the yard happy and energetic as ever. He went between chasing his own tale to sniffing curiously at my duffel where i had stored some snacks for the five hour trip that awaited me.

Earlier in the week my best friend Jason had invited me to go with him to his grandparents cottage in Travers City, which was in northern Michigan. I had never been up north before so I was excited to see the fabled beauty of this state. I felt a little embarrassed, seeing as i LIVED in Michigan but had never been up north before. My family just prefered other locations to do our vacationing. Regardless, i was pumped to spend a whole 4 weeks up there, in the wilderness with my best friend and his parents, who i also enjoyed to be around.

Only a five minuets were left until my friend said he and his family would be at my house to pick me up, then the adventure of my young life would begin!

 

As predicted, my friend as his parents pulled into my driveway, in their blue Ford. I called to Finnigan and put him back inside in the care of my mother, i didn't want him to be jumping up on Jason's family. as soon as Finnigan was out of the way, Jason got out of the car and came to greet me.

"Greg! Great to see you man!"

"You too man! I've been looking forward to this all week." Jason took my suitcase and put it into the trunk of the car, i put the duffel at my feet. "I have snacks for us for the car ride man."

"Great, we're going to need them. It takes a while to get up to Traverse City." I laughed and got into the car with Jason. His parents greeted me and said they were glad i could join them. i said my goodbyes to my own parents, and then we were off.

 

The trip was uneventful, we chatted, played games, ate the snacks, The usual road trip bit. Finally after five long hours we passed the sign: "Welcome to Traverse City." I was excited, I couldn't wait to experience all the fun stuff Jason had told me about up here.

"Actually," said Jason, "The place we're staying in is in Cedar Village, a place right outside of Traverse City, but it's really close."

"Ok, that's fine, I'm just psyched to b here!" I replied.

"Hey, the first thing we need to do, after we get settled in that is, We need to go up to Sugarloaf Mountain."

"Oh Yeah," said his dad, "You can't come up to Traverse city without going up there."

"What's 'Sugarloaf Mountain'?" I asked. "You've never mentioned that before.

"It's this old abandoned ski resort, it's about a half mile up the road from where we're staying." said Jason

"Hmm, Alright. Sounds interesting." I said looking out the window over the lake we were passing.

About a half hour later we had left the city and the area around us became more and more deserted. only a few scattered houses were left in view. Then, as we rounded the corner, Sugarloaf came into sight. It wasn't so much a mountain as it was a REALLY big hill. but it was still something to see. I didn't say anything, but Jason's dad talked about how the place used to be pretty popular back in the day. Now most people aren't allowed up there, because it's private property. We'd have to sneak up there to avoid getting in trouble.

Interesting I thought The view up there would be worth the risk of getting in trouble. Now I couldn't wait to see what Sugarloaf mountain had in store for me. Had i known what was up there I never would have gone up to Traverse City in the first place.

 

The sun was setting, but we still had plenty of light left. I pulled up my jeans, since the grass was tall and the weeds were sharp, I wanted to protect my legs. I laced up my shoes, put some extra water into my sting backpack that i just happened to bring for my personal affects. We were ready to climb the infamous mountain.

"Bye, Mr. & Mrs. Barns!" i called cheerily over my shoulder as Jason and i set out.

"Remember to be back by 9:00!" Mrs. Barns called back. The walk wasn't all that hard. It was once we got up to Sugarloaf that the trek proved to be laborus. The hill was very steep, but it was the fastest way up. I breathed heavily, and my feet grew heavy. I wasn't made for physical activity, but i wasn't going to let that stand in my way. Within minuets we reached the top of Sugarloaf, The view was indeed worth the risk. i could see for miles and the way the setting sun brushed up on the tips of the trees below us, and the way it glimmered across the lakes, was simply breathtaking.

We stood there for a minuet just taking in the scenery, when all of a sudden there came a voice. I couldn't discern what it said but Jason and i had the same thought, we looked at each other wide eyed and full of both fear and excitement.

SECURITY!!!!

 

We darted behind the nearest set of trees to avoid the gaze of the oncoming officers. yes, plural, there was more than one voice. And soon after there was a dog bark.

I looked at Jason in fear. THEY BROUGHT GUARD DOGS!?! I though. They must have seen us walk up here, why else would they come looking up here with dogs. I crouched behind a bush, and peered out to the trail where the voices were coming from.

It wasn't security, in fact it was just a group of about four people in their mid twenties. There was one guy in a blue T-shirt and jeans with a scruffy beard, another was a woman with brown hair and blue eyes. she was talking to a woman of Asain ancestry. then there was a stout man with a clean shave and dark curly hair. I couldn't see the dog, i assumed it was sniffing off somewhere in the tall grass.

We didn't reveal ourselves once we found that it wasn't the cops, we figured it would be fun to see how long we could go without being noticed. It's not often you get to be a ninja! So we set off to hide in the burnt out lodge. The place was once a ski resort, as i said before, but some of the buildings seemed to have suffered from a fire, maybe that's why it was shut down.

Regardless, We ran with the stealth of the invisible man, to find sanctuary in the burnt lodge.

