Derek was the driver, Harry the passenger, as they went smoothly along the open road, their destination was a small fishing village just fifteen minutes outside their town. They pulled up, parking at the top of the slip that led down to a small harbor where they would go to sit, chat and unwind for a while. It was a spot for fisher and trawler men at day time but at night it turned into a hookup and recreational spot for teens. Luckily for the two friends it was midday and all that was down there were docked boats and pesky seagulls.
Just as they were walking down they stopped into a small shop to get something to drink, the norm went would go like this - Derek would go for a hot drink, mainly coffee and Harry something cold, preferably with alcohol, but today Harry decided to get something hot, tea was his drink of choice, he never got the whole coffee fascination with the modern world and Derek even changed his drink, opting for a bottle of overpriced water. Creatures of habit no more they said to each other in their own unique humorous way that only they could understand.
Walking down the long harbor slip (they even walked in a way that only they again could understand) they noticed a sort of sign that was never there before, the two would frequently come out here. They both went over to take a look as it read; "Welcome to the haunted well where once a year on July 6th spirits take over the harbor slip". Harry looked at Derek asking "What date is today", Derek replied with "Hold on......6th of July......some timing". Under a picture of the well on the sign was more writing - "Besides the hand that lived in the well, the ghost of Mary Houlahan and the spirits of two teenage school girls haunt these parts, when you hear the cry you know its your time to die"
"What well!!" asked Derek. "Erm see that small well that was never here before but looks like it was here for hundreds of years behind you" Harry pointed in the direction of Derek's shoulder. They looked at each other in confusion for a moment before bursting out laughing at the idea that they both knew the other one was believing the story but none would admit it, again it was almost like they could read each others thoughts and feelings. They walked on down another few yards, almost at the bottom of the slip now.
Out of nowhere the laughter of young girls could be heard ringing around, as if it was somehow trapped in the shallow breeze. "Do you hear that Harry or am I totally after losing it" Derek said very meekly, "Unfortunately I do" replied Harry. They again both looked at each other smiling but this time their smiles weren't as wide or pronounced. The laughing got louder and closer but there was no sign of where and who was doing this until at the slip's end two projections of school girls flickered in and out very briefly. As they seen this the sky quickly changed from bright and blue to dark and grey.
Rain started falling heavily, the shallow breeze turned into stormy wind and the young men now looked at each other with fear in their faces. They both turned around trying to run up the slip to the car but right in front of them kept appearing the teenage girls and now even their laughter turned to crying which rang so loud into Derek and Harry's ears that they could do no more than fall to their knees, holding their ears in pain. Up at the top of the slip they could now see an older woman looking as old as time itself standing there, mouth opening wider and wider.
She levitated towards Harry, as Derek tried to stand up a hand came out from the well grabbing at his ankles. He couldn't move, no matter how much he struggled he could not get away. They could both see their friend in danger but were as equally as helpless to do anything as each other. The ghostly old lady pinned Harry to the ground, directing his attention towards his friend who was now also lying on the ground with his legs tied by the wrinkly hand of the well and body held by the teenage spirits. Harry could hear movement coming down the slip, it was Derek's car sliding backwards down it, gaining momentum on the way.
"Nooooo....don't" Shouted Harry but all this done was make the school girls giggle. Derek's head now perfectly in line with the oncoming car, he gave Harry one last look, said nothing and smiled at him in a way that only they would understand before the car rolled over his head, crushing it completely. Death by his own car, which was what they once joked about a few years back after a near crash together and indeed this what what the smile told.
Harry closed his eyes upon impact, he could not watch his friend of over 20 years die like that. When he opened them things didn't get any better for him, the old lady was still over him, so close that he could smell the sickening stench off her breath. Her mouth still wide open she looked into his eyes and said "Your turn young man" before biting into his stomach, causing it to rip completely open. As she was feeding on his insides the worst thing was that Harry was still alive for most of it., feeling her grazing through his intestines and organs like it was spaghetti.
After this the three spirits stood by the well and watched as the sea eerily came up and dragged what was left of the two bodies into the water along with the car. As soon as this happened the sky turned back from grey to blue, the rain became sunshine and the stormy wind became that pleasant gentle breeze once again. The sign and well had also vanished and nobody ever knew what happened to such quirky but beloved best friends.
