Hello, there. It's time for another chapter of LOM. Things are getting more serious for North Philly. A small child has died now, and the gang is starting to feel... responsible. Let's see what they're up to and how they're dealing with the situation now. And yet again, we'll learn of yet another killing. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 11: Blood on Our Hands
"Tragedy continues to strike in North Philly. Police found the body of seven-year-old Patrick Wright in the river. Witnesses say they saw an unidentified person dropping the young child into the water. The suspect escaped before the witness could stop them. However, another note was found with the body. While wet, it was readable."
'You were proud of your size, Peewee, but that also made you a liable target. If only they didn't exclude you, short stuff...'
Albert shut the TV off then and there. The boys couldn't watch anymore of that news report right now. Yet another close friend of theirs is gone... and worse of all, it was poor little Peewee.
It was bad enough that their close friends were getting killed left and right, but now the killers were targeting even the youngest... it was scary as it was heartbreaking.
"Now we have to add Peewee to our board." Harold shook his head, "This is becoming too much."
"I'll say..." Bill added, "Now the little kids are in trouble." He found himself putting his arm around Russell, pulling him close, "I can't imagine..."
"A-And t-t-to think this is a-all because we did something..." Donald frowned.
"The question is, what did we do?" Bucky asked.
Rudy groaned, "How are you guys so sure we did something wrong? You don't seriously believe that bullshit Arnie spewed last night, do you?"
"But we had to have done something. The killers are getting all of our friends."
"Doesn't mean we did anything. Like I said, Arnie was bullshitting all of us. Trying to make it seem like we're responsible... at least I hope we're not responsible. What do you think, Fat Albert?"
Albert sighed as he taped Peewee's picture to their victim board. He too was having conflicting feelings about this whole situation. Part of him didn't exactly believe Arnie's claims, but another part of him... did.
The criminals were killing all of their close friends, allies, and acquaintances. All of the notes that were being left at the crime scenes hinted at certain events related to them. And the killer obviously knew them personally...
It all just couldn't be a coincidence...
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that his friends were just looking at him, "Albert...?" Bill called, "You okay, man?"
"Huh..." The large boy looked back at everyone, "Sorry, I was thinking..."
"Albert... do you think that we may have done something so bad, that it's making someone kill our friends...?" Harold asked.
"I... I'm not sure how to answer that. I want to believe we didn't do anything. We're all good people. I know we'd never do anything wrong... sometimes. But... whether or not Arnie's claims are true... I feel like in a way... we are responsible."
That shocked the gang completely. Normally, Albert would debunk these situations, and be reassuring. But now... he was agreeing that they were responsible?
"Areb youb sureb?" Mush asked.
"At least... indirectly, anyways. Think about it." Albert looked at the board again, "People are dying... they were our friends... and the notes seem to be related to certain things that have to do with us... somehow, we are causing these tragedies, for reasons we don't even know..."
The rest of the boys looked at one another before Russell spoke up, "But that doesn't mean we did anything! We're innocent."
"We might not be as innocent as we think." Albert replied, "Our friends are suffering. And Arnie said that if we don't expose ourselves to the murderers... more people will die..."
"But we don't even know who the killers are." Harold pointed out.
"And I sure don't want to face them," Rudy added.
Albert nodded, "I know... I guess all we can do is wait for the police to find anything, and maybe we won't have to..."
"In the meantime, maybe we can find a way to help out Peewee's family." Bucky suggested, "It's the least we can do."
"That's a good idea. We should pay our respects..."
But before another word could be said, there was a knock on the door. Albert went to answer it, but when the door was opened... there appeared to be no one in sight.
"Hmm... no one's here."
The fat boy was about to close the door... before noticing something on it. Taped to the door... was a note. It was folded... and stained with something... red.
Curious and nervous, Albert took the note and walked back to his friends.
"Whatchu got, man?" Harold asked.
"Something was on the door... I think it's a note..." Was the response.
Slowly, and carefully, he opened the paper... and began to read what was written out loud. The other gathered around him to see as well.
Dear Fat Albert and the Junkyard Finks,
You have been dealing with some of your friends and others being brutally murdered within this past week. Shocking, isn't it? Well, as the saying goes, all actions have consequences. And YOU all are no exception. This is payback for what you did.
Now you may be wondering; what in the world did you do to deserve this? What could you have possibly done to have all of these crimes committed on your loved ones? The reason, if you knew it, might seem small, and rather petty to you. But to us, it's a travesty. You took something away from us. So we thought that we'd return the favor.
By taking away the people you love and care about.
And because of your connections... you're LETTING this happen. They are dying for YOUR sins.
And you're also probably wondering, based on the anonymous notes we have left, is how we know about certain situations. Well, information has to get out one way or another. So that's all we're gonna say on the matter. And the police still can't find shit.
But... if you really wanna know our motives... and if you want the killings to stop... all you have to do is something simple. Come face us yourselves. So that we can personally deal with you... we'll be around, so don't try to wimp out when you see us.
Don't even think of going to the police. 'Cause if you do, the next victim will perish right in front of you. Nothing is more torturous than actually seeing your loved one die right before your eyes...
