Slammin' Tree: Part 3!

The following Tuesday was the day that brought us an unexpected guest. I knew the moment Dad drove the hearse into the driveway. Dust flew in the air on CR 10 next to our house. I thought I was safe but it wasn’t that easy. Nevermind school. Nevermind Jimmy Jerk.

My dread sunk in like sunshine after a week-long rain-storm in the South in April. I froze and felt my back tighten up and tingle a slight twitch–the more I thought about what I had to do. It felt like a secret ritual in some religious cult to be honest.

“Damn it, Dad,” I swore as I pulled away from the window. The blue curtains fell back into place. I rarely swore those kinds of words but the world threw softball sized hail at me. That’s when it seemed like anyway. Catch Ben!! Wasn’t that fun? I immediately focused my attention on anything else. Small, big, something looking fun as an excuse. Something to save me. What day was it? Was it–National Jelly Bean day? I had to look up useless information on jellybeans, which I didn’t care for but embraced instead of rushing to feed Angus. No exaggeration when I say that.

The computer screen popped up in front of me l, but all I could type was jelly and not the bean. I slowly rose up and made myself walk down the stairs quietly, so that neither mom nor Anny heard me. Out the door I went past my mom, on the couch watching an old episode of Lemon Creek–one of those prairie shows featuring a time-traveler who defeated the outlaw gang with modern tech. I thought the show was boring but mom loved the romance part of the show.

The front door was already open but the screen door gave me away. I’m sure I didn’t stick around to find out–seventy steps to the barn from the front door.

The one thing I didn’t count was the number of bodies I’ve dropped off at Angus’s cavestep. I wouldn’t be lying if anyone with a badge asked me. Other than that, it’s no one’s business. Besides, the body bag often appeared outside the cave after Angus was done. Usually in good shape.

Each step towards the barn hurt more than the last, not physically but my head was full of people running in and out of those merry-go-round door entrances on large buildings in the bigger cities, or turning the light switch on and off repeatedly like a madman.

Dad wasn’t in the hearse when I passed by it.

A couple of crows flew overhead as their shadows caught my attention. I looked up, found them and saw Anny’s window open and her pink curtains swaying gently in the breeze. I hated the fact she could look down at the driveway and see just dad coming home but I saw death in the hearse when he got home. It wasn’t fair but I fought to protect Annie, despite all that. Maybe that makes me some kind of hero?

It didn’t cross my mind that she would hear dad and I’s conversation but Anny Proudmoore was a human microphone and on that day, she was a stereo speaker and a siren. The whole package at her young age.

I stood by the hearse but turned towards the open barn door. Part of me wanted to look in the back and see empty space. How I always prayed for empty space. Never came through. What is Dad doing? I asked myself, before I took a step in Dad’s direction. But off I went before I got into more trouble. 50 steps!!! I eventually crept up to the open barn door and peeked my head inside the dark shadows of the barn.

“Benji!!!” Dad yelled, as he rushed out of the dark and stopped at the open door, laughing, shaking his head.

I must have put five feet of distance between him and I in two seconds.

“Got ya,’ boy!!!”

I let out a big sigh and threw my fists down by my side. “Dang it, Dad!! You scared the–”

“Don’t underestimate your old man, Benji,” he said, as he patted my shoulder.

I shook my head in disappointment. “What are you doing here, Dad?”

“Well, it’s my barn, Ben. I can come and go as I please. Our guests only come here and never leave.” Dad pointed to the hearse in the driveway.

“No further questions, your honor,” I answered.

“You sassing me, boy?” Dad quickly asked.

“Yeah! How am I doing?” I asked with a smile.

Dad paused his gaze and me and sighed calmly. “Depends? Are you planning on being a lawyer one day, Benji?”

“Haven’t thought about it, but maybe I should,” I said. “That way I can defend myself if we’re ever caught.”

