The Hallow Cemetery

1982: HALLOW CEMETERY 12A.M.

On this dark, dark night, where all who fear the dead that still lurk the graveyard each and every night, stands Old Man Butternut. Whistling a soft tune as he strolls along the foggy path, watching for any trespassers lurking in the shadows.

"Butternut..." a voice whispers in the breeze sending chills down his spine.

"Who's there?!" Butternut spins around pointing his flashlight in every direction trying to catch a glimpse of the intruder.

'Phllllltttt' He jumps back as he hears something rattle against the metal fence. Frantic, Old Man Butternut spun around and...

"BAHH!!" Butternut ran as soon as the ghastly spirit of young Camilla Rose appeared before him. Running as fast as he could, Butternut soon found himself in the other side of the graveyard by the lake. Leaning up against one of the trees, huffing and puffing. A chill ran down his spine as the sound of cackling grew louder and louder. Then-BOOM- Camilla Rose pops up right behind him, dragging him into the lake.

~~ The Very Next Day: Hanover High School~~

" Mrs. Windle, have you seen Mr. Butternut lately?" Molly asks as she approaches her English Teacher in the Hall. Mrs.Windle happened to be one of Butternuts neighbors and Molly would see her tending to her garden from time to time, when she went to help Butternut around his house. When she went to go do her morning chores for him he would not answer,

"No, not yet this morning, Ms. Grace, but knowing him he's probably fast asleep. I swear he should retire one of these days, a job like that is no good for a man his age. He should travel and relax, enjoy life while he is still able..." the teacher rambles on like a bustling hen, "Is everything alright?"

"Oh yes, everything is fine I just- I stopped by his house this morning for my morning chores and he didn't answer.. I'll check on him after school." Molly ponders feeling reassured by her teachers words she heads off to her next class leaving her teacher slightly confused.

~

After school, Molly and her friend Ron went over to check on Old Man Butternut. Hoping for the best they stopped by the deli and picked up some soup.

"You really confused my mother this morning," Ron teased, as they approached the front door of the house.

"Don't I always, Ron?" she laughed, finding the spare key and opening the door. Shutting the door behind them, they begin to walk around looking for any sign of the old man they help. It wasn't until Molly reached the upstairs bedroom when she heard the floorboards creak within the bedroom.

"Mr.Butternut? Are you in there? Ron and I brought you some soup..." Molly called out, slowly opening the door only to find a dark figure curled up and shaking in the far corner of the room. Clothes and books were scattered all over the floor, a vase of flowers had shattered next to the door. "Mr. Butternut?"

Molly rushed over to the haggard figure in the corner making him jump and scream at the sudden movement throwing his arms in front of his face as if to protect himself. Molly backed up a few steps noticing the pool of water and mud surrounding him.

"Molly? Molly did you find him? Are you ok?" Ron rushes into the room and stops suddenly taking in the site of their employer cowering in the corner, "What in the world...?"

"Mr. Butternut? Are you alright?" Molly kneels down and reaches her hand out to help him to the chair. Still shaking he takes her hand and slowly makes their way to the chair. His tired eyes dart around as if searching for the thing that frightened him. All he could do was sit there shaking and muttering to himself, Mary and Ron looked at each other worrying of what was becoming of Old Man Butternut.

~~TWO WEEKS LATER: The Cemetery

After sometime, Butternut built up the courage to return to the Cemetery, that is as long as someone accompanied him. So Ron and Molly took turns accompanying him, aiding him with his various tasks. Tonight was Ron's night to watch over the graveyard with him and Molly would be by to check on them later. It was close to midnight, when Ron stepped in slimy muck and with a deep sucking sound the slime started to pull him beneath the ground.

He started to panic as confusion took over, a voice whispers his name in his ear followed by the sound of boots trudging through the mud. He screams as the ground slowly swallows him whole.

"Let him go, Tommy!" he heard Butternut yell behind him.

"Look who's come back, Penny." the voice whispered as another's cackle fills the air.

"RON!" Molly shouted, rushing over to help him pull his leg free only to trip landing a few feet away from him. He watched in horror as bones of the undead crawl out from the ground to drag Molly under.

"Molly!" he screams pulling his leg free, running over he takes her hand attempting to pull her from their clutches only for both of them to be pulled under.

"Release them!" Butternut demanded shakily as Tommy and Penny approach him. Trembling with fear he falls to the ground, a cold chill runs down his spine as their cold bony fingers reach out to him, a blood curdling scream ripping from his lungs.