Meredith Cole gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove past the “Welcome to Pine Grove” sign, its faded paint peeling at the edges. Towering pines loomed on either side of the winding road, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers in the fading twilight. She took a deep breath, trying to quell the nervous flutter in her stomach.
“New town, new start,” she murmured, more to convince herself than anything. At 35, starting over wasn’t exactly what she’d planned, but after the messy divorce from Mark, she desperately needed a change of scenery. When the librarian position in this sleepy mountain town had opened up, it had seemed like fate.
As Meredith rounded a bend, the trees parted to reveal Pine Grove’s quaint main street. Tidy storefronts with striped awnings lined the road, and an ornate clock tower rose above the town square. It was like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
She pulled up in front of a pale yellow Victorian house with a “Rooms for Rent” sign in the window. This would be home, at least until she found a more permanent place. Meredith climbed out of her beat-up Subaru, stretching after the long drive. The air smelled of pine resin and woodsmoke.
“You must be Ms. Cole.”
Meredith turned to see an elderly woman with snow-white hair emerge from the house, leaning on an intricately carved wooden cane.
“That’s right. And you’re Mrs. Winters?” Meredith extended her hand with a smile.
The old woman ignored it, her rheumy eyes narrowing as she looked Meredith up and down. “Eliza. You’re late. I expected you an hour ago.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. The drive took longer than I thought—”
Eliza waved a hand dismissively. “No matter. Come along, I’ll show you to your room. Mind the steps, they can be tricky.”
As Meredith followed her new landlady inside, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but the street was empty save for a stray cat slinking along the gutter. Still, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled uneasily.
The house was cluttered but clean, every surface covered with dusty knick-knacks and old photographs. Meredith’s room was on the second floor, a cozy space with floral wallpaper and a window seat overlooking the street.
“Bathroom’s down the hall. No guests after 9 PM, and I lock the doors at 10 sharp,” Eliza said brusquely. “Any questions?”
Meredith shook her head. “No, I think I’m all set. Thank you, Mrs— I mean, Eliza.”
The old woman grunted and turned to leave, then paused in the doorway. “Word of advice, Ms. Cole. Pine Grove isn’t like other places. We have our ways here. Best to keep your head down and your nose out of things that don’t concern you.” With that cryptic warning, she shuffled off down the hall.
Meredith sank onto the bed, suddenly exhausted. What had she gotten herself into? She rubbed her temples, willing away the start of a tension headache. It was just new-town jitters, that was all. Things would look brighter in the morning.
As she unpacked her meager belongings, a gust of wind rattled the window pane. For a moment, Meredith could have sworn she heard a faint whispering, like voices carried on the breeze. She shook her head. Just the wind in the pines, nothing more.
Still, as she lay in bed that night listening to the creaks and groans of the old house settling, Meredith couldn’t quite shake the feeling that Pine Grove was hiding secrets. And some part of her, whether she wanted to admit it or not, was determined to uncover them.
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Meredith dressed carefully in a crisp blouse and pencil skirt, wanting to make a good impression on her first day. She made her way down to the kitchen, where she found Eliza already seated at the table, poring over a stack of yellowed newspapers.
“Morning,” Meredith said cheerfully. “Mind if I grab some coffee?”
Eliza grunted without looking up. “Help yourself. Mugs are in the cabinet above the sink.”
As Meredith poured herself a cup, she glanced at the newspapers spread across the table. The headlines caught her eye: “Logging Debate Heats Up,” “Town Council Divided on Forest Management,” “Conservationists Clash with Industry.”
“Sounds like the forest is a hot topic around here,” Meredith commented.
Eliza’s head snapped up, her gaze sharp. “The forest is our lifeblood. Has been for generations. You’d do well to remember that.”
Meredith blinked, taken aback by the vehemence in the old woman’s tone. “I didn’t mean any offense. I was just—”
“Making conversation, I’m sure,” Eliza cut her off. “Now, don’t you have a library to run?”
