1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000 Chapter 3 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:11,000 The card was amusing and obviously a ruse, like his fantasy story put on by the detective to have some fun with the grim reality of his work. 3 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:17,000 I did think it was interesting that there was a homicide department in such a small town. 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:23,000 I left his office with nothing good other than secondhand smoke and a worse headache. 5 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:29,000 As I walked from Detective Golding's office to the front, the Christmas lights glare became more of a nuisance. 6 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:36,000 A Christmas corpse stood in the middle of the office. Cop-themed ornaments hung from the corpse's arms. 7 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:42,000 A picture rested on one of the arms. It must have been from a previous year's Christmas party. 8 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:49,000 Everyone was wearing an ugly sweater except Golding, who sported the same suit he had on just moments ago. 9 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:57,000 It looked like one of those doctored pictures you see online. A time traveler from the past captured in the present. 10 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:02,000 Something else caught my eye. One of the victims was in the picture. 11 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:06,000 She had her arms wrapped around one of the cop's back. 12 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:11,000 I took the picture to the front and asked the rookie if she knew who the cop was in the picture. 13 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:13,000 The rookie looked at me with a frown. 14 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:17,000 That's Lieutenant Smith. He passed away last year from an overdose. 15 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:21,000 Hmm. He doesn't look the type. But you never know, right? 16 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:28,000 I didn't think so either. He was one of the only people in the force nice to me when I started. It's a real shame. 17 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,000 Yeah, it sure is. 18 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,000 I responded. 19 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:38,000 The poor lady in the picture with Smith. First your spouse dies, then you get killed only a year after. 20 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,000 I thought as I walked back to put the picture on the tree. 21 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:49,000 As I did so, I overheard one of the cops taking a nap earlier run into Golding's office after slamming the phone. 22 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:52,000 Hey, Matt, we got another body. 23 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:57,000 Shit, Golding said as he got up and grabbed his coat on the hook. 24 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:03,000 The cops ran past me to get to the front. As they did, Golding looked at me. 25 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,000 As I said, stay away from this kid. 26 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:08,000 Psh, as if, Grandpa. 27 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:13,000 I wanted to run to the scene so maybe I could see something no one else sees. 28 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:20,000 I got the impression that Golding was a decent cop, but the others couldn't find the killer of a housefly. 29 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:24,000 I decided it wasn't worth getting arrested following the cops to the scene. 30 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:29,000 I would wait it out. I could, however, look into the other victims. 31 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:34,000 I drove to the local library, and the snow was still falling as I did. 32 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:38,000 Once there, I got on one of the computers and began my research. 33 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:42,000 Is there a serial killer in town, or is someone else for revenge? 34 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:46,000 How can someone kill people in such a horrific manner? 35 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:52,000 These questions burrowed deep in my mind, but I couldn't shake what Golding mentioned. 36 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:56,000 I ended up down a rabbit hole, looking for evidence of his fairy tale. 37 00:02:56,000 --> 00:03:02,000 I found news articles and old newspapers dating back to the beginning of Ivy Hollow. 38 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:05,000 In these articles, it mentioned strange ways people were killed. 39 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:08,000 It aligned with what Golding was talking about. 40 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:15,000 One stated during the 1800s there were animals being found mauled by what was assumed to be wolves, 41 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:18,000 despite them not being in the area. 42 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:24,000 Another, only a few years old, showed multiple victims killed with bite marks on their neck. 43 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:33,000 Despite every reason to not believe in all this, there was something deep within myself that felt it to be true. 44 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:36,000 My head ached in pain, but I needed to push on. 45 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,000 I decided to look further into the recent killings. 46 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:44,000 All the victims were killed in a similar manner, a hole blasted through them. 47 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:50,000 I tried finding a weapon or something that could do that kind of damage, but nothing was found. 48 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:56,000 After spending hours at the library researching, I couldn't take the blue light much longer. 49 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:00,000 I wondered if the most recent crime scene would be calm by now. 50 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:08,000 I regrettably turned on Ivy Hollow's own true crime podcast, Ran By One and Janet Lancaster. 51 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:12,000 I knew she started doing live podcasts since the killings. 