In the two weeks since the murder of Susan Davis and Brandon's disappearance, the trail left behind by the murderer had all the calling cards of the Mangler—the chain, the sickle and the nature of the violent murder. The police could not deny the almost perfect similarities, but they knew Coleman had been dead for years and assumed, like the murders at the hospital a little over a year earlier, this was the work of a copycat killer. While they searched for a suspect, their general suspicion was, the same person responsible for the hospital murders, abducted Brandon.
For Brandon's parents, his sudden disappearance left them grieving and worried with uncertainty. And like it or not, their son, even at his age, was once again involved in the investigator's search for the murderer. They knew their son did not murder Susan. Their priority was to find him and get him home safe and they made every attempt through the media, newspapers, and word of mouth to spread the word about their missing son. They pleaded to the killer on the news, to return their young son. In the two weeks since he disappeared, there were no clues or tips in solving the mystery.
The town was once again on edge with the possibility of another serial killer roaming their streets. Halloween was only a couple of days away and it was almost a certainty that most parents would keep their little ones at home and law enforcement discouraged trick-or-treating. Even teenagers seemed reluctant to embrace the dark holiday, with very few parties planned. Fear took over and most people took care of their errands by the light of day. It just felt safer that way.
Halloween night saw beefed-up police patrols combing the neighborhoods. And despite the overall sense of fear, there were quite a few trick-or-treaters out—mostly older kids and teenagers. The city hosted a party at the community building for younger kids and their parents, but rumors of a big high school party in one of the older neighborhoods made its rounds. A patrol car cruised the neighborhood as a precaution.
Doug talked Kyle into sneaking out with him to crash the senior party, but at the last second, Kyle changed his mind. His parents had a tight leash on him since Brandon's disappearance. Doug called him a wimp and turned his attention to his new friend, Cliff, who was with him when they pulled the prank on Brandon. Doug easily influenced Cliff, partly because he was just like him—unafraid and mean-spirited.
They both slipped out of their houses and made their way to the party. Luckily for them, the party was in their neighborhood, only two blocks away.
Even with Cliff going along with Doug, he was still a little worried about all the rumors of a killer. Desperate to make a friend in Doug, he kept his reservations to himself.
"How far away is the party?" he asked Doug.
"It's just up the road and around the corner. Not too far. Why? Are you scared?" he asked laughing.
"No. I just don't want my parents to catch me."
"Don't worry, we won't stay long if it's a lame party, or if those big bad seniors act like assholes," Doug told him. "Hear it?"
"Hear what?"
"The music."
A short distance away, rock music thumped in the air.
"Sounds like it's already started," Doug smiled and slapped Cliff on the shoulder.
The party was just up the block and around the corner. Doug stopped near an alley.
"Let's cut through here. We can get there quicker this way," suggested Doug.
Cliff looked down the shortcut. A crooked, old streetlight hanging halfway down the dark alley provided the only light. Overgrown bushes and tree limbs from the backyards reached over the fences, giving the alley an ominous look. It was a shorter route, but Cliff did not like the idea of going that way.
YOU ARE READING
"Floor Four" - A Novella of Horror (Haunted)
Horror‘A loud bang was heard from above, scaring the boys. They shined their lights up the stairwell. The sounds of chains rattling on the floor stirred the dust above. Something or someone was up there. Doug, hiding his fear, took a couple of more steps...
