Henry Wells finally found a fresh start. He had to leave everything behind however. It was sad but he couldn't exactly be that person any longer, constantly hounded by the media, the allegations against him, and always needing to look over his shoulder. The small town of Granite, Virginia, was wonderfully positioned at being away from it all, which Henry greatly admired. Walking down the street he found a piece of history he had never even heard of, some small town legend that the citizens of Granite were obsessed with.. He will have to rectify this as soon as possible for he was starting his new job soon at the only middle school within a thousand miles.
A group of little girls soon passed him, and as they did they were singing. He gave a lingering gaze at them as his brain transcribed their daunting words. “The gallow man, the gallow man, watch your necks or you will see, the gallow man, the gallow man, if you are good, then you won't fear, the gallow man, the gallow man.” That was a strange song to be sung by children in such an upbeat manner, but then again many children's songs were like that, for instance, the infamous, Ring around the Rosie, rhythm was about dying from the black plague. But what exactly was the Gallow Man, a boogie man to scare kids to behave? Whatever it was, he felt obligated to know about it.
Being a history teacher, he always tried to be lively and fun. He wanted his students to fall in love with the past as he did. There was so much richness to be found in it, they just needed a guiding hand. But unfortunately his first day was troublesome. Never before would he actually think that he would ever become rusty at his passion, but enough time away would crumble any finely chiseled stone, without a little upkeep.
He gulped instinctually as his eyes swept the classroom taking in every youthful face that was staring back at him. “My name is Mr. Ric- im mean Wells, Mr. Wells. “He stubbled screwing up, almost revealing something that he shouldn't, not to anyone. He smiled dumbly “Sorry, first day jitters” this got a few snickers from the crowd of bright eyed children before him. “Now” Mr. Wells said, pacing around the classroom, walking up and down the rows of desks. Hoping to get a better look at each one of his students. “ I'm not just brand new to this school but your lovely town as well. And I'm quite intrigued with your town's history. From what I've seen this town was occupied by confederate soldiers. but I'm perplexed, why aren't there any here now?”
“Didn't you hear the war is over. And I'm sorry to say but the confederates lost, sorry.” a dark haired girl said across the room. Many began to giggle at her snarky words.
Henry turned towards her and flashed a bright smile at her and held it there. “Oh my I had no idea. and I was just about to join the war too." This was it, like an old machine being turned on again he began to feel himself improving, growing faster, becoming his old self again. “ But I don't understand how this town could have been taken? He walked over to the little girl who made a humorous comment. He leaned slightly down catching her attention “do you know…. Abby?” he said, narrowing his eyes and still keeping a large grin across his face.
Abby looked up at her teacher with surprise. His eyes were like piercing javelins, and that large grin was a bit startling too, especially so close to her. It sent shivers up her back. “Um a large force of Union soldiers?” she asked, not quite confident with her answer. “They invaded…” Mr. Wells back straightened and announced to the classroom with a finger to the air, “ yes and no. The union soldiers certainly had a large force, but it wasn't that they overran the confederate, they surrounded the town and laid siege to it." He walked around Abby, lingering, like a ravenous shark circling a guppy. Eventually he slowly returned to the front “ But after the war this place was left in ruin. It was barely a town, many turned to crime to get by. Robbing whatever travelers may be traveling by.”
“Until the Gallow man showed up.” a student’s voice interrupted. It happened so suddenly that it made Henry stutter a moment. It was that name again, the Gallow man. Henry turned around to look at who said that. It came from a young blonde haired girl in the back of the room.
“The gallow man…” he said. “And who is that?”
“ You seriously don't know. It's like this town's mascot. I'm shocked you didn't do your homework.” a young boy chimed in. Henry narrowed his eyes. His tone was abysmal, and could certainly do without. At least he now knew who to fail.
His attention turned back to the young lady, who seemed absolutely eager to share her knowledge. He smiled. And asked her to explain the significance of this man. “He was the town's executioner.” she said, her voice a little scratchy, from the nervousness she felt. Emily didn't mean to interrupt Mr. Wells, it was more out of impulse rather than want. And now she would have to teach him. “ and… later a serial killer.”
Fascinating. It reminded him of Salem, Massachusetts, where the town thrills its visitor upon their dark past. It's strange though. He knew of Granite for its legendary siege that lasted an entire week with only a few sacks of potatoes and small box of ammunition, but he had never heard of this boogeyman before. When the bell rang, and everyone began to make their way towards their next class Henry stopped Emily. He needed to know more about this Gallow man. As she went in with great detail, passionately described the good and bad deeds he had committed. She had let slip there was a museum for him across town that sounded intriguing. “Well thank you for your insight, Emily.” he said, smiling deeply again, before he allowed her to carry on with her day.
