Warning: Mention of child molestation and controlling behavior
Chapter 2
The tip of a bright pink crayon dexterously coloured in between the lines of the outline of a fairy's wings. Katherines' nimble fingers dropped it as she snatched another purple crayon and began to scribble the colour between two other segments of the wing. Her brown eyes were narrowed focusing intently on the task at hand. She sat at her side dresser in her room and took a fleeting glance at her small pink coloured circular clock. It was closing on 9pm and she was a little bewildered why she was allowed to stay awake to such a time on a school night. But she knew not to venture downstairs, her father's commands were never meant to be disobeyed. She had been disciplined to do what she was told.
Her attention was averted back to her colouring book and the page in front of her. The body of the small fairy was nearly coloured in. All she had to do was colour in their short, cropped hair. She lightly tapped her fingers on the edge of the white dresser and then grabbed a yellow crayon. She clearly remembered Tinkerbell having blond hair.
As she pressed the tip of the crayon to the page she froze and craned her head to the right. Footsteps were approaching her room. Her father was coming. Quickly she gathered her crayons and placed them in her small plastic box that usually contained her crayons and colouring pencils. Her body twisted around towards the door as it creaked opened revealing her father.
Freddy broke out into a smile as he approached her and left the rolled-up newspaper on the top of the dresser. "Hey, baby"
"Sorry daddy" Katherine glimpsed at her colouring book as she scooted off the chair. "I know I should be in bed waiting for you. But I got bored and wanted to finish my colouring in"
He stood at her dresser and looked down at her half coloured in page. Bright purples, pinks, yellows, greens and blues were decoratively coloured in between the lines of the small drawing of a fairy. The smile remained on his face as he closed the book and place it on top of her other various books. "It's okay" his slim frame sat down on the white wooden chair and with a light tap of his right hand on his right knee he beckoned her over. "Come here honey"
Katherine walked forward and slowly climbed onto his lap as he adjusted her legs over the edge of his outer thighs so that she was facing him. The lace rim of her white nightdress scrunched up around her thighs making her blush. Her body tensed as she uneasily looked away. Was he going to do something to her? Was it that time? Her little heart thudded hard against her chest and she took a haggard deep breath, then exhaled slowly.
"It's okay" Freddy soothed in her ear and carefully curled his right palm under her chin. With a light tug he pulled her anxious gaze towards his. "I'm not going to do anything. I just want to have a little talk. Okay?"
Her eyes blinked a few times trying to hold back her tears and she gave a little nod. "Okay daddy"
His right hand left her chin and using two of his fingers he gently began to stroke her cheek for a few seconds then lowered his hands to her waist. She felt his arms curl around her waist, and she listened as he spoke. "Over the last few years what have I always told you not to do when we are at the park?"
"I can't talk to anyone. I must ignore them. If someone asks me to play with them, I must walk away back to where you are" Katherine replied quickly. Her eyes roved over his face seeing a pleased smile creeping over his lips. "Uh, why are you asking me this daddy? You know I always go back to where you sit in the park. Even in school I never speak to anyone"
But that wasn't true, was it? Katherine knew deep down inside she had disobeyed him and if he found out, then she knew the repercussions would be severe. That buckle of the belt would be used on her. An alarming thought crossed her mind. Did he somehow find out that Michael had sat beside her at lunch before Christmas? Had her father stopped Michael in the street and demanded that the boy tell him if he had spoken with her? She swallowed hard and lightly licked her dry, chapped lips. Her eyes averted back towards her father's eyes as they roamed over the outline of her face.
"I'm just making sure that you remember" He lazily began to trail the palm of his right hand up the base of her spine to the top of her back and she instinctively arched her chest forward against his and tried to stifle a giggle.
Freddy chuckled and lightly kissed her forehead. "I found out something today that has made me a little worried"
"Worried? About me?" She asked.
He pursed his lips together and nodded. His eyes darted towards the newspaper and Katherine felt her inquisitive nature take over and she followed his eyes. "That's not the Springwood Gazette" she murmured quietly.
"No, it's not" He reached over and unfurled the paper, spreading it out before them both. "It's from Lancaster"
"Why do you have it daddy?"
"My boss gave it to me" Again his hand curled under her chin, and he held her pensive gaze. "Now, Kitty Kat, I want you to do something for me. I know that you are very observant. You like to watch people. Don't you?"
