The Lost Cabin

“Three days, it’s been three days since this blizzard hit this part of the country, over” as Jacob was staying focused on the road “I’ve just got this weird feeling, I’m sure it’s nothing, over” I’m sure you’re right, over”.“Please stay safe, I love you, over” Jacob smiled “I love you too, over” before signing off. Jacob was determined to finish his last delivery. It’s been just over three months since he was last back home with his family. He knew this was no way to live but since he was made redundant he had little choice. Jacob knew it wasn’t going to be easy but at least it was good money and hopefully something will come along. Jacob, now feeling hungry decided to grab a small bite to eat, rest up a little before heading back on the road again.

Once back on the road Jacob noticed that the storm had gotten worse, visibility had become very challenging Jacob got back on the radio informing the office that he was going to find a place to stop for the night hoping that the storm will pass. Jacob checked his map, saw there was another road just off the highway that went through a small forrest. Jacob hoped this new route wouldn’t be as bad. As he followed this road slowly although it was challenging Jacob kept his focus as best he could. All of a sudden he could have sworn he saw a light. Shaking his head Jacob kept driving, once again a light appeared only this time brighter shaking his head thinking he was seeing things kept on driving.

Then ahead of him was this slip road a perfect place to stop for the night, anything to get out of this storm. Within a mile Jacob suddenly stopped, just ahead of him was a cabin. Jacob could just about make out a light coming from inside so he hoped someone was there. What he didn’t understand where did this light come surely it didn’t come from this cabin. Jacob got back on the radio to call his office but there was no reply, he then tried his phone also nothing. So he had no choice, he had to get help from this cabin if he could. Jacob put on his coat grabbed his keys, gloves and moved into his sleeping area. There he reached underneath his bed grabbing his shot gun, which he kept as a safety measure, thankfully so far he’s never used it. Jacob double checked making sure he had what he needed before carefully making his way along a pathway towards this cabin.

As he got closer Jacob suddenly stopped, grabbing his rifle, ready to fire. After a brief moment he moving slowly forward he could now see the windows weren’t clear but there was definitely a light coming from inside. Still a little confused Jacob cautiously made his way to the front, stopped, took a deep breath before knocking on the door. “Hello” he yelled “is there anyone at home please”. No reply “I’m not sure how I found you but was wondering if you can help me”. Jacob had started to head back to his truck when he heard an voice coming from behind the door “hello, who’s out there?” Jacob made his way back to the cabin. “Hello sir, my names Jacob I was travelling on the highway when the storm got worse”. “So I came off the main road but it’s got impossible to see. After a few minutes the door unlocked as the door opened Jacob could make out an older gentleman he guessed around fifty maybe slightly older, average build yet something about him felt familiar. “So, how can I help” walking towards the door. “Please sir, I mean you no harm”. “I was hoping I could seek shelter till the morning” The gentleman took a step back getting a good look at Jacob. “Please, I don’t have much but am willing to offer you some money”. After another brief few minutes the man nodded slowly moving back into the cabin with Jacob just behind.

Jacob closed the door behind him “Thank you, thank you so much, you’re a lifesaver, I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t found you. Looking around it wasn’t much of a cabin. Plenty of books and a nice little fireplace but what was weird it seemed to have no main light source just lanterns and a few candles. Jacob assumed it wasn’t a place used for something long term as he moved over to the fireplace “Wow, you don’t see this everyday”. The gentleman looked back “oh”. Still unsure to what he was seeing “this cabin doesn’t seem to have any electricity, am I right”. Scratching his head. “How?” Smiling softly “I will answer your questions if you answer mine, please sit” pointing to a chair. Jacob nodded his head as this seemed a fair exchange. So he took a seat and began telling his story on where he’d come from and how he ended up on this road and finding this cabin.

