The Outsider (Derp Crew Horror)

Chapter 2 - Nightmare

(In case anyone is wondering, this story takes place in 2009. Also, each chapter will begin with a flashback from events in Steven's life that are related to the current events. In a way I guess that will make the chapters longer, meaning they'll probably be published more far apart.)

Tuesday, September 7, 1999:

I stared out the window of my parents' moving car as they drove me to school. I was 6, and it was my first day at Dawsbury Elementary. We just moved from Sacramento barely two weeks before, and I was on my way to my new school. I was a shy kid back then, kind of tiny too compared to other kids my age. I was afraid of what I was going to face, but I put on a brave face and prepared for the best.

"What're you thinking about, Steven?" my mom asked with a smile. She was still pregnant with Hailee, but she wouldn't be for much longer.

I just shook my head. I was unsure of what I was thinking about, to be honest. I was excited, and scared, and sad all at the same time. I was just a ball of random emotions, lost in my thoughts. I was excited about making friends, scared of meeting mean kids, and sad that I had to leave the ones at home.

It wasn't long before we pulled up in the school yard and I grabbed my bag from the seat beside me. I kissed my parents goodbye and jumped out of the car. A tall, older teacher with long hair greeted me at the door.

"Hey there," she cooed. "What's your name?"

"Steven Royale," I answered.

"Oh, you're our new student here! We've heard of you. Here, let's go to the office." She took my hand and guided me to the office, all while I was confused as to how they knew me. I got my class assignment and the teacher guided me all the way there. I walked in the class and everyone gave me weird stares.

"Class, this is your new classmate, Steven. Say hi to him." The class smiled and waved, and some of them even told me 'hi'.  I found an empty seat at one of the long tables and took out my stuff. I didn't realize it, but the other boys at my table were trying to get my attention.

I looked up and saw one of them, a sandy blonde haired boy with blue-tinted glasses. Beside him was one with black hair wearing a dull yellow shirt, and beside me was one who was a little huskier and wearing a black hoodie. I smiled awkwardly and waved at them. Were they trying to be nice and I was being rude, or was it the other way around?

"Hi, I'm Tom," the one with the blue glasses said. "And this is John and Anthony." He pointed to the other boys and they smiled and waved as well. Okay, so they were being nice.

"Hi, guys," I responded. "I'm Steven."

"Nice to meet you, Steven," John said with a smile. For the rest of the day, including lunch and recess, these three boys never left my side. I was the new kid in their school, and they stuck by me every moment. These three guys ended up becoming my best friends.

Saturday, October 31, 2009: 

"Oh, me? ... I'm your worst nightmare." The voice was gruff and terrifying. I wanted to scream out but I was too afraid to. My throat ached as I tried to hold in my scream.

"Y-y-you're n-not gonna h-hurt us, a-are you?" I stuttered. "Where are my friends? A-are they okay?"

"You're asking too many questions," the voice answered, and I could see a reflection in his hand. Oh my God... is that a knife? "You know" - he came back to me and grazed my cheek with the side of the blade - "if you don't stop this could end badly for you."

I finally whimpered at the feeling of the cold metal on my skin. He let out a half-hearted chuckle and smiled, and his dimples were deep in his devilish smile.

"Ah yes, music to my ears." I realized that this was not going to end well for me, but I was more worried about my friends. They were not here in the room with me and I couldn't get any answers out of this guy. "Oh, and um... what's your name?"

Why is he asking for my name? "S-steven."

"Okay, Steven. If you're a good boy, I'll let you die last. But be warned, you will have to watch your friends die before you."

Tears built up in my eyes as I thought of the idea of my friends dying and me having to watch helplessly. "A-are they okay?" I repeated, salty tears collecting in my stubble.

"Not for long." I knew this guy was having fun playing with my mind, but I couldn't help but give him what he wanted out of me: fear. It was hard trying to be strong in a situation like this.

Then I thought about my family at home. Mom, Dad, Hailee, my grandparents... the thought finally crossed my mind that I was never gonna see them again. They were going to be worried sick for days while the search for my body ended in vain. Hailee will have to grow up without her big brother, experiencing dating and high school without me looking out for her. I promised my mom we would come back okay, and now I never will. Then I thought about Kate, the girl I never got the courage to ask out. There was so much we were going to miss out on, and I suddenly got a feeling of helplessness.

All these emotions - anger, fear, sadness, anxiety - they all came out at once. I was giving him exactly the reaction he wanted out of me. And I didn't even care. I needed to get all of these feelings out - it was probably going to be the last time I would.

~~~

My captor picked me up off the floor and carried me into a bigger, central room in the house. The moonlight was shining bright through the window; a full moon on Halloween night, go figure. A couple minutes later, he came out of a hallway with John, then Anthony, and finally Tom.

"Guys!" I shouted, actually happy. I was happy to see they were still alive, but a feeling developed in the pit of my stomach thinking about his words: "You will have to watch your friends die before you." 

"Steven!" Smarty shouted back. Our captor unwrapped the rope that bound our arms together, and Smarty threw his arms around me. "Thank God you're okay."

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, shouting at the madman playing with our emotions.

"If I'm gonna kill you, might as well let you see each other alive one last time," he responded, almost sarcastically. The four of us huddled together on the floor, and I heard Tom sniffling.

"Be strong, Tom," I whispered. "It'll all be okay. I can't really promise that, but it'll all be okay."

I just wanted to be out of this house, asleep in our tent. I wish I could blink and wake up from this hellish nightmare, and everything would be alright. I wish I could see my family again. I wish we had never taken this walk.