FROM BELOW  

By John Grover

                Together they watched the dead leaves soar in the cool breezes; a kaleidoscope of color spinning in front of them, seeming to have a drowsy affect, as if they were being mesmerized by autumn’s brilliant palette.

                That’s not what Evan Cadwell wanted.

                “You look beautiful,” he said to her, staring into her intense hazel eyes.

                “I feel weird about this,” Jesse said watching the awesome sunset in the distance. It was just beginning to grow dark. “Like we’re being disrespectful.”

                “C’mon Jesse, everybody does this.”

                “No, not everybody comes to drink in a cemetery.” she answered, trembling a bit now.

                “This graveyard hasn’t been used in over fifty years. Tons of people come here to party.”

                “Well I think it’s kind of creepy.”

                Evan had been dating Jesse Spencer for only a month but he was trying his best to get her to put out. He was tired of using his right hand every night for Christ’s sake. It was time things got serious. This was supposed to be the perfect spot for playing around.

                At least that’s what Kyle Banner said, Evan’s best friend. He claimed to have banged Cindy Harrison here on at least three occasions. Said it worked like a charm, a little booze, a little creepy atmosphere to drive her into your protective arms and wham-o! Nothing to it.

                That was for Evan, yes sir. He couldn’t wait, Jesse was such a knockout and he wanted her so bad. He could feel himself growing aroused just thinking about it, her full breasts, her luscious lips, so moist and inviting, her incredible scent, all it driving him wild.

                “I’ll protect you,” he smiled at her and handed her one of the many hard lemonades he’d brought. Reaching back into the wrinkled brown bag, he pulled one out for himself.

                The dark flooded the cemetery now as they sat under a huge weeping willow tree, shades of purple and black cascading over the varied crypts and stones. Statues of cherubs and saints seem to radiate in the dark, almost seeming alive. Stones loomed ominously as if they had suddenly grown in size.

                The entire place threw Jesse into an utter state of unease, evident from her expression and her lack of interest in Evan.

                Evan held his bottle to hers and clinked them. “To a special girl on our special night.”

                She managed to crack a half smile before taking a hearty sip. The wind ruffled her hair and blouse, allowing Evan to just see a glimpse of her right breast. He grew even more excited.

                Putting his arm around her, he continued to drink. “You are looking so stunning tonight.”

                “Thank you.” she sipped slowly now.

                He eased himself closer to her, and leaned towards those luscious lips of hers.

                Kissing deeply, he began slipping his tongue into her mouth. It was so warm it sent tingling sensations down his spine.

                A snapping twig forced their break.

                “What was that?” Jesse looked around, her eyes scanning the graves nervously.

                “It was nothing. The wind or an animal, it’s fine.”

                He pressed to her again, resuming his kisses. His free hand slid up her blouse and found her soft breasts, fondling them as a sigh escaped him.

                “Evan no.” she pushed him off. “I don’t think this is going to happen tonight. I just really don’t li--”

                “Jesse gimme a break,” he was annoyed now. “We’ve been seeing each other long enough. Don’t you think we should be doing it by now.”

                “No I don’t. It’s time when I feel it’s right.”

                “Oh is that how it works. C’mon baby, it will be really good.” he took hold of her again, kissing her neck hard and attempting to pull up her blouse.

                “I said no!” she stood up as a crow called through the graveyard, echoing through the trees with a fright. She jumped, dropping her bottle to the ground. “That’s it, I’ve had enough. This isn’t romantic or sexy. I don’t know what you thought was going to happen. I want to go home now!”

                She pulled away from his reaching hand and rushed off into the darkness.

                “Jesse wait!” he followed her.

                He could barely see her as she weaved through the gravestones, heading vaguely in the direction of the car. Watching her run, his eyes jutted with shock as she plunged to the ground. “What the?”

                Her legs sank deep into one of the graves that she tried to run across, as if it had opened up and swallowed her.

                “Evan! Help me!”

                His pace launched into overdrive as he tried to reach her, watching her slip further into the ground. “I’m coming baby!”

                “Hurry Evan, something’s got me, something’s pulling me down!”

