Oct. 28, 2025

Tricks and Treats 2025: Three Halloween Horror Stories of Monsters, Murder, and Mayhem

Tricks and Treats 2025: Three Halloween Horror Stories of Monsters, Murder, and Mayhem

Get ready for the ultimate Halloween horror anthology of spooky season tales! This special episode of Weekly Spooky, Tricks and Treats 2025, delivers four blood-chilling tales of terror told by your favorite infernal host, Jack Scratch. These...

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Get ready for the ultimate Halloween horror anthology of spooky season tales!

This special episode of Weekly Spooky, Tricks and Treats 2025, delivers four blood-chilling tales of terror told by your favorite infernal host, Jack Scratch. These interconnected Halloween stories explore the darkest corners of small-town evil, from child-snatching cultists to vengeful zombie dogs and serial-killer soulmates.

👻 Rebirth – A sweet night of trick-or-treating turns into a nightmare when a little boy knocks on the wrong door… and becomes the center of an unholy ritual.
🐕 Big Bill – A brutal dogfighter meets justice from beyond the grave when the ghost of his prized killer comes back for blood.
💍 The Room – Two petty thieves stumble into a secret chamber filled with cursed treasures… and awaken something far worse.🔥 Plus Jack Scratch and Daisy are back, tying the terror together with sinister flair.

This Halloween episode is packed with evil rituals, monstrous returns, spectral vengeance, and a healthy dose of pitch-black humor. Whether you’re handing out candy or hiding under the covers, Weekly Spooky is your haunted home for horrifying stories, all year round.


Tricks and Treats 2025 — by Keith Tomlin

Get comfy, my spookies! 41% off at CozyEarth.com with code SPOOKY — supports the show!

🎧 LISTEN NOW and subscribe for spine-tingling horror stories every week!

🎉 Unlock exclusive bonus episodes and support the show on Patreon!
👉 WeeklySpooky.com/Join

📬 Contact Us / Submit Your Horror Story!

🎵 Music by Ray Mattis 👉 Check out Ray’s incredible work here !
👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Bobbletopia.com
🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder
🌐 Explore more terrifying tales at: WeeklySpooky.com
WEBVTT

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On Halloween Night, the shadows of Salisbury, Massachusetts grow teeth,

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a child vanishes into an old house, a dogfighter is

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hunted by his worst mistake, and two burglars awaken a

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killer's love from the grave. As Jack Scratch makes his return.

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There's a hill in the air. Must befall. Join me

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for a tale of Halloween.

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You will experience tales over ghosts, and damn, it is

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not recommended for the weak a heart.

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Join me for a tale of flow.

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Weekly speaking Hello, my spookies.

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We're getting closer day by day to Halloween, but don't worry,

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there's still a lot more fear to come. Tonight we

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have three brand new tales of terror, presented by Jack

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Scratch himself. Tomorrow we have a brand new novella just

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for you called Asylum of the Dirt Babies. And on

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Thursday we have yet another novella, Halloween Night at grim

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Mannor So make sure you're subscribed. You will not want

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to miss it. Oh and don't worry, there's something extra

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special for Halloween Day. I know you spookys out there

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love getting cozy with your scary stories just as much

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as me, and that's why I'm excited to tell you

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that Cozy Earth has sponsored the show and is giving

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all of my listeners a forty one percent off discount

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at cozyarth dot com. So if you go to cozyerth

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dot com and select whether it's bamboo sheets, super soft pajamas,

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or my favorite, a good, warm and absorbent bathrobe, you

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get forty one percent off using promo code spooky at

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cozyerth dot com, and every purchase supports the podcast directly.

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So grab yourself something to make sure you're ready for

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the very spooky winter we have here at cozyerth dot

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com promo code spooky. But as for tonight, it's Halloween

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night in Salisbury, Massachusetts. But the real scares don't come

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from plastic skeletons or dollar store masks. Sometimes the night

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gives you more than you bargain for. What if the

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man behind the door while your tricker treating, isn't just

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creepy but ancient and evil. What if your crimes brought

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back something long buried? And what if some monsters where

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the faces of those we love the most. Tonight, my Spookies,

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we follow Jack's Scratch on a journey through three terrifying

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tales where innocence dies, the dead rise, and evil is

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not in short supplies. So light your pumpkin, guard your candy,

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and listen close because Halloween has one more trick. In

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Store Tricks and Treats twenty twenty five by Keith Tomlin.

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Parents walked the streets of Salisbury, Massachusetts, shepherding children in

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Halloween costumes from door to door. A couple in light

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winter jackets led their own children wearing Marvel's superhero masks,

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past the plain brick wall that made up the east

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side of Cooper's Pharmacy. They showed no reaction when two

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spotlights flipped on, illuminating the wall. Shadows emerged from the light,

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forming a crowd of people surrounding a ring. A ring

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master in a top hat and tailcoat strutted into the middle,

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waving a cane like he was conducting an orchestra. He

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raised his hands and the shadows formed two trapeze swings

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above him, dark images of a man and a woman

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swinging through the empty space. Circus music began to play

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louder with every second. When the trapeze artists reached their zena,

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they leaped from the swings and launched themselves at the crowd,

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transforming wings springing from their backs and fingers elongating into claws.

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The shadow crowd tried to run, but they were ripped apart,

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black blood splattering the wall, The ring master waved his

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came and ran forward, leaping an impossible distance, and emerged

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from the bricks. Jack Scratch slid on the sidewalk, barely

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missing two couples with a line of children, all oblivious

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to his presence. He landed on one knee, hands raised

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in the air as the wall turned dark, completely covered

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in the shadow blood, Brushing dust from his bright red coat,

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Jack spoke in a booming voice. Ladies and gentlemen, saints

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and sinners, killers and victims bonjorno. They call me Jack Scratch,

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and I am your humble guide through the unknown. The tall,

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lanky man bowed so deep that his forehead touched his knees,

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yet his red top hat stayed on his head, popping

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back up like a snake springing at its prey. Jack

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began to stroll down the street, speaking nostalgically, Ah, Halloween again,

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my favorite holiday. I mean, what other day can you

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get sweets along with the savory sounds of slaughter, such

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joy brings the tear to my eye. Jack mockingly wiped

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his eye with a gloved hand. Pedestrians shifted unconsciously aside

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as Jack passed. After a few minutes, he began to speak.

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It's been such a busy year, he said, conspiratorially. So

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much going on, many plans in motion, no rest for

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the wicked, as they say. I was able to get

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away for a few hours to experience my favorite pastime,

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human suffering, he said, longingly, waving his cane in a circle.

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So many experiences from all around the world to choose from,

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but he took a long, deep breath. My senses tell

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me that this town holds a few secrets. Jack stopped

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his stroll and slapped his forehead. I almost forgot I

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brought a friend this year. He whistled, and a large

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black hound leaped from the shadows. Steam rolled off her

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massive body as she stood in the cool night air,

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every exhale brought a stream of flames, and her eyes

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glowed with hell fire. Meet Daisy, my ex's sweet little pooch.

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My ex got called away on a possession gig, and

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I generously offered to watch her. I really don't mind.

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I actually like this bitch more than the other, Jack

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said as he lovingly stroked the top of Daisy's head.

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Standing up, Jack paused before saying, what I find amazing

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about humans is their desire to live forever, but few

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are willing to do what it takes. The man that

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lives here, Jack pointed to a run down house is

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the exception. No hesitation, no qualms, no regrets, willing to

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sacrifice anything, even the innocent. I think I'll call this

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one rebirth. The wind blew cold, sending leaves scurrying down

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the sidewalk past young children in store bought costumes and

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bored looking adults acting as chaperones. Eli, dressed as a

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tiny firefighter, gleefully jumped into a shallow puddle, causing his dad, Marcus,

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to leap backwards to avoid getting wet. Marcus looked at

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his wife, Danielle, and smiled, shaking his head. You had

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to wear your new shoes, Danielle said, I know, Marcus sighed,

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looking down at the now muddy nikes. He raised his

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voice a bit and called out to his son, Eli,

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we need to head home. It's getting late. Eli turned

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to his dad, shocked that this night could ever end

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but I still have room in my pumpkin, he said,

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holding up a three quarter full plastic pail shaped like

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a jack o' lantern. Okay, one more, but that is it,

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Danielle said. Eli screamed yes and ran ahead. Marcus looked

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at his wife, annoyed. She sheepishly shrugged. It's only once

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a year. Let him have his fun, she said. Marcus

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reluctantly nodded as she snuggled up against his side and

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rested her head on his shoulder. Marcus reached out with

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his left arm and pulled her closer. They held this

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pose as they walked up the sidewalk, Marcus awkwardly matching

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his gait to hers. The houses have been getting further apart,

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and the blocks were getting longer as they near the

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edge of town. The yard of the next house was

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overgrown with tall grass and weeds. The concrete pathway leading

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up to the front door was cracked and uneven. The

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two story house looked abandoned. The paint was chipping, and

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there were no lights inside or out, showing if anyone

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lived there. Shutters buried under ropes of ivy covered the windows.

