High School Horror
by Shelly

Chapter 1


"Would you come on AJ," Marie giggled, her waist length auburn waves blowing gently in the breeze. She impatiently waited on her front porch for her slow poke boyfriend. "Stop stuffing your face and let’s go! We’ll be late!"

AJ shoveled one last forkful of eggs into his mouth and gulped down the rest of his glass of orange juice. "Thanks Mrs. Griffin," he called as he grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder and exited the house. He stopped on the porch, giving Marie a kiss on the cheek.

"I swear you eat more than anyone I have ever seen," Marie said chuckling, her emerald eyes twinkling in the sunlight. He stuck his tongue out at her and went to start the car. Shaking her head with a chuckle she turned back to the house and called, "Joey, if you want a ride then get your ass in gear!"

"I’m coming," Joseph called, scooping up his books and various papers. "See you after school, Ma," he called and rushed out of the house. He slipped into the backseat of AJ’s car, grimacing at the sight of his twin sister and her boyfriend making out. He loudly cleared his throat and the two separated, Marie blushing slightly. "Could we stop by and pick up Christy," Joseph asked.

"Sure thing," AJ said pulling out of the driveway. Marie leaned forward and turned on the radio, searching for music. With a sigh she gave up, leaving it on a news report.

"This just in," the reporter said. "Westcraven Asylum is reporting that Chris J. Parks escaped late last night. Parks had been in the asylum for nearly ten years after being convicted of the murders of ten people. He referred to himself as Abyss and used a vast array of weapons to mutilate his victims. Parks was found clinically insane and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in the care of the doctors at Westcraven Asylum. If you see Parks, please do not attempt to make contact. He is considered to be extremely dangerous and possibly armed. The number to call to report a sighting is 1-800-522-7299."

"Creepy," Marie said, switching to another station. "I give up," she said leaving it on another news report.

"Local authorities in Westcraven have reported the bodies of three teenagers," the female reporter said. "Charles Ashenhoff, Nelson Erazo and Shawn Hernandez were found mutilated on the Westcraven High School basketball court."

"Holy shit," AJ said. "That’s LAX. Damn. Our basketball team won’t be the same now."

"Is that all you’re worried about," Marie asked slapping AJ’s shoulder. "Three people are dead!"

"Hey, we had a shot at the championship this year," AJ replied.

"I wonder if this has anything to do with that patient that escaped," Joseph wondered out loud.

"Local authorities will not comment on whether this is the work of escaped mental patient Chris J. Parks," the reporter said. Marie shut off the radio.

"Does that answer your question, Joey," she asked. Joseph nodded.

Moments later they pulled up at Christy’s house. She was waiting outside. "She’s in her cheerleader outfit," Joseph said smiling.

"God bless the cheerleaders," AJ said, also smiling.

Marie smacked him upside the head. "Your girlfriend is sitting right here," she said crossing her arms across her chest.

"And you’re the most beautiful girl in the world," AJ replied, trying to kiss her.

She shoved his face away and rolled her eyes at him. "You’re pathetic," she replied.

He pouted at her. "Baby, you know I love you, right," he asked.

"I love you too," she replied. "That doesn’t mean you can drool over another woman right in front of me."

"Hi," Christy said as she slipped into the backseat and gave Joseph a kiss. "Did you hear about what happened to LAX? It’s just awful."

"Maybe we’ll get lucky and the teachers won’t have us do any work today," AJ said.

"You’re a jerk," Marie said, glaring at him.

"And you love me for it," AJ replied with a smirk.

"I’m not talking to you anymore," Marie said crossing her arms across her chest. "So, Christy, do you think you and the girls will be ready for the competition this year?"

"Looks like you screwed up," Joseph said to AJ with a chuckle.

"Shut up," AJ grumbled.

For the rest of the trip to school Marie and Christy chattered away about cheerleading. Joseph would occasionally interject with a joke aimed at AJ. By the time they arrived at school Marie was talking to AJ again.

AJ took Marie’s bag and slipped his arm around her waist. Joseph did the same with Christy and the four headed toward the main building of the school. They could see reporters and news cameras swarming the basketball court where the bodies had been found. A small group of students stood watching the crime scene investigators working.

"That where they found the bodies," AJ asked one of the students.

"Yup," Christopher Daniels replied. "This is so fucked up. It’s like a scene out of one of those CSI shows."

"I heard that they never found the eyes," Jeff Hardy added.

"Hardy, what are you smoking," Scott Levy asked. "I saw the damn bodies. They had their eyes."

"Well, something was missing," Jeff retorted.

"Yeah, their blood," Levy replied. "They were mutilated fuck wad."

"Not only that, but their brains were sucked out from the ears. I’m tellin’ ya, it’s the work of zombies," Jeff replied.

"See there you go again making shit up," Levy said. "I swear you need to use the spray paint in a well ventilated area. The fumes are fuckin’ with your brain. Then again, I don’t believe you have one."

"Nice to see you haven’t changed," Marie said with a smirk. "You’re still the smart assed boy I went to grammar school with."

"And I see you’re shooting higher on the totem pole when it comes to boyfriends," Levy replied. "Scored yourself the captain of the football team now, did ya? Bet Harris is eating his heart out." Marie was about to reply, but he cut her off. "Oh wait…no…he’s perfectly happy with his cheerleader, Gail."

"Enough lollygagging people," Zabyszko called to the students gathering. "Move it along. Get to class." The students filed in through the front doors of the school. Their vice principal monitoring their every move. "Get a move on, people!"

"Larry, relax," Levy said patting him on the back.

"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Mr. Zabyszko, Levy," he demanded.

"Whatever, Larry," Levy said. "You have a nice day now." He walked away leaving Zabyszko shaking his head. Students passing him chuckled as they read the sign that Levy had taped to his back. In bold black letters it said I'm an asshole.

Chapter 2

Straight from homeroom the students were ushered into the auditorium for a special assembly. Principal Jim Cornette stood on the stage at the podium watching the students file into their seats. Zabyszko stood at the door trying to speed up the process.

"Move it along," he called to the students. "Stop goofing off and get in your seats!"

Once everyone was seated Cornette addressed the school. "Good morning, students and faculty," he began. "As many of you may have heard this morning, we have had a tragedy happen on school grounds. Late last night three students came to play a game of basketball and wound up losing their lives." He surveyed the crowd a moment before he continued.

"Charles Ashenhoff, Nelson Erazo and Shawn Hernandez, better known amongst the student body as the Latin American Exchange were brutally murdered. We’re all struggling to understand why this happened. I have been informed that the authorities are doing everything in their power to find the person responsible for this terrible tragedy." He took a moment to glance over his notes before continuing.

"As a result the basketball courts are off limits. They are considered a crime scene and no student or faculty member is to set foot anywhere near them. There will be a severe penalty to anyone who does."

"Son of a bitch," AJ muttered. "I was hoping to get in a game or two after school." Marie simply glared at him a moment before turning her attention back to Cornette.

"Secondly, all after school clubs and sports have been suspended for the rest of the week. It is advised that you go straight home after school. Do not linger on school property past school hours. That brings me to my final issue of the morning," he said taking a deep breath. "For today and the remainder of the week classes have been shorted to twenty minute periods." By this time Zabyszko had made his way to the stage and stood beside Cornette. "I believe Vice Principal Zabyszko has a few words he would like to say to you all." He handed over the podium to Zabyszko.

"Good morning, students," he said.

"Morning, jackass," Levy muttered under his breath causing AJ, Joseph and Christy to giggle. Marie groaned and shook her head.

"Now, I would like to address the matter of the graffiti in the second floor men’s room," Zabyszko said. "Rest assured that the violator or violators will be found and punished for their actions. I’m sure your fellow students do not enjoy reading about what certain cheerleaders will do for money." This caused several students to giggle. "It’s not funny people! This is a serious offense and could result in detention and or expulsion."

"Thank you, Mr. Zabyszko," Cornette said, seeing that the students were one by one starting to giggle uncontrollably. "I think it’s best if we end here and send the students off to class. If any of you need to talk about the tragedy please feel free to visit your guidance counselor's office. Mr. Douglas and Mr. Mitchell are available all day for you."

"Can you believe how stupid Larry is," Levy chuckled as they filed out of the auditorium. "Anyone who’s read the graffiti would know exactly who did it."

"It was you, wasn’t it, Scott," Marie asked smirking as she crossed her arms across her chest.

"No…maybe….I don’t know," Levy sputtered. Everyone glared at him, arms crossed across their chests. "All right! It was me! I was bored! Besides, Jeff drew the pictures!"

"Jeff," Marie scolded. "How could you help him?!"

"All I did was doodle the cheerleaders," Jeff replied. "You should see the great job I did on Traci’s boobs." He chuckled, as did Levy, but they both stopped when Marie and Christy shot them death glares. "Scott paid me fifty bucks to do it!"

"That was supposed to be our secret, you idiot," Levy said smacking Jeff upside the head.

"Ok, OW! You never said it was supposed to be a secret," Jeff said. "Why would I keep my artwork a secret? It’s my craft, man!"

"Whatever," Marie said shaking her had. "Come on, AJ. Borden will give us detention if we’re late."

With that they all headed toward the Biology lab for their first period. Unbeknownst to them a pair of eyes was following their every move as they made their way to the stairwell. Happily they joked and argued all the way to class never suspecting anything was out of the ordinary.

Chapter 3

"Kids, can you settle down and take your seats," Borden said as he entered the biology lab. "We only have twenty minutes and we need to cover a lot of material." Marie sighed, untangling herself from AJ and heading to the front row to take her seat with her lab partner James Storm.

"Great. Now, normally we would have a double period today, but as I said we do not have time for that today. Instead we’ll be covering human reproduction for the remainder of the class period," Borden said picking up a piece of chalk and drawing diagrams on the board. "Now, who can tell me what this is?"

"That’s a uterus, Mr. Borden," Christy said smiling.

"Very good, Miss Hemme," Borden said smiling. "And what is this?"

"That's a dick," Levy muttered causing a few people around him to chuckle. Borden glared at him. "What? It is."

"The proper terminology, Mr. Levy, is penis," Borden said. "If you’re too immature to use proper terminology in this class then you can go sit with Mr. Zabyszko for the rest of the day."

"Sorry," Levy muttered sinking in his seat.

"Why don’t we have you break up into groups of four and sketch the human reproductive cycle," Borden said, seeing that they didn’t have very much time. "Marie, James, Scott and Christopher will be one group. "Joseph, Christy, Jackie and Bobby is another group. Petey, AJ, Jeff and Chase will be the last group. What you don’t finish in class will be homework."

Marie frowned, not wanting to be in this group. With a sigh she pulled out her notebook and began to sketch, helping James and Christopher with their work. "Are you going to do any work at all," she asked Levy.

"Why should I when I have three good friends doing the work for me," Levy replied.

"Lazy bastard," Marie muttered.

"Fuck you," he retorted.

"I wouldn’t fuck you for practice, Scott," Marie replied, narrowing her eyes to slits as she glared at him. "Get drawing or I’ll call Borden over."

"That’s right, kiss his ass more than you already do," Levy said opening his notebook. "Jesus, dating jock boy has made you a mega bitch."

"Can we just get this over with," Daniels asked. "We don’t need the name calling."

A few minutes later the bell rang signaling the next class would soon begin. "Remember to finish off your sketches for homework," Borden called as everyone gathered their things and headed out.

The next class was Geometry with Mr. Tenay. Marie walked there with AJ, Joseph and Christy, taking seats in the back of the class. It was clear that no one’s mind was really on school work, but they had to be there.

"Class, please open your books to page 257," Tenay said. He began his lesson, talking about angles. He handed out work sheets for everyone to do.

"So, what are we doing after school today," Christy asked Marie.

"I dunno," Marie replied as she worked on her paper.

"I can think of a few things we could be doing," AJ said with a smirk as he slung his arm around her shoulders. She chuckled, but shoved him away.

"Dude, that’s my sister," Joseph said crinkling his nose. "Could you not talk like that in front of me?!"

"Sorry, man, " AJ chuckled. "Forgot you were there."

"Why don’t we go to the mall," Christy suggested, changing the subject. "We can go see a movie and do some shopping."

"Sounds like a plan to me," AJ said with a smile. "We could cuddle up with a bucket of popcorn."

"Or you could just suck face like you always do," Joseph teased.

"There’s that too," AJ agreed with a chuckle.

"All right," Marie said. "Mall it is."

The class ended quickly and they headed off to English class with Mr. West. On the way there Bobby Roode stopped Joseph in the hall. Roode’s best friend Petey Williams blocked his only other escape path. Roode slammed Joseph’s locker closed and glared at him.

"Can we not do this today guys," Joseph asked with a sigh.

Roode picked him up by his collar. "Petey, is today a special occasion?"

"Nope," Petey replied. "It’s a regular day."

"What do we do on regular days, Petey," Roode asked.

"We bust heads," Petey replied cracking his knuckles.

"Is there a problem here," came a voice from behind the bullies. Turning toward they voice they saw Kurt Angle glaring at them. "You want to explain to me why you’re threatening my good friend here?"

Roode set Joseph on his feet. "No problem, Kurt," he said smiling innocently. "No problem at all." He turned his attention to Joseph, narrowing his eyes to slits. "You got lucky today. Next time you won’t have a goon to protect you." With each word he poked his finger into Joseph’s chest, making him wince. Roode and Williams glared at Angle a moment before stalking off to harass some another poor soul.

"You all right, buddy," Angle asked Joseph who nodded as he glared at the bullies’ retreating forms. "Come on. We still got a minute or two to make it to West’s class."

"What took you so long," Marie asked and then saw the annoyed expression her brother wore. "Roode and Williams again?" Angle nodded. Marie sighed. "Why are they bothering you?"

"I don’t want to talk about it," Joseph said pulling out his books and taking a seat. West began the discussion about Act I of Macbeth so they could not continue the conversation.

"Thanks for sticking up for him," Marie whispered to Angle, who smiled and nodded.

"Remember to read Act II scenes one and two for next class discussion," West called at the end of the class period.

Music class with Mr. Jarrett was next, followed by US History with Mr. Nash, then Art with Mr. Diamond. All classes were uneventful. Much of the class time was spent talking about what had happened on school grounds. Very little time was spent on actual school work.

Finally it was time for the last period of the day. Everyone piled into the school gym to see what Coach D’Amore had planned for them. He was waiting for them by the basketball hoop in the gym. He had a basketball under one arm.

"All right, kiddies," he called to everyone. "Here’s what’s going to happen. The boys will be broken up into two teams and they’ll play basketball for the class period. The girls…hell…I don’t even care what you do. Sit and talk amongst yourselves. It’s last period."

Only a few of the boys wanted to play basketball so they broke up into two teams of four. It was AJ, Chase Stevens, Andy Douglas and Lance Hoyt against Joseph, Monty Brown, Chris Harris and James Storm. Marie and Christy watched their men in action, cheering them on. Much of the remainder of the class either talked amongst themselves or watched the game.

When the bell rang signaling the end of the school day all of the students filed out of the gym. The ones who had been playing basketball headed to the showers first. Marie and Christy waited for AJ and Joseph outside the boys’ locker room.

"To the mall," AJ asked slinging his arm around Marie’s shoulders. She smiled and nodded as they headed to their car to head to the mall for the rest of the afternoon. Joseph wrapped his arms around Christy, nuzzling her neck as they followed his sister and AJ.

Chapter 4

"Would you stop flicking me," Marie yelled at her brother as they exited the car. Joseph had spent the entire ride from the school flicking her shoulder. He chuckled, sticking out his tongue at her as he flicked her between the eyes. "That’s it! You’re dead!" She took off running after him.

"Don’t kill each other," AJ called as he locked up. "I’ll have a hell of a time explaining things to your mom and dad!"

"Joey, apologize to your sister," Christy said laughing as she rushed to catch up with the siblings.

"I can’t believe we once shared a womb," Marie said, sitting down on the bench in front of the fountain to catch her breath. "You’re such a doofus." She punched his arm when he sat next to her, catching his breath as well.

"I only taunt because I love you," Joseph said putting her in a headlock and giving her noogies.

"Joey," she screeched shoving him away. She kicked him in the shin and then hid behind AJ.

"Why are you using AJ as a shield," Joseph said rubbing his aching shin.

"Because he’s bigger and stronger than you," Marie teased.

AJ chuckled, pulling her into his arms. "You want her, man? I’ll hold her and you can do your worst," he said laughing, holding her out in front of him.

"AJ," she said wriggling out of his arms. "Traitor." She pouted crossing her arms across her chest.

"Baby," AJ said wrapping his arms around. "I’m sorry. I got caught up in the moment. You know I’d protect you with my life." He kissed her pouting lips, making her smile.

"You mean it," she asked, burying her face in his neck. "You’d really protect me with your life?"

"Without hesitation," he replied, holding her tightly.

Joseph rolled his eyes at his sister. "How sappy can you get," he said taking Christy’s hand and approaching the couple.

"I think it’s sweet," Christy said. "You never say things like that to me."

"We’ve only been together a couple of weeks, Christy," Joseph replied. "AJ and Marie have been together for almost two years."

"You wouldn’t protect me with your life," Christy asked, pouting.

"Looks like you’ve stepped in it," AJ chuckled, taking Marie’s hand as the four of them made their way into the mall.

