Autumn

by Ann Lamparski

Jeff Cooper takes a spontaneous trip to the Adirondacks after his creative writing instructor, Professor Davis, tells him stories about a mountain commune he lived with during the 1960s. Davis gives Jeff a trail map and an old manuscript that he wrote during that time. Jeff is thrilled to discover that the commune still exists and meets Mick, the commune leader. At first Mick is welcoming, but the sense of community slowly slips away and Jeff realizes something is terribly wrong. Mick has plans for him, but Jeff cannot bring himself to do what Mick demands. Jeff soon discovers the carefree commune has evolved into a cult. He needs to leave, but as the temperature drops, he’s not confident he can make it back down the twenty-mile trail without adequate supplies. Before his attempt to escape, Jeff notices something eerie about Professor Davis’ old manuscript. Jeff sticks around long enough to see how the story ends, which sends him running for his life.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2022