The Junk Drawer

The Killing Game

Desson was once at peace. Harmony could be heard buzzing between the people. Even strangers were friends beacause there weren't any strangers to speak of. Sounds of birds chirping and bugs buzzing would fill the children's ears. Laughter was often the sound of choice. All the lawns were cut short and even. The houses were all set in a row. The families lived happily and ate dinner together, disscusing the days events. You could call Desson the perfect picture of an all American town. But then...

It all ended.

~6 months ago~

"Honey, did you see the article in the paper?"

"Hey, did you notice the head article this morning?"

"Did you hear it's making the local news channel?"

"Have you read it yet?"

"Did you see what his name is?"

"It's pretty scary."

"I'm worried."

The town's harmonic mind now only had one thing on it. The Playmaker.

That morning, when the paperboy delivered the newspapers to the town, everyone looked at the front page and internally screamed.

A murder.

Several, actually. The newspaper explained how a serial killer, who escaped from the NYC Prison, had now killed five new victims. He called himself The Playmaker, and when cops questioned him, all he'd ever say was...

"I need to win the game."

He was filed insane, and locked up for good. One day, the jail wardens were making a last trip around the cells to check up on everything, and discovered The Playmaker's cell empty. He had escaped and made his way to a neighnoring suburb of New York, where he brutally butchered his five victims. He was headed to Dessson and the town was terrified.

~~~

The Connolly family was sitting around their dinner table, enjoying a nice comfort meal of beef stew and rolls, when Little Lucy asked the question that was on everyone's mind.

"Do you think he'll make it here, Daddy?"

Mouths stopped chewing, knives stopped cutting, eyes stopped blinking, and hearts stopped beating.

Mr. Connolly placed his silverware down gently, and turned to face his daughter.

"What makes you ask such a question, Lucy?"

The little girl shrugged. "I was just wondering."

Makayla Connolly then spoke up. "She's not telling the truth. Go on Lucy. Tell Dad and Mom the truth."

Mr. and Mrs. Connolly turned back to face Lucy, who's face grew as pale as the dinner rolls on her plate.

"Well, some boys at school were saying how he only kills little girls with blond hair, so I told them that he would never even make it here 'cause the police are going to catch him. Then they said he had already killed all the police, and was coming for the little girls with blond hair next."

"Who said that, sweetie?" Mrs. Connolly asked, eyes filled with concern and a bit of anxiousness.

"Dominic Walters and Brody Kisher."

Those boys were brats and the whole town knew it. By the time they had reached the fourth grade, they had already picked on every child in the town, excluding the one's who were meaner than them, and those were a choice few.

Makayla faced her brother Colton, who was in class with Dominic and Brody. Colton screwed up his face at the mention of their names and started stirring his stew with a sudden great interest.

"I'll go talk to the boys' mothers, Lucy. In the meantime, finish your stew." Mrs. Connolly seemed to have settled the matter and the family continued to eat their so called comfort food. Whether or not it comforted them from the fear of The Playmaker is unknown, but all they knew was he was coming, and he couldn't be stopped.

~~~

"Wanna come over tonight?"

Whispers filled the library of Desson High School, and party invitations were exchanged.

"I would but I have drama after school."

"Party pooper."

"I'm so offended."

Makayla Connolly and Leo Irwin were crouched in the back of the library, leaning over the same book. The pair were best friends and went together like peanut butter and jelly. (Makayla was the peanut butter, Leo was the jelly. They had decided that the week after they met.)

Makayla was about to turn the page when Leo whispered...

"Can't you skip it just this once? I'll invite Keith Sumner, too. Maybe he'll persaude you." Leo wiggled his eyebrows and Makayla whacked his arm.

The two continued to read throughout the whole class period, and people passing their little corner gave the odd freshmen confused glances. Makayla ran her fingers through her tangled ebony colored hair and punched Leo's arm.

"Hey! What was that for?"

"You being so damn persuasive. I'll be over at seven."

Leo grinned and Makayla finally turned the page...