Freezer Burn

Chapter Two

Thank you for sticking around for chapter two! I hope you enjoy it, things will begin picking up now that majority of the characters have been introduced!

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING!

I understand this story may be slow at first, but I will be putting warnings as it gets closer to what I promise will be very violence-intensive story. For those who may be uncomfortable with this, I suggest paying attention to any chapters I will be marking as (NSFW). This can go for the chapter containing sexually explicit themes, violent or torturous scenes, themes of suicide or self harm, or other mature situations that may not be suitable for all audiences. Though I am not there yet, I assure you that this story will contain all of the aforementioned themes.

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"At around 4 this evening, another body was discovered. Fabius Morgans, one of the mayor's sons, found the body disposed of on the side of Hollow Drive, heading towards the cemetery." The TV explained, a finely dressed reporter interviewing the crime scene as others watched safely, and comfortably from their couch. "Police are investigating, however speculation says this body was mutilated in a very similar fashion to another discovered on a hillside earlier this week as well as two others within the past month. Much like the bodies from last year. Police continue to discover notes left on the tombstones of the deceased victims after their funeral, a memoir from the killer... Townsfolk begin to worry that this is the work of a serial murderer, who has acquired the name 'The Mannequin Killer'."

"That's enough." Lucius sighed, flipping off the TV with a frown. He glanced to his side with worry to Malcolm, who had come over as soon as he heard the news. Lucius and Fabius's parents were out of town for the time being, but having a close friend at his side helped Lucius feel more comfortable. Lucius was a beautiful boy, who had recently began to cross dress when he had the opportunity, though kept it secret from his parents. His hair was black like his brother's, and being grown out. It was only shoulder length by now. His skin was pale, blemish free, though much tanner than his brothers since he spent more time outside. They had occasionally been called twins, though Lucius was two years older and - arguably prettier. Not that it occurred to him in such a way. He always acted lovingly and protectively towards Fabius. He wouldn't compare himself to him.

"Have you checked on him?" Malcolm questioned as he eyed Lucius, glancing to the ceiling as if gesturing to Fabius's room upstairs. Rain hit the windows hard, much as it had been doing all week, even when the previous body was found. Though all the lights in the room were on, the dark grey sky outside still cast dreariness into the home. Or maybe that was just the severity of the situation at hand. "I've tried." Lucius admitted with a sigh,"If I offer him food, he says he's not hungry, if I ask if he's okay he says he's fine. It's the same thing he always does... I can't tell if it bothers him or not." Lucius admitted. Perhaps Fabius purposefully acted unbothered, after all he had a history of reading about the worlds most popular serial killers - Ed Gein, John Wayne Gacy... he acted hateful and scary, and isolated himself, but deep down it had to bother him. Especially seeing such a gruesome sight. The skinned body of a woman, thrown on the ground. Bloodied mouth with all the teeth torn out, covered in mud and unidentifiable.

"The police should be coming to talk to him soon. I'm worried he won't even say anything." Lucius expressed, rubbing his temple in frustration. "He didn't even call them. He texted me - I had to call them." Lucius frowned and looked at his nails. The polish was chipping - he had been biting them again. He worried a lot about his brother, but he was at a loss of what to do. Fabius wouldn't open up or talk to anyone, he read strange books no one else his age would even bother with and had an interest in such dark things, but maybe it was normal. Maybe he was like other kids, just not like any other kids they knew. "He's gonna be fine." Malcolm assured, gently taking Lucius's hand for comfort. "He'll open up when the police show up. They're probably used to withdrawal from the people who discover bodies." Malcolm wasn't totally sure, but it was better to reassure oneself rather than dwell on what could make them more anxious.