After another few minutes of walking, he comes to the river's edge, finding the broken down pieces of wood that, at one point, made up a small bridge. He stops at the edge of the water, looking down into it. It's a good fifteen-foot drop into darkness from here, and the alcohol content in his brain starts to give him vertigo. He gags a bit, stepping back from the edge and shaking his head.
The young man reaches down, picking up an old splintered piece of wood that was once part of the walkway to the bridge. He examines it, before tossing it over his shoulder. In his drunken state, he never notices that it doesn't make a sound landing anywhere. He begins whistling again, or at least attempting too, as he sways, staring out over the gap in the land. Danny eyes from one side, to the other, seeing no way to cross. Especially not in the dark, where visibility only extends about the ten feet the light from his phone does.
“What sort of Country fucks would live all the way out here?”
Danny begins tossing the rock up and down again, lost in his own booze-filled head. He tosses the rock up again, and holds his palm out to catch it, but it never returns to him. This takes him several moments to realize, as his brain is still a few steps behind.
He finally realizes it hasn't come back down, and he looks around on the ground, assuming he just missed it. As he shines his light around, the beam lands on the massive boots of the Horseman, standing behind him. Danny looks up to find it's gloved hand clenching the rock over his head, and he follows the beam of light as he examines the large figure's wardrobe, finally coming to its lack of a head.
“What the fuck are you supposed to be?” Danny ask, confused. It takes a moment for his brain to catch up, thinking back on the story he just heard, and he laughs. “Oh, right. Headless Horseman. Scary, Dougie. Real scary. Come on, man, did that Harry dude put you up to this?”
Danny pats the large figure on its shoulder, watching the ash and dust float off it. He shakes his head, staring at the dirt confused. He looks around, half expecting the rest of the group to jump out and surprise him. After a moment of this not happening, Danny sighs, shaking his head.
“Come on, man. Let's get back to the others.”
No response from the figure.
“Dude, I said let's go. Come on.”
It still just stands there. Danny sighs again, and starts to walk past him. The Horseman grips the back of Danny's collar with two fingers on the hand gripping the rock, and yanks him back towards the river, with ease. Danny flies backwards, and lands on his ass hard.
“What the fuck is your problem, man?!”
The Horseman drops the rock, and holds up the piece of wood in the other hand that Danny had thrown just a bit ago. Danny turns his attention to the piece of wood, growing more confused.
“Seriously, Doug. This isn't funny. Fuck off.” Danny attempts to get to his feet, but stumbles and falls back. He laughs at his own drunken clumsiness, before extending a hand up to the Horseman. “Help me up, man. I think maybe I did drink too much. Don't tell Caleb I said he was right though. I'll never hear the end of it.”
The Horseman towers over him a moment before extending a gloved hand down to him. Danny nods, taking his hand and climbs to his feet, as the Horseman lifts him up. Danny brushes himself off, and grins, looking the costume over.
“You guys spent a hell of a lot of time on this. Could have let me in on the joke. You going to go back and scare the others?”
No answer; no movement.
“Alright, man. Suit yourself. I'm going to get another drink.”
Thunder claps in the air, and Danny takes a step back down the path, when the Horseman lifts the wood plank up, and jams the splintered end into Danny's throat. His eyes go wide, as blood spurts from the neck wound, and reaches up, grabbing at the wood. He chokes on his own blood, as he begins coughing the red liquid out, gasping for air.
The Horseman watches him, as Danny stumbles away, his eyes wide in fear and panic. As he backs up to the edge of the river, the Horseman takes a couple steps towards him, and rears back, kicking the young man out into the water. Danny flies back out over the darkness, and falls, still gripping at the wood lodged in his neck. A loud splash echoes up from the crevice, and the Horseman stands there a moment before heading back towards the group.
Danny floats along in the water, his blood seeping out into it, as he barely keeps his face afloat. As he continues to gag on his blood, and lack of air, his eyes roll back in his head.
CHAPTER XVI
Caleb throws a football over Harold's head to Dougie, as they play very immature game of keep away just at the edge of the firelight. They chuckle with glee at the kid's misfortunate of being stuck in the middle.
