(upbeat music) This episode is brought to you by Experian. Are you paying for subscriptions you don't use, but can't find the time or energy to cancel them? Experian could cancel unwanted subscriptions for you, saving you an average of $270 per year, and plenty of time. Download the Experian app. Results will vary, not all subscriptions are eligible. Savings are not guaranteed. Paid membership with connected payment account required. It's time for Tuesday Terror, here on the Mutual Audio Network. The following audio drama is rated R and is recommended restricted for anyone under the age of 17. Welcome, campfire listeners. I hope you're enjoying this haunting season and partaking of some of the creepy horror fiction that's out there. It's a crowded field this time of year, lots to choose from, but one of the best at bringing the chills is a podcast called Wrong Station. The Wrong Station is a horror anthology each episode telling an original story, but all are unified by a pervading sense of, how should I put it? Wrongness. Stories span a wide selection of genres and settings from psychological thrillers and body horror to sci-fi and dark fantasy. If you enjoy the Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, and the Cabinet of Curiosities, Wrong Station is perhaps your cup of pumpkin spice latte. This October, Wrong Station is releasing 31 episodes in 31 days. All part of the Wrong Station pledge drive. That's right, every single night this October, you can tune in to Wrong Station for a brand new original horror story delivered directly to your pod catcher of choice. So if you haven't listened yet, there's plenty to catch up with. The Wrong Station pledge drive is broadcasting now, wherever you get your podcast. Or perhaps in that deepest, darkest corner of your mind where maybe you thought you were alone. ( Welcome, friend. Have a seat by the fire. Make yourself comfortable. One had to traverse a thick cedar forest known as Whispering Woods, before arriving at that hallowed spot where all things for most souls is. A graveyard surrounded by a decrepit rock wall. Buried here, deep within the black soil among unnamed stones was a secret. A darkness that cried out across generations. An even that even the shroud of death could not forever silence. You're listening to Campfire Radio Theatre. Tonight, we feature a seasonal tale about secret-saddened betrayal. Sins that often come back to haunt no matter how deeply they're buried. From the sinister pit of John Ballantay comes a play we call Desecrate. Who is it? (indistinct chatter) - Great, just Desec. - Hey, Jen. - Brent. - So, you gonna let me in or? - Oh, yeah, sure. - One pumpkin spice latte, here you go. - You didn't have to do that. - No trouble. Figured I'd swing by the drive through on the way. - Thanks. Listen, we need to talk. - About what? - About you showing up on my doorstep? - Yeah, well, I miss you. - Holly is living with you now. - Hey, she might be cool with it. - Holly would not be cool with it. Look, this was supposed to be just a one-time thing, right? We both got a little tipsy a couple weeks ago, and-- - Oh, yeah, then I was pretty lights out, huh? - Oh, okay, this whole thing with you and me is getting out of hand. We need to stop. - Come on, really? - Yeah, absolutely. - Why? - 'Cause it's wrong, I feel dirty. - Maybe that's what turns you on, hm? - Stop it. - Hey, we have fun together, right? There's no commitment, no strings. I have my thing with Holly and-- - Your thing? - Well, I'm just saying what we have at its core is physical. We're not a couple of lovesick kids. - Sure, I mean, I don't wanna marry you, but Holly does. Brent, she's my best friend. We've been like sisters since grade school. It would kill her to find out about us. - Are you gonna tell her? 