Prologue

Chris Wilson stood in front of his mirror, as he made sure his hair, mascara and black fingernail polish were just right. He looked himself over- dressed in a black shirt with a black pair of Tripp pants that had green chains that hung down on the side. He admired the man he had become, the man he had set out to be since he was a teenager years ago. He had a smile on his face, but the moment he heard a knock on his bedroom door the smile turned into a look of confusion.

His hands shook as he reached for the door knob and wondered who it could have been in his house. He was certain he was alone, since it was not even an hour ago that he danced around to loud music in his boxers while he cleaned the house. That was his own kind of party. Now though, it frightened him and sent goosebumps down his arms to think he wasn’t alone. As he turned the knob he felt faint, but with his eyes closed, he found what little strength he could and opened the door, only to an empty hall. He peeked around the corner where a breeze surrounded him and swayed the curtains down on the other end of the hall as well.

With ease, he stepped out into the hall and crept along the hardwood floor where he focused his thoughts on the pictures along the wall. The first picture he noticed was taken back when Chris and his best friend Michael Gable were 17 years old at a Friday night school event where on either side of the boys was a girl whom they both loved, Angela Stutts. However, unbeknownst to the boys, from that night forward things would never be the same.

Chapter One

Most of the weekend after the photo was taken, Angela had spent her time with Chris, which for him it was his first date and the first girl who had ever showed a bit of attention to him. It was a simple date of course. They had gone to the movies and yet didn’t even hold hands, but as simple as it was, it meant everything to Chris. He was sure the date was leading somewhere, but then that Monday at school everything was out of proportion.

He walked into the lunchroom in a blue and white checkered dress shirt and tan khaki pants- anxious to find both Angela and Michael, the only two people his age that he cared about. Although when he found them, he didn’t expect to see Angela sitting on Michael’s lap with her arms wrapped around his neck. Chris couldn’t move, he was breathless, not knowing whether to run or hide, cry, or even to pick a fight with Michael. Angela caught sight of him and ran over and embraced him with the biggest hug she ever could. He lost all train of thought.

My, Chris, are you losing weight? She asked. He was self-conscious of his weight as was, so the question was a bit offensive, but he kept his cool and acted as if it was just a kind gesture. Deep down though, he had a funny feeling that something was going on between Michael and Angela. He was right of course, and it hurt that he was right.

Soon after, it turned into where he couldn’t even hang with Michael without Angela following right beside them, or in Michael’s case, his arm over her shoulder. From then on there was just something about her that Chris couldn’t trust. He couldn’t put his finger on why, but knew it was bad.

***

Chris laid in bed and stared up at the ceiling as he tried to sleep. The phone on the night stand beside him vibrated from a call. Hello? he answered. Yeah man I’ll come down out there. He threw on a jacket and tip toed down stairs as not to wake his folks. And when he opened the front door, there was Michael on the steps with a flask in his hands. What’s up man?

Terrible.

Why what happened? Chris took a seat down beside him. Michael offered him a drink of the flask. No thanks.

Suit yourself. He took a swig, and stared off into the darkness. "It’s Angela, man. So we had plans to go to the movies tonight with my brother, right? Well we pulled up to her house and Barry said ‘I wonder what Eric is doing here’.

I walked up to her door and I could see her in the living room laying in that Eric guy’s lap in her pajamas. He had his arm around her waist. Which, by now I was pretty heated, and so I banged on the door. She answered all innocent, What’s up?

What do you mean what’s up? What’s going on? I thought we were going to the movies?

Calm down Mikey, I can’t go. I haven’t seen my boyfriend in a while and luck would have it we get to see each other tonight.

Boyfriend? Since when has this been going on? I thought I was your boyfriend.

About a few months before I met you guys.

You have had a boyfriend this entire time and we made love?

Yeah, but shhh, he doesn’t know about that, Angela giggled.

Forget you! I screamed and walked away. She tried to call me back, but I didn’t turn around. Well, not until I heard a WHACK! From where their neighbors were playing basketball and it went over the fence and knocked her rear end out. I couldn’t help but laugh, even though, her boyfriend ran out the door after me."

What did Barry do?

Oh my brother? He jumped out of the car and pushed me out of the way and faced the guy and said, You lay one finger on my brother and I swear it will be your last. I know you’re over 18, right?"

I’m 19. I kid you not Eric shoot where he stood. He was terrified of Barry.

