" What does this pickaxe pertain to the girl I keep seeing? What are the monsters? And why is there always someone dying in these dreams?"
I was turning into a little dream investigator, and to be truthful, I type of liked figuring out what was going on in my head. But, again, I couldn't put my finger on it. It was like a big blur, an unsolved secret.
Would I ever learn how all these dreams were related? Maybe I had to do something myself. Perhaps I needed to act.
Chapter 6: Action
The next day was a Saturday. I didn't have to go to work that day, so instead, I chose to return to my backyard and dig some more.
I didn't know what I was going to find, but I was determined to find some answers. I was ill of the headaches, but I didn't just want to chuck the golden pickaxe into the garbage. I had to get to the bottom of this ...
Literally ...
And the bottom of my garden was still far away, so without wasting time, I ate some breakfast and grabbed my shovel. Owen joined me outside, keeping me business in the process. It was hot that day, and the sweat was drenching my shirt, so I took it off.
" Howdy, neighbor," the next-door neighbor said as he looked over the fence and saw me dig. "What are you doing?"
I looked at him with a sarcastic look on my face. "What does it appear like? I am digging," I said.
" I can see that, but why?"
" To get a hole in my yard," I said. "Duh."
" But what for? Are you going to build a pool, or did you lose something?"
" A pool," I lied. I wasn't going to clarify my sudden urge to dig. He wouldn't understand. So he shrugged and left me.
I dug and dug. I dug throughout the day. Owen helped out a few times too, although he didn't get as far as I did. The neighbor returned in the evening.
" Still digging?" he asked. "Why don't you take a break?"
" I already have," I said. "I drank water about ten times today. Why do you think I haven't lost consciousness yet?"
When I said it, I all of a sudden felt the aching muscles in my shoulders and arms. It was a lot of work, and the unusual thing was that I didn't even know if I was going to find something. I just expected the best.
" Well, do not get careless," the neighbor said. "Some of the sand got thrown into my yard. Please watch where you throw that stuff."
I looked at him and said, "You know, there are other things I can do with this shovel too, like killing, breaking down somebody's fence, smashing somebody's windows, striking the neighbor; and there are many other choices."
He ended up being terrified and chose to leave me alone. Precisely what I was aiming for. Good.
A half hour later, I suddenly saw something. It was like hair or something. I kept digging around it and moved some of the sand with my hands. "Owen, come here," I said.
" Woof! Woof!”
Then I went back.
" Whoa," I said.
It was hair! But the worst of all, was that it was an entire head. It was a dead corpse!
" Ew," I said. "Where did this originated from?"
A little nervous, I kneeled in front of the head and dug out the remainder of the body. And to my surprise, it was the girl I had seen in my dreams. One of her fists was clenched, as if she was holding on to something. I pulled the fingers back and was stunned.
" The red piece of cloth," I said in amazement. "Who would have thought?"
Immediately, I asked my other neighbor (not the bothersome one) to go get a law enforcement officer.
Chapter 7: All Good Now
The next day, the crime was solved. The law enforcement officer had appeared at my home and had called over forensics groups and private investigators to find out what had happened.
I was being questioned, obviously, and I told them precisely what my experience was, how I found the pickaxe, the nightmares, and the digging till I found the dead girl.
" Do you recognize you resolved our puzzle for us with your unusual dreams?" Officer Daniel asked.
" I don't comprehend," I said. "I told you every little thing. Why am I back here? I told you that I didn't know the girl, and that I didn't do it."
" That girl was assaulted," he started. "Obviously, a boy was trying to rob her. He had a golden pickaxe with him, something he had taken that exact same day. But his greed didn't end, so he made an effort to get her bag and run off with it. When she withstood, he became exceptionally violent. Still, she held onto her bag and wouldn't let it go. So he used the pickaxe to kill her. According to his testament, he buried the girl and the said thing in your yard. It was the closest thing to the criminal activity scene that wasn't obvious and you weren't home at the time. Nobody saw him, so he thought he had gotten away with it. And even if you or anybody would find the pickaxe, he never thought you would be crazy enough to dig so deeply."
" I don't know what came by me," I said. "I just felt that there was more underneath the soil."
" And there was. The girl was below a lot of sand, and it's a true miracle you found her."
" How did you capture the perpetrator?" I needed to know. "Since nobody witnessed the criminal offense, how did you discover who did it?"
" Remember the red piece of cloth the girl was holding in her hand?"
" Yes. What about it?"
" It gave it away. Our research team consists of specialists when it concerns tracing finger prints, things, hairs, or any other forensic signs of who did it."
" So did you analyze the fabric and trace it back to the person who did it?"
" That's what we did. Yes. We interrogated a lot of people yesterday, and ultimately, it led us to him. One of the witnesses that helped us out, was a beggar."
" Really?"
