Gray Dawn

By Garett M. Fitch

In this tale of young friends who find a mysterious dead body on a hike in the hills near their homes. They soon learn that there is more to the picture that expected. Quickly they find themselves in danger from a threat on their town. You will find action, adventure, humor and suspense as they banned together not just to survive but to see another day. Some have described this story as if Goonies met the Twilight Zone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477257159

Garett M. Fitch

Growing up in Southern Ohio I attended and graduated from Shawnee State University. For the past fifteen years or more I have enjoyed preparing, writing, and giving public discourses to help people improve their life, which in turn has really improved mine as well. I’ve enjoyed writing since a young child. In fact I can remember writing stories in the third grade and Mr. Hook (not the pirate, the teacher) allowing me to read them in front of the class. Now I hope to share my stories again, only this time to a larger audience. I still live in Southern Ohio with my awesome wife, my adorable son, and my three crazy cats.

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© 2012 by Garett M. Fitch. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/20/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-5716-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-5714-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-5715-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012914240

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

About the Author

Dedication

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I would like to say thank you to everyone who has made this book possible. If it wasn’t for all my childhood friends, my siblings and everything else in between I wouldn’t have had the great adventures that I did growing up. So this book is to say thank you for that and for all those who grew up loving adventures big or small and for those who have never stopped looking for adventure. May this book feed that desire and help satisfy it.

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Breakfast is ready! the mother yelled from the kitchen to the upstairs as she set a plate of muffins and scrambled eggs on the table. This is the third time I’ve yelled for that boy. Where is he? she asked. Her statement was sort of directed to the rest of the family at the table, but mainly just talking out loud.

Mom, I’m right here. The young boy replied with, falling down into his chair at the kitchen table, causing his backpack to make a loud banging noise as it hit the floor.

Oh! Well, I don’t know where you came from Garett, but it’s about time you got down here. Now eat up. she said, going back to working in the kitchen.

Garett is your average thirteen year old boy living in the small town of New Boston nestled in between the hills of Ohio. He hadn’t quite hit the full awkwardness of puberty yet, but it was knocking on the door.

He reached out to grab a couple of the muffins and started eating. His mother had made his favorite breakfast item, blueberry muffins. He considered that to be the perfect breakfast food. They were healthy, compact, tasted good, but easy to take on the run. And on the run is what he was ready to do. He had a full day of things planned out for him and his friends. His two younger brothers were already feasting on their breakfast and were starting to argue about who had eaten what because the eggs and muffins were getting low. The baby of the family, their sister, just sat there and watched them.

His brothers were just a few years younger than him, but closer in age to each other. Brian being the second oldest and Matt a year behind him, but none of that mattered. They all got along and enjoyed the same things, like sports and adventure. In fact, they were going with him this morning because they pretty much shared the same group of friends as well.

The T.V. was playing in the background. A news caster had been relating a nature topic about the unusual amount of geese this time of year and how many of the towns folk were enjoying their presence. The news identified the geese as the graylag species, which was common to this area. Garett found himself watching this topic as if drawn to it, but that wasn’t too unusual, he just loved to watch T.V.

Son! Earth to planet Garett. Hey! Are you even hearing a word I’m saying to you? His dad asked sitting across the table.

Uh, sorry dad what were you saying? He said, but not turning his attention from the T.V.

To really help his son listen, he reached over and turned off the T.V. Then in a very drawn out manner that made it sound like he was talking to a monkey or a retard his dad said, I asked you, what your plans are for today?

Garett blinked his eyes a couple of times and then looked at his dad. Well, Eric and Rob are coming down, and we thought we would meet David and Josh on the way over to the lake bottom. We want to explore the hills over there. He explained as he got up and started putting some muffins in his backpack.

His dad smiled, before taking another sip of his coffee and then asked, Why the hills across town?

Ah, no reason just something different. he replied, with a shrug.

Well if you’re going to be over there why don’t you stop and say hello to your grandma. She would love that. his mother chimed in, starting to work on the dishes.

There was a quick knock at the back door and a What’s up dudes? We ready to go? This was coming from the just arrived Eric. The much taller guy with him was Rob.

