Lockdown Murder - chapter one

Lockdown Murder
CHAPTER ONE

By John McMahon
© Copyright 2013

Chapter 1 The Arrival
Twelve individuals have been invited for twelve different reasons. Each guest has been invited to receive an award and recognition for “Outstanding Citizen” of the state of Oregon. Some guests do think it‟s really for their hard work they„ve done all over the state, others feel otherwise. A few, to be more clear, think it‟s bogus, but are still willing to go along just to take credit where credit‟s not due. To be specific, the bus full of the lucky twelve, excluding the bus driver, as what seemed like several hours were only of about an hour trip from the city. They were only now minutes away from arriving while they were traveling through the rural, darkened woods. It was about sunset time outside and far from city and civilization, we are determined to arrive to win a bonus raffle prize of $50,000. The host, you may ask? Well, he or she, currently intends to remain a mystery. The only answer they received was from an anonymous donor named Q. With a one letter signature that was signed on all twelve invitations, no one has paid much attention to it or towards each other. As a matter of fact, the whole trip there, was just about dead silence. As the bus reached the end of the road, they all looked to the right and there, there was this electrified wired campground with only one way in and out of there and it was a gate entrance. As the bus driver pulled up to the gate booth, there was a man there, waiting for them. He walked in front of the bus and then onto the bus as he was about to speak. “Ladies and Gentlemen”, he said. “Welcome to The Campground. As you all well know by your invitations, everything here will be provided for you at no cost whatsoever. Food, and other necessities will be provided. However, there are some rules along with luxury. Rule one: While your stay here, we ensure for people‟s safety from wild animals roaming about,

especially at night, is that there‟s a nine o‟clock curfew. There are just about enough cabins to fit all. One or two of you will have to share one with a roommate. I apologize for any inconvenience on that.” “Ahhh, please let me have my own, please let me have my own”, a voice coming from behind Jack on the bus. Jack briefly glanced at the man. Or young man, probably in his early or mid 20‟s. He was thin, medium height, brown hair with a goatee. Casual clothing along with a winter hat on his head. But nevertheless, the man from the booth continued speaking. “Rule Two: No electronic devices whatsoever. If they‟re any that are found on the grounds, that person or persons will be disqualified from winning the award and the raffle of $50,000 as you all so know about. I mean, why else would you be here for?” Thinking to myself, “Um, the award?” Somehow things didn‟t seem right. And as to why I was invited? Well, you‟ll probably hear more about it, but I‟ll tell you anyway. You see, I‟ve had so much luck being out there, being myself, completely honest. Honest work, honest living. But that‟s something every hard working person should get and I ask myself, “Why would they invited you to a campground to issue an award. More eerie, why through in a $50,000 raffle prize?” For Jack, he‟s tended to isolate, unlike during the week where he‟ll go out and make an honest living. And to get such an invitation, even if it seems too good to be true, he still decided to go along with it. He had a feeling he wouldn‟t be alone either. For Jack, this is already too good to be true. And the man continued, “And the final rule: Anything you need, be sure to tell the host or me as well, but mostly the host. Normally right now it‟s about time for clock out and seriously, can‟t stand the sight of you all.” Everyone gasped as they were surprised. “Ha, ha, no just kidding, but it is towards the end of my shift, so if you all won‟t mind, pass this basket around and dispense any electronics.” So they passed the basket around as some emptied their pockets. All except an elderly couple who were on the bus however, had no electronics. The man, who is supposed to be security, didn‟t even introduce himself yet. He then walked over to Jack. “Any other electronics?” he asked Jack. “No,” Jack replied. “Bullshit. You„ve gotta have more.” “What? What does that mean? Does it look like I can afford it?” “No, sorry. I‟ve been quite strict with this rule lately. Punk kids n‟ all, But do enjoy your stay.

And you, stinky,” He was addressing the guy behind Jack, “Give me that stuff.” “I have no idea what you‟re talking Mr…Um…who are you?” “Spits. Mr. Spits, security guard. Remember it son and give me it , now, you don‟t want me to force you.” “Fine, fine,” Stinky said. “Shatter the dream of me being chill the whole week, then. I see how it is. And the name„s Bud.” “Really? I never would have guessed. Not surprised, though.” The guard smirked. He then turned around, slowly walking to the front of the bus. As he was stepping off, he said to everyone, “have a good time.” Bud had then said to Jack, “Geez, you know that guy is gonna end up smoking the whole thing. I just know it. Hmph. I‟ll get it back, though. You‟ll see…” Jack was thinking to myself, “wow, people tend to surprise you.” As he turned and the man signaled all of us, “Everyone off!” Everyone then slowly stood up, carrying a bag or suitcase with them, as they then all got off the bus. It was then where we could fully see what was in front of us. More darkened clouds emerging as it was, too, near dark. In the center of the place was a main building for them to head to. Probably had a few rooms in there, but it wasn‟t where they were going to sleep. Once again, everyone still kept to themselves as we quietly walked across the parking lot. Held the door in for each other, we entered the building. “Seems like the wind‟s picking up. A good storm, perhaps?” Said the man walking in front of Jack. He was a short, elderly and thin man. Clothes he seemed to be wearing from the fifties. “Argh. Such disgusting looking tiles, I can see why there‟s a worn out, ripped carpet only covering barely half the room.” The man seemed a bit arrogant, but he was right though. A ripped up red carpet was wearing down the room. Dirty black and white tiles too. The place had to have been what, seventy years old? Thing was ancient. Though The walls were all wood, sort of what you‟d see in a mansion. Jack felt déjà vu. Like this has all been done before. Where a killer would be hiding somewhere in the place, waiting to pick us all off one by one. After they all were inside the room, we each sat down on some of the worn out sofa that was apparently for them all to sit on. As they got comfortable, or started to, The guard, once again signaled their attention. “May I have everybody‟s attention please? My name is Max, the security guard. I know I should‟ve introduced myself on the bus, but what can I say, right? Anyway, Mr. Q here has summoned you all here for various purposes. As you may of well known in your invitations, yes, there is a raffle prize.

