In Parts 2 and 3 of Keith David Langston‘s “Tales of the Bushmen” series, he shared terrifying bushman stories co-workers told him while sitting around a campfire one night. In this installment, he shares one more about an incident at a bar…
Sabrina’s Story
“Last year, everyone heard this story. It happened during winter. It was freezing outside and the Wildcat was filled with people. As it got later in the night, someone walked into the bar. He was wearing a long trench coat with one of those big hats, like detectives wear. It was like, minus 30 outside, so the second he walked in, the bar took notice since he wasn’t dressed for the cold at all.
“The collar on his jacket was popped and he kept his head down, so you couldn’t really see his face. After a few seconds of staring, everyone went back to drinking with their friends. But there was a strange clapping sound that happened as he walked. It could have been from a boot or something, but it was too loud. A lot of people noticed a clip clop sound as he took his seat at the bar.
“A girl at one the tables looked down at his feet, and saw that he didn’t have feet! He had hooves like a horse. But his legs were thicker and had long fur like a bear. She screamed and pointed to the guy’s feet, and the whole bar fell silent.
“Suddenly he bolted up and ran out the door. He was so fast that nobody could grab him. A bunch of guys at the bar tried chasing after him, most of them forgetting to even put their jackets on. He ran out of the bar, down to the frozen lake, and off into the woods. As they chased him, the bartender called the cops, and they searched for hours that night.
“The hospital was filled with people who had gotten frostbite and hypothermia. But even worse, some of the men who chased after him were never found. They even tried looking for remains after the winter had ended and the snow melted, but they never found a single trace.
To Fear or Not to Fear?
My hand was gripped to my mug so tight I almost broke it into pieces. “He was luring them into the woods! Just like you said!”
“I heard they found one of the guys, but his fingernails and teeth had been pulled out.” Kyla said.
Joanna, the Australian girl, looked like she might not sleep for the rest of her life, while the two German guys were unphased. “That crap isn’t real,” they said in their trademark German seriousness.
Bedtime
It had gotten late and was time for bed. We put out the fire and headed to the cabins. It was normally two to a cabin, but at the moment we had an odd number. I was the one who had a cabin all to myself.
I loaded my little furnace with wood. It was the only source of both heat and light inside. My cabin also had a square cut out in the back that could be removed to make a window.
I was left with a choice…should I open it and have an exposed wound to the outside world? Or should I keep it closed, locking myself in a completely dark, isolated box? I chose the wound. If I needed to escape from monsters throughout the night, the window could serve as my quickest route.
Despite my fear, I was getting tired. Plus, with the cabin being warmed by the orange glow of the fire, I felt a certain layer of safety and comfort. My eyes slowly closed and I drifted off to sleep.
Then I opened my eyes. I had to pee. I had drank too much birch sap tea. The cabin was getting cold and there was only a faint, deep red glow coming out of the furnace. I sat up, and that’s when I saw it.
What does Keith see? Find out when his “Tales of the Bushmen” series concludes in Part 5…
About the Author
Keith David Langston currently writes for Travel Channel and Passport Magazine. When he isn’t traveling, he lives in New York City.
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