Trying to sleep, Henry found he could not, he turned in his covers like he was wrapped in a wet towel. After so long he inevitably withdrew himself from the bed, deciding to browse the internet instead. He got on message boards, sent a few, and replied to others. He wondered why he couldn't sleep? Well… he knew why he couldn't sleep. It was Gracie, ever since he spoke with Emily, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Images of her out at recess, running around, filled his mind. He tsked, he no longer had anything of hers, or of his old life, which he was regretting right now. He wished he had one lock of hair at least, but that was the first to be burnt.
Emily was twelve and from what Henry found from her test scores she was quite intelligent, nimbally studying what he taught her. There was something else there too, a physical likeness that stole his attention. Perhaps it was how tiny she was, or how pale her skin was, and her magnificent hair was the same shade as Gracie. He couldn't help but steal glances at her face. He turned around and faced the dry erase board. Henry bit his lip uncomfortably as he began to write down the topic of discussion. He needed to control himself, not now. If he began to cause trouble so soon it could prove disastrous. Right now he could already feel someone watching him, an outsider. Right now he needs to lay low and fade into obscurity, for now… but he cant help to feel the struggle. When he finally turned around he caught a glimpse of something through the blur. A loop.
The gallow man, the gallow man!” they sang, everywhere Henry went. The children became a chorus. In the halls their sweet voices echoed “the heavy hearted dropped the fastest off killer's noose!” It was a bit chilling to Henry. Once two young girls passed him, and they too were singing the daunting Gallow man’s lullaby. “for if you are all alone, for if you are crowded. You won't be heard for the noose around your throat.” Henry stopped and waited for them to pass, he scratched at the back of his neck. A bug bite he could only assume.
Henry turned around, after he had finished writing on the bleached white board. “ Ok everyone. I've noticed that you all are a bit obsessed with the Gallow man. So I thought it would be prudent for us to hold a field trip to the museum, so we may better understand this… fascination with him.” Henry began to despise this lunatic. At first it was thrilling to learn about this man but after the novelty of it all faded, he started to see it for what it was, a waste of brain cells. He could never understand why someone would look at serial killers as if they were godley figures. He continued to speak as he went from each row of students and handed each one on the end papers. “Please have your parents fill these out and return to me before the leave date.”
Everyone seemed in high spirits for the event, including young Emily, who had a massive grin upon her face. Mr. Wells had noticed she had been positioning a field trip for months now, and if he let it slip that it was he who ultimately pushed this event through, well then she would surely look at him as her favorite teacher, and as well, do whatever he would ask of her.
Later that night, Henry heard a sudden bang against wood. Henry first paused, not sure what that sound was at first. He then heard a second, which made him finally switch his tv off. Then there was a third. He finally realized it was coming from his door. This confused him, as he had a doorbell, so knocks weren't exactly common, especially one single knock, repeated in paused introvals. The knocking soon became faster and more high strang, when he was heading for the door.
He looked through his peep hole and what he saw was a woman, who seemed to be in a panic. He quickly opened the door, leaving the chain lock on. But when he peered out into the cracked opening, he saw nothing. Shocked, he quickly unlatched the chain to stare straight out into the night.
The girl reapred at the edge of his lawn. Now by seeing her full body, she looked strange, not just that she seemed to glow as everything around her was draped in darkness. But she wore a dress that looked vintage, as if she came from some kind or reenactment. Henry against better judgement stepped out onto the front steps of his house, swearing to himself not to step any further. Not until he knew what was going on.
She looked around, paranoid as if some invisible monster was after her. Before Henry could even speak she asked him a question. In a very panicked and hushed voice she asked him “ Did you see it?”
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“What?” Henry said instinctually. Her eyes were nervous, and she frantically looked around, only for her to lock eyes with him again. “The rope… th- the rope MAN.” her voice suddenly became shrill speaking of him. “What was that?” she gulped, at the nothingness around her.
The rope man? The only thing he could compare this name to was the gallow man. Were they the same? Was she speaking about him, a man that had been dead for over a century? But why was this woman speaking to him like this? Henry observed his surroundings, wondering if there was anyone else around. For all he knew this could be some kind of reenactment, but why so late. And this woman's worry felt almost real. She could just be an excellent actor, he supposed. Pretty soon the women worriedly hurry away. Curiosity getting the better of him he heard after her. There was a need to know what she was talking about. He watched her turn a corner, and as soon as he followed suit his eyes grew wide like two twin full moons. As she saw her suddenly swinging from a rope, her neck was broken.
