the Hangman's Body Count

The town prospered for several years, but on the 13th anniversary, a few hours before the festivities celebrating the Hangman's death were to begin his executioners disappeared.

 

 

The Hangman's Body Count

Nicole proceeded home down the dark , foggy road. The trees overlooking the winding road blocked out the moon almost entirely, adding to the sinister atmosphere. So far she was doing a good job of keeping her unnerving thoughts under control.

            The further she got from the Xavier Stormwell Cemetery, the harder it was to repress her terror back into the catacombs of her mind. She inhaled sharply and commanded her ludicrous thoughts to control themselves.

            The wind called her name or so it seemed. Shivers ran up her spine. She was nearing Gallows’ Road. This was not an actual road however, just a small path that went no further than four yards. Located at the end of Gallows’ road was the notorious and supposedly haunted Hangman’s Tree. Her older brother Brandon had told her the tale of the hangman long ago…

 

“Sometime in the late 1800’s a young man named Josph Williams lived in a cabin in what is now called the Everlasting Woods(just outside Deansville) He was a very likeable man, whom you would never expect to create any sort of violent act, unless dictated his only choice

A few years after his arrival campers began to disappear. When a search was conducted, the missing campers were found hanging with their wrist bound, from what is now called the Hangman’s Tree, ironically located near Josph’s home. The unknown assailant was given the name “The Hangman” for obvious reasons.

These crimes went on for approximately four years before The Hangman was identified as the lovable Josph Williams, his home was reduced to practically nothing. He was then punished the only way the police found fit, they hung him from his hanging tree. After being left there for the mourning families to torment his corpse he was buried in the remains of his home.

Thus ending the life of the infamous Hangman. None are sure what drove him to madness. Some suspected a family tragedy. Upon later years traces of mercury were found in his drinking well, this is the most probable cause.”

 

What she remembers of that story is this:

 

The town prospered for several years, but on the 13^th anniversary, a few hours before the festivities celebrating his death were to begin his executioners disappeared. The hangings had started again. The bodies were found hanging from the notorious tree. Though not as frequent as before, fear filled every citizen. The culprit of these hangings was never found; many had their suspicions, the most common suspect being Josph’s ghost.

 

“Thus ends the tale of the Hangman,” Nicole said to herself aloud recalling her brother’s eerie tone. She was more frightened than ever, though she would never have admitted it. She could hear it in her voice. It was at this same time that Nicole heard the echo of footsteps that were not here own. They sounded like they belonged to a pair of boots. Her walking slowed down to a complete halt. She was stricken with terror. Nicole clenched her jaw and glanced around in utter panic. The moon was shining through the trees now, giving her a better view of her frightening surroundings. The footsteps still pursued her yet she saw no one.

“Hello? Whoever you are this isn’t funny at all!”

 

Shadows danced across the tree trunks. The heavy footsteps grew louder and seemed to be getting closer to her.  They grew more rapid, like running then suddenly stopped. Nicole looked in front of her to see the tall silhouette of a man. A bloodcurdling scream escaped her lips. She made a break for the trees, a terrible mistake on her behalf. “This isn’t funny,” she sobbed, the boots close behind her. 

 

The wind whispered her name and the tears continued to stream down her face. She fought through the collection of low branches while trying to avoid tripping over roots. Suddenly the footsteps stopped, but she did not. Instead Nicole ran into someone’s waiting embrace.

 

His dull blue-green eyes looked dreamy in the moonlight. He had an abnormally pale face and chiseled good look. His lips curled up at the ends just right. She found him quite handsome. “Are you alright? What’s wrong?” From what she could tell in the dimmed light, his attire didn’t coincide with the decade.  She looked at him awkwardly with a sort of ignorant smile on her face. She cleared her mind and swallowed the lump in her throat before speaking. “I think…I think someone is after me…”

 

He looked around then into her eyes. “Poor thing, you’re shivering. You must be scared to death. Now miss don’t take this the wrong way. Would you like to come back to my cabin and collect yourself by the fire? Perhaps have some tea?”

 

She broke from his oddly soothing embrace. “I Guess that will be ok. I didn’t know anyone lived out here.”

 

“Not many do.”

 

“Why are you out here so late, if you don’t mind my asking?”