" Yes. The wrongdoer's name is Albert, and he had the same red t-shirt the girl had ripped the piece from. In the beginning, he denied it, but when he found that we had enough evidence, he confessed to the whole thing."
" What was the girl's name?"
" Victoria. We sympathize with her family. She had been really missing for quite some time, but thanks to you, we were at least able to secure the killer. Thanks, Darwin."
" Wow. You're really welcome, Officer Daniel. I feel for the girl's family too. Maybe I'll go visit them one of these days."
" Good plan. Now, please excuse me, as I have more work to do."
Officer Daniel left, and I was left alone with Owen. The benefit for the golden pickaxe I had gone back to them, was lying on the table. Blood cash ... that was almost what it really felt like. I had gotten some finances, but I felt upset about this discovery. An innocent girl who had been killed ... who knew where this world was going to?
" Come on, Owen," I said. "Let's give this money to Victoria's family. It's the least we can do."
I put the bills into a bag, held the door open for my wiener pet dog, and closed it behind me. What a world, what a life ...
THE END
The Truth
Chapter 1: Foreseeing Everything
He grew up in a friendly environment, with people from all different backgrounds, races, upbringings, religious beliefs, skin color, or monetary circumstances. The Seffron Citywas a decent place, with a relatively small population. It was peaceful there, and nothing stunning or bothersome ever happened, except for on very unusual events.
But things have changed.
A lot.
The occupants have changed.
Every little thing is different now.
Everything is even worse than it used to be.
In fact, a ton of things are going terribly wrong.
Skyscrapers decorate the skies like gigantic interrupters of peace, numerous lights during the night and a chaotic crowd during the day. Sirens are heard regularly, and the state of the city is neglected by the local police, who are in desperate need of a valiant vigilante to come to the rescue when they cannot.
Tyrone is black. His mother and father were immigrants, as were many others in the previous generation. He is 22 year
s old and in the prime of his life. He enjoys being young and energetic, with the freedom to go wherever you want whenever you want. His newfound gift has been incredibly beneficial to himself and those around him.
Recently, he concluded what he noticed the whole time: He can predict the future. Not like a foreteller or some sort of soothsayer. Astrology has never interested him in the least.
No, Tyrone has the capability to feel what is happening before it does. It usually does not consist of everything, and the future always changes, but a certain instinctive feeling has always helped him comprehend the connection between what happens in the present and what the repercussions in the future are, more than others who have comparable insights. In this way, he can somehow predict some of the most impending events and the actions of others as a result of their objectives and previous experiences.
Tyrone observed he was different when he won games and sports, and when people started asking him things like, "How did you know that?" and "Did you just read my mind or something?"
Things that occurred were seen before they occurred, and the strong hunch he got whenever some hazard came his way, was more than simple coincidence, or so he figured. Now he is equipped with a strong self-esteem and a knowledge of his special skills.
After contemplating what he would do with these extraordinary feelings, he chose that he would use it to assist others.
" Anyone with more possibilities should go beyond the routine and use those choices for the good of other individuals," he reasoned.
Examples are plentiful. He is determined to save some individual here and there, just to make the city a much safer place. In order to safeguard his identity, he is wearing a mask and a superhero attire. He does not want his rescue efforts and his brave endeavors stand in the way of his everyday life as a simple resident.
Recently, for instance, a block ignited. The reason for it, they found out later, was a homemaker who wrongly let her dinner burn while spending hours on the phone and forgetting on the frying pan on the stove. The fire spread to various other homes beside her. Fire trucks came within a small time duration, and panicking individuals ranged from the houses.
" Is anyone else in there, madam?" one of the firefighters asked another civilian.
" I do not know. I came out because of the smoke," the lady said anxiously. "I thought I was going to die. I'm so glad I am safe, but how awful."
The firefighter approached another lady.
" Is anybody in those structures?" he asked.
" Oh, thank goodness. You're here! Please rescue my daughter," she sobbed. "I was attempting to get her, but a burning beam fell between us. I told her I would get help as quickly as I could. Please hurry!"
" Understood. We'll do what we can, madam," the fireman said. "Hey you, you, and you! Follow me into that building. Bring the fire distinguishers. Quickly. There's a girl in there. We need to take her out immediately."
" Yes, sir."
The four firemen got their devices and ran towards the building. Inside it was a mess. Smoke was all over, and things were burning all around them. There was only a little chance this girl would be alive anyhow, but at least they had to do their best they thought.
Getting here in the rooms, they could barely see anything, despite their masks.
" There's no way to get through," one of them said.
" I do not even know where to go. We have to look out or one of us will die here as well," another said.
" Ugh ... ughh ... can you guys see anybody?"
" There! It's a. wait a minute ... that can't be a little girl. Are you seeing this?"
" Hey mister, what are you doing in here? Go out before you can! This place is going to collapse!"
But the shady figure didn't move. He stood there, waiting as if he expected something to happen within seconds. Then it took place. The ceiling dropped and surrounded the boy with its pieces of burning particles. He still stood there. He didn't move a muscle.