She nodded against his hand. "Yes daddy"
"It's important that you keep watch for anyone new in town. Someone you haven't seen before. I am going to allow you to walk to school tomorrow morning and you will be allowed to walk home" Freddy had thought long and hard about this over the last hour or so. As much as he didn't like her walking home. He always preferred her to either be collected by himself or to take the bus. But he knew that Katherine had a keen eye, was always very vigilant when she was out in the park, or whenever they were out walking. Anytime she was back at his side in the park she would whisper quietly to him who the children were, their names. Then whenever she would walk by the adults, particularly Donald Thompson, she would divulge to him any conversations she had overheard Thompson chatting with Garcia. In a way he had trained her to be a little spy. He had taught her well. Each time she never aroused any suspicion. To the children she was an outcast and they never paid her any attention. To the adults she was just overly shy. A quiet and obedient little child. If she could use her talents to seek out this newcomer to the town and give him the details of what he looked, any of his mannerisms around the children it would hopefully give him the upper hand.
Katherine jerked her head back slightly in surprise and her jaw dropped opened as she processed his words. "Do you mean it? Am I really allowed to walk to school tomorrow and home? But you don't work tomorrow daddy, you always leave me to school on Friday!"
He smirked at the confusion of her face. Her little dimples showing as the muscles on her face scrunched and twitched. "I know. But I have a few things to do tomorrow. I will be busy"
"But can I not get the bus?"
"I want you to walk to school. I need you to do this for me, baby" His tone of voice changed. Harder and stern as he tightly gripped her waist. Icy blue eyes bore into her deep brown eyes. Luring her to do his bidding. "It's very important"
Katherine felt a surge of anticipation flowing through her. Her father was putting his trust in her. She had to build up the courage to do this for him. Whatever anxiety and fears she had whenever she walked to school on her own, she had to push them to the side. This was her father. The person she loved more than anything. If he wanted her to do this for him, then she would. "I'll do it daddy"
Freddy grinned and lightly stroked his thumb along the ridge of her jaw. "Good girl. Now, remember if you see anyone you don't know or don't recognise let me know. Got it?"
She quickly nodded. "I will"
He drew her into a warm hug and snuggled the left side face against her left cheek. "That's my girl" His voice whispered softly into her ear. Katherine grinned against his ear and curled her arms around his neck as he rose to his feet. Her small frame leaned back slightly as she turned her face towards his. "Let's get you to bed"
Katherine glanced behind her at her bed as he left her bedroom and across the hall to his own room. A spark of fear coursed through her body at the thought of staying in his bedroom. Her bottom lip quivered as she hesitantly asked. "Are w-we having our playtime daddy?"
Freddy glimpsed at her and held back a smirk. He knew that she hated being brought to his bedroom as usually it meant one thing. Though, tonight he wouldn't do anything to her. However, in some sick way he got a thrill at the look of fear that would manifest on her little face anytime she slept in his room. The power he had over her was complete. He owned her, controlled her. Nothing would ever destroy the hold he had over her. "No, baby. We're not going to do anything tonight. I just want you to stay in my room. Okay? I get a little worried when I don't have you near me. I keep thinking that you'll leave me"
Her bottom lip sucked in under her top lip and she laid her head submissively on his shoulder. "Don't be worried daddy. I'll never leave you. I don't want to"
The corner of his lips coiled into a malicious grin, and he twisted his head to kiss her forehead. "I love you, kitten. Don't you forget that"
She nodded against his shoulder. "I know, I love you too"
He lightly squeezed her waist and laid her down on the bed and helped her snuggle under the warm bedcovers. After turning off the side-lamp he ventured towards the door. "I'll be back soon. Get you to sleep"
Katherine twisted onto her left side and sheepishly stared at the doorway as he left the room.
Freddy quickly switched off the electrical appliances in the house and after grabbing himself another can of beer went back to his room. Thankfully his daughter had drifted off to sleep. He knew himself he wouldn't be awake all night. His mind was in overdrive. Thinking of this newcomer and how he would be able to gather more information about the fucker. Where did he live in town? What where his work hours? What was his past like? He had molested that girl; Krueger was sure of it. But was it his first offence? He settled into the bed beside Katherine and lightly trailed his fingers through her brown hair as he hushed her back to sleep as she turned onto her back with a quiet mumble.