"Shut up," Joseph said. "Christy, baby, of course I’d protect you with my life. How could you think any differently?"

She stopped pouting, wrapping her arms around his neck and showering his face with kisses. "I knew you loved me," she said giggling happily.

"So, what movie should we go see," AJ asked when they made it to the ticket booth of the theater.

"Does it really matter," Joseph asked. "You guys won’t see a minute of it."

"And we will," Christy countered with a smirk.

"Good point," Joseph said chuckling.

"You boys pick a movie and get the tickets. Christy and I need to powder our noses," Marie said giving AJ a peck on the cheek. She hooked her arm through Christy’s leading the redhead toward the ladies room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"See you tomorrow, Don," Tenay called as he tossed his briefcase and jacket into his car and slid in behind the wheel.

"See ya, Mike," West called with a wave as he fumbled with the keys for his trunk. Tenay started his car and drove away, leaving West alone in the parking lot. Finally getting the trunk open he hoisted the box of reports and papers and set it in, rearranging things to make it fit.

West was so occupied with his task that he did notice that he was being watched. The monster stood, breathing heavily as he eyed his prey. Moving silently he snuck up behind West slipping a steel chain around his neck and slowly tightening it.

West let out a yelp of pain, his eyes watering as the chain tightened around his neck. He struggled against the bulk of his attacker, though all it succeeded in doing was making the chain tighten more. Thrashing wildly, he clawed at the chain, struggling to not let his next breath be the last.

Unable to fight off the attack, West felt the life draining from his body. His limbs became heavy and he slumped against his attacker. With one final spasm Don West’s life was over. The monster dropped his corpse to the ground behind his car, feeling the rush of a fresh kill. Satisfied for the time being the monster left the scene.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So, what exactly do you see in my brother," Marie asked as she touched up her make up in the mirror.

Christy sighed. "I don’t know," she replied. "I guess I was just tired of the typical jocks. I mean, the head cheerleader is supposed to date the captain of the football team."

"Well, if it wasn’t for an untimely knee injury I would still be the head cheerleader," Marie said with a sigh.

"We miss you on the squad," Christy said slipping an arm around Marie’s shoulders. "Joey is different than all of the jocks. I guess that’s why I like him so much."

"Yeah, different. Translation: he actually has a brain," Marie laughed.

"That is so not funny," Christy giggled. "AJ happens to be a jock. Are you telling me he has no brain?"

Marie laughed. "No, AJ’s the exception," she said. "But that’s only because Joey’s been tutoring him. Come on. Let’s see what atrocity the boys got tickets to."

When the girls made it to the ticket booth they could not see AJ or Joseph anywhere. "Where’d they get off to," Christy asked frowing.

Marie heard her brother yelp in pain and scanned the crowd. "There," she said pointing across the way. They could see Bobby Roode roughing up Joseph. Petey Williams and AJ were nowhere to be seen. "Come on," she called running through the crowd.

"Bobby, can’t we talk like civilized people," Joseph asked as he was backed up against the railing. Looking over his shoulder he could see the drop from the second level of the mall and it made him feel incredibly dizzy.

"You forget one thing," Roode said, smiling menacingly at him.

"What’s that," Joseph asked trying to inch his way away from his attacker.

"I’m not civilized," Roode replied, picking Joseph up and dangling him over the railing by his ankles.

"Kick his ass, Bobby," Petey called from where he was pinning AJ to the ground.

"Oh God," Marie yelped seeing her brother being dangled. "Bobby! Cut it out! You sick bastard!"

"Looks like your sister is here to try to save the day," Roode laughed. "Do you think I can take her?"

"Just pull him back up," Marie called, fearful tears streaking down her cheeks.

"Roode! I’m going to kill you," AJ shouted as he struggled to shake Petey off of him. A bruise was forming across his cheek, where he had struck the tile floor when Petey tripped him.

"There’s no one to save you," Roode taunted Joseph. "What are you going to do now?"

"Someone help him," Christy called.

Roode laughed wickedly as Joseph struggled to get free of his grasp. "You think Christy will let me console her if I let you go," he asked.

"Hey Roode," someone called. Roode turned his attention from his victim in time to see Kurt Angle’s fist coming at him. It connected, causing the bully to stumble back, letting go of Joseph’s ankles. Petey finally released AJ, going to his friend’s aid.

"Oh God," Marie screamed seeing that Roode no longer held Joseph. She let out a relieved breath when Kurt grabbed him before he could fall to his death. AJ helped Kurt pull Joseph up, setting him on his feet.

"This isn't over," Roode called, his eye already swelling shut.

"Get out of here," Angle yelled. Roode and Petey ran away obscenities streaming from their mouths as they ran.

"Joey," Christy and Marie cried, rushing over to him and hugging him.

"I’m all right," Joseph said accepting the hugs, grateful that Kurt had been there. "Thanks man."

"Thank you, so much, Kurt," Marie said giving him a big kiss on the cheek. "As much as I complain about him, he is my brother."

"No problem," Kurt said with a chuckle. "Guess it’s a good thing I spend most of my time here, huh?"

"Sorry I wasn’t much help," AJ said, embarrassed that Petey had gotten the best of him. "Petey blindsided me. I hit the floor really hard and it knocked me for a loop."

"Poor baby," Marie said kissing the bruise on his cheek. He winced, but didn’t pull away from her touch. "Why is he harassing you?"

"I don’t want to talk about it," Joseph said as Christy held onto him for dear life.

"Well, I almost lost my brother today and I think I deserve to know why," Marie demanded.

Joseph sighed. "This is just so stupid," he said. "He wanted me to do his lab reports for him last term and I said no. Well, he wound up flunking for the term. He demanded that I help him and I refused again and…well… you’ve seen the rest."

"What a dick," AJ said. "Kudos to you for standing your ground though man."

"Fat wad of good it did me," Joseph replied. "He’s been bullying me ever since."

AJ placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don’t worry Kurt and I will have a nice little talk with Bobby and he’ll leave you alone."

"I doubt it, but thanks," Joseph said. "So, how about that movie now?"

"Yeah," Marie said sighing. "After that scare I think we need it." She slung her arm around her brother’s shoulders and led him to the theater. Kurt joined the group for the movie.

Chapter 5

"I’ll see you in the morning, beautiful," AJ said smiling as he leaned in and gave Marie a soft kiss.

"I’ll be sure that mom makes extra eggs," Marie replied with a giggle.

"Can we just go in the house already," Joseph asked. They had dropped off Christy first and he knew he was in for watching his sister and her jock boyfriend making out for a good twenty minutes or so.

"You don’t have to walk me in, Joey," Marie said shaking her head as she climbed out of the passenger seat. "I’m a big girl. I don’t need you to be my body guard." She blew a kiss to AJ as he drove away.

"You sure you don’t need me to protect you from that gorilla you call AJ," Joseph asked, which earned him a smack upside the head.

"I should kick your ass for calling AJ a gorilla," Marie chuckled. "In case you forgot AJ was one of the people who pulled your ass back up when Roode let you go today."

"I didn’t forget," Joseph muttered, he hated that AJ and Kurt had to save him.

"Oh Joey," Marie said pulling him into a hug. "He’ll leave you alone eventually. You just have to stand up to him." Joseph gave her a look like she had grown another head. "Maybe if you’re nice AJ will show you something to get the upper hand for once."

"I don’t need AJ or Kurt to teach me how to fight," he replied. "I can take care of myself." Joseph shrugged her off and stormed into the house.

"Joey! I didn’t mean that you couldn’t take care of yourself," Marie called as she followed him into the house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"All right, I’ll see you at school, man," Frankie Kazarian called to his best friend Matt Bentley. He climbed out of Bentley’s car and made his way up the walk to his house.

The monster waited in the bushes feeling excitement building in him. Stalking fresh prey always brought on a new wave of adrenaline. He watched as Kazarian walked up the path to his house, just mere feet from him.

Hearing something in the bushes Kazarian stopped. He inched closer, peering through the darkness. "Hello," he said. "Is anyone there?"

The monster stood in silence, waiting in the darkness for his prey to get just a little closer. When Kazarian was nearly in the bush he reached out, pulling his victim to him. Kazarian let out a small yelp of surprise, but there was no one around to hear it.

The monster held Kazarian against his chest, applying enough pressure to his neck to knock him out cold. He then dragged Kazarian into the woods near the house, laying him out on the pine needle covered ground. He looked down at the young unconscious man before him, reaching into the waistband of his sweats and pulling out a large knife. He ran it down one cheek and then the next, watching the blood trickle from the wounds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marie knocked on Joseph’s door before poking her head in. "Can I come in," she asked.

"I don’t care," Joseph said looking up from his book.

"I didn’t mean to make it seem like you couldn’t take care of yourself, Joey," Marie said sitting down on the bed next to him.

"I know," Joseph said closing his book. "I just hate that Roode is being such a dick to me."

"I hate it too," Marie said sighing. "One of these days he’ll get what’s coming to him and then he’ll leave you alone." Joseph smiled at her. "Until then Kurt’s got your back and you know AJ will always have your back too."

"The only reason he’s got my back is because you’re my sister," Joseph replied.

"That’s not true," Marie said. "As I recall you knew him first because you were tutoring him. You’ve helped him a lot with his school work, Joey."

"And the only reason he showed up to our appointments is because he wanted to see you," Joseph replied. "But I see where you’re going with this. Thanks for the pep talk."

"What are sisters for," Marie said placing a kiss on his cheek and ruffling his hair. She giggled when he batted her hand away playfully. "Good night, Joey."

"Night," Joseph replied watching his sister walk out of his room. With a sigh he opened up his book and went back to reading.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning Christopher Daniels was the first student to arrive at the school. He parked his car in the lot next to the teachers’ lot. He hummed to himself gathering his books and taking short cut to the rear entrance to the school. As he neared the school he caught sight of a car parked in the lot, driver’s side door ajar and the trunk wide open.

"Hello," he called, nearing the car. He saw feet sticking out from behind the car and rushed to see who it was. "Mr. West," he called seeing the fallen teacher. He reached out and touched West’s pale cheek, jerking his hand back at the coldness.

"Daniels, what are you doing," Zabyszko demanded, exiting the rear entrance of the school.

"It’s Mr. West," Daniels called to him. "I think…he’s dead." Zabyszko rushed over to where Daniels stood staring at West’s corpse. Kneeling down he felt for a pulse and hung his head when he felt none. He noted the ligature marks around the man’s neck and knew that this wasn’t natural causes.

"Go get Pricipal Cornette," Zabyszko said softly. Daniels nodded rushing into the school. He emerged several moments later with Cornette in tow.

"Larry, what’s going on," Cornette demanded. "I couldn’t get anything coherent out of the kid."

"It’s Don," Zabyszko said, nodding to the body at his feet. "He’s dead, Jim."

"Son of a…" Cornette said balling his fists and taking a deep breath to calm himself down. He turned his attention to Daniels. "I need you to call 911 and report this, son. Do you understand?" Daniels nodded mutely, unable to take his eyes off West’s body. "Go on now." Daniels pried his eyes away from the body and rushed into the school to make the phone call.

"What are we going to do about this, Jim," Zabyszko asked.

Cornette sighed. "I’ll have to cancel school for today," he replied. He looked at his watched and groaned. "The students will be arriving soon. I’ll have to have a special assembly to announce the cancellation of classes for today." He glanced at West’s corpse and sighed. "Get something to cover that up, Larry. I need you to round up all of the teachers. We’ll need help to wrangle all of the students into the auditorium." Zabyszko nodded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Marie," Joseph called. "Phone for you. It’s Traci." Marie set down her fork wondering why Traci would be calling her so early.

"Hey, Trace, what’s up," Marie said taking the phone from Joseph.

"I know it’s a long shot, but have you seen Frankie at all," Traci asked.

"Frankie? Kazarian? No," Marie replied. "Why?"

"His mom says he never came home last night," Traci said sounding very worried. "Matt dropped him off last night after they worked on their project for Borden."

"Sorry, wish I could help," Marie said. "Hang on." She looked at her brother, who was busy eating his cereal and reading the box. "Hey, Joey, have you seen Frankie Kazarian recently?"

"No," Joseph replied. "Not since school yesterday."

"We haven’t seen him, Trace. Sorry," Marie replied. "Let me know if there’s anything I can do for Mrs. Kazarian."

"I will," Traci replied. "See you at school." Marie said goodbye and hung up.

"What’s going on with Frankie," Joseph asked.

"He’s gone missing," Marie replied. "I told Traci to let me know if there was anything I could do for his mom."

"Marie, Joseph Christy and AJ are here," Mrs. Griffin called.

"See you after school mom," they called, grabbing their books and jackets.

They made their way out to Christy’s car. It was her turn to drive that morning. Joseph slid into the passenger seat, leaning over and giving her a quick kiss. Marie slid into the back seat next to AJ, giving him a peck.

"Frankie Kazarian has gone missing," Marie said as they drove off to school.

"You’re kidding," AJ replied. Marie shook her head no.

"Man, I just saw him yesterday," Christy said.

"Apparently he never made it home last night," Marie said and told them about the conversation she had with Traci.

As they pulled into the student lot they saw the police and ambulance in the teacher’s lot. "Wonder what’s going on," Joseph said as they all climbed out of the car.

Marie made her way over to the group, spotting Daniels still looking shocked. "Hey, Chris," she called, waving him over. He walked over to her, still unable to believe what he had discovered. By this time the others had made their way over to her as well. "What’s going on?"

"I…I found Mr. West," he replied, his eyes trailing to the lot where the police were. "He..was…dead." He looked slightly green at that moment. "I think I’m going to be sick."

"Come on, buddy," AJ said helping him over to some bushes. "Just let it all out." Daniels took in a ragged breath as he felt the nausea wash over him. AJ patted his back as his friend emptied the contents of his stomach.

"Nice, Daniels," Levy said walking through the parking lot.

"Leave him alone, Scott," Marie said. "He found Mr. West dead this morning."

"Oh God," Daniels groaned and got sick again.

"No shit," Levy said, clearly uninterested. "It’s a shame. West was one of the few teachers I actually liked."

"Everybody into the auditorium," Zabyszko shouted before anyone could respond. "Principal Cornette has a special announcement for everyone."

"You all right," AJ asked Daniels, who nodded weakly. "Come on. Let’s see what’s going on." He took Marie’s hand as they headed into the auditorium.

Chapter 6

Cornette watched as the students filed into the auditorium. On stage he was joined by two of Westcraven’s finest; Detective David Young and his partner Detective Alastair Ralphs. Zabyszko joined the three on the stage when all of the students were finally seated.

"Students," Cornette began. "It saddens me to inform you that our English teacher Don West was found dead in the faculty parking lot this morning. It was not natural causes."

At the mention of West’s body being found Daniels turned green and visibly gagged. "If you think you’re going to puke on me, Daniels," Levy said through gritted teeth. "You have another thing coming."

"Mr. Borden," AJ said, patting Daniels’ back. "Could I take Chris to the bathroom?"

Borden took one look at Daniels and nodded. "Make it quick, boys," he said. AJ grabbed Daniels by the wrist and escorted him to the bathroom.

Ralphs patted Cornette on the shoulder, taking the mic from him. "Students, we need your cooperation this morning. My partner and myself will be speaking to all of you individually. It is essential that you be completely honest with us during the questioning."

He handed the mic back to Cornette. "Once you have been questioned please leave school premises. There will be no classes today. Until you are called you will remain here. You may visit with friends and talk amongst yourselves until you are called, but no one is to leave the auditorium without a member of the faculty with them." With that said he left the stage leaving Zabyszko and the teachers in charge.

"Hardy, where do you think you’re going," Jarrett called seeing the rainbow haired boy headed out of his row.

"To sit with friends," Jeff replied. "Cornette said we could."

"All right," Jarrett said seeing that he was only going to where Borden sat with students. "As long as you’re not going off to sniff paint or something."

"Sir," Jeff said taking offense to this statement. "I don’t do stuff like that." Jarrett only shook his head, dismissing him.

"Sniff paint," Levy teased. "That would explain why you’re so damn weird."

"That’s the pot calling the kettle black," Marie chuckled.

"Shut it," Levy replied. "You’re lucky your jock boy toy is on his way back or I’d give you a piece of my mind."

"Are you sure you can spare it," Marie replied with a smirk.

"Good one," Terry Gerin said laughing as he joined the group. Levy glared at him. "Come on, Scotty, it was a good come back."

"Fuck you," Levy said getting up and heading to back of the auditorium. He slumped into one of the seats and closed his eyes.

An announcement came over the PA system. "Would Scott Levy, Chase Stevens, Andy Douglas and Gail Kim please report to the office."

"Son of a…can’t a man get a nap," Levy mumbled as he pulled himself to his feet and headed toward the doors. He held open the door for Gail, admiring her cheerleading uniform. As soon as she was through the door he let it slam in Chase’s face.

"What’s your deal, Levy," Chase called.

"What," Levy replied, prying his eyes away from Gail.

"You fucking slammed the door in my face," Chase replied.

"Oh were you there," he replied innocently.

"Chase just let it go," Gail said not wanting to see a confrontation.

"This motherfucker thinks he’s slick," Chase said.

"Damn right I do," Levy replied smiling.

"To the office now, people," Zabyszko said, directing traffic in the hall.

