An Early Winter

The first snowfall came early to Blackwoode this year, as it does once every generation or so, topping off a strange, ominous year. Old folks shook their heads and muttered about bad omens, passing around half-forgotten tales of things that came out when winter begins in October. Younger folk mostly took advantage of the chaos and enjoyed a nice day or so off, chuckling at the crazy old coots who kept on glancing over their shoulders when the sun went down. Unfortunately for those incredulous souls, there was truth to their elders' warnings, as one man was about to find out for himself...and in so doing, solve a mystery over a hundred and forty years old... If, of course, he lives to tell...