Cremation has long been preferred in Lawton. There is an old saying in town that for the departed to rest, we must cut the threads that keep them tethered to the mortal world. Residents of Lawton practice cremation because they believe that burning the mortal bodies of their loved ones will give their souls the freedom to move on.

This practice is also rooted in fear. Many are afraid that the dead will come back, and if they do, they will come back wrong. There are stories about people coming back from the dead, but they were no longer who they once were when they were alive. Of course, these are just stories they tell the children to scare them.

Matt Franco believes these stories to be true, however, and it makes his visits to the cemetery even more exciting. A blanket of cold air has come down tonight once again. Walking through the poorly lit cemetery is already difficult so he hopes that the fog will not grow worse. Even so, Matt is already so familiar with the place that he can reach his destination blindfolded. From a distance, the booming noises and light displays coming from the school are a stark contrast to the peaceful, almost eerie silence on this side of the wall. It would seem the year-starter party for Lawton High School has begun.

There is a yearly gathering of students on the last weekend before the new school year begins in celebration. They always say that the year’s party is going to be the best, and everyone is going to talk about it for the rest of the year. No one dares miss it, or they risk feeling left out of all the fun.

Of course, Matt has never been to one.

It would not be smart to show up. He has been tempted to sneak a peek every now and again, just to see what actually happens there, but even if just one person recognizes him and alerts others of his presence, it is not going to end well for him.

Staying on this side of the wall is better for him. The bitter cold and the darkness do not frighten him as much, and Lawton Cemetery had always been his refuge when things get too difficult for him at school. He has his own rituals for starting a school year anyway, and this is something he would not want to miss out on.

On the last weekend of the summer, the one before the new school year began, Matt would go to the cemetery to light a few candles for the tombstones of his father, mother, grandmother, and the rest of the family.

The Franco Mausoleum sits at the heart of Lawton Cemetery. It is big enough to be noticeable even from a distance. They say it is one of the oldest crypts in town if not the first one to be built. That only tells Matt that the first resident of Lawton to have passed away was a Franco. The Franco family is known for dying at an early age and it is a superstition that has been embedded in the town. They are known for a lot of other things in town too, both good and bad. Some are very bad.

It is a hilarious notion until they call it a curse. It does not help that there are only a few family members who were able to live past the age of fifty. One of the lucky ones was Matt’s late lola Consuelo, but it should be noted that she married into the family, and her husband, lolo Enrico, only almost made the cut when he joined the family in the crypts at the age of forty-eight.

Matt has high hopes that he will not have their luck, but if he braves to take a step to see what is on the other side of the wall, then this family curse might kick into gear and take him.

For now, the candles have been lit, one for every member of the family whose names were engraved on the walls. Matt sat in silence on the marble and stone floors of the family mausoleum, thinking of just how much he misses his parents and grandmother. It may be too early since he is only fifteen, but sometimes he wonders if things would be easier if he joined them now. Just a passing thought.

Three unruly knocks on the wooden door woke Matt back up as he was drifting off to sleep. It was only half past eight, and that means Morgan has arrived early. Very surprising.

"Who are you, and what have you done to Morgan Angeles?" Matt opened the door with just a gap to peek at a gangly young man who stood tall outside on the steps. The young man pushed his way in as soon as he saw Matt appear in the gap, then snagged the can of cola Matt had just grabbed and opened. “Hey, there’s a few more of those in the back, and you shouldn’t be drinking that. That’s not good for your diet."

"As if you don’t have a fridge full of this in the back." Morgan gulped down the entire can before throwing it by the sofa, where he fell on his back to rest. He took off his running jacket to cool down, dripping sweat on the velvet sofa. "Soda is never good for anyone, but dang was that sugar good.”

"You’ve been sleeping in the bunk beds in the back room for years. The fridge you have a problem with?"

"Not at all!" Morgan’s breathing was heavy, still trying to catch his breath. "If I ever run away from home, I know a perfect place to hide out. Maybe even move in permanently."

"This is prime real estate. As your faux financial advisor, I must tell you that with a high school kid’s salary, well lack thereof, you can’t afford this place."

"That may be true, but I know the owner, and I think they’d be okay giving me a friend’s discount, considering I’m his one and only friend." They both chuckled, but Morgan sighed after. "With the way things are going at home, we really might need to move in here."