"We’re going, Larry," Levy said holding up his hands. "Calm down it’s not good for your blood pressure to be this stressed."

"Levy, don’t start," Zabyszko said pointing in the direction of the office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So, you found West," Jeff asked Daniels, who nodded.

"He doesn’t want to talk about it," AJ said. "Can’t you see that it’s making him sick?"

"Isn’t he normally green," Joseph asked with a chuckle. Daniels cracked a weak smile. "Seriously though, I don’t think we should talk about West."

"Any plans for after we get out of here," Gerin asked.

"Hey guys," Traci said sadly as she approached the group. "Listen, Marie, Mrs. Kazarian would like for as many people as possible to search the woods behind their house."

"I’m in," Marie said. "I’m sure AJ will be too." AJ nodded.

"We’re in," Christy said motioning to Joseph.

"Count me in too," Gerin said smiling.

"Me too," Jeff said.

"Thanks," Traci said offering a tight smile. "Me and Matt are meeting at the Kazarian house at three."

"Will Allen Jones, Lance Hoyt, Traci Brooks and Christian Cage please report to the office?"

"See you outside, babe," AJ said giving Marie a kiss and leaving.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An hour later Joseph found himself sitting in the office with Bobby Roode, Petey Williams and Alex Shelley. Roode and Williams smiled menacingly at Joseph. Roode motioned to him that he was dead meat.

"Don’t worry, Joe, I’ll handle this," Shelley whispered to him. He turned his attention to Roode and Williams. "Fellas, let’s be civil here." Roode reached out and throttled him. "He’s all yours," he grunted out as he was being choked.

"Joseph Griffin," Ralphs said coming out of Cornette’s office. "We’re ready for you now."

"Thank God," Joseph muttered.

"Son, I think you should let go of that young man or I’ll have to haul you in for assault," Ralphs said to Roode. He listened, but made threatening gestures to Joseph when the officer had turned his back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After he was questioned Joseph paced outside the school. AJ was sitting in his car talking to Chase, Lance and Andy. Joseph was so focused on waiting for his sister and girlfriend that he didn’t see Roode and Williams sneaking up on him.

"What’s the matter, Joe," Roode said clapping him on the back. "Nervous about something?"

"Well, I wasn’t until you guys showed up," he replied with a sigh.

"I see you don’t have any backup this time," Roode said smiling. "Now we can commence the beating uninterrupted."

"Now, guys," Joseph said. "Seriously, can’t we talk about this?"

Roode thought about it a moment, cracking his knuckles. "No," he replied and swung. Joseph ducked and Roode’s fist connected with the right side of Christy’s face, knocking her to the ground. She held her cheek and lip, a bruise already forming. "Shit! What the fuck was she doing here? Can’t you even take a punch like a man?" Petey looked on in shock.

"I’m bleeding," Christy said, feeling her now swelling lip.

"MOTHERFUCKER," Joseph yelled and tackled Roode to the ground. He commenced to pummel Roode’s face repeatedly. "IF YOU EVER LAY A HAND ON MY GIRLFRIEND AGAIN I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"

At that moment AJ noticed the scuffle and ran to break it up. He tried to pry Joseph off of Roode, but was punched in the face. Joseph jumped onto Roode once again pummeling him. AJ, jaw throbbing from the blow, once again began to pry Joseph off of Roode.

He had just put Joseph into a choke hold when Marie exited the school talking to Joe Seannoa. She saw Christy sitting on the ground and AJ trying with little luck to pull her brother off of Bobby Roode.

"Shit," she said rushing to Christy. "What happened?"

"Roode went after Joey again," Christy said dabbing at her bleeding lip. "He missed and hit me. Joey went insane."

Marie glanced around the parking lot and spotted James Storm and Joe Seannoa. "James, Joe, could you help AJ," she called as she helped Christy to her feet. They nodded and it took all three of them to pry Joseph off of Roode, who was bloody and bruised by now.

"You’ll get expelled," AJ yelled trying to calm Joseph down.

"He’s not worth it," Storm said. Watching Petey helping Roode up.

"If you’re gonna kick his ass do it off school grounds," Joe said with a chuckle.

"Not funny, Joe," Marie said, helping Christy over to Joseph.

"Baby," Joseph said, pulling Christy to him. "Are you all right?" He examined her face and growled. "I’ll kill him for what he did."

"He’s not worth it," Christy replied. By this time the parking lot had pretty much cleared. Marie checked her brother over for injuries, but was relieved to find none other than bruised knuckles.

"Let’s get these two home," she said to AJ. "They both could use some ice. Terry, Jeff and Kurt said they’d meet us at the Kazarian house."

Turning around they found Levy standing there applauding Joseph. "Congratulations, Griffin, you found your balls," he said smirking. "Didn’t think you had it in you." Joseph stared him down a minute before clocking him across the face. "Motherfucker," Levy growled, feeling his mouth for blood.

"Come on, Joey," Marie said pulling on his arm. "He’s not worth it."

"You’re lucky your sister is here to talk some sense into you or you’d be dead," Levy said through gritted teeth.

"Just ignore him," Marie said. "We need to get some ice for Christy’s face and your knuckles." He allowed his sister to lead him away.

Chapter 7

When the four pulled up outside the Kazarian house later that afternoon they found Traci and Matt talking to three police officers and Kazarian’s mother. Soon Kurt pulled up and parked behind Christy’s car. Jeff, Scott and Terry climbed out of his car.

Marie groaned, placing her hands on her hips as the group approached them. "Kurt, why did you bring Scott," she demanded.

"Said he wanted to help," Kurt replied with a shrug.

"You think you’re the only one allowed to do a good deed," Levy replied, crossing his arms across his chest.

"You don’t do a good deed unless you have something to gain from it," Marie replied.

"Guys," AJ said pulling his girlfriend away. "Can we not do this now? We’re here to help Mrs. Kazarian." Marie sighed and nodded.

"You’re right," she said. "Now’s not the time. We could use all of the help we can get. Come on." She took his hand and they all made their way to the officers and the others.

"I want to thank you all for coming," the bald officer said addressing the small group. "My name is Officer David Young. I’ll be staying with Mrs. Kazarian while the search is being conducted. My colleagues will be directing the search through the woods. I suggest you listen to their instructions closely."

The African-American offer stepped forward. "Good afternoon everyone," he said offering a tight smile. "I’m Officer Hughes and this is my partner Officer Lamonica. We’ll need you all to break up into groups of three. Now since there are only two of us and ten of you, two groups will be unsupervised."

"That’s right," Lamonica said. "We need you to pay attention to your surroundings and please do not touch anything that you may find in your search. We’ll be passing out walkie talkies." Hughes held up a box of walkies. "If you find something that you think may be evidence please radio us with the location and we will have our crime scene team retrieve it."

"Are there any questions," Hughes asked. "No? All right, break up into groups and I’ll pass out the walkies to one person in each group."

Christy pulled Traci over, taking her hand and Marie’s hand. "We got one group," she said.

"Don’t you girls think you should have one of the officers with you," AJ asked with a smirk.

"Why? Because we’re helpless girls," Marie asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Son, this is an argument you can not win," Lamonica chuckled. "Hand the girls a walkie, Devon." Hughes nodded, chuckling and handed one to Traci, showing her how to use it.

Kurt, AJ and Joseph made up the second team. Lamonica took Scott and Jeff. Hughes was left with Terry and Matt. "Everyone ready," Lamonica asked. "All right, we head in separate directions to cover more ground. Remember pay attention to your surroundings. Meet back here in an hour if you haven’t found anything on your path." Everyone nodded and headed on their path for the search.

After wandering in the woods for nearly an hour everyone was pretty tired. There had been a shoe found one way and a patch of material from the shirt that Frankie had been wearing, but no body yet.

With a groan Marie plopped down on a tree stump. "Is it almost time to head back," she asked tiredly.

"We have about ten minutes," Traci replied checking her watch. She sighed, disappointed that they hadn’t found him yet.

"Maybe he’s not here," Christy said. "Maybe he got lost and stumbled off. Have they checked the hospital?"

"Frankie knows these woods like the back of his hand," Traci replied. "He grew up playing in them."

Just then something dripped onto Marie’s shoulder. "Great," she said frowning. "It’s starting to rain."

"What are you talking about," Christy asked facing her. "The sky is clear." She gawked at her friend.

"What’s wrong," Marie asked looking behind her. "Do you see something?"

"What’s that on your shoulder," Traci asked moving closer to Marie to examine what had dripped onto her shoulder.

Marie touched her shoulder, looking at her fingers in disgust when they came up stained red. "What the hell," she muttered looking up. More red liquid dripped onto her forehead as she looked up. Traci and Christy looked up into the trees above Marie, horrified. Christy let out a blood curdling scream at the sight. Frantically Traci radioed the officers about their discovery.

AJ, Joseph and Kurt were taking a break from searching when they heard the scream. "Christy," Joseph said, whipping his head in the direction it came from. He took off running, AJ and Kurt trying to keep up.

Joseph made it to the girls before the others. "Christy," he panted. "What happened?"

Christy pointed up at the trees, unable to speak from sheer horror. By this time Kurt and AJ had joined them. Soon the others joined the group, their gaze following Christy’s finger.

Up in the trees Frankie Kazarian had been chained to the branches of an oak tree. His arms were outstretched, a look of torment on his face and dried blood staining his cheeks. He had been cut from below his chin to his stomach, his intestines hanging from the gaping wound.

"We found Frankie," Marie said, softly, burying her face in AJ’s chest. Matt pulled Traci to him, shielding her from the sight. Joseph pulled Christy into his arms as she began to sob hysterically. Hughes and Lamonica radioed Young to inform him that they had found the body and sent the teens back to the house.

Chapter 8

The next day Christy, Joseph, Marie and AJ all drove to school in silence. One by one their peers, teachers and friends were being killed and they didn’t understand what was going on. They made their way into the auditorium for their now daily meeting with Cornette.

"Students," Cornette began when everyone was seated. "I have decided to take this opportunity this morning to have a moment of silence for Mr. West and Frankie Kazarian, who was found in the woods behind his house. We will also take the time to formally remember Charles Ashenhoff, Nelson Erazo and Shawn Hernandez."

Marie buried her head in AJ’s shoulder, unable to get the image of Kazarian’s body out of her head. He wrapped an arm around her and kissed the crown of her head. Christy did the same with Joseph. He held her close, whispering comforting words to her.

"I’d like to ask for a moment of silence now," Cornette said, bowing his head. Many students sniffled, wiping tears from their eyes as they mourned the most recent loss.

After a few minutes Cornette spoke again. "I urge all of you to speak to your guidance counselors to deal with your grief." He looked around at his students, knowing that today would be hard for many of them. "One last thing before I send you off to your classes. We have a substitute taking over for Mr. West until we can find someone more permanent." He motioned over a large man with platinum blonde hair. "This is Mr. Steiner. Please show him the same respect you did Mr. West." Steiner nodded and waved to the students. "All right, please head to your first class. We’ll be functioning on a half day schedule today."

As the students filed out AJ helped Marie up. "Are you going to be all right, baby," he asked, grabbing her bag and his and wrapping his free arm around her. She nodded, though she said nothing. Behind them Joseph held onto Christy, who was still shaken from finding Kazarian the day before.

"Everyone ready for Borden’s class," Levy asked.

"Why are you in such a good mood," AJ asked.

"Because we’ll have a new teacher to torture," Levy replied. "What could be better?"

"Leave it to you to totally disregard that five people are dead," Marie said pulling away from AJ and looking at Levy with disdain. "You’re a disgusting asshole." With that she grabbed her bag and stalked off.

‘What’s got her panties in a knot," Levy asked.

"In case you forgot we’re the ones that found Frankie, you stupid dick," Christy said, tears stinging her eyes. She swatted Joseph’s hand away and rushed off to keep up with Marie.

AJ and Joseph glared at him a moment, shaking their heads before stalking off after their girlfriends. Levy watched them walk off, totally confused as to why they were so angry with him. He shook his head and sighed loudly before heading off to Borden’s class.

Borden’s class seemed to drag on forever for Levy. He was anxious to get to English class to mess with the new teacher. When the bell finally rang he was the first one out of the class.

When everyone arrived in Steiner’s class he was writng his name on the blackboard. When he heard the students filing in he turned to face them. "Everyone take a seat and shut yer yaps," he said.

"I thought he was supposed to be an English teacher," Marie said to Christy, who shrugged.

"Doesn’t sound like any English I’ve heard," Christy said chuckling.

Steiner picked up a clipboard with blank paper on it. He walked over to Jeff, who was sitting with his head down, sleeping. Steiner slammed the clipboard down onto Jeff’s desk with a loud thud.

"FLESH EATING ZOMBIES," Jeff exclaimed jumping a mile in his seat. Everyone giggled at his outburst.

"Shut it, son," Steiner said. "It’s just a sign in sheet." Jeff tried to calm his racing heart as he felt the blush creeping into his cheeks.

"Idiot," Levy muttered, shaking his head at Jeff.

"What was that, boy," Steiner demanded. "You got something to say, smartass. I ain’t gonna put up with shit from you little pissants."

"Mr. Steiner," Marie said raising her hand. "Are you aware that you’re supposed to be teaching English."

"Don’t start with me, girly," Steiner said, glaring at her. "You know damn well that I’m only here until they find a permanent replacement for West. Now shut the fuck up." Marie pouted, but did not say another word.

"Why don’t you start off the sign in sheet, Mr. Smartass," Steiner said dropping the clipboard onto Levy’s desk.

Jeff again jumped a mile, waking up from his nap once again. "ANAL PROBING ALIENS," he cried, causing everyone to giggle again.

"Son, do you have Tourette’s Syndrome or something," Steiner demanded of Jeff, who shook his head no. He turned his attention back to Levy. "Sign in."

Levy pulled a pen out of his pocket and quickly scrawled his name, shoving the clipboard back at Steiner. "What hell is this, chicken scratch," he demanded. "Try again and PRINT this time."

He dropped the clipboard back onto the desk and Levy printed a name this time, grumbling under his breath. Steiner picked up the clipboard and looked at the name, smirking at Levy. "You expect me to believe that your name is Chuck U. Farley? Try again, your REAL name this time."

Levy cursed under his breath, grumbling threats at Steiner. He took the clipboard back and printed his real name this time. Steiner picked up the clipboard and checked the name, smiling. "Very nice, Mr. Levy. Anyone else tries what this smartass did will get detention. Understood? Good." He dropped the clipboard back onto Jeff’s desk, once again waking him up.

"KILLER CLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE," Jeff exclaimed.

"Boy, you have serious issues," Steiner said shaking his head. "Sign the damn sheet and pass it on. The rest of you open up your books to Hamlet and summarize the plot of the acts you’ve read so far."

When the class was finally over Levy silently left the room, not used not being able to make a sub crack. Marie had to chuckle as she walked out of the class arm in arm with AJ. Christy and Joseph were close behind as were Daniels and Jeff.

"Poor Scott," she said giggling. "He’s not used to a lowly sub standing up to him."

"I seriously think that that is the first time a teacher has been so damn verbally abusive to any of us," Daniels said, shaking his head.

"Thank goodness he’s only a sub," Jeff yawned. "I’m not used to having my naps disturbed so often."

"Maybe you should sleep at night instead of watching monster movie marathons," Joseph suggested.

"What for," Jeff replied. "What can I learn in class that I can’t learn from movies?"

"That has got to be the dumbest question anyone has ever uttered," Marie giggled. "You’re lucky you’re cute, Jeff, or you’d be screwed."

"What is that supposed to mean," Jeff pouted.

"Do you have a brain in that rainbow colored head," AJ laughed. "She just called you stupid."

"HEY," Jeff exclaimed. "Is that true?"

"Don’t pay attention to anything AJ has to say, Jeff," Marie replied. "He’s just jealous ‘cause I called you cute." Jeff smiled wide and stuck his tongue out at AJ, who shook his head.

"Come on, guys," Daniels said. "We’ll be late for gym and you know how much Coach D’Amore hates it when we’re late." With that he led the way to the gym.

Chapter 9

When they arrived at the gym they were told to go change. The boys and girls headed to their respective locker rooms. No one was in a any mood for sports, but they had to do what the Coach told them to do. Marie and Christy changed into their shorts and school T-shirts, sitting on the bench to slip on their sneakers. When they were done they noticed Traci sitting on the bench with her head in her hands.

"Traci," Christy said softly, sliding down the bench to console her friend.

"I begged my mom to let me stay home today," she sobbed. "I just can’t believe that Frankie’s gone."

"We all can’t," Marie said taking a seat on the other side of her. "It’s not something that happens every day here."

"Come on," Christy said pulling Traci to her feet. "Let me go talk to the Coach and see if he’ll let me walk you to the nurse." Traci nodded allowing the red head to lead her out of the locker room.

With a sigh Marie headed out of the locker room and into the gym, taking a seat in the front row of bleachers. She watched the boys playing basketball for a while before AJ joined her. She leaned her head on his shoulder with a sigh.

"No one wants to be here today," he said softly. She nodded in agreement.

"AJ," D’Amore yelled. "You still owe me four laps, son. Let’s go." With a sigh AJ stood and headed back, jogging around the gym. D’Amore took a seat next to Marie. "I hear that you, Christy and Traci found Frankie," he said watching the action in the gym.

