Legend of Grave Stone (2 Viewers)

[WesternOutlaw]

Rickety Water Tower

If you're trying to get away from someone or something near the desolate town of Grave Stone, you might think twice before setting a foot on the ladder of the Rickety Water Tower. Climbing high into the midnight sky, an old hoot owl stands perched on the rotting wood railing, watching all that is seen and unseen. A strange green liquid drips from the water tower's black spigot. Could it be the putrid water of Grave Stone? Perhaps... but maybe the water tower hides something more sinister within its large storage container, something that smells of death.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Witch's Shanty

Some say that the Phantom Rider was awoken by an ancient Indian curse, while others believe him to be the evil spirit of a long lost miner. The truth regarding the Phantom Rider's true identity may be found within the desert near a dilapidated old shack...

Along the rusted tracks leading out of Grave Stone, within the Valley of the Dead, a quiet little shanty stands alone in the desert. Within its rotted wood lives an old witch, known to few by the name of Millicent Clemens. What spells does she conjure with her book of black magic, and what evil does she call upon to do her bidding? The mysteries of her magic rest within the cauldron outside the Witch's Shanty, waiting to be summoned.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Snake Oil Wagon

Professor Snidley C. Rooked, Wizard of Curiosities rides from town to town in search of trusting townsfolk to sell his magical potions and snake oil. The all-knowing Professor is always willing to share tall tales of far-away places and mythical creatures to those that will listen. He even claims to have barely escaped a haunted ghost town known as Grave Stone. Most discount his stories as mere tactics to sell his snake oil, but there is always one believer in every town. For a shiny coin, he will eagerly share the Tall Tale of Tex Grimwell…

Tall Tale of Tex Grimwell

Not many individuals still living in Grave Stone remembers Tex Grimwell, an old one-eyed prospector. Old Tex roamed the desert for months at a time searching for the "Mother Load", the largest gold vein in the west. During cold nights in the desert with a small campfire and dim light from a kerosene lantern, Tex wrote about his fabulous journeys. The book was hidden somewhere in Grave Stone years ago, but within its tattered yellow pages, Tex tells of his discovery of a lost mine. Some discount his stories as the ravings of a mad man that went crazy looking for gold, while others believe the book to be actual stories of Tex's survival in the desert. Some even say that within the book is a map to the lost mine.

Then there's the question of where Tex Grimwell got the money to buy Sutter's Mill before he perished? Some say it was Jeb Stotworth, his long-time friend who may have poisoned him. But these secrets lie buried in Grave Stone, where few dare to visit.

Within his Snake Oil Wagon is the Professor’s collection of magic, curiosities, and a black “skeleton key” he claims to have traded Tex for a bottle of snake oil.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Lynching of Jim Craven

Good ol' Jimmy's been sniffing around Grave Stone lately, lookin’ for the map to Tex Grimwell's mine. Unfortunately though, he's got some of the locals a bit upset. They don't like nosy people uncovering rocks in their town. They went as far as to call Crooked Sheriff Clayton and his partner, the Hangman, a short little goblin of a man who most despise and others fear. Together, they dragged poor Jimmy up to Hangman’s Hill where they lynched him; but not before Jimmy gulped down some elixir he had purchased from a traveling snake oil salesman, as his last request. “Good for all aliments”, the bottle read. It may have been the Snake Oil, “Putrid Water” or something else, but that night, Jimmy walked out of Grave Stone Cemetery a new man.

 

[Poppo]

Gothic western, that's great!!{sm3}{sm3}{bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Ghost Train

It is five minutes until the clock of the Abandoned Station strikes Midnight... Tick... Tick... Tick...
In the distance, an eerie light appears from beyond the horizon. The strong smell of burning coal permeates the air. You hear a bell ringing in your head... Ding... Ding... Ding... or do you? Is it merely your imagination playing tricks on you, or do you spy a mysterious black steam engine in the distance? And are those flames that you see burning within its boiler, or a burning for mystery within your soul? Is it the legendary Ghost Train on its way to Grave Stone Station? Perhaps... do you believe? If you don't, it may leave you to rot in Grave Stone...

From the darkest of tunnels within the mysterious Shadow Mountains, where a number of unfortunate miners have met their doom, the lantern of the Ghost Train shines a bright light as it cuts through the darkness. Glowing crimson flames can be seen emanating through its boiler as your eyes focus on the ornate gold lettering of the tender which reads, "Grave Stone", with the odd number 423 on its coal car. No one seems to drive the mysterious engine, yet it approaches the Abandoned Station feverishly. "Why has it come"? You wonder with strange curiosity; yet more importantly, where is its destination? Do you dare hop aboard the Ghost Train?

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Luna Azul

It is said that some people love their neighbors while others lust for gold. The inhabitants of Grave Stone are certainly of the later variety. These “three amigos” know how to celebrate, even in the decrepit town of Grave Stone. One request always captures hearts and souls during the loneliest of nights lit by a full moon, a blue moon. As the good ol’ citizens who haunt Grave Stone look upon the dark velvet sky, the sweet melody of “Luna Azul” can be heard playing before the moon slowly turns to gold.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Gothic western, that's great!!

Great thread you have going here Rob.