“Come on, guys! I want to play too!” Harold whines childishly.
“Then get the ball!” Dougie teases.
“What's the matter? Can't jump high enough to catch it?” Caleb inquires.
“I can jump higher than you, fat boy,” Harold snaps.
Caleb catches the ball, and rests it on his hip, burning a hole through Harold with his eyes. Dougie laughs at Harold's nerve. Caleb grins, clicking his tongue off his canine, and nods his head.
“Alright, I tell you what. You catch this pass, and I'll sit my fat ass down. Then you can play too, how's that?”
“Deal!” Harold yells.
“Guys, come on. Leave the kid alone,” Jackie speaks up.
“Watch this...” Caleb whispers to Dougie as his friend steps up close to him. “Alright, you ready? – Hike!”
Harold takes off running.
“Go! Go! Go!” Caleb shouts.
He releases the ball and it sails, a near perfect spiral on it. Harold watches over his shoulder as it closes pace quickly. He extends his hands, running full force, watching as the ball lowers in his direction. He'd show them he could keep up. Then he found the wall of a house. Bone, muscle and flesh collided with sturdy wood at full force, and a gasp of breath rushed from him as he immediately felt his lungs cave in.
Dougie and Caleb are bent over in laughter, tears rolling down their face as Dougie falls to his knees. Caleb hugs his sides. Harold bounces off the wall, he hits it so hard, and slumps there a moment before the ball bounces off the wood just above his head. He shakes the blurriness from his eyes, as he tries to get a breath back. But he falls to his knees, still propped up against the wall.
Jackie is the first one running to his aide. Tina, Sam, Amir and Kat are on their feet look towards Harold's direction. Kat hugs at Amir's side, but he rests a hand on her shoulder, before taking off for his friend, as well. Tina's hand rests over her mouth.
“You're a dick,” Kat snaps at Caleb.
Caleb looks at her and shrugs, grinning. “Need to be mindful of your surroundings.”
“He could be hurt!” Sam yells.
“Oh, we're just fucking with him. He'll be fine. It was just a joke.”
“Is that what you say every time one of your teammates gets a concussion?” Kat asks before storming off in the direction of Harold, Jackie, and Amir.
Jackie kneels down next to Harold, looking him over. She holds up a flashlight, looking at him. He's got a cut on the edge of his forehead. He still gasps for breath, holding his chest. She rests a hand on his shoulder, and he looks up at her. She can see the embarrassment in his eyes, and on his face. She pats him on the shoulder, smiling softly at him.
“It's alright. Breathe in through your nose, out of your mouth. Just focus on breathing,” she speaks softly, trying to comfort him. He nods, trying to do as she asks, but he finds himself dozing off a bit, as he leans against the wall. She shakes her head vigorously, smacking his face lightly. “No, no. I need you to stay awake. You hit your head. Just listen to my voice and focus on breathing.”
“Why – why are you help – helping me?”
“I'm a nursing major, I like helping people. Even if I have to stop drinking once in a while to do it,” she answers, smiling.
He smiles slightly, in return.
&nbs
p; “Is he alright?” Amir asks, coming to a stop next to them, resting a hand on his friend's shoulder.
“He'll be alright. Just hit his head, and knocked the wind out of himself,” Jackie nods.
“Want me to beat his ass for you, buddy?” Amir asks softly.
Harold shrugs Amir's hand off his shoulder, groaning. “Just leave me alone, man. Drop it.”
He slowly pulls himself up along the wall, and pushes himself off it, walking away. Amir watches Harold as he stumbles away. Kat catches up to them, resting a hand on Amir's back. Jackie stands up, holding her hands up.
“It's alright, I've got him,” Jackie nods to Amir, walking after Harold.
“She'll take care of him. Jackie knows what she's doing. She actually does pay attention to her nursing stuff. I'll give her that much. Come on,” Kat takes Amir's hand, leading him back to the fire, as he watches his friend and Jackie walk off.