But it‟s not the $50,000 prize. “What?” said Stinky. “You gotta be kiddin‟ me! I rode in on that dead beat, busted bus and to what, be hustled?! “Silence, young man. I„ll handle this,” said the elderly man. “So…Max. Is there even a prize to begin with?” “Yes. But add in an extra zero and what do you get?” said Max. “Woah.” everyone had said as they then sighed stinky. They were all looking at each other then. Probably the first time we all caught each other‟s attention like someone here has won the lottery. “Yes, $500,000. It was some sort of test Mr. Q wanted to pursue for some weird reason. I have no idea why, okay? Good. Any questions on it?” “Um, I‟ve got one,” said this woman, actually around my age, sitting next to me. “So, how do we earn this? Do we have to split it? Please tell me it‟s something possible we can all accomplish, like not--” “Hey, hold it there, sweets”, said Max. “Yes, it‟s possible, but only one wins this prize and you cannot split it with each other. No, this prize can only be won by spending the WHOLE weekend here. Up until Monday at least and it‟s already Friday night. However, there are smaller, individual prizes for the, how do you say, semifinalists? Anyway, rules are plain and simple, spend the weekend here, attend a few meetings and voila! There you have it. But know this: from here on out, it‟ll be all ten of you for yourselves.” “Ten? But they‟re twelve of us, Max?” Said the young woman. “Not anymore. You and you, You‟re both out.” He was pointing to the two sitting in back of Jack. They both came as a couple. Both were probably in the late forties. “Why us?” said the man. “Because I don‟t like you, that‟s why?” We were all shocked by Max‟s response. “No, no. You two simply broke the rules. No couples. This is an individual challenge and it said so on your invites. Actually, now that I‟m looking at all yours, you sir…this isn‟t even a real invitation. It‟s just a drawn up card. And by the way you two were holding hands on the way up here. The driver notified me when we got off the bus. Anyway, you‟re both out for trying to cheat. Now, please exit the building. The bus has already taken off, however, there are two unused bikes that are just outside. Don‟t ask me why, but they‟re yours for the taking. Perhaps if you leave now, you‟ll be able to make it to the next, closest bus stop. Five miles out. They both laughed. After about a ten second laughter, they both stop and saw Max‟s serious face. “Let‟s go, you too. Now.” They both stood up and then turned away from them, and walked out the door. Max then said, “I‟ll be back, you all can get reacquainted with one another as I let those two

jokers out of here. He then, walked out the door, following the two eliminated people. “Okay…weird.” Said the young lady. “True, true.” Said the elderly man. “Anyway, we should introduce one another. I‟ll go first. My name is Wentworth Jones III. I am seventy one years old, and I am quite an invested banker. I own the neighboring towns of hippo town, Aringsworth, and Mcvonale. The richest man here, I guess you can say and I must say, but you can all call me Wentworth. How about you, my young dear?” “Well, I‟m Sandy Mceasiton, twenty four years old, and currently enrolled in Oregon Community College. Um, not sure what else to say at the moment and I‟m here because of the money, of course. I‟ll need it to pay off my loans.” “Okay, I‟ll go next, my name is Stevo, or what Max called me out there, people, too, call me stinky. Let‟s see…I‟m twenty five years young, swinging bachelor, drifter, and, uh, well, that‟s, um, pretty much it for now.” “Oh, dear, are you stoned young man?” asked Wentworth. “I can see it in your eyes.” “Uh, haha, a little Wentworth. But hey, people have also called me the fun guy. If you want to know more as to why that is, and I„m addressing sandy here, not you old man, come see me in my cabin. And that„s it. How about you, other cutie?” “Tsk.” Said the woman sitting across from Jack. She had reddish hair and was petite. “ I am Victoria Malselle, and I for one, think you, stinky, to be such a boyish pig. Learn some respect for women. Oh, yes and I‟m thirty eight years old and own my own hair salon.” “Yes, well, I‟ll go next, I am Kat Smith. I‟m twenty four years old and currently running a tattoo parlor outside of the city. I give the best, damn tattoos too so if any of you end up passing by my place, be sure to stop in, I‟ll give you all a discount, including you handsome.” She was eyeing Jack. He smiled, of course. “I am Clover Fieldtrin. Seventy three years old and a retired podiatrist. I am here for a relaxed weekend getaway from the stress from dealing with so many feet. Even though I just retired, I still can‟t seem to get away from feet! Ugh, I am so sick of it.” “Yeah, speaking of, I have a few blisters on my feet and was wondering if you can look them over for me?” Said stinky. “You‟d be saving me some hassle and money, so what do you say? I‟ll make it worth your wild. Perhaps some Mary and Jane?” “Ew. Get the hell away from me you…foot creep.”

