Nightmare in Mineral Town
parts 6-10
by Beezlebub X
Chapter 6: Cloaked in Darkness
Night had fallen. Jack had spent the rest of the day preparing for what would be his first nightly nightmare run. His plan had to be executed perfectly, his victim had to be executed perfectly. He had polished his tools up all shiny and made himself a cloak to better hide him in the dark of the night.
It had taken him a while, but Jack had finally decided on who he would kill and what would be his preferred tool for tonight. When the church bell rang nine times, that would be his cue, that would be when he would shroud himself in his cloak and go out to strike swift vengeance. All he had to do was wait…
Over on the other side of Mineral town, down at the beach, Won snuck out of his and Zack’s house. He always went for a swim at night, he liked the exhilarating feeling of the cold water flowing over his body. After a quick look around to see that no one was around, he took off his shirt and pants and waded out into the water.
Won sighed as the waves slowly fell across his nude body. Nothing quite so nice as a skinny dip. Off in the distance, he heard the church bell begin ringing. Nine, that means everyone was going home, he was safe to do whatever he wanted. He took a deep breath and dove underneath the pitch black water and just swam for the heck of it.
A while later, Won had grown tired of swimming, and just floated on his back looking up at the moonless night. A new moon always sent a shiver down Won’s spine, it seemed almost ominous without it’s soft light shining down on him.
In the silent night, Won was easily able to hear several quick clicking noises. The sound, Won knew it well, it was the sound of somebody’s shoes on the stone steps coming onto the beach. He smiled smugly, “Hey, maybe that was one of the pretty ladies coming to visit old Won, maybe give me a little fun…”
Won swam back to shore and walked out. “Hello?” he asked, but nobody answered. It was too dark to see anything, so he listened as hard as he could for the sweet footfalls of a pretty lady. “I know you are here, there is no reason to be afraid, it’s just me, good old Wonny.”
Won strained his ears and heard what he was looking for. A very soft muffled sound of someone walking across the sand, and a gentle rustling which he knew could be nothing else but a girl taking off her clothing. Oh lucky day, he thought, tonight he was going to get a little action with a mystery girl! He could barely contain his excitement. The sound slow moved circled around him. “Where are you going my girl? Why won’t you speak to me?” Won waited for an answer, but got none. “Can you at least tell me your name?” The sound stopped right behind him.
“My name is Retribution!” Jack called out as he swung around his hammer hard at Won’s head. Jack heard the sound of Won’s skull cracking and several teeth being shattered. “I am the black angel!” Won gasped and feel to his knees, unable to speak. “That is right, kneel before me, like the dog you are!” Jack cried out as he swung the hammer again. He could feel Won’s head cave in like it was little more than paper.
Jack stood over Won’s dead body. He held the hammer out over Won’s head, holding the very end of the handle and letting the end swing freely. “Justice has been served.” And with that Jack dropped the hammer. It crushed into Won’s head, destroying him, removing his identity, making him have a face no longer.
Jack reached down and took the hammer and washed it in the ocean. He began to leave but he remembered something. Jack walked over to Won’s clothes and pulled his wallet out of the pocket. “I had forgotten that you owed me.”
Walking away, hammer clinched fist in hand, the light wind gently caressed Jack’s cloak, creating a soothing rustling sound.
Night had fallen. Jack had spent the rest of the day preparing for what would be his first nightly nightmare run. His plan had to be executed perfectly, his victim had to be executed perfectly. He had polished his tools up all shiny and made himself a cloak to better hide him in the dark of the night.
It had taken him a while, but Jack had finally decided on who he would kill and what would be his preferred tool for tonight. When the church bell rang nine times, that would be his cue, that would be when he would shroud himself in his cloak and go out to strike swift vengeance. All he had to do was wait…
Over on the other side of Mineral town, down at the beach, Won snuck out of his and Zack’s house. He always went for a swim at night, he liked the exhilarating feeling of the cold water flowing over his body. After a quick look around to see that no one was around, he took off his shirt and pants and waded out into the water.
Won sighed as the waves slowly fell across his nude body. Nothing quite so nice as a skinny dip. Off in the distance, he heard the church bell begin ringing. Nine, that means everyone was going home, he was safe to do whatever he wanted. He took a deep breath and dove underneath the pitch black water and just swam for the heck of it.