'Cause I'm not. - Oh my God, look, she's gonna find out sooner or later. - Oh, how? Holly's still wrapped up in that occult nonsense. She doesn't even notice what's going on in the real world. Hell, you know how she is. - Yeah. When we were kids, we'd play around with Ouija boards and tell ghost stories and stuff. - How he's obsessed with that bullshit. Crystals and talismans, I didn't realize when we first hooked up, I'd be dating goth Barbie. - Come on, she's not that bad. - Honestly, she's more interested in talking with ghosts and taking care of my needs. - Well, that's because you're a goddamn pig. - Uh-huh, full of base animal desires. - Cut it out. Cut it out. - Are you really gonna answer that right now? - Oh, hey, Holly. What's up? - Hi, Jen, you want lunch break? - Yeah, just ran back to the apartment for a quick bite. - I'll have a quick bite. Stop it. So you don't have plans for Halloween yet, do you? - Uh, no, not really. I mean, there's a party at Nolan's, I think. - Screw that. Clear a calendar. I've got something lined up. You're absolutely going to love. - Oh, yeah? What is it? - I want to surprise you. - Oh, come on, Holly. - I'll give you a hint. It does involve a graveyard. - She's, I don't know if I'm up for all that. - Aw, trust me, it's gonna be fun. And we can still swing by Nolan's afterward if you want. That party's always raging till after midnight. - All right, all right. - Yay, it's a date. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll fill you in later, okay? - Okay. - Love you. Bye. - Love you too, bye. You know anything about this? - Yeah, some kind of haunted day trip, Holly's got planned. - Wait, you're going to? - Uh-huh. - Shit. - Oh, trust me, I'd rather have a root canal. - Well, this is going to be royally weird. - Hey you, come here. - Mm, it's... (laughing) (soft piano music) (soft piano music) - Well guys, here we are. - Well, um, I don't see a graveyard. - Yeah, it's a short hike back to the woods. Not too far, don't worry. - I'm going at the store, said it was about a mile back. - Wait, a mile? - We got what we need? Bottled water, snacks, granola bars, beef jerky. - Yep, I got some of my pad. - Ah, fresh air too, I like it. - A mile. - Come on, let's head out, looks like a decent trail. - Yeah, we're not trespassing, are we? - Well, so yes, got it. It'll be all right, trust me. - Hey, so what's the deal with this graveyard? - The whole area around here has a unique history. It's kinda shrouded in darkness. - Yeah, like what? - Look, no spoilers, okay? You'll see when we get there, I promise. We're gonna have a great time. It'll be just like when we used to have sleepovers. You coming babe? - Oh yeah, bringing up the rear. You guys enjoy your girl talk. - He's so slow. Anyways, so what do you think? - About what? - You've gotten to know him a little bit. - Oh, Brent, yeah. I mean, he's smart, career-minded, successful. - Good looking, right? - Yeah, sure, he checks a lot of boxes, but I get it. But I mean, single 30-year-old dude with all these great qualities just doesn't add up, you know? I mean, why is he still eligible? - Why are we still eligible? - Duh, 'cause we can both do better. - Better, really, Jen? - I'm just saying some guys aren't married to material, that's all. - You don't like Brent? - I mean, how well do you really know him, Holly? I mean, you two had this whirlwind courtship, madam, and bam, you're engaged. I mean, sure, it's romantic and all, but... - Yeah, he kinda knocked my socks off. - Right, but it's gotta be something deeper than sex and superficial stuff, if you're gonna be with this guy for the long haul. - Trust me, we have a connection. There's a lot more than meets the eye. - Okay. - You got any clue why they call this place Whispering Woods? - Yeah, I'm guessing because people hear whispers. - According to legend, if you walk into these woods with a secret, the witch of the wood will whisper it into your ear. You don't have any secrets, do you, Jen? - Yeah, I've got plenty of secrets. Most of them are chafing related. Is this it, up ahead? Those headstones look ancient. - In some cases, they're just crude rocks. On marked stones, especially the older ones. - Wow. - That hike was a little more than a mile, if you ask me. - Holly, don't get me wrong, this is cool and I'll be, why exactly are we here? - Fela Mina Tillman. - Fela who? - Wait, that name sounds familiar. - So the story goes that Fela Mina Tillman is buried here. - Oh, that's right, seems like I remember the story. Okay, it's almost cute how desperately nerdy you two are. - Fela Mina was accused of being a witch, tried, convicted, executed by a superstitious lynch mob. But some claim she wasn't really into witchcraft. She was simply blessed with natural abilities to see the future, to read