Prologue: A Beautiful Night's Sky

The shortening of breath was making it difficult to concentrate as Professor Slidell, of North Western Oregon University, lay in the brush, bleeding to death. A pool of blood soaked through her clothes as she stared up to the clear night’s sky, as she reminisced of her imminent death.

It was a normal summery day and she had been invited to lecture at Camas Valley’s City Hall about the town’s history and of Joseph Keaton, the town’s first wealthy bachelor who had disappeared in the 1890s. Grateful to share her knowledge of the town’s history, Professor Slidell foolishly agreed.

Instead of the warm welcome she had imagined, the professor was met with hostility, especially from the Bryton family, the ancestors of the original settlers of Camas Valley. It had not helped that she felt that the Bryton family ancestors were responsible for the disappearance of Joseph Keaton and had announced it at the end of the first nights lecture. It was only suppose to draw the crowd in for the next days lecture. Instead, the crowd erupted into a shouting match – the Bryton family was none too pleased with her deduction. The Sheriff and his deputies only showed their presence when other crowd members began yelling insults back at the Bryton family members. On accident, Professor Slidell had started another battle between the Camas Valley residents.

Thinking back, as Professor Slidell’s vision blurred and here eyelids felt so heavy, all she could think of was the fact that now no one would ever discover the Keaton treasure.

A creak in the woods let the dying professor know she was not alone. And all she could do was watch her killer come closer, the footsteps heavy on the ground.

The footsteps stopped by her head, and the shadow of a hand drew to her mouth.

Metal pressed into her throat.

The last thought of Professor Slidell was of the beautiful night' sky over Camas Valley.

The Beginnings of a Story

On the 7th of June, 2010, I was at work, bored as usual, and began to plot a story. It had no structure, and really no where to go. Normally, that is how a story ends for me: I grow bored with the idea and get rid of it. I began an outline and then wrote a couple of paragraphs for a story about settlers and treasure. And, as predicted, after that day I thought nothing of it.

Then, on July 16th, while at home, I came up with an idea for that little story plot I had began in June. Using the names from a show I had been watching (i.e. Supernatural), I started writing again. But instead of becoming bored, page after page began emerging. At work, when it was not busy, I took out my little journal and began writing. Between the 16th and the 26th, I wrote an entire story plot. For once, I was actually excited to write.

I must add that the last time I became this interested in writing I wrote a 30 page story which will never come into the light again. The plot of that particular story was from various movies that I had used; all in all, it was crap because I wanted it to be. A high school teacher refused to let me do a project alone so in response, I wrote an incredibly long and horrible story.

So, when I found myself with an entire outline that was not too bad, I was curious. This story is the first one I have ever written in present time; no going back to the past or to a distant land. It was also the first time I had written a full story in the 3rd person. Also, it was more of an adventure and treasure story. I was excited for the challenge.

Two years later, after 3 drafts written, I have finally decided to put it up for friends to read.

This is a warning!

Do not read this story as if it were a masterpiece of literature. Because it certainly is not! Enjoy the experience of a treasure hunt that has mystery and mayhem.

Thank you Jennifer, for your ideas and the corrections! I could not have finished this without your help!