52 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:34,000 I saw a poster at Dugs saying as much. 53 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:37,000 The latest victim was found only a few miles out of town. 54 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:41,000 Is the killer getting more confident, or just sloppy? 55 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:44,000 The body appears to have been found in the Hollow River. 56 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:48,000 I tried speaking with the cops, but they refused to speak with me. 57 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,000 Stay with me as I stay on the scene. 58 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:56,000 I couldn't take much more of Janet, but at least I now knew the location of the latest victim. 59 00:04:56,000 --> 00:05:02,000 Not sure how she came to know this, but I closed out on the live podcast and I could see her past episodes. 60 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:08,000 She had episodes dedicated to each victim, and she even claimed to have a profile of the killer. 61 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:12,000 I thought maybe it might be worth listening to, even if it made my ears bleed. 62 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:16,000 The library was about fifteen minutes from the Hollow River. 63 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:21,000 The Hollow River was one of the only bodies of water in the town. 64 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:25,000 It was mostly destitute, other than kids pretending it was a beach in the summer. 65 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:30,000 This time of year the river would be almost frozen, if not completely. 66 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:35,000 This made me feel somewhat better that a kid hopefully didn't find the body. 67 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:41,000 I figured if Janet could be at the crime scene, then another local citizen could be as well. 68 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,000 I drove to the river listening to the podcast. 69 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,000 Once there the scene was almost empty. 70 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:48,000 Janet's van was parked on the street. 71 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:52,000 I could see her working on something while trying to stay warm in her van. 72 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:56,000 In the distance, close to the river, I could see the back of a jacket. 73 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,000 Golding stood staring into the abyss. 74 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,000 That was the snow covered woods beyond the river. 75 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,000 I slowly approached him. 76 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:08,000 Jack, I told you to stay away from this. 77 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:11,000 How did you know it was me? I asked. 78 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:14,000 I could smell the skunk on you a mile away. 79 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:19,000 I stood next to him, trying to figure out what he was looking at. 80 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:26,000 I've been doing some research and your fantasy stories are starting to sound less like bullshit. 81 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:30,000 Yeah, well, I've been doing some research of my own. 82 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:34,000 You got kicked off the force for psychological reasons. 83 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,000 Your head hurting right now? 84 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:39,000 He asked, still staring into the woods. 85 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,000 It never stops. 86 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:45,000 Hmm, is all the response I got to my suffering? 87 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:48,000 You aren't going to stop looking into this, are you? 88 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:50,000 No, I'm not. 89 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:55,000 Well, I'm not sure if you're just a local loser or a suspect. 90 00:06:55,000 --> 00:07:01,000 But as the old saying goes, keep your friends close and suspects closer. 91 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:05,000 I don't think that's how that goes, I responded. 92 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:08,000 I got a slight grin from the detective. 93 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:12,000 You were a good detective back in Denver, closed a lot of cases. 94 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,000 Nothing like these, but you have potential. 95 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:20,000 I'll let you work with me on this so I can keep an eye on you. 96 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:21,000 How's that sound, kid? 97 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:24,000 I don't plan on arresting the killer, Golding. 98 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:27,000 Just another reason for me to keep an eye on you. 99 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:34,000 We both went back to staring into the abyss, our breath visible from the cold as the snow glistened from the sun. 100 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:38,000 The detective grabbed a lighter from his coat pocket and lit a cigarette. 101 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:45,000 Nature is the biggest mystery there is, a case that can't be solved. 102 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:50,000 Was it created by God or just a random bang? 103 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,000 What are we doing here? 104 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:54,000 Is this work even worth it? 105 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:57,000 Killing is part of nature. 106 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,000 It's the cycle of life. 107 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:03,000 As the detective was having an existential crisis, I asked, 108 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:06,000 the latest victim, who was it? 109 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:09,000 We don't know yet. Couldn't ID. 110 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,000 Were they killed the same way? 111 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:13,000 That's a strange thing. 112 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:16,000 We found a dead flower, just like the others. 