The Hole Story

"Why are you down in that pit?"

"I fell in. Why are you in the woods?"

"They just opened a new hiking trail and I figured I would give it a try."

"So you are alone up there?"

"Yes, I am. That is kind of an odd question. Isn't it?"

The pit went silent. It was rather awkward.

"Well, I am a big guy. If I am going to get out you might need help."

"I think I can get you out. How did you fall in the pit anyway?"

"I was chasing my dog."

"How come I don't hear your dog?"

Silence again.

"I fell on him. It was quite sad. I would rather not talk about it."

"It is cool, man. Let's just get you out of there."

"Do you have a rope up there?"

"Sorry. I don't have one. I could go get one and come back. Just sit tight."

"No! Wait. Here!"

A rock with a rope around it flies out of the pit.

"Whoa. You had a rope down there? How come you had a rope down there?"

Once again the pit is silent.

"I used it for a leash for my dog."

"The dog that fell in the pit? Why didn't you just pull him up man?"

The pit was quiet.

"He was off the rope. I felt bad, so I let him run around."

"Oh. Bummer. I really am sorry about your dog."

"Don't worry. Just get me out of here. Tie the rope around your waist."

The rope goes round and round. The knot is tight.

"OK, man. I think it is on good."

"Is it tight?"

"Yeah. Good and tight. I think we should be OK. What is the plan? You going to climb out and I can anchor for you?"

"No. I am going to pull really hard and drag you down here and eat you just like the ones before you."

"Crap!"

Another hiker gets pulled into the pit screaming. Then the pit is silent.

THE END

Bio: Ed Sullivan is an enthusiastic newcomer to getting published. He has been writing fiction for twenty five years. He has taken the leap just recently and begun submitting. He raises his daughter, works, writes, and spends time in his own strange thoughts most days.

Comment on this story in the Aphelion Forum

Return to Aphelion's Index page.