Chapter Six
Xavier briefly looked up at the clock on the wall hanging over the fireplace. Apparently, he and Nevaeh had been talking for three hours, and those hours were spent just reviewing the police facts. His head was starting to pound were he had hit it three hours earlier out on the street. This was not turning out to be the best afternoon for him.
“Okay, so let me get some of the basics down first. This girl had been dead for about a day or two. She was ripped apart, but she had did from strangulation.”
“Well, that’s what we think. The throat wasn’t in the best condition.” Nevaeh sighed.
“Okay, so we believe she was strangled to death before she was ripped apart. All those brutal things he did to her he did to her after death. The DNA lifted from the semen had no records, but had some very weird mutations, and the claw we found was actually a giant fingernail.”
Nevaeh nodded and shook her head. “Yes. It’s a giant human fingernail. The Doc’s said whatever hand it came from must be huge.”
Xavier covered his mouth with a hand and shook his head. “This is just way to weird. I’ve seen a crap load of weird stuff before, but this tops the charts.”
“Yea, I’d have to agree with you there.” Nevaeh sighed as she sat back and absently scratched under her breast.
Xavier could virtually feel the blood transferring from his brain, the place where he needed it the most, to his dick. He shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. “I’m going to get a soda. You want something?”
Nevaeh thought a moment, then looked down at the ring of empty foam coffee drink cups and laughed. “Nah, I think I’ve had enough already.”
Xavier nodded and walked up to the counter. Marge was there, waiting behind the counter, smiling. “You want another coffee dear?”
“No thank you. I’d just like a iced tea please.” Xavier said and reached into his pants and pulled out his wallet. Looking inside it, he realized he was down to his last twenty.
He chuckled as he realized he hadn’t spent this much money on drinks since he was 19, a year before his transformation from being a complete nerd to being somewhat expectable. He had gotten drunk often, since that had been his only escape from his social ostracizing and the death of aunt Wilson. That had been the lowest point of his life, and he had to hold back a shudder as the memories came back.
“Is something funny dear?” Marge asked as she handed him his iced tea. She had her head tilted and the look in her eyes told Xavier that she would only drop the subject if he told her why he had laughed.
“No, it’s not really funny at all, just some memories I’d rather forget.” Xavier responded dully as he handed her three dollars. She took the money from his hand and put it in the cash register.
“That’s a shame dear. We only go around life once, so we should treasure our memories, not shun them.” She patted his head. “You also get only one chance at true love, so you better recognize when it comes knocking on your door.” She gave him and knowing look, and Xavier saw her eyes flicker to something behind him and then back to him.
“I know what you’re getting at Marge. I already know my future however. Women hate me for some reason. I don’t know if it’s my personality, my looks, I really don’t know. I already realize and expect that I will most likely die alone. If I’m lucky, I’ll have one friend beside me when I do go.” Xavier turned his back to Marge and the counter, iced tea in hand. “Besides…she’s way outta my league.” With that, he walked back to the table he was sharing with Nevaeh, not waiting for Marge’s reply.
Nevaeh gave him a questioningly look as he sat back down at the table. “Sorry if that took a while. Marge really can be a talkative person.” He explained, smiling weakly.
Nevaeh laughed. “Yes, I know that. I’ve known that since I was 6 years old. However, I think being overly talkative is what gives Aunt Marge her charm. She always tries to give you advice that she thinks will make you happy. At least she cares enough about people to try and help them, unlike a lot of people in this city.”
Xavier opened up his iced tea and took a sip. “Amen to that. To other people, other people are just welcome mats they can step on and wipe the grime off on. It is nice to find kind people once in a while.”
Nevaeh nodded, and then sighed. “As much as I’d like to keep talking about this, we need to get back to brainstorming, and it’s your turn to tell me what you managed to dig up.”
Xavier sighed. He knew she was right, but he felt kinda silly. Here was an actual murder, and he was doing research on fictional monsters. “Just before I begin, did you guys ever find out what the writing on the wall was?”
Nevaeh nodded. “Yes, it was Vietnamese. It said “Ong ba bi”. Does that ring a bell to you?”
Xavier pulled out his notepad and looked through his findings. “Yes, that does ring a bell. In North Vietnam, there is a monster that goes by Ong ba bi. It translates into “Mister Three Bags”. It’s a legend to scare children into behaving.” Xavier tapped his chin. “So this killer wrote Ong ba bi on the wall of the murder scene. That brings two suspicions to mind. The first one is that this killer is a native to North Vietnam, since the stories of Ong ba Bi aren’t exactly common knowledge. My second suspicion…” Xavier covered his upper part of his face with his hands and sighed again, “…Is that our killer will be targeting children.”
