Author's Note: This chapter is a very important one as you will hopefully see...
Chapter 9: Isolation
Wednesday 4th September 1968.
Katherine waited patiently at the steps of Springwood Elementary School for her father to arrive. It was the end of her second day in 2nd grade. Again she was in her best friend's Lucy's class and had managed to make a few new friends as well. Helen Roberts, Carla Hanson and Melanie Reid. They all seemed like nice enough girls, welcoming her and Lucy into their little group at lunch time. The girls even suggested that they should meet up this weekend at the park, well that is if all of them were going. Katherine knew over the last few months, especially during the summer months her trips to the park were becoming less and less frequent. During the first two weeks of July, it was twice a week. Then it was once a week. But over the last three weeks she was only taken there once by her father. He had let her go back to the summer scheme, it was the only way she was able to be looked after when he was working.
She remembered the look of disapproval on his face as she asked could she stay in Lucy's house for the day while he was working. He had quietly admonished her, saying in a stern voice that he didn't want her being looked after in any of her friend's houses. That it wasn't safe for her. It confused her as only a few years ago she had been allowed by him to stay over night at Lucy's house for her friend's 5th birthday. But now he had changed his mind. Why wouldn't she be safe in Lucy's house? Her friend wasn't mean or nasty. They had known each other since they were four years old, when Lucy first move to 1408 Elm Street.
Why would he change his opinion all of a sudden? She frowned, maybe it was because of what Billy had done to her back in May. A shiver went up her spine as she remember what had happened to him. Her father had taken him away, given him his medicine for pushing her, bullying her. She knew he had murdered him. What did he say to her? Yes, he said that he had took 'care' of him. Given him his medicine, just liked she suggested. But still she said nothing to no-one. As though a part of her knew that the boy deserved it.
But she knew in her heart of hearts, that Lucy wasn't like that. None of her friends were bullies like Billy. All of them were good girls. She knew it!
She heard a car door opening then slamming shut. Hopping off the small wall, she smiled brightly as her father walked over to her. "Hi, Daddy!" she chirped.
He bent down to lift her in his arms, his right hand clutching a fist full of her new cream dress. "Hey, princess. Give daddy a kiss"
She smirked and bestowed him a kiss on his right cheek. He had certainly seemed happier the last few days. The whole summer he was rather cranky, irritable. But had tried to keep it from her. Katherine however knew her father's mannerisms, his little traits. She always knew if he was angry or happy.
"You're a in a good mood daddy!" she smiled at him.
He returned her smile, bringing her over to the passenger door and let her inside. Once in his own seat he turned to face her, "I'm in a very good mood, sweetheart" he gave her a shrewd smirk and winked at her.
Katherine titled her head in confusion. Why was he smiling at her like that?
Freddy chuckled at her perplexed expression and started the car. The last two days had been fucking amazing. Especially yesterday afternoon as he finally got his hands on Roger Lane's five year old boy - Thomas. It was quite fitting that he managed to get revenge on the bully who tormented him as child, by taking away his own fucking brat. He relished in the boy's screams as he watched him burn, the flames scalding and sizzling his flesh.
It was fucking amazing!
Ever since he killed Billy and now Thomas, he didn't realised how he had missed torturing the little boys. Perhaps he should change his killing patterns.
Boy.
Girl.
Boy.
Girl.
How many was it now? Twenty three. Not bad a tall.
But there was more to come. Nothing was going to stop him. Why would he stop anyhow? He felt such power, felt such pleasure from the killing and especially from the 'playtime' with the little girls.
He broke out of his ponderings as they reached their home at 1428 Elm Street. Freddy noticed that the lawn needed cut and the red door required a lick of paint. "Katherine, you want to help Daddy paint the door and tidy up the gardens a bit this weekend?"
She turned towards him, feeling a little disappointed of not being able to go the park, "Daddy, can we go to the park first?" she begged.
Freddy turned off the ignition and leaned towards her, his voice commanding, "No, sweetheart. From now on, I'll decide when we are going to the park. You understand?"