Thank you both. Hope you are enjoying the story.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Last Stand at Tierra De Los Muertos

The last stop south of Grave Stone is known as Tierra De Los Muertos, a vile prison where only the most evil of men were brought by prison train. No one ever escaped alive from the wretched place and it was eventually closed after years of neglect. Few remember the tortures and atrocities that were a common place within the prison walls, yet the spirits of the dead are known to haunt the place and its surroundings as the last reminder. Two men have come, allied with a common goal, the Phantom Rider and Card Creeper, in search of someone or something locked away in the prison's ghost tower. The dead have been awaken once again and have vowed to stop them. Will they survive their last stand at Tierra De Los Muertos?

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Decrepit Bank

One of the most intact buildings within Grave Stone is Crook Bank, a brick fortified antebellum structure that flourished during more prosperous times in Grave Stone. Three gargoyle statues seem to guard the bank which still stands tall with its cracked columns. Crook Bank hides a secret within one of its walls. Concealed from view is a heavy steel lock box with the name Tex Grimwell. Unfortunately, the key to the lock box is nowhere to be found nor does anyone from Grave Stone have knowledge as to where it might have gone.

 

[GICOP]

I'm enjoying this very entertaining series Rob, well done :salute::

Stay safe

Martyn

 

[WesternOutlaw]

I Killed You Once

In Grave Stone, it takes more than a noose to send a man to his death. Sheriff Clayton certainly discovered after the lynchin’ of Jimmy Craven. Jim seems to have “lost a few pounds” and his face a bit gaunt, but he certainly hasn’t lost his wild spirit. With a new gun belt and big iron, Jimmy plans to “settle the score.”

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Grimwell Manor

Miles away from the desolate town of Grave Stone, somewhere north of the Shadow Mountains, there is a castle that stands alone in the desert. The castle is known as Grimwell Manor, belonging to a wealthy miner who most know as Tex. Many discount the story of how Tex used his wealth to build a grand castle in nowhere, while others have searched for the mysterious structure, rumored to even have electricity generated from a spring and water wheel within the maze-like tunnels below.

Grimwell Manor was built sometime during the gold rush in the fashion of a Spanish villa. Indians from the nearby valley constructed the opulent manor; brick by brick, as Tex decorated the interior with furnishings from England and Spain, sparing no expense.

As Tex's sanity diminished day by day, he continued to add rooms and passages to his castle, resulting in doors and hallways that led to nowhere. There is even an old tale of how Tex bricked up a few of his double-crossing friends within a secret room, and that their echoing yells can still be heard haunting the manor.

Years have passed, and not many people still left in Grave Stone remember ol' Tex. Some say he retired to the chambers within Grimwell Manor where he died a lonely death, while others believe he continues to haunt Grave Stone. While no one has seen or heard from him in years, torches can sometimes be seen burning within the valley north of the Shadow Mountains, along with the glow of an eerie green apparition atop the large stucco tower of Grimwell Manor.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Haunted Clock Tower

Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!... Good Ol' Tex has expanded his foreboding castle, Grimwell Manor. After nearly seven years of bloody construction, a more recent addition stands as the tallest structure in Grave Stone. While Tex is quite proud of the monumental Clock Tower, something isn't quite right. Since completion of the tower, strange things have been occurring. Right before midnight, a strange green glowing figure can be seen climbing the stairs to the tower, as if summoned by a mysterious force. Some of the local Indians whisper of the Spirit of Nukpana or "Evil One". They say He has been summoned by those seeking retribution for the young Indian men who lost their lives to build the great structure. Oddly, when the clock strikes midnight, a horrible moaning sound comes belching from the inner workings of the clock tower.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Quick and the Undead

“Have you ever stared at the eyes of death”? the lich-like creature who was once Tex Grimwell asks Jeb. “I’m going to send you to your grave once and for all, Tex”, the Gunman responds. Tex’s dark shallow eyes reveal vengeance as he reaches for his sidearm. Bang! Bang! Two shots, smoke, followed by the restful silence of a cemetery. Only a single black shadow standing, the sun beginning to rise on the horizon as Grave Stone slowly fades away in the distance...

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Grand Illusion

Tex looks upon Shadow Valley from atop a crevice in the canyon wall. “The lonely desert remains a mystery that can make a man see what he wishes to see”, he wonders to himself, “life, death, a mirage, or grand illusion”. His vision of a town built upon a foundation of greed was swallowed by the desert and the memories of its riches will forever haunt those that remember. Tex recalls the saying, “all that glitters is not gold”, as a glimmer of sunlight reflects off his tin pan like an angel to show a road out of Shadow Valley to brighter shades of light.

The End

About the Story

Much of the Legend of Grave Stone was written in 2007, approx. 13 years ago. The story was not meant to be about a single character but rather descriptions of the various buildings, places, and haunts within or surrounding the fictitious town of Grave Stone. Over the last several weeks, some new content was added to help the story flow and connect various aspects, as well as the inclusion of an ending, the Grand Illusion.

Living in and visiting some of the ghost towns in the western United States provided and continues to provide much of the inspiration, in addition to my own fascination with mysteries of the wild west and the the horror genre. The vastness of the desert has always been intriguing and I have many times looked upon the mountains thinking how mysterious they truly are. Perhaps Tex Grimwell's final thoughts in the Grant Illusion helps explain.

Over the years, I have kept a collection of photographs from trips with family and friends. I've included a few for your viewing pleasure (in dark sepia). As you view them, perhaps you might see some of my own inspiration for parts of the story. For those of you who followed along, thank you for your interest; and thank you to those who took time to comment along the way. I certainly enjoyed adding each section throughout the month of October.

Stay well and Happy Halloween!

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Happy Halloween everyone. It's that time of year... {sm5}