“Enough. I‟ll go next, then to cease this uncomfortable conversation. I am Abigail Amastrus. Seventy years old, a retired baker with no other purpose than to go out there and see what‟s out there, and I‟ve ended up here. I can just smell that money from here. Ahh…” “Okay then. Guess it‟s my turn. I am Savatorie Senson, or just plain Sal will do. I am forty two years old, private investigator as you can or can‟t tell, I‟ll leave that up to you. I‟m here for the thrill. I‟ve seen how these things turned out and no, I will not give away the big punch line. Heh. “And my name is Tiny. Yes, I am thirty nine years old, bulk, big body and Tiny is here for the challenge. Grr…” “Uh…okay then…well, I assume that just leaves you, young man.” said Wentworth who was addressing me. “Yes, well my name is Jack Rodelle. I am twenty six years old, right now unemployed, but hopefully to become a successful writer. I came here not entirely for the money, but perhaps a story I can start with to write for my big break maybe. “Good luck with that one, dude,‟ said stinky. “Given the economy, whew.” “Yes, well, anyway I‟m sure if I try hard enough, perhaps. Anyway, now that we‟re all introduced, suppose we should find Max and ask him which cabin rooms we‟re staying in. Where is he? I thought he‟d be back by now?” “Who knows,” said Victoria. Suppose he‟s still chasing those commoners out of here. The nerve of those cons, really. In my day, they‟d be tarred and feathered. “Your solution to everything, right, my dear?” Wentworth asked. “Hmph. We‟ve both grown up in the same era, sir. And if someone or someone‟s were trying to pull the carpet off of there you‟d be standing, I‟m sure you‟d no less agree.” “Touché.” Wentworth answered. “Well guys, maybe one of us should go looking for him, then?” asked a cheerful Kat. “That‟s exactly what Mr. Q would prefer, but I‟d wait right here until Max returns, I‟m sure--” Sal began to say when Max interrupted him. “I‟m back. Whew! It‟s begun raining out there. Sorry for the Delay. Those two idiots out there were trying to steal my truck. Thank goodness Mr. Shotgun here prevented them from taking it. Anyway, if you will all follow me into the next room. Allow me to turn the lights on in there. Now please try to hold back on the excitement, I can tell you‟re all just “dying” to get your greasy little mitts on the half a million dollar prize. There are

several tables to sit at so don‟t fret, it‟s big enough to accommodate everyone. Keys to your assigned cabins are also waiting to be given out by, drum roll please…Mr. Q!” As they all moved from the lounging room to the next, in that room, it was a ball room, an old one at that. Old wooden floor that when we walked on it, we could hear the creaks on it. There was this huge chandelier hanging in the center of the room just dangling from the ceiling. The walls were painted with a mix of green and white. It was clear however that once we all entered, Mr. Q was nowhere in sight to be seen. “What kind of hocus pocus is this? Where is Mr. Q?” Asked Clover. “Mr. Q. That‟s quite unique. Quite familiar as well,” said Abigail. “Attention if you will, for I have an announcement to make. My name is Mr. Q.” There, came a voice, “As you all are everybody, please make yourselves at home with my assistant, Wentworth Jones. He has been instructed to play the following tapes--or mp3 player, those of you who have some outside of here at my humble campground. But might I digress, you are all here for the money. Of course, it‟s always the money. Before I continue on, Wentworth has prepared a fascinating dinner plate for all of you, so if you will, you‟ll kindly just follow him. Thank you.” “Way to make us all feel welcome there, Mr. Q. Now come on and show yourself to us!” Stinky said. “Boy, do I feel alive!” He then laughs. As they headed down the hallway to the dining room area, Jack began to think to himself, “Wow, it‟s like I‟ve lived this before, maybe in some sort of a creepy nightmarish thing.” He no idea why, it‟s just how I felt at the moment. “So, what do you--” Stinky began to ask Victoria. “No.” Replied Victoria. “But you don‟t even know what I was going to ask you? “I know enough when I hear a pick-up line coming from a cheap, guy who probably doesn‟t even know how to tell the difference between your and you‟re.” “Come on.” “No you pig!” Victoria then shouted. “Alright, alright everyone cool it,” said Savatorie, who began to become annoyed. “We have a long weekend ahead of us and I don‟t want to spend any more time bickering. Before Jack got comfortable in my chair, he decided to go use the restroom. “Excuse me, Wentworth, can you please tell me where the bathroom is?” “Yes sir,” replied Wentworth, Down at the end of the hall and take a

left. You‟ll see the restroom sign. “Thank you,” He said and pardoned myself from the table. He walked out of the dining room, once more down the dark, shadowy hallway. Once Jack reached the end and turned left, he saw this child, facing the window, staring out of it. He was silent until he looked to Jack and said, “You shouldn‟t have come here. Look what‟s happened to me and the others.” Bewildered, Jack asked, “What happened?” “What happened? What happened?” The child asked. “Yes” Jack answered. “Heh heh. You‟ll find out soon enough.” The child said. He gave Jack what to be considered an evil grin. He had no clue who he was or where his parents worth. The Lights flickered on and off as Jack had looked down for a brief second and as he rose my head up, the child was gone. “Um, excuse me? Kid, where‟d you go?” Jack asked. Jack then found the restroom only a few feet forward from him. He went in and out as he still couldn‟t find the kid by the time he got out. Confused as he was, Jack closed the restroom door and headed down the hallway and back to the dining room. As he reentered the room, there were several people walking around, as if they‟re searching for something. “I can‟t find it! Where is it?!” asked Stinky. “I don‟t know! I don‟t k now!” retorted Clover. “Such help is so hard to find nowadays, I suppose.” responded Victoria. “Take your seat everyone please. Maybe Wentworth can get some more of the delicious red wine. “Screw that I want a beer”, said Stinky. “Beer, beer, beer, beer.” “Wentworth!” shouted Savatorie. “I‟m right behind you sir, I didn‟t go anywhere.” said Wentworth. “Oh…right. Good, good then. Say, how‟s about getting some more of that red wine for us, eh?” “Beer!” shouted Stinky. “Shut up!” shouted Savatorie, once again disgusted. “I‟m sorry sir, but the wine has mysteriously vanished. “Mysteriously vanished, huh? Please don‟t tell me you‟re holding out on us, Mr. Wentworth. Or did you just drink it all? “Shut your stinkin‟ mouth!” Wentworth shouted at Stinky. “What?!” Stinky was surprised as Savatorie began to break out laughing.