" No, it can't be," one of the firefighter said, widening the pupils in his eyes while looking at the scene in front of him.
" Astounding," another said.
" Did you just see that? It was as if he knew exactly where the damaged ceiling was going to fall. He didn't even get scraped!"
" Something's wrong," the head fireman said.
Before they could say another word, the young man used the exact same damaged ceiling parts to pull himself up to the 2nd floor and vanish from the sight of the firefighters. What he was doing they could only guess at this time, but the smoke was becoming too thick and the flames would melt their unique suits. They couldn't stand the heat anymore.
" We need to go," one of the firefighters said.
" We can't. What about the girl?"
" We did our best. There's nothing left to do here. I understand how tragic it is to leave her alone, but perhaps we can find another method. We have to exit the building. Follow me."
The firefighters got out of the burning edifice and walked around it to find a different way to enter it. All without results. It looked like the building was done for, and with that everyone inside too.
The mother was crying. There was no consoling her. She refused to be comforted. She felt guiltier than ever. Why did she ever leave her daughter when she was her only hope?
" What sort of a mom am I?" she said in sorrow.
" The kind that tries to save her own life, madam ..." the fireman answered. But before he went on, he realized that every word would just add to her depressive state. He didn't blame her at all. If only there were a way this could have been prevented, he thought. It was too late now. They tried and they came a cropper. This is the part of the job he disliked so much.
But then there was a sound.
Everyone checked out the direction of the building, lifting their look with a renewed, small particle of hope. The vapors were thick, but the image quickly ended up being clearer. The boy emerged from the flames and the smoking air, holding the living daughter of the mourning mom in his arms. Mouths fell open, hearts began beating quicker, and the mother of the girl came running at this strange rescuer, thanking him and feeling grateful she could carry her breathing offspring in her arms.
" Thank you," she said. "Whoever you are, I will always be grateful."
" You're welcome," the black man with the mask said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have other things to do."
With that, he ran.
" Wait," the mom said, reaching with her one hand.
But the hero had disappeared. However, he pulled that off, the firefighters would never understand it. The chances were so much against him that they considered it a true miracle, and so did the relieved mother.
This was just the first of many important acts to come.
Another case was less daring but similarly significant. The media was all over it. The moment was tense, and the crowd was anxious. Cams were being held by a dozen people, attempting to get a good angle or a good shot of the unfolding scene. Oohs and aahs were said by many as the masses looked up at a single man on the edge of a building terrace, some one hundred feet in the air.
" Do not do it!" they were shouting.
" It's not worth it! Consider it!"
The shouting voices were nothing but stifled echoes in the distance. The man didn't care. He had had it. It was over. What else did he have to live for? His marriage partner left him and his dire financial circumstances was impossible to enhance. His self-confidence was shattered, as were his purpose and his perspective on happiness itself. He was going to jump. It would be better that way, he told himself. No one would lament the loss of his useless life. He was certain of that.
Colleagues stood helplessly by in the windows, not bold to come near the hazardous edge of the building. They wanted to stop this ineffective act of anguish more than anything they loved at that moment, but their incompetence had no borders. They just didn't have the guts to come to the rescue.
Nevertheless, the exact same mask
ed hero appeared again in this seemingly hopeless situation. Determined to save this man's life, he jumped up the stairs, running as if his own life depended on it. After reaching the distressed man, he got on the edge of the balcony and stood there, next to him and beckoning him to get his hand.
" What for?" the man said. "My life is pointless anyhow. I have no reason to live."
" You know that's not true," Tyrone said. "I dare you to name three people who at least care about you enough to live."
" Are you kidding?" the man asked. "Nobody appreciates me."
" What about all those people down there?" Tyrone asked.
" They do not care. They just want the news to be spectacular enough to get more viewers to watch their channel."
" Well, what about your colleagues?" Tyrone asked, pointing at his colleagues in the window.
" I do not think they would be devastated if I died," the man said with tears in his eyes.
" What about your kids? Do you have any kids?" Tyrone asked.
The man stopped briefly. He couldn't manage his feelings. He felt deserted and lonely, but the loving kids who visited him every weekend were crazy about him regardless of his defects. He knew that for sure. He broke down and wept.
" You know what? You're right. Life is tough, but I do have something to live for," he said.
" Then grab my hand," Tyrone firmly insisted. "And we'll get you the mental help you need."
The man reached out and tried to get Tyrone's hand.
But he slipped.
He was about to fall anyway, but not on purpose.
It was a frightening moment for everyone who was watching. But not for Tyrone. His brain determined every inch that would move in the near future. He knew where the man was going to hold on and where he was going to let go. In an immediate, Tyrone bent over and got the wrist of the slipping man, balancing himself and the preyed on individual perfectly before pulling him over the edge and assisting him back inside.
Anthology of Horror Stories Page 2