minds. Fela Mina was a seer, a psychic by modern vernacular. And somewhere among these stones is her grave site. Tonight, we're going to contact her. (laughs) Huh? - I for one have planned to haul my ass out of here well before dark. - Shut up, so how are we going to find her? Assuming this is the right spot, I mean, I haven't heard this ghost story since I was a kid, but isn't her headstone unnamed? No one's been able to locate it, right? - Correct, but the reason they couldn't find her is because they didn't have this. - A map? - It's not a map, it's a symbol. Fela Mina's headstone bears this symbol. What does it mean? - It's a talisman of sorts, meant to keep her locked away so she never comes back. - Were they that scared of her? - Look babe, I know you're all about this stuff, but do you think we can really trust what some faceless troll on the internet posts? - I've done tons of research, trust me. This is the real deal. - Okay, well, if you're sure we're not gonna resurrect a demon here, let's start looking, see what we can find. I'll take this side. - There's a rock wall that marks the border of the site. Sweetie, will you check over there? - Yeah, I got it. - Thanks. So the symbol looks kind of like a hexagram with an eye in the center. It may be tough to make out after all this time. - Yeah, the grass is so tall through here, you can barely see the headstones. - Are we having fun yet? - Um, sure, it is spooky out of here, isn't it? - It feels like, I don't know, like this place might just seep into your pores or something. How did you know how to get here anyway? I thought this whole thing was just a bunch of campfire stories. - Lots of research, talking to people locally, but yeah. It took a while, but this is totally legit. - Listen, about what I said earlier, you know, about Brent not being a good fit for you or whatever, wait, do what makes you happy, okay? I mean, what do I know? I'm no relationship expert. Look at my track record. - Hey, I think I found something. Come have a look at this. - Okay, coming. - Oh, you idiot, give me advice. Shit. - Oh, what am I even doing here? It feels like such a whore. - Should I get out of here? - Okay. - Brent, that's not even a grave. That's part of a wall. - Yeah, look though, it's got that funky symbol on it. - That's some kind of fertility symbol, moron. - In a graveyard? - Whoops. - Hey, Jen, you okay? - Yeah, just took a spell over something here. Didn't see it jutting out. - Did a hand reach up and grab your ankle? - You're a funny guy. Wait a minute, holy shit. This is it. Hey, holy, I think I may have found your friend. - Are you for real? - Yeah, it looks kind of like the symbol. - Oh my God, Jen, you did it. It's carved into the stone, a perfect match. Look at it. - Here, let me help you out. - Huh? Thanks. - Okay, there's one more way to know for sure. Listen to this. Press your ear to the stone. Listen. Hear that? Oh, that is trippy as yes. This is so cool. - Yeah, great. - How is it making that noise? What does it mean? - It means that she still has a foot in our world. We can communicate with her. - You two are full of shit. - It's like wind howling in a cave or something. - Yeah, almost like it's calling to us. - Oh, sure, you know what? You can hear the ocean too, if you shove a seashell up your-- - Friend, shut up. - We don't need your negative energy here. I'm going to grab the board. - All right. - Yes. - Wait, the what? - The Ouija board. - Here we go at the hocus pocus. You see what I mean? - I think you can go away from me. - It's so exciting. - Relax. - She doesn't have a clue. - Oh my God, are you really? - This is too big. - Yes, yes. - Why didn't you tell me she called up the chippin' with this stuff? Here we go. You guys ready? - Yeah, so, you know, I'm a little fuzzy on my Ouija board etiquette, but I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to use one in a graveyard. I feel like that's a thing. - It's best to be close to the remains when conjuring a spirit. - Okay, really? Is that written somewhere in the spirit handbook or whatever? - It's kind of like when you're close to a cell tower, you get better signal. - Of course, we could always drag Philomena's bones back with us. - Yeah, I vote we don't drag Philomena back to the house. - All right. Let's