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Eli veered right at the pathway excitedly running up to

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the front door. Wait, I don't think anyone lives there.

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Let's hit the next house, Marcus yelled, but Eli had

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already run up the steps and knocked once twice. After

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a short pause, the front door opened and an elderly man,

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the oldest man that Eli had ever seen in person,

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stood in the doorway. He was dressed in a black

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suit with an ancient jacket, the kind you may find

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on an old gunfighter. His face was lit by candlelight

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from inside the front room, and his paper like skin

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was almost transparent. Marcus thought he could see every beat

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of his heart. My my, what have we here? The

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man named Jacob said, in a raspy voice, drier than

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the Sahara desert. Eli, come on, let's leave the nice

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man alone, Marcus said. Sensing trouble, he separated from his

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wife and began walking across the lawn toward his son.

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Eli stared up at the man, speechless and unmoving. The

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old man leaned down and looked Eli in the face. Yes,

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you'll do, you'll do quite nicely. It's nice to see

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that the prayers to the dark one do not go unanswered.

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Jacob croaked, his lips splitting as he smiled. Seeing the

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hungry and demented expression on Jacob's face, yelled Eli step away.

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When his son remained, Marcus screamed at the old man

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and demanded that he leave his son alone. He began

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to run. Jacob rose up to his full height. The

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cracking and popping of his bones could be heard across

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the yard. He turned to Marcus and gave a self

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satisfied smile and a mocking tilt of his head. Danielle

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let out a gasp, and Marcus unconsciously flicked his eyes

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in her direction, noticing that her confused expression was being

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replaced by panic and concern. He looked back at the

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house just in time to see the front door slam

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shut with a metallic clang. The plastic pumpkin basket hit

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the front stoop and cracked open, spilling candy all over

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the concrete. His son was nowhere in sight. Danielle screamed.

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As Marcus reached the front stoop. The door was locked.

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Marcus hurled himself at it, pounding with his fists. Hey

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open the door, God, damn it. Marcus's hands were throbbing,

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but he kept hitting the metal door over and over again.

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Nothing moved. The night was quiet. He ran to the

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windows and found that each of them were shut tight,

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with steel shutters fastened to the walls and rusted bolts

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covered in appealing blue paint. Danielle was already dialing nine

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one one, her voice shrill and panicked. Help. A man

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just took my son. We were trigger treating and he

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just grabbed him and took him inside his house. Marcus

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rubbed his shoulder, feeling like he may have broken something

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against the metal door, looking around in panic, the sweat

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ran in a river down his back. Shit shit, shit, shit,

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he thought, Struggling to think through his panic. He could

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still hear his wife give the address of the old

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house and more details on what happened. Suddenly, an idea formed,

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and his head whipped back to look at the way

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they had come. Danielle, wait here, I remember passing a

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patrol car a few blocks back. I'm going to see

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if he's still there. He looked over at his wife

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as he started to run, but it looked like she

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did not hear him. Marcus ran faster than he had

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ever ran before in his life. Four blocks later, he

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saw the patrol car sitting under an ancient elm tree.

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He ran up to the driver's side window partially rolled down,

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gasping for breath, and began to pound on it. The

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police officer, Officer Parker, who was alone in the car,

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almost dropped his half filled cup of lukewarm coffee and

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reached toward the holster on his side. Marcus noticed and

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took a step back, holding his hands up. Officer, A

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man grabbed my son and dragged him into his house.

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The doors are locked and I can't get inside, Marcus said,

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in between breaths. The cop rolled the window down the

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rest of the way and gave the panting man a long,

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cold look. He finally nodded and asked which house. Marcus

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fought the urge to run back to his wife. Instead,

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he took another deep breath to calm himself and replied,

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it's about four blocks up the street, white two story

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house with blue shutters. Paint is pealing and the lawn

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needs mode. Gotcha, I know the house. I'll meet you there,

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Officer Parker said. Marcus nodded, turned and started running back

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up the street, his shoulder throbbing with every step. Parker

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threw the plastic coffee cup out the window and slammed

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on the accelerator, throwing wet leaves both all over the

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street and on Marcus. Eli stood unmoving and began to

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whine as the front door slammed shut behind him. Jacob

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turned and gave Eli another a praising look and nodded. Satisfied,

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he grabbed the front of the child's costume with a

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strength that belied his old and thin arms. Turning, he

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quickly went up the stairs, dragging Eli without effort. When

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he turned down the hall at the stairs top, he

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heard the faint thud of someone banging on the front door.

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Jacob passed several doors leading off of the hall and

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finally stopped at a wooden door covered in ruins and

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cymbals at the end of the hallway. The door creaked

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when opened, and Jacob cleared the cobwebs from the doorway,

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pulling the kid inside. He kicked the door shut and

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tripped the dead bolt with his left hand. The room

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was shrouded in darkness, and when he flipped a light switch,

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a single bull hanging on a wire in the center

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of the room barely illuminated. A few feet around it.

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The room was painted black and a blood red pentagram

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covered the majority of the floor. Jacob dragged Eli to

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the center of the pentagram and spoke one word to him. Stay,

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he commanded. Eli felt invisible hands surrounding him, pinning his

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arms to his sides, even supporting him as his body

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went limp with fear. Jacob approached Eli in the middle

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of the floor and placed a hand on either side

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of the child's face. He began to chant strange magical words,

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and Eli began to tremble and shake. After a few moments,

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Eli rose two feet up in the air as a

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stream of golden light began to emanate from his chest

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and flowed into the old man. Jacob began to chant

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different words, and soon a stream of red light began

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to flow from Jacob's eyes and mouth into Eli's. Officer

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Parker was talking to Danielle when Marcus finally reached the house.

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He leaned against a tree, breathing heavy, his head pounded

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from the unusual strain he put on his body. He

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started to walk over to the police officer, but a

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coughing fit made him stop and put his hands on

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his knees, trying desperately not to throw up. Officer Parker

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jotted down some notes and asked Danielle another question. So

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did you see the old man abduct the child? Yes,

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Danielle said, frustrated, I told you he grabbed Eli and

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disappeared into the house. And Eli is the child, the

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officer asked, looking up from his notes, and seeing the

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hot anger in her eyes now directed at him, gave

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him the answer. Okay, ma'am, let me take a look around.

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The officer began walking up to the front stoop. When Marcus,

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still wheezing, reached his wife. His arms enveloped her, and

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at first she resisted, but soon broke down and began

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to weep. Officer Parker banged on the door, asking for

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the occupants to answer. After a few tries, he left

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the porch and examined the shutters covering the first set

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of windows. He then looked up to find that metal

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shutters covered the upper story as well. As he walked

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along the front of the house, he heard sirens in the distance,

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approaching fast. He turned the corner and checked all of

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the windows on the ground floor, as well as the

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back door. All were sealed securely. When he returned to

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the front yard, he found red and blue lights illuminating

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the growing darkness. Marcus was arguing with several other police officers,

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demanding that they go and get his child. Parker approached

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him and asked that they moved back. What the fuck

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are you doing just standing here? Go get my son?

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Marcus yelled, sir, we'll need you to step back away

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from our investigation. We can't do anything until you back up.

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Parker said, in a voice usually reserved for young children.

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What my son was abducted and you are spending your

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time lecturing me. Marcus was furious, Yes, sir, I don't

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00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:04.400
want to have to arrest you for interference with a

279
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law enforcement officer, Parker said in that same condescending tone.

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Danielle put her hand on Marcus's chest and gently pushed

281
00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:20.519
him back. Shaking with rage, exhaustion, and despair, he let

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his wife lead him across the sidewalk to stand next

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to one of the recently arrived police vehicles. Parker led

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the other officers to the front door. Well, I think

285
00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:37.039
we have enough for exigent circumstances, but this place is

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00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:41.880
locked up tighter than my grandma's. Buttole any thoughts, another

287
00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:46.160
officer asked Parker was the breacher on the local swat team,

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00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:50.279
and as such he kept his swat gear in his

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00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:53.240
patrol car. I have a ram in the car. We

290
00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:57.200
can try to breach the front door. Also call the sergeant.

291
00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:59.880
We may need someone with a bit more authority. On

292
00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:03.759
unseen I have a feeling this will not end cleanly.

293
00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:07.799
The other cops nodded, and two of them moved to

294
00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:10.440
keep an eye on the sides of the house. The

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00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:18.960
other one picked up his mic and began transmitting. The

296
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lights emanating from Eli and Jacob began to dim and

297
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the darkness began to regain its hold on the room.

