Chapter 1 Return to Peach Creek

Double D drove down the highway in the red convertible at a solid speed of 70, on the radio he heard Tom Jones singing The Reason. Double D loved Tom Jones the man had so much soul when he sang it was admirable to the 20 year old. It was no big secret that Double D felt lost when he went off to college, he had no friends, no family by his side, and it was just him. In some ways he found music a release in his life which he had never found before. When he left Peach Creek he thought he would never go back, that he would not miss his child hood home, but you can't just erase so many years of friendship. The memories had finally gotten to him, he wanted to see his childhood brothers again, and his other friends. Double D had found out quickly that not many had made it out of Peach Creek including Ed and Eddy. Taking time off from work and college was just Double D truly needed, he hoped that Ed and Eddy would recognize him; he was not the same boy.

In fact Double D had gained mass since he left; he had done a lot of weight lifting to impress the ladies he was in a general since, buff, but a healthy buff. His hat which he had worn so long to cover his atrocious hair was gone now to, he had gotten a new hair style which made him feel better about himself. Peer pressure was terrible in the real world, being so smart he naturally did not fit in, which he so desperately wanted to. A lot of thing had changed for him that was true and he couldn't wait to see how his best friends had changed, Ed was probably 7 feet tall and Eddy was probably still the pipsqueak in comparison. It almost made Double D laugh thinking about it, all those times during childhood, all the scams that had failed. He could hardly wait to get back it was going to be great he just knew it maybe even like the old days, maybe even he would feel normal again if only for a short time.

Double D saw the road sign Peach Creek 2 Miles, his heart was beating so hard now, and he was almost home. Looking at the familiar hills he had once roamed he could feel the happiness and even the sadness he had felt. Double D went a little faster down the empty high way as his engine roared like a lion.

"I am coming home gentleman, and what a home coming it will be"

Double D spoke to himself as he watched his meter the last two miles had gone by quick. Looking forward he took the exit ramp and entered the small dirt road that lead to the small town of Peach Creek. Already the memories rushed back as he saw the farm lands on the outer part of town, he had so many personal rendezvous there back in the day before he left. Progressing forward Double D saw the old junk yard, he wondered if that van they used to hang in was still there, that smelly stinky van. Double D had no clue how they had got him into that thing sometimes. Passing the junk yard Double D hit a cement road that lead to the final turn off onto the circle street that was his home for so many years. With one last turn Double D entered the street of his old him, the familiar site made him swell with happiness… but also for unknown reason a sick sense of dread.

Double D parked his car right outside the house he knew Eddy used to live in; he wondered if he still lived there. Shutting off the engine Double D pocketed the keys and got out, looking at the house it was a mess, it looked like at one point a fire had hit it. The grass was cindered and burnt, the windows now that he saw them, were all broken. Double D's heart sank it seemed as if this house was abandoned and for a while to. Looking around Double D realized that all the houses had this same linden look, some worse than others. It looked like hell had hit this town and everyone just up and left, it was so quiet here now, it was almost to quiet, like there was no sign of life at all.

Double D silently looked around, there were not even birds chirping in the trees, what had happened here? Double D walked up to his old house and looked inside the broken window, everything was covered in a fine layer of ash, the inside of his old house looked like burnt toast. Testing the door it gave away and opened with a loud creek, it seemed to echo through the empty neighborhood. Walking in Double D was careful this floor looked like it could easily give away. The house was torn apart and smelled like rotten meat left in the sun to long, Double D did not know why but he spoke.

"Hello Mom, Dad, are you here?"

Double D received no answer just the echo of his voice through the house. Walking up the stairs, each with a loud creak and low snap Double D walked into his old room. It was how he had last left it aside from the fine layer of dust and ash. He saw the labels still on all his belongings, he smiled for just an instant he was a kid again before the reality of this all hit him again. Picking up his old magnifying glass, he remembered that summer that they thought there was an item snatcher on the loose. Johnny turned out to be the culprit of god that was funny as hell when they threatened plank with a water gun and he confessed. Double D always tried to be the role model but inside he was laughing with them both though it all.

