Chapter 6: October 29th, 1999

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Chapter 6: October 29th, 1999

The sun showed brightly in the autumn sky. Despite this it warmed very little in the lands that encompassed Lincoln, Nebraska. With the city wide curfew still in effect, very few people were out this afternoon. There were a few here and there but for the most part, the streets held a pail shadow of what the cities true populace could handle in street traffic. For some the killings in the city had put a damper on any festive activities or ideas. It was bad enough that Halloween was cancelled but most other activities, family friendly and adult only, not even the basic fittings for the holiday were not followed. No colorful decorations of the fall season, no jack-o-lanters. Not even a single party store was trying to sell a costume for fear it might give the wrong idea that someone should go out into the night.
Elizabeth was just fine with all of it. Being one of the faith, she would’ve preferred to walk among the trick-or-treating crowd and pray for them than actually enjoy the dark night’s activities. She did find the less than active streets concerning, more so with herself being out just hours before the curfew was to take effect. But leave it to herself to be talked into going for a walk in the city with her official chaperon. She did hope to go shopping during her stay in Lincoln. Her bible quizzing group had all sorts of plans to go and explore the city at large. But thanks to the killings in the area, most of them we canceled by the bible quizzing administrators. She found that odd given how they should’ve just canceled the bible quiz semifinals altogether. But it wasn’t her place to question those in authority over her. So in a sense of rebellion she decided to go out and explore what she could, making sure not to stray too far from her hotel.
but of course she couldn’t go out alone...
“Enjoying yourself yet Elizabeth.” spoke her chaperon. She knew that he was the reason why she was talked into going. Be it for a cheep date or just to have her alone for awhile, she wasn’t sure. But despite this, she did trust him. They had grown close in their years in high school. After high school didn’t change that. Elizabeth looked up at her chaperon and called him by name. “If walking out in the cold is considered enjoyment Mathieu then yes.” she was wearing an outfit that really wasn’t meant for the seasons. But she decided to wear such after the frightful ordeal in her room some time ago. She knew that the pink Sunday dress made her look more childlike than a woman but given the circumstances she didn’t mind. She was dressed for a bible quiz, not for a night on the town. Her pink dress had all the makings of the old fashioned feel. From the puffy shoulders, slimness of the waist, to the mid shin reach of the hem. Even the dress shoes and the white socks enhanced the outfit. To finish the look, she added a big, pink bow to her waist length hair. The bow not only looked good but also helped to keep her hair tied down and straight so it didn’t fully get out of control.
With the chill she wished she brought a jacket. Matheiu did offer his hoody on two occasions as they walked down the street but she declined out of respect. She looked at her friend as they walked side by side down the lone streets of Lincoln. If her outfit was childish by comparisons, his was the exact opposite. It was a far cry from the slacks and button shirt he use to wear in high school. The look did make him handsome but the new look he sported, Multipocket jeans, oversize black t-shirt, made him more the look of a street tough than a believer of the faith. The only color to his monochrome outfit being the silver cross dangling around his neck via chain.
Matheiu breathed out hot air into the cold afternoon. “It is a bit cold but we’ll be back inside before nightfall.” He said this as he continued to look around, as if keeping watch for someone to come out of the shadows and try to jump them. Elizabeth thought he played the part of bodyguard a bit too seriously, but it did make her feel better knowing she wasn’t alone. She was curious why he insisted on wearing his knife strapped to his thigh. She knew the blade was legal length but she didn’t feel it necessary to show such out in public. But then again, she was from the city and never needed such things whereas Mathiau came from the country, where such tools were probably needed for any outdoorsman task.
“I’m grateful that you’d come along with me on my outing, but I don’t understand why you want to take me to a coffee shop,” Elizabeth said as they continued their walk downtown. “I don’t even drink coffee.”
Mathieu shrugged and continued to keep his pace with the little woman. “I have to confess, I didn’t want to ask you out for coffee. Since I heard you were going to Lincoln, I figured I could catch a ride with your group and see a friend while you battle it out in the semifinals.”
“And be a chauffer in the process?”
“Did I seem that transparent to you Elizabeth?”
“That’s not what I meant Mathieu. I’m grateful that you came along. God knows that we need all the prayer and protection we can get right now.”