Katherine gave a slow nod, feeling uneasy at the look he was giving her. It was as though he was silently admonishing her, warning her not to disobey him. "Yes daddy, I understand"
He broke out into a victorious grin and ruffled her hair lightly, "Good girl. Now, into the house and get a start on your homework. Do you have much to do?"
"We've got maths and English to do today" she replied curtly, before climbing out of the car with her satchel clutched tightly in her hands.
He nodded and beckoned her into the house as he opened the door. Once inside he locked it securely and glanced at his daughter as she scurried into the kitchen. His left foot brushed a piece of paper that was on the floor. Bending to pick it up he smirked venomously at the small 'missing poster' of Thomas Lane. Them fuckers were very quick to get these made up. He clutched it tightly and wandered towards the basement door, "I'll be up in half an hour to check your homework"
She pulled out her work book and nodded, "Okay. Can I have something to drink please?"
"Go on, but don't make a mess in the kitchen"
Freddy left the kitchen, disappearing into the basement and was soon inside his 'room'. He threw his canvas bag onto the wooden bench and flipped open his black scrapbook and placed the missing poster of Thomas Lane into the next free blank page. His other brown scrapbook one was now completed, each page filled with his misdemeanours over the last four to five years. It was now placed underneath the bench in a large metal case, along with another large red scrapbook he had recently bought. He was still deliberating that he was going to use it for, what he was going to put on those blank pages.
Maybe it should be something about Katherine…
Freddy licked his lips musingly at the voice's suggestion. It sounded like a good idea. A really good idea. He reached over to the two photographs of his daughter pinned to the wall and lifted them in his hands and set them on the bench. A photo album of Katherine. Yes, he would make a photo album of her.
He smiled broadly and walked over to the shelf behind him, grabbing his bladed glove and slid it onto his right hand, flexing the blades a few time.
Bending down he grabbed the handle of the long metal case and hauled it out from underneath, then popped opened the lip. Inside were a few old bottles of chloroform, a few old tattered dolls and teddy bears that had once belonged to the children, a few old rags and blankets. To the far right was the new red scrapbook, ready to be used. He lifted it out and pushed the case back underneath the bench.
He tapped the front of the book with a single blade, the tip of the metal scraping the fabric of the book. Making a small mark. A small grin few across his face and slowly he began to scratch into the surface of the book, carving letters that formed into the name…
…Katherine.
"Perfect" he growled with a sly grin.
Upstairs Katherine grumbled to herself, having difficulty with her homework. She was never too good with sums. She hated maths. All she wanted to do was paint, make things. Maths was never her strong point. She lifted her gaze as her father approached her from the basement door, "Daddy, I need help. I don't know what to do!"
He sat beside her and leaned over to look at her work sheet. It was maths, subtractions.
"We learnt this yesterday, but I'm not too sure what to do" she shrugged. "I don't like maths!"
He smiled and pulled his chair closer to hers, "It's not that hard. C'mon. it says here" he pointed at the first question, "12 take away 2"
Her eyes narrowed in bemusement. "How do you work that out?"
Freddy sighed, "Did you not listen to your teacher at school?"
"Um" she began shyly, "No…sorry. I thought he was boring!"
He laughed, "You don't like him then?"
She shook her head, "Not really. He thinks he is funny. But he isn't. I liked my old teacher from last year. Mrs Carter"
"Well, you don't have her this year. Even if you don't like your new teacher you still have to listen to what he's trying to teach you. Otherwise you won't learn" he glanced at her school bag, "Where are your crayons? Are they in your bag?"
Katherine nodded, "Yes, but daddy I don't have any art work!"
"I know, but I'm going to use your crayons to help you"
"Oh, okay!" she pulled over her school bag and pulled out a small bundle of crayons that were tied with an elastic band. She untangled the band and laid out the crayons before her. Freddy silently counted the crayons, there were about thirty in total. He knew there were more upstairs in her room, along with paints and coloured chalk. That was all she wanted to do was draw!