clear a spot here. Perfect, Jen, will you light the candles? - Sure. - Thanks. - Are we ready? - Yeah, I think so. - Brad, you gonna join us? - No, I'm good. - Look, I'm sorry I said you were negative. Come on. - No, that's okay. You guys do your thing. Enjoy your old Girl Scout ritual. I'll stand guard for zombies. - Jen, take my hand. Yeah, sure. Oh, mother of the Crescent Moon, please guide and protect us. Banish negative energy, evil and dark entities from this place. Facilitate communication with the spirit of Philomena Tillman. Raise her tortured soul from the depths of darkness into your light. May Philomena now speak to us through this board tonight. - So what's with the prayer, mother of light and all that? - We don't want any evil entity attaching itself to one of us. Anytime you open the doorway, any spirit from the other side can step through if we're not protected. - What now? - We place our hands on the planchette like this and we ask a question. All right? Is Philomena present with us right now? (somber music) - Yes. - Are you Philomena? - Oh my God. - Philomena, are there other spirits present with us in this graveyard? - Yes. - Oh my God, this is crazy. - Is there anyone here that we should fear? - Okay, now what does that mean? Like here or in the after world? - Shh. - Philomena, are you capable as they say of reading our thoughts are deeply buried in our most desires? Are there secrets being kept among us? Is my fiance Brent having an affair with someone? - This is a joke, right? Is that someone right next to me? - Okay, look, count me out. I'm not doing this right now. - Come on, Jen, the fun's just starting, it's-- - Jesus, Holly, how would you think that I could even do something like that? - Because your goddamn sex on it, Brent. - Baby, listen. - I mean, even after I go along with all the perverted shit you get off on, you're just-- - Oh, baby. - Plus, you talk in your sleep. - Holly, I just, I don't know what to say. - If you don't have to say anything, Jen. - What is that? - It's a fucking gun. What does it look like? - Sweet Jesus, Holly, is that my Glock? - Yes, sir. - Well, don't be waving that thing around. It's loaded for Christ's sake. - Is it? - Shit. - Holly? - I guess you're right. - What are you doing? - Oh, shit. - Hey, hey, hey. You two don't get any ideas about bailing now. - Part is just heating up. - Holly, you're pissed, all right, I get it. - Do you? - Oh, sure, but what if signals got crossed on that Ouija board? This ain't exactly scientific. - Do you think I'm stupid, Brent? - Yeah, of course not, but come on. I mean, this nuts. - Oh, yeah. Speaking of nuts, I can't think of a better target. - No, no, no, no, no, wait, wait. - You know what? I have a job for you, Brent, and it doesn't involve your dick, so I hope you don't mind. - Okay, all right. Yeah, you name it, okay? Just point that thing somewhere else. - There you go. - That's a shovel. - Wow, genius, score one for you. - Where did you get a shovel? We didn't bring the shovel. - Oh, wow. You see, while you two were busy bumping uglies, I had plenty of time to scout the area, plant things out. - What am I supposed to do with it? - Get over there and dig up Philomena's grave. - Wait, what? - Holly. - You want me to do what? - You've heard me. Better get started. - So, you want me to desecrate a grave? - Holly, sweet, you don't have to do this. - Oh yeah, we do, Dan. It's time we get up close and personal with our friend down there. Brent, start digging. (ominous music) - Dammit, I'm waist deep in this hole. There's nothing down here. - Keep going, she's there. - It's almost dark. - We have plenty of candles. I don't hear you digging. Let's go. - Holly. - Not so close, Jen. - Look, you have every right to be upset and I wouldn't blame you if you never spoke to me again, but are you thinking, Holly? Holly, I know what never, this just isn't rational. - You know what isn't rational, Jen? Me sitting here and pretending, like this wasn't going on behind my back, ignoring the fact. Now that isn't rational. - I know, it was a mistake. I made a terrible mistake and I literally hate myself for it. Okay. What are you two talking about over there? - Hey, shut up and dig. All that business on the way here about Brent not being a good fit for me. I