Building 8 “Margaret is Missing”

The police arrived at the hotel at around seven. Feels like deja vu.

Margaret didn't come home last night.

Cops came over. I don't have a car. She has the car. She left to go to her class. Told them where it was at. They did some investigating...

No class is being taught there. No one recognized my wife. No one knew about any teacher. It was just a regular house. A boring residence on Wellington Street.

She lied to me.

My wife is missing, and the cops don't have any leads.

Though I have a few...

I have a really good idea where I should start look-ing...The cops don't care. They just came to show that they were making some sort of effort. But the moment I mentioned him, they stopped their questions. I told them about the factory.

They said they would look.

There was no conviction in their voice.

Makes me feel sick. The idea of going back. Fear of what I will find.

I've gone back home. House still smells like Loyd. Don't think that smell will ever go away. Still spending the night there. Left a notice at the hotel. Paid up till the end of the year. Said they wouldn't charge me for the nights I don't use.

Real understanding people.

First place I checked was the factory. No one was there. Fence was still in place. Lock was still as I left it.

Come by every so often...make sure no one is going inside.

Was a long shot though. The Surgeon has been expanding his territory. The twins in the woods. Children on Halloween...

My house...

At least what used to be my house. Back when Sarah was alive.

She is dead now...rotting.

The house we used to live in. Looked so much like the house Margaret was supposed to be taking classes at. Only big difference is that there wasn't a stain in the wood.

Nothing bad happened there.

Why did she lie to me?

I run a few thoughts over in my mind. Could be cheating on me. Plenty of people out there. But with her face being like it is...seems unlikely to me.

I love her. I love her new face. Just hard to see past it if you don't know better.

Could have just wanted an excuse to leave the house. In between the two of us, sleep doesn't come easily. She hasn't been screaming as much at night. Not really many neighbors left to bother. I haven't been sleeping well...couldn't she have just told me?

She should have just told me...

He showed up tonight.

Found him in the kitchen sitting at the table. Smelled of sweat and ice. The Old Man adjusted his olive-green suit and motioned for me to sit down.

He chuckled to himself.

I looked away, but I took my seat.

“You've put someone in great pain Michael.”

His voice was crackling. Like stepping on glass. Hurt my ears. Turned my head to look at him. His black gums seemed caked in tar. He was happy to see me...

He chuckled again.

I looked away.

“Now...why would that be? Why would you do that to someone?”

I didn't know how to respond.

He reached out and grabbed me by the wrist. I didn't try to resist. Know better. The cold of his hands began to bite into my skin. My flesh began to tighten. Muscles ached. He squeezed only lightly, but the pain was terrible.

I didn't flinch.

Experienced worse before.

“You need to suffer...for what you've done.”

He began to laugh.

I looked away.

“But not by my hand.”

He released my wrists. I looked at him. Confused. My wrists were burned from the cold.

“You aren't going to like how this ends very much. But I wanted you to be prepared. To start, worrying, if you will,” he said with a contented sigh. “I could have done much to hurt you. But...sometimes there are better ways.”

As he said that, he stood up and he left without another word. I don't know what to think. He just left and closed the door as quietly as you like. Left me there.

Alone.

Grabbed a towel and warmed it with water.

Been applying it on and off for hours now. Still haven't gotten the feeling back in them. Pins and needles mostly...

The heat helps...

Went to the back door.

Called for Loyd...a force of habit.

Nothing. No sound except the sound of passing cars. The blaring bulb of the neighbor’s porch light. Thought about going over there. One more time. For old time’s sake. Decided against it.

Watched them for a while. Sitting around their kitchen table. Don't know why they do it. They don't need to eat.

They just need new skins and something pungent to cover the smell.

...Seem so normal though...

I know things now I didn't before. Doesn't help any. Didn't want to know. Not really. Was happy with things. The strange neighbors and the cat and my wife...

My wife.

Margaret.

Whatever has happened doesn't mean she can't talk to me.

I deserve that much...

I am alone tonight.

Alone again.

I hope she is alright.

I hope I find her soon.

I love you Margaret.

Please come home.