PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT THIS CACHE!
This cache can be done as a traditional geocache, or if you're brave enough, a night cache. For a night cache, proceed to the Night Cache waypoint. Use a flashlight held at eye-level to look for reflective markers on the trees. You'll be on the trail most of the way.. until you aren't. Don't worry, it's not too far off the trail, but the terrain could be more difficult in the dark. This cache is off of a well used trail in a wooded area, but it is located on private land with permission.
Please open the cache slowly and carefully. Please take note of its positioning so you can replace it the same way it was set up. This one is... unique.
For all you Halloween lovers..
There is a ghost in these woods. It sounds crazy, I know, but it's true. You'll notice as you creep further from the neighborhood street lights that there's a spot just off of the wandering path that's just a little bit darker than the rest... and very, very quiet. She likes it that way.
In the inky blackness near the twisted trunks of downed trees stood a small shack. The ancient, moss-covered building was the home of a particularly evil old witch. As children we were told to stay away from her crooked little dwelling, and to be absolutely SILENT when we were near. The witch hated noise! The neighborhood children told stories of the twisted old hag screeching after children who dared make a sound near her home. I had always been too petrified to even go near there, until we decided to take a shortcut one Halloween night.
The moon was just a sliver when I met my friend Kyle near the trail. He was carrying a 5 gallon bucket instead of a little orange plastic pumpkin bucket like all the other kids. He had big plans to get a record number of candy this year. Kyle Insisted we take the trail through the woods to the next block to save time. I reluctantly agreed and we marched onto the darkened path through the trees. We were silent as we passed the witch's home, our eyes fixed on the decrepit little house. I should have been looking where I was going. I tripped on a rock, twisting my ankle, and let out a painful scream. Kyle and I both looked back in horror as the door of the shack ripped open and the twisted old woman appeared from inside. She spotted us and made a sick, screeching sound like a vulture. Then she started chasing us.
Kyle helped me up and we ran as fast as we could toward his house. The old witch was fast and she caught me before we made it to the door. Her green, skeletal fingers reached for me as she let out a terrible cackling sound. Then something hit her. The witch began to howl in pain as fire engulfed her shredded clothing. Kyle had thrown a jack-o-lantern at her and the candle inside of it had gotten tangled in her rotted robes. We watched in horror as she melted into a puddle of green muck- right into Kyle's bucket.
In a panic we scooped up the witch in the 5 gallon bucket, along with another jack-o-lantern just in case, and ran back into the woods. We hid the bucket among the twisted tree trunks near her shack in hopes that no one would dare go close enough to her home to ever find her remains. Somehow she hasn't stayed buried.
Her house is long gone and the stories of the witch seem to be forgotten. But, late at night, I swear I can hear her horrid cackling and screeching. I'm too terrified to go back! I need someone to check and make sure she's still trapped in that old bucket in the woods. Make sure to check if the jack-o-lantern inside is still lit. Whatever you do, don't make a sound, or you may face the ghost of the Woodland Witch!
Happy Halloween