Hey Kevin, hey Maria, how’s things going? Going to work today? Eric asked in a polite manner.

Come on in boys. Kevin said waving them in.

Well, hello Eric it’s good to see you and Rob. Would you boys like something to drink or eat? Mom asked.

Sure, how about some O.J. if you have some. Eric said.

No thanks I’m good. I just ate. Rob said rubbing his stomach.

So Kevin, been working on any good cars lately? Eric asked, taking a glass of orange juice from Garett’s mother.

Kevin put down the paper he was about to read. Well, let me think here. Garett’s dad did all kinds of things and maybe too much. He liked to work on cars, fixing and selling them. He used to work on small appliances, even had a landscaping business in the past. Now he just worked for the state, but still tinkered on cars here and there. Yes, I just finished up a Toyota. It’s out front. I’m about ready to list it in the paper and put it over on the lot.

Garett fiddled with some of his stuff and was getting anxious about leaving. So to help wrap things up he pushed in his chair and grabbed his belongings. We don’t have time for this guys we need to get out of here. He said, interrupting the conversation and dragging his two friends out the door. That means you two as well. Come on. He yelled at his brothers.

Eric and Rob are two of Garett’s closest friends, both being just a couple months older than him. They both live over in the next town, and actually Rob lives out in the country where his parents have a farm. Besides farm work, he doesn’t have much else to do except read or tear things apart and put them back together. Sadly for him, his parents don’t have cable. So while he is kind of out of touch with current events he’s a pretty smart guy.

Eric on the other hand lives with his mom and sister. Being the only male in the house explains a lot, like why he loves sports so much, and loves doing manly things, one would guess he’s trying to compensate for all the estrogen in the home. This type of atmosphere makes him create a tough guy persona, or at least he tries to.

You boys have fun, but be careful, and don’t forget to be back by six because we’re going to still clean out the garage tonight. His dad said raising his voice so the boys would hear him as they left.

And don’t forget to see your grandma and be safe, watch out for strangers with large vans. Mom yelled leaning in front of their dad and out the door.

The boys grabbed their bikes and headed out the back yard and down the alley. There they met up with two more friends, David and Josh. These two were waiting on their bikes at the end of the block. David is a local. Born and raised in this town. His dad is ex-military, which has greatly influenced him. He’s a bit of a war geek.

Josh though lives on the outskirts of town with his mom. He’s around the same age as Garett’s brothers, and fits in real nicely with the gang. One might say he’s the kind of guy that likes sports, but if he had to choose he would pick a good book or video game with the guys over physical exertion. That may be why he’s one of the smarter ones in the group and not the leanest.

It was an early morning in late June, but not your typical June day. The morning was rather cool, still foggy out and looked like it was going to be one of those overcast days. The bike ride to the lake bottom through town was about a fifteen to twenty minute ride on their bikes. Once they arrived they stopped at a picnic shelter to rest and regroup.

The lake bottom is an area on the edge of town that once held a lake, hence the name. It used to be a real exciting place to hang out. According to old pictures and town history, people used to go ice skating and swimming there. There was even a roller coaster there at one time, but just like with everything else, time changes things.

So why did we come here? I mean we could have just climbed the hills near your house. Eric asked as he looked around at the surroundings. Eric is a nervous guy, mainly about animals though, especially dogs and even cats. Unfortunately for him this is one area where the women in his house had affected him.

Well guy’s I think it’s time to reveal the true purpose of our visit here. Garett said looking at the group of boys. David would you care to explain? He looked over to his friend, making way for him to continue on.

Sure, David said, as he turned his attention from Garett to the others. He took a long pause, looked down at the ground, put his hands behind his back, straightened up, and then made eye contact with his audience, like he was a general getting ready to address his troops. There’s an old story I need to tell you about a man who lives in these hills. My father told me this story many years ago as a means to protect me, to serve as warning.

Now some of the boys started looking at one another wondering what in the world David meant by a warning and started talking among themselves.

Eric spoke up and asked, What do you mean? He was so completely focused on David now that he was ignoring the rest of the world around him.

