December 18, 2020
Yes, Edward killed them all. Aaron, Robert, Rebecca, and Jordan.
His mind flashed back to what happened at Aaron's house. The Faceless didn't break into the house. No, Edward nearly killed his wife by strangling her and then slamming her head into the wall. Unfortunately, he thought he did kill her up until the sheriff said he didn't. He stabbed Aaron multiple times in the stomach and threw him out the window, where he then finished the job and strangled him with all the anger in his body.
He never dragged Aaron into the car to take him to the hospital. Edward left him in the snow to rot.
Then, he got on the highway, considering reporting himself to the authorities. But they would throw him in prison for what he had done. It would be better to take his own life then to never had his freedom again. He rammed himself into a tree, hoping the impact would kill him. It didn't. Hardly even scratched him.
That was when Robert showed up. As usual, he taunted and bullied Edward but, this time, Edward wasn't going to tolerate it. He stabbed Robert in the side and ran to his truck. Unfortunately for Robert, he chased after Edward only to get a knife plunged his neck.
Then, Edward sped back to the manor, intent on killing Gabriel Matthews. He saw beautiful Rebecca standing at the doorway, on her way out. She had been with Gabriel ever since Edward moved. Therefore, she couldn't be trusted. They shared a moment but no where near the romance that Edward had imagined in his head. She wouldn't kiss him back and tried getting away from Edward. He grabbed her by the hand, pulled her back, and carved through her neck, ear to ear.
Lastly, there was Jordan. This was wasn't intentional but, nevertheless, it had to be done. He stepped in the way between Edward and Gabriel and allowed the weasel to escape. Edward looked into his brother's eyes for a brief moment, thinking about his actions. It wasn't in Edward's control though. His body reacted and plunged his knife right into Jordan's heart. All he could do was scream as his brother looked at him with confusion and disbelief.
Edward was sorry, so very sorry. He didn't mean for this to happen to his brother, possibly one of the last people he truly cared for. But it was done. And now, he was a servant to the Lady of the Manor.
Serving her would prove difficult behind the bars to the the cell he was sitting in. They would try to get answers out of him but he would never give them. Because, while he could remember what he did in the moment, Edward knew it was only a matter of time before his mind went blank again, like a clean piece of paper. His mind was a blank canvas, waiting to be filled in by this lady - his love - Rebecca.
"Edward?" A woman's voice said from the other side of the bars.
He looked up to see Rebecca standing before him, smiling down at him.
"Are you ready to come home?" She asked.
Edward stood up and wrapped his arm around the bars, seeing only her, and not the two deputies looking down at the paperwork at their desk.
"Yes. Yes, I'm ready my lady," He replied.
Rebecca reached her hand through the bars and rubbed his cheek. It felt magical to the touch. He wished he could rip through the bars and wrap himself around her. He had hardly been gone from her for more than a day and he already missed her touch. This woman was his everything.
"Good," She said, pulling her hand back rom his face. "Because in a few moments, our cage will open and you'll have your freedom."
Rebecca looked back to the two deputies. "You may have to take care of them though."
Edward looked down at his hands. The damage from the last several nights had been done to them. Red stains of blood seemed to appear on his hand. Edward was a killer. It didn't matter. What mattered was obtaining his freedom and being back with his lady.
"I'll be ready."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZSHOiOrNl
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Detective Andrews stood over the table in the interrogation room, looking over the photos of the four dead victims. All four bodies pointed towards Edward Porter.
First there was Aaron Fletcher. He was Caucasian, about six foot tall, had blonde hair, was roughly one hundred and eighty pounds, before losing his blood and facial parts, and had been stabbed multiple times in the stomach and strangled. What would have been an easy analysis was turning out to be difficult. Edward's wife was having an affair with this man, which pointed to Edward seeking revenge. However, Edward's DNA didn't match to the DNA found on the corpse and his handprints didn't match the marks on Aaron's neck. To make things even worse, the only witness to the crime had seemingly lost her mind, assuming she wasn't in on the crime. No blades were found around the scene of the crime. In fact, not even a drop of blood was found on the floor of the manor,. Andrews had no doubt in his mind that Edward lacked the intelligence to be able to hide all the evidence of his potential crime, which led Andrews to believe that Edward was being assisted.