"Now, count out twelve and when you're done you take away two of them. Then you count what is left" he instructed.
Nodding once she began to do as she was told, then gave her answer. "Ten. The answer is ten, right?"
"That's right. It's ten" he grinned at her.
"So, I just count the number of crayons out then take away what the other number. That gives me the answer?"
He nodded, "That's right"
She read the next question. 14-5. Then quickly began to count out the crayons and then took five of them away. "Nine?"
"Good girl" he kissed her forehead, "You see you can do it. But remember you have to try and do the maths in your head too. You won't have crayons to help you when you are in the classroom or whenever you're doing your tests"
Katherine nodded, "I know. I guess I'll have to start listening to Mr Jackson then"
He smirked, "Yes, you do. Now, you finish your sums and start your English work"
Katherine went onto the next question, feeling a little more relieved that she was able to do her homework. Freddy left the kitchen, towards the staircase. He wanted to get a start on her 'photo album' and needed to find the old photo albums Loretta had always kept in the attic. Perhaps he should also start to take some photos of her himself, he always wanted one of them fancy Polaroid cameras. He could develop the prints down in his room. They were rather expensive from what he heard, so perhaps he would have to wait a while before purchasing one.
Three months later…
Thursday 12th December 1968. 11am…
A thick white blanket of crisp snow had fallen over the town of Springwood. The weather forecast had said that the snow would be staying for Christmas and quite possibly into the first few weeks of January.
Over the last few months Katherine's visits to the park were becoming less frequent to her disappointment. The odd time she would relay her dissatisfaction to her father, trying to coerce him into bringing her into the park. Even for just an hour. But soon her begging stopped as he had threatened to spank her if she continued to pester him about it. She always knew that he if gave her that 'look' to keep her mouth shut. After being warned about being punished she quickly apologised, which made him smirk in success. He had often told her over the last few months that he was wary of letting her go to the park. Afraid that another little bully like Billy Morgan would tease and pick on her. She remembered how he coolly said that it was in her best interests that she didn't go to the park all the time like she used to.
It mystified her, but still she agreed with what he said. However, she didn't fully understand his reasons. Freddy had seen the uncertainly in her eyes and knew that he would have to make her understand, soon.
Krueger hid amongst the snow covered bushes and trees at the far end of the park, next to the small pond. His black glove clad hands carried a bundle of blankets, concealing his latest victim. The collar of his brown trench coat was tucked up around his face, while a thick teal scarf was wrapped around neck. It was a bitterly cold day. Despite, the heavy snow the schools were still opened. As for his job, the last week's snow had meant that the Junkyard was closed for the foreseeable future. Well, until the conditions were 'safe' enough to work in. That was what Burke had said to them the week before, when they arrived to work on Monday morning. To be honest, if didn't really bother Freddy at all. He was starting to hate that job. He had considered looking for a new job lately.
Luckily, he had managed to save enough money over the last few months to afford not to work for a few weeks. It also gave him ample chance to focus on his next little piggy. He had seen the little piglet a few weeks before at the end of November. It was Katherine's first trip to the park since the end of September. She was Katherine's new friend. Helen Roberts. Her hair was a cherry blond colour, reaching down to the small of her back. She had such sweet soft lips, they tasted so good.
Freddy smiled underneath his fedora at this and slowed to a stop at the edge of the trees. He glanced to the left and then the right. The area was clear. He pulled back the blankets from Helen's pale face, her throat was slit open. Dried blood was caked to her flesh. He laid her onto the ground and dragged the rest of the blankets off of her corpse, smiling heinously at her decimated body. Her chest was gutted open, her heart now missing from her crushed ribcage. It was now placed in a small jar back in the boiler room. He had to remind himself to pick it up and leave it home in his 'room', before picking up Katherine.
Helen's thighs were also bruised, as he had to forcefully hold her legs open as he raped her. Not once, but twice. He was a little greedy, he had to admit.