Dad took a few steps towards me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“If I make a mistake, slip up or get caught, that’s–” I said, shaking my head.

“I’ve covered my tracks as well as fresh paint on drywall boy. You know that Benji, so stop acting like you’re some self-righteous saint here. “YOU’RE JUST AS GUILTY AS I AM,” Dad yelled.

That was the first time my father ever yelled at me. I froze where I stood, afraid to move–my right arm stuck in mid air. Seeing the dark shadow behind my father just inside the barn door, brought home the seriousness of his yelling.

His shout also reached Anny’s window.

“That’s what’s killing me dad. I shouldn’t be dropping off meals to–to whatever that is in the cave.” I pointed towards the cave.

“Too late Benji,” Dad said calmly. Dad turned and retreated into the shadows of the barn.

I shook my head and started to walk back inside but dad’s voice commanded me to stop in my tracks.

“Sandbags,” he said.

That’s all I heard out of the shadows.

“What?” I whispered as I turned around to face the barn.

“Grab the sandbags, Benji,” Dad said, after he plopped one in front of me.

“Sandbags!” I knew what came next but I didn’t anticipate it so quickly and the circumstances behind it, which made my guilt and regret feel way more selfish than I realized at the time.

Dad pointed at the hearse as he sat down another sandbag on the concrete floor.

“Fine!” I bent down and lifted up the bag, almost dropping it when I stood up.

“Watch it Ben.” I took off to the hearse slowly but didn’t use all my energy. Save some for the ride to the cave, I thought to myself. I made it halfway before the door swung open and out marched Anny Proudmoore–mad as a chicken who hasn’t been fed in two days.

She paced herself to the barn and past me. Her hands balled up into fists and a mean mug on her face. She didn’t even look at me when she passed.

“Where are you going?” I said, teasing my sister.

Anny didn’t flinch or miss a beat marching to the barn.

I assumed it had to do with dad’s yell. I opened the back of the hearse and threw the sandbag inside. I didn’t care if sand went everywhere but the bag landed near the left side. A body bag stretched out in the center space from head to toe. I immediately shut the door and returned to the barn. I saw Annie ahead of me a few yards.

“Dad!!” Anny shouted from outside.

Dad emerged from the barn shadows. “Anny girl, what’s–” Dad said.

Anny crossed her arms over her chest and tucked them underneath her armpits. “What are you guilty of?” Anny’s face dropped the anger and looked at Dad with explosive sorrow, ready to burst like a damn breaking. Anny couldn’t fathom the thought of our dad being guilty of any crime. Anny was blindsided into believing Dad was helping people in times of sadness and sorrow.

I picked up the pace a little in case I needed to help my sister back inside.

“Guilty? You think I’m guilty of–” Dad said.

“Don’t lie–I’m too smart–I see–” Anny said, pointing her finger at her head.

“No one on this farm is guilty of anything, Anny girl,” Dad said.

I stopped next to Annie and looked at her and then at dad.

Anny glanced at me with pure anger and back at Dad.

“You got it wrong, Annie,” I said.

“I heard someone’s guilty. What’s going on?” She asked, with a raised tone.

Dad dared not raise his voice at Annie. No points with Annie.

“I’ll tell Mom what’s going on,” she pointed at the house.

“Easy Anny girl. Your mom’s been through so much the past few weeks. We don’t want to put her back in the hospital, do we?” Dad said calmly.

“Mom’s fine,” Anny declared.

“She sure is. She’s strong like you, Anny girl.” Dad added.

I stood by in silence. I nodded in agreement with dad.

Dad gave me the side-eye, trying to manage the situation.

I took it as a warning.

Anny stayed in her anger. “Tell me what’s going on?” Anny demanded.

“You heard wrong, Anny girl,” Dad said.

“I hear just fine dad. I have better hearing than you.”

“Yes, you do but–”

She pointed behind her. “Why is the hearse here? Why is Ben carrying sandbags?” Anny asked.

