CHAPTER 1
The Legend Begins
"Be particular", said Kevin as he whispered a song he supposedly had heard bellowing through the remains of trains not far from the Rogers' residence. Now, this railroad graveyard was triumphal in its final destination; which was a secluded stronghold with its fortified rage piercing the coarse infrastructures; wailing with eerie evaporating echoes rolling sharply off the barren wreckage of discarded, and written off as useless throwaways. As Kevin began his rendition of the song he swore he had heard while out exploring the abandoned wreckage; all eyes and ears were fully focused on his words, and the gruesome expression etched on his face as he began to sing:
They call me Sacman, They call me Sacman I can make time stand still,
* Why do I feel that I have to kill?
* I ride these trains in search of fear,
* With my sack full of hearts that I hold so dear.
* So come out and play if you children dare,
* Or I can get you while you sleep like you had a nightmare.
* They call me Sacman, They call me Sacman if you see a train you better run,
* Cause I'll take your hearts and then you're done.
* So, when you hear that whistle slow-ly blow late at night,
* You better lock your doors, and turn on your lights!
* Cause I'm Sacman, Sacman........!
Now, these winds of change, deranged and delusional as they were, howled Lone Wolf intimidations of sweet victory as Kevin the sleuth continued his vigorous barrage of the vast ages where the darkest hours were evidence of what's to become, and what has already been for told, as he was rudely interrupted. "Wow Kev, you're a great storyteller", said Nece with her devilish crocodile smile; who already knew that Kevin was trying to scare his opening audience, so she wasn't too scared but her nerves were still dangling a little bit on the edge. Kevin's momentum of confidence was building in the sway of his swagger and what started out as ridiculous, and witty ended in toughness of truth: You know that heightening of anticipation where your heart sometimes repels and beats that unknown feeling of exhilaration when it's shook, and rattled by fear and mayhem. Kevin continued to ordain into the wee hours of the morning, trying to force intimidation into the depths of our unknowing elements, as his ending words crept up the hairs on our necks stirring the souls, and burning the blood of four innocent and timely graces that were trying to sleep; but be very far from the concepts of peace, calmness in thoughts; or for-see a "Good night!" The search would soon begin after we woke up the next morning while everyone was clamoring about and focused on what they had heard the night before about this drifter known as Sacman. Now, this predetermined hunt would be awakening to the sleepy eyes that were jumbled from this mystery, and intrigue that was forging a grand performance through our minds like a blank canvass ready to be painted with the true horrors that patiently lie in wait. We all sat at the dining room table the next morning eating our bowls of cereal, as Kevin began his quick witted dares by challenging the family to uncertainties and rare conclusions that would soon be unveiled. He said, "Come on guys, we got to get the bikes ready for our Sacman trek; and I know exactly where the monster dwells!" I could tell that everyone was scared but courage isn't the absence of fear; and actually I could barely hear the thumping heart beats rapidly thrusting inside the timid chests of my kin. I said, "Hey Kev, do you think it's really a good idea to intrude on Sacman's lair bro?" He quickly replied, "Relax guys, it's not far down the road and if we run into any trouble my trusty slingshot will topple this so-called Marvel." He continued by saying, "This has to be an aggressive takeover, and when we invade this Hornets nest we'll always be known as the Deepwater Daredevils!" Now, Lia the youngest of the group didn't talk much but she had a great response to Kevin's boasts. "Big bro" she said, "You're full of Donkey poop and I Neigh not say how you smell right now." Everyone started laughing including Kevin, but his persistence to ignite fear would alter the waves of hostility that lingered thickly in the air of his safe haven of home. Finally Rene, my big sister spoke up after hours of listening to her little cousin submit his perilous images, as if she was about to shred them into little pieces and discard them into a river of cowardice that knows no limits to intimidation. She said, "Boy please, I remember just last year you peed in the bed because you were too scared to get up and use the bathroom in the middle of the night, and now you're some kind of Superhero with a rock shooting slingshot going up against a killer who kidnaps children and keeps their hearts for trophies; You've really gone out of your mind you crazy naïve kid." Everyone wanted to laugh but we could all see that Kevin was motionless and didn't say a word, he just sat there absorbing what Rene had said with a scowl on his face; but his new found bravery would not be denied its first performance on a live stage where it would definitely be "do or die", he just couldn't let it be refused of that Daredevil mentality. It seemed like the sacrificial canyons were ready to rumble while an awakening of dangers would soon be discovered by our inquisitive and thrill-seeking group; and this so-called Time for learning would be a major step