January 12, 2021
2020 was over and so was Andrews time in Matthewsville, Idaho. He and Birke would be returning to Washington to resume their detective work there. For the last several weeks, they tried and failed to discover anymore leads into Edward Porter, Gabriel Matthews, and Jacob Matthews. As well, they never did uncover who the old woman was that terrible night at the Sheriff's office and still had their doubts about the faceless man they saw. However, it was hard for Andrews and Birke to deny the existence of the Faceless when one of the creatures killed a deputy.
The whole situation turned out to be one big shit show that left a sour taste in Andrews mouth. Years of great detective work was under his belt but, after this last month, he had to put a defeat under there.
They searched and patrolled the mansion, the surrounding forests, the Porters old home, Aaron Fletcher's home, The Hallington Sawmill, and the streets of Matthewsville. And yet, there was nothing - not even a whisper. Andrews didn't know what kind of paranormal activity was really happening in these woods, and how many of its citizens were affected by it, but he didn't want anything else to do with it. Letting Edward Porter escape justice would stay with him for the rest of his life and he would never truly accept that he failed.
"Well, Ernest, are you ready to head home?" Birke asked.
Andrews looked back to Sheriff Sharpe who gave a slight nod and tipped his hat. He nodded back at the sheriff and stood by his cruiser. With all said and done, he did respect the sheriff, even came to like him. Andrews felt pity for him, losing his two deputies who, in there own little way, were like sons to him. They didn't deserve the death they got.
"I have one more stop I've got to make. Meet me in Coeur D'Alene?"
"You got it," Birke said. "Lunch is on me."
"Heh. It'll be a late lunch, Birke," Andrews replied.
Birke put on his sunglasses and put one foot into the car. "When is it not?" The detective got into his car and pulled out of the parking lot onto the street. Andrews looked around the area, taking in the natural beauty that surrounded Matthewsville. It may have been a small town, with the only really highlights being its bar and small bowling alley, but it still had the beauty of the Rockies and all of its trees. Unfortunately, that beauty was tainted.
Andrews threw his tan jacket into the passenger seat and got into his car, feeling the guilt of two deputies lives on his shoulders. He pressed his head to the wheel and closed his eyes.
Where are you, Porter?
He shifted his car to drive and made his way onto the street. His next stop: Matthew's Manor.
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As Andrews pulled up through the driveway, he noticed a brick fall off the side of the building and shatter into pieces upon reaching the ground. It was a shithole. It was amazing that several people lived in it a little less than a month ago. Now, it was a crumbling ruins, wrapped in police tape and warning signs.
He slowly exited his vehicle and looked around him, seeing all the trees rustle in the wind. The sun was rising above them and glimmered across the pines. For now, Andrews was certain he was safe. Perhaps these Faceless were like vampires, don't particularly like the sunlight. Or maybe they did and they were about to crush his skull in as well. Whatever the case, Andrews didn't care. Failure was not an option for him. He'd rather die to the evil fairies of the woods then go back to Washington with nothing to show for it. That wasn't the kind of detective he was.
Andrews walked up the stairs to the great mahogany doors and knocked on them three times. Why he knocked? He wasn't sure. Maybe he expected that Edward would answer. Maybe he expected that this whole last month was in his head and he would find Jacob Matthews with his family, unsure as to his reason to be there. Maybe he expected that there really was ghosts living in the mansion, waiting for his return. But, there was no answer.
A sigh was all that came from Andrews. He had been back here seven times since the deputies were killed. They searched every room, every nook and cranny, and had several squads of officers search about two miles into the tunnels. Any further and they would have run out of line and, most likely, their sanity. Perhaps Edward was in there, sleeping with the ghosts and Faceless. Maybe he bled out somewhere. It didn't matter. What mattered is that Andrews didn't find him.
He walked away from the mansion, feeling more shame overcome him. He opened his car door and looked up to the mansion one more time, seeing a shadow in the window. It was the girl, Tabitha. She stood in the attic, her face expressionless. Andrews waved at her, not knowing if she was even real. She waved back at him and watched as he got in his car.
The lady has told me that we will meet again.
That was the last thing Edward said to him before escaping. Andrews would hold him to that. And next time, Edward wouldn't escape.
Andrews slipped on his sunglasses and drove from the driveway. Deep down, he knew...
He'd be back.
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"How are you doing mom?" Isaac asked.
She didn't respond. His mother didn't seem to have words anymore. Instead, she looked to the ceiling, her eyes wide and bloodshot. The only communication she ever seemed to give was when she would randomly have a fit of panic and start screaming and try to escape from her restraints. Then, she would fall to a slumber before resuming it all tomorrow.
Isaac cried for weeks but now he didn't know if he could anymore. He wasn't even sure if he had a mother anymore, just the shell of one. But he also felt that maybe she was still in there, begging to come back out. Every so often, Isaac would see his mother have a tear roll down her cheek and he felt that was her way of letting him know she could hear him. To let him know that she was listening and loved him. His father was gone - labeled as a murderer - while his mother was mentally broken. Isaac wouldn't give up on her.
