The Haunted Weekend of Graduation

By Xlibris US

THE HAUNTED WEEKEND OF GRADUATION is an action-packed thriller that combines elements of mystery with the startling qualities of terror.
This thought-provoking story begins as a group of high school kids decide to have a huge party in order to celebrate their graduation. The story centers around Jim Gorman, a young man who first notices figures of men with hats and trench coats mysteriously watching his actions and loitering around his friends car. The man with the hat and overcoat proves to be part of a secret cult that comes to life every ten years and is responsible for a plethora of deaths by decapitation.
After a long grueling weekend, Jim and his girlfriend Darlene are the only two left alive to put an end to the sick ritual that Jim believes his father plays a part in. Finally, after winning the battle, Jim goes to check on Darlene only to find she has turned into a devil and cryptically delivers a newborn child belonging to the Netherworld.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499043785

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Charles J. Stebbins Sr.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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 any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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.

Rev. date: 06/26/2014

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter One

I t was the last day of school. Me and my friends we’re thinking about throwing a huge smashing party to celebrate our graduation. Frank suggested that we have the party at his place since he was the only person to have his own place. We all came to an understanding Friday night would be great and that we could make it an all weekend party.

Do you have any good music Frank? Dave asked.

I sure do.

Chapter Two

W e should take donations from the one’s that want to come, Jim suggested.

Now that sounds good to us, the guys replied.

We should all get a good night sleep if we’re planning an all weekend bash, Jim replied.

We agree, the guys remark.

Just as everyone was starting to leave, Jim spoke, We should call our women tonight and tell them what we’re planning so they can ask their parents for permission, and also tell them it’s an all weekend graduation get together for all of us seniors.

Let’s all hope their parent’s go for it, Frank replied.

Let’s go, I’ll call you later.

Ok Jim, Frank remark.

Thanks for the beers! Dave and John shouted.

As they approach Dave’s car, they all stopped. There was a strange sound coming from the woods. About that time they all look at each other.

It must be an animal running through the woods, let’s go, Jim told them.

Into Dave’s car they jumped.

I don’t know how Frank can stay out here all alone!

What makes you ask that John? Jim ask.

It’s too dark and noisy out here, John answered.

Jim and Dave laughed. It’s just your imagination they told him.

As they approached John’s house, Jim and Dave told him, Call us later, that way we’ll know if your parents said yes or no.

No problem, talk to you later.

As they drove down the road, Dave said to Jim, why don’t we just have a party between the eight of us?

Why Dave?

You know the old saying. Too many people can cause a lot of problems, but couples like us get along just fine with each other, and besides, we can do a lot more if you know what I mean?

That does sound. I’ll call Frank and tell him what we thought of, Jim replied.

Ok buddy, here you are. I’ll call you later, Dave said.

Sound’s good, Jim answered.

Jim walk up to his front door thinking, how was he going to ask his parents that there was going to be a graduation party at Franks, an all weekend party to top it off, and he was invited. He thought a little more before entering his home. I got it he whispered to himself. I just tell them that Frank invited me and a couple of other guys up for the weekend to play cards, and shoot the breeze, then explore the woods. After all, that’s what’s out there the most. Jim opened the door and hollered in, I’m home.

They said, We’re in the living room.

Jim walk in and said, Dad, Mom, I’ve got something to ask you.

His father said. Yes son, what is it?

Jim answered. Well, Frank asked me, Dave, and John up to his place for the weekend to play cards, talk, and go exploring in the woods.

His mother asks, What did your friends parents say?

Jim answered. I don’t know yet. They’re going to call me and let me know.

Jim’s father said. If they say they can I don’t see no reason why you can’t.

Oh thanks mom and dad, Jim said. I’ll be up in my room packing a few clothes and waiting for the phone to ring.

Jim’s parents said, Ok.

Jim started packing, but then he told himself he better call Darlene. He dialed her number.

Hello Mrs. Roberts, is Darlene home?

This is Jim.

Yes Jim, I’ll get her.

Thank you Mrs. Roberts.

A few seconds passed.

Hi Jim, what’s up?

Jim answered. Me and the guys were talking about having an all weekend graduation party.

Darlene asks, Who’s going to be there, and where is it going to take place?

Me and you, Dave, John, Frank and hopefully their women.

The place for the party is at Franks, since he has his own place.

Are the other girls coming? Darlene asks.

I don’t know, Dave and John haven’t called me yet, Jim answered.

Darlene said, I’ve got an idea, I’ll call them and ask them if they can or not, but if none of us can, we’ll think of a way one way or another.

Jim said. That sounds great, call me back and let me know.

Darlene said, I sure will.

Ok, Jim said.

Goodbye for now they said to each other.

About an hour passed. The phone rang. Jim’s mother hollered up to him. Jim, phone. It’s Dave.

Thanks mom. I’ll take it up here.

Ok, his mother answered.

Jim walk to the phone, pick it up, said, Hi Dave. What’s happening?

Dave answered. Everything’s cool.

Jim asks, How about John?

Dave replied. All set.

Jim remark. That’s great. I’ll go and tell my parents that it’s alright with everyone’s parents.

Ok Jim, talk to you later.

Ok Dave, bye.

Jim walks down the stairs to tell his parents that everyone had their parents’ permission. About the time Jim got to the living room, the phone rang. I’ll get it, Jim replied.

Jim walk into the kitchen, pick up the phone, said hello.

It was Darlene. She told him. Everything was all a go.

That’s great, Jim said. Jim asks, What did you give your parents for an excuse to let you spend the whole weekend?

Darlene answered, I just told them that a bunch of us girls are getting together and talk about the good ole times we all had in school and what our future plans for college is. I also told them that this all get together is taking place over at Mary’s house.

