Halloween Murder Mystery?

https://twitter.com/erinjanus/status/322378790087032832

                                      

It would be fun to say it was a dark and dreary night, or that it all happened in a cold dark alleyway, but unfortunately for me it happened in my house Thanks Giving day. I didn't think it possible that the death threats would catch up to me, I never thought they would ever really follow through, thinking it all a hoax; a mean prank you could say. But unfortunately that's not the case.
The case my dear friends is this; who would do such a thing? Why would they have reason to kill me? And last of all why Thanks Giving if the death threats were during Halloween? But let me back up. I should tell you how I ended up here wounded and dying, my killer standing over me, with a rage I have never seen in a man in my life.
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Day 1

It all started with a news reporter, a nosy one at that, I had been having some interesting turns going on with my company and was excited to share some details about it. I of course had given her a statement, but she asked some questions I was not ready to answer and of course this led to more digging for her. She had been asking about a scandal I had with a woman I work with, my secretary actually if we are going to be specific. I of course said no comment, I wasn't about to share something so personal and juicy if I wasn't going to get a good reputation from it, but I digress. I left my office late that evening and retired to my house, it's quite chilly, so I remember brushing the snow off my shoes before entering the house, and there on my welcome mat the first note.

 I know what you've done, once you are dead nobody can deny your sins.

I of course summed it up as a prank Halloween is in a few days after all, I wasn't bothered my town had a few rowdy teenagers looking to pick on the weaker man. What they didn't know is I was not afraid and promptly threw this letter away, enjoying a lovely dinner with my girlfriend Charlene.
It was late and even though I was 27 I was growing tired and so retired early making sure to comb my black hair and smile my winning smile in the mirror a couple times before bed. Later in the night a window crashed, downstairs and Charlene was startled awake. Charlene woke me up, and I went down the stairs making sure to have my rifle with me in case the intruder was still in the house. Of course nobody was there, it was just a large rock that had broken one of the glass windows in the main room. I picked it up to throw it outside but I felt a piece of paper, another note. How odd to receive another death note so soon, perhaps they were really serious and shouldn't be taken lightly. But of course I again dismissed this idea, until I read the note.

Don't throw away my notes, that cannot stop your reckoning from happening. 
It will, by my hand.
 Alert the police about this and your death will be immediate. 
It's not too late to confess what I know.

Well there isn't much I could do, I decided to leave the rock and tie up the window so it wouldn't be so cold and address this in the morning. I didn't get much sleep that night I was too busy thinking about where these threats were coming from, maybe it was the news reporter trying to scare an answer from me, it wouldn't be the first time. Perhaps an old ex, angry about my success? Maybe another corporation, competition trying to scare me? I felt as though none of these fit very well, I didn't understand why I was the target of such a horrendous act but, “crazy men do crazy things” I always say.

   Day 2

I must admit this is a very queer thing to do sending notes days before Halloween, it is the 29 of October today. Why on earth would some random rowdy teen have this much dedication? I have decided to rule it out, makes no sense this is a random prank. I am not going to worry too much about it, the window was fixed and the rock gone when I awoke this morning. Charlene said she took care of it, she works in the early morning. I should mention the town is having a bit of a crisis, there's a killer on the loose who is targeting beautiful young women, luckily none of which are my Charlene. Sadly, that news reporter was killed last night, she had been murdered with a microphone to the head. Poor thing, I was hoping to grab a coffee and a nice chat with her later, but no matter I have other more important things to do.

DAY 4

I have been very busy on closing a few deals, I wasn’t able to write about anything I feel it is important to notice the notes have not stopped I received one today at 12 A.M. it states.

  You are not innocent,you killed the reporter I saw you do it.

I am very confused, this letter is not like the others being very specific, it's frightening. Not to mention I had a tight alibi. Speaking of letters I got one today from a government organization, it wasn't for me of course it was for Charlene but it seemed interesting so I opened it. She walked in on me before I read it’s contents and is now sleeping in the room next to mine. It wasn’t my fault she left it on the table and I was curious, but that’s not gotten her to calm down about the matter. I will let you know how things develop later on.

