The Bridge

By Simon Ponder

The fire pit crackled and popped as it began to burn down. The stream of smoke drifted lazily, reaching up to the waining strawberry moon. The last few guests for the party watched it drift, empty beer cans forgotten. "She still comes to the bridge late at night looking for her children," said Michael before finishing the last of his beer and with a tipsy laugh tosses it arrogantly at the trash can. They had all heard one variation of this story at some point in their childhood. Usually when they had misbehaved. The old donkey woman of Elm Creek was going to creek was going to come and take them away in the night to live with her, replacing her children who had died in the fire that had disfigured her. "My mother had my aunt call me once as her. Telling me she was going to make me live in the mud under the bridge and only eat worms for the rest of my life," Stephanie said with a small shiver, reflecting some forgotten nightmare. An uneasy chuckle escapes from Steve, "Some friends and I drove over the bridge back in high school, that place is creepy as shit." "You know what? This may be the dumbest idea I have ever had, but fuck it. One last stupid stunt before I turn 30. Let's head out there." Amanda proclaimed. "Anyone good to drive, we can take a cooler and see if the 'Donkey Lady' shows up." You set your beer down, and start putting out the fire. [[Let's head out|to the bridge]]

Everything packed, you pile into the back seat of Steve's old Chevy, which may be more rust than truck at this point. The local country music station struggles to make music through the radio as you drive. You arrive at a forgotten small bridge crossing a creek, its bullet scarred signed reflecting the moonlight, proudly proclaims it to be Elm Creek. The knee high baricade seperating the road from the 10 foot drop to the water below glints as the headlights pass over them. The only light to disturb the nocturnal things that live this far outside the city limits. Steve pulls over to the side of the road in the middle of the bridge and kills the ignition. "So now we wait for the old bitch to show up," Michael says. You turn the stiff crank to roll down the window, hoping that some part of Texas weather will relent and allow a breeze on summer night. "Who the FUCK IS THAT!" screamed Stephanie pointing out the back of the window. "I don't see anyone," said Steve. "Hey Mikey, can you grab the flash light out of the glove box?" "I swear to god, there was someone in the middle of the road, right there. I couldn't see their face. But they were there!" continued Stephanie, visably shaken. "Well, we have a flashlight, and half a 30 pack. I say we go investigate. I am sure we can drunk Scooby-Doo this shit in no time at all," Michael declares. "I am not getting out of this car, lets just go home," says Stephanie. "This place has given me the creeps, I think its time we called it." [[Screw this, let's get out of here|Try to Leave]] [[Let's Investigate|Decide to investigate]]

Steve turns the key in the ignition, the starter motor makes a noise. The car remains off. "Steve, what the fuck is wrong with you. Start the damn car," yells Amanda. The car won't start. Can you check and see under the hood? [[Get out of the Car|Get out of the car]]

Another scream rips through the night, this time closer. "Get us the fuck out of here!" Amanda yells. The bushes close to the bridge start to sway and crack as something moves through it. Steve turns the key in the ignition and begins to rock back and forth in an effort to push the car into life. The car coughs loudly and the engine finally turns over. Steve slams on the gas and peels out as something thumps into the back of the car. As you drive off you look through the back window and see a figure standing in the street getting smaller. [[The End|The End]]

You decide to investigate, you all climb out of the truck, except for Stephanie who decides to climb into the drivers seat, just in case you need to make a quick get-away. Where should we investigate first? [[Left side of the bridge|Left side of bridge]] [[Right Side of the bridge|right side of bridge]] [[Back up the road from where you came|where you came from]] [[In the direction the truck is facing|where you are going]]

You walk up to the barricade on the left side of the bridge and peer over. The dark water gently babbling over the stones. The towering cypress trees cling to the banks of the creek. You see on the side of the bridge a small path that heads to the water. Where do you want to go? [[Head down to the creek bed|climb down to river bank]] [[Right Side of the bridge|right side of bridge]] [[Back up the road from where you came|where you came from]] [[In the direction the truck is facing|where you are going]]

You walk up to the barricade on the right side of the bridge and peer over. The dark water gently babbling over the stones. A shoal covered in brush splits the creek down the middle, building small rapids turning the water into froth. You see on the side of the bridge a small path that heads to the water. Where do you want to go? [[Let's head out|climb down to river bank2]] [[Left side of the bridge|Left side of bridge]] [[Back up the road from where you came|where you came from]] [[In the direction the truck is facing|where you are going]]

You walk back up the road away from the car. As you are about to step of the bridge a [[scream pierces the night|hear a noise]]

You start to walk across the bridge. Suddenly [[scream pierces the night|hear a noise]]

You walk down to the creek. You reach the muddy edge of the creek between two cypress trees. Their gnarled roots reach into the water. The dark water rolls over the stones. There is nothing to see in the scrub brushes that cling to the bank. Head to the right side of the bridge? [[Right Side of the bridge|right side of bridge]]

You walk to the creek from the right side of the bridge. On the muddy bank of the creek you see the disgarded remains of an animal. You [[hear a noise|hear a noise2]].

"Did you hear that," whispered Amanda. "It has to have been a coyote" said Steve, he continued "Yeah, most likely a coyote." You hear a rustling in the bushes, coming closer. "Whatever it is, it is in the bushes over to the left" You shine the flash light into the shurbs. In the brush you see a pair of eyes, reflecting the flash light malevolently at you, the ragged hair around the almost human face. "He...Hello? Who are you?" asks Amanda. The creature in the brush, suddenly screams at you. The flash light splutters and turns off. "Real fucking funny. Turn the flashlight back on," Yells Amanda. You show Amanda that the flashlight was no longer working. You can hear the creature coming closer to you. "Yeah, lets go," yells Michael, tossing his half empty beer into the bushes while running back to the truck. You [[Run to the car|run to the car]].

You run up to the car, Michael, Steve and Amanda right behind you. You get back to the car. "What the fuck was that screaming," says Stephanie. Panting, Amanda dives into the truck, "Something by the creek, we are getting out of here." [[Get out of here|Try to Leave2]]

<center><h1>The Bridge</h1></center> <center><h3>By Simon Ponder</h3></center> <center>[[Start|The Bridge]]</center>

"Did you hear that," whispered Amanda. "I didn't hear a thing, but I am sure its whatever was eating this possum," said Steve, he continued "Most likely a coyote." You hear the noise again, coming closer. "Whatever it is, I think it is on that island in the creek." You shine the flash light across the creek. In the brush you see a pair of eyes, reflecting the flash light malevolently at you, the ragged hair around the almost human face. "He...Hello? Who are you?" asks Amanda. The creature in the brush, suddenly screams at you. The flash light splutters and turns off. "Real fucking funny. Turn the flashlight back on," Yells Amanda. You show Amanda that the flashlight was no longer working. You hear a splash into the creek. [[Run to the car|run to the car]]

The End Base on the story of <a href="http://www.weirdus.com/states/texas/local_legends/donkey_lady_bridge/">The Donkey Lady Bridge and one fateful summer trip to visit it.