Henry’s mouth fell open as he took two shaky steps back. The sound from the rope stretching, tightening around the unknown woman's neck. What was this? he thought. This felt terribly like he wasn't supposed to see this. He wanted to back away, but his legs felt stuck to the sidewalk, as if the cement was made of glue. Soon panic and fear bleed through him like a rushing river. Henry could see something just out of reach from the casting light of the street lamp that the poor woman was dangling limply from, like a twisted Christmas ornament. Henry could only make out an outline of the large monster, leaving details a skew within darkness.
A deep silence occupied the heavy air between them. The only thing audible was the ponding of Henry’s heart against his own ears. He somehow managed to say “what is this?”
The very being only watched him for a time before, raising a gloved hand, piercing the light, and pointing over at Henry. “Guilty.” is all it said.
Henry was so troubled by this act of judgement that he stumbled and fell back. He quickly rose up, afraid that the unholy thing in the shadows would be right on top of him now that he was defenseless. But when he raised his head to watch the shadowy figure finally depart from his beloved darkness, to come for him, but he did not, in fact… everything was gone, vanished like it was just some disturbed person’s nightmare.
Henry gulped, and stared haired at the street lamp. The body of the woman was no longer hanging like a pseudo angel rising to heaven. He wanted to examine the area, believing something was left behind,some proof that would prove he wasn't crazy, but decided not to and rushed back to the safety of his home.
When they finally made it to the museum it was a taxing experience. He was plagued by more of those hallucinations, drifting in and out of his reality every night. It was like he was in a constant state of dreaming. After the first one showed him the disturbing image of the women’s death. He refused to follow them. But it became quite hard to ignore them as each night they viciously banged at his door and random. None of that matters however. Henry and the oher attendants had left the bus and they watched for all of the bright eyed students to get off as well. His eyes lingered on Emily and her beautiful blonde hair. At least he would soon have what he wants.
The museum was positioned right next to the court house, whether that was intentional or not Henry didn't know, but one thing was for sure, this town was made for tourists. Just like the Mothman statue of Point pleasant. This museum had a statue as well right before the steps of the entrance laid a giant holding down an actual noose just low enough that someone could stick their head through it. While walking up he held a sour face as he watched a group of tourists taking pictures with it.
The inside was very open. The display room had no walls and a high ceiling. With only a few openings along the walls, everything else was chock full of things once owned by one man. As soon as Henry walked in, the most eye-catching display was of the entire gallow platform in the center of the room. It was sectioned off by a red velvet rope, but Henry could tell everything was there. the stairs, the trap door, and even a noose was hanging solemnly from its beam. Neurons fired in his brain as he took in the lonesome rope, stagnant in the air. Sure this place may be dedicated to a glorified monster but he couldn't help but see how well preserved everything was, it was like he just stepped back in time.
“And here we have Ed Slott's actual work station.” Henry turned to look and noticed a woman leading a tour. “ This very platform was where over 50 people were put to death by hanging.” she said, her eyes focusing on him as he joined the tour. She smiled.“In fact that trap door was never used in all the time that Ed was an executioner. He preferred to use his mighty bulk to slowly raise the criminal off his feet, by the end of the rope.” The tour guide soon led the group across the room to display cases holding note worthy objects. One had an old leather hood, worn and discolored due to age. And the next was an old stuffed toy. “The Gallow man was however a simpulan, due to his gigantism disorder, it made his cognitive functions slower than most, leaving him more child than adult.” Henry looked over at the photos, All of them in black and white. One of them was truly eye-catching. It was of a very large being casting a shadow over small children who huddled around him like he was a tall tree. Henry couldn't help but return to that first hallucination, with the frightened women slowly twisting in the air, while the killer behind her pointed at him. He batted that thought away, all that was some kind of dream, or the horrible stress he was under. None of it was real!
When the tour guide began to give out the fact of why he began his killing spree, a frightful chill ran over Henry. it was bitter and snuck up on him. It was like he just walked under an air vent blasting fridge air right at him, but upon looking up he found that wasn't the case. Soon he began to feel like someone was watching him. His eyes quickly turned toward the gallow stage, at which he saw nothing, nor did anyone else seem to be looking in his direction.
After the tour's concussion, ending it next to the gift shop, with a mannequin of Ed “the Gallow man” Slotts outside of it. The manquinne’s eyes were dead, underneath the dark executioner's hood. Henry had to stare up at the behemoth, for he was nearly seven foot tall. If there was any word that would best fit a monster like this it would be intimidating. A sudden tap on his shoulder caused him to quickly twist around surprised.
