Introduction Part 2

The aftermath of the funeral had been draining. You and your mom returned home when all was said and done, both utterly exhausted. The whole day your mom had been crying or fighting back tears and you suspected once she got to bed she would probably unleash what was left of her grief into her pillow.

“I’m so proud of how you handled things today sweetie,” she told you wearily, smiling through watery eyes, “I know Grandpa would be proud too.”

Grandpa’s pride didn’t mean much to you, but you swallowed back that retort and simply nodded. “Thanks Mom, do you need anything else?”

She shook her head. “I’m gonna take a Tylenol and get to bed.”

Technically you had dad. There was a name on your birth certificate saying as much, but you had never met the man. According to your mom he hadn’t liked the town, chaffed with the idea of family so pretty much cut and ran once she revealed her pregnancy to him. It used to nag at you a little, not having a dad like everyone else, but your mom was always present and always doing her best to support you. She was the best person in your life and you couldn’t ask for much more.

“Love you, Sweetie,”

You hugged her, got a kiss on the cheek in turn, and then trudged to your own bed.

After the weekend had mercifully ended you found school was abuzz with moody energy as you arrived.

Whatever trivial teenage bullshit they had to deal with suddenly seemed inconsequential compared to the abductions. It was all anyone could talk about, and the lack of solid information from the cops on raised more questions. Were the girls still alive, or was they grim decorations in some sicko’s basement? Was the perpetrator a member of the facility, a family member, or even a student?

“Mike!” You felt an arm pull you into an awkward side hug as your friend Marcus appeared from the crowd. “Sorry to hear about your Grandpa.”

Marcus had pretty much been your best friend since first grade. Visually the two of you couldn’t be more distinct: him tall and black to your short and pale, athletic to your slim frame. But the guy was one of the most loyal friends you had ever known and he had saved your ass countless times from bullies when you were younger.

“Thanks, but it’s ok,” you shrugged, “We weren’t exactly close, plus...he was kind of a dick. ”

“Still, sorry all the same.”

You nodded at that but were keen to move the conversation to less awkward waters. “Anything happen while I was doing my thing?”

Marcus gave a long suffering sigh. “Tina got into a fight with Stacy Chapman, gave her a black eye apparently.”

“Fuck, again?!” You whistled in amazement. “Tina’s going to have every cheerleader in school on her ass now.”

“I can take ‘em,” a third voice cut in.

Standing there with her arms crossed and a confident look of challenge on her face stood the final member of your little trio. Like Marcus you had known Tina since you were small and over the years you could say she was just as much of a bro as any guy you knew. Hell, she could probably kick the ass of most guys you knew.

“Stacy went down like a sack of potatoes and she was already one of the biggest bitches in school,” Tina smirked and flexed a bicep, “pretty soon I’ll have conquered this whole place.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “Ok Julia Caesar calm down,” you looked her over again, “seriously though, you ok?”

“It’s whatever,” she made a dismissive gesture, “Stacy tried to corner me as I was coming out of the movies. Thought it would be funny to prank me with this mystery killer shit going on. So on instinct I decked the bitch. ” Her eyes brightened at the memory, “what about you? Did the geezer leave you anything cool?”

Marcus chuckled a little from your side. “Fuck, Tina. Show a little deceurum, man’s grandpa just died!”

She rolled her eyes. “A grandpa who never spoke to him and looked like Emperor Palpatine’s creepier twin brother!”

“If you must know,” you replied, suppressing a laugh, “I got left an old signet ring from ...I dunno, Grandpa’s college days or something.”

“That ring?”

You had totally forgotten you were still wearing the ring and lifted it to inspect. But a strange look came over Tina then, her eyes fixated on your right hand, following every movement attentively. Her breathing was heavy, her pupils seemed ...dilated? She licked her lips. In that moment she recalled a snake rising to strike at mouse.

“Tina?” You asked in concern, “you still with me?”

In a flash her expression had shifted back, she blinked up at you in slight confusion. “Huh? Um, yeah. It’s uh...nice ring.”

The bell cut through the morning air and killed the conversation as the three of you moved to home room.

You felt yourself grow tense right away as your usual home room teacher was replaced by Principal Harris. The stern woman stood stiff as a board as she took in the class with a brittle expression. Something was wrong…

“I know you’re probably wondering why Miss Berkeley isn’t here right now,” the old woman’s voice hitched slightly as she mentioned your home room teacher. “…it’s my sad duty to inform you that Miss Berkeley is…well….missing.”

Murmurs of discontent cut through the class immediately and you shared a grim look with Marcus and Tina. Another victim. And so close to home for you all…

“Now I want to assure you that the police are already looking into the matter and they are hopeful that Miss Berkeley will be found safe and well. However,” she picked up a sheet of paper, “after careful consideration it has been decided that starting tonight a curfew will be in effect across town. All after school programs will be halted, at least for the next two weeks. While I understand this is going to be difficult, no one will be permitted out in the streets after dark and anyone caught in breach of this curfew will face serious consequences.”

The murmurs of concern grew into murmurs of discontent. It was so close to graduation, pretty much all of the class had parties planned, study groups set up to help with exams and basic social lives they wanted to get on with. But the Principal was unmoved by all complaints, merely repeating herself about the possible punishments for disobedience before exiting the room.

You looked out the class window and saw a fog had settled over the school grounds. A chill settled over your whole being as you wondered what was lurking out there.

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