Day 6

Today I had a terrible dream about murdering someone. I felt so trapped in my dream, I suppose it was because I had watched the news about that terrible incident I couldn't shake it. I told Charlene all about it, she said to take my medication, then my nightmares would go away. She's right about that, I can barely remember the dream now, if I had one, did I? Whatever it was bothering me I feel at ease now that I have had my anti depressants, Charlene is a miracle worker.

Day 7

Today I count in total 10 notes from the mysterious perpetrator. I would also like to make a note that I can't find my slippers, I use them on particularly cold nights and I remember having them on last night and leaving them beside my bed, this morning they were gone; nowhere to be found. To be fair, this is not the first time things have gone missing. I have had a couple occasions this year when this, or that item have been left somewhere, and then found in a strange area of the house. The killer is still on the loose unfortunately, and there are no leads, they listed some things he used on the victims for people to keep an eye out for. Apparently there was a toaster used in a bathtub, a scarf that strangled a poor girl, of course that microphone used against that reporter woman, and much more random house objects like spoons, and pillows, a random shoe. I honestly believe this killer is taking whatever he finds in the house and uses it on the victim. Those poor people I can't imagine the stress those families are going through. I hope that Charlene can be safe from this terrible man.

Day 11

It has been many days since I have talked about my life day in and day out, I am writing today because I have discovered something alarming. I didn't have to go into the office today until noon, and well long story short I was messing around in the guest room. What I found under the bed, is more than a little concerning. I found a random shoe, a scarf, a microphone, this toaster that sounds water logged, a spoon, a blood stained kitchen knife, and a small throw pillow. Theses are murder weapons, I am not sure how they got here but, I am only under the bed because of a not I found a few days ago.

You're not innocent.

Check the guest room.

I thought nothing of it, everyone whose anyone has a guest room of some kind. I marked it off as a silly way of getting me to doubt the houses safety. This my friends has now turned into entries, in case whomever comes after me is really the killer putting on a show. When finally kills me they shall know everything that occurred, up until my death.

Day 12

I am starting to be more than concerned. Charlene came home late, so I slept on the couch till she arrived home, when she did I told her about the murder weapons. This I'm sure was a bold move knowing she could be the killer, but I needed to test her, and I needed to put my mind at ease about her innocence. The problem was when we looked under the bed, they were gone; nothing was under that bed. I had only been asleep maybe 15 minutes, not to mention there was no way for an intruder to come through the front door without me seeing, hearing, and feeling them come in. On top of this, I am walking home in my pajamas, I woke up on a park bench. I went to bed in my home last night in bed with Charlene, I didn't have any drinks and I know I don't sleep walk. I am very confused how I got here and what is happening. This is making me question my sanity entirely.

Day 14

Well today was a bit of a twist. I woke up to a normal living room, and all seemed well under beds no death notes, nothing. Until I looked in the mirror. My clothes are stained with blood. no sooner did I realize this I heard a knock on the door. I moved to put on a robe when I heard someone or something burst through the door and many people run around my house. The police are in my home, and have now seen my bloody clothes. On top of that they found a murder weapon of the most recent murder, in my trash can. I, an innocent man, have been charged with the murder of the towns milk man. There was no need for anymore questions, I was thrown into the comunity jail to await a hearing, my death sentance.  

Day 15

My first day in jail, and I am doing fine.Today was fantastic. I met some people and they are surprisingly nice. On the other hand I awoke from sleep unable to control my body. Somehow I had found a way out of my cell, and was choking a man with my bare hands. I couldn't let go my limbs would not respond to their master. I called out in fear and soon gaurds came to detain me. That is when I ended up here in the isolation room, my hearing in court became more urgent, and I am now even closer to my death.

