1.46
Detective Stephen Roberts had never thought he would ever have to deal with something like this. A conspiracy in his own town. He almost laughed that the absurdity of it all. He knew that the group holed up in the Kramer mansion was probably a bit crazy, but he had to admit, Spirit Lake seemed to be losing it's damn mind.
He slowly made his way down the long driveway towards the cruiser parked out front. The sun had set, and he could see the flashing red and blue lights bouncing off the woods surrounding the grounds through the gate.
He took in a deep breath, feeling the warm night air rush through his lungs. He could smell the lake, the trees, the whole world came to life in that one gulp of air. He couldn't help himself, he smiled. A brief moment of peace in a world that seemed to be exploding around him.
Then the image of Harvey Ridge, body hanging from in front of the library, splashed across his mind, and his smile vanished. Whoever they were dealing with, cult or not, they were some sick bastards, stringing that kid up like that.
"Ridge, Clove, you guys okay out here?" He yelled out towards the cruiser.
There wasn't an answer.
He felt a chill creep up his spine.
Stephen began to run, his legs pumping across the blacktop of the driveway. He didn't like silence, especially not now. When he got to the cruiser he froze.
Officer Daniel Ridge hung partially out of the driver's side window, his neck cut. His throat had been cut open, spilling his precious blood on to the ground. Standing next to the corpse was Officer Michael Clove. The man was cupping the spilling blood, then rubbing it against his skin.
"It feels so good Detective." Michael looked at him. "I can feel his life seeping into me. My skin absorbs it, you know it."
Stephen pulled his gun, aiming it at Michael's head.
"Don't move." His voice cracked, exposing his fear.
Michael just smiled.
"That won't do you any good." He took a step forward.
Before Stephen could shoot he felt something colide with the middle of his back. He went sprawling, landing on his stomach, the wind knocked out of him. He coughed, and tried to push himself up, but a foot stomped on his spine, flattening him out on the driveway. He felt two hands grab him, flip him over, and Stephen found himself looking up into the eyes of a stranger. It was a man he had seen around town many times, probably his whole life, but he had never learned his name. He was older, with salt and pepper hair and a slightly wrinkled face. His clothes were nice, neat if a bit plain. He looked like your average neighbor.
In the man's hand was a knife, still stained with what had to be Officer Ridge's blood.
The man smiled, and then raised the knife over his head.
"Your sacrifice will not go unappreciated." The man closed his eyes, nodded, and then brought the knife down, cutting into Stephen's chest.
Stephen howled in pain as the knife was yanked out, then driven back in, now just below his rip cage.
As Stephen's blood drained from his body he watched as the two men knelt down next to him, smearing their hands in the crimson pools forming at Stephen's sides. He watched as they began to rub the blood on their faces, then on their arms. They began ripping at their clothes, exposing more skin, covering themselves.
Then, slowly, the lights began to fade, and Stephen felt as if he was falling away, into a darkness, away from the acts of depravity that surrounded him.
Then there was nothing.
1.47
Roxanne sat up at the sound of the scream. She reached over, grabbing her clothes, holding them against her exposed body.
"Did you hear that?" She looked down at Julie.
Julie just nodded, then slowly stood, grabbing her clothes off of the deck in the process. When Roxanne began to speak again Julie placed her finger over Roxanne's lips.
Quickly, and as quietly as they could, both women began to get dressed.
Looking back on it, having a wild, passionate romp under the stars wasn't such a good idea all things considered.
"We need to get inside. Now." Julie's voice was a harsh whisper.
Roxanne nodded and tried to finish buttoning up her shirt. It wasn't an easy task under such stressful situations. Eventually she just gave up. She had her bra on, so the important bits were covered. She would deal with the rest once she was inside, safe.
Both women paused at the sound of a twig snapping.
It was probably nothing, thought Roxanne, just a squirrel. Oh God, let it be a squirrel.
There was a giggle, followed by more snaps and the sound of someone's feet running.
It wasn't a squirrel.
"Oh God." Roxanne's voice came out louder than expected. She sucked in a gulp of air, and turned, ready to run. The sound of two feet landing on the hard wood of the deck. She looked up and could see Julie's eyes locked on the other end of the deck. Roxanne didn't want to, but she turned.
Standing there, with her hand behind her back, was the woman they had seen outside of The Hub. The one who had been with her boyfriend. The one who had been holding the black rose. She was standing there, smiling at them.
"Leaving so soon?" The woman took a step forward.
Roxanne felt Julie's arm press against her chest, trying to protect her. It was a nice jesture, but it probably wasn't going to do much.
"Run!" Julie screamed, pushing Roxanne back towards the house.
They both turned and started for the back door, but the woman's boyfriend was already there.
"I don't think so." He smiled, then swung, his fist connecting with Julie's face, knocking her to the ground.
Roxanne took a step back, and then man matched her step. She was stuck, trapped.
She didn't even see the girl behind her, or the bat she had in her hand. She only felt the thick wood connect with the back of her skull, and then there was darkness.
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