The paper rustled in his hands as he pulled the pages opened to the news article. His eyes scanned at the top of the headline where the editor's name was.
Oliver Wilson.
If he could find out the contact details of this reporter from the Lancaster Post and phone him, subtly ask him some questions about this newspaper article. Just perhaps he could disclose some details about the case and a little background into this Bob Stevens. It would give him an advantage before he could hopefully meet this man. He had plenty of time tomorrow as it was his day off. Deciding this was a good course of action Freddy snatched his beer and cracked it opened, taking a long gulp. His contemplative gaze fell towards the sleeping body of his daughter as she snored softly at his side. Despite all the twisted things he had done to her over the last year. The grooming and the times he had brought her to his very room for their 'playtime'. It enraged him at the very thought of someone else touching her. He was sick, he knew that. But in his fucked-up mind, she was his to do as he pleased.
And the sooner this Bob Stevens was dead, the better.
….
Freddy agitatedly tapped his fingers on his left hand on his black trousers as he sat huddled over the house phone. It had been a few minutes since the receptionist from the Lancaster Post had put him on hold and his patience was ready to snap. Just how long did it take for the bitch to transfer him to this Oliver Wilson? He let out an aggravated curse and glanced at the clock on the far wall above the fireplace. It was now 9am. Katherine would be starting her first class. He had to admit it was strange for him seeing her wander down the street on her own. She was a little hesitant, but after some reassuring words she scuttled away.
He had stood on the sidewalk watching her wander off into the distance. She had on a few occasions stopped and glanced back at him. As if she was pondering on turning back. But he had seen her compose herself and hurried on. There was a moment that he witnessed Marge Thompson start to approach her with her own brat Nancy in tow. However, Katherine had luckily caught sight of the bitch and rushed forward to mingle in between a large group of girls and boys. It made him smile with gratification, knowing that she was continuing to carry out his commands. If anyone, a child or adult approached her, she had to hurry away. It did though make him paranoid that she was walking amongst those other fucking little brats. But at least that bitch Marge was keeping her distance.
"Hello, Oliver Wilson speaking"
Freddy blinked out of his thoughts and softly cleared his throat. Putting on a pleasant but firm voice. "Hello, Mr Wilson. I hope you don't mind me contacting you, but I am a concerned citizen from a nearby town and had just recently read your newspaper article from the Lancaster Post. It's dated 5th January"
"There were a few articles I had posted on that date" The man's deep voice replied, "You'll have to be more specific"
"It is about Bob Stevens" Freddy stated quickly.
There was a pause on the phone as the reporter considered his response.
"Yes. What is that you want to know?"
Freddy lifted a pen and prepared to write down any information he deemed important. "I understand that Mr Stevens has moved to my town. I am interested if the allegations that I read in the paper are true"
"Well, if you want me to be honest. I believe he committed those crimes"
"Crimes?" Freddy's hand tightened on his pen. "What exactly did he do?"
"From the information I found out from numerous sources, he exposed himself to that little girl. I am afraid I can't give out details of who the girl is. She supposedly told her mother that Mr Stevens lured her to his apartment. Exposed himself and performed a sexual act on her. Then forced the girl to touch him. She luckily managed to escape the apartment before he could do anything else to her"
"Why was he not charged?" Freddy growled softly.
"The young girl was traumatized. Despite numerous appeals from the police to get her to testify in court or to make a statement. The girl had shut down, wouldn't speak" Oliver sighed despondently. "From what I heard the girl hasn't spoken a word to anyone since that day. That was why Mr Stevens was allowed to walk free. Plus, there was lack of physical evidence"
The tip of Krueger's pen noted this down and asked. "Anything else?"
"Now, this is only rumours…." There was a contemplative sigh. "He arrived in Lancaster last August. He had moved to Ohio from Parkersburg, Pittsburgh. I made some phone calls to some contacts in the town and discovered that Mr Stevens was in a relationship with a local woman who had two children from a previous marriage. They had been dating for a year"
"The children. Were they both girls?" Freddy felt his heart thud against his chest as a surge of blood rushed through his ears. Distorting the sound around him. He took a calm breath and continued. "How old were they?"
"The woman had a twelve-year-old girl and nine-year-old boy"
"Did he….?" Somehow Krueger knew the answer before he could even finish his question.
