thanatophobia • jordan poole

three: a new killer in town

Omniscient 

After the knife sliced through her ribcage, Kasey felt tight pressure in her heart, but she still had fight in her. She slowly regains balance, only to get knocked down again, and the killer pierces his knife through her throat, cutting off her vocal cords. She hears the car door slam and her parents walking out, discussing what they had for dinner a few hours ago. Kasey was right by the side opening of their porch, praying that they would see her. She didn't know that her house phone was still off the hook. 

Mrs. and Mr. Stephenson were met with thick smoke as soon as they entered the house. Knowing that it was unusual, they rushed into the kitchen to put out the fire that was caused by the popcorn Kasey was cooking. All the broken furniture, glass, and no sign of their daughter triggered all of the alarms in their heads. They rush around the house screaming for her seeing that she isn't coming down the stairs, let alone responding. Picking up the phone, Mrs. Stephenson tried to dial 911 until she heard Kasey on the other line. 

Kasey was gasping for air due to her airway being stabbed. Knowing that this was going to be her final moment, she wanted to know at least who would do this kind of crime to her and her boyfriend. Reaching up, she pulls off the costume mask, revealing the perpetrator. She was utterly confused about doing something like this, especially when she was so lovely to them. As her parents continue to listen, the phone cuts off, and the dial tone plays. 

Mr. Stephenson still had hope and instructed his wife to go to a nearby neighbor's house to call the police. 

"Not my baby, not my daughter."

"I'll stay here in case she shows up."

When Mrs.Stephenson walks out of the house, she is met with Kasey and Steven tied to their pool chairs from out back with their insides hanging on the outside. 

She releases a horrifying scream falling to her knees and causing her husband to rush out to see the disturbing image for himself. 

A few miles away, RJ jolts awake from her sleep with beads of sweat trickling down her skin. Grabbing the washcloth she keeps near her bed, she wipes her face and chest down. She takes a sip from her glass of water and lays back down to hopefully get some sleep since the first day of school is tomorrow. 

RobynJo

Last night was rough, but I could go back to sleep after that nightmare, so that's good, I guess. Today is the first day of my senior year, and I'm pretty excited. My dad said I should try to be more involved in school clubs in order to help take my mind off of things. Today I decided on appropriate ripped jeans, a Nirvana baby tee, and sandals since it was still kind of warm outside. 

"There she is, my beautiful senior!"

"Good morning dad."

"Good morning; so, how do we feel about today?"

I shrug my shoulders before digging into the breakfast he made. 

"Today should be good though you have Jordan he seems like a good kid."

I couldn't help but smile at the mention of his name. Hanging out with him last night was fun, but he had to leave since it would be the first day of school the next morning. His mom eas fine with him staying over, but my dad thought it would be best for him to go home. 

Dr. Avery is such a hater I swear. 

He cuts on the small TV in the kitchen and channel surfs until he lands on the news.

"This just in two teens, Kasey Stephenson and Steven Chase, were murdered at this home late last night. Kasey's mother discovered the two bodies when fleeing from her home to go to a neighbor's house to call the police. Napa PD is investigating this matter but so far, no leads. It is strange that this happened one year after the Orange County mur-"

My dad cuts off the television and gives me a small smile. 

"I think you should be heading off to school before you're late young lady."

"Alright bye dad have fun at the office."

• • •

I pull up to my new school to see news vans and reporters everywhere. Their interviewing students to see if they can say anything about Kasey or Steven. As I continue to walk I notice that they start to huddle up and whisper. 

"That's her."

"I wonder how she's doing...it would be a great story."

"Do you think she had something to do with the murders?"

Shaking them out of my head, I see Jordan, who gives me a warm smile. His long arms engulf me in a big hug, and he places a kiss on the top of my head, different. 

"How did you sleep last night?"

"Terrible."

"First day of school nerves?"

"I guess you can say that."

He nods his head before pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. 

"Do you have your schedule?"

"Yeah," I pull it out of my backpack and hand it to him. For some reason, he's smiling really big, and he hands the piece of paper to me. 

"Looks like me and you will be spending the entire day together because we have the exact same schedule, except your free period is when I have basketball.

It seemed like he was pretty sad about it. 

"Unless I stay with you in the gym while you practice or just stay in the library until you're done."

"Yes, please if you don't mind."

He turns around to see all the news reporters still going in a frenzy. 

"You would think that they would be sort of sensitive to the fact that today is our first day back."

"Did you know them? Kasey and Steven?"

"Kasey, not as much. I knew she was his girlfriend. Steven was on the football team. He was a really chill dude and always nice. Kasey was nice too from what I heard; that's why them being murdered was such a shocker."

She nods her head, and he takes her silence as she wants the subject to change. 

"I know you might be a little frightened, but I'm not going to let someone in a costume get near you."