House Of Wax : Nick Jones FF ✅

Seventeen. 17

After luxuriating for what felt like an eternity amid the lifelike sculptures of the Wax Museum, Lilian reckoned that ample time had passed for 'Bo' to finish whatever he needed to and aid Wade in resolving his car woes. After coordinating with Wade and Carly, Lilian trailed behind the pair, her gaze oscillating between admiration for their camaraderie and a pang of longing for her absent boyfriend.

As she contemplated reaching for her phone to alleviate her boredom by conversing with Nick, a sudden jolt interrupted her thoughts—a dog had unexpectedly bumped into her leg. Although the impact wasn't forceful and didn't cause much pain, Lilian, always delicate, anticipated a bruise later.

"Hey there," Lilian cooed, unable to resist her affection for animals. She couldn't help but engage in baby talk with the dog while simultaneously stroking and patting it, all the while continuing to walk backward to give it her full attention. "Are you the big boy who startled me earlier?" she chuckled, recalling Carly's earlier exclamation about a canine they encountered in the museum.

So engrossed was she with the playful creature that she failed to notice their arrival at the gas station, oblivious to Bo's intense gaze fixed upon her. Despite his older age and ongoing conversation with Wade, Bo couldn't help but steal glances at Lilian, particularly focusing on her leg and discreetly attempting to peer between her chest as she bent down.

The dog responded with purrs and playful huffs to Lilian's attentions, but abruptly jerked its head in response to an inaudible whistle, causing Lilian to hum in confusion as it began barking before darting out of sight. "Goodbye! Come back later for more fun!" she called after it. 

When she redirected her attention to find Wade and Carly, a shiver ran down her spine as she locked eyes with Bo. There was an unsettling aura about the man, prompting Lilian to muster a strained smile before hastily retreating to Carly's side as they entered the dusty gas station.

As Carly walked into the station, she wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Oh no, this place is so dirty," she grumbled, voicing her discomfort to Lilian. Her friend nodded in agreement, but her focus seemed elsewhere, lost in thought. Lilian couldn't help but notice the thick layers of dust and cobwebs covering the station, making her wonder if anyone had ever cleaned the place.

It made her wonder if this 'Bo', the owner even stepped foot in here. She didn't want to sound judgmental, so she kept her thoughts to herself.

Just then, Lilian's pocket vibrated, and she pulled out her phone to find a teasing message from Dalton. She chuckled at the message and responded with a meme of her own. It was a brief moment of fun in an otherwise dusty environment, and it lifted Lilian's spirits a little. However, she still couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off about the station's cleanliness.

Minutes later, Wade beckoned them over, informing them that the necessary 15-inch fan belt wasn't available at the station but could be found at Bo's residence. "Wait a moment," Carly interjected, pulling Wade aside from Bo, a relative stranger to them all. "You're seriously considering walking into a stranger's home?" Lilian chimed in, squeezing herself between the two to voice her own apprehension. "What if something goes wrong?" Her unease around Bo mirrored a familiar discomfort she felt with her abusive ex-boyfriend.

"Relax, it'll be fine. We just need the belt and we're out," Wade reassured them, gesturing towards Bo. "I've already paid for it." Glancing at Lilian's persistently skeptical expression, he added, "Besides, there are three of us against two of them, if anything does happen." His words offered some reassurance to Lilian as they followed Bo through town to his home.

The walk uphill wasn't as awkward or eerie as one might expect. Bo engaged in conversation with them quite naturally, asking about their visit and whether they had discovered anything intriguing about the town. Wade seized the opportunity to regale Bo with the tale of their recent escapade at the House of Wax Museum, recounting their impromptu visit moments earlier.

As the topic arose, a subtle shift seemed to come over Bo; his demeanor took on a tinge of melancholy tinged with a hint of underlying aggression as he responded, "People used to come from all over to see it. And Trudy, she was the main... I suppose 'artist' is the fitting term."

At the mention of Trudy's name, Lilian's interest was piqued. She couldn't help but recall another 'artist' from the museum: Vincent. "What about Vincent?" she interjected, her curiosity evident in her voice.

Noticing Lilian's sudden interest in Vincent, Bo's expression shifted to one of longing and joy, an enigmatic aura enveloping him that went unnoticed by the young adults. Wade, Carly, and Lilian listened intently as Bo began recounting the story of Trudy's family and their life in the town. Trudy, with her doctor husband who had relocated to the town to offer aid despite losing his medical license, seemed to have found solace in her wax sculptures.

"She sounds like a remarkable woman," Lilian remarked with a soft smile, captivated by Bo's narrative. "But... what happened to her? Did something happen?" she inquired further. Bo's smirk was fleeting, quickly masked by a subtle nod. "She developed a cyst in her brain. Her husband had to restrain her to the bed as she gradually descended into madness. The entire town could hear her screams and cries."

As they approached a house in the distance, signaling their impending arrival, Bo continued his tale. "Doc Sinclair fell into despair when he couldn't save his wife... ended up taking his own life," he revealed gravely. Lilian gasped in shock, her hand instinctively covering her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. "And the boys?" she choked out.

"Sent to foster homes," Bo replied, his voice tinged with melancholy.

Halting their journey, Bo brought them to a standstill as they reached his secluded abode. Perched high above the town, the house offered a panoramic view that stretched far and wide, encompassing the entire township below. Despite the eerily quiet surroundings, the trio's attention snapped back to Bo as he broke the silence.

"Well, here we are," he announced, gesturing towards the entrance. With a nod, he permitted Wade to enter first, observing Carly as she followed suit. Just as Lilian approached him, Bo was genuinely taken aback when she reached out to squeeze his arm, her empathy evident in her touch.

"That's a harsh tale," Lilian remarked softly, her voice tinged with sympathy. "I hope the boys find happiness soon." Bo's expression softened at her words, a flicker of gratitude crossing his features. "They will, sooner than you think," he replied cryptically, his tone hinting at something darker.