A while later, Won had grown tired of swimming, and just floated on his back looking up at the moonless night. A new moon always sent a shiver down Won’s spine, it seemed almost ominous without it’s soft light shining down on him.
In the silent night, Won was easily able to hear several quick clicking noises. The sound, Won knew it well, it was the sound of somebody’s shoes on the stone steps coming onto the beach. He smiled smugly, “Hey, maybe that was one of the pretty ladies coming to visit old Won, maybe give me a little fun…”
Won swam back to shore and walked out. “Hello?” he asked, but nobody answered. It was too dark to see anything, so he listened as hard as he could for the sweet footfalls of a pretty lady. “I know you are here, there is no reason to be afraid, it’s just me, good old Wonny.”
Won strained his ears and heard what he was looking for. A very soft muffled sound of someone walking across the sand, and a gentle rustling which he knew could be nothing else but a girl taking off her clothing. Oh lucky day, he thought, tonight he was going to get a little action with a mystery girl! He could barely contain his excitement. The sound slow moved circled around him. “Where are you going my girl? Why won’t you speak to me?” Won waited for an answer, but got none. “Can you at least tell me your name?” The sound stopped right behind him.
“My name is Retribution!” Jack called out as he swung around his hammer hard at Won’s head. Jack heard the sound of Won’s skull cracking and several teeth being shattered. “I am the black angel!” Won gasped and feel to his knees, unable to speak. “That is right, kneel before me, like the dog you are!” Jack cried out as he swung the hammer again. He could feel Won’s head cave in like it was little more than paper.
Jack stood over Won’s dead body. He held the hammer out over Won’s head, holding the very end of the handle and letting the end swing freely. “Justice has been served.” And with that Jack dropped the hammer. It crushed into Won’s head, destroying him, removing his identity, making him have a face no longer.
Jack reached down and took the hammer and washed it in the ocean. He began to leave but he remembered something. Jack walked over to Won’s clothes and pulled his wallet out of the pocket. “I had forgotten that you owed me.”
Walking away, hammer clinched fist in hand, the light wind gently caressed Jack’s cloak, creating a soothing rustling sound.
Chapter 7: Tomorrow’s Aftermath
Zack searched through his cabinets for something to eat. It was early morning, and he still was tired. Where was everything? No food anywhere. He’d have to go to the store today. Well he might as well go now. He scratched his empty belly as he opened the door to his house.
The world passed by Zack in an instant. Something wasn’t right. There was no sound of seagulls in the air, and there was this smell. Zack’s brain just wouldn’t register it. There was red everywhere. Why was everything red? What was going on? Why couldn’t he understand? There was some sort of lump among all the red, slightly moving as the waves tried to push it into a pile of shipping crates.
”That’s... What? Is that Won?” The pounding in Zack’s head wouldn’t stop. That was blood that was everywhere, saturating the sand. The overwhelming stench of blood flooded his nostrils. “I, no... Won...” Zack fell forward to his knees and heaved up the contents of his stomach. He took a deep breath and once again the smell of blood hit him. Zack dry retched till he was out of breath.
What happened? Zack’s head was spinning. It was incomprehensible. He’s lifelong friend, gone, murdered so violently. Stumbling, he climbed back up and ran as fast as he could away from the beach.
What was he going to do? He had to find the Mayor or Harris. They would know what to do. Weak in the stomach, it was all he could do to keep from falling again. Zack ran, barely able to keep from panicking. He had to keep a level head. Harris could be anywhere in town, so he had to go to the Mayor.
The Mayor’s house, right next door to Jeff’s store. Funny how he ended up so close to where he had originally wanted to go. Zack burst into the Mayor’s house and tripped on the doorframe.
The Mayor stared down at his surprise visitor, all sprawled out across the floor. “What in the name of the Harvest Goddess is going on here? Zack, you look like you have seen a ghost!”
”I might as well have,” Zack panted heavily. He tried to stand back up, but his legs buckled and he crashed back down to the ground.
“My you are a mess. Please sit down and tell me what is going on.”
“You don’t understand. I have to... Won murdered...” Zack gave up on standing and just laid there trying to catch his breath.
“What in the world? Are you sure Zack? We must take precautions immediately!” The Mayor helped him sit up and held a cup of tea up to Zack’s lips. “You need to drink and get your strength back, I’m going to need your help.”
“What do you want me to do?” Zack said after he managed to get himself under control.