                “Jesus!” he fell to his knees, locking his hands onto hers and pulling with all of his might.

                The shock and fear plastered on her face transformed quickly into pain as her body sank deeper. “It’s biting me!” her wails filled his ears now. “Oh my God help me Evan, it’s biting me, it’s biting--”

                “Christ almighty what is it?” Evan tried valiantly to pull her free but his strength was not enough. His legs slid through the dirt, tufts of grass and soil spraying . “Hold on baby, I’m gonna get you out.”

                All he could hear were her screams as he grimaced, then she could no longer form words. Pulling even harder he watched as the blood fill her mouth and drooled onto her blouse.

                Her hands slipped from his grip, Evan screaming as he watched them sink and as he tried catch his breath--

                She was gone.

******

                “Creepy Crawlies! Creepy Crawlies!” Little Corey called, a wide devilish grin on his face.

                “Shut up!” Casey, his twin brother called in defiant response. “There’s no such things.”

                “Is too. All the kids at school know. If you’re bad they come out at night and drag you away. They only come out at night, like tonight. And they’re coming for you Casey.”

                “They are not! Stop it before I tell Mom.”

                “Doesn’t matter baby, they’re still gonna get you.”

                The commotion of the door swinging open and bashing the wall brought the twins’ teasing to an abrupt stop. Seven year old Corey and Casey sprung from their beds and ran to their doorway where they watched their older brother Evan race into the house.

                Evan was completely disheveled, dirt all over his face and clothes, his chest heaving and a terrified look in his eyes.

                “Ma! Dad! Come quick, I need your help.”

                Eileen and Bert Cadwell came down the hall in a rush, concern etched on their faces.

                “Evan what is it?” his mother asked.

                “It’s Jesse ma. Something’s happened to her--” he could barely get the words out as he fought back the tears. “She’s gone, sh-she’s dead.”

                “Evan calm down,” Eileen took hold of her oldest, Bert silent with disbelief. “Now slow down, you’re scaring your brothers.”

                The twins sat glued to the event unfolding in front of them.

                “To bed you two!” Bert finally spoke. “I’m not going to tell you again.”

                They scrambled out of their father’s view but as soon as his attention was back on Evan, they were again in the doorway.

                “Now tell me what’s really going on.” Eileen said softly.

                “I am not imagining or making it up. Jesse is dead. Something grabbed her and pulled her into the ground. I don’t know what it was but it killed her.”

                “You’ve been drinking Evan! You’re not old enough to be drinking!” Eileen scolded. “What the hell is going--”

                “Ma! Would you just listen. Come with me, I will show you!”

                The twins looked at one another. “Creepy Crawlies.“ they whispered in unison.

******

                After asking their neighbor to watch the twins, Evan’s parents accompanied him back to the cemetery. With flashlights in hand Evan managed to lead them to the grave where he last saw her.

                The three stood in awe as they stared at the puddles blood in the dirt and what looked like a hole that lead deep into the ground, roots tangled around it like old gnarled hands.

                A hundred thoughts spun in his parents’ heads, namely what the hell their son was doing out here to begin with. Then those thoughts turned dark. What happened to Jesse? Where did all the blood come from?

                “What did you really see son?” Bert asked.

                “I didn’t see anything dad. It just pulled her underneath the ground and she was gone. Whatever it was it killed her, it did this.” he pointed down at the grave.

                “One of us has to get the police and bring them here.” Eileen said.

                “You go ahead hon,” Bert said. “I’ll stay here with Evan and you go get the police. They’ve got to look into this.” 

                It had taken some convincing but the police did eventually come. Sergeant Adams and Officer Tyler came to the grave. Sergeant Adams had made an upsetting call to the Spencers.

                “Well the Spencers said they haven’t seen their daughter all night.” Sergeant Adams said plainly. “She did tell them she was going out with your son,” he stared at the Cadwells briefly.

                Officer Tyler bent down at the grave, examining it and the blood. Noticing the marks made in the dirt from where Evan was dragged himself. Just as he had said.

