Bleeding Glass: 10 Tales of Pure Fright

Bleeding Glass:

10 Tales of Pure Fright

By Jason Wallace and Virginia T. Watson

Smashwords Edition

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Published by:

Jason Wallace on Smashwords

Bleeding Glass:

10 Tales of Pure Fright

Copyright © 2015 by Jason Wallace and Virginia T. Watson

Table of Contents

The Hatchet Man by Jason Wallace

You Can’t Hide from Your Past by Virginia T. Watson

THEY by Jason Wallace

Sometimes, They Want Revenge by Jason Wallace

Eternal Desire by Jason Wallace

Hammer of the Witches by Jason Wallace

Hideous: The Revenants by Jason Wallace

Death’s Lair by Jason Wallace

The Diary of Heather Summerall and the Evil of Adams House by Jason Wallace

The Doll by Virginia T. Watson

Connect with the Authors

About the Authors

The Hatchet Man

By Jason Wallace

*Author’s note: This story was originally published under the pen name, Kellan Creed, but it has since been re-credited to the actual name of the author, Jason Wallace. In the book, The Up-and-Comers, it will still be credited to the name, Kellan Creed.

Baby, where is this place, Ashley Tremont asked her boyfriend, Tony Boldomero, as they drove endlessly up and down the main street of a very small, very rural Midwestern town, lined on either side with very well-manicured lawns and trees, the latter rising so high into the sky that In some places, their tops could scarcely be seen. It all looked to the couple like something out of an old movie, the typical small, backwoods town that could boast of nothing more than its county fair queen, its wonderful food, or the number of men and women it willfully sent away to fight some strange people in some strange land, the kind of place where everyone knew everyone else and everyone else’s business, where stores closed on Sundays, and where small town pride meant something.

The couple came from nearly one hundred miles away to visit a place that they heard was haunted, learning of it from a conversation overheard at a fast food restaurant the day before. Ashley, a strikingly beautiful blonde woman in her early twenties, with shapely bluish-green eyes, draped in thick and luscious lashes which she often batted at Tony to get her way, sat in the passenger's seat, bored by the prospect of what lay ahead. She did not want to be in this situation, looking for a place that may or may not exist and may or may not be haunted.

I don't know, Babe. It's around here somewhere. It's gotta be! Maybe I'll stop and ask somebody. Think I should, Tony asked, clenching the steering wheel of his 2006 Dodge Charger, nearly ready to give up and head home.

Yes, please. Let's ask somebody, Ashley demanded. Let's ask, go find this damned place, and see it, and then get the hell home! I'm bored, Baby! This sucks! I don't know why you drag me on these stupid ass trips to look for places that are supposedly haunted by some guy that did something some time ago and likes to come back and terrorize people that invade his home or his grave or his barn or his childhood campground or blah blah blah. Can this be our last one? The boredom painted itself clearly in Ashley's eyes. Her normally cute, pouty look had been replaced by one of doubt, longing for anything else to do, and almost a sort of hatred for Tony.

Ok. I'm headin' in here. I'll be out in just a bit. Just listen to music or somethin'. In no time, we'll be on our way to Hatchet Man's grave.

Oh, Joy! Can we, Ashley begged as Tony stepped from the car.

Before slamming his door, Tony assured his girlfriend, Yes, we can, and yes, we will!

Ashley sat, fidgeting, contemplating exiting the car and hitchhiking home, just to get out of her predicament. She played with her phone, looking for anything at all to do, and upon further inspection of her surroundings, found Tony's cigarette pack laying in the middle console, a lighter laying atop it. Ashley rarely ever indulged in smoking and had vowed to herself and to her mother that she never would again, but the temptation was becoming too strong now. She thought that picking out a cigarette and lighting it might just take the edge off and allow her to de-stress. She fought the temptation, as difficult as it was. She already felt dire urges to ask for at least a puff or two of one of Tony's cigarettes many times that day. Before she could decide, however, Tony came rushing back to the car and entered.

What'd you find out, Ashley asked, hoping that the answer would affirm that there either was no Hatchet Man's grave or that it would be far too difficult to find and that Tony would give up the search.

Some guy, all twangy, told me 'Whachu wanna be goin' out to Bullskin fer? Why you wanna find Hatchet Man?' I thought I was in Mayberry. Anyway, he told me to go back out to the road we came off of, head south to the stoplight, turn left, follow that to a sign for some limestone place, turn right, follow that road past a quarry, out around some curves and just keep goin' for 'a good ways' past that, and we'll come up to a small clearing on the left-hand side of the road that leads back into the woods. We should find the cemetery in the woods. He said it's really small and kind of hard to see. I'm excited. Aren't you excited, Babe?