"Mr Stevens was allegedly assaulting the young girl for weeks. Eventually the mother found out and threw Mr Stevens out. Though, Mr Stevens threatened to kill her and her kids if she even considered going to the police" Oliver Wilson replied solemnly. "Mr Stevens quickly left the town. And as you are now aware moved to Lancaster and is now in….?"
Freddy's eyes snapped shut in disdain. He couldn't speak to his reporter any longer. "Thank you for your time"
He slammed down the black telephone receiver and then in a fit of rage yanked the phone wire from the socket, sending phone clattering to the ground. His nostrils flared with rage. His hands clenching then unclenching quickly at his sides. It was bad enough that this Bob Stevens attacked one girl. but two? And what if there were previous victims from other towns? He had now developed a desire for young girls. And as Freddy knew all too well, once you got a taste for young innocent girls, there would be no way to resist. It consumed your soul.
It was imperative he found out what this fucker looked like. His glazed, incensed eyes darted to the clock above the fireplace. Should he go into work under the pretense he had forgotten something from his locker? There had to be a way he could discover Bob Stevens locker. Discreetly unlock it and find out perhaps an address where this asshole lived? He took a few deep breaths and with a low mumble he grabbed his car keys from the coffee table and left the house.
…
"Fred. You are not due in today"
Freddy strained to put a smile on his face as he strolled past his boss towards the staff room. "I know Larry. I just forgot something from my locker. I shouldn't be long"
His boss nodded and looked down at his clipboard. Before shouting out a few orders to a few men lingering at a large white delivery van.
As he walked into the staff room Freddy took one last cautious glance out into the main warehouse. His colleagues were too busy organising this morning's delivery. The mornings were the busiest part of the day. He knew that no-one would interrupt him. His strides were quick and long as he marched towards the row of lockers. The pupils in his eyes contracted as he studied each name on the rows.
P Dixon.
J Benson.
T Smith
B Stevens.
A vile smirk tugged at his lips, and he slide his right hand into his back jean pocket and pulled out a small red Swiss army knife. Using his index finger and thumb he slid out the blade and a small pair of pilers and pointed the edge of the blade into the keyhole. He slowly turned it to the right and strained to hear any sign that the lock had been unlocked. For a few more seconds he repeated this action until….
Click.
Freddy grinned and pulled opened the navy metal door and peered inside. There was a black fleece jumper and a few other coloured t-shirts. A few empty plastic water bottles and a logbook. He had one that was similar. It was a standard logbook that the employees had to note down their hours worked each week. He eagerly flipped opened the page and scanned the neat handwriting.
Sunday 8pm-8am
Monday 8pm-8am
Tuesday 8pm-6am.
He let out an irritable growl and gave one last rummage through the contents in the locker. There was no indication of where the fucker lived. The only option he had was to try and meet him whenever he clocked off at 8am. He would send Katherine to the breakfast club a little earlier and be in work for 8am. If he had the opportunity to bump into this Bob Stevens, he would put on the façade of being welcoming and chat to him. Put on the Krueger charm.
…
Laughter and childish chatter filled the Springwood Elementary Playground as the large crowds of 1st to 5th graders played to their hearts content on their lunch. Katherine sat quietly at one of the wooden benches at the far end of the playground to the left of the entrance to the large red brick building of the school. There were four benches aligned along the walls and before them a few coloured hopscotches were drawn on the asphalt with various children taking part in their games. A crowd of girls were playing jump rope while some groups of boys were playing kickabout with a soccer ball. Other children were playing in a game of tag. Rushing and running as their shouts and cries of joy echoed in the air.
The little girl swung her legs back and forth under the edge of the seat as she silently sipped her carton of milk. Her mind strayed to the events of this morning. After leaving her home she instantly became uncertain whether she should walk to school on her own. The feeling of panic had started to bubble inside her. But after a mental pep talk, she took a deep breath and continued. The fact that Mrs Thompson had tried to call her over and persuade her to walk with her and Nancy, had also caused her anxiety to spike. But luckily for her a group of 5th graders were ahead of her, and she had rushed to meet up with them in the disguise that she would be walking with them. Though, her head was lowered, and she avoided their curious stares as they glanced at her. That didn't stop her from taking a cautious and vigilant look at the streets and roads as they walked for any new strangers However, the same similar faces of her neighbours and townsfolk greeted her.