Marie nodded. "It was awful," she said softly, her stomach turning at the image that was burned into her memory.

"I bet it was," D’Amore said. "I sent Traci to the nurse with Christy. If you need to go too I won’t object."

"I’m fine Coach," she replied with a half smile. "Thanks."

"So, you going to play softball this year," he asked, changing the subject. "I hate to admit it, but our team sucked last season because you weren’t on the team."

"Well, excuse me for blowing out my knee," she chuckled. "I haven’t thought about softball. Not sure if my knee is strong enough for sports just yet."

"Of course it is," D’Amore said patting her on the back. "You’re tough. You were a cheerleader." She giggled at his little joke. "Excuse me, dear. Joseph, you still owe me two more laps. Stop being a lazy ass and give me those laps. Kurt you should know better too. Get your asses in gear!"

Marie shook her head at her brother, who was now racing Kurt around the gym. Moments later AJ had finished his laps and took a seat next to her. She handed him a towel to mop his face with.

"Well, if it isn’t the school star football player," Chris Harris said approaching the couple. He had his arm slung around Gail Kim’s shoulders. She wore very short, tight shorts and a cropped school T-shirt.

"Can I do something for you, Harris," AJ asked, not in the mood to deal with him.

"Yeah, you can tell me how it feels to have my sloppy seconds," Harris replied with a smirk.

"You got a problem with me dating Marie, Harris," AJ asked standing.

"Yeah, I do," Harris replied. "I don’t understand how you can be with such a humongous slut."

"What," Marie demanded shooting to her feet.

"You heard him," Gail sneered.

"Just because she’s not with you anymore doesn’t make her a slut," AJ replied through gritted teeth.

"Did she tell you that she was still fucking me when you started dating her," Harris asked.

"You know that’s a damn lie," Marie replied. "You bastard! Get over it! I dumped you two years ago!"

"Is it a lie, Marie," Harris asked. "Is it really?"

AJ grabbed Harris by his collar, pulling the larger man to him. "You know damn well that she was a virgin when she dumped you," he said deadly serious. "You just can't stand the thought that you weren’t good enough for her and so you decided to spread nasty rumors about her." He shoved Harris away. "You’re pathetic!"

"Boys," D’Amore called seeing the altercation. "Is there a problem here?"

"No, Coach," Harris said glaring at AJ and Marie.

"Good," D’Amore said. "Hit the showers then."

AJ and Marie watched Harris stalk off, not even paying attention to Gail following him. When he disappeared from sight AJ turned to Marie and wrapped an arm around her. "Are you all right," he asked.

"Yeah," she replied, burying her face in his neck. "I hate him so much."

"I know," he replied. "Just ignore him. You and I know the truth." She pulled away and looked him in the eyes, smiling at his reassuring words before giving him a kiss.

"I saw Harris bothering you," Joseph said, Kurt close behind him.

"Want us to beat the shit out of him," Kurt asked.

"Nah," Marie replied smiling. "My man handled him for me." Joseph rolled his eyes and groaned at his sister, making her giggle. Her smile fell when she saw Bobby Roode and Petey Williams heading their way. "What do you want?"

"Relax," Roode said, holding up his hands. "I didn’t come to start trouble." The bruises that Joseph had given him were now starting to fade to a light purple.

"Good thing," Kurt replied, cracking his knuckles.

"Relax, all right," Roode said. "I just came to talk to Joseph."

"So talk," Joseph replied.

"I don’t say this too often," Roode said, nervously rubbing his neck. "You kicked my ass pretty good the other day. I just came to say…I’m sorry for being and asshole to you."

"Apology accepted," Joseph replied, holding out his hand for Roode to shake. He did, a relaxed smile spreading across his lips.

"Thanks," he said. "Listen, I’m having trouble in Borden’s class and I was wondering…"

"I’ll tutor you," Joseph said, smiling. "But you have to do the work. I’m not doing it for you."

"Got it," Roode said. "Should I come by your place after school today?"

"Sure," Joseph said smiling. Roode nodded and went to shower.

"Well, if that was all it took to get him to leave you alone then you should have kicked his ass a long time ago," Marie said smiling.

Before anyone else could say anything a blood curdling scream filled the gym. It came from the locker rooms. Everyone rushed to the doors to see what was going on, but D’Amore stopped them.

"Everyone stay put," he called jogging to the locker room. He came back moments later, looking like he had seen a ghost. "Joseph," he called. "Go get Mr. Cornette and Mr. Zabyszko. Tell them to call the police. It’s an emergency. They’ll know what that means." Joseph nodded running out of the gym. D’Amore looked around the gym and sighed. "Have a seat, kids," he said frowning. "You’re not going anywhere for a while."

"Wonder what’s going on," Marie said taking a seat in the bleachers with AJ and Kurt. They were soon joined by Daniels and Jeff.

"Maybe a brain sucking monster got loose," Jeff said.

"Dipshit," Levy said plopping down next to the group. "We don’t live in sc fi land. Get your head out of your ass and join us in reality."

"You are ever so eloquent with your words, Scott," Marie said.

He flipped her off and watched D’Amore pacing as he waited for Cornette and Zabyszko. "Isn’t it obvious what’s going on," Levy asked. "There’s been another murder. This time in broad daylight in a school full of faculty and students. This serial killer has balls."

When Cornette and Zabyszko finally arrived they spoke to D’Amore in hushed tones. Joseph joined his sister and friends in the bleachers watching the exchange. He looked at his friends, frowning.

"I overheard Zabyszko calling the police," Joseph said. "He told them there had been another murder."

"Didn’t I tell you," Levy said.

"Yeah, you’re very smart," Marie said. "Shut the hell up."

Just then Christy joined them, looking rather pale. "Guys," she said softly. "I just went to the locker room to get my things and….it’s like a blood bath in there."

"Who is it," Marie asked.

"I couldn’t really tell, but I walked past the boys locker room and it was the exact same way."

"Two murders," Levy said, shocked. "This guy has some seriously big balls."

"Scott," Marie scolded. "Two more people are dead. God, do you even have a heart?"

"Students," Cornette called, getting their attention. "We have a situation here and we need your cooperation. I know that you have things in that locker room, however, the locker rooms are now crime scenes and we can not allow you to enter them."

There was a collective grumble from the crowd of students in the gym. "I know you have things you value in your bags. You will be allowed to pick them up tomorrow once the scene has been cleared. For now, I’m releasing you early. I’m sending Mr. Zabyszko to make an announcement for the rest of the school," Cornette informed them.

With that the students all filed out of the gym. Everyone was frightened about who would be struck down next. Moments after leaving the gym Zabyszko's voice could be heard over the PA system informing studnets to collect their things and head home for the day. Silently they all headed out of the school building.

Chapter 10

The car ride back to the Griffin house was a quiet one. Christy and Marie gazed out the window, still unable to understand why these murders were happening. Joseph and AJ just didn’t know how to console their girlfriends.

"It’s Gail and Harris," Marie said finally breaking the silence as they rounded the corner of her block.

"What," Joseph asked, thoroughly confused. He had been ripped from his own thoughts by her voice.

"The victims," Marie said. "They were sent to the locker room and then we heard the scream. It had to be Gail stumbling on someone killing Chris." Everyone pondered the statement a moment. "Christy said that there was blood all over both locker rooms."

"We get the idea, Marie," Christy said turning pale. Joseph wrapped an arm around her.

"Sorry," Marie said, realizing she had upset her friend. "I just can’t believe that Chris is…" She stopped, feeling herself getting choked up.

"You all right," AJ asked, glancing over at his girlfriend as he drove. He reached over and took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers.

"Yeah," she replied with a sniffle, forcing back the tears.

"It’s all right to cry," AJ said pulled her to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, allowing the tears to fall.

"I know he was a total dick after you and I got together, AJ," she said softly. "But I’ve known him since I was twelve."

"I understand," AJ said kissing her temple. "You don’t need to explain anything."

"What was his deal," Joseph asked his sister. "Harris, I mean."

Marie sighed and said, "It all started at a Lance Hoyt’s Christmas party a couple of years ago. Chris had a little too much to drink and I walked in on him and Gail in Hoyt’s parents’ room." She wiped the tears and continued on. "I was so upset that I just ran out of the house without my coat. AJ grabbed it and brought it out to me and sat with me while I cried on the porch."

"Wait a minute," Joseph said thinking back. "I was at that party too. How come I didn’t know about this?"

"You were busy drooling over Christy," Marie chuckled. Joseph’s cheeks turned beet red.

"So that’s how you and AJ got together," Christy asked.

"No," AJ replied. "She made me work for it." Marie smacked his shoulder and he chuckled.

"I didn’t break up with Chris until the Monday after the party," Marie said. "I wouldn’t take his calls all weekend. Then I called him on Monday and told him that we needed to talk. I told him that I had seen him with Gail and after listening to excuse after excuse I told him I didn’t want to be with him anymore."

"He called her a tease," AJ said, remembering walking in on the fight. "I had showed up to see if Marie wanted to go to a movie or something."

"He accused me of sleeping with AJ behind his back," Marie said frowning. "I was incredibly hurt by all of the things he said about me."

"That’s why those rumors started," Joseph said. "You have no idea how many guys I wanted to kick the shit out of because they’d come up to me saying how easy my sister was. It was maddening."

"Hey, isn’t that Petey and Bobby," Christy asked as they turned the corner for the block the Griffin house was on. The two boys were sitting on the porch waiting for someone to come home.

"Shit," Joseph said. "I forgot I told him to come by after school."

AJ parked in the driveway and everyone got out of the car. "Hey guys," Marie said heading up the porch steps to where Bobby was sitting. "Bobby," she said waving a hand in front of his face. "What’s with him," she asked Petey.

"I don’t know," Petey said worriedly. "He’s been like that since we left school. I haven’t been able to get him to talk at all."

"Bobby," Joseph said taking a seat next to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Bobby? You all right?"

Roode snapped out of his daze and looked at Joseph. "I’m here for my tutoring session," he said.

"Bobby, we don’t have any books," Joseph replied. "We had to leave everything in the gym lockers."

"I saw everything," Bobby said softly, his eyes glazing over with memories of the murders. "I saw Gail and Chris….it was horrible."

"Who did this," Marie asked, her heart sinking knowing for sure that Harris was really dead now.

"I don’t know," Roode said. "He was huge. He wore a mask and his hair was in his face. I didn’t get a real good look." He looked at Joseph, embarrassment in his brown eyes. "I was hiding in one of the lockers."

"You did what you had to do to survive," Marie said taking a seat on the other side of him. "No one here thinks any less of you." Christy, AJ and Petey all agreed with her.

"He used a huge chain to break Chris’ neck," Bobby said. "He was slicing him open when Gail walked in. She screamed and ran…I guess to the girls’ locker room. I didn’t stick around to find out. I ran like hell out of there."

"That’s when I caught up with him," Petey said. "He was silent the whole way over."

"Bobby, you have to go to the police," Marie said. "You have to tell them what you saw. Maybe you can work with a sketch artist to come up with a composite of the killer."

"You think," Roode asked, unsure of what to do.

"Definitely," Joseph said.

"Come on, Bob," Petey said. "I’ll drop you off on the way to pick up Val." He looked at the others and said, "Thanks for getting him to talk."

Roode allowed Petey to help him up. They all watched him walk down the porch steps, still in a daze. When Petey’s car disappeared around the corner they all turned to each other, unsure of what to do or say.

"I should get home," AJ said to Marie, who nodded brushing her lips against his. "You need a ride, Christy?"

"Yeah," the redhead replied. "I’ll see you tomorrow." She brushed her lips against Joseph’s and headed to AJ’s car. Both waved as AJ pulled out of the driveway and drove off.

Later that night Marie was dozing in her bed watching some random music video when her phone rang. Snapping awake she quickly answered it before it could disturb her mother. She knew she'd be in trouble for getting a call so late if it woke her.

"Hello," she said. "This better be important."

"Baby, put on channel five news," AJ said. Marie picked up the remote and quickly turned to the news.

"Police have issued this sketch of a suspect in the murder of several teens and one teacher at Westcraven High School," the anchorwoman said. The picture showed a large male with curly dark hair covering his face. The little of the face that could be seen was covered by a mask. "If you see this man, police urge you to call them immediately. He is extremely dangerous and should not be approached."

Marie shut off the TV when Joseph entered her room. "Did you see the news," he asked. She nodded.

"When Bobby described the guy," AJ said over the phone. "I didn’t expect him to look like something out of a horror movie."

"I know," Marie said an involuntary chill going down her spine. "I’ll see you tomorrow at school."

"Love you," AJ said.

"Love you too," she replied and hung up.

"I doubt there will be school tomorrow," Joseph said. Marie nodded, still shocked by the police sketch. "Good night," Joseph said with a sigh as he exited Marie’s room, closing the door behind him.

"Night," Marie called, turning off her light and snuggling under the covers. She closed her eyes and fell asleep wondering who the masked murderer was.

Chapter 11

Marie found herself in the hall of the darkened school. Somewhere down the hall she could hear the sound of something or someone in great pain. Cautiously she took a few steps, unable to see where the noise was coming from.

"Hello," she called out, her voice echoing in the hall.

Once again she heard the pained cry and a mountain of a man came into view at the end of the hall. Marie gasped in horror at the sight of the man from the police sketch. She let out a strangled cry wanting nothing more than to put a great distance between him and her, but she found her feet glued to the spot. The man began to advance on her quickly.

Willing her feet to move she began to run down the hall. She made it to the end of the hall, but found the door chained shut. "No," she cried trying to pry the door open wide enough to squeeze through. Glancing over her should she saw that the man was getting close.

With a whimper she took off running down the next hall and overshot the door. As she spun to head back to it her knee gave out and she spilled to the floor with a thud. With what seemed like four steps the man was upon her, pulling her up by her hair. She was face to face with the monster that had murdered her friends and she found herself frozen in fear.

With another pain filled cry the man raised a shiny knife. Marie’s eyes went wide seeing it glint off the moonlight streaming in through the windows. His cold brown eyes bore into her as a held the knife to her neck.

"No," Marie whimpered trying to break free of the man’s grasp.

"Marie," Joseph called. The man’s grip tightened as she continued to fight. "Marie, wake up," Joseph called, shaking his sister. She had been tossing and turning and crying out in her sleep for a while now and he was worried about her. "Marie, snap out of it."

"NO," Marie screamed sitting up and shoving Joseph off the bed. Tears streamed down her face as she hugged her knees to her chest and rocked back and forth.

Joseph sat on the edge of the bed and pulled his sister into his arms. "What happened?"

"He was going to kill me," Marie whimpered burying her face in his chest.

"Marie," their mother called coming into the room. "Darling, what happened."

"Bad dream, Ma," Joseph replied. "She’ll be all right."

"I’m fine," Marie said wiping her face. "It just seemed so real."

"All right," their mother said. "Try to get back to sleep, babies. You both have school in a few hours." With that she left the room and headed to her own room to try to get a few more hours of sleep.

Marie glanced at the clock on her night stand and groaned. It was four in the morning and she knew there was no way she would be getting back to sleep. She pulled away from her brother and sighed.

"You should try to get back to sleep," she said. "I’m sorry I woke you."

"You had a nightmare, Marie," Joseph replied. "It’s not like you intended to wake me up in the middle of the night."

"How do you know," she teased. He chuckled and shook his head at her. "Go on back to bed."

"Are you sure you’ll be all right," he asked, concerned for his sister.

"I’ll be fine," she replied pretending to curl up under the covers again. He gave her a quick hug before heading out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Marie rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling, unable to get the image of the knife firmly pressed against her neck out of her mind. Her hand involuntarily went to her neck as if expecting to feel a ragged, gaping slit. She swallowed a sob and rolled onto her side, letting the tears slip down her cheeks, staining her pillows.

Unable to force herself to sleep she decided to call AJ in hopes that he had left his cell phone on. She quickly dialed the number and listened to the ringing on the other end. "Come on," she muttered. "Please pick up."

"Baby," AJ’s tired voice replied. "Why are you calling me at four thirty in the morning?"

"AJ," she sobbed.

"What’s wrong," he asked sitting up in bed, her strangled sob waking him fully.

"I had a horrible dream," she said sniffling. He sighed in relief to know that she was not hurt in any way.

"Dream about what," he asked stifling a yawn.

"He was going to kill me," she said, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "I was trapped in the school and he was going to kill me."

"Baby," AJ cooed. "It was just a dream. He’s not going to kill you. As long as I’m still breathing no one will ever hurt you." Her only reply was a strangled sob. "Baby, do you want me to come over?"

"Please," she sobbed.

"I’ll be there in a few minutes," he replied hanging up.

As promised he arrived a few minutes after hanging up. He carefully climbed the tree outside Marie’s window and knocked on the glass. Marie quickly opened it and let him in.

"Thank God you’re here," she said burying her face in his chest, his arms wrapped around her protectively. He could feel her trembling in his arms and he just held her, stroking her hair.

"You’re safe, baby," he cooed. "No one is going to hurt you." He made her meet his gaze. "I’m here now," he said. "I won’t let anything happen to you." She nodded and brushed her lips against his.

"I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you," she said sniffling.

