Along Came a Murderer

Hide and Seek

It started getting dark, as I walked back with her to the cabin. "So... You got a name?"

"Taylor." She replied

"What about the other guy?"

"Winston. He's my boyfriend. We live in the cabin together. He's also a big Alice Cooper fan, as well as I am. And let me tell you, I was honored to almost be killed by you."

"Uh... Thanks?"

We approached the cabin. Winston was outside sitting on a rocking chair, cleaning his boots. He looked up and saw me, and nearly jumped 10 feet in the air.

"Holy shit! Alice! Is... Is that... you?!? Oh my god, you are a legend! You are-"

"Winston, can I have a word with you?" He looked over at Taylor. They walked toward each other and whispered about... Something. Probably that I'm a murderer. Winston looked over at me with concern in his eyes. Yep. She told him.

"Ok! Here are some rules. We have the right to call the police if you try anything. Got it?" I nodded. "Fair enough."

Winston walked over to the kithen. "Daniel! Come see who's here!" From what I'm assuming who "Daniel" is, I see a small pair of eyes peek out and look into mine. They widened and moved away. I heard small foot steps running towards me, and then felt a small child hugging my shin. I didn't want to question it, because I'm pretty sure Taylor is only 17, and Winston is 18. But whatever.

While I helped set up the table, there was a loud knock at the door. I hid behind some shelves and Taylor walked over to the door and opened it. It was one of the guards from the hospital. "Excuse me, ma'am, but have you seen a man, come through here?"

"No, officer, I haven't." Taylor was terrible at not acting suspicious. I'm screwed. "Ma'am, are you also aware that your window is broken?"

"Yes. I am quite aware. My boyfriend was cutting off a branch, and it fell right through the window." Taylor turned around and looked at Winston. "Uh, y-yeah. It just fell right through the window."

They were both awful actors. "Have a safe night, ma'am." The guard actually believes them and walked away. I got out from my hiding place. "Thank you, guys. Really." Taylor smiled. "I don't think you're crazy."

But I do!

"Oh no." Taylor and Winston both looked at me. "Alice, what's wrong, man." I fell to my knees and wrapped my arms around myself. "He's back."

"The man behind the mask?" Taylor looked at Winson, and smacked the back of his head. "Sorry, couldn't help myself."

"Lock me up somewhere. Somewhere, where I don't end up hurting you guys." They both looked at each other, then putt me down near the fireplace. "This is as good as we can go, Alice.

Take them out. One, by one, Alice. It's easy. Wait for then to fall asleep, and-"

"NO, stop it!" They started freaking out now. "Alice, are you-" I stood up and put my hand in the fire. "Oh my god!" Taylor ran over to me and yanked my hand out. She immediately wrapped my hand up. I have no idea why I did that. It... Felt good to hurt something. Is that a normal addiction?...

We all then had dinner. The food was great, actually. Better than the food they gave me at the hospital, that's for sure.

Everyone was done eating their food. Taylor and Winston put Daniel to bed and walked upstairs.

My hand was in so much pain. I have no idea what came over me. Daniel walked up to me and gave me an ice pack for my hand. "Thank you, but... shouldn't you be in bed?"

Play a game with him. Hide and seek.

"Hey, uh... Daniel?" He turned around to look at me. "Yes?" His voice was so soft and innocent. "How about we... play a special game?"

He smiled and walked over to me. "What kind of special game?"

"Hide and seek."

I stood up from my chair. "You hide, and I'll seek. But, you have to hide outside." He slowly stopped smiling. "But it's dark outside."

"It would be cheating if you hid in here. Go. I'll count to 50. And you go and hide." He walked out the front door and ran off. I started counting. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ..."

I counted until I got to 50. I grabbed the gun in the drawer, and walked out the door.

Ready or not, here I come.

I somehow knew exactly where he was. I knew he didn't want to go far. It was cold and dark, and he probably didn't want to get lost.

Foolish child. You think you can run?

I stopped by a bush that was making a lot of noises. "Where are you, Daniel? I know you're here." I turned around and he was trying to sneak away. "Found you!"

I ran toward him, and he ran away. I shot his foot and he screamed. The second shot, I went for his arm. He was in too much shock to process what had just happened. I walked over to him. "Don't worry, Daniel. I'll make an excuse for you in the morning." The last bullet went into his head.

I picked him up and buried him in the ground. I made it look like nothing happened. I walked back over to the house and slept in peace.