“Woah! Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” she said. It was the tour guild, “ I couldn't help but notice your interest in our beloved serial killer. Out of everyone you seemed the most wide eyed.” The woman seemed bubbly, like she’s been doing this alot, and she even looked quite cute to most people. “If you have any questions, or anything, please feel free to ask.” she smiled.
“ Yes, I do have a question.. So did he actually only use a noose? It seemed a bit ineffective than say a knife or gun.”
“Oh heavens no, the noose was very deadly with someone like Ed.” She pulled him over to a red wall of photographs. One that she pointed out was of the Gallow man in all his ominous splendor. His shapeless black face was like a vortex, trapping any light inside, but I drew Henry’s attention all the same. “Ed Slotts used his large frame to hoist his victims off the ground, like he was carrying a large sack across his back, and then he slowly strangled them.” Emily said. The sweet, energetic voice made what she said even more off putting, it was like a lecture from a deranged sadist, happy but in a twisted way. “Then he would string the bodies all over town.”
The children seemed to be enjoying themselves which was good. The class began to pile in the bus as he took in the scenery. He heard a small voice approach him. “Miss Riley wanted me to tell you that everyone is seated.” Emily said with an apparent nervous voice. He didn't quite like Mr. Wells, he always seemed to stare at him with deep dark eyes and alway in her space for way too long, and that smile. It always felt weird to her.
Henry turned around with a beaming smile. “ good. I'm glad they’re all settled. Thank you for telling me. I hope you had fun. You know it was me that pushed for this field trip for you.”
“Really?” she said, she noticeably looked calmer as she looked up at Mr. Wells
“Oh yes, you work extra hard in class, and always pay attention, so I wanted to give you a little treat.” he winked. “Oh and tomorrow I would love to chat with you, one on one, with no distractions so we can both discuss what we learned here.”
“Sure.” She smiled, the fuzzy feeling of giddiness filling her. Perhaps she misjudged him, maybe he was actually a nice teacher after all. And her parents did always tell her to be a good girl at school and to listen to the teachers.
As the bell rang and everyone funneled out of the classroom. It was finally Henry’s free period and this would be the best time during the day for the two of them to be alone. Now he just needed her to come through the door. Only she didn't. After the second bell ran, he wondered where she had gotten too. He was clear in telling her to come to his room immediately during the start of the third period. So where was she? Soon he became restless, and a frown began to grow along the edges of his face. She must have forgotten. But now that he couldn't exactly pull her from class, that would be too risky. He turned around away from the door only to lock eyes with Emily, outside of the school. She looked at him emotionless. “Emily.” he waved and beckoned her back inside.
She however stayed stagnant and watched him from afar. Henry must have grown impatient and took a step toward her forgetting there was now a glass window separating the two. That made her run off out of sight. Henry’s eyes grew wide and chased after her, but when he made it outside he had found that it was no longer daylight, it was now looked as if it had been night for hours, he looked back to see the school was nowhere to be found, replaced by the very museum they had just visited. Emily popped out from behind the tourist statue. “Emily!” He shouted for her again, and ran full speed towards young Emily, only for her to flee into the gallow man museum. He bolted after her yelling for her name. and flung the double doors open, in no concern with why the doors weren't even locked this late in the night.
As soon as he entered, a powerful beam lit up the stage in the center of the vast room. It blinded Henry, which caused him to wince. And shield his eyes. Then the next thing he knew something was being fastened tightly around his throat. He looked to see that he was now on stage, on the wooden platform of the gallows. He finally noticed to his right was a giant with a shadowy face holding the other end of the rope. “What is this?” he said with a shrill voice but the man did not respond. Henry tried to remove the rope and rush off stage, but the gallow man began to slowly pull the rope downward, slowly hoisting him off the stage.
the noose began to tear into his skin like it was made from razor blades. He yanked at the rope, and tried to cut through it with his fingernails. But to no avail, his feet soon became airborne. He wasn't even able to call out to anyone. He could see himself slowly slipping away and gazing out into a dark museum, something soon lit up. It was children. Many of them all emanated like angels. Emily was there, and Bridget, Chrissy, and even Gracie. All of them watched him as he reached for them, hoping one would help him but none of them did. Were they actually here or was this merely an illusion, he didn't know.
The next morning. The curator opened up the museum to get it ready for today's festivities, but as soon as she switched on the lights. Her eyes focused to see the art work proudly on display hanging just above the withered old stage. She smiled, “Caught another one I see.” Her voice was calm, even cheerful in a way, as if she was speaking with her dog. “Let's get him down, we have more visitors to teach and entertain today.”