"Why don’t we try to get a little more sleep," he suggested. She nodded, taking his hand and leading him to the bed. He kicked off his sneakers and crawled under the covers pulling her into his arms. "Get some sleep, baby," he whispered. "I’m here to protect you." She nodded, resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes. Within moments she was sound asleep. AJ soon drifted off to sleep as well.

"Good morning," Joseph called as he entered his sister’s room. He stopped dead in his tracks when he caught sight of Marie sleeping in AJ’s arms. AJ motioned for him to be quiet.

"She called me to come over," he whispered. "She was pretty shaken up by that dream." Joseph nodded.

"Joseph, Marie," Mrs. Griffin called heading up the steps. Joseph knew that if she found AJ in Marie’s room there would be hell to pay. Thinking quickly Joseph motioned for AJ to stay quiet and slipped out into the hall, closing the bedroom door behind him. He met his mother at the top of the stairs. "Where’s your sister," she asked.

"Still sleeping," Joseph said. "She had a rough night. I think she should stay home from school."

"There’s not going to be any school today," his mother replied. "I just got a call from Mr. Cornette. School has been canceled, but he said that students can pick up their things from the gym lockers after twelve today. Let your sister sleep." She sighed glancing at her watch. "I have to get to work. You guys behave."

"Have a good day at work, Ma," Joseph called watching his mother head back down the steps. When the front door closed behind her he headed back to Marie’s room.

"Mom’s gone to work," he said softly to AJ. "School’s been canceled." AJ nodded, looking down the still sleeping Marie. "Let her sleep. If you can get free I’ll make us breakfast." AJ gently slid out from under Marie and carefully climbed out of bed, following Joseph downstairs to the kitchen.

They made themselves some eggs and toast and were just sitting down to eat when Marie came down the stairs. She looked at the clock on the microwave and discovered that it was almost nine. "We’re going to be late for school," she said as she took a seat at the counter next to AJ. She swiped a slice of his toast and began to nibble it.

"Mom got a call from Cornette this morning," Joseph said smiling. "No school today." He handed her a glass or orange juice he’d just poured. "Oh and we can go get our stuff from the gym after twelve."

"Mom’s at work," Marie asked taking a sip of the juice. Joseph nodded. "A whole day to ourselves…what shall we do?"

"I can think of something," AJ said in her ear.

"Guys," Joseph said crinkling his nose. "That’s gross."

"Like you and Christy won’t be doing the same thing," Marie replied with a smirk.

"Christy," Joseph said heading to the phone in the living room. "Have to call her."

"That’s what I thought," Marie said chuckling. She turned her attention to AJ. "I was thinking maybe we could head to the park and have a picnic."

"That sounds good," AJ replied. "I need to head home and change. You pack up a basket and I’ll be back to pick you up. All right?" She nodded as he stood and placed a kiss on her forehead.

She watched as he took the steps two at a time to grab his sneakers and then leave. In the light of day her nightmare seemed like a million years ago. When AJ had left she gathered up the dirty dishes and loaded them into the dishwasher before finding a small basket and began to load it with drinks and food. With that task done she headed up to her room to get dressed.

"You and AJ going to the park," Joseph asked joining her on the stairs.

"Yeah," Marie replied. "We’re going to have a picnic in the park."

"How romantic," Joseph said rolling his eyes.

"What are you and Christy planning on doing," Marie asked as they got to the top of the stairs. She leaned against the banister and crossed her arms across her chest waiting for his response.

"I don’t know," Joseph replied stuffing his hands in the pockets of his pajama bottoms. "Just hang out here and watch TV or play video games."

"Oh Joey you are such a romantic at heart," Marie chuckled, rolling her eyes at her brother before heading into her room to change.

Chapter 12

Marie was sitting on the porch when Christy pulled up into the driveway. "Hey," she said climbing out of the car, a wide smile on her face. She took a seat next to Marie on the porch. "Joey told me about your nightmare. Are you all right?"

"Yeah," Marie said offering her a slight smile. Though it seemed like ages ago she could still hear the cries of the murderous maniac from her dream and it sent shivers down her spine.

"I can’t imagine dreaming of that creep," Christy said an involuntary shiver wracking her slender frame.

"It was just a dream," Marie said sighing. She smiled when she saw AJ’s car pull up in front of the house. "I gott go. You and Joey have fun. Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do," she called as she headed down the steps toward the car.

"That doesn’t leave much," Christy called back with a giggle. Marie stuck her tongue out at her friend before slipping into AJ’s car.

"What’d you pack," he asked peeking into the basket. She swatted his hand away.

"No peeking," she said. "You’ll see when we get to the park." He pouted at her making her giggle. She placed a kiss on his cheek as he pulled away and headed toward the park.

They parked and found a nice spot under a tree near the park fountain. They were just setting up their blanket when they heard someone calling them. Turning in the direction of the voice they saw Jeff Hardy walking towards them hand in hand with his girlfriend Jaslyn Jamerson. Her long black hair flowed behind her in the cool breeze.

"Hey guys," Marie said smiling.

"Having a picnic, huh," Jeff asked, eying the basket and blanket.

"My boyfriend, the rocket scientist," Jaslyn chuckled. "What else would they be doing with a blanket and basket of food, silly?" Jeff pouted at her.

"Aw, go easy on him, Jaslyn," Marie said. "The hair dye has clearly pickled his brain."

"Hey," Jeff exclaimed.

Jaslyn stifled a giggle and glared at Marie, though her midnight blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "That was not nice, Marie," she said. "Clearly it’s all of the zombie and alien movies that have rotted his brain."

"Et tu Jaslyn," Jeff said pouting and crossing his arms across his chest.

"Aw, baby, I was just joking around," Jaslyn said cupping his face in her hands. "You know I love you to pieces." Jeff smiled, wrapping his arms around her and giving her a kiss.

"I can’t stay mad at you," he said. He nuzzled her neck, making her giggle.

"We’ll see you around," Jaslyn said taking Jeff’s hand. "Jeff and I need to go."

"Behave yourselves," Marie called as they walked away.

"We never do," Jaslyn called back, making both Marie and AJ chuckle.

"They’re sweet together," Marie said taking seat on the blanket. AJ sat next to her and watched as she pulled out containers of sandwiches and fruit salad and some cans of soda.

"It still amazes me that an airhead like Jeff could get a hottie like Jaslyn," AJ said opening the container of fruit salad and popping a grape in his mouth.

"She balances out his air headedness," Marie replied with a chuckle. "I think they’re adorable."

"Do you think we’re adorable too," he asked pulling her to him and brushing his lips against hers.

"Most definitely," she said capturing his lips in a fiery kiss. Carefully he lowered her to the blanket, deepening the kiss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Joey," Christy whined. "I’m bored." They had been flipping through channels for almost an hour and could not find anything worth watching.

"What do you wanna do," he asked.

"Why don’t we put on a movie," she said eying the DVD collection.

"You know," Joseph said picking out a movie at random. "The last time we put on a movie all we saw were the opening and closing credits."

"And the problem was," Christy asked with a giggled. He shrugged popping the DVD into the player. The credits began to roll and Christy snuggled up to Joseph, resting her head on his chest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AJ’s hands slipped under Marie's tank top, grazing the satin and lace of her bra. She smiled feeling his warm flesh against hers. He rolled onto his back so that she was straddling him and she slid his T-shirt up, kissing a trail down to his belly button.

The sound of twigs snapping and leaves rustling in the bushes near them broke Marie’s concentration. "What was that," she asked, glancing at the bushes. She had no idea why, but she could feel eyes upon them.

In the bushes the monster laid in wait. The couple had been going at it for a long while and had not sensed his presence at all. That is until he adjusted his position to get a better view and rustled a few twigs and leaves.

"There’s no one there," AJ said trying to pull her face back down to his. She pulled away, sliding off of him. He groaned, knowing the mood had been killed. "Do you want me to check the damn bush," he asked, irritated.

"Yes," she replied. "Someone is there. I can feel them watching us."

"It’s probably your damn brother," AJ said getting to his feet. "You know how he likes to scare you."

Hearing that the boyfriend was going to check the bushes the monster carefully crawled away. He was sure to leave no sign of himself there. Seeing the boyfriend getting closer he carefully made his way away from the scene, frustrated that he had been detected.

AJ made it over to the bushes and combed through them, finding nothing. "No one’s here," he said to Marie.

"I felt someone watching me," she insisted.

"Baby, I’m not saying that you’re lying or anything, but if there was someone there they’re gone now," AJ said. "Why don’t we finish our lunch and head over to the school to get our stuff from the gym?" She nodded opening the container with the sandwiches and handing him one as he took a seat next to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The monster was careful not be detected any further as he made his way away from the park. He cut across the basketball courts, but did not count on anyone being there. Monty Brown was practicing free throws when he saw the large man lumbering his way.

"What the hell are you," he demanded. "Halloween is a few months away, man." The monster glared at him growling. "Oh shit," Monty exclaimed. "You’re that freak from the news!"

His words angered the large man and he barreled down on Monty, tackling him to the ground. Monty found himself pinned under the bulk of the large monster’s weight. He tried calling out for help, but all he could muster was a strangled groan. The weight pressing down on him did not allow his lungs to expand for the air needed to cry out.

In one swift motion Monty Brown’s neck was snapped by the large man. An expression of surprise was permanently glued to Monty’s face. Getting to his feet the large man tossed Monty over his shoulder, carrying him to a stand of bushes nearby. He dumped the body and headed away from the park before anyone else could see him.

Chapter 13

Joseph’s hands slipped under Christy’s tank top, reaching to unclasp her bra as their kisses grew more and more heated. On the TV Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock were casting a spell. His fingers fumbled over the clasp, managing to unhook one.

"Joey," Christy giggled pushing him away and re-clasping her bra. "You’re so bad!"

"I thought you said you wanted to watch the opening and closing credits," Joseph replied with a smirk. "You didn't specify what we would be doing in between."

Christy smacked his arm playfully. "I’m hungry," she said. "Let’s go make some lunch." With that she stood and headed into the kitchen.

Joseph groaned and turned off the DVD. He was just setting it back in the case and sliding it into place on the shelf when he heard Christy’s strangled cry from the kitchen. He dropped the DVD and rushed to see what was wrong with his girlfriend.

"What is it," he asked, seeing her standing petrified in front of the sink, staring out the window like a deer in headlights.

"There was a man," she said rushing his side. "He was huge. He was out in the bushes watching me."

Joseph held her close and walked over to the window looking for the man. When he didn’t see anything he looked down at Christy, who was shaking. "There’s no one there," he said. "I’m gonna go out there and see if I can find who was watching you."

"NO," Christy cried, holding onto Joseph. "He could still be out there! He’ll kill you!"

"Christy, baby," Joseph said holding her and stroking her hair. "What do you want me to do?"

"Call the police," she suggested.

"And tell them what," he asked. "Look, maybe with the police sketch of the killer circulating around the news you just thought you saw someone out there."

"I saw a man," she replied, crossing her arms across her chest. "And he saw me. If I hadn’t screamed he might have tried to get in a rape me and then you would've been sorry." With that she stormed into the living room, grabbing her purse and jacket.

"Christy," Joseph said following her. "Don’t go. Please. I’m sorry. I was insensitive."

"I’m going to the school to get my things," she said. "If you want a ride come on."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AJ and Marie pulled into the school parking lot and parked in the first spot. Neither one had said a word since the incident in the park. As they headed into the building they spotted Levy making out with someone they couldn’t see by the front steps of the building.

Smirking Marie walked over to them and said, "Oh look, AJ, Scott’s finally going to lose his virginity."

"Stow it," Levy replied, finally letting the girl up for air.

"Mands," Marie asked. "When did you start dating this jerk?"

"Not that it’s any of your business," Mands replied, running a hand through her black hair, the silver highlights glinting in the sun. She fixed Marie with her green eyes. "A couple of days ago."

"Wow," Marie said. "Well, whatever floats your boat, girl."

"What’s that supposed to mean," Mands demanded. "Not everyone likes the star jock." With that said she pulled Levy back to her, kissing him long and hard.

Marie turned to AJ. "I think I’m going to be sick," she said. AJ just shook his head with a chuckle.

"I heard that," both Mands and Levy said as Marie and AJ headed up the stairs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I’m not saying that no one was there at all," Joseph said as he and Christy drove to the school. "I’m just saying that no one was there when I looked."

"It’s not that you didn’t believe me, Joseph," Christy replied. He cringed knowing that she only used his full name when she was upset with him. "It’s that you practically accused me of being paranoid."

"I’m sorry," he replied. "I should have believed you."

"Damn right you should have," Christy replied. "You know why AJ and Marie work so well together?"

"Because she’s got him whipped," Joseph offered with a smirk.

"No," Christy replied, though she couldn’t help smiling. "Because AJ listens to her and doesn’t accuse her of being paranoid. I bet when she had that nightmare he snuck over and held her until she fell asleep."

"Yeah," Joseph replied.

"Would you ever do that for me," Christy demanded.

"Of course I would," Joseph replied. "Now, can we just let it go? I said I was sorry. I don’t know what else to do to get you to forgive me."

Christy sighed, pulling into the school parking lot. They spotted AJ’s car and parked next to it. Turning off the car she looked at Joseph and said, "Just be more sensitive next time." He nodded getting out of his car.

"Marie, wait up," Christy called as they entered the school and found AJ and Marie making their way down to the gym. The couple waited at the bottom of the stairs. "You will never believe what happened to me," Christy said hooking her arm through Marie’s and leading her away from the guys.

As they opened the door to head into the basement where the gym was located all four heard a pained scream coming from somewhere in the basement. Marie stopped dead in her tracks, eyes wide. The scream was the same as the one in her nightmare.

"What the hell was that," Joseph asked.

"It’s him," Marie said backing up. She bumped into AJ and almost fell, but he caught her. "He’s in the school."

"Sometimes Coach D’Amore watches movies in his office," AJ said, feeling her shaking in his arms. "Maybe he’s watching a horror movie."

Marie nodded mutely as he led her toward the locker rooms. There was still police tape and an officer posed at the door to each locker room. "Make it quick," the officers said lifting the tape for them to duck under. "Touch only your locker, get your stuff and get out."

Marie and Christy headed into the girls’ locker room, quickly grabbing their things and leaving. They didn’t want to look at the outline of the body on the tile floor. The blood had been cleaned up somewhat, but the stench of death remained in the air. It took all of their might not to retch as they gathered their things.

The girls met AJ and Joseph in the hall and all four headed out of the school together. None of them said a word until they made it to the cars. Silently they loaded their things into the cars.

"It’s so weird that you saw someone watching you, Christy," Marie said. "Because when AJ and I were at the park I could have sworn someone was watching us too."

"Something strange is going on," Christy said frowning.

"Yeah," Marie said. "That scream in the basement…" Her words trailed off as an involuntary shiver crept up her spine. D’Amore’s office was down the hall from the locker rooms so they didn’t know if he was in his office for sure.

"Just a movie," AJ said. "Coach loves his horror movies."

"Yeah," Marie said thoughtfully. The scream hadn’t sounded like a movie. It had sounded very much like the one from her nightmare and that scared her more than anything. "Where are you two headed now?"

"Off to pick up something for lunch," Christy replied. "I’m starved. We never did get to eat lunch."

"All right," Marie said heading to the passenger side of AJ’s car. "I’ll see you for dinner, Joe. We’re heading to AJ’s place."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Let’s take the short cut through the basketball court," Cindy said to her boyfriend Christian Cage.

"All right," he said smiling as he pushed her wheelchair. He cut through a stand of bushes and the wheel got stuck on something.

"What’s wrong," Cindy asked as he struggled to get the chair to move.

"It’s stuck on something," Christian replied. "Hang on." He bent down to see what the problem was and backed up, falling back, a cry of horror stuck in his throat.

"What is it," Cindy asked, trying to see.

"Don’t look, baby," Christian said pulling out his cell phone as he pulled her chair back. "Just don’t look." He quickly dialed the police. "Yes, I just found a dead body." Cindy gasped hearing the news. "We’re at the basketball courts in the park on Freemont and Drake."

Chapter 14

The drive to AJ’s house was silent. Marie stared out of the window much of the way, lost in her own thoughts. The scream that she had heard still weighed heavily on her mind.

"We’re here," AJ said parking. She forced a smile for him and climbed out of the car, leaving her things from the school in the car. AJ took her hand and led her into the house.

"Mom," AJ called as they entered the kitchen. He found a note on the fridge. "Mom’s working a double shift at the hospital," he said to Marie. "We got the place to ourselves. Come on, let’s go up to my room." She nodded and followed him upstairs to his room.

"Where’s your dad," she asked following him.

"On the road," he replied. His father worked as a truck driver and was rarely home.

"This place is a mess," she chuckled, shaking her head as he quickly scooped up some dirty clothes off his bed and tossed them into the corner of the room.

"Excuse me, Princess," he said smirking. "It’s the maid’s day off."

"This mess has been here longer than a day," she teased as she took a seat on the edge of her bed, picking up the remote and turning on a music station.

AJ sat down turning on his PS2 and grabbing a controller. Marie groaned tossing a pillow at him. "Hey," he yelled, almost dropping the controller. "You are so lucky the game was just loading."

"What if I was watching something," Marie asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Sorry, baby," AJ said frowning. "Do you want me to turn the game off?"

"No," she replied with a sigh as she kicked off her shoes and slid onto the bed fully, getting comfortable. "You can play for a while."

