They Call Me Weird

Presents for Crimson

CHAPTER 11

Presents for Crimson

We were back on the road again. Those last couple words Bradley said were solidified my theory that he is playing a part in this. He wants this new killer to be playing his part. Bradley is getting something out of this.

Brought back up from my storm of thoughts, Lucas spoke obviously also confused by what just ensued at the prison.

"What do you think he meant at the end? About your mom." Lucas asked.

"I think he is saving me for himself. I know this copycat can't touch me he said so himself. And if he could he has had plenty of chances to do so. I think Bradley is using this new killer to get out. And maybe even wanting to come after me when he does." I declared.

"I hate to say it, but I agree with you. He knows who this guy is. I guess I really wasn't expecting this to go easily. I mean it would have been shocking if he just came forward with the guy's name on a silver platter." Lucas sighed. I know he wanted this done. I know he has been so nice to me and helping me every step of the way has been so great, but he must hate this...he must hate me. I brought him into not just a mess, but a complete disaster. I know he knew it was a long shot to have this wrapped up tightly in a bow, but I am sure he had a little hope that he could go back to his normal life before he found me sitting on that bench. I sighed. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

"You shouldn't be in this mess it is too dangerous now. I mean we aren't the Scooby-Doo gang we are just ordinary people. This monster is real, and I know he won't hurt me, but there is nothing stopping him from hurting you. I mean he already knows where I live, who knows what he knows about you." I emphasized.

"Oh no! You are not dropping me now. We will find out who this guy is whether it's us or the cops. This guy will be stopped before he kills someone else." He said very determinedly. But no matter how determined Lucas sounded for some reason I couldn't shake the feeling that he was going to be wrong.

***

It took us a couple of minutes longer to get back to Far Water than it did this morning to the prison, but we finally passed the "Welcome to Far Water "sign. The rest of the car rid was occupied with Lucas and I singing at the top of our lungs with the music so loud that we couldn't hear our tone-deaf voices. But as we turned into Richard's neighborhood, we went back to silence as we listened to the sounds of nature with the windows rolled down. Lucas made the right turn in the loop where Richard's house was and started to head to the driveway. But as he got closer I got this unsettling feeling in my stomach. There was an odd shape on the lawn. Looked like a lot of white lines from far away. But then we got closer and closer and I saw what it was. "Lucas?" I gasped. "Yeah?" he replied. "Slow down please." I paused as Lucas let his foot off the pedal. "Do you see that?" I asked. "See what?" He answered. "The thing in the front yard. There wasn't anything there this morning, right?" "Oh! Yeah, now I see it. And no there wasn't anything there." He said slowly while squinting his eyes at the object. "Is that what I think it is?" Lucas murmured. "If you are thinking that is a skeleton then yes," I replied.

We parked the car in the driveway and jumped out slowly creeping towards the decayed figure. I looked around to see if anyone else was around, but nothing not even a rustle in the trees. We got about arm's length from the body when Lucas finally spoke, "Is it real?"

"I don't think Richard is the kind of guy to put up Halloween decorations in the middle of July." I scoffed. "Do you see that?" I pointed to the head of the skeleton where a grave marker was placed saying "HERE LIES HENRY SOYER." "What the hell" is all I could bring myself to say. "Do you think the copycat did this" Lucas questioned which you could see from his expression that he already knew the answer.