There were rumors that went around in every part of that dark town… dark ones, like how the people were.
It was dark times when the rumors of the devil went around… people whispered… whether it was on ordinary, sunny days where nothing happened… or whether it was a dark, rainy, and chilly night where people got stories to tell…
What were the rumors?
One grim night, the old 21-year-old barman, Tom, sat down with everyone else in his bar… and listened to the rumors.
An old man named John repeated the rumors every week… anyway, there was always more to add to the rumors… judging that there was a new attack almost every week.
"So, Tom… sitting with us this week?" He asked Tom. "Yes, I would like to hear what people are saying in my bar." Tom replied with a grin on his face. "Well… it isn't a very nice tale to tell, I'll give you that." he coughed dryly. "That's alright." Tom replied, after a moment of silence.
Everyone sat down with them to listen… uncle John had a way… of drawing attention to people with his… stories of rumors.
The clock ticked slowly… there was not a sound except the time going away… and then John started. He sighed.
"For those of you who don't know… the rumors around the town are ones that include… attacks, a devil and lots of grief." John said in his rough voice.
"One Saturday, everyone was outside… and enjoying themselves. No one knew what was going to happen to poor Hannah. Her mother had left just for a moment to take a call. Everyone else was leaving the park. Hannah stayed and she waited for her mother… but then… there was a man. They say that he wore a black, leather jacket and a dark mask, covering his evil face." John paused while everyone listened anxiously.
The full bar knew all of this already… they had been hearing it since the last-to-last week, but the way John made it sound… was quite… interesting.
"He came over, gave the girl a chocolate and then, told her that he had doughnuts and dolls in his van. Bless Hannah, she was innocent. Kids can't resist that kinda stuff. She went with him and… next we know, the news is saying Hannah was found dead in the woods, while her mother searched high and low for her.
Then, next there was Edmond… I knew him personally, Edmond, he was Ms. Green's son. He was only 20, but Hannah was younger, only 7 years old. He wasn't easily bribed, like how Hannah was. The police say that Edmond was kidnapped from his house. Found in the same place. The woods… oh, Ms. Green cried ugly… first her husband in the war, then her son… and now, poor woman's all alone…
After Edmond, there was Luke. Same age around Edmond, but a bit younger. Maybe 18 or 19. He died by an accident, but the police say that the car ran over him without staying or calling 911. So, they think it's a murder. Personally, I agree with them.
Now, they all had died last week or last-to-last week… but the newest victim is Fred. The sailor who spent his time drinking all day. Fred was a good person but… he had a bad side. He died by drowning, the police say. Now, folks, what d'y'all think? If you ask me, I'd say that it's another murder… but who knows? Could be another human accident planned by Jesus."
The people started muttering. A man laughed nervously with a hint of fear in his voice and another woman stared at the door. Tom fidgeted with his fingers, almost nervously… and Jake stared at the floor with a look on his face, pale as a ghost.
"Aye, I agree with you, John. It has to be another murder." Jack who was Jake's brother told John. "It has to be. But anything can happen as well." A woman in her mid fifties whose name was Mary told them both.
The rain continued pattering against the windowpanes while everyone talked among themselves about the mysterious events going on in their town.
"Why d'you think the lad's doin' all this?"
"I don't know, he likes killing?"
Tom sat alone… he watched everyone murmur about the events. He just sat there. And observed. The bar became cold and the clock continued ticking… almost eerily. He fidgeted with his fingers quietly.
"Tom, what do you think of it?" John asked in his rough voice when he saw Tom was alone. "You've heard all this for the first time."
Tom looked from his fingers to the floor and then only made eye contact with John… everyone suddenly became still. "What do I think of it?" Tom asked quietly. John nodded.
"I think… that maybe you all are idiots." he said, smirking. John looked at Tom, confused. "Why? Why do you think we are idiots? What have we done to you? What's there to smirk about?" John asked.
The bar looked at him closely and listened to his reply.
Tom laughed darkly. "Hasn't it occurred to you all that maybe the killer might be right here?" "Yes, we know that… but why do you say that we are idiots?" Jake asked, offended. "Ladies and gentlemen, you all talk about the events as though the killer is deaf. Who's to say that he won't kill ya next?" "He? Are you saying that the killer is male? It could be female." Howard said in an outrageous tone. "Howard, shut up." John took a sip of his whiskey. "Are you saying… that you, Mr. Tom Crevell, know who the killer is?"
