Cherry Pie - Johnny Slaughter (Sawyer)

Back to the Start Again

I sat beside Johnny at the bar, to say the least, it felt like a dream, I didn't think I would see him again. I felt his eyes on me as I fell into a state of disassociation. I tried to reassure myself that I was safe. I'm in a public setting with lots of people around, if anything were to happen I'd be safe, right? My fingers wrapped around the old fashioned style glass as I brought it to my lips, taking a sip of the dark liquor on ice that Johnny had ordered from me. As the smooth rich liquid poured down my throat, it sent a shiver down my spine creating a sense of relaxation that took over my nervous system, calming me down. 

With a deep inhale, I turned my body towards his, forcing myself to engage in a conversation as the last thing I wanted to do was draw attention to myself and create an intense scene. As the lively atmosphere of the bar enveloped me, I found myself engrossed in a conversation with the man from my past. The dimly lit room echoed with laughter and the clinking of glasses, creating an ambiance that seemed to transport me back in time.

Attentively, I listened to Johnny ramble on about what ever happened on his farm. I really couldn't care less about him and his lousy farm. I'm not entirely sure how I was going to achieve the main reason why I wanted to meet up with him tonight, which is to get revenge for what the Slaughter family did to me and my friends. 

I couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in his appearance. The lines etched on his face told stories of the years that had passed since we last crossed paths. Yet, his eyes still held the same darkness that had captivated me all those years ago.

"Well, I should get going..." Johnny said nonchalantly, causing confusion to appear across my face. "I'm meeting up with somebody." 

A scoff left me as I chuckled thinking back to the random photo I found on the internet, mumbling, "you're not meeting her."

"What do you mean?" He asked with a genuine expression.

Suddenly, a wind of such an outer body experience took over as I panicked. My face turning visibly pale as I felt my blood drain from my body. I looked down at my hands, flipping them over as I questioned my own existence. What the hell is happening? 

"You okay?" Johnny's voice sounding distorted as I shot my eyes up at him. 

My attention was momentarily diverted by the peculiar taste of my drink. A strange bitterness lingered on my tongue, causing me to furrow my brow in confusion. 

"No..." I slurred as I glanced over at the almost empty glass I drank out of on the flat surface, "I- I'll be back... I just gotta..." concerned, I excused myself placing my hand on the counter as I hopped down off the high stool.

My feet dragging on the floor as I look through the crowd. The people in the bar doubled as my vision got disoriented. I turned a corner and walked down a short hall leading to nothing but two separate doors on either side of the corridor. I pushed the door open that had a ladies symbol on the center of the wood indicating the women's restroom. 

As the door shut behind me I could no longer hear the bars music or people's lively conversations. The sound proof bathroom introduced me to the faint scent of soap and it's own separate music that created an entirely different vibe to the environment. It was soothing, a nice jazzy flow rather than country-rock. 

My heels clicked against the tiled flooring as I stumbled over to the sink gripping the counter taking a moment to steady myself. As I gazed into the mirror, my reflection appeared slightly blurred, mirroring the confusion I felt within. Cringing at the the current sensation, I let out a breath before turning the tap on allowing the water to descend from the faucet. Hunching over, I cupped my palms under the tap and splashed some water on my face, hoping it would wash away the strange taste and clear my mind. The cool droplets refreshed my senses, momentarily easing the unease feeling that overwhelmed me. 

The soft calming music was taken over by a static followed by a man's voice.

"Breaking news. The brutal attack on three female college students in Pflugerville, Texas last year is back in the public spotlight. Pflugerville citizens are in a uproar demanding answers from Texas state officials on why no arrests have been made in the case." 

In an attempt to compose myself, I stood up straightening my posture as I listened to the reporter alert the citizen's of Austin, Texas. The newspaper I seen at a local coffee shop downtown last year when this horrific event took place in a town twenty five minutes away, came to mind. I remember this crime, it was everywhere.

"Reports say an unidentified man entered the home in the middle of the night, viciously strangling one female to death before attempting to stab both roommates who were sleeping nearby. Authorities believe the attacker fled the scene after discovering multiple people lived in the house."

I let out a sigh as my blurry vision refused to completely disappear. I stepped away from the counter as I stumbled over my feet. My hands reaching out in front of me as I grab ahold of the stall door adjacent the mirror. The desperate feeling to lie down overtook my subconsciousness as I quickly lowered the toilets cover creating a spot to sit onto. It wasn't the best spot and probably not the cleanest, but I really didn't care what happened right now. I just wanted to feel better.

"The man is believed to be in his late twenties, has dark hair and brown eyes and has several scars on his face and arms. Police are urging anyone with information to please come forward."

I groaned as I felt a headache beginning to form, the man's voice on the radio fading into the background. I flopped my heavy head onto the heels of my palms as I sat on the toilet cover, my elbows propped on my knees. As I felt my consciousness going in and out of reality I heard the door shut causing my eyes to shift in the direction of the door while I kept my throbbing head down. 

A pair of brown boots tapped against the tiled floor while I watched them creep to the center of the restroom, my eyes followed their steps underneath the stall. The footsteps stopping at my stall near the very end. My eyes travelling up the denim jean pant legs, removing my hands from my head, scanning over the familiar ripped black shirt as I looked up, locking eyes with Johnny. 

"Silly, silly girl. Did you forget, this is what I do?" His deep voice tsked, as he stared down at my helpless body. 

A females voice ringed in my ears as I recalled the conversation I had with Sissy back at the family house:

"Johnny would go to the city and find girls at the local bar who he thought would feed the whole family"

My breathing quickened as I felt my chest rapidly rise and fall into place as I began to hyperventilate. The only involuntary movement I could do was breathe, though, that was a struggle in itself as I was cornered, once again, by my own personal walking nightmare. 

As I sat there before him, unable to speak fluently and coherently, or move my limbs, I unwillingly allowed him to approach me. It was as if an entity took over my temple and possessed my being while I gave into the full state of unconsciousness, Johnny's voice fading into the darkness.

"You should've never came here."