For a few moments, nothing seemed to stir. Nevaeh stared quietly at Xavier, eyes wide in fear and anger, and Xavier stared back at her, his eyes full of sorrow and knowing. Xavier knew they were probably thinking the same thing, just with different emotions.
Finally, Nevaeh broke the silence. “Why do you think that this killer will target children?” He could tell there was a bit of hope in her voice that Xavier was guessing wildly, and he had no proof to back up his claims.
“Well…unfortunately, Ong ba bi is the Vietnam version of the monster in the closet we in America know about. It only goes after children.” Xavier sighed as he finished the sentence. He hated giving bad news to people. It wasn’t that he himself liked the news any better then Nevaeh, but now he was certain that he made her day worse by suggesting that, and he really didn’t want to do that.
Nevaeh nodded sullenly and looked down at the papers strewn on the table. She didn’t bother looking up for a few minutes. Xavier’s guilt rose even higher because of this. The ticking of a clock up on the wall counted of the seconds and minutes that a maniac child killer was still loose and not safely behind bars.
Finally, Nevaeh looked up. Xavier could see a few tears running down her cheeks. “We aren’t going to be able to catch this guy before his next victim, are we?” she asked glumly.
Xavier offered her a napkin. “Maybe, maybe not. You can’t think about that. Right now, you need to warn the public, and put as much resources as you can into finding this son of a bitch. It’s going to be tough, but I have faith in you Nevaeh. I think you can catch this maniac and put him in jail for life.” Xavier nodded.
Nevaeh laughed and took the napkin, wiping away the tears. “Very good Xav, very Epic indeed. If this were a movie, my eyes would be watering and saying “Oh Xavier, kiss me!” She laughed lightly, closing her eyes with the laugh.
“You’re blushing.” Xavier pointed out.
Nevaeh’s eyes snapped open. She quickly turned so that she was facing sideways to Xavier and quickly started brushing at her face, trying to make the blush go away.
Xavier smiled. “Well, I have to get back to the library. It was nice meeting you Nevaeh.” He got up and extended his hand. “We really must get together and talk about things less gloomy.”
Nevaeh smiled and shook his hand. “Yes, I’d like that.” She dug into her purse and took out a police business card. “Give me a call sometime.”
Xavier nodded and put the business card in his pants. “Don’t worry, I will.” He started towards the door. “It was nice to meet you Marge.” He called to the woman behind the counter.
Marge smiled. “It was nice meeting you too Xavier. Come back any time.”
“I’ll make sure of it.” Xavier responded. As he reached the door, he heard Marge talking with Nevaeh, but it was loud enough for him to hear.
“Oooo-we, look at the butt on that one. Nevaeh dear, I’m surprised you didn’t pounce when you had the opportunity.”
Xavier quickly pushed open the door. He really didn’t want to hear this conversation. First off, it wasn’t any of his business. Secondly, he would end up objecting and that would be rude, and lastly, he really didn’t feel like blushing. As the door closed behind him, Xavier couldn’t help but hear Nevaeh’s “AUNT MARGE!” of protest. Xavier shook his head and stepped into the throngs of people.
The walk back to the library was uneventful, except for meeting Danny halfway back. This time, Xavier got the jump on him.
“Boo!” Xavier barked as he gripped Danny by the shoulders. The ten year old jumped in fright.
“Whoa! You got me there Xavier. That was pretty sneaky of you.” Danny laughed. “So, how did your date go?”
“Oh, well…it was good. I really like her. We talked a lot and found out we share some common things.”
“Really? I never thoughts girls could like anything cool.” Danny said in disbelief, and went back to trying to sell newspapers.
Xavier was about to leave when a thought crossed his mind. “Danny, how late do you stay out selling papers?”
Danny furrowed his eyebrows. “Um…well, it’s Friday, so there’s no school tomorrow, so…9 o’clock.”
Xavier looked at Danny steadily, his gaze never wavering. He got down on a knee and looked Danny straight in the face. “Danny, I want you from now on to stop selling newspapers after dark, both weekdays and weekends.” Xavier put a finger to Danny’s lips as he started to protest. “I’m not going to argue with you Danny. This is for your own good. Promise me you’ll stop selling newspapers after dark.”
Danny looked down in disappointment. “Fine, I promise to stop selling newspapers after dark.”
Xavier patted his head. “Good boy Danny. I promise tomorrow I’ll give you an extra twenty dollars to make up for some of your losses.” With that, Xavier stood up and continued walking to the library.