Besides, it's a waste of time considering they still haven't found us...
If you surrender, we'll stop our killing spree...
If not... well, things will just continue to happen. The longer you wait, the more people will die.
And you only have yourselves to blame...
- ATRB
Almost every single one of the boys audibly gulped in fear. Arnie was right. Their suspicions and concerns were true. The killers are out to get them! And now they want to get them for real.
"I'm scared!" Russell whimpered, clinging to his brother.
"Meb toob." Mush added.
"They really are out to get us..." Harold frowned.
"What should we do?" Bucky asked.
Albert stared at the letter, rereading it a few times. As much as he didn't want to believe it, it was right there in writing. They were being targeted. And unless they faced the killers in person... more people continue to perish. Nevertheless, he tried to keep his friends calm, "Hey, hey, hey. It's gonna be okay. We're gonna take this to the police so they can investigate."
Rudy glared at him, "Didn't you read the letter? They said not to go to the cops or else more of our friends are gonna die!"
"This is a threat. Not to mention possible evidence for the police. Our situation looks bad, true. But look on the flip side. If we get this to the police, they may have a better chance of finding the murderers..."
He had a point. The other boys were worried, but they trusted Albert.
Soon, the gang made their way to the police department to report the letter they found. Officer Monroe was the first to see it.
"You boys did the right thing in bringing this to our attention." She said, "This might hopefully be one of the keys to finding the slasher."
"Slasher?" Russell asked.
"It's a term that can be used for a serial killer." The officer explained, "And since you boys are possible targets based off this note, it looks like you'll need some protection."
"So what do you suggest we do?" Albert asked.
"I'll have a discussion on that with the other officers. And we can come up with a solution with your parents. Speaking of, I'll give them a call to let them know you're here."
The boys nodded, thankful that law enforcement was here to help.
"Thanks, officer." Albert smiled.
"No problem, Albert." Officer Monroe smiled back, "Oh, by the way. How's Tommy?"
"Oh, he's doing fine. He's living with his aunt in Pittsburgh now."
"I see. Poor little guy. He's been through a lot. Hoping he'll feel better."
"I hope so too..."
Suddenly, Monroe heard her walkie talkie go off, "Attention. Apparent death, potential murder. Off 124 Woodland Street. 10-4."
Uh oh...
Not again...
"I gotta go, boys. You wait here for your parents to come pick you up..." She said.
The boys nodded before going to sit down. But for some reason... that address sounded very familiar... to Rudy...
"124 Woodland Street... that street... why does it found so similar to my street...?" he said to himself, before gasping, "Wait! That is my street! I live there!"
Before he could start freaking out, Albert settled him down, "Take it easy... it might not be who you think it is..."
"... Yeah... yeah... it's not... it can't be... I'm overreacting..."
"As usual..." Russell snarked.
"Shut up, shrimp..."
With that, the boys continued to wait. One by one, they were each picked up by their parents. Soon, Rudy was the only one left. For some reason, his parents were taking the longest to come for him.
He wondered why...
The rich boy was starting to become concerned, especially after hearing that another murder was committed on his street. But he tried to brush it off, hoping that it wasn't his parents or anybody else he knew.
It couldn't be. His parents were on their way here to take him home. Everything was gonna be okay.
After another twenty minutes, things would change...
The door to the station opened, and there was Officer Monroe... and his mom. Rudy immediately stood to greet her, "Hi, Mom..."
However, one look at his mother and he could tell something was wrong.
For one thing, she looked... rather terrified. Her face was streaked with tears... and her green dress was stained... with a hauntingly red substance at the skirt.
"R-Rudy! Oh Rudy!" She sobbed, rushing over to hug her son tightly, "You're safe!"
"Hey, Mom! I'm okay! Of course I am. I've been here the whole time." He choked a little from the tight embrace, "Are you okay? Did the killer try to get you?!"
He started to get angry at the possibility that the murderers would target his beloved mother, but it was that moment that he realized...
Someone was missing...
"Uh... where's Dad...?" He asked as he broke away, "Is he still at work...?"
Mrs. Davis turned away and sobbed some more, unable to bring herself to answer that.
"Mom...?"
Officer Monroe stood forward and looked at Rudy with sympathy, "We got reports of an attack at your house... by the time we got there... your mother was safe... a few injuries, but safe... and... your father..."
The boy was confused... before his eyes widened at what she was trying to say, "N-No..."
The policewoman frowned deeply.
"I'm so sorry, Rudy..."
Why do I love to torture Rudy so much in my stories?
Not only are the boys feeling responsible for everything that's been happening, now it looks like he has lost his father to the violence. Our poor little rich boy is definitely gonna be depressed and devastated for the next few chapters. But we're gonna see his friends be there for him, of course.
Next chapter will focus on that. We'll see how the murders pulled off the kill of Mr. Davis. And who knows what ATRB means?
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I know it's kinda short and may feel rushed, but I've had a little writer's block, but I pushed through. Until I'll see you guys later. And as always, don't forget to review, please. Thank you.
PS: I gave Peewee a full name. Patrick is original by me, while Wright is the surname of one of the writers (I think) of the episode where Peewee made his debut (The Runt).
