"Ow my head," I groaned as I got up, rubbing the bump beginning to grow. I looked up and saw Elizabeth standing over me.
"I'm going to make your heads hurt a whole lot more if you make us late for graduation," she yelled.
"Did you push me off the bed? How did you even get in here?" I yelled, rubbing the back of my head.
"Your mom let me in. Said you needed a push to get out of bed. Honestly, you'd be lost without me," she smirked.
As she stood over me, a fleeting image flashed through my mind: Elizabeth, battered and bruised, fighting for her life against monstrous creatures. A shiver ran down my spine as the dream's vivid details blurred with reality.
"Are you okay? You look pale," she said, her voice filled with worry.
"Well, don't let it get you down. We just have to survive graduation, then it's road trip time!" she said with a grin as she held out her hand to me.
"Yeah, sure," I muttered, taking her hand as she helped me up. "You sure you won't miss prom?"
"Why would I want to go to prom? No one I actually wanted to go with even asked me," she said with a dramatic sigh, then started browsing my horror movie collection.
Liar, half the guys in class probably asked her. The other half were probably too scared. She could be very intimidating when she wanted to. And I was one of the few who knew she wasn't really interested in boys.
"Hey!" Elizabeth snapped, jolting me out of my thoughts. "Are you sure you're okay? We've known each other forever. You can tell me anything," she said, setting down the DVD and placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. Goosebumps prickled my skin as her hand rested on my shoulder.
"I'm fine," I snapped, a bit too defensively.
She looked at me, her expression a mix of concern and confusion. I knew I'd overreacted, but the image of the Elizabeth from my dream lingered, a stark contrast to the girl in front of me. I needed a moment, a long, hot shower to wash away the lingering nightmare.
"Hey, did you send in that DNA test kit I gave you?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Yeah, right. I almost forgot about that DNA test kit. She'd gotten really into her family history, hadn't she? One of those spit-in-a-tube things. She hadn't even gotten her results back yet, but she'd insisted I do one too.
"Yah, I sent it in last week." I replied.
"Okay, sorry. Just trying to take your mind off things," she said, her voice uncommonly soft.
"Look, I'm fine. It was just a bad dream. Wait for me downstairs, okay? I'll be out in a minute," I said, forcing a reassuring smile.
"Fine, but don't take too long," she said, her voice filled with concern. "I'll be downstairs."
I headed into the bathroom, desperate for a hot shower to wash away the lingering dread of the dream. The scent of sizzling bacon wafted up the stairs, promising a much-needed distraction. After a quick rinse, I emerged feeling refreshed. I ran a comb through my dark brown hair, spiking it up as usual. Time to hit the gym again, soon, I thought, eyeing my scrawny arms in the mirror. Grabbing my bag, I headed downstairs.
The sound of Elizabeth and my mom chatting, mingled with the aroma of coffee and breakfast, filled the air. I entered the kitchen, the tantalizing aroma of bacon and eggs filling the air. Elizabeth was already digging into a plate of food.
"I'm ready to go," I announced, walking into the kitchen. Elizabeth was just finishing off my plate of breakfast. "Hey! Did you eat my breakfast?" I exclaimed, a bit annoyed.
"The early bird gets the worm." She said with a mouthful of pancakes.
"Really, Mom? You couldn't stop her?" I groaned, rolling my eyes.
She smiled. "I tried to wake you up, honey, but you were out cold. So, as Elizabeth said, 'the early bird gets the worm,'" she said, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Thanks, Mrs. Nielson," Elizabeth said, finishing off my breakfast.
"Whatever. I'll see you and Dad after graduation, right?" I asked, giving her a quick hug.
"Of course," she replied. "We won't miss seeing you before your big road trip.""Okay, we're going to head out. Love you."
"Love you too," she said. Then, turning to Elizabeth, she added with a smirk, "Elizabeth, always a pleasure. keep him out of trouble."
