|
PART 51b The nearby ground slippery with blood, each boy’s head chopped off and then placed neatly on top of his chest, the trademark axe blow through each kid’s forehead with a bit of brain hanging out, yeah, Father described everything. But Old Man Cropsy probably wasn’t around here tonight, he only appears once every OTHER year, and he could be anywhere in the Appalachian mountains, and of course most of the time he waits til summer to get his revenge on the three unsuspecting kids. Though it has been a warm spring, hasn’t it? Father Ray asked Mr. Mayne if this would be his revenge year, or his off year? Even or odd years? Mr. Mayne didn’t remember. “Well, kids,” concluded Father Ray, “I guess it’s about bedtime.” “Uhhhhh,” said Kevin, trying to sound ordinary, not scared, “Father, that story, it isn’t really true, is it?” Father knew this question was coming, and he and Mr. Mayne had their answer prepared. “Well, Kevin, I don’t know. I’ve never seen the guy, and I don’t know anyone who has. Some people think maybe it’s just a legend.” Tom, ever the logical and analytical one, said “But if it WAS true, the story would be in all the newspapers and the internet. Right?” The boy was trying to convince himself more than explain to anyone else, really. “Mebbe,” added Mr. Mayne, “but I’ll tell you this much, up nawahth, you don’t joke or lahff about Old Man Cropsy. The mountains hold a lot of secrets, deep secrets, you know, things that newspapers and internet never will be aware of. Things that will nevah see the light o’ day.” “Hmmmm,” replied Father, “But that’s the fun of it, isn’t it, kids? Not really knowing. OK guys, let’s go inside, you guys sleep well, and we’ll have a whole fun day tomorrow.” He put the kids on the big air mattress, and put blankets over them. It was crowded, but the kids snuggled close, hugging and nuzzling against each other closer than they normally would. Ricky on one end, Tom next to him, then Kevin, then Rob. They were talking softly and making little jokes to cover up the little tiny bit of fear they probably didn’t really have about the guy who probably wasn’t going to be visiting them this evening. No, what were the chances? But none of them would be going to sleep for quite some time… Later, much later in the silent night, there was a rhythmic sound coming from the woods, seemingly far away. Was it a chop-chop-chopping? And then was that the sound of someone running, leaves under his feet? The kids were only half-awake, but a few minutes later the sound seemed to be coming closer. “Father Ray?” shouted Tom, “are you up? Do you hear that?” “Oh, kids, please shut up,” groaned the priest. “Come on, it’s the middle of the night. Go to sleep.” They did, but a half-hour later, it was repeated, but louder and closer, and there was also some growling, grunting noise, and the kids were up with a start, and Kevin was trying desperately not to cry. “Father Ray? Mr. Mayne?” he wailed. “Something’s out there!” The other kids were whispering to themselves, and buried themselves deeper under the blankets. Father Ray and Mr. Mayne walked into the outer room and tried to calm down poor Kevin and the other less hysterical, but still very scared kids. “Have you guys been having nightmares? Come on, boys, there’s nothing out there, you’re just dreaming.” “Not all four of us!” cried Kevin. The teachers decided to stay with the kids for a few minutes, holding them in their arms and reassuring them until they finally dropped off to sleep again. All right, that’s all. No more. Deep, deep into that night, though, suddenly there was the sound of metal scraping on the screen window of the outer room. A violent blow shook the wooden structure, and instantly someone, someone huge, someone who couldn’t be clearly seen in the darkness, was inside and axe blows were barely missing the screaming boys as they ran out under the covers and screamed in terror. The figure had the green glowing eye, and was after them!!! Ricky and Rob felt liquid spattering onto their faces, whose blood is that? God, God, it’s happening!! The boys shrieked for their lives, begging for help. Tom tried to find the cell phone in his backpack, but the huge figure was in the way, and the boy could feel a metal thing digging into his back! He fell to the floor, and didn’t know if he was dying. The boys cried and yelled for help, but their teachers weren’t coming, they were already dead!!!! Then suddenly there was light. |