 

“I was gathering wood when I was distracted by very loud screaming,” He smiled

 

“My apologies.” Nicole hadn’t realized her screaming was so loud. He was unnervingly charming. Suddenly a scene from a CSI episode ran through her head. “You know what? I think I will just wait here. Would you mind bringing me a flashlight or maybe a candle?”

 

“If you insist. I will return shortly. Hopefully before the moon goes back into hiding.”

 

Soon after his departure the ominous noises began once more. She was once again entombed in total darkness. If she could only remember what direction she had come…. She didn’t trust him.  He wasn’t normal, something was off. Then again these thoughts could just be a result of her current location, adding that to her overactive imagination it’s no wonder.

 

She heard footsteps coming up behind her. She felt breath on the back of her neck. Chills ran up her spine. Candles were suddenly floating all around her, illuminating the wooded area. Up and to the right of her was a sign reading Gallows Road and not five feet in front of her was the Hangman’s Tree.

 

Nicole turned her body, ready to make a run for it, she would not die this way. She felt a rope drop around her neck. “Please…no…I’ve so much to live for…”

 

Some unknown force yanked her hands behind her back and bound them together causing her to lose her footing.  She felt that her legs, too, had been bound together. “Is this enough light for you?” It was his voice only colder. “Allow me to introduce myself in case you’ve yet to figure it out. Josph Williams is the name; however, my good friends,” he winked “call me The Hangman.”

 

“But you’re dead…”

 

“Technically, before my execution I sold my soul at the crossroads for eternal life. I knew they were close to finding me but I wasn’t ready to die. Clearly it worked since I’m still here after more than a hundred years. Looking better than ever!  It’s so dark you probably didn’t even realize you were there. The entire time you were thinking about my story, about the legacy I held, you were standing in the very center. That was enough reason for me to come after you.”

 

He dragged her by the end of the noose to the tree. She wanted to pull at the rope around her neck. She wanted to vomit. Both were impossible. This couldn’t be happening. He was just a tall tale….just a campfire story…This…this wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.

 

“Oh but it is love, now get up and sit down in that chair like a nice little girl.”

 

She hadn’t notice the small wicker chair placed under the tree. How many had sat there before her?  She didn’t care to know.

 

Hot tears ran down her cheek. “I can’t.” her words were barely audible.

 

He lifted her into the chair. “If you weren’t so pretty I’d have slapped you just then. You have to look your best on your judgment day. You even dressed for the occasion,” he whispered, his eyes scanning her white silk dress.

 

“If I’m so pretty, why are you doing this to me?”

 

He threw the rope over a tree branch. “Death gives me life.” he tied the other end to a nearby branch. “Stand up,” sobbing still, she did as she was told.

 

He cocked his head. “It’s going to be ok, love.”  He kissed her. It felt like an electrical current was circulating throughout her veins. It hurt but she kissed him back hoping to end this contact to an end. Her insides seemed to catch on fire.

 

Josph pulled away and licked his lips. “Your soul tastes so sweet and pure.”

 

“Wha…my soul?”

 

He nodded and began kissing her again. She was screaming on the inside. Her aurora had begun to dim. She sobbed. The burning returned, only more intense. It hurt so much. She wanted to lose consciousness but couldn’t. He wouldn’t allow it. He shook her violently every time it seemed she would.

 

He finally pulled away with a smile on his face. “So sweet.” The pain in her had subsided and she felt more alive than ever. “Feels good doesn’t it?” She nodded. “No soul means no moral or worries. Now say your prayers, perhaps we will meet again,” he said with a smile. “What fun that would be.” he licked his lips.

 

He’d untied the rope without her noticing. “Wait! Please!” he yanked her up higher and higher from the ground. Nicole gasped and choked as the rope constricted around her neck.

 

Josph tied it to a tree root and grabbed her wrist. Her aurora seeped out of her. He felt himself absorbing it. The kicking of her legs became less aggressive. Josph sung a verse from an old campfire song, which was ironically based on the legacy he held. “Say your prayers once more your part of The Hangman’s body count.”

 

All her movements stopped, the flow of her aurora ceased as well. Josph let out a satisfied sigh as her life began the process of renewing him.

 

 

 

Inspired by the song “The Hangman’s Body Count” by Volbeat

 ( contains two lines from thus song.)