Harold pushes the door of the Church open, and wanders inside. He makes it to the third row of pews, before he slumps down in a seat that's still partially erected. Jackie finds her way in, as well, and walks up to him, taking a seat.
“We're just trying to make sure you're alright. Nobody needs to get hurt while we're just trying to have fun,” she notes.
“I don't need you babysitting me.”
“I'm not babysitting you, I'm trying to make sure you don't die on us out here.”
“Yeah, well if anyone's going to die, it's going to be your asshole friends back at the fire. I should go back and...” he trails off.
She pats him on his thigh, and nods. “Caleb and Doug can be assholes, but – let's not go down that route, alright? They're not the type you want to start shit with.”
“You think I'm scared of them? I'm not!”
“No. No, I'm just saying – some people are fighters. You don't strike me as a fighter.”
“What do I strike you as?”
“A skinny stoner,” she jokes, smiling. He scoffs and nods, grinning. “But maybe that's what I dig?”
She turns towards him, reaching for his belt buckle, undoing his pants.
“What are you doing?” He asks, leaning back and watching her, confused.
“Helping you stay awake,” she grins deviously.
Amir and Kat make their way back to the fire. Kat rubs Amir on the back, as he steps past her to take his seat. She sighs, sitting down next to him.
“Is he alright?” Tina asks.
“He'll be fine. Just a mild concussion. Jackie's looking after him,” Kat answers.
Amir glares at Caleb and Dougie across the fire. Caleb grins, shrugging.
“The fuck you gonna do, Habib? Tell your friend not to be such a douche, and he wouldn't get embarrassed. Some games aren't meant for little boys like him.” Amir stands up. Caleb does as well. “Come on, come get some.”
Amir leaps over the flames, and Caleb catches him turning and slamming him to the ground. They roll over each other a couple times, with Amir ending up on top. Amir punches Caleb several times, before Caleb catches his arm, and rolls him over. He straddles Amir and begins punching him repeatedly.
The girls are on their feet screaming at both of them to stop. Dougie watches, taking a sip from his beer. Caleb climbs off Amir, who gets to his hands and feet. Caleb kicks him in the ribs repeatedly. “Stupid fuck. You want to fight? Fuck. You!”
Amir catches Caleb's leg and twists, sending Caleb to the ground. Amir climbs on his back and places Caleb in a headlock. Caleb gator-rolls across the ground, but Amir's choke tightens even more. Caleb elbows back into Amir's ribs, but he holds on tight around the bigger man's throat. Caleb starts to fade out, when Dougie grabs them both, pulling them to their feet, and apart from each other.
“That's enough,” Dougie growls.
He pushes Amir back, who takes a step back towards them, but Dougie puts up a hand. Amir stops, trying to catch his breath. Caleb coughs, rubbing his throat, as he tries to breathe.
“He started it,” Amir motioned.
“And I'm stopping it,” Dougie retorts.
“Fucker,” Caleb snaps, as he tries to reach for Amir. Dougie grabs him by the collar, holding him back.
“Take a walk, bro. Cool off.”
Dougie pushes Caleb in the opposite direction of Amir. Caleb scoffs and starts walking away. Tina watches him and climbs to her feet, following after him. Sam watches her confused, but shrugs it off, and turns back to the others at the fire.
“This was not the Halloween party I wanted to have,” Kat whispers, opening a can of beer and taking a drink.
Jackie's head bobs up and down in Harold's lap, as he groans softly, and watches her. He rests his hand on the back of her head. She looks up into his eyes, and he looks back into hers, smiling from ear to ear. He leans his head back and moans out as he climaxes, and she chokes a moment. As she sits up, wiping the corners of her mouth, and clearing her throat, she smiles at him.
“Feel better?”
“That was great,” Harold continues grinning widely. He pats her on the head like a dog. Her jaw drops. “Thank you.”
A fast slap across the face. He scoffs.
“Prick.” She storms out of the building.
“What did I do?” He yells after her, laughing.
Harold stands up to follow her out of the Church, when a window back near the front of the building crashes. He jumps and turns, looking into the dark room, only beams of light peering in through the window spaces.