"That bad?" Matt picked up the sweaty jacket and threw a fresh towel at Morgan so he could dry himself up. Morgan nodded, washing away a sense of dread on his face with a smile. “Well, if it comes to it, your faux financial advisor slash realtor would be happy to negotiate with this crypt’s owner."

The Franco Family Mausoleum is a peculiar place. On the outside, it seems like a regular mausoleum, with gray stone pillars supporting the perimeter, stained-glass windows shining colorfully in the sun, and a full-sized marble statue of an angel holding a broken scythe, crumbling to the elements. But the creepy, haunted catacomb motif is left outside the large narra doors, and when entering, one would find a somewhat classy-looking apartment. The room was circular in design. At the center was a large ivory dish acting as a magnificent-looking pyre full with live embers, useful for the cold climate. Surrounding it in a semicircle was a white velvet sofa, positioned to face the large television screen at the far center. On one archway was a hall leading to the other rooms. One door opens to the kitchen, and another one opens to a fully furnished bedroom complete with a desk, closet, and bunk bed. The last door leads to the bathroom. A shower and a bathtub could be found inside, complete with an assortment of scented soaps and candles. Looking closely, the walls at the main hall are actually tombstones of family members, their names engraved on it.

"Get up and go shower, Matt ordered just as Morgan was dozing off himself. "Hot water’s back and running again."

"Finally! Took ‘em the entire summer." He yawned, obviously not planning to rise from his resting position. "I’ll wash up later."

"Go, now! Get freshened up and change into something nice," Matt said again and again, this time pulling Morgan’s arm out in an attempt to drag him until Morgan pulled himself up and shot a look. "I’m not planning anything," Matt muttered.

"No!" Morgan said, sternly and making himself heavier.

"But you already said yes yesterday."

"I don’t think so. You really need to lay off from too much sugar in your drinks." Morgan protested, then fell back to rest on the sofa.

Matt caught one of the shoes sent flying his way, and it was reeking as bad as if it had been left outside for days. “Fine, it may have been a dream. But it counts. It should count because I already told your teammates you were going to be there."

"You talked to them?" Morgan had a look of absolute disbelief. Matt talked to other people?

"’Course not. I don’t have a death wish. I sent them a text using a new number, said I was you, and that I'll see them at the party. No questions asked. I mean, you are their new team captain. Which is awesome. You are not even a senior yet, but everyone voted for you, barring a few whose opinions are unimportant. Everyone’s going to expect you to be at that party. You deserve it."

“Have I said lay off the sugar yet?”

Matt knows it will take a while to convince Morgan to go, but he is already lost in deep thought. All Matt needs to do is deliver the final strike. "And she is gonna be there. Rumor has it she dumped Cedrick even before summer break. Who knows, she might be open for a talk, maybe even a drink."

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"When have you ever believed in rumors?" Morgan said, a small grin appearing on his face. Her name was not even mentioned yet, but Matt could already see Morgan’s interest solidifying.

"Aside from becoming captain ball... yeah, it’d be really nice to get to talk to her without getting snotty looks from her friends."

"I heard that Kira’s always attending these parties."

Morgan sprang up from the sofa and sighed, but then started stretching. "There’s hot water now, right?" He threw a towel over his shoulder. "We should be there in about half an hour."

"Hot water’s running!" Matt exclaimed. "If they have pizza, bring me a slice or two, if-when you decide to return. Get the ones with pineapples and not bell peppers, please. Oh and don’t forget to take your insulin before you leave. We can’t have you passing out if in case you accidentally drink spiked punch," Matt said. Morgan gave him a look that spelled out the question, 'You’re not going?’. "You look surprised. You know I don’t belong there."

"It’s been years, Matt. I don’t think they’d care."

"Do you even hear yourself?" Matt scoffed and then laughed a little. "You talk like you weren’t there just before summer break when I opened my locker only to find it filled with rotten eggs. It still stinks when I open it. I should probably have left the locker open over the summer."

Matt was just about to open his console, ready to start a game, when Morgan stepped in and almost destroyed the on switch with how hard he pressed. They stared at each other, neither backing down.