Oh, boy, Ashley sarcastically exclaimed. Another ghost hunt. Yippee! I'm glad I got on my big girl panties for this. I don't know that I could hold all of the excitement in otherwise. Maybe, we'll get so lucky that we run into a Gomer type of guy who can tell us the wonderful story of Basket Man.

It's Hatchet Man, Tony snapped. Hatchet Man! And that'd be pretty cool. We get some stupid local to make fun of and get to learn more of the story. What I overheard is that some guy, decades ago, took a hatchet to his entire family, slit some of their throats, and hacked his wife's skull to pieces, all before cutting his own throat! Isn't that like the coolest story ever?! Tony was beside himself, giddy as a child on Christmas. He lived for these moments, getting to search secluded places for evidence of the supernatural, though he doubted such things far more than he believed in them.

Ashley knew that she could not convince Tony to turn around and go home. She could not even convince him to make the trip short. When she saw the end of the very small town approaching, she felt a nervous anxiety build within her. She did not know why it was or what it was. All that she knew was that she did not want to go, that she could not wait for it to be over, and that somehow, something just wasn't right. She had a terribly ominous feeling pervade her veins and limbs while a sickening feeling filled her bowels. In absence of knowing anything else to do or how to quell the feelings in her body, Ashley hurriedly reached for one of Tony's cigarette and lit it before her boyfriend knew what she was doing.

Hey, Tony screamed. What the hell are you doing? You quit. Remember?! And you didn't even ask me!

So, Ashley asked, blowing a billowy cloud into Tony's face.

Ok, Tony replied, shaking his head up and down while furrowing his mouth. You wanna play that game, huh? I guess what's mine is yours, and what's yours is yours.

Exactly, Ashley agreed, blowing another wave of grey smoke in Tony's direction.

Did I do something wrong, Tony asked, looking as if he might begin to cry, though it was only because a thick tumult of smoke had drifted into one of his ocular cavities.

You dragged me out here to Podunk. That's what you did wrong. I told you I didn't wanna come, but if you really wanna know, I have a bad feeling. Ok? I have a really bad feeling. I can't even say what it is, but if you love me, you'll keep going. Keep heading east. Don't turn on Shitville Road, or whatever it's called. Just, please trust me. Don't go.

So, now, you believe in this stuff? You always doubted it more than I do. You mean that guy's, 'Why you wanna go to Hatchet Man's grave' is getting to you? C'mon, Ash. It's gonna be fun. What's the worst that could happen? Look. It's now going on eight o'clock. We go out there. We see the place, get the eerie, creepy feeling, see that there's no proof of anything, and then we go home. We'll be home by probably eleven or twelve, at the latest. Tony shot what he thought to be a reassuring glance in Ashley's direction, but all it served to accomplish was to convince Ashley all the more that her boyfriend was an idiot for getting so caught up in such things and that something terrible was sure to come.

As Tony whipped his car to the right at seeing the sign for the limestone company, traveling at breakneck speed, Ashley felt her chest and her stomach collide with one another as if in a fight for each to destroy the other. Slow down, Dumbass, Ashley quipped, and besides, it's not almost eight. Time difference between them and us. It's almost seven here.

Oh, Tony realized the truth of Ashley's words. Holy shit! But the sun is starting to set. Weird. I'm used to it setting at this time where we live. I wonder why it's setting so early today. Well, anyway, hey! Look! There's the quarry! We're well on our way, Baby! I'm so excited! Bullskin, here we come! Let's sing a Hatchet Man theme, Ash. C'mon. Help me come up with some words. Every psycho killer needs a theme song! When you see a lot of blood, and you hear a deafening thud, Hatchet Man! When you really wanna run, but you know your life is done, Hatchet Man! C'mon, Ash. Don't leave me singin' this goofy ass song by myself.

Tony quickly darted his eyes to Ashley and saw that she looked ghostly white, paler than he had ever seen anyone at any other time. Ashley gripped the handle of the passenger's side door, white knuckled, ready to scream at the top of her lungs. She knew that they were nearing the cemetery, so many feet a time, and would be there in no time at all. Everything in her said to convince Tony to head back to the main road and head toward home, a hundred miles' journey or not. She knew, however, that Tony would never listen to her. She would have better luck convincing him to move to that place than to leave it before ending his set task.