toward maturity, ripe for the picking with Sacman unleashing his sweetness for revenge against unlike souls who had no idea of the terror and rage that was about to succumb; and then be reborn as quicksand to the innocent, sort of like a snake pit that had been hidden for years of starvation now killing with a hunger that couldn't be satisfied. I felt something strange was happening to us all because I could sense the thorns of agony were amongst us watching diligently from the shadows of the Dining room walls while gently scraping our fearless minds and leaving marks of pain that we would soon suffer if caution wasn't taken in our new adventure. I really thought we were making a big mistake by searching for this man of myth while fiercely escaping the inner compounds of torment; and I really didn't know what we would be looking for, but it might kill us if we found it. We were facing major problems that had been seen so many times before, at every stage of life guaranteeing if we take the chance, we'll locate somebody and be a part of something where shortcomings, failures, and leisure's of hope are the champions of their choosing. I desperately tried talking Kevin around it by heading straight, where my words would align to counter the fast balls that were being thrown by him meant to excite the pressures of pure concentration, leaving the heart to accelerate to spectacular levels of concern. When Kevin's words had finally found him again he spoke urgently to communicate his thoughts as he said, "Sacman will be hiding in wait like Kane; you know how he smothers his victims is pure hatred but refusing to embrace that hate would be failure for all the things left inside of him, and all the things to come." The windows of opportunity were looking slim for us like soft disappointments where we would be put in inferior positions to be casualties in this urban warfare that we called hide-and-seek. Rene aggressively replied, "I heard Sacman was not predictable but his denial was direct, just, and honorable slowly eating away at the animosity swirling through his inner thoughts of killing." She quickly continued before being interrupted by saying, "I heard the best legend of all is where you can't predict what his aspirations are even if they're a little bit more ambitious than everyone of his dreams, but I foresee one more dream that will finish off the plate of tid-bit morsels that think they can do anything while not recognizing his limitations of talent." Rene had a great way of putting things into perspective, and was really being kind to the temper tantrums that were being thrown to get their way. Kevin was now huffing and puffing fighting for his words to be heard as he angrily said, "I'm going to give this Sacman a dose of his own medicine and this unfamiliar commencement we are about to face will probably be insurmountable, but last night I witnessed a star proving that light evolves the inner parts of a celestial body emitting animations like a guide to hope and a guide to understanding the love that's left behind, so guys I want you to think about the children that have disappeared and the many lives we could save from this rare monster of mystique by just standing up to our fears and uniting as one to put an end to this timeless terror." We all knew that Kevin was an excellent motivator to get what he wanted, but his stubbornness was like a slight touch of insanity. "Wow Daredevils", I said, "This is getting us nowhere by arguing back-and-forth, I just wonder if Sacman is trying to communicate his innocence or just simply trying to lure more faultless sacrifices into his web of injustices that is inescapable by a rooty-poot prey; and by rooty-poot I mean dumb as a dog trying to scratch a flea off a cat's balls; dumb as a turtle trying to race a rabbit to the finish line, and family I think you know what the finish line is: Life or Death!" "So, I don't know about the rest of you but if Kevin's willing to scratch some cat balls, I say ruff, ruff let's get to scratching." Lia started laughing so hard I could've swore I seen wet patches on her Wonder Woman pajamas sagging the inner parts of her crotch like a baby's soaked diaper, and with a child like sense of wonderment where the boundaries are not set quite right, she desperately had to get her opinion heard at a table full of authentic feelings that were trying to draw strong results. Lia said, "I feel like I'm spiraling out of the air!" She was expressing an outrage of alarm that I had never seen in my little cousin's eyes before as she continued saying, "Guys, please don't mock me but only I know what I'm capable of accomplishing, and I really want to go with everybody to search this monster man out but I don't want to lose anybody, and ya'll know I'll bite and fight until my last breath; but I'm really scared." Kevin said, "Sis, I'm so proud of your courage and I don't mean to scare you but just remember huge hurdles still remain, and while our emotional wounds remain fresh we are also prey just like the lost souls that have mysteriously disappeared." Nece was rocking so vigorously in her rocking chair near the Dining room table that you could feel the vibrations shimmering through the place mats on the table. Finally, she spoke up after patiently waiting for her turn to be heard as she said, "Let's go get the bikes and leave now before I have second thoughts about this run-in." "I'm beyond