THE UNEXPLAINED BANGS!

Deciding he had had enough of the craziness in the world, Charles took off for his family's hunting cabin in the mountains to be alone and just relax with his thoughts and nature.

Along the way, he looked at the insanity all around him and couldn't wait to get to the peace and quiet of the cabin in the mountains.

As he got closer to the cabin, he figured it would be a good idea to stop and get groceries for his initial restocking of the cabin, because he had no idea what awaited him there.

As he drove closer, he started noticing the serene surroundings that were suddenly upon him. He took a deep sigh and thought "Now this is more like it!" Happy with his decision and feeling prepared for anything, he drove on.

Little did he realize the horrors that lay ahead...

Charles arrived on the doorstep of a peaceful, homey cabin surrounded by a grand forest of woodland creatures and scenic views everywhere. "Aahh, this is just what I needed!" Charles said.

As he opened the door, reality set in. The place hadn't been visited in a long time. It needed to be cleaned, critters needed to be relocated, and the refrigerator appeared to be broken. What was he to do with the groceries now?

Upon further investigation he realized he had no electricity! He tried calling the electric company only to discover he had no phone service either. So he cleared a spot on a counter, pulled out his laptop only to realize he had no internet either! Baffled by all of these revelations, Charles took some time to try to figure out what to do next.

Fortunately Charles is quick minded and realized that before he did anything else he had to put his groceries back in the car and head back to town.

Once he got back to town he was able to call the electric company but was told it would take at least a week to get the electricity on in his cabin. What could he to do, but agree to wait. Next problem was phone service, which after speaking with a representative (that took some time) Charles realized that he needed another form of communication while he at the cabin. Then he attempted to have internet hooked up, but was told it was pretty much an impossibility.

Then an old saying popped into his head of "Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it!"

He gathered up most of what he would need to make the stay livable until he at least got electricity. He bought a cooler for food, candles for light, firewood for the fireplace, a few cast iron pans for cooking, cleaning supplies, "critter be gone" and a book to pass the time away at night.

As he loaded up his vehicle, he overheard two women talking. One lady said, "Are you prepared for the snowstorm heading this way tomorrow night?" This left Charles thinking that he'd better head back and get working on what he needed to get done before stocking up again in the morning.

With his 4-wheel drive packed with supplies, Charles headed back to the cabin. Upon arrival, he had noticed that some of the critters decided to seek shelter elsewhere but he really wasn't 100% sure that they wouldn't be back, especially since a storm was headed their way.

After several hours of cleaning, setting up candles, filling his coolers with ice and food, it was time to start a fire because Charles could feel the temperature starting to drop.

With the fire now ablaze and dinner in his stomach, Charles settled in for the peace and serenity he was hoping for at the cabin. With no cell phone to beep or ding at him every 5 seconds, no laptop with emails and social media to distract him, Charles picked up his book and started to relax.

Slowly his eyes closed, as he sat in the big comfy chair in front of the fireplace, "BANG! BANG! BANG!" "WHOSE IN THERE!' yelled a man's voice from outside the cabin. "Come out with your hands up!"

Charles figured it was best to do what this man had asked. Not knowing who the man yelling was, Charles slowly opened the door. Putting his hands in the air he said, "My name is Charles and this is my family's cabin. Who are you?"

The man walked up to the cabin with his shotgun by his side and said "Charlie is that you?" " My how you have grown, I almost didn't recognize you." " Why didn't you let someone know you were coming?" "You can put your hands down, son."

Charles had no idea who this man was or how he knew him. Thinking quickly he said "I didn't know I had to let anyone know I was coming, it was a last minute decision." "Who was I supposed to contact?"

The man suddenly realized that Charles didn't recognize him, so he quickly said "Sorry, Charles, I'm your Grandpa's brother, your great Uncle, Charles, your name sake, but you can call me Chuck." "I haven't seen you since you were about 13 years old." "I keep an eye on this place in the winter to make sure that no one's squatting here."

While Charles was relieved to hear that someone was watching the cabin, it made him wonder why the cabin was such a mess.

Charles asked his great uncle about this. Chuck told him that it's tough to get here in the winter unless you have a snowmobile or a four-wheel drive vehicle, so they clean after the snow melts.