19! Barry screamed. Okay then, I don’t guess you want to go to jail, so stay away from my brother. Let’s go Mickey. So we got in Barry’s car and that was that, we left."

Wow, so what happened to Angela?

I really don’t know. Mom didn’t even say she called. In all honestly, I don’t even care. She broke my heart. All I know is that you and I haven’t been close the last few months, and I’m sorry about that. I should’ve been smarter.

It’s okay man, you are here now. You want to stay the night?

Na man, I gotta walk around some.

Okay, you’re more than welcome to stay if you want.

Thanks, but I guess I’ll see you some time tomorrow.

Hey you want to go to the field and play some Shovel Rock?

We’ll see man, night. Michael stood to walk away.

Chris though, started to head back into the house when he heard a thump and turned around to see Michael face down on the ground and grunted, Thanks kitty! Chris went inside and laughed as he closed the door behind him.

***

As he walked through the woods, Michael thought as much as his inebriated mind could let him think, which was mostly about his family, Chris, and of course Angela. He loved Angela to death, and he thought she loved him. She was really the first girl whom he had been with. The first girl that ever showed an interest in him, same as she did with Chris. It was then he knew why Chris felt so bad all of the time. He didn’t even know Chris anymore, and really messed with him.

The moon shined through the trees which left just enough light for his breath to be seen. Sticks and fallen leaves crunched underneath Michael as he balanced himself from falling on his rear end. It didn’t help that he tumbled against every branch. The liquor really took effect on him.

With a little way from Angela’s house, something loud banged continuously up ahead that echoed in his ears. Sure enough, outside of the woods, a party raged on. It was one of her many parties that he was never invited to. Groups of teens had gathered around the yard with cups and bottles in their hands. "Well what’s going on here?" He thought to himself as he stumbled up the front lawn. The most he could do, given he could barely hold himself up, was scream her name. But no Angela came to his calling.

Inside, the teens were all drunk as he was. Groups of guys in red and white lettermen jackets were mumbling songs in a barber shop quartet style of music. Both the dining room and living room were taken over as one big pillow while drunks who had too much would pass out where they lay. Pizza boxes, bottles, empty cups stacked all around the sound system, while broken bottles scattered around the floor. Uneaten pizza crust stuck out in random places in the cabinets.

Hey you tree, where is Angela? Michael leaned toward a tall person beside him. He had thought he put his hand on the person’s shoulder for stability. Oh you are a tree. Well forget you too, piece of wood. Ok Mikey, bud, you’re losing it. Let’s think now. Where would Angela be? Could she be in this closet? Nope not there. Is she in her bedroom? Better not be in there with that Leric…Jeric…Seric…oh Eric, that’s it. I’m drunk. Why yes I am. To the bedroom!

He stood outside of her door, trying to keep it all together and knocked. No answer. He knocked again and still, nothing. Angela? He slowly walked in. Ange- Oh there you are!

He found her in the bathroom, her head was face down in the toilet bowl. Mikey what are you doing here? She whispered so that no one else could hear her.

I need to talk to you.

Well close the door. She pulled herself up and washed her mouth in the sink. What is it Mikey?

Ang, I love you! Why are you doing this to me?

I gotta go.

No, no not that. Why are you with that…that…that poo poo head?

Poo poo head? I’m in love with him Mikey.

No you are in love with me. Me Angela. YOU…LOVE…Me!

I do love you Mikey, but I’m in-love with Eric.

That’s a bunch of…I gotta puke. He turned around and puked. Hey, fishy. There’s a fishy in the toilet. Why is a fishy in the toilet? Are you going to murder the fishy like you murdered my heart?

No, you puked in my fish bowl.

Oh…well okay then.

I think you better leave.

Not until you agree you will stay with me.

Just go.

Come home with me.

This is my home.

No it’s not!

Mikey?

What?

Just go! Angela screamed with tears in her eyes.

One more thing before I go. He placed his hand on her shoulder blade and kissed her as passionately as he could. Her lips warm and gentle against his. You will be missing that by the end of the night.

Now he wanted to drink more, but knew that if he did drink more he would be in trouble. He held his head up high and walked out the front door and yet no matter how high he held his head his eyes were still a bit teary. That much pride he couldn’t hold.

Well I’ll be, a voice said from the shadows. Look who it is boys. Let’s have some fun.

