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Dan stumbled awkwardly down the street. Dressed in a long brown coat with a black toque wrapped around his head. In his left hand, he loosely held a nearly finished bottle of bourbon by the neck. He stopped, took a swig, and trudged forward. Cars blazed past him and honked their horn at the dumb drunk.
But did Dan care?
No… He simple strutted forward and ignored them. Tears were beginning to build in his eyes. Quickly he wiped them away. Dan did enough crying already; it was time stop… Bringing the bottle to his lips one final time, he finishes and tosses it aside. Takes a breath, then checks his surroundings. Fishes into his coat pocket for a small piece of paper, takes it out, unfolds it, and reads it. Crumples it up and returns it to his pocket…
He is here….
Dan stumbles forward…
Daniel Havelchuck lost everything in the span of five months.
Rewinding the clock back, Daniel was a respected individual. He worked as a history teacher at the High School by his home. Was well liked and got along with his students and colleagues. His fourth year of teaching, Dan was rewarded the teacher of the year award – A reward that students would vote on. Although in was just a way a thanking you for your teaching service, the announcement managed to make his heart happy.
Dan was married and had one daughter. His wife, Summer, was the light his life. They met in their 2nd year of university and sparks flew ever since. Summer worked as a doctor at the local hospital. Paralleling her husband, she was celebrated in the workplace; always got along with patients and nurses alike. Dr. Havelchuck always brought a glimmer of hope to those who heard it in the hospital walls…
Their daughter, Sarah was also a gem. She was 10 and in her last year of elementary before she got shipped off to the hell that was middle school. Sarah loved draw and painting, It was her passion. Most if her consisted bizarre shapes and colours that tinkled the brain. Painting abstraction at this age, only told her folks that this was the path she ought to go down.
The Havelchuck family was respected amongst all…
But that was before the incident.
One the seniors at the school, Cindy Woo, was probably considered the school’s golden child. She was smart, athletic, talented, and one of the most skilled individuals out there…But Cindy’s most controversial quality… was her beauty.
Many young men and women would do almost anything to get to be alone with her. If you were able to steal a small glance from her, you’d be walking tall for the rest of your days. That’s how much power she held over the school. If there was a social ladder, she wouldn’t be on it, she’d be above it…
But most dangerous thing about Cindy Woo wasn’t her beauty, wasn’t her smarts, or anything of the like…It was her…Tendencies
Ever since a young age, Cindy didn’t do what others did. She didn’t play pretend, and never went to the playground; all the things that made children children were never present with Cindy…Something was present within her tough. Or something else was lacking within her.
While all the kids were out playing, Cindy would stand above an anthill and watch. Watched them all scurry around while paying attention to the looming giant eyes that were studying their every move. Then she’d take a large stick, Cindy would stab the ant’s home and observe them all frantically evacuate the hill. Then as they were scrambling around, Cindy would take her thumb and smash each of the ants into the ground. Ant after ant after ant, a sadistic grin would creep onto her face as she looked at all the curled-up ant bodies that she had a hand in creating. It brought her joy, satisfaction, and pleasure.
But soon, the fascination with ants evolved. Evolved into bigger things. And eventually those became bigger as well…
Let’s just say no one is going to miss a few stray cats…
But no one ever knew of this side of Cindy. No one would ever know this side of her. The Cindy they’d see was the smiling and brilliant young girl whose looks rivaled that of Cleopatra.
Using her beauty and status, Cindy would constantly manipulate those around her. The feeling of pulling the strings excited her. She held strings of students, janitors, principals, and teachers…All the teachers except one.
Dan saw through her façade. Gazed right through those smiles and winks and saw a thing that resembled an 17-year-old girl…
The suspicions began when one day, after his class, Cindy approached his desk. He last test was B+. It was one point away from an A grade. To most students, this would be satisfying! But Cindy wasn’t most students…Let alone people…
She approached his desk and began to strike-up a conversation about the topic in-class. Dan being unaware of her, was happy to discuss this. So, they talked, and all the while Cindy was getting closer. A bit too close. She started gently stroking his arm, lean forward enough that he would just be able to see down her shirt, and Cindy would giggle at everything thing he said. After their conversation, Cindy uttered a sluttery goodbye, and exited the classroom with a swagger that made her hips pop and behind prominent.
The experience weirded him out but he brushed it out. He never met her before, just heard of her. Quickly pushing the thoughts aside, he went about the rest of his day no problems…But then the problem grew worse.