“I‟m…uh…terribly sorry, sir. Been a bit…nerve-racking. Yes, the wine has vanished, I mean I took a little…to loosen up, I mean. “No worries Wentworth” said Clover. “I‟ve made my own wine and beer before. Shouldn‟t take me more than an hour.” “An hour, that quickly?” Savatorie asked. “Yes, I‟ve had much practice before back in my youth days.” Stinky whispered to Jack, “Oh boy, I don‟t like where this is going. He‟ll probably end up either drinking it all himself or will end up spilling it all over the place before we have a chance to get wasted.” “And that‟s why young man that you‟ll help assist me in my cabin, I mean, if you want to drink so badly.” said Clover. “Um…sure, I guess? Don‟t know how much about making it.” said Stinky. Doesn‟t take a lot of effort or work, I mean having an old man like myself show you the ropes, eh Stinky? “Hahaha,” laughed Savatorie. Sure, he laughs at that but when I make a joke, he‟s all “I‟m so serious,” Hmph. Fine. I see how it is. Anyway, can we start eating now, I‟m so hungry.” “Yes, where is our meal, Wentworth?” “Look under the big serving tray in the middle of the table.” “Okay…what the?!” The excitement was that instead of what was supposed to be food under the tray, was an actual short, drunken person. Dressed up as a jester. “Who the hell is this? And get a load of this, I betcha he‟s the one that downed all the liquor! I mean, look at him!” “I know, I can see the resemblance.” retorted Savatorie. “Ahhahaha, real funny -- not.” said Stinky. “We‟ll see how funny it is when Mr. Jester, or whatever the hell this guy‟s name is, ends up pulling a disappearing act right into a coffin.” “Seriously, Stinky all over some wine?” asked Sandy. “It‟s part of the deal! I hate being hustled! It ticks me off so much! He replied. “Relax tiger,” Victoria replied with a grin on her face. “I‟m sure there‟s more around here somewhere stashed. How about looking again Wentworth? “Sure, why not right? Send another person working here to go search for the good stuff. I don‟t think so, you all sit tight, you can start without me. “Oh, we‟re all done here, young man.” said Clover. “You were too busy pitching a fit to realize we continued eating.

Looks like you‟re the only one now. “Wow. Am I really that self-centered?” Stinky asked. “I‟d say well beyond that,” replied Savatorie. “Stinky, hahaha.” said Tiny. As they continued on, they all felt a rattling in the ground and on the ceiling as well, like an earthquake. Everyone fell back, including Stinky as he fell back into Victoria. “Get off me!” yelled Victoria, as she was well annoyed as it was already. They both fell to the floor as it began to start up again. “Okay, okay! That‟s it! Get me the hell out of this place! I am not dying here, not like this! I don‟t think there‟s even have a proper place to bury myself, you expect me to die in here?!” Victoria shouted. The lights flickered on and off until the power went out. It was pitch black, only sounds of people panicking. Unbeknown to them all, a creaking sound coming from the ceiling finally collapses and a big thud that hit the center of the dining room table. The light slowly flickered on again, leaving most unharmed and one fatality. “What the hell just happened?!” asked Clover? “I don‟t know either, is everyone alright?” replied Jack. Everyone looked around until all their attention was focused on the center of the table. A collapsed chandelier and a collapsed table. Jack looked around, and asked “Wait, where‟s the jester that was here?” Jack looked around the table until he saw legs underneath the collapsed table. His eyes were opened, but it was too late. He was dead. “Please, tell me he‟s just passed out, ” asked Stinky. “He‟s dead you moron! Get it together!” retorted Abigail. “Who do we call?!” asked Sandy. “Is there even a station nearby this place?” “Let‟s get the hell out of here! Now!” Yelled Kat as she ran out of the room, but slowly backed herself back into the dining room as Max was there, entered the dining room. “I‟m sorry but none of you can leave. I mean, for now at least.” Max said with a raspy voice. “And why the hell not?!” replied Abigail. “I‟m sorry, but the gate is closed. Remember, the wired fence with electricity, you know, the things that were explained to you inside the pamphlet, assumingly you even bothered to, right? “Shove it you asshole! I want you to take it down, now!” said Abigail. As Max was about to replied, he looked over to the table with the jester‟s dead body underneath the chandelier! “Oh, please tell me he‟s only posing again, he‟s been doing that lately, thinking he‟s always around an artist for some strange reason, don‟t ask.

Max then paused for a second, then said, “No? He‟s dead? Aw, crap. Okay people, he‟s what‟s going down: I want you all to work together and remove this chandelier. Put it off to the side here and leave it on the ground, Wentworth and I will carry it out of here. Hmm, say, on second thought…hey big dude!” he was addressing Tiny. “Help us remove the chandelier, we‟ll pay you five bucks? “Five Bucks?” “Um…yeah. How about it? “Will do”, Tiny said as he nodded his head up and down. Tiny walked over to the table, lifted the chandelier off of the body and carried it out back. Max then turned to the others and said, “Okay, now I‟ll need a hand or two with the body. We‟re going to dump it out back, then burn it, the wholesome way.” “The “wholesome” way?” asked Savatorie. “You got to be kidding me. We‟re not burning any corpses, that just plain sick!” “You have a better idea?” asked Max. “Uh, yeah lame brain, call the police” said Victoria. “There are no public phones here at the campground and the gate is on a timer and can„t be accessed by anyone per order of Mr. Q, as he set the whole timing up, so probably not until Monday, at best.” said Max. “And what about our cell phones you confiscated?” asked Jack. “Oh, yeah, um, see…”, Max laughed. “You‟re going to love this one, you see those two I disqualified earlier, well, see they broke into the storage closet and stole them along with mine as well, so, yeah they have them.” “Are they still here?” “No trace of them, but if they do come around, I‟ll let you all know. Who knows, I may even get to kill them both -- in self defense, of course.” Max then laughed once more as he turned around and as he was leaving the dining room, he said, “Now, take care of that body, unless you want him stinking up this place. We„ll figure out what to do with the thing later.” “Really? How appropriate. You guys are basically going to bury the corpse of a jester and not tell anyone?” asked Sandy. “This isn‟t even right, maybe we should all--” “What do you want us to do?” retorted Savatorie. “Tell them we were all just screwing around when the chandelier broke and crushed him? Yeah they„ll believe it, especially when Stinky here was going to kill him for drinking all the wine.” As they began to bicker back and forth, they began to hear and feel a rubble on the ground, below. Everyone looked around. Nothing else other than dust slowly floating in the air underneath the lamp.