"Good, because I’m just a thousand points away from a new high score," he said kicking off his own shoes and lying across the bed. Marie shook her head chuckling at him as the game began. She watched him for a while, but soon drifted off into a light slumber.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Here’s your order," the woman at the drive thru window said handing Christy a bag and accepting the money from her.

"Thanks," Christy said handing the bag to Joseph. She pulled out of the drive thru and drove toward the Griffin house. As they passed the park they could see police cars and an ambulance, lights flashing on all of the vehicles.

"Wonder what’s going on there," Joseph said popping a french fry in his mouth.

"I don’t know," Christy replied. "I can’t see a thing."

"Maybe it’ll be on the news," Joseph said pointing to the news vans parked around the commotion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"YES," AJ exclaimed jumping up. "New high score! I’d like to see your brother beat that!" He looked at Marie, who was just waking up from her nap. "Sorry, baby," he said realizing she had been sleeping. "I didn’t know you were asleep."

"It’s a wonder you even know I’m here when the Playstation is on," Marie chuckled.

"What’s that supposed to mean," he asked saving his game and turning it off. He grasped her legs and pulled her under him so that she was lying on her back. "Are you trying to say that I don’t pay enough attention to you?" He softly kissed her lips and then trailed down to her neck.

"I’m not saying that at all," she said, enjoying the sensation of his lips on her skin. "I’m just saying that when you get into a zone with your games it’s like I’m not here."

"I’m sorry, baby," he said softly, nibbling her ear. His hands expertly made short work of the buttons on her shirt. He raised her off the bed to slip it off and toss it on the floor. "Will you allow me to make it up to you," he asked looking into her eyes, his blue orbs clouded over with lust.

"You better," she giggled as she slid his shirt off and tossed it onto the floor. He let out a low growl before capturing her lips with his. Soon the remainder of their clothes had joined the pile on the floor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christy and Joseph sat on the living room couch eating their food, flipping through random channels until they found the afternoon news.

"Local authorities are reporting yet another murder has been committed in the normally peaceful town of Westcraven," the reporter said. "The body of local high school athlete Monty Brown was found in a stand of bushes in Freemont Park. According to the medical examiner the preliminary cause of death is a broken neck."

"We believe that this was an act of desperation," Officer Lamonica said. "We believe that the man from the sketch is responsible for this heinous act. Perhaps Monty Brown recognized him and in an effort to remain undetected the killer snapped his neck and stashed the body in the bushes."

Christy and Joseph exchanged worried glances, now understanding what all of the commotion at the park was. "I should call Marie and AJ," Joseph said picking up the phone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marie’s cell phone began to ring somewhere in AJ’s room, but neither heard it as they lay limbs entwined and bodies tangled in the bed sheets, a fine sheen of sweat coating their skin. Marie rested her head on his bare chest, listening to the sound of his heart coming back down to a resting rate. She smiled as he laced his fingers with hers.

"Did you mean what you said last night," she asked softly.

"Hmmm," he asked.

"You said that as long as you were still breathing no one would hurt me," she said. "Did you mean it?"

"I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t," he replied, tucking a finger under her chin to tilt her head up to meet his gaze. "As long as we’ve been together have I ever lied to you?" She shook her head, smiling. "I love you, baby. Don’t you know that by now?"

"I do," she replied. He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Damn it," Joseph said hanging up the phone. "There’s no answer. What the hell could they be doing?" Christy began to giggle at his question. "What’s so funny…oh…ew!" This caused Christy to giggle even harder.

"You know for such a brainiac you can be really dumb sometimes," Christy said wiping tears from her eyes from laughing so hard.

"Excuse me, I just don’t want to think of my sister and her boyfriend getting it on, all right," Joseph replied.

The news was still reporting on the body found in the park. They showed the sketch of the killer once again and once again warned viewers not to approach the man.

"Hey, that's Cindy and Christian," Christy said when they showed their class mates on the screen.

"They found the body," Joseph said. "I would hate to be them." He shuddered at the thought of finding the cold, dead body.

The news then began to run down the names of the victims. Joseph and Christy sat watching the broadcast, still unable to believe that yet another one of their class mates were gone. School was going to be very interesting in the morning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Looking at the clock on the nightstand Marie sighed. "I should get home," she said sitting up and searching for her discarded clothes. "I didn’t realize that it was so late."

"It’s only a little after five," AJ said, propping himself up on his elbow.

"It’s my turn to cook dinner," she replied slipping her shirt over her head. "I’d like to have it on the table when mom gets home." She looked at him and sighed exasperatedly. "Did you forget that you’re my ride home?"

"No, I was just enjoying the view," he said with a chuckle as she tossed a pillow at him. "I’ll drive you home, give me a minute." With that he pulled his clothes back on and they were soon heading to the Griffin house.

Chapter 15

AJ walked Marie into the house, walking hand in hand. They were giggling as they entered the house. They both stopped dead in their tracks when they came upon Joseph standing in the hall, his arms folded across his chest.

"Where the hell have you two been," he demanded.

"I’m sorry, I thought dad lived in Tampa," Marie replied releasing AJ’s hand. "What’s your problem?"

"Joey," Christy said smacking his shoulder. "Leave them alone."

"I have been trying to call you all afternoon," Joseph said ignoring Christy.

"What’s going on," Marie asked, noticing how tense her brother was.

"Monty Brown was found dead in the park by the basketball court," he replied. "It’s been all over the news. Didn’t you two see it?"

"We were kind of doing other things," AJ said smirking as he snaked his arms around Marie’s waist. She stifled a giggle and pushed him away, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

"Another body," she frowned. "This is getting very, very serious."

"I know," Joseph said with a sigh. He then turned his attention to AJ. "Dude, next time just say you guys were busy, kay? I don’t need to know what you’ve been doing to my sister."

"Sorry," AJ replied, but couldn’t hide the smirk. He loved teasing Joseph like that, knowing that it agitated him. He turned his attention to Marie now. "Do you think your mom would mind if I stayed for dinner? Mom’s working a double shift and dinner for me would just be something I nuked. I’d much rather have a nice home cooked meal."

"You sure you want to eat Marie’s cooking," Joseph teased. "I mean I can think of a million better ways to spend the night than puking my guts up from food poisoning."

Marie punched him in the shoulder, making him wince and hold it. "Just for that you’re in charge of setting the table," she said. "You wanna stay too Christy?"

"I should head home," Christy sighed. "Mom’s already on edge about me going out with friends and stuff. Don’t even get me started on dad." She sighed and grabbed her purse, giving Joseph a quick kiss. "See you in the morning." With that she left.

"You, set the table," Marie said to Joseph. "AJ, come help me cook, please."

"Sure, sweety," he replied with a smile.

"Wow, she’s got you trained real well," Joseph said with a smirk as he followed them into the kitchen. AJ flipped him up, making both boys chuckle. "It’s like you’re already family," Joseph said grabbing the dishes, silverware and napkins to set the table.

"Not yet," AJ said smiling, wrapping an arm around Marie’s waist as she filled a pot with water. "Hopefully once we’ve graduated though." Joseph groaned and made a face at the comment.

"Face it, Joey, you’re looking at your future brother-in-law," Marie said chuckling when Joseph groaned again.

"Couldn’t you marry someone like….um…."

"Like who," AJ asked, interested to see who Joseph would come up with.

"Like Kurt," Joseph said.

"Dude, you’re just pulling stuff out of your ass, aren’t you," AJ asked. "Kurt’s with Daria now."

"Oh yeah," Joseph said thinking about Kurt’s girlfriend, the self proclaimed Wiccan with an attitude. It had been a real shock to them when they saw her and Kurt together because she had never shown any interest in any boy at the school. "I almost forgot about her."

"Besides, Kurt’s more like a brother," Marie said as she started the chicken in the frying pan. "He’s not boyfriend material to me."

"Whatever," Joseph muttered as he set the table.

An hour later they all heard the front door open and close. "What is that heavenly smell," Samantha Griffin asked entering the house. She hung her coat in the hall closet and headed into the kitchen. "Honey, I’m home," she called with a smile.

"Hey mom," Marie said when Samantha came over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Dinner will be ready soon."

"Good," she replied kissing Joseph’s forehead. He was sitting at the table with his biology book open, studying. "I take it you’re staying for dinner, AJ," she asked with a smile. AJ nodded as he munched on a slice of garlic bread Marie had just made.

"His mom’s working a double shift at the hospital," Marie explained as she brought the side dishes and the chicken over to the table.

"You know you’re always welcome at our table. Who am I to deny my future son-in-law," Samantha said smiling. Joseph groaned and rolled his eyes. Samantha simply chuckled and rumpled his hair. "Everything looks great, honey." Joseph set his book aside and everyone sat down to eat.

As they dug into their food the conversation was kept to a minimum. "Kids," Samantha said not wanting to kill the light mood. "I was listening to the radio on the way home." She sighed setting down her fork. "There’s been another one of your class mates found dead."

"We know," Joseph said. "We saw the report on the news."

"I know you kids want to be independent people and all, but until this killer is caught I want you both to promise me that you’ll never leave this house without telling where you’re going and leaving a number where you can be reached," Samantha said. "I know I can’t keep you safe all the time, despite the fact that I want to just chain you both up in your rooms until all of this is over."

"We promise, mom," Marie said reaching out and taking her mother’s hand. "Right, Joey?"

"Right," Joseph replied taking his mother’s other hand. Samantha smiled lovingly at her children and the subject was closed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Where are you, you idiot," James Mitchell called as he trekked through the tunnels beneath the school.

The lights flickered in the tunnel, most likely because they were as old as the tunnels themselves. Not many students or teachers used the tunnels anymore and upkeep had not been a high priority. No matter, Mitchell knew the tunnels like the back of his hand. He had graduated from this school many years ago and returned to be a counselor after college.

"There you are," he grumbled, finding the mountain of a man cowering in a corner of a room at the end of the right tunnel.

The massive man’s silhouette was the only thing visible. His masked face obscured by the mop of brown curls falling in his face as he rocked back and forth. He knew his punishment for venturing out of the tunnels.

"Have you been having fun," Mitchell demanded, as he removed his belt. "Have you been having fun picking off the children of my school?" The massive man let out an agonized cry at the sight of the leather strap in Mitchell’s hands. "Stand up," Mitchell demanded.

The man did as he was told and turned to face the wall, bracing himself against it with his hands. Mitchell let the strap fly and it lashed the man across the back. He let out an almost animalistic wail of pure pain before the strap connected for a second time.

"You never learn, do you," Mitchell yelled. "When I got you out of that hell hole you were being kept in I told you to stay down here. Didn’t I?" He lashed the man again. "Every cop in the city is looking for you now." The strap once again connected with the man’s back. All he could do was whimper helplessly.

Panting from strapping the large man, Mitchell slid the belt back into the loops of his dress pants and glared at the pathetic creature before him. "Next time listen to me or the beating will be worse," he spat before leaving the hulking man curled up in the fetal position, whimpering from the pain that still coursed through his body.

Chapter 16

The next morning was a Friday, Styles picked up everyone at the Griffin house. They parked in the student lot and headed to the school. None of them knew what to expect that morning. The entire student body and faculty were on edge since the murders began.

"Hey guys," Terry Gerin said approaching the couples. "You’ve met Syra, right?"

"Yeah," Marie said smiling and nodding to the young woman who was holding Gerin’s hand. Her long black hair was streaked with crimson and she wore crimson colored contacts as well.

"I love your contacts," Christy said smiling. "That is wicked cool."

"Thanks," Syra said smiling. "Honey, we should get inside."

Gerin nodded. "See you guys in class," he said before leading her into the building.

"Guess we should get this day over with," AJ sighed. "At least it’s Friday."

"Hey AJ," Lance Hoyt said, as AJ and Marie headed to their lockers. On his back rode his girlfriend Lacy. She giggled as he bounced her, her red streaked raven locks bouncing. Her violet eyes sparkled with delight.

"Hey Lance," AJ said as he opened his locker and pulled out his books for part of the morning classes.

"That looks like fun," Marie said to Lacy as she pulled out her own books from her locker. "How come you never give me piggy back rides, AJ?"

"Lance, why don’t you stop being a show off," AJ grumbled. "Get to class already."

"Bye guys," Lacy giggled as Hoyt bounced down the hall with her on his back.

"You still didn’t answer my question," Marie said closing her locker and slinging her bag over her shoulder. She crossed her arms across her chest and waited.

"You’re gonna make a big fuss about this," AJ groaned. "A stupid piggy back ride? Come on, Marie. Could we not fight over stupid shit today?"

She pondered the question and he let out an exasperated groan. "I was kidding," Marie said, giggling. "We won’t fight over stupid shit today. I promise." She gave him a peck on the lips and he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Get a room," Joseph teased meeting up with them.

Christy was a few paces behind talking to Shelly, her boyfriend Chase Stevens at her side. He held her bag as she pulled her long, crimson waves into a ponytail. Her blue-green eyes sparkled animatedly as she and Christy chatted away.

"Hey guys," Christy said once she met up with AJ and Marie.

"Hey Shell, Chase," Marie said. They nodded a hello.

"We gotta get going to homeroom. The bell is about to ring," Shelly said. "It was nice talking to you Christy."

"See you," Christy said waving as the couple left. "We should get to going too." No sooner had the words come out of her mouth than the bell signaling the start of homeroom rang.

They all rushed to the proper room, literally colliding with Joe Seannoa and his girlfriend. "You all right," AJ asked, helping Sidney to her feet. "I am so sorry."

"It’s all right," she said offering him a smile, her brown eyes showing that she held no grudge. "We were rushing." The African-American beauty brushed her black locks back into place with her fingers. "We should go, Joe." He nodded, taking her hand and heading to the appropriate room.

AJ, Marie, Joseph and Christy all arrived in their homeroom just before the final bell. Matt Hyson and his girlfriend Jox were not so lucky. They arrived, gasping for breath from running the halls to beat the bell.

Jox’s reddish blonde hair was messed, no doubt from the jog through the halls. She turned her green eyes toward the homeroom teacher, who had been in the middle of calling roll. He motioned for her to take a seat. She nodded a thank you to him and sat down next to Marie and AJ.

"Next time," Marie said leaning into Jox. "Less making out. You won’t lose track of time that way."

Jox giggled and shoved her playfully. "Speaking from experience," she replied. Marie giggled and nodded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The morning sailed along uneventfully for everyone. The class time seemed to go by in a breeze. Neither the students nor the faculty were in the mood for fooling around. They all just wanted to get through the day.

"Where’s the Coach," Kurt asked as he joined Marie, AJ, Christy and Joseph in the gym. Daria followed close behind him. Her green eyes scanned the gym for Coach D’Amore.

"I don’t see him," she said, running a hand through her straight black hair. The blonde and red highlights shimmered in the patches of sunlight shining in through the gym windows.

"We’ll go see if he’s in his office," Marie said taking AJ’s hand and dragging him toward the Coach’s office.

"Coach," AJ called as they knocked on the door. When there was no response he tried the knob. Finding it unlocked he carefully opened the door and poked his head in. "Oh shit," he exclaimed closing the door.

"What," Marie asked. "Is he in there naked or something?" She giggled and made a face at the comment.

"No," AJ replied with a sigh, raking a hand through his hair. "Baby, he’s…dead."

"What," she asked, shoving him out of the way and opening the door. D’Amore sat slumped at his desk, his neck clearly snapped. A small trail of dried blood came from his nose. His eyes stared blankly, a look of horror permanently twisting his features. "Oh no," Marie gasped and buried her face in AJ’s chest.

He picked up the phone on the desk and dialed. "Mr. Zabyszko," he said. "This is Allen Jones. Marie Griffin and I just found Coach D’Amore in his office. Sir, he’s dead."

Within minutes Zabyszko and Cornette joined them in the office. "Son, did you touch anything besides the phone," Cornette asked AJ.

"No, sir," he replied. Marie still clung to him, her face buried in his chest. "We didn’t touch anything else, we promise."

"All right," Cornette replied with a sigh. "I’m sure the police will need to speak to you both. Go back to the gym and inform your classmates that they can go. I’ll be making an announcement that school will be closed until these murders are solved." He sighed and shook his head, turning his attention to Zabyszko. "It’s too dangerous to have the kids here while this is going on." Zabyszko nodded in agreement.

From the bowels of the school a pain filled cry echoed. Marie stiffened in AJ’s arms as he led her back to the gym. The same cry from her dream echoed in her ears for a second time.

"Did you kids hear that too," Zabyszko asked. AJ and Marie nodded. "The murderer may still be in the building. In the tunnels."

"Larry, wait for the police," Cornette called as Zabyszko headed down the stairs toward the tunnels.

"He may be gone by then," Zabyszko replied and disappeared.

"You kids go to my office and ask my secretary to make the announcement," Cornette said to Marie and AJ.

"I’ll go," AJ said. "You go find your brother and Christy." Marie nodded and headed back to the gym while AJ took the stairs up two at a time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Where are you, you son of a bitch," Zabyszko called as he wandered through the tunnels. He had found a lead pipe and picked it up to use as a weapon. "I know you’re down here," he called. His eyes were barely able to adjust to the dim light.

He turned around to head back the way he came and found a mountain of a man standing before him. Zabyszko stood there stunned, frozen in place. The pipe slipped from his hand as the massive man let out another cry. Finally finding his feet he turned to run away.