The following days, Cindy would show-up in more alluring clothing: short skirts with heels, crop tops, make-up that’d make her features glow. And each day, after every class, she’d approach his desk, and talk to him. In that same tone, with those same little teasing actions, with that same sluttery walk and goodbye. And over the days, Dan would become more and more uncomfortable. It got to the point where he’d only respond in one-word answers, and she’d continue to rattle on and on…
Dan approached the principal and told him of Cindy’s mannerisms, but the principal dismissed him with a wave of the hand. No one liked it you bad-mouth the school’s golden child. He’d claim that it was all in Dan’s head and how a bright young woman like herself knows better than that. This disappointed Dan. Now he was on his own, whether he liked it or not.
After that, Dan made an effort to watch Cindy…No that’s incorrect, to study Cindy. During his classes, he’d take a moment to gaze around at each of his students, when in actuality he was watching Cindy. At lunch hour, he’d always sit in the corner of the cafeteria and eat his sandwich, but he was only observing Cindy from a far. Sometimes, Dan would take trips to other teacher’s classrooms to ask for things, once again, this was an attempt to keep tabs on Cindy…His study went on for a few weeks.
During Dan’s discoveries he noticed that she didn’t have any friends. Yes, she was always surrounded by parties of people but their relationship to her was closer to lackies. Although the lackies might have thought Cindy was their friend, the reality of the whole situation was alarming. And this wasn’t just with other students, it was also with other teachers. Each class she’d attend, Cindy would put on this mask that would appease the teacher. So therefore, each of the school’s teaching staff had different version of Cindy that suited to them personally…
But the discovery that disturbed Dan the most was Cindy’s lack of blinking.
Cindy had tendency to forget to blink. Dan would catch her staring on and on and on and three minutes later, a blink. The ordeal sent chills along Dan’s spine. What human being in their right mind would forget to perform one the most basic of human characteristics?
Then it got Dan thinking…
What if Cindy Woo wasn’t human?
Not implying that she is a demon or monster. But what if Cindy was something else. A being born by humans, raised by humans, lived as human but wasn’t…The conclusion scared him and from that point on, Dan would cut ties with Cindy. It was the best he could do due tothe higher-ups refusing to take a look into the matter.
So, during and after class, Dan would simply ignore Cindy’s advances and go about his business. She’d try to strike-up one of her giggly conversations, but Dan would simply not engage. It’d put Cindy in a spot where the only thing she’d have to do is leave. The strategy was working and soon Cindy left him alone. Dan had won…
And Cindy did not like this one bit.
Growing frustrated with barrier that Dan was setting-up, Cindy for the first time in her life felt as if she wasn’t in-control. This feeling upset and angered her to all hell! However, she wasn’t done with him. So, she did the thing that any self-respecting high school student couldn’t stay away from, Cindy started rumors. Rumors pertaining to her and Mr. Havelchuck…
See, when Havelchuck was going about his research, Cindy was well-aware of his watching of her. Noticing him staring at her, noticing every time he’d make a cameo in one her classes…
It was perfect! All the evidence lined-up…Besides, it’d be her word against his. And who would they believe; a simple history buff or the golden child…
During her lunch periods, being surrounded by adoring fans, Cindy would purposefully refer to Mr. Havelchuck as Dan. Then start giggle and correct herself. Although it was a little, it was enough. Word started spreading through the halls like wildfire. People took notice how Cindy would stay with Havelchuck after class. And students started making wild claims that only fanned the fires!
Havelchuck is sleeping with Cindy! Did you hear about Havelchuck and Cindy? I think I caught them kissing in the gym storage! Cindy with Havelchuck’s child!
The rumors blazed through the hallways, but these rumors never reached the ears of the teachers. That was Cindy job…
Her desire for a better grade morphed into a desire to destroy this man. Break him so he is nothing. Was all this because she didn’t get what she wanted? Maybe at first it, but now it developed into fascination. How would it feel to bring respected individual down…How would feel to ruin a man’s life?
The feeling teased her, and she wanted it…
For the next two days of school, Cindy didn’t show-up. One day was fine, everyone misses one day, but the 2nd day. That’s when the people started to talk. Some thought she must be sick with the flu while there were other theories, they aren’t worried of being mentioned. Wherever she was, no one had inclination…It soon became a problem when her folks started asking for her whereabouts. Panic took the halls, no one knew where the golden child was…
On the 3rd day, a beaten, bruised, and cut-up Cindy Woo was found wandering aimlessly the downtown streets. Her left eye swollen shut while her cheeks and chin were battered with bruises. The Police got the call and quickly rushed to her aid and took her to the Hospital. She was in a delirious state of mind when the found her. She didn’t speak, just grunted…They came to conclusion that she was violated.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Dr. Havelchuck went in to check on her. When Cindy laid eyes on the doctor, she erupted in a series screams and wails. Nurses had to come in and restrain her. Dr. Havelchuck stood there, gazing at the teen, in shock.
