by J. A. Areces
***
It was late. Jesse unsuccessfully tried reaching the wizard throughout the night by texting. Unable to do so, he did the only practical thing left to do, eat. He first called the Deli hoping that it was still open. He’d have a reason to talk to Cindy and order a sandwich, but it was closed. The Deli’s answering machine announced the store hours before rudely hanging up. So, Jesse ordered a large pepperoni pizza delivered from the local pizza shop down the street.
When the knock on the door finally announced that the pizza delivery boy arrived, Jesse ran to the door eager to receive his dinner. He flung the door open only to find the young man standing at the foot of the steps looking up anxiously.
“Pizza?”
“Why are you standing down there? Come on in.” Jesse invited.
The pizza boy scanned the building nervously. “If it’s alright with you, I’d rather wait out here. It’s ten dollars, please.”
Jesse shrugged, reached into his pocket and pulled out the money. He went down the few steps and traded the pizza for the cash.
The pizza boy’s hand shook uncontrollably as he tucked the money into his pocket without even checking to make sure it was correct or if he was given a tip.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I have…” The pizza boy said.
“You have? When? Where?”
“Listen, man, this house…it’s weird.” The pizza boy stammered. “Ever since the deaths, weird things are always happening here…scary stuff.”
“Like what?” Jesse could feel the heat from the pizza through the box.
“Late at night, when I travel through this street on my way to make deliveries, I hear things…laughter coming from up there.” He pointed up to the office windows. “It sounds like deranged laughter. It scares the heck out of me.”
Jesse glanced up to the large, double glass windows with the drapes pulled tight. “I’ve never heard…”
“Listen, man, if I were you I would quit this job. This place is cursed ever since those people died. Nothing ever happens during the day, it always takes place at night.”
Jesse watched the pizza boy quickly turn and run away. The scent of the warm pizza caused his stomach to grumble and reminded Jesse just how hungry he was. Convinced that small town people were more superstitious than city dwellers, Jesse returned inside and enjoyed his meal.
Jesse was determined to stay up all night and wait to meet Mr. Claw. He wasn’t thrilled about being involved in investigative work, but expected some excitement. Staking out was boring. Growing impatient, he peered out the blinds next to his desk, only to find the streets empty. The movie theater across the street turned off its lights. The last movie was over, and the employees finished cleaning up and gone home. Dim lights from the lampposts and a few lights from small business shops kept the streets lit. I must be the only person still at work, he thought to himself. Just then he noticed a homeless man staggering down the sidewalk, stop and face the store, and then shake his fist angrily before retreating into the alley that led to the back of the movie theater. He watched the man disappear into the shadows. It was the first time he noticed him, then again, it was the first time he ever stayed at the store this late. Again he looked at his cell phone. No calls, no messages -- nothing from the wizard. He found himself concerned for the man who in the last couple of days changed his life and turned it upside down.
Jesse stretched while yawning. The tiredness of the long day was catching up to him. It was the type of stretch and yawn that once over is considered priceless. The whole body appreciates the effort and looks forward to a good night’s rest. Jesse glanced toward the top of the steps. The boxes were still there. There was no change. He turned to his laptop and entered www.google.com. The familiar web search engine appeared. He thought for a moment. What to search for? He entered “Claw” not knowing what was his first name. The responses were too many. Forget that, he thought, I’ll be here forever. Then he thought again. He hesitated for a moment withdrawing his hands from the keyboard. Why not? He typed, “Mount Dora murders.” Another list of responses appeared. Slowly, he glanced down the different options. Jesse read,
Ira Lefkoff finally convicted of murder after three years…
He selected this option and a new site appeared on the screen from the local Mount Dora Newspaper. Jesse read on.
Ira Lefkoff, age 77, found guilty of six murders. Victims frightened to death.
How does a 77-year-old man scare someone to death?
Ira Lefkoff, retired, moved from Chicago after working thirty-five-years as a candy sales representative for Hershey’s. The first murder took place in front of his home at the bus stop, the others in the same manner every six months. Evidence inside the convicted murderer’s house proved that Ira Lefkoff was obsessed with fright tactics. Investigators found articles, movies and journal descriptions of how he committed the murders. All six victims suffered from heart attacks. Families and friends of the victims were satisfied with the jury’s deliberation. The convicted testified that he did not commit any of the accused crimes. He repeatedly vocalized that he was framed. Ira Lefkoff was found later that afternoon dead in his cell. Autopsy report revealed that Ira Lefkoff suffered a heart attack and died from fear.
“Weird,” whispered Jesse. He looked around the room, feeling watched. The boxes were still at the top of the stairs but by tomorrow morning they would be gone. Not this time, Jesse thought, this time I’m going to catch you. However, the truth was that he was hoping that nothing would happen. The truth was that Jesse was hoping that tomorrow morning the boxes would still be there and that all this was nothing more than a mistake.
Jesse was feeling restless after spending too many hours stuck inside Alivan’s Wizards and Witches Corner Store. He peered out the window again hoping to see something or someone that would distract him, but it was still dark and quiet. He glanced at his cell phone, nothing.
Jesse stretched and yawned with such intensity that he thought it would never end. He pushed the keyboard aside, crossed his arms on the desk, and laid his head down. Just ten minutes, he thought to himself.
Jesse was abruptly awakened when he heard something outside. He apprehensively looked around the store. The boxes were still in their place. He heard it again, shuffling, struggling. Jesse looked out the window. Everything was still. Even the laptop went into sleep mode. Then he heard it again, it came from outside the front door. Jesse froze. He anxiously observed the door as the handle slowly turned. It turned to the left and then to the right, then a slight push but the door was locked. It must be Mr. Claw, thought Jesse. I got him. I’m going to be the one able to identify Mr. Claw. I solved the mystery. Jesse rose from his chair and slowly made his way to the front door. Cautiously, he spread apart the window blind and took a quick look. Jesse saw nothing. Strange, he thought. He reached down and gripped the door handle and with the other unlocked the bolted lock. The hanging bell rang slowly, mysteriously. Jesse slowly opened the door and found a man standing before him in the dark. His heart was beating through his chest as he turned the porch lights on. An elderly man with sunken eyes and dressed in striped prison clothes faced him. He stepped forward awkwardly, reaching out zombie-like. Jesse stepped back. He moved deathlike towards Jesse. Jesse could feel his heart beating in his ears. He didn’t know how to react. The old man stood only inches from Jesse, and opened his mouth. Stale breath rushed over Jesse’s face. The old man opened his mouth wider and wider. Shrieks and howls filled the room as the mouth grew and grew. Jesse tried to move but he was too scared. The man’s teeth, stained and rotted passed the top of Jesse’s head. Jesse shuddered. The old man’s mouth completely covered Jesse’s head. Jesse yelled and yelled and yelled.
Jesse fell from his chair and woke up, his heart still beating rapidly. The answering machine followed crashing upon the hard wood floor. It took him a f
ew minutes to calm down and realize that he was experiencing a terrible nightmare. Jesse quickly rose to his feet and looked around the room, and up the stairs. The boxes were gone.