The Murders of Cozy Hollow

Chapter 6 - Skullman

Kurt overslept, which stressed out Rex. He'd made an eggs and bacon breakfast for his little brothers and took Tank for a walk around the block. He could not wait to go to the town pool with Willow. Joe was already complaining. He wanted to take his bike out and explore the neighborhood. Rex knew the only things that stood between him and Willow in a bikini were his uncooperative brothers. Luckily, when Kurt finally woke up, he was excited about the pool as well. Kurt figured the Cozy Hollow public pool was his best playground for girls. What better way to take stock of his options for his senior year of high school.

At noon, Kurt forced Joe and Will to get in their board shorts, grab towels and climb into the Suburban. Tank would guard the house while the boys were out. Rex ran across the street to fetch Willow. When he knocked on the door, June Arnold answered. Willow's mother was in her mid-forties, proper and a traditionalist. She and her husband, Doctor Winston Arnold, had lived across the street from the old Beaumont house for twenty years. They'd never been beyond the foyer of the cursed home and had little interaction with those that had chosen to live there in the past.

"Hello, you must be Kurt Stone from across the street," said Mrs. Arnold.

"No, I'm Kurt's brother, Rex Stone," said Rex, not happy knowing Willow probably talked all about Kurt to her parents and not about him.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Rex. How was your first night here?"

"Great, actually. And thanks for the gift basket. My brothers have already picked it apart."

"You're very welcome. Tell your mother and father that if there's anything you need, don't be afraid to ask."

"Thanks, but my mother passed away last year. It's just my dad and my brothers."

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

At that, Willow emerged wearing only a tiny pink bikini. No coverup. Rex's heart skipped a beat

"Bye, mom," said Willow, as she pushed past her mother and headed out the door.

"Bye, honey. Be home for dinner at six."

"Whatever."

Rex said his goodbyes and followed Willow as she jumped into the backseat of the Suburban. Kurt waved to Mrs. Arnold and watched Willow cram in with Joe and Will in the back. The girl was not shy. Rex rode shotgun and introduced his little brothers. Joe was being his usual snarky self while Will stayed mostly quiet squished in the middle. Rex could not help staring back at Willow. Kurt played it cool and focused on the road. Willow seemed energized by being in only her swimsuit in a car with four California boys.

"Will any of your friends be at the pool today?" asked Kurt.

"Everyone will be at the pool today," said Willow.

"What's so great about a pool?" said Joe.

"We don't have a beach in Cozy Hollow. So in the summer, everyone goes to our town pool. It's the place to be."

"Lame."

"Shut up, Joe," said Rex. "You're lame."

"Sounds like fun to me," said Kurt.

"You'll get to meet a lot of the football and lacrosse players," said Willow.

"Great," said Rex.

"Do guys have girlfriends back in California?"

"Kurt does."

"Makayla Olsen," said Joe. "She's super hot and goes all the way."

Kurt turned around and jabbed Joe in the shoulder.