Properly chastened, Meredith gulped down the rest of her coffee and headed out. The walk to the library was short, just a few blocks down Main Street. As she passed the town square, she noticed a group of men in flannel shirts arguing heatedly near the steps of what looked like the town hall.
“It’s our livelihood at stake!” one man shouted, his face red with anger.
“And what about our heritage?” another fired back. “You can’t just—”
Their voices faded as Meredith hurried past, not wanting to eavesdrop. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder what had everyone so riled up.
The library was a stately brick building with wide stone steps leading up to heavy wooden doors. Meredith took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and walked inside. The scent of old books and lemon furniture polish greeted her, instantly soothing her nerves.
“Hello?” she called out. “Anyone here?”
A gangly teenage boy with shaggy dark hair poked his head out from behind a shelf. “Oh. You must be the new librarian.”
Meredith smiled. “That’s right. I’m Meredith Cole. And you are…?”
“Kyle. Kyle Prescott. I work here after school and stuff.” He shuffled out, hands shoved in the pockets of his worn jeans.
“Nice to meet you, Kyle. I’m looking forward to working together.”
Kyle just shrugged, not meeting her eyes. “Whatever. I guess I should show you around or something.”
As they made their way through the stacks, Meredith tried to draw the sullen teen out. “So, how long have you worked here?”
“Couple years. It’s not like there’s much else to do in this town.”
“You don’t like it here?”
Kyle’s eyes darted to hers, then away again. “It’s fine, I guess. Just… weird sometimes.”
“Weird how?”
But before Kyle could answer, the library doors burst open and a tall man in a sheriff’s uniform strode in. “Kyle! There you are. Your mom’s been worried sick.”
Kyle’s shoulders hunched. “I told her I was working.”
The sheriff’s stern expression softened slightly. “I know, son. But after what happened last night, you can’t blame her for being concerned.”
Meredith stepped forward. “Excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt, but I’m Meredith Cole, the new librarian. And you are…?”
The man turned, giving her an appraising look. “Sheriff Tom Grayson. Welcome to Pine Grove, Ms. Cole.” His handshake was firm, calloused.
“Thank you. I’m sorry, but is everything alright? You mentioned something happening last night?”
The sheriff’s face clouded. “Nothing for you to worry about. Just a bit of vandalism out by the old fire tower. Kyle here gave his mother a scare by staying out late.”
Kyle scowled. “I told you, I didn’t have anything to do with that!”
“I know, son. But you need to be more careful. These woods aren’t always safe at night.” The sheriff turned back to Meredith. “Ms. Cole, a word of advice? It’s best not to go wandering in the forest after dark. Stick to town, where it’s safe.”
With that cryptic warning, he ushered Kyle out, leaving Meredith alone in the suddenly too-quiet library. She sank into a nearby chair, head spinning. What kind of town had she come to? And what secrets were hiding in those whispering pines?
Over the next few weeks, Meredith settled into a routine at the library. She enjoyed the work, losing herself in the familiar tasks of cataloging, shelving, and helping patrons find just the right book. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was… off about Pine Grove.
The townspeople were polite enough, but there was an undercurrent of tension that seemed to ripple through every interaction. Conversations would stop abruptly when she entered a room. She’d catch people watching her with wary eyes, only to quickly look away when she noticed.
And then there were the trees. The ancient pines that surrounded the town had always been its defining feature, but lately they seemed… different. Meredith noticed more and more dead branches, needles turning brown and dropping in clumps. Several trees on the edge of town had died completely, their bare limbs reaching toward the sky like accusing fingers.
One afternoon, as Meredith was reshelving books in the local history section, she overheard two elderly patrons whispering in hushed, worried tones.
“…just like back in ‘52. Mark my words, no good will come of this.”
“Hush now, Mabel. You know we’re not supposed to talk about that. Especially not with outsiders around.”
Meredith’s ears perked up at the word “outsiders,” but before she could hear more, the women noticed her and quickly changed the subject to something mundane.