“I want you to go throughout town and tell everyone what has happened. To be certain that no harm comes to anyone else, tell everyone to stay in groups of at least three, with two able bodied people per group. That way if the murderer decides to try something again there is guaranteed to be somebody to at least give a fight. Then get them all to come to Rose Square. If we stay in a large group, we should be able to protect ourselves. Then we can work about figuring out who the murderer is.”
“I’ll do my best!” He was right to have come to the Mayor. Zack was still a bit weak in the knees but he managed to walk without falling. He’ll go get Ellen and Stu first, they had absolute no way to protect themselves. Just please, he wanted nothing more than that they wouldn’t find any more dead bodies.
Zack searched through his cabinets for something to eat. It was early morning, and he still was tired. Where was everything? No food anywhere. He’d have to go to the store today. Well he might as well go now. He scratched his empty belly as he opened the door to his house.
The world passed by Zack in an instant. Something wasn’t right. There was no sound of seagulls in the air, and there was this smell. Zack’s brain just wouldn’t register it. There was red everywhere. Why was everything red? What was going on? Why couldn’t he understand? There was some sort of lump among all the red, slightly moving as the waves tried to push it into a pile of shipping crates.
”That’s... What? Is that Won?” The pounding in Zack’s head wouldn’t stop. That was blood that was everywhere, saturating the sand. The overwhelming stench of blood flooded his nostrils. “I, no... Won...” Zack fell forward to his knees and heaved up the contents of his stomach. He took a deep breath and once again the smell of blood hit him. Zack dry retched till he was out of breath.
What happened? Zack’s head was spinning. It was incomprehensible. He’s lifelong friend, gone, murdered so violently. Stumbling, he climbed back up and ran as fast as he could away from the beach.
What was he going to do? He had to find the Mayor or Harris. They would know what to do. Weak in the stomach, it was all he could do to keep from falling again. Zack ran, barely able to keep from panicking. He had to keep a level head. Harris could be anywhere in town, so he had to go to the Mayor.
The Mayor’s house, right next door to Jeff’s store. Funny how he ended up so close to where he had originally wanted to go. Zack burst into the Mayor’s house and tripped on the doorframe.
The Mayor stared down at his surprise visitor, all sprawled out across the floor. “What in the name of the Harvest Goddess is going on here? Zack, you look like you have seen a ghost!”
”I might as well have,” Zack panted heavily. He tried to stand back up, but his legs buckled and he crashed back down to the ground.
“My you are a mess. Please sit down and tell me what is going on.”
“You don’t understand. I have to... Won murdered...” Zack gave up on standing and just laid there trying to catch his breath.
“What in the world? Are you sure Zack? We must take precautions immediately!” The Mayor helped him sit up and held a cup of tea up to Zack’s lips. “You need to drink and get your strength back, I’m going to need your help.”
“What do you want me to do?” Zack said after he managed to get himself under control.
“I want you to go throughout town and tell everyone what has happened. To be certain that no harm comes to anyone else, tell everyone to stay in groups of at least three, with two able bodied people per group. That way if the murderer decides to try something again there is guaranteed to be somebody to at least give a fight. Then get them all to come to Rose Square. If we stay in a large group, we should be able to protect ourselves. Then we can work about figuring out who the murderer is.”
“I’ll do my best!” He was right to have come to the Mayor. Zack was still a bit weak in the knees but he managed to walk without falling. He’ll go get Ellen and Stu first, they had absolute no way to protect themselves. Just please, he wanted nothing more than that they wouldn’t find any more dead bodies.
Chapter 8: Through Their Minds
In the middle of Rose Square, Zack walked up to the Mayor “I think everyone is here. What’s your count?”
The Mayor glanced over at Harris who was standing guard at the beach entrance “I didn’t notice anyone missing either. Good, it appears there was only one murder. We need to figure out who did it.”
Zack couldn’t believe what the Mayor had just said, “What do you mean? It’s obvious who the murder is! There is only one person in the town who is messed up enough to do this horrible thing, and that is Jack.”
They passed by Harris as they continued walking around the perimeter of the crowd. He overheard Zack, “Actually, I have my doubts about that.”
”What in the world are you talking about? It’s obviously Jack! You’re supposed to protect us and you are going to defend a murderer?” Zack was beyond furious. This was so wrong. How could Harris try and defend Jack?