Elizabeth grinned mischievously. "Of course, I will."
I loaded my bag into the back of Elizabeth's vintage van - a relic from her parents' garage, complete with a built-in TV. She'd picked it for our road trip, a quirky choice that perfectly suited her. Hopping into the passenger seat, I was ready to hit the road.
"Ready to go?" she asked.
"Ready as ever," I replied.
We pulled into the school parking lot, the familiar sight of the building both comforting and bittersweet. Elizabeth, ever the social butterfly, ran off to join her circle of friends - the popular crowd, though not in a stereotypical way. This school wasn't about cliques; it was about connections.
Meanwhile, I headed towards my own group of misfits: the nerd, the cheerleader, the jock, and the marching band kid. We were an odd bunch, but we'd found friendship in shared interests.
As we exchanged final hellos and awkward hugs, a sense of sadness washed over me. Soon, we'd all be scattered across the country, our paths diverging. The upcoming graduation ceremony felt like a bittersweet finale, a last hurrah before embarking on our separate journeys.
As much as I'd like to believe we'd stay close, I knew the harsh reality of college life. Late-night movie marathons, spontaneous slushy runs, and harmless neighborhood pranks would soon become cherished memories of the past.
After what felt like an eternity, we finally got to toss our caps in the air and celebrate. As I said goodbye to my friends, a pang of sadness washed over me. Our lives were about to diverge, each of us embarking on our own unique journeys.
I wandered over to my parents, who were deep in conversation with Mrs. Marandi. She was a vision in red, her fiery hair cascading down her shoulders, and her elegant dress accentuating her figure. She looked more like a celebrity attending a red-carpet event than a parent at a high school graduation.
Hey Mom, Dad, Mrs. Marandi," I greeted, walking over to the group.
"Hey, honey," my mom replied.
"Hey Mom, where's Dad?" Elizabeth asked, joining the group.
"Your dad couldn't make it. He's in another meeting." she said with a hint of sadness in her voice.
I could see where this was going. Elizabeth's face was already starting to turn red.
"Elizabeth, honey, I know this isn't ideal, but your father really had no choice. He's so sorry he couldn't be here to celebrate with you," Mrs. Marandi said, her voice filled with sympathy.
Elizabeth's eyes were still red, but she nodded slowly. "It's fine," she said, her voice laced with disappointment. "It's just graduation. He'll make it to my next one."
Mrs. Marandi tried to soothe her daughter, but it was clear that Elizabeth was hurt. I knew better than to get involved in a mother-daughter dispute, "Hey, we should get going if we want to make it to Chicago tonight."
Mrs. Marandi nodded in agreement. "You're right. you two should get on the road, just be safe and have fun.
"With a final, lingering look at the school, Elizabeth and I climbed into the van. As we drove away, the graduation ceremony faded into the rearview mirror, a bittersweet memory marked by both joy and disappointment.
"Okay, let's get going. Do we need to stop for anything? Because I don't plan on stopping once we get out of town," Elizabeth said, her tone a bit sharp.
I could tell she was upset about her dad missing the graduation. It wasn't that he was a bad guy; he just seemed to always be busy with work.
"I'm sorry about your dad not showing," I said, trying to offer some comfort.
"Look, I'm fine. I know his work keeps him busy," she said, her voice trembling. "But he's missed every important moment in my life—birthdays, fencing competitions, and now, graduation." Tears welled up in her eyes.
I pulled her into a gentle hug. Over the years, I'd become her confidant, the one she turned to when she needed to vent her frustrations. I knew she wouldn't share these feelings with her popular friends, fearing judgment or ridicule.
After a few moments, she pulled away, wiping her tears. "Okay, let's go," she said, forcing a smile. "Maybe we should stop and get some snacks?"
"Yeah, sounds good. Can we stop at that convenience store near the pawn shop? I want to see if they have any VHS tapes," I suggested.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Why would we need VHS tapes?"