Who…No…What could’ve done this. She thought…And sadly, the following day, everyone got their answer.
Dan Havelchuck.
Her story went that Mr. Havelchuck began seducing her. After class he’d ask her to stay and talk, while getting closer to her and start saying questionable things. Cindy didn’t take any notice this, she was a kid, how would she know? Their chats felt more like dates. And then, Havelchuck expressed his love for her. Cindy felt the same, their chats made her feel more valued, she couldn’t help but fall for the man. Finally, it got to a point where Havelchuck asked Cindy to go out him. He’d tell his wife that he was working late, and Cindy jumped on the opportunity in a heartbeat. Picked her up in his car and drove her to far off to a secluded area. Around half-hour out of town. Havelchuck proceeded to give her a drink. And she was done with, he gives another one, and another one until she was in a drunken stupor. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, Havelchuck beat her and violated her. Then after, dumped her on the side of the rode and drove off…
The story got out it and it morphed the narrative to become more graphic and violent. Stories saying that Cindy didn’t want to go or that he’d kidnapped, the narrative twisted until it painted Havelchuck as absolute monster.
He was arrested, charged, and thrown in-court. Dan pleaded that didn’t do anything and told his side of his events but as Cindy predicted: it was a history buff’s word against the golden child’s…
As Dan’s trial was occurring, Cindy returned to school. Welcomed in with open arms and as a hero. Everyone at the school was on her side. Other girls even told Cindy that were also victims to my Mr. Havelchuck’s wandering eyes. This made Cindy smile because she knew they were blatantly lying to connect to her. And, oh it brought her joy!
The whole school became the Cindy Woo fan club.
The two days Cindy went missing, she snuck into the landfill out of town. It was a landscape of scrap, junk, and broken-down cars. Making sure that no one was there, or no one saw her, Cindy proceeds to beat herself up with various items. She’d bang her arms on junk, slam her face into cars, and jump into scrap heaps. Cindy batter herself-up but she ignored the pain, seeing the fall of Havelchuck would be the greatest feeling. However, she’d never cut herself, that’d require tetanus shot…
After beating herself for entire day, Cindy left the landfill and wandered into the woods surrounding the town. Then the 3rd day rolled around, and the now starving, dehydrated, and delirious Cindy wandering into town and the rest was history.
Meanwhile, Dan’s lawyers helped build an extremely solid defense case for his situation. And after a long and tiring battle, Dan got away with no jail time. However, Dan was now forever put in the record as a registered sex-offender. When returning home, he was expecting to be met with open arms, but instead he was met with a file for divorce. Although he was free now, everyone didn’t believe him, they believed the golden child. I mean why would a kid lie?
In the span of five months, Dan’s wife left him, took his house and his daughter. He was fired from his job for obvious reasons. And the entire town now saw him as the monster got away. Some nights, he jumped by vigilantes…
Dan fell into alcohol; he emptied his bank accounts to buy booze to numb the pain and reality. He lost everything that made him a human.
And while he was sinking deeper and deeper, she was rising higher and higher. The name Cindy Woo became a town legend. She was God now and he was the devil. Her name was always on his mind. Plastered on over his neuron walls…
Making him see red…
Cindy Woo, now all healed-up, was more beautiful than ever. She got out of the shower. Dried herself, brushed her teeth, then went to her room. Got in her pjs and sneaked into bed. Gazed at the ceiling, lost in blissful thought in the next few days, they were going to have a celebration of her recovery but, in all honesty, it was her birthday. The entire school was about to celebrate her 18th. Cindy knows better, Cindy knows that school would lick her boot heels if she asked…They were all ants under her thumb. She had won.
Shifting herself under the sheets. Her eye lids grow heavy, and consciousness starts to slip away…
“Cindy…”
Her eyes open in surprise. Still laying down, she looks around the room. Nothing. That voice…she thinks. However, before the thought finishes, she shakes her head and resumes sleeping.
“Cindy…”
Eyes shooting open. Sitting up in frantic state, Cindy looks around and pauses. Waits. But nothing. Letting out a sigh of relief she starts getting back under the covers…
“Cindy…”
Shooting up! Sitting up! Heartbeat in her ear! Body shaking! Lips quivering!
For the first time in her life…Cindy feels fear!
Eyes dart back and forth and around the room…Nothing…There is nothing there!
Cindy Woo sits their shrouded terror while unbeknownst to her, a familiar monster lies underneath her bed, clutching a knife in his right hand…
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