The Mayor saw May and Stu’s little game of tag approach them and he lowered is voice, ”I know what you mean Harris. I wanted to believe it was Jack because that is the easiest answer, but something just doesn’t seem right. I just can’t place my finger on it.”
“It takes a trained mind to notice what exactly was wrong with this picture. Do you know how Won was killed? It appears to be three very powerful blows to the head with a rock which crushed his skull. There are two things wrong with this. One, Jack is a farmer right? Then why would he use a rock as a murder weapon? Plenty of his tools, such as a scythe, would make much better weapons.”
Harris wiped the sweat off his forehead. He really didn’t want to say this, but he had to, “Second, I don’t think Jack has the physical strength to actually put that much force behind a rock to crush Won’s skull that thoroughly. There are only three people in this town with that kind of strength, Cliff, Gotz, and... you Zack.”
Zack stood there stunned. This wasn’t happening. No, he was joking. Harris had to be joking. He stammered out the quickest response he could give, “How can you accuse me of killing my dear friend Won? I was his only real friend. I’d never hurt Won!”
Harris sighed, “That is the exact problem. You were the only person who was close to Won. Most murders are committed by those close to the victim. You are my number one suspect.”
Carter was sitting on a bench a short bit away listening in as Zack continued to try and persuade Harris that he was innocent. It was so horrible. Carter had always feared something like this would happen, but he’d always sort of hoped that he was actually getting through to Jack. It was the only possible person. Jack was the murderer, he was so certain. Then why was he so overjoyed to hear that Harris suspected Zack?
He was a priest, he should stand for what was right, not protect a murderer. But he couldn’t do that. Somehow he had to get through to Jack. He stared off through the crowd to where Jack was sitting quietly by himself, his back against a fence. Why did you do this Jack? It wasn’t right. Something so wasn’t right. It made him nauseous to think about it, but the alternative made him sicker. He couldn’t stand by and watch Jack be condemned.
Carter interrupted Zack’s tirade of innocence, “Excuse me, Harris, I couldn’t but help overhearing your conversation. I have been counseling Jack for a long time now. He shares his innermost feelings with me. Jack isn’t a bad person at heart, he really and truly isn’t. And for whatever it is worth, I do not believe that Jack killed Won.”
In the middle of Rose Square, Zack walked up to the Mayor “I think everyone is here. What’s your count?”
The Mayor glanced over at Harris who was standing guard at the beach entrance “I didn’t notice anyone missing either. Good, it appears there was only one murder. We need to figure out who did it.”
Zack couldn’t believe what the Mayor had just said, “What do you mean? It’s obvious who the murder is! There is only one person in the town who is messed up enough to do this horrible thing, and that is Jack.”
They passed by Harris as they continued walking around the perimeter of the crowd. He overheard Zack, “Actually, I have my doubts about that.”
”What in the world are you talking about? It’s obviously Jack! You’re supposed to protect us and you are going to defend a murderer?” Zack was beyond furious. This was so wrong. How could Harris try and defend Jack?
The Mayor saw May and Stu’s little game of tag approach them and he lowered is voice, ”I know what you mean Harris. I wanted to believe it was Jack because that is the easiest answer, but something just doesn’t seem right. I just can’t place my finger on it.”
“It takes a trained mind to notice what exactly was wrong with this picture. Do you know how Won was killed? It appears to be three very powerful blows to the head with a rock which crushed his skull. There are two things wrong with this. One, Jack is a farmer right? Then why would he use a rock as a murder weapon? Plenty of his tools, such as a scythe, would make much better weapons.”
Harris wiped the sweat off his forehead. He really didn’t want to say this, but he had to, “Second, I don’t think Jack has the physical strength to actually put that much force behind a rock to crush Won’s skull that thoroughly. There are only three people in this town with that kind of strength, Cliff, Gotz, and... you Zack.”
Zack stood there stunned. This wasn’t happening. No, he was joking. Harris had to be joking. He stammered out the quickest response he could give, “How can you accuse me of killing my dear friend Won? I was his only real friend. I’d never hurt Won!”
Harris sighed, “That is the exact problem. You were the only person who was close to Won. Most murders are committed by those close to the victim. You are my number one suspect.”
Carter was sitting on a bench a short bit away listening in as Zack continued to try and persuade Harris that he was innocent. It was so horrible. Carter had always feared something like this would happen, but he’d always sort of hoped that he was actually getting through to Jack. It was the only possible person. Jack was the murderer, he was so certain. Then why was he so overjoyed to hear that Harris suspected Zack?
