It was a chilly late October night.  The full moon beamed in the cloudy, dark sky above. It was late, too late to be driving. But Lizzie had insisted that she had something to show Brody tonight. She hadn’t said what she had to show him but Brody went along anyway. He was used to her mysteriousness. It was one of the reasons he’d fallen in love with her.

 

“I was nervous at first.” Brody Matthews said breaking the silence.

 

“Why?”

 

“I don’t know. I guess I was afraid your folks wouldn’t like me.”

 

“I told you you had nothing to worry about.” Lizzie said assuring her fiancé.

 

“They’re nice people.”

Lizzie nodded keeping her focus on the desolate road ahead.

 

Brody glanced over at Lizzie wondering where she was taking him. She sat back relaxed in the drivers’ seat as if she’d known this road like the back of her hand.  Her long, black dreadlocks were pulled back into a messy ponytail and her mahogany skin glowed under the bit of moonlight that seeped into the windows.  His eyes wandered down to her full lips. God, he loved her lips. The thought of being the man who was lucky enough to kiss those lips everyday for the rest of his life made him smile.

 

She slowed the car to a stop. Slipping on her coat, she took the key out of the ignition.  She got out of the car waiting for Brody to follow. He did.

 

Before them stood an abandoned, large, Victorian styled house covered in ivy.  

 

“Are you going to tell me where we are?” He asked slamming the car door.

 

“Do you know who Brutus Quid is? Was. I mean was.” She said correcting herself.

 

“Yeah, he was a serial killer from this town. So?”

 

“This is. I mean was his house.” She said excitedly.

 

“Okay, so why are we here?”

 

“Do you remember when I told you I went through a goth phase when I was younger? Well rumor around town is that this place is haunted. And I...”

 

“Wait lemme get this straight.” Brody spoke interrupting her.

 

“You want to go into an allegedly haunted house where a murderer not only lived and killed but also died?” Brody asked staring at Lizzie as if she’d lost her mind.

 

“Well yeah.” She responded hoping he’d come.

 

“Lizzie give me the keys and get in the car. We clearly need to get you back to your parent’s house so you can get some sleep.” Brody said motioning for her to hand over the keys.

 

“C’mon Brody, Halloween is tomorrow. Get in the spirit.”

 

“No.” Brody stated.

 

“Pleeeeease?” Lizzie begged.

 

She reached for his hand. Raising it to her mouth, she lightly kissed his knuckles.

 

‘Fine.” He said smiling at her.

 

“The most we’ll see is spider webs.”

 

“This is why I love you.” Lizzie said brushing Brody’s shaggy, black hair out of his eyes.

 

-------------------------------

 

“The door wasn’t even locked. Weird. .”  Brody stated once they were inside.

 

Lizzie looked around the house.  The wall paper was peeling, old furniture had been torn apart, and the wooden floors creaked every time a step was taken.

 

“The police tore this place apart.” Lizzie said distracted.

 

“What exactly is the story on the creep who lived here?” Brody asked.

 

“It’s not a “story”. It was his life.” Lizzie said snapped.

 

Brody looked at Lizzie slightly surprised.

 

“Just tell me what happened Morticia.” He said with a laugh.

 

Lizzie rolled her eyes playfully.

 

“Brutus Quid moved here from California in the mid 90’s. His dad was some big shot judge and his parents wanted him to follow in his father’s foot steps, but Brutus wanted to be a violinist.  So Brutus took his trust fund and packed and moved here. Far, far away from Mama and Papa Quid. A woman went missing a few weeks after he moved here but no one connected it to Brutus. Four years passed and 3 more women went missing. Still nobody connected it to Brutus. Until, late February 2002 when Brutus was found stabbed to death in his attic. He was killed by one of the sons of the missing women. The cops caught the boy and he told them that the last time he’d saw his mother alive was night she went on a date with Brutus. The cops searched every inch of this house and didn’t find a single body but they found his music. He had written 4 pieces of music. Each piece was named after the 4 missing women. And the music wasn’t written in ink. It was written in blood. Their blood.”

 

“Jesus.” Brody said repulsed.

 

“Why would he do that to those poor women?”

