by RL Edinger
Deputy Brown was on his rounds when he heard noises coming from the woods. He called for Deputy Miller to join him.
“Do you hear that?” Deputy Brown asked as soon as Deputy Miller joined him.
“Yeah,” Deputy Miller answered. “It sounds like a fight coming from somewhere in the woods.”
“Let’s go,” Deputy Brown ordered drawing his service piece. Deputy Miller did the same. The two deputies took off in the direction of the noise.
As the deputies arrived, they were horror-struck to see the masked attacker slash Andrew across the back and hit him on the back of the head. They saw Andrew fall face down into the snow.
“Freeze!” they barked, pointing their weapons at the masked attacker. Instead, the person bolted off into the depths of the woods. The deputies shouted another warning. The person continued running from them. The deputies fired, but the person was too far away. The two deputies did not give pursuit; instead they attended to Andrew.
Andrew was not moving. Deputy Miller knelt beside Andrew to check him over. He was expecting to see blood on the back of Andrew’s coat. There was none. Deputy Miller took his glove off and slipped his hand into the slashed coat. He could feel the body armor that Andrew wore underneath.
“What is it?” Deputy Brown asked.
“He has on body armor,” Deputy Miller answered.
“He’s out cold?” Deputy Brown surmised.
“Yeah,” Deputy Miller answered.
“Do we arrest him like the Sheriff said,” Deputy Brown asked.
“What do you think?” Deputy Miller replied.
The two deputies lifted Andrew up and carried him back to where Deputy Nash was standing beside his squad. When he saw them carrying Andrew, Deputy Nash rushed over by them.
“What the hell happened?” Deputy Nash demanded.
“Knight and some masked person were fighting in the woods,” Deputy Brown explained. “We broke it up. The other person got away. Knight was knocked out cold.”
“He’s cut across the back,” Deputy Nash further observed. “Is he hurt?”
“No,” Deputy Miller answered. “He’s wearing body armor.”
“Do we arrest him?” Deputy Brown asked. “You know, like the Sheriff told us to.”
“What do you think?” Deputy Nash answered sharply.
“He’s done a lot for us and the Bayport cops,” Deputy Miller added. He looked at Deputy Nash. “He’s even saved your skin a couple of times as I recall.”
“Yeah I know,” Deputy Nash lowered his eyes to the ground. A few seconds later he looked back up at his partners. He was about to say something, when they all heard Andrew coming to.
Andrew opened his eyes to see Deputy Miller and Brown holding him up. Deputy Nash was standing in front of him. Suddenly things didn’t look so great.
“Don’t worry,” Deputy Nash smiled. “We’re not going to arrest you.”
“Why is that?”
“You’re a good guy, and well the Sheriff is a real…”
“Pain in the ass,” Deputy Brown chuckled.
“She’ll find out you know,” Andrew reminded all three of them.
“Not really,” Deputy Nash replied. He looked at his fellow officers. “As far as we’re concerned we never saw you, right guys?”
“Right,” they answered.
Andrew took a moment to get his bearings and immediately shook hands with all three deputies. He thanked them and took off in the direction of where his car was parked.
The three deputies returned to their respective posts waiting for the relief shift to arrive in a couple of hours.
Andrew walked to his car slowly. He was now certain it was not Wyatt. Whoever it was though, they were very experienced in the martial arts. Andrew finally arrived at his car. He winched a bit as he bent down to unlock the door. Once inside, Andrew stopped to reflect further. Logically, the next thing he would do is go see Storm at the hospital. But a nagging thought in the back of his head warned him that Sheriff Delsmann would be waiting for him. Instead, Andrew decided he would try and local Wyatt. The person that attacked him was of slender build and average height. They wore a mask to conceal their identity and black gloves to cover their hands.
Andrew started the car and shifted it into drive. The tires dug into the snow packed road as the car sped off back to Bayport.
From the safety of the dark woods a pair of eyes watched as Andrew got into his car. It was a disappointment that he had survived. A promise was made that next time there would be no errors and that Andrew Knight would most certainly die.
Chapter 4
“Collins, you’re next!” Coach Martell barked while looking at his clipboard.
Chad swallowed hard and looked first at the balding man in the blue and black jumpsuit that held his future in his hands. Chad stepped up to the rope, beads of sweat on his brow. Chad bent his head back following the length of the rope with his eyes to the very top to were the green tape was taunting him like so many times before. This was his last chance to finally make it, or get the only “D” on his otherwise perfect report card. If you gave him a problem to solve in calculus; to write an essay for English, or any other subject in school; Chad would’ve pass it without any problem.
“Move it Collins,” the whole class chastised him this time. Chad jumped up and grabbed on with both hands while at the same time crossing his legs and digging his tennis shoes into the thick rope. Chad shimmied with all his strength towards the top of the rope. He kept telling himself not to look down, not to let the sweat on his forehead keep him from reaching his goal. It took two long weeks to get to this point; two long weeks of all the guys in class making fun of him because he was the only one left that couldn’t climb the rope all the way to the top. This was his chance to prove all of them wrong, but also to impress Amber.