He was a priest, he should stand for what was right, not protect a murderer. But he couldn’t do that. Somehow he had to get through to Jack. He stared off through the crowd to where Jack was sitting quietly by himself, his back against a fence. Why did you do this Jack? It wasn’t right. Something so wasn’t right. It made him nauseous to think about it, but the alternative made him sicker. He couldn’t stand by and watch Jack be condemned.
Carter interrupted Zack’s tirade of innocence, “Excuse me, Harris, I couldn’t but help overhearing your conversation. I have been counseling Jack for a long time now. He shares his innermost feelings with me. Jack isn’t a bad person at heart, he really and truly isn’t. And for whatever it is worth, I do not believe that Jack killed Won.”
Chapter 9: Restless Night
The rest of the day had gone by uneventfully, thank goodness. curled up in her sheets on the hard floor in the back room. Like most of the people in town, she had temporarily moved into the inn for the night. After all, they would be safer together. She had done her duty to the town today, when she overheard Harris accusing Zack of the murder, she made sure everybody knew.
It didn’t sit right with her, Manna had thought for certain that Jack was the murder, but then again, Harris was a professional. Zack and Jack were two of the few people who hadn’t decided to sleep in the inn. It was no wonder though, people were picking sides, and pretty much the only thing anyone was talking about was why they thought which of the two was the murderer.
Manna gave Duke a half hug, just to help comfort herself. It was a bit crowded, but it was warm and safe. She was glad for her safety.
Upstairs, Mary was having trouble sleeping. Everything was so overwhelming to her. She quietly slipped out of her blankets, being careful not to wake her parents, and crept downstairs. There were so many people sitting around at the tables talking, others, like her, that could not sleep. Mary sat down at an empty table and cried.
Somebody placed a hand on her shoulder and Mary jumped. She quickly looked up to see Carter, with an obviously forced yet still warming smile upon his face. Mary fell into his arms and cried on his chest. It was too much, just too much for her to bear
Carter held Mary, doing his best to comfort her. She had lost all control of herself and was shaking vehemently. To help calm her sorrow, he quietly hummed a little lullaby his mother used to sing to him, and slowly but surely, Mary calmed down. He knew this had to be hard on her, and this was the first chance she had to release what was inside of her.
When she had finally regained her composure, Carter kissed her on the forehead, “I may not be in my confession booth, but I will make an exception now. So tell me child, confess to me all that is bothering you, and I will do my best to alleviate your pain.
Mary held him close to her, “Oh Carter, I think I may have driven Jack to do this. I’m so afraid that it was me that pushed him over the edge. I didn’t want to hurt him. I don’t want him to hurt. It’s my fault Won is dead. It’s all my fault.” She started crying again.
Carter was shocked, but it wasn’t like he shouldn’t have expected this. “Mary, it is not your fault at all. Look at me.” He took her face in his hands and forced her to look into his eyes, “I mean it, look at me! You did nothing wrong. There is no blood upon your hands.”
“But that isn’t what it feels like! I feel like I’m all alone now, that everyone is blaming me. Why did I have to mess everything up?”
Carter put as much warmth in his voice as he could, “You are not all alone child, nobody is blaming you. Everyone who knows you loves you.”
”Not Jack... he said he hated me...”
”What Jack said he said in anger, he does not truly hate you. I give you all the love I can give, but if that is not enough, I have only one choice. Under the circumstances, I will forgive you if you go and sleep with your future husband Grey, but keep everything clean now. Just take comfort in his love.”
Grey did love her? Didn’t he? Mary felt happiness begin to bubble up inside of her again. She put her arms around Carter again, but this time in happiness, “Thank you Carter! You are the best priest ever! I mean it!”
Carter watched as Mary skipped off towards where Grey was sleeping. Sometimes he had too much of soft heart for his own good. He sighed. Just like with Jack...
The rest of the day had gone by uneventfully, thank goodness. curled up in her sheets on the hard floor in the back room. Like most of the people in town, she had temporarily moved into the inn for the night. After all, they would be safer together. She had done her duty to the town today, when she overheard Harris accusing Zack of the murder, she made sure everybody knew.
It didn’t sit right with her, Manna had thought for certain that Jack was the murder, but then again, Harris was a professional. Zack and Jack were two of the few people who hadn’t decided to sleep in the inn. It was no wonder though, people were picking sides, and pretty much the only thing anyone was talking about was why they thought which of the two was the murderer.