                “Well, we have no body as of yet so we really can’t say what’s happened here.” Sergeant Adams went on. “But we’ll know more once we have this grave dug up and test the blood of course.”

                He walked around the area for a few moments and then stared into the cemetery before glancing back at Evan. “In the mean time I think Evan should come down to the station for some routine questioning.”

                Evan felt his heart leap into his throat and choked back a horrified gasp. His parents looked at one another before nodding their approval. Evan stared down at the grave one last time, something drifted in the back of his mind. Creepy Crawlies.

******

                They had him sitting in a room by himself, his parents had been asked to wait outside. He was at a massive table with a paper cup filled with water sitting on it. He wasn’t thirsty.

                The lights in the room were too bright and he could feel the sweat beading on the back of his neck, it felt cold as it rolled down his skin.

                “So what was it Evan,” Sergeant Adams was his usual nonchalant self, his voice a grueling monotone. “She wouldn’t let you in her pants so you got pissed. You got mad, one thing lead to another and bam...”

                “Jesus sarge, take it easy.” Officer Tyler said.

                “What did you do with the body Evan?” He seemed to ignore officer Tyler.

                “I didn’t kill her.” Evan answered with calm demeanor. “I cared about her. I would never hurt her.”

                “C’mon Evan, I know what all the kids go there for. We’re not stupid. Did she turn you down, insult your manhood. What was it?”

                “I’ve seen this all on TV y’know. I’m supposed to have a lawyer here. I don’t think I should say anymore.”

                “We got nothing on the kid,” Officer Tyler whispered into the Sergeant’s ear. “We gotta let him go.”

                “Okay kid,” Sergeant Adams strained his words suddenly, hating the very taste of them. “We’re gonna release you into your parents’ custody. But make sure you stick around, huh?”

                “Sure,” Evan said, getting up and leaving the room, avoiding eye contact with sergeant Adams but noticing the sympathetic look in officer Tyler’s eyes.

******

                It was three am and officer Tyler was still on duty. He had been on the nightshift for ten years and grown very fond of it. It was normally a very quiet shift, but tonight something just bothered him.

                The police cruiser rolled sluggishly into the cemetery, it drew to a stop, its brakes squeaking and officer Tyler stepped out.

                He walked through the rows of gravestones, gazing at the forgotten flowers, the overgrown grass, the ancient carvings that were barely readable. Something was strange here tonight, he felt it through his bones, he had a sense of these things.

                No, something was definitely not right. Standing in front of the grave again with his flashlight, he stared in bewilderment. “Something just doesn’t smell right. There’s something to that kid’s story.”

                The sound of dirt shuffling caught his ears

                Lifting his head, he jerked the flashlight up.

                The beam poured through the darkness as officer Tyler squinted to search about the grounds. A shadow danced about the crypts. A shape squirmed about the graves. There was something with him. He was not alone.

                A stench rose in the breeze as the dead leaves rushed over his feet. It was the scent of decay and filth.

                “Who’s there?” he called, spying one of the stones shamble, the grave beneath it rippling and bubbling.

                He started towards it, drawing his gun. “Stop where you are. This is the police.”

                His sight locked onto the grave as he walked cautiously to it, unaware that he had just crossed over another grave and before he knew where he was he was pulled waist deep into it.

                The gun flew from his grasp.

                Seconds later he felt himself sinking deeper into the grave, the dirt covering his face; seeping into his mouth. And then he was under.

                Officer Tyler tumbled down into a roughly dug pit, tree roots snagged his face and clothes. He felt himself hit the ground hard and noticed that whatever had yanked him through had let go.

                Disoriented he struggled to gain his composure, his flashlight still in his grip. Looking around he found that he sat in a thin pile of wood, ancient and rotting shards laying everywhere.

He surmised that they must have been pieces of what was once the coffin of the grave he was pulled through.

                Again that smell filled the area, he could just manage to stand now, his head not quite touching the top of the tunnel that he now realized he stood in. Its walls were rough and littered with scratches and holes seemingly made from some great claws or something.

                Bones were scattered about, rib cages and skulls embedded in the walls, spines, femurs laying on the floor. Dirt sprinkled the top of his head as he tried to walk. The darkness was thick and surrounded him, his flashlight being of little help.