Day 16

Today I was going to my hearing. With all the evidence stacking up against me, and the incident of last night I was to be executed tonight for murder. I was ready to die and welcome whatever sentence given, I was going crazy not knowing who I was anymore, and what was happening. But just like yesterday I broke free of my cell and this time I escaped prison. I snuck past the gaurds, and cameras as if I had been planning it for weeks. It was just like clock work. I didn't know how on earth I had become so agile, and skilled at escaping heavily armed, and heavily gaurded prisons. I managed to escape unnoticed, and headed home to pack. I somehow had the insticnts to lay low for a day or two, and then travel to a foriegn country.

Day 17

I found Charlene in bed and when she awoke to see me in bed with her there wasn't alarm, but relief. If that wasn't peculiar enough she immeadiatly asked me to take my prescribed anti depressants. Come to think of it, I never remember asking a doctor for the medication, perhaps that was what made me go insane? I decided to "take" the medication.  later on in the day I found another letter laying on the table, I picked it up, and found it was addresed to Charlene. I took it into the room and opened it quietly, the note read:

 Charelene, 

how is the test subject, is everything under control? 

We heard bad news and wanted to confirm. 

-commander Utterson

I was very puzzled by this, and so looked at who had sent it, the same adress and name as before with the first government letter.  I could only gather that Charlene works for the government. Could all those notes be for her instead of me? I thought it might be possible but with all the evidence stacked up against me I didn't think it possible. Tonight I remember taking out a piece of paper, and the funny thing is I started writing a threating note. I just kept writing it over and over, unable to control myself. Charlene walked in on me writing the notes and the open letter, she took the pen away from me, and then quickly read the letter, shoving it into a pocket in her pants. She then had me take my medicine, and I began to feel as though I were waking from a foggy dream. I relaxed, am now going to bed.

Day 18

I needed answers. Charlene works for the government, I am a wanted man, I sometimes can't control my body, and I wrote letters to myself that threaten my own life? Nothing is making sense anymore. I confronted Charlene and I made her tell me everything she knows. I am a volenteer for a secrect science expeirament. They were testing something not sure what, it was all a bunch of nonsence I couldn't understand. Anyway, I had volenteered to be a test subject, and she was there to watch me. To make sure I didn't remember any of the expeiraments, or that nothing went wrong with the searum I took. That's what the medication was. When I am not able to control my body, and it does violent or crazy things, it's because someone else has taken control. I wasn't able to get a clear answer about who that was, she wouldn't tell me. I learned that the deaths of those women with the murder weapons was me, She had to test how I would react in certain situations, all of them ended violent, Charlene was unable to stop me. I couldn't believe all I was hearing, I was furious, I became even more angry when she asked me to take the medication again after learning all of this, just so I could forget it. She wanted to take away what little sanity I had left, things were starting to make sense! I wasn't insane I was a guenea pig. I was full of so much rage that I picked her up by the throat with one hand, shoving her against the wall. I have no idea where the strength came from but as soon as I had seen her face twisting in pain I felt sorry and tried to let go, but I couldn't. I was not in control, I said this to her, and she became afraid, I was terrified. I was choking the woman I loved. Albeit she lied to me about a lot of things, and now we were in this mess, but I never wanted to kill her.  Against my will my body did what no man should ever do and it deprived her of living. I have been crying for many hours now these pages are stained with my guilty tears. I need to find some peace, I need to escape. I couldn't think of anything better to do then to run.

Day 20

I took all the anti depressants in the bottle, I am ashamed to say it but, I did. Charlene had said they would fog my memory, I wanted to forget the last couple of days. The death threats are coming to a stop I found one this morning that gave a clear message. A news report stated someone else had been murdered. My note passing friend could still be out there, if that's what these notes were. I desperately wanted to believe that's what these were, and not me but that was probably not the case. I am making preparations to flee, I cannot stand to look at the lifeless corpse of my lover. I cannot leave the house now, otherwise people will know where I am the news has now broadcast that I escaped from jail. I'm not sure what to do, I have to think, for now I am chaining myself to a chair, I can't have my body doing things without my consent. I forgot to mention what was on the note, this is why I am sure the notes will stop. I have a good 30 in all this is number 31:

Your reckoning is here.  

I cannot save you even if I wanted too, you shall pay for your sins. 

This is the last time I will send my warning.