“Hello? Is anyone there?”
He starts making his way towards the front of the Church, noticing the broken window. He makes his way around the front pew, coming up on the shattered glass laying on the floor. He looks around for a moment, before heading back towards the main door.
As he's walking, he hears footsteps crunching on the glass. He stops at the door, and looks back, but sees nothing. He squints, looking harder, but sees nothing in the shadows. He pushes the door open, and Claire's mutilated body falls in through the crack. He shrieks, jumping back, and falling on his ass as he stares at the young girl's body lying on the ground.
The Horseman steps up to him, a foot on either side of his head, as Harold looks back, and up at the mercenary. The maniac reaches his axe overhead, and as Harold screams out, swings it downward, splitting Harold's skull in two, all the way down to the floor. Harold's skull slowly slides down the blade, on both sides of it, making a wet thud as it hits the ground.
Harold's body goes rigid, and twitches violently, as the Horseman pulls the axe from the wound, splattering blood across the pews. The Horseman steps over the body, making his way out of the Church, but yet again stops and crosses itself at the door, before exiting the building and making his way off after someone else. The door creaks on its hinges, swinging shut. Blood seeps from the large gap that used to be Harold's head.
CHAPTER XVII
Jackie walks along the edge of the buildings, spitting the taste of Harold out of her mouth as she goes along. So much for her help being appreciated, when she's still treated like a dog. Typical college guy, she figured. Guess it's best just to stick with her father's coworkers, after all. She wipes her mouth once more, before reaching up, and letting her hair out of the sloppy pony tail she had put it back in.
“This is what I get for helping someone. Even if they are cute,” she mumbles to herself, before shaking the thoughts from her head.
She walks along the trail back towards the group. Jackie looks up to find the orange dot in the distance growing larger, as she nears her friends. The last thing she wants to be around right now is them hooting and hollering, so she stops, looking around for other options. Jackie takes out her flashlight, shining it around, and finds a small stone building set back from the main trail. She considers the bonfire once more, before walking off towards the building.
The large wooden door sits angled on its hinges. Years of wear and tear from the weather have taken its toll, and she pushes it open slowly, peering into the darkness. Jackie s
ees nothing past the reach of the beam of light from her phone, as she peers into the darkness. Dust billows up with each step she takes, making the air thick in the brick building.
Her feet tapped slightly against the wood floor as she steps through the sitting area. Broken down furniture lines the walls. A shattered fireplace sits in the corner of the room, with filthy pictures lining the ledge above it. She moves to the pictures, picking them up and dusting them off, to examine them. The first is of an old, heavyset Doctor, proudly holding a tool of the time. The next picture is of the Doctor and a lovely woman, his wife most likely. The third is a photo of several small children. All hand drawn images with great care.
“Cute kids. But old pictures may be worth some money at the pawn shop, eh? College is expensive, and not like you need the memories anymore,” she notes as she starts opening the frames, taking the drawings out and pocketing them.
She laughs to herself, as she folds up the photos, and puts them in her pocket. Jackie drops the frames to the floor, before moving on through the house. The figure of the Horseman moves across the nearest window, outside the building. Jackie drags her fingers along the table top as she walks through the dining room, looking at the plates sitting in various spots. Someone left in a hurry, she thought, as she wiped the dust from the edge of the closest saucer with the tip of her finger.
Jackie turned her attention to the kitchen, entering the next room as she followed the beam of light. The drawers had all been pulled open, and many items had been removed over the years. There wasn't much left to pick from. She grabbed a couple utensils here and there, but nothing seemed very valuable. A wooden spoon. A metal fork that seemed closer to iron than silver. She tossed it over her shoulder and let it clang to the ground.
“These mother fuckers didn't have anything,” she grumbled.
She noticed a larger door off to the side, and decided to give it a go. Yanking hard at the handle, it's long since rusted through. Jackie extends the flashlight over her head, and hammers it against the handle several times, until the rusted hunk of metal thuds to the ground. She grabs the door, and it creaks open, as she peers down into the darkness.
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