(24th of May, 1999)

The night was brisk. Dark clouds hanging overhead creating a larger sense of foreboding for Kimberly and Drew. They were both still a little thrown off from their time in the derelict church. After following up further on a handful location and witness accounts. Drew was at a loss. Kimberly as well.

“I hear more people may be disappearing… I guess now we just wait for someone-” Kimberly’s hands began to shake. Her breathing quivered. “—to turn up…”

Drew shook his head. “Damn it all. I just can’t believe we didn’t find a lick of new evidence! I mean there has to be something.”

It was as Detective Drew said that Kimberly finally remembered. That’s right! A bronze button with a sword insignia! She thought. She’d had it put into evidence, nobody really knowing anything about it. She asked Drew if he’d seen in when reviewing the case.

“That thing? I saw it, but it didn’t seem significant. But maybe if I take it back home I can link it to someone…”

“If you find out where it came from. You might be able to look at their records to determine who bought it.” Kimberly said.

“Now that’s some old school detective work right there… Alright, I’ll take it with me. Let you know if I learn anything. And if anymore bodies turn up while I’m away I want you there. Remember, grab blood and hair samples if you find them. I’m entrusting you with this Kimberly. Don’t let me down.”

“I won’t!” Kimberly said determinedly.

Drew laughed. “Yeah, I know you won’t. Good job today.”

Drew went to go collect the coat button and then be on his own way. The drive home was only a few hours, so he’d surely be back in a day or so. Knowing this on his way to his car he had one final piece for Kimberly.

“Ms. McKnight, before I go…” Drew turned to face her. Scratching his head. “I know this will feel a little out of left field, but I hope you take this to heart.”

“What is it?”

“I saw a lot of death and destruction during the war. I saw rape, and death. Bodies burned by napalm and men bleeding out. At first it hits you like a truck—but then you start getting… a sense for these things.”

Kimberly stroked her chin and leaned up against the wall. “Like an intuition?”

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“Something like that..? No more of a sensation down your spine.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Sorry… it’s not easy to talk about those days. The point is—when we were in that church. Spinal shockwaves the whole time. So I urge you…” Drew opened his car and got in. “Keep your head on swivel. Never let down your guard. I’ve seen some shit in my day. Trust me… I can smell it all over this place.”

The grasshoppers chirped under the night sky. An aurora borealis resting on the horizon.

“I got you.”

Drew smiled and drove away. Kimberly rubbing her sweaty palms together as she watched him leave.

9:45 PM

The bugs were singing in under the night sky of the park. Frank sat on a bench waiting for a phenomenon that may never show. He kept checking his watch and tapping his toes.

Why am I even here?

The clouds grew thicker when suddenly *boom* a thunderous applause roared in the sky above. Then it started drizzle. Frank stood and it started to pour.

“God damnit Don…” Frank cursed the town drunk as he started jogging to escape the rain. “I’m about to be the shivering man at this rate!”

Frank was almost off the property and back to his squad car when he heard a massive scream! It was being drowned out by the rain, but Frank was sure he knew where it came from. Was that Molly Mildred’s house!? He thought. Knowing her from back in high school. He ran out of the park as quickly as he could, drenched and soaked. Across the street and at the doorstep of his old school friend.

*Knock—Knock—Knock!* He banged heavily on the door.

“Molly are you in there!?” Frank yelled as he pressed his ear against the door. “Molly! It’s Frank Houseworth!” He heard glass crashing breaking.

“I’m coming in!” He yelled as he pulled his firearm and kicked the door. Pulling his groin a bit. Cursing god as he regained his composure. And then suddenly the porch light came on, and the door opened… Frank’s eyes lit up. “Oh thank god.” He chuckled.

“Yes…” Molly said. Her face covered in darkness.

“Good thing you’re okay. I’m not in the same shape I used to be!” He said trying to lighten up the mood a bit. “You are okay right?”

“Yes.”

Frank still smiling, was starting to feel a little weirded out. He’d known Molly for years, but she was being incredibly short with him. Giving him the cold shoulder. But he figured you know it’s late. I’m probably bothering her but still…

“Well I’m glad you’re okay. But you were screaming, what was that about?”

Molly’s head slowly turned on its axis to look back into the house. She then incredibly slowly rotated her neck back to face Frank. “I saw a mouse…”

“A mouse? Huh… okay.” Frank put his hands on his hips. He never knew Molly to ever get freaked by something like that. But he shrugged it off. She was standing before him so that was good enough for him. And waved goodbye and turned to leave saying “Well alrighty then. Have a good night.”

“You too…” She said as he started walking down the steps to leave. “It was nice to meet you…” She then said, shutting the door behind him and his eyes widened, jaw dropped. He was stuck in a space time hearing that.

“…”

It was “nice to meet me?” Those words echoing in his mind. He looked back towards the closed door behind him and felt a sense of unease. Small Pines… something is starting to be really weird about this town—I… I can’t quite explain it but…