113 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,000 A dead flower? 114 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,000 I haven't heard about that yet, I thought to myself. 115 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:24,000 What's the strange part then? I asked. 116 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:29,000 The detective dropped the cigarette in the snow and crunched it with his polished shoe. 117 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:34,000 The victim's neck had two bite marks. 118 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:40,000 The sun started setting as both myself and Golding looked at each other with confusion. 119 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:45,000 We walked back to our cars, Janet was gone and the snow was letting up. 120 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:49,000 Meet me at Doug's tomorrow, six a.m. sharp, 121 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:54,000 the detective said as he got into his blacked out Ford and drove off. 122 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:59,000 The Ford's exhaust pipe smoked in the cold, as if emulating the driver. 123 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:04,000 Six a.m. came fast and my night's beauty rest was as good as normal. 124 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:07,000 I hadn't had a dream that night, at least that I remember. 125 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:12,000 Even with the lack of rest, a night without such a nightmare was a good one. 126 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:16,000 The weather outside was still frightful, as that Christmas song says. 127 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:22,000 It's almost Christmas, a holiday for which I haven't celebrated since my father's passing. 128 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:27,000 He died doing what he loved, taking pictures of nature. 129 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:32,000 Despite the beauty of nature, nature can also be a bitch. 130 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:35,000 He died in an avalanche, which I know sounds kind of rare, 131 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:39,000 but according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, 132 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:44,000 an average of 25 to 30 people die in one per year in the states. 133 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,000 A fact I found out when he passed. 134 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,000 In the end, we were all just statistics. 135 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,000 I've been thinking about him a lot lately. 136 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:56,000 I left my apartment and went straight to Doug's. 137 00:09:56,000 --> 00:10:01,000 It was cold, but the only snow was of what remained from the day before. 138 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:06,000 The old radio greeted me with Christmas music still playing in the background. 139 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:09,000 The smell of coffee brewing brought me to life. 140 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:14,000 Doug was behind the counter, which was strange as he almost never worked the front. 141 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:16,000 Hey man, where's Susan at today? 142 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:19,000 Your guess is as good as mine. She was a no-show. 143 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:23,000 I tried calling, I even texted, which you know I hate. 144 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:26,000 Susan was always working here in the mornings. 145 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:29,000 I couldn't help but worry. 146 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,000 Let me know if you hear from her, okay, Doug? 147 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:34,000 Doug handed me a black coffee without sugar. 148 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,000 I had to put the sugar in myself. 149 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:38,000 As I said, he doesn't work the front. 150 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,000 Doug was mostly emptier than the regulars. 151 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:44,000 A man sat in the back corner, a newspaper in hand. 152 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:48,000 His glasses hung on for life on his mountain of a nose. 153 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,000 I've seen him here a lot. 154 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,000 He never looked up when I came in. 155 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:56,000 He must really be into the Daily Crossword. 156 00:10:56,000 --> 00:11:00,000 I sat at a table where I could see the front door from my position, 157 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:05,000 a habit I learned after barely escaping an active shooter back in Denver. 158 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,000 Detective Matthew Golding was yet to arrive. 159 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,000 I got to Doug's early. 160 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:14,000 I figured Grandpa would beat me here given his wrinkle-free suit and polished shoes. 161 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:18,000 I waited impatiently, thinking about where Susan could be. 162 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:21,000 Susan and I were friends. 163 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:25,000 She was one of the only ones I had in this shitty town. 164 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:28,000 She came to Ivy Hollow a few months after me. 165 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:34,000 I don't know what brought her here, but I can guarantee it wasn't Doug's or small town living. 166 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,000 As the clock struck six, 167 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,000 the bell rang on the door. 168 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:40,000 He was wearing the same suit and coat. 169 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,000 He sat on the opposite side of me. 170 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,000 What can I get for you, sir? 171 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:45,000 asked Doug. 172 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,000 Doug gave me a look like he was asking what I did this time. 173 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:49,000 Coffee. 