"We heard there's a big storm headed this way tomorrow night, so I figured I'd do one last check before it hit." stated Chuck. " So you can imagine my surprise when I saw candlelight in the windows and smoke coming out of the chimney." " I thought we had an intruder. Didn't know it was family." said Chuck. "How long are you planning on staying?"

"I was planning on staying about a month, if that's alright with you?" Charles explained. "That's just fine but be prepared!" "Be prepared for what?" Charles asked. "Animals!" Chuck replied "They seek shelter in the cabin when a storm comes and you could get everything from a squirrel to a grizzly knocking at your door. And believe me you don't want to be unprepared if a grizzly wants to get in." chuckled Chuck.

"There should be a shotgun in the closet but you're going to have to get some ammo for it." stated Chuck. "Is there anything else that I can help with before I leave?" "Do you have a way to get in contact with people if you need help?" asked Chuck.

"I'm planning on going back into town in the morning to get more supplies, is there anything you would suggest I pick up?" inquired Charles. "Batteries, Candles, Firewood, Blankets and Ammo. Don't forget the Ammo. You should also purchase a two-way radio so that you can get me if you need help, but make sure to get batteries for it. Can't have a radio without batteries since you don't have electricity." quipped Chuck. "I'm having it turned on but the soonest they could get to it would be sometime next week." "Typical" replied Chuck.

"Well I'd better head home. If you'd like, I can go with you tomorrow to help you stock up and get some breakfast?" Chuck suggested. "Is 7 am at the local store alright with you?" inquired Chuck.

"Sounds like a plan to me." replied Charles "See you there." "Thanks for stopping by & checking on the place."

Charles waved to Chuck as he pulled away.

As Charles closed the door he heard another loud BANG, this time it wasn't from a gun it was coming from the back porch. Charles started to wish that his uncle hadn't left yet.

As he went back into the house to find something to ward off what made the loud bang, he really wished he had something more than a cast iron frying pan for protection. BANG! What could this be?

Charles slowly crept toward the back door. He could see something had knocked over the trash can but what? Looking around he couldn't see anyone or anything. Just then, BANG! this time it came from the front of the house. As Charles ran into the house, he saw standing in the doorway, a bear! A BIG BEAR! Now what! thought Charles.

The bear just stood there staring at Charles. They stared at each other for a few minutes, when suddenly from behind Charles appeared a dog. The dog started barking at the bear. The bear looked at the dog, turned around and walked off.

Not realizing that in all the commotion Charles had forgotten to close the backdoor. "Thanks, Boy!" Charles hugged the dog and said " That was a close one!" As he petted the dog he realized that it was probably the dog that had knocked over the trash can looking for food.

It was obvious that this dog was abandoned and in need of food and a bath, so in return for scaring off the bear, Charles decide to take him in and care for him. The dog, a shepherd/lab/collie mix seemed extremely grateful to Charles. Now he had to think of a name. Remembering a dog his Nana had, Charles decided to call him Max.

Charles took one last look around, with Max's assistance, then locked up for the night. Charles blew out the candles and off to bed the two of them went.

The next morning Charles and Max went off to meet Chuck, gather supplies, and enjoy a quick breakfast with his great uncle before the snow storm hit.

When Chuck arrived, he noticed Max immediately. Charles explained the story of Max's arrival and Chuck was pleased to hear that Charles had such a brave companion for the long, cold nights ahead.

After gathering everything he needed, Charles headed back to the cabin, unloaded everything, started a fire, and wondered what tonight might bring.

The rest of the night was fairly uneventful except for Max eating one of Charles' favorite slippers.

As they were settling down for the night, they could see the snow starting to fall. It made the cabin and the surrounding area look even more serene. As the radio played in the background, Charles noticed that the snow was coming down harder. With the fire crackling in the fireplace, Max cuddled up at his feet, all seemed right with the world.

At last, this was the getaway Charles was hoping for!

"BANG,BANG, BANG, BANG!" someone or something was banging on the front door!

Max started barking and growling! Who or what could be banging on his door? Was it Chuck? The Bear? Or was it someone or something else? Unfortunately only one way to find out, Open the door!

Who or What do YOU think is "Banging" on the front door?