"You know, Lillian just got done with winter break and is back in school. She rides the bus in the morning but Aunt Mabel picks her up after school." He paused, looking at the unmoving eyes of his mother. "Aunt Dana is also doing well. She's still having a hard time moving on past Uncle Jordan but she seems to be doing a lot better. The four of us just had dinner this Sunday and played some games."
Isaac grabbed a small cloth from the table next to him and wiped away the saliva that was rolling down his mother's mouth.
"And nobody has seen dad yet. I hope he comes back soon," Isaac looked out the window. "Maybe he'd know what to do."
Every time Isaac came here, he expected his mom to say something back to him. To his disappointment, she didn't. Her eyes looked to the ceiling, while her mouth remained wide open. Isaac sighed and looked to the door.
"Well, mom, I think I better head home before Aunt Mabel gets worried. I know Lillian wants to see you next time so she'll come and say hi." He looked to his mother once more, hoping for a reply.
There was only silence.
He kissed her on the forehead and made his way to the door. "I love you mom."
Isaac shut the door, leaving his mom to her thoughts. He wondered what she could be thinking. But most of all, he wondered what could have done this to her. Did his dad somehow do it to her? He didn't think so. That wasn't the kind of man his father was, even if he once was an alcoholic. The detective that came to town turned his father into a criminal and, now, Isaac wasn't certain he would ever see his father again. All he could do was hold out hope.
As he walked to the elevator, he remembered the night they left the manor. He could remember the windows coming to life with people behind them and the body of Rebecca standing up. But, most of all, he could remember that man without a face looking in his direction. It didn't have eyes but he could feel its gaze pierce through him.
That was the real killer. That house... that forest... they killed those people. It wasn't his dad - it wasn't Gabriel - it was the house and the forest. Isaac only hoped that they didn't kill his dad too.
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He dragged the body into the cave and threw it next to the fire. That was the third teenager that came too close to their home in the last week. Edward would need to consider putting up traps, in case more kept coming.
How many teenagers live in Matthewsville?
"Another one?" Jacob asked.
Edward sat on a log and looked down at the paralyzed terror in the teenager's face. "Yep, caught this one pissing on a tree about half a mile from here. Didn't see if he had any buddies with him."
Jacob poked at the fire, his eyes glimmering in its flame. "Well, the Faceless will be happy for the food tonight. Apparently, lots of folk are scared to come into these woods now that you've gone and killed four people and an officer."
Edward kicked the teenagers foot. "Apparently, not enough are scared."
"Indeed," Jacob said.
They both fixated on the fire, waiting for something to happen. That was their life now - waiting for the lady of the manor to summon their services. Only, she hadn't needed them in some time. She was planning something at the mansion while Edward was to sit with Jacob and protect the cave. The only visitors they received anymore were the Faceless coming to collect their food.
Despite all the waiting around, Edward never felt happier. All day he would dream of seeing Rebecca once more and being with her. He dreamed of touching her skin and her lips to his. He dreamed of the night they shared. He dreamed of one day being rewarded again, for his loyalty. Edward would wait, and wait some more, if it meant seeing Rebecca again. In the mean time, he would kill anyone who came to close to his cave.
"You know, Jacob, your name seems very familiar to me," Edward said. "It feels like I should know who you are."
"Interesting that you would think that. We've never met before a few weeks ago."
"Yes," Edward said, rubbing his chin. "But it's something about your last name, Matthews. I feel like I've heard that name."
"Perhaps you're thinking of my son, Gabriel."
Edward's fist clenched but he wasn't sure why. Something about that name made his body tense up. "Yes. Yes, that does seem to ring a bell."
"Well, Edward, I suppose there's something I should let you know. Gabriel Matthews is my son and I'm going to be visiting him soon."
"Oh," Edward said. "Congratulations."
"Yes, I am very excited to see him after all this time. Although, I'm not even sure he'll recognize me anymore."
"Oh, I'm sure he will. You're his father after all."
"No, Edward, you don't understand. The lady of the manor is rewarding me. You will be alone here and I will get to finally be with my son and leave this old frail body behind. I'm going to become one of the Faceless."
It was the final gift that the lady of the manor gave to those who were loyal to her. To become a Faceless was the highest honor.
"I'm happy for you Jacob. Perhaps we'll see each other again."
"I don't think so, Edward. The lady has many plans for you." Jacob paused and looked to Edward's eyes. "She thinks highly of you, you know. You must not disappoint her."
"Of course not," Edward said. "I live and die for her."
"Good," Jacob said. "Because here soon, that's what it may come down to."
Edward smiled and looked to the flames. She was everything that he could ever love. Death would only mean being closer to her. Death was what he had anticipated.
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