Hamelyn's Curse
Prologue
It was Mid-Summer's day 1969 and the girls of Verendyne, were eagerly looking forward to a planned picnic. To be held up on a local landmark -known as Looming Rock Plateau. There were a lot of eligible young men in the town. All the girls were anticipating. Being courted by them.
Especially Sarah - the Head Cheer-leader. She was confident of finally catching the eye of the popular and handsome Captain, of the High School Football team.
At first the brightly garbed flautist was eyed warily. By the elders of the closely knit community. Several frowned as he insinuated himself, into their private Festival. The mayor in particular felt a little guilty. For the way he'd cheated the man. But the piper didn't seem to be harboring a grudge and it wasn't long. Before his merry banter and alluring tunes made them set their worries aside. By midday he was accepted as if he had lived all his life. Within the small hamlet? Even the stately town matrons giggled coquettishly. As he flirted outrageously with them. Sarah forgot the football captain and vied with dozens of other girls. To prance around the handsome musician. The day passed in a whirl of dizzying and frenetic dances. That continued even as the sky above turned from blue to soft indigo and the velvet blackness. It was only then, as the entertainer melted away. Into the gathering gloom of night. Did the full horror of the Piper's revenge fall upon them. The town was decimated. All twenty five of its high school girls were gone. Led away, from the Plateau by a merrily fifing stranger. A year later Verendyne was an abandoned ghost town and Looming Rock Plateau cursed by all.
Chapter Five
Colby enjoyed the drive out to Texas. But deep inside he wished. He still had his dog sitting up beside him. Of all the things the Lancer affair had cost him. The one thing that truely upset Kolby - was the loss of Loxie. He inhaled and turned on the radio to distract his mind. From the unpleasant thoughts that crowded into his head. Despite being fully compensated. For the loss of his property Colby couldn't help brooding. Money was not really any substitute. For what was taken from him. His dog aside he'd lost every momento of his life The photos of his family. The collection of war figurines he spent ten years collecting. But Loxie That really really hurt. Thoughts of her had kept him going through the long weeks of his incarcertion and the hours of pain he's endured. At the hands of Lancer and Dwane. The name caused another stab of pain. Dwane Carter had been his best friend. They were from the same town and had been buds since Kindergarten. Cruising through their school years together. They had even joined the army on the same day. Kolby blinked hard to clear the tears from his eyes. The FBI would never truly know the cost of his loyalty. Kolby saw a roadside diner ahead and pulled in. He figured a good meal would help. Colby like Edgerton was not bothered That it was a chain restaurant. The meal was freshly cooked and he'd been right It did make him feel a little better. Once back on the road. Colby had a further hour's drive to Belcher Hollow. He was lucky to spot a sign. For the residential camping site. As he drove into the town Colby detoured down a country lane to find it. Despite being the height of the Summer Season. There were plenty of pitches available and a little passed seven pm. Colby parked his van under the shade of a spreading oak. He sighed relieved and rubbed the back of his neck.
Before settling in for the night. Colby used his Cell phone to call the hotel. Where the rest of his team were designated as staying. He planned to leave a message for Don. Saying where he was staying. As luck would have it. Don was at that moment. Registering the squad. So Colby was able to speak directly to him.
Don acknowledged Colby's location pleased. The hotel receptionist told him. That Oak Well Camping Park was only about a mile away.
Once settled into his pitch Colby connected the facilities in his van to the on site water and sewage system then had a hot bath. He shoved a pizza in his oven. After his bath he ate it in bed.
All the while reading the copy of the case file Don had supplied. It was clearly a case of mass kidnapping But so many kids being snatched at once. Meant the Mysterious Piper had to have had accomplices. Colby's fertile mine wondered. If the felon was part of some paedophile gang? Snatching kids to order? The very idea made him tremble. At length he started to yawn and noting. It was almost ten at night Colby slid down into his bed to sleep. The long drive had worn him out. He was unconscious a few minutes later.
TBC