Danny watched him go. “Whoa, what’s got him spooked? He’s acting like he saw a real ghost. Whoa.” Danny thought a moment. “Maybe he did see a real ghost! But wait, its still daylight, and nothing spooky comes out in daylight. I guess it was something else.”
“Excuse me dear boy, I would like to purchase a paper from you.” A voice said from Danny’s side.
Danny turned, and ended up looking at a very tall many, dressed in an overcoat with sleeves longer then his hands and arms, and a hat that covered the top half of his face. The smile the man wore was a kind and gentle one, and the teeth were perfectly white.
“Oh, of course sir.” Danny reached down to his stack and picked up a newspaper. “That’ll be one dollar please.” Danny’s newspaper quickly went into the man’s hand still covered by the sleeve of the overcoat, and the other hand handed Danny a twenty.
“Hold on a second please while I make change sir.” Danny reached into his pocket to find the appropriate amount of bills.
“There’s no need for that young sir. The extra nineteen dollars is for you obviously working hard to get your newspapers sold. I wish there were more respectable and good behaving children like you in this world.” The man’s smile lessened slightly.
“Well, one tries to be the best they can be sir. Have a good day sir.”
“You to. Hope you have a lot of luck selling.” The man walked off, his newspaper under his shoulder.
Danny noticed that the man’s left arm seemed to be a lot heavier then the man’s right, since the man leaned over to the left while walking normally. Danny paid it no mind however. The day was still young, and he had more things to worry about then strange men out on the streets.

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Chapter Seven
Allison lowered the bottle from her face and swallowed the bitter, burning liquid in her mouth. She smiled gleefully and continued her stumbling back to her home. She giggled as she listened to her own feet hit the pavement in sporadic bursts. The hollow echoing of her high-heeled shoes kept reminding her of the party. She had finally gotten to make out with Jason, and now he even expected to pick her up next weekend to go on a date.
She squealed loudly and waved her arms about. “Oooo, I’m finally Jason Bernardie’s girlfriend!” She tried to spin around in a circle, but fell down on her butt. This made her only laugh harder as she took another swig from the nearly empty Budweiser bottle.
She had been trying to be Jason’s girlfriend ever since the start of freshman year. At 15, Allison had worked her way to the top of the social ladder all through middle school, and now it was finally paying off. No one could ever think a freshman girl could even touch a hot Junior like Jason, but 20 minutes making out with him on the couch had gotten her a ticket to the good life. Allison wrapped her arms around herself in a self-embracing hug. His tongue had been so freakin good!
Allison shakily got to her feet, brushing her long brown hair out of her face. Although she was popular, Allison would admit, if she were sober enough for it, that she wasn’t exactly what you would call hot. She however, was very pretty, and with a nice, but flirty attitude, she could have virtually any kid she wanted as a boyfriend.
However, just like many of the freshman girls, Jason had entranced her instantly. Tall, slender and muscular, he had his own car and a license, and had so many connections; he never got in trouble and could always make the cool scene. Know, he was also her boyfriend. Allison squealed again as the thought entered her head again.
Drinking the last of her Budweiser, Allison threw the bottle into a darkened alley and heard the glass shatter in a loud crash, followed by the tinkling of the glass scattering on the ground. The sound made her laugh, and she started wobbling back towards her home.
She had a long walk ahead of her. It was a walk that would take her through part of the cities ghetto, where everything smelled like garbage and despair. It wasn’t just the smell either. The sights and sounds of the ghetto just continued to inbreed darkness and hopeless, like a demented hillbilly family, where instead of the kids being genetically weaker, they just kept getting bigger and stronger.
Of course, none of this crossed the mind of Allison as she staggered home. The only thing that crossed into the foggy waters which was her brain was the continuing thought of Her and Jason being together, and doing many romantic things together. She paid no heed to the eyes that absently watched her from various places. However, these eyes paid her no real heed. Their owners had much more important business to attend to then harassing a kid.
However, there was a pair of eyes whose owner did have business with her. They had been watching her for a long time, and now, they were waiting for the right time to strike. Though she was drunk, she could still scream, and that would not be good. So the eyes continued their watch, waiting to enact their diabolical scheme.
Allison was pleasantly ignorant of these plotting eyes keeping a watch on her. She continued to stagger down the street, laughing giddily and keeping a huge smile on her face that seemed to make the night less dark with joy that resonated in her smile.
The smile and giddy laughing stopped though as Allison reached the Jefferson house. If there was a house that was the perfect example of a haunted and cursed house, the Jefferson house was probably that house.