Manna gave Duke a half hug, just to help comfort herself. It was a bit crowded, but it was warm and safe. She was glad for her safety.
Upstairs, Mary was having trouble sleeping. Everything was so overwhelming to her. She quietly slipped out of her blankets, being careful not to wake her parents, and crept downstairs. There were so many people sitting around at the tables talking, others, like her, that could not sleep. Mary sat down at an empty table and cried.
Somebody placed a hand on her shoulder and Mary jumped. She quickly looked up to see Carter, with an obviously forced yet still warming smile upon his face. Mary fell into his arms and cried on his chest. It was too much, just too much for her to bear
Carter held Mary, doing his best to comfort her. She had lost all control of herself and was shaking vehemently. To help calm her sorrow, he quietly hummed a little lullaby his mother used to sing to him, and slowly but surely, Mary calmed down. He knew this had to be hard on her, and this was the first chance she had to release what was inside of her.
When she had finally regained her composure, Carter kissed her on the forehead, “I may not be in my confession booth, but I will make an exception now. So tell me child, confess to me all that is bothering you, and I will do my best to alleviate your pain.
Mary held him close to her, “Oh Carter, I think I may have driven Jack to do this. I’m so afraid that it was me that pushed him over the edge. I didn’t want to hurt him. I don’t want him to hurt. It’s my fault Won is dead. It’s all my fault.” She started crying again.
Carter was shocked, but it wasn’t like he shouldn’t have expected this. “Mary, it is not your fault at all. Look at me.” He took her face in his hands and forced her to look into his eyes, “I mean it, look at me! You did nothing wrong. There is no blood upon your hands.”
“But that isn’t what it feels like! I feel like I’m all alone now, that everyone is blaming me. Why did I have to mess everything up?”
Carter put as much warmth in his voice as he could, “You are not all alone child, nobody is blaming you. Everyone who knows you loves you.”
”Not Jack... he said he hated me...”
”What Jack said he said in anger, he does not truly hate you. I give you all the love I can give, but if that is not enough, I have only one choice. Under the circumstances, I will forgive you if you go and sleep with your future husband Grey, but keep everything clean now. Just take comfort in his love.”
Grey did love her? Didn’t he? Mary felt happiness begin to bubble up inside of her again. She put her arms around Carter again, but this time in happiness, “Thank you Carter! You are the best priest ever! I mean it!”
Carter watched as Mary skipped off towards where Grey was sleeping. Sometimes he had too much of soft heart for his own good. He sighed. Just like with Jack...
Chapter 10: Nighttime Guardians
Jack was walking down the street to the Inn. They actually thought they would protect themselves by gathering in one spot, where they would all be within easy reach. He twirled the hammer around in his hands pretending he was smashing somebody’s head in. The plan had been changed, but it was no big deal, in fact, it would be a much more thorough revenge this way. Tonight Jack would deliver justice twice that or maybe even more than he had last night, and they were helpless to stop him. He pulled his black cloak close around him, taking warmth in it’s shadows…
Carter was all alone. He was the only person who had not yet even attempted to sleep. Would there be another murder tonight? The more he paced the harder it was for him to even consider sleeping. He was too nervous to sleep, but it did him no good to keep worrying. Maybe this was pointless. Maybe he ought to just go home to the church. He’d certainly be able to sleep in his own bed…
Harris woke up with a jolt. Dozing off when there was a murder on the loose was definitely not a good idea. He was supposed to be guarding the inn. It was his duty to protect everyone inside. It was getting late; it was well past midnight. Harris yawned. He had to stay awake at his post. As long as he protected the door of the inn, no murder could hope to get in. He leaned against the doorframe and did his best not to nod off.
The door behind him opened up, quickly waking Harris back up. He couldn’t keep falling asleep like this! He turned around to be meet with Carter.
“Harris, do you mind if I go home? I really can’t sleep out here on the floor. I guess I’m just a creature of habit.”
”Well, you can go back to the church if you like, though I wouldn’t recommend it, and I would prefer it if you stayed here and helped me out.”
Carter saw how weary Harris looked, “Alright, so how can I help? It’s better than just sleeping on it anyway.”
”Give me another half hour, and I’d like to switch guard shifts with you. Just try to relax inside, and I’ll come get you in a little bit. It will be sort of like a double guard.”