“Sandbags! Flood control, Anny. Just like I said when I paid you and Ben to fill the bags,” Dad said.

Annie wasn’t buying Dad’s excuses. She turned to me with a shocked look.

I somehow knew she was stuck in her thoughts and was going to run back inside and hide in her room. But at least she was safe there.

“Anny girl, you okay? Talk to Dad.”

Anny slowly tilted her head back up at Dad. Then at me. She suddenly looked off to her left and inhaled a gasp of air. She slowly walked to the back of the house but quickly ran towards the back pasture, towards the cave.

Dad hurried out to the lawn and ran a few yards after her. “Anny girl, come back!!”

I followed behind dad but saw Annie booking it in the direction of the cave. “Oh crap,” I whispered.

“Anny girl,” Dad yelled again.

Anny stopped suddenly, turned around with a frightened look but assumed running towards the cave, just as fast as she had stopped.

“Yeah, she’s gone,” Dad turned back to me in a rush. “Ben, get on the quad and go after her. Bring her back.”

I ran to the quad and fired it up. I had the keys in my pocket from earlier that day. I didn’t tell Dad what I was doing. I pulled the quad up to the hearse and removed the bodybag from the back. After a quick tie down, I roared through the pasture, down the row of trees on both sides and down to the cave. I didn’t see Anny on the way to the cave, much to my delight and heavy fear equally.

Dad didn’t stop me either. Maybe he saw what I was doing.

I acted on impulse but it may have saved Anny’s life that day.

But this was a quick drop off and dart home. Untie the straps, throw the body in front of the cave–no time to waste. I hopped back on the quad and stopped in front of the Slammin’ Tree. I grabbed the pipe sitting nearby and gave three quick swings with all my might. “Come on, you jerk,” I said. “Get your food, ya freak.”

I jumped back on the quad and floored it back to the house. I looked high and low for Anny, in between bushes and up in trees. I doubted she went back home but I bet she hid very well. I just bought her some time to hide instead of being Angus’s next meal. As I rode out of the row of trees and into the open pasture, I saw Anny climbing down from one of the trees at the start of the tree trail. I slowed down as I approached the trees.

She hit the ground and turned around.

I hoped she didn’t see the black body bag on the back of the quad when I raced by, going to the cave.

“There you are. Found you,” I shouted over the engine roaring.

“Where did you go so fast?” She asked, pointing towards the cave.

“Nowhere you need to be. Nowhere you better ever go,” I replied.

Anny stood still and guarded. “Was it the same thing Dad went searching for the other night while you and Mom were at the hospital?” Anny asked.

I shook my head in disbelief. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What happened?” I looked behind me to see if Angus followed me. We both have secrets.

“We were watching TV and Dad suddenly got up and closed the blinds and curtains. He told me to stay inside and on the couch.”

“What did he do?” I asked, curious to know if Angus crept up to the house. That’s something I needed to know.

“He went outside with his shotgun.”

I looked back at the house off in the distance. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Anny. Probably those deer getting close to the house. I saw tracks in the back pasture earlier.”

“I’m a junior detective. I don’t forget things. It’s all important puzzle–” she said.

I started the quad up again. “Well, Det. Anny, get on so we can get back to our HQ before Dad comes looking for both of us.”

Anny looked at the house, the barn and then at the tree trail. She climbed on the back of the quad.

“Hold on to me,” I said.

Anny grabbed both sides of my shirt.

I put it in gear and took off back to the side of the barn to park the quad. Three minutes later, Anny and I walked to the barn door still open. I peeked inside but didn’t see Dad.

Anny kept quiet and headed to the house as fast as she could.

“Wait, Anny.”

I couldn’t blame her one bit for ignoring me. I had problems with everything. I can only imagine what she’s thinking.

“No, Ben. Leave me alone,” She mumbled. Anny kept going to the house.

