By: Ashley Johnson
Tonight the moon was barely visible due to the impending thunder storm. An eerie chill had enveloped the campsite as they all sat around the campfire once again.
Elizabeth had barely gotten any sleep because of Nick's story the night before. Despite this, she seemed compelled to come back once again tonight.
Looking to the ominous sky, Elizabeth wondered how long they would have until it began to storm. She thought that storms were always more scary, yet more exciting while camping. The campers offered little shelter and only magnified the noise.
At this moment, Nick sat down beside her.
"Hey Elizabeth, would you be up for hide-and-go-seek in the dark tomorrow night?" he asked with a smile.
"Sure," she replied. This was one of her favorite games.
Just then, Kathy announced to the group that they should get started. Kathy was four years older than Elizabeth and had a soft spot for the younger kids. Because of this, Elizabeth hoped her story would be just as scary as Nick's had been.
Kathy started, "My dad told me this story a long time ago. He said it happened to a boy who he went to school with back in high school. His name was Billy and he was the school jock. Really popular and really obnoxious..."
Billy had asked his dad to borrow the car for the night. He had finally convinced Sue McMahon, the head cheerleader, to go out on a date with him. He figured they would hit the movies first and then drive out to "Lover's Lane" for a bit of fun. Billy wasn't sure if Sue was "that kind of girl", but he was willing to bet on it. Sue had been giving him flirty looks for the past few months and he had heard from Dwight Surgeon that she was a good kisser. And with that thought, Billy popped a breath mint in his mouth and backed out of the driveway.
Billy had worked very hard to keep his hands to himself throughout the movie. He could barely contain himself as he and Sue left the theater and headed towards Lover's Lane.
He had just pulled into a cozy, secluded parking space that overlooked the lake when Sue seemed to realize where they were.
"Where are we, Billy?" Sue questioned. Her blonde pony tail bobbed around as she turned her head to look out the window.
"Nowhere, baby. Just relax...." Billy answered as he slid his arm over her shoulders.
"I don't know if this is such a good--" Sue started, but Billy had flipped on the radio and leaned over to kiss her before she could finish.
Sue had first protested, but then gave in as Billy drew nearer.
Just then a breaking news report interrupted the music on the radio.
"This just in, Shadow Mountain Insane Asylum has reported a break-out. Grady Hollowell, age 46, was reported as missing from his cell about an hour ago. Shadow Mountain officials describe Hollowell as VERY dangerous. Anyone who spots him should NOT attempt to capture him, repeat, NOT attempt to capture him. Instead, please call the police from a safe location. Hollowell is reported to have--What? A What?"
The announcer seemed to be shocked at something.
"...Hollowell is er, reported to have a hook in place of his right hand. Again, he is considered VERY dangerous, do NOT attempt to..."
Sue lightly pushed Billy away. Her eyes were full of fear.
"Billy, did you hear that? We ought to get out of here," Sue pleaded.
"Don't worry about it, baby. He's no where near here. Plus, you've got me," Billy answered, moving closer to Sue again.
"No!" Sue yelled.
Billy sat back in his seat, alarmed at her behavior.
"We need to go, NOW," Sue demanded, crossing her arms.
Billy could hear the fear in her voice and he knew that his chance to spend an evening at Lover's Lane with her was over.
"Fine!" Billy roared with anger. "Have it your way!"
Billy pressed on the brake, threw the car into drive, and slammed down on the gas pedal as hard as he could. The car roared to life and flew out of the parking space at Lover's Lane with a jolt.
When Billy pulled up to Sue's house ten minutes later, he had to force himself to get out of the car to open the door for her.
Mumbling under his breath, Billy walked around to the passenger side door, and then stopped dead in his tracks. His mouth hung open, his voice was gone.
A metal hook hung from the door handle; part of a severed arm was attached to the end.
Elizabeth looked around the campfire. David and Grace, a couple of the younger kids, seemed to be huddled together.
No one spoke.
"Come on guys, I'm sure Grady got put away a long time ago. Remember, this happened while my dad was in high school," Kathy said, looking anxious.
"Wait, what did you say his name was again?" asked Nick, sitting up beside Elizabeth.
"....Er... Grady Hollowell," answered Kathy.
"Oh my god..." whispered Nick.
"What?!" the others demanded.
"I... I... heard about him on the news the other week. He's escaped again...right across the lake," Nick concluded with the slightest hint of a grin.
Just then, the night sky lit up with bright lightning and a loud crack of thunder pierced their ears.
Elizabeth smiled as the younger kids screamed with shock and horror.
Author's Note:
Once again, I chose this urban legend because I heard it as a kid while sitting around a campfire. I always thought this tale was extra scary because the hooked killer had escaped from an insane asylum. Insane asylums are always creepy, you know. After reading up on this urban legend, it appears that this was a tale aimed at discouraging teenage sex. In the story, the teenage boy only has one thing on his mind and is only stopped whenever the teenage girl demands that they leave. The boy is so angry that the night is ending prematurely that he guns the engine and causes the lurking killer's arm to be ripped from his body. In the end, the girl's advice saves them from impending death as well as losing their virginity.
Bibliography:
"The Hook"