Screamscapes: Tales of Terror Read Online Free PDF

ground beside him to put his gloves back on. A reflection in the light’s beam caught his attention, something small and white on the ground a few feet away from where he hunched.
    He dropped his gloves, picked up the flashlight and scooted himself through the mud to see what it was. It seemed odd that anything he might find in the muck under the house could look so shiny and new.
    It was a small piece of glossy paper, sturdy cardstock with handwriting on it. Tom peeled it gently from the mud. The ink was smudged, but the neat manuscript lettering was still very legible.
    “Enjoy your fresh young meat,” it read.
    What the fuck? Tom wondered.
    He flipped the paper over to find the other side completely smeared with mud.
    He wiped it clean with his thumb, positioning the flashlight to get a better look.
    It was a photograph.
    The face of a beautiful young woman beamed a smile at him through the grime, her eyes sparkling and full of joy.
    His curiosity turned into shock as he realized who she was; the realization felt as though someone had kicked him in the stomach.
    It was a photo of Miranda - the only one he had of her. He kept it hidden deep inside his wallet, and would pull it out whenever he was alone and feeling sad. Seeing her face, even in a photograph, always made him feel so much better.
    But right now, here, her photo had the opposite effect. Seeing her face smiling at him through the smeared filth felt like an icicle plunged deep into his heart.
    He flipped the photo back over to take a second look at the writing. Everything was coming together now – the handwriting was unmistakable, he was surprised he hadn’t recognized it instantly.
    It was Kelly’s.
    He began to shiver uncontrollably, hugging himself for warmth, but to no avail.
    Kelly had found out. That was what had happened. She had found out about his affair with Miranda and now she was punishing him. He almost felt relieved at the thought.
    He had been planning to tell her, he knew it was the right thing to do, but the right moment had not yet presented itself. That was the only way he could explain his procrastination.
    So much for that now; things had never felt as out of order as they did at that precise moment.
    A new realization struck him - he now had hope of getting out of the crawlspace today. He imagined how events had played out: Kelly had found the picture and decided to get revenge on him, to shake him up. She had dropped their daughter at her nanny’s house this morning instead of going to visit her family, and had then come back here to confront him. If that was what had happened, that would mean she was here . No wonder she had been so adamant about him promising to finish this job. She must have been planning to lock him under here as punishment for his indiscretion all along.
    He took some comfort in the understanding that no matter how angry she might be, at least it meant he was not alone. The thought of being trapped in this crawlspace - even for one day – scared him more than almost anything else he could imagine. A pissed-off, cheated-on wife was a frightening thought – but Kelly was no killer. She would relent, she would let him out. She would probably be crying in his arms looking to him for comfort by the evening’s end.
    She was probably standing outside of the door right now, he thought, trying to decide what to do next. God, he hoped that was true. He realized he hadn’t looked forward to seeing his wife’s face so badly in a long time.
    He slid the photo back into his pocket.
    “Kelly?” he called in a gentle voice through the steel door.
    “Baby? Are you there? Talk to me.”
    He heard nothing but icy silence, but in his mind he saw her standing there, fists clenched, mulling over her next move.
    “Kelly, I know you’re there and I know you’re very upset with me…” He paused for dramatic effect. “…and I know I deserve it.”
    He smiled to himself. This was a game he knew, a game he would win. That