"I don’t belong there!" Matt said without a hint of frustration. It is just a truth that he had accepted a long time ago. There is no way anyone would welcome his presence there. "I belong here. Here, I am king." Claiming a kingdom over a graveyard did not sound as creepy in his head. "My subjects here love me. They never talk bad about me. No complaints. No judgments. I don’t get any praises either, but I can’t really blame them for that." Morgan squinted his eyes at him as he usually does when it comes to Matt’s grim humor. "Coz they can’t talk, they’re dead," he chuckled. "You get what I mean. Now go shower, get ready, go cross over to the land of the living, and go party."

"Can you at least send me off by the gates before feeding me to the wolves?" Morgan started doing his puppy dog eyes that is effective on his father. It never works on Matt. "I’ll bring back a box of pineapple pizza if you do." The puppy-dog eyes would not have worked, but bribing him with food always will.

The thunderous music grew louder as they got closer to the walls. Matt prepared his copy of the keys to the gate, but it was already open, to his surprise.

Matt would have stopped right there at the gates, but Morgan insisted and dangled the perfect bait. If he waits for just a little while, Morgan will get him a box of pizza he can bring back to the crypts. The party was already in full swing by the time they arrived, and the music was so loud that Matt’s heart was trying desperately to catch up to its beat. It was too dark and chaotic so it is possible no one is going to notice him anyway. Still, Matt does not want to risk it.

"’Kay, this is as far as I go," Matt shouted, but Morgan still had difficulty hearing him. It was dark inside, with only the strobe lights flashing on everyone’s faces. Seeing the number of people that have gathered made Matt panic a little. He may no longer want the pizza after all.

"Stick around, even for just a while!" Morgan shouted into his ear.

"And risk turning this party into a witch hunt? I’ll pass."

"If you try talking to some of them, you’d probably make some new friends," Morgan said, though even he himself did not believe a word he just said.

"We’re teenagers. Mental and emotional maturity are not our strongest qualities. For most of us, it is a slow slow progress," Matt put on his hoodie as he led them inside, at least making himself even more unnoticeable under the blinking lights. He stopped himself before he gets further inside. "You should go. Mingle with people." Matt can sense the hesitation in Morgan. "Stop worrying, okay. You’re not like me. They actually like having you around. And if you don’t like it here anymore, you know where I’ll be. Just give me a call, you know I always got your back."

"And yet you’re leaving me here," Morgan grunted.

"It’s a metaphorical back, Morgan," Matt snapped back, pushing his friend into the crowd.

Many were quick to notice Morgan after he stumbled his way into the crowd. People were quick to come up to him to say hello and have a chat. It seems word of his getting the position of team captain has spread, and many are extending their hands to congratulate him.

Matt stood there in longing, watching his best friend appear normal. If only he could be like that with other people but he knows that is never going to happen and that he should go and get out of here. His feet were frozen though and they would not start moving. This is the first time he was able to come to a party like this, and maybe he really needed to know what he was missing out on.

"Well, well, well…" Matt felt an arm wrapping around his neck, gripping tightly. A neon orange jacket came into view, and the strobe lights only made it shine more. "If it isn’t my favorite creepy graveyard child. Decided to check out what’s on the other side of your wall? Cedric Suico spit out the gum he was chewing on and stuck it on Matt’s forehead, chuckling like a monkey afterwards. "On behalf of everyone in this party, we give you this gift of used gum as a symbol of how much we appreciate your presence."

Regret filled Matt for not leaving right away. Other than the queen bitch Sara Gutierrez, Cedric Suico is another person whose absence over the summer he enjoyed. "Just wanted to go out for a change. How about you? Do you plan to appear in fewer remedial classes this school year? You know, for a change. I heard you were the star pupil of this batch. And by star, I am sure they meant the one who needed the most help, right?"

"Are you saying I am stupid?" Cedric tightened his muscular arm around Matt, grinning.

"’Course not," Matt sprang up, trying to breathe in more air. "Stupid is what we call those who failed trigonometry twice. You only failed it three times so you are definitely not just stupid."

Cedric released Matt from his grip only so he could have a better aim for his right hook. All Matt could do was close his eyes and wait to be transported to the dream world.