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Jacob reached behind him under the jacket and pulled out

299
00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:38.599
a large, thin knife. He reached up and made a small,

300
00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:44.079
yet deep cut on Eli's forehead. The child did not react,

301
00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:48.920
and Jacob smiled. He made a small cut on his

302
00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:55.160
finger and placed it against Eli's cut. Suddenly, the darkness

303
00:26:55.279 --> 00:27:00.839
vanished as the gold and red lights seemed to explode.

304
00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:04.880
They began to pulsate. The brightness of the lights became

305
00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:10.640
almost unbearable for Jacob, and he closed his eyes despite

306
00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:13.839
the pain. He knew he could not leave the circle

307
00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:19.880
until the spell was complete. As the second stretched to minutes,

308
00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:24.559
the pain grew. The brightness of the lights pierced his skull,

309
00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:27.920
while the heat from them began to singe the thin

310
00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:31.720
tufts of hair that he still had on top of

311
00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:36.920
his head. The pain made him shiver in pleasure and anticipation.

312
00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:42.240
After what felt like hours but more likely ten minutes,

313
00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:48.519
he heard the downstairs door slam open. The shouts and

314
00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:54.160
the thudding of booted feet carried up the stairs. Jacob smiled,

315
00:27:55.160 --> 00:28:06.519
the end was near. The footsteps approached closer. The police

316
00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:10.640
officers paused just outside the room and tried to open

317
00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:15.160
the door. The dead bolt held, and Jacob knew it

318
00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:19.680
was finally time. He whispered a blessing to the dark

319
00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:25.799
Lord and raised his knife, waiting. Boots kicked in the

320
00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:30.160
door and the frame burst into splinters. At that moment,

321
00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:34.640
Jacob opened his eyes and the streams of light stopped.

322
00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:41.720
Eli's eyes briefly glowed red, a triumphant grin on his face.

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Jacob's eyes flashed gold and were filled with confusion and pain.

324
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Eli slowly floated to the floor while Jacob turned toward

325
00:28:55.599 --> 00:29:00.559
the police officers. Drop the knife, Parker demanded as he

326
00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:07.640
trained his gun on the old man. Mom, Dad, Jacob asked,

327
00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:11.839
looking around. I said, drop the knife and back away

328
00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:16.200
from the child. I will fucking shoot you. Drop the knife.

329
00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:21.519
Eli was standing directly behind Jacob and blocked from view

330
00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:25.319
of the police. He reached out and gave Jacob a

331
00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:30.599
push toward the officers. Jacob stumbled forward, putting his hands

332
00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:34.599
up to try and balance himself, without realizing he was

333
00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:39.599
still holding the knife. Shots rang out as the police

334
00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:44.039
opened fire, striking Jacob several times in the chest and

335
00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:48.960
once in the head. Jacob dropped like a rock, and

336
00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:52.440
one of the officers slowly walked around the edge of

337
00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:58.240
the room, his gun still trained on Jacob. Son, come

338
00:29:58.279 --> 00:30:03.000
here away from him. Are you hurt? Eli shook his head.

339
00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:03.200
No.

340
00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:10.319
Marcus burst into the doorway, startling the officers. After realizing

341
00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:14.079
who it was, they gestured at Eli to come to them.

342
00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:19.039
He slowly walked toward his father, who wrapped him in

343
00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:24.000
a loving embrace. After a few moments, he let go

344
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and looked down at his son, holding back tears. Marcus asked,

345
00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:35.680
are you okay? Did he hurt you? Eli stared up

346
00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:40.759
at his dad and shook his head. I'm fine, father,

347
00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:45.920
he won't be bothering anyone else. He served his purpose,

348
00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:55.079
Eli said with a soft, rough voice. Father Marcus said, confused,

349
00:30:56.319 --> 00:31:02.240
you've never called me that before. Oh sorry, father, dad,

350
00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:08.319
Eli said, in that same rough voice. Are you sure

351
00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:13.920
you're feeling all right? Marcus asked, I'm fine, Dad, I

352
00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:17.160
just want to go home and get situated for bed.

353
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It's been a long day, Eli replied, before turning and

354
00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:29.000
walking slowly and deliberately down the hall toward the stairs.

355
00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:36.200
Marcus stared after his son. Eli usually only had two speeds,

356
00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:41.720
full speed ahead or sound asleep. Maybe it was just

357
00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:45.680
the stress affecting all of them, but Marcus could have

358
00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:49.960
sworn that the child that walked away from him was

359
00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:55.039
not his son. He slowly followed Eli down the hall

360
00:31:55.839 --> 00:32:03.839
as more sirens sounded outside, hoping and praying he was wrong.

361
00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:19.160
Jack stood beneath the street lamp, its light flickering, as

362
00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:24.599
though nervous to reveal him. He gave a slow clap,

363
00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:32.160
the sound too sharp to echoing in the night. My mind,

364
00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:37.519
wasn't that touchy, he said, with a grin A family

365
00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:42.240
torn apart on all hallows eve the night when the

366
00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:49.000
veil is thin, such promise in the little ones innocence

367
00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:54.759
is so very fragile. One day, it's a lollipop and

368
00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:58.880
a laugh, the next, it's blood on the floor and

369
00:32:58.920 --> 00:33:05.359
a soul bound for my employer's collection. He drew a

370
00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:08.680
cigar from his jacket, lit it with a flame that

371
00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:13.079
danced up from his thumb, and took a deep drag.

372
00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:21.079
Ah sin always tastes better with a smoke. Exhaling smoke

373
00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:25.400
like a dragon, He pointed down the road toward a

374
00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:31.559
two story house, and, speaking of sin, allow me to

375
00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:36.680
introduce you to a man larger than life. Some call

376
00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:43.559
him Action Jackson, but trust me, his bark is bigger

377
00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:48.640
than his bite. He tapped the cane against the ground,

378
00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:55.400
the pavement cracking just slightly. Shall we pay him a visit?

379
00:33:56.880 --> 00:34:04.839
I'll just call this big Bill Don Jackson Action to

380
00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:09.440
anyone who'd ever owed him or attended his dog fights.

381
00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:14.519
Slammed his car door and strolled toward the sagging two

382
00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:19.559
story at the end of Salem Avenue. The place leaned

383
00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:24.679
like it had stopped caring years ago. Two couples walking

384
00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:29.800
with their toddlers dressed in superhero costumes, smiled and waved

385
00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:35.480
at him. Fuck off, was his reply. He ignored the

386
00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:39.519
shocked looks of the adults as he let himself inside

387
00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:43.800
the house and shut the front door, causing bits of

388
00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:49.119
flacking paint to fall off of the frame. After locking it,

389
00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:54.280
he looked around the dark, cluttered room. The house was

390
00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:58.639
eerily quiet, and that's how he liked it. He spent

391
00:34:58.760 --> 00:35:02.239
the day around bark dogs, and the last thing he

392
00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:08.000
wanted in the evenings was even more noise. Sighing, he

393
00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:11.719
ran his hand through his hair and walked up stairs

394
00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:15.519
to the bathroom, taking off his jacket on the way

395
00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:20.280
and tossing it on a chair covered in pizza boxes.

396
00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:25.280
His image in the bathroom mirror caught him. Blood was

397
00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:28.840
splattered across the left side of his face, and his

398
00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:34.280
right cheek and neck were smeared with red gore. Grumbling,

399
00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:40.679
he grabbed a washcloth, moistened it and began scrubbing. Pulling

400
00:35:40.760 --> 00:35:43.880
his phone from his pocket, he began to make a

401
00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:47.440
call as he headed to the bathroom to change out

402
00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:52.920
his blood stained clothes. The phone rang twice before it

403
00:35:53.000 --> 00:36:01.679
was answered by a man with a soft, almost whiny voice. Hello, Hey, dingo,

404
00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:07.079
how's the doberman doing? Don asked, Oh, hey, action not

405
00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:11.239
too well. He went downhill since you left. I got

406
00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:15.400
most of the bleeding stopped, but there may be tendon damage.

407
00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:20.440
He could be out for months. Don sighed he'd spent

408
00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:25.320
good money on that dog. Okay, damn, go ahead and

409
00:36:25.360 --> 00:36:28.039
throw him in the ring with Tipper. Let the rotweiler

410
00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:32.679
get some experience. Will do. Oh, and the brindle is

411
00:36:32.719 --> 00:36:35.800
doing good. The bite wasn't as bad as it looked.

