Welcome to Heights Ville

By Devon McCarthy

Welcome to Heights Ville is a fun adventurous fictional tale of seven courageous boys who teamed up with an unlikely source, so they can rescue the natives who where trap behind a massive fence preventing them from returning to their town.

Unfortunately for our heroes some of the natives where planning an attack to retake what's rightfully theirs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312059290

Book preview

Welcome to Heights Ville

Welcome to

HEIGHTS

VILLE

Devon McCarthy

Copyright © 2014, McCarthysbooks

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Website: McCarthysbooks.com

Contact via email: [e-mail]

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For information address: McCarthysbooks, 77 Water Street, 8th floor New York, New York 10005.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I dedicate this book to my grandmother Magdalen McCarthy.

I would like to thank my family and close friends for believing in me and supporting my dream. I would also like to thank my lawyer Ken Davidson. Last, but not least, I want to thank God for blessing me with this crazy dream I brought to life on the page.

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Chapter 1

The peaceful town of Heights Ville contained a deep, dark secret that seven young and enthusiastic friends stumbled upon.

In fear for their lives, some of the residents moved out. The others who stayed simply kept their mouths shut.

A luscious forest that seemed to be in its highest peak of beauty all through the year surrounded this small town. Its towering trees and abundance of food not only provided fresh air, food, and a place of shelter to the wildlife that inhabited it, but also those who were forced to live on that side of the fence.

A few decades ago, the mayor at that time, Henry Washington, found it necessary to build a fence to protect both the people of Heights Ville and the few tourists who came to enjoy the peaceful and ravishing scenery. Many questioned the construction of the fence, but when he assured them that they would be protected from those who lived in the forest, they applauded his efforts. But little did they know…

Present Time

Today seemed to be a majestic day for a picnic. The sun peeked through the lily-white clouds, which kept the park cool. Birds flew around and were on the tree branches, gracefully whistling as the calm wind swept through the park. Squirrels, however, fretfully chased after each other.

It was normally this time of year, the Sunday before school closed for the summer break, that the Star, Spring, Foster, and John families gathered at Heights Ville Park to have a picnic, relax, and figure out where they would be heading to vacation for the upcoming summer break.

Finally, we’re here, Kevin said merrily, hopping out of his parents’ silver Range Rover. The eleven-year-old, braces-wearing, slim boy with shoulder-length thin black hair loved thrills and exploring. His parents would witness his love for adventure daily. On numerous occasions, his mother would implore that he stop this. To her, he was doing a little too much for her liking.

Mr. Kevin Spring, wait right there, his mother, Crystal, demanded as she slowly exited the passenger side of the vehicle.

He obliged his mother’s request.

After Kevin spent a couple of minutes looking around and containing the electricity of fun that was waiting to explode, one of his friends arrived with their parents.

He ran to the car to meet his pal Riley.

Riley then rushed out of the backseat of the car with a football in his hands.

Go long! Kevin’s short and chubby friend shouted.

Kevin took off, completely forgetting his mother’s request for him to stay put. He began to weave through an imaginary defense and caught the ball, then began doing his touchdown victory dance.

Riley’s mother Patrice got out of the car, leaving her busy husband Jason Foster sitting at the driver’s side talking on his cell phone with one hand outside the car’s window. Standing at five feet seven inches, Patrice looked around and smiled at the beautiful scenery. She even chuckled at a group of squirrels that were running around in a frenzy.

Our husbands are always on their phones, Crystal pointed out to Patrice.

You are sure right about that. If it wasn’t humiliating to file for a divorce due to jealously of a cell phone I would do it, Patrice said, amused.

Both ladies shared a healthy laugh before Crystal went to her husband to get him to off-load the truck of the refreshments along with the tables and chairs they brought.

It was at this time that Patrice decided to walk around and enjoy the splendid scenery. She walked to the medium-sized circular pond located in the middle of the park. As she sat there she couldn’t help but be bothered by a buzzing sound. Patrice looked left and right in search for clues, but couldn’t figure out the source. She then turned around facing the fishless pond. It was then that she noticed a bunch of flies opposite her. Patrice slowly got up and walked around the pond to witness what it was. As she got closer and closer, her mind began to run wild as an incident from the past came to life.

Her eyes opened wide as she stood there watching a few dead squirrels lying in their own blood. Anxiety filled her body. She looked around and noticed her friends; the John and Star families hadn’t arrived. Patrice walked swiftly toward Crystal, a green-eyed slender accountant; her husband Bob, the neighborhood handyman; and their eighteen-year-old daughter Kristine.

Bob, have you seen or heard the others? Patrice asked in a worried tone.

Were they not behind you when we left? a military-fit, well-shaved Bob replied, as he removed the last of the folding chairs from the back of his Range Rover.

What do you guys think? I know it’s been roughly eleven years since any attacks, Patrice mentioned, frightened.

What are you talking about? Bob asked, befuddled.