"Here you are. Got you orange juice." Said a sweet voice. Matt opened his eyes and saw young woman had taken hold of Cedric’s arm. Kira Lauzon placed a cup in his hand before sneaking Matt an assuring look. "Your sister is looking for you and Sara. I thought those two spent the afternoon together to get their hair done, but apparently, Sara didn’t show. Can you check on her?" It was clearly an order for Cedric to walk away. He was about to protest, since he is not yet done playing with his chew toy, but Kira’s eyes were commanding. Cedric left without saying another word.

"Sorry about that," she said, turning to Matt. The smile on her face gave her an amazing glow. If Morgan were here to see this, he would surely be crumbling to his knees.

"Oh! it’s okay!" Matt responded, at a loss for words.

"I’m glad to see you here. I think this is the first time I’ve seen you at any party at all."

"And it will remain that way."

“You don’t like the vibe?”

“I guess it’s more alive than what I am used to.”

Kira laughed as if this is not the first time for years that they spoke to each other. "Is it just you? Where's uh, Morgan? Don’t you two usually come together?" She seemed very interested, although that is how Kira usually appears, which is why a lot of people like her. It is a shame her kindness is buried behind her best friends’ hideous personalities.

"He’s with… friends. I think… I ah... yeah he… there."

Matt’s nerves was drowning him. Talking to Kira Lauzon is one of the things that scares him the most about going to this party, more than bumping into Sara or Cedric. He always felt like he should not be allowed to talk to her. It’s a mystery how kind she is to him as well.

"My grandpa was asking about you the other day," Kira opened, and the conversation went farther than Matt would have wanted. If he had gotten his way, he would have sprinted away as soon as she said hello. Matt always felt awkward around her. They used to be very close, but that was a very long time ago. Under different circumstances, they could have probably remained friends, but after what happened that night...

Kira fell silent, out of topics to talk about. Her lack of words was more deafening than the noise from the party. Matt assumes that the reason why they no longer speak to each other caught up to her. He excused himself before the awkwardness could inject more doses of reality into him. What was he thinking staying around in the first place? That was a big mistake on its own. Talking to Kira? That’s nuclear.

The music behind him started to fade, not only because he was quick on his feet but also because the voice of guilt inside his head had begun to drown out all else. The air in his lungs felt inadequate, and his heart was beating much faster.

Of all days, this was one of the worst to bump into Kira Lauzon.

Matt kept his mind on the mausoleum. The night is still young, and there are more things to do once he gets back to his safe space.

The fog had enveloped him without him noticing; he was lost deep in his thoughts, in guilt. This was not unusual for Lawton, especially here at the cemetery close by the woods, but this time, even Matt would agree that the fog was too thick. He always bragged about being able to walk through the cemetery even with blindfolded, but this time he is lost. He cannot even figure out which direction he came from.

Matt could feel it. Eyes were on him, watching intently. He froze for a moment—this is the first in a very long time that he felt afraid. The fear most others would feel if they found themselves standing alone in a cemetery in the middle of the night. It is just his mind playing tricks on him, he told himself but the more he tried to rationalize it, the more Matt believed that he was not wrong.

Someone was watching him and he can feel it. It was almost a paralyzing glare staring down on him, and the sensation was growing stronger, creeping up on his back.

A sudden rustling of the grass beneath him sent him on alert that he bolted running into the darkness. The outline of the mausoleum’s roof came into view little by little, and Matt gathered all the might he has in his body to make his legs run faster than they have ever done before. There is no stopping, but he slipped chest first just as he went up the steps of the mausoleum. His left hand ended in what felt like thick, gooey liquid. Matt got back up on his feet and examined the red substance. It smelled strongly of something Matt is very familiar with.

"Why is there… this is blood... Hu... man blood."

There was too much on the floor, and if he was not clumsy enough to trip on the steps, Matt would have slipped on the pool of blood that formed by the entrance. There was no need to ask where it was coming from when he noticed a body slumped against the feet of the angel statue.

That person would not have survived losing this much blood, but what sealed the deal for Matt to confirm that the person is dead is the absence of the person’s head.

"Huh... well… I guess this is it then…" Matt stood frozen, contemplating what to do next, and if he would even have the chance to do anything. A haunting wolf-like howl echoed from the darkness, sending Matt sprinting back to the school.