412
00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:40.079
She took it like a champ. She's a killer. Don

413
00:36:40.239 --> 00:36:44.760
sat down on his bed, suppressing a sigh. The brindle

414
00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:48.559
pitbull was Dingo's fine, and now he'd never hear the

415
00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:52.119
end of this. Good. We'll get her in the ring

416
00:36:52.199 --> 00:36:55.559
next week. Make sure she's ready. I can't lose any

417
00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:59.239
more money over these fucking dogs. Roger that I'll see

418
00:36:59.239 --> 00:37:03.360
you in the morning. Don hung up the phone without

419
00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:07.559
a further word. He sat there for a few minutes,

420
00:37:08.199 --> 00:37:14.719
his eyes closed, just basking in the silence. With a grunt,

421
00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:18.000
he stood and changed into a T shirt and a

422
00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:22.559
pair of sweatpants, clipping the sheath of his knife on

423
00:37:22.840 --> 00:37:33.119
to the elastic band of the sweats. He wandered downstairs

424
00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:36.440
and opened up the freezer in the kitchen, pulling out

425
00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:41.199
a bottle of cheap vodka. Pouring himself a drink, he

426
00:37:41.320 --> 00:37:44.519
left the bottle on the counter and headed into the

427
00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:49.360
living room. He sat down in his favorite chair, which

428
00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:53.559
was the only one without junk or old pizza boxes

429
00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:58.119
on it. After searching for a few moments, he found

430
00:37:58.119 --> 00:38:01.840
the remote under his right leg and turned on the TV.

431
00:38:03.360 --> 00:38:07.119
Flipping through the channels, he finally settled on a rerun

432
00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:11.519
of an old Rockford files. Don took a large swig

433
00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:16.760
of his drink and stared mindlessly at the TV. A

434
00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:22.519
strange noise from upstairs jolted Don from his stupor. He

435
00:38:22.639 --> 00:38:26.639
muted the TV and cocked his head. He could have

436
00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:31.199
sworn that he heard claws on the wooden floor upstairs.

437
00:38:32.239 --> 00:38:36.360
After hearing nothing for a few minutes, he took another

438
00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:42.519
big swig and unmuted the television. Sitting there watching Jim

439
00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:47.039
Rockford get his ass handed to him again, Don began

440
00:38:47.239 --> 00:38:53.079
to doze off. Images of fights, teeth flashing, blood spraying,

441
00:38:53.159 --> 00:39:00.960
and dogs shrieking snapped him awake. Fuck Don said he'd

442
00:39:01.039 --> 00:39:05.920
seen thousands of dog fights and had personally despatched dozens,

443
00:39:06.599 --> 00:39:11.639
maybe hundreds of dogs, either through sacrificing them to his

444
00:39:11.719 --> 00:39:15.239
other dogs or by the edge of his hunting knife

445
00:39:15.719 --> 00:39:19.800
that he always had with him. All that blood, and

446
00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:24.039
he had never batted an eye, But this time he

447
00:39:24.159 --> 00:39:28.719
felt something. He felt an echo of the pain he inflicted.

448
00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:33.000
God damn it, I'm getting soft in my old age,

449
00:39:33.719 --> 00:39:38.840
he mumbled. He took another swig of vodka and leaned back,

450
00:39:39.599 --> 00:39:44.880
closing his eyes. A loud crash jerked him awake. What

451
00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:49.760
the fuck, he exclaimed, Rubbing his eyes. He looked at

452
00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:54.000
the stairs, thinking that the noise came from the second level.

453
00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:59.679
He stood up, turning off the television, his knees cracking

454
00:39:59.800 --> 00:40:04.000
like gunshots. He stumbled a bit as he walked to

455
00:40:04.039 --> 00:40:09.280
the stairs, feeling more drunk than he should. His body

456
00:40:09.440 --> 00:40:13.400
was used to him drinking on an empty stomach. He

457
00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:19.119
slowly ascended the stairs, listening carefully for any sounds out

458
00:40:19.159 --> 00:40:22.719
of the ordinary. At the top of the stairs, he

459
00:40:22.800 --> 00:40:27.360
turned right towards the bathroom. He crept down the hall,

460
00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:34.440
feeling increasingly stupid. He finally stopped, shaking his head at

461
00:40:34.480 --> 00:40:39.519
his own foolishness, and strolled to the bathroom. As he

462
00:40:39.639 --> 00:40:43.440
stopped and put his hand on the doorknob, he nearly

463
00:40:43.559 --> 00:40:47.480
let out a scream as something nipped him in the ass.

464
00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:54.000
He flipped around, hand on knife, but the hallway was empty.

465
00:40:55.559 --> 00:40:59.159
Snaking his left hand behind him, he was able to

466
00:40:59.239 --> 00:41:03.880
turn the knob and opened the bathroom door just enough

467
00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:09.559
to squeeze through. He slammed the door shut and sat

468
00:41:09.599 --> 00:41:14.119
on the toilet with the seat down. He leaned back,

469
00:41:14.320 --> 00:41:19.960
trying to ignore the stinging bite on his rear. Sleep

470
00:41:20.679 --> 00:41:25.800
beckoned him. Action snapped awake. He was sitting in his

471
00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:32.559
chair in the living room, confused and disoriented. Wait what,

472
00:41:33.599 --> 00:41:38.119
he mumbled, I must be drunker than I thought. Looking

473
00:41:38.159 --> 00:41:41.920
over at the glass half filled with vodka, he took

474
00:41:41.960 --> 00:41:46.599
a drink with a trembling hand. The pounding on the

475
00:41:46.639 --> 00:41:53.239
front door nearly made him drop the glass. Trick or treat,

476
00:41:53.679 --> 00:41:58.719
said the muffled cries from outside the door. God, damn it,

477
00:41:58.800 --> 00:42:03.679
get out of here, you little bastards. Don roared. Laughter

478
00:42:03.880 --> 00:42:10.960
floated through the door, followed by wet thuds. Great, Don thought,

479
00:42:12.119 --> 00:42:16.199
those sons of bitches egged my door. He stood to

480
00:42:16.360 --> 00:42:21.199
chase the little bastards off. When Payne shot up his hip,

481
00:42:21.760 --> 00:42:24.960
he forgot all about the vandals. As he reached down

482
00:42:25.039 --> 00:42:29.280
the back of his pants, pulling his hand out, he

483
00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:35.800
noticed a little blood on his fingers. Staring in disbelief

484
00:42:35.840 --> 00:42:41.280
at the crimson wetness, he remembered being nipped by something.

485
00:42:42.880 --> 00:42:46.440
The sounds of a dog fight coming from upstairs lifted

486
00:42:46.480 --> 00:42:51.599
the fog, clouding his mind. What the hell, he said,

487
00:42:52.199 --> 00:42:56.480
turning towards the stairs. As soon as he took a step,

488
00:42:57.159 --> 00:43:05.079
the sound stopped, like someone threw a switch. Okay, fuck this,

489
00:43:05.960 --> 00:43:09.719
someone is really fucking with me, Don said out loud.

490
00:43:10.239 --> 00:43:15.159
Feeling a bit comforted by speaking to himself, he picked

491
00:43:15.199 --> 00:43:19.400
up his phone and called Dingo, Hey, Boss, what's up?

492
00:43:20.159 --> 00:43:24.679
Dingo said. After a few rings, Don could hear people

493
00:43:24.840 --> 00:43:30.559
talking in the background, along with glasses clinking. Don rolled

494
00:43:30.559 --> 00:43:34.599
his eyes. Dingo was probably at that damn dive bar

495
00:43:34.760 --> 00:43:38.639
he loved so much, the kind where a cockroach is

496
00:43:38.719 --> 00:43:42.760
considered a garnish. Did you bring any dogs over here?

497
00:43:43.519 --> 00:43:51.840
Don asked, no, not since big Bill. Dingo replied, sounding confused.

498
00:43:53.159 --> 00:43:59.079
Are you fucking with me? Don growled? What's that? Dingo said,

499
00:43:59.519 --> 00:44:02.360
his voice faint as he spoke to someone at the bar.

500
00:44:03.519 --> 00:44:07.440
He said some lame joke, and a female voice laughed.

501
00:44:08.320 --> 00:44:11.760
Don could only imagine what type of woman would find

502
00:44:11.880 --> 00:44:16.119
Dingo funny. Dingo had always felt that it was better

503
00:44:16.199 --> 00:44:21.559
to score with five two's than with one ten. Sorry, Boss,

504
00:44:21.679 --> 00:44:26.440
what were you saying? I said, Are you fucking with me?

505
00:44:27.519 --> 00:44:31.960
Don got progressively louder with each word, until he was screaming.

506
00:44:33.039 --> 00:44:45.119
Dingo gulped, I don't know what you mean. I would

507
00:44:45.159 --> 00:44:49.880
never fuck with you, sir. Okay, you better have everything

508
00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:56.920
ready for tomorrow. Don hung up, grinning sourly. There was

509
00:44:57.000 --> 00:45:01.119
nothing special planned for tomorrow, and he chuckled over the

510
00:45:01.199 --> 00:45:06.079
thought that Dingo would spend all night sweating, thinking he

511
00:45:06.199 --> 00:45:11.039
forgot something. Another hit of vodka spread its warmth through

512
00:45:11.199 --> 00:45:16.360
his entire body. His mind went back to Big Bill.