“Alright, but you stay awake now. As a priest, it is my job to help the citizens of the town. I’d be glad too,” Carter went back inside with a bit more purpose. Peculiar, it was usually his job to make people feel better, but it felt really nice to have somebody do it for him in kind...
Jack was well hidden, and watched as the door closed behind Carter. Now was his chance. This would secure his innocence for a while to come. All those that accused Zack would die, all those who helped that idea thrive would die. Nobody would suspect him for a long time.
Harris slowly nodded back off. Jack watched as he kept waking back up with the occasional jolt. Slowly though, he kept staying asleep for longer and longer periods of time. It was finally the right moment. Jack quietly crept up upon the sleeping Harris, hammer gripped firmly in hand. He had to do this exactly right.
Jack let the hammer fall to his side and slowly swung it back and forth. With all his might, Jack brought the hammer up under Harris’s chin. Harris instantly awoke to the excruciating pain of his jaw being forced up into his skull. He looked deep into the mad eyes of the black cloaked figure, and tried to scream, but let out little more than a muffled cry. His lower jaw was firmly wedged into his skull, he was unable to open his mouth to let out the slightest call for help. He had barely had time to comprehend this before the hammer came back around for another blow, striking him squarely on the side of his head. As Harris fell to the ground, barely holding onto consciousness, the cloak around the dark figure fluttered loose slightly, revealing Jack’s horridly contorted face.
Jack was walking down the street to the Inn. They actually thought they would protect themselves by gathering in one spot, where they would all be within easy reach. He twirled the hammer around in his hands pretending he was smashing somebody’s head in. The plan had been changed, but it was no big deal, in fact, it would be a much more thorough revenge this way. Tonight Jack would deliver justice twice that or maybe even more than he had last night, and they were helpless to stop him. He pulled his black cloak close around him, taking warmth in it’s shadows…
Carter was all alone. He was the only person who had not yet even attempted to sleep. Would there be another murder tonight? The more he paced the harder it was for him to even consider sleeping. He was too nervous to sleep, but it did him no good to keep worrying. Maybe this was pointless. Maybe he ought to just go home to the church. He’d certainly be able to sleep in his own bed…
Harris woke up with a jolt. Dozing off when there was a murder on the loose was definitely not a good idea. He was supposed to be guarding the inn. It was his duty to protect everyone inside. It was getting late; it was well past midnight. Harris yawned. He had to stay awake at his post. As long as he protected the door of the inn, no murder could hope to get in. He leaned against the doorframe and did his best not to nod off.
The door behind him opened up, quickly waking Harris back up. He couldn’t keep falling asleep like this! He turned around to be meet with Carter.
“Harris, do you mind if I go home? I really can’t sleep out here on the floor. I guess I’m just a creature of habit.”
”Well, you can go back to the church if you like, though I wouldn’t recommend it, and I would prefer it if you stayed here and helped me out.”
Carter saw how weary Harris looked, “Alright, so how can I help? It’s better than just sleeping on it anyway.”
”Give me another half hour, and I’d like to switch guard shifts with you. Just try to relax inside, and I’ll come get you in a little bit. It will be sort of like a double guard.”
“Alright, but you stay awake now. As a priest, it is my job to help the citizens of the town. I’d be glad too,” Carter went back inside with a bit more purpose. Peculiar, it was usually his job to make people feel better, but it felt really nice to have somebody do it for him in kind...
Jack was well hidden, and watched as the door closed behind Carter. Now was his chance. This would secure his innocence for a while to come. All those that accused Zack would die, all those who helped that idea thrive would die. Nobody would suspect him for a long time.
Harris slowly nodded back off. Jack watched as he kept waking back up with the occasional jolt. Slowly though, he kept staying asleep for longer and longer periods of time. It was finally the right moment. Jack quietly crept up upon the sleeping Harris, hammer gripped firmly in hand. He had to do this exactly right.
Jack let the hammer fall to his side and slowly swung it back and forth. With all his might, Jack brought the hammer up under Harris’s chin. Harris instantly awoke to the excruciating pain of his jaw being forced up into his skull. He looked deep into the mad eyes of the black cloaked figure, and tried to scream, but let out little more than a muffled cry. His lower jaw was firmly wedged into his skull, he was unable to open his mouth to let out the slightest call for help. He had barely had time to comprehend this before the hammer came back around for another blow, striking him squarely on the side of his head. As Harris fell to the ground, barely holding onto consciousness, the cloak around the dark figure fluttered loose slightly, revealing Jack’s horridly contorted face.