“Please tell me that‟s the end of the whole freaky show you‟ve got going on here, man.” stinky then said, sitting on the ground all curled up as he then he opened his eyes once more. “Ah, better. So, yeah, Mr. Max, how do we get out of here then? Climb out one of the top windows? How about a trap door that lead underneath here that ends up leading us back to proper civilization? “No, you idiot! I already told you, there is no way out of here until Monday at the earliest!” “Terrific, so what now? Are we still on for the money thing, cause some lone sharks lent me money and I told them I‟d pay them back $50,000, so maybe if I can get it in cash, I‟ll be all set.” replied Stinky. “And who said you‟ll be winning the prize, Stinky? You? Ha! I bet you‟ll be the next one out of here.” “Say, that brings up a good point,” said Sandy, “What happens when you‟re out? I mean if you lose, Max?” “Don‟t worry,” replied Max, All will be explained of that in due time. I‟m not supposed to spoil any surprises, but this time here will be something we‟ll all remember, or at least one of you.” “Huh?!” said Stinky. “Um, nothing. Forget that last part, heh heh. Replied Max. “Now, has everyone eaten?” “I have,” said Victoria. “As well I have,” said Savatorie. “Me too, but we need more wine!” said Stinky. “Please! Enough with the wine already! We already have a corpse to bury and you want to break out the bubbly? Please!” replied Abigail. “Okay, okay! No need to bite my head off, geez.” said Stinky. “Alright then,” said Max. “Wentworth, may I have a hand with the body?” “Of course,” said Wentworth, who was surprisingly upbeat. Max and Wentworth carried the dead jester out of the dining room along with Tiny removing the chandelier behind them as the other guest just sat there, gazing upon the table. “Oh yeah,” said Wentworth. “You all can move onto the next room for some tea and desert in the living room. I‟ll be over with the goods as soon as Max and I are done with the corpse.” “Okay, sounds like a plan,” said Savatorie as he and the others stood up and followed him into the next room, which was the living room. Jack, who was the last one to leave the dining room, looked back at the table, in a confused way, then turned around and left the room.

As the others got comfortable in the living room, Jack noticed several envelopes on the short, brown table that lied there in front of one of the couches. “Say guys, what are those on the tables? It seems to have my name on one of them” as Jack noticed and then picked them up. “Not just mine actually, but all your names as well. “Let me see mine.” Savatorie said. He had then looked at it, as he then tore it open with just a small greeting card inside the envelope. Jack had then passed out the rest to the other guests. “Hmmm,” said Jack. “What does your card say, Savatorie?” “Um…nothing but just an empty, blank card.” replied Savatorie. “No it isn‟t!” said Stinky, as he grabbed it out of his hand. “Give that back to me you idiot!” “Why?” asked Stinky. “Is there something in yours you don‟t want us all to find out?” “Give it back!” Demanded Savatorie, becoming more angry. “Whoa.” Said Stinky. Wow, you did this?” Stinky asked as Savatorie abruptly grabs the card out of Stinky‟s hand as he then grabbed Stinky‟s card. “Hey! Give back!” shouted Stinky. “Oh no, one good turn deserves another. I want to see what yours says, I guarantee yours is worst than mine!” Savatorie said as he then slowly read Stinky‟s card.” “Really? Wow.” Savatorie said as he had a dazed look on his face. “Can we see ours?” asked Sandy. Jack handed out the remaining envelopes to the others. The only one, however that didn‟t get one was Tiny. “Where‟s mine?” asked Tiny as his face was blank. “I don‟t know, Tiny. Everyone else got one, I wonder why?” “Eh, you‟re not missing anything, Tinster. Some bastard here” Savatorie added as he then gazed once more upon the card he got. “So what does yours say, Savatorie?” asked Sandy. “Uh, nothing important.” replied Savatorie. “The hell, nothing! Tell them!”, yelled Stinky. “You first, you hypocrite!” Savatorie yelled back. “Will one of you dopes just go already!” Victoria shouted. “Fine, Fine.” Savatorie said in an angered tone as he then sighed as well. “About a year back in Chicago, on the job, I was following a man on foot. He spotted me and began to run. I ran after him, and nearly got a hold of him if it wasn‟t for the bus that got to him first. He was dead on impact. Answers to a case I‟ve been working on. He was supposed to lead me there unknowingly, but what can I say, the guy got paranoid. I didn„t know he was

dead until I caught it on television. Then it went viral online.” “So, what did you say to the police once they got here?” asked Jack? “Oh, I didn‟t stick around to find out. I high tailed it out of there as soon as possible. I just never thought anyone else knew of it. I mean, I could‟ve been charged in his death. If he hadn‟t spotted me and kept on walking, I bet he‟d still be alive. What can I say? It was an accident. I was so careful, I thought. But whoever Mr. Q is, but I„m beginning to suspect he„s no acquaintance of ours.” Savatorie said. “I‟m beginning to suspect the same,” Clover agreed as he, too, was looking at his card. “This little retreat isn‟t a retreat at all. Perhaps a some sort of Judgment day? Now, I know you‟ll be asking me what mine says, so I‟ll cut to the chase and make it simple: I was a witness to a crime, a murder to be precise, a year back in Chicago. However I never came forward and an innocent man went to prison while the killer roamed free. Never caught the real guy. But I fail to see how this impacts me now?” “Hmm, I can‟t say for sure either, Clover. I‟m as clueless as you are.” Abigail said as she then looked at his card as well as hers. “I never said I was, Madame.” Clover retorted in defense. “Relax, old charmer.” replied Kat. “I‟ll go next, around a year ago, at my tattoo parlor in Portland, a woman asked me to you the restroom, I told her there wasn‟t a public one to use and she flipped out. Now, I admit I‟ve been around the block more than once when it comes to guns, but she gave me such an evil stare as I then saw her reach in her purse, I throught she was pulling out a pistol and I drew mine and shot her once in the forehead. I panicked after I found out there wasn‟t a gun at all. Assumingly she was probably reaching for money to pay me to use it, but I didn‟t know. It‟s a rough place and I‟m not succumbing to any suspicious activity. Okay, yes, I tend to also become paranoid as well, but in the end, I dragged her body out back, gasolined it, and finally burned it until there was nothing left to find, but just in case someone came to look for her before going back inside and cleanup the mess. Yes, maybe I should‟ve notified someone, but they wouldn‟t have believed me. So there.” “Just like that?” Savatorie responded. “You say this so casually like we„re talking about the weather or something.” “Yeah, and yours is completely innocent? Hell I wouldn‟t be surp rised if you pushed that guy out in front of that bus.” “Enough guys, we‟re all in this together we are all (except Tiny, I have no idea why) received a card.” Jack said. “Okay then, big shot, you go next then?” “No problem.” Jack answered. “Last year, I had a deadline I was