The man was faster than he looked and grabbed Zabyszko, pulling his struggling form to his chest. With little effort he snapped his neck, letting the body drop to the ground. Zabyszko let out a strangled cry before he breathed his last breath.

Knowing that his punishment would be worse than before the man let out another cry. Whimpering he headed down the tunnel that led to his room. He knew that Mitchell would find him and lash him for disobeying him once again.

Chapter 17

"Guys," Jeff panted rushing over to AJ, Marie, Levy and Daniels. "I know why school was really closed." Once the police had questioned AJ and Marie they met up with Levy and Daniels in the park and decided to hang out for a while before going home.

"This I have got to hear," Levy said with a smirk. "Why did they really close the school, Hardy?"

"They have a secret lab in the basement," Jeff said. Everyone groaned. "No, really. I heard Mr. Mitchell talking to Mr. Douglas about it as I was clearing out my locker today."

"What exactly did they say, Jeff," Marie asked.

"Don’t encourage the moron," Levy grumbled.

"Shut up, Scott," Marie replied. "I wasn’t talking to you." She looked at Jeff and motioned for him to continue.

"Well…Mitchell said that he had to go check out something down in the basement," Jeff replied. "Then Douglas asked if he was cooking up something in his lab."

"You idiot," Levy exclaimed. "Douglas was joking with him!"

"Yeah," Jeff asked, daring Levy to defy him. "Well, I’m gonna go check it out. I’ll prove you wrong!"

"Wait a minute," AJ said finally breaking his silence. "Are you saying you’re breaking into the school?"

"What’s the matter, golden boy? Afraid that you’ll lose your free ride scholarship," Levy taunted.

"AJ, don’t listen to him," Marie said. "Just because he’s a juvenile delinquent doesn’t mean you have to be one too."

Levy replied to this statement by making chicken noises at AJ. AJ tried his best to ignore him. When the noises alone did nothing to provoke AJ, Levy stood and began acting like a chicken.

"You know what," AJ exclaimed standing and grabbing Levy by the collar of his leather jacket. "I’m in Jeff."

"AJ," Marie whined. "Don’t do this."

"I’ll be fine, baby," AJ said giving her a kiss, though he still glared at Levy.

"Then I’m coming with you," she said crossing her arms across her chest.

"Aren’t you worried you’ll chip a nail, sweetheart," Levy asked with a smirk.

"I’m going," Marie reiterated.

"I’m in too," Daniels said, having watched and listened to the banter between his friends in silence for long enough.

"Great, sounds like a party," Levy said, rubbing his hands together deviously.

"We’ll meet back at the school around six," Jeff said smiling. "I have it all worked out."

"Fine," Marie said taking AJ’s hand and dragging him away from the group.

"Don’t forget to wear black," Jeff called.

"You idiot! Stop watching so many damn movies," Levy said slapping Jeff upside the head. "We’re not spies for Christ sake!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AJ and Marie arrived at the Griffin house shortly after leaving the park. They were greeted by Christy and Joseph. Samantha was not home from work just yet.

"Listen, Joey," Marie said pulling her brother aside. "I need you to order some take out for dinner."

"You’re not going to cook," Joseph asked suspiciously.

"AJ and I and a few others are going back to the school around six," she replied. "We’re gonna go explore things while it’s empty."

"Jeff talked you into looking for the stupid lab in the basement, didn’t he," Joseph asked.

"I want to find out what that horrible screaming is coming from the basement," Marie replied. "I don’t care about a stupid secret lab that most likely doesn’t exist." She sighed. "Look, I need you to cover for me with mom. Tell her that I went over AJ’s house to hang out and I’ll be back by curfew. She knows AJ's cell if she wants me home sooner."

"All right," Joseph replied with a sigh. "You know I hate lying to mom though."

"I know," Marie said. "I’ll make it up to you. I promise."

"Yeah, yeah," Joseph replied brushing her off when she tried to give him a hug.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By six the sun had already begun to set. The sky was a rainbow of oranges, reds and purples. AJ and Marie walked up to the school; having decided it was best to leave the car behind. They saw no one in plain view. Hissing from the bushes alerted them that Jeff was there already.

"What are you doing in there, Jeff," AJ asked.

"Hiding out," Jeff replied as if it was a stupid question. He then frowned. "You didn’t wear black."

AJ was dressed in what he had worn to school that day, jeans, a football jersey and sneakers. Marie had changed from her mini skirt and V-neck sweater and heels into a pair of jeans with holes in the knees, sneakers, and a T-shirt with her former cheerleading squad’s logo on it. They looked down at what they were wearing and shrugged as Jeff got out of the bushes. He wore black jeans, a black turtleneck and had a black ski cap on his head.

"Someone needs to join us in reality," Marie giggled.

"You can say that again," Levy said joining them. He took one last puff of the cigarette he was smoking before tossing it away. "Are we ready to do this or what?"

"We’re just waiting for Daniels," AJ said.

"I’m here," Daniels said jogging over. "Had to make up some story to my mom."

"How sweet," Levy said. "Can we get this over with already?"

"No one said you had to come you know," Marie replied.

"Shut it cheerleader," he replied. "The best place to break in would be the back of the school. We’re less likely to get caught."

They all made their way to the back of the school. They examined the windows that led to the basement trying to decide which would be best to use. Levy shrugged and pulled his jacket sleeve over his hand, punching out the glass in one window.

"Scott," Marie hissed. "What if someone heard that?"

"Relax," Levy said loudly as he pulled out the remaining shards at the top before reaching in and unlocking the window. "Everyone’s long gone by now." He opened up the window and quickly climbed in. "Come on!"

Careful not to get cut on the glass on the sill everyone carefully climbed in through the window. They looked around the darkened room they were in, allowing their eyes to adjust to the darkness. Jeff made his way over to a wall and felt around until he found a light switch.

"Shit," Marie gasped as the lights came on. She was startled to see Mr. Borden standing in the doorway, his hands on his hips and a look of pure annoyance on his face. "Hi, Mr. Borden," she said and giggle nervously.

"Lost are we," Borden asked.

"We can explain," Daniels sputtered.

"You better start," Borden said, crossing his arms across his chest.

Levy stepped forward. "Listen, Steve," he said slinging his arm around Borden’s shoulders. "What do you say you and Mr. Lincoln here get better acquainted and you forget we were ever here?" He had a folded bill in his hand and offered it to Borden.

"A five," Marie scoffed. "You’re trying to bribe a teacher with a five, Scott?"

"Mr. Levy," Borden said removing Levy’s arm from around his shoulders. "What do you say you take your friends and leave before I have you expelled?"

"You can’t expell me," Levy replied. "School’s been canceled until the murderer…" Borden placed his hand over Levy’s lips.

"When school resumes," Borden replied. "All of you, get out now and I will pretend that nothing happened."

"Gotcha, Mr. Borden," AJ said, heading to the broken window.

"Out the front door," Borden said with a tired sigh.

AJ nodded, blushing slightly. He took Marie’s hand and led the way out of the basement. Daniels and Jeff followed close behind. Levy lagged behind.

"You could have been five bucks richer," he said to Borden.

"Get out, Levy," Borden said pointing to the doorway the others had gone through. "I’m not joking."

"All right," Levy said holding up his hands in surrender. "I’m going."

As he joined the others on the way out of the building they heard a strangled groan come from the basement. They all stopped dead in their tracks and looked back. No one knew what had happened and quickly did a head count to make sure they were all there.

"Man! I knew it," Jeff whined. "That’s some zombie super student they created in the lab!"

"Shut up," Marie hissed and listened for the sound again. "I can’t be sure, but that sounded kind of like Mr. Borden."

"Well, I’m not going back to check," Levy said.

"It was probably nothing," Daniels agreed. "Let’s just get the hell out of here."

"Everyone's gone by now, Scott," Marie asked, her hands on her hips.

"So, I was wrong," Levy replied.

Marie groaned and wanted to strangle him, but fought the urge. The sound worried her. She was certain that Mr. Borden was in trouble. In the vast darkness of the empty school she didn't want to go back and check alone.

"Come on, babe," AJ said. With a sigh and a last glance over her shoulder Marie followed them out.

Chapter 18

"Where has that moron gotten off to now," Mitchell muttered as he wandered the halls of the empty school. He stopped when he heard Borden throwing out some students. "Great," he muttered. "Just what I need." He hid in the shadows as the students made their way out of the school.

He was just about to duck out from the shadows when a sound stopped the students. Mitchell groaned inwardly, knowing what the noise was. "Son of a bitch," he muttered as he saw Marie hesitating. He knew that if the students went back they would be in real danger.

He released the breath he had been unaware he was holding when the others finally convinced her to leave with them. Once he was certain the students were gone he crept out from the shadows and made his way toward where the sound came from. He found who he was looking for soon.

The large mountain of a man was crouched over Borden’s prone body. He whimpered and touched Borden’s face. It almost seemed as if he regretted hurting the smaller man. He was whimpering and touching Borden’s face when Mitchell finally spoke.

"What have you done, you idiot," he yelled as he pulled his belt from the loops. "Up against the wall!" The man obeyed, though he whimpered loudly knowing the pain that would follow. Mitchell lashed the massive man across the back, making him let out an animalistic cry.

The man let out another cry, this one filled with anger as he turned and glared at Mitchell. "What are you doing," Mitchell yelled. "Turn around and face the wall!"

The man turned and Mitchell swung the belt back to lash him again. Before the leather strap could touch the now delicate skin on his back the man caught the belt, growling at Mitchell. He pulled the belt, catapulting Mitchell to him.

"Put me down, you giant retard," Mitchell yelled, struggling against the huge man’s grip. The man growled again, grasping Mitchell’s head. "Let go of me you…"

Those were the only words he uttered as the man snapped his neck. The massive man grinned under his mask, relieved to finally be free of Mitchell. With a content sigh he let Mitchell’s body slip to the ground in a crumpled heap. Feeling his stomach growling he ventured up into the school to find some food.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Did you find out anything," Joseph asked when Marie and AJ got to the Griffin house.

"Borden caught us," AJ replied with a sigh.

"Where’s mom," Marie asked.

"She came home for a little bit, but had to go back to work," Joseph replied. "They’re shorthanded at the Stop-N-Shop and need her to go back to fill in."

"So, she’ll be gone until really late," Marie asked.

"Most likely, why," Joseph asked.

"Because I want to go back to the school," she replied.

"Now, wait a minute," AJ said shaking his head. "Getting caught by a teacher once in a night is all I can handle, baby."

"Fine, AJ. You can stay home. I’ll go without you," Marie replied pulling out her cell phone and heading into the living room.

"What the hell does that mean," AJ demanded heading into the living room. Marie ignored him, talking to someone on the phone. "Hey," he said pulling the phone from her and ending the call.

"I was talking to Jeff," Marie replied.

"Why the hell do you want to go back to the school so bad," AJ demanded, holding her phone just out of her reach.

She tried to reach it a few times before giving up and sighing loudly. She crossed her arms across her chest and glared at him. "Something strange is going on in that school," she finally said. "I plan to find out what."

"So you’re calling Jeff," AJ demanded, silencing the ringer when the phone rang in his hands. "He’s the biggest conspiracy theorist in the school…possibly the ONLY conspiracy theorist in the school!"

"You didn’t honestly think I was going to the school by myself, did you," Marie replied. "If you won’t go I’ll get someone else."

"If you want me to go with you I will," AJ said with a sigh as her cell began to ring again.

"Good," Marie said taking her phone and answering it. "Hi Jeff, no the aliens did not intercept the call." AJ groaned at what he had just heard. "AJ grabbed my phone and held it hostage. Right, call up Chris and Terry. See if they’ll come too. Meet us by the school around midnight." With that she hung up.

"I thought it would just be you and me," AJ said once she had hung up.

"I think we’d be safer if there were more of us," Marie replied. "Joey, call up Kurt and see if he can meet us by the school. And I’m sure Christy will want to come too."

"I’ll see if she can sneak out of the house," Joseph replied. "Midnight, right?" Marie shook her head.

"So, we just hang out and wait for a couple of hours," AJ asked.

"Pretty much," Marie replied pocketing her cell phone.

Joseph came back into the living room. "All right, Kurt is definitely in," he said. "Christy too. She told her parents that she’s sleeping over here and they bought it."

Just then Marie’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and put it on speaker. "Marie," Jeff said excitedly. "All right Daniels is in. I called up Terry and he said he’s in. Oh and Scott was hanging out with Terry so he’s in too."

"Great," Marie muttered. "I guess the more the merrier. See you at the school at midnight."

"Sounds like a plan," Jeff said, she could hear the smile in his voice. "Now, we’ll see that secret lab that…" He never got to finish the statement as Marie hung up the phone and pocketed it once again.

Chapter 19

Later that night Marie, Joseph, Christy and AJ all drove over to the school, parking about a block away. As they exited the car they saw Terry and Levy walking from the car they had rode over in. Kurt, Daniels and Jeff pulled up and parked not far away as well. The group silently met up and walked the rest of the way to the school, all feeling that something was about to change their lives.

"Back here is where I broke out the window," Levy quietly informed the group. "I doubt very much that Borden did anything with it."

They headed around the back of the school and found the broken window just as they had left it. "Be careful," Marie told everyone as she climbed through the window first. "There’s still broken glass here."

One by one everyone climbed in through the window. Jeff felt his way over to the wall with the switch and flipped it, frowning when the light didn’t come on. Terry pulled out a small flashlight from his pocket and shone the beam up at the bulb hanging from the ceiling.

"Bulb’s been broken," he said. "Was it like this when you guys were here earlier?"

Before anyone could reply they all heard a groan from behind them. Terry swung the beam of his flashlight around until he found where the groaning was coming from. A body lay on the ground, barely moving.

"Mr. Borden," Marie cried rushing to his side and dropping to her knees and taking his hand. "I knew we should have come back for you."

"He would have hurt you too," Borden replied through groans of pain.

"Can you stand, sir," Kurt asked.

"No," Borden replied, grunting as pain shot through his battered body. "Several bones…broken."

"We have to get him out of here," Marie said.

"Kurt and I will carry him out and call an ambulance," Terry said. "Scott, here." He handed the flashlight over to Levy.

"You kids shouldn’t be here," Borden groaned. "You’ll just end up getting seriously hurt or worse. He’s a madman."

"Who is, sir," Kurt asked, but Borden had passed out from the pain.

"We need a sheet or something to carry him out on," Terry said. "It’ll be easier than trying to carry his dead weight on our own."

"Will this help," Jeff asked pulling a large tarp from one of the boxes stacked in the room.

"Good," Terry said. "Come on guys. We’re gonna need your help."

Levy turned off the flashlight and pocketed it, joining AJ, Joseph, Jeff and Daniels in helping Terry and Kurt get the tarp underneath Borden. Christy and Marie hung back watching as the boys got their teacher onto the tarp. When that task was done Kurt grasped one end of the tarp firmly. Terry grasped the other.

"We’ll call for help," Kurt said. "Try to be careful. Whoever did this to Mr. Borden is full of rage." With that he and Terry carried Borden out of the school to wait for an ambulance.

"So, who else wants to face some unknown madman inside the bowels of the empty school," Levy asked.

"Oh no," Daniels shaking his head. "I’ve seen this movie before. The goofy, funny guy always dies first. Count me out."

"Who the hell told you that you were funny," Levy asked. "Goofy as all hell, yes, but funny? Please. Stop being a chicken shit and let’s go."

"Sometimes I really hate that guy," Daniels muttered to AJ.

"Come on, buddy," AJ said. "I got your back."

They made their way into the main hall of the school. It seemed huge and looming in the dark emptiness. Together they looked one way and then another way, debating where to start their journey.

"I think we could cover more ground if we split up," Levy said. "I’ll take dumb and dumber with me," he said motioning toward Jeff and Daniels.

"Hey," the both exclaimed.

"Scott," Marie said her hands on her hips. "Who said you get to be leader?"

"Would you and your little cheerleader buddy feel better if you were in charge," Levy asked.

"You can be a real dick when you want to be, you know that," Marie replied crossing her arms across her chest.

"Oh I am so hurt," Levy replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now, like I was saying I’ll take Hardy and Daniels. That leaves the cheerleaders and their boy toys."

"Asshole," Marie muttered. "AJ and I will take the first floor."

"Christy and I will go check out the second," Joseph said.

"Great," Levy replied. "That leaves three for me and the dipshits."

"You know, you are not a very nice person," Daniels said.

"And strangely I don’t give a flying fuck," Levy replied. "Let’s go."

"But," Jeff said rushing to follow Daniels and Levy to the stairs. "We should explore the basement."

"There is no damn lab in the fucking basement, Hardy," Levy yelled. "Get your ass in gear before I shove my foot up it."

The others watched the three heading through the doors to the stair well shaking their heads. "All right," AJ said to Christy and Joseph. "Be careful guys."

"You too," Christy said as she took Joseph’s hand and led the way to he stair well.

"Shall we," AJ asked, not looking forward to nosing around the school after dark. Marie nodded, taking his hand as they headed toward the first class room close by.

Chapter 20

After snooping around in a few classrooms and finding nothing Marie and AJ headed back out into the hall. As they stood pondering which way to go they heard the same cry as earlier in the night and then the sound of someone yelping in pain. AJ and Marie looked at each other wide eyed.