Freddy shook his head lightly and knelt at the periphery of the pond, a few random bushes shielding him as he placed her cadaver on the snowy ground, on her back. Then placed a few pieces of loose twigs over her naked body. But he made sure to keep her chest and face visible. He wanted however would find her to see what had done to her. Taking one last glance at her corpse he quickly made back to his car with a perverted grin carved across his face.
Saturday, 4th January 1969
For once the weather forecast was right. The snow had still covered Springwood. Another few blustery storms had swept over the town in the last week or so, making the snow even thicker and deeper. It was two days before the new School Semester began and Springwood Park was heaving with children. All of them wanting to enjoy the snow before going back to school.
At one of the large oak trees in the middle of the park, Katherine Krueger looked up at her father as he reached down to scoop more snow off the ground. She rubbed her red clad gloved hands together and then tightened her matching scarf around her neck. She was dressed in her Christmas clothes, a red dress, with white tights underneath and black painted shoes. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail with two set of ribbons - red and green. While upon her head was a small red beret.
Freddy patted the snow against the body of the five foot snowman they had just finished assembling. His black gloved hands soothed the snow onto the top of the snowman's head. "What do you want to call him Kat?"
She titled her head to the side, lost in thought and then lifted her gaze up to him as he stood above her dressed in his trench coat, his red and green sweater barely visible underneath his teal scarf. After a few seconds she broke out into a smile, "Can we call him after you?"
"Freddy?" he chuckled lightly, "Okay, we'll call him Freddy"
She grinned and hobbled over towards her schoolbag that she had brought with her. Her legs nearly buckled underneath her as she almost lost her balance in the snow. Her right hand snaked its way into the bag and pulled out a thin black scarf. Turning towards the snowman she wrapped the scarf around it's neck, "Daddy, we need buttons for its front!"
He was one step ahead of her as he pulled out several small rocks of coal from his canvas bag, "There you go"
Katherine smiled once more and then carefully pushed three of them into the belly of the snowman.
"Now, for his face" Freddy held out several more lumps of coal, "You finish him off"
She took about seven pieces in her hands and then delicately began placing them on his face, creating a smile, a nose and two eyes. "That's him all done daddy!"
Freddy chuckled and then leisurely reached back into his bag, to pull out his new Polaroid camera. It had set him back about a hundred dollars, quite a lot of money for someone on his income. But it would be worth it. He just couldn't wait to take pictures of the little piglets. But most of all he wanted to take pictures of her, of Katherine.
Katherine suddenly turned back to him as he held the camera in his hands. Her eyes lit up in surprise, "Is that new daddy?"
"Yes, it is" he gave her a sly smirk, "Now, stand by the snowman and give me a big smile!"
She grinned back and scurried to the left hand side of the snowman, that stood about three to four inches taller than her. Freddy studied her thoughtfully, noticing that she hadn't really grown that much taller in the last year or so. To a certain extent he preferred her that way, this small. She steadied herself and clasped her hands together in front of her and smiled warmly.
He knelt on his right knee and lifted the camera, peering through the lens and pressed the shutter button. There was small click, then a whirring sound and slowly the photo began to slide out of the front of the camera, through a small thin gap approximately three to four inches in length. He gripped it in his right hand and slowly shook it back and forth.
Katherine's eyes went wide in awe, "Does it print out the photos? I thought you had to bring the camera to the mall to get them printed out?"
"You can do both" he beckoned her over, "Come here and look"
She walked over, her feet crunching softly on the snow and peered down at the photograph. The dull grey image began to clear into the picture of her standing beside the snowman, her face was quite clear in the dim light. Her rosy cheeks stood out as she gave a zealous grin. "Wow! I've never seen a camera do that before!"
He placed the photo on the ground and readied the camera again, "You want me to take another?"
With a vibrant nod she stepped back a few feet and then planted her hands on her hips, as if she was posing and smiled once more, her head tilting to the side a little.
Freddy laughed from behind the camera as he took her picture, "So, you trying to show off? Huh?"