513
00:45:17.760 --> 00:45:21.440
He felt a tinge of something every time he thought

514
00:45:21.440 --> 00:45:27.320
of him. Was it regret sorrow? He was not used

515
00:45:27.320 --> 00:45:31.719
to feeling things like that, so it was difficult for

516
00:45:31.800 --> 00:45:35.639
him to put a finger on it. Big Bill was

517
00:45:35.719 --> 00:45:40.400
a Mastiff pitbull German Shepherd mix, one of the biggest

518
00:45:40.440 --> 00:45:44.960
dogs Don had ever entered into a fighting ring. That

519
00:45:45.159 --> 00:45:48.360
dog was the toughest son of a bitch he had

520
00:45:48.400 --> 00:45:53.719
ever seen. Vicious and cunning, Bill made a name for

521
00:45:53.840 --> 00:45:58.400
himself across the Tri State dog fighting circuit. In fact,

522
00:45:58.960 --> 00:46:02.679
the winnings from his fights bought the very house that

523
00:46:02.840 --> 00:46:08.719
Don was currently standing in. Bill's reputation was such that

524
00:46:09.360 --> 00:46:13.880
eventually Don had to give crazy odds just to get

525
00:46:13.920 --> 00:46:19.159
any action. He started doing handicap matches where Bill had

526
00:46:19.199 --> 00:46:22.760
to fight two or even three other dogs at the

527
00:46:22.800 --> 00:46:27.960
same time. A lot of those matches were clusterfucks, turning

528
00:46:28.000 --> 00:46:31.800
into a free for all, which the crowd loved, but

529
00:46:31.960 --> 00:46:38.320
other times the opposing dogs concentrated on Bill, who, due

530
00:46:38.360 --> 00:46:44.280
to mounting injuries, had an increasingly difficult time winning. For

531
00:46:44.320 --> 00:46:50.519
some reason, Don's eyes began to water, damn dust, he

532
00:46:50.679 --> 00:46:55.559
mumbled outside of the ring. Bill was the friendliest dog

533
00:46:55.719 --> 00:46:59.039
Don had ever encountered. It was like he had a

534
00:46:59.079 --> 00:47:07.199
switch with two settings, friendly goofball or vicious killer. Bill's

535
00:47:07.280 --> 00:47:11.519
last fight was still vivid in Don's mind. It was

536
00:47:11.599 --> 00:47:17.360
two pits versus Bill. The pitbulls were young and inexperienced,

537
00:47:18.000 --> 00:47:21.480
but one latched onto his rear leg and would not

538
00:47:21.840 --> 00:47:26.599
let go. Bill eventually came out on top, but his

539
00:47:26.760 --> 00:47:31.519
leg was mangled. There was no coming back from that injury.

540
00:47:33.079 --> 00:47:36.719
Don had Dingo dig a grave in the basement and

541
00:47:36.880 --> 00:47:41.880
fed Bill a stake laced with sedatives. When the big

542
00:47:41.960 --> 00:47:48.440
dog was out, Don action, Jackson slit his throat and

543
00:47:48.599 --> 00:47:53.960
dumped him in the grave. He then walked upstairs, not

544
00:47:54.159 --> 00:48:00.039
looking back, no matter how much he wanted to. The

545
00:48:00.119 --> 00:48:04.159
last thing he heard that night before hitting the bottle

546
00:48:04.239 --> 00:48:11.679
hard was Dingo throwing dirt on the grave. The glass

547
00:48:11.800 --> 00:48:17.639
began to slip from Don's grip as he was falling asleep,

548
00:48:17.800 --> 00:48:21.159
echoes of the yelps of pain Bill had let out

549
00:48:21.199 --> 00:48:25.559
when that pit bit deep into his thigh, Ringing in

550
00:48:25.599 --> 00:48:31.239
his ears, He suddenly realized that the sound was coming

551
00:48:31.280 --> 00:48:41.320
from inside the house, from the basement. Don leaped up, confused.

552
00:48:42.159 --> 00:48:45.559
The yelp of pain turned into a howl of rage

553
00:48:45.960 --> 00:48:50.519
that shook the house. Claws hitting the wooden basement stairs

554
00:48:50.599 --> 00:48:54.760
could be heard underneath, the roar, ending in a loud

555
00:48:54.880 --> 00:49:00.159
crash as something huge threw itself against the basement door.

556
00:49:01.159 --> 00:49:05.320
Another crash, and the beast was in the kitchen, Drawing

557
00:49:05.360 --> 00:49:09.880
his dagger with trembling hands. Don took a few timid

558
00:49:10.000 --> 00:49:15.840
steps forward the roar. Still ringing in his ears, Don

559
00:49:16.000 --> 00:49:22.280
stopped dead when Big Bill rounded the corner. Most of

560
00:49:22.360 --> 00:49:26.280
his flesh had rotted away, but he still had his

561
00:49:26.400 --> 00:49:33.480
eyes that were staring deep into his soul. Don was stunned,

562
00:49:33.800 --> 00:49:36.920
unable to move until Bill took a step toward him

563
00:49:37.280 --> 00:49:43.239
with a growl so loud that the windows shook. Unthinking,

564
00:49:43.639 --> 00:49:48.599
Don dropped the knife and turned to run, but before

565
00:49:48.719 --> 00:49:55.199
taking a step, he froze again. Half a dozen dogs

566
00:49:55.559 --> 00:50:01.519
stood between him and the front door. These were translucent,

567
00:50:02.079 --> 00:50:06.840
ghost like. Some had their throats sliced, while others had ragged,

568
00:50:07.199 --> 00:50:12.920
vicious wounds. Don turned back toward the kitchen and saw

569
00:50:12.960 --> 00:50:18.440
that Bill was now within several feet of him. Whoa, whoa,

570
00:50:18.519 --> 00:50:25.840
whoa WHOA good boy, Don stammered. Bill growled louder. It

571
00:50:25.880 --> 00:50:31.679
was only business. I didn't mean any harm. Bill's skeletal

572
00:50:31.840 --> 00:50:36.599
jaw made him look as if he was smiling, and

573
00:50:36.639 --> 00:50:42.679
the smile only grew bigger when Bill leaped. At dawn,

574
00:50:44.320 --> 00:50:48.880
parents of Tricker Treaters heard screams coming from the unkempt

575
00:50:48.920 --> 00:50:53.079
house at the end of the block. Cell Phones came

576
00:50:53.119 --> 00:50:59.360
out of pockets, but no one called the police. Deep down,

577
00:50:59.800 --> 00:51:04.960
they realized that whatever was happening to the neighborhood bully

578
00:51:05.880 --> 00:51:24.000
was likely well deserved. Jack leaned against a crooked fence,

579
00:51:24.679 --> 00:51:28.960
running the flat of his cane along the wood sparks,

580
00:51:29.039 --> 00:51:35.880
trailing after. Now, wasn't that delightful? His smile was wide,

581
00:51:36.400 --> 00:51:42.360
his teeth white and sharp. Some monsters are born, some

582
00:51:42.440 --> 00:51:47.519
are built brick by brick, in violence and cruelty, until

583
00:51:47.559 --> 00:51:54.679
there's nothing left inside but rage. But others, like Dawn,

584
00:51:55.559 --> 00:51:59.079
think they are one of the big boys, right up

585
00:51:59.199 --> 00:52:05.079
until they run into something like Big Bill. Daisy let

586
00:52:05.159 --> 00:52:09.679
out a low growl. I'm sorry, darling, I almost forgot

587
00:52:09.679 --> 00:52:14.960
about you. Go ahead, have some fun. Jack clapped his

588
00:52:15.079 --> 00:52:19.960
hands in joy as Daisy ran off towards the Jackson house.

589
00:52:21.199 --> 00:52:24.840
She's been such a patient girl. You have to reward

590
00:52:24.880 --> 00:52:30.880
good behavior, you know, Jack commented. Not all horrors are

591
00:52:31.159 --> 00:52:37.000
of your own making, my dear audience. No, sometimes you

592
00:52:37.119 --> 00:52:43.599
stumble unsuspectingly into the terror, or perhaps you walk into

593
00:52:43.679 --> 00:52:50.519
it willingly. He lowered his voice conspiratorially. You've all had

594
00:52:50.559 --> 00:52:58.119
that dream, haven't you trapped? Nowhere to run, no one

595
00:52:58.199 --> 00:53:05.079
to hear your screams. Let's see what happens when the

596
00:53:05.199 --> 00:53:12.719
dream becomes a reality. He strolled in silence for a

597
00:53:12.760 --> 00:53:18.360
few blocks before stopping by an old, run down house

598
00:53:18.840 --> 00:53:22.199
with a couple of young men sitting in a car

599
00:53:22.280 --> 00:53:27.840
in front of it. Ah, here we are. Look at

600
00:53:27.880 --> 00:53:35.400
these shady characters. Whatever would they be up to? Jack smiled,

601
00:53:36.000 --> 00:53:41.320
a wicked gleam in his eye. Guess they'll find out

602
00:53:41.360 --> 00:53:48.119
all about the room. John looked at the run down

603
00:53:48.280 --> 00:53:53.199
house sitting on a corner lot. The lawn was overgrown

604
00:53:53.880 --> 00:53:56.760
and the white paint on the porch was peeling off

605
00:53:57.440 --> 00:54:04.760
in long, curling strips. Really, John said, turning to the

606
00:54:04.880 --> 00:54:10.119
large man behind the wheel, this is your big score.

