The Deep Dark Stone Path

Prologue- *John*

My little brother and I walk through the doorway of our house expecting our parents to welcome us home from school, but as far as I can tell no one is home. Peter calls out, "Is anyone home?" There is no answer. I look in the parlor, while Peter checks upstairs. There was no one in the parlor so I decide to check the kitchen. As I go to open the door I hear a splash. I reach down touch the floor.

Blood is coming from the kitchen. I gasp as my mind explodes with questions. I hesitate before I push the door open. I about scream at the sight. My mother is lying in the floor, eyes open, with blood leaking out of her throat. My father, tied to one of the dinner table chairs, has a knife sticking out of his chest. I check both of their pulses. Both of them are dead.

I am overwhelmed with anger and sadness. In my despair, a thought comes to me. What if the killer is still in the house? I grab two knives, one for me and one for Peter. I walk out of the kitchen and yell "Peter!" He chokes out, "John! Run!"

I drop the knives and run out the front door, tears streaming. I see the end of the path up ahead. So close to safety. I hear someone behind me closing in and then a swooshing sound followed by a sharp and intense pain in my back. Everything goes black as I fall at the end of the Deep Dark Stone Path.