She giggled and approached him, "Um, no. Well, yeah maybe a little!"
He gave another playful chuckle and watched as she turned away form him to look at the snowman once more. After placing the camera and photos into his bag, Freddy inconspicuously gathered a handful of snow in his right hand and hid it behind his back before rising to his feet.
"Katherine…" he quietly sung her name teasingly.
She spun back to him and immediately saw the impish look on his face, while her eyes glanced at this hand behind his back. He smiled innocently at her, "Do you want to see what's in my hand?"
Katherine bit her bottom lip and took a few hesitant steps back, "No, I don't want to…"
"Aw, I really think you do!" he pouted sadly, then lunged at her light-heartedly and threw the snow at her. But for once she was too quick and ducked out of his path, giggling madly.
She stooped lower to grab a fistful of snow and spun back to him as he advanced towards her, both his hands now filled with thick white snow. Another laugh came from her as she threw her snow at him and darted out of his reach and ran around the snowman, trying to keep her distance from him. He chortled puckishly and smiled at her. "I bet I can catch you!"
Katherine shook her head in defiance and then ran past the snowman, trying to make a run for the tree. But he was too fast this time as he swiftly pursued her and threw the snow over her little frame, then tackled her onto the snow. She tried to push him off of her, but he clutched more snow and began to spray it over her face and clothes. Yet again she squealed in laughter and tried to cover her flushed face with her hands.
Freddy snarled playfully and began to grab at her sides, tickling her and growled in a low haughty voice. "Gotcha, piggy!"
Katherine eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn't heard him say this in a long while. "Oh, no! The big bad wolf!" she began to play along.
He flashed his pearly white teeth in a pleased grin, enjoying that she was starting to participate in the game. "Little piggy, I'm so hungry! I'm famished!"
She placed her hands against his chest and tried with all her might to push him off of her, but he gently clutched her hands in his and pinned them to the ground above her head and moved his legs so that he was straddling her legs. He then leaned forward, the tip of his fedora hat touching her forehead. His face barely inches from hers. He gave her a wayward grin and growled huskily, "Got you, my little piglet! Gonna eat you all up!"
His daughter stared up at him, trying to keep her laughter at bay. She had to stay in character, keep up the pretence that she was actually afraid of him. But she couldn't help but smirk as he gave her a mischievous wink and then his mouth attached itself to the side of her left cheek, playfully gnawing at her flesh and then began to move down towards her neck where he began to blow raspberries against her skin.
Her mouth went agape as she let out a shriek of giggles, "St-top! That tickles!"
Freddy's lips curled into a satisfied smile against her skin upon hearing her laughter. But quickly his actions stopped.
To their far right there was a small scuffle, making both father and daughter sit up and turn towards the scene near a small snow covered picnic bench. Two young girls, perhaps seven or eight were tugging at each other's hairs in a savage scuffle. Their voices high-pitched as they squealed at each other. One of them in the cream coat shoved the other girl back and viciously slapped her face. It wasn't long until their mothers hurried towards them, to pull the warring pair apart.
Katherine's body went with rigid with fear and she absently grabbed her father's coat, shuffling closer to him. He curled his left arm around her, "It's okay. Do you recognise them to girls?"
She lifted her gaze to face him, "Yeah, they are in the year above me. I see them in the playground at school. They always fight with each other!"
"They do?"
"Yeah. They don't like each other. I never go near them. Are they bullies too?" she asked.
"Yes" he nodded grimly and pulled her to her feet, "You stay away from them. I don't want you go get hurt again. The way that little Billy hurt you last year"
"But you protected me"
He smiled and nodded, "Yes, I did. Do you want to head home? Did that upset you?"
"Yes. I just don't like people fighting" she trembled.
He lifted her into his arms, venturing over to their bags and lifted them with his free hand. "Let's go home and we'll build another snowman in the back yard. Would you like that?"