As they approached the streets that surrounded the Srpingwood Elementary school she had detected more policemen lingering in their police cars. Keeping an eye out on the children as they made their way to school. It was something she would have to convey to her father.
She lightly shook the carton of milk, discerning it was empty and disposed of it in a nearby trashcan. Her gaze slowly roamed over the playground to her left. The tall thick wired fenced stretched onwards for about thirty feet and she noticed several girls and boys gathering in the far corner. She knew that outside the playground a sidewalk encircled it and to the far left was a small cluster of trees and bushes. A long wide street was to back of the playground. She vaguely remembered a few years ago that her father had told her that he had parked his car in the street and was discreetly watching her in the playground. She had always thought that to be odd but had shaken it off. He was only concerned for her well-being. He had told her that constantly throughout the last five years. She had to trust him.
Her brown eyes refocused on the troop of children lingering at the wired fence. They seemed to be chatting to someone who was kneeling on the other side. Katherine glanced over her shoulder towards the doors of the building. The two teachers on duty were too preoccupied chatting to each other.
Maybe she could investigate. Find out who the kids were talking to.
She inhaled sharply and let out a long deep breath. Composing and preparing herself. Normally during lunch time, she would remain seated on this bench and judiciously watch the children. But she knew that her father had put his faith in her to find out about any newcomers to the town. There could be the possibility that the kids in her school were chatting to this person now. This person could be on the other side of that fence…
Katherine quickly dashed in and around the crowds of children as they ran and played. She jerked back as a girl darted by as she chased another girl as they played tag. After a few more swerves through the throngs of children she clasped her hands around the wired metal of the fence and took a shaky deep breath. The group of kids were still loitering at the fence. Their chirpy chatter rising in excitement as they continued to talk to the mysterious person on the other side. Katherine lightly trailed her left hand along the metal fence as she took a few prudent steps forward. To her right she saw Michael kneeling on the ground with a few of his friends. Their attention was focused on an array of baseball and football playing cards. She curiously took a fleeting glance at him and then blushed as he looked up from the cards. A smile curled on his lips and as he opened his mouth to speak, Katherine hurriedly walked away. She mentally berated herself for being so stupid. Why did she have to look in his direction? It would only give him encouragement to start talking to her again…
A puff of air exhaled from her mouth as she gathered herself and veered her gaze to the cluster of kids ahead of her. There was at least eight of them, five girls and three boys. A couple of them were kneeling and their fingers were poking through the gaps in the wired fence, trying to pet something. Was there a dog on the other side?
Katherine pressed her body against the fence and raised on the tip toes of her black Mary janes, peering through the fence. There was a person there on the other side. They were crouched on their knees holding a thick lead. It was man with dark black hair. She strained to hear his voice over the giggles and cheery conversations from the girls. Suddenly the man rose to his feet. His gaze still locked on the children on this side of the fence. Taking her chance Katherine took a few more steps forward. But kept her distance from them, leaving about several feet between herself and the kids. Her brown eyes narrowed as she analysed the man. He looked to be a little taller than her father. And older too. Maybe in his early forties. Dark black stubble surrounded his chin and edge of his jawline. He was neatly dressed in jeans and heavy blue woolly jumper, black winter jacket and walking boots.
Her heart skipped and she gasped as the sudden loud, shrill sound of the lunch bell resonated throughout the playground.
"Come inside everyone! Lunch time is over!" One of the teachers shouted.
Katherine swirled around towards the red bricked building and frowned. Why could they not wait for a few more minutes? Her head craned back towards the area where the stranger stood, and she instantly pouted in dismay. He was gone. No sight of him. The girls and boys had rushed back into the building. She mentally listed what she knew. His hair colour, clothing. Height. Age. Would it be enough to disclose to her father? If only those kids had moved out of her way. She would perhaps discover his eye colour. But she was too far away. The next time she would be more observant.
….
Perhaps you should follow her home Krueger.
Freddy flicked a dash of ash from his fourth cigarette in a row into a small glass ashtray. He lounged in the basement sat at his work bench. Hidden away in his 'secret room'. It had been an hour since he had arrived home. After leaving his work warehouse he had driven around Springwood at least three times. Carefully studying anyone walking by or any unfamiliar cars that were on the other side of the road. He was on edge and desperate to find out what this Bob Stevens looked like. This suggestion from those voices was something he had contemplated earlier this morning.
