the town that never sleeps

it starts with a whisper

41
As wendall was coming home to his fallen angel beatrice with tricia by his side. Ronny had his own appointment to keep. After he left the funeral. He split from wendall and tricia. He told them he was gonna go to the library but he didnt.
He made way to Grace mildews house. Wendalls competitor. She had a tan respectable house in medley. It wasn't the biggest for she was humble and didnt need much. Just her dog looma and shelter over her head. She was the owner of munch and punch but she wanted to be mayor. She thought she could make the town a better place. She too was a caring nice person. Who wanted to see her town thrive. Lately she had noticed discrepancies in the town's budget and such. She was a member on the towns board. She had been for years. She loved the responsibility and the feeling it gave her to help it grow. She had brought in many stores throughout the years and had helped grow the town itself
She brought in the first McDonalds and a clothing store that wasn't outdated like shuri's boutique. She helped fund it. She was a partner in it. Both her buisness's were doing amazingly.
So now to it. Ronny parked his car down the street and around the corner. So on one would spot him. He walked up to her big black metal gate. It had an intercom. He pushed on the green button. After a moment he heard her voice. It sounded rough like a man for she was short and plump with red fluffy hair. In a way she looked like a thick man. She spoke through it," hello! What do you want!?"
Ronald waited a second then replied," grace its ronald Oaks. I'd like to talk to you!" He waited a minute. Then he heard her reply," why would i talk to you!? You know your father and i arent on the best of terms!" Ronald pushed the button and replied," i dont care about your relationship with him. Let me in. I think i can help you."
Grace replied hoarsly," remind me! Why would i do that? This is a trick isnt it?" Ronald responded back quickly," grace this is no trick! We are on the same side. He's a bastard. I dont want anyone to see me out here! Please just let me in. We can stand outside or whatever you want.. Trust me i might be able to help you!"
He waited a minute. Then he heard a click and a voice saying," go to the left when you come in. Go around to the bsck. I dont trust you Oaks." Ronald did just that. He walked to her backyard. It was an open field with a garden of the most beautiful flowers one could gaze upon. It was lush with every color in the rainbow. She had a white gazebo with a gold trim.
Grace came out her big glass door that was embedded with a white stain with the tree of life engraved on it. She had a gun in a holster by her side. She said follow me. They went to the gazebo and sat on her white wooden stained chairs.
Grace had suspicion in her eyes as she spoke with it," ronald! Why are you here? You know your dad and i dont have the best standing! We're not friends by any mean. So what do you want!"
Ronald replied with a solemn strength," i know you're trying to find dirt on my dad. I dont blame you but my dad's not the person to mess with. You know he wont let this stand. He'll try to retalliate."
Grace stared back with anger shown on her face. As she repliied with it on her tongue," so you're here to tell me not to mess with him. Im not afraid of him. If this was why you're here. then you can see yourself out." Ronald replied with a misunderstood attitude saying," no no no grace! I want to help you. He's a piece of shit. I want to help you get him shunned out of being mayor and hopefully more!"
She looked back at ronald with skepticism. As she spoke a little bit confused," like i said what trick are two up to? I wasn't born yesterday ron! I know your family. They're all crooked. And you no doubt are probably doing the same. He'll pop out and ive been punked!"
Ronald replied with frustration. He pulled out a brown envelope from the inside of his brown coat. He threw it on the table saying," i can't get caught giving this to you. I stole it. I cant tell you where i got it but i promise im on your side. I wsnt him gone for tricia and james well being! He's a monster!"
She opened it. Her eyes glanced over it as her eyes shown a shock to them. She replied in the same tone," why would you give me this! This is a trick. Ill find it to be a fake. Why would i believe you or this!"
Ronald stood up and turned around with his back to her. He lifted his shirt showing scars from many years of abuse. Some being the leather straps others being cut marks from a sharp jagged object. Grace's face went toa  shocked concerned look of terror. She spoke with a concerned worried voice," did he do this to you?"
Ronald replied without hesitation," yes and he'll do it to them too. I cant let it happen. I love tricia and james. Hes a madman. I know he's done worse but i cant find it. Ill keep digging. I will help you but you gotta help me!"
Grace replied in the same tone as before saying," how? What do you want for me ronald?" He spoke back saying," i need money. When its all said and done. Im taking Tricia and james away from this place. Unless i can get rid of him. I need them two to be safe. Ill do whatever i can to assure this."
Grace replied," ok! Ron! I will keep digging. If you find anything let me know. Here's my number" she put it in his phone. Then tucked the envelope in by her side. Her and ronald drank some tea and ate some cookies as they chatted. Then he got a phone call. So he left.
42
As the day turned to night. Wendall left the house after eating supper with his newly brought back wife and their children. Ronald hadnt shown up for he texted wendall saying he was spending the night at a friebds.
Wendall jumped in his escalade. He drove outta town to the bakerfields crossroads. He was pissed and rightfully so. as Mr. Barnett made a promise to him. Telling him he wouldnt deal with his family. That they would stay out of thier arrangments.