She gave a small nod and clasped her hands around his neck as he carried her towards the main entrance of the park. He threw once last glance at the playground, watching each child with disdain. Maybe those voices were right. There could be others like that bastard Billy. Over the last several months he knew that had to be some reason why he was keeping her visits to the park to a bare minimum.
Today he knew why.
Each and every one of the children were little bullies. Either they were now or they were going to grow up to be like them. Nothing but nasty, vile brats! He had to protect Katherine from them, she had to comprehend what they were really like. What mean little fuckers they ALL were. He couldn't let them get close to his little girl. They would end up tormenting her, like the way he was as a child. There was one thing he could do and teach her what they were like. Get her to finally realise that she didn't need them. He had to gradually make her detach herself from her friends, from the other children in school. In time he would show her that the only person she could ever trust, could ever need was him.
Her father.
Saturday 12TH April 1969
The morning sun broke through the murky clouds, brightening up the park as Freddy's red Chevy drove towards the small car park. His daughter Katherine sat excitedly in the passenger seat, leaning forward as she scoured the park for her friends. It had been over five, perhaps six weeks since she had been here. It was for her 7th birthday that her father had taken her here, but for some reason they didn't stay that long and her father had been acting rather peculiar that day. Demanding that she stayed on her bike, not to venture too far into the park. And that if she did decide to play with her friends, to tell him who they were and where they were playing. It was though he was scrutinizing her every move!
She remembered the vice grip he held on her hand as they walked home, while pulling the bike with his other hand. It was though he was reluctant to let her go. Katherine had wanted to know why he was acting so strangely, but wisely decided against it. Knowing all too well, that he would be angry with her. So, she kept her mouth shut.
But here she was, back at the park. Perhaps today he would be in better form.
Katherine smiled up at him as he opened the passenger door and clutched his opened hand. They entangled their fingers together and walked in silence towards the park, again his destination was the small bench near the fountain. It appeared he was the only one who liked to sit there. No one else seemed to sit beside him. It didn't bother him in the slightest. Hardly anyone ever talked to him in the park. Well, apart from Donald Thompson. It was just a polite 'hello' or 'good morning' whenever he strolled past while on his police patrol with that smarmy fucker Garcia.
Freddy would smile back, going along with his charade of being friendly. When in fact, all he wanted was to cut both of the bastard's throats.
Once he had settled on the bench, his grip loosened on his daughter's hand who then tried to head towards the main play area. But she gasped as her father's hands gripped her waist and tugged her back onto his lap. "No, you don't" his voice murmured in her ear, "Not so fast!"
Her lips pouted in dismay as she looked up to him, "But what did I do?"
He ran his right hand through her left pigtail, "Nothing. Daddy just needs to talk to you…" his eyes scoured the park and gestured with his left hand towards the children as he growled, "about them!"
"Them?" she glanced at the park.
"Yes. The other children" his eyes grew dark with vindictiveness under his fedora, "Listen to me very carefully, baby girl"
Katherine swallowed thickly and nodded. Her hands grasped the rim of her purple dress, twisting it apprehensively. Over the last few months she had begun to hate the way he talked to her in that tone of voice. It didn't happen all the time. But whenever he did, it was so menacing. As though he was silently threatening her. It sent chills up her spine.
He smirked heinously, noticing her uneasiness. "I don't want you playing with them little brats from now on!"
"Brats?" she cocked her head to the side, "You mean my friends?"
"They aren't your friends, sweetheart" he then idly began to play with her left pigtail, his fingers intertwining and then unravelling in her hair, "You see princess, they are pretending to be your friends!"
"Pretending?"
"Yes" he nodded, "They are acting. You see, little boys and little girls like them turn out to be bullies! Just like Billy. They are using you Katherine. Pretending to be your friends!"
"But…" her lips quivered in fear, "I haven't done anything to them! I'm always nice to them! I don't understand!"
Freddy hushed her and drew her into a small hug, "Sssh now!" he then tilted her face towards his, "You see, when I was a little boy, I thought I had friends. But they were pretending too. They started to become nasty to me, calling me names. Pushing me around in the playground, out on my street. They turned out to be bullies in the end!"