working on for my weekly column at the local paper, so I decided to give a review of this restaurant in town. Anyway on my way into the restaurant, I heard a screaming coming from the alleyway, so I ran in there and saw a mugging taking place. However, it turned bad when the robber shot this innocent woman for her purse as he ran out the back way and escaped. I should‟ve stayed behind and taken a statement, but I didn‟t. I panicked and I just left completely. It took me a day to make up for the deadline I missed the next morning. The woman, I found out, died on their way to the hospital. I felt bad, I still feel bad.” “So, Mr. Saint here really isn‟t a saint after all,” replied Savatorie. “Can it. I told you my side, how about the next person step up to the plate. How about you, Stinky?” “Me? What‟s there to explain? I mean, sure, I was accused of being an accomplice to a heist, no biggie. I was cleared of that though. You see, it was a store that had the name “drugs” on it. I thought it was just a casual place where you‟d go and buy some of grandad‟s old cough medicine. I should‟ve known better when my friend was running to my car, yelling “Go! Go! Go!”, damn, I felt pretty dumb. My friend„s already doing 15 years for that bungle.” said Stinky. Me? Only a slap on the wrist, but my story wasn‟t really a secret since it had been in the papers. “Yeah, but you‟re leaving out one important detail, or would you like me to remind you?” asked Savatorie. “Oh, right, I forgot. One guy got killed. I accidentally hit him when we were leaving the lot. It wasn‟t intentional though. The dude was wasted anyway, kept ranting at me, he made me lose my concentration, so he doesn‟t count.” “Really, young man? A human life doesn‟t count? Tell me, were your parents raised in a barn?” retorted Abigail, in an angered tone as she was also glaring at Stinky. “Oh, yeah old woman? Since you‟re all Ms. High and mighty, I‟d like to know what your card says. Spill it.” said Stinky. “Hmph. Fine. I sent my ex-husband to his doom a year ago. You see, we were both in witness protection after him witnessing a robbery gone wrong. The suspect was a member of a notorious gang group. We were advised to change names, addresses, the works. In fear for our lives, we did just that, for awhile though. I got sick and tired though cause it was taking a strain on our own lives, or mine for that matter. So one drizzly day afternoon, I set up a trap for both my husband and our maid, yes we had a maid and yes he was having an affair with her. But aside from the point, I could smell gasoline in the house that day, and my husband was a chain

smoker, always having to have his cigar at three o‟clock on the dot that afternoon, I rushed out of the house, only seconds before our house exploded. Both my husband and the maid were killed instantly. Due to a few mix ups from the witness protection program, my husband and I were declared legally dead, ending a painful year of running and hiding that no one actually counted the maid. It was a huge sigh of relief for me, and so, what can I say? Regret? No. Mourned for him? Not really. Barely actually. I lost so many loved ones because of that idiot. He just had to see that crime being committed. Fool. Anyhow, it was the maid that left the stove on, causing a gas leak to happen, apparently neither of those two could smell it, but I could. Whew. I‟m glad I got that off my chest. “Right. And you‟re the one telling me I have no soul for the decease? Ha!” retorted Stinky. “You must have lived a real difficult life, Abigail.” said Jack. “Yes, I had. Off and on in my life I had as much luck with men as I had with picking out the right shoes for me, which isn‟t a lot.” Abigail replied. “Okay, then, how about you, Ms. Mceaston?” said Jack. “Me? Well, let‟s see.” replied Sandy. Last year, on a ski trip with my friends, we thought it would be funny to stop the ski lift from working for even a few minutes, you know, as a joke. But a few minutes turned into a few hours as people up there on the lift were stuck. By the time they got the lift working again, they found out a man went into cardiac arrest while trapped on one of the benches and died from it as well. We all felt guilty. Mainly it was my friends‟ idea and they had dared me to, but I never thought it would hurt anyone. I didn‟t get caught though. No one saw me pull it off, so instead of sticking around, we all went back home, forgetting any of it had happened. To this day, I feel a bit guilty from it. Just a bit, but not enough to actually really give a damn. What can I say, you wanted the truth, huh? Well, there it is. “Wow, haha, okay, your story tops mine & Ms. Abigail‟s over there,” responded Stinky. “I mean, a prank like that really goes a long way, especially when it involves a man going into cardiac arrest and dying n„ all. So, babe, how bout we exchange more stories in my cabin, I‟m becoming quite tired and exhausted, you know, I mean all this crap talking and jester murdering really does take a lot out of a guy, you know?” “What I do know is if you don‟t shut the hell up, you pig, you‟ll be the next one to be extinct, got it?!” Victoria had responded to Stinky‟s comments. “Seriously, men. All hands and no work, like them all.” “Hey now, don‟t start labelling us all, miss because Stinko over there