 

“They weren’t exactly saints. They were rather trashy.” Lizzie answered.

 

“They still didn’t deserve to die.”

 

Lizzie looked away.

 

“Did you ever meet him?” Brody asked.

 

“No. But I saw him twice. The first time I saw him was at the bookstore in the occult section. The second time I saw him he was down by the creek playing his violin.”

 

“What was he like?” He asked curiously.

 

“Tall, tanned, short brown hair, giant blue eyes. He didn’t look like a killer and certainly didn’t sound like one.” Lizzie said barely paying attention to Brody.

 

“He talked to you?”

 

“No, but I heard him playing his music. It was so amazing and raw. Sounded like loneliness and pain. Like he was looking for someone and he was hoping his music would find them for him.” Lizzie whispered staring out of a broken window.

 

Brody watched her beginning to feel uncomfortable. She was acting stranger than usual.

 

“I think we should leave.”

 

“Let’s just look upstairs then we can leave. Deal?” Lizzie said turning to face Brody.

 

“Deal.

 

---------------------------------

 

“This was that freaks bedroom.” Brody said opening a white door with a brass knob.

 

“I’m gonna go check out his library.” Lizzie said turning to leave.

 

 Brody grabbed her arm. “I think we should stay together.”

 

“Don’t worry it’s just down the hall. I’ll be right back.”

 

She left leaving Brody alone.  

 

“How does she know where the library is?” Brody wondered.

 

He studied the empty room. The dark velvet curtains still hung over the windows and a large bed with black, satin sheets sat in the middle of the room.

 

He walked over to the window and pulled back the curtains to let some light in. A squirrel hiding in the curtain scurried away.

 

“Shit.” Brody said startled.

 

 He turned around staring at the bed.  

 

“Why is that still here?”  He thought to himself.

 He walked over to the bed. He let the tips of his fingers graze the satin sheets. They felt new.” Someone else has been here.” 

Something weird was going on. They had to leave. Now.

  

“BRODY!!”

 

Brody jumped hearing Lizzie scream his name. He dashed out of the room into the library. There was no sign of Lizzie.

 

“Lizzie? Where are you?” Brody yelled loudly.

 

“BRODY!!” Lizzie screamed his name again.

 

He bolted into hall. Her voice was coming from upstairs. The attic.

 

He climbed the creaking stairs breathing heavily.  He reached the top. Moonlight flooded the room through broken windows.

 

“Lizzie?!” He screamed panicking.

 

He saw someone out of the corner of his eye. He spun around to see an object being swung at his head. He hit the floor. Everything in the room grew blurry until darkness consumed him.

 

-------------------------------

 

“Brody?”

 

“Please be alive?” He heard a woman’s voice saying.

 

“Lizzie?”  He mumbled over the pounding in his head.

 

“It’s me Brody. Thank god you’re alive.” Lizzie said relieved.

 

Brody struggled to open his eyes. He realized he was sitting in a chair. He smiled seeing Lizzie standing in front of him.

 

Trying to focus he squinted and looked past Lizzie. Behind her sat a circle of lit candles on the floor.  

 

“Lizzie what is that?” He asked baffled.

 

He gathered his strength attempting to stand but he couldn’t.

 

He tried again unable to rise.

 

Suddenly he felt the tight ropes around his arms and legs. He couldn’t stand because he was tied to the chair.

 

“Lizzie untie me.”

 

‘I’m sorry baby, but I can’t do that.” She said grinning.

----------------------

 

“Lizzie this isn’t funny. Untie me now.” Brody demanded.

 

“No, it isn’t funny but it is exciting.” She said still smiling.

 

“What the fuck is going?’ Brody asked growing angry.

 

“Good question. It’s time we told you.”

 

“We?”

 

“Brutus?” Lizzie yelled.

 

“Have you lost your…” he stopped talking upon hearing foot steps ascending the attic steps.

 

A tall man with short brown hair appeared at the top of the stairs. He stood shirtless in baggy jeans, and barefoot. Brody had seen this man before in newspapers. He’d heard Lizzie describe him earlier.

 

“B-b-Brutus Quid?’ Brody stammered.

 

“In the flesh, well not yet.” He let out a booming laugh.

