~=The Old Man=~

Once upon a time not so long ago, in a town not too dissimilar to yours. There lived an old man in an old run down house. He was the kind of person you knew existed, but no one ever saw. Apparently his wife died years ago. No one seemed to care for him. He had no family left. No one payed him any attention..

That was until the other night!

Thursday 2am.
I was awoken in the early hours by the sound of sirens. Looking out the window I could see a commotion up the hill. There was a warm glow lighting the night sky. My fiance still sound asleep. Quietly Pulling my clothes on I quickly headed out into the street to see what was happening. I Jogged up the road to the top of the hill, where Greeting me was a scene fit for a Hollywood movie. The old mans house was ablaze. An intense inferno consumed the whole property. The trees in the yard burning bright. Three fire engines were already there, the many firefighters about to unleash their hoses to tame the blaze. They seemed so insignificant and small next to the powerful flames. The heat so intense I could feel it 100 metres away. I stood and watched them battle it for hours. Eventually they subdued the fire. But all was lost- eventually it would go out, but the remains smoked for days. I wonder what happened to the old boy?

Saturday 6pm.
Apparently the police have put up a crime scene around the old mans property. One of my neighbours saw the forensic teams heading in. Doesn't look like the old man has been seen or heard from since. Probably left the stove on and fell asleep. It's sad really, I hope he didn't suffer.

Sunday 8pm.
NEWSFLASH!
It's all over the news. They have found a body. They have found another body! And another!!! 16 uncovered total. They find his wife too! All burried in a series of graves in his back garden! One of the worst serial killers in recent history living right here under our noses. So twisted!! The newspaper stories report the bodies are all of young couples who disappeared mysteriously over the past decade or so. But on all accounts the old man is still missing. An ex commando, obviously he had some serious issues. Maybe hell swallowed him up and caused the fire? I dont know, but a national man hunt is on.
How can someone so frail be so monstrous? I hope they find him soon.

Monday 4am.
Something has woken the dog. I leave the mrs asleep and head downstairs in my pjs. Maybe he needs the toilet, he's going mad at the back door. I let him out into the darkness. I know he's out there somewhere. The dog that is. I can hear him rustling in the bushes. It's cold out and I'm not going to stay here all night. Time to head back to my warm bed. Here boy. I give a whistle, come on boy... Nothing. Boy...... Here boy................. Nothing.
I listen hard but can't hear him anymore. Come on boy where are you??

I have to pop back to the kitchen to grab the torch. I hope he hasn't run off again. Popping my slippers on I head out into the fresh night. Calling and whistling as I go.. He must be in the bushes.... Nothing. No sign of the little fellow! This is all I need!!!! I'm going to have to go get the car and tell the mrs we have an escapee. Heading back to the house, I grab a jumper off the kitchen chair to warm the chill. Turning round I notice the muddy footprints trodden everywhere! She will kill me if she sees this!! Id Best leave my slippers here..
I trot back upstairs and sneak into the bedroom... She's not there! An empty bed.

My mind starts racing. I Hit the light switch. The room is empty. The bedding is sprawled across the floor.. The floor.. The floor has muddy footprints. I look down at my bare feet.
It wasnt me.
A sudden fear takes control of my body. Where was she?? What has happened to her??? I run down stairs like a whirlwind.. Honey are you here?? Darling???? DARLING?????

..The dogs head sat on the kitchen table. A pool of blood gathered around his furry severed neck. A feeling of sickness overcame me and I almost blacked out, falling to my knees. The realisation of the horror that was going on overwhelmed and shocked all of my senses. I didn't know what to do... I felt helpless.
I needed help.
The police!
The phone was in the other room...
I needed to find my fiance, make sure she was safe. I grabbed the biggest knife from the kitchen drawer and headed into the hallway.
It was dark in the other room.

The lamp was on the far side of the room.
I would use my torch! He could be anywhere!!
I scanned the room and made sure the coast was clear. The room seemed empty. I found the phone on the table in the corner, running over I dial 999 and wait for the response...

"Emergency- What service do you require?"

A slight glimmer of relief, I don't feel so alone

"what is your emergency?"

Just as I'm about to speak my windpipe restricts..
All my breath is gone.
The phone fell to the floor. The knife knocked from my grip.
Someone grabbed me from behind
Tightly squeezing my throat.
I was being strangled.
I try to struggle and push back and kick away. Trying to grab at whatever it is tightening around my neck...
Flailing helplessly at my attacker...
But I am over powered and out manoeuvred.
I am running out of fight.
My oxygen levels depleting.
Blood vessels bursting.
The room is moving in and the darkness fills my mind. I can see my torchlight fade to black.

All is still, quiet here. There is no pain.

The old man places his trophies next to each other on the floor.
He feels reborn, rejuvenated, alive!
As he turns the gas oven on he can hear the distant sirens heading his way. He will be long gone by the time they get here. His murderous thirst quenched for now. He empties the rest of the petrol can onto the battered bodies.
Before he turns to leave he sets fire to the girls hair.
"See you in hell bitch"
The fire could be seen for miles.

No one ever found out why he did any of it or where he went.
If you see an old lonely man in your area be cautious.
Who knows what monster lives behind the frail mask?

And always beware of things that go bump in the night!