“So much for that,” I said, as I looked back at the open barn door. I didn’t realize until a few steps towards the house that the hearse was gone. I figured my dad took the hearse back to get his truck. I had a bigger problem when I got inside - Anny telling Mom what happened. I didn’t like sugar washing my sister but for the pickle we found ourselves in, it was sort of necessary. That’s what I was prepared to do. I stopped in front of the stairs and gawked at the front door. I knew I was going to catch mom’s attention as soon as I walked inside. I looked around the driveway, the barn and back at the house. I forced my way through the doors. Either Dad trusted me to look after my sister for half an hour or he had something else going on.

Mom was wrapped in a blanket on the couch, asleep.

I moved past her and headed to the stairs. “Anny!” I called out. She didn’t answer and mom didn’t hear me. I looked in the kitchen, laundry room, Dad’s office. “She has to be upstairs,” I whispered. Up the stairs I went and knocked on her door. She didn’t answer, so I slowly opened it and peeked inside. “Anny Bananny–you in here,” I said, merrily.

Anny sat at her desk, silent, looking at the book in front of her.

I don’t know if she was reading or staring and lost in thought. “Anny–” I said.

“What?”

“You okay?” I asked.

“I don’t get it. Dad’s not telling me anything.” She looked at me with disdain. “And neither are you, Ben. You know something you’re not telling me. Only time you ride the four-wheeler is when Dad–”

“Whoa there little sister–” I took a deep breath, not sure which way to go as I was losing the game pretty quick. But I had to throw stones in front of her to keep her from everything.

Anny looked away with a loud eye roll. “Just go away, Ben. You’re not helping,” she urged me.

“It’s best you stay inside for the next few days,” I said.

“I’ll talk to mom and figure it all out. She wouldn’t lie to me. Guilty–what are you guilty of, Ben?”

My nine-year-old sister figured out more than she let on, despite Dad and I keeping it all from her.

“Okay. Do what you will, but everything’s fine, Anny,” I said. I left her room and returned to my own room and sat down. I rested my elbows on my knees and stared at my door. Now what, I thought to myself. What could I do? Dad was right. I was just as guilty as he was. But that wasn’t Anny’s business, and for her own good. That’s what she didn’t understand. But I figured she’d pop up around the house in a few hours. Maybe I’ll talk to her later about everything. I refused to speak for Dad. He had to answer Anny’s questions himself. I was very curious to hear his answers myself. Probably the only way we could get any answers. Unless something bigger was at play here and he was protecting the entire family. Dad wouldn’t tell us if there was. Unless he was cornered by my Mom, Amy and I all together. Seemed like a good plan in theory.

Dad returned about forty-five minutes later with dinner. Two pizzas. One pepperoni and one with half cheese for Anny and half beef for me. Sodas and a chocolate cake for dessert.

I appreciated the gesture but Dad wasn’t out of our good graces just yet.

Before he got home, I had the chance to talk with our mother. Some details I left out of course but she understood the main points. “Mom?” I said as I shook her shoulders about.

“Hhhmmmm–” She moaned, as she turned her head up towards the ceiling. “Ben, what do you want?” She said still half-asleep. She rubbed her nose.

“Mom, sit up for a while. I need to tell you about Anny.”

Mom rose up and sat against the left arm of the couch. She rubbed her eyes. “What’s wrong with Anny?” She asked.

“Well, she overheard Dad yelling at me.”

“Why was your dad yelling at you?” Mom asked.

“Don’t know what I did,” I said.

“There’s a reason, Ben.” Mom yawned. “Dad never yells at you kids.” Mom stared at me with her waiting-for-the-truth eyes. A look that pierced right through my balloon.

I threw my hands up. “Fine, I told Dad I shouldn’t have to do what I’m doing and I don’t want to anymore.”

Mom stared out the window. “Your Dad protects this family with–you know.” She pointed out the window toward the cave. “What does this have to do with your sister?” She asked.

