Once More

To the person reading or listening to this story I would like you to be self-aware about what you will encounter during the reading of this story. My name is Paul Freeman. I've lived in the small town of North Haverhill, New Hampshire for my entire life. When I was a young boy around the age of 9 years old the neighborhood friends and I would get together to hang out. Although, we were only in grade 4 we would think of ourselves as mature adults who understood the world. However, we would later find out that we knew nothing about anything.

One quiet and warm afternoon around the time of June my friends and I managed to convince our parents to let us get together to have our own little adventure. When everyone arrived at my house we began to walk up my street to an eerie mysterious forest. We grew up hearing obscure rumors about occurrences in the forest. A school mate once told my good friend that three teenagers were strangled and decapitated in the woods about 20 years ago. Of course having no knowledge of what that even meant at the time we mindlessly searched for a trail leading towards adventure. It wouldn't take us long to find a pathway leading deep into the woodland area. We began to walk nervously but determined to find something to share with our classmates or parents to impress them. After tirelessly walking for almost an hour we came upon a clearing. The strange place had three rocks gathered around a campfire. The campfire had old ashes and coals that haven't been warm in a long time.

We sat on the rocks and conversated on what we were to do next. Almost a minute into talking we heard a rustle in the leaves not that far away. My pal Jonathan volunteered to find what made the noise. Jonathan slowly disappeared into the shadows of trees. 10 minutes passed and Jonathan still hasn't come back. Everyone started to get on edge about Jonathan's location so we went ahead to search for him. An hour goes by and no trace of the young boy. We had to be home soon, but we still were set on finding our friend. Countless flies and mosquitos poking and biting us got so bad to the point where we had to call off our search party and venture home. After breaking the news to our parents that Jonathan was missing they alerted the authorities and an investigation was initiated.

As a young child you're not supposed to be revealed to so much grief. It overwhelmed my friends parents to the point where they had to move far away never to see North Haverhill ever again. I am now 16 years old and more curious than ever. I made a promise to my friends before they left though. I told them I was going to stay here and find Jonathan. With the insect situation I decided to go in the spring. My entire childhood consisted of my mom telling me never to return to those very woods. However, being 16 comes with it's perks. You're own job, a car, and most importantly you're independence. I was allowed to drive anywhere I wanted to and be home around 10:30PM. As soon as I had my license to drive alone I made the decision to venture into the woods once more and discover where my dear old friend went.

It was the 20th of March and I was ready. I had a backpack of supplies consisting of gloves, plastic bags for evidence, a hoodie for when it gets cold, and a hammer for self defense. I left my house around 1 o'clock in the afternoon and started my journey to approach the woods. I made my way to the trail. The trail where my friends and I once walked with each other. Thinking about the thing that took my friend that cost my childhood and all of my friendships made me furious. The anger filled my body to the point where my walk turned into a light jog and eventually a fast sprint. I had to get to that clearing. The chilly air filled my lungs eventually where I could barely breathe. As I stopped to catch my breath and look around at where I was I could spot the hidden clearing. I could see the weathered away rocks and the aged fire pit. I worked my way through the crooked branches and poison ivy and was eventually at my destination. My eyes searched the area puzzled. The area looks nothing like it did last time I visited. It felt so calm and safe.

I looked around where I last saw Jonathan disappear. I started my path that way. I looked behind every tree, investigated every branch, yet no sign that anybody was ever here. What was I thinking? It's been years since this happened. Even if there were any clues the police have definitely found them. I started to walk back to the clearing. However, my pace was suddenly interrupted by a hard object. I tripped and landed on my hands. I look behind me to spot what incredibly stupid object didn't cross my eyesight. To my amazement it was no ordinary rock or twig. The certain thing was made out of metal. I swept away a few leaves and surprisingly it was a handle. A handle to a small hatch. I could spot one side of the dirty wooden square that had hinges. I pulled open the doorway and made my way down a ladder.

I searched in the darkness to find a lightbulb. I pulled the string and the whole room lit up. On one side of the dimly lit room I could see a torn up mattress with different color stains, an old rusty microwave, and a rope. The other side of the room had me in utter chills. I could see chains hanging off the wall and old blood stains on the floor. I could smell the fumes of death and blood. I saw a box labeled "Awards." It had a horrific stench and looked aged. the box was made out of cardboard and the words were scribbled on with some sort of marker. I opened the box and as soon as I did my stomach immediately felt ill and throw up flooded my mouth. I turned around and let it all out. Inside of the excruciating box were human heads. Maggots got to them before I did so most of the flesh from the heads were removed. I took a deep long stare at the box and noticed one head in particular. the head of a frightened 9 year old boy. It was Jonathan. My childhood friend was murdered.

I didn't know what to do. Do I run or do I stay? Should I call the police? It would bring closure to Jonathan's family, but the person who did this could still be out there. I raced up the ladder and dashed through the forest. I rushed home and busted through the door. I looked crazily for the nearest telephone. I dialed 911 as fast as possible. As soon as I was directed to the operator I spoke as many words as I could before taking another breath. I explained that I have found the body of a missing boy and I told them my location. All I can do now is pray that the monster who did this is caught.