Thought You Knew (based on A Gorey Demise)

"E is for Erik who was buried alive..."

[[Chapter started: September 8th, 2014]]
        "Very good, Curtis! That plan of yours was brilliant! And the way you walked up to that man and said "No survivors" was fantastic! What a show!" Twenty Four praised me as I washed my hands in a nearby stream. The grime and blood that once stuck to my hands swirled and mixed in with the clear, rushing water. I gazed upwards when I heard the sound of leaves crunching under the weight of someone making their way towards me. I neatly tucked one leg under the other as I sat upright to face Twenty Four. That was only the second time I've seen him. He was a tall man, about 6'5, with a thin figure. He wore a black cloak and hood that obscured the top half of his face. I could only see his face from his mouth down. Outside of the shadow of his hood, I observed his stubbly, salt-and-pepper beard and pale pink lips. He settled down on the opposite side of the shallow bed of water and sighed.
        "I don't think I've ever had a client as clever and creative as you, my good boy," he said as he reached down to play with the water. It reminded me of just a few weeks prior when Amber did that exact motion.
        "You're just saying that," I said. Twenty Four paused and lifted his head to look me in the eyes.
        "Oh? And why do you think that?" 
        "Because I've only just begun." I smirked as I recalled all the sinister plots and ghoulish transgressions that came to mind.
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[[Edit: October 9th, 2014. Holy crap, school work has been driving me buggy. Let's continue this, shall we?]]
        Riiiiiing!
        The hallways of Gray Meadow Elementary were suddenly brought to life by the buzzing of multiple conversations exchanged by students as they rushed excitedly to their lockers. Each and every student's favourite part of the day was home time. Not that anyone could blame them, Gray Meadow Elementary was an utterly inexcusable disgrace of a school. The entire school was disgusting; garbage littered the floor, vermin feasted on various pieces of discarded food scraps, dust clung to the corners of each room, walls were cracked and crumbling, the air was musty and carried the revolting stench of rot, and the bathrooms... Do I even need to go into detail about them? 
        However, the décor wasn't the only vile aspect of the school. Every teacher was nasty in their own unique ways. They were all as grumpy, strict, and unforgiving as they come. They'd take any chance they had to punish their students, most commonly smacking a child's hand with a ruler if they were doing anything but their work. They would immediately send kids down to the office if they spoke without raising their hand, too. From there the principle would call home and make up some nonsensical story that the parents would believe for whatever reason. I hated it there just as much as the next boy. Going back to that place on the first day of school was like being pulled out of a sanctuary into the very depths of Hell. You might all despise your school now, but imagine what the experience was like for me. Put yourself in my shoes for just a few moments. Do you feel lucky or grateful yet? I thought so. 
        Moving on with the story, I made my way through the crowded hallways to my own locker. As I slipped my books into the largest pouch of my backpack, I caught a glimpse of black and white at the corner of my eye. Recognizing him before even getting a clear look at him, I lifted my head to see Erik hurriedly exiting through the back doors of the school, followed by a few other kids in my grade. I was always curious about that boy. He was extremely quiet, one might have believed that he was mute. That is, if they hadn't witnessed the rare occasion when he said maybe one or two words to someone. I actually felt sympathy for him, he seemed constantly unhappy and depressed. Even rarer than hearing him talk was seeing him smile. Not even I had seen that before. Typically, being the 'emo kid' in our grade, Erik was bullied, a lot. He was called nearly every name in the book including emo fag, dumb fuck, cock sucker, moron, and more. He was beaten on so many times that I was always surprised when I saw him return to school the following day, expecting him to be in the hospital instead. 
        I took my attention off him and refocused on what I was doing. I finished packing my things and proceeded to walk home. As I strolled along, the boys that I spotted following Erik out the door earlier ran past me, yelling and acting like the hooligans they were. They nearly shoved me out into the street. I stopped and glared at them as they got farther away from me. And next on my hit list... I made a brief mental note as I continued on the route to my house. As I passed an alleyway, I noticed a figure lying still on the ground. I glanced to my right to discover Erik face-down on the concrete. I was about to ask if he was okay before Twenty Four interrupted me.
        "It seems you were given the chance to execute your brilliant idea, Curtis." I blinked and looked around, but didn't see him.
        "What do you mean? Which idea?" Twenty Four let out a deep laughter before he replied.
        "You know, the one about that new shovel your parents bought the other day. Remember?" 
        "Oh yes, but... Why would I waste such a wonderful idea on Erik above anyone else? Such as an enemy of mine?" I questioned.
        "It would be rather difficult to pull it off on someone else, wouldn't it? You would have to get them alone somehow, knock them out and then carry out the deed." That statement was true.
        "You're right, Twenty Four. This is the golden opportunity!"
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        Erik woke up when I was approximately halfway through digging a hole just for him. He was tied up by ropes that I knotted more times than I could count and I duct taped his mouth, just to be safe. I was aware that he had awoken and was screaming and struggling, but it was of no matter to me. I was too concentrated on preparing his grave to care. Once I had reached six feet, I climbed out of the hole to confront my latest victim.
        "Hello, Erik," I said in a somewhat friendly tone. He looked up at me with wide, worried eyes. He appeared to be absolutely terrified. I stared at him for a few moments, not entirely sure if I wanted to do this to him. Amber and Billy both annoyed me at times... The train I derailed was full of random people I don't know... But Erik... He just seemed so innocent and undeserving. The silly smile on my face slowly melted into a frown.
        "What is it, Curtis? Throw him in the hole already!" Twenty Four urged me.
        "Well... I'm not sure about his, Twenty Four. Perhaps we should just let him go." I suggested.
        "It's far too late now, Curtis. We've already got him. He's a witness. When you have a witness, you have no choice but to turn him into a victim." I considered this, and I agreed.
        "You're very wise, Twenty Four. I'm glad I have you around." I smirked as I picked Erik up. He squirmed and tried to cry out but the tape muffled his voice. I mercilessly chucked him into the hole and picked up my shovel once again. I thrust the shovel into the pile of loose dirt that I had dug up earlier and began to fill the hole I had made. I was disappointed that I couldn't see him die in the end, but just the thought of how the earth crushed him and deprived him of any air was enough to satisfy me.
        After the job was finished, I returned to the stream near my house to wash off the shovel. Back into the shed it went, in the same exact position I found it. I didn't have to worry about my mom or dad questioning where I had been for the past while, since they didn't come back home until around 6 O'clock.
        "You had a moment of weakness there, Curtis," Twenty Four pointed out as I sat down at my desk.
        "It won't happen again, Twenty Four. I just need to attack people who I feel are more deserving of an untimely demise," I reassured him and myself as I began to brainstorm the next step of my massacre.
        [[WELL THEN. It was about time I finished another chapter, yes? F will be started soon. Please keep in mind that school has me tied up right now, lots of work and lots of stress. I was lucky to get the time to finish this today. Anywho, keep an eye out for the next chapter. And be sure to leave a comment giving me some feedback! I always like it when someone gives me pointers on how to improve my writing. Ta ta!]]