First curve! Wheeoo, Tony shouted, veering the car very fast around one curve and then another. Two curves over. I hope there's more! Maybe I should be a stunt driver! Oh look! Another one! Wheeoo!

Is that it, Ashley asked, squinting her eyes through the bright rays of the setting sun.

Left side of the road, Baby, Tony reminded his girlfriend.

Oh. Ok. That must be it up ahead then, Ashley announced, pointing to a clearing not far away. That's gotta be it. As she said this, Ashley felt the discomfort in her stomach and in the rest of her body grow to such an intense state that she thought she might vomit very soon.

An eerie cold crept in, more and more, through the closed windows of the car. Ashley could not understand it, as the air conditioner had been turned off some time before that. She felt as though she needed a heavy winter coat to wrap around her.

Whew, Tony suddenly said, shivering. You feel that?

The cold?

Yeah. It's like somebody shoved us in a freezer.

You never know. You've seen tons of horror movies. Somebody might come along and do just that, Ashley stated firmly, quite serious about the possibility.

Tony, on the other hand, could not help but burst into uncontrollable laughter, nearly losing control of the car as he pulled up to the clearing on the side of the road. That'd be cool, wouldn't it?

To be shoved into a freezer? Oh, please. That's what I live for! If they're gonna do it, I hope they do it soon, and get it over with, Ashley shouted as she exited the car, slamming the door so hard that the impact knocked Tony all around as he followed out through his side.

Hey. Keep your voice down, Ash. There's people that live nearby. We don't need the locals all pissy and callin' the cops. Plus, don't slam my damn doors!

I only slammed the one. Get over it.

Damn, Girl! Did you take your Midol today or not, Tony demanded, in a huff.

Maybe, maybe not. Just hurry this shit up! Ok? I'm about two seconds from knockin' on somebody's door and askin' for a ride into town. I'm sure I could find a trucker to pick me up and take me at least twenty or thirty miles. I'm pretty enough. So, if you don't want that, get this shit over with real fast!

Yeah, ok. Whatever. You're comin' with, right?

To some cemetery deep in the woods? Hmmmm. Let me think about that. Ummm, no! Ashley stood next to the car, leaning her back against the frame, just in front of the passenger's side mirror, lighting another of Tony's cigarettes.

Oh, c'mon. If you go with me, it'll be over soon. Of course, we have to wait ‘til after dark, though.

An added bonus, Ashley retorted, sauntering around the car toward Tony. You owe me. You owe me big, Tony Boldomero!

The clearing leading into the woods resembled a great, gaping mouth, ready to accept its new visitors. The trees on either side seemed as beacons into some nether world where mortals dare not tread, at least if they had any sense about them.

I know how we could kill some time, Baby, Tony suggested as he grabbed Ashley by the arm to escort her over the broken, rocky ground.

Yeah, well, that time of the month. Remember? Not that I'd want to with you right now, anyway. Let's go do your stupid haunting Basket Man thing.

For the last fuckin' time, it's Hatchet Man! Hatchet Fucking Man!

And for the last time, its' I don't fucking care! I fucking don't fucking care, Fucktard!

Geesh, Tony muttered, not wanting to speak loudly enough to anger Ashley further.

I suppose that's the place, right over there, Ashley pointed out, her finger aimed toward a wrought iron enclosure that seemed to surround several very old tombstones.

It has to be. Damn, is this cool! I hope he's in there, somewhere, Tony chuckled with growing cheer.

Maybe you'll get really lucky, and he'll kill you with his hatchet and then turn to me and say, 'Hi, pretty lady. You might wanna get out of here while I hack your boyfriend limb from fucking limb.' Now, that'd be cool!

Tony, seeing that he could not say anything that would ease the tension or keep Ashley from snapping further, but wanting to find some other way of entertaining himself, let his fingers slowly trace up Ashley's spine. As she jumped and turned to slap Tony, she stumbled to the ground.

Here. Let me help you, Baby, Tony offered, extending his hand to Ashley as she struggled to find her footing. What's that?

Ashley looked to the spot where Tony's eyes fixated themselves. Next to her, protruding slightly out of the ground, was what appeared to a large stone. Ashley slowly unearthed the object and, lifting it out of its resting place, found that it resembled the head of a hatchet. Please tell me this is some kind of weird coincidence. I mean, look at this place. Clearly, the kids around here don't have shit to do and like to come out here and goof off and put stuff like this in the ground.