                As he walked, he could detect something lumbering ahead of him, he could just sense it. A hollow thudding thundered all around him followed by a grotesque gnawing sound. Gnash-gnash-gnash...it turned his stomach.

                The fear surged into utter terror as the beast crawled out of the darkness, the flashlight illuminating the thing with nightmarish clarity.

                It walked on its clawed arms like an ape or gorilla for its lower half was serpentine in nature, from the waist down coiled a massive tail that it used to balance its great muscular upper body and push itself through the dirt.

                 Its flesh was a pale mud color with reddish hues and its eyes were white, solid orbs like an albino. It seemed to only live in the darkness, shunning the daylight.

                Its maw was a circular crevice with coarse jagged teeth and within those teeth clung a leg, half devoured, half stripped to the bone.

                A black fluid coated the thing’s mouth like syrup, dripping from the chewed leg and to the floor.

                Officer Tyler screamed with primal terror watching as the thing dropped the leg from its mouth. Its eyes widened with the light and it screeched with a high pitch. Out of its mouth shot half a dozen black tentacle like feelers that squirmed with a life of their own. They searched out the light and yanked it out of the officer’s hand with ease.

                “Christ, Christ!” he felt the bile rising in his throat. The tentacles spun around again and caught the officer by the throat, face and arms. With one massive pull they yanked him into the creature’s waiting arms. Using its snake like tail to support itself it lifted its claws clasping officer Tyler in its grasp and sinking its teeth into his head.

                The sound of crackling bones echoed through the tunnel as the muffled screams died out.

                The flashlight was snuffed into the darkness as the silence returned to the tunnel.

****** 

                The next night.

                Dusk.

                Evan sat in his bedroom listening to his mother down the hall. The tone of her voice was something he was not accustomed to hearing. She was on the phone.

                “If Evan said he had nothing to do with it then he had nothing to do with it! I don’t care what you think! There is no proof to any of it.” she slammed the phone down. It had been the third call from the Spencers. They were sure that Evan had something to do with the disappearance of their little Jesse. Who could blame them, he was the last one with her before she vanished.

                His parents weren’t quite sure what happened that night. Evan wanted them to believe him, but even he thought they didn’t. He needed proof and he was going to get it.

                He sat in his room for hours, bored out of his mind. They were so nervous about what the town thought and what the neighbors thought that his parents insisted he stay in every night and just stay safe in his room. What were they afraid of? Did they think maybe he would go out and hurt someone else? Did they really believe that of him, their very own son?

                He wouldn’t stand for it. The time was drawing near. Nothing was going to happen with him just sitting helpless in his bedroom like a child.

                Action was called for and he was going to show his parents that he was innocent, if not for them then for his little brothers, he didn’t want them hearing about what the world thought of him. He was not a monster. Jesse was special to him, she was all he thought about. Now she was gone.

                Someone had to do something.

                Slipping into his oldest jeans, Evan reached for the pair of work boots in the back of his closet, the ones with the heavy soles. Standing over his bed, he tucked a bunch of clothes and pillows under the covers and shaped it into something that resembled a body.

                From behind him he distinctly heard the rustling of small feet and a sigh. He turned and in the doorway stood Corey and Casey.

                “Guys c’mon don’t give me that look.”

                “Where are you going?” Corey just managed to whisper.

                “That’s none of your business. Now you can’t tell Mom and Dad, anyway you two should be in bed.”

                “Please don’t go Evan,” Casey complained, his puppy dog eyes filled with sadness. “The Creepy Crawlies will get you.”

                “Casey don’t be silly, there’s no such things.”

                “Yes there is,” Corey added. “The other kids told us. They come at night and pull you underneath the ground and take you far away. And no one ever sees you again.”

                “You guys are crazy,” he walked over to the twins, putting his hands on their scruffy little heads. “Don’t listen to what the other kids say. They’re only trying to scare you. There are no such things as Creepy Crawlies.”

                “But Evan, we don’t want you to go” Casey whined, a tear forming in his eye.

