Midnight Maddness

1 Caught in the Rain

“Wow, I can’t believe they’re married.” Joel said as he, Billy, Benji, and Paul walked out of the little white church. Two friends from high school had just gotten married and they were on their way to their cars after the ceremony.

“Wait. Wait. It’s time to throw the bouquet,” the bride yelled.

They turned around and watched. The bride raised her arm and the bouquet left her fingers. It soared over the heads of the visitors and gracefully landed in Benji’s hands. Benji smiled, “I got it. I got it,” and jumped around.

After Benji settled down they all went to their cars, Billy and Paul in one the twins in the other. “Okay we’ll follow you two,” Joel said as he got in the car. Paul nodded and they started to drive back to town to the hotel.

~-~

The radio droned on a talkshow, neither Benji nor Joel having the desire to change the blasted thing. The rain was beginning to come down harder and the road was wet, deserted and winding.

“What town are we in again?” Joel asked keeping his eyes on Billy and Paul’s car in front of them.

“The sign back there said “Denton. The Home of Happiness”.” Benji said munching on a chocolate bar.

“Hmm. This town doesn’t look too happy.” Joel said flipping the windshield wipers up a notch so they’d work faster. Benji just shrugged and bit into his candy bar.

A bright light shone and a motorcycle passed by the car, going the opposite way. “Gosh that’s the third motorcycle that’s passed us. Sure do take their lives in their hands, what with the weather and all.” Benji said still munching the chocolate.

“Yeah Benj, life’s pretty cheap for that type.” Joel said never taking his eyes off the road.

It was quiet another few minutes as they came to a fork in the road. Joel had lost sight of the other car through the rain and decided to take the left road. After a few seconds of driving there was a loud noise and the car came to a stop.

“What was that bang?” Benji asked worriedly.

“We must have a blow out,” Joel said. He put the car in park and pulled out his cell phone. He looked at the screen and saw there was no signal. “Does your cell have a signal?” he asked Benji. Benji looked at his and shook his head. Joel nodded, “You just stay here and keep warm and I’ll go get help.”

“Where will you go in the middle of nowhere?” Benji said rolling his eyes.

Joel stopped and thought for a second, tapping his hand on the steering wheel, “Didn’t we pass a mansion back down the road a few miles?” he looked at his twin. “Maybe they have a phone I could use.”

“I'm going with you,” Benji said unbuckling his seatbelt.

“There’s no sense in both of us getting wet,” Joel said stopping him.

Benji shook his head, “I'm coming with you.”

Joel turned the car off and Benji smiled, “Besides what if there’s some hot chick in that mansion? You might never come back again.” Joel just laughed.

Benji found a piece of newspaper to hold over his head to protect his precious spikes. They got out of the car, Joel kicking the tire in disgust. They made their way down the road as a bolt of lightning crashed above them.

They came to a set of rusty old wrought iron gates with a tattered old sign that read, “Enter at your own RISK!!” They slipped through the partially opened gates and walked through the rain.

Before them stood an enormous old castle-looking mansion. A flag flew over a tall tower and a glass dome rose from the middle of the roof, shining light out of the top. They were happy to see this house. But what was in store for them waiting inside?

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