SUNBURN | JOHN B ROUTLEDGE

049

The Pogues carefully made their way onto the Crain house property, their steps tentative as they navigated through the overgrown grass that reached their knees. The land was eerily dotted with Roman statues, their stone eyes seemingly watching every move the group made. The house itself loomed in the distance, its dark silhouette just barely visible through the thick trees that encircled it, casting long shadows across the ground.

Gabriella looked around, taking in the strange atmosphere. "So, what stories have you even heard about this place?" she asked.

Kiara turned around, now walking backward so she could face Gabriella while keeping pace with the group. "The one where she killed her husband with an axe and that she's been holed up ever since," Kiara said, her voice playful. "On certain nights, when the moon is full... you can see her in the window!" She widened her eyes dramatically, trying to spook Gabriella, which clearly didn't work.

Gabriella just laughed as JJ quickly moved in front of her, his expression deadly serious as he pushed Kiara aside. "No, it's not funny, 'cause it's all true," he said, his tone convincing enough to send a shiver down Gabriella's spine. Sensing his intensity, she couldn't resist teasing him, lightly tickling his back. JJ yelped, flailing as he swatted at his back, convinced something had grabbed him. "I swear to God, guys, this is all real. I knew Hollis. Jeez!"

Gabriella, now curious, asked, "Who is Hollis?"

JJ glanced at her, his face a mix of fear and excitement. "Mrs. Crain's daughter. She was my babysitter, man. She told me all about it." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial level as John B and Pope closed in, eager to hear another one of JJ's wild stories. "Told me the truth... about her mother and what happened in this house."

He paused, drawing out the suspense, his eyes darting between his friends. Gabriella, feeling the tension, urged him on. "Come on, JJ, what happened? You're creeping me out, and it's the afternoon."

JJ smirked, relishing the attention. "It all came back to her," he continued. "When Hollis was six years old, she heard her parents arguing downstairs. So she goes down to see her mom washing her hands in a sink... full of blood. Her mother just says that she cut her finger. The next morning, she says her father and her split up."

The group was silent, hanging on JJ's every word as they slowly approached the old, decrepit house. The air felt heavier, the shadows around them darker.

"But then, Hollis noticed something," JJ continued, his voice dropping even lower. "Her mother going into the parlor constantly, in and out and in and out with plastic bags. Weeks pass, and Hollis decides to use the outhouse. And as she's using it, she looks down..." JJ mimicked the action, his eyes wide with faux horror, "...and there, in the outhouse, is her father's head, looking straight back at her."

He maintained strong eye contact with John B, hoping for him to either believe his story or spook him. But John B wasn't that gullible, or that easily spooked, "God, you are so full of shit."

Pope was still engulfed in the story, asking JJ further details, "Did she call the police?"

"She didn't have time." JJ replied as Gabriella began to walk ahead of everyone.

"Hey, hey, hey." John B said as he gently grabbed her arm and JJ rushed over, standing in front of Gabriella, trying to stop her from walking ahead. "Be careful. You got a cast on."

"You sure you wanna do this? She's an axe murderer." JJ was hesitant.

"I don't give a shit if she's an axe murderer, okay?" John B exploded, growing more and more annoyed. "I got nothin' to lose, right? You comin' or what?"

Kiara whispered, "Come on," to Pope and JJ who followed closely behind.

The Pogues huddled together behind a patch of tall grass, their eyes locked on the dilapidated house in front of them. The air was thick with tension, and even the breeze seemed hesitant to stir the leaves around them. John B leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper as he laid out the plan, his friends listening with rapt attention.