"Well," I explained, exaggerating my gestures, "that tiny TV in the van is from the 90s, and it has a built-in VHS player. If all I have to watch are those old kid's movies from my parents basement, I'm going to lose my mind."
She burst out laughing, her genuine smile returning. I guess making a fool of myself was worth it.
"Fine, let's go," she agreed, still chuckling.
We pulled into the small convenience store parking lot, a quaint little spot at the crossroads of two busy roads.
"Alright, I'm on snack and drink duty," Elizabeth said, locking the van. "You go to the pawn shop."
I nodded, my eyes drawn to the gaudy pawn shop across the street. Its green roof and giant golden pawn sign were hard to miss.
"Meet back here in thirty," I said, crossing the street with a bit of caution.
I stepped into the dimly lit pawn shop, the air thick with the scent of old electronics and stale cigarettes. A small display case, filled with expensive phones and knives, caught my eye. Beyond that, two aisles lined with vintage video games and paintball guns stretched into the back of the store. Behind the counter, a frail, elderly man with skin the color of parchment and eyes that seemed to peer into another dimension watched over the shop. He had a gaunt, almost skeletal frame, and his movements were slow and deliberate. A younger man, perhaps a year or two older than me, was helping a young boy pick out a paintball gun.
"Hello sir, do you have any VHS tapes." I ask trying to ignore the old man's horrifying looks.
His smile, a chilling curve across his leathery face, sent a shiver down my spine. "The three isles right over there," he rasped, his voice a dry whisper.
As I turned to walk away, I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that I was being watched. A glance back confirmed my suspicion. The old man's eyes, a sickly yellow, followed my every move. His gaze was intense, almost predatory, as if he saw me as something more than a customer. His skin, a sickly shade of gray, seemed to shift and writhe beneath the dim lighting. His teeth, yellowed and pointed, glinted in the dim light. I navigated the narrow aisle, my fingers tracing the spines of worn VHS tapes. A shiver ran down my spine as a raspy breath grazed my neck. I whirled around, heart pounding, but the aisle was empty. The only figure in sight was the old man, his eyes still fixed on me with a chilling grin. His teeth, yellow and pointed, seemed to elongate in the dim light, casting eerie shadows on his face. Shaking off the unsettling feeling, I chalked it up to the lingering effects of the dream.
I returned my focus to the task at hand, selecting a few horror classics and a few lighthearted comedies. I scanned the shelves, my eyes drawn to a collection of faded anime box sets and forgotten television shows. I reached for a series, I knew Elizabeth would love, I grabbed a few boxes as well as a few other movies. I could still feel the old man's stare on me, I decided it was time to leave. But before I could move a loud slam echoed from the front of the store, startling me.
I looked up to the counter and the old man was gone, vanished as if he had never been there. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. I felt a warm, fetid breath on my neck. A sickening stench, reminiscent of rotten eggs, filled the air. I whirled around, heart pounding, but the aisle was empty.
Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.
A low, guttural growl echoed from behind me. I froze, my blood running cold. Slowly, I turned to face the source of the sound. There, in the dim light, stood the old man. His eyes, once human, now glowed with an unnatural light. His skin, a grotesque shade of gray, seemed to writhe and pulse. His teeth, elongated and sharp, glinted menacingly. He was no longer human, but something far more sinister.
I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this real? Or was my mind playing tricks on me? I had to get out. I turned to run, as the creature still lurked between the aisles.
A sudden, deafening SLAM echoed through the store again, startling me. I froze and turned to look at the creature my heart pounding, but it was gone. Had I imagined the creature? I lowered my arms, the box of VHS tapes forgotten.
"Hey, Lance! Let's go! You said thirty minutes, and it's been an hour. What's taking so long?" Elizabeth's voice rang through the store.
I turned to see her standing by the front counter of the store, her face a mixture of confusion and annoyance. I forced a nervous laugh, gathering my scattered thoughts. "Sorry, got a bit lost in the past," I mumbled, grabbing the box of tapes.