He could walk to the school and the moment he spied her; he would inconspicuously follow her. However, what if she saw him? He knew that she would rush over towards him. The attachment she had grown to have towards him was powerful. She hated being away from him in the park for a certain length of time. Constantly coming back to where they sat under the large oak tree on numerous occasions. And anytime whenever she exited the school at the end of the school day, she would run like the wind towards him as he waited by this car. She was always eager to be back in his arms. Just the way they both preferred it to be.
Freddy though knew he was very skilled at keeping himself obscured and out of sight whenever he had stalked and kidnapped the children throughout the years. It came naturally to him. There was no way she would notice him.
"I'll do it…" he whispered to himself and the voices. His fingers punched the cigarette into the ashtray. Stubbing it out and crunched the residue into pieces. He snatched his brown trench coat and after deciding to leave his fedora hat at home. He left his home and took a few short cuts through various alleyways to the school.
…
The constant nasty childish insults filled Katherine's ears as she scurried through the throes of children in the bustling corridors. A few teachers scolded the children that were rudely shouting in her direction. But Katherine ignored them and was soon marching outside. Down the steps along the path away from the building and then right along the sidewalk. Her bleak brown eyes darted to the left. Half expecting her father's red chevy to be parked waiting for her. But to her disappointment he wasn't. He was expecting her to walk home. Just like he explained to her last night.
A spittle of rain landed on her brown hair that were bound tight in those candy red ribbons, and she quickly pulled up the hood of her red raincoat. Her fingers tightened the strap on her brown satchel schoolbag, and she tugged it more firmly onto her right shoulder. Her pace picked up as she came to the ned of the sidewalk, and she took a wary glance to her right and left. Then walked across the road, making sure to evade any cars that slowly approached the school. A group of girls walked ahead of her, and she stepped up behind them. Her head lifted slightly as she vigilantly flicked her eyes to the left across the road to the other side. Several adults wandered past. No doubt parents going to pick up their children.
But what was confusing her was why were these girls in front of her not being picked up by their own parents or even taking the bus back home from school? Her eyes wavered to the other side of the street where another few groups of children, boys and girls were also wandering along the street. Another puzzled look crossed her face. Where their parents not concerned for their safety? Or did they have confidence that their children would keep away from strangers and arrive home? It was foolish of them to think that.
As she leisurely walked along the streets and eventually through the large neighbourhood of Beechview she saw that the crowds of children were dwindling. Most of them having arrived home. Unfortunately, the people that passed her were recognisable to her. They weren't the strange man from earlier at lunch time. The various adults threw her anxious glances and a few of the women were ready to approach her. But she dashed away and closed the gap between the girls ahead of her.
Katherine tugged her red raincoat closer to her little body as the rain continued to fall from the dark clouds above. She lazily wiped a few droplets of rain from her face and her interest was perked as she saw a few dog walkers on the other side of the street. Her mouth squeezed tightly together as she focused her eyes on them. After a few moments she scowled in rage. It wasn't that man.
Her gaze looked forward and she noticed that there were also two girls left. Nearly all the children had arrived home. After these two girls left the street, it would only be her. She felt her lips go dry. A flutter of butterflies flurrying inside her stomach as she felt apprehensive at the thought of being outside on her own. At being alone.
But she knew that her street was only a few more blocks away. Down Sycamore Drive and then to the right onto Elm Street. It was only a matter of time before she was home and safely in her fathers' arms. She smiled happily at this thought, and she hurried onwards.
As she came halfway down the street, she saw the last two girls ahead of her turn right across a neatly cut lawn to a large red-bricked house. The dark green door creaked opened a tall woman appeared and the girls headed inside.
Katherine swallowed hard.
It was only her.
"Keep going…you're nearly home" she whispered.
At the end of the street, she came to a halt and slowly craned her hooded head over her shoulder to the road behind her. A faint light mist had fallen over the street and she saw a figure concealed behind the thick bark of an oak tree at the edge of the sidewalk. She took a hesitant step back. Was it that guy from lunch? But where was his dog? Her eyebrows arched sharply as she cocked her head to the right. This man was wearing a different coat. A long brown coat. Just like her daddy.
