Chapter 1

Leaves skittered across the cooled cement near a small house nestled at the end of the street where Waylon lives. The house stool tall and bore signs of wear and tear. The shingles looked worn and chipped while the wood was lightly splitting on the pillars holding the porch roof up. A heavy porch swing creaked in the breeze, its motion steady and calming though vacant.

Waylon's aged wooden door was closed softly as he angled his shopping basket out the door. The treated wicker of his basket showed golden amber as the suns lazy after noon rays hit it. The sun also lit up its carrier's hair making it look more blonde than ashen. Waylon smiled as he felt the warmth hit his face as he hopped the last step off the porch. He giggled as he remembered Miles his roommate, stubbing over it almost daily. Miles was so focused on his endless leads that really leaded to nowhere to notice to something as silly as where he was going.

His steps were steady as he strolled down the street noticing the smile crossing his lips unintentionally. "I wonder if he'll notice me today. God, I don't even really need any more apples for the party later but…..I'll get to see him. I….maybe I'll….actually say something to him this time!" Waylon's cheeks flushed slightly as he picked up speed to the local super market. The basket swung back and forth pleasantly while Waylon eyed the store fast approaching. He squinted to make out the words, The Pumpkin seed, brightly displayed on the grocery store.

Waylon stopped suddenly when crossing the empty street. His attention completely captured. There he was, Eddie Gluskin. The tall muscular man stood in front of the store placing various decorations outside. Eddie was now carrying two Jack-o-lanterns in this large arms, he delicately placed them next to the automatic door. There were plastic spiders and hay barrels adorning the store as well. It seemed the whole town was buzzing with excitement for the upcoming holiday but at this moment Waylon's excitement was for another reason.

Waylon still stood watching Gluskin until a sharp angry noise rose from a few yards away,"HEY BUDDY GET OUTTA THE ROAD!" Waylon bit his tongue as he shuddered in surprise. "SORRY MR. TRAGGER! I'M…ah….I just got distracted." Mr. Tragger looked disapprovingly at Waylon. Hurriedly Waylon raced for the sidewalk, thankfully only old man Tragger to bare witness to his ogling. He approached him hesitantly, clinging his basket closer.

Tragger eyed Waylon closely,"You okay buddy? Can't go star gazing in the middle of the day now." Waylon's eyes cast down his left foot crossed over his right, "I'm just….well-" Tragger listened impatiently. Waylon could feel his eyes rolling internally. Calming down now Waylon said,"I'm just not getting enough sleep...maybe."

"Sure buddy whatever you say." Waylon now annoyed was slowing moving off Tragger's lawn. "Well, I'll see you later Mr. Tragger!" The older man pushed his glasses up and called out once more after Waylon,"Hope to see you for the trick or treating this year!" Waylon paused briefly and mumbled to himself,"I wonder if I'm too old now, 23 wasn't too old was it?" Waylon did look young for his age, his face deceiving most.

The sun moved closer down toward the Earth, long shadows were casting themselves in the lit store parking lot. Eddie was gone but his handiwork was being admired by Waylon. The noises of the slightly busy shopping center filled Waylon's head as he breathed in deeply, preparing himself. "It's okay. I'm just here for E- fuck no, I mean apples. Just breathe. Just breathe, don't get too excited." Waylon forced himself to pry his eyes away from the pumpkins once in Eddie arms as he tried to deny that's where he desperately wanted to be. A family walked past making the doors slowly whiz open with a mechanical sound.

"Mommy, mommy! Look pwumpins!" The mother scooped her excited child up kissing his cheeks,"Yes, sweetie aren't they spooky?" Waylon stepped aside smiling at their interaction. A twinge of loneliness was felt in his chest. Sure, he lived with Miles but Miles was barely home. Knowing him he was camped out by dumpsters all night or hiding in trees. Waylon couldn't count how many times he'd come home days after he left smelling of garbage and babbling about his missed chance at 'evidence'. Mostly Waylon was Miles house keeper and chef since, Waylon was more a homebody working from his at home computer job. He'd had leftovers in the fridge for Miles till it was almost filled with foil wrapped plates at times.

A sigh deep and long escaped his lips. He saw his breath turn to fog and wisp into the air like smoke. An indifferent expression was forced onto his face as he bravely walked into the Pumpkin seed. The doors closed behind him with a rush of air. Overhead lighting illuminated the aisles and bright colors flooded his vision. Thankfully the produce was right by the entrance. Waylon walked toward a stand proudly showing the fresh apples, honey crisp, granny smith, golden delicious, really too many to list. Their skins glistened as if sprayed with water. Waylon decided on some honey crisp incase Miles complained about the sour taste of the granny smith even though they were going to be covered in caramel. As he rose his hand to place them in his bag a sudden voice spoke,"WAY! Hey man what are you doing here?"