I don't think so, Tony stammered. Look over there. Tony pointed to a tree only a few yards' distance from where he and Ashley remained. That looks like somebody's been chopping at it. It looks like something that'd take a hatchet or a really large knife to do, too little for an axe or anything. Somebody's been out here, cutting at that tree.

Ok, Tony. I don't like this! I don't like any of this shit! Let's please just go! I wanna go home, now!

Oh, c'mon, Ash. It's nothin'. I guarantee you that kids have been out here. You were right about that part. They got nothin' better to do and like to hack at trees and shit. There is nothing to fear... but fear itself. We'll be fine. Give me your hand.

Ashley grabbed Tony's hand and attempted to stand but realized that her ankle was far too sore to walk properly or at any pace more than a slow limp. Great, just fuckin' great! Are you happy, Tony? You brought me out here, to the middle of nowhere, for me to sprain my fucking ankle! When we get home, you're rubbing and icing this for me, and you're gonna be my little bitch! You're gonna do anything I say, from now until I get tired of it!

I'll let you spank me. How's that, Tony laughed, guiding his hobbling girlfriend through the open gate of the very small cemetery.

Do you even know the guy's name that you're lookin' for, Ashley asked, wincing in pain as she supported herself on a tree that had grown inside of the enclosure.

Nope, not a clue. But there's like maybe a half a dozen graves here. It's gotta be pretty easy to find.

Have I told you lately how much I love you, Ashley asked, wanting to cry.

Nope, not for a good while.

Good, Ashley screamed.

Have I told you lately what a fucking bitch you've been, Tony countered as he searched the names and dates on the first two tombstones.

Not nearly enough. Why don't you tell me again how I'm the bitch when I would've gladly stayed home with you, cooked you dinner, watched movies together, and even rubbed your back for you? I guess it makes me the bitch because I DIDNT DRAG YOUR ASS OUT HERE!"

How about we just not talk? Huh, Ash? You stay over there, being a fucking bitch, and I'll stay over here, looking at these tombstones. Sound good? Maybe one of these corpses can hand you a fucking pill to calm your damn mood!

Fine by me. These guys have been dead for who knows how long, and they could still treat a woman a million times better than the dick I see standing before me! Now, I'm done talking. No more words from me.

Will miracles never cease, Tony shouted gleefully.

I hope they don't, motherfucker. I really hope they don't cuz I'm praying for a miracle of some guy, ANY FUCKING GUY, driving along and asking if I need help. I can tell him I need him to kick your fucking ass, and he'll do it and then take me away from you! Hello, men! Any men! Are there any real men in this fucking place?! Come out. Come out, wherever you are!

Funnily, it was at that moment that a man happened upon the couple, returning home by way of a shortcut through the woods. You folks alright, the man, clad in stained overalls and stained ball cap, led by a very playful looking and floppy-eared hound dog, asked casually, nodding his head to Ashley.

Yes, Sir, Tony assured the man. We're just looking for Hatchet Man's grave.

Hatchet Man? Don't tell me you folks are buyin' into all of that ol' local legend nonsense. Hell, I heard that story most my life, and I don't know of a single grave 'round here that belongs to nobody named Hatchet Man. That story's been passed around, generation to generation for, the man paused, scratching the inside of his ear, for probably at least forty or fifty years. Hell, I always doubted it myself. I don't know any of these here tombstones you're gonna find that'd be him, if he was ever even real. You might wanna check all around here, though. If you're dead set on findin' this feller, there's other graves in these woods.

Wait, Tony demanded, quite confused, shaking his head slightly from side to side in disbelief. You mean, there are actually tombstones out in the woods, away from this cemetery?

Yes, Sir. There is. The man, cocking his head, feeling the weight of his dog's pull, stood almost motionless, staring at the man in front of him, wondering why anyone would want to do such a thing as search for hidden graves in the middle of the country.

How many, Tony eagerly and excitedly asked.

Don't really know. I seen maybe two or three, here and there. They're all by themselves, kinda scattered like. You'll find ya one over there, and pointing southeast and then northeast, continued, and one over there. Them's the two I know of for sure, but I know I seen more some time ago. It's almost as if some of 'em vanished, just up and took off.

Hatchet Man?