 

Upon entering the building we saw that the floor was littered with broken glass. Thankful that we chose to wear close toed shoes, we cautiously crossed the threashold and waited in silence for the voices to go away. the room we were in was fairly large, it looked like a main lobby or something due to it's size as well as the fire place that was since filled with garbage and the like. we waited in a dusty corner out of sight and earshot from out unknown companions on the mountain. them I heard it.

Quick and light footsteps from outside the lodge. There was also a faint but unmistakable sound of jingleing metal. from the swift steps and the metalic ring I knew at once that the dog was approaching us. Having grown up around dogs my entire life, I knew that sound like no other, but this was the first time it made my heart stop. I motioned for Jason to stop moving, and I stood still myself, any small sound and the dog would hear us and come looking to investigate. Then, a small shard of glass that I hadn't been able to sense was there gave way under the stress my foot was putting on it. The snap of glass echoed throughout the room and instantly the sound of the dog grew louder. I knew he was coming to find us, and by the sound of it he was coming fast.

At first i thought it would be a Golden retriever or some kind of dog like that. You can only imagine my suprise and horror to see a white and brown pitbull rush through the door. I froze, we could see it, and I knew he could see us. He stood there for a second, contemplating this new development. I looked in in the eyes, But found no source of emotion from this animal. then Jason whispered.

"Greg! Don't look it in the eyes!!! As if to confirm this statement the pit bull began to bark wildly, I watched as it raised it's hackles, and at once knew we were fucked. I gripped Jason's arm, weither in fear or trying to sheild my best friend, I didn't know. But, this thing was going to jump us any second, and I didn't know what else I could have done.

 

Pulling Jason behind me I continued to stare at the dog. It had already seen us, so no point in avoiding eye contact now. Time seemed to slow down to me. The dog moved in slow motion the barks heard in a lower tone. I know I'm not Neo or anything, I can only assume that in my agitated state I percieved the world differently then when I was calm. Thus causing everything to pass in slow motion. but that changed when The master called the dogs name from off in the distance.

The dog paused and looked at the door confused, ceasing his barking. The dog looked between Jason and I, and the door. Deciding he feared his master's wraith more than he craved the tast of teenage flesh, the dog bolted out the door and disappeared from view.

I let out a sigh of relief, only realizing now that I had been holding my breath. Jason and i were alive, and still undiscovered. We sprinted down off the mountain, not keen to have another encounter with the dog.
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The previous parts of the story was completely true. the parts to follow will be mostly true as well, however, i will slowly integrate the fictional parts as I get closer to introducing the villain.

 

Back at the cabin, Jason and I took showers, got dressed for bed and collapsed onto the single beds in the room we shared. in between the two beds was a T.V. which we had hooked Jason's Xbox too, and now had Mortal Kombat glimmering on the screen. We played for a while in silence, then finally I broke the silence.

"Were we lucky today or what?"

"Yeah, for real." said Jason "I thought that dog was gonna kill us for sure."

"Wonder why it hesitated though...didn't you notice? It was ready to jump at us and it just...stopped." I said.

"That's because that guy called it." replied Jason in a relaxed tone.

"No before that. It seemed to wait as if, he was trained to only attack if given confirmation. Maybe it was my imagination, but I'm not so sure."

I think you're putting too much thought into this dude." said Jason not taking his eyes off the butt whooping he was handing me (I suck at Mortal Kombat).

"Maybe..." I said almost in a defeated tone. "Well what's the plan for tomorrow? We going back up to Sugarloaf?"

"Maybe in the evening. But first, there's this one place in Traverse City we were planning to go to. Bring a swim suit."

"Interesting, Alright, then we can just chill up on the mountain after dinner like today. Oh and we have to play ping pong before we go too, we have a score to settle."

"Sounds like a good plan" said Jason. Then his mom walked in the door.

"Boys go too sleep, it's late, and we want to leave early if we want to go too Pirate's Cove." she said.

"Ok, mom. we were just wrapping up this game. Said Jason as the bloody word "Fatality" came up on the game.

"Dammit! why are you good at this!" I said in mock anger. After that the light went out and Jason fell asleep. I began to think to myself in the welcoming darkness of the room. Pirate's Cove huh? I wonder what that is? Guess I'll find out tomorrow. and with that I drited off to dreams of Pirates and rabid dogs, and the mountain calling out to me. I woke up feeling sick. I ran to the bathroom and vomited. Weird...I don't remember eating anything out of the ordinary... Deciding it wasn't worth waking Jason up about I flushed the toilet and rinsed out my mouth with water. I fell back into a dreamless sleep the second I hit the pillow.

 

The next morning, I woke up before Jason did. Not feeling tired I changed out of my pajamas, and into a swin suit, remembering Jason's suggestion. I grabbed my summer reading book and after about five minuets of being bored by the text of authors from long ago, I pulled out my pleasure reading book. I love to read, but summer reading was the worst. The school never picked anything that was interesting. I sat "alone" reading for about another ten minuets before Jason finally stirred.

"Morning." I said not taking my eyes off the book.