He angerly stomped up to the road screaming," mr. Barnett you fuck! Where are you!?"
He seen the black smoke appearing before his eyes. The tall thin man with the burly cheeks walked from it saying," dont speak to me in That manner wendall! What do you want?" His eyes shown red with little black horns piercing out of his black hat.
  Wendall with a frustrated attitude stomped around like a child. As his voice shown the same response," how could you! I mean it. We made an agreement. I bring people to you. You help me. Plus you leave my children out of all this. You dont deal with them. Now my wifes back! What the fuck!
Mr. Barnett laughed menacingly as he replied with a happiness to him," why my dear man! You dont tell me what to do! Ever! I do as i please. We made an agreement! Yes! But your boy he made me an offer. I couldnt refuse.. Your wife was a small price to pay for peace.! He let his tongue out like he was purring. It was like a snakes with a slimy black presence to it.
Wendall's eyes shown furry. He knew he couldnt keep talking to this demon with anger or it would turn itself against him. So he spoke with a calm damp anger," what was the deal? What could he possobly give you. That would remand our deal. You owe me compinsation!"
Mr. Barnett laughed again as he spoke gleefully," i owe you nothing. I do what i must. If a better offer shows its face. I must provide but dont worry my dear chum. I didnt take his soul. If you cared to bother. He gave me something that ive been looking for. For an eternity. That thing that you used over me. I checked the quality of it. He's true to his word. So i kept mine. Aren't you happy to see your wife? I thought you'd be floating in the heavens to see your lost corpse bride!"
Wendalls steam if it could be seen would of floated around showing a raging wildfire that would burn the ground around him. He balled his fists as he cracked them. Then he responded with a fake petrifying coolness," no! Im not happy to see her. Since you know everything! You know i dont want to see her. You must reverse this. Undo it now!"
Mr. Barnetts eyes glowed red as he shown his sharp pointy teeth. He spoke in a haunting tone," in sin we find blame! When the rooster clucks at dawn. You find your wake up call. I will not resend this deal! It is set in stone like the temples themselves. I should know i was there. You can deal with the impact of mercy. I like your boy. He is true to his nature. If you'd like we can renegotiate our deal!" He nimbely moved his old rotten fingers in the air. It showed a red line coming from it . as it read," when the tides change. bliss can be accomplished by sending a drop of water to its true ambition life!
He pierced wendalls eyes as his body attitude changed to anger. Wendall could see black smoke coming from it. He spoke with anther worldly being's haunting anger," you give what you get! You dont think i know what you do behind my back? You found my bones and tried to control me. Yoou could of gave them back as a good measure but you didn't. Your son rectified this. He gave me them back. For that our deal will remain in tact. Next time dont decieve me. Do you understand wendall?"
Wendall was frightful. Feeling fear. As he hasnt felt this emotion much in his life. For he was the one who struck fear in the hearts of many a foe and friend. He didnt know how to respond but he did with fear in his voice and a trembling body. He bowed his head saying," im sorry! Mr barnett! I really am but my children mean everuthing to me. I had to keep your bones. Your crazy. I couldnt risk you fucking me over. Im sure you understand that. You have the upper hand. i shouldnt of done it but i did. Please forgive me. I wont do it again. I promise!"
Mr barnett went back to his former glory of a twig with thick glasses and santa rosey puffy cheeks. He replied back with a happier tone of bliss," thats ok wendall i forgive you. I need you nowadays. The pickens are slim. You've been a big help to me. I will give you a present. Dont worry we are good here. Our deal will remain intact!"
Wendall thanked him saying we have one more problem grace mildew. She's looking for a way to dethrone me. If she does i wont be mayor. Then i wont be able to do our buisness as usual!"
Mr barnett thought for a moment with a finger to his mouth. Then he said dont worry. We'll find a solution to our problem. Now go. I have things to do." Mr barnett turned around as he dissappeared into the black smoke and wendall went home to see his corpse bride.
43
When damon and ramona entered there home. They put there leftovers in the fridge. Damon went out to the garage. He grabbed their dusty vhs player and brought it in. He hooked it up to there old style thick fat tv. He asked ramona where the VHS's were. She told him in the attic.
He went to the ceiling in the hallway between his room and the bathroom. There was a pull string. He grabbed it and pulled it down. A ladder fell. He climbed up it. He turned his flashlight on. He looked around for a box that said home videos. He found it and came back down.
His mother told him grab the one marked at the ryne. As kids they use to camp out there with their dad before he died in a drunk driving accident. His dad drank too much at the outbreak. On his way home he fell asleep at the wheel. He swirved off his side of the road and into the next lane. Where he hit oncoming traffic which was a semi delivering good to the local convient stores and grocery stores. Damon's dad wasnt much of a drinker. He only drank a couple times a year. Ramona was at home with the kids.
Damon was 10 at the time but before that they would camp, go fishing and just have quality time in nature. On this tape tho the family went to the ryne for the weekend.