Next was one of Edward's coworkers, Robert Mason. This man was much rougher looking. He was Caucasian, bald, stood at 6'3, had a red beard, weighed in at 260 pounds, and at a stab wound in his lower right abdomen, and slightly right of his Adam's apple. Andrews and Birke had yet to go investigate at the Hallington Sawmill but knew that he and Edward had worked together. Gabriel Matthews was the boss of the company and, as it so happened, he was missing as well. Perhaps he and Edward were working together? Anyways, Edward's car and Robert's wallet were found on the side of the highway, between Mr. Fletcher's house and Matthewsville. Aside from the wallet, there was no more evidence to suggest anything happened at the scene. The car had a broken window, suggesting that someone broke out of it but there wasn't any blood in the wreckage.
Moving on was the woman who, also, worked for Gabriel Matthews, Rebecca Dawes. She had been a frequent guest as the Matthew's Manor. She was Caucasian, had jet black hair, weighed 146 pounds, 5'6, and had her neck slashed. Her official position was a secretary but it seemed that she was often seen with Mr. Matthews, suggesting different services. Edward and Sarah's family had reported that her corpse was at the top of the porch steps. As well, they had reported that Edward, Gabriel, and Jordan Porter had been screaming at each other before something happened that caused them to flee the building. Andrews assumed that a fight had broke out between them but, what Andrews couldn't figure out, what had caused them to flee the manor? Once again, there was no evidence on Rebecca's body to suggest that Edward had even touched a hair on her head, not that there was any hair left.
Which brought Andrews to Jordan Porter, the brother of Edward. He was Caucasian, had short brown hair, weighed 172 pounds, was 5'10, and had a single stab wound into his heart. He and his wife, Dana Porter, were visiting the manor for Thanksgiving but ended up stranded because of the storm that been taking place for the last few weeks. He ran off into the woods with Edward and Gabriel as last reported. But, of course, nothing suggested that he was killed out there.
None of it made any sense. Andrews knew - felt it in his gut - that Edwards was a killer. Yet, he couldn't prove it. Gabriels was also a prime suspect but Dana Porter confirmed that he hadn't left the manor in the time that Aaron and Robert were reported to be killed. The only conclusion that Andrews could pull at the time, without further evidence, was that there was another person involved. He/she would have to have been a genius to have so delicately cleaned up every body and crime scene of any trace. But, nevertheless, Andrews would crack the case. Whether or not Edward was assisted, Andrews would figure it out. He would prove Edward was guilt because he had to. Perhaps it was pride but he needed to prove that the sheriff was wrong. He knew Edward Porter was a killer and he would prove it.
He banged his fist on the table, startling Birke who had barely slept through the night.
"Sorry," Andrews said.
Birke stared at him, still not fully one with reality.
"What do you think?" Sharpe asked.
Andrews looked up and glared at him. "Well, Sheriff, I have nothing concrete. I have ideas and theories, both of which I know don't matter to you or a court of law."
"Well, you would be correct, Detective. I don't much care for theories when a man's future is at stake."
"Yes, yes," Andrews mocked, looking back down to the photos. "One theory might interest you though."
Sharpe walked over to Andrews, looking down at the photos along with him.
"I think that someone was helping Edward and, possibly, Gabriel."
"And who might that be?" Sharpe asked, leaning over to the trash can and spitting a wad of tobacco.
"I... I don't know," Andrews said, feeling a little bit of defeat overcome him. This case should have been easy. He should be wrapping up the case before it starts and be heading home to his wife.