“Your worried about the killings around here aren’t you.”
“And your not?
Mathieu looked down at his close friend and gave a sinister grin. “they’ll think twice before they try to take me down.” Elizabeth gave out a giggle that she was sure sounded too childish even for her. Mathieu only grinned in response as they continued to their destination. He hoped that his friend was their waiting for him. In truth he was scared of what could be out there that could kill so many people in a notorious way. He heard from friends in the police science program he was in describe some of the findings they learned about the killings. It sounded something out of some Resident Evil videogame. He knew that his bravado wouldn’t save his friend or himself if they happen to meet face to face with such killers. All the more reason why he wanted himself and his friend back in their hotel before night came. After what he experience in the forest not long ago made him want to keep ever vigil since. Being outside after dark didn’t seem like a good idea even to him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Stephen sat at the deepest table in the coffee shop as he waited for his friend to arrive. After the event from the night before, he switched to drinking bottled water when he happened into this coffee shop. Unless Moses himself came inside with his cane he felt sure he was safe from drinking any blood this time around. He glanced at the table he sat down at nights ago, recalling the image he saw with the blood seeping down the table and onto the floor. It still rattled him even in broad daylight. It was one of the reasons why he wanted to talk to his old friend from back home. When he heard that Mathieu was coming to town he wanted to make sure he could not only hang out with a good friend from the past, but also see if he can have a one on one talk with him about what he experienced. Stephan knew that Matheiu was into such researches of the supernatural and spiritual. And since he was a friend he has trusted since childhood, he wanted to see if his friend could figure out what was going on.
Stephen almost went out as far as to invite an girl he knew back in his college days. She too was into such spiritualisms and ideas. He wasn’t sure why he thought to call and ask her to meet him at the coffee shop but figured it would be nice for Mathieu to meet some others that had the same interests. Not like he was trying to set his friend up on a date or something...
He made sure to wear the usual attire that Matheiu would be able to easily recognize him in. He knew that time was against them today with the curfew and all. He had more time off than usual thanks to it. He was glad to tell his friend to hurry as soon as he could. Mathieu was all the more happy to come and see his old friend. He even hinted that he too would be bringing a surprise, something that’ll make sure he could spot him in a crowd....
Stephen clutched the package he had resting on his lap and gently played with the cord that kept it closed. He didn’t know why he brought it along. If the police caught him with this he was sure to get arrested. Technically it wasn’t illegal but it would be very hard to explain to them. He kept telling himself that by the off chance, Mathieu would be able to understand it and perhaps even figure out who would send such to him. He couldn’t help but think that the package had a significant purpose to what was going on in his life. It was as if it was part of some mysterious puzzle that he was soon to being putting together....
Stephen heard the door open and he looked up breaking his mind from the reverie he was having. Despite the dark clothing, he knew that the slicked back haired young man was his dark friend. He noticed that he had changed a bit over the years the last they met. He was no longer some gangly, geeky teenager but a man much like himself. He was tall as much as Stephen was short and bulky. It never surprised him that despite their looks and differences, they were the closes of friends. What did surprise him was the little asian woman that was with him. He almost mistook her for a girl given the pink outfit she was wearing. But the eyes gave her away to being that of a woman. She even had the new shininess of that like an innocent. It made him wonder how she could’ve fallen in the company of his friend who he remembered to be held swing by dark moods from time to time.
Stephen set the package down on the table and got up to greet his friend. A smile crept into his face as he approached and felt for the first time he wasn’t fully alone with what he was bout to face. “Hello old friend.” He said as he took Mathieu into a brotherly embrace. “It’s good to see you too Stephen,” Mathieu said. “It’s been a long time, I figured you’d turn into one of those boring city dwellers I’ve so heard about.” Mathieu clapped his friend on the back like he use to back home. Stephen could see that very little changed with his friend. Despite the years and changing of attitudes, it was still the friend he knew back home.
