Stranger Danger

Part 11

Working with determination, Cassidy was almost done clearing the clutter of densely packed bones in front of the small mystery door, when she was suddenly startled by a shout followed by a loud incoming crash that sent bones flying behind her. Gasping, she jumped, pressing her back against the wall, and watched whatever fell, move among the bones. A head popped up. Cassidy's eyes widened as she realized that she was staring at Tyler. "Argh!" He was struggling in the pile of bones and finally sat up seconds later.

"Tyler," Cassidy whispered.

He whipped his head around and gasped. "Cassidy!?" He began to straighten up.

Cassidy stopped him. "Uh, don't- don't get up!" She pointed up at the low ceiling.

"Oh." Tyler remained slouched and looked around. "What- what is this?" He touched the bones. "Is this a props room? What are you doing in here?"

Cassidy swallowed loudly. "I, uh," she whispered. "I don't think-" She paused. "I think these might be human bones." Tyler frowned. "Real humans."

Tyler's face was full of confusion before he slowly turned pale. "No. You're not saying...?" He didn't know what she was saying.

Cassidy didn't know either. "I don't know. But, we have to get out of here. These people... they're not really who they say they are."

"What- what do you mean?" Tyler couldn't stop stuttering.

Cassidy sighed as she brought back the dreadful memory of when she had discovered the passports and newspaper clippings. "Let's just say, I found some things... about the Beiler family, and they've been lying to us this whole time. About their names, who they are, and I don't even think they're Amish."

Tyler's eyes widened with each word. "Wha-?"

"But, we have to get out of here first. It'll take too long to explain everything." Cassidy went back to clearing the last few bones away from the little door. Tyler sat there, in shock. Not even concerned about the fact that his back was hurting from the fall he had taken. The little door was finally cleared and Cassidy eagerly grabbed the doorknob, praying that it wasn't locked. She turned it and her heart jumped excitedly as the door opened. "Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed with glee. Tyler blankly looked at her. Cassidy fully opened the door, which was slightly heavy, and let out a shrill scream.

Tyler jumped as he snapped back to the horrible reality he was currently facing. Cassidy found herself staring at Aaron, who had a determined look on his face as he climbed a small set of stairs, with a low roof, leading up to the small door. Cassidy panicked, not sure what to do. "Shit!" Tyler said, as he looked around for a strong bone to use as an adequate weapon. Finding a sharp one, he began to make his way towards Cassidy, holding his newfound weapon tightly in his hand.

Too late. Aaron was now on the top step, in front of Cassidy. Cassidy reacted quickly by lifting both her feet and kicking full force into Aaron's chest. The kick sent Aaron flying down the stairs backwards, causing him to backflip as he yelled out and landed at the bottom in a twisted position. He lay immobile. Cassidy was breathing hard. "Oh my God."

Tyler reached her side and looked over her shoulder, noticing the set of stairs and Aaron's twisted body laying at the bottom. "Holy shit." His breathing increased, matching Cassidy's. "Where are we?"

Cassidy ignored the question. "Is- he dead?" she whispered. "Did I kill him?"

"I- I don't know."

Cassidy suddenly grabbed Tyler's arm, her eyes frantic. "We have to get out of here!" Tyler nodded quickly. Cassidy slowly started down the stairs, crouched very low to avoid hitting the slanted ceiling. Tyler followed, his weapon still in hand. The door closed automatically behind him. At the bottom of the stairs, both teens were able to stand up straight. Cassidy stared down at Aaron's lifeless body, horrified. It didn't seem like he was breathing.