174 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:50,000 Black. 175 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,000 Thank you, said the detective. 176 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,000 Doug walked away. 177 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:59,000 Damn kids these days and their diabetic coffee drinks. 178 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,000 The detective said as he looked at the menu, 179 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:06,000 I drank my coffee, a lump of sugar dissolving. 180 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:07,000 You got any? 181 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:08,000 I asked. 182 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:09,000 Kids? 183 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:10,000 Yeah, kids. 184 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,000 One daughter. 185 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,000 She lives in the city. 186 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:18,000 The detective's face showed the topic was not one he wanted to talk about. 187 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,000 So, kid, you believe in my fairy tales now? 188 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:28,000 I'm not completely convinced, but I'm starting to think you might not be as full of shit as I thought. 189 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:30,000 Well, good. 190 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:33,000 The detective slammed a picture down on the table. 191 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:37,000 See these bite marks from the latest victim? 192 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,000 Looks like we got a vamp on our hands. 193 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:43,000 Yeah, you mentioned that yesterday, but it doesn't add up. 194 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:47,000 If one of these things you claim are real killed this person, 195 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:50,000 why would there be no bite marks on the rest of the victims? 196 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:55,000 It's possible we missed them or the killer is trying to frame someone else. 197 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:58,000 Either way, the killer knows about vamps, 198 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:02,000 which means these killings are part of the nightlife. 199 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:03,000 The nightlife? 200 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:04,000 I asked. 201 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,000 Yeah, that's what I call it. 202 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:11,000 They usually aren't ones to be out and about in the daytime. 203 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:13,000 Okay, so let's say these things are real. 204 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:16,000 Does that mean other creatures are real? 205 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:20,000 Werewolves, dragons, goblins, ghouls, and maybe even mat- 206 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:24,000 The pain on my forehead created a cloud, 207 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,000 the last word unable to be translated from my brain to speech. 208 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,000 Werewolves, yes. 209 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:33,000 Dragons and such, no, that's fantasy as far as I can tell. 210 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:37,000 I've come across the nightlife a few times in my years. 211 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:40,000 They seem to mostly reside in big cities, 212 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:46,000 but Ivy Hollow appears to be suburbia for them or something, believe it or not. 213 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:47,000 Let's say this is all real. 214 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,000 What do we do? 215 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:52,000 Grab some garlic and wooden stakes and go pillaging the village? 216 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,000 The detective chuckled. 217 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:55,000 This is real life, son. 218 00:13:55,000 --> 00:14:00,000 We do what we do best, follow leads until we find the bastard. 219 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:04,000 It doesn't matter if it's a man or a creature of the night. 220 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:07,000 Either way, it's a monster. 221 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:12,000 I have a source in the city who said some vamps might be in town. 222 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:17,000 While it seems to be true that vamps need to consume blood to survive, 223 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:21,000 I've been told most of them these days prefer to lay low 224 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:24,000 and live off animals like the rest of us. 225 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:25,000 Who's the source? 226 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:27,000 Someone you'll never meet. 227 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,000 Now, I've got a lead. 228 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:30,000 A ranch just outside town. 229 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:33,000 It's had its cattle gone missing. 230 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:35,000 Might be a place to start. 231 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:39,000 This was all a bit much, and I decided to look over the counter. 232 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,000 Doug still stood behind it. 233 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,000 Where's Susan? 234 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,000 I thought to myself. 235 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,000 Have you ID'd the latest victim? 236 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:48,000 I asked. 237 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:52,000 Not yet, but should be any time now. 238 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:55,000 I'm gonna head down to the morgue, actually, if you want to go. 239 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:59,000 The doc is a bit of an ass, but he might have an answer. 240 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:03,000 On the car ride over to the morgue, I tried calling and texting Susan. 241 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:23,000 No response.