Michael turned to his right and faced Eric and his friends who came his way. Do you think I’m afraid of you? What makes you so ‘cool’ anyways? You’re so lucky, you have the most beautiful girlfriend in the world. I could dream to have her in my arms…again, but all she cares about is you. You! Of all people. And you are willing to throw all of that away just to be macho and hit me? What a waste of life. Cherish it, be with her. He shook Eric’s hand before he stepped down on to the sidewalk. Eric didn’t know what to do, he was speechless. Angela stood on her porch and cried as Eric walked over to her and leaned against the doorway.

What’s wrong? he asked. He put his hand on her back and tried his best to comfort her.

Don’t touch me! I think you should leave. Matter of fact, party’s over! Everyone get out! She pulled away from Eric and ran into her bedroom where she slammed the door behind her. The pictures on the wall outside her door fell and smashed on the floor.

***

Down the road, headlights slowly came up over a hill and flashed on Michael. He squinted to see who was behind the wheel.

Get in the car. Barry ordered as he rolled down the window. Michael didn’t hesitate and climbed in and fastened his seat belt. He stared up toward the sky which dawn was now on its way and didn’t say a word. Barry pulled away and it was then that Michael let loose and broke down. Barry stopped the car and held on to his brother and rocked him to comfort. It’s okay bro, let it out. Let it out. I’m not going anywhere.

It took him awhile, but when he finally did calm his nerves, they ate breakfast and watched the sun rise.

Chapter Two

Angela cried herself to sleep. She didn’t know which to believe: either that she was wrong for how much she loved Eric, that she missed Michael, or for everything that she had done to cause her to feel this way. All she wanted was to be left alone and cry to figure it all out.

The sun was shining through her curtains, and the birds that chirped in the early morning that had woken her up from a deep hungover sleep. Slowly, she opened her eyes and rolled over on her back. It didn’t take long before she felt vomit rise to the back of her throat. This had been going on for a week or so now, where she had woken up to sickness. It of course only happened in the morning, and has only but gotten worse. She ran to the bathroom and released what was left in her from the night before. With her head rested against the toilet bowl, she stared at the frog wallpaper that for some odd reason had got her to think of Michael and of how sweet he was and that he really cared for her. It made her vomit even more. This, she knew, was guilt and even more with her nerves shot.

Before she could even begin to go through the house and clean up everyone else’s mess, she picked up the phone and called Michael. No answer. She then decided to call Chris, and thought that maybe he was with Michael.

Hello? He asked, as he pulled himself up and tried to make himself awake.

Hey Hun, is Michael there?

Who is this?

Your friend Angela.

Angela?

Yea it’s me.

What are you doing calling here at 7:45 in the morning?

I have to talk to Michael, is he around?

No he’s not, I don’t know where he is, probably at home in bed. He was here last night drunk, but he left. Look, he’s really heartbroken over what happened, I don’t think you need to be talking to him.

Yeah, I know, but I just have to kiss him and see if I love him.

"If you think you love him, then you really don’t." Chris hung up the phone without a proper goodbye. She expected that, but didn’t expect the blow to feel that hard.

***

She unlocked the bedroom door as she walked out into her hallway, and hoped that nobody was passed out in front of the door. Her eyes were puffy from crying all night, and her hair looked like a bush in the wind. Too weak to walk, she scooted herself along the hardwood floor. The house was a wreak and even toilet paper hung from the willow tree in the front yard. It’ll take days, if even that, to clean the mess up, but was the party worth it? She really didn’t know the answer to that. She stood, looked out the front screen door, and felt the cold winter breeze. All at the same time she did not even take notice of the couch behind her.

Sleep well? She turned to see Eric on the couch, arms crossed with a smile on his face. I want to know every detail of what you and that kid did.

Just leave it alone Eric.

"Leave it alone!? Leave it alone! He made a fool of me! How should I feel, knowing my fiancé is messing around with a child!"

Then leave if it hurts you that bad. He was a friend. Heck, you’ve messed around before.

I never cheated on you one time, Angy! I have always been loyal to you.

Oh yeah right, being around all your buddies. You have to be so macho, so cool. It’s so cool to cheat on your girlfriend isn’t it? Plus, it’s not like you’re ever around anyways.

Babe, I was here last night, wasn’t I?

Not really, I barely even saw you.

This is so not right; you cheat and I’m the one getting the 3rd degree. You know what? You are way out of line. It’s time to teach you a lesson! He stood from the couch while he took off his belt. Angela ran toward her room as she heard Eric yell behind her, Come here girl! I’m not playing with you!