To protect me from ever going in these hills, to protect me from the strange man that lives up there. David replied, pointing towards the hills behind them. You see, this man isn’t just your typical hermit that lives by himself. No, he’s more than that. He’s a complicated man. See, the story goes that Jack Murphy used to be a worker over in the steel mill years ago.

Wait! Is this the same Jack Murphy that used to live on Oak Street? Brian asked, causing his curiosity to grow in this story.

That’s the one. David answered. "But see one day an accident happened on his shift.

What kind of accident? Rob asked. He too was becoming more interested.

David went on, See the steel mill didn’t do everything the right way, they didn’t dispose of their toxic waste like they should have. And Jack was the man who they put in charge of this dirty deed, and while on the job one night he got exposed to some of this stuff, this toxic goo. David was beginning to be very animated in his telling of this account, using gestures and talking wildly. It made him sick, actually worse than sick, mental. That night it is said he went home and killed his wife and fled into these hills. The police tried to pursue him but they could never find him. This guy went so crazy that he eventually came to haunt these hills carrying with him a desire to kill anybody entering these woods, even down to this day.

Wait a minute, if he’s still killing people why isn’t in the paper? Rob asked analyzing the story. Rob is a thinker, growing up on a farm and not having much to do can have that affect on a person.

Yeah, why don’t more people know about this or call in the troops? Eric asked, starting to doubt the story.

Well, it’s been said, continued David looking at the two doubters, that the chemicals he was exposed to changed the way his body works. He hunts people, eats them and then can hibernate for five years, and the murder history in this town fits with the logic.

Yeah I’ve heard this story too, at school. I’ve heard that when the police find one of his victims that there are cuts around their mouth to make it look like they have a big smile. Brian spoke up using his finger as a knife to make a smile on his face. In fact they call him Happy Jack.

And that’s where we come in. Garett said, with a serious look on his face. It’s been five years since the last murder in this town. So we’re going to find him and either capture him or kill him.

All of the sudden there was loud voice, a voice that called out, I want your blood! I want your soul! It was coming from behind the group of boys, from a hooded figure. As the boys turned and saw this stranger they started to back away, especially Eric. He jumped about six feet off the ground and started walking backwards faster than the rest. Rob and Josh too were scared, but Rob seemed almost ready to punch the hooded threat. The figure took a step closer pulling back the hood and revealing a clown mask. It made a horrible laugh and repeated its words, I want your blood and soul! I am Happy Jack!

Now some of the boys weren’t startled by the appearance of Happy Jack particularly Brian, Garett, and David. Rather, they were laughing hysterically watching their friends’ response to the false attack.

Ok Matt! That’s enough, Garett tried to get out, but hardly could because he was laughing so much, the jokes over. Man we got you fools good. He was still laughing. Guys we’re not here for Happy Jack. That’s just some old story. We came here to explore some new territory and see what we can find. He started to walk away still laughing.

You know man, that’s not funny. Eric said as he pulled himself together. I thought I was gonna have to put a whooping on you, man. He was looking at Matt who was still dressed up and holding the mask.

Whatever! Brian replied, waving him off. Eric it’s a shame you can’t jump like that on the basketball court, you could probably dunk with that air time. Brian smarted off to him.

Eric, I know your sister is your twin, but you don’t have to act like her. Josh said, trying to hide the fact that he jumped too.

What are you laughing at Josh, Matt shot out with, you almost wet yourself.

Josh immediately got quite, he wanted to say something but nothing came out.

The group was quieting down and David spoke up, I think Rob was the only one of you that was going to do something. Looking over to him, I think you were ready to hand out a beat down.

You got that right. I was gonna knock that red nose right off his face. Rob slapped at the mask in Matt’s hand.

Garett had stopped laughing now. Come on guys. We need to go, times wasting. Let’s lock up our bikes here and head over. He finished locking up his bike and grabbed his pack.

The boys headed down and across the lake bottom and made their way to one of the hills. Garett, David, Josh, and Rob were discussing which might be the best way to go up. While they talked, the others were looking around, seeing what they mind find of interest and debating what X-Men girl is the hottest.

The boys all stopped on a walking path still trying to see which way to go up, because where they wanted to go