 

Lizzie laughed along with him.

 

“This isn’t possible.” Brody said staring at the man in front of him.

“Darling, you haven’t explained it to him yet?” Brutus asked turning to Lizzie.

 

“I was waiting for you honey.” Lizzie said walking over to stand next to Brutus.

 

“Darling?” Brody croaked still not believing his eyes.

 

Lizzie sighed sounding bored. “Here’s the whole story. I lied to you. The first time I saw Brutus in the occult section at the bookstore I was fascinated with him. I remember it like it was yesterday. He stood 6’3 with damp, thick brown hair falling over his ears, blue eyes, and he smelled like peaches. He loves peaches.” She said smiling up at Brutus who smiled back at her.

 

She continued. “He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had to find out more about him. Later that month I saw him by the creek. It was like fate or something.  He was playing his violin. I would’ve left but his music caught me and wouldn’t let me go. He stopped playing and I was about to leave but he looked up and saw me. I was afraid he’d be mad that I was spying on him but he was flattered that I was listening. That’s all he wanted. Was someone to listen. He started inviting me to his house to listen to him play. Of course I couldn’t tell my parents. They’d think he was pedophile. Unfortunately, he never touched me. I came at least twice a week. I was head over heels. We talked about everything together. He listened to me and I listened to him.”

  

 “Fast forward to February 25, 2002 my sixteenth birthday, I was on my way here.  I really wanted to spend my birthday with Brutus.”

 -Flash back-

Knock .knock.  

"Brutus, are you home?”  The door creaked open.  

She walked inside the house.  

“Brutus, you left the door…” She paused.

There on the wooden floor were crimson red drops.  

She grew worried. She’d hoped it wasn’t what she thought it was. 

“P-please -no.” She bent down touching the stain.  

Horrified she stared at the red liquid on her fingers. She knew what it was. 

"BRUTUS!?” She screamed at the top of her lungs. 

She ran stumbling up the steps past more crimson drops of blood. 

He had to be in the attic. He was always in the attic.  

She reached the attic gasping for air. But the sight before her sucked all of the oxygen out of her lungs. 

Brutus lay on the floor shirtless in blue jeans clutching his stomach. He lay in a fetal position with a puddle of blood forming around him.  

She stood frozen in fear. 

He managed to lift his head to see her standing at the top of the stairs. 

“Elizabeth.” He groaned.  

She couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe.  

Hot tears rolled down her face. 

She had to do something. She’d never let him die. 

She snapped out of her daze.

She walked over to Brutus trembling in fear. 

“I’ll call 911.But first we have to try to stop the blood.” She blurted trying to figure what to do.

“N-no. Don’t touch me and don’t call anyone.” He whispered. 

“Why the hell not? You’ll die if I don’t!” She exclaimed confused by his request. 

“You know the b-book we’ve been reading together about blood rituals. I need you to get it.” He said shivering.  

The book sat on a stack of boxes on the other side of the attic. She did as she was told.

“T-t-turn to page 225. Read it.” He instructed. She did.

Her eyes grew wide as she read the words on the page.  

It was a blood binding ritual. It would bind Brutus’s soul to hers for the rest of her life. He would never truly die as long as she was alive.  

“I know it’s a lot to ask and you don’t have to do it if you...” He said trying to keep his strength but failing. 

“I’ll do it.” She said cutting him off. If she was going to perform the ritual they didn’t have much time left. 

Brutus nodded silently thanking her.

She needed a candle, a lighter, and her own blood.

Brutus kept candles in the attic and she had her own lighter.  

She lit the candle setting it between her self and Brutus’s weakening body. 

She needed something sharp to cut herself with, but she didn’t have time to run to kitchen. 

She closed her eyes biting down hard on her index finger. Blood flowed into her mouth. 

Brutus removed his bloody hand from his wound. 

She looked into Brutus’s eyes not wanting to look at the wound.  She could tell he was fading.  

He dripped a drop of blood onto the candle. She followed. 

He then stuck a blood covered finger into her mouth. She did the same. 

The taste of his blood danced on her tongue. 

She felt his tongue twirl around the wounded finger she’d stuck in his mouth. 