She took a deep breath, holding back a sob. "Did your mommy and daddy not do anything?"
Slowly, Freddy's right hand fell upon her left shoulder and for a split second his fingers dug into her shoulder, but it went unnoticed by her. He had never mentioned his parents to her. Hell, he didn't have a fucking clue who his real birth father was. He only had Underwood as a father, well his stepfather and what a fucker he was. As for his bitch whore of a mother, well he hadn't seen her in years. "I don't know who my real parents are"
His daughter's mouth went wide in sorrow and she slowly reached out to grasp his hand, as if she was comforting him. "I'm sorry daddy"
"It's okay" he leaned forward to kiss her left cheek, "But you need to understand, the children will hurt you. If not now, but in the future. So, you need to keep away from them. It will protect you from getting hurt"
"But can you not protect me too?" she pleaded.
He squeezed her waist gently, "Of course I will. But from now on you have to start playing on your own" there was a pause as he stared musingly at her, "You do trust me, don't you baby?"
She nodded vehemently, "Yes, I trust you daddy"
Freddy gave a sly smirk at her reply. "I've never lied to you and I never will"
Again she nodded in agreement and her grip on his hand intensified as he squeezed it back. He intertwined his fingers with hers, "Remember a few months ago when we were at the park building the snowman? There were two girls fighting?"
"Yeah, they're called Lisa and Karen. I found out their names from school"
"Well, Lisa and Karen are little bullies too! Just like the rest of them" he looked up at the children with a venomous glare.
Katherine twisted around on his lip to stare gloomily at the park, "But who am I going to play with?"
"You can bring your bike, your dolls. You can play in the playground. I'll even play with you. I just don't want you playing with the other children" Freddy remarked coldly.
"What about in school?"
He sighed and thought for a moment, "Well, you keep your distance from the other pupils. You see that is when bullying is the worse, when you're in school. Whenever you are on your lunch, you play on your own. You don't even have to go outside, I'm sure your teacher will allow you to stay in the classroom during lunch. You can sit and draw. You love drawing don't you? You love art?"
Katherine nodded silently.
"See?" he drew her close, "You can still have fun without the other children!"
Her right hand reached up to wipe away a stray tear from her face, "Okay, daddy. I understand"
"Good" he grinned triumphantly, then warned. "I'll be watching you when you're at the park from now on. I want to make sure you behave yourself"
She slid off his lap and stood before him, taking a few deep breaths. He held out his hand, revealing a few quarters. "Go and get yourself something to drink. But give me a kiss before you go"
Obediently, she took the change off of him and tip-toed up to kiss him lightly on the lips, then turned away to walk towards the kiosk beside the fountain.
Freddy chucked iniquitously and tipped his fedora a little lower over his face, then lit up a cigarette. But he kept close eye on his daughter, watching her every step, like a predator watching its prey. After purchasing her beverage she inched towards the fountain and sat on the edge, her hands clutching her small plastic white cup tautly. Her gaze glimpsed up towards the bench and she gave a small shiver as she saw her father studying her.
She sipped at her drink and then twisted around to watch the children in the park several yards from her position. A few of the children were engaged in a fast and frantic game of 'tag'. Her eyes furrowed slightly as she saw one of the boys deliberately trip up another boy, sending him spiralling to the ground with a small thud. The fallen boy cried in agony, having scrapped his knee on the gravel. Katherine flinched, her heart going out to the boy. Next she cast her gaze towards the grass next to the park, again examining the children as they engaged in their games. Some of them seemed a little bossier than others, taking charge and being rather unruly towards the other children. She had never noticed this before. It was no wonder, she was too busy playing with her friends.
From the bench, Freddy chuckled quietly to himself as he continued to watch Katherine. For the last twenty minutes she hadn't moved an inch from her seat on the fountain. Her curious gaze was set upon the other children as they played with each other. She was absorbing how they were interacting with each other, analysing their little traits. From her facial expression he knew she was pondering what he had told her shortly before. She was starting to become more cautious, being vigilant around them.