Later that day, Kyle slouched in for his after-school shift. Meredith had been trying to connect with the troubled teen, but he remained stubbornly closed off. Today, though, something seemed different. He was pale and jumpy, dark circles under his eyes.
“Kyle? Are you feeling alright?” Meredith asked gently.
He startled, nearly dropping the stack of books he was carrying. “What? Yeah, I’m fine. Just… didn’t sleep great.”
Meredith frowned. “Bad dreams?”
Kyle hesitated, then set the books down with a thump. “Can I… can I tell you something? But you have to promise not to think I’m crazy.”
“Of course. What is it?”
He glanced around nervously, then leaned in close. “I’ve been hearing things. Out in the woods. At night.”
Meredith’s brow furrowed. “What kind of things?”
“Voices,” Kyle whispered. “But not like, normal voices. It’s like… whispers. Coming from the trees themselves. Telling me to… to do things.”
A chill ran down Meredith’s spine. “What kind of things, Kyle?”
But before he could answer, the library door swung open and Sheriff Grayson walked in. Kyle immediately clammed up, backing away from Meredith.
“Everything alright in here?” the sheriff asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
“Fine, Sheriff,” Meredith said smoothly. “Kyle was just helping me with some reshelving.”
Tom nodded, but his gaze lingered on Kyle. “Good to hear. Say, Kyle, why don’t you head on home? Your mom mentioned she could use some help with dinner.”
Kyle looked like he wanted to protest, but after a moment he just nodded sullenly and slunk out. The sheriff watched him go, a troubled expression on his face.
“Is Kyle in some kind of trouble?” Meredith asked once the teen was out of earshot.
Tom sighed, running a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. “Not exactly. But there’s been more of that vandalism I mentioned. Graffiti, mostly. Weird symbols carved into trees. We’re worried Kyle might be mixed up in it somehow.”
Meredith hesitated, then decided to take a risk. “Sheriff… Kyle told me he’s been hearing things. Voices in the woods. Does that mean anything to you?”
The color drained from Tom’s face. “He told you that?”
“Yes. Should I be concerned?”
The sheriff’s jaw clenched. “Ms. Cole, I know you’re new here, and you mean well. But for your own sake, I strongly suggest you don’t go digging into things that don’t concern you. Pine Grove has its own way of handling problems.”
With that, he turned and strode out, leaving Meredith more confused and unsettled than ever. She glanced out the window at the looming pines, their branches swaying in a breeze she couldn’t feel. For a moment, she could have sworn she heard a faint whisper, like her name carried on the wind.
Meredith shivered and turned away. Whatever was going on in this town, she was starting to think she’d be better off not knowing.
But fate, it seemed, had other plans.
A few nights later, Meredith jolted awake, heart pounding. Something had woken her, but she wasn’t sure what. Then she heard it again – a soft tapping at her window.
She crept to the window seat, peering out into the darkness. At first, she saw nothing. Then a pale face materialized out of the gloom, making her stifle a scream.
It was Kyle, perched precariously on the branch of the old oak tree that grew next to the house. His eyes were wide and frantic.
Meredith quickly opened the window. “Kyle! What on earth are you doing? You could fall!”
“I had to talk to you,” he whispered urgently. “Please, can I come in? They might hear me out here.”
Against her better judgment, Meredith helped the lanky teen clamber through the window. He was shaking, leaves and twigs caught in his hair.
“Kyle, what’s going on? Who might hear you?”
He paced the small room, running his hands through his hair. “The trees. The voices. They’re getting louder. Angrier.”
Meredith’s concern deepened. “Maybe we should call your parents. Or the sheriff—”
“No!” Kyle’s vehemence startled her. “You can’t tell anyone. They… they wouldn’t understand. They’d think I was crazy. Or worse.”
“Worse how?”
Kyle’s eyes met hers, filled with a mixture of fear and desperation. “There’s something you need to see. But we have to go now, before anyone notices I’m gone.”
Every instinct told Meredith this was a bad idea. But the raw need in Kyle’s voice tugged at her. If she turned him away now, she might lose any chance of helping him.