When they were watching it. Ramona was filming it. Damon was on a paddle boat with derrik. Denise was with her dad skipping rocks and dancing around. As damon was watching it he started to drift off but he felt like he was still awake. He could see everything around him. He heard his father telling denise that was a good one! 5 skips! Look at you denny. You're a pro. You must be practicing when im not here." They both giggled. As he picked her up and twirled her aroubd in the air.
When he put her down. He looked at damon through the tv. His voice turned menacing. As he spoke to him saying," hey fucker! Its me ya boy! Listen here! Your a rotten boy! The souls of the dead will rise! Dont be scared good ole dad is here to save the day!" Then he grinned as he walked up to the screen pressing himself against it.
Damon stared at it with disbelief. He blinked wiping his eyes. As he spoke saying," what!" His dad laughed as his face started to come through the screen. It looked two D. He grabbed the side of the tv with both arms out of the tv. Then he pulled himself out. It made a popping sound. He stood infront of his son in the same 2 d form with a red flannel shirt on and blue jeans. He had black hair with a gold chained necklace around his neck with a silver cross but his eyes were black and his skin was rotted away in a grey cracked tone.
He spoke in an evil haunting voice showing pointy black teeth," my boy come home to the ryne! We need you there. You can be whole again. We can be a family again. Stop by! Visit your friends. Trust me bud. It'll be fun.
Damon was determined to get rid of this thing. He concentrated on it. it did nothing. The thing laughed as it spit black goo all over damon. It started to walk forward as it continued to talk in a gruesome manner saying," you can't get rid of me. I told you this. We're here to stay. Friends to the end. Eternity might be a word but here i come! You cant get rid of me!" It put its hands on damon who had the black goo all over him. Damon screamed. The thing opened its mouth again. Big black spider legs shot out from his mouth and started to crawl on Damon's face.
He screamed. Then he heard the doorbell and woke up screaming. Ramona was shaking him saying in a worried tone," baby its ok im here. You're ok. I got you.
She seen his eyes lose its foggy glow. She held him tight against her saying," it was a nightmare. Mommas here." They heard the doorbell. Ramona spoke ," they must be coming lets get ready.
Everyone was starting to arrive for the nights celebration. Ramona put a sign on the door saying go around to the back. She grabbed some chips, dip and other assortments of snacks. She put it in the backyard on a blue clothed long table.
She went to the fire pit and put some wood on it. Then she started it up. Alot of people showed up. They lit up some fireworks for denise loved them. They had saved them from the previous years. So it was a show in full bloom.
Robby and others brought alcohol. Everyone was drinking even damon. He spiked the punch with vodka that denise had bought him a couple weeks ago before she died. He didnt like the taste but thought he needed it.
Barry walked up to damon introducing himself. Even tho the two grew up together knew eachothers names. When they were school they worked on a couple projects together but never actually hung out or anything like that.
Damon said hi. Barry told him," i was in the woods the other night. Had to get away. I met a little blonde girl. She spoke of you" damon replied already thinking of molly saying," you met molly! She's a good one." Barry replied," i dont know her name but she saved me. Told me that i had to help you." Barry had been drinking punch as he said," this stuff tastes good. What did you do to it" damon replied with a slurred voice," vodka. I needed it but molly tends to help people at their worst. If she tells you something. you should listen to it and dont throw her lolipops back at her. She doesn't like that!" Then damon  laughed. The two talked awhile. As they felt like they were two bodies with the same soul. After a minite barry drunkenly said," im glad i met you but if its true we might want to stick together. A man chased me through the woods. He tried to kill me i think!" Damon replied in a drunken state of his own," i dont doubt that! This town be crazy! There's many evils around here."
Pierce had stayed close as he was listening. he replied to the boys in a somber tone. As he walked up to them," boys this town has been plagued since i was a boy. When they had me in the looney bin. All that stuff was happening. The bad stuff. Its started off slowly but i think its back! Shit i dont think it ever left. Id be careful around here. It took most of my family! Be careful both of you"
Then robby joined in as he too was affected by it. He had been listening for he wanted to speak to damon and ramona in his drunken state to tell them sorry for the loss again. He was just waiting for an opening. He spoke in a drunken state of belief," Pierre over here is right! It was a bad time. That cleaver wielding man almost got me. Dead to rights but he didnt. Now 15 years later he tried again but yet again he missed his oppurtunity. This town is going to the fish. Its the way it was back then. We all need to watch ourselves. Dont go out alone. If you dont have to! We all need to stick together. I made fun of the buddy code but not anymore!"
They all exchanged numbers. Then they all released there sorrows as they decided to have a good time in the name of denise. They danced around the fire, traded stories and just had a good time. When it was all over ramona didnt want any of them to drive. So they all crashed around in ramonas house. Barry and damon went to his room. The rest scattered in the living room.
As they all had the same nightmares of burning building, death and murder with souls floating around witj black hooded people and porcelain masked people killing citizens with no regret or second thought to it.