Even though it sat on the same level ground as the rest of the tenement houses on the street, it seemed to be a lot bigger then any of the other houses. The paint that had once covered the outside of the house had peeled and weather away, and since there was no owner to repair it, it continued to rot during the hot summers and cold winters. However, all the windows where still intact, even if they were a bit dusty, and the door was still on its hinges, and closed shut. No person in their right mind would try to vandalize the house or break in to smoke pot, or drink, or do any hardcore drugs.
It was all after the Jefferson’s had had their third child, or at least that’s what Allison had heard. The next day, Mr. Jefferson had said the baby had died during the homebirth, and they had barely managed to save Mrs. Jefferson. The odd thing though, they didn’t seem the least bit sad about it. Suspicions rose that they had meant to kill the baby, but the Jefferson’s were some of the nicest people around, so those suspicions were quickly forgotten.
Fifteen years later, on that very same night, screams were heard from the Jefferson’s place. The police found Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson, and their two sons all bloodied up and hanging from the rafters by their own insides. They had been eating dinner, and whoever killed them broke the table into many pieces and had speared them all along with hanging them.
Such brutal murders shocked everyone. No one thought of anyone who could’ve possibly wished the Jefferson’s harm. Mr. Jefferson was a male nurse, and did charity work for the soup kitchen. Mrs. Jefferson was a good soccer mom, always there for community projects and fund-raising, going out of her way so more organizations could receive donations. They had also made sure to pass their virtues onto their children.
Although the community mourned the loss of four great people who had a lot to do with them, life eventually got back to normal. That is, until one Halloween five years ago.
Allison had heard about it on the news when she was 10. Four teenagers had dared one of their friends to go up and touch the door, since the house still hadn’t gotten sold by then. Although the house was in better condition then it was now, it still looked spooky alone, and was the only haunted-house type of house in the neighborhood.
So the kid had been dared to go into the house and touch a bloodstain that was on one of the rafters that had been left by the family. He had entered the house, and a few minutes, emerged confused. He called to his friends down on the street from the doorway that there was no bloodstain on the rafters. As his friends had pondered this, the kid was suddenly sucked into the house, and the door slammed shut.
The four kids claimed that they heard their friend scream, and then they heard a horrible ripping sound. A minute later, as the everything had gone silent and the wind was whipping briskly across their faces, turning them red, the front door swung open and their friend’s body was hurtled all the way to the street to where they were, shortly followed by his head. The door had then closed by itself after it had spit out its butchered contents. They hadn’t managed to see anyone in the resounding blackness that had been in the doorway.
Well, as can be imagined, Police swarmed the neighborhood, and there was a curfew enacted for a few months. However, people didn’t forget about this incident so easily. Now everyone, including Allison, believed that the house was unhallowed, and there must be demons and monsters living inside. 
Jump ahead four years, and Allison didn’t believe that anymore, but the house still gave her the willies every time she looked at it.
She blinked. She had been standing still, staring at the entire time she was remembering the story. She couldn’t waste time on that; she had to get home, and quickly. She started staggering off towards her house again.
The two hands that latched upon her shoulders like talons stopped her progress though. Before she could let loose a cry, she was spun around and a hand covered her mouth. She shook violently out of fear, the sweat suddenly pouring in torrents from her pours and she struggled to make out who it was that had hold of her.
“Allison, are you okay?” came a familiar voice as a familiar face came into her sight as the hand was let down from her mouth. Alex’s eyes were filled with concern, as he looked her up and down, checking to see if she was okay.
Allison let out a big sigh of relief and laughed. “Oh my god Alex, you scared the crap out of me! I thought you were going to murder me or something. Don’t grab me like that!” She laughed again and swatted softly at Alex.
Alex raised an eyebrow. “You know, it’s not safe to walk around drunk at night time. Something could happen to you.”
Allison let out a “Pffft” and laughed. “If anyone tried something like that, Jason would come and mess them up! Nobody messes with Jason’s girlfriend!” She crossed her arms and nodded.
Alex sighed sadly. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news Allison, but Jason left the party with Vicky…” he murmured as he turned his head away from Allison.
Inside her mind, Allison’s dreams shattered as soon as the words registered in her thoughts. She stared at Alex, eyes starting to water from tears. “He left the party…he left the party with Vicky?” she asked, her voice already quivering.
Alex smiled sadly. “Yea. I’m really sorry Allison.”
Allison didn’t have a response for him. She just fell into his tall figure and started bawling. Not fifteen minutes ago, she had been on the top of the ladder. She, a freshman, had made out with Jason Bernardie, and now, because that bitch Vicky had stolen him away, it made her look like a throw away.