"Hey Greg, you're up already?" he asked me.

"Yeah dude, It's like ten in the morning." I said looking at my phone to confirm I was right. "You wanna play another round before breakfast?"

He nodded and I popped in Call of Duty, now it was MY turn to kick ass. After a close match I looked at him suprised. "when did you get good at this game?" I asked him.

"ehh-uh" he said shugging. "But you still won, I fucking HATE snipers!"

"Said The guy who used a machine gun with a scope, camped the entire time, and used non stop air support calls." I teased. after the usual banter of best friends after a good round of video games. Breakfast was served, and within minuets we were all out the door to this place known to me only as "Pirate's Cove". we were mostly silent through the car ride into town, All I could do was reflect on that mountain. There was something off about the place, I just couldn't put my finger on what it was.

upon entering the parking lot for Pirate's Cove I found it was a small "Theme Park" with mini-golf, go-karts, water slides and the like. I could tell it was going to be fun, and indeed I was right. after about four hours off kicking Jason's ass in...well...EVERYTHING, we decided to head back. lunch would be served soon, and Jason still needed to school me in ping pong. With all the fun we were having I had forgotten my worries with Sugarloaf, but that wouldn't last too long.

 

I may have mentioned this before and if not well I'll explain something now. The cottage we were staying at was not exactly Jason's more specifically it was his GRANDPARENT'S place. They lived in the cottage and we were their guests for our stay.

Jason's Grandma was nice. she made the best food, but she was likely to kill you if you didn't eat enough (or at least until she saw fit you were full, which to a normal person you should have exploded long ago). As for his Grandpa he was quiet, and a little hard of hearing, but he loved to tell stories. He would go on for hours telling a story, then five minuets later he'd tell you the same story as if he was telling it to you for the first time.

On top of that, he could eat anything, and I mean ANYTHING. I once saw him eat a pile of eggs that had slipped off a plate and fell to the floor. His Grandparents were the perfect couple, and some of the kindest people I had ever met. Anyway, so Jason's Grandma made us lunch, and after ward Jason and I went to the basement where a ping pong table had been set up. We got into position and Jason served the first ball.

It came fast, i wasn't taken off guard at all. Jason was said to go pro in about two to three years, I hope he does, He's one of the best players I've ever seen. I ran for the ball and returned it, sending it into the center of the table.

"So, I forgot to tell you...I got a little sick last night." I said just making conversation.

"No kidding?" said Jason as he hit the ball back to me, hitting the corner of the table and scoring a point. "Does anything need to be washed?"

I retrieved the ball and went back to the table. "No, I made it to the bathroom, but I still don't know why I would have gotten sick." I didn't tell him about the nightmare.

"Hmm, Maybe you're a little dehydrated? I've gotten sick that way before." he said over the rally.

"Maybe that's it...I got no other explination." It could also explain the dream I thought to myself. We played for a while longer and As I predicted Jason kicked my sorry ass in every game we played.

"So then? Ready to go back to Sugarloaf?" Jason asked me as we went back upstairs.

"Bring it on, but lets bring plenty of water this time." I said. In the back of my mind I had this strange sense of uneasiness. I shook it off, as being overly full from lunch...but still....

 

We packed up, I switched from my shorts back to my jeans (I wanted to keep my legs safe, as I mentioned earlier.) and into the backpack we placed extra water, and our phones. We were ready to go up to Sugarloaf again, and I hoped that this time, we wouldn't meet another savage dog.

The climb was just as hard as it had been yesterday, if not harder. my lungs burned, and my feet ached and on more than one occasion I almost fell off the slope. I attributed this to the extra weight on my back as well as my decidedly dehydrated state.

Eventually we made it up Sugarloaf without any casualties. We went back to the lodge, which had a patio-esqu railing around it which extended over the side of the mountain. There I noticed all the possible hiding spots and instantly thought of an idea.

"Why don't we play a little game of 'Hide-and-seek'?" I asked Jason.

"Dude, we're like seventeen. Don't you think we're a little old for that?" he asked.

"no" I replied matter-of-factually.

"Ok," he said without hesitation. So the game was set, I would seek first giving Jason fifty seconds to hide, which in my opinion was more than enough time.

"47....48...49...50!!! READY OR NOT HERE I COME!!!" I yelled.

 

I moved slowly off the railing. I didn't want to make too much noise and alert Jason to my presence (assuming he was nearby). I moved around the top of the mountain, looking around the buildings, and through the tall grass, but still there was no sign of him. I doubled back and climbed a staircase which gave me a good view of the surrounding area.

I kept looking until I spotted a clump of grass which seemed out of place to me, as if it didn't fit in right there. I was right, and as I approached the clump i found Jason curled up under the makeshift cover. Now it was my turn.

Jason returned to the loge to count and I went off to hide. Behind one of the smaller buildings, I found a small crevice-like area surrounded by grass. I went into the fetal position and sat in the grass out of view.

A good ten minuets passed by before Jason found me. We walked back to the lodge together. But as we reached the railing, Two voices arose from behind us.

"Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me." I breathed.