The Night the Copper River Turned to Blood

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the Copper River. The water, a vibrant copper hue, seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. In the small town of Eldridge, whispers of the river's strange transformation had spread like wildfire. It was said that the river turned to blood on the night of the full moon, and no one dared to venture near it.

Tom Hargrove, a middle-aged fisherman, had lived in Eldridge his entire life. He had seen many strange things in his time, but nothing like this. On that fateful night, as the moon hung low in the sky, Tom felt an inexplicable urge to return to the river. He had always been a man of habit, but this time, his instincts were telling him something was very wrong.

As he approached the riverbank, the air grew colder, and a shiver ran down his spine. The copper water shimmered under the moonlight, and Tom could see a faint, pulsating glow emanating from the depths. He took a deep breath and stepped closer, his curiosity outweighing his fear.

Suddenly, a cold breeze swept over the river, and the water began to boil. Tom gasped, his eyes wide with shock. The copper hue darkened, and the water began to change. It turned a deep, ominous red, like the blood of a thousand souls. Tom stumbled back, his heart pounding in his chest.

"What's happening?" he shouted, but no sound came out. The world seemed to grow silent, as if the very fabric of reality was unraveling.

As he looked down at the river, he saw a figure standing on the opposite bank. It was a woman, dressed in a long, flowing robe that seemed to be made of the same red fabric as the river. Her eyes were hollow, and her face was twisted in a grotesque expression of pain.

"Who are you?" Tom asked, his voice trembling.

The woman didn't respond. Instead, she began to move towards him, her steps slow and deliberate. Tom took a step back, but his legs felt like they were made of lead. He couldn't move.

"Help me," the woman whispered, her voice a haunting melody that seemed to echo in his mind.

Tom's heart raced. He knew he should run, but something was holding him in place. He watched as the woman reached the water's edge and stepped into the river. The water closed around her, and she disappeared beneath the surface.

Tom turned and ran, his feet pounding the earth. He didn't stop until he reached his cabin. Inside, he found his wife, Mary, sitting at the kitchen table, her face pale and eyes wide with fear.

"What happened out there?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Tom took a deep breath and told her everything. Mary listened, her eyes never leaving his face.

"I think she was trying to help me," Tom said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mary nodded, her eyes filled with sadness. "I think so too," she replied.

As the days passed, the copper river continued to turn to blood. The townspeople were in a state of panic, and many began to leave Eldridge, seeking refuge elsewhere. Tom and Mary stayed, determined to uncover the truth behind the river's transformation.

They began to investigate, questioning everyone they knew and searching for any clues. One night, while exploring the riverbank, they stumbled upon an old, abandoned cabin. Inside, they found a journal belonging to a woman named Eliza, who had lived in Eldridge a century ago.

Eliza's journal told a chilling tale of a supernatural force that had taken hold of the river. She spoke of a creature, a being of darkness and destruction, that had been trapped in the river for centuries. It was said that on the night of the full moon, the creature would rise from the depths, seeking revenge on the world that had wronged it.

Tom and Mary realized that the woman they had seen in the river was Eliza, the spirit of the creature. She had been trying to warn them of the impending danger.

As the next full moon approached, Tom and Mary knew they had to act. They sought the help of a local priest, who performed a ritual to banish the creature back to the depths of the river. The ritual was successful, and the river returned to its normal, copper color.

The townspeople of Eldridge breathed a collective sigh of relief, and life in the town began to return to normal. Tom and Mary, however, remained haunted by the experience. They knew that the creature would return, and they vowed to protect their town from its darkness.

The Night the Copper River Turned to Blood was a story of fear, mystery, and the supernatural. It was a tale that would be passed down through generations, a reminder of the power of darkness and the resilience of the human spirit.