Son, if you think you're gonna find a grave of some 'Hatchet Man,' I got news for ya. I got some real nice lakefront property I can sell ya! It's about twenty-three acres of prime lakeside real estate, if you count my septic tank and pond as lakes. Out here, in the dark, which is what it's about to be, you're gonna find you maybe two tombstones, none of 'em sayin', 'Hatchet Man,' and a whole lotta rocks and limbs to trip over and hurt yourselves. If you do find the two tombstones I told you 'bout, neither of 'em say the name 'Hatchet Man.’ You’re gonna be out of luck and in the dark, fightin' to find your way back to your car.

How'd you know we came in a car, Ashley chimed, a bit frightened by everything.

I just figured. You ain't from around here. I read you two like a book, soon as I laid eyes on ya. Now, if I was you, I'd get home before you get hurt.

Tony found it surprising that the man could read, having taken him for completely illiterate the moment that he saw the man. Sir, those graves, why would they be way outside of the fence like that? Shouldn't they be in here? Isn't this a cemetery?

Yes, it is a cemetery. Used to be a church round about here somewhere, don't know where. It burned down a long time ago, but they kept the graves here. That there, where you're standin', is holy ground, genuine, consecrated holy ground. Ain't nothin' can touch nobody there. The souls that's been buried there is good and right with the Lord. The way I always heard it was that the fence used to go out farther, but they rebuilt it. They had two sections of the cemetery, but when the church burned down, some of the families decided they'd just have what you see there. Technically, there's more holy ground, but nobody knows what it is. They say that the graves far out over there are ones that was never allowed burial by the church. There's unmarked graves all around that used to be a part of the cemetery. Figurin' out what ones is holy and what ones is unholy, though, that's the mystery. Like I said, it's just a bunch of horseshit. Pardon my language, Ma'am, but that's what it is. You folks would do good to just turn around and get in your car. Well, me and Slinky here are headin' to the house over yonder. Good luck to you'ns. I hope you find what you're lookin' for, since I can't convince ya otherwise. Get on, Slink. Gotta get home 'fore Mama has a fit. Get on, Boy!

As the overall-wearing man marched away, soon fading from sight as he neared the road, Ashley felt the direst sense of urgency ever in her life. Tone, we gotta go! I don't like what I heard. We should go, now, before it gets all the way dark!

Oh, please, Ash. Like he said, it was horseshit. If a local says it's horseshit, do you really think it's true about the story? C'mon. We'll be fine. Let's go check out those other graves. C'mon, Babe. I'm sorry about all the stuff I said. You were mad. You were makin' me mad. We can drop all that, and I really am sorry. I'll make all of this up to you. Let's go see what's over there.

You promise?

Yes, Ash. I promise. Now, let's go see what's over there in the so-called unholy ground! Whooo-oooo! I'm a ghost! I want to eat your soul! Whooo-oooo!

Don't do that, Tone. Don't. I don't think dead people like bein' made fun of. Just don't do it. Let's go see those graves and then go. Please, Baby. I wanna go home and have a hot bath and keep my ankle from swelling. Ok?

Alright, you big baby. We'll go in just a few. But first, let's go over there. I think I see one of the graves the guy was talkin' about. It's still pretty cool, even if it's bullshit. Tony happily began to jaunt toward the spot in the distance, forgetting Ashley and her hurt ankle.

Ummm, Tony? You kinda forgot me! And by the way, it's horseshit, not bullshit!

Sorry, Baby. I'm just too excited, Tony shot back, still heading toward the place where he thought he saw a tombstone peeking out from between a couple of trees.

Men, Ashley huffed to herself. Can't live with 'em! Can't shoot 'em! Can't beat 'em! Why do we even need 'em?!

Tony moved with ferocious speed, and before Ashley could look up to see where he was, he began to shout, in an almost bloodcurdling manner, Ash, you have to see this shit! This is awesome! There are skulls and blood and I don't even know what to call all of this!

Skulls?! Blood?! That's it! We're leaving!

No. Come check it out. This has to be it! It's like somebody decorated the place with the goriest stuff they could find! You gotta see it! C'mon, Ash!

Ashley slowly moved toward the gate of the small cemetery, leaning upon the iron fencing as she stepped ever so carefully and painfully. Above her flew a great murder of crows. Speculate as one might, there is no fully acceptable way of ascertaining why such beasts of the sky are named such when grouped. The birds made a calamitous caw as they flew, circling again and again, frightening Ashley as she stood at the gate, watching them, wondering why they had made such a fearful presence known to her. Tony?