Tom smirked darkly. The smell of whisky filled the air, but this turn of events caused the air to become eerily, freezing cold.
The thunder flashed across the sky and Tom laughed shakily making eye contact with each one of them. Jake, Jack, Howard, John, Mary. Every single one.
After that moment of silence, Tom spoke. "Yes. Yes, I do." John stared at him, waiting for him to continue. "Well? Go on, you idiot. You didn't expect us to just be satisfied with the fact that you know who the killer is?" spoke Jack.
"So, you lads want the truth?" Tom asked, still smirking. John nodded. "Yes, we want it. What d'you expect?"
Tom chuckled again. "Guess what, ladies and gentlemen, haven't you wondered that why is it I know all of the people who died so far?"
People looked at him nervously. Tom was right… why did he know all of them? "But so does John!" Donald told him. "Fair. Good point, Donald, but John doesn't matter here… I can tell you what happened… from the killer's point of view. You lads want to know so bad? So, be it." The bar listened, holding their breath as Tom began his story.
"Hannah. She really was innocent. But as John said, children are very vulnerable. I knew Hannah's mother, you see. For a fact, I know she bullied people in school. She really had an unpleasant attitude and still does. The killer… wanted to hurt Hannah's mother, Elizabeth. Beth really was terrible.
"Then, there was Edmond. He was always going and putting rumors about the people in town. He made rumours about my late friend, Katherine." Tom paused. He drank his glass of beer. "He was always nice to me, though." He added.
"Luke was a good boy. Very smart. His father was terrible. He hit Luke a lot and unfortunately made Luke like himself. Sad death. Very tragic. The killer felt sorry to see him die…" John opened his mouth but Tom gestured to keep quiet.
"Last we have Fred. Like how John said, a big old drunkard. He drank all day, gave me good business too. Fred really did die by drowning this time. But it still was a murder. Because all the killer did is just push him into the water and Fred couldn't swim." Tom laughed yet again. Mary put her hands to her mouth, Jake looked horrified. "Funny thing for a sailor." Tom told them.
"Now, look here, Tom." John took a deep, raspy breath. "How- how do you know all that?" Jake spoke, shaking.
"Oh, I haven't mentioned it yet?" Tom had a knife in his hand and was fidgeting with it, not making eye contact. Howard shook his head.
The rain fell from the sky faster and the thunder became louder.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, how do I know… all this?" Tom smirked. "Because I am the one you all have been talking about."
Mary gasped. Howard edged his chair back and Jake nearly fainted. John's face turned pale. "N- no, you're lying, Tom." John tried to laugh. "No, no John. I am telling the truth." Tom said coldly.
"And now… I have to kill you all." Tom stood up quickly with his knife in his hand. "Wh- what? Tom, no." Howard said. "Tom… why?" John asked, tears of fear in his eyes. "Why…? Because those people either bullied me or someone close to me. Either they bullied me or their parents did." Tom looked straight at John with a pierced, cold look.
People got up and screams were heard. They tried to open the door, but it was locked… "Sit back down." Tom shouted. Everyone turned to him. "Sit down! Right now!"
They stayed, screaming for help. John only stayed in the bar. He remained seated, calmly yet shaking. Tom sighed. "I made sure that door was locked for a reason. Guess I was right."
He went to the back, took out a gun, and shot Mary in her head. Howard gasped. "Mary!" Jack kneeled quickly beside her. Tom went over to the crowd, and they immediately started running around the bar.
John looked for an exit… while Tom was going around killing people, not taking any notice of him. John couldn't walk properly without a walking stick anyway… but he could help others.
The air smelt of blood… John tried to run in the end once everyone else was killed and Tom just walked… walked towards John.
"I thank you, John." He said, smirking. "And why?" John met his eyes. "For one, telling such a story. And two, for not running away. It makes everything much easier." Tom leaned in close to John's face.
"You really are a devil." John said bravely, his hand with the walking stick shaking. "Why, thank you. That is what I intended to be. Some devils don't always stay in the woods or in the clouds. Some just pour drinks in plain sight." Tom slit John's throat…
The bar stayed in silence… and the news the next day came out saying, "20 people dead in bar. The barman, Tom nowhere to be found."
