Halloween Carnival Volume 4

by Halloween Carnival Volume 4 (retail) (epub)

  YOU ARE TRESPASSING! YOU WERE WARNED! TURN BACK OR ELSE!

  I was definitely put off by the signs. The warning had worked for me…Kyle, on the other hand, found it amusing.

  “Nice try, Old Man Graver. His bark is worse than his bite, I bet. Let’s go.”

  He walked down the road but I hesitated. I felt weird about our excursion here. And more than a bit afraid. Everything was piling on to make it seem like a bad idea. The stories, the night, Halloween. I would much rather be pedaling down the hill and into town, where I would find my familiar haunts. What were we really doing here?

  I followed him, but my footsteps were forced, my hands shaking a little from the cold.

  From my fear.

  What was down here? An old farm with fields of corn and hay, most likely. A barn or two. The farmhouse where Graver lived. Pastures. Then why in the world did I feel so scared?

  We went on for long minutes, the darkness pressing close, the forest narrowing in on us. The trail seemed to go on forever, but eventually the trees dropped back and the landscape opened up into a broad valley descending down the hillside.

  And before us lay Graver’s Farm…

  It looked huge. There was a house to our right, and a pair of large buildings farther down the slope. The moon cast a silver glare over the entire background, but it wasn’t the source of all the light. The farthest building shone in the distance like a bonfire, gleaming shafts of yellow piercing the night.

  We stared at it silently for at least a minute, and then I looked over at Kyle.

  “What in the world’s going on down there?” I asked.

  But for once, my friend had no reply.

  —

  “I don’t know,” Kyle said after long moments. “Seems like he’s busy working on something. Farmers do work all times of the day and night, from what I know.”

  His explanation sounded weak to me. I wasn’t buying it. “This is too weird. Let’s go back.”

  “What?” He grabbed my arm. “We came this far and you want to go back now? No way.”

  I frowned, feeling extremely uncomfortable. “We’re trespassing, and I don’t want to get caught.”

  “How is that gonna happen? Some old guy is going to run after us in the dark?”

  “Maybe he has others who work for him. They might be able to catch us.”

  “They seem pretty busy with what they’re doing right now. You know what, stay here, then. But don’t ask me what I find out. A deal?”

  I thought about his offer and was really tempted to take it. But I couldn’t…

  “That’s what I thought. C’mon.”

  He walked ahead and I followed, more reluctantly than ever. Soon he went into a crouch, and both of us kept to the side of the road in the high grass, ready to run for cover if anyone came out. We went on, but nothing appeared. Cautiously, we crept up to the building where all the light came from, making for one of the square windows facing our side. My heart was racing by now, and I could feel tiny beads of sweat along my back. If Kyle was nervous, he certainly didn’t look it as he went right up to the window. He reached the ledge and slowly lifted himself up several inches, peering inside. There was only enough room for one, so I waited impatiently for his report. Seconds later he lowered himself, holding up a hand to his lips and pointing. Eyes wide open he came close, grabbing my jacket and whispering in my ear…

  “It’s hard to see much. There’s stacks of wooden barrels all over, and I saw people moving around. One is pretty close to the window.”

  I nodded, waiting for more.

  “He…looked like your dad.”

  I felt my heart skip a beat. My dad? What in the world would he be doing on Graver’s Farm? And working inside here? I refused to believe it. He worked down at the factory. I knew it for a fact.

  “You lie,” I whispered. “I’m going to see for myself.”

  Kyle let me go and slumped against the side.

  Carefully, I inched my way higher until I could just barely see inside. Immediately I spotted the large barrels. They were stacked all over, hundreds of them. I saw people moving about, lots of them. There was no one near the window, though, but I did recognize someone else. More than just one person, actually.

  I saw Pastor Jacobs kneeling down a few dozen yards from the window, his hands moving frantically at some machine. I mean, he was moving fast, like his life depended on it. Everyone in there was busy, going about something or other. Some at machines, others moving things around, a few of them struggling with a large black crate in the middle, but I couldn’t see what in the world they were doing. The entire building was lit by hundreds of yellow lights overhead dangling from the rafters. And then I saw a group of people sitting in chairs at the far side of the building. They just sat there, staring ahead as if oblivious to what was taking place inside. And I recognized a few other faces, even from that distance. Townspeople, at least some of them. It was the most bizarre scene I’d ever laid eyes on. I had no idea what anyone was doing in there, but I knew something weird was going on.

  My whole body felt numb, my head dizzy. It didn’t seem normal. Something was drastically wrong here, but what?

  I backed down, not willing to risk being seen any more than I had to. And I hadn’t seen my dad in there, but it was hard to make out everyone. There must have been over a hundred people inside the building, nearly all of them busy working on something or other. And I couldn’t see to either side. It appeared a lot bigger than the outside looked. Kyle stared at me and I shook my head.

  “What are they doing inside?” I whispered. “Do you have any idea?”

  “No. But I’m really scared.”

  For Kyle to admit he was scared was a major deal. He pretty much wasn’t afraid of anything…

  “I’m getting out of here now.” He stood.