She is starting to doubt them...
She knows that you're right. She knows…
Just the way you planned it Freddy!
Freddy tensed slightly, his lips curling into a small snarl as he saw a girl approach her. It was her friend Lucy. He stubbed his cigarette out on the edge of the wooden bench, wishing that it was Lucy's little face instead.
Katherine took another drink of her lemonade and gulped wearily as Lucy walked towards her. "Hi, are you not going to play with us? We're going to play rounder's. We've got a bat and ball!"
Katherine shifted anxiously on her seat and gave a fleeting glance at her father, who was watching them both with interest. Lucy followed Katherine's fleeting glance and then asked. "Why is your daddy staring at you like that?"
"He's just making sure I'm okay" Katherine rebuked.
Lucy shrugged, "He always stares at you like that. It's really creepy. Actually, he stares at everyone like that! All the kids!"
Slowly, Katherine stood from the fountain, her eyes tightened in silent rage. "And so what?"
"It's just very scary" Lucy lowered her voice to a whisper, "Your dad is weird"
Katherine's jaw dropped in horror. How dare anyone say that about her father? Let alone someone how was meant to be her friend! "No, he isn't! You're being mean!"
"He is" Lucy nodded, "All he does sit on the bench and watches the kids play. He's so creepy!"
That was it, as Katherine threw her plastic cup down in front of Lucy's feet in fury. The remaining liquid splashed over the rim of the cup, soaking the ground. But to Katherine's dismay it didn't soak Lucy. She snarled at her friend, "No, he isn't. Leave me alone!"
Without another word Katherine spun away and ran up towards the bench where he father was watching. He grinned sinfully beneath his hat, seeing the antagonism that was on Katherine's face as she nearly soaked her friend. He straightened up and soon his grin disappeared as she reached his side and scrambled onto his lap.
"What is it, princess?"
Katherine snuggled against his chest, "Can we go home daddy?"
His right hand slithered under her jaw and tipped her face up towards, while his left hand pulled her body back so she was sitting facing him. "I thought you wanted to come to the park. Did anything happen? I saw you sitting at the fountain"
"I was watching the others. I've never noticed it before, but I saw some kids being really bossy! I even saw a boy tripping up another boy while they were playing tag. He meant to do it! It was awful! Some of them are just like Billy!" she let out a small sob, feeling frightened.
"Not just some. All of them are like Billy. You see?" he nodded, "I told you honey, they are good at hiding it. They are all little liars!"
She threw a quick glance at Lucy as she played amongst the swings, "Lucy was really mean too! She said you were staring at me weird. She said it was creepy. She said that you were weird and creepy! But you're not daddy!" her voice shook with rage.
"Of course I'm not. Don't you believe a word she says, she's is lying! Okay?"
Katherine nodded quickly, "I know daddy!" she leaned up to hug him and kissed him once on his lips, "I love you"
Freddy wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close as a vile grin grew across his face, "I know you do. Daddy loves you too!"
He rose to his feet and wrapped his right hand under her legs, while she curled her left hand around his neck. "You do realise that you don't need them? The other children? It's just going to be you and me Katherine. That's all you need. Just me!"
She gave a small nod and smiled as he carried her back to the car. He was right. Her daddy was always right. "I know daddy"
Freddy kissed her forehead and smiled cunningly at her. This was the start of it, the isolation. Over time she would distance herself form the other children. He had never liked her playing with other children, it stirred up jealously within him whenever he saw her playing with kids in the street or in the park. His jealously had increased more so, now that Loretta was gone.
Katherine was his.
He created her.
She was his flesh and blood.
She was his possession.
FK-FK-FK
Author's Note: So, this is the start of it! The psychological/emotional abuse now begins! I hope you like the way I have written Freddy in this chapter!
Also, I don't normally do this but if you would like to read and maybe review my new story Reunion feel free!
Thanks!