Sometime later taking a sip of coffee, smiled softly.“well, that’s quite a story there” taking another sip of coffee . “I also know what it’s like to be a traveler, of sorts” he then began telling his story. Like Jacob, he had a wife and children, sadly his wife died a few years back so he decided he would go exploring see more of the world. Jacob listened fascinated to learn all about who he was, where he was from. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name ”. Jacob asked once he had finished taking. “It’s Gerrard, Gerard Watkins. Jacob suddenly looked up almost dropping his cup. “ not any connection to Watkins breweries”. Nodding his head with a slight smile “yes, my family founded that company, it goes back generations now ”. Jacob couldn’t believe it Watkins breweries was one of the biggest supplier in the state yet he still couldn’t understand why he was here. “So what brought you here” Gerrard replied that he had been quiet heavily involved in the company but after the passing of his wife he took a step back, let his sons handle the business. Jacob nodded his head softly “my condolences to you”. Jacob then noticed a picture on the side of a group of Mounties, one of the was his father. “Where did you get this” showing Gerrard the photograph. Taking the picture he smiled “that’s my father and some of his troop, why do you ask” Jacob then points to one of the members in the group “that’s my father, William” again pointing to his father who was standing next to Gerrard’s father. “Wow, small world isn’t it” looking once more at the picture then at Jacob. “you definitely look like him” placing the picture back on the fireplace. “Did you know him, or meet him”. Jacob enquired “no, but I remember asking about his days as a Mountie once, he always seemed to think highly of this one recruit he had” pointing where Jacobs dad was in the picture. “This cabin has been in the family for years now, I remember coming up here when I was younger ”. Gerrard sat in one of the chairs by the fireplace sipping his coffee. “It’s main power is a gas cylinder which is just outside the back that powers the cabin, as for the lanterns I prefer a natural light”. Still trying to understand everything Jacob asked “aren’t you worried that a fire could break out or worse”. Shaking his head “no doesn’t bother me, I’m used it” smiling softly “well, we’ve all got to go sometime but I promise that you are safe here” Jacob looked little unease’s and shocked by what Gerrard had said but at the end of the day he didn’t have too much of a choice.

As they continued chatting Jacob suddenly remembered that he had his phone in is jacket pocket. Full of Hope Jacob grabbed it and switched it on. Within a few seconds it was on but there was no signal Jacob tried to go outside just onto the front porch but the Storm was really intense and he almost got knocked down. As he made his way back in Gerrard came up beside helping him inside “are you crazy, you could have been killed” picking himself back up Jacob replied “well I thought it was worth a shot” making his way back to the fireplace. “Don’t have a phone myself, never needed one” said Gerrard joining Jacob by the fire. “So how to you keep in touch with the outside world” Jacob replied. “Got a buggy out back which I used now and then but I tend to keep to myself these days ”. Jacob understood maybe he this was Gerrard’s way of dealing with life. Gerrard then stood up placing his cup on the side “Well I’ve got a spare room if you want, it’s not much but it’s probably better than your truck”. Jacob laughed “ it will probably feel like the best bed in the world compared to my truck” still laughing as he followed Gerrard to the room. Once there he smiled again as he saw a somewhat small room but looked comfortably enough “I guess you were right” smiling as he made his way into the room. “If you need anything, anything at all I’m just over the other side, please don’t hesitate to ask”. Reaching out shaking his hand. “I will, thank you, I really mean it” Gerrard smiled nodded his head before making his way out of the room. As Jacob sat down on the bed, alone he still couldn’t understand how he found this place or what Gerrard was doing here but by now he was really tired but he was determined to find out all about Gerrard in the morning but as soon as his head touched the pillow he fell straight to sleep.

Jacob woke the next morning feeling like he probably had the best sleep of his life, not disrespecting the motels he’s stayed in while on the road. He just couldn’t quite put his finger on it, he felt really refreshed. As he started to get up he swore he could hear birds outside which made him smile as he thought to himself, maybe the storm had passed. He got dressed making his way into the main room he noticed that it was very quiet. He made his way towards the room that Gerrard was in giving a gentle knock on the door. “Morning” but there was no reply Jacob was about to knock at the door again when he heard some movement. Thinking he was still asleep Jacob made his was into the main cabin put some coffee on and began lighting the fire. As an hour or so past there was still no sign of Gerrard. Jacob made his way back towards the room Gerrard was in only this time the room door was slightly open. Jacob knocking on the door once more slowly opened it calling out “hello Gerrard, are you up yet” looking around the room Jacob then noticed the bed which looked liked it hadn’t been slept in. He quickly left the bedroom now very worried. “What happened, where’s Gerrard, is this a dream” muttering to himself. Jacob went into the main room still wondering what to do, checking his phone again, still no signal, still thinking it must be a dream. Jacob then put his hand towards the fire before pulling it back very quickly “definitely not a dream then”. So where did Gerrard go wondering to himself. Jacob grabbed his coat and decided to have a look outside around the cabin. He was just about to leave when he saw his gun on the side. Thinking it was probably a good idea he grabbed it unlocked the door making his way outside. It was still cold but the storm had calm down. Jacob slowly moved around the cabin, gun in hand ready just in case then he remembered the Gerrard said he had a buggy but when he got there there was no buggy or even tracks. This was now starting to get very weird so Jacob decided to make his way back into the cabin and try to get back onto the main road as soon as possible. Jacob quickly headed inside he found a piece of paper leaving Gerrard a note thanking him for the shelter and hospitality. Jacob hoped there paths would cross again. Jacob opened his wallet took out a fifty dollar bill placing it with the note. Shaking his head Jacob headed back towards the truck. 

