June 8th, 1802
Mother had me go to Mrs. Walker’s farm this morning to buy some milk and eggs for breakfast. It is a long walk to get there, but Mrs. Walker always gives me a glass of fresh milk to drink. She is kind.
On my way there, I noticed wild flowers growing next to the old well. I thought I would pick some to give to Mrs. Walker, since she is always so kind. When I got to the well, I thought I heard something coming out of it. I leaned over the edge to listen better, and when I put my ear closer, I could hear screaming. I kept trying to listen more, but I was afraid I would fall in. The well is very old and no one uses it on account of it being dry. Surely there is not anyone down there. My friend Christopher said that the well is three miles deep, and he does not lie to me. Well, sometimes he does. I do not think he means to. I walk one mile to get to Mrs. Walker’s farm, so the well must be very deep. If someone fell down there, they would surely be dead.
I made it to Mrs. Walker’s farm and she gave me the milk and eggs. I sat with her while I drank the extra milk she gave me. The milk tasted very sweet today. I think Mrs. Walker has the best cow’s milk in Solsticeshire. She asked me all the same questions she always asks me. She always asks about Mother and Father and about school and if I have met a boy yet. I normally do not mind answering all of her questions, but I desperately wanted to ask her about the well. I almost could not hear what she was saying because my mind kept telling me to ask her.
I asked her how deep the well is. She said she was not sure, but that it is very deep, and has no water. I asked her if anyone lives down there. She looked funny and asked me why I would ask a question like that. I told her that I went to the well to pick flowers and I thought I heard screaming. I told her that if there is someone down there then they must live there because if they fell down they would be dead. She looked as if I had just told her that I stole her chickens to sell her the eggs. She said there was no one down there and to stop playing by the well. She said if I were to fall into the well then I would be dead because no one will be able to get me back up. I am not clumsy and would not fall in so it was mean of her to say that. And I was not playing.
I kept thinking about the well. When I arrived home I asked Mother. She said the same thing as Mrs. Walker, and made the same face. Why do they think I would be so clumsy and stupid to fall into a well? I am not a child.
June 12th, 1802
I had a dream that when I went to the well, the screaming was very loud and then a witch floated out and started chasing me.
I cannot stop thinking about the well. Every time I close my eyes to sleep, I hear the screaming again. I keep trying to remember the sound. It sounded like the foxes at night in the springtime.
I have not gone back, but I can not stop thinking about it. Father asked me why I have been so quiet. I did not tell him. I told Christopher what happened and he said it was the well goblin trying to get me to go down there so that it can force me to be its wife. I think he is lying. I bet Christopher wants me to be his wife, and that is why he said that.
June 14th, 1802
I am desperate to know what or who is at the bottom of that well. The thoughts are plaguing my mind so severely that I have been blind to everything around me. This morning I was helping Mother make breakfast. I was so lost in my own mind that I spilled the last of the milk. Mother scolded me for being absent minded and asked if I was feeling ill. I have been too afraid to tell her.
Mother made me go to Mrs. Walker’s farm to replace the milk. I thought I would take a different path, but my legs lead me toward the well again. I did not get close, but I stopped for a moment. I could faintly hear it. I quickly continued to the farm.
I was able to get a very long rope, a piece of wood and an oil lamp from Mrs. Walker. The thought of asking her for these things popped into my mind as soon as I saw her. The question left my lips just as fast, almost like it was not me who formed the words. She asked me what it was all for. I told her that Father needed to fix something. Thankfully she believed me. I feel bad for lying,
I will return to the well tomorrow. I do not know what is compelling me to do this.
June 15th, 1802
I am at the well. I can still hear the screaming so that means whatever it is is still down there.
Christopher helped me attach the wooden slab to the rope so that I will be able to lower myself down. He made me test out the rope first by throwing the wood end over a tree branch. I sat on the wood while he held onto the other side of the rope. He determined it should be strong enough. He asked if he could go with me and I told him no because I told Mother and Father that I was at his house.
I was able to find a large branch to lay over the opening of the well. Christopher showed me how I should tie the rope around it. I will pray before going down.
I made it to the bottom. It looks like I am in a cave. The air is cold, but it is surprisingly dry. It is no mystery why the well has never been used. It is as if water has never touched this cave. It took some time to get to the bottom, but it is not three miles deep. It took less time to get here than it does for me to get to Mrs. Walker’s farm.
Upon getting to the bottom, I noticed bones scattered around me. They look like they have been here for a very long time.
My heart feels like it is trying to leave my body. I can hear the screaming still, but it is coming from deeper into the cave. The cave looks to go straight from where I came down. I will walk for a little while. I do not want to stay down here for too long. I am almost regretful of my decision, but I need to put my mind to rest.
I have walked longer than I wanted to. I can barely see what is ahead with just my oil lamp. Thankfully I have not heard anything else down here. I have not found any other bones either. The walls and ground are bare and almost untouched. The cave still feels cold and dry. I realize now that there is no smell to this cave. It seems like there is nothing down here at all, except for the bones and whoever has been screaming for all of this time.
My oil lamp is dimming. I do not know why I keep walking. Every time I thought of stopping, the screaming would get louder. I pray I am getting closer. By now everyone is looking for me. This is the first time I have thought about Mother and Father since before I entered the well..
I have just enough oil to write this.
I found a corpse. It is of a girl who looks emaciated and pale. She must have been trapped down here. Maybe she was screaming so loud before she died that it is still echoing. Maybe her spirit is screaming. Maybe she heard the screaming too, and died before reaching the end.
I can see light ahead of me.
I found the source of the light, and the cursed wailing.
I have come upon a large door that looks like it is made out of steel. Above it is a small oil lamp that is unusually bright. I have never seen a lamp like this. It is round and reminds me of when I look at the sun. I cannot figure out how it is being held up. It looks like it is built into the wall. But then how would they add oil? I cannot see a way for it to open. How is it so bright? Staring at it is hurting my eyes. I am so intrigued that I have almost forgotten why I am here.
The door must be locked. They are on the other side, trying to open it. I am terrified and want to turn back. Something stronger than my fear is compelling me to open it. It is if God is on the other side beckoning me. I hope He will protect me.
submitted by /u/midnightfancies
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