The sound of thunder and lightning ripped through house.  

Brutus’s body thrashed around. 

She stood back unsure of what was happening. 

Silence. 

Brutus lay on the floor motionless. He was gone.  

She stared down at his cold body.

It didn’t work. He was dead. 

She gathered the candle and her lighter so no one would know she had been there.

She bit her lip fighting back a flood of tears threatening to spill. 

She made her way to the back door.  

“Elizabeth.” She spun around startled to see Brutus standing behind her. 

“B-b-b” She stuttered. 

“Thank you. Elizabeth.” He said reaching to touch her. 

His hand went through her. 

“I’ll have to get used to this ghost thing.” He said staring at his hand. 

She stood still in shock. It worked. She couldn’t believe it. 

“You’d better get out of here before someone sees you.” She nodded turning to leave. 

“Oh, and Lizzie.” Brutus called after her. 

"Y-yes?” She said petrified and happy at the same time. 

“Happy birthday.” He said flashing a big smile. 

-End flash back-

  

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Lizzie asked sniffling.

 

Brutus wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

 

“Don’t cry sweetheart. I’m still here because of you.”  He kissed her forehead.

 

“You’re crazy!”  Brody screamed at her.

 

“Shut up. I’m not finished.” Lizzie shot back.

 

“Brutus is blood bound to me which means that as long as I’m alive he’ll never truly be dead. But not alive either. That’s where you come in Brody. He needs a body. Your body.”

 

“What? I’m not giving either of you shit!” He yelled infuriated.

 

“We weren’t asking.” Brutus said smirking.

 

“Enough story time lets let this over with.” Lizzie said annoyed.

 

Brutus stepped inside the circle of candles.

 

Lizzie grabbed a large knife out of a box on the floor.

 

Brody began sweating harder. “Lizzie. Please don’t do this. He’s a fucking killer!” He begged.

 

“Those bitches deserved to die! They didn’t listen to him or understand him.” She screeched furiously.

 

 “They just saw rich man and some dick. Those goldiggin whores had it comin!”

 

She took a deep breath calming herself. “Now, the moment you die Brutus will enter your body and heal it and that’s that.”

 

Tears streamed down Brody’s cheeks. “Lizzie please don’t. I love you so much. We can still leave this house and forget all of this. We were going to get married. We still can if we leave now.”

 

“You don’t understand love the way Brutus and I do. It’s bigger than life and death.” Lizzie said cutting Brody’s hoodie and t-shirt off with the knife.

 

She raised the knife high above her head.

 

“AHHHHHHHHH!” Brody screamed.

 

Lizzie plunged the knife into Brody’s bare chest.

 

The warm blood oozed out spilling over her hands. She cupped her hands under the gaping wound.

 

Carrying it to the candle circle she spilled it around Brutus.

 

“What time is it?” Brutus asked anxiously.

 

Lizzie looked at her blood stained watch. “12:09 a.m. October 31, 2009.”

 

“The witching hour.” He said smiling.

 

“It’s time baby.”

 

“I’m ready.”

 

Wind tore the room blowing the candles out. Thunder roared in the sky above. Lizzie covered her ears. And then….

 

Silence.

 

Brody’s body sat slumped over in the same position as before.

 

Lizzie dropped the knife.

 

She slowly walked over to Brody’s body.

 

“Brutus?” She asked nervously.

 

His head shot up at the sound of her voice.

 

His big blue eyes stared back at her.

 

“Brutus it’s you!” She said excitedly.

 

She began untying him.

 

He gradually rose from the chair.

 

“How do you feel?” Lizzie questioned.

 

He ignored her question, embracing her in an eager hug.

 

“We did it darling.”

 

Lizzie returned the hug wrapping her arms around Brutus’s waist.

 

“I love you Brutus. And I always will.” She said with her head buried in his chest.

 

“I love you too Elizabeth.” He whispered into her ear.

 

They stood in stillness holding each other for few minutes.

 

“Brutus?” Lizzie said breaking the silence.

 

“Never let me go.” She said softly gazing into his sapphire eyes.

 

“I’ll never let you go.”  Brutus replied holding the woman his music had found for him.

 

 

 

FIN