She crawled to the back corner of her closet where she held on to the stuffed monkey Michael had got her at the fair. The walls shook from every kick Eric made to the bedroom door to break in. There was a THUD as the door fell against her dresser. She held her breath as there was only silence.

After a few minutes of just listening and waiting, she felt as if she was finally alone. All she knew was that she wanted to get out of the house and run to Michael and tell him how she felt. She decided that it was safe to come out of hiding. On her hands and knees, she pushed open the door. Nothing. Still silent. She looked to her right and then to her left, nothing in her way. Slowly, she pulled herself up and walked out a little way, and let the closet door creak shut behind her. Her bedroom door lay beside her with broken pieces of the door frame still attached to the hinges.

A warm breath of air landed on the back of her neck. She screamed as hands grabbed her shoulders and threw her to the bed. She had forgotten to check her bathroom, where Eric had waited for her with patience. She felt the cold steel of Eric’s knife press against her throat. You make one more scream and I swear this bed will be filled with your blood! Do you hear me!

Angela nodded her head slightly in agreement, where tears rolled down her cheeks. She closed her eyes, not sure what was about to happen, but she knew it was going to be bad.

Chapter Three

Chris simply walked on into Michael and Barry’s house, where their front door was never locked as long as Chris could remember. He followed the distinct sounds of a video game down in Barry’s bedroom in the basement, and then took a seat down on the couch beside Barry.

Whoa, hey! Chris, man, you scared me. Barry didn’t take but a second glance off his game.

I’m good at that huh?

Yeah, yeah you are. What’s up?

Nothing really, came by to hang out with you guys. Michael asleep?

Yeah buddy. He laughed and knew that with how bad Michael had gotten the night before, that surely wouldn‘t be feeling all the best today.

How’s he doing?

Mickey’s doing okay, just tired ya know? He just made a few mistakes, we all do. But you have my permission that if you ever see him with alcohol again, to kick his rear end for me. Can you do that?

Maybe. I’m sure I could if needed.

You see him as a brother don’t you?

Of course, you guys are like a second family to me.

Well okay then, there you go. Take up for your family, keep them safe.

You do have a point.

Oh I know I do. But what was you guys going to get into today?

Probably just play some Shovel Rock.

Shovel Rock? What’s that?

Come on, lets wake Michael and you’ll find out. Chris wore a mischievous grin. When he had an idea, there was nothing stopping him.

They made their way into Michael’s bedroom where posters of random movies, a few rock bands, and street racing cars filled up the empty spaces on the walls. Barry asked, So do you see anything we could use to wake him up with?

Umm…I got it, Chris said with his eyes focused on the movie poster to the 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre. He opened the closet door and pulled out a Leatherface mask from the top shelf. Here, this should do it.

Not really, you got to go all the way. Be right back. Barry left the room as Chris sat down in the desk chair in front of the television. He looked around and thought of how when he very first came over to play that there were cartoon characters on the walls along with matching bed sheets. And now, look at where they have headed in life- how they used to spend all hours of the night listening to music and playing video games or having their own horror movie-a-thons. Time had really flown by.

He was so far gone in his own thoughts that he didn’t even realize that Barry had returned. Barry placed his hand on Chris’ shoulder and startled him back to reality. Shh, Barry whispered, dressed in a torn up jumpsuit, gloves, and work boots. Chris helped him with the mask, careful not to touch the blade of the welcoming chainsaw in Barry’s hands.

On the count of three, Barry yanked on a string and started up the motor. Michael jumped almost five feet off the ground and landed on the floor. He screamed as loud as could be and cried as he tried his hardest to crawl away. Chris fell on the floor where tears just rolled down his face from laughter.

Dude! That was so cruel! Michael tossed a pillow at Barry, but the chainsaw made its mark. A cloud of feathers floated around the room. Barry picked feathers out of his hair and said, That was pretty good though.

***

So where are we going anyways? Barry asked while he was following behind Chris and Michael who each held a shovel and a box of golf ball size rocks through the corn field behind their house.

Just by Old Spooks place, Michael replied and had on dark sunglasses.

The field was once a corn field owned by John Spooks, who disappeared 40 years ago. The corn field now lead to his abandoned house that even though it is covered in shrubbery and vines, it still looked clean and new as it was before…to a point, besides of little nicks-and-nacs here and there. Some say he comes back to visit every so often, just wanders through the woods on the other