Thi idea came out of nowhere as i was planning another story for another show i liked to watch, still, i thought it would be nice return to my other favorite show for a bit. Other than that, its isnt much to say about this stoet, except it takes place on season 1 wich is my favorite.
Hope you enjoy.
Ruth Green, thanks for the fixes.
THE MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.
On a day like any other in Walton´s Mountain, Virginia, the family was minding their own business with chores and enjoying one another's company, when they received a strange visit from a lonely traveler.
All seven children had just left for school when it happened. Olivia and Grandma Esther were taking care of the dishes after breakfast while John Walton and Grandpa Zeb went to work around their mill, when suddenly they spotted a dirty man coming in their direction. He seemed tired and hungry, while he carried a cloth bag around his shoulders.
''Good morning, dear Sirs!'' he exclaimed with a smile.
''Good morning.'' Both Grandpa Zeb and John replied quietly.
''By chance would you Sirs would have a glass of milk and a piece of bread to share with this poor traveler?'' the man asked.
''By chance we have,'' John replied. ''May we ask your name?''
''Just call me Jimmy,'' he smiled weakly.
''Jimmy, my name is John Walton and this is my father, Zebulon Walton,'' he said and in response, the grandfather just nodded. ''Now come Jimmy, we have plenty of food to share with who need it.'' John smiled amicably and Jimmy followed him and Grandpa Zeb inside the house.
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Despite acting and looking like a beggar, Jimmy seemed very polite and cultured somehow. According to himself, Jimmy used to be a teacher at Connecticut University, 'till due unfortunate events, he had to leave his job. It was then he started living like a beggar on the streets, traveling from town to town. Of course, out of discretion, none of the Waltons asked what the unfortunate events were, although Grandma didn't seem to like him from the start.
''Thank you very much for the food, Ma´am,'' Jimmy smiled at Olivia. ''Do you mind if I rest on the porch a bit before I continue my journey? Hope I'm not bothering anything.''
''Not at all,'' Olivia smiled back while looking sideways to John. ''You must be tired, get some rest,'' she said. With a polite bowl, Jimmy left for the porch.
Once he left, Grandma Esther shook her head in disapproval while putting away the dishes. ''Something in this man seems completely strange!'' she complained.
''Old woman, what could be strange in a traveler asking for a bit of a shelter?'' Grandpa Zeb asked and in response she just frowned at him.
''Come on Pa, lets finish work.'' John laughed at his parents.
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Just a couple of hours later, the children arrived home and eventually, all of them got fascinated by the traveler, who in turn seemed to have a special bond with them, especially the girls. The ones who didn't seem to care much about the traveler were the youngsters Jim-Bob and Elizabeth, who seemed much more interested in play around the farm.
During the rest of the day, Jimmy kept entertaining the family with his stories and adventures. Of course, John-Boy asked him if he could write everything down, while Mary-Ellen told him she would love to join him on his traveling.
''I would be much obliged for the company, Miss Mary-Ellen, but I don´t think you would enjoy travel with me.'' He smiled at her and they change the subject.
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As the hours passed, Jimmy got his things, thanked the family for the hospitality and told them it was time for him to leave. Of course, John and Olivia offered him to stay for the night and rest a bit more, but he seemed quite eager to go and without saying another word, he left.
''Interest fellow, this Jimmy, huh?'' Grandpa Zeb smiled.
''I saw nothing interesting in him and you shouldn´t neither old man!'' Grandma exclaimed.
''Why you say that, Ma?'' John asked.
''You saw something odd, Grandma?'' asked Olivia.
''No,'' the old woman replied. ''But I'm almost certain that he was hiding something,'' she said before urging everyone to go back to their chores and homework.
Finally, night comes and by then, Jimmy was completely forgotten, as the family joined for dinner and later sat around the radio to hear stories and songs, when suddenly, they heard knocks on the door.
Thinking it would be Jimmy again, John went to open the door, just to come face with face with the sheriff who wore a worried face.
''Good evening Sheriff, what can I do for you?'' John asked.
''Good evening John, I'm having the task to go door to door, asking every citizen, if they have seen this man.'' He showed John a photo of a man.
''We saw him yes sheriff, his name is Jimmy. He came here this morning asking for food and end up spending the day,'' John replied with a smile. ''Why? Is there a problem?'' he asked, and the sheriff paled.
''Is everyone alright in your house, John?''
''S-Sure sheriff, we are listening to the radio. Why, what's the matter?'' he asked again as not only his wife, but also his parents and the children came closer.
''John, this man´s name is James Gilles, nickname Jimmy… he is a serial killer.''
''What?'' Olivia exclaimed in panic.
''What is a serial killer?'' asked Jim-Bob innocently.
''You children go upstairs now!'' Olivia ordered.
''You too, John-Boy, go upstairs and stay with your brothers and sisters,'' John ordered, and after the children were out of sight, he turned to the sheriff to ask more information.
It happened that in reality, Jimmy was a wanted serial killer who had killed more than ten women, mostly teenagers between Connecticut and Virginia and the teacher story was just a story he invented to get closer to the victims.
''I must say John, God must have been protecting your family, being closer to that kind of person the whole day and nothing happening…. I prefer not to think about the other possible outcome,'' he said before left, and John told him he would keep informed case Jimmy came back.
''Oh my… you were right old woman,'' Grandpa replied shocked. ''Appearances can be deceived.''
''I can´t believe we let a monster inside our house, John!'' Olivia was in panic, but John just wrapped his arms around her, telling her he was sorry to put his family in danger. He assured her Jimmy would not come back anytime soon.
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In the end, of all the children, only John-Boy learned about Jimmy´s identity, but promised his father, he would not say a word to anyone and would not write anything about that event, making Jimmy´s visit a simply odd day.
Later that night, when everyone was in bed, Olivia couldn´t sleep, as worry took over her again and she woke up her husband.
''John, you locked all doors and windows?'' she asked.
''Yes Liv, I locked every door and window, we are safe.''
''Are you sure? I don´t think I will be able to sleep.''
''Don´t worry honey, Jimmy will never come back and I'm right here to protect you. Try to get some sleep.'' He laughed, hugging her.
''I will try to,'' Olivia breathed. ''Good night,'' she said, getting close to her husband for protection.
END.