607
00:54:11.400 --> 00:54:15.920
Stop bitchin'. You're lucky that Alan is in jail, or

608
00:54:15.960 --> 00:54:18.280
your ass would be out there stealing candy from the

609
00:54:18.360 --> 00:54:23.559
damn kiddies. Weber growled, pointing at the groups of costumed

610
00:54:23.679 --> 00:54:30.079
children roaming the sidewalks. The place is a shithole, John said,

611
00:54:31.119 --> 00:54:35.880
we'd be lucky to find anything other than roaches. Look,

612
00:54:36.880 --> 00:54:41.199
Weber leaned, in his tone, shifting to the serious one

613
00:54:41.719 --> 00:54:47.199
he used only when selling someone on something illegal. I

614
00:54:47.280 --> 00:54:51.000
know a guy that works for that doctor drain cleaner outfit.

615
00:54:51.719 --> 00:54:54.440
The sewer pipe in the basement of this place got

616
00:54:54.800 --> 00:54:58.360
all backed up. They were called out to unclog it.

617
00:54:59.159 --> 00:55:02.800
The damn snaw got tangled, and while his boss was

618
00:55:02.840 --> 00:55:05.840
working on it, he had a look around the basement.

619
00:55:06.880 --> 00:55:12.000
He found a hidden room all filled with jewelry. He

620
00:55:12.039 --> 00:55:15.119
didn't have time to grab anything, but said there was

621
00:55:15.119 --> 00:55:21.000
some good shit there. John was still unconvinced. Why isn't

622
00:55:21.039 --> 00:55:25.480
he here helping you? This is his score. He's a

623
00:55:25.559 --> 00:55:28.719
giant pussy. Hell I was able to talk him into

624
00:55:28.760 --> 00:55:32.440
taking a ten percent finder's fee, which means he'll basically

625
00:55:32.480 --> 00:55:35.719
take anything we give him. What's he going to do?

626
00:55:35.920 --> 00:55:40.639
Bitch to the cops about it, Weber smirked. Hell I

627
00:55:40.719 --> 00:55:43.039
even offered to throw in some naked picks of my

628
00:55:43.119 --> 00:55:46.519
sister just to sweeten the pot. I was going to

629
00:55:46.519 --> 00:55:49.280
give him some picks of your sister too, but then

630
00:55:49.320 --> 00:55:51.920
I'd have to spend ten minutes trying to convince him

631
00:55:51.960 --> 00:55:57.519
it wasn't proof of Bigfoot. Suppressing a chuckle, John turned

632
00:55:57.559 --> 00:56:01.199
back toward the house. He looked at the cracked picture

633
00:56:01.280 --> 00:56:06.480
window and the rotting trim boards surrounding it, and thought

634
00:56:06.599 --> 00:56:09.599
they would be lucky to find two plates that matched.

635
00:56:10.880 --> 00:56:14.800
Fuck it, he decided, as he pulled a kid's plastic

636
00:56:14.840 --> 00:56:19.559
Shrek mask down over his face. Let's get it over with.

637
00:56:20.320 --> 00:56:24.400
I ain't got nothing better to do tonight. Weber grinned

638
00:56:24.440 --> 00:56:29.559
that wild grin that made people question his sanity. He

639
00:56:29.679 --> 00:56:33.880
slipped on a cheap Adam West Batman mask and opened

640
00:56:33.920 --> 00:56:38.960
the car door, trying to look casual. John tall and

641
00:56:39.119 --> 00:56:45.079
lean relaxed against the fender, while Weber crouched, pretending to

642
00:56:45.159 --> 00:56:50.360
check the front tire but actually scanning the streets. Once

643
00:56:50.440 --> 00:56:54.840
the sidewalk was clear of children and parents, they quickly

644
00:56:54.920 --> 00:56:58.440
sprinted to the side of the house, slipping into the

645
00:56:58.480 --> 00:57:04.000
shadows created by the street lights. Sliding along the exterior

646
00:57:04.119 --> 00:57:08.360
wall toward the rear of the house, they stopped at

647
00:57:08.400 --> 00:57:13.800
each dark window to peer in and listen, Seeing and

648
00:57:13.920 --> 00:57:19.639
hearing nothing, they reached the back corner. Around it, a

649
00:57:19.679 --> 00:57:24.880
flickering light hung above a weathered, old wooden door with pealing,

650
00:57:25.559 --> 00:57:30.840
dirty yellow paint. A dented screen door lay on a

651
00:57:30.920 --> 00:57:37.199
cracked concrete slab that served as the back porch. Weber

652
00:57:37.320 --> 00:57:41.639
unscrewed the light bulb just enough so the light went out,

653
00:57:42.719 --> 00:57:45.480
while John moved to the other corner of the house

654
00:57:46.000 --> 00:57:51.360
and peered around. Seeing nothing, he gave Weber a nod.

655
00:57:53.000 --> 00:57:57.480
The back door was locked. Weber pressed his shoulder against

656
00:57:57.559 --> 00:58:03.079
the door, pressure building until a crack sounded and metal

657
00:58:03.239 --> 00:58:09.320
clattered inside. Both men checked the street again before easing

658
00:58:09.440 --> 00:58:13.679
the door open, a piece of hardware scraped the floor.

659
00:58:14.800 --> 00:58:18.679
Weber took out a small flashlight, cupping it to keep

660
00:58:18.719 --> 00:58:23.480
the beam low. They were in a nineteen fifty's era kitchen.

661
00:58:24.320 --> 00:58:28.519
The fridge and stove were ancient, and bugs skittered away

662
00:58:28.599 --> 00:58:33.679
from the light, making Jack shiver. The basement should be

663
00:58:33.760 --> 00:58:38.599
through that door, Weber whispered, shining on a warped door

664
00:58:39.000 --> 00:58:44.239
in the corner near a dark hallway. John nodded before

665
00:58:44.280 --> 00:58:50.559
he realized that Weber could not see him in the darkness. Okay,

666
00:58:50.920 --> 00:58:55.599
let's go, he said, the old vinyl floor creaking each

667
00:58:55.760 --> 00:58:59.920
time they took a step. John opened the basement door,

668
00:59:00.679 --> 00:59:07.719
assaulted by the stench of raw sewage. Oh damn, he gagged.

669
00:59:08.519 --> 00:59:14.079
That reeks. Come on, you, pussy. It's not that bad,

670
00:59:14.800 --> 00:59:19.199
Weber said, although in the dim light he looked like

671
00:59:19.320 --> 00:59:24.519
he was struggling himself. Jack steeled himself and went down

672
00:59:25.320 --> 00:59:29.559
the stairs, creaking loud enough to make him WinCE. At

673
00:59:29.599 --> 00:59:34.440
the bottom, Weber's light swept to a floor drain, its

674
00:59:34.559 --> 00:59:40.440
edges crusted with toilet paper scraps and brown sludge. Jack

675
00:59:40.559 --> 00:59:45.800
groaned and skirted wide, following Weber toward the far wall.

676
00:59:47.280 --> 00:59:51.800
A large cabinet stood in the back corner. Weber shone

677
00:59:51.840 --> 00:59:55.440
the light at the floor and John could see where

678
00:59:55.480 --> 00:59:59.760
the dust and litter on the ground had been recently disturbed.

679
01:00:01.320 --> 01:00:04.960
Putting the flashlight in his mouth, he helped John move

680
01:00:05.039 --> 01:00:12.079
the cabinet aside to reveal a narrow door. John opened

681
01:00:12.079 --> 01:00:25.920
it and they stepped inside. The room lit up with

682
01:00:26.079 --> 01:00:30.639
bright lights as Weber found the light switch. The room

683
01:00:30.840 --> 01:00:34.320
stood in stark contrast to the rest of the house.

684
01:00:35.239 --> 01:00:41.880
It was clean, immaculate, and clinical. The room, roughly fifteen

685
01:00:41.960 --> 01:00:45.840
feet by six feet, had rows of glass shelves that

686
01:00:45.920 --> 01:00:49.320
lined the walls on both the left and the right,

687
01:00:50.039 --> 01:00:53.079
while there was only one shelf on the far wall.