She felt Alex’s arms wrap around her, as she tasted her the salt from the tears tha were streaming down her face. “Alex…it’s not fair! I worked so hard for Jason to notice me, and now he just throws me away for another girl! Its not fair!”
Alex patted her head. “Yea, I know it’s not fair. I’m sorry you have to deal with this. You deserve a lot better.”
Allison chuckled and looked up at Alex. “Thanks Alex. You’re a really good friend, you know? I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Alex just smiled as he looked down at her. Then, he suddenly leaned down and kissed Allison fully on the lips, his tongue already pressing against her mouth, trying to get in.
At first, Allison didn’t do anything. This was partly from the shock of her considered best friend trying to make out with, and the other part was the alcohol that still had a grip on her brain.
After a second or two, Allison pushed away from Alex’s mouth and body. “Alex! What the hell are you doing?”
Alex furrowed his brows and glared at Allison. “Why Allison? Why? For the past three years, I’ve been there for the ups and downs in your life, no matter how much they didn’t have to deal with me. I’ve been there to help you when assholes like Jason just now, and Bryan least year, and Justin the year before that, use you and then toss you aside. All this time, I’ve managed to keep calm as you steadily ignored or didn’t notice all the hints I was sending to you that I like you. You just kept going from asshole to asshole. Why are you not giving me a chance? What’s wrong with me?” Alex’s fists were clenched at his side.
Allison was shocked to an utmost degree. Alex had never acted like this before to her, ever. He had always been a kind and sweet guy to her. She started trying to spit out an answer, but couldn’t manage anything but a stream of “Um…well…uh…”
This seemed to anger Alex even more, and Alex was not someone you wanted to be angry with you. He was a very good football player, and as such, he was strong in his legs, chest and arms. He had Knockout a kid once for messing with one of his other friends, who happened to be a nerd.
In less then two strides, he was up against Allison, holding her head still with one hand and kisses her, while his other arm was busy taking off her shirt. Although Allison battered at him with her fists, she knew that she couldn’t do anything to stop him, even if she wasn’t drunk and he wasn’t sober. He was just way to strong for her. She didn’t know anyone who could fully take on Alex.
In the next instance though, she met someone who could. As Alex’s hand finished pulling down one of her shirt’s shoulders so that her bra strap was revealed, a sleeve came from behind Alex and the hand within that sleeve grabbed his arm, stopping it from moving at all. 
“Hey! What the hell?” Alex turned and looked into a face in which top half was covered by the shadows of a big hat. However, the bottom half was quite visible, and the mouth was grinning, the teeth as white as pearls in contrast to the darkness surrounding them. As the stranger spoke, a raspy and creepy voice came from the mouth that encompassed the teeth. If a snake could have a deep voice, Allison thought, this man would have it.
“Hmm, what have we here? A little boy who’s having a hard time keeping his hands to himself? Tsk Tsk Tsk. What would this world come if all little boys acted this way? I think you need some punishment.”
Alex narrowed his eyes at the man. “Listen pal, I don’t know who the hell you are, but fuck off! This is none of your busi-” 
Alex was cut short as he was suddenly lifted off the ground by the one arm that was grasping his arm, and slammed into the paved behind the man. The man lifted him easily again and slammed him into the pavement in front of him, and in front of Allison, leaving bloodstains where Alex’s face hit the pavement.
Six more times the man did this, each time the sickening crunch of Alex’s body hitting the pavement resonating loudly. Finally, the man dropped the limp body from where the man’s head was onto the ground. Allison gapped in horror as she saw Alex’s bloody and torn up body. His eyes were closed, and it didn’t look like he was breathing.
“You…you killed him!” Allison whispered in horror.
The stranger turned his head towards her, and smiled the same grin he had on his face before he had smashed up Alex. “Yes, yes I did. I did it because he was a naughty boy…” the man took a big breath in through his nose. “…And by the smell of your breath, you’ve been drinking. Naughty, Naughty girl” The man took a step towards her.
Allison tried to run backwards rapidly, but tripped and fell on her butt. She watched in horror as the man walked up to her and towered over her, grinning his fiendish smile.
All Allison could think to do was curl up into a ball, with her head between her knees. “Please don’t kill me! I’ll never do it again! I promise! Please don’t kill me! I’ll never do it again, ever!” He repeated as she started crying again.
She could still feel his presence in front of her after about a minute of crying, which just made her cry more, and keep repeating how sorry she was for drinking. This time, she got an answer back, and quickly. “I’m glad you learned your lesson.” With that, she felt the back of a hand connect with her face, and everything went black.

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