There are a few dead squirrels by the pond. The blood, the blood! Yes, those fences are tall and have barbed wire at the top, but do you think that will stop them? Do you guys remember the body I saw and the amount of blood surrounding it? The missing teeth, eyeballs, and fingers, the broken bones, the almost unrecognizable face… Patrice said, trembling.

Tears began to flow down her cheeks, and Bob embraced her, saying, Don’t worry, they will be here shortly. We’ve only been here for a few minutes. Forget those dead squirrels; they don’t mean anything. They probably had a fight over a nut.

Crystal looked over to Kristine, hoping she hadn’t heard any of what Patrice just said. Luckily, Kristine was listening to music through her headphones with her eyes closed, sitting on a chair her father had placed on the ground at the back of the vehicle.

Jason finally finished his phone conversation with his coworker and noticed his wife drying her eyes. He got out of the car and headed in her direction with a concerned look on his face. Upon reaching his wife, he placed his right hand on her left cheek and his left hand on her right cheek, looking into her eyes. Are you okay? What happened, and where is Riley? Isn’t he supposed to be removing the stuff that we packed in the trunk? he asked.

His wife of fifteen years went ballistic and shouted for her son. Riley! Riley! Riley! Where are you? Where is my son? she continued to scream.

Calm down, honey! He’s right over there by the swings, playing, her husband answered.

She pushed off Jason and rushed toward Riley.

Riley stood there, confused by his mother’s actions.

What’s wrong with your mother? Kevin asked.

I wish I could answer, Riley replied.

As Patrice opened her arms to hug Riley, he squinched his eyes.

She clinched onto him as if she hadn’t seen him in years.

While this was transpiring, Jason, Bob, and Crystal stood there, amazed that Patrice still went outrageously berserk at the thought of the horror barricaded behind the fifteen-foot barbed-wire fence.

Even though it was eleven years ago, she still remembered her encounter as if it were yesterday.

Past

During a gloomy spring afternoon of 2001, Jason and Patrice had an intense argument. This led her to storm out of the house to get some fresh air and out of her husband’s sight, leaving him at home with their seven-month-old son. She sped off toward Height Ville Drive, which led to the highway.

It was an hour after midday, which meant all that was on the road were the shadows of the towering trees and a few squirrels that found it safer to eat on the road. The beautiful green scenery and the flora that surrounded the mile-long Height Ville Drive always made passers-by slow down to fully absorb its phenomenal colorful beauty.

As Patrice approached the sign indicating that she was a quarter of a mile away from the highway, she slowed down, eventually stopping the car. She placed her head on the steering wheel and took a deep breath, and then stepped out to stretch her legs and gather her thoughts. At this time Patrice ceased crying. Never did she imagine parenting would be difficult for her and Jason. Their chemistry had flourished every year since they first met. Jason always reminded her that she stressed too much.

What’s that smell? she asked herself, covering her nose.

A few yards away, she noticed something that looked like a hand lying in the middle of the road. The scent became stronger and more awful as she walked closer to see what the object was.

Patrice stopped, and then started shaking vigorously as she noticed it was a human hand. Her screams filled the air. The sight of maggots and flies caused her to hurl.

A buzzing sound got her attention. Patrice nervously walked toward the area and noticed a bicycle, a helmet and a body that was beyond recognition lying drenched in blood in the low-trimmed bushes at the side of the road. The feet of this person were twisted in a manner that would take massive strength. Its stomach was open, its eyes sank in its head, and its ears were torn off, leaving holes on both sides of the head.

Her mind demanded she retreat to the car and head back to town, but her legs disagreed.

Then she saw something that looked half-human and half-beast, standing around six feet tall, about fifty yards from her behind the fence. With no hole in the fence it was clear that the bicycle rider got too close to it and paid with his life. It stared at her. Its chest expanded rapidly with every second. Saliva poured out of its mouth, drenching the tiny piece of cloth that covered its waist area.

Her thoughts ran wild. Oh my God, it’s coming closer…Maybe the fence will hold it back. Yes, it has barbed wire at the top, but what will that do? This can’t be happening; they never cross the fence. Patrice, run! Come on, legs, get going! But maybe a sudden move will cause it to chase after me, and after seeing that body I’m not going to try my luck…It stopped moving.

For a few minutes it stood there, staring her down. Abruptly it raised its right hand and pointed in the direction of the town, making a nightmarish sound. Patrice stood in total shock. The creature looked on the ground and picked up the other hand that it had ripped apart from the body and threw it at her with tremendous force. The hand struck the fence so hard that she braced herself, as if the fence couldn’t protect her. One thing the fence didn’t stop was the blood from the hand from splattering on her clothes and her face. That was the jump-start she needed to get her legs going. Patrice darted to her car and sped off heading home, without looking back.

During Patrice’s terrifying encounter, her husband and two of their close friends and neighbors, Bob and Crystal Spring, were having a conversation on Patrice’s front lawn. Her car speeding off had brought unwanted attention. Bob and Crystal knew their friends were going through rough times, so they rushed over to ensure everything was okay.