688
01:00:54.239 --> 01:01:00.119
On the sidewalls, jewelry rested on velvet cushions or porcelain busts.

689
01:01:00.719 --> 01:01:03.480
Each piece paired with a photo of a young woman,

690
01:01:04.159 --> 01:01:08.679
most in black and white. Some looked like senior portraits,

691
01:01:09.239 --> 01:01:15.719
others like modeling headshots. A few showed women sleeping. Those

692
01:01:16.400 --> 01:01:22.800
made John skin crawl. Dude, what the fuck, Weber said,

693
01:01:23.840 --> 01:01:28.719
looks like a damn museum. John just nodded and slowly

694
01:01:28.840 --> 01:01:33.920
walked along the wall, stopping every so often to examine

695
01:01:33.920 --> 01:01:38.400
a display. He didn't know much about jewelry, but he

696
01:01:38.480 --> 01:01:42.920
could tell some were cheap costume pieces, while others had

697
01:01:42.960 --> 01:01:48.280
the look of high end jewelry. Occasionally, he started to

698
01:01:48.360 --> 01:01:52.320
reach out to touch a piece that must be worth thousands,

699
01:01:53.079 --> 01:01:56.920
but when his hand neared he could detect some kind

700
01:01:57.000 --> 01:02:04.039
of aura radiating from it. Sorrow and pain flooded his emotions.

701
01:02:04.719 --> 01:02:08.400
He would withdraw his hand and study the picture next

702
01:02:08.400 --> 01:02:12.000
to it. He found that the women in most of

703
01:02:12.039 --> 01:02:15.920
the photos were wearing the piece of jewelry on display.

704
01:02:17.000 --> 01:02:21.920
He looked over at Weber and grimaced. Weber was casually

705
01:02:22.000 --> 01:02:25.960
pocketing each piece of jewelry on his side of the room.

706
01:02:27.039 --> 01:02:30.599
He sometimes picked up a picture of a particularly striking

707
01:02:30.679 --> 01:02:35.079
woman before tossing it to the ground, the woman in

708
01:02:35.159 --> 01:02:40.039
the portrait already forgotten. John made his way to the

709
01:02:40.119 --> 01:02:44.079
lone shelf on the wall opposite the door and looked

710
01:02:44.119 --> 01:02:46.679
at the black and white picture of a good looking

711
01:02:46.800 --> 01:02:50.760
young man. In front of the photo were two red

712
01:02:50.840 --> 01:02:56.679
roses next to an urn with the inscription my beloved earnest.

713
01:02:57.960 --> 01:03:01.440
He glanced around to confirm that this was the only

714
01:03:01.559 --> 01:03:06.719
picture that wasn't a woman twice as large as the

715
01:03:06.760 --> 01:03:10.639
other portraits, and the shelf looked more like a shrine

716
01:03:11.280 --> 01:03:15.480
than it did a display. John was just about to

717
01:03:15.559 --> 01:03:19.440
turn away when he noticed a folded piece of paper

718
01:03:20.119 --> 01:03:24.599
tucked in behind the picture. When the scrap of newspaper

719
01:03:24.719 --> 01:03:31.480
was unfolded, the headline local serial killer executed in electric

720
01:03:31.639 --> 01:03:36.440
chair jumped out at him. Under the headline was a

721
01:03:36.480 --> 01:03:41.199
picture of a man, the same one as in the portrait,

722
01:03:42.119 --> 01:03:47.559
being led in chains down a corridor, a mocking smirk

723
01:03:48.039 --> 01:03:52.519
stitched on his face, and piercing eyes that seemed to

724
01:03:52.599 --> 01:03:58.000
stare deep into John's soul. He stared at the news

725
01:03:58.000 --> 01:04:06.519
clipping mesmerized until Weber broke the spell. Holy shit, Weber exclaimed.

726
01:04:07.400 --> 01:04:11.400
I know this chick, he said, pointing to a picture

727
01:04:11.480 --> 01:04:16.119
of a young, attractive, blonde woman. My mom went to

728
01:04:16.159 --> 01:04:19.559
school with her. This chick was an actress or some shit,

729
01:04:20.119 --> 01:04:23.000
starred in a couple of those cheap eighties horror movies.

730
01:04:23.760 --> 01:04:27.239
Mom said that she got hooked on heroin and went missing.

731
01:04:28.199 --> 01:04:30.840
Rumor is that she fell into the river and drowned.

732
01:04:31.960 --> 01:04:35.320
He picked up the ear rings displayed in front of

733
01:04:35.360 --> 01:04:42.320
the picture. Taking a closer look, he said, Damn, I

734
01:04:42.360 --> 01:04:46.599
think she's wearing these ear rings in the picture weird.

735
01:04:47.119 --> 01:04:51.719
He shook his head as he pocketed them. Looking back

736
01:04:51.760 --> 01:04:56.039
at the urn, John felt something, but it wasn't the jewelry.

737
01:04:56.920 --> 01:05:01.360
It felt dark and chaotic, like a cigar box full

738
01:05:01.400 --> 01:05:07.719
of hornets that had been shaken. The maliciousness vibrating, pulsating,

739
01:05:08.199 --> 01:05:14.679
waiting to be released on an unsuspecting world. Gasping, John

740
01:05:14.800 --> 01:05:19.480
took several steps back, staring wide eyed at the urn.

741
01:05:20.440 --> 01:05:23.920
He looked over at Weber and saw he was walking

742
01:05:23.960 --> 01:05:28.960
to him, jiggling his pockets with a wide smile on

743
01:05:29.119 --> 01:05:34.159
his face. What did you get, John, boy man, I

744
01:05:34.239 --> 01:05:37.880
found a ton of good shit. Weber stopped and looked

745
01:05:37.920 --> 01:05:41.320
at the shelf that John kept flickering his eyes to

746
01:05:42.920 --> 01:05:48.679
what you got there? I'm not sure, John mumbled. He

747
01:05:48.840 --> 01:05:51.360
was about to tell Weber to stay away from the

748
01:05:51.440 --> 01:05:55.800
evil thing, but a loud thud drew his attention to

749
01:05:55.880 --> 01:06:01.079
the door of the room. An old woman, shrived and weathered,

750
01:06:01.679 --> 01:06:05.920
was standing in the doorway. From the state of disrepair

751
01:06:06.159 --> 01:06:11.239
the house and more notably, the basement was in John

752
01:06:11.400 --> 01:06:15.519
was surprised to see her well dressed. Her hair was

753
01:06:15.599 --> 01:06:20.199
done up in a beehive hairstyle from the sixties. And

754
01:06:20.280 --> 01:06:24.320
he could have sworn she was wearing makeup, even though

755
01:06:24.360 --> 01:06:29.239
it must have been well past her bedtime. The site

756
01:06:29.320 --> 01:06:36.199
was jarring against the rot of the house. What she said,

757
01:06:36.480 --> 01:06:44.800
in an icy voice, is going on here, ma'am? John stammered,

758
01:06:45.559 --> 01:06:49.039
where with the plumbers you called recently? We were told

759
01:06:49.079 --> 01:06:51.440
to check and make sure there were no further issues.

760
01:06:52.480 --> 01:06:56.800
The woman just stared at him, her gaze sending shivers

761
01:06:56.880 --> 01:07:02.440
down his spine. So we knocked, but no one answered.

762
01:07:03.199 --> 01:07:06.920
The boss would get mad if we John trailed off

763
01:07:07.360 --> 01:07:11.840
as he realized that she was now staring past him.

764
01:07:12.559 --> 01:07:16.079
John turned and found that Weber had picked up the

765
01:07:16.239 --> 01:07:21.760
urn and was studying it. Leave that alone. The old

766
01:07:21.760 --> 01:07:26.599
woman said, drop it. As she said the word drop,

767
01:07:27.280 --> 01:07:32.639
Weber looked up, a blank expression on his face, and

768
01:07:32.760 --> 01:07:38.639
he just opened his fingers. The urn seemed to fall

769
01:07:38.719 --> 01:07:45.719
in slow motion, turning several times before it hit the ground.

770
01:07:48.559 --> 01:07:53.920
It shattered, releasing a cloud of dust. The dust rose

771
01:07:54.039 --> 01:07:59.360
through the air, and, defying gravity, seemed to gather around

772
01:07:59.480 --> 01:08:05.039
Weber's head. He inhaled deeply, and the dust seemed to

773
01:08:05.159 --> 01:08:10.679
force its way into his nose and mouth. Weber held

774
01:08:10.719 --> 01:08:14.639
his breath for a ten count, then began to cough.

