I step out into the sleepy town, the sound of a rooster signalling the start of a new day. It’s been twenty years since the massacre of Oakhurst and I don’t talk about it much. Neither does the town knowing it’s a touchy subject. I run a bakery in the centre of town now, trying to cover up the unhealed scars with the sweet scent of sugar and new beginnings. I’d love to return to Oakhurst someday to recover what’s left, start a family and run a farm. I can feel the breeze in my hair as I open the bakery door and bring out the tables and chairs from inside onto the porch. The warm autumn air welcomes me after a long, cold winter. The smell of fresh danishes fills the bakery as I pull a tray out from beside the furnace. I glance over at the street, the town finally slowly waking up, the door opens and the first customer opens the door. The day has only just begun. At around midday, I close the bakery for my break and make my way over to Chester’s workshop. Chester took me in when I came into the town that night. He was never too protective, just let me learn from my own mistakes but he was like a father to me. The smell of pine floods my senses as I step through the rusty door. I can hear the usual sound of a saw cutting into wood and I make my way around to the back. Each step I take causes the old planks to creak. I find Chester humming tunes as he saws through a small piece of wood. “Hey Chester, do you think I could start a small project I’ve been thinking of for a while?" I say with a smile, not wanting to bother him too much. He looks up resting his saw down on the table. “Sure go ahead dear, just remember to watch out when using the tools” he holds his hand up to reveal his missing index finger “don’t wanna end up like me” he chuckles then goes back to sawing. I grab a small piece of wood then bring it over to a bench using a chisel to chip away at it piece by piece. My hand slips and I can feel the blade cut through my skin. I look down, clenching my wrist, noticing the deep cut is overlapping the scar. Before I can realise what’s happening, I feel my legs go numb and I fall to the floor, my ears ringing from pain, my head pounding, I gasp forgetting how to breathe before I feel my legs give in. I see the world around me start to fade as I rest my head on the wooden planks. Darkness. *** I see the panic in my mother’s eyes as I feel her shaking me awake “Ma…what’s…” I murmur sitting up quickly, still half asleep and rubbing my eyes. “We have to go, he’s turned into a monster,” she says trying to keep her voice steady but I can hear the fear hidden behind it. I stand up still confused, but she sounds scared so don’t hesitate. I grab a few items, tossing them into my pocket, as jackets are shoved into my sister’s arms. “Ma…where’s Pop…?” I ask as I watch her frantically put on a pair of old leather boots. It’s only when the door is shoved open, the sounds of screams turn to my attention. I hear men shouting, telling women and children to go to the town hall. As we make our way to the edge of the town walls alongside other families, we pass a giant bonfire. My mind flashes back to the plan I heard the adults talking about last night, the fear, the excitement and alongside all that…rebellion. I hear people behind us shouting to run and I glance behind me. Blood, bandages, fire and in the middle of all of it a tall, lean figure. The sound of screams and gunshot floods my ears. I spot my father, he’s barely recognisable, blood splattered across his face. He turns back to me with a worried yet calm smile. I cry out watching him charge towards the beast with other men. The ringing of gunshots can be heard as I watch families sprint towards buildings. The chaos has only just begun.
Please read Part 1 before proceeding to Part 2
