Many years ago, in the center of the abandoned village of Riocamp lay an ancient well,
its stones worn smooth by centuries of wind and rain. Locals called it the Wailing Well, because at night a mournful scream would echo from its depths, chilling the bones of anyone who dared to listen.
A century ago, Riocamp was a bustling village. But one dark winter, children began disappearing. The villagers searched everywhere, but the children were gone without a trace. Desperate, they turned to a reclusive old woman known as Ethel, rumored to be a witch. Ethel, with her deep-set eyes and crooked fingers, told them that an unspeakable evil had taken residence in the well, demanding innocent souls. The villagers were skeptical but desperate. They gathered torches and pitchforks, ready to confront whatever lurked in the well. But as they approached, a terrible wailing filled the air, and one by one, they fled, leaving Ethel alone. She approached the well, chanting incantations in a forgotten tongue. The wailing grew louder, then abruptly stopped. The next day, the well was sealed, and Ethel was gone. No one dared to reopen it, and soon, the village was abandoned. Decades passed, and the story of the Wailing Well became a local legend, whispered among children on dark nights.
One summer, a curious young man named Jack stumbled upon the abandoned village while hiking. He had heard the stories and decided to investigate, dismissing them as mere superstition. The village was a haunting sight: houses crumbled, overgrown with ivy, and the well stood silent in the center, covered in thick vines. As dusk settled, Jack felt an irresistible urge to uncover the well’s secrets. Ignoring the growing sense of dread, he pulled away the vines and pried off the rotting boards. A cold wind rushed out, carrying a faint, mournful cry. Jack shivered but peered into the darkness. He saw nothing but the black, yawning abyss. Determined to prove the legends false, Jack lowered himself into the well. The air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in around him. As he descended, the wailing grew louder, filling his ears with its agonizing sound. Suddenly, the rope slipped from his hands, and he plunged into icy water below.
Struggling to surface, Jack saw a faint light above. He swam towards it, and as he broke through the surface, he found himself in a vast, underground cavern. The light came from a strange, glowing orb suspended in the air. Jack felt a compulsion to touch it, his hand reaching out almost of its own accord.
The moment his fingers brushed the orb, a chilling scream erupted around him. Shadows emerged from the darkness, children’s faces twisted in silent screams, their eyes hollow and filled with eternal sorrow. Jack stumbled back, horrified, but the shadows advanced, their cold hands pulling him towards the orb. Desperation filled Jack’s mind. He grabbed a rock and smashed the orb, shattering it into a thousand pieces. The cavern was filled with a blinding light, and Jack felt himself being pulled upward, as if the well itself was ejecting him. He woke up on the ground beside the well, gasping for breath. The sun was rising, casting a warm glow over the village. The well was silent once more, its darkness seeming less menacing in the morning light. Jack stumbled away, vowing never to return.
Years later, the village remained abandoned, but the wailing had ceased. The story of Jack’s encounter spread, becoming a new legend. It was said that the spirits of the lost children were freed when the orb was shattered, and they now rested in peace. But some believe that the well still holds dark secrets, waiting for the next curious soul to uncover them. Read more story.