Chad’s muscles strained with each movement of his arms and legs working together in concert towards the crescendo of his ascent. Finally, and with all his body straining to keep his place, Chad reached out his fingers which were just inches away from the coveted green piece of tape. Chad swallowed hard and for a minute took in the surroundings below. He had the best view in the gym. He could see the girls’ class at the far end of the gym and there she was, Amber. She wasn’t like most girls he’d dated before. The first time Chad had his mom meet Amber, it was very awkward. Here he was introducing his mom to this girl with short cropped black hair, dark brown eyes, black finger nails and lipstick. She looked more like a vampire than the girl next door. But after they talked for a few minutes, his mom realized that Amber was a very intelligent girl and that the way she was dressed had nothing to do with who she was.
“Collins!” Coach Martell barked again. It startled Chad so much so that he almost forgot where he was for a second and nearly let go of the rope. Chad quickly recovered and with one last effort touched the tape with the tip of his fingers. He’d finally made it! Just as Chad tried to savor his victory, the class bell rang. He suddenly started to slip and the rope became too hard to hold onto anymore. Chad slid down the rope. The friction burned at the flesh of his hands, arms and legs without any remorse. Chad cried and let go of the rope when he was still a few feet off the ground. He landed hard on the padded mat with a loud, painful groan. An explosion of laughter erupted from the group as Chad withered on the mat with his hands tucked in his armpits trying to sooth the pain. Amber saw what had happened and rushed over. She shoved the boys out of the way, gave the coach a sharp look for just standing there too, and then knelt beside Chad. Amber helped Chad to his feet and walked him to the nurses’ office.
“Thanks,” Chad said.
“I was impressed,” Amber answered. “Until you crashed and burned.”
“Burned is right,” Chad replied looking at his hands. They were red and felt like they were on fire.
“Maybe this will make you feel better,” Amber said. She looked around first making sure they were alone and kissed him. Her lips tasted like black li
corice. Chad forgot his pain for a minute.
“Better?” Amber asked when their lips drew apart.
“Yeah,” Chad answered as they stopped in front of the nurses’ office.
Amber walked him inside and after explaining the situation to the nurse; she left to go back to class. The nurse had Chad sit down and took a look at his hands. She got some antibiotic cream and gauze from the cabinet. The moment the cream touched the flesh of his hands, the pain instantly went away. The nurse wrapped his hands.
“I have to call your mom,” she picked up the phone.
“Oh great.” Chad lamented.
Chad looked in the mirror, but it wasn’t the reflection he was use to. The young man in the mirror wore dark clothes and looked very Goth. Chad moved his head to the side to check out his newly pierced ear. Amber gave him a crucifix as his first earring. He picked up and opened the gift wrapped box that was sitting on the edge of the sink. Inside was a pair of fangs. Chad snapped them into place. Chad left the bathroom and walked down the hallway to his room. Today was his eighteenth birthday and Amber was going to take him out to celebrate. She told him to dress Goth because they were going to a special place tonight where she’d planned on giving him an exceptional birthday gift. Chad hoped Amber would approve.
Just as he turned off the lights, the door bell rang. Chad knew it was Amber and flew down the stairs to answer it. When he opened the door, Amber immediately smiled with approval.
“You two have fun,” Nedra said brushing wisps of grayish blonde hair from her face as she walked into the front room. She’d just gotten home and was still in her nurses’ uniform.
“Thanks mom,” Chad replied.
They said their goodbyes and were on their way.
A full moon was rising as Amber and Chad walked towards the abandoned building at the end of the long gravel driveway. They weren’t alone; Amber’s brother Seth and his girlfriend Gabriel, along with his friend Jazz and girlfriend Melissa were with them.
“You sure this is okay,” Chad asked. He’d just noticed the ‘no trespassing’ sign.
“Yeah it’s okay,” Seth answered. His hair was thick and black and he had several earrings in his left ear with a beaded chain running to one in his nose.
“Look what we hav’ here,” Jazz teased Chad and Amber as he flashed his fangs. He went on, “A couple uv baby bats.” He was a thin, tall kid with frizzy black hair. His eyes looked more like holes in his head because of the dark eye shadow he wore.
“Knock it off Jazz,” Melissa yelled at him. She had more of a Victorian look but still wore the black makeup and hair like the rest.
“Just teasin’ that’s all,” Jazz answered.
“And will you quit using that dumb accent,” Seth warned raising his fist like he was going to punch Jazz.
“Okay, okay,” Jazz grumbled. He liked the accent.
The six teenagers stood in front of a formable looking wood door. Chad wondered how they were going to get inside. That’s when Seth produced a homemade lock pick from his trench coat pocket. They all watched as he easily slid the pick into the archaic lock and with a couple of turns had the door open. Seth put the pick back in his pocket and gave the door a shove. The creaking it made upon opening, reminded Chad of all those old horror movies he’d watched on late night TV. He also remembered that no good came from the people going inside those haunted places either.