“Anny’s this close to figuring it all out–real close,” I said, holding my two fingers together in front of Mom’s eyes.

“Let her and we’ll–”

“Figure out what, Benji?” Anny said from the bottom of the stairs. She was good at creeping down the stairs quietly and scaring people.

Mom slowly turned her head at Anny. “Come sit down, Anny.”

“I’ll stand right here,” Anny said from the other end of the couch where she had a good look at both of us.

“Young lady, drop the attitude. Like it or not, you’re still my baby,” Mom said, pointing at Anny.

Anny gave us an annoyed huff and puff sigh, but quietly sat down on the edge of the couch. “What is going on? Why is everyone acting so weird?” Anny asked.

“That’s something your Dad–”

“I’m asking you, Mom,” Anny said, with a whimper and a crack in her voice.

“We need a family meeting–dinner is a good time,” I said.

“Just know this Anny, you’re as safe here as you can be, here at the farm.”

“You promise, Mom?” She asked.

“Yes, I promise,” Mom replied.

“Sure, Anny Bananny. Just don’t run away like you did earlier. That scared us.”

“Why are you scared, Ben?” Anny gave me a curious look. “What’s out there that will hurt me?”

I looked at Mom before I answered Anny’s question. “Snakes. Wild animals. Maybe a duck by the pond chasing you for fun,” I replied.

“Besides that, nothing. So don’t go looking for anything. Don’t run off like a silly girl, Anny.” Mom reiterated my point. “I know you’re stubborn like me but hear my words.”

Anny remained silent and glued at us like a detective watching suspects during interrogation.

A loud rumbling sound came from outside as Mom looked out a side window in the dining room and saw Dad pull up.

“Fine. I’ll talk to Dad but I’m not happy. I’m not a happy camper.”

“Good, angry camper–go wash your hands and tell your Dad what you need to.”

Anny moved slowly to the downstairs bathroom and grabbed the bar of soap.

Mom looked at me. “You too, Ben. Scrub hard. Get that stinch–”

I nodded and went to the kitchen sink. I saw dad park his truck and bring in the pizza, cake and drinks. Least I could do was open the front door for him.

Our dinner that night–although earlier than usual–wasn’t our normal, loud family dinner. Dad sat at one end of the table. Mom sat next to him. I sat next to mom on one side of the table. Annie sat by herself on the other side of the table, alone, at the end of the table, watching all of us. Rarely a word was spoken. Just eyes darting off each other like Pinball. Suspicion ran high in Anny’s eyes.

I expected Anny to be on her feet presenting her case like she was a lawyer in court.

Anny Proudmoore ate one piece of cheese pizza at a time. Maybe she was afraid if she said anything she’d be sent to her room without any pizza?

Dad and Mom didn’t seem to mind the silence. Just a few crunches on pizza and drinks sloshing around.

I forgot how many slices I had that night, but I wondered if this was how things would be going forward. Say something, Ben. Don’t chicken out!! I turned to my dad before I swallowed my food. NO!! Don’t get yelled at again! I said to myself. Jimmy is enough!

“Everything went okay this afternoon, Dad,” I pointed at Anny. “She’s back a bit grumpy but she’ll–”

“Hush, Benji,” Anny said.

Dad nodded. “I see that. She’s safe here in this house.”

Anny sat her pizza down on her plate–half-eaten. She stopped in the middle of the table, facing Mom and Dad.

“Explain yourselves!! Here and now,” Anny said, folding her arms under each other. Her signature move if she had one. “Don’t lie either. I deserve the–”

Dad looked at Mom with a slight grin. “Well, your mom and I are thinking of giving you and Ben another baby brother or sister–” Dad said with a laugh.

“EEEWWW!! NO DAD!! That’s not–” Anny shook her head in shock.

I almost choked on the orange soda I chugged. I wagged my finger in disbelief.