Day 21

Ever since I became aware of what has happened to me I haven't had any spells of violence, but that might be because I haven't slept since last night. I have been trying to find any evidence of Charelene's government papers or documents that can help me so far I was unable to find anything, until now. I was loking at her desk and to my surprise a small compartment opened in it when I touched the ornimented trims. Typical, why I hadn't looked here first I'll never know. There was a USB full of scanned files, reports of other cases that had gone sour. I found my case file, 

Joseph W. Woods. 

age: 25.

Brown hair, blue eyes. 

This was me, I looked through trying to find out what this whole experiament was about what it was for. I found it, they were trying to make an elite. They had made a serum that would seperate the soldior from the man, making them a powerhouse of desrtusction. My case file was in the Yellow, meaning I was dangerous, but not completely unreachable. The ingreidiants were chemicals I didn't understand, and there was not point in reading them, they couldn't fix me. I found all the murder cases in the town linked to my file, the reporter the milk man, and others. I'm a monster. I did what anyone would have done I called the police and confessed to the murders, and waiting upon their arrival read more on my file. I didn't want to live out in the open a danger to society, there wasn't a cure for this that I could find. I needed to be imprisoned or dead for the safety of others. Now I wish I could say my noble thoughts stayed with me, but they did not I took the drive, and a suitcase, and left town. I was not about to lose my life, or be subjected to hardly any life at all. I didn't wait for the police to track me I ran as fast as I could. Finding a good hiding place I stayed there till I felt paranoid and ran to another spot. I inched my way to the airport where I traded clothes with a homeless man, I payed him a large sum of money to keep quiet about the whole affair. 

Day 22

I didn't sleep last night in fear I would be found, or the homeless man would have turned me in. Luckily I was safe from all of that when I booked a flight to Japan, upon my arrival there I imeadiately booked a flight to indoneasia.  Upon my arrival I got a hotel called Antoni. My room was very nice very masculine, it had a fancy mirror on the ceiling. The decor was nice but I can't say I care much for it, I was too tired. When I got settled I went to the bar.  The news wasn't on and I was thankful for that. I had no idea if I would be searched for worldwide, but I could only hope I had escaped.  

Day 24

I haven't slept in about 4 days. I am too afraid of what I could do if I let my other heartless self escape. I have become a frequent visitor of the bar. I am nervous the news has started to talk about a mysterious man that left a town in Oregon. They caught a video of me and my face is fairly legible but I could just look like him. I didn't want to admit it but I keep seeing a figure in the corner of my eye, the same one anywhere I happen to go. I think I am being followed I plan to leave tomorrow, find a new place to bunker down.

Day 25 

Today I was approached by a woman at the bar she gave me a napkin with a number and a message. 

I know who you are and I am here to help. 

call me if you're intrested in a cure.

I smelled a trap if there ever was one. I crumple the napkin, but I couldn't toss it aside. I despereatly needed sleep I couldn't stay awake forever, drugs would only do me good for so long.  I needed a cure. I wasn't sure if there was one but, I hoped that what man could do could be undone.

Day 26

Against my better judgement I called the number, the voicemail was an adress I suppose this was a burner phone. This all seemed like a set up to catch me, put me behind bars, but I needed a cure. That, or a release from this awful pain, and torment. So I  went. I found myself at an apprment building, not too old looking but certainly not one of the nicer buildings. I found the room number and knocked. I recieved no answer. I knocked again. Nothing. To my surprise I became angry and knocked until the door was knocked down. The room was baren nothing inside. The woman wasn't there, I sat and cried for a long time. There was no hope for me now. I decided to go home. I called my mother told her of my plight, and like all mothers she loved me despite my terrible story. I hoped to be home by the time dinner was ready tomorrow, Thanks Giving day.

