The Chateaugay Lake Sentinel
August 9th, 1915
Whispers of the Forgotten: The Hidden Gallery Beneath Camp Jack
By E. Thorne & M. Howlett, Special Correspondents
CHATEAUGAY LAKE—The tranquil shores of Chateaugay Lake, once known for their summer retreats and serene natural beauty, have been rattled by the most disturbing discovery in recent memory. This tale begins not with the thrum of a steamboat engine but rather with a whisper—a faint murmur carried on the gentle breeze that twists through the pines and maple trees of Camp Jack, the former Shattock estate, now belonging to Miss Evelyn Nesbit, the celebrated actress, and Manhattan socialite.
Miss Nesbit, known for her enigmatic presence and past embroiled in scandal, had recently taken residence at Camp Jack for what was said to be a period of quiet contemplation and fishing. It was in the early hours of August 7th, while exploring the basement of the grand lodge, that she happened upon a peculiar panel, half-concealed by the shadows of forgotten crates and cobweb-covered heirlooms. Guided by a profound curiosity that borders on the supernatural, Miss Nesbit pressed upon this panel, which slid open to reveal a narrow, descending tunnel, its damp walls carved from ancient stone.
Accompanied by Mr. Jack Clifford, the former boxer, a talented entertainer and reclusive artist with a reputation for dabbling in esoteric arts, Miss Nesbit ventured down the tunnel, unaware that she was embarking upon a journey into the unfathomable depths of time itself. The passage twisted and turned, spiraling deeper into the earth, until at last, it opened into a vast, subterranean chamber—a hidden gallery, unknown to any living soul.
Within this gallery, illuminated by a strange luminescent mist that seemed to rise from the very floor, were artworks unlike any the human eye has ever beheld. These were not mere paintings or sculptures but multi-dimensional creations, shimmering with an eldritch light that defied the boundaries of space and time. Each piece, an artifact of incalculable age, depicted scenes of the Wendigo—legendary beings of Native American lore, creatures of dark energy and malevolent intent.
These Wendigos, often whispered of in campfire stories but rarely believed in by the modern mind, were shown manipulating the threads of history, their spectral hands guiding events toward unspeakable ends. One artwork, an eerie tapestry woven from threads of what appeared to be stardust, displayed a towering Wendigo overlooking the fall of Atlantis, its eyes ablaze with the light of a thousand dying stars. Another depicted a shaman of the Abenaki, known only as Whispering Bear, sealing a pact with the Wendigo in a desperate attempt to protect his people—only to unleash a curse that would haunt his descendants for generations.
Yet it was not merely the presence of these Wendigos that struck terror into the hearts of Miss Nesbit and Mr. Clifford. Each piece of art contained a hidden message, a clue to the downfall of these ancient beings. But the gallery, it seemed, demanded a price for such knowledge. As Miss Nesbit deciphered the first clue—a sigil carved into the bones of an ancient beast—she was struck by a vision, a glimpse into a possible future where the cost of victory over the Wendigo was the very destruction of the human soul.
Mr. Clifford, too, was ensnared by the gallery’s dark influence. In a moment of reckless abandon, he reached out to touch a sculpture of a Wendigo emerging from a swirling vortex, only to be thrown back by a shockwave of energy that left his hand scorched and trembling. His mind, once sharp and clear, has since been plagued by visions of a world consumed by the Wendigo’s insidious influence—a world where humanity itself becomes the prey.
Miss Nesbit, undeterred by the gallery’s warnings, has resolved to uncover the secrets hidden within its depths, no matter the cost. She believes that the knowledge held within these ancient artworks may be the key to defeating the Wendigo once and for all, though it may mean sacrificing her very sanity in the process.
As the sun rises over Chateaugay Lake, casting long shadows over the misty waters, one thing is clear: the discovery beneath Camp Jack has awakened an ancient power that has slumbered for millennia. The Wendigo, it seems, are not merely the stuff of legend but a very real and present danger—a threat that, if not contained, could spell doom for us all.
The Chateaugay Lake Sentinel will continue to follow this story as it develops. In the meantime, we urge all residents and visitors to exercise caution and to remain vigilant. The lake, once a refuge of peace and tranquility, now hides within its depths the echoes of a terror that knows no bounds.
What mysteries of Chateaugay Lake haunt you?