The entrance way was very dark, so Seth took his lighter and flicked it on so they could see. Jazz, Melissa, Gabriel and Amber did the same.
The first thing that caught Chad’s attention was this painting of a nude woman on the wall next to the stairs leading to the second floor. She was breathtakingly beautiful with her cascading layers of golden blonde hair, and very sensuous with her perfect form. The more Chad stared at it, the more he swore she could’ve stepped off the wall and joined them. Chad felt it belonged in an art gallery in New York.
“They keep trying to cover the damn thing up,” Jazz said all the while copping a feel of the woman’s breasts. “They painted over it, sanded it, and used paint remover on it. But it keeps reappearing. How is weird is that?”
“It keeps coming back?” Chad swallowed hard.
“Don’t listen to Jazz,” Amber reassured him. “It’s just one of the stories about this place. They’re just trying to scare people away.”
“It’s true,” Jazz started to say, but Melissa jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow. Jazz yelped and backed away. He didn’t like it when she did that.
“Time to go upstairs,” Seth said as he led the way.
The rest followed. Chad glanced back over his shoulder at the lady on the wall. He could’ve sworn that at the same moment her eyes turned and she looked back at him.
When they got to the dorm room, the three girls disappeared into the large walk-in closet. They emerged a few minutes later with a dozen large candles and an Ouji Board. The girls set the candles in a large circle. Jazz took out the Ouji board and game piece. Amber lit the candles and joined the rest whom were already seated on the floor.
“What should we ask it?” Melissa said.
“Haven’t a clue,” Gabriel added.
“I don’t know,” Chad replied.
“I know, I know,” Jazz answered. “I’ll ask about my family.”
Jazz placed his finger tips on the triangular game piece. He asked, “Who’s the next to die from the hands of the mysterious Night Blade?” The game piece didn’t move. Jazz tried to force it, but it refused.
“Let me try,” Seth pushed Jazz out of the way. He reached in his pocket producing a tatty piece of cloth. Seth took his pocket knife and cut his finger letting a small drop of blood fall on the cloth. Next were Melissa, Jazz, Gabriel and Amber; but when it came to Chad he didn’t want any part of it.
“Come on,” Seth said. “It’s just a game.”
“No way,” Chad protested further.
“Please Chad,” Amber pleaded, nuzzling his neck with a kiss.
It tickled whenever she did that, but it also made him always give into her whatever it was that she wanted.
“Okay,” Chad said. He took the knife and nicked his index finger. The sting only lasted a second and soon his blood was mixed with the others. Seth placed it on the game piece and immediately it started moving. As everyone watched the triangle floated across the surface of the game board finally coming to rest over the letter “D”.
“D for Death,” Jazz said with a howling noise.
“Knock it off Jazz.” Melissa hit him in the chest.
“Will you two stop it,” Amber said, but then froze. Then they all heard it.
“What is that?” Chad peered into the darkness just beyond the circle of light.
“It sounds like someone tapping on the window,” Seth answered.
“You guys are scaring me,” Gabriel said.
“But we’re on the second floor,” Melissa said.
“I’ll go look, you bunch of wimps.” Jazz jumped to his feet. He left the security of the light and walked across the room over to the window. All eyes were on Jazz’s dark silhouette. There was nothing, and then came the scream. It was a horrible, terrifying scream and Jazz bolted back to them.
“It’s after us,” Jazz said. His face was white and breath labored.
“What’s after us,” Melissa and Gabriel cried.
“The Night Blade,” Jazz screamed.
“I’m going.” Seth stood up. He entered the abyss.
Seth walked over to the window. He peered outside but saw nothing. All Seth heard was the rustling of the branches in the trees; nothing else. He was about to turn and leave when it felt like an icy hand slid across his back finally coming to rest on his shoulder.
“Knock it off,” Seth cursed to himself.
Seth returned to the group.
Jazz burst out in uproarious laughter.
Seth had had enough. He rushed over and tackled Jazz to the floor. Seth started punching him repeatedly. Jazz begged
Seth to stopped, but he didn’t. It took the others to finally drag Seth off of Jazz, who crawled away over to the safety of the window.
“You’re crazy,” Jazz spouted off, wiping the blood off his lip.
“You’re a jerk,” Seth cursed back.
“Will you two just stop it?” Amber scolded them.
“I think we should stop.” Melissa suggested.
“I agree,” Gabriel added, looking at Seth. “We should go to our room.”
Everyone else split off to the other dorm rooms, but Amber and Chad remained behind.
Chad sat on the tatty, musty smelling mattress. Amber stood in front of him and slowly unbuttoned her blouse. His eyes were immediately drawn to her lacey black bra.
“I couldn’t find anything to buy for your birthday,” Amber said removing her blouse and bra letting them drop to the floor. “So you get to have me.”