 Day 27

Today I arrived justin time. My mother had taken over the house and made it seem alive and cheery again. I am forever grateful for my mother. Thanks Giving day, the perfect time to express that gratitude. We enjoyed what we knew to be my last meal before I turned myself in. I don't know wether it was my mother giving me courage, or my lack of sleep making me not care for myself anymore. Upon eating a knock at the door was sounded. I was alarmed and my mother answered, the woman who passed me the napkin burst through the door walking right to the table and setting down a brief case. Her exact words were "the cure or death you choose". I had so many questions, had it been tested before? would I remember all of this? Could I leave and never be bothered with the police or government again? My one glimpse of hope appeared again and I took it. The woman gave a curt nod, and we got me prepared to take the chosen vile. I sat on the couch and waited for her to jab me with a tiny needle of salvation. All I could think about was the sleep I would take once this was all over. The pain was over in an instant, and my head started to spin. I slumped over my mother catching me, I faded into the blackness.

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Fear not good reader I am not dead, I am in my mind. I looked to see the proceedings that followed catching words and glimpses of my mother and the woman. I am in a coma, and my heartless self stands chained in the corner of my mind. If I am to escape here alive I need to defeat him, only one of us can emerge. "Are you done narriating?" My evil self can hear my thoughts, just like I can. "Yes I can, and I am going to be the one to submerge and take away everything from you." With this the heartless side of me broke his chains, charging after me. I tried to run, to escape, to fight. I was useless I could only beg for mercy. 

This my friends is where my story began, and where it shall end with this monsterous being, learing over me procurring a knife, hatred in his eyes.  I could only pray my death quick and painful as well as my mothers, for I can only assume that is who this monster would take next. I felt my body jult as the heartless version of myself kicked my ribs, adding insult to my injury. I new I was going to die. "But, what will happen to you if you don't have me?" 

The hearltess version of me looked down, his face unclear as to what he thought of this question. I couldn't help remembering what my mother used to say, "opposition in all things dear, you can have sadness without a little happiness."  In the confusion I kicked my monstrous self to the floor grabbing the knife. I grabbed the beast and held him from behind. "I am not going to win, but niether are you." I stabbed the knife first through his heart then mine, I felt the pain, as if I had really been stabbed. My world started to flake my mind disapated I was standin on a small circle in my mind, as I watched the view flake into blackness.

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"He's going to be alright." Said the woman unsure. Joseph's body was lurching and seizing uncontrollably. Joseph’s mother held him tightly, and cried out of fear.  All at once Joseph's body stopped convulsing, his eyes fluttered open. "mom," was all he said embracing her. The woman smiled, "I knew you could pull through." Joseph looked at her, "who are you?"

"Right, about that. I was Charlene's back up, when she didn't give me a daily update, I knew something was wrong. I am Rebeca by the way." She thrust out a hand, Joseph took it gingerly. "I am still here because you are a wanted man, we can't blame you for what you've done, you were under an unauthorized program, and we couldn't help you until recently." Joseph nodded, "so what now?"  

"Well, I am inclined to give you a private hearing and clear your name of the murders, and get you a sentence of negligent homicide. After that we should be able to pull a few strings, and allow you to be on probation."  

Joseph tilted his head, in thought. "Why are you doing this for me? I understand I was wrongly experimented on without my knowing, but this is murder. I can't excuse myself from that." 

"I am doing this for Charlene, she loved you, she never wanted it to end like this, but she didn't want you so suffer more than you needed to. We were partners and she had me promise to help you if she wasn't able to for some reason." 

"okay, where do I sign?"

Rebeca pointed to an x, Joseph signed to the agreements. Rebeca packed up her brief case and the papers taking the USB as well. Even though they insisted she stay for pie Rebeca declined. She had one foot out the door, when she asked,

"Quick question, how did you manage to defeat yourself?"

Joseph smiled, "I remembered something my mother taught me, you can't have good without the bad. I ended up destroy both my bad and good side, when we were sitting there dying my world crumbling around me, he knew the only way to survive was to combine forces. We joined hands, and the rest is history." Rebeca nodded. "Interesting, I'll have to remember that. Get some sleep Mr. Woods, Mrs. Woods." She nodded at Joseph's mother and left. 

"What a day to be alive," Said Mrs. Woods. "I am just glad to be alive." Joseph sighed, cleaning the last bits of pie from his plate. 

The End.