                “Aw guys, I’ll be okay. Now promise me you won’t tell mom and dad.”

                They didn’t answer him.

                “Corey, Casey, please.”

                “Okay.” they answered together.

                “Thanks guys, c’mere.” he opened his arms wide and they fell into them, the three embracing like never before. “Now off to bed.”

                They did as he wished and after they left his sight, he shut his bedroom door tightly and shut out the light. He slid his window open as silently as he could muster and climbed out. His next destination, Kyle Banner’s, his best bud.

                “I can’t believe that I’m doing this man,” Kyle said carrying his father’s shovel as the two made their way down the deserted street.

                “We have to do this Kyle. Something is very wrong in that place. Something got Jesse, and it won’t stop there.” Evan carried his own shovel and flashlight, having taken both out of his parents’ garage. It hadn’t been easy convincing Kyle, but in the end they were friends and that counted for something.

                “No matter what anyone says I didn’t hurt Jesse.” Evan said, staring at Kyle now.

                Kyle stared back. “You better not be some psycho man. I swear if you kill me, I’ll come back and haunt you.” There was a strange moment of silence and then Kyle burst into laughter, scratching his goatee. He always did that when he laughed.

                “Thanks Kyle, I owe you.”

                “You’re telling me.”

                The two stood in front of the grave, most of the blood had seeped into the ground now. Evan leered down at it, still seeing Jesse’s face gawking up at him. “Goddamn them, they didn’t even dig up the place like they said they were going to. The cops are convinced I did it. Well we’ll show them. Hold the flashlight over here.”

                Kyle did as he was asked as Evan drove the shovel into the ground. It plunged down with considerable ease, a puzzled look washed over Evan’s face. That was too easy. With little effort he unearthed the layers of dirt, revealing the entrance to a deep hole.

                “Where’s the coffin?” Evan asked. “Flash the light in here.”

                As the light poured in, they noticed the chunks and splinters of wood mashed into the walls of the grave.

                “That’s really weird. C’mon.” Evan moved over to the next grave and began to dig. The shovel plunged through again effortlessly. “No coffin here either, they must all be gone. What was that?”

                “What?” Kyle returned.

                “I heard something down there. We gotta go all the way down.”

                “Are you nuts?”

                “No really, we’re so close. Kyle c’mon don’t go yellow on me now.” Evan dug again, deeper and faster until clearing enough away to discover the tunnel, a tunnel that lead down into the darkness. “This is it. We gotta go.”

                Reluctantly Kyle followed his friend down and the two climbed, through the dirt and rubble, through the roots and worms, over the bones and dust.

                Into the bowels of the cemetery they found themselves, pitch-black tunnels sprawled before them, crossing one another, leading off into dozens of other directions. Here and there were piles of musty wood and brittle bones just on the edge of becoming dust.

                The boys lifted their flashlights to the ceiling above them, hundreds of claw marks marred the earth and what once were resting-places were now hollow feeding grounds for them.

                “Look,” Evan’s mouth was agape, his eyes wide. “All of the graves are gone, the coffins are destroyed and the bodies. Where the hell did all the dead bodies go?”

                “I don’t know and I really don’t care.” Kyle answered. “I think we should get the hell out of--”

                “What was that?” Evan cut his best friend off. “There’s that noise again. We gotta look.”

                “Listen, Evan, I’ve about--”

                “Kyle just c’mon.” Evan was already starting down the tunnel, the darkness swallowing him.

                “Shit,” Kyle grumbled, running after him.

                It stretched on for what seemed like forever, the tunnel burrowed and twisted until ending abruptly before them. They stood there dumbfounded until their eyes swept up the roughly dug walls to the ceiling. A hole waited there and as Evan flashed his light above he could see a sidewalk and dormant mailbox.

                “Jesus, do you know what that means Kyle?”

                Kyle shook his head.

                “These tunnels are being dug into town now, away from the cemetery. Don’t you see? They’ve run out of food, they’re searching for a new food source. We gotta tell someone, we gotta bring them down here and show them. We have to make them listen. Let’s get the hell outta here!”