can‟t control what comes out of his mouth. But speaking of exhausted, I‟m becoming quite that myself. So how about you, Victoria? Care to enlighten us all with your little tale?” “Hmph. Fine since you‟re all going to probably continue to bug me until I tell you, I will. A year ago I was attacked and robbed at gun point. Little be known that the idiot dumped his gun into a nearby barrel after swiping my purse. So I chased after him after seeing him dump the weapon. I picked up the gun, aimed it towards the back of his head and pulled the trigger. He went down, as I quickly approached him to take back my purse. I found out later on the news he ended up dying on his way to the local hospital. I assure you, it was all completely in self defense.” “How the hell is that in self defense?! You chased after him with a gun and shot him point blank in the head. It‟s as though you already made up your mind to kill him. You could‟ve at least shot him in the leg or something!” retorted Savatorie with an angered tone and expression on his face. “You say tomato, I say tom-a-to. Same difference. You had to be there yourself to actually judge me Mr. I drove a guy out into a bus.” “That‟s not fair, you little b--” Savatorie began to say. “Okay! Okay! No one should be judging anyone, especially now knowing most of the circumstances.” Jack interrupted to the both of them, hoping to calm them both down. “Remember we‟re all one team. No one left behind.” “Mr. Dramatic is right. Let‟s just all cool it then.” Savatorie said as he began to calm down. “Oh, hey, I found an extra card for Wentworth here. It was stuck to my card. So, where is the dirty butler at?” Stinky replied. Wentworth had then entered the living room. “You all rang for me? Sorry, I couldn‟t help but overhear all the commotion. Is everything alright?” “Anything but,” Stinky began to respond. “Looks like our perfect butler here isn‟t so perfect. The card here says you were accused of poisoning a couple a year back? Wow. But you were never convicted on it. How the hell did that happen?” “I can surely explain.” Wentworth began to say before being interrupted by Stinky. “I can surely explain. Of course you can, there‟s always an explaination with you.” “But sir, this is my first time explaining,” “Aha. Sure. Why not right, this outta be good. We‟re all ears, Mr. Doormat.”

“As I was going to say, I was working well with a few other staff during that time who were also accused at the time for poisoning this rich couple. Of course it wasn‟t me who did it, I still lost my job over it. It took me six months to get this new job. I‟ve found out that this has become my permanent job and home and must say I do like working here. I can also assure you all I am not some sort of killer thug, unlike Mr Stinky over here.” “Oh, really? Why I outta…” Stinky replied. “Alright enough!” Abigail shouted. “The butler already explained himself and to what I‟ve heard, you‟re more of a criminal than he‟d ever be.” “Thank you madam… I think. Now then, I‟m sure you‟re all very tired from all this drama. May I suggest you all follow me to your cabins? Great. Come along then.” “Wait a second,” Savatorie said cautiously. How do we know you‟re really on the up and up? How do we know you‟re not leading us into some sort of death trap? You say you weren‟t responsible for those poisonings. How do we know you‟re not lying?” “Because sir, if I wanted to kill you, you wouldn‟t even have to ask me, you‟d already be dead, you can trust me on that statement.” Savatorie looked to Jack. “Well, that‟s a real bold statement, what about you, Jack?” “Well, I doubt we‟d have any choice anyway. Given us all being here for the prize money and the fact that we all outnumber one guy. Anything funny that him or anyone else here pulls, there‟s plenty of us to hold him or her down. But I am exhausted as well, so show us the way Wentworth. Everyone got up from where they were sitting and followed the servant outside towards a path that led to several cabins. “Ok then, folks. There are four cabins down this path. Each cabin holds 2 guests so I suggest you take what you can get before you‟re stuck with a person you don‟t want to be, hence Mr. Stinky or Mr. Savatorie. Everyone looked at each other for a moment, then they turned towards the cabins and began running for their spots, leaving a grin on Wentworth‟s face. “Sleep well everyone, tomorrow morning meet me back inside the building. Sleep tight.” Wentworth then turned around and began walking away. The first cabin, labelled “Cabin A”, both Clover and Abigail stood in front of it. “You mind I join you, madam?” asked Clover. “As long as there‟s no hoochie poochie, sir.” replied Abigail. “Scout‟s honor. Well, I was never in scouts, but if I was, then I guess that‟d be a better answer, I suppose, heheh.” The two then walked into the

cabin and shut the door. At Cabin B, both Jack and Kat stood in front. “So, um, I guess, um…” “You‟re not used to this sort of thing, are you stranger?” asked Kat. No, not really. Replied Jack. “But do you want to share this cabin, I mean, um..” Kat laughed and said, “Of course. I trust you‟ll be on your good behavior?” “Always, I mean, you too as well.” replied Jack as they both entered the cabin and they then shut the door. At Cabin C, Sandy and Savatorie stood in front. “So, you mind we be bunkmates there, babe?” asked Savatorie. “Yes it‟s okay, but don‟t call me babe, got it?!” said Sandy. “Okay, okay, don‟t bite my head off, I got it.” The two then went in and they, too closed the door. At Cabin D, it was both Victoria and Stinky. “Go to the other cabin, pig! I‟m not sharing this with you or any of those other freeloaders!” “Fine, I will then!” Replied Stinky as he then headed towards the last cabin, Cabin E. But before he could get to the door, Tiny beat him. “You want sleep here?! Haha! Too bad! Only one bed in this cabin and Tiny is taking the bed! But you can sleep on the floor if you want! Haha!” “Terrific. Just how I wanted to spend my weekend nights. Sleeping on the floor right next to the bed of a few worded buffoon. Terrific. Only thing missing now is the liquor that dead son of a bitch drank at dinner, may he rest his soul.” The two then entered the cabin. “Ahh! Put your shoes back on your socks freakin‟ stink!” Meanwhile, back at the entrance to the campgrounds, Max and Wentworth there begin a conversation. “So, they‟re all getting tucked in I‟m assuming?” said Max. “Yes sir. They‟re all about to hit the hay. No one knows the real truth though. I mean about these grounds and the real motive here.” replied Wentworth. “And it‟ll stay that way as long as you keep your fat mouth shut. We don‟t need any more mistakes or attention being drawn. That chandelier at dinner wasn‟t supposed to happen, along with a drunk and dead jester.” replied Max. “Well, there‟s another problem, you see, the cards Mr. Q wrote out, well, he wrote one for me as well, and Stinky got a hold of it and read it.” Wentworth said. “What?! You serious?! Why the hell did you wait this long to tell me you dope?!” said Max.