What happened here how was any of this possible? Double D set the magnifying glass down and walked carefully back down the stairs and out of the house. Looking around again he sighed, perhaps there was some kind of wild fire and everyone had to move away. Anything was possible in this world; Double D just

dug his keys out of his pocket and walked back to his car. Perhaps they were nearby somewhere a town over, optimism would not help either way it was a needle in a hay stack. Double D decided just to come to the conclusion that he may never see Ed or Eddy again. Double D had just opened his door when he heard footsteps on the cracked pavement, turning quickly with a new hope of renewal; he looked for the source of the noise.

In the distance he could see a man; he was bold with a small mustache under his nose. From the distance he looked to be skinny but rather tall, he wore one flip flop on his left foot the other gone. Double D nearly choked with tears it was Johnny 2x4 he could not believe it, there was still someone here! Double D closed his door and jogged in the direction of Johnny who seemed to be limping, Double D slowed down as he realized that Johnny did not look himself. Seeming Johnny had not noticed him yet Double D got a closer look at his old friend.

Johnny's white shirt and pants were covered in blood, his skin was a pale grey, and his head was leveled to the ground. Even from a distance Double D could see the blood dripping from his mouth. Double D's first thought was that Johnny was hurt but his caution told him otherwise, there was something else wrong here. Against his own wishes Double D spoke softly to his old friend.

"Johnny…"

As if an alarm went off in the young boys head, Johnny's head shot up as Double D was horrified to see nothing but white pupils where Johnny's eyes should have been. Double D backed away his heart beating fast and hard as Johnny growled blood hitting the cement. Doubling his movement Johnny came for Double D hands outstretched ready to grab. Double D turned quickly and ran in the other direction towards his car, to his horror he saw someone right next to his driver

side door. He saw the same pale grey skin and white eye's it was a man, tall, someone Double D had never seen before. Double D quickly turned sideways and ran for the nearest house, he could hear the fast movement of Johnny and the unknown man behind him, and their growls were terrifying.

Double D barged through the door and quickly closed it and locked it with the deadbolt. Instantly there was a loud banging right outside the door, growls and rage. Heading directly for the kitchen Double D quickly went through the drawers and found the biggest cutting knife he could. Running back to the door it splintered loudly, they would get through soon. This house had once belonged to Kevin's parents, Double D knew it well, running through the hallway Double D turned and found the large closet. His heart leapt when he heard Johnny and the unknown man break through the living room door, quickly grabbing the knob, Double D flung the door open and jumped inside closing it. The area around him went dark as double tried desperately to quiet his breathing.

Double D covered his mouth with one hand and held the blade close to his person in the other, he could hear them outside the door, they were sniffing and moving slowly like lions hunting prey. Double D said every prayer he ever knew under his breath as the noise outside the door subsided. Double D sat down silently letting his back slide on the wall as he buried his face in his knee's and silently let out some tears. What in the hell was going on here!? It was like a nightmare, like that time they had watched a horror movie marathon and he had nightmares for weeks after. Double D sat like this for some time before he got the nerve to get up and put his ear to the door, it seemed quiet again, he hoped to God they were gone. Knife in hand Double door slowly, ever so slowly turned the door knob and cracked open the closet door. Looking out it appeared that he was alone, opening the door fully Double D stepped out from his shelter and looked both ways, it was clear. He had to make it to his car, and get out of this place as fast as possible. Double D wasted no time he had to get the hell out of here, getting to the door he looked out in every direction he was clear. Quickly exiting the building to his extreme dismay he saw someone inside of his car. The person was rather small and dressed in full black, a black hood over his head; this person seemed to be throwing things out as if looking for something.

Double D moved quickly to apprehend this person maybe this person was normal and not like the others. Quickly getting close Double D spoke in ragged sharp breaths.

"Hey… who…"

Only getting out two words Double D felt himself fly to the ground as the figure decked him straight in the mouth. Within seconds the stranger was on him gun in hand pressed to Double D's temple.

"Speak… quickly!"

Double D could barely speak as he felt his sight fading.

"Eddy… wherrrr… are youuu"

Double D faded into black nothing as his started to swim with images of his mom and dad, his brothers Ed and Eddy and the neighborhood kids. He was happy again, even if it would only be for this short time…

[7]