  I knew it was the smartest plan, but to leave just like that without learning anything at all? Especially if my dad was inside as well?

  “We need to find out why they’re all here,” I said. “It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Yes, it does.” He leaned close, his hands shaking. “Don’t you understand? They work for him.”

  I was going to ask what he meant by that, but he moved away, heading back up the road. I stared after him, at a loss as to what I should do next. I looked at Kyle’s retreating form, now several dozen yards away. The old farmhouse loomed in the distance to my left, maybe a few hundred feet off as the road branched. It appeared dark, a solitary candle flickering in an upstairs window. If there ever was something that looked like a haunted house, I was now staring at it.

  And then, to my horror, the front porch light came on. Kyle stopped dead in his tracks and turned. My heart skipped a beat as I saw a shadow emerge from the side of the house, gliding toward Kyle’s frozen silhouette. It was unbelievable, a nightmare unfolding before my eyes.

  He took action, and I knew he had to be more frightened than I was, as the thing started chasing him. He was fast and was now running for his life, dashing up the road, and was soon gone from sight, whatever pursued him following after.

  I knew I couldn’t help him, and needed to get out of there now…

  I slipped along the side of the building, making my way downhill, opposite from the front road where we’d left our bikes. My only chance was to put as much distance between myself and whatever that thing was. I hurried along, not trying to think of Kyle and what he must be going through, running for all he was worth, away from the creature that hunted him. I couldn’t shake the image from my head, and I knew for certain it was the same thing I’d seen twice now. Once in Ryan’s yard and the first time behind my own house.

  And it also meant that the thing already knew who I was, and there was no way to avoid that conclusion…

  Not daring to let my mind wander further, I rushed along, quickly leaving the building and farmhouse in the gloom, finding myself on a new road, one that continued downhill. I spotted an old bus parked behind the huge barn, but k
ept a respectful distance between me and it. I entered the grass field that bordered the road, knowing that I had to at least follow its line or risk getting hopelessly lost in the dark and on the vast acreage of Graver’s Farm.

  With that thing still out there…

  Or maybe more, I thought. What if there are more?

  I prayed that I could escape from this place. I didn’t know what was going on and didn’t care, my only thought to get out of there and save my own life, for I was sure that it was in danger. Trees pressed in close to my sides, and I kept looking over, fearing that at any minute something huge would lunge out and come at me. It was a harrowing flight in the dark, my body soaked with sweat and fear. The moon stayed out, helping to light my way, although I had no idea as to where I was going. If this road went on for miles and led nowhere, I was in big trouble.

  I stopped for a moment, hearing something behind me, but far off.

  It sounded like a scream, suddenly cut off.

  It gave me an extra burst of energy, knowing deep inside that the creature had caught up with Kyle…

  I stumbled, nearly going down on some loose dirt, but I quickly regained my balance and shuffled ahead, my breath wheezing from my lungs. I was in good shape, plus the adrenaline bolstered my strength, but I was tiring. I maintained as fast a pace as possible, running for what had to be two miles. Surrounded by complete blackness, there was only the moon and sky to help guide me, and without the road, nothing. I lost track of time, but I must have run like that for close to an hour, and I was on the brink of exhaustion. Without warning, the road plunged around a turn and the forest opened up into a large parking lot where a huge building sat. My hopes rose for the first time since I’d left Graver’s Farm behind, and I struggled to keep myself going. Moments later I reached the building, and then realized what it was, and where I was.

  It was the factory where my dad worked…

  Amazed, I almost stopped, but fear kept my legs pumping.

  Now I slowed as I saw the guard booth and gate. Lights were on and the gate was closed. I looked behind me, but all I saw was darkness.

  But the road…

  …led back to Graver’s Farm. From the factory.

  There was unquestionably a connection here. And that meant I couldn’t go inside for any help. Even though I knew people that worked here. Including my dad.

  I slunk into the nearby bushes, unwilling to show myself to anyone on duty. Moving to the left, I maneuvered myself carefully away from the guard booth and around the left side, passing dimly lit windows and cold brick. I’d never liked the looks of the place before; now I absolutely dreaded it. Shortly I was past the building itself and stayed under cover of the bordering trees until I was off the immediate grounds. I hurried along, ignoring the pain in my chest and feet, as I knew I had a way to go yet before I reached the town proper. I was on the edge of it, where a few businesses were located and no homes. Streetlights were my enemy and I avoided them, keeping with the shadows and anything that helped obscure my passing. No one was out and the area seemed deserted, but I knew there were guards around, at least in the booths and entrances. It took me a few minutes until I left the industrial park behind, and finally breathed a little easier. Homes appeared before me and I knew exactly where I was. Still unwilling to reveal myself openly, I let my instincts take over—hiding among bushes, melting against the sides of houses and sheds, and running through alleys and backyards. I was a true child of the night, and knew how to stay invisible.

  I saw a few people outside then, trick-or-treaters with parents hovering protectively nearby and a handful of raiders, probably kids I knew. Halloween had arrived, and the town celebrated like it always had.

  Regardless of what secrets it held…

  I might have gone for help, but to whom? For now, I wanted to keep to myself and avoid contact with anyone.