“I--I don‟t know. It all happened so fast and who are we to question Mr. Q?!” replied Wentworth. “You let me worry about Mr. Q. You just tend to their needs till Monday, then, well, you know what‟ll happen, right?” asked Max. “Of course, sir, of course.” sighed Wentworth. “It‟s never this easy, though. After many times doing this.” “Yeah, well, you go take the rest of the night off yourself and get some rest. I‟ll stay out here in case we have any uninvited people coming by here. No one is allowed to know what‟s going down.” said Max, now calmly. “Fine, fine. If you need me, you‟ll know where to find me.” said Wentworth. “Of course, of course, now good night.” said Max. Wentworth left the post where Max was and headed out. Meanwhile, back outside the cabins, all lights were out where people were sleeping. It was one o‟clock in the morning, and in Cabin C, Sandy abruptly woke up, then beginning to sniff around. “Aw, gross. Keep passing gas, smelly. I should‟ve known better than to share a cabin with this disgusting, loud mouthed--ah. I need to go for a walk and get out of here, maybe I can luck out by getting another cabin.” Sandy then left the cabin as Savatorie continued to snore and smell. Outside of there, Sandy headed toward the main building, when she noticed a small pool coming from the back of the cabins. It was about ninety degrees outside and she decided to take off her shoes and socks, as she rolled up her pajamas she was wearing, and entered it. Once in the water, Sandy continued to relax, as she sulked in the water and began to close her eyes, looking quite comfortable. However, Sandy began to drift underwater a bit, not noticing a figure slowly walking up to the pool. As she slowly rose, her eyes were still closed, still drifting. Then, all of a sudden, the figure‟s hands forced themselves onto her, attempting to drown her in the water. The figure‟s hands were shaking as they were trying to keep her underwater. Sandy struggled and gurgled for several seconds on end, but soon succumbed to the figure that ended up drowning her. Within a minute, Sandy was dead. The figure removed their hands from Sandy and let her body float. Meanwhile, back inside Cabin C, Savatorie continued to sleep and snored as if nothing had happened outside of there. Everyone else were tucked into bed: Jack and Kat were asleep, Clover and Abigail were tucked in tight, Victoria was asleep, all alone in her own cabin, and Stinky and Tiny were asleep. The calmness of what has happened aside from the murder that‟s taken place outside, unbeknownst to everyone.

The next morning, Jack slowly opened his eyes to see that Kat was in the same bed as him, both sharing a bed. She, too, then slowly opened her eyes. “Oh, um, uh, hey there, hehe. My bed had bed bugs, I hope you didn‟t mind me sleeping with you, I mean, um…” Kat then said. Jack laughed, “Of course not. You could‟ve woken me up, I would‟ve been glad to sleep on the floor.” “Well, I didn‟t want to wake you, so I figured you didn‟t mind. But, um, yeah.” Kat said. “No, no it‟s good. I slept like a log, assuming you did as well after climbing into bed with me.” replied Jack. “Well, I did.” She yawned as she slowly rose up and stretched. I have to say though, overall this place seems like paradise, not perfect, but close enough, I think.” “Really? After all the accusations thrown at us last night? Something I wouldn‟t expect anyone here to say.” replied Jack as he, too, then slowly rose up next to Kat. “So tell me, Ms. Kat, what would you do if you won the $50 grand? World peace or something such?” “Well, I don‟t know? Expand my tattoo business, maybe? Probably more accessories? Gee, I don‟t know. Maybe I can give you one as well? Oh, um, I, sorry. I keep doing this!” “Hey, hey, it‟s alright. Don‟t beat yourself up. I„m flattered actually.” Jack said. “Yeah, well, I tend to be clingy at times. It‟s just…the last guy I had ran out on me, you know?” “I do, same thing happened to me, with a girl, not a guy, but sh e ran out too. Overall though, it‟s his loss, not yours. He was dumb for leaving a pretty girl like yourself.” “Why do they do it? They run out on you without even saying goodbye. I mean we were together for a long time and all he left was a goodbye note. How cliché. What„s wrong with me?” “Look, there‟s absolutely nothing wrong with you. You were looking for love in the wrong place, that wasn‟t your fault. But I believe there‟s that one person out there for you, just waiting to sweep you off your feet. That I do believe.” Kat then said, “that‟s…that‟s sweet. Thank you,” as she then kissed Jack on the lips. Jack then kissed her back on the lips, as they slowly hugged as well. When they were done, Kat then asked Jack, “So, you didn‟t tell me, what would you do with the prize money if you win?” “Me? Well to me, money is money, but I‟d have to say I‟d give it all

away. I don‟t really like to gloat or show off to those who don‟t have a lot. It wouldn‟t seem…seem right.” Jack then pondered before hearing a loud scream coming from outside. “What they hell was that?!” Kat asked. “I don‟t know, it came from outside, let‟s go. Probably Stinky, that guy can‟t keep his hands off anyone.” When Jack and Kat ran outside, they see the other guests standing around the small pool. In back of the cabins. The two ran quickly up to them. “What‟s wrong, guys?” Jack asked them before seeing for himself: the dead body of one Sandy Mceaston. end of chapter one -- chapter two coming soon!