Chapter 8 - The End or the Beginning?
A figure watched a tv set.
"Weeks of fear have gripped and rocked this calm
community which for years has been struggling with the brutal deaths of
Peg and Gene Crenshaw. But now, the Crenshaw Brother's Reign of
Terror
has finally come to an end. We are here at the old Crenshaw cabin where
Inspector Ray Troutman has finally put an end to the boys' bloody
rampage.
Inspector, do you have anything to say to this community?"
"This town has been rocked by this horrible case
of abuse and murder. There are many victims here, myself included. But
ultimately, an entire family is gone. A family which was supposed to be
about love, caring and togetherness was exchanged for pain, suffering
and
unspeakable abuse. The whole thing sickens me. I hope we can all put
this situation behind us and as a community move on with our lives."
The figure watched the program and began to laugh
uncontrollably.
Weeks Later
Ray Troutman stood in front of Peg Crenshaw's
grave
site. His hands were closed tightly in trench coat pockets as a crisp
cool
wind blew through his hair. He bent to one knee at the grave.
"I'm sorry Peg. I tried to save them. I tried to
save you too. I'm so sorry. I miss you. I miss you more every day."
He looked up with eyes filled with
tears to the overcast sky above.
"Now you are all together where nobody can hurt
you."
Out of the corner of his eye, a scurry in the
distance
turned Troutman's head around. A rustling from the opposite direction
spun
his head the other way. Something was out there.
Or someone.