Harris laid on his back on the ground, unable to move from the pain, realizing the futility of any hope. He accepted his ironic fate. How he had defended the one who was about to kill him. Harris watched as Jack brought the hammer up over his head. So that was how he did it, it wasn’t a rock after all. With tear filled eyes he watched as the hammer came plummeting down towards his chest. The pain was excruciating as rib by rib was shattered with a short instant. Harris’s heart burst open from the pressure and blood gushed from his mouth. He was dead before the blow had even finished.
Chapter 10: Nighttime Guardians
Jack was walking down the street to the Inn. They actually thought they would protect themselves by gathering in one spot, where they would all be within easy reach. He twirled the hammer around in his hands pretending he was smashing somebody’s head in. The plan had been changed, but it was no big deal, in fact, it would be a much more thorough revenge this way. Tonight Jack would deliver justice twice that or maybe even more than he had last night, and they were helpless to stop him. He pulled his black cloak close around him, taking warmth in it’s shadows...
Carter was all alone. He was the only person who had not yet even attempted to sleep. Would there be another murder tonight? The more he paced the harder it was for him to even consider sleeping. He was too nervous to sleep, but it did him no good to keep worrying. Maybe this was pointless. Maybe he ought to just go home to the church. He’d certainly be able to sleep in his own bed...
Harris woke up with a jolt. Dozing off when there was a murder on the loose was definitely not a good idea. He was supposed to be guarding the inn. It was his duty to protect everyone inside. It was getting late; it was well past midnight. Harris yawned. He had to stay awake at his post. As long as he protected the door of the inn, no murder could hope to get in. He leaned against the doorframe and did his best not to nod off.
The door behind him opened up, quickly waking Harris back up. He couldn’t keep falling asleep like this! He turned around to be meet with Carter.
“Harris, do you mind if I go home? I really can’t sleep out here on the floor. I guess I’m just a creature of habit.”
”Well, you can go back to the church if you like, though I wouldn’t recommend it, and I would prefer it if you stayed here and helped me out.”
Carter saw how weary Harris looked, “Alright, so how can I help? It’s better than just sleeping on it anyway.”
”Give me another half hour, and I’d like to switch guard shifts with you. Just try to relax inside, and I’ll come get you in a little bit. It will be sort of like a double guard.”
“Alright, but you stay awake now. As a priest, it is my job to help the citizens of the town. I’d be glad too,” Carter went back inside with a bit more purpose. Peculiar, it was usually his job to make people feel better, but it felt really nice to have somebody do it for him in kind...
Jack was well hidden, and watched as the door closed behind Carter. Now was his chance. This would secure his innocence for a while to come. All those that accused Zack would die, all those who helped that idea thrive would die. Nobody would suspect him for a long time.
Harris slowly nodded back off. Jack watched as he kept waking back up with the occasional jolt. Slowly though, he kept staying asleep for longer and longer periods of time. It was finally the right moment. Jack quietly crept up upon the sleeping Harris, hammer gripped firmly in hand. He had to do this exactly right.
Jack let the hammer fall to his side and slowly swung it back and forth. With all his might, Jack brought the hammer up under Harris’s chin. Harris instantly awoke to the excruciating pain of his jaw being forced up into his skull. He looked deep into the mad eyes of the black cloaked figure, and tried to scream, but let out little more than a muffled cry. His lower jaw was firmly wedged into his skull, he was unable to open his mouth to let out the slightest call for help. He had barely had time to comprehend this before the hammer came back around for another blow, striking him squarely on the side of his head. As Harris fell to the ground, barely holding onto consciousness, the cloak around the dark figure fluttered loose slightly, revealing Jack’s horridly contorted face.
Harris laid on his back on the ground, unable to move from the pain, realizing the futility of any hope. He accepted his ironic fate. How he had defended the one who was about to kill him. Harris watched as Jack brought the hammer up over his head. So that was how he did it, it wasn’t a rock after all. With tear filled eyes he watched as the hammer came plummeting down towards his chest. The pain was excruciating as rib by rib was shattered with a short instant. Harris’s heart burst open from the pressure and blood gushed from his mouth. He was dead before the blow had even finished.
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