𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐃𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐑 , 𝚝𝚌𝚖

𝐨𝐨𝟑. 𝐑𝐔𝐍 𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐓

They had decided to go to the Franklin place — and the engine once again sputters. The van approaches an intersecting road, "This must be it." Jerry mumbles and Franklin nods, "Yeah. There's a creek and a swimming hole somewhere near there. We could go swimming." Dinah gasps, "Ooh, yeah — let's go swimming!" She exclaims happily — not seeing the looks that Jerry, Pam, Kirk, and Sally shared. The van turns off the highway onto the intersecting road. Pam looks at Kirk, "Oh yeah — let's do it." Sally looks through the bag holding the barbecue, "Oh, I didn't bring a bathing suit. Oh well...let me see your knife."

Franklin placed the blade in her hand as she eats a sausage. "Sally, Dinah.." The younger brother says to his sisters and they both hum in response, "You think that guy was trying to scare us by blowing up your picture? Dinah's picture?" Dinah shrugs, "He was just a strange hitchhiker — who knows? Maybe it's a common thing to blow up Polaroids of people you first meet around here." Franklin rolled his eyes as Sally chuckled softly, "I'm being serious — what if he was threatening us?" Dinah sighs, "Franklin, trust me — if he was — then he would've done more than cut your hand. He was just some crazy guy that decided to torment us for his pleasure." The others nod, but Franklin still looks unsure.

"Look, do you want me to hold your hand the rest of the trip? Cause trust me, I will." Dinah proposes and everyone sees it as a joke — but her expression is completely serious. Franklin looked down at his hands and pulled on the bandanna lightly — he was debating on wether or not he should say yes — but he just shook his head, "No thanks Dinah." The blonde shrugged, "Suit yourself."

—🫀—

Soon enough, the van approaches the wreck of an old stone house. Franklin nods his head as he speaks, "That's it. That's it." He says excitedly before frowning slightly, "Look at that old place." Kirk speaks sarcastically, "Yeah, I'd sure like to have a place like that." Jerry parks the van in front of the house — Dinah winces at the thought of all the bugs and mosquitoes flying around from the overgrown greenery both in and out of the house. They all exit — Kirk and Jerry setting up the ramp for Franklin to get out of the van before helping him wheel safely down. "Watch my hand!" He exclaims as they help him — neither of the men say anything though. "Where's the mark that guy made?" He asks once he's on the ground.

Kirk motions towards it, "Right there." Franklin wheels closer to the mark. "Where's that creek? I think me and Pam are gonna go swimming." Kirk says from his place next to his girlfriend and Franklin answers him, "Oh, I think it's off that way. There's probably an old trail." Kirk nods before looking at the others, "We're gonna go and see if we can find that swimming hole, wanna go?" Sally shrugs, "We didn't bring anything.." Kirk scoffs playfully, "What difference does that make?" Pam smiles, "You could wear what you have on." Jerry looks between Sally and the couple, "I'd like to look around this old place a bit anyway.."

Dinah sighs, "I'm gonna stay here with Franklin." Kirk and Pam nod, "I guess we'll get going then." Everyone bids them goodbye and they run off. Shortly after, Sally and Jerry run inside the old house. Dinah puts her hands in her pockets before walking over to Franklin, he's still looking at the blood smear, "You think it means something?" He shrugs, "I don't know. I think it might be a symbol." Dinah looks at the blood closer yet she can't make anything out, she tilts her head before shrugging, "I can't make out anything — maybe it's just gibberish — who knows?"