From Within

Part 4

As the mid-semester of school approached, the house became colder and the night became eerier and a foggy mist was cast above the ocean. People around town began to warn us about the days leading up to the 139th anniversary of the murder.

"I've heard that the next family to live in that house will experience an out of body experience and/or possibly death" An old woman explained at the monthly town hall meeting.

"Never go in the ocean at night, the ghost of Cavalry will suck you in!" Another old woman shouted.

"Quiet Everyone!" Police officer Campbell shouted. He was the oldest sheriff in town and knew everything that went on Old City.

"Now, we can't speak about something that we have no proof of! How can we assume the house is haunted if we have never seen the ghosts ourselves? We shouldn't the Harris family any differently just because they live in a house that presumed haunted. They did not know about the house's mysterious history prior to moving in, so they should not be harassed and mocked!" Officer Campbell stated from the front of the room.

You could tell he was serious and frustrated by everyone spreading rumors about our "haunted" murder house. The town's people shouted from all directions as my mother and father watched them in awe. My parents could not believe the strange stories they were hearing and were flabbergasted by the entire situation. They seriously could not believe that these people believed in ghosts.

"I don't understand what you are talking about? There are no such things as ghosts! Just because this town is old does not mean that is it haunted by grim reapers and zombies. This isn't The Walking Dead or Supernatural, guys!" My father shouted, getting everyone's attention in the room.

"C'MON! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! GHOSTS DO EXIST AND WILL ALWAYS EXIST! THIS TOWN IS NO PLACE FOR OUTSIDERS LIKE YOU! NOW, GET THE HELL OUT!" a big man wearing a black flannel shirt and ill-fitting jeans yelled, pointing at us.

"Okay! Enough! All of this arguing has got to stop! If you all continue to rant and carry on, I will arrest every single one of you! Do I make myself clear?" Officer Campbell shouted angrily.

After the meeting, many people continued to warn us and yell obscenities. My parents thought that they were crazy for threatening us. However, Frank and I were aware of the rumors and were starting to believe they were true. Later that night, I could not sleep and became to have nightmares about the murder.

"Wake up! Scar, wake up now!" a familiar voice exclaimed. I tried not to open my eyes and pulled my blanket over my head.

"Scarlet, it's Frank, you need to wake up now!" my brother whispered frantically.

"What's going on? Why are you shouting at me at 3 a.m.?" I asked rubbing my eyes and yawning. 

"There's something I need to show you! Something that might help solve this murder mystery!" Frank stated while pulling me down to his room on the second floor.

He ruffled through his closet and handed me an old stained note that was frayed at the edges and torn in half. I put the note together and could not believe my eyes.

It read,

"Dear God, please forgive me for I have committed the greatest sin of all. I did not plan for this to happen but when I saw him beat her I could not hold back. I shouldn't have done what I did but the look on his face when I plunged the knife into his neck was something I will never forget. All the years of abuse I received from his hands were nothing compared to what he did to her.

Last night, I could hear her screams, begging him to stop. There sudden silence and then more Silence. Then came more screaming and pleading for her life. She did not deserve him and she certainly did not deserve to die. So, I retrieved a butcher knife from the kitchen while my father went outside to relieve himself. I crept down to the basement and the grotesque image of my mother's body lying lifeless on the cold cement filled my heart with deep sorrow. I silently wept for her and the anger within me boiled to no end.

I hid and waited for my father to come back and finish her off. I could hear him mutter "I love you" as he hacked off each of her fingers and toes. I was so scared and shocked by his cold and sadistic demeanor. He enjoyed inflicting pain on others. The only person he really loved was Ida. But she was also subject to his wrath of violence. Poor woman. She is his former slave and yet he treats her better than his own wife.

After he finished mutilating my mother and smiled at his work, I tightened my grip around the butcher knife and slit his throat from behind. He died within minutes never getting a chance to see my face. I continued to stab over and over again, the exact amount of times he hit me during my childhood. I cut off his head with an ax, gouged out his eyes, and threw his body in the ocean. He deserved to suffer the most gruesome death of all.

I came here to forgive him because I thought he had changed his ways. He told me he'd never hurt her again but old habits never seem to go away. And with this note, I have confessed my sins. No matter how many times my mother and I argued and disagreed, I loved her dearly. I will never forgive myself for not saving her from my wretched father. I hope that he rots in Hell."

Sincerely,

Gloria Cavalry