“As much as the city holds it’s charm, I’m still one for the wide open spaces.” Stephen said as he returned Mathieu’s gesture. It wasn’t till he noticed that the little asian woman was off to the side awaiting to be introduced. “Speaking of charm,” said Stephen, “I see you are still as anti-social as every. You didn’t even introduce me to your cute friend here.” As if on cue, the little woman stepped up and gave a cute wave. “Where are my manners indeed,” said Mathieu. “This is my friend Elizabeth. she’s the reason why I am able to see you today.” Stephen did he best not to give the woman the once over. He knew how it felt to be considered small and unimportant.
“it’s a pleasure to meet you Elizabeth, any friend of Mathieus is a friend of mine.” he said with a nod. “it’s a pleasure to meet you as well,” responded Elizabeth. “This is a first for me, meeting a friend of Mathiue’s outside of the school environment I’ve known him in.”
Mathieu looked a bit uneasy when she said such, giving Stephen the idea that perhaps he’s never shared his personal life with others in the high school he had attended. Stephen cut thru the odd quiet by offering to get them something to drink given the cold. Elizabeth was nice enough to ask for a tea while Mathiue chose the poison of his choice. Once the drinks were obtained, they all sat down at the table where Stephen left his package. Elizabeth noticed that the coffee shop was practically deserted but felt more at ease as she began to envelope herself in the company of friends. It felt odd meeting a friend of Mathieu’s that was completely different to himself. Yet she was curious as to why he never spoke of him back in high school. She figured he had his reasons and was glad to be among those of the faith. She noticed that Stephen himself wore a cross much like her own. Just the sight of it made her feel a bit more at ease.
The three exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes. Getting to know each other a bit better and of course filling each other in on their lives in general. Stephen joked on how he was surprised that is friend couldn’t find a girl and Mathieu responded back with joking references about his dating exploits. For the most part, Elizabeth was happy to stand by and watch two good friends getting back together. She did notice that Stephen kept fiddling with a package that was in front of him. She thought it rude to inquire about it. As for Mathieu, he either say it but thought best not to speak of it or had ignored it altogether.
Their chatting stopped when they hear another person enter the coffee shop. Elizabeth was in mid drink of her tea when she took a look at the new encounter. She was a bit taken aback to see this newcomer into the store, for in fact she looked very familiar. And from the looks of her two friends, they remembered her as well.
“Kandace, so glad you could come.” said Stephen as he got up to greet her. Elizabeth took the moment to try to recall this new stranger. She had a paleness to her that did stand out along with her ample frame. She was almost a bit intimidated by the size of her bust compared to her own. Her hair was similar color to her own but it had a waviness that she could never have without the help of a stylist. The outfit she wore wasn’t that different. Black jeans with black jogging shoes. But what did jump out different was the purple top she was wearing. It had frilly lace along the short sleeves that only reached to her shoulders. And the V cut to the neck showed more cleavage than was necessary. It was interesting to see that she wasn’t the only one not dressed for the cold. Also interesting was the package that she herself was holding under her arm. It wasn’t till Elizabeth hear Kandace’s voice did she finally rememeber where she saw her from: She attended the same high school she attended, and was in fact in the same grade that Mathieu was in.
“Anything to see you Stephen. I’m always interested in what your up to since you dropped out of college.” Kandace said as she faced Stephen. She looked to the table and noticed the people that were seated with her friend. She sort of recognized the asian girl at the table but the dark skinned man.....
“Mathieu? Is that you?” Kandace asked as her eyed him once more. The outfit and the hair was different, but the eyes were just as she remembered. “I didn’t know you were friends with Stephen.”
The person in question did a double take with his two friends and seemed just as shocked as his friend. “Do you two know each other?” Stephen asked. There was a moment of silence as the four of them soaked in the situation. If anyone had been noticing the four or had heard a bit of the conversation, they’d have a feeling of closer with the four of them in the room. It had the moment like specific individuals had finally made themselves known from the shadows and despite their first meeting, they were about to embark on an adventure that somehow would twist and turn their destinies into paths that none of them could’ve ever foreseen.
The sound of a car horn outside the shop broke everyone from the reverie and brought them back to the present. “Yes old friend.” Mathieu said. “You might find this hard to believe but I went to high school with her.” the next sentence he directed to Kandace. “Hello my dear. You look rather.....busty, this afternoon.” the moment he said it Mathieu began to regret it. Kandace herself seemed to be taken aback from his statement but recovered quickly. “You know how to turn a phrase.” She answered.