terrified but we have to go now or my nerves will get the best of me. because this type of pressure will really let you know if you're a man, woman, or mouse." Kevin didn't hesitate or blink an eye as he said, "Off to the bikes then my fearless Daredevils, off to victory and the glory of adventure." As we all scrambled toward the front door thumping our chests and chanting "Deepwater Daredevils, Deepwater Daredevils" we all made a quick change of clothes, gathered our specialty weapons that suited our personalities, and then darted outside and mounted our trusty stallions. After a few minutes of cautious preparation, we galloped gallantly toward the sun as if we were John Wayne or Clint Eastwood starring in one of their finest Western films. Our well tuned bikes seemed like thoroughbreds racing steadily at a contender's tempo knowing not to waste all of the stored energy that was yearning to be released. As we headed down the narrow country road for about twenty to thirty minutes, I could see that everyone's faces were so serious and concentrated on the task at hand that we didn't even notice the pavement was about to change dramatically. We could now hear the swoosh of the leaves, and the crumble of the gravel as we rode like we were climbing up the walls of what seemed like an infinite mystery while having a rigid mindset as we made a bee- line toward Sacman's supposed lair. I was in awe of all the beautiful scenery that surrounded this secluded area that was rarely occupied by explorers such as us, but every once in awhile a tourist or sightseer might frequent these back-wood regions to take an unforgettable picture that would last a lifetime on their minds as far as capturing that unique moment of wonderful wildness. Now, the road was steadily growing very dusty from the full charge of our bicycles zooming over this unfamiliar route, as I observantly glanced over at Kevin and noticed that he was slowing his pace in pedaling, as our bikes quickly hugged the center of a hidden path heading left and then down a mild slope of muddy mass hysteria. The end of our journey at this moment was hidden by a grisly clump of trees that looked like an unmaintained graveyard waiting for a cemetery grounds man to replenish the last bit of life that lingered from its unwanted welcoming. Perching high in an impressive safeguarding tree, I recognized a jet black crow with a penetrating stare cawing, and bobbing its slender neck back and forth; as if he was guarding the entrance to a sanctuary of evil spirits that didn't want to be found. It was worse than bad it was unforgettable, like vipers ready to strike, ready to unite, and serve that single blow that paralyzes its victim's soul into an abyss that staggers deep into the darkness, like nine ways to Sunday with confetti falling gently to the surface of this instant proof we had found with special instructions to waver under the silent sun. We faithfully knew that God was on our side but we didn't perceive the words that would be spoken at a later time because all we could think about was that wars were won in the trenches even though they're sometimes filled with motionless bodies not expecting such a methodical execution. Now these wise words have cursed my bravery, and my relentless hope of being indestructible, which was ringing sharply through my eardrums like hummingbirds singing that everlasting melody with exhausted possibilities, that I'm never going to respect you, or the secretive choices you've made against countless innocent souls. I said aloud, "God is good, God is great!" "So, how will we all survive on this Hell's filled plate?" No response was given at this particular time but I knew Father was there observing, and protecting us from afar with the Sun's heat being so overwhelming that caution would have been the best option of approach; but Kevin was on a mission to conquer and destroy, as if he was trying to rid his veins of pure resentment, or just trying to surpass the fear that had been laid on his simple mind at such an early age, definitely being overwhelmed about these graphic stories of "Steal your Hearts" Sacman. Even though we were all witnessing Kevin acting hyperactive, we still executed our Daredevil approach of caution while scanning the surroundings, until our attentions were immediately drawn and mesmerized by these commanding train cars that were set in a rotund pattern like a wagon train protecting itself from an onslaught of vindictive Indians trying to regain a time adjustment of lost respect from lost revenge. As we dismounted our bucking, and belligerent Broncos it seemed that our wild hearts couldn't be broken as we began our Tribal walk down memory lane drawing nearer to the abandoned wreckage that was embroidery framed and artistically canvassed like a Van Gough, or a Da Vinci painting; inviting the imagination to create a perfect picture of unwanted destruction. Rene observantly said, "There's been activity here recently, just look at the remnants of wood still burning in the interior of this dull made campfire." As we looked the area over, we could hear the mournful cry of the summer wind parading briskly through the open doors of this vacant wreckage: whistling as if to say, "Welcome to the Party of Fear!" "Death lingers near!" Now while we were learning to accept the curiosity inside, tragic plans of surprise were about to unleash a completely out of its mind fiasco.