“Alright,” she said softly. “Let me get dressed. We’ll go out the back door.”
Ten minutes later, they were creeping through the silent streets of Pine Grove. The full moon cast long shadows, and a chill wind rustled through the trees. Kyle led her to the edge of town, where the forest pressed close.
“Are you sure about this?” Meredith asked, eyeing the dark woods warily.
Kyle nodded, his face set with grim determination. “You need to see. Then you’ll understand.”
They plunged into the forest, following a narrow, overgrown path. Meredith’s heart raced, every snapping twig making her jump. After what felt like hours but was probably only twenty minutes, they emerged into a small clearing.
Meredith gasped. In the center of the clearing stood an ancient pine, its trunk easily ten feet across. But it was what was carved into the bark that made her blood run cold.
Symbols covered every inch of the massive tree, spiraling up as far as she could see. Some she recognized from her studies – Celtic runes, alchemical signs, what looked like Sanskrit. Others were completely foreign, twisted shapes that hurt her eyes to look at directly.
“Kyle… what is this?”
The boy’s voice was barely a whisper. “It’s where it started. Where they first spoke to us.”
“Who? Kyle, you’re scaring me.”
He turned to her, eyes gleaming in the moonlight. “The Old Ones. The spirits of the forest. They’ve been here longer than any of us, longer than the town itself. And now… now they’re angry.”
A gust of wind whipped through the clearing, and suddenly the whispers Meredith had been hearing since she arrived crescendoed into a cacophony of voices. She clapped her hands over her ears, but it did nothing to block out the sound.
“Do you hear them?” Kyle shouted over the din. “They’re waking up!”
Meredith stumbled backward, overwhelmed by the onslaught of noise and sensation. Her foot caught on a root and she fell, striking her head on a rock. The last thing she saw before darkness took her was Kyle’s face, twisted in a mixture of terror and exhilaration.
She awoke to the sound of arguing voices and the antiseptic smell of a hospital room. Meredith blinked, trying to focus on the blurry figures standing at the foot of her bed.
“…can’t just sweep this under the rug, Tom! The girl knows too much.”
“And what do you suggest we do, Eliza? We’re not savages.”
As Meredith’s vision cleared, she recognized Sheriff Grayson and her landlady, Eliza Winters. They fell silent as they realized she was awake.
“Ms. Cole,” Tom said, his voice gentle but strained. “How are you feeling?”
Meredith tried to sit up, wincing at the throbbing in her head. “What… what happened? Where’s Kyle?”
Eliza and Tom exchanged a loaded glance. “Kyle’s safe,” the sheriff said carefully. “But I’m afraid you took quite a tumble out in the woods. Can you tell us what you remember?”
The events of the night came rushing back – Kyle at her window, the eerie symbols carved into the ancient pine, the cacophony of whispers. But as Meredith opened her mouth to explain, she caught sight of Eliza’s face. The old woman’s eyes bored into her with an intensity that made Meredith’s words die in her throat.
“I… I’m not sure,” she said slowly. “Everything’s a bit fuzzy.”
Relief flickered across Tom’s face, but Eliza’s expression remained stony. “Perhaps it’s best if you rest now, dear,” the old woman said. “We can talk more later.”
As they left the room, Meredith heard Eliza mutter, “She’s lying. She remembers.”
The next few days passed in a haze of painkillers and fitful sleep. When Meredith was finally released from the hospital, she found the town in an uproar. A town hall meeting had been called to address the “forest crisis,” as people were calling it.
Meredith slipped into the back of the packed meeting room, still feeling woozy from her concussion. The air was thick with tension and the acrid smell of cigarette smoke. At the front, Mayor Richardson was trying to calm the crowd.
“Please, everyone! We need to approach this rationally. Yes, the forest is dying. But that’s no reason to—”
“No reason?” a burly man in a flannel shirt shouted. “That forest is our livelihood! Without it, this town is dead!”
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. Meredith spotted Kyle huddled in a corner, looking pale and drawn. When he caught her eye, he quickly looked away.