"Right." She said in a long sarcastic tone "you got what you need?"
"Yes, just got to pay and we can head out," I said, picking up the box from the floor.
"Okay, I'll wait for you outside," Elizabeth replied, heading out the door. I approached the counter, placing the box of movies on the worn wooden surface. A mix of genres filled the box: six horror flicks, four comedies, three fantasy films, three anime series, and two seasons each of two adult cartoon comedies. The total came to around sixty dollars. After paying, I stepped outside and saw Elizabeth waiting, her expression a mix of impatience and concern.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked her, noticing her worried expression.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you ready to go?" she asked.
"Yeah, I got plenty of great choices," I said, holding up the bags of VHS tapes. I didn't want to push her, she'd already had a tough day. I nodded, and we headed across the street to the van. As we drove off, I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that something wasn't quite right. A few hours later, we approached a small town.
"I could really go for something to eat," I said, my stomach rumbling. A weathered sign came into view, its faded letters spelling out a chilling name: "Welcome to Tenebris."
"Let's get something to eat. I'm starving," I said, my stomach growling in agreement.
"Seriously, we have snacks. Just have some of those. We're making great time," Elizabeth said, peering out the window at the town. "Besides, I doubt a town like this even has a fast-food restaurant," she muttered under her breath.
I glanced around. She might be right. This town seemed straight out of a bygone era, with small, family-owned shops lining the streets. No big-box stores, just quaint little places with apartments above them. Then, I saw it: Anthropophagi Burgers. "What about that place?" I pointed to the peculiar burger joint. "Anthropophagi Burgers? Sounds... interesting."
"Fine," Elizabeth sighed. As we pulled up to the building.
A strange feeling washed over me. It looked like a typical fast-food joint, but there was something off about it. A sinister aura seemed to emanate from the place, as if it was a portal to a darker dimension. I felt watched, my skin prickling with unease. I glanced around, and the townspeople, with their wide, toothy grins and dead eyes. everything about this place feels off.
"Hey, Lance!" Elizabeth's voice startled me.
"What!" I yelled, startled by her sudden outburst.
"Don't get mad at me. I've asked you what you wanted multiple times," Elizabeth grumbled.
"Oh, sorry," I muttered, quickly scanning the menu. "I'll just get a large number five."
Elizabeth placed her order, and we pulled up to the window to pay. "What's your deal? You've been zoning out all day," Elizabeth asked, rummaging through her purse for money.
"I don't know, just been getting these weird vibes from this town, and I didn't get much sleep last night," I muttered, staring down at my lap. I wasn't sure if I was losing my mind or if there was something truly sinister about this place. A few moments passed, and Elizabeth remained silent. "What? No advice? No 'it's fine, you're just stressed from graduation and heading off to college'?" I turned to look at her. A sign on the drive-thru window caught my eye: Window broken. We will bring food out. What a weird sign. You could just push those open.
Then I finally realized Elizabeth was frozen in fear. I turned to see what had her so terrified. The streetlights had flickered out, plunging the town into darkness. The only light came from the fast-food joint and our headlights. The beam of light illuminated a horrifying figure. It had pale, almost translucent skin, pointed ears, and a mouth full of jagged teeth. Its body, hunched and deformed, was clad in a blood-soaked uniform. In its hand, it clutched a white paper bag, which was slowly staining red. A blood-curdling scream erupted from the creature's throat.
The windows of the van shattered, and a deafening scream pierced the night. Elizabeth and I instinctively covered our ears, our hearts pounding in our chests. The headlights and restaurant light flickered and died, plunging us into darkness. Outside, we heard the frantic rustling of something large and menacing.
"What the hell is going on?!" I yelled, straining to see through the shattered glass. A violent jolt rocked the van, sending us careening onto two wheels for a moment.