Yeah, Babe, Tony shouted, never taking his eyes off of the vicious sight before him.

Why would there be so many crows here? Don't they usually disappear before dark?

I don't know, Babe. I didn't see any. Why?

There's tons of them here. It's freaking the shit out of me! What's their purpose anyway? Ashley attempted to muster all of her strength to head in the direction of her boyfriend but could not get her limbs to make movement.

I don't know. Some people think that they carry away the souls of the recently dead. It's folklore that they wait where they know someone is about to die, that they can sense it. Don't worry about it, Ash. It's just superstition, but you gotta come check this out! C'mon!

As painful as it was to move, Ashley tread over the rough forest floor toward Tony, expecting not to see anything extraordinary or particularly interesting, but as she got closer, she saw exactly what Tony had been crying about, a great number of skulls littering the very ground before her feet. Some seemed to be those of cats, some of dogs, some of unidentifiable nature or owner. Tone, what the hell is this? What's with all these skulls? It's like somebody murdered a bunch of poor little animals here.

Never mind that, Ash. Check this out. Tony pointed his long and craggy finger to the tombstone a few feet away. Look at that! Somebody's draped what I can only guess is intestines and stuff all over it! And look at the date on the stone!

I don't see it, Tony. It's covered in blood and guts. Don't make me look!

Oh. What's the big deal, Tony asked, pushing the hanging innards aside. Look at the date! It's awesome!

What's so amazing about the date on it? You mean when the guy was born or when he died? What?

His death date. Look at it! You don't see it? The guy died exactly fifty years ago today! June 14, 1964. Isn't that so cool? You know that has to mean something, not that I really believe in this shit. But I bet there's gotta be some significance. If there was really a chance that this guy could come back to life, you'd think that today would be the day. It's kinda funny and really scarily cool at the same time!

Tony, can we please go now? It's starting to get dark now. Please, Baby. I'm sorry I snapped at you. Let's just please go home. I don't like this place, and I have a really bad feeling about it. We shouldn't be here! I'm sorry, Mr. Whatever Your Name Is, Mr. Sam... Samson... Samson Miles. Mr. Samson Miles, we should not be standing on your grave, and I apologize. Please stay in your grave, and accept my apology. Tony, let's go!

Let's sit down, and wait, Ash, Tony urged, starting to lower himself to the ground. Come sit by me. Have another cigarette or somethin'. We'll go in a while. Just sit, Babe. We have to wait until after it gets pitch black.

We don't even have any light, Tony. I don't wanna have to walk around this place in the dark and trip again, but fine, whatever. You're such a fucking asshole! Ashley knelt slowly to take a seat amongst the fallen debris of the forest, a few feet from where Tony now seated himself. As she came to full position on the ground, Ashley lit a cigarette, staring blankly into the nearly empty pack in her hand. Tony, we only have a few cigarettes left. That's reason enough to leave. I'm stressed out, and if I don't have anything to smoke, I'm gonna get really pissed off.

What else is new, Tony mumbled, under his breath, though completely unaware that Ashley heard every word of it.

Ashley sat, cigarette in hand, her head turned away from Tony. She didn't want to fight any longer and knew that nothing she could say regarding cigarettes or the place would matter one iota. So how long are we gonna sit here?

A while, just a while. Hand me a smoke, Babe.

You ever heard of saying 'please?' Ashley hurriedly tossed a cigarette to Tony, for which he had to fumble among the sticks and dried grass surrounding between his crossed legs.

The sun faded quickly from amber to a darkened blue and purple, leaving very little light stealing through the heavy canopy of trees overhead. With each passing second, Ashley felt more and more ill at ease, a deepening dread filling her from head to toe. She knew that something about the place was wrong, utterly wrong. It just didn't make any sense to be there, and nothing felt warming or of any sort of welcoming.

As the sky continued to darken, Tony, feeling quite bored with the wait, thought that he might have a bit of fun, at Ashley's expense. Ashley had begun to look away from Tony, surveying the entirety of her surroundings in the opposite direction, the great multitude of color-robbed trees stealing all visibility of anything beyond them. Tony slowly moved his hand into position just behind Ashley's back, lightly brushing it with his fingertips. Hey, Baby, what is that over there?

Where are you talkin' about?

Over there, Tony insisted, pointing the index finger of his right