  I didn’t know who I could trust anymore.

  Lots of men worked at the factory—some women, too. And I had to assume that anyone who did was connected with Farmer Graver and whatever the hell he was doing up there…

  My home was still a long way away, and that posed a problem. Tonight I was on my own entirely, and I dared not ask any friends for a ride home. Sneaking about a neighborhood I knew well, I looked around for something that could help me out.

  Soon I found what I was looking for. A ten-speed, sitting on a patio in someone’s backyard.

  I then did something out of character for myself. I took it. I figured my situation was pretty darn desperate, considering what I had gone through. I didn’t feel too guilty, although I was determined to give it back when I could.

  So I pedaled through the streets of the town, avoiding contact with anyone. It took a while, but I again found myself facing the big hill that would get me closer to home. There was no way around it; I had to go up.

  Staring about in the dark, I rode as hard as I ever had in my life, struggling to keep momentum. Eventually I tired and needed to get off, pushing the rest of the way on foot. I reached the top and never looked back. I had to get home and put this night behind me. Not much of a plan, but what other choices did I have?

  It was a nerve-racking ride across the leaf-strewn roads, but I managed to find my way back home without incident. I was terrified of the night and what it held, so I hurried inside and made sure everything was locked. Once within the relative safety of my bedroom, I hunkered down with Buffer in my arms, the only one I could trust in the whole world. I found comfort in his warm fur, keeping him close by my side. We both sat there next to the window, listening to far-off howls that drifted in from the cold October night. I didn’t know what it was, but I had my suspicions. It had the sound of something lost, wandering in the night without hope. I just couldn’t get myself to pull away and block it from my hearing, and not for all the money in the world was I going to venture outside and try to learn more.

  And so we waited there, the dog and me, the clock eventually turning to midnight. The one they called the witching hour.

  Almost at the very stroke of that dark hour, I heard the familiar sound outside of my dad’s car as he pulled into the driveway. And opened the door. Came inside. Moved about the downstairs, maybe looking for food.

  Maybe looking for me…

  Heavy footsteps stomped up the stairs.

  Down the hall. Closer.

  Pausing right before my door.

  In that instant, I found myself crushed as to what I wished would happen next. If he opened the door, would I reveal my harrowing experience and ask him what was going on at the factory? At Graver’s Farm? Did he know what had chased Kyle? He had to have answers, at least some of them. But would he admit to anything?

  The quiet was terrible. My throat was dry and constricted, my body tired and worn from my exertion. What would he do? What did I even want him to do, tell me everything? What if it was too horrible for me to know? I wondered about that possibility, and then I answered my own question. I sat there, shuddering, knowing full well what I truly wanted to learn.

  Nothing…

  Something terrible was happening in our small town. Something evil, beyond my understanding. I had nearly been caught that night, by a creature which was controlled by Farmer Graver to catch trespassers. It was that horrific, and also that simple. We’d been curious—and also foolish enough—to tempt fate, search for answers. Quench our youthful thirst for knowledge. And the result had been disastrous. For Kyle, and possibly for me. The outcome had yet to be determined.

  But one thing I was absolutely certain of.

  My need to survive.

  So the wait went on, the minutes passing in agony, and I feverishly wished that he would turn away, leave me alone. Keep his secrets hidden away from me. I didn’t want to know the truth. About Graver’s Farm. Kyle. My dad.

  Even my mom…

  And what had happened to her. Had she left the town on her own terms to escape its horrors, leaving her son behind? I believed that fear could do that to y
ou. Make you do terrible things, even to those you loved. Maybe that was happening here, with my mom and dad. Could I ever forgive her? Maybe…I might have done the same in her place.

  And then I heard the footsteps again. But they were retreating. Going down the hall to his own bedroom, toward his own isolation. His decision had been made. Whether to protect me, himself, even both of us, or simply out of pure terror, I didn’t know.

  Didn’t want to know. But in that moment, I knew our relationship was beyond hope. With luck, I could find a life of my own, away from this place.

  And my dad? His fate was sealed. He was too connected with Haverville and Graver’s Farm to free himself.

  It was the personal hell that controlled his life…

  —

  I survived that night.

  Halloween was over, and for the first time I could remember, I rejoiced in that fact.

  The dog lay on my legs, and he stared at me with half-opened eyes. They say animals have special senses. Maybe they can smell fear. I like to think he would protect me, make sure nothing happened. There was nothing else I could count on.

  It was Sunday, but what did that even mean to me?

  No school, of course. But after the events of last night, I would have stayed home regardless. I expected the phone to ring at some point in time from Kyle’s parents, but it never happened.

  And that worried me even more…

  I walked aimlessly around the house, peering outside often, looking for the enemy. But nothing. My dad was away, off working, of course. I was extremely thankful for that. I couldn’t have handled seeing him face to face.

  With the dog at my side then, I made a decision. I took a risk. A large risk. But then again, wasn’t everything I did a risk now?

  I rode my stolen bike down the road and went to Craig’s. Maybe I had a glimpse of hope yet for my salvation and the town’s. Maybe. I guess I was still looking for answers, although not the entire truth. Just…something to go on. Give me some guidance.