"That sounded like Daniels," AJ said taking off down the hall toward the sound. "I’m comin’ buddy!"

"AJ," Marie cried, unable to keep up with him. She stopped in front of the computer lab to catch her breath. "Damn it, AJ," she muttered, leaning against the door and hating him for deserting her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AJ rounded the corner of the hall and stopped dead in his tracks. About halfway down the hall he could see Daniels being dragged by his foot. What made him stop in his tracks was the sheer size of the man dragging Daniels. "Chris," AJ called. The man never acknowledged AJ's presence.

Daniels picked up his head and looked at AJ, blood trickling from his forehead. "AJ, get out of here," he called. "I told you the funny guy dies first." With that he passed out as the monstrous man continued to drag him down the hall, disappearing through the doors that led to the basement.

"Fuck," AJ curse kicking the wall, debating whether to follow the man down to the basement. In the end he decided to go in search of Marie.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marie stood in the hall listening for anything or anyone. She finally heard hushed bickering coming from the computer lab. Curiosly she peeked in through the window and saw a computer monitor illuminating part of the room. She could just make out who was using the computers.

"What the hell are you two doing," she demanded entering the room and flipping on the lights. "You were supposed to be checking out the third floor."

"Nothing was up there. Turn the lights off," Levy yelled. "Do you want to draw attention to the fact that we’re here?" Marie quickly switched the lights off, wondering why she was listening to Levy.

"It loaded finally," Jeff exclaimed excitedly. "God these computers suck!"

"What do you expect," Levy said turning his attention back to the screen. "It’s not like we have tuition money to buy computers with. We’re a public high school, Jeffrey." He smiled wide as he gazed at the screen. "Oh yeah, that’s the good shit."

"What the hell are you two looking at," Marie demanded heading over to the computer where they sat.

"Nothing," Jeff replied trying to close out the window. He was not quick enough and Marie caught sight of the voluptuous naked woman on the screen before it closed out.

"You are both disgusting," she replied.

"News flash, sweetheart," Levy said bringing the picture back up. "We’re men. We like naked chicks, especially naked chicks with big tits."

"Those are SO not real," Marie replied, crossing her arms across her chest.

"They are too," Jeff cried. "You take that back! Missy Chantal is all natural!"

Marie chuckled at Jeff’s reaction. "She is not! She’s lying down and they’re at attention," she replied pointing at the naked woman’s breasts. "They’re fake boys."

"Fake or not I’d still like to shove my face between them," Levy said, practically drooling over the picture.

"That is disgusting," Marie said.

Just as she uttered those words the back door to the classroom burst in, sending wood splinters everywhere. In the doorway, blocking out the light from the hall stood a huge man. Marie and Levy ducked under the desk. Jeff stood, dazed.

When he finally came to his senses he said, "Holy shit, I was right about the super students!" The man growled at Jeff before picking him up and flinging him into the wall like a rag doll. He fell to the floor in a crumpled heap.

"Go," Levy said shoving Marie out from under the desk, toward the front door.

"What about Jeff," she asked.

"Forget about him," Levy said shoving her on. "Go, damn it!"

They headed out into the hall. They could hear the man stomping his way to the door they had just exited. Thinking quickly Levy pulled Marie in through the first door he could find.

"This is the girls’ bathroom," Marie said as he dragged her into the last stall.

"Shut up," Levy said as he stood on the toilet seat. He pulled her up onto it as well, holding onto her tightly.

"Get your hand off my ass, Scott," Marie demanded. He shifted his hand from her ass to her waist. "This was your big plan," she hissed. "We crouch on the crapper and hope that Godzilla goes away?"

"Do you ever shut the fuck up? Honestly, how the hell does AJ put up with you," Levy replied. "I saw a door and I took it. How the hell was I supposed to know this was the girls’ bathroom?"

Marie was about to reply, but Levy slapped his hand over her mouth. The bathroom door opened and they could hear the panting of the huge man that had assaulted Jeff. They heard his footsteps heading toward the stalls.

Marie whimpered and Levy clamped his hand over her mouth tighter. "Don’t make a sound," he whispered in her ear.

They soon heard the stall doors being kicked in as the man growled with each unsuccessful search. He was just two stalls down when they realized that they were trapped.

"When he gets to our door," Levy whispered to Marie. "I want you to get down and crawl out under the walls. I’ll distract him. You get out and run your ass off. Understand?" Marie shook her head, hearing that he was at the stall next to them.

It didn’t take long for the man to get to their stall. "Go, now," Levy said, letting go of her and watching her crawling under the wall into the next stall.

Marie had just made it out of the stalls when she saw Levy being lifted out of the stall by his throat. Massive hands encased his neck, making him gag. Marie stood frozen in place.

"Scott," Marie cried, wanting to help him.

"Marie, go," Levy choked out, bringing the man’s attention to her. He let go of Levy, letting him drop to the floor, gasping for air. The man turned to advance on Marie. "Get the hell out of here," Levy called as he jumped on the monster’s back.

Marie found her legs and headed out of the bathroom into the hall. Once in the hall she headed away from the bathroom as fast as she could. With each step she could feel an aching in her bad knee.

Chapter 21

"Come on, you big pussy," Levy said as he tried to choke out the bigger man.

With a growl the man flipped him off his back. Levy’s head connected with the marble floor with a thud. He groaned in pain before his world went black.

Making it to the door in three steps the man headed out into the hall to find where Marie had gone. He listened for the sound of footsteps and headed down the hall. He rounded the corner and found Marie about halfway down the hall.

Looking over her shoulder Marie could see the massive man gaining on her. Ignoring the pain in her bad knee she pushed herself to run faster. It seemed like he took one step for every four of hers. She had almost made it around the next corner when she felt excruciating pain rip through her knee. It gave out on her sending her spilling to the floor. She landed with a yelp of pain.

Marie tried desperately to get back to her feet, but the pain was too much and she collapsed back to the floor. The man gained on her, growling the whole time. Marie tried her best to drag herself away from him, but he was too fast. He was almost upon her when he was hit with something from behind. Looking at the object that bounced off the back of his head he growled. He picked up the item, examining it a moment before turning to see who had thrown it.

"Come get me, tall, dark and ugly," AJ said lobbing another blackboard eraser at him. It hit him right between the eyes, leaving chalk marks down his mask. "Come get me!" With that he took off down the hall, trying to lure the man away from Marie.

"AJ," Marie cried seeing the gargantuan man lumbering after her boyfriend. She whimpered when she saw him round the corner after AJ.

Getting to one foot, Marie tested her knee to see if she could bare weight on it. She tried to take a step and nearly fell. Arms wrapped around her, preventing her from falling.

"You all right," Joseph asked, steadying his sister.

"My knee. I messed it up again," Marie replied. "He’s after AJ."

"Who is," Christy asked placing Marie’s arm around her shoulders and supporting her.

"The man from my dream," Marie whimpered.

"Where did they go," Joseph asked. Marie pointed down the hall. "Christy, help her out to Terry and Kurt." Christy nodded. "I’m going to see if I can help AJ."

"Be careful," Christy said, knowing that he was in danger of getting seriously injured. Joseph gave her a quick peck on the cheek and gave his sister a kiss on the temple before heading off down the hall.

"Come on," Christy said. "Let’s get you outside."

"No," Marie replied, remembering where the cries had come from the previous times she heard them. "We have to go down to the basement."

"Why," Christy asked.

"Look, Christy, you don’t have to come with me," Marie said trying to support herself. "I can do this myself."

"What’re you going to do? Hop down to the basement," Christy replied with a smirk. "I’m coming with you. We’re in this together, girl."

With that Christy supported Marie as they headed down to the basement. As they neared the entrance to the tunnels they could hear someone calling for help. The girls looked at each other unsure if they had really heard the cries for help.

"The tunnels," Marie whispered. "There’s someone down here."

Together they followed the sound of the crying. Neither girl wanted to call out to the person for fear of drawing the monstrous man to them. They rounded a corner and found their way to a room at the end of one of the tunnels. Inside it was a mattress on the floor and a table and chairs made out of wooden crates amongst debris.

"Help! Someone! Help please," Daniels called. He heard the girls shuffling steps and gasped. "Marie? Christy? Oh thank God!"

"How bad are you hurt," Marie asked as Christy helped her over to him.

"I think both of my legs are broken," Daniels replied. Just then they heard a groan. Turning toward the sound, they found Jeff sitting up, holding his head. Blood trickled down his forehead and his left shoulder was severely dislocated.

"Jeff," Marie said crawling over to him.

"Where am I," he asked, gazing around the room in the dim light.

"Godzilla’s lair," Levy groaned from where he lay on the floor.

"Oh, Scott," Marie gasped. "I never thought I’d be happy to see you." She crawled over to him and hugged him tightly.

"Nice to see you too, sweetheart," Levy replied groaning as he moved his right arm. It was broken, the bone almost protruding through the skin. "We have to get out of here."

"No shit, Sherlock," Daniels replied, the pain in his legs making him cranky.

Christy pulled out her cell phone and tried to make a call. "Damn it," she grunted. "No signal."

"We’re too far underground," Jeff winced. "It prevents cell phones from getting signals."

"Good God, shit for brains finally said something intelligent," Levy said.

"Go fuck yourself," Jeff replied.

"This bickering is not getting us anywhere," Marie snapped. "We have to figure a way to get you all out of here."

Before anyone could come up with a plan they all heard the growling of their massive attacker. "Hide," Levy said to the girls.

Together they cowered behind the large crate table. Peeking out from behind it Marie could see the man enter the room, AJ’s limp body slung over his shoulder. Tears came to Marie’s eyes as she saw her boyfriend’s lifeless body tossed aside like a sack of potatoes.

Backing away from the crate her hand came in contact with something cold. Looking down she saw Mitchell’s lifeless corpse staring blankly up at her. She wanted desperately to scream, but she clamped a hand over her mouth, the tears now falling down her cheeks. Christy caught sight of the corpse and let out a yelp.

"Shit," Marie groaned through her tears. Knowing any one of them could end up like Mitchell she forced herself up to her feet. "Over here," she called distracting the man from Christy.

"Marie, what are you doing," Christy demanded.

"Come get me, you big oaf," Marie cried, forcing herself to run. Her knee screamed in agony, but she ran past the man, barely avoiding being caught.

She rushed through the tunnels back to the basement and up into the main part of the school. The man was hot on her heels. "Come get me you son of a bitch," she called.

Chapter 22

He was almost upon her as they rounded the corner. A nail protruding from the wall caught the man’s shirt and tore it revealing his back. He stopped, turning to pluck the bit of fabric off the nail. It was then that Marie saw the scabbed over lash marks on his back.

"Did Mitchell do that to you," she asked him, suddenly not so afraid of him. He whimpered, trying to cover up his wounds. "Is that why you hurt him?" She reached out to touch one of the lash marks.

For the first time that night the man did not growl and he did not lash out. He winced at her touch, letting out an agonized cry. Marie looked at what she knew Mitchell had done to this man and pitied him.

"You poor thing," Marie said, touching his face gently. He leaned into her touch, enjoying a touch that was not hurtful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"There are other students inside the school," Terry said to the police officers that arrived with the ambulance.

"How many," Lamonica asked.

"Seven," Kurt replied, watching the EMTs load Borden into the ambulance.

Lamonica turned to Hughes and said, "Get some backup. Tell the Asylum we may have found their lost inmate." Hughes nodded. "You kids stay out here." Drawing his gun he entered the school and carefully tried to find the other students and the escaped man.

Joseph awoke on the floor, his vision blurry from being thrown into the wall. He had tried to distract the monster away from hurting AJ more than he already was, but got tossed aside for his troubles. He could see someone heading toward him as his eyes began to clear. He could see it was Officer Lamonica.

"Kid," Lamonica hissed. "Are you hurt?"

"Not really," Joseph replied. "He threw me into the wall. I was knocked out for a while, but I think I’m all right."

"Good," Lamonica replied. "Get out of here. I have backup coming."

"My sister is out there somewhere," Joseph replied getting to his feet. "I’m not going until I know she’s safe."

"Look, I promise you I will get her out of here safely," Lamonica replied. "Get the hell out of here and wait outside with your friends." Joseph opened his mouth to reply, but thought better of it. With is shoulders slumped in defeat he headed outside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You must have lived such a tormented existence," Marie said to the man. "You poor thing." He whimpered, leaning into her touch.

"Don’t move," Lamonica called, finding the two. He radioed to his partner to see where the backup was.

The massive man, hearing the officer and the chatter from the radio, grabbed Marie by the throat. He let out an angry cry turning to glare at the cop. Lamonica had his gun trained on the huge man.

"Don’t hurt him, please," Marie grunted, the man’s hand cutting off her air supply slightly.

The man growled and tightened his grip on her neck making her gasp and cough. "Put her down," Lamonica yelled. The man tightened his grip even more. Without another warning Lamonica pulled the trigger.

The bullet penetrated the man’s massive shoulder. He let go of Marie, letting her drop to the floor with a thud. The man grabbed his shoulder and screamed in pain, lunging at Lamonica. He pulled the trigger several times. Bullets pierced the man’s legs, shoulder and chest.

"NO," Marie cried, crawling over to the man as he lay on the ground, bleeding. "He wasn’t going to hurt me until you yelled at him," she said glaring at Lamonica. "He’s been abused. Can’t you see that?" She turned her attention back to the man. Brushing some hair out of his face she touched his cheek. "You poor thing," she said, sniffling as the tears trailed down her cheeks.

"I had to do it," Lamonica said. "He’s a dangerous man. Chris Parks escaped from the Asylum and he’s responsible for several deaths." He sighed, seeing how shaken up Marie was. He tried to help her to her feet, but she pushed him away, wanting to stay by the Parks’ side. "Do you know where the rest of your friends are," Lamonica finally asked.

"There are tunnels under the basement," she replied sniffling. She pulled her gaze away from Parks’ to look at Lamonica. "Take the tunnel to the right all the way to the end. You’ll come to a room. He was living down there. You’ll find everyone else.

Before she knew it Marie was being pushed aside as the EMTs tended to Parks’ wounds. She was ushered out of the school by Hughes. Standing with her brother and Christy she watched her friends being taken out of the school on stretchers. Her eyes grew wide at the last person being wheeled out.

"AJ," she cried rushing to his side. He was not conscious, but he was breathing.

"He’s sustained several injuries," the EMT informed her. "You can visit with him at the hospital.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Several weeks later Marie entered the Asylum and spoke to the receptionist. She was directed to Parks’ doctor, who walked her to his room. "I’m afraid I can’t let you visit with him one on one," she said. "He has been severely mistreated his entire life, which has made him a very violent man."

"I understand," Marie said. "I just wanted to make sure he’s all right."

"As all right as he can be in his mental state. He’s going to be with us for a very long time," the doctor replied with a small smile. "You can look in on him if you like." She pointed to the window in the door.

Marie nodded, thanking the doctor. She approached Parks’ door and stood on tippy toes to look in on him. He sat staring out the window, his eyes full of sadness. With a sigh she moved away from the window in the door before he could see her. She hated that this would be his existence for the rest of his life, but she knew it was for the best.

Satisfied that Parks would be cared for Marie headed out of the Asylum. She met up with Christy and Joseph in the parking lot. With a sigh she climbed into the back seat, adjusting the support brace on her knee, a souvenir from that night.

"You ready to go see AJ now," Joseph asked as he slid behind the wheel. Marie nodded, gazing out the window as the car pulled out of the parking lot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I thought y’all had forgotten about me," AJ said smiling as Marie entered the room. He had suffered several broken ribs and a crushing injury to his left leg. Christy and Joseph followed close behind Marie, walking hand in hand and smiling.

"I had to take care of something before I came here," Marie said kissing AJ. "I could never forget about the man who risked his life to save mine." AJ smiled up at her, his eyes twinkling. He then turned his gaze to Joseph and Christy.

"Why do you two look like the cats that ate the canary," AJ asked.

"Someone lost his virginity," Marie teased.

"Shut up," Joseph said.

"So, when can we bust you out of here," Marie asked, running her hand through his dark hair.

"Not for a little while longer. I'm scheduled for surgery on my leg in the morning," AJ frowned. "My sports career is over, baby."

"You’ll find something else," Marie replied. "Sports aren’t everything."

"Look at it this way," Joseph said. "You’ll have more time to devote to your studies."

"Great," AJ mutter, making Marie chuckle.

"All right," the nurse said as she entered the room with a cup full of pills. "Mr. Jones needs his rest."

"We just got here," Christy protested. The nurse shot her a look and she quieted down.

"It’s all right, guys," AJ said accepting the pills the nurse handed him and downing them. "My pain pills make me sleep."

"I’ll be back tomorrow," Marie said kissing him once the nurse had left.

"Oh, by the way, AJ," Joseph said before leaving. "I saw your high score. Pretty impressive." AJ smiled proudly, the pills taking effect quickly and making him sleepy. "You may want to check it once you get out of here though." Marie shoved him out of the room.

As the words sunk in AJ’s drowsiness diminished. "WHAT?!"

Joseph cackled hearing AJ’s exclamation. Happily Joseph made his way to the elevator pressing the call button. "You’re an evil bastard," Marie said shoving him into the empty elevator as the doors dinged open.