"Well then I suppose it is what you called it. A theory," The sheriff said. "Listen, Detective, I'm not trying to undermine you or anything. I just know a lot of the people from these parts and don't want to see them wrongfully punished for something they may not have done. Truth be told, Detective, I also have a suspicion that Mr. Porter may be our killer. But I won't wrongfully condemn him and take him away from his sick wife and his children if he's innocent."
Andrews knew the man was guilty. But he agreed with the sheriff. He needed the evidence. But where was the evidence?
"I'm going to have a chat with Mr. Porter. I hope he's awake," Andrews said.
He went to open the door only to find that it was locked.
"Did your deputies think it would be funny to lock us in?"
Sharpe stepped up next to him and gently tried pushing on the door.
"I guess they did. Oh, I'll have their ass for this, those bastards," Sharpe said. "Smitten! Carver! Open this goddamn door right now!"
There was no answer. Andrews began to view them as sniveling little kids, hiding behind the door and snickering.
"I swear to God, if you bastards don't open up this door right now..."
Then a gunshot rang on the other side of the door followed by a man screaming.
"Oh no..." Andrews muttered. He pushed the sheriff aside and began kicking at the door.
Edward wouldn't escape him.
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"I'm going to head to the bathroom. I've got a nasty shit," One of the deputies said.
"Lovely," The other deputy said, his gaze fixated on the paperwork before him.
Edward sat on the bed and leaned his elbows on his knees.
I'm ready.
"How are you hanging in over there?" The deputy asked.
"Dandy," Edward replied. "I must say, the view in here is fantastic. I think I need to get myself locked up more."
The deputy glanced at Edward and then back down to his papers. "Well, if everything goes well for you, then you'll be out of here in no time."
Yes, he would be out of here in no time. Only, good behavior may not be the reason he leaves.
"Excuse me, Deputy..."
"Carver."
"Carver. Do I get a lawyer? I think I ought to have a lawyer."
Carver's eyes looked to Edward once more. "You are indeed allowed to have a lawyer. Although, an innocent man like yourself wouldn't possibly need one, would you?"
Edward chuckled. "No I suppose an innocent man like myself wouldn't need one," He said. "I'd still like on though."
Carver looked at him, a flash of disappointment coming across his face. "Very well."
The deputy stood up and walked over to a landline phone and began pressing numbers. Edward chuckled once more before noticing a shadow appear over him. It wasn't the other deputy, however.
He looked up, expecting to see a set of eyes staring back at him. Instead, it was a tall faceless man pointed at him. It had no expression but Edward believed that this was his escort. The lady of the manor told him to be ready and Edward was ready.
Edward nodded his head at the Faceless and it, seemingly, nodded its head back at him. Without even touching the bars, it waved its hand and the lock disengaged. He was free, or almost free. There was only one more thing to attend to before he left. He looked to Carver, feeling the blood rush overcome him once more.
He snuck over to Carver's desk and took the chair with him. He slid it under the door handle to the interrogation room and quietly turned the lock. The detectives and sheriff were likely in there trying to prove his guilt. Even if they did, they wouldn't have a chance to get him. He was under the protection of his lady.
Carver's back was still to Edward. Sneaking over wasn't too difficult, even for Edward being a larger man. Carver was too preoccupied with the phone and, even if he did hear Edward, he probably assumed it wasn't the man who should be safely behind bars.
Edward looked back to see that the Faceless was watching him and seemingly telling Edward to do it. He quickly reached for the landline cord and wrapped it around Carver's neck. The deputy was taken by surprise, allowing Edward to get a tight grip but Carver quickly realized what was happening and swung his head back into Edward's nose.
He shrieked in pain. For being smaller than Edward, he wasn't going to be an easy kill like the other four. This man knew how to fight but Edward wasn't looking for a fight... He was looking to kill.