“Now see here,” Eliza Winters’ voice cut through the din. The crowd parted as she made her way to the front, leaning heavily on her cane. “We all know what needs to be done. The Old Ways have served us for generations. It’s time we remembered our duty.”
A hush fell over the room. Mayor Richardson’s face went ashen. “Eliza, you can’t be suggesting—”
“I can and I am,” the old woman snapped. “The forest is dying because we’ve grown soft. Forgotten the price that must be paid.”
Meredith’s blood ran cold. What price? What Old Ways?
Before she could process what was happening, strong hands gripped her arms. She looked up to see Tom Grayson’s apologetic face.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Cole,” he said softly. “But Eliza’s right. You’ve seen too much. And the forest… the forest demands a sacrifice.”
Panic seized Meredith as she realized what they intended. She opened her mouth to scream, but a cloth was pressed over her face. As consciousness slipped away, the last thing she heard was the rising whisper of the pines, hungry and ancient and full of terrible purpose.
When Meredith awoke, she found herself bound to the massive tree in the clearing, intricate symbols carved into its bark spiraling around her. The entire town seemed to be gathered in a circle, their faces grave in the flickering torchlight.
Eliza Winters stood before her, eyes glittering with a fanatic light. “I’m truly sorry it came to this, my dear. But the forest must be appeased. It’s the only way to ensure our survival.”
As the old woman raised a wicked-looking knife, Meredith struggled against her bonds. This couldn’t be happening. It was madness!
But just as Eliza was about to bring the blade down, a voice rang out. “Stop!”
Kyle pushed through the crowd, his face pale but determined. “You can’t do this. It’s wrong!”
Eliza’s eyes narrowed. “Kyle, you know the price that must be paid. You’ve heard the voices yourself.”
“I have,” Kyle said. “But they’re lying. The Old Ones – they’re not protectors. They’re parasites. They’ve been feeding on this town for generations, twisting us into something we’re not.”
Murmurs rippled through the gathered townspeople. Tom stepped forward, placing a hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “Son, I know you mean well. But this is how it’s always been done.”
Kyle shrugged off the sheriff’s hand. “That doesn’t make it right! Can’t you see? The forest isn’t dying because we forgot the Old Ways. It’s dying because we’ve let these… these things control us for too long. They’re draining the life from the land itself.”
As Kyle spoke, Meredith felt something shift in the air. The whispers that had been a constant background noise since she arrived in Pine Grove suddenly fell silent.
Then, with a deafening crack, the ancient pine she was tied to split down the middle. Meredith fell to the ground as her bonds came loose. From the heart of the tree, a mass of writhing shadows emerged – a thing of teeth and tentacles and too many eyes.
Screams erupted from the gathered crowd. Some fled, while others stood frozen in terror.
Kyle helped Meredith to her feet. “We have to destroy it,” he said urgently. “All of them. It’s the only way to free the town.”
Eliza let out an inhuman shriek and lunged at them, but Tom tackled her to the ground. “Go!” he shouted. “Do what needs to be done!”
What happened next was a blur of fire and shadow. Kyle seemed to know instinctively what to do, leading Meredith from tree to tree. Together, they used the torches to set the carved symbols ablaze.
With each tree that burned, the shadows writhed and screamed. The very air seemed to vibrate with otherworldly howls of rage and pain.
As dawn broke, Meredith and Kyle stood at the edge of town, watching as the last of the tainted pines crumbled to ash. The townspeople gathered around them, shell-shocked but alive.
“What… what do we do now?” someone asked in a small voice.
Meredith looked out at the scorched forest, then back at the faces of her neighbors. She saw fear there, yes, but also hope. A chance for a new beginning.
“We rebuild,” she said firmly. “Together. Without secrets or shadows.”
As the sun rose higher, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, Meredith felt a weight lift from her shoulders. The whispers were gone, replaced by the simple sounds of birds and wind and human voices.
Pine Grove would never be the same. But maybe, just maybe, it could become something better.