Deadly Estranged Love

Lucy knew she shouldn't have taken the shortcut, it had been years since she had been there, 20 years in fact. She thought back to the summers when her family came up here camping, how happy she had been then, so young and innocent. Nothing like this searing pain ripping at her heart now. Why had he done it? What was the demon or demons pursuing him? Why did Brad leave so unexpectedly and where had he gone?

Lucy and Brad had always loved Halloween, every year coming up with even scarier costumes, turning their home into the ultimate haunted house for trick-or-treaters. Oh how the neighborhood children loved to visit them on Halloween night, having to brave the house. This year was different, Lucy was alone and she didn't have the heart to decorate, she only went out of her home for the bare necessities these days. Lucy had the next two weeks off as she had for years now, ever since she and Brad had gotten together. She knew she didn't want to be home this year, not on Halloween, their favorite holiday, it wouldn't be the same without Brad.

On a whim today, Lucy packed the car and was heading to the mountains. She picked up provisions in the little town of De Athtoyou. Her family had stopped here the last time they had come camping, the year her Dad had died. They had ruled his drowning an accident. Thankfully, Lucy had met Brad when she got home. He had been so kind, holding her close while she cried. The proprietor of the store warned Lucy of an approaching storm, but she didn't care, she needed to press onward. She needed to return to the cabin and some happier memories. Lucy could think of her Dad and smile, they had spent so much time on the lake, fishing and talking.

Lucy concentrated intently on the road, she was searching for the turn-off. Funny how the road didn't seem so different after all of these years. There it was, she almost missed it in the dark, but a brilliant streak of lightening had illuminated the turn just in time. Wow, Lucy was surprised at how overgrown the road was. In fact, after a few hundred yards Lucy couldn't drive any farther. Knowing the storm was rapidly approaching and wanting to make shelter before it broke, Lucy grabbed enough supplies for a couple of days and a change of clothing. Lucy also grabbed the old shotgun just in case of wild animals. She quickly headed off in the direction of the cabin, praying she would make it before the storm. Suddenly up ahead Lucy could see a light coming from the cabin window. Larry, her older brother hadn't mentioned selling the cabin. Lucy decided to be a bit more cautious as she moved closer to the cabin.

Crashing into her consciousness a scream, Lucy noticed a figure in the window, then an ax raised high. She registered another scream and a thud as she watched the ax fall. Stifling a scream of her own, Lucy dropped her pack as she crept to the window. Her heart gripped in icy fear she arose to peer into the window and she was snatched away from the window. She twisted around and stared straight into the startled face of Brad. Lucy started to scream but Brad's hand clamped tightly over her opened mouth, she began to fight but Brad slid his arm around her neck and quickly choked her until she lost consciousness. He then proceeded to half drag and half carry Lucy to the woodshed in the back.

Lucy awakened, her head pounding. As she reached upward she noticed her wrists and ankles were bound. What was going on, her thoughts raced, what was he going to do to her? Why had she come up here, alone? What had happened to Brad? What was he doing up here? What was the scream? How had he found out about this place? Lucy looked around, her eyes growing wider in fright as she noted the ax in the corner covered with fresh blood. Then in the other corner she saw, oh, she prayed it wasn't hair and skin caught in the teeth. Lucy began struggling but the restraints pulled tighter.

Suddenly Lucy was blinded by lights and she heard the thud of boots slapping the ground as someone drew closer and closer. Thud, thud, thud...then the light was blocked by the figure, she opened her eyes and saw Brad with a bloody knife in his hand, he knelt before her. He looked like a madman, nothing like the man she loved. She figured she had nothing to lose, so she began to beg, pleading for her life. As Brad reached towards her with bloodied hands, the lights went out.