can do better. Yeah, you wanted him for yourself. - Oh God, no, honey. You gotta believe me, that's just not true. - We'll see how true it is. Hello Mina will reveal all. She's apparently the only one out here I can trust. - Holly, this doesn't have to go any further. Okay, we can talk, we can reason with one another. I mean, have you really thought this out? - You know the best place to dispose of a human body? Setting concrete in new construction. They rarely go through the trouble of tearing up a building's foundation on a hunch, you know? Too much trouble, expense. Now the second best place to plant a body is an old grave. - It was a mistake. - One that's already been dug and sealed some time ago. You see, they just never bothered a look there. - Ruben fact, what are you gonna do, Holly? - You are never really good at reading the tea leaves. Where are you, Jen? - Please don't. So let's take a look. Come along, Jen. Come on. How are we coming, lover boy? - Okay, I think I hit something. Maybe it's rotted wood or maybe it's just tree roots. I don't know. It's too dark to see. - Oh my God, Brent, you dumb shit. Those aren't tree roots, those are bones. I think I see a rib cage. - Oh shit, I'm getting out of this hole. - You stay put. - Let's just go. Toss it up. - Oh, I don't wanna touch that thing. - Do it now. - Okay, all right. - Well, hello there, my old friend. I wonder just what secrets your bones hold. What might you reveal to us? What's that you say? - Brent is a fucking gutless liar. - Look, Holly, I got no idea what kind of nonsense Jen's been filling your head with, but you gotta know what really happened. See, she came on to me when I was drunk. - What? - I was so wasted, so wasted. Hell, baby, I thought I was making love to you. - I'm sorry, are you kidding me? - And then she threatened to spill the beans on this whole goddamn thing. If I didn't keep having these little rendezvous with her. - You're kidding me? - It's pathetic, I know, she's pathetic, but it's true. - This is total bullshit, Brent. You know that's not what happened. - I swear. - Bullshit, Brent. - I swear, may God and heaven strike me down right now if I'm lying, but I swear to you, baby, I swear, baby, listen, you gotta believe me. - Huh, that's interesting. The Almighty seems to have no intention of striking you down, Brent. I guess it's left to me, and it'd deal out as well. - No, no, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. (gun fires) - Oh, Jesus Christ, holy. (laughing) What are you, what are you shawty, am I? (laughing) (laughing) Are we having fun yet? - You really, I'm gonna be sick. (laughing) - Now it's just me and you, Jen. All hellos-y. Just like the old days, huh? All those times we spent together. All those nights when you would cry on my shoulder, broken hearted about your messed up childhood, or some guy, and I'd cry on your shoulder about the same. - Holly. - It's really a shame it's gotta end this way. - Do you really wanna do this? Is this what you really want? - You know what hurts most? I loved you, Jen. You were the sister I never had. - It can still be that way, Holly. We don't have to tell anyone about this. It can be your secret. - I'm sorry, Jen. We're not gonna keep secrets anymore. And I think I found another sister now. So, enjoy lying next to Brent in this hole forever. (grunting) (grunting) - Holly, please don't- - Do you hear eternity, Jen, calling to us? Can you hear it better down there? - Holy shit, it's breathtaking. - Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. - Here, I have a closer look. (grunting) (screaming) (grunting) - You still see it now, Holly. (screaming) You see it, you crazy bitch. (grunting) You see it? (grunting) (somber music) - Fuck me. (somber music) - Okay, I've got that shoulder patched up pretty good, but don't move around too much. I don't want you to start bleeding again before we get you transported. - Thanks. Hey, you're lucky. It looks like the bullet passed right through. - Guess I should be thankful for that, at least. - Miss, do you feel up to answering a few quick questions? - Yeah, sure. - So far, everything checks out. Assuming that continues to be the case, I don't think you'll be facing any criminal charges. - Okay. - There's only one detail that's not quite