All I did was miss a call, reminding me to bring home Pampers for Riley, Jason explained to his friends. As soon as I got home, I fell asleep on the couch. I had a hectic day at work. Before you know it, she woke me up and asked me for the Pampers. When I told her I didn’t know what she was talking about, then she went off on me.

Don’t worry, she’ll be back. She loves you too much, and taking care of a baby is really not that easy, Bob said.

You can’t allow your job or busy schedule to be an excuse, Crystal advised him.

Here she comes, Jason said.

Why is she looking like that? Crystal asked.

Patrice parked in front of the house and staggered out of the car. Jason ran toward his wife and held her in his arms before she fell. Patrice held him tightly, crying a river.

I’m sorry, baby. Are you okay? What’s this blood doing on your shirt and face? he asked.

Terror was written all over her face. Patrice was known to be very talkative, but this time, she was speechless. Jason scooped her up in his arms, and took her to their porch where he placed her on a chair. He fell to his knees and asked his wife again, What happened? Did you hit an animal?

Through the uncontrollable sobbing, she found it in her to reply, No! I didn’t hit anyone or an animal. I saw one of them.

Who?

The people from behind the fence. A man or woman is dead. The blood, the hand in the road, and the other hand that was thrown at me, it was terrifying. He or she stood there looking at me with anger and vengeance in their eyes.

He clung to his wife and whispered in her ear, Baby, I love you, and we are going to be all right and raise a beautiful and amazing son. As for what you saw, I will make sure it doesn’t harm you or our family. We will let the proper authorities do their job and take care of the situation. Now where did this happen? he asked.

About a quarter of a mile from the highway, she replied.

The words that came out from Jason’s mouth really touched his wife. They didn’t bring total comfort, but they were what she wanted to hear.

Bob and Crystal just stood there, alarmed by what they had just heard from Patrice.

Jason rushed into the house to check on little Riley, whom he found sound asleep in his crib. He then returned to his wife with a box of facial tissues and a bottle of water.

He then turned to Bob and Crystal.

I thought they were harmless as long as we left them alone, Jason said to both of his friends, with his hands on his hips.

That’s what the mayor said, Crystal replied, before heading to Patrice to console her.

I will call the police, Jason said.

Present Day

Look at how she’s hugging Riley like there is no tomorrow. It’s unbelievable; to this day, she’s still terrified by what occurred years ago, Crystal said, standing alongside her husband and Jason.

It’s not like she saw something gruesome. Correct me if I’m wrong, but a few dead squirrels isn’t a big deal, Jason said while carefully scanning his surroundings.

I guess that and the fact the others haven’t arrived yet is enough for her, Crystal replied.

I think I need to take her on a vacation, Jason said, before lowering his head and walking back to his car.

As the three walked to their respective vehicles, Bob notice the others entering the park.

Oh, here they come, Bob said, pointing at the entrance to the park.

Where were you guys? What happened? Crystal asked Lily with a concerned look on her face.

I got a flat and Brian pulled over to assist me. I was going to call, but I didn’t see the need to. Where’s Patrice? Lily asked.

She’s over there with Riley. She saw a few dead squirrels and when you guys didn’t show up, she had a flashback of her experience and freaked out, Crystal said.

Look at poor Riley’s face; he looks confused. I’m sorry for what happened to her, but if she continues to act like this, Riley may become suspicious. He’ll probably ask her questions, and if he’s not comfortable with the answers, we all know how curious a kid he is. Come on, let’s go talk to her, blond-haired blue-eyed Lily suggested.

Lily was a very simple, peaceful woman who had lost her husband to a heart attack three years ago. Six months after her loss, she decided to move to Heights Ville, which was known to be peaceful. The luscious greenery and flora—which guaranteed fresh and cool air—a crystal-clear beach, a lack of crime, an excellent middle school, and inexpensive housing made it an easy and fitting choice for a heartbroken family on the rebound. She became aware of those behind the fence as her friendship with the other boys’ parents grew. It was never that big of a deal for her.

Hey Max, how are you? Bob asked.

I’m good. Can’t wait to start having fun, Max answered.

Why wait? Go ahead and have fun with your friends, Max’s father Brian instructed.

What happen to you and Lily? What made you guys late? Jason asked.

She got a flat tire and I changed it, Brian answered.

Where are we going to set these tables and chairs? And why does Patrice look like that? Brian inquired.

A few dead squirrels and y’all being late made her have a flashback of what happened to her years ago, Bob responded.

Are you serious? Wow. We passed nowhere near where the incident occurred, and we were only a few minutes late. Are you sure? Jason, did you guys have a fight? Brian asked.

Nope, no fight. Everything is exceptionally well with us.

This is not good. I suggest that when you get home you have a talk with her, the lanky Brian said.

Yep, I will definitely do that. Until then, let’s devour these beers and organize these tables and chairs, Jason replied.

I second that, Bob said, with a huge grin on his face.

Hey guys, y’all having fun? Crystal asked the boys.

Yes, we sure are, Kevin replied. "Oh, and Mrs. Foster is