Once back on the road Jacob wanted to get back on the highway ASAP find his way back onto the side road then eventually the main highway heading towards his final stop. After a good few miles he pulled into this small diner, parked up then just sat in his truck still convinced this all a dream but it had to be real. Then after a few minutes he radioed his office again. This time he got a reply, his office, relieved Jacob first gave his location then informed them he would quickly grab something to eat before finishing his journey “copy that” came the reply “just wait till I’m back in the office, do I have a story for you, over”. “Look forward to it, stay safe, over and out” Jacob grabbed his jacket and made his way into the diner.

The diner was a typical diner, nothing too fancy as Jacob entered he saw there were a few people at the counter so Jacob he quietly made his way to a booth sitting himself down. After a few minutes a lady came up ask him what he wanted “just some sausage and scrambled eggs please” giving her a soft smile “also coffee please thanks ma’am”. Jacob notice her name tag said Sylvia but addressed her as ma’am. Sylvia came back after a few minutes with a fresh pot of coffee Jacob smiled again took a deep breath and tried to relax. Jacob then asked if they have a copy of the local newspaper Sylvia smile, nodded and brought Jacob a copy. Jacob almost dropped his mug as on the front page was the picture of Gerrard with the headline made over “County to put up a statue of local hero” Sylvia looked at the paper then at Jacob unsure why this was so important to him. “Do you know him” Jacob asked “not personally” Sylvia replied “most people have heard of Gerrard Watkins in this town, don’t you read the paper” Jacob shaking his head “not as often as I’d like to as I’m on the road”. He went on reading about how the article Mr.Gerrard Watkins who dedicated his life to not only serving the community but serving others as well was being Remembered. It also said two years ago he saved a small family from certain death when they were lost in the woods but sadly he lost his own life shortly after. “WHAT” Jacob couldn’t believe what he just read almost falling off his seat “do you know him then” Sylvia inquired. Jacob began telling his story, how he was driving when the storm hit, finding a side road, then seeing a mystery light before taking a side road and finding Gerrard’s cabin. Sylvia who was busy behind the counter almost dropped a plate when she heard this. “Wow, I didn’t realise the cabin was still there, I thought it had been torn down by now as it’s been empty since Gerrard’s funeral. Jacob looked at Sylvia again in shock “impossible , I just spent the night there, with Gerrard, he was there” Sylvia looked back at Jacob “surly your mistaken, I know the road can sometimes play tricks on us”. “Maybe you hit your head or you dreamt it. Shaking his head wildly “ it was definitely not a dream” Jacob insisted. He went on to explain about having a conversation with Gerrard, staying the night then noticing he wasn’t there in the morning. Before Sylvia could say anything else Jacob also told her about putting his hand into the fire before pulling back to test if he was dreaming. “You see, I know it wasn’t a dream”. Sylvia just smiled softly “well then I guess someone was looking out for you” placing his food down in front of him. Jacob still shocked took the plate made his way over to his booth.

About forty minutes later Jacob finish his breakfast and was determined to finish his delivery and finally head home. As he made his way to the counter money in hand ready to pay Sylvia stopped him. “Don’t worry about it” she smiled Jacob, a little confused as he didn’t know what to make of the situation “are you sure, it’s no trouble I can assure you” said Jacob still with money ready to pay. “Honestly, sounds like you had quite the experience and we here are a small town but we look out for each other” Jacob respected that smiled and nodded in response. “Well thank you for the food and the company, if I’m ever in the neighbourhood I’ll definitely stop here again” grabbing his jacket making sure he had everything “our pleasure, just drive safely” Sylvia replied giving him a little wave before watching Jacob head back to his truck. Jacob climbed into his truck, closed his eyes and sat there for a few minutes. As he opened them he once again felt refreshed, like he did when he woke up. Jacob smiled, buckled up then headed back onto the highway to finish his delivery then he can finally go home.