Quickly recovering the blow, Edward threw Carver into the wall before he could reach for his pistol. He returned the favor and cocked his head back and swung it into Carver's nose. Now they were even in terms of broken noses.
Carver grabbed onto Edwards wrists and began twisting them with surprising strength. He twisted harder and pulled them above Edward's shoulders, forcing Edward to the ground. Carver then delivered a knee to Edward's chin, knocking him to the ground. His vision turned blurry as he noticed the Faceless still watching it. Edward could feel the disappointment it likely held for him in this moment.
Then, Rebecca walked in and stood next to the Faceless. "Don't let him hurt you Edward. Don't let him hurt us."
A surge of adrenaline flowed through Edward's body and he kept back to his feet and lashed out at Carver. He shoved him back into the wall, burying his hands deep into his neck. The deputy tried gasping for air and couldn't manage to hold him back. Edward smiled as he pushed even harder, hearing cracking and gurgling. Carver spit out blood into Edward's eye before the last wisp of air left his mouth.
Edward rubbed the blood from his eye and looked back to Rebecca to see her smiling at him. It was then that the other deputy entered the room, holding a coffee.
Edward made eye contact with him before the deputy noticed the Faceless and Rebecca. He could actually see them.
The deputy dropped his coffee and quickly unholstered his pistol. He swung it towards Edward until the Faceless practically teleported to him and grabbed him by the forehead. He shot a bullet at the ceiling and screamed in agony. Edward watched from afar as the Faceless leaned in closer to the deputy and crushed his skull.
It was a beautiful sight to see.
The interrogation room busted open and the detective looked over at Edward, his hand on his gun. Now the detective had his evidence. Now he knew Edward was guilty.
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Detective Andrews looked into the black, void-like, eyes of Edward Porter. The deep brown eyes that were intimidated and lost from half a day ago looked demon like. They weren't his eyes but rather that of an entity controlling him.
If Andrews still wasn't convinced that these lands were cursed from looking at Edward, he was when he turned to his right and saw a faceless man holding the corpse of Deputy Smitten. It's fingers were latched into Smitten's skull, oozing out brain matter and blood. Standing by the door was an older woman who was cackling, like a witch.
Drawing his weapon seemed impossible as he was paralyzed with disbelief.
"Edward Porter, you're under arrest," He managed to say.
The old lady's laugh intensified as Edward joined in. "No, Detective, I will be leaving now."
Andrews glanced to Birke and Sharpe, who were both equally as prettified. Andrews knew how to deal with humans. He could reason with them, he could capture them, or he could put them down. How could he deal with a Faceless? Could they be put down? Or did they deflect bullets off their skin like Superman?
The old lady and Faceless disappeared, leaving Andrews face to face with Edward. He unholstered his gun and pointed it at him. "Put your hands where I can see them and walk to me, slowly."
"Detective..." Sharpe said.
"NOW!" Andrews yelled.
Edward chuckled as he raised his hands in the air. "The lady has told me we will meet again, Detective Andrews. Until then, I suggest you rest well and... make amends with your wife."
A fire burned inside Andrews,. He held his finger to the trigger, feeling every urge to squeeze it and put this animal down. Edward stopped chucking and sprinted for the window, bursting out of it.
Andrews shot his entire clip at the man and heard Edward yelp as one went into his left calf. It didn't stop him though.
"We need more men here now," Andrews said. "Get a hold of the Captain, Birke. Sheriff, I need you..."
"Detective..." Sharpe said with a sigh. "He's gone. He had the evils of the forest on his side now. He's likely already disappeared."
Andrews wouldn't give up that easily. Edward was injured. It would be as simple as tracking a wounded deer to its dying spot.
Birke held the phone to his ear while Andrews reached for his phone to get a hold of whoever he could. He would get highway patrol, officers from anywhere around this desolate town, and any volunteer who was willing to walk out into these cursed forests.
Andrews would find Edward Porter. One way, or the other.
END of Part 5
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