adding up. We've conducted a thorough search in the last hour. Only been able to turn up one body. - One body? No, that's, which one? - Mr. Brent Lafferty. - No, that's not possible. Could you have been mistaken about Ms. Captain? - No, no, no, no, no. I'm not mistaken. - Are you sure she was completely incapacitated after you struck her with the shovels? Even people with severe head trauma can sometimes limp away from-- - Detective, I hit her so hard her eyeball was hanging loose. Are you saying you can't find Holly? - Hey, take it easy, just sit back. Easy now, come on. We're gonna do everything we can. If she's out there, we'll find her, okay? - Of course. Right. - Now, you say Ms. Kaplan was obsessed with exuming this old grave. Did she know anything about who was interred there in a local history or whatnot? - Yeah, it was the old story about the witch, you know, Filomena Tillman, Holly believes she could contact her that her spirit could reveal things, secrets, like some cosmic magic eight ball or something. - Okay. - She acted really strange though, not at all like herself. It's just, never thought she would have been capable of. - So Ms. Kaplan believed that it was the grave of Filomena Tillman. - Yeah, we matched it with a symbol that Holly had researched. - Oh boy. - What does that mean? - We see a lot of this kind of thing around here. Satanists and cultists looking to perform rituals among old graves. - Oh, look, I'm not a Satanist, okay? - I understand. - The problem is Filomena Tillman isn't buried there. - What? - She's on the opposite side of this road. Couple acres back. - Are you sure? - Maybe Ms. Kaplan got her facts mixed up or someone gave her faulty directions. Had you guys looking in the wrong place. - If it's not the grave of Filomena Tillman, who's is it? - Nobody knows. That grave site's been around since well before the early settlers arrived. All kind of lore and legends have sprung up over the years. I always heard they were Viking graves when I was a kid. Viking graves. An ancient people that haven't been discovered yet. Lots of theories. I guess that's why it draws the curious like flies. You know, just an unknown that can't be answered. There was an anthropologist from the university that came out a while back and studied the site. In fact, I let him out here. Well, he told me his theory. - What's that? - He said certain cultures would bury the worst of their kind, all in one spot. The liars, the cheats, murderers, and the worst of those, the most wicked of the wicked, they would actually bury alive and scribe some sort of mystic seal on the stone just to be certain that one stayed put in the ground. I don't know who your friend Holly was conversing with, but it wasn't Phil Amina Tiltman. - Hey, watch out. Hey, we got another one coming through. I'm responsive. - Good to go. Holly. - All right, all right, here we go. - All right, let's get an eye on you. You got a hole? - Here we go. - Jesus, ain't you Christ. - Real thing. - How'd she survive all that? But skulls nearly caved in. - What's happening? - He's having a seizure. Come on, hold on. - Oh, shit, we're losing her. - Holly, I'm so sorry. - Hey, hey, hey. - You got the D-Fib ready. You still got a pulse? - Yeah, just barely. - Hey, come on, we need to get our mobile ASAP. Strapper in, let's go. - Hey. - Can I ride with her? - I think it's better. If you don't, man. Another ambulance is en route, and there's still a lot of questions. - Oh my God, oh my God. - Oh, she's... - Holy Christ, she's conscious. - Jen, Jen, is that you? - Oh my God, Holly. - Jen. - I am here, Holly. I am right here. Holly. Holly's dead, Jen. - You killed her. - Why are we having fun here? - What? - You have been listening to Capfire Radio Theatre. Tonight's tale, Desecrate, was written, directed, and produced by John Valentine. Featured in the cast were Melissa Medina as Jen. Tanya Milojevich as Holly. Owen McEwen as Brent. Rish Outfield as the detective. And Kevin Hartnell as the man. Original music score by Kevin Hartnell. Sound design by John Valentine. Additional sound, courtesy of Free Sound Project. Mix and post-production by John Valentine. Share the horror and visit us at campfireradiotheatre.com and on Facebook at campfireradiotheatre. (wind) (wind blowing) [BLANK_AUDIO]