775
01:08:15.920 --> 01:08:19.640
John looked back at the old woman, and she just

776
01:08:20.119 --> 01:08:26.880
stood there, a loving smile on her face. Confused, he

777
01:08:27.000 --> 01:08:30.680
looked over at Weber, who had gotten over his coughing

778
01:08:30.760 --> 01:08:36.600
spell and was now just standing there, a crooked smile

779
01:08:36.720 --> 01:08:42.319
on his face and a dark glint in his eyes. Well, now,

780
01:08:42.840 --> 01:08:47.039
how have you been, honey buns, Weber said, with a

781
01:08:47.119 --> 01:08:52.439
Kentucky drawl that he did not have before. The old

782
01:08:52.479 --> 01:08:58.800
woman stared at Weber like a teenager in love. Earnest Finally,

783
01:08:59.439 --> 01:09:02.880
I knew you would find a way back, she said,

784
01:09:03.399 --> 01:09:08.319
her smile threatening to break her face. Of course, Darlin,

785
01:09:08.800 --> 01:09:11.520
old lover boy here would never leave his best girl

786
01:09:11.560 --> 01:09:16.920
alone for too long. The tension grew in John as

787
01:09:16.960 --> 01:09:21.520
he looked between the other two, each looking longingly at

788
01:09:21.520 --> 01:09:28.399
the other. Well, I'll I'll be leaving, and I won't

789
01:09:28.439 --> 01:09:34.319
say shit, he edged toward the door. Neither Weber nor

790
01:09:34.439 --> 01:09:39.479
the old woman moved or spoke, continuing to stare at

791
01:09:39.520 --> 01:09:44.359
each other. After a minute of this, John began to

792
01:09:44.479 --> 01:09:51.079
slowly shuffle his way toward the door, still staring at Weber.

793
01:09:51.800 --> 01:09:56.800
The old woman spoke, Ernie, can you do me a

794
01:09:56.840 --> 01:10:03.760
favor for you? Anything, including the moon and the stars.

795
01:10:04.239 --> 01:10:11.000
She smiled even bigger. Can you take out the trash, darling?

796
01:10:11.920 --> 01:10:17.239
It would be my pleasure, Ernie replied. John heard the

797
01:10:17.279 --> 01:10:22.279
metallic click of a knife being opened, and he bolted

798
01:10:22.319 --> 01:10:26.199
toward the door. An arm like a band of steel

799
01:10:26.399 --> 01:10:32.840
grabbed him around the throat, and pain, unimaginable pain shot

800
01:10:32.960 --> 01:10:38.479
up through his back. His vision went red and then black.

801
01:10:39.600 --> 01:10:43.159
A few minutes later, Ernest shut the door to the

802
01:10:43.279 --> 01:10:47.439
room and reached his left arm around the old woman.

803
01:10:48.760 --> 01:10:50.840
You know how much I hate to leave a mess,

804
01:10:50.880 --> 01:10:53.880
but I think I have a good excuse this time,

805
01:10:54.880 --> 01:11:00.119
he said, as he kissed the top of her head.

806
01:11:00.119 --> 01:11:03.560
Go celebrate. We have a lot of work ahead of us.

807
01:11:04.680 --> 01:11:08.319
She giggled like a schoolgirl. I have a couple of

808
01:11:08.359 --> 01:11:12.880
perfect girls for you to add to the collection, she said,

809
01:11:13.439 --> 01:11:20.119
her eyes shining with madness. He kissed her again, and

810
01:11:20.159 --> 01:11:36.720
they walked up the stairs, laughing like two teenagers in life.

811
01:11:38.680 --> 01:11:43.279
Sitting on a low stone wall, Jack watched the strange

812
01:11:43.359 --> 01:11:48.159
couple exit the house and walk up the street. He

813
01:11:48.279 --> 01:11:56.439
applauded politely, each clap echoing unnaturally into the empty night. Bravo,

814
01:11:56.960 --> 01:12:02.680
well done. Three tales of terror each more delectable than

815
01:12:02.720 --> 01:12:09.119
the last family shattered, monsters unleashed, and souls gnawed down

816
01:12:09.279 --> 01:12:15.760
to marrow A proper night's entertainment, wouldn't you agree? He

817
01:12:15.840 --> 01:12:19.560
leapt down with the grace of a dancer, tipping his hat.

818
01:12:20.520 --> 01:12:25.359
But alas the witching hour wanes and I must return

819
01:12:25.520 --> 01:12:30.399
to the warm embrace of hell. The dark Lord does

820
01:12:30.479 --> 01:12:35.119
so love his bedtime stories, and tonight I'll have three

821
01:12:35.199 --> 01:12:40.720
of the best to whisper in his ear. Jack paused,

822
01:12:41.119 --> 01:12:48.640
leaning forward covertly, his grin stretched wide. Sleep. Well, my

823
01:12:48.840 --> 01:12:54.239
little sinners, perhaps next year it will be your tale.

824
01:12:54.880 --> 01:13:01.039
I tell. With that, he turned and whistled into the night.

825
01:13:01.920 --> 01:13:06.159
Daisy came bounding out of the darkness, her muzzle wet

826
01:13:06.600 --> 01:13:11.359
with a crimson liquid. He patted her head and strolled

827
01:13:11.760 --> 01:13:16.000
into the mist. With a last crackle of sparks from

828
01:13:16.039 --> 01:13:33.000
his king, they were gone. Well, my spooky's. After tonight's

829
01:13:33.039 --> 01:13:38.840
parade of possessed children, undead dogs, and serial killing soulmates,

830
01:13:39.479 --> 01:13:44.039
I'd say Halloween is right on schedule, and we'll be

831
01:13:44.119 --> 01:13:50.279
seeing Jack Scratch again very soon, I'm sure. But tomorrow

832
01:13:50.920 --> 01:13:55.199
things take a turn. We're cracking open the gates to

833
01:13:55.279 --> 01:13:59.680
a forgotten place, a rotting asylum hidden in the woods,

834
01:14:00.119 --> 01:14:06.479
where something unnatural was born and never stopped growing. The

835
01:14:06.600 --> 01:14:10.520
Asylum of the Dirt Babies is our next full length novella,

836
01:14:10.680 --> 01:14:17.960
Descent into Madness, Secrets and Soil So Torror. You'll never forget,

837
01:14:18.319 --> 01:14:22.439
so rest while you can, because even when Halloween ends,

838
01:14:23.159 --> 01:14:26.880
we'll still be here bringing you your spooky on the weekly.

839
01:14:27.319 --> 01:14:29.439
And thank you so much for joining me. I'm so

840
01:14:29.600 --> 01:14:33.199
happy to be a part of your Halloween tradition, whether

841
01:14:33.239 --> 01:14:35.760
you're brand new or you've been with us for six years.

842
01:14:36.119 --> 01:14:38.319
And I want to say an extra special thank you

843
01:14:38.560 --> 01:14:41.800
to our Patreon podcast boosters. These are folks who go

844
01:14:41.800 --> 01:14:45.680
to Weeklyspooky dot Com slash join and support us for

845
01:14:45.720 --> 01:14:48.560
a little bit extra to hear their names at the

846
01:14:48.640 --> 01:14:51.279
end of the show. And they are Johnny Nicks, Kate

847
01:14:51.359 --> 01:14:55.760
and Lulu, Jessica Fuller, Mike Ashuey, Jenny Green, Amber Hansford,

848
01:14:55.880 --> 01:14:59.039
Karen we Met, Jack Kerr, and Craig Cohen. Thank you

849
01:14:59.079 --> 01:15:01.479
guys so much, and if you want to support us

850
01:15:01.680 --> 01:15:05.239
in a very direct way, head Toweeklyspooky dot Com slash

851
01:15:05.359 --> 01:15:07.560
join for as little as one dollar a month, you

852
01:15:07.600 --> 01:15:10.800
get two bonus shows every month, and at fifteen dollars

853
01:15:10.880 --> 01:15:13.399
or higher, you can hear your name at the end

854
01:15:13.479 --> 01:15:17.239
of every episode of Weekly Spooky, and make sure you're

855
01:15:17.279 --> 01:15:21.119
subscribed because there's so much more to hear. But for now,

856
01:15:21.520 --> 01:15:24.279
I've got to get back to work, because well, those

857
01:15:24.279 --> 01:15:27.720
novellas aren't going to record themselves, so for myself, for

858
01:15:27.840 --> 01:15:31.680
my executive producers Rob Fields and Bobbletopia dot Com, my

859
01:15:31.760 --> 01:15:35.880
producer Dan Wilder, and of course my creepy composer Ray Maddis.

860
01:15:36.279 --> 01:15:38.600
I'll talk at you tomorrow.

861
01:15:39.199 --> 01:15:40.359
Thank you for listenings.

862
01:15:41.319 --> 01:15:45.039
Make sure to find your way back next week, but

863
01:15:45.199 --> 01:15:50.199
for now you are safe, trust me.