"I don't know! I don't know! The car won't start!" Elizabeth shrieked, frantically turning the key in the ignition. A chill ran down my spine as I saw a pair of glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness.
One by one, more eyes lit up, each more sinister than the last. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks: this was the reason for the townspeople's strange behavior, their vacant stares, their unsettling smiles. They weren't human; they were something else, something monstrous. The town's lights flickered on, illuminating a scene of horror. The once peaceful streets were now a horrifying scene, littered with the remnants of a gruesome feast. The shop windows were shattered, their interiors a grotesque display of dismembered limbs and mutilated bodies. The creatures, their forms distorted and grotesque, roamed the streets, their eyes glowing with a predatory hunger.
"Get us out of here!" I yelled at Elizabeth, panic rising within me. The town lights flickered and died, plunging us into darkness once more. A low rumble echoed through the night, followed by a cacophony of blood-curdling screams. "Hurry up, Liz!" I shouted, my voice trembling.
"I'm trying!" Elizabeth grunted, her hands fumbling with the ignition. Suddenly, a deafening crash shook the van. The rumbling and screams ceased. "What was that?" I cried, my heart pounding in my chest. Elizabeth peered out the windshield, her eyes straining to see through the darkness.
"Something just landed on the hood of the van, but I can't see it," she muttered, her voice filled with fear. As if on cue, the lights from the fast-food restaurant flickered back to life, illuminating the horrifying scene. A paper bag, that should have been filled with fast food, held the remnants of a gruesome meal: human intestines stuffed into burger wrappers and fingers lodged in fry containers, splattered across the hood of the van.
"Come on!" Elizabeth screamed, turning the key in the ignition. The van roared to life, and Elizabeth stomped on the gas pedal. A horde of creatures, their red eyes glowing in the darkness, lunged towards the van. The creature in the restaurant uniform leaped, its claws outstretched, aiming for the windshield. Elizabeth swerved to avoid the attack, the tires squealing in protest. The creature's claws raked the side of the van, sending sparks flying. We careened off the road, narrowly missing a stone fence. The van bounced over a curb, returning to the main road. Elizabeth struggled to regain control, the tires screeching as she fought to keep the vehicle on course. A deafening screech filled the air. The creature, still clinging to the side of the van, was torn loose, its body falling to the ground. We sped down the main road, the speedometer needle hovering around 70 mph. Elizabeth drove with a reckless abandon, determined to put as much distance between us and the horrors of Tenebris.
Time seemed to blur as we raced through the night. Twenty minutes later, we finally pulled over to the side of the road. Elizabeth unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle.
"Wait," I cautioned, "what about the creatures? Are they still following us?"
"We have to check the damage to the van. Are you coming or not?" she asked, her voice laced with impatience. I stared at her, a blank expression etched on my face. I couldn't bring myself to move.
"Fine, just stay there and keep an eye out, okay?" she said, trying to sound reassuring. I nodded, but as soon as she stepped out, I heard a gasp.
"How?" she exclaimed. "Come out here and take a look at this."
I sighed and unbuckled my seatbelt, reluctantly following her. I didn't want to anger her; she could be quite intimidating when upset. As I rounded the van, I saw no damage. The deep gouges in the metal, where the creature's claws had raked the side, were completely gone, as if the van had never been attacked.
"How is this possible?" I wondered aloud, my mind reeling.
"You saw the sparks! That thing was real! It attacked us!" Elizabeth exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief. How could the van be completely undamaged?
I hadn't even noticed that the cracked windows were now perfectly intact. The deep gouges from the creature's claws had vanished without a trace.
"You're not crazy. I saw it too. I saw all of them," I said, a sense of relief washing over me. Knowing I wasn't alone in this madness was oddly comforting.
"It's getting late. We should put as much distance between us and that town," I said, a sense of urgency creeping into my voice. Elizabeth nodded, her expression grim. We climbed into the van and drove as far and as fast as we could. The further we got from Tenebris, the safer we felt.