Mathieu said nothing.
Stephen had a confused look on his face as well but quickly regained his composure. “Now this is a first. I had hoped to introduce you to my old friend from back home. But it seems that you to know each other as it is.” and perhaps more he thought to himself. After seeing the response Mathieu’s asian friend gave upon not hearing about him, Stephan thought best to keep quiet till he knew exactly where everyone stood.
Some more unnerving silence followed till Elizabeth decided to break it. “Hello Kandace, I’m not sure you remember me but I’m Elizabeth. We went to the same school together.” she got up and gave a slight bow in introduction to Kandace.
Kandace herself did recognize the asian girl. She honestly almost started to laugh when see her wearing such a childish outfit. She did recall how cute she looked back then, wearing outfits that fit properly with the school dress code. It seemed she still followed that code despite Mathieu’s outfitting. She nodded to the little woman as well. “I do recall you, it’s nice to see a face from the past.” But from Kandace’s tone, it sounded like it wasn’t.
Elizabeth either didn’t catch the sarcasm or didn’t care. Either way she smiled that cute smile Kandace remembered not liking back in I the school days. “Well,” said Stephen, “since we are all here, why not we get comfortable and talk about how we all come to know one another.” With that, Kandace loosened up a bit and joined Mathieu and Elizabeth at their table. Stephen made sure everyone was seated before he sat himself. A feeling of oddness floated over the table. Not a feeling of foreboding like the feeling Stephen felt a few nights ago a few tables back. It was more akin to not knowing what to say with the new company at hand. Mathieu obviously was too aback by seeing a friend from the past. He wasn’t sure why he was like that but didn’t think it was because of pure surprise. Kandace herself was usually withdrawn but she seemed more so given the company she was with. He wasn’t sure if it was because of Mathieu but he had the feeling that the two of them had some unfinished business.
The only one that appeared to be unphased by the situation was Elizabeth, who kept smiling and sipping her tea as if she was in the league of friends. Finally, Stephen decided to break the silence again and get things rolling. During the next few minutes, the four talked about how they all came to meet and how their lives were in general. Once that was out of the way, everyone seemed interested in hearing what everyone was up to and how their lives were going. Kandace was somewhat taken aback to hear that her college was actually hosting the bible quiz semifinals while Elizabeth was more than happy to explain the trip in how Mathieu and herself arrived in Lincoln. Stephen talked about his so called life as a lone pizza boy as Matheiu said little and appeared to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity around them.
When Kandace asked him about such, Mathieu returned the gesture by asking what was in the package she brought with her. Elizabeth herself then asked about Stephen’s package as well. Again, things got quiet among the group. All that could be heard was the sound of traffic and the standard bric-a-brac of any store. The only difference was that there was no one else in the store but them and the owner at the counter. Stephan let out his breath and touched the package once more. “I had hoped to speak of this package with Kandace in private first before I tell everyone about it...”
he looked around to the group of friends that had gather before him. He knew things were getting strange, especially when he told Kandace about his package. He was shocked himself to hear that she too had received a strange package in the mail. Both of them never really explained what was inside them and had hoped to do a share swap to see if any of them could understand what they had received.
But the knowledge that everyone knew each other changed matters.
When Mathieu began to rise from his seat, Stephen waved him down. “No, don’t leave. Given the circumstances, I think it would be better if you saw what’s inside this package as well.” he looked to Elizabeth as well figuring she was thinking something differently about what the package could contain. “You can stay too Elizabeth. You are friend of my friend so you are friend as well.” Elizabeth seemed dubious so Stephen added, “And no, it’s not drugs.” He wasn’t sure why he said that but he had a feeing that the asian woman might be thinking that he was the type of crowd.
Elizabeth almost objected but nodded. “this might all seem odd to you all,” Stephen started. “but let me show you what I have here, then I’ll tell you my story.” and with that he untied the string holding the box lid down and lifted. Everyone peered inside so that the mystery could be revealed. What everyone saw didn’t even come close to solving any mystery but added more to it. None of them could’ve guessed what they were to find inside. Thoughts ran thru their eyes as they tried to figure out why something like this was in Stephen’s possession.
There was a leather whip inside the box.