Mom looked at Dad like he’s crazy. “NOOO!!!” Mom said loudly. “Dad’s being silly, Anny.” Mom shook her head.

“Just thought I’d ask.” Dad laughed again.

I found Dad’s joke a little funny but now wasn’t the time, especially for a new baby. His joke threw us all off.

Anny wasn’t phased at all. “Well? Someone say something.”

“Might as well, Dad,” I said.

Dad looked up at me like I insulted his mother. “Thanks for that, Ben.”

“Dad!!!” Anny barked.

I finished my pizza like nothing happened.

“What did you see out the window Saturday night, Dad?” Anny asked.

I turned to see his answer.

Dad threw down his pizza. That’s when he realized he couldn’t finesse or yell his way out of this. Not with Anny. He gently put his hands on the table. A loud sigh filled the air, followed before he dropped his glasses on the table. Maybe so his memory of this moment became unfocused as his eyesight in his memories? “Fine! Anny girl. You want answers or should I just show you right now while the sun’s still up?” Dad looked at Anny. “Huh? Is that what you want? Is that what you all want? To scare my little girl to absolute death for no reason?” Dad paused, scanning the table in curiosity.

“That’s not what anyone is asking–” Mom said.

“Sounds like it, Shelby,” Dad said.

Mom turned her head in confusion.

I absolutely didn’t want her to see Angus. I expected Anny to sit and finish her pizza. Let it go. The End!!! What was said next changed our family forever.

“Show me!! Now, Dad,” Anny declared. “Show me your secret. Show me your guilt.”

Dad was surprised by Anny’s request. He sprung on his glasses like a UFO flew by.

Mom’s eyes widened by Anny’s request. “NOO!! Absolutely not!!” Mom grabbed

Dad’s left collar and pulled as tight as she could. “NO!!”

Dad patter her fist gently. “It’s okay, Shelby. We’ll all go together.”

A tear rolled down Mom’s right cheek.

Anny stood tall, ready, almost eager to take a walk to the cave. Her hands folded neatly on top of each other on the edge of the table.

“I’ll grab my shotgun.” Dad pointed at me. “Ben, get the quad keys. You and Anny ride out besides me and your mother. RIGHT BESIDE US!!”

“Sure, Dad!” I replied. Another thing I didn’t want to do but this was Anny’s decision. I knew she’d regret it. I already did before I got up from the table. I never wanted to eat the last piece of pizza more in my entire life if that stopped us from going to the cave.

Dad hopped up and rushed to his office to get his shotgun and a flashlight.

“You got your wish, Anny. You better go through with it,” Mom said. “No backing out now.”

“Waiting on you, Mom,” Anny said.

Mom paused before getting up. “I tried to warn you, girl.”

We left everything on the table. The chocolate cake was still in the plastic bubble cover. Even the lights above the dining table were left on. Straight out of a horror movie where the people disappeared.

“Let’s go, everyone. The sooner we–” Dad said.

Mom, Anny and I rushed to the door.

Anny stopped in front of Dad. “We’re all guilty. Might as well make it official,” Anny said, before she walked out the door.

Dad sighed and closed the door.

“Come on, Anny. To the quad,” I said.

Anny put her hair in a ponytail before she got off the front porch, She was on a mission for sure. She led our parents to the barn.

Mom and Dad stood near the barn when I pulled the quad around next to them.

We had another hour of sunlight left before dusk. Took about six minutes to get to the cave on foot.

Anny sat on the left side of the back rack.

Dad went a little slower holding Mom’s hand and his shotgun in his left hand.

That was the longest ride I’ve ever had with anything on wheels–bicycles, cars or quads included.

Seven minutes later–the sunlight hit our backs and lit the cave up more than usual this time of day. Perfect time to see Angus, in a spotlight, if he climbed over the front boulder in the middle of the cave.

Dad pointed at the Slammin Tree.

“Stay here, Anny. Get behind Mom a ways,” I said as I guided her back two feet.

