Far From Any Road

Story Sent in by Ned:

When I was in college I met Jane. We had a class together but I didn't really have a chance to speak with her until a party we both attended. She was super hot and I made it my business to chat her up. One way or the other, we made it onto the topic of some occult legends that had sprung up about the college and the surrounding community. They were fun to talk about, even if I didn't believe most of them.

She seemed particularly fascinated by a story surrounding a local graveyard. An exorcism had gone awry and something with a demon or ghost or alien happened. Whatever it was, it enraptured Jane to such an extent that I suggested we walk there together.

It was late and we both had had a few and I wouldn't have blamed her in the least for turning me down. But to my surprise she went for the idea and we left the party to visit the old cemetery.

It was dark as dark could be. The closest streetlight was a good way down the road. Despite barely being able to see, we hopped the low wall and ambled between the stones.

After a little bit she said, "Bury me."

I laughed. "Right here? Right now?"

"Yeah."

I said, "I don't have a shovel."

"So do your best. The ground's soft."

It was indeed nice and soft, but that wasn't the point. She sounded serious, and I wasn't sure what she was up to.

"Bury me," she said, "Come on." She knelt on the ground and tore at it with her bare hands.

I said, "I think we should go. Don't you want to go? Let's go."

She said, "You can go. After you bury me. Come on. The dead won't wait forever."

"They're actually renowned for that."

"Bury me." She pulled out a house key and lay in the tiny nook she had just made in the ground. "I'll slit my own throat if you don't." She closed her eyes, pressed the key to her neck, and said, "Ow."

I grabbed a handful of dry leaves and tossed them on top of her. "Okay. You're buried. Let's go."

She didn't move or say another word.

"Come on, Jane. Let's head back."

She didn't reply.

"See you back there." I took off, nearly breaking my ass as I hopped the wall a second time.

When I was a little way down the road, I heard her scream my name. I ran back, thinking she was stuck or had tripped or something. But she was nowhere to be found. I called around for her but there was no response. I looked up and down the tombstones, but she had just up and vanished into the woods.

I went back to the party but she never returned. Of course I saw her the next time we had class together. I was going to say something to her, but then I saw the sizable bandage across her neck. It was then that I decided not to say anything to her unless she spoke to me first. She didn't, so that night in the graveyard was actually the last time I ever interacted with her.