                There was no argument from Kyle, his knees were knocking so hard he thought he heard them crack. The two made an about face and started back the way they came.

                A rumbling interrupted their escape.

                The entire tunnel shook violently, the putrid dirt showering them. Managing to keep their balance they watched as one of the walls burst and something burrowed its way out.

                Before them the mud colored beast squirmed out of the hole it had just torn open. Using its snake-like body it coiled onto the ground and mounted itself on its trunk like arms, claws digging into the earth.

                A screech escaped it, high pitched and shattering. The boys tried to cover their ears but the sound would not die. Using its arms as feet it stomped towards them, its white eyes radiating with fury.

                The black feelers oozed out of its mouth, wriggling in the air like the tentacles of a giant squid. They seemed to be searching about the area, sniffing the air for them.

                Kyle screamed with intense terror dropping his flashlight and scrambling for a way out of the tunnel. The feelers detected him immediately and slung around his head and throat, jerking him swiftly into the creatures clawed arms. With an insatiable hunger it began to tear into his neck and shoulder, the flesh ripping like paper.

                Evan froze, the vomit filling his throat and exploding all over his shirt. His head and mouth ached from screaming. His entire body burned as if with fever as the scene played out in front of him.

                Just then another screech was heard as a second beast squeezed from the hole the first had come from. It spotted the other devouring Kyle and lunged for them.

                Kyle’s gurgling screams were muffled by the black feeler tentacles as they tightly held onto his eyes, mouth and throat. The other creature, while bracing its arms, unleashed its great serpent tail onto Kyle’s body, wrapping around his waist and tearing his body in half, his entrails spilling out of him.

                The gnashing, chomping sounds of the two feeding sent shock waves through Evan, he was numb now and only one thing went through his mind. Creepy Crawlies. Creepy Crawlies. Creepy Crawlies.

                Growing weak and feeble, Evan tumbled against the walls of the tunnel, the smell of death all around him until his face felt something hard and tough rubbing against it.

                Turning he saw the thick tree root coiling from above. Evan grabbed hold of the enormous root and pulled himself up the side of the wall, climbing for dear life his tears poured hard, remembering that Kyle’s death would allow him to escape and save thousands of others.

                Beneath him he heard the screeching of the beasts, he knew they were not far behind. He could see the sidewalk above him and finally managed to throw himself out of the pit. Feelers just brushed the entrance of the hole and as he saw them he rolled out of the way, almost laughing in spite of himself. Finally his voice returned and getting to his knees he mocked them. “I made it you sons of bitches! You hear me! I made it and you’re all going down! All of you!”

                Standing, he started off across the street and through someone’s yard, the grass thrashing through his big boots. The yard was in need of a good mow. Crossing into their front yard he noticed the house was shrouded in complete darkness. The windows were all shattered and the stone walk was crumbling, the house seemed very unkempt.

                Looking ahead of him, he saw the cemetery not more than a few feet in front of him, looking back at the house he made the realization. “This is the caretaker‘s house. Old Mr. Tuttle. He would never leave his yard in such a--”

                The black feelers slid up from the ground, wrapping around his feet. Evan screamed like mad, clawing at the ground with frenzy as they dragged him underneath. Silence filled the night once more as the moonlight set the yard and the cemetery beside it aglow.

******

                One week later

                Excerpt from local Daily Gazette, Front Page:

Local Girl Still Missing

                For nearly a week Jesse Spencer, age 19, has been missing. Police still have no traces of the young girl last seen with her boyfriend Evan Cadwell. There is still no evidence or motive in this case and no witnesses have come forward. Evan Cadwell, age 20, has also mysteriously disappeared. Initially Mr. Cadwell was the prime suspect in Ms. Spencer’s disappearance. His case is still under investigation.

                Excerpt from local Daily Gazette, Page 2:

Town Plans New Shopping Center

                Excavation has begun on the two hundred year old Vangorum Cemetery. Residents have not buried family members in the oldest graveyard in town for over fifty years, therefore the town met with little resistance. The headstones and coffins will be respectfully moved to a new location on the far end of town. The new shopping center is expected to drive new business and financial bliss to the sleepy town.

THE END