Jim asks her, Do you think that was a good idea?

Darlene answered. Yes, because Mary doesn’t have a phone.

Jim told her. Good thinking.

Then Jim said. Well Darlene, I’m going to tell my parents everything’s all right with the other parents, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow, plus I got to call Frank and let him know what’s going on.

Ok Darlene said, Until tomorrow, bye. Jim walks into the living room where his parents were and said. Mom, dad, it’s all right with the other parents.

Jim’s father said. Then it’s all right with us.

Jim said. Thanks a lot.

Jim’s father said. Don’t forget to do your chores before you leave tomorrow.

Jim replied, I won’t. Then Jim said to his parents, I’m going to call Frank, and let him know what’s going on.

They said. Now that would be a good idea.

Jim walks upstairs to use that phone, that way he’d have some privacy. Jim dialed Frank’s number.

Frank picks up and said, Hello?

Jim said. Hi Frank, got good news.

Frank said. You can come.

Jim said. No problem.

How about the others? Frank asked.

Right on, Jim answered. Then Jim said to Frank. There’s been a change of plans.

Frank said. What do you mean?

Jim replied. Me and the other guys got talking, we decided to make it a party with just the four of us, and our women.

Frank said. That sounds great, but is it all set with the women?

Jim answered. No problem, Darlene called me a few minutes ago and told me its ago.

That’s great, Frank said, Because I was a little worried what my landlords would do if the party got out of hand.

That’s what we all thought. Let’s sign off, we have a busy day tomorrow. Jim replied.

Ok Jim, I’ll see you at Graduation tomorrow, Frank said.

You got it Frank, bye, Jim said.

It was getting late. Jim decided to go to bed, after all, he didn’t want to feel tired at graduation. Jim walks downstairs to tell his parents he was turning in.

Sounds good son they said. You have a very busy day tomorrow, good-night.

By the way son, his father said. What time is your graduation?

Jim answered. Around eleven o’clock.

How long will it last Jim, his mother asks?

About two hours, Jim replied. Goodnight, Jim said.

Goodnight son, they both said, See you in the morning.

Jim was laying in bed thinking. He whispered to himself, I better set my alarm clock, I’ve got a lot of things to do in the morning. Six-thirty sounds good," he said.

Before he knew it his alarm clock was beeping loudly. Jim shut it off. He walk into the bathroom to take a shower. Jim was drying off when he heard his father yelling.

Breakfast is ready.

I’ll be right down dad, Jim shouted.

Ok son, his father yelled.

Jim got dressed. Good-morning mom, dad, Jim said.

Here you go Jim, his mother said.

Thanks mom, Jim said.

His father ask, Why are you dressed in your work clothes?

Jim said, I figured if I done some of my chores now, I wouldn’t have that much to do after graduation.

Jim’s father said to him, Smart thinking son, and by the way, what time do you have to be at school?

About ten o’clock, I’m going to mow the lawn now, Jim replied.

As Jim was mowing the lawn, his mother was yelling for him. Jim noticed her. He turned off the lawn mower.

Phone Jim, its Frank, his mother told him.

Thanks mom, Jim replied. He walk into the house, pick up the phone, said, Hello.

Frank said. What’s happening?

Jim answered. I’m doing some of my chores, that way I’d be able to come over to your place sooner.

Smart thinking Jim, Frank replied. I’ll let you get back to doing your thing, I’ll see you at school.

They said bye. Jim walk back to his lawn mower. About an hour passed, he was done. He walk into the house to check out what time it was. He said to himself, Nine o’clock. He walk upstairs to his room to clean up and change. Jim heard his mother shouting up to him. Jim, phone, its Dave.

I got it mom, thanks. Jim said, Hello.

What’s up buddy, Dave ask?

Jim answered, I did some of my chores, that way I’d be able to leave earlier after graduation to go over Frank’s.

Dave asks, Do you want me to pick you up?

Jim answered. Sure do buddy.

See you in a half an hour, Dave told him.

Sounds good, Jim told him.

They said bye. I better take a quick shower, Jim said to himself. Twenty minutes passed. Jim heard a knock on his bedroom door. Come in, Jim said. It was Dave.

Dave said. We better get going. We don’t want to be late for our own graduation.

Your right Dave, let’s go, Jim said.

They walk downstairs to the living room where Jim’s parents were. Jim said. Mom, dad, I’m off for the graduation ceremony.

Ok son, we’ll see you there, his father said.

Good-bye Mr. and Mrs. Gorman, Dave remark.

Out the door they walk. Jim said to Dave, I can’t wait until our graduation is over.

I agree with you Jim, Dave said with a smile on his face. They hopped in Dave’s car and drove down the road.

Jim said to Dave, "I bet Frank has a lot of surprises for us.

I hope it’s not anything to do with the woods, Dave said.

Why, Jim ask?

I’m not going out in no woods, don’t you remember the last time we were out their? Dave ask.

Jim said, "big deal, we heard a noise, it could of been a rabbit or a squirrel.

I don’t care what anyone says, there’s no-way I’m going anywhere’s near those woods, Dave said.

It’s all in your head, Jim told him.

Here we are, there’s the girls, Dave said.

Jim said. Hi.

Darlene and Betty said. Today’s the big day. Do you think we all can handle it?

We have no choice but to handle it, but think about our party tonight, how much fun we’re all going to have, Jim said.

Both Darlene and Betty said. We agree with you Jim.

Looks like we better go in, the parents are starting to arrive, and we have to remember to be on our best behavior or else our plans will get all screwed up, Jim told everyone. We got inside, the teachers, vice principal and most, the principal were giving instructions on how we should all line up. That way we could all receive our diploma’s quicker.

The principal came over to us and said, It’s time. We all got into a single file and started walking towards the