Freddy peered around the edge of the tree trunk and smirked cunningly. He had been watching and following her from the very second, she left the school. Never did he believe that he would stalk his own child through the streets of the town. It felt like he was hunting another little child, tracking their movements. But he had to remind himself, this was his own little girl. And what a good little girl she was. Keeping her distance from the little brats ahead of her. Eluding the advances of worried adults at the prospect of this little girl wandering the streets on their own. He had hoped to catch the eye of any outsiders that may have been wandering the streets. But every person he passed was a neighbor, a work colleague or someone he knew from the town.
Now as he stared down the misty road at his little girl, he couldn't help but smile. She knew it was him. The corner of her soft lips was starting to pull upwards into a grin. But he didn't want her to approach him. Not yet.
Katherine felt elated at what she was seeing. It was her father. Had he come to walk her home? Where was his car? But then again, was he following her? She fully turned around and began to take a few vibrant steps towards him. But she then paused. There was a discreet flick of his right hand. His fingers flicking forward. Gesturing for her to go back. To move onwards down the street.
Freddy chuckled as Katherine's face twisted into an expression of desolation. "Go on baby girl. Keep going the other way"
Katherine let out an aggravated mutter and gave a half-hearted nod. Before turning away to head down the street. Why did he not want her to go to him? Did he really want her to walk all the way home on her own even though he was just metres behind her? Her shoulders slumped forward as she gloomily strolled onwards. Her eyes were still observing the street around her. Flicking back and forth as she came to the end of the street. She looked up at the sign above her.
Elm Street.
It wouldn't be long. She was nearly home.
She slowly turned right and took a quick glance behind her. Her father was still meandering behind her about twenty feet away. Calmly smoking one of his cigarettes as if he was taking an afternoon stroll. Katherine huffed a long exhale and passed by a few houses and then as her eyes lifted to stare at the road ahead her heart dropped to her stomach. Sheriff Thompson's police car was slowly driving along the other side road. In her direction.
He peered through the window, eyes widening in surprise at seeing her ambling along the street on her own. She skidded to a halt and her legs shook with trepidation as she began to roll down his window. Was he going to stop the car and call her over? What if her father saw it? He would use the belt on her when they got home. She choked back a sob and spun on her heel. Her hands trembled as she subtly motioned at the car behind her.
Freddy followed her petrified gaze and he swiftly stubbed out his smoke under his black boot. Then with a curt nod of his head she took it has her signal to go to him. Katheirne didn't have to think twice as she ran towards him. Her soft sobs started to erupt with each step. He crouched slightly as he opened his arms to her.
She thrust herself into his arms as he pulled her up into a tight embrace. Her legs immediately wrapped around his waist. "Hey, it's okay" He cooed in her left ear. "Good girl"
"I-I didn't want to make y-you angry" She stammered through her sobs against his left shoulder. "That's why I stopped. I know you don't like Sheriff Thompson being near me. I don't want to get the belt, that's why I stopped!"
"Ssh baby" He gently hushed her and slowly began to walk pass the car. "Don't cry honey. I'm not angry"
Katherine took a haggard breath and sniffled, lifting her head from his shoulder. The skin beneath her eyes were red and puffy from her crying. "Why were you following me daddy?"
He stared into her puffy tear streamed eyes and kissed her forehead lightly. "I was worried baby. But I realised I had no need to be. You were brilliant. Let's get home and you can tell me what happened.
She nodded quickly and they walked the rest of the way in silence.
….
Katherine zealously took a few tentative sips from her hot mug of milk chocolate as she sat on Freddy's lap in the kitchen. Her wet raincoat was now discarded and hung on the coat stand at the front door. Freddy had flattened out the newspaper from the night before and gently drummed his fingers on his right hand on the edge of the table. "Now, tell me what happened today"
Twisting on his lap her eyes locked gaze with his. Her full attention being placed directly on him. "I just stayed behind a group of kids from school. Uh, I never went near them. I saw Mrs Thompson on the way to school. She had Nancy with her and tried to approach me. But I never went near her. I swear daddy!" she shook her head passionately. "I didn't see any strangers on my way to school. But I saw a few police cars parked outside the school and in the streets around the school. It was the same on the way home too"
Freddy gave a soft scoff and tapped his index finger lightly on the wooden table. It was a new tactic of Donald. Police patrols before and after school. He had remembered him doing this once or twice before. But it only lasted for a few weeks. Staffing issues was the reasoning for the abrupt end to these patrols. His eyes landed back on his daughter's conscientious gaze. "What else happened?"