Mom stepped back a foot behind Dad.

Dad raised his shotgun towards the cave.

I vanished behind the first tree with the pipe I tucked in between the rack. “Knock so loud,” I told myself as I squeezed my hands around the pipe. “Three knocks save my family. Three knocks save me.”

One knock.

Two knocks.

Three knocks.

I joined them as I hopped back on the quad to take off if I had to. The pipe was back in the same spot I left it.

Anny stood behind Mom. “Now what? What are those–” Anny screamed suddenly when she saw Angus reach his arm up onto the boulder in the middle of the cave. His elbow arched over the top of the boulder like a statue.

“It’s alright, Anny girl. Damn thing won’t hurt you. Just answering the dinner bell,” Dad said.

“He’s not getting anything tonight,” Mom declared.

Seconds later, Angus sat perched on the boulder–full view of the Proudmoores. Like a gargoyle statue–still and pale white. Angus crawled out of the cave like a spider. He hopped-walked over to the bodybag from earlier, like a frog hopping from lilypad to lilypad. His bald head reflected sunlight like a round mirror.

Mom looked at the ground. “I can’t look at–”

Angus’s solid black eyes-dolls eyes–pierced the sunshine like a comet whizzing across the sky.

“There it is. The culprit. The curse of the cave,” Dad said, looking at Anny.

“Whadda ya’ think, Anny girl?”

Anny stood in silence. Stunned at what her eyes saw yards in front of her. “I…I…”

“You asked for this,” Mom said.

Anny watched Angus grab the bodybag and disappear behind the boulder. Anny suddenly looked at me. Her jaw practically on the ground. She didn’t say a word. She quietly got on the quad to go back home.

Dad pulled off a shot in the air above the cave.

Anny and I jumped at the same time.

She hid behind my back. Her voice muffled by my shirt. “Let’s get back home–”

“That oughta keep his ass in the cave.” Dad growled.

Mom retreated back to the Slammin’ Tree.

“Home, now!” Dad said.

I didn’t hesitate for a second.

Some of the details in this story came from my Dad after Angus was–when we knew for certain our nightmare was over. Perhaps someday, I’ll write again and tell the fate of Angus. For now, that’s the end of the story of the Slammin’ Tree.

Sincerely,

Ben Proudmoore.

“Ooooh weee!!! I couldn’t ask for a better story to kick off tonight’s show. This is DJ DEAD, coming to you live on this Day of the Dead, the witching hour edition. Still trembling and rattling my glass knowing that Angus is still out there somewhere by all accounts. But we’re all the wiser and more wicked for learning all about the Slammin’ Tree up there with our Northern neighbor–Arkansas. What a doozie from Mr. Ben!! Cruel way to end your story, Mr. Ben–no doubt in my wild mind. But I dig it, man!! Keeping myself and our loyal listeners here on 99.9–The Ghost–on the edge of our seats with spectacular suspense. Alright my people, the dread has settled in our bare bones, like nightfall in Alaska. But that’s what life here at 99.9–The Ghost–is all about. After a short break, we’ll get to our next story, coming to you after a long set of commercials that pay our bills.”

DJ DEAD sat back as he pushed the microphone away. The sound muted for a few minutes while he recovered from Ben’s long story letter. He eagerly took another sip of his second glass of Lucky Snake Whiskey. He stared intently at the radio mic in front of him, like he had been sentenced to life in prison.

His producer, Billy Tupp, spoke through the other room adjacent to DJ DEAD’s booth. “Save that letter for evidence–just in case, Drake.”

“For sure!” DJ DEAD pointed his finger in the air–acknowledging Billy’s advice. His right hand gripped his glass of whiskey, as his eyes sank low to the floor. “That was wicked–feel terrible for that kid,” DJ DEAD mumbled to himself. “These stories take my soul with every show. Anny!!!” He shook his head, disturbed at the uncertainty if she adapted to her family’s secret.