Miles smiled energetically as he held up his hand to greet Waylon. Waylon's eyes darted toward him yet he grimaced at his appearance. "Hey Miles….what…what the hell were you doing?" Miles stands with his feet wide apart, tugging his brown leather jacket down. "You wouldn't believe it Way, I got a lead on this case right? I heard though the grape vine that, that old abandoned asylum they use for a haunted house now might actually be a serial killers playground!" "Miles, don't you think you should leave that to the police? Isn't that out of your department? Miles, it's not saf-" "Waylon, that IS my job. No one even takes this seriously. I am on to something big and I can't just hand it over without anything to prove it."

Waylon knew it wasn't good to indulge Miles really but he was the only one who'd really listen anymore,"Well, that doesn't explain why you're covered in dirt and have twigs in your hair and why are you pulling you jacket down?"

"It explains it perfectly. I couldn't just STROLL in I had to hide in the vents and wait. I had to break in, the killer isn't going to leave me his key with a chocolate mint on a pillow too Waylon Jesus."

Waylon more annoyed than scared he walked around Miles to see what he was hiding behind him. Laughter erupted in the produce aisle. Miles pulled his jacket down further and scowled. Anger seeping from him as he spoke,"Park, stop man, come on just help me find a cheap pair of sweats. That's why I came in here anyway.."

"Is that why you're so hell bent on catching this guy, did he steal the ass of your pants?"

"No asshole. If you must know I got chased down by a pack of mutts when I was coming home. Musta smelled meat on me….human meat maybe?"

"Miles, oh my God just, ugh." Waylon said though a snicker forgetting all about his apples.

Waylon did as instructed and walked behind his friend literally covering his ass. He couldn't help but stare at what was left of his dark denim pants with a similar color blue boxers. Miles made his way up the cleaning section to find a small rack of unbranded clothes. Waylon stood motionless as Miles pulled up his new unpaid for grey sweats over his ripped pants.

"You can't do that! You haven't even paid for those!"

"So Park you want me to walk around the rest of the day with my ass saying hi to everyone? I'm buying the damn things now so who cares?"

Amusement softened Waylon and he tossed his hands up into the air and started walking the other way,"Have it your way."

Miles caught up to Waylon and proceeded to check out. Miles was a head taller than Waylon so he just walked behind Miles without really seeing what was in front of him. Waylon noticed the store was clearing out now that the windows showed a dark blue overcast. Night was coming soon. How late had he been here anyway? Miles trotted to the only open register and pulled Waylon by the wrist to hurry and to stop looking out the windows.

A soft charming voice sang to them, "Hello, I trust you found everything okay?"

A tone of confusion come to his warm voice. Waylon's body shuddered and his face instantly felt red hot.

"No I found it fine. I'm getting these pants." Miles said matter of factly.

Waylon cringed and whimpered into Miles shoulders,"Please Miles can we go to another register?"

Miles clueless and loud turned exposing Waylon's presence,"He's the only one here, what wrong with you Way?"

"I…Ijusttt…."Waylon's knees locked and his mind was blank with embarrassment.

"Is there something wrong? May I please see your purchase?" Eddies tone still sweet and inviting.

"Yeah, sure man just let me-"

Waylon felt dizzy and turned eyes closed.

"Excuse me sir I-" Eddie now more curious why this guy was presenting his butt to him.

Miles leaned his hip on to the rim of the conveyor belt. Eddie took a single step back."Hope you don't mind I thought I just wear it out. Lemme just fish out the tag."

Eddie smiled awkwardly. "Certainly." A loud beep rung out and a price showed on the monitor. "That will be 12.99 tonight." Miles tossed a 20 to the tall man. Eddie quickly got his change and asked,"Would you like a bag, ah oh. Silly me never mind. Have a good night."

Waylon turned his face away from Eddie hoping he wouldn't know it was him. Miles waved Eddie goodbye and strolled into the night. Waylon was silent and seething. He looked down replaying it over and over thinking he could never show his face in there again.

"What is eating you Way?"

"Oh I don't know Miles how you shoved your butt in Eddies face?!"

"Eddie? You know the guy?"

"Nooo—just, just that was so rude. I mean the guy had a name tag…"

Miles eyebrows raised but it was too dark now to see it clearly. A smirk showed on his scruffy face."Oh, I get it. You want Eddie to bag your groceries in more way than one." Waylon choked on his spit and chased Miles down the long road leading them back home, all the while telling him how he would be eating take out for a long time.