"Something happened at lunchtime in school" Katherine took a quick sip of her hot beverage. "I was outside in the playground. There was someone outside the fence. I saw some kids huddling around. They were talking to someone"
"Really?" Freddy's arched an eyebrow in surprise. "What did the teachers do? Did they see anything?"
"No" Her pigtails whipped back and forth as she shook her head. "They were too busy talking to each other"
Krueger's lips coiled into a amused smile. "Stupid fuckers"
Katherine shifted uneasily on his lap. It was one thing she hated about her father. The way he would use those type of words around her. It wasn't often. But it scared her. "Um, I think the kids were chatting to the man. Do you want me to describe him to you? I didn't really see him up close. I was too far away"
"Tell me what you can" He smiled reassuringly.
"He was a little taller than you and had black hair. I think he had a little bit of hair on his chin and on his cheeks. Like he was trying to grow a beard!"
"What age was he?" Freddy asked.
She perceptively studied his face then replied. "He was a little older than you daddy"
He gave a little 'mmm' in reply.
"And I think he had a dog with him!"
"A dog?" Freddy scoffed in disbelief. This fucker was clever. It was a tactful way to use a dog to lure a child to him. Children loved pets. Especially dogs.
"Yeah. He was holding a lead. Everyone was talking to him. I think some of the girls were trying to pet the dog through the wired fence!" She explained. "Do you want to know what happened after school?"
"No…" He saw the look of disbelief flash in her brown eyes, and he smirked. "You see I know exactly what happened"
"What?" she titled her head to the side in bemusement.
His smirked turned into a sinister smile, "I was following you. Since you left the school"
Her lips pushed outwards into a pout as she held back a sob. "Did you not trust me daddy?"
Freddy frowned in astonishment and quickly shook his head. He lightly cupped her shivering chin and appeased her qualms. "Aw honey, I do trust you. it's just other people I don't trust. You know how much you mean to me. Now, answer me this. Why do I do my special work?"
"F-for me…you're doing it for me" She whimpered softly.
"That's right baby. I do my special work to protect you. But there may be people out there who want to hurt you and that is why I wanted to follow you home. You may not notice if someone is following you home" He again reassured her. "That is why I followed you home
Katherine shuddered as she considered his words. "Someone wants to h-hurt me. Who?"
His eyes darted from her frightened face to the paper on the kitchen table. Should he tell her now? But would it frighten her? Cause her to have a panic attack? Perhaps he should divulge a little piece of information. Afterall he was using her as his little spy. And soon he would use her as bait. He gripped her waist and twisted her around towards the paper. "Look at this"
Her observant gaze fell to the newspaper as he flicked open the paper to the page in question. She read the headline and pondered out loud, "Who is Bob Stevens?"
"He's new to town. That's why I wanted you to keep an eye out today. You see, he did something bad to a little girl in the last town in lived in" He stated softly. His right arm looped around her waist and soothingly he began to rub her stomach with his palm.
"Why is he not in jail?" She revolved her head towards his. "Should he not be arrested?"
"They couldn't prove it. The police didn't have enough evidence. And now he's moved here" Freddy gritted his teeth in irritation.
Katherine gulped hard and felt her body go cold with dread. "Is he going to go after little girls here?"
"He might. I'm afraid he might go after you" He admitted. But as much as he was fearful for her safety. He also was concerned for his other children, his other prey in town. Freddy was very territorial. This was his town. These were his children to hunt, molest and kill. Not some fucking amateur called Bob Stevens.
"Do you think that was him today? At the school?"
He sighed and nodded. "I think so. That's why I need to meet him. Find out who he really is"
"Are you going to do something to him daddy?" She watched as a gleam of dark, evil intent glimmered across his eyes. Then in a blink it vanished.
"I need to think sweetheart" He lightly tapped her stomach with the tips of his fingers as he pondered how to proceed. If Katherine was right and this bastard had a dog, then he had seen on numerous occasions dog walkers taking their mutts on their daily walks. Tomorrow was Saturday. A perfect day to scope out the park for this newcomer to town. And just like today he would use his little princess as his eyes and ears. Freddy chuckled quietly and grinned at her. "Do you want to go somewhere tomorrow, my little kitten?"
Her lips quivered and she gave a hesitant smile. "Where?"
"Let's spend the day at the park"
